P l e a s e . . . [ Taekook - Self-Harm AU ] ⚠️

[ Chapter 4: Buildup, Burn Down ]

For the past few weeks, things have been starting to get a little bit better for Jungkook. His parents fought less, the bullies didn't get as many chances to hurt Jungkook as they usually would, and Taehyung made him feel happy for once. He really thought there was a chance for everything to get better for him... Key word: thought.

Jungkook made his way to school, keeping his head down as he walked. He went straight to his locker, seeing Taehyung already waiting for him. He slightly smiled, opening his locker.

"Good morning, Kookie!" Taehyung greeted with that same stupid, cute smile on his face. Jungkook whispered a good morning to Taehyung back, setting what he didn't need in his locker for now.

"Sleep okay?" Jungkook asked, turning to look at Taehyung as he slung his slightly lighter bag over his shoulders.

"Mhm! I did." Taehyung giggled. "Did you?" Jungkook nodded slightly. Taehyung smiled wider, wrapping his arms around Jungkook without even thinking about it. Jungkook hugged him back, sorta leaning into Taehyung. They stood there in silence. In each others' grasps. That... was sort of a mistake. Scratch that, it was a huge mistake.

Jungkook didn't even realize Baekhyun had walked up to them, until he felt Baekhyun harshly tug him away from Taehyung. He yelped, looking to at Baekhyun with wide eyes. "The hell do you think you're doing!?" Baekhyun yelled as he tugged on Jungkook again.

"B-B-Bae-...Baekh-hyun-" Jungkook stammered. "H-He's just a friend of mi-"

"Sure as hell doesn't look like it! I see the way you look at him sometimes!" Baekhyun was starting to grab the attention of other students around them now. Jungkook felt even more anxious at how many eyes were on them. He tried to speak, but only whimpers managed to come out.

"We aren't anything more than friends... I can assure that mu-" Taehyung tried to step in, but Baekhyun glared at him.

"You stay away from him. Don't talk to him or you'll be as good as dead. Got that?" Baekhyun growled. Taehyung didn't really react.

"P-Please..." Jungkook whispered, struggling to get out of Baekhyun's grasp. "stop..."

"Shut up!" Baekhyun yelled, shoving Jungkook's body into the locker. "I know how much of a slut you are. Looking for boys to cheat on me with. Don't even deny it! I don't even know why Taehyung hangs out with a disgusting, ugly, attention-seeking, failed abortion kid like you!" He brought a hand up as if he were about to slap Jungkook. Jungkook shut his eyes tight, waiting for an impact. He received nothing but Baekhyun's growls.

"What the hell is wrong with you? He's none of those words you described him as!" Taehyung protested. "He's done nothing wrong to you, has he? He doesn't deserve a guy like you, nor do you deserve someone like Jungkook. It's people like you who want to take advantage of weaker, smaller people."

"Let go of me!" Baekhyun yelled much louder this time. Taehyung didn't let go. Instead, he shoved him into the lockers, causing Baekhyun to fall into some of the people around them. Taehyung took the chance to reach for Jungkook's hand and quickly walk away from the situation. Baekhyun didn't bother to run after them.

Taehyung stopped in an empty hallway, quickly wrapping his arms around Jungkook's trembling body. "I'm so sorry, Jungkook..." he whispered, rubbing the boy's back. Jungkook wanted to shove Taehyung away and apologize. He wanted to tell him he was sorry and leave. He wanted to leave and shut everyone out of his life, so he could die in peace. But he couldn't get himself to do any of it. He felt tears in his eyes, but he didn't let any of them fall. He didn't want them to fall onto Taehyung's pretty, clean shirt. Jungkook shakily gripped at that shirt.