Chapter Eighteen
Hold Me Tight
Jungkook POV
I whimpered as I sat on the cold floor, the time ticking by slowly.
Were they gone?
They don’t love Koo anymore…
Finally, a heartbreaking sob slipped past my lips, echoing through the stairwell.
The urdge to torture myself was strong, but I held back because that’d only make them hate Koo more.
I settled for crying, sobbing, wailing in emotional pain and turmoil, slowly slipping out of my headspace, I was so hurt.
By the time the punishment was over, my knees were bent at a ninety degree angle, my hands clasped between them, my head bowed low in shame.
“I shouldn’t have trusted them.” I whispered, my head throbbing from the pain of constant crying.
I heard footsteps, but I never looked up… they’re coming to say goodbye, right before they kick me out.
They hate me.
I’m a freak.
A whimper slipped past my lips as a single tear slid down my cheek.
“Baby Bun? Do you understand what you did wrong?”
I didn’t answer, the pain in my chest suffocating me, with the fear as soon as I answered, they’d be gone.
“Bun, look at Eomma will you?”
I shook my head.
“Don’t be a brat Jeongguk!” Appa snapped.
I flinched before beginning to shake, my breathing picking up pace.
“Joon, be gentle, it’s his first,”
“But he needs to know he can’t be disrespectful Seokjin-ah!!!”
“Yelling won’t help anything, poor thing’s so scared,”
Eomma knelt in front of me, taking my chin in his hands, making me meet his eyes,” Bun… what happened? Why are you crying?”
My lip trembled,” You… you don’t want me anymore right? Because of what I did? I’m sorry!!! Please don’t-t leave m-me!!! Don’t kick me out-t!!! P-promise I’ll be g-good!!! I promise!!!” tears fell once again as I squeezed my eyes shut.
“Kook-ah, why would we leave you?” Appa asked softly, a soft look in his eyes.
“B-because n-no one wants a bad b-boy,” I whispered.
“Gguk-ah, you’re not a bad boy, you made a mistake… we all make mistakes, it’s how we learn. We won’t turn you away because you made a mistake darling. It’s our responsibility to help you learn what’s right and what’s wrong,” Eomma smiled, rubbing my arm softly.
“‘M not?”
“No baby, you’re not,”
I looked up and made grabby hands,” Cuddles?”
He smiled,” Of course,”
I clung to Eomma as he picked me up, carrying me up the stairs. I laid my head on his broad shoulder, whimpering softly, afraid this was all just a dream.
He settled us down on his bed, Appa sitting beside us. They wrapped their arms around me and I sighed. It was nice, to know that even outside of my headspace, they'd still care for me.
The gentle way Appa's fingers carded through my hair, the way Eomma rubbed my arm, humming softly to me. He way they curled around me, framing me in comfort, warmth, and security.
