Hustlers || Taekook

Chapter 26

Hyung?

Jungkook could only stare in blank, uncomprehending silence.

"Who the fuck are you?" Jungkook asked eventually, flatly, and the person flicked his eyebrows as if saying "yikes". Every person in the room seemed to be holding their breath collectively, curious, uneasy stares flicking between the two of them.

"Well, take it easy. Do you want the short summary or the long, extended, detailed explanation?" The person replied in a dry tone that grated over Jungkook's ears and pissed him off to no end. The person raised his eyebrow at Jungkook's expression and shrugged, rolling his eyes. Jungkook felt irritation immediately sear through his body and he narrowed his eyes as the person spoke. "Looks like it's both. I'm Junseo, your half brother. I wish I could say it's nice to meet you, but it really isn't."

"I don't even know you. I don't have a brother like you." Jungkook replied with a low growl, and Junseo scoffed, holding a hand over his chest dramatically.

"Might I return the sentiment? Like it or not, it's true, we're related, hyung. Want me to explain?" Junseo drawled lazily, not a trace of basic respect or warmth for a fellow human being evident on his face as he stared at Jungkook like he would an ant. Jungkook balled his fingers into fists, unspeakably pissed off at this guy he'd never met, this supposed psychopath calling him 'hyung' so familiarly. Jinwoo quickly grabbed ahold of his arm, shaking his head as Jungkook turned to him.

"Jinwoo, what-" Jungkook started lowly and Jinwoo winced, sliding his eyes over to Junseo briefly.

"Jungkook, I hate to say it but he's telling the truth. You should probably listen to him explain." Jinwoo advised quietly, apologetic gleam in his eyes and Jungkook gritted his teeth, forcing his fingers to relax again and looking back to Junseo, jaw ticking.

"Permission granted? Okay then, story time. Once upon a time, Dad had an arranged marriage with a miserable old bitch, your mother. I know, ridiculous, right? Arranged marriages in this day and age. Business relations or some shit." Junseo began carelessly, dismissively and Jungkook felt rage explode in his chest and burn through his limbs, lunging forward at Junseo's ever so casual insult to his mother. Who the fuck did he think he was? How dare he? Jinwoo quickly grabbed him again and tugged him back, shaking him urgently as if to get him to keep his senses and calm down.

"What the fuck did you just call my mother? Say that again." Jungkook growled threateningly, anger simmering in his stomach, and Junseo affected a mock surprised, apologetic expression, lifting his hand up to his mouth.

"Ooh, if you get offended by that level you've got a shitstorm coming." Junseo spoke in a sickening fake sympathetic tone and Jinwoo glanced up at him sharply.

"Junseo- please." Jinwoo spoke tightly and Junseo sighed, reaching out and brushing his fingers down Jinwoo's arm affectionately. Jinwoo's eyes burned with hate and disgust but he held himself still, as if he'd been trained to. He probably had. Jungkook's anger doubled at seeing his friend treated like this. At the hands of his own... brother. He still had a hard time believing he had a brother he never knew existed surprisingly enough, but Jinwoo had said Junseo was telling the truth, and the tension stuffing the room would make sense. It appeared everyone knew everything except him. As usual. Jungkook felt like he was going to be sick.

"Yes, darling." Junseo cooed, laughing at Jinwoo's expression and abruptly glancing away, smile sliding right off his face as he stared boredly at Jungkook again. "Well anyway, after an unpleasant couple years of unhappy marriage, they accidentally had you. The night they found out the old hag was pregnant, Dad went out and got smashed. Dad, an extremely uptight, professional and serious businessman, started illegal gambling that very night, that's how much he didn't want you. That's how much he wanted to forget about it, how much he despaired at the prospect of having you."