Chapter Text
The first blow landed like a thunderbolt, sending a jolt of pain through Jungkook's ribs. He gasped, the stuffy air of the claustrophobic janitor's closet filling his lungs. Taehyung's face, usually a captivating sight, had shifted into a mask of forced aggression. His knuckles, wrapped in worn leather, met Jungkook's jaw with a sickening thud, echoing in the silence.
"Ugly," Taehyung spat, the word laced with venom. Jungkook squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the next hit. He tasted blood, warm and metallic, pooling in his mouth.
A kick to his stomach hunched him over, the air whooshing from his lungs, leaving him breathless.
"Pathetic," Taehyung continued, his voice rough. Jungkook curled up tighter, his arms instinctively wrapping around his abdomen in a useless attempt to shield himself.
Then a strike landed on his back, sending a searing pain down his spine.
"Nerd," Taehyung finished, his voice barely a whisper now, the forced cruelty draining him with every blow.
Jungkook lay there, trembling, the hard floor cold against his tear-stained cheek. The sound of Taehyung and his friends' laughter faded away, quickly replaced by a high-pitched ringing in his ears and a heavy throbbing that took over his entire body.
Tears welled in his eyes, fogging the already blurred shapes of the cleaning equipment around him. It isn't true… he knows… it isn't... right? The quiet denial in his head only helped Jungkook feel the raw reality of the pain.
He knows that Taehyung is doing what any other student would want to do to him so he can't hate him. He's doing everyone a favor. But that's what hurts the most. Not the wounds, bruises or cruel words. It's the heartbreaking reality that no one will ever love him no matter how much he tries.
The bell shrieked through the empty halls, a jarring sound that signaled the end of another torturous day. Students rushed out of open classroom doors, their footsteps a distant drumming. Jungkook knew all students who passed by would see his pathetic figure from the open door directly before him.
Some held fleeting glances at his crumpled form, their expressions a mixture of pity and horror. Others deliberately averted their eyes, unwilling to acknowledge the wretch, knowing their attention would only get them in trouble.
In the retreating echo of hurried footsteps, Jungkook could still make out the noise of Taehyung and his friends, their laughter a reminder of his isolation. He knew no one would help him. He was the stray, the easy target, and that would never change.
Once the last student had disappeared, Jungkook pushed himself up, his muscles throbbing in protest. A sharp pain shot through his side where one of the bullies had landed a brutal kick. Taehyung's laughter, that cold, mocking sound, replayed in his mind, an earworm that haunted him. He knew the torment wouldn't end until he stood up for himself.
The walk home had become a dread, ever since Taehyung and his friends had started lurking, their presence a constant threat. He had begun taking the long way, a detour that added too many minutes to his agony. But it was necessary. If they ever found out where he lives, he would have nowhere left to escape.
The walk down the deserted hallway was a massive effort because every step ached. Jungkook blinked tears away, trying to unblur his vision as he desperately tried to locate the familiar green sign of the sickbay. In the hazy distance, an unaccompanied figure stood waiting just outside the green sign.
Jungkook froze, his already labored breath catching in his throat. The silhouette screamed Taehyung.
He leaned heavily against a quivering, cold locker, his mind racing. He couldn't face him again, not so soon, not after the brutal assault just moments ago. The thought sent a fresh wave of nausea through him while another jolt of pain hammered his abdomen.
Abandoning the hope of healing any wounds, he turned back around, deciding to limp towards the bathroom. Each grueling step felt like hours. Hours until he could finally rest and attempt to forget about his current situation.
Once Jungkook finally stumbled into the bathroom, he gripped the edge of the cold, wet sink with white knuckles. His heartbeat stayed as high as his nerves. He lowered his head as a sigh escaped his lips, full of exhaustion and fear.
He dreaded looking up, scared of the reflection that awaited him. Maybe a swollen eye, a split lip, certainly there would be blood that still stained his face. There always is.
Little did Jungkook know, Taehyung stood outside the sickbay, a knot of guilt tight in his chest. He hadn't meant to hurt him that badly. He had only done it because of RM's cruel dare. "You gotta beat up the new kid to show us you're not some pathetic bitch. Show us you deserve to be in our group," the leader had sneered.
Taehyung, desperate to escape the consistent fear of becoming the next target, had agreed. He desired their acceptance and protection, even if it meant inflicting pain on someone else.
But the reality of their approval hurt more and more with each bruise he inflicted on Jungkook. It had only been a month since the torment began, and he already regretted every word, every beating.
Standing outside the sickbay only made the weight of his actions press down on him. He wanted to apologize, to somehow undo the hurt he had caused. A plea of forgiveness formed in his throat, but Taehyung didn't dare to show it. He couldn't.