Destined Roommates | Taegyu

(TW: Mentions of; Abuse, (emotional, physical), mental health issues, self esteem issues, family dysfunction) 

Taehyun's breath caught in his throat at the sound of the voice. He longed to respond, but he couldn't bring himself to meet its owner's gaze. Instead, he fell silent and focused intently on the floor.

"Come in" the voice spat out coldly, making Taehyun flinch slightly, but nevertheless, he stepped into the house. 

"Show me your report card" 

"Y-yes father, h-here it is" Taehyun finally spoke, panicking slightly as he scrambled to find his report card in his bag, handing it over to his father when he found it. 

Taehyun nervously glanced at his father's face as he looked over the report card, his heart dropping when saw the familiar displeased look creep up his father's face. 

"Is this a joke?" his father muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "You call this acceptable?"

Taehyun's stomach twisted into knots as he fought against the urge to defend himself. He had studied hard, but somehow, it hadn't translated to the grades he had hoped for. He found himself wishing he could shrink into the floor.

"I-I tried my best..." he managed to stammer, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Your best is not good enough!" his father snapped, the paper trembling slightly in his grip. "Look at this score. 99.5? What have I told you about expectations? If you studied well enough it shouldn't be any trouble for you to get 100 on this! I expected more from you, Taehyun! There are no excuses for failure."

Each word felt like a cold blade cutting deeper into Taehyun's chest. He swallowed against the lump in his throat, trying to muster the courage to speak again.

"I...I just need more time. I can do better next—"

"Next what?" his father cut him off sharply, his glare piercing. "You think you're going to get another chance to your undo this? You're running out of time, and wasting mine with this mediocrity. You need to straighten up, or you'll end up nowhere. Just like your sister."

Taehyun flinched at the mention of his sister. 

"Do you want to disgrace this family?" his father continued, disappointment etched deep into his features. 

The words hung in the air heavy with unspoken threats. Taehyun blinked back tears, unwelcome and stinging, but he wouldn't let them fall. He couldn't show weakness.

"Father, I—" Taehyun began to plead, but the words fell flat, drowned out by his father's rage.

The older man stepped forward, eyes dark with disappointment and anger, and before Taehyun could back away, he felt a sharp sting across his face as his father slapped him hard.

"Do you understand how much this hurts me? The embarrassment?"

Taehyun stumbled back, clutching his cheek, tears brimming but unwilling to spill. He could taste the metallic tang of fear creeping in, and he hated himself for feeling this way.

"I'm sorry! I'll do better! Just give me a chance!" he cried out, desperation pushing his voice higher, but it only seemed to fuel his father further.

"What you need is discipline!" his father shouted, stepping closer, looming larger than life.

Before Taehyun could react, his father's hand shot out again, gripping his arm tightly and pulling him forward. Pain shot through him, but it was nothing compared to the heartbreak behind those furious eyes.