The Boy in the Bubble: A Taekook Story

Kookie...I killed my dad.

"Okay...that...I wasn't expecting that..." Jungkook mumbles, stroking a hand down my back though I don't see fear or contempt in his eyes. He's more curious than anything else, "Can I...can I know why?" he questions, and I hesitate. I know I have to tell him the full story. I can't leave him with just that little tidbit of information if I want to keep his trust.

"It's...it's hard for me to talk about. I promised Namjoon that I wouldn't speak of it again, but he and Jin are right...you deserve to know. So my dad...well my dad was abusive. He used to beat my mother, and when I was ten he started to abuse Namjoon and me too. My mother couldn't do anything right, and to escape the pain, she turned to drugs. When...when I was thirteen, I witnessed my dad kill—kill my mother. I lost it. I—I took one of his liquor bottles and hit—hit him with it. Over...and over...I just couldn't stop...," I struggle through my story with tears in my eyes, choking on a sob as I desperately cling to Jungkook, "Please, Kookie! Please don't hate me!" He wraps his arms tightly around my waist, hushing me gently as he strokes down my back sweetly. He plants a kiss into my chocolate brown hair between his soft words.

"I could never hate you, Taehyung. Never! You were defending yourself and your loved ones. I could never hate you for that," Jungkook murmurs once I settle down, "So...did you get caught...?"

"The neighbors filed a noise complaint from my mother's screams...and then mine. When the cops came, they took me away and locked me up until they could prove it was self-defense. It took about a week, but in that week Namjoon was lost. He had no idea what happened to me until the cops finally released me...promising that no charges would be filed if I kept clean. That's why I panicked about the street art thing...that can ruin me," I whisper into his chest, and Jungkook smiles softly.

"I won't tell a soul. Don't worry. All of your secrets are safe with me, kitten," Jungkook says, lifting my chin before kissing me. I wrap my arms around his neck, tears of happiness flowing from my eyes as he accepts me for what I am: broken. Jungkook deepens the kiss, his hands pulling me closer when a small whimper slips from my lips. He nibbles on my bottom lip, causing me to blush brightly with a smile on my face. It isn't until Jin knocks on the door that I leap out of Jungkook's lap, holding my fist to my lips as I try to hide sheepishly. Jungkook just smirks as Jin peeks his head in.

"Dinner's ready so get your ass down here!" Jin chimes, and I smile.

"Okay, Jinnie-hyung. We will be right down!" I say before Jin shuts the door. As soon as he does, Jungkook pulls me into a heated kiss, his lips tormenting me until I'm clinging to him and gasping for air.

"Woah..." I whimper, and Jungkook chuckles, righting me on my now wobbly legs.

"Shall we go?" he asks, and I punch his arm.

"You've no idea how hard it is to act normal around my brother when you do shit like that!" I whine and he laughs even louder. He grabs my hand, leading me down to the small table that was once just shared by Namjoon and me. Jungkook sits across from me with Jin on my right and Namjoon on my left. Jin dishes out individual servings before Namjoon stares Jungkook down.

"So...now you know what's at stake," Namjoon says seriously.

"Yes, I do," Jungkook replies, looking at me with a soft smile, "And I accept Taehyung for who he is. I always will," Jungkook says and I see Namjoon relax.

"Okay then. You are officially allowed to stay," Namjoon mumbles and Jin and I cheer, causing Namjoon and Jungkook to laugh. There isn't much chatter as we dig into the food, yet when Jungkook takes a bite his eyes go wide.