🩵𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔻𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕝'𝕤 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕜🩵

It was midnight, and the rain pounded relentlessly, the wind making the storm feel even fiercer. A young man in his twenties walked down the deserted street, indifferent to the soaking rain and the biting cold. His footsteps echoed through the quiet night, each one a solitary rhythm to his troubled thoughts. He gazed up at the moon, its cold light reflecting the complex emotions in his eyes.

After a while, the rain finally stopped, and he made his way back home. As the sun’s rays filtered through his window, the boy groaned, turning away from the bright light. His phone rang loudly, startling him from his drowsy state. Grumbling about the disturbance, he answered the call without checking the caller ID.

“WHERE ARE YOU, JUNGKOOK?” A harsh, familiar voice blared from the other end.

Jungkook winced at the volume. “Jimin-shi, I swear my ears are going to burst one day.”

Jimin’s voice was exasperated. “Brat, I’m older than you!”

“So?” Jungkook responded with a hint of annoyance.

Jimin was not in the mood for banter. “Do you seriously forget we have a test today?”

Jungkook’s eyes widened as he suddenly remembered. “Oh, shit, I forgot.”

Jimin groaned. “You’re impossible.”

Jungkook hung up and rushed to the bathroom, nearly tripping over his own feet in his hurry. He stripped off his clothes and glanced at his reflection in the mirror. A black-and-white tattoo of a tiger with the initials "KTH" near it marked his arm. He sighed, shaking his head as if to dispel his worries.

He quickly prepared himself for university, donning a black hoodie and blue jeans. He grabbed his backpack and checked for his phone before heading downstairs. As he approached the kitchen, he heard his parents grumbling. Relieved they were not in the mood for confrontation, he silently left the house, avoiding the inevitable arguments and beatings.

---

Jungkook, 21, was a university student juggling studies with part-time jobs. His parents had always been harsh, but over time, their abuse had escalated from emotional to physical. He had hoped that meeting his soulmate would bring him happiness and a way out, but after three years of waiting, his hope was slowly dwindling. The dark sky seemed to mirror his life, devoid of light or hope.

---

For breakfast, Jungkook picked up something from a nearby convenience store, knowing the kitchen was bare and he had neither the ingredients nor the inclination to cook. After grabbing his meal, he walked to the university, greeting Jimin and Yoongi, who were together.

Jungkook never spoke to Jimin about the abuse he suffered at home. He remembered the day when he had tried to seek help, only for his friend to confront his parents directly. Their sweet smiles and denials led to three days without food or water and an increase in beatings.

---

As class time approached, Jungkook took his usual seat at the back of the room near the window. Just as he settled in, the classroom door burst open, and the university’s bullies swaggered in. Mark, their leader, approached Jungkook with a sneer.

“Oh, look at this pathetic nerd,” Mark taunted.

Jungkook kept his head down, unwilling to engage. The teacher arrived, saving him from further torment. During the lecture, Jungkook’s attention wandered outside, lost in thought.

When the bell rang, students rushed to the cafeteria. Jungkook packed up and headed to the rooftop, where he sought solace in the quiet and the wind that brushed against his face. He enjoyed these moments alone, away from the chaos below.

He ate a sandwich from the convenience store, closing his eyes as he leaned against the wall. He wished for escape but felt trapped in his circumstances. Thoughts of suicide had crossed his mind many times, but he had always been stopped—by an elderly woman, a kind man, and others who intervened when he reached the brink.

---

His phone buzzed, bringing him back to reality. It was a message from Jimin.

Jimin: Jungkookie

Jungkook: What is it, hyung?

Jimin: Me and Yoongi got an apartment, so…

Jungkook: Hmm?

Jimin: …

Jungkook: What do you want from me?

Jimin: Can you move in with us? 🥺🥺

Jungkook: Hyung, you know I can’t. My parents won’t agree.

Jimin: About that 👉🏻👈🏻

Jungkook: What did you do?

Jimin: I asked them, and they agreed.

---

Jungkook stared at the message in disbelief. There was no way his parents would have agreed to this. Yet, after some contemplation, he accepted Jimin’s offer. Thanks to his part-time jobs, he could afford to contribute to the apartment.

He moved into a room next to Jimin and Yoongi, grateful for the chance to live with friends who cared about him. Despite this new opportunity, a part of him remained cautious, a voice in his mind whispering, "Don’t get your hopes up, Jungkook. You might just get hurt again."

⋆ ༺ 𓆩❤︎𓆪 ༻ ⋆