Black and White | TK

18

⚠️TW: depictions of ab*se⚠️

"Tae! I've done the beds." Jungkook called down to Taehyung from the landing, and Taehyung ran up to him, kind of relieved that he wasn't alone with his parents anymore. Jungkook has tidied his double bed, and set up a blowup bed on the floor. Taehyung set his stuff down next to the blow-up bed, but Jungkook shook his head.

"No, you'll sleep on my bed. It's more comfortable." Jungkook said, pointing to his double bed. Taehyung frowned.
"I can't just let you invite me into your house and then make you sleep on the floor." Taehyung said.
"I really don't mind sleeping on the floor, you take the bed." Jungkook repeated, but Taehyung was adamant.
"No Jungkook, you should sleep in your bed." He said, and Jungkook sighed.

"You're having the bed!"
"No, I'll sleep on the floor!"
"Fine! We'll both take the bed." Jungkook said finally, and Taehyung raised an eyebrow, which made Jungkook retract his interjection.
"Unless you'd rather not-" Jungkook started, but Taehyung just nodded.
"Sure, at least we've come to an agreement for once." Taehyung said, and they both laughed a little. They got into their pyjamas and cleaned their teeth, before clambering into bed.

Taehyung could feel the warmth of the raven-haired boy next to him as he lay comfortably. He turned to Jungkook.
"Kookie?" Taehyung said, feeling like he needed to asked something.
"Hm?" He hummed in response, typing on his phone as he tried to hide his blush at the nickname.
"After all I've done to you, why the hell do you still treat me like you do? You're family is so nice as well, I... well... I just don't understand. I'm a horrible person." He admitted, staring at the ceiling. Jungkook lowered his phone and looked at the older, his raven hair falling slightly across his face.

"You're not a horrible person at all. To be honest, Tae, I've always thought you were a cool person. I wanted to be friends with you for ages, but I never thought you'd like someone like me. You understand me." Jungkook replied, and Taehyung smiled slightly.
"Yeah, you're chill." He replied, and Jungkook chuckled and turned over.
"Goodnight Tae."
"Night."

Taehyung heard soft snores coming from next to him within minutes, and he cooed at the sight of the younger who was peacefully asleep. He couldn't help but feel guilty. Guilty that he'd treated Jungkook like that, guilty to the point where he felt like a burden, guilty that he was useless. He felt worthless, but people like Jungkook, Jimin, and even Yoongi made him feel like he was at least worth something, without having to beat the hell out of someone.

He couldn't get the thoughts of his dad out of his head, and he hoped that he would never see him again, because there was nothing that scared him more than his own father. He felt like he'd failed his mother. The thoughts of his father finding him or of his past always haunted him, and it meant that he didn't sleep much due to intrusive thoughts and night terrors. He sighed heavily, before snuggling into the sheets, and eventually fell asleep after some time.
                                  •        •       •
Taehyung's dad glared angrily at the little boy, a leather belt clasped firmly between his fingers.
"Don't hit me again! P-please... go away!" Taehyung cried helplessly, trying to back away. But the man just approached him quickly, brandishing the belt with fury as angry curses left his lips. His face was contorted in an expression so frightening and angry, that one would believe he was completely mad.
"No! It hurts! Stop..." Taehyung screamed.

Jungkook woke up to the sound of someone screaming, his heart pounding against his ribs as adrenaline quickly flooded his senses. He turned to Taehyung who was twisting and crying in his sleep, mumbling strange words that the younger couldn't quite decipher. Jungkook immediately worked out that he must have been having a nightmare, and he could take a guess about what, so he was quick to shake the older awake.

"Tae! What's wrong? Are you okay??" He said in a panic. When Taehyung did wake up, he only sat up shakily and cried harder, so Jungkook pulled him towards him and wrapped his arms securely around his waist as the older broke down into the dip of his shoulder. Taehyung's generally stern and cold features were sullen and panicked, and it was scaring Jungkook.

"H-he's going to find me. I... I-I know he will." Taehyung stuttered with misty eyes, shaking uncontrollably as the tears streamed down his face. Jungkook held him tighter, but Taehyung could only sob into the crook of his neck.
"Shh, it's okay, promise. As long as I'm here, I won't let him hurt you." Jungkook tried to hush him. Taehyung's sobs filled the room, causing Jungkook's heart to clench, not wanting to hear that he was in pain.

"He h-hates me. L-like everyone else." Taehyung spluttered, clenching his hands into tight fists to try and calm down by grounding himself.
"I don't hate you, Tae. Jimin, Yoongi and my family don't hate you either, okay? Don't cry." He whispered gently, drawing circles on the older's back with his fingers. Taehyung didn't stop crying for a long time, but Jungkook just held him closer; he didn't mind. Tae wasn't used to being hugged or embraced, mainly because he didn't generally like it as it made him uncomfortable, but Jungkook made him feel safe. When his crying was reduced to sniffles, Jungkook held Tae's tired head in his hands, looking at him with concern.

"Are you alright?" Jungkook whispered softly, watching how the older's eyes were battling to stay open.
"I love you." Taehyung mumbled sleepily, resting his head on Jungkook's shoulder. Jungkook felt his heart jolt.
'Wow, he must really be out of it.' The younger thought to himself with a chuckle as he felt Taehyung's soft hair brush his cheek.
"I... I love you too." Jungkook whispered, but by then the brunette was already asleep in his arms. Jungkook stayed awake to watch over him, because he no longer felt tired, and he knew that it would make Taehyung feel safer.
                                  •        •       •
Taehyung opened his eyes as the sun peered through the curtains, casting an orange glow across the room. He immediately noticed Jungkook's large hands resting on his arms, and Jungkook was sitting behind him, his back against the wall, smiling fondly at him.

"Morning sunshine." He cooed as Taehyung sleepily turned to him. Taehyung had been leaning on him the whole time he slept, and Jungkook didn't mind at all. Taehyung immediately moved off of him and frowned.
"Oh my gosh- I'm so sorry." He said hurriedly, and Jungkook tilted his head.

"For what? No need to apologise." Jungkook chuckled, before smiling sadly at him.
"Are you okay now?" He asked the flustered brunette, who nodded wearily.
"Yeah, thankyou. I'm sorry for waking you. You didn't have to stay up." Taehyung mumbled apologetically, but Jungkook just shook his head.

"It's totally fine, I was just worried about you. Did you sleep alright after that?" Jungkook admitted, and Taehyung revealed a small smile.
'I never wanted to leave his arms, just his presence is comforting.' Taehyung thought to himself.
"Yeah... I'd be lying if I didn't say that you really helped me. Nightmares suck." Taehyung replied, and Jungkook smiled back at him.
"Understandable. I'm here for you."