Chapter 8: Decalcomania

"The best feeling is when you look at him...and he is already staring."

Chapter 8: Decalcomania

The motorcycle sputtered to a halt, its engine sighing as Jungkook shut it off. The air was crisp and carried the scent of pine needles, a stark contrast to the bustling city they had left behind. He turned to Taehyung, who was struggling to remove his helmet, his laughter muffled by the thick fabric.

"Go inside," Jungkook said, his voice warm, "It's getting late and cold here." He reached out, gently ruffling Taehyung's hair, his fingers lingering a moment longer than necessary.

"Thank you," Taehyung giggled, his eyes sparkling with mischief, "See you in your cabin tomorrow."

"You really like it there, huh?" Jungkook grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Too comfy and neat, I want to stay there forever," Taehyung cackled, his words echoing in the quiet village.

"Okay, let's stay there forever," Jungkook retorted playfully, his voice laced with a hint of longing.

"I'll go, bye!" Taehyung called out, already turning towards the entrance of the village.

"Bye!" Jungkook replied, his gaze lingering on Taehyung's retreating figure.

He watched as Taehyung disappeared into the maze of houses, his heart a tangled mess of emotions. Turning around, he was met with a wall of anger, a man standing before him, his face contorted with fury.

"Who are you?" The man's voice was a low growl, his eyes burning with jealousy.

Jungkook met the man's gaze, a defiant smirk playing on his lips. "Why would I tell you?"

"You're flirting with my fiancé," the man snarled, his grip tightening on Jungkook's collar. "Don't you know who I am?"

"Oh, you're Yohan," Jungkook chuckled, his eyes raking over the man's expensive clothes and smug expression. "Just engaged, not married. I still have a chance."

Yohan's smirk was cold and predatory. "Not married yet, bro. Yet."

"You know about affairs?" Jungkook's voice was a dangerous whisper, "I can be his affair. You two can get married, but his love was fake. If I'm his affair, I'll make sure he loves me. Just a reminder, both of you are just in an arranged marriage." Jungkook cackled, pushing Yohan away with a force that surprised even him.

"What makes you think he'll love you?" Yohan scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain, "He doesn't like poor people like you. Believe me, he hates them, just like they hate his parents."

"Are you afraid I might be against you with him?" Jungkook inquired, his voice laced with a dangerous challenge.

"Why would I?" Yohan retorted, his confidence radiating from him like heat, "You're poor, unlike me. I can give him everything he wants. I can buy him whatever he wants."

"Yeah, you're right," Jungkook smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. He swung onto his motorcycle, the roar of the engine a defiant roar in the stillness of the village. He donned his helmet, his eyes meeting Yohan's one last time, a silent promise hanging in the air.

"By the way," Jungkook smirked, his voice a taunting whisper as he revved the engine, "Did you already feel his lips? Believe me, they were soft like his features. They were sweeter than I expected and perfect with me."

With a final roar, Jungkook sped away, leaving Yohan fuming in his wake. The air vibrated with the sound of the motorcycle, carrying with it the echo of Jungkook's taunts.

Inside the village, Taehyung was greeted with a cold reception. His father, Tansuk, stood in the doorway, his face etched with disapproval.

"What's this I hear about you hanging out with low people, Taehyung?" Tansuk inquired, his voice laced with suspicion.

"What rumors?" Taehyung replied lazily, his tone nonchalant.

"Don't play dumb," Tansuk retorted, his eyes narrowing. "You're making our name disgusting. What do you think people will say? That Kim's son is hanging around with lowlifes."

"Then let them say it," Taehyung retorted, his jaw clenching. "I don't care. After all, they didn't do anything to you, you're the one who makes them suffer. You're corrupting them! That's why they're mad at you!"

"I'm doing what's good for you!" Tansuk howled, his voice rising in anger.

"I don't need your care because you don't care about me!" Taehyung exclaimed, his voice breaking with emotion. "You just think about yourself, your legacy, and your money! Do you think I want to marry Yohan? No, I don't want to marry him! He's disgusting!"

"You're disgusting here, Taehyung," Yohan's voice cut through the air, his presence a dark cloud hanging over the scene.

Taehyung turned, his eyes meeting Yohan's, his anger a tangible force.

"What do you mean?" Tansuk inquired, his voice laced with confusion.

"Your son, my fiancé, he kissed someone else," Yohan replied, his voice dripping with venom, his eyes burning with jealousy.

"Taehyung, is that true?" Tansuk inquired, his voice laced with shock and disbelief.

"And if it is? What are you going to do?" Taehyung glanced at his father, his eyes challenging.

Tansuk's hand shot out, striking Taehyung across the face. The sound of the slap echoed in the silence, a sharp, stinging reminder of his father's power.

"I didn't raise you like that, Kim Taehyung," Tansuk exclaimed, his voice shaking with anger.

"Of course, because you never raised me," Taehyung replied, his voice cold and distant. He turned and walked away, leaving his father and Yohan standing in the doorway, their faces etched with a mixture of anger and disappointment.

"If you continue meeting with them, I'll show you what I can do," Tansuk threatened, his voice a low growl.

Taehyung stopped at the eighth stair, his back to his father. He turned, his eyes meeting his father's, his expression a mixture of defiance and sadness.

"Do whatever you want," Taehyung replied, his voice laced with resignation, "If that makes you happy, go on. You only think about your happiness, not even me." He rolled his eyes and walked away, his footsteps echoing in the silence.

Tansuk growled quietly, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He turned to Yohan, a forced smile on his face.

"Sorry for his behavior," Tansuk sighed, his voice laced with a mixture of shame and desperation, "I'll discipline him."

"I want to schedule our wedding as soon as possible, Mr. Kim," Yohan ordered, his voice laced with a mixture of impatience and possessiveness.

"I will do that, don't worry, my son is all yours," Tansuk smiled, his voice filled with a desperation that was almost palpable.

"Good to hear," Yohan said, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. He turned and walked away, leaving Tansuk alone in the doorway, his face a mask of despair.

Taehyung sat down on his bed, his body a heavy weight in the silence of his room. He hugged his knees, his tears silent, his heart heavy with a pain that was both physical and emotional. He had forgotten, his parents controlled his life. Whether he was against them, it wouldn't work. They only cared about the money, that's their happiness.

He heard his phone ring, the sound a jarring intrusion in the silence. He wiped his tears and answered the call.

"Hi, it's me Jungkook, how are you?" Jungkook asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I-I'm fine," Taehyung sniffled, his voice choked with emotion.

"Are you sure? You're crying. What happened? You know, you can tell me anything," Jungkook inquired, his voice soft and reassuring. "I'll try to comfort you."

Taehyung sobbed loudly, his tears a torrent of pain and frustration.

"F-father never cared about me. I wanted to tell him that Yohan is abusing me, but I'm sure he wouldn't care," Taehyung cried, his voice breaking with emotion. "He said he's doing it because of me. But he doesn't know, he just made me suffer. It hurts Jungkookie, knowing your own relatives don't care about you."

"Taehyung, love, baby, calm down," Jungkook replied softly, his voice a soothing balm on Taehyung's wounds. "It's okay to cry, it'll help you to lessen the pain. I don't know how can I help, but I know you'll be fine. It's okay, you'll be free from your problems. No matter how hard it is, it'll be gone soon."

"I-I wish you're here so I can hug you," Taehyung sobbed, his voice filled with longing. "You're the only one who can understand me. I hope they were like you."

"It's already late, do you want me to sing for you so you can sleep?" Jungkook offered, his voice filled with a gentle kindness.

"I-is that fine?" Taehyung asked, his voice choked with tears.

"Hmm, now lay down on your bed and turn on the speaker, close your eyes, and listen to me, will you do that?" Jungkook asked, his voice laced with a playful smile.

Taehyung hummed in response, his body a heavy weight on the bed. He pulled up the duvet, turned on the speaker, and closed his eyes, his body trembling with both sadness and a sense of comfort.

"I'll start now," Jungkook said, his voice a soothing melody in the silence.

When I see you smile in the screen

You're good at everything
You're just perfect
Feels like I've never been you

Do you even see me?

Do you know who I am?
Or how do I look now?
You don't like me like that~

Come and tell me so much, beautiful heart
Oh I'm gonna listen to you~
Please~

All the numbers too big

Can't get out of your game
Oh I want to paint it like you~
Please~

I want to be your decalcomania

I want you~
I want to be your decalcomania
I want...
I want you~

---

Jungkook smiled once he was done, his heart filled with a mixture of sympathy and admiration for Taehyung.

"Good night, Taehyung, sleep well. Sweet dreams, boo," Jungkook smiled, his voice filled with warmth and affection. He ended the call, his heart heavy with the knowledge of Taehyung's pain.

Meanwhile, someone was at Taehyung's door, Tansuk, listening and watching the whole scene, his face a mask of anger.