[ 17. to lie is to be careful ]
J E O N G G U K

i'm gonna start writing
longer chapters (;

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"Did ya'll have fun?" Grace pushes between Jeongguk and Taehyung, slinging her arms over their shoulders while the trio walk to the car to go back to Memphis.

"Yeah, I actually did," Jeongguk admits honestly, a shy smile sitting crookedly on his lips as they approach the car. Dan's not there yet so they decide to wait for him.

While they're waiting, he feels Taehyung join his side and intertwine their fingers. His eyes widen slightly at the gesture, not entirely expecting that from him. However, instead of pulling away, he squeezes his hand back, his smile broadening.

"Wait! Hold on," Grace gasps dramatically, removing her arms from around them to dig for something in her pocket.

Taehyung and Jeongguk exchange curious glances, wondering what she's up to.

They watch as Grace takes out a small photograph from her backpack pocket, and it doesn't take long for Jeongguk to realize it's the one from the aquarium of Taehyung and him.

Grace gently hands the picture to him, a smile of her own glowing on her features watching the two of them admire it.

On it is Jeongguk and Taehyung standing beneath the aquarium arch. Around them are underwater creatures of all kinds, swimming carelessly amid the dark water. The dim lighting around them is purple and hazy yellows mixing among the shadows.

Then in the center is the two of them holding each other close, staring at one another as though it's just the two of them in their own little world.

Jeongguk's breath hitches in his throat. It looks so perfect.

"I thought you guys should have some memento from here," She chuckles, and when Jeongguk glances up at her to thank her he notices her cheeks are a faint shade of red.

He then slips his hand out of Taehyung's and throws his arms around her, nearly knocking her backwards.

Grace's eyes are wide but it's not long until she's hugging him back. He feels her squeeze him before letting go, the smile on her face brighter than the sun.

"Thank you," Jeongguk takes another look at the picture, running his thumb over the image.

"I knew you two wouldn't want a tattoo so here's something else you can keep forever to remember one another," Grace explains as she hands one to Taehyung.

"You outdid yourself Curly," Taehyung whistles, though his appreciation for the small gift twinkles in his dark eyes.

"Curly? That's new," Grace snorts and punches his shoulder. Taehyung shrugs, ruffling her curls.

Jeongguk on the other hand is mesmerized by the photograph. There's something about it that he can't keep his eyes off, the value greater than any of his posessions. It's something he wants to cherish forever - a memory he will never let go.

He then flips the photograph over, his eyebrows raising upon seeing black pen written across the back. It's probably Grace's handwriting since Taehyung's penmanship is neat, and when he reads the words on it his chest tightens.

"Never ever apologize for who you love," He reads aloud, his voice gentle. He looks up at Grace, his expression softening.

"Gotta remember me too, Jeonggukie," Grace laughs, patting his back. He thanks her again for the small gift and puts it in his backpack pocket.

Beside him, Taehyung is grumbling something under his breath. "You didn't write shit on mine," He complains.

Grace rolls her eyes. "Why would I? I don't care if you forget about me," She sticks her tongue out at him. Taehyung punches her shoulder.

"Ow! Bitch that was unnecessary!" Taehyung ignores her. "Okay, fine," She sighs dramatically and snatches the picture from him, her other hand fishing a pen from her backpack.

After a second, she hands it back to him. Taehyung reads silently to himself, but it's not long until he scoffs out loud.

"'Suck my nonexistent dick city boi'?" Taehyung frowns, clearly unimpressed as Grace snickers. He pockets it anyways.

"It's the thought that counts," Jeongguk interlocks their hands again, watching Taehyung's anger seep from his features and a shy smile fit onto his lips.

"Ugh you two are so darn cute," Grace gushes. "Though, last night was pretty steamy not gonna lie." She winks at them.

Jeongguk pales. He honestly thought they have done it quietly enough for Grace to not find out but apparently, they didn't. Great. How embarrassing.

"Oh, and Jeongguk, your hickies are showing. I'll greatly help you hide them when we stop," She laughs, patting his shoulder. Jeongguk's hand flies instantly to his neck, hiding the marks.

"Hopefully my lesson on AIDs prevention helped ya'll," Grace crosses her arms over her chest, a smug smirk on her lips. Jeongguk honestly feels like dying right now.

"Shut up," Taehyung groans, ready to fall off the face of the world. Grace shakes her head, grinning devilishly.

"You probably didn't tell Jeongguk that last night~" Taehyung lunges to grab her. Grace squeals, jumping back before he can touch her.

Taehyung ends up chasing her around the car, the two even using Jeongguk as a shield to avoid getting caught. Grace is too fast for Taehyung, but it doesn't even matter since he eventually grabs her.

They end up laughing so hard their stomachs hurt, and when Dan gets to the car, he's extremely confused to see three teenagers on the ground laughing hysterically.

"You kids ready?" Dan asks with concern, watching the three of them struggling to control themselves.

When the laughing stops, they all look at each other before bursting into another fit of laughter. They're too busy laughing at each other to notice Dan taking pictures of them.

"Okay seriously, we gotta head back to Memphis to see ya'lls parents," Dan claps, getting their attention. He fails at trying to act serious, but nonetheless they listen.

All of them get into the car, and as they get onto the freeway to head back home, Grace rolls down her window. Her blonde curls blow behind her head

"Goodbye Chicago!" She shouts at the top of her lungs as she cups her hands around her mouth, her head out of the window.

Taehyung and Jeongguk look at one another and do the same, shouting until their throat is sore and their lungs hurt as they watch their only chance of freedom slowly fade away into the distance.

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T A E H Y U N G

Taehyung has dreaded going home this entire trip.

When they pull up in front of Jeongguk and his house, he doesn't realize how his throat closes and his hands begin to shake knowing inside his mom is waiting for his explanation.

"You're going to be alright?" Jeongguk whispers softly, sleep lathering his voice as he stirs awake.

Taehyung nods stiffly, not saying a word as he eyes his home. He doesn't know if he should tell Jeongguk he's afraid, afraid of Rachel, afraid of his punisment.

Yet he remains unbothered, trying his best to not look affected. He shouldn't worry his friends - they don't deserve to get punished because of him. It was his choice to leave, not theirs.

"We're here boys," Dan pats his steering wheel, snapping him out of his thoughts. Taehyung stays silent, consumed by his own mind to realize everyone's staring at him.

"Are you sure?" Jeongguk's voice rings in his ears. He can't stand lying to him yet he just has to. He can't ruin this. He can't ruin him.

"Peachy," Taehyung whispers hoarsely. He feels Jeongguk's palm cup his cheek and turn his head to face him.

He meets his eyes, swallowing nervously as Jeongguk studies him closely. He forces a smile onto his lips, hoping it's enough. Thankfully, after a moment, Jeongguk smiles softly and presses a slow, gentle kiss on his lips.

"Knew it, pay me kiddo," They break apart upon hearing Dan's voice, their heads turning to see Grace slapping a five dollar bill in his hand.

"You guys made a bet?" Taehyung asks, his brows furrowing. He wonders how Grace, who's just like her dad, ended up with her strict, religious mother after the divorce.

"'Course. I told Grace to give me a five if ya'll are a couple. She said you didn't have the balls to ask him out, so I said, 'wanna bet' and that's how it started," Dan shrugs.

"Nice?" Taehyung says slowly, unsure of how to think about the whole thing. Jeongguk just chuckles awkwardly.

"Well anyways, see y'all again soon hopefuply and maybe next time we can go to California," Dan smiles, waving goodbye to them from the front.

Jeongguk and Taehyung exchange their goodbyes and together they exit out out of the car. When Grace and Dan drive away, it's just the two of them on the sidewalk.

"So uh, I'll see you tomorrow?" Jeongguk asks, doing his best to keep his space. Taehyung nods, faking a smile.

"Yep. I'll see you," He's already starting to walk over when he feels Jeongguk grab his wrist. It's a bold move, but it's harmless, right?

"Meet me at the Gazebo tonight?" Jeongguk suggests, but when Taehyung's smile falls he removes his hand, hurt flashing in his eyes.

"I'm pretty exhausted Koo," Taehyung whispers apologetically, reaching out to brush his hand down his arm. It's totally harmless, innocent - friendly.

"Alright," Jeongguk nods, his lips lifting into a grin. The two stare at each other, too reluctant to leave, desperate to make their time together last longer.

But eventually, Jeongguk has to return to his home. Taehyung never takes his eyes off of him, not relaxing until Jeongguk shuts the door behind him.

He finally lets out the breath he has been holding the entire time and runs a hand through his hair. He glances across the street for a second, but before he goes home his eye catches a figure in the distance.

Confused, he squints, his hands falling to his sides as he tries to make out the body. However, the person shakes his head and turns away, walking down the street and disappearing around the corner.

Taehyung hopes they didn't see anything. He simply shrugs, pushing the thought away as he slips his hands into his jean pockets and heads home.

TRIGGER WARNING

"Where were you?" Rachel's cold voice stops him at the front of the door. It doesn't take him long to find her sitting on the couch, smoking a cigarette in her nightgown.

Taehyung shrugs off his backpack and sets it on the ground, ignoring her. He goes into the kitchen, hoping to lose her there. However, his hopes are crushed when he hears her footsteps enter behind him.

"Answer me you faggot," Rachel hisses, her cigarette smoke entering his nose. He can feel her suffocating presence behind him.

"I was out," He replies cooly, trying to keep his composure and to of course, be careful. It's not worth getting into trouble and not be able to see Jeongguk again.

Rachel's hand settles on his shoulder. He can feel her finger nails dig into his skin deeper and deeper until it stings.

"Liar," Rachel sneers, her grip tightening. He bites back a gasp, his teeth clamped on his bottom lip. "You were being a little faggot again, weren't you?" Her breath reeks of nicotine and wine.

"Getting dick, weren't you? Being some queer's cumslut, weren't you?" She says in his ear, her words making him cringe. It's like she's describing herself, yet he doesn't say anything.

"No ma'am," Taehyung says steadily, not allowing himself to appear weak in her eyes. He wills his eyes shut, drawing blood from his lip when she yanks him back by his hair.

"Then what were you doing?" Her breath is hot and uncomfortable on his cheek. His head begins to throb. She's pulling too hard again. Not like she cares, though.

"I was out with someone," Taehyung's suddenly shoved aside. He catches himself by gribbing the edge of the table, steadying himself. She expects him to cry out in pain yet he doesn't. His face remains blank, cold.

As a kid, he remembers how he would cry and beg for her forgiveness, but now, he's no longer a kid who wants validation from a monster like her.

He knows he's stronger, though in many ways, she is too. Taehyung can't seem to find the loop hole, or at least a way out of this hell.

It's an endless cycle, and he's stuck in its pattern.

He quickly turns to face Rachel, trying to come up with an explanation but his tongue feels numb. Her palm instantly meets his cheek harshly, slapping him. The sound echos off the tiles, lingering in the air for a stiff moment. His cheek stings. His lungs ache. He's already powerless, and he's said nothing.

"Do you not want to get better?" Rachel screams, shoving him again. He nods stiffly. He doesn't know if he wants to get better, but he has to say yes. He has to lie to her.

"Speak to me when I talk to you!" She hisses, puffing a cloud of smoke into his face. It burns his eyes and closes the walls of his throat but she doesn't care. She never does.

"I wasn't with a boy," He lies through his teeth. She stares him down, her eyes like daggers piercing through his skin.

"You expect me to believe a faggot like you would go with a girl?" She spats, shaking her head in disbelief. Taehyung doesn't say word. Instead, he focuses on the throbbing of his cheek.

It hurts less to be honest.

Fuck. He has already expected this since he left for Jeongguk's, knowing well Rachel would go mad he missed a session. He's taken a lot of time to mentally prepare himself for her wrath, yet he still finds himself feeling weak and tired beneath her icy stare.

"I was with my girlfriend," Taehyung tells her cooly. He didn't expect to give her an explanation but pain really does something to your thought process.

Anything to end the pain right?

"Girlfriend?" For a moment he can hear the motherly-instincts in her, but he knows it's all his imagination. His mom hasn't been a mother to him in the last ten years.

"Yeah, her name's Grace," He lies smoothly, playing it out like it's the truth. It's probably going to bite him back later, but Grace won't mind hopefully.

"Grace Anderson? Angeline Anderson's daughter?" She sounds genuinely interested which is quite the change. It's scary how she can change so quickly like she's switching her masks.

This particular mask is probably her motherly side - the one she rarely uses. Ever since that one day ten years ago, she forgot all about that piece of herself when she realized her son wasn't like the other boys.

"Yeah, her," Taehyung's tongue tastes bitter and it's not because of the blood. His mom steps back, her features relaxing as she seems to be impressed.

"Good choice," She hums, nodding in approval. It's all fake. Taehyung knows it. "Grace is quite the frequent topic at studies. She's a lovely girl. Goes to church often, believes in one love."

The way she emphasizes Grace's apparent admiration for heterosexual love nearly makes him laugh. How ironic these women think she's an advocate for straight teenagers when she in fact is gayer than him.

"Right. I was with her this weekend watching a parade im Chicago," He explains, watching his mom take a slow drag from her cigarette.

"Wasn't that Jeongguk kid there too?" Rachel frowns, blowing out a cloud of smoke into his face again.

Taehyung crinkles his nose, hating the stench. Usually she never smokes inside, but he supposes she's stressed out or something. Probably something wrong with his dad. He might have found out about her latest affair or something else that ends with them fighting.

"He was," Taehyung decides it won't hurt to mention him. Everyone here thinks Jeongguk's some perfect teenager anyways - there's no way these women would expect him to be gay.

"Nice. I like your new friends," Rachel saunters to the sink and crushes the end by the drain. She flicks the faucet on, the two standing there listening to the running water.

Taehyung holds his tongue back, nodding. He swipes his tongue over his lips and slips his hands into his pockets, knowing what she's going to say next as she shuts the faucet off.

"I'm happy these programs work. I pay a lot of shit for you, kid," She chuckles humorously. Taehyung forces a smile onto his face, pretending to agree with her.

"Me too," He lies for the umpteenth time, ignoring the last part of her sentence. There's no point counting them like he used to. "Feels really great!" He says enthusiastically.

"Oh and bring Grace over, and that Jeongguk too. Those kids are what you should be," Rachel walks towards him, her arms crossed over her chest. Taehyung nods again, standing his ground.

"Of course," Taehyung licks his lips, averting his eyes to the ground. He then feels his mom's fingers slip beneath his chin, but before he can react she yanks his chin up, leveling their gazes.

He eyes her with pure hatred, his lips curving into a frown. Rachel squeezes his jaw, her nails pressing into his skin. He tries to pull away from her grip but she pulls him right back in.

"Just because I'm letting you go this once doesn't mean I will again," She warns him darkly, her eyes narrowing.

Taehyung doesn't say anything else as she drops her hold. He winces, his jaw aching dully. He runs his fingers lightly over her nail indents on his chin, hissing softly underneath his breath.

"I love you son," Rachel murmurs, her voice flat. Taehyung glances up at her, knowing there's no essence of love within her. Yet he replies anyways like he always does.

"I love you too," He says back, trying so hard to believe it but he can't. She's incapable of giving love, and maybe deep down he supposes he is too.

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rachel: *breathes*
ya'll: BURN B I T CH @;$:7;7(47

oof THE TEMPTED is ending
soon and i'm not ready at all and
holy bajolees ! thanks for 100k i love you all so much 💛 also i'm curious-

what do you think will
happen in THE SINNERS?