Velvet Cage (Taekook/Vkook)
Taehyung’s POV
Day 28.
I don't know what hurts more.
The silence after the screaming stops...
or the fact that I’ve started counting the days like I live here.
My wrists are sore again. He tied them too tight last night. Said I scratched him in my sleep.
But he likes it when i look guilty. He calls it cute.
my body still remembers the ache from yesterday...
My soul... it doesn't remember how sunlight felt anymore.
.......
Are you awake, baby?
That sickly soft voice behind the steel door.
My heart jumps to My throat. I freeze.
I press my back against the cold wall. I know what comes next. I've lived it twenty-eight times.
.......
You didn’t eat your dinner last night. That made me sad..
I close my eyes. I wish i could disappear. I wish someone from school would just—
Nobody remembers the golden boy once he loses his shine.
SEOUL INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
"Taehyung-ah! Your Gucci shirt is soooo hot!"
"Oppa, are you free tonight?"
"He's literally the Prince of SIHS."
I used to bathe in their attention.
Every hallway I walked down felt like a runway.
My life? Filtered and perfect. I was the walking fantasy of every envious classmate.
My locker overflowed with gifts, perfumes, love notes.
but none of those notes were even his.
He never left a name. Just letters.
Neatly folded, thick cream envelopes that smelled like ink and danger.
“You have a beautiful smile. I wonder if you know how fragile it looks.”
“Sometimes I want to keep you in a glass box. So no one else sees how precious you are.”
At first, I laughed. Thought it was one of the jealous girls pulling a trick. I showed Jimin.
Kim Taehyung | Student
Creepy, Huh?
Park Jimin | Taehyung’s friend
That's not creepy, Tae. That's psychotic!
Park Jimin | Taehyung’s friend
Throw it out!
I kept every letter. Tucked them under my mattress like a secret.
It was thrilling. Being wanted like that.
Until it stopped being thrilling.
The lock clicks.
The door creaks open.
My breath hitches.
His hair's damp, as if he just showered. He’s wearing grey sweats, no shirt. His arms are tattooed, veins thick, fingers long… too long. The silver chain around his neck glints under the dim light.
He looks at me like I’m his favorite thing to look at.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
You're quiet today, baby.
I don't answer. I just stare at the floor. Don't provoke. Don’t react. Don’t cry.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
Still mad at me?
he asks with a slight pout, crouching before me. his hands rest on my knees.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
you scratched me, remember?
Jeon Jungkook | ???
that wasn't very nice.
I flinched when he touches my cheek.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
you're so fragile. just like i thought you'd be.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
I used to watch you from the back of class, taehyung.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
Everyone else saw your clothes, your money, your fake laugh. but i saw you..
Jeon Jungkook | ???
I knew you were lonely.
I close my eyes. Tears sting.
“I wasn’t lonely…”
I want to scream. “I was happy. I had friends. I had a life. You stole it—”
But I stay silent. That’s how I survive now.
He cups my chin.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
you looked at me once, do you remember?
Jeon Jungkook | ???
You smiled.
He leans closer. our noses, almost touch. I feel his breath. I feel him. Too close. always too close.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
that smile was a promise.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
and i'm just here to collect what's mine.
Flashback: Two Weeks Before
Kim Taehyung | Student
Who the hell is Jungkook Jeon?
I had whispered, holding the envelope that finally had a name on it.
Park Jimin | Taehyung’s friend
I think… he’s the new transfer. Quiet. Doesn’t talk. He’s in Literature class… always staring.
why would someone i dont even know... want me?
Jeon Jungkook | ???
You look scared.
I blink up at him. my voice finally works.
Kim Taehyung | Student
please... let me go..
he stared at me, confused... hurt, even. like i betrayed him.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
Why would I let go of the only thing that ever made me feel alive?
He leans down. Kisses my cheek gently. Like he owns me. Like I’m his.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
You’re mine, Taehyung. And this... this is love.
He gets up. Walks to the door.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
Oh, and don’t forget to smile tomorrow. I’m taking you outside.
Outside?
I look up sharply.
But he’s already gone.
The door slams shut.
Loved by someone I didn't choose.
Taehyung’s Pov
I forgot what it looked like.
It hurts my eyes the second the blindfold comes off. My wrists are still bandaged — not because he cares, but because he doesn’t want people seeing the damage he’s done.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
Stay close to me, baby.
Jungkook says it like we’re on a date. His hand grips my waist, fingers pressing just enough to bruise.
I stare at the quiet street. Trees rustling, cars passing. People walking. Laughing. Living.
So close… and yet so far.
Kim Taehyung | Student
Why are we outside?
My voice cracks. It’s the first time I’ve spoken since yesterday.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
You said you wanted freedom.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
I’m giving you a taste.
We’re at a small, classy café. No school kids here — too expensive, too quiet. It’s his kind of place.
He sits across from me, sunglasses on, tapping his phone. His fingers never stop moving.
I sit still. Like a doll. Like the obedient toy he wants me to be.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
You remember Seokjin-hyung?
Jeon Jungkook | ???
The man who came with you the first day?
The man who cuffed my hands like it was normal. The one who said,
Kim Seokjin | Jungkook’s assistant
He gets what he wants. You’ll learn.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
He’s my assistant,
Jungkook says, sipping his drink.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
Knows how to clean up messes. Keeps me clean.
Kim Taehyung | Student
And what are you?
He smirks. Like I just flirted.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
Dangerous.
FLASHBACK — TWO DAYS BEFORE THE KIDNAPPING
Kim Taehyung | Student
Kim Namjoon, huh?
I was sitting in the library, flipping through a student directory.
Park Jimin | Taehyung’s friend
He’s not just a student,
Park Jimin | Taehyung’s friend
They say he runs some underground business. Money laundering, maybe. But no one dares to report him.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
You know Namjoon, too
Jungkook says casually now, licking whipped cream from his straw.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
He’s my business partner.
Kim Taehyung | Student
In what?
Jeon Jungkook | ???
You'll find out soon.
A new figure walks into the café. Calm, expressionless. Dressed in black. He looks like he owns silence.
He doesn’t greet me. He doesn’t speak. Just hands Jungkook a brown folder and nods.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
Left-hand,
Jungkook hums, flipping through the papers.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
He handles the dirty work. Quick and clean.
Kim Taehyung | Student
What kind of dirty work?
He leans in, whispering by my ear.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
People who talk too much. Or try to run.
Warm eyes. Soft smile. Until you look too close.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
Right-hand,
Jeon Jungkook | ???
He finds what belongs to me.
Jung Hoseok | Jungkook’s Right-hand
I’m the one who dragged you from that alley. You shouldn’t have skipped class that day, pretty.
Kim Taehyung | Student
You brought me here… to show off?
Jungkook laughs. Softly. Dangerously.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
No, baby. I brought you here so you understand something important.
He reaches into his pocket. Pulls out a small velvet box. Opens it.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
Collars don’t have to be ugly.
He fastens it around my neck, right there in public.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
You’re mine, Taehyung. And even out here, under the sun… I own you.
People glance. But no one stops him. No one questions. No one saves me.
Because monsters don’t always growl.
Sometimes, they smile over coffee.
Taehyung’s Pov
They say when something bad is about to happen, the air changes.
The air was soft. Gentle. Nothing warned me.
Park Jimin | Taehyung’s friend
You really skipping practice today?
Jimin asked, stuffing his books into his bag.
Kim Taehyung | Student
Yeah, I’ve got that modelling shoot downtown. Dad pulled strings again.
Park Jimin | Taehyung’s friend
You’re so spoiled.
Kim Taehyung | Student
Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Jiminie~
If I knew it was the last time I’d talk to him freely…
I would’ve hugged him harder.
Outside the studio, my driver was supposed to be waiting.
Except he wasn’t.
I dialed his number. No answer.
Kim Taehyung | Student
Freaking hell,
I muttered, tugging my coat tighter. It was cold. Too quiet for 8 p.m. in Seoul.
I was walking to the main road when a black car pulled up.
Tinted windows.
No license plate.
Kim Seokjin | Jungkook’s assistant
Taehyung-ssi?
A man in his early twenties smiled at me. Sharp jawline. Pale skin. Perfect hair.
Kim Seokjin | Jungkook’s assistant
Your father sent us. There was an emergency, we’re here to pick you up.
Kim Taehyung | Student
Who are you?
Kim Seokjin | Jungkook’s assistant
Seokjin. Personal assistant to Mr. Jeon.
Kim Taehyung | Student
I think you’ve got the wrong—
The back door opened.
Another man sat inside. Hoodie. Silver rings. A piercing under his lip. Dark eyes.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
Come in, Taehyung.
His voice was calm. Too calm.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
We don’t have all night.
Should’ve trusted my gut.
And the door locked behind me.
Kim Taehyung | Student
Where the hell are we going?
Kim Taehyung | Student
what the hell is this?
Jungkook just stared at me. Studying. Memorizing. Like I was art he finally got to touch.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
You smell like roses,
Kim Taehyung | Student
Are you crazy?
I snapped, heart pounding.
Kim Taehyung | Student
Turn the car around—
His hand shot forward. Grabbed my chin. Tight.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
Do you know how long I’ve watched you, Taehyung?
Jeon Jungkook | ???
You walk like you’re untouchable. Smile like nothing can break you.
He leaned in, whispering like it was a love song.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
But I can break you. Slowly. Beautifully.
A house. Hidded behind tall gates and vines. Not a soul around.
Kim Taehyung | Student
Let me go! I swear—
Jungkook didn’t even flinch.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
Cuff him.
Kim Taehyung | Student
Don't you fucking touch me—
But the cold metal kissed my wrists. The chain tightened.
And the floor slipped from under me.
He leaned down to my face.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
You remember the letters?
I stared at him. chest heaving.
Kim Taehyung | Student
That was you?
Jeon Jungkook | ???
Every word.
Jeon Jungkook | ???
I warned you I'd keep you in a glass box.
No one heard. No one came.
Because the boy I used to be...
Died behind a velvet curtain.
And the monster smiled as he buried him.
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