𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 || 𝙅𝙅𝙆

➷ Chapter Twenty-Two ➹

"Look up!"

I didn't.

"Look up, I said!"

Yet I didn't.

I heard him smash his teeth against one another before casting his sharpened gaze around the room, clearly seething with wrath. The next thing I could perceive was his veiny fingers raising my chin upward, with a jerk, again, gripping it firmly while I stared at his startling eyes, being dumbfounded as ever. Then, with boldness, I hadn't anticipated, those fingers solely dared to start digging their nails into one of my cheeks.

"Ow, Taehyung, you're hurting me!" I yelled out in pain in an effort to yank his hand off my face, but he had a tight grip, "You can't do this!" Once he didn't let go, "-oww -- you better get off me or I'll tell Dad and Jin Hyung!"

"Well, Daddy's boy and Jin Hyung's babiest brother, do you think, I give a shit!? 'cause I freakin' don't!"

I instantly got that, where he was coming from. Again.

"Are you seriously being jealous of me!?"

"Why the hell would I be jealous of a dumb tattletale and a spoiled brat like you!?"

Ouch.

Upon that utterance, his nails dug fiercer through my skin, causing me to shriek out desperately, and eyes widening, I swatted his hand away, only to make my brother's glares darken, menacingly. By now, I was certain, I would've got a noticeable scratch where his nails scraped across both of my cheeks, reversing between them.

It wasn't the first time, he physically did something to me, but he rarely did. It seems like he's blown his top Calvaria off to get me treated like this in no time.

"Taehyung, why are you being so mean to me!?"

Taehyung spat out, gesturing his hand movement, "Now, am being mean, isn't it!? During all this shit, you didn't even care to apologize. Heck, you hardly even cared to accept your mistake. Too narcissistic ain't you!?"

"I didn't mean to. . ." My reflexes kicked in, and I immediately stood up to him, my height a mere slightly shorter than him, as I defended myself, stating, "I swear -- I didn't mean to! I was overwhelmed by Jake's call, so I insisted Mom play with me despite her fatigue unaware of the consequences. Also, I already feel guilty enough and you're just making me feel more. . ." I trailed off, but suddenly, it struck me, "And hey, don't you dare! Not exactly me but the real narcissistic present in this house is freakin' you, Taehyung!"

The next moment, I heard his deeper booming voice, "You still didn't apologize, Kook!"

"I'll apologize to the one who merits it; that's Mom. Not to you, Taehyung-ssi,"

The way his face ignited with sheer fury, I realized I'd driven him up the walls. Even so, given my track record from all the messy fights in the past, his reaction was hardly unexpected for me. He took a step closer while I remained firm on my spot, staring at him eye to eye.

Taehyung bent his head toward me, a little to emphasize his point or more like throwing an offense, "Listen, Kook. I'm neither your Jin Hyung, Yoongi Hyung, or Namjoon Hyung, who would tolerate the disrespect and let you off the hook, every single damn time. Nor your Hobi Hyung, and Jimin Hyung, who are always known to shower you with apologies for a freakin' lame or no damn reason!" His index finger once pointed, got lowered to his side, yet the sternness remained etched upon his face, "I'm Taehyung. Your elder brother. Not a peer of equal standing. Better behave like one with me,"

I shut my eyes clearly in annoyance, then I rolled my eyes, in a huff at his sight, "I don' care. You ain't no father of mine, anyway. Better behave like one with me,"