Beomgyu's Reasons Why [ BeomJun/ YeonGyu / TaeGyu ]

TAPE 2, SIDE B

TW: sensitive themes, as usual. swearing. derogative words.

How many more tapes did Taehyun have to listen to, and why was he even still listening? Simple. Curiosity. Maybe, there was a tinge of guilt somewhere in the mix, too. Okay, there was a lot of guilt. 

As soon as the previous tape ended, he fell asleep with his headphones still plugged in. He thought the headphones would be enough to block the inevitable screaming he'd be hearing from his parents, but he thought wrong.

He still heard the muffled screaming.

His mother found out about his father's infidelity. 

Taehyun didn't want to deal with it, he had too much on his plate already. He was frustrated, tired, scared, angry and... grieving.

Beomgyu hated his guts, Taehyun himself shouldn't be caring about Beomgyu... but there was more to Beomgyu's story. Taehyun wondered if he was still a part of it. Despite being the first tape, Taehyun wondered if Beomgyu would still mention him along the way.

Did he want to hear Beomgyu mention him again? He did, and besides, the thought can't be helped.

Taehyun stayed in his bed, patiently waiting out the inevitable. He heard a final loud scream from his mother followed by a harsh slam of their door. His father left.

Taehyun could only hope he'd never come back... and that ZEETA would live up to their promise of support.

Speaking of ZEETA... how did he get himself into that group? He was so adamant on rejecting them... so why the hell did he join them and hurt poor Beomgyu? 

"It's all parties, fun, and life, Taehyun," Soobin explained through the phone. Taehyun was busy studying, as usual. There was no upcoming test, Taehyun was simply like that.

"Why should I entertain anything you're saying right now? You're drunk, Bin-hyung. Again, that is so unhealthy," Taehyun said, he sounded like a parent reprimanding their trouble child.

"I'm not that drunk, Tyun. I'm just hanging out... y'know, a final night of freedom before tests and my parents come home from their year-long business trip."

"I bet my kidney you'd have a hangover tomorrow. Don't you have editorial articles due--"

"And I will write them, Eomma," Soobin said mockingly, drawing out the syllables like a stubborn kid.

"And besides," a pause, "You came running to me the other night because you were scared you'd lose both your scholarship and money for your education in TDC. Join us, we'll have you covered."

"Right, hyung. I'm hanging up." And Taehyun did. he turned off his phone and resumed burying his nose inside a book. It would be a lie if Taehyun were to say he didn't consider it. Because he has played with the thought of it in his head.

When Taehyun's mother came crying to him that night, at the fear of their father leaving and Taehyun stopping his education in TDC, Taehyun's mind was set.

-

"What do I have to do?" Taehyun asked, taking Soobin by surprise. The taller boy didn't understand what Taehyun referred to at first. He raised his eyebrow.

"Uh, what?"

"To be a part of ZEETA, Soobin. What am I supposed to do?" Taehyun's voice was hushed, as if he were afraid someone would hear. But almost everyone in the school wanted to join the frat and be recruited, if anything, he should be proud that ZEETA is practically courting him.