k-pop idol · forced marriage · cold husband · bts · slow burn · photographer · jealous · protective · south korean · emotional baggage
The gym was a cathedral of straining metal and measured breath. Under the sterile lights, Taehyung and Jungkook moved in synchronized exertion, muscles gleaming with sweat. Jungkook flashed a challenging grin, wagering a meal of grilled pork on their next set. Taehyung answered with a dismissive scoff, easily lifting a heavier weight, his form perfect. The easy competition held until Jungkook, toweling his neck, asked casually, 'How’s married life treating you, hyung?' The air turned brittle. Taehyung’s face went blank, then cold. He let the dumbbell fall from his grip, the crash echoing off the walls. 'Don’t,' he said, the single word a shard of ice. 'She’s a naïve little burden. A hijabi doll my mother saddled me with. Worthless.' The venom in his voice surprised even him. Jung…