章 12: Chapter 12: Speculation
"Is it normal for women to make sexual advances toward boys in public?" that was a fairly neutral way to start the conversation, right? Underneath the blanket, Jungkook dug the fingernails of his right hand into the muscle of his left palm beneath his thumb. It was difficult for it to leave marks there and if it made an excuse about tripping on the pavement was acceptable.
Taehyung relaxed into the pillow pile his hands intertwined behind his head. "Hmm, I wouldn't say it's normal just common. It's usually frowned upon, and the women who do it are considered low-class, but it's not like there will be repercussions unless the man's partner or caregiver is present and cares."
"If someone did that to us while we were out with Mistress what would happen?" Tae glanced at him something flashing in his eyes before returning his gaze to the ceiling and shrugging.
"Not sure." taking a moment he continued. "We haven't known Mistress long so I can't be sure, but my guess is she would make sure there were repercussions."
"You believe she really cares about us and treats us as equals?" Jungkook questioned, he hadn't thought any of the men in the house had actually trusted what she said. It was frankly unbelievable.
Issuing another shrug, Tahyung shifted his body to face Jungkook a mischievous grin across his face. "Even if she doesn't she seems pretty committed to the act. If she wants to continue it she wouldn't have a choice!"
"It happened to me yesterday in the clinic." Jungkook meant to state it but it came out as a breathless whisper. Mentally shaking himself he tried again "A woman grinned at me and made this gesture." this time his voice was more stable the unsteadiness shifting to his hands as he replicated the gesture.
"She kept grinning even as we walked out of the room." Anger colored his voice. "And I did nothing I just sat there and took it. Is that what we do just accept it?" Jungkook had questioned his upbringing sure, but he had never fought the core beliefs about the role of men and women. Those had always been concrete, something he even looked forward to.
"Yup, that's the expectation. If you react in anger, you're insecure and can't take a harmless joke. If you react in fear you're a weak man whom a decent woman would never want." A wry grin spread across Taehyung's face as he continued to explain the grim reality with a cheerfully acerbic tone.
"Laugh it off or return the gesture? You're easy, a prostitute, less than the second-class citizens men already are. The only reaction they want is embarrassed resignation. There are no consequences for the women, perhaps the higher class will consider it uncouth. Unless there is a woman attached to the male in some way: boss, wife, lover or mother, women have no responsibility to censor their actions."
Jungkook hadn't really expected positive news, he had listened to the conversations of the men around him, but he had still hoped. Maybe he had interpreted the gesture wrong, maybe he was exaggerating the danger of it all.
"Cheer up, I said that is what is expected, I didn't say that's the only thing you can do. Men are not just blockheads who can't think beyond testosterone." Jungkook perked up skeptically hopeful.
"You do have a backing. Me of course: I'll always be in your corner cuddle buddy!" Taehyung said with a wink.
"Plus we have Mistress," Taehyung mentioned casually.
"Can we trust she means it? Or will you at least continue the act? Maybe this will be the straw that shows her the effort isn't worth it."
"If she is just acting I would rather find out now rather than later." The more time, the more trust, and the more damage.
"Plus the act isn't the only reason she would want to get involved. Mistress is obviously upper-class, insulting the belongings of snobs is the easiest way to make them rain down their wrath. From this house's furnishing and her presence at the 'choosing" her connections and wealth will be able to create quite the shower."
"Should I tell her then?" Jungkook questioned, he wasn't sure he would even if he should, airing his helplessness wasn't a feeling he relished.
Flipping onto his back Taehyung contemplated the option. Before shaking his head. "It's already happened, it would be difficult to track down the person, all it would do is frustrate her with no outlet. No safe outlet at least." Taehyung's gaze turned distant, contemplating his own experience as an "outlet".
"It's just something to keep in mind for next time you're out." Taehyung's gaze turned firm as he turned his head to meet Jungkook's eyes.
"We aren't powerless, we just have to be more subtle. Pull the right strings. Women can be pretty predictable."
Jungkook nodded shifting so he could look at the ceiling. Being a man was bad there was no sugarcoating it, it left you with very limited directions to take your life in, and there was danger around every corner in every woman you meet. The ideal outside world he had dreamed about as a kid was just that- a dream. The naive musings of a clueless child.
It was a deep blow, he wasn't going to discredit all those hours spent on it by denying it. But that didn't mean it had to end. Jungkook was a dreamer, no matter how his caregivers attempted to beat that out of him when he dared to dream of being his own hero.
And now Taehyung was telling him there was a way to do that, that he had support. Jungkook grinned at the ceiling letting a small giggle escape, as he sat in comfortable silence with a new (probably) friend.
A dreamer was dangerous for one reason. Dreamers ignored reality, its limitations, and the things telling them no. It's impossible. Maybe his caregivers should have tried harder.
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