Implicitus

Tangled

Darkness raged around the perimeters of Evanthe.

This lowly servant was once again simply trying to do his job; to comply with his mistress' commands and suffocate every type of light in his tight embrace and thus free this wretched world from any hope. But something wasn't letting him.

Without a body and as only a conscience floating in the wind, he rushed as fast as he could towards his mistress' prison.

These... disgusting maggots. They are responsible for his fury just like they were responsible for his making. If he had a mouth, he would be spitting on the ground at their feet. These two abhorring creatures have taken nothing but pain and suffering thru millennia and still, their souls haven't given up. How infuriating.

He, Darkness, was made to give an end to this absurd light and tear apart the remnants of Heaven on earth so his mistress could rule over what was rightfully hers.

But those two...always...try...to...interfere.

Once Darkness arrived at the surface of the deepest ocean, he entered the waters without making a single wave and moved down through the beautifully cold darkness around. There was a hole in the ground at the bottom of the ocean, covered by a wall of fish that never stopped swimming, and that's where he kept moving down, down, down.

Right at the bottom of this deepest hole in the deepest ocean, the ground was not ground but a surface, much like the one where he came in from. This was his mistress' prison; for millions of years, she had been forced to exist in this hole made by Ishtar, the Queen of Heaven. This prison was one of those remnants of Heaven on earth that he wishes he could burn to smithereens but can't. Not without enough power.

He moved out thru the surface and floated thru the cave made of white rock over to her sitting body on the large, white rock. She was meditating, just like always; wearing her imprisonment, white dress, just like always. He floated towards her and entered her mind to communicate through her own thoughts.

He told her "The mortal made his soul untouchable".

And she opened her eyes.

Monday 16th of September, 6:00 AM Jungkook's room in Evanthe.

Jungkook heard the alarm go off on Jimin's nightstand, but he didn't move, not even when he heard the unmistakable groan from Tom as he reached out and turned it off; he simply stayed laying under his bed covers.

He knew it was particularly cold today because he could feel it even through the layers of blankets engulfing him entirely, and he didn't want to face what would come with it.

The soreness in his body... Yes, it was painful, but... it was far more painful to wake up alone and not by his side, hugging him and... smiling... It was in moments like this that Jungkook doesn't feel angry with the world, but hurt by it. Yes, he knew that even if he was a girl, he wouldn't be allowed to sleep on a teacher's bed, for obvious reasons; but it was the fact that even if they went out to find a hotel, they would be immediately questioned if they asked for a single room and there would be people stationed outside just to make sure that no illegalities were happening that hurt him deeply. It was simply heartbreaking to think that, even if they went outside the suffocations of these walls' rules, the laws outside would surely end them for good.

At least they had the blessing of secret hideouts that appear to have some sort of magic in this place. But that was the other part he didn't want to face today.

The Eadem Veros Inducat. The magical ones with their cosmic energy and special tattoos. The ones he had apparently met in his previous life. Because, apparently, he was reborn along with Taehyung and... shit. Too much shit. It's not nonsense anymore because he's sure now that they are real and they do have secret clans and stuff, that part he can believe now, but the other one? The part where he's supposed to be The Rose, a very important person for these people? That one is far harder to believe. For starters, he has been treated terribly all his life and in no circumstance had he ever been able to use this "cosmic energy". He didn't even have one of those tattoos that grow in the skin, like... Yes, too much. And even if he secretly wishes to believe them because he would like to feel needed and be so special to a large group of people, objectively speaking, he needs far more proof than a shirtless Tom on his lap telling him about the Markings.

Talk of the devil...

- Yo, Kooky, get up. - It was Tom, pulling down his blankets and rudely making him open his eyes.

Jungkook sighed deeply as he rolled his eyes. What a nice morning.

Taehyung was positively overemotional this morning. He was simply too happy for it to be a gloomy day outside, it should be illegal to keep such a gleeful person trapped in a place like England. But he was also terribly sad. And so, as he showered, he was bawling his eyes out with a confused smile on his face.

To say that yesterday's happenings were taking a toll on his mental health, might be a good observation. Because it wasn't only yesterday, but the whole week. The last three days, to be more precise, with everything happening with his children, then Jungkook's father, and then Jungkook himself when he sometimes needs help remembering where he was, and then him, Taehyung, drinking wine just to make himself drunk on purpose in the stupid believe that he would follow orders better that way. That had truly been the last straw for him.

But then Jungkook was there to save him every time, just like he himself is there for him. However, this time was different, because this time... they had actually done it.

...they did it.

... they really did do it.

Yes, he still has trouble believing it. It was the best thing that's ever happened to him, his heart had been so incredibly full of love and happiness as the two of them became one that he had found himself doubtful that it ever happened. Maybe he finished the wine and this was a dream? But then he remembers Jungkook had clearly taken it from him and... his heart simply burst with glee.

He was so happy and felt so loved that he wanted to laugh, and then he would look at the empty place beside him and feel so sad that he wanted to cry, and then he would look at Jungkook's marks on him and feel so in love that he wanted to sing, and then he would remember that his Angel had been forced to wake up alone this morning after last night's events and be so angry that he wanted to scream.

...it had been too long since he had so many feelings on overload. Also... to be painfully honest, he never had the opportunity to learn how to handle his feelings, so...: He cried in the shower, smiled as he dressed, grimaced as he cooked, shed a tear while he ate without him, and, finally, had to force his over-excited heart to calm down before leaving his apartment and heading towards his classroom.

And it wasn't even 7 yet.

Leo was... honestly... hiding in the bathroom.

And he felt utterly stupid for it, but still, he couldn't make himself open the door to get out.

He could hear him organizing his own bed on the other side of that door. It was truly driving Leo crazy to think that he was right there. And the last thing he wanted was to be crazy.

Last night was crazy.

Ugh, he rolled his eyes, rolled his head, turned around, and bent over the sink as he held himself up with his hands holding the edges. He wasn't embarrassed per se, no, he was mortified. He was simply horrified by everything that happened the day before and all he wanted to do was to pretend it didn't happen.

But Finn's hands had been so soft--

SHUT UP.

He sighed and shook his head. This was such a mess, such a terrible mess, and the worst part about it is that he had no idea how to react to it, so that's why he was hiding.

Honestly, from the bottom of his heart and mind, he wanted to not mind at all. He wanted to simply wake up like Finn just now and feel as calm as he looked (even with a bruise on his face), but Leo had no idea if he should or what he should or should he should? Maybe he shouldn't??? URGHHHH.

He was panicking, he knew he was, maybe he was exaggerating-- Exaggerating? They had been touching each other and they were both males! Well, it wasn't really a big deal, they talked about it and came to an understanding that it doesn't have to be a big deal... But it still was.

It was a big deal, and that's why he was now straightening away from the sink and grasping his hair in exasperation because it was, in fact, a big fucking deal, and he's in deep shit for it now. Do you know why he's in deep shit? Because, whether he wanted to admit it or not, he now wanted more.

There, that's the truth. He wanted more. More talks with Finn, more laughs with Finn, more unraveling with Finn, more growing with Finn, more... touching... with Finn...

He wanted to cry. It was just too much and he was so afraid that this "too much" was going to make him explode once more. He was terrified of hurting him again and it was because he was terrified that he was even more terrified because he shouldn't be terrified if he wanted to be calm but he's not calm because he's terrified.

...hasn't he been too long in the bathroom? Why hasn't Finn called for him? It should be getting late to go have breakfast, isn't it?

For a moment, Leo's thoughts were diverted and, as he finally had an iron clasp reason to get out (which was that they had classes to go to), he finally opened the door and walked out with his head down and straight towards his bag at the foot of "his" bed.

He was still curious about Finn asking for a room alone but... he was kind of... avoiding him.

Yes, his hands felt clammy, his heart was too fast, and for some reason, he was feeling too self-conscious about his looks. This was too much, too new, and he wanted out.

So, he took his bag from the floor and literally walked out of the room towards Jungkook's.

Finn sighed deeply once the door closed behind Leo.

Poor lad, he was panicking since he woke up and trying to hide it so hard. It was good that he left if he felt like it was too much, that way he can calm down by himself and learn how to do it on his own from then on. It's still a little sad that his feelings attack him so thoroughly, but at least Finn's sure that he'll always come back to him, no matter what or how long he needs.

Finn rose from his waiting position on his own -already made- bed, and went on to get ready as fast as he could so he could catch up to him and get breakfast before class.

The truth of his own current condition was not hard to explain, mainly because he knows exactly what he's feeling and why.

Without even flinching, he can admit that he's in denial. Yes, denial. Not that he's denying what happened the night before since that is a fact, but instead the unspoken agreements and silent feelings that had been entrusted with soft touches. The sentimental and emotional part of what happened last night was indeed a lot to take in even after sleeping, possibly due to his own lack of sleep because of certain dreams and nightmares put together. Or, in other words... what happened last night was too good for his mangled heart to believe so quickly.

He has been hurt so much, so thoroughly, for so long, by so many different people, that he has turned into someone cautious regarding entrusting his feelings to someone else. Because, what if they left? What if they lied? What if they mocked him? What if they're frightened by him? What if they attack him on purpose?

His reflection in the mirror was rather pitiful. But it was in these cases that his vanity saves the day by reminding him "You're too good-looking anyway. A black cheek and some cuts make you look dangerous in a good way, you rock it". And he sighs with a chuckle at his foolishness.

Maybe he had been foolish already. Allowing Leo to come and go... "Allowing?" Leo's not tethered to him, he can come and go as he pleases so long as he's coming back--... Wait. Leo can come and go as he pleases... even if he has... punched him and then opened up to him and held onto his knee...?

Finn shook his head and showered. He was simply scrambling his mind with things that can be left simple. So, he left them simple.

So, yes, he's in denial. Because he's happy. And he's afraid to be happy and be smacked in the face.

Yes, yes, he's already been punched, but they'd agreed it wasn't Leo's fault.

Everything they had said the night before... goodness... He has said way more than he dares to admit and he knows too much about Leo to let him go, it was as simple as that. But it was, in fact, not that simple. Yes, it wasn't simple. It can only be simple if they act as if nothing happened and even if Finn wanted it to have been normal enough for them to act like it... the social and political circumstances in which they live make this simple matter into a very delicate problem. In other words: If they make any type of mistake from here on, they'll both be in terrible problems.

Finn's sure he can make as few mistakes as possible, but he's not so sure about Leo. He knows the latter is possibly terrified of the idea of making a mistake, but it was because he was so afraid that he could slip up easily.

It was at this moment when Finn finished putting on his dark green sweater and took his bag, that he concluded that Leo needed him as a pillar to rely on. Because he knew by heart the art of "staying calm", and Leo needed that wisdom, so, he will lend it to him as much as necessary.

They're in this together, after all.

Emily was just finishing up applying her mascara in the bathroom when Alex suddenly grabbed a pillow from her own bed and screamed into it.

Emily just... stayed silent while that was happening in the room and... gently packed her makeup back into her little bag. Her roommate was simply too much sometimes; too loud, too angry, too weird. Yes, weird. Alex is the weirdest girl she's ever met.

But alas, Emily sighed and looked at herself in the mirror just one last time. Straightening up her pretty and impeccable outfit for the day and fluffing up her red hair, she was trying to be the prettiest she could be so her boys could feel a little bit better by having this gentle creature by their side (just like her mom says). Because they've been acting a bit off lately... and it worries her because they haven't exactly talked about it because she ran away the moment Jungkook tried to talk about it...

Whatever she had done, it was a reaction to the suddenness of everything, and it was because it was so sudden that she worried so much. Just what had to happen for Jungkook to suddenly start speaking about those things? About "talking it out" and even speculating how he might've never lasted long enough to be here today; just what had it been? And it came right after Finn had spoken to them about how people "needed to talk things out to let the water flow", which only intensifies the weirdness of it all given how Finn -a man- had been the one who told them this so gently.

Maybe he's the reason Leo has been acting so strange.

Leo's been too caught up in his mind lately, very silent but also explosive, and his eyebrows are in a constant frown of confusion. It had to be Finn. Since day one, he's been smiley and silent at their table and also quite good at making light conversations, but it was at that night where they were talking about Jungkook while he was gone that Emily had been able to glimpse at the way he actually was. And it seems that he actually was a man with... very curious points of view, who talks his curious mind only when he was with Leo and ends up confusing him to the point where he's acting unlike himself.

Yes, Finn's a problem. He's proving to be a bad influence on Leo.

But wait... That night, Finn wasn't the only person who had all of their attention.

That teacher, Jungkook's teacher, she can't quite remember his name but she knows he's Mister Kim. A new friend of his. That on its own was strange. Because they know for a fact that Jungkook doesn't really like teachers that much, or think too highly of them. He's not actively disrespectful, but he's also not respectful either when talking to grown-ups in general, he usually puts on masks a lot when addressing them only to not get in trouble. So... for him to have a friend who is a teacher and for that teacher to have Jungkook's father as his boss... It sounds too illogical after everything they've lived through together.

And even so, that teacher looked genuinely worried when he was asking them about Jungkook. Not like he was afraid he got himself in a mess or like he was collecting information for someone else, but instead, like a concerned friend. Or even a concerned father.

...Could that be it? Judging by how Jungkook had told them at the beginning of last week that this teacher had been following his father's orders of keeping an eye on him and how he had caught him doing things he shouldn't for then to lock him in his apartment to have very long conversations, maybe this "teacher-student" relationship changed to one of "father-son". Because he had been concerned for him from day one and had never treated him in an awful way that would have Jungkook silent for far longer than necessary like he usually was after his father "talks to him".

Maybe that was it. Just maybe. It still didn't click well, though, because it still didn't sit well with her how this relationship had started because of an order from Jungkook's father and also how this teacher likes to keep Jungkook away for long periods. Like... who exactly had that many things to say that hours of talking in one afternoon aren't enough? He'd have him from lunchtime until it was ten o'clock on various days, what have they been talking about? What had that man been showing Jungkook to have been able to flip his iron-clasp belief that "all grown-ups were the same" and turn him into his loyal friend; so loyal, in fact, that he had Jungkook fighting against Leo to protect him.

This could be a terrible ordeal. Emily and Leo never got to know what happened to the man Jungkook used to call his friend ("my father's friend is my friend"), so they also never got to know what happened to Jungkook to have that terrible breakdown in front of them when that friendship supposedly ended. The only thing Emily is sure of is that Jungkook has reasons to not trust grown-ups, and therefore, so should her. Therefore, if this man had somehow hoodwinked Jungkook and Jungkook himself is not aware that this man could end up being just like his father's friend (and end their friendship terribly), then it should be Leo and herself the ones who protect him.

She had been previously fighting alongside Jungkook to make Leo back off a bit, but now she realizes the latter was right.

That teacher was not good for Jungkook.

Both of his friends were being misled by strangers, she had to do something to protect them, or else, where will they end up?

Alright then, today she will be pretty and talk with them. It was just a pity she couldn't cook them something, that way they might feel even safer in her presence and let go of all their worries. But she'll make it work.

Alex was lying face down on her unmade bed, and the moment she heard her roommate's "pretty" shoes making noise against the floor while she walked over to her own bed to grab her stuff, she lifted her head up a bit to glare at her back.

This girl was trying so hard to be pretty that it was plain disgusting. Not even a Lover Core would be so vain and shallow.

A Lover Core... Alex hated Lover Core's and their smiles and their parties and their traditions and-- and... the way they are, she hates them. Oh, but don't even get her started on all the things she hates or she'll simply scream again.

It was Garrett's fault. He wasn't in his room when she went to see him last night and now look at her, completely unwilling to do anything but hate the world.

Loathing simmered beneath her skin and she just wanted to break something or fuck somebody. There was no peaceful way to get this thing out of her.

But if she goes and "treats him badly" then he'll just telltale on her to his daddy Mr. I'm-too-hot-to-have-a-wife, and then that useless garbage will just tell her parents and they will only get even more and more disappointed in her even if she had come all the way over here, unwillingly, to try to please them at least just a little bit. But oh no, God forbid her from ever trying to make her family happy.

That... Aureoluz. She hates him. And she's been hating him since he started to purposely keep Garrett away from her.

It was his fault she was like this today. Because that piece of... shit, who also happens to be the second in command to the Warrior Cores, has always known that her Core channels too much Warrior energy from the earth and it would be easily kept at bay by the cooling energy of a Healer Core. But just when she had declared Garrett as her future mate, he simply kept him away, locked in the house, without any means of contacting her for days at a time. And it wasn't like Garrett was even mad about it; he wasn't even trying to sneak out to see her.

Garrett... he deserves a beating. It doesn't matter if he telltales, she doesn't care anymore, she's just madder than ever.

So, she got up from her bed just when little-miss-perfect opened the door to leave, she simply walked out before her. No bag on her shoulder, only her fresh clothes, and boots, nothing else. Let her parents be disappointed when they hear she mistreated Garrett again, she doesn't care right now.

Maybe if she bites him hard enough, he will keep his mouth shut this time.

Garrett took a sip of the drink Hoseok had given him and grimaced at once. Not only did it look green and slimy, but it tasted like that too.

- Don't make faces, Garrett. You have to drink it all anyway, you can't catch a cold. - Hoseok said from his desk as he looked at him over his glasses. So Garrett took a deep breath, held it, and tried to swallow everything in one go.

The three of them were in Hoseok's room. Hoseok was working on his computer, trying to compile all that they knew about Jungkook and Taehyung (The Rose and his mate) to send it to Aloisia. It had been five in the morning when the computer made a sound, and the three of them opened their eyes at once to see her message requesting such information in as minute a detail as possible. So they started working at once.

Yoongi was still silent as he partially lay on Leo's bed and Garrett watched his unmoving knees from the floor between the nightstands, still finishing his awful drink. Yoongi hadn't said a word since they woke up that didn't involve something to do with Aloisia's request and also hadn't looked in his direction once. Garrett knew it had to do with the bruises and cuts on his face, not because of what they looked like but because of why they were there. And so, he lowered his gaze and swallowed the last gulp of liquid.

Last night, something came over Garrett and he had acted terribly. But even if it had been Darkness, there was no excuse for the things he had said to Yoongi. However, even if he had said something wrong, that didn't justify Yoongi suddenly tackling him into a puddle and beating him to a pulp in the rain. But they were both at fault for everything that happened. So, just as Yoongi wasn't speaking to him, he wasn't speaking to the latter either.

Garrett stood and went to leave the plastic cup inside Hoseok's drawer. That's where he kept all his basic utensils, herbs, dry food, and Healer-made medicine while the fruits and vegetables were stored in his mini-fridge. It wasn't that his health wasn't good, it's only that it could get really bad if he's not taking special care of himself; for example, he can't eat fast food or else it would take a toll on his Core. Hoseok was Junior secretary to the Wisdom Core, which would make him the third most important person after the Leader of the Wisdom Core, Aloisia. And because Aloisia is also the Leader of their tribe, it also puts him in an even more important position.

So, he cannot be sick.

Garrett had just ended his careful examination to make sure Hoseok had everything he needed in that drawer and was closing it when the latter suddenly spoke.

- You should get ready, your mission starts this morning. - It was only muttering and he wasn't even looking at him but at the screen. He was referring to the mission of staying close to Jungkook, so Garrett took a deep breath and tried to be optimistic about the day ahead, even if his face hurt terribly. - Whenever you get new information, you send me a message, understood? - He asked softly, thoughtfully, still typing.

- Understood. - Garrett answered just like a warrior would, but it still sounded a bit drained of energy.

Hoseok's typing stopped and he turned his head to the other side to look at him, still standing by his chest of drawers. He looked at him, looked him up and down, and then lowered his head to take off his glasses.

- If your clothes are still damp, I'll lend you mine. - And then he looked up at him again as his forearms rested on his desk and he leaned back on his chair.

Garrett was currently only wearing his underwear just like Yoongi over on the bed because of their fighting under the rain the night before. They had left their clothes to dry in the bathroom after cleaning them by themselves and went to sleep like that. Yoongi on Leo's bed, and Garrett on Hoseok's bed. With Hoseok.

The latter kept his respectable distance the whole night, but the faint smell of cherry was still discernible. Garrett didn't particularly feel uncomfortable, but also not comfortable either. If it had been a Lover Core beside him, he wouldn't have minded in the slightest given their... lovely attitude. But it was a Wisdom Core. Everyone knew that it was quite rare for a Wisdom Core to feel attracted to just anybody (like a Lover would). And because Garrett knew the scent of cherry in Hoseok meant desire... he didn't exactly know how to feel or what to do.

So, someone whose Core usually falls for only one or two people each lifetime -Hoseok- is attracted to him -Garrett- who does not feel the same way. Garrett knows he doesn't feel the same way, but Hoseok doesn't, Hoseok only knows that Garrett is taken by Alex.

And Garrett knows for a fact that Hoseok doesn't like her so he just sighed at Hoseok's proposition of lending him clothes because he's absolutely sure the latter only said that because he wanted his scent to be all over him to piss her off.

Garrett shook his head with a disbelieving chuckle at him.

- I think it would be safer to wear my own clothes even if they have blood on them. - Quite an exaggeration, but still true. He would prefer Alex to grimace at his attire and tell him to change than to have her maddeningly ripping his clothes off to shreds.

Yes, it has happened before. With Luz's clothes.

Hoseok frowned in distaste but said nothing else. And so Garrett walked off, barefoot, to the bathroom.

He had already showered, so it was only putting his clothes back on. And they were indeed damp in some places but, just as he said, he still wore them.

Anything to keep her... not angry at him. Because, from the start of their relationship, she's proven to be very harmful towards him when she was angry and he doesn't like that. But it doesn't matter how he tells her, she still takes it out on him, so now... he's coming back to his old habit of "I'll just do anything to keep her happy so I don't get hurt".

He was walking out of the bathroom back to the bed to put his shoes on; when someone knocked on the door.

- Who is it? - Hoseok asked as he kept on looking at his screen and Yoongi tiredly stood from the bed to hide his naked self in the bathroom. However...

- Just open the fucking door. -

Yoongi stopped in his tracks right beside Garrett, while the latter felt every hair on his body stand on end in fright.

It was her.

Alarmingly, he looked at Hoseok. Even if he knew this was supposed to be his future mate, his girlfriend, his lover; even if he knew it, his body still recoiled and his first instinct was to hide. He tried to get himself out of it as he frowned and took a step towards the door... but he trembled when he felt the fabric of his shirt rubbing against the torn skin of his back.

She sounded calm... but he knew it was because she had reached a level of anger that surpassed screaming, and he was truly afraid.

With his body still frozen in place and his mind unable to make a decision, he heard Hoseok rolling his chair back and standing. He heard as he calmly reached the door, and, just as he opened it, Yoongi rounded Garrett to stand by his other side. He was protecting him even if he was still angry and hurt.

They were both protecting him because they knew, just like he did, that she did not come here to talk.

- Alex. - Hoseok greeted her but didn't open the door too much. - You know you can't come here unless absolutely necessary. - He reminded her, courteously.

But then, she did something they were prohibited from doing. She attacked her own people with her Warrior energy.

In a sudden, expanding impact, an invisible but precise wall of hot energy shot out to hit not only the door but Hoseok as well.

At the same time, the door banged open, hitting the wall, and Hoseok was pushed back so violently that he fell back without any chance of protecting his head from the upcoming impact.

Garrett saw all of this in slow motion. His Warrior reflexes allowed him to lunge forward and put his hand in the back of Hoseok's head before it hit the ground, but that was all he was able to do. Alex had marched inside the room. He saw her, speechless, unmoving as he knelt on the floor. As if Yoongi was nothing but air, she pushed him aside. Yoongi was the Junior secretary to the Shadow Cores, but she just pushed him aside until he hit the far wall. Garrett couldn't move, all his head could come up with was how he was a defenseless Healer Core. He had absolutely forgotten all the Warrior training he did with Cadoc, everything he learned with Luz, and his own physical strength; he had forgotten he was bigger than her. He felt so little as he looked up at her and she came closer to him. He felt so scared that he looked down at Hoseok, but he was unconscious. He felt so threatened... but he froze.

And she took him.

She grabbed him by the back of his shirt and pulled him up, then grabbed his wrist painfully and marched away with him by her side.

Garrett and she had the same rules at first, but because Garrett ended up with Jungkook by luck, he's now part of the plan. He had a mission to accomplish, he had tasks to do, and he had classes to go to, but all he could think of now was how he was still terribly injured from the day before.

He was injured, barefoot, without a coat, and without his phone, but most of all, he was so afraid of getting her even angrier that he simply followed along.

He was dragged by the wrist silently and fast, but his heart sank low into his stomach when he noticed that she wasn't going to her room. Then he felt like running away when he noticed she was taking him outside the living area. But he couldn't. Not even when he noticed she was leading him into the woods and his bare feet grew sore on the rocky path.

All he could think of was... "If I run, I'll make things worse".

Jungkook was still pondering over whether he had just seen a barefoot Garrett being dragged out of the living area or not. It had just been a glance as all six of them walked down the stairs, but even now as they walked closer to the cafeteria, he was still trying to remember what Garrett had been wearing yesterday and whether or not it had been the same clothes as today. But his attention was diverted as they entered the busy cafeteria and all the noise drew him away from his thoughts.

Emily went first in the line, then Leo was pushed and Tom placed himself as second, dragging a silent Jimin to place him as third; Leo went ahead as fourth with greeted teeth and never looked by his other side even if Jungkook let Finn go as fifth before him.

Amidst all the things to focus his mind on, his attention was grabbed by that last bit of -or lack of- interaction between the two of them. So, as they waited for the line to move, he spoke to a purple-checked Finn.

- How did it go last night? - He spoke closely to him so neither Leo nor anyone else would notice.

Finn didn't even react to his words, he simply tilted his head to him as he kept looking elsewhere and answered.

- We talked. We're fine. He's sorry. -

The fastest summary of the west. Jungkook couldn't help the small chuckle though he shook his head a little bit.

So, the reason why Leo's not even looking at him was that he was still ashamed of what he had done, wasn't it? That's kind of strange, though. Because Jungkook could've sworn he knew exactly how "shame" looked on Leo and right now he looked more nervous than anything.

But anyway, if Finn wanted to keep secrets from him, then so be it. He's not forced to tell him anything.

On another note, Jimin didn't look so good right now. In all honesty, he looked greenish as he looked around and around with his head down. It looked like he was either afraid of finding a specific person or like he was desperate to find a specific person. Either way, it was obvious that crowded places affected him way more than they did Jungkook.

Or like they used to.

It came as a surprise now, while they took a step forward, that Jungkook hadn't noticed when the last time a crowded place made him feel too trapped to breathe was. If this was before, he wouldn't even want to enter the cafeteria because he would feel all eyes on him; judging him. But right now, he felt no such a thing.

It felt different.

Like... even if they looked, he felt defiant.

Like, even if they looked, he would want to fight them.

Strangely, it felt like his blood was simmering beneath his skin and he just wanted a reason to fight and--

Tom was looking at him.

Jungkook jumped in fright when his eyes landed on the line ahead of him and he noticed Tom looking straight at him from atop of Jimin's beany. It was astounding that no one else had noticed just how intently he was looking at him, but after looking around himself, it seemed true that no one had even realized.

Jungkook looked slowly back at him with a frown, wondering what on earth had been that drew his undivided attention since he hadn't been doing anything. But just then, Tom grinned, took a deep breath as if taking in a rich scent, and just as his shoulders seemed to relax, he looked away and walked on in the line.

A tremor ran down Jungkook's spine when he realized why Tom had suddenly wanted to come with them to take breakfast.

The line moved and their group was silent, each took their plate to place it on their tray and one by one, they went upstairs. But it was right when Jungkook had taken his plate that the cook appeared behind the kitchen helper and smiled at him as he said,

- Third Jeon. Ms, Jeon told me to give you this. -

Surprised but not pleased, Jungkook took the little envelope he had handed him and looked as the man went back to the open kitchens to keep on kneading bread. And Jungkook then took his tray and went upstairs with the rest.

They went to their usual location, but not to the same table as before. Emily had gone over to the corner, right beneath the television where a round table for six was placed just like in some other spots in the place.

As he walked closer, he noticed the change in the atmosphere from the other students. He could've even sore there were fewer students than in previous breakfasts. They were all talking, yes, but there weren't loud laughs or joking taunts, there weren't paper planes flying around or various tables put together for larger groups of friends. There were talking, working, and silent students. But it wasn't until he passed by a certain table that he noticed... the girl he had previously seen with bright blue hair, had painted it brown and taken off her piercings. And the guy he had seen with sleeves of tattoos had brushed his hair and was wearing a long-sleeved shirt.

...What was happening?

As Jungkook sat down between Leo and Emily, he thought of how the first day here he had seen those differences as something to be scandalized for, but now he couldn't help but feel like, seeing those people without their distinctive appearances, they looked odd. They felt odd. Like right now they weren't being themselves. They weren't talking like they used to, walking like they used to, laughing like they used to; it had only been one week and he had only seen them once or twice a day for a fleeting glance, but even he can realize that these two people weren't being themselves.

And the worst part was that he hadn't paid enough attention to the rest of the students to know whether they were the only two or if it was way more young adults that have found themselves forced to change into ordinary attire just so no one would think they were with the "rebels" at the capital and attack them as the police had done to them.

The fear forces people back in line.

This was why they had broadcasted the whole fight every second that it happened, wasn't it? Because it would give a message, a very clear message: Everything these rebels are, look like, and stand for, are not acceptable.

Rage.

Rage.

Rage!

- Kooky? -

Jungkook blinked and looked beside him at Emily. He was holding his breath, astonished at his own thoughts and afraid of what he had looked like for Emily to seem so concerned for him.

- Yes? - He asked, innocently, as if nothing had happened.

- Oh, nothing. - She smiled and shook her head, continuing with her food. But he knew she was still confused and worried.

Without wanting to, Jungkook looked around and stared at Tom who was looking straight back at him from the other side of the table.

Maddeningly, he realized that Tom was trying to contain his own glee.

They continued to eat. None of them spoke. He could hear people wondering aloud if someone could turn on a television. He could hear people worrying about why no radio transmitter was speaking about what was happening in the capital. He could hear people trying to call their families in London and saying how the night before the phones had been down. And heard how they were still down in specific areas still.

Immediately, he thought of Ady and Eddy. How were they? Had Taehyung tried to call them already? Had he been able to talk to them or were the phones down over there as well? Had he been able to talk to them or were their throats too sore? Had he been able to talk to them or was he feeling too guilty to do so? Had that woman tried to call him for anything? Is he needing him right now? Is he missing him? Is he in his classroom?

Tom's distant little chuckle brought him back to his senses and he was finally able to realize: Every time his emotions got too high, Tom would be particularly happy. So, he took a deep breath and took the small envelope his mother sent to him to open it up.

- What's that? - Leo asked him. He wasn't talking to him with his usual confidence so it was obvious he felt ashamed for yesterday's happenings.

But, even if Jungkook was still feeling a little unhappy about what happened, if Finn said it was fine, then he should try to at least treat him as normal as possible and try to forgive him.

- My mother gave the cook this to give to me. -

Now, all attention was on him. Waiting for what was inside.

He didn't want to put too much hope into it, so he opened it up with apathy and read the note.

"Good morning, dear.

Come to your father's office at 4:30 pm. I will open the door at that time and keep it open for 1 minute. Do not knock if you're early and do not be late.

Love, Mom."

With a sigh, he pocketed the note in his coat's pocket and went on with his breakfast.

- Well? - Leo prodded with a mouth full of banana slices.

- My parents want to talk to me in their office at half-past four. - He answered, dully.

- But... Why didn't they just send you a message? - Finn frowned.

- It's something they usually do. Since receiving a letter is not common these days, then its contents will give much more impact than a common message on the phone. So, when they give me a letter, it's always short and precise so even my subconscious mind remembers what I have to do. Meaning that... if I tried to do the opposite of what the letter says, I'll have anxiety. - He looked up at him and sighed as he saw his worried frown.

And he went on eating as if he hadn't just admitted that his parents are used to threatening him psychologically.

Beeeeeeep

Taehyung waited with bated breath for the other line to pick up. He sat in his Teacher's chair in classroom C123, looking at the long lines of tables before him, and biting his bottom lip anxiously.

Beeeeeeep

How could a nurse not pick her phone up at one? He shook his head. But his heart was beating too frantically for him to feel any confidence in his indignation.

Beeee--

- Hello? -

Shit.

- H-Hi. - He frowned and sat straighter. - I'm Kim Taehyung. My wife Daphne told me you're my children's nurse for the time being. -

- Oh, yes. - She answered with an audible smile, sounding delighted. - She said you would call. But I never thought it would be so early in the morning, I apologize for not answering, I was only just waiting for the kids' food to be finished. I'm currently taking it to their hospital room. -

But then, she'll be pushing the cart with both hands. Wouldn't she then be holding her phone on her shoulder?

- I see. Madam, don't trouble yourself too much, you can call me again when you're with them. - He said as gently as he could. He felt ashamed for being so pushy with his calls now.

- No, good Sir, there really is no problem. Their door is just at the end of this corridor. - She declined with a smile. It truly warmed him how kind his kids' nurse was; it comforted him.

- Very well then. May I know what they're having for breakfast? -

- Of course, Sir. Since both of their throats are very sore, they have to eat soft foods, so they have yogurt with oats, scrambled eggs, and warm chocolate. Your wife told me they weren't allergic to anything, right? -

- Nothing at all, yes. - It was kind of silly, but he felt proud of it. However, there was still a question bugging him a bit. - May I know... why are they taking their breakfast so early? Shouldn't they rest a little more? - It was seven in the morning. He frowned as he waited to hear some medical, intriguing, and specific answers that would help him take better care of them.

But...

- Oh... - It sounded like she stopped in her tracks. - It's so every exam and procedure is done quicker for them to heal faster. Didn't... Didn't your wife tell you she asked for this directly? -

The air stopped around him.

- Daphne asked for you to "heal them quickly"? -

- Well, not "heal". - She went on with her walk, but it sounded like her smile was gone because of the confusion. - Only the body knows how long it needs to heal. What we need to do here is to keep them stable enough for them to be able to go back home; that's what your wife asks us to do, to make all that was needed for them to be able to go back home faster. - She stopped for a moment before continuing in a much more gentle but serious voice. As if she wanted him to get every word. - If I may, good Sir, I don't really think her worry allowed her to understand that these children went through something so life-threatening that their immune system is quite "delicate", sort of speak. So, even if they went back home in less than a week, if fear still clings to them, the recovery will be difficult. - It sounded like she stopped walking again, waiting for him to speak.

He had to move the speaker away from him to sigh deeply as he slid a bit down his chair. Suddenly, it felt like his eyebrows were too heavy and all the energy drained from him.

His children...

- What can I do to help them? - Hearing himself speak, reminded him of when he would ask his mother what to do.

- Well. - She smiled again. - Keep them happy. Health is always at its best when the person is happy. -

He smiled softly. Sadly. A bit wistfully. And sighed again when he heard the door on the other side open up.

But another door opened, this time closer to him. He looked to the classroom's door and saw... the center of his universe.

He placed a hand over his mouth when he heard her say,

- Goodmorniiiing. - She whispered over to his kids but it appeared that she had put the phone on speaker.

Rapidly and wearing an excited, little smile, Taehyung rushed Jungkook forward to get closer to him and listen. Jungkook smiled wider and locked the door. Then, as fast as he could, he grabbed the nearest chair and took it over to place it on the other side of the teacher's table while he left his things on the floor by the side.

Taehyung then put his own phone on speaker and placed it over the table in their midst. Then, feeling his heart full to bursting with all sorts of emotions, he took hold of Jungkook's hand.

- Yes, yes, good morning, shhh, it's just me, you see? You've seen me before, remember, princess? Yes, that's right, that's better. Let me get you comfortable so you can eat. Thaaaats better, isn't it? Are you comfortable? Just nod or shake your head. Perfect. Now-- Op! The gentleman's already awake. - She laughed a bit. - Just like your father, aren't you? Waking up early. Let me help you with this, darling. That's better? Good. Now... You won't imagine who called me. - She exaggerated her surprise, making Jungkook giggle. - I have him right here on the phone, can you guess who it is? -

For a moment, there was silence. But then...

- ...dad? -

Edward.

Taehyung smiled with the corners of his mouth facing down and felt his eyes getting moist with feeling. Jungkook then reached out his other hand and held his face with a smile just like his.

- Yes! It is your father--Op, nonono, princess, remember to keep silent, like this: - And she went silent. - Exactly, just like that. You have to rest that beautiful voice of yours. So, let's do this, alright? I'll leave the phone on this little table between you two, with full volume so you can hear him right, and he'll talk while you two eat. Are we in agreement? Yes? Oh, you're excited, aren't you? That's wonderful. Alright, here you go. He knows you can't talk, princess, so don't worry and shhhh, don't speak. - She whispered the last part and then laughed softly. - Perfect, I trust you with my phone while I go prepare your medicine. If you need me, there's the red button, like always. -

They heard her take just one step back and already spoons were scraping the bottom of a plate.

They both chuckled.

- Ady. Eddy. -

- Dad--!

- Shhh, eat Eddy. Don't worry, we have time to speak. -

Actually, they didn't have much time left. He looked over at his wrist, realized he hadn't been using his watch for a while, and looked at the clock over the double doors. They had only twenty minutes.

Jungkook saw his worry and held his hands with both his hands before looking down at the phone and speaking.

- Hello, Eddy. -

- Jungkook! - Eddy replied, excitedly, with a mouth full of yogurt. And from the other side came two dings, like Audrey had used her spoon to communicate her own excitement.

Taehyung had never felt so--... His heart was about to punch out of his chest, he--... Goodness, gracious.

He laughed merrily.

- It seems they like you. -

- Who wouldn't? - Jungkook winked at him, making Taehyung shake his head at the cheekiness he so dearly loved. - Ok, kids, in all seriousness, we only have like less than twenty minutes to talk right now because your father's class is right now. But do not, and I repeat this, do not rush to eat. Eat slowly or you'll get hungry way faster. - At once, they could hear the difference in the speed of the spoons. And Taehyung couldn't stop smiling. - Your dad will call you later so you can actually have a conversation, this was just to make sure you woke up alright. Did you wake up alright? -

- Yes! And Audrey is nodding too. - They sounded so excited, it was extremely fulfilling for Taehyung. - Well, I mean... last night was like eeeeee, but now we're fine. At what time will you two call again? -

This honesty had to be inherited. Taehyung chuckled. But his heart had melted.

- You want Jungkook to talk to you as well? -

- Yes! Make him be there. Audrey also says yes. -

Too adorable for his heart.

Jungkook laughed at the pained face he was making.

- Fine, I'll make sure he makes me be there. - He answered to Taehyung's delight.

Taehyung simply couldn't look away from him. Jungkook was shining today; even more beautiful than usual.

- Alright. Eddy and Ady, we have to go now, the class will start in a minute. - He heard little whining complaints from his full-mouthed boy and chuckled again. - Remember that we'll call you later. Goodbye for now. - He smiled softer as he maddeningly restrained from kissing his Angel.

The latter smiled too, down at the phone.

- Yes, bye-bye. -

- Jungkook! - Eddy bellowed, startling both.

- My boy. - Jungkook answered, hearing closely with wide eyes.

Taehyung's heart missed a beat.

- I--... You--You'll be there, right? You promise. -

Taehyung looked as Jungkook's expression changed from "delighted but confused" to "sad but touched". And they both held hands tighter.

- Yes, I promise I'll be there. Now, eat and rest. I want you healthy, alright? -

- Alright. -

- Good. - He smiled gentler still. - Goodbye. - And, softly, he ended the call with one touch of his fingertip.

It seemed only one heartbeat took place when, suddenly, Taehyung stood from his chair and kissed him full in the mouth. 

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🌼Thank you for reading Chapter 61 <3<3<3

Your devoted writer,

Ela Shadow Rose 🥀

Go ahead with the next Chapter ->->->