*All credits go to the original Author, BambiLuna16, who requested for me to upload her story as she removes her account due to private matters. We will be working together for future updates :)*

Note by BambiLuna16: Hello guys!! I'm so sorry that I was unable to continue this story on my personal account. I have a lot going on in my life right now, but Masquerade16 has been so kind is letting this story be published on her account so it can continue to be ongoing. We will work together to create more chapters hopefully in the future, as for now, I just focus on myself and my health. Please give this story lots of love <3

Thank you for choosing this book to read! Please read the following below before moving onto reading. (Thank you Masquerade16 for the outline on writing the disclaimer!)

This story will have multiple scenes of supernatural violence, detailed smut, childhood trauma mentions, murder, gruesome language, mafia and law enforcement violence, detailed violence, mental health disorders and many scenes that could in fact be uncomfortable to read. The scenes will not be sugarcoated, I want to practice on my detailed writing, so I hope you can understand it. I'm not being soft about it, when I say this will be a dark story, it will be dark.

If you continue to read this book after this warning, I am assuming you have read the following warnings and it will be YOUR responsibility to take care of yourselves while reading this book, read at your own risk. The scenes will be VERY detailed, so be mindful of yourselves and mental and emotional health. You have every right to STOP READING if at any point you start to feel uncomfortable or triggered by what has been written, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. Do not push yourself to continue if you feel overwhelmed with this story.

Everything involved in this story is entirely Fictional and not meant to take on a literal sense - well obvious since its a supernatural story. With that being said the characters do not represent, speak for, or reflect how any celebrity is that this story may have. They are only used for visual purposes, but do not under any circumstance have any connection with the person in real life. So do not make connections or jump to certain conclusion related to the person in real life.

This story was inspired primarily from The Nerds by @Masquerade16 - Who's such an intelligent writer, and I grew so inspired by her story and the characters and wanted to create an alternative universe with these characters involved - while adding a bit of other factors from her other stories. However, this story is not based on her stories, but there are similarities: Taekook with Yeosang and Hwanwoong family structure from The Spawn, Mafia/Agency theme like The Nerds, Taehyung's character inspired by his from idiosyncratic, Jungkook's character a bit inspired from Subject X and Crave (But not completely) and as far as I know, that's mainly it. Despite this story having a lot of factors inspiring it, it's predominantly inspired by The Nerds. However, despite that, this story idea - the outline, what the characters go through, and their connections with each other is mainly my idea. I created this story idea, so with that being said plagarism is absolutely not tolerated. If you'd like to be inspired by it, that's something you have to console to myself or Masquerade16 about, like I have with her so there wouldn't be any misunderstandings.

I want to add, this very important note, that I am no expert or psychologist. So do not take anything in this book entirely into consideration in regards to mental illness, disorders, etc. I have, however, done various of research in regards to these areas to not approach this story without some knowledge, and to not offend anyone as well. I will continue to learn more as the story continues to progress. So in advance, I apologize if there's some misinformation about the disorders mentioned, please do educate me and correct me if I'm wrong (not hostile but informative). This story isn't meant to sensationalize disorders or mental health, but the purpose is to encourage the removal of the stigma surrounding it through writing in this piece. I want to be as educational as possible with what I've learned, that's why it's important to correct me if there's any mistakes that appear.

I am no expert in this field of mafia or gangs but have done various of research and have studied this, along with discussing it with Masquerade16 - who write mafia books often. This story is not meant to sensationalize or praise gang or mafia behavior, that's not the message I want to express, but more to set awareness that this does exist in our world and it's not something that should be taken lightly. Despite this story being fictional, be mindful that mafia characters won't exactly go easy on other people in the story. So if you have very tender hearts for others or cannot accept unfair treatment on humans, I would suggest to not read this book.

This story will still be romance based, so we'll see a lot of scenes with foreplay, smut, fluff, sexual mentions, etc. Remember the emojis below since I will put them beside the page number as a warning to what the chapter may have just as a trigger warning.

I want to put this out there that even if this story may have romance, do not let the idea of shipping get to you - I was told this consistently while writing, and find it to be true. The characters could have their moments with other characters, so I do not want to see comments saying 'I thought this was a taekook story?' 'There's always someone in the way for taekook' 'Oh what they're doing is okay because it's taekook' and so on. This story is more than a ship, it's a story, so treat it as a story and forget for a moment who these people are in connections to the real world.

Trigger Warning Emojis:

Smut:🔞

Gruesome Violence (Torture, Murder, etc):❌

Sexual Content (Foreplay, blow jobs, hand jobs, kinks, etc):🌹

Childhood Trauma Mention/Flashback: ⚠️

Self Harm:🚨

Psychotic Behavior: 🐍

If there's anything you want me to add for a trigger warning or if you can't see a specific emoji, please comment on it here.

I can't stress this enough how this story is really dark, despite it being fiction, it's really, really dark and twisted. You will be horrified to some actions people will be willing to do for the sake of pursuing a normal life, so I want you guys to be prepared if you continue reading. It can be a bit confusing the first chapter, trust in the process and more will be explained throughout the story.

Now that you have read through all of this information, or I will assume you have, and if you continue to read this story than that will be at your own risk. I am not be responsible for how this story may impact either mentally, emotionally or spiritually. You have the freedom, and right, to stop reading if you feel as though this story is affecting your everyday life in a negative direction. This is your responsibility to take care of yourself.

I'm being very serious about this because I really want this book to be kept here and for many of you to read it and enjoy it, while also making you guys proud who have read Masquerade's stories. So that's why I'm being very cautious about this.

With that being said, I hope you all enjoy Aptitude.

(Note by Masquerade16: Hello Lovelies! I hope you give this book a lot of love as you've given my books and find some comfort seeing a few characters there! This author has a lot of ideas, and I don't doubt she's going to take this story to another level. I've never imagined an inspired alternative universe of The Nerds the way she has described it to me, so I hope you're all ready for the trip! At the end of the day, this is also her book, so there will be factors that won't necessary be the same since it's not tied directly with my stories, it's her vision and inspiration from the characters. If you haven't read The Nerds and are reading this book, buckle up, you're in for a storytelling! Have a lovely read everyone! I purple you! <3 - GG)

Normality is an illusion.

A simple, fabricated reality invented in the deep consciousness of one's mind that's fused by desire and ideals, molding a fictional dimension we live in of what normality is based on the world's sprinkle of promises and propaganda.

Normal is being healthy.

Perfect height and weight.

Living on your own after college.

Be married.

Having a mother and a father while growing up.

A professional job.

Kids.

Have a car.

Have friends.

Being normal, that's being normal.

That's the dream everyone chases after - the ideal normal life one should strive for, no matter if it costs your own life.

For a long time, Kim Taehyung followed after that illusion - piecing together those puzzles of what makes a normal life: Grew up with his parents, went to college, had a professional job, got married, had a kid and the car of the year. Lived in a beautiful home in the suburban part of the city and loved his family.

Normal.

A fabricated reality.

Truth is, nothing about Taehyung's life was normal. He never knew what normal actually was, despite how normal he presented himself to the world. But that's just it right? As long as you can play it off, no one knows what lies behind closed doors.

He knew well how to adapt, and that was the perfect mask to a mediocre society.

His parents were a creation of earth and water as puppets from his abilities to manipulate the elements - molding them so realistically to anyone who came across them as people. Truth is, they were killed when Taehyung was barely seven years old and didn't know how to control his abilities - just because someone discovered them to be different and a threat. They hid Taehyung on a ditch, and he couldn't escape until he knew they were gone.

Finding his parents both dead.

He was on his own since then, but no one had to know that.

Not like he had a family beside his parents to confine into.

If there's anything that experience taught him, it's to never trust anyone - even if appear to be the good guys.

Growing up, he always had to put excuses on why his parents weren't consistently around for his ceremonies or parent teacher conferences.

They're on a business trip.

Mom is sick.

Dad is working hard.

They're visiting family.

When it came down that their presence was demanded, Taehyung had to be creative - which resulted with him molding their image through dust as realistic as possible. He pulled it off well, especially since he was able to control them like puppets due to manipulation of the earth element, the issue was with them speaking.

That's when those excuses came up again, for him to speak for them, the main one being that they were sick and couldn't talk.

No one ever questioned it, and thankfully he didn't have to present them so consistently - ever again - once he got to high school - a fake photo being enough evidence of his normal family. Since he was a good student, he never got into any trouble.

He was the perfect, normal child.

One would assume he was possibly lonely throughout those years, especially since he was just a child, but he never was alone actually. Along with these gifts he was born with, to which he believes was a gift from a divine God in the sky from his religious beliefs from his parents, came responsibilities of assigning the gifts.

In Taehyung's body lived more than one person.

Valencia.

Tigresa.

Karma.

Eden.

Their roles differentiate depending on the ability: Taehyung being the shield of his body, the outer layer of defense from preventing anyone to hurt him physically - meaning he can't be hurt with a simple rock thrown to his head. His pain tolerance is high, and it'll take a lot more of a push and kick to bring him down.

Valencia, grace of the Earth, able to manipulate anything that carries a simple rock element on it.  Nurturing nature of divine tranquility and peace, being almost the mother figure Taehyung had growing up, well older sister with mothering tendencies.

Tigresa, powerful and smooth of Water, forming rain and tsumani's at their desire. Unity is their specialty, making sure there's always other alternatives on keeping everyone safe. Whether its healing, or hydrating, Tigresa is the person who keeps everyone in check.

Karma, rage of fire and explosive of magma, heat following wherever he goes. Mannerism of a gentlemen, but lips of poisonous flames, he's the aggressor when Tigresa's words aren't being listened to. He'll make sure to have them escape any situation means necessary.

Lastly, Eden, the last line of defense - using all in one. Perhaps influenced by Taehyung's beliefs, he's the one who finalizes the job for safety. Cynical, playful, yet manipulative. He can appear into anyone's dreams, or even form visions in their minds, sending messages of what he wants them to know.

All different people with different personalities, abilities, and plans on pursuing this normal image - on keeping the body and each other safe.

They became Taehyung's family.

College arrived, and that's when he met his wife - Wheein. She was the perfect, ideal, and normal partner. No abilities caressed her veins, but she knew of Taehyung and still accepted him. They wed, had a child - Hwanwoong, and lived a normal life together.

The perfect, ideal life.

Until Taehyung was discovered by someone who was intrigued by him for years, and finally waited until he was of age to act. Taehyung never thought of an attack to ever happen to him, since he kept his life very hidden, but that wasn't the case when he found Wheein dead upon arriving home from work, with a note stating they took his son and to follow their instructions if he wanted his child alive.

The instructions of a mafia, Orchids - the beginning of Taehyung's life shifting.

From once being a perfectly displayed man in society as a successful husband and father, to becoming an assassin for a mafia empire.

Normal is a hallucination one yearns for when being gifted, but if you keep running away from your true identity - it'll eventually shatter before your eyes the illusion you attempted to build.

That's how it was for Taehyung, and for many still alive with similar stories as his.

Looking back to those memories, Taehyung tried to think where he went wrong. He tried to do everything so right, and it was completely obliterated before his eyes.

Losing his parents.

His wife.

His home.

His life.

It wasn't until he embraced his true nature where he found the clarity underneath the lies he tried to blind himself of, and in the midst of that, believe it or not he also found love.

A love still alive to this day.

And not just the love he has for his son.

"Taehyung?"

That's where the kaleidoscope of memories swallows down in its abyss, returning to the present time with golden eyes snapping open just as they shimmer down to almond brown.

Taehyung now facing his true reality.

One that wasn't false.

From where he sat in deep mediation stood over him a familiar man; Long raven hair that was finger grazed back to a ponytail, revealing the delicacy of elegant features with wide doe eyes attentively staring at him. The man clearly finished working on chopping up all the wood for the furnace since his skin is coated with sweat, the tank top sprinkled with dirt and specks of tree bark as evidence.

Jeon Jungkook, his once enemy and now husband.

Taehyung insisted on working on the wood earlier, but Jungkook knew how Taehyung valued his meditation to process his abilities and memories well, so he did it himself - Which spoke for itself by the pile of wood waiting beside the steps of the cottage.

Usually that'd be Taehyung's job, but he really needed a moment to himself today.

Twitching a small smile, Taehyung relaxes from the large tree stump he's sitting on, "You work fast."

Jungkook isn't the type to be amused easily, but for Taehyung he gifted just a grace of his lips twitching up, "I told you I would get it done. Come, we should -"

"DAD!"

Both men snap their eyes to the cottage from the distress call, just as two familiar teenage boys exited out. The youngest one steps out first, Taehyung's child Hwanwoong, running down the steps and towards him. Meanwhile the eldest, Jungkook's child Yeosang, follows after him with a clear stubborn expression plastered on his face.

The two were brought together as brothers at the age for four, Yeosang being the eldest by five months. When Jungkook and Taehyung got married and set out to escape - hiding in this forest that now became their home - the two were raised like twins.

Always dressing alike, being treated the same, and given equal attention.

There clearly was no favoritism in this family, but there was a difference in worry.

And that worry was always for the eldest son.

Hwanwoong abruptly teleported himself from where he was standing to go behind Taehyung, eyeing his older brother by his father's shoulder, "He did that thing again!"

"When are you going to stop being a snitch already!" Yeosang scowls, standing there now as he glares at the youngest, "I told you to leave me alone -"

Jungkook quickly looks to Hwanwoong, seeing the evident blisters and sores on his hand - that are only growing more irritated every passing second. Taehyung also noticed this and takes his wrist, observing the injury before looking at Yeosang - who still refused to look at any of them, but did have his eyes fixated on Hwanwoong's hand.

Yeosang in some way is similarly to Jungkook, and that being not demonstrating his emotions so vividly. Unlike Hwanwoong, Yeosang swallows any feelings down - not to be tough or cold, but because he knows what getting emotional will get him.

And that's him losing control, the control he's been trying to practice on maintaining.

Deep down inside, they all know he feels guilty about what his abilities can do to people - what it has done to his family when he doesn't have a strong grasp on it.

Jungkook drifts his eyes to his son, nodding him over. With a heavy sigh, distraughted, Yeosang walks towards them - still eyeing the redness of Hwanwoong's hand.

"What were you doing?"

Yeosang flickers his eyes to Jungkook, lips pursed, "I was trying to control the radiation by inserting it into a pencil alone without spreading, but Hwanwoong came and grabbed it before I could tell him what I was doing. It's my fault sir."

Taehyung now looks at Yeosang, "Did you manage to control it?"

"It remained on the pencil without spreading anywhere else for those few seconds, yes," Yeosang says back, "It's my fault, I should've told Hwanwoong what I was doing and -"

"You don't have to always be defending his recklessness," Taehyung mutters, now looking at Hwanwoong's hand, having his eyes slowly shift blue and faintly grazes just over Hwanwoong's skin, "He'll be healed in no time-"

"Tigresa, um - Wait," Yeosang interjects, stopping them from proceeding on healing the injury. He clearly was hesitant on what he wanted to do, but then he reluctantly reaches over and touches Hwanwoong's hand.

As though being inhaled and yanked off, the redness of Hwanwoong's fair skin traces to Yeosang's hand. The sore and blisters mellowed down, and once again was his hand returned to how it was before.

Jungkook's eyes widen, never seeing his son do that before.

Tigresa observed Hwanwoong's body with their vivid blue eyes, looking at Jungkook now with their conflicted gaze, "The radiation is gone."

Hwanwoong moves his hand and fingers around, looking at his brother now with a shocked smile, "When did you learn that?"

"If you weren't invading my training, I would've mentioned it," Yeosang mutters sourly, but actually appears calmer knowing he healed him well, "That means to mind your business when you see me working on something."

"You're so boring-"

Suddenly Jungkook claps his hands, standing up right as he looks at them, "It's time for dinner."

A simple statement.

Something so casual anyone would say and imagine a feast on a family table, filled with food and gentle laughs about everyone's day.

Something one would imagine as normal.

Not for thing family, to some extent.

It involved jobs being split - Taehyung prepared the meal, while Jungkook prepares the area for night hours. It means he ordered the owls to scatter around the parameter, being the eyes of the night as surveillance and alarms for intruders. Hwanwoong was in charge of making sure the traps were set up in case of anyone steps closer, teleporting from post to post to keep them hidden well - luckily having the animals in the area already knowing to watch out for them. Lastly, Yeosang grazes drops of his blood from a small tube container on the ground - which Jungkook extracts the beginning of every month - as a barrier around the house for a final protection.

Since he can't control his abilities, it'd be too much of a risk to have him extinguish radiation openly in a single location without it spreading recklessly. The blood is filled with his power and wherever it drops is the only place it stays, so if anyone tries to step through the barrier, they'd be exposed automatically - causing a physical reaction of them dropping instantly, even dying if exposed too heavily.

As Jungkook finished, he rotated with Taehyung - finishing up setting the table while Taehyung gathers as much water from the river as possible, removing the evidence of crops by hiding them back down to the Earth, and forced trees to scrunch closely together tightly far ahead - miles and miles before reaching the road - having it be something that'll drive hikers away by how there's no trail to hike here while also hiding the cottage. He also set a deep fog in the forest, followed by a heavy cloud up ahead with lightning and thunder - for certain being enough warning to anyone to not go through this forest in such weather.

No one visits them, so it wasn't a worry if it's hurt someone. If someone is around, and they ignored all the warning signs, that's on them, but their focus is on their own safety.

This family being safe.

They can't risk anyone ever discovering their existence.

By the time everyone finished their duty, they all went inside just in time for Jungkook to set up the circular table with food.

Now this is where things do become somewhat normal.

They'll eat, talk about their day - things like that.

However, things don't always go smoothly.

"Will we ever leave the forest?"

All eyes fall to Hwanwoong, who picks on his food rather than usually diving into as his hunger thrives in. This change in appetite grazed Yeosang's attention, eating slower to listen to him better.

Taehyung looks attentively at his son, figuring out well what to say, "Maybe one day we will, after a bit of time passes and then we can move to another country -"

"So, we're just going to keep hiding for our whole lives?" Hwanwoong muttered, setting down his chopsticks, "Why did you guys bother having kids if it was to live a life caged up?"

Jungkook's eyes iced to the sudden remark, "Hey, we tried to have you guys live comfortably and safe."

"You call this comfortably?" Yeosang suddenly interrupts, eyes still on the food, "Nothing about being here is comfortable. We live in the woods, isolated from people, have to prepare a whole routine of traps to make sure no one gets near us at night," His voice grew more and more dense, his eyes slowly burning red, "Oh and let's not forget that I can extinct a whole human race with just a temper tantrum."

"You're not the only one sweetie," Eden, one of Taehyung's alters, perked up, smiling sarcastically with his black eyes looking at him then to his son, "Are you both done feeling sorry for yourselves? Or are we going to eat?"

Yeosang suddenly got to his feet, the white sclera of his eyes now glowing orange, "Easy for you to say, you can control your powers! You know how stressful it is not knowing if one day because of a nightmare I could possibly kill everyone in this house in my sleep! Huh? Why put me in this world if all I could do is destroy it!"

Now this had Hwanwoong chiming in under his breath, rolling his eyes, "Here you go again trying to be the main character."

That hit a nerve.

Angrily Yeosang glares at him, but Jungkook shoots up with his hands covering over Yeosang's face - preventing him from accidentally releasing the radiation through his breath alone because of his anger. Hwanwoong suddenly teleported out of the kitchen, likely now in his room, while Taehyung also gets up and stands before him.

And with Tigresa's blue eyes, they forced his blood in his body to mellow down from his sudden rage - easing his heartbeat and pulses to relax. When he finally did manage to calm down, Tigresa only wiped a hand sharply, forcing him unconscious in a matter of seconds - while also for now, removing the intense radiation from his body.

Not an unusual thing to do when he gets active.

Seeing his son unconscious, Jungkook only let's his shoulders shag as he looks at him, shaking his head to himself, "He's growing powerful and more relentless," He whispers, looking at Taehyung, "I.... I don't know what to do anymore Tae."

Quickly coming into gear, Taehyung glances between his husband and the child, caressing his hand firmly, "We'll figure it out, okay? If Tigresa has to heal him until we can find something, they will do it, even if it's temporary."

Jungkook didn't say anything, just as Hwanwoong suddenly teleported back to them and looks down at his brother, frowning without a word.

That was the last of dinner, everyone now going to their rooms and shutting off all the candles to embrace the night. After making sure both teenagers are sleeping peacefully in their rooms, the two husbands found themselves in each other's arms that night while staring into the sky from the small creak at the ceiling - sheltered by glass to gaze at the moon and stars.

They didn't say anything in the silence, and Jungkook only let his mind wander to a life before being in this moment here.

Before hiding.

Jungkook, unlike Taehyung, had something close to a normality.

He did have his parents, or at least parental figures, not what one would expect though. Truth is, his biological parents were in fact normal - with no power gene in their bodies - so Jungkook was one of those rare, gifted ones, perhaps from either parents deep ancestry in the past.

Since this was a grave threat if discovered, and not something normal, they did try to eliminate him - well hiring someone to do it, an assassin who's an excerpt on eliminating people with abilities from the darker side of the world. Turns out, the child can't be killed: Skin and bones being indestructible, they couldn't cause a physical or internal injury on the child.

He couldn't be killed, hurt, or even have a scratch on his body.

As though he was steel.

Not bothering to do the research on their past, and without wanting to deal with issues and responsibility that this could carry in the future, his parents did what they thought was best and gave the child up for adoption while still being baby instead - somewhere they've heard where babies are left who have abilities, deep in the dark world of normality.

As they left the child, the assassin they hired took it upon himself and has given the child an eye from afar. Something in him was intrigued by the child's abilities, impressed even, but at the same time made him feel something he never thought would be awaken from the dark and inhumane layers of his soul.

Hope.

A small, tiny, glimmer of hope glowing in a tiny baby for his sanity.

That's why when the parents left the child, he sent his wife to eliminate them by hijacking a car they were driving into an explosion. For a week, he'd visit the orphanage the child was in, maybe even for a month, only watching Jungkook grow up every second and minute of the day.

His wife soon accompanied him for one trip, and that's when the child suddenly grew wings on his back.

A new ability.

No one wanted him, and maybe that assassin believed it was fate, but he still waited in hopes someone would take him in their family.

No one ever did.

After two months, the duo quit their jobs, adopted the child, and decided on focusing on raising him together - offering him a normal life as best as they could while being new parents.

Well, as normal as it got.

Jungkook was raised to the standard of a mortal human, from the eyes of the people that is, but his parents would help train him on how to use his abilities in their bunker under their home. They did try to give their child as much love and attention as they could, and that came also by training him to defend himself so he'll never get hurt or caught.

With a body of indestructible skin, muscle, and bones, to large wings that'd shift to tattoos on his arms as a disguise, and tongue of deep communication with animals - Jungkook grew efficient on how to become one with his abilities. With his parents also training him in combat, he became a perfect killing machine if needed.

However, they didn't want him to be a killer.

They wanted him to be a normal boy, to feel like he had a family and everything he possibly could've wanted.

So Jungkook did grow up happy, up until he decided to enlist in the Marines. His father was unsure on the decision, since he was scared his son would be caught. He'd prefer him to go to college and figure it out from there. His mother on the other hand thought it was a good idea, in that way he can be in the system with a security clearance, having a better advantage in the future.

It'd be a good opportunity for him.

However, if he were to enlist, he'd have to go as an orphan and his parents must disappear. He cannot under any circumstance communicate with them or be reunited, no matter how long time has passed. Main reasoning being is because they knew of people, just like them, in the military. Both with high titles and others still a regular operative, both friends and enemies. If they're caught together, or if someone digs into them - no matter how well they've kept their identities hidden - they'd use it against Jungkook, or even kill all of them.

So, they have to disappear, just for his safety.

Jungkook didn't want that. He wanted to still be with his parents, if not then he'd be completely alone in this world. But as his mother said, if he does enlist, it'd grant a firm security clearance - if he decides to have a family in the future, he will provide better, and it'll be guaranteed that his identity will never be exposed since under everyone's eyes he's normal.

He'd accomplish what his parents wanted for him, even if it meant he had to go.

Their mission was completed - raising a wonderful, and warm son, despite their dark past.

That's why before he was shipped off, they diverted their training on him managing himself on his own - How to act in pain, when it's the appropriate time to show weakness, how to behave and act like a regular human being as a fresh soldier. Then came the responsibilities that came after that - how to take care of himself, his home, responsibilities after marriage - those things.

By the time shipment date arrive, Jungkook was more than ready to face the world on his own.

And his parents disappeared.

Jungkook kept his promise though: He excelled well, pulled his own weight quick and maintained his identity hidden. He would be stationed in multiple locations, mainly abroad, and it was when he got stationed in Thailand where his world turned around.

By that time, he already broke one of his parent's desires for him - to be entuned of his feelings, and don't break who he was.

What happened? Well, he was discovered by someone who could detect anyone with an aptitude - which makes them different too. He was sent to Thailand as security for a military facility since there was a large meeting going on between the heads, and for the time being there - no one who knew of him made a move.

Not until he met her, Lisa.

She was a Staff Sergeant, and she was good at her job. However, she was cold. Too cold from inside out. Lisa was there for the same purposes as Jungkook, security. Sometimes everyone would mingle together, especially during days off, but the two never crossed paths.

But Lisa observed him, silently, from a far.

Waiting for the perfect moment to make a move, since she knew he wasn't like the rest.

That moment was during a day off, everyone decided to grab drinks. Lisa was involved, so was Jungkook, and they spoke. Jungkook was surprised she knew Korean, and the two found themselves conversing for long hours. Amongst the conversing and flirting, they found themselves tangled up together for the whole night.

And that's when Jungkook discovered that Lisa wasn't who she portrayed herself to be - not entirely.

But as a person with abilities to detect abilities nearby and use them back.

When the deed was done, Jungkook demanded for an explanation.

It all started with her, that night, where Jungkook was given a life to which he desired for - where he didn't have to be portrayed as normal but use his abilities as he pleases as well, with others just like him too.

As he lived his life as a soldier, it physically strained him having to suppress himself all of the time. To never expressing his abilities.

He hated the idea of a normal life, so he took the job.

Living a double life working in a secret agency, where they do undercover work for people like him, while still working for the government as a Sergeant - not losing his post.

And this will never be on his record, for his secrecy.

It did take two months for Jungkook to be convinced of this - even after being showed the location around along with the head director of this facility, Jung Hoseok - who's also someone like him. Jungkook still didn't leap into the offer so quickly.

Not until Lisa, who was the one who convinced him at last - not sweetly, more so either he's in or live in a fake reality of being normal. He ended up doing it though, but not because of his own desirable wants.

But because Lisa was pregnant with his child, Yeosang.

The two ended up working together, getting married, and perhaps you could say they did end up feeling strong emotions along the process for each other. However, Lisa passed away during childbirth, and the main reason being because they were not aware of Yeosang's ability of radiation. His ability was killing her from the inside and damaging her body, until she didn't have the strength anymore to live when she did give birth.

This was also during that time where Jungkook's parents made their presence known after many years, but it was through a video that spread online like wild fire on them being killed.

By a mafia, Orchids.

Fueled by rage, grief, and urging a better future for his son, Jungkook decided to take on the mission on destroying down this empire from the inside out - to avenge his family.

Who knew that would've been the place where he'd find love again, by the assassin of his own parents - the circle of life reliving again.

Jungkook wanted him dead.

He wanted to kill Taehyung no matter the cost, but he didn't.

His viewpoint change a night he peered through a creaked door open of the leader of Orchids punishing Taehyung with beatings for saving Jungkook in one of their mission, since it almost risked Taehyung's own life - boss's most valuable member in the empire.

That night changed everything, and Jungkook knew Taehyung was possibly suffering - for a long time - just as much as he was.

They had leave, somehow.

And now thinking of a life without Taehyung was like imagining a life without air or water - simply nonexistent.

Taehyung became his partner, husband, and friend in one body.

Once they managed to sort themselves out, they became a family with their kids.

Not regretting it a single moment of it.

Shifting back into the present, Jungkook breathes in his surroundings and thinks how much life has changed. Before being on the run, he was always living by a strict way of order - being normal, learning to be normal, adjust, never show your abilities, be a soldier - he always had a task to do and complete.

An agenda.

Now his task is being a good father, husband, and doing what he can for this family.

That's why he whispered against Taehyung's neck, "Do you ever miss how life was outside this forest?"

Taehyung's fingers gliding down his spine and up his skin didn't stop its movement, seemingly calm by the topic unlike how he used to be before. Taehyung hated conversating of his life before this family. Jungkook isn't a mind reader, but he knows he suffered a lot to finally have this peace that he has now.

It took years for him to slowly speak on the topic comfortably, without shifting to any other alter.

"No," He says, tracing his fingers from Jungkook's spine to his arm around his torso, "What is there to miss?"

"People. The city. Streets. Maybe modern society in general?"

Taehyung remained quiet for a moment, seemingly to think deep about it, right before saying, "Society is nonexistent. Do you miss the illusion, or the reality?"

"Maybe the illusion," Jungkook responds, his fingers moving to trace circles on Taehyung's tatted chest, "I know I was a soldier, so I didn't have much of a normal reality. I was always in a consistent war - with myself and society. But the illusion for a moment is something I do miss: Going to a grocery store and buying ramen. Going to a coffee shop and study. Meeting new people - which is bizarre since you know I hate talking to people. You know, those things."

Those thoughts were hard for Taehyung to resist from smiling, since at one point of his life he did have those moments of reality - the fabricated reality, to which he did participate in. It was nice when no one knew who he was, and he knows Jungkook referred to that.

When no one knew who they were.

Now the world knows not just about them, but of people with abilities in general - or questioning it.

A new reality they shattered into existence.

"Yeah, I get it."

"I wish our kids had a moment like that, you know?" Jungkook mumbles, now moving up while resting his weight on his elbow on the bed, facing Taehyung better, "Have friends, meet people, see things. I can understand how they could be feeling here - isolated, outcasted from the world without a clue."

Taehyung now stares at his husband's face, and the impulse of Karma edged his lips to say, "What if we move to another country?"

Jungkook didn't seem impressed or nudged by his response, only glances down while his left hand plays with the ring on Taehyung's hand, "You expect we wouldn't be wanted somewhere else? Besides, they probably would find us -"

"Did you forget that we're technically dead to them?" Now this slithers Jungkook's attention from the ring to Taehyung, who in the moment slid out as Karma, "Car accident that killed a whole family, burnt corps in its demise. We're dead Jungkook, we can run away from here and have new identities."

"But what if we're caught by cameras. We're still in the system Taehyung, they just have it in the skeleton pile."

"And who's going to remember or go through that after sixteen years?" Karma continues to ask, boldly taking Jungkook's hand, tugging his fingers, "We can try Jungkook. Besides, it's not like we're vulnerable either."

It's obvious the idea was starting to be convincing for Jungkook, but then he hangs his head, "We can't," And then he looks at Karma, "Hwanwoong can barely use his power, and Yeosang can't control his - even with our training. Tigresa can't just keep healing his cells to make the radiation mellow down forever."

"I will if I have to," Tigresa spoke out immediately, determined, "He's our son too. If it means he can feel like a regular kid, I don't care what I have to do."

Jungkook stares into their blue eyes, shaking his head to himself, "It's too much of a risk. He just.... He isn't ready to face out there."

The conversation was cut, now with Jungkook turning to his side and resting his head on the pillow. Didn't take long for a hand to softly caress his shoulder to ease him as comfort, rubbing his skin soothingly, followed by softer and tender voice.

"We're going to be okay, just try to relax."

Jungkook twitches a smile, recognizing the voice, rubbing the hand on his skin, "Thanks V, let's get some rest."

And that they did, letting the sound of nature slowly guide them through the dreams and hopes deep down within their souls. A dream of being free, and maybe this is their moment of freedom, but are blinded by it. However, that didn't stop them.  All the while in Taehyung's head, a whole conference was being fired up, despite how peaceful it was.

"Can't we just leave the kid?"

"He is our son! What do you mean leave!?"

"When he learns to be more grateful, than I'll change my attitude for the brat!"

Before everyone goes off to their own slumber, the alters in Taehyung's body gathers together to discuss on the plans for the next day - which wasn't any different than it was on a regular day, but this time it was different.

Since they knew everyone outside was stressed about this situation.

"I vote that we can just depend on my ability as a temporary remedy whenever he fires up, like how we've been doing," Tigresa states off, arms crossed over their chest, "We can live a regular life, he just has to be treated daily."

"And when he acts up, then what?" Karma retorts back from across the table, wavering an elegant hand dismissively, "The kid is like my temperament Tigresa, he can't be tamed easily. He can accidentally harm someone."

Suddenly Valencia chimes in, green glittering eyes staring at everyone, "Well, Hwanwoong can just be around him, and if he acts up then he can teleport -"

"Darling, did you forget our aptitude is a little unmoral to the eyes of the public, and thing two can be infected by the radiation?" Eden chuckles lowly, humerouslessly, "We love the enthusiasm but leave this conversation to us adults."

"FUCK YOU-"

"Guys please! Come on," Taehyung groans, gripping his brunette hair annoyed as they all wouldn't simply shut up to think of something, "Everyone is stressed out here, and we have to find a way on how to make this work. Yeosang is my kid, I want to help him."

Everyone now falls silent, thinking of a plan or something, anything -

"What about that fellow who can manipulate abilities?" Eden drawls while spinning on his chair, "What was his name again? Seokjin?"

Now everyone snapped their attention to him, and not exactly in the greatest way.

"You're such an incompetent fool," Karma scoffs, turning his chair to face him directly, "He's with that demon. That empire. Reaching out to him is a clear target to us!"

Eden twitches his lips with a growl, "And last time I checked, he can manipulate abilities. He can understand it and remold it," And he snaps his black eyes to Taehyung, "Can he not?"

Taehyung grimaces, not wanting to prove his point but decided to stubbornly nod instead.

"Seokjin was our friend," Valencia says, a bit hopefully, "He helped us escape. He's the only person who will help us if we need it, and right now we could use it."

Seokjin was all of their friend while Taehyung was in the Orchid empire, well, if he can call that a friend. They acknowledged each other's skills and had respect. He did save Taehyung's ass a few times against Boss, so he is reliable.

But that was before, and as far as everyone knows, they're all dead - technically on file.

"I still think I can handle Yeosang," Tigresa mutters nonchalant, eyes to their feet covered by boots on the table, "But I guess Seokjin can help ease it so he won't be radioactive all the time., it could be useful on the long run."

It's a tough decision to consider, mainly because it could put in grave risk to their family if anyone is caught. If Taehyung does this, he knows Jungkook would reject it heavily since it's a risk to everything they've built together - and he doesn't trust anyone so easily.

If he does this, it has to be alone.

He could tell Jungkook once Seokjin - if he complies - gives him an antidote that could work.

Then they could run away, all of them.

Somewhere else, where their kids won't be so isolated.

"Let's say we reach out to Seokjin," Taehyung starts off, unsure, "How would we do it without making it obvious."

Eden slowly grins, deviously, "Oh, you can leave that to me."

[Note]:

Hi everyone!

Thank you for reading this story! I just want to thank everyone who how found interest in it and I hope to have you guys intrigued by it as the story continues to progress.

I also want to thank Masquerade16 for allowing me to use her characters and create an alternative story based on them, I hope to make you proud with this story!

Lots of love!