Twelve: Simon the Zealot

It's been a long time since Taehyung stepped into a chapel before.

He never had the need to the attend one, even as a child - well that's a lie, he'd attend church in his teenage years and in the beginning stages of his marriage with Wheein. He's a faithful believer, he truly believes these abilities he has is because of the Creator himself for gifting it to him to protect.

Protect what? Well, he first thought it'd be to protect himself from this life.

Until he formed his family, since his wife carries no abilities, he believed it was to protect them from harm.

He doesn't understand why he stopped attending since then until now, and that's why he's here, on his knees, in the same chapel here in Orchids - trying to find answers.

God never abandoned him before, so he knows he won't now.

"Never thought of you as the church believer."

Taehyung inner instinct pulsed him to move out of respect, but right now no one is more important than his moment with God, so he remained kneeled where he is without turning around.

"Then we aren't as close as you thought us to be."

Footsteps closed in on him, and Taehyung gulps heavily as he keeps his attention on the window before him in a renaissance type of design - just as the familiar man sits on the pew in front of him, still giving him his space to look wherever he pleased.

That didn't help, his presence is too overwhelming.

"I find it hard to believe that you, an assassin," The purring voice coiled Taehyung's insides, "Can have a heart to expect God to still not see you as a sinner.

"I know I'm a sinner," Taehyung says quietly, "Do you know of Simon the Zealot?"

Boss tilts his head to him, not seeming amused by this, "No."

"Zealots were members of an organization who believed in overthrowing the Roman Government. They led through many rebellions, with their one true belief in God being their Lord and in search of the Messiah to overthrow Rome," Taehyung says quietly, crossing his fingers on the backrest of the pew in front of him, "They had a reputation for being.... Well, Aggressors, killers, everything you can think of. People prone to violence."

"Hm, my kind of people," Boss drawls, his piercing eyes focused on him, "I'm not getting your point here."

Taehyung stares attentively at the window, blinking softly, "When Jesus chose his disciples, he chose him, Simon the Zealot. Someone who was prone to violence, aggressor, believed in overthrowing the Roman government through violence," And Taehyung twitches a mellow smile, "If Jesus picked him as his disciple, why do you assume he can't use me as well?"

Boss looks at him with a pointed stare, an eyebrow slowly raising, "Am I to believe there's another Jesus coming soon or -"

"You're not taking me seriously -"

"Because I simply do not take this seriously," Boss mutters, sitting up with a dead stare in his eye, "You are a killer. You, and the rest of the alters. You have powers probably even more than what this Jesus had-"

Taehyung's eyes darkened, "Don't speak of blasphemy in that sentence."

"My point is, no matter how much you think you can change, you will always be a killer," Boss says back to him, snaps actually, "Pray all you want, but that's not going to change how in a few hours, you're going to face someone dead in the eye and slice their neck because I told you so."

Taehyung felt an eye twitch as Boss rises to his feet, adjusting his blazer, eyes still blazed to him, "Face it kid, if there was a God, we wouldn't be here right now. Repent all you want, it won't make up for all the sins you've done already."

Taehyung didn't say a word back, feeling his heart fall heavy to the words as Boss leaves him alone - facing the darkness of his own sins right back to him. Never has he had someone say such things to his face like that when it came to his spiritual views, and that's mainly why he never opened up about it.

He wants to believe he's forgiven, or at least God sees his efforts, but as Boss spat those words out to him, it made him feel possibly worse about his past and - maybe God doesn't forgive him..

Who is Taehyung compared to Simon?

No one, just another believer who God never saved from this life.

If he did, he won't be here.

He'd be free.

Taehyung shakes his head to himself as he feels tears burn his eyes, he breaths calmly - or at least tried - as he looks back up to the window.

And he prayed.

God, I'm so sorry.

I don't know what to do.

I'm lost and I don't know what to even believe in anymore.

I'm trying, I know this life isn't for me - but I don't know how to escape it either.

Please help me.

Give me a sign or something! Anything to just.... Draw me closer to you, or make me see the path you want for me -

Taehyung's ear perked when he heard a footstep closing in on him. Turning his head back, his heart weighed in his chest when he sees Jungkook stepping into the chapel - in a suit rather than uniform.

He doesn't say anything when he sees Taehyung, but Taehyung was quick in wiping his eyes and going to stand up, "If you want your time alone, I can -"

"Director Jung came here to speak with Boss on the new candidate that he recruited from Oasis," Jungkook says calmly, hands to his back, "He requested me to accompany him since I'm the only one who knows my ins and outs here. So, you can stay, I won't be long here."

Taehyung slowly nods back to him, not knowing what else to say, so he just sits down on the pew instead with eyes staring at the window. There's a long moment where silence spoke in the room, right before footsteps disturbed its peace and quietly makes its way so Jungkook is sitting beside Taehyung.

There's still a great distance away from them, but now sitting in this silence with company made Taehyung feel a little less alone.

"I heard you talking about Simon the Zealot," Jungkook sudden says to him, his eyes focused on the window, "I can see a lot of him in you."

Taehyung still felt the weight heavy in his chest, especially when he sighed heavily, "Yeah well, that doesn't change anything. I'm still a killer, Simon got saved."

"Who says you can't be saved too?"

Now this perked Taehyung's gaze to look at Jungkook, but Jungkook still has his focus on the window, deep into thought, "I'd imagine the disciples probably thought the same way too about him," He says quietly, "'He's violent' 'He's too aggressive' 'He wants to overthrow the Roman government through war' 'Why would Jesus ever choose someone like him?'"

As Jungkook spoke, the less heavy Taehyung felt the more he thought about it, just as Jungkook fixes his eyes to him, "As far as my knowledge goes, Jesus was around mainly sinners, no? He could've chosen the perfect person to have beside him, but I think he wanted to show that perhaps even the less deserving of his love deserves it just as much."

Something about those words tingled a fragile piece of Taehyung's soul, feeling tears glitter his eyes as he shakes his head to himself, "Even if I try to turn my life around for him, I can't. I know I'm going to keep disappointing him and it hurts - I don't deserve it."

Jungkook frowns as he looks at Taehyung, holding himself back from reaching over and comforting him, but instead he says to him, "You think those disciples also didn't think the same way too? We're not perfect Taehyung, but God loves you, and I know he knows you're trying for him. You may not think you deserve his forgiveness and love, but he will give it to you either way because you have a good heart."

Taehyung was in denial of those words, but Jungkook boldly takes on of his hands, forcing him to face him. Jungkook is starting at him with such a strong yet gentle gaze that it felt like an anchor for Taehyung, even when he felt his world going into despair.

But Jungkook gentle takes his hand and guides it to the backrest pew in front of him, getting on his knees on the knee rest. They kept their eyes firmly on each other until Jungkook tears it away and looks at the window.

"Let's pray about it."

Taehyung didn't say anything to those words, only follows after Jungkook - closing his eyes and praying hard for anything at this point.

To forgive him, because he knows he's going to sin again and again.

To love him, even when he feels like he doesn't deserve it.

To give clarity in his head, when everything feels lost.

To guide him when things are trying to steer him away.

To never leave his side to the end.

By the time Taehyung was finished, he felt a lot better than earlier. He turns his head to see Jungkook staring at him with a fragile smile. Their gaze held for a moment strong, and they didn't bother hiding it away.

Since time was limited, they got up and decided to go to where Boss and Director Jung were having the meeting, just to be on standby just in case. As they walked down the hallway, Taehyung began to feel grateful for that moment, and he didn't bother hiding it.

"Thank you for being there and helping me out," Taehyung tells him, not having it in him to look at his face, "I appreciate it."

He didn't have to look to see Jungkook's smile, he felt it in his heart already.

"I didn't mind it at all," Jungkook says quietly back, "Actually between you and me, I'm an atheist."

Taehyung stops walking.

Jungkook immediately noticed he stopped and turned his head to look at him, but Taehyung is confused.

"You don't believe in God?"

Jungkook turns around slowly, "No."

"Then.... Back there.... You spoke as though you... Did," Taehyung sputters out in his confusion, "You even said for us to pray? What kind of atheist does that?"

Jungkook is silent for a moment as he looks at Taehyung, and he steps towards him, "Who am I to go against your belief? You needed a spiritual boost, and I wanted to provide that."

"But... How you spoke to me," Taehyung says, not wrapping it around his head, "About the disciples, and.... You guided me back to my faith, that you don't believe in, so I don't understand."

A low hum comes out of Jungkook, blinking into thought and he looks at him, "I just listened to you, and said what I thought was best to help to your faith -"

"But why?" Taehyung exasperates, "You could've been like Boss and just brushed it aside if you don't believe in all of that -"

"You believing in it is enough for me," Jungkook cuts back, "Since the second I saw you, you have not had a peaceful bone in your body, not like how you looked when you prayed. Yeah, I may not believe in that stuff, but you needed that at the moment. If I have to say these things so you can be guided to your faith, to your peace, I don't mind saying it -"

"But why does that even matter to you-"

"Because you matter to me. I'd do anything for you Taehyung."

Those words.

Something about those words were like a heavy string in the wind - a forbidden message through lost lips. Even Jungkook looked equally taken back when those words spilled like ink on paper, not knowing where this sudden devotion came from.

Taehyung didn't even feel like he was breathing by such profound words he has ever head come out of someone's mouth, especially from Jungkook - out of all people.

Someone who he's supposed to hate because of the memories he has with him.

A memory that now became fogged into the air, unlocking a sudden new one.

"You know what you're risking if we decide to do this?" Jungkook asks to him, sliding slowly the bolt ring on his finger, "It means leaving everything behind, changing everyone - your life completely. It's too much you're risking here."

Taehyung stares down at the bolt ring, fitting so well on his finger just like it did on Jungkook's finger as well, slowly looking up to meet his gaze without a single doubt, "I should be the one asking you this since you're risking your entire reputation, especially with the government, for this."

There's no hesitation lingering Jungkook's expression as he stares back to him, "I already decided on this already the second I laid eyes on you. This is for a new life, for us and our kids."

Snapping back to the present, Taehyung blinks to the memory with his heart skipping beats in his chest rapidly. His breath chokes up on his throat as he shakily focused on Jungkook's hand - which still held tightly the bolt ring from his memory.

It seems as though Jungkook also had the sudden memory as well because he looked equally choked up as Taehyung did, the two clearly unsure as to where this memory even came from since it wasn't there before.

It wasn't the same as the memory they knew of how things went down between them.

What is this?

Where did it come from?

"T-Taehyung?"

Slowly Taehyung flickers his eyes to Jungkook's gaze, but before he could dwell on the heavy stare, footsteps grasp his attention quickly. Not only for him but Jungkook also shifted his attention behind him, the two seeing a boy rounding the corner.

A familiar boy, the Orchid recruit.

And he wasn't alone.

Standing right beside the boy is Seokjin, a familiar face that coiled Taehyung's stomach for a reason he cannot explain.

Boss informed him that Seokjin was away for a few days on vacation, but Taehyung was never informed he'd be back this soon.

Something about him didn't sit well with Valencia, Taehyung didn't even feel her around in mind space.

Hm.

"Oh, there you are," Seokjin remarks calmly, a hand on the boy's shoulder, "Seems like you left your shadow unattended."

Yeosang glances to both Jungkook and Taehyung, noticing Jungkook's intensive stare on Seokjin's hand on his shoulder. Not like Yeosang has no idea who Seokjin is, after all Jimin kept him very informed.

Someone clearly Jungkook didn't like, even if he doesn't remember.

Yeosang respects it.

That's why his eyes flickers away and he moves away from Seokjin's touch, but if only he knew a touch was all Seokjin needed to know who he truly was.

Not like he made it openly known either way, but Yeosang knows.

He felt his abilities acting up on his shoulder without even trying.

"Just because I've been on vacation doesn't mean you can slack off with your duties," Seokjin continues, then he looks at Jungkook, "Then again I see you've been preoccupied, so I'll take care of -"

"No," Tigresa bellowed, just as Seokjin goes pack to placing his hand on the boy's shoulder, "I'm in charge of him, my responsibility."

Seokjin narrows his eyes to them, but Yeosang already moved away from his touch and approaches the pair instead, not needing to be told anything twice on what to do, since he's still obedient to Tigresa's order.

Clearly Seokjin wanted to say something to the two, but he held his tongue. Instead, he took his leave, knowing he will have to speak with Wonwoo when the time comes.

Jungkook narrows his eyes to him as he leaves, but then his gaze shifts to the boy - who only looks between the two before letting his gaze fall on Jungkook.

"I'm glad I bumped into you, I wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day during our first meet," He says to him, giving him a firm bow, "My name is Min Yoonmin, and I was saying what I had to say to catch you off guard. I didn't mean it."

Looking between the kid and Jungkook, Taehyung slowly raises an eyebrow - putting two and two together to which probably explains why he mentioned Jungkook's name while speaking with Eden and how he knew so much about the situation.

He probably managed to snatch it out of Jungkook with his quick thinking and analysis skills.

Jungkook stares intently at him, his posture upright, "Don't apologize, it doesn't suit you," Slowly Yeosang looks at him, seeing Jungkook staring at him indifferently, "Just behave yourself-"

"Ah, Taehyung, there you are."

The three heads quickly look up, just in time to see Boss with Director Jung and Wonwoo trailing behind him. Something about seeing Director Jung's face flickered a glow in Yeosang's body, but Wonwoo's glare forced him still as the men approached them.

Seemingly a bit out of place, Yeosang steps back, offering a bow to them, "I'll be on my way -"

"Oh please don't, you're Taehyung's shadow after all," Boss ventures, his smile so inviting as he flickers his attention to Taehyung, "We have a new task at hand."

Taehyung glances to Yeosang and then back to Boss, standing upright, "Is that so? What does it consist of?"

"People with aptitude are increasing in population, and with this new generation we're entering, we need a little more of a pest control on the matter," Boss purrs, grinning, "So, to make it easier for the agency Oasis, we are going to clean up the streets of them and have them either vow their allegiance with us, or.... We eliminate them."

What....

Jungkook eyebrows furrowed, looking at Director Jung, "What do you mean allegiance?"

"We have no need for new operatives, and we cannot have this going global of people like us with special abilities, it will cause chaos," Hoseok explains firmly, glances to Boss, "So I allowed Namjoon to locate all the people with aptitudes in the country, and have them be under Orchids allegiance. Whatever he does in that is none of my concerns, only making sure the mortal citizens are oblivious of our kind."

"But you're Oasis," Jungkook sputters out, "You make sure our kind are trained and have the benefits to still be living in this world with abilities-"

"Truth is Mr. Jeon is that all of you are not needed anymore," Boss smooths over calmly, snapping Jungkook's gaze to him, "Director Jung has all that he needs to make powerful radioactive weapons in case we do go into war, and not only that but he has me - someone who could duplicate every single one of you to perfection, and follow orders much more efficiently than anyone else."

He takes a step towards him, but Jungkook keeps himself firm with a heavy stare, which made Boss smile a little, "So if you don't want those weapons to denigrate your entire existence and for me to have to make a puppet duplicate out of you, I suggest you listen to your boss."

Jungkook remains with his face firm, not twitching a single reaction. Boss challenged that stare back, up until Taehyung clears his throat, slicing the tension.

"I do have a question," He states, standing calmly, "Having so many people as an alliance must mean something, so I want to ask you what's the plan to do with all of those people?"

Boss only smiles to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, "You'll see soon enough, as for now we have other matters to attend to," His gaze flickers to Yeosang, grinning, "I like you kid, you're silent, obedient, I can tell we're going to get along so well."

He has plans with him Yeosang can sense it, and seems like Jungkook can as well based on his accusing stare.

Yeosang focuses heavily on Boss's hand on Taehyung's shoulder, and he nods, "I hope so sir, but I'm afraid that I'm not the type to get along with people so easily."

"Even better," Boss beams, his attention on him now, "Under my wing, you'll be exquisite."

Something about the way he twirled his words made this sound promising, even for Yeosang.

For as long, he was never able to control his abilities. Maybe with Yoongi he was able to since he could use it as well, but he's still learning and figuring it out.

Boss portraits his words and sees something promising out of Yeosang, despite how little Yeosang has showed him of what he could really do.

The thought didn't settle well in his chest, since he knows Boss is known for being manipulative - Yoongi warned him of that directly.

Subtly Yeosang glances to Taehyung, "Do you think I'll be exquisite too? Or have the possibility of destroying the world if I tried?"

For as long as Yeosang knows, Karma always believed Yeosang had the perks of a villain if he wanted to. He could so easily end existence with a snap of his finger, just with his wave of radiation. Karma always saw him as a danger, but Taehyung was always seeing the alternative - a broken child in want of normal life, who could use his abilities.

Who could change existence, not just destroy it.

Taehyung eye twitches, feeling his mind suddenly get into a state as though it completely zoned out yet is still present. A complete moment of dissociation, as if everything around him began to run by slowly.

Very.... Very slowly.

A faint memory seemed to be entering his consciousness the more he drowned into it, but it was snapped when Boss rubs Yeosang's hair, chuckling, "I like this kid."

Wonwoo stares at Taehyung attentively on the side, noticing the sudden reaction and immediately got into his head, finding the memory that escaped from the brainwash and gave it a brutal push.

Taehyung gasps to himself, the memory playing in his head that his mind lagged to share - so vividly before his eyes.

A dinner table.

Wood, everything is out of wood.

Two boys, another man.

The faces are a blur - No.... Jungkook.

Jungkook is there.

Hwanwoong.

And....

The other boy.... Who is he?

"We also have to prepare for the Gala tomorrow night," Director Jung mentions, steering Taehyung's attention back to what's going on, "We will introduce our plan then."

"Precisely," Boss agrees, looking at everyone else, "In that case, this meeting is dismissed."

Everyone said their departing wishes, mainly Director Jung since Jungkook was silent in his leave, not before sending a final stare to Taehyung and following after his boss without a second glance anywhere else.

Taehyung only stared briefly before focusing to Boss, adjusting the attention, "What's my task for now?"

Boss glazes his stare to him, "Well, training the kid is your priority, Karma," He purposely drawls the name, making it clear who he wants present through it, "Then we'll speak of another task."

Taehyung and Yeosang glances at each other before Taehyung retorts, "He could train with everyone else -"

"He isn't like everyone else," Boss ventures, turning around and walking away, "You know how to deal with kids, think of this as therapy."

Yeosang presses his lips together tightly to the evident stab wound that remark did to Taehyung's heart, no doubt thinking of Hwanwoong in the process and of him being dead - the story is vivid behind his frost eyes.

Perhaps this is the moment where Yeosang would ideally like to spill everything to Taehyung, and hope for the best, but right now he can't run on luck. Hwanwoong's life also lies on his hands, and if Taehyung acts impulsively about knowing his kid is alive, that could cause a lot of damage to not only them but Taehyung mentally as well.

He has to remember willingly, as Wonowoo instructed him to do.

Besides, now with this plan Boss has, he made it clear he really doesn't need anyone.

He could easily have anyone removed, including Hwanwoong.

He did it once in attempt, he could do it again.

So, to soften the blow instead, Yeosang says, "I can tell you'll be a better teacher than him."

Taehyung snaps his eyes to him, seeing the small smile in attempt in making him feel better, and Taehyung just barely returned the gesture before turning around without another word.

[Note]:

I thought I posted this update so I was so confused seeing it still in the drafts lol my bad!

I'm also going through it because of Ateez's comeback, so I've been blasting Bouncy on replay for the past few days lol Any songs or comebacks you guys have been into lately?

I hope you're all taking good care of yourselves <3

Lots of loveee <333