Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
━
The Art of War
Sun Tzu

≣

"Sweetheart, come on. It's time to get up."

A loud and disgruntled groan rumbled in Jungkook's throat as he clung tighter to Taehyung, using his still-naked chest as a pillow. "Ten more minutes."

"That's what you said ten minutes ago, you little brat," Taehyung chided in amusement, his fingers idly brushing back the hair on Jungkook's forehead. His other hand traced up and down his spine, creating a lazy pattern that threatened to lull Jungkook into a deep sleep.

"Yoongi won't get here for another couple of hours, which leaves us plenty of time to cuddle," Jungkook pouted, his argument weakened by his breathy tone and whiny words. "Don't you want to hold me for a little while longer, angel?"

The hand on his back drifted lower, slowly grazing against his skin before delivering a mild slap to his bare ass. And even though he had his eyes closed, he could feel Taehyung smirking.

"In case you didn't realize," the elder said with a chuckle, "we're both sticky and smell like sex."

A satiated murmur pushed through Jungkook's lips as he recalled their lovemaking, a passionate and unifying act that gave him strength when he needed it the most. And yeah, sure, he couldn't deny that his sweaty skin made him itch or that a particular aroma clung to their bodies, but he really didn't care. All that mattered was Taehyung's chest pressed against his own, warm and familiar and soft.

"I don't mind," Jungkook countered, though he finally opened his eyes when an amused scoff sounded from above. After blinking a few times to clear the blurry film of exhaustion from his vision, he sucked in an appreciative breath when his gaze settled on his boyfriend.

A sheen of sweat decorated Taehyung's torso, his honey-colored skin glistening under the warm lighting. Red bruises bloomed around his neck, the locations purposely and thoughtfully placed under Jungkook's ardent discretion. His lips remained marginally swollen while his cheeks retained a pinkish flush. And emanating from his dark eyes was a fierce look of love and adoration, a look so magnificent that Jungkook's heart swelled against his ribcage.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured, unable to keep the words to himself. "I mean, you always are, but this whole sex aura around you is an added plus. So really, I don't mind."

"You don't mind because you don't have lube and cum drying between your legs," Taehyung laughed once more, wiggling his hips for emphasis as he glanced at the area in question. "So really, your opinion doesn't count right now. Let's go wash up."

Ignoring the order, Jungkook propped up onto his elbows and allowed himself a look at the elder's inner thighs. He nearly moaned with desire as he studied the thick release and shiny lubricant sticking to his skin, a messy smear that definitely had to be uncomfortable at this point. And while some might have found the display either dirty or off-putting, Jungkook's stomach clenched with growing arousal. There was something overwhelmingly erotic about knowing he was the cause of his boyfriend's current state.

"Why does it look like you're about to lick me clean?" Taehyung asked after a moment, his usually deep voice even rougher around the edges.

"Maybe because I'm considering it." Jungkook's tongue darted out of his mouth unconsciously - okay, maybe very consciously - as he gripped the elder's waist. "Would you let me?"

A noise that was a cross between a whimper and a grunt got caught in Taehyung's throat. "Are you kidding? Of course, I'd let you. But -"

"No buts," Jungkook whined as he lowered his hand on Taehyung's thigh, the softness of his skin comparable to velvet. His fingers dug into the supple swell of muscle, kneading gently before nudging his legs further apart.

"Kookie," Taehyung admonished with a giggle, taking hold of Jungkook's hand and resting it on his stomach, "another time, okay? If you so much as put your head between my legs, I'm going to get hard and -"

"And I'll take care of you," Jungkook whispered, the words sounding strained to his ears. "There. Done. Problem solved."

Taehyung's eyes softened as he reverently cupped Jungkook's cheeks, his thumbs delicately smoothing over his cheekbones. "I know you would, sweetheart. But I think the smartest thing to do right now is to wash up and finish packing. We need to be ready . . . We're not in the clear yet."

"Right," Jungkook said quietly, the subtle reminder of their current predicament squashing his blooming lust. "I . . . Right."

And just like a switch flipped, a heaviness blanketed the bunker and muffled the previously serene ambiance.

Their warm, protective bubble finally popped.

It wasn't like Jungkook forgot the horrors they experienced just hours before or the threats waiting around each corner. It wasn't like he believed they were out of harm's way, hiding in a metal box until someone could save them from the perils above ground. It wasn't like he thought everything would resolve itself now that they learned the faces of their enemies.

No, he wasn't naive. They were still in danger. This wasn't over. Nothing was resolved. He knew all of these things and yet . . .

And yet he ignored all of those facts in order to preserve his sanity.

When he and Taehyung made it back to the bunker, there was an overpowering need to shut it all off and pretend that their false sense of security wasn't just an illusion. His muscles had been coiled to that point of immobility, his breathing had refused to return to a regular rate, and visions born out of fear had consumed his every thought. And the terror - that cold, suffocating terror - had started to course through his veins, hellbent on paralyzing his body and shutting down his mind.

All he could focus on in that moment was how easy it had been for the attackers to capture him, how easy it had been to lure Taehyung into a violent trap. And even though they had escaped - even though they had found a momentary reprieve - Jungkook understood that it still wasn't over. Their enemies would not stop until they got what they wanted . . . They wouldn't give up until they had Taehyung.

And then, on top of his endless worry for the love of his life, a new anxiety had blossomed deep in Jungkook's bones, one entirely centered on the fate of his brother-in-law. Sure, he couldn't ignore that Jin was involved in all of this. He couldn't forgive the older man for being an active participant in an attack that ended with two deaths. But Jungkook also couldn't discount the fact that Jin seemingly risked his life to give him and Taehyung a fighting chance. That had to count for something.

Right?

As much as Jungkook had tried to keep himself from crumbling - he managed to keep his cool while on the phone with Yoongi and confidently ushered Taehyung into the shower - the weight of everything proved to be too much. Everything was moving too fast, harrowing images flashed through his head, he couldn't breathe, he couldn't stop the room from spinning, spinning, spinning . . .

He needed Taehyung. He needed to find refuge in his angel's arms and solace in his love.

Their love.

So he had gone into the bathroom, knowing he could pull himself together by simply sharing the same air as Taehyung. But hadn't expected to witness the elder also on the verge of breaking down, hunched over the sink and shaking so violently that Jungkook regretted leaving him alone in the first place. The sight constricted his breathing even more than before, and he had suddenly found himself holding onto his angel, providing support and taking some in return.

And then they had fused their bodies and lay bare their souls. They soothed their raging minds and healed their hurting hearts through the power of their love.

They saved each other.

They would always save each other.

"Sweetheart?"

Jungkook blinked a couple of times, slowly registering the careful touch of Taehyung's fingertips dancing over his cheeks. "Hi."

"Hi yourself," the elder breathed out, the corners of his mouth twitching up. "Penny for your thoughts? You checked out on me for a little."

"Sorry, I just . . . I was thinking about you. Jin. Everything."

"Everything, huh? Sounds like a lot."

"Yeah," Jungkook agreed easily, digging his teeth into his lip for a couple of seconds. "I feel like we're in the eye of a storm, where we survived one hell but still have to face another. And I don't want to keep worrying about the future . . . about the next day, the next hour, the next minute . . . but I can't help it. It's all I'm thinking about, Tae."

Instead of offering verbal reassurances that all would work itself out, Taehyung leaned forward and closed the space between their mouths. The gesture was slow and unhurried, a symbol of comfort rather than an act of passion. He took his time molding his lips to Jungkook's, pressing softly and breathing deeply. And as they continued to move against each other, the remnants of Jungkook's apprehension gradually faded to the background.

"Focus on what we do know," Taehyung murmured over his lips, his hands shifting into Jungkook's hair. "Focus on what's real. You and me. Us. That's all that matters right now."

Jungkook clung to those words just as he clung to the elder's shoulders. "When did you get so smart?"

A teasing bite on his lower lip was his reward for that remark. "I've always been smart, sweetheart. Always have been and always will be."

"You sound pretty confident for someone who decided to protect his own imposter."

"Yeah, well, that was the smartest decision I ever made."

Jungkook kissed Taehyung with a little more intensity - sucking on his lips before tracing the seam of his mouth with his tongue - before pulling back. He was slightly winded as he said, "Uptight bodyguard."

"Disobedient brat," Taehyung grinned, burying his face into Jungkook's neck and peppering kisses all over his skin. "Now, can we shower, or does someone want to continue praising me for my wisdom, my ingenuity - ?"

"Your sexy voice and perfect ass?" Jungkook suggested, gasping out when teeth grazed his earlobe.

"Of course. We can't forget about my charms," Taehyung said as he fell backward, leaning his head deeper into the pillows. His eyes fluttered shut, long shadows from his eyelashes fanning over his cheeks. "Alright. Shower."

"You know, we've done a real shitty job at saving the planet. How many showers have we taken over the last day alone?"

"I don't know. I'm too exhausted to count. I feel like I could sleep for days."

Jungkook knew that feeling entirely. Hell, he was fighting to keep his own eyes open right now. But he sat up on his knees - obediently, he might add - and placed a tender kiss on the elder's forehead. "Rest for a bit."

"But we need to -"

"I'll take care of you."

Before Taehyung could protest any further, Jungkook rolled out of bed and padded into the adjoining bathroom. He gathered all of his supplies - clean towels and a sweet-smelling body wash - and haphazardly wiped the shimmer of sweat from his skin and the thin layer of lube from his dick. His skin exploded into thousands of goosebumps and a hiss broke through his lips; in an effort to complete his task and return to the elder as quickly as possible, he hadn't waited for the water to warm to a comfortable temperature.

Once he was content with the overall status of his hygiene, Jungkook donned the pair of briefs he'd previously discarded and soaped up a clean towel. He ensured the fabric was covered with warm, frothy bubbles before tucking Taehyung's clean set of clothes under an arm and reentering the bedroom.

Instead of finding a sleeping Taehyung like he somewhat expected, Jungkook discovered the elder propped up against the pillows, waiting for his reappearance. He climbed on the bed, scooting next to Taehyung as he started to wash his chest. "You're supposed to be sleeping."

"You told me to rest, not to sleep. So that's what I'm doing. Resting," the elder countered, waving a hand over his body in demonstration. His lips quirked up into a smile, though his eyes seemed more alert than before. "And besides, there's something I wanted us to talk about."

Jungkook dragged the cloth around the elder's neck, careful not to irritate the marks sucked into his skin. "What's that?"

"Remember what you said to me in the barn earlier? About what you would do if something went wrong?"

"I said I'd stay by your side no matter what." Jungkook stood behind those words completely and would gladly repeat them multiple times per day. It was a sentiment he didn't express lightly, a conviction with implications he fully accepted. "You're not going to change my mind about that, angel."

"I'm not trying to change your mind." Taehyung rotated his arms, allowing the washcloth to dance over his willowy biceps. When Jungkook arched a brow, he added, "Really."

"Does this mean you're not going to fight me on it any longer?" Placing the elder's arms back by his side, he toweled off the drying release from his stomach.

Taehyung's abdomen tightened under his touch, especially as the cloth began to drift lower. "Look, do I like the idea of you sticking around me in situations like this? No. But I won't make your decisions for you. I'll give you my opinion when it's warranted, but you're capable enough to make up your own mind."

Heat flooded Jungkook's cheeks, and it had nothing to do with the fact that he was easing the cloth over his boyfriend's cock. "I think you're one of the first people to actually treat me like an adult. My parents, Joonie . . . They never let me have a say."

"You and I are a team, sweetheart. So I promise, even if it drives me crazy, I'll never make your choices for you," Taehyung patted his arm, his expression vulnerable and honest. "But I will share my ideas with you. There was something I started thinking about, and I wanted to get your thoughts on it."

Jungkook nodded his head, signaling that he was ready to listen as he prodded the elder's legs further apart. It was difficult not to stare open-mouthed at the alluring sight, though he did all he could to focus solely on meticulously cleaning the area.

"When we go back to Seoul with Yoongi, I want . . . Kook," Taehyung broke off with a whimper, his hips jutting upwards and thighs trying to clamp shut when the towel brushed over him a bit more intimately.

"Sorry, I know you're sensitive," Jungkook said lowly, gentling his touch as he wiped the release still trickling out of the elder's entrance. "Keep going."

With a drawn-out sigh, Taehyung relaxed his body and let his legs fall back open. "I want you to train with Yoongi when we're back in Seoul. Self-defense, shooting practice, all of it. If you're going to stay with me no matter what, I want you to be able to protect yourself no matter what."

Jungkook's heart skipped a beat at that. Even though they literally just discussed how Taehyung wouldn't send him away, wouldn't banish him to a place that posed no risk of danger, the suggestion still surprised him. The elder once again proved that he had no interest in locking Jungkook in another cage; he truly viewed him as a person capable of standing on his own.

"Fuck, I love you so much," he swore, abandoning his task so he could curl up next to his angel. "You don't know how much that means to me."

"I'm going to do everything I can to keep you safe," the elder continued after slinging an arm over Jungkook's stomach, "but in the event that I can't, I want you to be prepared. I'll feel a hell of a lot better once you know more of the basics."

"Maybe if I work hard enough, Yoongi will let me be your bodyguard." Honestly, Jungkook knew he wasn't qualified for that position right now, but his determination was unmatched. When he put his mind to something and stuck with it, he could do anything.

"Doubtful," Taehyung said, crushing his dreams just like that. "I can practically hear him now, spouting argument after argument on why that would be a bad idea. Besides, we both know that I'm the best bodyguard in this relationship."

With a scoff, Jungkook found the washcloth and worked on finishing his task. "Challenge accepted, Taehyungie. I'm going to be the best fucking bodyguard in the entire world."

"Only if we're talking about the sex position."

"That, too. Obviously."

The two playfully argued for some time after that, both boasting about their superior tactical skills - and sex skills. All the while, Jungkook continued to dote over Taehyung, washing his body, combing his hair, and finally dressing him in clean clothes. The tasks were both mundane and domestic, though he loved caring for the elder in this way. He made a secret promise to make this more of a habit after their lovemaking sessions.

Once they were both fully clothed, they packed up the rest of their belongings and set them off to the side. And when Taehyung was distracted with tidying his mother's sitting room, Jungkook managed to slip their silk ties into one of their bags. He couldn't think of a better way to commemorate their time here in the bunker.

At twenty minutes to six, a shrill ringing broke the peacefulness around the boys. They had just finished eating a hearty breakfast and were back in bed, propped up against the headboard and fiddling with each other's fingers. A small surge of panic rushed through Jungkook at the sudden noise, and he had to take a calming breath to ground himself.

Taehyung squeezed his hand. "Can you -?"

"Yeah." Jungkook leaned over to the nightstand, unhooking the phone from its charger and flipping it open. His fingers slightly shook as he positioned the device between his and Taehyng's ears; with Yoongi so close to rescuing them, his anxiety spiked at the thought of something going wrong.

"How far out are you?" Taehyung said by way of greeting, not bothering to confirm whether or not the Chief was on the other line. There was no need since no one else had their number.

"About an hour, I'm making good time," Yoongi replied, his voice clear and controlled despite the early hour. "Once I get closer, I'll have to call back to get the specifics of your location, though. I have a general idea where you two are, but I'm not all that familiar with the outskirts of Daegu."

Taehyung nodded, his eyebrows low on his forehead and his lips stretched into a thin line. "Got it. All good on your end?"

A scoff came through the receiver as an initial response. "About as good as things can be considering the circumstances. How about on yours? You two manage to get into more trouble since we last spoke?"

"Nothing that we're aware of," was Jungkook's reply. His tone was half-sarcastic and half-amazed; really, it was a blessing that the last three hours passed uneventfully.

Well, not completely uneventfully, though he doubted that Yoongi would want to hear about their passionate coupling.

"Good. Keep it that way," the Chief ordered.

"Want us to bring you anything from the bunker? We have water and fruit," Taehyung generously offered, one of his hands coming down to rest on Jungkook's thigh. "I know you've been driving for a few hours."

"I'll take whatever you have," Yoongi agreed without hesitation, sounding all too eager to get a hold of both food and water. "I didn't exactly have time to pack myself a picnic."

"We're on it, Chief," Jungkook couldn't help but say, chuckling as Taehyung pinched his thigh. "I'll pack you the best damn picnic you've ever had."

An irritated string of grumbling came through the phone before Yoongi cleared his throat. "Right, you do that. But for the love of all that is holy, don't leave the bunker. Knowing you two, you'd go and pick apples off the fucking trees just to test your luck."

Before Jungkook could make a witty comeback - which of course he was prepared to do - Taehyung cut him off. "We have stuff in the bunker, don't worry. We're not completely stupid."

Yoongi let out a bark of a laugh, the high-pitched sound a contrast to his low voice. "Oh, is that so? Aren't you the person who lied to me about his identity, who chose to protect someone you knew also lied about his identity, who completely went against my orders and snuck out of a bed and breakfast and -"

"Alright, alright," Taehyung interrupted, holding his hands up in surrender even though the gesture went unseen. "I get it. Neither Kook nor I have the best track record. But I promise you, Yoongi . . . We're sitting tight. We're not leaving until you call us next."

After a brief pause, Yoongi let out a muted sigh. It was a tired sort of sound, one that spoke to hours of tense driving, days of putting up with Taehyung and Jungkook's antics, and weeks of trying to uncover the motives behind a double homicide. He had every right to call for backup, to assign others to pick them up, to take the responsibility off of himself. And yet . . . The Chief continued to help them firsthand, even though they were both admittedly a pain in his ass.

"Bring all the snacks you have," Yoongi said at last. "I'll see you soon."

With that, the call disconnected.

Jungkook dropped the phone into his lap before he snuggled closer into Taehyung's side. "I think you've gone soft for the Chief."

"What makes you say that?" The elder questioned, draping a leg over Jungkook so they could intertwine their limbs.

"You were so nice to him. Gentle, even. It was cute."

"Besides my dad and Namjoon, he's the first person at Korean National Oil to treat me like a human. Not an heir of a fortune, not the CEO's son, but an actual person with thoughts and feelings. I've only known him for a couple of weeks, but I can already tell he's different from all the others. He doesn't seem like the power-hungry type who only wants to make money or gain influence. I think he actually cares about the people who report up to him, who fall under his protection."

Jungkook had to agree with that appraisal. He didn't know much about the Chief, but he did know how the man treated him over these last couple of weeks. Anyone else might not have tolerated his massive lie about being the son of the CEO; anyone else might have disposed of Jungkook. But Yoongi . . . Yoongi gave him a second chance.

"Do you think he likes being the Chief?" He asked Taehyung, mulling over all he knew about the composed man. "When he drove me back to my house in Busan, he mentioned something about how the role was harsh, how it took its toll on him. He's obviously smart and knows what he's doing, but I feel like he'd be happier if he didn't have this job. The power seems to exhaust him more than anything."

Taehyung straightened back up, pursing his lips as he thought that over. "My dad once told me that people who aggressively pursued power were the ones most unfit to wield it. If he hired Yoongi for the position of Chief, maybe he realized that authority and prestige weren't what he was after. Maybe my dad saw that Yoongi just cared about keeping others at the company safe."

"It's reassuring to know there are good people with power out there," Jungkook reflected, eternally grateful Yoongi was constantly looking out for them. "Maybe one day, there will be even more."

"Here's hoping," the elder agreed, extricating his leg from between Jungkook's. He stood, reaching out his hand and waiting until Jungkook joined him. "Let's gather some snacks for Yoongi. After that, all I'll need to do is load our guns and we'll be ready to go."

Jungkook's mouth pressed into a grimace as he thought about holding a loaded gun. "You're putting bullets in mine?"

Judging by the softening in the elder's gaze, he understood the hesitation immediately. He pulled Jungkook into his arms, his fingers automatically smoothing over the back of his neck. "The safety will be engaged the entire time. But if you don't want to wear it, I can hold onto your gun."

"My angel is always looking out for me, huh?"

"Always and forever."

And while Jungkook knew full well that Taehyung wouldn't judge him if he didn't want to wear his gun, he couldn't deny the practicality of holding onto the weapon. Granted he possessed limited knowledge and had never actually shot a gun, he had to consider the worst-case scenario. He had to acknowledge that a time could arise when he needed to act defensively to protect his angel.

So he placed a small kiss against the elder's mouth and gave him a reassuring grin. "Promise that the safety will be on?"

"Promise."

"Then I'll hold onto the gun," Jungkook answered, slipping the burner phone back into his boyfriend's pocket before placing his hands on his hips. "Oh, and before I forget, you owe me something when all of this is over."

Taehyung's eyebrows flicked upwards in a challenge. "Yeah? What's that?"

"A new phone," Jungkook griped. "I remember a certain someone smashing mine into smithereens."

Rather than continue with the jaunty conversation - or mock him for his ignorance on phone tracking capabilities - Taehyung's features tightened. "I can't believe the guns had trackers on them. I just . . . There's something that still doesn't make sense to me."

Jungkook waited as the elder organized his thoughts, reflecting on the surprise he felt over the discovery. He could certainly attest to Namjoon losing many of his possessions over the years, but he'd never heard him mention anything about GPS tracking chips. That just seemed a little too high tech for his brother.

"Jin mentioned that Namjoon could track the guns through an app if he ever lost them," Taehyung continued after a couple of more moments. "But the thing is, when we went into hiding two and a half years ago, we ditched all of our technology. No phones, no computers, nothing. And okay, sure, maybe he put the chips on before we fled Seoul. But as far as I can remember, he never mentioned anything about misplacing his guns."

"Do you think Jin lied?" Jungkook's tone wavered at the end of his question, more uncertain and confused than ever.

"Possibly. It just doesn't add up to me."

It did seem off, but Jungkook couldn't pinpoint the missing piece of the puzzle. Yet again, there was too much he and Taehyung didn't know . . . there were too many questions and not enough answers.

"We'll ask Yoongi once he picks us up. If Namjoon's guns were company issued, maybe they knew about the tracking devices." Taehyung nodded slowly, almost like he was trying to convince himself that there was a plausible explanation.

After that, the two boys briefly parted to make their final preparations. The elder readied both the Glock and Sig while Jungkook raided the kitchen, tossing water and fruit and dried food into one of the backpacks. There wasn't much that wasn't microwavable, but stale biscuits and candies were better than nothing.

A short five minutes later, Taehyung refreshed Jungkook's memory on the mechanical components of his gun. There was a new weight to the Sig, the ten rounds slotted with precision into the chamber. It unnerved Jungkook to even touch the loaded weapon, though he tried his best to still the trembling of his hands.

Once the elder determined that they were as ready as they could be, he led Jungkook into his mother's sitting room and programmed a sunrise onto the LED ceiling. Fiery bursts of reds and oranges erupted over the panels, a view so spectacular and unlike anything Jungkook ever had the privilege of witnessing. Without a doubt, he was going to miss this piece of luxury.

"You don't think our next hideaway will have anything like this, do you?" Jungkook asked as he sunk into the couch, leaning his head over the edge to stare up at the sight. "I think I've gotten pretty spoiled staying here."

"I'll miss it," Taehyung conceded readily, sitting next to him and assuming a similar position. "Being in this room . . . I feel so close to my mom. It's going to be hard to leave, oddly enough."

Jungkook intertwined their fingers and held on with a firm grip. He remained quiet, allowing them both to get lost in their thoughts as they watched the sky above slowly transform. As the reds deepened, he thought of violence and bloodshed. As the oranges brightened, he recalled his neverending array of anguish, terror, despair, and fury. And as the blend finally gave way to soft pinks, a fierce rush of love and hope ignited him to the core.

He prayed that the sunrise outside looked exactly like this - alive with promise.

Thirty minutes before Yoongi's anticipated arrival, Jungkook stretched his legs and cracked his neck. "I probably should use the bathroom. Can't imagine the Chief letting us take too many pit stops."

"Good idea. I'll go after you," the elder said, letting go of his hand with a chuckle. "Ow. I think my fingers fell asleep."

"Want me to wake them up?" Jungkook offered, his mouth tilting into a smirk as he waggled his eyebrows.

A warm, deep laugh bounced off of the walls as Taehyung rolled his eyes. "You love making things sexual, don't you?"

"You know me too well, angel. You know I -"

Bang.

Taehyung was off of the couch in an instant, reaching for the Glock he left on the coffee table.

Bang.

In a span of two seconds, Jungkook found himself on the ground, tugged down by Taehyung as another shot boomed from above. They stared at each other with unhinged eyes, their expressions wild with terror.

Bang.

The force of Jungkook's heart against his ribcage was so powerful that he was convinced it would rip right out. It made him weak, shaky, as he took hold of his Sig and wrapped his fingers around the grip. He didn't know where to point it.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

The sounds were awful; they were sounds Jungkook would never forget. Deep, percussive thuds blasted at short range, diving deep into the earth and scraping against metal. They grew louder and louder somehow, amplified as they struck home over and over and over again into one specific spot. And then there was the ringing that started in his ears, the shrill white noise that almost muted Taehyung's cursing, his shouts for them to take cover.

"They're trying to get in from the garage elevator, fuck," Taehyung speculated, scrambling for the phone in his pocket as he pressed closer to the floor. "Fuck, we need to get out of here, fuck."

Jungkook gasped for air as he watched the elder punch in the Chief's number, his thoughts blank except for the constant clang echoing through the bunker. He didn't have the capacity to wonder how this happened as his throat threatened to close up; he couldn't piece together a plan to save themselves as his vision grew spotty and started to fade around the corners.

"Kook, look at me," Taehyung screamed in his face, his voice far away but his features growing more prominent as he leaned closer. "Stay with me, focus on me, breathe."

"Tae," was the only word that rolled off of Jungkook's tongue, his panic leaking into his tone and inflection.

Another round of gunshots cut off whatever Taehyung's response was going to be, roaring in the space around them at such a high volume that Jungkook wouldn't be surprised if he ended up deaf.

But he could see the elder's mouth moving, yelling into the phone's receiver and leaning his body over Jungkook's. Parts of his speech were heard during the short gaps between the gunfire, phrases like they found us, can you hear me, help filtering through. And then a sharp shaking started rocking Jungkook's shoulders, and it took him a few long seconds to realize that Taehyung was trying to get his attention.

"Yoongi can't hear me," the elder explained - shouted - with a panicked voice. "He can't -"

Everything went silent.

It was a deafening sort of silence, one that managed to be loud even though no soundwaves vibrated through the air. It was the sort of silence that made one feel even more tense, one that made the quietest inhale sound like lightning striking the ground.

For three, five, ten seconds, it was silent.

And then there was an electronic humming, a low drone that pulsated off of the metal foundation.

"They're in the elevator," Taehyung said, disbelief and bewilderment and denial rich in his voice. "They're coming down."

The walls seemed to slowly start closing in on Jungkook. "Tae."

The elder set his gun and the phone to the side, filling his hands with Jungkook's cheeks. "I need you to go through the tunnel, Kook."

"I'm not leaving you," Jungkook whispered frantically, his own hands encircling the elder's wrists in a painful grip.

Taehyung continued on, ignoring the impassioned plea. "I need you to go through the tunnel and call Yoongi. Tell him to head towards the old safe house; he should be familiar with its location. Then direct him here, Kook. Get him to the orchard."

"Come with me." Fuck, Jungkook's throat hurt, his head hurt, his chest hurt.

"I need to stay," the elder murmured with resignation. "I have to keep them distracted so you can get out."

This wasn't happening, this couldn't be happening. They were supposed to stick together, they were supposed to be okay. Unshed tears burned Jungkook's eyes as he begged his love to reconsider. "Tae, please. We agreed . . . no matter what . . ."

Taehyung's hands dropped to his neck, pulling him closer as their mouths ghosted over each other's. The contact was so faint that the gesture could hardly be considered a kiss, but it was the best they could do at the moment. "I love you, sweetheart."

A sob pushed through Jungkook's mouth and into the elder's. "Don't say that like you're never going to see me again."

Was that what was going through Taehyung's mind? Did he think this was the end for him, that he wouldn't make it out of this?

"Sweetheart, I need you to go. Please, Kook. Please."

"I don't want to leave you. I can help." Jungkook was full-on panicking at this point, his vision blurry and his voice unsteady. But he noticed he wasn't the only one; Taehyung was crying, too.

"You are helping. You're helping me," Taehyung insisted, shiny paths trickling over his cheeks and dripping to the floor. "You remember the codes for the tunnel?"

"Yeah, but -"

"Go," the elder choked out as he let go of Jungkook and reached for the burner phone. He pressed it into his palm.

Jungkook looked down at the device, unable to move. "Tae -"

"I love you so much, Jungkook," Taehyung proclaimed with the smallest of smiles, his inhales and exhales ragged. "Everything will be okay. I'll see you soon."

Jungkook didn't want to leave him, didn't want to take his eyes off of him for a moment. But he knew he had to listen to the elder and find them help. Their lives depended on his ability to direct Yoongi to their location as quickly as possible.

So he stared at the face of his angel for one second longer, committing his beauty and grace to memory. "I love you. I love you more than anything, Kim Taehyung."

One last tear fell from Taehyung's cheek and splashed onto the floor. "Go."

His legs worked with no direction from his brain, standing up and straightening to his full position. After tucking the phone into his pocket, he disengaged the safety on his Sig on squeezed the gun with an unforgiving grip. And with one final glance at the love of his life, he walked out of the sitting room and left his heart behind.

Understanding that he had to keep his cool - he had to remain as calm as humanly possible - Jungkook ran to the tunnel door, incorrectly entering the code two times before getting it right on the third. The gunshots started again as he fell into the dark path, the bullets peppering the door that led from the garage and into the bunker. Their enemies were right there, ready to hurt Taehyung, and Jungkook was running away from it all.

No, he forced himself to think, tripping as his quivering muscles pushed him to move faster. He was getting help, he was saving Taehyung, everything would be alright. They would be okay. They would survive this.

If only he believed those thoughts.

Jungkook tried not to concentrate on the endless stream of shooting as he reached the last door, punching in one final code that would get him outside. He got the first string wrong, mixing up the last two digits, before forcing in a deep breath and trying yet again. He had to breathe, calm down, think clearly -

Pushing open the hatch door, he was momentarily blinded as the light from the rising sun fell directly into his eyes. He stumbled out into the orchard, nearly falling to his feet as he willed himself to adjust to his overly bright surroundings. But he couldn't see, couldn't distinguish the rows of apple trees from a dark shape barreling towards where he stood. He couldn't discern anything until it was too late and a force collided with his chest, pushing him backward and pinning him to the ground.

They found him.

He was unsuccessful.

It was over.

"Let go of me," Jungkook hissed as he kicked and punched and scratched at the person who held him down. His feet scrambled to make purchase but kept slipping over the loose dirt, leaving his body prone to the attacker. "Let me go!"

Jungkook couldn't do anything from this position; he was utterly useless and helpless and defeated. But he kept fighting as he looked up at the person, prepared to keep on resisting until he had nothing left in him.

He stopped breathing.

"It's okay, I got you," the voice from above said with confident reassurance. "I got you."

All of the fight Jungkook had left immediately disappeared, leaving him nothing more than a pliant and awestruck shell. Those words swam in his head, repeating like a broken record as they merged with words spoken months before.

I got you. I got you. I got you.

I will always be there for you. I will always be there for you. I will always be there for you.

It's you and me, kid. It's you and me, kid. It's you and me, kid.

Maybe Jungkook was already dead. Maybe someone shot him as soon as he rushed out of the bunker, the bullet so precise he didn't have time to feel the pain. Maybe he was no longer on Earth, maybe his soul traveled to a place void of violence and suffering. Maybe everything was over and he could finally rest.

That was the only plausible explanation.

Otherwise, Jungkook was so high on adrenaline that his mind conjured up this hallucination. Because this couldn't be anything more than a dream. This couldn't be real.

Was this real?

"Namjoon?"

The man above him certainly looked like Namjoon, bearing contemplative eyes, caramel skin, and dimpled cheeks. His voice sounded like Namjoon's, vivid and resonant. But Namjoon was dead. Murdered. Shot right in front of Taehyung's eyes.

Namjoon wasn't alive.

The tightness of Jungkook's heart - the insurmountable pain of his grief - loosened as the milliseconds ticked by. An awareness tickled the back of his head, one that told him that this was real, that his brother made good on his promise and was always there for him no matter what.

But . . . how . . .?

"Kook, it's me," the man who looked like Namjoon affirmed, seeming to understand that this was a bit of a shock. He effortlessly pulled Jungkook to his feet, steadying him when his knees threatened to give out. "I know this is a lot, but we don't have time. I need you to move."

There was a fluttering in Jungkook's stomach as his hands touched the man's arms, feeling warm beneath his palms. It felt real.

"Jungkook, come on. There's no time for this."

Time was merely a concept right now. Jungkook couldn't remember his own name, let alone be aware of how much time was passing. "Namjoon?"

"Yes, fuck, it's me," the man - Namjoon, his brother - said with impassioned words. "Everything is going to be okay, I promise. Just trust me and you'll be okay."

Namjoon was here to help? Did that mean . . . Did that mean that he was undercover this entire time, pretending to be dead for some greater cause? Did that mean his brother was alive this whole fucking time?

Jungkook's mind reeled with question after question as his brain finally registered that this was real, that this wasn't some deluded illusion. He needed answers; he needed time and space to understand what the fuck had happened. But he had none of those things; he wasn't safe at all.

They weren't safe at all.

Jungkook fell into his brother's arms and let his nails dig into his skin. "Taehyung. Taehyung's still in there, Joon. People are after us and they're trying to hurt him and we saw Jin and Bogum and -"

"It's okay," Namjoon urged him into silence, stepping away from Jungkook and scanning him from head to toe. "I'll take care of Taehyung. Just . . . Is that my gun?"

Jungkook's racing mind froze as he looked down at his hand, which was pathetically shaking as it held onto the Sig. For some reason unbeknownst to him, his latched onto it even tighter than before.

"Give that to me, Kook. You shouldn't touch things you don't know how to use," his brother argued, extending his hand in a silent - and demanding - request.

Maybe it was an old habit, but Jungkook immediately complied. He pressed the gun into Namjoon's hand, though as he did, a question bubbled up that he couldn't push back down. "How long have you had this Sig?"

Namjoon's eyebrows scrunched together as he looked over the gun. "What? I don't know, a year? Does it matter? Are you in shock?"

Chills tingled along Jungkook's spine as he looked at his brother. If Namjoon got this gun a year or so ago, why would he put GPS chips on it if he had no technology on him to track its location? Something didn't make sense.

Fuck, nothing made sense right now.

But Jungkook pushed his doubts and uncertainties aside as he shook his head. There would be opportunities later to get the full story, though right now wasn't that time. He had to call Yoongi; he had to get help for Taehyung.

"Namjoon, I don't . . . Fuck. Taehyung. Please. Please help him, you have to do something. You were his bodyguard so you have to help," Jungkook implored his brother, rushing closer and shouting loudly. His voice bounced off of the now quiet orchard; he hadn't realized when, but the gunfire had apparently stopped. Did that mean . . .?

Did the attackers make their way to Taehyung?

Namjoon hummed in agreement, though he wasn't even looking at Jungkook. He seemed to be looking far off in the distance, his gaze laser-focused. And then, in a small gesture that would've been missed if Jungkook wasn't studying every single feature on his face, his brother dipped his chin.

"As I said, you'll be okay, Jungkook."

With an exasperated grunt, Jungkook looked to the sky and took in its startling swirls of red. There were no traces of that hopeful pink at all. "What do you mean -?"

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his brother lift his arm - gun in hand - and start to swing down.

And then, before Jungkook even had the chance to remove his gaze from that angry-colored sunrise, everything went dark.

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》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《

So. Much. Craziness. What are our thoughts?!? Was this expected, unexpected? Tell me what you're feeling!

I was super intimidated to write this chapter knowing what the end would bring, but it felt good to finally get it out of my head and into a written format. I can't believe we've gotten this far . . . It's absolutely INSANE to me that we've reached another twist in the story that I had planned from the beginning. I'm expecting questions and confusion (and anger maybe, haha) but yet again, it's getting real.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I love you so, so much!