Jungkook had passed out soon after their arrival due to teleporting so far with too many people in such a weak state. Thankfully, Huening Kai and a few other servants were there to take him to his chamber to rest. Leaving everyone else to catch up.

The others were sitting in the clinic with Hoseok, who was getting bandaged after the incident in Exodus. Yoongi wasn't sitting far from him, his hand inching towards his every now and again, but pulling away just when Hoseok would notice. Jin was worriedly checking on Jimin and was understandably confused as to why he had massive wings now. "Oh Jimin, what happened?" He gently traced the red lines on the blunettes neck. Jimin flinched, not realising that any marks had been made.

"I'd rather not talk about it..." he said quietly.

"I'm going to kill those bastards." Growled Yoongi as he clutched the bed sheets under his hand. Jin scoffed at him while continuing to check for scars on Jimin's body.

"Oh look at you. Now that you've got powers and can stop time, now you decide to be useful. How very thoughtful." He grumbled. It wasn't like he'd done much in the way of fighting, the majority of their success could be attributed to Namjoon and Hoseok for that matter, but at least he wasn't the one in trouble every step of the way. Of course Yoongi knew this but decided to glare it off anyway and turn his attention back to Hoseok, who was slowly drifting in and out of consciousness.

Once Jin had finished checking Jimin one last time, the winged man glanced over at Taehyung. His roommate was staring emotionlessly out of the window, in fact he had yet to make a sound all day. If they were lucky enough he'd glance in their direction but his face was so blank you would think he didn't remember them at all. "Give him time," Jin told Jimin. "He'll snap out of it eventually, he just...needs a bit."

"But what if he never comes back...?" Jimin whispered, devastation laced his quiet voice. "What if he stays like this forever and we have to leave him behind?"

"Don't say things like that Jimin-ah!" The older man nearly shouted. Jimin flinched at his sudden shift and shrunk causing Jin to instantly reel himself in. "I'm sorry," He replied apologetically. "None of us want that, so we'll just have to stay optimistic. It's what Taehyung would want."

"Don't talk about him like he's dead," They heard Yoongi comment. He had finally left Hoseok's side for the first time since they had arrived and sauntered over to the pair. His eyes flickered towards their aloof friend before retreating back to Jimin and Jin. "The real Tae is in there somewhere, we've just got to snap him out of it. Maybe once princey gets back you and him can work your little magic and snap him out of whatever trance he's in." The blunette only nodded, his eyes trailing back to Taehyung. Both Yoongi and Jin could tell they wouldn't be able to get his mind off of him even if they tried. So they fingered it'd be best to leave him be for now.

Just as they were about to strike up a new conversation, the nurse strutted into the room. She greeted everyone with a respectful bow, minus Yoongi, whom she looked like she was holding back the urge to strike. Not completely unexpected, so the man didn't take any offence from it. "I am sorry, however I am going to have to ask you all to leave." She said politely.

"What? No!" Yoongi responded, shifting closer to Hoseok's side. The nurse sent him yet another glare, seeming less than a few seconds from spitting in his face.

"You especially," She said harshly. "I would like to check the patient and I would like to do it in peace." Yoongi was about to protest, but Jin was quick to stop him by pushing him towards the door.

"We understand," Jin told her politely as he ushered everyone out, grabbing Taehyung and pushing him out as well. "Please let us know when we're free to see him again, will you?" The nurse nodded and began her inspection just as everyone left. Once in the hall, Yoongi was already antsy to get back in. Jin had to tell him to relax and grabbed him by the arm, dragging him away from the door and off to find Namjoon. Jimin was right behind, but halted when he noticed something. Taehyung was simply standing in place, his arms hidden behind his back, as if waiting for a command.

"Taehyung?" Called Jimin softly. No response. He grimaced and mentally cursed himself for the name he was about to call. "V?" Just as expected, the younger man finally made eye contact with him and Jimin found himself sighing in frustration. "Follow me." He instructed and Taehyung soon started walking right behind him. He sincerely hoped this wasn't the nature of Kai and V's relationship because something about this just didn't sit well with Jimin.

It was like having a servant or pet follow after him, awaiting whatever command he threw at him. "Stop," Jimin said suddenly. Taehyung stopped just inches before his hyung, staring down at him with his soulless eyes. Jimin couldn't stand that look. It was just so emotionless and all they love Jimin knew Taehyung had for him was nonexistent. "Do you...know who I am...?"

Taehyung tilted his head ever so slightly, maintaining his blank stare, as if confused by the question. "Fine, then do you know who you are?" Jimin then chuckled bitterly, shaking his head in frustration. "Of course you do, you responded to your name after all, huh? It was a dumb question. Let's just go back to the others, okay?" He was only making himself upset. After all, he was supposed to be patient with him, prying for answers he knew Taehyung didn't have was just going to make his heart hurt even more.

Just as Jimin turned away, Taehyung grabbed his arm and spun him back around. The blunette yelped at the sudden action and tried to pull himself away yet Taehyung kept his grip firm. "W-What are you doing?" Questioned Jimin, glancing around somewhat frantically for help. The taller man didn't respond. He only moved Jimin closer to him and for a split second, he could've sworn he saw his expression soften. "Jimin..." He said in a light whisper.

Jimin gasped. "Yes...Yes it's me, Jimin!" He exclaimed, and though Taehyung's gaze soon turned back to its previous expression, Jimin wasn't going to let him stand there and just forget. Taehyung went right back to seeming confused, as if he didn't recognise the name that just left his own mouth while Jimin fell right back into frustration. "It's me! It's Jimin! Your best friend, your soulmate! We've known each other since junior year of high school, we even studied at the same college! For gods sake, we're fucking roommates!" Jimin found himself becoming angrier by the second, wanting to storm off but Taehyung still hadn't let go of him.

"God, you're confusing me so much. We've been here for weeks and I thought it'd be fine at first but now...it seems like the moment we get someone back, we lose another." Jimin felt a lump in his throat as he fought back incoming tears. "I thought I'd always have you by my side Taehyung! I told myself I could get through anything as long as I had you with me, because I love you Tae!" He gasped and smacked his freehand over his mouth, before lowering his gaze. "I love you Taehyung..." He repeated after a long pause. Jimin wanted to smile but it felt too bittersweet. Taehyung, his soulmate, didn't even know who he was. It was hardly a victory.

Letting out a pained sigh, Jimin finally looked back at Taehyung's face. He hadn't reacted throughout the entire speech, only keeping his grip on Jimin's arm. Even then, he couldn't elicit a single reaction. The blunette let the tears roll down his cheeks as he leaned up and planted a firm yet passionate kiss on Taehyung's lips. "Does it even matter?' He whispered sadly. "If I can't even get you to smile, then what's the point anymore. Let go of me." Obediently, Taehyung released him. Jimin moved away, this time not bothering to look back at the younger as he trudged off to find the others.

Taehyung stood there for a few moments. Slowly, his fingers traced his lips, his brow furrowing. It sent such an odd feeling through his body and though it was brief, the soft touch of Jimin's kiss still lingered.

------------------------------

Eventually, Jin and Yoongi found Namjoon standing outside Prince Jungkook's bedroom having a discussion with one of the guards. "I want the entire palace on full alert, no repeats of last time. Understood?" The guard confirmed with a bow before Namjoon waved him off upon seeing the duo behind him. "Hoseok, how is he?" He asked.

"Well, he's alive," replied Jin. "A bit of a head injury from being slammed against a wall, a few untreated stab wounds and a possible concussion, but he'll survive."

"Damn, when did you become a doctor?" Yoongi muttered. Rolling his eyes, Jin reached over and hit him across the head, eliciting a groan from the blonde.

"Ignore him," said Jin. "He's just salty because the nurse wouldn't let him stay with his sunshine." Namjoon only hummed at this, not at all seeming surprised, something Yoongi wanted an explanation for. He expected the usual discussion of how Agust D just isn't a good person, but what he got wasn't at all what he was expecting.

"In the past, Hoseok would try as hard as possible to hide all injuries from Agust D. He hated letting himself be caught in such vulnerable situations," The knight explained. "At first I had just thought it had to do with his pride until I learned that it was specific to Agust." For a moment, Namjoon stopped himself, contemplating whether or not to continue. However Yoongi pressed on since he wanted answers which, reluctantly, Namjoon provided. "He would often find ways to take advantage of Hoseok in weakened states...despite Hoseok begging him to stop. I won't go into much more detail, but I'm sure you know what I am alluding to. The sight of misery seemed to arouse him. It was deplorable."

Yoongi felt his stomach churn with disgust as he resisted the urge to claw at the bright blonde hair on his head. "How could anyone be around such a monster...?" he hissed. His poor sunshine, how long did he have to suffer with this terrible man?

The knight sighed and glanced down as he felt Jin give his hand a firm squeeze. Namjoon smiled at him yet it soon faltered when he remembered the subject of conversation. "You must remember, he wasn't always like this. We were friends after all. Still, holding on to the past is useless when the present is so bleak. Had it not been for your arrival, I am almost certain the witch hunt for Agust D's head would've been much more fierce."

All Yoongi hoped was that this hunt continued the moment they left. He didn't care, Hoseok shouldn't be holding onto someone like this. Better he die than have his memories torment the guard. Not too long later, a dejected Jimin entered the scene, followed by Taehyung.

Jin sighed at the sight, no doubt he had failed to reconnect with his friend again. Jimin slowly made his way over to his purple-haired hyung, letting himself be engulfed in his loving arms while the other two glanced wearily at Taehyung. Namjoon, because he perceived the husk of a man as a threat, and Yoongi because he had wondered what he'd done to crush Jimin like this. "Is he alright?" Asked Jimin, referring to the prince just behind the door.

Namjoon nodded at him then gestured to the room. "Yes, but best be mindful. He is likely still tired-" Jimin ran right past him, disregarding whatever it was he was trying to say and rushing right into the room. The general nearly grabbed him back to listen but Jin stopped him.

"We should leave them for a bit," he suggested. Jin glanced over at Taehyung, expecting him to follow Jimin but he remained still. The older pursed his lips at him and "subtly" tilted his head towards the door yet he still didn't get the message.

"V," Namjoon said in a commanding tone, earning his attention. "Follow Jimin." Taehyung did as he was told and blankly went in. Jin, slightly stunned by the response, turned to Namjoon with a questioning look.

"How'd you know that would work?"

"Body language, he's waiting for a command and most likely wouldn't have moved if said in any other tone." The way Jin stared at the general you would think he was speaking to the smartest man on earth and Yoongi couldn't help but roll his eyes at the love-struck attitude.

Just as Jin said before, the trio decided to leave them alone and began making their way back to the clinic to see if they could visit Hoseok. Namjoon and Jin chatted the whole way about things Yoongi had no interest in. He opted to just stay quiet, with his pants shoved in his pockets, wondering when they'd get a new change of clothes, because the dark and frilly noblemen attire just wasn't doing it for him. His thoughts soon wandered back to Hoseok and that was when he felt like breaking down. Was he only nice to him this whole time because he was scared he'd hurt him? Or maybe he just was ignoring his feelings towards the real Agust D. Either way, neither sat well with Yoongi.

They arrived at the clinic at the same time the nurse had exited. Once again, she greeted the other with a warm grin while only sending Yoongi a glare. "How is he?" Namjoon had asked.

"He'll be fine, just don't stress him out." She muttered towards Yoongi right before bowing and heading off. Yoongi inched his hand towards the door handle with wavering uncertainty.

"If it's alright...could you two wait out here for a few minutes?" Yoogi requested quietly. Though Namjoon wasn't a fan of being left out of so many conversations, Jin assured Yoongi that they'd be right here waiting when he was finished. With a thankful nod, Yoongi took in a deep breath and entered the room.

Hoseok was sitting on the opposite side of the bed with his eyes closed and hands clutching his head. When he heard the door creak open, he expected the nurse to be back but flinched when he saw who it was. His hand moved to hold his chest as he moved against the headboard in shock. "A-Agust?"

Yoongi had forgotten that the last time they saw each other, Yoongi's hair had yet to turn blonde. He made his way over to the bed but slowed his stride when he saw the terrified look in Hoseok's eyes. "It's Yoongi," He said slowly. "I just wanted to check on you..."

The guard seemed to relax a bit, leaning in closer in disbelief. "Y-Yoongi? But...But you look so much like...like him."

"Weird, right?" The older chuckled as a way to lighten the mood. He finally got to the bed and carefully placed himself next to Hoseok, maintaining eye contact as not to frighten him any further. Yet that might have had the opposite effect as Hoseok averted his gaze almost immediately. "Hobi, it's okay. I'm not him, remember?"

"Yoongi, I can't. You just look so identical." Hoseok almost sobbed. Yoongi couldn't hold himself back and quickly brought the red-head into a hug. He tightened his grip as the man in his arms nearly crippled at the contact, breaking down into a fit of tears. Yoongi rubbed his back, whispering over and over that he would be alright. That is, until his hands traced over a mark on the guards back, making him go stiff. "Hoseok," He said slowly. "Turn around."

Expecting the worst and being too afraid to say no, Hoseok did as he was told. Yoongi nearly exploded with anger with what he saw. His fingers traced the letters AD, perfectly burned on Hoseok's lower back. "He...branded you?"

"Don't think too much of it," The guard said softly. "I was out of line and he said I needed to be reminded that I was his."

"That's no excuse!" Yoongi shouted.

"I know!" Hoseok yelled back. He turned around and attempted to stand but felt too sore. Yoongi retracted and immediately went back to holding him. "People think that I'm blind to what he did, but I'm really not." He choked out. "I have always been fully aware of how he treated me and how he treated the world around him. Disposable. I never thought he would think of me like that though, so I chose to ignore it. Eventually he began coming home less and less, and the view times he did, it just seemed like I was helping to clean off more and more blood. It was after he branded me that I realised I had lost him. A trick he learned from the royals, he told me. I'm sure you'd find a brand on most higher up servants of the palace. Even Huening Kai."

Hoseok sighed and moved away from Yoongi, despite the latter offering his support. "Believe me, he wasn't always so awful. He just became so over time." He tried to look at Yoongi, only to glance right back down. "I appreciate your help Yoongi, but I would like some time to myself. At least until I can come to grips with...this," the guard muttered as he examined the man in front of him. "Feel free to tell the others that I'm okay, however I'm just tired."

Yoongi didn't want to leave him alone, trust him he didn't, but the pained expression on Hoseok's face was enough to convince him to go. The blonde said nothing else as he made his way over to the door. He wanted to say something, anything to comfort Hoseok yet nothing would come out. "I love you." with that single thought he left the room. Even with him not saying anything out loud, Hoseok could still manage to hear it in a spiritual sense.

The second Yoongi was out of the room, Hoseok found himself curling in a ball of tears. Clutching his arms as he felt the water pour from his eyes between strained and desperate breathes.