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A FEW WEEKS LATER

Jungkook giggled, clutching onto Taehyung's shirt, cheeks pink. "A-and then?" Jungkook asked.

"And then I told the guy to 'eat my leg' and threw my gun at his face." Taehyung said, and Jungkook burst into the giggles, throwing his head back.

"T-that's so funny- you shouldn't do missions drunk." Jungkook said, and Taehyung snickered, seeing how mirthful Jungkook looked, bringing his hands to his face from giggling too hard.

"I know. Mark beat my ass after that. I deserved it, though." Taehyung said, and saw Jungkook smile, leaning his head on Taehyung's shoulder.

"Hmm.. tonight was fun." Jungkook said, clutching onto Taehyung's arm. "Pizza. Disney. Two of the best things." Jungkook giggled.

"Yeah? Just wanted to have a chill night." Taehyung said, and Jungkook looked up at him.

"Thank you." Jungkook whispered, and Taehyung trailed his hand on Jungkook's face. "Not just for tonight. But- but for everything. I've been.. all over the place the past few weeks. But you haven't lashed out at me, or-or gotten mad-"

"Why would I get mad? It wasn't your fault, Kook. You were going through stuff- of course I was going to help." Taehyung said, and Jungkook smiled.

The past few weeks has been... hectic, to say the least.

Jungkook had been at Taehyung's place the whole time, not agreeing to leave the house. The most he'd do was step out to the balcony- only for, like, 3 minutes. His appetite decreased drastically, which scared Taehyung. He'd eat a slice of apple for breakfast, no lunch, and then maybe a little rice for dinner.

He kept insisting he was fine- and got mad at Taehyung every time he tried feeding him food. He took long baths- and Taehyung had to pretend he couldn't hear him crying in the washroom. He'd sit on his bed, staring at the wall for hours on end at times. He threw up a lot and always had a high temperature- and got nightmares and flashbacks which made him cry.

It hurt, seeing Jungkook like this. It really hurt. Taehyung would tell Jungkook he'd be fine- but himself wasn't. Seeing Jungkook so weak was taking a toll on Taehyung as well.

On top of that- Jungkook was more than adamant on leaving Busan. Taehyung convinced him to leave after he'd recovered and was ready to be alone, and Jungkook agreed.

"Also! I forgot to tell you!" Jungkook said excitedly, turning towards Taehyung with a big smile on his face. "I found a hostel near the beach in the outskirts of Seoul. I can stay there- the fee is really less. It's full of people my age who need a place to stay. Isn't that fun?" Jungkook said with a smile, and Taehyung's smile softened a little.

"Yeah. Um- yeah, Kook. That's great!" Taehyung said quickly, and then unhooked his arm from around Jungkook and looked ahead.

Jungkook bit his lip. "I-is it not a good idea? You seem upset.."

"I'm not." Taehyung said- again, rather quickly. "I just- I'm still scared for you to be out there all alone, y'know?"

"But it'll be good for me." Jungkook said, and Taehyung sighed.

"I know that, Kook. But I still feel like you're being a little irrational."

"You're being irrational!"

"Why're you getting upset with me? I'm just trying to help-"

"No you're not! You wanna tie me down and keep me here like the rest of the boys. Do you realise I've never been 2 feet outside my house without someone? I need to learn, don't I?" Jungkook said, and Taehyung sighed, looking down.

"I know. I know you do- but baby, you-"

"Don't 'baby' me. You know what you're doing! You just want to keep me here because-"

"Jungkook, you can't walk two fucking steps outside this house without flinching. What makes you think you'll be able to survive alone in a big city?" Taehyung snapped, and Jungkook froze.

Taehyung saw Jungkook look at him with wide eyes, and sighed softly. "Kook, I didn't mean-"

"I got raped by 13 men do you expect me to go outside and fucking dance?!" Jungkook snapped, and Taehyung gulped, realising how upset Jungkook looked.

"No, I-"

"Shut up! You-you don't know h-how fucking hard it is! The fact that I-I'm even staying w-with you after everything!" Jungkook said, tears rising in his eyes, voice breaking.

Taehyung stayed quiet- just watching with a bruised heart as Jungkook moved away from him, reaching his hands to his face, wiping his tears and trying to conceal his cries.

"I-I find out someone who-who I was in love with doesn't give half a shit about me, I find out my father- my own fucking father couldn't be bothered if I was tortured, dead or alive. And- o-on top of that I get f-fucking gang raped in-in f-front of everyone I-I know." Jungkook sobbed out, and Taehyung shook his head.

"Baby, I-I know- I just- that's not at all what I meant! I swear- I just meant y-you're not ready to be alone yet, that's all! It just- i-it came out wrong, and-"

"Y-y'know what? I can't take this any longer. I want to be gone next week. Book my train ticket for next week. I don't care. I'm leaving- a-and I don't give a shit if I'm ready or not." Jungkook said, and then got up from the sofa and walked to Taehyung's bedroom, slamming the door shut.

Taehyung flinched when the door shut, and then pressed his hands to his face, resting his elbows on his knees. Before he could realise what happened, he began crying.

Taehyung continued crying, digging his fingernails into his palms. Stupid, fucking stupid. He grabbed the vase next to him, throwing it to the wall in anger.

The vase crashed against the wall, pieces flying everywhere, crumbling to the floor. Once art, now broken into pieces unable to ever be put back together.

Gone. Jungkook would be gone. He couldn't get anyone he loved to stay or be with him. He just caused them pain and anguish. He was the reason his parents died. He was the reason Jungkook got raped. He was the reason Jungkook wanted to leave.

Taehyung fell to the floor, leaning against the sofa, pulling at his hair. He can't beg for Jungkook to stay. As many times as he tries- Jungkook wanted to leave. Even if he told Jungkook how much he loves him a million times, it wouldn't work.

Nothing worked. Jungkook didn't believe that Taehyung loved him. But Taehyung did, dammit he was head over fucking heels for Jungkook but it didn't matter. He would leave. And Taehyung would have to go back to doing small thefts to get his way.

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"I'm going grocery shopping now. I'll be back in twenty-" Taehyung started, putting his shoes on, when he saw Jungkook step out of his bedroom.

"No." Jungkook stated, and Taehyung almost snickered.

Jungkook was there, wearing boots, black tight sweats, a sweater, a jacket, a scarf, gloves, and a beanie.

"I'm coming with you." Jungkook said determinedly, and then padded over to Taehyung, looking like a ball of fluff.

"It is not that cold outside, Kook. You don't need to be wearing all that." Taehyung chuckled, standing up.

"Oh.. haven't stepped out in some time." Jungkook trailed sheepishly, cheeks tinting slightly. He took his scarf and beanie and jacket off, piling them up on the sofa. "Gloves too?" Jungkook asked, looking at Taehyung with his adorable doey eyes.

"Yes, baby, gloves too." Taehyung said fondly, walking over to him to take his gloves off. Jungkook looked up at him with upset eyes, and Taehyung sighed. "Sorry. Force of habit."

"It's okay." Jungkook said, and then took his other glove off from his freed hand. Now he was just in a faded pink sweater and sweats.

"You're wearing my mom's sweater." Taehyung said, and Jungkook's eyes widened.

"Oh! S-sorry! I'll take it off-"

"No, Kook, it's fine. You look nice. C'mon, let's go. I know you wanna get used to this stuff." Taehyung said, and Jungkook nodded.

They stepped out of the apartment and to the lift and down it and out of the building. When they hit the cold air, Taehyung reached his arm out, and Jungkook clutched onto his arm. But after he did- he pulled it away instantly.

"No! M'gonna learn! Be fine on my own! I-I leave in two days. I can do this." Jungkook said, and Taehyung smiled a little at his adorable determination, but the last bit left his heart a little barren. Two days. That's all he had left.

"Yeah. Two days." Taehyung said, and Jungkook hummed. Suddenly, Taehyung's phone started ringing. Taehyung took it out, and Jungkook saw the caller too. Namjoon.

"Dammit." Taehyung mumbled, and Jungkook sighed.

Namjoon and the others had been calling Taehyung non stop. He ignored it every time. It was hard- but he did. He didn't want them knowing about Jungkook's whereabouts. Mark called Taehyung too, telling him Namjoon's kinda taken over the 'Jeon' Mafia ever since Dokeun disappeared.

Before Taehyung could cut the call, Jungkook grabbed the phone- picking the call up and pressing the phone to his ear.

"-fucking finally. Taehyung- are you out of your fucking mind?! You-"

"Namjoon." Jungkook said, and Namjoon shut up on the other side. "It's me." Jungkook said, and Taehyung sighed.

"Kookie? Oh god- baby we've been so worried. Fucking hell- you're okay, right?" Namjoon asked, and Jungkook took a deep breath.

"I'm fine. Namjoon- I'm leaving."

"What?!"

"Listen to me- I-I don't want to live like this. Around all of you. I'm sorry. I-I do want to say goodbye- b-but- I don't want to stay here. I'm leaving in two days."

"Was this Taehyung's idea? Is he making you do this? Baby- come back here, we'll keep you safe, pet, we promise-"

"Call me again- only if you want to meet me. If not, then I understand. Goodbye." Jungkook said, and then cut the call. Jungkook turned to Taehyung, handing him the phone back.

"Well then. That's one thing off my shoulder. C'mon- let's go get groceries." Jungkook said, and Taehyung nodded, not saying anything else.

They reached the grocery store- which seemed a little empty, only a cashier who was reading the paper, and a woman looking through vegetables.

Jungkook looked around with big eyes, almost getting a small rush of excitement. He hadn't gone to the grocery store since he was, like, 8. Jungkook rushed ahead of Taehyung, going into one of the aisles for cereal.

Taehyung sighed, walking up to him. "I'll go get frozen food stuffs for the next two days, okay? Get whatever you need for your journey there." Taehyung said, and Jungkook nodded, smiling while looking at all the different kinds of cereal.

"There's so many! How do I choose?" Jungkook squeaked excitedly, and Taehyung smiled fondly.

"We don't need cereal, Kooks." Taehyung chuckled, and Jungkook looked a little embarrassed and nodded, going to the other aisles.

Taehyung walked away, and Jungkook went into the aisle with different kinds of biscuits and cookies. Jungkook looked at the different flavours of Oreos and gasped, looking at all of them. Pumpkin.. or Chocolate.. or Strawberry...or Green Tea..or-

"Tae!" Jungkook called out, looking to his side.

Suddenly, Jungkook saw a man walk into the aisle, tall, buff, wearing all black, looking directly at Jungkook.

Jungkook froze, taking a step back. He turned around in fear, but then saw another man- also tall and buff.

Jungkook gulped, his heart rate increasing, stomach going queasy. His eyes fogged over, and he could already feel the anxiety building up in his chest.

"T-Tae-" Jungkook squeaked out helplessly, looking in either direction, seeing them step closer to him. One of them furrowed his eyebrows at Jungkook, which scared the boy more.

He didn't know what to do, and felt so fucking overwhelmed- that he grabbed the packet of biscuits and threw it at one of the men.

Jungkook tried running past him, but the man grabbed him roughly. "Watch it!" He growled, and Jungkook felt something bubbling in his stomach- and pushed him away.

"Tae!" Jungkook cried again, and the man stepped closer to him- ad Jungkook lost it.

Jungkook let out the biggest scream, falling to the floor, tears rushing to his eyes, fear wracking his insides. He covered his face with his hands, trying to hide himself, still crying and screaming Taehyung's name over and over.

Taehyung rushed into the aisle, dropping the stuff on the floor.

"Fuck-" Taehyung cursed, and ran over to Jungkook. He crouched down, and pull Jungkook's hands away from his face.

"You're fine dollie, it's just-"

Jungkook leaped forward, wrapping his arms around his neck, holding him tightly, crying into his shoulder. Taehyung hugged him back, realising some people were looking.

"Is-is he okay? I'm sorry- I was just trying to get some cookies, that's all." One of the men said, and the other one nodded, looking equally worried. Taehyung sighed, nodding quickly.

They both looked like nice men. Taehyung felt bad because Jungkook probably scared them a little bit too. "He's fine. Sorry- just- um. He's fine." Taehyung repeated, and Jungook's cries ceased a little bit, resting his head on Taehyung's shoulder.

"Kook, get up. It's fine." Taehyung whispered.

"Wanna go home." Jungkook squeaked, and Taehyung hummed. "Yeah, yeah. We're going. I'll come get groceries tomorrow." Taehyung whispered.

Taehyung peeled his hands off, seeing the teary faced boy. "You're fine, baby. Look- those men aren't gonna hurt you. Kookie's fine."

"K-Kookie's fine." Jungkook repeated, and Taehyung nodded, giving him a reassuring smile. He stood up, pulling Jungkook up with him.

Jungkook held onto his hand tightly, other hand gripping Taehyung's shirt. Taehyung apologised to the cashier on their way out- and walked out with Jungkook gripping his hand tightly.

They walked back to the apartment in silence, Jungkook holding onto him the whole time. When they reached the door, Jungkook refused to let Taehyung's hand go- which made Taehyung sigh and try his hardest to open the door with his left hand.

Once they were inside the apartment, Jungkook continued holding his hand.

"We're inside now. You can let go." Taehyung said softly, and Jungkook shook his head.

"Don't wanna." Jungkook said, and Taehyung chuckled fondly. "Don't wanna let go."

Taehyung stilled at his words and sighed, and then pulled his hand away from Jungkook, walking to the couch and sitting down. "You have to let go, Jungkook. You want to-"

Jungkook rushed over to him, grabbing his hand and climbing onto his lap. "B-but I'm scared, Tae. I'm scared." Jungkook said, leaning his head on Taehyung's. Taehyung wrapped his arms around Jungkook's waist, holding him closely.

"I know baby. Me too. But you'll be fine. If anything, I'm going to be the one who'll be the mess." Taehyung chuckled, and Jungkook giggled.

"You'll miss me?" Jungkook asked, and Taehyung looked up at him. He leaned forward, nudging their noses together. "So much. I'll miss you so fucking much." Taehyung whispered.

Jungkook gulped, their hands interlocked, looking down at Taehyung. "I'll miss you too. D-don't know how I would've survived without you." Jungkook whispered back, and Taehyung smiled a little.

Jungkook leaned his lips forward, and Taehyung's breath hitched. "Kiss me. One last time." Jungkook said, and Taehyung felt Jungkook's lashes against his skin.

"Gladly." Taehyung whispered, and then locked their lips together- sealing it in a kiss.

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