The sun was starting to set down and get replaced by the moon and yet still both Jeongguk and Jimin were not able to reach their destination. Jeongguk wanted to blurt out his annoyance and command the boy to move faster however he stayed quite because he knew talking to the mute boy was pointless.

Although in his defense he did forget that Jimin can understand simple commands, he just forgot how to roll those words and sounds properly through his mouth. It's been ages since he last talked, he was at the young age of 4 when he stopped talking and due to the large gap, he forgot how to. There was no one besides his mother he could talk to. And his mother was too depressed to talk to him, plus there was nothing much to talk about.

"We need to reach before it's dark or else it's pointless" Jeongguk groaned, as he stomped his way through the muddy puddles that we're scattered all over the area. Jimin however being bare foot didn't mind the mushy feeling of the dirt getting pass his little fingers as he guided the frustrated man.

Soon they reached a huge tree and Jimin pointed towards the small cave between the trunk, making Jeongguk realize that this was the tree the women told him about. He couldn't contain the happiness he felt. Finally he can get out of here! This was easier than he thought but he had to agree with himself that the women and the little boy played a major part in him finding the suitcase.

Jeongguk looked around observing the darkness that was spreading rapidly and decided to camp here for the night. He turned towards Jimin who already busied himself in grabbing the huge leaves to make a comfortable makeshift bed. He made sure to place it near the rocks to hide themselves in case an animal pass by.

Once done Jimin didn't knew how to call the man so ignoring his previous order of not to touch him he hesitantly made his way towards the man who was trying to peek inside the hole but it was too dark to see anything. Jimin slowly approached Jeongguk and lightly tugged at his shirt, making the said man instantly turn around to glare at Jimin for disturbing him.

"What! I told you not to touch me" Jeongguk glared at him and shook of his hold on his shirt. Jimin ignored the slight ache in his heart at the harshness of the voice and pointed towards the bed he made for him. Jeongguk not getting what he meant turned back around and continued to observe the hole. Jimin gave another try and again tugged at the shirt only to get another glare from Jeongguk who grabbed his small hands harshly in his strong grip making the boy whimper at the burning hold.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO FUCKING TOUCH ME!" jeongguk yelled at Jimin making him flinch back as he tried to hold the tears that brimmed his eyes. Without giving it another thought Jimin started to move towards the bed he made, with Jeongguk still having a painfully strong hold on his arm, he dragged the man across the clearing towards the bed.

And that's when Jeongguk realized what the younger was trying to tell him. He immediately broke his hold and looked guiltily at the small boy who even with fresh tears cascading down his rosy cheeks, happily pointed towards the bed and then at the man, telling him to take it.

Jeongguk was speechless, his eyes darted from the makeshift bed of leaves towards the boy who cuddled his arm and turned his back towards the man. He could clearly hear the soft sniffles coming from the boy's mouth as he gently rubbed the raw skin that had been littered with red angry finger prints on them.

He'd never felt the need to apologise to someone but at thi moment he desperately wanted to show he was sorry but he thought the boy wouldn't understand so he decided to let him be.

Jimin soon wiped away his tears and looked at the bright moon, smiling down towards him. Jimin smiled back and got up to find something to eat. He paddled through the trees to see if any fruit was there and fortunately he found a peach tree. He rushed towards the low trunk and grabbed few of them that he would be able to carry back.

Jeongguk on the other hand, was half asleep, ignoring the constant nagging to go and apologize even if the boy doesn't understand it. Because he did realize he was being harsh towards him. Jimin had already forgotten what happened a few moments ago, convincing himself that the man was scared because he was stuck here like them, and happily made his way back towards Jeongguk.

Once he saw the man was sleep, he settled the fruit down and hesitantly approached Jeongguk, lightly touching his shirt to wake him up, to which he did immediately and turned around but this time his features weren't of annoyance. He looked at Jimin who had instantly pulled his hands back and pointed towards the fresh peaches he got. Jeongguk happily got up and grabbed one to eat.

"You don't know how hungry I was kid" Jeongguk said as he devoured the sweet fruit. Jimin gave him a small smile and nodded, letting the man know he did as he continued to munch down on the soft fruit as well.

"You can understand me?" Jeongguk asked confused as he looked at the boy. He didn't expect Jimin to nod to tell him he knew he was hungry.

Jimin halted and looked directly at Jeongguk, giving him a small nod and continued to eat again. Jeongguk was now left more confused, if he can understand him then why can't he reply.

"Are you perhaps mute- oh no you did speak when we first met" Jeongguk mumbled and decided to apologise.

"I-im sorry for that" Jeongguk said pointing towards Jimins small hand that had his angry fingerprints. Jimin just gave him a smile and passed him another peach to eat. Jeongguk understood he was forgiven and continued to eat.

Once both of them were finished, Jeongguk laid down again and closed his eyes while Jimin laid down besides him but on the cold muddy floor. He couldn't find more leaves to make his bed so he decided to make one for the man. Besides sleeping on the ground wasn't something new to him, he was used to it.

Jeongguk who was on a comfortable surface, turned around to change his position when he saw the younger sprawled out over the cold uncomfortable floor.

Maybe it was the comfortable silence?

Or maybe it was the fact that he was well fed.

Or maybe he wanted to do this as an act of kindness that he was able to find what he was looking for by his help that he extended his arm towards Jimin, and pulled him closer.

Jimin was a heavy sleeper, and continued to softly snore as Jeongguk pulled his head up a bit and settled it over his arm, to lend him his arm as a comfortable surface for his head.

"This is just because I felt bad for hurting you" Jeongguk mumbled to the sleeping boy to make it clear or was he trying to convince himself?

Underneath the moonlight, both of them were sprawled over the ground in comfortable silence. Yet Jeongguk still wasn't able to sleep, it wasn't because of the different environment, no it was the small boy who was sleeping carelessly besides him.

He laid there staring at the boy, admiring him. Even living in such environment for so many years his skin was clean and soft. His hands automatically made their way towards his hair and he couldn't help but smile at how soft they felt between his fingers, perhaps bathing with only water was better, no chemical.

His hands then moved towards his soft cheeks and he slowly caressed his soft chubby cheeks that had a light rosy tint on them that was still visible under the moonlight. He quickly realized where his thoughts were off to and immediately pulled his hand back, closing his eyes. He had done enough admiring the sleeping boy besides him and decided to sleep.

🗝️

Jeongguk woke up to the harsh sun rays that were directly over his face.

"Fuck" he cursed as he rubbed the sleepiness away and turned around to wake Jimin up but when he looked down there was no trace of the said boy.

"JIMIN!" he yelled and immediately got up frantically looking around to find the boy. He can't loose him! For one he knew the way back and two he promised that women to take care of him and it would be against his code to break his promise.

"Jimin! Where were you?" Jeongguk asked as soon his eyes landed on the small boy who was happily walking towards him, his hands carrying peaches again.

"F-food" Jimin whispered but Jeongguk was able to hear the sweet melodious voice. The voice he only heard twice but he was enchanted by how soft his voice was and that moment he forgot what he was angry about.

"Thank you, just don't wonder around before telling me, okay?" Jeongguk said as he took one of the fruit from his palm and started to eat it. Jimin gave him a small nod, assuring him he understood what he said, that surprised him even more. Maybe he underestimated the boy a bit too much.

Both of them finished the fruits Jimin had picked up for them and now finally was the time Jeongguk had been waiting for. He quickly darted towards the tree and peeked inside. A huge victorious smile plastered on his face when he saw the handle of the suitcase that he was finding.

Now he finally has what he wanted all along and now no one can stand against him, no one. But before he could reach inside the hole Jimin rushed towards him and grabbed his arm, shaking his head no furiously!

"What?" Jeongguk asked confused as he looked at the boy who quickly grabbed the bottom of his shirt and pulled it off, now only left in his old white under shirt and worn out boxers.

"W-what are you doing?" Jeongguk asked and Jimin ignored him and secured the shirt tightly around his arm and then ushered him to go ahead.

At first Jeongguk was confused why Jimin did what he did but the moment his hand reached inside he could hear the light buzz of the bees inside and understood why. Ignoring the bees that tried to latch on his hand he quickly grabbed the suitcase and dragged it out.

"Fucking finally!" Jeongguk cheered and pulled Jimins shirt off his hand bringing it back to him. The said man was so happy that he held the shirt up and assisted Jimin in sliding his arms through the holes.

Jimin on the other side was delighted to see the man smile. He was so used to seeing him glare and yell all the time he spent here but now that he saw him smile it reminded him of a bunny. Jeongguk heard the same soft voice giggle that made him turn around and look at the younger who was jumping up and down cheering for Jeongguk as well. He wouldn't admit it openly, but the sight before him was so refreshing that he could definitely get used to.

And right now, looking at the cheerful boy, he knew the promise he made wouldn't be so hard after all. They all could use a smiling face back at the mansion.

"Come...let's take you home" Jeongguk said in a promising tone, bringing his hand forward for the younger to take and Jimin rushed towards him, and grabbed his large hand between his smaller ones. He would never miss a chance to touch the handsome man before him.