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On the inside of the black SUV, Jungkook held Taehyung's cheeks as he tried to soothe him with little kisses here and there, to his forehead, to the tip of his nose, to his cheeks, but nothing could stop the tears, the worry, the guilt.

He knew the sun outside was beginning to set and that they should be driving away given how long this car has been in the parking lot. And if anybody had caught a glimpse of them getting inside this unmoving car, they could be in trouble.

But his priority right now was Taehyung. His beautiful Angel who just now hid his face in his neck once more as he hugged him tightly. Thankfully, the tears had stopped, however, the worry hadn't. Of course, it hadn't.

So Jungkook did the only thing he could think of to soothe Taehyung's mind. He got his lips close to his ear as he brushed his hair with his fingers gently, and said.

- You once told me they were like me in some way, did you not? - For a moment, there was silence. Then, Taehyung took a deep breath and let it go alongside the tension in his shoulders as he nodded. - Good. Then, if they are, they will find a good place to hide and stay there. And a good place to hide wouldn't only be a place out of sight, it will be a place where they are safe from the weather and have good food. Maybe they barricaded themselves inside a closed restaurant. And I'm sure that if Edward reads as much as both of us, he will have to know something about what to do, who to call, and what to wait for. Just like I do. Alright? - Taehyung took in another deep breath and nodded again, a bit faster this time.

- Thank you. - Taehyung whispered in his neck and held on for a bit longer as Jungkook kept on stroking his hair gently.

He didn't want to use that move to make him feel better even if he knew it would. Because it felt like a foul thing to do, to use those fantasies and feed them such extraordinary speculations. In other words, he felt like he was lying to Taehyung.

He loved it when they "dreamed for a moment" and made up a fantasy world together. It was fun and pretty and a very good distraction sometimes. But he would be lying if he didn't say that the way Taehyung's eyes would glaze over and shine as they fantasize didn't frighten him somewhat. In a way, whenever that happens, it almost feels like it was another Taehyung. Not different, just... another level of him; his hands would hold him differently, his posture would seem much more confident even when relaxed, and his words were sure and honest as if he truly felt in his bones that these fantasies could come true, like the other night when they were dreaming about "where they would be living" and "having breakfast with who", Taehyung looked at Jungkook as if to say "Obviously, with Edward and Audrey. Obviously, with my parents. Obviously." As if he was so sure; as if it could ever be real.

Jungkook was so tied up to the floor that a little too much fantasy could scare him sometimes, and Taehyung could float away so easily that he wanted to protect him from that too. So he waited until there was nothing else to do before he used it, and then he shut up again.

For now, he could only tighten himself against Taehyung and soothe him with caresses. He wanted him to be the one to separate them, only then will he be sure that Taehyung was fine enough to let go. But as they rocked softly from side to side, Jungkook found himself suddenly praying that what he had said, those kids would do.

Four blocks away from the Wellington Arch where the fight was the thickest, there was a roundabout where Old Park Lane resides. However, whenever Taehyung and his kids would talk about their fruits, they didn't say "on the Old Park Lane" they would instead say "near the Old Park Lane".

On corners of the roundabout, various people with carts would sell their fruits and vegetables, and in one of those carts, a lady would usually sit with her fruits.

But right now, the corners were empty. All but for some scattered and destroyed goods that fell the moment they all took their things and left running, much like every other person close to the commotion. The moment they heard a loud war scream from a crowd not far from there and then the bullets started flying, people scattered and doors closed.

One of those doors closed right on the faces of Edward and Audrey, and they had pounded and shouted on said door and many others close by, but no one would open it for fear that something else might come in alongside them.

Not even because they were kids would these grown-ups risk their lives.

So they had to run away from there because the sun was beginning to set and people were coming this way. Actual criminals hid within the commotion to destroy property and steal whatever they could, using the busy policemen to their advantage.

The kids tried returning home through the same streets they got to this place, but the moment they glanced at the mass of destruction in the distance, they went back to that roundabout. They couldn't even risk going through the massive park, for all they knew, criminals were hiding in there.

So now, they were hiding in a narrow alley, with a garbage can between them and the street, and another one between them and the dark alley. They were crunching down, flinching every time they heard a loud sound nearby, and cold to the touch from fear. They were shaking, breathing unevenly, and as close to each other as they could.

But they weren't sitting there doing nothing. No. Each had their phones out, trying to do anything they could to get out of there.

However, it was proving difficult, because their mother had somehow blocked them from going through the internet, so they couldn't search for a map, and the only phone numbers they had were their parents'. They had no idea how to phone the police, an ambulance, a fire truck, nothing. They each have tried to phone their mother but it wouldn't even ring, it wouldn't even send them to voicemail, almost like the power had gone completely out around their house and they couldn't even get to her thru their phones. Still, they tried everything they could, going through all the apps they had so they could find anything that would help them.

But, to no avail.

- Edward... - Audrey whispered to him as she clutched her phone to her chest. She had already cried, and he had already dried her tears just like their father usually does, but even so, her eyes were wide with fear. Just like his.

Edward looked at the screen of his phone and nearly shattered it with his thumbs. He was so angry that they knew so little, so angry that he had never thought that the internet could actually save their lives one day, and he was so angry to think that their lack of knowledge will be the death of them. He was so angry to think that anything could happen to Audrey because he had no idea how to save her. So angry.

- Edward. - She called him again, her whisper less brittle than before. And that change made him look up at her at last.

She had an idea.

- What? - He asked her, ready to hear what it was. It was right in her eyes, the confidence she had in this idea.

She took a deep breath and answered surely.

- Let's call dad. -

Edward tilted his head. Their dad was away, how will he be able to help them here?

Audrey read his question in his eyes and answered.

- We haven't tried calling him. If mom can't answer because the power went out, then it'll be fine so long as there's still power on dad's side. We can call him and he can tell us where to go. -

Edward's chest filled with hope at last. But... then he grimaced and looked away, unsure as he remembered.

- Yes, I know. - Audrey answered again. - He said we couldn't go outside without him. I'm afraid of how angry he will be when he finds out, absolutely, but--

A window broke not too far from there and people started screaming.

They looked at each other, their eyes wide, their hearts beating frantically, and, at once, Edward lifted his phone and searched for the only other number they had.

- You're fine, Tae? - Jungkook asked very sweetly against his cheek to then leave a gentle kiss there once more. Taehyung sighed and unfolded his arms from around him, so Jungkook took it as confirmation. But even so, he wanted to make sure.

He leaned away and held his face gently to look him in the eyes. He looked so destroyed, so tired, so guilt-ridden still. And once he spoke, his voice was but a rough whisper.

- I feel... kind of dizzy, actually. -

- Dizzy? - Jungkook asked gently and then placed his hand over his forehead. It was a bit warm, but nothing too bad. - Maybe you need something to eat and drink, maybe some sugar. - He muttered as he placed his fingertips over his neck to check his pulse for a moment. It was indeed slow and kind of weak. - Maybe cookies with coffee. -

- Kookys? - Taehyung asked with half a grin and then kissed him on the cheek as he chuckled at the attempted humor. - Yeah, I could have some Kookys. -

Jungkook chuckled again and kissed his cheek back before lifting from his lap and sitting down beside him.

He wouldn't lie, his bum and legs hurt after sitting in the same position for so long. And Taehyung stretched as well, folding and straightening his legs as much as the front seat would allow.

Jungkook chuckled again and opened the door. He closed it and kept on stretching his legs as he walked around the car noticing as he did so that the place was perfectly deserted but for other few cars here and there and the people concentrated on the telly on the other side of the road.

When he got to the other door, he opened it for Taehyung. But the latter was still slumped in the chair.

- Would you like me to buy something for you? - Jungkook asked gently with a sweet smile. But Taehyung smiled back and sat up, turning towards the door to jump out.

But his phone began ringing.

Their heads snapped up and they stared wide-eyed at each other for a single heartbeat. They had tried to phone Daphne back, to phone each of the kids, but the calls wouldn't enter. Taehyung took his phone frantically out of his pocket and answered without even checking who it was.

- Daphne? - He asked rapidly, his eyes looked off to hear the answer, but then...

- Dad... -

Jungkook could see his soul nearly leaving his body.

- Edward! Oh, my goddess. - He jumped out of the car, putting the call on speaker, immediately filled with adrenaline, and closed his eyes as he held himself up with one hand against the vehicle. - Is Audrey with you? - His breathing was uneven, fear emanating from him like a living thing.

- Yes, she is. - His boy answered in a small little voice.

So afraid, they had been so afraid for them, they were still terrified. Taehyung visibly tried to keep in the sobs as he kept on talking.

- Where are you? -

- Close to the Old--

Glass shattered on the other side and Taehyung's breathing stopped.

- Close to the Old Park Lane. - Edward answered in even husher tones, his voice trembling.

- Did you call your mother? -

- Something happened and the calls aren't getting to her. -

So that's why their call had ended. She hadn't ended it herself, something happened to the power. But then the maid that went with the ambulance also couldn't reach her, to ask her where to search next. Daphne wasn't given the chance to tell her the spot Taehyung had given her.

Jungkook knew they couldn't call the police because they would just be left on hold and all other services would be completely busy trying to help the police. And Taehyung told him in tears that his kids weren't allowed to use the internet so they couldn't look for a map. So that's why they had called him. Their last resource.

- Where are you hiding? Exactly where. -

- Umm... - He thought for a moment, but a moment too long.

- Edward, where are you? - Taehyung asked more fiercely this time. But it wasn't his boy who answered.

- Daddy, we're beside a restaurant close to the roundabout, we're hiding in an alley beside a rubbish bin and there are-- Smash. - People are breaking into the shops. We need to get out of here, but we don't know how. Do you know another route? -

Oh, this little princess, she sounded just as focused and cold as her mother when she was afraid. Jungkook's chest filled with relief to know that they had their heads in the game.

But Taehyung...? He seemed just like Edward.

Jungkook thought again of the people breaking into the shops near them. These kids were near criminals. And the worst part was that Taehyung didn't seem to know any other route judging by the way he froze over.

Jungkook remembered then that Taehyung's minutes with his kids were counted, so they couldn't have meandered around and memorized any other route. In a way, London was still foreign to him.

Immediately, Jungkook took out his own phone and opened maps as swiftly as he could. Once everything was ready, no later than five seconds after Audrey had talked, he took Taehyung's phone from his frozen hand.

- Audrey, is that you? - Jungkook asked in a sure, commanding voice.

- Yes. - She answered, just as surely.

- Good. My name's Jungkook, I'm a friend of your father's. You'll do exactly what I tell you, alright? -

- Alright. We can hear you. - She had put the phone on speaker too so they could hear exactly how loud the screaming was even if it was far away from them.

Taehyung had only told him where he lived, but not the actual address, so when it came down to it, it'll be down to him to direct them where to go.

- Good. Now, we know where the center of the fight is, so you'll have to go around it. Going west is no good because the park is too large for you to cross. - He thought as he looked at the map.

- And people are coming that way. - Edward added in a little voice.

- Exactly, so you'll have to go east and run like hell for the corner of the next block to then turn right. Ok? -

They heard them letting out deep breaths and moving about, maybe standing up and readying to run.

- Alright. - Audrey whispered. - We're checking if there are too many people on the main street... - She told them. They could hear their shuddering breaths, and then how they both gasped. - Yes, yes, there are, with sticks and... -

- Guns. -

- Yeah. They're stealing... I think a woman was lying on the street. -

- Don't think about it. -

- Yeah, yeah... I know... - Their breathing was harsher, faster, and Taehyung had to clasp his hands to his mouth because he had begun crying again.

No kid should go through what they were experiencing, not even if they're able to keep their heads like his kids were, not even then.

- Alright... Alright... - Audrey whispered again, encouraging both of them. - Ed, we'll have to do this now because they're coming this way, ok? -

- ...ok. -

- Take my hand. Alright... Ok... We're fine, we're fine... - She breathed again and again, trying desperately to calm herself down. But her breathing was still shuddering and Jungkook was sure that she began crying at some point. And still, she fought on. - Ok... We'll run like hell when that guy turns around... Ok, Ed? Ok... Ok.... It's alright... One... Two... Three. Run, run, run... - They began running.

Jungkook and Taehyung gasped sharply and shook with fear as they heard their frantic feet.

- Hey, those kids escaped! -

- Someone grab them! -

Shouts from the other side were heard. And the moment Audrey began screaming as they ran for their lives, Taehyung fell to the floor in a fit of muffle sobs. But Jungkook kept on standing, holding onto the phone, hearing those shouts that chilled him to the bone and made him want to peel off his skin, on and on reminding himself that these kids needed him, needed him to listen, needed him to tell them where to go next. He knew tears were running down his face too, but he never lost focus.

- We took the right! Where to! Where to! - Audrey shouted over the phone.

- Keep on running until you get to the main street at the end. It's three blocks away. -

- Grab those kids! Grab them! - He could hear the muffled shouts as if the ones after them were getting their own reinforcements.

Of course, they wanted to grab them so there wouldn't be any witnesses. The police were blissfully unaware of what was happening on that corner, if those kids went to get help, it would be their doom.

- Audrey, what are you doing!? -

Taehyung jumped to his feet again when he heard Edward's shout. Both of their bodies had frozen at the sound.

- People were coming from the street to the right! Jungkook...! Jungkook we turned left, through another street, we'll take...! We'll take the next right! - She was out of breath. They were both out of breath. How long will they be able to last? And how many grown criminals were after them?

How many traumas will they have?

- Breathe in with a step, breathe out with the other, otherwise, you'll get tired more easily. - Jungkook instructed them. After some time of just hearing frantic running, breathing, and shouting, they began hearing a pattern. In, out, in, out, with every step.

Taehyung's knees shook again so he opted to sit in the car with his legs out and his elbows on his knees, hearing everything happening on the phone in front of him, between them.

- We took the right! Now, down! Go, Ed! Go! The street is right there! -

- ¡AAAAAA! - Edward war-screamed, as if it was taking him all the strength he had to keep running.

Their hearts were just about to jump out of their chest. Taehyung looked sick.

- We're on the street! We're on the--!

Pummmm.

Taehyung snapped up, his spine locking in place, his eyes widening as he looked unseeingly at the phone. They stopped breathing altogether.

Muffle... so muffle was the sound at the other end... they could barely hear... as if the phone had been dropped not too far from them.

- Ed... Ed... Get up... We have to go, they're coming this way! Ed, they're coming this way! -

- No... - The little plea came out of Taehyung's soul.

Jungkook had to tighten his legs, otherwise, he would fall. His face was cold with the tears that had stopped falling because of shock, but he couldn't wipe them away when each hand held a phone.

- Come on.. come on... - Audrey panted terribly, and then the audio got better, less muffled as if she had lifted her phone from the floor. Hurriedly, footsteps got closer to them. - Now! Run Now! We have to--

- Audrey! - The phone fell again, but they had been able to hear Edward's shouting.

- Where do you think you're going, huh!? -

Jungkook got chilled on the spot. On the spot. And he restrained the urge to look around himself to see if anybody was behind him. If he was behind him, saying those same words to his ear.

- Let go of her, you disgusting--!

But Edward's shouts were cut by another louder war scream getting closer and closer.

- ¡AAAAAA! - Pum. Audrey gasped and coughed terribly and Edward got the phone before scurrying closer to her as they heard. - GET - Pum. - AWAY - Pum. - FROM THEEEM!! - A very angry man screamed with a deep, mighty voice. And those were clear brutal punches to that other man's skull.

Then... silence, but for the muffled sounds in the distance.

Edward and Audrey both whimpered and seemed to jump away before finally running again.

- We'Re pAssing-- Cough, cough. - We're passing Green Park--...! - Audrey tried to inform, but her throat was definitely sore.

Taehyung put his head in his hands and pulled at his hair. His daughter had just been grabbed by the throat and nearly strangled... They saw what had clearly sounded like a brutal murder... They have been chased after by criminals for longer than their bodies were able to run... And they had to keep running...

- Can you go through it to Buckingham Palace? - Jungkook asked, his voice never wavering even when his face was the portrait of fear itself. Pale, cold beads of sweat on his temples, a sickly yellow tint below his eyes, nearly white lips, wide unseeing eyes, and dry tear tracks down his cheeks. But Taehyung wasn't so far off. And it terribly looked like he was sure that all of this was his fault.

- There are people... But... The shorter route, the shorter route... - He mumbled as they ran. Less frantic this time.

- Are you still being followed? -

- Followed...! - Jungkook heard them gasping in fear as if just the name of it had run cold down their spines. - No... no... I don't think so... I don't think so, but there are too many people, I don't know... -

- Just run, Ady. Run... - Edward panted, just as frantic as she was. - People... There are too many people. -

- Don't worry, there are many more away from here, don't worry... don't worry... -

- Wait, is that one looking at us? -

- Yes, he's looking. -

- ...run. -

- ¡Run, run, run...! - In their frantic fear they had forgotten how to breathe properly, they just wanted to run, to get away, to hide.

- There are too many people. - Edward sobbed for the first time.

- Are they looking at us? Please... Please don't... -

- Just run, keep running, keep-- Ah! -

- Ed! -

- Doesn't matter! Keep running! -

- Don't let go of my hand! -

Jungkook was shaking so violently that he nearly dropped the phones he was holding.

They were listening and all they could do was to keep quiet so Edward and Audrey wouldn't get even more frightened by the sound of the ones helping them being afraid. They were listening, they couldn't do more than just listen.

Taehyung's hands dropped from his head and his head hung down. Looking hopeless, looking like all the fight had drained out of him. He couldn't even lift his head when Audrey screamed again.

- She's following us! She's following us! -

- Run, Ady! -

- Kids, wait! -

- Don't listen to her! Just run, Ed! -

- Edward, Audrey, wait! I'm your maid! You know me! -

- Kids! ¡Stop running! - Jungkook realized what was happening and tried desperately to help the lady.

Only now did Taehyung lift his head and straighten his back.

- I can't...! I can't...! I don't want to...! - Edward sobbed, crying desperately.

- ¡Edward, stop running, that's Helga, she's there to help you! - Taehyung tried to stop them as well.

- ¡Hey, someone help me grab those kids! -

She said the wrong thing.

- ¡AAAAAAAAA! - Edward and Audrey screamed in pure terror.

- Shit. - Jungkook cursed as they heard them running even faster thru people that tried to stop them.

This time, these people were trying to help, but they had no idea. In their frightened minds, all they could see was people trying to get at them to grab them, and they only wanted to get away because the last time someone had gotten to them, they were nearly killed.

They sobbed and screamed and ran like hell. Jungkook could maybe understand a little bit more about what they could be looking at right now. The people outside in a time like the battle that was being fought at that moment were civilians that could potentially be dressed like the criminals they had run from just now. Normal clothes, nothing fancy, clothes to riot and fight in. So everything did look the same. Everyone looked the same to them.

- We're...! We're in the Palace...! Buckingham...! Where to! Where to! - Audrey screamed. They were still running.

- That's too far from the house. Too fucking far. - Taehyung muttered with clenched teeth.

- Go around it. Like you're trying to get to the Queen's Gallery. - Jungkook told them nevertheless. He was seriously afraid that they would drop unconscious at any moment. Fear and exhaustion combined could do that. But how does he know that? He had no idea.

- Helga was supposed to be with an ambulance, but she was alone just now. -

- Maybe the ambulance got a distress call and dropped her at the park. - Jungkook muttered back to him and took a deep breath, a very deep breath, closing his eyes and hearing how those two kinds were running with their hearts in their throats. - Please be safe, please, get home safely, please... - He started mumbling a prayer.

- Goddammit, get in here. - Taehyung hissed, tensed all over as he pushed himself back into the car and hurried Jungkook to get inside it. Jungkook did, only because his legs were about to give out anyway. Taehyung leaned over him and closed the door for him and then, breathing unevenly and trying to stop himself from crying, he held Jungkook's face and dried it off any tears he might have, his hands heartbreakingly gentle in contrast to how hard his teeth were clenched together.

- We're here! Now, where? -

- Stop running. - Jungkook told them.

- Why!? -

- Find a corner where you can hide and stop running, now. - As they heard them running to hide, Jungkook dropped his phone somewhere by his other side and moved closer to Taehyung so his head could be on his chest. Taehyung held him tight with one arm around his waist and the other around his shoulders.

- Ok... ok... ok, we're hidden... we're hidden... - She assured them with a low frantic whisper.

Jungkook let out a deep breath.

- Good. Now, listen to me. You're too far from your house. - He said slowly and clearly. - I planned to get you around the commotion so you could get there safely, but you're worn out completely, you need help. -

- We're not worn out. We can go on. - Edward panted, his voice hoarse. Obviously with a stitch on his side by the wince they heard after the statement.

- Edward, think about it. - Taehyung cut in. His voice was stern but definitely less dead as he held onto Jungkook. - You couldn't call your mother, what makes you think this call will go on once you enter the perimeters? -

Not even Jungkook had thought about it.

Silence greeted them from the other side, and then, tentatively, Audrey tried to come up with something.

- We could... maybe... -

- Wait! - Taehyung suddenly halted everything and even Jungkook jolted, but then he saw his eyes locked on the screen of the phone and looked down just as he said. - Daphne's calling. -

- Mom... - Edward sobbed. And Taehyung took the phone in one hand as he held tightly to Jungkook with the other.

- Kids, stay right where you are, I'll answer her call then call you back, alright? -

- Ok. - They both answered in equal sobs.

Jungkook's heart shattered at the sound.

Taehyung accepted Daphne's call and immediately started talking.

- Daphne, thank God. -

- The power went out. - She answered. Her voice was still cold, still commanding, but a certain tint of an apology was heard.

- I know, I know, the kids told me they haven't been able to call you because of it. - He sounded so relieved to know that his kids would get help, that even Jungkook sighed.

- They called you. - She stated. Nevertheless, Taehyung answered.

- Yes, they did. We've been giving them instructions--

- Who's "we"? -

Taehyung froze for a second. Then swallowed, looking unseeingly in front of him as if he had suddenly remembered who exactly he was talking to.

- My... friend and I... -

- Friend? What friend? You have no friends. -

Jungkook took the phone right back and straightened away from Taehyung as he said.

- Hello, my name's Jungkook. I've been the one telling your kids where to go with the help of a map. They are currently hiding somewhere close to the Queen's Gallery in Westminster. They have been chased after through several blocks and have even been attacked. We do not know how injured they currently are but we do know that they are terrified and worn out. - He said all of this in a sure, commanding voice, with his back straight and a focused frown on his face.

- ...Where exactly? - She asked slowly.

- I'll finish this call, call them and ask them, and then call you back. - That wasn't necessary, she ended the call for him.

Immediately, he passed the phone to Taehyung.

- Call them. - He told him. Taehyung looked shocked and disorientated, but he did as he was told as fast as he could.

Edward answered on the first ring.

- D-dad. - He was still whispering, but now, now it seemed the shock and tiredness had caught up to him.

- Eddy. - Was all Taehyung managed to say back. One silent heartbeat later and it was Jungkook who asked.

- Are you both in the same spot? -

- Yes, we... We got a little sick... sorry. -

Jungkook let out a huff of air.

Taehyung clasped a hand over his mouth and leaned all the way back. Sure that he would end up sobbing if he was close enough.

- That's alright. - Jungkook said gently. - I just need you to tell me exactly where you are so I can tell your mother. -

- We're... umm... in like a... a greek-little-looking thing? - Jungkook's eyebrows pulled up in the middle with worry. If they faint now, it'll be more difficult to find them.

- Can you see the name of a street? Or the number of a house? - He said even gentler than before.

- I think I saw... - Audrey tried to talk but her voice was barely just a wheezy sound. Her throat gave out completely after the shouting, the strangling, the throwing up; they were both just about to give out. - Out here, I saw the name. -

- Don't go outside. There are people outside. - His breathing was heavier, harsher, Jungkook was sure they couldn't even get up from the floor. But still, he needed that name.

- Eddy, I need that name so your mom can get to you. - Jungkook informed them sweetly. So sweetly, Taehyung grabbed his hand tightly.

- Mom... - He breathed out.

- I'll go.. stay here, Ed. -

- No... -

- It'll be quick, I swear. -

- No... -

- Ok... ok... Here we go... I'm just gonna-- Cough. - Get up here and... No one there, that's good. - Cough, cough. - The name's... - She couldn't talk anymore. Not even a wheezy sound could be heard. She coughed again and tried once more, but nothing came out. But then, the moment Jungkook was going to tell her that it was fine, she gave an awful coughing sound and then whizzed rapidly. - ¡Buckingham Gate SW1! - And then she hurried away, breathing quickening, sounding shallow and shivering.

- What happened! - Edward asked hurriedly but silently.

- People... Peop--

She started coughing again. And once she stopped, Edward gasped.

- You're bleeding...! -

Taehyung winced terribly and yanked his door open so he could jump out of the car while Jungkook hurried to tell them.

- Alright, now I have your location, stay there as hidden as you can, I'm going to call your mom. -

- Hurry! - Edward pleaded. Whatever had happened to his sister had scared him worse than everything that has happened so far.

Jungkook ended the call and was grateful to find Daphne's number quickly. And was just as grateful when she answered on the first ring.

- Where are they. - She said immediately.

- Buckingham Gate SW1, Westminster. They're hidden in the pillars and nearly about to faint. -

- Got it. - And she hung up. At once, he called Edward back, but this time it took longer for him to answer.

He was crying again.

- Mom? -

Jungkook nearly sobbed.

- No, honey. It's me. Your mom's on her way to get you. -

- Jungkook... - He cried silently. - She's not moving... -

Jungkook nearly had a heart attack, he had to grab onto the seat in front of him. The sky outside was getting darker by the second and the weather colder. It was so far from their house, the commotion was only getting bigger, and they were traumatized, worn-out kids hiding away in fear of people.

He took a shuddering deep breath and said as confidently as he could.

- Put your fingertips over the side of her neck and wait until you feel the pumping of blood. -

Edward sobbed back in understanding and silence followed suit. One... two... Jungkook counted as he held his breath, and then...

- I can feel it. -

- Good. - He answered back immediately. - Put the side of your fingers under her nose to make sure she's breathing. - After he gave this instruction, Taehyung came back into view at the other side of the door. Looking way greener than was healthy.

- She's breathing. -

- Good. - He went back to being focused on them. - Now lay her on her back gently. - Once Taehyung understood what was happening, it looked like his heart simply stopped, he merely managed to bend over on the seat when his legs gave out.

- Laid down... - Edward answered after he had done that.

- Is she wearing something constrictive? Like a belt or a collar? - For a moment there was silence, maybe because he was making sure of those things before answering.

- No. -

- Ok, so, now you have to lift her legs, to help the blood flow back to the brain. -

- Lift the... ok... ok... - Jungkook heard him moving, sliding, or crawling through the floor until he got to her feet. - Lifted. - He told him.

- Good, now stay there, she'll come around in a minute or two. Make sure she's still breathing. -

- Make sure she's still breathing, ok... - He mumbled back. And for a deep moment, they just were there in silence.

Slowly, Taehyung lifted himself again. But shakily. He indeed looked unwell, paler than the darkening sky behind him, and there were shadows under his eyes that seemed way older than he is now. Ancient was the pain he portrayed and heavy was the guilt he carried. Every single little thing that was happening now, Taehyung believed to be his fault, and there was so little Jungkook could do to help him as he held onto the phone and tried to listen for anything that would happen.

When finally, it did.

- Ady! - Edward exclaimed, and Jungkok hurried to tell him.

- Leave her laying down for a bit longer. -

- Ah, s-sorry... -

- That's ok. You're ok. - He said and then sighed deeply. - You're both fine. - He could feel the tears coming but he restrained himself from doing so.

Taehyung rested his forehead on the seat and held himself there. Like a man begging for forgiveness. Or death.

Jungkook moved closer to him and gently brushed his hair, making sure no one was close enough to see through the open door.

- She can't speak. - Edward informed him.

- That's ok, she'll recover. Are you guys wearing coats? -

- Yes, but... it's still kind of chilly. - Of course, it gets way colder as the night comes closer and they went out during the day believing they would come back in a jiffy.

- Stay close together, that way you stay warm. - He heard some shuffling and moving around and then it stopped once more.

- Close. - He informed back. It was kind of endearing how he would say these loose words as confirmation.

But then he took a deep breath.

- Now tell me... What were you trying to do this afternoon? - He asked gently, trying not to sound accusatory in any way.

For a moment, there was silence. And once Edward started speaking, he sounded tired. Like laying there was way too comfortable for his tired body. And yet, he sounded sad.

- We wanted to surprise dad... - His voice broke and he started crying.

Taehyung, with his head down and forehead against the seat, shook his head and neared a hand to cover his mouth again.

- We wanted to show him that... that we had memorized that route he showed us and that we... that we have learned what he taught us about being safe outside. We wanted to show him that... that we also like his favorite fruits and we... we... we just wanted to feel he was at home somehow, we wanted to buy his fruits like we usually do with him to have him there somehow. We miss him... - Not only was he crying, but they could also hear the little sniffs of Audrey at the other side. And from this side, Jungkook was biting his sleeve and bawling his eyes out while Taehyung sobbed silently against his own hand.

And he has only been away for a week. Have these kids never been away from Taehyung? And Taehyung, he has never been away from them either.

- When can we see him again? - Edward asked. But before any of them could answer, it seemed like Audrey did it for him somehow. - Three months? Months!? - He was indignant and angry and he sobbed like it pained him too much.

Why hasn't Daphne thought of just moving the whole family over? She could work from home and fly to London if she needed to, but leaving Taehyung without his kids, leaving his kids without him, it was just too cruel to think that "it was easier that way", it was cruel.

The kids and Taehyung had talked calmly when Daphne had called yesterday, but there had indeed been an edge, a sadness in the air, a silent longing, and an obvious wish and plea for Taehyung to go back home. They had lost more than a father when he left, they lost their best friend.

Jungkook dried his face again, feeling his skin delicate and raw after all the tears he had dried before.

- Kids, you should... you should call your mother, I bet she's really worried. You could calm her down while she's going to get you. - Jungkook tried, believing his own words and also wishing he could hold Taehyung again. But Edward declined.

- No... She'll scream at us for getting lost... - He said in a little desolate voice. And Jungkook felt beneath his fingers how Taehyung nodded in agreement.

These people live in fear of that woman. How awful. But then Edward asked something, and the atmosphere changed slightly.

- Jungkook... you're dad's friend? - He asked, so innocently, trying to move past everything and have a good little time before their mom would get to them. So Jungkook helped them with that, wanting to do nothing more than to help them.

- Yes, I am. - He answered gently and brushed his fingers through Taehyung's hair soothingly. But then Edward asked...

- ...dad has friends? - And Jungkook saw then, that he was indeed his father's son.

Jungkook chuckled softly and heard him chuckle too. Even Taehyung breathed out a sad, silent laugh as well.

- Yes, indeed. He's quite popular. -

Taehyung chuckled again and lifted himself up in his forearms, his head still hanging low. That was a good sign.

Edward hissed from the other side and then said with a tired little smile.

- Mom won't like that. -

Taehyung lifted his head enough to say through the phone.

- That's a lie, I'm not popular, don't tell her that. - They all chuckled again. Taehyung's voice sounded like the deep and rough version of Edward's, both very tired.

- Hi, dad. - Edward sighed.

- Hi, Eddy. - He sighed back and pushed himself up so he could sit down at last.

- Ady says hi. -

Taehyung smiled sadly.

- Hello, princess. - He sighed and then closed the door so he could hug Jungkook closely and rest his forehead against his temple.

- You sound tired. - Edward whispered through the phone, more tired by the second.

- You nearly gave me heart failure. I've been having a panic attack for the past hour. Yes, I'm tired. - He said with half a smile. Relieved, deeply relieved.

Edward chuckled a little.

- Sorry... I'm deeply sorry... - He sniffed.

- I know, son. Don't worry. What matters is that you're both safe and will be fine once your mother gets to you. -

- You know what's the worst thing? - He asked, sounding teary-eyed but smiling slightly.

- What's the worst thing? - Taehyung asked softly with a sad smile.

- There were no mangos today. -

At the same time, they both began laughing, and slowly, very slowly, their laughter turned to sobs. Taehyung hid his face in Jungkook's neck, still chuckling while little tears fell from his tired eyes. Until they sniffed and stopped again.

- Dad... - Edward was about to say something, but he went quiet on the other side.

Taehyung lifted his head, confused, and asked.

- Yes, Eddy? -

But he didn't get an answer. And then...

- Shh... There's someone there... a flashlight... -

They heard them gasping and moving, maybe crawling away.

- No, Edward, maybe that's your mother, stay still. -

- Hello? Is someone there? - That... was not a woman's voice.

Jungkook and Taehyung went very still as they heard the kids panting and hiding away again, being very quiet.

- Umm... Edward? Audrey? Your mom is looking for you. Kids, are you there? -

But they wouldn't answer the man. Right when Jungkook was about to talk so the man could find them, Edward screamed. And the man hurried.

- Nononono, don't go, don't go. I got you. - Edward screamed and screamed to be let free, he screamed for his sister, screamed for his father to help him. - Shhh, I'm here to help you-- Oi! Grab the girl! She went that way! -

- Noooooo! Audreyyyyy! - More screams, more shuffling.

But then a gurgling sound... the phone fell to the floor with a scatter... and then silence.

- What did you do, man? - They heard while Taehyung's eyes were wide open with fright once more.

- I think he fainted. - Another one answered.

- Good thing you caught him, then. -

- Oi, what did you do to the girl? -

- I think she fainted too. - A different one answered this time. It sounded like three different men.

- Poor kids. Hey, is that blood on her? -

- Give me some light, it's too dark out here. Oh, no, that is blood. -

- Let's go back inside. They need the ambulance. -

- You don't think they got hit, do you? -

- Wait, his phone fell. Grab it, will you? -

- Here you go. -

- Thanks. -

- They're such scrawny little things, aren't they? -

- No wonder they couldn't take much more, it's freezing right now, look at what they're wearing. -

- Ugh, man, kids these days really don't care, do they? They just do whatever they want, don't they? -

- Oi! Did you get the kids!? - A distant voice asked.

- ¡Yes! -

- What does he think we're carrying? Large bunnies or something? -

- The man's quite old, I bet he forgot his glasses. -

- ...yes... yes, miss, we found your kids...- An old man's voice sounded a bit closer. - yes, my mates have them right now-- Oh! Ah... I think we'll be taking them inside for a while or two, they seem to be needing medical assistance... yes... no, don't worry about that. Hey, you three, get them inside. Yes... yes, miss... -

- Don't you think it's a bit weird? - One of them asked as the voice of the old man sounded further away again.

- What is? -

- That woman wasn't crying. She's the mother, right? -

- Yes... Yes, a bit weird. But well, who are we to say that isn't the way she copes with these things? -

- Oi, open the door for me, will you? -

- Yes, sorry. Here ya go. -

- Thanks, mate. -

- Where should we put them? -

- I don't know-- Oi! Hey! You! Hospital people! Come here! -

- "Hospital people". Who calls nurses "hospital people"? -

- They aren't even nurses, they are ambulance people. -

- What happened? - Another man spoke. Maybe the ambulance guy.

- They fainted. - He answered simply.

- And you've been carrying them around like this!? Lay them gently on the ground, now! -

- Ok! -

Scatter.

- Oh, the phone fell again. -

- By this point just get another one. Look at that screen. -

- Wait... a call is going... Hello? -

- Hi. - Jungkook answered. He was the only one of the two less petrified to do so. - We were the ones making sure they stayed there. Their father's here. -

- Oh... Well, then. I don't know if you heard right, but your kids fainted, sir. Oh--But don't worry, they're getting along now. There you go. Hi, little one, how are you--?

- AAAAAA!!! -

- Someone stop him! - The ambulance man said.

- I have him. - One of the policemen replied.

Scurrying, screaming, pleading, and then... slowly... his screams died down and then... silence again.

- Ok, so... - The man from before talked to the phone again. - Now... I don't know what was on that needle but he's asleep now, so he wouldn't hurt himself or the people around him. He's fine, don't worry, sir. -

Now coughing, coughing and gurgling could be heard, and frantic people trying to stop Audrey now, trying to get her, and then, just as well, the coughing stopped.

- Aaaaand she too. - He concluded. - Is that blood, mate? -

- Yeah... - Someone else replied with a grimace. - She was coughing blood. You see those marks on her neck? I think someone grabbed her by the throat and now it's all... inflamanted. Inflamated? -

- Yes, inflamated. -

- Inflamated. -

Jungkook wanted to scream at them.

- Oww... - The other one grimaced in disgust. - They have to put a tube down her throat? -

- Yes, because it's all inflamated so she can't breathe, that's why she was coughing so much. -

- I don't think it's called inflamated. -

- What do you think the other has? -

- A fat load of trauma. -

- Aside from that. -

- I have no idea, man. What have they seen to get so scared when they saw us? -

- You think they're scared of the police or just people in general? -

- No idea, man. But I'm really sorry for them. -

- Yeah, me too. Are your kids at home? -

- Yes, they are. Yours? -

- They were at a birthday party when everything went downhill, so they will stay at that friend's house. -

- That's good... -

- Yeah... -

- What do you think will happen now, with everything that's going on? -

- ...I just want to go to sleep, mate. If the boss needs us, let's just pray it won't be in the thick of it all. They're throwing rocks and shit. -

- I can't believe we saw them throwing bombs and using actual riffles and all you could think of were rocks and shit. -

- Wait, weren't you attending a call? -

- Oh, shit! Hello? -

- Yes. Hello. - Jungkook said, clipped and fuming.

- Well... your kids are fine, sir. Or at least they will be. And your wife will be here soon. -

- No, he told her to go straight to the hospital and we'll meet her there. -

- Ah, sorry. Your wife will--

- Yes, I heard. - Jungkook cut him off. - What did you use to sedate them? -

- We didn't, it was the ambulance people. And they had to because your daughter's throat was imflamated, and the other--

- Inflamed. - He corrected them.

They snapped their fingers.

- Inflaaaaaaamed. I told you it sounded off. -

- You agreed when I said it first. -

- Well, you said it first. -

- Concentrate! -

- Oh, sorry, sir. Well, as I was saying... What was I saying? -

- That everything's fine and shit. -

- Oh, yeah, everything's fine, sir. We have it under control. -

- "we're professionals" You saw that movie? -

- Yeah, it was funny. -

- So! - Jungkook spoke up and shut them up. - What you're saying is that they will be taken to the hospital and their mother will meet them there, is that correct? -

- Well... yes, sir. I said that before, didn't I? -

- I'm not sure. I don't remember. -

- Ok then! - He said loudly again to stop them. - Now, this is the boy's phone, but she had a phone as well, make sure she still has it. That's all. Goodbye. -

- Umm yeah, goodbye, sir. -

- Good to be of assistance. -

- Agh, you sound so stupid. -

- That's not true. -

- Yes, it is--

Jungkook stopped the call and ended it right there then left the phone somewhere beside him and placed his hands against his face. Just to breathe a little. Deeply and slowly.

Then, he sighed greatly and placed his hands over his own shoulders.

- I'm so relieved they're in good hands. - He said and then took in another deep breath. Rapidly he turned around and looked at the other side of the street through the dark tinted back window before muttering. - There aren't that many people in the coffee shop anymore, we could go and drink something before--Mh! -

Taehyung had suddenly grabbed his face and kissed him. He got slightly confused but... a heartbeat later and he understood. Because he felt it too, the need to be reminded of who they were. So he kissed him back, leaning in tighter and holding him by each side of his neck gently.

They had just gone through actual terror for hours. And now they knew that those kids would never be the same because they had been by their side while they ran and screamed and fought and got attacked. These kids had seen terror and even brutal death, they will never be the same.

So this kiss wasn't only to remind them where and who they were, it was also to distract them for a moment, to reconnect their minds and bodies to the present time where they were here in this car with each other. And to make the actual relief sink in farther than the fear.

Because Edward and Audrey were indeed in good hands and will be taken care of just as they must be, and their mother will get them and take them home, and they will rest in warm and comfortable beds for as long as they need to.

They were fine. They were fine.

- They're fine, Tae. - Jungkook whispered against his lips once he stopped the kiss. And Taehyung sighed greatly before hugging him tightly and whispering in his ear.

- You saved them. I love you so much. -

Jungkook felt his chest tightening.

- I love you, Tae. - Jungkook whispered back and left a kiss on his neck. And they held and held and breathed in the scent of the other until their tiredness caught up to them once more and they let go. - Let's go have something to eat, alright? - He asked gently and brushed his hair into place with his fingers.

Taehyung smiled a little as he looked at him with undying affection. Tired eyes, shining with love.

- Yeah. - Was all his rough voice could provide.

They got the car keys, walked out, and went straight towards that coffee shop where those tellys were still broadcasting what was happening in the capital.

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🌼Thank you for reading Chapter 46 <3<3<3

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