Inprotectus

Unprotected

(Part 2)

Yungsoo sighed. However... looking at Taehyung now, Alexander had the weirdest thought. He looked way angrier than a worried friend would be. And then he remembered something he saw last Monday: a happy Jungkook smiling as he went up the stairs of the library.

But that can't be.

- No. Much like when you attacked me. So, just like Yungsoo said, it doesn't make that much sense. If he knew you believed him enough to come looking for him, why go through all the trouble of acting scared when he could've just shouted when he heard you knocking? Or... maybe that was all a big plan of his. To make himself cry and look terrified so the moment Taehyung could break in it would look like I had done something dreadful. - He looked at Yungsoo with a tilt of his head.

And he nodded slowly.

- That would make more sense. But then... - He exhaled deeply. - If what looked to be irrational had an actual purpose then what happened to Oliver had a reason to be as well. So, if everything has a reason... If it's true that he hit his classmates because he was angry that you left, then, if he continued doing it for four more years, it would mean that he was still mad about it. - His face dropped when he realized what he said and then continued slowly. - If that is true... then it would make sense that he took advantage of Taehyung's presence by telling him awful stories about you because then it would make Taehyung worried enough to come to me to try and... get you fired? - This last realization had him widening his eyes. - Could it be that he's so emotional that he still has a grudge against you leaving him all those years ago? -

This was... way more perfect than Alexander had planned.

Maybe he'll give Jungkook another finny cup to celebrate; he's feeling quite magnanimous at the moment.

Alexander had to stop himself from laughing so hard that he could only press the side of his curled index finger against his lips, making him look like he was pondering hard on that possibility.

However, Taehyung took advantage of his silence.

- Have you perhaps tried to... ask him about it? - He asked Yungsoo. The most obvious of questions.

Yungsoo frowned at him.

- And you think he would tell us the truth now when he hadn't done it in more than seven years? -

- If you leave him with me, I'm sure I can make him confide in me. - He volunteered.

And Taehyung's plan slapped Alexander in the face.

He didn't only want Jungkook out of Alexander's apartment, he wanted him with him. The memory of Jungkook happy in the library, the lateness of the hour every time he would leave Taehyung's apartment, the worry in Leo last Friday because Jungkook hadn't told him that he was sick, choosing to stay there for the entire day. And Jungkook never objected to it, even if it was a teacher.

This was no teacher... This was a threat.

Alexander raised a hand to stop his friend from speaking, still squinting straight at Taehyung.

- Wait a moment, Yungsoo. I knew this insistence didn't look right; I just remembered something. - He lowered his hand, looking at this man through a whole new light. - I found the pair of you together. Not on Tuesday, but Monday. - He looked at Yungsoo and saw him tilting his head, confused. - It's funny that I've only just remembered. I was in the library that morning and I saw you walking up the same stairs a moment later Jungkook walked up as well. I hadn't thought too much of it until now. -

- Yes, you're overthinking things right now. - Taehyung nodded slowly. - It was a coincidence, I never saw him there. -

- Wait, wait... - He looked at him closely. This was way worse than he thought. - Yungsoo told you to keep an eye on him on Tuesday after you stopped him punching that other kid and now I'm wondering. If you weren't with him then the fight would've only started somewhere close to where you were passing by; Yungsoo... do you know where the fight broke off? -

- ...No. - He seemed to realize only now. - I was so upset that I never asked. Taehyung? -

Taehyung's eyebrows twitched a bit. He felt cornered. His posture hadn't changed at all, his shoulders were still holding strong, but Alexander knew he was thinking very hard to come up with something.

But something to cover what?

He had only been raving when he implied that this other person had been Taehyung. He'd been there to pick up a book to scan some pages for his students, and he had indeed seen someone go up the stairs to his left. But he hadn't thought it had been Taehyung. It had been later when he got out from the shelves with a book in hand, that he saw that familiar figure going up the same stairs. He'd looked at him from the shadows until he saw him again at the railing a floor above, smiling like he was somehow playing a game.

Playing... having fun... Something twisted inside Alexander and he didn't recognize the feeling at all.

For a moment, he even thought Taehyung could be telling the truth when he said they never met that day. But now he saw him tensing up his neck as the single second in silence turned to two seconds without a word and the implication that they had been together when the fight broke off, started to sound too real.

Alexander felt a... void in his stomach. It was such an odd feeling. Like he'd missed a step going down the stairs.

- The fight started in his room. - Taehyung said at last, with the same calm tone of voice. Looking like he had nothing to hide.

Yungsoo shook his head in surprise.

- You were in his room? -

Alexander's fingers twitched.

- No, I was in the Students' living area. A student of mine had left me a note that I failed to notice, asking for my help on how to approach the subject, and since I wanted to put a face to the name on the letter and help him sooner rather than later, I went straight to him. It was right when we were getting to his room that we heard shouting coming from inside. The student left running, dropping his keys, and so I went to see what was happening. The student I had been walking with was Jungkook's roommate and the guy he had started to fight with was this roommate's friend. I only know that because after Yungsoo told me to keep an eye on him, I took him to my apartment to talk to him for the first time and see if I could get the truth out of him. It took time and patience but I managed it. That's why I'm still saying that you should leave him with me; because I know we would get better results if we know the truth behind his actions than trying to force him to stop them without knowing what's causing them. - He spoke directly to Yungsoo, trying to convince him as he nodded.

Alexander wanted to strangle him.

- Nothing good has come out of your talks with him. - Alexander cut in, the uncomfortable burning in his stomach making him more short-tempered. He looked from Yungsoo to Taehyung and took a tiny step forwards, threateningly. - He's been hiding away in your apartment, refusing to go to classes on his first week, staying so late into the night that even his friend Leo had to ask me to open the black doors to let him see how Jungkook was; he didn't even know he got sick the night before. And when he got sick, he simply stayed there, refusing to leave, and you let him, you let him stay, let him not go to classes, let him eat your food and read your books and you even took him out to the city. You have given him rewards on and on, giving him all the attention he wanted, believing his lies, Taehyung! I don't care when you started talking to him, the only thing that matters is that he's using you as a shield against his father, me, and his entire life; he rarely sees his friends, rarely goes to classes, and you're over here, not believing a word I say and simply insisting that we give him back to you so he can hide away from the consequences of his actions. Don't you see? - He turned to Yungsoo who was gaping. - If only I had realized it sooner, I would've warned you. -

- Warn him? - Taehyung dipped his chin, a disbelieving grin on the corner of his mouth. - About how kindly I've been treating his child? Lord knows I should've forced him to go to classes so he grew to dislike them as he did at school, shouldn't I? -

- Don't you try to sound sarcastic with this topic. - Alexander shook his head, so ready to rip his face with his bare hands. - You're not doing any good in–

- Oh, and I should've forced him to be with his friends so he grew to resent their presence when he didn't want to be with anyone after finding a little peace in my company. Yes, that sounds about right. -

"This guy wants to die".

- Taehyung, I'm warning you. - Alexander was tensing the muscles in his stomach just so he wouldn't punch him.

And this fucker nodded with a grin.

- Yes, you want me to shut up and accept your made-up stories filled with your assumptions. Maybe he does want attention, and why is that? He could've been lying to me about you, why? Perhaps he hit Oliver out of anger, why? I'm well aware that he likes to hide in my apartment for hours without wishing to see anyone else, don't you think I've been slowly getting to make him tell me why? I told Yungsoo once before that I didn't mind whatever time it took me to help him with Jungkook and I meant it. So, unless I'm sure that what he needs is a strong hand instead of attention, I will keep insisting that you return him to me less you fuck up what I've done for the past week. Yungsoo. - He turned his head away from a fuming Alexander. - I want to get to the bottom of this myself before Evans tries to do anything. - He ended with finality, sure and confident with his hands on either side of him.

5:50 pm

Alexander could hear a ringing in his ears. He looked up, above Taehyung's head and beyond, taking in a calm deep breath, unfolding his arms to relax his body as he exhaled deeply. Then, he looked down at the floor and tilted his head to the side to hear what Yungsoo had to say, every movement calm and steady.

He heard him exhaling harshly from his nose and could picture him with his hands on his hips, pursing his lips as he frowned at Taehyung. He knew his friend so well. Treated him so well. It would be a pity if he didn't answer correctly now.

It took a moment for them to hear his answer, a moment in which Alexander's deep breaths were dizzying him; his forced tranquility feeling more confiding by the second. When, at last, he answered.

- Taehyung, I understand what you're saying. But even though you think you know a lot, you've only truly been with him for a week. You might think he trusts you but in reality, he hardly even talks to his friends about things that matter. If he hadn't opened up to those who know him since he was twelve, I doubt he'll open up to you. And if someone has to teach him, I'd rather it be Alexander who truly knows how to do it and has faced all the ugliness and still stayed instead of a new friend of mine. So, if he says that you're too kind for him, I believe him. You're not to let Jungkook inside your apartment until this mess is cleared out. End of discussion. -

A burning feeling spread from his stomach thru his whole body and he had a mad urge to laugh.

Happiness. So, this was victory, perhaps excitement for going upstairs and continuing playing. So very pleasant.

Calmly, Alexander lifted his head and gave his friend a soft smile of comradery, patting him once on the shoulder. A reward for answering right. Then Alexander looked to the other side at Taehyung, saw him stunned in disbelief, and turned to go back to his student.

- Taehyung! What are you doing? - Yungsoo reprimanded him. It sounded like Taehyung had tried to step in his direction and Yungsoo had stopped him.

There was victory in his chest as he pressed his card key to the door, and yet also a sourness in his mouth at the thought of Jungkook smiling as he played in the library. He opened the door and entered, ready to ask Jungkook about Raphael, about Taehyung, about last Monday at the library, about whether or not Taehyung was truly just his teacher, or if he liked to play with him like only Alexander was allowed to do.

He was still so angry about that last thought that he wouldn't even mind if the funny cup's time was over. He will get his answers.

Taehyung tugged his forearm away from Yungsoo's hand and gritted his teeth as the black doors closed behind that monster. But he didn't have time to think of doing anything before his shoulder was gripped very tightly as "his friend" stepped closer to him from behind.

And he muttered.

- I don't like how angry you look right now. And I suggest you return to your apartment and stay there the whole night. No nighttime strolls or I'll know about it. -

- I'm not your son. - Taehyung spat back with venom, his eyes still glued to that door.

Yungsoo might double him in age but never in intelligence. He can't believe this oblivious man was a professor.

- And I'm not treating you like I would to my son. I'm treating you like a friend of mine who looks like he wants to hurt one of my best friends. You'll understand if I don't permit it. Go to your room, Taehyung. -

The latter gave a grimacing smile and turned around.

- Yeah, you're right. You would never treat Junior like this. -

Yungsoo sighed in earnest, pain furrowing his eyebrows making him seem even older.

- Goodnight, my friend. -

Without giving him any farewell, Taehyung turned around and left for his apartment. A tightness closed his throat as he walked rapidly to the elevators, the thought that he might throw caution to the wind and go up to the fourth floor again invaded him until he was sure he was going to do it. He pressed the button and waited.

And the wait cost him.

He heard the doors opening far behind him and he cursed silently before turning around and seeing, hoping against hope that it was a latecomer. But, as he expected, it was a soldier walking straight toward him.

However, he didn't expect this soldier.

- What are you doing here? - Taehyung asked with a frown, the elevator behind him coming ever lower.

- I'm only here to see you into your apartment. Then I'll leave. - Raphael answered in his deep, sure voice. But his head was slightly lowered and his shoulders were a little droopy.

He stopped beside him and the events that took place last Saturday floated between them, tensing up the air. He was nearly his same height, with more defined muscles, but the look on his eyes as he saw unblinkingly into the closed doors of the elevator was nothing like his. The eyes of this young man beside him looked as sunken and dried of happiness as Taehyung's had been the first few years when he left his home.

The doors opened for them and they entered. Taehyung pressed the number two button with loathing and leaned against one of the walls, folding his arms over his chest while Raphael stood looking at the doors with his hand folded behind him and his feet parted at the same distance as his shoulders. The tension had entered right before the doors had closed.

Taehyung remembered something then, and he frowned.

- You said you were going to see Jungkook here in Evanthe. Did you know you were coming here today to arrest someone? -

6:00 pm

- No. I only said it because the Chief Inspector has to visit once every few months. - His voice was void of emotion. But not his eyes.

Taehyung watched him closely.

- You mean your dad? -

- ...It would be too informal of me to call him such while on duty. -

- Why the formalities? We were ready to punch each other's teeth in, the last time we saw each other. -

The corner of Raphael's mouth nearly lifted.

- I can see why it would be difficult to keep a detached student-teacher relationship with you. -

Taehyung's eyes widened and the doors opened. Raphael walked out first and Taehyung exhaled deeply before walking out as well, the door of his apartment having been left wide open just like Oliver's.

- Do teachers not get worried about their things being stolen? - Raphael asked when he saw this.

- It would only be stolen by other teachers. And depending on the teacher in question, they get to keep what they stole without their apartment being searched at all. - His fists tightened and he marched on to the lonely expanse of his apartment that he won by hard work and which many other teachers could only dream of.

He took his doorknob and yanked it, intending to slam the door as hard as he could; hard enough that it could be heard on the fourth floor.

But a foot had stopped it.

Taehyung groaned as he turned around, nearly shouting.

- Leave! I'm already in! - He could feel the rage burning in his eyes, the frustration turning into tears and he swallowed with difficulty.

Raphael tentatively took the frame of the door and pushed it open slightly, just enough so they could look at each other. And he looked terribly sad.

- What... What did the shout sound like? -

Taehyung greeted his teeth, his breathing halting. How could he ask him something like that?

- Like a bloody shout. - He answered in a slow, soft, dangerous tone.

- No, I mean... did you manage to hear a clear vowel? or did it sound like an "N" or an "M"? -

Surprise went through him at the specifics. Was Raphael trying to help? Interrogating a witness? Taehyung frowned, not knowing what to believe anymore as he tried to remember. He had said that it wasn't his name, just a shout, but what kind of shout?

- It sounded like an M. - His blood chilled after he said that last bit.

And Raphael shook his head slowly with a frown.

- His mouth must've been covered. -

Taehyung froze over.

- ...you expect me to stay here after hearing that? -

Raphael visibly swallowed and yet, he nodded.

- If you don't want to lose your job and leave him all alone, then yes, you will stay here and loathe yourself whatever necessary. Sometimes to prevent a catastrophe, you have to make sacrifices. -

He didn't want to feel sorry for anyone at the moment, didn't want his attention to be swayed from what was happening on the fourth floor even if what Raphael just said struck too close to home.

- When he opened his door, did you manage to see Jungkook? -

- No. - Taehyung barked, startled by the question. - He pushed me and closed it again too quickly. -

- Did you manage to see a glimpse of his kitchen? -

- No. -

- His dining room? -

Taehyung frowned and looked sideways, thinking hard.

- ...maybe. -

- Was there something on the table? -

- Maybe... but something small, not like a book or glasses. -

- Cups? -

- Yeah, maybe. But only one. - He looked back up and blinked at the sight of him. Raphael's sadness had doubled. - What is it? - Taehyung panic rising.

But Raphael ignored his question.

- Did you see his living room? -

- No. - His breathing was getting faster as he continued to think back on that cup. But then Raphael spoke once more, and his throat closed up.

- His bedroom? -

His bed... Evans had said he had told the officer to asphyxiate him, to make him pass out, and Yungsoo had merely shrugged, saying that he was only just asleep. The officer had not been up there with them, it had only been an unconscious Jungkook with that monster.

This was the first time in his life that he wanted to punch someone until they bleed.

- No. - Taehyung answered him, just as softly as before, trying to keep himself focused.

- What had Jungkook told you about him? -

There was a moment of silence in which Taehyung pondered before squinting at him.

- What had he told you about him? -

- Why would he tell me anything? We weren't even friends. - Raphael frowned as if Taehyung's question had been completely random.

He had sounded so convincing in his denial that if Taehyung hadn't believed Jungkook as wholeheartedly as he did, he would've believed Raphael like he would've believed Evans downstairs.

The number over the elevator changed but Taehyung had only seen it briefly, without paying attention.

He walked up to Raphael until only the width of the door separated the tips of their shoes.

6:10 pm

- Tell that to your Chief Inspector. Jungkook keeps every drawing that he makes. - Raphael's face fell into shocked horror. - You can't lie to me. He trusts me with everything. -

- Oh yeah? - Raphael shot back. - So he tells you all his fears before he gets triggered? Is he able to open up to you without stuttering and getting frustrated? Does he never obviously hold back information just because he doesn't want to think about it anymore? Does he never get tired of telling you every grievance in his life, preferring to talk about nightmares than living in a dream? If that's the case, you truly are the Mesias. -

Taehyung jolted back.

But Raphael nodded.

- News flash buddy: been there, done that. He doesn't trust anybody. Not even himself. Not even his only two best friends that he swears are everything to him. And I'm dead sure that with just one week you haven't had enough time to figure out why that is. You want to know why I, who knew him since he was thirteen, think he can't trust anybody? -

The way he dangled something so delicate in front of him was obscene. And yet his eyes were unforgiving as if he knew this knowledge will bring no relief.

No, he wasn't taunting him with this question. He was giving him the option not to be tormented by the answer.

But he can't live without knowing his hypothesis. Because, as much as he hated to admit it, it has truly only been one week.

- Why? - Taehyung asked him.

The number over the elevator stopped on the third floor but he couldn't care less.

Raphael stood silent for a moment longer, looking like he was debating whether or not to tell him when, at last, he did.

- The only person who's known him for more than ten years is that man downstairs. If what you think of him is true but what Jungkook remembers of that "butler" is also true then they're the same person and are nothing alike which would mean that Jungkook has separated and remembered them as two different people. But it's still the same face and his subconscious mind knows it. So, Jungkook gave his trust to that face because that face interacted with him constantly while he could go days at a time without seeing his parents or siblings. He trusted him to be there. Slowly, his sense of trust must've twisted to fit this particular person whom he thought will never leave. And then that man left. He had distorted any sense of trust little Jungkook had and then left him with it; leaving him with a trust that only worked on people like him, with many faces and not always good intentions. Hadn't he ever told you about the people he would encounter whenever he would walk out of his house at night? His sense of trust is so destroyed that he could walk out on the dingiest part of the city and believe no crook will kill him, but then he could be in a school corridor and feel like everyone was out to get him. -

- I believe, deep down, he thinks everyone is a monster. So, he can only truly trust those who show their many faces to him. If he trusts you halfway, you aren't just a teacher... Just like I wasn't just a bully. -

Taehyung was shaking, his breathing was tense and shallow and his eyes felt so damp that he knew Raphael could see the tears building up, ready to fall.

Whispering, he bit out the words.

- He... doesn't... trust him... -

Raphael sighed deeply, not impressed by his reaction, simply... sad.

- On a lonely child, trust goes hand in hand with attachment, no matter what kind of person you're attached to. You don't realize what's wrong when you're a child, you only realize it when it's too late and your brain has already begun protecting you from it. That man must've–... For Jungkook to not remember certain times of his life as if he had amnesia... - He shook his head, lowering his eyes when Taehyung's cheeks began to feel wet. - Just know that he's not the one who trusts him but that little kid inside him who has no idea what's going on. And they both have to be saved. - Raphael said that last with quiet purpose. And went silent.

Taehyung could simply shake his head at the floor, not seeing anything but blurry lights. In his anguish, in his rage and loathing and disgust, he couldn't even realize the door had silently closed and he was left all alone.

The love of his life, his Angel, the owner of his heart and soul was being tortured, and he couldn't do anything to stop it. It would've been better to be shackled to a tree outside in the pouring rain, physically unable to move, than to be standing there all alone with a door he could easily open and an elevator he could easily use to get to him; simply because he would make things far more difficult for both of them.

He'd been shown how little power he had in comparison to him. It was left clear that even if he were to find Jungkook shaking on a corner or worse, Yungsoo will still believe whatever story his friend told him which would make the police believe him as well.

If he left his apartment right now, Yungsoo will see him from the camera on the ceiling in front of the stairs and stop him because they all believe he's the one who wants to hurt a guiltless man. Alexander had pretended so well that their struggle on the froth flour would look like Alexander was even weaker than him, making him look even more defenseless. And, because this is just his second week in the job, it would be far too easy to simply fire him.

But, even if he's not fired, Jungkook's not allowed to come to his apartment anymore. The thing they dreaded the most has come to pass; Yungsoo will keep a closer eye from now on, making it difficult for them to be together. Making it difficult for Taehyung to beg Jungkook's forgiveness for not being able to save him. Because he won't be able to save him tonight.

And Taehyung knows Jungkook can't stay in Evanthe as long as Evans is.

Taehyung thought of Oliver, laying on a hospital bed for reasons only Jungkook knows, thought of those strange people that barged into his apartment the night before, claiming they were doing good and that they knew the pair of them, and yet there's no sight or sound; thought of his kids and how sad and disappointed they were that Jungkook couldn't be there when he called them briefly right when they were all sent to their rooms, and through all of it, he could only loath himself; for not going down the elevator with him when he left after lunch to make sure he arrived at his room or his class or anywhere safely, for not being smart enough to come up with a reason to accompany him to his father's office, for not being strong or cunning enough to win against that monster.

He loathed himself for not being enough. Enough to keep Jungkook safe.

Slowly, he knelt on weak legs, placed his hands against the floor, and doubled over until the top of his head was touching the cold surface and his elbows rested on either side of his face. Then, he took in a shuddering breath, feeling the agony of countless lifetimes, and screamed.

6:20 pm

Namjoon nearly jumped out of his skin at the crushing sound of thunder. Wide-eyed and heart-pounding, he looked out the windows of Seokjin's apartment; at the rain and dark sky that was slowly turning into night. It had been five minutes since they arrived on the third floor and he'd been in the middle of arguing his point (after Seokjing had argued his) when the lightning silenced him. Now, his heart was not only racing at the scene outside but also the knowledge of what it might mean.

Seokjin placed a comforting hand on his upper arm. But Namjoon jumped again and looked at him, fear evident in his eyes.

- You have to let me go. - He urged him. - I have to help him. -

Seokjin looked at him attentively, examining him with a slight purse of his lips.

- What will you even do if I let you? How will you be able to help? - Those were serious questions with no malicious intent. And Namjoon swallowed.

- I'll go downstairs to Taehyung. See what the situation's like and... -

- You don't have a plan. - He cut him off after hearing the slight hesitation.

Namjoon huffed out a breath in frustration.

- I will once I know how everything is. Jin... - Namjoon raised a hand to stop him from speaking again. - Please... Let me help them. You know I can take care of myself, I've done it for years before I met you. And I wouldn't be helping blindly, I know about the subject, and I know I can help even if it's just by telling Taehyung what he needs to know. So please... don't stop me from protecting someone. Because you wouldn't like it if you knew your sister was in danger and I wouldn't let you go to her. -

Seokjin took his hand back from Namjoon's arm and tilted his chin up as he folded his arms over his chest. That last line affected him more than Namjoon had intended but, how else will he be able to make him understand how he's feeling?

It took a moment, but Seokjin sighed deeply and dropped his arms.

Namjoon started smiling even before he gave him the verdict and simply threw himself onto his arms to hug him tightly.

- Thank you. - He sighed and took a rapid step back, ready to leave. - I'll be back as soon as I can. -

He turned to leave then. But Seokjin caught him by the wrist.

Namjoon felt a drooping sensation in his stomach and his smile disappeared as he turned back around. But then, without a word, Seokjin slid his hand down to interlock their fingers and gave him a gentle squeeze before letting go as he stepped up towards the door and opened it for both of them.

Warmth spread through him as his shy little smile appeared, and he followed after Seokjin to the elevators.

Seokjin didn't exactly believe in what Namjoon did. But he did believe in Namjoon and the lengths he would go to help someone he thought was in danger. So he was going with him, just to protect the one who wanted to protect others.

The first thing they noticed when the elevator doors opened one floor below was that Oliver's door was left open with no light on. According to what Poppy said, Jungkook had taken Oliver to the hospital wing after attacking him by accident. So the door was left open.

Namjoon glanced at Taehyung's closed door and saw the light coming from beneath it, so he went first to the other one. Seokjin let him do as he pleased, simply following a few steps behind. He first entered a hand to feel out the light switch and then turned it on. One glance around told him there was no one, not even a presence left behind. But there was a black backpack left over the table next to two glass cups with cold, brown tea.

He stepped silently as he got nearer; something he was so used to doing, it was second nature. He walked around the desk and took the bag to open it, knowing he was incredibly trespassing but also needing to do it. He knew this wasn't Oliver's.

Upon opening it, he found Jungkook's black coat.

Namjoon frowned. It was very cold right now. He kept looking and found his laptop in an inside pocket, his sketchbook, his phone... his keys... Jungkook was completely defenseless without this bag. How long had it been since he'd been here with Oliver? Two hours? Namjoon went to grab the cup closest to him, but he stopped and did a double-take on a spot on the floor.

Blood.

It was just one drop of a brown-reddish color. But Namjoon could recognize a spot of blood anywhere. He knew it was Oliver's, he knew he was taken to the hospital, he was stable enough for Poopy not to look so worried, but still... his breathing halted. Cold sweat threatened to appear on his forehead.

Slowly, he looked back down at the bag in his hands and zipped it up again, then put it over his shoulder and walked to where Seokjin was at the door. Only when he was close enough to know he could smell his scent did he take a deep breath and nod.

- This is Jungkook's. Let's leave the door open, we don't know if Oliver had his keys with him. -

Seokjin gave him one nod and turned off the lights as he stepped out. But before Namjoon could be close enough to Taehyung's door to knock, he spoke up.

- Wait. - Namjoon turned around and saw him frowning deeply, glancing from Taehyung's door to him. - If I see we're in any type of possible danger, I don't care if you hate me, we'll leave. -

Namjoon gave a sad little sigh and tilted his head.

- I can't ever possibly hate you, Jin. But I will say this, - He stepped closer, straightening his head. - If I'm very much needed, I won't leave. -

- What if I need you to be saved? Does what I need matter less because I'm not in any obvious danger? - Seokjin stepped closer as well and Namjoon almost lowered his head. Almost.

- I will keep myself safe. -

- Yes. And you will keep me safe, and keep him safe, and also him, and the other one as well and–... Oh, yes, I nearly forgot, you're human. You can't save everyone. -

Namjoon swallowed at the bite in his tone. But he knew it was only worry, he knew it came from a place of deep love. So he didn't raise his voice when he said.

- Then I'll do everything humanly possible. -

And turned to knock on the door.

6:30 pm

But no one answered. So he knocked again and waited.

Nothing happened.

They couldn't even hear anything from the other side. Namjoon stepped closer to the door, trying to hear something through the thick material, but nothing could be heard, not even footsteps.

Heart racing, he began to think that maybe Taehyung wasn't even here. Desperate, his hand dropped to the doorknob and tried to turn it.

And found that it did.

Slowly, he pushed the door open, fear mounting at what he might find inside. But there was no mess in the kitchen, so he opened it up a bit more. No mess in the dining room; he pushed it a bit farther. No mess in the living room–...

Taehyung... was laying on the floor. He was curled up to the side, facing the windows, still wearing his leather shoes and dark brown suit.

Namjoon gasped and threw the door open. He ran in with Jungkook's bag over one shoulder and went around Taehyung. Only when he saw him blinking was he able to breathe again. Looking up, he noticed that Seokjin had closed the door and was looking down at Taehyung with disappointment, then he lifted his chin and walked on towards the living room.

Gently, Namjoon knelt. But Taehyung didn't react. There were slight scratches on his face and neck, tear tracks down his cheeks and temples, his hair was ruffled as if he'd pulled at it, and his eyes were red as he looked unseeingly at Namjoon's knees against the floor.

"The connection is such that the simple thought of losing the other could kill them before their bodies realize."

- Who... are you? - Taehyung muttered, not looking up at him, not even frowning.

Namjoon took a deep breath.

- I'm Namjoon. - And he fell silent.

What could he say that would make things better?

Sitting criss-cross, he placed Jungkook's bag beside him on the floor. And Taehyung's eyes immediately glued onto the bag.

He had recognized it, of course. His bottom lip trembled and tears overflowed as he silently gasped for breath. His hands balled into fists before him on the cold marble floor, and Namjoon had an idea.

"The star is but a newborn. It never had to live and learn to reach the light. The soul of this man will be the same. A child who only knows one person."

Gently and silently, he unzipped the bag and took out the black coat. Unfolding it, he saw Taehyung's eyes trailing after it, but made no movement other than to tremble. And then he passed it to him, gently pressing its neck to Taehyung's chest.

Taehyung looked down at it and moved his trembling hand up only to fold it around the fabric. Like a small blanket, he hugged it close to his chest and curled in on himself even tighter.

If Namjoon hadn't read of the power hiding beneath the flesh, he would've thought Taehyung to be defenseless and vulnerable. But he had deduced since opening the door that Taehyung had been forced to be in here, and so he knew that Taehyung was not keeping himself on the floor because of weakness, but because he was restraining himself.

This wasn't sadness, it was rage.

What can he say to him?

- Where...? - Taehyung whispered in a trembling breath.

- "Where"? - Namjoon muttered back, leaning forwards a bit.

- Hoseok... Yoongi... Where!? - He shouted into the fabric.

Namjoon jolted a bit but remained close to him.

- Namjoon... - Seokjin warned him. Only then did he lean back.

Taehyung was asking about the E.V.Is location. Did he not know that the people the police were here for were them?

- They had to leave Evanthe. - He explained quickly - The police came here to arrest the owner of a computer that was helping the fighters in the capital and since they're the same then it could only be them. So they had to leave before they were caught. But Garrett's still here, I saw him helping a student–

- What did you say? -

Taehyung's eyes were wide. His mouth was covered by the neck of the coat but his red eyes turned to look up at him with bated breath.

Namjoon swallowed.

- They had to leave. But Garrett–

- No... - Slowly, Taehyung pushed himself up by his hands, his eyes never leaving his. - Did you just say... that these people... are part of the criminals in the capital? -

The air stilled around them.

Taehyung didn't know.

...this was way worse than Namjoon would've thought. He believed that, at minimum, the three had explained something to Jungkook and Taehyung the night before when they told them not to–...

But if Jungkook and Taehyung didn't know who they were or why they came to be, then... how could they have done as they said and not doomed them last night.

If they know nothing, it means they did it.

- Eadem Veros Inducat? - Namjoon muttered.

Taehyung's head twitched as if he'd just had a tick and then he grimaced.

- What the fuck did you just say? -

- I don't like that vocabulary. - Seokjin warned Namjoon again. But the latter rose a hand from the floor.

- What did they tell you last night? -

Namjoon's heart was racing as Taehyung's face slackened a bit.

- Nothing. -

Oh no.

- You didn't even know why they stopped you last night? -

Taehyung greeted his teeth.

- No. I know nothing about anything in this motherfucking place. Nothing but how you told them we were somehow special for finding that white pavilion, you... - He stopped himself, shaking his head with venom. Namjoon could hear the harsh intake of breath from the person seated behind him but tried to ignore it.

- Yes, you are. But you don't know why you are. - Namjoon muttered as he realize the reason why all this was happening today. He sighed heavily and tried not to stutter as he explained. - Those three and the fighters at the capital are part of a group of people who many years ago were chosen to be the protectors of light. These people fight against Darkness. Darkness is a non-corporeal entity created by a goddess of war and demons, and she created him to destroy all that is good in the world, mainly focusing on a pair of individuals that did her a great, personal insult. Those two people, I surely believe, are you and Jungkook. So, Garrett, Hoseok, and Yoongi are part of a group that keeps you two safe so Darkness can't draw strength from your misery and become more powerful than he already is. -

He stopped, but Taehyung's lack of expression made him continue. He was getting desperate for him to believe it.

- There's a spirit guarding the woods so that's why no one can get inside and there's no path. Very few people, for over five hundred years, have been able to find that white pavilion, and you two are the first pair to find it without any difficulty, that's why it can only be you. That and the fact that the E.V.Is know the pair of you so... it must. The, umm, white pavilion is where there once was a sacred, natural pool to get to Heaven and talk to the Gods; the white pavilion is a place of light, no darkness can damage it. You're the first pair to find it. A pair of males. The curse was placed upon two males, one a Pure Star, son of the Sun God, who chose the form of a male, and the other a mortal who was in a lifetime where he was male. There are countless records beneath the library on books that had been hidden before I managed to find them inside a stone wall. I'll show them to you. -

Maybe he had said too much. Or maybe too little. Did Taehyung believe him or...? Why wasn't he reacting yet? He was completely expressionless, his face had begun to slacken the more Namjoon had spoken. Now he was doubting whether what he said had made any sense or his sentences seemed too cut and unorganized; he hadn't been particularly slow when he spoke, and maybe Taehyung hadn't even understood what he said. Should he explain again?

Namjoon was just about to take a deep breath to explain everything from the beginning of the Sun when Taehyung, after a long moment, looked unseeingly down at the floor.

Again, he remained silent. Shaking his head a little, he seemed to be organizing his thoughts, but then he grimaced at something he found there, maybe something he remembered. His eyes darted to the lower right. He was recalling an emotional memory. He shook his head again, pursing his lips, and looked towards the lateral left. Auditory memory. His eyes widened as the corners of his lips turned down and he grimaced again, lowering his head even more so Namjoon couldn't see the movement of his eyes anymore. Little by little, his breathing got harsher. And he muttered.

- Only now... you have decided to explain anything... when it's already too fucking late. -

Namjoon's breath hitched.

- It isn't–

- Yesterday... - Taehyung let out a sharp breath. - You stopped Jungkook yesterday in the library and never thought to explain it to him. You never thought to follow him here, never thought to tell Seokjin to knock on the door, never thought to do anything but go to that lousy gang of inept "protectors" so they could burst in and threaten us without any fucking explanation and then leave without Jungkook to get him safely to his room away from me. Because, without an explanation, I assumed it was nothing to worry about. And now you're telling me that Darkness shit was real and I am the reason Jungkook's up there right now...?-

Taehyung looked up at him and Namjoon swallowed at the same time that he heard footsteps nearing him from behind.

- I... The curse–

- The curse. - Taehyung cut across him, nodding with pursed lips. - So the curse that held your tongue in front of him is nowhere to be seen now that you're here with me, is that it? And those fuckers... - He sighed and looked back down. - Those... mother fuckers... - Shaking his head, he breathed deeply and remained silent once more.

Namjoon tentatively turned his head to see Seokjin who was standing a couple of paces behind him, frowning down at Taehyung in assessment before looking back into his eyes. Namjoon's eyebrows lifted in the middle as he pursed his lips and took a deep breath, "I know it looks bad, but I won't move yet." he told him with this, and Seokjin lifted his chin, assessing him. It was a moment before he looked away and turned back around to sit once more.

Turning his head back to look at Taehyung, he took a deep breath and thought that it would be best to say nothing less he would anger him even more. This was no doubt because Darkness was meddling with their minds, why else would he be unable to say the right thing? Why else would Taehyung not be able to listen to him calmly? Namjoon knew he made no mistake in coming here to explain. The flaw was his weakness. He wasn't strong enough in his mind to keep Darkness away; he knew there was a stranger in his house and could do nothing to take him out.

The memory of last night made him want to hide away. He had been shaking and crying, terrified as he had never been before, but after he had been left alone in Hoseok's room (with an unconscious guy in the floor), he was able to calm down enough to realize that... the irrational fear that he felt hadn't felt right; as if he had been possessed.

- My grandfather... - Taehyung began speaking again, muttering to the floor. - I remember him talking about the Sun like it was a person and... and my father stopped him. - He looked a little lightheaded, trying to think, to process. - Gods and pools and curses and spirits and... Why... does it sound familiar? - He whispered. Hands against the floor, pinning down the coat, he gasped for breath before shaking his head. His jaw tightened, and his fingers curled into fists. - We found that white thing the first day we both got here so, why did no spirit cross our paths? -

Namjoon wasn't sure whether he was talking to him anymore.

- Why had nothing and no one revealed itself before it was too fucking late? - His breathing got harsher as he gripped the coat in his hands. - Why hadn't they found us when we were younger? Why did no one come forward to explain once we got here? I saw Garrett... on my first fucking day on the job; he was seating on the second row and not once did he ever even look like he knew me. Why the fuck... did those three fuckers... not explain shit last night when they were here? They simply barged in, threatened Jungkook, and left, it was obvious I wouldn't take them seriously. Protect? - He shook with rage. - Protect? Jungkook has been in danger more than once since he got here and even when they knew something awful could happen, they explained nothing... -

Slowly, trembling, Taehyung stood up, leaving the coat on the floor. Namjoon didn't follow, he simply tried not to cower away.

- Those three... were supposed to protect him... - He muttered to the floor.

Thunder struck the earth outside, flashing the room with a momentary white light. Namjoon didn't know why Darkness was reacting in such a violent way when he should be rejoicing in their suffering, but then again, he might just be. A hand on his shoulder told him that Seokjin wanted them to leave immediately, but the sight of Taehyung's tears of rage, planted him on the spot. Not knowing if he should leave him alone to rage or stay to try to explain more, the inner corners of Namjoon's eyebrows pulled up in despair. He wanted to help, to make things right, he wanted to be strong enough to save everyone, but, in reality, he wasn't even strong enough to pull himself up. What should he do?

Knock, Knock,

- ...it's Garrett. -

Namjoon's heart missed a bit and the hand on his shoulder moved away. A speck of hope appeared on his chest...

And Taehyung thundered away towards the door.

- No... - Namjoon gasped. He stumbled and fell when he tried to stand up as he saw Taehyung grabbing Garrett by the neck of his clothes and throwing him inside the room hard enough to make him slide across the floor.

Taehyung banged the door closed and walked straight towards Garrett laying on the floor, his teeth were bared menacingly as tears fell from his eyes and Namjoon forced himself up or else Taehyung would make a mistake.

He slapped his hands against Taehyung's chest as he greeted his teeth, fearful and yet trying to be the wall the situation needed.

- Taehyung, no! -

Taehyung's eyes were a blaze of rage, loathing, and pain, his whole body shook with the effort of keeping himself in place, but his mouth opened as he bellowed to the person on the floor,

- ¡YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO KEEP HIM SAFE! -

Namjoon got the full blast of it in his ears, hands, and heart. The sound of his agony resembled that of a man watching his innocent lover being taken to the gallows, such an ancient pain that even Namjoon had been emotionally affected once he heard it so close. Tears filled his eyes as they had done to Taehyung's. But Namjoon could feel Seokjin trying to pull him away and into his protective hold. Something Taehyung didn't have.

6:40 pm 

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🌼Thank you for reading Chapter 74 <3<3<3

Your devoted writer,

Ela Shadow Rose 🥀

Go ahead with the next Chapter ->->->