Pluviam Teri

Pounding Rain

Jungkook's heart started palpitating the second he heard Taehyung moaning in pain. He couldn't see his face as his cheek was against the wall while Yoongi pinned him with an arm bent behind him. And his mind raced with the knowledge that...

...Taehyung had no idea who these people were.

- Let go of him. - Jungkook said in a low voice, almost normal were not for the way his eyes were as wide as they could be while he looked straight at Garrett. But it wasn't he who answered.

- Yoongi, let go. - Hoseok commanded without ever taking his wide eyes off Jungkook.

The other one did as he was told, stepping back from Taehyung and letting him go only to turn to the kitchen and turn on all the lights in the apartment. Jungkook saw how Taehyung groaned and held his hurt arm close to his chest as he turned around hastily to look at him. He was terrified and panicked as he looked at the backs of the two in their midst.

The moment all the lights were turned on, the wind started to push the rain to hit the tall windows.

- What is going on? - Taehyung asked breathlessly as he looked at all the newcomers in turn. But Jungkook knew he was much more in distress than the small question would allow understanding.

Jungkook also had not a single clue as to why they had all burst thru the door as they had, nor why they were so desperate all of a sudden, all he knew was that his heart ached at the sight of Taehyung being so confused and scared even if none of them were looking at him. So, his foot took a step towards him, longingly.

But Hoseok took a step forward as well.

Jungkook stopped once more and looked at him. He couldn't discern anything from just his alarmed stare alone other than the fact that they didn't want them to be close to each other. It made him see red, but it also made his heart start aching as it began to question and formulate and think.

He glanced, the moment Taehyung straightened up from the wall as his eyes focused on Hoseok's back with blooming anger, so, Jungkook -panicked- raised his hands high enough to be seen as surrender. And, once he had everyone's attention, he said as calmly as the pouring rain could allow him,

- Let's sit down and talk, alright? - He said it slowly, still with his eyes wide due to his own fear still rushing through his veins. He felt like he was trapped with snakes and had to move as slowly as humanly possible so as to not be bitten. Either by them or his own head.

Hoseok gave a slow, single nod, and then pointed with his arm straight towards the living room.

- Please. - Was all he said to make him move.

Jungkook did, still with palms up at each side of his face, and walked straight to one of the single couches paralleled to the large couch by the other side of the coffee table, always with his eyes on Hoseok. He sat down stiffly and then flinched when the guy turned around swiftly and motioned for Taehyung to do the same.

He saw as Taehyung swallowed and stood still, next to the wall. As if he was debating something really fast.

- You're not faster than me. Don't even try. - Yoongi stopped him before he could even move and Taehyung's head snapped towards him as he stood next to the opening to the kitchen with his long-sleeve-covered arms crossed over his chest.

Jungkook watched as Taehyung's chest expanded in defiance and his body tensed with adrenaline. Panic rose in Jungkook at the sight of Yoongi doing just the same, and the image of Leo's bruise came back to him at once before he gasped,

- Don't. -

Taehyung looked back at his frightened eyes, the leap he was going to make was still ready in his muscles, but Jungkook said again,

- Sit. Come here. - And he extended a shaky hand to motion him to come forwards. By now, he was more afraid of the fact that he hadn't told Taehyung about them when he could, and he had no idea what the consequences would be.

Taehyung's breath stuttered and the veins on his neck strained as if he couldn't fathom the idea of not fighting back. But another hurried motion of Jungkook's hand had him finally taking a step towards him. Jungkook breathed in and felt his eyes prickly for not knowing what was about to happen, but he steadied himself in the knowledge that Taehyung will be by his side through whatever this was.

However, the second Taehyung was about to pass next to Garrett so he could take the seat next to Jungkook, Garrett stepped in front of him and blocked his way. Jungkook's breath hitched as his extended hand closed in a cold fist and saw how Hoseok motioned Taehyung silently to sit on the other couch, at the other side of the coffee table; the other corner. The farthest he could be from him.

Jungkook's hands fell slowly to his lap at the knowledge...

They knew.

As silently as ever, Yoongi stepped forwards and sat down at the other end of Taehyung's couch while Garrett and Hoseok stood like sentinels paralleling the black fireplace at the other side of Jungkook, closing them all in a circle that felt more like a cage.

Jungkook had no idea where to begin. It was as if he had lost all the ability to fight just by the fact that Taehyung was here. He was feeling as if his presence here somehow sealed these people's "nonsense" as truth; as if this nonsense just got serious due to his presence; as if he couldn't ignore what they said no longer because Taehyung would hear it as well. He felt utterly intimidated by what these strange people could mean to the pair of them and their future; so intimidated that he would stay as quiet as right now just to avoid them speaking and ruining everything. He knew he had told them to talk it out just now, but seeing how not even them had opened their mouths, he felt it was better that way.

Nevertheless, the sentiment didn't seem to be shared by the whole extent of the room.

- Who the fuck are you people and why are you in my apartment. - Taehyung's low voice seemed sharper than the rain outside, and his eyes... darker as he frowned up at Hoseok.

Jungkook swallowed.

- My name's Hoseok, but I'm known as J. - He introduced himself with no hint of amusement. Serious, he stood with his hands folded behind his back, as elegantly as his low voice. - This is Garrett, you've seen him before. - He continued with a nod to his right side where Garrett stood just like a soldier, with his legs parted steadily as his strong arms folded over his chest while he looked down at the coffee table. Unusually serious.

Taehyung clicked his tongue.

- A "friend", was he not? - He asked sourly as he looked over at Jungkook who had no idea how to answer him because truly he had no idea what Garrett was to him anymore. He was a good person, but... And yes he had been an angel to him this afternoon, but...

Jungkook lowered his gaze, preferring to take the easy route his mind was forcing him to take in his distress: Don't answer if it's not a direct question. Don't answer... if it's not a question. Don't answer...

Jungkook blinked slowly as he continued to listen. All he could do was listen as his body relaxed all over and his mind closed shut slowly.

- And the one beside you... - Hoseok continued. - ...is Yoongi. But you can call him August. -

- I will not call you anything. - Taehyung said strongly and Jungkook pulled his fogging eyes up to watch him frown defiantly up at Hoseok.

But Jungkook's body was so tired... he wanted to close his eyes and feel nothing...

- You'll thank us later. - Yoongi muttered as he laid back on the couch and looked to his other side at the pouring rain hitting the windows.

And Taehyung immediately roused to his feet, alarming Jungkook enough to be pulled from his drifting away back into the present as he looked at him filled with rage, and planted himself before Hoseok.

- You will tell me right now why you have entered my apartment or I will treat you like criminals. I don't care if you're students. - His voice was so threatening that it chilled Jungkook's skin to the bone.

But Yoongi only found it amusing enough to scoff at his back.

- Garrett, call your dad, will you? Tell him we found his bestie. -

Jungkook and Taehyung froze over at the venom in his words as he said them with a grin. However, it was for two different reasons. On the one hand, Jungkook remembered the voice of that male and the image of home that came with it which still felt heavy in his chest, while on the other, Taehyung had no idea what they were talking about, absolutely no idea.

- I'm calling security. - Taehyung muttered as he intended to walk past Hoseok and towards the dinner table. But was immediately stopped by Hoseok grabbing his forearm so tightly, that he made him stumble back inside their made-up circle.

A beeping sound came and Jungkook noticed Garrett holding up his phone with the speaker on. Everyone stood silent as that first beeping stopped, and, right before the second one could begin, the other side picked up.

- Tell me. -

Taehyung took in a sharp gasp of breath as he walked back hastily. The back of his knees hit the couch and he fell. His eyes were wide... wide as he looked at that phone; as if he had just heard a ghost.

- We stopped it. - Garrett announced and from the other side came various different sighs of relief, as if that man was still in the room from before with a lot of other people present. - You're on speaker, we have them right here. - His voice was kind of bleak and low as he spoke.

For a moment, Jungkook's eyebrows twitched at the knowledge that everyone from the other side was in on these three "stopping" the both of them, and it made him utterly bemused as to what they all thought they needed to be stopped from doing. But the silence that came was too tentative to not grab all his focus.

Jungkook saw... he saw how Taehyung leaned in infinitesimally; towards the phone. His eyes were as wide as they could get, his mouth partially opened. Waiting...

- ...Is he there? - The male's voice sounded just like Taehyung looked; tentative, frightened...

But, Taehyung...

He immediately bent over his legs to grab his head with his hands. To block his ears from that voice. Cowering away.

The four in the room looked at him with different shades of worry and confusion, Jungkook's the deepest of them all as he slowly stood up from his chair, rejecting the bliss that came with blocking everything out in the face of Taehyung's distress. What his brain had done this morning, the "shutting down of all they tried to tell him", was completely out of the question as he saw Taehyung shaking his head as if to clear it.

He was frozen while looking straight at him as Garrett answered the phone.

- Yes... he's here. - For some reason, Jungkook knew they weren't talking about him. - But... apparently, he doesn't want to listen to you. -

Now, the silence was cold. Jungkook tried to take a step towards Taehyung but Hoseok blocked his way with a hand, so he stayed standing where he was as he heard faint muttering from the phone. But it was too faint for him to hear clearly.

Then, another voice came.

- Jungkook. - It was a clear women's voice, not like the one they called Aloisia but close to it, making Jungkook turn his head, more because of the feeling of familiarity in his chest than because of the calling itself. But the moment he realized they were waiting for him to answer, he shivered a bit.

- ...yes? - He whispered only loud enough to be heard over the rain. But also loud enough to be heard by Taehyung.

Taehyung, who had just been forced to sit down on his own couch by a group of strangers, had just heard these strangers calling out Jungkook's name as if they knew him.

Slowly, Taehyung raised his head from his hands to stare wide-eyed at Jungkook. And the latter saw then the understanding as everything clicked into place. How the night before he had told him he met Garrett in the woods, how today afternoon he had wanted to tell him something important but refrained from doing so, and how this was the important notice. That something was going on between Jungkook and these strangers.

Jungkook could only pull his eyebrows up by their middle in his anguish and guilt. Guilt for not having told him when he had the chance all because he wanted to live in the fairytale they were having a moment prior to this.

As guilty eyes locked with hurt ones, Jungkook heard the answer from the other side.

- Jungkook, we need you to say his name out loud. - He frowned and looked at the floor.

It was just like when they told him to say the time and date. Maybe it was like a veil that would be snatched from their middle if he said the "magic words" or something.

But if it was in his power to pull Taehyung into this, then he could also refuse.

- No. - He fought back with unforgiving eyes as he looked up from the floor and onto Hoseok, the leader of this.

Yoongi groaned loudly as his eyes and head rolled in exasperation.

- Haven't we gone through this before? Cut the crap, kid. -

- What is going on? - Taehyung asked again in brittle tones, and once Jungkook looked back at him, his strength faltered at the sight before him. The body was of a grown, strong man, but his eyes... Those were the eyes of a kid feeling as lost as if his mother had just been lost from his sight in the market.

Just this morning, Jungkook saw how his emotional state had taken a bad turn, all because of yesterday and how that woman had blamed him for his kids' screams of agony. He had no doubt had a nightmare because of it, Jungkook could still see the faint purplish shadows under those frightened eyes as they locked on him. He no doubt had no idea what even happened at the capital today given how he had been cooking for their picnic all afternoon. And now this... Jungkook knew it was too much for him as it was for himself, but he also knew Taehyung was more lost than he was at this moment.

Jungkook was about to say something to him, anything, but the man's voice from before who claimed to be Garrett's father spoke loud enough for them to hear even if he seemed to be thinking out loud. And the words rose goosebumps on Jungkook's skin.

- That's his voice... -

Only a whisper of Taehyung's had been enough for the man to recognize him. Who was this man? The questions made Jungkook's head fill up with the weight Garrett had taken from him hours before.

- You can recognize him even without him saying the date? - That was Aloisia, much more serious than the woman from before, but very surprised even so.

The phone stayed silent. The room stayed silent.

Up until the mysterious woman -the one before Aloisia- spoke again.

- Make him speak. -

At once, Yoongi took it as a command and rapidly slid close enough to Taehyung to have him trapped against the arm of the couch and himself. Taehyung stayed frozen in shock as Yoongi simply placed his hand gently behind his neck until his fingers were positioned in what looked to be a strategic place on the other side of his neck. Taehyung remained still in his place, knowing it would be best not to make any rapid movements.

All the fight he had shown when Raphael showed up was nowhere to be seen. These people were so different that they even emanated a sense of power hard to fight against. That's exactly why Jungkook had decided to flee both times he had been in that room with them instead of fighting, his body always told him to run.

But Taehyung couldn't run.

- Say today's date out loud. - Yoongi commanded him in the murdering, low tone Jungkook had heard before. But instead of doing it or fighting back verbally as Jungkook had, he simply closed his mouth shut. Conveying the message easily.

- Maybe we can--

Hoseok tried to choose another path, but Yoongi's growl made him stop and no one could do anything, Jungkook could only watch, as Yoongi made pressure where he had left his fingers. Taehyung's head went sideways, trying to make those fingers go away; he was in obvious pain but he bit down his bottom lip trying not to make any sound, he tried to grab that hand with both of his but Yoongi was too swift and grabbed his wrists so tightly that he couldn't move away.

Jungkook's heart raced by a mile, only a second of this torture to Taehyung and he was paying no mind to Hoseok's hand as he walked past him and straight towards them. but Hoseok grabbed him. He stared as Taehyung tried to shake away the fingers; stared, as his own arms were being grabbed from behind his back; stared... until three seconds were long enough and he could take it no longer.

- Stop it! You're hurting him! - It drove him ludicrous, the sight of Taehyung being in pain and him not being able to do anything.

Yoongi snapped his head back at him and instead of letting go, he put more pressure, making Taehyung shake with pain as he gritted his teeth.

But only a second of this passed by before the man spoke once more.

- ¡Let go of him right now! - Garrett jumped with fright so hard that he nearly lost grip of the phone. His booming, commanding voice had taken over the whole extent of the apartment.

Hoseok and Yoongi let go of them at the same time and took a step back, even if Yoongi looked reluctant to do so.

Jungkook threw himself forwards once he was free and jumped over Taehyung, sitting sideways on his lap to guard him physically, holding his pained face delicately and gently pushing him into his neck as he looked straight to the other pair in defiance. As he did so, he could feel Taehyung's chest heaving by his side and his fast breathing hitting the side of his neck and shoulder as he grabbed fistfuls of Jungkook's shirt, one at his back and one at his stomach.

- What did you do to him, Yoongi!? - The man from before was as angry as Jungkook looked protective.

Yoongi scoffed.

- Who said it was me? -

- You're the only Shadow Core in that place, you don't fool me. -

Yoongi scrutinized the phone with a glare, but, before anyone could say anything, Aloisia spoke again.

- We're running low on ideas, we need Jungkook right now. -

- Why do they need you? - Taehyung whispered in his neck. So confused. He was so confused it made Jungkook's heart ache.

- I don't know. - He whispered back. It was the truth, when Garrett had taken him to Hoseok's room to speak to those people for the first time, all they did was ask him weird, cryptic questions about the day he had been born, and then when Garrett went to his room it was to tell him a bit about who they were as a group of people, but nothing of why they needed him or who he was to them or, most importantly, how they knew him.

- Umm... If I may intervene. - Garrett said tentatively on the phone, stopping a muttering conversation happening on the other side. - I seriously believe you need to come here and explain in detail to them in person. - Everyone remained quiet, even Hoseok frowned at him like the idea was too childish. But Jungkook looked at Garrett, waiting for him to continue just like the rest, and so he did. - There are a lot of factors right now that would make it impossible for us to move Jungkook from here. For starters, we don't have any of his trust, much less now that we have hurt his--... we hurt him. I know the initial plan was for Yoongi and Hoseok to find him and take him back to you, however... he's not the person you all thought he was going to be. His aura seems to be hiding inside him and, in its place, there's a mirror. We have no idea how to teach him to connect with his soul when he's in this particular state. We need you to come here. The circumstances have changed. And... there's no more time. - He finished with a shade of sadness in his voice. But once he swallowed, his face went back to a soldier's.

A complete silence came from the phone while Jungkook filled with dread.

All he wanted to do a week ago before coming here was to be happy with his friends in a pretty university, get out of his house, and finally live. But now...? Now, after finding Taehyung, he seemed to be a very important piece in this war, and he had no idea why or how he and Taehyung were part of it. He just wanted to be at peace and love freely, why was that so hard? Now all he could think about was that these magical people would come here and tell him stuff that would only increase his headaches and he just wanted to... drift away.

But he couldn't, not while Taehyung was clinging to him and had no idea how to drift away as he could. If he "left his body" right now (like he usually did when he was too tired to think anymore), he would be leaving Taehyung alone in this mess. As much as his head was begging him to stop thinking and simply exist while his mind shut down, he fought the urge back.

- I think you're right. - Aloisia answered. - We'll organize this whoever we can and tell you when and where. In the meantime, cling to Jungkook and tell him everything you can but no more than that. Understood? - A commander's voice, a leader in all her rights. The other three answered in unison,

- Yes, miss. -

- Yes, miss. -

- Yes, miss. -

- What about the other one? - Yoongi asked as his eyes drifted towards Taehyung. And Jungkook pressed himself harder against him.

- Make sure they don't mess up. - She answered, making Jungkook frown at the loss of information. He had no idea what she meant. But he saw Yoongi smiling like a cat as he looked at both of them and then crooned.

- It'll be my pleasure. -

Jungkook didn't know whether to be frightened or not even if Hoseok rolled his eyes. From the phone, they began muttering again, but this time it was clear that their conversation was finished for today. Jungkook turned his head back at Taehyung who was looking unseeingly at his neck. Trying to process what he had heard, no doubt.

Behind him, as Jungkook tried to brush Taehyung's hair soothingly, he heard Garrett once more.

- Luz. -

That name struck a chord in Jungkook, making him frown as he forced himself to concentrate on Taehyung.

- Yes? -

Taehyung flinched even if the voice had been low enough to be dismissed. The flinch was little, just tension on his neck as he blinked, but it made Jungkook think "what if Taehyung could also feel something in his chest just like I had?", "what if he had seen the same image I had?".

For a moment there came no other sound but from the rain until he heard Garrett's steps leading away, maybe to the other wall, to talk alone with his father. It let Jungkook breathe, the knowledge that Taehyung didn't need to listen to a voice that frightened him anymore. But then...

- You know them. -

Taehyung's whisper was surprised and... something else that made Jungkook rush to answer.

- No, I don't. I don't even really know Garrett. I thought he was a completely different person than this, I swear. And the other two, I met them today. And they haven't been particularly pleasant. - His whispers were rushed as he tried to gently push Taehyung's head up, but he wouldn't budge.

- You met Garrett in the woods last night. - Again that whisper, that... silent accusation. That pain.

It made Jungkook desperate.

- We just ran into each other, we didn't even stop to talk, I just--... It was just--... - How... could he explain to him that he had pretended to be a spirit of the white pavilion?

He would have to explain that the white pavilion itself was supposed to be a very important place that Tom and Namjoon knew about and how Garrett seemed to be part of these magical people that can do rituals and talk to spirits and take off headaches and... and how Tom appeared to be one of them and was actually called Tyr who had been missing until today and how... how...

From yesterday's night to today, there was simply too much information he hadn't even thought about himself. How would he be able to explain to someone else something he couldn't even understand? Truthfully, he had no idea who they were or what they wanted just like Taehyung, the only difference is that he had seen them before and talked to them and...

That difference alone was still too great. He did know more than Taehyung to some extent. But--

- You're keeping things from me. - Taehyung muttered as he looked up at last. But his eyes were as cold as his voice, matching the merciless rain outside. Jungkook froze over as the fists holding his shirt slowly loosened their hold and his heart stopped beating at the sight before him.

The betrayal.

- No... - Jungkook gasped desperately as he held his face gently and tried to caress him into being as soft as he usually was. But Taehyung leaned back a bit as he waited for him to elaborate. There was nothing else written on his face other than the pinch in the middle of his eyebrows, but that was enough to make Jungkook want to get on his knees. - I was dragged into this, I don't know who they are, I swear. -

- Then why did that woman say they needed you? -

- I don't know. - He was on the brink of tears. Taehyung was not showing the slightest bit of emotion through his eyes, only his eyebrows let him see what lay underneath.

The man who had held him through countless breakdowns and heard all those gruesome stories about him but remained by his side nevertheless; the man that had trusted him to tell him everything of importance, was looking at him with what could only be pain. Because Jungkook had not kept his promise about "telling the other the important things no matter what".

Taehyung shook his head slowly, his hands were still placed on his hips but Jungkook felt him more detached than ever.

- You asked me why I hated Garrett's tattoos... You told me you talked to him last night... August said you have "gone through this already"... - His breathing fastened as his eyes shone with tears. - We had been together for hours today and not once did you ever tell me any of this. You knew it was important, you knew they were...asking for me somehow--How is it that you know we're able to be this close in their presence--? You... you've told me nothing--

- Tae... - Jungkook put his thumb gently over his lips. He couldn't listen anymore to how Taehyung spiraled down into nothing but pain.

Somewhere by his side, he heard Yoongi whispering, no doubt to Hoseok,

- I didn't know Darkness could affect him so easily. -

Jungkook swallowed the obstruction in his throat and tried to ignore them since he had no idea what they were talking about.

- Tae, just look at me, ok? - Taehyung did as he was told and yet all Jungkook could see was pain. - Tae, I have no idea how the hell I got dragged into this, alright? I'm just as lost as you are. I have no idea what's been going on since last night when I came across Garrett in the woods. I haven't had enough time, energy, and will to look back and think about all of that. Just this morning, I couldn't breathe simply because I tried to think about it. I'm sorry I didn't tell you in the meadow, but it was because we were so happy. I'm sorry if that was selfish of me but I truly couldn't tell you sooner. I hoped I would be able to tell you tomorrow or any other day but... - He shook his head slowly and raised his shoulders tensely. - I had no idea this was going to happen. You very well know that. - "This" as in them barging in and stopping their evening abruptly.

But he could breathe better now that he had said all of it, and it had come from the bottom of his chest, truthful and unfiltered.

As he saw how Taehyung slowly took in the message and his eyes started to clear from their betrayal, Jungkook heard again from his side, this time from Hoseok,

- It'll be actually way easier for him to be affected by it since he has no walls. -

He had no idea what they were talking about and didn't care. However, Taehyung heard them too and frowned up at Jungkook for a bit.

- What are they talking about? - But Jungkook held his face more securely so he wouldn't stop looking at his eyes as he answered.

- I don't know and I don't want to know. -

- Are you sure about that, snowflake? - Yoongi taunted him, loud enough for him to hear clearly.

Jungkook pursed his lips. The alarm from making Taehyung sad ebbed away and was replaced by anger. Anger because they just interrupted what was supposed to be the best night of their lives.

He looked sideways at him.

- Yes, I am. - Jungkook's jaw was tight enough as it was, but then Yoongi started to grin and Jungkook just clenched his teeth tighter. Fear of snakes? Jungkook's anger was greater than his fears by now.

- What if I told you that I know exactly why your mate is feeling so emotional right now? -

- I know exactly why that is. - Jungkook hissed back. He would never be foolish enough to swing a fist at him, but he'd sure as hell won't come down silent.

However, it was Hoseok's next words that kindled down his growing flame.

- No... you don't. - Jungkook's jaw unclenched as he looked up at the other male. He was serious, yes, ...but he also looked concerned as he looked at Taehyung, hiding away in Jungkook's neck once more. - I can explain to you why his emotions are brittle right now, with the same reason I can tell you why we came here and stopped you. -

Jungkook's breath hitched for a bit; at the way Taehyung lifted his head by a fraction, the way he had said "stopped you" like they knew what was about to happen, and, finally, the way this seemed to connect two pieces together as if they had been there all along but he hadn't realized until Hoseok finally said, "stopped you".

Jungkook slowly tilted his head and squinted his eyes at him.

- Namjoon found Garrett in the woods and told him, didn't he? -

Yoongi did a double-take at the same time Hoseok squinted his eyes back at Jungkook.

- You sent Namjoon after Garrett? -

- You knew where Garrett was? - Yoongi intercepted, but Hoseok cut in once more.

- How do you know Namjoon? -

Jungkook decided this was the easiest question.

- I met him at the library. Where did you leave him? - Because it was clear that Namjoon had indeed told Garrett and no doubt the two of them went straight to the pair talking to him right now, but where was he?

- He's in my room, he was too distressed. - Hoseok lifted his chin. But Yoongi scoffed.

- We left him to keep an eye on--

- Yoongi. - Hoseok hissed.

But Jungkook turned his torso towards him a bit as his chest filled with dread.

Hoseok's room was...

- Where's Leo? - He demanded in a calm tone of voice that made Hoseok look accusatory at Yoongi before answering him.

- We left him to keep an eye on Namjoon. -

That was the opposite of what Yoongi had been about to say.

- You mean to tell me that Leo had been in the room and you let him hear all about why it was so important to stop us here and he chose to stay behind... To keep an eye on a guy he had never met before... Just because you asked him to do it kindly, no doubt. -

Hoseok grinned sideways, dark amusement glinting in his eyes at Jungkook's daring to insinuate they had incapacitated him.

But the fact that Yoongi was nodding approvingly at him was what assured him he was right and they had indeed left Namjoon in the room to look after Leo. What have they done to him this time? Jungkook wanted to punch them to a pulp and break his hand in the process just to let go of all this anger.

- Of course. - Hoseok answered him in velvety tones.

- They hurt Leo. - Taehyung whispered in his neck, toneless but surprised nevertheless. Jungkook pushed his hand behind Taehyung's head to brush the hair at the back of his head, trying to soothe him again.

Both companions saw it, of course, and their grins slowly dimmed and faded away.

But Jungkook was done.

- I seriously don't care to know. Don't explain anything to me. - He shrugged. Never before had he thought the day would come where he would accept a life of ignorance so easily, but drastic measures must be taken to have a crumb of peace of mind these days.

- You'll have to know the truth eventually. -

- I prefer to wait until that time comes. For now, I just want to enjoy the rest of my evening. -

- You won't. - Yoongi said simply, shrugging as if he felt sorry it was the truth, but there was no such thing in his gleaming eyes or grinning face. Jungkook frowned at him as if daring to tell him otherwise, but Yoongi slowly shook his head at him. - Your evening ended the moment we entered the door. -

- Then get out again. -

- We can't. - Hoseok shook his head as well. - If only you would let us explain, you would understand why you two can't be together like that. -

Jungkook bristled.

- Well, that hadn't been a problem this whole past week. -

Yoongi grunted and placed his index and thumb over the bridge of his nose.

- That's why this whole fucking week has been trash. -

- Look, Jungkook, - Hoseok grabbed his attention away from Yoongi. - we hadn't located you before today, that's why it hadn't been an issue, but also... - He widened his eyes as if making sure the message would be understood clearly. - If you let us explain... -

- No. -

- Jesus tits. - Yoongi grunted again, pinching the bridge of his nose harder. - How in the name of the Sun were we able to get along before? This guy's insufferable. -

- We've never met--... You know what? Bye. - Jungkook simply said and stood up from Taehyung's lap, making sure he slid his hands down Taehyung's arms so he could grab his hands and gently help him stand up.

- I can't believe this! - Yoongi nearly screamed, speaking so loud that Garrett's muttering conversation was stopped short. - He's as annoying as Alex! -

As Taehyung finished standing up, Jungkook looked behind himself and frowned at Garrett who leaned against the wall beside the window and saw him rolling his eyes before continuing his conversation with his father. But Jungkook could also see the way he flinched when he lost balance and his whole back hit the wall.

Whatever they had against Garrett's girlfriend, Jungkook could share the sentiment if that flinch had been because of something she did.

- Now what? - Taehyung whispered close to his ear once they were standing. And Jungkook turned a bit towards Hoseok.

- If I promise we won't do it, will you leave? -

- Yes. -

- No. -

They both turned their heads down at Yoongi, but he just shook his head and leaned back even more against the couch.

- I don't trust you. You don't trust us, you hate us, you don't want to know anything about us, and you barely even believe a word we say. How will we be able to trust you won't mess it up out of spite just because we came here and stopped you? -

But Hoseok relieved Jungkook of having to answer.

- I actually do trust him, Yoongi. - The latter looked up at him like he had gone insane, but Hoseok continued. - Jungkook's smart, I'm sure he knows that if he breaks his promise, we'll break his friend. Don't you, Jungkook? -

- Of course. - Jungkook smiled back as he spoke in the same velvety tones Hoseok had used before. He felt Taehyung shivering a bit, but his hands' hold didn't waver.

Yoongi's head tilted backward, approvingly.

- Well, won't you look at that... I might not hate you so much after all. -

- That was just his mirror. - Hoseok shrugged, unimpressed, and as Jungkook shook his head with a grimace at their nonsense, Hoseok turned sideways towards Garrett. - Let's go. - He gave him a nod.

Garrett, Jungkook saw, gave him a nod back. Surprisingly enough, he was still on the phone with his father. Something that Yoongi also caught interest in as he stood up from the couch begrudgingly.

- What are you two talking about so much? Let the old man rest, kid. -

Garrett rolled his eyes. He was in such a generally bad mood that Jungkook was impressed to see it.

- He's not an old man. - He fought back as he covered the speaker. Somehow, the way Yoongi had called his dad had angered the guy. But it seemed Yoongi was in the same bad mood because he seemed he only wanted to fight back at everyone.

- He's eighty. -

Jungkook frowned at the knowledge.

- He's barely even thirty. Stop that. - Garrett retorted. All of this could be heard by the man they were talking about, no doubt.

Jungkook didn't know who to believe. If the man was actually eighty, then he would've had Garrett when he was sixty-two but if the man was thirty then he would've had Garrett at seven-teen. Biologically speaking, it would be possible to have children at both ages, but it wouldn't be the best thing. However, Jungkook's main confusion was: Why was this a serious problem between them? Why does Garrett care so much? How would they fight so seriously about ages so distantly apart--? Like... Both Yoongi and Garrett look like they believe their own words, so it's not like Yoongi is having a go at Garrett's father, so...

Jungkook shook his head. If it was true that he'll have to learn the truth eventually, then he'll also understand that later, that's it. He doesn't need to break his mind trying to make sense of their nonsense.

Nevertheless, it was indeed quite entertaining.

- Thirty? - Yoongi snorted. - That's not what my friends have told me these days. -

Garrett turned around to face him fully, his face tight with rage.

- Funny how you think you even have friends. -

And with that, he turned around, holding the phone tight to his chest, and left the apartment without closing the door behind him.

Garrett's final words had been so cold that they even managed to hurt Jungkook, making him think of Leo, hurt and injured, and Emily, completely oblivious about everything that was going on. Even if Yoongi shook his head in disapproval and chuckled at Garrett's "attempt" at hurting him, the shadows under his eyes were too hollow to fake.

In truth, it had been really unlike Garrett to have said such a thing or even react that angrily for that matter.

Namjoon had said something about how the white pavilion made Taehyung and himself unable to be physically united like they were meaning to do and just now this trio of mysterious people barged in to do just that. Stop them. Then Hoseok said he knew why Taehyung felt so affected emotionally, Yoongi mentioned something about "Darkness", and now Garrett was saying really hurtful things to his own friends out of the blue.

Jungkook saw Yoongi leaving, saying nothing more and giving no more glances or taunts back as he walked out through the open door and veered towards the stairs.

The sight of the open door made Jungkook realize where he was and immediately he let go of Taehyung, taking a step back. Taehyung didn't object, seeming to be swimming in his thoughts as he put his hands inside his pockets.

Maybe... Maybe it wouldn't hurt to know at least one thing.

- Wait. - Jungkook stopped Hoseok by stepping toward him as he tried to leave as well. The latter halted, giving him all his attention. Jungkook was a bit nervous about what he might end up hearing, but he took a deep breath and asked away. - Could you give me... just one grain of salt? Just... tell me why it was so important to stop us, but no more than that. - Jungkook waited with his heart in his throat as he fumbled with his fingers behind him.

Hoseok took a sharp breath as he folded his arms over his chest and glanced behind Jungkook to where Taehyung was. The movement made Jungkook turn to glance and saw Taehyung slowly sitting down on his bed. He looked... bleak. It was a sight that made Jungkook feel useless for not knowing what to do. So, he looked back at Hoseok, his eyes more pleading than before.

- It'll be kind of difficult for you to believe me if you don't know the whole story. -

- Come on. - Jungkook shook his head slowly. - You know I already believe you to some degree, even if it is... absolute nonsense and incredibly hard to believe because of how illogical--... - He stopped himself when he looked at Hoseok slowly pulling up his eyebrows. And tried again. - It won't matter if I can't understand or anything, I just want your reasons. Don't tell me the reasons for your reasons, just... keep it short. -

Hoseok sighed, disappointed.

- Fine. - He said, begrudgingly, and Jungkook paid attention to whatever might be coming. - Darkness is here. -

...Jungkook bit his lip inside his mouth. He was right, he understood less than nothing after hearing this. So, he nodded slowly to make Hoseok continue.

The latter huffed a laugh, having already known this was going to happen, but didn't taunt him as he continued.

- "Darkness" lives to attack "Light". Light appears most brightly in happiness, innocence, and pure love. - Hoseok was about to say something but stopped short, thinking. Leaving Jungkook time to think over what he had said.

He could connect that meaning with the other information he had already. For example, how he -Jungkook- had implied that Taehyung and himself had been together since the start of the week, and Yoongi had answered by saying how that was the reason why this whole week had been "trash".

If darkness attacks light and pure love is one of the brightest, then darkness has been surrounding the perimeter this whole week(?

Jungkook tilted his head with a small frown.

- How does Darkness attack? Because you say "Darkness is here" as if to say that it's ready to attack, but how does it do it? -

Hoseok nodded, seeming to do it in approval of his curiosity, and answered.

- It's not in a certain way; you can't actually see Darkness. You see it in the people of the place where Darkness is. For example, you saw how Garrett had a go at Yoongi. That was Darkness's influence. And that happened simply because you two were together in the same room. The greater the light, the worse Darkness will strike. -

Jungkook decided that this piece of information seemed logical enough.

After the first night Taehyung and himself talked in that meadow, his mind had attacked him terribly; after the second, nothing bad happened in that same instance but rather accumulated to what then happened in the library until finally, his mind had attacked him once more, as well as Tom. Tom and he had a fight that ended in his father's office. If that hadn't been Darkness attacking him because of accumulated happiness, then what would? After that, he ended up in Taehyung's apartment for the first time and everything went well all throughout his stay as well as the morning after, but once more it had accumulated. After they had their first intimate time together, the moment he got out of the elevator, Evans was there. And then Leo told them a story that disturbed his peace and happiness.

Everything good that had happened this week had been followed by something awful whether it would be his own mind attacking him or other people.

He didn't want to believe it.

Jungkook gave him a lift of the chin as he asked.

- What about London? - He looked as Hoseok frowned, confused. - Aren't you the ones wreaking havoc? -

Hoseok's nostrils flared, incredibly offended.

- Those are quite big questions for someone who claims he doesn't want to know anything yet. -

It was clear that he had touched a nerve.

- Fine. - Jungkook shrugged. - So, what you're telling me is that, if we had... made a great amount of "bright, pure love". - He didn't know how to say something that wouldn't make him feel uncomfortable. - Then Darkness would... what? Because it doesn't seem... I mean, we do love each other a lot, but it doesn't seem as though something catastrophic is going to come out of it and attack you people. Wouldn't darkness attack us? Why is it so important for you? -

- Jungkook... - Hoseok shook his head slowly, as if not yet believing the fact that Jungkook wanted to know nothing and yet asked a lot. But then he sighed, looked behind him at Taehyung and then at him once more to say, - Haven't you wondered why it's raining as if the sky was angry? -

Jungkook frowned, looked sideways at the windows, and witnessed a flash of distant lightning hitting the ground in blue tones.

Hosek muttered softly.

- It would be catastrophic. -

Jungkook turned back to look at him to see him staring at the tall windows.

- You who decide to live in ignorance, for the time being, will never understand the severity; the risks. We who know, always feared you two meet again, for it would be your union which would light up a beacon for Darkness to attack mercilessly as it had done before. -

Jungkook's breath had frozen in a fantom gust as the late booming of the thunder reached his ears, and Hoseok looked at him one more time to say,

- Please... for the greater good... don't light up that beacon. - And it was in that chilling plea where Hoseok took his leave, closing the door as he went.

It seemed like the ground was trying to get him on his knees, or maybe the heavens were reminding him of the weight he had to carry. His head lowered as he looked at the floor and thought of how better off he had been without this information. Because he had been much better off without having known all of this.

Darkness, light, tattoos, magic, spirits, rituals, souls, auras, and beacons of bright love being put to a halt for the greater good.

His family, his friends, his professional education, his fears, his past...

Somehow, he felt as if his life was split in two. The person that he was right now and... the person he had once been before. If past lives were real and they had known him from then, it would mean that his current and past life are at war against each other, just like the right side of his brain with his wrong side have always been. But "right" or "wrong" is simply a child's way of trying to control everything by putting it in black and white.

He had been a child trying to control something that has never been his. His past life is in the hands of the people who remember and his present is in the hands of the people who... also remember. People who remember what he wanted to forget; what his mind always tried to shield him from.

Even in this current life, there are certain things he can't remember that other people can.

He felt angry. Scammed. He'd been believing he had finally got his life by the rains since he began to experience passion. And now, they're telling him that he can't even have that for himself?

Jungkook tried to lift his head as he turned around, and saw Taehyung sitting on the edge of his bed; hands holding on to each side of him, head hanging low, and eyes unseeing as they stared at the floor. Could he also be thinking of the same things? Had he been listening as he had been this whole night? Is the darkness really affecting his feelings as they were affecting Garrett minutes ago?

Just the thought of Taehyung feeling lonely or confused had him moving his feet. They dragged a bit, his body tired after his mind had burned a considerable amount of energy in his pessimistic musings. But he reached him and waited.

He waited because... he didn't know if leaving him with his thoughts might've brought back the feeling of betrayal he'd been in before.

Taehyung moved his head as he appeared to stare at Jungkook's shoes and then up, and up until his tired eyes met his own sorrowful ones. The fact that they couldn't bond like they wanted to, feel the other way deeper than physically, it... hurt.

It wasn't about lust but about love. Jungkook wanted to love him and be loved; to feel safe in the most vulnerable state he could physically put himself in. To feel love as he was so bare. He wanted to love him and show him just how much every drop of blood in Taehyung's body was like melted gold protecting the most beautiful heart jewel in existence. But they couldn't.

They were stopped.

Jungkook could see it in his eyes as he stared down at him; the pain, the unfairness. Because it was unfair that they couldn't love unless they wanted a catastrophe on their hands. Just like it had always been.

Slowly, he sat down beside him on the bed and then sighed, staring at the white wall on the other side.

- Sunday night. It seems we've evolved as a pair and individuals, and yet... we're back at the start. - Because they, once again, weren't allowed to be together. However, it was different in the fact that they could love, yes, but not go further than they've already been. They'll have to stay wondering what it would feel like to be united in their entirety. They'll have to stay with the longing to make that final step, just like they had left last Sunday with the longing to make the first one.

- I always knew... - Taehyung started muttering, his voice directed at the wall just like Jungkook's had been. But the latter paid close attention to his words, close enough to make the rain nearly disappear from his senses. - My family and I always knew I was different somehow, but it always seemed so self-centered to me to think that way. - His voice was but a low line of sound in his musings. - But these strangers came in and there was something in me shouting that I've met them before. A deja vu, once again. And then that voice... that... male's voice... - He whispered. Jungkook swallowed, somehow feeling dread. He had felt a sense of home when he heard that man's voice, but what about Taehyung? - I... I know that person. - Jungkook turned his head to look at him and watched as the latter looked at the wall in terror... or longing... - I know him, I know that I know him and he knows me but... I have no idea where I've heard it before. It wasn't at the farm but it also wasn't at work, so where...? -

- ...maybe another deja vu? - Jungkook said tentatively. But Taehyung turned his head to look at him and blinked. Then frowned.

- Y-... Yeah, maybe... yeah, yeah, you're right. - He shook his head, like trying to clear it, and then stood up. - Yeah, I'm... sorry. -

- No, don't, you don't have to, it was just your way of seeing things that made you think... - Jungkook just talked in a louder voice to simply fill the silence with words he neither paid attention to nor believed in. He knew Taehyung knew this, but the latter nodded nonetheless, feeling the same way.

Jungkook saw as he rubbed his face with his palms and sighed greatly. Then shook his head slowly, seeming hardly able to believe it, still.

- Did these people actually just get in like they owned the place and then left as if nothing happened? -

Jungkook didn't know how to answer that as he sat there on the edge of the bed, but Taehyung didn't wait for his reply when he turned around on his feet and walked straight towards the kitchen. All while Jungkook turned around in his seat to look at the rain hitting the windows and thinking... that it was logical for people to not be able to love freely if Darkness did exist to extinguish the light.

But then, when will they be able to shine without fear?

A sense of longing filled his chest, but it was such an unusual feeling that it brought him slowly to his feet. Taehyung turned off all the lights and the pounding rain looked like little diamonds flowing down the glass windows, beckoning. So he went. All the while this strange feeling in his chest mixed in with rage. He had no idea where all of those feelings came from, and even if all of his life had been that way, he couldn't shake off the E.V.Is hints of him having been reborn.

What if these feelings are not his but who he once was? What if he really was two different people residing in one body?

But then... would that mean the feeling of longing to fight against evil is not meant for him but the other one? How would he be able to realize when a feeling was his own and when it wasn't?

Or maybe... maybe this was him, the real him. The need to fight has always been there, he simply never had the right target to channel all that energy towards.

...was he really considering fighting with the same people who made his life the worst mess there could be?

Or was he thinking nonsense because his head was hurting and he was simply trying to find a reason not to be so angry for his night to have been ruined?

Jungkook flinched a bit when he felt the soft caress of Taehyung's hands sliding around his waist to give him a back hug. He sighed, feeling the weight being softly lifted from him as Taehyung rested his forehead on the space where his shoulder meets his neck. As the hug tightened, Jungkook placed his hands over his lover's arms and turned his head to press his lips against the side of his forehead.

- How did they know? - Taehyung asked in a small voice, caressing the back of Jungkook's neck with his warm breath.

Jungkook knew he was asking why they knew what tonight was all about, so he answered him just as gently.

- I ran past Namjoon on my way through the library and he stopped me. He was worried because... - He organized his ideas as best he could and went on. - Because there's a... myth? Or... Well, there's something that said the white pavilion of the clearing was something like a magical place. -

- Magic? - Taehyung lifted his head a bit in surprise.

- Well, no, not magic. Garrett called it "energy". Why? -

For a moment Taehyung remained in silence, but then he said, tentatively,

- My grandfather used to talk a lot about that. - Jungkook turned his head a bit more to frown as he continued. - He worked on the farm but he also liked to explore and read... I would ask a lot if I could go with him or if he could lend me some of his books, but everyone always said I wasn't allowed. They said it was because I was too young... but now Garrett calls what he does the same thing he used to call it, and I... I'm just--... I'm confused. Go on. Go on. - A bit stressed and tense, Taehyung lowered his forehead so Jungkook could support him again.

Jungkook gave his head a small kiss and felt his deep sigh in the way his chest pressed against his back. And once he felt him a bit more relaxed, Jungkook did as he said and went on.

- So, Namjoon stopped me to ask me if we had... done... anything, and I said--

- He actually asked you upfront? -

- Yep, I was surprised too. But his reasons were a bit more strange. Look. Apparently, that clearing is very hard to get to, so, for us to be able to find it and be there, was like it made us "the chosen ones" or something. He also said the same thing about the part about the encyclopedias in the library; you remember I told you he told me it was somehow enchanted? -

- So, we're "the chosen ones". - There was no amusement in his voice. But neither was there on Jungkook's when he answered.

- Somehow, the reaction of those three makes me think that we were the creators of this thing. Whatever it is. -

- ...I have nothing to do with these people. -

- Not in this lifetime, perhaps. -

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<333 Happy one year and a month with DEMOCRITUS <333

🌼Thank you for reading Chapter 63 <3<3<3

Your devoted writer,

Ela Shadow Rose 🥀

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