Zero O'clock Warfare (TaeKook)

Chapter 2: Save Me

"Taehyung-ah?" Seokjin muttered. Taehyung knows that voice, but he can't point out who. He slowly opens his eyes, squinting at the mirrored ceiling and bright modern chandeliers hanging above. His pink-haired cousin gently brushes the brown locks framing Taehyung's forehead.

"I'm done here." Yoongi huffs, tapping Seokjin's left shoulder as if to comfort him that everything's now ok. Seokjin only nodded, grateful that his cousin is now safe. The gorgeous blonde Jimin, trailing behind Yoongi, gave Seokjin a hug.

"JK will be coming home next week, hyung. Settle everything until then." Jimin kisses Seokjin on the forehead then turns to Taehyung with a sweet genuine smile. He locks fingers with Yoongi and pulled the older towards the door. Seven beats of silence, Taehyung looked at his cousin, frowning a little.

"W-where...?" Taehyung only croaks, his voice hoarse from sleeping for so long. Seokjin only shushed him, gently stroking his head like he's some kind of a precious being. They are in Jungkook's penthouse, in the middle of Gangnam (just like a tree hiding in the forest), where all the six high-official members of BTS reside, but that's not important now.

"You've slept the whole day, but don't worry. I've already tended your wounds. You're now ok, Taehyungie." The older only smiled tenderly, his confidence exuding with his profession as a CEO and a doctor. Taehyung, not used by the nice demeanor of his newfound cousin (he's not used to other people as we speak), only murmurs a thank you.

"D-dad?!" Taehyung rasps panickedly, remembering the previous situation he was in. Seokjin immediately hushed him and softly shakes his head. Taehyung choked a sob, unable to believe what happened. His dad died just like that, his only family beside Seokjin. He found one and lost another, what a great tragedy, he thought. Even if he hated everything his dad did to him, he still loved his dad.

"Shh. Everything will be ok." Seokjin comforts him, snuggling Taehyung's head in his chest, tenderly racking him side by side. They stayed like that for a couple of minutes, Taehyung mumbling incoherently while weeping quietly, feeling his lost snatched a part of his soul.

Several moments later, Taehyung magically calmed down, leaning at Seokjin's touch, as if clinging for his dear life. Seokjin's expensive sleeves are all soaked now with Taehyung's tears, but he doesn't care.

"D-did we do this before?" Taehyung gestures at himself in Seokjin's arms. "It feels right being close to you, hyung." He said between hiccups. He feels serene and it is weird considering his dad died and he just met his cousin. Or maybe, he already knows him before, he just can't remember.

"You don't remember me," Seokjin stated while pouting, albeit he already knows Taehyung doesn't really remember him, it is the side effect of taking massive doses of the beautification pills he supplied to Dr. Kim way back. He knows it is his partly fault, but he thinks it is for the best. Taehyung doesn't need to know. He doesn't need to remember. He witnessed before how his mom died, how Yashimoto tortured her at a snail's pace just because he has a deep grudge towards Dr. Kim. It is better to forget all than to bear the pain.

Taehyung slightly nods, although confused (still trying to remember Seokjin), he started to relax under Seokjin's touch, his hiccups gone.

"It's ok. Anyway, I know you want to eat. I prepared something for you." Seokjin carefully releases Taehyung and pushes a button on the bedside table. Several minutes later, a stunning silver-haired guy made his way clumsily towards the other side of Taehyung's bed. He has a tray of jook (rice porridge) and a glass of warm water.

"Thank you, Namjoonie." Seokjin beams and the man, Namjoon, smiled back showcasing his deep crater-like dimples.

"Anything for you, sweetheart." The man quickly pecks Seokjin, then look at Taehyung kindly who's silently watching them.