My Beloved Rival [Kim Taehyung FF]

Chapter 7- Romance= 27%

[At the camp]

Author's POV:

"Sir, we should go and search for them! It's dark!" Hoseok said making the others nod

"Kids, it's dark. We don't know which way they went. If we go into the forest, we are also most likely to get lost too. I'll inform the forest department about this and ask the police to search for them. I'm sure they'll be fine. They have each other which is better than being alone" The teacher said

"I hope those two don't do another competition about who can get out of the forest first," Jimin said 

"That is the worst thing those two can do in a situation like this" Yoongi replied 

"I just hope that they are okay," Ji-ah said

End of POV

Taehyung's POV: 

"...umm Y/n...? you can let go of me now... I'm not going anywhere-e" I said but instead, she tightened her grip around me too scared to let go

"No-o... what if you-u leave me?" she said choking onto her tears 

"Hey, hey-y... I won't-t leave you alone okay? I'm here-e" I said but she didn't reply

"Y/n-n.. are you that-t scared?" I asked as she nodded before saying,

"What-t if we can't-t get out of the forest..? What if-f no one-e finds-s us? Taehyung-g... I'm so scared-d" she replied while crying

I had never seen her like this. Every time, she is cheerful and excited but now... she looks so vulnerable. The tight grip of her hug around me showed how scared she was. She was scared thinking that I would leave her alone here. 

My hands reached to the back of her head, gently caressing it.

"Y/n... I'm sorry... it's all because of me" I said as she finally looked at me with her teary eyes which made my heart clench

"What-t do you-u mean?"

"It was because of me that you came here... Had I not challenged you... none of this would've happened. If we look at it... I'm the one who is responsible for this. I'm sorry" I said looking down

"No-o... if you were the one-e who suggested-d this... then I was the-e one who agreed to it... so it's not just you... I'm-m responsible for this too-o. Remember, we are-e rivals... and we are-e always together-r in a challenge and equally-y responsible-e for the outcome" She replied softly smiling which made me smile too

"Let's find a way out of this forest..."

End of POV

I kept my hand around his neck while he kept his hand around my waist, helping me walk. I held the flashlight with my other hand. A cold wind blew giving us goosebumps and creating a rustling sound among the leaves on the branches of the tree. Even though it was dark, the moon above threw its silvery light, giving a silvery glow. Initially, we planned on climbing the slope but we couldn't because of my injury. My ankle was red and swollen and to prevent any further muscle stretch, we decided to find another way out. Moreover, the slope was too steep and high for us to climb back up.

I was lost in my thoughts but I was brought back to reality when we stopped all of a sudden. I looked at Taehyung, who looked ahead before looking at me 

"What's wrong?" I asked

"Aren't we going in circles?" He said. I looked around and noticed the slope from where we had rolled down. He was right... we are indeed going in circles. 

"Taehyung... do you know what people do when there is one diseased plant among a garden of flowers, what people do?" I asked 

"Huh?"

"They get rid of it before it can affect others" 

"Y/n... what are you trying to say?" 

"Taehyung... go without me. I was the one who pulled you along with me when I fell down. I'll only slow you down and you shouldn't suffer because of me... you can go and get somebody to help me out too" I said looking at him with a calm face

"Y/n-" I cut him off by saying,

"Taehyung... I'll be fine. Also, you'll get someone to help me right? Now, go" I said with a slight smile. He didn't say anything and I felt his grip around my waist loosen until he finally removed his hands from my waist. I leaned against a tree to support myself as I watched him walk away. 

'What was I even expecting? Him to stay? Why would he? Ain't I just his rival? Moreover, he shouldn't suffer because of me' I thought. I sat under the tree with my arms folded as tears rolled down my eyes. 

'Y/n... why are you crying? You mean nothing to him other than a rival also, you'd just slow him down if you were with him... He'll get help for me... and I'm happy that he left but... but why won't tears stop flowing?'  I thought and wiped my tears away but they wouldn't stop flowing. Minutes passed as I was still sitting under the tree when I heard some rustling

My heartbeat fastened thinking it was a wild animal. My trembling hands reached to the flashlight as I shined the light at what was in front of me only to realize that it was none other than Taehyung. I was shocked to see him. 'No wait... am I hallucinating?' I thought pinching my cheeks but no, I wasn't. It was him 

"Taehyung-g... what are you..." 

"I got some logs... maybe we can light fire and try to search for a way out once it's morning?" He said putting the logs down which he had brought with him

"You did-d not leave-e?" I asked slowly standing up 

"Did you forget what you said? We are rivals... and we are together in every challenge and equally responsible for the outcomes... and what matters is that you will always have me and I'll always have you" He said with a smile as tears welled up in my eyes 

"But wait... were you crying thinking I left you?" He teased me only to get playfully hit by me

"Yes! That's what I thought you did!" I said looking down as tears fell on the ground. He came closer to me, engulfing me in a warm hug. While caressing my hairs, he said,

"I already told you... I won't leave you"