• M a k t u b : Spirit of the desert • [ Taekook ]

19. Taehyung, run

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White buildings with blue windows could be seen as the two walked along the beach.

Even though Jungkook had been to this Moroccan port many times, it felt like it was his first time. Taehyung gave him a whole new experience of this place.

Some locals occasionally passed by. Fishermen carried their nets full of eel catches. They probably spent the whole morning with fishing rods and nets.

In some places you could see a surfer tourist with a disappointed face, because the waves weren't big that morning.

- Hey, love... don't move. - a deep voice interrupted him from his thoughts. Jungkook looked at the older man who had a small vintage camera in front of him.

- Aaah no, Tae... don't... - the younger man tried to get out of the situation, but to no avail.

Tae took two pictures of Jungkook on the beach, where almost the entire rampart could be seen behind him. Then he walked up to the younger with a quick step, turned the camera in his hand, hugged Jungkook and clicked once more.

- When the photos arrive, I'll show you... - Tae said softly and then gently kissed Jungkook, who managed to turn his head a little so that the kiss ended on his cheek.

- Tae! What are you doing? - he asked, while looking around.

- You know we shouldn't do such things in public! - Jungkook stuttered quietly.

- I'm sorry, love. I wasn't thinking at all, I was carried away by your beauty.

Jungkook chuckled, cheeks red, as he tugged the older man's jacket sleeve.

- Come on, let's go somewhere for lunch. Did I tell you there is a phenomenal restaurant on the coast where they prepare the freshest fish...

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The plates had long been empty. Wine glasses refilled several times, while Jungkook and Taehyung enjoyed a wonderful night by the ocean.

The smell of restless and cold waves mingled with the smell of freshly prepared fish on the grill and they enjoyed this evening in each other's company.

The men sat across from each other and when they no longer communicated with words, they did it with their eyes. A little drunk on alcohol and love, they didn't even notice when the harbor ships arrived in the port with a loud horn.

- And you say that you got married after you came back from Seoul? - Tae repeated what the younger said only in the form of a question.

- Yes. You hurt me, Tae, you know... At that time I was very young and in love. When I saw you with her who was pregnant, I went crazy. I really tried to forget you, so as soon as I arrived in Marrakesh, I immediately told Muhammad to speed up the process. - Jungkook ran his hands through his hair, he couldn't look into Taehyung's eyes.

- If you had listened to me then, none of this would have happened. I already prepared the house in Busan for us. I was mentally preparing to tell Marissa that I was leaving her. As soon as she gave birth, and recovered from everything, I would tell her everything, Jungkook... you just needed to give me some time. A few months and everything would be sorted.

Their eyes locked again. Jungkook could read in his eyes everything that Tae couldn't say in words, maybe there was a little insecurity and a little fear in them, but what he knew for sure was that they had the most of love for the younger.

Tae loved Jungkook, just like Jungkook loved him.

- Maybe it was written that way, maktub. - Jungkook saw how Tae frowned at the last word and he continued.

- What? Now I'm officially a Muslim, I have to fit into the pattern. - both of them exchanged gentle smiles.

When the elder noticed how Jungkook shivered, he realized that they were next to the cold ocean, and that the hours became like minutes.

It was late.

- Love, I'm going to pay and we can go back to the cottage. - Taehyung said when he was already on his feet. Jungkook was ready to protest about paying, but Tae with a smirk on his face headed to the reception.

They walked for a few minutes along the beach towards the cottage, when the younger one felt Taehyung's hand around his waist. He liked the heavenly feeling and touch. They were tired and a little tipsy, ready to welcome the next morning in each other arms.

Jungkook almost didn't notice when he unconsciously leaned his head on Taehyung's shoulder as his feet lazily stepped through the fine sand.

They were silent, not because there was nothing to say, but because they enjoyed the silence and the warmth.

- Hey, you! - the couple suddenly turned looking at each other.

A group of young men approached them. Jungkook turned around and saw that they were all alone on the beach.

Two older ones, maybe their age, stood in front of the other three. They were in dark suits and Jungkook wanted to grab the other's hand and instantly teleport to their safe place.

- I saw you kissing on the beach earlier. And now you hug him like a woman. Yes, I'm talking to you, fag! - one spoke as he looked at Taehyung. Tae didn't understand him and with furrowed brows he looked at Jungkook who turned pale.

- You misunderstood, we are just friends. And now let's get out of here, ok? - Jungkook spoke in Arabic, drawing the eyes of the entire group.

- No, no, you came from your country to ours to hang out on our beach here! And on top of that you touch and kiss even though you know it's disgusting and forbidden! - the angry man continued to spill words. When Jungkook took a small step back, the man stepped towards them.

A few seconds of realization and Jungkook pulled the elder's hand and started running with a loud run.

The men immediately rushed after them. Jungkook was squeezing Taehyung's hand all the time, who started to pause a little. He turned around to see how much they were in the lead. And the only thing Jungkook saw was that some were already holding sticks.

He had to do something.

He has to think fast.

- There! - the younger said loudly, pointing with his hand to the street that led to the beach. Jungkook knew that Moroccan cities were sometimes real labyrinths. Therefore, the best solution was to hide in some side streets and finally arrive safely at the cottage.

However, it seemed as if others knew the city better than Jungkook, so as soon as they stepped into a narrow stone street, a group of men found themselves in front of them, now even the older man could see the wooden sticks that the others were holding in their hands.

- Shit. - he was scared, but not for himself but for Jungkook.

- Tae, when I count to two, we start running back. And instead of left, turn right. Did you hear me? - the younger man was nervous as he quickly went over the city map in his mind.

- Two? Shit, Jungkook, why until two?

- Because up to three is a lot! Now, run! - Jungkook shouted as the men started towards him. He tried to run away while his body hit the concrete buildings several times.

But before he slipped away and reached the end of the street, he felt someone's hands on his shoulders, and then a blow to his stomach. He raised his head to see if Taehyung had managed to leave.

Yes, Taehyung was nowhere in sight, and before the second blow, he noticed one of them break away from the group and go after Tae.

- No! - he tried to fight with his voice against the thoughts that came to him every second. He couldn't imagine something bad happening to Taehyung.

The men were talking to each other while Jungkook was lying curled up on the ground. A blow and then another and another.

And before he sank into the whiteness of his consciousness, he heard the raspy voice of the attacker.

- Let's go find another one.

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...to be continued...