V+O; in the Alternate Universe **Completed**

Chapter 41

They waited another half hour for as many of the infected to be crowded around the burning wailing car as possible. JungKook jumped from the tree and she followed, they began their mad dash up the green way. Leaving the capitol building and its murky half dried pond behind them. The sun was lowering in the sky but there was enough light that his completely studded ears shone catching it. It was the wrong time to be admiring such a thing, she knew that.

Making a left they dived into a building just as the next wave of infected began to form; a sign read 'Air & Space Museum.' The whole front of the building was tinted glass, so for the most part no one on the outside would be able to see them.

O marvelled at the inside, untouched by foliage, every possible form of flight travel could be found here. JungKook humoured her by letting her explore the place. He hung back watching, as she was captivated by the space shuttle, the Discovery.

They raided the food store for what was still edible and found a cozy corner, dragging seat cushions over. Which seemed to be their new routine; creating a sort of den.

"We really need to figure out a way to speed up our mode of travel."

"We've got two more days. I think it'll work." O had found a map of the area, and spread it out in front of them. "If I had to guess she's gonna be somewhere over here," finger tapping a spot on the map, "and The Lincoln Memorial seems like an ideal spot for her. It even reminds me of her place in Adelaide."

"It's not a bad guess considering the density of the infected has increased exponentially in this area."

"So here's what I was thinking, this building here she pointed at number eight, The American History Museum, is our next stop. We make our way up these buildings here then cross to eight which is our highest point of cover. And from there we'll have to figure out how to cross this openness right here." She indicated the large space of greenery with some water features.

JungKook chewed on his lip ring but he was impressed with her "so far it's a good plan, and I've got nothing so.. I'd say let's do it." Smiling down at her proudly, he licked the corner of his lip and it made her stomach do a little summersault.

Like so many nights before he let her curl into him and close her eyes; resting his arm over her body protectively, still sitting up straight, a sai blade already drawn and resting on his opposing leg.

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They left at sunrise, and O was actually sad to leave the refuge of the museum. They made their way up the buildings and by sticking close to them it was relatively easy.

O pulled out the map again looking at it hard; "I think this crossing here would be safer than going right over the green way. This building right here is the Forest Service Museum. It's right above us," she pointed "and we could stick close to these buildings for cover. I feel like it's a better idea, I missed it the first time."

"Okay, I trust you, lead the way. "

She nodded, and off they went changing their course slightly, heading more towards the water. Maybe she would get her wish to get to the water after all. They left the green space and wove through the streets. It was rather fluid, mostly lots of stopping and waiting for things to be clear. As well as just stopping and not moving. They had figured out the infected didn't notice them unless they moved or made noise.

It was easy for them to sneak inside the small building, it was very anticlimactic compared to the other museum they had been in, as well as a bit run down. Plants covered the walls, and insects crept through. At least they found a room with a locking door and that would be a safe space to rest. O did however notice loose bricks on the floor only to look up at a large hole in the ceiling.

She pointed at it "Indoor stargazing?"

JungKook smiled but she could tell something ran through his mind; he had been quiet for most of the day.

JungKook was kneeling attempting to make a spot to sleep in with cushions. It was eerie being in this part of the city, they could hear the grunting and groaning sounds of infected as they passed. It was very post-apocalyptic. Vines and grass grew throughout, some walls were almost completely covered.

Orailia watched him as he scrunched up his lips to the left side, " I think that'll do." He shrugged, leaning back on the wall to admire his work... It was then that she saw just how tired he was, his smile hardly reached his eyes these days. She too was tired; the hunt for Neisera had exhausted them, and it was hard to rest with the infected only feet away outside your door. It was even worse now that they had been separated from the others, and for her at least she found herself worrying for them... and worries about the things she felt, did he also feel them? Was everything all in her head?

Before she could think herself out of it she narrowed the gap between them. O reached her hand out to his and rested it on top. "JungKook, I..." She choked. "I... umm" again she broke off. "I think I lo..." She didn't get the whole sentence out when she saw his fist clenched, and he didn't look up at her, just stared down at the floor.

"You shouldn't have to love me." His voice broke. "He should be here, and the worst part is you don't even remember him." His voice was rising, every muscle in his face was clenched, he looked up at the ceiling. "He should be here," he said again clenching his jaw with every word as if it took everything for him to say it. He paced now and breathed out hard several times, she could see him visibly shaking. "V, TaeHyung, he loved you more than anything in this world or the next, he was my brother, my best friend, my family." His voice shook as his entire being trembled violently. "He died for us, to save us, and you don't even remember him." There wasn't any accusation in his voice, just such a sadness, she could feel it splitting her in two. He continued "Sometimes I feel like you're all I have left of him; I love you for that, but what kind of man does that make me?" His eyes shined with tears now and he hit himself in the chest, and repeated; " What kind of man does that make me?" He was practically shouting it. He put both his hands on his face and turned to the wall he had just been leaning against not minutes before. Resting his forehead to the wall, and banged his fist into it, his face screamed but no sound came out. She could see the visible tears hit the front of his torn armour.

"I'm sorry." Orailia almost whispered, but he ignored her.

"I will always be with you, I will always protect you..." He trailed off as if he couldn't say the rest, he was looking at her again, eyes shining, tears streaked his face. "I will love you the best I can but I cannot be who he was to you and I'm so sorry for that." He swallowed hard and whispered. "He should be here, I wish he was here." It was like JungKook was carrying the world and suddenly she felt guilty for not being able to remember what pained him so, for the person who she knew she should know but didn't. Guilty for not being able to help him carry the burden. There was just that blank space in her chest, ever aware that she was missing a huge piece.. a piece of her heart?

He sat down on the cushions and sighed, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay you don't have to bottle things up with me." She said and moved to sit next to him letting him rest his head on hers for once, attempting to share his pain in any way she could.

The two lay under the stars again that night, the silence between them sad but comfortable. Resting she got little of; ever aware that she could hear the water calling to her in her sleep. Begging her to come to it but she would not leave him, not now.