Tangled ♡

chapter 7

The night enveloped them, the thick blanket of stars twinkling overhead, casting pale light on their surroundings. Jungkook's curiosity still buzzed in his head, but after the day's events, he decided against pressing Taehyung further about his strange powers. They were both exhausted, and their mission was far from over.

Taehyung, still looking a little pale from his earlier display of glowing hair and rock-crushing powers, leaned against a nearby tree. His eyes were fixed on the flickering flames of their makeshift fire, but Jungkook could tell his mind was elsewhere.

Jungkook settled on the other side of the fire, stretching out and crossing his arms behind his head as if they weren't stranded in the middle of a dark forest. "You know, you could have told me about your little... talent back at the tower."

Taehyung didn't respond at first. He shifted uncomfortably, running his fingers through his silver hair. "You wouldn't have believed me if I did."

"True." Jungkook smirked, though he felt a growing sense of unease gnawing at him. "But now I've seen it. The whole glowing hair and super-strength thing. That's... impressive, to say the least."

Taehyung's eyes narrowed. "It's not something I brag about."

Jungkook frowned, sensing the weight behind Taehyung's words. "Still, it could be useful in more ways than one. I mean, if you're planning on taking the Star of Eden—"

"I don't need you to lecture me on how to use my powers," Taehyung snapped, standing abruptly and walking away from the fire. The sharpness in his voice left little room for argument.

Jungkook watched him disappear into the shadows. Something wasn't right. The way Taehyung flinched when he mentioned the star, the way he avoided talking about his powers—it was more than just reluctance. There was a deep-rooted pain that Jungkook couldn't quite figure out.

But he was sure of one thing. This mission was no longer just about the star. It was about surviving whatever demons Taehyung was keeping buried. And if Jungkook knew anything, it was that secrets had a nasty way of surfacing, whether you were ready for them or not.

For now, though, sleep seemed like the best option. Jungkook stretched out on the forest floor, his mind still buzzing with unanswered questions, but exhaustion eventually pulled him under.

Taehyung stood in the shadows, watching Jungkook as he slept. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, completely unaware of the storm that raged inside Taehyung's mind. His powers—no, his curse—had always been a source of shame, a reminder of the price he'd paid for something he never wanted.

He had once believed in the stories his father told him. The tales of ancient magic, of kings and crowns, of the Star of Eden. But as time went on, the stories became more real, more dangerous. His father's obsession grew, and with it, the weight of expectations crushed Taehyung's will to be anything other than the monster his father wanted him to be.

The Star of Eden wasn't just a jewel. It was a key—one that could unlock something far worse than riches or power. And Taehyung had hope that this star could help with his curse.

He wasn't doing this for himself. He was doing it to stop what his father had started, to prevent the chaos that would follow if the Star was united.

But how could Jungkook ever understand that? The thief only saw the adventure, the thrill of danger. He didn't know what was truly at stake.

As the fire crackled softly behind him, Taehyung clenched his fists, a single tear slipping down his cheek.

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