Sanctuary

two

Soobin was sound asleep thirty minutes into the drive, but Taehyung couldn't relax. He stared out the window in silence, drained and numb. Jungkook and Jimin spoke quietly together in the front seat, but he didn't bother to try and listen. All he wanted was for time to stop for a little while, to give him a moment's respite so he could take a breath and figure out a plan.

Jimin's warning - scolding - had gotten under his skin. The more it turned over in his mind, the more Taehyung felt ashamed of himself. In his effort to try and live a normal life, he'd disregarded the fact that just because he was pretending his past didn't exist, it didn't erase it. He should have been more careful.

What if Jungkook had never come, and whoever was coming after him, found them? Jungkook had been right too; he had no real way to protect himself or Soobin. He wasn't a fighter. He had a go-bag, but it was basic, and Soobin had his own needs that constantly changed. He was just a pup - innocent to the darker underbelly of the world - as he should be - and only just now getting healthy. Soobin's illness shouldn't have been so distracting that he forgot the most basic rule of his life: always have an exit plan.

He let out a long breath and looked down at Soobin. He needed to be better for him, as a parent, and as a protector. If that meant going back to what his life was before. then he had to find a way to be okay with it.

They still consider you family, and that extends to your pup.

Taehyung looked out the window again, remorse squeezing at his heart. He didn't deserve their care, not after he'd left the way he had. Yet they'd still prepared for him and Soobin to return, organizing a school and a doctor. He'd been angry and scared when he'd lashed out earlier. But he knew better; deep down, he knew they'd never help him if they thought poorly of him. But Taehyug had been on his own for so long, with only himself to rely on. He'd spent years fighting against society itself for Soobin, for the prejudice thrown at him, and them. It had become instinctive to defend against any encroachments on the territory of their lives.

His lips downturned, and he bit the inside of his cheek. Not for the first time did Taehyung feel uncomfortable and something akin to loathing for the person he'd become. It was hard to admit when he looked in the mirror after a long day, and didn't recognise who he saw reflected back at him. Instead of separating himself and Vincent, he'd become Vincent Choi. He'd fallen victim of his own con. A stupid, foolish mistake.

Taehyung's hand clenched on his thigh, and his mouth set in a firm line. He couldn't make a mistake like that again. Soobin deserved better. He glanced up front.

"So who is it?" He asked quietly.

Jungkook and Jimin paused their conversation. Jimin glanced at him through the rear view mirror.

"Namjoon will explain everything when we see him tomorrow," he answered.

Taehyung let it sink in. "So that's how it is," he murmured.

"What did you expect?" Jimin questioned. "You're not part of the inner circle anymore. You broke trust first. You have to earn it back."

Taehyung bit down hard on his inner cheek. "Will we stay at HQ then?"

"A safe house," Jungkook answered.

Taehyung huffed. "Okay. Is there anything you can tell me at all?" He questioned, annoyed. They were silent, but he could see the hesitation in Jimin's eyes. "Jimin?"

Jimin sighed. "Just..."

"Jimin."

Jungkook cut him off and Taehyung glared at the back of his head. Jimin glared at Jungkook too, and then clicked his tongue.