Mix and Match ~ TK

99

Jimin and Hoseok spent about half an hour making sure none of the two injured wolves was going to kill the other before they finally settled in the chairs located beside the entrance of the clinic's room.

"This is ridiculous, guys. First you try to duel each other to death and now you wanna finish the job ?" Hoseok admonished, his hands sitting on his crossed legs in a manner only alphas would pull off and still look frightening. "There's way bigger problems out there, honestly I don't understand what's exactly going on between you two but don't you guys think it's a little childish considering everything?" No one else dared to say a word as the red haired wolf talked, his words finding their way more than he knows. "Taehyung, your brother and your pack is in Goddess knows what shape and they don't even have any news of you after knowing you got kidnapped, I can't begin to comprehend the stress and anxiety you must be feeling but pouring it into the mate bond is really not an effective way to get rid of it." Taehyung who was looking at the ground beside Hoseok's feet looked down even more, heat coloring his cheeks in shame, but Hoseok didn't seem to be done yet. "And you, Jungkook. I have no idea what happened to you and when you decided to back off from all the values you grew up with, but I think it's time to move on from this teenage story and face your real responsibilities, especially if you want your title back." The true blood tensed and also looked down, unable to look his brother figure in the eyes. "This has gone on too long and both the packs need you. Jimin and I are going back and the two of you better let this simmer and rest as much as possible, the Head Alpha is expecting full recovery by tomorrow morning." As if on cue, Jimin got up, casting the two silent boys a pitiful look but knowing he had to let his later handle the situation in a different manner than he tired doing. Hoseok got up as well and grabbed the door handle. "One last thing, no one is going in or out of this room until tomorrow morning, there's enough food in the mini fridge and snacks on the table. The medicine is on that shelf there, not that you need it but just in case." He pointed at the objects as he showed their respective places. "Good night."

Jimin shot one last sad smiled at them. "I tried, eh?" And then turned to follow his mate.

There wasn't much silence this time around when the two boys were left alone.

"Jungkook-"

"Taehyung-"

Both spoke at the same time and looked up at each other.

"You first." Taehyung yielded.

"I don't know what to say except that I don't regret fighting you." Jungkook surprised him by saying. "I've always had this rage inside of me ever since I met you, and I think the best way to get it out was dueling you. I'm sorry you got hurt, but I'm not sorry at all about the fight."

Taehyung, who had prepared a small apology speech in his head, sat completely shocked at the true blood's words. He blinked, forgetting everything he was supposed to say and turning over Jungkook's words in his head. So Jungkook wasn't sorry. Okay.

"What did you want to say?"

Taehyung didn't know what to answer, at least he had nothing ready to respond but he decided to let his mouth do the work for him with a lazy "same."

Jungkook nodded. "Well, in that case, we can stop trying to kill each other in the meantime and focus on what's going on around us instead of being so selfish." He suggested, and then added. "The sooner all this is over, the sooner we can reject each other and move on with our lives."

"Right." Taehyung mused. "Why not do it now, if you're so eager to move on?" And then, because it sounded like he was being a child again, he added, "I mean I get it, I just don't see the point in waiting after the war to do it, at least we won't be distracted by the bond anymore." It didn't sound like it, but Taehyung's throat closed up a few times around the words and he had to swallow multiple times after his sentence. None of his words sounded right to him, but Jungkook looked almost... appeased to hear them. Who was he to deny him his freedom? Taehyung thought Jungkook was right, he was done being selfish.

"You do make a point." The true blood said, mind appearing to be analyzing the situation. "I'm not sure if our physical state might affect the rejection though. Maybe we should at least wait until we're fully healed." He suggested instead, to which Taehyung only nodded. And then, since there was nothing more to be said, he laid back down and turned the other way.

"Good night, Jungkook."

"Night." Jungkook answered distractingly, likely still overthinking a way to severe the bond which was clearly suffocating him.

He couldn't help it, a lone tear made its way slowly sideways on Taehyung's face, landing on the pillow only to be absorbed fast by the white, soft material. He didn't care, the only thing he hoped for was for Jungkook not to feel his heart breaking again in his ribcage. The bond was strong despite being unconsumed, but Taehyung prayed really hard that it wasn't strong enough to convey his heartbreak to his supposed mate. He was done. He knew a lost battle when he saw one and honestly, considering everything that's happening in Taehyung's life right now, his relationship with Jungkook really shouldn't feel this important and overwhelming. He was supposed to always keep his cool, to never care, to never show affection to anyone except those he let into his heart. Unfortunately, without his notice, Jungkook had become one of those people, and now, Taehyung was paying the price. It wasn't enough that he lost his parents, his siblings, his best friend and was on the course of losing his pack as well. He also had to lose the only blessing he got from the Moon Goddess. All because he was too dumb and egotistical to keep it in the first place.

Taehyung thought he deserved it.

-

The morning after, Jungkook was already out of bed, having devoured almost all the food in the mini fridge and more than half the snacks, he was ready to get out the clinic and go back to his daily life like nothing happened.

Taehyung, however, couldn't say the same about himself. He was still in pain, he had no appetite and the mere thought of getting out of bed was agonizing.

"You should probably eat something Tae." Jimin, who had come to collect them in the morning, suggested to his best friend. He couldn't help but notice the energetic mood Jungkook was in compared to his best friend and frowned. So that was it, wasn't it? Jimin guessed there really was nothing left to be fixed between the two wolves. "Aren't you too well for someone who could barely walk out of the fight yesterday?" Jimin couldn't help the annoyance that painted his tone when he spoke to the ravenette.

"Can't help it. It's called true blood power for a reason." Jungkook singsonged, going from left to right to arrange his things before leaving. "See you in the Main House, Jiminie!"

The blond rolled his eyes, and then saddened when he looked down at the cramped figure of his soulmate.

"Taetae, please. Just some water?" When the other didn't make any noise of negation, Jimin grabbed the nearest water bottle which happened to be unopened, and unscrewed the top, tipping it just right to fit in between Taehyung's lips. He only took two gulps before he nearly threw up. Jimin suddenly put the bottle back on the bedside table and took his best friend's face between his. "What the fuck was that? Since when can't you drink water?" Jimin searched Taehyung's face for anything and was alarmed with how red his eyes were, swimming in unshed tears. "What did he say to you?"

Taehyung only shook his head, refusing to let the tears fall even if his eyes were brimming with them. His lips wobbled and then a sob that sounded more like it was from pain, broke out. "Tae, no... what's wrong? Is it the bond?" Taehyung shook his head, because strangely enough, it wasn't the bond that hurt. It was his chest. His heart. As if it tasted heartbreak yesterday and then decided it couldn't take it.

"I lost him, Minnie... I lost him for good." He muttered and Jimin's own heart broke at the sight of his usually nonchalant, arrogant best friend who was now but a shell of the man he was.

"It's okay, love. It's okay...Shush." Jimin's small hands surrounded as much of the shaking wolf as possible which was surprisingly most of him as the alpha had lost a significant amount of weight in only a few weeks. For someone who was already skinny, this didn't feel right at all. "Everything's gonna be okay." Jimin repeated, even though he didn't know any better himself.

-