Jewel

Awaken

Jeongguk watches silently as Taehyung rests the last rock on their makeshift grave for the fallen soldier - No, for Yeosang. Yeosang. It was not an easy task to do considering Taehyung wasn't so responsive through the process, almost like a monotone robot following orders. Whenever Jeongguk did try to comfort him, he didn't receive nor deny it.

It's as though he.... Reverted back to his normal state.

However, Jeongguk knows him better than anyone. He knows that Taehyung is suffering a battle in his own head, and one he prefers to deal with alone.

It's difficult to know what Jeongguk can do for him know, but he'll let himself be guided by his gestures to know.

As for now, they do have an objective, and that is to be hidden until someone manages to locate them.

Every species from the facility has a tracking device underneath their skin - for those who decide to stay. It helps to track in times of trouble or if they get lost along the way. Taehyung's tracker is still working, so no doubt they'll find them soon enough somehow.

They just have to be patient for now.

And.... Wait.

Taehyung rises to his feet from the grave, and he only stares at it down with his empty stare before whispering, "You served well, now you can rest," And he salutes and bows his head before turning to walk through the trees.

Taehyung knows Jeongguk will follow him, to which is the reason he didn't say anything about tagging along. Besides, Jeongguk doesn't want to pressure him too much with his presence. So that's why after bowing his head as well, he follows Taehyung through the trees with a good enough distance.

Jimin disappeared since Yeosang died, but they're not so worried about his absence - more so Taehyung. They know he's around, but he also needs a moment away.

Who knows all the triggers he faced today on his own that he didn't voice out.

And just like Taehyung, he prefers dealing with his internal battles alone.

Taehyung's arrives upon a river, and cleansed his hands from the dry blood. He wordlessly did that process while Jeongguk watched from a tree a few feet away. Taehyung was still quiet as he did this process, not before rubbing his hands against his pants of his suit and finally turns to look at Jeongguk.

He's ready to speak.

Jeongguk's hitches in his throat, standing up right as Taehyung approaches him slowly before he stands right in front of him.

He didn't say anything as he looks between Jeongguk's eyes.

But when he raised a hand, Jeongguk subtly flinched unknowingly.

This made Taehyung frown, lowering his head, "No hurt you."

"I know," Jeongguk says back, unable to uphold his gaze as he looks to the ground, "I trust you."

Taehyung hums, raising a hand slowly, this time with Jeongguk being able to see the action occurring, before tilting Jeongguk's head by the chin to face him.

"No.... Don't trust me sir," Jeongguk's ears perked to this, "I'm not good."

Now Jeongguk furrows his eyebrows, "Don't say that, you are good-"

"No," Taehyung cuts in firmly, remembers by the way he filled the swordsman in the arena, "Because I would go to any lengths, farther than today, just to assure you safe. I... I'm dangerous when it comes to you."

Slowly he takes Jeongguk's hand and places it over his beating heart, making Jeongguk's own heart skip a beat, "Without you, there's no me. So no trust me please because I would kill again for you. No one else matters, just you. Always you, not even myself."