✔ || Save Me [[SEQUEL to DISTRACT ME]]

Chapter 7

Taehyung leaned against the wall of his cell, his heart still pounding erratically. He fiddled with the hem of his shirt, trying to ignore the pressure building in his pants. He'd never known seeing Jeongguk stand his ground, as ferocious and deadly as a tiger, could be such a turn on, but he was quickly coming undone.

This was not the place for those kinds of thoughts.

Still, he palmed himself experimentally through his clothes, biting back a whimper. And then remembered that Jeongguk wasn't here with him, and immediately stopped. He sighed, running a hand down his face. He really needed his head to be clear, and this was not helping.

He tilted his head back against the cold stone of the wall, squeezing his eyes shut. He remembered how Jeongguk had ran to him, as if he was the only person in the room. As if he was all that mattered. It had felt so good to bury himself in Jeongguk's sculpted arms, if only for a moment. And when the younger kissed him? Explosions. If he focused, Taehyung could still taste the phantom sensation of Jeongguk's lips.

Taehyung exhaled shakily and blinked, struggling to calm his pounding heart. He tugged at his pants to relieve some of the tightness around his groin.

"Gross."

His head snapped up and, when he didn't see anyone, he snorted, "Learn how to knock."

"I literally cannot do that," Eden pointed out.

"Then stop popping up unannounced," Taehyung replied, pushing himself to his feet. He crossed his arms over his chest, pursing his lips. "How are you?"

"This is the first time we've properly spoken since you fell and that's all you have to say?" she snapped, and Taehyung flinched. She sighed sadly, "I'm fine, Taehyung. How are you? That human seems to make you happy. Jeongguk?"

"Jeongguk," Taehyung nodded. "You've spoken with him."

"I have."

"You let him visit me," Taehyung scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Thanks for that."

"He's cute," Eden said. The awkwardness between the hatchmates was palpable. "I approve."

"Jeez, I better marry him then," Taehyung gave a tight-lipped smile. He'd meant it to come out as a joke, but his voice had a hard edge to it.

Eden hesitated before saying, "I wish I could hug you."

Taehyung dropped his eyes, "Me too. I miss you, sister."

"I want to race again," Eden sighed, "like we used to. But your dumb ass had to go and fall."

"Yeah," Taehyung frowned. Neither spoke for awhile, until Taehyung finally asked the question that was at the front of his mind. "Why haven't you spoken to me yet? Why did you go to Jeongguk first?"

Eden didn't answer for a very long time. Taehyung worried that she'd left but knew that that wasn't the case. He would know it if she did. "Eden? Are you ashamed of me?"

"No, Taehyung," she said softly.

"I wouldn't blame you if you were," Taehyung hugged his middle.

"I was afraid," his sister finally admitted. Taehyung's head snapped up at the confession. "I didn't want to see my brother without his wings. I checked on you, but I couldn't - I didn't - Taehyung, I miss you so much. I tried to talk to you on Earth, but it didn't work. And to see you here without those beautiful black wings knocking something over -" Taehyung snorted "- is heartbreaking. I'm sorry, I know it was selfish."

"I've missed you too, Eden," Taehyung whispered.

Eden found her resolve and continued, "Now, as for why I went to Jeongguk first. I was there when they brought you in. I mean, I wasn't there, but I saw."