Looping Hearts

Chapter 6 - Lyka

In the early morning, Jimin woke up at dawn again. He slowly stretched while humming of well-being, then, feeling the cold pierce his skin, turned to face the fire. It was almost dead and only a few small embers still survived among the ashes. Hair still scruffy and eyes still half-closed, Jimin grunted and moved to sit down. He crossed his arms over his naked torso and gently rubbed them with his hands, hoping to warm himself up a little. He looked a little further at the same time and noticed that the place where he had last seen Taehyung before falling asleep was empty. His eyes opened fully this time and he jumped up, frantically looking around him. He rushed to the second cavity but found no one there. Taehyung was not there. Puzzled and almost sad, Jimin returned to the dying fire. That is when he noticed that his top had disappeared. « He might be at the lake! » He thought to reassure himself while praying that he did not leave like a thief with his top - Taehyung only wore some kind of beige shorts after all.

The short brunette rushed out of the cave but the wind and cold air that hit him hard on the bank made him stop dead. A small whitish smoke immediately escaped from his open mouth and he crossed his arms over his chest again to protect himself, looking all around him. « The trip back home is going to be wonderful... » he thought, frowning before resuming his run a bit more slowly.

It was much colder than the day before and sometimes Jimin had the very uncomfortable feeling that his throat was attacked by innumerable sharp blades. Putting his hands on his mouth or breathing only through his nose did not change anything much. Therefore, once on top of the cliff, Jimin slowed down and continued by walking to calm his sore throat.

He quickly arrived near the lake and immediately spotted Taehyung who had his back turned on him and who was squatting while drinking with both hands. He stopped at his level and Taehyung, hearing him arrive, turned his head in his direction with a smile.

« - Hey! » He exclaimed to say hello. « You're up! »

Jimin tried to show his most neutral face before answering.

« - For a moment I thought you were gone. You should have woken me up. »

Taehyung chuckled before sitting down to avoid lulling his legs.

« - Where could I go? » He asked without waiting for an answer. « It seems like I've lost a lot of my memory, and I have nowhere to go. I wouldn't even survive two days alone. »

Jimin felt his cheeks warm up and he lowered his eyes muttering a quiet: « You never know... »

« - I was really thirsty. » Taehyung continued. « And I also wanted to find something to eat so you wouldn't have to worry about it ». He finished with a big smile plastering his face.

« - Did you find anything? » Jimin asked, looking up at him.

Taehyung slightly turned to the left and grabbed Jimin's top filled with plantain leaves before presenting it to him with a smile growing even bigger. Jimin smiled at the other man's joy and pride and eventually sat down beside him before leaning toward the shimmering expanse of water. The cold water stung his hands but felt extremely good in his throat that was a bit less irritated than when he had arrived.

« - Did you sleep well? » Taehyung asked, tilting his head to the side and resting it on his knees that were up against his chest.

« - Pretty good, yeah... what about you? »

« - I woke up a few times because of the cold... » Taehyung complained, pouting. « Besides, sleeping on the floor is really uncomfortable. » He adeed before grabbing a handful of leaves and stuffing them in his mouth.

Jimin laughed, almost moved, and ruffled his hair. This stranger was friendly and open-minded to say the least. It made him feel comfortable around him.