Jeongguk shook Taehyung lightly, taking note of the blood that covered him. He panicked a bit, bending down and cupping his bloodied face.
He touched their foreheads together, a few tears escaping his eyes. "Taehyung-ssi..please wake up." He had hoped it would be like some sort of fairytale, and his newfound love for Taehyung would somehow wake him up.
But it didn't work, and Taehyung remained unconscious. Jeongguk looked around, not a single person in sight. He hoisted Taehyung up, carrying him inside and placing him on the rough material of his couch.
He snuck into the kitchen, rummaging through cleaning supplies underneath of the sink. He pulled out rubber gloves, bleach, and three large sponges along with a bucket of hot water and soap.
He dragged the materials upstairs, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand and sighing. Why am I doing this? I could just leave him here and let him be arrested..but I won't. He needs someone to help him.
Jeongguk poured a large amount of bleach on the floor, getting on his knees and scrubbing the linoleum with fervor. He began panting, scouring every area of floor that was coated in dried blood.
Because it was hardwood floor, it didn't stain and Jeongguk fell back on his bottom, sighing. He pulled the gloves off, tossing them into the bucket of water. He pressed his palms into his eyes, groaning in irritation.
He was worried that Taehyung wouldn't wake up for a long time, and quickly dashed down the stairs only to find Taehyung no longer on the couch. All that was left was a huge blood stain and an indentation on the cushion.
Jeongguk heard a loud clatter coming from the basement, discovering Taehyung with large bundles of plastic and chains in his arms. He stared at Jeongguk with hopelessness in his eyes, brushing past him and walking upstairs.
His oxygen tank was discarded in the basement, and Taehyung began to lay the cellophane plastic down. He dragged his mother onto the plastic, tightly bounding her with the chains. He pulled her by her feet, pushing her corpse down the stairs.
It crashed onto the floor with a loud thud, scaring the hell out of Jeongguk who simply gawked at the body before him. He slowly craned his neck to ogle at Taehyung, who glared at him and stomped down the stairs.
He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out and he ground his teeth together in frustration. He began to shout nonsensically, grabbing fistfuls of his hair hitting himself in the head.
Jeongguk quickly grabbed his arms, holding them together. "Taehyung, stop! You're going to hurt yourself!"
Taehyung ripped himself away from Jeongguk, rushing over to his mother's body and fiercely kicking her whilst screaming, "I hate you! Why did you have to leave me? This is all your fault!"
Jeongguk began growing even more concerned for Taehyung; he was having a complete meltdown and Jeongguk was unsure of how to calm him down.
He slowly approached Taehyung, wrapping his arms around his back and quietly shushing him. "Taehyung-ssi, it'll be okay. I'm going to help you. Please calm down." Taehyung couldn't process what was happening- he was certain Jeongguk was there but it didn't feel real to him.
He cautiously turned around, meeting Jeongguk's worried chocolate eyes. He snickered, somehow finding humor in his concerned face.
"You look silly, Ggukie. Why're you makin' that face?" Jeongguk was completely bewildered by Taehyung's statement, but he smiled a bit and pulled Taehyung close to him.
He inhaled the scent of crème brûlée and brown sugar lingering in Taehyung's hair. As much as he enjoyed the sweet aroma, there was an even stronger scent of salt and rust. The smell of blood, sweat, and tears.
"Tae..what're we gonna do with her body?" Jeongguk's voice was barely a whisper, so quiet that the wind could carry it.
Taehyung shook his head. "I have no idea. We could bury her in my backyard?" He phrased his statement like a question.
Jeongguk decided it was their best bet, pulling away from Taehyung and motioning him to help him dispose of the corpse.
They struggled to carry her body outside, dropping it with a silent thump. Jeongguk scavenged Taehyung's shed for a shovel, finding two Mickey Mouse designed shovels instead. He laughed a little, yanking them out.
He handed one to Taehyung and they began digging, even as the sky grew dark. Jeongguk pulled out his phone's flashlight, shining it on the large hole in the ground.
Taehyung dragged his mother over to the hole, rolling it over and watching it sink into the wet soil. He began to shovel the excess dirt onto her body, covering any trace of her.
He threw the shovel, panting heavily and tackling Jeongguk in a hug. "Ggukie. I don't think I'll be caught. My mommy hasn't taken me to a store in years, no one knows I exist except for you."
He smiled his boxy smile, caressing the sides of Jeongguk's face. "Your hands are warm, Taehyungie, and so soft."
They basked in each other's company for a while, lying beside each other and gazing at the stars. Their hands interlocked, and Taehyung spoke again.
"Jeonggukie, you're all I have left. Please, please. Don't leave me." His voice was pained and quiet, and Jeongguk grew scared in that moment.
He wasn't entirely sure how he would protect Taehyung. He had his own life, his own responsibilities. The only way to ensure his safety would to be what his mother did.
He would have to keep him hidden.
From everyone.
