𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐡𝐬 - 𝐭𝐥

eight

1 week before...

namjoon, who's asked his friend for help, really got himself into a big trouble. literally big like any wrong move can make the problem deeper like it already is.

within that week, namjoon had immersed himself studying and finding out on how he can replace taehyung and let him escape. the boy is fully aware about this but he must accept his fate, whatever it is.

pacing back and forth, taehyung's eyes never stopped following the older. "hyung, can you not? what is bothering you?"

namjoon sighed, "i-i don't know anymore, taehyung. i asked my friend if he could spare you, if we could spare you from the recent study."

taehyung's eyes widened. he knew already about this, ever since he was captured. a lot from his family and his kind faced death, young nor old but it is their life cycle, dictated by the antagonist of their lives— humans. moving from one place to another, they cannot live in peace, even if they want to. this is his fate and it is about to happen and what he only needed to do is to stick to it. "hyung, it is fine. i knew this is going to happen, you cannot put a stop on that."

the latter looked at him in the eye, "you have  very precious life ahead of you, and your kind too, taehyung. we cannot just take it away from you because of all the stupid promises of the government."

namjoon resorted to the last idea he had. he only had to hope that it will work. "say taehyung, can i take a sample of your blood? a little amount of flesh?"

"why? i thought you wouldn't do it?" he might have seemed angry at that point.

"no, no, wait. calm down, taehyung."

"then what?"

"i wanna take a sample so that i can find replacements if your cells and your blood have similarities to other species, and when we can find one, that is what i will be sending the team for the meanwhile." he explained.

"how sure are you that your plan will work? taehyung asked him. "you've examined us all your life and know every bit of us so how can you fool your fellow scientists about this?"

namjoon sighed, "i'll try my best, taehyung."

"you know, hyung. you should not risk this. it's your work, and your life."

"you'll understand soon, taehyung." namjoon pulled him in for a brotherly hug. "so, will you give me the consent of getting samples from you?"

"make sure i'll stay hydrated so it would hurt less."

a week after  namjoon had took samples from the merman, he lacked sleep and the younger would always find him in front of his microscope, in his office, or in front of the trashcan, throwing slides on after another.

taehyung saw the older struggle, just to spare him from the harsh people he was working with. not all of them, but most of them are surely are.

taehyung twisted the doorknob and entered namjoon's laboratory. "hyung." he called out.

"hyung, you need to listen." taehyung, who was already in front of a busy namjoon spoke and he poked him so that he would notice the  younger.

"oh, hey." it was already three in the morning and as always, the older had immersed himself in working and not realizing what time it is already.

"you're tired. please take care of yourself. stop working even for an hour? you barely take a break." taehyung said.  "you don't need to do that, hyung. i got this. whatever will happen."

"i'm nearly getting the hang of this. i thank you're here. i got samples of you cells and i found out it was somewhat similar to a certain kind of fish, only if their cells are more soaked in salt or water or both, that is. what i am currently examining is the fish, and comparing it to yours, and i can barely find any difference." the news brought light to both of their faces.

"but the blood? you know you cannot mess this up." namjoon sighed.

"oh, right. im getting there too." he partly lied. he should not make any mistake. it's the blood that holds dna and it can be easily determined by any scientist. but what can he do? he cannot pick up any random blood and present it to them, he is only gonna fool himself.

he only got three days to go before the samples are needed, and yoongi recently called in that the scientists are raging because the samples are taking too long, and warned his friend for yoongi know's what is going on in their workplace and he knew namjoon received threats, from the government. not only his, but everyone who is involved.