Home (I wish you could stay)

II.

Taehyung looked outside. Somehow, they had lost track of time by so much that now night was starting to fall. He tried to radio in for help back at base, or to just let them know they were here. No response.

Sighing, Taehyung left the room to retrieve the others, assuming that Jimin had relayed the message to the remaining two members. Approaching Namjoon, Taehyung noted his solemn expression. As if he was reading his mind, Namjoon spoke up first, his voice unsure.

"Tae, his sister? Wha- I mean. What the actual fuck? What are we supposed to do with him now? And have you seen his arm?" Namjoon gulped. "What if we can't help him? What if he lashes out? What if he doesn't mak-" Taehyung clamped his hand roughly over Namjoon's mouth, narrowing his eyes at him, his voice low. "Don't. You. Dare."

The two were interrupted by Yoongi and Jeongguk walking out of the back room, their hands stained burgundy but trying to ignore the sticky feeling on their fingertips.

"We gotta move." Yoongi deadpanned, barely acknowledging the group. "I'm gonna get Hoseok. Grab what you can. We leave in five." Wiping his hands on his pants, he turned back to the room, leaving Jeongguk behind to help clean up.

Collectively, despite tearing the place upside down, they could only scrounge up enough food for about two days, maybe three if the rationing was strict enough. Since there were seven of them, it was going to be tough. Water was a different story entirely. When Yoongi returned, he had Hoseok under his arm, Seokjin and Jimin trailing behind. Jimin was carrying two packs - presumably his and Hoseok's. "It's time to go. Nothing's getting done with us sitting around." Yoongi said sternly. The boys nodded and hopped up, snagging their belongings as they followed the leader out of the convenience store and into the slow setting darkness.

Soon enough, they staggered into a neighbourhood. The fog began to roll in, blanketing the ground and turning everything in sight to a light grey haze. As the seconds ticked by into minutes, the fog got thicker and soon, they came onto a tiny house. Temporary relief washed over the group. From the outside, it was as if nobody had ever even left. The siding wasn't covered in dirt or ash, the paint wasn't chipping, the windows - besides being boarded up - were still in one piece.

Yoongi could sense the weird atmosphere. This place was too quiet, too clean. "Jin." Handing Hoseok off to him, Yoongi took Namjoon and Jeongguk inside the house with him to see if the coast was clear. Time ticked by before Namjoon came back out and nodded, the group scurrying inside the building.

Seokjin laid Hoseok down on the dusty couch that had been tucked away in the corner of the room as Jimin set down their belongings. Handing Seokjin a pistol and throwing a new package of gauze at him, Jimin nodded and proceeded to search for Yoongi and Jeongguk to find out what the plan was.

Taking this time alone, Seokjin tried to get answers out of Hoseok while he gently changed the dressing on his arm and hand, scanning silently for other wounds or bites, just in case. When he didn't find anything, Seokjin breathed a sigh of relief and spoke up.

"Hoseok, uhh.." He didn't know how to start, exactly. "Are you.. Are you doing any better now?" Hoseok blinked a few times, looking at Seokjin. Anger flashed behind his eyes, but it was mixed with something akin to.. Sadness? Bitterness?

Having already checked and re-wrapped his hand, he turned his attention to Hoseok's forearm. While he worked diligently, Seokjin tried again, less confident than the first time. "Hobi?"

Seokjin looked up at his friend, only to be met with a tear-soaked face and a runny nose. The awkwardness and tension refused to break, so Seokjin hurriedly finished cleaning and stood up. He decided that it was better not to pry. He'll tell him when he's ready, that's all. As Jin started to walk away, he heard a small voice speak, barely audible between the sniffles, even in the silence.