Martyr | Yoonmin [1] (unedited)

chapter 35

His throat and legs were on fire, and his lungs felt like they were going to explode. He could hear Taehyung's feet hitting the pavement behind him and he smirked as they darted around the corner. The air was colder in the mornings, his breath formed clouds in the air. He could see the final checkpoint and he quickened his pace, his chest hurt as he laughed when he heard Taehyung curse with frustration.

"Oh, fuck" Taehyung groaned painfully as he faltered back, gripping the side of his stomach. "I'm cramping up"

Jimin's entire body was screaming for him to stop. It was sore and bruised nearly everywhere. He was exhausted but he kept going. He kept sprinting, telling himself he was almost there.

He slowed to a stop when he reached the mailbox first, almost falling as he skidded onto the dirt road. He turned and waited for Taehyung to reach him who had fallen back. When he finally reached him, Taehyung kneeled over holding his knees as he struggled to catch his breath. "It wasn't that bad," Jimin scoffed.

"Look, normal human people don't run as long or as fast as you do," Taehyung shoved him causing Jimin to let out a sarcastic laugh. They began walking down the road toward the Manor. Taehyung suddenly hiccupped and groaned. "I think I'm going to puke"

"You almost caught up to me this time," Jimin pushed into him with his arm. Taehyung pushed him back.

"Get off" He panted. "You're gross and sweaty," Jimin rolled his eyes and ran, leaving him behind. He heard him yell something about him getting it in today's training, but he couldn't hear him clearly, and he continued running.

Taehyung huffed out a cloud of air. It had been two days since their trip and the house was clean. Today was just another day of training and Taehyung could tell Jimin was going to be in a mood.

--

Taehyung shook his head like a dog getting the water out of his head. He threw on his shirt and tightened the strings on his pants. He had to shower even though they were going to train after breakfast. Jimin had banged on the door early that morning and forced him to go for another run. He was about to refuse him and sleep the extra few hours before he usually woke up but Jimin was already out of the door, and Taehyung had to rush after him.

Taehyung wondered if this was Jimin's form of payback for how Taehyung's trains him.

He grabbed his phone and opened his door when the phone rang. It was Felix. "Fuck," He cursed and answered it. "Hello Felix"

"Good morning Taehyung, how is Jimin?" Taehyung wasn't sure if Felix's tone was perky, but it was odd. Taehyung had to sit down.

"He's training well and he's willing to learn to use his powers,"

"But he's not actually using them?" This time he sounded serious. Taehyung winced and closed his eyes. A moment passed while he tried to figure out what he could say as an explanation. He couldn't lie to Felix. "I plucked him out of Namjoon's arms for a reason, and now you're becoming soft just as he was."

Taehyung's stomach dropped and he opened his mouth to say something when Felix interrupted him. "Were you planning on being honest with me?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Taehyung noticed his hand was shaking. He clenched his hand into a fist.

"Namjoon didn't follow your instructions," Felix pointed out. "He didn't bring me Hoseok, and instead Namjoon volunteered himself. I believe you asked him to get Hoseok so that he'd know where Jungkook is, or am I wrong?"

"I did," Taehyung answered. He pictured the moment clearly when he used his powers on Namjoon that night. "I told him."

"Then what happened?" He could hear it in his voice he was getting more and more irritated.

"I don't know," Taehyung admitted. "I caught up with him after he found me with the Fox-girl, and I asked him if Hoseok ever made contact with him and he said yes. I instructed him to meet Hoseok. I told him what you wanted me to say. I then followed up with him after he met with Hoseok before he went home so that he wouldn't remember."

Taehyung chewed his lips, remembering when he went to see Jungkook first. His chest felt heavy and the room felt like it was closing in on him.

He continued, "I gave him the false plan; I told Namjoon Jimin would be in danger and in order to keep him and his friends safe he would have to bring one of them to the facility. I explained Hoseok would be best. I couldn't tell you where it went wrong."

Taehyung knew and he had a feeling what went wrong. He did as he was told. He couldn't give up Jungkook. However, he did use his powers on Namjoon and instructed him on what to do. He was supposed to meet with Hoseok, Taehyung took a chance and asked Namjoon whether Hoseok had ever contacted him and he answered once before. Taehyung had the feeling Hoseok would give in and reach out to someone. The city wasn't big enough to hide forever and especially if Hoseok would run out of vials.

There was a reason why they needed to take their dosages every once and a while. Their powers would begin to reject their bodies, and that would be a painful death.

"Has his trials started?" Taehyung asked after Felix hadn't said a word.

"Not yet, this one is stubborn," Felix sighed. "But if we know Namjoon as well as we believe, he will give in,"

"Better than to risk Jimin now," Taehyung said and instantly regretted it. They both knew he meant himself.

--

"Stop"

Taehyung stopped and lowered his weapon. Jimin grimaced and held his arm where it was already bruising. He threw his weapon bitterly. The afternoon sun was hot today and there was barely any wind. It didn't help that Jimin was feeling annoyed and becoming frustrated at everything.

Taehyung waited, staying where he was. "Come on," He pushed and Jimin shook his head. Taehyung waited another moment and hit the ground with the weapon. "It's only been an hour, come on"

"No," Jimin said as he straightened up to look at him. "All you do is hit me"

Taehyung couldn't help but laugh. "You had your break the other day,"

"My arm hurts leave me alone," Jimin snapped loudly.

Taehyung rolled his eyes, throwing the weapon aside and walked towards him. Jimin watched him wearily. Taehyung started cracking his knuckles and then quickly charged at him. Jimin reacted quickly and attempted to dodge him but the other boy was quick. Taehyung grappled him from behind and he was nearly able to wrap his arms around Jimin's neck before Jimin kicked his legs. They fell to the ground with Taehyung landing on his back and bringing Jimin down with him. They wrestled on the ground and somehow Taehyung managed to successfully wrap his arm around Jimin's neck.

Jimin was mobile and getting stronger every day, and Taehyung was struggling to hold him down. "You're going to tire yourself out," He muttered as Jimin twisted his body, trying to escape from Taehyung's hold. He felt him try to push off of him and Taehyung wrapped his legs around his waist, tightening his hold on him.

Jimin's face was becoming red with frustration, his strength failing him. He was breathing hard and his muscles started giving out. Taehyung let go and Jimin rolled to his knees, pushing off of him. Taehyung watched him, breathing as heavily as he was. They sat in bitter silence, glaring at each other. "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

"You're my fucking problem, that's what's wrong," Jimin snapped, standing up to leave.

Taehyung followed him, grabbing Jimin's arm. "I'm just trying to help you."

"But what?" Jimin threw his hands in the air in frustration. "Keeping me prisoner? Keeping me away from my family?"

Taehyung stayed silent and shook his head.

"What – do you honestly think we're friends?" Jimin scoffed. "You're a terrible person and I would never want to be your friend."

"Alright, I'll give you a memory. Is this what you want?" Taehyung shouted. Jimin stopped and watched him. "Jimin remember when you destroyed our home"