don't go underground | jjk ✓

04. cookies

"Okay, Lisa, Jennie," Taehyung's voice was as calm as it would ever get between you three. "I need you guys to listen very carefully."

Jungkook was holding you miserably, shaking. You thought you almost felt tears on your shoulder but you only imagined it. He was living his childhood nightmare again, breaking him inside out. This was just much worse. This was a million times worse.

You remembered the letter so vividly in your memory, the details of the tunnel, their purpose, their secrecy, but most importantly, the dangers within that could harm civilians.

You were all young. And even had little kids with you. You had nothing but your phones on you and there was no signal down there.

"Kookie, look at me." You mumbled. His head shook against your shoulder and you heard his throat choke up, but no tears. He didn't cry for himself. He cried for other people. If he were to cry right then it would be for the other four people standing in the damp burrowed pipes.

You sighed and just held him, turning your attention to Taehyung still speaking to the girls.

"...it's okay to be scared, okay? I promise. We are all getting out of here and it's okay to be a little scared. But just like when I'm chasing after you down the stairs," the silver haired man's words were physically helping them calm. "Think of this as a game. We are stuck in a maze and just need to find an exit. There's multiple so that makes our luck better, right?"

They nodded timidly and you felt Jungkook let out a quiet sarcastic laugh only for your ears.

"A game?" He muttered, voice cracking and you shushed him. You felt him finally relax and pull away from you, his eyes on fire. "This is some fucking dangerous game."

"Jungkook, shut up." You hissed, Taehyung's eyes shooting a sharp glare at him. "This is not a time to fight."

"Well, they know now anyways, so why lie to them? Are you two going to keep feeding them empty promises?" Jungkook snapped.

"You don't understand children, idiot." Taehyung growled and you shoved the younger boy, Lisa and Jennie staring worriedly between all of your, not really understanding.

"Stop it, Jungkook." You said. "We need to think, not fight. Let's think of something, let Taehyung be. He's doing the right thing."

His eyes met yours and you two stared at each other, battling with your gazes. Then, his lowered in defeat and he fell against the curved wall, head dropping low so his dark hair flopped over his eyes. You put a hand on his neck, out of habit, and massaged the spot.

He was just angry and not sad anymore. But, a bad, unhelpful angry.

"You two are going to be brave, okay?" Taehyung whispered, a fake smile on his face and you shuddered as chills ran up your spine. Brave. None of you knew what to expect but you knew brave was the only option. You all just needed to stay together and safe.

"No screaming and stay focused. If you need to cry, go to one of us, we will help you." The eldest kissed their heads, the two girls sniffling and hugging him. His eyes came into contact with you over their shoulders, gaze hardening.

The five of you hadn't left the sanctuary of the door's cover. The stampede from earlier hadn't happened again, but none of you could tell where it was from.

"Hey," you turned so you were in front of the stressed boy next to you. "A tunnel is going to bring down the mighty Jungkook? We just need to find another access point." Your voice dropped. "Jimin would tell us about these, remember? His dad said there were a few access points all over the city. We can find one that's still in use."