LOVE MAZE | VKOOK

➴ eleven.

Turns out, Taehyung's cough was just the start. Later on as the sun slowly sets, Taehyung's head felt heavier and heavier, he felt his strength draining and he cough more.

Jeongguk grew concern. He occasionally stops to check on Taehyung, who would always say he's alright and that he's coughing because of too much dust that might be bothering his nostrills and throat.

Taehyung knew it's something else. It might be because of how much he overworked himself to get away from the foot of the mountain and drowned himself into the cold water of the pond after, that fucked up his immune system.

He suddenly felt cold. He wrapped his arms around the warm wolf, as he hold onto the bag of their necessities. By this time, Jeongguk knew something's not right with his omega, feeling him shivers.

The wolf halted and leaned his body down carefully, putting Taehyung down into a clean grass land. He leaned his snout towards Taehyung's face, who's eyebrows knitted together and is sweating so much. He whined and pushed Taehyung's face.

Jeongguk shifted into his human form, reaching for his clothes and he immediately put them on before putting his attention to Taehyung, who's discomfort is evident in his face.

"Tae? Tae, what's wrong?" He gently spoke, putting Taehyung's head in his lap. And then he felt it. He's burning up. He's sick. "Tae, shit. You're sick."

Taehyung shook his head. "C-can't stay h-here-"

"Yes, we will stay here. You need to get well, Tae. We can't continue if you're like this," Jeongguk said, brushing off Taehyung's hair in his face.

"I can feel them, ggukie, f-feel them finding us," Taehyung mumbled but Jeongguk shushed him. "They're far from us, Tae. I don't sense them anywhere near us so don't worry. What's important is you have to get better."

Jeongguk rummages inside the bag and saw some towel. He immediately get one and poured some water on it. He gently damped it down on Taehyung's head, down to his neck and both arms to cool his temperature.

"Tae you gotta help me with these herbals," Jeongguk spoke, his hands carresing Taehyung's hair. Taehyung pointed into a bottle with some herbs and twigs. "What should I do?"

"Just, put some on my forehead, ggukie.." He mumbled, now feeling hot because of his burning temperature. Jeongguk nodded, applying the oil in his hand and gently massaged it in Taehyung's forehead which immediately sends coolness in his body. He sighed comfortingly.

"Feeling better?" Jeongguk asked softly, his other arms wrapped around Taehyung's shoulders as they both lean in a tree. He felt Taehyung nodding.

"Sorry.."

Jeongguk shook his head and without a second thought, kissed Taehyung's hair. He smiled comfortingly. "No need to feel sorry, Tae. I think I should be the one apologizing for starting a water war there in the pond."

Taehyung chuckled. "Yeah, you should be.."

Jungkook smiled softly and cleared his throat before he looked around. "I think we should continue tomorrow. You really need to rest, tae. So don't even try to be stubborn." Taehyung chuckled at that again. "And whatever or whoever you're sensing, I know that they're not near us. So you don't have to worry anything, alright? Now go to sleep for dinner."

"Dinner? Are you going to leave me here?" Taehyung asked, worried. But then, he felt Jeongguk's kiss at the top of his head again.

"I have to, Tae. You definetely need to eat to gain strength again. I'll be squaring the perimeter, make sure that you'll be safe. I'll be back before you even wake up, alright?"

"Alright." He whispered and closed his eyes, feeling the soft touch of Jeongguk in his hair. He felt another kiss on his head before he drifted into his sleep.

***

"Queen of the wolves, he'll be called. The second greatest to the moon. His beauty and grace, his power and greatness, would be put into tongues of many. Many would hear about him and would try to steal him. But when he wakes up, he will put hell into everyone who would dare lay harming fingers into his most loved ones. Specially to his mate. Specially to his pups. He will come in burning flames, the roars of salvation upon his feet. The wilds will bow down, and the life of once dead pack will rise by his gentle touch."

The woman teared up, could not believe what the moon had told her. And then she looked at her son. Her little pup that is gently sucking his fingers, not knowing what he would become in the future.

"What have we done to deserve such blessing, my moon goddess," Jisoo spoke, holding her child dearly. The moon smiled.

"You made it possible for his existence to come on Earth. That's what you've done." The moon goddess smiled once again before disappearing. Jisoo teared up and looked down on her pup.

"Burning in flames with roars of salvation on your feet.." Jisoo whispered. "You will be called Taehyung, my little phoenix."

Taehyung shot his eyes open, his brown doe eyes now burning, a mix of fire and shining light, swirling inside his orbs. He blinked. And blinked again. Before his eyes went back to brown and before sleep consumes him again.

***