Underwater: Brave - Taekook

13 - Where do we go from here

Starset ~ Dark On Me

*

Bambam hadn't gotten far before they caught him. No matter how much he fought and struggled, it was futile. It was five against one.

I have to get back, I promised them. Yugyeom...

His heart only crumbled more when he first smelled and then saw them. Something seemed to have been wrong with Taehyung and he knew they would get caught as well. He wasn't one to fight against destiny, never had been, but this time he was willing to rebel.

"Jungkook! Run!"

And Jungkook had run, carrying Taehyung on his back. Four men went after them, only one left to guard him. It was like a slap in his face, proving just how worthless and weak he was. He couldn't escape even from only a one man.

His mind was in deep waters, drowning in desperate thoughts. He felt like the beautiful colours of the flowers surrounding him were mocking him. He could almost hear the plants scream at him, call him names and curse his very existence. Beautiful things tended to be wicked after all.

Bambam couldn't tell how much time had passed before he got his scent again. The vampires were coming back and they had Taehyung with them. Only Taehyung.

Where's Jungkook? What happened to him? Please, goddess of the Moon, help them.

"Release him", the one walking ahead of the others said to the vampire holding Bambam down.

Immediately he was let go, free to run. Without a second thought, he ran straight to Taehyung.

"What happened? Where is- where is Jungkook?" his voice broke in the middle when he saw the trail of tears on his friend's face.

Please.

"He's safe. Not far from here. You should go to him. Please Bambam, stay by his side", Taehyung pleaded and Bambam made one more promise.

"I will."

Without asking anything further, already seeing and understanding the path Taehyung had chosen, Bambam shifted again and ran as fast as he could. Because the sound of Taehyung's steps echoed like a heartbreak.

***

Jungkook was standing still when Bambam found him. He didn't come to meet him halfway, just stood there like his paws were nailed to the ground. He didn't even seem to react to his friend at first.

As he got close, Bambam shifted once again. He crouched down and took Jungkook's head in his hands, wordlessly asking him to shift to his human form. It helped having a member of his pack with him, it made it easier to shift. And Jungkook did, finally.

"Jungkookie..." Bambam said gently, touch careful.

In the comfort of a familiar scent and presence of his friend, Jungkook started crying again. The initial shock had melted away and left him with the harsh reality of the situation.

"They took Taehyung..."

Jungkook's voice was breaking as he did his best to speak. Bambam looked at him with increasing worry when Jungkook changed his statement.

"No, Taehyung, he... he left me! He left me behind!"

Bambam couldn't do much but all that he could, he did. He closed his friend in his embrace, not caring one bit of what was expected of alphas and their behavior. Jungkook was his friend, his family, and he needed him because he was broken.

"I'm a failure, Bam. I couldn't even protect my mate... Even when you told me to..."

It was so easy for the word 'mate' to slip from his mouth. It didn't matter what others had to say about it, for him Taehyung really was his mate. Even if the mark had faded away completely. It ran deeper than that.

"You can't blame Taehyung for wanting to protect you too. It's the reason why he's doing this, you know that", Bambam reminded softly.

"I wish I could have told him..."

And Jungkook was out like a light, going limp in Bambam's arms. He was emotionally exhausted, completely drained.

* *** *

Taehyung was quiet. Even the world around him seemed to respect his silence, not even a bird was to be heard singing on the treetops. Even his loud thoughts had gone silent after walking far enough to not smell Jungkook anymore.

He had made his choice. Not like there had been any other path for him. You could say he was following his instincts but he would correct you and say he was following his heart. Because the only sound that still resonated in the deep silence was the sound of his heart beating for the holder of the brightest constellations; all in his eyes.

The cursed thirst was beginning to tease at his dry throat. Taehyung wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to get entirely satisfied by drinking from someone else than Jungkook. He craved for him already and the desire would only grow every passing moment he was away from his love. He'd either take the craving to his grave or witness the miracle he was praying to happen.

The way back to the castle was long and the landscapes they passed during the journey blurred in his mind. They never stopped to rest on their way, that's the kind of monstrous creature vampires happened to be. Once Taehyung got a sight of the tall majestic building ruling over the city, he felt pure rage.

He had never hated Yoongi. He hated that he turned him into a vampire but that had eventually led him to reunite with Jungkook. What really set the fire of his anger alight was Yoongi taking it all away from him now and the knowledge that the prince wanted to harm Jungkook. He didn't know if he'd be able to forgive the man for that.

Taehyung walked through the gates with determination shining in his eyes. He wasn't scared of facing the crown prince or speaking his mind to him. No matter what were to happen, he wouldn't give in easily. It wouldn't be fair to Jungkook.

I'm sorry Yoongi, but I will never ever love you. And I will definitely not become your queen.

***

A/N: Why am I torturing my favs so much? Bamie, Kookie, Tae, I'm sorry :((

(Where Do We Go From Here is another great song by Ruelle by the way, hence the title)