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XXVI: Jungkook

The first thing I realize when I wake up is that I'm not in my bedroom. The decorations in this room are different, and even though it's still the middle of night, I can see that the wallpaper is unlike the one in my room. I sit up, blinking the sleep out of my eyes as I take in my surroundings.

Everything here smells of Taehyung. The bedsheets, the pillows, even the air. It's a comforting scent, like woodsmoke and honey. I inhale it, snuggling into the sheets. There's no one sleeping beside me, and I feel a pang of disappointment as I recall Taehyung's warm arms which encircled me the night before. I'm sure that he was here, but he must have left before I woke up. But why would he just go and leave without waking me up?

Then it hits me.

It's today.

The war.

The day that Shadow Valley and Sirius will go head to head in London.

The knowledge sends me bolting out of the covers, my body shivering in the cool night air. I have to find Taehyung. I have to get to him before he leaves for London. Throwing open the door, I look to my right, then my left, desperately trying to figure out where I am. The reading room is just on my left, which means that the kitchen is one flight below. Hurrying down the marble staircase, I slow down when I see two familiar figures up ahead, talking in hushed voices. As I get closer, I can make out their forms.

Taehyung and Yoongi.

"Tae!" I run towards him, relief coursing through me with the knowledge that he hasn't left yet. He hasn't left me alone. "Tae―"

He turns, and I stop in my tracks, shock rippling through me like a wave.

For it isn't Taehyung's face that stares back at me. It's the silver mask I had seen in his memory and my dreams. It covers the whole of his face except for his lips, and seems to glow beneath the moonlight flowing in from a nearby window. Even though it is only silver, it seems to hold much more malice than it should, enveloping his face like a small shroud.

When Taehyung sees me back away from him uncertainly, his whole body stiffens. He mutters something to Yoongi, who in turn glances at me. Before I can take a step forward, Taehyung gives me a curt nod, then turns towards the doorway, not sending me another glance.

His coldness is like a door slamming in my face. Just up until yesterday, he was so kind and loving. Now, he seemed like a completely different person. What had I done? Was it the mask? Had it changed him?

"No!" The word explodes from me and I grab onto his sleeve, holding his gaze when he looks down in surprise. "Don't leave yet. Why are you so cold to me? Whatever I did, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you. Please. Just don't act so distant from me."

He looks shocked for a second, before bringing his fingers up to brush my cheek for an all-too-brief moment. His eyes soften, and I briefly see the Taehyung that I was used to seeing. The one that treats me like an angel. "Forgive me, my love. You did nothing wrong. I understand your disgust, but it's only for today. After that, I'll never wear this wretched thing again." It takes me a moment to realize that he's talking about the mask. Had he seen me back away? Did he think that I was afraid of him? But before I can ask, the kitchen doors swing open and we walk in, me still clutching onto Taehyung's sleeve.

Everyone I know is gathered in the room, dripping with weaponry and armor. I catch Jimin's eye and he winks at me, though his hands finger his scim nervously. Yoongi goes to stand next to him, murmuring something in his ear that makes Jimin blush. Yoongi smirks.

"Taehyung," Hoseok greets us, dressed in a loose fitting tunic with a dagger tucked into his sash. He sends me a smile as he unrolls a piece of parchment. "We're all ready for war. The soldiers have set up base on the banks of the Thames river. The healing center tent is already pitched up. Our scouts haven't spotted any Shadow Valley soldiers yet, but it's only a matter of time before they show up."

"Thank you Hoseok," Taehyung nods. "I suppose we should head out immediately. We shouldn't waste any time. Jimin and Baekhyun, ready all the weapons." He starts to walk away, but I tug on his sleeve.

"I want to go with you!" I say, and Taehyung shakes his head.

"You can't Jungkook. I won't put you into any more danger than you already are." His tone is firm. "Now go inside like a good boy." He reaches for my hands, but I pull away. "No! I want to stay with you."

"Jungkook, my enemies are everywhere. They would love to take you from me and hurt you. Bringing you into war is like waving a red flag in their faces. You won't be safe. I'm not going to risk it."

"Then let him stay in the infirmary with us," Jin pipes up. "Even Shadow Valley won't sink as low as to attack a place where there are wounded. Besides, I need more people to help me there. Hoseok and Lisa have already volunteered, along with five other soldiers, but it won't hurt to have another helping hand."

Taehyung casts a glare at Jin. "Even so, if you think I'm going to just let Jungkook go into the midst of war―"

"You will," Jin interrupts. "Because if you have an ounce of sense, then you'll see that this castle is poorly guarded and vulnerable to attack. Since we can't spare any soldiers to fortify it, Jungkook could get kidnapped and nobody would be here to witness it. As crazy as it sounds, the best course of action is to take him with us."

I could see that Taehyung clearly didn't like it, but after a moment, he nods. "Fine. He can stay in the infirmary, but you must keep an eye on him. Don't let him out of your sight. If he somehow gets hurt, I'll take out my wrath on all of you." His fiery gaze burns through everyone gathered in the kitchen. "All of you." Namjoon visibly gulps.

Taehyung then turns to Yoongi. "Are the soldiers all gathered?" Yoongi nods. "All are assembled in London already. They await your orders."

"Good." Taehyung makes a move towards the oak door, but pauses when he looks at me. I can see how the silver mask has already started to mold with his face, digging tiny fragments into his skin. I don't want it to latch onto his face, obscure his skin, meld onto the surface until his whole face is silver. I don't want the mask to take over.

Raising a hand to his face, I touch the cool surface of the mask, feeling it ripple below me like something alive. Taehyung stands as still as stone, eyes not straying from mine. I would give everything to know what he is thinking right now; what goes on beneath those bright orbs of fire. Whatever it is, it's clear that he despises the idea of me in the infirmary. His eyes at least betray that much.

"Tae..." I lace my fingers with his, and he glances down at our entwined hands. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. Trust me." Taehyung sighs. It's a deep sigh, filled with centuries of tiredness. "You make promises too easily, my love. See that you keep them." He doesn't let go of my hand, so I stay by his side, watching as he absently fingers the hilt of the scim tucked in his belt.

"If I had my way," He finally whispers. "You would have been sheltered from the outside world in a room which only I could visit, locked away from every danger. You would've been safe from all the perils of life. All the heartbreak and pain that comes with the cost of living. But alas, the world doesn't work that way, not even for me. I have to watch you risk your life like this. I hate it."

"I'll make you a promise. I'll stay alive if you will," I say, and he laughs. "If I do, then am I allowed to kiss those beautiful lips?" I blush and look away, but he grabs my arm and pulls me towards him, so that I land on his chest. My heart beats erratically when I realize that his face is only a few inches from mine.

"Jungkook..." he says my name like a plea, with all his hopes compressed into one word. His eyes take on a new blaze that I've never seen before. Desperation. "No matter what, you must survive. I'm not losing you. I-I can't lose you. You're my everything. Promise me this, if nothing else. Promise me you'll be okay." His eyes shine from beneath the mask, full of heartbreak and desire.

His worries are contagious, and I find myself nodding, words failing to come out of my mouth. His face relaxes into a smile, a sweet smile that's mine alone, and he closes the gap between us. An infinite moment later, his lips are on mine, caught up in a gentle kiss that seems to last for eternity and no time at all. I savor the feeling of his lips for as long as I can, until he pulls away much too fast for my liking.

"Remember your promise," he murmurs into my ear, before unfolding his great black wings from his back. "Be safe, my love." And then he's gone; out of the door and away from me in an instant. Into the battle that will no doubt be raging at any moment. I stare after him, willing him with all my being to be safe. Does he even know how much he means to me?

"Jungkook," Jin touches my shoulder lightly, and I start. "Let's go."

"Taehyung―" I clear my throat. "Will Taehyung be alright?"

Jin hesitates, a comment dying on his lips. "He's a survivor of many wars like this one, Jungkook. Odds are, he'll be fine," his voice is gentle, but I sense a hint of worry laced into the words. "Come on. Let's get you to the infirmary. No point in worrying before the war's even started."

I nod, deciding to follow him. I step through the door, letting the white light engulf me whole. When I regain my sight, I see that I'm not in Hyde Park, but a hill overlooking London. A river gushes by on my right, and the city spreads out underneath me like a map. A series of white tents are set up behind me, no doubt the healing center. Jin walks towards the infirmary, lifting up the white flap which serves as the door.

I'm about to go in too, when I hear a quiet boom in the distance. Jin must have heard it too, because his head snaps up. In the distance, a red glow rises from the heart of London, transforming the sky above it into a lurid nightmare. Dawn is still hours away, yet the horizon is painted vermillion with the radiance illuminated from the city.

Then, the first shouts start to pierce the air, and the clash of steel against steel echoes in my ears.

"Jungkook..." Jin murmurs to my right. "It's here."

But he doesn't have to say it. I knew as soon as I saw the glow over London. No other species could make flames jump so impossibly high.

The war has begun.