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157.

Tae quietly went towards him, Jungkook was facing his back and he seemed to focused to notice a presence behind him.

Tae peeked on what he was doing, and he saw that he's drawing something.

'Why is he drawing guns?' He thought, but still amazed by the talent.

Its that purple notebook again. The same notebook that Tae was curious about. It seemed too special for Jungkook, and he wanted to find out why.

"Woah, spare me some talent." Jungkook almost jumped on his place when he heard a voice behind him. He was so startled and he almost threw the notebook away. He turned around and closed his eyes in annoyance when he saw who it is.

"What do you want?" Jungkook asked, hiding the notebook behind his back. Tae pouted and pointed the notebook by his lips.

"Why are you drawing guns?" He asked.

"Because I want to." Jungkook dared to leave, but Tae blocked his way. "I believe there's another reason."

Jungkook tried to go on the other side but Tae blocked it too. "Why are you ignoring me?"

"I'm not ignoring you."

"Yes you are."

"No I'm not."

"Cross your heart?"

"Hope to die."

Tae was about to speak again when he realized what just Jungkook said. Hope to die? He will, but Tae was wishing that this time - history will spare him.

Jungkook escaped him, but Tae still followed him behind. "What if you really die?"

Tae asked, he wanted to know what Jungkook would feel. "I'm a soldier, I'm born to die." Tae couldn't help himself but to feel sadder.

He could've not asked him that, and now - his heart hurts.

"Where are you going?" Tae asked, trying to make the atmosphere lighter.

"Why would I tell you?"

They we're walking while talking. "Because I'm cute." Tae giggled. Jungkook looked back.

"How does that connect?" He asked. "You should tell me because I'm cute." He flashed his boxy smile and Jungkook just shook his head.

"Look, I need to do my tasks. And I can't do that when you're following me like this. Please mind your business."

Tae pouted and glared at him. "You're mean, really mean." He rolled his eyes and turn around to leave.

He hasn't gone that far yet but someone came to him.

"Taehyung!" Bogum called, running towards him with his gummy smile. Tae's face lit up. "Hey!" He greeted back.

"Good thing I saw you. I'm currently doing horse back riding. Wanna join?" Tae felt a bit awkward. "I-I don't want to ride a-"

"Nothing will go wrong. I promise."

Bogum held Tae's wrist, and Jungkook's eyes caught it. He watched them go to the field until they're far away now.

Jungkook sighed and felt different. He can't explain the feeling and he doesn't want to know.

He shrugged it off and went back to his business.

On the other hand, Tae felt uncomfortable about riding the horse. But Bogum, he's really guiding him.

Tae let out a shaky breathe and Bogum noticed it.

"Don't worry, we wont go out. Just in the field." He rode the other horse and flashed a smile.

They started going on circles in the field, little by little, Tae is starting to feel comfortable riding a horse again. And that made Bogum smile.

"I'm sorry If I dragged you into this. But you know, we ride a horse on wars. And I just want to help you be comfortable again."

Tae chuckled. "I know, that's why atleast I forced myself too. And I'm glad I did cuz I feel a bit relaxed now."

They continued going circles, slowly and sometimes hastening their movements.

"Hey...I just...I just wanna thank you." Tae started. "For what?"

"For saving me in the forest last week. I really thought it was the end of me. But you came, so I would probably consider this my second life."

Bogum chuckled. "Its okay. But if that happens again, don't panic okay? Mind over matter." He advised.

Tae glanced at Bogum. His face looks angelic, he smiles a lot, and he really seems approachable.

Unlike SOMEONE HE KNEW.

Tae randomly looked into the building and he saw Jungkook looking at him.

He immediately waved at him and flashed a smile, but he just went away.

Tae giggled. He thought it was cute. He's really doing his best to obey what his father ordered him.

And Tae felt safe.

He knew Jungkook would always be there. Even if he's not looking, he knew Jungkook has his eyes on him.

Never in his life, did he ever felt this safe.

158.[In some weeks]

159.

For the past few weeks, Tae still kept following him around. He did not care if he's obvious or not. He just goes with the flow.

And he's really thankful that Jungkook isn't mentioning anything about it anymore. Maybe, that's what made his job easier.

But that notebook is really bothering him. He knew there's something inside it since Jungkook has been obviously protecting it.

What's so special with that notebook that even a hero protects it?

Today, Tae wanted to solve all of his questions. He made a plan, he needs to get that notebook.

"Hi Captain!" Tae met him on his way, he was walking in the hallway and as usual, his brows we're furrows. He seemed so stressed today.

Jungkook did not pay attention to him and continued walking. But Tae just kept following him. "Have you eaten today?" he asked.

"No."

Tae's mouth flung open. "Since breakfast? It's lunch now, you should eat!" he said but Jungkook did not respond. Tae thought of another way of starting a conversation.

"Where are you going today?"

"None of your business." Jungkook went upstairs, and Tae still followed.

"Why not?" Tae asked, trying to lighten up the mood.

"Just go." Jungkook said, his voice seemed really serious, but that didn't throw Tae off. "Why would I?"

"Because I said so."

"But I want to follow you." Tae flashed him a smile, but nothing happened.

"Stop following me." Jungkook said, he was hastening his steps, trying to leave Taehyung back. But Taehyung hastened his steps too.

"I won't. Are you okay? You look stressed."

"Go away."

"No, we're friends so--"

"I SAID GO AWAY!" Jungkook stopped and looked back at him.

Only to see Taehyung's surprised reaction. He was frozen on his place. he did not expect the sudden thunder of Jungkook's voice. He doesn't like being shouted at, he felt scared.

He's tearing up.

"Stop following me and we're NOT FRIENDS! We're not close, we're not related!"

"Stop acting like we're pals. In the first place you shouldn't be talking casually to me. I am your Captain, and you are my subordinate. That's how we're ONLY related. Do you understand, Mr. Kim?"

Jungkook's voice was getting louder, he was breathing furiously.

He did not even notice that Taehyung was shaking in fear.

Tae felt a lump in his throat while trying to process everything that Jungkook said.

After some while, Tae held his face up and saluted, "Sir, yes sir!" he cried.

"I'm sorry if I see you as my friend, I never thought you don't see me the same. My apologies, Captain." Taehyung forced a smile to hold his tears back.

He bowed and did not take a glance at Jungkook's reaction. He doesn't want to see his reaction because he'll surely cry.

Jungkook watched him walk away. He was too furious to realize the ache in his heart the moment Taehyung stated those.

He knew he was wrong to say that, but It's too late to take it back. He ran his fingers through his hair and clicked his tongue.

What a day for him.

Taehyung ran to a tree, the same tree where he saw Jungkook that night.

And right when he reached the tree, he burst.

Anger and hurt. All of his realization flooded his mind and that even made the tears fall.

"I forgot that he's a Captain, & I'm just nothing."

Maybe, he really went to far. Maybe he's really trying hard. Maybe, maybe he's really the wrong one.

That angelic face and voice turned so dark awhile ago. He felt safe around him but at that moment, it was the same amount of fear.

His body was still shaking. He hates it when people shouts at him, when people betray him, when people invalidate him.

And he hated it even more because he's too sensitive. He was supposed to be angry, but those madness immediately turns into tears.

He's such a baby. A cry baby.

Twenty minutes had already passed when that happened, but his tears aren't still stopping.

"Why am I hurt like this? I'm not supposed to be." he said in between his cries. He wiped tears with his handkerchief.

"I cared too much about him. Maybe that's why. I'm so dumb."

[ TIME SKIP : FEW WEEKS LATER ]

And it remained like that, ignorance and pretending like they don't see each other.

Tae did not forget about his mission, but for now, he's still sullen. He's still hurt. And he doesn't know when it'll be over.

Little did he know, Jungkook was still there. He was still protecting him from afar. Even just by watching, Jungkook managed to keep him safe.

And Taehyung never noticed those. He's too busy training and distracting himself from him.

Atleast, Jungkook was thankful that
Taehyung had friends -- his team mates.

They're helping him in the things that he can't. And probably, make him laugh. Atleast, that's what he's thankful for now.

"Captain, let's go." Lieutenant Han said. They had some missions in the other city and they're leaving today.

Jungkook nodded and took a last glance at Taehyung who's practicing how to shoot with a gun & he left.

Heart still heavy, he knew one day he'll have to apologize. He can't do the General's mission for him if they're like this.

He can't always protect him from afar.

"Water break from 15 minutes!" the trainer announced. After that, all of the soldiers went to the side to rest and drink some water.

Namjoon noticed that Tae was looking for something. "What's wrong Tae?" he asked.

"I think I left my bag in the room." he said.

He immediately went on his way towards their designated room. He unlocked it and went inside to get his bag. "Why did I not bring you?" he asked the bag.

He went outside, locking the door. But even before he leaves, a hard object swung onto his head.

He lost consciousness.

160. (Art by:ARTSEOULVK)

THE BEST AUTHOR OF THIS AU IS ARTSEOULVK🍓

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