241.

[ END OF FLASHBACK ]

242.[Some other day]

243.

“I know that you all know the rules inside the forest. You have your silencers with you, don’t make any unwanted noises so that we won’t bother the animals. Understood?”

“Sir, yes sir!”

There are not much of soldiers in front of the forest for nature purposes.

The assistant handed the trainer a box. “This contains all your missions to do. But before you pick, we will set you into partners.”

Jungkook was standing on the side, supervising everything. Its his job.

The trainer announced all the partners, “Kim Taehyung & Park Bogum.”

Tae felt a bit stunned, he knew Jungkook was jealous of Bogum. So he immediately looked at his expression, but it was all normal.

That’s quite odd.

Or maybe, Tae was just overreacting. He shrugged it off and fell in line with Bogum, the others had their partners already.

“You only have to pick one inside. The mission written on the paper that you’ll get will be your mission. The time will be around 20 minutes.”

The soldiers fell in line and picked their unpredicted mission. Some were happy about it, some were not.

But Tae, he’s quite fine.

He felt relieved, “Ours was easy.” He was the one who picked the mission. He showed Bogum the small paper.

“Shoot a dear with just one bullet.” Bogum read, “It’s easy, but we’ll have to shoot it in the head if thats the mission.”

Tae nodded, even though he felt nervous.

“Bring your finish product and come back here. Your 20 minutes starts now.”

Everyone immediately went to their places and started doing their mission.

Tae’s eyes we’re sharp and kept looking around the place just incase there’s a deer.

“Hey, we’re just in the front,”

“Deers are often far inside the forest.” Bogum chuckled and Tae realized it too.

He laughed to himself, “Just checking.”

It was 10 minutes of looking for a deer, but Tae’s feet got tired first.
There’s only 10 minutes left, but that felt quite long for Tae.

“Are you okay?” Bogum asked when Tae stopped by a nearby tree. “Can we rest for a little? My legs are tired.”

Tae complained, Bogum hesitated at first, but he immediately agreed. “Okay, maybe a 30 seconds is enough?”

Tae gawked. “No way, that’s too short!”

Bogum laughed, “I know, I was just teasing you.” Tae felt himself blush. He realized he was too gullible.

“A minute, that should be enough—“ , “AAAAH!” Bogum flinched at Tae’s sudden scream.

“WHATTHEFUCKISTHATMOTHERFUCKER?!” He cried, his voice was too loud.

Bogum felt confused, Tae was holding onto his sleeves tightly and was hiding behind him in fear.

“What is it?” Tae’s grip tightened. “Something touched my ankle—“

hissssssssssssssssssssssss.

Both of their eyes bawled at the sound.

“A SNAKE?!” They both cried in unison.

But before they even realize it, the snake was right in front of them, flaunting its scales and fiery eyes on them.

It was a black mamba and its very fast.

Plus, there are three of them.

Bogum’s first instinct is to just walk away calmy, because snakes won’t attack you unless you provoke them.

“Tae, we should follow the snake.” Bogum whispered, and Tae immediately cried.

“ARE YOU CRAZY?! DO YOU WANT US TO—AAAAAAH!”

Tae immediately ran when he saw the snake made a move towards them.

Bogum cursed under his breathe. Tae was being too loud. “Tae, stop running!” He ran after him.

While Tae, was just continuously running. He hates snakes so much, oh no one knew how much.

He didn’t want to die just because of a venom of that snake. Not in this era, for sure!

“Taehyung, stop right there!” He heard Bogum’s voice and it sounds so alarming.

But his feet were just too fast to stop. His fear was turning into tears and he hated it.

“Taehyung, no!” Tae jumped across a river towards the other side, but he was about to run again when Bogum shouted.

“THAT’S A LANDMINE AREA!” He immediately stopped moving, even he did not even dare to put down his other foot on the land.

“W-What?”

Bogum finally reached him. He was panting for breath because of the running. Tae was on the other side of the land.

“There are lots of landmines there. Our lecturer told us, you did weren’t listening on the lectures, we’re you?”

He asked and Tae felt guilty.

Tae slowly put down his other foot on the stone and turned around. “Is it true or you just joking around?”

Bogum shook his head, “Why would I joke about that?” He asked and Tae slowly shrugged.

“I don’t know? What if you’re making up things?” He asked.

“Then try going in there, for sure you won’t survive if ever.” Bogum challenged, because he knew Tae wouldn’t.

Tae looked back, the area really looked dangerous.

“You should believe me, I’m a bomb disposal technician. I know landmines too well. I can never be a victim—“

Bogum paused on his mid-sentence, even his breathing stopped.

Tae felt odd about it and furrowed his brows, “Are you okay?” He asked, and Bogum smiled.

“Of course.” Tae inspected him. “You look stiff.”

“No, I’m totally fine.”

“Did you step on a landmine?”

Bogum laughed, but he was really stiff and only his mouth was moving.

“Haha, me? A bomb disposal technician?” He asked and laughed again.

But this time, he was begging. “Please help me.”

Tae laughed hard when he confirmed that Bogum really did stepped on a landmine.

He was almost kneeling on the stones with his hands on his stomach.

His eyes we’re smiling and that boxy smile of his can never be old.

He looked wonderful. Like a ball of sunshine.

And even if Bogum was on the death line, he smiled too.

244.

245.

It was the same punishment — carrying books while kneeling down the sea of salt.

Tae felt like crying coz his wounds had just been cured, & now he’s gon’ have it again.

“For one hour, I’ll be back after.” The trainer said after he saw them doing the punishment already.

The trainer left.

Even though it was just the start, Tae was already tearing up. He can feel his wounds opening up again, and its even painful because it was an old wound.

He was surprised when Bogum suddenly stood up. “Stand up.” He ordered.

“Huh?”

“Come on, stand up.” Tae did not know what he’s planning but he did as he was told.

Bogum took out his handkerchief and he parted the salt first before putting it under.

“Kneel here.” Tae felt confused. He knelt down on the handkerchief and it felt comfortable.

Bogum quickly gathered the salt around Tae’s knees so no one will know that he’s kneeling on a handkerchief instead of salt.

Bogum fixed his books and he knelt down on the salt after.

Tae was silent and was still in confusion. Isn’t this cheating on a punishment?

“This is wrong...” Tae said.

“No, they’re wrong too. I heard you had this punishment already so I’m sure that ur wound would open up again. It might get infected. That’s dangerous.”

Tae felt his heart beating fast. He was touched, he didn’t knew he cared this much.

He’s right, his old wound might get infected. But he felt guilty since he wasn’t feeling the same pain as Bogum.

“You should kneel on a handkerchief too—“ He let off a small laugh, even though he’s in pain.

“No, I’m fine. I’m strong.” Tae giggled, he sounds like a kid.

Silence ruled over them, and there are lots of thoughts going in Tae’s head.

“Thank you.” He said, and even though he can’t turn his head on the side because of the books, he knew Bogum was smiling.

“No, thank you.” Tae felt confused on what he said. “Sorry, what?”

Bogum chuckled. “Nothing, I said welcome.” He said and everything went silent again.

But deep inside his heart, he knew what he wanted to say.

‘Thank you for coming into my life.’ Oh much he wanted to tell him that, but he knew his limitations.

He knew he can’t have him.

Because he also knew, that he person he loves, has his heart for another person.

And what is he, against a person who Taehyung loves the most?

He’s not even starting yet, but he knew he already lost.

At least, he just wanted to keep him safe. And that’s all that matters.

246.

247.

248.

249.

“How much is this?” Asked Tae’s mom, she was referring on the crab.

Tae was still quite distracted about the place, it was clean and tidy. There are lots of things you can buy, and of course people too.

But not as much people in the future.

They bought the crab, and went to look for more food in the market.

“Would you like anything, honey?” His mom asked and Tae immediately thought of something.

He saw not much far, a stall with scallops as their product. Oh damn, he love scallops.

“Can I buy some scallops?”

His mom nodded and Tae happily went to the stall, leaving his mom waiting not from afar.

He took a look at scallops and inspected it to see if its fresh and fine.

Surprising, all of the scallops are looking fresh, and it looks like it just came out from the sea.

Unlike in the future, err...better not say.

But even if all looks so fresh, you need to pick the best among them.

He quickly bought a kilo of it and grabbed the plastic as soon as it was ready.

He turned to his mom and as to his surprise, she was talking to someone.

Even though that person is back-facing him, Tae’s heart immediately jumped as soon as he realized who it was.

Smiling, he went towards them and his mother immediately noticed. “Oh! I forgot to say, Taehyung is with me.”

Both met gazes & they couldn’t control their smiles.

Jungkook bowed his head a little as a sign of acknowledgement. “Good morning, Mr. Kim.”

Tae did the same, “Good morning too, Captain.” His mother felt a bit confused when they started giggling at each other, but she did not show it.

Because maybe, she knew.

“I should get going, Mrs. Kim. Have a nice day.” Jungkook once again said before leaving.

As soon as it, Tae immediately asked her. “Why is Captain here?”

They started walking to find some more food. “He said he had an inspection in the nearest camp.”

“I was fixing the things we bought and I was struggling a bit with the tomatoes so he came to help me.”

Tae was smiling all along while his mother was telling him what happened.

And his mother noticed to she tried to catch things.

“Captain looks quite glowing these days, maybe he’s inlove.”

Tae’s smile became wider but he noticed it so he immediately sucked the insides of his mouth to control his smile.

His mother looked away then lowkey smiled and nodded.

You know, a mother’s instinct?

It was all a blur, Tae and his mother were still looking for some food and just a few more and they’ll be over.

“Have you seen some potatoes? I need some.” His mother asked, and Tae immediately looked around the place to search for some.

And he spotted one, “There!”

They went towards the stall and started picking some potatoes.

“Good morning, ma’am, sir, you’re on the right stall because we sell the best and delicious potatoes in the town!”

He chuckled at the tagline, but the voice felt too familiar for him to ignore.

He immediately looked up, only to see Bogum on a simple shirt, with a big smile on his face while saying the tagline.

“Bogum?” He said and it caught his attention. He looked surprised. “Taehyung?”

He immediately bowed at them as soon as he saw Tae’s mother.

They’re one of the most known families in the town, might as well show respect, eh?

“Good morning, Mrs. Kim!” He greeted, “You look wonderful, ma’am. No wonder why your son is handsome.”

Tae’s mother laughed at the words. “You have humor, don’t you?” She said.

He giggled, “But I’m telling the truth  ma’am.”

Tae’s mother felt touched and she felt that he’s sincere. “Thank you. And quit the formalities, you can cal me auntie since you’re friends with my son.” She said.

Tae heard it and he blushed a bit.

They bought the potatoes and Tae’s mom paid much than the price. “Here’s the change ma’am—“

“No, keep it. You’re working hard, keep it up.” She smiled and handed him back the change.

“Oh, just a sec. I’ll just buy an apple there. Wait for me here okay?” She told Tae.

As soon as she left, they chatted. “You work here?” He asked and Bogum chuckled. “Well, yeah. I wanted to help my parents too while I’m in the camp.”

Tae nodded and looked at their other products. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“You thought I’m rich?” Tae laughed.

“Well, I did somehow.”

Bogum kept his smile and sighed. “Sorry to say, but I’m just an average guy. We’re just poor, but I’m still thankful that we get to eat three times a day.”

Tae felt a bit sad, “That’s not to be sorry of. You’re helping your parents while training in the camp. That must be hard. And I hope you won’t be ashamed of this. It’s a decent job. Keep it up.”

Tae cheered him up. Bogum smiles all the time, but he never knew that his life was like this. It must be hard, but at least, he’s grateful.

They left the market as soon as they completed the foods to buy.

They rode the callesa on their way home. But since his mother was curious of things, he asked Taehyung.

“Hows your heart, son?” Tae felt surprised coz of the sudden question.

“Huh?"

She let off a smile. “Are you inlove?” She said, and Tae let out a nervous laugh.

Just by the laugh, she knew her son was inlove.

She immediately held his hand to make him feel comfortable about the topic.

“You know you can tell me anything right?” She said.

Tae just nodded, but he’s still silent. He knew his mom knew that he’s inlove. But he’s afraid to say that he’s inlove with a MAN.

What if he disappoints her?

“You know, whoever you’re inlove with, any person, any gender — I will always support you, okay?”

By her words, Tae felt a bit relieved. He felt like crying because even if he didn’t say it directly, he felt like he finally came out to his mom.

He smiled. “I love you, mom.”

Her mom smiled back & she kissed his forehead like he’s still her baby.

“I love you too, son.”

250.

THE BEST AUTHOR OF THIS AU IS ARTSEOULVK🍓

Note: Please share your thoughts or experience while reading this chapter.Thanks♡