Chapter 68: Blood in His teeth, He smiles so sweet.

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Heyaaa it's been a mfing while.

Whatever yall gotta do. Do not skip this chapter.

(Seriously do not skip any of these chapters cause there's serious drama critical to the plot of the whole book in these help)

CONTENT WARNING: this chapter contains the following themes, so please read with caution

•Homophobic slurs
•bullying
•drowning
•Blood/blood mentions
•stabbing
•abuse/ depiction of violence
•horror depictions.
•Choking
•Death
•Violence
•suicidal ideation
•Gore
•torture
•asphyxiation
• non-con elements/mention
•Religious trauma
•Usage of Religious themes (misguided/extreme/inappropriate)

Recommended muisc:
• Taina - Schepetkov, 2WEI
•Crazy Train - Joseph William Morgan
• Faceless- Rok Nardin
• Moving mountains - Thomas Bergersen
• Vanguard - Jo Blankenburg
• The Rumbling- Rok Nardin ,Samuel Kim

Happy Reading haha♡

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Taehyung shudders.

It's cold.

He pulls himself closer, curling on the wet floor.

He's cold.

A sensation almost foreign- that he had completely forgotten what it felt like.

Almost lost.... almost... erased from his mind, after having being wrapped in warmth for so long.... for so less.

Taehyung does not remember and is sure he would not have cared for the loss, had he not savored warmth at the tip of his tongue.

And now that it was ripped away from him like a honeyed promise that was never meant for him, the cold is brutal and unforgiving, as it licks away at his skin, tearing away at his flesh.

He bites back a cry, squirming in the dark. His eyes are open, yet all that greets him is endless darkness.

And the cold.

The floor is wet to the touch, familiar unlike the veil of darkness that envelopes him. He hobbles to his feet, dizzy as he balances himself on the wet ground. His body aches with each step, a dull buzz in his skull that heightens- his thoughts disoriented.

He trudges in the dark almost aimlessly for hours end with little to no light overhead to restrain his vision to less than 2 feet.

An arm remains limp on his side that he can no longer sense through, as if having being injected with an anesthesia of sort.... he does not remember.

Taehyung ceases at his feet, standing still to look overhead, far above the source of faint light where the endless darkness stretched on and on.

Ripples run across the liquid he stood upon, like an echo that is sent to find something... anything...

Taehyung hears nothing.

His pupils dilated and glassy, his face spotted with dried blood.

Taehyung moves his lips, almost imperceptibly.

What am I doing here?

The place, the nightmare he was seemingly stuck in, was endless.

Taehyung does not understand.

Unknowing, yet familiar.

Something amiss.

He lowers his gaze, watching the ripples over the surface.

Something was amiss.

Taehyung shivers.

He blinks.

His pupils pinpointing at once, as the events of his conscious returns before his eyes.

He lets out a gasp, his face contorting to terror as he remembers it all, the dots connecting to what was amiss all the while.

He sets out into a sprint, splashes echoed to his ears.

His heart hammers with fear, denying the flames of blue and orange that had snuffed out the face he had so adored.

It can't be true.

It can't be true!

His chest hurts with each ragged breath he takes, his legs feel no better than a tower of blocks ready to crumble any time, yet he cannot bring himself to stop as he searches in the endless darkness for the one thing that held onto him.

The one thing that anchored him down with comfort and relief.

With warmth.

"JUNGKOOK!" He cries out, desperate in search of a flicker of red flame in the dark.

"JUNGKOOK WHERE ARE YOU?!"

The red-gold sun that overlooked him no longer remained, taking its very warmth along with it, leaving Taehyung alone with thoughts that ate him away.

Leaving him to chalk it up to a possibility... that Jungkook may have met the worst.

Death.

The very implication of it, frightened the human.

He chokes out a cry, his voice hoarse.

And so when he trips, he falls with no one to cradle him.

He falls, cutting through the ground that swallows him up.

He falls, the water rushing past his ears and shutting them up.

It's hollow. It's dark. It's quiet.

It's cold.

He looks up as he sinks where the faint source of light remains, shining over the surface, unwilling to follow him into the abyss.

The water changes its hues under the light, turning turquoise and green with dark wisps.

Taehyung recalls the blood, the Arrows, the flames that ate away at its Master.

He remembers his face, his pain, his anger, his desperate struggle, all in vain.

And all that he could do, was watch.

Taehyung feels his eyes burn, his tears coalescing with the water surrounding him, a throbbing ache arises from his chest. Like dark roots squeezing around his heart, sinking its thorns in to rip him to pieces.

Everything goes.

Everything.... everything he treasures, is eventually ripped away from him.

Taehyung chokes as water gushes his lungs- he struggles.

Futile.

In vain.

His eyes clenched shut, his lungs burn, his limbs numbing.

It aches.

It's cold.

And when his body is limp, sinking into the abyss- he opens his eyes, to a nightmare awaiting him.

He jumps back, his face drenched down to his chest. Crude laughter filtering through his ears.

He blinks away dazedly, as light stings his vision whilst the noise steadily morphs to words.

"Wake up now student Kim... Tae.... fag"

More cruel laughter.

"Oh goodness he looks so fucked out- seriously Cheongwook are you planning on giving him a concussion?"

"Concussion? You think I can give something like that to a thick skull like his hm?" He mocks, slapping the back of the damp head and the boy lurches forward in his seat.

Taehyung grits his teeth, biting back his cry

"Isn't that right perv?"

Another smack is delivered to his head and Taehyung winces, but dares not raise his head in retaliation.

"Cheongwook. The teacher's heading this way. How are you going to explain this to her?!" A curt feminine voice cuts through and the teenager's attention shifts from the boy to the other girl.

The raven haired boy smiles, a dimple in his cheek whilst his eyes glint with pure malice. He stands and steps forward "so? What are you going to do about this class monitor? Tattle about me?" He grins and the girl steps behind "Send me to the principal? Or have me call my dad in here?"

She sucks in a breath but doesn't look away, fuming in silence as the rest of students peek at their interaction, not daring enough to butt in to take the heat off of Lee Cheongwook- the Trustee's nephew on one side and the son of a well known Conglomerate- or better enough, Taehyung's own personal hell.

"Dont try to discipline me. You're nothing but a deer in my eyes." Cheongwook leans over her and the girl cringes away "fix your glasses. You got history homework to do so get going." He clicks his tongue, gesturing at his seat and his goons snicker.

The girl, Oh Bona purses her lips. Unable to fight back, she walks over to his seat as instructed and grabs ahold of the books before heading back to her own seat.

Cheongwook huffs out loud.

"That's right. Anybody else got anything to say?" Cheongwook turns to face the students, who actively avoid eye contact .

"Hm? Anyone?"

"That's what I thought." He snickers, walking back up to to the drenched boy who cowered in his seat "Speaking in favor of this pervert sinner is same as going against me, the righteous. Grind that down in your poor rotting brains hah?!"

"But Cheongwook-ah..." the girl, Junghye interjects meekly, clutching onto his arm with her delicate hold "glasses over there is right. You made a mess in here. What are you gonna tell Mr. Kim?"

The boy scoffs, leaning down upclose to Taehyung's face "he's lucky that's just milk and not sewer water." He grins, taking ahold of the boy's hair, so that he's made to look up at him.

"Ohhhh look at him-" Another of the goons clicks his tongue "look how this pervert is glaring at you hahah Cheongwook. So scary."

Junghye giggles behind her palm "Oh my god he's such a freak-"

"What are you looking at pervert? Are you mad hm? Do you wanna fight me hm???" Cheongwook threatens, gripping the boy's damp oak hair.

Taehyung glares, his eyes fierce but lips sealed.

Cheongwook huffs, returning the glare.

"I would have poured piss on you instead had I not known how much you enjoy sucking cock you dirty bastard." He spits venomously, his eyes wide and fuming as lips slowly morph into a grin. "Know your place pervert."

Taehyung grits his teeth, restraining his fist from flying out.

He can't do it again. He won't do it again.

He's a disgrace as he already is, he cannot bring himself to disappoint any more, so he swallows the insults.

And eventually he's saved by nick of time, when the teacher walks in and the crowd surrounding him dissipates quickly. The teacher, Mr. Kim runs an eye over him and then abruptly looks away, clearly not wanting to do anything with him.

This is how it usually goes now.

Taehyung is used to it.

He's used to it.

He swallows the burn in his throat and the tears that sting his eyes, hiding his face in arms over the desk.

A cry for help that's never heard, never uttered, not because he can't- rather for he's not allowed to.

A sinner.

That's what he was.

Despite the constant hell of being bound by the small town, there once used to be a period of reverie.

"Hyung! Hyung wait up!"

Taehyung stops.

"Why didn't you wait for me?" The voice repeats, whining and Taehyung who is shackled to it- tenses.

"I did wait for you." He replies instead "let's go."

At the reply, a shorter boy springs infront of Taehyung. His frame scrawny and hair oak colored just like his.

"But hyung..." he whines, grabbing ahold of the elder's arm "you have stopped picking me up from class and instead stand near the exit gate!- do you know how fast I have to run to make sure I don't lose sight of you?"

Taehyung huffs at that "don't complain now." He sighs, ruffling up Hyunwoo's hair. "And it's better for you if they don't see me.... okay?"

"If who sees you?" The innocent child questions.

"It doesn't matter..."

"Hm... are you sad hyung?"

Taehyung briefly looks up, wondering if someone was looking down at him from the skies overhead.

Was he sad?

He exhales and musters a smile to greet his brother "no. Not at all. Tell me what snacks do you want to eat? I will treat you today!"

The words morphs a bright smile on the younger's face and he excitedly swings about Taehyung's arm.

"Really?! Really!!! Wahhh!!!! Hyung hyung let's have-"

Taehyung smiles fondly at the boy, as he skips ahead rambling names of sweets and savories.

He shivers, just briefly when the cold breeze brushes past him. He turns back, the street dead empty as something unsettling clamps down on his bones.

Taehyung grits his teeth and quickly turns away to catch up with his brother, only to trip onto the ground and the next second he's dragged back by his ankles.

Taehyung cries out in fear, his finger nails digging into the asphalt all bloodied as he's pulled further away from his brother's retreating figure.

His cries echo, as he's flipped to glance upon the faceless monster of black mist that had shackled him.

The creature snarls over him and Taehyung can only watch with quivering lips, frozen in fear, his chest moving rapidly as he hyperventilates.

The creature, admittedly possessing sharp red irises leans over him- it's jaws and teeth faintly visible.

"Please...." he whimpers, eyes steadily tearing up, he begs for mercy but the monster doesn't yield and so when he feels something pierce his chest...

The boy shrieks.

He thrashes violently, convulsing when the claw digs into his chest. He looks up at the menacing creature, who bares not one shred of mercy.

Skin to flesh to bone. It digs through.

There's so much blood.

It hurts.

It's cold.

Taehyung snaps open his eyes, feeling the condensation on his forhead.

"Dont touch that... you're still sick." The voice cuts sharply.

Taehyung's heart stutters, his eyes flying out to catch the face.

His throat wobbles

"...mom?"

He watches her slender hands, squeezing out the washcloth and proceeding to dip it in a bowl. She then brings it and places it on his forhead, replacing the other one.

"Mother?" He calls again, desperate.

"Yes what is it?"

Taehyung purses his lips, feeling the ache in his chest spike. He looks away.

"I'm sorry."

"Its not your fault."

Taehyung looks back the woman. Her face, fairly young as she steps into her 40s. Her hair starkly black and neatly pulled up into a bun. Her eyes, same as his own- a monolid and a double lid.

Taehyung's lips quiver.

"I... I am sorry... for all of it... for being like this... I'm sorry."

He watches how her face contorts into sadness at that.

"Its not your fault Taehyung-ah...."

"I'm sorry.... I'm sorry... I'm sorry for- for disappointing you and father.... I'm sorry I'll be better... I'll be normal please... I'm so-"

"Its not your fault." She repeats, her voice stern. Her face then crumbles, as she leans in to embrace him. "You are normal to me. You are my child. My son. You're my son."

Taehyung sobs harder.

"Taehyung-ah." She says, her voice strained with grief "as for your father... he... it's just difficult... for him to understand..." she pauses, giving him a tight squeeze before leaning away.

Her eyes are red rimmed and glazed.

"He tries.... it's just... he'll need time. He worries for you too-" she sighs, lowering her gaze and Taehyung senses a lie from her words.

"With everything that has been going around... with all the people talking... he- he tries... it will get better. Soon it will all go back to normal. We'll make it go back to how it was. You'll be better"

Taehyung chews his lips.

The words bring him no comfort.

The very implication of comfort, laced with proof of his flaws.

Proof that he's not normal.

He's not like the others.

He's sick.

A pervert.

A boy who was unfortunate enough to be infatuated with another boy.

Even more so unfortunate for his crimes to be exposed and gossiped all over the town.

Taehyung feels sick.

He shuts his eyes, swallowing the filth in his throat.

And as he drifts off into his exhaustion, a shadow haunts him, drawing its claws over his skin.

It clicks its throat, gurgling at him and even behind the veil of his clenched shut eyes, he can see them. Red.

Red eyes like the Devil.

An evil being.

That's what they said to him when he was taken to the church for a remedy- that his corruption, his defilement, his blasphemous actions were nothing but an inkling as to being swayed by the Devil.

His unlawful desires, were the Devil's doing.

All because he wasn't complacent, innocent, obedient, he had lost his purity to be the God's child and was damned for which he could host the Devil in his body and have him act out his tyranny.

Taehyung had cried in fear at the words.

He's not lost his purity.

He can be complacent. He can be obedient.

He's not the Devil's host!

They wouldn't listen, no matter how hard he cried out, they wouldn't listen as they clutched him harshly by the shoulders and doused him in scented water in efforts of ridding his sins.

It burned his lungs and nostrils, as he struggled in vain fearing of drowning.

The water gushed inside him and he was soon choking.

The shadow that lingered around him, grew in size circling him in the water like a predator scaling up its prey.

Taehyung watches, listless and limp as to how those Red eyes morph into peach blossom brown ones.

"I like you... Taehyung-ah... not like friends but... but more."

Taehyung looks up at the boy in shock, his heart hammering in his chest.

"I want you.. more... than the way I used to..." he continues, his cheeks tinted pink under the warm glow of the evening sun.

Taehyung's throat runs dry, his palms sweat "that's.... that's not right... you- we're boys. We can't."

The boy, DoHwa albeit disheartened, takes his hands into his own, pressing them to his chest.

"I know... I just wanted you to know .. I like you. You're kind and strong, I like that so much about you. You're too good to me-"

"Dohwa- you! we can't!" Taehyung bites out, trying to pull his hands away. "My parents will kill me. My father will kill me if he finds out. Please! Don't do this to me!"

Dohwa lets him go. His shoulders sag "do you not like me even a bit?"

Taehyung lowers his gaze, "what does it matter?"

"It matters to me." He whispers, pain evident in his voice.

"We can't. " Taehyung mumbles, squeezing his palm "even if I were to like you... we can't. "

Wind blows, billowing the tall grass that sway in response. The sun dips lower, nearing the horizon painting the skies in brilliant shades of yellows and oranges with hints of pink whilst the two boys sit in solace, lamenting.

"We do not have to tell anyone." Dohwa sighs.

"Dohwa it's not-" Taehyung bristles.

"I won't tell another soul. Nobody will come to know."

"It won't work."

"Taehyung please. Just give me a chance."

"No..."

"We can meet each other, everyday right here. Nobody knows of this place. I just... please... "

Taehyung looks at him, gauging the sincerity in his eyes.

He waits, watching the blush spread out on the boy's cheeks.

He feels weak, his heart in his throat.

He agrees.

Taehyung meets up with Dohwa everyday after that. They don't do much, except for chat and do their homework. Sometimes Dohwa would get his Football and they'd play around until the Sun has set well past into the horizon.

Sometimes they'd walk past the tall grass and into the woods nearby, to go pretend hunting to mimick the chaebols from their class.

And sometimes they'd lie on the ground, their hands clasped tight as they'd gaze at the sky trying to visualize mundane objects off the clouds.

The calm lulled him. He was happy and content. Even when Dohwa would embrace him in the shadows or brush his fingers past his in the corridors, Taehyung felt warm all over the same.

He liked Dohwa too much.

And he was sure Dohwa did too.

When each touch of his lingered longer, the way his fingers would grasp at him unwilling to leave, the way he got bold enough to peck him on the cheeks-

Taehyung felt like a maiden in love.

He wanted more of it. More of this terrifying but equally exhilarating sensation. He wanted Dohwa, all of him.

So he allowed it, when his kisses grew bolder, from his cheeks to lips. His tender pecks, turning to ravage him.

Taehyung enjoyed it, he welcomed the warmth with open arms and Dohwa doted on him.

Their hideout, was their paradise.

It lasted for longer than Taehyung thought it would, 10 months of bliss and then, it tore down.

Taehyung doesn't remember well from that time. It had all spiraled out of control and not long after he'd become the public disgrace.

It wasn't supposed to go down this way, but it had, just the way someone had followed him to his hideout- and witnessed him... them.

"Why did you do it?" Taehyung cries out in distress. "Who did you tell?!"

He grabs the person by their shoudlers, shaking "Tell me! Tell me now Areum!"

The girl cries easily, "what you were doing... it was a sin... I just just wanted to help yo-"

"Help me?! Areum you! You have ruined my life!" Taehyung pushes her and she collides with the wall behind, crying out even harder.

"You could have just asked me. You could have told me yourself- whom did you tell!?! How does everybody know?! What did you do Areum!? Whom did you tell?!!!"

"The priest!" She chokes out, sobbing in her hands "I... confessed to the priest of what I saw... it was a sin... I needed to confess.... I just didn't know.. I didnt know he would.. tell everyone... I'm sorry... I'm sorry Taehyung... please... I'm sorry- I thought he could help you. I thought you c-"

Taehyung stares at her in disbelief, his face as pale as a paper.

He hasn't been able to meet Dohwa ever since the news broke out.

He hasn't been able to clarify, nor debunk the rumors.

A haunting rumor.

"You're lucky I am leaving this as it is and not pressing any charges at your son." The woman snaps, her tone laced with venom. She stand tall, adorned in a pale blue suit- her eyes menacing.

Taehyung cannot lift his gaze, his eyes pickling with tears as he watches his Father bow before the woman's shoes, pleading.

He wears the same clothes as yesterday, his stature ruffled unlike his prim and proper looks.

"Forgive him... please I beg of you. I beg of your Mrs. Jung!" He pleads.

"That's right. Keep begging." She glares at him in disgust "keep begging and maybe then God will pity and forgive you for having such a bastard who forces himself on other boys!"

Taehyung grits his teeth, shaking in anger and despair as he continues to silently cry before Dohwa's mother.

The words sting him but not more than the sight of his father groveling before the woman.

He cannot speak, he cannot bring himself to, but when he tries- to clear his name- that the rumor was false- that nothing happened between them- that he didn't... didn't force himself on Dohwa- that Dohwa wanted him too- the woman howled in anger, prowling ahead to slap him bloody only to be stopped by his father.

He thought it would end there, but his father had then turned and slapped him hard enough that he fell to the floor, his lips bleeding.

"I will discipline my son myself. You do not have to worry yourself with my children, Mrs. Jung."

Taehyung reeled in shock and pain.

It was the first time his father had raised his hand against him. His cheek stung and he tasted iron on his tongue.

"You better. If you don't control him, that filth of his will seep into your younger child too!"

"I will see to it-"

The rest of the words are a blur to Taehyung. He cannot hear anything, as his ears ring whilst his cheek throbs.

His heart shatters like glass, experiencing another heartbreak less than a week.

Taehyung wishes for all of it to end.

He wishes to fall through the cracks of floor and be hidden away forever.

It'd be so easy, he thinks.

He slips in and out of his conscious, there's frantic yells and cries that echo around him.

"What did you do?!"

"My god! I didn't- I didn't! He just-"

His eyes are blurred, shackled to the pinnacle of his hell that he can never rid himself off.

"He just stepped in- my hand slipped!" The cries are distorted, laced with fear.

Taehyung looks at the blood on his trembling hands and then his gaze moves down to the limp body on his chest.

"I swear it was an accident! I swear-"

Taehyung's fingers feverishly run trough the oak hair, textured same as his. His abdomen is wet and the vile stench of iron explodes in the air.

"Holy shit! Call an ambulance!"

"Hey!- are you crazy we'll all go to jail! I can't go to jail!"

"Man fuck you Junghye. And you- get a fucking grip! I'm calling them now-"

Taehyung's lips quiver, as he pushes the oak strands back and a soft face greets him.

The cries are loud in the back, meaningless to Taehyung's ears.

"Hyunwoo-ah?" He whispers instead, gently cupping his brother's face.

His skin cold, unblinking eyes bloodshot. Taehyung calls out again, more gentle this time, desperate for a response. A nod. A blink. Anything.

Anything at all.

Heavy metal clatters to the ground, shattering Taehyung's illusion and he breaks into a loud wail, clutching the small cold corpse in his arms. He presses his palm to the boy's back where a gaping wound laid, in efforts of healing him back.

He cries out loud, like an animal who no longer has a purpose to live. He cries harder, embracing the cold in his arms, that sinks tough his skin, encroaching his heart.

He prays.

Begs for forgiveness.

Begs to have been killed instead.

Begs to be dead instead.

Its fruitless.

Cold. Cold. Cold.

Unhearing. Lying. Cruel.

He look up and curses at the skies overhead.

He damns Him

He rejects Him.

There is no God.

God wouldn't have been so unkind.

God wouldn't have let this happen.

Taehyung opens his eyes, his vision faint and blurry.

He blinks and tears trickle down his damp cheeks.

The ceiling that greets him is unfamiliar to his eyes and an oddity from the loop of memories he's been walking through all along.

He sits up, his head pounds excruciatingly.

He draws a breath, hissing in pain. He places his head on his hand, to steady himself. He hisses when he does, finding blood on his finger tips when he inspects the wetness.

He's bleeding.

Is this another dream? A nightmare?

Taehyung inspects the room from where he sits, feeling dizzy.

The ceiling is high, held up by tall pillars under which he's laid on a stone table. The place is illuminated by few candles, that remain still.

He looks down at his clothes- same as he last saw them, but less bloodied than he remembered.

He slips down the table, his feet unsteady as he places them onto the marble. He wobbles to the ground with a sharp pain that shoots up his numb arm when he abruptly twists it in attempt to hold onto the table.

He gasps, stiffling a cry and his arm falls limply to his side.

The numbness from anesthesia is barely holding on and Taehyung is sure the pain will be sickening when it wears off his dislocated limb.

He gets his good hand underneath him, to push himself up and he helps himself to get back on his feet.

He walks, barefoot and up few stairs, where a large door full of grandeur stands in his way.

He raises his palms, but the doors give in, opening on its own before he could even apply any force.

Taehyung frowns.

This is not real.

Another nightmare.

Nonetheless, he steps out, greeted by bright sunlight that stings his eyes. He was high up above, cloud like mist drifting below, as if the strange castle was afloat in the sky. He squints, his good hand shielding the harsh sunlight over his brows.

He blinks and then turns away, the long hallway greeting him.

Taehyung memorizes the walls, as he walks through the hallway barefoot. The marble us cool to his skin, pricking the soles of his feet.

The structures are symmetrical, with a wide arch held up by pillars at equal distance.

The air smells weird- cleaner, almost familiar as if he's walked these halls before.

Taehyung has not.

Except- he pauses, sensing the presence behind him.

He shudders.

With dread painted on his face he slowly turns and is startled when he finds two girls standing beside each other.

Taehyung backs away, his breaths quickening.

The girls neither move nor make an approach towards him.

They stand several heads shorter, adorned in pale grey robes. Their hands are folded and faces downturned, whilst the jet black bangs cover the rest of their foreheads.

The girls, seemingly a twin of one another stay frozen like a mannequin, as if they hadn't been on his tail the whole way.

Taehyung doesn't like the way a cold sweat trickles down his spine.

"Hello...?" He calls out, cautiously.

They do not respond.

Taehyung leans a little lower, so he could catch their eyes.

"Hey... I... do you know where this is? Do you where I am right now?" Taehyung questions, receiving no answer. He still tries, "do you know how I can get out of here?"

At the words, there is clack that resonates from the Girls and they look up at him, all at once making Taehyung jolt behind.

The Girls had no facial features whatsoever, except for the eyes- that were painted stark white.

Their skin was porcelain like a doll, their functioning too robotic.

They do not step in his space, but the faceless girls bring him no comfort.

Taehyung sweats nervously, unsure if they were a friend or a foe.

"Can you help me? I need to find someone." He warbles.

He has to get out of this mess, he thinks to himself.

He has to wake up.

Wake up.

And find someone.

Wake up.

He has to find him.

Jungkook.

Him.

He has to find him.

"I need to find Jungkook pl-"

At the words, flesh tears open on the girl's faces where their mouth should be and rows of gnarly teeth present themselves that clatter and screech as they grit on them.

Taehyung steps back fearfully, his good hand raised to shield himself from harm that doesn't reach to him.

The sound is grating and Taehyung's ears hurt so much that he bends his head into his shoulder to hide his ear away.

The two creatures continue clacking their teeth for few more seconds and then make peace, standing silently with their hands clasped over each other whilst flesh wraps over the horrifying sight of their mouths.

It was jarring.

With quickened steps they walk around Taehyung and past him, whilst he turns to look at them in a mixture of fear and daze.

They pause in their paths, looking back at him with their unblinking white eyes and Taehyung realizes, they're waiting for him to join.

With hurried steps, he follows the creatures who turn around the corridor, entering another empty hallway.

Taehyung isn't sure of their extent of understanding, but should he slow down- they automatically slow down too, peeking over their shoulders which strengthens Taehyung's belief that they indeed want him to follow.

Taehyung isn't sure if they're leading him to the exit of the nightmare or walking him to the door of the next one. His gut is numb, so he can't really tell.

Yet he can't help but think of their strong distaste towards Jungkook.

At the name alone, they had seemingly chanted hundred curses at him, their meagre expressions- terrifying.

Taehyung follows diligently, the soft pads of his footsteps reach to his ears but no matter how hard he tries to hear it from the other two- he can't.

They're swift and silent, even with their pace or the swish of their clothes, nothing is rebounded.

They lead him through another door, followed by another.

Taehyung stopped counting after 12, he's almost dizzy too.

He watches their frames disappear behind a wooden door and he follows them in, only to realize they have long disappeared, leaving him stranded in another lonesome hallway that seemed to stretch like a never ending maze.

He hears a faint giggle and a click of throat, with no source of its presence.

Taehyung frowns, starting to panic a little.

He purses his lips, hyperaware of his surroundings.

He should be waking up any moment.

He pushes open the door.

Another hallway.

He walks a bit more and walks in through another door.

An empty hallway.

He grits his teeth and then walks in another.

It's the same hallway. They're all same. He's stuck in a loop.

Frustrated, he runs, pushing open more doors and keeps barreling straight ahead, door after door. One hallway and then anotner- never ending.

Paranoia sets in,weighing down at his legs as a distinct sound of drums begins to beat in his head, fastening at a steady pace as if he were set on a timer.

Frustration leveled up, with ill concealed fear he sharply turns only to stop when he spots another door.

This ones different.

It's bigger and wider, with even more grandeur on its borders etched onto it.

Taehyung steadies his breath and steps forth, where in the door opens on it own, luring him in.

Anxiously, he steps in- this was not a hallway, but a room.

The pillars were erected with scriptures engraved on it and the ceiling was high enough to make it impossible for Taehyung to make out the painting splashed in red.

Sunlight cascaded in through tall windows from his left, illuminating the short aisle ahead of him. The light was ever present- but that too, seemed faux like his nightmares.

Dazedly inspecting the glamoured room, Taehyung walked ahead, oblivious to the sole other presence.

Taehyung stops, exhausted. He huffs a breath feeling winded up.

He should be waking up.

Why am I not waking up?!

He straightens his back, looking at the windows ahead of him for a reprieve with the way dust dances in the rays of light.

It is quiet.

Almost too quiet, that he can hear his own heartbeat.

Something moves in his peripheral vision, startling Taehyung to instinctively back away but his throat starts collapsing on its own when he sees the face.

Speechless, his lips quiver.

The person doesn't move, nor can Taehyung- forcing him to believe this must be another cruel illusion his brain conjured to torture him once more.

It's not real.

It cannot be real.

Taehyung sucks in a breath harshly, recalling how the face collapsed in curtains of blue flames, after being impaled through his chest.

He cannot define if the screams of agony that followed were from his own throat or that of an animal's. Taehyung cannot remember, but it rings wide and clear in his head.

He lets out a choked sound, faint.

A sound of relief, pain, joy and sadness all over.

He's here.

He did not die.

He's here.

"JUNGKOOK!" He cries out, walking towards the man who admittedly stiffens, his red irises steady and calm.

Jungkook steps down the stairs, adorned in black and gold regal robes. His hair is smoothened and tied back, his face milky white, a little paler than usual.

Taehyung cannnot see his face or the expression he's making, with how his eyes keep blurring with tears but as they walk closer, Taehyung can faintly make out how Jungkook's height and frame has grown in stature yet he cannot bother to nitpick at the differences when he has terribly missed the man, fearing and praying for his survival.

He's here now.

He's here.

Taehyung thinks, as he engulfs the Devil in his embrace, wrapping his good arm around his strong and warm body.

He breathes in his scent, that wraps around his like a blanket.

He's here

His face buries into the warm chest, his tears staining his robes.

"Jungkook..." he cries out, whispering the name. His voice meek and soft "I missed you..."

Arms wrap around his back and Taehyung sinks into the embrace, unwilling to part.

"I thought you died... I thought you died when the fire wrapped around you." He sobs, unabashed of the teasing it would entail.

He cannot care less.

He clutches onto Jungkook's robe, digging his fingers in and twisting it. "I thought he killed you... I was scared that I would lose you too... I cannot lose you Jungkook... I cannot live through that again."

"I just... I cannot" he speaks in choked sobs, his voice small and vulnerable.

His throat aches, as does his heart.

A gentle touch skirts off his ear and Taehyung looks up to face the man, who watched him with curious red irises.

The large hand returned to his cheek and Taehyung leaned into the touch, chasing the warmth. He places his good hand on Jungkook's chest, feeling the thuds of his heart.

"Are you really okay Jungkook?" He asks, worried as the Devil peers down at him- his gaze, more or less the same, but Taehyung minutely feels unsettled by it.

He's never seen Jungkook in anything other than a 3 piece suit and he feels almost dizzy at the sight of him in jet black robes with gold engravings.

"Jungk-" he begins, but is sharply cut off when the hands he had so come to love, wraps around his throat and chokes him above the ground.

He struggles, gasping and kicking in the air, drowning in disbelief as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him.

"How dare you speak my name with no fear of its consequences, mortal?!" The voice that comes out from Jungkook's throat is not singular, but that of 100 men molded together.

It's rough, deep and gravelly- none of which Taehyung can remember.

A nightmare.

Another nightmare.

His eyes tear up as his throat is painfully crushed, to not even let out a cry. He struggles, trying to claw out at the hand that subdues him.

He looks at those fiery red irises. They're terrifying, now that he sees them clearly. Like two all consuming suns that vowed to devour and destroy.

He pleads with tears in his eyes and he's thrown to the floor.

Taehyung wheezes, air rushing into his lungs and he moans in pain, falling on his dislocated arm.

He coughs out, translucent reddish drool dripping down to the floor and his heart hammers in his chest when he sees the black robes shuffle closer to him.

Taehyung feels something set alight within him, like that of a prey that is shot in the knees, he crawls away gurgling spit and blood; all but in vain, when the Devil catches ahold of him by his nape, lifting him up once more.

Taehyung cries out, shaking like a leaf as he's made to look back at the towering man.

"And where do you think you're going?" He snaps, his teeth drawn out and Taehyung feels faint.

A horrifying sensation pooling in his guts.

This is not a nightmare.

This is not a dream.

The Devil clutches him by the back of his hair and Taehyung grits his teeth in pain.

"You will answer when spoken to." Jungkook glowers and Taehyung feels his throat dry up.

This is real.

This is very real.

"..what... what happened to you..?" Taehyung mumbles, caught in between disbelief and denial.

At the words, the Devil smiles with a mouth full of sharp teeth. There is not an ounce of sincerity behind those Red irises.

Dread clambers Taehyung's heart.

What happened to Jungkook?

What happened to him?!

"Are you displeased?" Jungkook sneers, his eyes shining brighter "how unusual when you were clutching and crying at the thought of me being dead while rubbing your filthy snot on my chest not a moment ago..."

Taehyung muffles a cry when the Devil pulls his hair at his scalp, where his spine meets his skull.

"What's with the changed behaviour hm?" He grins, his eyes glinting with amusement that Taehyung doesn't recognize. "Are you not greatful?! Are you not happy?! Do you now wish I was dead?"

He leans in close and Taehyung is frozen solid.

This is not Jungkook.

Not the Jungkook he knew.

Not the Jungkook he admittedly loved.

This is not him.

But it is Jungkook.

It is the Devil.

He cries out when sharp claws dig into his skin down at his scalp.

"I SAID YOU WILL ANSWER WHEN SPOKEN TO!"

Taehyung sniffles "you're hurting me... you're hurting me please -"

"And why do you think I'd rest my hand hm?" The Devil whispers, pulling him close up to his face. "Speaking of which... why is it that I've expended too much of myself over the likes of you?" He pauses to hum

"A debt unpaid, only has one solution"

Taehyung doesn't understand what Jungkook means by that- but he's unprepared when the pain rocks him.

His shirt is slowly sullied red, blood permeating the air whilst faint wispy white threads arise from his skin, meeting Jungkook's palm on command.

Taehyung convulses going under shock.

From his abdomen to his shoudler, to his thighs to his arms and down to the very last scrape on the inside of his palm- Taehyung bleeds.

But nothing compares to the gaping puncture wounds that presents itself on his neck, blood spilling onto the pristine marble.

Every single wound that had healed over time, on his body was torn open.

Every inch of him bled.

He's thrown to the floor once more and he lands in his pool of blood that splatters across on contact.

He cannot move, he cannot speak.

He watches Jungkook, with his bloodshot eyes, who stares down back at him in disgust.

"How unflattering... to die a pig's death when my dog spoke so highly of you... looks like I'll have to punish him next"

Taehyung feels betrayed, angry even, despite his heart break.

To think this Jungkook would put his hands on Jimin.

Even in his state of delirium, of shock and pain, he somewhat recalls Jimin's fears- the way he fears Jungkook, supposedly this very side of him.

Taehyung cannot let that happen.

He couldn't protect Jungkook earlier.

He cannot hope to protect Jimin either.

He can't even protect himself.

But he cannot accept this fate.

He will not accept this fate.

"..ngh...koo..mm" he gurgles, his fingers twitching in a desperate effort- to stall him, stop him, whatever it was- perhaps a futile attempt, a last resort.

And the maniac, supposedly huffs at the glare of his eyes.

The Devil turns away his gaze, walking over and past him.

"You will address me as your King, henceforth." The Devil speaks, his voice retreating as Taehyung lies awake in his blood, rapidly succumbing to his unconscious with the blood loss.

"Make a slip and you'll lose your tongue."

Is the last thing he hears, before he blacks out.

**********

Taehyung stirs awake, sensing a faint pressure on his arm.

He draws in a sharp breath and sits upright, wheezing with effort.

He's awake.

He clutches his chest, his heart thumping rapidly in its cage.

He steadies himself, inspecting his hands and torso with frantic touches- but he finds nothing.

No open wounds. No torn flesh.

He's not bloodied.

He's alright.

He's awake.

He looks back up and finds two faces peering at him, from his bedside and Taehyung's stares at them in shock.

I'm awake.... am I not?

He looks at the faceless girl.

Then why...

His eyes move to his surroundings, the westernized ancient architecture was mixed with culture of his own, tall pillars with tapestries and low lying tables with cushions surrounding them.

The room was plenty big, as was the bed he was laid upon.

He looks back at the girl with her outstretched hand.

Confused as to what she needed, he puts up his own hand.

She holds down his hand against the bed and pulls up his sleeve, putting a soft white cloth over his wrist and she presses her finger tips over it.

Taehyung watches, sensing a steady buzz erupt in his wrist that flows down the rest of his arm in smooth currents.

"Hey.... can you understand me?" He tries, the girl, as expected doesn't respond.

"Please..." he whispers "I need to know where I am.. do you know where I am?"

He sighs in defeat, resting his back against the headboard. His eyes drift over to the other girl who stands tall with a bowl in her hands.

She watches him with her unblinking eyes, unnerving Taehyung.

He lowers his gaze, back to the girl beside him.

With the way his muscles feel less sore, he is aware they're healing him- but Taehyung does not dare cross them, unsure of the extent their gratitude runs.

Yet, Taehyung cannot sit idle, as a Detective himself. If he's imprisoned, he needs to know where he is to plan a get away.

Taehyung cannot imagine the state of the world outside his peaceful room- it paints a horror in his mind no matter how hard he tries not to imagine the Jungkook he met, walking in those streets.

The way there was no hesitation in his eyes to impose pure malice upon him- scared Taehyung.

He recalls the numbing sensation, of the blatant truth in his face.

Cruel. Cruel. Cruel.

The Devil in his flesh.

If Jungkook has imprisoned him and the girls are his servants, Taehyung understands them somewhat.

Jimin's existence is enough for him to know how deep their devotion runs.

They will not answer his questions, if it's about matters opposing Jungkook and that is on, whether it be devotion or fear.

"What are your names?" He asks instead, formulating a neutral ground.

The girl beside his bed pauses, fingertips lifting, just briefly and she looks up.

"I... my name is Kim Taehyung." He presses his right hand to his chest and then gestures at the girl "what is yours?"

He waits and when he's almost about to give up, the flesh around the place where the girl's mouth should be, opens up.

She draws a breath, her throat clicking and then she releases it in a soft rumble sounding like 'Riiii'

Taehyung is unsure if that's her name, or she even understands him nonetheless he nods appreciatively.

He looks at the other twin, who seemed a lot more closed off and stand offish.

The girl beside him snaps to look back at her and the twin, seemingly ticked off- narrows her colorless eyes back.

The girl seated, gurgles her throat in defiance and the other, relaxes her shoulders. She looks at Taehyung with flesh peeled mouth.

"The guest, need not know our names." She speaks, much to Taehyung's surprise.

"You can speak!" Taehyung exclaims at the revelation, inching close and the girls stiffen, leaning away.

Taehyung sees their fear towards him- unbeknownst to his reasoning, he settles back on the pillow.

Neutral ground. That's what he needs. For now.

"May I know you name?" He tries, with a more gentle tone. "Please?" He adds.

"Leira." She answers somberly "and my sister, Viri."

Viri shows him a grin full of teeth, clicking her throat to produce the syllables. Had it not been for her ill concealed excitement, Taehyung would have been horrified at the sight made of nightmares.

"How is it that you speak?" He asks, curious.

"This one, was taught" she replies curtly, nudging her sister who falls out of stupor and quickly picks off the cloth from his wrist and hands it over to her.

Taehyung watches Leira drop the cloth on the bowl.

"And your sist-"

"This one, was taught so that she could speak for her." Leira cuts in, not meeting his eyes.

Taehyung glances at Viri, returning his gaze to the other twin. She doesn't elaborate and Taehyung leaves it at there, not wanting to pry the subject.

"May I know where I am?" Taehyung whispers.

"These are your quarters." She pauses briefly "You may call for us, whenever you want but please be mindful, to not step out of this room. These are the Lord's orders"

The Lord.

Jungkook.

Taehyung purses his lips, his eyebrows furrowed. He sits up straight.

"Is Jungk-" he pauses, watching Leira's narrowed eyes and he quickly corrects himself "is your Lord... here? At this place?"

"This is our Lord's domain. He is everywhere." She replies, as Viri joins her standing beside each other. They straighten their backs, bowing at him and turn to leave.

"Wait!" Taehyung calls out, unable to hold back his tongue. The girls look at him, awaiting his orders.

Taehyung simmers down, "just... please- I need to know... why I am here..."

Viri clicks her throat in a serious of different pitches attempting to answer, but her words remain completely incomprehensible to Taehyung's ears.

Taehyung looks at Leira, in desperation.

He needs to know his purpose.

He's not sure why he is even alive and being nursed back to health, when Jungkook seemed adamant on killing him earlier.

His threats remain clear in his head.

If he's to make a mistake, he will be punished.

The unknown, that Jungkook is- keeps him on a constant edge.

While his eyes, his warmth and the touch of his skin- is same... this is not the man he knows.

If Taehyung was more truthful to himself, he would have rightfully claimed to be scared of him- that's not it; he is scared.

Terrified.

And seemingly, the Jungkook he knew had repeatedly expressed similar fear to himself- fear of revealing a side of his own flesh, which had him profusely pleading Taehyung to run away from.

To run away from the monster he thought himself of.

The monster he is.

This very side.

Taehyung aches, his fingers twisting into the covers of the bed.

Adrift, between denial and fear- Taehyung cannot bring himself to decide.

But he's not foolish.

He hopes so.

There is no clarification from the Girls and before Taheyung could restate his question, heavy doors spread open.

A whirlwind of haunting claims the room and an intensifying sensation clutches down onto Taehyung's bones.

This, Taehyung thinks. Is his flight response.

A pure instinct to run and hide.

Yet, he is frozen still, as are the girls beside him who make themselves smaller, their heads lowered.

Taehyung's eyes flick towards the eye of the storm, who stands in all of His glory, with black mist swilring around him at his command.

Like a deer caught in the headlights, Taehyung holds his gaze.

Too scared to move.

To speak.

To blink.

"Get out." He barks roughly and the girls scurry on their feet, making themselves scarce without throwing a glance at Taehyung.

Taehyung's breaths turn rapid, not appreciating the atmosphere.

They're alone.

They're all alone.

Taehyung doesn't want to be anywhere near Jungkook until he figures out what's wrong with him.

The unsettling fear returns.

"Why so hostile?" The Devil asks, humming a tune to himself as he lazily closes in.

Taehyung swallows the lump in his throat.

"When you're all merry with the twins, enough to plead them of your way out- why don't you ask this King, human?" He sneers, standing beside the bed.

Taehyung's lips quiver, but he is reduced to a shriek when he's pulled back down by his ankle, sharp claws digging into his skin.

He clenches his eyes shut, biting back his cry.

A heavy presence looms over him, the weight sinking into the bed and Taehyung feels all sorts of alarm bells ring in his head.

"How many times do I have to remind you? You will answer when I speak!"

"I'm sorry!" Taehyung cries out, almost mechanically.

"That's not what I wanted to hear." A crude chuckle follows "why don't you ask this King, the keys to exit this Void?"

Taehyung steadies himself, fear racking his chest when he opens his eyes.

The Devil looms over him, his eyes red like fire lillies- his smile crude enough to chill Taehyung's bones. He's buried in a bloody scent that makes Taehyung's stomach lurch.

"You wouldn't let me.."

"What was that?!" The maniac asks.

Taehyung swallows, "you wouldn't let me out... should I even ask..."

At the response, the Devil pauses- looking at him incredulously and then he throws his head back, in rambunctious laughter.

He laughs to his heart's content while Taehyung watches, in hurt and fear.

The Devil peers down at him, his red irises glinting sharp.

"I took you for a fool... human, but looks like you've beat me." He smirks, leaning close "that's right. You could beg me all you want and I'm not letting you go. Ever."

He wraps his hand around Taehyung's throat, who stiffens on contact- awaiting the collapsing force he had lived through earlier, but what comes is a gentle pressure, that constricts him into suffocation.

A sweet lie.

"But unless ofcourse..." the Devil whispers, next to his ears "I grow tired of you after fucking you senseless until you are gaping wide and useless even as a bed-warmer for me- perhaps then I can toss you out to my dogs to chew on"

The words shock Taehyung to his core.

It repulses him.

The way he makes it sound, like he's nothing but an object to be passed around- trash.

Taehyung feels bile bubble up his throat.

The light he had showered the man with, despite him being the Devil- starts to flicker and Taehyung squirms under his captor's hold, uncomfortable.

"Let me go. Let me go!" Taehyung grits his teeth, digging his nails into the Devil's hands, drawing blood.

Jungkook grins sadistically, showing his amusement wide and clear.

He's enjoying this.

Taehyung glares.

He yelps, when his hands are bound by the black sand- restricting his movement and Taehyung feels deep fear pool into his guts.

Fear.

"Why do you struggle? Are you not infatuated with me?" He sneers, breathing into his skin. Taehyung's turns his face away and the Devil ends up licking a stripe on his cheek.

"Is this not what you want?" He groans, his idle hand roaming about the expanse of Taehyung's chest, groping him in places.

No no no no no.

Please.

No.

Not like this.

"Am I not what you want?" The Devil speaks in his head and Taehyung feels his blood rush up in his veins, boiling and coalescing, his body goes limp while time slows down around him.

Taehyung cannot lift his gaze, entranced.

He's hurt beyond belief while his throat itches.

Jungkook is everything he's ever wanted.

He's wanted him for so long.

Despite knowing the gravity of his desires, he's wanted him.

Ached for him- for a shred of his love, for his touch, for his warmth.

There is no denying the truth.

He is infatuated, entranced, bewitched and possessed completely by Jungkook.

He loved Jungkook.

He loves him.

Yet.

"Get off of me!" Taehyung cries out kicking out his legs.

This is not how he wanted him.

He struggles, shaking in his captor's arms and the Devil relents- swiftly jumping off.

"That's right." He smirks, cocking his head "I hope you keep this same energy on when I visit you next." He pauses, bringing up his hand to lick off his blood.

"You'll need plenty of it to please me." He smiles, insincerely, with bloodied teeth and Taehyung watches in bewilderment, his face paling at the intention behind the words.

The very implication of it- of what is to happen on the next visit, sends a chill down Taehyung's spine.

And the way he smiles, with his bloodied teeth- a smile so sweet, it sickens Taehyung.

The Devil simply chuckles unabashed, turning way and Taehyung's heart sinks, crumbling into nothingness.

"Be lively, Detective Kim!" He chides, unforgivingly.

The words are like salt being rubbed onto his wounds.

______________

______________

Author's Note:

Yayyyy our protagonists have finally met each other. Let's celebrate (die)

Yall going "I want a man like the Devil" in the comments had my Christian ass spiralling at the fear of being smited by the Heavens for misguiding yall into a fantasy, so I needed to bring out the big guns a.k.a biblically accurate Devil (asshole)

So uh yeah.

Let's see how much yall will still like the Devil mwahahaha

*******
TBCS-

Jungkook: in my defense, it is the script.

Author: in your defense huh?

Jungkook: yes. Completely. I wouldn't dare lay a finger on Detective Kim.

Taehyung: we had to re-shoot the last episode for atleast 10 takes cause Jungkook would call for a break every 10 minutes when I had to burst into tears.

Jungkook: hey-! I don't like these scenes okay? I don't like torturing you at all! Why is the second season so fucked up?! What happened to solving cases and being a couple of Detectives fuck!?

Jimin: presumably because you're the villain now and it's killing your hero-mindset?

Jungkook: oh shutup midget I'll eat you for breakfast.

*incoherent bickering. Someone tosses a chair*

Namjoon: ooh character bleed... tough.

*fire alarms ringing*

Hyunho: Mr. Jeon you're so cool as always! *heart eyes*

Author: em... yeah uh no. Anyway, Taehyung-

**********

Lol.

So yeah, a glazed glimpse of Taehyung's childhood is revealed so uh yeah.. tragic.

There'll be more insight on it, in the coming chapters so a lot of the stuff will be pretty fucked up.

Anyway, praying for Taehyung, cause from this point on, it's officially foreign grounds.

I'm not sure when I can update next. My finals are on my ass rn, so I'm thinking maybe somewhere near to the end of November, I'll be free. So pls hold on until the I beg.

;-;

I want to finish this book as fast as yall wanna read, I'm trying. But as a senior, I've got loads of stuff ongoing for me rn in uni so cut me some slackkkk

Anyway, yall stay safe and Healthy

Love,
J