IT'S THE APOCALYPSE, BITCHES

-apocalypse!au featuring seven adorable hunks requested by tykamin

You frown, watching Taehyung take yet another break to catch his breath, doubling over with his hands on his knees to brace himself. You rub his back, feeling pathetic for not being able to do anything else to help. After a few seconds, he returns to his full height, smiling gratefully at you when you grab his hand and continue walking without a word.

You bite your tongue, keeping all your worries to yourself. There are multiple reasons why Taehyung's health could be declining so rapidly but all of them point towards something that'd be impossible for you to do so you tighten your hold on his hand, memorising the way it fits so perfectly into yours as you drag him along to the rest of the group.

"Are we almost there?" Taehyung asks, pressing a palm to his temple. You wince at the scratchiness of his voice, swallowing thickly. Jin angles his head towards the boy with his eyebrows furrowed. It seems he noticed the scratchiness too. He offers Taehyung a shake of the head and returns his gaze to the front, hand on Namjoon's shoulder to gain his attention.

You sigh in relief, knowing that Namjoon would know what to do with Taehyung to make him feel better. Taehyung picks his pace up so he's walking beside you, discreetly sneaking glances at your side profile with a soft smile tugging at his lips.

He knows very well what's happening to him; the feel of the toxin speeding through his body enough to give him a clear sign. Although, he's not as scared as he thought he would be. Sure, the idea of losing his memories, emotions and the control he has over his body sounds like something straight out of a horror movie but Taehyung has faith that he won't turn before he gets you all to the safe zone. From there, he'll make his departure or, better yet, ask the people at the safe zone to kill him before he turns into one of the Savages.

Taehyung mentally chuckles at the plan he's devised in his head. He makes it sound so easy to just collect everything and go. He's known these boys—his brothers—for almost his whole life, the group of seven growing up together before the apocalypse hit. And he has known Y/N, his beloved, for only three and a half years. Despite the obvious difference in how long he's known the boys and how long he's known you, you've made yourself a very special place in his heart. It kills him more than his disease to know that he's going to leave you and his family behind.

Shuddering at the thought, he forces a smile onto his face, lowering his head to press a quick kiss to your cheek, rapidly blinking away tears. You don't notice this, however, too focused on controlling the bright pink that crawls its way up your neck.

"Taehyung-ah," Hoseok calls, Namjoon and Jin standing close by with their arms folded across their chests. Their sudden stop causes the other three boys to jog back over with looks of confusion on their faces.

"Are you okay?" He finally asks, eyes softening in concern as he touches the younger's forehead lovingly. Taehyung is stunned by how he can feel every bit of Hoseok's hand, the sound of the older's pulse ringing in his ears. He feels alive and Taehyung has to resist the urge to take a bite out of him. His heart rate speeds up, tongue flicking out to swipe across his lips as he eyes the spot where Hoseok's pulse becomes visible.

It's happening, fuck, Taehyung mentally curses, nodding quickly at Hoseok's question, the older dropping his hand to his side. Taehyung lets out a sigh of relief, his urges to eat slowly disappearing. Hoseok nods back, smiling warmly as he pats Taehyung on the back.

"Maybe it's just a small flu or something. We're almost at the safe zone so I'm sure they'll have medicine for you," he reassures, bounding off to start walking again.

Taehyung sighs once more, feeling a little relaxed now that he's all alone. He releases the pressure from his clenched hand, furrowing his brows when he realises that he's holding onto something. Quickly glancing to his side, he sees you staring out into the open, tight lipped and eyes glassy.

"Was I squeezing too hard? I'm so sorry," he apologises, smoothing down your hair as he smiles. You nod, puffing out your cheeks when he begins to massage it gently. "I didn't mean to."

"It's okay," you console, grinning at him. "You were just worried about Hoseok, I know. That's why I didn't say anything."

He finishes with your hand and goes back to holding it, gently this time.

"But it's obvious you're sick, Tae. I don't mind if you don't tell me what's wrong but at least tell me if you don't feel good so I can help, okay?"

His heart clenches, eyes watering at your words. "Okay."

*

You can see the safe zone up ahead, the bright lights of the facility shining through the heavy fog that's decided to settle itself over the greenery beneath you. An unknown feeling of joy courses through your body, filling you with energy and adrenaline.

Taehyung looks just as excited beside you, tears dropping onto his cheeks every time he blinks. You laugh, smiling fondly as you wipe some of them away, giving him a teasing look. He can't bring himself to laugh with you, offering you a sheepish smile instead.

"Guys, lets go! They're waving us in," Jin screams, beginning his sprint to the door. Everyone else soon follows, letting out whoops of joy as the get closer and closer. You start running too, pulling Taehyung with you. He doesn't protest or tell you that his head is spinning, instead forcing himself to run after you.

You stand behind the boys, watching the men that called you all in as they check the boys for any trace of the disease with a warm smile on your face. Taehyung suddenly brings you in for a hug, kissing the top of your head. You wrap your arms around him, burying your face into his chest as he sighs. You smile softly at how fast his heart rate is, foolishly believing that it's because of you. You look up at him, his hands immediately cupping your cheeks.

Without a single care for the people watching, he kisses you with a fire and passion you've never seen from him. It takes you pleasantly by surprise, your hands sneaking up to play with the locks of hair on his head.

Finally, he pulls away, pushing you towards the men with a sad smile that confuses you.

He silently walks to each boy, hugging them close to him, tears rolling down his cheeks and dropping onto the floor beneath him. They each embrace him, holding on for what seems like forever before letting him hug the next in line, seemingly oblivious to the quiet goodbyes and I love you's he mumbles while hugging them.

You skip over to him when you're done, holding your hand out for him to take and get checked. He doesn't take it, instead staring sadly at it. You frown, worry eating away at your heart.

"I love you, Y/N," he finally says, meeting your eyes with his bloodshot ones. "And I love all of you too. I'm sorry for what I do next but it's for your own good. Just...don't forget me."

"Tae? What are you doing?" You ask, reaching out for him. He flinches away, taking the time to memorise every feature on everyone's faces as he backs himself into the door. The men stare at him as they walk towards him gingerly.

"Can you open it please?" He asks, thanking them as they do what he asks despite your screams of protest. Stepping out into the fog, he smiles, wiping away at his tears.

"I got bitten during that fight. I'm one of them now. I just had to make sure you all would be safe before I admitted it to myself. I love you so much and I thank you for all that you've done for me," He sobs, nodding at the guys to close the door. You run towards it, falling onto your knees as you bang it, screaming hysterically for him to come back.

"What happened to never leaving anyone behind?" You spit at Namjoon, heart breaking at the sight of all six crying, too shocked to do anything but accept the truth.

He couldn't have been saved.

"Taehyung!" You yell, curling yourself into a ball on the floor as you find it harder to breathe. The boys surround you with their warmth, crying as they bring you in for a hug.

"He's gone," you mumble, unable to stop yourself from thinking about everything you've ever done with him, "and I didn't even say I love you back."

You don't protest when the men that let him go help you stand and lead you into the facility, uttering apologies that hold no meaning to you while the boys behind you try to control their sobs.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you, Taehyung," you mumble, closing your eyes as tears drip down onto your cheeks.