Time

The Great Reclamation
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Time was what they needed, and time is what they got. Having been with the boys for about a week, the routine became something akin to clockwork. What I did during the day depended on whether I needed to head to the MedLab for my regular pregnancy blood test and the ever invasive procedure that I learned was just a scan for Jungkook’s DNA to ensure we were doing our civic duty. At least I had the same doctor and silent sidekick every time, which was strangely comforting. I supposed if an old man needed to inspect my s, it might as well be the same one each time. If not at the lab, then I spent my day assisting or accompanying whoever I could. Then every evening, we would all awkwardly eat dinner together, pretending like nothing had happened with Namjoon and Jin. And at the end of every night, Jungkook and I did, in fact, do our civic duty. It wasn’t so bad, really. Our personal relationship had slowly been improving since our little chat at the construction site, and it made the morally objectionable routine just slightly more bearable.

Another few days passed, and tensions were still running high. It was a sad state of affairs that I had gotten rather used to the stifling pressure whenever Jin and Namjoon were in the same room, which was, unfortunately, most of the time. It was pretty clear that everyone was waiting on Namjoon. He hardly spoke to anyone at all. As much as I wanted him to talk things out with Jin, I also wished he would talk to me. I wanted to ask what was really wrong. There was the argument with Jin, sure, but I had a feeling that there had to be more. Something he wasn’t telling us.

When I awoke in the morning, I grumbled quietly to myself. It was another MedLab day. When I sat up in my cot, I was not at all surprised to find that Namjoon’s cot was already empty. He had been leaving earlier and earlier each morning to take care of government business. I was, however, surprised that I was second. Usually Hobie was pretty good at getting up to clean up after the rest of the boys. Regardless, I quietly tiptoed out of bed to get ready quickly, trying my best not to wake any of my companions. Once I was changed and ready to go, I slipped my moccasins on and opened the front door painfully slow, as I had learned to minimize the horrible noise it made. Edging through the crack I had made, I managed to escape the building undisturbed. I released a long breath once I was free.

It was almost auto-pilot to the MedLab by that point. I had realistically been only a few times, but it was all so mundane and precise, I just scuffled my feet as I made my way down the familiar dirt path. Squinting up at the sky, I made a rough judgement that it wasn’t very far past dawn. It was rather cloudy, but the light filtering through was dim and cold. With a little huff to myself, I fixed my eyes forward, walking until the large, imposing building came into view. Without a moment’s hesitation, I walked up the little entryway steps, swung open the door, passed by the grumpy receptionist, and strode straight into the usual exam room, second door on the left. I changed into the papery gown and took my place. As usual, I didn’t have to wait long. The tall doctor strode in, young assistant at his heels. He smiled when he saw me seated on the pale turquoise chair. “Seoyeon,” he greeted with a kind smile. Despite the uncomfortable things this man did to me each time I saw him, he was incredibly polite and gentle about it. He was obnoxiously likeable.

“Dr. Lee,” I nodded my head in acknowledgement. I glanced at the short boy, noticing that he always had his medical face mask on. Even Dr. Lee at least waited until he was doing something legitimately medical before putting it on. Narrowing my eyes at the young apprentice, I spoke skeptically, “Mute Boy,” I greeted, using my self-imposed nickname. Even without seeing a majority of his face, his slender, dark eyes squinted from the smile hiding behind that baby blue mask.

“Just the standard panel today,” Dr. Lee practically sang as he went about his usual routine. He bustled about, gathering his supplies from the various cabinets and drawers from the room. “Oh dear,” he spoke quietly. It was the first time I had seen the elder man look or sound flustered as he looked frantically around the room. He locked eyes with his young apprentice, “Stay here with her, I need to visit the warehouse.”

“But,” the young man blurted out, pulling his mask down, causing my head to snap to face him. So he could speak. And that face… “I can go to the warehouse,” he spoke quickly, his panicked voice relatively high and airy.

The old man’s face was absolutely horrified, “Hush, you,” he hissed, “I’ve kept you out of trouble, don’t let anyone else hear you.” Taken aback by his angry demeanor, I could only watch in awe as the doctor quickly stomped out of the room.

The younger boy looked at me, his normally narrow eyes wide in fear as he scrambled to replace his mask. His face had been incredibly soft, his mouth narrow yet full, almost like Jin’s. His jawline was smooth and even, giving him somewhat of a baby face. “Sorry,” he squeaked, turning away from me quickly.

I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to inspect him as best as I could. He had incredibly dark brown hair, and those soft features. Something nagged at me as I inspected the back of his head. Eventually, he turned to face me again, and I managed to catch sight of what I had been searching for. His ears. One scar on the left, two on the right. “What’s your name?” I asked him, my voice commanding and direct.

“Uh,” he widened his eyes again, before shaking his head.

“I know you can talk now,” I persisted, “No way is that old man getting back in the next thirty seconds. What’s your name?”

He glanced around the room, as if the answer was written for him somewhere on the walls. “Uhh,” he droned for a long moment, “Taeyang,” he spoke incredibly slowly, clearly doubting his decision. “Yeah,” he said mostly to himself, clearly proud of himself, “Taeyang, that’s me.”

What a horrible liar. It was him. I was certain in that moment, that I had found Jimin. What should I do? What could I do? Do I say something? There was no way ousting him right there and then was a good idea. But my heart was absolutely bursting with anticipation. He knew who I was all this time and where I was living- my file lists Jungkook as my partner. My mind was racing. As sure as I was, what would the consequences be of being wrong? And even if I was right, what would happen then? I would tip him off that I knew, and perhaps I would never see him again. Trying to ease my panic, I held my tongue.

Thankfully, the return of the doctor cut my deliberation short. As if nothing ever happened, we returned to the usual schedule, much to my chagrin. Throughout the process, I found myself watching the younger assistant, convinced with each passing moment that it was indeed Jimin behind that mask. The distraction was welcome, at least, especially as my blood was drawn. That was always my least favorite part, which says a lot considering all of the other probing the doctor had to do. Regardless, it all eventually came to an end, and I had to sit around for a couple of hours for the results. And just as usual, they were the same: Not pregnant, but yes attempting with the correct partner. Yay. And just like that, half of my day was gone, but at least I was able to get out of there.

Taking the entryway steps slowly and deliberately, I sighed heavily once I was clear of the door. There was no way I could just walk back to the compound. I took a turn down the path towards the supply depot, unsure of exactly what I expected to do. In the meantime, I was content just wandering aimlessly, alone with my thoughts. Well, thoughts was an overstatement, because I only had one- Jimin. I had decided not to tip him off that I knew who he was, but what about the rest of the guys? Do I tell them that I saw him? That he’s alive? That he’s just a short walk down the path at the MedLab? I was worried that if I told them exactly what I knew, they might try to do something rash. It wasn’t like the seven of us could just rush the MedLab and recuse Jimin. We didn’t know if was there twenty-four hours a day or not. Not to mention that there was no escaping with him anyway. The futility of the situation weighed heavily on my heart. On one hand, I wished I had never seen Jimin, but on the other, I was insanely happy to know he was alive. I had to at least tell his friends that.

Continuing down the foliage-flanked footpath, I glanced up at the early afternoon sky, heavy clouds on the

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Koni_Fox
Thank you all so much for the feature on The Great Reclamation! It means a lot to me to have this story so well received. I can't tell you all how much I appreciate it.

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starserupt
#1
Chapter 55: I’m not sure if you’ll ever read this- but thank you. Thank you for one of the best works of fiction I’ve ever read (seriously, ever!). I feel as if I went through everything they did and its also actually so good to have an ending like this (my mental health really needed it). I hope you’re doing something with this gift you have. It feels weird saying this when I don’t even know you- but I literally love you. (I’m having an emotional day let me live.)
Haru825
#2
Chapter 17: oooh! I wonder whats gonna happen~~~
Haru825
#3
Chapter 15: oooh suga is so playful
Haru825
#4
I really can't stop reading this story. It's so good!!
heart_lady17
#5
Chapter 55: I just finish reading this. First of all, thank you to the author for writing and sharing this story. I spent longer time to read it but trust me it was worthed. Keep it up! (:
miyamina
#6
Chapter 55: I am not greatwith word so I won'tbe able to put it nicely, but I just loved this storyand your writing. You did great and I am going right away to check outyour other stories ! Thank you for all your effort and keep up !
Purple_Butterfly
#7
Chapter 55: I just finished the story! I like to make the good things last so I took my time. Now it's one of my favorite stories by far! And there isn't a lot of stories that I loved that much. But it was really amazing— the plot, the characters, the writing, everything. I was swept into your world and I loved it! Even if it was an extreme roller coaster lol.

Plus, I write too. And great stories like yours are a real motivation and inspiration. They also help me improve my English (I'm French) and learn a lot of vocabulary. Somehow, when I read stories that are so well-written, I'm suddenly able to write way better. It's a bit hard to explain but I can put my ideas into words more fluidly and "prettily". Sometimes it even helps break through my writers' blocks!

Well, enough of my ramblings haha. You did a really great job and you deserve all the attention and love you received! (Even if it came late ;) ) Congratulations (late too but still)!! And thank you for the amazing ride in your world you offered me with this story! :D
FadoraWithAPhone #8
Chapter 5: People aren't touchy in America? Most Americans are touchy
gayingIS-slaying
30 streak #9
This is so great
Luv it <<3333