The rain didn’t seem like it was going to stop anytime soon. And as the night progressed, the temperature only dropped further for Taehyung greatest despair.

Hugging himself in hopes to warm himself a bit more, his eyes traveled from the outside to the inside of the cave blankly. After a while, he tried to get some sleep but then again, because of the pain, he was too conscious to be able to fall asleep. His attention was then attracted to Jungkook’s figure. At first, Taehyung wasn’t sure what he was whispering thus, he approached his ear to the younger man in order to better hear what he was mumbling and what he heard left him several minutes motionless. After all, it wasn’t like the guy would appreciate very much waking up in Taehyung’s arm. But then again…

“It’s…cold.”

Taehyung didn’t need Jungkook to repeat it anymore and cursing beneath his breath, he lied next to Jungkook, his arms carefully wrapped around the man. In any case even if the younger man complains later on when he wakes up, at least he’ll be alive.

That later didn’t take too long to happen. Around midnight, Jungkook woke up slowly but surely at the odd feeling of something heavy on his chest. At first he had tried to shake it off, but after failing miserably, he squinted his eyes open and immediately jolted back at the recognition of the cause of the heaviness on his chest. He quickly regretted it though at the pounding pain he felt on his head from the abrupt movement. Unconsciously, he touched his head where he was surprise to feel a bandage on it. He was even more skeptic on why he was in the dark and with the very man he didn’t particularly carry in his heart. Jungkook pushed away the heavy feeling he was feeling at the pit of his gut which he convinced himself to be anger, and was about to question the older man since he was the only one who seem to have answers to the questions he was now having but found it hard to speak with the hammering pain he was feeling. Jungkook proceeded then to simply ignore the older man’s presence but of course, Kim Taehyung just had to start nagging him, now of all time.

“Before I start telling you how you got here, care to explain me why you got separated from your teammates?”

Rolling his eyes, Jungkook snarled arrogantly, despite his thrashing headache

“Well, they wanted to take the other route and I wanted to take the shortcut, easy as that.”

“Ah I see? So actually you’re a bigger idiot than I thought. Genius? Who you? Stop the bull! You really don’t get anything do you?” Taehyung chided and Jungkook immediately glared at him. Taehyung brushed it off with a snicker

“You are an amazing doctor there’s no doubt about that. But honestly you are a pathetic human being.” Before Jungkook could even have the chance to retort to what seem to be obvious jab from his professor, Taehyung beat him to it and coldly mocked

“Do you really think all it takes to be a doctor is to memorize books after books? Stop fooling yourself. It takes more than that. Unfortunately, you lack those important keys. Therefore, just give up. When we’ll return take off your blouse. You’ll never make it in this state.” Jungkook was enraged. No, he was basically speechless. This dude was seriously starting to get on his nerves. The hell does he think he is to talk down on him like that, when between the two of them the one failing more in his duty it's him. Hence, how dare he judge him when he isn’t even around that much to teach him anything, even less how to be a doctor! Scoffing at the older man’s word, Jungkook coldly retorted

“Who do you think you are to tell me that I’m not good enough? Are you that great? Well then why don’t you tell me what it is that I’m lacking?”

“Teamwork! Do you even know what it means? When you have teammates with you you’re supposed to work together. No matter how hard things are, as long as you stick together, things will get easier. But you chose facility over friendship. Just like when I’ve asked you if you wanted to participate in this training, you chose without asking their opinion. In the end, they had to follow your pace, as always. Because whatever Jeon Jungkook wants, he gets. And the world can be damned. Right?!” Taehyung angrily answered, looking as if he was at the end of his wits and he was. He really tried to be patient and let the kid understand on his own how important teamwork was but as time goes by, it felt like everyone was progressing except of Jungkook. This incident was just the last drop that tilted the vase. And Taehyung definitely was not going to just let Jungkook off the hook so easily. He knew he was being harsh but Taehyung didn’t have much option. He tried to deal with Jungkook subtly but that method wasn’t working too well. Therefore, he was now opting for more aggressiveness. At least, enough to shake the kid back to reality.

Due to Jungkook silence, Taehyung took it as cue that enough was enough. He wasn’t much of a nagger anyway. Hopefully, the message would go through him now. With a sigh, Taehyung said quieter

“Listen, I’m not saying this to make you feel bad. But you need to understand that it isn’t only about you anymore. Do you understand?”

Jungkook was reduced to silence to say the least. A rarity that Taehyung knew he shouldn’t get too used of but it didn’t stop him for enjoying it. After all, he did expect to see such a repentant behavior from the hostile man. The opposite would’ve really disappoint Taehyung that will make him conclude then that Jungkook wasn’t ready to be a doctor yet. Thankfully, Jungkook truly looked remorseful for what he did or rather didn’t do with his teammates and that was more than enough comfort for Taehyung.

“Don’t ever leave a teammate behind.” Taehyung continues before finally relaxing his feature that had been stern during his lecture.

Jungkook really wasn’t proud of him that very instant to say the least. Truth is, he had wanted to prove himself so badly that he was way better than Kim Taehyung that he had completely forsaken his friends. For sure, he owed them more than apology. Still, hearing Kim Taehyung call him a bad friend left him bitter. After all, he was very well aware of that flaw of his.

Jungkook who had been silent for a while now, finally made eye contact with Taehyung and asked curtly

“Are they alright?” Taehyung didn’t need to ask who he was asking about to know who the “they” represented. With a reassuring smile, he answered

“Much better than you. Luckily you haven’t been bitten. That would’ve been really bad.” A gleam instantly dance in Jungkook’s onyx eye as he asked finally recalling the accident

“Oh right the wolves. Where are they?”

“Don’t worry, they won’t hurt you.” Jungkook frowned weirdly at him as if to tell him what made him think so sure of that, therefore, Taehyung continued

“We’re in their den right now. So if they wanted to hurt us they’ll have done it already.” And with that, Taehyung took off the jacket he was wearing and wrapping it around Jungkook, who was now too dumbfounded by the man’s gesture, as not too long ago he was literally at Jungkook’s throat, to even blink. Oblivious to Jungkook’s turmoil, Taehyung breathed out

“You want to know a secret? I’ve been raised here. Not in this cave of course but in these mountains. I used to come here a lot with my grandparents.” Jungkook didn’t understand how the atmosphere had change so quickly nor the reason why Taehyung was suddenly telling him all these but he didn’t interrupt him nonetheless. Instead, he silently listened as Taehyung sat a little further from him this time and with a distant look, Taehyung kept going uninterrupted

“Actually, they are the one who raised me. I didn’t lose my parents of course but because of my father’s job, he was never home. He’s a fisherman you know. A man of the sea. He loves sailing so much that he barely remembers that he has a family. He returns on Christmas of course, but he’s more of a stranger than a father. He tries at least, I can give him that. As for my mom well, she could never really take care of me alone. Guess it’s because I wasn’t exactly the easiest kid to raise. And plus, with her little restaurant, she didn’t have that much time for me. She tried to be a good mom though but I was mostly with my grandparents. That’s how I came to know this place.”

Taehyung abruptly stopped and turning his gaze towards Jungkook, well that’s what Jungkook thought at first until he realized that the man was actually looking at something beyond him. Which wasn’t something but rather an animal. Jungkook flinched at the sight of the fur and was about to arm himself but stopped when strangely, the wolf walked past him uninterested and made his way to Taehyung. Jungkook watched with mixed feelings the predator docilely Taehyung hand, who only laughed in response completely at ease. A face, Jungkook wasn’t exactly used to and despite the situation, Jungkook couldn’t help but find it fascinating. Was he starting to suffer from hypothermia? Probably, but at least, he feared less now. Jungkook then mumbled, now that his pain had somehow subsided and he was now convinced that Taehyung was bipolar

“You’re really weird.” Taehyung looked at him for a minute, confused, but then seeing the way Jungkook was glancing at him then at the wolf, he quickly explained

“Oh no, I’m not some sort of alien or whatever. Actually, the reason why those wolves are so friendly it’s because I raised them. Like I said, I came here a lot. One day while I was helping my grandmother picking some herb in the area I ran into a wounded wolf. It was their mother. I nursed it back to health and in some way, she accepted me. So when she had those four pups, I was there. Well, they’re not pup anymore but they’re still the pups I used to play with. This one here, points to the one who was the cuddliest, is the youngest. His name is Dore. The one with the black stripe on his back is Putchi. The girl it’s Puda. And the last one on your right, that’s Puni. Don’t ask me why I came up with those names, I was eleven ok.”

Just then a couple of other wolves appeared and Taehyung said now more entranced with them than actually talking to Jungkook

“Oh wow, it seems like the pack has grew. But don’t worry as long as they don’t feel threaten they won’t hurt us. Besides, Puni there it’s the alpha. And since, he’s familiar with me the other won’t attack.”

“That’s a relief.” Jungkook sarcastically said before asking

“So how do we get out of here?” Jungkook was starting to be worn off. He wasn’t sure though if it was the Romanesque situation or simply the roller coaster of feelings, he was having because of the older man. A roller coaster that was leaving him with more questions than anything else. Like for instance, why did he feel so calm when he used to boil every time he saw Kim Taehyung? He didn’t like the fact that he was clueless about it but he hated more the fact to show the older man. So instead, he pulled on his poker face and pretended to still hate the man. Because he did hate the guy yet. See, that’s why he was so good in pretending. Because then, even he didn’t know how he felt anymore.

“Well, we’ll go after the rain stops.” Taehyung’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

“What? Isn’t there a team that will come and fetch us?” Jungkook asked, despite him, bewilder.

“No. No one else can come here. Especially not more people. We’ve impinge enough on their territory.” Jungkook was about to argue but Taehyung beat him to it, by walking towards him and said

“We’ll go tomorrow, ok? For now, just sleep.” And with that, he casually pulled Jungkook’s back against his chest and literally back hugging a very uncomfortable and shocked Jungkook, he said

“Let’s sleep ok.”

Beet red though Jungkook refused to think of it as him blushing because obviously it was just the cold, Jungkook tried then to get away from the sudden touch but Taehyung only tighten his grip, saying

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to you. It’s because it’s too cold. And you and I are doctors. Why be shy over just this bit?”

“Hey no…”

“Jungkook ah, please. I’m tired of fighting.” Jungkook was all over the place for better words. He felt so many things at the same time that he barely could tell apart what from what. But what he did know however was how his heart was racing out of control at the way his name had rolled out from the older man’s tongue. A sound he had never heard his name been spoken in and frankly, he wasn’t sure if he liked it or not. Jungkook didn’t have the time to consider it for long because Taehyung breath slightly tickle the back of his name as he said

“You know, even if you don’t like me, I like you Jungkook ah. Regardless of how much of a you tend to be, you’re still a good person. Did you ever think that the reason why you are so impulsive is because you are too passionate?” At those words, Jungkook stopped instantly to struggle and unconsciously he slightly turned his head, not entirely though to Taehyung but with that simple movement, the back of his head touched Taehyung’s forehead but instead of moving away, he remained for a brief second like that. Waiting, no expecting the older man to continue but from the steady breathing he was now hearing, Jungkook realizes with disappointment that the man had just fallen asleep. Strange enough, even though, Jungkook had thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep at first, he actually did manage to sleep. And oddly enough, it was the best sleep he had had since forever. He guessed it was because he was too tired. Taehyung was the one who woke him up at dawn. Still a bit hazy, he barely heard what Taehyung was saying but from the way, he was checking his wounds, he guessed, Taehyung was asking about his wounds. Jungkook simply said he wasn’t feeling too much pain from it so Taehyung didn’t fuzz, something Jungkook was still not used of Taehyung doing for his sake, so much about it anymore.

“Can you walk?” Taehyung then asked. With a nod, Jungkook pushed himself to his feet and just as he was about to make a step, his right leg suddenly gave up on him. Jungkook expected to meet the ground by that instant, but instead, he felt two strong arms holding him from the waist. A bit weirded out from the awkward position, Jungkook tried to get away as quickly as possible from the other man’s hold but with his wounded leg, he can only do so much. Taehyung who must’ve seen the discomfort Jungkook was in, gently moved to his side with now an arm under Jungkook’s left arm, he said

“It seems like your leg isn’t strong enough yet.”

“It’s ok I can still…” Jungkook began but was interrupted sternly by Taehyung

“Get on my back.” With wide eyes, Jungkook refuted hotly

“What? No way. Did you see our size difference? You wouldn’t last ten seconds with me on your back plus you’re just as hurt as I am.” Taehyung suddenly grinned stupidly at Jungkook and he asked

“Omo. Could it be that you are worried about me?” Chocking at the words, Jungkook glared, well tried to at the older man and in an awkward stutter, which he mentally cursed for, he said

“The… The are you talking about? I just don’t want you to drop me that’s all.” Out of the blue, Taehyung burst into laughter, something that left Jungkook uncertain as to what to do with his eyes which eventually he ended up just staring dumbly at the older man, Taehyung said

“Trust me then. I won’t let you fall.” And before Jungkook had the time to order his thoughts to actually form a sentence, Taehyung already had him on his back. In a lame attempt to get down, Jungkook said seriously embarrassed

“Ya, ya, put me down.”

“Ya? Again you are disrespectful. Well, I guess I didn’t do anything that deserves your respect now have i?” A bit taken aback from the man way of reason, Jungkook completely forgot that he wanted to get down in the first place and unconsciously wrapping his arm around Taehyung’s neck, he listened as Taehyung forced a laugh and said almost in a whisper

“Well, let’s get out of here. You need to get cleaned.”

That was all Taehyung said before he began walking but not after glancing briefly at the pack behind him. Taehyung was barely aware of the way Jungkook was somehow clinging on him, too mentally and physically exhausted to realize anything. He tried to school his features though. Not allowing any discomfort to appear on his face. Even when his legs were killing him or that the wound of his hand and the cut on his palm were starting to open up, he didn’t even flinch and kept going. Borrowing a safer route, he was at the opposite side of the river when Jungkook suddenly said

“Oh right, can we ever find something we dropped in the river?” Quirking an eyebrow, Taehyung asked

“Why the question? Did you drop something?”

“Oh, uhm no. Jinyoung did. A watch of hers. But never mind.” A watch? Taehyung mentally tried to recall if he did see Jinyoung with a watch before or not. Just then a flash came into his mind. It was back when he had ran into her in the doctor lounge alone. She was cleaning up some archive, and because of the dust she carefully took off the item from her wrist and he noted how careful she was with it. Being the usual curious guy that he was, Taehyung had asked if it was a present from someone. And Jinyoung had answered that it was indeed. From his late father. Losing it must be painful for her. Taehyung knew how it felt to hold to something. Just like how he treasured his stethoscope, a gift from his grandparents, he knew Jinyoung must cherish her watch just as much as he did for his stethoscope. Thus, Taehyung gently put Jungkook not far from a tree and walking into the river, he asked, much to Jungkook’s confusion

“Where did she drop it?”

“What? Hang on a second are you really going to look for it there? I didn’t ask you for you to actually look for it, you know.”

“Yeah I know. But I also know that that watch means the world to her. That’s why I want to at least try and find it.” Unaware to the frown Jungkook wore, Jungkook asked

“How do you know it’s important to her?” Focused into checking if his torch was still working, Taehyung blankly answered

“You seem to forget that I’m your mentor. I’m supposed to know things about you.” Again, unbeknownst to Taehyung, Jungkook looked strangely at Taehyung and with a tone, Taehyung couldn’t tell if it was a question or not, Jungkook mumbled

“You do.”

“Where did she drop it?” Taehyung asked.

“Ah right. Just behind you. Near that rock over there.” Following Jungkook’s instruction, Taehyung then began his search. Diving in if needed.

From where he was Jungkook couldn’t tell how he felt that instant. Ever since he woke up in the cave and this morning, nothing made sense at all. It was like, he was with a totally different person and it seriously drove him mad. Jungkook didn’t know any more if the cold Kim Taehyung was the real one or this caring, odd and determined person in front of him. Frankly, Jungkook didn’t care that much anymore. He was actually starting to like discovering this new side of Taehyung. And even if it’s fake, which he doubts, Jungkook didn’t mind. The guy who was pushing himself so much for the sake of his team couldn’t be fake right? With a sigh, Jungkook whispered tiredly

“Just who are you Kim Taehyung?”

The sun was now really high in the sky now and Taehyung was starting to feel his limbs going numb. He didn’t stop however. Blowing on the wet lock falling on his forehead, Jungkook pulled him out of his daze when he said

“Shouldn’t you stop? You’ve been in the water for far too long.”

“Just let me check one last time. Ok?”

“You said that an hour ago.” Jungkook reminded him. With a sheepish smile, Taehyung said

“This time I mean it.” Mentally crossing his finger, he dived in once again under water and swimming over to a spot he had yet to check, he carefully ran his hand through the ground and thank God, he finally found it. It fell under a hole and thanks to the current a rock had shielded it, keeping it in place. Getting out of the water with a huge smile, he said happily

“Yes, I found it!”

“You did?” Came the disbelieving tone of Jungkook. Taehyung nodded happily and getting out of the water to dry land, he slipped the watch in Jungkook’s bag and said

“Sorry, I made you wait. How is your head wound?”

“It’s ok.” Jungkook only replied but it didn’t stop Taehyung to examine it once again.

“I’m sorry I’m wet. I hope you don’t mind getting drenched a bit.” Jungkook shook vigorously his head and said

“It’s ok. Anyway, I think I can walk now.” And to prove his saying he slowly stood up and even though he was more limping than walking, Taehyung who didn’t want to hurt even more the man’s pride, knowing that carrying him till the camp would certainly do it, he grabbed a wood lying not far and after cleaning it with his knife, Taehyung handed it to Jungkook and said

“Ok. Here use this to support yourself. And if you ever get tired tell me. It’s not like we’re really in a rush.”

As promised, Taehyung didn’t try to push Jungkook over his limits. Actually whenever he saw that Jungkook was tired, they will stop for a bit, where Taehyung will examine his wounds as well let Jungkook quench his thirst, before continuing again. And Jungkook really appreciated it. The truth is he had never had anyone care this well for him. Besides his family of course. But never had he feel this. This feeling that he can actually lean on someone. It made him wonder if he can really do that. Jungkook tried to tell himself not to get used of it though but somehow, he had the feeling that that might be a little too late. This guy was seriously too insane for Jungkook and yet, he was like hypnotized by him. The is wrong with him. He wasn’t gay, so why was he having this weird feelings? Thankfully, he didn’t get to think too long on it because just then, they finally arrived at the camp. And before Jungkook could actually thank the man, he was immediately taken to a tent where he was then treated. As for Taehyung, Jungkook didn’t really know but seeing how Jimin was lurking around him, he had his own nurse. And somehow it annoyed him. Why? He had no ing clue.

“Look at you. Damn it Taehyungie be more careful.” Jimin reproached while helping his best friend into the bath before walking out of the bathroom to get him some warm clothes.

Taehyung was now back in his room and although he was thankful he could finally enjoy a bath, his mind was distracted by a certain issue. One with the name of Minho. The guy had messed with the wrong guy, and he was going to learn it the hard way. He was still deep in his thoughts when Taehyung heard a noise coming from his wrong. Thinking at first that it was Jimin, he didn’t bother with it but after a while, the sound became even louder. It was like someone was dragging something on the floor. Wincing at the irritating sound, Taehyung said loudly

“Hey Jiminie what are you doing? Stop with that noise.” The noise just got louder however. Annoyed, Taehyung reluctantly pushed himself out of the bathtub and after wrapping a towel around his waist, he stomped out of his bathroom, huffing annoyingly

“Ya Jiminie, do you want to…”

“Hi Taetae.” He got interrupted whatsoever by none other than a cheeky smile, he knew all too well. Shock yet happy to see his hyung, he said, happily hugging the man

“Hoseok hyung. What are you doing here?”

“Well, the reason that he is here or she.” Hoseok answered cunningly by pointing to two other figures who walked in just at the same time. Frowing deeply, Taehyung asked hesitant

“Namjoon hyung? Ga Yeon noona? Why are you two here?” Automatically turning his gaze to Jimin, Taehyung said darkly

“Jiminie.” Jimin, who had been silently hiding behind Namjoon, smiled nervously at Taehyung and stuttered

“Sur… Surprise?” Walking towards his closet, Taehyung grabbed a pair of pants and shirt and after putting it on, he said coldly

“I don’t need this.”

“Taetae. Please, just talk to us. You know that we’re here for you.” Ga Yeon noona tried but Taehyung was already out the door, not at all ready to face this. Not yet. No, he didn’t have the courage to face this yet. Limping his way out of the resort, Taehyung was trying to keep his cool but somehow his buddies, which even though he loved, sure made it damn hard for him to do just that. He did understand that they only wanted to make sure he was fine, but he didn’t want them to. Taehyung didn’t want to grieve because if he did he wasn’t sure he’ll be able to keep it together. But it seems like they just didn’t get that. Namjoon spun him around and forcing him to face him, he said with concern

“Taetae, please don’t shut us out. Look its ok to grieve. We’re here for you. But you can’t just pretend like nothing has happen. Don’t you see that it’s destroying you? Look at you. Do you think grand…?”

“Stop. Stop right there. Don’t you dare say another word, Hyung!”

“Taetae, you’re being childish here.” Hoseok was the one to speak this time, but Taehyung barely had conscious of that. With the indiscreet eyes that were now watching them, Taehyung pushed Namjoon hyung’s off him and said

“When have I ever been anything but childish?” Taehyung was blank to say the least. His mind didn’t seem to function normally at all. That was probably why he didn’t even recognized Jungkook when he walked past him or the way, his eyes widen when a certain name was call out from behind Taehyung. Taehyung was just as shocked as Jungkook but for different reasons evidently. One from realization while the other for pure shame. And indeed, Taehyung was anything but proud of himself at that very instant. Especially not under the eyes of one of the many people who knew him to be braver.

“V ah, it’s been a long time.”

“Grandma Sul Ki…?”

After being treated and having a nice bath, Jungkook had then proceeded to go thank Taehyung for what he had done for him, yes as strange as it sounds he did feel grateful towards the man. That was why he was heading to the second floor to check Taehyung’s in his room. But while going through the entrance hall, the very person he was looking for appeared in front of him. Jungkook was at that time about to call him when he noticed something odd about Dr Kim’s body language as soon as a dude, Jungkook recognized it to be Namjoon, said something to him. And from the looks of it, Taehyung immediately looked upset about it. Whatever it was, it must’ve been serious enough for the older man to not even see Jungkook and just walk past him.

In any case, Jungkook wasn’t planning on just letting him go just like that. Stretching out his hand, in an attempt to reach for Taehyung’s hand, Jungkook stopped midway whatsoever at the sound of not only a familiar voice but also a familiar name. V ah? Jungkook repeated dumbly, wondering if he was finally going to put a face to the person he had been mistaken for. His jaw literally dropped when he realized who it was that reacted to the name. How can he not when once again, he was forced to experience a mayhem of emotions because of none other than Kim Taehyung. Why was-he everything Jungkook was at first so convinced he was not? Why was he suddenly so nice now? Or more like how did Jungkook not see through his game when he was supposed to ace the art of seeing through people’s act? That was how he normally sees fake from real. Yet, here he was completely and utterly lost. For the first time in his life, Jungkook felt defeated.

Jungkook was now beginning to feel nauseous with all this discovery. Or more like shocking realization. He snapped out of it though, at the sound honestly heart wrenching of Taehyung who said

“Yeah, it has. Let me help you with your bag.” Taehyung tried to take the bag from the older woman but to everyone’s shock, she suddenly pulled him into a hug and rubbing affectionately his back, she kindly encouraged

“That’s enough V ah. You can stop now. It’s ok. You don’t have to be strong anymore.” At first Jungkook didn’t quite understand why she was saying that but then he overheard a conversation from some under bystander that sent his memories back to a particular other conversation

“… I don’t know what to say. Is that why V ah didn’t come with you today?” An old lady’s voice said.

“No, the reason he didn’t come is a little bit more delicate. Actually, he’s trying to teach someone a lesson. And you know him. He has his way of doing those things.”

“Unfortunately i do. His methods are very unorthodox nevertheless they are quite convenient. But tell me, how is he doing then? Is he holding on?”

“Grandma Sul Ki, I can’t really answer that. He makes it look like he’s fine. But I’m sure he’s not. His grandmother was everything to him. Losing her must be quite a big deal. But he also has all this other things he needs to do so he can’t really grieve. That’s why I’m so worried about him. He hasn’t even cried yet. I’m trying to be there for him but I don’t know. I think he’s still in shock.”

Could it be…? Jungkook wondered mortified, as he watched the older man bury further his head in the greyed hair woman’s shoulder, silently sobbing. And Jungkook couldn’t be more abashed. So that’s why he left? Jungkook couldn’t help but think, feeling even more disgusted with himself. Another first for him.