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Chapter Text

SEOUL, 2026

Taehyung anxiously enters the bookstore. People are already lining up to get their manhwa autographed and get a chance to talk to the author of Leap Of Faith. The author’s table is empty. Taehyung came early to make sure he wouldn’t miss him. He has been waiting for this for way too long. With the manhwa in his bag he joins the line and waits for the author to show up.

In front of him is a group of teenagers excitedly chatting about the new manhwa and the first press tour of the writer and illustrator of Leap Of Faith. To make the time go by faster Taehyung plays with his phone. It might have been minutes, it might have been hours, since he left time passing felt meaningless to Taehyung, until the author finally shows up. The line has grown quite large and chatter fills the bookstore. 

A man sits down on the authors table. 

His hair black like ink and Taehyung's heartbeat escalates. Is it him or is it not? He wears a pair of glasses and a dark dress shirt. The author smiles and Taehyung can make out enough to be quite certain. He knows that smile. 

It’s him.

Taehyung gulps. His whole body must be trembling. He tries to hide it by wringing his hands. His heartbeat echoes in his ears. He might throw up. No, he won’t. This might be his only chance to get clarity. To know what happened. To know if he remembers. There are only four groups in front of him. Two young women, a couple, another woman and the group of teenagers. He can wait this long. Taehyung tries to breathe calmly and name five things in the room just like his therapist told him to. 

The girl in front of him has pink hair, brown bookshelves, his dark green sneakers, books, so many books, and a wooden floor. 

A little calmer he moves up the line and waits for his turn. With only two people in front of him Taehyung takes his manhwa out of his bag. Now he can see the author even better. It’s definitely him. At least on the outside he looks the same. Kind of. Taehyung’s stomach turns. What if he is a completely different person? 

With shaking legs Taehyung sits down in front of the author and puts his manhwa copy, to be signed by the author, on the table. He looks up just as Taehyung does so. Wide doe-eyes meet his eyes. They widen even more once their eyes meet. He looks different. Of course, he does. He wears glasses and there is only one tiny scar on his cheeks. His hair is well groomed like he just got a perm. His eyes are softer, not as cunning. 

“Taehyung.” The author says. 

Taehyung thinks: It’s the same voice. And then: He remembers. 

A tear glides down Taehyung’s cheek. “I found you. Finally, I found you.”

Jungkook’s eyes glisten. “I’ve been doing these with the hope you will come to one of them.” He whispers. He hovers with the sharpie over his manhwa. 

The manhwa that bears both of their faces. But only Jeon Jungkook’s name. 

Like the Jungkook Taehyung knows so well, he puts the sharpie down, reaches over the table for his hands, takes Taehyung’s trembling hands in his and presses his forehead against Taehyung's like he so often did. Uncaring of everyone around them. A silent sob leaves Taehyung’s mouth. 

“I’m never going to leave you.” Jungkook says. “I told you I will fight for you.”

Chapter Text

SEOUL, 2024

Taehyung has a guilty pleasure. 

He has been giddy the whole day, and been full of joyful anticipation for even longer. Everything is ready for today, the curtains are drawn, he had bought a new scented candle in the jumble shop around the corner, which citrus smell filled the room, the lights have been dimmed, the ordered chicken steamed on the coffee table, he had popped open a cold canned beer, and more of them chilled in the fridge. 

He is wrapped up in his favorite blanket, wearing his pajamas, as he opened up the webcomic app on his tablet to read the latest updates of the manhwa he had been obsessed with. 

Sue him, Taehyung is in his late twenties, has a very dull 9 to 5 office job, is very single, very disappointed in the dating market, and in a very healthy relationship with fictional men. 

The male lead grinned at him from the cover of the first screen, while Taehyung adored him, he was much more of a sucker for the love interest. Jungkook, the warrior with a heart of gold, who hid his kind acts behind a wall of nonchalance, and Taehyung supposed that Jimin, the male lead, never saw the warrior the way every reader of this manhwa did. 

Jungkook was a fan favorite, and Taehyung loved his character. 

Taehyung liked his fictional men a little cold-blooded and emotionally constipated, and he really didn’t get why Jimin chose Namjoon in the end. Luckily the author promised a second webcomic in the same universe, giving the love interest, Jungkook, a happy ending. Taehyung was looking forward to it. The mix of fantasy, world building and romance was his kryptonite. He especially liked the world the author created. The various clans speaking different languages, the fights, raids, clan politics, and finding love in this turbulent world.

Taehyung sipped at his beer, and started to read the last few episodes of the webcomic.

He squealed when Jimin finally confessed his love, leaving the scholar Namjoon quite flustered. Taehyung understood Namjoon’s appeal, he had quite a bit of online fans, who adored his intellect, his braveness paired with a dose of clumsiness and a body to die for. By now every reader knew that Namjoon was behind the cryptic love letters left in front of Jimin’s tent. 

Ah, young love, Taehyung thought to himself, and ate a bit of his prepared meal, to strengthen himself for what was about to come, they will break Jungkook’s heart. Ah, Taehyung flopped down onto the couch, and read further, and like he predicted Namjoon went to his friend, and told him he was in love with Jimin, and noble, selfless Jungkook isn’t showing his hurt, and instead congratulates his friend.

Namjoon's smile was drawn tenderly, and Taehyung suspected that he knew Jungkook was hurt, but didn’t know how to comfort him. Jungkook did not talk about his feelings, and Taehyung guessed that Jimin might not even know he had two men pining for him the whole time.

Taehyung’s heart broke a little at the close up of Jungkook’s face after Namjoon left, the frown between his eyes, the tightly pressed lips, and a single tear rolling down his face. 

“Jungkook,” Taehyung whispered, “You can have me if you want.”.

Taehyung giggled at his antics, sipping on his beer, and continued reading Jimin and Namjoon having their happy ending. 

Chapter Text

MAEUL, TIME UNKNOWN

Taehyung’s head was pounding when he woke up, and his back hurt. He was lying in an uncomfortable position. He must have fallen asleep on the couch while reading.  

He groaned, and tried to stretch himself.

His hand didn’t budged, something was cutting into his skin. Startled, Taehyung realized that his hands were tied behind his back. He sat up on his knees, his mind spinning, dizziness made it hard for him to focus. 

He was not at home. He was in a cage, he could make out the iron bars in front of him, which are cladded with wood keeping out any light. A few crevices in the wood let a bit of light through. 

Has he been kidnapped? 

Taehyung shook his head. No. This must be a dream. He would surely wake up soon. What a horrible dream. The rope cut into his wrists and the cage stank of filth. 

What a nightmare, and such a realistic one at that. 

A bang startled Taehyung. 

Someone struck the wood in front of him. The wood snapped and an axe emerged between the iron bars. Voice flitter through the opening. A few more strikes followed, ripping apart the wood of the cage. Taehyung hid his face to shield himself from the splinters flying around. 

The axe stopped. Taehyung peeked out, and saw the axe hammer down onto the lock opening the cage with one final blow. 

A face appeared, looking inside the cage. Taehyung met the eyes of a man, and he couldn’t believe what he saw. 

The large doe-eyes - slitted -, the tanned skin - from spending most of his days outside -, the paint on his face - the warrior paint of Jimin’s clan -, the long black hair - tied back-, blood splattered across his face, tongue stuck into his cheek. 

Jungkook. 

“Who do we have here?” Jungkook said. He looked outside again, and shouted, “No gold.”.

Taehyung must be dreaming, he surely is, this can’t be right. 

Jungkook looked back at him, “Did they cut your tongue?”.

“Jungkook?” Someone called, “Is there someone?”.

“Yep,” He called back, “but certainly not one of the Angnalhada. Who are you?”. 

Jungkook stepped closer, his axe still drawn, but not pointed at him, his eyes scrutinizing. 

Taehyung blinked. “Taehyung.”

“Which clan?” 

“I..” Taehyung shook his head, he remembered distinctly the clan the world was governed by, the different tribes spread all over the country, but he couldn’t just blurt one out, could he? 

“A vagabond?” Jungkook’s mouth corner twitched up in the way Taehyung always found charming. Jungkook scanned him from head to toe, and it’s the first time Taehyung looked at what he was wearing too. Rags, a tattered shirt, and grimy trousers.

“A vagabond.” Jungkook sighed. He grabbed Taehyung’s arm, jerked his head to the left, and dragged him outside of the cage. 

The camp was littered with lifeless bodies, Taehyung stumbled over them as Jungkook dragged him toward a few men standing at the side, people carried chests, and valuables around the camp, all wearing the same warrior paint. 

Chakada, Jimin’s clan, raided another tribe. 

A raid. Taehyung remembered as much, the warrior regularly raided camps of rival tribes. 

“Found him in one of the cages, tribeless, clanless, going by his clothes and the fact that he isn’t dead yet.” Jungkook stated as he roughly presented him to a group of warriors. 

“Or he might be worth something?” A bearded man with skeptical eyes said, “A leverage from another clan?”.

“Look what he is wearing,” Jungkook grunted. He let go of Taehyung and went towards a horse standing close by. Taehyung recognized Jungkook’s horse instantly by the black mane. Jungkook never got involved in political decisions, he fought, he raided, he had his own set of morals he went by, but he didn’t involve himself in situations he didn’t had to be in. 

Taehyung's fate laid now in the hands of the warriors leaders. 

The bearded man spat on the ground, and stepped closer to Taehyung, inspecting him, “Where are you from? Don’t bother lying, we have truth vails back home.”. 

Taehyung gulped. 

He kept reminding himself that he was dreaming, and it wouldn’t matter what he said. Still, he did not want to know how it felt if he gave them the wrong answer. He could say he was from one of the tribeless villages in the north, but  he wasn’t sure if that was a plausible answer as he wasn’t able to speak their tongue. He also knew all too well about the truth vails. He had read about Jimin drinking on by accident, who then avoided Namjoon till the effect wore off to prevent himself from spilling his secret, and unintentionally confessing his love to the scholar.

But there are villages behind the mountains and on the other side of the sea. Barely anyone has ever visited these places, he could make them assume he was from there, and sticking close to the truth might be his best option. 

“I don’t belong to a tribe, I’m not from here, I was taken against my will.” 

At that he had the attention of the groups of warriors. “Eh? From the mountains or the sea?”

Taehyung remained silent, eyes fixed on the ground, because either answer would be a lie.

The beard man spoke in a language Taehyung did not understand. Soon after he was trapped by arms again, and one of the warriors dragged him towards a horse-drawn carriage. He was thrown into the carriage, sat between boxes and sacks, in front of him was a small cage with a few hens. The door of the carriage closed and Taehyung sat in the darkness.

What a wild dream. 

Dull he could make out the sounds from outside the carriage. Shouts, trampling of the horses, people running around.  

The carriage shook as they departed, and Taehyung could only presume that they were riding back to their clan. Taehyung tried to make it comfortable for himself. Who knows how long it will take till he finally wakes up. 

He leans back against the wall, and curls himself up.

The carriage jolted before coming to a stop. 

Taehyung awoke startled by it. It took him a minute to remember where he was, and a bit of anxiety took a hold of him. He is still here, he is still tied. He is incredibly thirsty, his mouth dry, and his stomach grumbles. 

He needed to wake up. 

Taehyung hit his head against the wall, but instead of waking up he groaned in pain as his head throbbed.

Shit. That did not work. 

The door was thrown open, the light blinded him, and he was roughly pulled out of the carriage. They were in a forest clearing. A big fire was in the middle of the clearing and torches were set up all around. 

 Taehyung did not recognize the warrior pushing him around. 

“Water.” Taehyung croaks at the man. He wasn’t dignified with an answer. 

He was dropped at a trunk, and the men silently bound his hands to the trunk. A second later the men pressed a flask to his mouth, and Taehyung greedily gulped down the water. 

He was left alone right after. His thirst was stilled, but his hunger wasn’t. He had never felt this hungry in a dream, and this wasn’t feeling like a dream at all. It’s been too long, and he can’t quite put together what happened. But what else can it be if he wasn’t dreaming? 

For a split moment he met Jungkook’s gaze across the fire. The warrior sat by the fire. His warrior paint washed off, and he was carving a piece of wood. The warriors seemed to eat grilled meat, and drink out of wooden jugs. A man next to Jungkook animatedly talked to him. Jungkook hummed here and there. He did not look like he was listening. 

The night was cold, and Taehyung shivered. 

The night sky was starry. Taehyung can’t remember the last time he saw so many stars. Maybe never. The fire crackled. Taehyung tried to focus on the warriors lounging around the fire instead of his grumbling stomach. 

He must have fallen asleep. Exhausted by his whole ordeal. 

When he opened his eyes the sky was still dark, but Taehyung wasn’t freezing anymore. He shifted, and felt that someone must have covered him up. He blinked down at the black fur laying on top of him. 

Within seconds Taehyung recognized Jungkook’s fur.  

Despite the situation he found himself in he smiled. 

The second time Taehyung woke up he was hauled back into the carriage. He still wasn’t back home in his bed, no he faced the hens in a dark carriage, and this time he did not fall asleep, instead the hunger gnawed at him, and thirst made his throat dry up. 

It was a torturous ride. 

When they stopped, the sky was dark again, but Taehyung recognized the place. Tents stood all around a large meadow. Here and there a wooden cabin had been built. 

Jimin’s clan. Jungkook’s clan. Chakada. 

Taehyung wasn’t able to recognize a lot since he was dragged through the clan grounds right to the prison cells. Taehyung immediately recognized where he was dragged. It was one of his favorite chapters, where Jungkook locked up someone trying to hurt Jimin.

They freed him of his shackles before imprisoning him and he was given food and water. His meals consist of cold meat, and some sort of watery oat, but Taehyung was so relieved to eat and drink again that he really didn’t care.

No one of the warriors spoke to him in common tongue, all the words spoken around him were foreign to Taehyung ear’s. Whatever the warrior who left him in the cell said to him was a mystery to Taehyung. 

He shivered in the cold cell, on the ground, on hay, and barely slept the whole night. Whenever he fell asleep because his body was so tired, he woke up a few seconds later. Shivering, or because his stomach clenched for food. 

His thirst was stilled, but the hunger, the hunger was unlike anything Taehyung had ever experienced. He had barely eaten in two days. An uncomfortable thought began to form in Taehyung’s head.  

He can’t be dreaming. Everything felt too real. 

Taehyung watched the sun filter through the small opening in his cell and wondered how long it will take for someone to come for him. If he will get to eat again and what they are going to do with him. 

What if he will never wake up in his bed again? 

Chapter Text

MAEUL, TIME UNKNOWN

All eyes were on Taehyung. He felt trapped in the crowded room. The leader of the tribe, Jiwon, and his advisors were standing in front of him. Taehyung knew a lot about him; Jiwon had a whole character sheet in the manhwa. Jiwon, leader of tribe Chakada, stubborn, strict, violent, sometimes reasonable and intelligent. As much as he tended to do things the violent way, he  was also intelligent enough to do it in a smart way. It made him unpredictable. 

Jiwon’s arms were crossed. Muscles bulging. 

Taehyung gulped. He has been questioned for hours already. They gave him a truth vial as soon as they dragged him out of his cell into the leader’s hut. At this point Taehyung was sure this was not a dream. Everything felt way too real. His throat was drier than it ever has been. How could Taehyung make this up in his dream? His stomach had started to rumble again and he was so tired of being questioned.

They asked him everything they wanted to know - which tribe or clan did he belong to? None; What is his name? Taehyung; Is he a warrior? No; A vagabond? No; His age? 25; Where is he from? He did blurt out Seoul, but it wasn’t like any of them knew where or what Seoul was; it only added to the mystery surrounding him. No one of them had ever heard about a place or a tribe with such a pellicular name. It made his story from being far away even more reasonable. With the truth veil in his blood Taehyung wasn’t able to lie. 

At least they started to believe him and seemingly specified him as no threat. 

“Should we let him go? Keep him in prison?” Jiwon asked his advisors beside him. 

Taehyung choked on air in shock. He had nowhere to go and he really didn't want to go back to the prison. His stomach turned at the thought. 

“He can stay with me.” Taehyung startled hearing Jungkook's voice, who had nonchalantly leaned on the wall. Jungkook took a few steps forward, his eyes meeting the one of the clan leaders.

“If you keep an eye on him.” Jiwon answered. “He has to pull his weight.”

“I will take responsibility for him.” Jungkook said not looking at Taehyung even once. Someone gasped. Something shattered on the ground. Bound to a chair, Taehyung wasn’t able to look back. 

A murmur went through the tribe members present. 

Taehyung’s eyes were focused on Jungkook. He hadn’t even known the warrior had been in the room. But of course, Jungkook was here, he was the best warrior of the clan. 

Taehyung's heart beat so fast he felt like he was going to faint. 

Tension was thick in the air. No one was looking at him anymore. Instead they watched the staring contest between Jungkook and Jiwon. 

“He is yours.” Jiwon said and turned away from Jungkook and with that also from Taehyung. 

With shaking legs Taehyung followed Jungkook outside the hut. The sky was already darkening. Had he been interrogated this long? He took a deep breath and focused on Jungkook walking in front of him. Swift on his foot, the warrior had no consideration for Taehyung’s slow walk or the fact he hadn’t been eating well for days. 

“The outhouses are right here.” Jungkook pointed at a few small wooden buildings near the forest. 

“This is our yurt.” Jungkook said and came to a halt in front of a tent.

How had Taehyung forgotten that most of the tribe lives in these round tent-like structures? All around them stood these rather large tents. 

Jungkook lifts the cloth in front of the yurt to enter it and holds it up for Taehyung to enter too. It’s a little warmer inside than outside. 

“Shoes out.” Jungkook said while removing his boots. 

Taehyung follows suit and slips out his scuffed shoes. His feet are as dirty as his hands. Inwardly Taehyung cringes at the dirt sticking to him. In the middle of the yurt was a fireplace with a stove-like structure. At the top of the yurt was a hole which enabled sunlight and air to come through. It can easily be covered if it rains or snows. 

Rugs covered the ground of the yurt and some were even hung up on the walls. Taehyung recognizes a traditional instrument hanging on the wall. Jimin used to play with it to make Namjoon notice him. Does Jungkook play it too? Taehyung didn’t know. On the right side stood a small bed and a large chest. The other side looked like a kitchen area where cleaning and cooking took place.

“You can have my bed for the first night.” Jungkook said, loosening his belt. “I sleep on a fur.”

The warrior shuffled out of his trousers. 

“What are you doing?” Taehyung asked, startled. 

Jungkook raised an eyebrow at him. “Getting comfortable? You should get out of your clothes too. They stink. You stink. I will heat water for you, so you can take a bath.” Without acknowledging Taehyung Jungkook took a bucket full of water and tipped some of the content in the iron pot by the fireplace. He took a wet cloth and rinsed himself off. Taehyung stood by the entry watching the other awkwardly. What was he supposed to do? Undress himself? 

“Sit down.” Jungkook said. “Close to the fireplace. It will get warmer.” 

It’s then that Taehyung noticed he was shivering. Hesitantly he stepped closer to the fireplace and sat down beside it. Jungkook was occupied with lighting the fireplace. It took him only a few seconds till a flame rose from twigs. Seemingly the fire had already been prepped to be ignited. Taehyung watched the flames. His stomach grumbled in the silence of the yurt. 

Jungkook slipped into something that looked like a black robe made out of lines. 

“Eat.” Jungkook held something in front of him. Something wrinkled that looked like dried fruit or meat. Taehyung wasn’t far off with his guess. It tasted like salted, dried meat. He hadn’t eaten since yesterday so it tasted incredibly good to him. 

“Drink.” Jungkook handed him a cup without a handle. “Be careful it’s warm.”

The warmth spread from the cup through his fingers. A little sigh left his lips and he took a small sip of the cup. Surprised, he noticed it wasn’t just warm water. Jungkook had put some kind of herbs into the water making it taste like freshly brewed tea. Taehyung relished every sip. It took a while for the water in the big iron pot to boil, but once it did Taehyung watched Jungkook transfer it into a huge wooden tub. He mixed the hot water with a little bit of cold water from the bucket. 

"Get in.” Jungkook said. “Here is a cloth to clean yourself.” Jungkook laid a piece of cotton on the rim of the wooden tub. “I’m going to lay out some fresh clothes for you.” 

Taehyung eyed the bath drawn for him. He would give anything for a hot shower right now, but a bath in a small tub in a tent with someone else in the room. Honestly not the way he likes to take his bath, but he was so filthy and he really wanted to get rid of the dirt sticking to him. 

Jungkook stood with his back towards Taehyung getting clothes for him from the chest. 

Taehyung stood up and shifted out of his clothes and quickly sank into the warm water. The tub was small but large enough to be covered by water if he pulled his knees to his body. The water warmed him up instantly. Taehyung had never felt so grateful for warm water. He took the cloth to scrub himself. The water was lightly foaming as if Jungkook put soap into it. 

Without looking at him Jungkook laid some clothes in front of the tub, and walked back to the chest. For a bit Taehyung watched Jungkook seemingly making himself a bed on the ground until he continued scrubbing himself off. He carefully washed his hair with the water in the tub. 

“Good night.” Jungkook said, looking at him in the bath. He nodded towards the bath. "I made you another tea and some dried meat for you to eat. Try to sleep after your bath.” With that he turned away and laid down on the furs he had rearranged on the ground. 

Taehyung enjoyed the water and flickers of the fire till the water started to turn cold. He slipped into the cotton robe and trousers Jungkook had laid out for him. With the tea and the dried meat he sat down at the fireplace till his hair felt a little drier. Exhaustion caught up to him fast and he practically fell into his bed. 

Chapter Text

MAEUL, TIME UNKNOWN

Taehyung woke up a little confused with his surroundings. He felt warm. Finally after such a long time he wasn’t cold. 

“You’re finally awake.” 

Jungkook. The cloth in front of the yurt was attached to the walls. Sun shone through the yurt. Through the hole in the ceiling and the opened door. 

Jungkook was sitting criss-crossed at the entry weaving rope in his hand.

Taeyhung blinked at him, still dizzy from sleep. 

“There is food by the fire.” Jungkook nodded at embers smoldering in the fireplace. “and tea.”

As if on cue Taehyung’s stomach grumbled. With hesitant steps he climbed out of the bed. He was barefoot and his clothes were way too big. Looking down on himself he realized he changed into Jungkook’s clothes yesterday. The ground of the yurt was soft and Taehyung went right to the bowl sitting by the fire assuming it’s what Jungkook meant. 

The porridge-like-food Jungkook must have made was cold by now, but it still felt heavenly to eat something. He tasted oats, apples, cinnamon and dates. The tea tasted different than the one Jungkook gave him yesterday. More fresh. More like fruits than herbs. 

“What are you good for?” 

Taehyung’s feast was interrupted by Jungkook’s voice. The warrior's eyes were watching him. The eyes Taehyung had admired not so long ago staring at him from the pages of a manhwa. In real life Jungkook is more imposing. His muscles more defended. His stare intimidating. 

“What?” Taehyung asked. 

“Can you fight?” Jungkook simply asked. 

Taehyung stared at him as Jungkook resumed to get back to weaving. He took one self-defense class in elementary school, but Taehuyng is sure that’s not what Jungkook is asking for. He cleared his throat, “No.”.

Jungkook nodded, seemingly not surprised, “You don’t look like a fighter.” 

Taehuyng wasn’t sure if he should take offense to that. 

“Can you cook?” Jungkook asked. 

Taehyung was about to agree to that until he realized he had no clue how to cook in this world. Yeah, he knew how to make pasta, cut vegetables up and make a somewhat tasty meal but does he know how to light up a fire without a lighter? No. 

Taehyung bit his lips. “Somewhat?” He answered. 

Jungkook frowned for a second. “Plant, weed, harvest food?” 

Taehyung blinked a little stumped. “No.” He answered incredulously, unsure of where Jungkook was going with this. Planting and harvesting food was surely not that difficult? 

Jungkook hummed. “Have you ever gone fishing?”

Taehyung shook his head. 

“You have soft hands.” Jungkook continued. “Like a deity.” 

“A deity?” Taehyung gaped.

Jungkook looked up, and straight into his eyes. “You don’t have to work to live.” He eyed him. “You’re weak.” Jungkook doesn’t phrase it like a question he stated it. 

Taehyung spluttered. “I do work. And I’m not weak.” 

Jungkook looked at him skeptically like he doesn’t believe a word out of his mouth. 

Taehyung couldn’t exactly say that he was working in an office. So he went with: “I’m a scholar.” 

Jungkook paused, frowned. “You don’t have writer calluses.” 

“It’s not how we do things back where I’m from.”

Jungkook paused his weaving, shrugged his shoulders and continued. “You have much to learn then, now eat up.” 

Taehyung frowned at the other but continued nonetheless. It was his first real meal and he was going to enjoy it. 

“Come with me.” Jungkook said after Taehyung had changed into a new pair of clothes Jungkook had given him. The cotton pants were thick and fit quite well. The dark cotton chemise was a little wide on him given it was made for Jungkook not him. The leather boots Jungkook gave him were worn thin but that made them comfortable to walk in. 

Taehyung trudged after Jungkook along the meadow. 

The warriors steps wide and quick. 

The dew was still visible on the blades of grass, but the sun shining down on them already brought warmth. Taehyung looked around to see if anyone else was around. A group of women was carrying heavy baskets. A young man was whipping furs in front of a yurt. 

“What time is it?” Taehyung wondered out loud. 

Jungkook did not turn back nor did he answer. 

Taehyung resumed following him wordlessly and taking in the world he only knew out of a manhwa. It was an out of body experience to be suddenly living in said world. 

“Yoongi.” Jungkook said.

There stood a dark haired man in front of the yurt. He had a young kid in his arms, another one was tugging at his legs. Even more kids were strewn around the yurt. Some played tag while others sat on a bench drinking out of cups. 

Yoongi answered Jungkook in an unknown language. Taehyung did not understand a word leaving the man’s mouth. His hair was long and tied back, his clothes similar to Taehyung’s. In stark contrast to Jungkook’s who was wearing his usual warrior garment. 

“Can you take him in?” Jungkook asked. 

Yoongi eyed Taehyung thoroughly. “Isn’t he your responsibility?” 

“He wants to work here.” Jungkook stated without even looking at Taehyung. 

Taehyung spluttered. “I- what?”

“He doesn’t speak our tongue.” Yoongi answered with a straight face and continued in the language Taehyung did not understand. Taehyung can’t recall reading about Yoongi in the manhwa. 

“He will learn.” Jungkook interrupted Yoongi and turned around to leave.

Taehyung’s jaw dropped. He took all of his thirsty thoughts he ever had about Jungkook back. This man was not only emotionally constipated, he was rude as fuck.

“Taehyung.”

He whipped his head back around to face Yoongi who gave him a blank stare. “Have you taken care of kids before?” 

Taehyung shook his head. “No?” 

Yoongi sighed. “Great.” He turned towards the kids on the bench and called the others rummaging around the meadow. “This is Taehyung, he only speaks common tongue, and will look after all of you as off today too. Be kind.” 

Too many pairs of kids' eyes were directed at him. 

“Where are you from?” A kid called out. Another said, “My father said he is from behind the sea.”. “Is it true that in the sea there are fish this big?” A girl shouted her arms spread wide to show the size of the fish. 

Taehyung tried to make the best out of the situation he had landed himself in. “Uh, yes, sharks and dolphins are large or whales are enormous.”

“Wales? What is a wale?” The girl asked. A little smaller boy was gesturing beside her wildly talking in the language Taehyung did not understand. 

“A whale is, wait, not even a fish, it’s a mammal, but it looks like a fish and some of them are as large as a tree.” Taehyung pointed at a tree beside the yurt. 

“That big?” A kid yelled. 

“Don’t tell them nonsense.” Yoongi said. 

“It’s true.” Taehyung looked up at Yoongi. “I’ve been by the sea, I’ve swam in the sea.”

At that, Yoongi raised his eyebrows and tilted his head. “If you say so.” He mumbled. “I will look after the smaller ones inside. Asha will be here any moment. If you need help just yell.” With that Yoongi went inside the yurt. The door was left open and the opening was wider than it was for most tents. 

A lot of pairs of eyes were directed at him. 

“Tell us more about the wales.” The little girl said unashamedly tugging at his trousers. 

That’s how Taehyung found himself sitting between a group of kids and talking about the sea. Once he realized how much they enjoyed it, if he did in a storytelling kind of way, he started a whole story about Noi, the whale, who swam through the sea and met all kinds of water animals. All of the kids were hanging on his lips. 

Jungkook picked him up in the evening after Taehyung had spent the whole day tending to kids. At noon all of them ate together. Asha, a woman, who also came to take care of the kids, cooked a meal for all of them. Some kind of stew with meat and vegetables. Asha was kinder than Yoongi, at least on the surface. Taehyung was old enough to know that actions count more than words and the way Yoongi tends to the kids made his heart bloom. 

Taehyung seemed to be accepted for the time being as he was found by Asha and Yoongi keeping most of the kids entertained by his stories. That was a win. During the day Taehyung made the decision to, for now, stay in the moment. 

Jungkook took him back to his tent. He had a bag thrown onto his shoulder which he dropped right by the fireplace in the yurt. 

“I’m gonna start a fire.” Jungkook said and opened the sack full of potatoes. From the kitchen corner of the yurt Jungkook grabbed a knife and held it out for Taehyung to take. “Peel them.” 

“All of them?” Taehyung asked, flabbergasted. 

“Yes.” Jungkook answered and turned towards the fireplace. 

Stunned Taehyung looked at the potato sack. He wasn’t the greatest at guessing but he was sure there were more than 3 kg of potatoes inside of it. He sighed and sat down right by the sack and started with the first potato. Once in a while he glanced at Jungkook who, after lighting the fireplace, was beginning to cook something for them. They both worked in silence. Taehyung couldn’t remember the last time he cooked with someone. 

“Why do you need so many potatoes?” Taehyung asked after his hands started to cramp. 

“It’s for the kids tomorrow.” Jungkook simply answered. “Not for me.” 

“Oh.” Taehyung shook his hand to get rid of a cramp and continued his work. 

It’s how they spend the rest of the evening, Taehyung peeling potatoes and Jungkook cooking them a stew. Taehyung annihilated the stew within seconds as soon as Jungkook gave him a bowl full of it. After a day full of running around and physical work he was hungry and exhausted. Luckily Jungkook let him sleep in his bed again.

Chapter Text

MAEUL, TIME UNKNOWN

The following day Jungkook also made him breakfast, woke him up, and dropped him off at Yoongi’s. Jungkook picked Taehyung back up when the sky was full of stars and the sun was gone. In the evening sitting at the fireplaces he made Taehyung peel or cut any vegetables or fruit he seemed to get his hands on, ignoring Taehyung’s blisters blooming on his hands.

It continued on like that, for a week. 

Taehyung quickly memorized the way from Jungkook to Yoongi and back. As well as the area around them as he tended to play outside with the kids. The little girl Luella, who questioned him on his first day, especially, took a liking to him, always questioning Taehyung about the ocean and all of its creatures. When Luelle heard about seal’s, she was over the moon, asking Taehyung to draw them for her and imitate the way they sound. Whenever Taehyung squealed like a seal she rolled up in laughter, begging him to do it again. 

It was his favourite time of the day, being with the kids, running through untouched nature, telling stories and seeing the eyes of the kids gleam in excitement. 

His day is certainly better than sitting in an office. 

Albei, he also enjoyed ogling Jungkook cooking for him. Except for the various fruits and vegetables Jungkook made him peel and cut he not once asked him to cook. Instead he decided the herbs with fast movements, pressed out citrus right into the meat cooking, making his biceps show. Taehyung was enjoying the show. Sue him. 

It was one of the joys of living with a gorgeous man that sadly wasn’t too empathic of his blister. 

“You have to roughen up.” Was all he said when saw Taehyung’s hands and massaged some kind of ointment into them. It helped with the pain. At least enough for Taehyung to forget about it when he joins Yoongi and helps him with the kids. At the same time Taehyung is still trying to understand how he got here. Why he even is in his favorite manhwa and how he will ever get out of it. It’s all a mystery to him and he doesn’t seem to be able to solve it.

Taehyung sighed and continued to peel the beetroots. Jungkook had given him a bag full of it and has vanished with the words that he will be right back. The evening was mild and Taehyung sat outside watching other members of the tribe. A group of young boys were playing a game with a ball he tried to understand. He also watched a raven sit in the crown of a tree crowing.

A sudden bump to his leg startled him. A black cat twined around his legs.

“Aren’t you a pretty one?” Taehyung murmured and put the beetroot and knife away. He caressed her fur. “Are you all alone too?”

The cat purred, stretched her paws and jumped right onto Taehyung’s lap.

“Are you doing nothing again?” Taehyung jumped, hearing Jungkook’s voice. The warrior stood in front of him, his torso bare, a thick fur in his hand. Taehyung could see a thick scar running along his muscled torso. Was this an eight-pack? Was this even possible? 

He spluttered. “I’m taking a break.”

Jungkook eyed him. Without a word and a shake of his head he moved past him entering the yurt. With the cat on his lap Taehyung continued to peel the beetroots. 

Jungkook came outside and sat just a foot away from him, starting to sharpen his knife. The silence between them is comfortable. Has been for a long time now. Jungkook cooked for him every evening some of the most delicious meals Taehyung has ever eaten, better than any takeout he can order in Seoul. 

Taehyung appreciated it a lot. Even though Jungkook made him peel every fruit and vegetable in existence it wasn’t that bad. It was so much better than his office job that’s for sure. He could spend his whole day in nature. Outside. Without hearing any car. Smelling Abase. Having to wear a mask to protect him from it. 

He enjoyed it. 

Also he understood why Jungkook made him do it. Everyday whatever he peeled he brought along to Yoongi who gave him one of his rare smiles and used it to feed the kids. Actually, Taehuyng felt like he had a purpose again. His work was rewarding. He wasn’t working for some hotshot CEO to get even richer than he already was while he was barely scraping by. No. He was actually making a difference, helping the kids learn, helping to feed them, while being given everything he needs to live for free.

Jungkook has made a chest for him with clothes that are actually his now according to Jungkook. Taehyung hadn’t even needed to pay for it. They might not be stylish clothes, but everyone here wore similar stuff. It didn’t matter. No one here would even know what brand name clothes are.

Taehyung smiled down at the cat sleeping in his lap. 

He had always dreamed about getting a pet but his apartment doesn't allow pets. He hadn’t earned enough to move. Now he was living the dream. Sheeps were everywhere. Cats walked around and dogs ran freely. Here and there he saw a horse, Taehyung was pretty sure there was a stall somewhere. He knew he wasn’t living in the part of the clan where the people lived who had a little more than everyone else. 

Jimin was one of those. Taehyung hadn’t seen him till now. 

He was curious to meet Jimin and Namjoon, but he knew it would be weird for him to ask for them if there wasn’t even a possible way for him to know them. So he kept quiet and waited. But one day he knew he was going to ask Jungkook to show him the rest of the clan if he wouldn’t do so by himself. 

“Taehyung.” 

Taehyung looked at Jungkook who was still sharpening his knife. “You need to stop telling the kids nonsense.” Jungkook said.

“Excuse me?”

“It makes rounds in the clan. Some think you're nuts.”

“Nuts?”

Jungkook briefly looked up. “Yes, nuts. I know you are not..” Jungkook paused. “but it does not reflect well on me.”

“On you?” Taehyung’s jaw slackened. “I don’t care about you.” He harshly replied. “Let them think I’m nuts. I’m telling the truth. “ Taehyung suddenly was incredibly angry. A moment ago he had just been happy about being here and, of course, Jungkook had to open his mouth and ruin it. 

“You’re being harsh.” Taehyung continued a deep frown between his eyes.

“I have to be harsh, you won’t be respected if you’re weak.” Jungkook said.

“Is this all you care about here? How strong all of you are? What about your intellect?” Taehyung shook his head. What an idiot. “You are a donut.” 

Jungkook stared at him with a blank look. “A donut? What’s a donut?” 

“A deep fried dough with a hole.” Taehyung grumbled. 

Jungkook blinked at him. “Why would you call me that?” 

Taehyung gave him a dirty look. “Cause your head is empty, nothing is inside a donut?” 

Jungkook actually snorted at that and shook his head. “You know what.” 

“What?” Taehyung bit. 

“Don’t stop telling those stories.”

Taehyung turned up his nose, “I wouldn’t even have stopped whatever you said.”.

“If you say so.” Jungkook answered with a smile. “I am..” Jungkook shook his head. 

“You are?”

“Nothing.”

Taehyung stared at him with a big question mark on his mind, because what just happened? He shook his head and started to peel the last five beetroots. Today was not the day he would be figuring Jungkook out. 

In the corner of his eyes Taehyung saw two people pressing their foreheads against each other. They sat a little away from the people roaming around, in the shadow of the trees. Taehyung watched the way they rubbed their foreheads against each other. He doesn’t recall reading about this.

“Don’t look.” Jungkook’s tone was scolding.

“What are they doing?” Taehyung asked.

“It’s very intimate. You shouldn’t look.”

Taehyung turned away and eyed Jungkook. “Why is it intimate?”

Jungkook's mouth leaves an exaggerated sigh. “They are a dyad.”

“Lovers?” Taehyung asked to be sure. Even though he remembered the word used for lovers.

“Yes.” Jungkook said. 

Taehyung looked away and caught the eyes of a dark haired girl standing not so far from them. Her eyes directly met his. She looks at Jungkook and back at him. Taehyung noticed that the girl was staring at them. Her dark hair was loosely bound into two beautiful braids.

“Can I help you?” Taehyung asked.

The girl giggled at that, holding both of her hands in front of her mouth and ran away. 

“Who is she?” Taehyung asked. Jungkook shrugged his shoulders and got back to sharpening his knife. 

Taehyung frowned and got back to peeling the beetroots. By now he kind of got used to Jungkook’s short responses. 

Jungkook stood up. “Gonna prepare dinner for us.” He entered the yurt without another word.

Chapter Text

MAEUL, TIME UNKNOWN 

After a few days, Jungkook told him he can come back to the yurt alone once he is finished at Yoongi’s. It’s on one of his walks home that he met Shasha. 

The girl with the beautiful braids was there again, peeking behind a tree. 

“Can I help you?” Taehyung asked.

Shyly, the girl stepped from behind the tree. “Is it true that you’re Jungkook’s claimed one?”

Taehyung blinked, confused, “What did you call me?” 

“Claimed one.” The girls said, she had a beautiful shy smile. 

Taehyung frowned, shaking his head. “Do you even know who I am?” 

“Of course, Taehyung, the one that took Jungkook’s heart.” 

Taehyung nearly tripped over his own feet. “His heart?” 

The girl nodded, “I’m Shasha by the way. You two are cute together.” 

“You don’t really think we..” Taehyung wasn’t sure what to say. 

“I heard he said he takes responsibility for you?”

“Yeah, he said that, but.. that doesn’t mean.”

Shasha giggled, “Jungkook is a stubborn one, all men here are too stubborn, talking about responsibilities, everyone knows they mean love.” 

Taehyung was silent for a bit taking that in. “Are you sure?” He asked quietly. 

Shasha nodded. “He officially told everyone he wants to pursue if he said he takes responsibility for you. You can only say that to a family member or someone you want to form a family with. Also you can only live together if you are family, you are dyad. Everyone knows.” 

Taehyung’s jaw slackened. Why was this never mentioned in the manhwa? “But he treats me so badly.” Taehyung blurted out, feeling disheartened. How Jungkook treated him was not how to treat a lover. He was brash and curt. Never tried to get to know Taehyung better. 

“Why?” Shasha asked. “Does he hit you? I heard that’s why some dyad’s break.”

Floored Taehyung shook his head. “Oh no, thanks no. Who even does that.” 

“I don’t know.” Shasha replied. 

It’s then that he realizes he is talking to a young girl and not an adult. “How old are you?” Taehyung asked. 

“I’m sixteen!” Shasha replied. “I have a younger sister who is only five.”

Taehyung smiled at that. 

“My sister told me about you and the seal’s.” Shasha continued. “She kept on babbling about it, even though our dad told us not to, he thinks it’s all made up.”

Taehyung sighed. “Why does he think so?”

“My father says the leader doesn’t like it. We shouldn’t talk about it.” Shasha shrugged her shoulders. “I think he is just mad that my sister is smarter than him.” Now that Taehyung looked closer, Shasha did resemble Luella. 

“Is your sister Luella?” He asked.

“Yes,” Shasha said with a big smile like only thinking about her sister makes her beam. “Isn’t she smart?” 

Taehyung smiled. “She definitely knows what questions to ask.”

Shasha nodded. “Since she was little she had always asked about the world.” 

Taehyung hesitated if it was alright to ask why the leader doesn’t like him to talk to the kids, but maybe that’s a conversation he should have with an adult and not a, albeit smart, sixteen year old.

“Shasha!” A woman called standing in front of a yurt. 

“My mom.” Shasha said, “See you around, Taehyung.”. The girl hopped away with her two braids swinging through the air. 

“Taehyung.” Jungkook stood in front of their yurt. No, his yurt. “Where have you been?” A frown between his eyes.

Confused, Taehyung stared at him. “I came straight from Yoongi.”

Jungkook looked from him up into the sky and back at him again. “You’re late.” He said and entered the yurt. Taehyung, who had no sense of time without a clock and was basing everything on if the sun was there or not, had no idea how Jungkook got the idea that he was late. Rolling his eyes, Taehyung entered the yurt after Jungkook. 

Something was already bubbling on the stove and it smelled heavenly. Without a word Jungkook started to fill two plates for them. Taehyung sat down by the fire like he always did, enough cushions and furs laid on the ground. 

“Eat.” Jungkook said. 

Taehyung blew on his spoon till the steam started to disappear. Lamb stew was heavenly seasoned. 

“It’s so good.” Taehyung voiced out loud. His only answer was a grunt from Jungkook but when he emptied his plate Jungkook filled it again without another word and started to prepare tea for them.

By the time Taehuyng had finished eating and held the warm tea in his hand. Jungkook got up and got something. 

“I got this for you.” Jungkook said and held a knife and a black stone in front of him. 

Taken aback, Taehuyng stared at them. 

“Take them.” Jungkook grumbled, his cheeks rosy.

Seeing Jungkook seemingly embarrassed about giving him something. Taehyung hastily takes both into his hands. The knife was in a beautiful sheath. “What is it?” Taehuyng held the black stone in his hand.

“A flint. I will teach you how to use them.” Jungkook explained. “We can start tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Jungkook.” 

When Jungkook heaved a bag of cabbage for him to chop and wash beside him Taehyung wondered how they would have time to do so. As hot as Jungkook looked carrying a heavy back, muscles bulging, Taehyung was relieved if it didn’t contain potatoes again. He still had blisters from yesterday. The knife Jungkook had gotten him easily sliced through the cabbage. Well, he definitely can’t complain about that. 

The next time Taehyung left from Yoongi’s Shasha called for him again. 

“Taehyung!” She called as she ran up to him, her braids swinging behind her. “You two are so sweet together.” Was one of the first things she said with a big smile on her face. 

“What?”

“Jungkook and You.”

Taehyung frowned at the girl flinging her arms around him. “Jungkook and Me?” He asked and gave her a hug. 

Sasha nodded vehemently. “It’s like a romantic love story. Jungkook fighting for you, trying to keep you.” She swooned. 

“I’m not an object to keep.” Taehyung sputtered. 

Shasha laughed. Her laugh, vibrant and bright. “Leader doesn’t like you, he thinks you tell the kids nonsense and he wants to get rid of you. At least that’s what my father tells my mom.” Shasha giggled. “They think I’m not listening, but.. pfff..” 

Taehyung stumbled in shock. Get rid of him? “What?” He asked dumbfounded. “He wants to get rid of me?” 

Shashi nodded. “You must have a home, right? Don’t you want to go back? Your parents must be sad that you’re gone.” 

Taehyung blinked. He hadn’t even thought about that. He got so used to working with the kids. Cooking with Jungkook and enjoying the breathtaking nature of Maeul. Does he want to go back? He doesn’t miss his job at all. There were no people in his life he could miss. Not anymore. He was brought up by his grandma who sadly passed away a few years ago. Since then Taehyung hadn’t had a stable human in his life. Friends come and go. No one ever stayed. 

“I have no family.” Taehyung answered. 

“Oh.” Shasha's face fell. “But Jungkook can be your new family right? He wants you to stay too.” 

Taehyung remained silent. He doubted that the leader meant ‘send him back home’ with the words ‘get rid of him’. That sounds more like throwing him back to prison, abandoning him in the forest or downright killing him. 

“I bet Jungkook will be sad if you go.” Shasha continued. “I definitely will be sad if you go.”

“Shasha.” Taehyung smiled at that. “I would miss you too.”

“So don’t ever leave okay?” Shasha slung her arms around him. 

Taehyung was floored. 

“Sasha!” Sasha’s mother greeted him as she took Shasha with her. With a bright goodbye the two of them left Taehyung to contemplate. 

For the first time Taehyung was not given a sack of fruit or vegetable to peel as he arrived at Jungkook's yurt. Confused, he sat down on one of the fur’s. “Don’t I need to prepare food for tomorrow?”

“No.” Jungkook simply said. 

“Why not?” Taehyung asked. 

“Yoongi only asked me to let you do this for around eleven sunups.” 

“Yoongi?” Taehyung asked. 

“Yeah, and he wasn’t gonna allow you to work with him otherwise.” Jungkook explained. “he needed to make sure you are a hard worker.”

Baffled Taehyung starred at Jungkook. “So you didn’t make me do this?” 

Jungkook frowned, tilting his head, “I did.” 

Taehyung rolled his eyes. “But it was Yoongi’s idea?” 

Jungkook shrugged his shoulders. “Yeah.” 

“So let me show.” Taehyung stepped close to the fire, where Jungkook was kneeling. 

“You take a handful of this.” Jungkook shows him a small basket by the kitchen area. 

“What is it?”

“Twigs, tree fungus, hay.” Jungkook explained and threw it into the fireplace. “You got more wood right here to make the fire grow once it starts.”

“You take your flint.” Jungkook showed him the black glassy stone he always had in his pocket. “Then you hold it close.” Jungkook held the flint right above the twigs. “You scrape with your knife blade along the stone until sparks fly.” 

Soon sparks began to fly and the twigs started to gleam until a fire broke out. “Wow.” 

“It’s simple.” Jungkook stated. “Tomorrow you should try.” 

With a smile Taehyung watched the fire grow larger. 

The next day at work Taehyung fully understood what was going on. He realized early on that something was different today. Yoongi stared at him like he did on his first day. 

Luella was sitting on his lap while another boy named Hoseok showed her the wooden figurines he brought today. One of them was made after Taehyung’s drawing of a seal. 

“I hope you appreciate what Jungkook does for you.” Yoongi said and walked away. 

“What are you talking about?” 

“He is just brewing around, scared he will lose his best friend, don’t mind him, he likes you.” Asha said. 

“His best friend?” 

“Oh, yes, Jungkook and him got way back. They were neighbors as kids.”

“But why would he lose them?”

“The duel?” 

Lost Taehyung stared at her.

“You don’t know?” She asked.

Taehyung shook his head. 

“The leader wanted to exile you which means straight up death since you won’t be brought back to your clan or wherever you came from.” She gave him a look. “He wants to abandon you in the forest. He made that decision yesterday, there is no going back from that.”

“What?”

“Don’t worry, dear. Jungkook challenged him to a duel.” Asha smiled. “Everyone knows he will win and Jiwon will die. We all hoped for him to lead us soon. Things need to change.” 

Chapter Text

MAEUL, TIME UNKNOWN

Taehyung ran through the clan grounds right to where he presumed the leader’s hut to be. A large crowd stood in front of it. Taehyung went right through the crowd until he saw Jungkook, bleeding from his arm. Taehyung’s heart stopped. 

Jungkook was bleeding. Jungkook was fighting for him. 

Taehyung was still too far away to make out Jiwon. 

“Jungkook.” Taehyung cried and a few people close to him turned around. Except them no one heard him. The crowd was too loud. Taehyung teared up. This couldn’t be happening. He tried to make his way further through the crowd. Once he got closer to Jungkook he saw Jiwon laying on the ground. Blood pooling around him

A bearded man was standing between them shouting words in the language unknown to Taehyung. Time froze while Taehyung stood there, behind him a large crowd, in front of him Jungkook bleeding and Jiwo bleeding. For what? Because of him? 

The bearded man shouted words in the direction of the crowd and raised Jungkook’s unharmed arm in the air. 

Some things are the same everywhere. The scream of man’s fighting. The screams of man’s celebrating. Taehyung’s eyes met Jungkook’s the moment the crowd let loose. The people around him moved. Still frozen, Taehyung watched Jungkook being celebrated. His eyes never left Jungkook. Jungkook's eyes held his as long as he was able to. 

In  shock Taehyung looked back at Jiwon lying on the ground. Was he dead? A few people were tending to him as if he wasn’t. Taehyung slowly released a breath. 

“What are you doing here?”

Startled Taehyung met Jungkook’s dark gaze. 

Jungkook’s words were brusque. But at that moment Taehyung realised again that Jungkook was soft at heart despite his curt and brusque way of speaking. He had read about this man, who wasn’t able to communicate his emotions openly. How Jungkook silently took care of the people he loved. Maybe Taehyung understood him better than anyone else. 

This man truly took care of him.

Taehyung fell into his arms crying. Overwhelmed. Jungkook looked so taken off guard it was almost funny weren’t it for the situation Taehyung found himself in. 

“Jungkook. Don’t ever do this again.” 

“I had too.” Jungkook answered slowly. A hand cupping Taehyung’s back of the head. 

“Why?” Taehyung sniffled holding onto Jungkook’s shirt with all of his strength. 

Jungkook’s blood stains his own shirt. His nose red and his cheeks tearstained. 

Jungkook frowned at him. “Don’t cry.” With rather gruff movements he wiped away Taehyung’s tears. “Nothing is wrong.”

“You’re bleeding. What do you mean nothing is wrong? Why would you do this for me?”

“I will fight for you.” Jungkook took Taehyung’s hand in his. “I’m taking responsibility for you like I promised I would.” He squeezed his hand. “I should see a healer.”

Taehyung was completely snotty and in tears as Jungkook walked off and left him alone to deal with whatever just happened. Taehyung wasn’t used to seeing violence play out in front of him. He wasn’t used to this. He wasn’t used to people nearly dying because of him. He threw a glance back at Jiwon. Dying because of him. 

“Are you okay, dear?” Taehyung met the soft eyes of Jimin. “Come let me bring you back to your yurt.” 

Jimin? Confused, Taehyung stared at those warm eyes. Jimin took him by his elbow and led him through the clan grounds. Taehyung didn't even notice how many people were staring at him. 

“I’m Jimin.” Jimin said.

“Taehyung.” 

“I know.” Jimin answered softly. Taehyung wasn’t in the headspace to find the irony in that.

“Your man is the new leader of the clan.” Jimin told him as they walked through the clan. “You should be proud.” 

“Is Jiwon..?” Taehyung wasn’t even able to say it. Dead. 

“He will be fine. Don’t worry.” Jimin’s gentle eyes held Taehyung’s told him the truth. 

Relief flood through Taehyung. 

“Jungkook’s arms?” Taehyung asked. 

“The healer will have him stitched up and he will be fine again.” Jimin said and gave him a smile. “I fear you have to get used to this if you are in a dyad with a warrior.” Jimin sighed. “A long time ago..” Jimin hesitated. “A warrior used to court me, he was young and full of strength, but I couldn’t bear to see anyone hurt and my heart was already taken. You need to be brave to be a warrior's lover.” 

Taehyung sniffled. “I’m not brave.”

Jimin chuckled. “You might have never heard about me, but I heard a lot about you. The man who came with nothing and found a home with us sharing his knowledge with everyone who asked. I always thought of you as a brave man.” 

Taehyung shook his head. If Jimin knew that in his old life he could look everything up within seconds and knowledge was more accessible than here he wouldn’t think of him as brave. 

“Also you get along with Jungkook. Not a lot of people do. He is admired by many but feared by a lot of them too. You gave our whole tribe a new way of seeing him, I think actually, you helped him a lot.”

“Me?” Taehyung shook his head. “He risked his life for me.” 

Jimin sighed. “He must have seen something in you, he wouldn’t have done so otherwise.”

“We arrived.” Jimin said. Taehyung realized they were standing in front of his yurt. “Will you be fine alone?” 

Taehuyng nodded. Right now he needed a breather. Needed to be alone with his thoughts. 

“Before I leave I wanted to ask you.” Jimin gave him one of his warm smiles. "The man I formed a dyad with wants to meet you, he is always thrilled to learn new things. So if you ever have some spare time, just ask Jungkook to bring you to Namjoon and Jimin.” 

Taehyung nodded. “I will.” 

“You're really sure you are fine alone?” Jimin asked with concern in his eyes. 

Taehyung nodded. “I want to be alone.” 

“See you around.” Jimin left with one last glance at him. 

Taehyung entered their yurt. He lit a fire and took the small pot they used to make tae. He threw a handful of herbs in the water and heated the pot in the fireplace. 

While he was sipping on his tea Jungkook came back. His arm in a sling. 

Their eyes met and Jungkook stepped closer to sit down right beside Taehyung. The flames reflected in his dark brown eyes. Taehyung eyed him. “You were looking out for me? Why?” Taehyung had made the decision to get to the ground of this. 

Jungkook sighed and frowned. He wasn’t looking at Taehyung, he was staring into the flames. “Jiwon wanted to get rid of you.” 

Taehyung nodded. He had heard about that. “Is it true that we are a dyad?” 

Jungkook gazed at him for a second. “No.” Jungkook answered. 

Taehyung gave him a sceptic look. “Why is everyone treating me like I am?” 

“We are on our way to become one.”

“When were you planning to tell me? Or ask me if I wanted to be in a dyad with you?” 

“Never.” 

“Why?” 

“I wasn’t planning on going through with it.” 

“Why even do it then?” Taehyung’s mouth turned down and he leaned away from the other. 

"I saw no other way to help you.”

“So all you want is to help me?”

Jungkook was silent for a long moment before he shook his head. 

“No?” Taehyung asked, He crossed his arms in front of his torso holding onto his shoulders to comfort himself. 

“Not anymore.” Jungkook rubbed his neck. “I guess I found myself enjoying your company.”

Taehyung stared at him. 

“I realized I wanted you to stay when Jiwon told me he didn’t agree with you staying here.” Jungkook continued. “I think I started to take a liking to you along the way.”

If Taehyung hadn’t read about Jungkook in the manhwa the other would be a mystery to him. “You changed your mind?”

“Yes.” Jungkook replied. 

“You want to form a dyad with me?” Taehyung dug deeper. 

“Yes. I will keep you safe.” Jungkook wasn’t even looking at him, but Taehyung was one hundred percent sure that this was the best he was going to get from Jungkook. 

“I love you too.” Taehyung said. 

Jungkook’s head whipped around his eyes wide in surprise. 

“What is left to form a dyad?” Taehyung has always been practical in his approach. 

“The coupling ceremony.” Jungkook replied. His eyes focused on Taehyung who didn’t break eye contact.  

“What does the coupling ceremony entail?” 

Instead of answering Jungkook asked him, “Do you really want this?” 

“Yes.” Taehyung agreed. 

Jungkook nodded. “Every member of the tribe close to us will have to tie a ribbon around our clasped hands.” 

“That’s it?” Taehyung asked.

Jungkook hesitated, but nodded. 

“What changes?” Taehyung asked. 

“We will be a dyad.” Jungkook continued. “Everyone would recognize us as one.”

Taehyung smiled at that, knowing that Jungkook was sparse with his words he was aware of the meaning those few words had out of Jungkook’s mouth. 

“Then let’s do it.” Taehyung said with a smile.

Jungkook gazed at him with a look unknown to Taehyung. 

“Hmm?” Taehyung hummed. 

“Can I kiss you?” Jungkook asked. 

“Yes.” Taehyung held his breath. His lips were slightly chapped. His mouth dry from the stress. 

Jungkook leaned forward. 

Jungkook tasted like the herb tea he always made. Warm. He slung his arms around Taehyung. Jungkook was forceful with his movements albeit gentle. In a way it was just like Taehyung had thought it would be, just better. Jungkook was emanating warmth. His grip strong, and his hand like a hot water bottle on his skin. Bringing warmth into him. Taehyung sank his hands into Jungkook’s shirt holding onto dear life. He could feel Jungkook’s muscles bulging.

As their lips part Taehyung let slip that laid heavy on his heart. “You are all tough love, Jungkook, but if you don’t tell me what you are feeling how am I supposed to know?” 

Jungkook hummed. “I fought for you. I gave you my bed. My home. Me. What else do you want?” 

Taehyung blinked at him. What else did he want? “For you to be safe.” Taehyung said, eying Jungkook’s arm.

“I am now.” Jungkook simply said. “We should rest.” 

Chapter Text

MAEUL, TIME UNKNOWN

To Taehyung’s surprise a lot of people came to tie a ribbon around their clasped hands. Jungkook was dressed in an embroidered robe and had given Taehyung a similar one to wear. Taehyung had been amazed by the beautiful embroidery on the red silk. 

For the ceremony both of them stood in front of the leader’s hut, which will, apparently, soon be inhabited by Jungkook and him. Taehyung didn’t understand all the specifics since he wasn’t fluent in the language mostly spoken by the tribe, but somehow Jungkook was the new leader of the clan Chakada. 

A lot of people came up to them to tie a ribbon around their clapped hands. Jungkook’s hand felt rough due to the hard labour he had been subjected to his whole life. His grip was strong yet gentle. A handful of people Taehyung recognized from reading the manhwa. 

One of them was Namjoon, beautifully dressed in a light blue robe, his gentle eyes full of kindness. Jimin, who Taehyung became closer to since the day he brought Taehyung back, gave him a beautiful smile as he tied a pink ribbon around their hands. 

With a lot of ribbons tied around their hands the two walked back to their yurt. Holding hands. Jungkook had explained to them that they are going to untie them together as part of the ceremony. The ceremony had started with a hearty meal with all of the members of the clan who wanted to join. Seemingly it was practice to celebrate new dyad’s. Taehyung found the ceremony not so much different from a wedding ceremony. 

Like most days they sat down by the fireplace. Since their kiss they have slid closer and closer to each other. Thighs touching. 

“Should we start?” Taehyung asked.

Jungkook began untying the first one. A beautiful yellow ribbon. Taehyung joined him silently and untied a turquoise one. 

Together they untied one after another until only their bare hands holding each other were left. 

Jungkook let go immediately and stood up. “We should get ready to go to bed.”

Taehyung watched him retreat. “Is this really all there is to the ceremony?” He asked with a yawn. 

Jungkook undressed like he usually does, taking off the embroidered robe. “We are meant to share a bed.” Jungkook said without looking at him. “But we aren’t.”

“Why aren’t we? The bed is large enough.” Taehyung asked, confused.

Jungkook snorted. “Not like that.” He said, giving Taehyung a look.

Taehyung felt his cheeks tint. Oh. Of course, it wasn’t meant in the way Taehyung thought it was. He continued to watch Jungkook undress and realised that’s what he wanted. Jungkook.

“I wouldn’t mind.” Taehyung said. 

Taehyung could physically see Jungkook pause. “Do you even know what you are saying to me?” Jungkook asked and turned around in his half dressed state. His eyes were dark and hooded.  “Offering yourself up so willingly.”

Jungkook stepped toward him, crowded him till Taehyung stood with his back against the bed. “I know.” Taehyung answered. 

“You do?” Jungkook ran a hand through his hair. “You wouldn’t mind?” He took a hold of Taehuyng’s chin. In a way he moved like a warrior trying to conquer Taehyung. 

“Kiss me.” Taehyung answered, tilting his head and moving closer. 

Jungkook’s piercing gaze made Taehyung blush. His forehead touched Taehyung’s and slightly rubbed his against Taehyung’s. Taehyung hasn't forgotten the meaning of that. His heart soared with happiness.

Jungkook’s lips met Taehyung’s and Taehuyng melted. He fell back onto the bed and took Jungkook with him. Propped up on his elbows Jungkook hovered above him. His lips met Taehyung’s in a passionate kiss. Taehyung could taste Jungkook’s desire on his tongue. 

He shivered when Jungkook ran his hand under his shirt. 

Jungkook’s hand all over his body felt too good to be true. He left warm kisses all along his neck. Slowly Jungkook went down on him and got on his knees on the ground. Taehyung propped himself on his elbows to see Jungkook. Jungkook took Taehyung’s pants in his hands and met Taehyung’s eyes. Taehyung nodded. With smooth movements Jungkook freed Taehyung’s already stiff cock. He moved his hand over Taehyung’s cock. Taehyung moaned at the touch. His cock hard and aching. With experienced movements Jungkook took his cock into his mouth. With his tongue and mouth he made Taehyung see stars. Overwhelmed by pleasure he came into Jungkook’s mouth. 

“Let me take care of you too.” Taehyung said, trying to catch his breath. 

Jungkook shut him up with a kiss. “No.” He said. “Next time.” 

With sleep heavy eyes Taehyung looked up to Jungkook who laid next to him. By now he was tired so he didn't argue and instead snuggled into Jungkook’s arms. “If you say so.” He mumbled and fell asleep right after. 

Taehyung woke up warm and with a smile on his face. Jungkook laid next to him, his arms wrapped around his hip. It was still dark, but Taehyung was thirsty. He stood up, slowly moved out of Jungkook’s arms, took one of the candles by the bed, lit it by the ember of the fire gleaming in the dark and looked for his cup to drink a bit of water. After a few gulps of cold water. He blew out the candle and got back into his bed. 

Jungkook slang his arms around him. 

Taehyung didn’t see the words that appeared above him as he fell back asleep: The End. 

Chapter Text

Seoul, 2025

Taehyung shivered when he woke up, his neck stiff, still he was smiling. He tried to reach out for Jungkook, but beside him was only air. With half open eyes Taehyung looked into the dark. His surroundings were familiar yet so alien. 

Where was he? 

In shock he sat up and looked around himself. 

No. 

No. 

He was on his couch in his apartment in Seoul.

Chapter Text

SEOUL, 2026

Taehyung can’t believe he sits right across from Jungkook. In the cozy coffee shop that had appeared in Taehyung’s neighborhood the day he came back. Taehyung had sat right at this table with tear-stained cheeks drinking a tea that tasted like the tea he drank with Jungkook. He remembers it like it was yesterday, he had been grief stricken and ordered a herb tea to feel something. Anything. 

No time had passed. Taehyung had awoken on his couch like nothing had ever happened. Even though Taehyung’s whole world had turned upside down. 

He had to go back to work like he hadn’t missed a day even though he lived a lifetime in a different universe. Nothing had changed. Until Taehyung had walked outside and realized the jumble store was closed and a coffee shop had opened up around the corner. Given the fact that he had already been back for a few days he was sure in his grief stricken state he missed the renovations process. The coffee shop gave him comfort. Something had changed. He changed, and the shop around his corner did. A tiny, cozy coffee shop who brewed tea the way he liked it. The way Jungkook did. 

Now he sits here with Jungkook. A candle flickering on their table. Their hands intertwined. 

"I dreamed about you every night. Like it were memories from my past, I put it all on paper, my first manhwa is filled with my dreams. My memories from that life.” Jungkook explains. “Then I started to dream about you. I knew I needed to find you. You are my world. I was hopeful that you do exist, I hoped my dreams wouldn’t leave me heartbroken.” 

Every single one of Jungkook’s words hit close to home. 

A bell rings, making Taehyung look up. A couple enters the cafe. Taehyung nearly faints upon seeing Jimin walk inside. Instead of his silky blouses and trousers he wore Gucci from head to toe. Jimin smiles up at a man with short hair and a pair of glasses who looks exactly like Namjoon. 

“Jungkook.” Taehyung says. 

The other turns his head around and sees the couple standing in front of the counter. 

“This can’t be.” Jungkook says, squeezing Taehyung’s hand. 

Taehyung laughs out loud. “This is crazy.” 

“It is.” Jungkook's voice is much softer than Taehyung remembered it to be. It’s been a while since he woke up back home in sweat, literally devastated to be back home. He had missed him. Taehyung gazes into Jungkook’s eyes the same color, the same depth. 

“I missed you.” Taehyung says. 

“I missed you more.” Jungkook answers. “I kept seeing you in my dreams, waking up and yearning to go back to you, that’s why I started to draw. Your face has been with me for years and our memories slowly followed.” 

Taehyung smiles. The soft look on Jungkook’s face makes his heart soar in happiness. 

“Did you dream about me too?” Jungkook asks. 

Taehyung shakes his head. “In a sense I did, I fell asleep, lived a life with you and woke up without you.” 

Jungkook squeezes his hands again, his eyes full of compassion. Taehyung knows that this Jungkook must have had different life experiences than the one he met in another universe. Still, he is his Jungkook. The one he promised to spend the rest of his lifetime with. 

It took maybe a month till the first chapters of Leap Of Faith were posted online and Taehyung began to hope again. Everything he experienced was drawn on these pages. The conversations he had with Jungkook. Yoongi. Jimin. Jiwon. He, himself, Taehyung. He had a whole character sheet and fans of the manhwa chatting about his life online. It was surreal, but as soon as the author disclosed his real name, stopped using a pseudonym. Taehyung knew. Jungkook must have experienced something similar to him. 

“It was one dream?”

Taehyung nods. “Even though it didn’t feel like a dream.”

“Excuse me.” Taehyung looks up and meets Jimin’s eyes. “Can we sit with you? Every table is occupied.” 

“Of course,” Taehuyng says at the same time as Jungkook. Their eyes meet. 

This is gonna last. Longer than a lifetime.