He's Not From Here (BTS Taehyung X Reader)

The End is the Beginning

"If that's how you really feel," Jin murmured. He sighed, looking into his empty mug, free of caffeine. Perhaps if he knew what was coming this particular morning, he would've added another spoon of instant energy.

"Is there anything you can tell me that will help? Like any idea where they might have taken him?" You fold and unfold your hands multiple times, squeezing them in the process.

Jin's dark eyes meet yours, and he exchanges a look with Jackie. She nods, and he speaks. 

"Most likely, they took him to South Korea, where their headquarters are. If you want to go there, I can take you, but I won't go any farther than the unloading station at the airport. "

Your breath gets caught in your throat, and, for a moment, you can't find the right words.

"I—" You pause. "Thank you, really. I know it must be hard for you, but thank you. I don't know how I could ever repay you."

Jackie brushes you off, a pale hand waving nonchalantly. "Don't even mention it."

The smallest corners of Jin's lips lift. "Taehyung is like a brother we never had, and there's honestly not much I can do from where I am now. You're our only hope of reaching him, at this point."

You bite your lip, nodding. "I understand."

"You should know," Jin started again, "that this is extremely dangerous. You're not against just three or four or however many people showed up to your house the other month. You saw the police's reaction when you called. You're up against a whole body of people who share the same beliefs, and not all good ones, either."

"I know."

Jin raises a single eyebrow. Then he frowns, the creases in his forehead gone as quick as they came when his scowl turns into a neutral expression.

"You could be killed. If anything, you'll most likely be killed."

You gulp, and your hands tighten against one another. "I know."

"Which is why," Jin starts again, "I'm going to recommend you to a friend I know in South Korea. He's part of an undercover branch that's even hidden from most of the organization. They're focused on revising and reworking the top branch's direction, but they tend to do it from the dark. If anyone can help you, they can."

"Oh. Who am I looking for?" 

"You're not talking about—" Jackie grimaced. Her brother chuckles at her response. 

"I am." He smiles. "I'll be recommending to my old friend, Yoongi. Bit rough around the edges, but he should be able to help you." 

"That's an understatement," Jackie murmured. Jin throws her a pointed look, and she raises her palms in defense. 

"Still," you interject, "thank you."

The two siblings smile, and you spend the rest of the evening planning out your mission. After several hours of debate, you're looking at a small notepad paper with a few scribbles here and there. On the table is a mess of crumpled up papers just like it, ideas scratched off for being too risky. Although you wanted to secure the chances of bringing Taehyung back, Jin and Jackie seemed more set on making sure, should things go south, that you can return in one piece.

On the paper, there were were four bullet points.

1. Fly out to South Korea as soon as you can

2. Find Yoongi in Boseong, South Korea. 

3. Find Taehyung.

4. Bring Taehyung home. 

You wrote it down so easily, without a second thought. As if these steps could materialize with no more than the word from you. It was silly. It was naïve. It was hopeful.

You folded the paper a couple times, and stuffed it into your pocket. 

Jackie knocked on the table, and your eyes leave the spot it clung to.

"So you're really going through with this?" She looked across the mess of papers you had laid out before you.

"I wouldn't forgive myself otherwise." You gathered some of them in a single arm, throwing them away. 

She frowned, but didn't protest. Silently, she helps you clean up, and when the table is clear of all papers except for those uncrumpled, the two of you sit down. Jackie rocks back and forth in her chair, her hands writhing on the table. You gently place a hand on top of them, and she becomes still. 

"You heard what Jin said. You could be killed." She didn't meet your gaze.

"If I don't go, Taehyung will be killed."

Jackie's eyes found yours, and she nodded. "Let me help you pack. I assume you want to go as soon as possible?"

"As soon as I can," you reiterate. 

The two of you leave her place, returning to your apartment.

************

At your apartment, everything was exactly how you had left it. It was a capsule frozen in time, a terrible moment that you wouldn't forget anytime soon. But you're here now. And you needed to be ready for when you left.

"Did you already get your plane ticket?" Jackie zipped open one of your suitcases as you filed through the contents of your closet.

"Jin was kind enough to order it for me. I offered to pay him back, but he refused."

She hummed, sitting down on your bed. "So when are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"That soon?"

You chuckled, handing her a jacket. "He said he knew a guy."

"Of course he does," Jackie exasperated. She folded the jacket, tucking it away into your suitcase.

After an hour, you have all the clothes you would need to be comfortable. You weren't planning on staying there for long: if all things went well, you'd have Taehyung back in two weeks, max. Of course, there was no telling whether that'd actually be the case. 

Jackie left with a tight hug and a quiet goodbye. She said she'd be back in the morning to drive you to the airport. You told her she didn't have to go through the trouble, but she insisted that you and Jin conserve your energy for the plane trip.

Lying down on your bed, you stared at the ceiling. The clock ticked away the seconds, but time didn't move. It hardly ever seemed to be moving after Taehyung was taken away. You glance at it, reading 9:05 in red text. Your flight tomorrow was at 7:00 A.M. 

Well, you thought, here goes nothing. 

After a few more things being put away, a couple texts sent to family members, you climbed back into bed, wrapping yourself in your best blankets. This might be the last night you have a normal, calm rest. You were going to take advantage of it.

And as you fell asleep, you picture Taehyung's face, smiling. Brown wisps of hair covered attractive features. Perfect teeth blinding you in your attempt to forever memorize this image. You swore you heard him laugh, and sighing, you make a promise.

The next time you see him, you were going to tell him you liked him.

Far too much, in fact. And having realized it far too late, it was almost embarrassing.

But you'd give him an earful for feigning innocence as well, so it wasn't all bad.

Sleep overcame you, and you wished for a successful start tomorrow.