/Warning: Heavy depictions of blood /

{power over empathy}

As morning approached the cottage, the fireplace was nothing but a small flame dancing in the ashes. Through the sheer, tattered curtains, the morning sun crept into the living room, setting it's rays against the couple still sleeping soundly against the lounge. Hoseok had woken up not too long ago, leaving the sleeping couple as he made his way into the kitchen. 

Winter was finally greeting them. The air was frozen lace on the male's skin, delicate and cold. Peering out the window, the sky was washed with grey, watery light illuminating thin patches to brilliance. It had definitely snowed last night, the meadow now covered in a layer of soft snow. The trees swaying gently with the wind looked sugar coated as the atmosphere was nothing but white, grey and blue. It was a gorgeous scene, but winter always came with the most challenges during the apocalypse. They now had one more thing to worry about... staying warm. 

Running a hand through his faded orange locks, Hoseok shuffled over to one of the supply boxes they'd picked up yesterday. Next to the supermarket was an old op shop, so Hoseok had taken it upon himself to collect some of the winter gear they had in stock. 

Placing his hands against the cardboard, Hoseok opened up the box, reaching inside and shuffling through it's contents. He knew he was one of the smaller framed male's so he decided to take out a more fitted coat, sweeping it over himself as he slid his arms through the fabric. His lip ticked up into the smallest of smiles as he immediately felt the warmth of the winter coat engulf him.

"That looks comfy." a female voice spoke up. Turning on his heels, Hoseok's smile fell from his face as he made eye contact with the raven haired female. With a stride in her step, Vee made her way into the kitchen beside Hoseok, reaching up to one of the taller cupboards on her tippy toes as she grabbed a glass. With Hoseok's eyes glued to her petite form, she tucked a loose strand of short hair behind her pierced ear, grabbing a half full water bottle and tipping the water into her glass. "It's pretty nice outside... isn't it." she commented, eyes drifting out to the winter landscape.

Hoseok gulped as he gave a small nod, "Sure is," he sighed, "it'll get pretty cold this month, so you might wanna pick out one of the coats from inside the box." he stated, gesturing towards the open cardboard box at his feet. 

Vee gave a smile of thanks as she bent down to the box, pulling out one of the smaller black coats and wrapping it tightly around her form. Whilst she was turned away, Hoseok was quick to examine the girl. Her limp seemed less pronounced, leg healing up quite well after a couple of days. She was already well dressed for the day, gear on her sides. Hoseok frowned, "Hows your leg holding up?"

She turned towards the male with a blank expression before she began to speak, "Quite well actually... the temporary vaccine works wonders." she commented causing Hoseok to subconsciously rub against his shoulder, the site he had been infected. 

After Hoseok was shot in the shoulder, it never really felt the same. He hadn't had to use his bow and arrow many times since the incident, but he could tell his hold was shaky and the pain was almost like fire every time he pulled back the string. "It does..." he murmured, mustering up the courage to plaster a fake smile across his face, "doesn't it."

Whilst the pair conversed in the kitchen alone, Taehyung and Jungkook began to stir on the living room couch. Taehyung's eyes opened, eyelashes faintly batting against his lids when he blinked. He lay on the couch, snuggly against Jungkook's side as he debated whether or not to get up. His muscles felt weak, just like his energy. 

Taehyung let out an exasperated sigh, groaning as he went to roll off the sofa, only he was caught off guard by a hand grabbing against his collar. Taehyung gasped as he was turned to the side, lips smashing into Jungkook's more plump ones as they shared a morning kiss. "Morning~" Jungkook sung, eyes lidded with sleep as he lay face to face with Taehyung. Their slow breathing filled the silence, noses brushed against one another's as they looked into each others eyes. Taehyung took in the male's appearance from his messy and dishevelled bed hair to his puffier morning face. Taehyung smirked, propping himself up on one arm before swinging himself over Jungkook's form. 

The younger male's eyes went wide at Taehyung's position. The male's hands were either side of Jungkook's head, legs straddled over his waist, it was the first morning they'd woken up slowly, the only morning they didn't wake up to rush into experiments. Taehyung grinned, leaning in as he brushed his lips over Jungkook's ear "morning to you too~" he whispered seductively, earning a gulp from the male underneath him. 

If Jungkook was drunk on sleep, he sure as hell was awake now. Deciding not to give himself up to Taehyung, Jungkook rose a hand, grabbing ahold of the collar of Taehyung's cotton t-shirt as he pulled the male into him. Their lips crashed together with passion, a flood of warmth and comfort radiating from the kiss. Taehyung brushed Jungkook's hair back from his face, moving in close so his body was pressed against the younger's. He caressed Jungkook's neck, slow and gentle. 

As they broke the kiss, Jungkook could feel a hot breath against his neck, then the tender brush of lips, burning as they made contact with his neck. A hand ran its way through his hair as the kisses became harder and more urgent. Taehyung's hand slid around the side's of Jungkook's waist, pulling him close to his pine scented body, his kisses now trailing down towards Jungkook's chest. 

With a feeling of electricity, Jungkook wrapped his finger's around the fabric of Taehyung's shirt, pulling it over the male's head and casting it aside to the floor. Placing a hand against the male's bare chest, Jungkook pushed Taehyung back, flipping their positions as he pushed Taehyung to the couch, straddling his hips instead. 

Taehyung went to sit up, but Jungkook just pushed him back down with a smirk. "Kook-" Jungkook cut him off by kissing his lips. Taehyung kissed back, hands coming up to Jungkook's hair. Jungkook pulled away as he let his gaze fall over Taehyung's exposed chest. Letting a hand brush against his skin, Jungkook felt electricity surge through him. From there, it was all passion, intoxicating as their lips connected with more fire and heat they could've ever imagined, and although it was winter, all they could feel was warmth. 

Taehyung reached out a hand, ready to slip Jungkook's shirt off of his form but paused when a thought crossed his mind. Peeling his lips from Jungkook, Taehyung placed a hand against the younger's chest, earning a raised brow from Jungkook, "Taehyung... what's wrong-"

"-a cure." he mumbled, words barely audible to the male straddled over his waist. Jungkook's eyes widened as he watched Taehyung sit up in place, "I think I know what's up... I get it now!" he piped up, hands latching tightly onto Jungkook's shoulders as he shook the male out from his trance. 

With a million thoughts racing through his mind, Jungkook swung himself off of Taehyung, standing to his feet. Taehyung quickly scurried off the lounge, snatching his shirt from the floor and quickly pulling it back over his head. 

With fast movements, Taehyung darted into the kitchen, earning an unimpressed look from Hoseok who was casually eating a bowl of oats alongside Vee. "Yes Taehyung..." Hoseok groaned, dropping his spoon into his bowl with a clink, "I heard your make out session with Jungko-"

"Where's Jin!?" Taehyung interrupted, breathing shallow as he locked eyes with Hoseok. The orange haired male eyed Taehyung up and down. His hair was a ruffled mess, lips bright pink and a couple of purple splotches flourishing against the side of his neck. Even though Taehyung looked anything but serious, his stern expression said otherwise. 

Hoseok gulped, "I think he might be outside with Tessa fixing up the car," he explained, "how come?"

Taehyung bit his lip, heart pounding against his ribcage, "No time to explain, but I think I just figured out how to cure humanity." he stated, dashing from the doorway and leaving both Hoseok and Vee in a state of pure and utter disbelief. 

Dashing through the house, Jungkook followed closely behind as Taehyung burst through the front door of the cottage. The winter wind tormented the scientist as he stepped out into the cold in nothing but a flimsy cotton shirt. His teeth began to chatter, lips turning blue as he stumbled out onto the porch, down the wooden steps and out into the valley. His combat boots sunk into the layer of snow beneath his feet, making it hard for Jungkook to follow from behind as he too struggled to make his way through the snow. 

The morning rays of the wintry sun were barely able to pierce through the cloud covered sky, the sunshine cold against Taehyung's skin as he wrapped his arms tightly around his shivering form. In the distance, he could make out two familiar figures, "JIN!" Taehyung called, voice burning in his throat from the cold. It was no use, the pair was just too far away. 

Picking up his pace, Taehyung ploughed through the snow, not giving a god damn about the weather as he made his way down the sugar coated valley. Nearing the pair, he parted his lips to speak, but another sound beat him to it. 

Instead of his words leaving his lips to break the silence, the piercing sound of a single gunshot echoed throughout the valley. The abrupt noise catching every persons and every animal's upmost attention. 

Taehyung's body jolted forwards, breath leaving his throat like there was no more air left in the world to breath. He let out a horse cough as blood rose from his throat leaving his mouth as it trickled past his lips. His head pounded, world spinning as he placed a shaking hand against his torso, pulling it back to reveal a layer of thick crimson red blood, stained against his hand. Taehyung swore he could hear someone calling his name, but the ringing in his ears prevented him from confirming it. 

Arm falling limply to his side, the blood from his hand trickled down and fell against the floor, speckles of red blossoming against the bright white snow at his feet. His stomach felt sick and then one by one he lost control of his limbs until finally his body slumped. He could still hear, but could control none of his body until, like a ghost, he crumpled, eyes falling shut, body falling forwards as he landed unconsciously against the freshly fallen snow. His side had been penetrated with a single bullet, blood dangerously oozing from the wound and soaking into his white t-shirt. 

Jungkook watched on from behind, body trembling and lips shaking as he watched Taehyung fall to the floor, deep crimson red pooling out into the snow. 

With clenched teeth, Jungkook slipped his hand gun out from his side, taking the safety off as he spun on his feet, turning his attention towards the person behind him. His eyes widened as he made eye contact with the female, gun in her hand still aimed at Taehyung's form. Her eyes were blank of any emotion, like a void, expressionless. 

Jungkook rose his weapon, tightening his hold on the gun,

"Vee."

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{Author Note}

Dun dunnnn. We're getting into the good stuff now, so buckle up!

(unedited)