CHAPTER 12 - STIGMA

Y/n preferred not to remember her childhood. It brought her good memories, and that was something she didn't feel she deserved. Regardless, when sitting on your ass and doing nothing for several hours was the only option you had to entertain yourself, naturally, memories were going to come. She hated that. But she also couldn't stop it, so at times, she let it in.

She saw flashes. Her father's smiling face, her walking into her first job interview, the first time she ever failed on the job. Those colors stuck out the most, and she wasn't sure why. Maybe it was what she valued most. Her father, her job, and failing. Three things she couldn't live without. She hoped success would be a thing she craved, but in this moment, she felt failure was a more accurate depiction of her.

"What if the rescue doesn't come?" Tae asked, his voice nothing more than a mumble. A shell of what it used to be.

Last night, they were taken by the group, and this morning, they were being held captive on the beach. Y/n wasn't sure how to react to any of it. Only good news: by the end of the week, if there was no rescue and the group of men would kill them, at least Y/n wouldn't be on her period anymore. She'd have more blood on her pants than actual clean fabric, but at least she wouldn't have to die with a shitty cramp.

Speaking of, Y/n went to the water without answering Tae, him following right away. The others only noticed when Tae got up and followed her, Y/n dipping into the water to relieve the sticky sensation swirling inside her. Tae went in with her, halting when he was next to her. She stared out at the wreckage peeking out from the water, a sigh passing her parted lips.

"I don't know," she said, brushing her hand by his. He took it, holding it tightly. When their fingers entwined, tranquility coursed through her veins. "But for some reason, it feels like we already were."

He didn't question what she meant, he only shook his head, turning to gaze at her merely a few moments later. "What if we die here?"

"Since when are you a pessimist?"

"Since our situation required one."

She placed a hand on his cheek, him letting out a breath and leaning into her touch. "Actually, I think quite the opposite, Tae. I think the situation needs an optimist. Someone like you."

"Or maybe we need to be realistic."

Y/n couldn't allow him to think that way, so she pulled him closer, pecking his nose. His eyes expanded, the eyelashes there fluttering. Funny, Taehyung was like a Disney prince in her eyes. By that she meant he was not only handsome, but a sweet man as well. And no sweet, genuinely good man should be moping and drowning in his own sorrows. Y/n grinned to ease his worries, and it worked: his shoulders relaxed.

"I have no regrets, Tae. No matter what, we accomplished something here. We survived as long as we could. I'll miss my life, the family I wish I had, and my job. But at least I got to unlock something in myself I didn't know was there. I hope I did the same for you. I doubt I did, but I can hope. If I could ask you to do one thing, it'd be to not give up hope yet. We still have so much more time left. Do you trust me?" she asked.

Taehyung gave her a small, almost sly smile that had her heart jumping in her body. "Not even a little bit."

"Good boy."

"Don't give me a boner, you're on your period."

"At this point, I wouldn't even care. Maybe we should fuck in front of them, what do you say?" she asked, Taehyung's mouth struggling to form words. Heat crept up the back of his neck and ears, him chuckling as if that would ease the situation. "What's wrong, Tae Tae? You can kiss me in the river, but as soon as I mention period sex it's a turn off?"

"Y/n, kindly stop talking."

She kissed his forehead and agreed, continuing to waddle around in the water. He observed, her letting herself completely soak in it. The liquid soothed her figure, sinking into the dips and cracks in her skin. She knew the first thing she'd do when she got back was take a shower. Or maybe eat a proper meal. One of the two. Both sounded equally amazing right about now, and seeing as they were being watched by some ancient tribe that had the mannerisms of an ant, she decided to delve into those thoughts a bit. Why not, right? What else did she have to do?

A shower would be heavenly. Would it be wrong to say she wanted to shower with Tae? Maybe it was too soon for them to see each other bare, but Y/n didn't give a fuck. They were eating animals they hunted and killed, they were cooking from scratch together, dealing with her period together, smelling their shit breath and bodies, and so much more she didn't want to think about. Did it really matter if they saw each other's private parts at this rate?

Speaking of, Tae brought her back to the sand, them plopping down and staring out at the wreckage together. "Is it weird that I want to find another knife and stab them?" she asked, Tae shifting his attention to her.

"That's a lot of people you'd have to take on. Can you really do that many?"

"I'm angry and on my period."

Taehyung shivered to add dramatic effect. "They're screwed."

She chortled and pat the air. "I doubt it, but it's better than being watched 24/7. I'm not a child, and I hate being treated like one. Especially by a pack of men."

"Yeah... I can't imagine how that feels. I'm already uncomfortable enough, but they're acting like you don't even exist. Like you're nothing."

"Nothing I'm not used to," she replied, causing them to fall into a brief silence. She truly considered asking Tae to strip so they could fuck in front of them. It'd be hilarious to see their reaction, if they even had one. The way she saw it, if they were going to be watching them like hawks, Y/n and Tae could at least give them a show. They could be proper 'hosts'. Now they were on Y/n and Tae's turf. Their territory. Maybe they had an advantage because of that.

Taehyung peeped at her, and she returned the expression, raising both her brows. Like there was a silent agreement made, he came over and kissed her, their lips pressing together and their bodies becoming one. It felt like that, anyway. Y/n gave her all into the kiss, moaning into it after a moment. Taehyung returned the noise, pushing it into her mouth and making her taste it. She pulled on his shirt, the fabric almost crumbling in her hands. She wanted more. She wanted to go further. But they couldn't. Not yet, anyway. Not with a tribe not far from them.

Y/n kept kissing him, refusing to let him go. He shared the sentiment, and they kissed passionately under the light, the sounds of waves splashing filling their ears. The best part wasn't the water or the light though, it was the way Taehyung was gentle despite having every reason not to be. They were both touch-starved and needed each other, but Taehyung kept his gentleness. It made her admire him even more. She didn't think that was possible, but Kim Taehyung of course had to defy all her expectations, huh?

They parted for a beat, their eyes locking and saying the same things. Y/n was wondering if she could peek inside his mind and ask about all the beautiful thoughts he had residing there. Taehyung was probably thinking the same thing, but about her, not himself. Funny how she could tell that much just by staring into his eyes.

"I really like you, Y/n," he whispered, his breath twirling across the flesh of her mouth. "And I want to get out of here alive. I want us to make it, and I want to introduce you to my best friend."

"I want to introduce you to my boss."

He laughed, her laughing with him, and they ended up hugging instead of kissing again. For now, anyway. She was sure they'd end up in yet another lip lock soon enough. Y/n wouldn't complain about that. She enjoyed their embrace. Relished in it, even. Y/n couldn't recall a time in her recent life that she felt this loved. This cherished. She wanted to fall into it forever, but she knew she couldn't. Now-

"Back up!" a male voice shouted, Y/n and Taehyung hopping apart and whipping their heads to face the intrusion. What awaited them was the tribe engaging in combat with what seemed to be... lizards? No, those weren't lizards. They were too giant. What the fuck were those things? Their tails alone made them seem like they weighed 100 pounds, and it didn't help that their stubby legs moved faster than they should.

Knives were drawn, shouts and cries ringing out. Taehyung took her hand, Y/n yelping from the sudden contact. He soothed her a moment later, and Y/n had to admit even Taehyung's tone couldn't halt her rapid heartbeat. Her mind was jumping around her skull, bouncing until she couldn't see straight anymore. Regardless, Tae pulled her to the side, away from all the action. He took a rock in a poor attempt to defend them if anything happened. She appreciated the effort despite how little a rock would do against those things.

The creatures were long in size, their tails whipping back and forth. Their skin were slick, lathered in a substance Y/n didn't wish to describe. They appeared to be reptiles. Y/n wasn't an expert on the subject, so she merely let it happen. She sank back in her spot, Taehyung rubbing her back.

"What are those things?" Y/n asked, Taehyung peeping at her with expanded eyes.

"Those are komodo dragons."

"Big ass lizards?"

"Big ass lizards," Tae said with a nod, keeping her close. "Don't get close. Their bites can kill."

"Why are they attacking us?"

His shrug told her all she needed to know. "We're about the size of a lot of their prey. That's without mentioning how we were bumbling around in the forest for God knows how long. I'm guessing they're pissed off at us, or they just want a snack. Who fucking knows anymore. Let the tribe handle this, they seem to be doing well."

And Tae wasn't wrong. The tribe was. They were doing dances with the creatures, gaining the upper hand quicker than Y/n anticipated. The dragons managed to get a bite in on one tribe member, and he went falling to the ground with a shriek that almost broke Y/n's eardrums. Taehyung guided her to stay behind him. She didn't want to, but she did knowing he wouldn't give up. His determined eyes were enough to have her listening to his every command.

There were about 4 dragons, which amazed her. Reptiles that enormous didn't seem the type to travel in groups. Or maybe they weren't, and there were only more coming because they heard the commotion. Oh, wonderful. If that were the case, then more could be on the way. Y/n attempted not to toy with that idea in her brain, and instead, she gazed upon the fight occurring before her very eyes.

The tribe ended up winning, but the man who was bit was circled by the remaining members. Y/n watched as they stabbed him in the chest, her gasping and falling back. Tae grabbed her and pulled her close, getting up and panting. "Now's our chance to run," he whispered, Y/n's eyes almost popping out of her head. "They're distracted with mourning, they'll probably take teeth too knowing those sick fucks. Come on, let's go."

"Where? This is where our rescue will come."

"Do we have much other option?"

Y/n's lower lip quivered. "Why did they kill him, Tae? What did he do?"

"I think it was out of pity. Like I said, komodo dragons can kill with their bites. That man had a few hours left at most. Come on, do you trust me?"

"If they find us, they'll kill us."

"If we stay, they'll kill us anyway." Tae took her hand, kissing the back of it. "If it comes to that, I'll distract them and you run, okay? I promise, no matter what, one of us is getting out of this. And that one is you."

"Tae," she said, squeezing his hand. "It's both of us. We're in this together." He grinned, and she returned it, deciding to let her body give in. They stood, peeking back to see the tribe was indeed mourning. They were singing some type of song for their fallen comrade. Y/n didn't waste time listening. Her and Tae took off, but in a manner that made them stay as quiet as possible. The leaves rustled here and there, but it wasn't loud enough for them to draw suspicion. Y/n wasn't sure if that made her feel better or worse. It was the unknowing that made her skin shudder.

He led her through the dense brush, nearly attacking everything in their path that dared hold them back. Y/n gazed at the back of his head as they went, Tae peeking around for any signs of the tribe or more of those lizard things Y/n already forgot the name of.

Soon enough, they were in a clearing, and Tae panted, holding his head. "We're gonna have to find more water and food since those assholes took everything. But no knife makes it harder. Maybe a sharp branch will do. With enough momentum, anything is a weapon," Tae said, scouring the terrain for anything useful.

"You really think so?" she asked, her dilated eyes kept on their rears. He didn't notice her wandering stare, or he didn't mention it if he did. "A branch doesn't seem sharp enough for that."

"If a fly is going fast enough, it could stop a train." She peered at him, the man smiling and flashing his teeth. "It'd have to be going very, very fast though."

Y/n snickered much to her surprise, allowing the man to return to his search. She knelt and felt the dirt, her uterus squeezing her insides. She pretended it didn't hurt, but her wince told a different tale. Tae was too busy searching the vicinity to see her struggle, so she kept it to herself. As always.

But her cover was blown when she grunted, holding her stomach from the ache that shot through her veins. Tae rushed over and guided her to sit, her sore bones trembling from the very prospect of having to get up again. "I hate periods enough as is, let alone on a fucking island," she said, Taehyung remaining quiet by her side. She was appreciative for any support at this point, and she admired Tae for being able to put up with her for this long. Even she would've abandoned herself at this point. "Thank you."

He brushed her hair back, kissing her cheek. "You're welcome. Come on, we should scout the area, then we can discuss night watch."

"You want to take turns keeping watch?"

Taehyung dipped his head, helping her to her feet. Her body wobbled, but his hands made her stay on her legs. "It's the only way to ensure we'll be somewhat safe. I miss the beach already. I hope we hear any planes or helicopters if they come."

"When," she said, the word flying past her lips before her mind could even think it. Well, no going back now. She hid her widened eyes and cleared her throat, attempting to mask the clamminess residing on the crevasses of her hands. "We can get out of this. Do you believe me?"

His eyes scanned hers, and for a moment, just a moment, she felt at peace. The serenity washed through her, cleansing her of all her prior sins. It felt like she could start over. And all because one man looked at her. How pathetic was that? Or maybe it wasn't pathetic at all. She didn't need a man, that was for sure. She had a stable job, a car, a home, and money left over even after all the bills and grocery. If she desired, she could live on her own in comfort for the rest of her life. But Taehyung made her mind blur. Her morals shifted, as did her idea of independence. It used to be who she was. A businesswoman capable of making a difference in her field. Now, it was who she was currently. A woman capable enough that she could be in love. All it took was acknowledging her own faults. Love wasn't dependence. No. When done right, it was just as independent as someone going through life solo.

Taehyung took both of her hands and kissed them, a motion she would never get tired of, and one that had her heart jumping with giddiness. A giddiness she hoped shined through her irises. Taehyung's boxy smile confirmed in her brain that her tactic worked. But what confirmed it even more were the words he spoke mere moments later.

"You know what, Miss L/n? I believe you. I really do."