Heavy snow | Taekook | ??

Taehyung held Jungkook as close as possible, their bodies pressed together on the rocking surfboards. Both of them were shivering violently now, their suits soaked through, offering little protection against the freezing wind and water. Jungkook nuzzled his frozen face into Taehyung's chest, his breaths coming out in weak, uneven puffs against his skin.

Taehyung could feel it.

Jungkook was getting worse.

His body was shaking uncontrollably, but his movements were slow, sluggish. His fingers barely gripped onto Taehyung's arms like he didn't have the strength to hold on anymore. His lips, pressed against Taehyung's collarbone, were icy cold, his breathing shallow and unsteady.

"You are freezing," Jungkook mumbled, his voice barely more than a whisper, weak and strained.

Taehyung swallowed hard, forcing himself to keep calm. His baby was still talking. That was good.

"I'm fine," he reassured, his voice steady despite the panic crawling up his throat. "Don't stress, okay? Help might arrive soon. They always look for people when something like this happens."

Taehyung could tell he wasn't convinced.

And truthfully, neither was he.

He looked around desperately, hoping-begging-to see something. A light, a boat, a helicopter. Anything. But there was nothing. Only the heavy snowfall, the endless black waves, and the sound of their own ragged breaths.

Taehyung clenched his jaw, pushing down the fear rising in his chest. He couldn't let himself break. Not now. Not when Jungkook needed him.

But then-

"I don't think... I can... I can make it out of here, Tae..."

Jungkook's voice was so quiet, so fragile.

Taehyung's entire body went rigid. His breath caught in his throat, his heart stopping for a second before it started pounding wildly.

No.

No, no, no-

"Don't say that," Taehyung's voice cracked as he tightened his arms around Jungkook, holding him like he could shield him from the cold, from the darkness, from everything trying to take him away from him. "Don't you dare say that!"

Jungkook shivered in his arms, barely holding on, and Taehyung lost it.

Tears welled in his eyes, hot against the cold wind. He pressed frantic kisses against Jungkook's temple, his cheeks, his frozen lips.

"You're the strongest, baby! You're the strongest person I've ever seen." he whispered fiercely, his voice shaking as he cradled Jungkook's face. "Nothing is going to happen to you. Do you hear me? Nothing. I won't let it!"

Jungkook didn't answer, only pressed closer to him, as if trying to find any bit of warmth.

Taehyung choked on a sob, rocking him gently, his hands rubbing Jungkook's arms, his back, anywhere he could reach.

"You're going to be okay, baby," he pleaded, his tears mixing with the snowflakes falling onto his face. "I promise we're getting out of here. Just hold on, Baby. Please..."

Jungkook's voice was barely above a whisper, fragile and trembling in the cold. "I'm sorry, Tae," he muttered, his breath weak against Taehyung's chest. "I was reckless. I shouldn't have... surfed this deep... we're here because of me."

Taehyung shook his head instantly, his arms tightening around Jungkook as if he could hold him together. "No, baby. Don't say that." He pressed his lips to Jungkook's forehead, the cold skin against his burning with guilt. "Nothing happened because of you. I should've never left you alone. That's on me... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, baby!"