A Random Spatter of Thought..

Tasha blinked up at him, taken aback by the insertion. He offered a lazy shrug. “Look, I see it too. She’s displaying it, and more than she should, to the rest of the company. We need people we can work with, Tasha. It’s simple.” She frowned.

“It’s not simple anymore, Joonie. Not if he’s here.” She leaned into the nook of his arm. He let it drape down across her shoulders, pulling her closer. “You don’t understand. If he and Vivian started dating? The portal to the underworld would probably open.” She scoffed. Namjoon sputtered into a chuckle.

“Is he really that bad?” His gaze tilted down to the crease in her forehead. He tilted her head up to meet his gaze. “We won’t let anything happen to her.” Tasha’s eyes were wide at their proximity. “...or you.” It’s a good thing the windows were so dark. It’s a good thing there was a separator in this vehicle. Namjoon’s lips crashed onto Tasha’s with a hint of desperation. His fingers sank into her hip, pulling her closer into the length of his body. The soft sound of Tasha succumbing to what he offered burned the blood in his veins. It’s now almost 1 year since Taehyung invited himself to her room. But, in the back of his mind -  he couldn’t help but take on her worry. That trio was a delicate situation. There was something obvious brewing there, and Vivian was going to disturb all of that. 

The one thing that he wouldn’t stand for? Is the disturbance of this quiet sanctuary they have established. 

As Tasha rested content, lips kiss swollen, on his chest - Namjoon rubbed his finger against his bottom lip. Namjoon couldn’t help but grin at himself in the window reflection.

Vivian wasn’t aware of the beast she had awakened tonight.

It’s now almost 1 year since Taehyung and Jeongguk invited themselves to her room.

While the boys were all good friends, they were still very particular about certain things. It came with time, love, and learning these particulars that kept them a working team for so long. And one thing in particular that they were all aware of?

Jeon Jungkook’s competitive spirit is a thing of wonder. 

And his penchant for jealousy? Absolutely legendary. 

-------

Jungkook hadn’t released her from his captive embrace as they moved toward the cars. “Gguk-ah, you can let go now?” Was it a question? Her brow furrowed as she watched his tongue move in the hollow of his cheek. 

Oh. Oh no. Everyone knew the little ticks and quirks of the boys. This one, in particular, had a reputation. Her brow furrowed as she turned to Taehyung, a silent question lingering in the lift of her brow. Taehyung’s hooded gaze, paired with a faint smile, made her stomach do loops. 

“I should probably go find Tasha, so we cou-” She turned just as Namjoon helped Tasha into a car, hopped in behind her - and left. 

“I think you’ll be fine with us, Noona.” The depth of Jungkook’s voice made her eyes go wide. His fingers dug possessively into the meat of her hip. Her nostrils flared as Taehyung opened the door. 

“Ladies first.” A slight bow, as he smirked. 

She looked ready to protest, but Jungkook’s stiff posture and equally dark gaze killed the notion. A roll of her eyes before she let Jungkook help her into the vehicle. Taehyung slid in beside her as Jungkook rounded to slide in on the opposite side. 

Jungkook tilted as he adjusted his belt buckle with that soft, irritated sniff. The partition rose as the vehicle pulled away. Vivian’s eyes narrowed as the trio pulled off in a car alone. Her cellphone buzzed as she waited for the others to pile in. The student stragglers were hustled into the next available vehicle.

     Unknown:

     Hey, Vivian - It’s Peyton. We should have coffee sometime.

Vivan’s gaze lifted toward the building to see Peyton standing outside, waving toward them. She gave that megawatt smile while waving back. Turning to enter the car, her lips tilted upward into a smirk.  “What an interesting night, right?” She chuckled as she settled in next to her classmates. They groaned with a roll of their eyes as she prattled on. The gears were turning, and Vivian already had a scheme in place. 

It has now been 30 days since the karaoke room.

------

Heat.

That’s all she felt. A creeping warmth that wrapped around her. One one side - Taehyung’s hooded gaze was turned to the window. On the other side? Jungkook’s dark gaze was lowered, his tongue prodding the inside of his cheek. 

All she wanted to do was take off those fucking heels. They were ridiculously close to her, there was enough space for the three of them. Her gaze slid between them before she finally gave up.

“Fuck it.” She spoke in a hiss before leaning down to free her feet. The motion caused the two men to break their concentration. Because they were too busy trying to fight off an urge. Each of them boiling over at Peyton’s audacity. They didn’t care if she had a history with him. She was building, had built, history with them.  Fucking Vivian, the little tartelette was busy trying to enamor every company there!

Taehyung had been focused on their plan. This appearance of an ex complicates matters- especially on the arm of Vivian. His thoughts wandered back to the text message that Tasha sent. They were running out of time.

All that seemed to fizzle away when she moved. Leaning down to remove her shoes exposed a fair amount of skin. The skirt sliding up just a hint more against her thigh. Taehyung’s head tilted as he followed the line of her spine. It had been some time, and this proximity reminded him of such. His gaze lifted to Jungkook, who was fairing no better. 

The Maknae’s newly discovered feelings had yet to be exposed. But the way Jungkook was focusing on her every motion had Taehyung’s stomach rolling. He knew that gaze; it was the look of someone committing something to memory. Analyzing every inch to file away for later. Her hair parted, exposing that soft spot behind her ear. Jungkook did that soft sniff again, his hand reaching out - and before he knew it? His fingers slid against her ear and that dangly earring. 

The touch caused them both to jump as she turned to face him. “G-Gguk-ah, you trying to kill me?!” She laughed softly, sitting back while wiggling her toes. “Ah, that’s better.” She made obnoxious movements to get them to...move the hell over! 

“Noona.” Jungkook’s deep voice again had her turning to the Maknae. Jungkook’s eyes were full of dark promise as his proximity to her increased instead. “You look outstanding tonight.” His lips ghosted over her shoulder.

“Jungkook.” There was a subtle warning in her tone as he leaned in. She leaned back with a thick, audible gulp. “Jungkook, what are you doing?” Her voice was low as she bumped into the solid rock of Kim Taehyung behind her. 

She felt the Visual turn behind her until she was practically laid back into his lap. “Tae, g’damnit!” Another hiss as her hair splayed across his lap. The position was awkward with Jungkook practically looming over her. 

There was a sound in the back of Jungkook’s throat as he adjusted himself over her. “Noona.” The air was too thick. It was too hot, and there was no place for her to run. The outline of Jungkook’s thick erection pressed into her hip. Taehyung tilted his head as he watched, like a proud tiger watching its young cub hunt for the first time.

Jungkook’s biceps struggled against the suit jacket as he leaned against her. “You know you belong to us, right?” His voice had a low, raspy quality that shocked her. It was different from the usual jovial, almost bright tone he used. 

She cut a glance at Taehyung that would have melted steel. He had that arrogant tilt to his head, the tip of his tongue playing along his lip. You son of a bitch!  “I don’t think she realizes that yet, Gguk-ah. It’s a shame, isn’t it?”

Her eyes widened as Jungkook thrust into her hip, a moan slithered between her lips.”It’s really is a shame, Taehyung-ah.” Jungkook grunted as he shifted against her again. His hand moved along the front of her body; fingers splayed between the valley of her breasts. He could see the nipples stirring against the fabric of her dress; he leaned down, brushing his lips over the covered nub. She gasped, grabbing a handful of his hair.

“I think she needs to be reminded, Gguk-ah. Don’t you?” Taehyung’s fingers combed through her hair with a tug that had her bucking against Jungkook. “I think she needs to be reminded that her dance card is full for a good while.” Her eyes went wide as Taehyung spoke. 

“I wasn’t joking with you, Noona. I want you all to myself. But…” His gaze slid up to meet Jungkook’s. “...so does he. So…” He tilted his head down at her. A bright smile as if to say that everything was fine. “...we’ve decided to share.” 

“W-what did you say?” The grip in Jungkook’s hair loosened as those words settled in the air. “Y-you what?” 

Taehyung leaned down until they were almost nose to nose. Jungkook’s hand covered a breast as he dragged his lips along the column of her neck.

“We..are going to share you, Noona,” Tae whispered darkly.

“...and we don’t play well with others,” Jungkook whispered airily into her ear. 

“You belong..” Jungkook growled.

“...to Us,” Taehyung growled purred. 

It was so hot in this car. Her lashes fluttered, and she was sure she was feverish as her vision filled with both of them. Taehyung was one thing. Then Peyton, and now? 

And now?

Jungkook was rubbing the erection straining his zipper against the curve of her ass. He feasted on the length of her neck with open mouth kisses. . Taehyung had a handful of her hair as his tongue sought out the back of her throat. 

Tasha narrowed her eyes with a shake of her head. "Look at her. It's like she's asking for someone to make her an offer." 

Namjoon offered an airy sigh as he looked over his shoulder. "That girl is going to be more trouble than she's worth." The rest of the boys turned a gaze to Vivian, working for the crowd. Different responses all ended in haphazard shrugs as they spoke to the students next to them. 

"We'll be leaving soon anyway, right?" She finally spoke up after two students started getting studio technical with Yoongi and Hoseok. "These heels are killing me, and I want something that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to consume." 

Everybody laughed. Jungkook slid over to her right side, staring down the length of her arm? Oh, no, no. He was admiring the way that dress fell over her backside. "Noona, did I tell you that you look nice tonight?" She forgot that his voice could be as deep as the Mariana trench - just like Taehyung.

That low murmur spoke against her shoulder left goosebumps.

"More than a few times tonight, Gguk-ah." A brow lofted toward his amused grin.

"Just making sure. Can I get you to sing another song with me tonight?" Her expression lightened as she nodded.

"You know what? I'd be honored. Just make me look good in front of the new kids, yea?" She whispered in mock conspiracy. Tasha rolled her eyes as she lingered close to Namjoon. 

"Maybe we can do a three-part harmony?" Came the depth of Taehyung's voice. 

"Maybe we can behave ourselves tonight?" She spoke through a smile with clenched teeth. 

Vivian let her gaze roll over to her group, and she couldn't help but bristle. She didn't realize someone else was looking in that direction too. Someone in that gathered group of hers had a keen eye on her camp.

"Excuse me. Vivian, right?" The male asked quietly. She turned and flashed a brilliant smile to the gentleman in question. 

"That's me!" She made a slightly silly face with a laugh.

"Do you think…" He turned to the Big Hit group and back to her, "...you could introduce me to your camp?" He looked hopeful as Vivian kept her expression schooled. 

Turning back to the bane of her existence and back to the male towering over her. "O-of course, come on." She hastily linked their arms, walking him over. 

Namjoon flicked his wrist as he downed his champagne, "Alright, everyone. Do your last bit of networking. We're out of here in fifteen minutes." He adjusts his necktie. 

"Oh no," Tasha mutters at his side. 

Namjoon dips a glance down as he follows her line of sight. His sigh is heavy, almost weary, as Vivian approaches. "Jagi, don't let her spoil our fun tonight." He leans down to whisper; a quick inhalation of her scent soothes his nerves. 

When she doesn't remove her stare, he nudges her gently. There is something akin to horror on her face as she turns to the trio across from them. They are dripping heat and tension, unknowingly shifting people around them. Their connection was magnetic and evident to those who truly looked. 

Tasha bites her lip and turns to Namjoon. "She's done more than ruin our fun, Namjoon-ah. She's about to bring the party to a screeching halt."

Taehyung and Jungkook were busy trading witty barbs, arguing who got to sing with her first. She actually couldn't help laughing at the colorful language and idioms. 

She turned to Tasha as they met each other's gaze. Her head tilted as Tasha seemed to lose a layer of color. Like something shocked her beyond all belief. Her head tilted the other way as the world seemed to slow down. 

Vivian's overly-cheerful voice disrupted all conversations. She sounded saccharine sweet as she spoke again, something about introducing someone? It wasn't until she heard the name? Or was it the voice?

Or was it the way she was suddenly yanked from between Taehyung and Jungkook? The familiarity of the hand at the small of her back? Her gaze lifted to the face that had her eyes ready to explode from her head.

"Hello, beautiful. It's been a long time." A pair of hazel eyes glittered with mirth as her body pulled flush to his. Vivian's sneer was hidden as she stepped out of the way. 

"Oh, they look good together!" Vivian snapped a photo as she backed up toward Taehyung and Jungkook. "See? So statuesque." 

They did look at the picture. Then they lifted their gazes.

She was at a loss for words as his hand framed her face. "I've missed you. You never returned my calls." She narrowed her eyes as she stiffened in his embrace.

"That's normally what happens when two people break up, Peyton." Her teeth seemed to snap as she spoke. 

"That was years ago, we were young. Come on, you should let me introduce you to my camp! I didn't realize it was you that everyone had been talking about. I'd have looked you up sooner." Peyton offered her that dazzling smile. The one that she used to weather her temper for. 

But now?

"God, you're still an asshole." She removed his hand from around her waist. Only to find another one replacing it. There was a rapid blink as Jungkook lifted her a few inches off the ground spinning her back into their presence. "Kookie, really!?" The Maknae did that irritated sniff, before turning to Peyton. "Sorry, we were just leaving. We happen to like our production team as it is." Taehyung clapped his hands to accentuate that statement.

"Ah, ok! Everyone is here. Let's all get to the cars." He waved his hands, turning everyone toward the nearby exit. Peyton frowned, jamming his hands into his pockets. Vivian moved back over to him, sliding a piece of paper into his hands. "In case you change your mind about who you want in your camp." She winked and followed behind.

Oh, he had changed his mind, alright. 

“See, that’s just the thing, April..” He placed his utensil down quietly. “I don’t remember a lot from my childhood. Don’t you find that strange?” The molten brown of his eyes lifted to the woman across from him. Because in the last week, he realized he didn’t know just who the hell April really was.

She placed the last bite of food in her mouth. A napkin dabbing at the corners, hopefully hiding the irritation in her frown. “Taehyung.” She sounded like a mother chastising a young child. “A lot of things were forgotten when The Unification happened. Not all of us came out the same or mentally intact.” Her hands clasped over her lap as she sighed. “This is what happens when we stray from our routine. It’s a butterfly effect, Taehyung. That one late morning has spiraled into …” A hand waved as she tried to put into words his paranoia. “..this. I think you should get a check-up. We’ll make sure everything is ok, perhaps adjust your vitamins. Maybe lay off the caffeine, I’m sure you’ll be back to your usual self soon.”

April pushed away from the table, grabbing her plate. “For now, I think you should ease up on your workload. I know this year’s matching protocols are different - I believe it’s taking its toll.” Taehyung narrowed his eyes as she disappeared into the kitchen.

“I’m going to give you something to help you sleep. It should get you back on schedule.” Taehyung stared at his plate of food again, the fork pulling through the vegetables.

And he saw it again.

The green pellets - similar to the inside of the vitamins that April insisted on shoving down his throat.

He lost his appetite.

11:30 pm

April sat in a chair at the side of the bed. Taehyung had seemed suspicious of the sleeping aid. But, he relented after admitting he was tired. Her fingers pinched at the skin of his wrist. She kept count of his pulse before letting his hand down gently.

She stepped out of the room, the door a gentle click as she moved to the front of the house. The cell phone buzzing continued until it was retrieved from her lab coat.

“Well?” The voice on the other end inquired.

“I don’t know what to make of it, honestly.” She sighed. It was rare to feel the frustration of this level. Everything had been going smoothly for some years now. She wasn’t sure when things began to change - but Taehyung was destabilizing. “We need to get a handle on this before it gets too far.”

There was a deep, disappointed sigh that echoed in her ears. “April, I thought you said you could handle this.” The tone caused her to frown.

“I-I can. It’s just a small oversight. I will get him stabilized again. You have my word.” What was this nervousness? Why did she have a hard time believing her own words?

There was a thick silence that allowed her to hear the volume of her own swallow. “Fix it, April.” Apparent irritation in the male voice. “Because we don’t need a former leader of the Rebel Uprising to regain his memory. Are we clear?”

April released a quiet breath as she nodded. “I won’t let you down, Hoseok.”

“See that you don’t, Mrs. Kim.” The call disconnects. April ran nervous fingers through her hair. A hand clutched at her chest as she rushed out of the house. There’s got to be a stronger dosage that won’t kill him. Their research was imperative to keep rebels under control. It was essential to the stability of their society.

Her prestige was on the line - and while having Taehyung as a trophy was all well and good? April’s reputation was a far more precious thing.

11:37 pm

Hoseok pinched the bridge of his nose as the call disconnected. “Did she buy it?” A female voice asked. He steepled his fingers, turning to the fierce leonine gaze across from him. He offered a quiet nod.

“She’s spooked enough to make a mistake. But, it also proves that destabilization happens faster than the research projected.” Hoseok pursed his lips at the stack of folders opened across his desk. “And to think, it just takes a break in routine, and a couple missed doses.” This almost absently as Tempest flipped through a folder in her lap.

“It’s taken a long time to even figure this out.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She closed her folder with a snap. Her hands raised to cradle her face. Hoseok watched her shoulders shake before looking off into the distance.

“You’ve done well to be this patient, Tempest.” He rose to round the desk. A comforting hand on her shoulder as they rose on an inhale. “I know it’s been a long time. We’re almost there.” Tempest nodded while placing a hand on his. Hoseok took her hand, placing a syringe in her palm, curling the fingers over it. “This is it. If this works?” They held each other’s gaze for a long moment.

“And if it doesn’t, Hoseok?” The unshed tears in her eyes erased all his hesitation.

“Tempest. It will work.” It has to. She stashed the syringe in her coat pocket. They both turned to a monitor that showed April walking into the downstairs lab. “Go. I’ll keep her occupied. If anything seems off, you get him out of there immediately. You know where to go.”

She was out the door without another word. Leaving him to watch April fret over her data. His lips curled into a knowing smirk when she picked up the phone at her desk. He didn’t let the phone ring long as he sank back into his role. “Mrs. Kim, how can I help you?”

1:15 am

“We have to do something.” Conviction burned in the depths of his eyes. She knew she couldn’t sway him in this state. “It’s not right, Tempest. You know that as well as I do!” He threw a hand to the air as his voice escalated.

“Of course it’s wrong, Taehyung. But, what are we going to do against a whole global movement? This is madness!” She tried to get him to look at her as he paced. “We need to be smart about this. That’s all I’m asking. That’s all I’m saying.”

“There’s no time for smart, Tempest. If we don’t act now, soon? What becomes of us? All of us? Any of us?” His hands were tight on her shoulders.  They were afraid - both of them. Irrational and mindless with fear. To think that the UN felt that eradicating certain emotions would allow humanity to sink into harmony. They likened the state of the world to Troy. A beautiful woman could cause nations to war and fall.  So to solve the inconsistencies in the world? They would implement a new regime. One that would erase boundaries and barriers caused by status, race, religion, sexuality, and gender.

In a way, it would be starting over. Everyone would be assigned a partner. Someone that would genetically yield healthy, proper citizens of this new world order.

And they meant everyone. The prospect of relationships that have lasted decades being split on a whim had more than half the population ready to riot.

“I love you. I don’t want to lose you.” His fingers slid up the column of her neck. Her fingers latched onto his wrist as he tilted her gaze to his. “And I’m willing to fight and die to keep you.”

“I don’t want to lose you. I don’t need you to die for me, Tae.” She shook her head at the thought. “Let’s just go? Let’s just find someplace, the two of us. Let’s just go.” He smiled sadly as her head pressed into his sternum.

“Tempest, there are others like us. There will be others like us. We need to stick together while we can.” There was a quiet sob that muffled into his shirt. She knew he was right - and even she was surprised at her selfishness.

“We are going to have to fight, aren’t we?” She sniffled against the beat of his heart against her ear.

“As long as we’re together..” He murmured into her hair.

“Can we stay like this forever?” Her fingers clinging to him as if he’d disappear at that moment.

2:45 am

“You are interfering with human evolution!” A great debate ensued in the following months. Those who had lost faith in humanity gathered to champion the change in regime. This one of the few public, and cordial, debates that were happening across the globe.

Taehyung stood at a podium as a politician ranted until he was red in the face. He sighed deeply when the applause thundered in the building. “Listen, since time immemorial, we have all paved the way for ourselves. Humanity has made its share of mistakes, this will surely be another one. While the theory is sound, the application is not. We can find a way to achieve this harmony by working together to help those less fortunate. By building up those weaker, sicker, than us. Thus helping to strengthen the very foundation of our society. We can help each other stand.” Tempest watched as those gathered contemplated, considered quietly the path they were about to take.

“That’s been the key this whole fucking time! But instead of doing that work? You just decide to wipe us clean of the very thing that makes us human. Where is the evolution in that?” The politician looked around as the masses murmured.

He narrowed his gaze at Taehyung, a fist clenched against the podium edge.

It was that day - that Taehyung became a beacon for those who wanted progress without the overbearing regime. It was the day that Taehyung became public enemy number one.

3:30 am

He felt a pinch in the side of his neck.

Taehyung’s eyes rolled like marbles in his skull. A wave of heat and nausea rushed through him. He turned to the side to wretch into a small garbage can. Dizzy, feverish, and half-asleep, a disjointed voice echoed in his ears.

“Shh. It’s ok. You’re almost there.” His breathing labored as his body spasmed and arched off the bed. It felt like someone was taking a razor blade to his nervous system. His mouth opened on a silent scream as a pair of hands pushed at his chest.

He felt a weight settle over his abdomen, pinning his body down to the bed. Tears squeezed from the corners of his eyes as pain scraped him from head to toe.

Tempest moved his arms under her knees as she tried to avoid being bucked off the bed. A determined, teary gaze locked onto him as she waited. It was, unfortunately, a part of the process. The only way to complete the destabilization was to essentially scrape the drug from the receptors in the central nervous system. It moved through the body, sweeping in to gobble the remnants of the chemical protocol.

3:50 am

“Ah, Kim Taehyung. You’re going to be a fine example of our research.” April let her fingers dance along the dip in his waist. A satisfied smirk as she watched the staff strap him down to the table. He radiated pain as they stretched his limbs outward.

“You’re not going to get away with this, you psychotic bitch!” He spat. Their research had yielded fruit in curing his spinal injury. Now, it was time for the piece de resistance. He saw the multiple IV bags attached to the lines running into his hands and feet. They healed him but kept him weak and fatigued. Enough that they could do what they needed without much physical fight on his part.

April leaned down to brush a hand across his forehead. “I will get it away with it, Taehyung. And you won’t remember a thing.” She smiled as his vision blurred.

It all came back to him in a rush - his life. Memories burst from the chemical floodgate in his brain. He fought against something, trying to hold him back. Taehyung make sure to take your vitamins. Something kept him pinned, restrained - and he bucked to fight against it.

April’s voice began to fade away. April’s face began to dissolve away in his memory. His brow furrowed as the uncertainty was replaced with anger.

Rage.

His body twisted beneath the weight on top of him.

“Don’t die, Taehyung.”

His heart thundered against his ribcage as another voice became louder.

“Can we stay like this forever?”

“I love you, Tempest.”

Tempest? The name that caused his body to heat. Her presence caused his heart to calm. His brow furrowed as emotions swept over him. Because he remembered, suddenly, Tempest Estrellado. The woman he loved. The woman who brought joy to a decade of his existence. He was ready to ask that stubborn woman to marry him. To let him make an honest woman out of her - and then The Decree was made.

They spent another five years gathering like-minded people to rebel against The Regime. Then they were separated during The Uprising. And then…?

And then?

And then he was captured.

“Tempest.” His voice a half sob as his muscles finally released. His body slumping into the mattress as the lie that had been his life fizzled away.

“I’ve missed you, querido.” His eyes flew open to those leonine eyes fixed to his face.

“Tempest?” She moved her knees as his hands shot up to frame her face. Trembling fingers, pupils wide as he touched her. “You’re here? You’re really here?”

“Si, mi precioso.” Her fingers raked through his hair, nails scraping against the nape of his neck. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as their foreheads touched. “I’m really here. It’s over now. You’re ok. You’re safe.”

Taehyung’s lips trembled, opened, and closed with too many questions for his brain to process.

“Seven years.” She spoke as the meat of her bottom lip slipped between her teeth.

His brow furrowed as his head tilted. “W-what?”

“It’s been seven years, Taehyung.”

“It’s...that’s impossible?” He croaked. “It was just…”

“Seven years, Tae.” Tempest grabbed his hands, holding them steady as if she could stop the tremors. “It took us five years to find you. These last two years, we’ve been trying to find a way to reverse the re-education process. It’s been seven years since the Rebel Uprising.” Tae swallowed thickly with her words.

“And now?” His voice barely above a whisper.

“And now we know that it works.” Tempest framed his face with her hands. “And now I have you back. Now the hard work begins. Now we can-” Her nostrils flared as his hands pressed into her hips. His lips crashing onto hers, silencing anything else she had left to say.

“Shut up.” Feverish kisses as his fingers sank into the wealth of her hair. They weren’t exactly at the pinnacle of youth when the world changed. “Just shut up…” Tempest whimpered under his assault. “The only thing I want now? Is you. Just you.”

“Please.” She whispered against his mouth. “Please.” The need ripped through her gut as he flipped her over. Her legs wrapped around him, pulling her against the heat burning between her legs. He leaned back on his knees, peeling off the damp shirt. His hands slid up her torso before tearing the shirt from her body. Buttons ricocheted against hard surfaces as she unbuttoned her pants. His mouth blazed a hot moist trail against her collarbone and over the swell of her breast. His tongue swirled a nipple over the satin fabric of her bra.

He pulled her up to shrug the shirt off, the bra followed flung into the shadows of the room. They stayed apart only seconds long to maneuver out of the rest of their clothes. They were out of breath and completely naked, staring at each other.

Taehyung’s mouth began to water as she filled his vision. The beaches. The summer. Their time all of it, rushing back to him as he pulled her against him. She felt him hard, throbbing, and warm against her stomach. Taehyung’s fingers flexed against her ass; he tried to pull her into him. His tongue slithered against her bottom lip as she opened for him. They fell back against the bed as he nudged his way between her legs. “I’m sorry. I can’t wait. I promise I’ll be gentle later. But right now…” He growled against her mouth as his arms lifted her legs.

“Taehyung, please just - dios mio!” Her eyes rolled into her skull as Taehyung pushed against the lewd wetness of her slit.

And he bottomed out.

In one stroke.

He wanted to take his time remembering every inch of her body. He wanted to take her slow, build her up, and watch her fall apart beneath him. But, it’s been seven whole years that they’ve been apart.

It’s been twelve years since they were last in each other’s arms. He needed this - he needed her to chase away this bitterness inside of him. “Tempest.” He leaned back, letting his fingers dig possession into her hips. Her breasts jiggled with the force that he pounded into her. “God, I missed you. I missed this.” Beads of sweat dotted his hairline as she clutched the sheets. He knew he wouldn’t last; it’d been too long. Hell, he couldn’t even remember a time that masturbation even came to mind.

He moaned her name over and over. She spoke his name like prayer to deities long gone. Taehyung’s hands slid upward to cup her breasts, her nipples caught between his fingers with a light tug.

That was all it took. She lifted her hips to meet each thrust as her hips vibrated with force. His hands raked down her body, holding her hips upward. Keeping her right where he needed her as he pounded that soft spongy area inside of her. Her toes curled, legs cramping as she thrashed her head against the pillows.

Faster. Faster. Harder. Veins bulging in both of their necks as they reached for the finish. One thrust, two thrusts. Taehyung froze as she snapped down on his length with a gargled cry. His head fell back as he lurched forward once more. Grunting with their skin sticky as he emptied into her.  The orgasm was so swift and robust; his thighs quivered with the effort to stay still.

He took a ragged breath as he collapsed atop of her, pulling her to the side immediately. They lay in the afterglow, the light of pre-dawn filtering through the window. The sound of their breathing turned to quiet sobs as they held each other.

Their limbs were tangled, and he could feel her breath against the skin of his neck. The gentle rise and fall of her shoulders. Taehyung kept his eyes closed, living within the sounds and sensations around him. His fingers could trace the colony of goosebumps on her skin. He could smell the heat of her so close. The faint sweet, salty mix of their love lingered on his lips, turning upward into a dreamy smile. The rumble of his laugh, deep and sensual, caused her to smile.

And this time, he asked, “Can we stay like this forever?”

“We can, querido. We can now.”

“Taehyung!” The voice sounded upset, but April paused as Tempest and Taehyung turned toward her. What was that look just now? He tilted his head as April seemed to shift her demeanor. “I-I was concerned about you. It was apparent you hadn’t been home.” She moved over toward him as Tempest took a step back.

There was a look that lingered too long for Tempest’s liking from the woman, who was obviously Taehyung’s wife. “I take it your Ms. Estrellado?” April spoke cooly as she let her fingers dance along his shoulder.

Tempest tilted her head politely. “I am. I was just asking Mr. Kim if he had eaten. I was going to suggest that he should go home to rest.” There was a darkness to April’s eyes as she watched the other woman. Tempest clasped her hands in front of her, nonplussed by the other woman’s focus.

“I think that’s a good idea, Taehyung.” She turned to him placing a warm hand on his cheek. A wave of nausea hit that had him pulling away from April.

“M’fine, I just need t-to..” He swayed. Tempest was under his arm before April realized he stumbled.

“Mr. Kim, I’m afraid I’m going to have to order you to go home.” He tensed at the word order. The Medical personnel held more power than even the military. The Medical personnel was responsible for keeping balance. For keeping the maintenance of The System which allowed the Council power and prestige.

If someone was called unwell by Medical staff? It was a dire situation. Life was too precious, too important to waste. April glared as Taehyung leaned too heavily on the other woman. She cleared her throat getting under Taehyung’s other arm. “I can take it from here.” She offered a tight smile as Taehyung’s weight transferred.

“Of course, Mrs. Kim.” Tempest stepped aside.

“Thank you, Tempest.” Taehyung murmured quietly as he gathered his things. April gave him a stern look that caused him to compose himself before stepping out of the office. Tempest gave a short nod before leaving before them.

11:17 am

“Do you know how embarrassing that was?” April’s voice cut the thick silence in the elevator. Taehyung said nothing as the bell rang to announce their floor. He was tired, his head hurt and all April could do? All she had been doing  - was bitching.

He waved his keyfob in front of their door.

“Taehyung, are you listening to me?” April followed him inside as he hung his jacket and bag. The shirt shrugged off his frame, causing her to tilt her head. Why hadn’t she noticed it before? It was as if he had somehow filled out? There was something enticing about him in this state.

It was so close to that time before. When he was so lively and full of fight. April bit into her bottom lip as she admonished the train of thought. He ran his fingers through his hair as he opened the fridge. He guzzled a bottle of water turning to the hand outstretched next to him.

“You need to take your vitamins and rest, Taehyung. You know you get thrown off if you don’t keep up your regimen.” April held out a small pack of pills. And for the first time in years, he hesitated before taking them.

“April, I’ll be fine. You have work to do.” He emptied the packet into his mouth followed by vigorous guzzling of water. “I assure you I can handle myself alone.” He arched a brow as April seemed pleased by his compliance. She sighed letting a hand settle against his cheek.

“Rest. Eat. I’ll be home in the morning. Hopefully, before you leave.” A slight smile before she spun on her heel to leave. He waited for the door to click shut. He waited for the distant ring of the elevator bell.

Then he turned to the kitchen sink and was violently sick.

The pills, undigested, floating in bile and a swirl of water as he washed them down the drain.

1:30 pm

“Why is it so hot?” He’d been sweating profusely. His fingers dug into the hem of his t-shirt as he peeled it off. It landed on the floor with a wet plop as he made his way to the shower. The water squeaked on as he dropped the last of his work clothes to the floor. The cool water pelted his skin for much-needed relief. It was strange to think that he’d never really taken a long shower before this moment. He adjusted the heat to wash his hair.

Taehyung squeezed his eyes shut as the lather slid down his face.

“You should let me wash your back, querido.”

A voice echoed in the bathroom - or was it in his head? His eyes popped open too quickly, blurring at the shampoo irritant filling his gaze. It was as if something flickered in front of him. He saw a body, a form  - a voice that sounded so familiar. But they were dreams, right?

He felt fingers pushing the wet hair back from his face. A body pressed against his and those leonine eyes snagging his soul again.

“What is it, mi amor?” She purred quietly, concern written across delicate features. He felt his hands on her body, so real.

He suddenly felt a burn in the pit of his stomach at her proximity. His body knew hers, responded to hers, wanted her. But, that’s impossible? These urges were a thing of the past. It was against protocols. These emotions, these sensations had been done away with. Yet, here he was in the shower - with a woman, not his wife. And he was on fire.

Taehyung spun in a circle shaking the soap from his eyes. He blinked rapidly as his fingers dug into pectoral space above his heart. He let the thundering of the shower pound against his head. Both hands were used to push wet strands of hair from his face. He reached behind his shoulder to make sure he was rinsed clean.

“Huh..” He tilted his head as he felt a small scar in the middle of his back.

He grabbed a towel as the handles squeaked into the off position. Taehyung frowned as he rubbed the condensation on his mirror. He turned to get a look at the scars.

Scars? Scars?? How had he never remembered these?! How had he never looked at his body’s reflection? His eyes grew wide as he took in the scattered warzone of his back. His hands gripped the sink as he felt the weight of something pressing against the front of his skull.

I promise I’ll find you. Don’t die.  

He shook his head again, stumbling out of the bathroom. Taehyung didn’t understand the fatigue suddenly falling over him. He collapsed atop his bed, towel still wrapped around his waist, an arm across his forehead.

Taehyung.

He murmured something, half asleep. A voice that set his soul on fire. A voice that spread color through his world. A voice - that didn’t belong to April.

Taehyung sighed softly, nuzzling into the phantom fingers that caressed his face.

“..I promised.” He murmured sleepily. “...kept my promise.”

A body settled on the edge of his bed as he entered deep sleep.

A pair of glossy leonine eyes watched him until he was finally resting comfortably.

“...And I kept my promise too, querido.” Tempest watched his chest rise and fall for a few minutes before she stood. “Just a little longer. You’re almost there.” She brushed her lips against his forehead.

9:30 pm

It’s the first dreamless sleep he’s had in some months now. There was a scent in the room that had him reaching for his face. Did he get up and change clothes? He stared down at the sweats and t-shirt.

He reached for the glass of water at his bedside, draining it quickly. The glass hung between his fingers as the heel of his palm pushed into his eye socket.

9:45 pm

“Taehyung, I’m home to check on you.” April’s voice echoed from the front of the house.

5:30 am.

Wake up.

5:45 am.

Shower.

6 am.

Coffee. Toast. Protein bar.

6:15 am

Run 4 miles.

7 am.

Shower again. Protein bar. Protein Shake.

7:15 am.

Lock the door.

7:55 am

Arrive at work. Clock in.

8 am.

To say that Taehyung was methodical was to point out the obvious. He always showed up minutes early to work, making sure the office was lit and inviting. As inviting as their line of work was, anyway. He stared at a stack of folders on his desk. They never seemed to shrink, these stacks. Names, faces, and pertinent information lined flimsy manila folders.

It was time to gather candidates to increase the population.

He sipped a cup of coffee as the voices began to filter into the office. Taehyung carried the stack of folders to the meeting room nearby. A presentation loaded as he stood in the corner.

“Good morning, everyone. We’ve compiled the candidates for this year.” Everyone settled in their seats.

He talked numbers and statistics for almost 3 hours.

“Any other questions?” The room was silent as the lights brightened. “Alright, you know what to do.” They all stood with a nod in his direction before they filed out of the room.

12 pm.

Lunch and coffee in his office.

5 pm.

Debriefing with The Council liaison.

7 pm.

Lock up and head home.

8 pm.

Late Dinner.

“Taehyung, dinner is in the oven. I have to report to R&D tonight.” A female voice spoke softly as he walked into his home.

“I suppose it cannot be helped. Do be careful, April. Things have been slightly tense in the riot zone.” He hung up his jacket as his ‘Wife’ slid hers on. She offered a slight smile as she grabbed her badge.

“Rest well, Taehyung.” A brief touch on his shoulder. Like a dear friend wishing another friend well.

10 pm.

Sleep.

“Taehyung! Seriously! You’re slow as molasses.” A voice taunted him, a petite figure outlined in front of him. He could feel himself licking his lips. An eagerness, an urgency to get his hands on her.

She was teasing him. She knew better than to tease him. He felt heat fire through his veins. The world was so bright and vibrant. There was the crash of water, the air salty like the...sea?

The ocean - the moon was full. Full like he hadn’t seen it in ages. When was the last time the sky looked like this?

He called her name and she turned around, her full lips tilted upward in a smile. She reached behind her back tugging at the string of a bikini top. Turning away from him as it fell down her arms. He heard a sound, like an animal nearby.

He realized it was him. He growled as the sight of skin glowing under the moonlight fueled him further. It was like time sped forward and he saw her face beneath him. Their bodies intertwined, her face scrunched in orgasmic bliss as she purred. He was losing his mind, he could swear he felt her around him.

The sound of the ocean was like a lullaby as their voices crescendoed and they cried out freely. She dug her fingers into his back and dragged them across his shoulder blades. He roared as he exploded inside of her.

Time went funny as they lay together, again, on the sands. Her face obscured as she leaned over him. She smiled down at him, saying something. She called him...something. The world began to fizzle as exhaustion washed over him.

“We could stay like this forever, querido.”

The pain was stronger this time.

5:31 am

Turn the alarm off.

Taehyung clawed at the throbbing pain in his skull. He stumbled to the bathroom, reaching for the vitamins April reminded him constantly not to forget. He swallowed them down with a glass of water.

He winced as the pain throbbed behind his eye. His hands gripped the sink until his knuckles were white.

It took ten minutes for the pain to subside.

Taehyung saw the reflection in the mirror and hardly recognized it. There were bags under bloodshot eyes. He splashed cold water on his face. He stripped down to jump into a hot spray of water. He stood there for fifteen minutes letting the water loosen his muscles.

“What the hell was that?”

Flashes of dreams kept creeping into his mind, the pain increased each time he tried to access them.

7:27 am

Hasty breakfast.

7:58 am

Barely makes it ‘early’.

8:05 am

Two cups of coffee as he grabs the stack of folders for today’s patients.

“Good morning, everyone. We’ve compiled the candidates for today.” Everyone settled in their seats.

There was a new face today. It was scary how all heads turned in her direction. She adjusted the glasses on her face as she stood.

“I’ll be working with your department as the liaison from the Medical Division starting today.” She approached Taehyung with a hand extended. “My name is Tempest Estrellado.”

She looked up at him ...leonine eyes. Taehyung’s brow twitched momentarily as he accepted her hand. “Ms. Estrellado, a pleasure. I look forward to our continued success.” He held her hand for one second more than he should have. “If you please take your seat?” She offered a curt nod before settling in her seat. Tae cleared his throat, clapped for the lights to dim.

Taehyung paced around the table slowly as he flipped between screens. Numbers, percentages, and her eyes are so bright even in the low light. He shook his head as he found himself staring at the top of her head.

The peek of collarbone caused his lips to part as two people spoke on some extra bit of information just made available. His thoughts suddenly wandered to the delicate fingers tapping on the keypad of her tablet.

“Mr. Kim…” Someone calling him had his gaze snapping upward. The young tech from R&D tilted her head. “...your thoughts, sir?”

“Ah, right. If we run into the same rabid sequences as last year? Protocol as normal unless we get clearance to combine genetic materials. It is still a curious matter for The Council if proper citizens can come from Rebel couplings.” He waved a hand moving toward the front of the room.

“Any other questions?” The room was silent as the lights brightened. “Alright, you know what to do.” They all stood with a nod in his direction before they filed out of the room.

1 pm

Lunch.

1:30 pm

“Mr. Kim.” A voice caused him to look up from his desk.

“Yes, Ms. Estrellado?” He wiped his mouth, cleared his hands and stood. An arm spread to offer her the seat in front of his desk.

She wore her hair in a ponytail, slicked back. Its length easily the middle of her back. She was petite - even for what he was used to. She was maybe 5’5 outside of the two-inch heels she wore, that is.

“...so I’m going to need a space to work. I hope you don’t mind?” She arched a brow as he shook his head again.

“Uh, n-no. That’s not a problem. The office next to me is quite large. I’ll have it ready for you tomorrow, should that suffice?” He maintained his professionalism as she offered that slight smile.

“Splendid.” She stood offering her hand once more. “I’ll be heading to collect my things - I’ll be here bright and early.”

They shook hands.

She left his office, and he found himself sagging against his desk.

The pain ringing like a bell in his ears.

Promise me, Taehyung. No matter what. Promise.

He shook his head violently as he settled back at his desk. It seemed like he stared at nothing until his phone rang.

“This is Mr. Kim.” A receptionist pleasantly announced his Wife calling.

“Taehyung.” April spoke, that pleasant friendly tone, “...are you alright?” His brow furrowed as she asked.

“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”

“You didn’t eat your protein bar this morning. That’s unlike you.” He could detect the stirring of worry.

“Ah, I had a bit of a headache this morning.” He sighed quietly.

That worry seemed to turn into something...else. “Did you take your vitamins, Taehyung? You know how important it is for you to take your vitamins.”

There was something almost cold, ominous in her tone. His brow furrowed deeply as he answered her, making sure the hesitation was absent from his voice. “Of course, April. I took them immediately when I woke up. I was quite fine after a shower. I think I was just alarmed at the one minute tardy. I assure you, I’m fine.”

There was a long, thick silence before she spoke again. Her tone was light and friendly once more. “I’m sure it was jarring, Taehyung. Just let me know if you feel strange, alright?”

He forced himself to smile, so it filtered through into his voice. “Of course, April. I need to stay late tonight. We have a new colleague who’ll be using the empty office. I’d like to have it ready for her use.”

“Of course, Taeyung. You’re not the only ones busy. I will leave dinner for you. Have a good night, Taehyung.”

“Of course, April. You do the same.” The line goes dead but he still holds the phone aloft. It’s almost a full minute before he placed the handset onto its base. There was that bothersome echo in the back of his mind again.

It was exhaustion - wasn’t it?

10:37 pm

Nails on a chalkboard. That was the sound of the heavy furniture sliding across the floor. Tae had removed his jacket and dress shirt. His white t-shirt had slightly grayed from cleaning the other office. He worked quietly adjusting the office to spec. There was a certain placement for all of the furniture in the office. They all looked the same, even when facing different directions.

11: 32 pm

Taehyung grunted as he dropped a box onto the floor. He rotated his shoulder to work out the strange soreness. It was unusual for him to suffer such strains. “Mm, I didn’t have much to eat today.” He sighed. That conversation with April caused his brow to furrow. He glanced at his watch with a deeper sigh. He didn’t understand that sudden change in her demeanor. He didn’t understand why he felt the need to keep up appearances. There had been no reason to be dishonest with her.

She was his wife. She was also a medical researcher. She would have understood his symptoms, right? April would have offered some kind of solution, right?

Why am I thinking about this so hard? Taehyung pushed to stand. One more cup of coffee would give him the energy he needed to push through. That’s what he believed. The office was a strange place at night. There were a few occasions that warranted his presence in the office so late. He shouldered into the break room, pulling the fridge open in the darkness. The light seemed eerie as perfectly situated rows of water and milk lined the shelves. There were fruits and vegetables in the drawers. Small bags of freshly cooked proteins.

He reached for one of each, plus a bottle of water. He waited those few extra minutes to brew a small pot of coffee. His hand scrunched over the tops of the bags holding the food. The other held a hot cup of caffeine against his face.

1:48 am

Exhausted.

Taehyung was exhausted and he couldn’t explain why this sensation caused something to spark inside of him. He sprawled on the floor, making sure not to disturb the exact precision of his work. His eyes closed as he paid attention to the thundering in his ears. The tightness in his chest as he fought for more air.

Why did this interest him so? Why did it seem suddenly...familiar?

“I shouldn’t have had that extra coffee.” His voice was gruff as he drifted into sleep. Just a small nap, just a moment to close his eyes and rest.

The sky was bright, fiery - hot.

“Taehyung!” She called him her hand extended as he pulled himself up from the ground. “We have to get out of here.” Those leonine eyes were hard and filled with determination. He could feel his heart thundering in his chest.

The coppery taste of blood filled his mouth causing him to spit. The sound of gunfire echoed above their heads. They returned to fire on opposite sides hiding behind the shattered pieces of building near them.

“We have to make a run for it.” He told her. She frowned but hardened her gaze with a nod. They were sitting ducks this way. Taehyung reached out and grabbed her hand - there was a break in the fire. Then they ran - hard.

“We have to find a way to meet up with the resistance, Tae!” The female’s voice was loud over the sound of violence around them.

“We have to live through this first!” He growled pulling her in front of him as he spun around a corner. “Listen to me, we …” His hands framed a set of tiny shoulders, holding them firm. “...we need to split up.”

And as he anticipated, “No. NO! Fuck no, Tae! Tae that’s madness! We can’t!”

“LISTEN TO ME.” He shook her harder feeling his brow crease. He didn’t like it. He abhorred the idea of being away from her. But this new world order gave them no option. They had to find their way to the Rebels that would help them. “Please, I beg you. Please, we have to split here. I’ll draw their fire. You have to run. I promise you, I’ll find you.”

He hated it. He hated seeing those rare eyes filled with tears. He hated seeing that strength seep from her. “Please.” He framed her face as their foreheads touched. She grabbed his wrists squeezing her eyes shut.

“Don’t you die, Taehyung.” The female took a shuddering breath as her tears fell over his fingers. “Do you hear me? Don’t you fucking die. I will find you.” She dug half-moon indentations into his arm as their lips smashed together for the last time. He could feel his tears burning hot craters against his cheeks.

“Go ____..” He croaked as she sobbed quietly. She finally pulled away running toward a thicket of bushes. Taehyung felt himself hyperventilating as he held his weapon tight. He wanted to run after her. He wanted to scream for her to stay where she was. He swallowed his cowardice as he moved beyond the cover to open fire on the enemy.

I won’t die.

He pushed toward the open field, drawing their attention to him. Searing pain radiated on his left side, causing him to take a knee. The world was silent as the sky seemed to come to meet him - or he met it?

The weightlessness of the world was apparent as the blue of the sky filled his eyes. The fiery blast sent him, others, and debris hurtling to the sky. He heard the crack of his body as he landed on his spine.

The tears filled his eyes as the world crumbled around him. He made a promise. “I’m sorry…” Taehyung coughed blood in spurts as his world began to fade to black.

Taehyung. He could hear her voice even as his body pulled him into the darkness.

Taehyung, wake up! It was her. He was sure of it.

I want to go back to her. I want to go back to her!

Taehyung!

He sat up grabbing the arm that shook him from his slumber. His eyes wide as their close proximity gave them both pause. “T-Tempest?” There was worry etched across her face. He could feel her pulse racing under his hand.

They both glanced at their connected skin - and Taehyung saw the time.

There was always one in every group! That one person that thought they were so fucking cool - and pretty, and popular. Even if that person was extremely beautiful and found themselves in the center of attention all the g’damned time. Tasha was about to say something but it was cut short when three familiar voices echoed out in the hallway. 

Tasha blinked because those three voices belonged to none other than...

“Taehyung-ah, Gguk-ah, seriously.” Namjoon groaned into a laugh as they turned to enter the common room. “O-oh.” He stopped abruptly and the maknae line bumped into him. 

“Ah, Hyung! I almost stepped on - Oh.” Jeongguk blinked when Taehyung tapped him on the shoulder. The new kids still had to get used to just randomly running into BTS members throughout the day. The first group merely bowed or waved, muttering greetings. Tasha’s eyes whipped quickly to her bag when she locked gazes with Namjoon. She coughed lightly clapping her hands. “Ah, well. We should probably start getting ready guys.” A thumb jutted to the partly dressed trio shuffling into the room. 

“Ah! It’s the oppa’s!” That voice piped up again and Tasha did everything in her power not to hurl. But, that girl jumped up clapping her hands together. “You guys look good! We should be so lucky to be escorted by such dapper gentlemen.” 

Everyone rolled their eyes. Namjoon was kinder - and refrained. “Ah, well. You know it’s a special occasion. You all make sure you talk to people and network.” She giggled lightly, placing the tips of her fingers along Namjoon’s forearm.

Namjoon coughed softly as he stepped around her - leaving Taehyung and Jeongguk to be prodded at instead. The soft taps of a keyboard still echoed as Namjoon continued. “The first group here really set a tone that we hope you can follow.” A brow arched as he spun on his heels. 

The new kids smirked, staring at the one who continued to type. That girl - ah, she had a name. Vivian the Vivacious. That’s what she called herself - the life of every party. She slipped an arm through Tae and Gguk’s as if she was the prize between them. “I am sure we’ll meet and exceed every expectation required of us.” Haughty, as she tossed those long raven locks over her shoulder. 

It was apparent she was the Queen Bee among the new kids. There was always one. 

Tasha inhaled deeply as suddenly the sound of keys ticking stopped. A soft exhale broke a thick silence. “Vivian.” Everyone turned to her, even Tasha stiffened momentarily, as she removed her glasses. “There’s a saying that comes to mind.” She stashed her glasses in their case. “Overconfidence is the most dangerous form of carelessness.” A brow arched upward as she neatly collected her things. 

There was a subtle warning in her tone that she didn’t bother to hide. “I don’t care what you think about me, but do not take my silence as putting up with your bullshit.” She turned to the rest of the new kids. “Do not embarrass us tonight. Because I’m the one standing between your continued presence here…” She hefted her bag on her shoulder. “...and long coach ride back to where the fuck you came from.” 

Tasha had to turn in the opposite direction to hide the smile threatening to split her face. Namjoon caught it and tilted his head upward, a hand over his mouth. Taehyung and Jeongguk were torn between something akin to awe and lust. Vivian glared at her as she smiled, her grasp tightening on Tae and Gguk’s forearms. They both turned their gaze to the top of the girl’s head. 

Tasha was close to losing her shit. “Ok! Alright! Let’s go! We’re wasting time.” She bowed to the trio, refusing to reach for Vivian as she beat feet out of the common room. The other first-year folks left with satisfied looks on their faces. 

She decided to follow-up the last of them, pausing by Vivian as she clung to the maknae members. “And I’ll have you know, I was plenty of fun while I was here. Maybe you’ll get a chance to sing karaoke with Jeongguk-ah.” Her gaze slid up between the two of them. 

Her pupils went wide to match theirs as her lips parted on a smirk. That look lowered to Vivian as she tilted the corner of her lips. “Maybe if you’re as fun as me.” She waltzed out of the common room leaving Vivian scowling. 

“Jeongguk-oppa! You think I’m fun don’t you?” Vivian tilted a lookup through thick lashes, fluttering them prettily at the maknae. 

Who was paying her no mind? 

She turned to Taehyung prepared to do the same, and she paused. The look that he gave her caused her to wither, just slightly. He looked like a haughty Prince, curious about the status of the person touching him. Her fingers slid away from his arm and she turned to see Jeongguk with a brow arched at her fingers. “Oh come on, I’m much more fun than she is!” She pressed her cleavage against his side - and he moved as if he’d been burned. 

“Vivian,” Namjoon spoke quietly. “I think you should go get ready. You don’t want to get left behind.” He grabbed the apple he wanted originally and breezed by her. Taehyung offered that boxy smile with a slight bow, as he followed. Jeongguk fell in step looking exasperated as they went to visit the stylist. 

Vivian continued to scowl but was broken from that facade of purity and fun. The sound of crisp fruit being pierced by that dimpled half-smile. Namjoon tilted his head as he shook the apple in her direction. “And I’d keep that in mind.” He finished chewing leaning back on his heels. “...because you will get left behind if you’re not careful.” He watched as Vivian crossed her arms schooling a neutral expression. “Make us proud tonight.” Namjoon walked off with a partial smile leaving her to scowl by herself. He rounded the corner rubbing absently at where she touched him. 

It’s fine. He’d just have to rub himself all over Tasha later on to cure himself.

---

“She’s infuriating! I hate her! Hate is a strong word isn’t it?” Tasha paced in her thigh-highs the snaps of a garter belt clicking. “Is that wrong? Should I feel bad?” She threw her hands up as if she was suffering some moral dilemma. “God, there’s one in every bunch!” Tasha continued to rumble and rant in her fury.

“Latasha.” She sighed as her friend finally paused. “You do realize you have yet to put your dress on?” A brow arched as Tasha finally saw the time. 

“Shit!” She skittered to the other room to pull on the perfect black dress. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?!” Tasha whined as she pulled the curl rods from her updo. 

“I tried. You kept going back to how pretty, perfect, and detestable she is.” Tasha grunted as she hobbled up to the front, finally settling herself in two-inch heels. 

“Well, shit. You kept oddly cool for where she wound up.” Tasha mused with a smirk as she watched her friend clip on a dangly earring set. A set of large hoops in the other hole as the dangling stars seemed to swing in its opening. 

“Look, we earned our spots working with the members. I’m not going to let petty jealousy cloud my judgment.” She arched a brow while pressing a red stick across the swell of her lip. It was a bold color choice. Hell, her whole ensemble was bold. 

It wasn’t that the dress was short - it was that she was tall. And this happened every time, where this would be a normal fit for average height? For her? Well, it was snug on her hips and just passed her knees - and that is just by a wing and a prayer. That paired with heels that catapulted her into the near six-foot-tall range of height? Completed the look. 

Tasha had spent the whole day previously blowing out her hair. A silk press left her hair in a shiny fall of layered waves about her shoulders. She turned around as Tasha gave her a final appraisal.

“Damn, I am good. Maybe this tech stuff isn’t my calling. Maybe they’ll let me be a stylist?” They both stared at each other before falling into a peal of laughter. Tasha grabbed her jacket and purse, offering an arm to escort them from her apartment.

“You good, chick?” She stared down at her friend as they walked quietly toward their transportation. 

“Yeah, you’re right. We earned our spots.” Tasha nodded with a solid lift to her confidence. They smiled at each other as they approached the building foyer. Folks were already being loaded into SUVs. They were the last ones to arrive as the boys from BTS made their way down to wait for their perspective cars. 

The two women turned with a whistle at the cleaned-up crew. 

 “Ohmygod. It’s BTS. Should we ask for an autograph?” Tasha leaned in pretending to whisper while being excruciatingly obvious. 

“I don’t know do you think they’ll even notice us?” She responded just as obviously.

“Ahh, our adoring fans! How could we ever not notice you.” Jin threw a trademark kiss in their direction. Jimin rolled his eyes while moving between them. 

“I think we would be doing the world a disservice if we didn’t notice our adoring fans. Someone take a picture quick!.” Jimin did his best James Bond look while the girls posed on the side. “Ok, as we practiced.” 

“Ah! This is more embarrassing than Jin-hyung and his jokes.” Hobi laughed - but snapped the photo anyway. “Yes, yes! More! More!” They made devious faces at each other, smoldering looks as Jimin wrapped his arm around each girl’s waist. 

“Ok, ok. That’s enough. That’s enough.” Namjoon chuckled as Jimin frowned. “We’re holding up the line.” Tasha was tugged gently away from Jimin causing her brows to arch upward. “You look really nice.” She smiled widely. 

“Why thank you, Namjoon-ah. You don’t look so bad yourself.” Jin, Hobi and Jimin rolled their eyes with playful groans. 

Taehyung, on the other hand, got a chance to approach her for the first time in what seemed like - months. Oh, because it had been. They’d been increasingly busy since their karaoke escapade. It worked out to her favor, of course. 

But now?

“You look beautiful.” The depth of his tone littered goosebumps across her skin. A response she just couldn’t help as he stood just behind her. Their body heat clashed as she glanced over her shoulder. 

“Wow, Noona.” Jeongguk approached with his hands in his pockets. And although the maknae was wearing that wide bunny smile? His eyes wore something else entirely. They all looked impeccable, their styling team truly outdid themselves. 

Yoongi clicked his tongue against his teeth as he shuffled toward the door. “You all need to pick your lips up off the floor so we can get in the car.” The girls chuckled, making swift getaways from their captors as he held the door for them. 

“Thanks, Yoongi.” The girls spoke in sing-song unison as they exited. He shook his head as he watched them get packed into an SUV. 

He scratched at the back of his neck, a slight tilt of his head. “I think we have the most beautiful women in all the networks with us tonight.” Everybody turned to Min Yoongi with their mouths agape. He gave a haphazard shrug as he toed the door back open. “I’m human too, you know? Let’s go, yea?” 

The wind tousled his hair a bit as he adjusted his cufflinks. 

“Should we be worried?” Taehyung turned to Namjoon who was still shocked. 

“Uh. I...don't ...know?” Namjoon’s brow furrowed as Jimin squeezed by them. 

“You should be worried.” Jimin teased with a brow waggle as he jogged to catch up with Yoongi. 

Hoseok and Jin grinned moving by after clapping a hand on the trio’s shoulder. “I wonder if he’s going to get to dance with them first?” Jin mused, loudly, to Hoseok. The Dance Captain tilted his head in deep concentration. 

“Not before I get to ask first.” 

Jeongguk balked pushing the door open to speed up to protest. “H-hey, Hobi-hyung! W-wait just a minute!” 

Taehyung pinched the bridge of his nose with a deep groan. Namjoon sighed, “I know, Taehyung-ah. I know. Just remember to mind your manners, alright?” 

Taehyung smirked while tucking his thumb in his lapel. His tone was deep and thickened by the weight of his satoori. “Hey, Hyung, don’t worry.” He moved forward opening the door for Namjoon. “...I’m a great actor, remember?” Taehyung popped his tongue with a wink as the Leader shook his head with a dimpled smile.

“Let’s not give them too much of a show, yeah?” Namjoon arched a brow. The two shared a look before stepping into the waiting SUV.