Maria

Hoseok was of course polite and respectful to every princess he greeted, stealing glances at the door every time he could as he waited for you to arrive. He’d dreamt of this moment so many times since your disappearance, of you and him in this ballroom dancing and carefree, with him able to love you without worries. That would happen tonight, he would make sure of it.

“I’ve heard you enjoy hunting, my lord, my father has actually taught me a thing or two about making traps, perhaps we could go on a trip together,” Princess Amaia of Amorentia spoke politely.

“That sounds quite fun, perhaps I’ll consider it,” he smiled politely, kissing her knuckles and bowing before she continued on.

Meanwhile, Eojin had just arrived at the entrance of the palace with Bomi, looking just like you in a black gown, the pendant handing on her neck softly as they walked up the entrance steps, “remember, focus on the prince, if our little princess shows, I’ll handle it,” the sorcerer spoke, he was disguised as a simple palace guard in order to blend in.

“Yes, sir,” Bomi spoke, though your voice was the one that resounded.

All the princesses had gone through, the dance was about to begin, when there was a knock on the palace door. Gayoung looked at the footman by the door with stress, she had thought all the princesses had RSVP’d, so who could possibly be—

The doormen pulled the ornate handles in, the double doors opening to reveal “you.” Everyone broke into whispers of shock, and Gayoung looked at you like she’d seen a ghost.

“It can’t be…” she whispered.

But Hoseok was delighted as he waited at the foot of the stairs for you, holding his hand out which you took happily. “I didn’t think you were going to make it,” he spoke softly as he led you to the dance floor.

“Oh I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” you smiled warmly as your hand rested on his shoulder, while his hand gripped your waist and the other held your hand tightly. The music began playing, a soft waltz that Hoseok was happy to take the lead in, looking at you like he’d never seen anything more beautiful.

What a fool he was, Eojin thought, had Hoseok truly paid attention he’d know there was no moon tonight, and he’d know that this wasn’t you, but alas, perhaps the prince still hadn’t learnt to see you beyond your beauty. That would be your downfall; it didn’t matter how quick Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook had been getting you out of the tower you’d been imprisoned in before Eojin left, or how quick you’d flown to the palace with Jimin right behind you, that copy of you was already dancing with your Hobi. You tapped on the window with your beak, but Eojin used his magic to shut the blinds. The few windows you found open he shut with his magic as well, and it was all too late.

“Mother, distinguished guests and royals, I have found my bride,” Hoseok spoke happily, causing the ballroom to burst into cheers.

“No! Hobi!” You called out though you knew he wouldn’t hear you.

“Yn, in front of everyone here, I want to make a vow to break all vows”

No no no.

“I want to make a vow of everlasting love, for you, Yn,” he said softly, his hand coming up to cup your cheek.

“NO,” you called out again, to no avail.

“Come on, Yn, we have to get you back to the lake,” Jimin said desperately, maybe they could figure something else out? You and him flew back with your body slowly feeling heavier and heavier.

Meanwhile, a loud eerie cackle broke through the cheer of the moment, as Eojin made himself known, “you foolish prince!” He spoke with a wicked smile.

Hoseok pulled you behind him, “you have no power here! I vowed my love to her I-“

Eojin shot a ray of magic towards you knocking you down on the ground, “YN-“ he stopped as you sat up slowly, still your body…but your face, it wasn’t you, it hadn’t been you?

“What did you do to her?!” Hoseok’s voice boomed, and Eojin just cackled again.

“I think you should be asking that to yourself, son,” and with that the sorcerer disappeared with Bomi, leaving Hoseok alone with the weight of what he’d done.

You barely made it to the lake, landing harshly on the ground as your body transformed back to human, the spell broken in the worst possible way. The guys gathered around you in their animal forms still, laying on you with concern, “come on, Yn, stay with us for a bit longer, we’ll figure out another way,” Taehyung said quietly, gently.

“I don’t think I can…I’m so tired,” you whispered petting his fur gently, “thank you for caring for me,” your voice was fading.

The rustle of leaves and branches was heard from the forest before Hoseok burst through with his horse, dismounting it quickly and running to you, the others didn’t leave as the prince pulled you into his arms.

“Hobi…” you whispered.

“I’m so sorry, I’m so so incredibly sorry, the vow was for you, Yn, it was it was,” he insisted as tears fell from his eyes.

“Oh save your tears young prince,” Eojin came out of nowhere, a ray of his magic hitting Hoseok and pushing him off you, “I can have you join her if you’re so desperate to be with her, though, I don’t know if someone as shallow as you will appreciate it once her beauty begins to melt away,” he laughed cynically, and that broke Hoseok, “you don’t know anything!” The prince yelled back, reaching into his quiver for an arrow and shooting it with his bow, but Eojin transformed into this huge animal.

And then Hosoek remembered your father’s last words. An animal had taken you. Eojin had taken you. The fight continued, shooting as best he could until he was out of arrows. He resorted to fighting with his sword as best he could, but this animal could fly, making his sword useless unless he threw it. Even after doing so, all he did was graze the creature, causing it pain, sure, but unable to pierce the skin.

That’s when he heard it.

“Hobah!” Namjoon’s voice. The poor companion of the prince had been captured with you before Eojin left for the ball, and after many attempts at getting him out by Taehyung and Jungkook, they’d managed to get him out just before your collapse, and now he was here, prepping his bow with the last arrow, just as him and Hoseok had practiced back at the castle, he shot. The prince was quick on his feet, and while the animal still screeched from the pain he caught the arrow and shot it, hitting its chest and piercing its skin, the creature let out a louder screech that caused Namjoon and Hoseok to cover their ears before it fell, disintegrating on the ground as it died.

No time was wasted as he returned to you, holding you tightly against his chest, “please don’t leave me, Yn, I love you, I’ve loved you for longer than I ever dared to admit,” he confessed, “I kept that edelweiss flower tucked away in my journal, and every day I didn’t see you I’d hold it between my fingers and long for you, for you who you became to me, the girl who would sit with me on that concrete bench talk to me for hours…god I love you, please,” he was sobbing now, looking up at the sky, “my vow was for her, don’t take her please,” he begged.

And so he sat there, holding you until the sun came, you didn’t move not once, and with a heavy heart he picked you up carried you through the forest back to his palace, Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook following along in their little animal forms, the steps somber as they reached the palace.

No healer or medic could figure out what was wrong with you, no medicine they used did anything to bring you back. After three days of failed attempts at your revival, Gayoung took hold of Hoseok’s hand, “it’s time to let her go Hoseokie,” she whispered somberly, “she deserves to be buried with her father and mother.”

Hoseok didn’t want to, he’d looked for you for so long and he’d been holding out hope that maybe you’d come back to him, that the universe wouldn’t be so cruel, but alas, it was. He nodded, his expression defeated as he moved closer to you and pressed his forehead to yours.

“You’re the only one for me, Ynie, I will never marry anyone else,” he whispered, taking your hand slipping a simple gold band on your ring finger, “I vow my heart to you for eternity, even if you’re not here to hold it,” he whispered, before pressing a soft kiss to your lips, “I love you.”

He pressed your hand to his face, eyes squeezed shut as he cried, mourning you and what could’ve been if he hadn’t been so afraid to tell you the truth, if he hadn’t been so shallow…

And then your hand twitched in his, and a soft groan escaped your lips, “Hobi?” You whispered, your voice hoarse from disuse.

His eyes snapped up at that, and he suddenly felt his heart glue itself back together, “Yn oh my god,” he pressed his forehead to yours again, and you cried, because you were human again, you were here with him, you were free.

“I love you, Hobi,” you sniffled as your eyes met his.

“I love you too, so much, so so much,” he kissed your lips over and over again. The celebration was interrupted by the loud sound of running as Jimin, Taehyun, and Jungkook burst in, no animal features anymore but just them in their natural form.

“Oh my god you’re alive,” Jungkook threw himself at you and Hoseok followed by Taehyung.

“When our tails disappeared we thought it was a cruel joke but you’re actually awake,” Taehyung cried loudly while Jimin was working hard to get the two of them off of you both.

“You’re gonna break her goddamn ribs, get off her you big babies!” He pulled them away finally and sighed, “I’m so glad you’re okay, Yn, we thought we lost you for a second,” Jimin spoke with relief as he squeezed your calf.

You smiled at everyone around you and sighed, “I’m glad I pulled through,” you giggled as you looked at Hoseok again before looking at your hand, “what’s this?”

He gave you an embarrassed smile as his ears got red, “well, I thought you were gone so I kind of…I kind of vowed my heart to you and put a wedding ring on your finger,” he scratched the back of his neck with the hand that wasn’t holding yours.

You chuckled, carefully sitting up before pulling your hand away from his and wrapping your arms around his shoulders, “do I get to do the same with you?” You whispered softly, causing him to squeeze you tightly.

“You can do anything you want with me,” he assured you.

And so, no extravagant wedding was needed, you and Hoseok exchanged your vows right there. Though Gayoung insisted you’d have to have a proper ceremony and celebration which would surely happen at a later time, for now, you and Hoseok chose to enjoy each other. Once you were well enough to walk he brought you to that very same concrete bench, the edelweiss more vibrant than the last time you saw it. And you talked and talked for hours, just like it was always meant to be.

You had only lived in this city for two years, and unfortunately you’d gotten a bit too big for your britches, because you were now stuck in a snowbank unable to get out of your car, and unable to get your car out. It really had come out of nowhere, you took the curve at the speed limit and your wheels didn’t take well, you slid around for a while trying to correct yourself until you realized your car would flip if you kept going on like this…

So, you let off the brakes and let the steering wheel go.

At least the snow was soft, so realistically your car didn’t take any damage and neither did you, but fuck if it wasn’t the most embarrassing and annoying thing. Growing up in your home country, you used to tell your parents how you’d one day move to one of the pretty places with snow in the movies, and you wished you could go back and warn ten-year-old you about how stupid of a decision that would be. You called your boss first, letting her know you'd be… very late for work, especially considering you couldn't even open your goddamned door! You were in a justified panic, every friend you called was at work, or still on vacation; you were beginning to accept the fact that you'd be stuck and would probably freeze to death when there was a gentle tap on your window.

The guy outside greeted you with the cutest dimpled smile and you felt even worse now than before, because of course a really cute guy would come to your aid at the most embarrassing moment! You sighed and rolled down your window.

"Hi!” He said with a sweet tone, his voice was deep but warm, like being wrapped in a blanket in front of the fireplace. "Are you okay?” The handsome stranger asked, and you couldn't help but laugh cynically. 

"I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you, just at my own misery,” you assured quickly, "but to answer your question, no I'm not okay, I'm stuck,” you sighed, leaning your head against the steering wheel in defeat, which got a chuckle out of him.

"No worries, I laugh at my own misery all the time,” he assured you, and this got a laugh out of you, and he thought it was a beautiful sound.

Namjoon usually doesn't take this route to work, it's the slower route and he usually ran a bit late as it was, but fate had a funny way of doing things. He'd been behind you when you slid around and at first he'd continued driving, he couldn't stop when he was going to be early to work for once… curse his perpetually kind heart. He found a spot to turn around and drove back to you, and after the initial pleasant conversation, he found himself digging out each of your wheels before he began his attempts at shoveling you out, asking you every so often to try to back out of the ditch you'd been trapped in, and it was certainly taking more time than either of you would like.

"Maybe I should just call my insurance, I think this is covered in my policy,” you sighed as he came back up to your window.

"Are you sure? We are almost done, I'm sure I can get you out–” he asked you, feeling a bit disappointed that he had failed at helping you, what would you think of him? He was rethinking asking you out to coffee now.

 "I'll be okay, I'm sure you have your job to get to and I would hate to be the reason you're late,” you insisted, the embarrassment eating you alive as you called the towing company listed on your policy.

Namjoon sighed, frustrated with himself for not being useful, he hated the feeling of helplessness that came with not being able to help. "At least take my number so that I know you got out of this ditch safely?” He requested, and he really meant it, "you can delete it after if you want and I'll delete it too if that's what you'd like,” he assured you, he didn't want you to think he was a creep, he genuinely wanted to ensure your wellbeing.

You blushed lightly at his concern before nodding, handing him your phone so he could put his number in, he saved himself simply as ‘Namjoon’, and you couldn't help but think that his name matched him perfectly, "thank you for all your help, Namjoon,” you said his name sweetly and he felt a little flutter in his heart.

"My pleasure…”

"Yn,” you smiled as you held your hand out the window for him to take, which he did happily.

"Yn… pretty like you,” he flashed you a dimpled smile while you blushed aggressively, the butterflies in your stomach going crazy. "Good luck!” He called out as he got back in his truck and drove off.

"Amazing, Yn, even in the most embarrassing times the universe has your back…” you sighed sarcastically, leaning your head against the steering wheel until the tow came to help you get out, and once you were finally out, and you'd made sure there was no damage to your car, you headed to work, your mind still replaying the events of this morning of which, surprisingly, Namjoon was the highlight.

Namjoon would deny it if people said anything about how often he was checking his phone at work, or maybe he'd just use the excuse of being a concerned citizen. Yes, that could work.

"Would you focus on helping us restore the vinyls and stop staring at your phone? You won't will the pretty girl you met today to text you via telepathy,” Yoongi huffed at Namjoon.

"That's not-” he started arguing before he gave up, there was no point in arguing with his best friend, he knew him better than anyone, "well, you'd be the same if you'd seen how deep in the snow she was,” he insisted, making the older man roll his eyes.

"If your jeans hadn't been soaked when you came in, I would've been this close to firing you,” Yoongi argued. 

"And have who? Jungkook replace me? Jimin?” Namjoon joked, making the older mutter something under his breath.

Namjoon and Yoongi had opened this record shop nearly five years ago, a passion project of theirs since they were young, and while their other friends worked there occasionally, Yoongi much preferred that it was just Namjoon and himself, not because the others weren't capable, but because he just… enjoyed working with his business partner, even if he was a total klutz most days. "They would be here on time,” the older man mumbled as he headed to the backroom.

Namjoon huffed out a laugh, just as his phone dinged.

[unknown]:

Hi! This is Yn, the girl from the ditch?

Just wanted to let you know I made it out of the ditch :)

Thank you for your help!

He was grateful Yoongi wasn’t around, the smile on his face was pathetically endearing.

[Namjoon]:

Hi! I’m happy to know you made it out okay! Thank you for letting me know!

He didn’t want to over text, and end up overdoing it or scaring you away, plus surely you’d delete his number after this and he’d never hear from you again. The thought made him deflate a bit.

[unknown]:

I wanted to thank you for taking up so much of your time, if you’d like I could bring you lunch? It doesn’t have to be today, it can be tomorrow! I work near this really good mom and pop Italian place, I could send you the menu?

You were practically biting your nails down to the bed, you were never really this forward, but you truly just wanted to repay him for his kind actions…and maybe see if you could get to know him better but repayment was your priority…totally.

[Namjoon]:

You don’t have to do that, I wasn’t expecting anything in return.

[unknown]:

I insist!

(media attachment)

Let me know what you want and your work address and I’ll bring it!

Or I can have them deliver it :)

God, why were you sending so many separate texts? You were probably annoying the hell out of him.

Meanwhile, Namjoon was sighing, he couldn’t really stop you if you kept insisting, you seemed like the kind of girl who once something got in your head you wouldn’t stop until you had it done. He finally saved your contact information and went back to texting you.

[Namjoon]:

You can come to my job if that’s easier, but I just have one request.

[Yn]:

Oh? Which is?

[Namjoon]:

Have lunch with me? If you want of course.

You were grateful he couldn’t see you right now, because now you also had a pathetic smile on your face.

[Yn]:

Okay! Send me what you want and your work address and I’ll stop by around noon-ish tomorrow if that’s okay?

[Namjoon]:

Perfect, see you then, Yn ;)

You were so nervous, scratch that, you were shitting your pants. It hit you, after you got in the car with his food and yours, just how insane it was for you to offer to get someone you’d only met briefly food, but what else were you supposed to do? Namjoon had been so sweet and kind, stopping for you when he didn’t even have to turn around to come help you.

You pulled up to his work’s parking lot the next day just a few minutes after noon, grabbing the bag of food and exiting your car after parking it. The record shop looked cute, you’d drove past many times before and it made you wanna kick yourself just imagining how cute it would’ve been to meet Namjoon in it. Then you shook the thought out of your head, you were being crazy.

The bell over the door rang as you walked in, the store huge, but it wasn’t itty bitty either. There was a section for CDs, and one for Vinyls and even a few musical supplies for sale, you’d have to come here more often just to look at everything, it was all very interesting.

“May I help you with something?” A voice broke you out of your reverie, when you looked over you didn’t see Namjoon, but a man with very pale skin and sharp eyes, their shape reminded you of a cat.

“Oh um, I’m looking for Namjoon? We were supposed to have lunch today, is he-“

“NAMJOON! Your pretty girl is here!” He called out to the back, you blushed bright red at the words. Soon you heard a bit of banging in the back room and the man at the counter sighed and rolled his eyes.

The man of the hour came out of the back room looking equally as flustered as you, so that made you feel a little better, he muttered something at the other man, his jaw was clenched and the sight was a bit sexier than you’d ever admit out loud. Namjoon walked over to you, offering you a sheepish smile, “sorry about Yoongi hyung, he doesn’t know when to shut up sometimes,” he said with a shy chuckle.

“Totally okay, I mean, I appreciate the compliment,” you said shyly, as your eyes stayed on Namjoon’s, who chuckled.

“So you like it when you get called a pretty girl?” He asked with a bit of a teasing tone, and because apparently you had no brain to mouth filter right now you said:

“I like when you call me a pretty girl,” immediately you covered your mouth with your free hand, your cheeks growing warmer again, surely they were bright red too.

Namjoon thought it was cute, “okay then,” he said softly, taking the  food bag from your hand, his fingers lightly brushing yours, causing you both to take a deep breath, “let’s go eat, pretty girl,” he said sweetly as he motioned with his head for you to follow him, and you were very happy to. You gave Yoongi a polite nod and he did the same before you sat with Namjoon in the back room, grabbing out what he’d ordered and handing it to him.

You ate in silence for a while, it wasn’t terribly uncomfortable, “thank you again, I really appreciate the fact that you took so much time out of your day to try and help me,” you said before taking another bite of your food.

“Don’t mention it, I saw your car and I just…I couldn’t leave you stranded you know? That’s not my nature,” he assured you, he didn’t want you to think you burdened him, if anything you’d been the highlight of his day.

“Ah so you’re just a good samaritan in general? Here I thought you were just trying to look chivalrous,” you said playfully.

Namjoon was happy you felt comfortable enough to be flirty, it meant he was reading your cues right, “oh I definitely wanted to be chivalrous, but I truly just love helping people,” he smiled warmly, those dimples would be the death of you.

“Good to know,” you said with a sweet smile. The rest of lunch went well, conversation was easy just as silence was, and you did not want to get back to work but unfortunately, you couldn’t ditch work like that, not in this economy.

Namjoon was kind enough to walk you to your car, which still had some snow frozen over the hood where you’d been stuck. “So, is this lunch thing becoming a regular thing?” He asked, his voice hopeful, as he opened your car door for you.

You blushed, “you want it to?” You asked back.

“Of course I do,” he smiled warmly.

“Then I guess next week is your turn to bring me lunch,” you said sweetly, and your heart melted when his smile got wider and his dimples showed again, yeah, you were definitely a goner for the dimples.

“I’ll text you menu options,” he said, hesitating before placing his hand on your hip and squeezing softly, pulling away just as fast he’d done it. It was comforting, and you found yourself hoping next time he’d hold you longer.

It made you think back to the first time you ever discussed the expectations your parents had for you…

You were 15 and Hoseok was freshly 18, it was one of those nights before you left to go back home. You sat on that concrete bench looking at the blooms of edelweiss with him next to you. "What do you actually think of this?” you asked him as you picked the smallest bloom, “our parents wanting us to marry and all…”

He watched you the whole time, looking away before you could catch him, “it's silly, you and I don't need more pressure, we're already gonna have to rule our kingdoms and all,” Hoseok spoke, “we should choose who we want not have it chosen for us,” he huffed looking up at the night sky. He didn’t notice the way your shoulders sagged slightly then, or at least you didn't think so anyway.

“Yn look!” Jimin got you out of your thoughts and you looked down, there he was, God he looked so good, his hair was longer and did his clothes fit just slightly tighter? You almost fluttered down to the ground, “are you ready?” He asked you and you had no choice but to nod, it was too late to back out now, and so you dove down, 

When Hoseok saw the white swan, he immediately locked in and drew back the string of his bow, an arrow pointed perfectly at your sternum, you were shocked. Immediately moving away, the arrow grazed you, but otherwise you were fine, “JIMIN!” You called out to your friend as you began flying away while he tried distracting Hoseok. Now, Hoseok knew he probably looked insane for thinking a swan had been the cause of your disappearance, but your father had said that what had attacked you was not what it seemed, which could only mean the creature that had attacked you was a shapeshifter, and what better way than to disguise a something so…beautiful.

When the sparrow began clawing at his face Hoseok began swatting it around, eventually the little bird was smacked away, and Hoseok tried shooting you again, you flew up quickly, able to place yourself in a way that the sun hid you and caused him to lose sight of you, even if just for a second, which was enough for you to make your escape back to the lake with Jimin not too far behind. As you flew, your heart raced and your stomach was in knots, especially as the sunset and the moon came up higher into view, Jimin landed behind a bush with Tae and Jungkook.

Hoseok managed to find the lake as you were descending, he struggled with his quiver until he realized he had no arrows left, “dammit!” He said, reaching for his dagger instead, he was determined to avenge you, even if he couldn’t find you. You turned your long neck to look at the moon, a cloud was passing by, meaning your transformation was delayed, and the closer he got the more you feared this was it, Eojin wasn’t able to kill you, but the man you loved would, and that broke your heart.

Thank goodness that he’d just raised his arm when the moon came back, the water bubbled around you, and soon enough you were surrounded by an orb of water, the magic of the curse transforming in you in front of his very eyes. Hoseok stumbled back, horrified as he saw the scene unfold. He'd heard stories of magic, but he never thought them true until now. What if this swan was a witch? What if this swan was the one who attacked you, he stood up hastily, raising his dagger ready to go…

And then the magic faded…there you were.

In the flesh, with that same dress you wore the last time he saw you, a bit dirty and worn out, but it still looked beautiful on you. You in general looked…you looked so good given your circumstances, and he just stood there in shock as he dropped his dagger and quickly closed the distance between you, his boots splashing the water as he wrapped his arms around and held you so tight you thought you might burst, and of course you hugged him back right away, your eyes tearing up as you let out a soft sob while buried his face in the crook of your neck.

“Ynie…you’re…alive, you’re alive and…I never gave up looking for you I’ve been looking for you since that night I-“

You pulled away from the hug slightly to shut him up with a sweet kiss, soft and salty with your tears, “Hobi…” your voice shook once you finally pulled away, god how you’d yearned for this day, to finally have him with you again, to be in his arms. He cupped your face with his hands and wiped the tears with a touch so delicate and soft.

“What happened?” He finally asked, voice barely above a whisper as he held you close. You took a deep breath, it was time, time to finally explain what led to all of this, why this had happened to you.

“It’s a long story,” you whispered.

“I have time, all the time in the world for you,” he replied just as quietly, his eyes held so much love and concern, he needed to know, he needed to know why you were this way now, who had done such a thing to you?

You explained everything. Eojin and what he’d tried to do to your kingdom, why you couldn’t see Hoseok for 7 years, what happened for it all to lead to your father’s death, “he cursed me, I’m a swan all day, and when the moon is when it’s at its highest I turn  but I have to be at the lake otherwise it won’t work,” you finished.

Hoseok was seething, “I’m gonna find him and I’m gonna-“

“You’re not! He’s too powerful, he’ll hurt you and I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you,” you said, your tone almost desperate as you pleaded with him.

“Then how are we supposed to break this…this curse?”

“You…you have to make a vow of everlasting love in front of everyone,” your tone was timid suddenly as you looked down, almost as if you were unsure that he felt that for you.

Hoseok’s gaze softened, and he brought his arms around you hugging you tightly, “I’ll do it, I’ll do it! Come to the ball tomorrow night? I’ll do it then and I’ll make sure everyone hears me, that everyone knows what you mean to me,” he said, pressing a kiss to your hair. He was going to have you back, he’d make sure you were protected and happy at his side, like he should’ve been doing.

“Okay,” you whispered, “now, go, he’ll be back soon,” you pushed him toward the tree line again. He chuckled, taking your hand in his and pressing something onto it gently.

“Make sure you’re there tomorrow!” He called out quietly.

You giggled and waved him away, hearing the rustle of the leaves for a bit longer before it became faint and far. You checked what he’d put in your hand and noticed it was that necklace he’d given you when you’d been just a baby, the one you lost that horrible night. You were so happy, so excited, so-

“Care to explain where you got this from?” Eojin’s voice made you freeze, your muscles tensing up as you turned around and saw the dagger Hoseok had been holding, “it looks like I’m gonna have to lock you up,” he sighed as he approached you and now you felt your heart shattering all over again as he grabbed your arm harshly, dragging you away from the lake to the ruins of the nearby palace, “could’ve married me and solved your problems but no…you just had to have your little prince, you could’ve had me, we could’ve ruled together”

“You are out of your mind if you think I’d ever let you have my kingdom or me for that matter,” you actively resisted him pulling you, digging your bare feet in the dirt and grass, holding onto any branch you could find, all to no avail as he dragged you into the palace. As you disappeared behind the doors, Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook came out of hiding, concerned for you and your well-being. “We have to come up with a plan, he can’t do this to her!” Jungkook said angrily, “we have to come up with a plan and we have to come up with it now.” So, as the night went on, the three of them brainstormed ways to get you out, to get you to Prince Hoseok’s palace so you could be free.

Eojin was frustrated…actually that was understatement, he was enraged. How dare you?! After everything he’s been through to make sure you are comfortable, all the things he’s done, how could you not see it?! He called over his assistant, a woman about his age named Bomi, she was the complete opposite of you as far as appearance went, from the color of her skin, body shape and features, to the texture and color of her hair and color of her eyes. She was also certainly eager and ready to please her lord.

He stood up from the broken throne he’d been sitting in, pacing back and forth around the rubble of the broken castle, “I don’t know what to do, she won’t marry me, and her stupid prince knows the only way to break this curse is…” he stopped, turning to Bomi, “say, Bomi-ah, when was the last time you went to a ball?” he asked her with a wicked smile, twirling his finger so his magic would engulf Bomi, and in no time…well, it was like you had a twin.

“I’d enjoy going to a ball,” she smiled, her voice was still hers, a bit raspier than yours. Bomi began twirling around in a dress similar to the one you wore but in black, before moving into Eojin’s arms, the sorcerer now dancing with her, “I’ll have you trick the prince, and once he’s declared his love for you, our little princess will be good as dead,” he chuckled eerily, “and then it’ll be easy to take her kingdom if there’s no heirs left to claim it,” he turned Bomi around briefly, delicately putting on that necklace around her neck, he’d managed to snatch it away from you, and it would ensure their story was more believable. They both continued to laugh and dance to the non-existent beat, relishing in their plan, and how surely, you wouldn’t be able to save yourself this time.

Months this went on for. Your only company were others like you, magical beings that had been imprisoned in animal bodies too, you’d met them the first time you transformed back into your human form; Taehyung had been the first to approach, he wore a brown fur jacket and pants, a white shirt underneath, he was a very handsome elf, his tan skin and black curly hair a perfect compliment to his deep voice.

“Oh man, he got another one guys!” he whispered behind him, causing two more men to step out from behind the bushes, another elf and a sparrow. The sparrow was smaller than the elves and he was the next to approach.

“Hi there, pretty swan!” The sparrow said, his wings were as big as his torso, and they had beautiful intricate designs. He wore a coat lined with colorful feathers raging from blue, green, and yellow with nothing else underneath, and he wore loose fitting pants with black boots.

“Hi,” you said timidly, and a little confused, “um, I’m not sure who-”

“Oh I’m so sorry, my name is Taehyung,” the first elf spoke, a bright boxy smile on his face, “the sparrow is Jimin, and the other elf is Jungkook,” he pointed at each of them.

The other elf, Jungkook, had pointed ears, fluffy white pants and a white fitted shirt, “how’d you end up here?” He asked you curiously, sitting down crisscrossed.

“I was kidnapped, we were visiting the Jung kingdom, and our way back we were-”

“The Jung kingdom?” Jungkook’s eyes widened, “I have an elf friend who lives near there, he loved all the royal gossip, before I was taken he told me how Prince Hoseok-”

“Kook-ah!” Jimin stopped him, “she was talking,” he sighed, smacking the back of his neck.

You chuckled at the shenanigans, “it’s alright,” you assured, “I was taken too,” you explained the story, from Eojin’s banishment to your time with Hoseok to now, they all listened attentively.

“Holy… Y/n, I’m so sorry,” Jimin was the first to break the silence after some time. “If it helps, we were taken and were cursed too, we managed to escape the little prison he has in that old castle but, we’ve been in hiding ever since but…it’s been hard.”

You nodded, at least you weren’t alone, “what did your friend tell you about Hoseok?” you asked curiously, wanting to hear anything possible. “Just that he was looking forward to seeing you again after so long. I was taken way before you it seemed,” Jungkook explained.

And so time went on, from morning till the sunset, you flew around the lake you were trapped in, Jimin came with you most times, he was the only one that could fly given his animal form was a hummingbird. You two flew around looking over the water, you could almost forget everything you’d lost this way, all the things you were missing. Taehyung and Jungkook usually waited for the two of you on the ground, a little bear and bunny that happily jumped once you and Jimin landed. During sunset you and them would talk and dance and speak of your past lives, speaking sometimes all night.

One particular night, Eojin showed up, causing the guys to hide while you faced him.

“So, little princess, are you finally going to give in and marry me? This torture could be over in an instant!” The man said, walking up behind you and placing his hands on your waist, you physically tensed up, squirming in his hold as you tried getting away.

“You’re disgusting, I don’t even know why you want to-“

“I want your kingdom, Princess, I told your father I’d take everything he loved, you first and next the kingdom he fought so hard to protect from me,” he chuckled darkly, “if I marry you no one can question my claim to power, I’ll make sure you are spoiled rotten,” his nose began to nuzzle your neck and you pushed yourself away.

“Get away from me!” You yelled, “I will leave, I will leave and-“

“And what? Do you forget that unless you’re on this lake and unless the moon touches its waves you will remain a swan, and that sweet prince of yours will hunt you rather than save you,” Eojin interrupted once more, his voice stern, bordering on angry before he took a deep breath and plastered on a smile. “I’m sorry, I got carried away, think about it will you? Things could be better for both of us,” he said one more time before he walked off to the castle on the edge of the lake, a dilapidated stone building that had certainly seen better days, just as you had.

You fell to your knees and sobbed, eventually being joined by the guys who did their best to console you, but what could they tell you that you didn’t already know? What could they tell you to make you feel better when they were stuck in the same boat?

“I wish Hobi was here,” you whispered as tears stained the fabric of the dress you’d been wearing since you were taken, and right then the guys knew they had to do something to help, something to fix this. 

When the sun was up, Jimin immediately flew to that same stone castle he’d ran away from months ago and though he was terrified, he couldn’t let you, his friend, suffer like this much longer, he wouldn’t forgive himself and neither would Jungkook or Taehyung.

It took a while to find what he was looking for, especially when he was trying to act like a regular hummingbird so as to not get caught by the man who was still moving around the room, he waited on a branch nearby until Eojin left. He flew in quickly, making a quick scan of the room, it seemed the sorcerer had whatever secrets locked in a big wooden chest. Jimin tried looking for the key, checking every nook and cranny before he heard footsteps returning; he flew out again sitting on a different branch a little farther, but it still gave him an okay enough view of the room.

Eojin came back, he sat in front of his wooden desk and wrote something on a scroll. Eojin wasn’t necessarily ugly, he was certainly older, maybe late 30s? Little strands of grey hair littered his brown hair. He had a long face with almond shaped eyes that were just farther apart than the average, their usual color was honey-like brown Jimin recalled, from all the times he tried to force the sparrow to use his own magic to make the sorcerer more powerful.

Finally, Eojin moved to the wooden chest, grabbing the key to it from a floor board that seemed to be sealed with magic, and as he unlocked the chest he pulled out what had to be his book of spells. Jimin had to use every but of restraint not to fly right in, but Eojin seemed to make things easy, walking the book to his desk and opening it. The sparrow managed to catch a few things here and there as the pages turned, nothing that would help you. He was considering flying away and resigning to the fact that he couldn’t help you when he caught a glimpse of the very thing he’d been looking for.

For the cursed, only a vow of everlasting love can break them free.

That was enough, it had to be. Jimin flew away, taking a bit of a longer way to the lake so he could process the information. As he landed on the shore, Taehyung and Jungkook were still consoling you.

“Yn! Yn! Listen, I think I found a way to break your curse,” he spoke enthusiastically, but you didn’t seem very enthusiastic, it broke Jimin’s heart, and the same could be said by Taehyung and Jungkook’s concerned faces.

“Let’s find Prince Hoseok, if he’s a hunter we can bring him here around sunset and when he sees you-“

“It’s not worth it, he probably doesn’t even remember me anymore, I’ve been here for almost a year, they all probably think I’m dead,” you sighed, moving away from the bear and bunny as you got in the lake, “just leave me alone,” they watched you with saddened faces, feeling heartbroken for you.

If only you knew, Hoseok had never given up on you, he was still looking, still training, still wanting more for the two of you.

“Hob-ah, I really don’t know how safe-” Namjoon began protesting as he stood in front of a tree, apple on top of his head.

“Don’t you trust that I won’t kill you, Namjoon-ah?” Hoseok laughed as he readied his bow and arrow.

“Yeah, Namjoon-ah, Prince Hoseok would never hurt you…on purpose,” Yoongi chimed in, watching in his crisp uniform with a mischievous grin, if there’s one thing he loved it was teasing Namjoon like this.

The poor dimpled man shook his head, sputtering random words as he took the bow and arrow Yoongi was offering him. Hoseok had been obsessing over your disappearance, he read every book, went on every excursion with the hope of finding you until his mother cut the resources for it, “we’re looking for a body at this point Hoseokie,” she had told him, and while it was discouraging, he persevered.

You couldn’t be dead, he wouldn’t believe it.

Part of his practicing was this move, Namjoon would shoot an arrow from a distance while a blind-folded Hoseok would catch it and shoot it back at whatever threat they may encounter. It was meant to be a plan b in case he ran out of arrows while fighting whatever animal that had taken you, and he’d come up with it after months of researching different big animals, months of using the poor royal musicians as fake animals to practice shooting too. 

Yoongi tied the cloth around Hoseok’s eyes, “alright, on my count,” he spoke firmly. Namjoon got the bow at the ready slowly, slightly trembling with fear, he’d always been so clumsy.

“One!”

Hoseok took a deep breath, bow in one hand while the other one remained empty for now.

“Two!”

Namjoon pulled the string, ready to shoot although still shaky, “please, please, don’t miss,” he whispered to himself.

“Three!”

Namjoon let go, shooting the arrow and watching as it flew swiftly toward his best friend, Yoongi watched with bated breath while his expression remained stoic. The prince heard the swift sound, and his reflexes served him well, catching the arrow and quickly drawing back the string of the bow and releasing it. It hit the apple in its center, causing it to split into two. Namjoon plopped down, his breath raising while Yoongi praised the prince for his aim.

Meanwhile, the queen watched from the outdoor balcony while she drank her afternoon tea, Gayoung was worried, seeing her only son obsessing over a girl who was most likely dead just like her father, who’d just been buried a few months back. Gayoung was worried about a lot of things, especially because as much as she believed you were dead, a small part of her wanted you to be alive, just so that Hoseok wouldn’t have to experience a broken heart. It was enough that what was meant to be your throne had been taken over by a distant uncle of yours for the time being.

Gayoung had to get her son to move on, and so, with the help of her lackeys she organized a ball for Hoseok’s birthday, where she invited all princesses that were of age and prime for marriage, he needed to move on. As much as it pained her to admit it, and the quicker her son realized how many other princesses were interested, and just as wonderful as you, the better. Another heir was needed after all.

In the castle library, Hoseok and Namjoon browsed through his books once more, it felt like all they did was practice and read, Namjoon missed all the other things they did, but he couldn’t argue when he’d seen how important you’d become to Hoseok through the years.

“What else did King Kyungjun say when you found him that night?” Namjoon asked as he went through the same book about carnivores for the tenth time this month.

“That she was taken by animal, that’s all, the guard that came to warn us later said something about it not being what it seemed,” Hoseok sighed as he closed another book. He surely could recite most of them from the index up to the acknowledgements, and yet nothing led him to anything to do with you. Namjoon sighed, continuing to read the next book, he’d read this one at least 5 times, and in the midst of it all Hoseok suddenly let out a very loud “I got it!” causing Namjoon to nearly fall from his chair.

“It’s not what it seems, Joon, this whole time we’ve been looking for a big animal, what if it’s more complicated than that?” Hoseok jumped down from his spot in one of those rolling staircases.

“Okay, you completely lost me now,” Namjoon admitted a bit exasperated, and before he could protest further, Hobi grabbed Namjoon’s sleeve and pulled him, there was no time to waste. And yet his mom suddenly appeared in the doorway with a bright smile on her face.

“Hoseokie! I got confirmation for all of them- oh?” She was startled as Hoseok lifted her up in a hug and kissed her forehead before continuing to his stride, “everyone’s coming!” That made him and Namjoon stop. “Who's coming mother?” he asked, confused, and Gayoung made the split the decision to keep it a secret that she was basically holding a speed dating show for her son, “no one, just some nobles for your birthday, where are you going?” she questioned, trying to distract him from asking further questions.

“To find the animal that took Yn!” he said with strong conviction, and Gayoung sighed, everything in her wanted to tell him to stay and not bother, but perhaps one last excursion would help him realize you were gone.

“Make sure you’re back by tomorrow night for your birthday celebration,” she simply said, and Hoseok nodded quickly before grabbing Namjoon’s sleeve once more and dragging him with him, his thoughts full of you, and how this had to be it. He was close to finding you, he could feel it.

Hoseok was just a toddler that day, and had just turned four years old when they came to see your infant form. They were the last two to greet you, as their kingdom, even if neighboring, was still far for them and travel took some time. Hoseok’s mother encouraged his little self to go up to your crib to give you the gift they had brought.

“Go on Hoseok-ie, can’t keep the little princess waiting,” she said to him sweetly, and so he walked toward your crib at a rather fast pace, getting on his tiptoes once he reached it in order to see you. You were older than a newborn, maybe a year old at most. You giggled at the sight of Hoseok and the little boy followed suit, pulling out the golden necklace with a heart-shaped pendant he and his mother had gotten for you and gently handing it to you, watching as you took it in your small hands.

“Hoseok-ah is going to grow up to be a strapping young prince,” your father stood next to his mother, watching your interaction with a tender smile.

“I’m sure Yn will be too,” she replied, a sudden lightbulb going off in her head, “say, Kyungjun, wouldn’t just be beautiful if our children were wed once they are older?” she suggested, making him tear his gaze from their children to her, “it’d be good politically as well, our kingdoms together would be very powerful and strong,” she added.

Kyungjun thought about it, could this be the best decision for both kingdoms? He knew you’d have to find a suitor eventually, assuming the throne on your own wasn’t something he wanted for you, knowing how difficult it had been for him since your mother died of childbed fever just hours after giving birth to you. The thought of that was dreadful, but Gayoung had been his and your mother’s friend for a long time, the first person to send a letter of condolences when the news broke out, and if he were to feel comfortable with anyone courting you it would be her son.

“I think that’s a great idea, Gayoung-ah,” he smiled in agreement as he looked back to the children, Hoseok was still giggling and your father had to assume you were too, you were too young now, but he had feeling this was the beginning of something wonderful, “we’ll bring them together every summer as to not interrupt their education and preparation,” he added, “hopefully, by the time they are both of age to be wed, they will be in love,” he said, and Gayoung just hummed in response, excited for the future to come.

4 years later, you were five years old and Hoseok was eight, this would be your first time meeting since your christening, the king wanted you to be older before this whole arrangement started. Your bags had been backed and placed in the carriage the night before, and you had your favorite dress on, a plum colored dress with small puffy, short sleeves, you weren’t made to wear a tiara yet, you were too small, so instead you wore a golden band across your forehead, it had intricate designs and it was surprisingly comfortable despite it.

“Alright Yn, remember you need to be kind to prince Hoseok once you meet okay? He will be your husband one day,” you father spoke softly, you sat next to him in the carriage, your small hands on your lap. “Yes, father,” you replied, your voice bringing a smile to his face. You arrived at their castle soon after, one of the foot soldiers traveling with you opening the carriage door to you both out; your father stepped out first and then offered you his hand, you took it with a smile and carefully stepped down the big carriage steps, well, big for you at least.

Queen Gayoung saw you and started clapping happily, Hoseok stood next to her, kicking an imaginary rock with a somewhat unhappy expression, “remember to be nice to the princess, she will be your wife one day, okay Hoseok-ie?” she put a hand on the little boy’s shoulder, causing him to look up to her. “Yes, mother,” he replied, his voice not as enthusiastic as she would’ve liked, especially as you finally made it up to them, a reasonable distance between you two.

“It's wonderful to see you again Gayoung-ah!” Your father spoke cheerfully, “and is this young prince Hoseok? My, how you've grown!”

“Yes he is! And this must be Princess Yn!” Gayoung replied, slowly pushing Hoseok toward you, and your father did the same. You were a little more willing, having always been a friendly child, even to that sorcerer that worked in your castle’s basement.

You stood in front of each other, you curtsied at him “pleasure meeting you Prince Hosook,” you mispronounced his name, his mother and your father seemed to find it funny, his name was hard for someone who was still having a hard time with certain words and letters to say. You, on the other hand, were embarrassed and felt sad about saying it wrong, especially since he turned around with a huff without greeting you back.

Gayoung's expression soured slightly, encouraging the young prince to turn around and introduce himself, with a heavy sigh he did as he bowed, an arm behind his back and the other on his front, “pleasure to meet you as well, princess Yn,” he said through gritted teeth, not very happy with you at the present time. He was going to walk away, but then his mother urged him to…no, no, no! His mother gave him the look and he knew there was no arguing.

He turned around and took hold of your small hand, your hands were so cold, were feeling sick? It's the middle of summer and you shouldn't be this cold. He sucked it up and brought your knuckles to his lips, giving you a quick kiss and immediately letting go, his face growing beet red and yours wasn't that much better.

You spent the rest of that first day playing together, he wasn't fond of it at first, but you were quite a good play partner, and he found he was having a lot of fun with you.

“Yn-ie, let's play hide and seek!” He suggested.

“I don't know where to hide Ho…” you didn't want to miss pronounce his name again so, “I don't know where to hide Hobi,” you said, a satisfied hum followed.

Hoseok didn't hate the nickname, it made him feel weird though, should he give you one? “We can go outside instead,” he suggested simply, as he continued to have two of his little toy knights fight. And so you ran out to the castle gardens, the bushes looked so big. “You count first!” Hoseok said before running off, you huffed and began counting backwards from ten.

Looking for him was not easy, you had checked every spot possible in the immediate area and had no luck. You looked to the forest that was just at the border of this particular section of the garden, had he gone there? You had to check, lest you get in trouble for getting the prince lost; as you walked further into the forest you took note of how quiet it was, the only thing you could hear was the birds and the crunching of leaves under your shoes. You heard a branch snapping, you quickly turned around and followed the sound.

Maybe he's hiding over there! You thought to yourself, as you walked to where the sound came from you found a big pond, you came closer and stared at your reflection for a while before you were pushed into the water. You yelped loudly, the cold water felt terrible, thankfully you were right on shore you didn't get soaked. You heard loud laughter, standing up and turning around you saw Hoseok doubled over as he laughed; you felt your eyes water, and the cold and mud on you didn't help.

Hoseok's laughter died down as he heard a sob and sniffle, when he looked up he saw your state, your dress all wet and muddy and you…you looked so sad, he only meant to have fun! He walked over and took off his little jacket and handed it over.

“I'm sorry Yn-ie,” he said, “don't cry, crying is for babies!” He added, a little annoyed at your dramatic outburst. You took his jacket and started wiping the mud off your dress, the jacket did a surprisingly good job, you could still tell there was dirt on your dress, but it didn't look as bad.

You went back to your parents soon after that, they didn't question either of your appearances right away, but it would definitely be a one-on-one conversation between each parent and their kid. Your father thought you were still too young to spend the summer months away from home, so you guys left that night, the queen and prince stood at their castle entrance as you got into your carriage.

“Say goodbye, Hoseok-ah,” his mother nudged.

“Goodbye princess,” he sighed, “you’re a good play partner after all,” he added with a little smirk.

“Yn,” your father nudged you this time. “Goodbye prince Hobi,” you said with a smile before you got in the carriage.

As you got older you started staying for longer periods of time, but it wasn't until you were twelve and Hoseok was fifteen that you stayed there the whole time.

Your relationship had evolved into a weird friendship, he could be friendly, but also wasn't afraid to make your life impossible when he felt like it, and once Namjoon came into the picture it was way worse. He was Hoseok's best friend, and the moment he came along Hobi was not afraid to exclude you or be mean on purpose. For example, that summer when you arrived, the first thing he did with Namjoon was to slingshot a tomato at your face, or in a worse prank they agreed to play freeze tag with you and left you frozen there for an hour before you actually chose to move on your own, you went to the guest chamber you’d been assigned after and cried your sad little heart out and then chose to go for a walk in that garden you had played hide and seek in years ago. It was a beautiful garden, and you found yourself coming to it at least once each summer, whether Hoseok was with you or not depended on if it was before he became friends with Namjoon or after, because finding a guy friend meant he didn’t have to deal with your silly dress up requests, or play with you at all, especially since he was older now.

You stopped at one of the concrete benches the garden had, right in front of a bush of edelweiss. Your father said they were your mother’s favorite, and you couldn’t help but wonder what things would be like if you had met her. Could you ask her for advice on your friendship with Hoseok? You weren’t sure why you wanted to accepted by him so badly, why you wanted him to just be friendly with you all the time, not just when you were on your own or in front of your parents, but he was truly the only “friend” you had, as other princes and princesses you had met tended to not be very kind to you.

You felt a presence next to you and when you turned around there he was, the kid of the hour. “Hey Ynie,” he sighed, his voice was at such a weird spot now, it went from somewhat low, to high, and anywhere in between.

“Hey,” you simply spoke. You truly were hurt, that had been the meanest thing he’d done to you.

Hoseok felt bad deep down, he was fifteen years old and you were twelve, being mean to you felt a little wrong because you were more vulnerable and impressionable, and he’d known you were a cry baby from that first summer. He really should’ve thought about it twice before leaving you there for an hour.

“We went back to get you and you weren’t there, I was…” was he worried? Not about you, about him getting in trouble if you got lost or hurt, maybe, but not about you…right?

“Don’t try and act like you were worried Hoseok-ie, I’m sure you and Namjoon-ssi were laughing behind a tree somewhere,” you sighed, reaching for one of the flowers in the bush in front of you. “It’s okay, I made it back here just fine, all those games of hide and seek paid off,” you joked, chuckling as you gently touched the petals of the flower.

Hoseok watched you do this and felt intrigued, you hadn’t cried? He had a hard time believing you, you always cried when he did something that you didn’t like, it was a staple, had he gone so far you hadn’t cried at all? Why did he care? “Those are pretty flowers,” he changed the subject. You said you were fine, and that would have to do for now.

“Father says they were mother’s favorite,” you looked up from the small white petals and gave him a tight lipped smile before looking back down, “they don’t really grow much in our kingdom, belledonnas are more common,” you explained, passing the little bloom over to him. He looked between you and the flower for a second before he took it, his fingers lightly brushing yours. You took a deep breath, you suddenly felt weird in your stomach.

“I’m sure she’d be proud of you for putting up with me,” you chuckled at his own joke, and was happy to hear your own giggles as well. “Father said she could be quite petty, maybe she’d help me come up with a revenge plan,” you smirked teasingly, he laughed a little harder and heartier, “As if you’d actually have the guts to do anything remotely as bad, you’re a total goody two shoes,” he poked your side making laugh and hit his arm for him to stop.

You both sighed, and he looked down at the flower, it was so much smaller than the other ones, like it had just bloomed and hadn’t reached its full potential just yet, you heard one of the maids call for both of you to let you know dinner was ready, “first to the dining hall gets the first slice of cake,” you sat up and started running, he let out a loud “HA” and looked back down at the flower, he stuck it in his pant pocket before running behind you.

A few years later, you were sixteen and Hoseok was nineteen, and you had started to sort of grow into yourself, wearing dresses that fit your developing body better, your hair care was better and you were growing into the more prominent features of yourself. Hoseok wasn’t blind to that, but that didn’t mean he liked you all of the sudden, he still liked making your life impossible, although it all seemed to be failing miserably. Him and Namjoon left you alone like they often did, this time with the castle guards, after you had tried to get them into practicing a Shakespearian play your governess had assigned you to read over the summer, and they did not want to deal with any of that, and now, here you were talking all lively with Sir Kibum as if he was your best friend of years, giggling and joking. Now Namjoon wouldn’t leave Hoseok alone, because ever since that heart to heart you’d had four years ago, he’d gotten somewhat of a soft spot, and he hated it. He hated the weird feeling he had in his heart whenever he saw you talk to another guy, he hated how even if he was upset you always won when you played cards, he felt a soft sense of pride and affection, he hated that he couldn’t see you cry now because his first instinct was to comfort you.

Every year, you’d have this heart to heart the day before you left, it became a thing, and every year you’d move closer and closer on that same bench. Hoseok decided he’d chalk it up to seeing you as a little sister, he’d known you since you were a toddler after all, yes, that had to be it. Maybe he would skip the heart to heart this year, he’d simply just show up with Namjoon for your farewell.

“Hob-ah” Namjoon teased

“Don’t call me that,” he said through gritted teeth as he still watched you talk with Sir Kibum and now Sir Seokjin, were they helping you with that play now? Why was he clenching his fists so hard?

“Why? Is your princess the only one that can call you that?” Namjoon cackled, pushing him slightly as he doubled over, causing you to look over, furrowing your eyebrows as you went back to your conversation.

“Would you keep it down? The last thing I need is for her to think I actually like her like that,” Hoseok turned to Namjoon with a stern look…and yes you’re the only one that calls him that.

“Come one, I think you do actually like her, ‘fess up!” Namjoon encouraged him, his teasing smirk ever present.

Just because Hoseok had a weird feeling in his heart and stomach, or because he felt inexplicably upset when you talked so lively with other guys, it did not mean he likes you, not in the slightest, how could you like someone you’ve been forced to spend time with all your life because of some stupid betrothal your parents made when you were one and he was four? He wasn’t going to like you just because they wanted him to. That whole summer was torture for Hoseok, the conflicting feelings were too much, and you seemed to be extra annoying on purpose, why did you have to be around him at all times? Why did you look at him like that? The night before you left he snuck around so he could skip your traditional heart to heart, he was just so annoyed with you, and your presence, and how it made him feel, he couldn’t handle having a heart to heart right now, not when his head was so…all over the place.

He watched you through a nearby window as you sat down on that same bench and picked out a flower from the bush, he noticed the way your shoulders started to shake, why were you crying? Were you okay?...he shook his head and dismissed it, he didn’t care, why should he? You had Sir Kibum and Sir Seokjin to console you, he was sure…why did that thought make him upset?

You went back home the next day, and there was no trace or sign that you were sad, nothing that indicated you had cried the night before. He wanted to say something, to ask you, but he didn’t let himself do it, because that would mean he cared, and he didn’t care, not when this was forced on him. He was nineteen and he wanted to see the world, and he couldn’t do that if he was tied down to you, this was all your fault. His mother, Namjoon and himself stood next to the ramp that would take you up to your ship home. Hoseok’s mother nudged him and he bowed, “until next summer, Princess Yn,” he said curtly, you curtsied with a small smile, “see you, Prince Hoseok,” you replied, and it felt strange, usually your farewell’s didn’t sound like a goodbye. He didn’t have time to worry as he and Namjoon were smacked in the face with tomatoes, he noticed you throwing a slingshot into the sea and he chuckled, annoyed and impressed.

Going back home hadn’t gone as expected, soon after your return, King Kyungjun had to face a terrible situation.

He found out a sorcerer was living in the castle basement, and his plans were less than favorable. This person wanted to take over his kingdom and take you as his bride to ensure he will be able to keep it, your father would be damned if he let this happen. So, he banished the sorcerer, against his advisors recommendation of the death penalty because he had wanted to be a somewhat merciful king, perhaps if he only banished this sorcerer — Eojin, he believed was his name — then the sorcerer would in turn move on and leave you alone.

“This is not over, your majesty,” he said bitterly once his restraints were removed, they were at one of the farthest borders of the kingdom, “one day, everything you own, everything you love, will be mine,” your father simply pointed toward the deep green forest, and the man walked off guards standing in front of the king in order to protect him from any unexpected attacks. The king didn’t take the threat lightly, he needed to keep you safe until you were of age to marry Hoseok, then you’d have more protection. He had to send you away, finishing school was something you had shown interest in anyway, this would be good for you.

“But father, what about Hobi?” you asked, exasperated, “what about the whole arrangement?”

“I have sent communication to Queen Gayoung and Prince Hoseok, they will understand. Your safety is of the utmost importance,” he said, his hands going on either side of your face in a fatherly way, “plus, maybe a break from all of Hoseok’s pranks and teasing will be good for you! It’ll give him time to mature,” your father added, you sighed and nodded, it didn’t seem like you had much of an option, which shouldn’t be news to you, you barely had any choice in the matter of your betrothal, you wondered how Hobi felt about these news, would he be upset? Would he sigh a breath of relief? In a sense, the fact that he hadn’t shown up to your bench this last time made it clear he probably wouldn’t care. That hurt. Back in Hoseok’s kingdom, things weren’t going so well.

“What do you mean mother?” Hoseok was confused, you weren’t coming anymore?

“Princess Yn is being sent away to finishing school,” Gayoung explained again, “she will be gone for a while, so she won’t be coming,” his mother sighed. It worked, she thought, because even if her son tried acting like he could care less for you the past few years, she knew it in the way he looked at you every time you left, that his feelings were developing. “You can travel the world in the meantime, just like you wanted!” she encouraged, trying to make him feel better. Hoseok simply walked off to his chambers, slamming the doors shut. He walked over to his desk, the book on the corner of it had been there for years, he plopped himself down on his chair. He stared at it for a moment, he was just so upset, why was he so upset? He reached for the book, it was worn out and he had finished reading it a long time ago, but as he opened to the specific page he was looking for, the small flower was still there, all dry and now flattened by the pages. He’d kept it all these years, ever since your first ever serious conversation, he hadn’t bothered to look at it since he put it in this book, but now it felt like it was the only thing he had left of you. Maybe this was good, maybe the weird feelings in his chest and stomach would go away now, maybe he wouldn’t be so upset at you for always being there and for looking at him the way you did. Yes, this had to be good.

Seven years. That’s how much time had passed since the last time you’d seen Hoseok. He’d traveled the world, just like he’d wanted, he’d gone to school too, and yet every year he waited for his mom to tell him your father had sent word you were coming again, and every year nothing came…until this year. So, here he was, you were getting there today and suddenly, he felt as if he was nineteen again, he didn’t want to see you, he was mad at you for leaving in such a sudden way. You weren’t much better, because if Hoseok truly was some kind of friend, you would’ve heard from him in your absence no? Finishing school was so terrible for you, especially since all the others there had lovers and betrothed writing them letters, meanwhile, the only letters you received were from your own father, and although you loved your father, you had the slightest bit of hope that one day a letter with Hoseok’s name would show up on your bed.

“Remember to be kind to the prince, he will be your husband one day.”

“Remember to be nice to the princess, she will be your wife one day.”

The same spiel you both had heard, every summer for the past god knows how many years.  You were inside his castle now, arm in arm with your father as he led you to the ballroom door, “father, I don’t think-”

“Nonsense, you will be okay,” he let go of you as the ballroom doors opened and you were pushed inside. You yelped and tripped at the surprise, quickly catching yourself before smoothing over your dress. You were not facing him yet, you were trying to give yourself the courage to do it, to face him again; you wondered how he looked? Was he still scrawny with a bad haircut? That would make things a little easier.

Hoseok took the first step, turning around to look at you for the first time in what felt like forever. Your back was facing his, and the sudden feeling of his eyes on you made you slowly turn around, and as you saw him your breath got caught in your throat. He looked delectable. His hair was shorter now, and he’d really grown into his face features, everything fit right where it was supposed to, and his form had filled out quite a bit more making his princely clothing fit snug against his body. You were very obviously staring, but Hoseok didn’t mind it because, to be fair, so was he. You too, had changed a lot physically, you had grown to be a beautiful woman; your skin was radiant, your eyes alluring and beautiful, your body was perfect, your hair…he could go on and on and on.

You gave him a genuine smile, walking up to him trying not to seem overly excited. “Hello Prince Hoseok, happy to see you again,” you said, slowly rising from your curtsy.

Oh, Hoseok was in trouble, “hello Princess Yn,” he bowed, his voice coming out a little strained for a moment, “I haven't seen you in sometime, you've grown well,” he said.

“So have you,” you replied with a soft chuckle, oh Hoseok was really in trouble now, you both continued staring at each other, the silence was torture for your parents, “these past seven summers have done you well,” you added. Hoseok didn’t get it, this time away was supposed to show him how little he cared and yet, “they would've been better if you were here” he admitted. You wanted to scoff at that, you wouldn't have gotten that from your last meeting, considering eighty percent of that summer you spent alone, only those castle guards he'd left you with to talk to.

Having gotten no response from you, his nerves got the best of him “you're beautiful,” he said sincerely taking a step closer, it was an out of nowhere compliment and if you had a bit more self-respect you’d roll your eyes, but your feelings for him were too intense and embarrassing so, even after seven years of nothing. You blushed and smiled pathetically, just like Hoseok, you were in trouble. 

Maybe Hoseok should acknowledge the feelings he'd been harboring for you since that first heartfelt conversation, how those nights before you left were bittersweet for him because he was conflicted on whether or not he should be happy about your talks or sad that once they were over you’d have to leave the next day.

And just like that before thinking he kissed you, you were a little shocked at first but you kissed him back, it was chaste and nothing crazy, your hands rested on his chest whilst his rested on your waist. Your parents started clapping along with everyone around you, and you pulled away with a pink tint adorning your cheeks. “Let’s get married!” He announced and you were shocked, was he doing this just because you’d become ‘pretty?’ Because you’d grown into yourself, after 7 years of silence from him? Not once in all of your summers together had Hoseok even attempted to be anything more, when you two were older he may have gotten closer, but never in the way you wanted or needed, never in a way that would justify this sudden surge of affection and need to marry you. In fact, he treated you like a nuisance for most of your time together except for those sweet talks in the nights before your departure, and as much as you wanted them to be…they weren’t enough.

As the band started playing a celebratory song you felt overwhelmed, “wait!” You said loudly. Kyungjun and Gayoung looked at each other with concern while Hoseok looked at you with a confused smile, “what is it?” 

“While I’m flattered that you think I’m beautiful and happy you kissed me I…” you looked at your father who was shaking his head, “I just can’t look past having no communication for 7 years and suddenly I’m beautiful and you want to marry me?” You questioned, “what else do you see in me aside from beauty?”

What was Hoseok supposed to say to that? That he was mad you never came back and he never bothered to ask for an address to send letters to? That even after years of realizing his feelings for you he was having a hard time understanding them? “What else is there to see?” He asked, confused. The groans and sighs from the staff and their parents, as well the hurt look in your eyes made him realize very quickly he fucked up, but his pride and stubbornness wouldn’t let him apologize.

“We can’t say we didn’t try Gayoung-ah,” Kyungjun spoke with a sigh as he stood in front of the carriage doors. Gayoung looked upset, heartbroken even, she thought she’d raised Hoseok better than this. Hoseok stood next to his mother as you walked past to get into the carriage. 

“Say goodbye Yn,” your father said, his voice tender but stern, you sighed, turning around briefly to face Hoseok, whose arms were crossed over his chest. “Goodbye,” you said shortly, your father cleared his throat, “goodbye Prince Hoseok,” you sighed.

Gayoung nudged Hoseok’s shoulder as you and your father got in the carriage, “goodbye princess,” he said sadly, the door to the carriage closed and he watched as you got away, “all these years of planning…wasted!” Gayoung sighed loudly as she walked back into the castle, leaving Hoseok alone with his thoughts, and as your carriage got further and further, so did a part of his heart.

“I don’t understand Ynie, what did you want him to say?” Your father asked you, confusion obvious on his face.

“I don’t know I just- it doesn’t matter that I’ve known him since I can remember, o- or that I’ve felt something akin to love for him for awhile,” you played with the pendant the very man you were talking about gave you as a baby. Had he noticed you were wearing it? Your father’s gaze softened as you opened up about your feelings, “if he only wants to marry me for something as temporary as my appearance when he’s had years to get to know me and love me for me then-”

Your father took your free hand in both of his, “oh my sweet carnation, I really do think he-” the carriage came to a sudden halt.

“Your majesty, there’s something up ahead,” one of the foot soldiers spoke. Your father looking concerned turned to you, “stay here Yn,” his voice was firm and left no room for argument as he stepped out of the carriage.

Eojin was standing there, his cloak long, the hood covering his face before he took it off to reveal himself, “I told you Kyungjin,” his voice was low almost a growl as he began to contort, his limbs gaining fur as they readjusted into the extremities of a bat-like beast. It attacked, killing almost every man in your father's service before ripping the carriage open and using its back legs to grab you. You screamed and yelled but it was no use, you were carried away and forced to watch as your injured father struggled to stand. Meanwhile, Hoseok was in a distressing game of chess with Namjoon, his butler Min Yoongi scolding him with disdain.

"Why would you even for a moment think asking her ‘what else is there’ is a good idea?!” Yoongi held his nose with his index finger and thumb, is this what taking over his father's position as royal butler entailed? Watching the prince make a fool of himself?

“You try seeing someone as beautiful as her for the first time in seven years and then judge me,” Hoseok complained as Namjoon took his queen, “twice in one day,” he whispered as he let out a cynical chuckle.

“I just can’t believe after years of denying your feelings and how long you’ve known each other I would expect something better Hob-ah,” Namjoon chuckled.

“I told you years ago not to call me that,” the prince grunted as he made his next move.

“Yeah, because only your sweet princess can call you that huh?” Namjoon laughed, but it didn’t last long as the door slammed open, his castle guards carrying one of…your castle guards? He dropped everything, immediately running to him, it was raining outside and the guard was soaking wet with rain…and blood.

“What happened?!” He questioned desperately.

“We w- were attacked,” the guard coughed out.

“The king and the princess?”

The guard didn’t answer as he became unconscious, “take him to infirmary,” Hoseok spoke firmly as he ran out of the castle and to the stables, quickly getting on his horse and following the trail you’d gone down earlier when you’d left. He was beating himself up, if only he had said something better, like how he loved the way you giggled, or the way you weren’t afraid to challenge him, and perhaps most importantly, how much he loved your mind and the way you thought, if he’d done that maybe…

He arrived at the site, your carriage destroyed, “YN!” He called for you into the depths of the forest, where were you? “Hoseok-ah,” a faint voice pierced through the falling rain, and when he looked down, your father was there, three big gashes on his stomach that were bleeding profusely, King Kyungjun was in bad shape.

“Your majesty…” Hoseok got off his horse and ran to your father’s side, putting pressure on the gashes to try and slow the bleeding, “what happened? Where’s Yn?!” He questioned, his voice even more desperate now.

“We…we were attacked,” your father coughed out, “h- he took her.”

“Who took her? Where is she?!”

“An- animal,” your father’s grip on Hoseok’s shoulder loosened, “sh- she’s gone…” his grip was gone and his hand slid down Hoseok’s shoulder, his hand hitting the wet dirt with a thud.

“No no no!” Hoseok tried to shake your father awake, gently shutting his eyes after. He set your father’s body down and saw out of the corner of his eye, the necklace he’d gifted you back in your Christening, he squeezed it in his fist as yelled your name once more, sobbing at the thought of having lost you.