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“Hurry!” Hoseok, another royal guard and close friend to Jimin, shuffles through the utility room. “Gather more cloth!”

“Aren’t people usually more prepared with things like this?” Jimin frantically follows, his voice rushed with the fast pace movements. 

“I’m afraid not,” Hoseok huffs a laugh.

The two younger royal guards speedily ransack each drawer and closet until their arms are full of materials. They stumble back down the hall towards the birthing chamber. A room enclosed for the parties who participate with the anticipated arrival of the next royal kin. A domestic, darkened room provided with the country's softest furnishings. Royal officials and servants are permitted to be within the room for the delivery to ensure that there are no scandals around the birthing practice.

A midwife places herself before the legs of the Queen. A moan of pain rips from her Highness’s throat. Jimin and Hoseok stand idly as the birthing of child number three crowns at the entrance of the world, preparing to gain its first breath of fresh air. The scene is natural for humans, even more common for a royal to carry out in front of an audience.

For Jimin, he prefers not to stare like the others. His polished amber eyes trail to the lines of the floorboards, using any peripheral view for his advantage.

“It’s a girl!” He hears the cries from a newborn baby, the declaration announced by the midwife who’s wiping off residue from the infant.

Placed on the chest of her mother, the newest child of the royals whines freely. The sound rings through the ears who listen. The King is joyous, regardless of being unable to create a proper heir to his throne. But with the first two daughters – and now third, the royal guards know his Highness will move quickly in trying for a son.

Servants flutter about, handling the delicacies of aftercare for childbirth. Jimin follows after his friend, handing off the pile of cloth to a maiden. Bodies move around another like an assembly line. 

For a moment, and only a moment is needed, did Jimin finally take a swift glance at the newborn who screams her upset. He locks eyes with the infant over the shoulder of Hoseok, seeing a warmth of an everlasting hearth as she cries wet droplets down her face.

Then it happened.

Jimin is struck with something that is indescribable. Something that couldn’t be defined. He’s heard through stories and lores within his lineage that this phenomenon could happen to anyone at any time in one's life. He hears about it through those he’s close to and those who experience it. It’s a once in a lifetime deal.

He can feel the shift of his weight when he locks eyes with the newborn baby. As if this new formed motion represents an outstanding astronomical level. Where his world, which once revolved around the Sun as it does for everyone, now revolves around this small, fragile child.

Jimin’s heartbeat thumps in his ears as the world freezes around him. Hoseok and the other royal wolf guards all sense a change in the wind. If it isn’t Hoseok ushering him out of the way of the other servants and departing out of the chamber, he’s sure the royal family would have done it themselves. 

With his head on a silver platter.

Hoseok’s palm slaps the side of Jimin’s cheek to gain his consciousness from whatever daze he’s fumbled in. It takes him a few good taps before Jimin blinks. His blood runs rampant inside him with warmth and excitement.

The second Jimin looked at the third child of the royal household, everything changed within him. All of a sudden, nothing else matters. The yearning of knowing and willing to do anything, be anything, for her is the only constant demand singing at the back of his head.

“You didn’t,” Hoseok’s hushed tone stays low. “Not a royal!”

“How am I supposed to control that?” Jimin stresses. “I can’t choose who this happens to! I didn’t expect this to happen to me!” He runs a hand through his soft hair, exhaling sharply as his mind begins to race.

“You’re going to learn,” Hoseok claims. His eyes are sharp and narrow. “You will learn to control it. A wolf is not allowed to be mixed with a royal. They’ll kill you.”

His imprint will be kept secret from the royals and the precious baby girl. But for his wolf mates, each of them knows the severity of the situation. Not one member will speak of it, they only can respect it. As for Jimin, he’ll spend the rest of her life – your life – being what you need him to be. A friend, a brother, a protector. Whatever you require of him, he will act accordingly in secrecy while obeying his rightful duties to the royal throne.

White flurries fall slowly from the gray clouds above, decorating the large courtyard, you look down towards the sheet of fresh snow. Most of the garden that blooms the most gorgeous flowers is now a mess of dead plants and weeds. The bare trees stand firm. But those who stand strong in the winter months like hollies with red berries and camellias, continue to stand out next to the beauty of sheared evergreens and deciduous shrubs with colorful stems.

Your eyes are not trained on admiring the bright snow that cascades from the sky so beautifully. Normally you would. As you sit by your glass window with a blanket around your shoulders, you look down from your chambers on the third level of the castle to fancy something different.

Men – some of the royal guards – play around with one another in the cold weather. Some have shifted to their wolven form, others remain in their noble suits. The one you fixate your stare on is your personal guard, Jimin.

He stands leaning against the stone staircase beside a few of his equals. Chatting away about who knows what, watching the others roughhouse. Jimin is quite handsome, he always has been. For as long as you can remember he’s looked the same, minus the fluctuation of hair styles and added tattoos that linger his body and a few added battle scars.

As a guard he wears your family's sigil proudly – a lotus flower – on each of his articles of clothing. Customized into each of the guards’ crested plates of metal armor and sewn into each leather hide. 

Jimin possesses the unfair mix of unlimited masculine and feminine traits, having a soft-looking composure and full lips plus a sharp jawline and toned muscles. His voice is nearly angelic when speaking in hushed tones but also stern as ever when he leads with his strong confidence. He may not be as large as his fellow wolves, but he’s proven himself countless times to your family to have the privilege to be your personal guard. There’s nobody quite like him; no one you’ve met in your life that is.

You commend him in silence, appreciating what you can watch from afar. Even from a distance behind a glass window, he somehow manages to make your heart race. An infatuation some may call it. A yearning. He and your family have been consistent in your life, he’s comfort – as are they. But you knew from a young age, from when you began favoring Jimin’s company over others, that you need to call it ‘nothing’. Because whatever feelings that spin deep inside you are never to be spoken aloud. It’s foolish for your Kingdom, family, and you to long for a wolf who doesn’t see you as anything but a duty.

What’s more disappointing is that you don’t need to admit these infuriating feelings to Jimin, he already knows. He would never allow it to get far by cutting you short and being curt with clipped words and disapproving looks.

He is a wolf and you are a royal. Two beings who have no business intertwining besides with loyalty to the family and the job of a guard. Your acquaintanceship between another is only going to be professional. Perhaps it’s to keep the bloodline pure, untainted. How every sibling of the family is betrothed to a neighboring kingdom, growing the alliance across countries. And not one of them has a blend of wolf’s blood in them. Even though werewolves are evident in the world around you.

“Aren’t you supposed to get ready for the party tonight?” A maid who's making your bed quips up as you're daydreaming down into the evergreen.

“I’ve been stuck on deciding which dress I should wear.”

“No, you’ve been stuck staring out into the courtyard,” she corrects.

You slump in your seat as you stubbornly hold your position by the window. When you look back down, you admire the off-brown and black tones of that particular wolf you fancy. She isn’t wrong, you know. His kind eyes and kind smiles make you feel warmth like no other, and you enjoy seeing them when you gain the chance.

“I can multitask,” you feebly argue. You drag the blanket tighter around your shoulders, keeping in the warmth of your body as much as possible. “Besides, the party isn’t for a few more hours.”

“Princess, you already have guests arriving. Half the guard is at the entrance welcoming the parties who show up early. Let’s not begin to mention how several potential suitors are arriving today. You’ve failed to marry even when betrothed. Such a shame what happened with the Jeon family.”

“I prefer not to be a royal. It doesn’t feel right the way we work,” you sigh as the joyful wolves down below have fun while you’re stuck in your tower with envy. “Can we braid my hair the way we did at my Aunt’s wedding? It cascaded down beautifully.” You speak while staring out of the window, purposely ignoring the heavier topic your maid mentions. “I’ll go with the silver dress. That one that comes with the gorgeous fur shawl.”

You notice the way that Jimin has suddenly turned to look up toward your window, half expecting to see you through the glass. Even in the midst of his comrades, he finds a way to give you an ounce of attention. He shakes his head momentarily, already scolding you without knowing what you’re supposed to be doing. Jimin knows looking for him isn’t on your agenda, you purposely put him there.

“For me to do that,” – you hear the voice of your maid – “I need you to get out of your chair and into your washroom.”

A small frown carves into your face when Jimin circles his finger in the air and directs you to turn around, go back to your business. He knows he’s escorting you tonight at the party, you will see him later. To make his point come across sternly, he disassociates his eye contact – bringing his attention back to his other peers and away from you.

“Princess,” your maid bids you once again.

Reluctant to leave your post at the window, you stand up regardless. You have a long night ahead of you while the castle starts to fill up with guests for your younger brother’s birthday party.

You can’t be bothered with the chattering staff or the nuisance of guests who flutter around the halls of your family’s castle. Each moment you find open to run away, to a quieter place and away from their eyes, you take it. Swiftly moving left and right until you can find your favorite spots to hide since you were a child. 

One of which happens to be past the hallway of family portraits. If you travel far enough you find yourself at a dead end. With cabinets, paintings, and curtains outlining every inch of the stone walls. Torches are lit to illuminate the surrounding areas, bringing light to the beautiful surroundings.

But little do most know, that behind painting number two – the one in the golden frame with green shrubbery and a little boy playing the flute – lies a secret behind it. You just need to get here without anyone seeing you sneak in. There’s no point in a secret hideout if you accidentally show it to other guests.

You wait for the time, seeing when that end of the hall becomes vacant and people rush toward the call of the buffet lines. The small talk you make with a few distant relatives is only an act, pretending to walk along with them but slipping away when you find your moment to.

Pressing lightly, the nook of a room behind the large painting greets you. It’s closet sized, filled with a few pieces of your past and littered in dust from lack of touch. Tarps are draped over unused furniture; you’re thankful that this hideout is never really used. The painting that acts as a door allows you a small peeping eyehole to look out and judge when you can come out.

The silver dress you picked for tonight's gathering is a smart choice for you; you’re able to sit down comfortably without restriction. You love the look of a free-flowing gown, falling nicely with the way you walk. Patting off a layer of dust from a chair, you’re able to seat yourself as you take an old notebook in your hand.

Small doodles linger on the pages, all drawn by your younger self. You remember each of them, no matter how terrible they may look. It’s how you pass time while hiding in here. The low lighting from the cracks of the portrait gives you most of your light source, and occasionally you will add flame to the candle that rests on the top of the desk beside you.

You scowl at the dried black ink next to the quill pen, the feather beaten up and torn. It’s been years since you’ve last touched it. Maybe browsing through all the pages of your books won’t be so bad as you loiter in your small den.

“Princess Y/n.”

A spark of panic zaps through you like lightning in the sky on a stormy day. Surprised by the voice of none other than Jimin, your personal royal guard. You watch as fingers curl around the edge of the portrait-door and a beautiful, yet stern, face peeks through. His amber eyes catch you as they squint at your mischievous behavior. 

“I knew you would be hiding somewhere.” He comments as he pushes himself through the opening and into the room. Jimin wears the guards festive wear, a beautiful pink etched coat with cream leather hide armor. He’s sure to close the door behind him; he’s more stealthy than you can ever be. “Are you upset?”

“No,” you turn your head back to the book in your hands. The weight of his gaze on you is nearly suffocating. “I simply wanted solitude.”

“You know you are to be returned. They’re calling upon your brother shortly for his ceremony. It’s a big event for him,” his tone is low but he maintains a soft tenor to it. Jimin is far too kind toward you even though he’s meant to be a guard and nothing more. His exterior has toughened over the years, as it should to fill his part. Although, the sweeter half of him sticks out to you and perhaps that’s what you’ve held onto all these years.

“Sadly, I know.” You shut your eyes and sigh heavily, “I’m not quite in the celebratory mood. I would much prefer to be in my chambers.”

“That’s selfish of you.” Jimin’s hand comes to take away your book, placing it on the desk where it belongs. He bends down to level his face with yours. “You should be happy for your brother, he’s of age to carry out duties now. To be what he needs to be. Something you should understand.”

You hear the underlying hint Jimin gives you. He’s softly scolding you, as usual. 

At first you say nothing in response. Downcasting your eyes to your empty hands as you think what can be said to counter him, but you draw nothing.

You’re the third child in the family of four. A role where you feel invisible and forgotten. Always having second bests and hand-me-downs. Once your brother, who is a few years younger than you, sprouted from the womb of your mother – all chances of your favor flew out the window. As a male in this royal world is keen, any daughter is denied the spotlight. But you never craved a place to rule, or to do what a princess must do. Your oldest sister, the most responsible one of all, desires that for herself. You see it in the way she presents herself. Aces every test and diplomacy role she is given.

The second oldest is the fairest, she didn't need to do much to gain the popularity or attention she is given. It comes so unfairly natural to her thanks to the outstanding looks she’s been blessed with. A privilege only few and far between are given. Life for her is as simple as breathing, all she needs to do is point and ask.

Your younger brother is everything that your father waited for. Of course, your father, the King, treats all his children with love and passion. Keeps you sheltered, fed, and protected. However, the moment he received a bouncing baby boy – that tears any favoritism away from you or your sisters. A male has an unfair advantage in the royal family, it’s just how the world is.

“Princess –”

“– I know,” you unwillingly stand up from your chair. Jimin straightens himself as well, taken aback by your swift movement. “I want to retire after his ceremony,” you say curtly.

You take a single step toward the door as your hand reaches out to push against it, Jimin’s hand  grabs your wrist gently, like catching a delicate rose. Softly, he lowers your arm down as he steps before you with a concerned look on his face. His eyes search for signs of distress on your face.

“You’re upset,” he affirms.

“Nothing works in my favor,” you address with a choleric tone. Anger isn’t something you want resting on the surface, but it’s leaking out of the seams of your composure. “Sometimes, I truly despise being a royal daughter.”

You stare at the digits wrapped around your wrist, noticing how Jimin hasn’t let go of you yet. It feels cruel how you wish there was more meaning to the contact. Why can’t he hold you the way you long for him to?

Your eyes meet his with confusion and sadness. The pretty amber color still stands out in the low lighting, they’re beautiful to stare at. But you can’t read what’s going on in his mind. 

Jimin feels your sadness. He is connected to you deeply, little do you know. You can never know. It’s safer this way. Slowly, he releases your wrist letting his fingertips be the last thing that brushes against your skin. He can only comfort you so much without overstepping his boundaries. If he capsizes every time you give him those hopeless eyes, he’ll lose his placement in the guard and lose you indefinitely.

“Please,” he breathes, “We must go.”

Jimin pushes the hatch open steadily, peering out through the eyehole to make sure the coast is clear to sneak back into the festivities. He leaves space between the two of you as you walk side-by-side.

Silent tension surrounds you as your heels click with every step you take. There’s a dullness in your eyes, a lack of enthusiasm the closer you approach the center of the party. The amount of people here drains you even as you wear a kind smile.

Your little brother’s coronation will go quickly, you hope. Jimin’s words resound in your head, causing you to reflect on what he said.

“That’s selfish of you.”

You make your way to your designated chair at the family table quietly. The talks and commotions between the castle’s guests, family from far and wide, don’t phase you as you blur out the noise. The red liquid poured graciously in a chalice beside you becomes your saving grace; your delicate fingers grasp the cup and run over the smooth jewels embedded on the sides.

Your eyes find Jimin’s across the crowded room as he stands on guard near one of the walls. His hand rests over the handle of his sword casually, a weapon they choose first before shifting as a last resort. He can read the longing in your eyes with a mix of desperation and gloom. 

You wait to see his expected disapproving look. The one that tells you to pay attention to something else other than him – but you don’t. He stuns you confused as, instead of his typical stern look, he looks down at the ground. Deep in thought.

Are you truly selfish when nobody around you is selfless?

Your chamber is a sanctuary. Filled with all the necessities you need to live like royalty. An abundant amount of candles have been lit to brighten the room, giving it a soft aura. 

You wear your hair down, untied from the tight braids you wore for the majority of the night. Your nightgown, cream in color and silk to the touch, is loose in all the right places. The ceremony took its time as you waited to retire for the night with the little patience you have left. You’re positive plenty of men are still celebrating at their feast. 

Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

A loud thud shakes the doors to your room, a verbal grunt can be heard. You look over at your maid who does the same as she slowly walks toward the noise. There's a scurry of traffic beyond your door as the two of you try to make out the words that are being shouted. You take a step with her, but with that single step you catch a glimpse of something out of the corner of your eye. Through the window you see a flash of red light. Smoke rises as pieces of the garden have been lit to flame. Upon closer inspection, you peer down your window into the once beautiful scenery to find brawls of fights. Men fighting enemies with swords, crossbows and guns.

Another thump hits the outside of your chamber’s doors and you twist your head to see your maid inches away from the handle, ready to pull.

“Don’t!” You turn frantic to shout at her.

But it is too late. Your maid already has her hand twisting the handle to pull the door open. But a force pressed the door faster than she anticipated – a body of a man standing guard slumped against the doorframe and now falling to the floor. A wound across his neck as blood smears across your family’s sigil on his leather chest plate.

Both you and your maid screech at the sight as you back away from the door. You can hear the commotion louder now as bodies rush past the halls as they run away from the intruders.

“Hide!” Your maid shoos you quickly and frantically while her first attempt of shutting your chamber’s door fails.

You’re not given a moment to think before you watch as two ruffians walk up to the door, one holding a flamed torch and a hand dagger as the other holds a handgun. They’re dirty from appearance, wearing torn up clothes but come armed with weapons that look like they belong to someone wealthy. They smile evilly, curling their lips at the sight of you as they advance on your maid.

“There’s a royal,” one comments in a ghoulish tone. They step over the body below them like it’s a fallen tree trunk. They laugh among each other, giggling at whatever is playing on in their minds. You definitely do not wish to know.

Your maid twists away, hoisting her skirt up high enough to let her legs lounge as she begins to run toward you. It provokes one of the men, making him chase her immediately as he finds it funny to stalk her. Threaten her with the slices he mimics with his dagger in the air.

Slowly, your feet have backed up along the path of your room. You make sure you keep as much furniture between you and the intruders. Your eyes remain open wide, trying so hard not to blink and miss any sudden movements.

You feel small compared to the man’s stature as he creeps closer and closer to you. Hectically, your hands reach around the tops of dressers and tables to find anything to use as a weapon. A letter opener? A pen? Anything to defend yourself from whoever these men are who impose your safe space.

More screams and shouts can be heard throughout the castle halls and outside. The place is being run down with bandits, unknown persons who you cannot identify from first glance. They wear close to all black attire, worn down from several years. Protected by pads and suitable armor, as if they collected stolen pieces and placed them together.

You hold your arms closer to your body with the heat of the males heavy gaze on you. His eyes look bloodshot as he studies your options of escape.

“Come here little royal,” he sneers while his beaten up boots scuff across the floor.

Your maid is chased across the wall, quickly making her way toward you as the other man follows her like a hunter. Herding his prey together before they set to kill.

They rush the two of you, forcing you to nearly trip over your own feet as your gown betrays you while you step on the very end of it. A small rip of fabric resounds but you’re in too much of a haste to notice from where.

Your maid screams in horror as you yell out for help. Your bodies fumble across the expanse of your chamber’s, trying to find the opportunity to rush out of the door if you can. To escape the men who run after you.

Where are the rest of your guards? What is happening and why are your werewolf guards not attacking? Who are these men and what do they have to attack the castle with? In all your years on this planet, you’ve never been caught in a situation like this. No intruder has ever made it past the front gates until now.

A knife is thrown in your direction, missing you but landing straight into the wall beside your head.

“Oops, guess I need to try that again,” you hear the male speak with malicious intent.

The other has gained enough momentum to grab your maid, pull her in as she struggles to fight him off. He’s rough, holding her arms as he pushes her against the wall. You're already rushing to her side, using your fists to hit the man on his arm and back.

“Get off of her!” you bawl, throwing your fist at him as fast as possible.

A hand grips your hair, yanking you back away from the two and onto the closest table. Your back hits the surface hard as the man presses you down. He threatens you with a dagger pointed at your face as his other hand holds you down by your shoulder.

The brute force immediately makes your eyes water as you stare up at the man in fear. You wrap your hands around his wrists to push him off, holding him off for as long as you can. Your kicks and screams do nothing to phase him, only fuels him.

You feel his hand slide to your throat; latch his ugly, dirty fingers around your neck. It’s brief, like a flash of lightning. But just as soon as he repositions himself, an arrow shoots straight into his head. Visibly shaken, you struggle to process the vicious man above you losing the life he has.

Your efforts of pushing begin to work as his lack of strength weakens by the second. A final push, not made by you – but from your personal guard, Jimin, knocks the man entirely off of you. He’s quick, already primed and prepped to shoot the other ruffian the second he turns away from your maid and to see his comrade passed out on the floor. Jimin launches another arrow with a flick of his finger, a perfect shot.

Both ruthless and merciless men seem to be dead, fallen to the floor of your chamber’s as pools of blood leak from their bodies.

You and your maid tremble in fear and anxiety. Frightened at the series of events and how the two of you were nearly brutally attacked.

Jimin wears streaks of blood across his face as his hair falls out of place. His beautifully tailored festive armor is now beaten and destroyed with stains. You look at him with confusion and anguish as reality sets in.

“Jimin,” you cry out in a broken sob. Your throat tightens and feels as if it’s being pricked by a dozen thorns while your hand runs up to touch the area where the man laid his fingers on.

“I’m sorry,” are the first words out of his mouth. Solemn and saddened. But he’s relieved to be here for you, even if he is cutting it short and close to being a second too late. 

It isn’t his fault the castle has been blindsided and an evil group has snuck their way inside its walls and started a reign of terror. But he takes blame for not being at your side every second that he should have been. Instead, he rushed to the frontlines once called upon. Tried to stop the invasion from penetrating deeper into the castle. 

In most cases this strategy works, but unfortunately tonight – it doesn’t.

But as the fighting continues and larger groups of people begin rushing in from all areas of the castle – equipped with tainted metals containing mountain ash and wolfsbane – the royal guards are not as prepared. A minor setback, yet it almost costs your life.

“I came as soon as I could,” he steps closer to you with sympathetic eyes. He’s hurt, more worried about how you are as he feels your dread and fear. “I’m so sorry.”

There’s still many battles being fought throughout the castle. People being slayed as guards protect as much as they can. Jimin helps you stand straight, holding you close to him as he’s escorting both your maid and you out of your chamber’s.

“Jimin,” you repeat as you hold onto him, wrapping your hands desperately around him. “Who are they?”

He brings the two of you deeper into your chamber, rushing you to a secret doorway that leads to a hidden passage. Your castle is littered with these; most guards know several entrances but not a lot of exits. It’s a maze down there; dark, cold, and gloomy as well. As a child, you would wander through some just to see how far you could reach without cowering out.

“They must be from the South. They’re fighting with wolfsbane. Their weapons are laced with it.”

It’s common knowledge that wolfsbane is rare near these grounds. It’s ordinary for them to grow down South, but they can be imported. Your family is known for being guarded by werewolves; so an attack like this must be heavily planned.

“Remember the passageways?” Jimin grunts as he pushes both you and your maid toward a panel against the wall. It’s colored like an archway, but the third one can be open with a twist of a lever. Specifically the sconce hanging to the left of it. “I need you to escape through them.”

You hear the falter in Jimin’s voice momentarily, how he sounds like he staggered his breath.

“Are you hurt?” You ask alarmingly. Your eyes frantically scan over his exterior, looking for any noticeable signs of a wound.

“Princess, I need you to go through the passageways,” he turns the lighting fixture swiftly. The secret door clicks open, a cool gust of air puffs through and hits against your skin. “Don’t worry about me. I need to protect you and the rest of your family.”

Your maid understands, already stepping through as she’s pulling you with her. Jimn is a guard, he needs to go and maintain his duty. Your maid is a servant – she is here to assist you until she can no longer. She begs you to step quickly, down the stone stairs into the pit of the passages.

“Jimin, no!” You grip tighter on his forearm as he tries to shrug you off of him. Blood tarnishes your cream colored nightgown as you’re pulled away from Jimin. It must be from those Jimin has fought already. “Come with me!”

Jimin takes your chin in his hand and inspects the distress on your face. Even when rushed, worried about your safety and life, he looks at you like he’s lost in your eyes. The gentle touch of his fingertips feels serene, featherlight even though they’re calloused through the years of combat. 

He’s moving you back into the passageway, gripping the door with his other hand to shut it on you when the moment comes. There’s displeasure spilling out of him only because he is infuriated by the way you stubbornly won’t see the concern for yourself.

“I need to protect the family. This is me protecting you,” he speaks sternly. “Please listen to me, princess,” he exhales slowly. His eyes flicker across your features with tenderness, “I am not losing you. Use the passageways,” he reminds you. “Exit at the stables. I will meet you there. You know which way to go?”

You stare at him dumbfounded at first. Like time is slowing down, but you cannot shake the feeling that you won’t see him again. You don’t feel convinced.

“B-But –”

“Go!” Jimin practically growls out his demand to you. In an instant, his amber eyes shine with a blue ring around his irises. It’s the first time Jimin has ever used that timbre with you, making you jolt away with shock. 

He warns you to watch your step and stay on the correct path toward the stables. Keep close to your maid and stay quiet. He rips off his cavalier shoulder cape, draping it around your shoulders to keep you warm as you descend into the chilly pathways. Jimin closes the door promptly, forcing you to turn with your maid and to escape to safety. Your heart ricochettes inside your chest, pounding erratically as you rush.

Throughout the narrow hallways, dripping with leaking water spouts and cobwebs, you hear the signs of savage wolf growls and barks as your royal guard begin shifting as their last resort. Cries of pain and fighting scare you further as you follow the lead of your maid, wondering how you’ll survive what comes ahead. The thin slippers still on your feet dampen with every hurried step you take as you hold Jimin’s cape tighter against your frame to stay as warm as possible.

“I am not losing you,” replays inside your head and inside your heart.

Moonlight shines from above as your maid cracks open a hardened rock exitway. You came across many forks in the maze of the castle's passageways, but you remember from your past the correct ways to take. The two of you are at the stables, you can smell the mixture of horse and hay in the air. The area is unhit from the onslaught of violence for now.

“Shall we take a horse?” Your maid suggests as she creeps behind a bundle of stacked hay.

“Jimin said he’ll meet us here,” you remind her. 

The chill of the outside runs straight through your body. You curse to yourself at your poor choice of attire.

Together, the two of you watch the distance of all the violence. You see bloodshed with many reinforcements coming from every side of the castle. The thought of Jimin being caught in this mess sends a shiver down your spine. Wolves – your family's guards – have shifted to their creature form. They’re larger than any wild wolf; standing on all four limbs taller than most humans. 

They’re very swift at responding to the attackers, taking them out one by one. But you know the attackers are fighting against them with poisonous tactics – an advantage to go against such beasts. With these weapons, the werewolves near invulnerability, speed, and strengths are weakened once hit with the toxins. You can already witness it with a few of your guards.

“We’re still inside the castle walls, Princess. We need to get out of here fast,” she insists. Her eyes scan around for an opening, an escape route for the two of you. You’ll have to be fast.

“He knows we are here!” You yell at her in a hushed tone. “I’m not leaving unless it’s with –”

Just as you attempt to finish your sentence, the loud sound of wood snapping through the entrance door interrupts you. Men rush in, manically screaming in an uproar as the flames of their torches begin touching the fodder in the stables. Setting the straw ablaze in a matter of seconds.

You and your maid slouch back into a corner, away from view for as long as you can. Horses neigh with anger, jumping and kicking as the brightness and heat of fire creeps toward them. You cannot fathom the thought of losing these beautiful warhorses as they’re each tied to their own box.

“Release them,” you whisper to your maid before you frantically get up from your position and reach for the first horse.

Your soft hands flick up the lever to the wooden door, opening it up for the horse to run through and stumble toward the exit of the stables.

The maid begs you to stay hidden, but you refuse with stubbornness. In the same breath, you hear a shriek from her as you are in the midst of lifting another lever. The attackers have noticed her and shortly spot you as well.

She looks at you with panic, “Run!”

In seconds, she is being grabbed once again by these aggressors. Forced down with a hard shove as she hits the ground. You shout, scream, and cry at the men who flock over toward her. A pitchfork near you is the first thing you see to use as a weapon. Surely you can scare someone off with the points of the tines. 

A bellowful growl grows from a stampede of three wolves bursting onto the scene. They’re far too fast for your eyes to keep up, seeing flashes of their fur dashing around you to strike your attackers. Their teeth bare as they snarl and bite into the flesh of the men, claws digging through the fabrics and skin.

One wolf is nearly all black, slicked fur making it shine in the night. Another has a warm russet color, speckled with hues of beige but warm under the ember of the fires around you. The last wolf is your wolf – you know him far too well. Brighter shades of light brown are in his face as the rest of his pelt darkens into a deep dark, chocolate color. His amber eyes, now sparked with blue, casts over to you briefly as he takes out an enemy, his paw stepping hard against his chest and pressing down.

It’s like whiplash with how fast the royal guards cleared out the stables as the fire consumes the fixtures around you. Smoke fills the air, rising heavily as thick clouds form. Pieces of the loft areas begin to break and fall as the other roped up horses huff and puff.

The stark black wolf is the one lifting your maid off the ground as it nudges her. She’s wounded, you can tell as red covers the fabric of her left arm. You take a step toward her, wanting to console and help – but in return you are barked at by Jimin. He rushes toward you, his speed frightening you as you backpedal away from the area. He stares hard at you, growling in a low tone as ashes fall behind him.

He’s moving you away, wanting you out of the area. The other two wolves bark in his direction, some form of communication you cannot understand as Jimin glances back and responds with his own call. 

The russet colored wolf jumps toward Jimin as you watch your maid latch onto the black fur of the other. She gives you a sympathetic look, mouthing the words ‘get out of here’ to you.

A large beam from above falls and crashes in the middle of the stables, breaking other fixtures in its path. Ember’s rise from the burning building with a massive gust of wind as you turn your face away from the crash.

“Jimin!” You cough as your arms shield you. Your eyes tickle in pain from the smoke, the fire’s brightness doesn’t help either.

You can feel the brush of fur against you as a heavy body presses into your front. You smell the wilderness immediately as you fall forward, burying your face and arms into Jimin’s coat. He nudges you with his shoulder and a grunt. Somehow able to understand what he’s saying.

Quickly, you pull yourself up along his back like one would do for a horse. Your face remains embedded into his fur as you wrap your arms around his neck, hooking your fists onto his coat to anchor yourself.

You move with the russet colored wolf as he clears out the path ahead of you and Jimin. Taking down any attacker standing in the path to escape. It’s difficult to hold onto a wolf, feeling your limbs tighten around Jimin as hard as you possibly can just to stay on top as he dashes through the terrain.

His goal is to get you out of here safely, remove you from the premises. He brings you farther and farther away from the castle and closer to the woods. The last glimpse you dare to make shows you the image of the russet wolf turning back toward the scorched castle grounds.

You pray for the good safety of everyone. Hope the castle is still together after the royal guard protects and saves the night.

It’s freezing as Jimin runs through the thicket of the wilderness, deeper than you ever dare to go alone. You keep your head down, pressed into his back as bitter cold breezes over the surfaces of your body that aren't protected by Jimin’s warmth. The nightgown you wear is thin, not topped with layers among layers of fabrics and wiring like a corseted dress would have. Not to mention the tingling burn to your bare feet as the winter air touches them. But he is warm. A heated beast beneath you, emitting a comforting temperature the more your fingers curl into the roots of his bristle fur.

His breath is labored, chest heaving as his limbs carry you fast. Jimin zips through the rough terrain of the earthy woods, jumping and dodging the obstacles in his way. You fear the tightness of your muscles as you cling on to him, feeling the exhaust of your body as they sore.

You’re not sure how long you’ve been a passenger on Jimin’s back. Everything has happened so quickly. It isn’t until you hear the noises of strangers. The padding of snow under Jimin’s paws begins sounding different. Now stepping on hardened ground.

Your eyes blink open as you take in the surroundings passing by. Glowing lights in tapered windows of wooden cabins flash in seconds. Secured doors and moss growth along the sides of several cabin-like housings. 

Jimin leads with a howl, rushing toward the only place he knows will keep you the most protected. He slows his pace as he draws near, beckoning with a warning call for the door to swing open and allow him in. You find yourself entering with him, a soft warmth from a low burning fireplace greets you as the two of you enter.

You feel the way Jimin stumbles, his body catching up with how taxed he must be. The way his shoulders shrug tells you to dismount him as his mouth pants labored breaths. Carefully, you slide until your toes touch the floor below you.

“Jimin?” Your first concern comes out worriedly. Your hands still roam his fur as you notice the warmth of red liquid staining your palms – even pieces of your clothes. It’s enough to make you feel uneasy about the open wounds you fail to find through his pelt.

He’s quick to move from you, tripping over himself as he walks deeper toward the back of the cabin. A low growl rumbles from his chest as a warning, unwanted contact from you.

You take a step to follow him, seeing how hurt he is – it only wrenches your heart tighter. Your eyes grow wider the further he steps away from you, scurrying himself as he barks in the air for help.

A soft pair of hands hold onto your elbow, keeping you from the beast in pain. You snap your head toward the contact, searching for the reason why you’ve been halted.

“Don’t.” A woman with dark, long wavy hair speaks in a low tone. Her skin is aged but glows beautifully. Bundled up in layered clothes, she wears a worried look just like you. But it’s because she is stressed about your concern over the wolf in agony. “He will be alright.”

The door behind her has already been shut tight as the woman urges you to sit on the closest couch. Your eyes flick back to Jimin who continues to pad down the end of the hallway, twisting into a new shape as his body slowly transforms back into a human state. It’s an image you never expected to see, completely magical and out of this world as you catch glimpses of a wolf morphing into man.

His deep groans turn more audible as his real voice is able to break free.

“Wolfsbane –” he curses out into the open as he’s hunched over. He breathes heavily, open mouth catching air for his lungs as his fingers now claw at the bloody abrasion on the left side of his chest.

From your spot on the sofa, you witness Jimin suffering in a fetal position with no clothes. He’s turned to the side, hiding what he can in his vulnerable state. His long hair, usually kept neatly pulled back, falls dramatically across his face. His nose scrunches as his lips pull back to show his seething teeth.

“Jimin!” You begin to stand up, but the woman holds her hands out before you.

“Stay, Princess! Please!” Her voice is soft.

She tries her best to be respectful, honoring your title even in the severity of a situation. “I’m his mother.” She claims before gripping a knitted wool blanket off the back of a chair and rushing over to her son.

You blink, stunned as you process all the movements and information playing out in front of you.

Jimin coughs as his head presses into the floor. You watch in horror the way Jimin’s body rejects the burn of the wolfsbane that entered his system. Jerking and moving in his place as some mystical natured element helps overcome his pain. Jimin’s mother places the blanket over Jimin, shielding him from your innocent eyes. She squats beside him, hand placing over his forehead as his face twists with strain.

“Fight it,” she encourages as she pushes back his bangs to inspect his eyes. They’re reddened on the edges. The infection attacks deeply within him. His blue shiny irises that come out when he taps into his wolf form is stationary, shining brightly as he internally battles the poisonous herb. “Push it out, you can do it.”

You catch him staring at you as he overcomes this annoyance. It’s not enough to be deadly for him, but it is a good amount to weaken his overall state for the time being. His body fights to heal properly, but he’ll be ready soon.

The first initial wave of pain eases on Jimin. You don’t notice it due to the blanket covering his body, but a small pool of tainted blood leaks out of his wound. Spoiled by the wretched poison. It’s what his body needs to do, reject it and remove it entirely from him.

“Can I help in any way?” You stand and step toward him as his panting calms.

“No, no!” Jimin’s mother’s hands shoot out, shooing you. “You don’t need to do anything! His body is healing,” she reassures. “It may not make any sense, but he is going to be good. Just give him some time. Wolves have an accelerated healing power.”

“But –” you begin to counter. You feel helpless, powerless. Your heart hurts from seeing Jimin in such a distraught state. You can’t shake the image out of your head.

“Stop,” you hear Jimin breathing out. His tenor voice aching as his body shivers. “Stay over there,” he begs. “Just give me a second, Princess.”

All you can do is wait. Watch the way the man you care for struggles with himself as his supernatural body convulses and kicks out the vicious wolfsbane as he rapidly recovers. His grunts and groans do nothing to help, making you worry even more. 

When Jimin finally settles, he lays limp on the floor. Relief washes over him as the surging pain seizes and his body begins to feel like normal once again. Sweat has slickened the roots of his hair, surely the rest of his skin expelled other toxins.

He starts to lift himself off the floor, using his arms to push him up to a sitting position first – then enough to stand. He clutches the blanket around him. Holding it tight around his waist and covering his lower region.

“Take your time,” his mother whispers. She, too, stands with him. Using her hands to help guide him if he wavers on his feet. He’s taller than her, but you can tell she’s strong from the way she helps hold her son up.

“I have to go back,” he says to her, but stares at you.

Jimin takes a few tentative steps until he catches the motion easilier. He walks over to you in concern, abandoning the dripped blood on the floorboard from where he once laid. You're shivering in place, not realizing it yourself.

“Mom, would you mind finding something the princess can change into? Clean her up a little as well?”

You waste no time rushing yourself to him regardless of Jimin pleading for you not to. That doesn’t stop the way your arms wrap around his torso, feeling the warmth of his smooth skin as you hold him. Your head curls into his shoulder as his free arm surrounds your back, pulling you against him.

“Please, be good. Back up,” he slowly walks you in his embrace. 

You feel the rumble of his voice through his chest as you press desperately against him, not wanting to let him go just yet. He’s homely like your favorite hiding place back in the castle or the comfort of your bed after a long day of duties. It feels right to be with him as your mind speaks these words of nonsense.

“Don’t leave again,” you beg as your heartstrings twinge with sadness. You think latching onto Jimin even more would be the answer of his choice, but alas it is not. His arm is placing you down on the sofa for you to sit as he kneels on the floor. Even when you try grabbing at him, he politely pushes your hands away.

“Mom,” Jimin calls out as his hands grip the bottoms of your bare feet. He runs his palms across them, feeling how frigid they’ve become. Jimin ignores the way your cold hands try to turn his head to look up at you, stubbornly keeping it down and focused on your toes. When he fails to hear a response, he shouts again, “Mom!”

“Jimin!” You call to get his attention, fingers running through his thick locks to expose his face. Cupping his cheeks doesn’t suffice either, even your attempt to tilt his jaw fails. He isn’t budging from his position.

His mother comes out of another room with an abundant amount of clothes. Each of them look heavy, thick. Enough to hopefully keep you bundled up in the chill of a winter’s night.

Jimin squeezes your feet with his hands, trying to circulate more blood flow as he tries to warm you. He suffers knowing you’re freezing, not in an ideal state. But he can also feel the way your heart pangs with confusion and hurt. He can smell the fear radiating off of your body as you process so much.

“Would you mind changing into these?” His mother comes into your view. She begins placing pieces out in order to dress. Layers ready at your will. “I can wash your nightgown. Rid you of those stains. I can try patching up the tears in your skirt.”

The doleful look in your eyes tells her enough at one glance. She sighs as a tear trickles down the bridge of your nose.

“Why won’t you look at me?” Your voice cracks mid sentence as you stare helplessly at Jimin.

It’s languid the way his eyes flick up to you, shrouded with sadness behind his lashes.

“You’re freezing,” he states.

“I’m more hurt that you won’t let me do anything for you,” you respond with irritation. “I’m fine. You’re not.” You gesture to his exposed chest, muddied with swipes of blood on his left side.

“There’s nothing there anymore. The wound is sealed already. It’s just drying blood.”

He looks down back at your feet, finally noticing his stained hands – how he’s holding you with his own filth. The thought upsets him entirely.

Abruptly, Jimin stands. Turning away from you and rushing over to the fireplace to place more wood in the burning embers. He tightens the blanket around his waist, pacing across the floor of the cabin for anything he thinks you need before he departs.

“Run a bath,” he tells his mother. “It’ll warm her up faster. Then she can change into the clean clothes.”

“I don’t want that,” you speak. “I’ll take the clothes as they are. But Jimin –”

“– I need to go back,” he whips around in his spot. Jimin is fast on his feet, gathering some more blankets and gripping your hand. “My old room is just over here. Make yourself at home. I know this isn’t ideal but it will keep you safe and warm. My mother,” Jimin glances over at her, “She’ll be a great help. Please, take care of the Princess before I return.”

You rip your hand away from Jimin while stubbornly holding your place on the couch. It’s an act you never suspected yourself to do so harshly. The appalled look on your face puzzles Jimin. Makes him look down at you in silence, awaiting for you to speak.

“No,” you stare back. “Why can’t you just stay?”

“I have a duty,” he responds just as fast. “One to serve the royal family.”

“I am the royal family!”

“I am a part of the entire pack fighting for the kingdom right now. I must be with them.”

The frustration causes your blood to boil under your skin. Heat rises to your cheeks as anger takes over. He’s staring you down. Jimin is right after all. But yet again, without him even speaking, you can hear his voice repeat the words ‘that’s selfish of you’. It rattles inside your head as your lips quiver with emotion.

You turn your head, eyes filled with sorrow dropping to your lap. The scolding fire from his bright eyes hurts you deeply. Yet he doesn’t have intentions to upset you, Jimin only wants to protect you.

“Go.”

The single word comes out so cold, so unlike your usual tone. It catches Jimin off guard.

The entire time Jimin’s mother stands in silence, trying to read the room herself as the two of you cast a tense environment. She has no place to utter a single word, not here. For a moment, she shares a cautious glance with her son. Something in her eyes that tells him that he needs to do something – say something.

“Prin –”

“– I do not want to see you.” Your voice sounds meek, on edge of falling over in the pool of emotion laying inside of you. If only he can understand how important you’ve made him in your life. How special he is and the comfort that comes with him when he’s around. Imagining him returning beaten up again bothers you. Thinking he might not come back at all is even worse.

“Just, go.” You command.

“Y/n,” Jimin speaks in a gentle voice. He steps closer to you with a heavy heart, “I’m sorry.” Slowly, he leans down to level his head with yours. It’s alright with him that you refuse to look back. Jimin knows he has your attention regardless. You feel the soft graze of his knuckle run along the edge of your jaw, surprised from the tender touch. “I really am sorry,” he smiles faintly as he leans in just enough to place his plump lips delicately on your temple.

Jimin leaves your side, turns on his heel and swiftly moves out the front door. It’s a rush from the way his body forms back into wolf and his paws press into the ground, carrying him further away from you. He wants to be here for you, but his loyalty lies deep to the guards and your family. Jimin knows you are safe, under the protection of his mother and the community surrounding the cabin. He would never just leave you.

A gust of wind blows in from outside, the chill reminding you how low the temperatures are. Jimin’s mother kindly shuts and locks the door. Silence stills softly in the ambiance of the crackling fireplace.

It breaks you knowing Jimin isn’t staying by your side. The rational side of your brain screams at you, telling you he is doing the right thing. But the emotional soft boundaries you have, that are more tender than a baby bird, weakens the further Jimin is. Like a piece of your heart constantly stripping from you. Cracking and bleeding from unreciprocated love.

The gentle face of Jimin’s mother approaches you, her soft hand places it upon your shoulder to gain your attention.

“Princess,” she begins with a kind tone. “Please know, we’ll do anything to protect you. You’re in a safe place now. My name is Mira. Let’s have you change into something warmer. I can make some tea as well.”

Her words do not stop the slow streams of tears dripping from your face. You wipe away each of them the moment they pass the curve of your cheeks, frustration and heartbreak laying deep within you.

When will he come back, you begin to wonder. Will he come back? Flashes of the ruffians and ruthlessness they project remind you how dangerous they are. What damages have they done with your family's castle? To your precious belongings?

And then it reminds you… You haven’t thought about your family. Your father and siblings, are they safe and sound? Are they escorted off the property by the guards as they clean up the mess of the intruders? How selfish of you, truly, to only think of yourself and Jimin.

Your realization serves you like the small piece of bread and tea served to you on a platter from Mira. It makes you cry more about how childish and foolish your mind is.

“He does love you,” Mira speaks again. Her eyes crinkle with wrinkles as she smiles. “He does the things he does because he loves you.”

Jimin yearns to return to your side the moment his feet step out of his childhood home. He rushes back to the castle grounds, reconnecting with the king's royal guard and abolishing any trespasser standing in his way. He fought for hours with righteousness and duty, tearing apart men limb from limb as he dodges the poisonous silver weapons laced with a venomous herb. When the time comes that the invasion of hoodlums either retreat or have been eliminated by the brute force of the royal guard – Jimin doesn’t hesitate to rush back to you. 

He’s been given the blessing from his higher-ups. Notified that the castle will be on high alert while the rest of your family has been scattered to their own locations of safety. They too have their own personal guards who stand their grounds and hover their sides. What matters now is that the kingdom is still intact even after such a brutal attack. They are not overthrown and they will continue on as supreme rulers.

As for any hostages held from the invaders, they will be judged appropriately and prodded for questions and answers before the royal court. Jimin has seen this many times, but never to this extent. This is the first time in his line of duty that the castle was attacked – but he is thankful for the outcome.

He wouldn’t know what would have happened if it turned out different.

His chest heaves with heavy breaths as he slows his pace the moment his eyes lay on the door to his mother’s house. Inside he knows you are waiting, impatiently he assumes. But seeing your face again will give him a sense of relief. A calming vortex that sinks deep inside his body and warms his nerves.

Jimin’s blood pumps in his ears as he calls out to his mother in the form of telepathy – a unique trait wolves have with one another. An inner circle of connections that allows wolves to speak to other wolves. Mira is ready by the door, twisting the handle and allowing Jimin a swift entrance into the house.

He tries to step quietly as his heavy wolf form causes the wood flooring to creak under his steps. His pads resound a soft thud as he walks. At first, he expects to walk straight to his room as he remembered he offered you his place to rest. But as his nose picks up your immediate scent, he realizes that you’re still resting on the couch right in front of the fire.

“She hasn’t moved,” Mira murmurs under her breath. Jimin’s mother stayed up all hours he was gone, watching and keeping you company. “I’ve given her plenty of tea and washed her face with a heated cloth. I’ve kept adding more wood to the fire to help. Even in her sleep, she still shivers. She may have hypothermia,” she warns.

He wouldn’t put it past him if this is the case. You were never made for enduring February winters in just a nightgown after all. Barefooted may he add.

Jimin walks over you, his nose sniffing at your skin to seek any discomfort your body may radiate. You lay there bundled up as much as you can under heavy fabrics of wool and fur. Jimin smiles to himself fondly as he sees the way you tuck your chin into the blanket and cover your nose.

A tentative look is shared between Jimin and his mother before he nudges his head against your arms.

You rouse from your slumber momentarily and your immediate reaction is to tighten your body and move to a more comfortable position. However, Jimin doesn’t allow you. He nudges you again and this time he digs his nose between the crack of your arms, prying them open so he can slot his head through and force your arm around his neck.

Mumbling in your sleep, you groan at the annoyance of being woken up. But when you feel the soft bristles of fur against your face and the undeniable warmth coming from them, you cling onto whatever is pressing against you.

It wakes you further. Enough to make you register enough to know Jimin is in your arms right now. Your fingers cling onto him tightly, screwing them into knots as you inhale deeply into the side of his neck. He smells like the frozen forest mixed with burning embers; the smell of smoke clogging between his roots.

His warmth is what reminds you of home. It forces happiness to leak out of your eyes as a warm tear drips onto his fur the more you bury your face into him. His movement forces you to wake up, urging you with a tug to get off the couch and follow him.

Leisurely, you hang from him while he ushers you to the other room – his room. Your feet stumble as the two of you pass Mira. You don’t care how clumsy you look, you’re just happy to have Jimin back.

“Jimin,” his mother tries speaking in a hushed tone. “Remember who you are to her.”

He doesn’t stop his stride as he enters his old bedroom with you nearly hanging off of him. It’s upkept well thanks to his mom. Nothing moved or changed over the years. With a few more nudges and suggestive pushes, he has you falling into place upon the mattress. It’s low to the ground, easy for him to step on it even in wolf form and lay comfortably as you attach yourself to his back. 

This form is undoubtedly the warmest. And with his wolf form he serves as a natural furnace for you. He doesn’t mind the way your fingers dig into his fur or the way your cold body presses desperately against his. He allows anything that will warm you up.

His eyes meet his mother’s as she leans in to shut the bedroom door. Words and feelings cannot describe his unfair bond to you – but with werewolves, they have a mutual understanding of how things work.

Jimin groans with a huff before putting his head down on the bed. He stays awake, alert, and listens to the sounds and conversations running through his head. Even when the threat is over, he still stays guard. Ready to pounce on anything that comes toward you.

For now, you may sleep comfortably. Jimin will be able to tell you later about the results of the castle and your family. 

You’re greeted by coldness as you toss and turn. The fresh chill pricks your cheeks, jolting your nerves to wake when you want nothing more than sleep. Chirps of wild birds sing outside of the window that casts a dull ray of sun into the room. It still looks dark out. There’s also an ache in your joints and muscles, particularly in your neck.

Perhaps you slept awful,  used to having your luxury linens and perfectly fluffed pillows. Instead you spent the night balled up, tight, against the only thing that holds heat.

The fire isn’t what saves you from the brisk cold of winter. It is the tender bristles of a wolf’s fur that hordes blissful heat, warmer than a copper pan filled with rocks warmed at the edge of a fire.

But you are not welcomed with that same softness of Jimin’s fur anymore. When you turn again, you realize you press against the smooth surface of his broadened back. Black ink decorates down his spine in the phases of the moon as your eyes focus from the haze of sleep. Does it make any sense to see the man you adore, shirtless with his back to you in the same bed? 

Absolutely not.

Your clogged head tries to clear the fog of confusion as you edge away from Jimin. He’s tucked under the covers, just as you. His chest rises and falls slowly, in a deep sleep. He’s more exhausted than you, his body fought all night. It makes sense he finally collapsed into a resting state; relaxed and dare you say, delicate. The branded ink shines subtly as his skin, miraculously still smooth, feels even warmer under your tender fingertips. Slowly, you trace invisible patterns onto his skin, mesmerized by the way he doesn’t pull away from you.

You feel guilty for snuggling up closer to him, knowing very well he isn’t in a conscious state for him to put you back in your place like all the other times. But you feel drawn in and addicted to his warmth and security in such a tender position.

Jimin inhales and exhales deeply, shifting his head when he feels your fingers tickle the nape of his neck. He shifts in his sleep, moving his body enough to force you to freeze. His hand reaches back, swatting away your hand as if it is a dainty bug crawling on him. But he realizes it’s nothing but a hand – your hand – and instead, he grips it. Pulling it around him and stretching your arm across his torso so that he can hold it against his chest. Jimin curls himself in a fetal position, dragging you flush against his back.

“Stop tickling me,” he murmurs in a groggy voice. He huffs out a small burst of air, humor laced with it.

Your forehead presses into his spine, a small smile creeping up on your lips.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

Silence falls once again except for the subtle sounds of Jimin’s breathing. You could stay like this forever if you were able to. Ignore all responsibilities of life and stay with Jimin. Deep down, you secretly wish this. Having his protection and solace, bringing you solitude and clarity. You know that he is all you will ever need. He’s been exactly everything you need him to be in your life, even when times get tough and he guides you to do something you’re stubbornly against. It’s all for your well-being. Your overall happiness. Jimin has never steered you down the wrong path; even if it’s the path you wouldn’t pick yourself.

He is strong in many ways you aren’t. Rational and accountable. You know he will do everything in his power to let you have the perfect life and he will never leave you.

This feeling of unfulfillment with your heart always reminds you how a large piece of him belongs there. No matter how much room you make for your family and potential suitors that come your way. Nothing will fill the undeniable love you have toward your personal royal guard.

“I’m sorry,” you repeat. This time with a different reason.

You’re apologizing for yourself. For the position you put yourself in even though you never win the fight with your emotions. How you cannot control this bond between the two of you and how you cannot change the way you feel toward him. You know you could never be with a wolf, let alone your own personal guard. The years between you doesn’t matter either. Jimin still looks as you first remember him, minus the added tattoos, scars and array of hair styles he’s sported. He has always been your guard, a figure to look up to, a brother, and a best friend without being them at the same time.

The connection you feel with Jimin is unexplainable. A natural magnetic draw you feel. A compelling force screaming at you that this – he – is exactly what your mind, body, and soul needs.

“Get some more rest,” Jimin urges as he squeezes your hand a little bit tighter.

“I am being honest with you,” you declare.

“So am I,” Jimin’s sleepy voice seeps through.

Your small tiff stirs Jimin awake. He turns slowly, still maintaining his hold on your hand as he faces you. The small puff of his cheeks shows you how tired he must be as his eyes remain closed. Jimin leans in, pushing your head into his chest as he rests his face into the top of your head.

“Rosemary,” he speaks out loud. He inhales slowly, admiring the sweet scent of the herb used to wash your hair every night. “It suits you so much.”

You feel a flush of warmth coursing through your body in such an intimate position. You have never been this close or tangled with Jimin like this before. There’s faint scars across his chest from what you can see, memories of past battle wounds that cut too deep perhaps.

“Are you hurt?” You question. Wondering how his body never correctly healed these specific marks.

“Not anymore,” he hums as he pulls you in tighter.

You can hear the faint beating of his heart as you twist your head to lay against his chest. It thumps calmly, like a lullaby whispering in your ear.

“Why are you here?” You dare to question. 

A heavy thought that’s been weighing on your mind for far too long. You want to thank him for welcoming you into his solitude and keeping you warm throughout the night. Even then, you hardly remember moving from the couch to this bed. Jimin sharing a bed with you doesn’t make any sense to you. Especially how he rests with no clothes on; assumingly you believe as the blankets cover more than your eyes can see.

“Warmth,” he responds. “I had to keep you warm. But I fell asleep.”

“Why are you still here then…?”

Jimin exhales deeply. He still rests as much as he can even with your quizzing questions.

“I’m pretending I’m still dreaming.”

“Dreaming?” You blink.

“Yes.” Jimin’s hand gingerly raises to stroke the side of your head, brushing off any stray locks. His palm is so warm against you, the contact heating you instantly. “A dream. Would you like me to leave?”

“No,” you blurt out faster than you expected. “I just don’t understand,” you try leaning back to look at his face.

“Princess,” he tsks. “How can I explain this?” He questions himself more than you. Jimin places his lips on your forehead and rests them there as he contemplates his words. “A wolf cannot be mixed with a royal. But you desire a wolf. And a wolf desires you.” He hesitates with the next sentence that leaves his mouth. “However, it will never be allowed. And thus… a dream.”

“You dream of this?” You ask, stunned.

“Don’t you?” He huffed a laugh. “I know you do. There are times that I can read it all over your pretty face. I can feel it too.”

“I-I,” you feel flustered. Your feathers fluffed every which way as Jimin speaks so carelessly of such a sensitive subject.

“I know how you feel for me,” he states. “I’m sorry you do. Even when I try to keep you on the right path, show you your responsibilities and guide you to your title's destiny… you found a sanctuary in me.”

Jimin continues to stroke your face with his thumb, his nose breathes out hot air against your forehead. He caresses you tenderly, holds you dear to him as if he is afraid to let you go.

“I’ve… I have always loved you,” you confess. Swallowing thickly as your throat closes up with emotion. Jimin allows you to slide your arms around him again.

“I know. I can feel everything you feel,” he sighs. “Your happiness. Your sadness. That painstaking broken heart every time you’re forced to live your reality.”

He smiles softly against your skin, peppering small kisses where his lips rest.

“I also feel the way you can’t control your emotions. How you constantly battle with what’s right and wrong. How not a single person draws your attention more than I do. I can’t really explain how I can feel these things,” he tilts your head to look down into your eyes. “It won’t make any sense.”

In the soft morning light, his features are more admirable. His skin glows beautifully, like a natural highlight illuminating off of the edges of his face. Jimin cracks open his eyes, only slightly, to peer down at your innocent expression. A face he’s seen for many years after being scolded or pressed for answers. The beauty in his eyes, that crisp amber hue, shifts a shade darker as they land on your parting lips.

“Jimin, I don’t want this to be a dream.”

You’re honest about it. The aura of intimacy is fueling the room so purely, it’s nearly smothering. Jimin allows his walls to break down for you to enter; let’s you in his space even when it goes against everything the two of you know.

His thumb flicks your bottom lip, feeling the soft flesh under his digit. He can feel the natural draw, how his body is aching with a tantalizing need to kiss you. To have you, just for now, before he must go back to reality.

“I’ll do anything for you,” he declares as he looks down at you sadly. “I devoted myself the very first moment I saw you.” His breath shakes as he lets out a breath he was holding.

“Princess,” he begins, the small curve of his lips upturning. He knows this is dangerous, it’s not allowed. Years of pining and rejecting you, fearing the system of the world and the way of life, he’s taking his one and only opportunity to be selfish. A thing you know so very well. Jimin leans down, lips nearly brushing yours, “Please forgive me.”

Your lips press together in a gentle embrace. He pours his unannounced love for you with this kiss; all those years of pent-up, hopeless desires and unfathomable attachment finally burst through with the only way he can show you. 

There’s no way of telling how long your kiss lasts; and eternity sounds like an understatement. Your breath hitches in your throat, surprised by the act and realism of Jimin – the man you’ve grown to love throughout all these years – has committed such a sinful, yet delightful, treason for the sake of his own greed. The same act you do not disgust, appall, or dislike. You greet it, after a few moments of shock, with happiness. A passion of feeling what you pined for all this time. Acceptance, understanding, and need.

Jimin’s warm fingers run along the side of your face and down the length of your arm. “Pretend it’s just a dream.” He smiles in between kisses.

A subtle tear breaks the brim of your eye as you capture Jimin in a passionate, breathtaking kiss. You bring him closer, wrapping your arms around his neck and tasting his tongue in your mouth. 

When it’s just a dream, you’re allowed to cross the lines of right and wrong. Do the things you want to do, impulsively or not. That’s why you don’t bother to wait when you desperately cling to him, tangling your soft fingers through his messy hair. You feel the way Jimin presses himself into you, not a care of his royal guard status or what your title is. He brings his love out to another being – you.

You feel the gentle pull of his hands at the lining of your padded clothes. There’s so much keeping you bundled, but he’s sure he can keep you warm with his body. His hands roam under the fabrics, feeling the touch of the soft skin of your hip. He skirts his hand up your back, pressing his palm onto you to drag you into him.

“Are you sure?” You question him as if you’re being fooled. Tricked into thinking this truly is a dream and not something you will remember.

“I’ve never wanted something so desperately,” he admits with no embarrassment. “So many times I’ve had to tell you to look away from me. Entertain these other suitors… It hurts. But I know I will always be there for you even if your feelings aren’t as they are now. Even if you didn’t feel for me. I can’t help that. I’m bound to you.”

Your eyes roam the expanse of his body that you can see against the pale sheets of his old mattress. His words send glee to your heart. Had you known this hurts him as much as it hurts you, you would do something about it. Find a way to make something work. There must be a way.

“I’m sorry for being so distant with you in regard to your emotions. But, I do it to protect you. I’m not right for you.” Jimin whispers as his lips reconnect with yours. A carnal desire brewing deep inside of him, no doubt inside of you too.

“Jimin,” you whimper against his mouth. The crack in your voice is threatening to snap.

“Tell me to stop.”

“Don’t,” you sniffle. 

Your head is a clutter of sensitive emotions ransacking your brain. Clouding your headspace as if you are in a daydream. But you accept it. Allow this illusion, real or not, to be as real as it can ever get.

You accept him and this moment of time.

The heat of Jimin’s body keeps you warm from the chilled air outside of the sheets. Slowly, he shifts to have you laying on your back as his body crawls over you. Jimin plants soft and wet kisses down your jawline to a sweet spot on the side of your neck, multitasking with the buttons of your thick clothes.

The second he is able to free portions of your body from the garments, his skin slides over yours. Touching every delicately smooth surface of your body. Rising goosebumps through each sway of his fingers across every inch. You melt into his touches, a quiet whimper and pleasant hum escaping your nose.

“You’re so beautiful,” he comments as he levels his head with yours. He takes a moment to peer down at your morning face, admiring the way you look even with a rough night. Jimin remembers your eyes the most. How genuine and curious they are. He reminisces about the first time; when a shot of an electrifying spark penetrated his entire being because of his imprinting nature… how it connected him to you for as long as you live. “I will never lose you.”

Jimin can feel the way your body speaks to him. How together all your nerve endings and atoms feel as if they join like a perfect puzzle. It leads him further to your core, trailing his hand tentatively as he waits for a clear sign for him to continue.

He presses himself gently against you, showing you his growing need for you. The hardened appendage pokes you like a soft tapping on a door, trying to be as polite as possible.

You take his face in your hands, pulling him down for another emotional kiss. You nod to him, giving him the clearing to roam your most secretive bits.

After removing the access clothing from your legs, his fingertips glide up your inner thighs. He shivers when he inhales suddenly, taking in the small whiff of your scent. Instinctively, and almost casually, you bend your knee to allow more access for him.

Jimin’s fingers ghost over your core, brushing against the edges before feeling the slick heat from your lower lips. He teases you at first but not on purpose. Jimin swallows nervously, fighting with his body to remind himself to take things slow.

He takes your bottom lip between his teeth, pulling at the plump piece of flesh as his index finger runs down your slit. You shutter with a breath of hot air blowing out, enjoying the foreign touch.

Unsure what to do with your hands, you begin to run them down his hard chest to mimic the similar style of approach he does on you. Though you’re halted the moment you hit his navel by his hand.

“Allow me to focus on you,” he requests in a soft tone. He raises your knuckles to his mouth where he plants a chaste kiss to them.

He suggests for your hands to remain away as he descends down the valley of your breasts. Each tender kiss he leaves to your feverish skin in the commute to your lower region has you squirming. You hoist the blankets over your body as Jimin disappears underneath them, taking the heat too. He’s able to maneuver skillfully between your legs, slotting himself neatly as you spread them wider.

You don’t get to see the way Jimin licks his lips when his eyes focus on your core for the first time. How your scent hits his nose at full force, reminding him how beautifully wet you’re becoming with the tension built up around you. His finger returns to you, sliding down your slit and nudging against your clit. It causes you to jolt, instinctively closing your legs around him as much as possible. But he keeps them open with his hands and body as he moves closer.

Peeking under the covers, you see the dark hair of Jimin sinking between the junction of your thighs. You capture the scene, branding it in your memory the moment Jimin’s mouth abruptly comes down on to your clit. You cry out, gripping the blankets in hard fists as his tongue languidly flicks over your sensitive bud as his finger teases your entrance.

“Shh,” he tries to tame you when he inserts his finger into you. You clench tightly, shift your legs even more as your body adjusts to Jimin.

He’s wondering what you’ll feel like if he inserts another, if it’ll pull another whimper and a moan from you. And he has to; to spread your entrance wider and stretch your walls open enough to allow him inside. Prepare your body for the intrusive thoughts bleeding into his mind of your body shaking under him with pleasure.

Jimin curls his fingers once he adds a second one into the mix, slowly pumping them in you at a steady pace as his lips caress your clit. The tip of his tongue flicks your bud so dangerously, it makes you cry out even louder and begins to disturb the silent winter morning air.

His free hand comes down to your waist to stop your hips from bucking into him. Jimin releases his mouth from you and calms his fingers as he hushes you once again.

“Quiet, Princess. Please.”

“Jimin, I-I’m-” You pant softly. Your chest shakes with the rise and fall and intense pounding of your heart.

“Don’t be sorry,” he interjects. Jimin slides himself up your body again while still securing his fingers inside your core. “I know it’s hard to not be loud.” He places a kiss to your cheek before finding your mouth, the taste of you still lingering on his plump lips. Gently, he adds a third finger into your entrance and captures your whine with a sealed kiss.

He uses this moment to experimentally widen your walls with the scissoring effect of his fingers. Fighting off the impulsive clench your body naturally does. When his thumb presses into your clit your body jumps.

Your hands rush to his head, combing through his hair as you fight to anchor yourself on something.

Jimin winces from the strength and harsh pull, but he doesn’t let it bother his actions. Instead, he is kissing your neck again as his hand wraps around your back. He lifts you up like it’s easy until you’re straddling his lap, legs still parted wide for him. Jimin removes his fingers from you, allowing him to push you closer against his hardness. The contact makes his neglected member flinch with excitement.

Your cheeks prick with sparks of warmth as you look Jimin in the eyes again. Both completely naked and in each other's own embrace. Your hot slick presses against his shaft and Jimin cannot help but use his hand to push you into him again.

The blankets have fallen around the two of you, leaving Jimin’s strong muscles to hold you upright on top of him and exposed for him and only him.

“You can’t tell anyone…” he begins as his lips lock with yours. “What happens here must stay here.”

“But what if I don’t want that?” You ask, catching your breath in between kisses.

“Want and need are two different things.”

“I want both of those though,” you exclaim. “I want and need you, Jimin.”

He silences you again, but this time with his tongue. He dives deep into your mouth, groaning with the taste of you that excites him.

“Don’t ever speak of this,” he reminds you. “You mean more to me than you can ever imagine. You’re special to me, Y/n. You will always have me.”

Your heart tightens in your chest as you hear his sincere words. Relief is an understatement. The reassurance and verbal notice of Jimin’s confession is enough to send you to cloud nine. His loyalty and dedication to your family's name isn’t the only thing he cares for. The importance of you and how you are something more to him sends your heart into eternal bliss. Maybe all it took is to finally hear it from the source.

“I’ve always loved you,” you declare as if Jimin never knew this himself. 

He nods, leaning in to capture another kiss from you as your hands tugs on his shoulders. Your mouths move together so perfectly, reminding you how you want nothing more than to do this for the rest of your life. Lightly, your clit brushes against his hardened and untouched dick. The sensation of how close you are to it sends excitement through your body, arousing you more as you desperately rock against him for more stimulation with his help. Your slick drips along his lap, making the glide easier for you.

You admire the tip of his cockhead pointing up toward you, silently requesting to be touched.

“Help me,” you whisper as your legs try to help raise you above him.

Jimin positions his cock when you’re hovering over him. Your arousal drips teasingly over him, dressing the mushroom head of his tip in a shiny coat. He breathes out a strangled breath as the curse word ‘shit’ runs out of his lips. 

Slowly, you drop down on Jimin’s cock. Allowing him to stretch you open as the first inches penetrate you. He holds you up, allows you to sink down at your own pace as both your mouths open with pleasurable surprise. A silent gasp leaves the two of you breathless as you sit flush against him, ignoring any prickling pain as your walls flutter around his cock. Squeezing and unsqueezing rigorously as your head tosses back with eyes screwed shut. Jimin groans with a string of incoherent words, muffled by the way he presses his lips into the side of your neck.

“Oh,” you whimper. 

Knees already threatening to buckle and morph into jelly, your hands hold onto Jimin’s sturdy shoulders when you look down between the two of you. There’s fascination running through you as you watch the way your breasts rub against his chest each time your body moves down his; watching the way he disappears inside of you and filling you up.

The two of you moan in unison as you experimentally roll your hips into him. Jimin’s fingers tighten around your thighs, jerking his hips up to meet yours. He keeps a leisurely pace with you as he wishes nothing but to make you feel pleasurable. You can feel the way your orgasm slowly builds within you as you hold Jimin’s head closer against your neck. A desperate way of holding onto something while you begin to tremble with sensitivity.

“Is it too much?” He questions as he holds you impossibly closer to his body.

You breathe deeply, clutching his cock with your walls.

“No,” you choke out. “I need more.”

Jimin pulls you off of him to greet your face with his. He lays you down expertly, letting your body rest soft against the mattress again. Jimin is able to hook his arm around one of your legs and gently lifts it higher, testing the new angle and watching the way your face contorts with pleasure. 

You cry out his name as you feel his cock run across a specific spot inside of you, making your toes curl and back arch. The sparks in your body flying like lightning in the sky.

There’s a tightness in your stomach that shoots down to your lower region, alerting you of your approaching orgasm. Jimin notices from the way you shake with each thrust he gives. He holds your legs wide, allowing deeper access to push into you as his abdomen flexes every time his body bangs into yours.

“Like this?” He breaths out, a glimpse of blue shining from his eyes.

“K-keep… Y-yes,” you moan, feeling him hit every mark with this new angle.

Jimin lowers himself down to catch your lips with his, closing your mouth and muffing your noises to the best of his abilities. He absolutely loves hearing the sounds of your whimpers and pleasure, but he’s not trying to allow everyone else to hear them.

Another quick and particular movement of Jimin’s hips has you coming undone beneath him, bucking your hips up to match his thrusts as you squeeze tight around him. You feel the way your nails dig into his shoulders as you shake uncontrollably as Jimin continues to thrust through your orgasm. The sounds of your bodies colliding heightens with squelching noises, your dripping arousal coating his entire pelvis and leaking onto the sheets below.

With a few more sharp thrusts, Jimin pulls out of you and spills his seed onto your stomach. Dressing your smooth skin with strings of milky residue. You catch the ending bit, watching the way his cum spurts out of his cockhead as Jimin presses his pelvis down, using both him and you to squeeze his slick-hardened cock.

Jimin moans with you, still molding your lips together as he holds you close to him. When the two of you calm down from the euphoric sensations, he places his forehead against yours. He looks down at you with soft and serene eyes. Filled with love and adoration. This new sense of energy and vulnerability flows through him.

It’s happiness he shares with you when you both shyly smile at another. Ignoring all the heated labor breathes and dampened hairlines. You get lost in his eyes, wishing that the crisp amber coloring is the solution to all your worries and problems. And in some ways – they are.

“I love you.”

Jimin speaks calmly as he declares his emotions for you. His lips press into yours once more to seal his statement.

You can’t help but look up at him with watery eyes. You want to burst into a full blown cry when you see the way his eyes glisten too, but you don’t. Not wanting to spoil the moment of sincerity for either of you.

“I love you too,” you respond as you brush strands of fringe away from his softening face. It’s almost long enough to tuck behind his ear, which you scowl when you watch the piece fall right back in his face.

You share a soft chuckle with him as he moves slowly, making sure to not spread the mess on your stomach everywhere.

“I’ll clean us up and we can go back to resting for a bit.”

“Okay,” you smile softly. Your hands begin to cover yourself the further Jimin pulls away from your body. 

Jimin is quick to find a feasible cloth from the corner of the room and just as fast to return to you on the bed. He wipes you off first, as he should, before cleaning himself. He kneels down on the mattress as you try to subtly admire his entire naked body. Realizing he is still so unfairly beautiful without the suited armor and clothing he usually wears.

“I should have you know, now that you’re awake…” he huffed a laugh. Jimin slides himself under the covers, meeting your body with his. His arm crosses over your torso, hand running down the other side of you until he pulls you close by the waist. “Your family is safe. We defeated the threat last night and your castle will undergo some reconstruction from the damages. But everything is maintained again. I’m sure we will have to return within the day.”

The news makes you happy. The outcome could have been far worse in many ways. But hearing these words from Jimin is comforting. It makes you proud and grateful for him. You aren’t sure what the future will bring. How this dreamy secret must never be spoken about. What this could all mean now. But what you do know, is that he loves you too, and that is enough for now.

Moodboard credit: @/kth1

──★ ˙warnings: very very brief mentions of substance use, p*rn with just a crumb of a plot, biting, mentions of blood, switch!wonho, oral (m receiving), handjob, light overstimulation, fingering, squirting, mating press position, unprotected sex + creampie, please let me know if i missed anything ! ⸜ (｡˃ ᵕ ˂) ⸝

Searching the streets just for a fix. It’s demeaning, depressing and outright pathetic. But it is the price you must pay for becoming complacent and thinking that the hospital wouldn’t cut you off at some point with how much of a glutton you’ve become since finding out that in the city, money and influence is the easiest way to get what you want. 

Three month waiting period for just a few pints of blood, my ass you bitterly muttered as you recalled your last visit. The hospital staff was lucky that you had some regard for human life or else you would have simply cleared the blood bank out and possibly killed their personnel for denying you. However, causing a commotion like that would mean risking being chased out of the country and you were just now getting adjusted to life here. 

In a superficial modern society with impossible beauty standards and an emphasis on being ‘healthy’ you thought that it would have been a breeze finding someone to feed on. Much to your dismay, a lot of the upper class social circle you had infiltrated was nothing but a bunch of people who only looked perfect on the outside but were practically decaying on the inside. Disgusted was an understatement for how you felt when you discovered that even those who had the means to eat the best foods in the world, access to top of the line healthcare and the best personal trainers were still such revolting sacks of flesh. They were nothing but a human version of the picturesque fruits you would come across in grocery stores, just to bite into them and find that they were tasteless or on the verge of rotting. 

The mere memory of your first time in an upscale nightclub is able to induce gagging as you recall the overwhelming stench of putrid blood best described as rusting nails soaked in vinegar and sulfur that surrounded you. A lack of nutrients in the name of trying to stay as thin as possible was the culprit. Substance use often sullied the taste of blood as well, but with the stresses of modern society you understood why people would turn to things like nicotine, alcohol, and the harder drugs to be able to feel okay. Blood from a person who was barely getting enough nutrients as is and used things such as nicotine or amphetamines to further stave off their appetite was sickening enough to send you into a rage. Yet it was something you had been coming across more and more frequently no matter where you ventured on this spinning blue marble called Earth. 

And oftentimes, it was what you would have to settle for if you wanted to stay alive. If you had known humanity would come to this, you would have let yourself die eons ago with your loved ones instead of wandering the Earth alone and outliving everyone you had ever grown fond of. 

Food is not only a source of energy and necessity for maintaining bodily function. It’s a part of culture and it has the capacity to make people happy. Much like the average human craves the joy of experiencing fine dining at some point in their life or has a favorite food they would like to indulge in, you found yourself craving the blood of someone who ate healthy, took care of their body and abstained from excessive substance use. With the decrease in accessibility to quality blood, the joy of feeding was gone therefore making staying alive feel like a chore. 

Letting your sense of smell be your guide rather than waste anymore time walking around aimlessly, your feet followed where your nose led them to. Walking through the city streets at night, there were tons of different scents to be picked up, most of them being unpleasant, but the smell of the finest blood is sweet enough to cut through it all. As you continued down the block, the smell would become overwhelmingly strong and outshine the stench of—must? 

Finally looking up, you find that your feet have carried you to a gym. One would think that the gym would have been an obvious place for you to lurk around if you wanted someone with tasty blood, but you had been around during the 1980s steroids boom—combine that with all the fad diets that had came and went, even the people who followed strict regimens in order to look like the epitome of physical health with their low body fat and high muscle percentage were just beefier versions of the rich, waifish looking socialites you called ‘friends’. 

Seeing that you weren’t dressed to go to the gym, you wouldn’t dare enter the premises out of fear of attracting unnecessary attention. Lingering around the outside, you’re able to peek through the glass doors and are surprised to see just how many people were exercising at the late hours. Even with enhanced senses, you couldn’t narrow down who had been the source of the delectable fragrance with just vision and there were still too many different scents in the area. Pacing back and forth, you contemplate if you have enough energy to utilize a different vampiric ability to lure out the person you were after. 

While lost in thought, the sound of footsteps approaching causes you to snap back into the present moment and panic as you realize just how out of place you must have looked. Examining your surroundings, you notice the nearby bus stop and dash to take a seat at the bench under the covered port. Listening closely for the footsteps, your acute hearing allows you to deduce that the person heading your direction was exiting the very gym you were lurking in front of. And it seems like Lady Luck is finally on your side as that sweet smell you were after was growing stronger as this person neared you. Despite this person still being at least twenty feet away, their scent intoxicates you and makes your stomach twist with this primal desire; truly testing your restraint. The delicious blend of such perfect, untainted blood with hints of sweat and remnants of this fresh scent— maybe from a shower earlier or from their laundry— has you practically salivating. Your hands had been casually resting atop your knees as you sat down but when you lower your head, you see your fingertips digging into your flesh as a means of relieving the tension in your body.  

Without even looking up you can feel them heading your direction, the heat radiating off their body and their pheromones taunting you as their scent is so overwhelming you could practically taste it. Forcing yourself to focus before they get any closer, you pick apart the notes of their natural perfume and decipher their profile; your target was male, late twenties to early thirties, and in nearly optimal physical health. You could sniff out a few deficiencies in some vitamins and minerals but in comparison to most you had come across, he was perfect to you. What made him even more ideal in your eyes is that you didn’t even have to exert any energy trying to lure him toward you; it was almost like some sort of natural magnetism had brought him your way.  All that was left for you to do was to seal the deal. 

“Hey, I know I’m a little sweaty but is it fine if I take the seat next to you?” A voice gently asks you, in contrast to the mildly intimidating shadow they cast over you. “I just did leg day and I’m starting to feel it already.”

“Oh, yeah, it’s fine.” You awkwardly reply as you try to regain composure before facing the stranger. Looking up, you catch sight of the boyishly charming face that doesn’t quite match the muscular body it’s attached to but nonetheless, he’s a sight for sore eyes and the appealing aesthetic is enough to cause you to perk up in excitement. “Are you a member of that gym?” you question in an attempt to keep conversation going despite already knowing the answer.

“Yeah, it’s one of the nicer gyms in the area.” He replies casually. “Since I didn’t see you in the gym, where are you coming from?”

You can’t help but smile at his naturally friendly disposition, knowing just how little effort it’ll be to get into his head when the time is right. Not only would you have a satisfying meal tonight, it was going to be as easy as taking candy from a baby. 

“I was looking for a treat at the cafe across the street.” You lie easily, gesturing to the aforementioned building. “But seeing the gym made me lose my appetite.” you add in with a small laugh. 

“I’ve thought about stopping by that place but it would defeat the purpose of me going to the gym.” The stranger laughs along with you, contributing to the lighthearted mood of the conversation between the two of you. 

Sensing that the bus was approaching soon, you now have to make the decision of how aggressively you want to pursue your meal. Should you slowly seduce him with natural charm or would it be better to eliminate any chances of him rejecting you?

“There’s nothing wrong with the occasional treat—especially if you have a good time burning off the calories.” You remark playfully, eyes catching his and carefully reading his expression; and maybe taking a peek into his soul and inner thoughts for the hell of it.

 Just as intended, he had registered your words as vaguely amorous and he was flustered over it. The desire to entertain the flirty conversation is there, but he’s a bit shy and you’ve temporarily left him at a loss for words. Oftentimes you had loathed being immortal for so long however, in this moment you’re thankful you had been around long enough to master the gift of telepathy or else you would have interpreted the handsome man’s lack of response as him being put off by your approach. 

“Maybe we can exercise together sometime.” He says, trying his best to keep cool. “My name is Hoseok, by the way.”

You tell him your name and manage to exchange contact information right before the bus arrives. Part of you had anticipated the two of you to part ways at this point and you actually would have to hijack control over the situation and take things into your own hands but much to your surprise, Hoseok seems to have no qualms about inviting you out for drinks at a bar near his place. You have to bite back a laugh at how absurdly easy he’s making things for you without even knowing it, making the prospect of feeding on him even more exciting for you. 

Without hesitating, you accept his invite; teasing him and questioning if it was common for him to ask strangers he meets at bus stops for drinks to which he’s only able to respond to with a sheepish laugh. Going along with your banter, he points out how quickly you agreed to spend time with him and you’re backed into a corner; briefly wondering if you should give another go at reading his thoughts. Ultimately, you decide against it in the name of conserving more energy and not wanting to risk bleeding him dry when you finally get your chance to sink your teeth into him. Such a fine piece of man, it’s hard for you to decide where you want to get your first taste. Lean muscle with a low body fat percentage meant biting into his flesh would have the perfect amount of tenderness and juiciness; the idea of it makes your tongue feel heavy in your mouth as you start salivating once more.

Your hunger is only exacerbated by the fact that the bus is packed despite the late hour, forcing you and Hoseok to be packed against each other like sardines. So many other bloodbags- bodies surround you in the small space but the only thing on your mind is him. Your senses desire only him; to smell him and to taste him mostly but touching him and even just looking at him is exciting in their own way. As you hungrily eye the bulky man standing in front of you while his gaze is elsewhere, you can’t help but wonder if he would even feel that much pain if you bit him. 

The bus braking aggressively after nearly zooming past a stop with one lone rider waiting causes a majority of the standing passengers to lose balance. 

You and Hoseok included. 

Stumbling slightly, you try to regain your hold on the handrail above your head only to have another passenger knock into you and cause your body to collide with Hoseok’s. Your first instinct is to mentally curse yourself for being so lost in your thoughts that your reflexes don’t kick in. The second thing that goes through your mind is losing your footing like that probably made you look more human anyway so it’s not something you should shame yourself for. And the third thing, perhaps the most maddening thought, is just how warm and sturdy Hoseok’s frame feels against yours. Time seems to slow down as one of his arms wrap around your shoulders in an almost protective manner as he asks if you’re alright. 

On the outside, you give him a small nod of reassurance but on the inside, you’re struggling to keep your cool as you practically feel drunk after getting that close to him. It took every fiber of your being to not sink your fangs into him when you landed face first into his chest. Without even realizing it, you had been trembling from just how excited the physical contact made you and Hoseok had interpreted it as you being cold so he pulled you in even closer. 

Your heart thuds against your chest so loud, you can barely hear Hoseok’s thoughts when you read them again. 

Something, something— maybe we should just skip the bar and drink at my place. 

The rest of his thoughts register to you as just a slurry of word soup with no real meaning because of your inability to focus. You’re so out of sorts just by being in his personal space, you accidentally leave the channel for telepathic communication open right as you think about just how much you crave him. 

Right after the thought is completed, you panic and realize he wasn’t meant to hear that; but after that slip up, you wonder if he’s even able to comprehend what just happened. You coyly peek at him through your lashes to gauge his expression but his eyes seem to be fixed on the streets outside of the window as he waits for the bus to arrive at his stop. As much as you desperately want to read his thoughts once more, you had already overdone it. Your body feels just a tad heavier as you let yourself lean further into Hoseok as a means of support, wishing that the trip was over already. Hunger and lust no longer seem like two separate emotions with each second that passes while you’re in his presence. All you want is to—

“Oh, this is our stop.” Hoseok finally says to you after what felt like ages of not speaking; but realistically it was closer to five minutes. The two of you make your way past the other riders and get off the bus, making you realize just how suffocated you felt being in such a small enclosed space with Hoseok’s scent tempting and teasing you. Finally being able to breathe in the cool, night air you’re able to think straight again. Or at least, gain as much clarity as you can with him still being in the vicinity.  

“Do you wanna skip the bar and just get some drinks from the convenience store then go back to your place?” You suggest, laying the charm on thick as you smile at him. 

And of course, since he had already considered this, he agrees. 

Finally getting back to his apartment, you’re encompassed by his fragrance and no longer have to worry about any repercussions of what could happen if you were to lose your grip. The first thing you notice after being invited in was the accent table in the entryway. Your eyes are drawn to the catchall bowl that sits atop it with a lone key fob inside. Just by the smell, you knew for sure Hoseok lived alone, so obviously the car key had to belong to him. But if that was the case, why would he take public transportation? The only logical assumption was that his car wasn’t working right and it was just fate for you to meet him tonight. 

“I’m gonna shower since I didn’t get to take one at the gym, is that cool?” Hoseok asks, snapping you out of your thoughts.

“Only if you're giving me an invitation for me to join.” You tease, watching the tips of his ears flush a light red color at your bold statement. “I’m kidding, but don’t make me wait too long.”

The two of you share a few more jokes and laughs before he finally goes to take a shower. Just as you wished, Hoseok didn’t keep you waiting for long. He returns to the living room where you had been sitting patiently in a plain t-shirt and grey sweats while drying his hair with a towel. Stray droplets of water bead around his neck and hairline just be wiped away with the cloth as he stalks toward you. Settling down on the couch beside you, the two of you resume the playful conversation from earlier while sharing a few bottles of soju between the two of you. 

Carefully pacing yourself, you make sure Hoseok drinks more than you as you pour him shot after shot; encouraging him to indulge himself after a  good workout even when he says he needs to take it easy. However, it’s crucial for you to get him to at least match the level of inebriation that you were currently at just from being in his presence. Even without utilizing your vampiric powers, you note how much influence you have over him and how willing he is to listen. 

“You know, you don’t have to get me drunk to fuck.” He slurs slightly before chuckling as you pour him another drink.

“You can see right through me.” You play along with him, setting down the bottle and then nudging his glass in his direction. “So, it’s fine if I do this?” Inviting yourself into Hoseok’s personal space, you perch yourself on his lap with your lips ghost along his neck as you await his reply.  

“Y-yeah.” He stutters out as he feels your tongue poke out to lap at his skin and baring your fangs, letting him feel the pointed canines right before sinking them into his flesh. You retreat for only a mere few seconds to admire the two parallel puncture wounds that mark his once flawless skin. Diving right back as the two little holes start to drip out the crimson liquid you had been craving all night, you feed on him eagerly. 

Just as expected, he tastes absolutely divine. It’s hard for you to pull away from him because every time you think about it, you just want to sink your teeth into a different part of his body and see if some places taste better than others. On top of that, he’s such a delight to feed on him as he just gives in to you; letting himself be lulled into unconsciousness. Despite the amount of blood you were suckling from his neck, that wasn’t enough to stop blood from rushing between his legs and causing his not so little friend to start poking you in the butt. 

It seems that you had underestimated just how bewitched you had Hoseok. Wrapped around your pretty little finger, he probably wouldn’t have minded you bleeding him dry. But during the few hours you’ve known him you have grown quite fond of him yourself. You would hate to cut your time together short. Mustering up the will, you finally pull away from his neck, making sure not to leave a single drop left behind after finally getting a good meal. 

Seeing that he was passed out and probably having some sort of erotic dream about you, you get up from his lap and peruse around his apartment; getting acquainted with the layout and seeing what things he had kept around. Locating a paper to-do list on the fridge, you quickly scribble your name and number as it seemed like the polite thing to do since you were leaving without bidding him goodbye. 

And with that, you see yourself out. 

In the following weeks, you thought that you would be fine. You went out and did your thing as usual. But Hoseok remained at the front of your mind at all times. He texted you the day after you went to his apartment, having no clear recollection of what happened. Despite how much you enjoyed talking to him and wanted to see him again, you denied all of his offers to hang out again mainly out of fear of losing control in his presence. But the fact he always wanted to see during daylight hours played a factor in it as well. 

It had been so long that you had experienced an emotion like this. You weren’t sure how to cope. Being careful about not killing those you feed on had always been something you worried about; but to feel even an ounce of guilt after feeding on someone was strange. As tasty as he was and how much you craved him, the idea of feeding on him again made you feel bad. 

But of course, the universe works in mysterious ways and you would cross paths with him again. 

Under flashy club lights, celebrating a friend’s birthday was the last place you expected to run into Hoseok. Before you saw him with your eyes, you were able to sniff out his delectable fragrance.  

I guess the city is smaller than I thought. 

You muse to yourself as you sip on your cocktail, very aware of how his scent was growing stronger and stronger until he finally made his way to the VIP section you were seated at with your friends. Not wanting to deal with any awkward conversations about why you’ve been avoiding him, you quietly disappear amongst the large group of people and scurry off to get lost on the dance floor. But it’s just no use. The natural connection between you and Hoseok strikes again. 

Your time dancing alone doesn’t last very long because some random guy thought it would be appropriate to join you. You turn around to tell him off but he won’t take no for an answer, souring your mood to the point of contemplating playing along with him just so you could suck the literal life from him. However, before the opportunity would arise, a familiar shadow looms over you from behind.

Luckily for you, Hoseok’s mere presence is enough to get the weird guy to take a hint and leave. 

Maybe it’s the liquor in your system. Maybe it’s the fact that whenever you’re around him, he serves as your own personal brand of heroin—the dramatic metaphor Edward Cullen used to describe Bella was the only way you could describe your feelings— but you’re not thinking straight when you lean into Hoseok’s firm body, finding comfort in him after the odd encounter you just had. His firm chest is pressed up against your back so you don’t have to worry about getting lost in his eyes. Not yet at least. You take it upon yourself to reach for his arms and wrap them around your waist, urging him to dance with you. 

“I thought you were avoiding me, what happened?” Hoseok playfully asks, leaning in close to your ear so you could hear him over the music. It’s such a simple action, but the sound of voice paired with his breath fanning over your neck sends a tingle of excitement down your spine. 

“I thought I was, too.” You admit with a small laugh, turning your body in his arms in order to face him. “I wasn’t prepared to see you here.”

“Can you tell me why?” He questions as his expression turns serious.

Eyes meeting his, you can detect the slightest bit of hurt under all the confusion and curiosity. It tugs at your heart to see him wearing that emotion. So much so, it compels you to do the unthinkable. 

Wanna know a secret? You tilt your head curiously as you look up at him.

Hoseok’s expression morphs into one of surprise as he realizes that he heard your words but didn’t see your lips move. And even if your lips had moved, it would have been impossible to hear you as clearly as he did. It’s almost as if— 

I’m in your thoughts.

Silently, you create some distance from him as you remove his arms from your body just to take his hand into yours and lead him away from the crowd. Weaving through the crowd of people, the two of you go out a backdoor that had been propped open as a feeble attempt to get more airflow into the venue. In the empty alley, the air is dramatically cooler and less humid than inside; it’s refreshing. 

“Wanna take a guess about what’s going on?” You ask him as a dallying grin tugs at the corner of your lips. “Don’t say your answer out loud. Just think about it.”

In every single way, the current situation Hoseok finds himself in right now is the opposite of the scenes from Twilight. Yet, it’s the only parallel he could draw right now as he sees your pointed teeth glint under the moonlight. 

You could read his mind. You turned down all of his invites for morning coffee dates or lunch. He first met you at night and now he’s seeing you once again under the blanket of nightfall. Before he passed out from what he originally thought was him being too drunk, he remembered you being very interested in his neck. 

But those things could be just coincidences, right? 

Vampires aren’t real.

Or are they? 

Possible proof could be standing right in front of him but the fear of dying in order to find out the truth about what’s supposed to be a fictional creature terrifies him.

“I would never dream of killing you.” You say softly, a small laugh escaping you. “If I wasn’t worried about accidentally bleeding you dry, I wouldn’t have avoided you.”

The sudden confession eases Hoseok’s nerves; but it creates new questions in his mind. Questions that you listen in on and you’re more than happy to answer. 

A combination of thoughts with a few more spoken words sprinkled into the mix are exchanged between the two of you before both of you agree on returning to Hoseok’s apartment. 

As soon as you make it through the door, you’re all over each other. You move so quickly, it makes Hoseok’s head spin. In just one blink, you had him pushed up against his front door as soon as it closed. While kissing his neck, eager fingers unbuttoning the dress shirt he was wearing. Your lips follow the trail of exposed skin, going lower and lower until you encounter a new obstruction. 

His pants.  

A soft hand reaches to grasp the semi-erect length hiding under the fabric. Giving it a firm squeeze, you feel it twitch under your touch and grow harder. The little movement amuses you more than you should as Hoseok lets out little whimpers so you repeat the motion until you’ve gotten him fully hard. 

“Please,” He whines out. “Touch me more.”

The desperation in his voice is so endearing, it makes you almost want to give in to him. Your fingers slowly inch closer to his belt buckle and you take your time undoing it. Hoseok’s eyes watch every languid action, silently wishing you would pick up the pace. Even if he knows that you could read his thoughts, it doesn’t stop him from thinking about what he wants you to do for him and to him.

“Let me have just one thing. And I’ll do whatever you want.” You say, looking up at him as you yank his belt out of the loops of his pants. “Will you let me have it?’

Without even bothering to question your conditions, Hoseok nods eagerly. Too far gone with lust, he would let you have anything as long as it meant feeling more of your touch. But of course, this type of response is exactly what you expected from him and it pleases you. 

Making quick work of the button and zipper on his pants, you hastily yank the fabric down his oh so muscular legs; watching him carelessly kick away the garment once it pools at his ankles. Your hands run up and down his thighs, enjoying the way the muscle feels under your palms before you move in closer; lips ghosting along his inner thigh. Hoseok tenses ever so slightly as you litter kisses so dangerously close to where he wants you but not quite making contact. 

Hoseok maintains a close eye on all your actions, anticipating what’s next. But his eyes just can’t keep up with you. He doesn’t see your fangs drag against his skin; he can only feel it but he just assumes it’s your regular teeth. Until he feels a small prick into the meat of his thigh and the sensation of liquid running down his leg. He’s only able to get a glimpse of red dripping along his thigh before your tongue is chasing after it and licking it away. Your mouth covers the two miniscule holes on his thigh before you start suckling. 

His head falls back in bliss at the suction on such a sensitive area but he starts to feel lightheaded due to the blood loss. Lapsing in and out of consciousness, he can’t focus on a single thing except for how hard it is to stay afloat. 

“Don’t pass out on me now.” You coo gently, digging your nails into his thigh as means of keeping him awake. 

Eyes fluttering open at the sound of your words, his gaze returns to you and it’s almost like pure energy was injected into his veins when he sees you pulling off his boxer briefs. He holds his breath as his length practically springs out of its confines. A pearly bead of precum decorates the tip of his cock, prompting you to lap it up. The warmth of your tongue surprises Hoseok and elicits a small gasp of pleasure from him; only for it to turn into a shaky moan as your hand moves to grasp the base of his cock. Placing a gentle kiss on the tip, you feel his cock pulse under your lips before finally taking it into your mouth and swirling your tongue around it.  

“Oh fuck—” Hoseok whimpers, encouraging you to take more of him down your throat. With your hand carefully stroking whatever you couldn’t take, you hollow your cheeks and suck him off with a hunger that matches his neediness. 

After all, you did tell him you would do whatever he wanted if he let you have what you wanted.  And being able to get inside of his head took a lot of the guesswork out of it. 

Your tongue is set flat against the underside of his cock, massaging the area with the utmost care as one of the veins throbs with every motion you make. The prettiest moans and whimpers keep falling from him, it’s impossible for you to ignore your desire to keep hearing more of them. So of course, your natural course of action is to not just keep going; but to up the intensity for him.

Just having your lips stretched around his thick length has drool pooling in your mouth and threatening to spill out. As you push yourself further along his cock, greedily cramming the entirety of it past your throat, so much saliva has gathered it doesn’t just help ease him deeper inside; it also starts running down your chin. 

Hoseok can barely stand to look at you at this point; the visual is so stimulating it makes him want to cum just from the sight. All of his thoughts are scrambled and he can barely find the words to tell you how good it feels to have you deepthroating his cock with so much gusto. Only a series of gasps and whiny moans are able to come out of him as he feels himself melting under your touch, the door against his back being the only source of stability he has since his legs were starting to feel like jelly trying to keep himself up. The warm heaven your mouth and throat send him to is almost too much to take—especially when paired with the lewd sounds of you gagging on his cock and his thoughts of how good your pussy must feel—

“Please—” Hoseok rasps out, a shaky hand reaching for the back of your head.

“You want to stop already?” You ask mockingly as you pull your mouth off of him, opting to slowly jack him off; the slick sounds of your hand tugging on his length filling in the silence between you as he tries to find the words to convey his feelings. “We’re just getting started.” You pout, moving your hand slower as you enjoy the salacious noises created by his sopping wet cock being pumped by you.

“N-no! Don’t stop, it’s too good.” He cries out, feeling your grip tighten each time it passes over the sensitive tip of his cock. “It’s so fucking good.” He gasps, writhing under your touch as more pre cum leaks out of him adding to the wet mess of saliva you had created and contributing to the sloppy symphony as you pleasure him with your hand.

“Please what, then? What do you want?” You taunt, looking up at him as you feel his cock throbbing under your touch. 

His face is flushed as he shyly meets your intense gaze, trying not to stumble on his words after trying so hard to string together a coherent sentence. 

“Please…let me cum.” He barely gets out, another pathetic moan nearly cutting him off mid sentence. 

Your hand picks up the pace; coaxing him to his finish but as he needily bucks into your fist, you decide to let Hoseok chase after his own climax just for your own amusement. Watching him closely, you observe how his chest rises and falls quicker with his moans coming more frequently. He was so beautiful like this, he could probably make the Greek gods green with envy. His body tenses as his orgasm rapidly builds. With one more tight tug of his cock, his seed spills all over your hand, some of it falling into your lap. 

Your hand slows down, but you don’t stop your ministrations as you force Hoseok to ride out his climax no matter how much he whines. 

“I’m so sensitive. It’s too much.” He pants out; yet his body says otherwise as he’s still bucking into your hand, the sticky mess of cum making him glide in and out of your fist easier. 

“You like it though,” You laugh as you give his cock another squeeze, prompting more of the milky substance to seep out of the tip. “You really wanna end it here?” 

Standing up from your kneeling position, you finally release his cock from your hold and lap up the secretion clinging to your skin while observing Hoseok’s current state. His eyes are glossed over, in a daze as he watches you hungrily lick his cum off of your fingers. It isn’t until you have swallowed the last drop, he recovers from his post orgasm haze and feels revitalized. You can practically see the life return in his eyes and the moment he regains his energy, his posture straightens before lunging forward to toss you over his shoulder then haul you to his bedroom. 

For a human, he moves pretty swiftly and it impresses you. You’re further enamored by his strength; knowing that being able to lift you so easily was no feat to scoff at. When he tosses you onto the mattress, it causes the short cocktail dress you had been wearing to ride up and conveniently exposes your lace panties to him.

Hoseok is only able to admire you for a few seconds before the urge to touch you overwhelms him. Mentally, he wrestles with whether he should go straight for the treasure between your legs or if he should ease into it and take his time. But of course, you make the choice easy when you’re able to pick up on those thoughts. He looms over you, caging you in his arms, looking down at you with lust thinly veiled by that boyish charm you find yourself so enthralled by.

One hand slips into the fabric of your panties, making your lips part in a silent gasp. Hoseok’s touch is rough against your skin and he moves with an eagerness that excites your senses. His fingers gently gather the arousal that was leaking out of you before going to circle your swollen clit, causing a small moan to escape you. He’s fascinated by your mere existence; he didn’t think that the flesh of a vampire could be so warm. He wants to feel more of you.

Rather than rely on you telling him how to do things, Hoseok is eager to learn how to please you; letting your noises and body’s reactions guide him. Massaging your clit at varying speeds and pressures; bringing you so close to climaxing just from stimulating the small bundle of nerves then stopping when you were about to cum. He was a more attentive lover than you could have imagined and it doesn’t take long until you’re practically dripping all over his fingers and pleading for him to put them inside you. Not one to disappoint, he tears your skimpy underwear off your body; tossing the tattered fabric off to the side carelessly.  

His digits were completely covered in your arousal after the lewd petting so when he goes to slip his middle finger into your weeping hole, it slides in easily and is immediately followed by a second. You moan out loud at the intrusion and instinctively pull Hoseok in for a kiss to quiet yourself. His kisses are slow and tender, a stark contrast to the way his thick fingers fuck your sopping cunt. The heat of his lips against yours is an addictive sensation, but you end up breaking the kiss when his fingers roughly thrust into the sensitive, spongy spot within your walls. 

“Feel good?” He gently asks as his fingers slow down, deliberately rubbing up against that spot with more vigor. You think you let out some sort of positive affirmation to him—you’re not sure because your mind can only focus on how good you’re feeling—but his fingers pick up the pace once more, his palm slapping against your clit every time he thrusts deep inside. 

“F-fuck, just like that.” You slur, bucking your hips against his fingers, desperate to reach your climax and regain at least some of your mental clarity.

It’s impossible to ignore the slick noises your cunt makes as Hoseok’s fingers work to coax your climax out of you. You’re writhing against the sheets as the two digits inside you pound into you at an ungodly pace; and just when you thought it couldn’t get better, you feel his thumb rubbing at your clit to give you consistent stimulation there. The white hot heat that pools in the pit of your stomach burns brighter and hotter with every action Hoseok makes; your legs shaking and moans constantly pouring from your lips. With a shrill exclamation of his name, your back arches off of the mattress, vision going blurry. You can barely process what’s happening as before you’re squirting all over his fingers and soiling the sheets beneath you.

Eyes fluttering closed, you take a moment to yourself to even out your breathing and gather your thoughts. The bunched up fabric around your midsection suddenly feels constricting despite you having it on for a good portion of the evening so you take it upon yourself to yank it off your body as Hoseok’s fingers help you ride out the remains of your climax.

He had been eyeing your juicy pussy the whole time. Watching you squirt was one of the most erotic things he’s seen and he desperately wants a taste of you. The only thing stopping him is his uncertainty about whether you would like it if he dove back in so soon after your orgasm.  His thoughts are so loud now that you’re not so consumed with lust.   

Unfortunately for him, eating you out is a privilege he has not earned yet. He would have to wait for another time. You can see his expression briefly become sullen once you relay the thought to him, but you put an emphasis on the fact that there will be a next time which makes him perk right up.

 So, for now he would be satisfied with licking your remains off of his fingers after he pulls them out of you. 

“Oh, wow.” You muse as you prop yourself up on your elbows, getting a better look at him. “Your little friend is up after I fed on you and milked you dry? Aren’t you something special?” 

Your gaze fixes itself between Hoseok’s legs and you wonder how long he had been sporting that hard on; and also, why on Earth did it look bigger than before? In all your time of being alive and playing with your food, never had you seen a man so lively after being drained of two bodily fluids. 

Sitting back on his knees and no longer looking down at you, he blesses you with some more eye candy; letting you ogle at him for a bit and really take in just how well built he was. Your eyes trail up the expanse of his body before you meet his and realize the needy expression he now wears.

“Can I please fuck you now?” He asks the dirty question so sweetly, how could you possibly say no? The mere sound of his words make you wanna jump on him. The only thing that stops you from doing so is the fact that you wanna know what exactly he’s capable of. 

Beckoning him closer to you, you invite Hoseok to fill the space between your parted legs, silently relinquishing all control to him. 

With one hand wrapped around the base of his cock, you watch as he taps the swollen head against your overly sensitive clit; a shiver running down your spine at the sensation. You’re only able to watch in a lust filled haze as Hoseok drags his cock against your pussy, happily coating it in your arousal. Once his thick length is nice and wet, he eases the tip into you slowly. Just as the first inch slides in, you feel your toes go numb as he stretches you out. As Hoseok sinks deeper into you, your eyes roll back at the pain laced with pleasure. He may have done an amazing job at making you cum with his fingers, but now your walls were so tight and sensitive; trying to take in the girth of his cock isn’t easy. It hurts but you’re begging him for more; and Hoseok eagerly obliges, filling you up to the hilt and just admiring the way your cunt molds to fit him. 

Taking a hold of your thighs in each hand, he pushes them against your chest, leaving your ankles to dangle over his shoulders. Leaning into you, the weight of his body presses you into this excruciating folded position but the mild discomfort is easily overshadowed by just how deep you feel his cock. His balls press against your ass, catching the arousal that leaks from your center before his hips draw back just to deliver you a hard thrust that sets the tone for the rest that follow, a choked out gasp slips out of you. 

Your eyes roll back into your head as Hoseok fucks you into the sheets, your mind becoming scrambled and only able to focus on how good he makes you feel. Good was a gross understatement for the pleasure he gives you but it would have to suffice with how hazy your mind was.

It doesn’t take long until he’s desperately rutting into you, the sound of skin slapping against skin mixed in with your moans and Hoseok’s heavy panting filling his otherwise silent bedroom.   

“Oh my god,” He rasps out. “How are you so wet?” His question comes out as a breathless whisper. Both of you are able to feel the gush of arousal that seeps out of your pussy at the sound of his voice but rather than make another comment on it, he thrusts into you faster. You snap out of your daze just to watch Hoseok’s head fall back as he loses himself in the feeling of how wet and warm your walls around his cock. 

“There, fuck, right there!” You barely get out between moans as the angle of his thrusts shift ever so slightly and hits that spongy spot inside of you that makes you see stars. Half lidded eyes focus on how much more attractive he appears as he’s pounding away at your g-spot, eager to make you cum again. 

Your legs shake and your moans get breathier and whinier. All the tell tale signs of you being extremely close to cumming were there, but it still took you by surprise when your walls squeezed down impossibly tight on his dick. You shiver as your climax hits you, your juices trickling down on to his length that’s still moving in and out of you as he’s now able to selfishly chase after his own orgasm. Breathy whimpers fall from you as he continues to stimulate your walls, fucking you through your climax and prolonging the sensation of euphoria overtaking your body. 

“W-where should I cum?” Hoseok asks, looking down at you with pupils blown out with lust and the neediest expression on his face. 

“Wherever you want.” You tell him as a tired smile graces your features, your hand reaching to stroke his cheek fondly. You see it in his eyes, the notion of being allowed to cum where he wanted excites him even more. He pummels into your pussy at his fastest speed yet, searching for his own little slice of heaven within your walls. With the most beautiful sound you’ve heard, he finally unleashes his load inside of you, filling you to the brim with his cum. You sigh happily as you let him take a few more moments to ride out his climax before slipping your legs off of his shoulders and carefully pulling yourself off of his cock. 

Hoseok’s orgasm had sapped the last bit of energy he had out of him as he slumped onto the bed, lying opposite of you. Satisfied with your encounter with him, you kiss his forehead and wish him sweet dreams before you bid him goodbye. 

“Sorry, but you seem to be fully recovered, I can’t give you another day” the doctor said while checking with a lamp over  your eyes, moving around the flashlight from one extreme to the other making your sight follow it. 

“I still feel dizzy, though” you lied, trying to play dumb so you could get one more day at least. 

“That might be because you’re not eating well, you look pale and tired” the doctor turned off the lamp and put  it inside his coat pocket, at the mention of food your stomach twisted needy “If the blow on your head isn’t because you fell off, and it was something else you should tell me, is somebody bothering you __?”

You stared at him, his silver hair and greyish skin making him look like someone you could trust, but at the same time remembering you were not one of them, you were just another foreigner in that hell’s school, and everybody was up to his service. 

You moved here six months ago, when you won a scholarship to a franchise of your own high school in another country, same classes, same uniform, same installations, different language, and people. It was very exciting and new, it was all fun and games until he saw his next victim  in you  to unleash his devilish games. 

Park Jimin. The top-notch student. 

Handsome and rich, great manners and great body paired with a beautiful smile, but his eyes were from another world. Cold, lifeless, evil. Every single time he glanced at you, you could feel the contempt he had for you, the hateful and vicious disgust he felt for you. And he was never alone, he surrounded himself with a litter of creeps, bootlickers that did whatever he told them to do. 

His aggressions started by being harmless, they were playful even. He would drink a sip from your strawberry milk and return it almost empty. It didn’t bother you, you had a fridge in your room full of those. He would steal your pencils or change your backpack and books to the last chair of the room when you went to the restroom in the middle of the class. Yes, they were annoying, but initially you thought he was just a joker and that he liked to prank you because you were the new girl. 

It all became insufferable when you made the mistake of taking a second bottle of strawberry milk with you one day, and just when he had arrived next to you to steal yours, you took out the second milk and hand it to him. 

“What’s this?” he asked annoyed.

“Strawberry milk” you answered, your thick  Brazilian accent floating in the air. 

“I know it’s strawberry milk, what do you want me to do with it?”

“It’s for you” you said, your smile shining under the sunlight “You always take my milk, I guess you like it, so I brought one for you” He stayed in silence for two minutes, just looking at you confused, why would you bring something to him when he has being awful with you?

“I’m ____, by the way, I’m new” you extended your hand to greet him formally, but he interrupted you again. 

“I know your name, I know you’re new” he said, not even bothering to hold your hand “Do you know who I am?” 

“No” and just when you were about to ask him his name, he opened the pink bottle and pour it above your head, your neat and clean uniform getting all spilled with pink milk and your hair wet and sticky. “Park Jimin, my father is the principal so don’t you forget that honey” and he left, the student’s eyes following you after you ran to the toilet to clean  yourself.

His attacks continued getting meaner and meaner each day, but ultimately he would always ask his gang to do something wrong to you while he would just watch. For an unknow reason, when he was with his gang his attacks were lighter, just him mocking you or insulting you, making you the laughingstock of the class, always pointing at how out of shape you were.

When his group of friends were alone, not a sight of Jimin around, that’s when they would get violent, throwing your body between them in a circle, pushing you, pulling your hair. Four days ago, one of his friends hit your head with a locker door and left you unconscious in the hallway, that’s why you were so insistent with the doctor to give you another day of inability due to your injury. 

You were getting tired and regretful of coming here in the first place. In your hometown, your country, you were the most popular girl of the school, everybody loved you and no one ever laughed at your body shape. Having curves was normal for them, but here… they seemed to hate it. You stopped eating because of that. 

“I can’t give you another day, you told me that you tripped over the stairs” that’s what you said, because if you tell the principal or any other teacher that his son and his friends were making your life a living hell they  wouldn’t do anything about it, you’ve tried, many times. You went with a teacher, and they seemed interested at first, but as soon as you dropped his name they froze and told you to go with the prefect. You went with the prefect, and when you told him it was Jimin the one bothering you he told you go with the school coordinator, and the list kept going.

No one ever did anything. 

“No one is helping! I’ve been with the discipline coordinator so many times and he keeps telling me to come back to you and make you pass the memo to the principal” you said  to the principal’s secretary. At this point, you knew they would never let him know what his son was up to, but you still held  hope that someone will pity you and stop this madness.

“Listen, I won’t be the one telling the principal that his son is committing harassment to another student, if he was a nice and fair man I would but if you think Jimin is despicable, his father is ten times worst” the secretary, who was clearly tired of you and her job in general, spitted in between her teeth “I suggest you to go yourself if you are brave enough, but one thing is sure, he won’t care, he never cares when it comes to his son” 

You swallowed nervously, trying to hide your fear and helplessness. 

On your way out of the office,  they found you. 

“Look who is here!” one of the boys said, his name was Chanwook and he was Jimin’s second hand. He was taller and skinnier, but that didn’t prevent him from throwing you to the walls and floor as strongly as he could. He was the one who hated you the most, just after Jimin himself, of course “Oh, no guys, she’s coming out of the principal’s office, she’s a sneak!” he faked preoccupation with a pout.

“Sneaky little bitch!” that was Meeyon, the alleged girlfriend of Jimin. And only alleged because Jimin himself never held  her hand, kissed her or acted sweetly towards her in public, actually he would ignore her whenever she started to act mellow with him with people around. But everybody knew he fucks her on a regular basis “You weren’t satisfied with being ugly but you’re also a snitch fat bitch” 

She grabbed you by the chin and held  your face close to hers “Jimin will know about this” 

“Jimin would throw her from the stairs” the sadistic voice of Chanwook sounded overly excited with the perspective of pushing you off the stairs and see how much it would take you to faint. You gasped because that sounded more like a Chanwook’s wish, Jimin never got physical with you, he just fucks with your mind and emotions. It wasn’t better, but still.

“I think Jimin would actually make her run in the court” Junghae suggested and made the other two laugh, “We should make her run until she can’t breathe” he said eating his sandwich carelessly. Junghae was the stupidest guy you’ve ever met, saying his dumbest thoughts out loud and pretending they weren’t mean at all. 

You felt the panic paralyzing your body, the fear and angst running and making you want to cry but holding it. You tried to walk past them, walking by the side to the main door, but Junghae grabbed you by the hand and pulled your arm back with them again, his hand hurting your wrist, making you  feel the blood accumulating where he was touching you. 

“Where do you think you’re going? It’s already 4 o’clock and we are not done with you…” the way his voice was always threatening made you shiver, his eyes always burnt with the deepest and purest type of hate; as if he for real wanted to see you lying on the floor lifeless. 

You tried to run away, but they chased you and Chanwook hit your head with the door locker and left you there when your body laid for five minutes unconscious. A person from the cleaning department found you and called the ambulance. 

They gave you a five-day inability, taking classes over the webcam and sending the home works via the email, it was paradise. You didn’t want it to end. 

“I need you to tell me if someone is bothering you, __” the doctor said again, but you shook your head nervously. 

“No, I’m fine. I-I just tripped” you didn’t sound convince and judging by the fear in your eyes he knew you weren’t.

“You know I work to a medical agency and not the school, right?” he mentioned, like wanting to clarify his job position to you “I go wherever my agency tells me to go, my superior is my hospital manager not the principal, I can report any harassment and bring the Ministry of Education if necessary.” 

“No, it’s okay, I-“

“__, is it Mr. Park’s son?”

Your silence was his answer, he was familiarized with his manias.

“I can call my supervisor but he’s on vacation, he will be back in two weeks, until then you can always come to the nursery room, I’ll hide you here” and finally let you go, feeling protected at last.

You went to the grocery store that afternoon, resign that you would come back to the school routine of wake up, sleep in class and get hurt, so you decided to treat yourself and eat some candies while watching a tv show on your laptop. There was a grocery store half a street near where your student’s residency building was, so you always went there to shop. 

You picked a regular black skirt, a white tank top and red converse. Your loved gummies, they were your favorite snack, so you picked three different flavors, cherry soda, pop corns, ice cream and chocolate bars. You let your full basket fell with the cashier but there was a little card that said: I went to the restroom; I’ll be back soon. 

You waited patiently there, taking your phone out to scroll a little when the bell on the front door rang and you didn’t turn around to see, your attention fixated on a video of a kitten playing with a rubber duck.

Jimin got into the store without any hopes of you being there, but in the months you’ve been in school with him he discovered where you lived and he figured you would usually buy your stuff here, since it was the closest grocery shop to your building. It was very far away from his house, he lived in a very nice area where all the houses where big, majestic, and empty. This neighborhood was economically different from his, but there he was. 

All the times he came here you were never present. Once or twice, he saw you coming out, making him regret not hurrying up enough to catch you inside for a minute or two. So when he enters the store this time, his hope is all gone, not really believing you would be there but holding to the routine; until he sees you. 

You were turning your back to him, your exquisite voluptuous figure bending over the checker waiting for the cashier to come back, your ass perked out and bouncing to the rhythm of the music coming out of your phone and your hair pulled on a messy hair bun. You had a red ribbon adorning your hair bun. He froze when he caught the nudity of your legs in that short skirt and images of your red converse stepping on him pleased him. 

He coughed his throat softly, trying to swallow and picked random shit from the store. He hurried because even when he wanted to make it seem casual, he wanted to talk to you. He opened the fridge and grabbed a can soda, chips and condoms. He drank your silhouette from behind before talking and ruining your day. Your legs were thick and soft, just the way legs should be. 

He remembered the day he saw them for the first time, it was on your first week after moving, you were using the EP uniform, but it was slightly different from the rest of the girl’s uniform. It was a short, and that was the regular uniform on your country, sports skirt or shorts. You were the only student showing off your legs and you seemed like it didn’t matter, running and jumping like nothing, and he wanted you for that. 

You had something he didn’t: confidence.

Actual confidence and not like his fake performance of being powerful and feared because of his position. Here you were nothing, nobody knew you or your family, and yet you were so free and powerful. Maybe that was why he felt the need to tear you down. 

“You’re not eating all that, are you?” he teased, and he felt proud when he saw your back arch in defense recognizing his voice without looking at him, your body language responding to the sound of his voice so quick. He reached the checker as well, and placed his stuff right next to you, watching the basket and the products “You eat for two, uh?” 

“And what if I do? that’s none of your business” you responded infuriated and he loved the way you would never back off, you would always put him in his place and were never afraid of talking back. He was the powerful  here, but you never let him walk over you, that was why he became addicted to bullying you so fast. 

“Actually, it is my business because as you know I'm president of the ecology club and this month's homework is to raise awareness about whales” and looked down your body, scanning you from your sun kissed skin to your boobs that were displaying over the tank top’s low neck. You thought he was judging you but the reality was that Jimin was memorizing, so he could use his imagination later. 

“And when are you going to raise awareness about the scarcity of your brain?” 

“When you tell for who all that food is” he spoke trying to control his laugh, he really loved your quick and smart answers, they made his day better. 

You doubt to say it, because he would mock in your face and call you a liar, but he already did that every day, so you happily responded him: “Believe it or not, I have a date.” 

His heart got numb. You couldn’t be having a date, why would anyone pick you for a date? Ever since the day you arrived, he marked you; bullying and harassing you was his way to let everybody know you were damaged merchandise. He isolated you through pranks and insults so everybody would know that if they made friends with you, they would face the same destiny. 

So, why would you be having a date now? 

“Who’s the loser?” he carelessly asked. 

“Why? You’re jealous?” you answered, praying for the cashier to hurry and charge you so you could leave. 

“You wish, I just pity them, sent him my condolences.” He sounded significantly mad, but you didn’t notice since he was always mad when you were around.  

“I will when you rest in peace.”

“Bitch.” He spitted. 

“Asshole.”

The cashier appeared, confused and astonished because on his way to his place he caught pieces of your conversation but he stayed quiet, not wanting to know what was going on between the two of you. 

“Little mouse!” he shouted before you leave the shop, and you hated how your body stopped on his way out as if it was your natural name “Will you go to school tomorrow? The day is boring when you’re not there.”

You rolled your eyes, not answering to his ridiculous question because he knew you were going to be there tomorrow. You hurried to your apartment, and when you prepared all the snacks in front of the couch’s table you noticed your red hair ribbon was missing. It probably fell inside the grocery store, you were about to go back  and ask if they had it but the sound of  a ring on the door pulled your attention and you forgot about it. 

“Taehyung!” you greeted happily, letting  him in. 

“I got you this…” he said shyly  after taking out a small gift package. It was a heart shaped hair pin and it was red, your favorite color. You wore it proudly and turned on the tv, ready to enjoy the comfort of his company. 

Taehyung was a good boy, very nice and kind. He was also a scholarship student, but he was from around, so he didn’t really have a problem blending in and being invisible. You met on your weekly sessions with the school psychologist to check on your process of adapt to the school. You would sit  next to each other, waiting for the psychologist to say your name or his and have your fifteen-minute chat. 

The first weeks he was very quiet, wearing his headphone and watching you from  the corner of his eyes but not talking. You started to feel he was into you when he smiled for a fraction of second when you appeared. One day you became bold and asked him what was he listening, he took his headphones off and put them on you. He was listening to jazz, fancy and old. 

Taehyung knew a little bit of what Jimin and his friends were doing to you because he has seen the bruises on your skin, but you didn’t want him to get involve since him and Jimin had the same age they shared most of the classes. 

“You can’t keep living like this, __” Tae said, seeing the new bruise Chanwook left on your left arm. 

“It’s nothing”

“If you want me I can make a police file, start an investigation” his dad was a police officer, so it made sense his savior complex was a heritage.

“Let’s not talk about that, let’s watch a movie” and both of you started to eat and relax, you even let him kiss you when the movie was over. Sweet and gentle, his hands were on  your cheeks and your cheeks only, like the gentleman he was. 

You forgot about the ribbon, but on the other side of the city Jimin tied it up to his wrist and hid it underneath his shirt sleeve, kissing it and touching it because he had something that belonged to you. It angered him how this was the closest he would ever get to you, if he wasn’t such an asshole and could be more like you, kind and trustworthy. 

The thing with Jimin was that he knew what was going on between you and him, and he wasn’t stupid. He knew that he wanted you, he craved you badly and everyday being far from you was harder and harder. But Jimin had issues, he never learnt how to be friendly, everything was handed to him easily and even his friendships were attached to him under a specific desire they wanted from him. His money, his connections, his power, sex. 

No one had ever been real to him, not even his own father, who ignored him and despised him ever since he could remember. Ever since his mother left the two and broke their family; the hate was mutual though. Jimin hated his father as much as his father hated him, it was fine, he had an entire school ready to lick his shoes. 

Until you came. So bright and sweet. 

You, with your generous curves and your red lipstick, red nails, and red converse. It was the perfect color for you because every time he pictured you, he saw you in red satin sheets. Red, the color of sex and violence. The color for passion and blood. He watched you from afar the first week after you arrived, and he noticed you were kind and open, gifting your smiles and your laughs to everyone who would look in your direction, but not him. You weren’t interested in him, mainly because no one had told you who he was or maybe you did knew and simply didn’t care. 

He found your presence insulting and likable. And if it wasn’t confusing enough already, you gifted him a strawberry milk bottle after he started to bother you, that got him off the waterline, destabilized him and made him sink. The reality of his horrible persona hit him like a truck, and to this new sensation of warmness and affability he responded with the only way he knew: hurting  you. 

Every day he saw your kind eyes lose their shine and become angrier, bitter. They would light up just when he showed up in front of you, with hate and resentment and for the first time in his life someone was looking at him with realness. He was the cause of a real emotion behind someone’s gaze, and he found that amazing. 

Why couldn’t he just say hello like a normal nineteen-year-old? No, the only way he could show you how much he wanted you was hurting you and haunting you, making sure you would never try to cross that line of goodness ever again with him, but also having you close enough he could consume your mind and your days, making him the only thing you could think of. Because the most similar thing to love was hate, and he wanted you to hate him with all your heart. 

You walked down the aisle, your eyes following the book’s spine, looking for the one you were needing for your essay. You previously had asked the librarian to add you to the waitlist for that specific book, since your school only had one copy of it and it was highly requested. According to the date, the book should be free for you now.

You knelt down to keep looking at the title when a noise pulls you out of your thoughts, the sound of two mouths crashing together and the clicks of tongues came to you from your left and before you could stop yourself you looked in that direction. There he was, the person you hated the most on this planet earth, kissing a blonde girl.

His hands were all over her body, he was facing the hallway and her back was all you could see of her. She had her hands on his black hair and his were moving up and down her thighs, and you recognized him just with one look at his hands. The same hands that would throw your books to the floor, the same hands that had push you and the same hands that pointed at you mockingly.

You didn’t want to see Park Jimin making out with someone, even when you found unbelievable he had the ability to feel something pleasing, you would have swear that man could only feel anger and bitterness inside him, but something about the way he was kissing her kept you interested. He opened his eyes, and without breaking the kiss, he smiled when he recognized you, eyeing you during the kiss.

You could tell his eyes shone with that devilish light of his, and his performance during the hook up got heavier. You collected yourself, remembering your task of finding the book and leave the hell out of there, but the book wasn’t there. There was an empty spot where it was supposed to be, and just when you were about to stand go with the librarian the monster spoke.

“Enjoying the show, little mouse?” his out of breath voice was raspy and profound, he was turn on.

“No, I came here looking for a book as the rest of the people here, this is a library not a motel” you pretend to keep searching even when you knew the book wasn’t there, just to not look at him.

“Oh, wouldn’t it be this book the one you want?” the irony leaking on his voice made you turn around and watch his hand wave a small book, it was indeed The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm.

“Give it to me!” you shouted almost forgetting you were in  a library and someone staring at you with disgust.

“Oh, you want this?” and he shove the book underneath his white buttoned shirt “Sorry, you will have to look for it” the blonde girl laughed at you and Jimin remembered she was there; it always pissed him off how he forgets about other women easily when you are near, it makes his blood burn. You shouldn’t have that much power and being unconscious about it. 

“Get out.” he said to the blonde one, and she widened  her eyes in  surprise “I said get out.” and he pushed her away, he didn’t even let her utter a word while  he was picking  her backpack from the floor and throwing  it to her. 

She ran out of the library and you followed her with your eyes until she disappeared because you were as confused as her; maybe Jimin was indeed a mentally unstable person, you had no other explanation for his abrupt mood swings. 

He stared at you in silence, fascinated with your legs showing off down the uniform skirt in your kneeled position. He walked towards you, grabbing your chin roughly with his fingers. 

"Didn't you wish it was you in  her place?" He speaks, his breathy voice crashing with your face and he smelled like cigarettes and coca-cola "Didn't you want to be praised by me instead of bullied?" 

"I'd rather be your victim than your friend, you're disgusting Jimin, I would do whatever it takes to free myself from you" you spat and before you could add how much you hated him because he grabs you by the neck and forces his mouth on  yours. You protest, your hands on his chest trying to push him away but he's bigger. 

"Whatever it takes, uh?" He repeated, his lips moving above yours, the tip of his nose touching your cupid's arch and his eyes fixated in yours, "so will you be my slave?" 

"You're sick" you responded, trying to push him away, but the harder you tried the strongest his hold was. "I can't believe there's people who genuinely like you"

"You make me sick, one glance at you and I want to throw up"

“Why did you kiss me then? Why don’t you leave me alone?”

“Because I love charity” he smiled, actually finding his own joke funny  "I'm making you a favor just by looking you right in the eye." 

"You are the one who's salivating every time you look at me, Jimin, I'm starting to feel you're in love with me" the voice of the two was starting to get loud, and neither of you noticed when the librarian appears in the hallway. 

"The two of you, I must pleat you to keep the sound low if necessary for you to keep talking, this is a library not the school yard, you can't be shouting in here" the librarian looked at the two of you with stress, and when she notices that it was Jimin himself, her face features softens. 

"Mrs. Chester, he has the book that I reserved for this week, and I need it to finish my essay, I reserved it last week" you defend yourself. 

"Mrs. Chester, I believe we can make an exception per se, and share the book since I need it as well, I'm pretty sure you will understand and any complain about this incident can be notified with my father" he spoke to her with that petulant tone he loved to use, and the old woman opened her eyes impressed at his subtle warning. 

"Miss ___ and I got the book issue covered" he continued. 

"Okay, I'll leave it to you then, keep the tone low" and she walked faster to her place again. 

"Give me the book" you said once again in between your teeth.

"You said 'whatever it takes' and we are about to see how far you're willing to go to set yourself free from me, meet me at the lab at four" and he picked his backpack from the floor and leave you in the library's hallway, scared and hesitant. 

Jimin’s pulse was out of control, on the outside he might seemed relax and nonchalant, as he usually was, but if you paid attention to him you could notice his right hand shaking with need. The same hand that grabbed your chin and pulled your neck closer to him. He was shaking nervously like a virgin, his body excited and hard with the pure action of connecting his lips together. 

The whole morning he kept looking at the clock, wishing the hands would point at four magically. When his last class was over, he picked his stuff ignoring his group of friends speak to him and rushed to the lab. 

You weren’t there, but he would give you time, a couple of minutes, a couple of hours, all the time you needed. He knew you wanted the book and that you also wouldn’t turn down a good fight with him. Hopefully he didn’t wait too long before you and your red aura appeared in front of him, stealing a smirk from his face. 

You hated when Jimin smiled, if God was on your side he would have made him ugly, but the heavens saw in you a victim as well and made him awfully pretty. 

“You came” he spitted trying to hide how happy he was. 

“You have the book, what else could I do?” and you dropped your backpack to the floor, sitting on the first seat of the lab. He was leaning on the teacher’s desk, standing. He stared at you for a while, that day you were wearing a red beret and cherry earrings; sometimes he hated himself for harming such a cute thing like you. 

“What do you want?” you asked exhausted under his scrutiny. 

“How was your date?” he asked, and you frowned confused, why would he be asking that? “You know, the date you told me you had yeste…”

“Yes, I know what date you’re talking about, but why would you ask about that?” 

“Because I want to know.” 

“Why?”

“I want to know who’s my little mouse’s new friend” there it was, the evil glint in  his eyes made its entrance and somehow you felt scared that he found out it was Taehyung. Jimin was volatile and extreme, and you regretted the idea of ever coming, he can keep  the book you could try to replace it with another one. 

“You know what? this is bullshit, you can keep the book” you bended to pick your backpack from the floor but he was faster and he took it away from you, you jump to him trying to reach his extended arm where he had your bag “Give me that! Give me my stuff!”

“Give me a kiss” his voice was raspy, and with every little jump you did his nose was flooded with your smell. Cherry blossom and lemon. 

“You’re sick, Jimin, I won’t give you shit”

“First of all, you already told me that and second, you already gave me that. I’m just asking for another” he laughed at your piss expression, so out of your boxes, so his. You tried to jump over him once more, but you tripped over the desk, falling above him. He catches you by grabbing you by the hips and when you hurried to get off him, he captures you left arm. 

You moaned in pain, the bruise in your forearm still new palpitated when Jimin hold you there and he notice something was wrong underneath the uniform’s shirt. He rolled up your shirt’s sleeve and saw the yellow and purple spot on your skin. It could have been that you fall off or tripped, but it had the shape of a hand. 

“What happened to you?” he asked, his amusement was gone and it was replaced with… Concern? Anger? Great, you must be experiencing head trauma because you were starting to get delusional.

“Nothing, it’s nothing. I’m starting to get tired of people asking me what happened when it’s obvious” you pulled your arm away from his hand, rolling your sleeve back. 

“You’re lying, tell me who did that” he demanded, and you laughed outraged, how dared he? 

“Who did this? You’re asking who did this?” He swallowed when he saw your tired and ironic face, a mix of bitterness and exhaustion that didn’t belong to your sweet features. “Your friends!” you shouted while pointing at him, shaming on him “Your gang of sadistic dogs did this to me! How dare you to ask me as if they don’t act according to your orders?”

“I never told them to hurt you” he stated and for the first time his voice wasn’t sarcastic or mocking, it was simply neutral and serious “I’ve never harmed you physically, I never told them to-“

“You don’t have to, Jimin, when you’re not around they chase me and torture me just because you hate me, the whole school knows it, even the teachers. It’s implicit that they hit me and push me because of you” you let it all out, shouting to him with all your strength, breathing heavily after you’re done and adding “So, if you have a little bit of human decency, you will not ask me obvious questions.”

“Was it Chanwook?” he gave you your backpack and you snatched it from his hands. 

Your silence was his answer. 

Chanwook’s nose bleed and splashed on Jimin’s uniform jacket. 

“Who asked you to hurt her like that?” Jimin shouted in  his ear, the parking where  he made his friend go was empty, no witnesses around.

“I thought- I thought you would find it funny” he said breathless, his hands trying to crawl away from Jimin’s fist, but the asphalt scraped his palms and Jimin’s expensive boot kicked him on the stomach, feeling his ribs crack.

“I checked her medical record, her five-day inability wasn’t because she fell, was it?” he grabbed Chanwook’s head by his hair, pulling it harshly like Chanwook himself had done many times with your hair.

“Is not a big deal, dude. You were the one who started it all, we just followed you.” 

“What did you do to her?” and Jimin’s foot connected again to his knee. 

“I- I pushed…” Chanwook couldn’t talk, the pain making him howl. 

“What did you do?!” Jimin shouted very close to his ear, losing his patience, his hand getting more intense on his hair.

“I pushed her head to a locker twice, I wanted to see how many times she could take it until she passed out.” 

Jimin saw red. The blood of his eyes expanding on his sight and his sadistic side came out. He pushed Chanwook’s head to his car door twice, but he didn’t pass out. 

“I like this game too, we are going to see how many time you can take it until you pass” Jimin hit his head three more times, but apparently the head of that scumbag was made of titanium cause when he dropped him,  the fucker could still walk. Slow and dizzy, but his shivering knees  made him stand up. 

“Why did you do it?” Jimin asked, lighting up a cigarette and taking off his jacket. He had his sleeves rolled up, and your red ribbon showed on his wrist making him smile “Why would you hurt her like that?” 

“For the same reason as you.” Chanwook answered and Jimin froze “Because I want her.” 

“You want her.” He repeated, the fury accumulating on his burning chest and his butchered knuckles. That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Chanwook knew Jimin was pissed already, so if he was already fried, why wouldn’t he break it to him? He couldn’t hurt him more. 

“Sorry for being the one telling you, but your mouse has a nice pair of legs, I like to harm her and then I go to jerk-“ Chanwook couldn’t end the sentence because Jimin was tackling him, pushing down to the floor again. His fist went down to his face repeatedly. When Jimin stood  after getting tired, he made sure Chanwook was still breathing. He was, unfortunately.

“It’s little mouse, idiot.” 

He called the police anonymously, saying there was a student being attacked on the parking lot. Jimin took out his belongings to make it seem like an assault and knelt before leaving the place to warn his friend. 

“You will leave the school, get transfer, drop out of high school I don’t care, but if I see you tomorrow morning there you will suffer. You will say people attacked you and stole from you, not a word of this. And if I see you near her, if you dare to talk to her, to breath in her direction, I will come for you just like I have done for everybody who ever disobeyed me, do you understand?”

Chan’s swollen face couldn’t articulate a word, Jimin rolled his eyes to the disgusting scene. 

“Blink if you heard me and understand.” 

Chan blinked, and Jimin stand, ready to walk to his car, murmuring to himself “Why do people mess with what is mine?” 

The reunion you had with Jimin a couple of days ago left you anxious and uneasy, especially because you haven’t seen Chanwook and the others haven’t mess with you. You walked down the hallway and got to your locker and when you unlocked the door you find a brand-new copy of The Art of Loving, a red gift bow and a card adorning the edition.

No God, please. Don’t let it be from Jimin. 

You opened the card and read on his unmatched calligraphy.

“ ‘Is love an art? Then it requires knowledge and effort’. I will put effort, little mouse, and show you how artistic I can be. Jimin.” 

You were disgusted with his silly words. Was this a prank? It must be, three days ago Jimin was making fun of you because the shirt was too tight to your breasts and he could see the line of your bra, his friends also pointing at the softness of your flesh. 

You didn’t need the book anyways, you bought it on E-book and your essay was almost finish so you threw  it in the garbage, pretending that incident didn’t happened and moving on to your next class. You were unaware that from the other side of the hallway, near to the cleaning closet Jimin was watching you. Confused and sad with the scene of you hating his gift.

Why did you throw it away? 

The rest of the week was awfully peaceful for you. There was no sign of Chan, and Meeyon and the other idiot stopped messing with you. When they would saw you in  the hallways or the yard, they would walk away as if you were infected with something dangerous and contagious. They would not even look in  your direction. You were afraid they were gathering strength to finally come for you and beat you really hard. 

Jimin on the other hand was losing his mind. He has been watching you from afar, and he notice that the shine you initially had was coming back to your eyes, and he wasn’t the reason for it. He followed you after classes for almost a week, and he didn’t see any  trace of this alleged date guy you told him. 

He was starting to think you invented it to make him mad, to catch his attention because you craved him as much as he craved you. He was about to leave the coffee shop where you were reading, when a guy appeared next to you and you stood up and greet him with a kiss. 

A kiss. The kiss you didn’t wanted to give to him. 

His jaw clenched and his fist gripped  his car’s wheel containing his anger. You were not lying, you had someone. He narrowed his eyes, trying to see who he  was, and then he gets a glimpse of his eyes and recognize  him, it was a shy boy that always sat at the end of the class, the last seat. What was his name? Taesoo? Taejoon? 

Taehyung. Kim Taehyung.

He watched the two of you a little longer, seeing how you were calm and sweet with him. Punching him in the arm playfully, laughing, covering your mouth when he said something funny, sharing a damn slice of cake.  Cherry cake.  

The next day he decided he would do what he did better. Intimidate you, extorting you.

He stood next to your locker, his backpack to the side and arms crossed on his chest. You appeared on the hallway with a strawberry scarf in your head and heart shaped earrings, a necklace matching your already annoying and stunning appearance.

“What do you want, Jimin?” you asked bothered with his only presence near you.

The truth with you was that you knew what was going on between you and him, his incessant tease, his subtle flirtation and his fixation with you. Deep down you prayed your intuition was wrong because if you could ignore his horrible personality and sadistic tendencies, you would be on your knees for Park Jimin.

Thankfully, you still were a reasonable and logic person, you could not ignore his flaws, and you truly felt disgust and resentment every time you saw him.

“I just wanted to check on my little mouse, how’s been your day?”

“It was all good, until you came and now it’s ruined” you responded, not even looking at him. You opened your locker and took your books out.

“Glad to hear that, no one has the right to ruin your day but me” he smiled discreetly “Has Meeyon and Junghae mess with you?”

You looked at him, briefly, surprised he was interested in your well-being.

“No, they haven’t, why?”

“Good.”

“Why?” you insisted “Did you tell them something?”

“I told them to stop, to not touch one strain of your hair” his eyes turned darker and narrowed, and your heartbeat raised to the perspective and the rare sensation of Jimin being… Protective?

“Thank you.” You couldn’t believe your words, thanking your abuser for doing the bare minimum, but not having those three around lifted a weight from your shoulders and made your days lighter “What happened with Chan...”

“You will not worry about him anymore; he got what he deserved.”

“What do you mean?” your voice shake anxiously.

“You won’t see him again.” Jimin smiled satisfied.

“What did you do to him?” you weren’t sorry for whatever happened to Chanwook, he was a despicable human being who liked and enjoyed pain from others, but you were not rejoicing on the fact he could have been harm because of you.

“Nothing he didn’t do to you. Don’t worry sweetheart, he got transferred, he will be fine” you didn’t like how Jimin’s voice was to mellow, as if you trusted on each other “Speaking of be fine, why don’t you come to my house this evening and work on your essay, I still have the book…”

“I can’t, I have plans already” you cut him, cursing your luck.

“With that Taehyung asshole?” he pushed closed your locker door, the sound of metal whipping down the hall, drawing attention.

“Who-?”

“I’ve done my research, all the people who are friends of my little mouse are also my friends.” His face was tainted with craziness and obsession, two things you evoked deeply in Jimin.

“Don’t hurt him.” Was the first thing that came out of your mouth. “I won’t” he leaned closer to your mouth “I won’t, unless you don’t do something for me” his lowered chest voice was velvety against your ear skin “Meet me at the lab at four, don’t be late little mouse.”

✔︎ TAGLIST: @tae-v-eat @whipwhoops @bunnyca @itachiswaify @sheylamc @samuelfortniteking @rkivewritersblog @mred435 @kthyg @jiminiemochisexybabe (my first taglist, i'm so excited 🤩)

It was a quarter past noon on an overcast Tuesday in Greenwich Village when you joined your colleagues in the break room. Your blue lidded Tupperware container of homemade Greek salad was long forgotten as you showed them the Facebook event invite on your phone.

You were startled, mid zoom meeting, by a notification indicating that you had been invited to an event by your old college roommate. It had been well over a year since you’d last seen Jules, with the both of you living in different cities now for work. 

From what you’d seen on social media, she was thriving in Los Angeles whilst you continued to gradually (but surely) climb the corporate ladder in Manhattan. Evidently she was thriving much more than you had originally anticipated, as the event was to cordially invite you to her wedding.

Meanwhile I’m still single and binge watching the first season of Love Is Blind for the third time.

“You? Getting something straight?” Alyssa snorted, poking a stainless steel fork into her seasonal fruit salad, “that would be a first.” 

Hoseok rolled his eyes instantly, ignoring her little quip as he shifted his gaze back over to you, “as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted,” it was your turn to snort this time, unable to stop yourself at his exaggeration, “you were invited to a wedding in Las Vegas and you’re thinking of not going? Are you insane?” 

You had explained about twenty minutes prior that you were in two minds about attending the wedding, and for good, solid reasons: 

Firstly, the wedding was in two weeks and there wasn’t a shadow of a doubt in your mind that it would take a hefty amount of overtime, plus excessively ass kissing your impertinent boss in order to receive time off work. 

Secondly, it would be taking place in Sin City! That requires a hotel reservation, return flights, transit money—rather important things that needed more time than roughly seventeen days to arrange. Especially for Las Vegas and their luxurious resorts (which came hand in hand with eye watering prices). 

And thirdly, you wouldn’t know anybody there besides the bride. Insert prolonged awkward silences and social anxiety. 

“No,” you defended yourself, “what’s insane would be to go.” 

Your response had Hoseok blowing out a noise, waving you off like what you said was no big deal. This caused you to raise an eyebrow as you folded your arms over your chest. He was blowing off your reasoning? I’d like to hear his thoughts then! 

“Don’t get your panties in a twist, babe,” Hoseok chuckled, “I just think it would be a missed opportunity not to go.” 

Alyssa hummed in agreement, putting her fork down, “I agree. Y/N, you haven’t had a vacation in, like, forever. Besides that, you were clearly invited for a reason. Your friend wants you there and I really think you should consider going.” 

Uncrossing your arms, you sunk back in your chair and pursed your lips in thought. Your friends weren’t wrong: it had been well and truly over twelve months since you had a vacation. The last time you were able to take time for yourself was before Jules permanently moved to California… Perhaps they had a point. 

Maybe a spontaneous trip to Las Vegas was exactly what you needed. 

“I see those cogs turning in your head; you’re gonna go, aren’t you?” Hoseok grinned wolfishly, his cocoa colored eyes glimmered with anticipation, “and please don’t tell me you’re gonna turn down the possibility of getting a lap dance from an exotic dancer.” 

“Hobi!” You stifled a laugh, shaking your head at his antics. Before you could continue, Alyssa donned a teasing smirk, “something tells me Hoseok wants to go along with you so he can get that lap dance.” 

“Bitch please, I can get one at home any time I want.” 

Both you and Alyssa raised one eyebrow and that saw the man mumbling sheepishly, “okay, well, maybe I have to give Yoongi a little push…” 

All three of you cracked a knowing grin because Yoongi would do absolutely anything for Hoseok. 

“So,” Alyssa cleared her throat, turning the attention back onto your predicament and not the possibility of Hoseok’s boyfriend giving him a lap dance, “are you gonna give it a shot?” 

Truthfully, what did you have to lose? You’d been woefully single for three years now and after many (countless) unsuccessful attempts at dating, you’d completely given up on the idea of ever finding that special somebody. But that shouldn’t mean you miss out on witnessing a good friend get married to her special someone.  Alyssa was right; Jules invited you for a reason and it would be cowardice to turn down the invitation. 

“Yeah, why the hell not?” You caved, sporting a cheerful smile as your friends cheered, completely ignorant to the fact your lunch break ends in mere minutes. 

“Atta girl!” Hoseok gave you a one armed hug while Alyssa began shoveling down her lunch before you were due back to your cubicles. “Now let’s find the hotel with the hottest men! I heard they hire topless waiters!”

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Captain, welcome to Las Vegas. Local time is eleven-thirty in the morning with temperatures sitting at a pleasant seventy-five degrees.”

The second the seat belt sign was turned off, you quickly unclasped it and retrieved your handbag from the bottom of your seat. 

Whilst the flight attendant continued with the announcements over the PA system, you slung your bag over your shoulder and hastened to turn your cellular back on. You hoped to be able to reach out to Jules and potentially catch up before the big day (not like there was much time, the wedding was tomorrow for god’s sake). 

“On behalf of myself and the rest of the crew here at American Airlines, we’d like to thank you for joining us on this flight and we hope you have a safe journey.” 

Fifteen minutes later—having successfully deplaned and now off the aircraft—you made your way towards baggage claim. Why did I have to bring a bag? I should’ve sucked it up with carry on, you chastised yourself as you sauntered past the slot machines that occupied the airport terminals. 

You triple checked your messages, wanting to have made sure that you sent a text to Jules, asking if she wanted to get cocktails and hit the day spa at your hotel. The tiny delivered underneath the message bubble relieved you but not entirely. You wanted her to read it so that you wouldn’t be spending your first day in Vegas by yourself. 

“Carousel seven,” you murmured to yourself, glancing up to confirm that you had in fact arrived at the correct baggage claim. The last thing you wanted to do was stumble around Harry Reid International Airport in search of your luggage. 

Passengers huddled around the carousel as bags began to descend. Indistinct chatter could be heard around you, with people most likely planning how to get to the strip from the airport. 

You’d already looked into that and planned on waiting for a Lyft. 

According to threads on Reddit, the wait for ride share apps were on par with taxis, so why subject yourself to creepy cab drivers and ridiculous rates? 

Your suitcase finally appeared. Dark gray, a little scuffed and scratched with a Hello Kitty luggage tag. You walked up to the carousel and bent down to retrieve your suitcase, when your handbag slipped from your clutches and emptied the contents all over the ground.

“Shit!” You cursed. “Fuck me!” Panicking a little as your suitcase was sliding away from you but you also didn’t want anyone snatching up your belongings. 

Scrambled, you knelt down and shoved your things into your handbag haphazardly with your eyes still locked on your suitcase. “Please no! No, no…” You were seconds away from resigning to chasing it down, when you noticed a tall, dark haired man picking it up with ease. 

“I got it,” he said, approaching you with your suitcase upright on its wheels with the handle extended for your ease. He was donning a kind, squarish smile that had your heart skipping a beat. 

Taking the suitcase from his large hands, your cheeks flushed crimson, “oh my god, thank you so much!” 

You took the opportunity to really drink in his appearance. The male was much taller when standing at his full height, with a mop of black curls atop his head. He had the broadest shoulders you’d ever seen and somehow that made him seem even bigger. He had kind onyx eyes that lightened any time he smiled. Holy shit he’s so handsome! 

“No biggie,” your lifesaver shrugged, flashing you another boxy grin, “I saw you picking up your stuff after it dropped so I thought I’d help you out.” And he’s super sweet too! 

“That’s so kind of you, thank you, truly.” You gushed. You felt heat rising to your cheeks again, feeling a little mortified that he’d witnessed you fumble the bag. Literally. 

The raven haired male offered you a bashful smile, “it’s really no problem.” He turned for a quick moment, his back to you as he lifted his black Adidas duffel bag from the carousel and slung it over his shoulder effortlessly, “I’m Taehyung by the way.” He held out his right hand. 

You shook his extended hand, “I’m Y/N.” 

Light touched his eyes then. He opened his mouth to say something else, when the sound of his name was being called from the automatic doors by the exit. It appeared he had somebody to pick him up. 

Taehyung gave you one last smile. “It was really nice to meet you, Y/N. I hope you enjoy Vegas.” 

“You too, Taehyung. Thanks again!” 

He gave you a departing wave before dashing over to the man by the exit. 

You turned your attention back to your own belongings, placing your handbag on top of your suitcase so you wouldn’t have a repeat of the incident earlier. Taking your phone from your pocket, you sighed in relief when you saw a text from Jules: 

[ jules ]

OMG! i’m so down! text me when u check in & i’ll meet u wherever! so happy ur here babes! xx 

Finally, your vacation was about to really begin.

The first half of the wedding had been rather wonderful, despite the cringeworthy Elvis impersonator officiating the ceremony.  

Even though it had been held in one of those corny chapels with outdated decor and a hot pink vintage Cadillac parked out the front; the way Seokjin looked at Jules when she walked down the aisle made everything else seem irrelevant. 

The two of them made a beautiful couple. Not just in looks—because Seokjin was undeniably handsome and Jules practically resembled a Victoria’s Secret model—but personality wise as well. They each had a heart of gold and a gentle soul. It wasn’t hard to understand why they adored one another. 

You wholeheartedly wished them all the happiness in their future together. 

“Y/N!” 

Jules beamed in your direction, immediately prancing over to you in her gorgeous ivory dress with a petite bouquet in hand. 

“Ah! Congratulations Jules!” You embrace her in a hug, being cautious not to squash the flowers or crinkle her dress, “I’m so happy for you.” You really were. Your friend had found her soulmate and was now embarking on the new stage in her life as a married woman. It was nearly impossible not to be joyous for her. 

Squeezing you gently, Jules broke free from the hug and flashed you a bright grin, “thank you babes! I’m so glad you came. It meant a lot to have you here.” 

“I’m so honored to be here, Mrs Kim.” 

“Shit… I really am Mrs Kim now! I can’t believe I’m married!” She peered down at her left hand with fondness in her eyes, absorbing the silver band that had joined her engagement ring, “oh, that reminds me! You need to meet Jin, come!” 

And with that, she grasped your wrist and tugged you towards her husband. Seokjin looked dapper in his three piece navy suit. He was so attractive that he could put the most desired actors and models to shame. With ease. He was surrounded by his groomsmen in black tuxedos and another man in the same colored tuxedo, although without a boutonnière. 

“Jinnie!” Jules called, garnering his attention and peeling him away from his friends, “I wanted to introduce you to my roommate from college, the one I was telling you about. This is Y/N.” 

The warmth that embodied her tone of voice made your heart soar. Knowing she still talked about you after all this time? Jules was a real one. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Y/N. I’m Seokjin. Everyone calls me Jin though.” 

You expected a handshake, but Seokjin went right in for a hug. He enveloped you into his arms and gave you a gentle squeeze; one that felt brotherly and comfortable. 

“Likewise, Jin. Thank you for inviting me. It was a gorgeous ceremony.” Your words were spoken with such earnestness, accompanied by a brightened smile. 

“No thank you for coming. I know Jules would’ve been pretty bummed if you couldn’t make it.” 

“He’s right, I would’ve.” Jules nodded in agreement, planting a soft kiss to her husband’s cheek. Cute. Way too fucking cute. “We have a photo-op in like ten, but we’ll see you at the reception?” They both looked at you expectantly, two pairs of eyes full of hope. 

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” 

Jules clapped her hands together in delight, “great! The bridal party will be coming with us but Jinnie’s cousin can go with you to the venue, right hon?” 

Seokjin nodded without hesitation. “Oh for sure—Taehyung! Over here!” 

Taehyung? Surely there was no way—

“Hey man, what’s up?” 

Did your eyes deceive you or was the same man who helped you with your baggage yesterday here? It was most definitely him. Despite being dressed up in a tailored suit with his hair swept off his forehead; that familiar box shaped grin was unmistakable. 

“We gotta get our photos taken but I was hoping you could take Y/N here to the venue?” Seokjin gestured towards you and not even a second later, your heart was stammering against your rib cage. Why? Because Taehyung was looking directly at you. And he was beaming. 

“Easy done.” 

“Thanks Tae, you’re a lifesaver man.” 

The bride and groom looked ecstatic. You, on the other hand, were feeling a little bewildered by the fact you’d met Taehyung yesterday out of the blue and now he was here. At the wedding. 

That was one hell of a coincidence. 

“Shall we go then?” He asked. 

You simply nodded, giving a quick wave to Jules before walking alongside Taehyung to the nearest exit. 

It didn’t take long for the two of you to hail down a cab. Taehyung opened the back passenger door for you (like a true gentleman) and then slid in after you had situated yourself. Being within this close proximity of him was nerve wracking. His scent was salivating; an intoxicating mixture of musk wood, oak moss and bergamot. Masculine but with a citrusy freshness. You didn’t miss the impressive rings that adorned his long fingers or the hoops in his ears. His fingernails were painted too—could this guy be any hotter? 

“So when will I get my reward?” His deep timbre broke the silence, a mischievous glint in those ebony eyes. 

“Huh?” 

“I believe I’ve saved your life twice, no? Shouldn’t I be rewarded for my efforts?” He was grinning wolfishly now and you had to stop yourself from flushing at the sight. Taehyung was far too gorgeous for his own good. You couldn’t be this affected by a man you barely knew! 

Humming softly, you pretended to think over his suggestion by rubbing your finger underneath your bottom lip, “hm. How about I owe you a dance?” 

His lips quirked upwards. “Just one dance?” 

“Two then. A dance for each time you saved me from unfortunate circumstances.” 

Taehyung couldn’t say no to that.

The fourth hour of the reception had ticked by and you were feeling a little brave. Liquid courage in the form of sparkling champagne had taken control of your night. 

About an hour ago, Taehyung chased you up on the two dances that you owed him. He had been ridden of his suit jacket by then, donning a crisp white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. You felt your thighs clench together at his appearance. Where your mouth was drier than the Sahara, your panties were wetter than the Nile. It had been a long time since you’d soaked through your lacy underwear in such a way. 

You danced rather innocently, despite your brain urging you to press yourself against him. Taehyung twirled you around a few, his eyes locked on you the entire time. You couldn’t stray away from the intensity of his stare either. It was almost as if the two of you had been put in a trance the second you began dancing. 

Your heart palpitated when he shifted his prolonged gaze to your lips. 

“I’m gonna get another drink,” you murmured a little breathlessly, unlinking your arms from around his neck and putting a step in between your bodies, “I’ll be right back.” 

You excused yourself without another word; desperately needing a moment to catch your breath. You felt his gaze on you as you retreated to the open bar. Was it foolish of you to leave during such a fervid moment? Possibly… But you needed a second to breathe. A minute to clear your head. 

Fetching your phone from your clutch, you tapped on your messages with Hoseok. You needed some advice and you knew he’d be the only one to smack some sense into you. 

[ you ]

help! met a 10/10 at the airport yesterday who’s also @ the wedding. just danced w him & now i’m wet af 

[ hobi ]

why r u texting me for? fuck him bitch! 

[ you ]

i’m scared :( he’s really nice & funny too. you know it’s been a while for me

[ hobi ]

if he’s as nice as u say he is then he will treat u right! u deserve to have fun n be dicked down y/n! don’t overthink it! 

[ you ]

you’re right. i’m gonna go for it! 

[ hobi ]

i’m always right. updates pls omfggggg 

That’s what led you to ordering an entire bottle of cabernet sauvignon. Here you were, bottle and two glasses in hand, ready to invite Taehyung out onto the terrace and then hopefully back to your hotel room. 

Jules and Seokjin had disappeared by the third hour—no doubt hurrying to their honeymoon suite to get down and dirty for the first time as husband and wife—so there was nothing wrong with you pursuing Taehyung. 

Until you saw him with another woman. 

Frozen in your spot, your lips parted in disappointment as Taehyung had a gorgeous young woman draped over him. Her manicured fingers trailed down his chest until she reached his crotch, blissfully ignorant of the fact they were in a public setting. 

Of course he has someone. I’m so stupid. 

Putting the glasses down on one of the tables, you tighten your grip around the neck of the wine bottle and prop your clutch under your arm. It would be a damn shame not to drink the wine (it cost you a pretty penny after all). But you also knew that you couldn’t stay at this reception any longer. Not when Taehyung was busy with someone else. 

So that’s what coaxed you to leave the reception hall. You aimlessly wandered through the casino floor of the hotel until you found a rather quiet bar (well for Las Vegas standards anyhow). 

Hoisting yourself up onto one of the bar stools, you mentally thanked the previous bartender for having popped the cork for you before taking a decent swig of the sweet red wine. 

“Rough night?” A voice from behind the bar startled you, causing you to look up. There stood a male with blonde hair and a friendly smile, drying a beer glass with a microfibre towel. 

“Not really,” you shrugged, taking another gulp from the bottle, “just came from a wedding reception. Without a date, as you can see.” Jeez, talk about souring the mood! 

The bartender nodded knowingly, placing the towel down and leant on the bar top. “Weddings can be like that. It’s why we have that.” He nudged his head to the left. 

You followed his directions curiously, your beady eyes settling on a large glass bowl that resided near the first cash register. It was filled with all kinds of poker chips. 

“You place bets on weddings?” To say you were confused would be an understatement. You took another gulp of the red wine whilst you waited for his response. 

The bartender chuckled and shook his head twice. “Not exactly. The bowl started off as a gimmick but now it’s kinda become a pillar of hope.” 

Okay now you were definitely confused. 

Sensing your puzzlement, the blonde male continued after a beat, “it’s called Single Chance. Single people from all over the strip will toss a poker chip into the bowl in hopes to find their one true love.” 

“For real?” You snorted. 

“You bet. Some people really believe in fate. And I’ve heard from patrons that it really works.” 

He left you alone after that, taking the tray of beer glasses into the back room. In his absence, you chugged down a few gulps of your wine and then glared at the bowl of poker chips. 

“True love? Yeah fucking right.” 

Nose turned up in scrutiny, you brazenly reached over and dipped your hand into the bowl. You plucked five poker chips, all different styles and colors. You stuffed them into your clutch and laughed darkly to yourself. If fate was going to be a bitch to you, then you were going to be a bitch right back. 

Finishing off the rest of the wine, you discarded the empty bottle into the garbage and stumbled your way back through the casino. You desperately desired to get out of these heels and into a steaming hot shower. 

But first, you needed to call Hoseok.

Monday morning at the office was just like every other Monday morning—except for the fact you were feeling a little sluggish from your weekend in Vegas, having landed at LaGuardia around ten the night beforehand. 

Your boss welcomed you back with a stack of emails, all of which were due within the next forty eight hours. The head of your department was ruthless like that; the thrice divorcee always overloading those back from vacation with a mountain of work. You’d been working here for two years and you’d never once seen the woman crack a smile. So it was utterly unsurprising to see your inbox that morning. 

“Look alive, sunshine.” Hoseok said cheerily, entering your cubicle with two venti caramel lattes. You swear you could kiss the man. 

Except you wouldn’t dare. Because Yoongi would be chasing your ass down for touching his man like that. 

“Coffee!” You exhaled in relief, taking the cup from your favorite colleague’s hands and immediately taking a sip of your sweet beverage. “I needed this so bad, thank you Hobi.” 

“You’re welcome. I saw your Instagram story last night. When I saw you didn’t get home ‘til midnight, I knew a coffee was in order.” 

Nodding vigorously, you slurped down the caramel goodness whilst opening another email from your boss. Hoseok occupied the seat beside your desk, enjoying his own beverage as you worked. You’d given up trying to shoo him off to his own desk after five hundred attempts. He would leave when he decided he was bored of your company (or when the monster in charge walked by). 

You were in the process of overviewing a contract on behalf of your boss when your phone vibrated against the desk, indicating that you had a new notification. All employees were required to have their sounds turned off while in the office, so you settled for vibration instead.

“Another text from Dominos with a promo deal?” Hoseok snickered, his lips pulled up into a teasing smirk. 

“Fuck off,” you flipped him the bird, picking up your device and furrowing your brows when you see it’s from an unknown number, “I don’t know who it is.” 

Unlocking your phone, you brought up your message inbox and read the multiple texts that had been sent. 

[ (xxx) xxx-xxxx ]

hey y/n

it’s taehyung. i got your number from jin, i hope that’s ok 

ngl i was pretty bummed to find out we weren’t on the same flight yesterday

i hope you made it home safely 

anyways the real reason i texted you is cuz i wanted to know if you wanted to go out with me sometime? 

i know the reception was kinda overwhelming but i think we hit it off pretty well yeah?

let me know if you’re down

sorry for the spam i’m kinda nervous >.<

“It’s from Taehyung.” You blinked, rereading the thread of text messages over once again to make sure you interpreted his words correctly. 

Hoseok placed his latte down, an eyebrow raised in intrigue, “you mean Taehyung from Vegas? The same guy you caught fondling some hottie at the wedding reception?” 

You scowled. “Yes, that one. Thanks for the reminder Hobi.” 

“What did he want?” 

“He asked me out,” you took a sip of your coffee in hopes to get rid of the bitter taste Hoseok’s reminder left in your mouth, “because we’re both in New York.”

“No shit? Well, are you gonna do it?” 

“I don’t know. I still feel weird about what happened. What if that was his girlfriend or something?” You felt really small at that moment. 

Rolling his eyes, Hoseok reached across the desk and snatched your phone. You uttered out a ‘hey!’ but he blatantly ignored you as his fingers flew across the screen. 

“Hobi give that ba—”

Thrusting your phone into your hands, you noticed that he had texted on your behalf. 

[ you ]

hey taehyung. it’s ok abt the number. hope you made it home safe too 

i dunno about going out. you seemed pretty cozy on the weekend 

“Jung Hoseok! Why would you say that?” 

[ taehyung ]

oh you saw that? i swear it was nothing. she wanted to hook up but i wasn’t down

i looked for you afterwards 

i guess i know why you left. now i def want to take you out 

Mouth agape, you couldn’t believe his response. Actually, you couldn’t believe that Hoseok was the one who prompted his response. Noticing your reaction, the male in question grinned widely. 

“You’re welcome bitch! Now please go out with him. Love you, bye.” He dumped his empty coffee cup in your garbage can, blew you a kiss and sauntered off to his desk across the office floor. 

You shook your head at his antics, but really, you kinda owed him. He’d gotten to the bottom of the thing with Taehyung and now you felt like you might actually have somebody interested in you for the first time in three years. 

[ you ]

okay. one date. no funny business 

[ taehyung ]

one date’s all i need. i’ll make it worth it, promise ^-^ 

can i pick you up on friday at 8? 

[ you ]

sure. i’ll text you my address 

[ taehyung ]

i can’t wait. see you then :)

Locking your phone, you placed the device onto your desk and leaned on your elbow, covering your smile with your hand. Maybe you were looking forward to tomorrow night more than you thought. 

You owed Hoseok a damn coffee.

The day before your date with Taehyung, you were undeniably in good spirits. You’d woken up before your alarm, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after a pleasant seven hours sleep and instantly dived into your morning routine. You managed to leave your apartment fifteen minutes earlier than usual with a skip in your step. You also planned on swinging by a deli to get a breakfast bagel for yourself and Hoseok. 

Everything was going splendidly. The weather was mild, the sun was shining and your walk to the subway had been smooth sailing. 

Until… 

“Y/N!” An unfamiliar voice called out from behind you. “It’s me, Eric! Your bae!” 

Pausing in your spot and turning around, your eyebrows furrowed when a young man in a letterman jacket waved enthusiastically at you. You’d never seen that guy before in your life. Varsity? How does this college kid even know me? Did he just call himself my bae?

A little unnerved, you proceeded on your walk to work, ignoring the jock behind you. He continued to call out your name. Weird. 

You didn’t think twice to cross the road; wanting to implement a little bit of distance between yourself and the college boy. Puffing out a breath, you moved on from the strange encounter you just had when another man approached you. 

“Y/N, there you are,” the burgundy suit-clad stranger reached for your hand, placing a kiss to the top of it, “I’ve been searching all over this city to find you.” 

What? 

“Uh, do I know you?” You yanked your hand away from him, feeling the same way you did a few minutes ago. 

“Of course you do, you hold the key to my heart.” He handed you a key with the name Daniel engraved. The top of it was stylized into the shape of a heart. 

You could smell marijuana. Albeit, Manhattan always smelled like weed but for your own sake, you presumed this guy was high. 

Hastily shoving the key back into his hand, you scurried off to the nearest subway entrance. You needed to get off that street as there were so many weirdos out this morning. How did they know your name? It wasn’t like you were wearing a name tag or anything. 

A little freaked out, you pushed the two encounters to the back of your mind as you swiped your metro card through the reader and pushed through the turnstile. This subway station wasn’t where you usually got on in the mornings, but anything was better than facing the pedestrians on the street in downtown Manhattan. 

Once at the platform, you looked through your bag for your wireless earphones when you heard the sound of an acoustic guitar. You always loved buskers. 

“Oh Y/N, can’t you see? This cruel world is too big for you and me. So take my hand, let’s go to a far away land…” 

You immediately stiffened. This can’t be happening. The sound of guitar strums drew closer to you and before you could blink, the male musician was right in front of you. Serenading you. Emo fringe and all. 

The subway was your saving grace. You stepped around the guitarist and hopped onto the train before he could get on himself, as the singer was too busy clambering around with his guitar case. 

What the fuck is going on? 

“I know right.” The man beside you said. Shit, you must’ve muttered that aloud. “I didn’t get the Versace gig. Which is crazy! Cause like, look at me, I’m fucking perfect.” 

Glancing over at your seatmate, you forced a friendly smile, despite being unamused by his arrogant attitude. Big mistake. 

“We could be perfect together, Y/N.” The well groomed male purred, reaching out to touch your cheek with his ring clad hands but you jerked away from him. 

“This is my stop!” You rushed out. It wasn’t. “Don’t follow me out, bye!” 

You’d never bolted off the subway so fast in your life. Your heart was thumping wildly in your chest. Putting your hands on your knees, you tried your hardest to catch your breath. Were you dreaming? Is that why your morning has gone from marvelous to disastrous? Pinching yourself, you let out a low hiss—nope, definitely not dreaming. 

You couldn’t wrap your head around what had just happened. Who were those guys and how did they know you? Your mind was spinning so fast you were almost dizzy. 

You had to talk to Hoseok; he would be the only one able to make sense of all this. 

Thirty minutes later, you placed your hands in your lap and chewed on your bottom lip. “Well?” 

“I think it’s fate.” 

“You what?!” 

Placing his hand on yours, Hoseok flashed you a reassuring smile, “think about it. It’s not every day you get approached by four handsome strangers!” 

You looked unconvinced. 

“Listen, everything happens for a reason. You had been so hesitant about going to Vegas because you were shit out of luck with men. Since the trip, you’ve landed a date and now have four men chasing you! That’s fate, sweetheart.” Hoseok chirped, nodding his head at his own explanation.

You didn’t comment after that. He made a bunch of valid points, but you weren’t entirely sure if you liked the idea of being chased by those men. Especially when you had a date tomorrow night with Taehyung that you hoped would go well. 

Clearing your throat, you decided to change the subject: “Let me show you what I’m wearing on the date.” 

“Where are you taking me?” You giggled, walking slowly as Taehyung kept his large hands over your eyes, shielding your vision. “You aren’t some axe murderer, are you?” 

A chesty chuckle came from behind you. “Damn, you figured me out.” He teased you playfully whilst he gently guided you towards your destination. 

All you knew about tonight’s date was that Taehyung had parked his 2014 model Hyundai Elantra in an underground parking lot and had opened a door with a set of keys earlier, when you were requested to keep your eyes firmly shut. He was certainly going out of his way to keep the details a secret and you couldn’t deny that your heart fluttered at his valiant efforts. 

“So where is this murder taking place?” You joked, keeping up the banter that the two of you had going on as Taehyung brought you to a stop. 

“Here,” he spoke against the shell of your ear, removing his hands to reveal the lobby belonging to The Modern Museum of Art. Wow. Your mouth dropped open and your eyes widened as you looked around in unabridged amazement. 

Sure, you’d visited the MoMA museum a couple of times as a Manhattan resident, but the fact you were here without the hustle and bustle of tourists, school groups and staff? You were in awe. 

“I’m a junior curator for the New Photography exhibit,” Taehyung revealed shyly, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck, “I know things got a little backwards in Vegas, but I wanted to show you a piece of who I am.” 

Your heart soared. Reaching out, you took his hand in yours and squeezed gently. “I love it, Taehyung.” The sincerity in your voice had him grinning like a fool; his shoulders losing tension and his hand dropping from his neck. 

“C’mon, let me show you around.” 

Hand-in-hand, Taehyung guided you through the museum. He was so knowledgeable, acting as your own personal tour guide by providing small facts about each major piece and answering any questions that you had. He was attentive the entire time; never losing eye contact and never letting go of your hand. The undivided attention he gave you had your stomach doing backflips. 

His little tour ended with the most famous exhibit in the entire museum: Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’. Taehyung couldn’t control his excitement as he spoke about the piece, his eyes full of passion and admiration. He couldn’t tear away his gaze from the painting and you couldn’t tear away yours from him. You’d never been so emotionally and physically attracted to somebody before. He was ticking all your boxes and even some you didn’t know you had. 

Perhaps Taehyung had a point when he said he would only need one date… 

“What are you thinking about?” He asked, leading you over to one of the benches. Your smaller hand really fit in his so perfectly. 

“Just how much fun I’m having.” You responded with a smile, leaning into him a little bit. “I love it.” His arm instinctively wrapped around your waist as the two of you sat in front of one of the world’s most renowned artworks. 

“I’m really glad,” he said earnestly, “I wanted to make things right… because honestly Y/N, I haven’t stopped thinking about you since we first met.” 

Your cheeks burned. This absolutely wonderful man has been thinking about you all this time? You almost melted into a puddle right then and there. The blush on your cheeks only intensified when Taehyung cupped your face, his eyes imploring into your own. 

“Are you seeing anyone right now?” 

You shook your head without missing a beat. “No.” 

“Neither am I.” he murmured, his eyes flickering down to your lips—the same way that he had done at the wedding reception. Only this time, you weren’t running away. You wanted this. You wanted him. His tongue poked out to wet his lips, “can I kiss you?” 

“Yes please.” You breathed, nodding once.

He gently rubbed his thumb against your cheek before connecting your mouths. His lips were plump and plush, moving with yours in a rhythm that you could only describe as mind-numbing. 

No thoughts, head empty. 

All you could focus on was Taehyung and the way his kiss made you feel. You were floating on cloud nine. With Taheyung, you didn’t want to come back down to earth. You wanted to bask in the moment with him. 

He reluctantly pulled away, his hand still cupping your cheek delicately as his face broke out into a triumphant smile, “I’ve wanted to do that since I saw you at the wedding in that gorgeous dress.” 

You couldn’t help but giggle bashfully, cheeks burning up again. It was like this man’s sole mission was to make you blush! “You can kiss me again if you like.” 

“I promised no funny business,” he reminded you with a laugh, “but I can’t make any guarantees for our next date.” His lips quirked upwards into a half-smile, half-smirk. 

“Oh so there’s going to be a second date?” You just had to tease him. 

“I’m really hoping there will be.” 

You tilted your head and pressed a kiss to his cheek, taking him by surprise. You could have sworn that his cheeks turned a little pink at the action. Cute. “I’d love to.” 

After idly chatting for another twenty minutes or so, Taehyung took your hand in his once again and escorted you towards the exit. He exchanged a polite nod of the head with the night security who had just started their shift, wishing them a good night. 

Taehyung had parked his Hyundai across the street in the underground parking lot you recalled from earlier. So you patiently waited for him to lock up, wrapping your arms around yourself as a cold breeze passed through. 

“Y/N!” That voice didn’t belong to Taehyung… “Wow, you look stunning!” Eric exclaimed, walking right up to you in the same varsity jacket you’d seen him in when he approached you on the street earlier this week. 

Your mind was reeling. Where the hell did he come from? Why was fate being a haughty fucking bitch right now? 

“Y/N?” Taehyung muttered your name from behind you, causing you to turn on your heel almost instantly. He looked confused, eyebrows knitted together as he analyzed Eric. “Who’s this?” 

“Oh I’m Eric, her b—” 

“Best intern!” You interrupted, lying through your teeth, “crazy how we just ran into each other!” You laughed, grabbing Eric by the wrist and tugged him away. 

“Y/N? Where are you going?” Taehyung called out, eyebrows almost touching his hairline in shock. He wanted to chase after you but he wasn’t sure if that’s what you wanted. You were pretty determined to get the hell out of there. 

“Eric wants me to help him with a file! Sorry! I’ll text you!” 

You felt horrible for lying to him but you couldn’t risk Taehyung thinking that this college frat boy was anything of importance to you. You don’t even know how the kid knew your name, for crying out loud! 

You needed to get to the bottom of this.

A noncommittal noise escaped Taehyung’s mouth as he waited for his coffee to be made, standing off to the side of the counter with his best friend (and biggest pain in his ass), Jimin. 

“Dude, what’s that noise mean?” The blonde haired male demanded, arching an eyebrow in his direction. “How could you be totally unfazed? Another dude crashed your date!” 

Blowing out a raspberry this time, Taehyung ran a hand through his curls. His perm was really remaining in shape these days. “He didn’t crash it, we were about to head to my car.” 

“So? You didn’t even get to drive her home!” Jimin clicked his tongue, shaking his head in disbelief as the barista called out their names above the squealing sounds of the steam-wand frothing milk.

Taehyung sighed, approaching the counter and taking both coffees in his hands. He bowed towards the barista to express his gratitude, before turning on his heel and passing his best friend his beverage. 

“It’s really not that big of a deal,” Taehyung shrugged as the two men exited the coffee shop, making their usual trek towards the museum before its opening hours, “she got caught up with work. Shit happens, right?” 

Jimin wasn’t at all convinced. “I think you’re wrong.”

Whipping out his sleek smartphone from the slanted pocket of his trousers, Jimin opened up the Instagram app and typed in your name. Your account was the third option to pop up. 

“This is Y/N, right?” Jimin quizzed his best pal, flashing him the screen that was currently showcasing your social media profile. Taehyung nodded, recognizing your username from when you both swapped usernames a few days ago. 

“Chim, this is ridiculous. She told me she isn’t seeing anybody else—”

“Ah-ha!” The blonde clicked his fingers, pointing towards the comment section of your most current post, “I fucking knew it.” 

Peering down at the screen, Taehyung frowned when he noticed four recent comments: 

@ericzyaboi: beautiful 😍

@daniel.real.estate: key to my heart 🔑❤️

@vernxnmusic: my muse 🎶

@jcksnmodel: a babe just like me 

To make matters worse, these four same usernames had commented similar things on your three most updated posts. He didn’t like the unsettling feeling in his gut right now. 

“I’m sorry bro,” Jimin patted his back, tucking his phone back into his pocket, “I know you liked her but there’s plenty of fish in the sea.” 

Taehyung sipped his coffee, keeping quiet for a moment before coming to a standstill. He turned to Jimin with a determined glint in his eyes, “I need to up my game.” 

“Tae, you can’t be serious?!” His best friend was baffled. “She told you she wasn’t seeing anyone else and yet she has four guys thirsting over her!” 

“She might not be seeing them!” He sounded downright naive to his best friend, but the blonde decided to keep his mouth shut. There was no convincing him otherwise. “But they sure as hell want her… and I can’t let that happen.” 

Taehyung wasn’t going to let you walk away from him the second time. Not when you had an indisputable connection. Not when you clicked with him better than any other woman he’d ever met. 

He needed to up the ante. 

The weird twist fate had thrown your way hadn’t left you damn well alone. In fact, since your little run in with College Boy Eric after your whimsical museum date with Taehyung, things had only gotten worse. 

On Monday, you arrived at the office before you were required to clock in, with a few minutes to spare. Panting heavily, you rushed to your cubicle, only to find a grandiose edible arrangement consisting of cupcakes, candies, brownies, truffles, cookies and cake pops. Attached to the basket of goodies was a note printed onto pastel pink cardstock: Girls love their sweets. But nothing is as sweet as you. Love, Daniel. 

Tuesday, your desk was newly decorated with three framed photographs of the man that sat next to you on the subway. They looked to be modeling headshots, by which he had signed the shirtless one to your name: To my Y/N. May our children be as good looking as the both of us. Yours truly, Jackson. 

Wednesday, you discovered a jewel case CD by your computer monitor. It looked to be homemade, with chicken scratch handwriting scribbled across the front in bolded Sharpie. The disc was labeled When Fates Collide and there was a post-it note attached to the inside: You inspired every lyric. For you, my muse - Vernon. 

Thursday, your cubicle was void of any unprompted gifts. You exhaled in relief and went about your workday. However, as soon as lunchtime rolled around, you were obstructed from taking your break by a delivery man holding an impressively large bouquet of red roses. You took them gingerly once he informed you they were for a Miss Y/N Y/L/N. Of course, there was a note propped inside the center: A red rose for every time I thought of you! From Eric. 

By Friday, you were ultimately fed up. You had become mentally and emotionally exhausted with this whole turn of events and it didn’t help in the slightest that Hoseok was nothing but supportive. 

“You should be enjoying this!” He declared, lifting his arms in the air jovially.  “What’s the harm in living a little? Take the gifts and see where it takes you.” 

Although you knew he had good intentions, you couldn’t quite agree with Hoseok on that one. Fate was messing up your life and you were growing tired of it. You wanted these men to leave you be. Their affections were far too intense, considering you’d never even gone out with either of them! 

The sound of your phone vibrating snapped you out of your reverie and drew your attention to your notifications. You immediately beamed when you saw the contact name. 

[ taehyung ]

i haven’t been able to get you off my mind all week 

[ you ]

that sounds like a you problem hehe 

[ taehyung ]

no it’s a YOU problem :P 

are you busy tonight? 

[ you ]

hm depends 

[ taehyung ]

on what? 

[ you ]

depends if you’re asking me on that second date or not 

You were giggling and kicking your feet like a schoolgirl, swiveling around in your office chair as you awaited his response. Even though it was just a couple of text messages, Taehyung had you feeling giddy for the first time in a long time. You really couldn’t wait to see him again. 

[ taehyung ]

and what if i was? would you be available at 7? 

[ you ]

for you 100% 

[ taehyung ]

perfect :D i’ll pick you up? 

[ you ]

i can’t wait xo

You really couldn’t wait. You’d been impatiently glowering at the clock every twenty minutes or so, wishing with all your might that time would move by faster. 

By the time five rolled around, you hastened to log off your work computer and gathered your belongings. You felt Hoseok’s eyes on you as you scurried out of the building, wishing everyone a great weekend. No doubt he was smirking, since your best friend was far too invested in your love life.

You thought nothing could top the first date you had with Taehyung. A private guided tour of the MoMA museum after hours? That was a once in a lifetime opportunity. But the man took you by complete surprise yet again. 

He’d taken you to a night market in Brooklyn. 

“I come here every time the locals run the event.” He informed you with a genuine smile, his eyes crinkling at the sides. His pure excitement was infectious. 

“Lead the way.” You mirrored his excitement. He took your hand in his then, intertwining your fingers like they were two missing puzzle pieces destined to be conjoined. 

The streets were illuminated with warm honeyed lights strung through trees and along the power lines. Vendors of all sorts had set up along the sidewalks, displaying their signature dish, designs and decor. Everything was handmade and authentic. Just when the vibe couldn’t be more organically wholesome; there were mom and pop food trucks, street performers and even a couple of carnival games for children of all ages. 

This was a core component of who Kim Taehyung was as a person. He was giving you fragments of his life, his personality and his interests through your dates. There was no bullshit, no catch, no fine print. 

Your heart skipped a beat at the realization: you liked Taehyung. A lot. 

“Are you hungry? I was thinking we could do a little smorgasbord?” 

Taehyung never shifted his gaze away from you, his eyes warm and softened. He gestured to the vast variety of food trucks and stands. You were absolutely spoiled with choice, so getting a little bit of everything sounded unequivocally perfect. 

“Absolutely, I would love that.” You enthused with bright eyes, squeezing his hand when he flashed you that infamous boxy grin you’d quickly grown to love so much. 

As the two of you walked along the concrete—stopping by each vendor to weigh up your options for a mid-evening snack—you shivered from the wind chill that had suddenly come out of nowhere. I knew I should’ve worn a coat! You internally criticized yourself for not dressing warmer, despite how cute your leather jacket looked on you. 

“You’re cold?” Taehyung asked, although it sounded more like a statement. He frowned at your quivering form, not wasting a second to shrug off his coat and gently draped the garment over your shoulders. 

“No Tae—” 

“Please, I insist. I don’t want your lips turning blue… I’m kinda hoping I can get another kiss before the night ends.” He admitted with a sheepish expression, adjusting the oversized coat so it covered most of your body. 

You wanted to kiss him right then and there. But the night was still young, so you resorted to a sweet peck on the cheek with a tiny “thank you.” The way he blushed afterwards had your heart pounding. This man was way too good to be true. 

“So how do you feel about churros?” 

Taehyung spoiled you. He purchased a serving of chocolate filled churros with caramel dipping sauce, four mini beef tacos, a pork hot dog with all the fixings and trimmings, plus two cups of steaming hot chocolate to share. He hadn’t been bluffing when he suggested a smorgasbord. You offered to pay him back for half of the cost but he blatantly refused. He wanted to treat you for the night and you couldn’t argue with those big puppy dog eyes. 

You ate happily together, exchanging entertaining stories from your childhoods. Everything felt natural with Taehyung. The minutes ticked by without you even noticing. You were just so comfortable with him. Frankly, you could’ve sat there all night long and swapped anecdotes with him until the sun came up. 

“We should probably head back…” Taehyung murmured, his hands toying with yours as your head rested on his broad shoulders. “But I don’t want this night to end.” 

“I feel the same,” you whispered, slowly lifting your head so that your eyes met, “want to walk across Brooklyn Bridge with me?” You hadn’t intended on suggesting such a thing but you shared his sentiment of not wanting your date to conclude just yet. So you chose an activity that would surely give you another hour in each other’s presence. 

Taehyung’s eyes twinkled, “I would love nothing more.”

You accumulated all the trash and disposed of it in the large garbage can while Taehyung patiently waited for you. He looked adorable in his moss green cardigan. You were pleasantly surprised how well he endured the cold, after declining your offer to return his coat back more than once. 

“Ready?” He asked, taking your hand in his almost immediately. You hoped he would never stop holding your hand. 

You nodded gently and the two of you embarked on your trek across the Brooklyn Bridge. The sky was rather clear, meaning the stars were visible. The moon was in the form of a crescent, shining down on the two of you and the rest of New York City. 

“So you’re in marketing?” Taehyung struck up a new conversation, shifting the topic to your careers this time around. 

“Yeah. A junior position though, like you.” You smiled, bumping his shoulder playfully and evoked an airy laugh to escape his plump lips. 

“Do you enjoy it?” 

“Honestly…? Not all the time. It’s pretty much the same as every corporate job, some days are better than others.” You shrugged, glancing up to see him nodding along in understanding, “it’s really the people I work with that make it enjoyable for me.” 

He began to swing your arms between your bodies. You giggled at his ministrations. Taehyung was a child at heart and it was one of the many things you adored about him. He deserved to be cherished. 

“What do you like to do when you’re not at work?” He enquired. “And please tell me to shut up if I’m being too inquisitive. I just want to know everything about you.” 

You flushed a shade of ruby. “No it’s okay, I like that you’re interest—” 

“Y/N, my darling!” A shirtless Jackson sporting nothing but a fur coat (in this weather?) interrupted you. “What a coincidence we are here at the same time. I’ve been trying to get in touch with you so we can arrange that nude photoshoot.” He flashed you an award winning smile, accompanied by his signature wink. 

You blanched, lips forming into a tight, thin line. “I, uh, think you have the wrong Y/N!” You rumbled out, hastily tugging Taehyung further down the bridge with you. 

“Who was that?” Taehyung sounded breathless, his eyes wide with bewilderment. 

What were you supposed to tell him? That he was some random guy you met on the subway last week and now he won’t stop popping up out of nowhere confessing his affection for you? That made you sound like a lunatic. 

“I don’t—” 

“Sweetheart!” Daniel called, jogging over to you with a blistering grin, “Y/N! I knew I would find you here. I have two tickets to the NBA game tomorrow. The seats are prime real estate—I would know. When can I pick you up?” 

You felt Taehyung’s eyes burning into the side of your skull then, no doubt astonished by the two back-to-back encounters. 

“Never! Sorry!” You pushed past him, still holding onto Taehyung’s hand for dear life. You hoped like hell that he wouldn’t leave. You wished with all your heart that he wouldn’t jump to conclusions and be willing to hear you out. Even though the truth sounded irrationally stupid. 

After having fled further down the bridge, your date stopped and pulled his hand away from yours. The rejection smacked you hard in the face. Taehyung frowned, tonguing his cheek. “What’s going on, Y/N? You told me you weren’t seeing anybody. Who the hell were those guys?” You heard the disappointment and confusion in his voice, making your heart fall to your ass. 

“Tae… I…” You trailed off, unsure of how on earth you were going to explain yourself. Never had you been so mortified. How could fate pull such a rotten stunt on you?

“Just tell me the truth, that’s all I ask.” 

Before you could answer, you felt an arm be slung over your shoulders. “The truth is she’s my muse and she’s gonna come on tour with me and my band.” Fucking Vernon! 

Taehyung stood gobsmacked, reduced to silence. 

“No! Get off me!” You shrieked, shrugging Vernon away from you and shaking your head back and forth vigorously. Your worst nightmare was coming true. “I’m sorry.” You whispered out to Taehyung, eyes welling up with tears as you shrugged off his coat and bolted down the remainder of Brooklyn Bridge. 

You ignored the calls of your name, belonging to five different men as you cried. Tears cascaded down your cheeks in rivers. Your perfect night had been ruined. Your phenomenal date was destroyed. All you wanted to do was go home and bawl your eyes out until there were no more tears left. 

Within forty minutes you were exiting the elevator, eyes swollen and bloodshot from the sheer amount of crying you’d done in the cab. Retrieving your keys from your pocket, you dawdled to your door, only to find Eric sitting there with a box of Krispy Kreme donuts. In that obnoxious jacket. 

“What the fuck are you doing here?” You shouted, eyes now ablaze. You weren’t holding back this time. You were beyond done. 

“I came to surprise my girl with donuts, see!” He chirped, grinning from ear to ear. “Why don’t you look happy?” 

“Because I don’t even fucking know you! I’m not your girl, I’m not your anything! Leave! Go home!” You demanded furiously, shooing him away from your front door so you could unlock it. 

“I don’t wanna go home! You’re my true love!” He whined out childishly, trying to squeeze himself in behind you but you were quick to slam the door in his face. You locked it and tipped the deadlock. He grumbled something incoherently and retreated from your apartment. 

Backing up from the door, you panted heavily with your mind facing a million miles per hour. True love? Where did I hear that recently? 

Then it dawned on you. 

With your face paled, you darted off to your bedroom. Your hands scrambled through your half unpacked suitcase. Blinking back tears, your whole body froze when you found what you were looking for.

You sank back into your heels, hands trembling as you held the Ziplock bag of poker chips in your hand. 

“It’s called Single Chance. Single people from all over the strip will toss a poker chip into the bowl in hopes to find their one true love.” 

“Fuck…” You hissed, glaring at them. There were five poker chips in total: one for Eric, one for Daniel, one for Jackson and one for Vernon. You’d only been pursued by four men the past week—or so you thought. “No!” You croaked out, shoulders slumping defeatedly. 

There had been a fifth. Taehyung. 

Your phone broke the dreadful silence with a text tone. Speak of the devil. 

[ taehyung ]

i was an ass tonight. i’m so sorry 

i bombarded you for answers when i should’ve been making sure if you were ok

i don’t care if you’re dating other guys… we aren’t exclusive. yeah i wish you didn’t lie to me about it but i can understand why you did it. gotta protect your heart. i get it 

can i make it up to you by taking you out to dinner? 

they just opened up this new all you can eat sushi bar and i remember you said you liked doing that with your coworkers 

please let me know. i’m sorry again :( 

Needless to say, the text messages went unanswered and you cried yourself to sleep that night.

You came to the painful conclusion late last night that you needed to return the poker chips back to the guys. You couldn’t have them continuing to chase you against their will. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t moral. 

Also, you couldn’t have this charade go on because you liked Taehyung. You really liked Taehyung. Hell, you were certain that you were falling in love with him. 

It wasn’t fucking fair. 

Wallowing in your self pity for a couple of hours, you resorted to doing the one thing you weren’t all that proud of: binge watching Love Is Blind. You hiked your comforter up to your shoulders and nuzzled yourself (more like buried yourself) in bed, with your laptop propped up on a pillow. 

This wasn’t exactly how you predicted your Saturday to go. 

Amidst the fourth episode, your phone began ringing from your nightstand. Puffing out a breath, you unraveled yourself from your cocoon of blankets and rolled over to the edge of the bed so you could unplug your device from the charger. Glancing at the contact name, you sighed. You knew he would just keep calling if you didn’t answer. 

“Hey Hobi,” you mumbled in a resigned way, rolling back to your previous position underneath the comforters, “what’s up?” 

A sardonic laugh filled your ears. “You’re shitting me right? What’s up? Care to explain why your Bitmoji hasn’t moved from your apartment since last night?” 

“I—” 

“Did you get laid? Bitch, I asked for updates!” 

You sighed defeatedly. Hoseok clearly picked up on your mood because the tsking noises he was making came to a halt. 

“Y/N? What happened with Taehyung? Did your date not go well?” 

That was the moment the dam walls broke. You came clean to Hoseok about what happened last night; from start to finish. Your best friend remained silent throughout your long winded rant, only providing a small hum or “ah” when necessary. 

“He asked me out for dinner and I can’t bring myself to respond. It’s not right, Hobi. Not when this whole thing between us is a farce.” You sniffled, feeling the way your heart cracked at the harsh reality. God, it hurts like a motherfucker. 

“Go on the date, Y/N.” 

Eyes bugging out of your head, you stared down at the phone in disbelief. “Are you crazy? Did you not hear a word I just said?” Was he pretending to listen this entire time? 

“I heard you loud and clear, babe.” He sighed, no doubt running his hand through his hair like he always did before he gave you a piece of advice, “I also know that you deserve to be treated well. You’ve been through so many trashy boyfriends and I’ve been waiting for someone like Taehyung to come along.”

“But it’s all fake.” You hiccuped. 

“How do you know that? This could be the real deal, Y/N.” 

“But there was five—” 

Hoseok cuts you off with a curt mention of your name, “if you’re so sure that he’s under some kind of trance, then why not make this last one count? I think you owe it to yourself to feel happiness for once in your life.” 

His words stunned you to silence. Your lips parted as you contemplated his proposition. A soft hum came from the other line. 

“Text him, babe. Go to dinner with him.” 

“Thanks Hobi. I’ll keep you updated for real this time.” You sniffled down the receiving end, pressing the red button to disconnect the call.

Your best friend was right. Where was the harm in allowing yourself to be happy? Sure, you could risk falling for Taehyung even harder but wasn’t that the whole point of dating? Putting yourself out there and jeopardizing getting hurt or rejected? It was all a gamble after all; a game of chance. 

[ you ] 

sorry i just needed the night to clear my head. you don’t have to apologize. i’m sorry it all got so messy 

i’d love to still go out if you’re still available? 

[ taehyung ] 

for you? always 

so are we on for the same deal this friday? 7pm? i’ll pick you up? :) 

[ you ] 

wouldn’t miss it for the world x 

Putting your phone down, your dreamy smile faded away when your gaze landed on the five poker chips taunting you from across the room. 

“Just one last date… then I’ll give it back.” You said aloud to nobody in particular, but rather to convince yourself that you weren’t making a colossal mistake.

Dinner dates weren’t exactly your favorite. You’d certainly endured your fair share of catastrophic dining dates. Everything from being served shrimp scampi containing three press-on nails and your date making a giant fuss like he was Gordon Ramsey, to your date admitting he asked you out because you looked like a younger version of his mother. 

All in all: you were rather scarred from past experiences. 

But of course, as to be expected, Taehyung pulled out all the stops. He’d taken the liberty of reserving a table in advance, so you didn’t have to wait outside in a queue for the newly opened restaurant. He even went out of his way to inform the staff of your soybean allergy. 

To say you were touched was the understatement of the century. You couldn’t believe he had remembered such a small detail from your last date. 

It’s not real, Y/N! You’d reminded yourself of the harsh reality you hadn’t exactly come to terms with just yet. 

“Goddamn that was good,” Taehyung groaned, leaning back in his seat and placing his palms on the food baby he’d developed, “that shit was some of the best I’ve ever had.” 

Snickering, you finished off your glass of water, “you know that’s quite the innuendo you just made.” Your eyes glimmered with mischief as you teased him. 

He raised an eyebrow at you whilst a smirk crept up on his lips. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Y/N! We’re in a public setting.” 

You had to hand it to him, he knew how to tease you right back. You giggled at his response and in turn, he chuckled along with you.

The both of you continued your flirtatious banter for the next fifteen minutes until the waiter came over with the check. You quickly went to pick it up, but Taehyung was faster. 

“Why won’t you ever let me pay?”

“Because I’m a gentleman,” he grinned, his cheeks lifting up, “and I like treating you. Sue me.” 

It was damn hard to argue with that. 

Once he paid the check, Taehyung reached for your hand and helped you out of your seat. He never failed to leave you breathless at the best of times, taking you by surprise time and time again. He was so chivalrous that it knocked the air right out of your lungs. He couldn’t be more perfect… 

“Would you like me to take you home?” Taehyung asked, escorting you out of the restaurant and towards the all too familiar Hyundai. “Otherwise I have two pints of Häagen-Dazs ice cream back at my place.” 

Deep down, you knew you should go home. Everything would be a lot less complicated if you chose the former, but your heart was urging you to pick the latter. 

“Tempting… what flavor are the pints?” 

Taehyung chuckled. “One’s vanilla bean and the other is mint chocolate chip.” 

“Hm, sold!” 

You arrived at his apartment approximately thirty five minutes later and the ice cream was long forgotten. Somewhere in between parking his car in his reserved spot and withdrawing his keys from the ignition, your mouths had collided in a fervent kiss. You couldn’t exactly pinpoint who made the first move, the moment simply advanced organically. 

The only time the two of you separated was when Taehyung clumsily unlocked his door. The second he got it opened, he tossed his keys and cellphone haphazardly across the room. The sound of the device tumbling to the floorboards almost compelled you to pull away. 

“I’ll pick them up later.” He hushed against your mouth, his foot kicking the door shut behind you both as he led you further into his one bedroom bachelor’s apartment. You giggled at his urgency, causing him to smile toothily into your impassioned kiss. 

Taehyung ushered you over to his leather sofa then. He carefully sat back on the cushions and brought you down with him. Your legs slotted against his thighs, with your hip bones almost grazing. His lips remained attached to yours throughout, only parting briefly so that you both could catch a breath. 

“Baby…” He rasped, the low timbre of his voice sending pleasurable shivers down your spine. His large, ring-clad hands found purchase on the lower half of your waist (nearing dangerously close to the roundness of your derrière). 

“Mmm, Tae.” You whimpered. 

Already your panties were leaking with arousal. The barely-there fabric was clinging to your folds now. You flushed at the thought of Taehyung being able to feel your wetness through your skirt. Flattening your hands against his pectorals, your fingertips brushed over his clothed nipples and that had his pelvis bucking upwards. 

“Shit!” Taehyung groaned unabashedly, his hands maneuvering their way down to the globes of your ass. He squeezed the flesh with fervor, invoking a slew of desperate yelps from your swollen lips. He swallowed every moan with an all-consuming kiss. The man had your mind reeling and you didn’t want it to stop. 

“God… the things you do to me,” he sounded completely out of breath, reluctantly breaking away from your intensive kiss so he could gaze up at you through hooded eyelids, “I’ve never felt this way about anyone.” 

His admission felt like a bucket of icy cold water being dumped over your head. You stiffened and scurried off his lap, staggering to your feet. You hadn’t realized you were crying until you felt a droplet touch your hand. 

“Y/N? Baby?” Taehyung’s eyes widened instantly, concern flickering across his facial features as he sat upright. “Are you okay? Did I do something wrong?” 

You cried harder. “No,” you blubbered, your head shaking back and forth as you reached for your bag, “you did everything right.” 

“I… I don’t understand?” He furrowed his eyebrows, lips curved downwards into a confused frown. He pushed himself off the couch, reaching out to take your hands into his, “were we moving too fast? We don’t have to do anything, I really did bring you here for ice cream.” 

You flinched, tugging your hands free from his grasp, “it’s not that.” 

Hurt flashed across his sable eyes, only for a second or two before he composed himself. “Then what is it? Talk to me baby… Let me in.” 

“I can’t be here anymore. It’s not right, especially when all of this is against your will.” 

Taehyung furrowed his brows together in discombobulation. “What are you talking about?” 

“It’s not fair, Tae! You don’t like me like that!” You sniffled, slinging your handbag over your shoulder as you prepared yourself to leave his apartment. You never should’ve come. Agreeing to this date was nothing but an enormous mistake. 

“Are you kidding me?” Taehyung looked astounded, mouth hung open, “when have I ever given you the indication that I’m anything but super fucking into you? Can’t you see how smitten I am?” 

“But it’s not real! Everything you’re feeling, it’s all fake!” You lamented, shoulders slumping while your lips quivered. “I’m going to fix this. I promise.” 

Taehyung shook his head and tried to reach for you again, but you recoiled. You whispered out an apology and swiftly turned on your heels. You dashed out of his apartment before he could stop you. 

“Y/N! Y/N wait!” Taehyung exclaimed, chasing after you in desperation. He watched on with a forlorn expression as the elevator doors closed, successfully shutting him out. “Fuck!” He hissed in frustration, reaching up to aggressively tug at his raven strands. 

His head was still hazed from your outburst. 

What did you mean by fake? Did you really think his affections were misleading? Taehyung was at a loss. He thought he’d been pretty damn obvious with how he felt about you. Couldn’t you see how much he liked you? 

He returned to his apartment with a heavy heart, closing the door behind him and exhaling dejectedly. 

Taehyung picked up his phone and contemplated sending you a text message. He decided against it. He would give you space for tonight and reach out tomorrow. He was determined now more than ever to prove to you that he wasn’t messing around. Taehyung wasn’t some fuckboy looking for the next notch in his bedpost. He wasn’t playing games. He was serious about this and he was serious about you. 

After tonight, all bets are off.

[ taehyung ] 

y/n baby 

please talk to me 

idk what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours but we can work this out. i know we can 

Your heart was aching. 

The last time you felt heartbreak of this capacity was in high school, when your boyfriend of two years confessed to fucking your neighbor in the back of his daddy’s pick up truck. 

Nothing could’ve prepared you for this, though. 

You’d cried your eyes out until you ran out of tears; soaking your pillow to the point it smelled like salt. Your cheeks were puffy, eyes bloodshot and swollen and hair thrown into a half-assed ponytail that frankly resembled a bird's nest. You looked atrocious and felt a thousand times worse. 

Each text message you received from Taehyung went ignored. You were avoiding him to the best of your ability, as you hadn’t yet conjured up enough courage to block his number. Once you returned one of the poker chips to him, then you would do it. You needed more time before you were able to do that. 

Deja vu hit you around noon. It had come to your attention that you’d spent the entirety of last Saturday doing the exact same thing at present: withering away in isolation, drowning in your own self-pity. 

How pathetic, you thought to yourself glumly. How could you fuck things up this badly? You never should’ve allowed yourself to go out with Taehyung—perhaps you would have spared yourself the heartache. 

You were so entrenched in your loser party of one that you hadn’t heard your front door unlock, nor did you hear it open and close again. 

“So this is what you’ve been doing,” Hoseok commented from your door, leaning against the frame with a tiny front,  “I knew something was up. You didn’t text me.” 

You barely acknowledged his existence. 

It didn’t trouble you that he was here, in your apartment, without a heads up. Hoseok knew where the spare key was and you trusted him more than anyone else on this godforsaken planet. 

“Y/N.” Hoseok tried to garner your attention once again, “I’ve never seen you like this… talk to me. What happened?” 

Peeking your head out from underneath the covers, you were met with his gaze. He looked worrisome. That’s when you knew he was dead serious, because gone was the happy-go-lucky version of Hobi that you knew inside and out. 

“I think I’ve fallen for him.” 

Oh how it burned to confess those words aloud. You felt your throat close up as you forced back tears, being far too exhausted to cry again. 

Hoseok’s eyes softened. “What’s so wrong about that?” 

“Because it’s not real for him, Hobi!” You sniveled, shaking your head sadly. “It’s wrong to string him along any further. I won’t be able to live with myself if I continue to see him like this… it’s against his free will.” 

Hoseok sighed, lifting himself off the doorframe and wandered over to you. He joined you on your bed, sitting on the edge. He looked rather distressed, fiddling with his fingers. 

“Y/N… I need to come clean about something.” 

The way his voice wavered immediately caught your attention. Pushing your body upwards, you situated yourself against your bed head and urged him to continue. 

“I set the whole thing up.” 

“What? I don’t follow…” 

Turning to look at you, Hoseok chewed his bottom lip nervously, “you called me that night—in Vegas. You were drunk out of your mind and jabbered on about how a bartender told you this silly myth about this bowl of poker chips being the key to finding true love. You laughed like a maniac and told me that you stole five of them.” 

You definitely resembled a goldfish by now. 

“But your drunken ass also told me about Taehyung. You raved about this amazing guy you met and when he asked you out the first time, I saw how nervous you were. How quick you were to try and turn him down. I knew I had to do something…”

Hoseok ran a shaky hand through his hair before continuing, “so I hired those guys. They’re all paid actors. I thought if I could play up on the myth, convince you that those strange men were all infatuated with you, maybe you would be more open to giving a genuine guy like Taehyung a chance.” 

Your head was spinning. The giant atomic bomb that Hoseok just dumped on you left you dumbfounded, bewildered and totally overwhelmed. 

“I know I let things get too far and I’m so fucking sorry for that—but Y/N… you need to know that everything you have with Taehyung is real.” 

Squeezing your eyes shut, you wrapped your arms protectively around yourself. There was so much information to absorb all at once and you didn’t know what to do at that moment. 

“This is a lot to take in.” 

Hoseok nodded guilty, “I know. You have full permission to hate my guts for the rest of eternity but please don’t avoid Taehyung. You’re meant to be together!” 

You rubbed your temples profusely, as you could feel a tension headache brewing. “Hobi, I love you, but I’d really like some space for a little while. I just need time to process everything.” 

Your best friend’s face fell, a tiny pout forming on his lips as he nodded sadly. He looked like you’d kicked his puppy and told him that he wasn’t getting any candy for Halloween—but he’d brought it upon himself. 

“I understand. I’m really fucking sorry for all this. Take as long as you need… I’m only a text away.” He offered you a despondent smile before exiting your bedroom without another word. 

A split second after you heard him gently close the front door, you bursted into heavy, shoulder wracking sobs. However, your sobs were lacking tears due to the fact you’d drained your tear ducts earlier that morning. 

You weren’t sure if you were reacting in such a way because of Hoseok’s confession, or, the possibility of having ruined your chance with Taehyung. You’d gone and accused his actions of being fake and under pretense after all. 

God, how you wished you could be angry with Hoseok. The way he convinced you that the likes of Eric, Daniel, Jackson and Vernon, were actually vying for your attention and for your heart. Those men drove you into insanity. They wore you out to the point of emotional exhaustion and even provoked you into ditching Taehyung more than once. 

But on the contrary, the exposure to strange men such as those four, really made you appreciate every moment you spent with Taehyung. You came to realize how different he was from the rest of them. Perhaps that’s what Hoseok meant. In some totally fucked up way, he really had been looking out for you. 

You swung your legs over to the side of your bed and pushed yourself up. You decided right then and there that you needed a stiff drink. Or two. Or three. Trudging out of your bedroom and towards your kitchenette, you went to scour your refrigerator for any kind of booze, when a loud knock sounded at your front door. 

Multiple frantic knocks followed swiftly afterwards, leaving you to believe that Hoseok had returned because he forgot his vape on your coffee table or something (it wouldn’t be the first time, nor would it be the last). 

Having closed the fridge, you shuffled over to your door. There were two more knocks rapped against the wood. Jesus, somebody is impatient! 

You sighed and opened your front door, “Hobi, look, now is really not—” 

“Not a good time?” 

Your eyes immediately lifted from your floorboards at the sound of that familiar baritone. 

There—in all his handsome glory—stood Taehyung. 

You blinked rapidly for a few moments, unable to comprehend that he was here. Standing outside your apartment. Even after the way you had run out on him last night. 

“Taehyung,” you breathed his name, shock plastered across your facial features, “what.. what are you doing here?” 

Hands stuffed into the front pocket of his gunmetal blue denim jeans, Taehyung gave you a small smile, “may I come in?” 

You jerked a nod, stepping to the side so he could enter your apartment. You closed the door behind him, swallowing thickly. Why did he come? Is he going to chew my head off for the way I acted yesterday? 

Taehyung took a brief moment to let his eyes waltz around your tiny one bedroom apartment. His was larger, there was no doubt about it, but you were living in Manhattan so naturally your place was the size of a shoebox. It may be on the smaller side but you made it work for your lifestyle. 

“Very cute.” He tossed you a smile, the corner of his eyes crinkling, “very you.” 

You felt your face heat up at his compliment. 

“I’m sorry for coming over unannounced... is this a bad time?” 

You realized you hadn’t cleared that up earlier when you opened the door. “N-No, it’s fine.” You couldn’t believe you were stammering in his presence! He had you acting like a teenage girl with a giant crush—you really were falling. 

“Okay, that’s good…” He trailed off, bringing one hand from the front pocket of his jeans to scratch the back of his neck, “I didn’t originally intend on coming here, and I know you don’t wanna talk right now but honestly I just found myself driving here.” 

“Tae—” 

“No, please, let me finish. I came up with this whole thing on the drive over.” His rich obsidian eyes pleaded with you, resembling that of a baby bear. He looked extra adorable in the oversized black hoodie he was wearing.

“Okay.” You whispered and gestured for him to continue. 

“I drove through horrendous Manhattan traffic to get here because I don’t want you to think my intentions are fake. I don’t want you to think that I’m just messing around with you or playing my cards right. This isn’t a game to me, Y/N.” Taehyung paused briefly, taking a step closer and timidly reaching for your hands.

You hesitantly allowed him to take them. 

“I know you’re scared. Hell, I don’t blame you for being scared,” he spoke softly, his eyes imploring into yours, “Y/N… I don’t know what shit those other guys were pulling but I’m not bullshitting you. There is no bluff, no secret agenda, no ulterior motive.” Every word was delivered with such conviction. He was so assured, so confident and so real. 

“Tae—”

“I know I acted immaturely before our last date. At first I was pissed off that you lied about not seeing anybody else, but then I realized you don’t owe me anything. We were never exclusive and I was just jealous,” he rubbed his thumbs along your knuckles then and you felt like your heart was going to explode, “I was jealous because I wanted it to be me. I wanted to be the one surprising you with gifts and taking you out and calling you cute little nicknames. I wanted you to be mine.”

“Taehyung—”

“I know it might be too soon or too crazy but I’ve liked you since the day we met. You’ve been all I’ve thought about since the moment you dropped your handbag in Harry Reid International Airport and I—mmph!”

You crashed your mouth onto his before he could say much else. It was your turn to cut him off this time. 

His hands dropped yours in an instant, only to plant them gently on either side of your face. Taehyung kissed you deeply. He moved his mouth with yours in a way that you could only describe as poetic. His lips were making up for the words that he didn’t get to say. 

You kissed him irrevocably, as if he was going to vanish from your life in a split second. You poured every ounce of feeling you had for the man into the kiss, hoping that he would be able to decipher exactly how you felt about him. 

No words were spoken the entire time you kissed and that only further enriched the moment you shared with him. You wanted to stay in that bubble with him forever. 

Breaking apart to catch his breath, Taehyung rested his forehead against yours. He brushed his nose over your own in a sweet, tender motion. You couldn’t help but crack a broadened smile at his affection. 

“Now if you had let me speak,” You began, your tone light and playful, “I would’ve told you that there wasn’t any competition. I wasn’t interested in those guys. I only wanted you. I’m only ever going to want you, Tae.” 

You snagged a glimpse of that breathtakingly gorgeous boxy grin of his before his lips covered your own once again. 

This kiss was different from the one before. Taehyung consumed you with his mouth. One hand circled around your waist, bringing you flush against his hardened torso while the other held the back of your neck. 

“Mm.” A strangled whimper escaped the back of your throat. 

Taehyung used that little slip of yours as a newfound opportunity to glide his tongue into your mouth. You itched to feel his fingers tangled up in your hair. He ached to feel your hands underneath his hoodie. 

“You’re only ever going to want me, hm?” He murmured against your mouth, his lips slowly (and teasingly) now leaving hot kisses along your jawline. “Need to hear you say it, baby.” 

“Yes, Taehyung. I only want you.” You mewled, head tilting to the side to allow him access to the column of your throat. You wanted his kisses on your neck. You wanted him to mark you there with reddish purple splotches. You just wanted him and you had no qualms when it came to professing that desire. 

Detaching his lips from your skin, Taehyung’s eyes found your own, “I love the way you say my name.” You could tell he was beginning to become aroused, given the way his pupils had dilated. He looked effortlessly gorgeous, with his tousled raven curls falling on his forehead, swollen lips and hooded eyes. 

You, on the other hand, looked totally disheveled. The ponytail you had lazily pulled together earlier in the day was on the verge of unraveling and your lips were red, kiss-bitten and puffed up thanks to Tae’s handiwork.

But to Taehyung you were an angel personified. 

“We don’t have to go any further,” he rasped, his fingers gently drawing invisible circles along your shoulder blades, “I’m more than happy to kiss you all day long. I just want to be here with you.” 

His admission had your entire body melting. If you had the ability to dissolve into a puddle on the floor, you absolutely would without question. Every word that left his mouth resulted in your heart skipping a beat and for once you didn’t feel like it was too good to be true. 

“I wanna be with you too.” You assured him with a saccharine smile, eyes glimmering with adoration for him. “But Tae, I’ve wanted you to fuck me since that damn wedding reception so please don’t hold back.” 

Once your vulgar words had settled in his mind, Taehyung’s smile transformed into a devilish smirk. 

“Oh? You’ve wanted me for that long, angel face?” 

You simply nodded, your hands reaching out to fist the soft cotton material of his hoodie. “You had me soaked that night.” 

He hissed out a husky fuck, his eyes darkening with lust. “Hm. Such a filthy girl. Getting wet for a stranger at your friend’s wedding reception.” 

While his words taunted you, his hands began toying with you. He slipped his long fingers underneath the material of your tee, splaying his palms flat against your tummy. 

“Touch me,” you whined. 

“I am, baby.” He chuckled hoarsely, exploring your lower torso with his large hands. He slowly hiked up your tee, exposing your bare breasts. He marveled at the way your nipples peaked as a result of his ministrations. 

“Tae!” You whimpered his name, seemingly growing impatient with his teasing. “Please!” 

“There we go… good girl.” He murmured, ridding you of your t-shirt and immediately cupping your breasts. His lustrous eyes remained fixated on your face, not wanting to miss a single reaction. 

Your back arched up into him the second his calloused fingers made contact with your sensitive nipples. 

“So pretty,” he breathed out, gently twisting and prodding your nipples. He was readying them for his lips. Taehyung had full intentions of getting your tits in his mouth—he’d been dreaming about it since the moment he saw you in that satin slip dress at the wedding. “Feel good, baby? I wanna hear your sweet little noises. Don’t be shy, okay?” 

“Oh..kay...” you stammered, trying your best to nod your head to show him that you understood. Never in your life had you encountered a man encouraging you to be vocal during sex. Hell, this wasn’t even sex! This was the beginnings of foreplay and already Taehyung was making you keen into him.

“Good girl,” he praised you gently, pressing a delicate kiss to your collarbones. 

You shivered deliciously at the praise. 

He blindly guided you to your sofa, not wanting to have you standing while he suckled on your tits. Not only was that a safety hazard but he wanted you to be comfortable. Your pleasure was his top priority and he was going to make sure you understood that. Undoubtedly. 

“Comfortable?” He questioned in a gentle-like tone, allowing you to get situated on your couch. 

“I’m perfect, babe.” You assured him dazedly, your eyes hooded as you peered up at him with an eagerness he’d never witnessed before. 

He couldn’t wait to feel you. 

Pecking your lips, Taehyung brought his hands back to your breasts and began to squeeze the soft flesh. He then placed hot, wet open mouthed kisses to your skin as he worked his way down from your mouth to your chest. He was a man on a goddamn mission. To have you writhing beneath him before he even got to explore between your thighs. 

“Oh god, Taehyung!” 

Your head fell back against the cushions the moment his hot mouth encased around your left breast. His hand continued to play with the other while he swirled his tongue around, teasing your areola and flicking your hardened nipple. 

He swapped sides after a few minutes, wanting to make sure that each titty got the attention it deserved. He also loved the way you gasped, heaved and whimpered for him—so he had to string it out for a little while longer. 

“Prettiest fucking tits,” he grunted, lifting off your breast with a lewd, wet pop, “so fucking beautiful, baby.” 

He knew that you got off on praise, so the words of affirmation didn’t stop. He complimented your body as he worked his way down, pressing his lips to every inch of your skin. His onyx colored eyes glanced up to marvel the way your face would contort in pleasure or contentment, after every few kisses. 

When he reached your bike shorts, Taehyung tugged his lower lip between his teeth. “May I?” He referred to taking off your shorts, his fingers hovering at the waistband. 

You nodded eagerly, wetting your lips. “Please.” 

Satisfaction glimmered behind his irises as he hooked both of his index fingers under the waistband of your shorts. Anticipation flooded your body, your skin sizzling at his every movement. 

“Just perfect.” 

Your bike shorts joined your t-shirt in a rumbled heap on the floor, with Taehyung’s next target being your soft black panties. His eyes drank in your appearance, utterly mesmerized by your practically naked form. 

“You’re wearing too many clothes,” you whined, jutting out your bottom lip into the most exaggerated pout, “I wanna see you too.” 

Chuckling, Taehyung couldn’t deny you the simple pleasure of seeing him without clothes. “You’re so cute,” he mused as he reached up behind him, grasping the fabric of his hoodie and shrugging the item off his body. He was thanking his past self for not wearing a plain white tee for once, because the way you gawked at him like you’d won the lottery was such a confidence boost, “Y/N, you’re staring baby.” 

“Because you’re a fucking god, Taehyung. Like, c’mon, who just looks like that?” 

He grinned wolfishly at your compliment. Box-shaped smile on full display. Yeah, he wanted confidence boosts from you all day, every day. 

“I could say the same about you, angel,” he assured you, dropping a playful wink in your direction as he proceeded with dragging your panties down your legs, “now let me see that pretty pussy of yours.” 

The moment you kicked off your underwear, Taehyung expertly spread your legs with his skilful hands. He then pushed your calves gently upwards until your knees were bent, giving him the best view of your sopping pussy.

His mouth popped open, “you’re so fucking wet.” Dragging his predominant pointer finger along your slit, Taehyung couldn’t get over the sight of your glistening cunt. 

“Tae—ah fuck,” you mewled, eyes fluttering closed as the tip of his finger teased your little hole. 

“You’re drenched.” He groaned, using his fingers to spread your pussy lips to expose more of your wetness to him. “Fuck, I’m so hard.” 

You wanted to open your eyes to catch a sneaky peek at his erection but that idea disappeared from your mind the second Taehyung licked a bold stripe up your folds. 

A strangled moan escaped your lips, eyes rolling back into your skull whilst Taehyung dove in for another taste. He absolutely devoured you. His tongue waggled over your folds, lapped at your slit and prodded your entrance with fervor. His nose nudged against your clitoris time and time again, giving you the perfect bounds of stimulation. 

“Taste so fucking sweet,” he rasped against you, tongue circling your clit, “wanna get drunk on this fucking pussy.”

You were practically incoherent at this point. Words were lost on you as he ate you out like a man starved. All you could muster up were broken moans and desperate gasps. At one point, your fingers entangled themselves in Taehyung’s curls and eagerly tugged at his scalp whenever he flicked your clit just right. 

And boy, did he fucking love that. His deep, guttural groans enticed you to keep pulling his hair whilst also turning you on. The noises he made had your pussy throbbing and leaking like a goddamn faucet. You knew that Taehyung loved it because seconds later, lewd sounds filled your apartment as he slurped up your juices. 

“Could eat this sweet little pussy all night long.” He husked, looking up to catch a glimpse of your face. He revered the way your eyebrows knitted together as you chewed on your bottom lip. “So perfect for me baby. You feeling good?”

Opening your eyes lazily, you glanced down to meet his lustrous gaze and nodded dumbly, “so good.” Your words were slurred, totally high on pleasure. He looked so sinful between your legs, his hair matted to his forehead and lips glistening with your slick. 

“Good,” Taehyung grinned broadly in triumph, “are you close? Gonna be a good girl and come for me?” 

His filthy words had your pussy clenching, a desperate sound falling from your lips. “Uh-huh… n-need—” He sensed your urgency and plunged two fingers into your entrance without warning. 

Your jaw hung open and your eyes squeezed shut, your legs beginning to tremble as Taehyung started fucking you with his long fingers. He didn’t need you to verbalize that you were close, he could tell by the way your body shook. You needed to come and he was going to get you there. 

“You’re so tight around my fingers, shit,” he cursed, jack hammering into you and curling his fingers upwards to brush that spot, “can’t wait to feel this tight little cunt around my cock—fuck baby, you just squeezed my hand so much.”

“Ngh Tae!” You whimpered, back arching off your sofa as your climax approached, “I’m s-so close… wanna come!” Your legs began to stiffen and your toes curled into the cushions while that familiar tightening in your stomach grew more intense. 

“I know baby, I know. I got you,” he cooed, pressing the pad of his thumb to your clitoris and harshly rubbing at the sensitive nub, “let go for me angel. Come all over my fingers.”  

That’s all it took for your orgasm to crash over you like a tidal wave. A high pitched scream of his name fell from your lips. Taehyung hadn’t ever witnessed something so breathtakingly sexy in his life. He was absolutely enamored with you and he wasn’t ashamed of it for a second. 

Slowly easing his fingers out, Taehyung waited for you to lazily open your eyes before propping his fingers into his mouth. He moaned at the taste of your release. The sight alone had your pussy clenching around nothing. 

“Like peaches and cream,” he smirked, wiping his fingers off on his jeans and gently reaching out to cup your face with the other hand, “how are you feeling? I wasn’t too much, was I?” 

Your chest heaved as you tried to regain your breathing pattern, eyes drooped from the earth shattering orgasm Taehyung had just given you. “No,” you breathed, shaking your head a little, “I’m feeling like I’m on cloud nine right now.” 

He chuckled, beaming with satisfaction. He didn’t say anything else, instead he pushed himself towards you and gently pressed his lips to his. Although you could taste remnants of your own cum, you weren’t fazed by it at all. Not when you were still riding on your high. 

“I wanna return the favor,” you mumbled  into the kiss, tugging on his bottom lip with your teeth. 

He groaned huskily in your mouth, “you little minx.” He reluctantly pulled away and then pressed a kiss to the swell of your breasts. “Tonight is about you, baby. I just want to make you feel good. You can return the favor another time.” 

You were awestruck by his response. Never in your life had you met a man so selfless when it came to sex but then it occurred to you that Taehyung was truly one in a million. One in a billion, more like it. 

“Besides, I’m so fucking hard right now that if you put those pretty lips on me I might blow my load straight away.” He admitted with an embarrassed laugh. 

That drew your attention to the impressive bulge that was noticeable through his jeans. You could’ve sworn you felt your mouth dry up at the sheer size of it. His hardened cock was straining against his zipper to the point you thought it was going to bust open. 

“If you keep looking at me like that I’m going to take you right here,” Taehyung said in a low voice that sent shivers down your spine. 

“And what’s so wrong with that?” 

His tongue poked out to wet his lips, “I wanted to treat you right. Make love to you in your bed.” 

Your naked body keened into his, brushing his denim clad bulge. 

“Fuck!—Y/N, if you keep that shit up I’m gonna fuck you right here, right now.” 

As much as you wanted Taehyung to make love to you like he’d hoped; you wanted him to fuck you. You were so desperate to feel his well endowed cock deep inside you, that you didn’t want to waste anymore time. Romance could wait for another day. 

So that’s what prompted you to dip your tiny hand beneath the waistband of his jeans and find his rigid cock. He immediately grunted at your touch and that caused you to smile innocently. 

“That’s how you wanna play it?” He growled out, eyes darkening as you took his cock out from its confines and slowly pumped his raging erection. He immediately groaned, his head knocking backwards. 

“You’re so big.” You breathed unevenly. He was so hard. So long. So thick. Your clit pulsated at the thought of him stuffing you full with his cum. You gently swiped the beads of precum from his slit and lathered it over his bulbous head.

Taehyung’s breathing became labored. You were driving him absolutely insane and he wasn’t sure how much longer he could endure your teasing. 

“Baby—ah fuck—stop,” he rasped, reaching out to gently pluck your hand off his throbbing dick, “I need to be inside you. Now.” 

You nodded eagerly, shimmying yourself up on the couch so that Taehyung could shrug off his jeans. He yanked off the denim so aggressively, as if the jeans had personally offended him. Soon enough, his jeans and Tommy Hilfiger boxer briefs joined the rest of your clothes. 

“Are you sure this is okay?” He inquired in a gentle tone, his eyes gazing down into yours. Taehyung didn’t want to pressure you into anything. He wanted your consent before taking anything further and your heart hammered in your chest at his attentiveness. 

“More than okay. I want you Taehyung.” 

“Say that again.” His dick twitched while he hovered over you. 

“I want you Taehyung. Please fuck me.” 

Slamming his lips down onto yours, Taehyung positioned himself between your legs. He hoisted your calves over his hips and gently pushed your thighs towards your chest. The current position had you both panting into each other's mouths and he wasn’t even inside you yet. 

Fisting his cock, Taehyung hissed into your feverish kiss while pumping himself once, twice, three times to get ready for your tight little pussy. Lining his throbbing cock up with your entrance, Taehyung eased himself in slowly. 

You whimpered at the intrusion and clutched at his shoulder blades with frenzied desire. Inch by inch, Taehyung pushed himself inside your tight cunt and you were nothing but a moaning mess below him. 

“Fuck!” He grunted after bottoming out, your pelvises aligned with his throbbing dick now completely sheathed by your warm walls. “You feel so fucking good angel. Squeezing my dick like crazy—uh shit, not gonna last long.” 

“Me neither,” you whined, allowing yourself a few moments to adjust to his impressive girth. 

Taehyung reached down between your bodies and located your clit, rubbing slow circles over the bundle of nerves in order to help you loosen up and accustom to his size. Your comfort and pleasure came before his tenfold.  

“Ungh,” you gurgled, unable to construct sentences, “move. Please move, baby.” 

He kissed you softly then, slowly drawing his hips back and rocking forward to test the waters. Upon hearing your mewls against his lips, Taehyung knew you were feeling good and decided to pick up the pace. He began thrusting up into you with a steady rhythm, kissing your cervix with the head of his cock in a way that had your eyes rolling back into your head each time. 

“Best fucking pussy I’ve ever had,” he panted, slamming his hips against yours and kissing you messily, “so wet and warm.” 

“Tae,” you whimpered in desperation, feeling your second orgasm quickly approaching. You clung to his biceps, digging your nails into his taut muscles, craving him in every way possible. 

“I’m here honey, I’m right here.” He croaked gravelly. “I know what you need. I’m gonna give it to you, ‘kay?” 

“Please.” 

That one word was all it took for Taehyung to pound into you. It was like something inside of him had snapped. He plowed his hips against yours, determined to trigger your second climax of the night. He wanted to feel you come around his cock. He wanted to pump you full of his sticky cum and watch it seep down your thighs. 

The both of you had resorted to moaning messes. All that could be heard through your apartment was the obscene sound of skin slapping skin and the occasional curse word. You wondered if you were going to receive a noise complaint later today. 

“You close angel?” He puffed out through swollen lips. 

You nodded meekly, your thighs trembling against your breasts. Your eyes were welling up with tears from how good he was fucking you. 

“Me too.” Taehyung heaved, his skin starting to glimmer with sweat. He gently grabbed your ankles and hauled your legs over his shoulder—the new position allowing him to hit all the right spots that had you crying out his name. “Come with me baby.” He begged, his thrusts getting sloppier and more erratic as his orgasm loomed on him. 

Noticing the way you arched up off the couch, Taehyung quickly rubbed his fingers over your clit and within seconds, you were climaxing around his cock with a shout of his name. 

Following suit, Taehyung gutturally groaned out your name. He buried his face into the crook of your neck as his dick twitched sporadically and spurted his cum deep within your cunt.

You were utterly spent. 

The two of you stayed there for a couple of minutes, allowing yourselves time to catch your breath and steady your heart rate. 

Taehyung used the time to slowly pull out and paid witness to the way your pussy dribbled with his cum. He then, of course, pushed it back in with a wolfish grin. 

You couldn’t deny that you loved being stuffed. 

About a minute later, Taehyung placed a kiss on your jugular. “You’re so perfect.” 

The unexpected compliment had you blushing. He could tell you’d gotten all shy by the change in your body language, so he reached out and gently squeezed your breast. 

“Tae!” You gasped, lightly slapping his bicep. 

He broke out into a fit of cheeky giggles, lifting his head from the curve between your neck and shoulder. “What? Don’t get  all shy on me now honey. I just pumped you full of my cum after all.” He teased you playfully with a devilish smirk. 

You rolled your eyes and pushed him by the shoulder. He grinned boyishly at your response. 

“I meant it though; you really are perfect,” Taehyung reached out and gently moved your hair from your face, “and I’d love it if we could be exclusive from now on.” 

“Tae…” You were crimson red. He really made your heart race in a way that you couldn’t describe. 

“Not just because we slept together, but because I can’t stand the idea of going another day without being able to call you my girl.” 

You kissed him passionately in lieu of a yes. He happily returned the sentiment. 

Needless to say, you were more than happy to be Kim Taehyung’s girl and not even ten minutes had passed before you were giving him that blowjob he turned down earlier.

Later that evening (after your three rounds of toe-curling sex), Taehyung ordered fried chicken and beer to be delivered for you both to share. 

You were dressed in nothing but a clean pair of panties and Taehyung’s hoodie, which looked adorably oversized on you. Your boyfriend, on the other hand, had opted for his boxer briefs and nothing else. 

Not that you were complaining in the slightest. 

Curled up in his embrace, you were mindlessly watching the new season of Love Is Blind (as it turns out Taehyung also loved watching trashy reality dating shows) when he cleared his throat to grab your attention. 

“Hm?” You turned to look at him with pure adoration in your eyes. 

“Honey, can I tell you something? It's super cheesy and dumb but this show just reminded me of it.” 

Eyebrows raising in intrigue, you nodded and gestured for him to continue. 

Chuckling nervously, Taehyung ran a hand through his messed up curls. “Back in Vegas, I tried to look for you after you left the reception,” he began, making your heart sink to your stomach for a brief moment. 

If you hadn’t jumped to conclusions, then maybe you and Taehyung could’ve gotten together earlier. 

“I was buzzed so of course I had no idea which direction you went. Anyways, I ended up at some random bar by the casino,” he mused, rubbing his index finger along his bottom lip, “the bartender was super chatty and asked me where I had come from, ‘cause I was all dressed up. I told him I was just at a wedding and met this amazing woman that took my breath away, but she’d left.” 

Of course, you blushed at his confession. The fact he told a stranger about you warmed your heart. 

Chuckling, Taehyung reached his hand down and took a hold of his vintage denim. You had no idea what he was doing with his clothes, so eyed him curiously. To your shock, he retrieved a single poker chip from his back pocket. 

You were rendered speechless. It couldn’t be… 

“He told me about this bowl on the bar that had a bunch of poker chips in it. Said that people all over Vegas toss one in for a chance to find their soulmate,” he paused, twiddling the poker chip between his fingers and then gently placing it in your hand, “so I stole one. Because I didn’t need a chance… I’d already met you.” 

Tearing up, you glanced down at the poker chip that rested on your palm. You’d both been there that night. You’d both heard the story and purposely went against the fantasy. 

You’d both created your own fate. 

And that led you to each other. 

“I know it’s corny and lame but I was already falling in love with you. I didn’t need a poker chip to convince me of that.” Taehyung said, his fingers gently tucking your strands of your hair past your ear. 

“It’s not at all,” you whispered, tossing the poker chip onto your coffee table and then wrapping your arms around his neck, “I’m falling in love with you too.” 

His eyes brightened, the elated sparkle that shimmered in them leaving you warm and fuzzy. The way Taehyung looked at you was more than enough proof that he was telling the truth. That everything he had said to you was spoken straight from the heart. 

No games. No bets. No bluff. Cards off the table; he was real. 

You leaned in to kiss him, brushing your nose against his endearingly before whispering: “I hope you know you’re in for one hell of a ride with me, right?” 

“I know, baby.” He crashed his lips onto yours, “and I’m all in.” 

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