#chen fic

The first thing you notice about Jongdae is how good he smells.

When he gives you a friendly hug in greeting, you’re met with the smell of coffee and a hint of cinnamon, a bundle of warm and cozy deliciousness that immediately puts you at ease, reminding you of your favorite coffee shop. And of course it does, because well, Jongdae works there. 

“It’s nice to see you out of uniform,” he jokes, gesturing to the cozy way you’re dressed versus the business casual you usually wear in the mornings.

“I could say the same for you,” you reply.

“It’s nice to be out of it. Let’s get inside, it’s freezing.” 

The employee behind the counter guides you through the process of picking out some pottery to paint, letting the two of you browse the shelves for something you like. You wander indecisively next to Jongdae, looking for something that catches your eye. 

“I already know what I’m doing for you,” he says, reaching out to grab a mug. “You know that we do discounts if you bring in your own cup?”

“I did not know that,” you remark, raising your eyebrows. “That would’ve been nice to know. Do you know how much money I spend there?”

“I kept meaning to tell you but it always slips my mind. What are you thinking about painting for me?”

“I’m not sure.” Your gaze passes over several plates, bowls and cups before finally landing on a figurine of a cat, curled up and asleep with a small smile on its face. You pick it up and hold it out to Jongdae. “This one kinda looks like you.”

“What?” Jongdae laughs, a loud clap of laughter that rings throughout the small studio. “You think so?”

“Yeah, smile with your mouth closed for a sec?” You giggle when his lips perfectly curl at the edges, similar to the small statue in your hand. “It’s a spitting image of you.”

“I like it,” he says. “Paint it good for me.”

The employee seats you at a table and sets you both up with a set of paints and art supplies. You start by painting the base of your cat white, planning out in your head where you want to put the calico spots. Jongdae is similarly concentrated, painting the entire base of your mug in a pretty, pale green color. 

The silence is so comfortable that you don’t even realize that several minutes have passed without you saying a word to each other until Jongdae clears his throat softly. “Sorry, I got so focused I forgot that I wanted to ask you about yourself.”

You laugh, your paintbrush almost skittering across your project. “What do you want to know?”

“Well mostly I just wanted to ask if things are going okay at work,” he says. “I noticed that you’ve been adding an extra shot recently.”

“Oh,” you say quietly, focusing back on painting orange spots on your cat. “There was a pretty crazy deadline that I was going insane over. My boss had me pulling crazy hours because of other people’s incompetence. But it’s over now so I can sleep at night, so I’ll be going back to my regular amount.”

“That’s a relief,” he smiles. “You know it’s not good for you to drink that much caffeine.”

You snort. “Oh yeah? And how much caffeine do you drink, Mr. Barista?”

“Not that much anymore!” he protests. “Just one coffee in the morning.”

“And how many shots of espresso are in that coffee?”

“I don’t have to answer that.”

The conversation flows naturally. Jongdae makes you laugh until your cheeks hurt as you learn more about each other, your projects becoming more and more painted as time goes by. He starts to add a daisy chain to the bottom of your mug, and you add blush to the cheeks of his cat.

“What do you like to do in your free time?” you ask.

“I like to sing,” he admits. “I’m actually getting my Masters in music education so I can shift from this barista job to teaching vocal students.”

“Really? That’s incredible.”

Jongdae’s cheeks turn pink. “I’m glad you think so. There are some people who think that’s unrealistic, or that I’m just doing it because becoming a singer didn’t pan out.”

“Well those people are stupid,” you say. “I bet you’re a great teacher and an even better singer.”

The corner of his lips quirk upward in a crooked smile. “I don’t know about the teaching part yet, but I do think I’m a pretty good singer.”

“I’ll have to hear you sometime.”

He gasps in mock-surprise. “Are you asking me on a second date?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Hmm… hold up that mug for a sec?” He does, and you pretend to inspect it thoroughly. “You did a good job. You earned yourself a second date.”

He pumps his fist in the air and you stifle a laugh with the back of your hand. The employee comes by to check your progress and nods at your projects in approval.

“If you’re satisfied with it I can take them from you now, then we’ll fire them and you can pick them up in about a week.”

“That sounds perfect, thank you,” Jongdae says. The two of you finish up and walk outside to the parking lot. “We have to come back, huh? That means we have to go on another date. At least to pick these up again.”

“Or I could just make you do it,” you quip.

“Do that and there’s no guarantee I don’t just run off with the mug. I think it’s a damn fine mug if I say so myself.”

You jostle his shoulder lightly with yours. “How else am I supposed to get a discount on my daily triple shot latte?”

“Double shot.”

“Triple.”

“Hey, you promised!” he whines. 

You reach out and grab his hand, delighting in the way his protests die in his throat the second your skin comes into contact with his. “Let me hear you sing and then I’ll cut down on the caffeine.”

“Okay.” He rolls his eyes, but squeezes your hand all the same. “Deal.”

well, that was fun! want to try another?

They were only stories to Jongdae. Fear mongering to get children to behave. So when he came to an abandoned town set into the base of a mountain on his journeys, he decided it was the perfect place to camp. Carved in stone with gilded towers and marble inlaid streets. He wrote notes on the architecture as he strolled further in. That's what he did. He was a historian, of sorts. Recording the world as it is for future generations. Court scholars only record the city's goings on. He wanted to know more. How did the town by the marshlands farm? Who repairs the trade routes? Do villagers in the North even speak the same dialect, or because they're intermingled with the elves and satyrs more do they see the language in the city as the trade tongue? What folklore would he hear in each region? It all fascinated Jongdae. So he kept his books and quill on him at all times in a satchel. Ready to write and sketch crude drawings of each new place.

That town he camped at was new. Unfinished. Piles of chiseled stone sitting by halves of homes and stairs that lead to nowhere. It wasn't on any maps, and it made him reflect on the conversation he had with a woman in the hills East of the mountain. She had pointed at this exact area and spoke a tongue he did not know. He had guessed she was leading him to the next village, but as he approached the gate at the mouth of the mountain he thought maybe it was a warning. At the very least the items in front of the enormous carved stone were a sign. A berm of ashes and chunks of charred logs up to his knees. With the wind the pile should have been whipped away years ago. And three entire tree trunks pinching the doorway and ground. A barricade.

The scent of sage caught his senses. To the right stood an effigy staked into the ground blackened by soot of a tall figure wreathed in strings of herbs and flowers. A bundle of sage still smoked at its feet.

Jongdae sat on a nearby boulder and sketched the sight. It was curious, and so he decided to explore further. Looking for a smaller entrance. One they would have made for emergencies where the main gate wasn't an option like a fire. Around a jagged bend was what he was searching for, though blocked by rocks. The place above seemed intact. It wasn't a collapse. He could have missed the unassuming door all-together if he hadn't been seeking it out in daylight. So he moved the rocks. Tossing them aside onto the intermingled grass and stone until he could force it open. The wooden door giving way to the inside of the mountain. Heavier than it appeared. Jongdae grunted with effort, and the hinges howled in protest. Echoing down the tunnel.

Before stepping through he waited to catch his breath. Staring into the long void of darkness. A curtain of black hung on the doorway, impervious to sunlight. Air thick and heavy and stale. So Jongdae cupped his palms and raised them close to his face. Whispering magic into being. A wisp of a glowing orb to light his way. Blue-ish in hue, and once Jongdae opened his hands, it hovered just above his height over his shoulder. Then he walked into the mountain.

Daylight abandoned his sight. The friendly iridescence he conjured guiding his footsteps. His nose rankled at the scent of something rotting. The kind of foulness that settled rancid on the tongue. Lips curled down in disgust. Glancing around, his eyes widened in horror.

There was a corpse behind the door. It appeared tall enough to be human or elven. Jongdae had jammed and crushed the decaying body by opening the door. The flesh sliding off the bones without muscle or tissue to bind it. The white of the jaw and cheek showing through the tears in its face. The clothes and hair gave him a better idea of what it was. Though dirtied, the robes used to be green and silver. An embroidered emblem of an arch made of a tree on their breast. Precious metal chains and rings adorned their neck and hands with no jewels, and their auburn hair hung to their knees. The mark of a highborn in elvish society. The more extravagant their hair and hairstyle, the higher they were. The corpse was someone from a noble elvish house. Drooping, discolored, mangled...but not alone. Two other smaller bodies were tangled on the tunnel wall beside the first with the same emblem on their sleeves. As if all three had been huddled together before Jongdae opened the door. Suffered and starved and scared in the dark.

The traveler swallowed the lump in his throat and moved further in. Following the curves of the tunnel until he came to a wall. It could have been mistaken for a dead end if it weren't for the seam in the stone. He pushed it open and came into the main hall. The height of the ceiling and general expanse of the room he couldn't measure in the dark, but when he took a step it echoed rather well. He took a more relaxed breath in the enormous space until something fetid balled in the back of his mouth. The air was still and soaked in decay. Not as strong as the cramped tunnel, but sitting like a fog near the ground. Jongdae turned left and muttered to the orb. Cajoling it to be brighter.

More bodies were strewn about near the main gate. Leaning on pillars with their throats slit to the bone or run through with a sword in a dried pool of blood. Near a dozen that he could see. None in armor, but all armed. Jongdae wandered the area. Searching overturned carts of marble, and behind a huge boulder only partially carved into a head for a statue, and further in to other rooms. Cart tracks leading to each one where tables lined the walls with tools for inspecting the quality of gems and minerals. Empty carts in all except one that was partially filled with gold coins. The longer Jongdae stayed, however, the more he looked over his shoulder. Watching for moving shadows. The heat of eyes on his back crawling up his neck and forming beads of sweat. His hands shaking as he left the corridor of inspection rooms and followed cart tracks to a mine shaft. Tugging on the laces at the top of his shirt.

A ramp lead his footsteps around the circumference of the large quarry. Taking him deeper underground. He avoided looking over the roped railing. Afraid the blackened chasm would swallow him whole and break his neck, but exploring all the same.

After every other full rotation there was a level dug outward with columns for support. The first was more inspection areas with carts of coins. Jongdae skimmed his fingers over one of the piles with a curious look before continuing. The second was nothing but blacksmithing stations. The third down had various tools and saws for cutting. Jongdae didn't linger in that one for very long. Most of the equipment was broken, and he spooked himself by kicking a pebble over the edge of the ramp where he couldn't hear it hit the bottom. Instead he heard stone scraping stone overhead. Jongdae shook his head. Perhaps his disturbing things made a pile fall down somewhere. There was nothing to be frightened of. But he still clung to the walls. His ears still perked. The silence of the abandoned mines impressed upon him. Surrounding him with absolute and complete nothing.

The next two levels were the largest, and had all the smelters inside. Afterward it was just the ramp and uneven walls from where the previous inhabitants mined. Jongdae considered going back to the surface until he saw another small rock at his feet. He decided if he threw it down the center of the shaft and heard it clunk to the bottom he would explore, because that meant he was near to finding the missing pieces of this mysterious town, but if he didn't then it would wait until morning. He peeked over the railing, white-knuckling the rope, and felt his heart leap into his throat.

There was a soft white glow coming from deep in the ground. Just two levels away. Had some survived the skirmish up top? Was this their discovery? Was it natural or magical?

Jongdae, reinvigorated by the possibilities, practically sprinted down the ramp. He jerked to a halt at the end. Splitting off the side was a cave, but the entrance was blocked. A magical ward shimmered and distorted his vision through to the other side. He quickly raised his hands to it and felt for the energy. Making him shudder. The trap was to shock any who touched it with lightning. So Jongdae pulled out his waterskin, mumbled an incantation, and splashed the barrier. It jolted, rippled and flashed, the entrance seemingly warping in and singeing the air before bursting all at once. A few darting sparks over his toes the only remnant until those faded as well. Leaving Jongdae a path inside.

What he found left him speechless. Simply trying to take in the splendor of the gorgeous area. The cave was twice his height, with crystals large and small jutting from the walls, and hanging from the ceiling. Even around a small natural spring to the far right. Clear, or some slightly frosted over. The light from Jongdae's floating orb bounced, reflected, and refracted off almost every surface. Coloring the cave in a wonder of rainbows and stars. Shining on him like he had the finest linens tailors could only dream of making without magic. It was almost blinding. He smiled, looked at the pieces of galaxies on the back of his hand, and laughed. Until he caught sight of something.

A flash of a reflection in a larger crystal. The elven noble from the emergency exit. Flesh dripping off their face, dagger gleaming in the light. Limping its way closer as if to slice his throat open like some of the other corpses. Jongdae's heart skipped, and he gasped. Whipping around to see nothing but the cave entrance. Backing further inside its bright, jagged walls. His blood raced on edge through his veins. Glancing over each shoulder.

Then there was the scratch. Like talons on stone. Slicing through the air and scoring his heart. Then the rumble. Like a growl that hasn't left the base of the throat yet. He wiped his face with his sleeve.

Then his vision morphed the mound of crystals by the spring. It sighed and rose. Unfurling like loosely coiled ribbon. Revealing a stretched tail and an elongated neck with a head. The creatures flesh under the crystals like stained glass. Its eyes found his person straight away. The prismatic irises color was being drawn into the slatted pupils, and it mesmerized the traveler. Paralyzing his feet on the spot.

He clamped his eyes shut tight and opened them again, but the creature was still there. It was closer, in fact. Wings folded tightly to its body. Claws scratching the ground. Head low. So Jongdae did what any level-headed scholar would do when confronted with a dragon.

"Uh...um...hello?" His voice trembled fiercely.

The spines on the creature's head flared and flattened. Tossing the light around and striking his eyes. Making him wince and glance down. There was a particular patch of purple from the base of its neck that gleamed on the floor of the cave. It crept closer to his feet like the setting sun through a window.

"It-it's marvelous to...make your...acquai-acquaintance," he bumbled. "Ha-have you always lived in this splendorous place?" He waited a few shallow breaths. "People call me Jongdae; history keeper an-and wandering wizard. Sort of. How shall I address you?"

The rumbling ceased, and its head raised. "Why do you keep the histories? Should they not be shared?"

The voice that had spoken surprised Jongdae. It was quiet and feathered. Not deep and ferocious like other dragons. A bit jilted as well. Not the cadence of a natural trade speaker.

"I...intend to share them," he replied slowly. "But I must finish recording them first."

The creature dipped and slunk around Jongdae. Startling him. Circling, curling around and looming over his form. Compressing him into a tiny space to avoid any sharp pricks from the edges of the crystals. The air turned thick in his lungs. Pressuring him to appease.

"Do you steal these histories, Keeper?"

"One can-" He cleared his throat. "One cannot steal what is freely shared."

"So you are not a thief."

"Of course not."

"Where else has your wandering brought you?"

"Well...I came from the royal city in the South, and went fairly straight North until now. Following the Western coast for the most part."

"A far journey."

"Yes...I suppose..."

It circled him once more. Eyes piercing and overwhelming. Then its tail flicked at his hair. Causing it to bounce and stick out.

"I apologize," Jongdae began. "But, I still do not know your name, and I feel it impolite to call you by anything else."

"Call me whatever you wish though I may refuse to answer the same for I have no moniker. Or it was granted at a time too lost and I have forgotten it. Your Keeping would have served very well then."

"Indeed, I suppose it might have..." he answered, unsure.

"You will show it to me."

"What?"

"The records of your keeping."

"We-well they are very dear to me, and I...I fear your fire, or whatever the case may be, could turn my life's work to ash."

"It is my shape that fails to assuage your trepidation? Well, I suppose I can't very well grasp a book with talons." The creature unwound away from him, and began to glow from within. Rays of light shooting out, glinting, glimmering, until it was nothing but a blinding blur, and Jongdae shut his eyes. When they re-opened there was a woman in front of him. Or, the shape of a warrior woman. Muscular and tall. Its skin was still as colored glass not unlike the crystals surround if they were polished. And instead of flowing hair there was a soft white light that floated behind her--their--shoulders like water. The angles of their face cut like the finest, most precious jewels. A refined and elegant ethereal creature. He was captivated.

"How did you...how have I not heard tales of such a wonderful being?"

"Perhaps you have but cannot recognize it," they replied. "I may take endless forms in this space as well as in the minds of men."

Jongdae's features sank. "The effigy outside."

"Indeed," they nodded and stepped closer. "Another baseless monster. I am not so malicious as others would claim, but the village insists I'm an evil spirit or beast summoned only to torment, and steep the world in chaos if I were let free."

Jongdae hadn't realized how close they had come until their hands were on the strap of his satchel. Lifting it up and off his body. He watched as they pulled out one of his two books and set the satchel on the ground. Opening its pages as they strolled to the wall.

A gentle smile formed their mouth. Fingers stroking down the parchment. Skimming over the ones without pictures. "It is no wonder your kind chose to copy important information in this way."

"My kind?"

"Surfacers."

"So you have always lived in this mountain? How can you speak? Know all these things? Was it the miners?"

The smiled dimmed. "Come. I will absolve your curiosities of the sinister sight above." They shut the tome and turned away.

Jongdae followed them further in to the wall opposite the spring. They went to their knees, and so he did the same. Sitting beside them and a large, clear crystal. They laid his book on the ground and put their hand up to the crystal. It came to life at their behest, and images shone under its surface. Blurred around the edges. First of the one beside Jongdae in that very same spot.

"I was born of the crystals in this cave," they spoke. "A sibling to light and earth, and it is the earth that speaks to me, and to every place else it lays. One and the same." The image shifted to the palace in the capital. "The crystals are the perfect meeting place. The light is the guide. It is timeless and formless until reflected. It bends and bares itself to those who know how to master it. And you can follow it backwards as well." The image shifted again to that of humans and elves hollowing out an entrance and building streets. Jumping through year after year of the mines above being built. "For ages too long for counting I watched the civilizations on the surface flourish. Learned their languages, their customs, their names. I saw their knowledge in these crystals...and yet I have never left the shelter of this mountain. When the miners came, I gave them small visions. Guiding them where to dig. I was so excited...soon I could see the world with my own eyes and talk to others with my own voice.

I gave them stone and marble, and gold. They only had to leave the crystals alone, but soon they found the vein leading to my home, and could not keep their true nature at bay." Their voice grew harder. Tensing against a quiver. Fingers grasping the side of the crystal. The images changed to that of the elven noble with crystals caged in their jewelry, and a scared creature in a cave. "They would have stripped my family away until they were nothing but broken fragments trapped in a chain around someone's neck. With each piece they stole from the ground I felt myself crack a little inside. So I replaced the visions of my home. Implanted the idea of a shadowy monster to frighten them away. I did not anticipate its effects on everyone in the town."

The visions changed to that of families leaving with their children. In-fighting between miners, arguments with the elvish nobility, workers growing restless and paranoid. The population dwindling. Until a faction went mad. Barricading the front gates, and piling the stones at the emergency door. Trapping the remaining people inside with what they believed was a monster.

Jongdae's eyes filled with tears. Tone shattering against the building waves of emotion. Raising his eyes to their face. "So lonely an existence...lonely then and even lonelier now. How did you stand it all those centuries?"

Their gaze emptied. The visions fading on the crystal. "One does not notice anything absent until there is hope of more."

The traveler reached out carefully, and slowly let his hand form to the back of theirs on the ground betwixt their bodies. Blood rushing in his veins. "I'm so sorry..."

Their skin was cool to the touch. His fingers still quivered. Without warning they twisted and wrapped him in an embrace. His tears dammed up in his shock. Taking in a larger breath and sighing. It should have been like running into a window, or figurine. They should have been delicate and firm. Instead what he felt was any other woman's flesh squish to his. Fingertips anchoring themselves on his back. A cool mist on his cheek.

Jongdae slipped his palms to their waist, and around to the spine. Pulling them closer. Smoothing up and down. Feeling the realness, and the chill, and the desire for companionship. His face flaming. And he shivered.

Their shoulders shook once then one hand loosened. Fingers plucking through Jongdae's hair before sinking deep. Buried to the root. Face in the crook of his neck, and they sat. For hours it felt like. Steeping in his new knowledge. Planning how to record it on parchment, and realizing over and over with a pained chest precisely how desperate this creatures life had been. His heart feeling heavier with every new thought of their isolation, and the irreparable damage those villagers caused. To live their entire life alone with only windowed visions for friends, and to give up that dream of freedom and adventure to protect themselves.

After a while passed Jongdae let up, and they released him in turn. Allowing them both to stand. Jongdae gathered his books in his satchel, and slung it over his shoulder.

"Come outside with me," he propositioned. "If the villagers could only meet you they would understand. We could all understand. I can write a letter to the palace petitioning for this area of crystals to be protected. They would be endangering your life otherwise. They would have to do it. People would never dare touch a forest of Nymphs, why not magical crystalline caves? If only they knew you were here."

They took a step away, hugging themselves and shaking their head. "No," they refused softly. "No, the villagers would never forgive me. I would be dead on the spot. I cannot leave. There would be no one to speak for the histories. To protect them."

"Only one hour in the sun then. To begin. We won't even leave the base of the mountain. I want to show you all the things you had wished for gazing into those visions. Don't you long to feel the sun on your face? The grass beneath your feet? What about sailing? I'll take you sailing. We can journey the world together."

"...together?"

"Yes, oh there's so many places I want to take you. The amethyst waterfalls, the hanging roads, the upside-down city. It must be well into the night by now. I already set up camp. I'll rest outside and come back in the morning. It's a big step, but the first is the hardest, and you'll have me to help, a little at a time."

"You will..." they whispered. "You'll stay with me? Like this?"

Jongdae grinned warmly. "I will return come daylight. I promise."

They hesitated, but dipped their head to acknowledge his words. With that new hope planted, Jongdae made it up the spiraling ramp into the main hall. The end of his sleeve wet with perspiration where he had been dabbing his face. The orb he conjured still drifting above him. He searched for the tunnel he came in through. Running along the wall in the dim dark. Palms pressed to the stone. The gap he left in the doorway had not showed itself, and his hands felt no seams or abnormally smooth cracks.

Your body hums in anticipation as you’re enveloped in the darkness of the room. You are so close to your final destination, having already quite literally slithered passed security towards the target.

“We’re in,” you breathe, locking eyes with your partner-in-crime, your cousin, Kim Minseok, before straightening up and heading over to one of the four lit cases.

It’s ironic to you, how these places never want their items to be taken, yet they display them at all hours, beckoning in the most tantalizing way. It is as if they wantthe expensive items to be taken and who are you to deny such a request?

Underneath the harsh glow of the fluorescents, the jewelry shimmers relentlessly, nearly bringing a tear to your eye. You have never seen anything more beautiful, nothing that makes your heart swell with such love.

You just need one more fix.

“Step aside, Snake,” Minseok mumbles. You roll your eyes at the name, but oblige nonetheless, shifting slightly to your left so not to miss the show.

Minseok places his hands firmly on the glass, his fingers spread widely against one of the four encasements. You can see the material fog up between the gaps until there is a sudden shift, it taking another form. Frost soon leaks from his palms, spreading across the entire top of the glass leaving an icy layer. He throws you a smirk before adding the tiniest of pressure, shattering the cover under his chilly hands.

“Oh, Frostbite,” you sigh before jumping into action, wasting no more time pulling the bag from your waist to swiftly slide all of the jewels inside the box into it. When all four boxes are emptied, you both bolt the same way you had entered, becoming one with the shadows as you make a stealthy getaway.

As you flee the scene, a couple police vehicles and a familiar van speed past, heading towards the direction you are escaping.

“Just missed us,” you sing, grinning manically as you pull out your newly acquired ring, watching the diamonds within it dance in the moonlight.

“You would think they were amateurs,” Minseok adds, causing you both to chuckle.

“Or we’re getting a little too good at this.”

~*~

Minseok rolls the van to a stop in front of your home and you hop out, waving a hasty farewell before sprinting into the garage. Your steps falter when you notice one of the two shiny cars that inhabit the small area is missing, but brush it off, knowing you don’t have that much time to ponder these sorts of things. You have a bag to stash.

As soon as you enter your walk-in closet, which is the size of a small bedroom, you head to the back wall, shoving aside the old discarded dresses that hung as a shield to cover what is behind it. To anyone else, it will appear to be just another part of the wall, but you know better, having created it. Finding the small latch, you slide the wall back, revealing a hidden hatch that holds your most treasured secrets. Your eyes dilate from the light bouncing off the hundreds of jewels you have collected throughout the years.

You sigh longingly. The urge to bathe in the jewels is tempting, at least a moment to relish in your new additions. But, alas, you are short on time and can’t afford such luxuries. Instead, you pour out the contents of your bag into the ever-growing pile, shutting it quickly before beginning to strip out of the body suit you don for your missions. The skintight outfit is made of black snake leather, after all, you have an image to uphold. To the country of Exo, you are known as the infamous Cobra, Exopolis’ most wanted jewel thief. You have had many run ins with the law—in all its various forms—and have yet to be captured, much to their chagrin.

As you take off the head piece you wear to allude to the name, you hear footfalls steadfastly approaching your bedroom.

“Shit,” you hiss, tossing the helmet on a shelf and throwing a pile of dirty clothes over it before rushing to slip out of your suit. You have just barely gotten your arms out, yanking your wedding ring from the safety of your bra onto your finger, when the closet door swings open, the person pausing once he notices your presence.

He grins warmly, a little out of breath. “I knew I would find you here.”

You attempt to return his smile through your rising anxiety. Your outfit bares your alter ego and if he realizes who you truly are, you’re doomed.

“Are you calling me materialistic?” You ask, impressed by the control in your voice despite your nerves.

He laughs good heartedly. “I would never….”

You hum, playing along as he enters the room fully, the size of it shrinking drastically with his nearness.

“You’re home late,” you note, trying to keep him distracted.

“Work,” he answers simply and you nod understandably. Your husband has been out later and later the past few months, work holding him captive. You should probably be more concerned for him, but his absence allows you the freedom to pursue your other more illegal interests, so you didn’t mind.

His eyes flicker down your frame and your heart pounds strongly against your chest as he frowns. “What is this?”

“I was trying on a new outfit for you,” you lie easily through labored breathes. Your suit is rather risqué, so you use that to your advantage. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”

You fake a pout and run one of your hands up his firm chest suggestively.

“If it looks this tantalizing now, I can only imagine how sexy you look with it on all the way.” His voice comes out as a growl as his hands grip your hips, fingers dancing against the smooth fabric as he tugs the discarded sleeves, holding them out, getting a good look. His frown returns, eyebrows cinched in thought. “Although, I can’t help but feel like I’ve seen it before…?”

You force out a laugh, nearly wincing from the sharp note. “I just bought it! I’ve been wanting to try something a little different. You’ve been so busy with work and I’ve missed you.”

That seems to draw him from his thoughts. He takes in your returned pout with a sigh of defeat. “I know. I’m sorry. I promise it will get easier soon.”

“Well,” you begin in a lilting tone, intertwining your fingers at the nape of his neck. “Why don’t you help me out of this thing so I can show you just how much I’ve missed my husband.”

He hums lowly, the noise rumbling through his chest. “I think I can handle that.”

Your smile is genuine as he leans forward to capture your lips with his, kissing you heatedly. For the time being, your secret is safe with you.

~*~

“Why do I have to go again?” You ask through clenched teeth as you stare out the tinted window in disdain, rows of people blur past, awaiting your arrival.

Jongdae shifts beside you. “I know you don’t like doing this, but it’s a part of the cycle. A strong unit always appeals better to the public. We’re already at a disadvantage because we have no children, but we’re young. We bring hope around us and together we are the Exopolis dream.”

You sigh at the speech he has been feeding you for the past three weeks, nearly having it committed to memory at this point. Yet, it still somehow finds a way to calm your nerves some.

He places a hand on your shoulder and in a low voice says, “you only have to do five simple things: smile, wave, look beautiful, stay by my side, and gaze at me as if I hold the entire world.” He replaces his hand with his lips before his chin rests on your shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll have no trouble doing any of that.”

You finally turn to lock eyes with him, taking note of the teasing glint in his. It pulls a smile from you as your car rolls to a stop at the town square.

“Let’s get this over with,” you huff as the door opens and you stretch your lips into the fake smile you have been practicing. Jongdae calls it your ‘political face’.

It is such a bizarre thing to you—being a governor official’s wife. Yet, that is what you are ultimately trying to accomplish.

Kim Jongdae, your husband of six years, is a governor’s son. Grew up in the world of politics and wealth. It is what drew you to him in the first place. Your paths crossed the first month of you living in Exopolis at a museum of all places. He was there representing his father, while you were scouting for your next raid. You thought he was cute and funny. After finding out he was utterly loaded, you decided to seduce him and a year later was rewarded with a nice heavy ring on your finger that still filled you with pride. Marriage to Jongdae is everything you could’ve possibly wanted. You live as a trophy wife, doing nothing but spending money all day. Jongdae isn’t all that bad either. He has shown you things you never knew existed, and made you feel secure, but most importantly, the fool trusts you. He was enamored from the first moment he laid eyes on you, and it really blinds his judgement. He never really questions you, attracted to that aura of mystery that shrouds you to this day. You are an enigma in many ways, but he never pressures you to reveal anything you aren’t comfortable with telling, it is his fatal flaw, and one you hope he never attempts to change.

Unfortunately, all the traveling and hot sex came to an end two months ago when Jongdae decided he was going to follow his father’s footsteps and run for governor. You should have seen it coming. He is extremely passionate when it comes to the people of Exopolis and he has been tailored since birth to lead. His ultimate goal, which he has shared a few times during his most vulnerable moments, is to become president of the country of Exo one day and he wants to do it with you by his side, the romantic. But as you stand in front of the crowd, smiling and waving as Jongdae instructed you can’t help but feel claustrophobic. The tailored suit you wear feels itchy, the pearls at your neck uncomfortably tight around your slender neck. Your lips tremble from stretching them for so long and you want nothing more than to leave, to purchase a ridiculously lavish gift for yourself that you could hang on a wall. Or better yet—steal one.

Jongdae does well though.

~*~

“Looks like Cobra and Frostbite got away with another robbery,” Jongdea updates as he scans the news on his phone over dinner later that night.

“Are you serious?” You ask, sounding as exasperated as anyone else would.

Jongdae lets out a heavy breath, rubbing his temple. You watch the vein in his neck jump from anger. “I don’t understand. They are some of the most wanted people in Exopolis, and yet we can’t seem to catch them. Always a second too late.”

A prideful grin threatens to unleash and you hide it behind a glass of water. For seven years now, the pair of you have been causing a ruckus in the city. Nobody knew anything about you other than your alters which drove the police insane.

“At least they are one of the only villains in the city who don’t, you know, actually kill people,” you chime in after sitting your glass down.

Exopolis has the highest crime rates in the country. It is riddled with it, that being one of the main reasons for your relocation all those years ago.

Jongdae drops his hand from his head and pins you with a hard stare. You match it, your eyes struggling to shift threateningly from his gaze.

“Honey,” he says softly, although his voice is stern. “They are the enemy. They may not kill people, but they still hurt families and companies by stealing. They are still committing crimes and must be punished for it!”

The passion in his voice shakes you. He truly has a vendetta against Cobra and Frostbite. You try not to take any offense, but it’s hard because, well, it’s you he’s talking about.

So, you can’t help but grow defensive. “Well, why don’t you tell that Thundercat to do his job better! He’s always so worried about the people of this city, but he never seems to be there when he’s actually needed. Too busy doing whatever it is cats do, I guess.”

He flinches at your words, jaw clenching tightly. “What makes you think I could tell Thundercat that?”

You laugh and it rings mockingly. “Aren’t you a politician? I thought all those in power were intertwined. Thundercat and his gang of misguided vigilantes swear to protect the city, do they not? Well, go tell him to do a better job at it and maybe Cobra and Frostbite wouldn’t be getting away as often!”

“’Misguided vigilantes’?” He repeats in disbelief. “If I didn’t know any better I would think you disliked them.”

You merely shrug,

He says your name with shock. “They are the closest thing to superheroes we have! Who knows what kind of disarray Exopolis would be in without them risking their lives trying to protect us all!”

“If I didn’t know any better I would think you worship them!” You bark back, chest practically heaving from agitation. “Superheroes? Please! Just because they aren’t using their powers for their own selfish gain doesn’t mean they are any better than the rest of us!”

“I can’t believe I am hearing this right now.” He shakes his head slowly, his expression fallen as if he is staring at a stranger. “So, what? We should just let everyone run around recklessly? Get rid of laws all together? Would that be better than having people take time out of their day to fight for what is right?”

“Who’s definition of right, Jongdae?” You ask. “What you view as right might not be the same to somebody else. Who are they to judge what someone does as good or bad? Who put them in charge of other’s morality?”

Jongdae rubs his head before sliding his hand over his face. It falls limply at his lap and he stares blankly at his discarded dinner. “I, honestly, don’t know what to say. I thought it was obvious. If someone does something that hurts others…that’s wrong. It’s wrong to hurt others. It’s that simple. At least, I thoughtit was.”

You gulp, realizing you got carried away, have broken character. His eyes wander, taking in the beautiful dining room you decorated, looking everywhere but at you. His hands are curled into tight fists, and you swear you feel the static in the room shift slightly.

You want to say something, anything to redeem yourself, to bring things back to how they were ten minutes ago, but before you open your mouth to apologize, his phone begins ringing. He clears his throat, glancing briefly at the device before slowly getting to his feet. “I have to go into work.” His voice is quiet as he slumps out of the room, food forgotten.

As his figure retreats, guilt twirls in your gut, causing you to lose your appetite. You want to call after him, but resist. Instead, you let him leave the house for another long night at the office.

~*~

Your fight with Jongdae affects the both of you harder than you thought it could.

A week passes and Jongdae acts differently the whole time. He’s more visibly exhausted. When you confront him about it, he blames it on work, but you both know it has everything to do with the conversation you had. He’s still upset about it and it puzzles you as to why he’s taking it so personally. You assume it’s because he prides himself on his morals, so much so he uses it as the slogan for his campaign.

His silence speaks volumes. Throughout the seven years you have known him, Jongdae has gotten the reputation for being loud. It is one of his more endearing qualities. He fills the house with sound, your life with it and as annoying as it can get at times, it’s what makes him him.The silence bares unfamiliar, unsettling. It makes you want to fill it yourself, but you don’t know how, so instead you internalize it.

When it comes to morality, you are at opposing sides. What in his eyes he deems wrong, you perceive as right—if you see anything at all.

To be completely honest, you haven’t thought much of the topic, constantly acting purely on your urges, on what gives you pleasure at that instant. Unlike Kim Jongdae, you come from extreme poverty. The only thing that kept you alive growing up was the pursuit of a life of luxury and as soon as you and your dear cousin, Kim Minseok, were of age, you began down the road of crime.

At first it was small things: stealing food from stands or clothes from stores. As your power grew, so did your heists. Both of you getting bolder and using your powers to your advantage. You robbed your first bank at the tender age of seventeen.

The two of you became the Bonnie and Clyde of your tiny town, but only having a taste left you hungry for more. So, you left your small town in the dust, relocating to the biggest city in the country, Exopolis, which was also the most dangerous. You would fit right in.

The line between right and wrong is thin here, blurry. Almost everyone in the city lives a double life. In the exposure of the sun, everyone wears masks, plays polite, sticks to the roles they create for themselves. But at night, under the protection of the moon, the masks are removed. People now unafraid to reveal their hideous true natures. Many civilians possess powers. Special abilities that enhance them in some way. Some use these gifts to fight crime, others to cause it. The night life of Exopolis is one giant underground. The freaks come out to claim a piece of the chaos. It is your home.

The name Cobra was given to you due to your powers resembling that of a serpent. Your pupils shrink to slits, allowing you better vision at night, you have a small sac in your throat that holds poisonous venom that you can spit out at any given moment, and your muscles are stronger than most, allowing you to constrict lethally around your enemies.

The origins of powers are a mystery many are still struggling to solve. The world gathers the science behind it—a mutation in the DNA allowing people to be born with inhumane abilities—but no amount of studying has figured out what triggered the event. Nearly thirty years ago, out of nowhere, there was an influx of newborns with mutations. Millions were documented and more are being born every day. It is still rare to be born with powers, but the fact that there are as many as there are is bizarre. Minseok and you are the only ones in your family to have them—Minseok can control frost—and it is what bonds you. He is your best friend and partner-in-crime.

There are other more famous people who hold powers, such as Thundercat, Exopolis’ reigning hero. Although, he too is shrouded in mystery, for no one knows the man beneath the mask. His abilities are pretty straight forward, he controls lightning, could release electricity from his hands.

You have encountered him a few times. He usually tags along with the police and has two sidekicks—Rocky, who holds power over the Earth, and Tornado, the one who controls wind. The three of them are the most popular ‘good guys’ in the city. So, it’s safe to say, you get great pleasure constantly eluding them.

That is until recently.

You can admit that you steal now more out of habit than anything else. What once fed your soul, left you rather empty after acquiring the life you were seeking through robbing. Minseok is also living rather comfortably himself. Stealing is all the two of you have ever known, but maybe it is time to retire. Seeing the way Jongdae had looked at you during your fight made you feel like a child disappointing their parent. Since that night, you can’t help but wonder what he would think if he ever found out who you really are. Would he still love you unconditionally if your darkest secret saw the light? Would he still hold your hand tightly and introduce you as his wife with pride as he does now? You didn’t think so and as much as you keep telling yourself you don’t care about his opinion of you, you are aware that his affection towards you is your ticket to freedom. Heis your ticket to freedom, always was. As long as you are with him, you don’t have to steal. He supplies all the money you will ever need. Anyways, once he becomes governor, your actions will be monitored, not allowing you to sneak around as easily as you can now.

It is time.

~*~

“Are you sure?” Minseok asks as you both sit on your patio watching the ducks float on the lake in your backyard.

You take a deep breath and nod. “I am. I have everything I need in Jongdae. It’s been a long game, but I have his trust completely. Stealing is more of a bad addiction at this point. Also, you started your own business and it’s doing so well!”

He smiles at the mention of his ice cream parlor. He opened it a year ago and it is doing 1000% better than either of you anticipated, quickly becoming one of the most popular restaurants in the city. He has always had a love for frozen treats and, unlike you, he became wealthy on his own. You are nothing but proud of his success.

“I was thinking about opening another location closer to the campus,” he admits, biting his bottom lip to hold in his excitement, but you are also filled with the emotion on his behalf.

“Min! That’s a great idea! But how much free time will you have juggling both stores?”

“Probably not enough to keep masquerading as Frostbite,” he muses quietly. You nod encouragingly as he thinks over everything you have laid on the table. “So, what? We just hang up our suits? Put this life of crime behind us? I…don’t know how to do that.”

“Me neither,” you admit with a shrug. “It’s all we’ve ever known. But, I think we both knew this day would come eventually.”

“I always imagined us cornered on a cliff with nothing else to do but drive our car over it,” Minseok says with a laugh.

You lift an eyebrow. “I like this turn out better.”

“Okay, then we stop,” he says slowly. “But after one more heist.”

“Minseok….” You protest.

“Listen. Do you remember what drew us to Exopolis? The one thing that had our mouths watering at the mere thought of having it in our possession?”

Your heart stops beating at the mention of what he’s alluding to.

“You couldn’t possibly mean…?” He nods in confirmation. “But, Minseok, there’s a reason why we haven’t.”

“Because we were never ready.” He spins in his seat so that he’s facing you. “But we are stronger and more prepared than ever before. Why not go out with a bang? Our last heist and it’s the fucking biggest blood diamond in the world! Sitting beautifully untouched at the Museum of Rarity.”

Chills run up your body at his words, your lust at its pinnacle. He is right. That diamond is the main reason for your move. It is the biggest, rarest, diamond to ever be found and it sits mere miles away.

“But that museum has the best security system ever. Like, it’s probably a suicide mission.”

“We have this thing down to an artform. We do what we do best: study the building, learn the ins and outs, plan a foolproof strategy with two fallback plans. It’s how we always do it, it’s just on a bigger scale.”

You ponder over it. If you have to steal one more time, what better way than the blood diamond. The one jewel you’ve yearned for most of your life. Back then, it would have given you riches beyond your wildest dreams. Now, it will be the last final stop on this road of vice.

“We’d have to be more thorough than ever before,” you mention. Minseok agrees. “Alright. I’m down. Let’s go get us a blood diamond.”

~*~

Strategizing takes lots of time and effort. Despite a week of hardcore scheming, neither one of you are able to come up with the perfect time to strike. Never mind trying to find a way around the security system, you didn’t even know the lay of the building!

That all changes the day Jongdae happens to be home.  

“So, your favorite person is getting a statue of honor,” he reveals rather stiffly to both you and Minseok, as the two of you sit pretending to watch television.

You tilt your head confusingly and he lets out a bitter laugh. “Thundercat.”

“Oh.” You try not to roll your eyes, but he can sense your indifference regardless. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because it’s going to be a huge party filled with the city’s most elite. We all want to thank Thundercat for all he has done for Exopolis and since you are a part of this society now, your attendance is expected.”

“What? Why?” You ask, sitting upright.

“Because one of us has to attend to help our image for the campaign and I unfortunately will be preoccupied.”

“You want me to go alone? Without you?” Your voice is quiet. A foreign feeling seizes your throat, causing your heart to race and palms to sweat. Is this what fear feels like?

He sighs and kneels before you, grabbing your hands in his. It’s the first time he has made any move to touch you since your fight and the contact nearly brings you to tears. It is as if you missed this, missed him. “You will do fine. You know practically everyone that will be there and I’m sure Minseok will have no trouble accompanying you on my behalf. I’m sorry, but I already made plans that I regrettably can’t step away from that night. I would love nothing more than to be there with you.”

You can’t help but get lost in his gaze. His dark eyes appear topaz under the fluorescents overhead and the fond look in them that you can never get used to causes them to sparkle uncannily like the gem itself. The semblance breaks your resolve.

“When and where?” You ask in a sigh and he smiles brilliantly at your reply, his eyes crinkling adorably.

“The event will be held on Friday, seven o’clock at the Museum of Rarity. The statue will be in front of the building from now on.”

You surreptitiously steal a glance at your cousin to find him already looking at you, mischief evident in his eyes.

“Sounds perfect,” you grin, already formulating a plan.

~*~

The plan is set in motion.

You both decide that you will attack after the commencement ceremony. This way, you’ll already be inside to learn everything you need to know.

As you both step into the building the following Friday night, you are filled with nerves. It really feels like an ending, but at the same time, like the first time all over again.

You both are cladded in expensive clothes. Minseok wears a luxurious black suit tailored personally for him while you are covered in an elegant shimmery baby blue silk gown that flows around your feet and covers your arms and neck, hiding Cobra’s suit underneath.

Your excitement for the festivities later overrides your disdain for the current event. You find yourself in a sincerely good mood, greeting everyone with a wide smile, feeling grateful to be there. As soon as you see champagne floating around, you waste no time snatching one before breaking off to do your research. Minseok sneaks off into the lobby while you venture deeper into the museum. Despite its name, it isn’t as public as other museums. The treasures it holds too precious to expose for too many. It’s more of a glorified banquet hall used for privileged parties and special occasions such as tonight. You have only been in it once before, a week after your wedding to Kim Jongdae, when you saw the diamond in the flesh and knew that you wanted it more than anything you’ve ever yearned for in your life.

It doesn’t take long to find it. It is in the center of one of the square rooms at the end of the main hallway. The room is dark except for the spotlight on the gem. It isn’t even encased, shining tauntingly before you, almost asking to be taken. The diamond gets its name from its color. The jewel is as red as blood and the color reflects off of it, bouncing around the walls, casting an eerie glow across your dress, as if you are the one bleeding. Saliva floods your mouth from the distance and you have to gulp it down in haste, wincing slightly from the burn of venom.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” A male’s voice speaks from the darkness, halting your steps.

You blink rapidly, awakening from the daze you were in before scanning the area, not catching anything with your human eyes.

“It is,” you humor, taking a bold step towards the diamond. Movement draws your attention and your head snaps in the direction, watching the dark figure enter from your left. You take a slight risk and allow your pupils to shrink enough to see the familiar leather suit and mask, unmistakable cat ears on the top of his head.

“You look like you can’t wait to wear it upon your ears.”

“What can I say?” You begin with a shrug. “I have an affinity for shiny things, Thundercat.”

He approaches until he is bathed in the warm light as well and studies you. He smiles playfully. “Mrs. Kim.”

You lift an eyebrow. “You know who I am?”

He chuckles at your shock. “Why wouldn’t I? Your husband is running for governor, is he not?”

You feel slightly dumb. Of course, he knows who you are, you are pretty famous around these parts. “That is correct. It is an honor to be in your presence at such an occasion. Congratulations. I’m sure you are very proud of your work.”

His smile shifts, becoming humbler and you can’t help but be transfixed by it—his mouth. It’s strange that it’s the only clue to his identity, the tight dark suit hiding everything else from the crown of his head to the tips of his toes. “I’m just thankful the city has accepted my hand of help graciously. Though you should know, I would still be doing this without all of the praise.”

It feels almost as if he is defending himself. You dare a few steps towards him, taking note of him backing up, not allowing you to close any distance. He is again cloaked in darkness and it leaves you agitated, your curiosity getting the best of you. “Ah, well, even so, this night is about you. We all are grateful for your fight for justice and hope you continue to pursue it.”

“I’m sure there is a cat joke somewhere in there,” he says, pointing a finger at you.

You chuckle. “Maybe.”

“You should join the party, Mrs. Kim. I’m sure there are many people awaiting your presence as well.”

He is shooing you and that is fine. You nod in farewell before taking your leave, downing the rest of your drink as you head back to where the rest of the guests are congregated.

Minseok catches your eye immediately once you return. The satisfied smile spreading his lips is more than enough an answer to his findings.

“This might be simpler than we thought,” he whispers in your ear once you’ve joined him. “I found the security room and there was a guard inside. He recognized me and I chatted him up. He was more than willing to show me everything. Even better, the whole thing is computerized, so I can freeze the entire system, buying us more than enough time to get what we want.”

“Brilliant,” you purr with a grin that matches his. “I know the route to the diamond. It’s down the main hall and close to an exit. We can slip in and out in ten minutes.”

“Let the games begin,” Minseok says before a man comes up to the small stage with a podium. He taps the microphone, gaining everyone’s attention.

“Thank you all for gathering here today! As you know, since the day powers have come to be, our beautiful city has been the playground for many evil people to unleash destruction and corruption. No matter how hard our strong police force has tried, they are made up of simple men and women who cannot withstand the strength most of the city’s villains possess. Luckily, not all those with power use it for evil. Some use it to fight against their own, to make Exopolis safe for those who cannot fight back, to keep our children safe. Today, we pay homage to one of those heroes. A man who does what is right, not for fame or glory, as many others would, but because he loves this city. Everyone, please give a warm welcome to our city’s reigning hero, Thundercat!”

The place explodes with applause, you clap along robotically, ready for this to be over with.

Thundercat strolls up to the podium in his shiny leather black suit that hugs his muscles. He isn’t very broad nor tall, much to your surprise. His mask, as stated before, covers his entire head minus his mouth. His eyes are also visible, but the mask darkens them, obscuring any chance of his true identity.

“Thank you everyone,” he starts, waving at all the camera flashing furiously behind you all. He winks and the entire area fawns, you swear you even hear a few men sigh from the action. He laughs, enjoying the attention before sobering for his speech. “It genuinely is an honor to be up here today. Never have I ever imagined the people of Exopolis to welcome me in such a way, to believe in my fight for justice and allow me to do all that I can to bring peace to this wonderful city we all call home.”

Everyone claps accordingly before he continues. “I couldn’t have done all that I have without my fellow teammates, Rocky and Tornado. I hope within the next year, they too will receive statues of their own right beside mine. I want my statue to be a reminder to all those creating trouble in my city. I want them all to know that I will always be there, watching them, ready to stop whatever mischief they aim to start. I will not relent or give up on the good fight. These powers we have been graced with should not be used in vain. We could do a whole lot of good if we realized what a gift our powers are. Isn’t that better than destruction? The media labels us as monsters, but that doesn’t mean we have to be. Let’s show them who we really are. Let’s prove them wrong.”

His clouded eyes take in almost everyone in the room and you nearly jump out of your skin as they lock briefly with yours. “The choice is yours. But, if you do decide to play the role of the monster, I will stop at nothing to take you down.”

The applause is thunderous. The crowd going crazy over his words. Even outside the museum, where many civilians and fans have crowded to watch the speech on the screens broadcasting it over the lawn could be heard, making you wince. You can’t relate. His words leave a bitter taste in your mouth, and in an act of defiance you drop your pretenses and refuse to acknowledge his speech, not clapping along. You’re pleased to find Minseok still beside you as well. As your eyes travel the crowd, you notice a few others with hard faces, hands motionless at their sides, how interesting….

~*~

The speech, as inspiring as it was, doesn’t persuade you into stopping your plans and two hours later, you find yourself right back in the museum, now dressed in dark snake leather as you and Frostbite make your way within the building.

You’re shaking with nerves, something you have never done before and the odd sense of foreboding is hard to miss, but you shove it aside, not allowing it to get in the way of your formulated plan.

Sharing a look with Frostbite, you both nod before going your separate ways. The plan is simple. You’re going to be the one to fetch the diamond while Frostbite takes down the security system before meeting you in the room so you both can exit out into the maze-like garden behind the building that will lead you back to your getaway car only a few blocks away. The whole mission should take around ten minutes to execute and then you will have a brilliant blood diamond in your hands.

You wait for Frostbite’s signal, not daring to move with the system still on. Without warning, the power goes out, leaving you in complete darkness. That’s the signal.

You allow your pupils to retract to slits, allowing you to see and, without a fault in your step, you run into the building, retracing your steps from earlier until you enter the same room as before. You can’t help but stare at the jewel in awe, even without the spotlight, it still glows exquisitely. It still seems to reflect, relying now on the moonlight casting through the window. You take cautious steps as need drips into your veins. Your hand reaches out, ready to pluck it from its stand, but something makes you stop.

Your hands are sweaty, something that never happens and it feels as if all the hairs on your body are standing on end. You have never experienced such a reaction, but put it down to the weight of the moment.

Shaking off the tingling sensation in your skin, you press on. Fingers skim the smooth surface of the giant gem before you pause again at the sound of someone clearing his throat.

That isn’t Minseok.

“Why did I have the feeling you would try to steal the Blood Diamond tonight?” You slowly turn around, spotting a familiar leather suit.

“Thundercat,” you hiss. “What an honor to be in your presence.”

“Ah, but the honor is all mine,” he says, making his way towards you. “I see my speech had no effect on you.”

“I stopped listening the moment you started winking at cameras.”

He smirks at your reply. “Well, let me catch you up to speed. If you use your powers for the wrong reasons, I will be there to stop you. Hence, why I’m here now. Your time is up, Cobra. I’ve been waiting for this a long time.”

His words don’t mean a thing to you, instead you wonder briefly how he got into the building in the first place. Then you realize he has you cornered. You are going to have to fight your way out of here or you really would get caught. This could be the time Thundercat actually captures you, you nearly roll your eyes from the irony. You just hope that whatever happens, Minseok gets out unscathed.

“There is no way out,” Thundercat continues. “Surrender now and come with me down to the station.”

You crouch, hands at the ready. “Now what’s the fun in that?”

His lips press into a thin line before he bends his knees to match your stance. Without a word, you both attack. You throw an elbow that he dodges, quickly sweeping his leg under yours, causing you to fall backwards but before you can hit the ground, you do a backflip, landing silently on all fours before slithering back to him. You have never fought Thundercat before, but you can tell he is going easy on you. Every hit he lands stings with his electric current, but nothing you can’t handle.

You spin, swinging your hand so that the back of it will slap against his face, but he catches your wrist, pulling you flush against him.

“I think you’re going easy on me, Kitten. Is this some sick form of foreplay to you?” You taunt with a sly grin.

His eyes narrow at your assumption. “You’re not really my type. Too cold blooded.”

“What a shame,” you pout, before wrapping your legs around his waist, using the momentum to fall to the ground. Your strong thighs hold him in place as you wrap an arm around his neck, securing him in a headlock. He struggles briefly before touching your arm, static shock runs through it, startling you into loosening your grip.

“That’s enough, Cobra!” He snarls, his patience gone as he gets back to his feet. “You’re coming with me.”

“I don’t think so,” you say, standing with slight difficulty. “Not without my diamond.”

He scoffs. “All of this over a simple jewel?”

“Don’t you know?” You ask, tilting your head to the side and folding your arms over your chest. “I have an affinity for all things shiny.”

He opens his mouth to retort something but pauses, taken aback. “What…. What did you just say?”

His reaction confuses you, but you know an opening when you see one and take advantage of his distraction. Instead of answering him, you flood your mouth with venom and spit it right in his face. He tumbles back from the attack, yelping as it burns his face and mask.

You waste no more time. Knowing this is the only chance you have, you sprint towards the sparkly jewel. You reach out again for it, your hand nearly closing around it before a shock of white flashes before your eyes. Excruciating pain bursts from your shoulder, seizing your body until your struck stiff. You find yourself frozen, yet your body convulses as pain runs down your body. Your mouth is open in a silent scream, eyes rolling to the back of your head as you begin to lose consciousness. It’s gone as quickly as it came and you fall hard to the ground, vision blurry and ears ringing.

The world comes in and out as you try and fail to catch your bearings. You hear what sounds like a scuffle, but it’s as if it’s taking place under water. Your vision is still out of focus as you try to drag your body upright, to no avail. You finally move your arms in front of your, beginning to crawl when someone grabs them. You scream, trying your hardest to fight them off, but resign when Minseok’s voice comes from the person holding you. Despite him speaking through a mask and your ears still ringing violently, you hear the concern in his voice.

“We have to get out of here!” He yells before picking you up bridal style and running through the exit, escaping through the maze as planned.

You lose consciousness before he leaves the building.

~*~

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Shit!”

You slowly come to and even in your sleepy haze, there is no mistaking Minseok in the middle of a break down.

“Calm down,” you slur, dragging yourself upright.

“Oh, thank god!” Minseok rushes towards you, fretting over you helplessly as you take in your surroundings. Last thing you remember, you were touching the blood diamond, and now you are in Minseok’s living room.

“What happened?” You ask, voice scratchy from lack of use.

Minseok help you to a sitting position on the couch you are lying on. “Thundercat struck you! I went to make my escape and saw you convulsing with lightning coursing through you before you hit the ground! I took Thundercat down and got us the hell out of there before any more bad things could happen! Are you all right?”

It takes you a moment to wrap your head around the situation. “He…electrocuted me?”

Minseok nods earnestly.

“That bastard!” You holler, seeing red. Anger explodes within you. “I was so close! I felt the diamond in my hand! And he just—!”

You stop, staring blankly at Minseok as dread fills you up. “Min…. What time is it?”

He glances at his phone. “Two.”

“Two? In the morning? Jongdae is going to be worried sick! I have to go!”

“You’re not going anywhere!” Minseok says, pinning your shoulders to the back of the sofa. “I don’t think you realize, so let me say it again. You just got electrocuted. Lightning ran through your body! You’re lucky I couldn’t send you to the hospital, although that’s probably where you should be right now. You’re staying here and that’s final! Plus, I already called Jongdae and told him you were spending the night here.”

“Fine,” you concede after a short stare down. Mother Minseok is quite terrifying to be honest and you are too exhausted to fight your way out of the house. “But I have to be back first thing tomorrow.”

“Of course. In the meantime, let’s get some food in you.”

~*~

Your body is ridiculously sore the following day.

Cobra’s suit got burned badly at the shoulder, charred to a crisp. You think about how you’ll need to invest in more snake leather which doesn’t run cheap, before remembering your early retirement. Maybe it’s a sign.

The house is unnervingly silent as you enter and climb up the stairs, refraining from limping as you make your way to the shower.

Once washed, you examine the forming scar on your left shoulder. What appears as a multitude of pink tree branches stretching out across the stop of your shoulder before cascading down your arm and back. You shudder and quickly hide the hideous mark with an oversized sweater, ignoring the stiffness growing in the joint.

The next thing on your agenda is getting rid of the remnants of your suit, which you take care of by stuffing it in a discarded dresser in your room.

“How was the event?” You jump as the deep voice fills the empty space. Although spoken rather quietly, it sounds like a bomb going off in the silence.

You brace yourself before finally facing your husband, taking in his form as he slouches in a chair at the corner of the large suite. Off the bat, you can see his exhaustion. Still clothed in the white button down—albeit wrinkly—and black slacks he left in the night before. His hair sticks up in all directions and deep purple bags sag miserably under his eyes.

He looks how you feel.

“Uh….” You’re too fatigued to come up with anything clever, so you switch it up and tell the truth. “Interesting. Thundercat was there, obviously. It was strange…seeing him in person.”

“Yeah?” He asks. Unlike his body, his dark eyes are alert, taking in your every move with intent. “What kind of trouble did you and Minseok find yourselves in afterwards?”

An eyebrow lifts at his wording, but you choose to ignore it, paranoia probably stemming from lack of sleep. “Nothing too exciting. Ate unhealthy food and watched cringy movies.”

“Sounds fun,” he replies, but he sounds distracted, as if he isn’t actually listening. He drops his head down, now watching his hands rest limply on his lap.

“What about you?” You ask, turning the conversation away from yourself. “How was your night?”

He lets out a heavy tired breath. “Long. I had to fire a supervisor last night. Turns out this whole time they were plotting against me. They weren’t the person I thought them to be.”

“Damn,” you sympathize after an unsettlingly heavy silence. “That sucks. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah.” He takes you in again. “I missed you though.”

You give him a tight-lipped smile before slowly making your way to him. “I missed you too.”

He stands and meets you in the middle, placing his hands on your hips to stop you from closing the space completely.

“What—?” The question sticks to your tongue as one of his hands comes up to brush some damp hair from your face. He studies you so intensely you forget how to breath. His eyes taking in every little feature, committing it to memory.

“Do you remember how we met?” He suddenly asks. You nod, but before you can answer he does. “It was at a museum. One very similar to the one you were in last night. Filled with luxurious items—jewelry, golden artifacts, and priceless art—but nothing in that building held my attention quite like you did.”

His confession is sweet enough to give you a toothache and his earnest leaves you breathless. You can’t help but whisper his name affectionately, but he hushes you softly, not quite done with his speech.

“From the first moment I met you I was captivated. I would give you my life if you asked. I was so enraptured by your beauty and mystery that I always failed to ask…. What led you into that museum in the first place?”

The question confuses you, where exactly is Jongdae going with all of this?

He answers your unasked question. “But then it hit me. You’ve always had an affinity for shiny things.”

A wave of vertigo hits as the familiar phrase is said. All of a sudden you yank yourself from his grip, the contact making you too overwhelmed to think straight as confusion fills you up inside. An odd need to escape triggers your adrenaline and the walls appear to be closing in on you. “I need something to drink.”

You turn on your heels, resisting the urge to make a run for it, but then there is a sound of something tearing and everything abruptly stops.

Slowly, you glance behind you and the first thing you take notice to is your sweater clutched in Jongdae’s fist. A rush of cold air rises goosebumps on the exposed flesh of your shoulder. The same shoulder Thundercat hit last night.

Jongdae takes in the pink welting scar with wide eyes in disbelief. There is something else there also, but it’s an emotion you have never seen within him before, a foreign look you can’t seem to place.

That’s until he speaks.

“I knew it,” he whispers with a wobbly voice, stare still locked on the grim reminder of who you are, of what you do.  

His remark drives you to action and you scramble to hide the retched imperfection with your now shredded sweater, covering modestly before facing him fully. His face is now void of any emotion, which is a first, but his arms are flexed at his sides, hands tightly wound fists.

“Jongdae.” You call almost frantically. Still unsure of what exactly is going on, but knowing something is amiss.

He acknowledges you, but the blankness in his eyes leaves you terrified. “Get out.”

His words are a solid slap to the face, but more painful. It’s chilling, the twisted dark tone of his voice. The hairs on your arms rise and it’s like déjà vu when the static fills the air. You find yourself braced for an attack, preparing for another shock to your system as your husband glares at you with storms brewing in his eyes. That’s when you notice the strange puckering of his flesh above the side of his mouth, as if he had gotten burned by something.

By, say, your venom.

It all clicks then and you struggle to breathe as the reality of the situation crashes down on you like a tsunami. The static, your words from yesterday, him knowing about your scar, the abrupt coldness from him….

Kim Jongdae is Thundercat.

A multitude of emotions ransack you in a second from the epiphany before settling on your favorite—anger.

“What are you going to do?” You ask, voice dripping like poison. “Strike me?”

His eyes narrow and now you know that he knows that you know that he knows. “Don’t give me a reason to, Love. Right now, I have no problem matching that shoulder of yours.”

“Asshole,” you mutter, shaken to your core by his response.

He acts unfazed. “Go now before I drag you to the police station.”

“Oh, please do!” You goad. “I’m sure that will look great for your campaign.”

His jaw tightens at your statement, but he refuses to humor you with a reply. His lack of fight angers you further and you scoff. “Be that way! I was just leaving!”

With that, you storm out of your home of six years, fighting tears that eventually win in the safety of your car.

~*~

Two days.

It takes two days for you to fully come to terms with what happened.

You’re not all that proud of how you handled the situation—bawling your eyes out in the shower until it ran cold and drinking yourself to sleep the first night. The second was filled with you ranting and raving to Minseok, who was shook to his core at the circumstances you were both now in. And then you sat numbly for hours staring at a wall before you decidedly got over it.

In all that time, Jongdae hasn’t attempted to reach you once, the bastard. As frustrating as that is, you know he is coming to terms with this his own way. He just found out that the woman he was in love with is one of his biggest enemies. You can only imagine.

No. You refuse to feel any sympathy for the man. It’s not like you are in love with him. Not like your heart is aching from the separation. This whole marriage is a sham. One you created to survive in this dark world. His revelation might have set you back some, but you are a survivor. Always have been.

“I have to go to the house,” you tell Minseok. He didn’t take the news of Thundercat’s true identity any better than you had. You both know the ramifications of Jongdae’s newfound knowledge. If you both want to remain free, you will have to run, simple as that. It still sucks. Minseok’s restaurant is flourishing and it also meant Cobra and Frostbite are back in business.

“Jongdae let you walk free once. Knowing him, there won’t be a second. If he’s there….” Minseok left the implication to your imagination, but you have already thought out every single scenario there is.

“I’m not leaving without my jewels. That’s my ticket out of here.” You took nothing with you when you left the house. If you both are going to ditch town, you will need money to do it, and all that you own is currently stashed in a hole in a wall of your closet. “It’s been two days, Min. Aren’t you curious as to why he hasn’t dropped the ball on us yet? He’s had plenty of time to snitch, but he hasn’t. At the end of the day, I’m still his wife and he needs me if he wants to become governor. I think this is all just a show. He’s angry and I understand, but he loves me. He won’t hurt me.”

“Jongdae, maybe,” Minseok concedes. “Thundercat? Absolutely not. Justice is his main concern and he will put what is right over everything else—you included”

“Then I’ll deal with it when the time comes.” You shrug. “We’re leaving tomorrow morning. I need those jewels.”

“Alright,” Minseok relents. “Be safe. Be tough. You know better than I how persuasive politicians can be.”

~*~

And that’s how you find yourself in your closet hours later, stuffing handfuls of jewelry into the backpack you brought with you. Getting into your home is a lot easier than anticipated, but you figure it’s due to Jongdae’s hectic schedule.

Once the bag is secure, you rush down the steps, coming to a stop when you enter the living room and see him. In the darkness, he’s only a figure hovering over the door, legs spread apart and arms folded over his chest.

So much for easy. You almost sigh.

“You must think I’m an idiot.” His voice is still hard, void of any affection he ever held for you. You adjust your eyes to the darkness and instantly catch the feral look in his eyes. He’s beyond furious.

“I could never think so lowly of you,” you say.

“Then why are you here?” He growls with a quirked brow.

You wrap your hands securely around the straps of the backpack resting on your shoulders. “We both know why.”

He gathers what’s in the bag and smiles wickedly. “It’s not because you missed me?”

“What is there to miss?” You slip, regretting it instantly when hurt flashes across his features.

He hides it quickly. “I was wondering, you know, how much of it was real. Did you know who I was the entire time? How does that saying go? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?”

“So what if it was?” You push out, ignoring the stab in your chest from lying. “You were the best protection for me. Nobody could ever suspect a governor’s wife of doing such heinous crimes. You were the perfect cover.”

He scans you with slight disgust and when he speaks again, his tone is absolute. “I want a divorce.”

You don’t expect that. You nearly laugh at the statement, but it’s the most serious he has ever been and that sets you off.

“Fine!” You snarl. “None of it meant anything anyways.”

“I bet you’ll be relieved. We both know you weren’t fit for office.”

That stings a bit. Despite your distaste for anything political, you tried your best to be the wife Jongdae needed. You thought he understood at least that much.

You take a deep breath, reigning in your emotions before you slip up and tell the truth. “Well, now that that’s all settled, could you please move so I can go?”

“Oh, we both know I can’t let you leave with that.” He nudges his chin to the bag at your back and you tighten your hold on it.

Your eyes narrow. “I said please.”

He shakes his head. “I let you leave last time because you were my wife. I refuse to do that again, Cobra.”

This time you allow a laugh. “Oh, so I’m Cobra now? Well then, Thundercat, let’s dance.”

He finally drops his hands, blue lightning crackles menacingly over his hands and forearms and you are transfixed. How can he harness such power and keep it a secret from you for so long? Kim Jongdae is deadly and bright and you’re drawn like a moth to a flame.

It terrifies you.

“No powers.” You gulp, still lost in his light. “That’s cheating.”

“Whatever.” He yields and the bolts vanish as quickly as they came. “If you want to leave this house, you’ll have to kill me with your bare hands.”

“That was the plan,” you say before leaping over the couch, going for his throat. He dodges the attack easily, expecting it. You both are well versed in martial arts, needing it for your aliases and he proves a worthy opponent. It’s as much a mind game as physical.

You kick his chest and he flies into the wall behind him with a bang. He scrambles to his feet, leaving a dent in the wall as he rushes you, throwing a left hook that connects with your jaw. You stumble back, tripping over a table.

The fight continues for a while. All of your décor becoming ammo as you use anything around you to your advantage. The house is trashed as you both fight throughout the halls, accumulating bruises and cuts. Jongdae throws you into the kitchen and you land next to a paring knife. As discreetly as you can be, you tuck it away before somersaulting to your feet. Using the island as leverage, you lift your legs up, wrapping your thighs around Jongdae’s neck before pushing away, your momentum bringing you both to the floor. He flips you easily and slaps your face so hard you see stars. Blood gushes from your nose and you cough as he stands, using your current distraction to kick you in the stomach a few times. You blindly throw a punch, hitting him right in the groin. He yelps, falling sideways painfully. Free from an attack, you crawl back to a standing position, shoving away the pain your body is in, you head for the door. Before you can touch it, Jongdae grips your backpack, yanking you towards him as he pulls the bag off, tossing it aside while simultaneously spinning you around and shoving you against the wall, holding your there with a hand to your chest.

You’re just as fast. As soon as he has you pinned, you pull the knife you grabbed earlier, pressing it dangerously against the skin below his chest.

Now at a stalemate, you both attempt to catch your breaths. The electricity resting in his palm tingles the skin of your chest, it stings slightly as it buzzes, roaring with immense power. All it will take is a single thought and he can surge enough electricity into you to stop your heart. On the other hand, you just needed to push the knife up to lodge it under his ribs, puncturing most of his vital organs.

You both watch each other, chests heaving from the fight. His chiseled face is drenched in sweat and blood, muddy brown hair sticking to his face, falling into his eyes, one of which is showing signs of swelling. His mouth is open, trying to swallow as much air as possible with ragged breathes. His eyes, which only a few seconds ago held nothing but fury, simmer down to a tender look you knew all too well, one that causes your heart to race in a different beat.

The pressure on your chest loosens.

“I…I can’t do it,” he admits quietly.

Your eyebrows furrow as you snarl, “What do you mean you can’t?”

His eyes bounce between yours. “I can’t kill you.”

“No,” you object, anger rushing through your veins. Your vision becomes obscured with unshed tears and your throat burns with them. “Fight me! This is what you wanted, isn’t it? Do it!”

He’s resolute when he talks. “You want your freedom, I’m giving it to you.” The hand that sits on your chest lowers to capture your own, wrapping around the knife you hold, adding pressure to his skin.

You gasp from the action and the tears fall. You’re sobbing, hand shaking as you fight with yourself. He’s right. This is your way out. You never loved the man, only used him for his power. Yet, why couldn’t you do it? It’s as if something holds you back, not allowing you to lose him forever.

“I love you,” he whispers against your forehead, a tear of his own falls.

You make your decision.

The clatter of the knife hitting the ground is drowned out by the hungry clash of your lips against his. It’s almost feral the way you both fight each other, but this time for dominance over the kiss. His hands cup your face tightly as you yank him closer by his shirt before sliding your hands up around his neck, pulling him down to your size.

He growls, running his hands down your frame until he’s cupping the backs of your thighs, bringing them up around his waist before slamming you painfully against the wall. You scream and he chuckles darkly, the sound turning you on more than you ever have been before. Driven by desperate desire, you tear his shirt off of him, kissing his sweaty firm pecs. He pulls away from the wall, sitting you roughly onto a dresser nearby. Once stable, you shove him back, pulling your shirt over your head before going for the button of his jeans. You’re need has never been stronger. Nothing, not even all of the jewelry you have taken has been able to feed your addiction quite like the way Jongdae is at this moment. You are truly high off of his body, his mouth, the beautiful noises leaving it.

“You want this?” He asks, voice giving away just how badly he wants you in turn. His hands meet your bare skin and you gasp. He’s too lost in you to fully control his power and for the first time he allows the currents to lick at you, tickling your sides in a soft heat.

“Shut up,” you mumble against his lips before biting his bottom one harshly. He hisses and snatches you off the dresser, banging your face against another wall. The pictures hanging on the wall of you both fall to the ground in a loud crash as he yanks your pants down before entering you roughly.

Sex with Jongdae has always been more of a chore. Something that came with the job of being his lover. There were times when it actually meant something, but for the most part, it was just sex.

Not this time.

Now that you have let your guard down and stopped lying to yourself about your true feelings for the man, it is brand new, your real first time. It is a mixture of desperate love making and vengeful fucking. The odd mix of pleasure and pain leads you both to the biggest most mind-blowing orgasms ever and you find yourself on your back beside him gasping for breath. He throws you a cocky grin that you instantly want to smack off, so you do, cackling before climbing back onto him for another round.

~*~

“You know,” you start, voice hoarse from overuse and sleep. You somehow made your way to the bedroom and are now cuddled comfortably deep within the blankets. Sweat still sits on you both, sticking you together wherever your skin connects. He’s lying on his back while you’re sprawled over his chest. “I’m kind of upset you always dismissed the fact I would constantly get shocked when I touched you. It all makes sense now.”

He bursts into laughter and you pout, but it quickly melts into a tender smile at the pleasant sound. His finger makes a lazy trail across your spine, the currents under his skin humming against your own. You are still amazed by how well he was able to hide such a mighty ability for so long. “I couldn’t admit the real reason why that was happening to you without giving myself away.”

“What are the odds that we are who we are?” You muse, baffled by the coincidence. “How did I end up married to my enemy?”

“Hey,” Jongdae protests. “I’m the superhero. So, that makes youthe enemy.”

You roll your eyes and hit his bare chest lightly. “There’s nothing super about you.”

“Oh?” He asks teasingly. “I think your screams from earlier beg to differ.”

“Ugh.” You groan and shake your head playfully. This is nice and different. Both of you are exposed—both literally and figuratively—now that your biggest secrets are out in the open. There is nothing more to hide, and you now felt you could be your complete and honest self with him for the first time in all the years you’ve been together.

This thought sobers you and you realize there is more to reveal. “Our whole relationship is a lie.”

The phrase sits in the air, a hovering elephant in the room. It pulls Jongdae away from the cloud nine he had been in, back to reality where the future didn’t seem as bright.

“Did you really marry me because I’m Thundercat?” He asks, voice quiet.

“No,” you reassure ardently. “I had no idea you were Thundercat until you kicked me out. That being said, I was still using you, but it was because you were rich.”

“What is your obsession with wealth?” He asks, hand tightening around you in frustration.

“I had none of it growing up,” you reply casually. “And I didn’t want to be like the rest of my family. I wanted something more, something bigger. I wanted a life of luxury and you could give that to me.”

“Is it everything you thought it would be?” He asks through clenched teeth.

You nod. “Everything and more because…because I get to live it with you.”

He hesitates at that, deciding whether or not to be still be angry before giving up with a chuckle. You see this as a sign to continue. Swallowing your pride, you shove down the awkwardness at being cheesy and let your heart do the talking for once. “I lied when I said our marriage meant nothing to me. It means everything. Youmean everything, Kim Jongdae. It might have taken us beating the living shit out of each other for me to realize it, but believe me when I say there is nobody else I would rather fight with—rather fight for.”

His smile grows bigger with every word and he’s kissing you before you can get the last word out. It’s soft, loving, and passionate. When the need to breath is too urgent to ignore, he pulls away, pressing his forehead against yours. “I lied about wanting a divorce. I was hurt, betrayed. I felt like our entire relationship was a lie—”

“It technically is,” you remind and he rolls his eyes at your words.

“But when it came down to it, I couldn’t pull the trigger. I love you too much.”

“But can you love the real me?” You ask mutely. “Not the girl that I created for you, but me. Someone who doesn’t share the same values as you? Someone who has hurt a lot of people and has done a lot of unredeemable things? Who has caused more harm than good? Can you truly love the real me?”

He lifts a hand to trail a humming finger down the side of your face, his own features are relaxed in a way you’ve never seen before. He appears completely at ease, safe here wrapped in your arms. “I’m positive I can. It’ll be fun, don’t you think? Falling in love again?”

You grin before turning to kiss the finger still pressed to your flesh and he laughs airily at the action.

“I’m retiring Cobra,” you reveal.

His eyes widen in surprise. “For me?”

You shrug. “She was getting old anyways. Plus, there isn’t much left for me to take now is there?”

He grins. “Let’s make a promise then. You can stop being Cobra and start being my wife and I won’t snitch and allow you to keep all you’ve already taken.”

You nearly cry. “You’d do that for me?”

He nods eagerly. “It wouldn’t look good for my image anyways. Now, tell me more about you. The real you. Not the person you pretended to be for me.”

You both sank deeper into the bed. “Well, for starters, I never went to college.”

“Damn,” he snaps his fingers. “I really liked that about you.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint. Minsoek really is my cousin though. I didn’t lie about that.”

“Wait, does that mean Minseok is Frostbite?!”

You sigh. “This is going to be a long night.”

~*~

Six Months Later

Exo’s national anthem blares through the speakers as you stand in front of the crowd waving happily as you cling to your husband, who is just as—if not more—excited as you, Jongdae. Or, as he will be called for now, Governor Kim.

It’s hard to believe that you can’t be happier. Jongdae is achieving his dreams, fighting the good fight even harder from a new playing field.

“I’m so proud of you,” you whisper in his ear and he beams down at you before kissing you deeply. The crowd loses it as you both separate, eyes sparkling at one another before giving your attention back to the people of the city you will now help to better.

The past six months has been a whole other brand of battles. You both decided on an honesty pact since getting back together, swearing to tell the truth and nothing but. It’s refreshing and beneficial. Both learning new things about each other every day while building a strong foundation of trust. Minseok opened that second ice cream parlor he was talking about, gaining even more popularity, if that was even possible. He and you kept your word and retired the suits, although he was a tad disappointed that you wouldn’t be acquiring the Blood Diamond. To be honest, it didn’t upset you much. Your need for superficial things has waned greatly now that you have something else to be passionate about—leading a city. And maybe one day a country.

But you are getting carried away. Life, you’ve learned, is all about baby steps.

Jongdae leads you to a room inside the capital building with a flourish, bringing you into a spacious room.

“This is my office,” he says with wide arms and a satisfied grin. The floor to ceiling windows against the back wall reveals a beautiful view of the city.

“It’s big,” is all you can say.

He lifts a knowing eyebrow, allowing you your truth.

“It’s old,” you say. “And it smells stuffy.”

He makes an agreeable sound from the back of his throat. “It needs a lot of work, just like our city. But, with your help, I’m sure it will look like the office of a governor.”

“Have I mentioned already how proud I am of you?” You ask, approaching him and wrapping your arms around him. He returns the favor.

“Yes. Like sixty times since the announcement.”

“Well, I’m proud of you.” You smile up at him and he leans down to kiss the top of your head.

“I’m proud of you too,” he whispers into your hair and you feel like a child getting a gold star at school. It is nice to know that all your hard work is paying off.

“I’ve been thinking,” Jongdae starts once you pull away slightly. “We should get married.”

“But, we are married?” You question.

“Yeah, but I married a stranger,” he counters. “I want to marry you. Let’s renew our vows.”

You laugh. “If you insist. I could marry you over and over again if I could.”

“Then it’s settled. Let’s make change together.”

Speaking of the devil, it looks like his irritating whines have stopped. Maybe he finally decided that I wasn’t worth the effort and decided to leave me in my own misery once again. But then why couldn’t I shake the nagging feeling that he was still there? That he actually hoped I would answer the door and let him in? I spared a glance at the clock. Trough the blaring red numbers I could read that it was 4 a.m. Might as well try to see if he stuck around. After all, I don’t think there’s any chance of me falling asleep without downing shot after shot of vodka, getting pissed drunk, having a breakdown and passing out on the couch or worse, a panicked Jongin’s bed.

After downing the mimosa I have been sipping on for the past hour, I got up from the couch and quietly made my way to the door. Lifting my trembling hand I put it on the doorknob and paused. If I opened the door, will he really be there? And if so, what would I say? What would he say? “Hey Y/N, sorry for cheating on you, you want to make up?” Just the image of that blonde whore riding him in our bed was bringing tears to my eyes. How dare he? And on our 5th anniversary nonetheless.  The sudden urge to vomit made me lift my hands and cover my mouth. The feeling of yet another panic attack was slowly creeping up on me. I couldn’t do this. But I had to. I had to face him, I had to hear him out and most importantly, I had to tell him to leave and never come back. Slowly, as if a monster would jump out and attack me, I opened the door.

And there he was, looking as miserable as I was feeling. Tousled hair, wrinkled shirt with stains that could be either from sweat or alcohol and an unlit cigarette hanging from between his plump lips. But his eyes are the reason why I was so taken aback. Sure they were bloodshot, like any drunkard’s but they were so empty. Like all life had left them. No sparkle, just a dull dark chocolate color. Did he really feel guilty for what he had done? But there was nothing to be done now. The deal was sealed.

He still hadn’t moved. His eyes were glazed over and he looked like he was in a trance. What was he thinking about? Us? Or every skank that had sucked his dick while we were in a relationship? Shit, I had to stop that kind of negative thinking and just get it over with Jongdae. Before I could even do something to shake him out of his trance, a voice interrupted me.

“You really opened the door or am I just hallucinating?”

My breath was stuck in my throat once I heard him say this. His voice was so quiet, as if I was an animal and I could get scared any moment and run away. And maybe I really was. My shoulders were stiff and the fight or flight instinct had kicked in the moment I saw him leaned against the wall beside the door. His eyes were full of wonder now, looking at me like I was a goddess, like he was a lost traveler and I had just offered him food, water and shelter for as long as he wanted to. He looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered in the world. The thought almost made me scoff. As if he cared about me anymore. He probably was looking for a quick fuck and in his drunken stupor, he thought of the woman who had been loyal to him for the past half a decade. Just as I opened my mouth to make a smart remark, he smiled. He actually had the audacity to smile at me. He dared to lift the corners of his lips and give me the most breathtaking view to ever exist on this planet and maybe even universe. And it was the same smile he gave me when we first met in that shady bar in my first year of university. The same smile he had when we were on our first date. The same smile that made everything better after our first fight, when he told me he loved me. The same smile that assured me everything would be okay the night when he took my virginity. The same smile that graced his face when he promised to marry me one day. And the same smile he gave his new secretary.  The same secretary that probably dumped his ass a week ago because I don’t think there’s any other reason for his nightly appearances.

But I will have enough time to think about his mistress. Right now I had to deal with the cheating bastard. A cheating bastard I still loved, unfortunately.

I made sure to move swiftly. In a few steps, I was already in front of him and hauling his body off the ground. I couldn’t avoid physical contact, not with him barely being able to stand due to his wobbly legs. Putting his arm over my shoulder, I let him lean onto my right side and slowly started taking small steps towards the door.

Not even two feet into my apartment, he started whining. Perfect! Just…perfect.

“Y/N, stop shaking me!”

“I’m not shaking you, you stupid drunkard. For matter of fact, I’m helping you. And you should be thankful I’m doing so because I am so close to kicking your butt back to-“

“Yeah, yeah, just slow down, okay? If you keep walking this fast I might… oh God, I think I’m going to“

And just like that he puked. No warning, no anything. He just decided that right there and right then was the perfect moment to empty his stomach of its contents which, now that I was forced to observe, were mostly liquids. Most likely whiskey, as I still remember that was what he preferred to drink.  But why, of all things, did he have to do that on my white fluffy carpet? Any moron would be aware that it would stain. But Jongdae was worse than any ordinary moron apparently.

Despite all of that, I still acted accordingly. One of my hands came to his hair, keeping it back from falling into his eyes while the other slowly massaged his back in slow circles. The imagine became quite familiar, reminding me of the one time I caught a nasty flu from his friend Minseok and had to spent a week in bed. And every single day, every single moment of that week, he spent it taking care of me. Every morning he was there, rubbing the same slow circles on my back while I was hunched over the toilet bowl. He even learned how to make soup, even if he almost set fire to the kitchen. But he still did everything in his power to make me feel better. Then why? Why did he have to go and fuck up so badly?

“For fucks sake Jongdae. Why do you have to be a little shit even when you’re drunk?”

The only thing I got in response was a low grunt. For the 100th time this night, I sighed. I couldn’t just leave him there in my living room, lying in a puddle of his own puke. I mean, I could but at the same time my instincts were telling me to help him. No, they weren’t telling me, they were screaming at me. And even before I could make a decision my body moved on its own, carrying Jongdae’s almost unconscious body to the bathroom.

If it was hard to carry him to the bathroom, it was almost impossible to put him on the edge of the bathtub. He was basically dead weight by now. Wiping the cold sweat on my forehead, I got to work. Starting with his shirt, I slowly unbuttoned it, holding my breath my every sliver of skin that was being exposed. Why was I still acting like a shy teenager around him? I wanted to close my eyes, I wanted to look away while removing the garment but I was trapped in a trance. Once off, my eyes went straight to it. Contrasting against his skin, the fiery colors danced and blended together, from his left bicep all the way to his collarbone and finishing on his pectoral. Should you concentrate on it (or snort some coke, if your imagination was that poor) you could see it flying above everyone else like the king it is. Its roars imposing, spiking fear into the heart of even the most courageous of men. A symbol of power and wealth, the dragon was, is and will always be an important part of Jongdae’s past.

I could still remember the silent nights when after making love, we would stay on the bed and I would trace every feature of his tattoo while he would talk about his day, from what he did at college to the shenanigans his gang was up to.  And every time he talked I would look up at him in wonder and sport the same shy schoolgirl grin that painted my face the first time we met. The fond memory actually brought a smile to my face.

First year of college, I found myself for the first and what I thought to be the last time in one of the most known bars in town. I knew I looked out of place, with my friends downing shot after shot and dancing the night away while I was just sitting to the side and scanning the place. Maybe it was the boredom, maybe it was the lack of experience or maybe it was just the chills I felt from the stares one handsome stranger had been sending me ever since I entered the place. Of course, my friends were quick to notice and inform me that that was no ordinary stranger. Known for being not any the leader of a gang but also the resident playboy of the campus, Kim Jongdae was a name to leave many mouths, whether it be in the form of a whisper, a shout or a breathy moan. So I had nothing to do with him, right? Wrong. Little me was so desperate to feel adrenaline coursing through her veins that in no time she was ordering a shot of vodka and gulping it down in one go. But of course little had also little to no experience with alcohol so inevitably the brave act was interrupted by coughs and desperate gasps of air. Not the sexiest scene in the world but that got him to come to me and pat my back. He might have laughed a little but he still stayed all night to talk to me. Leather jacket on and a cigar in his mouth, he sure did live up to expectations. Although his gentle actions told me that he was a softy at heart. And I, like the stupid person I was, I called him out on it. Told him that his tough exterior was actually hiding a warm heart. Unsurprisingly, he left but not before telling me to come back there the next day. I guess that’s how we started dating. Meeting at the bar, having a drink, then going to a restaurant or some other place. Slowly, his walls started breaking down and eventually, he showed me his true self. The Jongdae I came to love. But he didn’t stop there. Under the pretext that he wanted to become a better man, he ditched the gang and after finishing college, he got a job. A real job. A job that wasn’t illegal. A job for which he worked 8 hours a day. A job that earned him the title of executive manager. A job that gave him a secretary.

I frowned. Why my thoughts always had to end up there? I didn’t realize but my fingers had unconsciously started to trace Jongdae’s tattoo. A movement so light that it shouldn’t have been felt. But of course he had to feel it. He had to open his eyes and stare at me with a look that almost made me think that he was in love with me.

“Y/N…”

“I reckon you are capable of taking a shower on your own. The towels are under the sink and I think you can also find a spare toothbrush there. If not, use mine. It’s the blue one. Don’t worry; I’ll just use Jongin’s”

“Wait, who is Jongin?”

“Now, excuse me but I have to get you some clothes. I’ll leave them in front of the door and then start preparing the couch for you.”

“Y/N, you didn’t answer my question! I said who is Jo-“

By the time he opened his mouth my back was already turned to him and before he could finish his sentence I was out of the door and storming down the corridor. A million questions were storming trough my mind. Did I do a good thing letting him stay here? Was it really necessary to mention Jongin? Was the cold tone of my voice uncalled for? How will I go through Jongin’s clothes without waking him up?

It looked like the last question was unnecessary because in no time I found myself done not only with placing the clothes in front of the bathroom door but also with arranging the blanket and pillows on the couch. I almost went on to fluff the pillows but I stopped myself in time. He didn’t deserve that luxury. Hell, he didn’t even deserve to sleep in my house, let alone on the couch. But alas, resisting my urges was in vain.  Even the most oblivious person in the world (who I have an inkling to be Chanyeol) could see how much I cared about Jongdae. A stupid person who has done a lot of stupid things… and I still loved him because, of course, I am stupid as well.

A door creaking to my right caught my attention. Please don’t be him, please don’t be-. To my relief, it was Jongdae.  Dressed in a casual look consisting of grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt, he couldn’t look more breathtaking. Yes, he looked good when he donned on a suit and even better when he was only dressed in slacks and a shirt with the sleeves rolled up. But my favorite look was this. As comfortable as possible, ready to cuddle with you and peck your lips at the most unexpected times. Shit. I shouldn’t think like that. It was wrong to even remember such things. It has been over a moth. I should be over him... right?

His cough got me out of my trance. He gave me a weird look and that made me realize that I had been staring. Good job, Y/N. Now he probably thinks I still love him, which isn’t false but he doesn’t need to know that.

“I’ll go wash your clothes. I think they will be ready for you to wear tomorrow. Now go to sleep, you’ll find some aspirin on the coffee table tomorrow”

“Babe, about what happened… we need to talk, you know that-“

“One, I’m not your babe. Not anymore. And two, we will talk, just not now. In the morning. Now sleep Jongdae, you really need it.”

And for the second time that night, I turned my back to him and let him alone. But this time there were no regrets. In fact, I felt powerful, like I could do anything, like climbing a mountain, skydiving and maybe getting Jongdae out of my life for good. I even dared hum a song while washing his clothes. My mood had certainly improved. Or that was just me trying to be oblivious to everything that was going on and to the fact that I would undoubtedly have to face the consequences the following morning.  Definitely the second option.

Taking the clothes out of the dryer, I paused. Should I iron the shirt? I shrugged and continued folding them. He wasn’t worth the effort. Now, the million dollar question. In which state will I find Jongdae? Would he be asleep or still waiting on the couch, desperate to talk? I knew him; he was as stubborn as a mule, never giving up before he got what he wanted. But at the same time, he was also still drunk as hell, though not as drunk as he was when he entered my apartment, so he should have passed out from the alcohol. I really had no other option, that’s if I didn’t want to sleep on the cold bathroom tiles, something I definitely wasn’t willing to do again. Last time it happened, Jongin found me a sobbing shivering mess on the floor. From what I could recall, I had passed out after drinking one too many Cosmopolitans and crying after Jongdae. I could still see the worried look in Nini’s eyes when he woke me up. And I would do anything in the world to make sure his face never frowns up like that. He didn’t deserve my baggage of emotions and I didn’t deserve his constant attention.

Cracking the door just a little, I peeked through. Lo and behold, the mighty Jongdae was fast asleep on the couch, snuggling into one of the pillows like he used to do to my cleavage when we cuddled. Maybe, just maybe, I should allow myself to smile. But only a small one. And that’s just what I did. I let myself warm up for once, knowing that nobody was around to see my weak state. If only that smile hadn’t triggered another intrusive thought. Should I stay with him a little? I almost slapped myself. Why should I do such a thing? And that’s how a bunch of bullshit reasons came to my mind. He could get sick again and he would need help. Or what if he wakes up and wants to go to the bathroom? He will certainly be dizzy and would easily injure himself. And there’s also the fact that maybe I just wanted to be besides him one last time. To bask in his warmth and admire his face before everything turns to ashes and dust and is blown away by the wind.

There is no doubt that the less reasonable part of my brain won the internal battle. As slowly as I could, in fear that the thudding of my footsteps might wake him up, I made my way to the couch. Crouching in front of it, I frowned. Carefully undoing my messy bun, I let my hair fall down my shoulders in messy waves. I was still a little bit negligent, not paying attention to my health or even my hygiene. I still took showers and brushed my teeth. But wash my hair? Not so much. As a result it had lost all of its shine. But at least it wasn’t blonde anymore. Maybe I should cut it soon. That way it would look different, different from what it had been the past 10 years but more importantly different from hers. I scratched my itching scalp and stared shamelessly at his annoyingly perfect face. From his jaw which was seemingly chiseled by the gods to his plump lips that have always had a natural curl to them, he was absolutely perfect. But it wasn’t his luscious hair that mattered nor his cute ears and not even his adorable nose or straight eyebrows (but damn if they weren’t perfect as well) but his eyes. His eyes have always fascinated me. How could a pair of eyes hold so much emotion? Everyone romanticized blue or green eyes and to be frank, I did as well, until I met him. Only then did I realize how much I loved brown. The darkest chocolate, a bittersweet experience, saying goodbye, being reunited, a hidden storm. That’s what his eyes made me think about. All of that and most importantly, love. A love I still held for him but had to let go too soon. A love that had flourished and bloomed into the most beautiful flower to ever exist, with a smell so intoxicating it knocks you off your feet. But just like any flower it had to wither away and die. Just like any flower, it couldn’t be revived.

“Kim Jongdae, what are you doing to me?”

   Light taps on my shoulder woke me up. A reluctantly opened my eyes and confusedly looked around. Great, everything was blurry. I let out a big yawn while rubbing my face. What the hell happened last night? I must have probably gotten drunk again and passed out-

“Oh!”

“I think a simple ‘oh’ isn’t going to cut it this time. Y/N, what is he doing here? And more importantly, why did I find him passed out on the couch while you were sleeping on the carpet? Now that I’m speaking of it, what the hell happened to our carpet?”

I winced, Jongin’s voice getting louder and his tone harsher with every question. He must have seen my reaction because he immediately kneeled in front of me and cupped my cheeks tenderly. And there it was, that dreaded frown. My hands instantly went up to rub his forehead, hoping to make it disappear. Once successful I didn’t stop, my thumbs making their way downwards and continuing to do the same rotating motion on the rest of his face. He kept on speaking, his warm voice calming down my nerves.

“Sorry chipmunk, I didn’t mean to do that. It’s just that you told me you wouldn’t let him in. So seeing him here… Y/N, you have to do something and you know exactly what.”

“Jongin, I don’t think I can. I’m too scared and-“

“And? Remember what I’ve told you? You are a brave woman and you are more than capable of doing this. Don’t forget that I’ll be right here when you’re done. “

“What the hell are you doing with my girlfriend?”

We both froze, not realizing that we were getting closer to each other as we spoke. But Jongin was having none of it, rising to his feet and reading himself to fight Jongdae if he had to. But he quickly saw the pleading looks I was sending him and sighed

“Just so you know, I would have been more than glad to beat your face to a pulp. You’re lucky this is Y/N’s battle and not mine because I can’t guarantee that you’d be leaving this place alive.”

Just like my ex boyfriend, there was hostility in his voice, as well as an unspoken promise. A promise to Jongdae, to me and to him: that he won’t hesitate to intervene if something happened to me. I could see that he was holding himself back from punching the jerk in the nose. But he was doing this for me. He was giving me a chance to end it all. The suffering, the nightmares, the drunken nights where I would either pass out somewhere in the house or climb into his bed and hold on to him while he was whispering sweet nothings in my ear. Sweet word that he was sure I would forget the next morning. Proclamations of affection and love that I will forever remember and keep them carved onto my brain and heart. Words that have sparked something into me: hope for something new.

Turning to Jongdae, I saw that had changed into his clothes from last night. I gave him a glare as cold as ice. With a voice that held no emotion, I spoke:

“Explain. Now!”

“Sweetheart-“

“Don’t you dare try to ‘sweetheart’ me. My name is Y/N and that’s how you’re going to address me. Now explain!”

“Y/N, please come back. I know that what I did was wrong. No, it was the worst thing anyone could do. I betrayed your trust and I hate myself for it. I know I don’t deserve to be forgiven but can’t you understand I can’t live without you? Everything has lost its color. I live and a black and white world. The food is tasteless and I haven’t felt happiness ever since you left me. Please, I am begging you, please give me another chance. Give me a chance to make you happy, give me a chance to marry you, give me a chance to raise kids with you and to grow old with you!”

By that point he was already on his knees, bawling, bitter tears flooding his eyes and falling down his cheeks in endless streams. And I would be lying if I said I wasn’t crying too, that I wasn’t imagining my future with Jongdae. How he would get down on one knee and ask me to marry him, how he would kiss my protruding stomach as I was carrying his baby, how our wrinkly hands would stay entwined as we grew old together. But all of that was ruined by one reckless action, one former gang leader and one sexy secretary. We could do all of that but I would never be truly happy. I would be forever be haunted by the image of the two moaning and fucking on the same bed we made love countless time under the moonlight. I would have to keep my sadness locked away in a cage deep into my heart and pretend that my smiles were truly genuine every time I was around him. And I would let myself rot from the inside out, never tasting true happiness, never knowing how it felt to be the only woman in someone’s life. And that’s why I couldn’t take him back.

There was a noticeable shakiness in my voice as I spoke.

“Jongdae…”

His head snapped upwards and he stopped babbling. His eyes held so much hope it hurt me to reject him. I let out a low whimper and his fingers twitched as if itching to grab mine and bring my figure close to his body and calm me down.

“I can’t do it, Jongdae. I’m so sorry but I can’t… I just- I just can’t do this to myself”

Disbelief was written all over his face and my heart started to ache even more. He got up and in a few strides he was mere centimeters away from me. His hands came up quickly, as if to slap me but I kept my calm. I knew him well enough and I was sure he wouldn’t hurt me. And I was right. His palm cupped my face and his forehead leaned against mine. I knew it was wrong to not push him away. I knew that he was trying to remind me of the way I felt when I was next to him. He was trying to win me with his actions instead of words. But what he should have not forgotten that once I decided on something, there was no way to change my mind. My eyes were closed but I could still feel his lips brushing against mine before he whispered.

“But we are each other’s halves. I am your moon and you are my sun. We complete each other babe. One can’t survive without another.”

I knew what he was referring to. The tattoos on our wrists. He had the moon, a child of the night, mysterious and never opening up to anyone, except for me; many people have approached him, wanting to see the real him but froze to death because of his coldness.  And I had the sun, emitting a light so bright it brought him out of darkness; friendly to everyone, people have tried to take advantage of my kindness, only to find themselves scorched. I remember when we got them. It was the middle of the night, just two days after our two year anniversary. The tattoo parlor was hidden in the shady part of Seoul and that made me reluctant to even go there but Jongdae assured me that not only was the owner a professional but he was also the one that gave him the dragon tattoo. And he was right. The owner was an old friend named Baekhyun. And while he was more of a jokester than a professional, he did a very good job at calming me down… and with the tattoo as well. In no time our tattoos were done and Jongdae was kissing away the tears that have managed to slide down my face. And looking into his eyes that night, I saw love.

Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said now. Yes, I could still see love but it wasn’t pure. No, it was tainted by desperation and lust. When did it loose its purity, its true meaning? I doubted I would ever see it again.

Jongdae must have realized that because he let out the deepest sigh I have ever heard.

“I understand. I can’t say I’m not disappointed but it’s the right thing to do, isn’t it? I-“

He stopped and looked away, trying to stop himself from crying.

“It hurts to let go.”

“I know, love. It hurts me too, more than I want to admit. But you have to let me go. This is where our paths take different routes. This is where we say goodbye.”

“But I don’t want to say goodbye.”

“Neither do I Jongdae but it’s for the better. Our hearts will heal one day and we will be able to love again.”

“I…”

“Just say it, Jongdae and it might just happen.”

“Can I kiss you one last time?”

My smile faded into a thin line. Can he? I mean, he can but what will happen after? What if he can’t let go after the kiss? What if both of us can’t let go? NO, we could and we will. We are strong. We can make it.

“Do it, love. Sweep me off my feet one last time”

I thought he didn’t hear my whisper but I was immediately brought into his embrace. Our lips crushed together hungrily and everything went blank. There was no heartbreak, there was no living room, no ruined carpet, only Jongdae. Jongdae and his lips that were desperately devouring mine. Jongdae and his hair that I was grabbing and pulling. Jongdae and his hands that were roaming my body, finally settling on my hips and pulling me closer. Jongdae and his tears that were merging with mine and wetting our lips. Jongdae and his labored breath that was fanning over my face once we pulled away. Jongdae and his mouth that opened and spoke:

“Goodbye, my sun. I love you.”

And when I opened my eyes, he was gone. Out of the apartment and out of my life.

I managed to let out a single word before I broke down.

“Jongin...”

My knees hit the carpet as I started weeping. Soon, he was next to me, crushing my body next to his and wrapping his strong arms around me, one on my back and one on my head, bringing it closer to his chest.

“Shhhh. You’re okay, you’re going to be alright, you’re going to get over him and I will be by your side helping you.”

He continued speaking until I stopped being a mess, only letting out occasional hiccups. But he still hasn’t let go. He continued stroking my hair while I listened to his heartbeat. It always managed to somehow calm me down.

Maybe he was right. Maybe one day I will get over Jongdae. Maybe one day I will be able to let my feelings for Jongin grow. Maybe one day I will be able to tell him the same “I love you” that he had told me over and over again while he thought I was sleeping. But until then, I will have to let my wounds heal. One day, every single invisible mark that Jongdae’s needles have left on me will be gone and then, I’ll be free to love without guilt.

 „Acele tale îmi fac tattoo sub piele

Îmi schimbă sângele-n vene

“Oh did they not tell you? Mom and Dad have been on a 4-month vacation to visit their parents back in Korea. My name is Jongdae, pleased to meet you, miss..” she pauses and looks at his sheet. “Ah, here it is, Miss Y/L/N. This must be Sadie, pleased to meet you both.”

Dr. Kim walks over to Sadie and holds out his hand, you watch as she tentatively smells his hand and licks it. Sadie wags her tail slightly and you relax a little.

After the exam, it's hard not to see how much Dr. Jongdae Kim loved animals. He seemed to have a rather soothing presence around them. Giving Sadie some loving pats before you helped her down he almost looked sad you both had to go. You’d enjoyed the small banter you both had going.  

You felt a little sad as you walked towards the door before you heard his voice speak up.

"Uh before you go Y/N," you convinced him that calling you by your first name was okay. "I want to ask you something, and if it is inappropriate please let me know, but My parents are going to be back next week and I'll be returning to my own practice. Would it be out of line to give you my number? I've very much enjoyed our conversation and wish to continue it over dinner sometime."

You can't help but feel a blush coming on.

"I would really like that actually."

You aren't sure if you've ever seen a prettier smile than his right at that moment. He quickly scribbled down his number and handed it to you while saying "Oh and please wait till next week to text me, it wouldn't be right to take you out on a date while I'm technically your veterinarian. Besides if you text me before then I'll want to take you out right then and there."

"Next week it is then,"  you say while pulling Sadie out the door. As you are getting in your car you pull out your phone and save Jongdaes number. For a moment your fingers itch to text him.

"Why were you the one who had to be strong?" you thought and texted him anyway.

Y/N: Hi Dr. Kim, it is Y/N, I couldn't help myself I just had to text you.

You start the drive home, all the while hearing a ping as a text came in.

-15 minutes ago-

Jongdae: This is just mean

Jongdae: and now you are driving home and won't answer me.

Jongdae: I think the only way to make this up to me is to let me take you to dinner.

Jongdae: Say Earls 7:30?

“Why not?” You were unsure if he would hear you over the wind, but when you turned around you found he had crept up behind you, standing but a few feet away.

“It reminds me of things,” he said, frowning. “I would come up here and think of flying away. But I can’t do that. Can’t escape. So I find it easier to stay away.”

“Why did you bring me here, then?”

His uncomfortable expression returned. “You seemed like you needed it. The fresh air, I mean.”

You hummed, smiling. “Thank you for that. But you could have taken me somewhere else. The gardens, maybe, or the courtyard. Why here?”

He didn’t reply to that. “You seem worried,” you pressed.

“I don’t.” The denial was quick, and his features realigned into a more irritated expression. “I’m not.”

Your gaze remained curious, but you chose not to pry further. “It’s cold,” you noted.

“Should I escort you back inside?”

You shook your head. “No, no, it’s alright. I was simply making an observation.” You startled when you felt something brush the skin of your shoulders. Jongdae was behind you, holding his coat out for you to slip into. Your cheeks colored involuntarily. “It’s alright, I don’t need...”

“Take it,” he said, nodding at the coat. “I don’t get cold easily.”

Smiling gratefully, you slid into the sleeves as he held it, pulling it over your chest. The material was still warm from the heat of his body, comfortable against your skin after the bite of the air. After you were wrapped up, he took a step away, increasing the distance between you again.

You took a step closer to him, trying to make it seem involuntary, just to see how he would react. At first you thought he didn’t notice; then you saw the subtle tensing of his muscles. Another step closer, and he grew stiffer, his back going straighter. You wondered why he was still so closed off. He had seemed to warm up to you after your conversation in the window downstairs, which had gone on longer than you had expected.

In fact, you hadn’t expected to find anyone at all for company tonight. Yet here you were, standing on the roof with this man who for two hours had made you forget all the reasons you avoided these banquets.

“Is there a reason you’re looking at me oddly?”

You startled, realizing you were staring. “No,” you said, looking away, heat rising to your cheeks.

“I shouldn’t have brought you up here,” Jongdae said, his brows drawing together.

“No, I’m really-”

He interrupted. “Not for the cold. I shouldn’t have...I’ll take you back inside.” To your surprise, he held out his hand for you to take, his head bending so you could look into his eyes. You had thought he wouldn’t even want to come near you, much less let his skin touch yours.

You placed your hand gingerly in his, lifting your skirts so he could lead you across the shifting shingles of the roof towards the window you had come through. As your hand came into contact with his, you held in an involuntary gasp at the feel of his skin. Not his skin itself, but his touch: warm and enveloping, sending fire shooting down your arm.

You must have imagined that.

He entered the window first, standing on the floor of the tower before reaching out to help you down. When you had been climbing out, the height between the window and the floor hadn’t seemed so imposing, with a chest of drawers to help you support yourself. From this angle, the drop made you apprehensive. Jongdae seemed to notice your hesitation, and stepped closer to the window to offer you support in the form of his outstretched arms.

You bit your lip, sliding down to slip one leg, then the other, through the window, cursing as your skirts caught the sill and rode up. Blushing, you quickly pulled them down, but he hadn’t looked. Jongdae’s eyes were trained on your face, watching you as you descended, and landed unsteadily on the floor. His hands caught you around your waist, and there! You felt that sensation again, of fire rushing through you.

You hadn’t imagined it.

He must have felt something - whatever it was - too, because his hands dropped from your body almost instantly, and he backed away. You looked on forlornly as the distance between you grew, as he turned away from you and began to head down the stairs. Expecting you to follow. Still reeling, you did.

Your journey back down the passageways of the manor was fast, like he was trying to draw you away from the roof and the tower. Was he hiding something? You wondered what it could be, what he was possibly risking. Another admirer, perhaps? No, he didn’t seem the type. A man who’d rather spend time with his book than another person. You had been the exception, for some reason.

A voice breached your thoughts. “Son.”

Jongdae stopped in his tracks in front of you, and you almost collided with him. “Yes, father,” he said, bowing slightly. You stepped to the side, looking between him and the man who had stopped him.

And you froze. Standing there, you recognized the face of the Head of House Calvus. You glanced at Jongdae, then at his father again. There was a tension between them, and you wondered where that came from.

Jongdae’s father appraised you for the shortest moment. “Keeping yourself busy, I see.”

“Yes.” Jongdae’s voice was curt, wary.

“I searched for you downstairs, but you were nowhere to be found.”

“I was on the - on the tower, with Y/N.” At this, Lord Calvus took a longer look at you, before placing your face and the accompanying family name.

“Lady Asterus,” he said, dipping his head. You returned with a full bow.

“Please, call me Y/N.”

That was the end of your conversation, as Lord Calvus turned his attention back to Jongdae once more, giving his son a stern look. “See to it that you are responsible about it.” With a gaze that exchanged something in silence, one weighted with a sort of knowledge only the both of them could understand, Lord Calvus strode past you into the depths of the manor.

You took a moment before you faced Jongdae, who still stood frozen in the middle of the hallway. “You’re an heir?” you whispered, tone incredulous.

“Yes,” Jongdae said simply, not moving but turning his head to the side to answer you.

“Heir to the House Calvus.”

“Seeing as my father is Lord Calvus, that would be correct,” he said, his tone suddenly patronizing.

“You didn’t tell me you were an heir. You don’t seem like one, either.”

“You didn't ask,” he said snidely. “Is there something wrong with being an heir? You are one yourself.”

You swallowed. “But you are House Calvus’s sole heir. You...the one I heard so much about, but had yet to meet. From all the things I’ve heard, I didn’t think it could be you.” He narrowed his eyes at that. “What I meant to say is...I mean, you read books and avoid the crowd. I would think that as a first heir you would…”

“I would what?” He didn’t let you interject. “Live up to the name that has so obviously preceded me? Must I always? You indulged me tonight.”

“You allowed me to indulge you,” you retorted.

He looked away. “Only because I had the chance,” he said, quietly, and you weren’t sure what that meant. “There is a reason why I keep my distance from House politics.” He stepped closer to you, coming dangerously close, leaning his head forward to whisper to you. Despite the two of you being the only occupants of the corridor, this was something he wanted no one else to hear.

“And what is that?” you murmured, leaning back to maintain eye contact even as he towered above you.

“There is quite a lot of leverage against my family,” he said, and his gaze moved from your eyes to glide along the edge of your face, your neck. “If you know where to look.” His eyes flicked back up to yours again.

Abruptly, he stepped away. “I will take your leave now, Y/N,” he said. “I have duties to attend to.”

You nodded, once.

“I hope we may meet again.” His tone was neutral, but his brows unconsciously furrowed, as if the thought troubled him.

“As do I,” you said, and he bowed and began to walk away. You watched until he rounded the same corner his father had followed, disappearing from your sight.