#namjoonxoc

This was day 3 of the never-ending woods.

3 days ago, Jungkook and Areum got lost in the vast, never-ending woods. Ever since they've decided to somewhat "run away" from their home lifes and start new ones. "Like Gale and Katniss should've done," Jungkook exclaims, but he didn't expect it to go this far into the endless woods. When they were walking to carelessly, talking about the meaningless things, they forgot all about the trail signs warning them of danger close by.

Jungkook owned his own sneaker company named 'POWER'. He designed trendy yet high-end sneakers that took off on day one, just three days ago he was kissing his follower's goodbye and promising them he'd get back to them but now, here he was, with no signal. "It's like a social retreat!" He said at first, but when a couple hours came around, he was flinging his phone in the air, trying to at least get one bar of data.

Areum on the other hand, owned a whole ass daycare in her house, and today was probably Monday, which means her clients would be driving their kids to her house, thinking she's there yet she is not! Which is going to be very terrible on her business. She could only imagine how many bad reviews she's going to get on her website called 'dependablesunshinedaycare.com' the next day!

"If you didn't take the wrong freaking turn, we wouldn't be here right now!" Areum huffed as she lunged over a big boulder blocking their way "We've been walking forever Rexx! I'm tired"

Jungkook brushed the leaves that suddenly smacked his face. "I don't want to spend another night here Areum and what's done is done! You should've spoken up if you knew we were going the wrong way."

"I did!" her voice slowly raises."I told you we had to go the other way to get to your damn jeep!" she then closed her eyes and calmed down taking a deep breath and clasping her hands together. "I don't even know this part of the woods. We're stranded."

"We're not ashore, so technically we're not stranded" Jungkook looked at Areum.

"Well, you get my point!" she sighed loudly "okay okay, we have to mark our path. I'll collect rocks on the way and lay them down at every point we step. If we dont get anywhere by sundown, we'll go the other way tomorrow."

"that's a stupid plan."

"Well, Jungkook, it's my only plan unles. You have some ideas! It's not like we have a freaking flare to shoot off to let people know we're lost."

"Hey hey hey." Jungkook walked up to Areum, taking her hand and smiling. "Areum, when have I not saved us from our problems." He looked into her frustrated eyes with calm meek ones

"That time you broke under the pressure and tattled to us to my mom that we ate all her deviled eggs."

"Okay, okay, after that! Remember when I saved you from your professor by saying I broke up with you, or that one time where I saved us from that aggressive dog, oh! oh, you have to remember that onee time! You broke your mother's favorite vase, and I covered for you and said I broke it, and we both know oh" he laughs "we both know your mom i from the gates of hell."

"Jungkook..." She rolled her eye and tried to suppress her smile. This was a very serious moment

"What I'm just saying! If I can save us from your mother this would be a piece of cake baby gorilla!"

She couldn't take it and let out a tiny laugh "Fine fine, whatever you say. I'm still going to lay rocks, though." Everything will be fine...

Five hours passed, and they were both tired and decided to settle down for the night. The sun was setting, and the breeze was brutal. Winter had just begun. Usually, Areum would be loving this breeze when she was tidied up in blankets, hugged by her close family, and sharing stories and smores by the fire that reached the night sky but not tonight. Tonight was different. She was in nothing than just a t shirt and pants. She didn't think she'd stay in the woods for long, so he didn't think it was necessary to dress up. She was so cold that she could feel her hands go numb and her ears go solid.

The air that was once filled with laughter and jokes from Kook, but now it was stone cold. Just silent. If you spoke, the condensation of your breath would coat your already cold face. There they were, just sitting on a log waiting for the sun to come out, and that wouldn't be for another what 7 hours.

Areum looked over to Kook, he looked miserable. It was as if the situation they're in really hit him and it hurt Areum's heart to see. Jungkook had finally broke the ice "I'm sorry I let you down."

Areum scoots closer to him and gently hugs him. "You know, even though we're literally freezing to death... I think.. I'm happy still. Happy with you." she wipes her nose and smiled at him. Resting her chin on his shoulder. If they were going to die tomorrow, now was the time to confess their thoughts, and Areum's thoughts about Jungkook had only grown stronger over the past years she knew him. "Im really happy with you, Jungkook..."

Kook gave Areum a slight smile and hugs her back. He spoke calmly. "I'm happy with you too... I wish... I wish before I left I shouldv'e confessed. I've been wanting to confess for a while, but I guess if any time is the best time, it's now."

Areum's heart started beating from inside her chest, getting the slightest warmth on her cheeks. She was silent as she listened to him. His glossy eyes looked her in the soul. Was this the moment the moment he'd pour out his heart to her. Saying that he loved her from day one? That she was always his special girl... if it was, she'd be able to freeze to death peacefully...

"I like your sister.. I should've confessed that to her."

"What."

"Yeah... if one of us makes it out alive she has to know. Hold up. I got a good idea. I've been using the power bank to charge my phone. I think it's full." He pulls the powerbank out. The little red light one the power bank indicating the power bank is dead, but his phone is at 100 bars. Sweet,

He holds on the camera towards them and presses the recording button. "Hello guys, if anyone stumbles upon this video, it means I didn't make it.. We didn't make it. I just wanted to say thank you so much for your support... i ate all the granola bars and drubk all the water, so yeah, we're basically done"

As he rambles on, Areum stood there in disbelief. There were so many things that went wrong in that situation. One, he loves her sister, not her, two, he used their power bank just so he could make a video for his followers and 3 he ate up all their resources. The light redness on her face spread like a wild fire.. She was about to let her heart shout, but what Kook said next interrupted her thoughts.

"Wait... what's that." He turned his camera to what seemed to be a fire and smoke in the distance. "We might be dying of heat instead of cold."

"Wait.." Areum smelled the air, it smelt like... pig. Someone was smoking something. Areum quickly stood up and jogged toward the fairy lights that lit up she didn't care if she tripped at this point she could see hope. If she was gonna die, she didn't want to die with him. Well, not anymore.

"Areum wait!" Kook followed her after and they ran for what seemed like a mile, tripping on dirt on the way.

"AH!" Areum could feel her pants being ripped at her hip by a tough tree trunk, but that didn't stop her from running. Finally, they saw what looked like heaven to them.

_

Chapter 2 out now!

       "I date men, not boys. And until you can be one, I don't think we should see each other anymore."

I remembered that night well. It was one filled with passion and heart wrenching heartbreak. As much as I hated myself for doing it, I knew it'd needed to be done. He would never learn if I didn't teach him. He didn't love me and he didn't want me. He was in love with the idea of me. He worshipped a life he'd only heard and read about, seen on TV screens, but never did he actually want to dig directly to the core and learn about where I come from, where my people come from, my beginning nor my end.

"Sade?" my friend, Karinni shook my shoulder.

"Are you ready? We're getting ready to start."

She looked worried. I wouldn't blame her. I'd been zoning out ever since he'd left three weeks ago and it was starting to take a toll on how I interacted with everyone around me.

"I'm ready. Sorry," I shook her off.

I hated to be so cold, but as much as I liked to pretend I could, I didn't know how to deal with the situation and I didn't want to bother her with my problems. I sat down in the seat and adjusted the mic.

"Are you sure you're ready?" Karinni called from the other side of the room.

She helped her boyfriend, Crew, with the camera. I nodded. I just wanted to record this cover and get out of here. Being around others was beginning to become too much.

"As I Am Kehlani cover. Take one!" Karinni shouted out and the music began to play.

I closed my eyes and let it wash over me.

                  In my head every time I take a step it's on the clouds

               Feeling like a whole lot of power and I don't need a crown

          'Cause you know the royals you never get to fall in love anyways

                 And if you couldn't tell I'm falling even more every day

                         And every time you kiss me I hear a song

                    When you look at me it's like nothing's ever wrong

                            Maybe I'm bad for living in this fantasy

                        One where you're almost as in love with me

"Stop it!" I squealed and ran around the house, hiding behind a huge honeysuckle bush. "Sade," he sang my name, sending chills down my spine. It was bad enough his voice was deep as all get out, but then he knew just what to do to make it sound completely seductive. "Where are you, baby?" He stealthily creeped through and searched through more bushes. Then, all was quiet.

"You didn't think you could hide from me that easy, did you?" I felt hot breath by my ear and a hand slide around my waist. "How did you catch me?" I squirmed in his hold. "Little man can always find you," he chuckled in my ear and pressed his lower half into my backside. I rolled my eyes and pushed away from him, smiling. "I'm kidding. You know you giggle really loud? And I could hear your bracelet dangling from across the yard." He plucked the anniversary gift he had given me and leaned down for a kiss.

       As I am, I am, I am, I am, I am, I am, I am, I am, I am, I am, with you

                            Yeah yeah yeah yeah, baby baby

     As I am, I am, I am, I am, I am, I am, I am, I am, I am, I am, with you

           Can you put those hands on my body and baby just feel me?

     If I gave you the chance to hold my soul would you just feel me, see the real me?

"Take it!" He thrust into me roughly as I puffed and moaned, scratching at his back. For the first time, we were experiencing each other in a new light. Discovering one another in a more intimate way than we'd ever thought possible. "Oh, God," I whispered and let go, allowing the warmth to envelope me. He finished and we rolled over and pulled the covers over us. "Don't ever leave me," he kissed the top of my head that was buried in the crook of his neck and continued to stroke up and down my back. "Never," I whispered. "I love you too much."

Realizing what I'd said, I froze and held my breath for the words I feared he wouldn't utter. "I love you too." We were complete.

                                      Cause I love that if you do

                             I would owe all my happiness to you

            If you couldn't tell baby my smile has been brand new, yeah

                        And every time you kiss me I hear a song

                 When you look at me it's like nothing's ever wrong

                             Maybe I'm bad for living in the fantasy

                        One where you're almost as in love with me

As I continued to sing, emotions hit me left and right and I had to force the tears back. I had no clue why I'd chosen this song. It was only proving that he was someone I didn't want to live without and that I'd possibly ruined a relationship with forever.

~~~

Kim Namjoon let himself take in the surroundings before fully stepping into the room.  The hotel restaurant, was one of the best, usually taking months to get a reservation.  When the management was told that he would need to meet a party there today at 7pm, they happily cancelled everyone to book him.  When the head assassin wanted something, he got it. Of course, Head Assassin was not his official title.  No, when the war ended, and his side won, he got a new fancy title and started being the poster boy, albeit the scary one, for the new military.  Gone were the days that he was the ghost in the night that no one could actually identify; now his face was one that everyone knew.  

“I believe your party is already here, General. We put them in a private room.” The jittery hotel manager stated, standing just behind Namjoon’s entourage.

“You may leave.” Namjoon said, as he made his way into the room.  The manager already relegated to bothersome background noise.  Namjoon knew where his target was.

“`

Lee Ji-Soo had given up on sitting in her chair.  She took to pacing around the room, much to her mother’s annoyance.  She already felt like she was trapped in a cage.  An expensive cage, but a cage none the less. It was taking all her willpower to not throw open the doors and run out of the restaurant as fast as her feet could carry her.

“Please come sit.” Her mother’s soft plea made her look up from where she was staring at the floor and muttering.  Still a beautiful woman, her mother sat almost regally on one side of the table. Dressed in black, and looking oh so tired.  Ji-Soo could see her hands clamped together, turning white with loss of blood.

“It will be fine, Mother.” Ji-Soo wrapped her own hands around hers, and started rubbing some warmth back into them.  “I mean, it isn’t like we don’t know him…I mean we grew up together, kind of.”  With that ridiculous statement, and probably due to the tense situation they had both been in for days- months really, the two women looked at each other and started laughing.

“Yeah, be sure to bring up his childhood, I am sure that will work in our favor.”  Her mother’s laugh took on a clearly hysterical pitch, and suddenly she was crying.  They both were.   This was how Namjoon found them as he entered the room.  Both women wrapped up in each other’s arms, laughing and crying.  Both telling each other to, ‘stop it, it will be fine’.

Two sets of eyes widened as they finally took notice that he and his men had come into the room. Both women stopped dead, and just stared at him mouths hanging open.  Ji-Soo’s mother being the first to gain back her senses.  She cleared her throat and stood looking Namjoon straight in the eyes. He gave her points for still having courage to do so.

“General Kim.” She said with a slight bow, and then gestured for him to take a seat.  Ji-Soo had also come to her feet when her mother did, and even gave a sort of a bow, but Namjoon could see that she was somewhat shell-shocked right at this moment.

Namjoon sat, with two of his staff members taking seats next to him, while the other four set up what could only be called a perimeter around the room.  For a moment both sides of the table just stared at each other, until finally Namjoon shook his head, letting his subordinates know that he was ready.

“We are here today, to finalize the marriage contract between the Kim and Lee family. In accordance to the wills of both heads of family.”

“That contract was for Jisung and me…” Ji-Soo interrupted, and then plastered on her best fake smile. “It would be nice for us to know to whom we are speaking to right now.”  Finally having the courage to look Namjoon in the eyes, Ji-Soo was taken back to see how dark and merciless they seemed.  She was glad to look away, after he gave a tight nod, and the other man started talking again.

“You may call me Jin. I am the General’s legal advisor.” Jin then went around the room introducing the other men.  All of them were gorgeous, and deadly.  Then again, all of their kind were.  Gorgeous, that is, and deadly.  They were hybrids.  Half human, half demon.  Bred for centuries to do what the government had wanted them to do.  Every hybrid was fast, smart, and totally loyal, or at least that was what the government thought.  The higher-ups had put in place a training for each hybrid that was “fool-proof”.  Boy were they wrong.  No one saw it though, not for centuries.  The governments horrible little plan had worked.  Noble families each bred a hybrid.  They were part of the family, but not.  Ji-Soo knew that they faced brutality within their so-called family and then at puberty were shipped off to the government training school.  There they suffered even more horrors, Ji-Soo was sure.  Only now that the old government was gone, was it all coming to light.  

“Like my daughter pointed out.  The old contract between my husband and the General’s f-father,” Ji-Soo’s mother only hesitated on that word a bit, after throwing Namjoon a quick glance to see how he would take that title given to the man who raised him. “was meant for Kim Jisung and my daughter, not the General.”

“Maybe that was the intent, but the men did not actually state any names. Just that the marriage was to take place between the two families.  Now that the General is the only one left of the Kim family, it is to him that your daughter will be married. Per the will. Per the laws that there must always be a head of family for each noble house.”

“Meaning, that since my husband has now passed away.  My family no longer has a head of house.”

“Correct”. Jin gave a slight smile to the older woman.  “Further, since your family no longer has a head of house, it is actually a saving grace that the Lee and Kim family had this pact in place.”

Jin didn’t go into further detail about that.  He didn’t need to.  Everyone in the room knew what happened to unprotected families.  The highest bidder won.

“What if my daughter can find someone else to fill the role of head of house?  I am sure that the General would rather find a more fitting family to align his with, one with more stature- “

“No.” Namjoon’s voice was quiet, but no one in the room had any trouble hearing him.  “My family felt it best to join with yours, so I will do so.”

“Your family that you despised?  Your family that you killed?” Ji-Soo was speaking before her brain could catch up. “You can’t possibly want to marry me! Especially if they wanted it!”

Ji-Soo’s mother gave her arm a little shake, and then gave an airy laugh.  “Forgive my daughter, she doesn’t know what she is talking about. She is just overwhelmed.”  

Ji-Soo felt flushed, but oddly proud after her statement.  Namjoon had locked his eyes on her during the whole outburst.  Even still he hadn’t looked away.  Hadn’t seemed at all phased, even when she accused him of killing the rest of the Kim family.  It was common knowledge that the massacre that happened at the Kim property, only 2 miles away from her own, was done on Namjoon’s order, if not carried out by himself.  The only ones left alive, were servants who had never been at the home when Namjoon had.

“As to stature,” Namjoon finally looked away from Ji-Soo and spoke directly to her mother. “Your family is currently of the highest stature left to the noble families, as you never took part in the hybrid program.”

Ji-Soo held back a snort at that, realizing that she was probably close to a break-down with how she was acting.  Imagine, the one thing that had the old noble families sneering at her father and mother, was now their saving grace.  The Lee family stood firm, for centuries about the hybrid program.  They did not participate.  During the old regime, they were at the lowest stature due to this… now it seemed they had come up roses.  Again, Ji-Soo held back an insane giggle and tried to pay attention to what was being said.

“Now that the General has put your fears to rest, of him not finding your family adequate, let us proceed- “

“I need to use the ladies room.” Ji-Soo abruptly stood and started making her way towards the door, not caring that she interrupted, or that her mother was trying to catch her hand.  She had to get out.  The room was closing in on her.  Coming to the door, she looked up at the hybrid manning the door.  “Excuse me, please.”  After a beat where he didn’t move, she jerked her head towards Namjoon. His dark eyes bore into hers again, making the panic that she was already feeling, grow.  Finally, he gave a nod, and the hybrid opened the door. Forcing herself not to run, she tried to remember where the restrooms were.  Turning to go the opposite way, she almost rammed into the hybrid who had been at the door.

“Son of a- you scared me!” holding a hand over her heart, Ji-Soo frantically backed up a few steps. “I didn’t hear you.”  Taking a breath to compose herself, she tried to keep the anger out of her voice. “Why are you here?”  So far none of Namjoon’s fellow hybrids had said a single thing except Jin.  She wasn’t even sure she remembered this ones name.

“The General wanted me to make sure you found your way.”  He said, and then gestured towards where the bathroom must be.

“Tell Namjoon that I am not going to run away!  Where would I go?  Plus, my mother is still in there.” Ji-soo saw his mouth tense a bit when she didn’t call Namjoon by his title, and in a very crazy way, she liked that she was pushing his buttons.  It oddly made her feel a bit less panicked.

“This way, please.” He again started gesturing towards the hallway.

Sighing, Ji-soo started walking, realizing, and trying to not let it freak her out more, that this was going to be her life now.  At Namjoon’s whim.  “What was your name again?” Ji-Soo asked, right before going into the bathroom.

“Jimin.”

“Well Jimin, good work.  You didn’t allow me to run away.  Maybe Namjoon will pat you on the head or something.” Ji-Soo shut the door in his face. She knew it didn’t actually accomplish anything, but being a bitch made her feel just a bit better.  She even had an insane notion of refusing to come out of the bathroom, just to see what would happen.  Looking at herself in the mirror, the slight smile she had at that thought, fell off her face.  What was she thinking?  Nothing she did would change anything.  Plus, did she really want Namjoon to have to actually come and take care of something himself?  Remembering his cold dark eyes, she shivered.  She wasn’t dumb, she knew that Jimin was just as deadly as Namjoon, but somehow the thought of the General coming to make her stop being childish was almost terrifying. Gone was the sad, and lonely child that she tried to play with and sometimes give treats to when no one was watching.  Now, he was just The General.

”`

“So General, is she to be your wife. Or your revenge?”  The room tensed at the older woman’s audacity, but Namjoon just had a slight smile as he leaned forward to speak with her.

“Does it matter?  Even if you know, you could do nothing to stop me.”

Ji-Soo’s mother did not waver as they stared at each other.  Namjoon gave her credit.  Even other hybrids could not look him square in the face for long.

“Probably a bit of both.” Namjoon almost felt a bit of remorse when her face paled.  “More so wife, though.  I need an heir after all.”

“Then I ask that you try to remember that the Lee household has always been against what happened to your kind, and that my daughter actually tried to befriend you when you were young.”

Namjoon held up his hand to stop the older woman from continuing on.  He did not want to listen to or be reminded about his childhood. Narrowing his eyes, he felt a tiny bit of satisfaction when she slightly shrank in her seat.  He had no need to terrorize the women, but he wanted to make sure that she knew, he was no longer that child.  He was in charge now.

“The only reason your family is alive, is because of those facts.”

Ji-Soo’s mother took the hint and dropped the subject, remembering that all other people who had known Namjoon as a child were no longer living.  

The door opened, and Ji-Soo walked back in, taking her place at her mother’s side.  Both women as calm and collected as they could be under the General’s watchful eyes.

“Please continue,” she looked towards Jin, “the sooner we can get through all the legality the better.”

“`

“I would like to speak to Ji-Soo, alone.  Jungkook, escort my mother-in-law to the car.”

Ji-Soo felt her stomach drop.  They had just finished signing the paperwork, when Namjoon spoke.  Briefly she thought about clutching to her mother and demanding that she stay, but in the long run she knew it would do no good.  Giving each other a brief hug, the hybrid who must be Jungkook ushered her mother out the door, all the other hybrids following.

They were alone.

“Now what? You throw me down on the table and rape me?” Ji-Soo didn’t know what in the hell she was saying, and almost immediately wanted to take it back.  She could never stop and think before talking, especially now when it felt like she was about to lose her mind with worry.

Namjoon just tilted his head to the side, his eyes becoming darker.  “Not the plan.”

Swallowing hard, Ji-Soo stared at the man with wide eyes.  Like all of his kind, he was incredibly handsome.  Tall, well built, and had the face of an angel.  Every hair was in place, and his suit fit like second skin.  The way he stared at her was unnerving, like she was a new toy and he was deciding if he was going to play with it or brake it.

“What is the current plan, then?” Ji-Soo finally got out, feeling like she was about to scream if the silence wasn’t broken.

A dangerous smile formed on his lips, and it affected her more than she would care to admit. His lips were full, and looked to be soft, and Ji-Soo was cursing herself for even noticing something like that. He was a cold-blooded murderer. He came to his feet, and she jumped to hers.  An even bigger smile formed on his face, and she knew she had really lost it, when she took time to notice his dimples.

“My plan involves getting to know each other again.” Namjoon stalked towards her, as she backed away from him, trying to head towards the door.  Just as her hand reached the door knob, his larger hand pushed against the door, effectively stopping her from opening it.  Still she pulled a couple of times for good measure, hating how he was now smirking at her.  

“Where exactly do you think you can go, Kitten?” Namjoon rasped in her ear, causing her to jerk away from him and the door.  Breathing hard, she took a few steps away from him.  He in turn crossed his arms and leaned against the door, watching her with his fathomless eyes.

“Fine, you want to catch up?”  Ji-Soo blurted out, angry.  Angry at him, angry at the situation, angry at herself. “So how was it, killing your own family?” She saw him tense, but she was too far gone.  “How was it killing the man I love?  Jisung, the one I should be marrying?”

He moved so fast, she didn’t even have time to scream. One arm wrapping around her waist as he hauled her up against him, his other arm winding around the back of her neck forcing her face up. His face hard and cruel above her.

“You are mine.” His voice low, and guttural.  His eyes flashing red. Pulling her even closer. “MINE!”

Hoseok’s P.O.V

I sigh as I held Areum close to my chest, there’s no way that she could be seen by the police or else it’s pretty much over for her and her family. I quickly set Areum down being careful not to to injure her even more than I already did. I had some spare time until the cops could reach this area. Taking my jacket off, I carefully wrapped it on her wounded leg so no infection would begin to grow. I had to get her back home and I had to do it fast. There she could be met with a medic. This all has me wondering if I should just drop her off at the place she belongs and leave her be. All I am is trouble in her life. I am in everybody's and I really dont give a shit. I’ve become my own nightmare that lost it’s mercy ten years ago but when it comes to her. I swear I’d do anything. I’ve become so selfish and allowed my heart to become enslaved in chains to her love. To her affection. To the way she smiles or the way the moonlight touches her soft skin. 

Love is tortuous, I feel myself going on a never ending rollercoaster with her. She was the worst thing that ever happened to me but the best thing at the same time. She can’t let me go and that’s the worst part about this relationship because I know at some point she’s going to have to let me go. Not that I want to go. I want to be her dream man and offer everything she wants that she deserves but not off of blood money. I’ve never thought that one time in my life I’d be regretting being a mafia lord. Love is powerful. 

All this goes through my mind as I picked her up once more and jumped into the trash can, where there were a lot of bags. Yes, it’s risky to possibly get stabbed by glass shards or bitten by a rat but it was better than prison. Our landing sound was muffled by the plastic bags. The cops were approaching so I closed the bin and hid myself and Areum to the best of my ability. There happened to be a small hole that I peeped through to see if the cops were going along their way but they weren’t. They were just guarding the whole hotel as well as their dogs. We needed a distraction so I picked up a rusted old wrench and while they werent looking aimed it at the highest window that was out of the cop’s eyesight, so of course they wouldn’t see the wrench. Once the glass broke the cops shouted and ran towards the window, holding their guns up. I took Areum when the coast was clear and silently got out of there, running far away into the woods. Once I was far enough, I slung Areum onto my back and looked into my suitcase for a pager. “I need a car sent to Eastwood Urgently.” 

Eastwood was about 5 miles away but it was the only place where I knew to navigate to from here. My pager dings before a man starts to talk “Yes sir, it will take us fifteen minutes. Parked in the garage sir.”

“Thanks Jungkook. Coming home soon, prepare med for Areum. She got a bog bite...” I looked at Areum’s leg. Lines of slightly opened bloody flesh lined along her legs “And a bit of a scratch.”

As I kept walking on the cops were soon long gone or so I think. You never know in this field of work. I had a long ways to go and there was no way Areum could walk on her feet. She wasn’t very heavy so I could handle it. Walking through nature was quite nice actually. It’s not something I usually do. I had to make it to Eastwood before the sun rose because if not I could get caught by someone. I felt Areum shift her head on my back, and soon her hips.

“Baby?” I say to her as she regains her conscious. I went to a tree and sat her down onto the leaves so she could wake up and I could take a small break before we move again.

Areum’s P.O.V

An instant sting shot onto my leg as if somebody took sharp nails and dragged it along on my skin. “Augh!” I whimpered as I reached for the long bloody scratch. I saw that a sweater was wrapped around my bloody wounds. I don’t even remembered what happened after being in that vent. All I remember was darkness. “It hurts.” my voice cracks as my hands tried to rub down the cut to attempt to make it feel better but my attempts only made it worse. I wasn’t used to all this. I mean, small scars and such were common but this? My eyes began to water as the pain only got worse. It wouldn’t go away. Hoseok knelt towards me, caressing my cheeks. “Hey, you’re alright.” 

~

Areum felt Hoseok’s heavy breaths as he continued to walk with her in his arms. Two hours passed and they were far out of the cop’s sight. They were almost to their destination but Hoseok’s steps became slower. Areum spoke “Stop, I could walk on my own now.”  Hoseok shook his head as he kept walking. Sure, he was tired and he exhausted. He could just pass out right then and there but he wasn’t going to let go of her.  “Hoseok.” Areum spoke louder as her fingers gripped his shirt. “Let me go.” “You’ll get hurt more Areum, I’ve already done enough to you!” He didn’t let go her, he couldn’t let her go but soon enough he had to let her go. “Let’s take a break.” he panted. Areum’s P.O.V

I laughed a little as he had to let me go sooner or later. Some long scratched lined my leg and I still felt the sting but it wasn’t unbearable. I could walk on my own now, well, at least limb. By looking at Hoseok slumped down on a tree I had to walk at this point “Okay, just get on my shoulders.” He panted and knelt down. I chuckled a bit as I tightened the ‘band aid’ Hoseok put on my cut. “No love.” I push Hoseok’s shoulders back up. “I need to start doing things on my own.” Five years ago. Areum’s P.O.V

The evening of the ball was wonderful to say the less but as the sun set over the horizon the part I dreaded came. The dance. Where my parents set up certain men from different kingdoms to dance with me. Expecting me to find my one and only true love but the truth was I liked none of these stuck up petty men. They think they all have me at their fingertips when really they all disgust me. With their pristine suits, perfect smiles, and expensive rings. I was so sick of seeing all of them but especially one of them, Namjoon. 

Namjoon was the richest prince there was. Everyone knew him, loved him, and loathed him. He was the number one running to marry in my parents list but certainly not on mine. Taking a class of champagne before the dance I saw Namjoon coming towards me. Even down to the way he walks irritates me. Even though he didn’t do anything to me I just didn’t want to marry him. I didn’t want him to take me away to wherever he lived and trap me as his little house wife. Oh yeah, might I mention, all of Namjoon’s ex wives told me not to marry him because he’s demanding, bratty, and a so called womanizer.

He gave me a smile and fixed his glasses and I returned with a nice gesture. Coming close he looked down to me, admiring every aspect of my long golden dress. He finally spoke “Good day my lady, I’m looking forward to out dance.”  I just smiled and nodded, just because I hated him didn’t mean I had to be rude to the guy. Even though I really wanted to punch his ass to ten buck two. His next words to me made me gag my champagne. “Maybe I could get more than a dance by the end of tonight.”  He swayed away with a wink. Now I really wanted to get out of this place. That man was the epitome of sickness. The bell rung and it was already time for the dance. All the princesses gathered in front of the princes. I took my position right in front of Namjoon. The kings and queens oversaw from the tall stories. Overlooking their daughters with binoculars, seeing if they could see anything “magical.”

The dance has begun and we all followed the elaborate and precise steps to the rhythm. Princes caught us by our waist and held onto our hands tight. Twirling all around the dance floor I soon was caught by Namjoon. My soon to be king. He smirked down onto me as his hand traveled down my waist. I gave him a naïve smile but I really knew what he was doing all along. I couldn’t be more happy to spin again into another prince’s arms but Namjoon seemed disappointed that my body left his presence.

 The dance went on and on and on. “I think we have found the one for Namjoon, may he have your daughter in marriage?” Namjoon’s father exclaimed loud enough for me to hear. My body went into full shock, I just wanted to get out of there. I knew my parent’s would say yes since they’ve been rooting for us. 

Spinning

Spinning

My eyes caught the guards running outside of the palace, everyone seemed distracted so I decided to discreetly take my leave. I lifted my long golden dress up and ran to where the guards were running towards. They led me all the way outside. I heard one of the guards running close so I pressed my back onto the brick wall surrounded by bushes so they wouldn’t see me.  “There he is!” One of them yelled and chased after a man. I tried to get a closer look but all I could see was a leather black mask and all black attire. He seemed to have a black turtle neck a buckles along his chest. Strange, how could he even get into the castle’s quarters. I knew I shouldn’t of but I followed the thief, looking for some new excitement. The guards lost him but I knew exactly where he was heading, the maze. He was taking a shortcut to the maze. One that could be missed by the guards. It was strange that he knew where everything was in this castle, was he one of our workers before? He entered the maze and I came after him. I saw something shiny in his hands, aw it was my bracelet. As I followed I stepped on the noisiest branch. 

Dang

The thief turned back, pulling out a black gun and it sure did look terrifying. Something that’s never allowed on the grounds of the castle. “Who goes there.” He spoke. “Come out or I will shoot.” 

I didn’t really have a choice, the last thing I wanted to do tonight was get shot. Well, maybe it was better than getting engaged to Namjoon. I came out of the bushes and allowed my dress to flow down. I bowed at the thief lifting two sides of my dress up. Once I analyzed his face might I say... He wasn’t bad looking, he looked pretty good for a thief actually. “Princess Bailey.”  The thief stood there for a bit, probably in shock he’s seeing me out of anyone. Hoseok’s P.O.V

 This day couldn’t get anymore stranger. I put the bracelet in my pocket but held the gun tight in my hand. I wasn’t afraid to get royal blood splattered on my clothes. “Who do you come with. Where are the guards.” For some reason she just stood in front of me. Staring me down as if I was some sort of toy in the toy store. She took a step closer to me but I took two steps back, holding my gun higher to her head. If I shot at anytime she would for sure dead. This was one bold princess. She spoke once again “That bracelet, it’s mine. But, you could have it.” “I wasn’t asking.” “What is it for might I ask? Will you pawn it?” She seemed super calm when seeing a whole criminal right in front of her. The biggest one of Korea that is. “It’s for someone.” “Oh a gift? How kind of you sir. If you asked me I would’ve gave it to you.”  “You don’t even know me. “ “Who are you then.” The princess smiled as she stepped closer again “I come in peace, please lower your gun.”  Not budging still I get a small intercom out of my pocket and spoke “Bring the helicopter in the maze.” “Helicopter? That’s not very discreet. This castle is filled with security tools. You’ll surely get shot down.” She sung as her heels kicked the rocks on the ground. I thought about it and she did have a point. “Cancel the helicopter..” I turned the intercom off and looked at the princess. “Okay, then what do you suggest?” The princess smiled and turned to me. Happy that I gave her an inch. This may be a big trap but at this point I didn’t have a choice. 

“Follow me.” She hums.

-

~~~

“Your time in my employ is at an end.  The New Regime is fast on your tail.”

The man sighed but did not try to argue.  He had known that this moment was coming ever since he started passing information from what was left of the Old Regime to the Resistance.  He came to this meeting, thinking that he was going to get more information to pass along, but he was wrong.  His time of dark alleys and bags of money being exchanged, seemed to be at an end.

“My family- “

“Your family will be taken care of.  They will have, not only the money I have given you, but the money that you also took on the side from the Resistance.”

“I never- “ the man said, wringing his hands together.

“No need to get anxious. I don’t really care that you had a side line.  Good for you. I’ve always liked people who have an enterprising spirit.”

Silence fell, The man’s heavy breathing the only audible sound. He had been approached several months ago to help the Resistance.  He had accepted.  Not for their cause.  Screw the cause.  The New Regime treated him no better or worse than the Old Regime.  No, the man did it for the money.  Money that his family desperately needed.  Even now his family was disappearing with the help of his boss, whom the man nicknamed “The Shadow”.  The Shadow never told the man why he was helping the Resistance, nor how he had found out about the illness plaguing the man.  The illness, that everyone just called “The Wasting”.

Even the marvel of current science could not cure The Wasting.  It left the patient a puss filled, howling monster who no longer knew themselves or their loved ones.  Huge amounts of pain medication would only let the patient sleep for minutes at a time while all their organs slowly rotted away.  So when The Shadow had shown up one night, telling him that if he passed information for him, not only would his wife and three sons be taken care of, but the man would also be given a quick and easy death when the job was at an end.  The man had said yes.  Now, it seemed the job was at an end.

The man took a few deep breaths, and then bowed his head.  He felt the cold steel of the gun at the back of his head.

“Do it!” the man yelled.

A shot rang out.  Then silence.

  ```

 “Fuck!” Yoongi yelled. Rubbing his hands through his hair, as he paced back and forth in front of the dead body.  “Fuck, fuck, FUCK!” He kicked out the chair from under the dining table, sending it crashing to the wall. The sound of splintering wood helped him gain back a bit of control.

Yoongi had never been this enraged.  Never felt like such a fool.  Judging by the decay of the body, the bastard had been dead for at least two days. Meaning the traitor that Yoongi was truly after was ahead of him by two days.  It had taken far too long to find out about this man who had been passing information to the Resistance.  Even longer to find this hovel. Yoongi had rushed over to capture the bastard, torture and maiming at the front of his mind, all with the intended goal of making him spill his secrets about the traitor he was working for.  Instead he walked in to find the bastard slumped over the dingy dining room table, dead as a door nail.

Taking a steadying breath, Yoongi closed his eyes and counted backwards from ten.  When he finally was back in full control, he punched in some numbers on his phone.

“Send the team.   I want to know everything about this guy. I want to know everything about this ratty apartment.  I want it done yesterday!”

Signing off, Yoongi stomped out to his car.  Breathing hard, he flung his head back against the head rest, wrestling with the criticizing laugh rumbling in his chest.  Here was the great Yoongi.  Best of the best, Intel of all intels being dragged around like some damn puppy on a leash. Starting up the car, Yoongi let himself take in the apartment of the dead man one last time.  Whoever was holding his leash, was going to pay.  Yoongi smashed his foot on the accelerator, the car tires spinning out before roaring away.

 ```

 Namjoon read the text from Yoongi letting him know that he would be out of touch for a while. Namjoon had already heard about the dead informant, and assumed that Yoongi was on his way to the highly exclusive club Madam Suki’s.  Namjoon had never cared that his second in command was into BDSM.  Truthfully it wasn’t surprising that the Intel would need complete control when it came to sex.  Namjoon just hoped that whomever was Yoongi’s sub was up to the task.

“Coffee….and water please.”

Namjoon put away his phone as the door opened, and Ji-Soo came into the formal dining room, clutching her head and whispering to the servants.

“Good afternoon, Ji-Soo.” Namjoon chuckled when she glared at him, and then slouched into a chair at the far end of the table.

“Apparently I am no longer allowed to request meals in my room?” Ji-Soo asked, flinching at her own voice and how loud it seemed.

“Yes.  We’ll never get to know each other again if we never see each other.”

“I am hung over, General. I don’t really think this is the best time.” Ji-Soo snapped, gingerly laying her head down on the table with a moan.

Coming to his feet, Namjoon made his way to where Ji-Soo was sitting, and took the chair next to her. Pouring out the coffee and water that the servants brought, and then took a bottle of Tylenol out of his pocket, shaking it.  Moaning again, Ji-Soo held her hand out to catch the pills.

“I’m never drinking again.” Ji-Soo said, gulping down pills and water before again resting her head back on the table.

“That might be a wise decision.” Namjoon found himself smiling down at his wife.  Reaching out, he twirled a messy strand of her hair around his finger.  Ji-Soo stiffened and looked at him out of the corner of her eyes, but did not jerk away.

“Remember we are having dinner at your mother’s tonight.” Namjoon said, releasing her hair and standing back up to go and grab his suit jacket from his original chair.  Tucking it over his arm, Namjoon started for the door.

“Where are you going?” Ji-Soo asked, staring at him with wide eyes.

“Unlike some, who can sleep until noon, I have a job.” Namjoon joked.

“But,” Ji-Soo sputtered, “you made me come all the way down here just to get coffee and water, and now you’re leaving?”

“Is this your way of saying that you will miss me?” Namjoon asked, smiling when Ji-Soo rolled her eyes.

“I just meant- “

“No worries, Kitten. I’ll be home soon.  How about I leave you with a look at my dimples before I go, would that help?”

Ji-Soo’s mouth fell open, feeling like she had been hit over the head.  Before she could even come up with a reply, Namjoon flashed a full on 1000-watt smile.  Then giving her a wink, he left.

Bringing a hand to her flushed cheeks, Ji-Soo took a few deep breaths to steady her racing heart. She did remember talking to Namjoon about something last night. Slowly, vague memories floated to the front of her brain. Heaven help her, she had mention dimples to him.

“Oh, no.  Oh no!” Ji-Soo felt her blush intensify as she again laid her head down on the table.  She would just have to throw herself off a bridge now.

 ```

 “Can’t you see, General? How we have been trying to conduct business is the old way.  The way of fear!  We need to start fresh if we want this government to succeed.  We can’t have everyone fearing us all the time!”

“They should fear us!” Hoseok interrupted Jungkook’s criticism.  “It’s the only thing keeping the humans from trying to bring us back under their control again.  I know some of us didn’t suffer quite so badly being raised by the humans, but most of us will never forget the horrors they inflicted on us.”

Jungkook clenched his jaw and took some deep breaths through his nose at Hoseok’s statement.  Forcing himself to ignore the heat on his cheeks, he again addressed Namjoon.

“If we stay with the old system, we will not get any results.” Sitting down, Jungkook stared straight ahead, not meeting any of the other hybrids’ eyes. He knew that the other hybrids looked down on him.  They thought he was “soft” because of his upbringing.  It was why he hated their weekly meetings at headquarters.  It just seemed to give the other hybrids a chance to gang up on him.

Jungkook was a new model hybrid.  A type that the other hybrids laughingly called the “Golden Boy”.  The old government had been trying to tweak their formula: raise a super soldier, who was not criminally insane.  Jungkook straddled the very uncomfortable line of human and hybrid.  Even though the older hybrids had human DNA, their demon DNA far out weighted it, and most considered themselves fully demon. He was given bits and pieces from almost all the hybrids, making him excel at every demon skill his fellow hybrids possessed. However, he was raised very different than the other hybrids.  The Jeon house, while not loving, made him a part of the family.  He was treated more along the lines of an impoverished cousin the Jeon household was forced to take in which was a far better treatment than any of the older hybrids received.  He was not starved nor beaten.  He attended family trips and was even allowed to play outside just like any other human child.  The “harshness” came in the guise of repeated talks, some in person and some in the form of tapes that he was made to listen to over and over again, about how humans were better than him, and that he was lucky to have been made to serve them. All in all, his life had been far from the horror of the others.  

The only reason Jungkook had not been killed outright, like the other “Golden Boys” had been, was because he had proven himself somewhat to Namjoon by helping bring down the tower guards at the start of the uprising.  The other Goldens had flat out refused to help, choosing to remain loyal to the old government.

“I do think some of what you are saying is correct.” Namjoon tilted his head at Jungkook.  “I will let you work on some ad campaigns with Jin.”

“Yes, you can help bring out the softer side of the new government.” Taehyung laughed from the far end of the table where he had ignored the whole meeting, twirling around and around in his chair.

The other hybrids smirked, watching to see how Jungkook would react.  He only bowed his thanks to Namjoon and then calmly gathered his papers together as the meeting ended.  He refused to let the others know how much Taehyung’s comment had hurt.  Jungkook would never admit it, but he felt so alone. Had done so his whole life.  While the other hybrids had each other he had no one. Jungkook was too human for the hybrids and too hybrid for the humans.

 ```

 Jungkook was sulking in the back seat of his town car.  He knew it was childish, but couldn’t stop.  He truly felt that he had good ideas to help this current government succeed. Succeed, and not repeat the same mistakes the Old Regime had.

Sighing, he was about to tell his driver to turn around and head to a bar instead of home when they neared another town car with a flat tire on the side of the street.

“Wait, stop!” Jungkook called, after realizing that the women he saw standing by the side of the car was the General’s wife.

Jungkook got out of his own car and made his way towards the stranded one.  The driver and bodyguard both tensed, until they saw who it was.

“Need any help?” Jungkook asked the two men, but was waylaid as the General’s wife gave him the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.

“Finally, some help!” Ji-Soo grabbed her purse, and then started making her way to Jungkook’s car. “We put the call in for help some time ago.  One would think a big fancy car like this would have a spare tire?  Nope.”  

“We were not told that Officer Jeon was coming.” Ji-Soo’s bodyguard called, trying to catch up to her hurried strides.

Ji-Soo stopped, and then made her way back to where Jungkook was still standing.

“Didn’t Namjoon send you to take me the rest of the way to my Mother’s?”

“No. Namj- I mean, the General did not send me to help.” Jungkook felt foolish as he stumbled over his words.  From the moment he had met Ji-Soo, she had captivated him.  Not only was she beautiful, but she didn’t scrape and bow to Namjoon, or any of the other hybrids for that matter.  He found her very interesting to watch.  “I just happened to be passing by.”

“Well, wonderful!” Ji-Soo smiled, and then turned to again head towards his car.  Both the bodyguard and Jungkook hurrying to keep up.  “My mother’s house is very close to the Jeon manor, so I guess I will have to ask you for a favor.”

“I am not sure the General- “

“Officer Jeon is one of the General’s most trusted men, you really think he would have a problem with me getting a lift from him?” Ji-Soo interrupted her bodyguard.  “I am hot, tired, and just want to get to my mother’s home.”

The bodyguard looked back and forth between Ji-Soo and Jungkook.  The only men from his entourage who the General had expressly forbidden his wife to ever be alone with were Kim Taehyung and Min Yoongi.  So even though he still felt somewhat reluctant, he saw no reason why she couldn’t get into Jungkook’s car.

“Perfect.” Ji-Soo said, capitalizing on her bodyguard’s wavering resolve.  Motioning for Jungkook to hurry up, Ji-Soo opened the car door and slid in.

 ```

 Namjoon walked into the Lee family’s parlor and came to a stop.  He was surprised to see not only Ji-Soo and his mother-in-law, but also Jungkook.  He had been informed that Jungkook had given Ji-Soo a ride, but didn’t expect the younger hybrid to still be at the Lee home.  They were seated at the far corner of the room, in a little nook by the window. They were all laughing and had not noticed him.

“So, the dog really did eat your homework?” Jungkook asked, wiping at his eyes.

“I swear!” Ji-Soo raised her hand in a solemn pledge, which caused everyone to go off in a fit of laughter again.

Feeling his stomach drop, Namjoon felt like he couldn’t move.  This was the exact picture that, as a child, he had wanted so badly.  A small family, laughing and chatting together. Warm smiles, and happiness.  It had been his dream.  And there sat Jeon Jungkook enjoying his dream.  Taking deep breaths, Namjoon forced himself to hold back his need to pick up Jungkook by the neck and toss him out of the room. The Golden Boy would be lucky he didn’t strangle him later.

Backing out of the room before they could notice him, Namjoon stumbled to the bathroom down the hallway. Hunching over the sink, Namjoon stared at his reflection in the mirror. His demon screaming to be let loose and spill Jungkook’s blood. While his rational part tried to be heard over the roar.

~~~

“The perimeter is secure. Our guys have it closed up.” Yoongi said as he sat, swinging his legs up onto the desk and stretching out.  “What the hell is this room, and what is going on upstairs?”

“This was Kim Ji-hoon’s way of showing his power.” Namjoon said, looking around at the animal heads mounted on the walls, and elaborate paintings of the Kim ancestors that adorned the study.  He hated this room.  “It will be gutted soon and rebuilt for my own needs.”

“Daddy dearest is rolling in his grave as we speak, I am sure.” Yoongi only smiled back at Namjoon’s hard look.  “So, upstairs?”

“My wife is having some servants help her block the interconnecting door that is between our rooms.  I think her plan is to place any and all heavy objects against it.”

Yoongi wondered if Namjoon knew that he had a smile on his face while he talked about what Ji-Soo was doing.  Probably not, the General didn’t like showing emotion in front of others.  Not even his friends.

“She doesn’t know that those types of measures are useless against you, I take it?” Yoongi truly smiled for the first time in a while.  Namjoon was what they called a “B-hybrid”.  B for brains, B for brawn, and some liked to say B for brake everything.  His class of hybrid were extremely smart, and extremely tough.  They were usually the ones who planned out the battle, and then could also be sent in to bust down whatever highly reinforced door was in the way.  Namjoon could open the door that Ji-Soo was barricading without breaking a sweat.

“I felt no need to enlighten her on the subject.  She needs to feel like she has some sort of control right now.” Namjoon went back to reading a daily report. The door opened, and Jimin bowed to both men before taking a seat next to Yoongi.

“So how goes the blocking of the door?” Yoongi asked Jimin.

“She told me to leave, that I was a spy for the enemy.” Jimin shared a chuckle with Yoongi at that. “As I was leaving, she was telling 4 of the strongest men to go around to the General’s room and see if they could push open the door.”

“Joonie, she thinks you only have the power of 4 men.  Are you amused, or offended?” Yoongi asked, laughing at Namjoon’s annoyed look.

“How about we focus more on work, and less on what my wife is up to?” Namjoon said, causing Yoongi to finally bring his feet off the desk, and Jimin to sit straighter in the chair. He was in “General Mode” now.

```

Ji-Soo jerked awake.  Chastising herself for falling asleep, she got up from the settee to check her “security”. The mountain of things that were in front of the connecting door, were still in place.  Going to the main door, she saw that it was still locked.  Ji-Soo knew that the tiny lock would do nothing to stop Namjoon if he truly wanted to come in, but she was at least happy with the major concern of the door that lead straight into his room.  Having that secure, went a long way for her mental well-being.  Sitting down on the bed, that she was trying her hardest not to get into, Ji-Soo took in the room again.  It was very light and airy.  If a room could be called dainty, it was it.  The last women who had lived in this room was Jisung and Namjoon’s mother.  Not that Namjoon thought of her as such. Ji-Soo was pretty confident that Namjoon had no familial feelings whatsoever for the Kim family.  Which was not surprising.  Hybrids were not treated like family.  Really not treated as humans.  Hybrids were tools being bred to serve the noble houses and the old government. Even Jisung, didn’t understand why she had felt sorry for Namjoon.  Why she wanted Namjoon to come and play with them, and get the same treats that they were getting as children.  To Jisung and the rest of his family, Namjoon did not deserve and would not understand those types of things.  Ji-Soo had felt different, so would try and sneak things to him whenever she could.  Jisung had thought it dumb, but did not try and stop her.

“Oh, Jisung…” Ji-Soo whispered, feeling pain slash through her heart.  She mourned her old friend.   Unlike what she said to Namjoon in anger, she did not actually love Jisung, at least not in a romantic way.  Her feelings were that of a familiar friend who one felt comfortable around. She knew that Jisung felt different, and eventually she would have had to bring her own feelings to light...but then a war started.  The government changed, and then Jisung was dead.  That macabre thought, propelled Ji-Soo off the bed.  Pacing, she rubbed her arms, suddenly feeling cold.  They all were dead.  In this very house.  The house that she was now a prisoner in.  Shuddering, she moved towards the balcony hoping that some fresh night air would help her.

```

Namjoon felt trapped. He hated this house.  Hated how small and wounded he felt just by being here.  Even though he knew it was impossible, he could feel all the broken bones that he received while living in this house.  Namjoon would have gladly watched it burn to the ground, taking all the bad memories with it.  Unfortunately, the new Chancellor wanted the noble houses to remain intact, being led by hybrids.  Namjoon understood the reason, but it didn’t mean he was happy to be back at the Kim manor. This was only the second time he had been back to the house since he was young.  The first being when he had set Taehyung loose on the remaining Kim family. Yes, he set a Scorch on his so-called father and brother, along with any servant that had laid a finger on him as a child.  Namjoon knew that modern morality said he should feel guilty for that.  He didn’t.

To escape the gloom that was pressing down on him, Namjoon stepped out onto the balcony.  He was stretched out, his long legs crossed in front of him, enjoying the night air when Ji-Soo’s door slid open, and she too came outside.  Knowing that she had yet to notice him, Namjoon just let himself drink in the sight of his wife.  Ji-Soo was a beauty.  Dark hair, big brown eyes, and a face that lit up when she laughed or smiled.  He had wanted her from the moment he even understood what that meant.  As a child he lived for when she came to visit Jisung.  Would do anything, even though he knew he would be punished afterward, to be in her presence.  The treats that she would force Jisung to let him have were worth the beating that Jisung made sure he got afterwards.  She was everything he had always wanted.  Light, joy, beauty, and laughter.

“Couldn’t sleep?”

Ji-Soo jumped, and then peered into the dark corner where Namjoon sat.  She felt her breath leave her, as she realized that the balcony was just one long one between his and her rooms.  Feeling her heart kick-up a beat, and her face going red.  Here she had spent hours erecting a barrier between the interconnecting door, not knowing that a flimsy glass door was mere steps away for him.

Namjoon could almost hear the wheels turning in her head as Ji-Soo thought.  Forcing himself not to laugh when color flooded into her cheeks, and she tried to take on a more dominate pose.  He loved that she did everything in her power to not be the wilted rose in front of him.  He remained seated as she walked towards him, he would let her feel that she had the higher ground.

“I wanted to talk to you anyway,” Ji-Soo said, feeling happy that her voice sounded matter of fact.  “What exactly am I supposed to do here?”

“You mean other than be my loving wife, and mother to my children?” Namjoon’s heart sped up when she threw an adorably rude gesture his way and then with a sigh leaned against the balcony railing facing him.

“Yes.  Other than that.” Ji-Soo said, rolling her eyes.

“Each room of the house will be re-done, so I assume you will want to oversee that.  I also assume you will want to continue your work with the local hospitals?”

“You know I do that?” Ji-Soo asked, shocked that he knew of her volunteer work.  She and her mother had started helping at the hospital during the war, and they both took great pride in their jobs.

“I know everything about you, Ji-Soo.  In fact, my men have instructed their households to help with the benefit you and your mother are throwing, I gather there has not been much interest so far.”

Ji-Soo felt a tingle go down her spine, at Namjoon’s statement of “knowing everything about her”; but then focused in on what he was talking about.

“Oh, my goodness, how wonderful!” Ji-Soo clapped her hands together in joy.  “The hospital needs the money so badly, and we were worried that nothing would come of our efforts.”

Namjoon saw when Ji-Soo realized who she was talking to.  The bright smile on her face slowly slid off, and her body again became back-breaking straight as she took a few steps away from him.  For a moment she had been the happy and excited girl that he remembered from childhood.  Now she was back to the women who had been married against her will to a monster.

“So, you are fine with me going about my life normally then?” Ji-Soo asked, back to a poker face.

Coming to his feet, Namjoon leaned against the railing facing Ji-Soo.  “As long as you take your body guards wherever you go, and I am made aware of your schedule at all times; I don’t see why you can’t pursue your past times.”

“Body guards?  You mean Jimin is going to be following me around all the time?”

“No, Jimin is far to important and busy to be your personal body guard.  He has his own job to do and house to run.” Namjoon said.  “I will introduce your driver and body guard to you tomorrow.”

“I will not be followed by your little minions, General!”

“It is my minions, or you don’t leave this house.”

Ji-Soo glared at Namjoon, but also began to weigh the pros and cons.  Yes, she would be followed by people who would report anything and everything to him; but she would also be able to see her mother, and do the other things that she had been worried Namjoon would take away from her.  The minions it was.

“Fine.”  Ji-Soo turned to go back to her room, but felt her stomach start to tie in knots when she thought about how close her sliding glass door was to his own.  Taking a deep breath, she faced Namjoon again.  “Will you…will you promise not to use this door?”

Namjoon could almost feel his cold heart break as he took in Ji-Soo’s face.  He knew that the only reason she allowed him to see her fear and vulnerability was that she had no other choice.  He knew how much this request was costing her.

“I promise not to use your balcony door.”

“Thank you.” Ji-Soo’s soft voice floated back to him, as she quickly went back into her room.

```

“Why are we doing this again?” Yoongi huffed, pulling at the collar of his tux, scowling.

“Because the General wants to get inside his wife’s pants.” Taehyung said, ducking away from a slap to his head by Jimin.

“Because,” Jin straightened his own collar, and pulled down on his lapels to make sure everything was straight.  “It is good press for the new government.  Showing the 7 noble houses of this region coming together to better the community.”

“…and because Namjoon wants to get in his wife’s pants.” Hoseok chimed in, causing everyone except Jin to laugh.

“The women of my house were not happy when I told them they were going to be helping.” Jungkook spoke up combing through his hair with his hands.  “It seems they don’t like the Lee family.”

“You’re too soft on them if they think they can question what you tell them to do.” Taehyung’s lazy voice drifted over to them from his position slouched in a chair.

“While we are on that subject.  There will be photographers and journalists.  So, we are nothing except happy families.  Yes?  Especially you, Tae!  No scaring people to see if you can make them wet their pants!” Jin snapped the last part, glowering down at Taehyung.

Taehyung made a motion that could be either yes or no, and then came to his feet stretching.  “Let’s get this party started.  Why don’t I go find my lovely ladies, so we can get the pictures taken, before anyone…how did you put it?  Wets their pants?”

Sighing, Jin looked towards Jimin.

“I’m on it.” Jimin said, as he followed after Taehyung.

“I would have never thought I would say this about a noble house, but I feel pity for Tae’s people. Even I worry that one night I will wake up to him happily slashing at my throat.” Yoongi said, coming to his feet. “Good thing Jimin is his anchor.”

Anchor Hybrids were bred specifically to be attached to the Scorches.  Anchors were a different side of the same coin.  Scorch Hybrids were frenzied, out of control, bloody mayhem, who were happy to rip off people’s heads and play catch with them; while Anchors were controlled, calculated, hit the target and get out.  So, the Scorches and Anchors went in to battle together.  Mostly so that the Anchors could stop the Scorches from playing bloody-head catch and get on with things.

~~~

“Such a low-quality party…”

“What do you expect from a family that forces a marriage to rise up in the world….”

“…. the General isn’t even here, shows what he thinks….”

“Ghastly family, from the beginning….”

Ji-Soo took a deep breath and counted to ten for what felt like the millionth time.  It was getting harder to ignore the group of women in the corner.  Forcing herself not to glance over, she continued her directions to the staff on placement of center pieces.   The women from the Jeon House, had shown up, making sure everyone in the room heard that they were “here to help”; then proceeded to sit at the far side of the room, calling for food and water while making ugly comments that were getting progressively louder.  Ji-Soo knew she shouldn’t have been surprised, the Jeon family had always had a special type of hatred for the Lee family; but today they seemed especially harsh.

“The Jeons’ are in top form, I see.” Ji-Soo’s mother said, giving her daughter a smile.  “Don’t let them see you get angry.  It is what they want.”

“How have you managed to deal with them for all these years?”  Ji-Soo asked, following her mother as she checked the tables.

“Truthfully it hasn’t been this bad before.  They usually would throw a few harsh barbs my way at gatherings, but then move on to bigger fish.  The problem now is that, with your marriage, we are the biggest fish.”

“Yes, my illustrious marriage.” Ji-Soo said, while the two shared a sad smile.  Ji-Soo’s mother squeezed her hand, before they both turned toward the youngest daughter of the Song House, who was timidly making her way to them.

“The flowers are exactly how you asked for them,” the girl said, “What else can I help you with?”

“Thank you, Ga-Yoon. You’ve been a life-safer today.” Ji-Soo said, giving her the warmest smile she could manage.  It pained her when she thought about the Song House.  They, out of all the Houses, probably got the worst deal.  Their household had not produced a viable Hybrid for many years, so after the war the government assigned a Hybrid to them. The only people who knew exactly what happened on the night that Taehyung came to claim the Song House, were not talking. Ji-Soo hoped the rumors were exaggerated, but feared that it had probably been worse than anyone could even guess.  All the men had been killed, the women had not been touched; at least not physically. Ga-Yoon and her mother’s mental strain was clearly evident in how they jumped at every noise, and had an almost manic need to be as helpful as they possibly could.  The forced cheerfulness seemed ghoulish, and Ji-Soo just wanted to hug both women and not let them go.  The only thing really known about Taehyung was that the House who had bred him, was one of the lesser noble Houses from the countryside and that they had been obliterated during the war.

Seeing the girl stiffen, and the hush that fell over the room; Ji-Soo assumed that the Hybrids were here.  Turning, she watched with the others as six men walked into the room.  It truly was a sight to behold.  Six devastatingly handsome men, who everyone knew could kill them in an instant.  Ji-Soo pushed aside the little thought, that wondered where her own handsome killer was. Squaring her shoulders, she walked towards the group, very grateful when her mother fell in beside her.

“The final preparations are done, Gentlemen.” Ji-Soo’s mother said.

“I am sure that when the General gets here, he will be pleased.” Jin said as he looked around the room.  “The journalists and photographers will be here soon, and the Generals ETA is about 5 minutes.”  

Awkward silence fell after Jin finished speaking, and the Hybrids made their way over to where the members of their respective Houses were.  Ji-Soo couldn’t help but watch the Songs’ while Taehyung approached.  They seemed to shrink in on themselves, and hurried over to where the Park family was congregating.  Taehyung stood next to Jimin, looking up at the ceiling and quietly humming, seeming to have no interest in what the other man was telling everyone.  Catching her staring, Taehyung smiled, and gave her a quick wink.

Jerking her eyes away from him, Ji-Soo felt her face heat up and a small shiver go down her spine. She found herself feeling grateful that she only had to deal with Namjoon.  Just then, the door opened and the man himself was walking into the room. He was impeccably dressed in a black tux; and Ji-Soo found herself taking note of how attractive he looked. Pushing that annoying thought aside, she went to meet him.

“Are you ready to smile for the camera, and spend the night acting like you are proud and happy to be a part of the Kim House?” Namjoon asked, and then looked around the room. “Everything seems in order.”

“If that is your way of saying things look nice, thank you.” Ji-Soo said, forcing herself not to roll her eyes.  “I won’t start blubbering to the journalists about how I was forced to marry you, don’t worry.  I know what is expected of me.”

“Shall we, then?” Namjoon placed his hand at her back, as they both walked to their place by her mother. Ji-Soo cursed her damn heart for kicking up a notch at the warmth that his hand created.  Coming to their designated place, Namjoon got a nod from each of the other heads of house, before he gave the signal for the main doors to be opened.

A night of smiling, bowing, and forced laughing was beginning.  Ji-Soo reminded herself that this was truly for a good cause, and even if it also pushed through the new governments agenda, at least the Hospital would get the money and supplies it desperately needed.  Plastering a smile on her face, she started welcoming the swarm that was making its way into the room.

```

 “I need to speak with you, General.” Yoongi quietly said.  Namjoon excused himself from speaking with a hospital administrator and followed his second in command into another room.  The initial photos and interviews were done, and now was the tedious small-talk part of the night.  Namjoon hated small talk.

“What do you have to report?” Namjoon asked.

“Nothing whatsoever.” Yoongi said with a small smile.  “I figured you could use a break before you started telling all those bastards what you truly thought.  All though, that could be fun to see.”

Sighing, Namjoon rolled his shoulders back, releasing some of the tension he had been carrying. “Would you have ever thought that we would be at a party with the very people who felt that how you and I were made and trained was a good idea?”

Shrugging, Yoongi leaned against the wall.  “I wanted to kill everyone and go down in a blaze of glory.  The powers that be wanted to kill the main baddies, and then force everyone else to bend to their will.  After being at this party, I say my idea was the better one.”.

Chuckling, Namjoon felt himself relax a bit.  Yoongi was an Intel Hybrid.  He was made to be silent.  To blend into the background.  To lull people into a false sense of security.  He was the face you couldn’t exactly recall, and then were shocked when you realized you had just told him all your deep dark secrets.  He seemed to move slowly, be lazy, and not as strong as the other hybrids.  It was a well-developed camouflage.  Intels were a force to be reckoned with and had no problem using any means necessary to get the information they were sent in to find.  Yoongi was an especially good Intel.  Even Namjoon would be terrified if Yoongi was sent in to get information out of him.  Intels and B Hybrids were made to work well together.  Both highly intelligent and even though the B was always the leader, the Intel was the right-hand man who could guide the B down the right path when needed.  In training, Namjoon had been placed with another Intel, but had always gravitated to Yoongi.

“What is the news on the reports of the rebel fractions?” Namjoon asked.

“You really want to go into that here?” Yoongi asked, rolling his eyes.  “General, this is a party.  You should be out there mingling with the snobs and smiling at your beautiful wife.”

“Yoongi-“

“Fine, fine.” Yoongi laughed, amused at Namjoon’s discomfort when Ji-Soo was mentioned.  “The rebels are still well hidden.  They seem to be one step ahead of us.”  At that, Yoongi lost his lazy facade and Namjoon could see the anger.

“In other words,” Namjoon said, “we have a mole.”

```

 Ji-Soo was drunk.  The benefit had been an amazing success, and she celebrated.  She did it after she got home, so that those snooty Jeons’ wouldn’t have more ammunition to use against her.  Stepping out onto the balcony, she looked towards Namjoon’s room.  The light was on.  Without really thinking about the consequences, Ji-Soo went and tapped on his door with her glass.

“You know you’re a son of a bitch, right?”

Namjoon just raised one eyebrow, and then stepped out of his room.  Ji-Soo plopped down in one of the chairs taking another sip of her drink.

“Well?” Ji-Soo asked.

“You want me to answer if I know I am a son of a bitch?” Namjoon asked, a small smile on his lips.

“Yes! No.  Oh, hell I don’t know.  I’m drunk.” Ji-Soo finished her glass and placed it on the floor, then motioned for Namjoon to sit down next to her.  After only a second of hesitation, he sat.

“Other than your truly interesting question, is there another reason you knocked on my door?” Namjoon asked.

“I was a success, you know!” Ji-Soo jumped up and made her way to the railing.  Turning, she gave Namjoon a huge smile.  “Finally, I did something that my mother could feel proud of. Something that can shut up those Jeon Hags!”  Stumbling slightly, she came back towards the chairs, and stood in front of Namjoon. “Except, it really wasn’t me.  It was you.  You and your murderous bunch of male models.”  Leaning in, she steadied herself with one hand on his shoulder, and then used the other to poke his chest.  “That ticks me off!  The only reason the benefit was any good was because of you.  I don’t like you, but now I feel like I have to thank you.”

Namjoon was truly smiling now.

Ji-Soo took a step back and stumbled.  Before she could hit the ground, Namjoon stood and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her flush with his body.

“Your eyes don’t look so mean and dead tonight.” Ji-Soo whispered, tucking her head to his chest.

Namjoon knew that she was going to be embarrassed as hell in the morning, if she even remembered this at all, but he was thoroughly enjoying her cuddling into him at the moment.  His body wanted to take it to the next level, but he wouldn’t.  Not like this.

“Ji-Soo, you need to go to bed.” Namjoon whispered, hating that she was pulling away from his grasp.

Mumbling what sounded like “dimpled devil”, Ji-Soo gave him a weird little salute and then made her way back to her room.  Namjoon stood for a little while, listening to her run into things and swear, before he went into his own room and used the intercom to call for a servant to help Ji-Soo get settled for the night.  After a while, he finally saw the light go off in her room.  

In bed, he found himself chuckling at the things Ji-Soo said.  Even though they were not very flattering, he liked how honest she was.  In fact, he was pretty sure she would have said all the unflattering things to him without the help of alcohol.  It was the other little things that she wouldn’t have said to him.  Letting him know that she was thankful.  Letting him know that she has worried about her mother all these years.  In a round about way, letting him know that she thought he was good-looking.  Then the random comment about his dimples.  These all lead him to believe that she didn’t only see him as a monster. That thought, and the memory of how his wife felt snuggling into his chest helped him have the first nightmare free sleep in years.

```

 The man walked down a trash strewn alley, and rapped on a door.  Codes were exchanged.  Money switched hands.  After the man was gone, a group talked about how they were going to take down the hybrids and their government.  Starting with Kim Namjoon, the Head Assassin.  It was interesting to them, that his new wife was more than just a power play to gobble up Noble Houses.

```

 In a brightly lit room, the pounding music abruptly came to a stop.  The door creaked open, and the prisoner watched, through the one good eye he had left, as Yoongi sauntered into the room.