#wtcf

“C’mon, Minnie, let’s get ourselves to the field,” Jungkook says, affectionately patting the massive German Shepherd’s head as the dog attempts to lick his hand. “Another day of work’s ahead of us, right?”

 Minnie barks in agreement, always no more than a foot away from his young owner’s heel. He’s always been as good-spirited as Jungkook has, even though the boy’s never been able to have enough money to provide the dog with luxuries, much less treat himself to nice clothes or a hearty meal.

 Jungkook whistles a light tune as he swings an empty, old tattered basket in one hand and hiding his other, bloodied hand with the moth-eaten sleeve of his shirt. The open cut on his cheek still stings — it’s fairly fresh — and he walks with a small limp that’s beginning to weigh his whole leg down. Yet he distracts himself with the beautiful nature laid out in front of him.

 The towering trees bend their trunks slightly, greeting Jungkook’s presence while the wind caresses his cheek. The sun beams, its rays warming the boy and his animal companion as the flowers chatter about, rustling their petals to give their undivided attention to Jungkook and Minnie.

 Jungkook smiles, closing his eyes to inhale the cool, fresh air. He limps over to a small rock, barely making it over there before he collapses, slowly losing his grip on his basket as it falls to the dirt. Minnie whines by his side, poking his ginormous nose at Jungkook’s bloody hand. He whimpers, putting a calloused paw on his leg, in which Jungkook winces slightly.

 “Don’t worry, Minnie boy, it’s nothing that can’t be healed,” Jungkook responds, eyes still closed.

 Minnie barks disapprovingly, picking up the wooden basket with his mouth and nudging it towards his owner.

 “I know, I know, boy,” Jungkook whispers. “We shouldn’t dilly dally… But it’s just so peaceful out here, you know?”

 Minnie whines again, softly licking Jungkook’s cut as he nuzzles his head into the boy’s neck.

 “I’ll be fine, Minnie,” Jungkook sighs, finally opening his eyes to pat his dog’s head. “You know how the village boys are — they hate me.”

 Minnie snarls, baring his teeth at the imaginary village boys that his mind had conjured up. He grunts, pawing the dirt as he looks over at his owner for approval.

 Jungkook laughs. “I’m sure they mean no harm… Maybe they just hate me because I smell… Or maybe…”

 “You disgusting bastard!”

 Jungkook ignores the boyish shouts and screams coming from behind him. He momentarily closes his eyes, hoping the village boys will just come and go. They don’t.

 “You filthy beggar!”

 “You broke fuck!”

 Jungkook picks up his pace as Minnie trots faster at his heel. His hands clench around the handle of his shabby basket as he continues to walk towards the familiar forest.

 “Don’t you run away!”

 A boy grabs his army harshly and pulls him around. Jungkook’s forced to get a good look at the typical village boy: clean, washed face, pristine clothing and groomed hair. The boy grins, showing Jungkook a set of ugly teeth.  

 “Where are you going, huh? Going to beg for food? Money? You pathetic bastard,” he spits out. Jungkook remains placid, tugging his arm out of the boy’s grip.

 “Look at that dog following you around! Why don’t you just cook it and eat it already, you hungry pig!” another boy calls.

 Jungkook ignores it all, turning around to walk again. “Pay no attention, Minnie,” he whispers to his dog who was snarling at the pack of village boys. “They’ll stop if you don’t give a reaction.”

 “Who are you talking to, you illegitimate fool?”

 “Must be nice to know how to speak bitch!”

 Jungkook clenches his fists but continues to walk.

 “Try to sell the damn dog, maybe the new owner will take care of him better!”

 The last one stings; Jungkook flinches and the boys notice.

 “Hey, bastard, why don’t you sell me that bitch for a day’s worth of food, huh?”

 “How about a slice of cake?”

 “Or a piece of cheese?”

 “Why not a bread crumb?”

 Jungkook whirls around, anger apparent on his face. “Please don’t talk about Minnie’s worth like that. He’s my life to me,” he says, teeth clenched.

 “He’s my life to me!” the boys mock in a chorus.

 “Must not be worth any more than a moldy loaf of bread then!”  

 “Please…” Jungkook whispers, gripping the basket tighter in his hands. “Please, just leave…”

 “Leave?” the boys laugh. “You’re the one who doesn’t belong here, you miserable orphan! You wretched beggar!”

 Jungkook’s had enough. “At least I don’t beg for a reaction from lesser beings!” he spits. “At least I have a purpose to my actions! At least I —”

 He doesn’t get to finish when a boy slaps the wooden basket out of his hand, shoving him onto the rocky streets. Jungkook lands hard on his side, pain from various parts of his body making his eyes water.  If Jungkook didn’t feel pathetic before, he felt pathetic now, splayed vulnerably and helplessly on the ground like a village idiot.

 The boy raises his leg, looking as if he were about to kick Jungkook in the stomach when Minnie snarls, rushing in front of his owner to protect him. He barks viciously, fur standing straight as if he were about to attack any second now.

 While Jungkook might not be very scary when he's angry, Minnie’s a frightening sight when furious. Jungkook’s offender backs away, arms raised.

 “Good doggy,” he mutters but practically whimpers when Minnie growls, baring his sharp canines. Minnie seethes threateningly at the other boys who were now long gone, not wanting to lose a precious finger to the German Shepherd.

 “Good, boy, Minnie,” Jungkook chuckles, wincing as he attempts to get up. His dog saunters over with the wooden basket hanging from his mouth, nuzzling his head against his owner’s leg.

 Jungkook smiles, patting Minnie’s head with his good hand. “C’mon, Minnie, let’s get ourselves to the field.”

 It’s not the first time Jungkook’s been bullied by the village boys — in fact, he’s the infamous village orphan, always knocking on doors and asking, practically begging, people to purchase fresh bouquets of flowers. He’s the village nuisance, wearing frayed clothing, never clean, and straying from going to church. But it’s not like Jungkook doesn’t want to fit the norm, he’s just not welcome anywhere — he doesn’t have the money to be liked or loved.

 It’s also not the first time someone’s offered to buy (more like swindle) Minnie from him. Minnie’s a healthy purebreed, large, strong and loyal — he’s a catch but also as Jungkook had said: his life. Not only was Minnie his only companion, but he was also the only thing that had been passed down from his deceased family. Therefore, Minnie is family.

 Jungkook hums a soft tune as he limps towards the familiar meadow of flowers. “I’m feeling irises today, what about you?”

 Minnie barks happily, full-heartedly agreeing.

 “Irises it is.”

“Flowers for sale! Flowers for sale! Irises! Fresh irises!” Jungkook calls, swinging his basket full of picked irises, and waving a pretty bouquet in his hand.

 Most people usher by, keeping their heads low and avoiding eye contact, which, Jungkook doesn’t mind since he’s quite used to it. Others buy bouquets out of pity — Jungkook’s used to that too.

 It doesn’t really matter, anyways. By the end of the day, Jungkook’s just happy he’s made a couple of coins. It’s usually just enough to buy half a pound of meat for Minnie and a small apple for himself. But he’s been saving up for a sketchbook and new paint which means he tends to skip his meals these days. Jungkook doesn’t remember the last time he’s eaten.

 He slightly stumbles in his steps — from hunger and the damn limp in his leg. Minnie whines, leaning against Jungkook in attempt to support him. Jungkook shakes his head, giving his dog a meek smile. “It’s alright, boy. I’m fine.”

 But the second time he stumbles, he knocks right into someone, sending them falling to the ground. Jungkook catches sight of long, ebony tresses and a blue silk dress and gulps. Out of all the people he had to bump into, he bumped into the village rich girl: you. Your father literally founded the town. If you put in a bad word about him, he’d be excommunicated by the church (though he doesn’t even go there) and be banned from the village, his home.

 You stare up at Jungkook, slightly frowning as you dust off your dainty hands.

 That’s when Jungkook remembers his manners. “Oh goodness, I’m so sorry!” he says, “so sorry! So sorry!” He offers you his good hand, which you take after a bit of hesitation.

 You’d heard some things about the village nuisance — how he’s an ill-mannered freak who owns a vicious dog, how he probably carries rabies, how he’s dirt-poor and always begging for money and food. Everyone tells you, the pristine rich girl, to stay clear from him, to be afraid of him. But now, looking up at him, you don’t feel fear at all.

You feel pity.

 His cheeks are hollow and lack color, his eyes are dull yet they offer a hint of hope, just a bit of faith. His face consists of more grime than skin and your eyes catch a hideous cut on his cheek. You catch how he tries to hide his left arm from you, how there’s a bit of dried blood clinging to his hand and how he’s obviously favoring his right leg. Right, and his dog, his poor dog looks more like interconnected bones than a damn animal. They both look so malnourished.

 Your father tells you that you’re not rich to be a charity, but you can’t help to give when you feel pity.

 Jungkook helps you up, quickly drawing his hand back in what looks like utter fear. He bows his head down, staring at his feet as he mumbles apologizes over and over again.

 “It’s fine. I’m okay,” you manage to say, not even bothering to notice the mud stains on your new frock. “What’s in there?” you inquire, pointing at the basket Jungkook was hiding behind his back.

 Jungkook finally looks up at you, his soft, brown eyes meeting your large, curious black ones. “Flowers, miss,” he answers. “W-Would you like some, miss?”

 “Would I?” You smile, crouching down to pet the boy’s dog. “Ooh, I’ll take the whole basket,” you say. “How much?”

 “I-I… I’ll give them to you for free, miss,” Jungkook says, staring at his toes again. “To apologize for knocking you over.”

 Ill-mannered, who? where? when? you think. He’s more polite than three-quarters of the boys in the village.

 “There’s no need,” you reply, taking the enormous bouquet of flowers that Jungkook was offering you. You quickly shove a wad of bills in his hand. “You should get yourself and your dog something nice to eat. Bye, now!” With a final wave, you walk off, slightly dirty silk dress fluttering around in the wind.

 But you don’t walk off completely — you just stay out of the boy’s line of sight. The money wasn’t much, but it was enough to buy at least three day’s worth of food. You felt as if it was your duty to see how the boy used it.

 For the longest time after you’ve walked off, Jungkook stares at the wad of bills in amazement. He’s never, ever held this much money in his whole life. Then, he jumps up and down, laughing and beaming. Minnie barks in happiness, circling around his enthusiastic owner.

 “Let’s get you some food, Minnie!” Jungkook exclaims, quickly hobbling off to the village market with you following him in the shadows.

 To your surprise, the boy spends more than half of the money on his dog’s food; he even buys a doggy bed for him. You expect the boy to buy himself a nice cake with the money that’s left, but to your even bigger surprise, he walks straight into an art shop and comes out hugging a sketchbook and an assortment of paints to his chest.

 He didn’t get anything for himself to eat. You’re slightly appalled as you follow the boy home (not to be creepy or anything), memorizing each winding path and each step for later purposes. You watch as the boy enters his home — if you could even call it that. It looks more like a horse stable, but half its size.

 When you walk home that day, you realize how hungry you are and stop at the bakery to buy yourself a fresh loaf of bread. On second thought, you buy three loaves, promising yourself to head over to the boy’s house the next day to offer him the bread.

 Something about the rather shy, quiet boy intrigues your adventurous-self. Besides, your father never let you have pets and the boy had a big, fluffy dog. You wanted to get to know him, perhaps even befriend him if he let you.

 When you get home, a line of servants greet you and your favorite lady-in-waiting, Mindy, rushes out with a worried look on her face.

 “Y/N, miss! Do you know what time it is! You missed dinner!” she shrieks, putting both hands are you cheeks and looking over your face. “Why, you’re absolutely filthy! Did you roll around in the dirt?”

 “Something like that,” you say, giving Mindy a cheeky grin.

 “Miss, you know that dress was imported all the way from France — you’ve gotten it dirty on the first day! Y/N, you can’t go off behaving like a little boy all the time. One day, you have to get married. No one wants to marry an adventurous woman!”

 You let out a short sigh. Perhaps you liked your lady-in-waiting so much because she reminded you of your mother. “I’m not getting married,” you retort.

 “You’re fourteen, miss. Your mother got married at sixteen,” Mindy reminds you.

 “My mother found a suitable husband at sixteen. I’m going to find a suitable husband… ummm,” you trail off, pretending to think hard, “... never,” you announce, giggling as your lady-in-waiting stares at you in horror. “Can you keep these warm for tomorrow?” you ask, handing her the three loaves of bread that you bought earlier. “Oh, and these flowers… Can you put them in a vase in my room?”

 Mindy sighs as she nods. “Yes, miss. Wash up and come down for dinner soon. Give your sooty little dress to me once you’ve washed and I’ll see what I can do about it.”

 You give her a huge smile, nodding. “Sure thing!”

 Once you disappear up the stairs, your lady-in-waiting sighs, handing the bread to the cook, flowers to another servant and walking over to your father’s study to finish cleaning. She begins to dust the shelves of books and moves along to organize his desk when her eyes shift over a formal pamphlet.

 Finishing School for Girls: 4-Year Enrollment, it reads. Mindy gasps, quickly covering the pamphlet with a stack of papers in fear you’d come around a take a peek at it and without another word, leaves the room.

 It’s for the better, she supposes, wondering why your father had kept this from her. She also supposes you’d fare much better with proper, womanly etiquette, anyway.

Dressed in your favorite simple yellow gown, you skip towards the boy’s shack with three warm loaves of bread in your hand. You’d realized last night during dinner time that you hadn’t even gotten the boy’s name — or his dog’s! Today, your mission was to get to know the boy, learn his name and make him your friend.

 The curious child that you are, you’ve always wondered how the other kids in the village were like since your father liked to keep you away from common people. Too bad he was on a trip at the moment; he would’ve flipped if he found out you’d even met the village nuisance. You hope that your lady-in-waiting doesn’t say anything about your little adventures that left your dress soiled.

 When you reach the small hut, you see the boy crouching down on the ground, watching his dog scarf down the new food he’d bought. You smile, watching the two of them. With the little that they have, they look so… happy. You almost feel bad to interrupt the moment.

 “Hello!” you announce, walking towards the boy and his dog.

 Jungkook gets so startled that he loses his balance and falls on the ground.

 “I’m Y/N,” you say, waving the three loaves of bread in your hands. “Want some breakfast?”

 Jungkook stares at you, his mouth open wide in shock. Even Minnie stops eating to look at you curiously.

 “Here, this loaf’s for me, but these other two are for you and your dog. You see, I’m not very experienced with animals so I’m not exactly sure if they eat bread… If not, I can always buy some meat for him and you can have the extra loaf! Oh, and thanks for the flowers yesterday. I made my lady-in-waiting put them in a vase in my room. They look real nice,” you ramble as the boy stares. It’s silent until you decide to speak again: “So, what’s your name? Oh, and your dog’s name?”

 “J-Jungkook, miss,” the boy mutters, eyes trained at the deliciously cooked loaves. “My dog’s name is Minnie.”

 “I’m Y/N!” you say again, forgetting the fact that you’d already introduced yourself. You hand over the two loaves to the boy who practically grabs them and wolves one down in a matter of minutes. You watch as he eats as if he was starved.

 Taking a small bite of your bread, you realize you’d rather have something sweeter — like cake — and hand over your loaf to the boy as well. He seems to need it more than you do.

 Jungkook was already on his second loaf as he looks at you with curiosity. “You’re not going to eat, miss?” he asks with his mouth full.

 “I’m not hungry, you are,” you respond, shoving your loaf into the boy’s arms. He gives you a grateful look, scarfing down his second loaf as he reaches for the third. At this rate, he looks like he’ll choke but he doesn’t.

 Minnie senses that you’re a friend not a foe and rests his head on your lap, his dirt-matted fur staining your bright yellow dress but you don’t care. You pet his head, scratching the underside of his ear which makes him roll around, showing you his tummy. Giggling, you scratch his stomach as well.

 This was the first meal Jungkook’s had in days and he feels so much more nourished like he can accomplish anything today. He looks at you like you’re his savior — which you practically are.

 You simply give him a big smile, showing him your perfectly straight teeth.

 “Miss, why are you helping me?” Jungkook finally asks, looking away shyly as if he’s afraid of your answer. People help him all the time but out of pity, and it’s always a one-time thing. Yet, for some reason, you came back.

 “Because you’re interesting,” you respond, giggling. “Do you like to draw?” you gesture towards the sketchbook and assortment of paints laid by Jungkook’s side. He slowly nods. “What do you draw?” you ask, softly cooing at Minnie as he nuzzles his nose into your waist.

 “I dunno,” the boy answers, scratching his head. “Whatever I feel like that day, whatever that makes me feel warm and happy inside.” He smiles at you, his thin, chapped lips curving up as his sparkling eyes form crescent moons. “Would you like to see my art, miss?”

 It’s the first time anyone’s been interested in his art, one of the only things that keep him happy. Actually, it’s the first time anyone’s been interested in him. Jungkook’s foreign to this kind of feeling but he likes it and he could get used to it.

 You nod happily. “Would I!”

 Jungkook stands up, the limp in his leg barely noticeable now as he walks into his hut, motioning you inside. Minnie trots in by your side, his wagging tail thumping against your leg. The inside of Jungkook’s hut is more canvas and paper than the wood itself. It seems like an art gallery exploded in here; even the floor is littered will all kinds of art utensils. In the corner of the one-roomed hut are bits and pieces of newspapers, which you assume Jungkook uses as covers to sleep, or other than that, he enjoys light reading.

 You don’t know which art piece to look at first since they’re so many. You glance at Jungkook for help and he smiles, sitting down on the floor and patting his dog. “Yeah… I have a lot of art pieces,” he says, “most of them are flowers and landscapes.”

 Your eyes catch a beautiful painting of a yellow rose that seems to radiate sunshine, its verdant green petals boasting pearlescent droplets of dew, albeit just being a drawing. Only looking at it makes your insides warm and you, happier. In fact, all of Jungkook’s artworks are of sights that elicit happy emotions. You see that he’s even drawn Minnie a couple of times — but with glossy fur and more meat on his bones.

 It’s beautiful. And you’re at a lost for words.

 You scan all the artworks once more, jaw nearly dropping at the amount of skill encompassed in the young boy’s art. “It’s… beautiful,” you manage to mutter. Jungkook beams, pleased with your reaction. You smile slightly, cocking your head in curiosity.“Hmm,” you hum, “but you don’t draw people.”

 “I don’t draw people,” Jungkook confirms. “It reminds me of sad things… and I don’t draw sad things.” He looks at you, hands placed under his chin in a thoughtful manner. “Want to go to the meadow, miss?”

 “The one past the forest?” you question, turning to look at the boy.

 “Mhm. I was going to go there this morning to draw,” he says. “The blooms are beautiful this time around, miss.”

 You smile, nodding. “I would love to!”

And in that way, you and Jungkook gradually became friends. Jungkook felt less lonely with you constantly by his side and you felt like you had someone that understood your curiosity and keenness for adventure for once.

 Jungkook never asked you for help — it was almost as if he had no financial problems. As if he wasn’t sleeping in a pile of newspapers, wasn’t starving himself to buy art supplies or wasn’t skipping meals to provide more for Minnie.

 But you made sure to check up on him at times, taking him to the market square to have late-night feasts and even sneaking him some of your cook’s gourmet pastry treats. Sure, that was all up until your father got back. He was much stricter with your unpredictable rendezvous, making it hard for you to slink out to meet your friend.

 In fact, he was just strict in general. The way you walked, ate, or even breathed made him scold you — it was as if anything you did triggered him. ‘Y/N, don’t slouch. Y/N, don’t slurp. Y/N, don’t whistle, that’s very boyish. Y/N, don’t breathe so loud.’ The list was endless and irritating.

 “I swear, Jungkook, he wants me to be a damn stone! Lie still and keep my mouth shut. Even so, I bet he’ll complain that I’m being too quiet and insist I comment about useless matters like how dry the weather is, or — or how hot the soup is!”

 Jungkook chuckles softly, eyes trained on the piece of paper splashed with warm, vibrant colors. He looks up at you, laughing. “Y/N, I’d wish you’d be a rock as well — it’s quite hard to paint you when you’re moving your arms about like that.”

 You huff, giving your hair a pat and nicely folding your hands in your lap again. “Is that all you have to say?”

 “No,” Jungkook mutters, “can you also move your head a bit to the right? Yeah, that’s it, thanks.”

 Scoffing, you glare at the boy as he smiles sheepishly, eyes concentrated on his paper as his hand moves gracefully across it.

 “You shouldn’t glare like that, Y/N. It’s not very ladylike,” Jungkook teases. “Besides, would you like to be painted as a glaring lady?”

 “God, you’re fucking impossible,” you sigh, forcing yourself to put a happy smile on your face.

 “I know,” the boy responds, clicking his tongue. Minnie barks in agreement, affectionately licking Jungkook’s arm. “But anyways, does your father know you’re having another rendezvous? Or does he actually believe you’ve gone to your dress-fitting?”

 “What do you think? I’m a convincing liar,” you smile mischievously. “I just don’t understand why father’s having so many winter dresses made for me — summer’s approaching for god’s sake!”

 “Maybe this winter’s cold,” Jungkook mutters mindlessly, mixing a bright yellow and vibrant blue together to create a leafy green color.

 “I’ll make sure to bring you extra duck-feather blankets,” you reply, “can’t have my only friend in the whole village die from hypothermia.”

 “Hypo-what?”

 “Hypoth — damn, you’re so lucky you’re not stuck in eight-hour studies thrice a week,” you pout. “You’re living out here completely fine without any knowledge of advanced mathematics or stupid science!”

 Jungkook chuckles. “You should put sharp pins on your teacher’s seat again. That was a funny story to hear about. What was it that you said? You were trying to sharpen his intellect or something?”

 “I wish,” you giggle, recalling the look of pure horror that had been on his face. “But father threatened to send me off to finishing school if I pulled something like that again.”

 “He wouldn’t do that.”

 “Oh yes he would,” you say. “As capricious as he is, he’s actually a man of his word, unfortunately for me. Finishing school means goodbye to slouching, slurping, whistling, being me. It means goodbye to you and Minnie too,” you sigh, giving Jungkook a meek smile. “At least, for several years.”

 Jungkook snorts. “The Y/N I know would break out of a prison like that in less than an hour.”

 “I’d say I’d break out of the damn carriage before I even get there,” you counter, the familiar mischievous grin creeping back on your face. “Ugh! Why was I born into this? Why can’t we all just choose where we’re born into? You deserve so much more than this, Jungkook. You should be living in some mansion with thousands of servants and a lifetime supply of sketchbooks and paint.”

 The boy laughs, finally setting down his paintbrush and painting aside to look at you and Minnie saunters over to you, huffing and laying his head on your lap. “Who says I’m not satisfied? Ever since we met two years ago, life’s been content. I think I got what I deserve.”

 You smile, looking at the boy fondly. “Are you done with that?” You point at the painting, squinting your eyes to get a better look at it.

 Jungkook nods, carefully picking up the painting and walking across the blooming spring flowers to show you his masterpiece.

 It’s a familiar face smiling right back at you. You’re in your favorite yellow dress, surrounded by yellow roses with the sun illuminating your face, making you look more beautiful than you did in person. Your face is lively, although it’s only a painting, and you harbor a mischievous grin, eyes sparkling and mouth curved up perfectly. Jungkook’s drawn you at your best: happy, playful and absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.

 Your jaw drops open — you find that it’s always dropped open looking at Jungkook’s masterpieces. You don’t understand how someone can capture life, happiness, emotion and feelings in a simple painting. You can’t comprehend how some painting can make you feel so warm and fuzzy inside.

 “Is it good?” Jungkook asks, petting Minnie who rolls over on his back, his way of begging for affection.

 “It’s more than good,” you manage to breathe.

 “It’s yours,” Jungkook answers, giving you a shy smile.

 “God, Jungkook…” You can’t help but stare at the painting again. It’s easily one of Jungkook’s best works, every little paint stroke seems to have a calculated meaning, a set purpose — even though Jungkook tells you he only paints on impulse, on instinct and feeling alone.  “I thought you didn’t draw people,” you tease, finally taking your eyes off the painting to smile smugly at your friend. “Thought it made you sad.”

 “I only draw nature… with the exception of one person,” Jungkook replies. “And it all makes me happy.”

 “Aw, Kook,” you giggle, flopping down on the green grass and letting the flower petals tickle your face. “I’m glad you’re happy,” you mutter, closing your eyes and feeling the sun’s rays kiss your cheeks.

 Minnie barks happily, flopping down next to you, while whining at Jungkook to do the same. He sets the painting down and joins the two of his best friends on the grass, closing his eyes and sighing in content. He feels like he’s home, right at this moment, with you and Minnie by his side, with the wind tickling his nose and flowers fluttering their petals.

 Jungkook feels at peace — as if he could die like this without a single regret in his life. And he wishes that it could be like this forever, this peaceful, that is.

“What do you mean?” you say, voice cold and sharp.

 “It means what I meant. You’re to go to finishing school for four years. It’s not a suggestion, Y/N, it’s an order,” your father says, crossing his legs and staring at you sternly.

 You scoff, shaking your head as you back away. “At least tell me when.”

 “In an hour. I had the servants pack what you need. It’s a week-long trip and as I’ve heard, the winters there are cold so make sure to always carry around your coat. I hope you can come back with some manners and a proper lady’s mind.”

 A week-long trip on the carriage? It could take months to get back home on foot, which means you probably couldn’t run away even if you tried. Your blood runs cold and you even contemplate throwing away your calm composure for once to drop to the floor and scream until your throat feels like sandpaper. 

 When did I get a say in this? When did it become okay for someone else to govern my life? When am I going to say goodbye to Jungkook? Thoughts race your mind and you actually contemplate throwing a long-awaited tantrum right then and there (though you were never a child of short-temper). But you think better of it. It wouldn’t be quite ladylike which might just result in your father stretching the four-year finishing school to six. You’re as stubborn as a donkey, but your father is as stubborn as a mule.

 But you know you don’t want to leave your home, nor do you want to abandon Jungkook and Minnie to go off and learn how to curtsy to spoiled dukes and ignorant princes or the right way to eat with gold-plated utensils. You want to live. You need to get to your friends. You need to get to Jungkook and Minnie and tell them you’re going to leave. You need to —

 “You’re to personally dismiss your servants for the next hour — they’ll be of no use when you’re gone,” your father says, turning around with his hands folded behind his back. “I forbid you from setting foot out of this house until it is time for you to leave.”

 You can feel your head heat up, anger coursing through your veins. But you were never one to react dramatically — you refuse you lose your self-control; you will not cry or show the slightest hint that you are aggrieved. “Fine,” you say, your voice completely void of any emotion. “Dictate my life all you want.” Bastard. You’d rather much be an orphan like Jungkook.

 Jungkook. God, you need to tell him somehow. You can’t just leave without a goodbye, it’d hurt him just as much as it would hurt you. You want to give him one last hug, pat Minnie’s head one last time before you’re dragged away to finishing school. But you can’t.

 As much as you hate your father, you listen to every word, afraid of disobedience’s consequences. Besides, you’re not exactly a rebel, you just tend to question authority at times and now was not one of those times. Your servants are already lined up, ready for you to dismiss them and with a heavy heart, you do.

 You pause when you come face to face with your favorite lady-in-waiting. She was always like a mother figure to you… how can you rid her of her job? You won’t, that’s what.

 “Mindy... I’ll tell father you’re needed in the household,” you say, squeezing her calloused hands. “Just… can you do one last favor for me?”

 “Miss…”

 “There’s a boy, a teenager, around my age. His name is Jungkook and he has a dog named Minnie. You can find his house near the forest — take three lefts and four rights after you see the village well. Tell him that I’m being sent off to finishing school. Tell him he better write to me when I write to him. Tell him that I’ll miss him and Minnie so, so much. Pat Minnie for me. And… give him this and tell him that I’ll be back before he knows it,” you say it all in a panicked rush, shoving a carefully folded piece of paper into her hands. “Tell him he should keep it to remember me — that I’ve always had it in my pocket wherever I went.”

 “Miss…”

 “Please, just go, Mindy,” you say, desperation clear in your eyes. You feel pathetic, how you have to panic all because you can’t control your own life. The defiant side of you is replaced with sheer vulnerability. You’ve never felt this much alarm in your whole life.

 Usually, you can worm your way out of most difficult situations, but this was different. This was a big matter. You’re literally being relocated for four years, enough to change you to become the ‘better you.’

 You’re scared of what finishing school will do to you. Under all that joking you’ve had with Jungkook about the stupid etiquette academies was always one thing: fear. Finishing school would surely crush any girl who was as adventurous, curious and defiant as you. You’re a free spirit. You’re the girl that likes to have a little fun. You’re never afraid of getting a bit of mud on your face. You were the only person brave enough to befriend the ‘village nuisance.’ You might be calm and collected on the outside, but your true nature is to run around in meadows, mind free from lectures and etiquettes that your father enforces on you. You don’t want to leave.

 And besides, when you’re gone, who will take care of Jungkook and Minnie? Your heart physically aches at that thought, the only sense of hope comes from the fact that your lady-in-waiting is delivering your message to him.

Minnie whines, pawing at the dirt floor of the shack and sniffing the air as if something bad was brewing.

 “I know, I know…” Jungkook trails off, looking at the door forlornly. He clutches the yellow roses that were bunched up in his hand. “She was supposed to be here. Y/N’s probably caught up in some noble duties again. It’s okay, she’ll come to visit soon, don’t worry, boy.”

 But he’s slightly worried himself. You’re a girl of your word. Never have you broken a promise, been late to a scheduled meeting…

 The wind rustles outside as if whispering warnings to the boy and his dog. Jungkook picks at the scabs on his elbow, waiting and waiting.

 Then, he hears a rustle in the leaves and thudding footsteps. Minnie scratches the door and barks, turning to Jungkook and pleading with his eyes to open it. Jungkook frowns. He knows that’s not you judging just by how heavily the feet hit the ground — you’re usually silent when you come, except for the little rustle of the bushes here and there.

 “No, Minnie. It’s not Y/N. We should stay inside, just in case,” Jungkook whispers but Minnie’s persistent, desperately pawing the door.

 “Jungkook! The mistress asked for me to communicate a message!” an unfamiliar, out-of-breath voice wheezes outside. “Y/N! The mistress! Please, do you know her?”

 Jungkook swings the door open, sensing panic in the messenger’s voice. “Did something happen?” he demands and Minnie bolts out, sniffing the lady-in-waiting to confirm she wasn’t any harm.

 “She’s —” Mindy takes a large breath, “... she’s off to finishing school. She asks that you write back to her…” The lady-in-waiting pats Minnie’s head, staring into his large, innocent eyes. “She wanted me to pat Minnie for her and send to you that she’ll miss you and your dog. She asks that I give you this.” With a shaking hand, Mindy hands Jungkook a neatly folded paper.

 The boy drops to the floor. He can barely think straight. This couldn’t be real, could it? It was so sudden. Today was supposed to be peaceful, just as amiable as always. The yellow roses fall to the ground. You can’t leave him. You were supposed to stay, be the happiness of his life, be a trusty companion.

 “She wants me to tell you that you should keep that to remember her… That she had always kept it in her pocket wherever she went…”

 With shaking hands, Jungkook carefully unfolds the paper to instantly recognize the portrait of you he had painted just a month ago. You, in your bright yellow dress and a mischievous smile dancing on your lips, stare back at him. “Fuck.” It’s then when Jungkook knows he has to chase after you. “Where is she now?”

 “I believe she will be leaving soon,” the lady-in-waiting says, her eyes full of pity. “I’m so sorry.” Mindy was not stupid, she knew sure well that Jungkook was the village nuisance, but to see him so distressed over your leave… She had a feeling he wasn't the person that everyone falsely pinned him as. “You may catch her just before she leaves if you run.”

 “God!” Jungkook curses, grabbing the yellow roses and tucking the portrait in his pocket. “Thank you, lady. Thank you so much!” He turns to Minnie who’s already up on his feet and ready to run. “Come, boy, let’s go!”

 And without another thought, he dashes. He runs like his life depends on it, clutching the yellow roses like it was the very last remnant of you. Minnie runs ahead, barking desperately and leading the way.

 He’s crying. Tears are clogging his vision and he can barely see five feet ahead of him. He stumbles slightly but he knows he has to get to you. Minnie barks again, encouraging Jungkook to keep running. The boy wipes away his tears, grits his teeth and continues to run.

 By the time he gets to your home — more like a mansion — you’re already stepping into your luxurious carriage with voluminous coats wrapped around your figure. Something about that tells him you’re going far, far away.

 “Y/N!” he screams, cheeks streaked with dirty tears.

 You turn around, mouthing a soft, “Jungkook.”

 He starts to run closer but you shake your head violently — if your father found out you’ve befriended the village nuisance, he would make Jungkook’s life miserable. “I’m sorry,” you mouth.

 Jungkook stops in his steps, showing you the yellow roses he’d brought — your favorite flowers. You smile, nodding.

 You’re not crying at all. You look calm, collected and fine. You look completely fine. And it hurts Jungkook.

 Just before you step in the carriage, you turn around, giving the boy your signature mischievous smile. The one matching the painting that was tucked in Jungkook’s pocket. “I'll be back,” you mouth before stepping into the carriage without another word.

 Jungkook's frozen in place, ignoring the whimpers and whines of Minnie who was circling around him. He loses grip of the beautiful yellow flowers that send them falling into a pool of mud.

 It’s a disaster. What should’ve been another peaceful day turned into complete chaos. Jungkook’s not even sure if any of this was real. Everything had happened so fast; it was all just a blur.

 Jungkook starts to trudge back to his hut, his eyes glassy and mind foggy. When the village boys come to torment him, he completely ignores them, disregarding the stings of pain against his skin as they start to throw pebbles at him, along with their harsh insults.

 He arrives at his hut, collapsing on the dirt floor. Today was the day he was going to give you the yellow roses. Today was the day he was going to attempt to paint you once more. Today was the day he was going to…

 He can’t finish the thought.

The first letter he got from you had him leaping up to his feet, scrambling to open it carefully, afraid the letter inside would rip along with the envelope if he were not careful. Inside, he’s greeted by a single sheet of paper, a letter, all in your neat handwriting.

 He slumps to the ground, staring at the last portrait he’d painted of you as he reads.

  June 13th ~ Dear Jungkook (and Minnie if you will),

Finishing school is actual shit. Headmistress would kill me for my ‘foul language.’ But I swear, it’s so goddamn cold here, which means there’s literally no other form of life other than stinky humans. God, I miss the blooming flowers so much.

The girls here are uptight prissies. I want to dump a load of salt in their porridges just to watch them suffer. All they talk about are the rich dukes and princes they’ll marry. PLEASE! As if they’re worthy. And I believe they hate me because I and I quote, ‘don’t smile right.’ How does one not smile right? I’m utterly confused. They say I’ve got this weird glint in my eye that’s not ‘acceptable’ or ‘ladylike.’ I’ve quite always liked my smile. I think I’m going to keep on smiling just to annoy the shit out of them.

Lessons here are worse than the ones back at home. I’m forced to SEW. SEW, I tell you. Do you understand the monstrosity??? I’m forced to stitch these designs on white fabric in all assortments of color. I’ve poked myself with a needle more times in a span of a few days than I’ve met you in a year. I hate this place, Jungkook.

I promise I’ll sneak out as soon as possible. I’m probably going to steal a wig or two, a servant gown and take the next carriage OUT. GOD, I miss you and Minnie so much.

Pet Minnie and take care of yourself for me. By the way, how are you? Are you eating enough? Is Minnie eating enough? Are you happy? Do you look at that portrait of me and miss me dearly? (You better).

Anyway, it won’t be fucking long until I bust out of this hell hole.

Sincerely, a troubled friend

  Jungkook beams upon reading your letter and he reaches down to pat Minnie’s head for you. He quickly scrambles for a pen and paper and scrawls down a response.

  June 29 - Dear Y/N,

I’m sorry finishing school is horrible. I hope you escape soon — I’m counting on it!

I bet there are some girls that aren’t as prissy as the others. You’ve just got to find your match and maybe it won’t be as miserable.

Yes, I’m eating well. Minnie’s eating well too. I’m fine, really, just a bit lonely at times without you to talk my head off (:

I think I’m happy, I suppose. It’s been a lot duller without you but I’m managing. Yeah, I look at that portrait a lot. So much so that I can close my eyes and visualize it with every single detail.

I miss you too, Y/N. I don’t think I can wait four fucking years for you to come back. Hurry up and hit that carriage ride!

Sincerely, an even more troubled friend

  The next letter comes in a matter of a month — curse the two-week-long deliveries!

  July 31 ~ Dear Jungkook & Minnie,

This place is still shit and I still haven’t found an intelligent way to escape :(

I’m being ridiculed for everything! EVERYTHING! I caught the spider that was crawling around in the dorms and now the girls are afraid to TOUCH me. They say I’ve got ‘the germs.’ Ridiculous. They’re just a bunch of sissies.

It was so much more enjoyable with you and Minnie.

Whatever. Headmistress is practically yelling at me to finish this letter up and learn the right way to drink soup. I’d rather chug the whole bowl to quench my hunger but I guess that’s not how you’re supposed to do it. I wish I’m back home with you and Minnie. I miss you guys so fucking much. Tell me how you are in your next letter! I want to hear EVERYTHING.

Sincerely, your MOST troubled friend

  August 11 - Dear Y/N,

Take your time, a true genius takes months to master her escape plan. Oh and besides, I’d be your friend even if you carried actual germs. (I’d be your friend even if you carried the plague.)

Your headmistress sounds strict. Reminds me of your father, I guess. Have fun learning how to drink soup the ‘right way.’

I dunno, life is really bland these days. Fall’s approaching so I have to save up for blankets now. I believe the autumn flowers will be late this year so I think I’m going to have to find some odd jobs around the village. I wish I had more time to sit down and paint, you know?

Minnie’s doing fine. He gets anxious at times when he senses that colder season’s approaching but he’s as happy as a dog can be. He’s been acting quieter since you’re gone. I think he misses you too. As do I.

Hope you’re okay there.

Sincerely, your MOSTEST troubled friend

  Your letter comes short a week after he’d sent the last which means you were in a rush to write this one, even paying for a special express delivery. When he holds the envelope in his hand, something inside rattles and shocked, Jungkook carefully opens it. Out spills out several gold coins. It’s enough to buy winter blankets and clothes — possibly food and art supplies as well.

 Jungkook discards the money to the side and reaches out for the letter.

  August 17 ~ Dear Jungkook & Minnie,

Things are getting busy here. Apparently, we have a fall singing concert we have to start practicing for. It’s actually not that bad, I suppose. I don’t have much time to write this — sorry for the messy handwriting!

I bid you luck on finding a job. Meanwhile, use the money in the envelope to get yourself and Minnie some warm blankets! I miss you guys so much!

Sincerely, Y/N

  September 15 - Dear Y/N,

I can’t thank you ENOUGH. I feel like I’m all set for fall and winter now with the new set of blankets in the corner of the hut. But it burdens me when you give me money like this — you’re not a charity, Y/N. I’ll be fine on my own. Don’t worry too much.

From what I’ve read, I think finishing school is getting better for you. You’re busy and you seem to be enjoying the activities. I’m proud and happy for you.

But besides that, I haven’t seen you in practically two seasons. I think I’m starting to forget what you look like! Thank goodness I have that portrait of you. I’ve been looking at it more often these days. I miss you, Y/N.

Stay happy and healthy.

Sincerely, your content friend

  The next letter doesn’t come until it’s early next year. Jungkook had contemplated for months if he should write again. Maybe his other letter got lost in the mail? Maybe you just simply forgot to reply? Maybe you were simply busy?

 When the letter gets into his hands, he opens it with joy.

  Jan 2 ~ Dear Jungkook & Minnie,

I’m sorry for the late letter. Finishing school was extremely busy over the holidays! It’s getting more and more bearable and I might dare say that I enjoy it.

It is not fair that you get a portrait of my face but I do not have yours! I feel as if I’m forgetting your face as well… I think I deserve a portrait of you and Minnie!

Anyway, I’ve got to go! I miss you two!

-Y/N

  And that’s why Jungkook decided to draw himself for the very first time. It took him four weeks — four weeks of agonizing over every color, every brush stroke until the art was to his liking. He grins at it, holding it out in front of him.

 In the painting, Jungkook’s lying on the grass, face illuminated by the golden sunlight and his eyes peacefully closed, the shadow of his long eyelashes kissing his face. Minnie’s lying right next to him, his handsome face resting on his owner’s stomach. In the boy’s right hand is a yellow rose, in his left is a brand-new paintbrush. The verdant grass almost looks as if it was swaying side to side in the wind and the flowers seem to sparkle like the morning dew. Everything’s peaceful; the painting reeks happiness.

 Jungkook folds it carefully, sitting down to write another letter.

  February 19 - Dear Y/N,

How’s this for a self-portrait? Do you think you’ll forget me and Minnie now? I’m glad you’re starting to like finishing school. It was a foolish idea for you to escape, anyways.

I miss you too, Y/N. More than you can imagine.

Spring’s coming already. The pretty flowers are blooming too. Time flies, doesn’t it? Still got that mischievous smile?

Sincerely, the friend that misses you dearly

  April 10 ~ Dear Jungkook & Minnie,

I absolutely adore it. The painting is stunning — it’s gorgeous. It makes my eyes water quite a bit. I don’t think I’ll forget you now or ever, for that matter.

Indeed, time does fly. Pick some yellow roses for me! I’ve got to go~

-Y/N

  April 29 - Dear Y/N,

I feel like you’re getting busy at finishing school. Am I being a bother? I don’t want you to waste your time writing letters if you’ve got many things to learn.

Do you drink soup the right way now? Have you made friends? Is the headmistress still strict? Do you miss home?

Sorry I’m asking too many questions. I just really miss your company. I guess I’ve got to wait three more years…

Sincerely, your friend who continues to wait

  June 30 ~ Dear Jungkook,

You are never a bother, dear! Please do not say that! I get much joy from these letters. We must never stop this wonderful tradition.

On a side note, yes, I believe I drink the soup in a ladylike manner now. I have made marvelous friends and headmistress is quite a dear — we all love her! I miss home though… The fields, the flowers, the warm breeze, you…

I promise when I get back we will go to the village art museum together. I cannot believe we didn’t go earlier! Now goodbye, I’ve got to fly~

-Y/N

  July 15 - Dear Y/N,

I would love to go to the art museum with you! I wonder if they allow dogs…

It’s been over a year since you’ve been at finishing school. I’ll be patiently waiting for you for the next 3 years.

Always stay happy and healthy!

Sincerely, your friend who continues to wait and will continue to wait for more

  January 6 ~ Dear Jungkook,

Goodness me, I’m deeply sorry for such a late letter! You must’ve been waiting. I’m sorry, dear!

I feel as if I’m getting too comfortable here as if finishing school is my new home — is it bad to have two places that feel like home?

I’m counting the days until I can come back. Please take care of yourself!

-Y/N

  September 17 - Dear Y/N,

We’re starting to grow apart, aren’t we?

I’ve heard this winter will be awfully cold — wish me and Minnie luck!  

Sincerely, a worried friend

  December 22 ~ Dear Jungkook & Minnie (Goodness me, I’ve been forgetting about him),

I hope it is not too late to wish you and Minnie luck! I hope both of you are well in this winter!

-Y/N

  May 19 - Dear Y/N,

If you’re forgetting Minnie, how much more are you forgetting about us?

We’re both fine!

Jungkook

  November 4 ~ Jungkook, Minnie

That’s great!

  March 27 - Dear Y/N,

I miss you.

Jungkook

  December 2 ~ Jungkook,

I miss you too.

  January 1 - Dear Y/N,

I’m sorry I haven’t been writing letters to you sooner. Minnie’s ill and I’ve been really worried about his health. I’ve been working extra odd jobs to afford his medicine and honestly, I don’t think I’ve eaten in a week. I haven’t even held a paintbrush in my hand in months. I hate how I can’t tell you this. I hate what we’ve become.

You seem so different now as if finishing school’s changed you. I still look at that portrait of you I drew four years ago, every single day. I miss your mischievous smile, your jokes, your curiosity and your love for adventure. I miss your presence. I want you near me, Y/N. And I’m glad that the day is sooner than ever. I’ve waited four years to see you again.

You’ll come back in June, right? I miss you.

I love you.

Love, Jungkook

  April 16 ~ Jungkook,

Alas, I am coming back in June! Finally, I’ll be able to see your face in person — not just in the beautiful portrait you sent me years ago. I wonder if you look different — what if you grew three feet? Goodness, that would be embarrassing for me!

I miss you too, Jungkook. I can’t wait to come home! June 7th — wait for me!

-Y/N

  That was the last letter sent between the two friends.

 Jungkook felt giddy with excitement — to finally see you in four years! It was almost like a dream come true. Things were looking up in life. Minnie was all better now and you were coming home; there was nothing that could ruin his happiness.

Jungkook waits near your home, holding a bouquet of yellow roses and rocking back and forth on the pads of his feet. Minnie is nervously pacing back and forth behind the boy as both of them look towards the same spot they’d last seen you in four years. He can’t believe in just a matter of minutes, he’ll see you.

 He can’t believe his eyes when you step out of a polished carriage, nodding to your servant as he opens the door for you. You scan the premises until your eye catches Jungkook’s. You smile.

 It’s not mischievous in any way, but it’s enough to make Jungkook shed tears of joy. He sprints over to you, legs moving so fast they were practically invisible to the naked eye. The boy skids to a stop just a foot away, cautiously peering into your face as you bend down and give him a perfect curtsy.

 You’ve matured. The once prominent baby fat had disappeared, your face had become sharper, more defined and your ethereal features popped. You look beautiful, even if you don’t have the mischievous smile or the twinkle in your eye.

 “How do you do, Jungkook?” you ask, your voice a slightly lower pitch than the boy had remembered.

 “Oh my god, Y/N,” he murmurs, rushing in to squeeze you in a tight hug. “I’m doing amazing, just amazing. This is the happiest I’ve been in the past four years.” He’s crying tears of joy, wet tears falling down his cheeks and onto your pink silk gown. He’s so, so happy that he could die like this, drunk with felicity.

 And though hesitant at first, you tug him back, softly wrapping your arms around the friend that had waited for you for four years. It’s been a good four years since you’ve gotten a bear hug and this was too good to pass up. “I’ve missed you a lot,” you murmur in his ear.

 “Me too,” Jungkook whispers.

 You inhale his scent — pine trees and flowering blossoms as usual. And though you actually enjoyed finishing school (pinning it as your second home), you know that your real home is here, back in your village and in Jungkook’s arms.

 Perhaps this is the happiest you’ve been in the past four years as well.

You and Jungkook have a lot to catch up on. Four years without contact had surely distanced you, which became obviously apparent to Jungkook when he started seeing you walk differently, talk differently and yes, even breathe differently.

 What happened to the curious you? The adventurous you? The you who was immensely proud of your mischievous smile?

 You weren’t the same Y/N he’d drawn years ago. But for some reason, it doesn’t bother him much.

 “I apologize, Jungkook,” you say softly, petting Minnie’s head affectionately while letting the grass tickle your face. “I know I’ve changed drastically since the last we’ve met…”

 Jungkook hums, lying on his back and looking up at the azure blue sky.

 “Perhaps I’m not much fun to be around…” you trail off, closing your eyes and tilting your head up to catch the sun’s golden rays. “But, I’m glad you’re continuing to stay — even if you might not like who I am now.”

 The boy jerks up from his position, looking at you with wide eyes. “Don’t say that, Y/N! I’ll like you regardless. Hell, I’d even like you and stay near you if you caught the damn plague!”

 You giggle. “That sounds familiar.”

 “I think I wrote it in a letter to you once.”

 “Ah…” you breathe out, reaching you give Minnie another good scratch under his ear.

 “They helped me a lot,” Jungkook says. “The letters, I mean. I guess just waiting for you to write back or writing them kept me going. Trust me, farming is much, much harder than flower selling.” He chuckles slightly, looking over at you and how peaceful you look beside him.

 “I think for me, the letters were the only things that were keeping me from becoming the typical finishing school student. When I wrote to you, it would remind me of the life I lived before all that prim and properness. That was the anchor,” you say, thoughtfully. You suddenly sit up, giving Jungkook a small smile. “Goodness, that got quite melancholy. Let’s talk about something joyful!”

 Jungkook laughs, nodding his head. “So, tell, me, Y/N, did you ever actually dump salt into some of the girls’ porridges at finishing school?”

Things became a routine.

 Jungkook would work longer, more arduous jobs as you were dragged here and there to meet potential suitors. Both of you always met in secret — afraid your father would find out and ground you for life.  

 But it wasn’t a bad routine. You two had each other to count on.

 You like to get ready to go see Jungkook, always making sure you’re wearing some shade of yellow for your gown (he likes the color on you) and spritzing extra floral perfume on yourself. You like to double, triple, quadruple check yourself in the mirror and fix any stray hairs that had fallen out of your done hairdo.

 “Who are you dressing up for, my daughter?” your father asks, standing in your doorway.

 You jump slightly, having not heard him across the hallway. “A suitor,” you reply quickly, pressing another pin in to set your hair in place.

 “Must be someone you like to dress up like that,” he says thoughtfully. “I always thought you hated all of your suitors. Finally found someone you like?”

 You nod. “And I’ll be late if I don’t go now,” you reply quickly, standing up and swiftly walking past your father and out of your room. “I’ll be back by dinner!”

 Without another word, you flee the house.

 Jungkook’s waiting for you at the meadow, a bouquet of roses in his hand. But something’s different —

 “They’re red!” you exclaim, pointing at the scarlet petals of the flowers. Minnie barks in agreement, nuzzling his nose against you.

 “I-I couldn’t… uh, find the yellow ones,” Jungkook manages to say, looking down at his feet and scratching his head in awkwardness. “I hope they’re okay,” he mumbles.

 “They’re better than okay. Thank you, Jungkook,” you say, stepping forward to take the bouquet from him. “They’re stunningly beautiful.”

 “You too,” Jungkook mutters.

 “Sorry?”

 “You look beautiful, tonight,” Jungkook clarifies, giving you a small smile.

 You smile right back, twirling around in your canary-yellow dress. “Imported straight from England!” Curtseying, you lift up your dainty hand (just how finishing school had taught you). When Jungkook doesn’t move, you giggle. “You’re supposed to kiss it,” you whisper as if you were reminding him (of something he’s never learned).

 “Ah, of course,” he mumbles, bending to press his soft lips on the smooth skin of the back of your hand. A blush blooms on both of your cheeks and you watch how even Jungkook’s ears are now tainted a gentle pink.

 But when he arises, Jungkook frowns slightly. And it’s definitely not because of the physical contact you two had just shared. Jungkook’s looking around, narrowing his eyes at some bushes nearby. Minnie looks tense as well, whining quietly as he stares at a particular spot in the hedge.

 “Sorry, I just… I have a feeling someone is watching,” Jungkook whispers. Minnie starts to bark loudly. Whoever was in the bushes bolts the other direction, you and Jungkook can clearly see the outline of him as he runs off.

 “He might only be a village boy,” you suggest, placing a hand on Jungkook’s to calm him.

 “Or he might be someone your father hired to stalk you,” he counters, taking your hand and squeezing it softly. “I… I think you should go, Y/N. It’s better not to risk anything.”

 “But we just got here —”

 Jungkook gives you a sad look and you nod, understanding. It was definitely better to be cautious than to possibly never be allowed to see each other again.

 “Alright. I guess I’ll see you sometime soon, if that stalker just now wasn’t someone my father hired,” you sigh. On impulse, you quickly stand on your tippy-toes to peck Jungkook’s cheek before you turn and walk away.

 Jungkook watches you leave, his cheek feeling warm, blossoming with all sorts of emotions. But the wind howls in his ear and the grass whips at his ankles. Something stings inside him. Why does he have a feeling that this will be the last time he sees you?

“You didn’t go to meet a suitor,” your father accuses you the moment you step into the house.

 You frown. “I did, father.”

 “Unless you call the village bastard a suitor, I believe you didn’t.” His words are harsh enough to cut through glass and you slightly flinch.

 “I —”

 “What did he do to get you to be so infatuated? Disgusting nuisance,” your father spits out. “You’re banned from meeting him ever again — in fact, you may not leave this house without a supervisor.”

 “But —”

 “You’re 20, Y/N. It’s time to become serious about marriage. Soon, it will be too late. You cannot become distracted by some village scum! You attended finishing school for four years for this. You cannot throw it all away now!” your father roars, glaring at you.

 You can only shrink back.

 Your father scoffs. “Dressing up for him now, are we? Doing your hair for him now, are we? Burn those flowers right away. I don’t want them in my house.”  

 You clench your teeth in anger. You want to fight back, to yell back. But if you think about it, what good will it actually do you? It’s obviously not like your father will listen. In fact, if you yell at him or disobey him, he might hurt Jungkook. So the next thing you know, you’re storming off to your room, slamming the door shut and collapsing on your bed with your red roses tight in your arms.

 You don’t come out for weeks.

After the last day that he’d seen you, Jungkook was living the most miserable life he’s ever lived. He had had a stable income due to the multiple odd jobs he worked, but now… he was jobless once more. His previous bosses wouldn’t let him work for them anymore — something about him being a thief or something. Jungkook’s never stolen anything in his life.

 He’s a bit suspicious that your father’s behind the rumors.

 And now, money was starting to become a major problem.

 Jungkook found himself buying just enough food for Minnie, who was starting to show his ribs and starving himself for days. On good days, someone might pity him enough to hand him a few coins — which he’d use it all for Minnie’s food. On bad days, he and Minnie would scrounge around on the street for scraps — which was all Minnie’s as well.

 Waking up every day became dreadful and watching as Minnie became more bone than skin made him feel so, so guilty. Perhaps the only source of happiness he felt was from his artworks posted around his home. The vibrant colors of his paintings gave him hope. And he had faith that one day you’ll sneak out to meet him to take him and Minnie to the art museum like you’d promised in letters.

 But as weeks passed, Jungkook started to lose hope. His vision was becoming hazy and it was hard for him to think straight. Minnie was sticking by his side closer than ever, sensing that he was not in the right mind.

 He was so starving he actually contemplated eating bark from trees. His ears always seemed to be ringing, begging him to eat something.

 “Minnie… don’t wander off too much,” Jungkook croaks, on his hands and knees and patting the dirt ground for any scraps.

 But Minnie only barks loudly, as if he wanted Jungkook to follow him.

 “Minnie…” Jungkook calls again, his vision getting the worst of him as he only sees a blurred outline of his dog.

 “Minnie?”

 Jungkook perks up at the familiar voice — it’s you. “Y/N?” he mutters.

 “Goodness! Jungkook!” You’re shocked, frozen, unable to move. The figure that was sprawled on the floor, face so dirty you could barely make out the features… that was Jungkook? You put a hand to your slightly open mouth, hands shaking. “Mindy! Go and buy pastries with all the money we’ve bought — my frocks can wait!”

 “B-but Miss, your father ordered that I mustn’t leave your side at any time —”

 “Mindy, please. Father’s not here at the moment, do as I please,” you exclaim, rushing over and crouching down to cup Jungkook’s cheek with your warm hands.

 Your lady-in-waiting nods, running over to the nearest bakery as you rock back with Jungkook’s head cradled in your arms. “Goodness… Why haven’t you been eating? You look like bones, Jungkook! Even Minnie’s lost weight…”

 “Haven’t… been able to get a job,” Jungkook whispers, hot tears streaming down and leaving clean streaks on his dirt-covered face. He doesn’t know if they were tears of happiness or sadness.

 “Oh, Jungkook,” you cry, wrapping your arms around the boy and hugging him. It didn’t matter to you that he smelled, that he was the dirtiest being you’ve ever seen — he was your friend and you’d left him, thinking that would save him. “We’re going to get you cleaned up, okay? We’re going to give you food, nice clothes, give Minnie a nice little dog house full of toys and food and blankets… We’ll even buy you your art supplies, alright?”

 When he doesn’t respond, you hold him tighter, hands cupping his face. “I’m sorry, Jungkook. I’m so sorry… Maybe we can clean you up so much you’ll look like a prince — maybe I can convince father and you and Minnie can live with us. Maybe…”

 “No,” Jungkook sighs, slowly opening his eyes to meet yours. “I’m fine.”

 “No! You’re not!” you shriek. “You look like you’re dying, okay? You need help — help that you should’ve gotten earlier!”

 “Miss, I’ve got the pastries!” your lady-in-waiting says, rushing over carrying loaves and loaves of bread under her arms. “I hope it is enough,” she says, eyeing Jungkook with pity.

 “Jungkook, do you hear me? Eat this, alright? Then we’re going to get you help,” you say, handing a loaf over to the boy who takes it with shaking hands. He snaps the loaf in half, handing the larger piece to Minnie who barks in happiness.

 “Thank you…” he breathes before scarfing down the loaf with mad vigor. It’s gone within seconds as he reaches out for another loaf.

 You would tell him to slow down but he looks more like he might die from starvation rather than choking. After finishing his second loaf, Jungkook breathes out, his stomach feeling more nourished than it had been in weeks. “Thank you,” he says, trying to give you a smile.

 “You deserve so much more…” you whisper.

 “But I don’t want more,” Jungkook says hesitantly. He stares right into your eyes. “Can you do one last favor for me?”

 “Anything,” you say, taking his cold hands in yours. “And it won’t be the last favor — I’ll do so much more for you.”

 Jungkook shakes his head, giving you a shy smile. “Please take care of Minnie for me.”

 “What?”

 “Take care of Minnie boy,” he repeats, slowly. “I love him more than life and it isn’t fair he has to suffer because of me.” Minnie whines, pawing at Jungkook’s leg but his owner only pets his head. “Please?”

 “But what will you do?”

 “Live, of course,” Jungkook says, chuckling. “You’re obviously not allowed to see me and for your safety and maybe mine, we should obey that.”

 “But —”

 “For me, Y/N,” Jungkook murmurs, softly squeezing your intertwined hands. “It’s for me.”

 You shake your head. “I can’t take your family away…” Minnie whimpers, jerking his head from his owner to you. He senses sadness and tension and regret.

 “You can; I’m asking you to. Please, it’s my only favor.”

 “At least take some money —” You reach into your pockets for several coins but Jungkook’s already getting up, hobbling backward.

 “Worry about your life, Y/N. You don’t have to help me out of pity. I’ll be fine — I’m nothing but a burden anyways,” he says, shifting the loaves of bread Mindy had given him under his arms. “You already gave me too much.” I can’t be a nuisance to the only person who cares about me.

 He takes several more steps backward and Minnie starts to follow him, wagging his wail. “No, boy,” Jungkook says sternly.

 Minnie stops in his steps, cocking his head curiously. Jungkook slowly walks backward, giving you one last wave. “Take care of him for me.” He turns, his back facing you.

 You want to collapse on the floor, all manners you’d learned in finishing school flying out the window as you screech: “WAIT!”

 Jungkook turns slowly, dull eyes meeting yours.

 “There’s an art contest, at the Townsquare, January 7th!” you shout. “First place wins a cash prize!”

 The boy beams at you and your heart melts a little. “I’ll be sure to enter, thank you,” he says. “Goodbye, now.” With that, he turns away and walks off. You watch him go until he disappears behind the trees.

 He’d never looked back.

It’s strange how even if disaster strikes, you can’t seem to cry. Your eyes don’t water and your vision doesn’t become hazy. Your nose doesn’t run and screams and wails never come out of your lips. All you can do is feel deep sorrow and regret, to watch as the December snow falls, hoping Jungkook’s doing okay.

 You curse your status, how you’re forced to be obedient, to listen to your father for it’s ‘what’s good for you.’ You curse yourself for being stupid enough to listen to Jungkook. Now you can’t go out to look for him — not in this weather.

 Minnie whimpers, resting his head on your lap.

 “I know, boy…” you say, resting a hand on his head. “He’ll be fine; Jungkook’ll be fine.”

Jungkook shudders, covering himself with his tattered blanket, walking through the snow in worn-out shoes. He’d made the decision to sell half of the loaves of bread to get money for art supplies; he was on his way to buy some paint.

 In the back of his mind, he knew he had to win the contest. Maybe if he won and earned the cash prize, people might accept him, believe he wasn’t a thief as the rumors had said. Maybe if he won, your father would accept him. Maybe if he won, he could see you again. Maybe if he won, he could see Minnie, be with Minnie.

 Maybe if he won, he could go to the art museum.

 He walks into the art store, greeted by the warm oil lamps and the familiar shopkeeper.

 “Hello, Mr. Kim,” Jungkook greets, shuffling over to the paint section.

 “Hello, dear boy,” the older man says, smiling warmly at the boy. He was never the one to judge Jungkook — or believe in false rumors. “What would you like, today?”

 “Just some paint,” Jungkook answers, fingering sifting through the rows and rows of colors. “I’m going to enter the art contest.”

 “Ah, what a coincidence!” the old man says, clapping his hands together. “My son is entering as well! Taehyung — such a talented boy.”

 Jungkook smiles, setting down the most vibrant paints on the counter with just enough money. “I wish your son good luck, sir.”

 “And I wish you luck, good boy,” the old man answers, taking the money and wrapping the paints for him. “Be safe getting back home!”

 “I will!” Jungkook calls, hugging his new paints to his chest and walking out. He’s greeted by a freezing gust of wind and shivers, looking down at his new purchase.

 God, when did the prices rise so high?

You daintily hold your spoon, bringing it up to your lips to sip it — not slurp it as you used to. You’re eating soup the right way, sitting across from your father who’s boring his eyes through you.

 “I’ve found a suitable suitor for you,” he suddenly says, making you slightly choke on your meal.

 You cough lightly, dabbing at your chin with a linen napkin. “Ah, who is he?”

 “A fine man. Rich, handsome, successful… You might fall in love with him,” your father says. He looks more interested in the suitor than you are.

 “Will I meet him soon?” You feign interest.

 “Yes, quite. In a week’s time, you will meet your suitor — and possible husband — Kim Seokjin.”

“Fuck!” Jungkook cries, crumbling up another artwork and throwing it across the small hut. Nothing was good enough.

 He was painting what was making him happy — it was all food. Paintings and paintings of pastries, shiny apples, supple grapes and fluffy angel cakes. He can’t enter the contest with a painting of food. It had to be more creative, more thought inducing… it had to be happier.

 He sets a new piece of paper and tries again, drawing his frayed blanket tighter around his body as the wind howls against the battered door.

“How do you do?” you say politely, curtsying in front of an indeed handsome man.

 “Well, miss Y/N. And you?” the man inquires, bending forward to kiss the back of your hand.

 The action reminds you of Jungkook and for a second you want to run away and quit this all. But you promised to take care of Minnie, to continue to live your life.

It was either to purchase a loaf of bread or a new paintbrush.

 Jungkooks sighs. He needs to win. He needs the cash prize. He can’t paint with the bristles of his brush sticking up every which way. He needs to paint in control.

He needs a new paintbrush.

 Jungkook hobbles out of his home, blanket tightly wrapped around him, body shivering and stomach growling as he heads off to the art store once more.

“You are a beauty, miss,” Count Seokjin tells you, his hands on your waist and yours on his shoulders. “You dance well.”

 “Thank you,” you say automatically. “I’ve been taught well.”

 “I believe even without proper teaching you would’ve been beautiful,” your suitor says in a voice that would’ve charmed thousands of girls — but you’re just not one of them.

 “And so I’ve heard…” you mutter.

He’s almost given up hope.

 What was the point of buying a new paintbrush when he’s run out of colorful paint? He couldn’t possibly go on without the vibrant hues of colors splashed over his canvas. The colors had been a large source of his happiness. How the brilliantly vivid colors intertwined with each other in his paintings. How different shades of bright yellow caught his eye every time he looked around his hut. How the colors gave his paintings life.

 He realizes then that he has no choice but to paint in black and white.

“Miss Y/N, will you marry me, a humble count who has fallen in love with your grace and beauty?”

It’s finished. The painting’s finished.

 With shaking hands, Jungkook holds up his masterpiece. He has to win.

“No, I’m sorry… My heart is with someone else.”

“I believe today’s the deadline day. You want to turn this in now?” the man raises a skeptical eyebrow.

 “Please… the deadline hasn’t passed yet. I’ve worked around death to complete this,” Jungkook pleads, his lips blue and cheeks eternally tinged with frost.

 The man gives him a cheeky smile. “Just joking with ya. Turn in fifty entries for all I care. The results are out in a week. Though I doubt you’ll win.”

“What do you mean your heart is with someone else’s?” your father roars. “Do you understand the gravity of this situation? You have pushed Count Seokjin away. He was a magnificent man and you’ve lost your chance!”

 You look down at your feet. “There never was a chance,” you mumble. You look your father in the eyes, mouth set in a stern line. “He never stood a chance! I love someone else!”

 “Who? Who is it that you love so much you are ridding of a successful suitor?”

Jungkook teeters back and forth, hard to catch his balance when his head feels too heavy on his shoulders and his legs feel like tree trunks. He’s going to go to the art museum.

 Maybe they’ll let him in for free…

 Yet when he gets there, a large sign declares it is closed. Ignoring it, Jungkook places both hands on the golden handles of the front door and tugs. Miraculously, it opens.

 And without a second thought, he walks in.

“Y/N, in the end, it doesn’t matter who you love. Don’t you know? You will need to marry a rich suitor regardless of your heart for your future.”

 You sigh. “Father, I know and I acknowledge that, but at this point in my life, I don’t give two damns!”

 With that, you rush out of the house, Minnie right behind you, both of you heading straight towards the Townsquare — today was the day they were announcing winners, anyway. You had a good feeling that today was the day Jungkook would be happiest.

Jungkook’s never felt happier in his life. The art he was seeing before him was so marvelous, too beautiful that he felt as if he had to look away because he was unworthy of seeing such things.

 He stops in front of a painting, his jaw opening slightly as he falls to his knees. It’s beautiful, so beautiful words can’t describe it. At that moment, Jungkook forgets that he’s starving, freezing, sleepy — it’s what pure happiness does to a person. Again, he feels at peace, as if he could die like this without any remorse, any sorrow. Again, he wishes that it could be like this forever, this peaceful, that is.

 And a single tear rolls down his pale face.

He didn’t win. He didn’t win.

 They hadn’t called Jungkook — they’d called some other name — Kim Taehyung, was it? Your fists shake and you step back from the crowd.

 No. This couldn’t be it. There was a mistake. He had to win. He had to —

 Minnie barks urgently.

 “Not now, Minnie,” you hush the dog, still trying to collect your chaotic thoughts.

 But Minnie barks again. It sounds like he’s desperate to tell you something.

 “What, boy? Is something wrong?” you ask, crouching down to pet the German Shepherd. “Are you hungry? Do you want to go home?”

 Minnie barks again and suddenly bolts out of the crowd, looking behind him as if he wanted you to follow.

 “Minnie! Wait up!” you shout, chasing after the dog, lifting up your coat in an unladylike fashion to catch up.

 The dog stops in front of the art museum, continuing to bark.

 “Why, Minnie? What’s gotten into you? It’s just the art —” you gasp when you see the doors slightly open. “Jungkook…” you whisper.

 Without a second thought, you rush into the building calling Jungkook’s name as Minnie seems to lead you to where he believes his owner is. The whole time you’re searching for him, you wonder how you’re going to break the news — that he didn’t win…  

 Maybe you won’t tell him… Maybe you’ll give him cash and say it was his first place cash money — that way he can’t refuse it. It sounds like a solid plan. You’re so set on doing it.

 With a final bark, Minnie leads you to a hall with the most beautiful paintings you’ve ever seen. There, in front of the grandest one, is Jungkook, laying on the floor in a fetal position. 

 You rush towards him. “Jungkook, you can’t fall asleep here! You’ll get sick!” you say, turning over the boy to put a hand to his cheek. It’s ice cold.

 Minnie wails, throwing up his head and crying — just like how a human would.

 Your heart sinks and goosebumps litter your arms. Your hand drops. No.

 No. He could never. No. It was impossible.

 He’s not breathing.

 You can’t seem to breathe either. The world seems to crash down on you with full force and you’re suddenly dizzy. There’s a loud ringing in your ears.

 You can barely even hear the loud, thudding footsteps behind you, voices asking you questions. But everything’s a blur. You clutch on tighter to Jungkook.

 No. You refuse to believe. He can’t be…

 All you can see is his face, drained of all color. You hate it. You hate how his face is so pale, unlike the vibrant colors he used to paint. You hate how he’s gone, how he’s left you. You hate how you hadn’t known… and you wonder if you could’ve saved him had you come earlier.

 But you love him. You love everything about him — you’ve always had. You love how he’d always brought you yellow flowers, how he’d always paint flowers for you, how he’d waited four fucking years for you to come back. You love his diligence, how hard he lived his life. You love his persistence, his optimism, his radiating happiness.

 You love how he left this world smiling as if he had nothing to worry about for eternity.

You wake up to Minnie sniffling next to you, his fur glossy but aged. “You’re getting old, aren’t you boy?” you chuckle, getting up from the bed. “At one point, we’ll be with Jungkook, right?” you hum thoughtfully.

 Minnie’s head jerks up at the mention of his previous owner’s name and he wags his tail in agreement.

 “You miss him too, huh, boy?” you say, huddling your knees to your chest as you look at the grand canvas across from your bed.

 It was his last painting. The one that hadn’t won the damn art contest seven years ago. But it had been deemed as a masterpiece, thousands of copies of it sold now. You paid good money to purchase the original.

 It’s all black and white — completely different from Jungkook’s other vibrant works — but it equals in happiness with the intricate strokes of paint dancing across the canvas. In the center of it all, is a dog, Minnie. For once he’s not drawn plumper or healthier-looking with glossy fur. He’s extremely skinny in weight, rib bones showing and fur lumped together with missing patches and all. But Minnie’s eyes still shine brightly and his mouth is somehow drawn to be tugged up into a beautiful smile — he’s in bliss. There’s so much life, reality and happiness in the painting — even though it was drawn with two colors.

 It’s a masterpiece.

 You smile, a long-awaited single drop of a tear falling down your face. You miss him more than any words, any picture could describe. 

❃

And sometimes, when you feel lonely, you tend to think of him and how the colors had faded out of his face, years ago, along with the hues of his artwork.

masterlist

i actually come up with the characters’ personalities and the plotline simultaneously! the plot depends on the personality and sometimes, the personality depends on the plot. i think of it like this: if there are three paths, different personalities will choose different paths because they think or react uniquely to situations. i also made a character template that i use for all of my characters because i’m fucking insane (:

anyways, in wwacot’s case, i knew i had to make a hella extroverted yn because an introverted yn would not get the plot anywhere. like can you imagine if tae kissed an INTROVERTED yn?? she would never have said ANYTHING about it or would have never confessed to taehyung!! the story would like, not be the story we know today LOL

and for wtcf i wanted yn to have a character arc! (she is yet again an extroverted character who enjoys a lot of fun and social time.) but the point of the story was for her to change due to finishing school. i just felt the change would not be as noticeable enough if yn was already a shy character. i also don’t think if wtcf yn was curious or kind enough, she would’ve never followed jk home and would’ve never befriended him!!  

as a side note, i don’t know if i do it intentionally, but in general, i like to have all of my characters quite likable! just because i don’t really believe in good and evil yk? i try not to have villains in my stories because i don’t think all the ‘bad’ in one story should be thrown onto one character. the ‘problems’ in my stories are usually internal conflicts, and maybe that’s why my yn’s seem likable! because they struggle through pain and hardship and you get to watch them mature and develop as a character in a few thousand words!