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but we were something, don’t you think so? roaring 20s, tossing pennies in the pool, and if my wishes came true, it would’ve been you.

⇢ title the 1.

⇢ pairing kim taehyung x f!reader

⇢ genre exes!au, non-idol!au, angst, fluff 

⇢ word count approx. 7.4k

⇢ summary a return to your hometown also means reminiscing what has been — and even pondering what could have been. but in the middle of your trip down memory lane, who should turn up but the person behind every bittersweet memory?

⇢ warnings angst!!!, crying, swearing, lots of flashbacks, lots of nostalgia and bittersweet stuff, mentions of pregnancy (not reader!!), like a 0.2 second implication that oc is shorter than taehyung??, i cried writing this (but also i’m an emotional bitch so that might just be a me problem)

⇢ italics mean it’s a flashback.

⇢ reblogs, comments and asks mean the absolute world to me. likes are very much appreciated, but a reminder that they’re not as motivating to content creators!!

⇢ reposting this bc like 4 people asked for it and i’m a people pleaser. um. yeah! enjoy 🫡 PLS IGNORE THE BANNER IT’S HORRENDOUS AND HORRIBLE QUALITY bc i made it in 5 mins after deleting the other one and also tumblr hates me !! i am not a graphics person 😭

THE SKY IS cracking open, leaking shades of gentle pink and hues of vivid orange when you step outside and onto your balcony. The soft twitter of a bird accompanies the gentle breeze that tugs at the locks of your hair as you take a small sip from the mug cradled between your hands, surveying the achingly familiar city around you.

It’s been six years, but you’re home.

Returning to your childhood city wasn’t an easy choice, but when you’d arrived late last night, memories indwelling every corner your car took, somehow, you knew you’d made the right decision. Funnily enough, it was the fountain in the town centre that really cinched it. A glimpse of it had sent you careering backward into a time when your world was a boxy smile and a deep laugh.

Now, as the sun peeks over the horizon, and your drink is drained, you exhale. Content. You have your own place. You have a steady job, a job you love. You have friends.  You’re happy. You’re home.

Life is good.

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Locked & Loaded

Pairing: Taehyung x Reader 

Genre: Action, Fluff, Comedy, Angst (just a little) 

Words: 10k

Summary: The life of a secret agent is full of many ups and downs - breaking into places, trying to evade security on time, not getting killed in the process, you name it. However in the midst of all this, you think the worst part is trying to hide the harboured feelings you have for your dear partner in crime. 

Warnings: graphical descriptions of blood and violence (sfw but 18+ rating with the violence), some swearing

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Kim Yeontan, Cupid Extraordinaire

Summary: Yeontan has had it. It is time to take his human's love life into his hands- or rather, paws.

Pairing: Taehyung x reader

Genre: fluff

Rating: SFW

WC: 1.9k

Recommended song to listen to while reading: it's Definitely You by V and Jin of BTS

🎄This fic is a gift, created through @bangtansecretsanta​ and is for @daechwitatamic. Hi Jo!! Surprise! I’m Eggnogg, your secret santa! Hope you enjoy this fic and that it helps you carry through the last few days of work. Have a safe trip, and stay warm! (*^.^*) 🎄

Kim Yeontan has had it.

He loves his human, he really does, but boy, Taehyung is really getting on his nerves.

Yeontan could not understand why six months ago Taehyung suddenly changed his usual grooming salon to the one further away. It took him a couple of sessions to realise that his human actually had a crush on the owner- you. So Yeontan did what he could to help- he barked and growled at everyone, but put on his best charms when you handled him. That way, it was guaranteed that only you and you alone would do his grooming, and thus giving his human more chances to interact with you.

Kim Yeontan, genius.

Kim Taehyung, not so much.

Because despite Yeontan’s effort and putting his reputation on the line, Taehyung still has not made any move on you. The human would take him from you after the session, make small meaningless talk, leave the salon; then, once at home, he would rue to the dog, regretting not asking more about your day, complimenting your choice of music or the cute dog sweater you always have on. Yeontan would just huff and roll his eyes.

So today, as he lies on the soft little pad on your work-station, while you dry and brush his hair, Yeontan decides he has to do something major- BIG- to make sure his human does not miss his chances, again. The thing is, as much as Yeontan is tired of listening to Taehyung’s whines about you, he really likes you too, maybe even more than his human does. You have the best scent in the whole world, and the nicest smelling shampoos that satisfy his senses just so. And your fingers? Oh, don’t get him started- they are so soft and deft that he always purrs whenever you massage him. He wants those fingers on him all the time, not just once a month for just an hour. All the more Yeontan has to succeed today- no more lost time because his human is being an idiot. 

“Almost done?” A gruff voice from your assistant, the feline-looking human, snaps Yeontan out of his thoughts.

“Almost,” you confirm. “Is Taehyung-ssi here yet?”

Your assistant scoffs. “Don’t worry, you look good.”

“Shut up, Yoongi! I’m just asking!”

Yoongi snickers. “Then there’s no need to get so testy! Control the blushing though, your ears are so red. Your crush is showing.” 

Yeontan’s ears perk up. Oh, this is interesting. 

“Can you just go clean up? We have no more appointments for the day.” You instruct Yoongi, then you bend down to look Yeontan in the eye. “Don’t tell your daddy that, okay? My ego can’t take being rejected by someone so handsome.”

“I bet he likes being called ‘daddy’ too!” Yoongi pipes in.

“Shut up, Yoongi!”

Yeontan purrs in satisfaction. Excellent, this will be a lot easier than Yeontan has expected. 

Yeontan smells his human arriving and immediately sits up. You have put a Christmas ribbon on his collar, and he feels confident of his plan. When the bell on the salon door jingles, he watches you patting your cheeks and taking a deep breath. 

“Hello, Taehyung-ssi! Your son is all ready for Christmas!” You lead Yeontan out towards the reception area. Yeontan can sense your nervousness, so he yips, telling you not to be because he’s got this. 

“Hello, _______-ssi! Ah, Yeontan-ah, look how cute you are!” Yeontan yips and spins in circles, showing off your work. The two humans laugh at his antics, and you pass the leash to Taehyung. 

“He looks so handsome, as always after you do your magic on him.” Yeontan wants to scoff at his human’s lame line, but notices your ears getting redder, so perhaps that actually works for you. “Oh, this is for you, just a little Christmas and thank you gift for, uh, you.”

Taehyung takes out a small black box from his bag and passes it to you. You splutter as you receive it. “Oh, you really shouldn’t have, Taehyung-ssi!”

“Yeontan really likes coming here, and you’re a really great dog groomer, so I just- well, we- want to thank you for everything.”

You thank him again and at his urging, opens the box. 

“It’s from the Pink Hamster cafe in my neighbourhood. I really like their chocolates, so I thought, you might like them too. I’m not sure if you’ve had them before though, but you know, it’s really good, and the owners are friends of mine, and I like supporting local businesses, so yeah,” Taehyung takes a deep breath. “I hope you like it.”

Yeontan turns to watch you. You bow a couple of times, thanking his human, and Yeontan yips a few times, encouraging him to say more. But Taehyung just inhales deeply and makes preparations to leave. “Let’s go, Tan-ah, let’s go home.”

Oh no, not yet. Yeontan still has a lot to do.

Before Taehyung can move, Yeontan uses all his might to surge forward, yanking his human forward closer to you. You yelp at the sudden movement and raise your hands up to catch Taehyung’s body, in the process dropping the box of chocolate to the floor. Yeontan almost gets distracted by the smell of the chocolate, but he catches himself in time and continues to run around Taehyung and you, his leash looping around both your legs, trapping you together.  

Once he feels the leash getting tight, he stops and admires his work. You and Taehyung are pressed chest to chest, trying not to hold onto each other, even though both are losing balance by the way your feet are tied together with his leash. Satisfied, Yeontan wriggles out of his collar, his head easily popping out. With his newfound freedom, he saunters over to sniff at the fallen chocolates. 

All this while, both humans have been rendered speechless, but you and Taehyung start shouting at him to stay away from the chocolates. The noise brings out the feline-human, who only laughs gleefully upon finding the scene before him.

“Yoongi, help! We got tangled! And the chocolate! Get Yeontan away from the chocolates!”

Yoongi, still chuckling, picks up the chocolates from the floor and puts them back in the box. “Lucky these are individually wrapped, otherwise they’ll go to waste,” he mutters. When he meets Yeontan’s eyes, he whispers conspiratorially. “Did you do all this, Tan-ah? You cheeky dog.”

Yeontan yips at him, telling him to pick up the chocolates and go away. To his surprise, the human winks, seeming to understand his grand plan. 

“Chocolate will be safe here,” Yoongi places the box on a high shelf, then smiles at the two tangled humans, before going back inside.

“Yoongi! Yoongi!” You shriek, calling him back to no avail.

“Oh my god, _______-ssi, I’m so sorry,” Taehyung apologizes, “I don’t know what on earth gets into Yeontan!”

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” you place your hands on Taehyung’s shoulders. “Let’s just untangle ourselves. Can you wiggle your feet a bit?”

Taehyung tries to do what you suggest, but with little result. “It’s quite tight, I don’t have enough room. Wait, let me try to reach for the end of the leash.” He bends down, but because of the position he is stuck in with you, you end up losing your balance again and almost topple over. He catches you in time, however, and with his hands on your sides,  helps you to straighten yourself.

“Well, that doesn’t quite work either.” He sighs.

“Yoongi!” You scream again for your assistant. 

Yeontan continues to watch you and Taehyung, pleased with himself. 

“Do you think we can shuffle to that seat there? Maybe one of us can sit down and it’ll be easier to take this thing off.” Taehyung proposes.

“Yes, good idea!” You exclaim. “But, uh, we have to hold on so we don’t fall.”

“Ah, yes of course. I guess you can just put your hands around me? I mean, my shoulders! My shoulders, put your hands there.” Taehyung clears his throat. “And uh, is it okay if I hold you here?”

You nod and Taehyung grips the sides of your arms.

“Okay, ready?” “Yup. On three we start shuffling together.” You affirm.

“Okay. One, two, three!”

Yeontan takes a step back as the two humans start wriggling around. It reminds him a little of a caterpillar he found once in the park. 

You suddenly stop, however, when Yoongi is back in the reception area, with his jacket and bag… and a bowl of dog food?

“Yoongi? You’re leaving?”

“Yes. Have fun with,” Yoongi waves his hands, “whatever it is you’re doing.”

“No, Yoongi, please, you have to help us!” You plead.

Your assistant chuckles and places the bowl of food near Yeontan. “Good boy. Enjoy dinner and entertainment.”

“Yoongi!”

“So,” the man simply puts on his beanie and buttons up his jacket, ready for the wintry weather outside. “in case she forgets to mention- for whatever reason- she and our friends are having a get together here on Christmas day. Bring a plate or a bottle if you’d like. We’ll eat, get drunk and watch Muppet Christmas Carol. Oh, and definitely bring Yeontan too. There’ll be lots of other dogs he can play with.”

“Yoongi!” You hiss at him.

“Okay, then, have fun you two!”

Yeontan is too busy enjoying his food when the feline-human leaves, but he does not miss the gummy smile and two thumbs up he gives you from the window.

“Oh my god,” you groan, “he could’ve at least helped!”

“Don’t worry, ______-ssi, we’re almost there!”

Yeontan perks up at his human’s voice. There is more confidence in it, so Yeontan yips at him in approval. 

You laugh and rest your head on Taehyung’s shoulder. “This is so funny.” Your body starts to shake as you laugh more loudly. He starts laughing too, and without saying anymore words, you both continue to shuffle towards the seat.

Finally you reach your destination, and Taehyung volunteers to sit down so he can untangle the mess his dog has caused.

Yeontan observes you looking away and biting your lip when his human reaches down to your bound feet. The position is awkward considering your close proximity, and Taehyung’s face is so close to your outer thighs. He stares at Yeontan as he unwraps the leash.

You should be thanking me, Yeontan mumbles. His human narrows his eyes at him.

Your feet free at last, you take a step back to give space for Taehyung to straighten up.

“Maybe I should get a shorter leash?” 

You cover your face as you laugh. “That’s a good idea.”

You both stand awkwardly facing each other, and Yeontan promises himself to nip his human’s foot if he stays silent for another second.

“Um, can we buy you dinner,” Taehyung glances at his dog, “to make up for what happened?”

Yeontan yips and spins in circles. Bravo, human!

You look taken aback by Taehyung’s request, and you look at Yeontan as well. The dog stops spinning and trots over to you. He stands on his hind legs, while he paws at your leg. 

Say yes! He’s really fun, you will like him a lot!

You smile at his antics. “Okay,” you agree. “Just give me a few minutes to close up?”

Taehyung nods and watches you fondly as you go back inside. Then he picks up Yeontan’s collar to put it back on him.

“You,” he squeezes Yeontan’s face in his hands, “you are something, Tan-ah.”

Yeontan licks his nose. Taehyung ruffles his hair and places a kiss on his head.

“Thanks for the push, son.”

Ta da! Hope you enjoyed reading this, Jo! Happy Holidays!

Like this fic? Please reblog if you do! Published on 21122022, crossposted to my AO3

When the ice melts

Characters: Jimin x Reader

Word count: 10.8K

Synopsis:  They say never meet your heroes, and never has that been truer than when you meet your idol- former figure skater and two time Olympic athlete, Park Jimin. But maybe you can turn things around…

Sports!au (Figure skating) + prompt: “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

Notes: Here is my entry for the btsboulangerie August prompt! I will say, the only things I know about figure skating is from hours of watching Yuzuru Hanyu skate and let’s be real, he inspired a lot of the plotline to this fic. Do yourself a favour and look up the following things on youtube before reading:  Yuzuru Hanyu’s performance at the 2014 Cup of China, his performance to Notte Stellata, and Mao Asada’s performance to Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 2 (I can send you the links to all of these if you PM me ;).)

Huge shoutout to @yoongi-sugaglider for her inspiration and encouragement while writing this fic.

EDIT: Now with bonus drabble found here.

Warnings: Mentions of blood, bits of angst and fluff, a few scenes that a bit suggestive but not explicit, mentions of hooking up at a club.

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Petals of Wax

Pairing: Taehyung x OC

Genre: angst, fluff

Word Count: 9.6k

Warnings: minor character death, arranged marriages

Summary: Audrey, as the princess's lady-in-waiting, must escort the girl as she goes to meet her fiancé. The last thing the lady expected was to meet a suitor of her own, though.

A/N: this is my longest oneshot yet and I’m surprised at how fast I finished it! I really hope you guys enjoy it ☺️

Audrey titled her head to the side. Then she titled it to the other side. Nope, she still didn’t understand the point of this object.

“With all due respect, ma’am, I don’t quite understand why it’s here,” she admitted.

The princess huffed, crossing her arms. “Obviously it’s just here for decoration.”

“It…looks like a water vessel, ma’am. How is that a decoration?”

“You’re stupid,” snapped the fifteen-year-old. “It’s a way to connect myself to my people! Clearly!”

Audrey cleared her throat awkwardly. “Of course, ma’am.”

To her, it seemed a bit daft. Truthfully, the princess had barely even stepped a foot out of the palace. Not because she was forced to either; her parents were fine with her going out on the town as long as she was properly protected. No, Princess Hazel thought that the outside world was too grimy for her precious royal feet. And to think that she was meeting her fiancé in a few days. Audrey pitied the poor man. Although, she herself was happy for a change in scenery. Walking the same forty halls everyday had gotten boring after ten years.

“Audrey! Come dress me! Dinner is in an hour!” Hazel snapped as she walked down the hall.

Audrey sighed. “Yes, ma’am.”

Maybe she could wait for Friday.

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Thursday evening appeared in the blink of an eye, and Audrey found herself packing Hazel’s trunks full of clothing. Her dressed were so puffy that Audrey was almost convinced she’d need a different chest for each one.

“Audrey! You know I need my midnight tea to sleep,” the princess whined from her bedroom.

“Of course, ma’am. I’ll bring it right up,” Audrey replied, stuffing another dress into a trunk before disappearing towards the kitchens.

“Princess Hazel requests her midnight tea,” she informed one of the maids.

“Can’t she just go to sleep without it for once?” the young maid whined.

Audrey raised her eyebrows at the girl, as if to challenge her to turn down the request. The maid rolled her eyes before hurrying off to make the tea. Usually, the head cook would have it ready before Audrey even made it to the kitchens, but maybe she was off for the night.

“Here,” the maid shoved the cup towards Audrey, nearly spilling it in the process.

Audrey took the cup before quipping, “If you keep acting like this, I’ll report you to the king himself.”

The maid stilled, her mocking countenance falling blank. Audrey turned around and headed out the door, completely unphased by the girl.

“You wouldn’t dare!” the girl hollered after her. “My father is part of the king’s counsel!”

Audrey rolled her eyes. Yeah, sure.

She was back up to the princess’s chambers not a few minutes later, and she set the teacup down on the dresser. As usual, Hazel was sound asleep by now. Audrey pulled the covers up over her before heading back to packing. Tonight was going to be a long night with all of the things she had to finish before morning came.

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Audrey was up before dawn the next morning, having barely slept a wink after all the packing she’d done. It had been nearly three when she’d gone to bed, finally finished with packing both her and the princess’s clothing. She had to help the princess get ready this morning, and that started with delivering her breakfast and waking her up.

The head chef had returned to the kitchens this morning, and she had Hazel’s breakfast ready the moment Audrey walked through the door.

“I put the strawberries on the side this morning in case madame doesn’t want them. We don’t want the meltdown we had last time!” the older lady exclaimed cheerfully as she plated all the food. “Once the princess is ready, come back down here and I’ll give you your food as well.”

“Of course. Thank you very much, Miss Yorke. Make sure to feed yourself as well this morning.”

Audrey walked the few flights of stairs up the castle like a professional – she’d been doing it for years now – and soon enough, she was knocking on Hazel’s door. She twisted the handle, letting herself into the room.

“Rise and shine, Princess. We have a long day ahead of us.”

Hazel groaned, rolling over in bed. She sat up, downing her cold cup of tea from the night before. Then she laid back in bed.

“I need my beauty rest.”

“And I need you to get up and eat. We have an hour to get you ready before it’s time to leave. I need to go help pack the carriages while you eat.”

The princess rolled her eyes. “Fine, I’ll eat.”

Audrey smiled in satisfaction, setting the tray of food in front of Hazel before leaving once again.

Back on the ground floor, she made quick work of helping a few of the servants load the carriages. They’d moved everything down to the main floor the night before so that they had less work to do this morning.

“The princess’s chests are quite light,” one of the servants commented as he helped Audrey lift it.

“Yes, I had to pack most of her outfits individually.”

“Leslie said the same thing about the queen’s clothing.”

“Did she? I find it odd that their dresses must be so puffy.”

The boy nodded. “You’re going with them, right?”

“That’s right. I must go. I have to be with Princess Hazel.”

“We’re going to miss you. Especially Miss Yorke. She said mornings will not be right without you at the table.”

Audrey smiled. “Well, I’d imagine we’ll be back soon. Within a week at most. It doesn’t seem the king has much to discuss at this moment in time. He’s just insistent that the princess meet her fiancé and see her future homeland before they proceed with anything.”

“Still. A week is a long time. You’ll have to draw me some of the landscapes!”

“Ah…if I have time, maybe. I’m not making any promises.”

“Can you at least bring me back a souvenir? I heard that they have peacocks there! Isn’t that fascinating?”

“Do they? I might have to draw one for you, then.” She sighed. “I should get back upstairs. Princess Hazel might throw her inkwell out the window again if I don’t hurry.”

“All right. I’ll see you…later!”

Audrey smiled. “See you, Hadley.”

As she walked back up to the princess’s quarters, she pondered what life would be like away from her family. The palace workers had been long like a family to Audrey. She’d grown up here, running around Miss Yorke’s kitchens and treating all the kids who were now servants as if they were her own siblings. Her mother had been the previous queen’s lady-in-waiting until she’d died in childbirth when Audrey was born. Audrey’s father had raised her until she was seven, when he had died from a fever. Miss Yorke had treated her like her own ever since. Then, one day, the little princess had been born, and once she was old enough to be learning, Audrey had been her lady-in-waiting.

Truthfully, she knew she’d been groomed for such a position. The current queen’s lady-in-waiting had taught Audrey the tricks of the trade before she could even read, and she’d begun her job taking care of the princess at the young age of fifteen. Hazel had been a bouncy little four-year-old then. Even then, she’d been a real menace. She tore dresses and broke pottery and dumped food on the floor and blamed it on Audrey, but no one had ever believed her fibs.

Somehow, that snotty attitude had stuck to her through her early teen years, and Audrey was genuinely worried that the girl’s new fiancé would drop her like a hot potato the moment he tasted her sass. Although, he was a prince. Maybe he had a younger sister of his own that acted just like Hazel.

Audrey entered the princess’s room a few moments later.

“Shall I draw you a bath now?” she asked, noticing the princess’s tray had been completely emptied.

“Yes. A bath sounds delightful. I expect my clothing to be ready by the time I’m done.”

Audrey was quick to run the bath water, and then she was off to gather all of the princess’s travel clothing while the girl dipped her feet in the water.

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Audrey barely had time to say goodbye to Miss Yorke before it was time to leave. She was tripping out the door with a biscuit in her mouth as she attempted to shove her hat onto her head. Thankfully, Hadley had taken to helping the princess into her carriage, so Audrey had a few moments.

“Audrey! You have some hair sticking out of your hat. Let me fix that,” Hadley informed her, delicately taking the strand of hair and pushing it under her hat. “Have a good trip! Bring my souvenir!”

Audrey smiled as he held out his hand to her. She grabbed it, using it to help herself into the carriage.

“I will. See you in a week!”

Hadley shut the door before tying its latch. “Tell me if there’s any cute servant girls there. Maybe I’ll move with you when the princess gets married.”

Audrey laughed. “Sure thing.”

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Audrey was ready to go on a nice, long walk by the time they arrived. Being stuck in a carriage for eleven hours wasn’t comfortable at all.

“Wow! Look at that! How extraordinary!”

Audrey looked up. Truthfully, it didn’t look that different from their home. It was just quite a bit warmer here than it was up north. That, and their castle seemed a bit more on the black side.

One of the servants led Audrey and Hazel to their quarters for their stay. Hazel dramatically flopped on the bed, still wearing her traveling clothing.

“Wake me when it’s time for dinner.”

Audrey pulled her hat off. She, for one, needed a walk.

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

These palace grounds weren’t so different from the ones back home. The gardens were lush, and the walking paths were smooth. There weren’t many staff out here, but for one man with his knees buried in the dirt as he ripped weeds from the ground.

“What are these flowers?” she asked, squatting down next to him.

They were larger than the ones she was used to seeing back home. They were a lush shade of red, and a ring of yellow painted the tips of their petals. She delicately touched one of them, tilting it ever so slightly so that the petals caught the light better.

“Those are gaillardia flowers,” came the man’s reply. “Gorgeous, aren’t they?”

She glanced up at him, her eyes going wide as she saw him. He had smudges of dirt on his cheeks, but his dark brown eyes were the first thing she saw. A few strands of his dark hair were curling over his forehead, but the majority of it was being held back by a headband.

“Are you new here?” he asked.

“I’m the princess’s lady-in-waiting,” she explained.

“Ah. Princess Hazel?”

“That’s right.”

“I did not realize we had guests already.”

“We only got in about half an hour ago.”

“That makes sense, I suppose.” He bent down over the flowerbed again, tugging another weed from it.

“Are you one of the gardeners?” Audrey asked.

He glanced up, a look of amusement on his face. “No. I just enjoy hanging out with my flowers. My grandmother planted these when she was still alive, so they feel like my last part of her.”

“Oh,” Audrey sighed. “How long has she been gone for?”

“About fifteen years now. She died when I was thirteen.”

“Aw. I’m sorry.”

He shook his head. “It’s all right.”

“So, where do you work if not in the gardens?”

It took him a few seconds to answer this. “I work with the prince and the king.”

“Really?” Audrey asked. “How is the prince? Is he…nice?”

The man laughed. “Why would you like to know?”

“I’m not letting my precious princess marry a man if he’s going to mistreat her!”

“Of course,” he murmured. He paused a moment to think while he pulled a few more weeds out of the dirt. “I suppose he’s a decent man. Hasn’t done anything that noteworthy, in my opinion.”

“Should I trust your opinion?”

“I’m not sure. Should you?”

“I don’t know. A man in his late twenties who still cares for his grandmother’s flowers seems trustworthy enough, but I can never be sure.”

“Fair enough. I’m sure there’s plenty of other staff who will give you their opinion on him if you want it.”

“It would seem a little strange to just go around asking people, don’t you think?”

He shrugged. “You have good intent.”

“Do I?”

“Well, in my opinion.” He laughed. “Would you like a flower?”

“I don’t want you to cut these.”

“I can replant one of them into a pot.”

She smiled. “Ok. I think I would like that.”

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Audrey returned to the princess’s room half an hour later with a small pot in her grasp. One singular flower was peeking out of it. She might not know much about plants, but she’d be sure to take care of this one in the absence of the man she’d met. As she set the pot next to her bed, she realized she’d never asked for the man’s name.

A gentle knock sounded on the door. “I have the princess’s dinner,” came a small voice.

Audrey crossed the room, letting the small servant girl in with a twist of the doorknob. The girl crossed the room before setting the tray on a table in the middle of the room.

“You are welcome to join me and the other servants for dinner downstairs if you’d like, miss,” the girl muttered with a bent head.

“I’d love that! Can I join you once I’ve woken the princess?”

“I’ll wait outside for you.”

Audrey woke the princess, letting her know that it was dinnertime before excusing herself so that she could go eat her own dinner. Then she joined the girl who had brought dinner up.

“Do you spend a lot of time around the royal family?” Audrey asked as they walked.

“I do. I serve them dinner almost every night.”

“Are they nice to you?”

The girl blushed. “Well, I’ve never been acknowledged by the king or queen,” she confessed.

“What about the prince?”

“His Highness is very kind,” the girl admitted in a small voice. “He treats me like his younger sister sometimes.”

“Oh? How so?”

“He’s offered to share his dinner with me quite often.”

“I see,” Audrey nodded. “Has he done anything else?”

“He loves coming to the kitchens to chat with the staff. Of course, he doesn’t have a lot of free time. Mister Tindall loves when he comes.”

“Who is Mister Tindall?”

“He’s our head chef.”

Audrey nodded. “Is he nice?”

“Oh, yes! He makes the best dinners!”

“Lovely. Dinner will be good tonight, then.”

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Audrey wandered the halls that evening after dinner. The castle’s interior didn’t seem that different from home. The staircases were wide, the halls were lavish, and the chandeliers were huge. Audrey didn’t understand what was with extravagant lighting. Chandeliers were nice, but the amount of crystal on every single one seemed a bit overkill. Maybe she’d never understand it.

She paused in front of a painting of the royal family. The painting seemed to be a few years old at least. The prince was a lanky teenager in this painting, and his robes seemed to be slightly too big for his thin frame. Audrey knew he was at least in his early twenties now, but she hadn’t even seen a photo of him yet. She knew she’d be meeting him in the near future if she ever accompanied Hazel to her dinners, so she’d know soon enough how much he’d grown since this painting had been made.

She began walking once again but stopped at the end of the hallway where yet another painting hung. This one was a painting of the prince when he’d been very young. He appeared to be about four or five. He was sitting in his chair incorrectly, and Audrey had to guess that they hadn’t been able to get him to sit in it the right way. He was grinning from ear to ear, and Audrey almost could’ve mistaken him for a normal toddler if not for the fancy clothing he’d been wearing.

She smiled. Maybe, if the prince really had kept the personality he’d had as a young boy, he could be an acceptable match for Hazel. Not that Audrey had much of a say in the decision, but she was willing to fight for her lady if she needed to. After all, Hazel was barely a young lady yet. Despite the fact that Hazel was a princess, Audrey thought that she at least deserved a decent husband if she was going to be married off so young.

She tapped her foot against the ground. She should probably head to bed. Tomorrow was bound to be a long day, and she definitely hadn’t slept enough the previous night. But first, she needed a bath.

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

It was ten before Princess Hazel even got out of bed, so Audrey had time to walk the palace gardens that morning. Once again, she found the man who gave her the flowers bent in the dirt. Today, he was wearing a hat over his thick head of hair, but his clothes were still caked in dirt. Did he not have a way to wash them? Surely, living in the palace, he could find some way to wash them, right? She approached him quietly, listening as he hummed softly.

“I didn’t expect you to be out here so early,” she commented.

The sun was barely peeking over the horizon, giving the whole palace an ambient glow. The gardener looked up at her, his face being darkened by the shadow of his hat. He smiled.

“Good morning. How is your flower?”

“It’s still pretty happy, I think.” Audrey returned his smile. “Are you out here a lot?”

“Sometimes. My job isn’t one that is needed much right now, so I have more time.”

“Do you work directly with the prince, then?” she asked. It seemed to be the only reason she could think of as to why he wasn’t extremely busy while they had guests.

“I do.”

Audrey nodded. “Are there any other flowers you tend to here?”

“The coreopsis flowers.”

She glanced around. She’d never heard of those before.

“Which ones are those?”

He pointed to a different section of the garden, where a bundle of bright yellow flowers sat. They looked akin to stars, and their petals appeared velvety.

“Were those also your grandmother’s?”

His lips lifted into a wry smile. “No, my sister’s favorite color was yellow. I planted them for her when she was young.”

“That’s sweet,” Audrey smiled. She turned back to him. “I never asked. What’s your name?”

“Taehyung.”

“I’m Audrey.”

He tossed down the weeds he was holding before standing up and dusting his hands off. Then he held one dirt-powdered hand out her.

“It’s nice to meet you, Audrey.”

Normally, she would’ve recoiled at the thought of dirt touching her hands, but for some odd reason, she didn’t now. She shook his hand happily.

“Nice to meet you too, Taehyung.”

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

“Have you ever tried fresh herbs?” Taehyung asked, picking a green leaf off of one of the plants.

“No, I don’t think I have,” Audrey confessed. “I don’t cook.”

He handed her the leaf. “Here. Try this.”

“Are you trying to poison me?” she asked point-blank.

“Why would I? So that I can get my precious gaillardia back?”

“That seems a good enough reason to poison someone, don’t you think?”

“Over one flower? That’s nonsense.”

She shrugged. “You never know.”

“It’s mint.”

“You have to take a bite of it first.”

“All right then. Fine.” Taehyung took a bite of the mint leaf. Then he offered it to her. “Now will you try it?”

“Well, I suppose you didn’t drop dead immediately after eating it….” She took the leaf before eating the rest of it. “Huh. Wow, that’s good!”

“Isn’t it?” he grinned.

Audrey smiled. Then she glanced up at the sky. The sun had begun to paint it many different shades of red and orange.

“You know, I don’t see the sunrise very often.”

“You don’t?” he asked. “That’s a shame.”

“I have to get up and get the princess ready every morning. I don’t have time to look outside,” Audrey admitted with a laugh.

“Ah. I’m out here most mornings before the sun rises.”

“Must be nice to be on your own time.”

“I suppose.”

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Hazel didn’t need Audrey at dinner that evening, so Audrey took this opportunity to take another walk in the gardens. This evening, there was a young boy watering some of the patches of herbs. His dark curls reminded her of Hadley, and she smiled sadly when she thought of home. She had a feeling this trip would be dragging on for a lot longer than she’d initially anticipated. She wasn’t even entirely sure if Hazel was meeting the prince tonight, or if she was just meeting the king and queen. Nothing had been clear.

She passed by Taehyung’s gaillardias, and she wondered what he was doing this evening. He was probably taking care of the prince tonight. She sighed, unsure why she was disappointed to find that he wasn’t here. It wasn’t even like she could really even be friends with him. He lived nearly two hundred miles away from her.

Her gaze turned to the sky, where she found a range of colors once again as the sun set. Tonight, purple and orange married together, causing the few clouds overhead to be tainted by their color. Maybe she should start going on walks more often when she got home. Watching the sun rise and set was far more peaceful than watching her clock each morning and evening.

Audrey stared down at the path as she walked. She stopped as she came upon something shining on the gravel. She bent down to pick it up. It appeared to be a button. But not just any old button. It was shiny, and it appeared to be made of silver. Maybe it belonged to the prince? She rolled it between her fingers. Perhaps not. She wasn’t sure who else it would belong to, though. There didn’t seem to be anymore royal boys in the palace, and she didn’t see why the king would’ve been out here.

She resorted to tucking it into her pocket. She’d ask around about it later. She turned her eyes to the sky again, noticing that the moon was now peeking out from behind the castle. It was full tonight. She hadn’t seen a full moon in a long while.

She sighed. She should probably return to the castle. Dinner would be over soon, and the princess would need her help getting out of her clothes. Audrey was about to turn around when she saw yet another oddity. There was a shoe print in the mud. She knelt down next to it. The print appeared a lot bigger than one that her boots would make, so it was likely from a man’s shoe. It had barely missed a few of the gaillardias. She brushed her finger over the flowers. They seemed ok.

She stood up again, brushing her dress off as she glanced at the sky again. The sun had fully set now, and the stars were starting to appear. She smiled. Tonight had been nice.

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Hazel insisted on not being escorted around the castle the next morning, so Audrey was forced to, once again, take a walk. This time, she found herself wandering towards the stables. She wasn’t sure her outfit was exactly appropriate for riding a horse, but she’d give it a try anyways.

She found a man in the stables brushing a horse’s mane. He was humming as he did so, and it put a smile on her face.

“Sir?”

He glanced up at her, greeting her with a smile.

“Why hello there. How can I help you?”

“Is there any way I could borrow a horse to take a ride?”

“I’m sure there is. Let me saddle one up.”

Audrey wandered around the stable as the man prepared a horse for her. There were quite a few different horses here. A few were a solid black, while one of them had an almost red coat. Another few were spotted with white, while the majority of them were a simple brown.

“Here, Miss,” the stable master handed her the horse’s reins. “I trust you know how to ride a horse?”

“I haven’t ridden in a few years, but I think I can manage.”

“You are with the princess, correct?”

“That’s right. I’m her lady-in-waiting.”

The man nodded. “I can trust you with this horse, then?”

She smiled. “If it disappears, you can put the blame on me only.”

“Have a good ride, then.”

Once Audrey was outside the barn, she mounted the horse. It was a bit harder than she remembered it being, but she made it up nonetheless. She started off in a gentle canter, not wanting to have to hold herself on with much strength just yet. There was a wide path along the river just behind the castle, so she decided to follow it into the forest.

She trotted along for a good twenty minutes before she saw someone approaching from the opposite direction. He was going much faster than her, and her eyes widened as she realized he was headed straight toward her. She pulled her horse to a stop, and thankfully, the other rider slowed as well.

“Audrey! Is that you?”

As the rider came closer, she recognized who it was. She smiled as he approached her.

“Taehyung! I didn’t expect to see you out here!”

He laughed as he came to a stop next to her. “Well, I had the morning off, and it’s been a while since I saw the woods. What do you think of it?”

“It’s quite lovely,” she admitted.

“Gorgeous, isn’t it?”

He turned his gaze to the tall trees towering above them, but she couldn’t help but notice the way his clothing seemed to hug his body. His pants were stretching ever so slightly to mold to his thighs, and despite his shirt being flowy, his shoulders didn’t seem to fit the way they were supposed to. What was his job, exactly, that cause him to be this muscular?

“Would you like to head back to the castle with me? The forest isn’t exactly a safe place to be if you don’t know your way around it.”

Audrey took this as her cue to actually look at her surroundings, and she realized that she really didn’t know where she was going. She turned back toward him.

“Sure! Lead the way.”

The two of them rode in a companionable silence for a few minutes before Audrey spoke up.

“It seems someone nearly stepped on your gaillardias last night.”

“What do you mean?” Taehyung asked.

“There was a shoe print in the dirt next to them when I was taking a walk last night.”

“Ah,” he laughed. “Yes, that was probably me. I tripped in the garden yesterday evening while I was taking a walk.”

“Oh.” She paused. “Well, I’m glad you didn’t damage them.”

He hummed. “I hadn’t even noticed my shoe had gone into the dirt.”

“Do you have work to do when we get back?” Audrey asked.

“I do. I managed to escape this morning, but I cannot get out of my responsibilities this afternoon.”

She nodded. “I must check on the princess when we get back. She insisted on not being escorted to breakfast this morning, so I thought I’d take this time to go for a ride. It’s been a few years since I was out just for fun. Do you get to do this often?”

“Sometimes. Depends on how busy the day is. When we have guests, I have less work to do, so I get to do whatever I please for a few hours every day. Normally, though, there’s lots of work to get done around the palace. I help deal with a lot of legal things, so there’s a lot of paperwork.”

“I see. Well, it appears that you’re enjoying your free time.”

He chuckled. “I am.”

When they neared the stables, he nodded towards them. “You go ahead. I have something I need to check on before I return to the stables.”

She turned toward him. “I shall see you around, then?”

He nodded. “See you around.”

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

The next time she saw Taehyung was that evening as she took another walk through the castle gardens. Instead of weeding the gardens, tonight he was coaxing a song from the strings of a violin. Audrey had never heard someone play such an instrument outside the walls of a symphony hall. He was playing quite the melancholy tune, and Audrey wasn’t sure how he was able to play so well in the dim moonlight. He couldn’t see the strings.

“That’s quite a sad song. Does it have a name?” she queried.

He glanced up her, a gentle smile gracing his face as he took his violin off his shoulder.

“No, it doesn’t. I’ve never given it a name.”

“Did you write it?”

“Yes.”

“Ah. Well, it’s lovely.”

“Thank you.”

“When did you write it?”

“When I was twelve.”

“Wow! You had quite the talent for a twelve-year-old!”

Audrey was starting to question the position of this man. Before, she’d thought that he was simply a palace worker, maybe someone slightly more important, but now she was questioning if maybe he was someone of a higher position. A baron, perhaps? Maybe a viscount? But then, why would he be spending so much time at the palace?

Taehyung picked his violin again, beginning to play the tune again. This time, there were lyrics to go with the strain of the violin.

“The moonlight is shining tonight.

“The candles are glowing so bright.

“Oh, how I miss you.

“Oh, how I miss you.

“The tears of the flowers,

“Are making the hours,

“Go on and on and on.”

The violin continued to croon its sad tune even after he stopped singing, and Audrey wondered why this song had been written. It had been before his grandmother had died, so certainly it hadn’t been written for her.

“How does the time go by?

“How do the hours pass?

“Why did we say goodbye?

“Why couldn’t our time last?

“Oh, how I miss you.

“Oh, how I miss you.

“On this starry night.”

As the song came to an end, the tune slowed and eventually came to a stop. Audrey smiled.

“Did you write the lyrics at twelve too?”

He chuckled. “No. They came long after I wrote the tune.”

“What is the song about?” she asked before she could think.

He drew in a breath. “It’s about someone very dear to me that I lost.”

“Ah,” she frowned. “I’m sorry.”

He shook his head. “It’s all right. That was a long time ago.”

“When you were twelve?”

“Grief seemed easier to process through music,” he admitted with a nod. “I suppose you’re out here for your nighty walk. I shall turn in now so I don’t disturb you.”

He turned to leave, but her voice stilled him.

“You’re not disturbing me. It’s quite nice to hear you play. I rarely hear someone play an instrument. Princess Hazel quite despises her harp, I suppose.”

“The princess plays an instrument?”

“Well, she was taught to play one, anyways. I haven’t heard her play in quite a few years. It’s a shame, really. That harp of hers is quite beautiful. It sits in dust now.”

“That is quite sad. But really, I should be getting inside. I’ll leave you now.”

She gave him a polite nod. “See you tomorrow, then.”

“Right. Tomorrow.”

Then he strode off towards the castle, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Taehyung wasn’t in the gardens the next morning when she went for her walk. The sun had just started to rise, but Audrey had expected him to be here. She went to check on his flowers once again. She wasn’t sure why she felt so attached to them. Maybe it was because he’d been kind enough to give her one of them. As she knelt down, she realized that he’d patted the shoe print out of the dirt. It was smooth again there. She gently ran her hand over the soil, smiling as how he cared so much for this garden.

She glanced across the garden at the coreopsis flowers. She wondered where his sister was now. He hadn’t spoken of her again after that morning. She crossed the garden and knelt down before the flowers. She brushed her finger along one of the petals. They were as soft as she’d imagined them to be when she’d first seen them.

She furrowed her brow when she noticed something glinting between the flowers. She reached forward, making sure to not bend any of the flower stems as she pulled the shiny thing out of the soil. As she brought it close to examine it, she recognized that it was another of the same button she’d seen before in the gardens. She was beginning to think something odd was going on here. Maybe these didn’t belong to the prince like she’d first suspected. Maybe…they were Taehyung’s buttons. But why would his buttons be falling out?

She pondered this, glancing up at the slowly illuminating sky as if it would give her the answers to her questions. Taehyung was truly proving to be more of a mysterious man than she’d initially thought. Why were buttons appearing in his garden? Where was his sister? Who had been so special to him that he’d lost so many years ago? And most importantly, was he an unimportant figure in the kingdom, or did his life play a much more pivotal role than hers did?

She clicked her tongue. Why did she care? She was headed back home soon. Although, if everything went well, she’d be returning. But she’d have far less time than she did now. She’d be back to her busy days of waiting on Hazel’s hand and foot every day, and her walks would likely be long forgotten. Taehyung would just be another figure in the castle that she bumped paths with every now and then, and the two of them would go on with their separate lives. She’d only known him for less than three days, anyways. How much could you really get to know about a person’s true character in that short of a time?

She knew that he gardened…played violin…and knew how to ride a horse. That was about it. And that at some point, he’d seemed to have some sort of a family.

She flicked the button back into the flowerbed. Maybe its owner would come for it again. Then she stood, realizing it was time to go wake the princess.

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

“Have you met the prince yet?” Audrey finally asked as she helped Hazel into her gowns.

Hazel scoffed. “Yes. He’s an old man. He’s twenty-eight! Can you believe that? I thought at most, he’d be twenty-two. I can’t believe Mama and Papa want me to marry that guy!”

“Well…you know your brother’s wife is ten years younger than him.”

“Yes, well, this is outrageous! I’m not Hollace, nor should I be required to be like Gregory. I am a princess! I should choose my own husband!”

Audrey intentionally pulled the laces on Hazel’s dress too tight, making the girl squeak.

“My princess, must I remind you that this is just part of your life? You don’t have a choice. I’ve heard your fiancé is quite a fine gentleman, so you should be glad that your parents have chosen well. You could very well have been engaged to a man who would choose to disregard you at every turn. Would you prefer that?”

Hazel stared at Audrey through the mirror. “Well…no,” she responded after a few moments of silence. “I suppose he is quite charming.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “He’s very kind. He pulls my chair out at dinner for me.”

“See? A gentleman.”

“Indeed.”

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

The whole ordeal seemed to fall apart that same afternoon. Hazel burst into her room abruptly, sobbing hysterically. She began attempting to undo her dress before Audrey could even get up to help her.

Audrey loosened the back of the girl’s dress before sitting her down on the bed.

“Do I need to get you some tea?”

“No,” Hazel moaned. “I need you to hit him over the head for me.”

“What?” Audrey asked.

“The prince! He told me that he plans on breaking our engagement off!”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“No! I was just starting to like him! And what will my parents think! I’ve been rejected by my own fiancé! Surely I’m unworthy of any marriage now!” She dissolved into tears as she recalled what had happened.

Audrey patted her back. “I’ll go get you some tea and pastries, all right? Stay here.”

Hazel nodded.

Audrey quickly exited the room, making a beeline for the grand hall. She was going to give this prince a piece of her mind. Before she knew it, she was shoving the doors of the grand hall open, and she was pleased to find the prince still sitting in there. She crossed the room and was about to open her mouth when someone snapped at her.

“Hey! Bow to your prince.”

Someone shoved her to her knees, and a moment later she glanced up to meet his eyes. She gasped.

“Taehyung? It’s you?”

He blinked down at her. “Me? Yes, it’s me. What about me?”

“You’re the prince?” She was quick to get up from her knees, and she glared down at him.

“I suppose so,” he replied simply.

“You lied to me, then!”

“When did I lie to you?”

She hated how calm he looked right now. First, he’d deceived her into thinking he was just an average man working in the palace, and then he’d gone and broken Hazel’s heart. This man was a piece of work.

“You said you worked with the prince and the king!”

“I do. I work with my father, and it’s quite hard to not work with myself.”

She scowled at him.

“Have I told another lie?”

“I…” she stuttered. “I-I don’t know! You sure pretended that you weren’t a prince!”

He sighed. “Why are you here? Did you want to speak to me?”

“Yes! How could you tell Hazel that you’re going to break off your engagement with her?”

“Because I am. She’s made it clear that she doesn’t like me, and I don’t want to get married, honestly.”

“She came back to her room crying because of you!”

He furrowed his brow. “Crying? I assumed she would be overjoyed!”

“Well-” Audrey was stumbling over her words again. “Well, I’ll make sure you regret this!”

He smiled. “All right, then.” He stood from his chair. “I must be off now. I’ll see you around.”

Audrey scoffed at him.

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Normally, Audrey wasn’t a vengeful or aggressive person. But something about Taehyung hiding the fact that he was the prince made her extremely furious. She found herself in the gardens, and seeing his flowers infuriated her even more. She wouldn’t touch the gaillardias, no, she wasn’t that insensitive. Although part of her wanted to be. Instead, she marched across the garden, coming to stand in front of the yellow patch of coreopsis. She bent down, ripping one of them from the flowerbed. She glared down at it.

“I can’t believe him!” she screamed at it. “He tricked me! He played with my heart!”

She sniffed, and tears started streaming down her face. The skies above her seemed to get the memo, and they began to cry as well. Except this wasn’t the cool, quiet rain that she was used to at home. It was a hot, loud rain that poured down on her and heated her already angered skin. She reached down and pulled another flower out of the ground. Then she stared at the two flowers. They were bright. Too bright. They promised sunny, happy days, but that was not what she was granted.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

Audrey jumped, looking to her left as the loud sound rang in her ears. Taehyung was standing there, his royal robes abandoned, and he was glaring at her. He bent down close to her, and she realized that she’d never seen him even close to angry before.

“Don’t. Touch. My coreopsis,” he growled.

She gasped, dropping both of the flowers to the ground. He bent down to retrieve them. Then he shoved them in her face.

“Have you ever had to bury a sibling?” he asked loudly, but his voice seemed nearly drowned out by the pouring rain around them.

“…no,” she admitted in a small voice, unsure if he’d even heard her.

He turned his gaze to the flowerbed, and his anger dissipated. He looked like he was crying now, but she couldn’t tell through all the rain.

“You haven’t. So you’ll never know what it’s like to be twelve and have your four-year-old sister die.”

Audrey stared up at him in shock and horror. She felt awful for what she’d just done, but grateful that she hadn’t had the courage to do any more damage. Taehyung knelt down, placing the flowers on top of the now baren dirt. He seemed to pause for a second, and then he retrieved the button that Audrey had left there that morning. Then he stood up. He grabbed her hand, tugging it forward before placing the button in it. Then he curled her fingers around it.

“I don’t want to see you again as long as you’re here.”

Now, she felt mad at her own self instead of at him.

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Their trip was cut short by Taehyung’s announcement to both of the royal households. He was breaking his engagement with Hazel. Audrey was relieved to realize that he hadn’t made any mention of her actions to anyone else. She could at least only carry around the guilt of ruining his garden. She didn’t have to worry about crushing Hazel’s life along with her own. Part of her felt like it would almost be better to receive a punishment for what she’d done, though. She’d destroyed part of what she assumed to be one of the only things he had left of that little life that had been lost.

She found herself wandering the hallways one last time before she left, and she found a painting that she hadn’t seen on her past trips around these halls. It depicted a little, yellow flower, and it had a small child’s hand wrapped around its stem. She frowned, realizing that once, a young boy had planted a garden of flowers just for the joy of a dying little girl.

Audrey wept. She’d been so wrong about Taehyung. She wasn’t sure why he’d hidden his identity from her, but she knew he hadn’t deserved the wrath she’d spent on those flowers. He was a lovely man, and she realized that she didn’t deserve him, title or no title. He’d been so kind to her. He, a crown prince, had treated her like a friend while she’d walked his gardens. And she’d returned that kindness with destruction.

It was ok that she was headed home tomorrow. He could forget she’d ever walked into his life, and she could go home wishing that somehow their paths had intersected differently.

She found herself singing his song as she walked back to her room.

“The moonlight is shining tonight.

“The candles are glowing so bright.

“Oh, how I miss you.

“Oh, how I miss you.

“The tears of the flowers,

“Are making the hours,

“Go on and on and on.”

“How does the time go by?

“How do the hours pass?

“Why did we say goodbye?

“Why couldn’t our time last?

“Oh, how I miss you.

“Oh, how I miss you.

“On this starry night.”

She recognized now that he’d written this as a heartbroken little boy right after his sister had passed on. He’d suffered so much. And here she was, sulking that she couldn’t spend a lifetime with him. She was a sorry soul. She was glad she hadn’t been born royalty. She was given no chance with him, and that was a very good thing.

She made one last trip before she turned in for the night. She’d promised Hadley a gift, and she had no drawing, so she was determined to find a peacock feather. Surely, they sold them somewhere in town.

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Months had passed since that trip now. Taehyung’s button was something that sat inside Audrey’s gaillardia pot, and she saw both of them every day when she awoke in the morning. She’d written him numerous letters, telling him how sorry she was for the way she’d acted and how kind he’d been to her. She admitted how fast her sorry excuse of a heart had fallen for him, and how she knew they weren’t meant to be. She told him of how she sang his song every night to help herself fall asleep. She’d never gotten an answer. She hadn’t expected to. He was a prince. What time did he have to read letters sent from a lady-in-waiting who was living nearly two hundred miles from him?

Today, she rolled out of bed like every morning. She headed straight for the kitchens to retrieve Hazel’s breakfast. When she arrived, the kitchen was far busier than usual. She stepped back as someone rushed past her.

“Miss Yorke, what is going on?”

“Haven’t you heard? We had a guest arrive late last night.”

Audrey had been asleep by then, probably.

“Who?” she asked. They hadn’t been expecting anyone.

“Prince Taehyung.”

Audrey froze. “Oh…um. Why is he here?”

“I haven’t a clue.”

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Since they were having breakfast in the great hall today, Audrey had no reason to head to Hazel’s room just yet. She wandered around the halls of the palace, wondering just what Taehyung was doing here. Had he decided to take back his rejection to the proposal? That seemed unlikely. But why else would he be here?

She turned a corner and walked smack into something. She didn’t remember anything being here. She stepped back, and her eyes widened as she saw Taehyung standing in front of her.

“I’ve been looking for you,” he murmured as he stared down at her.

She glanced around the hall. No one else seemed to be here. She looked back up at him.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“It seems to me that you haven’t been getting my letters.”

“Your letters?” she asked.

“Yes. I’ve written responses to all of yours.”

“I…I had no idea,” she muttered. “I never got anything.”

“I figured as much.” He pulled a stack of letters out of his coat before handing them to her. “I stopped sending them. I thought I’d come give them to you in person.”

She stared down at that stack of letters. She couldn’t believe this. He’d been responding to her this whole time, but she’d never gotten them. She blinked, and tears started to stream down her face.

“But you…you said you didn’t want to see me.”

He nodded. “I think both of us overreacted that day.”

She shook her head. “I did. You didn’t. I destroyed your garden.”

He shrugged. “It was two flowers.”

He held the letters out to her, but she shoved them back into his chest.

“You can’t give me false hope, Taehyung. You’re a prince. We can’t be together.”

“Says who? I see no reason why we can’t be together.”

“I can’t…I can’t leave Hazel. You know that.”

“All right.” He set the stack of letters in her hand before turning around and striding back the way he came from.

She hugged the letters to her chest, realizing he’d came all this way just for her. But why? Last time they’d spoken, he’d said he never wanted to see her again. Had her letters somehow changed his mind?

She opened the first letter as she walked. It had been dated about a week after her third letter had been written.

Dear Audrey,

I assume that these letters haven’t been reaching you. Neither of your last two have made any mention of mine. I suppose I shall keep these for now, then. Hopefully someday they make it into your hands.

I’ve planted a new flower in the gardens. It’s a bush of pink roses. They remind me of you. Beautiful to look at, but hard to touch.

Would you still write me your letters if you knew I was reading them? I sure hope so, but it seems from the very beginning you thought I’d never read these letters. I am partially glad these haven’t sent to you if that is the case.

Taehyung

When she reached into the envelope to put the letter back, she realized that there was a pressed flower in the envelope. It was a rose, and it matched the description of the ones that Tae had described. She leaned forward and smelled it. It had the scent of the perfumes the princess wore. Was he trying to tell her something? Why was he trying to woo a simple lady-in-waiting?

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Audrey read the rest of the letters after breakfast. He made mention of her parents, and she realized that she’d seemed to have mentioned their untimely deaths in one of her letters. Occasionally, he would talk about his sister and the fun times they had together before she fell ill. His parents hadn’t tried for any more kids after that.

Each letter was accompanied by another rose as well, and each one of them seemed younger than the previous one. The last rose appeared to almost still be in bloom. Audrey wondered if he’d put it in here right before he’d left. Each letter was stained with the scent of roses, and each envelope was sealed with wax. She wondered if this was what the girls were referring to when they mentioned love letters.

She tucked the letters away into the chest at the end of her bed. She wasn’t really sure what to do with them. Should she go find him? Or was that too much of a risk? Why was he even here, anyways? There was no way he’d travel all the way here just to give her a stack of letters.

She decided she needed a walk now. Hazel had insisted that she was spending the whole day in her room, so Audrey had most of the day free.

She found herself wandering around in the gardens this time. Their garden wasn’t nearly as beautiful as the one at Taehyung’s home, but it was all right for walking. She hadn’t expected to find Taehyung out there, though.

He was seated on one of the stone walls that surrounded the garden, and he was tapping his fingers against the wall. This was the first time Audrey had truly been able to study his outfit. Even dressing like a prince, he still wore trousers that were fitted to his legs. He wore a frilly, white shirt under a fancy red coat. But he still looked like the same Taehyung who had been muddied the first time she met him. She approached him quietly.

“Why are you here?”

He glanced up, startled.

“Why are you here?” she repeated. “If you’re here because of me, then go home.”

He started up at her. “I think you know why I’m here.”

“No, actually, I don’t! You’re not spending time with Hazel, and I don’t think you’re here to take back her hand in marriage, so what are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to collect my lady. But only if you’ll have me.”

“But you can’t have me!” she cried.

“And why not? The king and queen have no objections, so why can’t I have you?”

“What…what did you say?”

“They said I can have your hand in marriage.”

“Did you ask Hazel’s opinion?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Is that not a no?”

She scoffed. “I can’t just uproot myself and move two hundred miles away!”

“Why not?”

She blinked down at him. “I just…I can’t.”

He sighed before getting up from his spot on the wall. “Fine. I’ll go home, then. If you ever want to talk to me, I’m just a letter away.”

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

Taehyung headed out the next morning. Audrey stayed in her room, wanting to avoid seeing him before he left. Usually, she’d be taking Hazel her breakfast by now, but she couldn’t run the risk of running into him this morning.

She was startled by a loud banging on her door. She furrowed her brow. No one should be knocking on that door, especially not at this hour. She crossed the room and opened it just to find the princess staring back at her.

“Are you crazy? You’re just going to let him leave like that?” Hazel asked in outrage.

“Of course.”

“He came all the way here to ask for your hand in marriage and you’re just going to watch him leave?”

“How do you know that?”

“Because he asked me first! He sent me a letter a month ago asking if I’d be ok with it! He traveled two hundred miles just to ask you, and you’re gonna watch him ride off into the sunrise? Go! Get out there before he’s too far away for you to catch him!”

Audrey frowned. “Princess….”

“No! Go!” Hazel grabbed Audrey by the arm, dragging her out of the room and shoving her down the hall. “Get out there now!”

Audrey sighed, giving in. She started down the hall slowly.

“Be quick, Audrey!” Hazel exclaimed.

“Fine, fine.”

Audrey found herself sprinting through the courtyard a minute later, and then she was out on the streets. If she hurried, she could catch them before they got out of town.

By the time she found the carriage, her clothing was covered in dirt. She caught up to them, yelling as loud as she could.

“Wait! Wait! Stop the carriage!”

The driver got the message, pulling the carriage to a stop. Audrey climbed the side of the carriage, not caring that her clothing was now messy.

“What on earth are you doing?” Taehyung laughed as he poked his head out the window.

Audrey let out a squeak, her grip on the side failing as she fell back to the ground. Taehyung stepped down from the carriage a moment later and helped her up.

“What’s so urgent that you had to chase me out of town like this?” he asked.

Audrey stared up at him. “Hazel spoke to me. She told me everything. I’m…I’m so sorry.”

Her gaze fell to the ground as her cheeks flushed. She felt terribly embarrassed. Everything she’d done of late had been blatantly disrespectful to him.

“You don’t need to apologize,” he chuckled.

He reached down, hooking his finger under her chin before bringing her head up so that he could look her in the eye.

“I’m willing to wait as long as you need.”

“We’re not getting any younger.”

“No, we’re not. But that doesn’t matter to me. If you wake up one day when you’re sixty and realize what you’ve missed out on, you’ll always know where to find me.”

“I don’t want to wait that long,” she admitted. “I don’t think I can.”

“Then…will you marry me now?” he asked quietly, glancing between her eyes as he waited for an answer.

“I will. I’ll marry you.”

He grinned. “You will?”

“Yes. I will.”

He bent down then, capturing her lips in a kiss. She sighed. He smelled like the gardens of his homeland.

᪥♔᪥♔᪥

One year later…

Taehyung entered their bedroom, hiding something behind his back.

“Darling, I have a gift for you.”

“You do?” Audrey questioned, sitting up as much as she could. The baby growing inside her made it harder and harder to sit up on her own every day.

Taehyung revealed the gift to her, and she smiled.

“Yellow roses!” she gasped. “They’re lovely!”

“You like them?” he asked. “There’s plenty more in the garden. I thought I’d bring them up to you for now, though.”

She grinned. “When did you plant these?”

“About three months ago,” he admitted with a shrug. “I’ve planted some white ones too, but those won’t bloom for a little while.”

“May I smell them?”

He crossed the room before handing the bouquet to her. She leaned forward, burying her nose in it.

“They smell amazing,” she smiled. “Are you going to put them in a vase?”

“Would you like me to?”

“Of course! Why would you even ask?”

He laughed. “Of course, how silly of me. I’ll go get a vase. But first-” he leaned down to give her a kiss. “I need a few of these.”

She giggled as he kissed all over her face. “That tickles!”

“Mmm, does it? You want me to stop, then?”

“No.”

“I suppose I shall continue, then.”

“Tae!”

Main m.list

A/N: I wrote this in 3 days and haven't edited it so that's fun. I hope you enjoyed this, because it was very exciting for me to write!

It would be greatly appreciated if you reblogged the story if you liked it!

Taglist: @jiminie-and-his-pinky-finger @jinnie-forthe-winnie @taehoneycheeks @aianloveseven @bangtansjonas @fly-you-dam-fools

welcome to my youtube channel → kth

✳ pairing: idol!taehyung x youtuber!reader

✳ genre: fluff, taehyung scenario, stranger to lovers, reader is an artist who posts art videos on youtube

✳ warnings: none!

✳ words: 2.9k

✳ a/n: hello, this is my second bts oneshot/scenario. i just like to write for fun but if you’d like to let me know if there’s anything i can improve on please do so! i’d love to know how to improve. anyways, i hope you enjoy!

“Hey guys, welcome to my YouTube Channel.”

You spoke in front of the camera. Sets of acrylic paint were spread out across the table next to a stand that held an 18x24 inch canvas. You were in the middle of making your seventeenth video, a highly requested one at that, and deep down you were ecstatic to start working on the painting.

Never in your life did you think you would ever start a YouTube account. You always considered yourself a very shy and private person, not one to go out of their way and broadcast themselves all over the internet. Your best friends, however, were two very well-known YouTubers and always found a way to include you in their videos and live streams. Somehow people liked seeing more of you, and so you were convinced by your best friends and the audience to start your own YouTube channel.

But you weren’t very accustomed to bringing a camera everywhere with you to document and share whatever was happening in your daily life, you found it too awkward and you were still camera-shy, so you decided to create content in a way that would still keep you comfortable while doing something you loved.

An art channel.

Keep reading

사랑: time for love [day 00]

pairing: ot7xreader (platonic), ??? x reader, bts x female oc, bts member x bts member genre: romance, fluff, humor, strangers to lovers, angst, mystery, platonic friendships type: social media au / smau warnings: none summary: Wanting a new wave in your monotonous life, you sign up for an online dating game that puts you in a group chat of 12 with complete strangers. You have 30 days to find love, will you succeed? note: i was tired of studying and editing is kinda therapy for me so i did this. let me know if you're interested. this is inspired by the otome game "picka: 30 days to fall in love." // this is day 00 with a sneak peek of day 01 that's why it's cut off!

tentative release date: october 2022

𓆩♡𓆪 want to be tagged to all my works or a specific one? 𓆩♡𓆪  : ̗̀➛ fill up this form here: taglist request form.

𓆩♡𓆪  you can also check out my reading and fic recommendation blog 𓆩♡𓆪  : ̗̀➛ @wolfvmin-reads

© wolfvmin. please do not copy, translate, claim any of my works. my works are not cross-posted anywhere else but this blog. thank you.

associative property | kth

title ; associative property

description ; every morning, taehyung drives you to school. and every morning, taehyung annoys you - until he doesn’t.  

cast ; taehyung x you

tracklist ; this is how u feel - loote, take a chance with me - niki, trust - thuy ft. rini, crema - youngjae 

tags ; popular!taehyung, cranky!y/n, high school!au, fluff, they’re not enemies but y/n does think he’s annoying and taehyung has no qualms with it, i don’t know a single thing about video games please forgive me, idk where this came from honestly, also this is unedited so sorry in advance 

Keep reading

One Year, My Love [M] (ft. Jungkook) | pt. 1

→ historical/royal!au, marriagecontract!au, based off the kdrama 100 days My Prince; → You forge a marriage contract with the strangely speaking man who suddenly stumbled into your town with memory loss, but little do you know that he’s actually the lost Crown Prince, and a lot can happen between a married man and woman in one year. 

→ genres: lots of fluff/plot development, a tiny bit of angst, and a little smut → 15k words | part 1| part 2 | fin.

A/N: I went on a writing binge the past couple days and I was able to finish this monster fic, and wanted to get it out for you guys so you can read during quarantine! I usually tend to write really angsty and darker fics, so I hope that the fluff in this one is really refreshing :) 

“No!” You scream, flailing your arms as the officials try to drag you into the waiting carriage. “I won’t marry him! I can’t!” 

The matchmaker looks wistfully at you as you struggle. “Please! Y/n, he is rich! He’ll pay for your debt, and you’ll avoid a punishment! I’m sure that your fiancee, ‘Jungkook’ that you speak of, doesn’t even exist! You have no one else! Just go!” 

You struggle, putting up quite a fight with the two men gripping either of your arms. “Never!” You scream, turning to bite one on his arm. He yelps and lets you go, and when his partner sees that you bit him, he throws you onto the ground, drawing his sword and whipping it at your neck. 

He huffs, “You bitch, you know that it’s the King’s decree that all women must be wed by tonight. This is your last chance to survive. Your punishment may be death, and if you want to meet that end, so be it!” 

You glare up at him, blowing the hair that fell out of your bun out of your face, “So do it! Kill me! I’d rather die than be married off to someone who’s older than my father! He’s a pig!” 

Keep reading

How to Sell Sunshine - M.list

“I’ve always wanted to be the villain.”

→ Pairing: OT7 BTS x reader (not poly), mafia!BTS x mafia!reader

→ warnings/tags:SFW, e2l, mafia!au so some violence (but more like alludes to it), threats, humor, pining, heists and criminal activity, Hoseok is a hITMAN so ya’ll already know this is gonna be a good time

→ a/n: I don’t have a schedule for this atm, although I have a general outline that should help get the chapters out hopefully weekly! as always, please let me know what you think! I’m excited to share this with you guys and thank you for your love and support! enjoy!

The Castlist

FAQ’s & Character Profiles

1. The Interrogator

“I could rip you apart, you know.” “That’s hardly romantic, Mr. Park.”

2. The Wild Card

“Don’t make me into a tool that can be used against you.”

3. The Street Rat

“Let’s set a couple of things straight. First: I don’t like you.”

4. The Hitman

”Hands off.“

5. The Legend

“Now it’s time to make them fear for their lives.”

5.5 The Fits

6. The Gala

"Do you fear the army or the general that commands it?”

7. The Lies

"What happened to building this clan off of trust?” “Yeah, trust. Not necessarily truth.”

8. The Arsonist

“You know, liars go to hell.”

9. The Executioner

“It means I should’ve buried him myself.”

10. The Past

“We’ll have to remedy that, now won’t we?”

10.5 The Distraction

“So why does it hurt so much?”

11. The Light

“Stop running in the wrong direction.”

12. The Mole

“Et tu, Brute?”

13. The Web

“There’s nothing left to save you.”

14. Omerta

“Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.”

You, Me, and the Bleachers

Pairing: Taehyung x reader

Genre: one shot, fluff, a little cheesy in the way only fluff fics and rom coms can pull off

Summary: You try to teach Taehyung to ice skate and the results are…mixed

Warnings: descriptions of (minor) injuries

Word Count: 3.9K, like 50 words off from 4K 

Shamelessly and entirely inspired by how cute Taehyung looked in that bangtan bomb where they’re roller-skating. Also I saw the ice skating promo for the wooga in the soop and figured I’d get this out since it’s been in my drafts for like a year lmao. First BTS fic i’m posting so pls be nice 🥺

Keep reading

"Her Long List Of Ex-Crushes"

25 Chapters (✔DONE )

“HER LONG LIST OF EX-CRUSHES”

(BTS College AU X Y/N)

PROLOGUE

Chapter 1: Us  

Chapter 2: Happy 

Chapter 3: “The Boyfriend” 

Chapter 4: All Mine

Chapter 5: New Kid 

Chapter 6: “The Best Friend” 

Chapter 7: I Won’t 

Chapter 8: Remember?  

Chapter 9: “The Sweetheart” 

Chapter 10: Claimed 

Chapter 11: Housemates 

Chapter 12: “The Casanova” 

Chapter 13: Stitches 

Chapter 14: Helpless 

Chapter 15: Because I Care 

Chapter 16: “The Nerd” 

Chapter 17: Little Cracks 

Chapter 18: I Got You 

Chapter 19: Unspoken Words 

Chapter 20: All The Boys 

Chapter 21: “The Bad Boy” 

Chapter 22: “The Clean Freak” 

Chapter 23: Bachelor Number 0! 

Chapter 24: Strange Effect 

Final Chapter: The Wedding

Baby  | KTH

Pairing: Taehyung x Reader

Genre: romance, fluff, Neighbor!AU

Rating: T

Warnings: drinking, smooching (it’s truly just pure fluff), mutual pining, reader is oblivious

Word Count: 5.3K

Disclaimers: None, other than I obviously don’t own BTS - they simply inspire me

Summary: It’s just another Saturday night out, drinking with your favorite people, trying to pretend that you’re not completely in love with your best friend.

A/N: 2018 Festa Taehyung has been haunting me for months. This is my attempt to exorcise the demon. This is my first BTS fanfic, unbeta’d. Please let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Prequel: Fireworks

Masterlist 💜 Find me on AO3 💜 Join my permanent taglist

It was another Saturday night, and you were hanging out at the local pub with your friends. It was a weekly tradition, drinking away the stress of the workweek with your favorite people.

But while your friends were cutting loose, eagerly downing bottles of beer and soju, several rounds deep, you were on edge, alert.

Because you were deeply in love with your best friend, Taehyung, and afraid of him finding out.

Keep reading

"Her Long List Of Ex-Crushes"

25 Chapters (✔DONE )

“HER LONG LIST OF EX-CRUSHES”

(BTS College AU X Y/N)

PROLOGUE

Chapter 1: Us  

Chapter 2: Happy 

Chapter 3: “The Boyfriend” 

Chapter 4: All Mine

Chapter 5: New Kid 

Chapter 6: “The Best Friend” 

Chapter 7: I Won’t 

Chapter 8: Remember?  

Chapter 9: “The Sweetheart” 

Chapter 10: Claimed 

Chapter 11: Housemates 

Chapter 12: “The Casanova” 

Chapter 13: Stitches 

Chapter 14: Helpless 

Chapter 15: Because I Care 

Chapter 16: “The Nerd” 

Chapter 17: Little Cracks 

Chapter 18: I Got You 

Chapter 19: Unspoken Words 

Chapter 20: All The Boys 

Chapter 21: “The Bad Boy” 

Chapter 22: “The Clean Freak” 

Chapter 23: Bachelor Number 0! 

Chapter 24: Strange Effect 

Final Chapter: The Wedding

What’s Up With Love?

Status: (✅ Done) / 20 Chapters

“Tae, are you a camera?” ask Y/N. Taehyung turns to her curiously.

“What do you mean?” the boy replied.

Y/N giggled. He’s so adorable.

“Because every time I see you, I always smile.”

Can Lee Y/N win over Kim Taehyung’s heart with her crazy ways? 

“What’s Up With Love?” (Taehyung x Y/N)

Chapter 1: At First Sight

Chapter 2: Why You So Obsessed With Me?

Chapter 3: Our Best Friend

Chapter 4: Pick-Up Line

Chapter 5: Confused?

Chapter 6: The Red Amulet

Chapter 7: New Girl

Chapter 8: Romeo & Juliet

Chapter 9: Jealousy

Chapter 10: Hopelessly Devoted

Chapter 11: Her Mistake, His Selfishness

Chapter 12: Last Birthday

Chapter 13: My Everything

Chapter 14: Life Goes On

Chapter 15: All Over Again

Chapter 16: The New Mr. Kim

Chapter 17: Her Pride

Chapter 18: The Apple Of His Eyes

Chapter 19: First Drunken Kiss

Final Chapter: Our Hearts

Special Chapter

Hiii requesting an enemies to lovers plot with jimin and female reader!! Everything is up for you to decide but would love to see a happy ending :)

Oooooo you givin me a lot of freedom here, baby. alright, let's see what I come up with lol

Jimin is Jungkook's brother and Jungkook is marrying your sister, but that doesn't make Jimin of any significance to you. Until Jungkook starts getting cold feet, and now it's up to you and Jimin to save the wedding.

Warnings: a lil blood (poor Jiminie bites his tongue), family dynamics

Wc: 7.5K (I got carried away)

perm taglist: @staerryminimini @unicornbabylover @kookieswan @sugarflywme @mwitsmejk @dvalitaes @still-with-koo @kookiecrumb @jeonsjiddies @taeshobipop @jktones @myooniverse @miscelunaaa @highly-functioning-mitochondria @azreeeeee @armys-dna @thesugatoyourtae @jmforevs @kimprosperi @jjkeverlast @joontied @pamzn @ssaboala @hobipost

It's funny your parents named your older sister Juliet. She's not reckless or disobedient or stupid. Actually, your sister is very level headed and logical. So when she came to the family with a ring on her finger, it was a bit of a shock.

What was even more of a shock was the man on her arm.

"Jungkook!?"

You'd never heard your father sound so offended. There's no way your sister could logic her way out of this one. Marrying the son of your rivaling family made no logical sense!

"Juliet, why?" your mother tried to empathize because she knew the tendency to be attracted to bad boys. But she just couldn't understand her daughter's attraction to this one.

It took months of reasoning and convincing, family get-togethers and interventions, but eventually — as much as you can't believe it – Juliet did it. She convinced your parents the feud between families had to end.

Juliet and Jungkook's love for each other had won over the hearts of both sides. Soon enough everyone was laughing and eating together like the feud never happened. It was a miracle to say the least. Except for one tiny detail…

Jungkook's older brother.

Jimin.

The parents were okay. Jungkook was actually kinda cool. Their dog was cute. Jimin was...off-putting. No, you were not a fan of the older brother of this family and you did not intend to be a fan.

No matter how much your sister was madly in love, there was no way you were ever going to get along with Jimin. The two of you just didn't make sense. He was all uptown, proper rich fuckboi vibes while you worked to put food on your plate.

For your entire upbringing, you were bred to despise him. But suddenly your family expected you to play nice? Your siblings would be married in a matter of months, and that meant everyone had to at least try to get along with everyone else. For as long as your families hated each other, as soon as love was on the table, all that history went out the window.

Except for you.

And then came the day you thought the world would surely end.

"Jimin and I are…what!?"

"Dating," your Aunt Opal sings. "I heard about it from the uncles and it's just so adorable. Picture it! A double wedding." Her eyes sparkle. "No pressure though, dear. Obviously you haven't been dating Jimin very long–"

"I haven't dated Jimin at all!"

"--no one would expect you to be ready to marry by the time Juliet and Jungkook do, but isn't the thought just precious? Oh, I remember when your Uncle Eddy asked me to marry him. It was a Tuesday around midnight, nothing special, but then…"

It all fades to mush at that point. Aunt Opal could rant for days about her husband but you're not interested. Not when you've got a major problem on your hands now.

Dating…seriously? Does Jimin know about this? You're kinda excited to see his reaction when he finds out. Oh god, the riot he's gonna cause. Flipping tables, cursing out family members, the absolute denial is gonna be legendary.

You know he can't stand you either. The two of you were born into feuding families, it's in your bones to hate each other.

You walk into the family room with an entertained grin. This should be fun.

There's games and food and conversation and food. Oh yeah, and food.

Your family owns a pizza parlor and Jimin's family…also owns a pizza parlor. So, the food is mainly pizza but you're okay with that. It's comfort food at this point.

You spot your sister and Jungkook sitting lovey dovey on the couch while your parents ask them questions and make notes for wedding preparations. It all seems fun but you'll pass on the awkward giggles and indecisive color schemes just this once.

You do hear a specific rumor growing in popularity around the gathering. Part of you believes it'll die down with time, when no one sees you or Jimin acting fondly, people will get the picture.

Standing in line at the pizza table in the kitchen, you start to double guess yourself when a certain someone saunters their way up to you to strike a conversation completely unprovoked.

"Hey, idiot."

"Go away, Jimin."

"Can't."

You drop a slice of pizza on your plate and turn around. "Fine. I'll go."

"Wait wait wait!" He catches your elbow before you get too far, bringing you to a pause. "I need to talk to you."

"If it's about the rumor, don't worry. It'll die down eventually. Just ignore it–"

"Play along."

His interrupting is rude enough as it is, but his suggestion is even more preposterous.

"What?"

"Play along with the rumor," he repeats, nodding as if you'll understand through magical telepathy or something.

You watch him for a moment, eyes narrow while your expression slowly shifts from surprise to disgust. "No."

"Please?"

"No."

Jimin shakes your elbow now, urging you. "Can we talk about this? Somewhere alone?"

You don't like the idea. It feels wrong to be alone with him standing in the kitchen let alone to purposefully leave the group setting of your families to have a private conversation. Then people probably really will start talking.

You sigh, "Make it quick."

Being dragged by your wrist into a back bedroom was not on your to do list. Chances are you're not going to enjoy this conversation either.

It is curious though, considering Jimin has never shown eagerness in any shape or form before, none that you can recall at least. The way he's pulling you along and disregarding other possibly more important things he could be doing right now, your anticipation is growing.

Is something seriously wrong? And if something is wrong, what does it have to do with you? Even more, why does Jimin feel the immediate need to tell you about it?

He closes the door behind you two, effectively locking you into whatever you've gotten yourself into.

"Jungkook's having second thoughts."

Your eyes go wide. "About marrying my sister?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

Jimin runs a hand through his hair, shaking his head while frantically pacing across the carpet. "He's nervous, cold feet, pre wedding jitters, whatever. He's afraid that all this, you know, our families getting along isn't gonna last. Then he'll lose Juliet or the feud will start again."

"Valid," you mutter to yourself. "I don't get what that has to do with me."

"When he heard that you and I were dating, all his jitters went away."

So Jimin does know about the rumor. Doesn't seem like he's been doing anything about it though, the unhelpful douche.

"Okay…"

"If he sees that we don't get along, he'll break up with your sister for sure."

You shrug. "That's his decision. Not my problem. If he's not man enough to marry her on his own then fine."

"What's wrong with you?"

"Probably a lot, what's your point?"

"Don't you care about your sibling?" Jimin chides, coming to stand in front of your unbothered stance.

You lift your chin to see him eye to eye. "Of course I do."

"Well, I've never seen Jungkook this happy before. When our families were fighting, he was this depressed, angry emo kid who never left his room and listened to jazz all the time–"

"Jazz is confirmed to be evil."

"I'm serious about this," he masks his amused smile with a frown but it was there, you heard his giggle, "ever since he fell in love with your sister, he's been a totally different person. Jungkook is healthy and happy now. I know he wants to marry her and I don't want to do anything to jeopardize that."

Hold up, Jimin has a heart? His words suggest he cares about someone other than himself, but that can't be right. You've always known Jimin to not care about anything or anyone. Actually, you've never seen him this genuinely serious before in the lifetime of years you've known him.

"Wow. I had no idea your family is that close."

"So will you do it?"

"Let me get this straight. We pretend to date and be all perfect and happy to keep Jungkook from getting cold feet about marrying my sister."

"Right."

You blink, shifting your weight. The nervousness this idea brings you is no joke. "Okay, so when do I dump you?"

"You can dump me the moment they say I do," he says with a firm nod.

"Can I say it's because you're a bad guy who broke my heart?"

"Sure."

"Into a million tiny pieces?"

His smile is soft but he nods firmly again. "Whatever, I don't care."

"Okay." You can't believe you're doing this. "Deal."

Stepping from the bedroom, it's like entering a whole new battlefield. You look down and see Jimin with his hand held out for you to take. Instead, you shoot him a questionable brow and shake your head. Probably should have discussed boundaries before you agreed to this.

"Oh there you two are!" your Aunt Opal cheers when she spots you.

Jimin grabs your hand without consent and interlocks your fingers as naturally as if you'd been together for months. His smile is convincing, so much so you have to remind yourself he's not enjoying this.

"Coming!" he replies, and then mutters under his breath to just you, "We're dating now. At least act like you like me."

"I'm not paid enough for that."

Your aunt calls you two over to the living area where your sister is cradled into Jungkook's side. She's simply happy, completely unaware of the scary thoughts swimming inside her fiance's head, the second thoughts, the insecurities. It's when she calls you over that you feel a click of responsibility and determination to keep her that way.

Squeezing Jimin's hand tightly, you lead the way over. "We're here," you chime to the rest of the family.

They all awe at your interlocked fingers, hands over hearts and sighs of agreement from both your parents. It's strange to think these people literally hated each other a few months ago. They were all at each other's throats before Jungkook and your sister started sneaking around at night. Who would have thought two twenty-something young adults humping in the closet would have been the deciding factor to a twenty year long family feud.

"So the rumors are true?" your family gasps.

Jimin is quick to reply, "Yep, that's right! ___ and I are dating. Happily."

He had to add that last part.

Jungkook's eyes grow ten times. "I thought it wasn't true."

"No, it's uhh, it's true!" Jimin chuckles. You roll your eyes. Could he be a little more obvious?

Your sister is skeptical, but she shrugs and lets it roll off her shoulders. She's got enough on her mind to wonder about the veracity of your relationship with her future brother-in-law.

Jungkook leans over and gives her a kiss on the cheek, sparking a chorus of awe and praises from the crowd. It's almost as if you can see the fears and concerns actually fall from his mind. He pulls Juliet closer and she sighs in contentment.

And then they're all looking at you.

"What?" Jimin asks, eyes bouncing between you and his family.

"Go on."

"Why?"

There he is. The Jimin you knew was still in there, brotherly love or whatever. His face is full of offense. The audacity of kissing your cheek never once crossed his mind when he suggested fake dating. Hand holding, sure. Sitting next to each other at the table, yeah fine. Even the occasional compliment, totally doable. Kissing!? Uhhh, wait a second.

You can't help it. Your smile is from a place of victory to be honest, because he was the one who begged you to do this and now he's the one who's gonna blow the whole operation. There's no way in hell–

There's an audible gasp from your lungs when the feeling of his lips touch your cheek.

"What reaction is that?" your sister giggles. "First time getting a kiss from your boyfriend?"

She's referring to the intense blush on your cheeks and slight tremor in your eyes. You want to drop his hand, run away, wash your face, and perhaps jump off a bridge. But Jimin keeps your hand locked in place, unable to let go even if you jerked.

"It just caught me by surprise is all," you say.

Jimin doesn't comment but you kinda wish he would. For the rest of the evening, he avoids speaking on it, low-key acting like it didn't happen. Even more, he avoids similar situations or conversations, anything that may possibly place him in another compromising position. Appreciate the effort but the avoidance is simultaneously frustrating.

God forbid he has to kiss you again.

The thought makes you shudder. It's fine. There's no way this game of pretend will get that far. You just have to make it to the wedding and then you can dump his ass. Piece of cake.

Right?

::

Dating Jimin isn't so bad when you're alone. Partially because you don't have to act like you're dating when you're alone. And mainly because you haven't had to be alone since you started 'dating' him.

Until now.

"Hi."

"Hey."

You gesture to your grocery list of streamers and sparkles and other miscellaneous decorative materials. Pink. Because your sister would be having a pink-themed wedding of all things.

"I got volunteered," you explain, somehow embarrassed at the thought of Jimin thinking you're here of your own will and want.

He holds up a list of his own. "Same. Should we just go together?"

"You want to?"

He shrugs. "Better than shopping alone."

It clicks in your mind that Jimin is suggesting being with you is better than being alone. Which to an extrovert like Jimin, may not be implying a whole lot. But for some reason, it feels like his invitation to shop with you means more.

"Okay. If you're sure."

"Let's go."

He ushers you along by the waist. A bold decision to put a hand on you considering he has absolutely no right or reason to. Not that you stop or scold him. It's not that big a deal. Your heart will calm down in a few moments anyway.

The store is pretty packed with frantic shoppers today. Not that a busy Saturday afternoon bothers you, but it does give you pause that every single aisle has people rushing and digging through piles on top of piles of discounted merchandise. You're not necessarily looking forward to fighting all those people for the last streamer or sparkler.

"What's the occasion?" Jimin mutters just loud enough for you to hear. He checks the list again and sighs, "Now I know why no one else wanted to do this errand."

"Yeah," you offer a nervous chuckle and he turns his head towards you.

Your eyes meet for a brief moment and, although you don't verbally express any concern, he seems to pick up on something in your eyes.

"You good?"

"Hm? Yeah, fine."

He doesn't believe you. And if he were actually your boyfriend, maybe he would call you out on it. Maybe he would grab your hand just to make you feel a little more secure in the crowd. Maybe he would lift your hand to his lips, place a soft kiss on your knuckles and— nevermind, he's not your real boyfriend so there's no point in thinking about all that crap.

You and Jimin slip through the aisles, hands unheld, until you find the one with the streamers. He starts stacking pink streamers in his arms until you stop him with a hand on his bicep.

"What are you doing?"

"Grabbing pink streamers," he says plainly. "The list says pink."

"Shouldn't we get some correlating colors, you know, so we can do the twisty thingy?"

He slowly looks at you, head tilting with an amused smile creeping on his lips. "Twisty thingy?"

"The thing you do with streamers where you take two colors and twist them," you explain as if this should be obvious (because it should be).

"Yeah, I know what it is."

"Okay so," you gesture to the disheveled arrangement of rolls of streamers, "pick some other ones too."

Jimin decides to laugh instead, covering his smile with the back of his hand and shaking his head as if you've asked for something comically unthinkable.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing," he insists before picking up two more rolls of streamers and presenting them to you. "Pink and white?"

"Yeah, that's good. Let's also get some–"

A sudden shove interrupts your conversation and sends you falling forward. The jerkface perpetrator rushes past you just to cut someone else off in line at the register. Jimin drops the streamers to catch you, but unfortunately, his reflexes aren't quick enough to stop your forehead from crashing directly into his chin.

"Ahh god, fuck!" he shouts, immediately cradling his jaw.

Your hands are on your head, holding what feels like a bruise forming under your skin already. Shots of pain flood your forehead and the room spins for a moment while you gather yourself.

You hiss in pain, softly rubbing the sore spot on your forehead now. "Fucking dick." You look up to see Jimin doubling over, eyes shut tight. "Are you alright?"

Slowly, Jimin opens his eyes and removes his hand to reveal small drops of red from his mouth puddling in the center of his palm.

"Oh my god!?" You spring into action by removing your jacket and using the sleeve to apply pressure to his bloody mouth.

He shakes his head and pushes away your advances.

"No negotiating, bonehead, just use it."

Eventually you get him to cooperate, but he doesn't look happy about pressing the soft sleeve to his jaw while his blood soaks through the material and leaves stains you know you'll never be able to wash out.

"Okay, umm, let's just get back to the house and we've got some pain relievers and bandages."

Jimin nods, one eye still shut tight in agony as he moves slowly with you down the aisle, your other hand guiding him by the shoulder.

"Fucking move!" you tell people who are more concerned about getting their fifteen percent off paper plates than they are about your pretend boyfriend's bleeding mouth.

Glancing over your shoulder every so often, you help maneuver the way out of the building, his face still scrunched in pain and steps shuffling across the dirty floor.

As you pass the register, your elbow accidentally knocks the rude gentleman who pushed you earlier. He drops the drinks he was carrying with a gasp, spilling cartons of lemonade and rum all over the floor. Accidentally.

::

"It's fine now," Jimin insists when you reach towards his chin with a cloth for the fifth time.

"Oh shut up," you snap, angling his chin with two fingers to get a better view, "and let me check."

With you coming in this close, Jimin feels his breath catch in his throat. His jaw aches but it's nothing compared to the thump thump in his chest stealing every ounce of oxygen. Why do you have to look so intense while checking his injury? It's not the worst thing he's gone through and it certainly won't be the most painful thing he'll ever experience. But you're so…concerned about him. Like you actually care.

Thankfully, his skin doesn't seem to be split too horribly. There's definitely room for a possible scar and his teeth are subtle red, but that's because the previous blood actually was a result of his teeth painfully sinking into his tongue.

The guilt, despite your mild dislike for the boy, grows significantly when he jerks in pain at your thumb brushing close to the wound.

"Sorry."

"It's okay," he says, but you don't feel okay when he grabs your wrist and removes your hand from his chin. You try to place a bandaid there but he takes it from you, insisting that he can do it himself.

"Here," you quickly make him a cup of water from the sink, "your mouth probably tastes awful."

"Never have been a massive fan of blood."

"Good to know you're not a vampire."

He offers a smirk through the pain and takes a drink. "What if I was?"

"Hmm, unfortunately I don't think we could continue dating. Blood sucking monsters just doesn't do it for me," you jest harmlessly.

"Come on, every girl loves vampires."

"Not this one," you disagree with a cute tilt of your head. You take the glass from him and begin washing it in the sink.

It's odd that a conversation happens sweetly between the two of you. Jimin can't think of a single time you willingly engaged with him and didn't look upset or forced. He tucks his hands into his pockets and leans against the wall.

"Okay, so what does it for you?" he cautiously asks. "If it's not vampires, then what?"

You scoff, "Why do you wanna know?"

"As your fake boyfriend, I feel like I should know," he claims with a smile.

"I'm not telling you."

"Because it's werewolves."

His tone is playful and enticing, what the heck? You can't help your curiosity as to where he intends to take this conversation, if anywhere. His stance would suggest he doesn't have a care in the world, but the way he's looking at you right now makes you think he's into you.

"Did you just…that was a joke, right?"

He just shrugs, not really giving an answer but still expecting one from you.

With the atmosphere lightening every few moments, you feel an odd sense of comfort falling over the conversation, one you definitely were not anticipating. It makes you want to be honest, which you must admit, you haven't felt for a long time living with the family you live with.

You lean against the sink and cross your arms, facing him on the opposite wall of the room. "Kindness. I wasn't really taught that growing up."

Jimin pushes off the wall, taking languid steps towards you, hands still hidden deep in his pockets and eyes locked onto your closed off body language. As he approaches, you feel your body putting up a wall, completely unprompted but you can't help it.

He stops only a few inches away, about the time you can't keep up your faux unbothered expression.

"Thanks for fixing me up." His voice is low, barely a whisper. But he's close enough now it doesn't need to be any louder for you to hear.

"Considering it was my head that busted your chin, I felt obligated."

"I think you were being kind."

"I mean…" you want to refute his comment, but you're a little lost for words being dragged this deep into his eyes. How are they so complicated and yet simply beautiful?

They bounce upward for a moment and then back down again. "Your forehead."

"Oh it's fine, really. Just a little bruise but, honestly it's fine. Doesn't even hurt that much."

"Hold still," he commands and your body obeys for some unknown reason.

Closer...closer. He's leaning impossibly close, trapping you between his body and the sink, his arms on either side of you reaching further behind your back. His face begins to go out of focus as your eyes cross, fluttering from his nose to his lips and back up again. You quickly shut them, readying yourself for whatever move Jimin is about to make.

"___."

Your eyes pop open to see he's holding a small bandage between his fingers. He starts to open it but you're quick to refuse.

"You're not obligated to care about me."

"I know," he says and places the bandage over your bruise, pressing lightly to make sure it sticks without catching any of your hair.

You've never been so confused in your life. This is the guy your family convinced you was the worst kid in the neighborhood. He was your enemy, your roadblock, your biggest threat. From the moment you could talk, you were taught to curse his existence. It was so easy to form a negative image of him in your mind and, since you didn't know any better, you believed it.

But this isn't the Jimin you thought you knew. This guy is thoughtful and funny and…kind.

You've clearly been misjudging him this whole time. What else were you wrong about?

His eyes glance at your lips once before he's taking a step back, nervously shoving his hands back into his pockets.

"Anyway, umm, I should go actually buy those streamers now."

"Yeah, we should probably—"

"We?"

You stop. "I mean, you can go by yourself if you want. I didn't mean to assume we would, umm…"

"Go together?" he finishes for you. "Do you want to?"

It's weird that you're suddenly nervous, but it's just the moment, you're all caught up in it and shit. This doesn't mean anything. Jimin's soft smile doesn't mean anything.

"Sure."

::

He doesn't see a damn difference.

"This one is Cherry Blossom, this one is Light Pink, and this one is Bubblegum," Juliet explains for the umpth time with a frustrated sigh.

Jungkook scratches the back of his head with an embarrassed scrunch of his nose. "They look the same to me…"

"They're not even close to the same! Bubblegum is clearly more playful and Cherry Blossom is clearly lighter than Light Pink."

The door opens with a small creek and immediately, Juliet rushes to greet you, dragging you into the room and towards the bed where she has three scraps of fabric laid out.

"Thank god, you're here." She points to the difference shades of pink. "What do you think?"

"Well," you take a moment to examine your options, "this one is definitely more playful, but this one is definitely lighter than the others."

"Thank you!" Your sister throws her arms to the ceiling and you can't help your giggle, unsure of what you've done exactly, but her reaction is entertaining. "Could you explain that to this doofus, please? I've got some other things to take care of."

Before you can even reply, your sister is gone, stomping out stress as she leaves the door wide open behind her.

Jungkook sighs and drops on the bed, head in his hands. "What am I even doing?"

"Looks like you're helping pick out curtains for the venue."

"No, I mean what am I even doing getting married?" he clarifies, shifting the atmosphere drastically. "I don't know the first thing about being a husband."

Slowly, you sit down next to him. The pink is nice but you have to agree, it's a lot to take in, even for you. You're not surprised he's considering dropping everything. Juliet can be a lot to handle sometimes regardless of her rationality and charm. Jimin mentioned Jungkook was having second thoughts, but it didn't really click with you until right now when you're viewing it in real time.

"Do you love my sister?"

He looks at you, answering without missing a beat. "Of course, I do. She's the love of my life, I can't imagine being without her."

"Well, there you go," you say plainly. "That's the first thing. The most important thing."

It seems like it would be obvious but sometimes the obvious things need to be said out loud.

Jungkook chuckles, feeling rather childish about his wedding jitters. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Sometimes I can make things messier than they need to be. Jimin usually helps me think straight but he's been out all day."

"Are you really having second thoughts?" you ask slowly.

He shrugs. "Just wanna make sure I'm doing the right thing, you know? I love Juliet, but is that enough? Our families don't have the nicest history. To be honest, when I heard you and Jimin were dating, it was a relief. Like there's someone else on our side."

Jungkook has valid concerns. They sound similar to the concerns you verbalized to Jimin when he suggested you fake date for the sake of your siblings. In the end, you decided to play along and now you're realizing just how vital your getting along with Jimin is to the happiness of both sides of the family.

"You love each other. And since we all love you guys, then we'll learn to get along," you reply.

He chuckles, "You make it sound easy."

"I don't think it'll be that difficult actually."

"Easy for you to say." He runs a hand through his hair and falls to his back with a heavy sigh. "You're dating my brother already."

"Right."

"How's that going by the way?"

"Good," you answer without looking at him. The back of your head must be a less than satisfying sight because in the next moment, Jungkook sits up to see your face.

He leans in closer and asks with great anticipation, "What do you like about him?"

"Uhh, lots of things."

"Like?"

Totally blank. Jimin's face flashes behind your eyes but nothing concrete is there. You've never thought about it, so you're not entirely sure what to say. As long as you don't panic, you can probably make it out of here alive without blowing operation fake date it 'til you make it.

"Umm," you swallow to buy a few moments to think of anything. Maybe start with something generic. "He's handsome."

Jungkook lifts his brow, nodding in agreement and waiting for the rest of your answer.

"And he's funny. And he's kind…" your voice softens, "...a lot kinder than I ever realized. I like when he casually says my name in conversation, like he's just saying it because he thinks it's pretty or some cliche shit like that. It's stupid. Oh, and he's got these gold specs around his irises that glitter. And when he stands really close to me I can see them. I never knew they were there before, isn't that sad?"

"Wow," Jungkook applauds you.

"Huh?"

"You're whipped as fuck."

You didn't realize you were staring hopelessly at the wall until Jungkook's comment brought you back to the present.

"Whatever." Embarrassed, you shove his shoulder, looking away to somewhat disguise your shy smile, although it doesn't do much when Jungkook's already got the moment saved for teasing purposes later.

You stand and brush off your lap with nervous energy you were not expecting.

"Bubblegum," you say in an attempt to change the subject and possibly end the conversation, "Juliet wants you to pick Bubblegum. Trust me."

And with that you make your way towards the exit, towards freedom.

"Hey, ___." You turn around at the doorway. "Jimin's a lucky guy. I can tell you guys are good for each other."

You weren't expecting a sting of pain in your chest. It causes your eyelids to flutter and your heart to second guess just how much of a lie you're telling at this point.

"I guess."

::

Four months later

You're not sure why they call it a rehearsal dinner when the majority of your tasks do not include cooking dinner or in fact eating it, the main two things were anticipating doing.

Things you have done include hanging steamers, tying around a hundred bows to chairs, polishing shoes, setting up tables, arranging bouquets, calling venue operators and cake decoraters, and not eating anything since 5am.

The main area is packed and loud, but thankfully the back storage room is relatively quiet. You can still hear the hustle and bustle outside but at least it's significantly quieter. This is where you're currently hiding, back pressed to the far wall with the light turned off and the door barely cracked.

Deep breaths. No one can ask you for anything in here. No one can come to you with another broken table or missing guest list or ripped bridesmaid dress. Three minutes. You just need three minutes of solitude.

About half way into your three minutes, the door pushes open and a hand reaches in to turn on the light.

"Shit–" Jimin startles, fumbling as he steps into the room. "___? What are you doing in here in the dark?"

"Hiding," you answer with a comical whisper. "Quick, shut the door."

Jimin checks behind himself before following your orders, looking over to see you chuckling through a sigh as the sound from outside dies down again.

"You good?"

"Just got a little overwhelmed," you reply. "It seems like nothing about this wedding can happen right the first time and, of course, I'm the one who has to fix everything."

He hums in agreement, searching the room for whatever it was he came here to get. You watch him for a moment, hands behind you and flat against the wall.

You haven't been alone with him in a while. There have been times obviously, but they always happen the same way. Jimin casually comments on how well the two of you are playing the characters of boyfriend and girlfriend, perhaps reminding you of your inevitable break up, and then leaves before you can say anything else.

You've gotten pretty good at it actually, if you can brag for just a sec. Holding his hand doesn't feel foreign anymore. Just the other day, you slipped your hand into his while walking to the car. No one in particular was watching, but your dad ended up spotting it so that was your excuse for interlocking fingers.

Jimin actions feel very natural as well. Sitting next to you at meals is a given now, he wouldn't be caught dead sitting anywhere else. You catch him looking at you during group events or gatherings, checking in when he sees you starting to drift away from the crowd, watching for your reaction to jokes and stories.

But then everyone leaves and the scene ends. And you're alone.

You weren't doing anything special, just cleaning some space on the kitchen counter. When you reached across the cabinet with a pile of plates, you felt his hand slip around your waist as he moved around you. It was subtle, short-lived, but damn it, he was there.

Surprisingly, you didn't drop the plates and cut your feet up into little, bloody pieces. You remained cool and collected, never once showing your true feelings on the surface.

Yes, you've developed feelings for Park Jimin. The scariest part is that you're getting dangerously used to being someone special to him, but you know it won't be like this after next week.

The dilemma comes in the form of not knowing how he feels about you. Jimin has demonstrated his affection several times, sure, but it's not real. You can't take anything he says to be true, not when you're around your family.

But here, right now, alone, in this storage room. You could. If you only can find the courage to ask him.

You feel the heartbeat in your chest start to quicken the longer he stays. Granted it's because he hasn't found what he wants, but you find yourself thinking of ways to get him to stay just a few minutes longer.

"What are you looking for?"

"The arch isn't standing up straight," he explains, squatting to rummage through a box of tools.

"Can I help?"

"Sure."

You're not looking super hard but he doesn't need to know that. Your hand falls into a few boxes, pushing stuff around without really paying any attention to it.

"Wedding is next week," you conversate, seemingly innocent but actually you're searching for an opportunity, "how are you feeling?"

"Uhh yeah, fine," he replies without looking at you. He pulls another box from the bottom shelf and starts opening it.

"How should I dump you?"

He looks up for that. Jimin stands, only a few shelves from where you've completely disregarded your mission of searching boxes.

"I guess...just say I broke your heart into a million tiny pieces." He could never, you know that.

"Should I?"

"That was the plan."

"Do you want me to?"

You want him to say no. Say no! But he doesn't seem to be picking up on your signals. Or maybe he is but he doesn't want to let the conversation go there. Because he doesn't like you in real life. Because his acting skills are too good to be true.

Perhaps this is the longest you've stared at him directly. But it's because once this wedding is over, you won't have any more excuses to look at him openly, hold his hand when you walk, sit next to him at meals. Things are gonna get…awkward. The way they always do after a breakup, nevermind this one will be fake. Your broken heart will be real.

"Jimin, the truth is that I--"

"Pictures! Jimin!? ___!? Where are you guys? It's time for pictures!"

Jimin randomly picks up a rogue screwdriver and a container of screws from the first box he sees. "This should work."

You've never seen him run away from anything so swiftly.

::

"Okay, happy couple, let's get some lovely pics here. Show me some love for each other!"

Juliet and Jungkook look more like each other every day. Not to say their outward appearances have changed all that much in the last four months, but you've noticed your sister's nose has started scrunching when she smiles and Jungkook fans himself when he's shy, a habit your sister picked up in eighth grade.

They're poses are adorable, as expected. He nuzzles her cheek and she fixes his tie. They also snap a few shots of their lips touching, two very giggly smiles shining through when he dips her low and their foreheads touch.

"Okay, next couple!" the photographer calls.

"That's you guys," your sister urges, pushing you and Jimin in front of the camera.

Jimin immediately falls back on his boyfriend persona, smiling fondly at nothing in particular and agreeing to whatever Jungkook says. He looks at you. It's quick but you saw the gold specs in his eyes flash discomfort.

He's uncomfortable.

"Let's get a little closer, can we?" The photographer directs you with a wave of his hand, one eye still looking through the lens.

You play nice for a few pictures. You'll want your sister to look back at these and see her family and Jungkook's family enjoying themselves and laughing together, legitimately. You know how much this means to her so you pull Jimin close and place one hand on his chest, like a classic girlfriend.

"You look so cute together!" Juliet squeals.

The photographer straightens his camera, twisting the lens to zoom in a little more. "Let's try something a bit more romantic, yeah?"

"I don't think that's–"

"Oh come on," Jungkook interrupts with a glorified whine, "just do it, it'll look cute. Oh, do the same pose we did and dip her!"

Your sister is equally on board with this idea but you can tell Jimin is less than thrilled. He loosens his top shirt button, a nervous chuckle nearly choking him.

Slowly, he looks at you, silently asking for consent before he just dips you out of nowhere.

You eye the camera, shifting your eyes to see your cheering sister before they land on Jimin's unsure gaze. You give him a small nod.

Gently, his hand slips around your waist, circling tighter until you're pulled flush against his body. Despite your supposedly affectionate and healthy relationship, you've never been this physically close to him. He's really warm, you can feel it though his suit.

His one hand supports your lower back while the other handles your waist. Carefully, he dips you low. There's a split moment about half way down where your weight is no longer in your control. It's an inevitable moment of lost balance you can't avoid.

But you don't feel in danger being in Jimin's arms. He holds you secure, back bent but not in pain, the world tilted on its side but he's in perfect focus.

Jimin closes his eyes and presses his forehead against yours, a small, closed-lip smile on his face. But you can't shut your eyes now. They remain open, memorizing every eyelash and ridge of his lips. He smirks like he means it, even going so far as to nuzzle your nose with his, just to finish the job of breaking your heart in two.

"Alright got it!" the photographer says cheerily, signaling Jimin to open his eyes again and pick you up. "Great job guys, that's gonna come out perfect!"

Everyone seems satisfied and so things move on to the next couple. Jimin slips behind the camera again, next to the groom where he receives countless compliments. As he should, he's drop dead beautiful and you can see it now.

You end up in the bathroom stall, holding back the ache in your chest at the expense of wrinkling your brand new, pink maid of honor dress.

::

"I do."

"I do."

In a matter of minutes, you're the only single daughter left in your family. Juliet is married, now experiencing her happily ever after to the fullest extent, complete with a pink, fairytale wedding and perfect prince-like husband.

Jungkook never had any second thoughts after that either. For the rest of his life, he put Juliet first. You think that's nice but perhaps unrealistic. If only people really could be selfless like that all the time, maybe heartbreak wouldn't be so common.

Barefoot out here on the grass, you once again find yourself drifting away from the party. You already gave your maid of honor speech and greeted the guests, so your work is done for the moment. It's a wedding, there will always be a next crisis. But for now, you're enjoying your evening stroll under the stars.

Until you hear footsteps coming up behind you.

"Hey."

"Hi."

Jimin begins walking beside you, hands once again stuffed awkwardly in his pockets. His jacket was left somewhere so it's just a white button up tucked into some slacks but you're still impressed with his look. How come he has to look so good after making you hurt so bad?

"Where you going?"

"Just walking," you reply, kicking up blades of grass on your way.

Jimin lets the silence simmer for a moment before speaking again. "So when are you gonna dump my ass?"

Maybe he doesn't mean to, but he's making himself sound awfully impatient.

"Oh…right. Umm, well I figured I could do it later."

He nods in understanding, following your slower pace of walking through the grass. You sway your shoes where they hang on your fingers, the feeling of cool ground between your toes is perhaps the only relieving thing about this conversation. It kills you inside to know that you once hated this man, and then unintentionally and suddenly grew to like him, and now you have to break up with him before you even get the chance to tell him how you feel.

"Or not."

Jimin furrows his brow at you, going so far as to stop walking which in turn makes you pause as well. "What do you mean?"

"Just like, you know, not break up."

"Like keep pretending to date?"

You turn to face him and take a deep breath. "Or date for real."

"You...wanna date for real?" he asks, eagerly searching your eyes, hands itching to hold yours.

"Jimin, I don't know when it happened but I actually started to like you. I sincerely misjudged you and I know there's no excuse for how I treated you growing up but I'm sorry for, umm, not being kind when you've been nothing but sweet to me," you finally admit with a shy tuck of your hair behind your ear. "I don't know if you noticed, but over the last months, I've been pretending a little less and a little less, because I genuinely like you. A lot. I mean, I really like you and whether you like me back or not, whether you're still pretending or whatever, I can't pretend to--"

His nose actually hit yours by accident when he kisses you, but you can't stay upset for even a millisecond, not when his lips move with yours with so much intent and passion. He doesn't wait to pull you into him by the waist, hands making little fists of your dress while your hands grip his strong arms. He scoops up up, practically lifting you from the ground in his attempt to bring you closer.

It's cute the way he hums against your lips, little sounds filling the spaces between smacks and sighs. Every time you think he may be ending the kiss, he goes back in for one more peck, one more taste.

Your eyes peek open only find his shut tight, fluttering each time you kiss him back, nuzzling into the kiss like he just can't get enough. His chest inflates when your hands slide across his pecks, his aura begging for you to feel him through his shirt.

"I've wanted to do that for so long," he confesses through a breathless whisper, using his thumb to caress your cheek.

You smile when his forehead presses to yours, this time with a sense of comfort and satisfaction. "Really?"

"You have no idea." He nods, moving your head to cutely bop too.

"I thought you were pretending this whole time."

"I was," he admits, "pretending that I didn't want to hold your hand or clean dishes with you or take cute photos with you. Actually, I wanted to do all those things, so bad it's embarrassing. But I wanted to do them as your real boyfriend. It kinda sucked knowing we were pretending to be happy when all I wanted was to make you genuinely happy."

His words stir a reaction in your chest and gut, sending your heart into a flustered knot and your stomach in a swirl. And when he smiles, you just know it's because you're obviously flustered. God damn, you're so cute to him.

"So…does that mean we can stop pretending now?"

"If it's what you want too. I can't pretend anymore."

You pull yourself closer to him, wrapping your arms around his neck. "I want us to be real."

The starlight is nothing compared to the gold specs in his eyes, the ones shining brighter in this moment than you've ever seen them before.

::

jungkook scenario | gamomania

gamomania /ɡæmə(ʊ)ˈmeɪnɪə/ noun. 1) a form of mania characterised by strange and extravagant proposals of marriage. 2) an excessive longing for the married state.

❝ Your best friend has been proposing to you since preschool. Granted, he didn’t know what marriage meant at age four. But he certainly knows what it means now… ❞

➝ pairing: jungkook x female reader

➝ word count: 6.2k

➝ genre: fluff, mild angst, childhood friends au

➝ warnings: implied/light smut, swearing, an excessive amount of marriage proposals, tooth-rooting sweetness

➝ author’s note: I’m a sucker for childhood friends aus. so here’s another one. surprise! hopefully you all enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed writing it.

[22 years ago: age 4]

“Marry me!”

You look up from the sand pit, squinting past the sunshine, and find a young boy standing over you. He’s small for his age, with black hair matted across his forehead, damp with sweat. His knees are scraped, and a plaster is peeling off his cheek, but he’s triumphant, with his fingers wrapped around a golden ring.

You recognise the ring before you recognise him.

It’s the ring from the tree at the bottom of the playground. One day a group of your preschool friends discovered it while making mud pies in the dampest corner. It was caught around a bent twig. None of you knew how it got up in the tree, but that didn’t stop your imaginations. Some said a dragon dropped it while carrying treasure back to its nest, others said a wizard left it there to test anyone brave enough to climb up to retrieve it, and still others said an alien deposited it there, and one day tiny alien babies were going to pop out from it and take over the Earth.

Your best friend said it got there after a marriage proposal went horribly wrong and a woman threw it there in anger, screaming at her soon to be ex, “No. Absolutely not! Not after that!” At least that’s what your best friend’s mum said, and you trusted the authority of a grown-up. Even if you didn’t know what that was.

But now, the ring is no longer stuck in the tree, becoming a part of the bark as the branches grow around it. Instead, it’s in this boy’s hand. A boy, who, after a few more moments of squinting, you recognise to be Jeon Jungkook. He goes to your preschool, but you’ve never talked to him because you’re convinced he has boy germs.

He rubs his nose, and rubs in a spot of dirt. In case you hadn’t heard him the first time, he repeats it again. “Marry me?”

Keep reading

star crossed m.list

💫 Star Crossed

      ╰ you’re an actress on the rise and for more recognition, your manager suggests getting into a Hollywood relationship. Driven by your work hard persona and strong desire for a break out, you agree. What your manager failed to tell you was who you were going to date: Hollywood’s favorite playboy, Kim Taehyung, most notably known as V.

pairing: reader x taehyung

genre: actor!au, fluff//angst

length: 1/??

current status: completed

updates: done :”)

asks: 💫

a/n: hey I came up with this au a few weeks ago and really like the idea of typical playboy superstar meets small town lesser known star and CELEB DRAMA OOF. Hope you like it!

💫 twitter profiles

💫 part 1 - i’m dating who!?

💫 part 2 - kumbaya my lord

💫 part 3 - my ride or die

💫 part 4 - welcome to my joke of a life

💫 part 5 - ya girl tries

💫 part 6 - there goes my saturday

💫 part 7 - running from the paparazzi

💫 part 8 - i invited a child to dinner

💫 part 9 - chicken parm and mina’s wrath

💫 part 10 - it was an accident!

💫 part 11 - we don’t talk

💫 part 12 - we need selfies

💫 part 13 - damn you’re my sugar daddy

💫 part 14 - xoxo gossip girl

💫 part 15 - welcome to the crackheads gc

💫 part 16 - the glam awards

💫 part 17 - cute lil spies

💫 part 18 - he’s just acting, duh

💫 part 19 - don’t be annoyed at me

💫 part 20 - men’s logic

💫 part 21 - the L word

💫 part 22 - the genius lab

💫 part 23 - don’t call me boo

💫 part 24 - lost in a hotel mansion

💫 part 25 - I don’t ogle

💫 part 26 - the jungkook and indigo thing

💫 part 27 - houston we’ve got a problem

💫 part 28 - i like having you around

💫 part 29 - imma love him from afar

💫 part 30 - how to be a dog

💫 part 31 - it’s hitting me now

💫 part 32 - do you miss him?

💫 part 33 - a whole week?

💫 part 34 - i’ll survive

💫 part 35 - i’m scared

💫 part 36 - babygirl

💫 part 37 - mina being sus 

💫 part 38 - let’s play 8 ball

💫 part 39 - he’s gone

💫 part 40 - uh who’re you?

💫 part 41 - heartbroken

💫 part 41.5 - may’s text receipts

💫 part 42 - sad emo hours

💫 part 43 - bringing in the big guns

💫 part 44 - check twitter

💫 part 45 - investigative stans

💫 part 46 - i was dumb

💫 part 47 - indikook saved

💫 part 48 - i yeeted

💫 part 49 - confessions

💫 part 50 - i did that

💫 epilogue

Beauty | kth - Chapter Index

Pairing: Taehyung x OC (Reader) , slight Jimin x OC

Genre/Tags: Strangers to Lovers, Idiots to lovers (kinda), single dad; humor (-ish?), slow burn, angst, fluff, smut

Series Warnings: swearing every now and then, heartbreak, little bit of unrequited love, alcohol usage, mentions of dog attack, oc is confident but struggles with the way she looks sometimes, sexual intercourse (just different kinds of smut but later in the story; will clarify in the chapters)

Word count: 221,5k

Series summary:  Who defines what beauty is or where it comes from, and what does it even mean?

Working in an industry that is hardly about anything else, and being the father of a gorgeous little girl, Taehyung always thought he must have a clear view on that issue. You, on the other hand, lost sight of the sheer concept of beauty a long time ago.

But maybe you both have no idea after all.

And perhaps the beauty of life itself will teach you the true meaning behind it.

Index

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6.1

Chapter 6.2

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9 (m)

Chapter 10

*Bonus Chapter: Jimin

Chapter 11 (m)

Chapter 12

Chapter 13.1

Chapter 13.2 (m)

Chapter 14 (m)

Chapter 15 (m)

Chapter 16

Epilogue

Drabbles:

coming soon

Copyright © 2021-2022 jananakookie please do not repost or claim as yours. Thank you for reading :)

filed under: it’s emo hours

notes: i’m sorry in advance but ya girls an angst hoe 

your daughter, you quickly learn, is her father’s carbon copy. maybe that’s why she loves you so much.

yoongi doesn’t know how you do it, because maya’s at that age where she can sense something is wrong without being able to place it, let alone express it. it’s such a tricky age to manoeuvre but if anyone were to navigate through so seamlessly, it’s you. that’s what worries him.

“i can take her while you’re at your appointment,” yoongi says, not really an offer but a statement. he’s taking her like it or not and he’s going to buy her copious amounts of ice cream one way or another.

you smile at him, a thank you and i love you in one, and it’s moments like that with your hair undone and the house quiet that yoongi thinks his love for you will suffocate him. he watches you twirl your fingers through maya’s hair while she sleeps on your lap. “it’s okay, i cancelled last night. i wanna stay home with you two tomorrow.”

yoongi does that thing where his mouth thins into a line and his cheeks dimple unhappily. “___.”

“mm?”

as much as he revels in that faint cheekiness, remnants of who you used to be, he forces the words out. “no skipping. you promised me you’d go to every session.”

a sigh. “i know.”

Keep reading

Remnants Of The Past ~ KTH [Request]

⤜WORD COUNT: 8.7K

⤜PAIRING: Taehyung x Fem!Reader

⤜GENRE: enemies to lovers, brothers best friend, nicknames, bickering between one another, hidden feelings, angst, fluffy, jimin’s sister x Taehyung, fast paced, suggestive,

⤜Copyright: © DreamEscapesWriting - February 2022

⤜MASTERLIST

⤜ SUMMARY: Taehyung had always been around your brother, always, which meant that for most of your life you had been around him too. The two of you hated each other, ever since he’d ruined the one thing you treasured most in the world. But one night you show up at the door, drenched in water sobbing hysterically and he lets you in…Finally showing human emotions for once in his life.

There were absolutely 100 million other things you could be doing right now instead of sitting on your brother’s doorstep and sobbing. Yet…There you were. Crying hysterically drenched in the rain and begging for your brother to give you some kind of advice for what was happening to you. 

“Jimin please,” You begged as you tapped on the door once again, tears gushing down your face as you thought about the night that had unfolded. Everything had happened so fast you could barely believe what you had seen, your best friend and your boyfriend together. 

“I know you’re in there,” You cried banging on the door once again, you knew for a fact Jimin was home. His car was in the driveway and he told you he would be studying all night long.

You would have used your key but his dumb roommate had changed the locks. They shared a house and all because you let yourself in all of the time he changed the locks on you.

Taehyung and you had never really seen eye to eye with one another. Ever since you were kids you’d always been at each other’s throats and it was his fault. If he wasn’t always such an asshat toward you maybe you would have been kinder to you. But the man was impossible to get along with, you had no idea how Jimin even stayed in the same room as him for longer than five minutes.

“Please.” You sobbed hysterically as you sank down onto the floor, bringing your knees into your chest as you tried to warm yourself up from the rain. There was no way you could go home to your own apartment, you would have to deal with seeing them again.

Keep reading

till the night is over [masterlist]

title ; till the night is over [ drabble series ]  pairing ; jungkook x you, taehyung x you tags ;  jungkook is an asshole like the entire time i’m sorry, taehyung is like probably incredibly unrealistic, angst, a lot of angst, mentions of mental illness, infidelity, unrequited love, first love, high school!au, college!au, toxic friendships

description ; jungkook isn’t good for you. you know this. but even if your mind knows, your heart hasn’t quite figured it out yet. 

notes ; i thought a million times how to format this story - whether by chapter, or as a one-shot, i don’t know. in the end, i settled on doing drabbles whenever i feel like it, so not sure how cohesively this will come together, and for sure it will be written entirely out of order. i’ll try and put them in the order that i think works best as i write them.. i admit this one’s deeply personal to me - and therefore, probably incredibly indulgent as well. but i guess we’ll see how it goes!

blog tag ; series: ttno (the tag will show the drabbles in order of release date, as well as any asks related to the series!) 

Keep reading

You Broke Me First; COMPLETED

(pls ignore time stamps)

disclaimer: spelling and grammar mistakes are included ♡ 

[taglist: closed]

↳ warnings: swear words, mentions of bullying

jimin x reader x jungkook au; fakedating!au

Y/n and Jimin have been best friends since they were five. Along the way of their friendship, y/n happens to fall in love with said bestfriend. Will she ever tell him? sure… when she’s six feet under. This is a secret that she’s prepared to take to the grave. Even if she believes that Jimin is the only guy for her, she’s convinced herself that he does not and will not feel the same. So she keeps quiet and copes with her feelings the best way that she can. Then comes this bunny smiled boy who doesn’t believe in staying in the background. Jungkook wants to make the best of his life and live on with no regrets. When Jungkook finds out y/n’s dilemma, he goes out of his way to set the two up together as he believes that there’s absolutely no way that Jimin doesn’t have feelings for her. What’s the emotion that brings out unknown feelings more than any other? jealousy. Let’s hope, for the sake of y/n, that Jungkook’s idea goes according to plan.

prologue

1 - i wasn’t yelling???

2 - but not baby arms :(

3 - you have a thing for tattoos??

4 - i thought you were smart

5 - press f to pay respects

6 - don’t. make. the baby. s a d.

7 - that.. was kind of weird

8 - he’ll take care of you

9 - i have A PLAN

10 - and live

11 - i thought about it

12 - i showed you my penis

13 - stress free fluff balls

14 - we noticed.

15 - but who won in the end???

16 - punchable face

17 - happy to help

18 - for the sake of the plan

19 - knowing what you know

20 - good chance

21 - completely platonic

22 - bunny bf

23 - just a nickname

24 - i won’t hurt him

25 - phase 2

26 - wholeheartedly

27 - i know angel, i know

28 - be like you

29 - the mandacity

30 - foot fetish

31 - just once

32 - it’s all worth it

33 - perfect for eachother

34 - the happy couple

35 - for all time

36 - babygirl

37 - what if i am?

38 - i’m sorry i can’t be her

39 - use a microwave

40 - right headspace

41 - it’s a date

42 - boom boom

43 - i’m gonna throw up

44 - i’m your boyfriend

45 - you feel safe

46 - never seen

47 - okay daddy

48 - 방탄소년단

49 - i pulled away

50 - what if

51 - i know i’m not

52 - congratulations

53 - i love him but i broke him

54 - i wanted it to be you

55 - the real reason

56 - i genuinely do not care

57 - who did you hurt for yours

58 - vaguely familiar

59 - as a necklace

60 - in a different way

61 - cute girl on the couch pt. 2

62 - do it coward

63 - keep in check

64 - he can stay

65 - operation: get y/n a bf

66 - obsessed much?

67 - officially official

68 - The End.

epilogue

Worthy

*not my gif, credits to rightful owner*

Samurai!Tae x Reader AU

Reader POV kind of | Tae’s POV

Word Count: 2.8k

(a/n): A reminder that this is set in Japan, and I tried to avoid using Japanese terms, I’m a total nerd for the Japanese culture and all that Sengoku era stuff and definitely the samurai part (cOUGH RUroNI KEnSHIN BITCHES).

Also sorry if you are waiting for an update on Interference and Cursed, I have Interference ready and I’m in the middle of writing Cursed and another AU lmao. Also lets ignore the stupid title lmao. I really wanted to write this ‘cause that gif is so beautiful.

Big warning: this is kinda cheesy in my opinion lmao, I’m sorry if it sucks

When you first met Kim Taehyung, he was a mere boy, orphaned and living under the parental guidance of the owner of the clan you were serving. He was a boy brought to Japan from a conquest in Korea, who the high ranking general decided to take under his wing.

You, born into the status of a peasant, watched the little boy with brown hair and chocolate eyes grow up into a disciplined warrior under the teachings of who he sees as his father. Being approximately the same ages, you’re appointed to tend to the Korean boy. Despite being someone of the opposite sex, you help him wash up, dress him, and bring him his meals.

“(Y/n),” tween Taehyung says as you hurry over with a cloth and cup of water, his brown hair moist and sticking to his forehead as he fans himself with his hands. His wooden practice sword is discarded on the grassy ground, his body collapsed beside it.

“My lord,” you greet politely with a low bow before placing the cup on the raised wooden, outdoor walkway. He peels himself off the ground with that boxy smile etched on his face, clambering onto the wooden floor and sitting cross-legged before you.

A smile graces your face as you gently dab the cloth over his glistening face.

He pouts.

“Call me Taehyung!”

Similarly, teenage Kim Taehyung says the same thing as you wipe away his trickling perspiration and give him his cup of water with a bow. He eagerly chugs down the heavenly liquid, the water soothing his dry throat.

However, as he smiles at you and returns to training, this time with an actual sword, you can’t help but sit there and revel in the gorgeous being that is the boy in front of you. Under the blazing sun, his sweaty, tanned skin never looked so appealing to you. The sheen of sweat that covers his golden flesh is seemingly glittering under the sun. The sleeves of his robe are rolled up to his shoulders, showing off the muscles of his flexing biceps and triceps to your wandering eyes.

You blush, smacking your hands on your cheeks to rid yourself of such thoughts. But as you let your eyes once again fall on this growing boy, you’re adoring the strong determination that sharpens his chocolate orbs, internally screaming at the simple way he lets one hand take hold of the sword so he can use the other to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

He must feel your eyes burning into the side of his head, turning to catch yours before he sends you a boyish grin that has your heart pounding.

You’re completely taken.

You know however that your feelings for the adopted son of your clan’s leader, were highly forbidden, and would only be burdensome for Taehyung. You could only store those thoughts away, and bear with the pain of watching this boy grow up into a man that would soon be wed to another more worthy woman.

“I’m going to war soon,” Taehyung whispers years later as you help him wash up, scooping up amounts of water in a bucket and pouring over his back, “I’m going to win.”

You have no doubt he will, the young boy you watched grow up having become a fine samurai in your eyes. But there’s that dark side of your thoughts that prods at the what if - what if he gets hurt, falls in battle. You shiver at the thought, unable to picture the horrible image of the man you sincerely loved dead at the hands of the enemy.

Instead, you let yourself focus on his broad back, face flushing as you let your hands splay across the softness of his tanned flesh. You remember your younger self, not caring about the bare boy in the tub you have to wash. But the you now is conscious of his nakedness, not understanding why he hadn’t had the bright idea to get a page yet.

“If I had, then you would be lonely (Y/n),” he coos jokingly, snickering as your hands falter to cover your mouth, “Do you not like spending time with me?”

Shit, you think in embarrassment before continuing to wash his body with your head lowered in defeat, why must I speak my thoughts so carelessly?

“It’s not like that Lord Taehyung…” you start unsurely, setting the bucket in favor of a cloth that you hand to him to dry off, “But wouldn’t you be more comfortable with another man tending to your every need?”

He hands you the cloth, watching with sharp eyes as you fold it and prepare his sleeping robes, helping him into the silken white garment.

“Why would I need anyone else when I’ve already got you by my side,” he says as you tie the sides together, “There’s no one else I’d trust as much I trust you.”

“Don’t say such things my lord,” you scoff, feeling your face burn as you bow and leave his side to clean up after him. How could you hide your growing feelings for him if he says such things to you?

.

“Worried?”

You look up with a frown to meet the warm chocolate eyes that gaze down curiously at you, watching as you tighten the armor around his front. His tall form is decked out in dark armor, guards that equip his arms and legs with a helmet held in his hand. Two swords are held at his belt, no doubt soon to be covered in someone else’s blood.

You can’t help but admire how incredibly charming he looks in armor and his brown hair pulled back into a top knot, a sash tied around his head to push the short strands of his bangs off his forehead. His face is blank however, no smile to be found as he watches on silently and waits for your response.

“You’ll win,” you finally say as you take the helmet from him and observe the intricate designs on the stiff material, “And you’ll come home, I’m sure of it.”

And he smiles to your surprise, that stupidly handsome boxy smile that captures your heart as he takes the helmet and fits it on his head.

You bow one last time as he leaves to rally up the army and head out for battle. That stupid smile of his is the last thing you remember until the day he arrives back atop his stead with the rest of his army following behind.

They’re all wounded and bloodied, even Taehyung as he searches through the crowd of servants that line up at the entrance of the castle to congratulate his victory. When his eyes are focused on you, the furthest away from the hoard of people, he relaxes and smiles.

“Told you we would win,” he says later on in his room as you kneel in front of him with a basin of water, a cloth, and bandages.

“I never doubted you in the first place, Lord Taehyung.”

With his armor stripped off, you peel away the robe and wince at the gashes that run along his arm and abdomen. You glance at his face before you take the cloth and dip it into the water, quietly dabbing at the blood smeared around the opening of the cut.

“Were you even worried the least bit?” he scoffs playfully, making you look up and blush at the closeness between you both.

From this distance, you’re aware of the small cut on his chin, deep enough for the scarlet fluid to secrete from the narrow wound. Your hands stop and your attention is moved to the cut, rising to run the wet cloth over his chin.

“Why would I worry?” you ask as you return to tending to the gash on his abdomen, rolling the bandage around his midriff until it’s properly dressed. “I trust in your capabilities.”

“But do you trust me?” he blurts out, halting your movements to tend to his slashed bicep.

You stare at the dried up blood that had trickled down the length of his arm when he’d gotten cut, your hands finding the power to continue working and clean up the trail of scarlet that stains his tanned skin.

“Of course I do,” you say, submerging the cloth into the water basin, the clear liquid now corrupted with tendrils of red from the blood you cleaned up, “Why?”

It’s your mistake to look up, freezing under the appearance of that smile that spreads across his face.

“No reason.”

.

You never wanted to have to see Taehyung hurt and bloodied again.

It isn’t until one night, a conspirator within the retainers wrecks havoc in the castle. Footsteps and yelling echoes throughout the halls as you search for Taehyung to ensure his safety. You’re so focused on looking for him that you end up in the hands of the traitor, the ice cold metal of the sword positioned at your neck with his fingers digging in your waist.

“Hurt a single hair on her and I’ll have your head in a second.”

The deep voice is familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time, it’s absolutely chilling, making you shiver. The blade at your neck presses further against your neck, the sharpness of its edge cutting into your soft flesh.

“Take a step forward and I’ll have her head,” your attacker threatens, “Or you can drop your swords and I’ll spare her in exchange for your life, my lord.”

Your eyes shoot up in an instant, widening when you see Taehyung there with his sword unsheathed and in a stance ready to fight. His eyes are far from warm, they’re dark, sharp, and swirling with emotion as he glares at the retainer. You don’t know this man. There is no sign of his signature boxy grin, the curving eye smile, the brightness that sends warmth to your universe.

You hiss, trying to helplessly jerk away from the sword that continues to bite into your skin.

“Let her go and face me like a man rather than a coward!”

And then you’re sent hurdling to the floor as the two men lunge towards one another with the intent to kill, to murder. You scramble as soon as you crash land, crawling as far away to keep from burdening Taehyung.

You watch them clash with shaking eyes, your body quivering as you wince at each clang and sharp clink of their swords colliding. Taehyung endures a few slashes at his arms and sides, the blood seeping through his robe. One final block and counter, he slices upwards then down before piercing his blade right through the chest of the traitor.

You turn away, waiting for Taehyung to finish up and soon enough approach you. You’re not expecting his clothes and skin to be splattered with scarlet, eyes frozen as they stare back at you. He’s not the boy you grew up serving.

And he stays that way until you raise a hesitant hand to swipe your thumb over the red that covers his cheeks, further smearing it. His eyes soften, mouth pulling into a meek smile as he lets his sword handle slip from his fingers in favor of sliding his hands over your cheeks. His eyes trail downward to the cut on your neck.

“He hurt you…”

You smile and nod, “He did, but I’m safe now… you’re safe…”

His smile widens and despite the image of him injured and covered in blood, the terrifying coldness that had replaced the warmth of his eyes, you fall deeper in love with this man.

.

Perhaps the attachment you secretly have towards Kim Taehyung was bound to come to an end at some point as he grows more older and well-known. The memories of a few nights ago replaying in your ears over and over again, reminding you of your place as a servant, someone unfit to stand by his side.

At that time you were heading over to his room to serve him dinner, glued to your spot in front of his door when you overheard the conversation inside.

“I expect you to consider the proposal from the Higuchi clan,” Taehyung’s adoptive father said, voice stern but gentle, speaking to the boy he had taken from his homeland and brought overseas to another, “A concubine, if not a wife I suppose if you see it.”

You should’ve seen it coming, but you’re more devastated than you thought you’d be when the time would come that another woman would come to stand by his side instead of you. At some point in time, Taehyung would have to find himself a proper wife, or at least a few concubines.

And yet you can’t accept the thought, having grown up watching the Korean boy grow up into the capable man he is, a dignified samurai, and a simply beautiful person that you couldn’t have.

You dread the day the daughter of Lord Higuchi arrives at the castle, her slender body clad in elegant robes and intricate accessories. Her skin is porcelain, lips blood red and full, hair long and decorated. She’s simply gorgeous, and further makes you envious as she smiles tenderly at everyone.

It’s painful, but you force yourself to serve Taehyung and his lady guest for the day, preparing them tea and lunch served in the garden.

When you pour the tea in her cup, you can’t help but look down at your attire in shame compared to her. The simple kimono and obi that is barely of any competition to her extravagant one and haori that is draped over her shoulders. Until you notice that it is not hers, that it belongs to Taehyung, and your heart sinks.

He must’ve noticed the way your expression falls, but you avoid his confused gaze and excuse yourself.

That night, after the daughter has long left, and everyone is heading off to bed, you sit out on the outdoor walkway. It’s quiet and serene, the moonlight illuminating the dark garden you’re looking over.

It’s almost soothing your breaking heart until the creak of the wooden floorboards alert you of someone and that someone takes a seat beside you.

“You’re usually in bed by now.”

You turn your head, your heart speeding up at the sight of Taehyung, his features glistening in the glow of the moonlight. His eyes are glittering, staring right at you warmly as he smiles.

“You disappeared as soon as lunch was over,” he said, tearing his eyes away from you to glance over the tea garden.

“I was busy,” you lie, looking down and wishing that he’d just go away and stop making your heart go crazy.

“I suppose…” he sighs, leaning back on his hands, “So what do you think?”

“Think of what?” you ask, half knowing what he’s implying of.

“Of Lady Higuchi,” he replies simply, never turning or looking over at you to gauge your reaction. It’s like he knows how it pains you to hear the name of his future wife, the woman that’s not you who will stand by his side.

She’ll get to love him, to hold him, to kiss him, to call him hers, everything you’ve wanted ever since you’d realized your feelings for the boy as a teenager.

“A fitting woman for you, my lord,” you answer after much thought, each word painful to even grit out, “Beautiful and polite…” Everything I cannot be, only a servant that has no right to stand by you.

“And what if I were to say that she was not the woman I only have eyes for?”

You blink. What? Was there another woman? A woman you had no knowledge of?

“The woman, my only love… She’s gorgeous, even more radiant than the ever bright sun and glittering moon, even more breathtaking than any star I’ve ever seen.”

Each word he says weighs you down, it’s torture, knowing that he’s hopelessly in love with another lucky woman.

“If only she knew…” he whispers, deep voice usually a caress to your ears, but now poison and pain as you’re about ready to yell at him that it’s enough.

“When she’s the one who’s been by my side all these years, serving me and taking care of me, being like this is not enough for my selfishness, I want to call you mine - (Y/n).”

What?

When you look up, he’s gazing down at you, chocolate eyes warm and loving, full of adoration and kindness as he takes your hand and blesses it with a kiss on the back. Everything about the passionate flame that blazes behind his irises is sincere and you can’t help the blood that rushes to your cheeks.

“You’re lying,” you whisper, feeling your eyes well and sting with salty tears, “What a hurtful joke this is.”

“Don’t cry,” Taehyung whispers, tugging on your hand until it’s splayed over his chest, the beating of his heart fast against your palm, “I’m in love with you (y/n).”

“I’m unworthy… your father would never allow it…” you start off when clearly you wanted nothing more than to leap into his arms and return his declaration of love.

“He won’t,” he agrees, “But that doesn’t mean I won’t fight for you.”

“You’re the only one I trust, the only one I want to stand by my side forever.”