#i just want to lay down and rot while these feelings of loneliness overwhelm me

[tortademaracuya]

Lalala im just venting in the tags

[hotchocolatewriting]

Family comes first

The floor was cold, the cell dark until the light came in. The door opened and villain looked up, squinting their eyes because of the bright light. They lifted themselves off the ground and waited for the guards to come inside to do whatever they wanted to do to villain. They were forced to sleep on the floor, the cell was covered in dirt and grime, they were malnourished, the lack of natural sunlight giving them vitamin D deficiency, but even after more than a year in this horrible place, they hated the guards most of all, yet they didn’t say anything. They couldn’t even if they wanted to, because of the muzzle they were wearing over their mouth. There was no actual reason for the muzzle being there other than for the guard’s enjoyment, villain supposed. The guards liked that they were the ones with power now. The guards came closer and pulled villain to their feet. The chains around their wrists rattled at the movement. The guards were rough and squeezed so hard that villain was certain that their arms would be bruising later on. They didn’t struggle, they were too worn out to even try. The guards pushed them out of their cell. Villain hadn’t been out since they had come to this place. Their eyes were still getting used to the bright light. “Leave us, I can handle them.” A familiar voice. Villain’s eyes took their time to focus. They wanted to put their hands over their eyes, but that would look pathetic. “Come with me, I want to have a little conversation.” Villain shook their head to get rid of the dizziness. They slowly followed who they thought was hero. They wobbled and couldn’t walk straight. “In here.” Villain saw hero walking into a small room. It looked like a canteen. It was probably the place where the guards had their lunch every day. “Please sit down, it’s okay.” Villain nodded. They felt hero’s hands against the back of their head before the muzzle dropped on the table before them. Hero sat down on the other side of the table. Villain looked at them. They were confused, why would hero come here? Villain had already been there for more than a year. Hero had brought them in themselves and villain had known they would never be free again from that moment onwards. “You can come in now. They’re here.” Hero said. Villain was confused. Who were they talking to? A child slowly walked in and villain’s eyes grew wide as the child sat down on a chair behind hero. Villain wanted to get to their feet, walk over to their child, embrace them and never let them go, but hero gestured for them to sit down again. Villain did as they were told, their movements were still slow, their mind foggy. They watched their child behind hero, but their mind couldn’t exactly process what was happening. They were far too exhausted. Hero was talking to them, but villain couldn’t register what they were saying. They only heard a few words: bracelet… collar…outside… They shook their head again. “W-what?” villain asked. “Are you even listening? I’m offering you a deal! Please pay attention!” Villain felt tears burning behind their eyes for no reason. Was it because hero was angry? Because they were so tired? Were they having a mental breakdown? “I’m sorry, my head.. I’m so tired.” “I get that, you look like a zombie. Do you want some tea?” Tea.. they hadn’t had something warm to drink in ages. Villain nodded. They lacked the energy to get their voice to work again. They rested their head on their arms and started to sob quietly. Their body just gave up. They were exhausted and overwhelmed. Hero ignored them, still making tea for them. They placed the cup in front of villain, making villain look up again. Their hands slowly reached for the tea. It was almost as if they were asking if it was okay for them to drink it. The guards always put the food just out of their reach or they would show villain some food and then eat it themselves while laughing at villain’s misery. “Again, because I don’t think you heard a single word of what I just said. Your kid came to me. I didn’t even know you had one otherwise I would have done this sooner or at least let them come visit.” Hero sighed. “I’m offering you a deal. You can go outside every day, but you have to wear a bracelet that shows you still belong to this prison. You also get a collar that will give us your location and the ability to punish you if necessary. It will also suppress your powers. You need to be here at 9pm every day because you’re sleeping here. You get the chance to celebrate Christmas with your partner and your child, you can go home during the daytime, do whatever you want as long as it isn’t illegal.” Villain nodded. Getting out of here, away from the guards during the daytime, being with their child again. They would love that! They wouldn’t be celebrating Christmas, because their partner still hated them, but just the idea of being out of here made them very happy. They looked at their child, still sitting behind hero, staring at them. Villain looked at hero before they slowly got to their feet and pulled their child into their arms. “You know I missed you, right?” Their child nodded. They were only seven years old, but they had convinced hero to arrange this for them so they could be together again. Villain’s eyes teared up. “Thank you!” That weekend, villain was watching their child play their football game from the sidelines. It was their first day out of prison and villain loved being far away from the guards. Villain had missed this, supporting their child, being with them. They never got the chance to tell the guards anything about their child because of the muzzle. Even when they got a chance, the guards would just laugh and walk away pretending like they hadn’t heard anything and all that time, villain never heard of their family. They didn’t even know where villain was except that they were in prison. Villain had had an argument with their partner, so they wouldn’t come and because of that villain also hadn’t seen their child in a very long time. A few people came to stand around them. “What are you doing here?!” The man sounded angry. “Stay away from the children, you fucking monster!” a woman shouted. “You don’t belong here, go away!” “Rot in hell!” “We should call the police so they can take you back to prison!” One woman a little further was actually calling the police. Villain didn’t feel wanted here. “I’m not planning anything. I just want to see my own child play. I don’t want any trouble.” Villain wanted to walk away, but at the same time they didn’t want to disappoint their child by leaving while they were still playing, so they stayed despite the angry mob that kept on telling villain they should go. When the game was over, villain looked at their child. They just got to their feet, when one boy kicked a ball. The ball hit their child’s head and they started to cry. Villain rushed over to them and put their arms around them to comfort them. “Shh, it’s alright,” they soothed. They turned to the boy who had kicked the ball. “Why did you do that?” villain asked calmly. The boy shrugged. “I heard that their mother/father is a villain.” “So you hit them on the head with a ball for something their mother/father did?” Villain raised an eyebrow. The boy nodded, uncertain of what to do. “Tell me, are you scared of villains?” villain asked, the boy nodded again. Villain stood up, towering over the boy making them stand in their shadow. Villain was glaring down at them when they said, “Good, because I’m their mother/father and I want you to apologise.” The boy’s face became pale. “I…I’m sorry,” they stuttered. Villain nodded and walked away while still holding their crying child close to them. “It’s okay, I’m here. We’re going home and you can take a nice, warm bath.” And I can eat something, villain thought.

That night, villain returned to the prison with a small smile on their face. They had seen their child again, they had played with them and watched their game. They had also eaten way too much and felt nausea rising up in their throat, but they refused to let that ruin their day. It had been a good day and they were happy. Unfortunately, villain’s best efforts to not let their day be ruined went to waste when the guards walked in ready to torment them again. First the muzzle, then the chains, then being thrown in their cell and then the taunting started. Villain sat in the corner of their cell and they felt lonelier than ever. The guards had laughed at them for eating too much after being underfed for so long. They had asked about their day, laughing when they showed villain pictures of them with their crying child. They said that villain was a bad parent, that they didn’t deserve to be loved. Villain didn’t even know someone had taken pictures, but the guards didn’t stop taunting for hours. Villain lay down on the cold floor. All they could do was wait for the next day to start. They wanted this night to be over so badly.

When they finally got home the next morning, they made a small meal for themselves and their child. They wanted to walk upstairs, but there were dozens of letters on the floor before them. Villain picked a few up from the ground and started reading them. Most were from people who didn’t agree with villain being out of prison. Angry people, insults, threats, things like that. They reminded villain of the things the guards had said to them. Nobody wanted them, everyone hated them, they wanted villain gone. Villain knew it was true and it made them sad, but they still had their child and they would do everything for them. Villain lay down on their bed. They were tired after a night without any sleep and wanted to rest for a bit before they had to go back. They could never get enough sleep in there. It was too cold, they slept on the floor and the guards didn’t really help either. Villain snuggled further under the blankets. Finally, they could lay down in a bed again. They closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep. Half an hour later, they heard the door to their bedroom open. Villain was sitting straight up within a second, only to see their child standing in the doorway. They walked towards villain and climbed onto the bed. Villain smiled at them. “I’ve come to lie next to you because you’re sad.” Villain raised an eyebrow. “And how do you know that?” they asked, their tone playful. “Because I can feel it, so move, I’m gonna lie over here.” Villain laughed and let them lay down beside them. “You’re a smart kid.”

“I can also sleep next to you at night.” Villain stared at them, a little shocked at the request. No! was the first thing they thought, absolutely not! But how were they supposed to tell a child why they didn’t want them to be there? “Maybe another time,” villain said quietly. They really didn’t know what they were supposed to do. They cared about their child, they didn’t want for them to be in pain. They wanted to be a good parent, but they didn’t know how. Later that day hero came into their room to see what villain was doing. The signal of villain’s collar hadn’t moved for hours and hero wanted to make sure villain hadn’t found a way to take the collar off. However, when they got there, villain was lying on the bed. They were talking to their child and hero could hear them. A few hours later the child left and villain was alone again, still sleeping. Hero, who had been hiding on the other side of the door walked into the room. They closed the door a little bit too hard and villain jolted awake. “You’re jumpy,” hero said. Villain rubbed their eyes. “Hello to you too. What are you doing here?” villain asked, but hero ignored the question. “Why are you so jumpy?” they asked. “It’s because the guards aren’t always nice to me. It's fine, I can handle it.” Villain laid their head in their hands. “What’s wrong?” “My child wants to sleep with me in there, but I can't let them sleep on the cold floor of a dirty old cell and guards who should probably be in one of those cells themselves! I can already see the guards trying to hurt them, so they can hurt me. Besides, I don't want them to see me like that, muzzled and scared.” “You really had a hard time there, didn’t you?” Villain shrugged. “Maybe, I hate the guards most of all. Sleeping on the ground, the lack of food or the dirty cell aren’t as bad as the guards. I told them that I had a child and they just ignored it. I thought I would never see them again.” “You don’t want to go back, am I right?”

“Yes, you’re right, who would voluntarily want to go back to that horrible place. I prefer sleeping in a bed instead of on the ground. I don’t want to be tortured by the guards all the time, I want to spend time with my child, I want to be free! Of course I don’t want to go back!” Hero nodded slowly, they hadn’t known that the guards had been this mean to them. Hero thought the muzzle had been necessary and they hadn’t looked inside the cell. They didn’t know it was empty. “I will see what I can do,” hero said, “I will try to help you with this, alright?” Villain nodded. “I just want to be a good parent for them. I’ve learned that my family is more important than power. I get that now.” Hero smiled at them, that was all they wanted for villain to know.

[jessikahathaway]

An Angel and her Lover

Oof, hi again.

So, for the first time I want to dedicate a fic to someone here. @jeonggukingdom. Rosebud, I love you and thanks for being an awesome friend. Let’s be together for a long time, yes?

So, for my darling Rosebud, I present a Jungkook Frankenstein!AU, or the monster, whatever. Literature buffs, get out. 

Pairing: Jeon Jungkook x Reader

Words: 26,760 (oh my God I’m sorry)

Warnings: Violence, Graphic depictions of blood and gore, Hanging, Triggers, attempted murder, smut (duh?)

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Frankenstein!AU, Smut, Slight Horror (if ya squint ya eyeballs)

Summary: Unable to let the fates of the world betray the life of such a beautiful young man, you defy the work of God, and save him. Now, you must deal with the consequences... One of them, falling in love with he who shouldn’t have lived.

People always fear what they can never understand.

People understood your father’s medical knowledge. But that doesn’t mean they liked him in any respect. Didn’t let their children near your family home, one that used to be ran by your father.

He was the towns physician, not by a choice of the people. But because he knew what he was doing. You studied under him with dedication and drive, wanting to provide that same care and love to the people once your father was unable.

But Karma was a cruel mistress, and she worked in interesting ways.

He died of consumption last frost. Your mother had died when you were a child, so you were left entirely alone in the world. No grandparents, no aunts or uncles. No cousins or even friends to confide in when loneliness overtook you at night.

The town left small tokens at your front gate, noting the passing of your father. But no one confronted you, no one came to the door to share in your loss. They let you suffer alone, and that’s all you would ever be.

But, you continued your father’s work, even after he had passed... it was all you knew.

Little did the people know, your father had a particular obsession since your mother had passed all those years ago...

He believed there was a way to bring the dead back to life.

He thought that if there was a storm big enough, he could harness the charge in the air and the electricity being produced would be enough to jumpstart the human brain back into function. Although, the problem was you had to catch the individual not long after dead in order to make it work. Unfortunately for you mother, that meant there was no bringing her back, and once your father had discovered this...

He went insane.

Staying up into late hours, ignoring his basic human needs for days on end. You’d bring him plate after plate of food, only to return to remove a stale version. Talking to himself, answering in a different tone as if there was a different person in the room with him. You were slightly frightened of the man he had become...

He hid it well in front of others, however you saw the devastation it raved on his mind. The father you’d grown up with was slowly crumbling when the ailment took its course through his body.

You were heartbroken, but at the same time you were a little relieved that he had managed to pass before he was completely lost. You weren’t sure if you could’ve watched that happen, you might have had to leave him if it had gone much further...

He caught consumption from handling corpses too often, something you had warned him about, but he didn’t listen. Every time a storm came in... He had to try, at least with one body. However, he couldn’t get it to work in the larger bodies... It never lasted long. Generally, it was enough for the corpse to shudder, possibly move an appendage and then their brain became overwhelmed from the strain of the electricity and it cooked... After that there truly was no second chance.

While your father desperately tried his method over and over again, you researched into the probability of herbal concoctions being added to the corpse to add in the regeneration process. You believed that if there was a herbal barrier between the electricity, that the corpse wouldn’t burn up... The electricity could be funneled through the body efficiently, instead of focusing in one area.

Even though your father didn’t see the point, you were certain if a particular mixture was added to the point of contact for the electrodes on the body, then there was a way to make it work. If you added a conductor to the process, then the possibility of success might increase.

But finding a fresh body was difficult, and generally frowned upon by the local peoples. The graveyard had been ravaged by your father, and the townspeople thought it was some animal digging up their loved ones. So, they had built a gate to dissuade any living being that came in during the night hours.

With your father being older, climbing the large fence by himself would be difficult, with a body added to it, procuring a subject would be near impossible. This lef your father with much smaller beings to work with, such as rabbits and deer that he managed to trap and kill while out on hunting excursions. Fish, also, were a medium that your father had some success in.

But it always came back to human beings in his mind. He truly believed that he could bring back people from the dead. And he wasn’t going to stop until he managed to do it.

Yet, death took him as well and no doubt to a place where he wouldn’t be with your mother either... Your father was a good man, but he had been overtaken with sadness and guilt of your mother’s death, and it turned him into someone he wasn’t by the end.

This didn’t make his absence hurt any less however. It was still difficult to eat breakfast without his whistles being heard from the other room. Every time it rained you thought of him, and when lightning cracked in the sky you wondered if it was really possible...

Was he actually on to something? Was there a way for you to bring the dead back to life?

These thoughts lead you to some research left in your father’s library. He had many scribbles and notes that didn’t make much sense. However, there was one letter that was written and dated about four years before he passed.

He was still writing in cohesive sentences. It must’ve been before he really went off the deep end...

It went as follows:

Dear Y/N,

I fear my mind isn’t entirely my own any longer. These thoughts in my head, it feels too overwhelming. As if another is controlling my thoughts and making me do things I don’t entirely want to, or feel the need to do...

But, my daughter, please believe me every time I say I love you. You remind me of your mother dearly, and perhaps that’s what hurts me the most. The fact that even though she isn’t here, I still get to see her in you... Your intelligence is blinding, much like hers. And I hope when I am no longer to finish my work... You will be able to take after me. Would you do me that honour?

Even if I become someone I am not, will you stay with me my child?

Til the end?

Your adoring father...

After finding that letter you sat in his study and sobbed. The emptiness in the home didn’t suit you. You hated waking up alone, going to bed alone and always being alone. You clutched the letter to your chest, heaving in breaths as you tried to calm your racing heart.

“Yes father,” you whimpered... “I will do as you ask.”

Soon you were going out and finding new herbs, flowers, trees and animals to test your theories out on. You healed the sick animals to see if they responded well to the treatment, and if they didn’t you did your best to aid them anyways.

If they died from their injuries then you tried to get their bodies on ice as quickly as possible. That way their organs didn’t rot and they were in the state akin to life just placed on pause.

However, you never crossed over to humans. That was something you weren’t going to do. If you successfully brought an animal back from the dead, then you would close up your father’s laboratory and begin his physicians practice once more.

That lead you to the day you found a dog, dying on the road.

It whimpered in pain, you remember it clearly. You had never felt so much anguish for an animal in your life. You quickly collected the pooch into a blanket and hurried home, a storm was brewing...

Getting home you found the extent of his injuries. He had been trampled by some horses, and left for dead no doubt. The thought made rage boil in your stomach, but you didn’t let it weigh you down. There was far too much work to do. Breaking into your strongest medicines and painkillers you tried to keep the poor animal at ease. Cooing it into slumber, patting it’s head affectionately and staying by it’s side the whole night.

At around midnight, the animal stopped breathing. Your heart lurched in your chest and you heard a crack of thunder in the distance. The wind beat itself against the windows and you saw your father’s old cot laying in the corner.

Before thinking too much about the prospects you acted. Gathering his old electrodes and clamps you moved the dog onto the cot, wheeling him towards the center of the room... Slathering your own concoctions onto his head you prayed that his fur wouldn’t obstruct your work too much. Grabbing the bolts you hammered them into his temples, then connecting the final wires to them. Next you found your father’s serum... It was the only thing he used, and it must have some sort of reanimative properties if his corpses were able to regain a form of movement after the electricity came through... Pushing a few droplets into the poor animals mouth, you stepped back.

The ceiling had a prong sticking high into the sky in hopes of catching a lightning strike and directing the energy towards a body, aiding in the reanimation process. This was one of the first projects your father had undergone after your mother died. It took him nearly three years to complete, and was the beginning of his end. You father also covered in glass so that he could see the lightning rod without much difficult. So you watched and waited... Rain howled loudly outside, making you bite your lips in nerves. This was it, you could feel the static charge prickle along your skin.

CCRRAACCKKK!

The room was engulfed in light and you threw the lever connecting the lightning rode to the electrodes. You had to shield your eyes from the brightness of it all.

When the ringing had stopped in your ears and the blue spots disappeared from your vision, you found the dog whimpering on the cot. Tip toeing over you peered at the canine from afar.

He wasn’t just jolting, he was actually breathing, eyes looking around and staring at his surroundings. Your mouth dropped open. Minutes went by, and the animal didn’t fall still once more. If anything, he became more animated, wanting to sit up but the clamps preventing his movements.

It had worked.

Falling to your knees beside the dog you began to sob into the animal’s soft fur. You had did it... He had come back to life, and your father was right. Your father’s hard work hadn’t gone to waste, he wasn’t an insane fool... his death now meant something.

It felt so good to cry with someone in the room. You weren’t so alone anymore, because this being here was able to be with you now... Because you had done the impossible, and brought him back from the land of the dead...

And that was the last time you were ever going to do it. You swore...

You woke up with the sun shining bright in your eyes, as well as a numb arm.

“Ugh, get off Garçon,” you whined, pulling your arm out from underneath his warm body. Your dog groaned and shuffled over, making himself comfortable against your pillows once more.

Scoffing at his attitude you got out of bed, grabbing your robe and tying it around your waist before heading downstairs. The beauty of having an undead animal was that they didn’t eat anything. He never was hungry and you were alright with that.

Less money out of your coin purse every week.

You began to make coffee, boiling the water on the stove like you did every morning.

A soft knock came from the door and you raised an eyebrow.

Who would be here this early in the morning?

Walking over you opened the door and the bright smile of Kim Taehyung greeted you. Smiling back you leaned against your door. “Good morning, Taehyung, what can I help you with?”

Taehyung’s eyes moved down your body before clearing his throat and looking into your eyes. “I have the money for my Father’s medicine, and I know that you’re not going to-”

“Taehyung I’ve told you many times that I don’t want money from you, his payment was birthing one of the kindest people I know... So go buy something you really want with that money, okay? I know you must’ve worked very hard for it,” you urged.

“D-Do you think, I could buy both of us dinner tonight with it?” he asked, a soft blush painting his features.

The wind blew your hair away from your face and you giggled. Taehyung bit his lip nervously as you appeared to mull the thought over in your mind. “Mmm, what would we be eating Taehyung?” you asked.

“Whatever you want!” he announced firmly.

“What if what I want isn’t on that particular menu?” you winked. Taehyung smirked and leaned against your door frame.

“Then you can order off the private menu if you’d like,” he suggested.

“Perhaps I could join you for dinner then,” you agreed.

“Really? You mean it?” he asked, eyes glimmering with hope.

“I would be delighted to join you, just tell me where?” you asked.

“Jin’s tavern, he serves the best food I’ve ever had,” he stated.

“But you haven’t tasted the best cuisine yet,” you flirted, pulling on your nightgown with a mischievous glint in your eyes.

“Perhaps I could sample it for dessert tonight?” he whispered.

“If you’re lucky,” you winked. “I really would like to join you for a meal. All jokes aside,” you confirmed.

“Then meet me at an hour before dusk at the tavern, and we’ll eat there,” Taehyung offered.

“I’ll see you then, Taehyung.”

He smiled and kissed your hand demurely before trotting off down your drive with a spring in his step. Shutting the door you slid down it on your back and squealed into your lap.

You’d liked Taehyung for years, even when the village folk didn’t accept you after your father passed... He had found you outside playing with Garçon and he had become a dear friend of yours ever since. When you brought your face up you found Garçon staring at you with an amused expression. “Oh stop it pooch, I’m allowed to be excited for my first date!” you yelped.

Garçon wagged his tail, coming closer and curling up next to you on the floor. You patted his head, trying to keep yourself from going crazy with excitement.

“Finally, finally I can be a normal girl for once. I don’t have to be the reclusive doctor, I can go out and maybe get to have my first kiss, huh?” you stared at Garçon eagerly. He just barked and you hugged him tight.

You progressed with your day, trying to keep focused on your work and not so much on the cute boy with a smile bright enough to melt your heart. You messed up two rosemary salves and one lemongrass and ginger herbal tea for someone else. You decided it would just be better if you didn’t continue working, in fear of something blowing up in your face.

So, you roamed around your home. Trying to keep yourself preoccupied was proving to be difficult. As high noon came around you tried to get a bath running so your hair would be dry by the evening. Pouring in your favorite scented oil you smiled, rose filling your nostrils.

Peeling off your clothing, you submerged your body and sighed in relief. As you sat in the warm water, you wondered briefly if Taehyung would still go on a date with you if he knew what you had done...

No one really knew that Garçon was dead, because they weren’t there... And he looked healthy, due to the fact that his broken ribs had been reset by you. So now he acted like any normal dog... But if Taehyung knew the truth about him, would he accept that? Would he understand that you were a scientist who had brought back a dog...

You shook your head quickly, not letting the thoughts overwhelm you. It would never come up in conversation, and therefore it wouldn’t matter. Taehyung didn’t have to know, because you weren’t going to do it again. You weren’t certain you could.

Leaving the anxious feeling behind you let yourself sink lower into the water and began to clean your skin.

Standing in front of your bedroom mirror you tried to think of the best dress to wear out for the night. It was going to be a little chilly, so you wanted to wear one with sleeves. But, if the night progressed how you hoped... Then you wanted the dress to be alluring for Taehyung to view.

However, you didn’t want to seem like a floozy. Even though your interaction earlier wasn’t exactly proper...

Looking through your wardrobe you found a soft pink dress that had sleeve with a square neckline that left a little for the imagination. You smiled and pulled the soft material on over your body, letting it settle accordingly before adjusting as needed.

Buttoning up the bodice you looked outside to see the time. You had approximately forty five minutes left before Taehyung’s meeting time. Hurrying to pull your hair up, you found a pin and twisted your locks in a simple fashion, leaving a few strands to frame your face.

Grabbing your mother’s necklace you put it around your neck. The familiar weight calmed your nerves as you sat at your vanity. You did simple brushes of powder and added a smidge of blush cream. A soft rose blend on your lips for color. You looked beautiful...

A tear fell down your cheek as you thought of your parents.

They would want to see you at this moment. How much you had grown, and how beautiful you had become. The picture of them smiling with you as a babe sat on your vanity gazing at you. You knew they could see you, and you knew they were proud.

Although, you hoped once the night progressed they would turn their eyes away...

Gathering your purse and accessories you trotted down the stairs, slipping your feet into your shoes at the bottom of the stairs. Garcon waited patiently at the door for you, ready to walk with you to the end of the drive like he did nearly every day. You moved with haste, noticing the sun beginning to move lower into the sky. You got to the door and opened it, leaving it cracked so Garçon could get back in and shut it when you left.

For being dead, he was a pretty smart boy.

You almost sprinted to your gate before flinging it open in excitement.

Once outside, you turned and waved at Garçon who was sitting patiently. He always watched you walk away before he would go back in the house. He wanted to make sure you got off where you were going safely. As you turned your back you felt a chill run down your spine. Looking off towards the East you saw almost black clouds rolling in.

A storm? Tonight?

It seemed unlikely, especially with the beautiful weather you’d had all week. Perhaps it would pass over. You didn’t think too much before you headed towards the tavern.

Jin’s Tavern was over on the other end of town, tucked back towards the edge of the forest. It was a long walk, so you picked up your pace. Jogging through the village everyone looked on in shock as the Physician’s daughter passed them by. A few waved, mostly the farmers whom you interacted with regularly.

“Where are you getting off to so gussied up?” Mrs. Yening asked, pulling in some of her flowers.

“Taehyung asked me to dinner tonight,” you smiled brightly. She fussed over you and pressed your cheeks, much like a mother would her babe. Since you ventured out of your home, and left the daunting facade of the quack doctor’s daughter behind, people actually started to respect you.

Not everyone was as kind as Mrs. Yening, but they were civil, and you were so grateful for it. Your loneliness had killed you. The people in the village scared of the grief-consumed individual you had turned into.

However, Garçon had brought you from that darkness. He had given you Taehyung, and when Taehyung came along, everyone else did as well.

Mrs. Yening placed a delicate alyssum bundle in your hair, cooing at the sight you gave her. “Now, hurry along, don’t keep the anxious boy waiting any longer!”

Nodding you ran off, a huge grin on your face as you made it to Jin’s Tavern. It was a little after the time Taehyung had stated, so you hoped you didn’t make him wait long...

Entering the large doors you were hit with the smell of food and drink. Everyone was laughing boisterously, glasses clinking and men whistling. You saw Jimin, the baker’s son, sitting at a table with Namjoon and Yoongi. Two of the local law enforcement. They mainly just settled little disputes here and there to keep everything intact. Hoseok and Seokjin were chatting at the bar when Jin noticed you standing at the door.

“Y/N! Come on over here!” he urged.

Excusing yourself through the crowd you came up to the older man and sat down. Hoseok passed you a glass of water as Jin wiped down the counter in front of you.

“You seem to be flushed, what’s got you all in a rush?” Hoseok smiled.

“I-I’m having dinner with Taehyung, here,” you said, huffing before taking large gulps of the water.

“Oh, are you? I haven’t seen him yet,” Hoseok wondered.

“He’s sure to turn up if Y/N is waiting, the boy will come for miles if it means she’s going to be there,” Jin teased.

You blushed and waited. The men before you chatting still, making small little comments to see you smile.

However, time rolled on.

And Taehyung didn’t show up.

You sat on the stool and every time the door opened you whipped around with a smile on your face, until you discovered none of the people entering were Taehyung. Hoseok looked at you worried, passing you another glass of water.

Jimin came over and offered you something to eat, but you declined... Taehyung had offered to purchase your meal tonight and you wanted to make sure you had an appetite for when he arrived.

Namjoon and Yoongi approached as well, asking if you wanted them to go out to look for the man in question. You weren’t sure if that was necessary. “I don’t think anything bad happened to him. I know he’ll be here. I’m sure he will.”

The night kept progressing.

Your stomach protested with the lack of food in it, but you held firm. Each time it growled Hoseok and Jin would offer to make you something to eat. On the house, but you refused each time. Taehyung would buy you a meal tonight... He said he would.

People began to flood from the doors. The liveliness of the evening narrowing out as it turned night. Jin started walking around the emptying tavern and began collecting plates, cups and getting ready for the place to close up for the night.

“Are you sure he meant tonight, Y/N? Maybe he meant tomorrow?” Jin offered as he walked past with a stack of dishes in his hands.

You held your head up in your palm, a sad expression on your face. “No, he asked me to dinner tonight. I know I didn’t mishear him,” you answered.

“P-Perhaps he got caught up at the mill?” Hoseok tried.

“He doesn’t have to work at the mill for at least two more days. The shipment of lumber from the yard isn’t due here until then,” you sighed.

Jin and Hoseok shared a solemn expression. “Y/N, it’s almost time for me to close... I-I don’t think the lad is coming tonight.”

You felt the sharp burn of tears in your eyes as you realized his statement.

A crack of thunder was heard in the distance and the two men looked at you with worried eyes. “I can make you up a bed for the night, it looks like it’s going to rain,” Hoseok stated.

“No,” your voice cracked. Hoseok placed his palm on your shoulder, rubbing it with a tenderness only a friend could offer.

“Y/N, don’t cry,” Jin pleaded.

“He said he wanted to use the money he made from extra hours at the mill to dine with me... Why would he lie and then not show up? Maybe something bad did happen to him...” you pulled on your lower lip with your teeth.

“Should I go get Yoongi and Namjoon? Maybe we should go out to look for him, you know he wouldn’t miss an opportunity to be with Y/N,” Hoseok said, standing up.

“They might be asleep but I could go get Namjoon-”

“No, it’s fine,” you whispered, letting the tears fall freely down your face. “I should just accept that he isn’t coming. Because he didn’t want to... I think I’m just going to go home for the night.”

“Y/N, it’s going to storm out there! We can’t just let you go!” Jin protested.

“I’ll be fine you two, believe me,” you smiled weakly.

Hoseok gave you a tight hug before wiping your tears. “I’m sure he wanted to come tonight, he’s sure to have a good reason. Don’t worry about it and hurry home, Garçon should be waiting for you.”

You nodded and gathered your things before heading out the door.

It was bitterly cold as you came out from Jin’s warm tavern. The wind was blowing hard and you felt your pin beginning to unfurl from your hair. Collecting your skirts you began to head home.

It was hard not to feel upset and hurt, but you tried to keep your head held high as the tears flowed freely. Jin and Hoseok were probably right, something came up. It’s not that he didn’t want to be here, something must’ve come up... It had to...

“DEAR GOD HELP ME!”

Your head turned so sharp you felt it pop slightly at the motion.

“SAVE ME PLEASE!”

The sound of a petrified man carried over the screaming wind.

“ANYONE PLEASE! I’M DYING!”

You didn’t even think as you took off towards the sound of the voice. Your feet flew into the forest before you could even think about what you were doing. The voice sounded so terrified, in so much pain.

What had happened?

You had to hurry, someone needed you and you weren’t going to let them down.

“ARE YOU THERE?! ANSWER ME!” you screamed, trying to hear their voice once more.

“PLEASE! THIS WAY!” a distinct male voice answered again.

You could hear him, he wasn’t that much further. He couldn’t be, if you could hear him over this wind.

Your skirt caught on a branch, halting your movements. Grabbing the fabric you simply ripped yourself free from the tree, heading off once more. The frigid air burned your delicate skin, but it was secondary at this point. Someone needed you.

“WHERE ARE YOU?” you yelled again.

“Help... me!”

He sounded weaker, but even closer than last time.

Deeper into the woods you went, trying to keep your pathway straight as possible so you could get out quickly. You heard deep gasping, as if someone was struggling to breathe. Looking around frantically, your eyes found a horrific sight.

A man, probably around your age, lay with a tree stump protruding from his stomach. Crimson blood leaked from his injury and you had to cover your mouth to keep from crying in horror. He was already gravely pale, and you wondered if you were going to be able to do anything.

Not letting your doubt fall into your mind, you fell to your knees beside him.

“Hey, can you hear me?” you asked, cradling his head in your hands. He was beautiful, skin smooth and clear. Body lean and structured, a strong young man. His forehead was damp with sweat, no doubt from the pain. Biting your lip you looked at his wound. The stump wasn’t too thick, but it carved a disgusting whole in his mid section.

“H-help... me...” he sputtered, coughing up blood onto his pouty lips.

“I will, I’ll help you,” you promised, brushing the blood away from his mouth. Looking at the stump and his stomach you grew worried. There wasn’t going to be anyway for you to move him, not without causing him to hemorrhage. The stump was the only reason he hadn’t bled out before you found him.

“What’s your name?” you asked, brushing his damp hair away from his face.

“J-Jung-gkook,” he rasped.

“I’m Y/N,” you answered, dabbing at his sallow cheeks tenderly. You were going to stay with him. As long as it took, you were going to keep him as comfortable as you could.

“So-so, tired,” he whimpered.

“Then sleep,” you urged, moving so he could rest his head in your lap. His skull rested against your thighs solidly, making you flush. Disgust at your own thoughts raved in your mind. He was dying, you weren’t going to think of him in that way during his final moments.

You frowned at the sight before you. He was obviously young like yourself, so handsome. Looking at him you noticed a piece of paper crumpled in his hands. Pulling it away from him you examined it.

A note from his mother...

Dear Jungkook,

Please hurry... Your father isn’t doing well and we need the tea from the doctor in that town. We love you so much son, hurry back and be safe.

Your devoted parents.

Tears thatched to your eyelashes as you swallowed hard.

He was trying to save his father...

And he must’ve tripped on the vines a few feet from here and fell onto the stump, impaling himself. It made you sick to your stomach to view his pain.

“Jungkook?” you asked, smoothing his hair gently.

“Mmm,” he answered quietly, his breathing was slowing. He didn’t have much time left.

“Are you scared?” you asked.

“No... an angel is wi-ith me,” he sputtered, looking at you through his lashes.

“I’m not an angel,” you shook your head.

“Can yo-u, g-get that note,” he swallowed hard, obviously straining to speak. It obviously pained the poor man to speak, but he wasn’t going to give up. “Get it... to the town’s doctor... M-my dad... sick...”

You smiled. “I am the town’s Doctor, and I will make sure your father gets the treatment he needs,” you stated.

“An-gel,” he whispered. “Th-ank... you...”

His eyes fell shut and his harsh breathing stopped. You bit your lip and felt tears streaming down your face. Why did this happen? How could someone so caring and so sweet, lay there dead in your lap. Cradling his head in your hands you smoothed his cheeks gently, as if trying to calm a fitful babe.

Another crack of thunder jolted you from your thoughts.

Thunder...

Your mind froze.

You said you wouldn’t do it again... But, you had to try.

If anyone deserved another chance, it was Jungkook.

Mind made up, you laid his head gently on the ground. You got your hands underneath his still warm torso before pushing up with all your might. A sickeningly wet sound pounded in your ears as Jungkook’s body came free of the stump. He fell on top of you, lips placed on your throat. Cringing from the weight and idea of a dead man laying atop you, you scrambling to your feet. Widening your stance you pulled on his hands, letting his front touch your back. You winced as the feeling of blood dripped down your spine. You swallowed thick, trying to keep yourself from getting sick.

Locking your arms around his upper chest, you began to run, as fast as you could with Jungkook on your back.

The wind howled as you did so.

It didn’t matter that your legs and arms were in agony from the haul.

You just had to get home...

And fast.

Falling into your home you gasped in much needed air.

“GARÇON!” you cried.

The distinct sound of his paws hitting the wooden floor upstairs came fast.

Soon, you felt him licking your face.

“Grab him, and get him to Dad’s laboratory,” you urged.

Something that had surprised you when Garçon had come back was how strong he was. He was a Great Dane, but still his strength seemed a little outrageous. Also, his intelligence was startling. At first, he was a little slow... But watching you he seemed to learn, you taught him commands and places in your home, and he was able to perform them. No mere canine was that brilliant, you wondered if it would work with other animals, but you weren’t going to try...

At least not until a young man with a golden heart fell into your lap.

You heard him pulling Jungkook as you ran ahead, getting your dress off and grabbing a robe to throw on. Throwing on your physician’s robe you just didn’t want to be naked. Quickly, as if the stairs were made of burning coals, you made your way down into the lower level of the house.

Grabbing the bannister you locked your fingers around it and propelled yourself down the hallway. Passing Garçon and Jungkook on the way you hurried to unlock your father’s laboratory. You pulled on the door aggressively, but it wasn’t budging. It hadn’t been open since the morning after you reanimated Garçon, and that was almost five years ago now...

Planting your feet firmly on the ground, you yanked with a great deal of strength, and the door came free. Stumbling backwards into the wall you winced at a stinging sensation. You peered down at your arm and noticed a gash bleeding through your robe. Letting the burn of pain disappear in your mind, you flew through the door and bolted over to your father’s former desk and counters. They were covered in dust and grime making you wondered if you should even attempt this...

The sound of dragging made you turn. Garçon had Jungkook’s body in the doorway. “Good boy, Garçon. Over here,” you said, pointing towards the center of the room. You had to hurry and find the bolts and wires that connected to the main line that stuck up in the air from the ceiling.

Throwing open a few cabinets you coughed at the collection of dust that sat atop it. You kneeled on the floor and pushed aside various bottles and jars of salves that would do you no good during this process.

Finding two jars towards the back you gripped them in your hand and pulled them before you. They were the ones you wanted: Rosemary and Witch hazel ointment then a Bergamot and Yarrow salve. The witch hazel and rosemary for cleansing and bergamot and yarrow for healing.

Garçon barked at you, sitting next to Jungkook’s body. You nodded and grabbed the old cot that had been the place of Garçon’s rebirth. Pushing it towards the center of the room, the jars of your ingredients set on the bedding.

Once you latched the bed down into the floor, you grabbed Jungkook’s body and hauled it up onto the bed, staining the sheets with blood. You winced when his hand brushed your shoulder, but you continued on. Garçon pushed with his nuzzle, aiding you in getting Jungkook up onto the cot with ease.

You huffed in exhaustion, the run back to your home and adrenaline beginning to dissipate in your system. But you weren’t done, you had to try. He was owed that much.

Finding a medical kit on the counter towards the windows, you grabbed it and pulled on the gloves inside. Pushing aside various pieces of gauze and surgical tape you found the sutures and thread that would provide useful.

Lighting a candle you held the suture needle over the flame and sanitized it best you could. Grabbing a couple clamps and more dabbing cloths you set to work. Taking Jungkook’s shirt in your hand, you ripped the delicate fabric down and revealed the extent of his wound.

The sight made you slightly ill, you had no idea it was this severe. You were surprised he had managed to hang on as long as he did. It was a testament to his love for his family, especially his ailing father.

These revelations made you even more determined to succeed.

You had to work fast, Jungkook’s body was already settling into rigor mortis. Once it fully set in, there wasn’t much to be done after words. So, you began stitching and cutting out the already permanently damaged flesh. You had to close the wound before you attempted reanimation, because if it was successful... He could be walking around with a giant hole in his chest.

Fingers cramping and brow slick with sweat you wondered if you were going to find triumph in your endeavor. You wanted to be right. You wanted Jungkook to go home to his parents...

But you hadn’t brought a human back before, and you were unsure of the progression of age on the body after he was resurrected. However, you’d cross that bridge when it appeared.

Finally...

Finally you were closing the surface wounds. The thunder clapped outside, reminding you of the urgency for the situation. You set down your instruments and pulled off your gloves. Moving towards the head of the cot, you looked at Jungkook’s pale face.

He was beautiful.

Soft eyelashes, plush lips and chiseled bones underneath smooth skin... You were entranced by him, even in this state he was a vision.

Shaking your head you moved for the bolts and fasteners. Placing steel bolts next to his temples, you hammered it into place. Swallowing at the sickening sound of his bones yielding to the tool, you felt slightly nauseous.

Next you grabbed the salves and placed them over his stitches. Placing a few dollops of your father’s serum in his mouth, you stepped back. Heaving in gulps of air you realized you hadn’t been breathing out of nerves.

Locating the electrodes, you began to attach them appropriately. Once the last one was secure, you looked at your work. He was hooked up and all you had to do was wait for the perfect time.

This was the hardest part.

You had to wait until a lightning bolt hit the rod, then throw the switch to allow the electricity to flow freely. It was a shock that your father had mastered it years ago, and even more so that you had done it with Garçon.

To duplicate the miracle was unlikely; but the rod was high enough in the air and made out of copper.

Moving over to the switch on the wall you gripped it and watched the sky with nerves eating you up inside. Your reaction time was the most imperative part of this moment. Garçon whined in the corner of the room, however you didn’t move.

“Don’t distract me Garçon, I need to fo-”

CRACK!

WHAM!

You pulled the lever down hard, and the room lit up brightly, much like it did years ago with Garçon. You flew to the ground, covering your head with your hands. The sound of glass cracking made your heart race, but you stayed still.

Garçon ran over, placing his head atop yours to protect you.

Another bolt of lightning struck and you saw Jungkook’s body sitting up on the cot.

Your eyes widened as you looked at his frame. He was rigid on the bed, shoulders squared. Garçon stood in front of you, looking at Jungkook warily.

“J-Jungkook?” You whispered, voice weak.

His head snapped towards yours. That’s when you realized you hadn’t fastened the stamps on the cot. Jungkook was freely moving.

Standing up you noticed as Jungkook kept his eyes on you. Placing your hands up slowly, you moved to approach him. However, you couldn’t stop your trembling. Had you really done it? Brought a human back from the planes of the unknown? Your throat was raw with anxiety.

When you were about six feet from Jungkook, is when it all went south.

Jungkook started gripping at the electrodes attached to his frame. Knowing that they were still charged you needed to keep them attached so the circuits could run their course. If he pulled them now, he could fall dead once more.

“Jungkook, don’t!” You yelped, moving to his side quickly.

The wind left your lungs as he threw his arm out. Landing on the ground in a pained heap you cried in distress. Garçon came over, growling at Jungkook.

“Garçon, down,” You huffed.

“No..” he mumbled, tugging at the equipment. You stood back up, albeit struggling, and tried once more to get close.

“Jungkook you need to wait,” you urged, trying to take his hand.

Yet again, he pushed you away. This time you lost your footing and hit the edge of the cabinets with your side. Gasping in anguish you hit the ground on your injured shoulder.

“Ah!” You whimpered, laying on the ground in pain. Jungkook turned his body at the sound.

“Please, you need to wait. Otherwise you might get hurt,” you whispered. Jungkook tilted his head, as if he understood.

He took his hands away from his wiring. You stood up, knees wobbling in strain and holding your arm in pain. But you needed to check on him, make sure that he was alright. His animation seemed to be holding well, however that could change in an instant.

Making it over to him, he peered at your face with curiosity. You reached out your hand carefully, showing the palm to him. Jungkook looked down at your palm, then to your face once more. “Jungkook?” you asked.

His head tilted, seeming to recognize the name. “J-Juung-koooook,” he mimicked, seeming unsure of his voice.

“That’s you, yes,” you smiled.

“Juung-koooook,” he said once more, pointing at you.

“No, I’m Y/N, you’re Jungkook,” you whispered, pointing at him.

“Ann-gell,” he whispered. You raised an eyebrow and your mind went back to earlier in the evening. He had called you an angel, before he’d passed.

“I think we can take these off now, can I-” you began to move towards him, without realizing your palm was covered in your own blood. Jungkook’s eyes widened at the sight.

“NO!” he screamed, shoving your hand away. You gasped at his violent reaction, unsure of where the hostility came from. Jungkook looked up at your shoulder, where blood was collecting on your robe. His eyes grew in fear as he moved away from your hand.

“Jungkook it’s alright!” you urged, holding your hands up in a peaceful manner. However, this seemed to upset him more.

“Pain! No!” he gasped, ripping the electrodes and pads off of his flesh.

“Jungkook stop!” you cried, trying to grip his arms to cease his frantic movements. But he was much stronger than you. Something he seemed unaware of, because he shoved you away yet again.

You tripped on a bucket and felt yourself hit the cabinet behind you, much firmer this time causing your body to collapse in a slump on the floor. Garçon whined in panic, rushing over to lick your face.

Jungkook stared at your body on the floor. You weren’t moving.

“A-an-gelll,” he whispered, attempting to move towards you with hesitance.

You whimpered in pain, holding your side. Jungkook looked down at his own hands then to you. Had he really pushed you so hard? What had he done?

“J-Jungkook,” you weakly gasped. Garçon whined in fear, licking your face frantically.

“P-painn, Angelll,” he said with such remorse it made your heart heavy.

“Jungkook, stop... You’re going to hurt yourself,” you whispered, trying to sit up.

“Angelll, p-pain,” he gasped, standing up and ripping the posts from his skull. You screamed in fear for him, watching as he stumbled into a standing position. Jungkook managed to stagger to the door, getting it open and heading down the hall.

Your throat tightened in worry, he wasn’t stable yet. You needed to keep a close eye on him until he adapted. “G-Garçon, follow him,” you demanded.

Garçon whimpered, licking your face before heading out the door after Jungkook. Finally hauling yourself up into a seated position you rested your head back against the aged wood. Exhaustion flooded your body, adrenaline and endorphins completely wiped out of your system.

You knew Garçon would follow him and keep him safe. For now you needed to get a little bit of rest before you went after Jungkook. He was stronger than you, and if you had any chance of helping him... you needed to be ready.

With heavy eyelids, you let yourself fall asleep...

Unsure of when you would open them again.

You awoke with your tongue stuck to the roof of your mouth and a severe bruise forming on your left side.

For a moment you weren’t sure why you were in your father’s laboratory. Then, the prior events flooded your mind.

Jungkook.

Garçon.

The reanimation...

You had to find them, and you had to do it fast.

With some difficulty you stood up, hanging onto the wood for support. Gathering yourself you managed to get out to the kitchen, when there was furious knocking at your door.

Was it Jungkook?

Did Garçon bring him back!?

Hurrying over to the door you threw it open to find...

“Taehyung?” you asked, eyebrow raised. He had the most pathetic look on his face as he weakly offered you a bouquet of wildflowers.

The anger of being stood up by the young man had long been forgotten, all that mattered right now was finding Jungkook and Garçon. However, Taehyung couldn’t know anything had happened last night. For all he knew, all he did was stand you up on a date. You must be furious with him.

“Y/N, I’m so sorry about last night, honestly I am such a fool and-”

“It’s fine, Taehyung,” you said, looking down the road for any signs of Garçon or Jungkook to be seen.

“No, Y/N, wait... What happened to your shoulder?” he asked, taking your arm in his hand. Normally, the gesture would send butterflies galore in your stomach. However, now it just sent fear. Fear of being discovered and found out to be a freak who brought the dead back to life. You couldn’t let it slip.

Bringing your arm back to your body you flipped your hair to cover the wound. “Just slipped last night, it rained quite a bit you know,” you dismissed.

“But, Y/N, it looks rather bad-”

“Taehyung, honestly. I’m alright, what did you want?” you asked.

His eyebrows raised at the hostility in your voice before swallowing hard. “Uh, I came to give these to you and to apologize for last night. Father had a fit and started to become weak. Mother needed help to keep an eye on him and I was going to come and find you after they were asleep but the rain had started by that point and-”

“I understand, don’t let it trouble you,” you urged.

“But, Y/N. I want to go out with you, properly. Shall we get breakfast? Right now? That way we won’t run the risk of-”

“I’m a little busy right now Taehyung, with the rain last night no doubt people will be coming down with colds and I should really get ahead on the tea and herbal oils to help treat them. Perhaps another time?” you asked, itching to go up to change so you could head out to look for Jungkook.

“I-I, uh, sure. Certainly, Y/N,” Taehyung said, smile lowering a little at your cold rejection.

“Thank you for the flowers, they’re beautiful,” you said, taking them from his hands. “But I really should go now. If your father gets sick again let me know and I can brew a medicine for it, bye!” you yelped, shutting the door in his face before throwing the flowers on the kitchen table and running for the stairs.

You had to get out and fast. You didn’t have any clue of where Garçon and Jungkook could be, but you had to find them and quick. Jungkook was extremely volatile right now and could be dangerous if not handled properly. Garçon was with him, but there isn’t much he would be able to do in regards to Jungkook hurting someone.

Grabbing your discarded dress from last night off the floor you went to find your outdoor wear, hoping that it would work for wherever Jungkook had wandered off to.

Where would he go? You wondered as you wrapped your arm in a simple bandage and began to pull on your clothes. He wasn’t local, that much you knew. With a town as small as yours you would’ve ran into him at some point if he was.

He was in the Southern woods when you’d found him, so perhaps he was coming from that direction? The only town close enough for walking distance here is the Lunar Isles, perhaps he could’ve come from there?

As you went to place your dirtied dress down, a small piece of parcel fell from the fabric. You noticed it was covered in blood, so it was smeared lightly. Picking it up you unfolded it and recognized the handwriting.

It was the note Jungkook had on him when he passed.

Searching the piece frantically you found the seal, and it was indeed from the Lunar Isles. The Moon Lily being a dead give away. Jungkook would be heading towards his family. And that meant serious trouble.

Quickly gathering your belongings in your satchel you ran towards the door. You had to find Jungkook fast.

Before it was too late.

The road was desolate as you trekked your way towards the Lunar Isles. It would only take a few hours on foot to get there, however it was more barren than you remember. Normally, there would be traders and merchants parading this pathway. Although, last nights rain probably made the soil to unstable for carriages to have good purchase.

You kept forward, hoping that you’d be able to find some sort of sign that Jungkook or Garçon had been this way. But the rain must’ve washed away any kind of prints last night. So, tracking them would have to start when you came upon the village.

The Lunar Isles were known for their beautiful fabrics and Floral Festival that they put on each year. When the moon rose at its highest peak for the year, they have these beautiful flowers that open only on that night. It’s the only opportunity they have to pollinate, so the villagers gather to celebrate the beauty of the flowers.

They eat, dance and drink together. A large parade takes place, then later on in the evening the locals light lanterns and let them go over the river that runs through the village. After the lanterns disappear, they all gather in the fields to the East of town to watch the flowers bloom.

You’d only been once, years ago with your father. He had some business with the Apothecary of the village, and you happened to stay for the festivities.

You remember the flowers being nothing like you’d ever seen before. So beautiful and delicate. Something out of a child’s tale. Many people propose on that night, presenting a Moon Lily to their lover in hopes of their love blooming under the moon’s protection.

It was beautiful to experience. You wish you had more merry business with the town than to collect one of their passed inhabitants. But, Jungkook would most certainly go home. If his note from his family was any indication of their connection.

The sound of a carriage approaching made you turn your head. A gentleman and his wife sat in their seats, holding the reins to their horse with diligent hands. Sending them a gentle wave, you noticed they were wearing the insignia of the Lunar Isles. A Moon Lily on a pin for the lady and an embroidered sleeve for the gentleman.

They waved back at you, sending soft smiles your way.

You were close.

Even though your hair was slick with sweat and your legs, as soon as you reached the crest of the next hill you saw it. The bustling streets and ached bright colors of the Lunar Isles.

Pushing forwards you managed to make it into the main market place without too much trouble. Looking around you tried to find traces of Jungkook or Garçon.

However, there were so many people around that you had trouble looking in one spot for very long. The whirlwind of other people became slightly overwhelming. In your anxious whirlpool you ran into an older woman, knocking her down to the ground. You gasped in surprise and turned to help her up. “Ma’am, I’m so sorry, are you hurt?” you asked, steadying her by her forearms.

“I’m alright, dear, just a little distracted,” she answered with a soft smile. Looking into her face you almost passed out.

She looked like a spitting image of Jungkook. His soft eyes and delicate lips were on her face as well, making your mouth gape open like an unattractive fish. She raised her eyebrow at you in confusion. “I-Is something wrong dear?” she asked, looking slightly uncomfortable.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, it’s rude to stare. But, you just look like someone I know,” you whispered.

“Really? That is curious, but I have to hurry home and tend to my husband, goodbye,” she waved.

Before she could turned completely, you grabbed her wrist. “Ma’am! Is your husband ill? I-I’m an apprentice under Y/N from Solstice,” you attempted. Her eyes widened, almost exactly like Jungkook’s yet again.

“Truly? Y-You know her?” she asked, gripping your hands tightly. “Have you heard from my boy? Jungkook is his name, he went to search for her in hopes of procuring a medicine to help my ailing husband. We haven’t heard from him and he left days ago,” she whispered.

“I’m unsure of his whereabouts, but I do know Miss Y/N, and I could help you if you’d allow me,” you offered.

If you could find their home, Jungkook would surely be nearby.

“Yes, please come with me,” she stated, ushering you through the large crowd and towards the more residential area of the village. You hadn’t been in this section in your travels with your father.

Following Jungkook’s mother you could feel your heart clench in pain for her. She had no idea that Jungkook had died trying to save his father. And now? Now you had lost her reanimated child. Guilt ate you up inside. How were you to know if he could ever assimilate back into normal society? Would he be able to come back here and live with his family? Would he age?

All of these things didn’t come to you when you brought him back, you just couldn’t let him die like that. Alone and worried for his father’s condition. You wouldn’t allow that. But now, you might’ve cause more pain than if you had just let him die...

Jungkook’s mother, who’s name you discovered to be Minsoo, lead you into their home. It was modest and comfortable, something you wished your home would provide...

“He’s this way,” she stated. You followed her into a room that had several bottles and jars collected on cabinets and shelves. “We’ve tried everything that the Doctor’s he could think of. But they only lessen the symptoms, and they come back within weeks of starting the medicine,” she explained.

“I see, let me take a look,” you stated.

Upon examination, you found that Jungkook’s father was ill, and he was being treated for the symptoms of his ailment, not the main cause. He must’ve grown up near a large mill, because his lungs seemed to be struggling.

Luckily, there was a solution.

“I have a tea and serum that when drank and applied twice weekly will ease his difficulty breathing. Keep him away from large groups of people and try to get him into the mountains, the fresh air there does many wonders for people with weak lungs,” you explained, feeling your worry ease.

Jungkook’s mother burst into tears as she hugged you tightly. “You are truly a gift from God, thank you so much dear,” she stated. You wrapped your arms around her as well.

No wonder Jungkook was loved so deeply. His parents were such kind souls, people that didn’t deserve for their son to be taken away from them in such a horrific manner. You kept your tears back, when you heard it. Garçon’s bark.

Your head perked up, looking out the window to see if you could spot him.

“Well, I must be going, I was here to do some shopping for my lady,” you coughed awkwardly.

“Well, one moment let me at least give you some money for these-”

“No, I don’t want you to pay for it,” you stated.

“But dear!”

“Do me a favor, and I’ll consider it payment. When you see your son again, tell him how much you love him. Any child that is willing to travel so far for their parent is one to be cherished,” you whispered.

Jungkook’s mother looked at you with confusion but nodded. “Of course, I promise.”

“Good,” you smiled. “Now, I really must be on my way.”

She followed you to the door and handed you some bread for your travels back. Thanking you profusely you smiled. Once the door was shut you bolted in the direction you last remembered hearing Garcon’s bark. It had stopped a few minutes prior, but you recalled where it had originated from.

Heading towards the streets you called out for you pet. “GARÇON!” you cried, trying to locate your beloved friend.

“BARK!”

“GARÇON!” you yelled.

The sound of paws on pavement caught your attention as Garçon came flying around the corner. You rushed over and caught him in a tight hug. “Good boy, Garçon! Good boy!” you cried. He whimpered and licked your face, as if trying to check you over. “Garçon, Garçon where is Jungkook?” you asked, pulling him off of you and looking into his eyes.

“Bark!” he yelped, heading off down the road. You quickly chased after him, worried about the condition of the man who had stumbled from your home the night before.

Making around another corner you found yourself at a dead end, with Jungkook laying in a heap on the ground. Your heart stopped. “Jungkook!” you yelled, falling to your knees beside him.

He was trembling against the stonework. Garçon paced back and forth, whining. He was filthy, as if he had fallen in the mud and rolled in grass. Collecting his face in your hands you wiped away some of the grime. “Jungkook, can you hear me?” you asked, smoothing his hair away from his face.

His eyes opened slowly, seemingly weary. “Aan-gelll,” he groaned, head teetering back. You collected him and pulled him to your chest.

“Oh thank God,” you breathed, holding him tightly. “Don’t you dare run off on me again,” you warned.

Jungkook murmured against your body, but seemed to relax in your hold. Garçon came up next to you and licked his face gently, an action that made your heart swell. He had kept him safe, and here so you could find him. “Good boy, Garçon,” you praised, patting his head. You grabbed your satchel and pulled a loose fitting shirt from it and pulled it around his shoulders. “Come on Jungkook, time to go home,” you stated.

He didn’t fight you as you pulled him to his feet. Garçon walked beside him, letting his arm wrap around his neck for added support.

You all walked like that until a carriage offered to take you to Solstice, seeing as how he was heading in that direction anyways. The driver asked what happened to Jungkook, you merely patted his head affectionately. “My poor husband had a bit much to drink, so we’re just trying to get home,” you lied. The carriage driver smiled and said something about young love.

But it was silent the rest of the drive. You keeping Jungkook close to your frame while Garçon laid on his lap. Jungkook had an absent look in his eyes as if he wasn’t there, but was trapped in his own mind.

The sight was frightening, but it was both of your realities now...

And you had to live with it.

The carriage dropped you off outside of your home and you thanked him, giving him a few pouches of sweet tea in gratitude. He waved you off, disappearing into the distance. You looked at Jungkook and wrapped his arm around you.

“Come on Jungkook, we need to get you in a bath,” you stated.

Hauling him towards the house you noticed him become tense at the sight. You brushed your hand down his back soothingly, sending Garçon ahead to bump the door open.

Jungkook’s fingers were interlocked with yours as you both made your way up the drive. You looked at him cautiously, wondering if there was anything running through his mind. You wondered if he felt anything. Garçon seemed to be able to feel worry and happiness... But animals were much less complex than human beings.

Did Jungkook feel worry and joy? Did he feel safe with you?

It was all so new, and you’d have to discover it together.

You hoped Jungkook would adapt well, but you’re not off to a great start. Running off after seeing a little bit of blood and almost killing himself again after just coming back to life wasn’t what you considered a win. But, he was back here now. And now you could start to figure him out.

Getting Jungkook in the house proved to be the easiest part of the evening.

You didn’t know that water would terrify the man to the point of trembling in the corner of your bathroom. Trying to coax him into the warm water was even more difficult than trying to keep him in the same room as it. He definitely didn’t like the fire underneath the basin that was heating it for him either.

“Jungkook please come here,” you said, pointing towards the tub with an annoyed look.

“N-No,” he defied you, shaking his head.

“Jungkook now, you aren’t going to stay in those filthy clothes covered in dirt! I won’t allow it!” you warned.

“No!”

Rolling your eyes you tried to think of how to get him into the bathtub. “Jungkook?” you asked, sitting on the floor near the bathtub. He peeked at you warily, keeping himself close to the wall.

You began to crawl towards him, smiling softly as you extended your hand towards him. Jungkook looked at your hand and smooshed himself against the wall harder, making his face contort in a hilarious way. You couldn’t hold the laughter that burst from you at his expression.

Jungkook’s eyebrows raised as he watched you laugh.

“Hee hee hee,” Jungkook mimicked. You tilted your head at his observation.

“You made me laugh, Jungkook. Because you were silly,” you smiled.

“N-no, Juuungkoook,” he said, pointing at himself. “N-n-no Sillllly,” he shook his head.

“No no, Jungkook. You aren’t named silly, you were just acting silly. Like this,” you demonstrated, smooshing your face with your hands like he had against the wall. Jungkook watched your face move into a goofy appearance and he let loose a couple involuntary giggles of his own.

You once more reached out for him, offering your hand to see if he would bite this time. He stared down at your skin, then back up to your eyes before giving you his hand. Carefully, you pulled him forward, towards the bath. Jungkook followed, letting you lead him where you wanted.

Having him stand up, you helped him disrobe. You flushed when you saw the attractive male's chest. You had never seen a man in this state of bareness.You averted your eyes as Jungkook lowered his pants. For just being reanimated, he seemed to know how to undress himself.

It was the little victories right now. You helped him get into the water. He sat down, letting it envelope him entirely. Watching him carefully, you smiled as he let a little sigh out of his pouty mouth. Just as he seemed to be relaxing, you noticed he was almost getting a little too comfortable. You gasped when he let his head go under the water.

“Jungkook, no!” you yelped, reaching in to grab under his shoulders. He came back up, looking at you with raised eyebrows.

“No?” he asked, looking at the water with a huff.

“No, if you do that you can hurt yourself,” you warned, grabbing the soap to start washing his hair.

“No,” he confirmed, nodding his head. Chuckling to yourself you started to lather the soap and run it through his hair. Jungkook leaned back into your hands, making soft sounds of approval.

“Does it feel good?” you asked, grabbing a cloth to wash his shoulders with.

“Mmm, go-od,” he confirmed.

“I’m glad,” you said, wiping the dirt and dried blood of his body. You winced when you peeked through the water to see his stomach. It was just starting to heal, something you noticed he had been capable of. There were small cuts on him last night that weren’t there any longer.

Perhaps he had a form of accelerated healing due to the reanimation?

You’d find that out later, for now what mattered was cleaning him up.

Jungkook splashed the water around a little bit, blowing at the soap bubbles that formed around his skin. You watched and laughed when he was goofy, behaving more like a young child.

When you finished washing his hair, you tapped his shoulder. He gazed up at you with bright eyes, ones that left you reeling for a few moments. Your heart constricted in your chest as he looked at you with such adoration in his eyes you didn’t think it was possible.

“No?” he asked, raising his eyebrows. You brought yourself from your thoughts before giving him a reassuring smile.

“It’s alright, just need to wash your face. Come here,” you encouraged, having him turn around to face you. Jungkook leaned towards you, letting you wipe his face with the warm cloth.

His eyes closed as he relaxed into your hands. It was so rewarding to have him like this. Safe, warm and happy in your hands. You wanted him to feel like this all the time.

But there was a long road ahead.

You needed to know what Jungkook still knew how to do, what he remembered, and if there was any chance of him regaining that lost knowledge. You could tell that his vocalizations needed work. It appeared that he could understand you a little, but wasn’t able to express his feelings towards what you wanted or what he needed.

Although, it would come with time. He needed to get adjusted, and perhaps once he did memories and things of the like would return as well.

“Good,” Jungkook murmured. You brushed his hair away from his face and smiled.

“Good,” you confirmed.

The follow days were hard.

Jungkook wasn’t good at communicating, and it was difficult for you to understand what he needed.

It started with trying to get him to remember small things.

‘Do you remember your family?’

‘No.’

‘Who are you?’

‘Juuungkooook.’

‘What did you like to do?’

‘No.’

It all became very repetitive. Jungkook didn’t remember much of anything. Jungkook only knew about seven or eight words. Jungkook, Angel, Silly, Good, No and Pain.

Whenever he liked something or enjoyed something, he’d answer good.

If you made a weird noise, or did something out of the ordinary he’d say silly.

If Jungkook didn’t understand or wasn’t sure of something he’d say no.

And when he was upset, he’d say pain.

Jungkook had been trying very hard, because he wants to make you happy. At least, that’s what you thought anyways. He also had a problem with knowing his own strength. Many of your dishes and silverware had been the victim of his powerful hands.

But you weren’t going to give up on him. He needed you, and you were the reason he was like this. You had a responsibility to him, to make him better if you could.

Today you wanted to see if Jungkook could read. You wondered if he remembered any kind of books from the Lunar Isles. So, you brought out a book about Moon Lilies.

Walking down the stairs you heard Jungkook laughing. No doubt at Garçon, who had taken to him quickly. They were the same in a way. Experiencing life after death, and they had a common friend in you.

You smiled as you reached the kitchen, seeing Jungkook throw Garçon’s toy to have him bring it back. “Good!” he announced, patting Garcon on the head.

“Jungkook?” you asked, coming around the corner and setting the book you selected for him on the kitchen table.

“Angel!” he yelled.

“Jungkook, are you having fun with Garçon?” you asked, looking at the pair with fondness.

“Good!” he nodded, patting Garçon on the head once more.

“Good,” you confirmed. “I want to try something, would you like to try something new?” you asked.

“Nnnnnn,” Jungkook tried, squinting at your lips as you said the last word.

“New,” you said slow, waiting for him to repeat.

“Nnneeewwww,” he said, exaggerating his face to mimic yours. You nodded and clapped.

“That’s right, new!” you said.

“No,” Jungkook pouted.

“Now, Jungkook,” you admonished. “We need to try new things.”

“No, Angel,” Jungkook said.

“Oh yes, Jungkook. Here,” you said, handing him the book.

Jungkook looked at it for a moment before running his hands over the front cover. You watched with rapt attention. He turned it over in his hands, sniffing it for a brief moment which worried you a little. Jungkook had taken a bite of Hemlock when you showed it to him for the first time, making you panic.

Good thing is, Jungkook wasn’t affected.

Peeling the front cover back, Jungkook touched the paper. He rubbed it, making it ripple and move. His eyes widened, moving the paper quickly back and forth until it ripped. You frowned, not wanting him to destroy your things. “Jungkook, no,” you said, holding his hand.

He looked at you then to the book. “No?”

“No, you don’t want to rip it,” you said, pointing at the rip in the paper. Jungkook pointed at it with you.

“No,” he said to the rip.

“That’s right, no,” you stated. He nodded before turning the pages slowly. He peered at the words with confusion, until he hit the picture of the Moon Lily. It was all over his hometown, so you hoped this would spring some sort of reaction in him.

Jungkook patted the picture, as if he was trying to get it out of the page. “Good,” Jungkook whispered. “L-Lily.”

“That’s right!” you praised, holding his face. “That’s a Moon Lily,” you encouraged.

“Good?” he asked, smiling brightly.

“So good, Jungkook!”

A knock came to your door and you turned harshly. No doubt another customer coming to seek a remedy. You looked at Jungkook and smiled softly.

“Just stay here, okay? I’ll be right back,” you said, standing up and moving towards the door.

You opened it, and to your surprise... Yoongi and Namjoon stood before you. You raised an eyebrow at both of them before stepping outside. “Good morning, gentleman,” you greeted.

“Y/N,” Yoongi acknowledged. “We’re here to ask you a few questions.”

“About?” you wondered.

“Do you know anything about the disappearance of a young man named Jeon Jungkook?” Namjoon questioned.

Your blood ran cold. Why would they be looking for him?

“The Lunar Isles is asking for aid in helping to locate the betrothed of the Mayor’s Daughter. Jeon Jungkook apparently was coming to you in search for a remedy for his father. But he hasn’t been seen in almost two months,” Yoongi stated.

“I-uh, I’m sure I have no idea. I see a lot of people,” you said casually. Or what you hoped was casual.

“Yes, we’re aware of that. But, there’s been search parties and not even a body has turned up. Surely we would’ve found something by now. So, we were wondering if you’d seen him, or at the very least heard of him?” Namjoon asked.

“I’m afraid I haven’t,” you coughed. “But, I’m sure if I see him or hear of him I’ll let you know.”

Yoongi and Namjoon looked at one another before nodding. “Y/N, if you do hear something... Please let us know, the Lunar Isles is rather upset that the pride and joy of their town has gone missing. They’re blaming us for his disappearance. I heard from Seokjin that they are threatening to cut off trade if no news of the young man comes in. So please, if you do hear anything... Come find us, alright?” Yoongi asked.

You nodded firm. “Absolutely, if I hear, see or smell something you’ll be the first to know,” you offered.

The men smiled at you before waving their farewells.

Your heart thudded dangerously against your chest. Jungkook, was engaged to be married to the Mayor’s daughter? Surely not, he was just a simple merchants son... But that didn’t make sense with the house his family was living in.

It was large and spacious, not something a merchant would be able to afford... Then it hit you. Jungkook must’ve agreed to marry the Mayor’s daughter to provide for his family. And when they couldn’t find a cure for his father...

Oh God, what had you done?

Hurrying back inside you leaned against the door, feeling the anxiety swallowing you whole. What were you to do? You couldn’t return Jungkook to them in this state. He barely was able to hold a sentence, let alone pass off for someone who hadn’t died and been brought back to life.

And once they knew what you had done... No doubt you’d be killed for your disgusting act of science. Even though it brought Jungkook back, even though you saved him you would still be punished. It would be seen as reversing God’s work. And that would no doubt bring death’s scythe upon your head.

“Angel?” Jungkook asked, coming around the corner to look at you.

Looking into his face you knew.

He had no idea what was wrong. He was innocent in this whole matter, it was all your fault. And he was now suffering because of what you had done. Because you decided to rewrite fate. It wasn’t your decision to make. Your father had been wrong to do it all those years ago, and you were even more disgusting for continuing to do his bidding after his death.

Jungkook being stood here before you was a mistake... But you didn’t want him to die. He seemed too lost and afraid while he laid in your lap that night. And during these past weeks, he’d been trying so hard to please you. To make you happy, and he wasn’t sure why he was doing either. You felt tears burn in your eyes as you looked at the man before you. “Jungkook, I’m so sorry,” you whispered, bringing him into your arms to hold him. “I’m so sorry I did this to you.”

Jungkook wrapped his arms around you, something you’d taught him to do. “Angel... Pain?” he asked, keeping hold of you.

“Yes Jungkook,” you nodded, crying into his shoulder.

“No... No pain angel,” he whispered.

“I need to fix this,” you breathed, holding his face in your hands. You smoothed your thumbs over his cheeks, taking in his beauty. “I have to make this right.”

That night you look up at the stars and wonder if you could do it. Could you destroy the one thing that had been bringing you joy and happiness in your pointless existence?

Jungkook had been doing well over the last few days. Starting to learn more words, figuring out how to use utensils once again. He even managed to eat something!

He didn’t need to, obviously. But he still seemed to enjoy it. Because now he kept asking for food.

‘Angel? Food now?’

He and Garçon were so close, you felt like he was Jungkook’s best friend. They played together in the yard, yipping and laughing. Garçon was good for Jungkook, because he reminded Jungkook to be gentle. Especially when it came to you. Garçon was so keyed into your reactions, he’d nip or nudge Jungkook when he was getting a little too rough.

And Jungkook was learning.

He was beginning to speak more. Smiling at you with those adorable teeth and a giggle that made you feel like your heart was going to jump out of your chest. Everything he did was something new.

He’d learned to be gentle with books, not ripping them when he peered at the pages. You weren’t sure if he could read, but he seemed to like the feeling of the pages between his fingers. You often found him in your library, perusing the shelves just to feel the spines of your books.

And he loved baths. More specifically, he loved you washing his hair. Each time you did he seemed like a little cat, purring and trying to get you to continue your movements as the water cooled underneath him. He would sit in the water for hours if you let him, just to have you play with his hair.

It made your heart hurt. You felt so much guilt eating you up inside each day that you got to see Jungkook smile, to watch him learn new things. It wasn’t for you to see. He was supposed to be decaying in a forest right now... But you couldn’t let nature run its course. You wouldn’t allow yourself to be the passerby, the witness to a tragedy that everyone must face.

No, you intervened and you were being punished for it. The guilt and shame you felt each day, knowing Jungkook’s parents were waiting in agony for their son to return. You were being so incredibly selfish. Keeping Jungkook here for yourself. He wasn’t yours to keep, he wasn’t like Garçon...

He had a life before you. A life that was to end in the forest. And yet, you wouldn’t allow it.

The Lunar Isles were now becoming a serious threat for Solstice. Hoseok had informed you that they had recently been cut off from shipments of wine for Jin’s tavern. A house specialty that had brought many a patron.

And the lumber from the Isles was also getting siphoned. Taehyung said that he wasn’t getting enough work, so he had to double up and help at the stables to afford enough to eat.

So many people were beginning to suffer, because you couldn’t let him go... You couldn’t release the sweet boy who burrowed his way into your lonely heart. The one you were so desperate not to have, now filled with a light that shouldn’t be there.

You began to wonder if you truly could let Jungkook go?

Should you do it?

Dare you do it?

Looking to your vanity you saw your father’s hunting knife sat there. You had brought it out a few days ago to help with a new dress fastener that you had purchased. However, should it serve a different purpose?

Walking over to it you gazed at the grooves and worn metal. Would it be enough? You’d never thought about killing Garçon before, but certainly they could be killed again...

You had to make it right.

He wasn’t supposed to be alive right now, you didn’t deserve the joy he was bringing you. It was wrong, so wrong for you to feel elated when he smiled at you. When he held you in his arms... His strong arms that still clutched you a little too tight.

But it wasn’t his fault.

He’s doing everything that he can, and you are considering to take everything away from him... Even though he’s just getting it all back again? Do you have the right to fix your mistake?

Taking the knife, you slowly walked towards Jungkook’s bedroom. Even though he was reanimated, you noticed him and Garçon both needed sleep still. The air in the hallway was still, and you heard the thundering of your heartbeat in your ears as you stood outside his door.

Opening the old oaken paneling slowly, you moved inside his room. Jungkook was laying in his bed, moonlight shining on his skin. He looked so at peace...

Approaching his bed, you found your hands shaking. Tears were running down your cheeks and you couldn’t stop them. You didn’t want to hurt Jungkook. You cared about him so much, and you knew that this was going to be for the best. And if this was going to be the only way, then so be it...

Touching his face gently, you cradled his cheek in your palm. His skin was warm to the touch, proving his life. And soon his blood would run cold. Trembling you brought the knife to his neck, your vision blurring because of the tears.

Jungkook flinched in his sleep, but remained still.

You began to push down a little harder, when Jungkook shifted slightly. You froze your movements and kept your eyes trained on him. A soft smile made its way to his face, he must be dreaming about something. “Angel...” he said, body relaxing even further.

In that moment you knew you could never hurt this man...

Looking at the knife to his neck you cried and threw it on the ground. Jungkook groggily looked up at you, eyes fluttering open. He recognized you and his eyes turned worried. “A-Angel, pain?” he asked, sitting up.

You threw your arms around him, holding him close to your body. “I’m so sorry Jungkook, I can’t do it,” you cried. “I can’t hurt you. I never could.”

Jungkook tilted his head and nestled it into the crook of your neck. He brought his arms to your hips, rubbing his thumbs into your skin. Even though it was rough, you shivered at the contact and couldn’t help the flutter that occurred in your heart.

He wrapped his arms around your waist and made you lay down, keeping your body close to his. As you fell asleep next to him, you made a promise to yourself.

That you were going to make Jungkook human again. And you were going to give him back to his family...

And you were certain it would kill you.

The following days and weeks proceeded slowly.

Namjoon and Yoongi came by again, asking if you’d seen the location of Jungkook or heard any rumors of the man’s whereabouts. You lied once more, saying you hadn’t seen him or heard anything about him.

All the while, the very man sat in your room playing with Garçon.

Lying to the people you’d grown so attached to in your life made you sick, but it was necessary. If they took Jungkook now, they certainly kill him. He wasn’t ready yet.

You were seated in your study, looking through your ledger for this month. The gold certainly wasn't flowing as it had in previous months. The Lunar Isles were cutting trade with Solstice left right and center, making it difficult for people to afford your treatments. Times were dark, and you worried for how long you could keep Jungkook a secret before people started to get severely hurt.

“Angel, look!” Jungkook announced, coming around the corner into your study with Garçon hot on his heels. Being pulled from your thoughts you turned away from the window to smile at him.

“What is it?” you asked.

“Made this... for you,” he tried, holding up a picture. You came forward and looked at the drawing.

It was a beautiful sketch, one starring you.

You were sitting out in the front yard, hair down and blowing in the wind. Garcon was next to you, laying in your lap as you peered of into the distance. You thought back and remembered it was just a few days ago this had taken place.

But you thought Jungkook had gone to take a bath at that time...

“Jungkook... This is incredible,” you praised.

“Good? You like?” he asked, biting his lip nervously.

“I love it, Jungkook,” you breathed, taking it from his hands. You smiled and set it right on your desk. “I’ll keep it here, so that way I remember this day and you forever.”

You knew it was a lie. Once you gave Jungkook back, they’d seize the house and everything in it. And the picture would be lost. But for now, for now it belonged to you. And it was a beautiful belonging to hold.

“Angel?” he asked, poking your cheek. “Being silly.”

“Oh, sorry Jungkook. Do you want something to eat?” you asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes! Food Angel! Angel’s food!” he cheered. You rolled your eyes and walked down the stairs, heading towards the kitchen to start baking.

Jungkook’s favorite food of yours had quickly become steak with a small salad on the side. The boy could pack it in until you were certain his scar tissue would open up. But, he always patted his stomach and whispered for it to all stay in.

You prepped the meat and you felt warm arms wrap around your middle. You turned to see Jungkook looking down at the food with interest, head resting on your shoulder. “How?” he asked, looking at your hands work.

“Do you want to learn, Jungkook? I can teach you,” you said.

“Please?” he asked.

One thing you drilled into his head early on was manners. You weren’t going to give Jungkook back as a rude, privileged boy...

Moderately spoiled on the other hand...

You were certain he was before anyways.

At least, you hoped so.

Telling Jungkook the list of ingredients, he watched you work the knife with rapt attention. He was incredibly observant that sometimes it made you nervous. You always ate with more elegance, hoping that he would follow you. You treated things with the utmost care, hoping he’d mimic your behavior.

He was still a little rough, but Garçon was teaching him well.

“Angel?” Jungkook asked while you sliced the carrots and celery for the salad.

“Yes, Jungkook?” you responded, keeping your eyes focused.

“When can... When can I... outside?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

You stiffened as his requested.

With Jungkook’s search continuing, you had told him he needed to stay inside. It wasn’t okay for him to be out where anyone could see him. Namjoon and Yoongi were around your house nearly every other day, asking about information.

They were becoming desperate in the Lunar Isles. The Mayor’s daughter had refused any other suitor her father brought her way. She wouldn’t give up until Jungkook’s body was recovered or he came home to her.

So, the trade deals had all be but shut off in the meantime.

Taehyung had lost his job at the mill, so he worked at the stables full time.

Jin had to shut down the tavern for three nights a week.

Namjoon and Yoongi were getting heat from your own town’s mayor, saying there were useless because they couldn’t even find a body for the young man.

You even tried to reason with the mayor, stating that perhaps some animals had come by and eaten the carcass. He refused that, however. Stating that the wolves in the surrounding area weren’t brave enough to come close to town.

Of course he wouldn’t listen to reason with the Lunar Isles practically threatening to go to war with him over one man. You couldn’t believe how out of control the whole situation had gotten. The Mayor’s unbelievable daughter, his response to her demands, and the effect that it had on your town.

“I’m sorry Jungkook, but you know it’s not safe outside. I need you in here with me,” you said, smiling softly.

“Need me?” he asked, looking at you.

“Yes, Jungkook. I need you here with me,” you said.

“Okay! I stay inside!” he said.

“Maybe we can have a picnic one day, hmm?” you asked, knowing that you’d never allow it to happen. But it wouldn’t hurt to give him some hope.

“What’s... picnic?” he asked.

“It’s where we take a blanket, and I make some food and we go outside and eat it out there,” you explained, watching as Jungkook’s eyes brightened at the idea.

“When picnic?” he asked, practically jumping up and down.

“Someday,” you promised.

“Picnic with Angel!” he yelled.

You shushed him before finishing the meal. You had him set the table, gathering the silverware and plates accordingly. Bringing the food over you set his plate up with plenty of everything.

Jungkook bounced in his chair, excited for the meal. You watched him set his book aside carefully, making sure that it wasn’t going to fall off of anything.

Jungkook had taken to reading a lot, recently. He was doing so much better at vocabulary and understanding the story, even though he couldn’t fully articulate what he wanted to say.

After a hard jolt of his knee against the table you chastised him.

“Easy baby,” you calmed. You then realized your mistake. A bright flush flew over your cheeks.

“What’s baby?” he asked.

“Um, it’s nothing Jungkook,” you tried to dodge his question.

“But Angel,” he whined. “Want to learn!” he complained.

“Jungkook, I said it was nothing,” you warned.

“Angel...” he pouted.

“Fine! Fine fine,” you acquiesced. “It’s a... term of endearment,” you explained.

“En-endear-mint?” he tried.

“No, endearment,” you stated. “It means to be something beloved or important. So, the term is one of affection.”

“Affection?” he tried.

“Yes, it means... Well... That I’m fond of you,” you reasoned.

“Angel like me?”

You almost spit out your drink, but you swallowed half of it, inhaling the other. You coughed loudly, making Jungkook rush over to your side.

“Angel!” he yelped, worried.

“It’s-okay,” you coughed. “I’m okay.”

“Angel,” he whined, holding your hand. “Scary.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” you soothed, coughing a few more times before wiping your eyes. “I’m alright.”

Jungkook wrapped his arms around you yet again. You found the man to be extremely clingy, hanging off of you at most times of the day. And when he did, you generally almost lost a rib or two.

“Ooh! Jungkook-ah!” you winced. Garçon growled in the corner, making Jungkook back off.

“Garçon mad?” he asked.

“Jungkook, I think your next lesson needs to be on how to be gentle with people,” you confirmed.

“Gentle?”

"Finish your food," you encouraged. At the thought of learning something new, Jungkook hurried to comply. You watched as he quickly ate all the food you put on his plate, smiling when he cleaned it off for you.

“Done Angel!” he beamed.

“Come upstairs,” you said, standing up. Jungkook nodded and took your hand, walking with you up the stairs.

Leading him into your parlor room, you had him sit down on the slipper sofa. He bounced on it a few times, smiling when his body jolted back up.

“Now, Jungkook,” you started, sitting next to him.

“Yes, Angel?” he asked.

“What is it called when I hold you like this?” you asked, wrapping your arms around his neck carefully.

“Hug! Hug Angel!” he said, squeezing you back.

“Oof,” you breathed harshly. “Jungkook,” you warned. He let go, albeit pouting the whole while.

“Jungkook bad, Angel?” he asked.

“No baby, not bad,” you shook your head. “You’re very strong, Jungkook. Stronger than me, that means you can hurt me.”

Jungkook’s eyebrows flew up at the word hurt. He knew it meant pain, and Jungkook didn’t want that. “No! No hurt Angel!”

You calmed him, rubbing his cheeks with your thumbs. “No baby, you don’t mean to. I know you don’t. But you need to learn to be careful with other people, otherwise they can get hurt.”

��No... No want hurt,” Jungkook whispered.

“I know Jungkook, I know,” you nodded. “Because you’re so good, Jungkook. But I’m going to show you gentle,” you stated.

“Gentle, good?” Jungkook asked for confirmation.

“Yes, Jungkook. Gentle is good,” you nodded. “Here, hold my hand.”

Jungkook looked at your outstretched palm and wrapped his hand around yours. You brought your hands to his and pointed out how loose he was holding on. That was gentle. You touched his face softly, saying it was gentle.

Calling Garçon in, you pet his head slow, making sure Jungkook watched.

“See, this is gentle, now you try,” you said, moving Jungkook’s hand to Garçon’s head. He followed your hand, brushing along his fur slowly. Garçon grumbled in approval, leaning into Jungkook’s hand.

“Gentle,” Jungkook repeated.

“Yes, now try on me,” you said, turning to face him.

“Gentle,” he breathed, placing his hand on yours. You nodded, placing his hand on your cheek. Jungkook moved his hand around the skin there, watching as a pink blush moved to your cheek.

“That’s good, Jungkook,” you approved.

“Pink,” he said, poking your cheek with his finger.

“Blushing,” you explained.

“Me too?” he asked, pointing to his face.

“No, Jungkook,” you answered.

“Why?” he asked.

“It’s because... Well...” you bit your lip, looking at your lap. Honestly, you were embarrassed by this whole ordeal. But if Jungkook didn’t learn how to be careful with others, then he would be in serious danger. You also knew that Jungkook would regret hurting anyone. He hating seeing others in pain or people upset.

Especially you.

“It’s because you make me happy, Jungkook.”

“Want to blush!” Jungkook demanded.

“Baby you can’t just-”

“Angel make Jungkook happy!”

“I know, but you don’t... You don’t understand why I’m happy,” you flushed once more.

‘I’m happy because you’re touching me. I’m happy because I get to be here with you, and to see you each day. You make me so happy I can hardly contain myself. I want to kiss you, hold you, share everything I am with you... But you can’t ever know that...’

“Angel make me blush!”

“Jungkook,” you tutted. “We’re learning how to be gentle.”

“Want to learn how to blush!”

“No, Jungkook. Gentle first,” you stated.

“Gentle,” he sighed. “Okay.”

“Now, try to hug me. Gently,” you said.

Jungkook nodded and leaned forward, placing his hands around your waist, pulling you into his body. Although, instead of feeling like you were going to pop like a grape... You just felt safe, protected in his strong arms. Jungkook kept ahold of you, resting his head on your shoulder.

“Gentle, Angel?” he asked.

“Yes, Jungkook. Very gentle,” you confirmed.

“Angel teach blush now?” he asked.

“Goodness you’re persistent!” you stated, moving away from his embrace.

“Blush!”

“Alright, hold on,” you bit your lip.

Carefully, you placed a soft kiss to his cheek. You peeked an eye open, and Jungkook’s face was red as a tomato.

“Oh! Jungkook!” you said, placing your cool hands on his cheeks.

“A-Angel,” he whispered. “What that?” he asked.

“You’re blushing,” you wavered.

“No... Cheek touch?” he asked.

“U-Um... That’s called a kiss, Jungkook,” you whispered.

“Want another,” he said.

“Jungkook-”

“Angel kiss,” he asked.

“Okay, okay!” you relented, placing another soft kiss to his cheek.

“Good,” he said, smiling. “Jungkook like kiss.”

“Well, that’s good,” you nodded, blushing hard once more.

“Angel blush,” he said, placing his hand on your cheek.

“Y-Yes, I’m blushing,” you said.

“Angel happy?”

“Yes, Jungkook... I’m happy.”

“Jungkook happy too.”

And that’s all that mattered.

You really shouldn’t have taught Jungkook what a kiss was.

Because now he wanted them all the time.

“Angel, kiss!” he’d ask when you’d wash his hair. You’d kiss his head and he’d giggle like a boy with his crush. But your heart fluttered in your chest each time you gave in and kissed him. You began to look forward to when he asked, and then you were doing it without him asking... This was dangerous. You shouldn’t be giving him this much affection. Because eventually, you were going to have to leave him.

As much as it pained you, you knew that you couldn’t keep him with you forever. Jungkook had even stopped sleeping in his own room, coming into your bed during the night and holding on to you.

He claimed he slept better with you, and he would be sad if you didn’t let him stay. Obviously at first you told him no, and then he would ask why. You simply explained that it wasn’t proper for people who weren’t married to share a bed.

Of course then he asked you to marry him, and you had to go off on a tangent about marriage... It all became taxing to an extent, but you always smiled because it meant Jungkook was learning something new everyday.

But, then Jungkook started asking about other things...

One day you were stood in the kitchen, making porridge for breakfast when Jungkook set his book down on the table in front of him.

“Angel, what is... Uh... French kiss?” he asked, raising his eyebrow at you.

“What do you mean?” you flushed, stirring the pot of oats before you with renewed vigor.

“You’re blushing!” he squeaked. “Happy?”

“Where did you hear about French Kisses?” you asked, trying to calm your flaming cheeks.

“In book,” he said, pointing to a romance novel on the table.

Just your luck he would pick that one.

“Well, you can read about it then,” you huffed, looking down at your pot full of food. Heart heavy with sadness, you set the spoon down. Jungkook was almost ready to be sent back... His sentences were much better, careful with people, and most importantly...

You needed to give him away before you couldn’t stand to let him go...

“No, Angel! I need help!” he whined.

“Jungkook, I’m not teaching you about that,” you said, cutting the conversation there.

“But Angel-”

“No Jungkook,” you said.

“Then I’ll go outside,” he huffed.

“Don’t you dare!” you growled. Jungkook smirked.

“Then show me french kiss!”

“Jungkook this isn’t a joke,” you warned.

“French kiss, or outside,” he said, heading towards the door. The both of you knew that if he wanted to go outside there wasn’t anything you could do to stop him. He knew his strength and he could easily overpower you.

“Jungkook you get back here right now!” you demanded.

“Outside or french kiss, outside or-”

“Fine! Fine fine fine, get over here,” you winced. Jungkook smiled and trotted back to you happily. “You’re such a little brat.”

“Angel, french kiss!” he said.

“Close your eyes,” you said, swallowing hard. Jungkook did so, standing in front of you. Before you lost your courage, you leaned up slowly and placed your lips on his. Jungkook stiffened, opening his eyes to look at you.

But the longer you gently kissed his mouth, he relaxed and shut his eyes once more... You did the same, folding your arms around his neck.

His mouth was soft, gentle against your own. You felt your toes tingle at the sensation of being this close to him. You knew this was wrong, oh God was it wrong... But you couldn’t help it. You wanted this so badly.

The boy you brought back had become someone you cared for so deeply that you couldn’t even believe it yourself. He made you smile, he gave you a purpose. Jungkook was so kind, so sweet and willing to learn. He was curious, and outgoing. He had such a courageous spirit. Wanting to do everything and anything he could.

You admired him so much...

You also adored the smiles you shared over meals. You longed to hear his feet patter down the stairs in the morning to meet you for breakfast. The laughs you had while he bathed. How he gave you all of himself, everyday. How he was so unapologetically himself with you. Because he didn’t have to be anyone else for you to love him as much as you did.

You didn’t want anyone else but him.

Jungkook’s hands rested on your waist, pulling you closer. Your eye popped open at the motion, making you seperate your lips from his.

“Angel!” Jungkook whined. “More~”

“No, Jungkook stop,” you said, placing your hand on his chest.

“French kisses have tongues, that’s what book said” he said, licking his lips. “How do we do that?”

“Jungkook we should stop-”

“Kiss more, Angel,” he breathed moving down to capture your lips once more when you placed your hands against his lips. You giggled at his expression before shaking your head.

“Jungkook, only lovers should be doing this kind of thing,” you stated.

“Lovers? What are those?” he asked. You mentally cursed yourself, letting another intimate detail slip.

“Uh... Lovers are people who are in love,” you stated lamely.

They were, you weren’t wrong.

“What is love?”

Well shit.

“Um, love is... Well, that’s kind of a weighted question Jungkook. Because it’s different for everybody,” you said.

“Tell me,” he urged. “Want to know.”

“Well... What I think love is... Is when you care about someone, a lot. When you’re not with them, you’re thinking about them... When you’re together, you want to talk about things that make you happy. When you’re with them, you feel like another part of you is there again... You feel complete when the person you love is with you. Because when you love someone, you want to be with them all of the time. Love is caring and being with someone despite their flaws and their misgivings... Love, is one of the most powerful emotions out there.”

“Angel... I... I love-”

BAAAMM!

Your door slammed in.

You and Jungkook jumped, looking at the entryway to see floods of people entering your home.

“Y/N! YOU ARE UNDER ARREST FOR THE KIDNAPPING OF JEON JUNGKOOK OF THE LUNAR ISLES!” Yoongi yelled.

Jungkook wrapped his arms around you protectively. “Angel?” he asked, looking at you.

Oh God, they knew... How did they know? How was anyone able to figure it out?? You had been so incredibly careful.

“Yoongi, Namjoon wait please-”

“Please come forward, we don’t want to hurt you Y/N,” Namjoon warned.

A few other guards were at their back, ones that had the Lunar Isles crest on their arms. They were here, because of Jungkook...

“Please understand, I didn’t kidnap him!” you pleaded.

“Y/N, we want to believe you, but all this time he’s been here with you... While his family and fiance are worried about him... It doesn’t look good,” Yoongi warned.

“I didn’t kidnap him,” you pleaded. “I-I had to...”

“Come on, Y/N, we need to take you to the jail,” Namjoon said. “Let him go.”

Jungkook looked at you, fear in his eyes. “Angel,” he whispered.

“Jungkook, be gentle. Don’t hurt anyone, alright? Be good,” you said. “I have to go.”

“No, Angel stay!” he whimpered, tears forming in his eyes.

“I can’t Jungkook, I was wrong to keep you,” you frowned. “But I couldn’t help it... Because you didn’t deserve what happened to you... I had to help you. I’m sorry.”

“Angel,” he cried softly. “Stay.”

“I can’t stay, Jungkook you need to go home,” you said, wiping his tears away. However, your own were quickly falling as well.

“Home is Angel,” he stated, looking into your eyes with such agony you couldn’t bear it.

“Your home is with your family, not with me... I took you away from them,” you explained.

“No,” Jungkook shook his head, wrapping his arms around you. “Home is Angel.”

“Y/N, we have to go,” Yoongi warned.

“Behave Jungkook, don’t hurt anyone. Be gentle...”

Stepping out of his arms you felt your heart shatter as you walked towards Namjoon’s frame. Yoongi quickly fastened wooden cuffs around your wrists to keep you from moving. You winced and hissed in pain, making Jungkook furious.

“Angel!” he bellowed, moving forward, knocking over a few kitchen chairs in his wake.

“Restrain him,” Namjoon ordered, pulling you back.

“No don’t! He doesn’t know! He won’t hurt anyone!” you declared.

You watched as four or five men struggled to keep Jungkook at bay, your heart shattering as they held him still while you were pulled away from him.

“Angel! Please!” he cried, pulling against their hold. “Ow!” he winced.

“Stop! Stop don’t hurt him please! Please, Namjoon please,” you begged, looking at your friend.

You could see the pain in his eyes as well. You looked to Yoongi who held a similar expression. They didn’t want to do this to you. They knew you weren’t doing it to hurt anyone, but they had to do their duty. You had lied, and this was your punishment for doing so. There wasn’t anything your friends could do for you now.

“Angel! Angel stay!”

You felt your throat burning as you were dragged away from Jungkook’s cries. Garçon whimpered on the doorstep, looking at you for guidance.

“Stay with Jungkook! Garçon!”

You were pulled along your driveway, hearing the one you cared for most cry out your name. Pleading for you to stay with him...

You knew this day was coming...

You just didn’t want it to be today...

Or tomorrow...

Or the next day...

The stone floor of your cell was frigid against your skin.

You’d been thrown in here a few hours prior, being left with your thoughts. You wanted Jungkook, and wondered if he was alright... Had they taken him back to the Lunar Isles? Was he with his family? You hoped he was happy with them...

Was he excited to marry that girl?

Jealousy burned in your veins at the thought of him holding another woman. Asking her to kiss him. However, the jealousy was soon replaced with shame. You had no right to be jealous, he wasn’t yours. Jungkook didn’t belong to you, but you belonged to him... he just didn’t know it.

Your wrists ached from the weight of the cuffs around them. But all you cared about was Jungkook. He’s all that mattered in your mind at the moment.

You longed to see him, his cute smile and bright eyes. It was his bath night, he no doubt would be pulling you up the stairs at this moment, saying it was time for Angel to wash his hair.

A small sob came from you as you imagined the scene...

Him sitting in the water, playing with the bubbles. You’d tell him to quit moving, otherwise he’d get soap in his eyes. Jungkook hated getting soap in his eyes, it made him so frustrated. But the water made him happy, he couldn’t help but bounce around in it. He had so much energy, it was almost unreal.

He’d argue for more time in the water, even though his skin was starting to prune. You’d tell him to quit being a little brat and to get out. Jungkook would listen, like he always did. But, he’d pout about it for a few minutes. Of course you’d offer to make him something to drink before he went to bed, something he’d always agree to.

The forced exit of the bath would be long forgotten.

His feet would fly down the stairs, you’d yell after him to tell him he was just in a towel. You’d chase him down and throw his clothes in his face. He’d begin to strip in the front room, making you shriek and turn quickly to avoid a show.

You’d feel warm arms wrap around you, Jungkook’s head settling on your shoulder.

‘Angel... Cocoa?’ he’d ask.

You’d always say yes, hurrying over to the stove to warm some milk for him. Yawning as you pulled the liquid from the heat and putting the cocoa powder in his drink would make Jungkook smile. You’d set the drink down in front of him, warning Jungkook of its heat.

He’d never listen, always yelping when the scalding liquid touched his tongue.

‘Jungkook be careful,’ you stated, sipping your own drink.

He’d nod and apologize, taking it slower. You’d ask him about what book he had finished. Jungkook would brighten as he would tell you the tale. Sometimes he struggled to find the words and you’d help, giving him your full attention.

‘Then, the father did... uh... word?’ he asked.

‘Saved? Is that it?’ you’d ask.

‘Yeah! He saved daughter! Everyone is happy,’ Jungkook would gush.

He loved stories that ended happily. He wanted to read about the family getting back together, the man finding his true power within himself, the dog getting the bone he wanted. Anything that ended where the people were at peace, it was all Jungkook cared about.

You had asked him about his family, to see if he remembered them at all. He explained that he does remembered them, but not their faces or names.

‘I-I know face, but not name,’ he had told you one morning after breakfast.

‘You don’t remember your mother or father then? Do you miss them?’

‘Yes, but don’t know why I miss,’ he said. ‘Just miss.’

Tears were flowing down your face freely as you thought of the man you had come to love... There wasn’t any point trying to deny it when you knew you did. It was improper to feel such a way for him, but you had long accepted your fate...

“Y/N?” a voice echoed from the hallway.

You turned quickly to see Taehyung, eyes glassy as he approached your cell.

“Taehyung!” you yelped, grabbing the bars.

He looked at you frantically, reaching in to touch your face. “Fuck, I’m so sorry,” he croaked. “This is my fault.”

“Taehyung what do you mean?” you asked, looking at him with confusion. What part of this was his fault?

“I-I was the one who told them you had Jungkook... I saw you two, hugging through your window one morning. I came by to, to ask you out for breakfast and... he matched the description they had been advertising around town. The Lunar Isles cut off trade with us, and only his return was going to end that! I lost my job at the mill, my mother and father are weak, they can’t work... The stables isn’t enough money to support them... But putting you in here feels so wrong, Y/N, you shouldn’t be here,” Taehyung confessed.

“Taehyung,” you breathed.

He’d told. He used you to get money back in his own wallet. You knew that this was going to be your fate when you refused to kill Jungkook... But to have someone you trusted, someone you had loved at one point turn you over for coins... It left a bitter taste in your mouth.

“Y/N, please understand I didn’t have a choice!” he declared.

“Why are you here, Taehyung?” you asked, voice cold. Taehyung winced at your tone, but swallowed regardless.

“I wanted to visit you, Yoongi and Namjoon told me I could,” he explained. “I wanted to apologize to you.”

“You’ve apologized,” you informed him.

“I-I know,” he breathed.

“Then you don’t have anymore business with a criminal like me, do you?” you asked, raising a brow.

“Y/N, that’s not fair,” he stated.

“It’s not fair,” you scoffed. “Was it fair when you stood me up for our meal? Was it fair that my mother died and my father went insane from grief? Is it fair that I was ripped away from the one thing that had given my life meaning since his passing... Learn something from me right now, Taehyung. Life. Isn’t. Fair.”

He sighed and stood, knowing trying to sooth your anger was moot. As he moved to walk away, he turned to face you once more. “They are to give you your verdict in the morning, in front of the whole town... I-I hope you’re prepared for whatever could happen.”

“I am.”

With that, Taehyung left, leaving you on the cold floor to think of what could have been...

You stood, hands bound before a crowd of people. A jury was to your left, Namjoon and Yoongi behind you. The people of Solstice were dead silent. Someone who had cared so deeply about them, was now ahead of them to be charged as a criminal.

A passerby would be able to hear a pin drop, even with the crowd.

“Miss Y/N, you stand here before jury to face judgement for your crimes against the people of Solstice and the people of the Lunar Isles,” Yoongi spoke, voice wavering.

“We announce... Mr. Carlisle Devereaux and his daughter Luna Devereaux... Along with her fiance and victim of these crimes, Jeon Jungkook,” Namjoon declared.

Jungkook? He was here?

Looking through the crowd you found Jungkook being held tightly by Luna. She was glaring at you with eyes so vicious you wondered if you’d be struck dead just from the sight. Jungkook seemed panicked as he looked at you, but something was holding him back. You knew the look in his eyes.

He was in pain.

They were hurting him to keep him in place, to keep him from moving.

“No,” you whispered.

“You stand here on trial, how do you plead?” the Jury asked.

“What is the crime?” you breathed.

“Kidnapping and lying to the people of Solstice and the Lunar Isles,” the Jury stated.

“I plead not guilty for Kidnapping, I plead guilty for lying,” you announced.

“These crimes are not exclusive to one another, you either plead guilty or not guilty,” a large man in the front declared.

“The crimes are exclusive, I did not kidnap anyone... However, I did lie when I was asked if I knew his whereabouts,” you answered. “Jungkook was injured and I had to nurse him back to health. If anyone interfered with the care, it could’ve been disastrous... He could have died,” you stated.

You weren’t lying completely.

Half truths.

“If you lied once, who is to say you aren’t lying now!” a woman towards the back screamed at you.

“We are going to assume you plead guilty,” the Mayor declared from the back on his podium.

“Hold on! That’s not fair!” a man shouted from the crowd. You soon saw it was Seokjin. A wave of relief fell over you. “These are two different crimes! You can’t just assume her plea! That’s a crime in that of itself!”

“Seize him,” the mayor yelled. Guards came in from the side, taking his arms and pulling him towards the jail. “He will be arrested for obstruction of justice.”

“Please!” you screamed. “Stop, he isn’t doing anything wrong. Let him go, I plead guilty!”

“And what are you guilty of?”

Taking a deep breath you looked directly at Jungkook. “I’m guilty of being a woman of science... I’m guilty of challenging fate. I’m guilty of loving someone, whom I didn't have the right to love... But I loved him anyways. I’m guilty of being a woman, with a weak heart, who couldn’t sit by and watch a young man die alone,” you said, a tear rolling down your cheek.

Jungkook struggled against Luna’s arm. She adjusted something, making Jungkook squirm in pain from the action. Your heart thudded against your chest so hard you were certain your ribs would crack. Someone was hurting him, and you couldn’t make them stop.

“Very well. Since you are so keen on lying, we will give you a liars punishment. Miss Y/N, the jury here today convicts you of kidnapping, as well as lying to the people of Solstice and the Lunar Isles... And most importantly, you are convicted of lying on trial. In light of your several crimes towards our two towns... I sentence you to hang until dead tomorrow morning at dawn.”

The crowd gasped, looking at their Mayor with shock. The jury didn’t even give him their verdict, he simply decided your fate for himself. The Mayor of Solstice was a power hungry man who had fought tooth and nail to be in the position he is now. He had done many despicable things in order to achieve his rank... And his cruelty was known throughout the lands.

You felt your knees wobble as you collapsed to the ground heavily. You could see your friends faces in the crowd, eyes filling with tears.

Jungkook fought against his restraints, trying to move away from Luna... But he was unable.

“ANGEL! NO!” he screamed. The crowd looked at him, then to the Mayor with a questioning look. You watched Jungkook get tugged back into place, and you smiled as you saw Garçon right by his side. Exactly where you told him to be.

“The verdict has been spoken, take her to her cell,” the Mayor demanded.

Namjoon grabbed you gently. “Y/N, stand up, easy... There you go,” he cooed, helping you walk towards the jailhouse.

Jungkook’s voice rang in your head.

People came in to say their farewells...

Taehyung, eyes filled with tears, blaming himself for the whole ordeal. You simply stared at him with broken eyes, ones that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

Hoseok came in too, holding your face through the bars.

“Y/N, what were you thinking? Why didn’t you challenge the verdict! You had the right!” Hoseok yelped.

“Hoseok, do you really think the Mayor of the Lunar Isles would let me go? There’s not a chance, not when our whole town is involved... They could be viewed as weak if they did,” you explained.

He frowned, staring at you with sad eyes. “You don’t deserve this, don’t you dare think you do... You didn’t do anything wrong,” he declared.

But you did... You changed fate, disrupted God...

“I don’t want this to be your fate... It isn’t fair,” Hoseok whispered.

“I’ll be with my mother and father again... I’ll be happy with them,” you smiled weakly.

‘Angel... Happy?’

Jimin came by soon after Hoseok, bringing you a cupcake and forcing you to eat it. He wanted you to smile, to enjoy one more thing. He cried, holding your face through the bars also. You wished he wouldn’t cry, it didn’t suit him.

Yoongi and Namjoon came as well, telling you they were sorry. That they wished there was something they could do. You didn’t blame them. They were just following orders, doing their duty. It wasn’t their fault.

The only person at fault was you.

Sleep evaded you as you thought about Jungkook.

You wondered if they would let him see you. It was highly unlikely. Seeing as how they took him away from you. But you wished... you wished you could tell him you love him.

Even if there was nothing to come of your feelings, you wanted him to know that you cared about him. That the time you’d spent together was the most cherished part of your life. Waking up each morning to him was a privilege. You wished that you could pet Garçon, tell him to be a good boy.

You remembered him by Jungkook’s side and you felt your heart swell with pride. He’d been such a good boy, and Jungkook would have him... Hopefully, Luna would allow him that much.

You thought of Jungkook and Garçon, your little family you’d made as the darkness turned to light shades of blue and purple. The jangling of keys made you turn your head. There was the town’s Priest, no doubt to allow you confession before you walked to your death.

“Miss Y/N, I am here to listen to your confessions and to deliver you to the hands of God,” he announced, calm.

“I have nothing to confess, Father. But thank you for your words,” you said soft. Namjoon bit his lip, watery eyes turning away from you.

“Very well, I will read your last rites before you hang,” he stated, heading towards the stairs. Yoongi looked at you and unlocked the door.

“Time to go, Y/N,” he said.

You nodded and stood up, following after them. They locked chains around your hands, even though they weren’t necessary. You weren’t going to fight them. What would be the point? They were much stronger than you, and if you caused too much of a fight then certainly someone would finish you off before the noose.

Seokjin looked up from his cell and stared at you. A small cry coming from his mouth. You gave him a gentle gaze before carrying yourself up the stairs, into the pale light of morning.

There wasn’t a sound but the clanking of your chains as you approached the gallows. Breathing deeply, you managed to ascend the walkway. The gallows were dark, stained with time. You saw the crowd watching you, wanting to express something, but they weren’t sure what it was. Looking at the noose, you stepped forward. Namjoon helped you up, unlocking your chains and throwing them behind you.

Your eyes scanned the people before you. They were watching on, unsure of the tension in the air. The Mayor clapped his hands, making the attention go to him.

“Today, we witness the death of a criminal. A woman who kidnapped an innocent man, and harbored him against his will in her den of debauchery!”

You furrowed your brow at that statement. But, listened on regardless.

“We also bare witness to the death of a liar! Someone who withheld the truth from us, and did so to prolong our pain. She watched from her window as we all struggled to feed ourselves, and needed to scrounge enough money to pay our dues. Today she hangs, to pay for the crimes she has committed! May God have mercy on your soul, child.”

“May he have mercy on yours as well,” you stated.

The crowd raised their brows at your statement, some chuckling at your bold disrespect for authority. The Mayor glared at you, clearing his throat once more. “As per tradition, may our Father announce your last rites!”

“Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up,” the Father read.

You nodded and smiled.

“Our heavenly Father, who art in Heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven...”

The crowd joined him in prayer, almost as if they were sending you off as well. You finally found Jungkook in the crowd. Once again, attached to Luna’s side. You smiled at him, letting him see your joy. You were so glad to see him, even if it was to be the last. You were so glad, so overjoyed to see him there.

Next to him was his mother and father. He was standing, breathing easily. It made you happy to know he was well also. You locked eyes with his mother, and she stared at you with shock.

"This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper,” the Priest stated, looking to you.

"Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."

The crowd looked shocked as you answered. The Priest also appeared stunned, but nodded and closed his Bible, looking to the Mayor for the final words.

“Miss Y/N, you may have your final words,” he declared.

“Thank you,” you said. “My final words... Are to one person in this crowd. You know who you are, baby,” you smiled.

Jungkook’s head popped up at his nickname. You smiled softly and continued. “I’m so sorry that you have to witness this. And know it isn’t your fault, it’s entirely mine. I was selfish, and you were so good... I couldn’t help but save you. I was glad to teach you everything again. I was glad to wash your hair. I was overjoyed to watch you eat the food I cooked. And I am so happy that I get to see your face again.”

Your voice cracked.

Yoongi came over and tied your hands behind your back with rope, so that you couldn’t keep yourself from hanging. But it didn’t stop you from speaking your mind. Finally telling Jungkook everything that you had wanted to say for so long. “I remember you asked me what love was,” you said. “And I realized that everything I told you I believed it was applied to you. Jeon Jungkook, I love you,” you breathed.

“LET HER HANG!” the Mayor cried.

“ANGEL NO!”

The sound of the trapdoor beneath your feet opening hit your ears, and then sharp pain erupting from your neck took over your senses.

Unfortunately, your neck didn’t snap. You could feel your head pounding with the amount of blood being forced to it from your neck restriction. Your lungs burned with the need for oxygen, but none was being produced...

The world was swimming and you were in agony when you felt someone touching your legs.

“Angel! Let go, please!” you could hear Jungkook’s voice.

“NAMJOON NOW!”

Suddenly, you dropped and slumped into Jungkook’s arms. “Angel!” he yelled, lowering you to the ground. Your eyes were closed, but you could hear him... You could feel his hands...

“KILL THE TRAITORS!”

“JUNGKOOK GO!”

“THIS WAY!”

You felt yourself being adjusted, then hauled into the air. The jolting of your body told you that Jungkook was running. The sound of panting had you realize that Garçon wasn’t far behind him either.

“My son! Save her!” Jungkook’s mother yelled from behind him.

“This way come on!” Taehyung’s voice hit your ears.

“AFTER THEM!”

“Give her here, Jungkook,” Seokjin’s voice was heard to your left.

“YAH!” Jimin’s high tone shouted from in front of you.

You heard whinnying and then the breeze along your face became harsh. The sound of hooves hitting dirt took over. But you felt gentle hands touching your face, brushing your hair from your eyes.

“Angel...” Jungkook whimpered.

“Hang on!” Jimin yelled.

A sharp turn sent you flying into a warm frame, one you didn’t recognize. It must’ve been Seokjin.

Exhaustion creeped in your bones, as you felt the effects from your ordeal taking over. You weren’t sure if it was death taking your or sleep as you accepted the darkness. All you knew, is that a warm hand was in yours the whole time...

Your neck was stiff as you tried to peel your eyes open.

Warmth covered your right side, shallow breaths being felt against your frame. You managed to peek one eye open, even though the vision was blurry. Garçon’s floppy ears greeted you, like they did nearly every morning.

“G-Gar,” you tried, feeling your voice crack as you tried to speak. His head flew up, looking at you.

“Bark! Bark bark bark!”

Then you were overwhelmed with his kisses on your face. You laughed weakly, patting his head.

“Garçon, easy,” you reminded.

A door opened and you heard wood dropping to the floor. You turned your head and saw Jungkook looking at you with tears brimming in his eyes.

“Angel...” he breathed, smiling.

“Jungkook,” You whimpered, reaching out for him. He was beside you in an instant, taking you in his arms.

“Angel, Angel,” he repeated in your neck. His wet tears hit your skin, making you run your fingers through his hair to calm him. “I love you.”

Your chest constricted at his broken confession. “Shh, baby, it’s alright, I love you too” you managed.

“Thought... I thought... I-I lost you,” he sobbed. You shook your head, placing soft kisses to his ear.

“No, I’m here,” you urged. “I’m here Jungkook.” Pulling his face away from your neck you wiped his tears away. He leaned into your touch, seeming to love the way your hands glided against his skin.

Jungkook stared at your eyes for a moment, before his gaze flicked to your lips. He leaned in slowly. “Angel... kiss,” he whispered.

You happily connected your lips, wrapping your arms around his neck. Tangling your fingers in his hair you pulled him closer. Jungkook moaned against your mouth, nipping at your lips lightly.

“Jungkook,” you breathed, licking your lips.

“Angel, want to kiss you.” Jungkook grabbed at your hips, bringing you into his embrace. You almost let him do just that, before you remembered what had happened.

The trial, your hanging... How were you alive right now?

“Jungkook-mmm, wait,” you murmured as he pecked your lips impatiently.

“Angel,” he pouted. “Kisses.”

“Hold on, where are we?” You asked.

Jungkook pulled back, sighing at the fact he wouldn’t get his kisses without an explanation. He brushed your hair behind you ear and took your hands in his. “We’re in woods. Your friends... brought us here... Hoseok said, um.. Hoseok said we stay here,” he tried.

“Hoseok...” you trailed off. Then you remembered. “It’s his hunting cottage. Of course,” you said. Hoseok traded furs sometimes to gain extra money, he must’ve brought you and Jungkook here to hide... No doubt the guards would be looking for you both.

“Yes! We move to... to um... I don’t know,” he stated.

“That’s alright, are you alright?” you asked, running your hands over his shoulders. You remembered that they must’ve been doing something to keep him by Luna’s side... But Jungkook smiled and pulled you in by the waist.

“Kisses, Angel?”

“You’re such a spoiled boy,” you laughed. He nodded before pulling you in once more. You kissed slowly, enjoying the feeling of his mouth on yours.

It felt like a dream to be here in his arms. To finally have him. Jungkook let go of your lips to trail kisses down your neck. He place several gentle pecks to your throat, a small cry coming from him as he did so.

“What’s wrong?” You asked, feeling his trembling mouth against your sensitive skin.

Jungkook brought his hand up, placing his fingers on your neck. It ached a small amount, but you didn’t flinch. “People hurt you... that makes me... sad,” he sniffed. You placed a soft kiss to his mouth, making him relax just a bit.

“But you saved me, I’m here because of you,” you told him.

“I... tried harder...”

You shook your head, coddling him like a child. “No, Jungkook... You did everything right. I’m so proud of you, baby. You stayed put and waited for me, and when it mattered you came to save me. You, all of our friends,” you said smiling.

“M-My friends... too?” he asked, eyes twinkling with light.

“Absolutely, they wouldn’t help you unless they considered you their friend too,” you encouraged. Jungkook laughed at the prospect of having more friends. Garçon whined, licking your hand impatiently.

You conceded to his wishes and scruffed up his ears and head, watching as his tail thumped against the bedding. Jungkook patted his rear a few times before standing up and going to collect the wood he dropped upon his entry. Garçon seemed to be satisfied with the miniscule amount of attention you gave him, as he jumped up and trotted out the open door.

Your eyes wandered back to Jungkook, who was setting the wood onto the pile in the corner. You watched as his biceps bulged underneath the fabric of the shirt he was wearing. It pulled as his back arched, showing you his strength without much effort.

The sight made your mouth water lightly, creating a slight ache between your thighs. You wanted him badly, although you weren’t sure if he understood what this meant... Would be be able to consent to your actions? To your wishes?

“J-Jungkook,” you breathed. He turned and looked at you, eyebrow raised.

“Angel? Okay?” he asked, setting the wood on the table and coming over again. He sat down beside you and took your hand.

“I-I, want to try something new with you, but I’m not sure if you know what it is, or what it means,” you frowned. “I love you, and I want to show you...”

“Then show, Angel,” he said, pressing his forehead against yours. The sensation made your neck scream with discomfort, but you wouldn’t move.

“Jungkook, remember when you asked what French kissing was?” you blushed.

“Yes... Only lovers... Lovers could do it,” he recalled. “I love you, can we kiss... like lovers?”

“Jungkook, to be lovers with someone is more than just kissing them, you... you bare parts of yourself no one else is allowed to see. If I give you all of myself, then you have to promise I have all of you as well. I won’t share you with anyone, and you can’t share me with anyone either. At least, not in the way I want you,” you explained.

Jungkook seemed to think for a moment, and his eyes widened for a moment. “Angel, make love to me,” he whispered. “I read in book, I-I put myself... inside of you...”

The lewd phrasing of his words had fire running through your veins. His eyes were unreadable, as if he was purposefully being secretive with you. When did Jungkook learn to be so shifty?

“That’s right, but are you okay with that?”

“Angel... I want to,” he agreed. “I-I know how.”

“What?” you squeaked.

“I read from book, and Seokjin told me some... some things,” he said, coming forward to push you onto your back. You looked up in astonishment, Jungkook’s frame towering over your body.

“You’ll need to show me this book, and I think i’ll need to have a conversation with Seokjin” you said.

“No, I’ll show,” he announced, diving in to capture your lips.

Jungkook’s whole demeanor changed as he kissed you harder. You found it almost difficult to keep up with him. His mouth moved against yours as if he were trying to steal the very breath from your lungs. You’d give it to him. Whatever he wanted from you he could have it, as long as he kept kissing you this way. As long as he kept loving you, whatever you had could be his...

Jungkook licked into your mouth, something you weren’t expecting. The sensation of his wet tongue moving across your lips made you gasp. Jungkook took this opportunity to taste you. He moaned impatiently when you didn’t respond right away, nibbling at your upper lip in frustration.

You grabbed his shirt in your fists and aggressively molded your mouth to his again. It created an ache in your neck, but the strong desire between your legs was far more agonizing than your sore throat.

“Angel, pretty,” he murmured, licking his lips. “Take off.” He pulled on your dress with longing.

You flushed before gripping your bodice and pulling it open. Jungkook watched as your chest relaxed, no longer being held together by tightened fabric. You let your dress slacken at the neck, making it fall to your elbows.

Shivering because of your newly exposed skin, you blushed as Jungkook came closer.

“Angel, so soft,” he admired, running his hands down your shoulders. You shuddered as he brought his hands to cup your breasts. His strong palms dug into your sensitized flesh. You let out a soft cry when he tugged on a pebbled nipple. Jungkook was entirely absorbed in your body.

Lifting your arms to drape around his neck, you urged him closer. The sensation of his hands on your supple skin made your mind wild with desire. You wanted his hands all over you, caressing your frame with tender touches.

“Jungkook, that feels nice,” you complimented as he smoothed his fingers down your stomach. You squirmed, letting out a soft giggle as it tickled.

“Can I... touch more?” Jungkook requested, looking at you for permission. You nodded, pulling your arms from your dress. He didn’t hesitate as he moved to touch your chest. You sighed as the sensations took over. Jungkook panted against your mouth, seemingly overwhelmed at the new feelings coursing through his veins. You wondered breifly if he had sex before dying in the forest that night. You didn’t want to think of that time, but as he licked at your swollen lips you found the memory easily forgotten.

Although, these heated kisses didn’t seem to be enough for the man.

“Ah!” You cried out as Jungkook placed an open mouth kiss on your breast. He looked at you with worry written on his features, but you shook your head. “Keep going.”

He did so, licking your soft skin. His arms wrapped around your body, making your arms lock and push your chest out towards him. This pleased Jungkook, watching as your ample breasts was on display for his eyes only.

“My Angel,” he cooed, taking a nipple in his mouth.

“Nngh,” you moaned, thighs pulling together from the ache building between them. A gush of slickness slipped past your lower lips, getting into your knickers and causing light discomfort.

Jungkook suckled on your flesh, nipping and teasing your sensitive chest. You whimpered, gripping his shirt in your hands. Jungkook laved his tongue over your breasts, making sure each one got equal attention. You winced when he sucked harshly, hard enough to make your skin turn a reddish purple hue. Jungkook’s eyes sparkled at the sight. He took your nipple into his hot mouth once more, swirling his tongue over it and pulling his head back slightly. His pupils dilated when he let the peaked bud go and your breast jiggled from the force.

Getting tired of being the only naked one, you urged for Jungkook to remove his clothing as well. “Take your shirt off, Jungkook,” you said, tugging on the fabric. He pouted as he pulled away, obviously not through with your chest. However, he unbuttoned his shirt and then pulled it over his head to throw it on the floor.

“Better?” He tested.

Your mouth pooled with saliva. His chest was toned, pert nipples sitting on his pecks. You looked down to see defined muscles wrapping around his body. His skin was smooth, almost golden. However, his pale and slightly sallow complexion would be there permanently.

Your eyes moved down his body until the hit the center, were a warped and twisted scar sat. You crawled forward, coming eye level with the raised skin. Carefully, you placed your fingers on the lines. Jungkook hissed at your cold digits on his skin. You looked at him with worry. “Does that hurt?”

“N-no, I...Know it is... ugly. Sorry,” he said, ashamed. You shook your head viciously, coming up to hold his face in your hands.

“No, it isn’t ugly, Jungkook. Nothing about you is ugly to me. This scar here, this scar is the reason I can hold you in my arms. I love it, because it’s apart of you. Because of this scar, I am able to be with you. And for that, I am forever thankful to this scar,” you declared.

Jungkook gazed into your eyes, blinking slow. You dragged your hands down his body until they reach his hips. You held them there, before leaning in and placing soft kisses to his scar. Jungkook let out a shaky breath, bringing his hands to cradle your face as you moved along the long and mangled scar lines. His thumbs brushed your cheeks so delicately you felt your heart trembling in your chest.

“Angel, love you,” he breathed.

“I love you too, all of you. Jungkook,” you announced. Jungkook gently brought your mouth back to his. The kisses quickly became urgent, longing and desire burning hot between you. You laid back once again, Jungkook following with his mouth attached to your chest. Letting a gentle whine come from your throat, Jungkook continued to suck delicate blossoms into your flesh.

He brought your tender skin between his teeth and carefully pulled, suckling and huffing against his work. You ran your fingers through his hair and tugged him away from your sternum. Jungkook pouted in displeasure when you did so, letting a little whimper escape from his red lips.

“As much as I love your mouth on me, perhaps you could kiss me lower?” you asked, raising a teasing brow in his direction. Jungkook’s face furrowed in confusion.

“How?” He asked.

You shimmied your dress off, throwing it to the ground with his shirt. Jungkook watched with rapt attention as you spread your legs apart. “Come here,” you said, crooning your finger towards him. He followed like a man possessed, until he was level with your center.

“Angel,” he whined, kissing your knee and thighs hungrily.

“Shh, kiss me here darling,” you instructed, pulling your lips apart to invite him. You were surprised at your bold behavior. For a maiden, you were more brazen than you wanted to admit.  Jungkook nodded, placing a soft kiss to your mound. You moaned, hips hitting against his mouth in wanton desire. Licking his lips Jungkook moved back in, kissing again.

“Angel, you taste... good,” he whispered, eagerly kissing your core deeper, using more of his tongue. His mouth connected to your swollen center, making you writhe in pleasure underneath him.

“Oh, Jungkook!” You mewled, tangling your fingers in his hair as he licked deeper. Jungkook wasn’t neat with the way he was pleasuring you, loud sounds escaping him. Cute little cries of bliss were smothered by your heated skin as he refused to move away from you for a second.

His movements were sloppy, smearing your slick on your thighs and his chin. Whenever he came up to take your clit in his mouth you gasped at the pleasure and the sight of Jungkook’s soaked mouth. He found your pearl and played with it softly, giving your small shockwaves a pure, unadulterated gratification. More of your wetness leaked from your lips and Jungkook almost snarled with glee.

“You taste... so good, Angel,” he groaned, nudging your clit with his nose as he captured more of your bliss. He couldn’t keep himself still for the life of him, squirming in pleasure. He kept grabbing at your hands, encouraging you to touch him more, living for your hands grazing his heated flesh.

“Angel, Angel,” he whined, rutting against the mattress. You felt your insides clench at the action, want to be the mattress badly.

“Jungkook, more please,” you begged, gripping his hair. He groaned at the sharp sensation it brought, making his mouth leave your center.

“Angel, I... I want, inside, but want to make you... happy too” he tried, licking his lips like he’d just finished a great meal.

“Baby I’m already happy because I can be here with you, does it hurt?” you asked, gazing as he tried to keep himself occupied by kissing your knee and shins. but the tent in his pants told you it would come soon enough.

“Y-yes, pain, Angel,” he whined, bucking into the sheets pathetically.

“Okay, baby. Take your pants off,” you said, hooking your fingers in his belt loops. Jungkook leaned back, letting you disrobe him happily. He kicked his feet, getting the annoying material off of him. He sat up on his knees, coming back towards you. You watched as his cock was revealed to you. He was hard, tip smeared with precum. Jungkook smiled as you leaned down, stroking his lower stomach with interest.

“Want mouth,” he said, running his thumb over your lips. You took his thumb in your hot cavern, enveloping his digit in wet heat. Jungkook gasped as the sensation, wanting nothing more than to be inside of you.

Letting go of this thumb with a lewd pop, you licked your lips and took his length in your fist. He cried out, hunching forward at your touch. “Needy baby,” you tutted.

Jungkook bucked his hips into your grasp, whining from desire. “Angel, please...”

With a smirk you took his tip into your mouth. Jungkook cried out, gripping your shoulder right. It hurt, but the bliss on his face was worth every second of discomfort.

Moving slow, you inched your way down his dick. You felt your throat tighten in discomfort, but you pushed forward. Jungkook was panting, looking at you as if you were an exquisite piece of art before him. He tangled his fingers in your hair, urging you forward with gentle pressure to your head. He wanted you so bad. Needed you to keep going, it was torture so sweet it consumed him. Your tongue licked along the base of his shaft, finding a vein their to tease.

“F-fuck, Angel,” he groaned. You looked up at him in shock, mouth coming off his weeping cock. Jungkook hissed at the loss.

“Where did you learn a word like that?” You asked, pumping him entirely too slow to be pleasurable.

“U-um,” he avoided, biting his lip.

“Jungkook, tell me,” you warned, gripping the base of his dick to cut off his pleasure.

“You! Heard from Angel!”

You? When did you ever swear around him?

“Jungkook, don’t lie,” you growled, enjoying the agony on his face from your ministrations.

“At night! Y-you alone, in bed,” he huffed, looking at the ceiling.

“What was I doing?” You asked.

“Touching... pleasuring...”

“I was touching myself?” You asked. “And you watched me?” You asked, licking his dick to tease him.

Jungkook cried out and hunched forward, sweating with effort. “Angel... hurts, want to... finish,” he whimpered. You rubbed your hands on his sweaty back and kissed his chin.

“Tell me why you watched me, and I’ll let you cum,” you promised.

“Because,” he whined. “I wanted... to touch... I wanted to... p-pleasure Angel.”

“You will, baby, but cum first,” you smiled, letting your hand fly over his slick covered cock. Jungkook moaned loudly, you almost thought you were hurting him. But he bucked into your hands, panting with effort.

“Finish,” he cried out.

“Are you cumming baby?” You asked, rubbing your thumb right underneath the head of his purple tip.

“Yes, cumming for Angel,” he cried out, white strings of cum painting your chest, hot against you skin. You moaned, feeling the betwixt liquid fall onto your stomach and nipples.

“Good boy,” you praised as Jungkook collapsed against your shoulder. His harsh breaths warmed your skin. Now, there was a painful sensation between your legs you knew only Jungkook could satisfy. “Are you alright baby?” You asked, kissing his damp forehead.

“Just... a minute Angel,” he said, licking at your skin.

“Breathe, baby... I can wait for you,” you said, smoothing your hands down his shoulders and upper back.

“Love Angel,” he said, nudging your jaw with his nose, placing soft kisses to your flesh.

“I love you too,” you smiled, heart fluttering wild in your chest.

Jungkook moves from your shoulder to your chest, licking at his cum the splattered your skin. You gasped as he did so, tongue swirling around your pebbles nipples.

“Mmm, Angel you’re... sweet,” he smiled. “Tastes good.”

“I want you so bad,” you moaned. Jungkook nodded, grabbing your thighs to force you down. Going forward on his knees, you felt his cock against your impatient pussy.

He took his member in his hand, pumping it slowly. You noticed he wasn’t hard, but he was growing before your eyes. A cold sweat broke out on your neck, making your grab Jungkook’s hand in fear. You’d never been this far with a man, you only knew how to please him because of a book you’d read. You hoped Jungkook hadn’t noticed.

“I-I’ve never, I’m a virgin Jungkook,” you whispered. His eye widened, looking at your center with a soft expression.

“I’ll be... first?” He seemed shocked, but excited nonetheless.

“Yes, and the only,” you reminded.

“Only, me?”

You nodded and took his hand in yours, interlocking your fingers. Kissing his knuckles you wiggled your hips a bit, brushing your hot skin against his. Jungkook bucked lightly, dipping inside your entrance ever so slightly. He moaned at the contact, making you jolt from the noise.

“Please hurry, I want it,” you begged. “But you have to be gentle.”

“Gentle,” he confirmed. Slow, but firm Jungkook began to push inside of you. His body seemed to know what to do, because he carefully pulled himself out to set a steady pace. You winced as he got further in, but Jungkook was patient. “Okay?” He asked when you tended up at his intrusion. You nodded, placing your fingers to your clit. Rubbing gently making you clench around his hardened length. Jungkook hissed and rutted against you, causing you to cry out. He apologized, kissing your lips softly. “Angel, you feel... good,” he groaned.

“You too, Jungkook... so big,” you whined as another inch disappeared inside of you.

“Soft, hot... tight,” he practically snarled. You were a mess underneath him, wanting him deeper. The pain was secondary to the rising feeling of fullness that overtook your senses.

“More, give me all of it,” you begged. Jungkook listened and you felt his hips against yours. The pair of you breathed in harshly, letting each other get used to the foreign sensations. You swear you could feel him in your throat with how deep inside of you he was.

Experimentally, you clenched your walls, feeling Jungkook’s pulsing member seated deep within your.

“Ah! Angel don’t,” he whined. You looked up, seeing his brows furrowed and pinched in concentration.

“What’s wrong?” You asked.

“Too good, close,” he whimpered.

“Relax, I’m okay, you can move,” you said. Jungkook did so, pulling back and hitting his pelvis against your swollen heat. You called his name, urging him on. He lowered himself, getting a better angle to push himself back into your sweet embrace. Placing his hands on either side of your head he gasped when you adjusted your hips to accommodate his movement.

“Angel, shit,” he groaned. The difference in his thrusts made your walls clench hard, causing Jungkook to smack himself equally as forceful against your hips. “Ah, fuck!”

You arched you back at the sudden wave of pleasure that came over you. “Jungkook, harder,” you pleaded, wanting to be suffocated with that sweet feeling that had already abandoned you. He didn’t need to be told twice, soon he was plowing into your virgin center with reckless abandon. You writhed from the pleasure, grasping at his biceps to keep you grounded.

“A-Angel, Y/N,” he whispered. You froze...

He’d never said your name before, you loved how it sounded from his mouth. “Y-You said my name,” you panted, cradling his face in your hands. Jungkook’s forehead was damp with sweat, making you dab it with your forearm lovingly.

“Y-You’re my... Angel, Y/N,” he breathed, kissing your mouth deeply. You interlocked your fingers behind his neck, gently rolling your hips along with his thrusts. Jungkook grunted as you hit against his pelvis with a particularly hard thrust. Moving your lips against his you licked into his mouth, moving your tongue with his in tandem to his brutal pace within you.

“Ah, Angel, so good,” he whimpered, licking along your jawline.

“Jungkook, Jungkook more please!”

“W-want to... Move... different,” he whined.

He wanted a different position? Thinking in your brain you placed your hands on his shoulders, making him look at you with confusion. “Let me try something,” you stated. Jungkook nodded, pulling away from you.

The pair of you winced as his cock slipped from your trembling walls. Carefully you moved onto your knees, bending forward to present your ass to him. Jungkook groaned, coming forward to place several kisses along your spine.

“Angel,” he whimpered. “How do... do I?” he questioned.

Moving yourself backwards you gripped his length in your hands, directing it towards your soaked core. “Just like this baby, take it easy,” you said, pushing yourself back onto his dick. Jungkook bit his lip harshly before bucking into your battered maw once more.

“Ah, t-tighter,” he whimpered, grabbing onto your hips to get himself even deeper into you.

You were panting hard, lungs on fire as you felt him moving you both towards a precipice that felt it had no end. Wrists straining to keep you up and Jungkook’s harsh movements were starting to throw you off the deep end.

“So tight,” he moaned. You clenched at his words, making his hips stutter in their movement. You almost sobbed at the loss of momentum that had you swirling in the throes of pleasure. Moving your hands to his that were secured on your waist, you pulled them down your body.

“Jungkook, touch me here,” you said, bringing his hand to your clit. “Rub it.” He was now hunched over your body, hot breath fanning across the nape of your neck. He nodded, timing his thrusts with quick flicks of his thumb against your sensitive nub. You felt molten heat flying through your veins at the motions.

“Y-Y/N, I love you, Angel... Angel I love you so much,” he puffed into your sweaty skin.

“I love you too, Jungkook. Keep going, make me cum please,” you cried, thighs trembling from the activity.

“Closer, want you... want you closer,” he fussed, trying to get his arms around your body.

“Baby, easy, be gentle,” you warned, his bucking hips proving to be a little harsh against your tender walls. “How about this?”

You straightened yourself up, wrapping his arms around your waist as you sat down on his lap. Jungkook whined in your throat from the new bliss he found himself experiencing. You placed your knees next to his, lining yourself up so you could be comfortable. Jungkook moved up, seeing how he could move in this setting.

Gasping you brought his hand to your stomach. “I can feel you here, oh God, Jungkook,” you cried, resting against his chest. He was overwhelmed with love and desire for you that it didn’t seem real.

He loved you so much, and it made him emotional to hold you so intimately.

Fullness suffused your entire being, but you felt hot droplets of water touching your neck. You turned your head to see Jungkook’s eyes filling with tears. Alarm coursed through your chest. “B-baby, are you alright?” you asked, nudging his cheek with your nose.

“I-I’ll die without you,” he whimpered, crying out when you adjusted against him.

“I know, baby, I know... I love you, I’m no-ah! I’m not going to leave you. Never, Jungkook. I will never leave you again,” you promised, kissing him so firmly you thought you would bruise each others lips. Jungkook caressed your face, brushing his thumb along your cheek as he kept fucking into you so desperately.

You thighs were burning, wanting nothing more than the sweet release of an orgasm to sate the ravenous appetite building in your lower stomach. But you’d take this pain, all of it if it meant you could feel Jungkook inside you.

If you could hold him in your arms every day after this. You would go through so much more agony, even more bloodshed and hell if it meant you could see his smiling face at the end of the trauma.

Because you would do anything for the man who held you so close, yet so delicate because he didn’t want to hurt you.

Anything.

“Angel, cumming,” he warned. You felt his cock throbbing inside you, no doubt ready for his second release. God you wanted his hot seed inside you. To paint your quivering walls in his white seed. You briefly wondered if Jungkook could get you pregnant, but since he had been dead prior to your love making, you thought that it was unlikely.

“Please Jungkook, please do it,” you begged, tears in your eyes. You gripped your breasts, pulling and teasing your nipples for more stimulation. He brought his mouth to your neck once more, heaving deep breaths into the hollow of your throat, but he licked and sucked to occupy his distraught mind.

“Angel, I love you,” he moaned, each thrust he made becoming more solid into your swollen womanhood.

“Jungkook, I love you too,” you cried out. He leaned down, quickening his thrusts inside of you where you were certain the bed was going to shatter. Jungkook’s mouth found yours, desperately licking and sucking on your swollen lips.

You could feel him everywhere, and it wasn’t enough. You wanted to feel him in the deepest parts of you. “Inside me, cum inside me,” you sobbed.

Jungkook stiffened at your sentence, before letting out a choked off cry. Then, you felt scorching heat in your walls that sent you over as well, shuddering violently against your lover’s toned body.

“Angel, oh fuck, good,” he whimpered, pumping you both through your orgasms. You clenched sporadically around his sensitive dick, pulling each spurt of his cum deep inside of you.

Jungkook soon fell lax against you, nearly crushing you with his weight. You moved, having his length remove itself from you bruised core. But you didn’t care. Laying on your back you brought Jungkook to your chest. You combed your fingers through his hair softly, cooing into his ear about how gentle he had been. What a good boy he was for loving you so much.

“Jungkook?” You asked a few minutes later. Jungkook was lazily licking at your chest, pulling a nipple into his mouth. You squirmed at the feeling, but kept your focus.

“Mmm, Angel?” He responded, licking up your throat to you lips.

“Was that... was that your first time too?” You asked.

“I-I don’t, think so,” he worded. “Feels... familiar. But, better with you.”

You had a feeling Jungkook hadn’t been a virgin, but it didn’t matter. He was yours now, and you were his.

---

As you lay in his arms that night, naked and sweating from several more rounds of torrid love making. You couldn’t help but think of the days to come.

Where were you and Jungkook going to go? We’re your friends safe? How was Solstice going to repair relations with the Lunar Isles?

You believed that peace could be brought to your people, but would the town fair without you? As far as you knew, you were the only person who delved into medical practices there. Heart racing you feared for those you’d come to care for. Even if they had demanded your hanging. They were frightened people, wanting nothing more than to have an answer to their pain. You couldn’t blame them for being human.

“Angel,” Jungkook murmured against your breast, kissing a few of his love bites tenderly.

Then all anxious thoughts disappeared. You wrapped your arms around him, running your fingers through the nape of his neck to his hair. Jungkook relaxed against you, arm tightening across your lower stomach.

You then found it didn’t matter.

Jungkook was here, and that’s all you cared about. You had the man you loved by your side. He was breathing, sleeping easily beside you. He was also turning out to be an insatiable beast, but you'd deal with that when you stopped being one as well.

In that moment, you weren’t a human and a reanimated corpse... you were two people, who’d fallen in love. And even though there might be complications, you’d handle all of them if it meant Jungkook was there at the end for you.

You’d run as fast as you could, for as long as you could to reach him. And you know he’d do the same for you.

For an Angel and her Lover. Nothing was impossible.

[milawriting]

The Perfect Girl

By milawriting/milaswriting on instagram

The day she found the perfect girl, Ymili wore all black.

If you'd known her in her old days, you could argue that she always did, that you've never seen her in another colour after she met that one friend of hers whose name no one could remember - but that wasn't true anymore. She hadn't worn black since Halloween three years ago. Hadn't been able to bring herself to.

But on that calm, sunny day in october, she stood at the old bus stop, like she always did, and every single piece of clothing she wore was black. It fit around her body like it had been made just for her, just for this day. Ymili didn't know what had possessed her to put on the outift that morning and already started to regret it - but when she peeked out from under her hat, she saw the girl, and she realized why.

It was a sign.

A sign that everything would be well.

The girl's red hair seemed to be on fire in the bright sunlight at noon, her many freckles dancing like Ymili had three Halloweens ago today. Ymili couldn't help but watch her, obviously and recklessly admiring.

Sunlight touched the girl's smooth skin like it was reaching just for her, highlighting the curve of her spine, wrapping around her figure like a lover's embrace.

When she sat down on one of the surprisingly clean chairs of the bus station, her perfume wafted over to Ymili, a sweet scent like apple pie filling her nose, clouding her senses.

She crossed over to the girl in milliseconds, three years and two steps away.

"Already planned something for today?", Ymili asked straight away and the girl looked up at her, green eyes glittering like emeralds in the sun.

"My friends stood me up, actually", she answered, small hands playing with the straps of her backpack. Her delicate nails had the colour of midnight.

She was dressed up as a vampire. Fake blood ran down her throat and tiny bats made of cloth dangled in her unruly curls.

Ymili's heart threatened to burst with anxiety, but she kept her voice calm and low.

"Would you care to join me for lunch, then?"

The girl smiled and revealed not only a straight row of teeth, but two fangs sitting in the corners like knives to cut yourself with.

Ymili's heart jumped; if it was because of that smile or the plastic fangs she thought for a moment were real, she couldn't tell.

"Gladly", the girl said and Ymili smiled, baring her own fangs.

☆☆☆

The restaurant wasn't very expensive, or well-known, or big, or anything people seemed to like, for that matter. It wasn't even marked in the map for tourists, damning it to be scarcely visited even on holidays.

But Ymili liked it. She'd liked it since she'd moved here three years ago after she found her grave, their grave. She didn't know exactly how the restaurant could still afford to exist, but it might have to do something with her going there very often.

Today, it was almost entirely orange. The aprons of the staff had always been, but now even the small tables were clad in it, and carved pumpkins sent flickering warm light through their crooked smiles.

Even though it was only illuminated by candles, the old restaurant seemed a bit too bright for this time of year.

"I love this", the girl said into the quiet room. "It's spooky."

Her name was Ashley, she'd told Ymili on the way. Ashley liked Cacti, reading old books, found the name Ymili strange but beautiful, and her favourite monsters were vampires, thank god. She also liked to talk a lot, Ymili had noticed, but she didn't mind at all. It filled the silence she had always struggled to fill.

"You didn't just use the word spooky", Ymili snorted, sipping her cider.

"But it IS spooky", Ashley insisted, licking whipped cream from her lips and putting down her hot chocolate. Ymili couldn't stop looking at her heart-shaped lips, looking so familiar and promising and unreachable it made her dead heart ache.

"All that's missing now is a hot vampire sitting in the corner."

Ymili grinned wide, noticing how Ashley's eyes wandered to her mouth and got stuck not only on her lips, but something different. One girl had taken her artificial fangs out to eat and drink; the other had not.

Ashley grew redder by the second, her face, hair and bloody throat slowly becoming a matching set.

"I don't usually do this, you know. This- this is my first date", she blurted out, her eyes hopping back and forth between Ymili's sharp smile and black eyes, unable to decide.

"Don't worry", Ymili said, casually tucking a lost red curl behind the other girl's ear.

"You don't either?", Ashley asked, hope obviously bubbling up her throat like the carbon dioxide up the glass of cider, but Ymili knew she had to disappoint.

"I used to", she answered, trying to avoid the topic. "Until three years ago."

"What happened?"

"The person I used to go on dates with died."

Ashley bit her lip, already regretting her question. She showed her every emotion so clearly on her face like only a mortal was able to.

"I'm sorry."

Ymili swallowed a mouthful of cider, focusing on the perfect girl in front of her.

"You...", she began but hesitated, then put down her glass. "You kind of remind me of her."

It was a lie. Ashley reminded Ymili A LOT of her dead lover.

Ashley sat still, sweet green eyes watching black ones, until she whispered into the silence.

"Is that a good or a bad thing?"

Ymili put her hand on the other girl's and warmth spread through her, her mouth suddenly too dry to answer. She licked her lips. Finally, she'd found the right one. She could feel it.

Ashley flinched at the sudden cold, and Ymili watched the little hairs on her arm rise one by one.

"It's a good thing."

☆☆☆

"I want to show you something", Ymili said after they left the restaurant and walked through fallen leaves on the pavement. Every time Ashley took a step, it crunched beneath her boots. Ymili's steps did not.

"What is it?", Ashley asked, running to keep up with the other girl's long legs.

"It's a surprise, stupid", Ymili replied softly, absorbing the innocent, girly shine of Ashley's eyes after she said it like it was the last sunrise she'd ever see. So naïve and young, but a will harder than diamond. She would withstand the turning; she was strong enough to finally end Ymili's loneliness.

It couldn't be a coincidence that she met her now. Ymili had never believed in the gods; had never found piece in praying, never had felt like her life was anything but her own - but then again, she had never needed to wonder what lay beyond, what came after. Until three years ago.

This was meant to be.

After five minutes had passed and they hadn't arrived, Ashley got fuzzy, playing with her sleeves and biting her lip.

Ymili waited patiently, but it annoyed her. Why did mortals bother? Why wait?

Five minutes later, she finally broke.

"Can I ask you something?"

Ymili nodded, already suspecting what was coming. Although there was a very good chance her grave loneliness would be obliterated today, doubt crawled through her veins and prompted her fingers to pull out her cigarettes. Or, what looked like cigarettes to humans. Unfortunately, the stuff wasn't being made anymore.

"What was her name?"

Ashley's voice was only a whisper, almost drowned out by the clicking of Ymili's lighter. She dragged on her not-cigarette, inhaling deep and exhaling green smoke.

"Her name was Corina."

Ymili's otherwise strong voice faltered. The name felt raspy and old on her tongue. A treasure not talked about in three years that had, without anyone noticing, began to rot.

"That's- That's a nice name", Ashley murmured, hugging herself. Ymili was glad that she didn't pressure for more information; that she understood that the topic was over.

The girl now seemed little beside her; her shoulders were hunched up because of the chilly evening air, making her even smaller than she already was.

Ymili took another drag, this time blowing the smoke directly into the other girl's face. Green wafted around her face like fog.

Ashley crunched up her nose in the most wholesome way possible, a smile splitting her face in half and making her freckles dance across her cheeks.

"Stop, it's making me dizzy."

"Do you mean the bad kind of dizzy", Ymili began, grabbing the girl by her hip and pulling her closer, "or the good kind?"

Ashley shivered while leaning into her touch, her body yielding like a dying soldier beneath Ymili's fingers.

But something was standing between them still.

Ymili could feel it like a wall just beyond the other girl's skin, built brick by brick over the years. Ashley was still biting her lip.

"What's wrong?", she whispered in the girl's ear.

Ashley fumbled with her sleeves, not looking her in the eyes.

"Do you... still love her?"

That question was unexpected, and Ymili didn't answer. Didn't want to.

Ashley tucked a stray curl behind her ears, stumbling over her own words.

"I mean, if you could... would you bring her back? Or, like, would you-- would you be ready for another relationship?"

Ymili tightened the grip on Ashley's hip, forcing her to look into her eyes, emerald green overwhelming her senses again.

Her dead heart felt heavy with emotion and her fingers tingled.

"I'm here with you", she said softly, slowly. Her lips twisted into a smile, pointed teeth shining in the evening glow.

"What do you think?"

☆☆☆

Dirt crunched under Ashley's boot as they pushed open the squeaky old gate that had been there as long as Ymili could remember. Its delicate swirls were winding up and down the entrance like once silver snakes and seemed to move if you watched them for too long. Rust spread over it like weed, oxygen having eaten up the metal for so long it crumbled beneath a touch. Ymili didn't need to read the barely lit sign above to know where they were, but she followed Ashley's gaze up to it regardless.

"The cemetery?", Ashley asked quietly, her brows furrowed. "You want to show me the cemetery?"

"Something inside", Ymili answered. She watched Ashley hesitate, her features crunching up in undecidedness. Her body was illuminated by the streetlamp behind her, making her silhouette glow, but Ymili could've sworn the light was coming from within her; the fire inside the girl finally coming out, radiating from her body in waves.

She held open the gate for her, rust staining her fingers.

"You coming?"

Ashley nodded, slowly walking past her and flinching when the gate fell closed with a screech.

"Nervous about being in a cemetery at night?", Ymili teased and, surprisingly, Ashley took her hand and squeezed.

"Not when you're with me."

Ymili smiled a toothy smile, resisting the urge to bury her teeth in the girl's neck already. She'd just drunk and obliterated her thirst for another month yesterday, but it was rare you met someone that sweet. How sweet would her blood be, then?

But no, that would have to wait.

Ymili determinedly walked through the cemetery, pulling Ashley with her. They passed old and fresh graves, some withered and some freshly planted, their headstones throwing eerie shadows in the pale moonlight.

The air was filled with the grounding, natural smell of earth and wet stone and, just underneath it, too delicate to be located by a mortal's nose, there was the fresh, lovely smell of death.

Ymili felt like home.

It hadn't changed a lot since she'd been here yesterday night, the winding, little path of pebbles still leading right to where she always wanted to be. Ashley peeked out behind her shoulder after they'd stopped, her hand squeezing tighter.

'What... why?"

The freshly dug up grave loomed like a shadow in front of them, so deep they couldn't quite make out the bottom from where they were standing. But Ymili knew exactly what hid deep down in the dark.

With every second passing in silence, the girl beside her seemed to get more tense. Actually, Ymili had wanted to point out the headstone above, the name deeply engraved within the ordinary stone, marking it forever as her pilgrimage destination, but Ashley interrupted her thoughts.

"Look, let's just--"

She tried to pull away and Ymili held on just a second longer only to let go abruptly and send the girl stumbling back, pebbles crunching underneath her. As fast as she'd let go she now stepped forward, catching the clumsy, clumsy girl in her arms.

"Careful", she warned softly. "The path's slippery."

Ashley looked up at her, eyes reflecting the moonlight like tiny snow globes.

"Can we leave, please?"

"Her voice was a whimper, and Ymili stood up straight.

"I'm sorry", she said. "I didn't want to scare you. I wanted to show you Corina's grave; but it seems like it was... replaced."

"Oh."

Ashley's muscles relaxed as she took in the view, the name engraved on the headstone, the dark hole beneath.

"Ymili", she whispered while entwining her arm with hers, "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright", she answered after a pause, then grinned down at the girl.

"I thought you liked spooky things?"

"I do! But... I don't particularly like freshly dug up graves at night that seem to be waiting for me."

"That's a shame", Ymili said, stepping closer to the grave and looking down. The casket was open, the red satin nestling inside glittering in the moonlight.

"It looks so comfortable."

Ashley wasn't following, and Ymili looked back and held out her hand when the girl didn't react.

"Want to lay down with me?"

"Don't be silly."

"But vampires do sleep in caskets, don't they?"

"We're not vampires."

"Says who?"

Ashley hesitated, a small smile forming on her lips.

"You are so strange."

Ymili's hand hadn't moved, hadn't even flinched or trembled. Ashley hesitated again, but when the other girl still didn't move, she sighed.

Her hand felt warm inside of Ymili's.

They hopped down, staining the satin with dirt. When Ymili descended, Ashley reluctantly followed, the two lying face to face.

"Satisfied?", Ashley asked when Ymili just stared at her, the human's heart rate rising so obviously it made the other girl shiver.

"Don't be afraid", Ymili whispered, pulling Ashley closer and letting her lips trail her neck. "We're just two girls lying in a grave together on Halloween. Nothing strange to see here. Absolutely ordinary."

Ashley giggled, resting her fist on Ymili's chest.

The vampire pulled back the human's hair, baring the pale neck.

She let her lips grace the soft spot just above the collar.

The girl beside her shivered.

And then, Ymili bit down.

☆☆☆

"What the--?"

Ashley flinched, her back crashing into the soft, red wall of the casket. She put her small hand over her wounded neck and red drizzled over her fingers.

Ymili licked blood from her lips, unable to cover the manic grin spreading all over her face. She'd waited all day, and finally, finally, she could taste the other girl on her tongue.

Oh, she was even sweeter than she'd imagined.

She was still savouring the taste when Ashley attempted to get up, her limbs trembling in panic, desperately trying to get a grip in the soft fabric.

With one fast movement, Ymili grabbed her wrist and yanked her back down, holding her in place.

"I thought you liked vampires", she whispered, mouth so close to the girl's ear she could feel the little hairs on it rising, before the casket shut.

Ashles cried out as a black as deep as the night engulfed them both completely. Ymili cupped the girl's face, cooing like she was but a child, a futile attempt to calm her down.

Her every muscle was tense, fragile human hands gripping her side, her shoulders, her face, everything the girl could get a hold on in the dark. The smell of blood and panic filled the casket, almost overwhelming Ymili's senses.

When Ashley didn't shut up, Ymili put her hand over her mouth, muffling her voice. Ashley was still fighting, still kicking and whimpering, her hair sticky from blood. Ymili didn't see it, but now her hair and neck really did fit together. The fake blood the silly girl had put on her neck had been replaced by the real stuff. She'd wanted it this way, hadn't she?

Ymili tightened the grip on Ashley's head, holding her in place when she put forehead against forehead.

For a few seconds even the whimpers disappeared, and when it felt like it was the right time, Ymili began to speak, as she had a lot of times now.

At first, the foreign words had been difficult to recite, and she'd stumbled over every few words; but now, she would've been able to speak them in her sleep. Her lips moved smoothly, her tongue sharply; it was nothing but a whisper, a prayer spoken under one's breath, nothing anyone would suspect at all.

But Ymili could feel its impact, again and again. The cold rushing through her already frozen bones, her jaw locking in place, the girl beside her shivering, trembling, shaking.

When she finished, Ymili removed her hand from Ashley's mouth, weak cries escaping into the dark. She kissed the girl on her sweaty forehead.

"I'll see you soon", she whispered. The words were a prayer, a beg, a demand.

Ashley suddenly grabbed her face, long, black fingernails digging into her skin like little knives despite the lacking strength the girl should have left in her body. It was practically dying, after all.

But seconds later, there was nothing to grab onto anymore.

And then there was again.

Ymili stood beside the grave now, listening to the muffled screams as Ashley discovered she was holding nothing but an old skull in her hands.

Discovered she was completely alone in a casket fit to her size.

Ymili turned away from the grave and put down her backpack, carefully opening it and pulling candle after candle out from within.

The arrangement was a routine by now. Candles of all sizes found their places around the grave, their spots already marked by their predecessors.

Ashley's cries and screams quieted down until there was nothing to be heard but a whimpering, and then, after a while, nothing at all. She fell quiet as a girl in a grave should be. Rightness filled Ymili's dead heart from the bottom to the top.

She knew she should feel bad, feel sorry for yet another girl she'd sacrificed, another girl she'd buried. But the truth was: she was beyond it.

She had no beating heart to mourn the dead; no blood to give to the poor.

Dirt stained her pants as she sat down and began to wait, to hope.

Ymili had only one goal.

☆☆☆

When white light began to filter through the clouds above, Ymili got nervous. She paced around the graveyard, never straying far from the grave.

What if it hadn't worked again? When she'd met Ashley, all fiery hair and emerald eyes, she'd been so sure. How could it be that someone looked so much like Corina without being the one who could withstand?

She'd been here so many times, with so many girls, over and over again. She'd travelled all around the globe, just for this moment. She didn't want to wait anymore. With every year, she could feel the connection weaken, her loneliness and longing increasing. Ymili wouldn't find someone better than Ashley, she was sure.

She was the perfect girl. Had to be.

Oh, what would she do, if it failed again?

She sat down at the grave again, careful to avoid the burning black candles all around her. Shadows danced across the wooden surface of the casket like ghosts escaping their shells, like Ymili's ghost never had. The half-light of dawn made it look gloomy, lifeless despite the movement.

Don't let this be the end, Ymili prayed.

Bring her back to me.

Her nerves brimmed with anxiety when birds began to chirp. When the first car drove by. When the bell struck five o'clock. When the world around her kicked into motion while she was stuck in the past and watched the first candles burn dangerously low.

Her already dead heart wouldn't be able to take it, if it didn't work again. It would finally turn to ash, as it should have four centuries ago.

When the bell struck six, Ymili raised her head to the sky with trembling lips, right at the moment the sun peeked out from behind the mountains in the distance.

Its light kissed the gravestones and grass, damned the candles all around futile and touched Ymili so reluctantly at first that even a mortal could have noticed.

When the light reached the casket, all the candles went out with a strange, hissing sound. It made Ymili jump up, anxiety filling her head, her dead heart actually sputtering to life, beating a few beats before stopping again. A biological instinct in her trying to pump blood through her body where there was none.

Still, it hadn't happened in almost 400 years. The force made Ymili's legs almost give out beneath her, left her gasping for air, not being used to anything but poison in her veins.

When she'd collected herself, everything seemed as before.

Candles, graves, dirt...

But the casket.

Where there had been nothing seconds before, a weak knocking pierced the silence, the sound almost forcing Ymili to her knees again.

Oh, god, it had worked.

It had actually worked.

At first, she couldn't move, couldn't get her muscles to obey. She hadn't even really believed in it, hadn't really expected it to work, especially after three years of complete failure.

When she was able to shake off her paralysation, she stumbled forward, ripping open the casket door with such a force she teared it away from the rest of it.

And really: faint green eyes looked up at her, much darker than before. Ashley's skin was ashen, blue veins shooting across her eyelids like lightning when she blinked. A perfume like rain and forests and death had replaced that of panic and blood, making Ymili's soul flutter with hope and a certainty that she couldn't let herself feel fully yet.

"Ymili...?", the girl whispered weakly while the one in question helped her stand up from the grave, legs trembling.

"I'm here", Ymili whispered back, watching Ashley, who let her dizzy eyes trail over the candles, the cemetery, the grave and its inscription.

Or rather, what had once been Ashley's body.

Ymili could already feel the shift in presence; the way she moved and forced her curly hair behind her ear, the way she walked the few steps determinedly despite her weak legs, and the eyes... as if she could ever forget the expression, the colour, the soul in those eyes.

The girl in question now smiled, baring fangs so new and sharp they could've cut through diamond like it was butter.

"Took you long enough."

Ymili laughed from the bottom of her soul, tears threatening to rise in her dark eyes. She hugged the girl in front of her, showering her face in kisses while the mild October-sun rose behind them.

"Haven't even learned patience in death, have you?"

They kissed, sweet and bloody, and Ymili swore that although she had lived for almost four centuries, nothing had ever been as long as the last three years.

When they leaned forehead against forehead as they always had, Corina whispered: "I adore you in black."

Ymili chuckled but it sounded like a sob.

"I'm never going to let you go ever again, Corina."

☆☆☆

Shortstory inspired by @thewritersgarden #spookywritober2020 on instagram

Circa 3987 words

[glitchfan0002]

Feathers and Blood

It took a long bit of the day at the Kuronekos for Humra’s mission to hug every one of her siblings involved in this successful escape. She hugged, cried, and let her dear family speak to her. The endeavor was tiresome enough, but now only one victim remained; herself. 

..And no, not her present self, but rather the self that was holding on and sulking in the closet. 

Humra reached the room, took a deep breathe, and approached the closet, “..Hello..?” She asked the other. 

No answer. 

Huh. 

“Helloo..?” Humra knocked on the door, “Hana..? Are you in the-”

“Go away! I know you won’t fill your end of the deal. So go and let me rot!” 

Sighing, the teen pressed her ear against the door, exclaiming, “You won’t rot, though! We won’t let you, Hana! A-and besides..I’ve thought about it and..a-and..” 

“And what?” The closet monster snapped.

“...I’m a girl of my word. Come on out, and I’ll...slay you..”

Silence. Hana was extremely shocked to hear about something like that. Humra? Slay her? This sweet little girl, raised by birds, family, and love..slay her own self? 

“You’re lying....” The spacial self growled, holding her knees up to her chest, and starting to cry more, “You won’t do it. You can’t. You’re too soft..” The woman started to feel the effects of them being so close together. “...Although if you keep talking-”

“I know.” Humra on the other side was holding her head, but kept her determined smile to stay conscious, “-And I’m not lying. I need you to come out, so I can fulfill my promise. Please? I really don’t want to do this, but if you want it..” Inside, the bird had a plan that would hopefully work well! 

Another pause, a cackle, some weeping, until finally a defeated sigh of, “..Okay.” 

“Okay?”

“O..kay...” Hana growled in nausea and sick, and got up towards the door. 

The more close they came towards each other, Humra felt her world to spin faster and faster, sicker and nauseous. She found herself stepping back against the bed as the closet door click opened. Holding her head, she steadied her breathing, and when Hana slowly limped out, Humra felt like she was looking at a mirror. Of course the other looked more weakened, pale, mystic, and younger looking but..

The aura, specifically. It was very creepy. The sweat formed over her head, when Humra just sat on the bed, staring at awe, “H-Hana..?”

Meanwhile, the other-while looking paled and sickly as well, still sat up straight and seemed to be enjoying the feeling regardless of a lack of smile. Hana didn’t stop moving forward, “Get right to the point. Now come on, kill me. Get on with it.” She moved a hand towards the others’ face, “Get on--”

“Okay! Okay-! Just-step back, please-!” Humra breathed, putting out her hands and wincing, “J-just. Let..me-!” She stepped back, away from her. While she tripped, the bird caught herself, wary, and glancing up at the other, “I just..need a breather..” 

That stares from Hana were unnerving enough! But..Humra had to do this. “..Um..” Humra grew nervous, “Okay..so how do you-I mean..before I just..” She stuttered until finally, “I...here..” With that, the teen took a deep breathe, stepped forward, and tightly embraced the other, shutting her eyes, “..Please..is there anything I can-”

“No!” The other gasped, trying to shove Humra away, “No! No hugging! This is-! No, Humra-!!” She tried wiggling, but the more she did, the more weakened she was. This was the same for the other. However, the bird wasn’t letting go. 

“I won’t. I don’t know you..” Humra the hugged breathed shallowly, refusing to close her eyes from unconscious, “But I want you to know you’re loved..! I love you..! You don’t need to be alone-!” 

“Humra! If you do this-!!!!!”

“I know...” Humra smiled, stepping forward, and feeling the both of them fading into one, “Y-you don’t.....have to be...alone.....” She wheezed, feeling the pain in her body shouting at her to stop. “Hana...the other told........me....this feels...right...”

Hearing this, the struggling white-haired space girl finally stopped, and felt tears in her eyes. She felt what love felt like. A heart, Humra’s memories..! Humra, meanwhile, felt the pain from Hana; the loneliness....the power!

Everything was overwhelming. Space, time, and eternity! 

Holding so tightly, Humra finally collapsed in a burst of light, clutching herself, shaking, and feeling the both of them become one. It was similar to how her Time-Self gave apart of herself..but not all of it. On her knees, Humra slumped over, holding her mouth and feeling herself ache. It was way too much! Her insides were on fire, and the moment that she closed and opened back her eyes, her skin was melting into the floor. Her bones felt frail, and if she hadn’t uncovered her mouth, Humra felt she’d be losing something vital. 

This was bad..this was very bad! The Hana side was scolding herself saying this was beyond idiotic. Not only had they merged together, but now they were sharing vast information that could not be held by a mortal mind. Hana was shouting at her. Oooh that shouts were almost shrieking inside of her how the both of them are going to be doomed. 

Yet, in their hearts, they knew. Humra knew from the very first time they were going to be doomed. She was merely determined to at least give love to someone who lacked any form of it. Even if it meant risking her own life. 

Humra wanted so much to have merged with all three to show them how happy their lives could be, but now that everything was fading, the white-haired guessed that at least she fulfilled her promise to Hana. Both of them would be slayed. 

Accepting her fate was always easy in the face of death. She felt like Death was such a familiar entity to her. Her throat was closing up for good, her lungs clenching for air, and her heart beating vigorously, Humra looked to her arm. Why? She wasn’t sure, but the arm with her mark. Upon looking at it, it wasn’t just a mark anymore, but hope. Two wishes could be granted to her, and ones that-she realized-what her other selves dearly wanted; a safe timeline to be with Yoshiya without danger and restarting this one...or the wish to live forever with him, and be able to protect. 

Right..there was hope, right? Hope..! 

Bowing her head, and looking away, Humra bit her tongue, and tried to willfully wish for hope. She needed it. Everyone needed it! Only hope could bring people forward in this life and go on living this beautiful life! 

Her arm shone red, and the tattoo seemed to have come to life. The Honedge emerged, but it was red, dark purple, and beamed with such an unknown but familiar aura. 

...No. This was her imagination right? 

Humra wished more and more within her thoughts. That was the last place she could chant for herself to keep hope alive. Nothing was happening after moment of repeating. Looking back up as much as she can, feeling her vision fading and her face melting to the ground, she spotted lights ahead. They were familiar as well-in fact those were her parents! No-she couldn’t yet, though. 

Despite wanting to reach out, the moment the teen denied the vision to close her eyes. A loud pierce through her chest was felt through her. Humra looked down, and spotted that the sword Pokemon had stabbed through her. It only added to the pain, and yet it seemed to have removed a tremendous weight from her. Humra felt like she could feel the pressure from her heart fade away.

At the end, Humra was most transfixed on the shadowy aura. It was her’s. She knew that..was it in her body..? 

Before questioning, however, the teen finally shut her eyes. The wish was still on her mind. Hoping..pleading for this to happen. Her wish..

The ghost sword quivered when the melting and ruined body of Humra was shining in a beam of light. They were coming back together in a new form. From her bones and the body leftover, feathers started to form, talons, teeth, and a beak bloomed within that light. It was reminiscent of when a Pokemon evolves; it becomes enveloped in light and after a pause, and a quick change, they were different. 

The light and the Honedge disappeared and in the new clean space-as if nothing had occurred-a body softly fell to the floor. There, laid a young bird. White-silver feathers, talons, wings, a tail, some scales, and a pink underbelly. She was not large, and was the same size as her old self. 

There, the new bird lay not in her blood, but in feathers that were shed in the evolution. 

What remained of Humra’s body were her glasses, pokeballs, and trinkets from her hair. 

After the situation had passed, and the Kuroneko home was filled with familiar sounds once more from the downstairs, a Garchomp nudged her way into the room. Terra was worried for Humra at first, but now overjoyed by what she found on the ground! A bird! A small Lugia for her to eat and play with! 

Grinning, Terra rushed over, scooped the bird in her teeth like a dog-pokemon with a new toy, and decided to show everyone the prize she received! 

Her trainer would be found, the Garchomp reasoned among the excitement.