Back To Talking To Myself And Crying Here Cause This World Isn't For Me

Back to talking to myself and crying here cause this world isn't for me 💜

Those Eyes:Ch.1 ||KTH

»chapter 1: Missed Meeting (Masterpost)

»ratings: Pg-13

➝genre: romance,fluff,angst,smut (might add smut if I ever get requested,else,it has none rn)

➝summary: it's a mystery how two pair of eyes finds solace in each other,when they are strangers and when they are not. can they solve the mystery their eyes behold and explore beyond the horizon of their workaholic life?

➝section warning: making out

➝wc: 4.6k

"I'm sorry but you're being absolutely ridiculous right now sir," after getting out of the elevator you finally glared at the man before you who shifted uncomfortably underneath your piercing glares as all his smugness left his stupid self upon hearing you,"ms. kim I-I didn't intend to-"

tsk. what happened to that distasteful confidence of his.

“I hope you know sir how unprofessional you were being in the elevator as well as in the office this few past days with me.This time sir,” you exhaled, locking your eyes with his,“you have crossed the line. I do not intend to be unprofessional here, hence, I will not expose what unscrupulous remarks you were implying on me in this very elevator."

You stated loud and clear as everyone in the cafeteria was awestruck at your undaunted bravery, "i-its not like what y-your'e imagining-"

tsk. this guy doesn't even have some confidence.

"Even though I am quite a newbie here, I would like to express some of my prerogatives here sir. Along the lines of, you're not only aggravating the womenfolk working here but also you're constantly hampering your dignity, self respect , pride, poise, nobility & self worth here in this very company. Hence I strongly yet respectfully suggest you to fix your perverted bugs floating in your brain so you perhaps can achieve your career aspirations. This is certainly an easy forward task. Thus as you're the brain of this company if you work on it you absolutely will cut a good figure. Therefore, waste no time on scandalous activities; you're young. I suggest you make best use of your time."

You finish with your lips forming into a tight thin smile that only show cased how pissed you were.

The guy nodded clearing his throat to get some words out, "I apologize miss. I definitely will work on myself from now on" and with a polite bow he practically ran for his poor life.

You stand there proudly watching him leave as faint clapping soon grew into rounds of applause. Your eyes instantly roamed around the cafeteria to find each of them smiling proudly at you. You felt a little shy as you smiled at them bowing.

.

As everyone went back to what they were doing your eyes landed on the far corner of the cafeteria with pleasant view showcasing outside where a smirking Mirae and a gleeful eyed Auri sat there with a broad smile.

You had to roll your eyes seeing the way Mirae's smirk turned into a cocky grin as you neared to their table, “𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 out there Kim Y/N” her smirk grew only wider as you sat on the chair between their's.

"Oh please. Dating doesn't even make sense in the first place. He is a low class playboy" you spat as they both chuckle at your raging anger. "You were for a reason the school's heart breaker after all" Auri teased further but you ignored it stealing a strawberry from Mirae.

"Not funny" you roll your eyes throwing the natural sweet fruit into your mouth. "You know it's just 'that' human things. Don't give a damn bruh." Mirae scrunched her nose distastefully remembering that pervert guy's perverted moves towards her when she was a newbie. She never bought it and she threw his scrupulous remarks effortlessly but seems like you did the final touch sending him in the place where he belongs with your professional words that you're quite always famous for.

"Yes.That's the point.That bastard is a human. 'Human' yes this is the problem!" You spat taking a long sip of your coffee brows arching together in annoyance.

"Since high school you two talk like you're not human yourself tsk tsk." Auri dramatically face palmed.

"Well we stated the obvious bitch!" you both yell out in unison bursting into laughter followed by Auri's cute chuckle.

"Well well well look who is having fun without me" you scrunched your nose noticing two long hands with slender fingers snaking around Mirae's neck going further for a back hug. Your eyes roamed over her figure to her face; her pink painted lips pouted as she pressed her head with Mirae's,tightening the hug. Mirae went still when realization strucked her brain terrifically as her face went pale with half of the piece of strawberry out and half in her mouth. Her pleading eyes looked at both you & Auri in a manner that said,

save me y'all

tsk let our poor Mi breath at least Jae-ah, "you see there's a seat next to Mi on her left, why not take that seat instead of clinging on to her and join our 'Fun' chat" you sass with a thin smile plastered which you absolutely know Jae-ah will not get.

“So silly of me” her high pitched laughter echoed through the area as she took the seat letting go of Mirae. Mirae let a sigh of relief chewing the strawberry finally as the senior interpreter & translator of this company stared at her in awe.

Yes, Jae-ah thinks Mi is her 'that' friend since high school.

She finally averted her gaze to meet yours, "That was incredible right there yn-ah! I'm glad that I can see more of your savage remarks now that we work in the same company! I missed them since we graduated"she pouted as your lips curled up.

"Well I missed her a lot though we were in contact but virtual communication doesn't feel same like real life communication does," Auri dramatically hugged her, "We are so happy to be completed again after five years."

"Let's again work hard & have fun together babe" Mirae cooed feeding you a piece of carrot that you don't know how the hell appeared on the table all of a sudden. Mi and her carrots bruh.

You smile chewing,"Look at all of us being so successful, imma tear up" you fake cry as everyone chuckled.

"My my look who I meet just after my arrival?! Is that you Y/n?" You heard a somewhat familiar annoying voice from your back coming closer. Emphasizing each words of her last sentence.

"Oh Good afternoon Ms.Shina" the name leaving Auri's mouth in a polite way as she stood up and bowed made you almost choke. Bro? It's our popular queen Shina of the same high school you all went as well as our well..friend? Why is she being formal with her?

You dramatically stood up from your chair turning to meet a caked up woman, lips painted a thick shade of red, "It's been a while Shina?" you greet, lips pressed into a thin smile. Yes that was sarcasm. She seems to understand and widened her eyes in amusement,"Still the same Y/n I see"

"Of course, look at you? You haven't changed at all as well" you sass.

"By the way Shina is one of the video game testers here! And she is absolutely good at her job." Auri fake laughed trying to ease up the tension around.

That lit Shina's mood as you mentally eye roll. The only thing she is good at is being full of herself. "Our Y/N is the new game designer here. But along with her job she has shown perfect professionalism and gained trust of all the employees here within such a short time." you look at Mirae still sitting beside, not giving a fuck about Shina's presence as she admired her nails. That made you smile inside at how Mi has not change one bit.

"Yeah. It's only been one week and she is considered the best here. Shina might fail fawning her own charm to others" Jae ah added giggling making Mirae chuckle and grin at Shina.

Shina looked taken a back as her eyes inspected every one of you but her sweet smile didn't falter, "Oh my gosh. Jae ah what the hell are you saying? I'm obviously happy that Y/N gained popularity here.We are all friends after all,”she smirked,“I was in France for a week and I see a lot happening ,wow, and I must have a load of works waiting as well" Shina purred the last sentence with fake laughs coming from her.

"Don't worry Jihyo, Sana & Minnie did a great job covering up for you!" Jae-ah replied.

"As always" Mirae cooed smirking as Shina digged holes on her back. "Mira-"

" M'am! Mrs. Choi called for you immediately" a very slim woman came in a rush cutting the mad Shina from almost jumping at Mirae. The woman looked very familiar to you and in a second you recognized when Shina called her name, "Oh my. Is my mother waiting for too long Ae sook ah?" Ae sook nodded, fear written on her eyes scaring everything outta Shina. So her right hand is now her assistant? Not surprised.

Shina turned trying to gain her composure again but the beads of sweat said something else, "Anyways I need to attend a personal meeting now. I'm eagerly waiting for your presentations in the future meetings Y/N. Let's test your professionalism, shall we?"

Her stupid smirk made her look more distasting, "Well why not? I'll show you, not that I care about your 'test' but because it's fun seeing you getting frustrated?" she pretended to not hear you as she turned to her heels but her glare said it all.

Mirae jumped infront of all of you shoving a piece of carrot into each of your mouth, "well let's save our 'fun chat' for another time as it just got ruined and lunch time is almost over and also the new CEO will be arriving in any hour."

She practically yelled at the reminder of today's meeting for the new CEO. "New CEO?" You asked amazed not knowing anything about it.

"Holy shit. I almost forgot today our current CEO is going to hand his business over to his son" Auri panicked. "How did we forget this? I gotta go prepare a lot" ,Jae-ah waved at y'all quickly, practically running out from the cafeteria.

"How come I wasn't informed?" you wonder. "Well maybe you weren't there or something Y/n-ah it's okay now you know beforehand at least", Auri pats you as you nodded smiling.

"Just be sure to be there or I'm dead as I'm in charge of rechecking every employee's presence" Mirae chuckles ruffling your hair as you three step in the elevator ready for another several hours of work.

.

You head to your cubicle as a happy Tzuyu waves at you, "Good afternoon! Had a great time?" you smiled at your coworker, "Very much great I swear!"

Nayeon chuckled as you huff a tired sigh,"Seems like its gonna be greater."

Your head snapped at her giving her a confused look as your right brow arched upward. "Did you bring the file?" she grinned.

shit. Your confused gaze turned into a terrific one as millions of scenarios played into your head. Solar sure is the most generous,kind & sweet woman but when it comes to work she got no mercy. Strict as hell.

Solar is gonna kill me. You groaned running one hand through your hair. How could you forget something this important? Today is not really your day.

"Aigoo! stop scaring her nayeonnie~" Tzuyu chuckled throwing a piece of crumpled paper at nayeon as she laughed.

"Oh c'mon I'm telling the truth!'' she ruffled your hair enjoying your frustrated state. "Idiot!You can go and bring it.Right now?''

right now? how? its gonna take hours even if you leave now? Plus what if you take a lot of time? In one word 'impossible'

"Possible but hard." Tzuyu arched her brows together rubbing on her temple in a thinking manner. Did she just fight with your thoughts? Nayeon nodded, "You better leave right away sis."

"Leave?who?" a familiar voice asks wondering as your head snapped towards the top of your cubicle.

There stood Mirae ; your only ray of hope at the moment. "Yo! You look sick? shit lemme help!'' she panicked. You instantly get up taking her hands into yours with pleading eyes,

"i do need help"

.

"Bro how can you forget something so important to solar?" Mirae yelled for the nineteenth time. She's been panicking for the past ten minutes not caring how much she is cursing at work hours.

"I mean I would say nothing if it was Soojin-", mirae's gaze softened when she meets your frustrated state. She pats your shoulder consoling you & herself, " Calm down! calm down! Its nothing to worry about." she chuckled nervously watching you scoff. "Okay,i mean it is. but it can be solved. you just go back & bring that file asap. simple."

simple? you look at her shocked as she shifts uncomfortably biting her lower lip.she knew what she was saying. 'you got no other choice.' she mouths fiddling with her finger.

"Listen." ,she barks suddenly gaining her confidence, "Trust me. I'll handle everything. Just some hours it is right? thats nothing for me." she said nonchalantly leaning closer to you, winking. Her reassuring tone calmed you down a bit.

you knew when Mirae meant to save anyone she really meant it with her life. "Also bet Solar is gonna be late as she's busy with the-" she stops and starts as realization hits the tip of her tongue,"shit what am I gonna do with the 'new CEO's arrival meeting" she facepalmed as your mouth went dry again.

"Don't worry, y/n is a newbie, she will not be asked for as its practically just the new CEO talking. We really need the file, else, the graphic designs might be postponed for another week.'' Tzuyu popped up almost like an angel.

Mi clapped her hands together smiling although you knew its gonna be a perilous step for her as she is the one assuring every stuffs presence, "Right y/n im gonna handle that too. Just go.'' she smiled at you as you stared at her with eyes full of guilt.

"But-"

"No buts just go!"

.

You sat on your couch head hanging low, your long straight hair messed up, gaze weekly fixed on your smartphone's time. 4:35 it flashed right at your eyes as if its mocking you.

Today even the time is against you. You're not even surprised at this point. Stupid Traffic tsk. You let out a painful laugh,groaning afterwards.Universe showed you karma for no reason today. Why always me?

Even after leaving at 3:30 in hope of reaching within 30 minutes; time completely played with you with its favorite weapon, the traffic. It was hell of a long ride of a total one hour. And when you finally reached it took a solid ten minute to find the file in the dustbin. The dustbin? For real? Were you drunk? The last time you were this irresponsible was back in high school when you lost your attendance sheet.

Even if you leave now it will take another hour and you'll reach after the office closes. and if it takes half an hour for you to reach; someone for sure will approach you and ask where you were. You should've been in the boring meeting where the CEO would be giving some common speech of making more profits by working together like any other CEO but here you were counting your last days.

You tap on the contact logo as staring at the time is of no use. Your eyes guiltily roamed to the contact of your savior. Mirae.

You stressed her enough by dropping a thousand pounds of pressure. If you apologize to her she sure will slap you even if you knew you were at guilt,she would never make you feel that.

She must be at the meeting but still you make a call, though you know its no use as the other line said , "The number you've called is currently switched off; please try again later." Hope she's not in trouble.

Its 5:00. No use of going back neither sitting here. Letting out a long sigh you get yourself up to take a shower. Needa relax your stiff body and messed up mind.

.

You took longer than usual in the shower to kill the time. You already had thought of searching for some jobs as this one is clearly at risk. You sigh looking at the clock. 6:00pm. Soon everyone will end their shift. You pick up your phone to call Mirae praying to God.At least she shouldn't lose her job. On forth ring she picked up as your breath hitched slightly.

"I think I'm losing my job?" you exhale.

"What? no.'' she nervously chuckles from the other side of the line.

nervous & Mi? This is the first time of this day you felt her being slightly nervous. That's when you knew you are absolutely doomed.

"Did I messed up big? Are you in troub-"you stopped as you heard an unfamiliar tone scolding Mirae? Is he the CEO? If he is you already can say he is one of that stuck up, egoistic, jerky once.

"I'm sorry it's not like I did something wrong? Why are you coming at me?" she replied strictly to the man,trying to not show her nervousness.

You heard faint sounds of the man chuckling. Sarcastically?

"Mi?-"

"Hey I'll be talking on our gc.Later.And solar doesn't even remember.She's busy, don't worry." she hurriedly said through gritted teeth yet trying to sound cheerful as usual.And she hung up.

She sounded more mad than nervous. God knows what happened.

.

VIP Hoomans

Y/N

Should I head back to the office? Is Mi in big trouble?

I'm so sorry guys. This is all my fault. I will do everything to save Mi's job istg.

Auri

Don't you dare blame yourself. Nobody's losing any job for a stupid reason tf-

Mirae

I have it all covered up. Don't even think like that. You're all safe.

Jae-ah

We are all human y/n.

We can forget dw.

and my Mirae handled everything professionally uwu

Auri

except one and very unprofessionally at that

she literally went hulk mode omg

Mirae

Auri. Dont dare.

Y/N

Shit.Did you mess up something sis?

Mirae

It has nothing to do w you y/n I swear!

Its just something between me & that jerk.

y/n

jerk?

perhaps you mean the CEO,right?

Auri

Nah,the ceo is very extraordinary & kind at heart.

Jae-ah

Yeah he promised us he'll make this company a living paradise from now on lol

Y/n

lol dramatic of him. Then who is it Mi is so mad at?

Auri

well well

Mirae is now enemy's w the new ceo's manager

Mirae

Also my coworker. And his cubicle happened to be right beside mine. How sweet, right?

Y/N

Wow so we finally found another competitive computer programmer aside of Mirae?

Auri

He is also an audio engineer.

Very genius and talented might I add.

Got his degree from Harvard.

Y/N 

Harvard?

Mirae

genius. my foot. Jeon Jungkook,stuck up jerk.

Auri

Oh. And snaps w his words. Mr.Jeon found it inappropriate and unacceptble as he found the senior programmer aka mi dozing off & looking disturbed in the middle of the meeting.

Mirae found her match,finally.

xD

Mirae

Y'all dont needa make me remember -.- 

and he's no match to me pfft

Jae-ah

Poor Mirae already was frustrated w all this fuss and now gave a bad first impression to him TT

Mirae

idgaf to that

Jae-ah

he also wanted to recheck if every employees were present..

Shina

And Mirae the trouble maker she is tried to block his way.Now he is suspecting more.

Mirae

How funny,right? Shina only pops up to suck tea and throw some blames here and there.

Shina

Oh my, is it your way to thank me for distracting that awfully handsome guy, love?

Jae-ah

you did nothing tho..?

he looked annoyed by you so he left lol

Mirae

the way i love you Jae ah ;)

anyways he should start counting his days backwards from now on because I'm sure as hell not going to be easy on him.

he might be the player but im always the coach.

Jae-ah

thats my Mirae 

y/n

here we go playing another round of 'Mi the fatal woman' XD

Auri

ok are we done w this drama?

Mirae

you started it m'am x)

ok so who's up for hanging out!?

its been so long istg.

Shina

me.

Mirae

look who's talking lol

Jae-ah 

it sounds fun!

Y/N

oh yeah why not? i need some fresh air anyways.

Auri

im totally up!~ but where ? 

Mirae

;)

Seoulmusement veshia! 

we are surely paying visit to the park of maze there as well ;)

-

You smiled to yourself keeping  your phone on the night stand as you head to your kitchen. Mirae will never stop recommending underrated places just because of their 'fancy' names. You've always felt lucky to have such helpful,supportive & selfless friend as Auri & Mirae by your side. Even if the world turns upside down you will be always their first priority. 

You take the pan to make your favourite half boiled noodles. After what happened today you mentally prepared yourself to add extra spice to feel the sadness. Everybody has their own way to mourn you know?  But after all of your friends saving you from this mess you're now beyond happy to do that. Instead you ended up adding extra mushrooms. After the noodles is done you turn off the stove and head to the drawing room. 

You jump on your comfy couch turning on the tv searching for your favourite cartoon 'shinchan' no matter how old you grow you're never gonna get bored of this cartoon. Shinchan has always been your role model for living life just the way you want to. You love how he doesnt care about anything and just goes on without any worry. After watching several episodes you watch some of your favourite vlogs & then continue a drama which you were watching lately. Tomorrow is your weekend so what could possibly go wrong if  you go to sleep late and over sleep? Nothing. You chuckle remembering your teenage days when you had no adult responsibilities and would sleep till afternoon & then Auri would wake you up when you were in the bathroom.

.

"Yah!" you tried escaping once more,  trying to turn to the left path but the strong hand pulled you once again to the small corner as both of your bodies almost collided together. Your breath hitched slightly at the sight before you but you tried to stay sane. The close proximity made both of you feel each others breaths on the lips. He trapped you between his arms staring at you with those eyes which always holds thousand of unspoken mystery,millions of truth untold. It always brought you into a totally different world. A world where only the two of you remained forever.

''You smell so sweet, I cant get enough of you.'' he inhaled the natural scent of your hair fondly which he does alot. Butterflies in your stomach told you just to feel this moment. Feel him close. His heart,his soul,him & those eyes. He loved playing with your hair. He placed a sweet kiss on your forehead  looking down at you  as he found you looking anywhere but him. He chuckles seeing you flustered as he lifts your chin to meet his gaze.

He takes your hand leading it to his bare chest as you grasped. He had his plain white shirt unbuttoned with his built chest on full display which you were trying to not look all this time. His hair was wet & messed up as his locks fell on his forehead. Too hot to handle. Your palm felt the warmth as it roamed around the area before he decided to place it on his heart,

"This.." he purred in a raspy voice leaning closer  his breath brushing on your lips making your heart stop,"it only keeps beating faster & faster everyday..what should I do Y/n -ah?" he exhaled.

''a-are y-you sick?..shouldn't you consult a doctor? instead of telling m-me?" you mentally curse for stuttering. You knew what he meant and could feel his heart beating fast against his chest but you couldn't prepare yourself yet. So you tried to joke. He chuckles seeing you uncontrollably blush, clear failed attempt of joking amusing him,

"What if you're the only doctor to my heart?" he smiled playing along as he caressed your cheeks. You struggled to let a word out. 

"Not gonna let you dodge this moment again Ms.Kim" he whispers biting slightly on your earlobe. You let out a unintentional moan which made him lose it completely.

"heal me.." with that two words said he crashed his lips with yours as your eyes widened not knowing what to do. He was moving his lips passionately not averting his gaze from you. You melted at his touch ; his hands roaming aggressively on your back and sides. The honey-like taste of his lips made your insides moan in pleasure. You looked at his  mesmerizing dreamy eyes before closing yours as both of your lips moved in sync. 

Just like both of your lips both souls connected like two last lost puzzles finally finding each others mate. The moment was intense,hot,passionate,needy yet the aura around you radiated true love & affection. As if he had no intention of letting you go. He waited for you,wanted you,needed you and now that you're here he wasn't letting you go any soon.

His hands slightly rose your shirt stroking the sides of your bare waist as you pulled him closer wrapping your arms around his neck feeling every bit of his lips. He moaned between the kiss as he took your upper lips biting it slightly,making you moan. He cupped your cheeks pulling your lower lips afterwards. The intensity made you lose it as you pulled his hair mouth leaving breathy moans. You were turning him on. So much.

Your back hit the wall as he pressed himself against you; lips finally leaving yours as you both breathed heavily on each other. He leaned close to your ear whispering, "Y/n-ah.." he purred;his usual soft voice getting deeper taking you to another realm as he breaths,"do you know..." he bit your earlobe as the touch of his lips trailed down to your jawline leaving open mouth kisses,

"..what is the strongest organ to fight with?" His gaze shifted to your confused face as  he left a soft peck on your lips chuckling.

 ''h-huh?'' finally you could utter something between this overpowering  heavily breaths. As you try to open your eyes your long eyelashes flatter leaving faint shadows of it; he didn't utter a word staring right through you as you did the same; gulping down his ethereal beauty. As he was drunk with your mesmerizing self; you.

"What do you mean ? What is it?" your eyes widened as his smirk widened as well followed by the next two words said,

"The tongue"  and suddenly with a thud it's all dark again.

.

“Wake the fuck up you dirty hoe.”

.

»next

Phew,your competition is you and you only Maisha,you hv to be better than yesterday. But the fight is your own. Don't dwell in sadness and feel compared. You got it <3 if success was easy then rn you would lie down as soon as you got a solid result. This is why there's a thin line of risk lingering in the air. And this is your cue to work harder for your ultimate goal.

GOD I HV GIVEN UP EVERYTHING JUST TO BECOME A DOCTOR SO PLEASE, PLEASE GRANT MY WISH AND GIMME GOLDEN IN HSC AND THAT CHANCE TO ENTER IN DMC. AMEEN. FORGIVE ME FOR MY SINS.

Of Ruin: Chapter 15 | KTH

(banner by @itaeewon)

Of Ruin (Masterpost)

Rating: NSFW - minors dni Genre: vampire!au magic!au royalty!au, s2l, slow burn, eventual smut, angst and fluff

Summary: Taehyung of House Rune, Prince of Infracticus has been cursed. You’re the human world’s leading curse-breaker. It should be simple. But unraveling the curse becomes the least of your problems in the face of a world on the brink of civil war… and the love you start to feel for the prince.

A/N: Thank you endlessly to @sailoryooons for betaing!!! 💕

//

Section Warnings: angst, kissing, not explicit penetrative sex wc: 5k

All of you need sleep. You and Namjoon had pulled an all-nighter in his grandfather’s office last night, writing the countercurse. Taehyung had spent the night, as he does every night, fighting to get out of his rooms, trying to hunt. Probably Jimin slept, but he’d also just fought off at least four Score soldiers.

Taehyung offers to let you sleep in his quarters, but you decline, wanting to practice the countercurse in private, work on the phrasing, and sit alone with your decision.

When his face falls, you step closer, pressing your palm to his cheek. He closes his eyes, exhausted, and leans into the touch.

“You should sleep,” you tell him gently. “Do you want my help?”

He shakes his head, and you lower your hand.

“No,” he says. “The cabinet is about to meet to discuss this morning’s attack. I imagine… Seokjin’s father will be arrested. Or, at least, an attempt will be made.”

“Have you heard from them?” you ask, meaning Seokjin and Jungkook.

Taehyung shakes his head. “I’ll find out soon enough - either they’ll be listed among the dead soldiers, or they’ll have gotten away. I don’t know anything yet.”

“Let me come back tonight?” you ask. “I want to know what’s happening.”

You’re not sure why you feel so tentative about it, after everything you’ve gone through together. You know by now that he wants you there. But it still feels, in your bones, like you’re stepping into a role that doesn’t belong to you, that you should not be allowed to claim.

“After supper?” he suggests. “Will that give you enough time?”

You shrug. “I would certainly hope so.”

You spend the rest of the day in your own rooms; Namjoon paces, anxious over Satuel.

“I think she’ll be okay,” you try to reassure him. “Taehyung’s a strong healer. Her speaking to us was a good sign.”

After a while, you rise and go to take a shower. You have dried vampire blood caked on your hands.

—

You go to Taehyung’s rooms earlier than planned. You meant to wait for him to summon you, but you are - like Namjoon - itching to find out if there’s news about Satuel, news about Seokjin, news about the attack. You’re itching to let the prince wrap his arms around you, to find comfort from the horrors you’d faced together only hours ago.

You’re surprised when Namjoon waves you off, surprised again when Dansoo agrees to escort you to the prince’s wing without an invitation.

Things are changing around here, you realize. People are starting to treat you like you belong in the prince’s rooms, like it’s natural for you to be there instead of in your own space.

When his personal guards open the door to let you in, you expect to find Taehyung on one of the couches, long legs stretched before him. Instead, his front room is empty. You continue on, calling his name, peering into the bedroom where you’d slept after your first night - and morning - together.

It’s empty as well.

You find him in what looks like an office, tall bookshelves flanking a floor-to-ceiling window that looks out over the sea. Taehyung stands with his back to you, head bowed, one hand played flat on the wood of the desk at the center of the room, his other hand buried in his hair.

“Taehyung?” you say quietly, taking a single step into the silent room.

He doesn’t turn. His shoulders shake. In the quiet, you can hear him take a shuddering breath.

“Tae?” you venture. You’re scared, suddenly. Did Satuel not make it? Seokjin, or Jungkook? Has Taehyung’s plan fallen apart before it could even begin?

When he turns, his eyes are red-rimmed and jet-black.

“What’s wrong?” you ask in a whisper. You’re so scared of the answer you can barely speak.

“I can’t do this,” he tells you, hoarse, almost sounding like his cursed self.

You step forward slowly, regarding him. “Which part?” you ask.

He shakes his head, chest jumping as he struggles to control his breathing. “Any of it. All of it. I’m not… I’m not smart enough for this, I’m not capable enough - I thought I could just wipe out hundreds of thousands of years of my people’s way of ruling and just… make my own?”

He starts pacing, and you watch him, worry starting to churn behind your belly button.

“Your plan is good,” you say firmly. “It’s good, Taehyung, and it’s important.”

“What if it fails?” he asks you, his voice breaking like shattered glass, littering the carpet between you. “What if I take power from my father, rip down tradition, and it just leads to more killing, more centuries of war? What if all I accomplish is the ruination of my house?”

“Then we try again,” you say, overcome by the urge to sweep up his fractured pieces and cup them in your bleeding hands. “If the first try fails, we step back and figure out a new way forward. That’s what you’re forgetting, Taehyung - you’re not alone. You’re not doing this on your own.”

He looks at you, unchanged, unconvinced.

“You want something better for everybody - something more fair, something that keeps your father’s actions from ever happening again. You’re willing to focus on what’s right, not what’s best for you… and people will see that. People will support you. If you’re forced to try another way, you’ll have the other houses behind you.”

“And if I succeed?” he counters, his expression hollow, his voice shaking. “I promised everyone justice. What if, for my father… justice means death?”

“You’ll be King by then,” you whisper. “Can’t you make sure that doesn’t happen?”

“That’s what I’m fighting against!” he shouts, a fist slamming the desk beside him before coming to cover his mouth. He bends around it, caving in with grief. Your hands itch to reach for him, to pull him close, to soothe his hurts. “If I am being fair, if I am being good, and right, and all that other bullshit you just told me I stand for - wouldn’t I let him face the justice he deserves?”

You don’t answer this. You don’t think you should.

He lowers his fist, meets your eyes again. Tears leak gently over his cheekbones, and you feel yourself welling up in response.

“I know what he did was terrible,” Taehyung whispers, still hoarse. “But he’s my father, and I love him. How can I be the one demanding he go to trial? Even if he lives, how could he ever forgive me?”

You close the space between you, unsure if he’ll allow you to comfort him. To your surprise, he lets you wrap yourself around him, leans his head into the crook of your neck and continues to cry silently, his hands coming around you to cup your shoulder blades.

You run a hand down his back slowly, again and again, and say nothing. When his breaths shudder less, you lean and press a kiss to the back of his head.

“You gave him the chance,” you point out. “He chose to continue. He knows he was wrong. He’ll know you’re trying to be a good king, even if it makes you an imperfect son.”

He lets out a watery laugh. “I’ve always been an imperfect son. I came to peace with that hundreds of years ago.”

“It’s your choice to make,” you tell him gently. “I’ll support you either way.”

His laugh turns a little bitter, but he removes himself from your neck and sits tall again, still leaning against his desk, you standing between his legs.

“Seokjin won’t,” he says darkly. “If I pardoned him, showed him any mercy at all, I’d lose all the Scores. Other families, too. There’s only one right move if I want support. It just happens to suck.”

“I’m sorry,” you whisper, reaching up to smooth down his hair, to brush tear-tracks away with your thumbs. His eyes are still as black as tar; he’s too distraught to worry about changing them. “I’m sorry everything happened this way.”

He sighs, as if to say, me too.

You hold each other for a while longer. Outside the large window, night falls in full, leaving you two standing in the dim light of one little desk lamp.

“What happened today?” you ask finally.

He untangles himself from you and leads you by the hand back to his main room. You settle on one of the couches there, and he rubs at his face, as if he can scrub away the exhaustion, the hurt, the uncertainty.

“My father sent an Officer to arrest Seokjin’s father. They couldn’t find him - he wasn’t there. I haven’t heard from Seokjin, but he’s supposed to meet with me in a few days to discuss my next steps.”

“They won’t arrest him?”

“He’s not his father,” Taehyung says darkly. “Just like I’m not mine.”

“So then… what is the next step?”

He shakes his head, hating every second of this. “In the morning,” he says, voice full of defeat, “you’ll help me blackmail my father.”

Your brow furrows. “I thought you said he’d agree to transfer power.”

Taehyung grimaces. “He wants what I’m offering. I think he’ll agree. But in case he gives us a hard time… you’re my secret weapon.”

You give him a look. He answers it with a wry smile that doesn’t meet his eyes.

“You’re going to tell him you won’t counter the curse unless he gives up the crown.”

“Taehyung!” you gasp. “I can’t do that! You want me to say that to him? The King?”

“I do,” Taehyung says seriously. “It might be the only bargaining chip we have.”

“I can’t,” you whine. But you know you will. You’d do anything Taehyung asked you - as if that wasn’t already clear by the way you’re willing to toss away your mortal existence for his life.

“We don’t have another choice,” he says grimly.

You sit in silence for a little. You’re thinking about the gravity of what you’re about to do - to back the king of Infracticus into a corner, to essentially blackmail him into giving up the crown. Then, helping Taehyung dismantle the monarchy.

God.

“There’s something else,” Taehyung says, pulling you from your thoughts, his voice tight.

“Oh?”

He’s shy, suddenly, avoiding your gaze. “One of the things I’m promising… in exchange for the crown. Part of Father’s motivation when he choreographed all those attacks was… he’s worried about the bloodline. He’s worried I won’t marry, won’t carry on our name. So, in exchange for him transferring the crown to me, I’m promising him that I’ll marry.”

Your heart doesn’t drop to your feet; rather, it dissipates into nothing, leaving you a shell full of unmoving blood. You stare at him, unable to make a peep.

He shifts. “I don’t want you to feel stuck, or trapped, or pressured,” he says, finally peeking up at you. “And it’s important to me that you know that I’d want this even if we removed everything - the curse, my plan for after, all of it. But… I’d really like to walk in there tomorrow and promise him that someday, soon… I’ll marry you.”

“Taehyung,” you whisper, but he doesn’t say anything else, just opens a small, velvet jewelry case that looks about as old as he really is.

“If something changes later, we’ll deal with it,” he says, reading your mind. “But I’ve been alive for six hundred years and never wanted someone at my side the way I do with you.”

The ring is silver, the jewel a deep blue - Rune house colors. You reach for it with shaking hands and then stop, looking up at him.

“I -” you stutter, “I can’t - I don’t deserve this. I’m -”

“If you say you’re nothing to me again, I swear -” he threatens, mouth pulling into a frown.

Your shaking fingertips trace the jewel. “Are you sure?” you ask him, hushed, afraid of his answer.

“If you aren’t with me,” he says seriously, “then I don’t even want to see the other side of this.”

“Okay,” you say, meeting his eyes, hands leaving the velvet box and reaching for his hands instead, needing to be closer, needing to feel him. You feel breathless, dizzy, out of body. It’s like someone else is pushing the words out of you when you breathe, “If you’re sure, then… yes. Yes.”

He kisses you, deep, a hand lingering near your jaw, reverent. “My love. My venefici,” he whispers, kissing you between each title. “My Queen.”

You shoot him a wry smile. “Not yet,” you say.

You spend the night in the prince’s bed. When the clock ticks into tomorrow and the beast curls its lip at you, you kiss him on the nose, call him by his name, and tell him, “Ask nicely.” When he’s done, tongue pressing against the tender wound he’d made on your throat, he wraps you in his arms to sleep.

—

King Sunjae seems to know that his son is up to something. As soon as he enters the room - the same small place you’d tried the previous, failing counter-curses - his eyes are narrowed on you and Taehyung, expression cloudy.

“You requested an audience?” he asks, mock-politely, a sneer all over the words.

“I did,” Taehyung says evenly, his palms pressed flat to the tabletop. You know he’s nervous, know he spent most of the morning practicing with you, rehearsing what he wanted to say. “I came to make a deal with you.”

“A deal,” the King repeats coldly. “I thought we already had a deal.”

“You broke it,” Taehyung says flatly, no room for argument. “I consider it null and void.”

The King lets out a sarcastic whiff of a laugh. “And yet you’ve come to make another.”

Taehyung shifts beside you, his own tone growing chillier. “Not without insurance.”

King Sunjae’s eyes narrow again. “Explain yourself,” he says, a command.

“I’m offering you the same promises I made last time,” Taehyung says, just like you’d practiced together. “A marriage - eventually, an heir.”

The King scoffs, coming very close to rolling his eyes. “You strung me along with that little lie for a year, Taehyung.”

“I’ll let you set the date,” Taehyung counters, and you thrill a little watching the King stiffen as he starts to put the pieces together. “We’ll wed as soon as you want us to.”

The King’s eyes flash to your hands, alighting on the deep blue jewel adorning your finger. You smile beatifically at him. He has no idea how much you’re about to piss him off.

The King’s eyes flash back to Taehyung. “And in exchange?” he bites, as if he already knows, can already intuit that this is a deal not in his favor.

“The crown,” Taehyung says coolly, and you’re filled with pride so strong you want to reach for him, but you clench your hands into fists at your side instead. “You’ll transfer power to me now, and my Queen and I will take over ruling - effective immediately.”

The King stares at him, incredulous, clearly calculating. You watch it all over his face as he tries to find the catch - it’s like offering a fish in exchange for a house. He knows Taehyung’s not stupid enough to walk in here with that bad of a suggestion without, as he’d said minutes ago, some kind of insurance - and he’s trying to figure out what it is.

“If you agree,” you say, trying to match Taehyung’s cold tone, the way you’d practiced in his rooms, “then we’ll set a date for Prince Taehyung’s coronation and begin the preparations.”

King Sunjae sneers. “And if I don’t agree?”

You shrug. “Then I won’t counter his curse.” Insurance.

For a second, you think he’s going to attack you. Taehyung must, too, because he pulls you away from the table, just behind him.

King Sunjae manages to control himself, letting out a hissing breath between his teeth. Jaw still clenched, he manages, “Then I’ll hire someone else.”

“Good luck,” you say, though it’s harder to sound tough now that Taehyung’s tugged you behind him. “You might have trouble finding someone else willing to end their life to save his.”

The King isn’t stupid. He’s lived in the magical world for centuries longer than you have. He knows what you’re saying. He knows what it means.

His face darkens. The three of you are silent for a long time, Taehyung’s hand still protectively wrapped around your forearm, his eyes on his father’s.

The King must know he’s got no move. Taehyung has him in checkmate.

“Let me speak to your mother first,” he says. It’s a request, and a command, and, somehow, an admittance of defeat.

“I’m glad you’ve seen reason,” Taehyung says stonily.

The King stares at him, long and hard. Nervously, you shift behind Taehyung, the King’s glare coming in and out of view.

“And what will become of me after?” the King asks. “My spies tell me you’ve been running around using words like justice. Will I be facing justice, my son?”

The words land like knives. You remember Taehyung last night, mourning his father’s life, mourning their relationship.

“You will,” Taehyung says steadily. “And so will I.”

The King closes his eyes, just like Taehyung does when he has heard something he hates. Like father, like son. “Go,” he says, flapping a hand towards the door. “Go, you fool, and I don’t want to see you again until I call for you.”

—

When his father does send for him, Taehyung convinces you to stay behind.

He feels like a teenager again when he goes to his parents’ wing, ready to be scolded. He wishes he had brought you, despite the danger, just because having you at his side helps ground him, makes him braver.

They don’t speak to him when he arrives, just watch him with unblinking eyes and matching frowns.

“This would have happened eventually,” Taehyung says, by way of greeting. “It’s just sooner.”

Neither of them respond to this.

They sit around a large table, and stiffly, formally discuss the specifics. The coronation ceremony will take place in a week, to make time to prepare for celebrations. The King and Queen will send a joint statement tomorrow, announcing the news. To the public, this will be a planned and welcomed decision.

“When will she cure you?” the Queen asks, a bit of a bite on ‘she’.

“As soon as the crown is on my head,” Taehyung bites back.

“And the wedding?” The King asks, eyes narrowed.

Taehyung shrinks a little. “I’d like to give her time to… heal, and adjust, after turning. So… after?”

His parents look at each other, a silent conversation between partners of hundreds of years.

“As soon as she’s able, we’ll all meet together to discuss the timeline,” the Queen says finally.

Taehyung hates how much this feels like bargaining, how much it feels like asking permission.

Soon, though, he reminds himself, it won’t matter what they decide. Once the crown is his, he can do what he wants.

It’s not as comforting as he’d like.

“I want you to understand something,” Taehyung says, as it becomes clear that everything that needs to be decided now has been handled. His parents look back at him, disinterested.

Taehyung wonders if a day will ever come where they forgive him.

“When I asked you why, a year ago,” he says, pressing forward, looking at his father, “you said it was for us. For the Runes. I want you to understand that I’m doing this for our house, too.”

“Destroying it?” the King clarifies sarcastically.

“Stabilizing it,” Taehyung counters hotly. “Making it stand for something. Making sure all of us, all of Infracticus, don’t turn back into the thing we left behind.”

“So noble,” the King scoffs.

“We’ll be better for this,” Taehyung says. He hopes it’s a promise he can keep. “All of us.”

—

You go home.

This time, with permission. This time, with Namjoon.

This time, knowing you’ll be right back.

You have to go - you have things to handle: a job to quit, an apartment lease to break, belongings to sell or donate.

You work everything out with Taehyung the day before you go. While he’s helping his mother plan a coronation ceremony, you’ll be emptying years of belongings into garbage bags.

“Where will I stay when I come back?” you’d asked Taehyung, one sleepy morning, as you lay between his arms, your mind skipping ahead to plan your time above.

“Where do you want to stay?” he’d asked, his voice like honey, seeping over you just as slow and sweet.

“In a sea-side house with a turret,” you’d replied, and he’d giggled, pulling you close, remembering this joke of yours.

“Considering the ring…” he’d said, when he let you go again. “It would be appropriate to give you your own wing in the palace, for now.”

When you’d opened your mouth, he’d cut you off. “Don’t tell me you don’t deserve it. Maybe I just want my venefici close.”

You’ve gotten used to hearing the term as an honored position, and not a wound.

So now you’re here, in your old apartment, deciding what few things are worth bringing back to the palace. Namjoon, as far as you know, is just getting a few days off - time to see his family, his friends. He’ll return to Infracticus with you before the coronation.

You miss Infracticus the whole time you’re gone. You miss the ancient, mysterious palace corridors. You miss the roaring ocean and the amarisca. You miss the impossibly purple sky.

You miss Taehyung’s voice, his hands, his mouth. You miss his smile, his laugh, his heavy gaze.

You even miss Satuel and Dansoo.

You cave on the second night and ask Namjoon if he wants to get a beer.

“Sorry, with my family,” he sends you back. He follows it quickly with, “you’ll be back in no time”.

Not soon enough, you think.

—

Your return to Infracticus is a jarring experience, a stark opposite from the first time you’d passed through the Ostium.

Then, it had been in the dead of night, sneaking in under heavy cloaks.

This time, you and Namjoon are greeted warmly, brought into sparkling sunlight, where a coach waits.

“Welcome, sperasa,” the Ostium attendant says, and you look at Namjoon with wide eyes.

“What?” he asks, as you climb into the coach. “What’s wrong? What did she call you?”

“Betrothed,” you tell him, eyes still wide.

The coach takes you to the palace’s front entrance. You’ve never come in or out of the palace this way before, and it’s unnerving. You feel like a spectacle, but Taehyung greets you in the majestic, open atrium. He sweeps you into his arms, kisses your head, doesn’t seem to care that there are members of the court families milling about.

“I suppose I’m not a secret anymore,” you murmur.

“No, my love,” he says, smiling down at you. “You’re not the human here to break my curse. You’re the Highest, here to marry her hunter.”

“Cheesy,” you complain, but you’re smiling, your cheeks hot.

“And true,” he says, looking at you sideways.

He brings you to your wing - your wing - of the palace, eager to show it off. Namjoon tags along, smiling openly, out of curiosity.

“You might as well get used to them,” Taehyung points out as he leads you up the staircase towards your new set of golden doors. “After you turn, these are the rooms you’ll be recovering in.”

A shiver runs through you, equal parts thrill and terror.

—

Taehyung grew up knowing he’d be king someday. As a small boy, he’d been taught to conduct himself as a prince. As a young man, he’d been taught to think of the greater good, to be fair, to be wise.

Two out of three, he figured, wasn’t bad.

He’d imagined his coronation thousands of times. He’d imagined whose faces he’d see in the crowd, the music they’d play, what they’d eat, what he’d wear.

He’d never once imagined that he’d wake up, his final morning as Prince of Infracticus, to a smile on his lover’s face. Yet here you are, smiling at him, reaching up to cup his cheek as you kiss him gently.

“Maiesti,” you whisper reverently, a slight tremble to your voice. You say it again when he presses your knees wide, sinks himself deep inside you, rocks against the heat he finds there. Maiesti, you say, but it’s his name you gasp when you come around him, his name you breathe when he pierces the skin above your collarbone, watching the hollow space there fill with crimson.

He knew he’d have a team come make a fuss over his appearance - setting his hair just so, holding up top after top to his chest before pulling them away in search of another. He’d never imagined he’d spend that whole time wishing you were still in the room with him, giggling at the worst options, catching his eye in the mirror.

“Bring my sperasa to my rooms as soon as she’s ready,” he tells his staff. “I want her with me.”

When you appear in his doorway, it takes his breath away. How they’ve done you up, the gown they’ve draped you in - you could pass for Infracti. You could pass for a Queen.

He almost ruins the whole thing by throwing himself at you.

He’d imagined the crowd hundreds of times - all the court families in place. He’d never imagined how he’d heave in relief to see the Scores in attendance, Seokjin at the front, as he belongs. The throne room is full to the brim with Infracti from all the influential families dressed in finery.

His parents sit in their thrones at the front of the room, waiting for him to approach. He’d never imagined that on the day of his coronation their gazes on him as he approached them would feel chilling rather than proud. And yet.

He’d never imagined that the thing that calmed him might be a witch’s hand slipping into his as he walks to the front of the room.

You walk slowly, hand in hand, up the center of the room. Taehyung can feel your pulse slamming in your palm, can hear your heart screaming in fear, can smell your nerves. He gives your hand a squeeze. He’s not sure what’s scaring you most - the crowd of monsters, everyone’s attention on you, or what’s going to happen at the other end of the room. But he’s here- he’s here, and he won’t let anyone touch you.

They’d used you as a cover - to distract from the untraditional transfer of power, they’d announced the engagement. To the court families, it looked like Taehyung was taking power early in conjunction with his nuptials, accepting the crown early to start his rule with his new Queen. It was a good lie. Hardly a lie at all.

Taehyung had imagined his coronation hundreds of times. He’d always imagined this walk alone.

It’s so much better this way.

At the front of the room, he turns to face his people. You step to the side, and Satuel comes to flank you, as planned. Taehyung knows Jimin is nearby too, just in case.

One of the Elders runs the ceremony, standing at a podium to read ancient Infracti out of a book the size of a toy poodle, its yellowed pages flaking. Taehyung tunes it out, floating pleasantly as his eyes skim the crowd. He spies Jimin and Jungkook, and his eyes catch on many of his father’s cabinet members. He wonders absently if any of them will be in his cabinet, or if he should start from scratch.

Eventually, the crown is placed on a dais. He turns and places a hand on it, the cool metal spikes poking into the skin of his palm. His father rises and comes to face him, placing his own meaty hand on the crown.

His father’s black eyes bore into him, and Taehyung wants to wither.

I’m sorry, he wants to say.

You did this to yourself, he wants to point out.

I gave you the chance to stop.

I’m going to do a better job than you.

None of it matters. The Elder is saying the archaic words, Taehyung’s father hates him, and time ticks on.

The crown is lifted, placed carefully on Taehyung’s head. It’s cold and heavy and he can’t wait to take it off again, but he can’t think about that right now. The Elder is speaking, declaring, “Taehyung of Rune, King of Infracticus,” and it feels like the whole fucking room is holding its breath.

This is the moment. His people will either accept or reject him.

In the front row, Seokjin slides to his knees and bows.

The Scores follow. Then the Cleaves. Then, Taehyung’s own house, the Runes. The other houses fall one by one until the only eyes still on Taehyung are the Elder’s, his parents’, and yours.

You settle on your knees, that silver slip of a dress pooling around you, and you bow deeply.

“My King,” you say. “Maiesti.”

When everyone has risen, Taehyung faces his people. He takes one last, desperate look at you. He steels himself, and calls for the arrest of his father.

Then, he leaves his people to feast and revel, and leads you through a passageway behind the imposing thrones.

He will have no more nights as prince. He will have no more nights as a beast, either.

You’ll break his curse tonight.

Through the narrow, stone passageway, he leads you by the hand.

He leads you to your death. <- Prev |

thanks for reading :)

I really like the word “smitten”. because at first glance you just think of sappy lovey-dovey stuff but also you have to remember this is a word that’s born of the word “smite.” a devastating word. a word that, summarized, means stricken. smitten means stricken as well — struck with devastating affection.