Chapter Text

There is a full moon tonight.

From what Jeon Jungkook has heard from his parents, once a upon a time a full moon would mean that the werewolves in their pack would be chained all night to fight the magic in their veins. His parents have told him stories of the caves and the cells where they would be restrained, of the rogue wolves that would spill innocent blood just on the border of their territory, of the haunting howls that echoed off the wooden walls of their cabin.

But that doesn’t happen anymore.

It hasn’t happened in eight years.

Not ever since the vampires and the faes took over.

Jungkook was only five years old when the war began. He doesn’t remember much from their life in the pack, but he knows that he liked the respect he received just from being Jeon Hwan's son, the Jeon pack's leader. As the oldest son, his father became the leader of the pack once he mated with Shin Sumin, his mother, and as their only son, Jungkook was next in line.

Everything changed the night the moon turned as red as the blood that was spilled on the ground.

Jungkook doesn’t remember much about his life in the pack, but he remembers the night it ended like it was yesterday.

His parents were getting him ready for bed in their cabin when he heard the first blood-curdling scream. He remembers the fear in his parents’ eyes and the way blood drained from their faces. He remembers asking what was wrong and the way his parents shoved him into a closet and made him promise not to come out until they came back.

Jungkook listened.

He hid in the closet, sweating while his fast breathing echoed off the wooden walls, and did his best to listen to what was happening outside. He heard the growls, the screams, and the cries. He smelled the fire, the blood, the fear from his pack mates, and finally, the smell of death.

He didn’t know that’s what vampires smelled like until the closet door was opened and he met the eyes of one.

He only knew it was a vampire when he saw the fangs slipping past his lips and the blood smeared on his mouth.

He remembers screaming and the way he cried and tried to wrestle against his strong grip. He remembers the way the vampire grabbed him by the back of the neck and then dragged him outside. He remembers seeing the dead bodies of his pack mates on the ground, the burnt cabins, and the bone-chilling smiles on the vampires’ faces.

He also remembers the shock when he realized the vampires weren’t alone.

They were with the faes.

He was only able to identify them thanks to their pointy ears and their light hair. Jungkook had only ever lived with werewolves his whole life, but his parents had told him about other creatures. They had told him about the mermaids in the sea, the dragons in the sky, the faes in their courts, the humans in the cities, and finally, the vampires and witches who didn’t belong anywhere.

His parents didn’t like the faes, they always told him how cold and evil they were, but the good thing about them is that they believed themselves to be so superior that they never left the high court. It was the vampires and the witches who were like roaches, unwanted, crawling, and hiding because they knew they had nowhere to go.

Even though Jungkook was confused, all those thoughts left his head when he finally spotted his parents.

They weren’t alone.

His parents and the pack mates who survived were kneeling at the feet of vampires and faes. 

It’s the last thing he remembers.

His parents say the rest was probably too traumatic for his mind to handle.

And they are glad.

But now Jeon Jungkook is thirteen-years-old and he knows exactly what happened.

He knows that night was the beginning of the war. He knows the vampires and faes did the same thing to all surrounding packs for over a year until they took control of their territories.

It was easy when the werewolves couldn’t turn anymore.

His parents told him how scared they felt when they realized they couldn’t turn. It was their biggest advantage after all. Because even though werewolves still had a great sense of smell, the ability to heal, and were the most physically strong species, most of their power came from their wolves.

No werewolf has been able to turn since that night and they don’t know why.

Like werewolves, vampires don’t have magical abilities, and faes are born only with the power of elemental magic: fire, earth, water, and the most lethal, air. Vampires and faes should not have enough magic to hide their wolves. 

And yet their wolves are still nowhere to be found.

His parents say that it made sense for the faes and vampires to become allies. Both species are stunningly beautiful and manipulative, predators made to attract prey, and all cold, calculating, and extremely evil.

But that’s not the only thing his parents talk about.

Even when they are tired from slaving in the castle at the end of their day, they smile when they come back to the servant quarters and find their son is safe. They tell him stories of their pack and what it felt like to shift into a wolf.

Something Jungkook will never have a chance to do.

It makes him sad, but Jungkook tries not to think about it too much. Because if he thinks too much, then he would feel miserable all the time.

It’s easy to do considering they serve the royal family that killed their pack. They are forced to provide their food, polish the floor their expensive shoes step on, and serve their every whim.

But Jungkook still thinks the Park castle is beautiful.

He snuck out from the servant quarters and into the gardens just to have a look at the full moon tonight. The room he shares with his parents doesn’t have a window and a full moon is something he can’t miss when it’s the biggest connection he feels to the wolf hiding within him.

The full moon looks beautiful looming over the gothic castle. The castle is dark and imposing, with pointed spires reaching the sky, flying buttresses, and gargoyles that have starred in Jungkook’s nightmares more than once. Inside, the castle is freezing cold thanks to the stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and arched windows with pointed tops and stained glass that make even sunlight itself look eerie. 

The towering castle is as cold as it is luxurious. 

Jungkook knows since he spends a third of his day scrubbing, mopping, and dusting the expensive furniture. When he’s not cleaning the castle, he’s either dicing potatoes in the kitchen, cleaning the stables, or pricking his fingers with the thorns of the roses that grow in the garden.

The garden and the stable are Jungkook’s favorite places on the castle grounds.

His parents say it’s the wolf in him. It’s the most connection he gets from nature after all. The faes and the vampires destroyed the forests to build what is now the village where the poor werewolves live. The noble vampires and faes live either in the outskirts of the kingdom or in the castle.

Bloody Woods is the only forest they weren’t able to destroy and that’s only because it’s full of feral wolves who were once rogue werewolves that can’t shift into their human forms anymore. They are extremely dangerous since they are untamable and bigger and stronger than even regular werewolves. Even the vampires and the faes know better not to enter that forest.

That forest is conveniently the only way out of Frostbane. Jungkook has heard servants talking about the freedom that can be found if they manage to cut through the forest that surrounds the kingdom. They talk about Seraphel, a magical town where dragons, mermaids, werewolves, and faes live harmoniously.

Which is why Jungkook believes Seraphel is nothing more than a myth.

Because different species don’t get along.

His parents have told him that different species should always stay separate to keep the order of things. He didn’t understand why until they told him about hybrids.

Most hybrids die young, and the ones that make it to adulthood are hunted due to how dangerous, uncontrollable, and powerful they are. Mating with different species has been banned for centuries due to the chaos and danger hybrids bring to other species.

But of course the vampires and the faes didn’t respect that. 

A 300-year-old powerful vampire met his match when he encountered the crown princess of the high fae kingdom. They fell in love and had a secret relationship until the bump in her belly couldn’t be hidden anymore.

The war only began when the hybrid reached five years of age, an age most hybrids don’t reach, and his parents realized how powerful a fae-vampire hybrid could be.

Jungkook has never seen the crown prince before and he doesn’t want to. The only thing more evil than a vampire and a fae is someone who’s both at the same time.

And that’s what, not who, the crown prince is.

A monster.

His parents think the same. As leaders of the Jeon pack, once upon a time the biggest and most powerful werewolf pack in the land of Myridia, they took it upon themselves to form a secret rebellion. The goal of the rebellion is to overthrow the monarchy and kill the hybrid to keep werewolves safe. Some members work in the castle with them, and even though his parents don’t let him join the meetings, he knows they meet somewhere in the town square of the village. Jungkook is not interested in joining the meetings when that’s the only time he gets to play with people his age. He’s the only kid in the castle since werewolves don’t want to give birth to a child who will be born into a life of servitude like them.

It’s lonely, but at least the people who love him the most, his parents, are here with him.

With that thought, Jungkook gives one last glance to the full moon and walks back into the servant quarters.

It’s easy to sneak around when Jungkook knows this castle like the back of his hand.

It is his home after all.

His parents are so tired from a long day of work that they don’t wake up when Jungkook sneaks into the small room they share. He watches them sleep wrapped around each other before he slips into bed.

He hopes he finds someone to love like that one day.

─── ☾⋆⁺₊✧ ───

“Wake up, pup.”

“I’m sleeping.”

It takes everything in Jungkook to keep his eyes closed and his face neutral when he hears his father laugh.

“Since when do you sleep talk?”

Jungkook finally gives up and opens his eyes. He finds his parents standing over his bed with amused expressions. It’s so early in the morning that Jungkook knows it’s still dark outside and yet they’re ready for the day.

“I’m so tired,” Jungkook yawns as he stretches his arms. “Wanna stay in bed.”

“You didn’t sleep well last night?” his mother sits on the bed to run her soft hands through his black hair. It feels so nice that Jungkook nearly falls asleep again. “Honey?”

“I just couldn’t sleep,” he lies. They can’t know he snuck out last night. They’ll find out he does it often even though it’s so dangerous. “But I’ll get up now.”

“I wish you didn’t have to,” his father whispers with a sad smile. “But let’s go. The water is still warm for you.”

Jungkook only rises from the bed to wash up after his parents leave affectionate kisses on his head. It’s those little things that remind him of how lucky he is. Having his parents with him makes this life worth living. 

Once Jungkook is ready for the long day coming ahead, he walks with his parents to the kitchens. The kitchen is already full of servants getting ready to prepare breakfast.

Sometimes Jungkook wishes they only served the vampires and not the faes just because then they wouldn’t have to cook. Vampires only drink blood while faes have very expensive tastes and demands.

He supposes it wouldn’t make any difference though. The hybrid eats human food and drinks blood. Jungkook knows it because he has seen the cooks draining animals of their blood to infuse it into the food that’s made exclusively for the crown prince.

It’s disgusting.

The first time Jungkook saw the act, he had to run out of the kitchens to puke his guts out. After many years, he’s now immune to it, but he doesn’t find it any less disgusting. He hopes it’s never his turn to cook for the prince.

“What color was your fur, eomma?” Jungkook curiously asks without raising his eyes from the carrots he’s dicing. He has learned not to do that after nearly cutting his fingers off more than once. “I think you’ve told me before, but I always forget.”

“It was white,” his mother grins at him without stopping onion dicing. She’s not as clumsy as Jungkook is. “And your father’s wolf was brown. Kind of reddish, right, honey?”

“Yes,” his father doesn’t turn and keeps seasoning the meat. “It was better than yours if you think about it. You always got all dirty and—”

“Hey!”

Jungkook giggles as he hears his parents bicker. Cooking breakfast is the only task that he shares with them and he’s glad. It helps to make his morning better even when they are just preparing food in the corner of an overcrowded kitchen.

“I wonder what mine would’ve been,” Jungkook mumbles. “Maybe blonde? Since eomma’s was white and appa’s brown.”

“Maybe,” his father doesn’t turn and yet Jungkook can hear the sadness in his voice. “I’m sure you’ll be able to turn one day and find out.”

“I think your coat would be black,” his mother suddenly chimes in. “I can almost see it.”

“But black doesn’t make any sense.”

“Are you questioning me?” his mother raises an eyebrow at him. “A mother knows these things.”

“You’re right,” Jungkook easily agrees.

There is no point in arguing when they will never find out anyway.

─── ☾⋆⁺₊✧ ───

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Jungkook tells Onyx. “Don’t miss me too much.”

Onix only neighs in response and Jungkook chuckles. He must look crazy talking to a horse, but even though some servants might say this is one of the most tedious tasks, it’s Jungkook’s favorite. Even after he’s tired from cleaning, cooking, and gardening, he regains his energy as soon as he walks into the stables. He loves taking care of the horses even though it’s a lot of work that can be both dangerous and unhygienic.

But Jungkook is not disgusted by animals. He feels connected to them and they all seem to love him as much as he loves them. 

Onyx, a one-year-old black horse, is his favorite.

Jungkook was the first one to hold him after he was born, and as disgusting as it may sound, it was one of the happiest moments in his life. He formed a connection with him the moment they met and he knows Onyx feels the same even though some people might call him crazy for it.

But Jungkook can feel it.

He feels sad as he bids goodbye to Onyx, but not enough to stay behind to play with him when he’s so hungry.

He scurries down to the servant's quarters and quickly snatches his dinner. He doesn’t bother searching for his parents when he knows they aren’t there. They usually stay behind to clean up the mess of the royal dinner.

Jungkook is sure he knows the Park Castle even better than the royal family because they would have sealed the secret passages if they remembered their existence.

But they haven’t.

Jungkook slides into the familiar tunnel that connects the servants’ quarters to the castle. He crawls into the dark tunnel with one experienced hand holding his food and sighs in relief when he’s finally out of the tunnel and into the passages. He can easily stand now and walks until he finds his favorite spot.

There is a window there.

Thanks to his werewolf vision, he can easily see in the dark, but since the moon is not as bright as the night before, he quickly places his plate on the ground to search for his tinder and matches.

He uses it to light the candle he keeps here and then finally sits down to eat. 

Dinner consists of cold rice, sour kimchi, bland eggs, and a hard piece of bread. Servants barely get meat and are lucky when they have a chance to eat leftover eggs. Jungkook is so used to the cold leftovers that he doesn’t complain and hungrily scarfs it down.

He’s barely satisfied and very thirsty when he’s done, but that’s the price of eating here. He can’t bring water and will have to wait to get back to quench his thirst.

He forgets about it as soon as he starts sketching. The coal and the paper are not from the castle; his parents buy them for him when they go to the village ever since they found out how much he enjoys it. It’s one of the many reasons why his favorite spot is next to the window. He likes to draw the sky, the gardens, even the castle, and some servants, but never the vampires or the faes. Right now he’s finishing a sketch of Onyx he started a few days ago.

He’s so focused that he doesn’t hear the steps of someone walking into the passage until it’s too late.

Jungkook’s head snaps up and every hair in his body rises. Thanks to his werewolf hearing, he can hear the person’s fast heartbeat even over the loud sound of his own.

Because Jungkook can’t be found here.

Since he hears a heartbeat, he knows whoever is there is not a vampire, but it can be a fae.

Or maybe it’s one of the servants.

Jungkook hopes it is, because if it isn’t, he might get whipped for this.

Maybe even hanged.

With that thought in his mind, Jungkook blows out the candle and grabs the bag he keeps here to store the plate, utensils, candles, tinder, matches, coal, and paper.

They can’t know someone has been here.

Jungkook forces himself to walk away from whoever is in the passages with him. Even though Jungkook usually walks back the same way he came from, he’s quick to exit the passages through one of the many other tunnels. 

It’s a good thing he knows the castle so well.

Jungkook breathes out a sigh of relief when he makes it to the servant quarters safe and found. He drinks a tall glass of water before he walks to the room he shares with his parents.

He always makes sure to knock when he knows his parents are there just because he knows they barely get any privacy. It’s one of the reasons why he likes sneaking around sometimes. His parents love each other dearly and spend every free second of their time with him. He wishes they could have more time to be mates than parents.

Or servants.

“Where were you?” his father scolds him as soon as he opens the door for him.

“Having dinner,” Jungkook shrugs before throwing himself on the bed.

He knows his parents just came back from showering since their hair is still wet. They are so focused on each other that they don’t ask Jungkook more questions and he’s glad.

His heart clenches in his chest when he sees the matching mating bites on his parents’ necks. Werewolves are the only species that do this and yet Jungkook might not get to do it at all. Who would want to bond for life with a servant? Even the servants here avoid close relationships to avoid imprinting. It’s less painful to never form a bond than to break one.

“Go get washed up before you fall asleep,” his mother wakes Jungkook from his thoughts. “Hurry.”

Jungkook groans. “Fine!”

The water is not warm at all this time so Jungkook showers as fast as possible. He’s shivering by the time he gets back to their shared room and his parents are quick to pull him into bed with them.

Jungkook grumbles about it first, telling them that they won’t be able to do this for much longer since he’s due to hit puberty soon and will start growing taller, but his parents just tell him they’ll cuddle him even then.

“You complain about it now,” his mother tells him as she plays with his hair. “But you’ll miss it later. You’ll always be my baby, plus, aren’t you warm now?”

“I mean, yeah, but—”

“Then stop complaining,” his mother flicks his forehead and Jungkook groans in pain.

“Can we go to sleep now?” his father grumbles. “We’ll have to wake up soon.”

“True,” his mother sighs. “Goodnight.”

Jungkook doesn’t sneak into the secret passages of the castle for a while.

He’s scared of getting caught, but he still refuses to give it up when it’s the only place he gets to be alone. He doesn’t like sketching in front of his parents or eating with the servants. And don’t get him wrong, the other servants are nice to him, but it feels weird being the youngest. The person closest to his age is ten years older than him.

But Jungkook knows why he’s here.

Most of the other pack leaders work in the village, but the royal family insisted on having the Jeon’s here as a punishment. His parents work directly for them too: they serve their food, clean their bedrooms, draw their baths, and more.

All to humiliate them.

Thinking about it makes Jungkook so angry that he doesn’t know what to do with himself sometimes. He hates that they have to live like this and that there is nothing they can’t do about it.

Because he would never tell his parents, but he doesn’t think anything will ever come out of the rebellion. What are werewolves good for if they can’t shift? Vampires are still not stronger than them, but they are faster and can drain them in seconds. Faes have elemental magic and are highly skilled warriors. Only witches might be able to defeat them, but why would they? Witches are even worse than vampires and faes. Jungkook is glad they are extremely hard to find.

This is exactly why Jungkook needs his alone time. Sketching relaxes him enough to stop thinking and he hasn’t been able to do that in weeks.

He can’t let them take that away from him too.

With that thought, Jungkook finishes gardening early, scarfs down his lunch, and then sneaks into the familiar passages.

He regrets it as soon as he realizes he’s not alone.

The boys freeze as soon as their eyes meet.

Something that feels like warmth washes over Jungkook when he takes him in for the first time. Goosebumps rise on his flushed skin, his heartbeat and his breathing slow down like time has stopped, and a feeling of what can only be described as calmness takes over his body.

Which doesn’t make any sense because he should be scared.

He should be scared to be found out by no other than a fae.

Because that’s the only thing he can be.

He looks to be about the same age as Jungkook and yet they look extremely different. His skin is pale while Jungkook’s is tanned from working outside. His cheeks are full like a cherub’s while Jungkook’s are sunken from malnutrition. His thick lips are pink and moist while Jungkook’s are pale and dry from exhaustion. His hair is silver, long, and shiny from the sunlight slipping past the window while Jungkook’s is short, dull, and as black as his eyes.

Not Jungkook’s, but the fae’s in front of him. His eyes are long, black as the night, and full of tears.

He is the most beautiful person Jungkook has ever seen.

Jungkook feels drawn like a moth to a flame when he crawls over to him. He’ll probably light on fire just like the insect if he touches him and yet he doesn’t mind. He feels hypnotized by the boy in front of him.

“Are you alright?” Jungkook’s voice feels foreign to his own ears when he whispers those words to the boy in front of him. “Why are you crying?”

The boy seems to remember he was crying because he quickly does his best to wipe the tears away. He’s so embarrassed that he does it with so much force the skin turns red and irritated. It takes everything in Jungkook not to touch him.

 “I’m not crying anymore.”

Jungkook’s heart clenches in his chest when he hears his trembling voice. It’s so soft and melodic that Jungkook knows he would fall asleep to the sound of it easily. 

“But you were,” Jungkook whispers. “But you don’t have to tell me. It’s alright.”

The boy doesn’t reply and Jungkook simply sits next to him to start pulling the items out from his bag. Jungkook knows he should give him space, but he doesn’t want to leave him alone when he’s crying, and this is his space too.

It takes everything in him not to turn to look at the boy again. He plays with the coal in his fingers as he hears the boy sniffing quietly.

“I like your drawings.”

Jungkook nearly snaps his neck when he turns to look at the boy. They are so close that Jungkook can see the freckles dotting his cheekbones clearly.

But he doesn’t pull away. He couldn’t even if he wanted to.

“You’ve seen my drawings?”

The boy nods. “They are really pretty.”

The praise causes Jungkook to blush to the top of his ears. His parents are the only people who have seen his drawings.

“Thank you,” Jungkook covers his ears with a shy smile on his face. “I never thought anyone would be seeing them.”

“How could I not when you just leave them lying around on the floor?” the boy seems amused when he hugs his knees to his chest. “You should be more careful with them because they are really good. Like even better than the painter we have in court.”

The mention of the court causes the smile to drop from Jungkook’s face. It reminds him that while he’s a low servant, the boy is a noble fae living in the castle, a boy who eats the food he cuts his fingers to make and dirties the floor he scrubs until his knees bruise.

Jungkook has never interacted with anyone who’s not a werewolf before, and while this doesn’t feel any different than usual, he knows better.

Or at least he should.

His parents have told him countless stories about vampires and faes. He has seen what they have done and still do to this day.

He should be disgusted by the fae next to him.

But he isn’t and he doesn’t know why.

“I have never painted,” Jungkook drops his eyes from the boy’s face to look down at his clothes. He’s wearing white pants, brown leather shoes, and an emerald green silk shirt. It all looks so expensive that Jungkook wonders why he’s sitting on the floor. “But I want to.”

“Then why haven’t you?”

Jungkook feels ashamed when he looks down at his clothes: brown pants, a white long-sleeved shirt, and black shoes. There are holes in his shoes and his shirt looks more gray than white thanks to the dirt. Isn’t it obvious why he doesn’t paint?

“It’s expensive,” Jungkook mutters without looking at him. “But hopefully I’ll be able to buy it one day.”

“What’s your favorite color?”

The question is so sudden that Jungkook turns to look at the boy immediately. The boy is looking at him with an expression he can’t read.

Jungkook looks down at his shirt before answering. “Green,” he admits. Green reminds him of nature. “What’s yours?”

The boy looks surprised by the question. “Me?” Jungkook nods. “Purple.”

“I like purple too,” Jungkook shrugs before looking down at the floor.

They stay in silence for a while.

But it’s not uncomfortable at all.

Jungkook draws random shapes feeling the weight of the boy’s eyes on him. It feels nice not to sketch alone for a change.

“How old are you?”

“Thirteen,” Jungkook replies without looking up from his drawing. He’s mindlessly drawing a forest now. He likes trees a lot. “And you?”

“I’m thirteen too.”

“Oh,” Jungkook starts feeling nervous for the first time since they have met. He should make conversation too. “Do you come here often?”

The boy hums. “Usually after midnight though.”

“That explains why we hadn’t crossed paths until now,” Jungkook turns to look at him and his heart jumps in his chest when their eyes meet. He’s so beautiful. “I usually come here after lunch or dinner.” 

“I’ve always been curious about you,” the boy admits. “I’d see the drawings and the wax from the candles on the floor… I used to stare at everyone wondering if they were you.”

“Did I ruin your expectations?” Jungkook chuckles nervously.

The boy shakes his head. “Not even a little bit.”

Those words are enough for Jungkook to blush again and his stomach to swoop. He doesn’t understand what’s happening to him.

“Are you gonna tell on me?” Jungkook finally asks.

Because even though the boy seems nice, he’s a noble fae, and Jungkook is just a servant. 

Or maybe the boy is just pretending to be nice. His parents have told him that vampires and faes are good at that.

“Of course not,” the boy frowns. “I would never.”

“Alright,” Jungkook shrugs. He doesn’t know if he should trust him.

“Will you tell on me?”

Jungkook scoffs. “Of course not.”

“Good.”

For the first time since they met, a smile curves the boy’s pink lips, and even though it’s small, it’s enough to pull at Jungkook’s heartstrings.

He looks even more beautiful like this.

“It would be nice to have a friend,” the boy looks shy when he speaks. “Since we are the same age and all.”

Jungkook only hums in response. He can’t agree to be his friend even if he wanted to. His parents would get angry.

“What’s your name?” he continues when Jungkook doesn’t reply.

“Jungkook,” he replies so quickly that he can’t even chastise himself for giving out that information. At least he didn’t say his last name. “What’s yours?”

“Jimin.”

“Jimin,” Jungkook repeats just because he wants to. He likes the way Jimin’s name rolls off his tongue. “Jimin… It’s a pretty name.”

Jimin blushes. “It's pretty common… Jungkook is better.”

“I still think it’s pretty,” Jungkook cuts himself off to avoid telling Jimin he’s as pretty as his name. Jimin is the most beautiful person he has ever seen and now he doesn’t know how to act.

“Thanks,” Jimin’s face is borderline red now. “I have to go now… I have music lessons.”

Jungkook shrugs with what he hopes is an indifferent expression on his face. He doesn’t want Jimin to leave. “Alright.”

Jimin waves Jungkook goodbye with an awkward smile and Jungkook just nods and bites his lip to avoid returning the smile.

A sigh of relief escapes Jungkook’s lips when he’s alone again. 

Because he knows he shouldn’t be Jimin’s friend.

But Jungkook doesn’t always do what he should. 

It’s not like he has much of an option now though. Jimin doesn’t leave his mind after they meet and he feels so desperate to see him again that he does his best to go to the secret passages around the same time they first met. It’s hard, reckless, and not something he can do every day due to his workload, but he still tries. He waits for as long as he can and then leaves the passages with a frown on his face.

It’s better this way.

His mind knows it, but his heart doesn’t.

Because only the heart can be so foolish.

He sees Jimin’s beautiful face every time he blinks, wonders if Jimin is thinking about him, and struggles to fall asleep, too busy wondering if Jimin is crying again and why.

He’s sure the encounter with Jimin was just his imagination until two weeks pass and he finds something that makes his knees weaken.

Jungkook barely manages to catch himself before he falls to the ground. He holds the brand-new items in his trembling hands with widened eyes. 

There are five brand-new canvases, an easel, four brushes, and bottles of blue, yellow, and red paint.

How did Jimin get these for him?

And most importantly… Why?

There is a letter stuck to one of the canvases that makes Jungkook’s heart clench in his chest. He opens it and skims his eyes over the letters before he gives up.

He’s not even mad. How would Jimin know he doesn’t know how to read?

He was one year away from starting school when the war began. He would’ve known how to read then. He would’ve been able to read whatever Jimin told him in the letter.

But he can’t.

His parents have tried to teach him, but they never have time, and when Jungkook was younger, he used to cry a lot when they’d use paper and coal to teach him instead of letting him draw. They still try from time to time, but Jungkook never lets them, urging them to rest whenever they have free time instead.

He hasn’t regretted it until now.

He skims over the letter for what feels like hours. He only manages to recognize a couple of the letters and gives up when his head starts hurting.

Knowing he can now paint is what lifts his mood.

Jungkook paints the scenery he can see out the window. His neck cramps from constantly looking over the canvas, the easel, and the window, but he’s so satisfied with the result that the pain is worth it. He drew the sky, the clouds, and the maze.

Jungkook falls asleep with a smile on his face that night.

─── ☾⋆⁺₊✧ ───

“Jungkook?”

Jungkook can’t hide the big smile curving on his lips when he finds Jimin in his spot.

Or maybe it’s theirs now. 

The idea doesn’t bother Jungkook at all anymore. Because even though he has only met Jimin twice, now that they’re finally together again after nearly two weeks, he realizes he missed him. He didn’t realize how lonely he was until he had that short conversation with Jimin and now he wants more.

“Hi,” Jungkook can’t hide his smile when he sits in front of Jimin. “It’s been a while.”

Jimin looks at him with a frown. He’s wearing another fancy outfit, but he’s not crying, and his hair is different today. It lies on his face and shoulders in waves like he just undid his braid.

“Are you mad?” Jimin doesn’t hide his worried expression. “Did you not like it?”

“These?” Jungkook looks behind him to point at the canvas. He already used the five Jimin gifted him. “Of course I liked it. Can’t you see?”

“I can,” Jimin looks behind him to glance at the paintings. “They are beautiful.”

“Thank—”

“But you didn’t meet me,” Jimin gulps. “I saw you got the letter. I waited for you, and you never came. Are you mad? Or have you just been busy? Because we can meet another time—or maybe you just don’t wanna be friends? I understand if—”

“Is that why you got me that?” Jungkook frowns. “Because you want me to be your friend?”

Jimin looks upset when he nods. “Didn’t you like it? People love gifts.”

“I did like it,” Jungkook reassures him. “But you didn’t have to get me anything.”

“Didn’t I? I asked if we could be friends and you didn’t reply,” Jimin gulps. “Which I understand, but I still wanted to try, and—”

“I don’t know how to read,” Jungkook cuts him off.

Saying it out loud fills Jungkook with both relief and shame. He had been thinking of how he would tell Jimin he couldn’t read his message, and while it makes him feel embarrassed, he’s glad that’s now out of the way.

But Jimin looks even more ashamed than him.

“Fuck,” Jimin covers his flushed face with trembling hands. “Fuck, fuck, fuck—”

“Hey,” Jungkook stops him with widened eyes. “Don’t curse!”

Jungkook can count the times his parents have cursed in front of him with one hand. They even scold the servants if they curse in front of him. In his thirteen years of age, Jungkook has never cursed, and he doesn’t think Jimin should be cursing either. They are the same age after all.

“Sorry,” Jimin looks even more embarrassed when he takes his hands off his face. “I’m so sorry.”

“About the cursing?”

“That, too, but I just feel so bad about the letter. I hope you didn’t think I did it to taunt you. I just assumed you knew how to read and that was wrong. I’m so sorry.”

“It wasn’t wrong,” Jungkook shrugs. “I understand why you assumed that when most of the people around you do know.”

“Do most servants not know how to read?” Jimin suddenly asks.

“The young ones like me don’t. The older ones do.”

Jungkook reads the sadness and guilt in Jimin’s eyes even when he doesn’t voice it.

“I’m really sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Jungkook waves him off. “What did it say?”

Jimin blushes even more. His chubby cheeks look so pink that Jungkook wishes he could reach out and feel their warmth.

“Just—” Jimin clears his throat. “I was just telling you about the gift… And asked you to meet me on a specific day and time.”

“Oh,” Jungkook blinks. “How did you get these? Did you buy them with your money?”

Jimin chuckles. “No. I just had to say I was interested in painting and they got it all for me. They even tried to get me a teacher, but I refused.”

Jungkook can’t hide the bitterness in his expression at that and it’s clear Jimin notices by the way the amusement falls off his face.

Jungkook doesn’t feel jealous though. He just feels angry.

Because none of this is fair. 

“I can teach you how to read,” Jimin offers nervously. “If you want.”

Jungkook frowns. “Why?”

“Huh?”

“Why would you want to teach me? What would you get out of this?”

Jimin flinches like Jungkook’s words physically hurt him. “I don’t want anything. I just want to teach you.”

“Out of the goodness of your heart?” Jungkook can’t hide his sneer. “Seriously?”

“Is that—?” Jimin cuts himself off when his voice breaks. It’s too late for Jungkook to take his words back when he sees the tears in his eyes. “Is that so hard t-too believe? I thought you were different and—”

Jimin doesn’t finish his sentence and simply rises to his feet.

Jungkook is sure he has lost his mind when he stands and grabs Jimin’s wrist.

The touch can only be described as electric.

The moment they touch, Jungkook shudders, his body warms up, and his heart skips a beat in his chest. He knows Jimin felt the same thing by the way he’s looking up at him in shock.

To say Jungkook is full of mixed-up emotions at the moment is an understatement. There is a pull in his chest, in his heart, that’s calling to Jimin. He knows it even if he doesn’t understand it. He wants to be with Jimin even though knows he shouldn’t. 

But not even that pull is enough to make Jungkook forget who they are. Jimin is the son of the faes who killed his own and the reason why he and his parents live such a horrible life.

And yet not even that is enough to make Jungkook hate him.

How can Jimin have so much control over him when they have only met three times? Why is the idea of losing Jimin so painful when he barely knows him?

Is it a fae thing? Or a Jimin thing?

But even though Jungkook feels confused, conflicted, and even like he’s betraying his parents, his kind, right now he’s sure of one thing and one thing only.

He doesn’t want to hurt Jimin.

“Don’t go,” is all Jungkook can manage to say through the lump in his throat. “I’m sorry. I would like you to teach me how to read if you still want to.”

Jimin looks at him for what feels like ages. His eyes are teary again and Jungkook hates it as much as he loves it. How can someone look so pretty when they cry?

He once again wonders if it’s a fae thing or if it’s a Jimin thing. 

“Are you sure you want me to?” Jimin sniffles. “Or are you saying yes because I got upset?”

“Of course I want to. Your offer is very generous and so are you. We’ve only met twice and yet… You’ve been so nice to me. Thank you,” Jungkook stops himself from continuing his rant. “Will you forgive me?”

“Yes,” Jimin nods. “I have lots of books because I really like to read. I’ll bring them with me when we meet so I can teach you.”

“Thank you,” Jungkook bows his head at Jimin out of gratitude.  “I really appreciate that.”

“You’re welcome.”

Jungkook only realizes he’s still holding Jimin when the latter glances at their hands and his face is dusted in pink when they make eye contact. Jungkook releases Jimin as if his touch burned and clears his throat awkwardly.

It doesn’t make his heart beat any slower.

“I know you’re busy during the day… And so am I. I used to only come here to cry alone,” he chuckles awkwardly. “I also know you must be very tired… But I can sneak out of my room at midnight and meet you here. If not—”

“That works,” Jungkook is quick to say. He can manage to sneak from his room easily at night. Who cares about sleep? “I’ll meet you here then.”

Jungkook’s life completely changes after that.

He wakes up full of energy and his parents even point out that he’s in a better mood. He finishes his tasks as quickly as he can just so he can go back to his room and take power naps to be able to stay awake when he meets Jimin.

But he doesn’t really need that.

The moment he sees Jimin’s smiling face illuminated by the moonlight, his heart starts drumming in his chest like one of the songs they used to sing in his pack during dinner. It’s one of the few memories he has.

“Good job,” Jimin praises him after he writes a whole sentence. “Now read it.”

Jungkook turns to Jimin with a scowl. “Do I really need to?”

“Yes,” Jimin grins. “Go on.”

“Jimin is the coolest person I have ever met,” he reads with what hopes is a neutral expression on his face. It’s taking everything in him not to smile. “Why would you make me lie?”

“Hey!” Jimin pushes him with a pout. “Take it back!”

Jungkook shakes his head and scoots away from Jimin to grab his freshly painted canvas. Jimin continues bringing him painting supplies and Jungkook is so grateful. Jimin is the kindest person he has ever met. He can’t believe he’s a fae sometimes.

“Is that Onyx?”

Jungkook startles when he feels Jimin sitting behind him. Goosebumps rise on the back of Jungkook’s neck when he feels his warm breathing on his skin.

He doesn’t dare to look back.

“Yeah,” Jungkook shows him the painting. “How did you know?”

“I don’t know… Maybe because you talk about him all the time?”

“I do not!” 

Jungkook’s breath is punched out of his lungs when he turns and finds Jimin mere inches away from his face.

Jimin’s pretty eyes widen and of course Jungkook’s stomach fills with butterflies. It always happens whenever he looks at Jimin for more than two seconds. It’s impossible for Jungkook not to react when his silver hair looks so soft, when his small nose looks so cute, when his pink lips look so plump, and when his light freckles look so much like stars over his chubby cheeks.

Jungkook has never had a friend and even then he knows he shouldn’t be having these thoughts about Jimin. He doesn’t remember his friendships in the pack and he’s not close to the kids he hangs out with whenever his parents attend the secret meetings.

But he’s close to Jimin.

Even though they don’t give each other specific details of their lives, they talk about everything and anything when they meet. When Jimin is not teaching him how to read, Jungkook is painting. He likes to have Jimin watch him while he paints and he even claims it is relaxing for him.

“I’m getting riding lessons soon,” Jimin doesn’t pull away from Jungkook when he speaks. “Should I choose Onyx?”

“He’s too young,” Jungkook shakes his head. “But once he grows up, please choose him! He’s so fast! You’ll love him!”

“Fine,” Jimin is grinning when he pulls away from him. “Do you like cake?”

“Huh?”

“Do you like cake?” Jimin repeats. “I can sneak in some for you if you want.”

“Oh,” Jungkook blushes. Jimin is too sweet to him sometimes. “You don’t have to.”

“I know,” Jimin nods. “But I want to. Do you like it or not?”

“I haven’t tried it,” Jungkook admits. The pastry chef stays away from the rest of the cooks to avoid accidents or having them steal bits of the pastries. There are barely any leftover pastries since faes have a sweet tooth. The crown prince’s birthday is next week so he knows they have a lot of work to do. “I did try frosting once. Years ago.”

“You licked a cake?” 

“Not directly! I used my finger!” Jungkook covers his ears out of embarrassment. “I was just so curious!”

“I’ll bring you lots of cake then,” Jimin grins. “The riding lessons start tomorrow. Will I see you there? Since you take care of Onyx?”

The hope in Jimin’s eyes fades when Jungkook shakes his head.

“Since I’m young and not trained to deal with—” Jungkook clears his throat awkwardly. “I stay behind the scenes. I don’t interact or even see the royal family.”

Jimin frowns at that. “You don’t what?”

“I’ve never even seen the royal family. I can count the nobles I’ve seen with my own eyes with one hand,” and I don’t want to, he holds back from saying. “I like it that way.”

Jungkook knows he messed up again when he sees the frown on Jimin’s face.

“But I like you,” he tries to save himself. “You are nice.”

It takes a while for Jimin to reply. He looks lost in thought and Jungkook doesn’t interrupt him to avoid messing up even more. Why does he always end up saying the wrong thing to Jimin? 

“I like you too,” Jimin's smile is weak. “You’re my only friend.”

“You are—”

“I have to leave now,” Jimin suddenly rises to his feet. “I have to wake up early these next few days so I might not be able to come.”

“What? But—?”

“Goodnight.”

Jimin doesn’t wait for Jungkook’s answer and leaves.

Jungkook stays in their spot for what feels like ages. He doesn’t move because he’s afraid he’ll burst out crying if he does.

And Jungkook hates crying.

It’s nearly impossible to hold it back when his chest hurts so much. Hurting Jimin hurts him too. Maybe even as much as him.

It’s one of the Jimin things that Jungkook doesn’t try to make sense of anymore. 

Even though Jimin warned him, Jungkook goes to their meeting spot the next night, and of course Jimin doesn’t show up. Jungkook waits for nearly an hour before he sneaks into his room with tears in his eyes.

But he doesn’t let them fall.

He doesn’t let them fall even as the same thing happens over the next few nights. The difference is that now he only waits for about ten minutes before he leaves. Jimin is always punctual.

That and he’s barely getting any sleep ever since the last time he saw Jimin.

It’s impossible when he rolls around in his bed with his eyes squeezed shut and wonders what Jimin is doing. If he’s thinking about him.

“Do you think he misses me too?” Jungkook whispers to Onyx as he brushes his mane. “Has he told you he misses me?”

Of course Onyx doesn’t reply.

But Jungkook doesn’t mind. Talking about Jimin with a horse is the only thing he can do. He can’t tell his parents unless he wants to never see Jimin again.

“Let’s get you new horseshoes now.”

Cleaning and placing new horseshoes for the horses is as tiring as it is relaxing. Onyx is the last horse he has to do today, and even though he’s exhausted by the time he’s done, he still finds the energy to play around with Onyx until it’s time for dinner. His parents have been busier than usual lately and they are delighted every time they can spend some extra time together.

“Hi, honey,” his mother grabs his head to leave a loud kiss on his hair when he sits in the middle of them. “How was your day?”

“Alright,” Jungkook mumbles between a mouthful of bread. It’s so hard that he’s scared he might pull a tooth. “What about yours?”

“Alright too,” his dad shrugs next to him. “Have this.”

“What? No,” Jungkook frowns when he sees his father offering him a drumstick. They barely get meat and Jungkook already ate his. “It’s yours.”

“You need it more than me. You’re growing up and—”

“No, I’m not,” Jungkook can’t hide his annoyance. “I’m so short and I still look like a baby. I’m thirteen! Shouldn’t I be taller now?”

“You’re so cute,” his mother suddenly kisses his cheek and Jungkook groans. “I like you like this. I want you to stay small and sweet forever.”

“Good thing you don’t have control over that,” his father scoffs.

“Right?!” Jungkook agrees. “I need to get strong!”

“You will,” his father reassures him. “I think you’ll be a late bloomer like me, but don’t worry, it’ll come. You’ll be strong and tall like appa,” he flexes his bicep with a smirk and Jungkook hears his mother groaning behind him.

“I want to be bigger than you,” Jungkook wriggles his eyebrows playfully. Being with his parents always lifts his mood. “I’ll work out a lot.”

“You need to eat well for that,” his father offers him the drumstick again.

“Appa, no, you— hmph,” Jungkook nearly chokes on the drumstick his father shoves into his mouth.

“Eat up,” he grins before going back to his food.

Jungkook doesn’t fight his father anymore and finishes his dinner.

Once they are back in their shared room, they take turns washing up, and then Jungkook spontaneously decides to sleep in their bed.

“I thought you didn’t want us to treat you like a baby anymore?” his father teases him as he ruffles his hair.

Jungkook grunts out of embarrassment. If anyone knew he was thirteen and willingly cuddled his parents, he knows they’d make fun of him.

Good thing they’ll never know.

“Are you alright, pup?” his mother hugs him to her chest. “You tired?”

Jungkook hums without bothering to open his eyes. He’s worried he’ll burst out crying if he does. He can’t do that in front of his parents because he doesn’t want to lie to them. It’s not like he can tell them he feels like there is a Jimin-shaped hole in his chest so painful that he hasn’t drawn in days. He doesn’t feel inspired without Jimin.

“Alright then,” his mother squeezes him tighter. “Let’s sleep.”

Jungkook doesn’t visit their spot that night or the next one.

He only comes back the night of the crown prince’s birthday party.

Jimin did promise him a piece of cake. 

Jungkook is exhausted by the time he arrives at their meeting spot. He spent the whole day in the kitchens today to prepare the food for the birthday feast. Thinking of the cleaning makes Jungkook want to cry. The messes after parties are the worst.

“Jungkook-ah.”

Jungkook’s heart jumps in his chest when he hears Jimin calling his name.

Then it stops when he sees him.

It’s not even the sight of the overflowing food in his arms or his extremely expensive clothes that does it. It’s his silver hair, wavy and long falling over the jeweled shoulders of his jacket. It’s his lips, swollen, red, and slick from his nervous biting. It’s his skin, freckled, flushed, and looking so soft that Jungkook aches to feel it under his fingertips. It’s his eyes, black, shiny, and full of nervousness.

Jimin looks so beautiful it hurts.

Or maybe it’s just the pain in his lungs from holding his breath. Jungkook only starts breathing again when Jimin sits in front of him. His clothes look so expensive that it takes everything in him to tell him to get up.

“I missed you,” the words are out of Jungkook’s mouth before he can stop them.

Jimin looks surprised by his words at first. Then he licks his lips and takes a deep breath before speaking up. “I missed you too.”

“Then why didn’t you come?” Jungkook’s voice breaks and he can’t hide his horror when he realizes he’s about to cry. Why is he being so needy? “I-I mean, you said you were busy, so I—”

“I’m sorry,” Jimin places the food on the ground to hold Jungkook’s hands. 

The touch is just as electrifying as the first time, but Jungkook doesn’t pull away this time, he just squeezes Jimin’s hands in his own tightly. Jimin’s hands are soft, small, and cold, while Jungkook’s are rough, big, and warm. Jungkook doesn’t look at Jimin when he starts rubbing circles onto the skin in hopes of warming them up. He’s scared of making Jimin uncomfortable since this is the first time they have touched like this.

“Hey.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Can you look at me please?”

Jungkook reluctantly looks at Jimin then. He’s acting like a baby and he knows it. It’s a good thing Jimin seems amused.

“I missed you too. A lot,” Jimin gulps. “You have no idea how much.”

“Hm.”

“I’m really sorry I disappeared. I—I’ll have more time now. It won’t happen again,” he reassures him. 

“It’s alright,” Jungkook tries to act like his words don’t relieve him immensely. “You’re busy. I get it.”

“So you forgive me?” there is a playful glint in Jimin’s black eyes when he grins at him.

“There’s nothing to forgive,” Jungkook starts with a shy smile. “But I do forgive you.”

“Huh… That was easier than I thought,” Jimin pulls his hands away from his and Jungkook misses them immediately. “Guess you won’t need this then,” he points at the food with a cheeky grin. It’s an expression Jungkook hadn’t seen before and it’s so pretty that his stomach swoops. “I’ll just eat it all by myself then—”

“Nope!” Jungkook is smiling widely when he grabs Jimin’s wrists to pull him closer to him. “You promised cake. I’ll eat it!”

“Just cake then? Should I eat the rest?”

“We are sharing!”

Jungkook ends up eating most of the food anyway.

He didn’t realize he was so hungry until his belly feels like it’s about to explode. It was impossible for Jungkook to control himself when he finally got the chance to eat the food he helped to make. He’s sure he has never eaten so much meat, fruit, and pastries until now. He wishes he could’ve taken some to his parents.

The thought makes him sad and Jimin is quick to notice it.

He fixes the problem by swiping his finger over the frosting and then rubbing it over Jungkook’s nose.

“Hey!” Jungkook can’t hide his smile when Jimin is smiling even wider. “Don’t do it again!”

“I won’t… If you try to eat it,” Jimin wiggles his eyebrows. “Try to lick it off your nose.”

“I bet you I can!”

It takes Jungkook five tries, but he manages to lick the sweet frosting off his nose to the sound of Jimin’s even sweeter laugh. Jimin’s laugh is so pretty that Jungkook does the same thing and places frosting over his nose.

“Your turn.”

They end up playing with the frosting until they are too tired to keep going. Now they are lying against the wall side by side as they talk about random things.

“They were so drunk they fell over one of the tables,” Jimin continues his story. “I got in trouble for laughing, but I couldn’t help it! They were so annoying and—are you listening?”

Jungkook has been watching Jimin speak with what can only be described as a lovesick smile on his face that he totally misses the story. Jimin is quite distracting.

“I am,” Jungkook lies. 

“Am I boring you?” he flushes out of embarrassment. 

“Of course you aren’t,” Jungkook reassures him. “Tell me more.”

“That was it. It’s—”

“C’mon,” Jungkook whines. “How are the riding lessons going? Do you visit Onyx?”

Jimin’s eyes light up when he starts talking about Onyx and Jungkook loves it. Jungkook is usually very possessive and even selfish, he hates sharing his things, but knowing Jimin loves Onyx as much as him makes his heart swell in his chest. Onyx deserves that and more.

“I wish I could ride him one day,” Jungkook whispers.

“I’m sure you will,” Jimin reassures him. “I’ll make it happen.”

Jimin and Jungkook talk until they can’t fight the drowsiness in their bodies anymore.

Jungkook wakes up an hour before sunrise.

He’s confused about his surroundings until he turns and finds Jimin’s head resting on his shoulder.

Butterflies flutter in his stomach as he takes in the sight before him. Jimin’s cheek is squished against his shoulder forcing a pout on his plump lips. His long hair is covering half of his face and yet it’s enough for Jungkook to notice how peaceful his expression is.

He looks exactly like the fae he is. Unattainable, untouchable, and unreal.

“Jimin,” Jungkook can’t stop himself from caressing Jimin’s silver hair. It feels so soft and silky that it takes everything in him not to keep playing with it. “You have to wake up.”

“Hm?” Jimin only has one eye open when he looks up at him. “Jungkookie?”

“That’s me, yeah,” Jungkook looks down at him with a fond smile. Jimin looks so soft and pretty with blushing cheeks that Jungkook wants to kiss. “You should go back to your room.”

“Yeah,” Jimin only pulls away from him to stretch his limbs. “I’ll see you tonight?” 

“Of course.”

Jungkook can’t fall back asleep when he gets back to his room.

He can’t when his heart is racing in his chest just from the memory of Jimin’s scent, of his soft hair in his fingers, of the weight of his body pressed against his, of how they were so close that Jungkook was able to count every single one of those freckles on his face.

The image is so hauntingly beautiful that Jungkook arrives at their meeting spot hours before they are supposed to meet. He feels possessed, or maybe enchanted would be the right word, as he paints Jimin’s face onto the canvas.

His whole arm hurts by the time he’s done with it and yet he doesn’t regret it one bit. 

The painting doesn’t do Jimin’s face justice, but Jungkook still likes it. Now he can look at it when he misses him.

“Have I lost my mind?” Jungkook whispers to himself as he stares at the painting before his eyes. “Am I going crazy?”

“Is that me?”

Jungkook tenses when he hears Jimin’s voice behind him. He lost track of time and didn’t get a chance to hide the painting.

“Jungkook.”

“Yes,” Jungkook takes a deep breath before turning to look at Jimin. The fae looks in awe as his eyes trace the painting before him. “Are you angry?”

“Angry?” Jimin still isn’t looking at him when he sits next to him. “How could I be angry? It’s so… Beautiful. Is that how you see me?”

“Yes.”

The word he’s been trying to hold back since the first time he saw him falls from his lips when Jimin turns to look at him.

“Beautiful.”

Jimin and Jungkook stare at each other for what feels like ages.

But it doesn’t feel uncomfortable at all.

All Jungkook can think about is how beautiful Jimin is while he looks at him. He wonders what Jimin is thinking.

“Thank you,” Jimin reaches out to hold his hand and squeeze it. “For seeing me that way.”

Jungkook frowns. “How could I look at you any other way?”

A sad smile paints Jimin’s lips. “Let’s go read something. I brought a new book for you. I think you’ll like it.”

Jungkook reads the story out loud and Jimin praises him throughout all of it. Jungkook can read and write perfectly now and it’s all thanks to Jimin’s kindness.

He wants to repay him in some way.

─── ☾⋆⁺₊✧ ───

“Can you teach me how to braid hair?” he asks his mother as they get ready for bed.

His mom looks at him with a surprised expression. “You want to braid yours? You’ll have to grow it out then.”

“I will,” Jungkook shrugs. It’s that or telling his mother he wants to learn just so he can braid Jimin’s hair. Jimin always wears his hair down and on his face, but there are always random braids that he does himself. Jimin seems to do them unconsciously.

“Alright,” his mother grins. “What types of braids? French, Dutch, fishtail, or—?

“All!”

His mother teaches him how to braid and Jungkook does all the different styles for Jimin.

“Not the ones in the front,” Jimin sleepily stops him one night. “I-I don’t like having my hair pulled back or behind my ears. I like it on my face.”

Jungkook already knew that. He’s never seen Jimin with his hair out of his face. It makes him curious since he has never seen his full face before. He’s probably even more beautiful.

“Sorry,” Jungkook continues to braid the back of Jimin’s silver hair. “I won’t try again.”

“It’s alright,” Jimin reassures him. “I like you braiding my hair. Makes me sleepy.”

“I know,” Jungkook grins. “Your hair is so long.”

“I want it to reach my waist or even my hips one day.”

“I bet you’d look even prettier.”

“Aish,” Jimin groans out of embarrassment. “Stop it with the compliments!”

“Why?” Jungkook tries to act relaxed even though his heart is racing in his chest. “I’m just being honest.”

And he is.

Because Jungkook can’t hold back his feelings anymore.

He compliments Jimin whenever he can, makes excuses to touch him, and stares at him like a creep the whole time they are together. 

But he knows he shouldn’t.

Jungkook is only thirteen and yet he knows shouldn’t feel those things when they are supposed to be enemies. He shouldn’t when he knows Jimin would never reciprocate those feelings, and even if he did, it’s not like they could do anything about them either. 

But not even that mindset is enough to make them disappear.

“Appa, eomma,” Jungkook calls out for his parents when they finally slip into bed. It’s a good thing he’s in his own bed tonight.

“Yes, Jungkook-ah?” his father replies.

“How—?” Jungkook takes a deep breath. “How did you know eomma was the one? That she was supposed to be your mate?”

His parents stay quiet for a while.

Then his mother speaks up. “Have you met someone? Is that—?”

“No!” Jungkook cuts her off nervously. “Of course not! I’m just curious!” he clears his throat. “I just want to know what it feels like… So I’ll know when it happens to me.”

“Well,” his father sighs. “You know us, wolves, imprint on our mates before we mate. Some werewolves imprint when they first look at one another and with others it’s a bond that develops over time. But with your mom… I knew it the second I saw her. It’s like the world stood still for a moment. This peace came over me because I knew I had finally found my life partner. I just felt so—”

“Serene,” his mother completes the sentence.

“Yeah,” Jungkook hears his father give his mother a short kiss. “The only thing in my mind was her. I was hunting and yet I totally forgot about it when I saw her. Nothing else mattered.”

“He never left my mind once,” his mother whispers. “Just like when we first met, my heart still races and my stomach fills with butterflies whenever I’m near him. It’s a crazy thing, but from the moment I first saw him, I knew I couldn’t live without him anymore.” 

“It’s a good thing you can’t then,” his father chuckles. 

Jungkook’s heart clenches painfully at that. Mating binds souls forever and therefore mates die together. It sucks to think that he will lose his parents at the same time someday.

“I’d do anything to keep your mother safe and happy. Because when she’s hurt, I’m hurt. I’d kill and die for her in a heartbeat.”

“I think you just know. Your heart will tell you when you meet your mate,” his mother continues. “You just have to listen to it. I promise you’ll know because you only have that feeling once.”

Jungkook squeezes his eyes shut to avoid bursting into tears. Because Jimin can’t be his mate. Because if different species are supposed to stay separate, the universe wouldn’t make his mate someone he can’t be with, right?

Or has the universe made a mistake?

Jungkook knows it hasn’t when he meets Jimin a couple of weeks after that conversation and finds him crying.

“Jimin?” Jungkook is quick to sit next to him. “What's wrong?”

When Jimin doesn’t reply, Jungkook doesn’t hesitate to take his hands off his face, and he can’t hide the gasp that falls from his lips when he sees the bruises and cuts on his teary face.

“Are you alright?” Jungkook feels frantic when he asks. “What happened? Who did this to you?”

“Jungkook—”

“Who hurt you?” Jungkook snaps. “Who did it? Tell me.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine—”

“Bullshit!”

Jimin freezes when he hears Jungkook’s angry voice. It makes Jungkook feel bad immediately. He shouldn’t be yelling at Jimin.

“I’m—”

“You cursed,” Jimin giggles. “It’s the first time I’ve heard you curse!”

“I didn’t,” Jungkook can’t hide his embarrassment. “It just slipped out! Doesn’t count!”

“But it does!”

“I must be rubbing off you then,” Jungkook grumbles.

“I only cursed that one time! I haven’t done it again since you scolded me!”

“Whatever,” Jungkook rolls his eyes. “You won’t distract me. Tell me who hurt you now.”

“I fell off a horse during my lessons today,” Jimin shrugs before wiping the tears off his face. “Why are you here so early anyway?”

“I couldn’t sleep and came to draw,” Jungkook frowns. “Did you fall on your face then?”

“Does that matter?”

“Yes, because I don’t believe you,” Jungkook quickly tells him. “Tell me the truth.”

“I did fall off a horse during my lessons today,” Jimin snaps. “Take it or leave it.”

“What if I don’t take it then?”

“Then I’ll just leave.”

Jimin doesn’t wait for his answer and exits the secret passages without looking back.

Jungkook doesn’t call out for him.

─── ☾⋆⁺₊✧ ───

Jungkook’s anger disappears as soon as he wakes up.

Now he just feels bad that he upset Jimin when he was already feeling bad.

It’s all he thinks about for the rest of the day. He thinks Jimin is going to stand him up until he hears his footsteps in the passage.

“Jimin?”

“Hey,” Jimin looks sheepish when he sits next to him.

“Your bruises are gone,” Jungkook points out with a frown. “How?”

“It was worse than it looked,” Jimin waves him off. “But see? I told you it was nothing.”

“Alright,” Jungkook sighs. He doesn’t believe Jimin at all, but he doesn’t want to upset him again, so he doesn’t push. “I’m glad you’re alright.”

Jimin blinks, looking surprised by Jungkook’s reaction, and then recovers with a nervous smile. “Thanks.”

“Wanna do something different today?” Jungkook suggests to lift Jimin’s mood.

“Like what?”

“Let’s go to the maze,” Jungkook recklessly suggests. “We can play hide and seek, tag, or red light, green light. I want you to see the flowers I’ve planted too. They’re really pretty.”

“That sounds fun,” Jimin smiles softly. “I’ve never played those games, but I’ve heard of them. Will you teach me?”

“Of course,” Jungkook frowns. It makes him sad to know Jimin hasn’t played those games before. “I’ll teach you all of them. Let’s go.”

Jungkook rises from the floor and offers Jimin his hand with an expectant expression on his face.

It takes Jimin a while to take it and Jungkook understands. What they are about to do is reckless and extremely foolish. If they get caught, they will both get in trouble, though Jungkook’s punishment will probably be ten times worse. Jimin would receive a tongue lashing while Jungkook would receive back lashings.

But that doesn’t matter right now.

They won’t be found out, and most importantly, Jimin needs this. 

Or maybe it’s Jungkook who does.

He needs to make Jimin happy. It’s the least he can do when Jimin hasn’t told him who hurt him yet.

Jungkook is woken up from his thoughts when Jimin squeezes his hand.

That’s all the reassurance he needs before interlacing their fingers together.

The walk to the maze is nerve-wracking. Jungkook doesn’t know if his heart is racing due to the fear of being found out or because Jimin is holding his hand.

Probably the latter.

Jungkook guides Jimin out of the secret passages, into the servant quarters, and finally outside. They run along the garden until they finally reach the maze.

Even though it’s late at night, the moon and the stars shine bright enough for them to see enough.

“What if we get lost?” Jimin wonders once they are deep into the maze.

“I know my way around,” Jungkook chuckles. “Have you ever been into the maze?” 

Jimin shakes his head and Jungkook frowns. What’s the use of planting flowers and cutting the bushes when the nobles aren’t even looking at them? 

But that’s not Jimin’s fault.

It may be his parents’ fault, even his grandparents’ fault, but not Jimin’s. 

Jimin is good.

“Wanna play red light, green light?” Jungkook asks to lift the mood. “I’ll teach you.”

Jimin smiles and Jungkook’s heart jumps in his chest as easily as that.

“Yes!”

Jungkook teaches Jimin how to play red light, green light, tag, and hide and seek. It’s so fun that Jungkook is breathless and his stomach hurts from laughing by the time they are in their third round of hide and seek.

Jungkook is hidden behind a large bush that he knows covers him completely. He cut it himself.

Thanks to his werewolf ears, if he focuses, he can hear Jimin’s breathing, heartbeat, and the sound of his shoes stepping over the green grass. Jungkook could win this game easily.

But where is the fun in that?

Jungkook steps out from the bush at the same time Jimin walks into the footpath.

Jungkook pretends to be surprised before he takes off running.

“Hey!”

Jungkook smiles like a fool as he runs away from Jimin. The cool air of the night and his amused laughter make it nearly impossible for him to breathe, and yet he wouldn’t change a single thing. He’s so happy right now.

He’s happy even when Jimin tackles him to the ground.

Jungkook manages to turn before he accidentally breaks his nose. Jungkook ends up falling on his back with Jimin on top of him. 

“Are you alright?” Jungkook holds Jimin’s waist worriedly. He doesn’t want him to fall to the ground. “Jimin?”

“I should be asking you that,” Jimin looks up at him with an embarrassed expression. “Is your head alright?”

“Yes,” but my heart isn’t.

How could it be when Jimin is lying on top of him?

“You’re so pretty,” Jungkook can’t hold himself back when Jimin looks unreal on top of him.

He looks so beautiful illuminated by the moon and the stars that Jungkook’s fingers itch with the need to draw him. His silver hair is all over his pink face and he’s smiling so widely that his eyes resemble the crescent moon above him.

“Stop it,” Jimin groans before stepping off Jungkook’s body. He offers Jungkook his hand once he’s on his feet and Jungkook is quick to take it. Jimin helps him up easily and Jungkook tries not to show his surprise. Jimin looks stronger than he looks. “Show me your flowers.”

“Only if you can keep up!”

Jungkook can’t hide his giggles as Jimin runs after him. He can’t stop them even as he shows Jimin the flowers he has planted.

“My favorite flower is—”

“Lavender,” Jungkook cuts him off with a smile. “I know.”

Jimin blushes at that. “You’re right. But these… They are so beautiful.”

“Not more than you,” Jungkook teases him.

Jimin’s face turns as red as the flowers in front of him. “I will punch you if you keep that up!”

“How about we sit down for a bit instead of resorting to violence?” Jungkook grabs Jimin’s small hand to pull him down to the grass with him. “Isn’t this nicer?”

Jimin narrows his eyes at him with a pout, but at least he doesn’t pull away from him, he just interlaces their fingers together.

“I guess.”

“Are you angry with me?” Jungkook is smiling even wider right now. 

“Isn’t that obvious?!”

“Not really. You just look cute right now.”

Jimin raises his fist and Jungkook is quick to raise both of his hands in defense.

“Fine! I’ll make it up to you!”

Jungkook rises to his feet when he gets an idea. He collects different flowers until he sits back next to Jimin.

“What are you doing?”

“You’ll see. Entertain me in the meantime.”

And so Jimin does.

It’s easy when Jimin talks so much and Jungkook loves the sound of his voice.

“Here,” Jungkook offers Jimin the flower crown with a trembling hand. He hopes it doesn’t fall apart too quickly. “For you.”

“A flower crown?” Jimin grabs it with a surprised expression on his face.

Jungkook nods. “I think you’d look pretty in a crown.”

Jimin doesn’t scold him about the compliment and simply places it atop his head.

The contrast of the colorful flowers against his silver hair makes him look as beautiful and unreachable as a fae.

Which is what he is.

Jungkook always forgets and he thinks it’s better that way. It’s easier for him to pretend Jimin is just a werewolf with silver hair instead. He doesn’t even want to know what Jimin's elemental power is. 

“Thank you,” Jimin’s soft voice brings Jungkook back.

“You’re welcome,” Jungkook takes one good look at Jimin before looking into his eyes. He will definitely draw this later. “You’ve given me so much and yet this is all I can give you. I know it’s insignificant—”

“Nothing you do for me is insignificant,” Jimin holds his hand to stop him. “You’re my best friend.” 

Jungkook swears his heart swells four times its size when he hears those words. 

“You’re my best friend too,” Jungkook squeezes his hand with a shy smile.

“I better be considering you're my only friend,” Jimin joked and Jungkook snorts.

“You’re also my only friend. But you’re still the best,” Jungkook grins. “Wanna stargaze? We can try to find shapes.”

“I’m in.”

Jungkook and Jimin lie down on the green grass to gaze at the dark sky above them. 

Their hands stay interlocked.

Jimin and Jungkook only get back to the secret passages when they can’t hide their yawns anymore. The walk is spent in silence. They don’t need to talk when they haven’t stopped holding hands for the past hour.

“I had a really nice time tonight,” Jimin smiles widely. Jungkook thinks he looks even more beautiful than usual thanks to the flower crown on his silver head. “We should go out more often.”

“We will,” Jungkook promises. “We just have to be careful.”

Jimin nods before stepping closer to him. His gaze suddenly turns nervous and now Jungkook is nervous too. They are so close that Jungkook can smell the lavender oil on Jimin’s soft skin. 

Jungkook realizes why Jimin is nervous when he feels a shy peck on his cheek.

A kiss.

Jungkook isn’t breathing by the time Jimin pulls away from him. 

Good thing Jimin doesn’t look any better.

His face looks as flushed as Jungkook feels his to be.

“Goodnight!”

Jimin doesn’t wait for his answer before running away.

Which is a good thing because Jungkook reaches to touch the spot where Jimin’s soft lips kissed him with a trembling hand immediately. He’s not surprised to find the skin burning hot.

How could it be anything else when the most beautiful boy in the world just kissed him?

Jungkook falls asleep with a smile that night.

─── ☾⋆⁺₊✧ ───

The next day is like any other day.

His parents force him to wash up, joke around during breakfast, and then they part ways like they always do. Jungkook spends his day cleaning, gardening, and working in the stable until it’s finally time for dinner. He naps after dinner and is woken up when his parents get back from working.

“Oh, you can keep sleeping, sweetie,” his mom sits on the bed to pet his hair. “Sorry for waking you up.”

“S’alright,” Jungkook whispers without opening his eyes.

“So we can make more noise?”

Jungkook only opens his eyes to glare at his father. “No!”

“If you say so,” his father grins. 

“Wanna cuddle?” his mother suddenly offers. “It’s getting cold.”

“I’m good,” Jungkook quickly declines. He can’t wake them up when he goes out to see Jimin later. “I’ll get in if I get cold.”

“Alright,” his mother leans down to kiss his forehead. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, eomma.”

“What about me?” his father jumps in.

Jungkook tries to hold his smile when he glares at his father. “Love you, too, appa.”

“And I love you,” his father smiles. “Now let’s sleep.”

Jungkook sleeps and wakes up about twenty minutes before he’s supposed to meet Jimin.

But Jimin doesn’t show.

Jungkook waits for nearly two hours before he walks back to his room.

He slides into his parents’ bed and not even their warmth is enough to make him fall back asleep. He can’t when he’s so worried. Why would Jimin not come? They didn’t fight, and now that Jungkook can read and write, Jimin leaves notes for him when he can’t come.

Jungkook finds out why exactly two mornings later.

He’s sleeping in the middle of his parents when the door is kicked open.

Jungkook is so sleepy that he doesn’t understand what's going on first.

He hears words like treason, crown prince, attempted assassination, trial, and more, and yet he still doesn’t know what’s happening. His parents are screaming as they are grabbed by angry guards and Jungkook is so shocked that he doesn’t speak.

He just stares.

The guards are faes. He knows it thanks to the pointy ears, the long light hair, and the icy beauty on their faces.

Just like Jimin’s.

He hasn’t seen Jimin since the night they went to the maze. 

Jungkook is woken up from his thoughts when he’s slapped across the face.

“Aren’t you fucking listening? Move!”

“Touch him again and I will fucking kill you!” he hears his father growl.

The slap was so strong that Jungkook can’t hear anything but the ringing in his ears now. He sees his parents and the guards yelling at each other while they are dragged to who knows where. He sees the servants walking out of their rooms to watch the scene with widened eyes. He sees his naked feet start to bleed when he cuts them somewhere on the floor and yet he doesn’t feel the pain.

The pain only registers once he and his parents are thrown into a dirty cell.

“Your face and feet are bleeding,” his mother is frantic when she sits next to him and examines his feet. Her hands are trembling when she rips two pieces of her nightgown to bandage his feet and dry the blood on his cheek.

“Let me see your face,” his father kneels in front of him to hold his jaw. Jungkook flinches, now attuned to the bleeding cut on his cheek, the sharp pain in his feet, and the pressure of the soon-to-be hand-shaped bruises on his arms. “The ring he was wearing cut your cheek. I think it will scar—”

“What’s going on?” Jungkook cuts him off. “Why are we here? This is a mistake, right, appa?”

The expressions on his parents' faces say everything Jungkook needs to know.

Jungkook’s heart drops to his stomach.

Suddenly, he feels cold, his heart is racing so fast that it’s painful, and he can’t breathe.

He can’t see either.

His vision is blurry and so is everything around him. His parents fuss over him, but Jungkook can’t understand what they’re saying, too busy looking at the dirty ground, at the rusty cell bars, at the dark room, and the single candle that lets him see the worried look in his parents’ faces.

It takes Jungkook at least twenty minutes to calm down.

“Is it true then?” Jungkook’s voice is raspy when he speaks. “You tried to assassinate the crown prince?” his parents nod. “Why?! Why would you do that?!”

“Because it’s our duty,” his mother snaps. “This is how the rebellion starts. We need to kill that monster and overthrow the monarchy. It’s the only way we’ll be free again.”

“We are less free than we were before now!” Jungkook cries out. “We’ll be incarcerated forever now—or dead,” he suddenly realizes. “We’ll be dead. They are going to hang us.”

Jungkook cries for what feels like hours. Even though he’s angry at his parents, he doesn’t push them away when they hug him, desperate for comfort.

It’s hard to come to terms with your own death when you haven’t lived.

Jeon Jungkook is only thirteen years old and he will die soon.

“T-They’ll come for us, alright, Jungkook-ah?” his father reassures him. “The team—they will rescue us and—”

“Why did it have to be you?” Jungkook sobs. “Why couldn’t anyone else do it?”

“Because we serve the royals directly,” his mother explains. “We are the ones who serve their meals. It was easy to poison the prince’s food.”

“So easy that we are going to die!”

“We won’t die,” his father snaps. “I promise you won’t. You had nothing to do with this and—”

“Can you promise you won’t?” Jungkook looks at his parents desperately. “Y-You can’t leave me. You’re all I have!”

His father gulps. “We can’t promise you that.”

Jungkook screams.

He wails, sobs, and cries while his parents do their best to comfort him even when they are in the same state he is.

But Jungkook is inconsolable. How could he be anything else when he’s about to lose his parents?

That’s scarier than dying.

Because if he dies with them, at least they’ll be together, but if only they die, Jungkook will live to serve the family that killed his own. He will be alone forever.

“Why would you do it?” Jungkook sobs.

He’s squeezed in the middle of his parents just like they were before, but now not even their shared body heat is enough to stop the shivering of his bones, the cell is freezing.

“I told you, pup,” his mother kisses his hair. “Someone had to, and as the leaders of the Jeon pack, we had to do something. We have to free our people and—”

“What about me?” Jungkook snaps. “Why didn’t you think about me?!”

“You don’t think we also did it for you?” his father frowns. “Slavery is all you have known and you deserve so much better than that. We want you to be free and happy. We want you to have a chance to have a life, to fall in love, and maybe to even turn one day. You—”

“Don’t say you did it for me,” Jungkook cuts him off. “Because I never asked you to do it. You made a stupid decision and now look where we are! This is your fault!”

“It is,” his mother calmly nods. “And we are so sorry. We are sorry you got caught in it, but we don’t regret what we did. Sacrifices like these have to be made for change to happen. I never thought we’d become martyrs, but if that’s what has to happen for the rebellion to become stronger, then so be it.”

“I swear we’ll get you out,” his father reassures him. “We’ll try our best as well, but you are our priority, alright? We will save you. You will live.”

“I don’t want to live without you!” Jungkook cries. “Please don’t leave me!”

Jungkook cries until he falls asleep from exhaustion.

He wakes up to the sound of a guard kicking the cell.

“Get up!”

They are dragged somewhere again.

The sunlight momentarily blinds Jungkook when they step outside. 

The Park castle stands tall over the clear sky, the flowers are blooming, the grass is Jungkook’s favorite shade of green, the air smells of last night’s rain, and he can hear the birds singing.

It’s a beautiful day to die.

Jungkook feels numb as he and his parents are dragged into the castle. He distantly thinks that at least his feet won’t be cut this time. He polished the floors yesterday.

But then they start walking upstairs.

Jungkook has never been upstairs.

The walls are covered in red wallpaper with the Park’s family crest, full of paintings, and stands with expensive vases. There are chandeliers on the ceiling and rugs on the floor so soft that Jungkook’s wounds are momentarily soothed.

They walk for what feels like ages. Jungkook stares at the expensive beauty of the castle with empty eyes until they stand in front of tall doors.

Jungkook knows exactly where they are when the doors are opened.

The throne room.

There are velvet drapes over the arched windows, but the sunlight still lets Jungkook see the expensive furniture, the expensive rugs, the expensive throne, and the seats next to it. There are diamonds and more jewels embedded into the gold seats that make Jungkook feel sick.

The money spent in this room could feed the entire village for weeks.

“Kneel for your Queen.”

The guard doesn’t have to tell them twice.

Jungkook and his parents kneel and bow to the Queen with no hesitation. They can’t make the situation worse than it already is.

“You may stand.”

The queen’s voice is as cold as her face.

But it doesn’t make her any less beautiful.

Park Hanna, born crown princess of the High Fae court and now Queen of Frostbane, is even more beautiful than Jungkook could have ever imagined. Her long hair is pale blonde, almost white, and her bone structure is scarily symmetrical and sharp. The only thing soft about her are her plump lips and not even those make her look any less intimidating.

Her husband and therefore king, Won Minho, is just as beautiful and intimidating as her. 

Which makes sense considering he’s a vampire. He doesn’t look a day over thirty. Born vampires stop aging once they fully mature.

While Hanna’s hair and clothes are light, Minho’s are dark, and they match each other so perfectly that Jungkook wonders if werewolves are truly the only species that can mate. Hanna and Minho look like they are destined to be together.

But Jungkook knows that’s not true.

Lifespans are one of the reasons why Jungkook believes different species shouldn’t mate. Witches, werewolves, and faes can live around two to three hundred years since they age slower than humans, unlike vampires who are immortal. It comforts Jungkook to know that Minho will see his partner die one day.

“We had mercy on all of you,” the queen starts. “We give you a place to sleep and provide your food… And this is how you repay us? Attempting to murder our child?”

Jungkook clenches his jaw to avoid talking. It angers him hearing the Queen talking about how merciful they are as if any of the servants had a choice to be here.

“We thought we had lost the crown prince,” the king speaks up.  “But he’s strong. We’re sure you’ll be delighted to hear he’s now fully recovered. You can see it for yourself.”

Jungkook’s breath is punched out of his lungs when he sees the crown prince walk into the throne room.

Wearing expensive robes and his silver hair tucked behind his round ears, the prince stands next to the queen with a blank expression on his face, but Jungkook can see that he’s not totally recovered.

He knows it because he has spent the past months drawing the pale face in front of him. He can see the dullness in his hair, the circles under his eyes, the dryness of his full lips.

Lips just like his mother’s.

“Jimin,” the whisper is out of Jungkook’s mouth before he can stop himself.

But Jimin is the only one who hears it.

He sees Jimin’s eyes and mouth drop open in shock.

He looks just as surprised as Jungkook is.

But, honestly, now Jungkook feels more betrayed than anything.

He spent the past few months with a hybrid, a monster, the one and only reason why werewolves are nothing more than slaves now. 

Jungkook’s ears ring the whole time he’s in the throne room.

He doesn’t hear whatever his parents or the Queen or King say. He’s too overwhelmed and busy staring at Jimin with a gaping mouth.

Jimin does the same thing.

He stares at him with his plump lips parted, with his pretty eyes widened, and with his heavy crown atop his long hair.

A blood-stained crown.

He must have thought the flower crown Jungkook made for him that night was ridiculous.

The thought Jungkook fills with so much hate and disgust that he can barely hold himself back.

Was Jimin pretending to be his friend all of this time? Was he some kind of experiment? Did he go and talk badly about him to his noble friends?

“Hanged tomorrow at noon—”

“You can’t!” his mother’s scream wakes him from his thoughts. “He’s just a child! He had nothing to do with it!”

“What about my child?!” the queen yells for the first time. “Your child is nothing with an animal just like you all! And you will all be hanged like one! Guards, take them away!”

“Mother!” Jimin’s voice is so loud that it echoes off the throne room’s walls. Everybody freezes when they hear the crown prince's voice. “I already told you I wasn’t poisoned! It was just a-a stomach bug! They didn’t—”

“Your vomit was black,” the king spits. “Stop taking pity on them when they tried to kill you! Stop being so damn weak!”

“You don’t know it was them! Just—”

“Take him away.”

The Queen doesn’t look at her screaming son as he’s dragged out of the throne room.

Jungkook thinks he sees Jimin mouth I’m sorry before they are both dragged away from the throne room.

Or maybe he said I’m fury, I’m glory, or who knows what else, because Jungkook is sure his mind is playing games with him now.

The hybrid was born without a heart after all.

─── ☾⋆⁺₊✧ ───

They are not given food or water as they await their hanging.

There is no point.

“Don’t say that,” his mother licks her dry lips without stopping the stroking of his hair. “We’ll get you out.”

“I don’t wanna get out if you aren’t coming with me,” Jungkook stares at the dried blood on his feet. It’s that or feeling his parents’ sad gazes on himself. “Why don’t you say we’re all escaping? Why is it just me?”

“Because—” his father’s voice breaks. “You’re small. It’s going to be easier to sneak you out.”

“I won’t leave if you aren’t coming with me,” Jungkook only raises his head to glare at his parents. “I won’t.”

“Don’t say that,” his mother bursts out crying for the first time. “You deserve to live. All I want for you is to have a long, happy life, and—”

“You deserve to live too!” Jungkook screams. “Why are you acting like you don’t?!”

Jungkook yells at his parents until he falls asleep, and when he wakes up, there is not an ounce of anger in his body anymore.

Just sadness.

Jimin doesn’t cross his mind once as he hugs and kisses his parents. He’s too busy telling himself that the three of them will be saved or that they will die together.

Like a family.

He tells himself he won’t be saved, that he won’t spend the rest of his life bitter, alone, and full of resentment, that he won’t lose the people he loves the most in the world.

He almost believes it until he feels a hand clamp his mouth shut.

Jungkook wakes up to the sight of his parents’ tear-soaked faces.

“Shh,” his father reassures him. “The man behind you is Kim Doyoon. He’s the leader of the rebellion. You can trust him.”

“Appa!” Jungkook’s words are muffled by the man’s strong hands. He’s so strong that he’s holding Jungkook to his body with only one hand. “Don’t!” 

“He’s going to take care of you, alright, pup?” his mother sobs before leaving a kiss on his hair. “I love you so much.”

“We hope you can forgive us one day,” his father cries. “And that you can understand we did this because we love you. Because we want you to be happy and—”

“Please!” Jungkook tries to kick, bite, and slap the man behind him, but he doesn’t budge. “Don’t leave me alone! Don’t do this!”

“He’s going to get you out,” his father continues. “And then he’ll come for us. I can’t promise you it’ll work, but we can’t risk leaving together, do you understand? We need to make sure you’re safe.”

“Eomma!” Jungkook tries his mother. “Come with me!” 

Jungkook is sure his parents can’t even understand him.

But they already know what he’s feeling.

They whisper I love you’s and I’m sorry’s on his skin and hug him so tightly Jungkook struggles to breathe.

Or maybe it’s the force of his sobs.

“I l-love you so much. Please don’t leave me!” Jungkook kicks his legs and tries to reach for his parents as Doyoon carries him away from the cell. “Eomma! Appa!”

His parents wave him goodbye with tears streaming down their faces.

The image haunts him the whole horse ride to Doyoon’s house.

“We will get your parents,” Doyoon reassures him once they are inside his house. “I promise I will do my best to save them.”

Doyoon exits his house to meet a group of men outside. Jungkook sits on the floor, numb and unblinking, as he watches the scene in front of him.

“Don’t worry,” Jungkook doesn’t turn when he hears a voice behind him. “My uncle is good. I’m sure he will get your parents.”

A boy suddenly sits in front of Jungkook. He’s taller, looking to be in his late teens, and has a kind smile on his face that doesn’t do anything to soothe the churn in his stomach.

“My name is Seokjin,” the boy suddenly raises a pair of scissors to his face. Jungkook didn’t even realize he had them. “We have a good plan. Let’s start with this.”

Jungkook doesn’t react when the boy suddenly cuts a lock of his hair.

“They will send people to find you. Probably werewolves like us since our sense of smell is way better than theirs,” Seokjin explains. “And we will buy them out. We will pretend you died in a fire, and then give them a lock of your hair so they can show that to the Queen, and then you all will be free! Isn’t that so great?”

Jungkook doesn’t respond.

He spends hours on the floor, waiting for his parents to walk through the door and hug him, but of course that never happens.

It’s Doyoon who comes through the door when the moon is high in the sky.

He’s covered in blood, cuts, and with a look in his eyes that tells him everything he needs to know.

“We will avenge them,” Doyoon promises in a trembling voice. “I swear to you we will and—”

Jungkook screams.