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[chizumouse]

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[chizumouse]

SEOUL SOCIETY ⟡ BTS X READER

Chapter 1 - Get out of my hare

Series Masterlist

WC: 6.1k

“Mom, are you serious?”

You could only hope that, despite the terrible connection, your desperate tone managed to reach her through the phone. If anything, you felt like you were already underreacting.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. But you have to understand, it’s simply to make our investors happy.”

You were about to have a panic attack, and your mother was talking about the happiness of her investors? You ran your fingers through your hair, eyes darting around your bedroom to try to find something—anything— to ground yourself. Deep breaths (Y/N)…There was your office chair with your jacket draped over it, the cup of iced coffee that’s been on your desk since this morning, and…

“(Y/N)?”

Your attempts to compose yourself were interrupted by your mother. Your lips trembled slightly before you finally responded. “Mom…do you understand what this means? Moving to Seoul—you’re quite literally throwing me to the wolves!”

“Oh, don’t say it like that…you were always such a kind child! I’m sure your Regalis won’t trigger their…hm, dare I say, savageness.”

It didn’t matter that your regalis gene was underdeveloped. You didn’t care about the gene that caused Primals to submit to you. It was the fact that you, as a Cardinal, were going to be living in the city dominated by Primals: Seoul.

The once Cardinal-ruled city had transformed into a sanctuary for them, a place where they could live without fear of discrimination and exist freely without being treated as lesser beings. Everything from its government to its culture was shaped around Primal society, making it one of the few places in the world where they could truly belong.

A heavy groan escaped your lips, lowering your head as your eyebrows pinched together in frustration. She wasn’t going to listen to anything you said; never did, never will. Once she decided something for you, there was no way you were going to change her mind.

But this was just ridiculous. You knew the Primals residing in Seoul were notorious for being unforgiving to their counterpart. There hasn’t been a single recorded case of a Cardinal living in that city for less than a week before they were driven out.

“Besides, you’re still working that in-house job, aren’t you? You’ll barely have to go outside. You can just use our shared Uber Eats account.”

With a long-winded sigh and many, many words you’d like to share, you tilted your head back and stared at the ceiling. 

“Ok.”

“I knew you’d understand! The moving company will be here tomorrow.”

TOMORROW?!

At least, that’s what you wanted to scream.

“...Ok.”

“Thank you again, sweetheart. Come visit your dad and me soon, alright?”

“Mm.”

The moment she finished speaking, you pressed the red button before she had the chance to slip anything else into the conversation. Your phone landed somewhere on your bed as you sat there, completely still.

You were disassociating.

Grounding…grounding…what did your therapist say about grounding?...

Just sleep it off.

-

You spent the entire morning cleaning your apartment, packing only the necessities you could fit into your bags, and driving the long distance along with the moving trucks to Seoul in one exhausting trip.

When you finally arrived, you could only stare up at the luxury apartment building looming above you.

Even after essentially abandoning you, your mother still refused to let you live somewhere modest. Apparently, a simple middle-class unit was completely out of the question. No, your unit had a whopping eight bedrooms and several bathrooms. You were going to have to get used to the loneliness that came with living in such a huge place.

“I’m actually surprised, Miss. Forgive me for asking, but why Seoul?” the young man asked as he placed the final box down.

“Oh, well—” My mother forced me to move into this apartment because the Cardinals are planning to retake the city, and if we buy property now, the value will skyrocket after the coup d’état!

“As someone who used to live around these parts before the beasts overran it, let me put you on. This’ll cover up your Regalis scent.”

“—A change of scenery, I suppose.”

The young man gave you a look that suggested he didn’t quite believe you, but he wasn’t paid to interrogate you.

He handed you a small metal canister, the design printed with a simple abstract image of a paw with a cross over it. You stared at it for a moment.

You had always thought companies making Regalis suppressants could be a little less obvious with their packaging.

“Well, I wish you good luck, Miss.”

With a polite tip of his hat, the man and his small crew left, leaving you alone in your new apartment.

The place didn’t feel like home. It felt like walking into a crowded room full of strangers, except the room was empty and the strangers were only imaginary. Still, this was what you had been given, and you had no choice but to make the best of it.

By the time the sun had completely disappeared, exhaustion had finally caught up to you. The first thing you decided to do was take a nice, hot shower before collapsing onto the mattress on the floor. The bedframe could wait until tomorrow, not like it was gonna grow more than four legs and run.

You stripped off your sweat-stained clothes and reached for the faucet, only to be met with a miserable groan from the pipes and a few pathetic spurts of water.

You tried a couple more times. Maybe the water just needed time to travel through the pipes. Maybe the apartment had been vacant for too long.

But after several attempts, you were forced to accept the unfortunate truth.

“Fuck…” You cursed under your breath, hands reaching for your phone to dial your mother, only to realize it was already far past the time she usually answered.

There was surely no way you were going to sleep without showering, right? Surely not!

But no matter how delusional you could be, there was no way to delude water into reality.

You were tired, stinky, and now, undoubtedly thirsty. You hadn’t taken a single sip of water since you started packing that morning, and your body was beginning to demand the most basic necessity known to mankind…The nearest options were your neighbour, ordering delivery, or—unfortunately—the convenience store.

If your apartment's water wasn't working, surely the neighbours were dealing with the same problem.

Uber…why are there no workers at this hour? Fuck, you’re gonna have to go out, aren’t you?

With a defeated sigh, you reached over the counter and picked up the spray bottle the moving crew guy had given you. Perhaps it would actually come in handy.

According to the instructions, six sprays were enough: around the neck, wrists, chest, and other areas where your scent was strongest. Too much would make your scent unnatural and could ironically have the opposite effect of what it was intended for.

After spraying, you put on a hoodie and head to your elevator, down to the streets of Seoul.

It was the hour when the city was just beginning to come alive, the streets slowly filling with the sounds of nightlife, so surely the relatively rural neighbourhood was a cold spot for rowdy young adults.

The convenience store was just three minutes away. Surely there isn't a comedically placed alleyway in the middle of the road that harbours suspicious individuals that might want to pick a fight with you, right?

You swallowed your paranoia when you passed by the comedically placed alleyway, choosing not to look in case there actually was someone. The first rule of walking in a densely populated city is not to make eye contact with anyone; otherwise, they’ll lock onto you like a heat-seeking missile.

Just as you passed the alleyway, the man's nose twitched, his head slowly tilting upward as the scent in the air caught his attention.

It was faint, but unmistakable.

Sweet, yet tinged with the artificial sharpness of chemicals—the scent of an omega Primal attempting to hide themselves beneath a layer of blockers.

To the gruff alpha lingering in the alleyway, smelling faintly of woody tobacco and cinnamon, it was an invitation he couldn't ignore.

“Hey! Kitty!”

Yeah, hell no. You kept on walking, speeding up ever so slightly; if you ignored them, they usually left you alone.

A large hand suddenly wrapped around your wrist, pulling you backward with enough force that you nearly stumbled over yourself. A startled yelp escaped your throat as you were dragged to a stop, your heartbeat immediately jumping at the realization that he was not planning on letting you simply walk away.

You kept your head low, voice low. To say you were exhausted was the understatement of the century. The last thing you wanted was to provoke this man into giving you a harder time.

“P-Please let me go.” You said, voice trembling yet firm.

“Nah, Kitty. You can’t just walk past me smelling like a fresh spring breeze and expect me not to take this chance?”

Your eyes narrowed at the blatant attempt at flirting, although calling it flirting felt far too generous. It wasn't the first time you had been catcalled, but being called a cat was certainly a new experience.

“I’m not interested.” You tried to tug your wrist away, but he wouldn’t budge. You didn’t dare lift your head in fear of your hoodie falling. “I have a boyfriend.”

“Your boyfie lets you go out smelling this…” His tongue darted out to trace his lips, predatory eyes falling down your body. “...Fertile?”

That word alone set a wave of nausea over you, alarms blaring in your head that you had to get the fuck out right now, otherwise he was going to do something drastic.

“Let go!” You yanked harder this time, finally freeing your aching wrists. Using this opportunity to put a couple more feet between you two.

You finally got a good look at your assailant, a well-built dog Primal with stubble lining his muzzle, hair short and spiky at the tips. Several scars ran across his arms and features, telling stories you had no desire to learn.

The force of your escape had shaken your hoodie loose, exposing the top of your head for only a brief second before you lifted it back over. But that singular second was all it took for the man to immediately bare his teeth, a low growl rumbling from his chest.

“Oh? Turns out you’re not a kitty after all?” He smirked, inching closer now that he knew.

With every large stride he took, you gave several more in return until your back collided with something hard. Before you could even process what it was, a pair of strong arms wrapped around your torso, trapping you in place.

“No! Stop! Let me go!” Your screams echoed through the alley, but the man in front of you only looked amused.

The man stepped in front of you, a smug look ever so present.

“Lady, do you even know where you are right now?” He brushed your hoodie off your head. “Even if you screamed as loud as you can, no one's gonna want to save a Cardinal.”

Tears welled in your eyes, and all you could think about was the pure hate you have for your mother for making you come here, how her decision is now costing your life.

“It’s strange, though.” His voice lowered as he studied you. “When I’m standing in front of you, I don’t get that nasty feeling of wanting to tuck my tail and run.”

His smile turned cruel.

“Isn’t that interesting? You must be defective.”

The man held your jaw in his rough hands, forcing you to look at him. “My last Cardinal made me look reealll pretty.” He dragged a finger down a scar that lined his cheek, making you wince. “Can you tell?”

His finger then tapped your cheeks, tracing down the soft skin, the exact length of his scar.

“I’ll make you look pretty too.”

You squeezed your eyes shut, desperately trying to hold back the sound threatening to escape your throat. You refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing how afraid you were.

Just then, his touch disappeared. The arms around you loosened, and the only things filling the silence were shouting voices and the heavy sound of fists colliding.

Your tears blurred your vision, making it difficult to see what had happened, but after quickly pulling your hood back into place and wiping your eyes, you finally managed to make out the scene in front of you. The dog Primal and his companion were both on the ground, their faces bruised and bloodied.

A new contender appeared in the form of another man, this time in a grey hoodie and baggy jeans. Was he the one who helped you? Was he also a Cardinal?

“What the…” The man held his nose, looking at the looming figure.

“Jungkook! Why the hell are you helping her?!” His voice made you wince, sounding genuinely offended.

“I told you last time not to fuck with the Cardinals that come here.” Your mysterious saviour said, turning slightly to look at you, and that’s when you saw it. “That’s my job.”

Hidden beneath his hoodie were large, elongated ears, heavily pierced with several sections cut and altered. His eyes flashed red beneath the streetlight, and his lip piercing caught the light as he moved. His right arm was covered almost entirely in colourful tattoos.

“Fuck man. Did you really have to punch me that hard? Fuck…” Blood continued to drip from his nose as he held his hand over it.

“Get the fuck out of here, Dongwon.” The stranger flicked his head, and with a heavy grumble, the dog Primals left.

You really didn’t appreciate the way he said, “That’s my job.” Because clearly that implied he was the top don around here who calls the shots.

His earlier expression turned into something softer, the red glow now replaced by big, brown doe eyes.

“Are you alright?” He bent down lower to your level, seemingly trying to make himself look smaller under that big hoodie.

You realized you hadn’t been breathing, letting yourself take deep breaths while keeping your unblinking eyes glued to his.

“I’m not gonna hurt you.” He kept his voice low and soft, like he was talking to an injured animal. “I promise.”

The man in front of you, Jungkook, would’ve preferred to leave you alone, but after seeing the top of your head clearly bare, he didn’t trust you to walk around this late at night. Quite frankly, he thought you were an idiot for even trying.

With a shaky breath, you spoke, “Thank you, but I need to go.”

He tilted his head, eyes narrowing. “And be attacked by stray dogs again? I thought Cardinals were supposed to be smart?”

You hated even being classified as one, because everything had to be blamed on your underdeveloped genetics. You weren’t as brilliantly smart as your siblings. You couldn’t regenerate a paper cut fast enough. You became bedridden when you caught a simple cold.

And worst of all, your Regalis gene was so faint it couldn’t even protect you.

Just like your ancestors.

“Well, sorry for not wanting to stick around with someone who sent a Primal home with a bloodied nose using one punch,” you argued, immediately putting up a defensive wall between the two of you.

Jungkook let out a heavy sigh as he rose from his squatting position, and despite the fact that he moved slowly, you still found yourself flinching slightly at the sudden increase in his height.

He would be lying if he said there wasn't something strangely satisfying about seeing a Cardinal so completely vulnerable in front of him, without the usual pressure of their Regalis weighing down on his instincts. For a moment, he allowed himself to appreciate the euphoric feeling before pushing it aside.

“Where are you going? I’ll walk you there.”

You desperately needed water. Food too, if you were being honest. There was no point turning back now after making it this far.

“Stay 10 feet away from me.”

He held up his hands as a sign of peace. “S’all you.”

The short walk was quiet. Occasionally, people would walk past you, giving you weird stares, not because of your scent but because Jungkook had been trailing you from behind, his scent clearly warding off people from trying to talk to either of you.

You reached the GS25, preparing to walk in, but Jungkook stopped you with a hand on your shoulder. You turned around, eyebrows furrowed in suspicion.

“Tell me what you want.” He held up some bills he pulled from his pocket. “I’ll get it.”

You didn’t understand why a Primal living in Seoul would help a Cardinal. There had to be a catch to it.

“No thanks. I can handle myself.” You shrugged his hand away and stepped into the store, the familiar jingle of the entrance welcoming you inside.

Jungkook only rolled his eyes before following after you, greeting the cashier like an old friend while you moved through the aisles.

You filled your basket with bottles of water and a few pre-made meals, making sure to grab enough to last you through the next couple of days. Once you were satisfied, you placed everything on the counter.

The middle-aged deer Primal behind the register gave you a brief glance before beginning to scan your items.

“Are you new around here? Don’t think I’ve ever smelled your mark around these parts.” The deer said, curiosity eating away at him from the subtle scent of the outer city.

“She's my girlfriend, Mr.Lee. Just moved here from Busan,” he continued smoothly, as if he hadn't just casually rewritten your entire relationship status. “You know how it is there. Couldn’t see her much until now.”

He gently placed his arm around your shoulder, pulling you in slightly. “I’m gonna have to scent her properly for the next few days. People keep trying to talk to her because she’s so pretty.” You were 100% sure your face wasn’t making Jungkook’s story any more convincing, but you couldn’t be more wrong when the deer had such an elated look on his face.

“Congratulations! I’m so happy for you, Jungkook-ah!” He reached over the counter to give Jungkook several pats on the shoulder. “I was afraid keeping our city safe was getting in the way of your love life, oh, I’m so proud.” The man shook his head side to side, like his own son just announced he was getting married.

“-Ah, sorry dear. I’ll bag these for you.” Mr. Lee quickly returned to work, neatly placing your items into a bag while you stood there in complete confusion. You handed him the exact change, still trying to process how easily Jungkook had managed to create an entire fake relationship in under ten seconds.

“Jungkookie here is a good man.” He says, nodding at you, “If he’s spending too much time hopping around instead of building a proper nest, just tell me, and I’ll whip him into shape.” A mighty holler escaped his throat as Jungkook blushes, “I can make a proper one…”

You simply nodded politely, offering a quiet, “Thank you,” before Jungkook grabbed the bags and quickly ushered you out of the store.

You waited until the two of you were several meters away from the store before exploding.

“WHAT. THE FUCK. IS WRONG WITH YOU???” You screamed in between inhales, and Jungkook quickly covered your mouth.

“Are you trying to get a noise complaint?! Keep it down!” You slapped his hand away, lowering your voice before continuing. “No-genuinely, what kind of story was that?! Your girlfriend?!”

“Well, what was I supposed to say?! Are you planning on walking around smelling like that every month with no claiming scent?”

“Like what?!” You jumped, recalling Dongwon’s comment about your scent. “Wait…” you pulled out your phone, swiping to your period tracker app.

Ovulation phase.

Heat quickly rose to your cheeks. “Oh my God…”

“You didn’t know?!” Jungkook finally had the upper hand, running a hand through his hair, which subsequently knocked his hoodie off, his large ears now standing at attention.

“I was just so stressed with moving. I didn’t keep track!” You tried to explain, “And what do you mean by a claiming scent?”

He held a finger up, head tilted away in frustration. “Are you doing this on purpose?”

“No—on my life, I don’t know what that is.” You held a hand to your chest, the other pointed to the sky.

“It's…” His eyes glazed around, noticing the increased number of stares. “Let’s head to my friend's place. We can’t talk here.” He mumbled.

“Your friends?? Fat chance. I’m gonna get my organs harvested.”

“Who would want your defective organs? Fine, yours then.” You jerked your head in offence, opening your mouth to argue, but the increasing number of curious stares around you made you reconsider. With a reluctant sigh, you grabbed onto his sleeve and dragged him along.

-

Jungkook’s jaw dropped the moment he saw your apartment building.

“How the hell did you manage to get your hands on this?”

You rolled your eyes, grabbing onto his hoodie and pulling him away from staring at the building like it was some kind of tourist attraction.

You wanted to get back to your unit, your safe haven, asap.

Shoving him through the door, you closed it and locked it shut, finally feeling relaxed—well, as relaxed as you could be with a giant rabbit Primal now standing in your living room.

The moment you turned on the lights, Jungkook’s eyes immediately wandered around the apartment, practically sparkling at the amount of space. Even when there were several moving boxes around, he could prance and glide everywhere with ease.

“Please…water…food…” You rasped, reaching a withering hand to the plastic bags Jungkook was hopping around with.

“Oh, right, sorry.” He hopped over to you, handing you the bags before continuing to explore your unit. You quickly pulled out a bottle, downing it in the amount of time you would assume was a world record.

The bottle left your mouth with a rejuvenated sigh, seeing Jungkook still looking around, pure eyes peering out your window and into the city lights.

“Sit down, let’s talk.” You called out to him, already settled onto the cold marble floor, since you still hadn't unpacked any furniture, and with shining eyes, he quickly sat in front of you.

You pulled out two bentos from the bag and handed one over.

“That’s your payment for walking me.” You pointed a chopstick at him, breaking it in two before digging into the bulgogi and rice.

“Uoh, thanks.” His lips formed an excited O, taking his own chopsticks and shovelling the meal into his mouth.

The food was delicious, the two of you finishing roughly at the same time. Jungkook clapped his hands together once. “Thank you for the meal."

“So, claiming scent, what’s that?” You wiped your mouth with the provided napkin, stacking the trash together.

“It’s a scent Primals use to…well, claim.” Jungkook shrugged, and you raised a brow. Obviously, there was more to it than that.

“When females go into heat, or, in your terms, ovulation, they either have a claiming scent from their partner that wards off other Primals from trying to shoot their shot, or they stay indoors if they’re not trying to find a mate until their heat ends.” He explained.

“Surely a Cardinal’s ovulation smells different than a Primal’s heat.”

“Well, yeah.” He scoffed as if you had asked the most obvious question in the world. “But at its most basic, the scent is the same. Ovulation occurs when Primals are in their heat.”

“Uh-huh…” You squinted as you rubbed your chin, deep in thought about this new information. “And you were telling the clerk you were gonna put this scent on me.”

Your words made Jungkook’s ears twitch. “It’s not as weird as you’re making it out to be!” He pouts his bottom lip. “Primals leave their scent on things to claim all the time, whether it be territory, items, or people. It’s just basic animal behaviour.”

“This is basic Primal knowledge. How do you not know this? Where are you actually from?” He bombards you with question after question.

“Why don’t you introduce yourself first, Rabbit? You’re in my house.”

“I’m a hare!” He points at his ears, “Not a rabbit!”

“Right. My mistake.” You nodded, deciding not to argue over semantics.

“Now that we got that cleared up, my name’s Jeon Jungkook. I’m a boxer.”

Ah, that makes a lot of sense now, how he managed to knock two heavyweights down with one punch.

“Now you.” He flicks his head up.

“(Y/F/N), software engineer, also a slight amount of nepotism at play.” You held up your fingers in a small pinching gesture.

“Oh, no wonder, but how did you end up here if you’re rich?” You didn’t even wanna ask which part of it was clicking gears together for him, and you were too tired to ask.

“That’s a story for another day.” You stood up with a heavy sigh. “It was nice to meet you, Jungkook, but I’m extremely tired, and I want to go to bed,” You mumbled, shoving the trash into one of the empty convenience store bags.

“Oh, ok.” He stood up, and you couldn’t help but notice his ears drooping down slightly.

“Is your house far from here? I can call a taxi for you.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine. I kinda live everywhere, so,” He fidgeted with his hands, but your sleep-deprived brain wasn’t really catching on.

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t have a home.”

Your expression softened. You thought every Primal in Seoul lived in paradise, a roof over their head and supported by their very own people?

“Then, where do you sleep?”

“Usually at a friend's place. I bed hop.”

“I…” you trailed off, debating if this was a good idea.

“...I have 7 other guest rooms. Take one.”

It was as if the sunshine fell on him, his ears immediately straightening, eyes glistening for the nth time this evening.

“Really?!” You could hear the faint sound of fabric shifting, tilting your body to the side to see a bump on his tailbone that wiggled side to side rapidly, covered by his hoodie.

“Yeah, but my shower broke down, so unfortunately you can’t wash up. That’s why I got a bunch of these.” You waved your hand across the grocery bags filled with large water bottles.

“That’s perfectly fine!” Jungkook smiled brightly. “I’ve gone months without showering before!”

“Good God.”

- 

You gave Jungkook some oversized clothes to change into before showing him the guest room, and that’s when you realized.

You only have one mattress.

“Fuck, sorry, I’m just really tired. I didn’t consider that.” You pressed a hand against your forehead, already feeling the exhaustion catching up to you. After everything that had happened that day, the last thing you wanted was to make your unexpected guest sleep on the floor of your apartment.

But that didn’t seem to deter the hare. It didn’t seem like anyone could put a damper on his mood. “You don’t have to worry about a thing. I’ve slept on concrete before.”

You sucked in a breath through your teeth. You were really going to regret this.

“Wanna sleep on mine?”

The moment the words left your mouth, Jungkook’s tail gave a small twitch beneath his hoodie. He slowly turned toward you, his expression caught somewhere between surprise and confusion. “Like… with you?”

You didn’t want to look at him, waving your hands in front of yourself instead. “No—you’re right, that was a weird suggestion.”

“No!” Both of his hands caught yours. You could feel how calloused they were.

“I was just surprised. I thought you were uncomfortable around me, or hated me.” While it wasn’t a lie that you were uncomfortable, with the short time you spent with him, he seemed like just a harmless Robin Hood-type figure who’d never been on top of a high-rise building before.

“I mean, you’re not wrong,” you admitted. “But I don’t think my conscience could handle you sleeping on cold marble. It has a higher thermal conductivity than concrete.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, whatever.” You bashfully shrugged, grabbing his sleeve and pulling him toward your bedroom before you could change your mind.

After changing into your pajamas in your ensuite bathroom, you returned to find Jungkook already settled beneath the extra blanket you had forcefully pulled out from one of your unopened boxes.

A line of small cardboard boxes lay in the middle of your king-sized bed, making it physically impossible for either one of you to accidentally end up in each other's arms, not that you were planning for that to happen in the first place.

You slipped under the sheets, breathing deeply before closing your eyes. “Night, Jungkook.”

“Good night, (Y/N).”

-

You woke up sometime in the middle of the night, your body overheated and your clothes slightly damp from sweat, a common occurrence for you whenever you slept with something on your mind that manifested into a nightmare.

The sun hadn’t risen yet, but the sky outside had already begun to brighten, the faint blue-orange glow of dawn creeping across the horizon.

You sighed, running a hand down your face to bring yourself back to reality.

You glanced over the boxes to see Jungkook dead asleep, face never once twitching and lips slightly parted. You hated to admit it, but he was attractive. Very attractive.

You quickly looked away, deciding that thinking about it any longer was unnecessary, and carefully slipped out of bed to head toward the bathroom, flipping on the faucet, praying it had fixed when you were sleeping.

And to your joy, it had. With a few spurts of water, a steady flow streamed from the tap.

You splashed the water on your face, bringing you a second wind as the cold washed away the heat.

After taking a proper shower, you changed into a fresh pair of pajamas, walking back to your bedroom to see that Jungkook hadn’t budged an inch.

You padded over to him, squatting down to look at his sleeping face, his ears now floppy and dangling slightly off the edge of the mattress.

You didn’t know why you were looking at him; maybe it was the surreality of the situation? Maybe you just needed to make sure what happened yesterday wasn’t a dream, and now you had a Primal sleeping next to you.

Jungkook’s nose twitched, your distinct scent seeping into his nose now that you had been mere inches away. His earlier excitement had overshadowed his Primal response to your Cardinal scent. You had basically been dangling an A5 wagyu steak in front of him the entire time. He was just too stupid to register that until now, when his body was operating at its absolute basic instincts.

Jungkook was known for being God’s strongest sleeper. Even if you blasted Brazil’s EAS right next to his ears, he’d just turn the other way and snuggle a little deeper into his blankets. It was physically impossible to stir him from sleep.

But your scent had woken him up in an instant, eyes fluttering open and hands reaching out to catch your arm.

“...(Y/N).” He suddenly sat up from the mattress, blankets falling off his body and into a pile around his thighs, making you stumble onto your butt in surprise.

There were so many things muddying his mind at the moment: your ovulation, your unclaimed scent, his lack of instinctual fear from your Regalis, you.

“Sorry, I was just checking up on you.” You quickly murmured, your voice tickling his ears.

He hadn’t realized his heartbeat was increasing, his breathing becoming more shallow by the second.

“...Can I mark you?”

You blinked at his words, trying to register what he just said. “Can you what?”

“I want to scent you, can I? Please?” Outside, morning slowly began to break through the darkness, casting soft blue and orange light across the room. The glow reflected in his eyes, making them appear almost like polished amber.

You didn’t know the significance of scenting. He explained that it was something Primals use to mark something as theirs. In your mind, it seemed comparable to a child putting their name on their belongings so nobody else would take them.

If it was to keep you safe from other Primals approaching you, then surely it wouldn’t be so bad. You had no intention of interacting with anyone else in Seoul anyway.

“...Ok.”

You agreed, but you didn’t know what the process entailed. Does he just have to hug you?

How naive you were when he tugged you onto the mattress, now pressed chest to chest with you sitting on his lap, his face burrowed into the crook of your neck.

He sucked in a breath before parting his lips, lapping up a section of your neck, making you wince and hold onto his shoulder a little tighter.

Your scent was so faint, it was something Jungkook had never smelled before. Of course, everyone had their own unique scent, but yours contained something so addicting it had him holding you tighter with each inhale.

You bit your lip, trying to contain your noises, but you couldn’t help but feel like he earned a mewl from you when his tongue was so soft and warm against your damp skin.

Was this what scenting was? Just…being intimate with your partner?

Jungkook’s dull canines grazed against your skin as he fought against the urge to bite down harder, to leave behind his unique mark his instincts were telling him you needed, knowing you wouldn’t appreciate it. Opting to suck light bruises into the delicate skin instead.

You closed your eyes to enjoy the sensation of his touch, having never experienced the affection of a Primals. It was way different from when your ex loved you, where every action behind his love wanted something in exchange.

For Jungkook, everything he gave you was the result of his instincts. You were a Cardinal who didn’t elicit the fear his kind had been born to feel. His natural responses were at odds with each other on how he should be acting around you, and it drove him insane.

“Jungkook…” You whispered his name near his ear, your breath brushing against the sensitive fur. The soft sound was enough to make his ears immediately twitch and rise in response, every strand of fur bristling as your sultry voice carried through him.

“Mmn…My—” Jungkook bit down on his tongue before the next word could escape, his brows knitting together as he forced himself to pull back from the mistaken line of thought.

He wanted to call you his Cardinal.

Actually, mistaken wasn’t the right word. He was scared to admit he wanted to submit to you, even if your Regalis was faint. You made him feel like he was able to be vulnerable around you, that you wouldn’t take advantage of his biology. Your heart had been so incredibly guarded and ever more so after the events of today, but you fed him and allowed him to stay with you simply because what? Because he pulled your heartstrings by telling you he was a stray?

You were so hopelessly kind, adorably naive.

Your heart was kind and trusting, but the world had always taken you for granted. Jungkook wanted to know more about you, wanted to be the one you confided in, the only one you’d be making these sorts of noises for.

All in the span of a couple of hours—crazy, huh?

But he held himself back for you, because you didn’t know any better. You practically knew nothing about his kind, and that’s why he’s going to teach you everything. His good girl. That was the least he could say.

If Jungkook could help it, he’d hold you in his lap forever, scent you to his heart's content, until everyone knew who you belonged to. He forced his lips to part from your supple skin, hooded eyes admiring the pretty patches of red and purple he left on your neck.

“You’re so pretty, (Y/N).” An innocent smile tugged at his lips as his hazy, scent-drunk eyes slowly blinked. “You smell like me now.”

You didn’t think this little hare could do any more damage to your heart, but those words completely pierced right through.

Ah…What are you gonna do now.

[chizumouse]

SEOUL SOCIETY ⟡ MOODBOARDS + EXTRA INFO

SERIES MASTERLIST

Name: Kim Namjoon

Species: Ursus Maritimus | Polar Bear

Residence: KNU Labs (Former)

Occupation: N/A

Story: Illegally imported into Korea to be studied. Escaped the lab to Seoul and is currently high priority for Primal control.

Name: Kim Seokjin

Species: Phodopus sungorus | Winter White Russian dwarf hamster

Residence: Song Residence (Former)

Occupation: N/A

Story: Abandoned by his Cardinal after finding out his second gender was Alpha. Went to Seoul to find his people, only to be ostracized for being a freakishly big hamster.

Name: Min Yoongi

Species: Panthera pardus | Panther

Residence: Inner Seoul | Studio apartment (Former)

Occupation: Producer

Story: One of the few Primals that resided in Seoul before it was overthrown. Worked as a producer until his business partner screwed him over with a false deal, costing him everything.

Name: Jung Hoseok

Species: Tamias striatus | Chipmunk

Residence: Kim residence (Former) HOTS dance crew (Present)

Occupation: N/A

Story: Abandoned by his Cardinal for a golden retriever Primal. Went to Seoul to find companionship. He's now the leader of a small group of dance nomads.

Name: Park Jimin

Species: Bungarus caeruleus | Common Krait

Residence: Outskirts of Seoul | Studio apartment

Occupation: Cardinal black market dealer

Story: Sold his venom to help his sick mother, after her passing he continued with the line of work to support himself. In close relations with bad Cardinals who don't know his true identity.

Name: Kim Taehyung

Species: Panthera tigris | Tiger

Residence: N/A

Occupation: N/A

Story: A stray since the very start. Found his way to Seoul. He can never stay in one place.

Name: Jeon Jungkook

Species: Lepus saxatilis | Hare

Residence: Everywhere

Occupation: Bounty Hunter

Story: Owns a large territory in Seoul, not in the way you'd expect but rather everyone let's him stay with them because he gets along with everyone. He gets paid to drive out Cardinals from Seoul.

[kopkeburada]

HERE's MY NUMBER

(Jungkook realizes his selfish thoughts for the first time.)

××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××

December 2016 – Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) / Hong Kong

End of 2016... The period when BTS was tearing up the stage with their "Wings" album, everything was growing at a crazy speed, and the stages were burning hot, while the backstages were just as cold, dark, and full of intrigue.

For 19-year-old Jeon Jungkook, the world was pretty simple. He had two major passions in life: the stage and Kim Areum.

To him, Areum wasn't just a childhood friend, a confidante from their trainee days, or a talented colleague sharing the same group.

In the childish, selfish, and possessive math inside Jungkook's mind, Areum was the only thing that "naturally belonged to him".

Areum’s ambition in the studio, playing console games together, sitting in the practice room at three in the morning and dreaming... Jungkook took it so much for granted that he was the only unwavering man in Areum’s life that the thought of any other possibility couldn't even fit into his head. Areum was by his side, she was always there, and she would always belong to him.

At least, until that backstage hallway in Hong Kong, Jungkook believed this with all his heart.

That night, the MAMA backstage was absolute chaos. Leather jackets, the smell of hairspray, managers rushing around, and the constantly echoing sounds of choreography rehearsals...

BTS was getting their final touches done in the dressing room before their big performance. Jungkook, feeling suffocated by the heavy, embroidered velvet jacket he was wearing, stepped out into the hallway to catch his breath. As he walked toward the corner with the vending machine, he saw Areum.

Jungkook was just about to take a step toward her and tease her in his usual childish, familiar way when... he stopped.

Standing in front of Areum was one of the most popular and charismatic male idols of that era.

Jungkook stayed in the shadows and began to watch them with narrowed eyes.

He had a direct, daring, and flirtatious smile on his face that no one had ever dared to use with Areum before. Jungkook’s jaw clenched instantly. He started tightening his fists inside his velvet jacket pockets. A huge wave of unexplainable rage surged inside him, choking his throat. That man couldn't stand that close to Areum. He couldn't look at Areum like that. And then... That moment happened. The male idol pulled a small, folded piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Areum. The words coming out of his lips couldn't be heard down the hallway, but Jungkook knew very well what it was: a phone number...

Jungkook held his breath. His heart started pounding as if it were going to tear through his chest. A voice inside him was screaming, "Areum won't take that paper, she'll reject him because she's with me."

Jungkook expected Areum to coldly turn the guy down. But Areum smiled gracefully. She didn't reject the paper; she gently took it, held it in her hand, thanked the guy briefly, and started walking toward her own dressing room.

Jungkook froze right where he stood. It felt as if the world had shifted off its axis for a few seconds. Areum had taken the paper. In that moment, the childish castle 19-year-old Jeon Jungkook had built in his mind crumbled to the ground. That innocent, arrogant thought that had considered Areum "already his" until that day was confronted with a stone-cold reality:

Kim Areum did not belong to him.

Areum was an independent woman. She was a captivating woman who other men desired, chased after, asked for her number, and smiled at. If Jungkook didn't take a step, Areum would put one of those papers in her pocket one day and walk into someone else's life. Jungkook leaned his back against the cold backstage wall. His chest was heaving up and down. In his ears, it wasn't the noise of the stages or the fans, but only the thumping sound of his own heart. He closed his eyes and made the most honest, terrifying confession of his 19-year life to himself:

"I don't look at her like just a 'friend.' I never have."

When the ceremony was over, BTS returned to the dorms. Around three in the morning, Jungkook was standing in front of Areum's room door in the dorm hallway. He had taken off his stage outfit and pulled the hood of his black hoodie over his head. His hands were trembling.

He knocked on the door. When Areum opened it, she had taken off her heavy dress and was standing in front of him with a loose gray t-shirt and messy hair. She had that familiar, gentle smile on her face.

"Koo? What happened at this hour? Did you guys finish celebrating the MAMA victory?"

Jungkook didn't answer. He just looked into Areum's eyes. In his eyes was a darkness, a hunger, and a desperate passion that Areum had never seen before. Jungkook took a step inside. Areum reflexively had to take a step back. Jungkook closed the door behind him and leaned his back against it. Areum slightly knitted her brows,

"Jungkook... Are you okay? What's with this attitude?"

"Where is that paper?"

"What paper?"

"In the hallway... The number that guy gave you. Where is it, Areum?"

Areum paused for a moment. That was when she realized Jungkook had been watching her. She tried to put on her cold, distant expression.

"Jungkook, that's none of your business. Industry etiquette—"

"It IS my business!"

Areum flinched at Jungkook's sudden outburst. Jungkook stood right in front of her. There was almost no distance left between them. That shy 19-year-old boy was gone.

"It is my business, Areum... Because I realized something tonight."

She swallowed hard, "What?"

"I can't stand seeing you with someone else. I can't even stand the thought of losing you to someone else. I... I don't want to be your childhood friend anymore."

Areum's breath caught in her throat. Jungkook reached out and slowly grabbed Areum's wrist, with a gentleness that wouldn't hurt her.

"I thought you were mine, Areum. I was stupid enough to think that. But tonight I realized... You aren't mine. And now I know very well what I have to risk to win you over."

That foundation laid in the MAMA backstage that night was the end of an innocent friendship between two kids, and the true beginning of a massive, passionate, and dangerous love that would stretch all the way to 2026.

××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××

AN/ Hey! What you think? And I'll make a taglist. Let me know if you'd like to be added.

Taglist: @bammbi-jeon127

[kopkeburada]

LOOKING BACK

Hey, I haven't been able to write for a while. But after my last chapter, "You must have lost your mind," I decided that we need to take a look at Areum and Jungkook's past. I'm going to share a fic where I wrote a few important milestones. Let me know if you'd like to be added to the taglist! ♡

[chizumouse]

SEOUL SOCIETY ⟡ BTS X READER

SERIES MASTERLIST

⟡ Pairing: Hybrid! BTS x Reader

⟡ Genre: Romance, fluff, angst, smut, comedy? idek anymore, hybrid au

⟡ Warning/Tags: Explicit smut (eventually), fem reader, they're all alphas, polygamy, ruts (duh), lore-accurate rut behaviour and mating???, lots of scenting, hybrids are oppressed, violence

⟡ Summary: In a world dominated by Cardinals, Seoul was the one place your mother sent you, of all places. The city where Cardinals like you were hated. Having been born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you always strived to help people with your wealth, working a humble at-home job that didn’t require you to step out the majority of the time. How are you going to survive in a city that wants you gone?

MOODBOARDS

Chapter 1 - Get out of my hare Chapter 2 - Bear with mew

yes the chapter names are going to just be puns

Brainstorming stuff (THESE INCLUDE SPOILERS)

Yn wanted to adopt alphas, but that’s legally not allowed. One by one, she picks up a bunch of street-roaming solitary alphas

Hare - Jungkook

Eats bark, leaves, occasionally meat. A complete 180 from rabbits whereas they are extremely social creatures, hares are solitary. He doesn't beg for attention much. But when he DOES!

He had a large territory on the streets before you took him in, so he has trouble settling into a singular room in your home, opting to sleep in the other alphas' or your bed whenever he can.

Yoongi and Tae groom Jungkook as an act of dominance, but he likes to be groomed bc its an act of submission

Hamster - Jin

Hoards the treats you give him. Loves the occasional dry chicken cube treats. 

Will nibble on your fingers to make you think he's unhappy, but he's just joking around.

Since he’s nocturnal, he spends most of his time snoozing next to you when you’re working. (Eldest privileges)

Likes to sleep with his entire body completely buried under the sheets.

Polar Bear - Namjoon

Illegally imported into Seoul and escaped captivity. Had to hide the fact that he was a hybrid so he wouldn't be captured again.

Able to be patient for a long period of time, always waiting for you to come home. Sways his head side to side when he wants to play.

You had his room specially modified so he's able to live comfortably in his native climate.

Snake - Jimin

Having no one to inject his venom into, his fangs become super sensitive and sore, so he often has to bite into shot glasses covered by saran wrap. It's incredibly unsatisfying, and his instincts are always screaming that it's wrong.

His venom doesn't kill, but it paralyzes, often giving the injected a sense of euphoria so great it ceases their motor functions (This venom is highly sought after in the black market!)

Often flicks his forked tongue to taste the air, whether it be for hunting or finding mates.

Fraternizes with Cardinals and deals venom with them. Has to hide the fact he wants to run away at every given moment in the presence of their Regalis

Tiger - Tae

Will tell you he hates playing around, but when you or the other Alphas rouse his instincts by acting like prey backing away, he can't help but pounce and gnaw at your jugulars.

Will sometimes open his mouth and bare his teeth, but that's just him trying to taste the air for scents.

Always purring deeply next to your ears when cuddling, it's healing.

Panther - Yoongi

Has a bad habit of scratching territorial marks into your walls. You have to remind him 30298282920 times not to do that 😭

As opposed to Tae, he's much better at pretending he doesn't give a fuck about giving in to his instincts. Oh! An injured prey? It's alright; he's already figured out 20 ways to kill them, he doesn't need to act on it. It's too troublesome

Licks you with his sandpaper tongue to groom you, but you have to remind him not to go overboard and lick your skin off your body.

Chipmunk - Hoseok

Hoards the treats you give him in a little box so he can enjoy them all with you later.

Often competing with Jin to see who has a better hoard, they both present them to you as a sign they want to court you.

Since he's only half chipmunk, he doesn't need to fully go into hibernation when winter comes, but he becomes incredibly lethargic and airy. So please take care of his little heart.

General world building

Humans and hybrids are separated by class: Cardinals and Primals.

Primals have co-existed alongside Cardinals since the very beginning. They’re an evolutionary branch of homosapiens called homobestia who didn’t lose their animalistic features during evolution.

Cardinals are, in a nutshell, the Apex predator. They all possess the gift of dominion, to conquer. A presence that instinctively makes a Primal want to submit to them.

Obviously, that pushed a lot of political narratives to where we are today

Primals are legally classified as sub-human and are treated as such in society, either as pets or even below homeless Cardinals.

Seoul is the one city that Primals have made their own, rising into power and driving the Cardinals out.

It's illegal to keep more than one Alpha in a home; it causes unnecessary complications and is just generally a bad idea.

Wandering Primals disguise themselves as Cardinals, some making the irreversible decision to cut off their animalistic features. This doesn't remove the nature that comes with them, though.

Cardinals who are exposed as Primals are subsequently put down.

About the boys

Since the 7 boys are all solitary alphas, it's incredibly hard for their instincts to fully settle down around one another. (like who tf is this predator/prey on MY turf cozying up with MY mate)

Jungkook, Jin, Tae, and Yoongi are nocturnal

Jimin, Namjoon, and Hoseok are diurnal

Since Yn has an at-home daytime job, the nighttime Primals are always trying to force themselves through the day just so they could spend time with her.

Oh boy, how to find a compromise that makes everyone happy…

I think it'd be funny to write a scene where yn is ovulating and it just puts everyone on edge but you have a period tracker app and ur just like "oh damn im ovulating....btw can yall smell that?"

It might trigger them into a rut. Ur literally announcing to the world 'IM FERTILE AND BREEDABLE RN'

I can’t believe I have to do actual research on animals and how they behave during mating season so its lore accurate

Mating/rut behaviours (All of them perform scent marking)

Jungkook

Hare ruts are scary (They call it the mad march madness???) It causes him to become extremely aggressive and want to fight everything in the vicinity. Others have to hold him back from chasing YN around the house.

Showing off a lot more than usual, in strength and stamina

Females are usually the ones initiating contact to ensue a chase, so perhaps a scene where YN unintentionally approaches him…

Creates a nest in his bed during pre-rut ("Kook what are you doing?" "You don't get it, (Y/N) my instincts are telling me this has to be perfect for you" "?")

Jin

are u so fr hamsters are FREAKS

I think you’d like to indulge in a little chase before getting captured by him, scenting you by biting into your neck while making little noises.

Apparently the female will attack the male if he doesn’t immediately gtfo and raises her children all on her own im dead what an icon

Namjoon

His heightened need to find a mate suppresses his hunger.

They endure long, harsh treks through the ice to find a mate….perhaps that's how he meets you?

No thoughts, head empty just mate…find mate…i can smell her…find mate…..

Jimin

He can taste you in the air, literally

Rubs his chin all over you to scent you

Prefers to have you lying on his chest when he fucks you from beneath

Dare I say, 2 penits

Unique litter name: clutch

Taehyung

Always making some sort of noise in the house to get your attention

Adopts Yoongi’s bad habit and digs claw marks all around your room

Rubs his cheek to yours (more often than usual)

Exhibits high levels of tolerance and restraint, allowing you to take the lead

Yoongi

Turns his room upside down to make a makeshift nest for you (The nest is basically screaming at you to ‘COME INCOME IN COME IN COME CIN’)

He needs you to stay in the nest for a few days before mating, so your scent can properly be bonded with him.

Rmb jungkook talking about 7 days a week? Make that 7 times an hour

Bites into your neck because his instincts tell him it’ll trigger your ovulation

Hoseok

The same behaviour as Jungkook, where he tries not to chase you around the house.

Flattens his ears and puffs up his tail when the other alphas are around you

Tries to scare them off with chirps and trills but compared to the predators, he's just a little rodent

Honestly there’s not a lot of difference with hare, hamster, and chipmunk behaviours, if anything it’s the same

Also just found out mid research that theres a species of mice that literally fuck until they die

Thank god none of them are this amirite? Eh? Eh? 

also doodled some of the ideas

kinda cooked with jimin proportions today

namgi appears!

[chizumouse]

A ROYAL APPETITE ⟡ BTS X READER

Chapter 1: Fresh Meat - Series Masterlist

⟡ Pairing: Cannibal! OT7 x Reader ⟡ Genre: Dark Romance, horror, psychological horror, angst, smut, Royal AU ⟡ Warning/Tags: Explicit smut (eventually), dom dom dom they’re all dom, cannibalism (duh), death, violence, graphic descriptions of gore, manipulation, stockholm syndrome, reader gets skewered in more ways than one, yandere elements, possessive/obsessive, coercion to eat something reader clearly does NOT want to, zero morals because how morally correct can a cannibal be, despair, helplessness, mindbreak, adapt to survive

⟡ WC: 12k~

⟡ SENSITIVE WARNING: The plot and actions in this story are purely fictional and for entertainment purposes only. I obviously do not condone cannibalism committed by real criminals or whatnot. Take care.

In the cold, rural winter village of Baekhwa, it's not surprising that the townspeople all keep to themselves. The harsh winter climate never allowed a bountiful harvest, leaving the villagefolk starved and reluctant to share food.

Except for the royals, in this country where vegetation is scarce and meat is undoubtedly out of reach, the upper class somehow always stuffed their bellies full of meat.

You had never tasted it yourself, only heard stories passed from mouth to mouth, stories that made meat sound like God's greatest creation. They spoke of rich juices spilling from a perfectly medium-rare steak, of roasted pork so tender it melted apart with the slightest touch, seasoned so perfectly that every bite lingered on the tongue.

You would've killed for even a single taste.

Lost in the fantasy as you stared up at the towering black gates surrounding the castle, you didn't realize you had begun to drool until a drop reached your chin. Embarrassed, you hastily wiped your mouth with the sleeve of your dirt-stained coat.

"Fantasizing again?"

You jumped at the familiar voice and turned to find your best friend, Suah, standing behind you with her hands planted firmly on her hips, her lips pulled into an unimpressed pout.

"…Do you think I could sneak into the castle pantry before they caught me?" you asked, only half-joking.

Suah let out a long, exhausted groan.

“For the millionth time, no! You know those who tried have never made it out; they’re probably all rotting in the dungeon or something.” Her eyes shifted to the glittery castle, so close yet so far from your reach.

She was right; those who were desperate enough to break into the castle had never made it out. You don't know whether they've been imprisoned or executed; not even the guards ever come out to talk to the villagers.

The only time the royals ever acknowledged the existence of commoners was during the Crowning, a tradition in which one fortunate villager was chosen to marry the prince or princess.

You never quite understood it. Royal families had never seemed particularly opposed to marrying within their own bloodlines, so taking a commoner as a spouse felt strangely beneath them. Then again, who were you to question the whims of people who had never known hunger?

The last Crowning had chosen your family friend, Luka.

You'd been genuinely happy for him. How could you not be? Overnight, he'd traded a life of scraps for one of unimaginable luxury. He slept in a bed with clean, soft sheets, ate three proper meals every single day, and, most enviously, every one of those meals came with the kind of nutritional value people like you could only fantasize about.

Still…you would've been lying if you said jealousy hadn't sunk its claws into you.

What's odd is that everyone who's ever been Crowned never sends letters back to the village, not a single one. It could've been entirely possible they let the life of luxury change them and forget all about the past, but Luka? Your best friend since birth who cared for you like his closest sister? You couldn't believe he'd just forget about you like that.

“I pray to God I'll be chosen for the next Crowning,” Suah clasps her hands together, closing her eyes and muttering prayers under her breath, to which you follow suit. After all, you could only ask for the help of a higher being to save you now.

-

"EVERYONE STEP OUTSIDE! WE WILL DECIDE WHO THE NEXT CROWNED ROYAL WILL BE!"

The announcement echoed through the village as a glittering carriage rolled down the dirt road, escorted by men clad in polished suits of armour. It looked almost laughably out of place against the weathered cottages and muddy streets of Baekhwa.

One by one, the sons and daughters of every household gathered outside their rickety homes, dressed in the finest rags they owned. Faces that hadn't been properly washed in years had been scrubbed until they gleamed, and you were no exception. Your mother had rubbed your skin so vigorously that it still stung, stripping away layers of dirt and dead skin in preparation for the day's selection. Perched atop your freshly combed hair sat a crown of yellow daisies, lovingly woven from the flowers she'd picked from her tiny, precious garden.

You stood tall, prim, and proper, determined to appear as poised and presentable as possible. If a royal's gaze happened to linger on you, you wanted them to see everything you had to offer. Someone hardworking, obedient, and worth taking away from this place.

The carriage continued its slow procession, passing one home after another.

It rolled past the Park family. Then the Lees. Then the Kims.

Eventually, it reached Suah.

For a brief, hopeful moment, she held her breath. Then the carriage continued forward without so much as slowing, and you watched the hope drain from her face as it disappeared behind her.

A small spark of excitement bloomed in your chest before you could stamp it out.

Suah was beautiful, almost unfairly so. Even beneath the village's constant layer of soot and hardship, she stood out like a diamond scattered among dull stones. You'd been convinced that if anyone were chosen today, it would be her.

Which made it all the more surprising that whoever sat inside the carriage seemed to think otherwise.

Then the white horse passed you, and you swallowed, standing even taller to prostrate yourself, trying to plaster a smile on your face that spectacularly failed and ended up looking extremely awkward.

You caught the silhouette inside the carriage shift ever so slightly before the horses came to a halt.

Your breath caught in your throat as your heart began to pound, though you forced yourself not to get carried away. They could just as easily be stopping for the girl standing across from you.

The carriage door creaked open only a fraction, just enough for the royal inside to lean forward and whisper something to the soldier waiting outside. After listening attentively, the soldier gave a sharp nod before marching directly toward you.

He stopped just a step away, his posture perfectly rigid.

“The prince has chosen you to be the next royal bride. Please step into the carriage!” He loudly stated.

Your eyes widened, and for a moment, you stopped breathing.

You spun toward your mother, only to find tears already streaming down her face. Before either of you could say another word, she pulled you into a tight embrace, and you clung to her as though afraid the moment might vanish if you let go.

“Oh, my God! Mother! Thank you so much!” You cried into her shoulder as she sobbed and ran her hand along your back in a soothing motion.

“I'm so proud of you, my daughter. I knew you could do it!”

“I'll send food home as often as I can. I won't let this life change me. Please be well, Mother…I love you so much,” You kissed both of her cheeks before finally pulling away, though your fingers remained intertwined with hers for a few lingering seconds, neither of you quite ready to let go. Eventually, you forced yourself to turn away and follow the soldier toward the carriage.

He extended a hand to help you up the steep steps, and you carefully accepted his support before climbing inside the grand vehicle. The interior was far more spacious than you had imagined, almost unreal compared to the cramped little home you had grown up in.

You never noticed the bitter, betrayed expression that crossed Suah's face as the carriage door closed behind you.

Inside, you were immediately met with the sight of not one, not two, but seven men dressed in elegant royal garments. You froze at the entrance, momentarily overwhelmed as each pair of eyes turned toward you.

Heat rushed to your face.

Quickly lowering your gaze, you gathered the fabric of your dress between your fingertips and performed the deepest bow your mother had taught you.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lords. My name is (Y/F/N)."

You remained bowed, too afraid to lift your head. The silence that followed stretched on for far too long, and with every passing second, your confidence began to crumble.

Had they changed their minds?

Had they realized they had chosen the wrong person?

The thought alone was enough to make your stomach twist. You would rather disappear than be sent back to the village after everyone had watched you leave.

Then, a calm voice broke through the silence.

“Lift your head for us, Princess.”

The soothing baritone came from somewhere to your left, and after a moment of hesitation, you slowly obeyed. Your eyes searched for the man who had spoken until they finally met the gaze of the one who had called your name.

“You've become a lot prettier since the last time we saw you.” The voice belonged to a blonde-haired man; his features were so sharp it looked like they could cut you with just a touch, his eyes hooded and examining you like you were just a commodity.

“Looks like the bud finally bloomed.” Another voice followed, this one belonging to a raven-haired man with full lips and dark, smoky eyes. The way they looked at you made you feel like a small country mouse, and despite your best efforts, you found yourself avoiding their gaze entirely.

“Y-your words are incredibly flattering, my lords, but I assure you, I am nothing more than a village girl,” you stammered.

Your thoughts raced so quickly that you barely had time to process what they had said. You completely overlooked the strange implication behind their words. That they had known of you long before today, that they had been watching you since the last Crowning, perhaps even longer.

“Have a seat, Princess.” The voice came from the man with longer features and a taller nose. He shifted slightly before patting his lap, and only then did you notice something strange.

Despite how spacious the carriage was, there wasn't a single seat left open for you.

Was he implying that you should sit there?

Absolutely not.

Not only would your worn village clothing stain their expensive silks, but you didn't even know which of them you were meant to marry. Surely sitting on another man's lap would be considered improper, perhaps even an act of infidelity toward your future husband.

Your mind spiralled as you searched for another solution.

And so, with no better option coming to mind, you carefully lowered yourself onto the floor of the carriage, kneeling with your hands resting neatly on your knees.

It felt like the world around you had stopped when the men suddenly burst into a fit of laughter. Your ears burned as heat rushed to your cheeks, embarrassment washing over you as their laughter filled the carriage. You had never felt so foolish in your entire life.

“What are you doing, Princess?” The same man who had offered his lap wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, leaning down closer to your level as he looked at you with amusement.

Your words were caught in your throat, and you tried your best to explain yourself. “I was just…I didn't want to dirty your expensive fabrics,” you murmured. Then, after a moment of hesitation, you looked up at him with genuine curiosity. “And pardon me for asking, but… are you going to be my husband?”

The innocence in your eyes seemed to catch him off guard.

For a brief moment, his amused expression softened, and the corner of his lips lifted into what appeared to be a gentle smile.

“Isn't she just the sweetest little thing?” This time, the voice came from a man with wide, doe-like eyes. His ears were decorated with intricate silver piercings. Ornaments you had only ever heard of being worn by royalty.

The tall-nosed man just sent him a knowing glance, silently expecting you to take them. You hesitated for only a moment before placing your hands in his. And in one swift motion, he pulled you up from the floor and settled you onto his lap, one arm wrapping securely around your shoulders as if this were the most natural thing in the world.

“Oh!.. Please, this doesn't feel appropriate!-” You panic, trying to wriggle your way out of his grip. Instead, his hold tightened.

“If you're going to complain about this, I suppose we'll have no choice but to send you back to your mother,” he said calmly. “Would you prefer that, Princess?” His threat fell from his lips like it hadn't been the first time he'd been so cruel. He was serious about this.

The thought of being returned to the village after everything—the humiliation, the hope, the promises you had made to your mother—was unbearable.

Immediately, you stopped struggling.

“Good girl,” he cooed, a pleased smile tugging at his lips. "I'm glad you're afraid of me." His fingers brushed gently through your hair, sweeping the loose strands away from your face and tucking them behind your ear.

The rest of the journey to the castle passed in silence.

After several awkward attempts at finding a comfortable position, you eventually managed to settle into his lap without completely losing feeling in your legs. Though every so often, you heard a quiet hiss escape him whenever you shifted too suddenly.

Your attention eventually drifted toward the man sitting across from you, the one with the silver piercings. You couldn't help but stare.

The jewelry adorning his ears was unlike anything you had ever seen, each piece catching the light and sparkling in a way that made it almost mesmerizing. You were so captivated that you didn't notice how long you had been looking until he raised an eyebrow at you.

“You find them interesting?” He tilts his head with a smirk.

“I just…” You point to your own ear. “Does it hurt? It looks really pretty.” His smile seemed to widen at your answer, amusement and pride flickering in his eyes as he reached forward and gently took your earlobe between his fingers.

"It only hurts for a second," he explained. "The wound heals over time." Before you could fully process his words, his nails suddenly pressed into your ear.

You flinched as though he branded you. A small gasp escaped you as you recoiled from his hand, immediately covering your ear with your palm. Your eyes widened as you stared at him, fear and confusion mixing.

“Why would you?—"

“Kinda feels like that,” he interrupted, his smile never fading. “You wanna try it?” You quickly shook your head. The thought alone made you nervous. Whatever pain he had caused had been brief, but that didn't mean you wanted to experience it again.

“I'm alright,” you mumbled. “I was just curious.” You didn't want to risk saying the wrong thing and feeling that sharp pinch again. Not even your own mother had ever disciplined you in such a way, and the unfamiliar intrusion of personal space left you unsure of how to act around them.

The man with smoky eyes gave the doe-eyed man a firm slap on the shoulder, his brows knitting together in quiet disapproval.

"Stop teasing the poor thing."

It was a statement that should’ve brought you relief that amongst these strangers, relief that someone was standing up for you, but the moment his gaze locked with yours, you knew this one was the furthest from a safe space.

Those dark eyes contrasted the warmth in his smile, which didn’t quite reflect in them, yet somehow harmonized on his beautiful face.

"Don't damage our new toy before we've had the chance to play with it."

Along the way, the men introduced themselves one by one, and your embarrassment only grew when you realized you had spent the entire ride sitting on a man's lap without even knowing his name.

Jung Hoseok.

“We've arrived, my lords.” The guard's voice pulled your attention away as the carriage came to a stop.

The men stepped out one by one, and when it was finally your turn, you carefully rose from Hoseok's lap, the man reluctantly letting the warmth leave. Before you could attempt the tall steps yourself, a broad-shouldered man standing below reached up and gently placed his hands around your waist, lifting you down with ease.

Kim Seokjin.

Your feet touched the ground, and for the first time, you stood before the castle you had only ever admired from a distance.

It was even more breathtaking up close.

You could see every intricate carving etched into the towering walls, every carefully maintained piece of foliage trimmed into perfect shapes unlike the wild, struggling plants back in your village. The castle itself seemed to glow beneath the unnatural brightness of the lights, the very same "light bulbs" the village elders had spoken of in stories.

You were so overwhelmed that you didn't even realize your mouth had fallen open.

"Pick up your jaw, Princess. Even we aren't free from bugs." A finger gently pressed beneath your chin, lifting it shut.

You blinked and looked up to find Park Jimin watching you with an amused smile before he turned and walked toward the castle doors.

"My apologies, it's just so…" You trailed off, unable to find the right words.

The sheer contrast between this place and everything you had ever known was enough to make your head ache.

"If this is enough to leave you speechless, just wait until you see the interior." Kim Taehyung's deep chuckle echoed beside you, and despite everything, you found yourself captivated by the warmth of his voice.

Kim Namjoon, the eldest son of the highest-ranked family, extended his hand toward you with a gentle, dimpled smile. After a moment of hesitation, you carefully placed your hand in his, allowing him to guide you through the castle doors where the others had already disappeared inside.

Taehyung had been right.

The moment you stepped into the castle, your jaw nearly dropped all over again.

You were standing in the middle of something that belonged in a fairy tale rather than reality. Deep red wallpaper covered the walls, intricate patterns woven into its fabric, while polished ebony wood lined the grand staircases and railings. The marble floors beneath your feet were so pristine that you could see your own reflection staring back at you. Along the walls hung breathtaking paintings framed in gold, each one looking as though it belonged in a museum.

And above it all hung a massive crystalline chandelier, glittering beautifully from the ceiling.

You couldn't help but wonder how terrifying it would be if something that enormous ever came crashing down.

Yet, despite the overwhelming grandeur surrounding you, one thing captured your attention more than anything else.

The smell.

A rich, mouthwatering aroma drifted through the halls, unlike anything you had ever experienced. It was unmistakably the scent of food, and the moment it reached you, your stomach stirred, and your mouth began to water.

You watched in awe as maids and butlers hurried through the halls, moving with practiced efficiency as they carried trays overflowing with dishes, freshly pressed clothing, and neatly folded towels. Everything looked impossibly clean, impossibly organized- things you had only ever seen in your imagination or heard about through the stories of villagers.

Grrrrrrrr…

You quickly wrapped your arms around your stomach in a futile attempt to silence the embarrassing growl that escaped from it. Namjoon let out a quiet laugh, his dimples appearing as he looked down at you.

"Are you hungry, my Princess?"

"I'm sorry," you apologized immediately, face heating up. "That was extremely unladylike. Please don't think I'm a glutton—" Before you could continue, he gently placed a finger against your lips, silencing you.

"Everyone has their own carnal desires, my Princess," he said softly. "Yours will be more than indulged in here."

The teasing smile on his face widened, his dimples appearing to say hello as he pressed a kiss to his own finger resting against your lips, a gesture that was far too intimate for your still-fragile understanding of royal customs.

You immediately flinched away, your cheeks burning for what felt like the hundredth time that evening. Before you could gather your thoughts, you noticed a maid standing nearby. Namjoon's attention shifted toward her.

"Make sure she's prepared for the evening, Melody. I'm sure you'll have her looking lovely for us." The maid bowed silently, accepting the command without hesitation.

Namjoon gave you one last smile before turning and joining the other men in the great hall.

"Please come with me, Milady. I will be taking care of your preparations tonight." Melody offered you a polite bow before turning on her heel, and after a brief moment of uncertainty, you followed behind her without a word.

-

Melody had completely transformed you. The simple gown you had arrived in was discarded despite your protests, replaced by a dress far more elegant—and far more revealing—than anything you had ever worn before. You were certain that if someone from Baekhwa saw you dressed like this, they would faint on the spot.

After your bath, she carefully brushed through your damp hair beside the warmth of the fireplace, turning the tangled strands into something soft and silky. She had even given you a massage afterward, treating you with a level of care you had never experienced before. "Thank you so much, Melody. I'm truly grateful for everything you've done for me."

You sat beside her near the fireplace, leaning into the warmth as she continued brushing your hair.

"What makes the soap smell so good?" you asked curiously. "The soaps we use back home don't have any scent at all, so it's strange to smell something like lavender."

Melody remained silent, her expression unchanged as she worked through your hair with careful precision.

There was something oddly familiar about her. You couldn't quite place it.

Perhaps it was the way her dark hair was slicked back into a neat bun, just like the other maids. Or maybe it was something in the quiet way she carried herself, as if she had learned to disappear into the background. Your eyes briefly wandered to the scars along her face, a line of raised tissue that stretched from her temple down toward her jaw before curving back around toward her forehead.

Realizing you had been staring, you quickly looked away. You didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

“It's my pleasure.” She simply states, ignoring your attempts at conversation.

“…Do you like singing?” You ask.

“Not really.”

"What about dancing? My mother used to show me how she imagined ballroom dancing looked. Do you know how they actually do it here?"

"No."

"Oh… What about—"

"Milady."

Her voice remained calm, but there was a firmness behind it that made you stop.

"With all due respect, I know nothing about what you are asking me. Please, I would like to focus on doing my job."

You deflate at how stern she was, nearly frustrated at your questions.

Your shoulders lowered slightly at her words. You hadn't meant to bother her, but her sternness made you feel as though every question you asked was another mistake.

Then, before you could stop yourself, another question slipped from your lips.

"Were you also a commoner before you joined the family?"

You caught the pause in her hands before she carried on like usual.

"I bet you get to eat good food all the time," you continued, unaware of the storm of thoughts behind her silence. "I hope the family takes good care of all their maids and butlers."

Melody's lips pressed into a thin line. She had so much to say, but she knew better than anyone what happened to those who spoke too freely within these walls.

“Melody! Is the lady ready?” The head maid poked her head through the door, shocking Melody quite a bit.

"Y-Yes, head mistress," she quickly replied. "She will be out soon."

The head maid gave a short nod before leaving. The moment she disappeared from view, Melody leaned closer. Her expression hadn’t changed, but her voice dropped into a whisper as she spoke directly into your ear.

"If you know what's good for you, don't eat any of the meat they serve you."

Your breath hitched.

"Leave," she continued, her fingers tightening around your shoulder. "Leave and never come back."

Before you could ask what she meant, Melody abruptly pushed you toward the door. You stumbled forward, turning back in confusion, desperate for an explanation.

But there was no time.

The head maid was already there, taking hold of your arm and guiding you away toward the dining hall, leaving Melody behind.

A lavish feast stretched out before you, a sight so extravagant that it almost felt unreal. The seven men from earlier occupied their places around the table while the maids finished arranging the final dishes before quietly stepping away.

"Thank you, Meredith. You're dismissed." Namjoon gave a small wave toward the head maid, who bowed before leaving the dining hall.

The moment the doors closed, you found yourself frozen in place. Your fingers nervously gripped the fabric of your new dress, your palms growing damp as you stood there beneath the weight of their gazes. Surrounded by men who seemed impossibly beautiful yet equally intimidating, you felt like a helpless lamb standing among wolves, dressed in the pelt of one of their own.

"Do you need to be instructed on everything?" Yoongi's sharp voice cut through your thoughts. His piercing gaze met yours as he gestured toward the empty chair. "Sit down." You scampered to climb into the seat at the end of the table.

“Today, we're joined by a lovely flower, a new addition to the royal family as we share this wonderful feast.” Namjoon began.

“We hope you enjoy the menu our staff has prepared tonight, courtesy of Jin’s guidance. (Y/N), please enjoy.” He finished with a dimpled smile.

You gulp as you look at the foreign object in front of you. From its appearance alone, you knew it had to be what the villagers described as steak. The outside was lightly charred, marked with beautiful grill lines, and the scent alone made your stomach ache with anticipation. It looked exactly like the food you had imagined during those countless nights staring at the castle gates.

Your hands trembled slightly as you picked up the spotless fork and knife.

Carefully, you cut into the meat.

The moment the blade sliced through, juices spilled onto the plate, the inside revealing a rich red colour that made your mouth water.

Then you recalled Melody's words.

Don't eat any of the meat they serve you.

They echoed in your mind, but how could you not when it was this enticing? The steak sat right in front of you, warm and inviting, practically begging you to take a bite. This was the very thing you had wished for since childhood, the taste of luxury, the taste of a life beyond hunger.

You glanced up to see the others already eating, chatting amongst each other like it was another leisurely Tuesday, sipping on wine and laughing.

Were you wrong in thinking they fed the maids well? Maybe she was jealous that you got to eat this while they had to eat the same slop the village people did? But why did she look so hopeless? Like she was saying it out of the depths of her soul?

Your grip tightened around the fork, lips trembled as the scent of the steak filled the air, and before you realized it, a small line of drool slipped past your mouth.

You quickly wiped it away, hoping none of them had noticed.

"What's wrong, Princess?" Yoongi asked, taking a slow sip of his wine. "Do you need to be instructed on how to eat as well?" At that moment, you wished more than anything that he had chosen a seat at the opposite end of the table.

“It's not poisoned, you know,” Jimin's voice sings across the table, light and teasing as he placed another piece of steak into his mouth.

“No, I just-” You didn't know how to explain yourself. You couldn't exactly tell them that Melody, their own servant, had warned you not to touch the food, but you also didn't want to insult them by rejecting the feast they had prepared for you.

“I don't…eat meat.”

The moment those words left your mouth, the entire dining hall fell silent. The maids and butlers that had been standing on the sidelines with stoic faces now looked at you with shock, while the men around the table regarded you with newfound interest.

“You don't?” Hoseok repeated, eyes widening.

“Well, I just don't feel comfortable eating it. I don't think it'll sit well in my stomach,” You look down in embarrassment, trying to sell the fact you weren't dying to tear into the meat like a barbarian.

“Fascinating…” Taehyung covers his mouth, eyes shifting away in contemplation.

“Don't you think it's rude to deny such a feast?” Yoongi tilted his head, swirling the wine in his glass before slowly rising from his seat. His footsteps echoed against the marble floor as he approached you.

“Your people would tear each other apart just to have a taste of this," he said quietly. "And yet here you are, shamelessly refusing it." His fingers clenched around your jaw, forcing you to look into his eyes.

“And look at you…” A faint smirk tugged at his lips as his thumb brushed against the corner of your mouth. You hadn't even realized you had started drooling again.

“…so bad at hiding it.”

You shook your head away from his grip, hands coming up to wipe your mouth.

“I'm just famished, is all…I just don't eat meat, is that such a complicated thing to comprehend?” You spoke back, quite daringly.

Yoongi only clicked his tongue. Without a word, he reached for your fork, stabbing it into the piece of steak you had cut earlier. He lifted it toward your face, pressing it against your lips.

"You can't fool me," he growled. "I know you're just dying to tear into it."

Your body tensed as the scent overwhelmed your senses. The juices from the meat slowly slid down your chin, threatening to slip past your tightly sealed lips. You turned your head away as much as you could, muffled protests escaping as you tried to pull back from him.

"Yoongi, that's enough." Seokjin's voice cut through the chaos, making the man halt. With another irritated click of his tongue, he lowered the fork and tossed it back onto your plate. You quickly grabbed the cloth napkin beside you, wiping away the mess from your face. The pristine fabric was now stained red with a mixture of meat juices and your lipstick.

Yoongi sat back down with a huff and continued swirling his wine. The others remained silent, their eyes shifting toward Seokjin as if waiting for him to say something more. But it seemed that was all it took for order to return.

Namjoon cleared his throat, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "I apologize for his unruly behaviour, (Y/N). It's simply… unexpected to hear someone from your background say they have no interest in, how should I put it, such an important source of nourishment."

"It just doesn't sit right with me," you replied quietly. "I'm terribly sorry." You wished they'd move on from this topic, your eyes now set to the potatoes and pieces of bread on your plate.

“Very well, we won't force you.” His words should've come with relief, but they only fueled your anxiety. This was the choice you had made. You had refused the one thing everyone else in your village would have begged for, all because of Melody's warning.

Dinner ended with you barely eating more than what you were accustomed to back home: a humble piece of bread. It wasn't stale or rock-hard like the loaves you knew from the village. It was soft and airy, with a delicate crust that provided just enough crunch without tearing at your gums.

Eventually, the maids escorted you to your room. The moment you sank into the bed, you felt as though you had fallen into a cloud. The sheets were impossibly smooth against your skin, and the mattress beneath you was so soft and springy that you wondered how anyone could ever wake up feeling tired. Slowly, the lingering anxiety of the evening faded.

The unfamiliar luxury, the warmth of the room, and the exhaustion weighing down your body finally overtook you. Your stomach was content. Your mind was quiet. And before you knew it, you had fallen asleep.

You awoke not to the warmth of sunlight, but to the flickering glow of firelight. Your eyes struggled to adjust to the sudden brightness as you blinked through the haze of sleep.

“(Y/N), wake up!” A hand gently but urgently shook your shoulder. You rubbed your eyes as you finally made out the face amongst the cloudiness. “Melody?”

“You must get out of here while you have the chance; take this and go!” She handed you a dark green cloak, wrapping it around your shoulder and ushering you out of bed.

"You must leave while you still have the chance." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Before you could process what she was saying, why she knew your name, she placed a dark green cloak into your hands, wrapping it around your shoulders and pulling you out of bed.

"M-Melody, what's happening?" you whispered in panic as she hurried you through the halls. "Why are you doing this?"

"These people are all murderers. You can't trust any of them. The Crowning is all a lie, please—" Her voice broke with desperation as she pushed you through the doorway.

"Follow the lights. They will lead you back to our village." Before you could get any answers, she closed the door swiftly, but gently. You stood there in the darkness, tears threatening to spill as your mind struggled to make sense of everything that had happened.

One thing you knew for sure: her final words were a confirmation that she originally came from your village. Was she someone who had been chosen during a previous Crowning? If so, why was she nothing more than a maid inside the castle? And why had you seen no other crowned villagers besides the seven men who ruled over this place?

You shook your head, deciding the best course of action was to return to your village for now, slipping past the gates and following the dim lamps as Melody instructed.

Questions swirled endlessly in your mind, but you forced yourself to push them aside. Right now, the only thing that mattered was getting home. You pulled the cloak tighter around yourself and slipped past the castle gates, following the faint lamps that lined the path as Melody instructed.

Just as you saw the huge gate that separated the village from the path, a sharp, burning sensation shot upward, and before you could even understand what had happened, your body collapsed against the cold, wet gravel. Your hands scraped against the ground as you desperately tried to catch yourself.

Something warm trickled down your leg. What happened?

Confused and pumped full of adrenaline, you lifted the cloak to see a long object protruding from your leg. It only took a second for your mind to comprehend what you were seeing.

A bolt.

A scream tore from your throat as you registered the wound, a figure appearing from the shadow stalking towards you.

“Nice shot, Kook.” The familiar voice barely reached you through your cries. Your vision blurred as another figure approached, the two exchanging a glance before the blonde-haired man crouched down and pulled you into his arms.

“Shh…I know it hurts, baby, I know…” He cooed, brushing away the tears on your face, carefully removing the tiny pieces of gravel that had stuck to your cheek during your fall.

You sobbed, confused about whether to scream and cower from his soothing touch or give in and hope that somehow he takes the pain away. You squeezed your calf to try and stop the bleeding to no avail, blood coating your hands and the cuffs of your sleeves.

"Why did you have to run away so soon?" Jungkook rested the crossbow over his shoulder, his tone almost playful. "You're ruining the fun."

You forced yourself to keep your injured leg still, terrified that any sudden movement would make the pain worse. But Taehyung had no intention of waiting.

He lifted you effortlessly into his arms as Jungkook grabbed the bolt close to your wound before yanking it out in one motion. Before you could scream, Taehyung held his hand over your mouth.

“No more screaming (Y/N), you don't wanna wake your neighbour's do you?” Taehyung smiled, cruel and commanding.

All you could do was stare at him with fear and rage in your eyes, sniffling against his palm in hopes your mess would make him take his hands away, which he, of course, didn't.

The two men spoke the entire way casually, discussing meaningless gossip as though you weren't bleeding out in Taehyung's arms, unsure whether the dizziness clouding your mind came from blood loss or from the exhaustion of crying and struggling for so long.

The moment you returned, the maids immediately came to scoop you from Taehyung's arms, taking you to the medical room and having your leg stitched up, screaming from the pain you thought you had become numb to.

Later, you lay back in your bed, staring blankly at the bandages wrapped around your leg. If you had just been good and gone back into your room when Melody kicked you out, this wouldn't have happened.

The door creaked open, revealing Seokjin, who had been the friendliest face to you so far, the only one who told Yoongi to cut the shit when he was forcing you to eat against your protests.

You shrank into the bed as best you could and turned your gaze away, not trusting any of them after what Jungkook and Taehyung did to you.

You felt the bed dip, signalling that he was now sitting next to you.

“Why did you run away?” He asked.

You didn’t answer, even after all that you refused to sell out Melody.

He sighed at your lack of response. “What you did was incredibly stupid, (Y/N).”

Anger burned in your chest. You wanted to argue, tell him that leaving wasn't your choice, that someone had warned you, that they were the reason you had run.

“Look at me.”

You didn't move.

“I SAID LOOK AT ME.” The sudden harshness of his voice made you flinch, turning your head to look at him with reluctance.

He took your hand into his, bringing your fingers closer to his lips, the plump flesh parting to take your ring finger into his mouth, his teeth coming together to bite down gently, but hard enough to hold you still.

You swallow dryly as you try to process what he's doing.

A moment passes before he releases you, tongue darting out slightly to drag across his lips. You realized his teeth left a mark around your ring finger.

“I hope you're worth the trouble of keeping around, Princess.”

-

To say you were now terrified of Jungkook and Taehyung would be an understatement. After what happened that night, you found yourself changing your entire routine around them. The moment you heard either of their voices approaching, you would quietly slip away in the opposite direction. If they called your name, you pretended you hadn't heard. And if you found yourself cornered with nowhere to go, you sought refuge behind the others, even Yoongi, much to your own surprise.

Of course, he was far from pleased about it. Every time you hid behind him, he would make some irritated remark about your clinginess, yet he never actually moved away. Still, the bandage wrapped around your calf served as a constant reminder of what Jungkook and Taehyung were capable of.

And just as the days passed, the more worried you became; you hadn't seen Melody anywhere, and when you would ask the other maids, they would just tell you they didn't know and apologize.

But even without her, you still didn't eat the meat they served you with every meal. It almost felt as though they were deliberately placing it in front of you, waiting to see what you would do.

Each time, you caught their eyes lingering on you. And each time, Namjoon would eventually offer a polite apology before instructing the servants to prepare a meal without meat instead.

You were also curious. If they could prepare such incredible food here, how different was it from the way your mother cooked back home? So, when you were certain nobody was watching, you slipped into the kitchen before dinner.

You hid quietly in the corner, observing the chefs as they worked. They chopped vegetables with incredible precision, stirred pots of simmering stew, and mixed in ingredients you couldn't recognize. The food itself wasn't entirely unfamiliar; many of the ingredients were the same ones your mother used, but here they were transformed with more salt, more spices, and strange powders you had never seen before.

But the most fascinating thing was the meat. Large red slabs rested on the counters as the chefs carved through them with enormous knives, bringing each strike down with the same force a carpenter used when driving a hammer into a nail.

Is that what cow meat looked like? You had no idea. You hadn't seen a single animal since arriving at the castle, not even from a distance.

The chefs had pretended they hadn't seen you, perhaps because they were too busy to acknowledge you as you slipped your way past them and to the back rooms, wanting to see where they stored their food. Maybe you could take some and bring it down to your mother?

You shook your head, remembering what had happened the last time you were caught doing something you shouldn't have, but you couldn't live here knowing your mother was starving.

You pushed the fear aside and entered the storage room, and your eyes lit up at the mountain of fruits and vegetables in the barrels. Without hesitation, you gathered as much as you could carry, stuffing whatever you could into the folds of your dress.

You paused. Curiosity slowly began to overpower your caution as a chill seeped through the cracks of the door, brushing against your skin. It was unlike the cool air of the storage room; it felt sharper, colder, almost as if whatever lay beyond it were connected to the outside world.

And what you witnessed.

Was beyond what you expected.

There—

—hanging from a hook pierced through her neck.

It was Melody.

The vegetables you had gathered slipped from your arms, tumbling out of the folds of your dress and scattering across the cold floor. One by one, they rolled away, disappearing beneath the shadow of her body.

You wanted to vomit.

You wanted to scream.

You wanted to die.

You didn't want to see this, but it was right in front of you.

She was displayed right in front of you.

Her legs had been removed from her pelvis, her torso flayed, revealing the partial muscle and bone underneath. Her arms were still intact, hanging stiff and frozen. Her stomach caved inwards, a shockingly hollow space where her organs should have been.

The only thing that remained untouched was her head, but even then, the hook had her neck crooked at a humanly impossible angle. The skin on her face was a pale colour like all blood had been drained from her body.

You barely even noticed the oddly positioned appendage that hung between her legs, almost like…No, that wasn’t possible.

Melody was a girl; you knew that, but it was right there. Nothing made sense to you.

Just as you finally peeled your eyes from her, they only fell onto more horrors, lined row by row with torsos of all shapes and sizes, similarly hooked by chains to the ceiling. Unlike Melody, their arms were gone, and their faces had been fully degloved from their skulls. Truly, it was a scene best described straight from the deepest pits of hell.

“What the fuck?…” You managed to croak out, backing away as you came head to chest with the person you dreaded to see the most.

“So you found out?”

You flinched violently.

You didn't even have to turn your head to know who it was. The sound of his voice alone made your knees buckle, your legs giving out beneath you before you could take another step, but instead of hitting the cold stone floor, you found yourself caught in a familiar pair of arms.

"You're always so quick with it, Princess," Jungkook murmured against your ear, his voice almost playful. "I'm surprised you made it all the way back here."

His breath ghosted over your skin before his tongue slowly traced the shell of your ear, followed by the sharp sting of his teeth. Your entire body trembled involuntarily, your mind desperately trying to shut itself down before it could fully process what was happening.

"Now who do you think we'll have to punish this time?" he continued, tilting his head toward the cold room behind you. "Melody over there already took the fall for your last little stunt."

You never followed his gaze, didn’t dare to.

“But since she's no longer a maid, I think we need to revoke her name, don't you agree?”

Your eyes remained fixed on the floor as though looking anywhere else would shatter whatever composure you had left.

“What was it…Ru…no or was it Lu?…” He tapped a finger against his chin, trying to remember, but the topic didn't seem to interest him too much. “Something like that.”

You didn't know what the hell he was talking about, his words flowing through one ear and out the other. Practically hearing your blood rushing in your ears.

You did this to her.

This was your fault.

"W-Why…" Your voice came out a little more than a rasp. "Why are you doing this?"

Jungkook let out a quiet laugh, one entirely devoid of remorse. "Did you really think good meat just appears out of nowhere?" he asked, his smile widening ever so slightly. "You're even dumber than I thought."

The words struck you harder than the bolt ever had.

He gently turned you around until you were facing him, his hands surprisingly careful as they tilted your chin upward. For a fleeting moment, his expression softened as he looked into your tear-filled eyes, almost as though your despair was something beautiful to him.

“In this world, it's eat or be eaten.”

His face drifted closer until only a breath separated the two of you, forcing you to meet his gaze no matter how badly you wanted to look away.

"So tell me, my little lamb…" he whispered. "Are you going to eat, or would you rather be eaten?" His breath was hot against your lips as you swallowed, doing the only thing your body is telling you to do.

The question echoed through your head as your pulse thundered in your ears. Terror, grief, anger, and nausea twisted together until you could no longer tell where one emotion ended and another began. Before you even realized what you were doing, your body reacted on instinct.

You lunged forward.

Your teeth sank into his lower lip hard enough to draw blood. Jungkook, surprised at the sudden advance, welcomed it with a smirk and breathy moan, convinced you were broken now. His hands reach under your dress to squeeze your thighs and spread you wider on his lap.

The taste of his blood danced on both of your tongues, one more familiar with the taste than the other, before parting from each other, out of breath and desperate for more.

“Jungkook, did you-what the fuck,” The others crowded into the doorway, their eyes darting between Melody's body, the scattered vegetables across the floor, the blood staining Jungkook's lip, and your trembling figure.

An uneasy silence settled over the room before Jimin finally broke it. "So…" he said, looking directly at Jungkook. "Are you going to explain what the fuck happened?"

Jungkook merely wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand before flashing an almost sheepish smile.

"Sorry, hyungs," he said with an effortless shrug. "She found out."

The last thread holding you together snapped.

Your vision blurred around the edges as the adrenaline that had carried you this far finally abandoned your body, leaving behind nothing but crushing exhaustion. Your knees gave way once more, and this time you were too weak to resist as darkness swallowed your consciousness whole.

-

“What are we supposed to do?”

“Let's just eat her already.”

“But that's so boring!”

“I think it'd be fun to keep her around a little longer.”

The overlapping voices gradually pulled you out of unconsciousness, your eyelids fluttering open as your thoughts struggled to untangle themselves. For a fleeting moment, you convinced yourself everything that had happened—the freezer, Melody, the arrow—had only been a nightmare.

“Morning,” Hoseok greeted you with a bright smile, and whatever hope remained immediately died.

Lord, you wanted to die. God knows you wanted to die. Somebody, please free you from this hell.

You looked around at the seven men surrounding your bed before forcing out a weak, humourless laugh. "You're all looking at me like I'm next on the menu."

You waited for someone to laugh.

No one did.

"…Too soon?"

“Only if you want to be.” Taehyung winked, resting his head on his hand, kneeling next to your bed.

“Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't think I had a choice.” Your leg throbbed beneath the blankets, the ache reminding you of the arrow Jungkook had buried in your flesh when you tried to escape. Part of you wished he had aimed a little higher.

"At first, you just looked like another delicious meal," Jimin said casually as he absentmindedly fiddled with the buttons on his coat. "Now you look like a delicious meal with a very interesting mouth."

“Could you lot be any more objectifying?” Namjoon sighed before flicking Jimin on the forehead, earning a quiet complaint from the younger man.

"What he means," Namjoon continued as he stepped closer to your bedside, "is that we've all come to a decision."

His expression remained calm.

"We've agreed to let you live."

A pause.

"As one of us."

He watched you carefully, as though preparing himself for whatever reaction might come next. Perhaps he expected you to scream. Perhaps he expected you to attack them. Perhaps he expected you to break.

You started laughing. It started as a chuckle before growing louder and louder until your stomach hurt. You doubled over, clutching at your ribs as tears streamed down your face, pointing weakly at the men standing around your bed as though they had just delivered the funniest joke you had ever heard.

The seven of them exchanged uncertain glances like you actually lost it, because you did.

Without warning, your laughter broke into a scream. “I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU.” You threw yourself at Namjoon before anyone could react, both hands wrapping around his throat as you squeezed with every ounce of strength you had left. watching as his face slowly turned red, tears spilling from your eyes as they fell onto Namjoon's face. He didn't try to stop you, just letting you take your anger out on him. The men hadn’t moved from their places, silently watching as you choked out their leader.

You loosened your grip upon seeing his expression start to relax, nails now digging into his shoulder as you sobbed uncontrollably into his chest. His hand came up to rub soothing circles on your back as blood flowed back into his brain.

"Even after everything," Jungkook murmured with quiet amusement, "she still couldn't bring herself to kill him."

“So we won't kill her either, fair trade, yeah?” Jimin adds.

Your choked sobs cut into them, “I don't…I don't…” You didn't want to be one of them. You didn't want to cry anymore; you just wanted to pretend that nothing happened and be home with your mother.

You wished you'd never been crowned.

Namjoon carefully shifted until you were sitting against him instead of hanging awkwardly over his lap. His fingers combed gently through your tangled hair, patiently smoothing it back into place while his fingertips lightly massaged your scalp in an almost practiced motion.

"You're safe now," he said quietly. "We won't hurt you anymore, Princess.”

The promise should have made you laugh. Instead, it broke what little resolve you had left. You clutched the front of his shirt with trembling hands, desperately searching for something—anything—to hold onto.

"…Promise?"

A few of the others exchanged amused smiles, while someone let out a chuckle at how pitifully vulnerable you had become.

Namjoon simply leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead.

"I promise, baby."

Later that afternoon, the men left your room one by one, returning to the duties of the kingdom. Trade negotiations with neighbouring territories and other matters of state awaited them, leaving the castle unusually quiet once the doors finally closed behind them.

The only one who didn't seem occupied was Yoongi, who sat comfortably in the drawing room with a cigar between his fingers, quietly reading the morning paper as though nothing unusual had happened over the past few days.

You lingered nearby, close enough to feel safe but careful not to intrude. Nervously fidgeting with the hem of your nightgown, your gaze drifted between him, the butlers moving about the room, and the servants quietly carrying on with their work. Somehow, despite everything, you always found yourself gravitating toward him. He was blunt to the point of rudeness, but unlike the others, there was something predictable about him. He rarely played games, and even the younger men seemed more willing to listen when he spoke.

Before you realized it, his eyes lifted from the newspaper and met yours.

Caught staring, you quickly looked away, your cheeks warming with embarrassment.

Without a word, Yoongi folded the paper and set it aside before lowering the leg that had been crossed over his knee. Resting one elbow against the arm of the chair, he lazily tapped the inside of his thigh with two fingers, his gaze never leaving yours.

"Come here, doll."

You blinked in surprise.

Of everyone in the castle, Yoongi was the last person you expected to call you over.

After a brief moment of hesitation, you quietly obeyed, making your way toward him with cautious steps. The instant you were within reach, he placed a hand around your thigh and drew you closer with effortless strength until you found yourself seated on his lap.

He didn't say a word, lifting the paper back up before resuming where he left off.

You sat quietly, your attention drifting to the wisps of fragrant smoke that escaped his lips in slow, rhythmic puffs. Every so often, he'd tap the cigar against the crystal ashtray beside him, sending a dusting of ash into the glass bowl with practiced ease.

Unable to contain your curiosity any longer, you finally spoke. "What is that?"

“Want a taste?” He pointed the cigar at you. Unsure of what he wanted you to do, you wrapped your lips around it like he had been doing, but nothing was happening.

He let out a small chuckle, “Suck on it, baby.”

You flushed at the rare sound and how silly you must've looked, hollowing your cheeks to suck as he instructed, only to follow up with a coughing fit as the sharp sensation filled your lungs.

“I-…I'm guh sorry!..cough..” He laughs a little louder this time, seeing his gummy smile in all its glory.

“Relax.” His patient demeanour was unlike anything you expected of him, especially with how he treated you in the beginning. “The trick is to inhale slowly.”

He placed the cigar in his mouth, taking a puff before motioning to you to come to him. You lean forward, parting your lips instinctively as he ghosts his lips against yours, gently blowing the smoke into your mouth. Following his directions, you felt the smoke enter your lungs before blowing it back out.

His eyes trailed from your lips to your eyes as he bit his lips, muttering out a low, “Good girl…”

You barely inhaled anything, but the new sensation of nicotine did wonders inside you, somehow calming your nerves that had been in constant fight-or-flight. You leaned into Yoongi’s neck to find comfort in his warmth, his natural scent mingling with the tobacco, causing you to squeeze your thighs together ever so slightly.

He noticed the way you squirmed, how slowly your eyes blinked and how your fingers played with themselves a lot less harshly. An endearing smile plastered itself onto his face, his hand sliding up your thigh to squeeze and rub comforting circles into them.

Back in Baekhwa, affection like this was reserved for married couples. Public displays of affection were nearly unheard of, and the villagers guarded even the smallest gestures of intimacy. The closest you'd ever come to hearing about such things had been through Suah, who once recounted catching her older brother doting on his wife when they thought no one was watching. Your gaze drifted toward Yoongi.

Did this mean… he was the one you were meant to marry?

Ever since entering the castle, every belief you had grown up with seemed to unravel before your eyes. Yet despite everything, you still found yourself clinging to the traditions you understood, desperately searching for something familiar to make sense of a place that obeyed none of the rules you had known.

After extinguishing the cigar in the ashtray, Yoongi settled back into the sofa, one arm draped casually along the backrest behind you. He leaned in just enough to brush his nose lightly against your hair before pressing a brief kiss to the crown of your head.

"Such a sweet little thing, aren’t you?" he murmured, almost to himself.

You melted into his affection, feeling your body react so positively to his touch, in more ways than one, feeling the slick between your legs start to dampen your lace panties. You prayed to whatever God is still out there; it wouldn’t leak past the thin piece of fabric and onto his pants.

You felt like prized cattle, displayed for everyone to pet and adore before you were eventually past your consumption date and turned into meat scraps for the maids and butlers to enjoy. But Namjoon said they wouldn’t hurt you, right? He promised they wouldn’t, and who's to say he’s above lying to you?

“M’lord…please…” You begged, unsure of what you were pleading for with just a sweet voice, wanting some sort of relief from your pent-up frustration gathered between your legs.

“Mm? What are you begging for, Princess?” He murmurs, vocal fry practically purring against your ears, his hand sliding further up your thighs, hiking up your nightgown with his thin yet rough fingers.

You twitched the further he got to your core, his fingers now ghosting past it and towards your hips, tracing the ribbon of the panties that held the garment together, threatening to come apart with the slightest touch.

You whimpered as he played with the ribbon, hiding your face further into his chest as you let him tease your body, sporting a mused expression the entire time as he watched how you reacted to every touch.

His movements came to an immediate halt, his fingers still hooked around the ribbon as he looked down at you expectantly.

"Come on," he murmured, his voice low and patient. "Use your words, baby."

You whine, not wanting to sound more pathetic than you already do, realizing the unbothered actions of the maids and butlers who pretended the two of you didn’t exist, but you wanted him to touch you more, to make you feel good, whatever that would be.

“I…I don’t know what this feeling is; please help me, M’lord…” You whimper. Yoongi’s eyes widened at your lack of knowledge of what happens in the bedroom,

“Pure and innocent? Hoseok would have a field day with her.” The sudden voice that came from behind startled the shit out of you, but it didn’t seem to deter Yoongi from keeping his hands warm under your gown.

The voice belonged to no other than Jimin, who had been spectating both of you longer than you realized. His lips curled into a coy smile as you stared at him with flushed cheeks and teary eyes.

“Hey there, Princess, you look absolutely divine right now.” His tongue darts out to wet his lips; you weren’t sure in what way he was complimenting you at the moment.

Yoongi groans, swatting at the younger, “If you’re gonna be a gourmand, then get the fuck out.”

Jimin holds up his hands, elegantly making his way in front of you before kneeling to the ground, “Forgive me, Hyung, but let me get a taste of her.”

You whimpered in fear as you hugged closer into Yoongi, mistaking his words for wanting a taste of your flesh.

“Namjoon said you can’t hurt me…” You reiterate their leader's words, to which Jimin chuckles, resting his chin on both of his hands on your cushion.

“It’s not gonna hurt; in fact, it’s gonna feel reaaal good for you,” he emphasizes.

You search Yoongi’s eyes for help, and he seems lax, tilting his head, waiting for you to answer him, his hands continuing to wander across your skin.

His thumb pressed against your wet heat, flicking up to your clit, causing you to shiver from the sudden stimulation.

“She’s fucking soaked,” Yoongi scoffs, pinching his fingers together to form thin glistening strands, Jimin watching the scene unfold in front of him with clear amusement.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, it’s dirty so please don’t touch-” Yoongi wrapped his hand around your knee, spreading it whilst repositioning you so you were now sitting square in his lap, legs parted for Jimin, who still knelt before you.

“Jimin said he wants a taste. What do you say, sweetheart?” Yoongi brings his fingers to your lips, and your body instinctively tells you to part them and clean them with your mouth, wrapping your plump lips around his digits and swirling your tongue around them, desperately tasting yourself.

It was a mix of sweet and salty, unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before, but you couldn’t exactly say it was too different from the soups you ate in the village; there was no way Jimin would want to taste something like this.

“I…I don’t taste good.” You whisper, wanting to close your legs, but Yoongi holds them open.

“I think that’s for this glutton here to evaluate for himself; trust me, I know you’ll taste so good for him.” With his praise and encouragement, how could you possibly say no? You slowly brought your hands to your clothed pussy, spreading them slightly as you looked into Jimin's patient eyes.

“Please…make me feel good.”

The two nearly broke right then and there from your unintended charm. Yoongi felt his cock twitch beneath his silk pants, his tip poking against the bottom of your thigh.

Jimin’s fingers wound up the ribbon of your panties, ripping them off with a severe lack of decorum, a cold draft hitting your wet cunt.

He didn’t waste any time, pushing his hair back with his fingers before diving into you, his long, thick tongue tracing your entrance, occasionally flicking and sucking against your sensitive bud.

Yoongi didn’t sit around, his fingers drifting ticklish trails along your neck, hooking them onto the strings that held the front of your nightgown together and tugging them loose, revealing your bosoms to the entire castle.

He took your breast in his hand, kneading it as if it were a piece of sourdough, fingers tweaking and pulling at your erect nipples.

You hid your shame by burrowing your face into Yoongi’s neck, your gasps and whines encouraging Jimin’s tongue to lap up every drop of your delicious essence.

“Fuck…” He moaned into you; you were unlike anything he’s ever tasted, sweet, tangy. If he hadn’t known you came from the slums, he’d figured you ate a myriad of fruits for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

But this, this was what you tasted like with the diet of bread and potatoes? Imagine how delectable you would become if he fed you well like the good little cattle you were?

”Hyung…she’s so fuckin’…mph…delicious…” Jimin whines, getting drunk off your juices.

”Yeah? If you’re saying that, then I’ll need a taste, don’t I?” Yoongi cups Jimin’s face, bringing him up and towards his own lips, the two sharing your taste on their tongues as you struggled to comprehend what the hell was happening.

When Jimin parts from Yoongi, your breath hitches when you see how blissed out Yoongi was. His sharp features turned kitten-like, like he just tasted an angel's tears, mouth parted and head leaning forward slightly as he yearned for more.

When he noticed you looking at him, he quickly regained composure with a cough, “Mm…Adequate.” He simply comments.

Jimin returns to your lonely cunt, your buildup of slick a whole new course for him to indulge in.

Yoongi grips your jaw and forces you to look at the man underneath you, realizing he had been observing your reactions this entire time with hooded eyes, ”Look at Jimin while he eats you out, doll.” Yoongi commands.

“No…puh…please…” You struggled against Yoongi’s grip. You didn’t want to; you didn’t want them to see how much of a wreck you were, how easily breakable you became.

But your body couldn’t deny how good they made you feel, the way it heated unnaturally quickly, sweat dripping down your thighs as you felt something well up inside of you.

The way you clenched wasn’t a new sight for Jimin, the promiscuous man known for playing with his food before consuming it to the bone. He knew you were about to climax soon, and he was ready to drink it all.

”W-wait…I need to pee!” You struggled, feeling the pressure build further and further, but Jimin kept going, refusing to detach his lips from you.

”Just let it out, reward Jiminie for eating you good, hm?” Yoongi murmurs, running his fingers through the younger’s hair.

Your climax hits you like a train, throwing your head back, mouth wide open as your thighs instinctively clench around Jimin’s head.

This new sensation was unlike anything you’ve felt before; you swore you saw the Milky Way flash before your eyes when it was just the bright crystal chandelier above you.

What you mistakenly thought was urine coming out of you was clear, overflowing from Jimin’s mouth as his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, swallowing every release with his eyes nearly rolled to the back of his head.

Only when you stopped did Jimin part from you, panting and muzzle glistening with your juices.

”Thank you for the meal…” He sighs in a smile, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

You lay like a corpse in Yoongi’s lap, face flushed and hair frazzled from the amount of thrashing you did.

Just when you thought it was over, Yoongi brought his hands to your puffy cunt, easily slipping two fingers into you before bringing them to his lips, wrapping his mouth around them to suck them clean.

”Fucking delectable….” He cursed under his breath, fingers returning to plunge deeper into you, this time pumping and scissoring to stretch you out.

Your pleas for him to stop fell on deaf ears. Jimin moved to lift your hips slightly to tug Yoongi’s slacks off, his rock-hard length immediately springing up to slap your pussy.

”Please!…Please! This act should only be for couples!” You cried, salty tears falling from your face and down your exposed breasts, leaving stains along its path.

”You’re still on that? Don’t you think it’s a little too naive by now?” Jimin’s eyebrow raises mockingly, hands coming to make you lean on him instead of Yoongi, your ass now facing the latter while your cheek presses against Jimin’s crotch.

Yoongi appreciated the view Jimin created for him, tongue darting out to wet his lips as he drags his tip across your entrance to gather your slick.

”Just focus on me, Princess. You wanna be a good girl for us, don’t you?” Jimin coos, freeing his length from his pants.

You looked up at him with dazed red eyes, tired from climaxing and being treated like this, but against everything, you opened your mouth and stuck out your tongue for him.

He grins endearingly, slapping the tip against your tongue before slowly breaching your lips, not fully bottoming out just yet in await of Yoongi.

The mentioned slowly pushes his tip into you, sinking you down as you feel the pain of being stretched by his girth, with Jimin following suit, his tip now pressed against the back of your throat, making you struggle to breathe.

The two sigh in unison, feeling how tight your virgin holes were. Setting a slow but deep pace as the pain slowly muddled into pleasure.

With every thrust from Yoongi, another rumble from your throat, sending shivers through Jimin; none of their other toys had felt this good on him. Your arms were wrapped around Jimin’s plump thighs, attempting to stabilize yourself.

A mix of his precum and saliva dripped from the corners of your mouth and onto the carpet below, a priceless relic the two couldn’t bother to care about in the slightest at this moment.

You had long forgotten about the presence of others in the room, choosing to pretend no one was here to see you choking and being ravaged by these cannibal cocks. If you repeated it to yourself long enough, maybe you could delude yourself into thinking nothing was wrong, that this was simply how life was supposed to go.

The strong eat the weak, that’s all there was to it.

The sounds of their grunts and moans filled your ears like a twisted melody, harmonizing with each other as they thrust into you in unison.

You felt that knot again, the same pressure you felt when Jimin ate you out, but this time you felt guilty about how excited you were to feel that rush again, clenching harder around Yoongi’s length.

He hisses as you tighten up, nearly pulling his cock right off him if he hadn’t brought his hand out to smack your ass, causing you to lurch forward with a squeal and accidentally deepthroat Jimin.

”Ah!.. Hyung, what gives?!” Jimin bites his lips.

”Sorry, Minnie, got carried away.” Yoongi grunts, hands gripping onto your hips as his pace quickens; every thrust causes you to squeal in a pitch higher than the last as you come apart under him, your second climax arriving just as intense as the first.

”Fuck…Cumming!” Yoongi groans, bottoming out as he coats your insides with his seed.

Jimin was next, his hand clenched around your throat, and he spills directly into your throat, the warm and bitter taste hitting you immediately, causing you to push him away and hold your mouth, ready to spit it out if it weren’t for Jimin slapping his hand against your mouth and nose.

”Swallow.” He commanded, tone devoid of any playfulness from earlier. You looked at him with shaking eyes but obeyed, swallowing the addictively bitter liquid.

A smile returned to his face, removing his hands from your mouth. “Good girl.”

Yoongi stretches your cunt with his thumb, watching his seed drip from you with content before shoving you off him and into Jimin’s arms.

”Get her cleaned up and back to her room,” he says dismissively, like he was finished with his meal and wished for the dirty plates to be taken away, tucking away his softening cock back in his pants.

”Ehh? Me?” Jimin complains, but tightly holding your limp body in his arm, using his free one to tuck himself in.

”I don’t care, give her to one of the younger ones then.” Yoongi waves him off; Jimin looks around to see Jungkook and Taehyung standing by the railing, having watched the entire show from the beginning.

Your mind comes back to Earth as you register the devilish faces in your head, hands immediately latching onto Jimin’s.

”N-no! Please! Anything but them!” You pleaded, and Jimin smirked at your raw fear.

”That stings, Princess! What did we ever do to you?” Taehyung pouts, resting his chin on his hands.

You didn’t bother going back and forth with him, knowing it was futile with those devils. “M’lord, please! I’ll do anything!… I can’t! Not with them!…” You cried.

”Hmm…what should I do?…” Jimin juts his bottom lip out, seemingly contemplating, “You do need to be cleaned up, and I have errands to attend to so…” He looks around, eyes catching the maids and butlers around.

”Jungkook-ah, come take the Princess to her chambers!”

Your face falls as he calls the man who shot you in the leg, shaking your head as he makes his way down the long staircase and stops in front of you, taking you from Jimin’s arms.

”We’re gonna have a lot of fun together, Princess.”

[chizumouse]

THE FERRYMAN ⟡ MYG ONESHOT

MOUSE

⟡ Pairing: Mafia! Min Yoongi x Reader

⟡ Genre: SMUTTTTT🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥, yandere, dark fic, mafia au, angst, dead dove.

⟡ Warnings/tags: Explicit smut, really heavy dub-con, dom Yoongi, sub reader, fem reader, torture, death, gore, violence, drugs, Stockholm syndrome, mentions of abuse, actual abuse, hopelessness, manhandling (he treats u like a ragdoll), he def has an interesting way of showing he cares about u, u see him as ur saviour, reader goes insane highkey, ur kind of...always trying to seduce him..., penetrative sex, exhibitionism, unprotected sex, cunnilingus, fingering, overstimulation, spitting, handcuff play, sadism, MASOCHISM READER IS A MASOCHIST, SO MUCH TEASING, edging, shoe grinding, physical punishment, body praise, body study, gunplay, minor petplay, brat, choking, mindbreak, possessive Yoongi, he's more interested in making you cum instead of himself

⟡ Summary: Having been captured and tortured by the mafia due to your deadbeat father's debt, you ended up being disposed of in the Han River.

Min Yoongi was the Ferryman for the mafia, the one in charge of cleaning up the bodies when they were disposed of. In the night, he found your floating body, looking a lot less bloated and fresher than the usual corpses he was so used to fishing out.

Oh.

You still have a pulse.

That's inconvenient.

⟡ WC: 7k~

⟡ SENSITIVE WARNING: The plot and actions in this story are purely fictional and for entertainment purposes only.

I do NOT support abusive/toxic relationships in real life. If you find yourself in a similar situation, please seek help. Take care

The world was unfair. You were aware of that. Forced to sit in a rotting chair surrounded by strangers dressed in black, encased in a concrete prison, bruises, cuts and blood covering your body.

All because of your father.

That pathetic son of a bitch ran away from home, saying something about going on a business trip. Little did you know that his absence left you next in line to be shackled by his measly 200,000-won debt that accumulated so much interest you nearly vomited on the spot when the men in black told you what he currently owed.

200,000 fucking won. The average loan agency sent people to houses to remind them, for worse, and your dad couldn’t pay that? He didn’t even ask you for help?

The organization he took the loan from was infamous around your parts; they ruled the underworld with an iron fist, and anybody with a double-digit IQ knew not to deal with them.

Your father clearly wasn’t one of them.

Blood dripped from your open mouth, your throat dry and pained with every breath you took from the amount of screaming they tore out of you. Nothing you did or said did anything; by the two-hour mark, you were already pleading for them to kill you, or whore you out to someplace in Southeast Asia. Anything for the pain to stop. But no matter how much you begged, screamed, bargained, the hell simply continued.

You didn’t have any immediate or even distant family that would help you, not even close friends, no one who wondered why you’d gone missing, why you hadn’t responded to their texts, having ostracized yourself to pick up after your father's shortcomings.

You looked at the man in front of you with hazy eyes, hiccupping and just letting the blood dribble from your mouth. He had a mask on, gloves, and a pair of bloodied metal pliers in his hands.

Hoseok, you think they called him.

Even with his face obscured, you could tell how relaxed he was, like it was another Tuesday for him. Gently announcing what he was going to do to you before he clamped the pliers shut on your pinkie, removing the tip of your finger with a sickening crunch.

The raw scream that tore out of you was guttural, bloody, hoarse, the kind you would only hear from a soldier in the middle of no-man's land.

As if you were letting go of a thin threat, your head dropped, body going limp as you felt yourself exhale one last breath.

And as nothing happened, he stood up, throwing the pliers on a metal tray with a loud clatter. “Namjoonie, I think she’s done.” Hoseok commented, yanking off his mask, “It’s a shame; she lasted so well too. Whatever, I had my fun.”

Fun.

The worst part of this was that they didn’t even have to torture you for this long; even when they found out you genuinely couldn’t pay the debt, they didn’t even agree to end it and just sell your organs. Instead, they just let this man mutilate you like a doll given to a five-year-old who didn’t know what the concept of preservation was.

After several hours of torture, your body finally decided to have mercy on you, finally putting you into a state of unconsciousness due to the shock.

The man they called Namjoon was sitting in a leather chair far away from the splash zone; he closed his book with a clap of the pages, setting it on the table beside him before glancing at the doe-eyed man who was tapping away at his phone.

“Jungkook-ah, take her out.” Jungkook shoved his phone into his pocket without a word and moved to untie you from the chair.

His gaze then shifted to the other man standing beside Jungkook. “Taehyung, help Hobi clean the room.” The addressed man rolled his eyes with an inaudible groan, taking a pair of black latex gloves from his pockets before slipping them on.

Jungkook threw you over his shoulder, your limp body hanging over him like a sack of potatoes.

He looked at you with mild pity, a feeling he’s gotten used to throwing away over time. It wasn’t like this was the first time he’d seen his Hyungs torture an innocent woman anyway.

In the dead of night, Jungkook and his men took you to a secluded area of the Han River, gently placing your body on the riverside before letting it drift. His Hyung would be there soon to collect your body anyway.

What he failed to notice, though, was the faint pulse that could only be heard by a doctor's stethoscope.

- 

Yoongi held a cigarette to his lips, taking a drag, holding his breath to let the smoke sit in his lungs just a while longer before puffing it out. He rested his arms against the railing of his boat as he looked on into the bright city lights.

Namjoon told him there was going to be a body heading his way, so he waited patiently. Eyes peeled for any anomalies in the waters.

Just as he was about to call Jungkook regarding the body's whereabouts, something drifting down the river made him stop. It moved with the current as every body did, yet the longer he stared, the more certain he became that something about it was wrong.

Normally, the corpses that came to him were always facing down, back afloat.

But this time, he could make out the faint outline of a face.

He squinted his eyes, waiting as the body drifted into the net before instructing his crew to reel it up. He approached the net curiously, examining the body.

It was a fresh one, the skin barely showing signs of bloating via decomposition.

Yoongi had seen death thousands of times.

This one was different.

With a wave of his hand, the body was released from the net, falling onto his deck with a wet thud, and he cautiously approached it. He noticed the fragile build of the body and chuckled to himself.

A pretty one, he could tell despite the horrors Hoseok did to it. What a shame.

Hoseok was a freak. When he was feeling more pent up than usual, he preferred the shrill screams from a maiden to the gruff begging of a man.

With a gloved hand, he inspected the body, noting the way the skin was tender and soft as opposed to tight and bloated, pressing two fingers into the neck below the jaw, where the carotid artery was located.

………thump.

His hand recoiled as though the body had burned him, a deep furrow settling between his brows as his gaze lingered over it. After a moment's hesitation, he slipped off his gloves, exposing his fingertips to inspect it with nothing separating flesh from flesh.

The crew members watched on as he did, wondering if this line of work was as mentally deteriorating to him as it was to them.

…..thump…….thump…....thump….

An amused chuckle left his lips.

You still had a pulse.

That’s inconvenient.

Without another second to waste, he interlocked his fingers, placed the heel of one hand over the center of your chest, and began CPR.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30.

Followed by two breaths.

Repeat.

And finally.

Your body jolts to life.

Water is ejected from your lungs to the side as you struggle to breathe, incomprehensible pain flooding back to your nervous system as your body is slowly brought back to life.

You wanted to scream, but your throat was at its limit, and nothing ended up coming out.

Yoongi was astonished. He’s seen Hoseok’s torture sessions, and even he had to admit it was beyond psychopathic and just hours of the devil himself at work. For you to have survived that…it was… fascinating.

“Get Jin on site, NOW.”

-

You were fading in and out of consciousness when the head doctor of the organization was patching you up. It was the first time Yoongi had requested that he save someone, a victim of Hoseok’s no less. He even requested that this stay out of Namjoon’s ears, not wanting to deal with the scoldings for keeping a pet for himself.

Diffused sunlight lit up the upper room of the motel, flooding through the blinds and glass cubes that lined the walls. The sound of running water could be faintly heard.

You blinked once, then twice. Head shifting left and right to see the room you were in.

Were you dead?

Was heaven this…messy?

You attempted to sit up from the bed, bedsheets not even bothered to be hooked onto the corners as they wrinkled around you. A sharp pain ran up your stomach as your muscles contracted violently, forcing you back onto the hard mattress.

With shallow breaths, the pain slowly subsided. You lifted your aching arm to see your arm and hand fully wrapped up in bandages, some parts splotchy with dried blood.

Then your eyes trailed to the tip of your pinkie. Was it always this short?

Oh…right. Hoseok cut it off.

You felt your chest tightening, not from pain, but from an impending sadness that caused warm tears to stream down the sides of your face, tickling past your ears.

You let your arm fall back down with a thud, bouncing slightly against the mattress.

Why are you alive?

The sound of clanging that echoed from downstairs startled you, your head turning to the staircase to see a man with wavy black hair wearing a teal sukajan carrying a black duffel bag. He ran his fingers through his hair, and it didn’t seem like he noticed you yet.

He walked past you and tossed the duffel bag to the red couch; it looked and sounded heavy.

Lighting up a cigarette, he tossed the lighter onto the table that was cluttered with trash, bottles of alcohol, and an odd selection of blades.

He picked up a roll of gauze before walking leisurely towards you, his eyes finally meeting your open ones.

He paused for a slight second before continuing to approach you, “You’re up.” He stated.

Opening your mouth to speak, you realized your vocal cords had been completely blown out, a raspy squeak exiting instead of a response.

You nodded instead, eyes wary and lips quivering at the sight of this stranger who you had no idea had good intentions or not.

He pulled a wooden stool from beside the bed, squatting down on it before grabbing your arm, unwinding your blood-soaked bandages to reveal your gruesomely discoloured arms, splotches of purple, green, and yellow clouding what used to be perfect skin.

Your fingers twitched and curled at his harsh grip against your wrist, feeling like he was going to yank your arm right off.

He took a rag from the bucket beside you, wiping down your arms, getting rid of the dried blood that had accumulated.

He held down the end of the gauze with a thumb, efficiently and swiftly wrapping your arm with fresh bandages. His fingers curled around your wrist, and you realized that his pinkie happened to be shorter than the rest of his fingers as well.

Yoongi didn’t say a word, continuing to take occasional drags of his cigarette while he worked through your body, eventually reaching your torso.

He didn’t even hesitate when he took a knife from his back pocket, slipping it through your bandages and cutting away at it.

You struggled slightly, little noises escaping your throat as you tried to prevent him from exposing where you were most vulnerable.

His thumb pressed harshly into your stomach, right on the sweet spot where it hurt the most, and you shook your head, hands shooting up to clutch his arm.

“I’m surprised you still have the energy to fight back,” He says, digging his thumb an inch deeper before releasing you. “Then again, it’s because of that spirit you’re still alive.”

You gasp, finally allowed to breathe as he yanks his arm away from you.

“But I’m not more merciful than Death, so stop your bitching before I take it into my own hands.”

You nodded quickly, allowing him to cut open your bandages and clean your body with the cold water, the drastic change in temperature stiffening your nipples; you didn’t dare look at him, embarrassed by your natural bodily response.

Yoongi didn’t care; out of anyone in the world, he was the one who cared the least about the ' most vulnerable parts of the human body’ because when you’ve seen it once, you’ve seen it all.

But he did find it endearing how, despite the bruises on your face, your flush was still dusty and visible on your cheeks, the fingers that didn’t hurt bunching up the bedsheets beneath you.

“Sit up.” He instructed.

Having attempted to before his arrival, you shook your head, not wanting to experience that pain again.

His lack of reaction showed he wasn’t too interested in how much pain you were in, burrowing his hand under the back of your neck before forcing you up in one swift motion.

It was so fast that your body didn’t even have time to register the contractions of your muscles, only feeling the whiplash after you registered you were sitting up, a mild headache building.

You covered your exposed breasts, letting him wipe down your back before pulling out a bigger gauze, wrapping it around your torso and covering you back up.

He took out an orange and white bottle from his jacket pocket, placing it on the bed next to you.

“Antibiotics, morphine.” He stood up from the stool with a sigh and began to walk back down the stairs. “Take it every morning.”

You wanted to stop him, to ask him so many things, but you could barely even make out a whisper, and he seemed like he didn’t even want to talk to you. 

You took the bottles and read the instructions, dropping one of each into your mouth and washing it down with a glass of water you assumed was placed on the nightstand with the intention of being drunk by you. Your fingers trembled lightly holding the glass, realizing that the concept of water now brought you fear instead of life.

Feeling fresher than when you were wrapped in old bandages, you allowed yourself to fall back asleep.

-

You awoke to footsteps walking up the stairs, realizing it was way past sundown when the hanging oriental lanterns emitted a bright, diffused glow.

Your body still ached, but thanks to the pills, it was a lot more manageable.

Testing out your voice with a few ahhs, you were glad that you were finally able to speak.

“...Um…” You let out.

Yoongi’s head turned to you, realizing there was now a new voice amongst his.

“T-thank you…for…everything.” You whispered, hoping he could hear you despite how quiet you were.

He didn’t respond, instead throwing a plastic bag onto the bed.

The smell permeated around you, the lovely scent of Shanghai fried noodles whetting your appetite with each inhale.

He tossed his jacket onto the couch before throwing himself on it, taking out his phone.

You felt awkward, like you had to say something, had to ask for permission to do anything.

But he was so far away, far enough that even you knew your voice wouldn’t reach him, so you opted to stand up, legs shaking as you tried to support yourself, bare-footed padding against the floor in the tiniest of steps to reach him.

You placed your hands onto the cushion of the couch, gently falling to your knees beside him, eyes looking glassy as you tried to get his attention.

Being this close, he smelled faintly of seawater, cologne, and tobacco, a dizzying smell that clouded your mind with inappropriate thoughts, feeling a deep-rooted gratitude to this man who you now knew was your saviour.

“Is that…” You started, turning to glance at the plastic bag on the bed, “...For me?”

He glanced at you for a split second before blinking back to his phone, “Nah, that’s my dinner.”

Your cheeks flushed in embarrassment upon realizing your assumption was wrong. Of course, he already did so much for you, so how selfish was it for you to assume his food was also yours?

Muttering an apology, you couldn’t peel your eyes away from him; how alluring he was, how relaxed he looked, how blunt his words and actions were, yet he was still taking care of you.

Realizing you were still staring at him, he tossed his phone aside, hands coming to run them through your hair before they slid down to hold your jaw.

“Did Hoseok’s torture make you lose your mind?” His grip tightens. “Staring at me like that, like I’m some deity.”

Your breathing hitched. How did he know about the torture?

Yoongi seemed to notice the hesitation in your breath, lips curling into a smirk. “Yeah, I’m gooood, good buddies with the guys that fucked you up this badly.”

He said that like he was testing you, waiting to see how you would respond, how you would crawl away pathetically after realizing he was just as bad as the men who did this to you, how he would end up disposing of you like he’s done with others so many times.

Your lips parted, but what left wasn’t a scream; it wasn’t pleading or begging him to let you go.

“Thank you.”

Yoongi’s eyebrows twitched, his hands now latched onto your throat, squeezing hard enough to make your mouth gape for air. “You think just because I’m taking care of you means I give a shit about you?”

Your eyes weren’t begging him to stop, and that’s what he hated most about this. He was so used to girls begging for their lives that he didn’t know what to do when they were just accepting the way he treated them.

Whether it was something you already nurtured deep inside or the side effects of the morphine, the grip around your neck felt so good. Your hooded eyes stared into his conflicted ones as you felt yourself getting wetter and wetter.

Yoongi's eyes drifted between your legs, where you had on a pair of his black boxer briefs. With a click of his tongue, he lifted you and threw you onto the couch beside him, a hand placed next to your head to pin you against the armrest.

Taking out a black 9mm from his back pocket, he pressed it against your barely clothed cunt, the pressure sending waves of pleasure through your entire nervous system.

You let out quiet whimpers, feeling the heavy muzzle press directly on your sensitive clit.

“I don’t know what kind of lobotomy Hoseok put you through, but,” His thumb lifted to flick off the safety, “If you couldn’t tell, I’m not a fan of being looked down on.”

Your hips squirmed against his gun, body twitching from the heightened sensitivity fueled by fear and excitement.

“You saved me.” You let out amongst a myriad of noises, “If you want to kill me, my life would’ve been yours anyway.”

Were you stupid? Or did Hoseok literally shove an icepick through your eye and hammer it straight through your brain with a mallet? Or maybe the trauma genuinely altered your brain chemistry?

With another click of his tongue, he flicked the safety back on, backing up from you before placing the gun on the table.

“I should’ve just harvested your organs instead, fuck.” He cursed, taking out a fresh cigarette and lighting it.

You were disappointed at the sudden release; why did he stop? Did he not like you? Were you not appealing enough for him? You wanted to be useful to him in any way to repay him; maybe you had to try harder.

The next few days were spent in rehabilitation. At first, you could manage only a few tentative steps from one side of the room to the other. Before long, those hesitant movements turned into steady strides, and eventually, you were able to walk without much difficulty.

The discolouration on your skin only got worse as the bruises healed, the scattered blood underneath your skin diffusing across your body before it fully dissipated.

It was a miracle you survived, and an even bigger miracle you recovered as fast as you did.

With each passing day, you attempted several different ways to seduce Min Yoongi: resting your head between his thighs, randomly sitting on his lap, wrapping your arms around his waist, sliding your hand down lower and lower, but he always stopped you before you reached too low, gently tugging your hands away from him.

Gently.

You hated it when he treated you gently; it felt wrong.

Unlike the way he treated you when you were at death's door, harshly and without a care in the world, he kept his hands to himself when you recovered.

What was his problem? Did he get off on hurting the incapacitated or something?

With each failed attempt, you only got more frustrated. He wouldn’t let you go outside or help him with his work. He’d always sleep through the mornings and come back incredibly late at night. He always kept you well fed, bringing home takeout that you had to eat by yourself because he claimed he’d already eaten earlier in the day.

He never had a day off, at least, not to your knowledge.

Yoongi never told you much about the organization, only that he was one of its executives, and the demands of the position left precious little time for you.

Does he not get pent up? Frustrated? You were here, ready and waiting for him to bed you, but it seemed like he had no interest in that sort of thing. But then why did he do that all those weeks ago, on the couch? Just to scare you?

He used to handle you so roughly. Now he barely touched you. Was this punishment for coming onto him?

…Should you piss him off?

Yoongi had come home late again, but tonight you stayed up to greet him when he returned, running down the stairs before tripping over your own feet, tumbling down the concrete steps without attempting to catch yourself.

Your shins, sides, arms, and head slammed into the sharp corners of the steps as you tumbled downward. It was almost comical how many times they managed to catch you, until one edge dug deep into your temple.

You were fading in and out of consciousness by the time you reached the bottom, trying to find Yoongi with clouded, wandering eyes. There was a ringing in your ears that got louder with every second that passed, worsening when you heard muffled footsteps approaching you.

What kind of face did he look at you with? Disdain? Pity? Disappointment? You wanted to know so bad.

Your pupils dilated when your vision gradually came back to you, showing you exactly what you were dying to see.

“Ah…” You sighed, lips curling into a crazed smile.

He regarded you with the same unreadable expression as always, his head tilting slightly, a familiar gesture you'd long since learned to associate with his irritation.

“’m sorry, Yoongi, slipped...” You slurred, attempting to push yourself off the ground.

With a sigh, Yoongi crouched down, his fingers threading through your hair to lift your head, the excessive tug causing your headache to worsen.

Your pulse spiked.

"...I don't get it." His voice came out low and rough. "Are you really that pent-up? Just some desperate whore who wants to get hurt?"

The degradation settled deep beneath your skin, each word sinking in before blooming into a slow, burning heat that coiled in the pit of your stomach.

“What makes you think I’m even into that bullshit?” He scoffed, yanking your head slightly for a response.

“Answer me, pet.”

Your breathing shallowed as you relished the feeling of his hand in your hair, his words hitting you deeper and deeper.

You held back your tongue, wanting to see how much further you could push him,

“You keep tempting me, expecting me to fall for shallow taunts.” He pressed the top of his shoe against your heat, encouraging you to grind against it, and you happily accept, wrapping your hands around his leg.

“If I knew you were such a masochistic slut I would’ve sent you back to Hoseok long ago.” Your thighs twitched, contracting around his ankles. “Is that what you want, hm?” You shook your head side to side the best you could without accidentally knocking yourself out.

“N-no, he scares me,” You pleaded, pressing yourself against his shoe like a bitch in heat.

“And I don’t?” He laughs darkly, almost offended.

“Can’t say I’m too happy to hear that.”

His hand tightens into your hair, dragging you back up the stairs with little regard for the way your body stumbles after him. When he finally lets go, he throws you onto the bed, the impact sending a sharp tremor through you as pain blooms from the force of the fall.

“I'll be honest,” he says lazily, shrugging off his jacket and tossing it onto the chair nearby. “I suppose I am into that sort of thing.”

He leans closer, planting his palms on both sides of your hips, caging you in with a smile that feels far too amused.

“But you?” His gaze drifts over you, almost condescendingly. “No, I don’t think you deserve to be hurt the way I like it.”

The way I like it.

Those words nearly made you cum right where you sat, salivating at what that might’ve entailed, what he had in store for you if you just used the right words.

“But-” You swallow, refusing to look away. “I did what I had to do to get you to look at me again.”

He shakes his head, disbelief flickering across his face. “You willingly threw yourself down the stairs because you missed the way I treated you when you were hurt?” A quiet laugh leaves him as he tilts his head.

“Is that really what you thought of me?”

He cups your face, his touch almost gentle compared to the accusation in his voice.

“You’re too good for me, sweetheart. You really thought I was that shallow? That I’d only care about you when you were fragile enough to need me?”

Just as you were about to apologize, his fingers pressed into the tender bruise on your hip, one that had only just begun to form thanks to your earlier stunt.

A sharp breath escaped you, your expression twisting before you could mask it.

“You’re right.”

If Yoongi wanted to see the worst parts of you, then you would give him something worth looking at. You leaned closer, taking his bottom lip between your teeth and biting down hard enough to draw blood.

His eyebrows furrowed slightly, caught off guard by the sudden display of defiance, before his fingers curled around your throat again, those long-awaited hands that had once brought you life now held it hostage once more.

He pressed his knee against your cunt, your hips bucking to stimulate yourself against him while riding the high of asphyxiation.

“So fucking greedy…” He growled, loosening his grip upon feeling your body start to limp. Blood flowed back into your brain in a euphoric rush that had you drifting on cloud nine.

His grip tightened again, one of his hands sliding down to lightly trace his fingers against your neck, your ribs, your stomach, then your inner thigh, making you twitch and gasp with every movement.

“Never seen a bitch as sensitive as you.” He chuckles, intrigued that your body was still capable of reacting despite your mind being in another plane of existence.

His fingers reach into your underwear, immediately feeling your wet slick coat his fingers before taking it out and holding it to your lips.

“Open.”

Your lips parted, and he shoved two fingers into your mouth, letting you taste yourself with his long, rough fingers.

Your tongue felt soft and warm, a sensation that made him spiral for just a second before recomposing himself, taking his fingers out before the hand around your throat squeezed your mouth open instead.

He spat into your mouth, and you quickly swallowed, eyes nearly rolling to the back of your head as you adored his taste mixed with yours.

“Fuck…” His tongue poked the inside of his cheek, hands returning to your pussy, and he plunged two fingers inside, not even bothering to prep you.

The sudden entrance made your eyes squeeze shut in pain, loving the way it stung as his fingers scissored and stretched you out.

“Wow, you're actually enjoying this, huh?” He mocks, pace quickening, fingers curling to press against the spot that sent you to the stars.

Your warm and soft insides clenched around his fingers, the frequency rising nearly past the edge before he quickly takes his fingers out, causing your eyes to snap open in shock.

Just as you were about to reach your orgasm, Yoongi stole it from you in an instant, your walls now clenching around nothing.

“W-why did you?-" Before you realized it, your head had turned the other way, a burning, stinging sensation left on your right cheek.

Yoongi had slapped you.

With the hand that struck you across the face, he grabbed your jaw, forcing you to look at him.

His head tilted, “Who said you could cum?”

Tears fell from your glassy eyes, guilt welling up in your chest, “...I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please can I cum Yoongi? Please let me cum…!” You begged pathetically, the temporary freedom of accumulated stress the past weeks teetering on the edge.

“You wanna cum?” He sat up from the bed, fingers hooking onto the handle of his nightstand drawer before pulling it, digging his hand through the contents before pulling out a glint of metal that clattered against each other.

Handcuffs.

He took your wrists, bringing them together before hooking the chain behind the metal poles of the headrest.

You could only stare at him in confusion, wondering what he had in store for you, impatiently squirming your hips. The sudden lack of stimulation was driving you to insanity.

He sat at the edge of the bed before flicking his head up, “If you can cum without my help, I'll reward you.”

You looked at him in shock. How were you supposed to cum with your hands out of commission?

Not wanting to piss him off to the point he just decides to leave, you pressed your thighs together, desperately trying to create a pleasurable friction to the best of your abilities.

Seconds turned to long minutes, with you trying every position you were capable of putting yourself in to try and orgasm.

By the time you decided to give up, you were in tears, face down, ass up as you panted in frustration. Skin tacky from sweat and tears.

Yoongi had watched the entire thing, start to finish, his eyes never left your figure, not even when Namjoon called to assign him another task. Responding to his boss casually as you attempted to get yourself off.

“Yoongi…Please…” You sobbed, “What am I supposed to do? I can't do it, I can't do anything, please help me, I need you…”

Ah, this was it. Your cries for help were exactly what Yoongi had been waiting for. The way you looked now, helpless, vulnerable, reduced to the frightened little thing that had first woken up in his bed, trembling like a cornered mouse, was far more satisfying than any struggle you could have put up.

Min Yoongi wasn't the type of man to chase after Earthly pleasures, but if there was one thing he got off to, it was when people were at the lowest of the low, completely abandoned by the world and helpless, relinquishing their entire being to him and him only. Obviously it couldn't be just anyone. No, that was too easy.

You were the first girl he'd ever seen with the physical constitution of a marine, but the survival instincts of an unshelled peanut. The contradiction fascinated him. You could withstand more than most people ever should, yet possessed an almost self-destructive inability to protect yourself, making you the perfect plaything in his eyes, a toy crafted from the sturdiest material, one resilient enough to endure even the roughest handling without breaking.

He needed you to need him at your lowest, a specimen as resilient as you, crumbling with just a touch of his fingers; the thought of it nearly made him orgasm dry on the spot.

He could feel his cock twitch in his jeans, seeing the way your frustrated tears soaked into his bedsheets, his hand coming up to wipe a thumb under your eye.

“See? You can't do anything without me,” He cooed, retracting his hand to rest on your ass before bringing it down to deliver a sharp blow, pulling a strained moan from your lips.

“You need me now, don't you?”

He spanked you again, causing your wrists to pull on the cuffs, the edges digging into your wrists.

“Yes…yes…’m sorry…I was wrong…need you so bad…” You felt your ass heat up with each smack, a warm, stinging sensation blossoming over your cheeks. With one final hit, Yoongi's hand remained to spread and massage your swollen behind.

If you weren't already soaked before, you were a sopping mess now, Yoongi having dragged his thumb against your clothed heat to collect your arousal.

“You can't cum without me?” He tugged his boxers off you, several thinning strings of your slick parting with the fabric.

You wiggled your ass slightly, toes curling when the cold air finally met your exposed cunt.

“Mmn!..Yes! Need you to make me cum, Yoongi—please, I've been so good for you, haven't I?” You begged, fumbling with your words in a desperate attempt to get them out.

Good wasn't exactly the best word Yoongi would call you, a desperate bitch needing to be bred more so. But he didn't need to tell you that, right? The way your insides clenched around nothing, your face a hot, tear-stained mess, and your legs, begging to be spread open by his hands were all he needed to see.

With a harsh grip, Yoongi had flipped you over onto your back. He'd normally avoid looking at a broad face. He couldn't stand making eye contact with someone in an intimate setting for that long; it creeped him out. But your eyes were different. They gazed upon him with indescribable raw pleasure, alluring him in a way he wanted to see them roll to the stars and watch life fade away from them when he had his hands wrapped around you.

You hiccupped and sniffled, knees pressed together with your legs in the air, perfect for Yoongi to slip his hands between your inner thighs and pry them open. A single hand worked himself out of his jeans while the other went up to tug your hair at the base of its roots.

The headache returned, making you squirm and whine, but you were powerless to stop him. You were right where you wanted to be.

His thumb pressed against your puffy clit, the touch sparking thousands of nerves to set alight all at once; never once had you ever felt so sensitive before.

And for the reward you had waited so long for, you finally felt his tip kiss your entrance, inching it in before taking it out again. The slow movement nearly made you go insane if you hadn't already; not only was this prepping you so you wouldn't be able to feel the sting when he finally bottoms out, but he would purposely press against the top of your insides where you were most sensitive.

This wasn't enough, God, it wasn't enough. You needed him so deep inside you you wouldn't have to think about everything that's happened, everything that led up to this point. Yoongi was your God that saved you from your hell, and you would be more than delighted to relinquish your womb to him.

A perfect home for his babies.

As if he was reading your mind, Yoongi narrowed his eyes in contempt, “You're thinking about something nasty, aren't you?” He leaned down, breath light and airy against your ears, his tongue darted out to graze the shell. His cock sank deeper with each teasing thrust.

“Tell me what you want.”

You flinched but didn't flee, hands tangling themselves into his hair to give an encouraging tug. An action that rouses a perverse groan from him.

“Breed…” You gasped, “I want to be bred…I want to be hurt the way you like it, please Yoongi..!”

You poor, pathetic little thing, you didn’t even know what you were asking for with such a sweet voice. Pain, pleasure, mingled together to create a paradise for you and Yoongi alone.

In an instant, Yoongi snapped his hips to yours, a hiss escaping through his teeth when he felt how tight you clench around him. The ringing in your ears intensified by the force with which he pounded into you.

Thrust after thrust after thrust brought a wave of pleasure you could practically taste on your tongue. Your insides were practically made for his cock, sure to remember each and every vein that lined him.

His fingers pressed against your carotid arteries, cutting off the blood flow to your brain. How ironic that the very hand meant to confirm you were still alive was reducing your thoughts to a dizzy, oxygen-starved haze, well, not that you had many productive thoughts to begin with.

Your lips formed to the shape of an O when the endorphins flooded your system, nails digging into the palm of your hands, the pain of the cuffs now long forgotten.

If you thought Yoongi’s slender build presented him as someone who didn’t have strength or stamina, you were dead wrong. Underneath the jackets and button-ups he wore were hidden plump muscles you were sure were built as a result of his work. The ease with which he tossed you around, as though your weight were little more than an inconvenience, was proof enough that his performance in bed was just as good.

The sloppy noises of balls to cheek echoed in his room. A mix of your moans and his growls played like a symphony in your ears.

With the restricted blood flow, your vision began to fade. Yoongi would be guilty if he said he didn’t give a fuck and continued to choke the life out of you, but you were the one who begged for this, so who was he to hold back on your pleas?

Your brain had finally reached its limits, fading to unconsciousness as your body went limp. Yoongi waited a few more seconds before finally releasing his grip, his pace never faltering for a second.

He knew what people like you wanted: to wake up with his dick reaching the deepest parts of you, confused and high out of your mind from the way he forced out all the chemicals in your brain.

Even while you were unconscious, your serene face looked so pretty, fucked out and vulnerable for him. How perfect your breasts bounced with each thrust. What did he do to deserve such a perfect toy? All he ever did was dispose of the dead who fell into his brother's hands, maybe a couple more, and he could resintill the fear he held over you. He couldn’t wait to show you off to the others, couldn’t wait to see the terror on your face when he tells Hoseok he can have his way with you.

When your brain finally had a functioning amount of blood returned, so did your consciousness. You hadn’t realized you passed out, the fog evident in your eyes as you tried to figure out what the hell just happened.

“Yoo…Yoon…gi..” Your voice called to him, raspy, dry. Having avoided water unless Yoongi forced you to drink was not the brightest idea. You realized that just now.

“Good morning, Princess.” In the midst of your confusion, he leaned down and pressed his lips against yours, tongue intruding past your lips to tangle with yours.

His words and kiss caught you off guard. It was sweet, soft, a stark contrast to how vigorously he fucked you, pulling a myriad of cute, messy noises from your reddened lips. Just how many ways could this man take your breath away?

“Wanna cum…!” A tight knot formed in your core, sore and bruised. You knew better than to cum without permission, not wanting a repeat of the deprivation he put you through. “Yoongi…please? May I?” You mewled into his mouth, legs wrapped around his hips.

 “Cum for me.” He groaned with a chuckle, parting from your yearning lips. “You did well, sweetheart.”

His praise seeped into your bones. It was so simple, yet it was like a breath of fresh air in the fog of ecstasy.

You tipped over the edge, insides clenching hard around him as you came all over his cock. His teeth sank into his lips as he bottomed out, tip kissing your cervix as he released directly into your womb.

By now, the both of you were flushed and overheated, the room carrying the remnants of a decision Yoongi probably should have thought through more carefully. He should have taken the time to strip himself of the unnecessary layers, but patience had never been one of his virtues. Waiting was simply not in his nature when something he wanted was already within reach.

He kept your hips pulled firmly against him, his hands tracing upward as though to offer a moment of tenderness, only for his fingers to drift to your cheek and deliver a light, mocking slap instead, meant to drag you back to reality.

“You belong to me.” The smallest hint of satisfaction crossed his face, not cruel, but something far more disturbing, the peaceful certainty of someone who had claimed the world. “All of you.”

You could only purr at his words, pussy aching and satisfied.

“Mm…all yours.”