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The first time you speak with Jeon Jungkook, it is on the first day of spring. Winter has withdrawn its hold on the city: frost and ice thawing into tiny puddles across the concrete sidewalks, the looming, empty branches of trees now brimming with tiny, green buds; the grass damp with dew. The air itself feels fresh; spring clearing out the frigid air and nipping cold to make way for a light warmth that curls around you – the sun blooming high within a clear sky.
Despite this, you still find yourself in a rush. A last-minute group meeting pulling you from your bed at the godawful hour of half past nine. You can still feel sleep lingering at the edges of your mind, a quiet lure that calls for you to return home and to your bed.
If only.
Your attention is pulled elsewhere, hands typing a frantically in response to a message demanding your whereabouts, and you do not see the way he’s come to a halt in the middle of the sidewalk and when your body plows into his, the both of you are left tumbling onto the dewy grass. The hit is hard enough to jolt the breath from your lungs and it takes more than a handful of seconds to gather your thoughts, eyes staring blankly up at serene sky before it all comes rushing back.
Bolting upright, you stare at the boy you’ve basically run over and find him kneeling a few feet from you, knees stained with grass and dirt. He seems unharmed but that does nothing to quell the rush of panic as you push up onto your feet and hover nervously overhead, hands fluttering about.
“Are you okay? Do you need to see a doctor? The nurses’ station isn’t far from here!”
He says nothing, leaving your questions unanswered as he simply stares, eyes wide, mouth opened wordlessly and at once, you feel yourself freeze. A rush of frosty air slams into you, body shivering on instinct but just like that, it’s gone, replaced by the warmth of the morning sun.
“I’m sorry,” you say once a handful of uncomfortable moments have passed. “Are you okay?”
Jungkook continues to observe you even as he stands to his full height. There’s something akin to intrigue dancing within his gaze however, it’s gone in the blink of an eye. His features morph into that of calmness and he bends to dust off his knees. “No, I’m fine. Are you hurt?”
You realize then that it is the first time you’ve heard him speak a full sentence. It’s been two weeks since he transferred into your class and save for the almost inaudible ‘here’ at the beginning of every lecture, he has not spoken to a soul.
It’s the first time you’ve been able to catch a glimpse of him outside of your class, unlike the rest of your classmates who share a similar schedule, and you wonder if perhaps English Lit was simply an elective that he chose.
“I’m fine,” you say, offering a crooked smile.
Jungkook nods and shoulder his backpack, motioning behind him. “Good. I have to get going but I’ll see you in class _______.”
“Okay,” you manage and then he’s gone, back turned to you once again as he makes his way towards the main campus.
You’re able to make it to the library with only a few minutes to spare but for the remainder of the day, your mind wanders aimless to Jungkook.
He’s intriguing, a riddle that no one has been able to solve.
Unlike before, it does not take long to speak with Jungkook again.
After your disastrous run in with him, the next time you see him is at the beginning of your English Lit class but this time, he greets you with a silent nod of his head. It’s not a lot however, it is more than he has shown anyone before.
The lecture is long and tedious, the professor’s slow drawl bringing everyone to the crisp of sleep but somehow you are able to make it through, even managing to gather a few decent notes. Standing up, you make quick work of packing up your things and follow the natural flow of students trudging out of the lecture hall.
With English Lit being your only class until one, you have several choices: you could get started on school work, go home and sleep or, grab a coffee. All three sound enticing but the fresh smell of ground coffee calls to you like a beautiful song.
Ambling down busy halls, you make it to the small café attached to the north side of the building and find it’s already bustling with students, all of them at different levels of being awake – you spot a few students in the corner who are definitely sleeping.
You order your coffee and even the touch of the warm mug has you smiling but when you turn around to find a seat, you realize all of them are full. Of course, it’s not a huge deal. You could probably find a spot outside. Chewing at your bottom lip in contemplation, you weigh the choices before making one last scan of the quaint café.
Oh.
Jungkook is seated in the far back corner, book bag taking residence in the chair beside him but the two across from him are free. He’s listening to music, you see the rhythmic sway of his head as he follows the beat and in front of him, a notepad is set out.
Would it be weird? The only time you two have spoken is when you practically ran him over. It doesn’t really make for a good impression.
Shuffling on your feet, you finally decide to say screw it and cross over to where he sits. At first, he doesn’t seem to notice your approaching figure but when you come a stop across from him, Jungkook lifts his head.
“Hey,” he greets, surprising flickering over his features.
You offer a smile. “Hey, sorry I know this is random but there aren’t any seats available-”
“Oh, yeah for sure.” Jungkook waves at the empty seats across from him. You move to sit down and place your mug of coffee in front of you, nerves fluttering about in your belly because now what? You’re not quite sure what to say. He clears his throat and rubs awkwardly at the nape of his neck. “So…did you almost fall asleep in Professor Lee’s class as well?”
You burst into laughter and nod. “You too? I think everyone was put to sleep. It’s his voice. Every time he speaks, all I want to do is curl up in my bed.”
Jungkook nods in understanding. “He’s a good teacher but I can’t even find the will the pay attention. It should be recognized as a special skill.”
“Seriously…” A moment of silence. “So, did you just move here?”
“Yeah, about a month ago. I was lucky that they even let me join three weeks after the term had started.”
“What are you majoring in?”
Jungkook carefully slides the notebook around to face you. “Art.” It is a portrait of a beautiful palace with large towers covered in ivy and grand windows.
“It’s beautiful.” At that, a light blush dusts across his cheeks. “Can I ask what this place is?”
“Just something I saw once in a book, some old castle.”
“Well, it’s incredible. But, if you’re an art major, why are you taking English?”
“An elective, it was the only thing available that would fit in my timetable.”
So, you were right.
“What about you, why English?”
You swirl the spoon through your coffee and shrug. “I’ve always loved literature. I love reading it just as much as I do writing so English was just a natural choice. I’m thinking of maybe becoming an editor.”
Across from you, Jungkook smiles.
“That’s awesome.”
“How long have you been drawing for? You’re incredible.”
“For as long as I can remember,” he admits. “I have probably over a hundred sketchbooks in my closet right now.”
You nod and take a sip of coffee. “That’s awesome though. I’m more of a doodler myself, so not as cool.”
“Hey, doodles are cool. Don’t put down the doodles.”
Lifting your hands in surrender, you watch as Jungkook grins over the rim of his mug. “You know, we have that partner assignment coming up soon. Did you want to pair up? I don’t really know anyone else in that class.”
You blink in surprise but it quickly melts into a smile.
“Yeah, definitely. That would be awesome.”
From then on, your friendship grows gradually. You find yourself speaking with him after class, conversations drifting from the past lecture to your upcoming assignment and slowly, you begin to learn bits and pieces of information about the boy who was once a mystery to you.
Jungkook becomes someone you look forward to seeing, someone who you soon realize that you are able to call a friend.
Exhaustion plagues every limb in your body after a night of restless sleep. You can barely recall what the lecture was on, eyes drifting shut every ten seconds, only to spring open when you realize how close to sleep you truly were.
Your mind feels sloshy and you are so focused on trying to put your belongings away that you do not hear the set of approaching footsteps until a cold hand makes contact with your arm.
You jump, hands releasing everything in their grasp, including the opened pencil case, and you can do nothing but watch miserably as it goes tumbling to the floor, pencils and highlighters scattering around your feet.
“Are you okay?” Jungkook asks, eyes searching your face. “You look exhausted.”
Wonderful, you think. You’re glad your lack of sleep is clear as day on your face.
“I’m fine,” you reply even though it is the furthest thing from the truth. “I haven’t been sleeping well this past few weeks. Just weird dreams.” Bending down, you begin to pick up your stuff, eyes blinking furiously in hopes of keeping yourself awake enough to finish the day. You still have much to do before you’re able to crawl into bed once more. A hand reaches down and grabs a few markers which have rolled too far to the side and Jungkook drops into your vision. “Thank you.”
He shrugs. “It’s no problem.”
You two make quick work of cleaning up your mess and once your bag is packed, you find yourself sighing, body sagging back against your chair.
“Coffee?” Jungkook rubs at the back of his neck. “I was about to get some coffee and maybe a muffin, if you want to join?”
The sudden realization that you have not eaten anything before class makes itself known as your stomach growls and you place a hand over your belly as Jungkook chuckles. “Yeah, that would be awesome actually.”
Following him down to the café, he instructs you to grab a place as he goes to order some food. It’s been more than a month since you decided to sit across from him, your friendship growing immensely over the weeks. When he plops down across from you, you notice straight away that he has your order memorized, all your favorite things scattered on a plate: blueberry muffin, cup of peach yogurt and a nice cup of coffee.
“Thank you,” you say before taking a sip, eyes slipping shut as the coffee burns lightly at your tongue. This is definitely what you needed. “So good.”
“I feel like you would marry coffee if you could,” Jungkook jokes.
“Probably.”
He takes a few bites of his own muffin before leaning back in his chair. “So, what’s up with these dreams?”
At the very thought, a shiver runs through you. “I’m not sure, it’s more like a nightmare.” He furrows his brows in concern. “I’m not sure where I am but it’s cold, the snow so high I feel like I’m trapped inside. A cage of ice and snow. But despite that, I feel like something is watching me.”
“A person?”
You shake your head. “No, an animal. I’ve only ever caught glimpses of it before I wake, but it looks like a wolf. Huge, vicious.”
“And you have this nightmare every night?”
“For about two weeks now. It’s just…whenever I wake up, this feeling of being watched doesn’t fade. It has me up most nights. I feel like I haven’t slept properly in weeks. I don’t know if it’s just the stress of midterms but it’s exhausting.”
You take another sip of your coffee and savour the warmth. It’s a welcome heat after so many nights dreaming of nothing but the cold.
“When’s your next class?”
“Not until one.”
Jungkook nods. “Once you’re done, come with me.”
“Where?”
“A surprise.”
Your narrow your eyes at him but when he stands resolute in not answering any questions, you finish the rest of your breakfast in silence. Once you’re done, you usher him along, excitement brining just below the surface. You’ve always been a sucker for surprises.
Jungkook leads you across the quad and towards student housing where you stop at one of the many apartment buildings. “Here, follow me.” He ushers you inside and you take the stairs up to the third level where he is quick to produce a key and unlock one of the doors.
It’s a dorm, the layout similar to yours but surprisingly there is minimal furniture or anything really, just the basics needed to get by day to day. Jungkook motions for you to sit on the couch as he retreats down the hall to what you can assume is his bedroom.
You glance around, eyes sweeping over the small television nestled in the corner to the stack of school books on a far shelf before landing on an array of drawings taped to the wall. They vary from nature to people but you find yourself transfixed by the details. Drawings so intricate you can picture the real thing with ease.
“These are incredible,” you say when Jungkook resurfaces. You motion to a drawing of a man, his face masked in shadows save for his eyes, bright and calming. “Who is that?”
Jungkook glances up. “An old friend.”
You nod and turn back around to face him, only to find that he’s in the midst of laying out a few blankets on the opposite couch. Jungkook pats the pillow a couple times and places it at one end. “There.”
“Are you taking a nap?”
“No, you are.”
“I…what?”
Jungkook takes your hand and guides you over to the other couch, working swiftly to manoeuver you beneath the sheets before you produce a single thought. He pulls the blankets up to rest below your chin before shifting the coffee table out of the way and settling down by your head, notebook and pencil in hand.
“Uh…”
He angles around and smiles. “I’ve heard that sleeping in company sometimes wards off nightmares so sleep. I’ll be here the entire time.”
You open your mouth to respond but he’s already turned back around, a soft tune drifting from between his lips as he begins to draw the outline of his next sketch.
At first, it’s hard to focus on anything else but his close proximity but soon enough, the warmth of the sheets and the gentle song begins to lull you to sleep. Your eyes blink rapidly, straining to fight against the pull of sleep but it is a useless battle.
It drags you under and for once, you sleep without nightmares. Blanketed only by warmth and a peaceful quiet.
Sleeping alongside Jungkook becomes a regular occurrence once you both realize that it helps keep the nightmares at bay. You find solace in his presence, in the quiet of his apartment as he sketches whatever image he currently has in his mind.
There are times when you wake before he is aware where you find yourself lost in simply observing him; the furrow of his brow as he fixes a certain line, the way his teeth gnaw lightly at his bottom lip in concentration.
You often let a smile tug at your lips before rushing to close your eyes when he makes to turn around.
“I know you’re not sleeping.”
Today is much like any other day but you know you were not fast enough. Jungkook pokes at your cheek insistently until you finally pry your eyes open.
“How did you know?”
“You stopped snoring.” He grins.
“I do not snore!”
Jungkook bursts into a round of what can only be classified as giggles lays his head on the cushion of the couch, eyes transfixed on you.
“Hey ____.”
You swipe a hand through his hair to push back his bangs. “Hmm?”
“Go on a date with me?”
“What?” You move to sit up but Jungkook takes your hand between his own and urges you to stay put.
“I was wondering if you’d go out with me?” He speaks softly, gaze never leaving your own. “I like you…a lot if I’m being honest.”
You can feel a rush of butterfly’s float through you but there is also something warm, like the heat of a summer day.
“Okay,” you reply. “I’d love to.”
And when he smiles at you, you swear the sun has nothing on him.
When he picks you up for the date, he arrives at your doorstep with a single rose. It’s beautiful, the petals a deep crimson and you take it with a smile before moving to place it in a small vase.
“You look beautiful,” he says once you’ve finally turned to face him and when he pulls you in for a hug, you savor the warmth. “I was thinking we’d go down to the park, grab some food from one of the vendors and have a small picnic?”
The very idea has you smiling. “I’d love that. The weather is gorgeous today as well.”
He follows you down the stairs of your apartment and outside into the warm spring air, a beautiful day with temperatures drifting to a record high. It feels almost like summer and you fall into easy conversation as you make your way down towards the local park nestled in the centre of downtown.
“You know,” he starts. “I’m really happy you bumped into me all those months ago. Wanna know why?”
“Why?”
Jungkook stops to grasp your hand. “Because you’ve made my life a lot brighter.”
Heat rushes through you and you duck your face, a smile tugging at your lips. Squeezing his hand, you dart forward to press a quick kiss to his cheek. “You’re such a cheeseball, but I’m happy we met as well.”
Jungkook tosses an arm over your shoulder as you enter the park and at once, it’s hard not to smell the aroma of fresh food. Several vendors line the main path and you can feel your stomach stir with interest.
“What do you want?” You pause to observe your choices but pointing at a hot dog vendor. “One hot dog for m’lady, coming right up.”
You follow him over to the vendor but when you make to pay, he shakes his head. “It’s on me.” Your eyes narrow but he stays adamant.
“Fine but I’m buying ice cream.”
“I won’t say no to free ice cream.”
Once you’ve gotten your hot dogs, you find a small corner of the park away from the hustle and bustle and take a seat, the grass now lavish and green. “I’ve always loved spring,” you comment. “It not too warm and not too cold – just perfect.”
Jungkook hums around a mouthful of food. “I’ve always been a fan of winter.”
“Why?”
At your question, his gaze shifts to observe the small pond where a flock of ducks have begun to circle an old man seated by the edge with interest. “It reminds me of home,” he replies, tone wistful.
“Do you miss it, home I mean?”
He shrugs. “Sometimes. I miss my friend, I miss the beauty of the land – those were what made it feel like home. Not the house or even my mother.” Jungkook swallows down another mouthful before nudging his shoulder against yours. “But you know, spring is kind of growing on me.”
“Oh really?”
“Yeah, it’s nice. It feels kind of like a fresh start.”
You both turn your attention to the pond in time to see the ducks chasing after a handful of food that had just been scattered through the water. Their quacks fill the air and you both finish the rest of your meal in relative silence though it is far from awkward. In a way, it’s peaceful. It’s warm like that of a spring sun.
“One more week of school,” you muse once you’ve finished your hot dog. Leaning back, you flash Jungkook a smile. “Are you excited for four months off?”
“I’m pretty sure everyone is excited for four months off.”
“True.”
“Oh, I have something for you.” Jungkook reaches into his pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper. You finger the delicate edges before moving carefully to unfold it. “I drew it when you slept over last,” he explains as you stare at the drawing. It’s a portrait of you curled atop his couch, blankets pulled tight around your frame, eyes closed as you sleep. It’s drawn to the finest detail.
“It’s beautiful,” you admit. You glance up to meet his gaze. “You’re an incredible artist Kook.”
He rubs at the nape of his neck, flustered. “Thanks.”
You fold the drawing pack up and place it in your bag, knowing that when you get home, hanging it up will be the first thing you do. Over the past few months, you’ve seen his talent in art multiple times and you can only hope that one day the world will be able to experience his drawings first hand.
“Here, let’s get some ice cream. I promised after all.” Getting to your feet, you reach down to help him up and weave your fingers through his, arms swinging between your bodies as you head over to the vendor selling ice cream. “Which one do you want?”
Jungkook purses his lips in thought. “Cooke dough.”
“Sounds good. Can I get one cookie dough and one chocolate chip please?”
The vendor makes quick work of getting your ice cream and once you’ve paid, you wander back over to your previous spot.
You take the first bite of your ice cream and hum in delight. “So good.”
“I haven’t had ice cream in years,” Jungkook exclaims as he licks at his own ice cream cone. “Shit, that’s really good.”
You grin and kick your legs out in front of you, staring at the pond and the shimmering water beneath the sun. “We should go to the beach.”
“The beach?”
“Yeah, I haven’t been in a while. Did you want to go sometime this summer? We can make it a road trip?”
Jungkook blinks. “I’ve never been to the beach before.”
“Seriously?” He nods. “We’re definitely going then. We can make it a date.”
“A date…” A smile blooms across his face and his eyes become alight with excitement. “I like the sound of that.”
You grin around the spoonful of ice cream and within, you can feel the flutter of your heart. Sitting here with Jungkook on a date as not that different than sitting with him as a friend – it’s easy, comfortable. Yet, there is something there between you, in the soft touches and the warm smiles.
These past few months with Jungkook have been wonderful, a collection of memories you will treasure forever but this – falling in love with him – will be a journey you are more than willing to venture along.
“Did you want to head over to aquarium after this? I know you said there was an exhibit you wanted to look at.”
You draw back from your thoughts to find Jungkook peering at you, brown eyes warm, smile bright.
“I’d love to.”
The first time Jungkook kisses you is in the middle of your second date. He has a hand on your waist and the weight of it burns through your jacket, pulling your focus from the words leaving his lips. You continue to nod along, hoping that it’s at proper times because you are unsure of what he is saying. It could be complete gibberish for all you know.
Jungkook is waving his free hand about, words and actions all mixing together, too fast for your mind to comprehend. He seems excited, lively, far from the boy you knew several months ago. It had taken a lot to pull him from his shell, to get him to open up and become friends.
“Are you even listening to me?”
His voice comes from a few paces behind you and it’s only as you come to a stop do you realize his arm is gone from your waist and he’s standing a few feet away, hands shoved into his pockets.
“If I was boring you, you could have just said so.”
You hear the drop in his voice, the confusion and disappointment written on his face and guilt hits you immediately. “No, I…” To explain the situation to him would be nothing but embarrassing on your part but if it wipes the slight frown from his face. “I just…your arm around my waist was,” you wave your hand around in the air, hoping that he might understand, but he only looks on in confusion. “It was a bit distracting.”
Jungkook blinks, head tilting to one side as he observes you and then his mouth is curving, smile bright and in that moment, he truly is beautiful. He closes the space between you in four short strides and all at once his arms are around your waist, pulling you flush against him.
You gasp, hands flying to his chest, heart slamming against your ribcage as he grins above you.
“Is this distracting?” He asks teasingly.
“I…” you swallow. “A bit, yeah.”
“Do you want me to let go?”
You ponder the idea, the loss of his arms from your waist and his weight pressing against you. “No.”
Jungkook nods, seemingly pleased at your response and you try your best to calm your heart, hoping he doesn’t see the level of nervousness written across your features.
Silence encompasses you both as he holds you and you savor this closeness, head coming to rest on his shoulder. Around you, the world continues to move on, people walking about the streets completely unaware of what is happening not too far from them.
“______?”
“Hmm?”
Lifting your head, you suck in a lungful of air when you realize how close his face is to yours.
He stares down at you, gaze full of a million thoughts and you raise a brow when he does not response. “Jungkook?”
“Can I kiss you?”
The words fall from his mouth in a nervous jumble and everything around you comes to a complete halt as you try to process his exact words. A kiss; your first kiss. The very notion itself is completely nerve-wracking but beneath that lies excitement. You admit that you had always wondered how your first kiss would go but you’d never had any preferences in terms of location. But as you give Jungkook a small nod of your head, you realize that this is perfect.
Jungkook lifts a hand to cup your cheek, thumb swiping back and forth, and slowly lowers his head until his mouth is mere inches from your own. A second of bated breath and you allow your eyes to slip closed at the first brush of his lips against your own.
It’s gentle, nothing but a chaste press of lips before he withdraws.
He offers a gentle smile and you return it, warmth rushing through you as your mind replays the past few seconds. You feel giddy, body thrumming with energy, and you learn into his hand, noting the way his eyes drift to your mouth once more.
“Jungkook?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I kiss you?”
He responds with your second kiss which is just as wonderful as the first. You clutch at the lapels of his jacket and he angles his head, deepening the kiss until you feel breathless.
No, you admit that you have never thought too much about your first kiss but as Jungkook kisses you beneath a large oak tree, its branches covered in hues of green and blossoms of pink, you suppose it’s pretty close to perfect.
The truth is revealed on a summer afternoon where the sun bears down upon anyone venturing outside, the heat blistering, the air smoldering. It’s almost unbearable and you find yourself unsure how a hike in the woods had become an ideal date – especially on a day like today. Where even five minutes outside has your skin layered in a film of sweat.
It had been Jungkook’s idea and for a week you stayed adamant that you were disinterested in anything to with outdoor activities but his pleading grew, as well as his bribes, and when you woke up this morning to a promise of a home cooked meal and a movie marathon of your choice, you caved.
However, standing outside amidst a thick layer of foliage, the sun looming high in the sky, you wish your will had been stronger. It’s agonizingly hot, each breath thick with scorching summer air.
Jungkook stands by your side seemingly brimming with energy, smile bright as he bounces back and forth on his feet. You level him with an incredulous stare because how? Even five minutes outside has your energy depleting into nothing.
“Come on,” he urges you forward, fingers weaving between your own. “I promise, it’ll be fun.”
“I expect steak for dinner,” you tease but follow him down the dirt path towards the looming forest. The grass is a rich green, tick and bountiful, covering the entirety of the forest floor save for the scatter of sports where it’s opened up for vast trees to sprout and grow. The trees of great, weathered with age but still full of life – their branches thick with leaves. Small flowers blossom from tiny bushes and scattered places across the ground, wildflowers in multiple hues of faded pink, cerulean blue and deep red.
The further you delve into the forest, the more you become entranced by the color, the smell of fresh air; the serenity that comes with absolute quiet.
“How did you find this place?”
This forest is vast, spread out across acres of land nestled just on the outskirts of town and appears untouched, no signs of humans having been anywhere near here for years.
Jungkook glances around and shrugs a shoulder. “It’s been around for years. I found it one day many years ago.”
You nod but at his words, a sudden thought lingers deep within your mind. It’s an inkling but you cannot place words to the odd sensation. Shaking your head, you focus back on the land ahead. With every step you take, the number of trees continues to grow. They shroud the sun, bringing a much-needed relief from the summer heat, sunlight trickling in through the branches to cast wisps of light across the forest floor.
Gripping tighter to his hand, you try to focus on your surroundings as you continue to trail after him through the depths of the woods. It becomes increasingly difficult with each step you take, feet stumbling over small sticks that have weaved through your path and the material of your shirt catching on tiny thorns which have sprouted from the vines that coil around the stumps of the trees. It is beautiful and chaotic, this scene of nature, a place untouched by human feet. You wonder if anyone else besides you two have gone this far into the forest to explore.
“How much farther?” You ask because as beautiful as it is, your feet are beginning to ache. He squeezes your hand but offers no response, and you cannot hold back the sigh, gaze dropping once more to the floor.
It continues like this for some time, eyes flickering up every once and a while to find Jungkook plowing ahead, stopping for nothing, as if something was calling him forward.
You race to catch up to him, hands snagging on the bark of the trees as you push forward and it’s almost unnoticeable, the shift in the air. It’s not until you find Jungkook frozen up ahead that you realize the sun has become completely obscured, the trees casting shadows across the forest in an eerie manner.
Moving to grasp onto Jungkook, your eyes shift about your surroundings in a slight hint of fear and it is then you hear it, the sharp cackle and the thunderous howl. It raises the hair on the back of your neck and has you stiffening, terror ricocheting through you.
“What was that?” You take a step back, heart hammering within your chest. The presence of terror within your body urges you to flee, to fall back to the sun. “Jungkook?”
Jungkook reaches back and grasps at your wrist, touch cold. “Do you trust me?” His eyes search your face and you find yourself nodding because of course you do, you have been given no reason not to. He smiles at your admission but instead of consoling you, it only strikes further fear within you.
This smile is unlike any other; a bit twisted at the edges, darker. “Good, come on then.”
He leads you by the wrist past a straight line of trees to a sudden clearing, the area empty of any foliage or trees. Jungkook halts at the edge of the line which draws an end to the forest, posture stiff, face clear of any emotion.
“Home,” he whispers, and there is a sudden longing in his gaze. A wistfulness that you have never seen before. Jungkook swallows and squeezes at your wrist. “I’m sorry _______.”
And then he is stepping forward, the hand on your wrist tugging you forward.
You see a flash of light and feel the rush of a bitter cold wind slamming through you and then –
It’s dark and so very cold.
You cry out as you tumble into a pile of fresh snow, the cold seeping through your clothes until it has begun to settle deep into your bones, clawing and nipping at any exposed skin. Teeth chattering, you push onto unsteady feet, eyes fighting against the harsh winds to search for any clues as to where you are.
Raising a hand to shield yourself from the onslaught of snow, you peer across at the expanse of white until forms begin to take shape. There is a clearing before you, much like the one that had been there seconds before and yet this one is different. It is snow and ice and darkness - it is winter.
“Jungkook?”
He is nowhere in sight.
“Jungkook!”
You spin, stumbling about as the realization of what has just occurred sinks through you. You search frantically but there is nothing but snow, ice and a bitter cold.
“Jungkoo-”
A howl pierces through the air and you freeze, body growing stiff as the image of an animal begins to melt from the snow. It’s large, powerful, all mangled fur and jagged teeth with tawny eyes that do nothing but elicit another bout of fear.
“Jungkook!”
“Shh, that’s enough human. You will wear yourself hoarse and we can’t have that now.”
It’s spoken from behind you, a horrid drawl that claws at your inside, churning your stomach. You whirl I time to see two, red beady eyes starting back you and then it’s cackling, hands of melted skin and bone reaching out to grab at you. At the first touch, ice tears through your body.
“Welcome to the Court of Winter human.”
You are allowed one final glimpse of that which holds you, its smile vile and crooked, before darkness takes over and you plummet to the ground, the cold encompassing you once more.
Your mind wanders, picking up fleeting conversations here and there but never anything substantial. It is too cold, the ice encompassing your body numbing all thoughts. You feel fear, unease though you are incapable of screaming, of doing much but resting across the stone floor, sleep taking you in spurts.
Most days, there are many who walk by your cell who laugh, their words dripping in amusement as they speak of another human falling under the charms of the prince – how pitiful, how innocent.
On those days, you focus on breathing, on melting the ice which circles your heart.
They come for you weeks later, a large fey clad in armour, sword sheathed at his side, trailed by a fey cloaked in white. Neither say a word but you know that they are leading you to your death. It is a fate you have understood will be yours and there is nothing that can be done.
“Come human.”
A hand weaves around your waist to haul you onto unsteady feet and you are ushered quietly up the stone staircase and into the blistering winds. This is the first time you have truly been able to get a glimpse at where you’ve been held captive.
It is a land of winter, a place of ethereal beauty.
You are all but dragged through the snow, the armed guard giving no ounce of sympathy when you stumble and fall into a mound of snow. He simples snarls out a curse and yanks you back up.
“Where are we going?” Your voice sounds hoarse even to your own ears. It is the first time you have spoken in what you assume can only be months.
“Quiet human.”
It is spoken from behind you and when you turn, you catch a glimpse of dark, brown eyes and russet hair before the fey marches forward to yank open the door to what can only be described as a palace of ice.
“Come, it is time you met the prince.”
When you first meet, he is known as Jeon Jungkook. Jungkook is shy, kind and full of imagination. He is your classmate, your friend and your first kiss. Now, as you stare at the man perched atop the glass throne, you see nothing of the boy you once knew. Instead you see a stranger, a member of the Unseelie Court - The Crown Prince of Winter.
He rises to his feet and at once, the members of his court bow, giving their respects to the one who will at one point rule over their court. Goblins and Boogies, redcaps and Wolves – monsters of nightmares and fiction – all watch you with nothing but hungers, fingers twitching at their sides, itching to pounce and draw first blood, eager to make a feast out of you.
Jungkook, the name is nothing but a lie as it coils through you, seeping poison into your thoughts. He takes a step down off the main ledge where one of several thrones lay in waiting, and strides towards you. He is the picture of arrogance, eyes alight with mirth as he takes in your quivering form in the hold of his guards.
Coming to stand before you, he lets his eyes sweep over your face, calculating. You wonder what he sees, what he feels; does he enjoy your pain? Does he play these games often, leaving this place to venture into the realm of humans, acting a part in hopes of luring someone in? You wonder if there are more girls and boys out there who have met the same fate.
Raising a hand, he swipes his fingers through the air and at once, the guards drop their hold on your arms, moving over to stand by the others, all of them still, statues who could easily kill with one swipe of their blade.
“Why?” You feel yourself asking, voice hoarse.
He shrugs. “Why not?”
It was easy, you understand now. It was so simple to trick you, so easy to win the heart of a human girl.
It was never true. It was nothing more than a trick.
Jungkook tilts his head to the side, eyes narrowing and you flinch as he reaches a hand out towards your face. There is a second where he pauses, eyes widening just a fraction, and then he’s stepping towards you, hand once more level with your face. “There is no need for tears,” he says and you feel his fingers swipe below your eyelids. “Tears will be of no use to you.”
You know his words are true. There is no way you are making it home.
He circles you once, twice, until he’s coming to a halt behind you. You feel his presence, feel the power and the energy, and the ice beginning to creep at your feet.
“Welcome to the Winter Court,” he says, a soft whisper against your ear. The brush of his lips against your skin all but freezes you to your very core, ice slamming through your veins until everything but your head is still. You gasp, fingers itching to claw at your heart, to rip at your skin in hopes of tearing the cold from your body. He chuckles, a low rumble in his chest that curls the grip the ice has on your heart tighter. Around you the others begin to laugh and cheer, members of the Winter Court clapping as they watch from their spot down below. You can no longer breathe, mind numbing as the sights before you begin to fade until they are nothing but tiny, red eyes staring back at you.
“Was any of it real?” It is nothing but a whisper, a broken thought that has escaped your lips but he hears it amidst the roar and cheering of his court.
“Of course not, human,” Jungkook responds and you know that if the ice doesn’t kill you today, this final blow to you heart will.
He skims a finger across your cheek, frost sprouting in its wake and comes to stand before you, dropping a finger below your chin to tip your head back until you have no choice but to focus your attention on him. He is handsome and strong beneath his black attire and the sword hooked at his side glimmers below the moonlight, curls of ice lacing down its side.
“You will make a fine addition to my collection,” the Winter Prince says, a delighted smile on his face, and you wonder what he means to do with you. On your way into the palace, you had seen an array of statues scattered across the main yard, their bodies aglow beneath the twinkling stars and bright, full moon. They would have been beautiful if not for the marred and twisted expressions their faces wore; the last moment before they were frozen captured for eternity, you realize. A fate you are destined for. The cold has worked its way into every crevice of your body until you feel nothing, darkness edging at your mind. It speaks to you, a sultry voice that is just begging to pull you under. “Yes, I think I will cherish you the most.”
The Prince of Winter, ruled of the Unseelie Court – a man who led you seep into the woods with your trust and heart in his hands, until the seasons changed and summer bled into winter – leans forward and places a kiss to your cheek, eyes softening like melted ice as your mind fades into the darkness and your body ultimately faces the same demise as all the others out in the courtyard.