Chapter Text
"No!" A woman screams. "Please, no." She collapses against the guards holding her back, staring brokenly at the man - no, the monster - holding her child. "Eldron, please, he has nothing to do with this."
"I was just thinking that I need an heir," Eldron muses, ignoring the woman's anguished scream. The boy in his arms doesn’t react to his mother’s distress, just stares up at Eldron with huge brown eyes.
"Sir?" one of the guards asks, "should we kill her?"
"No," he answers immediately, watching the crying women with disdain. "Let her live, knowing that her precious son is the facilitator of her oppression."
As the woman is taken away, Eldron notes that the child in his arms cant be more than six months old. Far too young to remember this moment. Eldron turns his gaze to look out over the farm they found the family hiding in, far enough away from the capital that he almost didn’t look here.
Tracing a finger over the baby's mouth, imagining how sharp fangs will look when the boy is older, he says, "hello, Jeon Jungkook, you and I are going to do great things."
Since the beginning, there has been one constant in Jungkook's life: Seokjin. In his five year old, socially isolated brain, he thought he could love Seokjin. He was pretty, with dull brown hair and enough confidence to make Jungkook forget that he was a young child sold by his family, forced to serve a sadistic madman.
Seokjin was to be his everything. Eldron had made it clear from the beginning that if Jungkook wanted to kill Seokjin, that was his right. Before he met the other boy, Jungkook promised himself that he'd be kind. Whether that kindness came in the form of friendship or mercy, Jungkook made that promise to himself.
Seokjin is three years older than Jungkook. When they met for the first time, Seokjin announced to everyone listening that Jungkook was his. As if he was the heir and not a servant. Everyone laughed politely, thinking to themselves that the boy would get himself killed in a week. But years have passed and Jungkook's shadow remains faithfully by his side.
Now, they're inseparable, exactly how Eldron wanted them to be.
"Eldron has a meeting at 1pm, so we can spend some time outside if you want." Seokjin's voice has softened over the years, matching his appearance; a willowy build and delicate features. His appearance used to frustrate Seokjin, until Jungkook pointed out the advantage of softness.
"They underestimate us," Jungkook said one afternoon, referencing his own boyish charm. "We become invisible because people think we're just a pretty face. We hide our intelligence behind our beauty and wait for the opportune moment."
"What’s the meeting about?" Jungkook asks, ignoring Seokjin's exasperated expression as he rests his feet on the coffee table. They're hanging out in the sitting room of Jungkook's suite. This is how it usually is: planning their day around Eldron's schedule. Seokjin takes his duty very seriously and that means knowing where Eldron is every second of the day so they can avoid him.
"Just some meeting with a... General Park?" Seokjin flips through his notebook, finding the correct information. "Yeah, they're thinking of making him the next Director of Security."
"Director of Security, huh." Jungkook vividly remembers the previous Director of Security. He wonders how they're doing after Eldron cut off their hands for stealing money from the Night Society. Jungkook feels little pity for the man, not after catching him staring a bit too heatedly in Seokjin's direction. Because while it is Seokjin's duty to protect Jungkook, Jungkook makes sure to return the favour.
Jungkook is thirteen now and loves Seokjin with an intensity that makes it hard to breathe sometimes. Over the years, he's watched as dozen of men and women - some of them three times Seokjin's age - proposition Eldron for his hand in marriage. These people, usually powerful and wealthy, would be great allies to have, and every time Eldron asks Jungkook: how much is Seokjin worth to him? And every time, Jungkook is willing to accept whatever punishment Eldron doles out because of his answer: everything.
He dreads the day Eldron decides Seokjin is worth more than just a tool to keep Jungkook well-behaved.
"The lavender fields have bloomed beautifully. We can have lunch there," Jungkook suggests, glancing out the window. The lavender fields are past the property line, past the bars of Jungkook's invisible cage, but something draws him to the flowers every summer.
Seokjin nods, making a note. "Okay, I’ll let the staff know to have a packed lunch ready for us." Seokjin snaps his notebook shut before looking up at Jungkook. "Don’t do anything stupid until then."
Jungkook forgets to be offended when Seokjin stands. "Where are you going?"
"I have a meeting with Director Kang this morning," he answers, smoothing out his clothes in the mirror by the door. "He wants to discuss one of your bills."
Jungkook perks up at Seokjin's words. Very few of Eldron's Directors will consider lending their support to any of Jungkook’s bills. They're seen as 'pro-human' and 'anti-vampire'. Jungkook just wants to make sure that what happened to him doesn’t happen to anyone else. "Which one?"
"The anti-blood slavery bill," Seokjin says with a small smile. "He seemed really passionate about it. I think we have a really good chance of making changes with his support."
"Good."
Jungkook plans on remaining in his room until Seokjin is finished with his meeting, but as the minutes turn into an hour, Jungkook grows restless, pacing his room, eyes darting to the door.
With a huff, Jungkook stops in front of the door, pushing it open slightly, peering out into the hallway. Its empty, so Jungkook slips out of his room and walks briskly towards the doors at the end of the hall. The patio doors are open, letting in the breeze, and Jungkook darts through the open doors, taking the stairs two at a time. He'll only spend a couple minutes outside, just to get rid of the worse of his restlessness.
Rounding a hedge in the shape of an elephant, Jungkook skids to a stop. There’s a boy around his age sitting on the ledge of the fountain, swirling his hand through the water.
"Who are you?" Jungkook demands, taking a nervous step back. He hasn’t interacted with many people his own age, mostly Seokjin.
Jungkook stops breathing for a second when brilliant blue eyes meet his. The boy smiles, making his entire face light up. "I’m Jimin."
"Jimin," Jungkook says slowly. "I’m Jungkook."
"And what are you doing out here, Jungkookie?"
Jungkook twitches at the nickname but doesn’t correct Jimin. "Just wanted some fresh air."
Jimin pats the spot next to him, and with little regard for his clothes, Jungkook sits on the ledge beside Jimin. Its weird, Jungkook decides, being around someone else his own age. He's spent so much of his life surrounded by adults that he doesn’t know how to act around other kids.
Jungkook’s ripped from his thoughts when droplets of water hit his face, causing him to almost lose his balance. Jimin laughs, wiping his wet hand on his pants. Pouting, Jungkook dips his hand in the fountain and flings water at Jimin, which hits him in the face. Jimin just laughs louder and before Jungkook knows what’s happening, the boys are soaked, giggling as they splash each other.
Maybe having another friend his own age isn’t that bad.
"I hate it here," Jungkook admits, two years after their initial meeting. "I know I’m in the best position to make change, but I feel useless." On the TV, the news shows footage of people being slaughtered, humans who were just protesting their limited rights.
Jimin places a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder, both as a comfort and as an acknowledgement of what Jungkook said. "You're doing everything you can. If you push any harder, Eldron is going to start pushing back."
Leaning his head against the back of the couch, Jungkook looks at Jimin. Their friendship is strange, always has been. Jungkook guards the extent of their friendship from everyone, even Seokjin. He wants something, just one thing, that’s not tainted by Eldron's influence. He loves Seokjin with his entire heart and soul, but their relationship is layered with dependency and the threat of punishment. Jimin doesn’t spend time with Jungkook for any other reason other then he enjoys his company.
Somehow, Jungkook has grown to cherish Jimin just as much as he does Seokjin. The realization washes over him slowly and he smiles.
"What?" Jimin asks, unintentionally copying Jungkook’s goofy smile.
"I’m just glad you're here," he says and Jimin’s smile grows.
"Of course, I’m here, Jungkookie, I’m always going to be here."
Jimin pulls away slowly and Jungkook feels his heart drop until he hears someone clear their throat. Looking over to see Seokjin watching them suspiciously, Jungkook jumps off the couch and approaches him, but Seokjin doesn’t look away from Jimin.
"Park Jimin," he says, tapping his nails against his notebook. "Only child of Director Park, honors student at the Royal Dance Academy, friends with Kim Taehyung, prefers bagged blood, no affiliation with any insurgent group."
Jungkook blinks as he listens to Seokjin rattle off information about Jimin. He knows Seokjin keeps tabs on every person in the manor, but he didn’t realize it was quite that extensive.
"Wow, um, yeah, that’s me," Jimin tries to joke, but Seokjin just stares at him.
Jungkook sighs silently. "Did you need something, Seokjin?"
Seokjin turns his gaze towards Jungkook, expression contemplative. "You have a meeting in ten minutes." He turns and stalks out of the room before Jungkook can answer and he winces. An annoyed, curious, Seokjin is a dangerous Seokjin.
Jungkook walks up to Jimin, taking hold of both his hands, squeezing gently. "I’m sorry, I have to go, but I’ll see you later?" It ends up coming out like a question because Jungkook doesn’t know if Jimin will want to see him again after what Seokjin said.
But Jimin just smiles, exactly with the same intensity as he did earlier. "Dad has several meetings so I’ll be here all week. I’m in guest suite four if you want to come by later."
"Okay," Jungkook agrees with giddiness. He looks down at their joined hands and flushes but doesn’t immediately pull away. He knows that the longer he lingers the more likely it is that Seokjin will come looking for him, but Jungkook allows himself a few extra seconds to soak up Jimin’s presence before pulling away, knowing that all he'll be able to think about for the rest of the day is Jimin’s smile.
Jungkook knows that Jimin is somewhere in the manor, but he doesn’t seek him out. For the first time since they met in the gardens six years ago, Jungkook doesn’t make a beeline for Jimin at the first available opportunity. Instead, Jungkook heads outside, past the gardens and down a narrow, overgrown path through the forest. The forest is alive with activity and sounds, keeping Jungkook company. His pace slows as he nears the edge of the forest. The vibrant purple colour amazes him every time he sees it.
Stepping out of the treeline, he wades into the sea of lavender, running his hands over the flowers. The scent is so overwhelming it makes him dizzy, but he greedily soaks it up all the same.
He doesn’t know how long he stands in the lavender. Apparently long enough for someone to discovery him missing from the manor. The sound of someone approaching him makes him tense. He keeps staring straight ahead, enjoying the moment while he still can.
"Seokjin said I might find you here."
Jungkook can’t help but relax when he hears Jimin’s voice. "Why did Seokjin send you?"
"He figured you wouldn’t want to see him right now." Jungkook doesn’t answer, still doesn’t look at Jimin. "I was surprised when Seokjin said you'd be here. I though you weren’t allowed off the manor grounds."
"Something about the lavender fields call to me, I don’t know. I’ve been coming here for years. I feel... safe, comforted here."
"Its absolutely beautiful." Jimin sounds closer now, almost standing beside Jungkook. "This place obviously means a lot to you. I hope you don’t mind that I’m here."
Jungkook couldn’t stop himself from looking over at Jimin if he tried and the sight that greets him takes his breath away: Jimin, surrounded by lavender, blond hair highlighted by the afternoon sun, skin glowing. He looks ethereal, angelic.
"I’ve wanted to bring you here for a while," Jungkook admits, "I was just... nervous."
Jimin nods because he understands, even what Jungkook cannot put into words. Nervous that Jimin won’t understand, nervous that Jimin will understand. This is the place that he loves the most, a place that he wouldn’t share with just anyone. This is the kind of place that you'd only share with the people you love.
"Its okay," Jimin says, reaching up to cup Jungkook’s face. "I feel the same."
When Jimin kisses Jungkook, he tries to pour all his love into the kiss, never wanting Jungkook to doubt his sincerity. Its still too early to speak the words bubbling in his chest, but that’s okay, Jimin is a patient man. He can wait. They have forever, after all.