JIN POV:

I try to slide out of bed, to allow them the space and time to talk to each other- to let out whatever weighs down on their burdened hearts and to allow them to decide where they want to go from here. But at my first sign of shifting, (Y/N)'s grip on me tightens immediately- hands fisting into the fabric of my top and then she begins to loosen the grip, breathing heavily, fingers stiff.

It had been an instinctual response for her- she'd held on because I was safe for her; and whilst the thought warmed me, knowing that it had been in response to being left alone with Yoongi made me sad and worry over whether now was the ideal time.

After all that planning, contemplating and observing for the right moment to give Yoongi that nudge it had turned out to be futile, plans disintegrating into dust because it seemed like fate had given him that push in the form of the art curators- which incidentally hovered around my mind as I tried to figure out how they knew (Y/N) and how they'd become important figures in her life.

I was sure that the others had still managed to keep Ryan ssi and Deok-mi ssi downstairs- I sincerely hoped that they had. I really wanted to talk to them. And for once not Amparo but (Y/N). 

(Y/N) looks up at me imploringly, uncertainty floating in her eyes. I lean forward to press a kiss to her forehead, then on her cheeks and finally on the tip of her nose. Taking my time to press my lips to her skin and let them linger there- to feel the warmth of her and allow it to soak in, to allow those kisses to soothe her worries and ease her heartbeat slightly. Everytime my lips meet her skin it sets off trails of sparks to shoot across them- lips tingling when I lean back and see her soothed state.

"You'll be fine, I can feel it." I reassure her and this time her fingers allow the fabric to slip away from her grasp and she looks at me step away. I tilt Yoongi's head towards mine, pressing a firm kiss to his mouth- a kiss that conveys how much I want this to work out, a plea for him to make amends and most of all- a kiss that tells him that I'll always love him.

"Don't clam up Yoongi. Open your heart and you'll be fine." I whisper to him and when he nods, I leave the room feeling anxious but no longer burdened with fears and doubts.

And I leave the two of them behind.

KOOK POV:

I look at Ryan ssi and Deok-mi ssi with curiosity and intrigue. When I had seen them sandwiching (Y/N) my first instinct had been protect. Then rationality had crept in and I'd noticed that the two were sporting smiles not frowns- and the way they'd held her had been tenderly as if she was someone precious and cherished to them. Their eyes were red with satisfaction of having a loved one near not red with the presence of an enemy. 

But the hyungs are sporting different looks all ranging on the emotional spectrum from feigned indifference, confusion, suspicion, anger and thinly veiled jealousy. But Deok-mi ssi and Ryan ssi sit at ease next to each other, purposely oblivious to the looks being shot at them- content to sit with their hands enwrapped and pressed against each other's side.

The room is starkly void of three people. Three mates. Yoongi hyung, Jin hyung and (Y/N). When (Y/N) had suddenly fallen to the ground, everyone had rushed forward- my heart had been in my mouth as I hunched in front of her unmoving figure, hand going immediately to feel her pulse at her wrist- shuddering in relief at the strong constant heartbeat that greeted me. But then Hobi hyung had explained with slightly apologetic eyes that he'd been healing her but our currently keyed up instincts had led to it having a stronger impact than expected. Her body had shutdown to rest but that didn't stop the fretting- and no-one stopped Jin hyung from scooping her up to take her to rest in comfort and we could all only watch with growing hope and trepidation as Yoongi hyung stumbled after the two- pupils dilated, pushing the red to only be a circle around them- looking like his world had been snatched away from him.

But it's been near about two hours and none of the three have re-emerged back into our sights and with each ticking minute that passes- my worry for them begins to grow. Does it mean that (Y/N) is yet to wake up? Does it mean that Jin hyung has been held up trying to keep the peace between them? Has something happened in the hours passed?

But before I can begin to fidget and escape Jiminie hyung's tight grip to go find out- Jin hyung enters into the drawing room, face filled with emotion before it smoothens out into an impassive mask when the curators raise their heads.

This isn't Jin hyung, eldest lover and mate I see, this is Kim Seokjin- protector of our coven and the smooth marble statue the public sees him as. 

Surprisingly the two curators had sat there silently, immersed in each other but when their eyes don't catch on the other two entering behind- they shift and become tensed.

"Where's (Y/N)?" Ryan demands, voice tight even as he tries to comfort his fretting mate beside him.

Jin hyung sweeps in and sits down in the middle, providing a silent comfort to the rest of us even as he turns his focus to them.

"With her mate." He replies. And again hearing Yoongi hyung called, vocally recognised as her mate sends hope flickering in my heart. 

"You're telling me that her mates make her become hysterical and sorrowful? That the girl who never raises her voice, is always so soft and gentle becomes angry and suffers when she's with her mate?" Deok-mi intervenes coolly but there's a waver in her voice; emotion, concern for (Y/N) I realise.

The others shift a bit.

"What's going on between them should be left between the two. But Ryan ssi, Deok-mi ssi may I ask how you know (Y/N)?" Taehyungie hyung asks, leaning forward- voice smooth and void of hostility or any of the hurt churning inside.

The two of them hesitate.

"Please...we hold no ill harm towards her nor towards you." Namjoon hyung adds, voice soft and pleading.

Ryan sighs.

"She's been coming to the exhibitions we've held since Day 1; made a point of reaching out to talk to us. But we knew her before that. We share a personal past with her. She's family." He explains.

And I don't know about the others but it both piques my curiosity and also settles something in me- knowing that (Y/N) has such strong, supportive people by her side- even if the knowledge comes with a sting of envy that they were part of her growing up- to have witnessed and celebrated milestones with her, everyday memories and basked in each other's company.

"But she is alright? She isn't hurt?" Deok-mi ssi reiterates, urgency in her voice.

"She's fine. She'll be happier soon I feel." Jin hyung says, a smile tugging at his lips- the façade falling away to reveal the hyung who always cares, cherishes his loved ones. 

His eyes shine gold for a brief moment.

"Lots of tears, time and mutual understanding needed. But they'll be fine." He reassures, words stronger and filled with belief- the gold hue fading away.

And I believe him. 

YOONGI POV:

The moment hyung closes the door behind them, there's a shift in the room. Partly felt through the emotional shift but also the house altering slightly- and I know that whatever is being said won't be able to be heard; the house's magic will make sure of it, guaranteeing privacy.

But there's a shift in the way (Y/N) draws herself up slowly, drawing her knees towards her chest- hugging them there as her wide eyes peer over from the top at me, waiting, fearing almost for a shift to happen and me to revert to the cold, icy persona I've been using around her.

I step forward, slowly and carefully making my way to the bed, sinking down onto the edge and pulling myself into a cross-legged position, hands dangling before I drum them slightly on my leg- nervousness seeping into me.

Now that we're face to face I don't know how to begin. Now that she's here, in front of me- just her, I find it hard to tear my eyes away.

All this time I had been letting my panic and paranoia push me away but now that I've come to a solution I can't stop staring at her. It seems as if her presence alone overwhelms my senses- eyes never filled from drinking the sight of her in, nose overwhelmed with her heady scent, ears focused on the steady thump of her heart, the hard material of denim under my fingers and the tension I can practically taste in the air- the air filled to the brim with the emotions both of us are radiating out.

And just as I'm about to speak- mouth opening to finally let the dam burst, for the floodgates to shatter and for everything to pour out in an uncontrollable cascade, she beats me to it. Her eyes are looking at the way she fiddles with her sleeves as she begins to speak.

"I know it won't be easy for either of us- I know I won't be able to forgive and forget instantly, but I also know something has been bothering you, something apart from the vision so I'll give you the time to say it all. And I can promise that I won't let my hurt bias the way things turn out." She says, eyes finally rising to meet mine by the time she's finished speaking.

Her words make every part of me ache.

At the compassion, willingness to understand, to give me space even beyond this to deal with my problems- the offer that we may share something. But it all comes down to this- the words I'll say next.

And when I open my mouth next- there's no hiding from it anymore. Not for me. And not for her.

----

Each word has poured out of me and yet still I feel like I'm brimming over with more I want to say, throat choked and full- sealing up and compelling me into a silence that's filled with shuddering gasps, hitched breaths, and sniffles. Not only mine but (Y/N)'s too. They mingle into one of the saddest and most haunting melodies that will plague my ears for time to come, perhaps for infinity. 

I look up to see one of the most heart-breaking, devastating sights- one that sears through my eyes and paints itself across my mind's eye. Her eyes are red-rimmed, tears still coursing down at an unstoppable rate, flowing constantly as they mark their clear trails across her flushed cheeks, lips wobbling and parting as she lets out the most awfully heart-wrenching sobs which make my soul shatter a bit each time. Her body is wracked with trembles, a small tremor as the conversation fades away and I don't know whether or not she wants the bond but she needs comfort, I need comfort.

So it's with no hesitation at all that I carefully crawl over the slight distance between us, the distance that had closed as we'd talked and oh-so-carefully wrap my arms around her trembling body- holding her towards me as we both shake and cry and let it all out.

Despite all my worries and that insecurity that she'd have revolted from my touch, recoiled instantly- the opposite happens.

She curves desperately into the touch, clutching at my sweater-clad arms with a frantic intensity; shaking as she holds on and pulls me towards her. I pull her fully onto my lap, needing to feel her safe and unharmed in my arms- feeling completely unworthy yet still eternally grateful for when she complies and in turns wraps herself tightly around me- legs wounding their way around my waist as she burrows herself forward- letting out shaky exhales against my chest, the curve of her neck vulnerable.

"I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry." I whisper against her bent head- tears seeping out from under shut eyelids and trickling down my cheeks and onto her.

Her head shoots up quickly, wet eyes sparking with hurt.

"Don't you dare Min Yoongi. I'm the one who's sorry. I let my hurt blind me when I shouldn't have let that stop me in the first place. I should've pushed you to tell me. Please....please don't apologise. I'm sorry." She whispers defeatedly and in pain, eyes ducking away because of the hurt and blame she's putting on herself.

I wound my arms tighter and squeeze her close, rocking us slightly.

"You did nothing wrong. I should've told you earlier. But please....please don't shut me out now. Please don't tell me that there's no hope, I messed up but I can't...can't..." I gasp, voice becoming shaky and weak in my desperation- lungs constricting and threatening to give out even when breath isn't necessary. I can feel the vestiges of panic, feel the immense, endless hurt her rejection is going to bring.

But she shakes her head.

"Never. I'm sorry it took so long for me to realise but I need you Min Yoongi. As a person, as a friend, as a mate- I want you." she replies, lips wobbling as she struggles not to cry more.

The sheer relief that crashes into me makes me feel lightless and cut off for a few moments- as if I'm floating, a deep haze of sheer bliss in my mind, soul exulting.

And finally...finally I feel as if things will be fine. Because I've let her in- but maybe, just maybe she had been there all along, waiting for me to realise.

(AHHH! I'M SCREAMING- PEOPLE DON'T KILL ME. REMEMBER I LOVE YOU AN YOU NEED ME ALIVE TO EXPLAIN. I'M SORRY- GENUINELY BTW, BECAUSE I WANTED TO EXPLAIN BUT FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE PLOT, I SHAN'T. FORGIVE ME LOVES. LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS. ANGRY AND PANICKY AND ALL. WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY DISCUSSED? AND FRANKLY- I'M SUPER HAPPY, KINDA SAD, BUT HAPPY THAT NONE OF YOU PICKED UP ON SOMETHING. SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN HINTED AT FOR SOME TIME AND A POSSIBILITY NONE OF YOU PICKED UP ON. THANKS FOR MAKING THIS SURPRISE POSSIBLE LOVES! STAY SAFE!)

AND BTW...D Y I N G OVER TINYTAN'S MV SINCE YESTERDAY!! HOW DID THEY MANAGE TO MAKE SOMETHING SO DEADLY INTO SOMETHING SO FATALLY CUTE??

Life will surprise you when you least expect it.

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3