"I'm sorry."

Yoongi raised an eyebrow at Artemis's apology.

They were all crowded around the meeting area. The Purebloods and their soulmates were on one side, with Hoseok and Yoongi in the center, Yeonjun, Selene, and Hecate in the other remaining seats as they all looked at Artemis.

"For what exactly?"

Yoongi's tone was measured, and precise. There was no underlying accusatory tone as if Yoongi wanted Artemis to fess up to everything that She had actually done. Yoongi and Hoseok, along with the help of everyone else had managed to make the world go back to the way it was supposed to, before any of them had interfered.

Had they done the work of gods? Probably.

All in a day's work.

"In my defense, you three should have never been born," Artemis said, frowning. "I was only doing what I thought was the right thing to do."

"You were doing it to get back at me," Selene corrected. "If the Fates had not intervened when each of them was born, then it meant that my children were always meant to have life. You intervened and messed up the balance of the world more. Nothing that you did actually helped the world. Now look at what has become. You tried making it impossible for their soulmates to be together, and you managed to kill one of my children's soulmates, but of course, you failed. Finally, you aided the one man you should have killed for everything he had done, and mind you, part of the reason why the world was unbalanced, and employed your Hunters to do your dirty work for you."

Artemis nodded. "I let this go too far. I apologize."

"You know what humans do when they have problems?" Selene asked. "They talk to someone. They do not hold centuries' worth of grudges and try to make other people's lives more miserable to get back at the person they were hurt by. Artemis, we could have figured something out, worked together and maybe now we could have been something more. But you chose your pride over everything, and now you've ended in a much worse place."

"I ought to tell your father about what you caused," Hecate hummed, crossing her arms. "This romantic feud was far too long and created so much distraction. Selene's children and their soulmates were not your puppets to play with. My son wasn't an instrument for you to wield. You cost him his soulmate and because of Yoongi and Hoseok's actions, my son now has the opportunity to love again because the Gwan line was re-established."

Artemis's lips pressed into a thin line.

Everything that Hecate and Selene had said was true. Artemis had thought that the best way to hurt Selene the way that Selene had hurt her centuries ago was to take away the children that Selene loved the most. She had already taken Ambrogio, but that hadn't been enough for her because with her children, Selene still had traces of Ambrogio left to love. Selene had broken her completely, and it was something that Artemis, wounded in ego and heart, had wished to return tenfold.

It had failed.

She had failed.

She'd even allied herself with men to try to meet her end goal— something that she should have been horrified in doing. She was desperate, but she wasn't supposed to be that desperate, yet that's exactly what she had done. She'd stopped to the worst version of herself, all because of heartbreak. She hid her true intentions behind noble ones, and she knew that she would be unable to justify herself if she had anything but.

Something could have worked out.

Anything.

Even Astraea had gloomed with disappointment at the thought of helping a man— especially one as evil as Micah Jung. Artemis had pushed through it, wallowing in her pity, ignoring her good conscious that screamed at her to do the right thing.

"I loved you, Selene, you know this," Artemis sighed. "You do insane things for the people that you love."

"But if you also love them, you do what's best for them," Yoongi piped. "You aren't selfish and make their lives worse. You let them go. We're family. You should be with us, Artemis, not against us. You need to talk to my mother, one on one, and actually take the time to hear each other out. We are wounded, but we are not without repair. Hoseok and I have managed to put the world back in the proper place. With Micah no longer a concern, we can now focus on the future. We will be here for the rest of eternity, Artemis, and we must know that you will not interfere in our lives in the same magnitude ever again."

"But what if you do something that requires intervention?" Artemis protested. Yoongi raised an eyebrow.

"My children know not to do things that require intervention," Selene scowled. "With Yeonjun by their side, they know explicitly when the Moon is pleased and displeased by them. I can think of no other better compass for them."

Yeonjun nodded. "My cousins are in safe hands. If we are left at peace, then we do not retaliate. It's always been this way, Artemis. You were just too blinded by your hatred to see it."

"You will not interfere with our lives," Jimin boomed. "If you do, there will be consequences."

"You know the hunt more than anyone, Artemis," Namjoon said carefully, eyes boring straight onto Artemis. "We are not above hunting gods. Like your father overthrew his father, we have no problem in hunting you."

Artemis glared at him. "Is that a threat?"

Namjoon shook his head. "It's a promise."

Artemis looked at Namjoon, shifting her gaze from soulmate to him. She scanned the room, looking at every person, Selene, and Hecate included did not object to Namjoon's statement. A wave of fury surged through her, but she forced it down. She was far too poised to let a man like Namjoon force her hand like this. She had made the mistake once already; she would not do it again.

"Fine."

"Swear upon the River Styx."

Swearing upon the River Styx was the most binding oath any god could swear by. It angered Artemis that they were trying to get her cornered to a wall to ensure that they would be safe. But, Artemis knew that she had no choice. The Purebloods had always been true to their word, and with their soulmates by their side, they would be all the more insufferable.

"I swear upon the River Styx that I will not interfere in any of Selene's children, their soulmates, and Hecate's child lives again," Artemis said dejectedly.

If she broke the oath in any form, she would lose sensibility for one year, and then be cast out for nine years, which she could not have. Not when she had her Hunters, who followed her lead. She had to set an example for them, after failing to do in recent years.

"Thank you," Yoongi said. "That is all we ask. As for your apology, well, we have the rest of our time for you to get back in our good graces. Maybe one day you'll be forgiven. Maybe one day you'll rekindle the relationship you used to have with my mother."

"Are you returning to Earth?" Artemis asked. They all nodded. "You could stay here. This is your home."

Yoongi laughed. "Artemis, we have a war that you helped reignite, to end. We have mutually agreed to a ceasefire. Us and King Gwan."

"Wasn't he Kim, before?" Artemis raised an eyebrow. Yoongi nodded. "He was always meant to rule, wasn't he? Fate works in mysterious ways. I guess you lot are meant to exist alongside us."

"It's like we said from the start, Artemis," Hecate answered. "If it wasn't meant to be, it wouldn't have happened. Despite all your meddling, everything is back in its rightful place. A happy ending for everyone, don't you think?"

Artemis's eyes met Selene's for a split second. Selene caught her gaze, breaking it quickly to put her attention on her children, though Artemis noted the faintest hint of a smile— invisible to the human eye, but magnified to that of a god's.

"If the Fates will it, then it will be."

🩸

The Treaty of Moirai indicated the end of a war-torn era.

It was strange, seeing Seokjin staring at all of them with utmost formality. There was no trace of recognition in his eyes as they each shook hands. Hoseok finished writing his signature on the parchment, setting the pen down with a definitive click before he too shook Seokjin's hand. He almost wished that Seokjin could recognize him, for him to remember something— or even feel a slight tugging at their hands connecting, but he knew it was futile.

"You and your soulmate make a lovely pairing," Seokjin complimented Hoseok and Yoongi. "It's as if you two complement each other."

Yoongi nodded, smiling fondly. "My sunshine is the best thing that ever happened to me. I owe everything to his existence. When you marry, Seokjin, we will make sure to be in attendance. It'll be a joyous occasion, to marry the love of your life."

Seokjin smiled back. "If you and your soulmate marry in this lifetime, I will also be in attendance."

True to Yoongi's word, Hoseok, Yoongi, and the rest of the Purebloods all joined in a couple of years later when Seokjin— now pushing thirty, had met someone, a lovely trans man during one of Seokjin's tours, whom he married after a steady years' worth of relationship. It brought joy to Hoseok seeing Seokjin's demeanor light up the way that it used to for Hoseok— except now to the right person. No one would get in the way of Seokjin and his husband's love, for their love was a love that would make way for all future Gwans. Everyone everywhere rejoiced, and when Seokjin and his husband kissed, Hoseok could have sworn an explosion of fireworks around them and the Moon shining brightly on them, a blessing from the Moon that the marriage was blessed.

As Seokjin aged, Hoseok remained in his youth. When Seokjin had his first child, they were all in attendance— similarly with the second, third, fourth, and eventually, sixth child. No one was surprised at how many children Seokjin had fathered— the Purebloods knew that by reestablishing the Gwan bloodline, there needed to be many heirs produced. The Purebloods grew alongside the Gwans, Yoongi, and Hoseok becoming present figures in the children's lives, so much so that by the third child, Yoongi and Hoseok were asked to be the children's godparents. They'd happily accepted.

Seokjin was living the life that he was always meant to. It was the only thing Hoseok could have wished for after everything they went through. No more heartache, no guilt of everything that he'd done— Seokjin was finally, truly living.

On the day that Seokjin was meant to die, the day was gloomy. Hoseok could taste in the air that it was time for Seokjin to move to the afterlife— everyone else could too. By then, his eldest child had become King, had children of his own, and was well on his way around expanding trade in other provinces. Seokjin was retired, living out the rest of his days with his husband in a cottage.

"It's time."

Seokjin's husband let them in, and Hoseok was met with the face of a ninety four year old, whose age did nothing to hide the exorbitant youth gleaming in his eyes. He lay on his deathbed, breathing slowly and irregularly, but still smiled as Hoseok and Yoongi entered the room.

"I feel like every time I see you, you get younger and younger," Seokjin chuckled, as Hoseok sat down next to him. "Are you sure you're not aging backward?"

Hoseok rolled his eyes. "It's the sunscreen. I told you, you should have put some more."

"I'll listen to you next time," Seokjin vowed, looking at Yoongi. "Have you two decided to get married, yet?"

"We're not ready yet," Yoongi smiled. "Been together for almost a century and he isn't ready to tie the knot."

"We have too much history," Hoseok nudged Yoongi playfully. "We're taking it slow. I mean, we have all the time in the world. I've been rushed into too many weddings for my liking. I'd prefer to just exist. There's so much I haven't learned about Yoongi."

"I wish I had forever with my love," Seokjin sighed, almost wistful. "But living forever sounds like a curse in itself. I'm glad that I spend the rest of my days surrounded by everyone's love. To think that our species hated each other and went to war twice. Everything's different now."

There were no longer divides between humans and vampires. Those protocols that had been previously set in place were absolved via the Treaty of Moirai and the Purebloods helped build affordable, comfortable homes for people to live. They encouraged mingling between species, and with the King's help, more and more interspecies relationships popped up— one of his own children marrying and Turning into a vampire to remain by her lover's side for eternity. It was something Hoseok never would have imagined, and it happened in less than a century.

He couldn't wait to see what the future would have in store for them. Seokjin won't be there to see it, but at least, one of them will. Hoseok would remain young for the rest of his forever. Sure, he could probably make it so that he grows old and dies, but immortality had gotten the better of him. While it hurt that the people around him grew and withered with age, knowing that he had the world in the palm of his hands was the best thing Hoseok could ask for.

In immortality years, he hadn't even been alive for a century, yet. He still had less than a decade to go to hit that mark. He was a baby, with so much more left to explore, which also meant that he would hold off on marrying Yoongi. He wasn't ready yet. To marry would mean to fully settle down, and he had yet to want to do that. In these decades of existence as a Pureblood, Hoseok felt like he was finally living.

That's how he knew that being a Pureblood was the best fit for him.

He couldn't even begin to imagine what it would be like for him to be human.

He wanted to stay young forever— do anything and everything alongside Yoongi.

Now Hoseok knew more than ever that a life with Kim Seokjin was unfathomable.

"I forgive you, Seokjin," Hoseok said, squeezing his hand. "I know I said I wouldn't, but you've lived the life you deserved from the start. I no longer hold anything against you. Thank you for letting us be a part of your life, this life."

"I forgive you too, Seokjin," Yoongi said, though his arm never left Hoseok's. "You can pass onto the afterlife in peace. I hear Elysium is nice this time of year."

Seokjin's eyes glossed over with recognition, and a beam shone through his lips.

"Thank you for giving me the chance in this life," Seokjin said. "It's good to see you again, my Hoseok, even if it is my last time."

"Better late than never," Hoseok laughed.

Seokjin nodded absentmindedly, his eyes already fluttering to a close. His breathing grew shallower, and Hoseok could hear Seokjin's heart slowing down. Hoseok nodded once, and Yoongi went to go get Seokjin's husband, children, and grandchildren— to also give Hoseok time privately with Seokjin.

"Did I do good, Seokie?" Seokjin asked faintly. Hoseok smiled wider. He stood up and pressed a kiss on Seokjin's forehead.

"You did amazing, my first love," Hoseok reassured. "The best. Sleep, Seokjin. You've worked too hard."

Seokjin forced his eyes open. "You're still as beautiful as ever. Not even a day old."

"Can't say the same about you," Hoseok joked, tucking Seokjin's white hair gently behind his ear. "You've looked better. I had the privilege to see you grow old with the love you deserved."

Seokjin's eyes twinkled with adoration. "I made no mistake falling in love with you that first time."

"Likewise, Seokjin," Hoseok squeezed Seokjin's hand lightly. "Goodbye, Seokjin. Close your eyes. Yoongi said Elysium's waiting for you in the afterlife."

"Goodbye, Hoseok. Thank you."

The rest of the Purebloods came in through the window, Yeonjun and Yoongi both leading the family members around Seokjin, as Seokjin took his final breaths. Not a few moments later, Hoseok heard the faint staccato disappear, Seokjin's body laying still. Yoongi embraced him, providing a comforting figure to Hoseok. Hoseok felt the tears rush past his cheeks, and Yoongi let him stain his shirt with the tears, murmuring sweet nothings to console Hoseok over the loss of the final human that had been a figure in Hoseok's first life.

Loss was hard.

It was even harder when Hoseok had essentially lived a platonic life alongside Seokjin, until his dying breath.

But, that was the beauty of humans. They were born as babies and would grow into adults, before eventually growing old and passing away. It was an endless cycle— going over and over and over again. It was the circle of life, and Hoseok would have to live through many more before he'd get used to it. Maybe, he'd never get used to it. And that was life.

You're born. You live. You die.

"We'll see him again," Yoongi whispered. "Don't worry. If the Gods deem him worthy of reincarnation, we'll cross paths with him. Fate is funny that way."

Hoseok smiled. "He deserves to rest. Let's go home, my love."

🩸

800 years later

Life passed Hoseok in a blink of an eye.

Now here he was, married to the love of his life.

Kids ran around everywhere he looked, a mixture of Seokjin's descendants, and kids that the Purebloods had decided to have and adopt. Due to Hoseok's abilities, Yoongi and he could make it so that it was possible for them to have children that had each parent's genes, which Jungkook and Namjoon almost immediately pounced at. Yoongi and Hoseok had yet to have children, Yoongi stating there could be no kids before marriage, and Hoseok stating that he was fine with just spending his life looking at everyone else's offspring.

Maybe it also had to do with the fact that his father had completely decimated Hoseok's entire family, but it was neither here nor there.

"This is the one human thing you never let go of," Yoongi mumbled. "Look at us being bathed in the Moon's blessing."

"Aren't you glad you waited this long?" Hoseok chuckled affectionately, kissing Yoongi's cheek. "Your mother even brought Artemis as her date."

Yoongi grimaced. "They're not even dating. Apparently, my mom finally let Artemis speak with her for five minutes. She's still repaying for everything she did to us."

"It was such a long time ago," Hoseok shook his head. Yoongi arched a brow.

"It was nearly a thousand years ago," Yoongi corrected. "That is hardly any time. That might as well be two weeks!"

"Two weeks is nothing," Hoseok snorted. "Did you see Yeonjun brought his soulmate with him? They're perfect together.

Yoongi smiled, pulling Hoseok towards him. "I don't care about them. What I care about, is that my lifelong partner is finally my husband. We're perfect together. More than them. Where are we having our wedding night, darling?"

"Of course, that's your first thought," Hoseok rolled his eyes. "No, I'm so glad to be married to you, Hoseok. No, I love you, Hoseok. No, I promise to give you my entire soul. No, I promise I'll never leave you."

Yoongi laughed, tilting Hoseok's chin upward. He leaned in, kissing Hoseok soft enough for it to feel like a feather settled on Hoseok's lips.

"I swear upon the River Styx that I will never leave you, for as long as I shall live." Yoongi breathed, pulling Hoseok into him once more. "I'm stuck with you for eternity. A terrible predicament."

"I swear upon the River Styx that I will never leave you, too!" Hoseok exclaimed, pecking Yoongi's nose. "As long as I'm alive, we will be together."

Yoongi smirked. "You know you can't break the oath now. It's worth more than the human vows we just read."

In response, the Moon glowed brighter, enveloping them in even more radiant light. They looked at each other and burst into giggles, Yoongi's embrace on Hoseok maintaining his firm hold on his now husband.

"The Moon blesses our union," Hoseok commented.

"You're so smart, sunshine, I think you deserve a kiss," Yoongi murmured, planting a small one on Hoseok's lips.

"I love you, Min Yoongi," Hoseok said, completely enamored.

"I love you more, Jung Hoseok," Yoongi answered back, kissing Hoseok's lips. "Are you happy now?"

Hoseok had been happy. Everything that he'd been able to experience with this new chance at life, transcended humanity. It was a life he had never once imagined to have. He should have been dead by now, centuries times over, and yet, he still felt like he was looking at life as if it were his very first time. As if he'd never seen the night sky, smelled the tree's scent in the forest. As if the salty waters of the ocean hadn't brushed his body tight, as if every corner of the world lay unturned and ready to be explored.

Growing up, Hoseok had never really had a sliver of family. In his mind, it was him, his father, Seokjin, and Jungkook. Jungkook had turned out to be altered memories, but Hoseok had grown to become close to Jungkook in a genuine manner. For the first time, Hoseok finally had people that he could call family. He'd lived through so much— he'd died and was brought back to life, and everything now felt completely worth it.

Happiness was subjective. It was a word that Hoseok had never dreamed he would have with a Pureblood. He had always imagined it with Seokjin— living out the life that his father wanted for him. He knew that his father's vision was a life Hoseok could never choose for himself. He chose the Purebloods. He chose to abandon his human life. The crown that was never his and would never be— but the only crown Hoseok needed was the crown that would leave him next to Yoongi. That's the only shred of royalty Hoseok needed. To be the King of Yoongi's heart and soul. The only legitimate claim he ever had for a throne.

Every day was a perfect day for him. Despite the challenges, the changing times, and the time passing him by, Hoseok did not grow older. He would never grow older. He had a non-human life, with a non-human soulmate, and non-human family members (with the exception of Yeonjun's soulmate who was still human, but would be Turned soon enough). Hoseok's life had fallen right into place.

So yeah, Hoseok was happy.

Happier than he ever thought was possible.

Nothing could break his life apart. Absolutely nothing.

Everything was completely and utterly perfect and it would be for the rest of time. 

🩸 THE END. 🩸