"How did you get in here?"

King Micah's voice boomed through the room, his hand already encircled over the hilt of his sword. Obsidian laughed, only causing Hoseok to shrink into Seokjin's figure, though he knew that wouldn't help him as the eyes never once left his.

"The real question here, King Micah," Obsidian spat venomously, his maniacal expression disappearing, "is did you think you would get away with marrying off your gift to me?"

Gift?

Hoseok looked at his father in confusion. His father paid no attention to his stare, purposefully looking away from Hoseok as he looked at the intruders. Hoseok's gaze shifted to Jungkook's for a moment. Upon feeling his stare, Jungkook eyed him, giving him a reassuring smile, though the expression on his face remained vacant. A knot formed in Hoseok's stomach at the sight, and for a moment, he could swear Jungkook looked unrecognizable, almost as if Hoseok didn't know him.

"Adoring subjects of the esteemed Micah Jung," Obsidian boomed sarcastically, eyes glinting amethyst. "It is with a saddened heart I inform you that I will be taking your beautiful, golden boy, Jung Hoseok, Prince of Korea."

Murmurs rippled to the crowd, unease beginning to suffocate the room. Sensing the change in atmosphere, Obsidian gestured towards Silver, who only smiled, eyes glowing a bright emerald.

"Let's all calm down, shall we?" Silver giggled. "Let my brother speak."

Obsidian nodded once, pointing at King Micah. "You made a promise to my brothers and I. I gave you everything, and you took it upon yourself to not just love bind my prince but go behind my back and try to marry him off. Did you genuinely think you'd get away with it?"

Silver looked at the King, eyes glowing emerald once more. Within seconds, the King fell to his knees, face contorted with pain as he bit his lip in attempts not to scream. Though no one was laying a hand on him, he seemed to be enduring immeasurable pain. Hoseok teared up, wanting to walk towards his father, but his feet were planted firmly into the ground for some reason. He was paralyzed with fear, and everyone continued to watch silently, all of them paralyzed.

"A shame your people aren't helping you, huh?" Obsidian laughed, beckoning to Silver. Silver only smiled, moving his head slightly. "I should have your head for your betrayal, Micah Jung. My brother isn't too fond of betrayals."

"H-how did you find out?" Micah gritted his teeth as the pressure in him dissipated, Silver's eyes going back to normal. "I ensured you wouldn't know anything."

Obsidian smiled crookedly, a hum erupting from his lips. He walked forward, causing Seokjin to tense while Hoseok shrunk even more. Despite the calm that Silver had given them, Hoseok felt like the odd one out, as if he was the only one that felt the opposite way. The crowd had been lulled into silence, and with a simple command from Silver, they fell to their seats, eyes closed while only Seokjin, Hoseok, and the King remained standing.

"Your son invited me," Obsidian answered. "Or rather, he let it slip when he came to party yesterday. It was a...night to remember."

Just a bite won't kill you, Your Highness.

Hoseok's eyes widened as the memory resurfaced full force. His hand flew to his birthmark, which seemed to ignite in his body, producing a painful, warm sensation. Seokjin and his father both turned towards him, disbelief and questioning in their expressions. Hoseok looked away, feeling his birthmark flaring even more at Obsidian's— no, Yoongi's contact, and he tried his best not to show it, though now memory through memory was rushing through his head of the previous night he'd had.

Yoongi licked his lips, the glint of his fangs peeking out from his mouth. "You know, I'd never had human royalty blood before. At least, not of a royal line from my creation. The taste? Immaculate."

"You let him drink from you?" Seokjin asked, his eyes widening even more. Hoseok swallowed the lump in his throat. He couldn't find it in him to deny anything. Even if he wanted to, something seemed to stop him from doing so, warning him that he shouldn't try to lie.

"He did, and now he's mine for the taking," Yoongi smirked. "Hand him over."

"Never." Seokjin immediately responded, eyes narrowing at the demand. Yoongi's expression became impassive, irritation starting to settle in his features.

"I won't hesitate to kill you, Kim Seokjin." he deadpanned, casting a bored look. "You're not getting in the way of what was set in stone centuries ago. Jung Hoseok is mine. You cannot go against what is destined. Hoseok was nothing more than someone thrust your way to prevent the unpreventable. Now, move."

Shock had never been an emotion that Hoseok would often experience. With the way he was raised, and what his father would tell him that could happen in the outside world, Hoseok was used to sudden, unexpected events occurring. But this, this was a different story. Despite everything that was happening around him, things that he knew he'd created— a mess that he had forgotten about until he had looked at Yoongi's eyes, Hoseok felt stuck.

Terror clawed through him at every angle, unrelenting and drowning him. He was as still as a statue, unable to get ahold of himself as time continued to surge forward. Perhaps it was the guilt that had transformed into horror at the actions of his consequences that was making Hoseok feel out of control. His birthmark was pulsating out of control, and no matter how hard Hoseok tried, he couldn't get his eyes away from Yoongi's glowing eyes.

His eyes momentarily flashed towards his father, who was standing behind a sleeping Jungkook. Just like everyone else in the room, Jungkook seemed to have fallen asleep at Silver's suggestions. Had Jungkook fallen victim to the Purebloods? Hoseok couldn't know for sure. It made the most sense. Jungkook was Hoseok's best friend, someone he'd grown up with. There was no way that Jungkook would have known who he was speaking to on his side of town. Jungkook was just like him, someone who could easily fall susceptible to vampire charms.

Right?

"Yoongi." Silver spoke softly, a slight pout on his lips. "I'm in the mood for some chaos. This is no fun."

Yoongi clicked his tongue. "I'm trying to be cordial here. I'll demand once more. Then you can do as you see fit. Hand Jung Hoseok over."

"Innocents will be at stake if you don't," Silver hummed, his eyes returning to their regular color. At it, it was like the blanket that had been protecting everyone started lifting, drowsy expressions quickly turning into alarm as they remembered the situation. "It doesn't take much two make humans panic."

"Where are the guards?" King Micah boomed, only eliciting laughter from the Purebloods. "Everyone, out! It isn't safe!"

Silver clicked his tongue. "Not that it's better outside, but try to save your people, Your Majesty. That's what Kings do, after all."

Nothing about those statements sounded honest, and there was something in Hoseok that told him there were hidden meanings behind those phrases. However, the Purebloods were only looking for him, and as someone who had to put his people first, to prevent casualties of innocents, Hoseok knew there was only one choice (even if it terrified him).

"I'll go."

Yoongi arched an eyebrow at the boy's declaration, a smile playing at his lips. "You heard the Crown Prince."

"Hoseok, are you crazy?" Seokjin hissed, turning his head towards him. "You'll die if you go with them. What do you think they're planning on doing to you?"

"But—"

"No." Seokjin's jaw clenched, eyes drifting towards Jungkook, whose eyes were widened in alarm. A look of recognition seemed to pass between the two of them, and Jungkook tensed, before flashing a discreet thumbs-up. "We'll do everything we can to protect you, citizens included. Chaos will descend any which way. The second it does, go with Jungkook. He'll take you to safety."

Chaos.

A phenomenon that could take many forms, but at that moment took form in the people, Seokjin, and the King, who began their ambush on the Purebloods. Before Hoseok could process anything, Jungkook's hand had already encircled his wrist, and he was rushed out of the room, the split-seconds giving them a head start.

"Hoseok, look straightforward. Whatever you do, don't look down."

Jungkook's voice had taken a pitch Hoseok had never before, one that sent chills through his spine. He forced his gaze ahead as Jungkook led him to dauntingly empty hallways. He swallowed the bile rising in his throat as the scent of blood and death invaded his nose, combined with the unmoving bodies that lay in his peripheral vision.

None of this was supposed to happen.

This was supposed to be a happy event. Hoseok was supposed to have gotten married today. Yet, all that was happening was infiltration that led to violence, something that had led to deaths and incessant fights. All of this was because of him. All because he had listened to Jungkook and gone out with him.

"Jungkook, I have to go with them." Hoseok's voice broke as he stopped in his tracks. An expression of irritation flashed on Jungkook's face at the words, but he ignored Hoseok, forcing him to continue walking. "I'm serious!"

"It's no fun when you're willing, Your Highness."

Hoseok could swear the air had started thinning around him as someone approached them. Hoseok's eyes drifted towards the sound of the voice, noticing the bright blue hair and the boxy smile on the person— no, Pureblood's face. Before Hoseok could say anything, he stumbled on himself, grabbing onto Jungkook's arm for support.

"You like the mess you made, Crown Prince?" Blue giggled, beaming wider. "I had lots of fun today, and it's all thanks to you."

"I c-can't b-breathe." Hoseok's eyes widened as he gasped for air, his hand flying to his throat. Already his eyesight was fading in and out, only causing Blue to laugh harder.

"Taehyung, if you kill him, Yoongi'll have your head," Jungkook remarked irritably as he picked Hoseok up bridal style. "The poor kid's suffering."

"Relax, Jungkook, I only thinned the air enough to render him unconscious." Taehyung huffed. "Not too bad, I believe."

Despite his clouded mind, Hoseok heard each word perfectly, falling into shock for the second time, though this time, there was realization, realization, and betrayal.

Jungkook was working with the Purebloods.

"Come on." Jungkook began walking. "They're all distracted right now. No one will notice us taking Hoseok. Not to mention, I'm his best friend."

"That you are," Taehyung mused, ruffling Jungkook's hair. "I would love to see their faces when they realize they handed Hoseok into enemy hands."

"J-jungkook, you—"

Taehyung placed his finger on Hoseok's lips, cutting him off before he could continue. "Silence, Your Highness. Go to sleep. Become our lovely sleeping beauty."

"Don't fight it," Jungkook mumbled, avoiding Hoseok's hurt gaze. "Relax. Tae won't hesitate to cut off all your air supply."

The last thing Hoseok saw was the flash of guilt in Jungkook's eyes before he dived into the shadows of darkness, rendered completely unconscious.

a/n: got the first dose of the covid vaccine today. so far, so good (tho i do have a headache and minor arm soreness)!

hope you enjoyed!