(Y/N) POV:

Waiting for the two to return has my body coiled up and high strung. Nervous and fretting and jittery only made aware of it when Joon's hand darts out to snag onto my wrist, steering me towards him, arm winding around my waist when I sink onto his lap, leaning against him and chasing the comfort of a soft, low voice.

"Stop fretting (Y/N) ... wearing holes into the ground won't hasten time."

My face turns to his, solace and reassurance somehow in the simmering concern in his eyes; that I'm not alone in the bubbling emotions welling up with an anxiousness as time ticks and yet fails to bring the two back to me.

"But the two of them... both have gone to Chul, I don't—I don't want them near that monster." Voice quiet and shaky, trembling with the thought, with the knowledge that the person who tore apart my past, who was the first in a line of countless monsters to take me, use me, break me was now... was now seeing, was near the two people who mattered most to me in the world.

He didn't deserve to lay eyes on them.

And I wanted them back, wanted them home.

And hours have slipped away, ticking and ringing in my ears with a silence that can't truly be broached or shattered or diffused.

And still they're not here.

"But where are they?" I fuss.

"Safe—they have each other's backs." He soothes, hand rubbing a line up and down my arm, lips pressing gently to my temple.

"But Tae's just been cleared by you and Jin and Mimi's... I don't want them to ever have to be near that monster." Vehement anger and hurt and worry entangling together, fingers clutching at his arm as his lips press to my cheek, voice warm and low and soothing.

"Tae's fine and as much as he'd have liked to milk the injury and monopolise your attention—this was too important. That's not to say I have no doubt when this mess is over, the first thing he's doing is taking you home."

The word rings through with a warmth and yearning, a familiarity I've associated to the well-kept, loved and lived in cottage, the word I've associated with the four walls that are saturated with Tae's presence and touch, halls cluttered with it, furniture adorned with it.

The house is Tae. Home is Tae.

My lips curve up at Joon's teasing; light and playful, arm banding tighter as he draws me in for a hug, the embrace pure comfort.

"Don't worry, they'll be here. In the meantime... why don't we find Jin?"

Arms slowly unravelling after a few minutes, arm at my elbow, bodies slowly untangling as we stand, his hand settling on the low of my back, steering me in front of him as we move out of the drawing room.

Jin it turns out is busied up in the kitchen, the sight of it rare and new enough from how I've always seen him that it makes me briefly pause.

Lips curving up when his head turns, a small smear of flour at his cheek, sleeves rolled up as he continues to work the dough he'd been preparing. On the stove, two pots bubble away: the smell of his cooking inviting and rich. Enough to distract me from my previous worries, curiosity drawing me closer into the kitchen, Joon right behind me.

"Hungry?" he asks, pausing in his kneading, eyes turning to take the two of us in; features gentle and soft, smile warm.

"A bit..." Joon murmurs, eyeing the pots with curiosity.

"I didn't know you cooked this well." I marvel, eyeing the tin he's got set out, the ease in his posture as he works.

His grin turns playful and wide.

"After eating lunch, I have no doubt you may well leave Taehyung for me." He teases, reaching for a rolling pin to work the dough out, to line the pie tin.

"Is that so? Well I can cook so we're not at risk of starving or anything but... but it all looks so good." I enthuse.

He beams.

"I had to woo the pretty barkeeper into staying, didn't I?" he winks. The glittering ring he always sports sitting on the counter, clean and polished.

Waiting for him to slip it back on when he's done cooking.

My lips curve up, a smile stretching across my face as I step forward closer to him, fingers plucking the ring, thumb brushing over the polished band, at the subtle, small gem set at the centre.

"If you don't have a ring on... doesn't that mean you're fair game?" I tease, laughing when he shoots me a wink, tilting his cheek to me to press a kiss too, arm banding around me and dragging me closer by his forearm, floury hand free of my skirts.

"Absolutely. Got to get your hands dirty here and there to win. So come on gorgeous... you can't charm me without any effort." He grins, nudging me towards the dough and rolling pin.

I shake my head at him, letting him roll up my sleeves, drawing them up as I reach for the rolling pin, watching as Namjoon approaches, eyes alight with curiosity as he watches Jin call out instruction, my hands not nearly as certain and confident as I begin to roll out the dough.

"Is that why you tell everyone Jin? Do you make Hobi work for it?"

Jin laughs, reaching to dust the rolling pin, fingers deft and quick, grin easy and so smitten.

"It was a mutual wooing. I'm sure the reason he kept my tab paid for and unlimited was to either charm me with his generosity or ply me with liquor until one of us ended in each other's bed."

I laugh, head turning to peer at him.

"Lies! You wanted to run your hands over him for the longest time." I retort, Joon's laughter amused and ringing out, nudging Jin with a conspiring grin, looking delighted at the red tinge to Jin's ears.

And it's only after Jin's carefully nudged the oven door shut, the metal clanging slightly do I become aware of the voices approaching down the hallway, head turning to peer over my shoulder

And it's only as Jin's nudging the oven door shut, the metal clanging does the front door open. Bringing with it the sound of voices approaching down the hallway, the clack of boots against wood before two figures round the open arch of the kitchen.

Mimi's face peers first, lips curving into a full, wide smile when he spots the three of us.

"You're all here!"

"Jimin-ah..." Joon's voice is palpable with the same overwhelming relief that I feel when I see him smiling, unharmed and eyes not shadowed with the same depth of the haunts that'd been there before. Something that's lessened and when he steps forward, he tugs Tae alongside him, something immediately noticeable in the lessened ire and the kindling acceptance and warmth between them.

Something akin to respect and understanding.

There's shadows lingering in Tae's eyes but Mimi's grip on his arm is tight and unrelenting, coaxing him past the doorway.

I don't realise I've unconsciously braced myself for the sight of blood and violence to mar their clothes and bodies, don't realise until I feel Jin's hand squeeze my waist in silent understanding, their clothes changed from what they'd left in. Looking perfectly maintained and composed, something dark and gleaming in their eyes that smoothen over when Joon hisses, a sharp, scolding sound as he spots their knuckles.

My smile falters but Jin's there, lips brushing against my temple.

"Survivors. They're survivors (Y/N). It takes more than split knuckles to break them. Besides watch them milk it for all it's worth." He murmurs, voice a quiet lull tinged with amusement, watching as Joon approaches Jiminie first, taking his hands carefully and steering him to the dinner table, calling out for Tae to follow.

But Tae's eyes are dark and trained on me, he doesn't drift to the table, doesn't join the two. Rather he watches me, eyes trailing down to where a floury handprint lies on my waist, at how Jin grins as he leans against the counter, a grace even in the sprawl of limbs as he watches Tae's eyes glitter.

"Not going to see my poor hands?" he asks, voice low and rumbling with a rich timbre.

There's none of the clawing darkness that had overwhelmed Mimi's voice, had turned it listless and hollow.

I tilt my head, eyeing him with silent contemplation, with a blooming warmth that fans out across my limbs, seeps into my bones because the two of them... Tae and Jimin had each other's backs.

"Going to show me?" I ask, the warm amusement turning to a sharp lurch that unsteadies my footing, that makes the ground uneven as I straighten. Gaze fixated on the bloodied, bruised knuckles, mottled reds and purples. The blood's dried and the bruises will darken but the mere sight of them, of his pretty hands marred with bruises, with a vicious violence that he relishes in because it was for me makes something twist, something snap as I hurry forward.

His hand replacing the floury handprint, intentionally resting it on the same place on the skirt, squeezing gently as I draw his other hand into my hold.

Jin's words are warm and knowing as he calls out.

"Told you sweetheart."

And my lips wobble as they stretch into a shaky smile, fingers brushing over bruised knuckles with a fleeting, featherlight touch.

"Did you make it hurt? Or did it hurt?"

"He made it hurt. I made it hurt. At some point we'll let the town have him... in the same way Lim's reduced to nothing." Jimin says with an assured confidence, with unwavering sincerity and belief.

There's a sharp hiss of breath, Joon's face taut with anger at the mention of her.

I feel the same hollow anger ripple through me, feel it in the tight squeeze of Tae's hand at my waist, tugging me closer until our bodies are near flush to each other, until we're bracketing each other.

"It's really over? With Lim? With Chul...? With everything...?" I ask quietly.

Bruised fingers crook under my chin to tilt my face up to his, dark eyes impossibly soft and inviting, tender and gentle.

"It's over for Lim and Chul. We have everything to live for and do still darling." He murmurs, voice soft and low. A promise that shines in the dark of his eyes, that's in the fiercely gentle hold of his hand in mine, squeezing back when my hand curls tighter around his.

"Will you let me bandage up your hands?" I ask softly, eyes drifting to the bruising, thumb brushing painstakingly careful over them, not daring to skim too close to the split skin.

"I was counting on it. And then... then maybe Seokjin can explain why he had his hands on you without his engagement ring on."

My heart lightens at his words, amusement pooling at the slight prickly possessiveness seeping into his tone, at the light-hearted drawl that comes with a narrowing set of eyes drifting past me to over my shoulder.

There's bright ringing laughter and the brush of a hand against the low of my back, lips pressing to my temple before Jin passes, nudging Tae playfully.

"At ease bandit. I'm very committed to my pretty bartender. But that being said... insecurity is not one of the looks you pull off well." He teases, delighting in the grumble it elicits, the tighter squeeze at my waist before Tae sets his head on my shoulder, lips brushing over my cheek.

"Jin's mean." He complains.

"Oh my poor bandit..." I coo, fingers brushing his curls away from his face, hand coaxing his face up to brush a kiss across his lips, smiling against his mouth when he leans in, trying to tug me impossibly closer.

"Going to kiss it better?" he drawls at the same time that Jin mutters something, brushing past to leave, a grin curled at his lips.

"If I must~" I lilt, relishing in the comfort of his body pressing close, of his warmth seeping into my skin and chasing away the unrest of hours of waiting and restlessly pacing.

Tae's here. Mimi's here.

And they're both safe.

"You can kiss him later, let me get some ointment for his hands." Joon calls, a slight pinched tightness to his eyes, but his smile is warm and loose, inviting as he pats the seat Mimi's vacated, the arms around me loosening as I nudge him forward.

Watch baleful eyes focus on me even as he drags his feet forward, something so endearing about the way his eyes linger on me even as he sits down in front of Joon without a complaint, gaze warm and settled over me, even as Mimi comes and wraps bandaged hands around me, squeezing me tightly to him, lips pecking my neck in greeting.

"That man of yours... he's... he's good. He's good to you." He murmurs quietly.

My hands gently take bandaged hands, drawing them up to brush kisses to his knuckles.

"Just the way Joon's good to you. The way Joon's good for you."

He sighs, the sound soft and light, something both aching and liberating in the quiet sound.

"I'm glad. I'm glad that you've found your someone. I'm glad we've found love." he admits, voice featherlight, his hands winding around my waist, head settling close to my shoulder, the two of us watching Joon take Tae's hands, watch as his eyes widen with implore as he pouts, looking at me.

Watch as the pout morphs into a sharp hiss, instinctively jerking his hands back to get them free from the sting of the ointment, eyes flashing as he glares at Namjoon, no real heat in the stare.

"Don't be a baby! You shouldn't have gotten your hands injured." He scolds with a laugh.

"He's got something still wildly sweet about him, he's smitten." Mimi remarks, a smile curving my lips, tugging wider at the soft, gentle acceptance and praise as he looks at Tae.

That even if there's no romantic love between me and Mimi, there's love for us elsewhere. But that doesn't mean what we share, what bond ties us closer than words will ever explain, will ever lessen.

His arms cradle me close with a fond familiarity and intimacy of our lives spent together and with a squeezing reassurance to silently soothe the questions I don't need to voice for him to hear. Questions he notices and soothes over with the comfort of his body.

I'm okay (Y/N).

"He's working his way into acceptance by me. He's getting there." Voice teasing and light, hold relenting when Joon's finished dabbing on ointment.

And I know it won't be today. But one day the two of them will get to a friendship, to an understanding, to an even ground. And that's more than enough for me.

Tae's eyes are dark and knowing, warm in a way that automatically makes my pulse quicken as I take the space Joon's vacated, sinking down onto a chair as I reach for the bandages, drawing one hand to rest on my lap.

"What were you baking?" he asks, drawing my gaze to his eyes as I begin to secure the bandage around his right hand, winding the clean strip of cotton gauze around his knuckles, the split skin tended to carefully with ointment. He watches my hand wind the gauze securely around the injury, watches me in turn and I can feel the weight of his gaze even without turning to meet it head on.

"Pie. Jin's cooking is just—" I sigh, lips curving up when his fingers curl in and then flare, spread wide across my skirt, settled on my lap.

"Divine." Mimi supplies helpfully before his voice quietens as he turns to speak to Joon, the clack of boots as the two move through to the kitchen, the sounds of plates and bowls being drawn.

"I feel rather lucky. Jin's been feeding me for years."

There's a wistfulness in his eyes that doesn't vanish as he lets his eyes drift to over my shoulder, gaze warm and the loose shrug of his shoulders that carry more weight than he lets on.

"Now we have years for Jin to feed us."

My fingers secure the bandage, the fabric wrapped snug around his hand before I reach for the other, repeating the same motions of binding up the injuries and feeling his gaze drifting around the room, patient and still as I wrap up his left hand. Both bandaged hands resting on my lap before they fall away, dragging the chair closer to him until our legs brush against each other, his stance widening to let mine settle in between.

His thighs sprawl wider, encasing my skirts, pressed to the outside of my own legs.

"I'm sure he'll be delighted." I say wryly, letting his hands take mine, tilting my face to his, his lips unrushed and slow and giddy against mine, an infectious happiness that brims in the air around us, that's in the drag of his hand across my shoulder, to my neck, to tilting my jaw further to him. He presses a smile to my mouth, lips parting to press a smatter of pecks over and over to my own growing smile, his touch both gentle and fervent.

Reverent and slow.

"We have forever (Y/N). We have forever." He murmurs, an oath, a promise, a realisation.

That the forever so quickly snatched away was now firmly in our grasp.

We had forever.

I had forever.

I had Tae.

"Forever? What are you going to do for such a long time my bandit?" I whisper, hand drifting to curl around his wrist, tugging him closer, nose nudging against his.

There's a sparkling giddiness in his eyes, a bright glowing satisfaction as he looks at me.

And reflected in his eyes I see me, I see his world orbiting around me in the same way mine orbits around his, see the way his lips curve into a grin, boxy and endearing.

"Loving you. Showing you how much I love you. Until all you'll ever know is how devoted I am to you." Words earnest and low, but drawled out with a rich honeyed intent that sparks the familiar embers of the scorching fire that engulfs us both.

"Won't get tired of it?" I tease, cheeks warming at the steadfastness of his gaze, piercing and snaring.

"Never. I will love and cherish with every last breath."

"And steal mine?"

He grins, the curve to his grin crooked and disarming, eyes flashing with promise.

"And steal yours."

It's not vows of marriage, it's not binding but it's an oath regardless, it's a promise spoken with all the wicked intent in his heart and the dizzying rush of love entangled alongside it. It's not sacred but it's somehow more. It's fierce and unyielding, it's a promise, it's devotion carved from the most vulnerable and strongest tethers of our relationship, of everything we share.

It's all tease and fire and the heady pulse of attraction and desire merged with love and trust that he says the words with.

He doesn't need conventional words and promises to devote to me when the fire in his eyes burn with a fierce resolve and promise of forever.

"Then forever bandit mine." I whisper, drawing his other hand in mine, entangled tight and surging forward for another kiss.

Hear the breathless huff of laughter before his lips meld to mine and the hand dragging me impossibly closer, off my chair and onto him, skirts swishing as I straddle him, drunk on the sensation of kissing him, of knowing that we had a lifetime for this, giddy and infectious with how his hands grip me tight and his mouth chases mine.

Hear the sounds of the others moving about but uncaring of anything but Tae, hand tugging him closer, chasing the fervent promise with the hungering ache of reciprocating.

Forever. I'll give you forever Tae.

Fingers curling into his shirt to yank him closer.

I'll give you everything.

Smile curving into a grin when in the back, Mimi cheers loudly and unabashedly.

------------

Walking into the same place I've only ever known as prison and the worst definition of shelter looms imposingly in front of me, my fingers curling at the curtains and tugging them in front of me again. Unable to stare at the sight of the brothel looming closer and closer with a sickening sense of nausea and unsettled paranoia.

The hand settled on my lap, entangled with mine, squeezes tightly with knowing, just as clammy and trembling, gripping me tightly even as I turn my head away from velvet curtains to stare first at the man seated opposite to me, a tight grimness to the reassuring smile he shoots me when our eyes meet. Dark brown burning with a fierce protectiveness, stance composed and sprawled across the seats for all that he's tightly coiled up, figure imposing and powerful.

Beside him, Joon's face is equally thunderous, a tightness to his jaw that belies how tense he is, how nervous he is as we approach the brothel.

There's a shakiness in Mimi's hand, body pressed close to mine to give and chase the comfort we both desperately need, bodies gravitated close and a hollowness in his eyes, expression grim and his lips wobble as he dredges up a smile for me.

"Nothing to worry about baby... Lim isn't here anymore, remember?" he soothes quietly.

I reach over to sandwich his hand in both of mine, squeezing tightly as I nod, unable to dispel the tension from my shoulders however, unsure as to why Jin had asked us to come, why he'd asked us to return to the very place the three of us had spent years aching to escape from.

"I know... I... I hate this place." Voice vehement and hushed, words shaking.

There's a tautness to Tae's eyes, turning because I feel his gaze on me, find a sharp fire pooling in his eyes.

"We can turn back, whatever Jin desperately needs to say, he can come say it. You don't need to do anything you don't want." Voice firm and resolute, boot gently nudging against mine in silent, unseen comfort, skirts brushing against his breeches, his smile softening at the edges when I let the tip of my boot nudge against his, heart lightening at the small gesture.

"Let's just get this over with." Mimi murmurs, a sharpness to the quiet, hushed volume, his other hand drawing our entangled fingers to his lap, the carriage shuddering and jolting slightly as it rolls up the drive, across the gravel and towards the looming, large estate.

I knew the brothel and every inch of it like the back of my hand, knew it as familiar as I did my own body. And yet there was only distaste and a sharp bitterness, stomach working itself into tight knots, something defensive and cagey about approaching the place that has always sold me and appraised me for my bodily worth.

It feels disjointing and wrong to return and find that my body isn't tightly constrained and on display, that there isn't any need to turn my body into something solely sexual.

It feels just as odd to see Mimi bar of the glittery jewels and rich silks, of sweet perfume and gleaming skin polished to a shine.

And he senses the unsettledness, voice a quiet murmur, fingers disentangling to brush against my cheek, to loosely draw a strand of hair between his fingers and winding it around them, tugging gently.

"Just like how it always is with just us. Like we're just coming back from town." He soothes.

His lips are warm where they press against my jaw, nuzzling gently.

"I'm here baby. You're not heading in alone." He promises.

And his words, his comfort, his presence gives me the greatest solace, body unconsciously gravitating closer against his side until we're flush, tilting to him even as the carriage comes to a shuddering stop.

Tae's the first to clamber out, drawing open the door with him before a bejewelled wrist and bruised knuckles reach out for me, my hand sliding into his palm.

My lips curve up when he draws my hand to his lips, brushing a kiss across my knuckles, soft and tender before his hands fall away.

And though there's no need to he relishes in drawing his hands around my waist before lifting me, a wide twirl of his body spinning as he holds me to him, skirts fanning out, his eyes bright with mischief and warmth, my hands falling to his shoulders.

My breath catches in my throat at the sudden movement, at his hands firm and strong at the dip of my waist as he sets me down, arms snaking around me to tug me closer to him, lips surging forward for a quick kiss.

"What was that for?" I ask, lips curving against his jaw.

"Just. Why not?" he shrugs.

Momentarily distracting me, hands lingering until a wide grin curves across his face, boxy and amused when a voice rings out.

"Joon me too!"

My head turns in time to see Joon's smile dimple, deep grooves of giddy fondness as he reaches for Mimi, their arms pure, corded muscle wrapped around one another, the warmth of endearing fumbled grace and tinkling laughter and plush lips curved into grins.

It's startling almost how quickly and easily Tae diffuses that nauseating churn of feelings, loosens the tightness in my lungs and makes it easier to just breathe.

How easily he's distracted me, arms curved loosely around me and keeping me close, lips brushing against my temple.

How easily he gives the biggest assurance and comfort through such a gesture, fingers lingering even as he draws back, keeping my gaze fixed on his, something about his dark eyes that refuse to let me look away immediately.

"You say the word and we're out of there. That being said... I really don't think Jin would drag you both here for nothing short of life-changing." He murmurs, voice quiet, hand slipping away to brush against my hair, fiddling with loose tendrils of hair with an even more gentle tenderness, brushing them away from my face.

Kiss short and sweet but it lingers long after he draws back and entangles our hands together.

"I don't think a brothel is the best place to woo but..." Mimi remarks, voice light and teasing, eyes glinting as he steps forward.

"But... our story started here too baby." Joon reminds, dimpled grin fond and faintly nostalgic, even as his eyes are sharp as he appraises the front.

A lot of our stories started here.

Mine and Mimi's.

Joon and Mimi's.

Mine, Jin and Mimi's.

Mine and Tae's.

"Let's end it too." There's a tight grimness to my words, a sharpness that thankfully doesn't waver as I take the first step forward, Tae's body a caging flank that immediately follows, close enough I can feel his breaths almost, hear them with clear clarity as I push open the door.

Immediately there's a marked difference.

The scent of perfume and sex doesn't cling to the air.

And the sound of chatter and music doesn't filter through the usual smog.

It's quiet. Bereft of the very thing it sells.

Bodies. People.

There's still some of the workers filtering in and out, dressed in comfortable clothes, a slight pinched expression and air of confusion and uncertainty.

And as we venture further my confusion only solidifies.

It looks deserted since Lim's been gone, been removed and I don't know what that means for the others, what it means to come here now from the place that's an empty cage, its gates torn wide open for me to leave. To escape from.

"I don't—" Mimi's voice rings out, sharp and startled, something just as bewildered by the sight, Tae's fingers squeezing in reassurance.

And out of the same dreaded office, the same space Lim had reigned from, Jin steps out, clothes slightly rumpled but his smile is blinding, is dazzlingly radiant with joy as he hurries forward, tugging me closer into a tight hug, lips pressing to my temple as he draws me to the warm solace of his body cradling mine.

Draws me into a squeezing embrace and then Mimi too, holding us to him with the same fierce protectiveness and love he's always shown before he steers the two of us towards the office, hands settled on the low of our backs.

"I didn't want to bring the two of you back here, but it's easier." He explains, door closing behind Joon as he directs us not towards the desk but towards the cluster of seats at the other end, immediately displacing this conversation from the same nauseating pattern Lim had always enforced.

It's already different somehow to step into the space I've always been repulsed and fearful of, a warmth that comes from the roaring hearth and the absence of sickeningly strong candles and incenses.

It feels changed.

And yet even as I sink into the armchair, I feel Mimi tug me closer, steering me onto his lap instead, lips brushing my nape, a tell-tale tremble to them he hides by curling close to me.

Despite it all, despite everything that's happened and will happen, Mimi remains, the firm, grounding rock to my tumult and I to his.

Pressing back against him as I let my hand settle on the arm, feel Tae's settle there as he takes the adjacent seat.

"You've taken over." I remark, watching as Jin sits down opposite to us, something so sharp and alert about his eyes even as his smile fades, falls at my words and I wince in apology.

Watching as he sets down files with a quiet sombreness.

"For now I've assumed control over the estate and its matters until I'm finished with this place. But I'm certainly not taking Lim's place... there's never going to be another like Lim." Voice firm and hard.

There's a sharp poison in his words, a vehement hatred towards Lim as he speaks, the same hate and rage he's kept quietly under wraps, has kept stifled for so many years for us.

His words are only one of the countless testaments to how fiercely he's protected from within the monster's lair.

"I don't there ever can be someone like her Jin—" Mimi's voice is sharp and crackles with a decade and more worth of hate and resentment. Of bitterness and grief.

But Jin shakes his head.

"No. There's never going to be another Lim, another person to take over. This is it. The brothel's closing."

He takes the stunned, stiff silence with the same grimness in his eyes reflected back, the sharpness that keeps his limbs and muscles coiled tight.

"I think.. it's time to shut it down."

The words don't sink in immediately, the realisation that this is it. The end of the brothel not just for us but for everyone here, still steeped in debt and struggling. For everyone who was dragged into the same lifestyle as us.

It doesn't feel real and my hand drops to my waist, squeezes tight at the hand clutching at me, the stinging bite of the tight curl of his hand gripping me reminding me that this is happening. That he's hearing the same words as me.

"But the others... Jin there's so much debt... people can't just leave with nothing to their name." The voice behind me is strangled.

Tae's hand grips mine, draws it to him, the heat of his body pressing close to our entangled fingers, settles it on his lap. And on our other side I see Joon's hand reach out to reassure Mimi.

The sheath of papers and files that sit on the table between us are nudged forward and I see Tae and Joon reach out first, rifling through the papers with a confusion that morphs into ringing silence.

My fingers shake as I reach for the papers, eyes blurring over the countless numbers and figures, debt after debt for every single person here, costs for food, clothes, the rooms... how much had Lim charged us? And how much had we had to pay off?

The numbers itself, the total sum, the sheer largeness of it makes my throat close up.

We'd given Lim fortunes, she'd drained us dry and had earned a dizzying amount of wealth by selling us.

It's too much. We've all paid too much.

"Lim's stole off everyone in this brothel. She's extorted and manipulated and deceived every single one of you. So the brothel, so the wealth she stole... everything is going to be given back... in fact..." Jin stands from his seat, in that instant powerfully imposing and large in his authority as he moves to the desk, tugs open a door and crouches down.

And when he returns the large bags of money he sets down, heavy thuds that ring in my ears, are overwhelmingly big.

His eyes are pained and gentle and so, so fierce as he moves the table back and sinks into the space in front of our armchair.

Crouching between my skirts, eyes glassy and smile wobbly.

My head shakes, already denying and in disbelief of the words he's going to say. I already know it can't be true.

"This... this is yours and Min-ah's."

Behind me Mimi's breath shakes and his body jolts, curling tighter around me, chest pressing to my back, and I can feel the stiffness of his limbs flush against my own.

Taut and coiled up.

Already fraying at the edges.

"It can't... it's not." His voice shakes with the same rawness I feel scouring away at me.

"I don't—" I begin, words catching in my throat, the pressure in my lungs tightening, hands trembling as they fold over each other, trying to hide the tremors in the swathes of my skirt as I stare at the pouches on the desk.

"This is yours (Y/N). Yours and Jimin's." Jin's words are firm and warm, eyes burning with a fierce fire, lips curved with both understanding and the same shakiness I feel that makes my body tremble.

Even though I'm seated I can feel the ground under me lurch, I can feel the unsteadiness that makes my body sway, processing the words, a dizzying rush as my blood pounds through my body, barely feeling the hand curling around my waist, drawing me against a firm back to steady me.

Something undecipherable, too complex and muddled and intense burns in Tae's eyes as he looks at his brother.

"I don't... I was in debt to Lim. We were... we were never going to walk out rich Jin. This... this can't be mine." I voice, words hoarse and strangled, fingers trembling as I stare at the sheer wealth piled onto the desk, eyeing it with a mixture of nausea and bewilderment.

"It's the money that rightfully is yours. It's what Lim cut off to steal from you, from Minnie... I'm giving back what she took. It's yours."

But the amount in its sheer vastness, coins and jewels straining the velvet pouches makes my blood roar, stomach twisting.

If that's true we could've been free years ago.

If it's true then Lim kept us here for years longer, she was milking us dry of every single earning. What money did we truly ever get back then?

Around my waist, Mimi's hand tightens. Bruising in his shock.

In his painfully stiff silence. Stunned into quiet.

"Jin... that's several fortunes worth." Voice strangled and breaking, cracking with disbelief.

Jin's hand reaches out to cup my cheek, fingers brushing gently against skin, leaning upwards towards me to brush a kiss across my cheek, leaning to draw Mimi closer and do the same, comfort and promise shining in his eyes.

Making true on his words to protect us, to get us out, to make sure we had a life beyond the hell we'd known.

And this is one of those steps.

This is one of the ways he's helping give back everything that was taken.

But the amount seems grotesquely large and excessive. Had we sold our bodies so often that the prices became second and we'd sold ourselves to this extent?

And a lifetime of selling our bodies had become this.

Fortunes taken from us.

My breath shakes, catching at every exhale, hand reaching out to curl around Jin's before I sink down, skirts brushing against his legs as he draws me into his arms, hands winding around him, clutching at him.

And in the crook of his neck, I finally let myself weep and mourn and grieve what my life has amounted to. And how I've finally been given it back.

How Jin's helped give it back to me. And give it back to Mimi.

And it's Jin... somehow for the two of us it's always been Jin to be there, to protect.

That every decision he's made, to take over the brothel, to sell it and give back what was stolen, what was taken... it's Jin who gives me another piece of my life back.

And makes it easier to breathe.

-------------

My eyes are swollen and sore, lips trembling and heart aching as I stand in the large reception, my hands wound tight around Tae's waist, peering past his shoulder at Mimi and Joon. At the same achy nostalgia in their eyes that I see in Tae's.

"Baby you won't ever come here again." Tae's voice is low and rumbles with his promise, his hand dropping to squeeze my entangled hands curled around him, pressing closer, cheek pressed to his back.

"I know."

My lips curl when I see Mimi and Joon's bodies gravitate closer, an intimate familiarity and ease in how Joon's arm winds around him to tug him closer, body curling around his from behind, head settling on his shoulder.

"This is where Joon saw us for the first time." I share, feel his fingers curl tighter, a quiet warmth and contentment in their bodies, quiet and unspoken.

"I regret how we met. Of how you saw me." He admits softly.

And when I turn my head to his there's anguish and guilt pooled in his eyes, a tightness in the way he brackets me, as if I'll fade from his grip.

"Wasn't a dashing enough entrance?" I tease lightly, feeling the shakiness in his breath as he tugs me to him.

"I made things so hard for you. I made so many mistakes. And you hurt for them."

I let my lips brush against his jaw, let myself be held and in turn hold him to me.

"But we found our way out Tae..."

Just like Joon and Mimi... we found our happiness too.

------------

"Not a great pick tonight... how old do you think we'll ever be before we stop being desirable?" Jimin sighs heavily, arms curled possessively around my waist, swaying with me, bodies pressed close, the heat of his hands felt through my bodice, drifting lower as he tugs me further against him.

My head tilts back to peer at him, his side profile all sharp angles and sweeping lashes and the full inviting curve of his mouth that curves into a grin when he senses my eyes on him, body cradling mine, uncaring of the eyes that drift, linger and settle; drawn to the sight of our bodies intertwined together, the music pouring out from the gramophone, a slow tune that only aids the drag of our bodies against each other, moves emboldened by the comfort and intimacy and safety of each other's touch.

I let my lips brush across his throat, leaving a deep red print of my mouth behind, his throat marked as I let my mouth skim lower, tasting the headiness of his skin, of his scent, teeth catching to drag out a soft hiss, a warm exhale before his hands sprawl heavier, one hand curling tighter, the other drifting lower, dragging across the front of my bodice, tugging me firmly against him.

"Us? We're never going to be too old to stop being desirable. As long as the world has eyes, and we have each other." His grip squeezes, tight and possessive and I can feel the smile in his hum before his head tilts to peer at me, my eyes in turn fixing on him.

There's a glittery sheen to his skin, something that just enhances his glow, face radiant and devastatingly beautiful, nose nudging against mine, my hand skimming up to curve against his jaw, drawing him closer for a kiss, lips slow and languid, unrushed as we chase the familiar taste and press of our mouths against each other. The taste and press of his lips have long since burned themselves into my memory, long since become a familiarity, an intimate knowledge. Long since become just as acquainted with every inch of my body as my mouth has been with his body in turn.

"That's a promise. I will never let you feel anything less than desired and loved for every single moment of your life sweetheart." He murmurs, voice quiet enough that only I hear the words, body still swaying alongside me, the drag of our bodies slow and unrushed, gazes settling over where our hips are flush, pressed against each other, my hand reaching back to tug him impossibly closer.

The smile that curves across my face at his words makes his eyes crinkle, something quietly shared and unspoken in his eyes as he presses another peck to my lips.

"I love you." I murmur.

"And I love you. Now let's give them a show. For all they gawk none seem to have the boldness to approach tonight."

I let my eyes drift away from him, appraising the crowd.

It wasn't busy, not in the way it often was, teeming with people high on alcohol and lust, intoxicated by their desires and not fussy where they found pleasure and release so long as they did.

Tonight's crowd veers on the older side, businessmen and traders, widows and cheating wives. There's no mistaking the bands of devotion encircling fingers paired with heavily aroused eyes, bodies drifting closer and closer to the fray, to the others working the floors tonight.

Tonight's crowd sparks a dull resignation that we'd both be servicing men and women who veered on controlling and disciplining, far too many eyes sharp and postures tall and haughty with an engrained sense of worth.

And yet they all came here... they were all here seeking pleasure where they couldn't find it in their own beds, marriages and people who truly felt an attraction towards them.

These people came to forget. At any cost.

"I can't bring myself to mind... " I admit, hips rocking back to his, the layers of skirts doing nothing to disguise the feel of solid muscle pressed to me, to the stiffening arousal as his body responds to mine.

I was more than content with this, with the slowly bubbling arousal and desire between the two of us, relishing in the small hiss of breath, his lips at my ear, brushing across skin as he drags his mouth down across the column of my throat, teeth nipping and tugging.

"A night for us?" he murmurs quietly, warmth in the words, so at odds with the way his hand sprawls possessively across the low of my bodice to tug me further against him, his other hand at my hips guiding me to sway back against him. The two of us slowly losing ourselves in each other.

"Us." I echo, reaching back to draw his face towards mine, fingers brushing across his nape, his hands twisting me so I'm facing him, hand immediately threading into his hair, tugging to elicit a soft grown before he bends his head towards my collarbones.

Mouthing across my clavicle, lips steadily trailing lower down the decolletage of the dip in the dress, pressing open-mouthed kisses, tongue flicking against skin as his hands tug me closer, a possessive firmness to the touch.

The heat of his touch is scorching, sparking heat under my skin and arousal to pool where his eyes, dark and fierce, trail over me with a languid, confident ease.

My back arches under his touch, fingers curling at his shoulders and hair, tugging him closer to me when his lips, tongue and teeth brush over the swells of my cleavage, hair a tickling brush against bare skin, his moan low and soft, teeth sinking in harsh and sudden. Unconsciously my fingers tighten in his hair, curling tight at the pulse of pleasure it brings.

"Don't feel like sharing you with people undeserving of how beautiful you look, how prettily you unravel." Voice a rough gravel, words thick and honeyed and heavy, dripping off his tongue, muffled against skin, slowly marking a trail back to my throat, every touch emboldened further by the heady knowledge that no-one else... no-one else could bring us the pleasure that only the other's touch did.

"We can just go back. Take a bath, move things to your room." I murmur, hand dragging down across his chest, fingers plucking the delicate layers of chains circling his neck and trailing down to rest against his sternum, the pulse of his heart steady and firm under my touch, his body crowding close when I let my fingers curl around the thin necklaces and tug.

Lips brushing against his, chasing the soft heat of the curl of his mouth against mine, intimately familiar and the pressure welcomed, tongue brushing over the seam for entrance he grants immediately. The heat of his tongue curls against mine, lips slick against each other, soft exhales shared as our hands drift with a practiced ease, mapping each other out to the touch, the barrier of clothes doing little to bar the pleasure and desire that sears through my veins, his hand brushing from my back to skim lower, a proud sprawl of fingers against my curves, the touch boldly claiming what no-one else can.

It's easy to forget a world beyond Jimin exists, that there are other people save for him, my hips brushing against his, rocking forward to the touch, his fingers digging in and squeezing tight, reeling out a broken moan that his lips hunger for, chase to swallow down with the sweep of his tongue, slick in my mouth.

"Should we?" he murmurs against my lips, fingers drifting up and down my back, the brush of his hand so light but my senses narrow to just him, to the way I can feel the press of rings even through the bodice, particularly when he drags his hand across the corset, fiddles with the stays, nails dragging across it with the reminder of how easily he could divest me of the clothing that bars me from his touch.

"I don't feel like letting these people have you the way I want you."

"And how is that darling... what wicked things do you want to do to me?" fingers dragging across the thin fabric, the heated press of fingertips moulding to my body, tugging me closer until I can feel his arousal pressed against me, hips swaying with dangerous purpose, sparking desire and heat off my skin, pooling in my limbs. A heady intoxication in breathing the same shared air, in stealing each other's breaths, lips moulding together with an aching hunger that's only ever satiated by each other.

"I want to make a mess of you. I want you to beg to ruin me."

His eyes flash, dark with pleasure and amusement, head dipping to press open-mouthed kisses down my jaw to my throat, tongue flicking against skin.

Nose nudging against the earring glinting at my lobe, dangling and brushing against my skin, his fingers teasing at it, leaving sparks in their wake as he drags them down to the neck of my dress, indulgently sweeping across the neckline, brushing over the blooming small marks his mouth has left behind.

"Oh honey I'd sink on my knees right now to worship you with my tongue if it was an audience we both liked." I feel his grin against my throat, the predatory hunger in it as he drags his hands across my skirts and fists them, yanking me forward so our hips grind messily.

My eyes hold his.

Let my fingers trail to his chains and tug lightly, skimming lower to drag across the buttons, undoing one then another.

"Then you'd be begging for me to pleasure you fully. For more and yet for me to stop." He croons, words dulcet and honeyed, thick as his voice drops, eyes lidded.

I let my fingers skim across skin, warm and taut under my touch.

"I would sink down right now to beg you to let me taste you. Over and over until you're crying, until you can't think..." he drawls.

Arousal pools low in my gut.

My fingers drift lower, brushing past skin and fabric to slide across the clinging fit of his breeches, letting my hand skim across the tight fit across curves and lines.

"And I would let you. I'd let you make a show of me... and in turn I'd make a show of us."

His eyes burn with molten intent, headiness in the pools of his gaze, dark and consuming.

Body seeming to burn with his desire as he drags his eyes leisurely down my skirts. Truly contemplating sinking to his knees right here.

"But these eyes... they don't deserve to see how well I take you apart." He growls, tugging me closer, a possessive sharpness in the clench of his jaw and his hands curled around me. Tugging me closer as he decides that this night won't begin for us in the middle of the large reception.

And it's without speaking the two of us reach the same conclusion, his fingers dropping to curl around my wrist and tugging me forward, tugging me alongside him as he turns to leave.

To leave the countless eyes for just me, for us, for the ruin and mess of pleasure he's promised.

Crowding against me the first moment he gets out in the hallway, hands clamping down on my hips as he ruts against my thigh, lips mouthing at skin, lungs full of his scent rich and strong.

The press of his mouth, feverish and aching, against my throat, teeth sinking into skin to suck harshly, the sting barely soothed with the flick of his tongue as he groans against my neck, intent to mark me.

Hands impatiently tugging at my skirts, fisting them and yanking them up, hips bucking forward as my own hands skim across lacings and buttons, desperate to press against the warmth of his body, desperate to feel him against me without the barriers of clothes. Tugging out the shirt and letting my hand drag across the low of his back, fingers slipping past the waistband of the breeches, my other hand tugging at the buttons to get better access.

His hand drags across stockings, nails digging in as he lets his touch skim upwards, lets the skirts bunch up, toying with the garter around my thigh before his palm sprawls possessively across the outside of my thigh, dragging inwards, fingertips bruising and moulding soft flesh to his touch.

All the whilst his mouth continues to suck marks into my skin, trailing lower and lower, fingers plucking at corset strings with a casual ease as he unlaces me, letting his lips trail lower and lower of the steadily exposed swells of cleavage, breaths wavering under his thorough ministrations.

Body pressing sharper and harsher all of a sudden when he seems to stumble, arm buckling against me, a sharp angry sound slipping past his lips as he whirls, my eyes already focused over his shoulder.

He goes still before a laugh slips past my lips, bewildered and startled, see when Mimi whirls angrily on the person to stop short too, our eyes landing on the man who flushes deeply and dips his head low into a bow.

The man, despite his mortification, forces himself to meet our gaze, dark, piercing eyes and sharp, sharp features. Long limbs and all muscle as he apologises, the words sound deep and rich, rumbled in a low timbre.

I don't miss the almost visceral reaction Mimi has to the voice, his posture melting from its stiffness to appraise the stranger with sweeping eyes and a curved smile, all pearly teeth and glossy lips, a sensuous, dangerous lilt to the corners of his mouth.

"I am so sorry... that rug made me slip." His apology oddly endearing, at odds with the pure, sheer towering muscled figure who peers at us with apology in his eyes and a smile curving his lips, tentative and new.

And when it blooms, when it reciprocates the smiles he gets in return, waving off his apology, unbothered by our dishevelled appearances, by rucked up clothes and lipsticks mussed against each other's mouths.

"That's all fine and proper but what brings a man such as yourself here? Surely you don't have difficulty in finding a lover..." Mimi croons, eyes wicked and sharp, predatory as they rake over the man, the two of us momentarily distracted by the man in front of us.

There's only the faintest flush on his cheeks, interesting... as he continues to meet our gaze, something just as carnal and hungering in his eyes, lust and desire that dilates his pupils. Throat bobbing as he swallows.

My eyes drift lower, taking in the arousal stiff and aching, straining against fabric.

"I meant to approach you inside, but you left abruptly."

My head tilts, stepping forward.

Watching as his gaze flits between the two of us, something molten and heavy that tugs me closer, curious despite myself.

"Liked our little show?"

"I'd like to be a part of it. Part of the show and trap the two of you weave." Voice rough and wrecked for all that his words don't waver.

It's Mimi who steps forward first, fingers brushing curiously across the tight fit of the cotton shirt, marvelling at the muscle.

Neither Mimi nor me have been opposed to manhandling.

And this man looks as if he'd be good at it, a different stirring of heat and curiosity sparking through my veins.

"It's two or nothing." He murmurs, fingers drifting to the man's collar, eyes pinning to the way his throat bobs.

"I know. I want both. I would like to be yours tonight. However the two of you might take me."

I step forward, head propping on Mimi's shoulder, fingers absently petting at his waist as I appraise the man.

"And who might you be? What name do you want me screaming into the sheets?"

His eyes flash, a curve of a grin, amused at my drawl.

"Namjoon."

TAE POV:

Out of habit, (Y/N) first stirs with the rising dawn. Body shuffling and wriggling as she wakes, sheets rustling as she's roused from sleep, purely out of engrained habit, body automatically gearing up for the day. When I blink my eyes open it's to a hazy darkness and her figure quietly stirring in my arms, pressing back and soft quiet breathing as it slowly sinks in that she's home.

That she's not at the brothel.

And my eyes are still fogged with sleep, arm unconsciously tightening around her waist, tugging her back because it's too early to even consider moving. Feel her squirm at my lips close to her nape, a small wriggle at the puffs of breath, her body twisting to peer at me.

Even in the dark shadows of the room I can see her lips curve up in a small smile, the gesture sleepy and unguarded. Sweet and vulnerable.

Her body presses back against me and in turn I curl closer, chest pressed to her back, a rough groan slipping past my lips as she moves. Burrowing closer to her, desperate to meld to her, to sink into the soft warmth of her body.

"Go back to sleep. It's too early." I mumble when she moves, the blankets around us shifting, tugging her closer, lips brushing against her shoulder.

She turns, head tilting to brush her lips against my throat in response, nose skimming skin as she breathes me in, as she curls towards the warmth of our bodies.

Her body coaxes me to let my eyes flutter, her own slowly lulling to drift again, voice a quiet hazy murmur.

"Force of habit."

"We'll break it. Just want to spend the rest of my life in bed with you." I confess, head settling on her shoulder, see the bleariness in her eyes as she peers at me, my lips curving up sluggishly into a smile.

(Y/N)'s hand drifts to where my arm bands around her, fingers curling against bare skin and tugging at me to hold her tighter, turning in the circle of my arm to press her head to my chest, her fingers distracting at their slow, lazy trail over bare skin, skimming from my shoulder to chest.

Mapping me out sleepily, lips brushing my collarbone.

I don't know whether I'm truly awake or still sleeping, because the warmth of her body doesn't slip away as it always does, regret marring her features and a longing to tug me back. There's nothing chasing me from the respite of her arms and from the cocoon of our bodies entangled under the blankets. Rather she stays. I stay. And we press closer, limbs intertwined, my hand settling over her abdomen, leg slotted between her legs and the familiar ease of belonging as I let sleep drag me back under. And feel her curl in my arms as she too falls back asleep.

I briefly register her lips against skin, her fingers settling on my arm.

Lulled back with the warm realisation that she's here to stay.

That she's home.

And I'm with (Y/N).

And every morning will be like this.

-------------

Time heals.

It's always something the elders of the town speak of with wisdom and infinite patience and experience lining the crinkles of their eyes.

But it's something I finally get to see and experience too.

Time heals in the way the final bandages come off, the angry reds fading to pink lines that eventually leave only the ghost of silvery scars across skin. I watch as time brings ease and comfort to (Y/N), how day by day she settles at home, at how much she belongs and how finally... finally after a lifetime the cottage finally feels like it's a home. It's finally and truly lived in.

Time seems to ease the strain that existed between me and Jimin, it dissolves the hardness, the stiffness in his posture to something warmer and welcoming, into something accepting and happy when he sees me. And there's a growing ease and confidence that settles between both me and (Y/N), a comfort in finding home in each other and knowing that this is it. We belong. To each other. To this space.

There's the spark of a burning flame, roaring louder and gaining heat and strength and life, in her eyes every time she sees me and Jimin together, every time she sees us and her smile shines, her face glows with a radiant exuberance. Because she delights with it and her happiness grows exponentially, a roaring blaze of warmth and love when she sees the two of us, when she sees Jimin's growing friendliness, his thawing iciness. And when it does... when it melts away, I learn that Jimin beyond his fierce, unwavering love and protectiveness for (Y/N) is an incubus in mortal skin, that he wields his looks to garner favour and service from the markets he likes visiting, always returning with a sticky sweet grin and wares much finer and richer in quality than what the owners seem to be selling. Jimin doesn't need to be a bandit to loot people of their finest and it's willingly handed over, a sharp cunning that glitters in eyes more experienced and knowing than the people he runs circles around. Weaves dangerous snaring webs around.

And time lets me slowly accept, slowly heal... it lets me find a life beyond the one I was always denied of. I find a life better than the one taken from me. And I find it in (Y/N).

It lets me breathe with the leisure of knowing that every single day for the rest of my life is with (Y/N).

And time lets me relearn (Y/N) over and over until all I know... all I ever will know is her.

Losing myself in her scent, her taste, her body mapped under mine, the taste of her pleasure spilling on my tongue and her cries swallowed whole against the hungering ache of my mouth. Her body melding to mine and limbs pressed close and entangled as she tugs me to her, draws me in, the two of us slotting together with a burning intimacy, growing more and more familiar with the way her body feels curled against mine.

And time... time gifts me home.

It gifts me (Y/N).

A place that's just ours, the cottage becomes her home too.

And for the first time in my entire life, four walls seem to somehow grow and adjust for the two lives that fill it. It becomes a space I relish spending every moment stealing away (Y/N)'s every waking moment, a space where it's just the two of us and I'm desperate to explore every inch, relearn every room with her.

The brothel was her past and the cottage was our present and future.

There's a newness in waking at leisure and finding that (Y/N) hasn't faded with the night. That when I wake I don't need to slip away and rush out, that there's no secrecy in stealing nights curled with her to rush away with the rising sun. That when I wake, she remains—soft curves and tangible under my touch, her skin warm and supple under my touch, pressing closer as she stirs, the quiet, steady thrum of her pulse where my lips brush her throat.

The lingering reminder of the price I paid, of the price she paid for trying to get her out, to clean up all the loose ends in her life remains; hovering with the looming shadow of the threat, the risk that comes with being a bandit. Because the itch in my hands, the pulsing ache for the hunt, for the chase... for the procured jewels and wealth dripping from my fingers is something that doesn't amount to (Y/N).

All the jewels aren't enough to match her, to match the priceless freedom.

Slowly reeling in the wild roaring in my veins to quieten to a hum, smaller loots and pillages, seeing the small frown marring her brows smoothen out into resigned amusement and glittering joy, eyes delighting when my fingers trail over the jewels that adorn her skin and mine.

Lips worshipping every inch of her, fingers skimming over stones and chains and the way they feel pressed to warm skin, the coolness of the metals chased away by the inferno that drags the two of us into its merciless blaze.

And day after day, night after night, time blurs together into an intoxicating haze of just her. Everything comes to orbit her and the new life we can finally begin together.

The new life that she aches and chases for with the same fierceness I see in my eyes, hand entangled with mine as she leads me down the same paths in town, but it somehow feels more, because there's no rush to get back, no haste to make and we remap the town and our lives with the knowledge that forever means us.

And yet despite it. Despite knowing... every moment feels stolen, cherished and rare. Every moment different from the last. Every moment worshipping her body and finding her hands and lips and touch doing the same—every single time it feels like something new, something priceless and shining in the radiance of her blissed face, hair mussed, and lips swollen. In the curl of her legs draped over mine and skin bare, sheets rucked around us.

Every single moment with her feels even rarer than the last.

And every time we murmur forever into each other's lips and skin it feels like a new vow taken again, it feels like a promise made over and over with the same bubbling excitement and giddiness than the moment I realised that (Y/N) was it. She was the jewel I'd been endlessly searching for. And I'd found her. I'd found the only jewel that mattered.

My jewel.

------------

Her tears are crystalline, trickling down her cheeks, eyes glazed with pleasure wrought from her countless time, breaths shuddering as she tries to draw in air, fingers curling into the sheets as her head falls back. Throat bobbing as she swallows heavily, glittering eyes pearling afresh with new tears as I rock forward, sinking into the heat of her mouth, lips stretched wide.

"Baby you're doing so well..." I murmur, thumbing at the tears pooling in her eyes, spilling over when my hips buck forward, sheathing myself further and further, her mouth pliant and swallowing heavily, fingers itching to curl against me, the first brush of her hand skimming across my thigh has me drawing back.

Hand curling around hers to draw hers back, dragging it upright beside her head, pinning both wrists into the pillows as I peer at her pleasured face, the low, throaty groan that has my hips unconsciously rutting forward, hissing at the brush of her tongue, head lifting to try draw me deeper into the tight sheath of her lips.

"No touching remember?" I coo, eyeing the way her throat swallows, cheeks flushed, and hair ruined from where my fingers had earlier entangled into them, had fisted into the thick strands to tug her forward as my hips canted forward, thrusting into her mouth. Her eyes had been burning, gleaming with a wicked fire as she sunk down on her knees, hands dragging down fabric, fingers drifting over my thighs as she settled between them.

Holding all the power as she knelt, delighting in watching my body coil up, in the sharp fierce sting of pleasure lancing across my body as she first took me into her mouth.

Her knees are still red, her thighs splayed wide, body pinned down from where mine straddles her, weight keeping her from thrashing, taking me deeper and deeper, lips parted and swollen, stretched obscenely, wrists twisting and fingers curling into fists before they loosen, eyes refusing to tear away from mine as I use her mouth.

Hips rutting forward, the slow drag of thrusting deep to draw back, teasing at her tongue and lips, her breaths sharp and ragged before she groans, trying to draw me deep once more.

"Doing so well for me baby—" I hiss, pleasure a tight spiral winding tighter and tighter, thrusts turning into sharper, rougher bucks, eyes clenching shut when her cheeks hollow, teary, hazed eyes unravelling me further, ruined by the pleasure she's bringing me, her thighs shifting underneath as she tries to get friction, some modicum of pressure or relief, hips bucking restlessly, moaned need shuddering around me. Chest heaving from the thin weak breaths she draws in, lips slick and swollen when I draw out, fingers loosening to brush against her tearstained cheek, the skin hot to the touch, trailing to her mouth, breaths hot against my fingers before I let them lower. Skim down her throat to her breasts, supple curves and hard, stiff nubs begging for attention. Hand moving to tease at the nubs, working them between my fingers, soothing the sting with grazing touches, watching as she twists, back arching, taking me deeper, the broken needy sound muffled around me, eyes fluttering shut.

Even though my hands have unfurled from her wrists, they remain pinned and held upright, anchored to the pillows with the compliancy that's reflected in her dilated pupils, in the slick laxness to her lips that remain parted, letting me thrust deep, pleasure and arousal winding tighter and fiercer, threatening to splinter across my body, hands resettling on her wrists, gripping tightly as I feel the coil wind tight around my gut.

I don't know how long it's been since I dragged her upright, lips chasing hers, dragging her bare form alongside mine, tugging her impatiently closer, taking my time to mouth across curves, to let my lips linger and taste spilled pleasure from her until she sank back, flushed and glittering eyed, splayed across the sheets with a wild confidence and beckoning me closer, lips parting with a coyness that'd turned into this wild need.

I don't know how long I can stave off the arousal that's seeped into every crevice of my body, the muffled moans a hoarse litany that reels it out regardless. Tear-streaked cheeks and glassy eyes beckoning it as her fingers curl tight, trying to grasp onto the pillows, tongue flicking against me, tasting me on her lips as she draws breath, eyes hooded.

"No-one asked you to hold back Tae."

Voice hoarse and wrecked, a rough rasp of words as she tries to twist futilely, still pinned under my weight, head lifting off the pillow, breathing sharp.

She can't twist her hands free to cup me, to let her palm drag across my length and for a moment I consider it, body hovering over hers, lifting up and no longer straddling her, to let the mounting release to be entirely undone by and any of her touches but her eyes sparkle. Glittering and dangerous and even with a teary face, even ruined she commands the air, commands the space. That the pliancy is her choice given to me, a gift she allows me to indulge in, lips silently parting and head tilting back to arch her throat.

"Ruin my throat Tae. And take your pleasure." A rasped croon, drawing me deeper, urging the simmering roaring want to snap, for nothing but pure, unadulterated desire and lust dictate and guide me.

The rough erratic snap of my hips chasing my high, the glazed desire pooling in her eyes and the quiet shudders of her body arching and twisting underneath me, wrists loose and going lax, eyes fluttering as she lets me use her mouth. Her tongue flicks against skin, throat relaxed as I thrust deep, groaning at the bubbling sear of heat that wrings out every broken sound from the depths of my throat.

And her words coax that final snap, trigger the carnal need that pulses through me, fingers gripping her wrist tightly, knowing full well it'll leave the indent of my fingerprints behind, a bracelet of my touch encircling her as she reels me to the peak of pleasure and shudders under me, eyes pooling with lust as I spill onto her tongue, rough, shaky circling grinds of my hips as she swallows.

A quiet doesn't settle, my breathing ragged as I draw away, fingers rubbing circles onto her jaw, tracing the swollen lips with an aching, fierce tenderness, (Y/N)'s breaths sharp and shaky, sinking back loosely against the bed and sheets entirely when I move off her, hands skimming across her limbs, knuckles rubbing against her side. Head lowering to press kisses across the dips and curves of her body that trembles for breath, her hands lowering from their anchored point to curl loosely against the sheets instead.

"Baby are you okay?" voice quiet and low, smiling when her fingers reach to brush against my hands when they settle on her hips, unconsciously thumbing over her hipbones, tracing the divots and curves. Slow and unrushed, watching the way her thighs press together, squirming when my fingers skim close to her inner thighs. Turning to face me, twisting on the sheets as she peers at me.

Her hand reaches out to brush against my jaw, fingers curling against skin before she lets her hand trail further, brushing against my lobe.

"I'm okay." Her words rasp as she speaks but there's a curving grin on her lips despite the tremble to her breaths, eyes raking appreciatively over my body, indulgently taking me in with the same weighted glint in her eyes that I can feel stirring up flickering pulses of arousal as I take in her curves, the silhouette of her body dips and curves, the flare of her hips and the dip of her waist. The rounded fullness of her thighs and breasts, hand settling over my sternum and undoubtedly feeling the rapid thrum of my heartbeat, wildly thudding under skin.

Her hand drifts up to her throat, fingers rubbing ruefully at skin with a teasing glint in her eyes, her fingers bare of the same rings and bracelets I love to wear and yet there's something about the sight of her fingers teasingly drifting over her skin that sparks embers of need once more.

"Looks like you're just as good at taking orders as you are at giving them."

My lips curve up at the loose curve to her smile, the lazy flutter to her eyes as she presses closer, my hand dragging her closer, panning over her thigh and gripping. Her leg sprawling over mine, my eyes drag lower, taking in the slickness on her thighs, the small jolt she gives when I teasingly buck, desire flashing in her eyes.

"Tell me to worship you for hours. Tell me to spend days and nights lost in you. Order me to pleasure you until you can't move." I coax, fingers trailing across her skin, indulgently mapping her out under my touch, knowing full well what makes her body squirm, what makes her shudder and tilt to the touch and what makes her arch.

Her fingers lazily push her hair away from her face, dragging my gaze to the curve of her jaw and the slender lines of her shoulder and throat.

"I don't need to order you Tae. Do what you will with me."

And her words are the beckoning snare that reels me in all over again.

That reignites the quiet embers into a searing inferno all over again.

-----------

There's the quiet slosh of water that drags my eyes open, peering up at the figure that looms over me, fingers pouring bath oils in, her other hand already busily tugging at lacings and ties with a deft ease. My mouth dries, gaze dragging across her torso and tracking her hand lowering as she tugs her corset strings open, the tight constraint around her cleavage and waist loosening and with it baring the thin slightly sheer fabric underneath. The curves of her breasts and waist visible, silhouetted under the fabric as she lets the first layers of her dress fall, the skirts pooling as she lets them flutter down to the tiles.

"Mind if I join Taehyung~" voice a lilting drawl, fingers dragging the slightly sheer fabric over her body and discarding it aside, her curvy form outlined by the lanterns situated around the bathing room, casting a glow on her figure, shadows and light both seeming to meld and shift around her, focusing on her.

Her figure is bare and there's nothing but confidence and desire and the same appreciative glint she reciprocates as she takes me in, lifting her leg to step into the tub, the waters rippling as she leans a hand out to clutch the rim, smiling; the gesture warmer and tender, when I reach out to steady her, hand curling around her forearm and drawing her closer to me.

One step then the other before she carefully wades water to straddle me, sinking down on me, hips brushing mine and her hair still pinned up and away from the warm water.

Her body sinks down contentedly, fingers curling to settle on my shoulders, skimming over them with a smile.

"Miss me?" lips curving when my hands skim over her waist to settle on her hips, tugging her closer so I can burrow my face against the crook of her shoulder, lips brushing kisses across her collarbone, trailing up the sensitive spot at her throat, delighting in the small shiver it elicits, her fingers tracing my shoulders before one hand trails to my nape, settles there and plays with the curls. Tugging at them gently before her fingers wind into my hair, drag leisurely across my scalp in light scratches, easing out knots and tangles, smoothening over sodden curls as she draws me closer, a small sigh as my lips mouth at her skin.

"I did, did you have fun with Jimin?"

She hums, the sound quiet and happy, I can sense the smile without turning to confirm it, hear in her words as she curls closer, one arm winding around me to hug me to her, bodies pressed close without the barest space between us, bodies slick with water, curves pressing to lines, lips brushing against my hair.

Fingers distractingly drifting lower to settle between my shoulder blades, rubbing circles into skin.

"I don't think I've seen the apothecary so busy and it's not like Joon lacks looks or struggled before. But it's double the attraction isn't it? To take your ailing woes to two handsome men ready to offer pretty smiles as well as balms... we went out with Kook." She adds, back arching slightly when my teeth nip at skin, tongue flicking against her pulse, groaning against her skin as my lips suck, lazily and intently colouring a mark at her throat, hands squeezing her hips, drifting lower to grip at her thighs, indulgently running my hands over her supple curves and watching as she shifts under my touch.

The water ripples as I drag her thighs open, drawing closer to her, lips brushing against her jaw as she winds her legs around me.

"That doesn't make them sell me balms cheaper...I'm sure Jimin overcharges me. And I thought we were becoming friends." I huff into her skin, head dipping lower to drag my lips across the curves of her cleavage, her hips teasingly grinding forward when my teeth sink in.

Her back arches, cleavage pushing out to my lips, fingers trailing across to the inside of her thighs, kneading absently at the soft flesh, trailing up and down and feeling her body react, rocking into the touch.

Her hand in response trails across my back before she lets her hand drag down my sternum, fingers teasing.

Her nail drags across my nipple, teasing the bud, finger slowly circling the stiffening nub, eyes tracking her own movement, a smug smirk tugging at her full lips when I hiss but her movements remain purposely slow. The sharp sting of her fingers working it between her fingers, smoothening the sting when her nail brushes across it, sparking a bolt of heat.

"So responsive... so pretty." She lilts, hips rocking back as she lowers her head to mouth at the nub, dragging it between her teeth and tugging, tongue flicking over it to lathe it with the wet heat of her mouth, hand disentangling from my hair to work the other one between her fingers, deft, cruel twists of her finger and thumb, her smile wicked against my chest as she drags her lips off.

Her head lowering to the other, hips pushing back to the unconscious buck of my hips, tugging out a frustrated groan from my lips even as I reach for her, trying to coax her closer, fingers curling against her nape.

Trailing higher to slowly pull the pins free from her hair, pearled clips clattering on the floor as one by one they're discarded, hair slowly unfurling to curl and tumble down against wet skin, tendrils of hair that plaster to skin, that float against the scented water before she draws herself closer, arms winding around my neck, curves pressing to my chest, sparks of friction where slick skin brushes against my chest, a soft moan slipping out at the sensitivity.

"They'd look pretty all jewelled up..." she muses, the words sparking a heat that makes her eyes burn with lust as she says it, eyes a snaring weight holding mine, head lowering to brush her lips against mine.

"Maybe one day~" I tease, lips chasing hers when they retreat, a soft exhale against her lips, chasing the full curved smile as she teases me, leaning closer when my tongue flicks against the seam of her mouth, brushes over her cupid's bow, slotting together with a content hum, groaning when her teeth nip, tugging my bottom lip between them.

"Feeling needy today?" I ask, fingers gripping her thigh tight when she rocks against me.

When her breath shudders against my lips, tongue curling against mine, fingers cradling my jaw to tilt my face to hers, wet fingers brushing against my skin as she kisses me, a slowly burning flame that steadily gains more and more heat.

"Maybe... maybe seeing Mimi corner Joon against his worktable in the back does things... makes me want things."

My lips curve into a wide grin even as her lips press to my jaw, fingers skimming across the low of her spine, before trailing up and brushing across wet strands, letting my hand entangle in thick strands and tugging, her sharp shudder stirring arousal through my body.

"You only need to ask (Y/N). If you want to be bent over a desk or taken against the wall... I'll fulfil every single desire, every fantasy." I promise, her pupils dilating slightly as she looks at me, head tilting back when my fingers yank, her throat arched.

"Every single one?" voice breathless.

"Every single one. I want to give you everything (Y/N)... I want to learn your every pleasure and want to make you cry from being overwhelmed with how much I give."

Her hand tilts my face back to hers, kiss messy and hungry, lips chasing each other needing and molten heat pooling between us, addicted to the shuddery breaths stolen between kisses, the wet exhale of her mouth against mine, the way her lips are bruising and just as fierce against me.

"You're my darkest, wildest fantasy Kim Taehyung. You're my desire and my lust. You're every secret want and wicked wish." She murmurs, lips slick and heated against my throat, hips rocking forward, the slow grind of our bodies against each other, stirring the desire and arousal to splintering heights, my fingers gripping at her, tugging her closer.

"You're the only jewel I covet. I should've pickpocketed you a long time ago."

Her eyes sparkle, glittering depths to them, shining under the glow of lanterns and the warmth of the space. And in them I see myself reflected back, see that in the heady invite of her eyes I find me, encased in them, drowning in the lust that pools there.

"Once a bandit... always my bandit."

I grin at her, lips tugging wide, eyes dragging over her, lingering at the way water trickles against her skin, sinks lower and lower as she moves, inviting my gaze lower.

"Always..."

I draw her body closer, let my hand drift inwards, let it trace her centre, slow and lazy, fingers skimming fleetingly, the water sloshing as she bucks, eyes wanton and enthralling, rich with desire as she winds her hand around my wrist and drags my hand closer, hand settled between her thighs.

"After we're done here... why don't you make good with your word against the bedroom mirror?"

My lips skim her throat.

"I'm a man of honour (Y/N). I will very gladly prove it too."

­-------------

"I think at this point you're the reason Joon's able to close the shop the entire weekend instead of just Sunday. You're making him a small fortune in contraceptive tonics." Jimin laughs, eyes bright and teasing, lips curved up in a smirk as he wraps up the small glass vials carefully in a large box.

I feel my lips quirk.

"Don't be so sure... it's (Y/N) just as much if not more~" watching as his eyes flash with delight and pride, pearly teeth shining past glossy lips.

"You know..." he leans forward over the counter, voice dropping with a hushed conspiratorial whisper, fingers smoothening over the paper. Fingers reaching for string to secure it.

I lean closer, eyes narrowing at the sparkling secrecy in his eyes, curious despite myself.

"If you have a problem keeping up with her... there's stuff to help." He croons.

I balk, glaring at him as I draw back.

"I don't need meds to get me aroused... I'm more than attracted to her." I hiss.

He laughs, the sound tinkling and pealing, rich as his head tilts back, eyes crinkling with mirth.

"So? I'm not saying there's no attraction... I'm just saying maybe your body can't keep up. Maybe you're not as virile as you think. And you know.... Medication. Helps with that."

"I do not need you to try loot me so I can buy drugs I don't need." Scowling as I straighten up, his laughter growing louder as he leans over the counter.

"Your loss~" cheeks pink as he giggles, earrings glinting at his lobes, fingers trembling with laughter as he ties the strings, securing with it a small bow.

I glower as I draw back, eyes drifting from his laughing figure to around the apothecary, trying to find (Y/N) amongst the shelves, the other customers, trying to find her and block out the ringing laughter and hitching breaths.

"Oh Tae I'm just teasing..." lilting and breathless, muffling his giggles as he taps the counter, watching me with crinkled eyes as I turn my gaze back to him.

Something mischievous glittering in teary, laughing eyes.

"But~ if you want something to add to your spice... some aphrodisiac... something to keep the passion burning..." eyes sparking and glinting with fiery playfulness.

"Again... I don't need drugs to make me want her...or to help me keep going all night and day." I grit, startling when fingers dance across the low of my spine and the waistband of my breeches before a hand curls around my wrist and a delighted face peers at me, drawing my arm over her shoulder as she settles beside me.

"Oh! I didn't know you and Mimi were this close already~" voice rich and thrilled, eyes dancing with amusement, lips curved wryly.

"Oh sweetheart—you have no clue." Jimin croons, leaning over the counter, the shirt gaping at the front, dragging her eyes with flickering teasing heat over the chains dangling forward, the curve of his back becoming more pronounced as he props his face up on his hand, as his eyes drift past the two of us. Focusing on Joon who moves past the two of us with a dimpled grin, eyes narrowing playfully at Jimin, knowing full well of his teasing nature.

Slipping behind the counter alongside him and setting down some of the herbs and tonics (Y/N) had been scouring the apothecary for.

"Stop teasing the poor man Min-ah." Joon laughs, reaching for a paper bag to pack everything into.

I nod my head to him, fingers curling around (Y/N)'s shoulder, brushing absently over the fluttering sleeve.

"I'm not teasing... he was the one propositioning me! He wanted me to teach him how to pleasure (Y/N) through the night." Eyes sparking at the angry grunt, thrilled to rile a reaction out of me, fingers squeezing my waist tightly as (Y/N) leans against me. Laughing as she shakes her head at him.

"Now I know that's a lie. He has no problem spending days devoted to that." Voice coy for all that her eyes burn, share something wicked and mischievous with Jimin.

But before he can ask for more, lips parting with nothing but intent to reel out details, Joon just tugs him back, hand dragging possessively across his side.

"You don't need to be giving everyone in the store a show Min. You'll give the old ladies heart problems." Teasing as he lets his hand linger momentarily over his back, skimming lower over curves before he nudges him aside.

Jimin's lips twitch, shrugging as he jots down the prices instead, eyes silently flicking to (Y/N) in unspoken communication, something just inherently them as the two of them smile.

"The contraceptives should last you a while." Joon teases, handing over the paper package.

I step forward to take it, body stiffening at the curious voice that interjects our conversation.

"A young couple like you shouldn't be using contraceptives."

I feel my spine locking up, head turning as I grip the bag, to find that the person whose spoken is an old woman, eyes lined with wrinkles and disapproval.

(Y/N) has no such qualms about glaring at the woman, features twisting into distaste and hardened anger.

"We didn't ask."

The woman frowns, displeasure at her lined face.

"A married couple like you... you're at your prime to have children! It's your duty, you must raise a family." she shakes off easily, taking steps forward to the counter, brushing past to set down dried herbs.

"Again... we didn't ask for your presumptions." Voice turning stonier.

In turn I feel my throat tighten, feel it clench around nothing, a stinging trail of nausea that makes my stomach churn, hand curling tightly around the bag.

I don't miss the anger and disgust colouring Jimin and Namjoon's face, don't miss the hardened stoniness to their expressions and the flintiness (Y/N)'s gaze takes as she steps closer to me, body a flanking guard beside mine, hand squeezing my wrist tightly.

"You need manners—"

"And you need to mind your tongue madam." Jimin's voice is vitriol, sharper and angrier than I've ever heard it. And I realise that the protectiveness in their eyes and the defensive anger is for me and dimly it tugs a weak smile to my face.

"Just leave it... baby it's not something you need to..."

Her hand tightens around my wrist, eyes flashing as she looks at the woman.

"I have every right to stop someone from speaking out of her place."

The woman flushes, angry and embarrassed, and she doesn't stop to wait for her purchase, scowling as she steps away, skirts swishing, and haughty indifference lessened by the pink spots of colour on her cheeks as she steps away.

Her eyes drag disgustedly over (Y/N), eyes glinting with a sharpness and when (Y/N) takes a purposeful step back, tugging me alongside her, it's clear to the woman that (Y/N) doesn't think she's worthy of accidentally touching. Eyes hard and glaring the woman down.

And the ringing emptiness she leaves in her wake is poisonous and tainted, the amusement that had lingered entirely dissipated in her wake. There's a quiet murmur at my side before (Y/N) tugs the bag out of my grip, steering me alongside her.

I barely hear Joon and Jimin's voice follow us out before the swarm of sounds and bustle assaults our ears instead.

"Come on baby..."

And though I'm aware of everything, aware of my surroundings, of the blur of people passing by, some more familiar than the others, aware of the familiar paths that (Y/N) leads us down, winding alleys and nooks as she leads us to the tavern.

"Sweetheart I'm not feeling a drink." I smile, tugging her back gently when she shakes her head and draws me alongside her.

Leading me not towards the front door but round the back, weaving past the alley to get to the back entrance, slipping in with ease and tugging me alongside her. Leading the way down the hallway to the back of the tavern, ducking towards the hallway that leads down to the rooms Hobi and Jungkook live in, the half of the tavern that they remodelled and worked into a home.

"Should I be impressed or wonder why you're sneaking me into Hobi and Kook-ah's home?"

She huffs, the faint curl of a smile.

"We needed to get out of there. And... the tavern's closer than our cottage. I think I would've throttled the old woman if she kept talking." She sniffs, head shaking as she tugs me towards one of the spare rooms.

I recognise it from the familiar blur of alcohol, see it with clarity and clear vision as (Y/N) leads me towards the couch. Nudging me towards the seats and steering me to sit before she sinks down in front of me.

Eyes honest and firm and unwavering as she ducks her head to draw my gaze to her.

There's none of the wicked teasing mirth in her eyes, no enticing curve beckoning me closer in her smile. It's soft and small and her eyes understanding and knowing as she settles her hands on my legs and reaches for mine. Laces them together silently.

"Don't listen to her. Don't bother with what she said." Voice firm.

I feel my lips tug up at the fierceness in her voice, feel soothed by it even if the words linger, stir nausea and fear low in my gut.

"I know I shouldn't—I know nothing any stranger says matters but... but I—I didn't even... I don't want... (Y/N) I don't think I ever could..."

Her fingers curl tight in my grip, squeezing tight enough that it drags my attention to her, cuts off the spiralling panic, reels it in and draws me to her. Anchors me to the sensation of her hands in mine.

For a long while she doesn't speak, for a long while she lets me breathe, fingers unfurling so she can trace mine slowly. The sweeping touch drifts quietly and unrushed over my knuckles, over my nails, skims over rings before encircling my wrists loosely. Lets her fingers trail over my forearms, brushing across fabric and absently pushing it back, sleeves moved out of the way so she can continue her silent exploration of my skin, the touches coaxing me away from the churning terror, from the disorienting fear.

"Kim Taehyung... I love you." She murmurs, voice soft.

My breath catches in my throat, heart clenching tightly when she tilts her lips forward to brush kisses to my knuckles.

"I love you too but baby..."

Her smile widens.

"Tae if you don't want babies, if you're not ready for a child, if we have the rest of our lives for each other and for us then that's more than enough for me. You're not the only one sweetheart... I don't think I'll be ready for a long time... maybe not ever for a baby. I don't think—I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I can and will spend the rest of my life being yours baby."

Her words are honest, tinged with flickering traces of the same panic I can feel twisting my stomach into knots. I see the same insecurities reflected in her eyes for her own reasons.

I wasn't sure I'd ever be ready or wanting to have a child.

To bring a baby into the world when I knew nothing of what it meant to have a father's love and protection. And (Y/N)... she wasn't ready for a baby when her life had just begun, when she'd not known parental love either.

We came from broken families, from lives that just didn't—that just didn't let us know what it feels to grow up secure and loved.

I couldn't... I couldn't love a baby, I didn't know how that felt like.

And in her eyes I see the same understanding and ache.

"The rest of my life loving you and devoting it to us? I can do that..."

"Just us. Until we're just as wrinkly and old and even beyond that." She echoes, eyes sparkling tearily, smile brimming with optimism and love.

"And if we ever... if we ever feel we could—"

"Then we cross that bridge when it comes to it. But let's take it a step at a time. Just take the time to love."

My hands twist, reaching for her wrists, slipping off the couch, sinking down onto the floor.

There's no space for me to kneel beside her, skirts fanned out but instead she tugs me closer, hands disentangling to steady herself as she leans back, glittering eyes holding mine as I lean forward, body half-hovering, half-straddling.

"I love you (Y/N)... so, so much." I whisper, lips ghosting along hers, leaning closer, melding my lips to hers when she tilts her head back, eyes fluttering, a warm richness to her smile, to her very presence that demands every bit of my attention as my hand cups her jaw, leaning close to kiss her deep and slow. Mouths slow and lazily exploring the curve plushness of her lips, tongue flicking briefly against her bottom lip, feel the soft exhale before I let my teeth sink in, nipping the soft flesh. Tongue lathing over the sting as she leans back, body shifting under mine, lips quirking against mine, a shakiness to my breath as she groans under me, eyes hooded, a burning aching love in her eyes as she looks at me.

Forever is a gift with you (Y/N). Forever is everything if I get to spend it loving you with every breath.

--------------

"Tae baby..." the voice croons in my ear, strands of hair tickling skin, fingers flitting and light, skimming across my torso, plucking at my shirt, tugging loosely.

It's fleeting touches that coax my eyes to blink open, draws me out of my light daze, head turning towards the crooning lilt, peering up at the figure hovering over me, caging me in.

"You didn't sleep?" I ask, voice slightly bleary, slowly processing the mischief alighting her features, the curve of her throat and the loose tendrils of her hair.

She shakes her head, the gesture makes her hair brush against my jaw and neck and slowly my hand reaches up to brush it back, fingers lingering at her ear, brushing against the small glittering jewels at her lobe, skimming lower to tug at a strand gently.

"Wasn't sleepy."

She leans closer, lips brushing against the corner of my mouth, her thumb brushing over my lower lip, dragging slowly, eyes dipping to watch the way her thumb presses to soft flesh, lips parting to let my tongue brush against skin.

Her eyes glitter, something dark and heady in them. Crackling with desire.

It's something intoxicating and rich and it tugs me out of the sluggish haze, the slight fog of the doze falling away under the enthral of her gaze. Her eyes tug out a familiar pool of heat and I let my body sprawl against the sheets, limbs loosening and my hand drawing her closer, tugging.

Head tilting back, lips seeking hers, her smile pressing to me, hand curling around my jaw to angle my mouth to hers, the soft spark of heat fanning out from the plush fullness of her lips chasing mine. Fingers brushing distracting circles into skin, skimming up to brush against my curls as she lowers herself down, body caging mine in, straddling my hips, thighs squeezing mine. Her lips slot to mine with a familiar ease, the imprint of her mouth familiar, immediately recognisable and yet the lazy warmth that pools out, the sparks her touch coax are just as heady and enthralling as the first time, my hands grasping at her waist, tugging her closer. Needing to map her out under my touch. Her tongue flicks briefly against the seam of my lips before slipping away, the smile coy and teasing when I try chase the touch, tongue brushing against the dip of her mouth, teeth tugging at her bottom lip before sinking in, tongue soothing the sting, groaning against her mouth. My fingers curl tighter at her waist, melding to curves, tugging at the fabric before my hands skim upwards.

"You don't need to just sleep in bed you know." She murmurs, lips still close enough I can feel them skim mine, eyes dark as she looks at me.

The fabric of the shirt is rucked under my touch and it's as my hand drags upright that I can feel her skin under my touch, can feel her body shift as she tilts into the touch, pressing lingering kisses against my lips.

Groaning against her when she winds her hand around my shoulder, hips pinning mine, her teeth nipping at my lip, tongue finally flicking against mine, my mouth parting in compliance to the teasing, fleeting brush of her tongue curling against mine, drunk on her, on the soft breaths muffled against my lips.

"Want to have your wicked way with me?" I ask, grinning against her jaw, her head tilting to invite my lips to skim across the soft curve of her face, dipping lower to mouth at her throat, her breaths soft and shaky, hitching when my teeth sink in sharper to suck a mark into unblemished skin.

Knuckles skimming across the underside of her breast, trailing up to mould my hand to her curves, tugging out soft aching sounds of need, eyes burning with lust as her hips rocking against mine. A slow, dragged grind of her centre against me, her legs bare where my eyes drag across them, thighs parted to settle on either side of me.

There's an indulgent luxury in the dark mischief and arousal pooling in (Y/N)'s eyes, A laziness to the slow rhythm our lives have taken and how she peers at me now, the shirt sleeve slipping off her shoulder, baring soft skin and the expanse of her throat and collarbones, the fabric falling forward to reveal the curves underneath.

"If my bandit so desires~ then I'll have him many ways." She lilts with dark heady promise.

"I want you on top." I murmur, voice slightly gravelly as she lets her fingers skim across my collarbones, tracing the lines and angles of my body before she lets her head lower to brush kisses where her hand has just drifted.

Her legs part, straddling me as she settles her weight on top, hips rocking forward languidly. Eyes dark as she peers at me, tilting my face to hers as she kisses me, burning pooling need in the heated pressure of her lips against mine. There's a simmering heat that burns hotter, lips slick and breaths muffled against each other, the drag of fabric against my bare torso, her legs bare as she lets her hips rock against mine, stirring the arousal to a blistering restlessness. Breeches tight and constraining, groaning against the seam of her lips, hand tugging her closer, fisting into the shirt to yank her down, knuckles grazing against bare skin.

Her curves are soft under my touch, squirming when my fingers grip at her waist, fingers curling tight to meld to the dip of her waist before I drag my hand lower, across the flare of her hip to tug her against me, the grind of her hips slow as she bucks, teeth dragging against my throat, fingers curling against my arm as she grips me. Nails pressing to skin, breath shuddering against my throat before her lips close around skin sucking harshly, moaning at the sudden jerk of my hips, bucking up against her, the drag of fabric torturous, hand bruising at her hip.

"Want me to use you for my pleasure?" she groans, tongue flicking over the mark, hair brushing against skin as she raises herself up, eyes dark with lust.

My hands grip at her, skimming across her shirt and dragging it upwards, desperate to let my eyes rake over her, tugging the fabric over her head, hair rumpled and her arms stretching upwards as she discards the shirt. All curves and soft skin, the generous curves of her breasts taut at the movement, stomach clenching when I raise myself up on my arms, lips brushing across her sternum, head ducking to mouth at her breasts. Teeth tugging at the pert nubs, feel her arch as she rocks her hips down, hands finding purchase on my chest as she curves over me, tilting to the touch, lips parting, whimpering as my teeth drag, tongue lathing over the sting, flicking against the stiff bud, fingers dragging across my abdomen.

"No. I want to see you writhe on top of me as you try to keep up." I drawl against her skin, hands dragging at her curves, lingering at her hip, thumbing at the curve before I buck my hips to meet her grinds, hissing when her fingers finally drift down, the pinned weight of her hips flush with mine alleviating slightly so she can tug at the buttons, fingers skimming skin before she draws herself off to tug the breeches off.

Her eyes are wicked and coy as she hovers over me, caging me in as she begins pressing kisses to my hip, fingers curling around me, encircling me, the drag of her touch slow and tormenting. The expression of feigned demureness on her face does nothing to disguise the desire that her very body expresses, pleasure flickering across her features at the slew of sounds that bubble past my lips. I stiffen under touch, arching as she continues to work me to a blistering hardened ache.

"Really Tae? Going to make me ache days after you're done?"

Her head tilts back, throat arching when my fingers fist into her hair, tugging at her to draw her up for a kiss, lips and tongue messy and heated against each other, groaning into her mouth as she grins.

"Sweetheart the marks will last just as long. When I'm done with you, you won't forget how you're face looks blissed out and overwhelmed with pleasure."

Words stirring a pulse of arousal at the thought, of making sure that she could take in her pleasure, could see the way her body twisted and arched for my touch and how she looked coming undone over and over.

I intended to make thorough good use of the large mirror.

Her teeth scrape against my jaw, breath a soft shaky tremble.

"Do it bandit... make me see what you do to me. What you see."

And when she sinks down on me, a slow drag of our hips until she's sheathed entirely, until she shudders, panting for breath, back bowed as she claws at me, hips rocking slowly, the overwhelmed aching sound of pure unadulterated pleasure sparks the inferno of heat across my skin, sparks licking at limbs, winding the coil of arousal tight. Body taut with the restraint to not immediately thrust up, hands gripping her waist and thigh, tugging it open wider. Groaning when she curls her fingers at my chest, against the lines of heat that mark my torso.

"I see my jewel shining."

Iridescent with pleasure and the radiant flush to her limbs, glowing in the dim lighting of our room, her eyes glassy and her lips slick and dark red, kiss-bitten and swollen.

I see her shining, gleaming with desire that makes her glow as she slowly rocks her hips down, biting back the first whimper, throaty and heavy.

"Let me hear her too." I implore.

Let me worship and covet my jewel.

Let me be ruined her.

The first buck of my hips, snapping up is harsh and deep, dragging out a groan from my chest, fingers gripping tightly to the soft curve of her waist, fingers circling where our bodies are joined, dragging against her nub, slow lingering drags, that tug out a shaky cry of my name as she grinds her hips down, meeting each thrust for thrust, every snap of my sheathing deep in her, rocking back as she clings to me.

I want to see you clutch at me because it's too much, I want you to beg but not know what for. I want to cover you in jewels and still be drawn to the radiance of your body.

I want... I want to crave and ache and yearn for you every single moment.

I want an eternity of this.

------------

Time melds weeks and months together, streams together days until they blur, until time is lost in each other, lost in finding and creating our normal, creating our new start together. The beginning of our happy ending and of every day after.

Time becomes reshaped and defined by every moment with (Y/N). it becomes a mass of moments and memories old and new, the same people, the same town but every experience different.

Time tastes like liquor, loose, languid and syrupy with a headiness against (Y/N)'s lips.

It sounds like laughter, bubbling and overflowing, rich and chasing away every lingering remnant of lives lived and gone, of our pasts faded and overwritten by the giddy exuberance of seeing (Y/N)'s touches, part of her meld to the very structure of the cottage. It's (Y/N) in the delicate tea set that sits on the table near the hearth, it's her in the rich jewel tones scattered throughout in cushions and drapes. It's (Y/N) in the cluster of jewellery mingling with mine, bright gems and jewels that I reach for first, lips quirking at the thought of wearing something of hers. It's (Y/N) in the dresses and night clothes; a mix of modest and utter sin in sheers and silks and laces that cluster alongside my own.

Slowly our lives merge together, entangle until I can't remember a time when the cottage had felt like home when I'd been alone. I can't remember a cottage that wasn't crammed with life that it seemed to strain at the seams, the halls alight and more than one person's shoes cluttering the hallway.

That more often than not when I'd walk into the drawing room it was to see (Y/N) curled on the couch, a blanket she'd tugged from the bed over her and still looking sleepily rumpled, slow kisses and soft murmurs as she draws me close.

There's (Y/N) in the sounds of the cottage. The quiet pad of footsteps shuffling into the kitchen after me, or vibrant rich laughter and pealing giggles and loud ecstasy as her and Jimin talking. There's (Y/N) in the quiet too, in the rustle of sheets as she seeks me out, pressing close, the thud of her pulse slow and measured and reassuring in the dark, the soft breaths deep with sleep, the quiet presence of her curled against my side, or fingers brushing through my hair, fiddling with curls and tugging lightly at earrings.

(Y/N)'s there and she makes my life more.

Everything I had lived for, everything I had done, everything I had sought seems to have been the whiling away of time. And finally I know what I want to spend the rest of my life doing.

Fumbling over cooking with (Y/N), the kitchen and the two of us a mess.

Chasing her around the house, her laughter ringing out, stockinged feet slipping on wood as she hurries away, skirting my outstretched hand.

Body pressed close to hers stealing kisses between words, eyes dragging down to the smile that curves across her lips as she talks, tugged forward until I'm hovering close, conversation broken with giggling breaths and the soft slickness of her lips and tongue chasing my own.

Fingers tugging at corset strings, yanking firmly to tug her against my body, watching her breath catch, breasts heaving and head tilting back to peer at me, eyes drifting from the mirror to me as I lace her up, hands roving over the dip of her waist and hips and content to hold her against me, to unlace with just as much ease to press myself against her, desperate and hungering for her.

(Y/N) is an unsatiated hunger and the pit of need and desire just claws fiercer, aches more the more I taste, the more I have... until I think I'll be consumed and overwhelmed with desire and love. Until the never-ending hunger will sink claws into me and tug out every bit of pleasure and still leaving me wanton.

(Y/N) is my life. And finally... finally I have a family.

I have somewhere I belong, I have someone to belong to.

I have a family in (Y/N). I have everything in her. A home, a family, a life.

I have everything I yearned for in her.

----------

My body dithers outside the door to the study, hand hovering at the handle as I peer in slightly, eyes falling once more to the curled up figure on the large armchair, head reclined against the side, a book cradled on her lap.

I don't know how to deal with the uncertainty that keeps me from crossing the threshold, I've never felt so antsy in my own home, and I feel flushed and caged in my own body.

Forcing myself to take the first step inside then the other, tread quiet but still it manages to draw (Y/N)'s eyes to me, drifting from the pages to me, slightly drowsy eyes brightening as she looks at me, unfolding her legs and straightening.

Hands clutching at the book.

"Tae! You've been gone all day love, I missed you." Setting the book on her lap as she stretches a hand out invitingly towards me, the smile faltering at my hesitance, at my slow, dragged steps towards her.

"Is something... wrong? Are you hurt... did something happen?" anxiousness bleeding into her tone as she straightens, no longer loosely curled and comfortable, no longer basking in the warmth she chases from the roaring hearth flickering red and orange. The warmth of the fire had coloured her cheeks pink but now a frown mars her features, melts away the contentment to replace it with unsettledness.

"No no... baby I'm fine. Nothing's wrong, nothing happened... I didn't mean to worry you." I murmur, moving to her and sinking down to crouch in front of her, taking her upturned palms, drawing them up to brush a kiss across them, peppering kisses from her palms to her wrists, smiling at the delicate bracelets encircling them.

"Where've you been... we were meant to start the painting... I even thought so long about what not to wear." She hums, the furrow smoothening away as whatever her eyes search for is found, body curving forward as she leans forward, lips brushing against my temple. The gesture soft for all that her words promised a day of otherwise.

A laugh huffs across her skin as I tilt my head up to peer at her, smiling when her fingers brush through curls, gently carding through them.

Eyes fluttering under her ministrations, under the light drag of her nails across my scalp, before her fingers drift lower, tugging at the end of the silk necktie, drawing me closer.

"Won't you tell me?" she lilts.

I can't fight the smile tugging wide across my lips, can't shake my head at myself, wondering why I'd been so hesitant, why I'd been anything but certain and assured when I stepped through the front door.

I tilt my head to her touch, let my cheek rest against her lap, peering up at her.

"Take a guess."

She hums, fingers lingering at my jaw before she tilts my face upwards to observe me, eyes raking over me with a slow, thorough intensity.

"I was wrong. You look... sneaky. You're hiding something from me my Lord Kim~" she croons.

The title doesn't stir up the revulsion and hate and anger it once did eons ago.

From her lips it sounds honeyed and dangerous, coaxing with the curve of her smile to spill the secret I've kept hidden, the secret that's bubbled up time and time again, threatened to spill out countless times.

"I am. What do you suppose my lady... what could I be hiding?" I ask, letting my teeth nip when she taps my lips reproachingly, catching at soft skin and watching her eyes sparkle.

"Something big. What's got your breeches in a twist Kim? What delicious secret are you hiding that it makes your face glow?" fingers skimming lower to wind into the silk, tugging loosely before she plucks at the loose knot.

Unravels the scarf from my throat, eyes dragging down my throat.

Fingers teasingly and intentionally brushing against fading marks her teeth and lips devotedly left. The flash of a pleasurable throb before her hand continues its downwards trail, brushing against the open collar.

"It's about you. Us." I amend.

Her teeth work at her bottom lip, over the rouged fullness as she hums, tilting her head.

At her ears glint familiar blue gems, studs of sapphire.

I remember those.

I remember giving those to her a long, long time ago. I remember years as if they just happened.

"What surprise about us that I don't know!" she laughs, the sound tinkling and infectious, warm and full in a way that fills the space, heart feeling impossibly full.

I don't draw my head from her lap as I reach for her hand, thumb brushing over her knuckles.

She smiles when I slowly brush kisses across them.

"What is it Tae~ what kept you from bed. What kept my artist from me? The torments of your craft?"

I smile, cheek pressed to her skirt.

"You could say that. There was something missing before I could even begin your painting."

"And what's that my love?"

My hand draws away for a moment, fingers slipping into my waistcoat to draw out what's been hidden away, the secret I've kept pocketed and out of sight, the secret I've poured me into.

My fingers fumble slightly before I hold my hand out to her, see her gaze drift and hear her breath hitch, shaky and quiet. Fingers trembling as they settle on her skirt, eyes holding mine as I draw myself up to slowly take her hand between mine.

Holding out the ring, the delicate working of metal and jewels, the toil of my labour, of hours and days poured out hunched over in a small backroom with a blacksmith.

The ring is years of our lives entangled together, a promise and vow for the endless years to come.

I want every label with her, want to be hers in every way.

And I watch, heart twisting when her eyes glitter, shining with pooling tears, lips trembling.

The hand holding the ring goes limp but her hand darts out to catch mine before I can draw it away.

"If you dare get my heart set on being yours and not propose I swear Kim Taehyung I'll—"

"You'll..." I can feel the tremble in my lips as I smile, butterflies fluttering in my stomach, a nervous excitement, clawing anticipation as her eyes shine and her lips thin before she yanks at my collar to tug me up, kiss bruising and messy. Shaky breaths as I feel tears spill onto her cheeks, thumbing at them as they trickle down, lips aching and wanting... demanding for me to take just as fiercely as she does, a shaky groaned breath of my name.

"I'll kiss you stupid. Don't you dare not ask."

I feel my eyes sting at the trembling waver to her hissed words, to her eyes sparkling with tears and her cheeks flushed with warmth and tear-streaked.

"(Y/N) marry me?"

Her breath trembles against my lips before she's surging forward, book thudding on the ground as she lunges forward, arm winding around me, hand clutching mine tightly, my body knocked off balance as I fall back. Arm steadying her around me, laughing when she presses teary kisses to my lips, each lingering longer than the last. Her skirts ruck up, her hand clutches at me as I hold her, body flush on mine as she peers at me. Blinking back tears, feel them splash against my cheeks as she sniffs.

"....is it stolen?"

"No!"

------------

It's quiet and the laughter and tears have been lulled to a calm, her body still lying on mine, head settled against my shoulder as she presses a kiss to my jaw. Time has fallen away beyond the carpet, beyond where the two of us lie, her weight sprawled over mine, my hand curled around her to hug her close, nose burrowed in her hair.

Her hand is entangled with mine, the delicate ring encircling her finger.

"Then yes."

And I feel her smile against my skin.

-----------

And the painting hangs, pride of place, in our bed chamber.

(AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I FEEL SO SAD NOW. THE OFFICIAL FINAL CHAPTER OF PICKPOCKETING YOU!! AHHHHH I'M GOING TO MISS MY LOVELY VANDIT AND WRITING THIS STORY!! BUT THE STORY ISN'T COMPLETE BECAUSE IT WILL HAVE AN EPILOGUE- NOT SURE IF IT'LL BE ONE LONG CHAPTER OR TWO BUT IT'S NOT OVER OVER YET!! Midiiplier THIS STORY WAS AND IS FOR YOU AND I HOPE I DID VANDIT EVERY BIT OF JUSTICE HE DESERVES, I HOPE YOU'LL ALWAYS LOVE AND CHERISH THIS STORY AND IT'S ONE I ADORED WRITING! AHHHH I FEEL SAD T___T AN END OF AN ERA FEEL TO THIS! THIS WAS ORIGINALLY MEANT TO BE A ONE-SHOT FOR SIREN'S SONG SO THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH BANDIT TAE AND HIS LOVELY JEWEL THROUGH THEIR STORY! ENJOY~)

HAPPY COMEBACK!!! HAPPY FESTA!!!

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3