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-''Your brother hates me.'' – Jimin said seriously, staring at his wine cup for a whole minute now. V noticing his best friend's calmness, simply moved his head slightly to show his acknowledgment. It's been a few days since the incident, Tae and Jimin didn't speak and V just waited to see how long Jimin will keep his silence. Apparently not anymore.

-''Why is he hates me so?'' – Jimin asked, raising his eyes to look at the man sitting next to him. V sighed deeply and spoke quietly, his deep voice sounded dark. – ''Tae doesn't hate you Jiminie. He just...''

-''Hates me!'' – Jimin said and slapped his hand on the table, making the plates and cups clatter.

-''Jimin.'' – V warned, but his friend simply emptied his wine and reached to fill his cup again. – ''He hates me V...every single time I come closer to him, he pushes me away. I know I can be a bit hard sometimes, but even when I'm on my best behavior, he pushes me away. Why V, why? What is that I do that makes him wrinkle his nose in disgust and roll his eyes?

-''It's nothing Jimin, Tae is just like that...he likes who he likes and don't care for anything else. He picked that up from Jin Hyung. It's an annoying habit of theirs. Just ignore him and he'll get around.'' – V said, knowing that his brother would welcome the break from his best friend's company more than it will change his mind towards the other man. V didn't know why Tae disliked Jimin that much, Tae has never told him and V never really cared enough to ask. But Jimin cared. Jimin cared very much so. V knew it was more the fact that Tae ignored and refused him, than anything else, because in the whole truth, Jimin hates is being ignored.

-''And I like him, I really do V...I really do. He is just like you, but more... softer, more...prettier... no offense mate... I would definitively bang your ass, but his...damn...I want to make love to his booty, softly and tenderly, you know.''

-''Jimin you would wreck his ass like you usually do to the others...''

Jimin pouted his lips slightly in a though. – ''That's maybe true...but not at first. He will have to beg me first. I would be a real gentleman.''

V snorted. – ''That would never happen.''

-''See...even you think so... he hates me.''

-''Jiminah.'' – V sighed exasperatedly. – ''If you stop trying to hump his ass every single time when you see him maybe he would be more polite to you.''

-''Not hump Tae's booty!? Are you mental? How can I not? It's perfect!''

-''I thought you said that Yoongi had the most perfect butt.''

-''Ah Yoongi...'' – Jimin said dreamily. – ''He did have a perfect ass. The way it pulsated around my cock...oh fuck I have to have him again. V I do...''

-''Make up your mind Jiminie...is it my twin you want or Hyung?''

-''Can't I have both?'' – Jimin asked hopefully, smirking.

-''Only one Jiminie, but as it seems you will have neither.''

-''Oh what a poor sport you are V when you sound all reasonable. You are everything but that.''

V smiled slightly, his eyes still looking at the opposite side at one smiling figure across the tavern, who was currently playing his guitar and sang some teasing song, filled with dark humor and filthy words. His fiery red hair and heart-shaped lips spilled such filth with a smile and teasing gleam in his eyes. The man was naughty as much as he was charming. V couldn't take his eyes off him. The redhead finished his song with a grandiose high note, remotely reminding V of a female moan before the played the last of the notes on his strings. The men in the room roared with joy and women hide their red cheeks in amusement and slight embarrassment. The redhead bowed several times.

-''Thank you, thank you. I'm Hope.'' – He bowed to the ladies, honey-sweet voice dripped as he spoke to them suggestively. – ''I'm your Hope, your Angel. My ladies.''- He winked at them and they giggled. One of them crane her neck and exposed more of her cleavage in a very tight dress. Hope bit his lip and smiled, his eyes promising a night of fun. V smirked at that. He was so focused on the minstrel that he missed half of the things Jimin spoke. A sharp jab of Jimin's elbow jerked him back.

-''Are you even listening to me?'' – Jimin asked annoyed.

-''No.'' – V said honestly. – ''You were whining, I lost interest after a while.'' – He added savagely and Jimin gasped. – ''You asshole! I wasn't whining!! I don't whine! And I was saying that I might enter a dueling match, but fuck if you care.''

-''Is that supposed to be something new? You always enter dueling matches.'' – V shifted his eyes to meet his friend's glare.

-''Yes I do...'' – Jimin said seriously. – ''But never against 'The Virgin Knight'.''

V raised his eyebrows at that and Jimin added. – ''Who is, by the way, a friend of the one person that managed to occupy your entire attention this evening and made you forget your best friend, me...so I thought you might be interested to know.''

-''Why would I be interested to know that information?'' – V asked with calmness, but it wasn't enough to fool Jimin.

-''Oh, don't you bullshitting me V. I know you love to watch that minstrel singing his naughty verses and smile cheekily at every man and woman here.''

-''You know nothing Jiminie. It's not true.'' – V said, raising his cup to his lips when he felt Jimin's hand on his arm. – ''Come now V, you know you can't lie to me, I know you too well.'' – V wanted to laugh. There was so much that Jimin didn't know about. Especially about himself and his twin and who they really are and where they belong. It was better that way. That way V could make sure that Jimin is protected, that he is safe.

The world was a dangerous place and being around V and his twin was a dangerous game itself. It was fourteen years since Seokjin brought them to Bangtan, awaiting his mission. He insisted on bringing the twins with him, which was barely allowed, but Jin wouldn't have it any other way. For years Jin waited for his target to move. For years he managed to keep the twins safe, allowing them to take only small missions around the home and giving them the chance to have somewhat life here in Bangtan. V would never have met Jimin otherwise, and Tae would never come across Yoongi, who, even though the older man denied it, became his friend.

Being an assassin is a seriously difficult life. You are bound by the creed and brotherhood, but being more than assassins, V and Tae also had some mystery to them, which made them desirable to others. Not only for their beauty but their skills as well, the twins were a high commodity. They were memorable and noticeable, which proved difficult when trying to hide their true identity. But through Seokjin's careful guidance and skill in disguise, they managed to live quietly or at least tried to live quietly for a while. And even though V trusted Jimin very much, he still didn't tell him who he really is.

Yoongi knew only that they are in some tricky business, being in contact with Seokjin first, who ordered potions, bombs, sleeping drafts, and medicine on a daily basis, but as he was the person who never asked too many questions, he was the only person who could remotely guess the truth.

Now with Seokjin being away for almost a year, V grew restless. He wanted to go on the mission or have some change. Being at the same place and having a home was nice, but he needed to feel the wind in his face and a tinge of adrenaline in his veins. Tae, on the other hand, was different. He was quite content staying on one place and visiting other places as long as he can come back ''home'' as he said. V knew though that Tae would go wherever V goes because the idea of them being separated was unbearable.

V took another sip of his wine, eyes lost in the crowd, not really watching them, but more looking through them, when sudden movement on his left jerked him back from his thoughts as Jimin leaned forward suddenly, eyes round and attentive as he followed a new person that just came in. V's eyes shifted on Jimin's target and he saw a tall, broad young man, with raven hair and strong jaw. His big doe eyes scanned the room, coming across V's, only to shift to Jimin's and grew harder.

-''It's him.'' – Jimin said quietly and V watched as the young man started walking towards them. Jimin's body tensed in anticipation, eyes glued to the newcomer's face. The young knight approached their table and tossed the parchment and a dagger on the surface in front of them, among cups and plates. His voice was pleasant and manly when he spoke to Jimin.

-''Are you the fool that left me a dueling challenge nailed on my door?'' – V raised his eyebrows at that and look at Jimin, whose nostrils flared in a flash of annoyance.

-''That's how we do things here pup, you better learn fast.'' – Jimin said, voice seemingly fine and dangerously low, which was nothing new to V, who has seen his friend getting angry or irritated on others before, but to others, it was a plane warning not to mess with him. The young man, however, was unimpressed.

-''Well then, you should explain to my landlord that and stop him for charging me the extra coin for the damage that you caused on the wood...if that's how you do things here. In my country, we are more gentlemen's like.''

-''Are you saying that I'm not a gentleman?'' – Jimin glared at the young man. The knight blinked and then nodded. – ''Yes I do say that.''

-Why you little...'' – Jimin starting to rise on his feet, when V's hands caught him and he stopped in the middle of standing up. He composed himself quickly, taking a large breath before continuing more calmly, slowly sinking back on his chair again. – ''I don't know the customs in your country, but this is how the real man doing things around here. We tend not to be so....innocent and pure...'' – Jimin made a deliberate pause to make a point on those two words, before continuing. – ''Here, the real men know the real pleasures. There is nothing better than to have a drink and a fuck after a good fight or swordplay, but you wouldn't know anything about that, won't you Virgin Knight?''

The knight's eyes grew darker and he tensed his jaw tightly. – ''Real man doesn't have to say that he is 'the real man', he just is, but listening to you I kept wondering do you even feel like a man at all, or simply as a little boy who wants to grow up so fast.

Jimin growled and jumped from his chair, pulling his sword at the Knight, but the younger man moved so fast that he blocked Jimin's blade in a blink of an eye. The promising duel, however, was stopped by V and another person.

-''Gentlemen, gentlemen, not in front of the ladies.'' – A sinfully sweet voice filled V's ears and he wished he could see the man who spoke them, nearly losing the grip on tossing Jimin when he tried.

-''Jimin-ah enough!'' – V spoke annoyed.

-''V let go of me, that pup needs a lesson!'' – Jimin screamed and lunged again. V held him in a tight grip, so the scene was quite ridiculous.

-''I have a name, it's Jungkook!'' – The Knight spoke through gritted teeth.

-''I don't give a shit what your name is you...'' – Jimin yelled again but was interrupted by the sweet voice. -''Well that's not a nice thing to say.'' – And V could finally see the man, as he came to stand in front of tossing Jimin. It was Hope, the minstrel and Jungkook's friend. He was so beautiful, V thought. His skin had a certain glow, and his smile was wide and honest. His eyes, however, twinkled mischievously as he stood between his friend and Jimin, which gave Jimin a pause. However, Hope continued speaking.

-''My young friend is not so good with words as well as he is with his sword...no puns intended.'' – He smiled widely and V wanted to laugh but kept his expression checked.

-''You see, we travel across the world, going from one place or another. We meet new people, learn new customs and have fun. What my friend tried to say is that he didn't encounter your custom as of now and was somewhat taken aback, but please forgive him, since he is surely learning.''

-''Hyung...'' – The latter said, slightly annoyed and relieved at the same time at his friend's interruption. Hope looked at Jungkook.

-''Now there Kook, we are not here to cause trouble of any kind. Your achievements and famous swordplay travel far and if I heard correctly, you just might be outmatched by Master Jimin here, who is also famous swordsmen.'' – He turned his head to look at Jimin again. – ''First sword of Bangtan if I'm not mistaken?'' – He blinked charmingly few times and V felt Jimin relaxed, bringing his old flirty self as his ego was expertly stroked by Hope's carefully chosen words.

-''You are not mistaken.'' – He said and tapped V's hand to let him go. Recognizing the calm demeanor in his friend, V removed his hands and went to stand a bit at the side, still not trusting the Knight.

-''It's all well... no damage.'' – Jimin spoke calmly, smiling at minstrel, but his eyes glared as they run across the Knight. – ''But some rules must be followed. You are, young Knight, challenged to a duel, by me. I expect you tomorrow morning at eight in the alley near the river bridge.''

-''No.'' – Jungkook answered.

Jimin's eyebrows raised up high. - ''What did you just said?''

-''I said no, the time doesn't suit me. I'm obliged elsewhere.''

-''Reschedule it.'' – Jimin hissed.

-''No, that's more important than you surely. If you are so insistent to get your ass beaten by me, then chose another time and by that, I mean the day after tomorrow.''

Jimin was fuming, V sensed the danger and came closer, as well as the minstrel, who spoke hurriedly.

-''Now, now Kook, you have to be more lenient. Is there no way you could rearrange your meeting tomorrow for some other day?''

Jungkook looked at him. – ''No I don't want to.''

-''Hmmm maybe our young friend here simply wants one day with his ladylove before he clashes his sword with you Jiminie. He might not live the day, give him a chance at least to lose his virginity.'' – The entire tavern laughed at V's words, as everyone stopped what they were doing to look at the spectacle. Jungkook nostrils flared and he was just about to say something when Hope step in front of V, very closely. He still has a smile on his face, but his eyes were dangerous.

-''Now aren't you a clever one, hmmm? Well, we shall certainly see who will....kill who at the end.'' – Hope's words spoke ''kill'' but his eyes meant ''fuck'' and V smiled wickedly.

-''Oh kill, fuck, what's the difference?'' – V said quietly so only four of them could hear and Hope's smile grew wider. He bit his lip and tilt his head. – ''We should see that in two days now, won't we?'' Jimin and Kook watched this weird exchange of words silently until Hope turned to face Jungkook. – ''Kook you have a duel in two days, I suggest you prepare yourself accordingly.'' – Jungkook huffed at that and murmured that he does not need to prepare for anything, before turning and leaving the room. Jimin took his cup, emptying it, still glaring before he left as well... and only V and Hope stayed facing each other closely. Seeing that nothing more interesting would happen, the rest of the crowd returned to their own entertainment.

-''You know I have met your twin, he is quite a candy, but I must say, you are breathtaking. V I presume?'' – Hope said seductively and the corner of V's mouth curled upright.

-''Now I think the real thing you are trying to find out is can we or can we not fuck now or do we have to wait for two days and see if our hotheaded friends will hurt each other sufficiently enough so that we would be forced to hate each other out of loyalty and then have really angry sex afterward.''

Hope laughed delightfully. – ''Oh you are spot on, although I must say the other suggestion sounds just as hot as the first one. Alas, I do have other arrangement tonight. The Duchess of Harley asked for a very special lullaby tonight, she will be returning to her husband soon, so I can't break my promise, especially when she is paying for it so gallantly.''

-''Oh but of course not, the ladies come first.'' – V said, enjoying himself immensely.

-''You could come and watch. I've heard that the Duchess loves an audience.'' – Hope asked, his voice seductively low as he stripped V with his eyes.

-''I've seen that play before. Once is enough.'' – V answered and Hope smiled widely.

-''Not with me in the main act you didn't. Besides wouldn't you want to see what awaits you?''

V curled one of his hand around minstrel's waist and drew him closer, burying his nose in Hope's neck, inhaling his smell all up to his ears. – ''I would rather be surprised when that moment comes.'' – He could feel Hope's hand on his nape, pressing V's mouth on his skin. – ''Call me V.'' – V murmured kissing the exposed skin right under the man's ear. Hope hummed contently and reach down to feel V over his trousers. Satisfied with what he felt under his hand he spoke. – ''Only if you call me Hoseok in bed.''

V smirked and grazed his teeth on Hoseok's neck. – ''Hoseok? I like that.'' – He kissed Hoseok's jaw before pulling away to look at the man's eyes. He nearly moaned by the amount of lust and hunger in them. Hoseok's face changed and he was ready to attack V on this very table and fuck him senseless, or be fuck by him, Hoseok really didn't care unless is some kind of fucking was involved, but he remembered where he was and that the Duchess awaits and he almost groaned. Removing his hands from V and stepping away slightly.

-''Are you sure you don't want to watch?'' – He asked, but V just smiled and nodded.

-''Very well then... until we meet again.'' – Hoseok turned and left V, swaying his hips deliberately as he felt V's eyes on his ass all the way.

V took a deep breath and shook his head. He was excited, which didn't happen for a while now.