Hoseok
*Three days later*
I stood by the door as I watched her train with her brother. They were both covered in sweat, their clothes soaking. They seemed out of breath but neither one of them was relenting.
The two of them were going at rather intensely, neither of them giving each other a time to regroup. Yeonjun had definitely improved in his fighting during these last few months, ever since he started training with his sister.
I heard footsteps and I turned to look at Jungkook who was looking at them, almost with a certain awe.
‘Wow, they’re really going at it, aren’t they?’ Jungkook asked as he stood next to me, arms across his chest.
‘You could say that again,’ I said with a chuckle. ‘They’ve been going at it for a good hour or so,’ I said as I took a quick glance at my phone. ‘I was just thinking how much Yeonjun improved,’ I said and Jungkook nodded.
‘For sure. Last time I was having a friendly one to one with him in the ring. The kid gave quite a number of good punches and his technique and stances have definitely gotten better,’ Jungkook said.
‘Well, let’s be honest, he is learning from the best,’ I said with a slight, proud chuckle to which Jungkook nodded.
‘That’s true. It’s hard to believe that only three days ago she was the girl who,’ Jungkook paused as he gulped. I realized why he stopped. He did not want to upset me with his words but I just smiled.
‘The girl who died and came back,’ I said with a small smile. A smile that hid the pain and fear that I felt every time I thought about it. ‘That day still scares me but I remind myself she’s safe,’ I said as I followed her with my eyes as she moved with such agility. ‘She’s always been so strong, physically, emotionally and mentally,’ I said.
‘Yeah definitely. I’m glad you two are together now,’ he said with a genuine smile. I could not help but smile along with him. Hearing other people saying it out loud brought a sense of happiness with it. It felt right.
‘I am happy too Jungkook. I cannot express how happy I am to be able to call her my girl,’ I said proudly.
‘I was wondering how long it was going to take you. Everybody knew there was something going on, we just didn’t know what exactly,’ he said, chuckling. ‘You two were pretty discreet about your little friends with benefits adventure,’ he said.
‘It started out as a drunken mistake. We even argued, well I had said some horrible things to her,’ I said frowning.
‘Not surprising,’ he said. I rolled my eyes as I playfully elbowed him in the stomach. ‘What? I’m not lying. You used to be at each other’s throat all the time,’ he said and I nodded.
‘That’s true. In a way, sleeping together did change things. We worked out our difference and then… things happened,’ I said, suddenly feeling somewhat shy.
‘Ahh hyung look at you getting all embarrassed. I’m just glad you’re finally letting yourself love and be loved,’ he said.
‘We were both a bit foolish, trying to pretend our feelings for one another didn’t exist because of fear,’ I said and he nodded.
‘It’s easy to be afraid in our world hyung,’ Jungkook said and I found myself nodding.
‘Now I’m just scared to lose her. I know she needs to face Vindictae, otherwise she’ll be a haunted animal all her life. I can’t put her through that but it terrifies me,’ I said as I saw his smile falter a little bit.
‘Yeah me too,’ he said. ‘I know she’s a good fighter but Vindictae, she’s so cruel,’ Jungkook said with a shiver.
‘You can say that again. I never saw anyone take such enjoyment in killing someone else,’ I said as I remembered how Vindictae killed Jennie without any remorse.
‘I kind of feel bad for Jennie,’ Jungkook said as I turned to look at him. ‘She was so blind in her obsession with you that she allowed herself to trust that witch, even if she knew she was trouble and could not be trusted,’ Jungkook said, shaking his head.
‘It’s a horrible feeling to feel unloved and invisible,’ I said in agreement. ‘Still, I could never justify what she did. Her reckless actions put Logan’s life at risk and almost cost Hanuel her life,’ I said.
‘And puts yours at risk too,’ Jungkook reminded me. ‘I guess all I’m saying is that I’m no saint but some people are real monsters. They manipulate people, use them, abuse their vulnerability and then toss them away,’ he said.
‘Definitely,’ I said just as I saw Hanuel twist Yeonjun’s arm and throwing him down to the ground with a loud thud. She spun around and then had her knee on his chest and her sword against his neck.
‘You have to be careful Jun. You can’t let yourself be open like that,’ she said as she got off of him and helped him. Jungkook and I both approached as Jungkook handed them a bottle of water.
‘That was a pretty intense one babe,’ I said and she nodded as she gulped it down. ‘Shouldn’t you take a break or something?’ I asked.
‘Nope. In fact I was going to ask if you’re willing to come into the ring with me,’ she said with a wink which caused me to laugh.
‘Oh really?’ I asked as I got into the ring myself. She laughed as I reached her for a peck.
‘Really,’ she mumbled as she gave me a kiss and then…before I could even stop her, she had grabbed my arm, twisted it and sent me on the mat. Her knee was on my chest as she stayed on top of me. ‘Never get distracted,’ she said with a wink.
I laughed as I grabbed her and turned us around. I knew it was only because she let me. ‘I only get distracted if it’s you,’ I said as I lowered down to kiss her. I heard some groans and footsteps and then a door closing.
We broke the kiss as we both looked up and laughed. ‘Seems like they didn’t want to stay,’ she said with a giggle.
‘All the better,’ I said as I pressed her down further into the mat. ‘I got you all to myself,’ I said as my hands went to her wrist. I held her down while I lowered to suck at her neck.
She arched slightly backwards, giving me more access. I kissed her beautiful, tender skin before I pulled back. She laughed before she turned us around again, slamming me hard on the mat.
‘We train not have sex here,’ she said as she got up and offered me her hand.
‘We could do both,’ I said as I took her hand and allowed her to help me up. She laughed and shook her head before she suddenly went to kick me. ‘Yah!’ I yelled as I managed to block her kick.
She just laughed and moved backwards, giving me time to recuperate before she would really start kicking my butt.
Hanuel
‘So we meet again little Umbra,’ Domina Adamantem said, rather cockily, as we both stood on the roof of the mansion. Hoseok and Namjoon were also there as were some other Scarlets.
‘Yes, we do,’ I said as we hugged. ‘The last time we met was when you killed Mr. Chan for trafficking people,’ I said and she nodded.
‘Yep, pretty much. So, is it true? Did Vindictae try to kill you and failed?’ she asked, getting somewhat excited. She looked me from head to toe, almost to check for any wounds but I just laugh.
‘I’m standing here, aren’t I?’ I asked and she nodded. ‘But yes, she tried to hurt my family,’ I said.
‘Well, we can’t have that, can we?’ Domina Adamantem said, tilting her head to the side. ‘What’s your plan? How do you want to go about this?’ she asked.
‘Traditional,’ I said while she raised her eyebrow at me. ‘Yes, I know I could have the advantage but I am not like her and I refuse to be,’ I said.
‘Hey I didn’t say anything. I actually admire you and you know that would gain you the respect of all the Scarlets. So, why do you need us?’ she asked.
‘Well, I do need someone knows the Scarlet way to train and… even if Bangtan walks with me in there, I need to show I have some Scarletian support,’ I said.
‘Well, like we told you last time, we were waiting for your call,’ Domina Adamantem said. ‘We’ve always known that you were in line and we have been waiting for you to ascend. We will follow you Umbra,’ she said and I nodded as we both shook hands.
‘We’ll talk then,’ I said as she gave a slight nod and a smirk. The girls exchanged looks before they took off in a run. They jumped off the roof, landing on the other roofs.
I watched as they moved silently, between the shadows until I could not longer see them. I could not help but feel a sense of pride.
‘I will never get used to that,’ Hoseok said as he came from behind me and hugged me. I smiled as I let myself lean back into his hold.
‘What? The jumping off of roofs and disappearing into the night?’ I asked and he nodded. ‘Well, you better get used to it. You’ll be seeing a lot of it,’ I said.
I hear Namjoon chuckle as he came next to me. He looked at me with a look of sincerity. ‘Are you sure about doing this?’ he asked and I sighed.
‘Sure no, but I know I have to do it. I can’t live the rest of my life being afraid of when she will come back for me and I know she will. I can’t always be terrified that she will hurt any of you to hurt me again. I can’t go through that again,’ I said and he nodded.
‘You know you have all of Bangtan’s support,’ he said and I nodded. ‘You never have to face anything alone. We’re here for you,’ he insisted.
‘I know Joon, I know,’ I said. ‘Last time I let fear take over. I was so scared of what she could do that it didn’t let me reason and it made things worse,’ I said just as I felt Hoseok hug me tighter.
I knew it was still sensitive to him. I knew he got nightmares about it. He did talk about it but I knew it was a front. It was just a pretence, a façade that he put on. He wanted everyone to think he was okay but I knew better than that. He was not okay with what happened and he is not okay with what needs to be done.
‘Yeah this time we got to use our brains a little,’ Namjoon said as we nodded. ‘And for that we need rest. We all need some good sleep, hm?’ he asks and once again we nodded.
‘Yeah. We’ll be coming down in a minute,’ Hoseok said, indicating he wanted to say a little more. Namjoon nodded as he left us two there.
‘Shouldn’t we go get some sleep too jagi?’ I asked. I heard him chuckle and went to turn around but he held me in place. ‘What’s so funny?’ I asked.
‘Nothing. I just like the way that sounded, jagi,’ he said as he kissed the back of my head. ‘I just want us to stay a little bit here. I barely saw you all day,’ he said.
‘You saw me at the gym,’ I said, chuckling myself but I hear him scoff.
‘I got my ass kicked,’ he mumbled as he turned me around. ‘I meant us together – you know just me and you where I am able to do this,’ he said as he suddenly crashed his lips against mine.
I smiled as I kissed him back just as passionately. I felt him hold me tightly, as if afraid to let go until we both had no other choice.
‘I love you Hoseok,’ I said as he smiled. He leaned his forehead against mine.
‘I love you too,’ he said as he cupped my face with his hands. ‘Promise me you’re going to be careful when you face that witch. I can’t go through what we went through again. Promise me baby,’ he said.
‘I promise my love. I swear to you, I will end it and I will be in your arms before you know it,’ I said, kissing him again.