Hanuel
I went to my new chambers, my knees and legs feeling wobbly and weak. I put my sword on the desk and went to turn around but felt dizzy. I almost stumbled but I felt arms holding me up. I turned to see Hoseok there.
‘Whoa easy,’ he said gently. I smiled as I hugged him. He tightened his embrace and I felt him almost let go of the tension in his body.
‘Hi baby,’ I said, relishing his touch Somehow, his touch feels almost as if it is healing.
‘Are you okay?’ he asked as he pulled away from the hug. I nodded but he didn’t look convinced. ‘You’re exhausted, aren’t you?’ he asked.
‘I couldn’t let them see me weak,’ I said and he huffed as he led me to the bed. He kneeled down in front of me as he touched my face. There was a look of adoration in his eyes.
‘I don’t think after today anyone will think of you as weak,’ he said with a sad smile. I grabbed his hands tightly in mine as I squeezed them.
‘Do you…’ I paused, unable to get the words out. ‘Do you think of me differently after what you saw?’ I asked and he chuckled slightly.
‘Yes, but not in the way you may be thinking,’ he said, confusing me. I tilted my head to the side as I let him explain. ‘I always knew you were an incredible fighter Hanuel. I knew you were strong and fearless but today I saw a goddess in you. All I know is I would follow you anywhere,’ he said.
I let out a sigh of relief as I touched his cheek. ‘I was worried that you’d see part of my nature and…’ I said but he quickly shut me up by pressing his lips against mine.
‘Don’t’ he mumbled into the kiss. I smiled as I kissed him back but as I went to move forward, I felt my side hurting. I could not help but wince as I stopped kissing him and pulled back. My hand went to my side and his eyes followed it.
‘I’m okay Hobi. It’s just a small wound,’ I said but he shook his head as he looked around.
‘I still don’t like it Hanuel. I don’t like seeing a single scratch on you. Is there anything I can disinfect it with or wrap it?’ he asked.
‘There should be a first aid box in the drawer,’ I said. He nodded as he went to the drawer and pulled out the blue box as he came and sat next to me.
‘You might have been like a goddess but you still gave me a couple of scares jagiya,’ he said as I sighed. ‘Take off your corset,’ he instructed.
I nodded as I began to take the corset off. Every little movement hurt but I tried not to show it. I heard him frown and I looked at him. ‘What?’ I asked.
‘You can show your hurt and pain in front of me jagiya. You don’t need to hide it,’ he said and I nodded.
‘Sorry. I’m really used to doing that,’ I said as I let him help me remove it. His eyes darkened for a moment before they softened again.
‘Lay down. They might have washed you but didn’t really take care of these cuts,’ he said with another frown.
‘The cleansing isn’t about that,’ I said as I laid down.
‘I know, one of the Scarlets told us. She explained how it’s about kind of washing off the past,’ he said as he poured disinfectant on a piece of cotton wool.
‘I know it might seem strange and weird to you but,’ I said but he shook his head.
‘No, it’s fine jagi. I understand that it is tradition. If anything I was mesmerized and intrigued by it’ he said. I nodded and smiled as I thought about how I seriously got super lucky with him. ‘This will hurt,’ he said as I nodded once more.
He placed the cotton bud on the cut on my side. It burned and I gripped the sheet but didn’t say anything. He paused for a moment to look at me but I just shrugged it off.
‘Keep going. I’m fine,’ I insisted. He grumbled something, making me chuckle as he got back to patching me up.
By the end, I had a bandage on my side, my arm and my thigh. I half resembled a mummy which made me laugh out loud.
‘What’s funny?’ he asked with an amused grin. I lift my arm and leg.
‘I look like a mummy from those Egyptian pyramids,’ I said laughing. He cracked a smile before he climbed onto the bed.
‘I never knew mummies could be so damned sexy,’ he said, one eyebrow raised, as he laid on top of me, resting on his elbows so as not to crush me with his weight.
I giggled as he leaned down and started kissing me all over my face. He kissed at my jaw, cheeks and nose before he finally kissed my nose. He looked me and then crashed his lips against mine.
We pulled away and then I turned us around so that I was on top of him. ‘Hmm if you get to call me sexy, I’ll be happy to wrap myself in bandages,’ I said but he frowned.
‘Nope, I’d rather see your skin,’ he said and I chuckled as I kissed his lips once more. I laid down so I could rest my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
‘I never realised how calming this is,’ I mumbled as he ran his hand up and down my back.
‘It’s soothing,’ he said as I nodded. ‘Baby,’ he hummed as I turned my head to look at him. I could see the pensive look on his face, as if he has been thinking about something for some time.
‘Tell me jagi,’ I said as I stroked his face. ‘I’m all ears. You know you can share your worries me. After all, you’re the one who thought me it’s better to share,’ I said and he smiled.
‘Yeah,’ he said before he sighed. ‘I guess I’ve just been thinking a lot about what is coming next,’ he said.
‘What do you mean?’ I asked, even though I had an idea what might be worrying him. ‘Are you worried about me being Lady Scarlet and how it effect us?’ I asked.
‘A little. I know you love me and you know I love you too. I will support you in everything you do and I would follow you everywhere. I’m just worried about what it is this new role going to mean for us,’ he admitted.
‘Baby, I might have a new role but I won’t abandon Bangtan. That’s my home and my family,’ I said. I saw him smile and nodded as he hugged me tighter.
‘That it is,’ he said as he kissed at my neck. ‘I love you,’ he mumbled.
‘I love you too,’ I said as I turned to snuggle into his arms.
Namjoon
*A week later*
The boys, Myung, Hanuel and Adamantem are all in the meeting room, discussing everything that has been going. Adamantem has been chosen by Hanuel to be her second in command for the Scarlets so I had asked her to bring her along as well for certain meetings.
‘There definitely has been chatter among the gangs. Some are happy that the Scarlets are changing to no longer being hired assassins but some are worried,’ Adamantem reported.
‘I expected as much,’ I said as I tapped my fingers against the desk. ‘Jackson called to confirm. Even he was feeling a little uncomfortable,’ I said.
‘But why? I don’t get it. She’s working on making things better,’ Jungkook said as he looked at us.
‘Kooks, it’s not exactly a secret that although we will work on being better, the skills we have won’t disappear. A lot will worry that Bangtan has a resource of assassins in their bag,’ Hanuel said, showing she understood.
‘Truth be told, there has been some chatter even between the lower ranks of Bangtan. Some are scared that you can take the Scarlets and run us out of our own territory,’ Taehyung said.
‘That’s ridiculous. Hanuel has put her life on the line for Bangtan over and over again,’ Hoseok said, clearly upset.
‘That won’t change their mind babe. I am who I am. I told you this before. I can make water dance for them and some are still only going to see me as a Scarlet,’ Hanuel said reaching for his hand. He huffed in annoyance.
‘Before, they might have just dealt with it because it was just her. She was a runaway Scarlet, haunted by her own people. Now, she’s ruling over them,’ I said, earning a nod from Adamantem.
‘Misunderstanding generate fear. They fear that she might use this new found power and others fear Bangtan using that power,’ Adamantem said.
‘So what are we going to do? We can’t tell Hanuel to leave,’ Hoseok said, staring straight at me with a determined look.
‘Hoseok we would never do that. You should know better than that,’ Myung said, sounding almost hurt. I reached for her hand and squeezed it.
‘Love he does know but it’s his heart speaking right now, right Hoseok?’ I asked, turning to look at the male who had a slight red tint to his cheeks. He just nodded but did not say anything.
‘What if…’ Adamantem began as all eyes turned to her, waiting for her words.
If I learned anything in this week is that Adamantem is much more than meets the eye. Like Hanuel, she presents herself one way but is another. She is more than a pretty face or someone who loves diamonds a little too much.
‘Well? You were saying?’ Yoongi prompted getting impatient. Adamantem rolled her eyes before she looked at Hanuel and Hoseok and then at me.
‘What about a marriage?’ she proposed. I tilted my head, the idea not sounding completely out of the question. ‘It can be like a contract marriage. Hanuel becomes a member of Bangtan through marriage and Hoseok has a certain say over the Scarlets. It’s been done before in our history,’ Adamantem said.
‘Ad, I cannot ask Hoseok to do something like that,’ Hanuel began but Hoseok shook his head and stood up.
‘I’ll do it if you’re willing to do it,’ Hoseok said quickly as he reached for her hand and forced her to stand up. ‘I love you and I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’d be more than happy and honoured to be able to call myself your husband. So, what do you say?’ Hoseok asks.
‘You…I,’ Hanuel stuttered. She looked rather cute as her cheeks got red and she looked around, for the first time feeling shy. ‘Are you sure Hoseok? I mean you’re going to have to get involved with certain decisions that you might not feel comfortable with and I.. there are things I never told you and…’ she began but Hoseok just pulled her into his arms and kissed her, effectively shutting her up.
‘WOOO!’ I heard some of the boys hoot and some laugh and clap. I looked at Myung who was laughing and I found myself smiling too.
He finally pulled away and smiled at her. ‘I told you. I love you and I don’t care about any of the secrets or anything else. I love you and want to spend my life with you. Will you marry me?’ he asked.
Hanuel seemed to study him before she finally nodded. ‘Yes, yes I’ll marry you,’ she said as Hoseok broke into one of the most happy and genuine smiles I ever saw from him.
‘YES!’ he said as he picked her up and twirled her around. I could hear her giggle as everyone cheered happily. ‘Soon I’ll get to call you Mrs. Jung,’ he said as he put her down and kissed her.
Within a few minutes, everyone was hugging and congratulating them. This might be a contract wedding, but we all knew it was based on love. I approached Hoseok and patted his shoulder.
‘Congratulations Hoseok. I am truly happy for you,’ I said as he nodded and hugged me.
‘I am really happy too Namjoon. Besides the day my son was born, this is the other happiest day of my life,’ he said and I nodded.
He pulled away and I looked at Hanuel who was smiling so happily. I smiled at her as I pulled her into a hug. ‘Congratulations Cherry. You’ll soon be a married woman,’ I said.
‘Something I never imagined happening to me,’ she said laughing as she turned to look at Hoseok who was laughing and joking around with Taehyung, Jungkook and Jimin. ‘I am really lucky, aren’t I?’ she said.
‘Yeah but he’s also lucky Hanuel. Don’t sell yourself short. He’s lucky to have you. You brought him happiness that I have not seen in him in years,’ I said.
‘He brought me peace, something I had not had in years,’ she said with a happy sigh. ‘I never thought I’d get to experience love and now that I have,’ she paused as she continued to look.
‘Now that you have, you don’t ever want to let go,’ I finished for her. She laughed and nodded as I smiled at her. ‘Power, money, status, fame, they’re all nice but nothing is as precious as love,’ I said.
‘I do have to agree with that,’ she said.