Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The sea village of Dongjang was barely a dot on the map with not even a thousand inhabitants, most of whom were long past middle-aged. They lived in clusters of simple homes, the walls made of stone and mud with thatched roofs.

Min Yoongi lived with his grandmother until she passed away in her sleep two winters ago, which had been particularly harsh. He was completely on his own now, no other family he knew of, and took on jobs around the village in exchange for food to put on the table. He wasn't picky. Whether it was stoking coals for the blacksmith or milling grain into flour, he did it all. The villagers pitied him, he knew, a young man with no future, but he didn't dwell on it. It wouldn't change anything.

Worries of a poor harvest this season started around when the days began to grow shorter and Yoongi had to start wearing layers when the sun went down. The soil hadn't felt right after the winter and there had been no rain this year. It wouldn't be enough to feed the village for an entire winter.

Yoongi had stopped into the teahouse for a meal after spending all day helping one household clean their chicken coop. He'd left with a half dozen eggs, which if he rationed carefully enough would last him through half a fortnight. The teahouse owner was an auntie who, when she could, snuck Yoongi an extra bowl of soup when she could spare it.

Behind him, two villagers who each owned pieces of land were talking in hushed tones and Yoongi caught only bits and pieces, something about a ritual to bring rain. They weren't common, Yoongi knew, used only a couple times in the past and not since he was a very small child. His grandmother had actually performed them, collecting offerings and staying out all night to appease the gods.

Yoongi hoped no one would ask him to take on the task. His grandmother hadn't passed on the ability so he would be no help.

There was a couple hours of good sunlight left. Yoongi paid for his meal and agreed to come by the next day to help in the kitchen. He strolled through the village in case someone else might be in need of a helping hand, but no one called out to him, so he headed toward the docks to watch the fisherman out in the distance. Usually they would give Yoongi his pick of the catch. It had been a while since he'd eaten anything but porridge.

The breeze was nice under the sweltering summer sun. Yoongi found a piece of shade under some trees and laid down for a nap. His stomach was protesting from hunger again already, but there was nothing on him to eat. He ignored it and closed his eyes. The sooner he fell asleep, the sooner he'd forget about it.

Yoongi had almost slipped under when the rustle of footsteps came from nearby. He twisted his head up to look, but never saw who it was. A piece of cloth was thrown over his face and a hand pressed down painfully over his nose and mouth, cutting off his airflow. A second person held down his body as he tried to scream and struggled.

Fear flooded his body and tears filled his eyes as his lungs burned. His struggling gradually became sluggish and his body jerked with one last desperate attempt for air before finally going still.

+

It was dark when Yoongi came to.

His head ached like it'd been split open and his vision was blurred with spots as he tried to get his bearings. He was on the ground and realized belatedly his ankles and wrists were tied. Around him stood ten or so villagers who were arguing over who was going to do something. They broke apart when Yoongi groaned quietly and tried to sit up, but one of them kicked him back down.

"Why are you doing this?" said Yoongi, voice barely coming through. "What do you want?"

"The gods aren't happy and we have no maidens. You'll have to do. We need the rain."

Yoongi quickly figured out what he meant. There were some rituals which required human sacrifice and a virgin maiden usually was most potent. Yoongi's grandmother never performed those for good reason, but these people did not have the morals she held. He saw now under the moonlight the large rock tied to his feet, but he was too weak to panic. Even if he could escape, he couldn't outrun ten men twice his size.

He would die tonight.

It didn't mean he still didn't try to fight when three of them rolled him toward the edge of the dock where the rowboat sat on the ink black surface of the sea. He yelled and struggled, but it was no use, so he switched to begging, tears streaming down his face, but that was ignored just as easily.

There was nothing to guide their way. Two men got into the boat once he was dumped inside, one to row the other to hold a torch. The fire was no match for the pitch blackness of the night sky which seemed ravenous in its attempt to snuff out any light. Yoongi could barely see his own hands as they rowed out further and further, the boat creaking as it pushed through the sea.

They stopped finally once the village was a barely visible dot on the coast. Yoongi's last attempts to fend the two men off were futile. He was exhausted and knew his fate had been sealed the moment they took him.

"Please, don't," he said, grabbing at their clothes when they picked him up, struggling with his weight and the stone without capsizing the boat. "Please!"

The water seemed infinite and fear not only of death, but of being lost forever in that immensity gripped him. But he was without any more strength and his protests were as if he were battling a mountain.

The shock of the freezing cold water paralyzed him, but it was quickly overtaken by panic when he immediately began sinking. He twisted his body violently, trying to swim back to the top or kick his ankles free from the rope tying him to the rock. But he sank further and further, the pitch black swallowing him greedily, and the sting of water filling his lungs was all he could feel when his eyes fluttered shut and he sent out one last prayer, to not let this be the very last memory he ever had.

+

As a child, Yoongi asked his grandmother once what happened when a person died. It was a dark year, a mysterious illness having spread through the country. Half the village had succumbed to it and his grandmother refused to allow Yoongi outside the house until long after it finally passed.

She had spoken of an afterlife for people who had lived fulfilling their duties. A person should not live seeking a reward after death, she had said, but for those who did live righteously they would not suffer in the afterlife.

Yoongi's young mind had been limitless in its imagination. He pictured palaces grander than even the king's where no one ever went hungry and everyone wore the nicest clothes. There would be no more class system, because there would be no rich or poor. He imagined he and his grandmother living in a modest house just like they did then, but there would be no need to work and his grandmother's cough which grew worse and worse each year would disappear because sickness would no longer exist in the afterlife.

When Yoongi opened his eyes, he thought that was where he was. Marble pillars rose from the ground to hold up a gleaming ceiling, which sparkled with jewels embedded in its intricate carvings. The bed he laid in could easily fit four adults and felt as soft as clouds. The only thing which was odd was the view outside the windows and Yoongi was shocked when a school of fish zipped by, the sunlight glittering off their silver scales.

"You're awake."

Yoongi looked over at the stranger who entered. He was wearing delicate blue robes and his hair was tied back in a high bun. He was about Yoongi's own height, but seemed taller just from the confidence with which he moved about.

"How do you feel? Can you sit up?"

Yoongi tried and cried out at the pain which throbbed through every inch of his body. If he had died, why did it still hurt? Had he not been allowed into the afterlife for those who had lived morally?

The stranger frowned and came closer, rummaging for something in the vanity next to the bed. He pulled out a vial and sat at the edge of the bed, uncorking it as he carefully cradled Yoongi's head. "This will ease the pain," he said, holding the vial up to Yoongi's lips.

Yoongi drank because there was no reason not to. Almost immediately, the sharp pains began to fade and he released a sigh. "Who are you?"

"My name is Jimin."

"Are you dead too?"

"Dead?" said Jimin, a small smile appearing. "In a way, you could say that."

"Are you a spirit?"

Jimin's eyes brightened and he waved his hand for someone else to come in, another young man who carried a tray of food. It was placed on the bed and he helped Yoongi sit up now that it didn't hurt to do so. "Most people don't guess correctly," he said, gesturing to himself and the new person. "Jungkook and I are both spirits."

"Do you guide the dead?"

"You are awfully focused on death."

"Are most not when they come here?"

Jungkook climbed onto the bed. He did not wear robes and his clothing was simple. The food on the tray was simple too, a bowl of rice and soup along with a few mild side dishes. The sight of it had Yoongi's stomach growling and he was confused that he still knew hunger.

"Do you think you are dead?" said Jungkook.

"I do not understand," said Yoongi, looking between them. Jungkook spooned some of the rice to feed him, but Yoongi stopped him. Of course he didn't have any sense of how the afterlife should be, it was not this. "I drowned."

"You almost drowned," said Jimin, aggressive in his second attempt to convince him by pointing out what could not be denied. "We have never received a man before."

"Where am I?" said Yoongi, the sight of the fish and the palace now out of place. He had never seen such a place and he had lived in the village his entire life. "Are you feeding me so you may sell me to the highest bidder?"

"Sell? You are already his. You have been gifted."

"Stop speaking in riddles!"

Jungkook looked worried and sat back, glancing between Yoongi and Jimin. "You should eat and regain your strength," he said, placing the spoon in Yoongi's hand. "There is not that much time. He'll be back soon."

"Who?" said Yoongi.

"Who you were sacrificed to," said Jungkook, seeming confused that he had to explain. "The Dragon King."

The Dragon King was someone Yoongi had heard stories about from his grandmother. He was the one who blessed them with rain and who his grandmother had performed the most rituals for to protect their village and give them a good harvest. Yoongi remembered standing at the cliff and looking out into the tall, crashing waves and listening to his grandmother speak of the Dragon King and the power he possessed. Because his grandmother had never wanted him near the rituals with human sacrifice, he knew nothing of them. He had not expected the sacrifice to work, that he would be a suitable replacement for a virgin maiden.

"Will he kill me?"

Jungkook's face suddenly turned pink and he ducked his head.

"No," said Jimin, smoothing out his robe even though it did not require it. "Your sacrifice will be in other ways."

Yoongi ate and tried to imagine what those other ways could be. Since he had been taken against his will, he said, "What if I do not agree to be sacrificed? You will force me?"

"The Dragon King does not behave in that way."

"So I can leave if I demand it?"

"No."

"Then you are forcing me," said Yoongi and he could see the tightening of Jimin's jaw..

"You may discuss with him once you meet."

Jimin gestured with a sharp tilt of his head and Jungkook scrambled to climb off the bed, following when Jimin left the room. Jungkook gave a small, reassuring smile before closing the double doors behind him and left Yoongi alone with his thoughts.

But Yoongi now had other goals. He climbed out of bed slowly, the pain not as sharp as earlier but still present and explored the room, looking to see if he could figure out an escape.

Up close, Yoongi could see the walls were shining from the pieces of shell embedded within the stone. Outside the window was the sea, Yoongi realized, which seemed impossible and yet he watched another school of fish swim by, so it was the only explanation which was logical. His room did not have any exit except for the main door as the windows could not be opened for good reason.

Yoongi did not care if he was caught as that had already seemed the case. He opened the doors and peered outside where the ceilings were even more ornate and arched even higher above. It was impossible to take his eyes off it, drawn to the large sections where it was glass and he felt the dark vastness of the sea envelop them. Did day and night matter here or did the immensity of the sea shroud everything?

The floor was cold under Yoongi's bare feet. It was empty in the corridors and the silence made it obvious he was truly alone. He had expected guards outside his room and wondered if the absence of them meant escape was futile. He still had to try and picked a direction he thought would lead him to the palace exit.

By some miracle, he did find the main palace doors. They were like towers, gold and silver vines carved into the heavy marble. In another time, Yoongi might have marveled at them, but now he ran up and tried to push them open. They didn't budge. Yoongi looked for a lock or switch but there was none. He pushed again, putting all his strength behind it.

Yoongi tumbled forward when it suddenly opened and he ran straight into something tall and firm. That thing grabbed him back.

"Who are you? Why are you wandering around my palace?" Their voice was smooth and deep and regal. Yoongi stepped away and was met with a sight he refused to believe was real.

The person in front of him — if he could be called a person — was towering, at least a full head taller than Yoongi and had horns spiraling loose from the top of his head. When he shifted, the light caught on his skin which glistened and Yoongi saw patches of blueish-green scales on his neck which disappeared under his robes.

This must be him, Yoongi thought. The Dragon King. His hair was long and not brushed, falling into his eyes. Even so, Yoongi caught his high cheekbones and looked away first when his gaze was held.

"You have not answered."

Yoongi was forced back when the other kept walking and the heavy doors swung closed again. He made a noise of frustration, but the other laughed, almost condescending.

"Were you trying to escape? A frail human like you cannot leave that way."

"Why not?" Yoongi said.

"Your lungs will be crushed this deep under the sea."

"Your Highness!"

Yoongi watched Jimin appear from down the hall. The greeting confirmed what Yoongi suspected though he didn't know why the Dragon King looked so confused.

"Why are you calling me that?" he said when Jimin was closer. "You never call me that."

Jimin rolled his eyes. "I was trying to provide hints, Taehyung. I see you have met our guest."

"Guest?" The Dragon King — Taehyung peered at Yoongi closely. "He is different from the usual."

"Yes, but nonetheless," said Jimin, helping Taehyung take off his outer robe.

Without it, Yoongi could make out more easily Taehyung's broad shoulders and the long lines of his body.

"I was taken without my consent," said Yoongi, feeling there was no loss to bartering with the one in charge. "They forced me to be the sacrifice."

Taehyung's stony expression did not change. "You believe the ones before you were not all the same?" He turned away and waved a hand flippantly in Yoongi's direction, but spoke to Jimin. "Take care of it."

Jimin's expression soured for a moment, so brief Yoongi would have missed it had he not been looking, before he acknowledged with a nod and Taehyung walked off, his strides long and heavy. Yoongi yelled after him, asking what kind of king he was if he allowed innocent people to be kidnapped, but was ignored.

"Come, save your breath," said Jimin, taking Yoongi's arm. His grip was surprisingly strong. "The medicine I gave earlier will wear off soon. You should rest."

Yoongi followed because there was no choice. He could go nowhere else. Jungkook was leaving his room when they arrived, the empty tray in hand. He did not look interested in Yoongi, perhaps having expected as well Yoongi's futile attempt to flee.

"You should forgive Taehyung's brusqueness," said Jimin once Yoongi had returned to bed. Yoongi refused to look at him. "He has not been himself lately. You would like him, if you were to be patient."

Yoongi laughed bitterly and said nothing. The idea that he should be open to being cordial with those who wouldn't even acknowledge the cruelty of his situation was insulting. He didn't care what they eventually did with him, but he would not extend them any kindness.

Jimin did not seem offended. "Sleep," he said, passing his hand over Yoongi's head and suddenly Yoongi's mind was hazy and his eyes heavy. "Let your body recover."

Yoongi wanted to protest, to say he didn't care for Jimin's fake kindness because he was no different from those who stole him and dumped him into the sea to begin with, but he was too drowsy to even speak. A long sleep was the only thing he wanted and it was, at least, an escape for he still did not know what their intentions were with him.

When Yoongi closed his eyes, the image of Taehyung walking away from him, back hunched and tight, appeared. It left Yoongi unsettled and he fell asleep like so, frustrated that he could not help but wonder who the Dragon King was if what Yoongi had witnessed was not real.

+

The days after were uneventful. The bruises on his body gradually started to fade and he could get by without the medicine Jimin would bring to his room each day. Jungkook was the only other person he saw when he brought in Yoongi's meals and he never said much, just asked Yoongi if he needed anything else. Spending all day alone was torturous and Yoongi gave in on the third day, asking if he could at least have some books. Jungkook looked between him and the door a few times and Yoongi was about to take back the request when Jungkook beckoned Yoongi to follow.

They walked for a while through the halls and Yoongi didn't know how he was expected to make it back on his own, but it didn't matter when Jungkook stopped at a set of large double doors and pushed them open to reveal a library three stories tall, the walls filled top to bottom with all the books any person could have desired.

"Is this what you meant?" said Jungkook, to which Yoongi could only nod blankly, stupefied. "Oh, good. Enjoy!"

Just like that, Jungkook left him alone. Yoongi stood in the middle of the floor and stared up, overwhelmed by choice. He did not even know where he wanted to start. At the village, books were a rarity because they were a luxury. Over the years, his grandmother had gathered a modest collection and he himself would always barter with the tradesmen passing through for anything new. Never did he imagine he would have the privilege of having so many books he would die before he was able to read them all.

Yoongi approached the shelf closest to him and his breath caught in his throat when he realized how old and rare some of these books were. There were texts written by some of the most famous historical figures and Yoongi felt scared to even touch them.

It took nearly an hour for him to settle on the first book to read. He stopped himself from taking more even though he desperately wanted to and told himself that nothing in this room was going to disappear.

Yoongi began to spend most of his time in the library. Jungkook brought his meals there and he only left when Jimin came by to remind him how late it was. But he would simply rise early so he could return, curling up in the large armchair in the corner and nibbling on whatever Jungkook brought him while he consumed book after book. It didn't matter what they were about, he simply wanted the knowledge.

It surprised him as the days turned into weeks that no one disturbed him or told him what was off limits. There were even books on mythology, but there was very little about Taehyung in them. There was already very little on sacrifices and rituals, leaving Yoongi clueless about his future.

It was odd, Yoongi thought, that he had been sacrificed for Taehyung, but he hadn't seen him since that first day. By now, everyone knew where Yoongi spent his waking hours. Jungkook and Jimin would ask what he read today and he found himself almost excited to tell them. If things stayed this way, Yoongi wasn't sure he could say he regretted the attempt on his life which led him here. He was fed and no one asked him to perform chores in return. There was company, not quite friendship, but Yoongi slowly allowed himself to wonder if there could be.

One day, Jungkook brought in Yoongi's supper and Yoongi set his book down — one about how the stars in the sky were their own worlds — and asked if Jungkook would like to join him. He was no longer fond of eating alone and said as much.

"You prefer having your meal in the company of others?" said Jungkook, looking surprised. "You didn't say."

"It was not a concern before today."

Immediately Jungkook took back Yoongi's food. "Follow me," he said and left assuming Yoongi would follow.

Their journey through the corridors was long and winding again, but the paintings on the sky high ceilings were becoming familiar.

The smell of food caught Yoongi's attention right before they turned a corner and walked into a room with a dining table long enough to fit at least twenty. Yoongi's mouth watered, but not enough to distract him from the sight of Jimin and Taehyung at the far end, discussing quiet enough that Yoongi could not hear.

They both looked up when Yoongi appeared and Yoongi wasn't sure where he should go. Jungkook took Yoongi's wrist and led him toward them, depositing him in the seat across from Jimin. Taehyung didn't acknowledge his presence.

"Help yourself!" said Jungkook, even as he sat down next to Yoongi and started serving him something from each dish. "How many books have you finished so far?"

"Only two or three a day," said Yoongi, not knowing how to process the situation. He still didn't trust anyone here and it was difficult to reconcile that with the way they treated him. Jungkook and Jimin, at least.

"It's been a while since our library has had someone to make use of it," said Jimin, smiling a little. "It's good you're here. Isn't it, Taehyung?"

Taehyung stood up. "Have you contacted Namjoon-hyung about what we discussed?"

Jimin glanced at Yoongi briefly, the only acknowledgement of how Taehyung had blatantly ignored the question about him. "Yes, he will arrive in two days' time."

"Good," said Taehyung and left without another word.

"Does he treat all the human sacrifices like this?" said Yoongi, carefully picking at his plate to keep the food Jungkook stacked much too high from toppling.

Jimin pressed his lips together. "He really has not been himself lately. We have never seen him this cold. Truthfully speaking, we had been waiting for the next person to come, that it might change his mood. I apologize for how he has been treating you."

"What is he usually like?" said Yoongi.

"Warm and kind," said Jimin, looking at Jungkook who nodded, too busy eating to speak. "The sacrifices, as you say, are treated like royalty. He knows what the villagers do to bring you here and he does his best to replace those memories with something good."

"Perhaps he simply hates me."

Jimin shook his head. "You have done nothing to deserve such behavior from him. Taehyung knows he is unwell. The man who is visiting in two days' time is his older brother, the dragon king who protects the southern seas and Taehyung is hoping he may have answers."

"Do you think the others will come?" said Jungkook.

Jimin smiled. "The others, hm?"

Jungkook flushed. "It isn't fair that you see Namjoon-hyung so often."

"The others?" said Yoongi.

"Yes, the ones who protect the north and west sea. Jungkook has been pining after them for centuries."

"Only a single century!" said Jungkook, stabbing a piece of fish in annoyance.

Yoongi was surprised and somewhat amused to see what the lives of gods and spirits were like. "Are you too distracted by your pining and that is why there is no rain?"

Jungkook looked at Yoongi. "Don't join him in ridiculing me!" But Yoongi only smiled, feeling more than ever that perhaps, if he had to, he could trust these two.

"We are not powerful enough to control such things," said Jimin. "The drought your people suffer from can only be stopped by Taehyung, but what is ailing him is also affecting his abilities."

"If you thought I could be a miracle cure, but I clearly am not, why won't you allow me to leave?"

Jimin sighed. "We cannot simply return you. It would cause too many questions for the villagers who saw you perish in the sea. In the past, Taehyung has altered the memories of those who knew the sacrifice and the sacrifice themselves before allowing them to return, but he cannot do that now. Or perhaps he does not want to."

"So I am stuck here? This will be how I die?"

"We have hope Taehyung's brother will persuade him. Please have patience."

It was not like Yoongi had any other choice. Only one could allow him to leave and he was currently treating Yoongi as if he didn't exist. Yoongi wanted to communicate to Taehyung that if he didn't care for Yoongi, then it only made sense for him to send Yoongi back already. Keeping him here and doing nothing with him helped no one.

Yoongi didn't push further and spent the rest of supper learning about Jimin and Jungkook. He found out that they were human once, but turned into spirits when their ships were caught in rough seas and they did not survive. Jimin was 24 then he died and Jungkook 22.

"I am your hyung then," said Yoongi.

"Our hyung?" said Jimin. "We lived over a hundred years before you were born! It's you who should refer to us with respect."

"You clearly haven't physically aged. It would feel out of sorts."

"That is a terrible argument."

"I don't mind," said Jungkook, his plate already clean when Yoongi had barely touched his food. "I was the youngest on my ship. I am used to calling others hyung."

Jimin rolled his eyes. "You are incredibly unhelpful."

"I died before you, but you make me call you hyung," said Jungkook and Jimin muttered something unintelligible.

"Does everyone who dies on the seas come here?" Yoongi said.

"They all pass through, yes," said Jimin. "But most do not stay like us. The afterlife is nice, I hear, but we don't feel like it's the right place for us yet."

"Because you are trying to seduce the other dragon kings?"

Both Jimin and Jungkook grew red in the face and Yoongi hid a smile with a bite of his food.

No, it wasn't the worst thing to be stuck here at all.

+

Namjoon carried himself the way Yoongi would expect from a dragon king. He was even taller than Taehyung and showed up dressed in a tailored black suit, a staff in hand with a dragon head baring its teeth at the top. His expression was neutral when he entered the palace, but warmed immediately when Jimin greeted him. Jimin bowed first to show respect, but then launched himself at Namjoon and gave him a hug.

Taehyung seemed impatient standing off to the side. Jungkook was next to Yoongi and was visibly deflated at Namjoon being by himself.

"Hyung," said Taehyung finally, his voice echoing off the high ceilings, and Namjoon's head jerked up.

"Yes, right." Namjoon extracted himself carefully from Jimin's grip and approached Taehyung. His voice grew hushed and serious as he and Taehyung immediately turned and headed down the hall toward Taehyung's quarters.

"Cheer up," Jimin said, patting Jungkook on the back. "You know you can simply go visit them."

"It takes forever to get there!"

Yoongi didn't fully understand how this all worked. The other day Jimin spoke of the dead lingering behind and Taehyung being able to wipe memories, but now he listened to Jungkook complain about how slow it was to travel to the other seas. Namjoon himself took two days to arrive. God-like powers didn't grant everything, Yoongi supposed.

Taehyung and Namjoon stayed locked up for most of the day. It wasn't until supper was ready that Taehyung appeared again, looking even worse than before. Yoongi was already seated at the dining table and he watched Taehyung stalk into the room with Namjoon not far behind. Taehyung seemed distracted and spun around, requiring Namjoon to stop short.

"I want the opinion of the others."

Namjoon sighed. "They will say the same as I have."

"You could be wrong."

"I'm not."

"Supper is ready," said Jungkook, walking up to them. "Did you say the other hyungs might come?"

"No," said Namjoon at the same time Taehyung said yes.

"Jimin!" Taehyung marched toward the dining table and sat down. "Send a summons to Seokjin-hyung and Hoseok-hyung."

"Are you sure?" said Jimin, glancing over at Namjoon who sighed quietly and gestured for Jimin to do so. Taehyung's shoulders were drawn up and stiff and Yoongi was so curious what Namjoon had said to him to have him so agitated. Jimin stood up and said, "Of course, I'll go send those now."

Namjoon joined them at the table in the meantime. Taehyung had taken the right hand's chair and so Namjoon took Taehyung's usual spot at the head of the table, making the hierarchy clear.

Yoongi just wanted to eat, but was taken by surprise when Namjoon turned to him to ask all sorts of questions. Who he was, where he had grown up, whether he had a family. As he did, Taehyung seemed to grow more and more annoyed. Eventually Yoongi simply gave one word answers. Even if Taehyung had no history of harming anyone, Yoongi didn't want to make him angry and be the first.

Jimin returned minutes later. "I have notified them this is urgent," he said, sitting down across from Taehyung on Namjoon's other side. "I expect they will only be another two days."

Yoongi wanted to know more, but knew he would certainly end up on Taehyung's bad side if he pried. Namjoon gave up on his interrogation and turned his attention to Jimin instead. For two people who had not confessed to each other, Yoongi thought they must be particularly clueless. It was almost sickening the way they both hung onto each others' words. Next to Yoongi, Jungkook glared at them, but was a lot less sulky than before Jimin said the other two dragon kings would arrive soon.

Yoongi felt like he was intruding on a private affair, but couldn't help but watch Taehyung throughout the meal. He recalled Jimin's words about Taehyung being warm and kind, but really could not see a single hint of it. Taehyung glared into his plate the entire time and rarely responded when spoken to. He barely touched half his food and excused himself abruptly in the middle of the meal, disappearing back to his quarters.

Namjoon's demeanor noticeably shifted after Taehyung left. He sighed as if defeated and sat back in his chair, rubbing his temples. Yoongi surveyed the others to see if anyone would address it, still feeling a bit like an outsider even though he had now been there for nearly three weeks. He caught Namjoon's eye again and the seriousness he saw was off-putting.

"Will Taehyung be all right?" said Jimin, drawing Namjoon's attention away from Yoongi.

"If he accepts what I told him, yes," said Namjoon, sitting back. "As you can see, he is having difficulty."

"Why won't he accept help?" said Jungkook, eyes wide with worry.

Namjoon frowned. "It is not for me to say. You know what he's like."

Again, Namjoon's gaze strayed to Yoongi, all but waving a flag at this point to signal that whatever Taehyung was suffering from required Yoongi's involvement.

Whatever small hope Yoongi had left of escaping this place unharmed, he could feel it slowly slip from his fingers.

+

It was a tense two days. Taehyung didn't come out even once nor did he eat any of the food Jungkook left outside his room. No one seemed that worried about it and Yoongi wondered why it mattered for gods and spirits to eat anyway.

"We can still taste things and it's just something to do," said Jimin when Yoongi brought it up. "It gets boring when you're not alive."

"We actually like when a human is sent here," said Jungkook. "Someone to actually appreciate it."

Yoongi was already growing quite bored himself the longer he stayed here, even with access to a library he didn't think he could get through even if he were immortal. Down here, it was difficult to keep track of the days. He slept when he was tired and woke when he felt like it. He missed the sun, something he didn't think he would ever do.

One day, he wandered into the library and stopped short when he saw Namjoon perusing the shelves. Namjoon had been the only one who entered Taehyung's room the past couple of days, but never said much about Taehyung's condition. Yoongi quietly backtracked, but Namjoon turned his head and looked right at him, a welcoming smile making the corners of his eyes wrinkle.

"Yoongi. I was hoping I would see you here."

Even up in the human world, those words never bode well. For a dragon king to say them felt a hundred times worse.

"Sit," said Namjoon, gesturing to a set of dark green armchairs. He settled into one of them easily, crossing his legs.

Yoongi forced himself to step forward and occupy the other seat, the little food he ate after waking a few hours ago suddenly not sitting well in his stomach.

"Jimin told me about you," said Namjoon, cordial and regal all at once. "You have been here for some time now."

"Yes," said Yoongi. "Though I don't know why I am still here."

Namjoon hummed. "Only Taehyung can release you."

"He doesn't seem to even want me here, so I do not know why he hasn't done that."

"That which...ails him," said Namjoon, and Yoongi didn't know why he was so careful with his words, "hinders some of his abilities."

"That's what Jimin said too."

"I don't believe my brother truly wishes you were gone, however," said Namjoon, his gaze a bit sharper as if specifically looking for Yoongi's reaction.

"How so?" said Yoongi. The bait was obvious, but Yoongi couldn't help it anyway, having been curious for too long.

"He is still in denial and I suspect he will continue to be until Seokjin and Hoseok arrive, but deep down he knows what he needs to do to cure his condition."

"You are insinuating that cure involves me."

"Not specifically you, but because you happen to be the human given to him. It could have been any human."

Because Yoongi had apparently not had enough bad fortune these few years, so of course he would be the one in this situation.

"My brother will not hurt you, even if he is acting insufferable," said Namjoon, his smile just a hint apologetic. "You are under no obligation, of course—"

"But you are essentially going to make me do what you're about to say."

Namjoon's body language changed some and he leaned forward, his eyes less guarded, but more serious. "I can only let Taehyung tell you what he needs, but I can say with certainty he will need you. You truly are under no obligation to help him, but unfortunately it may be your only way home. I am sure Jimin and Jungkook have already made it known, but Taehyung is a good king and he loves this sea and those whose livelihoods rely on it very much. I would like to request that you do your best to look past Taehyung's difficult behavior because the real version of him can still be found. And if you witness it, I hope it will help your decision to assist when the time comes."

Yoongi thought Taehyung would need to show himself to be a saint if he were to consider helping.

"What will happen to him if I say no?"

The weight of Namjoon's gaze changed and the openness he displayed just moments earlier disappeared in the blink of an eye. "If it comes to that, we'll deal with it then."

In the end, the thing which pushed Yoongi to consider helping was the poorly disguised fear he saw in Namjoon's eyes. That someone like Yoongi, a nobody, held the kind of power which could cause that, he knew better than to find out what it meant.

+

The arrival of Seokjin and Hoseok was announced mostly by Jungkook suddenly behaving all out of sorts. Normally he was quite competent and capable, but Yoongi watched him almost trip when he brought out a tray of tea which would have sent the scalding liquid careening. He nearly did anyway when he grabbed the teapot with his bare hand to keep it from sliding off only to snatch it right back, hissing at being burned.

Yoongi didn't know if he should say something and decided to keep quiet when he observed Jimin regard Jungkook with amusement.

"How long has it been since you last saw them?" said Jimin, sitting back somewhat too casually. He snacked on a handful of grapes and laughed when Jungkook barely even reacted to his question, too busy staring off into space caught up in his own thoughts. "You have no room to tease me for my infatuation when you are like this."

Yoongi was amused too. "You were very eager for them to visit just days ago. Where has that gone?"

Jungkook stared at both of them. "But now I have to see them!"

Yoongi laughed. "Isn't that the point?"

"I haven't even requested for nicer robes," said Jungkook, looking down at his outfit which was admittedly suited for someone performing manual labor around a palace, not for preening in front of sea gods. "I look awful."

"They will think you look lovely," said Jimin, stroking Jungkook's hair.

Before Jungkook could protest more, the main doors swung open. Two individuals walked in and their laughter immediately flowed into the room, filling up the large space easily.

"Jungkook!" said one of them, the slightly shorter of the two who seemed to practically glide across the floor. "Our Jungkook."

Jungkook, despite his earlier nerves, had no trouble jumping up and launching himself at them. He hugged both of them at once and held them for a long time until their laughter settled down into warm, grateful smiles. "Hyungs!"

It had only been seconds, but Yoongi felt something good and bright settle in his chest watching them. It was clear Seokjin and Hoseok cared deeply for Jungkook and there really shouldn't be any reason for Jungkook to second-guess any part of himself.

They said hello to Jimin, then introduced themselves to Yoongi who hadn't been expecting it. Yoongi thought Hoseok was the friendliest person he had ever met, both here and with humans. Seokjin was less open with his feelings, but Yoongi could sense how genuine his care for Jungkook was.

"We will have time to catch up later," said Seokjin when Jungkook hugged his torso without any indication he would let go soon. "Where are Taehyung and Namjoon?"

It was Jimin who answered. "In Taehyung's quarters. Namjoon has been trying to speak reason with him all morning."

Seokjin sighed, but Hoseok grabbed his hand and led him down the hall in the direction of Taehyung's room. It had only been a couple of days, but already Yoongi had almost started to forget Taehyung was in charge of this palace given his prolonged isolation. He watched them disappear around the corner and then the sound of a heavy set of doors opening and closing.

"Will he listen?" said Yoongi, looking back at the other two. Jungkook was already beginning to resemble a sad, abandoned bunny. "They will say the same thing as Namjoon, won't they?"

"He will have to," said Jimin, hints of worry lacing his words. "Whatever his concerns are, he will need to overcome them."

"Do you know?" said Yoongi. "What ails him?"

Jimin and Jungkook looked at each other, their answer obvious even if they didn't say anything. "We have served this palace many centuries, but Taehyung is still a mystery at times," said Jimin, easily avoiding the information Yoongi wanted. "He does not like seeking or accepting help, but Namjoon seemed very concerned. He was still appealing to Taehyung last evening and I am sure he hopes the words of Seokjin and Hoseok will finally convince him."

"Of what?"

Jimin's smile was stiff. "We will just have to see."

+

If Taehyung had been upset by Namjoon's words, he was practically livid at Hoseok and Seokjin. Yoongi would be sitting with Jimin in the parlor or helping Jungkook polish the statues in the great hall when he'd hear Taehyung's voice suddenly echo through the palace, angry like a child throwing a tantrum. It was clear Jimin's hopes that Taehyung would see reason were lost.

Yoongi minded his own business. He was still curious, of course, of this dragon king who controlled all the eastern seas but would not accept the help of others. And Namjoon's words still sat heavily in the back of his mind, though carefully tucked away. It did him no good to allow himself to imagine all the possibly terrible ways he might need to sacrifice himself to save a king.

Yoongi was in the library once more. He would have stayed at supper for longer, but felt increasingly like he was intruding between Hoseok and Seokjin doting on Jungkook and whatever it was Namjoon and Jimin were doing. The silence of the library was soothing and he selected a book from his ever growing list of what he wanted to read, and settled into one of the plush chairs.

He had barely made a dent in the pages when the doors swung open and he glanced up to make eye contact with Taehyung, who looked for a moment spooked that Yoongi was there.

Yoongi expected Taehyung to turn heel and leave and he did to an extent. Taehyung faltered in his steps and pretended to be absorbed in something else in the room, making a few aborted attempts to turn around. That he didn't was what made Yoongi speak.

"If you'd like me to leave," said Yoongi, beginning to stand, but Taehyung held out his hand.

"No. I have intruded on you."

Yoongi was surprised at the consideration of those words and sat back again, but his book was mostly forgotten. He watched Taehyung stand there for a few more moments but the silence became unbearable. "Would you like to join me? I have been told you actually make good company when you're not describing to your human sacrifices how they would suffocate and drown if they stepped foot outside these grounds."

That claim must have had some validity. Taehyung's features twisted in what was embarrassment and he refused to meet Yoongi's eyes. He didn't accept Yoongi's invitation, but still didn't leave.

"Your library is very nice. I do not think I would mind being prisoner if it were in this room."

Taehyung looked around the library as if it were the first time he had seen it. His gaze returned to Yoongi and the book in his lap. "That is a personal favorite."

So far, this Taehyung was the complete opposite of the one Yoongi first met and had been seeing around the palace. He ran his hand over the page he left off on. "The author has a way with words. I am enjoying it a lot so far."

Taehyung made a quiet noise in his throat, then finally walked away, but it was to head deeper into the library where he disappeared between the shelves. Yoongi was left puzzled, but didn't dwell. It was still a more positive interaction by leaps and bounds compared to before.

Yoongi had only read a couple more pages when Taehyung appeared again, approaching him with an armful of books. He stopped in front of Yoongi and set the stack of them down on the table.

"You might like these as well," said Taehyung, gesturing stiffly to them.

There were six or seven books in total, none of which Yoongi had even come across yet in this vast collection. He picked up the one on top and skimmed the first few pages. "These are very intriguing," he said and offered a small smile. "Thank you."

Taehyung nodded once and opened his mouth to say something, but whatever it was he changed his mind. He spun on his heels and this time actually headed for the exit. He disappeared with barely a sound, opening the door just enough to slip out. Yoongi stared after him and laughed to himself in disbelief.

The whole thing was odd to him. He had expected some antagonising or a reprimand to not touch certain things because some of the books here were clearly very old. But instead he had received almost friendly behavior. Yoongi took a moment to peruse all the books Taehyung left him, reading the first couple pages of each one.

They were all interesting and rose to the top of his to-read list. He wasn't sure what prompted Taehyung to be so friendly to him all of a sudden and wondered how much of it had to do with what Namjoon and the others have been trying to tell him. The interaction had been unexpected and a little weird, but surprisingly not unwelcome. He had been curious this whole time anyhow, wanting to see even a glimpse of who Jimin and Jungkook had described as Taehyung's true self.

Yoongi glanced at the stack of books next to him again and thought maybe there really was someone redeemable under there.

+

The next couple of days were mixed. During meal times which most of them insisted on having together as if they were all one big family — something that Yoongi never had before and it was both strange and overwhelming — Taehyung would sulk through the whole thing. Bitter enough that Yoongi could practically see the rain cloud over his head.

But when Taehyung was on his own, Yoongi began to see it. He started to visit the library when he knew Yoongi was there. The second evening he stopped by Yoongi was already reading one of the books he had recommended which Yoongi could tell surprised him. Yoongi simply smiled and said the book was good. In return, Taehyung sat down and asked Yoongi how he felt about the opening chapter.

That was how they ended up speaking late into the night. It began with the book but veered toward completely unrelated topics. Yoongi found Taehyung incredibly smart, more than enough to keep up with him and he could be an incredibly good listener. Yoongi really wanted to ask what Taehyung was sick with, but didn't in fear of that being the fastest way to make Taehyung upset with him too.

A couple days turned into another week gone by. Yoongi wasn't even keeping track anymore of how long he had been down here. He wondered what the villagers were thinking now, knowing they had killed a man and it hadn't even brought the reprieve they needed.

He knew because Taehyung was the one who controlled the rain and from what Yoongi had been told as long as he was sick, the drought would persist. It certainly made him bitter at moments, wondering what his sacrifice was all for if it didn't even work and now he was stuck here in a world he didn't belong to.

When Yoongi finally felt like he could speak without fear of retribution, he broached the topic.

"Will I ever go home?"

There was a flash of something in Taehyung's eyes that made Yoongi's heart race, and it took him a second to process that it hadn't been anger. Taehyung seemed lifeless all of a sudden, like most of his energy had been drained out. Though it wasn't much different than how he usually looked lately.

It was getting worse actually, whatever his illness was, but Yoongi told himself it wasn't his problem. Taehyung had not indicated even once what he might need from Yoongi. Yoongi could ask a harmless question about the sea and Taehyung would talk for hours about it, but once the questions strayed more personal, he immediately clammed up.

But the thing was, Yoongi wasn't a mean person. He often wished the cold exterior he sometimes wore as a mask was something which came more natural to him, but in actuality he cared about many people, many things. And despite the cold welcome Taehyung initially gave him, Yoongi was comfortable admitting things were different now.

Taehyung, though he normally might have been capable of things Yoongi's mind couldn't even fathom, couldn't do any of it now. He was harmless and a dragon king who liked to spend time in the library with him where sometimes they would have a conversation but sometimes they would sit in silence side by side and there wasn't any need to fill the air with words.

Yoongi was surprised no one else had caught them yet, but he supposed they didn't really mind much where Taehyung went in the evenings when they all had their own guests they'd much rather entertain.

Taehyung still hadn't answered him, but Yoongi could tell there was one. He sighed and said, "Be honest with me. Am I stuck here?"

"No," said Taehyung, biting his lip. He looked the opposite of intimidating even with his horns. Especially because of the horns which Yoongi still regarded as more of a costume. "Eventually you may go home. I apologize. It has been a very long time for you, hasn't it?"

"Eventually," said Yoongi, studying how pale Taehyung had grown over the days, how his hair fell limp against his face and how tired he seemed just walking into a room. "When? After I help you?"

Taehyung's eyes widened. "You know?"

"Yes?" Yoongi looked at him oddly. "I have been told by the others."

Taehyung didn't say anything immediately. If anything, he seemed a bit torn, stealing glances at Yoongi as he worried his bottom lip. Finally, he said, "You're okay with it?"

"Helping?" Yoongi couldn't ignore Taehyung's wide eyes and the desperation that showed through. "Yes. I am not a monster."

"Oh," Taehyung breathed. He ran both hands through his hair and stood up, pacing the floor in front of them a few times before staring at Yoongi. "You are certain?"

"Yes," said Yoongi, more confident. He wanted to go home as soon as he could and the past week has shown him Taehyung's first impression had been an exception to the rule.

It was obvious the way relief poured into Taehyung's body. His shoulders sagged and he took the few heavy steps toward Yoongi, collapsing to his knees. His head dropped to Yoongi's lap, horns grazing Yoongi's torso, and he just sat there, eyes closed. Yoongi sat frozen in shock, but it went unnoticed.

"Thank you," said Taehyung, and Yoongi really wanted to know what terrible thing existed in the world that could bring a dragon king to his knees like this.

It gave Yoongi some pause about what he had just agreed to, but his second thoughts disappeared as quickly as they came when Taehyung took his hands and kissed the back of them. He was so careful, holding Yoongi's hands as if they were glass, that Yoongi almost forgot who between them held the real power.

"Please, get up," said Yoongi, feeling uncomfortable now with Taehyung giving him this kind of attention. "You can be grateful after I have actually helped."

Taehyung stood up and sat back in his chair. He already seemed lighter, smiling more. Yoongi couldn't help but smile back, but caught himself and grabbed his book again, opening it and pretending to be deeply invested.

Beside him, Taehyung chuckled and they sat in comfortable silence before retiring for the night.

+

The next day, Yoongi joined some of the others for his first meal of the day, walking into the middle of a conversation about how Taehyung's attitude had improved so much overnight.

Yoongi kept to himself the knowledge of why Taehyung's mood had suddenly changed. The others still didn't know about the time he was spending with Taehyung and he wanted to keep it that way. One, he wasn't in a position to reveal information about what Taehyung was or wasn't doing, and two, he simply didn't want to.

Taehyung, when Yoongi finally crossed paths with him, could also see the change the others noticed. It was still clear physically that Taehyung was suffering, but he carried himself differently. A touch of hope in his steps which otherwise would not be there. Taehyung sent smiles when he thought others were not looking which Yoongi didn't even know how to process.

"He is suspicious."

Yoongi drew his attention back to Jimin, who was staring down the corridor toward Taehyung's quarters..

"Yesterday he was still upset, but today I feel like I'm looking at a stranger."

"Because he is in a positive mood?" said Jungkook and Jimin slapped the table.

"Yes, precisely."

"You said his personality is usually this way," said Yoongi, choosing his words carefully. "Is it not a good sign he is in a better mood?"

"But why?" said Jimin, frowning as he sat back, biting his nail as he zoned out in thought.

"Perhaps his condition is worsening and he has grown delirious," said Jungkook and Jimin shrugged in a way which didn't necessarily rule it out.

"Can it worsen?" said Yoongi, because he still didn't know what was wrong with Taehyung and what he would have to do to help. "Why is it such a secret, what ails him?"

Jimin sighed. "Even immortal dragon kings have things they are ashamed of others knowing," he said. "And there are things which humans simply don't need to know. It is easier to keep a secret than to attempt explanation."

"Try," said Yoongi, latching onto the opportunity. "You wish for me to help him, but you don't even tell me how."

Jimin and Jungkook shared a look. "I am not sure if it is best for us to reveal that. Taehyung should approach you if he truly wants your help."

"I cannot offer my help if I don't know the problem," said Yoongi, ignoring the burn in his chest at the lie. Though was it really? He had offered his help, but still didn't know what he would be expected to do. In hindsight, he had been reckless.

Jimin seemed as if he was going to stand his ground, but Jungkook put his hand on Jimin's arm, giving him a considering look.

In the end, no agreement was made because Taehyung waltzed in at that moment, pausing when he saw all of them sitting around. Jimin sat up, asking if Taehyung needed something.

"No," said Taehyung. His attire today was the most intricate Yoongi had seen so far, a deep blood red with detailed gold embroidery. His sleeves covered his hands when they hung at his sides and he reached into one of them to take out something small enough to be obstructed by his hand.

Yoongi watched him approach the table and expected him to go to Jimin's side. He was shocked when Taehyung actually headed for him and stopped before him, looking like he just realized doing this in front of the others might not have been the best idea.

But Taehyung couldn't reasonably turn away now and put something down on the table in front of Yoongi. It was an iridescent shell, changing colors in front him of him depending on how he looked at it. He didn't know something like this even existed and picked it up carefully, making a quiet noise in his throat when it seemed to shine all on its own.

"Do you like it?"

Yoongi looked at Taehyung, not realizing he had been waiting for a response. He smiled and nodded. "It's very pretty."

Taehyung beamed. "Oh. Good. Wonderful." He scanned the hall, looking like he had more to say, but ended up clearing his throat and saying an awkward goodbye, continuing on his way without another word.

It was a few moments before Yoongi, still fascinated by the shell, noticed both Jimin and Jungkook staring at him as if he grew another head. "What?" he said, staring back at them.

Jimin scoffed in disbelief. "Are you not going to explain what we just witnessed?"

"Explain?"

"Why you have the dragon king of the Eastern seas courting you," said Jimin, coming around to sit next to him. "What happened which you're not telling us?"

"Nothing has happened," said Yoongi at first, but Jimin who had a terribly reliable sixth sense kept staring at him, skeptical. "He has been keeping me company sometimes in the library. We make conversation. That's all."

Jimin's eyes narrowed further and the back of Yoongi's neck burned up.

"I said last evening I would help with whatever ailed him."

"You did what?" said Jimin, eyes now wide with shock. Across the table, Jungkook seemed even worse off, fully speechless. Yoongi was a little fearful of their reaction, which he could only take negatively.

"Namjoon suggested it was crucial that I did," said Yoongi, his words unsure. "I cannot stay here forever. If his health is needed for me to return home, then I have no choice."

"You did not ask what your help would consist of?"

Yoongi looked between their incredulous expressions. "No…"

Jimin covered his face with both hands. "Oh, lord."

"What?" Yoongi grew mildly annoyed. "I have asked, you know. I have asked all of you this entire time and you all refuse to give real answers!"

"So without information, you agreed regardless?"

Nausea crept up on Yoongi. "Is returning home a false hope? Will I need to sacrifice my life?"

Jimin laughed. "It will not require your death, no."

"Torture?" said Yoongi. "Tell me!"

Sighing, Jimin shared a glance with Jungkook and said, "You should make it known to Taehyung that you answered blindly. I am disappointed he didn't realize on his own, though if I were to guess I imagine he was too relieved to question why you would agree."

That was exactly what had happened. Yoongi should have known better and been suspicious then but had been too blinded by the prospect of leaving this place. Jimin's words from earlier suddenly processed about Taehyung courting him, something clearly related, and that only made the anxiety in Yoongi swell.

It must have shown terribly on his face because Jimin's expression softened and he said, "It is not life-threatening what you would need to do, but it is still not something many would agree to, for good reason." He picked up the shell and spun it around in his fingers. "Taehyung is a good king, I think you must have seen it yourself to agree the way you did. He will be hurt if you do not come clean and you both find out the truth at the worst possible time."

+

It was late. Yoongi could only tell by the slight ache behind his eyes from being awake too long and that the palace was mostly deserted, a skeleton crew of staff meandering around who barely paid any attention to Yoongi despite the direction he was headed in.

The doors leading to Taehyung's quarters loomed in front of Yoongi. He stared at the dragon crest carved intricately into the dark marble, the snarl of the dragons snout intimidating when Yoongi thought its owner now seemed anything but. Though maybe a little if Yoongi couldn't bring himself to enter or even knock. He didn't know why he was suddenly nervous and was annoyed that his conversation with Jimin left him so touchy.

"What are you doing here, little one?"

Yoongi barely kept himself from jumping, but knew his shoulders had twitched, whipping around to see Taehyung standing a few feet away. He was draped in a long, red robe and seemed soft and malleable, as if he might crumble right before Yoongi if touched the wrong way.

"I — I wanted to ask about something. To talk."

Taehyung smiled, eyes visibly tired and Yoongi was about to take his request back, but Taehyung waved his hands and the doors swung open. "I haven't entertained visitors here in a very long time. Pardon any mess."

If there was any, Yoongi couldn't spot it. Taehyung's room was almost as large as the library with sweeping, arching ceilings made of glass, making the wide expanse of the sea seem like it could be touched if Yoongi simply reached his hand out. There was a study area on the right with a modest collection of books and a half-finished canvas perched on an easel. The subject of the painting wasn't clear yet. Another set of doors were on the left, a sitting area in the middle, and beyond that a large bed at the other end covered in a mountain of pillows.

"Sit," said Taehyung, taking a seat in one of the armchairs. Yoongi took the other and it was large enough he could fold his legs under him comfortably. "What did you wish to discuss? Is something wrong?"

Yoongi didn't know how to start. He took in Taehyung before him, who was leaning back and gave off very little energy. But Yoongi was already here, already invited in, so to bail would be even more inconsiderate.

"I wanted to talk more about our conversation from last night."

Taehyung's expression grew pinched for a second and he focused on the floor in front of him. "Are you having second thoughts? It is fine if you are. I won't be upset if that is what's worrying you."

"No, that isn't," said Yoongi, then bit his bottom lip. "I just don't know what I'm doing." When Taehyung scrunched his brow, Yoongi continued. "I want to help, because I want to go home, but no one has told me what helping you means."

Taehyung's eyes widened for a moment and Yoongi was surprised to also see him look... embarrassed? He rubbed his face and laughed softly. "I see. I suppose it was wishful thinking of mine to have assumed someone else would have explained so I didn't have to."

"Is it that bad? Jimin said it had nothing to do with human sacrifice or torture."

Taehyung seemed horrified. "No, I would never allow that."

Yoongi relaxed a bit at Taehyung's sincerity. "Then what else could be so bad? What help do you require?"

Taehyung sighed and went over to a liquor cabinet, pouring out two small glasses of rice wine. He set one in front of Yoongi when he sat back down and took a sip of his own. "It is not an easy thing to speak about," he said, smiling a little. "Perhaps if it happened more often I would find it less uncomfortable but it is what it is."

Yoongi kept from commenting that he still didn't know what "it" was.

Taehyung took another sip of his drink and glanced at Yoongi. "Once in a while I require someone's company. In bed."

Of all the things Yoongi had imagined Taehyung would say, he had not even been close. Stunned, Yoongi could only stare back at Taehyung, wondering if he heard wrong. "To sleep?"

Taehyung smiled briefly and shook his head.

Yoongi downed his entire glass in one gulp. Taehyung winced on his behalf but said nothing. "Why do you require...company?"

"To mate."

"To mate? You're not an animal."

Taehyung quirked an eyebrow and gestured to the horns on his head. "Part dragon, remember?"

Yoongi felt faint. "What does it mean, exactly? To mate."

"What you are probably imagining and then some."

That sounded ominous. Yoongi wished he hadn't finished his drink all at once. "Could you be more specific, please?"

Taehyung took a deep breath. "The reason why I have been growing unwell is not because of the need to mate, but because I am overdue to laymybrood." He mumbled the last part and even straining Yoongi couldn't understand.

"Sorry?"

"Lay my brood," Taehyung said, teeth clenched and jaw tight. When Yoongi still frowned in confusion, he sat back and dragged a hand over his face haggardly. "Eggs. There's eggs I have to get rid of."

The sudden quiet made everything else deafening. The quickening roar of Yoongi's pulse, Taehyung's words repeating in his head. Yoongi stood up and refilled his glass with twice the amount as before and drank it all again.

"You're not beholden to your previous agreement," said Taehyung, his voice quiet. "Now that you know the truth."

"Just give me a moment," said Yoongi, on edge, but he felt it wasn't uncalled for. He leaned against the cabinet and closed his eyes. "My village kidnapped and sacrificed me to you to stop the drought and instead of dying I am now trapped in your palace because you're unwell and cannot send me back and the only way for you to get better is if I mate with you and let you...lay eggs."

In lieu of answering, Taehyung also tipped back the rest of his drink and came over for a refill. "If you put it like that, it does sound particularly insane."

Yoongi huffed out an incredulous laugh. He covered his face, absently aware of Taehyung's warmth next to him. "The only reason to not think this is a hallucination is I don't think I would ever be able to create such a predicament for myself."

"You do not have to accept. You won't be punished."

Yoongi dropped his hands and glanced over. "What happens if no one helps?"

"My body will reject the eggs eventually. It is just a much less enjoyable process."

"How much less enjoyable?"

Taehyung seemed deep in thought, then turned to Yoongi and slowly undid his robe, lifting his shirt underneath. Yoongi recoiled in shock when he saw rows of deep red scars which followed the width of Taehyung's torso. "These are my own doing. My desperation when the pain made me delirious."

Yoongi couldn't say anything, horrified to even imagine what kind of excruciating pain would make a person do that to themselves.

Taehyung covered himself again. "I don't mean to manipulate your feelings in my favor. But I also can't afford to not be truthful about how indebted I would be to you."

"When do you need my real answer?" said Yoongi, unable to unsee those gashes across Taehyung's abdomen. He felt nauseous both with guilt and fear.

"Two days."

Yoongi nodded. "I should go then," he said, suddenly exhausted. "I promise I'll think about it very seriously."

"Of course." Taehyung saw him to the door and placed his hand on Yoongi's head briefly. "Thank you, little one. And I'm sorry you have been put in this position."

When Yoongi left, he felt Taehyung's gaze on his back as he shuffled down the hall back to his quarters. It felt like rocks had been tied to his ankles and carried on his shoulders. Taehyung might have said no punishment would await him if his answer was no, but Yoongi knew already before his room was even in view that he would punish himself, living with the knowledge that he could have prevented someone's suffering but chose not to.

The decision seemed inevitable. Yoongi didn't know why it had to be him to make it.

+

Yoongi woke up from a night of tossing and turning, more exhausted than when he had fallen into bed hours before. He was sober and silent at breakfast, ignoring the terrible attempts at being inconspicuous from the others who stared at him for most of the meal. They all knew, he assumed, that the secret was finally out. If they weren't going to speak of it, then neither would he.

Yoongi went to find solace again in the library.

There was a book already on the chair he usually sat in. It looked very old and had no markings on the outside to indicate what was contained within. Yoongi settled in and opened to the first page, quickly realizing as his face flushed that it was a very detailed guide of what Taehyung was going through and what was needed to cure him.

The text spared nothing and some pages contained detailed drawings of things Yoongi thought he was better off not knowing. It felt like he was violating Taehyung's privacy and hoped it had been Taehyung himself who left this here for him.

There were words he had never heard of before and the descriptions of what his body would need to handle made him lightheaded. If Taehyung desperately needed his help, he wasn't sure this overload of information was the best method of persuasion.

Then there was the issue of Yoongi himself who had never been intimate with another person in his life. How could he possibly survive this? By the time Yoongi finished the last page, his palms were clammy and his pulse was racing. The panic he had felt when he had first woken in this place came back, wanting to escape no matter the cost.

Yoongi was on his way back to his room, his head swimming with all this imagery he would rather not know, when he heard voices from the dining hall. One of them was Taehyung's. He stopped just out of view and leaned against the wall, eavesdropping.

"I don't think he will agree," said Taehyung, his voice uneven and on edge. "We need to prepare a room. You'll have to restrain me."

"Taehyung." It was Seokjin's voice and it was laced with concern.

"You know what I did to myself last time. I don't have a choice."

"You should wait for his answer." Namjoon spoke this time, but he sounded unsure of his own words. "You do not know what he will say."

"What could his answer possibly be!" said Taehyung, hushed and strained. "I am grateful enough he didn't faint out of fear. I am a stranger to him at best, a captor and threat to his life at worst. He will not agree and I will not blame him. And I cannot — I won't risk his safety."

Yoongi frowned. He didn't expect part of Taehyung's argument to be in his defense.

When Hoseok spoke, it was without any of the cheer Yoongi had become familiar with. It was terrifying to hear actually and drove home the severity of Taehyung's situation. "And what of yours? Will you even survive another round of isolation? Your immortality is not without exceptions!"

"I will survive if I have to."

"Don't be foolish!"

"How can I demand anything from him?" said Taehyung, voice rising. "You have all spent time in his company. He is good and I will hurt him."

There was quiet and then Seokjin said, "When did you start caring for him?"

"I don—" Taehyung said, then stopped with a sigh. "Does it matter? I won't hurt him."

The sound of a chair scraping across the floor echoed through the hall followed by footsteps. Yoongi needed to leave if he didn't want to be caught but he was anchored in place, numb and overwhelmed all at once.

The footsteps grew louder, but still Yoongi couldn't find the strength to move. Or maybe he just didn't want to. The person stopped suddenly and Yoongi finally raised his head and met Taehyung's eyes which were filled with shock and apprehension. "I — little one."

Yoongi stared for a long moment, then said, "You didn't say you could die."

Taehyung took a deep breath. "I won't."

"How do you know?"

"I don't, but it is my problem regardless."

"Your solution is to tie yourself up and suffer."

"It isn't something you need to concern yourself with."

"My answer is yes."

Taehyung's eyes widened and Yoongi was almost as shocked at his sudden decision, but at the same time didn't want to take it back.

"You don't know what you are saying yes to."

"I do," said Yoongi, showing Taehyung the book. "You left this for me, didn't you? I read it all. I know. I know everything now."

Taehyung walked toward him and his gaze flickered across Yoongi's face. Yoongi didn't know what he was looking for, but refused to give any indication he wasn't serious.

Yoongi raised his hand and only hesitated for a second before pressing his palm to Taehyung's abdomen. The shirt he was wearing was thin enough for Yoongi to feel the scarring underneath. He could also feel Taehyung's shaky inhale at his touch. "Little one," he said, quiet and sad, but all the same Yoongi thought he wouldn't mind if he never heard his name again.

"If I do this, then I can go home," said Yoongi, but he hadn't thought of home in a long time. "This is the fastest way for me to get back."

Taehyung placed his hand over Yoongi's. "Of course. To send you home." He pushed Yoongi away gently and turned him around. "Rest for today. If your answer is the same tomorrow, then come find me."

Part of Yoongi wanted to demand they just get it over with, but he nodded and headed back to his room, glancing over his shoulder before he turned the corner. Taehyung was still watching him and gestured for him to go on as he spun on his heels to return to the dining hall.

Yoongi couldn't hear as much of what was said, too far away, but it didn't matter. He left and once in the privacy of his room, sank down against the door. He cradled his head in his hands and laughed to himself. Rather than wish he was home, he just wished he could see his grandmother again and have her reassure him everything would be all right. That he was doing the right thing. Taehyung was not the one who kidnapped and sacrificed him and the coldness he showed Yoongi at the beginning was nowhere to be found now. In the end, Taehyung was also suffering from something out of his control.

Jungkook brought dinner to him a short while later and sat with him when Yoongi was too anxious to eat, pushing him to try and keep down what he could.

"Taehyung is sending us away for a short while," Jungkook said while Yoongi had a few spoonfuls of soup. "Jimin is going with Namjoon and Hoseok and I will visit Seokjin. The other palace staff will stay with orders not to go near Taehyung's quarters."

Yoongi bit his lip. "Am I making the right choice?"

"I think so," said Jungkook who smiled gently when Yoongi looked at him in surprise. "They were all relieved when Taehyung told us. Jimin told you at the beginning, didn't he? That Taehyung doesn't like asking for help. He'll try to dissuade you until the end, I think. He hates that you have to be involved. But he needs you to survive and we need him to survive."

Yoongi ate whatever else he could in silence until Jungkook was satisfied. He left and Yoongi hoped he and Jimin would at least enjoy this opportunity to spend time with the others. Mentally, Yoongi was exhausted even if it was still early for bed. He washed up and crawled under the covers, staring out the window at the darkness of the sea and the occasional flash of silver when a mullet meandered by, but couldn't fall asleep. Too many thoughts were running through his head and they were all so loud.

He must have laid there for hours before giving up. The others would have left by now and Taehyung had likely retired to his quarters too. Yoongi snuck out for a walk, feeling tiny in this large palace for the first time. There were still parts of it he had never explored before, had meant to before Jungkook had brought him to the library and he allowed that to distract him. He wandered around now though, heading down new corridors. He came across a few other guest quarters, but then made another turn and discovered a courtyard with the ceiling charmed to reflect the night sky.

It was the first time Yoongi had seen the moon in — weeks? Months? There was a fountain in the middle, the water filled with small, colorful fish. The full moon bathed the entire courtyard in a soft white glow and he stood there just staring up at it, knowing it was only an illusion but wanting to reach up and touch it anyway.

"You're awake still."

Yoongi spun around and saw Taehyung a few feet away. The scales on his neck shimmered silver underneath the moonlight as he came closer. "Sorry. I shouldn't be here."

"No, no." Taehyung stood next to Yoongi. "You're completely welcome to stay. Very few parts of this place are forbidden."

"I haven't seen the moon for a long time," said Yoongi. "I didn't know it was something I could miss."

"If you come tomorrow you will see the sun."

Yoongi looked at Taehyung in shock even though that made complete sense. Taehyung laughed a little, the corners of his eyes crinkling, and Yoongi had a difficult time looking away for other reasons.

"Why did you hate me when I first arrived?" Yoongi didn't mean to ask it in that way, but he couldn't help but think of the person he first met and how if he hadn't witnessed the change himself, Yoongi would think the one standing next to him now was a completely different person.

Taehyung was caught off-guard for only a moment, his expression softening once he got over the surprise. "I was cruel to you at the beginning, wasn't I?"

"Not cruel," said Yoongi. "Just cold. Only a little mean."

"I was angry," said Taehyung, looking down. "Not at you. At the situation. And in denial. Deep down I knew what was happening and I felt guilt at what you would have to do. I still do."

"Why?" said Yoongi. "Will you hurt me?"

Taehyung's head snapped up, horrified. "No!" But then his resolve faltered. "I — not on purpose. It won't be comfortable for you and my control will be weak."

Yoongi took a deep breath. The answer was far from reassuring, but he would rather Taehyung be honest. He wrapped his arms around himself as if there was a sudden chill and felt the rabbit-quick beating of his own heart.

"It's late," said Taehyung, gesturing toward the direction of their living quarters. "You should rest."

Yoongi nodded and began heading back. Taehyung trailed behind him a few steps and Yoongi frowned at the idea of Taehyung thinking he had to distance himself. What did it matter anyway when in a day's time they would be intimate in a way Yoongi could barely fathom.

They passed the hall leading to Taehyung's room first. Yoongi paused and turned around, but didn't quite meet Taehyung's eyes. "Did they all leave already? Jungkook said you sent them away."

"Yes. They will be gone for almost a fortnight."

Yoongi didn't let himself think too hard about what he was about to do. He met Taehyung's gaze who stared back curiously, but said nothing and turned to march toward Taehyung's room.

"What are you doing?" said Taehyung as Yoongi pushed the double doors open with a heave.

Yoongi still didn't answer and headed straight for the bed, crawling into it and taking the inside. He stared up at the canopy, waiting to see what Taehyung would do.

Taehyung stood next to bed for a moment, then sat down and, after a couple awkward attempts, placed his hand on Yoongi's head. "Why are you in my bed?"

"I'm going to be here anyway tomorrow night," said Yoongi, doing his best to keep his voice even. "I don't want to show up and immediately — do things. I want to try and get used to…being close."

Taehyung smiled and let his hand drift down so he could run his thumb across the rise of Yoongi's cheek. He climbed in next to Yoongi and at first left a large gap between them, but then shifted close enough that Yoongi could easily feel all his body heat under the sheets.

Yoongi had no clue what he was doing and wished Taehyung would tell him. He didn't want to spend the night alone where he knew he would just stay awake, thinking about the crude drawings in that book and the even more vulgar descriptions of what Taehyung would need to do. He didn't want to think about whether or not he could really go through with this. If, in the end, even the cruel knowledge of what Taehyung would go through wouldn't be enough to stop him from going back on his word.

Taehyung had said he'll have little control, but what Yoongi had read painted an image much more aggressive. It spoke of a blinding instinct driving them to seek out only their own pleasure in order to trigger their body to give up its clutch. A part of Yoongi really didn't believe he would survive it, that he was absolutely insane for agreeing to this, but another part of Yoongi, the one guided by his intuition looked at Taehyung now and saw the careful way Taehyung still made sure to give him space and thought there wasn't any way this powerful being would harm him.

"Could you," Yoongi began, but didn't know what he wanted to ask. He just wanted Taehyung to do something, feeling like if he were left to his own thoughts for a second more he would implode.

Taehyung moved after a moment and reached out for Yoongi. His skin was cool against Yoongi's wrist and it barely felt like he had to use any strength at all to pull Yoongi toward him. "Is this what you wanted?" he said, once he had Yoongi settled against him. "Being close?"

Yoongi nodded. He surprisingly did feel better. It was odd too, of course, getting used to the feel of another body against his. He carefully slipped his arm over Taehyung's chest and let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"In case I won't be able to say it later," Taehyung said, his voice rumbling in his chest right against Yoongi's ear. "I feel very lucky that it was you who ended up here."

"Why?"

"I don't think any other human would have said yes. There is nothing you will gain from this and no reason for you to trust me with something as precious as your own life, but you are. I don't quite understand it, actually."

"You showed me reasons," said Yoongi.

Taehyung was quiet and then tilted Yoongi's chin up. "May I?" he said, so close Yoongi could feel his breath.

Yoongi's heartbeat picked up and he was sure Taehyung could feel it, but the other said nothing and kept waiting. All these years of being alive and this was how he was going to have his first kiss. But he was going to have many firsts whether or not he was ready, so he might as well get used to it now. "Yes."

The touch of Taehyung's lips against Yoongi's was soft, almost too gentle. Yoongi barely felt it and was disappointed for a moment that it was so anticlimactic, but Taehyung then curled his hand behind Yoongi's neck and this time it made Yoongi suck in a breath like he was surprised. The kiss was slow, careful, but there wasn't any holding back. For a few moments, it was simply Yoongi being kissed until it grew awkward to not be doing anything. He mimicked what Taehyung did, parting his lips slightly and closing them when they met Taehyung's. It was calming once they found a lazy rhythm, Yoongi's nerves disappearing and instead replaced with a pleasurable haze which focused on the heat of Taehyung's palm and the growing reluctance to part with each press of Taehyung's mouth to his.

"More?" said Taehyung, apparently knowing what Yoongi wanted more than he did and kept their lips touching.

Embarrassment colored Yoongi's cheeks. As much as he wanted to keep his composure, his desire won out and he nodded. Being alone in the village, there hadn't even been anyone to tell him all the crude things he knew the other men spoke of. He knew behind closed doors people were capable of doing all sorts of unspeakable things, but what those things were had always been vague to him and didn't matter when he was more concerned about where tomorrow's meals would come from.

He didn't know that someone's mouth on his would feel this good and didn't know what "more" could possibly entail. Taehyung smiled and kissed Yoongi again. More didn't seem that different from before, but then Yoongi felt something warm and wet and he jerked back in surprise.

"You didn't like that?" said Taehyung, licking his lips.

"It was just odd," said Yoongi, watching Taehyung's mouth. "Try again?"

Taehyung's thumb brushed over Yoongi's cheek as he pulled their faces closer. This time Yoongi was prepared for it. It was still a weird feeling, but wasn't bad. He copied what Taehyung did again, allowing their tongues to brush together briefly. Maybe it was the isolation he had experienced for years suddenly making him acutely aware of his desire for closeness, but the more they kissed, the more Yoongi wanted. Taehyung was being too careful, as if scared of crossing some line, but if there was one they were still far from it. Yoongi pressed closer, his neck hurting from the angle it had been in, and found it only got more comfortable when he settled half on top of Taehyung's body.

"Slow down," said Taehyung, sounding more amused than upset. He ran one hand down Yoongi's side, the other one carding through Yoongi's hair. "I am not going anywhere."

The only source of light were oil lamps next to the bed. Taehyung's sharp features stood out even more in the shadows and his eyes were bright and alert.

"What do you want, little one?" Taehyung's eyes drifted down where the sheets were shifting just a little because Yoongi was moving his hips.

He stopped as soon as he realized and rushed to move away, but Taehyung wrapped his arms tight around Yoongi's waist. "Sorry," Yoongi said, looking away.

"Don't be," said Taehyung, still brushing his fingers through Yoongi's hair. "My biggest fear when it happens is how much you will hate what is being done to you. But if there is something you want, if I can make it even a little pleasurable for you, please tell me."

Yoongi couldn't hide, though he still tried by tucking his face against the crook of Taehyung's neck. He hadn't expected for the kissing to feel so nice, but wondered now how much of that was because it was Taehyung kissing him. Seokjin had asked Taehyung if he cared for Yoongi, but there was no one to confront Yoongi of the same. But — he did. He must. It was the only explanation for when he had looked forward to Taehyung's visits in the library and the bitter nausea he felt when he saw the scars on Taehyung's body, the sudden urge to fight whatever had caused Taehyung such pain.

Being close to Taehyung was nice, kissing him was nice. It only followed that other things with him would be nice too. It was just — he didn't know what he wanted and admitted it out loud.

"Have you touched yourself before?" said Taehyung, as if it were a comment on the weather. Yoongi could feel his ears grow red, but nodded. "Instead of yourself, you can use me. What you were doing before, that felt good?"

Yoongi nodded again.

"Keep going, then," said Taehyung, moving his hands down to Yoongi's hips. "Whatever you need to do."

Yoongi closed his eyes and swallowed down his embarrassment. This wasn't what he came here for. He wanted to spend the night because it didn't sit right for him to show up tomorrow and be used as nothing but a warm body. He had expected it to be awkward but not because of this, not because he was going to let another watch him while he pleasured himself.

Taehyung pressed his nose to Yoongi's cheek. "Did I make you uncomfortable?"

"It's embarrassing."

"If this is embarrassing, then I'm afraid tomorrow will be an even bigger shock." Taehyung brushed his lips over the bridge of Yoongi's nose. "Let me kiss you again."

That was simple enough to do. Yoongi turned his head and allowed their lips to meet, easy at first but it quickly became heated again. Yoongi couldn't help but want more and accidentally let out a noise when Taehyung grabbed his hips and pulled him closer against his thigh.

"For me, darling," said Taehyung and for the first time Yoongi realized the true danger he was in.

At first, Yoongi was still hesitant, allowing Taehyung to guide his movements more than anything. But it felt good and that overshadowed everything else. Suddenly, Taehyung wasn't going fast enough or hard enough and Yoongi began taking over, continuing to kiss Taehyung as a distraction from how desperate he knew he was being.

But it didn't take long for him to stop justifying the need for even that. All that mattered was the warmth pooling and coiling tight in his gut and the things Taehyung began saying into his ear which made him both blush and rut against Taehyung's thigh and hip faster.

"That's it, little one. I just want you to feel good."

Yoongi whined, too far gone to cringe at how he sounded, and clutched at Taehyung's shoulders. It was all too much and he could feel himself rushing toward the finish even as he wished it could last longer. But what really pushed him over was discovering how affected Taehyung was, hot and hard against his thigh, and he breathed out Taehyung's name, sharp and urgent.

Taehyung hurried to shove Yoongi's pants down just enough to expose him and lifted his own shirt, hitching Yoongi higher just as Yoongi stiffened and came silently, spilling between them onto Taehyung's stomach. He breathed harshly through his nose when his body went lax through the aftershocks and he leaned into it when Taehyung kissed all over his face, whispering praise.

"Beautiful," said Taehyung, pressing one more kiss to Yoongi's temple and lingering there.

Some embarrassment returned, but it was difficult to care much about it this time after having done that. Taehyung rolled them over and eased Yoongi into his back before getting up to disappear into the washroom. It left Yoongi exposed but he couldn't even cover himself, stained with his own release.

Taehyung returned and cleaned Yoongi off, pulling his bottoms up after. He crawled back into bed and surprised Yoongi when he did nothing except curl up and stare at Yoongi with a soft smile.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Because you are worth the attention."

Yoongi huffed and kept his focus on the ceiling. He couldn't help but glance out the corner of his eye at how Taehyung was still hard. "Will you not…?"

"Hm?" Taehyung glanced down and shook his head. "No, I'm all right. You were enough. It's late now."

Yoongi wanted to argue it was late hours ago, but didn't know what he could bring himself to do if he pushed back and Taehyung relented and took his offer. So he kept silent and thought there was always tomorrow, which was what mattered. And now that Yoongi was thinking about it, after what he had just allowed himself to do, the questions came out easily.

"What will it be like? Honestly." The book made it sound terrifying, a potentially painful ordeal where Yoongi might find Taehyung forcing himself onto Yoongi if things went wrong.

Taehyung touched Yoongi's face, brushing his thumb across Yoongi's cheek. "It will not be like what just happened. I will be lucid, but my self-control will not be good. But I will know where I am and I will know who you are. I won't want to hurt you, but for that I have to ask that you trust me."

"Even if you won't want to, you might anyway?"

Taehyung reached over and brushed Yoongi's hair out of his eyes. "I might," he said, and Yoongi could tell how much he hated giving that answer. "I might and I'm sorry."

Yoongi moved closer and pressed his back against Taehyung's chest. He felt Taehyung's surprise in the way he tensed, but a moment later Taehyung's arm slid around his waist.

"Why are you being so nice to me, little one?" Taehyung pressed his nose into Yoongi's hair.

Yoongi told himself that wasn't what he was doing. He was just protecting himself. If he showed some affection now, maybe some part of Taehyung would remember later and be gentler with him. He didn't answer and closed his eyes, even knowing sleep wouldn't come to him.

It didn't seem to be the same for Taehyung whose breathing evened out behind him after a short while. In the darkness, Yoongi watched the shadows of whale sharks flicker through the water, tense with unease, but unwilling to leave.

Chapter Text

The next day, Yoongi could barely open his eyes. They were dry and stung when he did peel them open, so it was better to just keep them closed. He and Taehyung were in the exact same position, though Taehyung was awake already, petting Yoongi's stomach.

The door opened and Yoongi tensed, but didn't move. He was lying facing away from the door and making eye contact now would only make it worse.

"Yes, there is fine, thank you," said Taehyung and moments later the door closed again. He pressed a few kisses along the back of Yoongi's neck. "Awake?"

It was useless to pretend. Yoongi nodded and rubbed at his eyes. Taehyung hooked his chin over Yoongi's shoulder.

"Are you hungry? I had the kitchens bring up some fruit."

"I don't normally eat when I wake up." Yoongi's voice was deep and gravelly, his terrible night's sleep making it raspier than usual.

"You should today," said Taehyung, shifting to smooth down Yoongi's hair. "Build up some of your strength."

It was too early for Yoongi to already be thinking about why he would need to 'build up his strength'. Still, he was silent when Taehyung sat them up and a moment later a strawberry was brought to his lips. Yoongi didn't put up a fight and ate obediently.

Yoongi was able to slowly wake up and get a good look at Taehyung. He could make out some of the small differences, how Taehyung seemed to be slower than he was last night or how more and more he acted as if he were in a haze. But Taehyung was barely irritable, much less violent.

The day went on like that. Taehyung barely allowed Yoongi out of bed and alternated between feeding him and holding him so tight Yoongi thought his lungs were going to be burst. It wasn't until later that Yoongi thought about why Taehyung was acting like this. The same way last night that Yoongi was hoping he might make Taehyung remember him, Taehyung seemed to be doing these things to show this was who he really was, someone who wanted to take care of Yoongi and spoil him and if later Taehyung lost himself, it would be easier to consider it not his fault.

The waiting became almost unbearable. Yoongi half-expected Taehyung to literally change into some monster. Toward the end of the day Yoongi began growing antsy. He remembered Taehyung's words of how he had wanted to go back to that courtyard and see the sun and was about to suggest it, but when he looked over from where he sat by one of the windows watching the sea life, Taehyung was sitting at the foot of the bed completely silent except for the deep breaths he was taking.

Something compelled Yoongi to approach Taehyung despite knowing all the dangers. He sat next to Taehyung and very carefully touched the back of his neck, barely suppressing his surprise when Taehyung let out a groan just from that. It gave Yoongi more confidence and he sank his fingers into Taehyung's hair, dragging his nails over Taehyung's scalp.

With the way Taehyung was slouched over, Yoongi had missed it at first, but when Taehyung leaned over and buried his face against Yoongi's neck, Yoongi could see the obvious evidence of his arousal. Taehyung rubbed his nose along Yoongi's jaw, but kept his hands where they were on the bed, gripping the sheets tightly.

"Taehyung," Yoongi said quietly only to be met with a whine. He stood up and almost felt bad when Taehyung made another noise, this time disappointment at the loss, but watched Taehyung's eyes narrow in on him as he began stripping out of his clothes. He didn't want to give Taehyung any reason to use force if he could help it. He crawled onto the bed once fully nude and released a small yelp when Taehyung followed at lightning speed, pinning Yoongi onto his back. Yoongi's pulse spiked and he tried not to show his fear as Taehyung stared down at him, pupils blown. "It's me," he said, making himself go lax. His hands trembled. "It's okay. I'm not fighting you."

The only things Yoongi could hear were his own pulse loud in his ears and Taehyung's heavy breathing. Taehyung had him pinned by the shoulders, so Yoongi lifted one hand slowly and cupped Taehyung's face.

"It's me."

Taehyung's eyes snapped back into focus. He eased off Yoongi's shoulders only to run his hands all over Yoongi's body. Yoongi couldn't help but tense when Taehyung gripped his waist or thigh too rough and instinctively tried to move away when Taehyung went lower and touched between his legs, his fingers trying to enter but Yoongi was too stiff. Taehyung let out this low snarl and Yoongi felt a zip of fear down his spine. Was this how it was going to happen? Had he been fooling himself to think it wouldn't be as violent as what he had read? In the end, he was just a mere human who wouldn't be able to stop Taehyung no matter how hard he fought.

In a flash, Taehyung forced Yoongi onto his stomach. His hands squeezed Yoongi's bottom and spread him. Even though there was no one else but them in the room, Yoongi still felt a wave of shame at being exposed in such a lewd way. He felt Taehyung lick a long stripe from his shoulders down past his waist. What Taehyung was about to do struck him just before Taehyung's tongue dragged across where he was exposed. Yoongi jerked in shock, but Taehyung held onto him, long fingers curled under Yoongi's hip bones, holding him open as he licked into him.

It was a foreign feeling. Yoongi pressed his face into the sheets, trying but failing to block out the noises Taehyung was making, the wet, hungry sounds that grew more satisfied as Yoongi began to relax. The strangeness gradually turned into something tolerable and then something...pleasurable? His breathing grew shallow and he widened his knees on the bed, a whine lodging itself in his throat when Taehyung dragged his teeth over his rim.

"Little one." Taehyung's voice was low and rough, but Yoongi was relieved beyond words to hear him speak, to hear that endearment. "Let me in."

Yoongi's ears grew warm as Taehyung's mouth returned, sucking and licking at Yoongi's hole, even sloppier than before. His breath was hot against Yoongi's damp skin and his tongue circled a few times before pushing in. Yoongi looked down to where his cock was beginning to show interest and wished for something to rub against. The pressure of Taehyung's tongue wasn't enough, not nearly, but Taehyung wouldn't let him move.

His mind was foggy by the time Taehyung eased away. He could tell his skin was already flushed and his cock now hung heavy between his legs. For Taehyung to suddenly stop made Yoongi ache, but Taehyung did not give him even a moment to rest. A pillow was placed underneath Yoongi's hips and he groaned as he immediately began to rut against it, desperate for the friction and release. He feared Taehyung would stop him, but Taehyung merely brought Yoongi's legs together and used him as a sleeve. Even if Yoongi couldn't see, he could tell Taehyung was big, but his cock caught against Yoongi's flesh in an odd way as he pushed his hips down over and over.

It was frantic and graceless, the way they moved. Yoongi felt something prod against his hole and realized it was Taehyung's fingers pushing past the muscle, sinking deep into him.

"For me," said Taehyung, pressing something inside Yoongi that made him yell and seize up. "Just like how you showed me last evening. Just like that, darling."

Yoongi released a noise he didn't even recognize and tugged on the bedding as he came. His head buzzed and he felt himself squeeze around Taehyung's fingers which had stilled inside him. Taehyung pulled them out when Yoongi went boneless, breathing hard as he blinked slowly, staring unseeing across the room.

"Good, breathe," said Taehyung, still massaging Yoongi's hole. He kissed Yoongi's shoulder and breathed in time with him. "Yes, like that. Just breathe."

A burning pain as Taehyung suddenly sank into him made him let out a strangled cry and he tried to get away but Taehyung's weight on him made it impossible. He clenched down around the intrusion, sure that he was being split apart.

"You're all right, little one," said Taehyung, voice strained. He leaned over Yoongi and kissed his temple and neck. "You're just fine, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

It took longer than Yoongi wanted for the pain to ease into a throb. He hissed when Taehyung moved, even if it was shallow thrusts, and trembled as he held himself still, afraid that anything otherwise would make it worse.

"I can still stop," said Taehyung, though he didn't sound like it. "This is hurting you too much."

"No!" Yoongi forced himself to reach back and held on to Taehyung's hip. "I can do it. Just keep moving."

Taehyung did, hesitant at first when Yoongi had to breathe deep to distract himself. Yoongi forced himself to relax and inhaled sharply when Taehyung sank deeper. Eventually, even the ache dulled and he could stop fighting his own body each time Taehyung drew back and pressed back in. It was far from pleasant, but it eased Yoongi's fear that if he couldn't even handle this then what would come later would be unbearable.

"You're doing well, little one," said Taehyung, probably sensing the change in Yoongi from his end. "Only a bit more."

Taehyung didn't even sound tired or close. Yoongi's mind, strangely, wandered off with thoughts of if Taehyung didn't think he felt good enough. If what the book said was accurate, this was just the first round out of many. It said — and even Taehyung had said — that it would be desperate and rough. Savage. But Taehyung was speaking almost the same way he had spoken to Yoongi the night before and had focused on Yoongi before himself.

Yoongi's thoughts were interrupted by Taehyung pushing him into the bedding, grunting as he snapped his hips once, twice, then buried himself deep enough to make Yoongi wince. He felt the rush of something warm fill him as Taehyung kept rocking forward, fingers digging into Yoongi's waist.

Taehyung did not bother to pull out after. He was still hard inside Yoongi and lowered himself until he laid flush against Yoongi's back, hips already moving again. The come inside him was already beginning to seep out, growing cold quickly and sticking to his thighs. But it allowed Taehyung to move easier, faster, panting into Yoongi's ear. Yoongi could feel it now, how Taehyung's cock was slightly different from his own. There was a set of ridges below the head and each push and pull of Taehyung's cock made Yoongi shiver and clench up. Taehyung latched his mouth to the curve of Yoongi's neck and sucked firmly, his moans growing ever more desperate until he came again, worsening the mess between Yoongi's legs.

All of Yoongi's muscles protested when Taehyung finally pushed himself off and pulled out. Taehyung's hands returned to Yoongi's thighs, rubbing them as he spread them apart and Yoongi felt him lick at the inside of one cheek.

"What are y— that's filthy!" Yoongi said, trying to twist away, but Taehyung growled and kept going until Yoongi's thighs were clean.

"Push."

Yoongi looked over his shoulder. "What?"

"You're holding it in, aren't you?" said Taehyung, the way he was staring as he dragged his thumb over Yoongi's hole. "Show me."

"I cannot just—" Yoongi said, flushing at the thought, at being watched on purpose while doing such a humiliating act.

"You can," said Taehyung, rubbing harder until his thumb slipped inside. "You will if it's for me."

Yoongi hid his face in the crook of his arm. It took a moment for his body to cooperate and he squeezed his eyes shut when Taehyung's come started to escape. Taehyung's breathing deepened and he lifted Yoongi's hips up with barely any effort, getting him on his knees. A better view.

Taehyung smeared his fingers through the mess and Yoongi could hear him suck them clean after.

"Enough," said Yoongi, finally getting away. He turned onto his back and for the first time saw what Taehyung looked like.

The faint pink lines on his torso still caught Yoongi's attention first, but then his gaze strayed to the silvery blue scales shimmering across Taehyung's hips and thighs. And leading to the base of his cock.

Taehyung's cock, which was still hard and gathering wetness at the tip. Yoongi sat up to get a better look at it and said nothing when Taehyung scooted forward on his knees until his hips were right in front of Yoongi's face. If anyone were to look at it briefly, though Yoongi didn't know why anyone ever would, they might think Taehyung's anatomy to be the same as any average human. But this close, Yoongi saw how the head tapered more than his and instead of a small opening there was a slit that ran along the length of it. The shaft was similar to a human's aside from the two ridges Yoongi had felt earlier. He ran his thumb over them now, eyes straying up briefly when Taehyung inhaled sharply.

"Is that part sensitive?" said Yoongi, his fingers overlapping only to the first knuckle when he closed his fist around Taehyung.

Taehyung laughed, airy and soft. "Right now every part you touch is sensitive."

There were small patches of scales on Taehyung's cock too, but they were different, melding with his skin. Soft like the underbelly of the small lizard Yoongi once found in the woods. And finally toward the base, the shaft swelled just slightly. Yoongi had read over this part in the book the most and still it was unbelievable to him, how it would grow even bigger when the time came.

"This will not fit," said Yoongi, thinking of how difficult it had been just to take Taehyung's cock on its own. "You won't possibly fit."

"It will be fine," said Taehyung, running his hand through Yoongi's hair. "We have time."

Yoongi looked up at Taehyung in concern. At best it would take all night until Taehyung's body decided to give up its clutch. Worst case, days. It would have been a lie to say he wasn't worried about whether he would survive it now that they had begun.

"Little one," said Taehyung, moving to settle between Yoongi's legs. He eased Yoongi back where he could be propped up by the pillows. "Let's try to make it good for you this time, hm?"

Yoongi watched Taehyung stroke himself and more of that clear, slippery substance appeared, sliding slowly down the head of Taehyung's cock. Taehyung guided himself closer and braced his other arm on the bed.

Yoongi closed his eyes as Taehyung pushed in, but he also found it difficult to meet Taehyung's gaze like this.

Taehyung's thrusts were shallow, almost gentle if the word could be used to describe being filled like this. "Tell me when, darling," he said, cradling Yoongi's waist.

Yoongi had no idea what he meant until a shift in angle sent pleasure zipping hot up his spine. He bit back a cry and held his hand over his mouth, but nodded, a quiet plea leaving him.

Like that, Taehyung began to go harder and Yoongi couldn't hold back his moans no matter how much he tried. The fullness was what drove him closer to the edge and he didn't even need to touch himself, spilling onto his stomach with a loud, sharp exhale. Taehyung let go of Yoongi's waist to cup his face instead, smiling like Yoongi was made of the sun's rays which pierced the surface of the sea.

"Keep going," Yoongi said.

It was addicting now, the fullness and pressure of Taehyung stretching him and the drag of his cock. Yoongi's back arched as Taehyung switched to seeking his own pleasure, whimpers getting caught in his throat. He grabbed at Taehyung's arm and followed it up to cup the back of Taehyung's head, wanting him closer, wanting to kiss the way they did last night.

"My mouth is filthy, remember?" said Taehyung, showing a small grin. Yoongi did but didn't care now and just wanted Taehyung as close as he could get.

They kissed without much finesse, but Yoongi slipped his arms over Taehyung's shoulders and took and took until Taehyung became too distracted, panting into Yoongi's open mouth. There was a moment Yoongi didn't know if Taehyung could even hear him, thrusting hard enough that Yoongi's hips ached. A desperate whine left Taehyung, like it was wrenched out, and he held Yoongi down on his cock as he came once more, spilling just as much as the other times.

Yoongi instinctively clenched tight when Taehyung pulled out and collapsed next to him. Taehyung's cock had finally flagged some, curving toward his hip bone. It was shiny with his come and Yoongi reached out to gather some on his fingertip. He hesitated until he saw how Taehyung's gaze had darkened and found the courage to suck his finger into his mouth.

Taehyung's chest rumbled with a low growl and he knocked Yoongi's hand away to kiss him again, shoving his tongue past Yoongi's lips. His palm was heavy and warm on Yoongi's thigh, tugging until Yoongi's leg sat propped over his own. He inserted two fingers back into Yoongi and immediately curled them, alternating between circling tight and tapping until Yoongi didn't know whether to get away or beg for more. His breath caught in his throat and he gripped Taehyung's shoulders, groaning when he came and shaking when Taehyung kept the pressure on him until he practically threw himself off, crawling to the other side of the bed and curling into a fetal position.

Taehyung's hand was much gentler when it sank into his hair, petting and massaging his scalp as he came down. He moved closer once Yoongi stopped trembling and curled up behind him, enveloping him so easily, and pressed a kiss to Yoongi's temple. "Little one," he said, reverent, "I am so happy you are here."

Yoongi counted each breath Taehyung took until he drifted off, warm and secure.

+

Someone was shaking Yoongi. He blinked open his eyes and groaned at the way his body ached. How long had he slept? Not long enough.

"Do you feel all right?"

Yoongi remembered where he was and what he had been in the middle of. Taehyung was still pressed up behind him, but his cock was hard again. "More?" he said, throat dry, as Taehyung rubbed the tip over Yoongi's hole.

"I'll be gentle," said Taehyung, pushing in slowly true to his word. Yoongi made a quiet noise when he felt the swell at the base of Taehyung's cock rest against him. Taehyung was plenty deep and hadn't given more than this earlier, but Yoongi, perhaps because he was still half-asleep, felt brave.

"Deeper," said Yoongi, reaching back blindly until his fingers circled around Taehyung. "This too."

"Little one," said Taehyung, warning in his voice.

"I have to take it later anyway," said Yoongi, mumbling the rest. "When it — grows." He could feel Taehyung's cheek burn up against his shoulder.

"Yes," said Taehyung, rubbing Yoongi's stomach absently. "Yes, you're right."

Yoongi closed his eyes again and waited. He made himself stay relaxed when Taehyung's hand moved to his hip and felt him press forward again. His body resisted more than he wanted it to, knowing it wasn't meant to be stretched open like this, but he was glad Taehyung didn't give up.

It burned like the first time, but Yoongi was expecting it now. His breathing deepened and he gripped Taehyung's arm so tight he was likely to leave marks. But finally, finally the widest part of Taehyung's cock nestled inside Yoongi whose breaths turned quick and shallow as he tried to get used to the new feeling, full beyond what he could have imagined.

Taehyung's arms slid around Yoongi and he seemed worse off, holding Yoongi tight and muttering something Yoongi couldn't understand. He wasn't moving, though Yoongi didn't know how he was going to when Yoongi was clenched around him so tight.

But if he couldn't, Yoongi could try instead. He pulled his hips forward, biting his lip when the widest part stretched him open. He feared if Taehyung slipped out he wouldn't be able to get him in again and allowed Taehyung to slip back inside. Taehyung made a hollow, ruined noise against Yoongi's neck. Maybe this would be enough. Yoongi repeated the action, holding at the stretch, then slowly eased Taehyung back in.

"Darling," said Taehyung, though he didn't sound like he thought Yoongi was being darling at all.

"You said gentle," said Yoongi, starting to enjoy the feeling of too much, a bit in wonder of what his body could handle. He kept going, slow as dripping honey, occasionally stopping when these small crests of pleasure spread through him and he simply squeezed around Taehyung.

It was as if he were in a haze, trapped up in the clouds. Taehyung was stiff behind him and the only noises he made were these quiet whimpers. Yoongi thought if he weren't the one doing the work, he might fall asleep again. He didn't know how long had passed when Taehyung suddenly held him tighter, making it impossible for him to move. He was about to say something when he felt that now familiar warmth inside him.

The silence afterward was filled only by Taehyung's uneven breaths. When he spoke, his voice was small as if Yoongi might deny him. "Can I stay inside?"

Yoongi nodded and yawned, eager to go back to sleep. Taehyung curled his leg over Yoongi's, all but trapping him, but Yoongi didn't mind, a deep satisfaction settling in him right down to his bones.

+

Twice more Taehyung woke Yoongi in the middle of the night. The first was frantic and fast, apologies whispered against Yoongi's skin. The other was much slower, but no less desperate. Yoongi had recovered enough and had been on top, the sheets pooled around them, rocking his hips and watching the candlelight reflect off Taehyung's scales with the rise and fall of his breaths.

It was a thrill, in a way, to see someone as powerful as Taehyung reduced to the edge of begging. After he came, he did actually beg, bringing Yoongi up to straddle his face, eagerly using his tongue until Yoongi shook apart above him.

It was early morning when Yoongi began to worry about how much longer he would have to last. His muscles ached and he didn't want to think about how filthy he was. Taehyung was asleep beside him, though the sheets were tented at his waist. He had not gone fully soft even once the entire night.

Yoongi should have been sleeping too, but was too distracted by his thoughts to rest. He kicked off the sheets and carefully crawled out of bed, wincing as a throbbing pain spread over his entire backside. The marble floor was freezing under his feet as he padded to the neighboring chamber where there was a hot spring steaming in the corner and made Yoongi want to weep in relief. He nearly did when he sank into it, all of his tired muscles seizing up for a moment before the bath soothed the ache away.

With the doors open, Yoongi could lean over the edge and still see Taehyung sprawled out in bed. His mind wandered to what everything, including Taehyung, had told him this would be like. Taehyung had been fearful even the day before, apologizing for how he might hurt Yoongi. And he did hurt, but not in any way that was bad.

Taehyung began to stir. Yoongi stayed where he was, not willing yet to leave the comfort of the bath. He watched Taehyung wake and grow confused when he realized he was alone in bed and felt a little guilty when Taehyung sat up quickly, searching the room.

"I'm here," said Yoongi, waving his fingers which was all he could move at this point.

Taehyung visibly relaxed and got out of bed. Yoongi hid the bottom half of his face in his arm as he watched Taehyung walk toward him, completely uncaring of how his cock bobbed in the air.

"May I join you?" said Taehyung, lowering to sit at the edge and dipping his legs in.

Yoongi hummed and smiled. "Please. I need someone to wash my back."

Taehyung chuckled and slid in the rest of the way, groaning quietly. "I am growing old."

"How old are you?"

Taehyung smiled. "Young for my kind. Barely a few hundred years. Namjoon is nearly one thousand."

Yoongi's eyes widened. "You are serious?"

Taehyung nodded. "I had already been around for a short while before your town even existed. Humans were a rare sighting those days on the seas and shores."

"How many times has...this happened?"

"Only twice before you."

"Who helped you the first time?"

Taehyung didn't answer immediately. "No one," he said finally, as if forced to reveal something he didn't want Yoongi to know. "You are the first. None other have been willing before."

Yoongi was silent, shocked somehow. But really, what should have been more shocking was that he did agree. "What would have happened? If I hadn't said yes."

"I would have asked my brothers to restrain me somehow so I would not hurt myself the way I had before. I would probably spend most of it unconscious."

Yoongi frowned and Taehyung reached out for him, pulling Yoongi against his side.

"The more pressing question is why you did say yes when you knew the risks and dangers."

"I don't really know," said Yoongi. "I simply wanted to. I was scared, but not enough to not help."

"Are you so selfless to everyone you meet?"

Yoongi shrugged. "Selfless doesn't mean much. I tried to be helpful in my town and they repaid it by throwing me into the sea to save themselves."

Taehyung took Yoongi's hand underwater. "You will return. You will go back to your life."

Yoongi forced a smile and nodded. "It hasn't been very dangerous though. The scary parts in the book, all the things you warned me of, they haven't happened."

"Yes, I have noticed too. I am at a loss."

"Maybe it isn't what you think it is?"

Taehyung shook his head. "My body is reacting the same as the other times, there is just no violent desperation. But all the ancient text, the lore from my ancestors, they all said it would go differently."

"I am glad it has not happened," said Yoongi, clearing his throat. "It is actually somewhat enjoyable."

"Little one, you are a surprise," said Taehyung, a teasing lilt to his voice before he grew serious again. "How are you feeling? You have been persevering admirably."

"Sore," said Yoongi, but smiled. "But fine. Do you think it will end soon?"

"I think it might," said Taehyung, pushing Yoongi's hair out of his eyes. He had Yoongi face away and did start to wash his back, using his hands to pour water over him. "Just bear with it a little more."

Yoongi leaned against the edge and closed his eyes. Maybe all the scary parts would still happen, but he basked in the pampering for now. Taehyung finished up and switched to massaging Yoongi's shoulders, then dipped under the water to work on his lower back.

"Can you actually turn into a dragon?" said Yoongi, thoughts straying easily under Taehyung's care.

"Yes," said Taehyung, sounding amused. "It's easier to navigate the seas in that form, but I do not have enough energy to shift when I am like this."

"Will you show me after all this is over?"

"Of course, little one. Anything for you."

They stayed in the bath for a little longer, leaving just as Yoongi's fingertips began to wrinkle. The sheets were still a mess even if they themselves were now clean, but there wasn't much they could do about that. Taehyung laid down first and reached out for Yoongi who crawled onto the bed and sat cross-legged next to Taehyung's side.

"Are you not uncomfortable?" said Yoongi, staring at Taehyung's cock laying heavy against his thigh.

"It's easy to ignore," said Taehyung, touching Yoongi's hip. "But I think it will start soon again."

Yoongi didn't know if there would be another lull like this, so he moved to kneel between Taehyung's legs and leaned down as he took Taehyung's cock in his hand.

"What are you doing?"

"I am taking a closer look," said Yoongi, matter of fact. "I've barely had the chance."

Taehyung laughed, throwing an arm over his eyes. He didn't say Yoongi couldn't though, so Yoongi gently turned it this way and that, getting a better look at the differences he noted earlier. He ran his thumb along the slit at the top, biting his lip when it gave and parted just slightly when he put pressure against it. Taehyung shivered and Yoongi noted how the pad of his thumb was now damp. He did it a few more times, running his thumb up and down slowly, gathering up the clear, slippery secretion and moving his hand lower so he could trace over the two ridges further down.

Taehyung was now almost fully erect and warmer to the touch. His breathing was shallow and his thighs and abdomen tensed when Yoongi kept touching, kept exploring.

As Yoongi circled his thumb over the tip again, he couldn't help but observe how the slit was long enough for his thumb to fit, probably more. It made sense since that's how the eggs were going to make it out. Yoongi didn't think too much about that, but it was difficult to stop wondering what it would feel like inside.

"You can, if you want," said Taehyung and Yoongi glanced up to see him peeking out from his arm, cheeks warm. "Use your fingers."

The open invite took a few moments to process. Taehyung ended up covering Yoongi's hand with his own and applied pressure until Yoongi's thumb sank inside. The effect on Taehyung was immediate. He arched and moaned long and low and Yoongi was intoxicated with the sight and sound. It was hard to describe. Similar to how it felt when he used fingers on himself, but not as tight and a little softer.

There was only one thing Yoongi wanted to do now. He removed his thumb and hunched over until he could get his mouth around Taehyung and traced the tip of his tongue over the slit a few times before pushing in. The noise Taehyung made sounded almost panicked and he gripped Yoongi's shoulders hard enough that Yoongi barely withstood the pain. He focused on his task and stroked the shaft as he slipped his tongue in and out. More of the clear substance gathered in his mouth and he swallowed on impulse. The taste was faint, mildly salty, an echo of accidentally drinking sea water during summer dips to escape from the heat.

"Stop," said Taehyung, his attempt to push Yoongi away suddenly weak. "I'm close. You have to—oh."

Yoongi didn't want to stop. He wanted to see what Taehyung would look like at his peak when he already sounded so ruined. He stroked him faster and sucked messily as he pressed his tongue in deeper. His jaw ached and spit was running down his chin, but he wanted, needed to see more than anything.

Taehyung cried out when he came and Yoongi quickly drew his tongue back just in time for Taehyung to spill in his mouth. It was too much too fast, most of it escaping and running down Taehyung's cock and Yoongi's chin and hands. Yoongi pulled off with a gasp and kept stroking tight, mesmerized by how he could feel Taehyung's cock pulse against his palm.

"Little one, come here, please come here," said Taehyung, frantic, pulling Yoongi up by his arms. Yoongi wanted to complain about how messy he was, but Taehyung clearly did not care. He hugged Yoongi to him and thrust blindly, his cock catching against Yoongi's hole but unable to push in on its own. He grew visibly frustrated and Yoongi reached back to help, holding him in place and relaxing until Taehyung's cock slipped inside in one motion.

This was the closest Yoongi had seen Taehyung to being out of control. He thrust up hard and fast, pushing the air out of Yoongi's lungs with how brutal it was. Between that and his cock being trapped between them, Yoongi came without warning, his gasp met with a satisfied groan from Taehyung. Moments later, Taehyung came again and forced the widest part of him inside Yoongi who couldn't help but clench around it.

It took some time before Taehyung released his ironclad grip on Yoongi. So much for just having bathed. Yoongi winced at the stickiness coating his stomach and leaking down his thighs. What had gotten on his chin was drying and itchy. He sat up with Taehyung still inside him, wanting to at least clean up one mess before dealing with another. He took one of the bath towels and wiped off his face and stomach, then Taehyung too. When he went to get off, Taehyung's hands tightened on his hips and kept him down.

"Don't yet," said Taehyung, staring at where they were still connected. "Some got out already." His voice was quiet, as if too distracted by the sight.

Yoongi leaned over again and braced one hand above Taehyung's shoulder, using the other to cup Taehyung's cheek. The touch made Taehyung look at him, but he was still visibly dazed. "I hope this means you're almost done," said Yoongi.

He was only mildly insulted when Taehyung fell asleep again, but it gave him a chance to finally move. His joints were aching again from staying in that position so long and his hole was sore. He limped back into the bath to clean himself again and returned with a wet cloth for Taehyung.

He noticed Taehyung's skin was still warmer than usual when he settled back in. There was no reaction when he turned Taehyung's face toward him or when he called out Taehyung's name. He curled up on his side and watched Taehyung until his eyelids grew too heavy to keep open, reaching out to grab Taehyung's hand before he drifted under.

+

Yoongi startled awake, a flash of disoriented panic washing over him before he remembered where he was. He had been pulled out of sleep because he'd been pushed onto his stomach and noticed Taehyung on top of him only a second before Taehyung was entering him after a few missed attempts.

The pace was rough and fast from the start and Yoongi bit his lower lip to keep from crying out. Taehyung's head hung low over his shoulder but he seemed like an entirely different person. His eyes were glazed over and his breathing was haggard. His skin was hot to the touch and his face scrunched up in pain more than pleasure as he pounded into Yoongi.

This was what Yoongi had been expecting. Fever, disorientation, and desperation had all been listed as signs. He tried Taehyung's name and touched his hand only for Taehyung to snarl and pin him down harder. The drag and pressure of Taehyung's cock was too rough for it to feel good, but he knew there was nothing he could do right now but bear with it. He didn't know how much more he could take when Taehyung let out a whine and shoved his cock in as deep as it would go. Yoongi's body jerked and he couldn't help the fear that ran cold down his spine as he felt the base of Taehyung's cock swell up inside him. He knew he had to relax to lessen the pain, but his body wouldn't cooperate and tears stung his eyes when he felt like he was going to be torn apart.

Yoongi trembled and couldn't stop. He could do this if Taehyung was still present of mind and was holding him or talking to distract him. He could do this if Taehyung had made him feel good first. He could do this if the person who had him trapped resembled anything like the Taehyung from any moment before this, but that Taehyung seemed nowhere to be found and Yoongi didn't know how to get him back.

"Taehyung!" A few tears escaped when Yoongi squeezed his eyes shut. All he could think about was how much it hurt and how much he wanted it to be over. His breathing came out short and ragged and it caught in his throat when he felt lips touch his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, little one," said Taehyung weakly, who had his forehead resting against the bed when Yoongi opened his eyes again. He looked as bad as Yoongi felt, covered in a sheet of cold sweat and much too pale. He still tried to smile, but it broke into a wince instead and he held his breath, clearly in pain, gasping when it passed seconds later. "Just — just a bit longer. It'll be over soon, it hurts I know. I'm sorry."

Soon passed like the cruelest of winters, as if the end would never arrive. But this time when Yoongi went to take Taehyung's hand, Taehyung grasped it tight like a lifeline. It reminded Yoongi of why he had said yes, that this was still better than what Taehyung would have suffered alone. And if it was still a terrible thing for Taehyung to go through with someone, Yoongi couldn't help but imagine Taehyung driven to delirium, trying to claw his own body open.

Taehyung's breathing quickened and he squeezed Yoongi's hand even tighter. A moment later, Yoongi's eyes widened as he felt the pressure of something else moving inside him. It was easier not to think about what was happening when he couldn't see it. But even if he didn't want to acknowledge what was happening, it was impossible to ignore. The burn of Taehyung stretching him open, the undeniable evidence that something which wasn't Taehyung's cock was being put inside him. It was at least a distraction from the pain and Yoongi hid his face, letting Taehyung squeeze his hand in a death grip two more times before he heard a tired sob of relief.

It would take some time, Yoongi knew, for Taehyung to be able to pull out. He listened to Taehyung's heavy breathing until they evened out and waited for the tremors throughout Taehyung's body to fade away.

"Are you all right, little one?"

Yoongi nodded, his own relief flooding him when he finally felt Taehyung grow smaller again inside him. "Are you?"

"Because of you, yes." Taehyung eased his weight off Yoongi and the jostling caused him to slip out halfway. Yoongi tensed in surprise, but the lessened pressure made it easier to breathe. Taehyung kissed the middle of Yoongi's back. "I will prepare another bath."

Taehyung pulled out all the way and Yoongi felt the rush of come, the most since all of this started and he was too exhausted and sore to stop it. He felt Taehyung use his hand to spread him, touching him gently. He hissed when it stung, and Taehyung apologized quietly.

"I'll have the attendant bring a salve," said Taehyung and eased Yoongi onto his back. Yoongi blinked a few times. Taehyung already had color back in his cheeks and looked the healthiest Yoongi had ever seen him. "I'll return in a moment."

Yoongi closed his eyes and listened to Taehyung moving about in the bathing suite. He cautiously brought his hand up to his abdomen, apprehensive about what he might discover, but his stomach was the same, soft and flat. He could feel them inside though, firm and smooth, shifting ever so slightly in time with his breathing.

Taehyung returned and went to lift Yoongi off the bed, but that was too much for Yoongi to accept.

"I can walk ten steps," said Yoongi, sitting up and swinging his legs over the side. He stumbled when the eggs shifted again and Taehyung reached out to steady him.

"Are you sure?"

Yoongi managed a scowl and straightened, then inhaled sharply when something pressed firmly against a spot in him that made warmth bloom sharp in his belly. He clenched up on instinct, which only made it worse, pulled under another wave. His fingers dug into Taehyung's arms and he tried desperately to get his body to cooperate, but it had a mind of its own only wanting release now that the pain was over.

Taehyung was quiet and stepped closer, sliding one arm behind Yoongi's waist. He tipped Yoongi's chin up to look at him. "Little one," he said, something heavy and possessive in his voice, "are you using my eggs to pleasure yourself?"

A blush ran all the way from Yoongi's face to his chest. He didn't know why he felt like he had been caught doing something debauched, not after the past day and night of giving his body over whatever way Taehyung wanted. None of that compared to how vulnerable he felt now as if the entire heavens were witnessing his growing frenetic need.

Taehyung's expression softened. "I didn't mean you're doing something wrong." He held Yoongi close with both arms. "If it feels good, let it feel good. You did well and deserve it."

Yoongi nodded against Taehyung's shoulder. It took a few attempts before he gave in fully to the sensations, not caring about how he must look or the sounds he was making, which were desperate and urgent.

Taehyung stroked his back. "Take your time," he said, lips brushing Yoongi's temple. "Let it come."

Anticipation and tension slowly grew and grew in Yoongi. He did his best to listen to Taehyung, to not become frustrated when one moment it was all too much and the next as if he were back at the start. It seemed to take forever but then suddenly he was teetering right on the edge, overwhelmed.

"I'm right here," said Taehyung, calm as ever. "I have you."

It was like a wave hidden when far out at sea and lost in the immensity and only at the last moment revealed just how much force it had. Yoongi's cock, not even fully hard and long depleted, gave up a pitiful stream of come which ran down Taehyung's thigh before he was pulled under by the current, muffling a cry against Taehyung's body as he shook with the intensity of it.

"There you are," said Taehyung, holding onto Yoongi tightly the entire time. "Yes, like that."

Yoongi was lightheaded as he came down from it. He sagged against Taehyung and would have collapsed to the floor from exhaustion if Taehyung were not able to support all his weight. This time, he did not argue when Taehyung carried him with ease to the bath, ready to sleep for the next year.

The hot bath only made him sleepier. Taehyung sat behind him and washed Yoongi with care as he slipped in and out of consciousness. When Taehyung set him on a bench to dry him off, he woke briefly and noticed next to him nestled in a towel were three eggs, all a little rounder than what a hen would lay. They were also the prettiest eggs Yoongi had ever seen, iridescent with various shades of shimmering blue. He didn't know how Taehyung removed them, but was glad he'd been able to do it without Yoongi even knowing. Taehyung was quick but gentle about applying a salve to the tender skin between Yoongi's legs. It had almost an immediate effect, the soreness completely disappearing.

"When will you have baby dragons?" said Yoongi and Taehyung laughed quietly, kneeling to pat Yoongi's legs dry.

"No, nothing will hatch from those."

Yoongi frowned, inexplicably sad about it.

"Do not be upset," said Taehyung, carrying Yoongi back to bed. New sheets had been spread and they were cool like a balm on Yoongi's skin. "There will be a time far from now when I will no longer be the king of these seas. There will be baby dragons to raise then."

The last thought Yoongi had was that he was still sad, but now for the reason that when that time came, he will have long disappeared from this world.

+

Yoongi slept for an entire day and was alone when he awoke. There was food left out on the tea table and a robe for him to wear. His body didn't ache as much as he expected and he was eager to escape this room after being there for days, but he was mostly curious where Taehyung had disappeared to.

The halls of the palace were deserted still, but the air felt calm. Yoongi headed to the garden, thinking that would be the most likely place for Taehyung to be, though it too was empty.

But the courtyard was flooded with sunlight and Yoongi couldn't believe it even when he stood in the middle and felt the warmth directly on his face. A shadow flickered overhead and Yoongi's eyes snapped open. There was nothing except for a lone ocean sunfish idling past, but much too slow to have been what Yoongi had noticed.

Maybe he had just imagined it.

But just as Yoongi stopped searching, something else flashed by out the corner of his eye. He turned too slow and only caught what looked to be a tail. It became like a game, Yoongi always a hair too late to see what was lurking out there.

Except there was only one possibility and that was why he played along.

He grew tired soon and collapsed onto a stone bench, lying down. "You win," he said into the silence, resting his eyes.

This time, when the sunlight disappeared, the shadow stayed. Yoongi opened his eyes and the sight stole his breath away.

Above him was a creature monstrously large. Its snout was strong, sharp teeth the length of Yoongi's arm bared in a snarl. Two tapering horns rose from its head like a gold crown. Its body was long and winding like a serpent, covered in blue and silver scales which gleamed like diamonds under the sunlight, and its claws seemed like they could pull a mountain from the earth no more difficult than a weed. But its eyes which shined dark red were what Yoongi couldn't look away from.

Yoongi stared into the gaze of a dragon and saw Taehyung as if he were standing in front of him.

The dragon broke first and swam through the water as if it were dancing. It spiraled up toward the surface before curving back, piercing through the water as it dove like an arrow splitting the air. Yoongi thought it looked happy. Strong. Free.

Yoongi stayed there until the sun yielded to the moon, watching Taehyung soar overhead in all his magnificence and grandeur and felt peace.

+

Though Yoongi had done very little except for his brief walk from Taehyung's wing to the courtyard, he grew tired quickly. Once Taehyung had swam off, Yoongi stared at the moon for a while longer before leaving. He had planned to return to Taehyung's room, but detoured to the grand entrance hall instead.

There hadn't been any reason to return here since his first meeting with Taehyung, the day he had woken and thought he could escape from here on his own. The day Taehyung had seen him and treated him no better than dirt.

Today, Yoongi stood in front of the towering entrance gates and waited.

He did not have to for long. The doors opened, echoing under their own weight, and on the other side stood Taehyung as Yoongi had never before seen him.

Taehyung entered with long, confident strides, his shoulders tall and broad. His hair fell like silk to the middle of his back and his skin glowed warm and sunkissed, but he frowned when he approached.

"Little one," he said, cupping Yoongi's face. "You should be resting more."

"You're back," said Yoongi, smiling.

Taehyung returned it. "I am," he said and took Yoongi's hand to lead him into the palace. "Did you wait long?"

"A little," said Yoongi. "But I saw something amazing in the gardens."

Taehyung hummed and led them back to his quarters. There was dinner on the table now and Taehyung eased Yoongi into his seat. "You will have to tell me all about it."

Yoongi watched Taehyung take the seat across from him, his noble and elegant air now undeniable. This was who Taehyung really was, the powerful entity who ruled the sea whom his grandmother had told stories of, and Yoongi didn't know how to look away. Ever since their time in the library had gone from merely cordial to that of friends, there had been one thought in particular lingering in Yoongi's head. He had not wanted to acknowledge it, had thought it was foolish or a symptom of madness, but now he allowed himself to consider it in seriousness for what it was. A result of being wanted, of earning friends, of knowing there was nothing worthwhile for him to go home to.

Yoongi allowed himself to think what it might be like to stay.

+

In the remaining time before the others returned, Yoongi spent most of the days in Taehyung's company. Now that Taehyung was no longer ill, there were a few urgent matters he had to deal with — politics even here at the bottom of the vast sea. But when he was in the palace, Yoongi stayed by his side. They ate together and returned to the library to read in silence. In the evenings, Yoongi retired to Taehyung's room even though he had no reason to. His justification was that it was lonely otherwise and Taehyung didn't stop him.

Yoongi didn't know how to bring up staying. Now and then, Taehyung would make a passing comment about how different it was going to be once Yoongi returned, since he was their longest guest. Each time he thought he might say something, Taehyung would already have moved on to another topic and Yoongi would decide he could wait one more day.

"The others will return tomorrow."

They were dining in Taehyung's quarters yet again. The main dining room was too large and formal. Yoongi looked up from his food. "Already?"

"Are you displeased?" said Taehyung, sitting back and smiling. "You have suffered enough with only me for company."

Yoongi was somewhat, he realized. He had been enjoying their time and coming to know who Taehyung was in his true form. The person before him who could be so intimidating in stature also showed himself to be no different than a boy, pouting when Yoongi had eaten the last strawberry and staring at the moon at night in wonder as if it were the first time he had ever witnessed such a phenomenon. Yoongi wasn't ready to share Taehyung's time again.

It had crossed his mind, of course, that the way he regarded Taehyung now was much different than a fortnight ago. He had also considered whether his feelings were truly his own, or if what he had gone through had somehow clouded his judgment. But it wasn't so. His affection was genuine and there were fleeting moments when he thought Taehyung looked at him and knew.

Yoongi shook his head. "No, of course not," he said, smiling a little. "I've missed Jungkook and Jimin."

"I would have sent you on your way home already, but I thought you may want to say goodbye. I know they would be upset if I took the chance away from them."

Yoongi stared at the table, his appetite quickly disappearing. He wondered now, for the first time, whether Taehyung wanted him gone rather than assuming Yoongi wanted to go home. But if that were the case, why allow Yoongi to keep him company? He could have sent Yoongi away to spend the rest of his time alone, but he didn't. He even allowed Yoongi to share his bed. That, above all else, had to carry some weight.

Tonight was no different. Yoongi washed up first and laid in bed wide awake, staring at the cold, dark sea outside as he waited for Taehyung to finish writing some letters.

"You are still awake," said Taehyung when he crawled into bed much later. "Are you having trouble sleeping?"

Yoongi shook his head, but didn't actually know. He moved closer when Taehyung held his arms open, fitting himself against Taehyung's side. It was a familiar position now, though in the time since they had laid together Taehyung had not indicated he was interested in Yoongi more intimately than that, not even a little.

If this were his last evening alone with Taehyung, then there was nothing for Yoongi to lose. He pushed himself up to lean over Taehyung who was about to close his eyes.

"What's the matter?" Taehyung said, gaze soft with concern.

Instead of words, because he didn't know how to answer that question, Yoongi kissed him. He pressed his mouth to Taehyung's lightly at first, but when he received no reaction deepened the kiss, moving his lips the way Taehyung had done to him the night before it all started. His chest twisted like thick, gnarled vines around a fallen tree when Taehyung eased him back.

"What are you doing, Yoongi?"

Yoongi sat up, a terrible chill running down his spine. "Why are you calling me that?"

"It's your name."

"You've never used it. Call me what you did before."

"Yoo—"

"No."

Taehyung sighed and sat up, cupping his hand against Yoongi's face. "Little one. Is that better?" His other hand took Yoongi's. "Now why did you kiss me?"

"I wanted to. You said tomorrow the others would be back."

Taehyung was quiet for a moment, studying Yoongi. "I understand, I think," he said, stroking his thumb across the rise of Yoongi's cheek. "I have thought about it too, giving you a memory better than what you had endured. Is that what you want?"

Yoongi didn't need a better memory. Did Taehyung think otherwise? What he wanted had nothing to do with the help Yoongi had 'endured'. He just wanted to know Taehyung's touch again and if it would be any different. There was no better or worse.

Not knowing what to say again, Yoongi once more moved toward Taehyung, settling in his lap. Taehyung didn't touch him and Yoongi held him, placing his head on Taehyung's shoulder so he didn't have to see if Taehyung's answer was rejection.

Taehyung laid back down with Yoongi on top of him. The silence between them stretched on but after a pause he began to stroke Yoongi's back. The warmth of his hand made Yoongi's eyes heavy. He fought to stay awake and wondered if his heavy exhaustion was something Taehyung was controlling.

It was a battle he lost, but he felt Taehyung brush a kiss over his temple before he slipped completely under.

In the morning, he was tucked neatly under the covers and Taehyung was already gone.

+

"Hyung!"

Yoongi looked away from the whale shark circling the waters overhead and smiled when Jungkook came running up to him in the gardens and enveloped him in a hug. Jimin was right behind him.

"You survived," said Jimin, his gaze sweeping over Yoongi as if to check for injuries.

"It was not as terrible as I was told it would be."

Jimin frowned slightly. "It wasn't?" Jungkook had a similarly confused look.

Yoongi shook his head. "Maybe the stories have been embellished."

"I'm glad you're all right," said Jungkook.

"Where are the others?" said Yoongi.

"They wanted to speak to Taehyung first."

Yoongi didn't know Taehyung had returned. He had only caught a glimpse of him in the late morning, just long enough for Taehyung to say he had urgent meetings to attend again. Yoongi had said to come find him when he came back. He wanted to tell Taehyung he wanted to stay. Maybe Taehyung had been ambushed by the other three before he could let Yoongi know.

"I will go wait for them to finish," said Yoongi, standing up, but Jimin did not move from where he was blocking the pathway to leave.

"Why? You just spent so long with him," said Jimin as Jungkook looped his arm around Yoongi's. "Spend some time with us before you leave."

"That's what I need to speak to him about," said Yoongi, smiling. "I don't want to leave."

It was good news, Yoongi thought, and didn't know why Jimin's expression was unreadable. He turned to Jungkook who was frowning and looked uneasy.

"You want me to?"

"That's not," said Jungkook, trailing off. "We've never had anyone do that before."

"There's nothing for me to go back to," said Yoongi. "My grandmother died two winters ago. I worked any job or chore I could find in the village just to eat. But here there's this garden and a library I'll probably never get through and all of you. Why shouldn't I stay?"

"I don't think Taehyung will allow it," said Jimin.

"Why not?"

"It just isn't done."

"I still want to ask," said Yoongi, hesitating before he continued. "I like being near him."

"Hyung…"

Yoongi laughed with too much force to cover up the unease growing heavy in his chest seeing how serious Jimin and Jungkook looked. "It's different now after I helped him. I think there could be something."

He sidestepped Jimin and headed back into the palace, feeling like if he stayed with them longer he would start to believe his hope was a foolish one. The palace staff had started to return that morning and Yoongi couldn't help but begrudge their presence. It had been nice when it had just been him and Taehyung taking strolls through the empty halls.

The doors to Taehyung's quarters were closed and it was impossible to eavesdrop. He wanted to march in right there, uncaring of what they might be talking about, and tell Taehyung he didn't need to send Yoongi off after all. He settled for standing outside and waiting.

It was some time before the doors opened. Hoseok was the first one to step out and startled when he saw Yoongi there.

"Oh, hello," said Hoseok, glancing behind him when Seokjin and Namjoon filed out too. It was the first time he had not smiled at Yoongi.

"Hello." Yoongi peered inside and saw Taehyung's back was to the door. "May I come in?"

Taehyung looked over his shoulder, spinning around when he saw it was Yoongi. "Were you waiting?"

"Not long."

Taehyung waved him in. "Your timing is good. I just told the others my health is back to normal. I can send you home tomorrow."

Yoongi's stomach dropped, but he forced himself to speak. "What if you didn't?"

"I'm sorry?"

Yoongi took a deep breath. "I want to stay here."

Taehyung stared at him, then looked away and busied himself with thumbing through letters which had arrived while he had been out. "That won't be possible."

"Why not?"

"It just isn't."

"But if you can bring me back, then you can let me stay." Yoongi didn't like how Taehyung wouldn't look at him, as if the conversation wasn't even important. He would be more hurt if it wasn't so clearly an act. Or, he was mostly sure. "Why don't you want me?"

Taehyung's jaw tightened. "Humans are not meant to stay here."

"Jungkook and Jimin do."

"They're dead."

"Is that the only requirement? I can easily—"

In the blink of an eye, Taehyung rushed toward Yoongi and pinned him to the wall. Yoongi's heart pounded in his chest, but from shock not fear, even though Taehyung's gaze was angry and piercing. "Do not ever say such a stupid thing."

Yoongi placed his hands on Taehyung's shoulders and stepped forward to hug him. "I like you. I don't want to leave."

"I am not someone you are meant to like, little one," said Taehyung, finally sounding like the version of himself Yoongi had been spending time with. But he was also tired and defeated. "You should return home and live your life the way you were meant to. What you feel is not real."

"Not real?" Yoongi pulled back in disbelief. "You cannot tell me what I do or don't feel."

Taehyung looked off to the side. "You're here because others were willing to throw away your life. You had no choice but to stay and know me. You had no choice but to lay with me. You didn't want to save me because you liked me, but because of guilt over my past and because you wanted to live. To be able to step outside this prison. You were always scared of me, even if you didn't want to be."

Yoongi wanted to deny it, but what Taehyung was saying had been the truth. But it didn't mean what he felt couldn't change. "I was scared because you said you could hurt me. But you didn't. I don't think that any longer."

Taehyung touched his forehead to Yoongi's and closed his eyes. "I'm sorry. You must return."

Yoongi drew his lower lip between his teeth and held on to Taehyung's robe. It was made of the finest silk and he felt bad for handling it so roughly. "Why? Nothing's happened to me so far. If I've already been here for so long why do you keep saying it's impossible?"

Taehyung grabbed Yoongi's wrists and made him let go. He stepped away, his expression closing off again. "It's not something a human could understand," he said, then nodded toward the door. "There's still work I have to do. Go eat with the others."

Yoongi frowned and stared at Taehyung's back until it was clear the conversation was over. He didn't want to push if it was only going to make Taehyung more stubborn, so he left quietly, wincing when the door swung closed behind him.

In the dining hall, the chatter stopped when Yoongi walked in. He paid them all no mind and sat down, staring at the table as food was brought out and placed in front of him.

"Yoongi?"

Yoongi looked up and saw them all watching them, some with concern, some unreadable. Jimin touched his arm. "You were right," he said, laughing at how terribly that had gone. "He doesn't want me here."

"I don't think that's it," said Jimin, who gave Namjoon a pointed look, but Namjoon didn't seem to be sympathetic.

"We are grateful you helped him," said Namjoon, so different from how he had spoken to Yoongi that time in the library. When Yoongi had held the power, however limited, he had been humble. It was like a knife in the gut to see how quickly that all could change. Even though he met Yoongi's gaze now, there was nothing there. "But Taehyung is right to insist on sending you home. This is not a place for humans."

"He said Jungkook and Jimin were fine here because they're spirits now. He didn't like it when I said I could become one too."

"Hyung!" said Jungkook, eyes wide in horror.

"It would be a foolish thing to do," said Seokjin, his face also placid. "You cannot choose where you go after death. It would not be here. You would die for nothing."

"Then what do I do with these feelings for him?" Yoongi covered his face with both hands, overwhelmed by the thought. "How do I go home like this?"

"Humans are persistent," said Namjoon. "You will survive."

But as Yoongi thought of the moments of kindness Taehyung had shown him and fought back tears, he didn't know if that would be true for him.

+

Sleeping in his old room was strange.

Yoongi had gone to Taehyung's earlier but an attendant outside informed him Taehyung wanted to be left alone. The message was clear enough and Yoongi ignored the pitiful look Jungkook gave him when they passed each other in the halls.

He stared at the ceiling, not knowing how long he had been laying there, his body tired but his mind wide awake. Was this how he would spend his last hours here? Alone, just as how he started.

The sudden creak of the door opening made him sit up. The light of an oil lamp cast long shadows along the walls, just bright enough for Yoongi to catch the flash of blue hair.

"You're awake," said Taehyung, frozen in the doorway. It was clear he hadn't expected Yoongi to be. "I—" He took a step back and Yoongi called out his name.

"Stay," said Yoongi, crawling out of bed to physically lead Taehyung further into the room. He made Taehyung sit next to him. "I'm happy you came."

But Taehyung didn't look the same. His gaze was fixed on the floor and his complexion, even in the low light, was bad. "I regretted our conversation," he said, drawing his hands into fists. "How I spoke to you. I'm sorry."

No matter how much he knew it wasn't a good idea, Yoongi felt some hope rekindle. "You're forgiven."

"Yes, I — that is all I wished to say." Taehyung stood up, not quite meeting Yoongi's eyes. "Good night."

Yoongi grabbed Taehyung's hand before he stepped out of reach. He pulled him back hard enough to make him topple onto the bed. There were no disillusions around how Taehyung could easily escape if he wanted to, could toss Yoongi aside as if he were nothing. That he didn't and stayed motionless meant Yoongi allowed himself to believe Taehyung didn't want to go.

Yoongi curled up next to him and watched the rise and fall of Taehyung's chest. "Will you really make me leave?"

"You must."

"Do you want me to?"

"Yes."

Yoongi closed his eyes. "Why?"

But Taehyung didn't say anything. When the silence stretched on, Yoongi looked at him again and touched Taehyung's face.

"Tell me the truth. Don't you owe me that after what I did for you?"

Taehyung rolled into his side and placed his hand over Yoongi's. "An ancestor of mine who ruled this sea a long time ago was the first of our kind to be with a human. She stayed with him, but he watched her grow old and die. After that he went mad and flooded the lands, killing thousands. If you stay, I will outlive you. You will grow old in what will be barely any time to me. That is why I want you to leave."

"You aren't your ancestor. Even if the time is short, is it not worth it?"

"I will be worse than him," said Taehyung, his smile sad. "So please do not ask anymore."

The weight of Taehyung's words were different this time. They carried a finality which weighed heavy in Yoongi's chest. "I see," said Yoongi, pushing down the sudden urge now to make Taehyung leave when he had spent the entire day wanting to be with him. It was unfair that Taehyung was making this decision for him. It was cowardly that Taehyung wouldn't even try.

"I'm sorry, little one."

"Don't call me that anymore," said Yoongi, moving away to lie facing the wall. Taehyung stayed still and silent, but eventually the bed shifted and the shadows on the wall scattered when Taehyung picked up the lamp.

Taehyung stood there and Yoongi almost gave in, either to beg for Taehyung to change his mind or yell for him to leave already, but before he could decide which Taehyung made it for him and left in a haste.

The door fell shut and everything went dark again.

+

Yoongi refused to leave his room in the morning. It was a repeat of his first days here when Jungkook came with a tray of food, quietly urging Yoongi to eat something. Yoongi knew how long it took to starve to death, he had seen it on the streets of the village and in the most dire of times had gone days himself with nothing but porridge so thin it might as well have been water. So he didn't care if Jungkook was worried. He would be sent home before he would die here.

Jimin also came to speak with him, but he had nothing to say except to ask Jimin exactly when he would be leaving.

"He insisted on it yesterday," Yoongi said, a pang of guilt sitting uncomfortably in his chest when he saw the hurt flash across Jimin's face, but it wasn't enough to stop him. "Why am I still here?"

"If you want to go now, I can tell Taehyung. You know only he has the ability."

"No one else can? Isn't Namjoon the most powerful?"

"Namjoon isn't king of this sea."

"Tell him he can do what he likes," said Yoongi. "Since his word is law."

Jimin sighed. Yoongi could feel his disappointment and told himself it didn't matter. This was not a place he was supposed to belong. These were not people he was supposed to care about.

It was late into the evening when Yoongi grew restless and too hungry for him to ignore. The halls of the palace were silent when he chanced a peek outside. A part of him had been both disappointed and irritated that Taehyung did not show up the way he had last night. As upset as he was, the absence was worse than the hurt and betrayal he'd felt being told that Taehyung didn't want him.

The halls were dim and Yoongi ventured to the dining hall. It was completely empty, unsurprising, but only when he got there did he realize he didn't know the way to the kitchens. His stomach growled again and he dropped into a crouch, exhausted suddenly and also — angry. At himself, at Taehyung, at the world for taking away the one person he had in his life and leaving him to fend for himself. At the cruel twist of being sacrificed to a dragon king whom he trusted and showed vulnerability to and gave his body over to save. At how none of it was still enough. He still couldn't have what he wanted. Not even a scrap to eat in this place where gems were embedded into the walls and even the servants wore gold.

Yoongi's sight blurred and he wiped at his eyes angrily. Crying wouldn't help him. He stood up, not knowing where he was going or what he even wanted now, but if he wandered then he wouldn't have to think.

He stumbled back when he turned around, caught off guard by Taehyung standing in the doorway. Yoongi didn't know if he wanted to run toward him or away. He couldn't move and watched Taehyung take slow, measured steps toward him.

"You're always wandering when others are asleep," said Taehyung. He sounded fond and Yoongi hated it.

"I was about to leave," said Yoongi, averting his eyes as he walked past, but Taehyung grabbed his elbow.

"You haven't eaten all day," said Taehyung, eyes narrowing when he looked closer at Yoongi's face. "Were you crying?"

"It doesn't matter," said Yoongi, wrenching his arm away. He buried any desire to want to be closer. "Don't pretend to care about me."

"I haven't done anything of the sort."

"Everything was pretend!" said Yoongi, unable to stop his hurt and anger, boiling over stoked by the flames of Taehyung making it clear that Yoongi was not worth keeping. "I understand now. I pretended too. I just wanted to survive and made myself believe this was salvation instead of a cage. I was so desperate to keep my life that I let a monster use me. And then I was willing to die to stay with you. If anyone has gone mad already, it's me!"

Taehyung's eyes were filled with pity and it only made Yoongi more enraged. He screamed and raised his fist, but Taehyung caught it easily and pulled Yoongi into an embrace, holding him in place no matter how violently he struggled, until he cursed himself hoarse and the only sound in the vast hall was his labored breaths.

"Let me show you something," said Taehyung, drawing away. He kept Yoongi's hand clasped in his and led him out and through the familiar path to the gardens.

Yoongi was too tired to fight, to even wonder what Taehyung was doing. He didn't know anymore if he wanted to stay or go, whether his feelings which he had been so sure of were indeed real. He wanted his grandmother to tell him what he should do. He wanted to go back in time and trick the villagers into sacrificing someone else.

The sun was just beginning to rise in the gardens. A swarm of translucent jellyfish glided through the light filled waters. Yoongi didn't want to be here. The garden was a place where he saw Taehyung differently, as someone he wanted to be close to. These were not memories which would comfort him now.

But Taehyung led him deeper, off the path which followed the pond, to where the plants were dense and seaweed grew from trees. A curtain of them showed a dead end, but Taehyung pushed them aside to reveal the entrance to a tunnel. It was pitch black and there was a draft which made Yoongi shiver.

"What is this? Where are you taking me?"

"You'll see," said Taehyung, entering the darkness with his hand tight around Yoongi's, making it so he had no choice but to follow.

It was impossible to see anything after a few steps. Yoongi tightened his grip on Taehyung's hand out of fear that he would become lost and trapped forever. The ground was soft beneath them, as if walking on moss, and so the only sound was their breathing echoing off the walls. As they walked, the air grew colder and Yoongi shivered with every step, his muscles going stiff in an effort to conserve body heat.

"We're almost there." Taehyung's voice filled up the entire space around them.

It was easy in this kind of place to let his mind wander and imagine all types of absurd scenarios. That Taehyung was bringing him somewhere to be rid of him. That Taehyung was abandoning his responsibilities and they would run away and live in the mountains. He couldn't decide which was more probable.

Something finally appeared in the darkness, a white glow in front of them which grew until Yoongi realized it was an opening to a cave. Taehyung looked back and smiled at him. "You're the first human who has seen this place," he said, keeping their hands together even as they stepped over the threshold and the tunnel opened up into an immense, towering cave. "You may be the only human who will ever see it."

Yoongi was at a loss for words. Above them were enormous structures which resembled the ice every winter hanging from the straw roof of his home. There were hundreds scattered across the top, some so long they nearly touched the ground. Light seeped in from cracks and crevices in the ceiling and reflected off the wide pool in the center of the cave. The edges were pale, but deepened sharply in the center, the water clear enough that Yoongi could see the black in the very middle where the water ran into the abyss.

The walls shimmered as Yoongi took careful steps. He touched it as if it were something delicate, but it was sharp underneath his fingertips.

"Do you like it?"

Yoongi looked back at Taehyung whose hair seemed silver as the light hit it. Taehyung waited like a child doing their best to behave so they could receive sweets. "I don't understand you," said Yoongi, glancing down at their hands. "Why did you bring me here? Why are you treating me as if you don't want me gone, as if you didn't tell me what I feel is false? How am I supposed to take this?"

Taehyung didn't meet Yoongi's eyes. He looked at their hands too, focusing on them as he took Yoongi's other one as well. "I remembered that you are the one who is suffering the most. There is not much which intimidates me, but you make it difficult for me to think and I am sorry for saying one thing and showing you another."

"How do I know this isn't the same?"

Taehyung finally raised his head. "I do not know either," he said, his smile carrying that same pity he showed earlier when Yoongi had fought with him. "I am trying my best to do what is right. Feeling the way I do for a human is not something I ever expected and you leave me at a loss more than I know how to handle."

Yoongi wanted to believe those words for what they were. He didn't object when Taehyung pulled him closer, stumbling forward, and brought his arms around Taehyung's waist.

"Tell me what I should do, little one."

Yoongi closed his eyes. "You already decided, didn't you?" he said, holding on tighter. Taehyung placed his hand on Yoongi's head. "But you don't want to do it."

It wasn't what he wanted to say, but he needed to. He didn't want this tireless back and forth to keep going. His grandmother would say sometimes good things should end, that holding onto too much of it could become a burden.

Taehyung tilted Yoongi's head up. His eyes were dark and Yoongi could see himself in them.

Yoongi smiled, not wanting to be upset again in front of him. "We should go."

Taehyung nodded. He led Yoongi across the cave where there was another tunnel. It was much smaller, narrow enough that they wouldn't be able to enter side by side. Taehyung kissed Yoongi's forehead and his lips seemed to tremble as they lingered. Finally, he moved away and said, "You go first, I'll be right behind you."

Yoongi linked their fingers together, squeezing a little too tight, and stepped inside before either of them could change their minds. The pitch black fell around them again and Yoongi shivered immediately at the cold. His steps were cautious and he walked with his free hand following the wall. "Taehyung?"

"I'm here. Can you feel me?" Taehyung squeezed and Yoongi squeezed back.

Something was odd with the air in the tunnel. Yoongi's breaths grew shallow and he felt lightheaded. He called for Taehyung again.

"I'm right behind you. Just keep walking."

Yoongi nodded and trudged on. His feet dragged against the ground and he walked as long as he could until the dizziness turned into a throbbing pain behind his eyes. He stopped and leaned against the wall, rubbing his temples. There was nothing he wanted more than to just sit and rest, but something pushed him to keep going.

"How much further?" Yoongi said.

"A little more," said a voice that was far away and muffled.

Yoongi pushed his hair out of his eyes and began walking again. Slowly, the dampness of the air disappeared and he felt like he could breathe again. Then, suddenly a light grew in the distance and he could hear the crashing of waves on the shore. He stumbled toward it and stopped at the end of the tunnel where his feet met the sand.

The wind in his face made his eyes water. He stepped onto the beach and felt something touch his hand, but when he turned there was nothing there. It must have just been the wind again.

The skies were overcast in the distance and the tide rose higher with each wave rolling onto the shore. Yoongi took a deep breath of the salty sea air.

"Yoongi, is that you?"

Yoongi turned and smiled when he saw the auntie from the teahouse.

"What are you doing out here? It's going to be dark soon. Get back to the village. Have you had supper?"

Had he? Yoongi couldn't remember. He also didn't have a good answer for why he was here. He looked around and noticed an entrance to what looked like a tunnel. He'd never noticed that before. Had that always been there? His head started to hurt. Maybe he should stop taking naps in odd places.

"Auntie, I'll sweep floors if you feed me noodles."

"Demanding. Come on, then."

As Yoongi scurried up the dune, the waves followed him like a hand reaching out until it could go no further.

+

It was cold the next morning.

Yoongi stepped out of the cozy single room his grandmother had made into a home and rubbed his arms, cursing as a breeze swept through. It was still early, too early for even the merchants to be out and on their way to the market. He had only managed a half night's sleep, waking up before the sun from a dream he lost before he could even try to remember.

A walk would clear his head. He wandered the empty streets, feeling like the only person alive in the world in that moment.

The sun was beginning to peek over the horizon when his feet took him back to the sea. The uncle who sold seafood at the market was pulling up to the dock with the day's catch. Yoongi could see the pails full of fish flopping around.

"You're up early," he said when Yoongi stopped to watch him. "Couldn't sleep?"

Yoongi shook his head.

"You should hurry home. It'll rain soon. Looks like praying to the gods worked, otherwise we would have had a drought on our hands."

That's what Yoongi had heard the evening before, eating alone while other villagers streamed into the teahouse after a long day's work to eat and drink. They were all relieved at the sudden signs of an upcoming storm, happy that the season's crops would get the rain they desperately needed.

Yoongi didn't feel like going back yet. He wished the uncle well and walked off, following the shore and breathing in the damp sea air which stuck to his skin.

There was something Yoongi had not been able to stop thinking about since yesterday. He felt like there was something he had forgotten, something important. But Yoongi's life was no different than any other villager, the same routine day in day out, everyone simply trying to survive. There was nothing worthwhile for him to forget.

In the distance, the clouds turned dark as the wind pushed them closer to land. Yoongi watched them grow tumultuous, mirroring the rough seas below. The wind was piercing, threatening to blow Yoongi over, but he stood his ground.

As the sun disappeared behind the clouds, the waves crashed and rushed the shore one after another, more and more violent like they were desperate to leave the sea which imprisoned them. A crack of thunder shook the air and Yoongi tilted his head back as the skies opened up.

His grandmother told him a story once about the dragon kings who protected the four seas and cared for the villages, about how they had the power to bestow rain, but a storm meant their heart had been broken and the rain became their tears. Yoongi thought of the dragon king who lived in this sea and what they might have lost for their hurt to be so great.

A few drops quickly turned into a downpour. The rain soaked Yoongi through, but he stayed. And as the cold sank down into his bones, so did an all-consuming grief. It was so sudden that he didn't know he was crying until he felt the tears hot on his cheeks, his shoulders heaving as he fought to breathe. He couldn't stop, but didn't know what reason he even had to feel like this, why there was a void in his chest that he wanted desperately to claw out.

Before him the sea swelled, angry and terrible, waves crashing into one another, fighting to tell Yoongi what he had lost in a language he would never know.

Chapter Text

Every summer Yoongi's family made a trip out to the sea. It was only a couple hours drive from their home in Daegu, a welcome reprieve when the stifling humidity reached its peak. Yoongi didn't like going anywhere near the water, but he was good at taking naps under the shade and helping his mom cut up a whole watermelon for the family to share.

Yoongi's aunt on his father's side had married someone rich last year and they built a new home on the eastern coast. This year, instead of the public beaches, they accepted his aunt's invitation to stay with them for a weekend on their acres of private property.

Their house was very modern, all sharp angles and grey tones, meant to look as different from the apartments most people in the country occupied for a reason. Yoongi thought it was nice, but nothing to get excited about. The beach was steps from the house. Every room which faced the water had floor to ceiling windows to take advantage of the view.

The first night, Yoongi curled up in one of the chairs in the living room while the rest of his family stayed up into the night laughing and drinking. He sat there and watched the waves roll in, how the water turned black as the sun disappeared on the other side. There was something mesmerizing about it he couldn't look away from, a pull so strong that Yoongi almost walked out there in the middle of the night to know what he might find.

Tomorrow there was all day to spend at the beach and so Yoongi forced himself to retire for the night.

+

Without the soundtrack of the city, Yoongi slept into the afternoon. The house was quiet when he ventured out of his own guest bedroom and he found a note in the kitchen next to the instant coffee packets letting him know everyone was already outside. He mixed a cup of coffee and heated up some leftovers to eat. He ordinarily wouldn't have cared how long it took him to get ready, but he actually wanted to be by the water this time.

The sun was high in the sky when Yoongi finally stepped outside. He tugged his hat further over his eyes and could only see whatever was right in front of him. The breeze changed direction and Yoongi could suddenly hear the sound of his aunt's laughter which was almost identical to his father's. They both inherited it from Yoongi's grandmother who had been strict, but also loved to laugh.

It was strange to see a beach devoid of people. His family had a couple of canopies set up, his father and his aunt's husband gathered over a portable stove, making what looked to be ramen judging by all the empty wrappers. He got teased for his impeccable timing, but turned down lunch since he had eaten inside. Instead, he decided to explore the empty shoreline, a sight so alien to him, too used to the crowded beaches of past summers. His family didn't bat an eye, waving him off.

Their laughter quickly became muted as Yoongi followed the shoreline. The sun glistened off the surface of the water, a deep blue now in the day, though Yoongi thought he saw flashes of silver but that was probably the angle of the sun.

He finally stopped when he could no longer hear his aunt's sharp laughter. There was nothing but the wind and the waves rolling onto the shore. He took a deep breath, the faint saltiness of the air like a balm when they'd had a week of bad smog in the city that had made Yoongi's eyes water whenever he stepped outside. He understood, he supposed, the benefit of marrying well if it came with benefits like this.

Movement out the corner of his eye caught his attention. His aunt owned most of the property out here, but he supposed a neighbor wouldn't know where the borders were or much less cared. He watched this stranger wander into view. He looked around Yoongi's age and was dressed a bit too formal for the beach in a pair of loose black slacks and an oversized white button-up. He was barefoot at least, the hems of his pants rolled up as he walked on the wet part of the shore, leaving a zigzag of footprints in his wake.

What stood out the most, though, was his hair, dyed a rich, bright blue.

The stranger didn't seem to have noticed Yoongi, but the moment he had the thought the stranger looked right at him. It was striking, his gaze, as if he knew who Yoongi was and why he was here.

But that was impossible.

Yoongi kept a polite distance and went up to where the sand met the grass. He sat down and fell back, the sunbathed ground pleasantly warm through his shirt. He closed his eyes for only a moment, or so he thought. He must have dozed off, because when he opened them again, his heart jumped into his throat when he saw the stranger only a few steps away watching him.

"Sorry," the stranger said, at least aware he had done something creepy.

"It's all right," said Yoongi, but he wasn't sure it was. "Can I help you?"

The stranger came closer and crouched down in front of Yoongi. Up close, Yoongi could see his eyes clearly and how they shined like the glimmer of a seashell held up to the sun. Was it simply because of how startling he was that Yoongi didn't feel like he was in danger? But the stranger's stare became disconcerting the longer he went without speaking.

"You look like someone I once knew," the stranger finally said. "But I don't think we've met before."

Yoongi shook his head and nodded at the direction he came from. "My aunt just built a house over there. We're visiting."

"So you're not staying?"

Yoongi shrugged. "Not long. But my mom likes it out here and my aunt likes visitors, so we might be back."

"In that case," the stranger said, holding his hand out for Yoongi to shake. "It's nice to meet you…"

"Yoongi."

"Yoongi," the stranger said softly and smiled as if the name was already familiar. "I'm Taehyung."