─

─  ❝ 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑻𝑾𝑬𝑳𝑽𝑬」

❝ 平等のレベル ;
.LEVEL OF EQUALITY❞

THEIR LAST DESTINATION FOR THE NIGHT WAS THE KING'S HUMBLE ABODE, soon to be Karma's own temporary home while she works with him. She must stress that she work with him, she was an equal and she refused to be treated as anything less. Taehyung chose not to push it. A woman like Karma was one not to be trifled with. They were like vipers, ready at any moment to sink their teeth into your flesh and fill you with their deadly venom.

"Where are we going now?" The last thing Karma wanted to see was another horrific scene displayed in front of her scarred eyes. It was an initiation of sorts, to see how well she'd be able to handle seeing something so gory. Fortunately, she had handled it well, most get sick at even the smallest drop of blood.

"To your new home. I thought it would be courteous of me to give you a tour before you move in." Oh, how thoughtful.

One could only expect the King to live in a place fit for royalty. Karma half expected them to pull up in front of the Gyeongbokgung Palace with how regal he appeared. He lived in Gangnam, one of the most expensive districts in Seoul, filled with apartments worth more than most people's lives, Gucci, Chanel, Prada, all sorts of expensive brands had placed their stores there for the rich patrons of Seoul to partake in.

Karma walked side by side with The King as they made their way through the lobby of the apartment building he lived in. The floors were made of sleek, white panels of marble that reflected the light of the crystal chandeliers that hung from the high ceilings. The sharp clicking of her heels is the only thing to be heard within the confines of the elegant building as they make their way towards the elevators on the opposite side of the room.

He presses the call button and immediately, a small chime rang out and the heavy metal doors slid open to allow them inside.

Taehyung pressed the button for the top floor before pressing his thumb on the small screen above the panel of buttons. "The only way to get to the top floor is with your thumbprint. I'll have Namjoon add you in by tomorrow."  There was a firmness in his voice, as if they were sitting in a business meeting that just happened to be in an 8x8 metal box.

Silence was quick to settle between them and neither of them minded. There was something special about their silence. It was untainted by malice or tension. Their silence was just silence, something Karma's never experienced before, not even with Yoongi. There was always something in the air with their silence, whether it be anger, annoyance, contentment, or even love. Karma couldn't tell which she preferred more.

There was a lurch as the elevator was pulled up through the building. During the wait, Karma watched him unbutton the vest of his three-piece suit. His fingers found the knot of the tie around his neck and tugged it loose before skillfully unbuttoning the first few buttons of his shirt with a single hand. He seemed to stare at his blurred reflection in the metal of the door, giving Karma a chance to admire his side profile.

He had the profile of a King, a God even. His jaw was sharp and strong, the sharp slope of his nose complemented the rest of his features. Everything was perfectly proportionate, from his eyes, to his nose, to even his downturned lips that fall into a natural frown. He naturally looks intimidating without even having to try and there was something attractive about it. He looks like power. He carries himself like he's indestructible and it's irresistible.

"Getting comfortable so soon? We haven't even reached the apartment yet." Her voice breaks through the silence like a hammer and yet, the King glances down at her smaller frame. The slightest smirk curls onto his pink lips. "Simply unwinding." Normally he'd be standing alone while he partially undresses himself but Karma's presence didn't deter him from performing his usual ritual. In fact, her presence encouraged it.

Finally, the elevator comes to a halt and another pleasant chime rung before the doors open once more.  Taehyung allowed her to exit first, stepping out directly into the large, open living room of his penthouse it was massive, taking up an entire two floors on its own. Large ceiling to floor windows makes up the east wall, giving a beautiful view of the city below. In the distance, she could see the Han River reflecting the lights of the late-night city.

The decor was rather modern for him. Karma had expected him to have the same vintage, velvet couches from the Victorian era that he had in the private lounge of The Playground. Though, the place didn't completely lack color, everything was still as elegant and pristine as ever. Accents of blood-red decorate the living space and Karma was sure it wasn't limited to only the living room.

"Impressed?" Taehyung asked, walking past her as he tossed his coat over the back of the couch that had once been folded over his arm and slipped out of his vest. The smug smirk on his lips finds a way to irritate Karma, making her brain itch, an unscratchable itch. She is impressed, amazed by the luxurious interior and the amazing view. Karma liked pretty things, just like anyone else.

But she chose to lie. "I've seen better." It wasn't an entire lie. The view was wonderful, but she's been on top of the Namsan Tower with Yoongi before. They looked over the brilliant lights of Seoul together as the wind breezed over their hair. They had placed a lock on the fence at the bottom of the tower, just as lovers did. It was when they first started to get involved with each other sexually, when they were still young and had hopes of traveling together.

Karma still held onto those hopes, though, he wasn't sure if Yoongi did anymore. They've found contentment in where they are currently, just having each other to keep themselves warm at night.

She wondered how he'd react to her having to move in with the King. Seeing how he reacted to the rest, Karma could only assume he wouldn't take it well. She should appreciate the concern he had for her, and to an extent, she does. But she also feels that he underestimates her ability that handle herself. There's a difference between advising her not to do something and flat out telling her that she shouldn't and that she's stupid if she did.

Karma turned away from the window. Her actions leading up to this moment we're both in spite of Yoongi and for him. The money she'd get for this was for the both of them because they were a team. Her eyes land upon the Dog Tamer as he undoes his tie and pulls it off in one fluid motion.

She would not be put on a leash for him. Fuck him if he tried. She wasn't a feral dog to be domesticated.

Karma took her time looking around the place, brushing her fingers over a multitude of surfaces, checking for dust or dirt. Everything she touched was void of any sign of uncleanliness.

Taehyung watched her closely, the slightest air of skepticism showing behind his eyes. He wasn't a trusting person, naturally. There were few he trusted and even fewer that he trusted within the confines of his home, his personal space. Karma was still a thief and a good one at that, but he was making a decision to trust her.

Karma had no intention to get on his bad side. No good or benefit came from earning a spot on his blacklist. If he thinks she's out to betray him, he already made it clear what would happen.

Finally, Karma finds her way over to the same couch the King sits on and takes a seat beside him in one swift motion. She crossed one leg over the other with her body tilted towards him. "You wanna tell me what I'm supposed to find exactly?" He had yet to truly inform her on what she was looking for. If it was just a simple jewel, he could just get another. He was insanely rich.

"A diamond." He begins simply. "A diamond as red as blood, so much that it's called the Blood Diamond." He watches as Karma slips her hand into her bag and takes out a cigarette as well as a lighter. Yet, he continues. "It's a family heirloom."

Karma places the cigarette between her lips. "A family man." She flicks the lighter once, twice, three times and the damned thing wouldn't light. Her brows furrowed with frustration. What a time for her lighter to run out of fluid.

Taehyung reaches into the pocket of his coat and before she knew it, he was lighting his cigarette for her. The flame licked at the end of the thin, white stick and her eyes connect with his which are left completely emotionless as he says, "Far from it, I killed my father." There is not even a hint of regret or remorse in his voice and a chill skids down her spine.

The flame dies and she's left with a burning cigarette with grey, swirls of elegant smoke dancing through the air. Karma doesn't press or elaborate in fear of what he may respond with. She could feel the danger around him, that thick, unadulterated power that radiates in thick waves.

Taehyung doesn't linger either. "It's not because it's an heirloom. Red diamonds are extremely rare, less than 20 in the world and I happen to own the biggest one in existence. It's worth more than most people's lives." They were beautiful, rare gems, and his was priceless, the exact reason why it was stolen. The King's wrath would be immeasurable when he found whoever was responsible.

His high praise had piqued Karma's interests. If it was so impossibly expensive, what in the world made him trust a known thief? "And what makes you trust me with such a seemingly impossible task?" She could steal it from him the moment she got her hands on it for all she knew.

The King lifted one of his elegant hands to her face and his fingers found her chin. His body shifted closer and with each puff of her cigarette, the smoke brushed over his piercing features. "Because- I've already told you that I'd kill you if you betrayed me."

Karma took her cigarette between her index and middle fingers. She doesn't dare take her eyes from his, his authoritarian gaze meets her defiant one in a violent, invisible battle. She doesn't cower. "Not if I kill you first."

Fear was not an emotion that she knew. And it got her into more trouble than it was worth.

There is a beat of silence. For the first time, there is tension. It's dense and choking as if he had slid his hand around her throat and squeezed.

Finally, the blonde's smirk turns to a grin and a joyous chuckle escapes him. His laugh seems to echo off the walls of the silent room. His eyes close up into crescent moons and his smile is of genuine amusement. He's never met anyone who would so brazenly threaten him. It was exciting. Something new.

"Well then, I'm glad we're on the same page." His fingers tap her chin gently before leaving her. His burning touch still lingered on her skin, but Karma ignored it.

Neither of them trusted each other. And within their distrust, there is a level of equality.

*.✧ Kᴀʏs Eɴᴅɪɴɢ Nᴏᴛᴇs

We're back to Yoongi next chapter. I can't wait to see how you Team Yoongi stans react to it. I wonder if it's gonna make you switch teams. If you do decide to stay, I kinda wanna know why.

Also- I'm on a bit of a Mythbusters kick so I'm just binging that show now cuz why not?

Anyways- Thank you all for reading. I hope you guys enjoyed and I wish you all a wonderful day/night.

사랑해

~Kay (=｀ェ´=)