The car silently crept through the pristine woodland; Taehyung's head sat on his fist propped up on the windowsill as he tried to watch the birds overhead rather than worry about their destination. Namjoon woke him rather abruptly that morning, ripping the curtains open and rushing Taehyung out of bed. His limbs were shoved into clothing fit for a dinner party before being bundled into the back of a car he didn't recognise but Namjoon assured him it was owned by Jeongguk. Taehyung was only half-conscious when Namjoon spoke to the driver but the word 'mother' stuck in his mind; he'd been about to question Namjoon when the man stalked back into the high rise building and the car took off down the road. Whose mother was he about to meet? Jeongguk never mentioned his mother but Taehyung couldn't come up with any other reason for the urgency Namjoon acted with that morning.

Just as he spotted a lonely deer deep in the trees, the car drove through a set of tall cast-iron gates looking like they belonged in front of one of those orphanages in the movies Taehyung saw as a child. The other side of the gates was a stark contrast to the woods, neatly trimmed grass and evenly placed silver birch trees lined the gravel pathway that wound its way up towards the giant building at the top of the hill. Taehyung shifted in his seat so his face was almost pressed up against the window, his warm breath fogging up the cool glass, he stared in awe at the beautiful manor house suited for a royal.

After his moment of dumbstruck appreciation of the building, fear hit Taehyung square in the face causing him to jerk back violently into the soft cushioning of his seat. He was about to meet Jeongguk's mother. Taehyung had no idea how to prepare without any previous information on the woman, was she as cold and ruthless as Jeongguk's father or was she a warmer, kinder woman who would greet him with freshly baked cookies and a wide smile? Sweat gathered at his hairline and Taehyung hastily brushed it away trying not to show his terror despite the shaking of his hands being a dead giveaway.

Jeongguk was waiting for him at the bottom of the steps leading up to the entranceway when he stepped out of the car.

"Good morning, V," Jeongguk snaked an arm around his shoulders to guide him up the stairs but V immediately tensed and attempted to put some distance between them. Jeongguk frowned sadly but let his arm drop. Once the pair entered the house and left their shoes at the door in favour of soft house slippers, Jeongguk informed Taehyung that his suspicions were correct and Jeongguk's mother was waiting in the lounge to meet him. Taehyung's throat constricted but he followed Jeongguk down the long hallway and through an archway that gave way to a warm cosy room. There were a collection of leather sofas and armchairs all matching the dark rugs covering some of the oak wood floorings; a roaring fire sat beneath the largest television Taehyung had seen on the far wall and tall bookcases filled to the brim lined the walls. On the coffee table in the middle of the room, was a plate of cookies that still looked soft; Taehyung almost laughed.

"You must be V," a deceptively soft voice filtered through the room from the woman sat to the left of the coffee table, despite her small frame the authority she oozed was almost palpable. "Please sit dear, there's no need to be so stressed," Taehyung gulped but still sat on the sofa perpendicular to her own, he felt the leather dip as Jeongguk sat next to him and placed an arm behind him on the back of the sofa. Taehyung could feel the way Jeongguk's mother analysed his refusal to lean back into Jeongguk. Her eyes weren't as cold as her husband's, they held a certain gentleness that Jeongguk had inherited, they were a deep chocolate brown and stood out against her pale skin. Her long straight black hair delicately framed her face and she held her hands primly together in her lap. Taehyung was petrified.

~

A few hours passed, and the trio moved into the garden to enjoy the sunset, not long after a bottle of champagne was popped open by Jeongguk. The smile that stretched over his features when the bubbles spilt over his hand reminded Taehyung of a young child. He caught a glimpse of who Jeongguk had been before all the violence. His mother giggled next to where Taehyung sat, the bright sound making him momentarily forget how dangerous she was. It was a strange experience, so much so that Taehyung felt like he was intruding on the moment shared between mother and son, it was domestic and normal. Taehyung wanted to blame it on the fifth glass of champagne that sat in his hand and the empty bottles left on the table but he knew that the real reason he started to loosen up was the tenderness mingled between them. The atmosphere reminded Taehyung of long evenings spent with his family when his younger siblings would play together in the grass and he would flit between them and his parents who resided on the patio drinking and laughing cheerfully. Taehyung missed this feeling dearly and had nearly forgotten the peace it brought him.

He didn't know when he'd zoned out and Jeongguk's voice became a quiet drone in the background, but he was brought back when a hand moved across his face reaching for the next bottle of the golden liquid. By that point, Taehyung felt buzzed from the alcohol making its way into his bloodstream, still, he happily accepted the tall flute that was pressed delicately into his palm by Jeongguk's mother. The woman leaned back comfortably into her chair and began to tell a story of Jeongguk's childhood when he nearly fell in the fountain at the bottom of the garden whilst chasing a wild rabbit, its fur had been white and pure - clean of any sin.

Taehyung smiled at the image of a young Jeongguk stumbling around with hands outstretched towards the creature, he let his imagination run wild as she told the story until he felt something hot on his thigh. Taehyung's head snapped downwards where he found Jeongguk's hand splayed across his leg, he went to move it off but paused when he felt Jeongguk staring at his profile. Cautiously he looked up taken aback at the emotion in Jeongguk's eyes; it was almost desperate, pleading Taehyung not to deny him contact – and so he didn't. He let the hand rest where it was and strangely began to enjoy it, for once Taehyung let himself pretend the hand meant he was completely safe and the woman sat next to him was simply a kind lady who baked him cookies. Just this once, he decided to allow himself to relax.

Jeongguk's mother retired for the night shortly after finishing her story about Jeongguk and the white rabbit, leaving the pair to watch the final streaks of sunlight disappear under the horizon. They stayed silent for some minutes before the tranquillity was broken by the sound of Jeongguk's chair scraping. The young man stood up wordlessly and offered Taehyung his hand, Jeongguk pulled him up so they stood a few inches apart, hands still intertwined. Turning, Jeongguk led them down a path until they reached the fountain in the story, they sat on the edge and simply listened to the trickle of water and rustling of leaves.

They stayed like that until the moon lit the ground. The silver light made Jeongguk look beautiful and maybe Taehyung shouldn't have drunk so much because he felt the pressing urge to run his fingers over Jeongguk's skin to feel if it was as smooth as it looked. He kept gazing at the other until the youngest rose abruptly and took off down another path winding its way through the cop of trees behind them. Taehyung needed to jog to catch up to Jeongguk's purposeful strides and nearly ran into him when he stopped on the other side of the trees. Jeongguk prevented Taehyung from running straight over the hill they were stood atop by wrapping both his arms around his waist and pulling him into his chest, Taehyung coiled in on himself when he felt a chin rest on his shoulder.

In front of them was a valley lined with small clusters of pale beech trees and low bushes. A gentle river ran through the middle, sparkling magically under the moon, Taehyung could see the smoke from houses in the distance and hear owls calling. When the wind blew, he breathed deeply and relished in the feeling of fresh air filling his lungs compared to the polluted air of the city. Taehyung couldn't remember that last time (if ever) that he experienced such beauty. It presented the illusion that he could simply run down the hill and follow the river wherever it took him.

The moon continued to cast its glow over the scenery and Taehyung allowed himself to remain in Jeongguk's hold, although his hands on Jeongguk's chest maintained a small space between them.

"I'm sorry," Jeongguk whispered into Taehyung's neck, it was the first time he spoke since they left the patio. The quiet words caused goosebumps to pebble Taehyung's flesh. He took a step back but Jeongguk's arms stayed locked around his waist. "I've treated you horrendously, V," Jeongguk's voice trembled as he continued. Taehyung's eyes enlarged, was Jeongguk going to cry?

Jeongguk looked out over the valley and Taehyung studied his face, the uncertainty apparent in the tightness of the heir's shoulders. "I'm so sorry for all I have done, if I was a good man, I'd let you go," Taehyung's heart picked up at Jeongguk's statement, pleaded silently that Jeongguk would free him. "But I'm not," Jeongguk deflated and turned back to Taehyung. The stripper's head was a mess, he couldn't keep up with the rollercoaster of emotions. "As much as I wish I were different, I'm too selfish to let you go, V. You're mine and always will be," Taehyung shook in Jeongguk's hold and Jeongguk was staring at him helplessly. "I don't know what you've done to me, but there's now a part of me that will never let you go. It wants to keep you near and protect you from the world I live in." There was a pause where Jeongguk hesitated. Taehyung was nearly in tears; he felt any of hope freedom slipping through his fingers with every word that left Jeongguk's lips. "One day, I hope you'll let me kiss you again."

Taehyung gasped, as a young boy he'd always dreamt of someone special possessing that sentiment towards him but hearing it then, it only serves to roil in his heart and poison his soul.

"We should get back to the house," Jeongguk smiled but Taehyung saw how it didn't quite reach his eyes and the underlying disappointment in them. Pulling himself away from the heir, Taehyung walked behind silently.

~

Jeongguk held the glass door open for V as he stepped back into the house both shivering at the sudden temperature change. Softly, Jeongguk directed V back towards the main room saying he would follow after him. As V walked away down the hall, Jeongguk's eyes wandered down the expanse of his body appreciating every inch from his delicate shoulders to his smooth back and soft hips.

The memory of their first kiss floated to the forefront of Jeongguk's thoughts. The feeling that he may have floated away if not for the strong grip he'd had on the boy beneath him. It was euphoric. Jeongguk had kissed many before but none had ever felt anything close to the fierce desire he experienced in V's presence.

V was the first person Jeongguk had ever felt the need to protect, to hold and shelter him. From that first night when he saw V dancing in that club, he knew there was something special about him. But Jeongguk had no experience earning someone's trust, he'd grown up surrounded by powerful men willingly breaking their backs for Jeongguk to walk on. So, when V didn't drop to his knees that first night, Jeongguk had taken it as a challenge. This was only supposed to be a week's worth of entertainment. Break V down and then discard him.

Then Jeongguk saw how much of an angel V was and desperately wanted to keep him close. Unfortunately, his frustrations and lack of experience led to hurt only. It was no question as to why V abandoned any trust they built, but Jeongguk couldn't help but feel anger. He'd worked so hard only to be stranded back at square one.

This time would be different though, he swore to himself that he would get through to V's heart no matter what it took. Even if his patience was tested to the maximum because he knew that V would be worth the wait.

V's earlier rejection bruised Jeongguk's ego but it also set a fire under him. One day, V would step into his arms of his accord and be happy to exist there.

Jeongguk made his way into the kitchen and grabbed one of the leftover bottles of champagne, he moved to leave before changing his mind and crouching down by the island and opening one of the many display cupboards and picked out a 25-year-old scotch, not the most expensive the cupboard held but he liked the taste of this one. He finally walked back over to the main room and found V curled up on the sofa staring at the flickering flames in the fireplace. He was in two minds whether to disturb him or not but then again, Jeongguk thought that V would probably appreciate going to bed sooner rather than later. Therefore, he tapped V gently on the shoulder trying not to startle him and guided him up the stairs, ignoring the questioning look when V spotted the two bottles in his hand.

They stood outside a plain white door with a round golden handle; Jeongguk paused before opening it,

"Um, mother insisted on us sharing a room tonight, called it 'couple bonding' or something," Jeongguk attempted to shrug it off not letting his eyes leave the door, V stayed silent. Seconds passed and Jeongguk still had yet to the door, just stared at it intently.

V pushed past him into the room with a sigh before Jeongguk could get a firm enough grasp on his arm. As soon as the door swung open Jeongguk shut his eyes, he heard V inhale sharply and that was enough for Jeongguk to immediately want to turn heel and run.

"Jeongguk... is this?"

Slowly Jeongguk peeled open his eyes to find V seriously sweeping his eyes over the interior, he bought a hand up rest on the back of his nape,

"Yeah, this is my old room,"

"Cute," V muttered,

"I- wait, what?"

V smiled softly, he moved over to the bookshelf and plucked an action figure off the middle shelf.

"Iron man?" V questioned; he spoke hesitantly but his curiosity bled through those bright eyes. Jeongguk quickly put the action figure back almost protectively, "Why were you so worried about showing me?"

"It's embarrassing, I was twelve and still holding on to things like these,"

V frowned at his answer,

"Jeongguk, you were a child,"

"Not in my family," Jeongguk steered V away from the shelves making it clear that the conversation was over. In the back of his mind, Jeongguk noted that was the most V spoke to him the past few days. "You can change in the bathroom. There are some spare clothes of mine in there you can use seeing as Namjoon hyung forgot to pack you any," Jeongguk sat on the bed and waited for V to finish changing.

Hot arousal licked at Jeongguk's stomach when V came out of the bathroom. The large t-shirt he wore swamping his lithe body, coming down to just above his knees. V wore nothing underneath, his long legs swaying as he stood nervously in the doorway.

Jeongguk cleared his throat and stood, trying his best to not stare too much as he walked past. Once inside, Jeongguk placed his hands on the edge of the sink and leant his forehead on the cool mirror. He groaned trying to calm his thundering heart. How would he sleep tonight with the knowledge that V looked like that and would be so close?

To say it was difficult walking back into the bedroom was an understatement. V was curled on the floor next to the bed with a single cushion beneath his head, body exposed to the cooling air. Confusion mixed with Jeongguk's initial desire, the t-shirt only just hiding V's behind.

"What are you doing?"

V flinched after Jeongguk spoke, it saddened the heir. V turned around slowly, blinking up at Jeongguk with sleepy eyes,

"Sorry, I know you wanted to drink more," V motioned towards the abandoned alcohol on the bedside table, "but I'm really tired so I thought maybe you'd let me sleep now?"

Guilt wrapped itself around Jeongguk's body, did V really think he needed permission to sleep? He, too, looked over at the glass bottles. V was right, Jeongguk did mean to drink but he too was feeling the loud call of exhaustion.

"Of course, you can sleep. You don't need to ask," Jeongguk assured, he moved over to V and crouched, not wanting to scare the elder. "Why are you on the floor though?" Now V looked perplexed,

"There's only one bed?"

"Yes, I can see that. Why are you on the floor?"

"Because there are two of us?"

"And it's a double bed? A pretty large one at that," Jeongguk chuckled slightly, V frowned up at him.

"I thought you wouldn't want-"

"Come to bed, V," Jeongguk sighed and, without thinking, scooped V up into his arms. It was only after he stood up that he realised what he was doing. Jeongguk looked at V, the dancer was frozen in fear, eyes wide and body rigid. Hurriedly, Jeongguk put V down on the bed and began apologising profusely. V didn't say anything, he merely climbed under the covers and slid as far away as possible.

With a heavy heart, Jeongguk also climbed into bed. Unlike V, Jeongguk didn't turn to face away, he allowed himself the little privilege of watching V fall asleep. It took a while but Jeongguk let his eyes close once V's breathing evened out and the tension in his bones eased away.