Hi! Unedited, but still, i thought that I should post it. about 1400 words. short.

XXII: Jungkook

When I open my eyes, everything around me is still dark. Moonlight seeps in through the window, but even its silver rays aren't enough to pierce through the darkness surrounding me. I'm in a bed, soft white sheets over my boy and something heavy around my shoulders. I extend my hands, trying to feel my way through my black surroundings, only for them to run straight into a wall.

At least, that's what it feels like. It takes me a moment to realize that it's not a wall, but a person. A person who has an arm thrown around my shoulders and is breathing steadily.

Taehyung.

That means that this place is the healing center. And I'm in his bed. Sleeping next to him. How had I ended up like this? My cheeks burn from the thought.

"Taehyung?"

"Ssh, my love. Go back to sleep." He whispers, caressing my hair. Evidently, he's awake. Even through the darkness, I can make out his fine features and glowing eyes.

"What am I doing in your bed?"

"You fell asleep on the chair, and I didn't want to move you in case you woke up. I also didn't like the idea of someone else carrying you to your room, so now you're here sleeping with me. I hope it isn't too unpleasant."

"Well, no, but―"

"Then sleep," He says, pulling me closer to his chest. "Don't worry, I won't do anything." I feel my heart thudding in my chest, and the warmth of his hand is surprisingly comforting. There is barely any space between us, and I'm aware of the red blooming on my cheeks. Now sleep seems almost impossible when I'm pressed against a hard chest which rises and falls with every breath.

"Tae?"

"Hmm?"

"Is there really going to be a war?" I had heard Yoongi and Namjoon talking about it frequently enough, but because Taehyung was almost never home during those hours, I had never asked about the specifics. Now seemed like a good time as any.

Taehyung shifts his sleeping position so that he looks down at me. "It's not something that you should trouble yourself over."

"But it is!" I sit up. "Jimin told me that I have an important role to play. I want to know what that is. Besides, I'm―I'm your soulmate! I should know."

"If you must, then yes, there will be a war. A war against the Sirius and Shadow Valley. In London. It cannot be stopped. And your role... " His eyes glow red. "Your role will be to become my queen. A king without a queen is incomplete. With you, I will finally be able to reach the peak of my power. And I will also have someone to love for eternity." He nuzzles his face into my hair, and I giggle, pushing him away. Suddenly, a thought strikes me.

"Will you have to go?" I ask, and he nods, fingers weaving through my hair."I'm the leader of a clan, Jungkook. That means that I have certain responsibilities."

"But I don't want you to go," I whisper, aware that I'm sounding very childish. "I want you here. By my side."

"You can't choose war Jungkook," Taehyung says almost kindly, pulling me closer. "War choses you. And when it does, you have to be ready to fight. All the leaders of clans have been in battle at least once. I'm no different."

The importance of the situation seems to sink in, and I shiver. War means blood. War means killing. War means death. And even though vampires were immortal, they could die by the blade of a sword. That meant that Taehyung could die. My soulmate could die in less than three days.

"I'm scared, Taehyung," I whisper, burying my face deeper into his shoulder. "I'm scared of it all."

"No harm shall ever come to you, my love. If anyone dared hurt you, I would destroy them all." He says, and I believe him. I can see it in his eyes, his passion, his love. The way he looks at me like I'm the most beautiful flower to be cherished. And that made it worse.

"No," I force myself to meet his burning orbs. "I'm afraid of what's going to happen to you. By protecting me, I'm afraid that you're going to put yourself in danger. Like last night. Promise me, Taehyung, promise me that you'll put your own life before mine."

He sighs, adjusting the covers so that they fit snugly underneath my chin. "I can't promise that, Jungkook. I waited more than 300 years to find you. You're the reason for my existence now. My first priority will always be to protect you. You can't ask me to not do that."

"I'm asking you right now." I find his fingers underneath the covers and entwine them. "Think of your clan. What will the Sirius clan do without you? They need a strong ruler. You can't risk all of that for me. I'm not worth it."

"You're worth everything." He growls. "You're my queen, or have you forgotten that? Don't think so lowly of yourself."

"But―"

"Jungkook." Taehyung's voice grows warning. "Don't make me repeat myself." I flinch underneath his dominating gaze which seems to penetrate through me. "I-I'm sorry."

He nods, arms encircling my waist. His chin rests on top of my head. "You know yourself how important you are to me. How can you ask me to give you up like that?"

"I just want you to be safe," I murmur, sinking deeper into the covers. "You love too much, Tae. I'm afraid of what you will do if harm comes to the people you love."

"I won't let it," he promises, his lips brushing my forehead lightly. "I will always protect you. Even from myself. You can be sure of that."

"Why would you need to protect me from yourself?" I ask, laughing a little at the thought.

Taehyung's face turns grim, and I can see that I've struck a nerve. "There are so many things that you have yet to learn about me, my love."

"Then why not tell me now?" I look up at his face. "We're both wide awake, and it's the middle of the night. Of course," I add, squirming underneath his gaze. "That's only if you're comfortable with it."

He stares at me for a long moment, flaming eyes focused on my face. Then he sighs and shakes his head. "I cannot, my love. You would hate me. I have only just managed to earn your trust and affection. I can't bear to lose that all."

"You won't," I say quickly. "No matter what you tell me, I won't hate you. That is my promise. I don't think that I can hate you, whatever you've done in the past."

Taehyung's lips twist into what would be a sort of smile if it didn't appear so humorless. "Don't make promises that you can't keep, Jungkook. You know close to nothing about my past. How can you say that you won't hate me?"

"Because I love you!" The words pour out of my mouth before I can stop it. Taehyung looks just as stunned as I feel. His eyes are comically wide, looking at me in a mix of surprise and happiness. His lips slowly stretch into an astonished smile. "You... love me?"

"I―I―" My face burns. Did I love Taehyung? He was handsome, no doubt, powerful, protective, and loving. He was a devil with the scim, and didn't treat me in any horrible way. I knew that he loved me.

But did that mean I loved him?

My heart made the decision for me.

"Yes."

"Oh my love," Taehyung breathes, landing a soft kiss on my forehead. "You have no idea how long I waited to hear those words. How long..." His fingers rub against mine, causing small sparks to come alive in our hands. It leaves a warm feeling in my body, like I had drunk a whole cup of hot cocoa in the middle of winter.

"Yoongi told me before that there should be no secrets between us." Taehyung murmured, almost like talking to himself. "Perhaps he's right. Maybe it's time to show you."

"Show me?"

He smiles, resting his forehead against mine. Sparks fly between us. "It's better to actually experience it rather than listen to me tell it, no? If we're doing this, we should do this the correct way. That way, we'll only have to do this once."

He takes my hands in his, and gently guides them to his temples. "Last chance to back out. I can't choose what memory I show you. You may see... some disturbing things." I shake my head. I want this. I want to know everything about the man I love. There should be no secrets between us.

"Show me."

Get ready to hate me in the next chapter... :)