Translation for Spanish words used in this chapter—

Perra—bitch
Prima— cousin
Niñas— girls
Precioso— precious
Tesoro— treasure
Hijo— son

-

The silence didn't stay long between the two friends as the group went on their journey to Granada.

Jungkook didn't join their discussion, staying silent with one leg folded over the other, hunched back in the comforts of the mediocre seating. He had no interest in joining their idle conversation, nor had the positivism inside him to add his own voice in it.

Jimin. Jimin's words still circled in his head like a rapid whirlwind, swirling in a hurricane of his thoughts.

I'LL MAKE YOU BEG FOR MY FORGIVENESS.

He closed his eyes.

YOU'LL REGRET EVER FUCKING WITH PARK JIMIN.

It wouldn't leave him. The words his best friend spat at him just wouldn't fucking leave him, and it was driving him mad. Insane to a point that it was all he could think about.

"Jungkook."

He opened his eyes.

They fell upon Aeri, hands encircling her dozing son that rested atop her silk-ridden lap. "Everything...okay?"

The boy, eyes heavy lidded, nodded his head, sighing gently as he leaned further into the velvet interior. "Haven't had sleep," he half-lied, true enough that he didn't sleep much.

Taehyung slid the curtains from the little square windows, golden light penetrating the glass and shining among the people inside. "Well, sucks to be you because we've just entered Granada."

Blinking back sleep, Jungkook sat up straighter, trying to take a look out the window.

Lines of huge trees erected across the roads, the thousand clip clop! Of horseshoes against the concrete indicating the rush entering the city. Jungkook still could not see much from the restricted view, but for once, he started to lighten up, heart picking up the pace over seeing his new destination.

"We'll be at Tìa Maria's soon," Taehyung reminded the group, shuffling down to grab the tattered hand satchel on the carriage floor.

Jungkook raised his brow, following suit on grabbing his waistcoat. "Tìa Maria?" He asked.

"My aunt," Aeri clarified, lifting her curls into a messy bun, on the verge of being undone by the sheer volume of the girl's hair. Carefully she picked her child up. "She lives in the center of Granada. Since she's been here for over thirty years, she knows everyone and has a say in what goes on around the city."

"Wow," he only breathed out. "And do you have cousins?"

"Of course," she responded dryly, as if he asked the most stupid question ever brought up. "This is Spain, mi amigo, everyone has an army of kids to their name."

"And it doesn't help her cousins are so damn fine," Taehyung added, a sly grin appearing on his gold skin.

Aeri only let out a disgusted scoff, elbowing the peasant with mock ferocity. "You're truly atrocious."

"I'm telling you, Jungkook," Taehyung piped up, his smile too audacious as he carried on, "Not only are they gorgeous but very funny. You'll love 'em."

The boy noticed his worker's use of his first name, an action Taehyung dared not stumble out in front of him. Today he got a bit too bold, and broke the formalities of using a more professional señor.

Jungkook was on to correct him, remind him to be respectful when a sudden voice inside of him to do the exact opposite.

Look, hombre. He's softening up to you, someone who'd become so bitter towards the aristocracy.

And here he is, finally gaining the courage to call you by your name.

Come on. Stop this egoistic tendency of yours.

Jungkook, to his own surprise, became inclined to agree with this voice, as instead of scolding him on being so informal, he actually smiled at him.

"Let's see if they'll match up to the most famous Alvarez."

And suddenly they were both chuckling away idiotically like two toddlers hell bent on irritating their elders to no end, the latter being poor Aeri who had to deal with their shit for the next hour.

But the hour passed by quickly as finally the boy chipped in the initial conversations, the thought of Jimin and his promises fleeing further into his mind for now.

The carriage slowed to a stop, and the driver's shout to declare the arrival had Taehyung nearly jumping out his seat.

"We're here!"

Aeri followed suit with a smile threatening to reach her ruby lips as she brought Jihoo closer to her chest, and when Jungkook, confused to their excitement, finally exited the carriage, he realised the reason for their enthusiasm.

It was as if he stepped into a dream.

Although the house that welcomed them wasn't gigantic, it still looked large compared to the dozens of long-leafed trees towering above the visitors; like guards erected by Mother Nature to protect the woman so treasured by Granada. Among the picturesque plants then sat a grand home, painted a mustard yellow with black iron gates stood heavy before the trio. Jungkook could spy the windows opened wide to let in a autumn breeze, temperatures still soaring despite the end of summer.

A sudden rush of excitement caught onto the Seville native, from the other two who look at this estate like a home at heart.

Taehyung strode on right before the gates, his grin nearly bursting from his mouth. Breathing in greatly, he let out a boisterous order.

"Open up, perras!"

The dancer snorted at her friend's hideous welcoming, coming up beside him with her scarlett skirts skimming against the dirty streets.

Rustling emerged from the opposite side, and the gates opened up, swinging inside the estate courtyard which revealed to be a space styled effortlessly, with mosaic tiling illuminating the already busy design of the house.

The women who opened all this scenery, though, was something else entirely.

Chocolate brown hair, round face and eyes as green as the wild savannas of the unknown world, looking as Spanish as a tanned, curvy Andalusian. Her lips were spread in a mischievous smile at the sight of Taehyung with his hands at his hips.

"Oh, no," she declared, the rogue Granada accent clearly blooming upon her tongue. "Taeyuck's back to ruin our week!"

"Buenos dias, Fatriella," Taehyung purred to her, raking a hand through his hair as he approached her. "No, just to ruin your dinner. That whole occasion can feed an entire country."

The girl, who didn't at all suit her nickname, only chortled at his insults. "Dickhead."

She then looked to her cousin, her menacing eyes lighting up as she spread her arms wide in glee. "Aeri!" She exclaimed with all the city's worth of energy.

The dancer did not hesitate to grin right back at her. "Gabriella!" She bellowed out in reply.

Both girls wasted no time as Aeri handed Jihoo over to Taehyung, she running for her cousin as they both collapsed into each other's arms, expressing their sisterly love through a hug long awaited from both sides. They looked nothing like each other, one of true Spanish blood and the other of an oriental origin, but these things were little concern for the two girls that set race aside and vowed to be sisters not just through the blood, but through the heart.

Aeri was the first to pull back, glancing at her with affection. "Ah, 'Riella," she sighed out, "I missed you terribly."

"The same goes here, prima," the Granadian chirped back. She then stepped back a bit, inspecting Aeri. "Even with a two year old child you don't look a day under 18."

"You praise me too much," the dancer insisted. "Just the other day I found myself having an odd grey strand."

"Not to worry, you know Mama will have something for that," Gabriella assured her. Her smile got directed at Jungkook next to Aeri, who had witnessed this heartwarming scene with a growing awkwardness.

He realised that he shouldn't be here. This was a special visit for Aeri and Taehyung, and he coming along might ruin the time they all have together with the inhabitants here.

"And who is this young, and might I add incredibly fine gentleman?"

The flamenco dancer scoffed, amused even more so at Jungkook's reaction, his cheeks dampened into a shade of a scarlett as dark as Aeri's attire.

He didn't even know why he was blushing. He'd been called handsome on so many occasions, at times where calling him that and many more names would be the perfect way of having him undo you in the late folds of night. But the way this Gabriella called him handsome made him feel very small indeed.

"Jeon Jungkook," Taehyung introduced for him. "Son of famous wine and gin merchant Sir Jeon?"

"Ah, yes," the girl said, crossing her arms. "I've drank some of that gin before, actually."

A smirk knifed her lips. "It was too bitter for my taste."

She then took Jihoo from Taehyung, murmuring sweet nothings to him as she looked up at the trio.

"What're you all standing here for? Come in!"

They all obliged, other guards closing the gate for her as the group delved deeper into the courtyard, the floor almost hypnotic with its quadratic swirls, the different toned chips stuck perfectly in a symphony of glass-like paintings upon the surface.

Another two girls, aged about 16, came running out of the entrance inside the house, both strikingly similar to Gabriella.

"Are they here?"

"Where's Tae and Aeri?"

"Oh my gosh!"

They both caught sight of the people of interest, rushing to them both to give them a bear-like hug.

"Aeri!"

"Taehyung!"

"How are you?!"

"We missed you so much!"

Then there eyes landed on Jungkook, and suddenly they burst into a fit of giggles.

"Dios Miooooooo—"

"Who is he—?"

"Eloísa, he's mine—"

"No, bitch, back off—"

"Niñas!" Aeri called them out, just before they nearly harassed poor Jungkook as he rushed behind the flamenco dancer to avoid further questioning. "Be respectful when you're around guests!"

The two girls circled around the dancer, gripping her skirts as they glanced teasingly at Jungkook. "But, Aeri, he's so gorgeous!"

At this rate, Jeon Jungkook was most definitely going to die.

"Eloísa, Elodia, get back inside the house!" Gabriella demanded, turning back to the boy in sincere apology. "Sorry about my sisters, they just can't keep anything inside their head."

"No, no," Jungkook muttered, trying his hardest to hide his overflowing blush. "Please, don't worry, they're just children."

"Already half in love with you, I'd say," Aeri added with a wink, elbowing the boy's arm in an attempt to throw him off even further.

That certainly worked. He gripped his arm as if it'd been shot, gaping at Aeri and her sudden mood in bantering with her much hated boss.

Well. At least something good came out of this situation.

Taehyung popped his head out the door, all smiles and happy waves. "Guys, quick, I smell paella!"

And with that all the girls went scurrying inside, Gabriella screaming after her younger sisters to come back or they'll get a shoe thrown at them!

Aeri, laughing, made to enter the house, but, seeing Jungkook rooted on the spot, sighed out.

Then, picking up the pace back to him, she held her hand out, fingers wrapping around his arm.

"What're you waiting for, Jungkook?" She asked, knowing he didn't have an answer. He only stared, even when she steered him inside the mustard estate.

If the boy thought that the outside of the house was nice, then the interior was truly something spectacular. Jungle colours of greens, yellows and blues stained the walls, breathing life into the estate as the living room was revealed first. Animal-skinned sofas sat across the large room, all looking towards a fireplace which would soon be lit up in the coming months. A pair of chandeliers hung delicately over the crowd, unlit due to the sun doing the job well enough. An open doorway led out to the gardens, another one on the opposite side leading to the kitchens, with the hallway straight on for the bedrooms.

Jungkook was sure to get lost in this heaven of a home. It was odd to think how he'd already grown to adore it.

A few boys sat on those animal sofas, Taehyung conversing comfortably as he rocked Jihoo softly in his arms. When hearing Aeri's presence, though, they all stood up, smiling at her.

"Prima Aeri!"

They all hurried over to kiss her hand out of respect, asking of her and her son's health, whether they'll be staying longer, and hearing that only for the near-weak for the Muertos, groan in disappointment.

"Hombres, this is my friend, Jungkook," Taehyung introduced. "He'll be staying here with us."

Jungkook offered them a smile, a little too weak in his eyes. Mierda, he didn't know why he was being such a coward amongst them.

One of the taller men, a mustache curled at the tops as he played with it, offered earnestly, "Do play football with us, Jungkook! Every guest must have at least a match!"

The pungent smell of saffron from the paella had Jungkook nearly crying out in front of them all. He nodded, liking the idea of football and having to do at least some exercise throughout this week.

"Of course, amigos."

Everyone cheered as if Jungkook came back from a war, but at least it helped the boy feel a bit more comfortable around them. Yes, he was a confident man, but the only difference between normal people and these people were that they were all linked to Aeri.

The last thing he'd want to do is commit something drastic in their eyes and have his reputation worsen from its already dreadful state, even though they don't know that. He was Aeri's guest after all, and didn't want to be a disappointment.

"Aeri?"

Silence then fell upon the crowd of the closely knitted family.

The people separated, the line empty to reveal a certain woman walking slowly towards them.

She was nearing an old age, the explicit lines on her face courtesy of time wearing her once young self off, withering into the body of a woman in her mid-fifties. Despite this, she still knew how to dress, with a lush indigo dress flaring to the floor, grey-black hair coiled into a tight bun, with low heels clicking against the marble floor.

When she stopped before the trio, the woman leaned her weight against a wooden walking stick, carved intricately to suit to her specific tastes.

As a pretty small woman, she looked up slightly at first, at Aeri who held a little smile at her lips.

"Tìa."

The old woman smiled at her endearment.

"Preciosa."

And in an instant the flamenco dancer wrapped her arms around her aunt, careful not to be too hard on her as she hugged her with the same amount of love one would give to a mother. The woman reacted on instinct, circling her little arms around Aeri's petite frame, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I missed you, tìa," Aeri murmured within her embrace, voice cracking slightly. "I-I missed you so much."

"Ah, mi tesoro, mi precioso," her aunt chanted. "I missed you too, little one."

They both broke the embrace, Aeri stepping back as she delicately wiped a tear from her eyes. "I've brought someone else with me this time, tìa."

"Not to worry, tìa, it isn't me," Taehyung mused as he stepped beside Tìa Maria. "You know I'm always here to overstay my welcome."

"Never, chico," she assured him, pinching the peasant's cheek as she let out a raspy giggle.

"Tìa," Aeri said, putting a dainty hand upon her aunt's shoulder. "There is someone else who came with me today."

She then raised her eyes to Jungkook's, he holding her gaze until he felt an ancient pair of eyes heavy upon him.

Breaking her stare, he looked to Tìa Maria, her irises like the insides of a forest with chips of green and brown orbiting around her raven pupils. Even though she was just over fifty, he felt as if she witnessed the creation of the universe.

Something in him triggered an act of utmost honour, bowing deeply to the waist to recognise her esteem in the house, the city.

In seconds he felt his hands on his shoulders, lifting his upper frame to find the woman smiling with the purest form of motherly affection.

"And who might you be, hijo?" she asked softly.

Ah Mierda, the boy really thought his heart broke a thousand times over.

No one had ever called him their son, not even the nurse who's cared for him the past twenty odd years. Maybe it was out of fear that he'd refuse her the right to call him such an endearment, but now, this woman that he'd never seen before voices the noun with such tenderness that everything in him wanted to hug the living soul out of her.

"Jungkook, Tìa Maria," he murmured, returning her smile. "Jeon Jungkook."

"Jeon Jungkook," she repeated, those extraordinary eyes darting to each feature of his face. "Why do you look so familiar?"

His brows raised innocently. "What?"

"I don't know why, hijo, but I look like I've seen you before." Her thin lips pursed in thought. "So familiar, your chocolate eyes."

He did not know. He was unable to answer her, and so stayed silent as the most important figure in the city pondered over the origins of his existence. When she could not figure it out, she widened her smile to reassure him.

"Welcome to Granada," she declared to him, patting his cheek. "I hope you enjoy your stay here."

Jungkook didn't need her to say it.

He had a feeling he was going to love it here.

-

Hey guys!

I know, I've updated so late, but now that exams are over I can finally update more! Yes, mi amigos, I have no intention of letting this story go ;))

Await the next chapters y'all Granada bouta be l i t

AnYgAYs please do leave a lil vote and tell me what y'all think. It'd mean the world :)