"To take my love away
When I come back around, will I know what to say?
Said you won't forget my name
Not today, not tomorrow"

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Chihiro - Billie Eilish

The sound of Taehyung's boots echoed around the room.

My body was tense, so tense. Like both Jimin and Taehyung could not exist at the same time. Like their presence was too cosmic to fit into one room.

My boyfriend, as he called himself, stood behind me. I felt him, a searing cold to the heat of Jimin's eyes on my front.

My back nearly arched when Taehyung grabbed the back of my chair, leaning forward. His lips brushed the top of my head.

The alien prince looked between us and smiled boldly.

"Like I said. Any friend of Eden's is a friend of mine. In all their peculiar, human forms."

Stella scrambled from her chair. "Well uh, it's been great to meet you. Prince uh..."

Jimin sent her a wink. "Jimin." Oh yes, he studied humans very well.

Too well.

Stella's face turned red. Didn't she like Jeongguk? Didn't she just say he didn't have any effect on her?

She was beautiful and single. I should be happy if they got together.

"Prince Jimin, Yoongi and I will be heading out." The male groaned, saying 'no the fuck I won't.' Stella spoke over him, "I think those two have the rest of the inquiry handled."

I pierced her with my eyes. "Stella. Stay."

"No thank you." She looked between the two men who were having a staring contest apparently.

Yoongi sighed, getting up. "Yeah we won't really be gone. Well just be on the other side of the glass with popcorn and maybe a beer-"

Stella laughed loudly, "Okay! Yeah we're leaving. Have fun you three!"

Dragging the other male out, the pair left the rest of us in complete silence.

Leaning my head back, I looked up at Taehyung. He was already staring, and sent me a small smile. I wish I could relieve some of the hardness in his eyes, the cold tension of his body.

I placed my hand over his on the chair, and he relaxed in the smallest of doses.

"I'll explain." I said, facing forward. "I think you should sit down."

Taehyung obliged, taking the chair beside me. It scraped loudly against the floor as he moved closer to me.

"Yes explain." Jimin said, looking positively delighted.

Taehyung and I both glared at him at the same time.

"Eden, please. Just tell me nothing is wrong."

I grabbed Taehyung's hands in mine.

"Nothing is wrong."

Things were not entirely right either. In all honesty, nothing happened. This was an alien prince who was blatantly attracted to me, but that was nothing we couldn't solve.

I don't know why the pit on my stomach expanded. Guilt. Longing. And I wasn't sure for what.

"This is the Prince of the Ir'Kons." Taehyung gave no indication of his emotions as I told him. I took a shuddering breath. "I found him while out on a hunt. He was by himself, captive I thought. He crash landed and I-"

It all sounded so dumb coming out of my mouth. I was too afraid to speak the next words aloud.

Jimin did it for me. "I'm here for Eden."

Taehyung snapped, "And why are you here for her? Isn't it not enough your people steal humans to do your dirty work? Oh wait..." My breath ceased in my throat as Jimin's face shadowed at Taehyung's outburst. "You don't even steal us yourself. You get other aliens to do that for you. How does it feel to sit high on a throne and do absolutely nothing to save your own planet?"

His last accusation hung in the air.

Jimin pretended to consider the other man's words. He sat back, relaxed. "I bet that felt good to say to my face. Are you done now? I would like to make a few corrections to your little monologue."

My eyes nearly popped out of my head. No one talked to Taehyung that way. I saw the steam rise out of my boyfriend's head.

"You motherfuck-"

"Hey." I started, trying to de-escalate. Jimin didn't even care that Taehyung practically launched himself across the table. He appeared bored as his played with the fraying thread of his shirt. "Just let him speak."

Taehyung darkened. "You're on his side."

I pulled him closer, whispering. "No. I feel the same as you do. But we don't know him, his power, or his temper. That's play this safe."

Taehyung nodded, his jaw taut. "Fine. Explain then prince."

He said the title like a curse. Maybe it was.

Jimin collected himself, leaning forward. This time, he addressed us both. "My planet was dying. The invasive species that currently resides in this planet were sent by the Gray's themself before the Andromeda War. Whatever lie they told you about being genetically engineered worker bees is to make you humans feel more at ease around them. They took it upon themselves to contract with us to help solve the problem, as a wartime resolution." He paused. "Do you see the desert out there?"

I nodded.

He paused, looking at me in a way that stole my breath. His little intake of breath showed me he was overwhelmed.

"There used to be water, a lake in your terms. It looked like the surface of your gems, a pearl, sapphire, and carnelian. It was where we hosted our sacred celebrations. Is there a lake there any longer?"

Taehyung deadpanned. "No."

Jimin smiled tightly. "Right. The invasive species that are here emit a chemical that depletes water sources. It is the same chemical compound that makes them attracted to human blood." He shook his head, "We need water to survive."

That explained the scales.

"It sounds like your problem, and somehow you dragged humans into it." Taehyung commented.

Jimin shifted, wearing a face I had not yet seen from him. It spoke to the ruler he would one day be.

"Yes. That is true. But there were little options. The Gray's are terrible hunters, and we are unlikely to survive on our own planet for long periods of time. Humans attract the species like
flies." He leaned forward, "So tell me what lengths would you go to save your planet? Or better yet, what lengths would you go to save her?"

Taehyung refused to answer.

Jimin turned to me, "We don't have anyone do our dirty work for us. I go to Earth with the Gray's and select canidates. I took you from your planet personally."

My mind shattered. I couldn't have possibly heard the male right. The whole world seemed to go still and simultaneously crash inward.

"What?" I asked, my mouth configuring into an awkward smile. "Surely you don't mean that."

I didn't even want to look at Taehyung.

Jimin blinked three times, slowly. He seemed confused by my reaction.

"Yes. When we were scanning the area you were genetically compatible for our experiments." He said it in a sterile manner like there was nothing wrong at all. His cheeks turned lilac as he avoided my eyes. "I never expected you to be comptable with me as well."

He was embarrassed about the wrong things.

My chest was tight, and I placed my palm over my heart. It ached with betrayal from this perfect stranger. "Excuse me?"

"You're my Ithero." The alien said, ardent. The tenderness in his voice made it worse. I was on the edge of a nervous breakdown. Jimin must have realized than the lack of recognition in my eyes. "Ah. In your terms, you're my soul mate."

Taehyung started yelling, his chair scraping as he stood up. Jimin paid him no mind, still staring as if I would get up and declare myself to him.

Soul mate? My person would never steal me from my home.

I already had a boyfriend. My one, my love.

It was too much.

"Send me back." I whispered to myself, at first. Hyperventilating. "Send me back!"

Both men turned to stare at me, finally silent.

Taehyung sat back down, placing a hand on my knee. Jimin's jaw locked, staring at the show of devotion before responding to me.

"I know you earthlings are more sensitive so an apology will be in order." He looked sincerely sorry, and I hated him for it. "I can't, especially not now with space travel from our planet at a standstill due to rising tensions. Additionally, mates are a once in a lifetime oppurtunity. As the heir to our people, I can't let you go."

I stood up, slamming my palms on the table. Jimin stared at me with reverence, like I was a god, and it only worsened my anger.

"I don't give a fuck who you are, send me home or else! I don't want to be your mate!"

"I don't understand you." Jimin said, his brows furrowing. "Why go back to Earth when I can take you to the stars?"

"Taehyung? Hold this." Handing him my badge. "And this." My device. "This too." And my blaster.

And rolled up my sleeves.

Jimin spoke to Taehyung, "What is she doing? I know you must be in a hurry to mate with me but there are other-"

I reeled back and punched the pretty alien square in the face.

It was like punching steel.

"Fuck!"

His head still fell back from the force. Lifting his hand, he touched the corner of his mouth which now leaked deep blue blood.

When he smiled it covered all of his teeth.

I took a step back, faltering. Jimin didn't look pissed. He looked...well...I didn't want to entertain the thought.

"Eden isn't anyone's to have, she makes her own choices." Taehyung said, smug. He looked proud at my show of violence. "And she's already chosen me."

Jimin ignored him, like he usually did. Instead answering me like I didn't just attack him.

"Earthling, I already tested you. Your courtship means nothing, you're only 97% compatible. That is nothing, most of our mates are between 99.01-99.97."

Taehyung and I weren't nothing, no matter what mathematical fucking shit Jimin threw at us. I turned to him, grabbing his hand.

I hated to see the forlorn look in his eyes. I'd rather see him angry.

"What are we?" I asked the alien, trembling.

Jimin's gem-like eyes flickered to mine. My heart raced, as if it wished to run to him. His lips twitched, and in that moment I knew he could hear it.

Hang in Taehyung's and eyes on the prince, I refused to be torn.

"100% Eden. We are made for each other."

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(A/N: can anyone tell this book is 100% me having fun? HAHAHAH

TEAAAAAAA! What do we think? This was much needed explanation and backstory but I am literally obsessed!

What are your thoughts/theories?