Juliana's POV

The sun started to set a stunning orange, while its rays peaked through the trees and into the windows of the cottage. As the sun dived toward the horizon, the more it spread through the sky to create a comforting warmth.

I observed through the trees, noticing the fire from the festival glow and grow bigger. Noises echoed through the field and into the house; the banging of drums, singing, and sounds of freedom.

I stabbed my fork into my veggies, not saying anything after what happened earlier with the boys. I couldn't even look at them with the amount of guilt and anger I had pent up in my mind.

"What's that sound?" Seokjin asked abruptly, turning to look out the window.

"The festival is starting. They begin at sunset," I replied quietly.

The yearly festival was always something of importance to our people — it was a symbol of independence, that we couldn't be overthrown by anyone. I longed to go, and escape this awkard situation before me.

Jimin looked at me hopefully, "we can go."

I shook my head, not even looking up. "It's not safe. If you are recognized, we'll all get killed."

The boys tilted their heads in confusion, watching me with curious eyes. They seemed shocked at my consideration of their lives.

Jimin reached across the table and patted my hand with his gloved ones — a necessity I made around the house. "You explored our culture back in Onavale, and I think it's fair we return the favour." He smiled gently, his beautiful cat-like eyes understanding and kind.

Taehyung rolled his eyes in the background. "Are we going or not?"

I shrugged, "I just don't want anything bad to happen," I gulped and looked down. "And I'll be blamed for it."

Namjoon stood from his chair. "We won't blame you."

Everyone's head jerked in his direction, including mine. I was beyond confused.

"We trust you, Juliana," he said hesitantly, but the way his eyes looked so genuinely into mine explained it all.

My eyes softened, as I looked up to him. "But I thought-"

He stopped me with his hand. "We've come to realize that we judged you a bit harshly earlier, and I'd like to apologize. It was unfair."

"We're willing to give you a chance." Yoongi said, although his eyes were dark, like he almost was expecting disappointment.

I nodded, eyes glazing over at each of them with gratefulness. My gaze then stopped on Taehyung, who offered a small smile at me, one that made my chest soften with comfort.

I sighed. "Are you sure you guys want to go?"

Namjoon cleared his throat, drawing the attention towards him. "I'm sure the boys wouldn't mind." He said and looked over at all the boys, some were curious, others were hesitant.

I sighed, meeting each of their eyes. I noticed the smallest ounce of sympathy within them, making my headache reside from the hope that things would fall into place.

Hopeful that we would steer the ship away from the storm.

I smiled and nodded. "Okay, I guess we can." I said, and everyone smiled in excitement.

Even Taehyung glanced over at me, and gave me a small, happy smile.

The loud music and obnoxious banging only grew louder as the ten of us made our way through the town. Small candles lined the small huts, a pathway to where the large fire was lit, and everyone in the town chanted.

The closer we got, the more excited Lisa grew. She grew so impatient that she grasped Ryujin's hand, and they sprinted toward the light, Hoseok and Jimin following behind them cautiously. When we arrived, the townsfolk greeted me, as if we were all good friends and weren't out to kill each other.

This is the only time when everyone finally put aside their differences and personal battles so that we were all brought together as one. Since what we all fought for was the same thing — and that's what each person celebrated.

The fire grew larger, my eyes watching as the flames disintegrated and faded into the now black sky. I noticed Seulgi emerge from the crowd with a proud smile, as she danced alongside the other people, who were performing the 'Gangjeom', a traditional dance to represent power and strength.

Seulgi danced it perfectly, and everyone watched with admiration — her feet moving quickly as her arms swayed gracefully.

People dressed in traditional cloth began passing food and drinks around, throwing the Gems' leftover waste into the fire constantly, and chanting words of freedom and power into the deadly flames.

A large smile emerged on my face as I entered the crowd, starting to dance along. I looked over at the boys who stayed on the side, fearful and untrusting. I reached over and grabbed Hoseok's hand, and the boy's eyes widened.

"C'mon," I said with a smile. "It's okay."

The golden haired boy's smile grew, reminding me of a ray of sunshine.

Eventually, the rest followed suit, though hesitant at first, they joined in, and their energy radiated. The boys followed along to the dances, and seemed so free. It was such a heartwarming thing to witness; the future of the Order connecting with humans — it felt almost unreal.

I sighed in relief until I noticed Taehyung off to the side and not engaging whatsoever. His drink sat in one hand, and his foot tapped with impatience as if he was waiting for this to be over.

I couldn't help but notice the slight fear on Taehyung's face; as if something bad would happen. The light from the fire reflected in his eyes, growing bigger and overtaking his face, making his skin grow far more pale.

Without thinking, I walked out of the crowd toward him and sat down beside him on one of the chairs. "Are you going to dance?"

"I don't know how to do," he replied, avoiding my eyes. He took another sip from his drink, eyes wandering.

"I can show you!" I exclaimed with a smile. "You showed me how to waltz, I can show you this,"

Taehyung put his drink down and exhaled a shaky breath. "I have a bad feeling," he muttered, fingers fiddling with each other. "I don't like it."

My eyebrows knitted together with concern. "Like what?"

"The boys don't know what this festival truly represents. They only see the fun and games. But hearing the words... the pain... it makes me sick now." Taehyung mumbled before licking his lips nervously.

"Now knowing now what you've gone through..." He turned to face me, eyes soft and sympathetic. "All the shit you've shown me, having to walk that far for food, crossing over that ridge, being attacked all the time..." Taehyung said softly.

My jaw tightened, and I looked into his eyes with gentle ones.

"I have nothing to celebrate or be happy about." Taehyung breathed as his head fell to look at the ground solemnly.

I shook my head, and I stood up. "If you put it that way, then yes, you should sit here hating yourself. But look," I pointed to the boys dancing and having the time of their lives. "This shows healing, and that it can happen between both sides." I smiled slightly. "There's nothing helpful about drowning ourselves in the past. We need to look forward. We need to look at what we must do now, and that is letting loose and having some fun." I smiled before reaching my hand out for Taehyung's.

His hand gazed at mine with a strong sense longing, but then also guilt — almost like a war going on beneath that stare. His eyebrows were furrowed, unsure of whether taking my hand would be a mistake.

Taehyung clearly wanted that freedom though, but he was afraid to take it.

"It's okay," I said softly, the music blasting in the background, yet the way his eyes looked up at mine showed he heard me through it all.

"No one out here will judge you." I smiled gently at him.

Taehyung finally smirked, grabbing my hand and standing up.

We walked together into the crowd, and I began to dance along, singing the chant and moving my feet. Taehyung started to smile a little, and his feet started moving too, while the drummers beat against the barrels harder and faster, urging all of us to keep our energy high.

Eventually, Taehyung's smile grew wider, and he was dancing like the world was ending. His boxy smile made my heart melt, and I couldn't help but notice its similarity to the smile from the other day — instead it was wider, and more effortless. He laughed wholeheartedly, and it was so beautiful to see how Taehyung broke away from responsibility for once; the strive for perfection his father and people forced him to achieve.

He was himself.

As the night went on, everyone danced as hard as they could — etiquette thrown out the window. However, Hoseok, Jungkook, and Seokjin had the most energy of all. They were in the spotlight, twerking and piggybacking each other all over the place.

I almost forgot that they were all supposedly adults.

As the music grew louder, our laughs were drowned out by the loud drumming and chanting. It was perfect, and I didn't even feel the vast area between the Gems and humans anymore.

Tired and exhausted, the ten of us stumbled into the 'Safe Haven', laughing and tripping over our own feet. The night was fun and hilariously embarrassing all at once, in other words, a gorgeous disaster. I didn't want to forget it, yet I knew that I'd forget most of this the next morning.

As we stood in the main room, Namjoon and Yoongi — who were the only somewhat clear headed ones — decided we all sleep on the floor in the main room, so that we keep our beds clean and don't have to shower.

We were all too out of it to disagree, so he went on with his plan.

So, with the help of Yoongi, the two of them set up mattresses with pillows from the couch and pulled extra blankets from the laundry room, creating a series of beds for the night.

Ryujin and Lisa immediately cuddled up beside each other, Jungkook and Hoseok joined one another, Yoongi slept alone, Namjoon and Seokjin shared one as well. They jumped into their spots so fast, and I blinked repeatedly to try and catch up.

Then, I realized that there were only two of us left. Taehyung and I glanced at each other awkwardly and looked away instantly.

I cleared my throat, avoiding his gaze. It seemed that Taehyung was doing the same thing, in attempts to hide the suggestive smirk on his face.

"Well, I guess, uhmm..." I muttered with pursed lips, "which side do you want?"

Taehyung itched his neck and gulped. "Doesn't matter,"

"Cool."

I sighed, slowly climbing under the blankets and snuggling into the pillow, which hugged my head like a soft cloud. I rolled over so my back faced Taehyung, as if it would make this situation any better. It didn't whatsoever, for my muscles tensed when the cushions dipped beside me, and Taehyung pulled the blanket over his body.

His warmth radiated through the space between us, making me shift uncomfortably.

My eyes remained open for a while, staring at the wooden floor.

God, this was so awkward.

I gulped and tried to close my eyes for the sleep I needed, yet Taehyung, being so strangely close, forced my eyes open.

"Thanks for today, Juliana." Taehyung said, his deep voice sounding like velvet.

I gulped, trying to keep my voice composed despite the awkwardness. "No problem, Taehyung," I replied, mentally slapping myself for calling him by his name — yet again. "Sorry."

Taehyung chuckled quietly, "no, it's fine. Honestly, I keep forgetting you're supposed to be... you know. It sounds so disgusting to even reference anyone as that, I never liked it."

I glanced over at him and smiled slightly. "I guess that's something you should change when you become part of the Order."

"I guess so." He smiled back at me, his eyes looking into mine gently.

Neither of us seemed to realize our little staring contest, until I blinked, finally noticing how long we had been looking at each other for. I turned away from Taehyung awkwardly, trying to hide the fact my face was completely red, and I wanted the ground to just swallow me right there.

"Goodnight." I said quietly.

"'Night." He replied.

[A/N]

Hey guys! Here's a (for once) chill update. This whole book is kinda intense, so we need to show mercy for the softies :)

(I'm sorry for the publishing then unpublishing this chapter that must've been so annoying for the people who read the chapter already.)

Idek what to type here anymore lmao-

Love you 😘