We invite you.

I stood rooted to the ground, the tense heat of the atmosphere holding me down in its pure gravity. The force of his words....

He wasn't joking.

Or at least, I think he wasn't.

"It's a lot to take in— I get it." Jimin gives a reassuring pat on my back. "But please consider. It isn't a bad deal to make."

"In fact, you have nothing but benefits to this. It's a win-win situation." Hoseok puts a finger up persuasively. "Well, you'd be nuts if you don't agree to this."

"That's what gives me hesitation." I furrowed my brows, taking caution. "It seems too good to be true."

The boy in the corner named 'Taehyung', huddled on his wheely chair and headphones, whistles at my response. "We got a careful princess here. Fiesty, aren't we?"

"Well, I would be suspicious too if it was me. Who the f*ck joins a group that looks exactly like a cult willingly?" Yoongi curses.

"Technically, the Runaways are the cult, not us." Namjoon smiles brightly, before his eyes turn into an intense glare towards me.

"Let's say we are....a unique bunch, instead."

I shuddered. The tense looks this man gives, it was earth shattering. I wouldn't mess with Namjoon in any way, even if I was a powerful figure.

At that moment, I glance towards the other corner, where Jungkook decided to stay. He's been quiet in this whole ordeal, staring intently at me.

"So what's the decision, princess? Are you joining our kick ass group or not?" Taehyung raises a brow and pops a cheetos in his mouth.

"I will. But spit out your conditions already, I know you have expectations from me as well." I folded my arms.

With that, they exchanged glances, taken aback by my remark. Namjoon chuckles, his dimples popping in a cutely manner. "Looks like we can't hide anything from the princess, eh?" He cooes in fascination. "We have one simple condition to you joining us in our quest to break the curse."

"That is?" I raise a brow.

"Jungkook must be with you at all times." He states. "In other words, a bodyguard. To prevent you being attacked by the Runaways, and also if the opportunity arises to break the curse, you most likely need to be together."

That makes......sense...

Wait, does that mean ALL the time?! Even when we sleep?!

"I'll take your silence as a yes. Also, whatever you might be thinking, that's a yes too." Namjoon chuckles again. "I wouldn't say this is a bad deal for you, especially when you get to have Jungkook's protection. He might be a tease but he's really strong, you know."

I gulp. Glancing to the side at Jungkook, his intense gaze seems to still be on me.

"Alright alright. I get it." A slight blush rises into my cheeks. "He can follow me around— but I'll only have the small space on the floor to put a makeshift bed."

"I'm sure Jungkook doesn't mind. And with that, we welcome you." Namjoon holds up the glass of the same green liquid I've seen him drink before, as a form of celebration.

It was not long before I find myself walking out of the Game Room, muddled and full of thoughts.

"Stressed?"

Jungkook closes the door behind him, his eyes intent on me as ever.

"Yes, I'm stressed. Partly because you just went all quiet on me back there." I look away so he could sense my sulking. "Help a dude out."

His eyes flared with intense fascination at my words. Before long, I was rejecting the ring-bearer-shitznot situation, but now that everything was put on the table and seen clearly, I kind of feel like we were on the same boat. Like.....a comrade.

"Not a friend or comrade. I'm your lover." Jungkook's lips curled up slightly, pulling me closer.

Wait, was I saying my thoughts out loud??

Before I could express my shock in uttered words, he embraces me, causing me to stop my sentence.

"Sorry, you were giving me a pitiful friendzone type-shit look on your face, so I had to say it." He explains.

I blushed. "H-how many times must I say that I'm not your l-lover?"

"Well... sure." He smirks at my remark, before giving a small kiss to my ear that was burning red. "We're not having the hots for each other or anything."

Ugh. He must've heard my heart beating like crazy— because it's literally as if I'm running on a treadmill right now.

"Whatever you say, Yena." He talks in a low voice, sending tingles to my ear and down my back. "Even if you don't want to be mine...

"I'll be yours and only yours."