There was something alluring about the way Namjoon would look at Jungkook, though the human couldn't put his finger on it.

His piercing scarlet eyes never left Jungkook's, no matter what steps he took. Jungkook would find himself breathing sharply at every step, feeling himself to be in an almost trance as the Pureblood pulled the cloak over his head, revealing then raven hair.

"Strange, isn't it?" Namjoon hummed as his hands reached out for a snowflake. "The gifts that Gaea, Earth gives us, and here we are, fighting a meaningless fight. A fight that humans will never win."

"Everyone's taught to hate your kind," Jungkook said, his hand securely around the hilt of his sword. "I've killed many of your kind, but you've killed far more than you'll ever be held accountable for."

"That is true," Namjoon agreed, glancing at Jungkook amusedly. "Commander Jeon Jungkook. Korea's most prominent killer, able to take down even the most trained of vampires without so much as landing a scratch on himself. You are the last human I expected to ask for our help. Not when you have plenty of years left to live. You're only twenty five. Isn't that a human's prime? Surely there's someone waiting at home for you. A wife. A kid, perhaps. Three years old? She looks just like you."

Jungkook froze, his breath catching in his chest.

"My brother was the one who told me of you. Yoongi." Namjoon continued, maintaining his tone casual. "I had to do my research beforehand. You know how it is. As much as I want to trust humans, a Commander wanting to see his enemies? I couldn't help but be suspicious."

In the blink of an eye, Namjoon appeared in front of Jungkook, a surprisingly warm hand now atop of Jungkook's own freezing ones, while Namjoon's other hand grabbed at Jungkook's jaw. Namjoon slowly pushed Jungkook backward, enough to cause the human to walk but not enough to lose his balance, not stopping until Jungkook's back hit the tree.

"You need my help to save your people," Namjoon smirked. He let Jungkook's jaw go, and the human groaned, not realizing how much pressure the Pureblood had actually placed. Before Jungkook could process anything, he felt both his hands lifted above him. Namjoon grabbed the sword from Jungkook's waist, eyes sparkling in humor. "I thought we'd gotten rid of these. Who gave this to you, Commander? Is this how you intend to save your people?"

"The only way to save my people is killing you and your brothers," Jungkook nearly spat. "That is how you can help me."

"You didn't answer my question," Namjoon's expression darkened. "Who gave you this sword? There should be none in human grasp."

Jungkook said nothing.

"Wrong answer, Jeon."

Namjoon let Jungkook go, making sure to point the sword in the human's direction to prevent him from trying to retrieve it. Jungkook stayed still, silently fuming as Namjoon distanced himself, his eyes now trained on the sword.

"This is stained with your blood," Namjoon announced, looking up at Jungkook. "Blood shielding. Interesting. The only way this would work is if you hate the Purebloods, is that what you were told?"

Jungkook took a step forward, only to fall onto the snow. Namjoon laughed, the sound ringing distorted in Jungkook's mind. He could hardly register as Namjoon sat in front of him, amused while Jungkook crouched over in pain.

"Internal bleeding," Namjoon commented, running his fingers through Jungkook's hair. "I don't have to touch anything to make it mine. I had hoped that you, Jeon, would be different. That you actually needed our help. But, the only help you need from us is our deaths, and I cannot have that."

"Then kill me."Jungkook gritted his teeth, breathing becoming shallow. Namjoon only cocked his head, his finger caressing Jungkook's face softly.

"Did you ever pause to ask yourself why you were successful in what many have tried to do?" Namjoon asked gently, motioning to the sword. "Only three people have the ability to blood-shield. One of them goes by the name Kim Taehyung, and he is the son of the leader that initiated the war sixteen years ago. The other one has yet to be born, and the last one is right in front of me."

In one swift motion, Namjoon ripped the collar of Jungkook's shirt, revealing a reddened insignia shining candidly on Jungkook. Jungkook shivered at the cold beginning to hit his body, while Namjoon looked unbothered, his eyes only lighting in recognition at the insignia. He shook his head.

"I should have known the moment I'd caught your scent; you'd be mine," Namjoon mused. "Pity. At least we both have something in common. I think I'll help you, Jeon Jungkook. I won't commit the same mistake my brother did."

"W-what are you planning on doing?" Jungkook asked as Namjoon leaned closer.

Namjoon smiled coldly. "I wonder what they'll think of you when they realize their Commander belongs to one of the Purebloods. They already don't like you, do they? I can hear them rummaging in the distance. Jeon Jungkook, Elite Commander, taking away all their spotlight with the perfect wife and child. Who wouldn't want your life?"

"You knew all this time they were here?"

Jungkook felt the pain dissipate from his body, gaining full consciousness of himself. Namjoon nodded, grabbing hold of Jungkook's smoke signal.

"I'm sorry for this," Namjoon said, turning the sword onto Jungkook. He sliced both of Jungkook's legs and torso with the sword, deep enough to show a visible wound. Jungkook put a hand over his mouth to muffle his screams, looking wildly at Namjoon, who looked as calm as ever. Eyes glowing red, Jungkook could feel blood beginning to draw out of his body, panic settling him as Namjoon continued to play around with the sword. "Scream for me, Jeon. Make it believable."

Jungkook took harsh breaths, staring at Namjoon wide eyed. "What are you doing to me?"

"It isn't what I'm doing to you," Namjoon responded, shaking his head. "It's what your comrades will do to you. My brother despises humans for what they did to his love, and I'm curious. I want to see if what he says holds merit."

"I thought you were going to help me!" Jungkook hissed. Namjoon nodded.

"Oh, I am!" Namjoon smiled. "If your comrades don't kill you, I'll heal your wounds and let you kill me. If your comrades do try to kill you, I will kill them and save you. If I save you, you owe me your unbinding loyalty. Pretty fair deal, don't you think?"

"Deal."

Namjoon laughed in glee at Jungkook's quick answer, looking seemingly pleased. He pointed the sword next to Jungkook and embedded it in there to make it seem as if he'd been struck with the sword before blasting the smoke signal. With a stroke of simple good luck, Namjoon disappeared into the shadows, leaving Jungkook on the snow. Even though he was injured, he couldn't feel himself dying. It hurt like hell, but it was like he was in a paused state. Perhaps he was.

"Commander!"

They won't let me down, Jungkook thought to himself as he watched them appear. While it had been odd that Namjoon had used himself as a bargaining chip, Jungkook was hoping it would end up ruling in his favor. His comrades were loyal to him. They were all fighting towards the same cause, and if they saw him injured, then they would lend a hand.

They had to.

It was vampires that were evil, not humans. Humans weren't capable of letting their own die on the battlefield. It wasn't possible.

"The Pureblood left," Jungkook winced, his voice shaking. "I need help."

The two in front of him looked at each other, a silent exchange coming in between them. Eyes hardening, they both grabbed the hilt of the sword, glancing pitifully at Jungkook.

"You're already dead, Commander," one said, taking out his dagger. "Who can heal wounds to this extent? You'd be useless to us. Your sacrifice to us won't go in vain, we promise. Commander Jung's been having his eye on your wife. He'll be pleased."

"Don't worry, Jeon, we'll take care of your wife and kid, though," the other responded, smirking. "Especially your wife. Who would have thought all we needed was a Pureblood to get rid of you? We should thank him, actually. At least you'll die for the cause."

"Wait—"

Jungkook wished he could scream at them when they pulled the sword. There was no remorse in their eyes as they plunged the sword into Jungkook's stomach, their laughter ringing in Jungkook's ears as they continued to slash at him, enjoying the turn of events. They'd failed, and Namjoon had won. They'd let Namjoon win.

The Pureblood had been right.

"This is what I get for letting you trust two humans, Jeon."

Jungkook closed his eyes as he heard screams, not opening them until he'd heard the familiar cracking of the neck and them being thrown onto the snow. He felt Namjoon pick him up, who only smiled at him.

"Guess they weren't trustworthy after all."

Namjoon propped Jungkook up the nearest tree, examining the boy's injuries. He grabbed the sword, nodded once at Jungkook before fully taking it out. To Jungkook's surprise, no blood rushed out of the wound. Noticing Jungkook's expression, Namjoon's smile widened.

"Did you think I'd actually let you fully bleed out?" Namjoon asked, bringing his wrist to his mouth. "You promised me your loyalty. I have to keep you alive. You're mine anyhow. I'd never let you die."

Jungkook watched as Namjoon tore at his wrist. Namjoon's blood began dripping onto Jungkook's, and he looked at it curiously. It wasn't red like humans were. It was a muddied gold, similar to that of bronze but with more shine into it. Almost instinctively, Jungkook hand went up to grab Namjoon's wrist, eyes fluttering closed as his lips parted open, letting Namjoon's blood seep into his mouth.

The taste was surprisingly sweet, holding just the right amount of bitterness. Namjoon continued to watch Jungkook, making sure that the injuries that were there were disappearing. He let Jungkook drink from him, the voice inside his mind chiding Namjoon for not Turning him completely and letting him remain partially human.

Though it wasn't a forbidden technique, it was only done in a life or death situation. Namjoon hadn't even been sure that there would be a possibility of it working, but from the looks of it, it was. Namjoon had the power to Turn Jungkook anyhow, and he should have done that, but Commander Jeon had more use to him remaining somewhat human than becoming a full fledged vampire. Namjoon didn't have the patience nor the time to teach Jungkook how to be a vampire, especially not while the war was still raging. At least like this, he could gift the humans someone that can help them gain ground in the war.

If the humans were to believe they won, there would be no more fighting. That was Namjoon's ultimate goal.

It didn't help that Jungkook had already started a family of his own. Namjoon didn't love the idea of his soulmate having established himself as a husband and a father, but he would respect it nonetheless. All he needed right now was for Jungkook's loyalty. Eventually, Jungkook would fall for him, just the same as Namjoon. However, he did have new responsibilities, too, like keeping the Jeon family safe.

"Why didn't you Turn me?" Jungkook asked after he'd fully healed. "Wouldn't that fully make me loyal to you?"

Namjoon shrugged. "Perhaps. You're much more use alive, though. I will do it eventually, but right now, if the humans lose one of their knights in shining armor, the war will never end. Besides, you have a wife and child waiting for you. I won't tear you away from them."

"Thank you," Jungkook said, smiling warmly at Namjoon for the first time. "I have a bone to pick now with Jung. I knew he was lusting after my wife, but I didn't think he'd be one of the first to try to get her."

"Who's Jung?" Namjoon asked. "I haven't heard of him yet."

"Commander Jung is a couple of years older than me. Almost pushing forty. Has a kid. Fifteen years," Jungkook scrunched his nose, deep in thought. "Micah. That's the kid's name. I've seen him around. Never interacted. Bright boy. Has a strong thirst for blood, though. I have never seen him in action, but from what I've been told, he's the next prodigy."

"Don't most humans?" Namjoon mused. "Your comrades didn't hesitate in wanting to kill you; now they're dead. You tried to kill me to help your people, and it failed. Now, you're stuck with me until the end of time. I expect you to come to me at least three times out of the week. You will not survive without me too long. Such is the dangerous part of drinking my blood. Right now, you have human, god, and vampire blood in your system. You'll be a menace at anything you do, but you'll be heavily dependent on me to survive."

"What if I don't accept?"

"Apart from the deal you made with me; you'll die," Namjoon stated. "My blood is what is keeping you together. You did lose a lot of blood. I'm sure there's more of my blood in your body than your own. I'll be expecting you, Jeon."

"Are you leaving already?" Jungkook asked. Namjoon nodded, dusting himself off. "We could get to know each other more."

"Already getting attached, Jeon?" Namjoon laughed, crossing his arms. "At this rate, you'll fall in love with me in three days' time. Your family is waiting for you, Jeon. I refuse to get in the way of that. For now. Now, go and speak of your latest triumph."

With that, Namjoon disappeared, leaving Jungkook and the body of the two corpses he'd sworn would help nurse him back to health.

The scene melted around Hoseok, reminding him that he was in someone else's history. He jumped, feeling arms wrap around his waist, feeling himself blush as someone kissed his cheek, heart beating rhythmically in his chest.

"I told her."

Jungkook turned to Namjoon, smiling softly before leaning in to kiss Namjoon on the lips. Namjoon parted his lips for Jungkook, letting his fingers in Jungkook's hair as they deepened the kiss, a simple gesture that left Jungkook buzzing with ecstasy. He pulled away briefly, letting their foreheads rest on each other, making sure his arms were wrapped securely around Namjoon's waist.

"It wasn't my intention for you to fall out of love with her," Namjoon murmured, caressing Jungkook's cheek. "I know you loved her."

"It's not your fault," Jungkook reassured. "It's not your fault. I think she started suspecting anyhow. I've been leaving for three days of the week for nearly four years now. It was inevitable for us to happen. I made my peace with it."

"Did you ask her what I told you to ask?" Namjoon said. Jungkook nodded, smiling brightly. "I assume she said yes."

Jungkook nodded once more. "She did. Seemed excited about it too. The war's dragged on too long, and I think she's just about had it with the side we're fighting for. At least here, she'll be safe with Eunbyeol. We'll raise her together. She's packing the rest of our things."

"Perfect."

"We'll be one big family," Jungkook beamed, eyes glittering excitedly. "They'll be safe here."

"They will."

Namjoon smiled, leaning once more into Jungkook. But, as their lips touched, there was a loud opening of a door. Startled, Namjoon pulled away from Jungkook, whipping his head to see Yoongi, whose stormy gaze indicated nothing but trouble. Yoongi's gaze flipped to Jungkook, who only stared at him confused.

"Jimin's already gone ahead," Yoongi said, jaw locking. "Your wife and child. They're about to be killed."

The next thing Hoseok could hear was the screams coming from his own mouth. Hot tears seared his cheeks as he sprinted to the burning house, looking for a trace, any trace of living figures in there.

"That's what happens when you're a vampire lover."

Hoseok's head whipped around at the sound, raging in fury at the face. The face looked familiar to Hoseok, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it. His insides churned with hatred the longer he stared at the man, and it took him a bit to realize the feelings he had coursing through him weren't his own.

They were Jungkook's.

"I will kill you," Jungkook hissed, already unsheathing his sword. "They did nothing wrong! You had no right to hurt them, Daehwan."

"If not me, then who else?" Daehwan laughed. "They deserved to die. I offered your wife a wonderful deal. She rejected it, all so that she would be with you in safety. You promised her immortality, a chance to live freely under Pureblood protection, where your daughter would thrive. Pathetic. I knew there was a reason why you've remained the same all these years."

"I was trying to help stop this unnecessary war!" Jungkook snapped, lunging at Jaehwan. "Your family is so bloodthirsty you're willing to kill innocents? Should I kill your son out of spite too? I know how much you've wanted my wife!"

"I know how much of an asset you've been to the Purebloods," Daehwan spat as their swords clashed. "You betrayed us, and you were planning on your wife and child to do the same. You're one of them, whether you're still human or not. Better dead than supporting those monsters. Commander Jeon, a Pureblood's whore. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

"Just wait until your son becomes my whore, Commander Jung."

Yoongi.

Using the distraction to his advantage, Daehwan struck Jungkook, injuring him enough to open a bloody wound. Jungkook was pulled to the side, Namjoon's arms surrounding Jungkook securely. Jungkook cried, begging Namjoon to let him go, to which Namjoon only apologized over and over.

They had to get the fire out first, Namjoon kept telling Jungkook. They were trying their best to douse the fire as quickly as possible, all while killing the others that were there to witness.

Yoongi had taken Jungkook's place, smiling menacingly at Daehwan, who only stared at him with hatred.

"Maybe if you were a Pureblood's whore you'd be able to fight against me, Jung," Yoongi chuckled, easily stepping away from Daehwan's lunges. "Such a pity. You decided that you would kill two innocents and let them burn in their own house, all because they chose not to be with you. Where's your wife, Jung? Oh, that's right. She's dead."

Yoongi laughed as Commander Jung pierced his chest, raising his arms in surprise. His smile widened as he grabbed into the sword, pulling it out slowly for Daehwan's enjoyment. Daehwan looked at the sword, surprised, as he began to be pushed back until the sword was fully out of Yoongi's body.

"I think you missed," Yoongi taunted, breaking the sword in two. "Now you're out of a weapon. No one will leave this place alive. Fortunately for you, your son is fighting on another side of the city. He will return with no knowledge about what happened. The only thing he'll know is that the vampires finally defeated Commander Jung."

Yoongi grabbed Daehwan's collar and threw him down onto the floor. Daehwan fell with a thud, Yoongi then putting his foot on top of Daehwan's chest. Yoongi leaned over, eyes rounded and expression innocent as he continued to look over at Deahwan, no sign of pity on his face.

"So this is how you end, Jung," Yoongi sighed dramatically. "Dying under the shoe of a bloodsucker. This is a disgrace to my shoe, actually. I'm letting them touch a filthy human like you. You know what the best part is?"

Commander Jung spat at Yoongi in response.

"Rude," Yoongi wrinkled his nose. He dusted himself off before continuing, "Your son's going to come to us asking us for everything you could only wish you would have a taste of. Commander Jung, one of the primary leaders of this war. Don't worry, though! We'll act like we don't know who he is. He won't even recognize Commander Jeon. It'll make taking your son that much sweeter."

"My son will never bow to you, bloodsuckers."

Yoongi laughed. "You'd be surprised, Commander Jung, of what people will do when they're given one shred of power. Shame you'll never get to taste it."

Yoongi let his foot rupture through Daehwan's chest, grimacing as Daehwan's blood smeared onto his shoes and pants. He stepped on Jung's face, effectively crushing it underneath— it was only some of what he deserved. He turned towards the house Taehyung had effectively put out, though he didn't have full control of his abilities yet.

"They were still alive when they were in there," Jimin said quietly, appearing by Yoongi's side. "I alleviated their pain as soon as I could. Their burns are severe, and it appears Mother was stabbed multiple times. The girl's heart is still beating."

"Eunbyeol's only seven," Yoongi said, pressing his lips together. "There's nothing we can do. We can't save her."

He turned to Jungkook, whose screams drowned out was enough to drown out the sound of multiple villages. He could only imagine what Jungkook was feeling right now, and it hurt. Though this time it hadn't been Jungkook in danger, his loved ones paid the price for him. There was nothing that could be done. If they'd been prepared more...they could have been saved.

It was clear that Eunbyeol's mother had been trying to protect her as much as she could. She'd been the one to die first, Jimin had concluded, clutching her little girl tightly as the fires ravaged on, but after a while, the wisps had caught in Eunbyeol's hair, and from there she'd been a goner. For a little girl to suffer this much pain from people she should have been able to trust— it was unforgivable.

Yoongi stared out into the now desolate village, letting Jungkook's wails of despair fill the endless, burning skies.

Hoseok closed the book suddenly, snapping himself back into reality. Jungkook looked up, immediately coming to Hoseok's side with the basket he had brought in. His face softened as Hoseok looked at him with tears in his eyes. He jumped slightly as Hoseok pulled him in a hug, freezing as Hoseok kept muttering the words 'i'm sorry,' over and over again.

"You did nothing wrong, Hoseok," Jungkook murmured, softly patting Hoseok's back. "The actions of your grandfather are not your own."

"Why couldn't she be saved?" Hoseok asked, voice trembling. Jungkook's lips pressed together.

"She was too young," Jungkook answered. "If they would have Turned her, she would have stayed seven forever. She was too far gone to save her the way Namjoon had done to me. I hadn't been Turned yet either, and I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to share the burden of raising her. I know Namjoon would have saved her if he could have. They all would have."

"Yoongi was the one that killed my grandfather," Hoseok pulled away, releasing a slow breath. "Why didn't you?"

"Yoongi, Jimin, and Taehyung took care of everything," Jungkook said, offering Hoseok an apple. "They didn't want my hands to be stained with the blood of those who I trusted. None of them tried to save them. In everyone's eyes, they all deserved to die. There's nothing worse than betrayal, Hoseok. You give people the opportunity to kill you; they will. They'll take everything from you just to satisfy themselves."

Hoseok took a bite of the apple, feeling numb. "You didn't deserve that."

"I was lucky enough not to get tied up the way Taehyung had," Jungkook responded. "None of us deserve what they do to us. Taehyung didn't deserve to be betrayed by his town. I didn't deserve to have my family killed. You don't deserve to have to carry the burden of everything. You don't deserve having to fight for your memories. But that's just how it is for us."

Jungkook grabbed Hoseok's hands.

"Don't trust a word, your father says," his expression was almost frantic. "If your father is anything like his father, he'll dispose of you once you're no longer needed. Pretend you're in love with Kim Seokjin. Use him for anything you can. It doesn't matter that he's lying to you. Act like everything's okay. The second they think something's wrong with you, you're screwed."

Hoseok nodded, expression muddled in confusion.

"L'amour lie only came to be at my request," Jungkook said, letting Hoseok's hands go. "I hoped that being able to bind someone for love would prevent any pain. Jimin agreed to gift it to you guys because of everything I put innocents through. I didn't want anyone going through the pain I did— and everything I helped cause. If she'd never met me, she never would have died. We weren't meant to be together, but I found out too late. But for you, it's different. You know you're not supposed to be together. He knows you two can't be together."

"He messed up today," Hoseok mumbled. "Says we're married but said the Purebloods interrupted our wedding. There's no l'amour lie bond within us, but I also don't have the insignia I saw you had. What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing," Jungkook reassured. "It'll make sense eventually. I promise. For now, we'll hold out until the coronation, okay? You should rest now. It's getting late."

"Wait, Jungkook."

Jungkook arched an eyebrow.

"When is Yoongi coming?"

Jungkook's lips parted in surprise. "You want to see Yoongi?"

Hoseok seemed to be lost in thought, his expression looking both confused and determined. After a while, he nodded, trying to rack his brain for events and memories that weren't there.

"He's important," Hoseok stated, accepting it as fact.

"Important?"

"Important," Hoseok repeated, enforcing the fact. "To me. He seemed familiar when I saw him while reading. His hair, obsidian. Obsidian. Yoongi's obsidian. Obsidian."

Just a bite won't kill you, Your Highness.

There was a faint ringing in Hoseok's ears, one that Hoseok tried to ignore. He closed his eyes, suddenly visualizing neon lights. He could almost smell the alcohol and sweat, but it was all still too bright for him. He began to breathe erratically as the ringing in his ears became louder, a soft groan escaping his lips as it started to overwhelm him.

Silver, Red, Blue, Jungkook. Obsidian approaching from behind, catching Hoseok off guard. Dancing with Obsidian. A bite. His birthmark.

Hoseok's hand flew to his neck. Without warning, he jumped up, stumbling slightly as he sprinted to the restroom, panic overcoming him as he realized that his skin was bare. He stared at himself in the mirror in confusion, trying to look for any sign of anything that could resemble what he'd pictured in his head.

"Hoseok, calm down."

"I had it here," Hoseok pointed at himself, looking at Jungkook worriedly. "It's not here anymore. It should be here."

"Hoseok, we already went over—"

"No, Jungkook, you don't understand," Hoseok grabbed Jungkook's collar. "I need to have it there. I've—it's always been there. It's gone!"

You'll realize I'm not your enemy.

Hoseok broke into tears.

Jungkook gently led Hoseok into his bed, calming Hoseok's nerves the best he could. Yeonjun had already awoken, jumping with a start at Hoseok's hysterics. With a simple spell, he got Hoseok to fall unconscious. Jungkook carefully tucked him in, quickly getting rid of anything that could show that there were visitors in the room. After packing up everything, Jungkook turned to Yeonjun.

"He's starting to remember."

Yeonjun nodded. "Is that what he used to call Yoongi? Obsidian?"

"They never fully introduced themselves to Hoseok, so Hoseok differentiated them by names," Jungkook explained. "The first time they met, that's how he called them. He became frantic about the insignia, though."

"It was his tie with Yoongi," Yeonjun said. "I would have been surprised if that weren't the first thing he'd be hysterical about. It didn't hit him as hard before because he didn't really know the emotional significance of the insignia. He'll feel lost when he wakes up."

"We have to get Yoongi here, then," Jungkook closed the window as they climbed out. "Do you think we can?"

Yeonjun nodded. "We'll report, and I'll head to my mother soon after. I'll ask her what we can do to help Hoseok out, too."

Jungkook looked at Hoseok's sleeping state, his chest tightening slightly. Hoseok definitely didn't deserve this. He could only hope that, however, Hoseok woke up, it wouldn't alert Seokjin or Hoseok's father about their presence.

Just hang on, Jungkook pleaded to Hoseok, even though he knew he wouldn't be heard. A bit more. A little longer.

After taking one last glance at Hoseok, Jungkook grabbed Yeonjun's hand and disappeared into the night. 

a/n: uh so this was nearly 5k 🚶🏻 how we doing after tonight ?

namjoon's big thing when it comes to people is loyalty which is what makes jk's story a lot more hard hitting. jeon wanted to kill namjoon at first, and though it was never physically answered, the person who'd taught him how to blood-shield had been artemis (which can be accurately inferred). his story goes different bc he has a family— meaning he's already well established in society, and nowhere near namjoon.

artemis was betting on that to remain the case, but, as time goes by, jk falls for joon. he still loved his wife, but not the way he felt for joon (that soulmate love b hitting different tbh), so he proposed for them to all live together. his wife and he wanted to provide a safe space for eunbyeol to thrive in, and in this state of time, it was with the purebloods— and he'd have the best of both worlds

sadly, it didn't work out that way.

so while namjoon was a tad bit crazy for his bizarre tests, at least they ended up together. 

i wanted to show that there are diff aspects when it comes to being betrayed. there's tea, who was nearly killed by his father and village. now we have jk, who was attacked through his family (there was no way to attack him any other way bc he alr had joon's blood in his system. both deal with the betrayal of family (familial love), but in different ways.

in a way this also insinuates why yoon2seok cannot be together.

hope that made sense <3

as for hoseok, well, rip to this mans sanity bc whew he aboutta go through it (:

thank you for reading !

(ignore the mistakes if any it's 3am over here SORRYLKGJHF)