Well, here it is...

The last official chapter of The Keepers Tale...

This has been such a journey and to end it the way that I am...It seriously hurts my heart, but I am happy with it.

I hope you enjoy the last chapter.

Thank you for reading.

-Max

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-Two years later-

Taehyung's eyes were dark and glazed over as he sat on the edge of the bed the two of you shared, his elbows propped on his knees as he rested his hands beneath his chin.

His shirtless form seemed so out of place in the darkness of the bedroom, orange hair tousled and messy from the previous activities that the two of you had participated in.

He could remember everything so vividly...he always could.

The feeling of your skin on his, the way your hands traveled down his body, the look in your eyes when he would tease you or kiss you in just the right places.

You'd always get so shy when he would speak to you, making you ask him for what you wanted, a beautiful deep blush covering your face as you finally gave into his wishes.

He let out a sigh, staring at the golden ring on his finger.

He loved you.

He loved you so much that it was terrifying to him.

It wasn't that he was scared of you hurting him or even leaving him. No, he knew you loved him almost as much as he loved you...but, that didn't change the inevitable.

Taehyung had known--of course, he'd always known. You were The Keeper...and with that...came a list of draw backs that simply could not be helped.

You would not be able to be The Keeper forever, and when your purpose was finished...you were finished.

The two of you had already had discussions regarding your future, the two of you even getting into a few fights over it, of course, you couldn't stay mad at each for too long and you'd make up within minutes.

You'd both taken extra precautions in order to avoid having children.

And Taehyung hated it.

He had always wanted a family. That is not to say that you were not enough for him, as you were more than enough, but he wanted to be closer to you in a way that only a child could do. He wanted to be there to take care of you when you were pregnant, he'd wanted to see a miniature version of you running around and taking charge over the place.

But, none of that would ever happen.

At least, that's what he thought.

He'd heard it.

In the middle of your passion, he'd heard the faintest heartbeat that came from your womb.

At the time, he'd managed to hide his terror and act as though everything was fine.

But now, in the darkness of his new home, he couldn't stop himself from thinking about it.

You probably had no idea that you were pregnant...at least, not yet, but soon you'd find out and it would only be a matter of time before you faded away like your father...

You weren't the only one fading, though.

Since being married to you, Taehyung began to notice it.

Small things at first.

He would forget things, never remembering why he'd walk into a room.

For normal people, these things were natural, but Taehyung was not normal...he is immortal.

Or...he was immortal.

Once he began to spend time with you...he began aging again...he story finally continuing.

Taehyung wasn't upset about it, not in the least. The idea of getting to grow old with you was one he'd dreamed about for so long...and, after countless years of living, it was a blessing to him...

He'd never told you about it, fearing that you would worry for him.

He turned on the bed, eyes scanning over your sleeping figure.

He smiled softly, tears coming to his eyes as he leaned forward, hand brushing against the bare skin of your arm before he was leaning forward and placing a soft kiss onto your forehead.

You stirred a little, but didn't wake up.

Taehyung smiled to himself, placing his hand onto your stomach.

"Hello, little one," He whispered.

His eyes softened as you muttered in your sleep, turning your body to find a more comfortable position, your body obviously missing his.

His heart clenched.

"Daddy has to do something bad," He continued in a whisper, his eyes locked on your face. "Something that mommy would kill me for."

A tear fell from his eye.

"But," He said, looking back to where his hand rested on your belly. "This is the only time that daddy will ever hurt mommy."

He leaned down, kissing your stomach through the thin sheets of the bed.

"You will never know me," He sniffed. "But, you will know my love."

He gently tapped his heart before tapping your belly, ensuring that the child would always be able to feel the love that her father had for her.

Even when he sent you away.

____________________________________________________________

Seokjin's eyes were wide as he stared at the madman before him, tired body tensing uncomfortably.

"What?" He breathed out. "Y/n is-"

"She's pregnant." Taehyung finished, clenching his jaw.

Jin blinked in surprise, sitting upright in his bed and lighting his bedside candle.

The madman had appeared in his room a few moments earlier, nearly scaring him to death when he woke him up with a gentle tap on the forehead.

"Oh god," Jin breathed. "I'm going to be an uncle!"

Taehyung smiled sadly at the man's words, warmth spreading through his heart at the thought.

But, he knew that wasn't what he had come here for.

"Jin," He called, catching the man's attention. "She's pregnant."

The blue-haired man furrowed his brows in confusion, opening his mouth to retort before realization dawned on his face.

"The gift," He said. "Once the baby is born...Y/n would..."

He couldn't bring himself to finish his sentence, hands running through his hair in frustration.

"What are we supposed to do?" He asked.

Taehyung stiffened slightly.

"I already know what needs to be done." He paused. "I must become The Keeper."

Jin's eyes widened at that, his eyebrows jumping up at the statement.

"I don't see how that is going to change anything." He admitted. "Wouldn't the power still transfer to your child once it's-"

"No." He interrupted. "If I become the Keeper now, it will not transfer to the child. If I had conceived the child while being the Keeper, there would have been no way out of it, but if I take the gift now...the child would be spared from the curse."

"And Y/n?" He asked. "If she transferred the power to you, that would still end in the same result."

Taehyung ran a hand through his hair.

"Not if she doesn't transfer the gift." He sighed. "If I take it, she will be fine....she'll become normal again."

Seokjin huffed out a breath, his hand reaching to grab his glasses that sat on the nightstand.

"And you intend to take the gift by making a wish?" He deduced.

The madman nodded his head.

"There's something else." He continued. "Once I become the Keeper...I'll have to wipe Y/n's memories and send her back into the mortal world."

The genie paused, his eyes widening at the impossible statement.

"You-" He blinked. "What? Why?!"

Taehyung cast his gaze to the ground.

"I'm aging." He stated. "Since I've met Y/n...my story has been progressing...the only way to stop it is if she and I part ways...and she has no memory of me."

The genie scoffed.

"So, you've got a few gray hairs, so what?" He raged. "That is absolutely no excuse for just sending her away! You know that she'd never agree to this!"

Taehyung clenched his jaw.

"I am not supposed to be here." He gritted. "When I die, the gift will go back to the original bloodline...back to my child...She will be cursed just like her mother...and there will have been no way to stop it..."

Jin's brows furrowed as a tear rolled down the orange-haired man's cheek.

"If-If Y/n forgets me," He sniffed, trying to compose himself. "Then I will continue on living like I did before...I will be the Keeper for eternity and Y/n...She and our child will never have to know this curse again..."

"Taehyung.." The genie whispered softly. "You-You would do lose everything...You'd never be able to be with her again..."

He nodded, clenching his fists.

"I know." He breathed out. "I know that...but, I would rather go back to being a lonely madman than see my darling die. I-I just can't."

"Why don't you wait for a while?" He asked softly. "You could see your child grow up...be with Y/n for a few more years..."

He sent the genie a sad smile.

"Because I know," He cried. "I know that I would never be strong enough to let the two of them go...not after seeing my child."

Jin remained silent, only nodding.

Taehyung wiped his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"I do have a favor to ask of you and the others, though."

The genie looked up at him.

"Just ask," He said.

"We will do anything to help."

______________________________________________________________________

"Darling."

You let out a soft sigh of contentment at the familiar voice that filled your ears, a warm hand resting on your cheek as your husband tried to pull you to consciousness.

Your eyes fluttered open, lashes brushing against your cheeks as your e/c iris' came into view, locking on the madman in front of you as your sore body began to wake up.

You smiled tiredly at the man, rubbing your eyes.

"Hi." You flirted tiredly.

He smiled widely at you.

"Hello, darling."

Your brows shot up at the sound of someone clearing their throat, eyes darting over to the source of the sound.

All of the boys stood before you, each one of them dressed and ready to begin their days. Jimin's wolf, Gaston, sat in front of the young prince, his tail wagging back and forth as he stared at you.

You frowned as you took in their appearance.

Wait a second-

Were they wearing modern clothes?

You let out a gasp, suddenly remembering your state of undress and pulling the covers over you.

Taehyung chuckled at you, placing a kiss to your forehead.

"Relax," He hummed, "I dressed you before they entered."

Your brows furrowed, glancing beneath the covers to confirm his statement.

You blushed as you took noticed of the pajamas that covered your body, hoping that this incident would not be brought up ever again.

"What are you all doing here?" You asked, sitting upright in your bed and glancing out the window. "It's still early."

The boys hung their heads, none of them making eye contact with you

Your brows furrowed.

"And why are you all dressed like that?" You continued. "Are we going to visit the mortal realm?"

"Y/n.."

You frowned as Yoongi's eyes raised to meet yours, pity and regret covering his features.

You laughed awkwardly, still not fully understanding the situation.

"Okay guys, what's going on here?" You said. "Why are you all looking at me like you killed my dog or something?"

"Jin," Taehyung called, catching your attention. "Are you ready?"

The genie stepped forward, his head nodding slowly as he approached you.

"Tae?" You asked, frowning in confusion. "What is going on here?-"

"You're pregnant." Jungkook blurted.

You froze.

In that moment, you couldn't really bring yourself to process what had just been said to you.

This had to be some kind of sick joke.

You'd been careful--you'd both been so careful...How could this even happen?

You weren't stupid.

You knew what this meant for you...and, by the looks on everyone's faces...they knew too.

You opened your mouth, but no words came out...nothing but a soft whimper.

Taehyung clenched his jaw at your expression.

The orange-haired madman could see it in your eyes...you were beginning to work out his plan.

He'd told you about this little scheme before...it was what caused one of the biggest fights between the two of you.

He told you that he'd have to resort to this if the situation ever came up...and you told him that you'd rather die than go a day without knowing who he was.

By the end of the fight, he apologized ...telling you that he was sorry and he'd never do such a thing to you.

Your eyes snapped to him.

He lied.

"You-"

"I'm sorry, Y/n."

"Don't you even think about it!" You snapped, now angry.

His multicolored eyes softened as he watched tears come into your eyes.

"I don't want to forget!" You yelled. "I won't forget!"

Taehyung flinched as you stood from the bed, turning your back on him and marching towards the door.

Your brows furrowed as the other boys blocked your way out, ensuring that you stay in the room until the deed could be done.

"We're sorry, Y/n..." Namjoon whispered sadly. "This is the only way."

You clenched your jaw, trying to shove your way through them.

"I don't care!" You snapped. "Its my decision and I say no! Let me out of here this instant!"

"Y/n,"

Your eyes flew over to your husband, watching as he approached you slowly.

"No!" You sobbed. "I won't go! I won't leave you all alone again! I-I can't! Please, Taehyung!"

His heart felt as though it had been run through.

He had always promised that he would never make you cry and now...for the first time....he'd broken that promise to you.

"I'll always have you," He explained sadly, his tears betraying him. "You may hate me for this, but I have to be selfish...just this once I have to be."

Tears streamed down your face as he wrapped you in a warm embrace.

"I can't live without you." You cried, clinging onto him.

He bit his lip, trying his best to conceal his own emotions.

"I am just a mad man" He stated, repeating the same words of comfort he had used so long ago. "I have lost my mind...but all have to lose our minds a little. We all have to follow our hearts blindly and we all have to walk through the fire no matter how bad it gets. That is how I find the things I believe in...That is how I will find my way back home...That is how I will find my way back to you."

You shook your head.

"You're lying!" You sobbed. "You won't come back! You-You can't!"

He pressed a kiss onto your lips, his arms tightening around you as he allowed himself to drown out the world around him.

He allowed himself to enjoy the color that you brought him just once more...before letting it go forever.

"Jin," He called as he pulled away, eyes never leaving you. "I wish-"

You eyes widened.

"No!"

"To become-"

"Please!"

"The Keeper."