All That Glitters is Not Gold (BTS X Reader)

Chapter 27

The loss of Namjoon was so heartbreaking that it was hard for me to comprehend it. We hadn't known each other very long, but he had still been willing to protect me from the chimera. I truly didn't understand why.

We continued the journey in mostly silence and I could tell the guys were hesitant to speak. Jimin eventually made his way to my side, taking my hand and I was surprised it had taken as long as it did. Although he was exceptionally strong and courageous, the fairy was much more sensitive than the others.

As the moon rose high in the sky, Jin approached me. "Y/N, we need to find somewhere to stop for the night. You need rest."

Although I wanted to argue, I knew he was right. Jimin was trying to cover a yawn and Hoseok didn't even bother trying to hide it, the loud sound coming out more as a growl than anything else. I unexpectedly laugh and he turned and grinned at me and it helped to alleviate some of the stress that was threatening to consume me.

Yoongi pointed to a grove of trees off to the right side of the path.  The grass looked soft and it was close enough to the river so we could wash up a little bit.  I nodded my head and followed him over there, with the rest of them trailing quietly behind me.

I stopped at the river, splashing my face with the cool water and filling my bottle.  My braid had come undone so I dunked my head in the river, rinsing it as best as I could.  The dirt, sweat, and days of travel had made it unbearably tangled.  I wrung it out then rebraided it, tying it off.

Choosing a section of plush grass, I leaned against the tree, the tension of the day filling my body.  A familiar pink head appeared in my line of vision and I sighed then nodded.  Jimin dropped to the ground and laid his head in my lap.  Unable to stop myself, I ran a hand through his silky hair.  Jimin smiled and closed his eyes in obvious delight and it made me grin in return.

"You know? It's going to be okay my darling.  I promise you." Jimin's voice was soft and his words were sweet;  they were like a balm to my aching heart, but I knew it was just putting a bandaid on a broken arm.  Not really helping, but an attempt to make it seem like things were getting better.

Jimin dozed off as I continued to stroke his hair.  I was lost in thought when a body dropped to the ground next to me, startling me out of my reverie.  I turned to see Yoongi sitting next to me, his beautiful changing eyes focused on me.  "Please stop thinking that this is all your fault, angel.  If Puppy didn't think you were worth it, he wouldn't have risked it all for you."

Yoongi's words were gentle, but almost scolding and I didn't know what to say.  I know he was trying to make me feel better, but I couldn't help but feel guilty still over what happened.  I didn't want Namjoon to risk his life for me.  He barely knew me.  Why would he do that?  I just didn't understand it.

Yoongi put an arm around my shoulders and the demon's presence was oddly comforting.  "I know you don't believe me, but you should.  Puppy knew exactly what he was doing."

"I'm not worth it though.  He doesn't know me.  I'm just a human," I argued, my voice rising in frustration.

"Oh sweetheart," Hoseok kneeled on the ground next to me, slightly shoving the demon out of the way.  "You just don't understand, do you?"

I couldn't stop the tears spilling down my cheeks.  Awoken by my soft sobs, Jimin opened his eyes and sat up, immediately shoving Hoseok aside and gathering me in his surprisingly strong arms.  "My darling? Why are you crying?  I can't bear to see you like this."

"I hate this.  Why are all of you willing to risk your lives for me?  I don't understand it.  I'm a nobody, just a human."  My voice bordered on hysterical, but there was nothing I could do to stop it.  "You're all in danger because of me."

Jimin rubbed my back gently, trying to soothe me.  "Oh no.  Don't think of things so negatively.  You did nothing wrong and we are not in danger because of you."  Jimin pulled back then tilted my chin to look at him.  "If anyone is in danger, it is you being around us."

"Sparkles is right, sweet girl," Jin insisted, joining us with Taehyung and Jungkook.  "You're in much more danger being around us.  I think you forget what we are."

Jungkook kneeled next to me, taking my hand, effectively moving Jimin away.  "Look doll.  None of us would be here with you if we didn't want to be.  We're here because we want to help you, keep you safe."  Jungkook ran a hand through his dark hair, pulling it back from his pale face.  "We want to be with you."

I sighed and said nothing, but the silver lines crossing Jungkook's face made me worried.  "Here.  You need blood."  I pulled down the collar of my shirt, baring my neck to Jungkook.  He hesitated then moved in.  

"You don't need to keep doing this," Jungkook said, his lips warms against my skin, a sharp contrast to the cool fingers on my wrist.

"I know I don't have to.  I want to." I turned my face to the side, giving him access to my skin.  Jungkook swiped his tongue across my flesh then sank his fangs in.  His hand moved from my wrist to my neck, pulling me in closer to him.  The feelings of adoration washed over me, followed quickly by a crippling sadness.  

Jungkook pulled his fangs from me and looked down at my face, his eyes worried.  He stood up and moved backwards.  "Not going to beg for me doll?" His words sounded mocking, but his voice was soft.

Jin moved in front of me, blocking my view of Jungkook.  "Are... are you okay?"

I nodded my head, unsure what to say.  I knew Jungkook was only using me for my blood and it shattered my heart in pieces.  "He... he just needs blood.  I'm... I'm nothing to him."  The tears spilled down my cheeks and when Jin hugged me, I sat there stiffly not sure what to do.

"What's happening to her?" Jimin's voice was filled with panic as he turned to Yoongi and Hoseok.

Yoongi sighed, his eyes focused on me.  "It's the blood she's giving Fangs.  Before she was begging for him to turn her, but now her mind is telling her that Fangs doesn't want her."

Jungkook took a step toward me, but Taehyung pushed him back.  "No.  Not yet.  Let her come out of it first.  If you go to her when she's like this, she's going to believe it means something."

His eyes flashing black, Jungkook nodded then turned away.  After a moment, my mind cleared and I nodded to Jin to release me.  "I'm okay."  I shook my head to clear it.  "That freaking sucks."

Jin nodded.  "It's going to get worse."

"I know," I replied.  Jungkook went to protest, but I held up a hand to stop him.  "It's fine.  I can handle it.  You need the blood and I'm not going to let you die when I can help you."

Jungkook hesitated then nodded before sitting on the ground next to me.  Jimin moved his head back to my lap and I stroked his pink hair again.  "You alright now my darling?" Jimin's voice was sweet and it helped to calm my racing heart.

"I'm okay."  I pinched his soft cheek and he whined in protest.  "Don't worry about me."

Yoongi shoved Hoseok out of the way and moved to sit back next to me.  "Please angel.  Stop worrying about it all and stop thinking everything is your fault.  It's going to be okay."

"I hope you're right.  I... I just hope that whatever Namjoon went through was quick and painless.  I don't... I don't want him to be suffering."  My heart broke as I thought about the handsome werewolf. 

Jimin reached for my hand that was resting on his chest.  "It's going to be okay my darling.  We are all here with you."

I squeezed his hand and went to pull it back, but he just held on tighter.  Finally relenting, I let him hold my hand and didn't miss the smug smile that crossed his face at my submission.  As I drifted off into a fitful sleep, I could only hope that he was right.