Crimson Shadows

Chapter 8

~A week later~

-Seokjin's Pov-

It's been a week since Namjoon had agreed to let me date him. He doesn't want to make it official yet, which I understand since he doesn't want to move too fast. Dating him is good enough...for now.

Currently, he was whining in my arms, not wanting to get up yet. His warmth against me was comforting, and I couldn't help but smile at how adorable he was being.

"Come on, sweetheart. I have planned a whole day for us...I made an effort, so won't you get up?" I chuckled, pecking his forehead.

"C-can't you change your plans and do it tomorrow?" he pouted, his lips forming the cutest little frown. Who am I to say no to that face?

"Fine." I conceded with a sigh. "And baby? How come you're already willing to sleep in the same bed as me when you told me you didn't want to move too fast?" I smirked, seeing his cheeks turn red.

"Shut up..." he huffed, burying his face in my chest.

"I love you. You're lucky I love you" I said playfully, earning a light smack on my chest from him. It was endearing how he reacted to my teasing.

-Namjoon's Pov-

My heart fluttered slightly hearing him say he loves me, but I'm not ready to say it back yet. I'm glad he understands.

"Seokie, how old are you again?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

"I'm 31" he replied casually.

My eyes widened a bit as I hadn't really thought about our age gap. He's 12 years older than me...

"I-i...I'm 19"

"Do you have a problem with our age gap? I understand if you want to-"

"N-no! No...I'm fine with it. It's just that...I really haven't thought about it, you know..." I smiled softly and placed a small kiss on his cheek, hoping to reassure him.

"I love you and your cute kisses..." he murmured, leaning down to pull me in for a soft kiss. His lips were warm and gentle, and I felt my heart soar at the affection he showed me.

We lay there for a while, just enjoying each other's company. The room was filled with a comfortable silence, only interrupted by our soft breaths. I felt safe and cherished in his arms, and it was a feeling I never wanted to lose.

"Seokie...?" I began hesitantly "what do you love most about me?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment before answering. "I love your innocence, your kindness, and how you always manage to see the good in everything. You bring a light into my life that I didn't even know I was missing."

His words made my heart swell with emotion. "I...I don't know what to say, Seokie. You mean a lot to me too."

Seokjin smiled warmly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "You don't have to say anything, baby. Just being here with you is enough."

We spent the day lounging around, talking, and sharing little moments of intimacy. It was perfect in its simplicity, and I realized that I didn't need grand gestures or elaborate plans to be happy. Just being with Seokjin was more than enough. Seokjin had his arm around me, and I snuggled closer to him, feeling content.

"Darling?" he whispered, "do you ever think about our future?"

I looked up at him, surprised by the question. "Sometimes" I admitted. "But it's hard to think too far ahead when everything feels so new and uncertain."

"I know..." he said softly. "But I want you to know that I'm serious about us. I want to build a future with you, whatever that might look like."

His sincerity touched me deeply. "I want that too, Seokie. I want to be with you, to see where this goes."

We sat in silence for a while, just holding each other. I felt a sense of peace, knowing that no matter what happened, we would face it together.

"Seokie" I said finally, breaking the silence "thank you for today. For everything."

He kissed the top of my head, his lips lingering for a moment. "Anything for you, my darling. Always."

I smiled in content and lay perfectly comfortable in his arms while I started to play with his hair, feeling the soft strands slip through my fingers.

"But you already know what it means being with me, right?" Seokjin's voice was gentle but held a serious undertone.

I stiffened slightly, memories of the day we first met flooding back. The scene with the dead body, the dark alleyway—it all felt like a distant nightmare. But looking into Seokjin's eyes now, I couldn't believe he was capable of hurting me.

"I'm not really okay with it...but I know you won't hurt me...right?" I whispered, my voice trembling slightly.

"I could never hurt you...I love you, and you're the only thing that matters to me. B-but if you really don't like the other side of me...I can stop" Seokjin said, his voice filled with sincerity and a hint of desperation.

My heart fluttered at his words. He would give up everything for me. The thought was overwhelming, but I knew I couldn't be the reason for him to abandon his life. Who am I to control his life?

"You don't have to, Seokie...I'll...I'll accept that part of you..." I replied, my voice steady but my heart racing.

Seokjin's eyes softened, and he pulled me closer, resting his forehead against mine. "Thank you, sweetheart. Your acceptance means the world to me."

We lay there in silence for a while, the weight of our words hanging in the air. I could feel his heartbeat against mine, a steady rhythm that calmed my nerves.

"Seokie, why do you do it?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's complicated, Namjoon. I didn't choose this life...it chose me. But I promise you, I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe from it."

His words were reassuring, but the reality of his world still lingered in my mind. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I trusted him.

"I believe you, Seokie. And I'll be here with you, no matter what" I said, my resolve firm.

Seokjin smiled, a genuine smile that made my heart skip a beat. "I don't deserve you, darling. But I'll spend every day trying to be worthy of your love."

"You already are, Seokie. More than you know..."

We held each other for a long time, the world outside fading away. In that moment, all that mattered was our love and the promise of a future together, despite the challenges we would face.