Bound by Fate

Chapter 5: The Morning After

The morning sun had barely risen when the heavy knock came at the chamber door, loud and insistent. Seokjin stirred first, groggy and disoriented from the restless night. He was curled in the same corner as he had fallen asleep, his face tear-streaked, his body still trembling with residual fear. Namjoon was awake now too, sitting up on the cold floor, his heart racing as he realized the noise outside was not just a dream.

"Open the door!" came the sharp voice from beyond, unmistakably his grandmother's. Her impatience was palpable, and Namjoon's blood ran cold as he remembered that he had not sealed the bond. Panic started to build in his chest.

Seokjin watched him with wide, wary eyes as Namjoon quickly scrambled to his feet, his mind racing for a solution. His grandmother was expecting proof that the bond had been completed, and if she found out it hadn't, there would be consequences—dire ones. He couldn't let that happen.

He rushed over to Seokjin, his hands trembling slightly as he knelt down beside him. "Seokjin," he said urgently, his voice hushed but firm. "We didn't... We didn't seal the bond last night. But if my grandmother finds out, she'll... she'll do something terrible."

Seokjin's eyes narrowed in suspicion. He didn't fully understand what Namjoon was saying, but he didn't like the sound of it. "So? What does that have to do with me?" His voice was shaky, his body pulling back, retreating further into the corner as if to protect himself.

Namjoon ran a hand through his hair, frustration and fear blending together. "I can't disobey her. I never have, but I don't want to hurt you either. If we don't show her proof that we sealed the bond... she might do something worse to you, to your family."

Seokjin's heart pounded. He didn't trust Namjoon. He didn't trust anyone here, least of all the man he was now bound to. "What do you want from me?" he asked, his voice small and filled with mistrust.

Namjoon hesitated, then sighed. He knew how bad this sounded, but there was no other way. "I need to mark you," he said carefully. "Just a bite on your neck. It'll create a temporary tattoo, a symbol that will make her think we've completed the bond. I promise, it won't hurt you."

Seokjin's eyes widened in horror, his hand flying to his neck instinctively. "No!" he shouted, his voice filled with desperation. "You said you wouldn't touch me! You promised!"

"I know, I know," Namjoon said quickly, his voice pained. "But it's not what you think. I won't do anything else. It's just to fool her, to keep you safe."

Seokjin shook his head, panic rising in his chest. He didn't want Namjoon anywhere near him. The thought of him biting his neck, marking him, sent a wave of nausea through his body. "Please... don't make me do this."

"I swear, I won't hurt you," Namjoon said softly, his eyes pleading. "This is just temporary, I promise. But if we don't, my grandmother will know. She'll know we didn't finish the ritual, and I don't know what she'll do then."

Seokjin closed his eyes, his breath coming in shallow, quick gasps as he weighed his options. He didn't trust Namjoon, but he feared the queen mother more. After several agonizing moments, he nodded reluctantly, his voice barely a whisper. "Fine. Just... just do it."

Namjoon moved slowly, gently, as if any sudden motion would shatter Seokjin completely. He placed his hand on Seokjin's shoulder, feeling the tension coiled in his muscles, and leaned in toward his neck. His breath was warm against Seokjin's skin, and despite the fear coursing through him, Seokjin closed his eyes and held his breath.

With a firm yet careful motion, Namjoon's teeth grazed the delicate skin of Seokjin's neck, and in an instant, he bit down. It wasn't painful, just a sharp pressure that was over as quickly as it began.