Hyungie plaything {Jikook}

55

Author's Note:

Thanks a ton to everyone who voted for my last chapter! If you like this one, don't forget to vote too!

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"He could've been my downfall, yet my first instinct was still to keep him safe."

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Night had settled deep over the tribal grounds, thick with smoke, drumbeats, and the smell of roasted meat burning over open fire pits.

The entire place glowed orange beneath hanging lanterns and giant bonfires crackling against the dark forest surrounding the village. Tribal people danced barefoot around the flames while painted drums echoed through the mountains like distant thunder.

Smoke drifted through the humid air in slow white ribbons.

Children ran barefoot through the dirt laughing like tiny demons released after sunset while men in carved masks spun around the fire with spears raised toward the sky.

Taehyung walked through the middle of it with Ace balanced lazily on his hip. Both of them wore shades of red.

Taehyung had on a loose deep-red tribal shirt hanging half-open at the chest while black bands wrapped around his forearms. Black pants disappeared into heavy boots coated with dust from the ground. Layers of beads rested against his skin while crimson paint streaked beneath his eyes. His dark hair was messy from the hot wind and smoke.

Ace looked tiny against him in a fluffy red tribal dress stitched with black beads and tiny gold embroidery near the sleeves. Little shell bracelets clinked around her wrists every time she moved.

An old tribal woman had painted red marks across Ace's chubby cheeks earlier before dramatically declaring her "blessed by the fire spirits." Taehyung still looked disturbed about it. Ace meanwhile looked proud.

​She sat on his hip stuffing grilled banana into her mouth with both hands like the world was ending tomorrow.

"Slow down," Taehyung muttered, but Ace ignored him completely. Her big curious eyes were already locked on a nearby tiny food stall where all kinds of snacks were arranged across small wooden counters, glowing warmly under the lantern light.

"Ah," Taehyung gasped. He caught her wrist just before she could steal roasted meat from a stranger's plate near the shop counter.

"You're becoming criminally fast," Taehyung scolded while locking his fingers securely around her sticky arm, and Ace blinked up at him innocently.

"Da," Ace babbled with her mouth full of food.

"Please don't 'da' me, as I literally witnessed the crime," Taehyung responded, gently pulling her hand away from the vendor's counter, causing the nearby stall owner to laugh at the scene.

Ace immediately puffed her cheeks in protest, still staring at the food with wide sparkling eyes as if her entire world depended on the skewers displayed in front of her.

"Taetae..." she mumbled sweetly, leaning against his shoulder.

"No."

"Pleaaaase buy?"

"You're using cuteness for evil."

"Baby hungry." Ace gasped dramatically before pointing at the roasted meat again with tiny grabby fingers.

"You ate five minutes ago."

"Again hungry"

Taehyung sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes as he stepped closer to the counter. Smoke curled from the sizzling wooden skewers lined across the stall. He tore off a small piece of juicy roasted meat, holding it carefully between his fingers before blowing on it gently to cool the heat.