Fall (Bangtan Sonyeondan BTS Alternate Universe)

30. Idyllic Shangri-La

The smell of coffee and old books filled my nose as I roamed the bookstore, my hand still firmly latched onto Namjoon. I don't know who was more scared of me getting lost, me or him.

After we aimlessly leafed through countless pages of books, Namjoon led us back out into the bustling streets of the Myeongdong Shopping District.

Namjoon had bought me a handful of souvenirs that I couldn't possibly find a logical use for. Still, I kept them anyways, because he had bought them for me.

"These people have honest jobs, and we're here as regular people, so no stealing anything." Namjoon mumbled as he looked down at me, and though I let my lips purse out into a pout, inside I was admiring this new side of Namjoon.

He was so gentle and kind, and with his soft, dimpled cheeks and glowing eyes, I saw him as nothing more than a divine boy, with a penchant for breaking things, but an even larger penchant for trying to make up for any damage done.

Every time he broke something, which was more than he'd like to admit, he would always pay the shop-keeper generously for it, apologizing sincerely.

He had pulled a pair of glasses out of his pocket and the more I looked at him the more I realized he resembled nothing more than an extremely smart, extremely adorable university student. It was getting harder and harder to remember that he was a gang member, seeing him so innocent like this.

A few people had given us warm smiles, and as I found myself staring more and more at the ethereal man with me, I realized just how much I was falling for him. This feeling was blissful; it was absolutely terrifying, but somehow blissful in a way.

And when he looked down at me, I felt like my heart could combust with the magnitude of feelings swelling inside.

I found the strength to pull my eyes away, and I looked down at our shoes, embarrassment clearly showing on my face, my cheeks doused in a red hot blush.

I felt a pressure on my head and looked up to see flowers drooping into my eyes. Namjoon was grinning at me, holding a couple of flower crowns, and I wanted to faint to escape the embarrassment of staring into his beautiful face. Instead, I snatched one and reached up, pulling his hat off before placing the flower crown onto his glorious locks of hair.

He winked at me, smiling tightly to make his face pull into a squish, and I snorted a laugh as I pulled my own hat off before fixing the flower crown around my temple.

Taking the remaining flower crown from him, I kneeled down as a little bonnet wrapping around my ankle from the wind. Pulling the bonnet off of my ankle, I looked up to see a little girl running up. She stopped in front of me shyly, and I smiled at her.

I thought a moment before placing the flower crown over her head and putting the bonnet in her hands. The crown was too big, and it slipped down around her ears, resting on her nose, but she gave such a big smile that I couldn't help but leave it the way it was.

"Levi, come here!"

I stood up in shock, my heart pounding painfully as I heard ringing in my ears and my vision clouded. I saw blood, so much blood behind my eyelids, and I clenched my lips tight to keep from screaming. This - this isn't real.

"What?" I demanded as the woman came up to us, taking the little girls hand.

"Ah, sorry, my daughter Hyejin, she has no manners. Sorry, sorry." The woman walked away with the little girl, and I stood there, trying to figure out if I had imagined the voice. Was anyone else here named Levi? Maybe it was a coincidence.... somehow I knew that it wasn't.

I felt a squeeze on my hand and I looked up to Namjoon staring down, his eyebrows pulled together, his eyes bright with concern.

"Sorry, I just- it's nothing." He nodded and I didn't have to say anymore. Thank hell, because I hadn't a clue what to say, or how to explain.

We walked on for a while, stopping at a small ice cream parlor to eat. Sitting at the pretty, sculpted tables, I forgot all my earlier uncertainties, grinning at Namjoon as I watched him eat. He reached out and wiped ice cream on my nose, and I glared at him, but it clashed with my wide smile, and he laughed as I wiped it away, knowing he could get away with it.

When we were done with the ice cream, Namjoon led me back to the path, and I admired the flowers. This time however, when we reached the split, he took me to the other trail. It went on for a while, and as the sun set I wondered when we would head home.

Any thoughts of leaving disappeared as soon as we walked into the courtyard. There were 4 houses here, looking like they were old, though they were all in pristine condition.

There was a fountain in the center of the courtyard, and all the houses circled around it, each with its own trail of rocks to the door with beautiful flowers outlining the path.

"This is Namsangol Hanok Village. You can rent the traditional houses for a night. It's closed on Tuesdays, but they allowed us to be the exception." I looked up at Namjoon, wondering just what he meant, but he was already walking forward, past the fountain and past the 4 houses.

I was confused until I saw a small path through the growing forest area, and he led me towards a 5th house, more integrated into the area, and more than secluded.

Walking up the stone steps with Namjoon, I stared in awe at the vivid greens of life around me. The plants were thriving here, and the house itself looked like it was alive, smooth brown and soft tans making up the beautiful building.

"So, not bad for a surprise trip, right?" I stared at Namjoon in awe, unable to do anything but nod my head as I took in all that he had done. He had organized this all, and it had been the absolute, most perfect day I could imagine.

This place felt like it was straight from a fictional past of utopian perfection. I was going to spend the night in a real life paradise, with Namjoon?

He lead me through the house, to a balcony in the back. Leaning over the railing, I found that I could see the curving path of Namsan Park. The view was breathtaking, but I realized just how little it was to me in comparison to Namjoon when I felt his hands reach my hips, his head leaning down. I could feel his breath on my neck, and I shuddered at the pleasing sensation.

"It's beautiful, Namjoon."

In response, he pressed his lips to my neck.

**** mentioned areas are real parts of Namsan Park. However, some descriptions are inaccurate and formed from my imagination as opposed to the truth ****