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美的
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Jeongguk sat in his mighty, golden chair. Peering at a hologram, the invisible camera pointing to the people praying to him, "please take our side," "help us win." It was certainly not uncommon for Jeongguk to enjoy the pleads of those below him. The upcoming war against their long-lived enemies had everyone worrying about the outcome. He grinned in satisfaction at the people pleading for his mercy and hand in combat. It was a game, a twisted game, but a game at that for Jeon Jeongguk. He enjoyed the pain and despair of the people, their desperate cries for acceptance and victory.
Losing was far from an option for the Romans. After the overthrow of the Roman Monarchy, all went to hell with the Roman Republic, yet as fast as the chaos emerged, it died with the wars they have commenced. An act to take control of what they once had. It was still a show they played, one that will make them be seen as the strongest. An act of courage one could say, and it all intrigued Jeongguk with his messed-up curiosity.
Far in the underworld, Kim Taehyung lied on his floating, burgundy bed. Taehyung hated being the god of death, he believed the title didn't suit him at all. He was actually a very caring and lively person. Although with the circumstances he's been put in, he is seen as a powerful and fearing God. Taehyung dreaded his power. Always been in an inner constant battle and despair. Moments when he would wish that quitting a god position was a thing.
His legs grew weak with the thought of another soul, weeping at his doorstep, begging to be freed. Taehyung was weak, and it didn't take him long to believe that himself either. He longed to be happy, he wanted to smile and cheerfully celebrate with friends, as cheesy as it sounded.
Taehyung had not seen the outside of his kingdom in more than three hundred years. Ever since the last war with the past god of war, he wasn't ready to face the others. On top of his past constantly nagging him to no end, this upcoming war has been stressing him as well, edging him over.
His old friends, the ones that he'd be so close to that at the beginning of his separation he wanted to run to their arms and hug them as much as he could, have slowly left his memory. One from the outside would say he abandoned them, but the truth was so much more different. During his isolation, he lost his initiative. He didn't know how to form attachments anymore. Not that he wanted to make any, he couldn't trust himself to do so anymore.
As he walked out of his kingdom, he headed towards the streets of Mount Olympus. It was very different from when he last saw it. His memories faded from the amount of time shut away, yet there's still an old "memory map." He walked down the only familiar street he remembered and wandered around.
He could hear all the other gods, whispering to the others of his presence. Some whisperings to the extent of asking who he was. He was unrecognizable. It really didn't surprise him, what did surprise him was how some even knew who he was. As little as three hundred years can be to a god, it's still enough for some to forget someone entirely.
"Kim Taehyung what the fuck?"
The voice was a bit cheery and high pitched. It was nice and pleasing for Taehyung. The voice kept repeating his name, each time sounding louder than before. He thought he was imagining the voice, no one was close to him enough. As confused as he was, he still didn't move, yes it was awkward, but he had no interaction with anyone aside from his secretary in more than three centuries.
When he did finally turn around, a young-looking man with pink hair was hugging him as if it was the most important thing in the world. He really wasn't sure of what to do, so he just patted the man's back looking as confused as ever. His eyes comically wide as he looked unsure of what was happening. The man pulled away and stared right into Taehyung's eyes.
The man's eyes matching Taehyung's confused eyes. "Taehyung?" he spoke, his voice soothing and calm reminding him of someone he knew centuries ago. The voice was speaking up again. "H-Hey Taehyung are you alright?" Taehyung looked up at the man's eyes "Yeah w-why wouldn't I be?" The man looked even more confused than ever, he looked around and focused on Taehyung once again.
"You're crying"
Taehyung reached up his fingertips to his face, lightly patting underneath his eyes to find a wet patch of skin. He licked his dry lips and looked up dumbfounded at the man. "I-I don't k-know why I'm c-crying," apparently talking wasn't the best option because know he was balling, his hands covering his face in embarrassment.
The man pulled Taehyung to a hidden corner, blocked off from everyone else. "Hey hey it's okay."
Taehyung looked up at the man once again with his watery eyes. The man smiled at him with pity, but it made Taehyung smile a bit too, his tears now staining his cheeks. "God what the fuck am I doing?" Taehyung asked himself in embarrassment. A small giggle leaving the other man's mouth and Taehyung was shocked at that.
It sounded so familiar. "W-wait no" a look known as fear on his face towards the other man. "Hey wait it's fine, it's fine," the man reassured. "You can't be... please."
"I'm so sorry, I really am you know I didn't mean to and I really loved you, I hope you know that. Oh god, I can't believe this is happening, this is to soon I don't think I'm read- "
"Taehyung"
"Yes?"
"It's been three hundred years already. I want you to know that I already forgave you for that, you don't have to keep hiding away. I miss you, we all do. Please stop doing this to yourself."
Taehyung wanted to puke. "No please don't forgive me, I don't want that, please stop. I deserve to leave, to be alone."
"Taehyung, I don't care. I won't let you leave me again, I know the real you, stop pretending to be someone else, please just come back"
Taehyung was on the brink of a panic attack, tears formed in his eyes and he was prepared to run away and hide in his kingdom once again. He turned and headed straight to his kingdom taking one long step until he was pulled by his arm and slung back with a heavy force.
"Please, I-"
"I forgive you"
"You don't, I know you don't. You can't forgive something like what I did, it's unforgivable."
"Taehyung let's get something straight here. You were my best friend, and you still are even to this day. It has been three hundred years ago, and it's harder, more than ever, to get to your kingdom these days. Don't leave me behind on top of what you did and make it worse. I need you and that's final."
"I'm so sorry. I never really said it back then, but I really am sorry, and I really miss you, but I can't forgive myself for what I did to you. It's impossible for things to go back to normal from where it was."
"But that's what you think. I've forgiven you since day one because I'm the one who knows you the best and the one who only understands the pandemonium you create on yourself. So please forgive yourself already, and let's go back to normal because we can go back if you're willing to let us."
"Sorry I-I can't"
"Taehyung holy shit Taehyung. Don't make me say it, I know you don't want to hear it"
"It's just, h-how can you be okay with all the shit I've done, not only to you but to everyone I hurt everyone, I hurt my partner, my best friend, everyone, I can't do anything fucking right"
"Kim Taehyung, in all of my lifetime, you have been the most trustworthy person I know, the most reliable, the most caring, you can't compare to anyone, and I know you don't want to hear it, but I think it's time you give yourself a break."
"I- "
"Taehyung"
"Jimin"
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:) ily
