Luxuria | BTS

Part X

"Fides est periculosa ludum"

-Trust is a dangerous game-

~~

[P.o.v. Change]

The manor was dark, casting shadows over him. Jungkook flinched creeping around the gate, careful not to draw attention to his arrival and looking around. Nobody to be seen.

Careful, he slipped into the garden, gravel crunching under his feet. Rucksack bouncing on his back, he made his way to the back entrance, not aware of the figure watching him from the window.

Cool air and familiar scents greeted him as he pushed open the heavy doors. The large kitchen was empty, to his luck, so he continued his way through the hallways towards the stairs.

Everything was a little too quiet for his likings. Taehyung wasn't roaming around the halls like usual, Jimin wasn't in the ballroom dancing. When he passed a window overlooking the garden, he couldn't see Hoseok-hyung practising his archery. It was strange.

Twisting open the knob to his room, he dumped his bag and coat on the side and straightened up, eyes falling on the person sitting on his bed.

Yoongi raised an amused eyebrow at the younger boy, who blushed bright red under his stare, stammering. Of course he'd been here waiting for him to come back.

"It's okay, Kook", the elder got up, interrupting Jungkook's flow of nonsensical words, "Just tell us next time if you go into the village".

Jungkook nodded, still flustered. "Where is everyone else?" "The study", Yoongi responded, walking towards the door, "Come on. Namjoon and Seokjin will be back any minute, I got here early".

"Wait, you were with her?", Jungkook caught up to Yoongi as they walked across the landing together, looking confused, "I didn't-"

"That's why you should have told us that you were leaving", Yoongi interrupted him again, "But I'm guessing you were visiting somebody else anyway?"

Jungkook blushed again, making Yoongi chuckle. "It's fine. We all needed practise. As long as you're there when we need you".

The brunet nodded, not saying another word until they reached the study. Jimin, Taehyung and Hoseok were gathered around, looking up as they entered.

"Finally, Jungkookie", Jimin smiled at him, while Hoseok clicked his tongue in a disapproving way. "Didn't we tell you to tell us if you leave the house?", he asked sharply, Yoongi coming to his defence before Jungkook had the chance to reply.

"I've scolded him already, Seok, it's fine", he sat down at the table, eyes landing on Taehyung and Jimin, "Are Namjoon and Jin back yet?"

"How would we know?", Tae leaned back, closing his eyes, "It's not our job to check for our Hyungs".

Yoongi growled lowly, making the hair on the back of Kook's neck stand up as he settled against one of the bookshelves. "You're being a brat today, Taehyung", the older male narrowed his eyes at the blonde, who simply grinned. "So what?"

"I'd watch your tone, Tae", Seokjin's soft but warning voice rang out from behind them, making them turn. The eldest stood casually in the second door, a cautioning glimmer in his eyes that was directed at Taehyung. Behind him, Namjoon came up the stairs, hair ruffled from the wind.

"Sorry, Seokjinnie hyung", Tae replied sheepishly. Yoongi lifted an eyebrow in doubt but chose to let it be and adress Namjoon. "So, did it work?"

Namjoon tilted his head, falling into one of the armchairs. "Not really. She's very resistant" "Even to me", Jin grimaced, sitting down with a little more grace, "But I don't think it'll be so much more time until we can lure her here".

Jimin had a mischievous smirk on his lips. "Can I-?" "No, Jimin", Hoseok cut across him, narrowing his gaze at the younger, "You and Tae had your go today. You saw how she reacted".

"But that was a completely different setting than planned", Jimin whined, his full lips in a pout, "How were we supposed to know she'd come outside? We didn't even-".

"You'll get another chance", Jin interrupted him coolly, "For now, Hoseok, Jungkook and Yoongi should try".

"Hate to say so, Hyung, but she isn't going to trust me so easily", Hoseok bit his lip, "She's too intimidated" "Agreed", Namjoon rubbed his temple, "You're still too conflicting. She's more aggressive when you're around, and that's contra-productive".

"That leaves Jungkookie and me", Yoongi looked over at the younger, who nodded slightly, "I think Kook should go first".

"Here's where I disagree", Taehyung intervened, gaze wandering around the room, "I think you should go first, hyung. She mistrusts Jungkook almost as much as she does Hoseok".

"Why exactly do you think that?", Jimin furrowed his brows, running one hand through his hair.

"She doesn't trust Jungkookie because he seems purer than us all", Taehyung explained, grinning over at the youngest, "That's what makes her suspicious about his motives".

They fell silent for a few moments, each trying to figure out what to do until Namjoon snapped his fingers. "Got it".

Seokjin grinned and leaned back, almost like he was expecting it. "Go on, what did you figure out?"

"She mistrusts Jungkook because of how innocent he seems, right?", Namjoon had straightened up, eyes darkly excited, "And Hoseok because he makes her feel more aggressive. Yoongi and me however make her feel curious, because we keep in the background and haven't even spoken to her that much at all".

"She'll... trust you more easily because you haven't tried to get to her like we have", Jimin said slowly, catching on, a bright grin spreading over his face, "She's inqusitive by nature, so she'll want to find out more anyway".

"One thing", Jungkook spoke up for the first time, "You've been following her and luring her towards certain places, Namjoon. Don't you think she'll be more suspicious and defensive?"

"For sure", Namjoon shrugged, "But that's part of it. She'll be cautionary of course, but her curiosity outweighs it each time. Besides, she follows me more by choice than by anything else".

Jin clapped his hands together. "Perfect", the eldest smiled wickedly, "Tomorrow, Yoongi, I want you to get closer to her. Nothing drastic, just draw her in a little, make her question things and edge her towards Namjoon".

Jungkook tilted his head in question, strands of his brown and blond hair falling over his forehead. "Should we stay away, Hyung?"

Seokjin shook his head, standing up. "Stay as close as you were, but don't do anything like today". At those words, he shot Jimin and Taehyung a glance. "Keep her surrounded, just don't interfere".

Hoseok had a satisfied smirk on his lips, crossing his arms behind his head and leaning back in his chair. "This is going to be fun".

Jimin nodded too, picking up the book beside him. "I'll continue reading this, see if I can find some more information" "I'll join you", Namjoon yawned, "Anyway, who's cooking dinner tonight?"

"One more thing", Seokjin raised his voice over the usual discussion erupting. The elder stood at the door, warning magenta flashing across his eyes as he glanced at each of the boys in turn.

"Remember that her birthday is soon. We don't have that much time left".

"Don't worry, hyung - We can do this".

~~

A shorter one, but with insight into the boys, which I have been dying to do.

And it'll be a reoccurring theme! Every ten chapters, there will be one a little shorter but out of their p.o.v. I can't wait to show you more and to move this story forwards.

Also, excuse if quality wise the ending seems a little rushed. It was, but only because I wanted to get this out to you quickly, so give me some feedback on that!

See you soon, don't forget to comment and vote xx