Luxuria | BTS

Part XVII

"Cave cum quaestiones"

-Be careful with the questions-

~~

Cold air and silence greeted you as you stepped into the entrace hall, the scent of something not unfamiliar settling onto your skin. It was as breathtaking on the inside as from the outside, a grand staircase heading up to the first floor, many doors on your left and right leading to different parts of the mansion. You felt the urge to go and explore, uncover any secrets there may be, but with a quick glance at Seokjin, you resumed your pace and followed him up the stairs. 

As you looked over your shoulder, you noticed that the rest of the group had dispersed without a sound or signal, only their fleeting shadows giving clues to where they'd gone. Left was Namjoon, climbing the stairs beside you, and the eldest leading the way. 

Nobody said a word as you crossed through the hallways, passing more doors than you could count. Internally, you were trying to navigate your way through the haze of feelings sticking to you, a heavy atmosphere resting upon wherever you stepped foot. There was an intention attached to them, shadowed and obscured.

As you focused your senses, you realised that there were layers to it, changing depending on where you were. It was an accumilation of influences, not just yours and the boys. As if another was here, watching, waiting for something to happen with anticipation. 

Briefly glancing over at Namjoon, you tried to decipher his expression. Flashes of lilac crossed his iris once in a while, his aura more withdrawn than before. He was keeping to himself, and you couldn't tell if he was unaware or ignoring the strange atmosphere. 

After another minute, you halted in your path as you faced a set of wide oak doors, one of them slightly ajar. Seokjin pushed it open further, looking back at you for the first time since entering the house. A strange chill ran down your spine as you stepped forwards, brushing past him to walk into the room. 

No, not just any room. The library. 

You stood between rows of high shelves that reached up to the ceiling, filled to the brim with books of every size, colour and age. Light flooded in from the windows, blinding you for a moment as you blinked in confusion, taking in the atmosphere of utter tranquility that lay upon it. It smelt of leather and old wood, and you ran a hand across the shelves absently, almost timid in the presence of such an accumulation of knowledge. 

The appeasing serenity shifted suddenly as a new set of emotions flooded the room. Turning around, you stared Seokjin in the face as the ebony haired male rested his body against the door, hands tucked in his pockets. He seemed reserved, simply watching your reactions from the shadowed entry with flickering eyes. 

Namjoon stepped beside him, his vigilant presence adding a new layer to the atmosphere. You could feel your own semblance hidden beneath it, the milder burn of anger and hatred obscured by a heavier fear, blending subtly with the ambience. 

"Are you going to come or do you prefer to stay in the shadows?" 

Your tone was sharper than your intentions, the underlaying spite softened by your following expression. You felt strangely inadequate to be angry at this point, the intensity more focused on your impatience to get the answers you'd been waiting for for so long. 

Seokjin hardly reacted - a slight tilt of the head, the twitch of an eyebrow was all that indicated his inner process. Pushing himself away from the door, he walked past you without sparing you a seconds glance, disappearing between the shelves as you hurried to follow him.