Save Me (Kim Namjoon X Readers)

Chapter 3

Namjoon never knew about his parents, in fact, it seemed that he had no memories of anything before the Kim's family. He was literally at their doorsteps, or so the maids had told him. He knew better that it was just kitchen gossip to pass the days. But nonetheless of how he came to be in their care, he was grateful.

Lord Kim, a war hero within the royal court, took the 4-year-old in without hesitation. The man never once looked down on Namjoon, not even in his dirty rags, which he soon replaced with his own son's outgrown outfits. And when was able to pick up chopsticks, Lord Kim also made him pick up a sword. Every day they would train, and every day Master Kim would feel even proud of Namjoon. He had always dreamt of training his own son, with no luck. The Seokjin would rather indulge himself with acts of carelessness than spending time with his own father. With that disappointment, Lord Kim continued to train Namjoon.

That, however, went against the wishes of Madam Kim, who had always outright display her disgust towards Namjoon. She urged her husband to kick him out before the neighbors could spread any dirt about their family. It was selfish, really, she just didn't want her son to feel replaced by a street rat. Lord Kim assured his wife that he was doing it for the sake of the family. He said Namjoon would be Seokjin's guard, would risk his life for him when needed and nothing more.

Namjoon was content with that. He was fond of the young Master, in a way brothers like each other. Seokjin had always been nice to Namjoon and even though he acknowledged the difference in their social rank, their relationship was comfortable. He followed the young Master everywhere, well, where it was appropriate and allowed. Young Master taught him how to read, and how to write by making him do all the unwanted homework he received from his teacher. Namjoon never minded, he loved the read and to learn. When he reads, it was like he was cast to another world where he was free to be whoever he wanted.

But unfortunately, he was just Namjoon. A boy with no last name or a real family. And a boy who was nothing in the eyes of the world. Well, all except for one pair.

The residence across the river from the Kim's lived, perhaps, the most beautiful thing Namjoon had ever seen. Beauty in the sense of appearance but also with every movement. The first time Namjoon saw you was a few years after he became the young Master's guard, and he heard bells ringing. Your eyes had been so bright and filled with glimmers of the future. That was the moment Namjoon fell in love. But it was also the moment he realized your heart belongs to someone else, it was the boy who stood in front of Namjoon, the boy who would forever overshadow him.

Namjoon was in charge of escorting Seokjin to see the neighboring Song girl. Taking the road would be much easier, but the young Master wanted to keep the trip a secret from the rest of the world. So Namjoon had to row the boat. Both parents had hopes that one day, a union would happen to bring the two families closer together. It seemed that Madam Kim advocated more for the wedding, and Madam Song was still hesitant with her daughter's future. But for the most part, the wedding would go on. It was torture to see the girl he loves so infatuated with someone else. The young Master enjoyed the attention, and how easily he could get you to do something. Namjoon knew his position, and he would always remain on the sideline.

That became an impossible task when you began asking him to join the two of you in garden-size adventures. Namjoon could never say no to you. Your sweet voice pulling him away and the smile occupied his brain. In his dreams, he could pretend that it belonged completely to himself. Unlike the other people of the house, you never made him feel like an outcast. You would share food with him when your parents and Hana weren't watching. You even sew him a fragrance pouch of lavender, it never leaves his side. The laughter and the open conversation stopped when the proposal happened.

It was bound to happen, Namjoon rowed the young Master across the river one clear night to the usual meeting place within your backyard. It became a chore for Namjoon, watching you snuggling up against the other man. It was improper action for a young woman, but Namjoon mostly wished that it had been him instead. The way your eyes widened when the question was asked haunts Namjoon's dream. He hated that he had to be there, but at the same time, there was nowhere else he wanted to be. He watched as the young Master gave you the bouquet of daisies that Namjoon had hand-picked himself, knowing exactly what you would prefer. That was the secret, Namjoon knew everything that you like, color, fragrance, flowers, food, books, all of which he had told the Seokjin to gift to you.

That wasn't the only secret. The proposal was one year ago, and the young Master had no intention of marrying you. He only did it for the sake of his parents. He had long stopped writing love letters to you, it had been Namjoon. Namjoon wrote every single letter and had engraved his deepest feelings behind them. It saddened him to have to sign with the young Master's name at the end of every letter. But delivering them did bring him joy, he could see that dazzling smile of yours, even if it wasn't meant to him.

At some point, he'll have to learn that nothing will ever be destined for him, especially not you.