Save Me (Kim Namjoon X Readers)

Chapter 15

The conversation continued. "Why did you love him?" Namjoon asked. Not that he wanted to hear any more about your affection for Seokjin, but he was curious as to what your form of love is.

You grunted, it was you who wanted to converse in the first place. "It sounds silly."

"We're rowing on a boat to find my mother who is Madam Li because I was cursed by the River Witch. Silly means nothing now." Namjoon stated. It almost made you laugh. If someone had told you you would travel to Silver Stone to break an enchantment with the person who is, or was, in love with you, you would probably laugh.

"You're right. Anything is possible now." Though he wasn't looking directly at you, you can sense that he was waiting for an answer. "When I was younger, Grandmother told me a tale of people being born with a bell in their heart. And it would only ring when the heart is near their soulmate. It sounds ridiculous when I swear I heard mine when I saw him. It was so loud and clear that I was scared someone else would hear it. Saying that out loud made me sound crazy." you chuckled nervously.

Namjoon wanted to say that you were wrong, and that it was not crazy. He wanted to say that you should keep on believing that because he himself believes that deeply. His voice was fighting with his throat to tell you that he heard his bells ringing the first time he saw you. But in the end, his throat one and he swallowed the words. You wouldn't believe him anyways and maybe soulmate really was just some stupid tale. "I see." was all he said.

His short response could only meant that it was an annoyance to him, you thought, some tale that the nobles can afford to dream about. The air was getting chillier as night transformed into morning. Your eyelids were falling with urgency, but you shook yourself awake. You needed to stay alert in case anything happens to Namjoon. It didn't take long for the boy to notice, he saw your shoulders jolting occasionally. It was amusing to him that somehow, your postured remained graceful.

"You should sleep," he said softly. "You can use the space down here." he pointed at the wooden floor where your feet had been.

"Namjoon, I'm alright." you told him confidently.

"I know it's a little tight and dirty and can't be compared to your silk." he said, the thorns back in his voice. "If you continue to sit like that, you might fall and I won't be able to catch you." Namjoon couldn't help himself and he wished he could take it back. He wished he could go back to the time when he would trip over his feet at the mention of your name.

"Oh, r-right. Then I'll sleep." you answered quietly. You made your body smaller and used the seat as support for your head. Surprisingly, it wasn't that uncomfortable, aside from the chilly wind of early morning. You pulled your knees tighter and allowed your eyes to shut.

Namjoon, who was still upset with himself, pulled the blanket fisherman Min had given him and carefully draped it over you. He held the urge to touch your cheek. After gazing at you for a few more minutes, he went back to rowing and vowed he would apologize in the morning when you wake up.

And you did wake up, except somehow you were not in the same position as when you closed your eyes. Instead of your head being supported by the hard seat, it was rested on a much more comfortable. It was Namjoon's shoulder. He had seated next to you on the floor and allowed your head to be on his shoulder. You were reminded of the moments with Seokjin, except the warmth radiating from Namjoon was much more tender and passionate. You felt your heart racing in the same manner but you couldn't move. Namjoon was asleep, his head laid on propped elbow. Carefully and discreetly, you glanced up at him. You saw clearly his rough jaw, petite nose, and full lips. How come it has only now dawned on you that Namjoon was just as handsome as any man you've ever met, maybe even more. There's a strange beauty in the way he sleeps, like a child.

You found yourself looking at him longer than you would admit if he was awake. The blood rushed to your cheeks as you pried your eyes away. The water was much darker than the river water behind your house, and the open landscape was replaced by forest greens. You could also clearly see the petite hut, all its doors were closed. Branches scattered the floor as if there had been an altercation.

Namjoon shifted his body and almost jumped when he realized the distance between you two. "Sorry," he muttered. "I didn't mean to impose."

"That's alright," you replied. "I'm glad you got some sleep. But do you know where we are?"

Namjoon stared at the hut. "It's the witch's house. We got here about half an hour ago. I went to look for her, but she wasn't there. There's a clinging feeling in my heart that she's not even in the province anymore. I explored deeper into the forest to get some clues but then my body started to....That's why I came back and laid beside you. I know it was wrong of me to touch you without your permission..."

"Shut up, I am more upset that you didn't wake me up to help you find her. That's what I'm here for."

"Next time." he smiled. How you miss seeing his dimples. It felt like it had been forever since you saw him almost relaxed and almost carefree. "About last night, I apologize for the comments. They were uncalled for."

"You shouldn't have to apologize for how you feel. There are some things that are hard to let go of and we all need time. I won't take the comments to heart, unless you want me to-"

"No!" Namjoon exclaimed loudly, so loud that it rocked the both a little bit. His eyes widened as he cleared his throat. "I-I mean, don't take those comments seriously."

You let out a small chuckled, "Alright, I won't."

"Are you ready to let go?" he asked.

You nodded without hesitation. "I am."