RIEUL

I don't want to go out in this.

Jimin would freak— and I knew Jungkook would too, if they saw what I was wearing right now.

I'd never felt this exposed in my life.

Struggling with the straps, I swallow as the soft fabric curves around my waist. It's a beautiful dress, I can't deny that.

I'd just never worn anything like this.

Taehyung looks up when I carefully peek out of the changing room. His eyes take on a dark glow, and I stifle a giggle when I recognize it.

That was his turned on look.

"Perfect." He says, taking my hand. "How do you feel?"

I blush when his eyes trace all the curves I always had hidden underneath hospital scrubs and oversized sweatshirts.

"I-I don't know. Kinda shy."

His gaze turns tawny.

"Don't be. I'm proud to call you mine." He says, and I stick out my tongue in his direction.

"What do you mean? You're the one who belongs to me, Kim Taehyung."

He laughs.

Even though he'd gotten me last night, I still refused to let him be the dominant one in this relationship.

And he smirks.

"We can discuss that tonight." He murmurs, adjusting the neckline of my dress. "But for now, we have V."

"Get ready to present your work, love."

__________________________

Last time I'd been here, I'd looked like I didn't belong at all.

And somehow, still I didn't look like I completely fit in.

"Tae? Don't leave me here." I say nervously as I look around people I don't know— millionaires, CEOs, celebrities.

"Tae?"

"You know I'd never let you out of my sight." He says as he comes to my side, eyes flickering up.

He brushes his lips across my cheek.

His golden eyes are fixed firmly into the direction to my right.

I quickly follow his gaze. There's a man there, turning around hurriedly and disappearing into the crowd.

Only then does Taehyung straighten back up.

"Oh my goodness!"

I blink in surprise when a woman suddenly gets in front of me, her eyes glowing in adoration.

"I love your paintings— senor. Especially the one with the..."

And with her, I'm pushed farther away as a crowd of people suddenly storm Taehyung.

I laugh into my palm when his expression twists in pure disgust.

His eyes flash to meet mine, but I just shake my head and point at the food tables. I could entertain myself plenty.

He looks conflicted, before finally giving a hesitant nod.

And I beeline for the food.

I'd gone through five selections before settling on a macaron, and I chew on the edge as I watch Taehyung.

Beautiful— as always.

I watch as he smiles politely, see a glimpse of the psychopath I hadn't seen for a while. And it's only a matter of time.

It's only a matter of time before his expressions turn deceiving, and his words turn sweet, like honey.

And he becomes more ethereal, in a darker way.

Faker.

The women laugh around him, and each of them are so beautiful. Most of them— all of them, they could shadow me in their glamour.

I stop chewing.

The distance, and the perfection.

Suddenly feeling a bit sick, I put down the macaron and walk fast towards the nearest exit— one of the balconies.

Even this dress feels all wrong.

But the cold air feels more like freedom, and I end up messing my hair with the times I run my fingers through them.

I can't forget that image.

What could I do?

"Rieul."

The door slams open. I'd known it was Taehyung even before I'd heard his voice.

"What's wrong?" He grips my shoulders, pulling me to his chest. I'm short-sleeved, and he presses his large hands to my arms.

"Are you okay? Why—"

"Tae, I..."

"I can't present. Not in front of all those people."

He falls silent for a second as I rest my forehead against his chest. It'd been just nervousness before, but now it was just wrong.

I'm not perfect. I didn't belong.

"What do you mean?"

His voice is soft. "Are you anxious, Rieul? I understand."

"N-No, it's just that..."

I struggle for the right words.

"It doesn't feel right for me to be here."

His voice suddenly turns sharp. "Doesn't feel right? What are you saying? Did someone—"

I shake my head, looking down at my feet.

"Everyone just seems so perfect."

He suddenly laughs.

It's a quiet laugh, and my eyes widen when he suddenly pulls me close. He buries me into his arms.

"You know damn well that I'm nowhere near that word."

I know.

Silently, I nod. Then I tilt my head back, kissing him on the lips.

A light shiver runs through his body. And we kiss— for a minute, an hour.

I don't know how long, before we break apart.

"You— You don't have to do it if you don't want to." He breathes, drawing in air roughly. "I won't ever force you to do anything."

We don't have to be perfect.

"No, I'm doing it." I say as I press my fingertip against his blushed, swollen lips. His cheeks are hot, and I laugh.

"Watch me, okay?"

_________________________

Hello.

My name is Rieul.

What now?

All eyes are on me as my painting unveils behind my back. And it makes me heat up, to hear gasps of amazement.

"I knew it."

"There was a reason why Kim Taehyung himself chose her."

"Beautiful."

I bite my lip, not knowing what to do for a second. But I speak up, because it's the only thing I can do.

"This is light."

It's the piece that Taehyung had helped me with. And it's flawless now— and I struggle not to blush deeper when I see the man himself smiling at the corner of the large room.

"If you see here, darkness has to exist for light to be." I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Between them is a gap— a place where the two meet. It's the part of us where one can easily take the other. And it's all up to us to choose which one will."

I shift on my feet.

"My piece is Shadow."

And when I flicker my eyes again, Taehyung's smile grows wider.

________________________

"Amazing job."

He takes my hand, kissing me across my lips for everyone to see when I shuffle down after presentation.

For everyone to see.

And I kiss him back, tightening my hand possessively on the back of his waistline. I can hear several women gasp from here, but I don't care.

He's mine.

Mine, because he's imperfect.

Because he's beautiful like that.