Nico watched the sun rise, his morning thoughts blending into a rich palette of scarlet, gold, and lavender as he lost himself in the sky. So badly did he wish to touch it, and yet the best he could get--might ever get again--was only a glance. He was a stranger to the ocean of infinity that forged him, created him from cloud and sun and light. Living without that fire, without that oblivion, he was nothing.
And perhaps that is exactly what he was. Nothing but a shell of dreams and rigid moral code damned to sit on this rock and stare at what he unrequitedly loved. A prisoner to the human construct of time that ceased for none.
However, he still had a light and a responsibility.
Nico stopped listening to the call of the wind and turned to observe the sleeping girl behind him. Her hair covered her face and she was so snuggled into her blankets and pillows that, beside himself, he grinned. How is it that even as she slept she radiated innocence? Hope?
He brushed a finger down Grey's cheek, his heart oddly weighted. She was the answer, and that alone naturally attached him to her. Nevertheless, he had surprisingly grown fond of this one. So much, that when he considered the small time they had left together, it disappointed him to imagine ways of telling her he would need to leave.
But time was of the essence and still present even if scarce. He would enjoy every moment of every day with the men he called his family, and the girl he called his friend.
:::
Grey woke earlier than normal, most likely some time after the sun rose. There was one last special errand she needed to run before work, and she was so grateful she'd gotten it done as she peered at the white box that sat on the living room couch. It was tied with a silver bow and the last thing it needed before it could be perfect was something from the heart.
Truth be told, the encounter between her and Yoongi ate at her more often than she let on. She was wrong for barging into his moments alone, assuming that she could steal one of them and claim it as her own or as their thing together. She had no right to his past and to his pain. Keeping those sentiments in mind, she grabbed her pen and scribbled a note onto a sheet of notebook paper.
Yoongi, I sincerely apologize. If you would meet me in the courtyard at 11:30pm, I would be honored. There is something I would like to share with you.
Her hands shook as she slid the note under the bow. There was no guarantee he would listen to her, let alone accept the gift at all. Still, she had to try. She wanted to be there for him, but more than anything let him know he was not alone. The present was light as she picked it up and tiptoed past the kitchen towards the suites where the men stayed. She retraced her steps from that night, imagining the music leading her in the same direction. At last, when she found his door, she placed the package in front of it.
Black fur brushed against Grey's legs, winding between them as the girl stood. She smiled down at Luca. "Good morning."
The cat meowed then yawned. She trotted as she trailed Grey through the hallways. "You are up early."
Grey shrugged. "I had something to do. Besides, it was hard to sleep last night. I'm excited for the ball almost as much as I was excited for Christmas as a kid and I've never even been. Is that odd?"
Luca shook her head, bounding forward a few steps so that her eyes could find Grey's. "That may be your intuition. The end of the season parties are always spectacular."
Her white paws picked up into a run as they climbed the steps and arrived at Grey's bedroom. The girl watched the kitten leap and pounce, such energy bringing warmth to her heart. Grey felt it too. This sort of high-wired thrum, an invisible anticipation that filtered through the corridors. Today was almost a holiday.
She entered her suite, freezing in the threshold alongside Luca. Shopping bags and beautifully wrapped boxes adorned her living room coffee table. Luca approached them, sniffing curiously. Grey closed the door and crept closer.
"They have all been in here. I smell them on the bags."
They must have snuck in while she was on her run. Grey blinked, unsure of what to do with each one.
"Well?" Luca sat on her hind legs. "Open them!"
Nodding, Grey picked up the first sizable box and read the note on top.
Save me a dance so that I can finally hear you say you miss me. - Yours, Jimin
She giggled, peeling off the top and gasping. A pair of silver shoes glistened in the morning sunlight. Metallic silver leaves and flowers with diamonds in their centers wrapped around the heel. She lifted one from the box, causing even Luca's eyes to widen.
"Next box?" Luca stared at her expectantly, watching her return the shoe and place the open package on an armchair. Grey picked up another one, reading the note.
For you. - Yoongi
She hesitated, but opened it to find several rows of light blue and white roses. Delicate perfume fluttered to the ceiling of the living room. Waves of relief crashed through her at the same time butterflies ravaged her chest. Tonight, hopefully, she would see him again.
The next present was a tiny bag from Namjoon. There were diamond earrings inside, two beautiful, dangling chandeliers that would compliment her dress perfectly. His message made her grin.
Until the next time I get to perform for you. - Joon
Hoseok's gift was a thin silver bracelet with a single wing charm. Instantly, she recalled the top of the city when the wind blew through her hair and he held her up so that she could see every inch. The experience was unforgettable. One of the things she prayed she remembered forever.
I love flying with you! - H
Jungkook had drawn a cat on his note, a sketch of Luca. Grey turned it around so the kitten could see. Then, she read it aloud. "There are two things Luca and I are good at. From, Jungkook."
As she opened this one, another slip of paper fell out. Picking it up, she read with a smile, "Finding you."
In the box was a necklace and hanging from the thin chain had to be a coin. Except, as she looked closer, the markings of a compass were engrained in the metal. All four directions and the corresponding arrows. It was inconspicuous, full of meaning. So much like him that it hurt.
Two surprises remained on the table. She chose to open Taehyung's.
I wanted to get you something no one has seen before. - Taehyung
It was a silver hair clip shaped in a crescent moon adorned with pearls and blue gems.
"I like that a lot," Luca said.
"So do I," Grey replied, kindly placing it back onto the table. When she took Jin's, she sat. It was in an all black box, a silky black ribbon tying it together. Luca left her seat to get a better view. When the cat settled, Grey pulled the gift apart. With two fingers, she removed the diamond mask. It cast orbs of light onto the walls, onto her clothes as it shimmered in the sun's rays.
"Jin," she breathed. "You didn't."
Luca's brows furrowed. "Is there a note?"
The girl nodded, fetching the handwritten letter. This, too, she read aloud.
"With this, no one will recognize you but me, and I will know only you in a sea of hidden faces."
Grey put the mask back in it's place, using her hands to fiddle with the hem of her shirt. The mere thought of Seokjin telling her in person was enough to make her shift in her seat. But to have it in writing, to be able to keep it for as long as she wanted... Grey bit her lip. As a writer so used to writing the scenes of others, she never pictured herself on the receiving end.
Luca meowed. "You look like you are, as you humans say it, over the moon."
She was, but the right words didn't seem to find her quickly enough. This giddiness and childlike uncertainty that left her heart racing. Was there a word for this feeling at all? Why was she so nervous? And why did that nervousness blend with exhilaration?
"Luca." Grey drank in all of her gifts, the suspicions she'd held coming to fruition. "Is this all for me to pick one of them?"
The cat laid on the floor. "I am glad I did not have to spell it out for you."
"But how can I do that?" She ran her hands over her face. "How did I even get here?"
Luca's tail curled around her body as she shrunk into a cozy ball. "Through a lake."
:::
The mask fit on Grey's face perfectly.
She tightened the satin straps behind her head that held the cool metal to her nose and walked to a full length mirror. Her face sparkled, making the gloss on her lips and the dark lining of her eyes bolder. Besides that, she was a shower of tulle and cornflower blue. Small flowers bordered the strapless neckline alongside shimmering pearls, and those same pearls wrapped about her waist. Her skirts were wide and flowing, the slit in the rich fabric barely detectable. Puffy, sheer sleeves hung off her shoulders.
"I would call you a faerie queen if I had the grace of seeing you." Luca's tail swished furiously, eyes glowing with a swell of pride, and perhaps literally too.
Grey turned in a circle, the skirts twirling around her long legs in a gorgeous mirage. The shoes Jimin bought her twinkled when she spun, Namjoon's earrings hitting the space beneath her ear. Tae's hair pin held her curls in an elegant updo that did not come down when she stopped moving.
She could not stop smiling, could not stop looking. "Do you think they'll like it?"
"They will love it. It is about time for you to leave."
Grey glanced at the clock. 9:30pm. She had five minutes before she was to depart.
She gathered her skirt in her hands, grabbing a bundle of Yoongi's roses from the package. They were still cool to the touch. "Luca, are you coming too?"
The kitten followed Grey to her suite door. "I am with you wherever you go."
Grey opened the door partially, pausing when Luca added, "What are you doing with the roses?"
She peered down at their open petals and shrugged. "Picking a date."
Grey left her room, striding through the penthouse to the elevator on her own. As Jin was the CEO and the others were considered partners, they were required to arrive earlier to greet guests. They would be waiting for her and her final decision, which she had made an hour ago in full confidence.
The lobby was scarily empty, one black limousine waiting for her outside the company doors. The driver helped her in and before she could gather her wits she was already en route.
You can do this. It's just a party. Thank everyone for their gifts.
She tapped her foot the entire ride, the hand holding the roses getting damp. When the car pulled to the front of the venue, she couldn't help but sneak a glance out the window. Pink spotlights dashed the front of the building in magenta, a series of floral arches over red carpet making the entrance appear majestic. The car door opened, orchestral music from the ballroom spilling onto the sidewalk. The driver helped Grey out, and she smoothed down her dress before climbing steps to reach the front doors. Familiar KSJ doormen asked for her invitation and let her in only after she handed it to them.
Inside, warmth hit her instantly and so did the smell of light perfume, honeysuckle, and sweet pea. Ivy infused with lights clung to the walls and pillars, turning the previously modern hall into a magical forest. White chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, bathing tables laden with rose centerpieces in a subtly ivory glow. A surprisingly large number of guests were standing and chatting by the buffet, and some stood on the perimeter of the dance floor to watch the chamber orchestra perform.
The guests on the balcony level where she stood stared at her mask, whispering things between sips of champagne. She gripped the roses tighter, grounding herself with a deep breath.
As KSJ's resident executive assistant, she journeyed down the grand staircase.
Jin was the first person to spot her in the crowd. True to his letter, his attention latched onto her and remained, the conversation he'd held with the people in his circle halting completely. He beheld her as though she was the only woman in the room, and it filled her with joy.
Jimin was frozen mid-drink when he saw her, the champagne glass lowering from his mouth. She giggled when he glanced at her shoes because a smirk had graced his full lips, setting his silver and black mask alight. He bowed apologetically to the group he'd been speaking with and maneuvered through the mass of bodies. She tried to look for the others, but completely forgot when she reached the bottom of the steps and recognized the gloved hand extended to her. She took it, letting the masked man pull her into the fray.
"Who bought you those shoes?" Jimin asked.
"You tell me," she said.
"A man that wants the most beautiful girl in the room at his side."
She reddened, snatching a champagne flute from a nearby servant to hide it. "Is that all you care for?"
He shook his head, the denial too apparent to ignore. "I prefer your company over any of the guests that are here. You do make me yawn, but I have fun when I'm with you."
She playfully hit him in the shoulder. "Is it too difficult for you to just compliment me?"
"I did, and you asked me a question rather than thank me."
She glared at him, bursting into laughter when he mocked her. He said, "That's better. I want you to smile when we're together."
She did. Maybe not visibly, but she always felt good around him. Bubbly, energetic, thrilled to see his next move. "I believe you are the most charming man I have ever met."
She became aware that they were still holding hands, just talking to one another amidst the evening events. How is it that she forgot they were surrounded by others? He smiled, glancing at the floor. "It is hard to impress you, Grey. I always want to impress you."
That seemed hard to believe coming from the cruelly beautiful Park Jimin. The piece of art before her actually looked nervous, and she shook her head, not allowing herself to fully embrace the electricity zapping her veins. "Jimin, you aren't serious."
His thumb brushed the back of her hand. "You're full of good. You bring me back to reality when you do nothing but talk to me. You're funny, kind, clever. Is it so difficult to think I admire you?"
It was difficult. Nothing about accepting Jimin was easy. He was a natural force, a presence whenever he walked into the room. He was a match and she was gasoline; when he so much as touched her there was not a thing in the world that could stop her from being engulfed in flames. How could someone so lovely feel anything for someone like her?
Grey pulled away and grabbed her first rose.
"I would like to get used to the idea," she said, extending the rose to him. Staring at her, then at the flower, Jimin raised an eyebrow. "This is a proposal for you if you'll accept it. I want to be your friend, Jimin. Wherever that leads."
He took the flower in a heartbeat, raising it to his nose. At last, he said, "I know where I would like it to lead, Grey." Locking their gazes, he grabbed her hand and pressed his lips to the back of it. "Until we meet again."
She smiled, watching him disappear into the crowd with her flower. When he was gone, she went to find her next target. He would not be simple to find, but it was a challenge she accepted in stride. Knowing he would not be on the main floor, Grey climbed the steps to the mezzanine where fewer people lounged and drank. And really, she giggled at how unsurprising it was to find Jungkook leaning on the balcony, dark eyes lost on the dance.
He had his head propped onto his fist, his dark blue mask matching his navy suit. Security guards, Jungkook's men, stationed by the walls behind him and all over the second floor. The shy prince had eyes everywhere and had not seen her coming. She stopped behind him, holding a rose from her bunch.
"I found you," she said. He turned, confusion but happiness riddling his typically mysterious face when he recognized her. Jungkook examined the flower, then waited for her to explain. "Thank you for the necklace. This is the rose that I'd like to give you in return for being so kind and caring to me. I am warning you though, if you take it, I might start to think we're friends."
His smile widened. He snatched the flower from her hands. "We're already friends, loser."
She put her hands on her hips. "Then give me back my rose."
He made a show of opening his jacket and sliding it into a hidden inner pocket. "You're never getting this back."
Grey smiled, moving past him to stare off the balcony. She could see why he liked it up here. It was quiet, peaceful, not as well-lit as other parts of the ballroom. Heads moved, skirts swirled, the chamber musicians played fiercely and she watched them hit every mark on their instruments from above. He joined her, his shoulder touching hers.
They spoke at the same time.
"It's so gorgeous up here--,"
"You look beautiful tonight--,"
The pair looked at each other, chuckling and feigning interest in everything else on this level besides one another. "Thank you," she bit the inside of her cheek to not smile so wide. "You look very handsome."
She observed his strong body, the solidity of his frame in the suit. Then, she found that his tie was a little too loose for his collar. Frowning, she said, "You look a little ruffled too."
The bodyguard almost went cross-eyed trying to look down at his tie. So, she stepped up and gently grabbed the length of fabric. Her hand pushed the knot to the top button of his collared shirt, grinning at the finished result. Straightening it out, she asked, "There is that better?"
His silence caused her to look up--and find their noses an inch apart. She blinked, face falling when she realized that his eyes were actually a brown that resembled mahogany rather than black. Her hand was on his chest, and the faint yet rapid beating of his heart reverberated through her entire body. She swallowed, the idea of his lips almost touching hers enough to be paralyzing.
Applause filled the ballroom. It reminded her of where she was, who she was with, what might not ever happen. Her hand fell from his chest and she stepped away, licking her bottom lip self-consciously.
"I should get back to the party," she said.
"Yeah," he put his hands in his pockets, something crossing his face before he turned back to the balcony. Disappointment? Uncertainty? "Have fun tonight, Grey."
She mumbled her thanks and left him on the balcony, mind reeling. She'd almost done it. She was so close. Even worse, she wanted to. She really wanted to. Grey grabbed another glass of champagne and downed it when she was back on the main floor. She welcomed the bitter bubbles, the alcohol that would hopefully take the desire from her mouth.
In her hand were five more roses. She wandered through the crowd, politely muttering apologies for bumping shoulders. The floor swarmed with masks, all chances of finding anyone becoming lower and lower as she got lost in the maelstrom of music and chatter.
"Grey?"
Grey whirled on a girl in a blush pink gown. The high collar and form fitting shape engulfed her frame in delicate lace. A matching mask covered the upper half of her face and two white feathers poked from one side. Still, it was easy to recognize such a welcoming tone.
"Rin?"
The girl almost jogged to her, caramel hair curled and falling over her shoulders like pulled taffy. "You look stellar! Where did you get the dress? The mask? Everyone's been talking about the girl in the blue dress, but I didn't know it was you!"
Grey raised an eyebrow. "The girl in the blue dress?"
"They're calling you Titania, Queen of Faerie Court."
Grey scoffed. She was a pretty nice looking executive assistant, but a Queen?
"How is your night?"
Rin smiled widely, and it reminded Grey of a little puppy. Everything Rin did reminded her of a puppy. "It's been wonderful! I've met so many people and everyone looks fabulous. By the way, I should tell you. I heard there's going to be a special guest performing at midnight. Will you be there?"
Grey planned on staying the entire time, so she nodded. "I have a meeting with someone in the courtyard, but I think it should be done before then."
Rin's hand clamped onto Grey's shoulder. "You need to be there."
Grey startled, the sudden contact making her brows furrow. "Rin, I should be able to see it. I'm not leaving."
"Be there. You're going to love it. I'm featured in it, but if you don't come then I don't think it will be half as impactful."
Okay, that's enough.
Grey clawed the girl's hand off her skin, surprised by how sharp her nails were. Rin barely reacted, that youthful energy still holding firm. "I'll come."
"Perfect. Be on time! Bye, Grey." She waved and flounced away. Grey chalked up her odd behavior to the champagne. Rin was already an intriguing individual without the extra help. Even so, the girl's nails really dug into her shoulder. There probably wasn't any blood, but Grey decided to go to the bathroom anyway. Having some time to refresh would do her some good. Prevent her from becoming any redder and prepare her to give out the rest of her flowers.
She made it to the end of the crowd, escaping the main room to enter a quieter hallway. Oil paintings hung from the walls in oversized golden frames. The night sky and all its stars shone through a strip of skylight in the arched ceilings. A lone silhouette lingered at the edge of the path, one hand on his chin and his dark blue eyes brooding.
She arrived at the painting he stared at. One of Van Gogh's most memorable works. Starry Night.
"Taehyung?"
He nodded in acknowledgment, head cocking to the side to take in the image from another angle. His honeycomb voice combined with the muted orchestra music was noteworthy. "Can I tell you something?"
She nodded. "Anything."
"From far away this is only a painting. One picture."
She waited for him to elaborate, positioning herself in front of the art at his side.
"When you stand closer, all of the colors and detail stand out until you see nothing but each individual stroke. A lot of things make up this piece. It reminds me of you. You're made up of a lot of things. It is always exciting to see different colors."
She separated a rose from the bundle, letting it hang at her side for a moment while the revelation sank into her skin. If she was a display of blues and golds and life to Taehyung, then she would take the compliment.
He was rain, comfort, and the essence of being genuine to her. He was sweatshirts and chocolate chips and late night trips to a twinkling city.
"You know, you have way more colors than I do."
He shrugged, finally abandoning the painting to confront her. "I really admire one color."
"What is it?"
"Grey."
His seriousness dimmed any suspicion that it was a joke. And since her breath had been successfully stolen, all she could do was hold out the rose.
He grinned. "For me?"
Her voice wavered, "For us. Consider this my gift to you. The beginning."
His hands brushed hers as he pulled it from her grasp. "I have something for you too."
He fished a small branch of baby's breath from inside his coat. He approached her, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. He then placed the fragile gift of tiny white flowers behind her ear as well.
"I picked this from the garden for you," he said. "But there's something else."
The flower tickled the side of her face despite her mask. "The flowers are enough--,"
He used two fingers to lift her chin. His face was before hers in seconds, her heart slamming against her ribcage. She closed her eyes, letting it happen, letting him touch her. Then, his lips kissed hers. A contact so light and sweet that she would have missed it if she wasn't so still.
Taehyung's grin was unforgettable. "I wanted my prize for winning our game."
:::