Chapter Text
For many years, as long as their people could remember the sacrifice was given. A sacrifice to ensure safety and prosperity. In the shadow of the mountain and the beast that laid within, a sacrifice was given and peace remained.
The small town at the foot of the mountains was a hive of activity as the Lunar Festival began. Lanterns and decorations were strung up outside houses and along fences. Music and the scent of sweet treats filled the air as the sun rose over the peaks.
Jimin had always loved the Lunar Festival, it was one of the few times a year he was relieved of his chores. Of course he’d spent the days in the run up cleaning the family home from top to bottom in preparation, all while his parents and older brother went about their day as normal. But he didn’t mind so much. He was free for the day to wander around the market, the few coin he’d saved through the months prior jangling in his pocket, itching to be spent on delicious foods and little trinkets.
Paper dragons fluttered in the gentle breeze as he walked amongst the stalls in the town square. The year of the dragon. Jimin looked up at the mountains that loomed over their small town, searching the peaks shrouded in cloud for a shadow. Celebrating the year of the dragon felt extremely poignant, as they lived under the watchful gaze of a dragon. Jimin had only seen the monstrous animal once in his lifetime. He had only been around seven years old at the time. He’d snuck away from the taunts of his older brother one summer’s afternoon, ending up down by the lake. He’d been skimming stones, or at least attempting to, on the shore edge when the shadow had crossed over him. He’d heard the boom of the wings against the air as the dragon had flown overhead. Jimin had been frozen in place. He knew he should have ran, hidden away from the beast that could burn him alive. But instead he’d stood there, the lake water lapping at his toes as the dragon had flown overhead, casting it’s dark shadow over the water and landing on the opposite shore.
The dragon hadn’t noticed him as Jimin stood watching him from across the lake. Watching as the magnificent beast, it’s black scales shimmering with deep blues and greens as the sun reflected against them, drank deeply from the lake. Jimin had been in awe. He’d known he was supposed to be afraid, but all he felt was amazement and fascination at the creature before him. The dragon was huge, bigger than Jimin could’ve ever imagined. All the stories he’d heard growing up, before that moment and after, never seemed to do it justice. A powerful and graceful beast. Jimin should have been afraid, but as the dragon lifted it’s head and looked over the lake, right at him, his heart hammering in his chest, he felt something else, something he didn’t know the meaning of.
He watched as the dragon spread it’s jet black wings, beating them against the air, once, twice, then it leapt into the sky. For a split second Jimin thought it was coming for him, but then it was gone, soaring up into the sky vanishing amongst the clouds. Gone in an instant leaving Jimin alone on the lake’s shore.
Ever since that day he’d looked for the shadow crossing the sky. Wishing to see the dragon again. He didn’t realise he would get his wish sooner than he could’ve ever imagined.
*
As the night drew closer and the sky began to darken the festival atmosphere had taken a turn, a charge energy growing as the sun began it’s slow descent towards the horizon. Jimin looked up at the hazy pink sky, again in search of the shadow, but the sky remained clear.
“Jimin come here.”
Jimin heard his mother’s voice and turned to find her and his father and brother standing watching him. He didn’t know how long they’d been there, but his stomach tightened in discomfort at the sight of them. Today he was supposed to be alone, he wasn’t supposed to see them. They never sought him on during the Lunar Festival, so why did they today? He walked over to them, worry bubbling up inside of him.
“Yes mother?” Jimin asked, when he reached them.
She was looking at him, her eyes scanning over his face as though looking for a sign of change or something. It made him want to curl inside himself as she inspected him.
“You are to join us tonight, for the sacrifice.” She said.
Jimin’s eyes widened in surprise.
“But I never go to the sacrifice.” Jimin said.
It was true, he was never invited to the ceremony of sacrifice, he wasn’t deemed worthy enough to make the journey up the mountain path to the ceremonial site. Only his older brother was privy to that honour. Jimin, the lowly youngest child, who wasn’t worth anything was never a part of such an important part of the Lunar Festival.
Not that he actually minded, he didn’t want to witness the sacrifice of an animal. The thought turned his stomach, it wasn’t something he wished to witness. He was more content in returning home and welcoming in the Lunar New Year alone in his bedroom as he’d always done.
“Not this year, it is the year of the dragon and your presence is required.” His father said.
Jimin knew it was an extra special year, being the year of the dragon. The year of the beast that held dominion over their home. While he didn’t want to bear witness to the sacrifice, to be invited to be a part of the ceremony on such a special occasion had Jimin feeling excited and more important than he ever had.
“Okay.” He said.
“The procession will begin shortly, we should go now.” His mother said.
There was still something about the way she was looking at him, the curl of her lip, that had him feeling uneasy. But he brushed it to the side, he was to be a part of the Lunar Festival celebration for the first time in his twenty-four years of life. Something he never thought he would be a welcome part of.
*
The year of the dragon came around every twelve years. Jimin had only been a child during the last one, a child left home alone to fend for himself while the rest of his family had joined the celebrations. He hadn’t minded. He’d watched the dancing lights of the procession as it made it’s way up the side of the mountain, disappearing into the shadows, from the window of their small home. His brother had taunted him before they left that afternoon, calling Jimin horrible names and telling him how worthless he was as he was left behind, where he the oldest and heir to the family name, was important and a part of the celebrations. Jimin had cried, which had only made his brother bully him further. His only relief had been when he and his parents had left.
Now that the year of the dragon had rolled around again he was reminded of that moment when his brother sidled up beside him as they began the procession up the mountain path.
“I don’t know why they insisted on bringing a worthless toad like you along.” He sneered.
Jimin ignored him.
“But I suppose it had to be done, they had to choose someone, and why not the ugly little freak that no one wants anyway.” He said, shoving Jimin and making him stumble.
Jimin watched as his brother laughed and ran ahead to catch up with their parents a little ahead of him. Jimin knew he was just being mean, his brother’s favourite past time had always been bullying and taunting him. But there had been something odd about his words, Jimin didn’t understand what he had meant about someone needing to be chosen. He was probably just trying to make him scared and confused. Jimin again brushed it off, and concentrated own the rocky path below him, not wanting to stumble again.
As they continued their march up the darkening mountain path, Jimin shivered, the cool wind making him pull his cloak tighter around himself. He couldn’t help noticing the way his mother kept looking back at him, as though making sure he was still there. As though he would have suddenly ran away. He didn’t understand it.
*
By the time they reached the ceremonial grounds the sun had already set, but torches where set up, burning bright in the night’s sky. Jimin looked up the see the dark inky sky scattered with stars. The moon full and bright casting an eerie glow over the mountain side.
Jimin had fallen behind a little, but he could just make out his parents and brother up ahead, standing before what he knew was a large flat outcrop, the place where the sacrifice would be left for the dragon to take. His eyes scanned the sky again, one good thing about being here, about watching the sacrifice, would be seeing the dragon again. By the time everyone from the procession had reached the ceremonial spot, it felt crowded and Jimin was lost amongst the waiting people. He couldn’t see up ahead, could no longer make out the his parents or brother. But he heard the voice of the mayor, his booming speech echoing in the quiet of the mountain side. He spoke of ritual and sacrifice, of the importance of giving their offering to the dragon so that their town would be protected from it’s wrath.
“Today is the twelfth year, the year of the dragon and the special sacrifice will be made. I invite you to bear witness, bring the sacrifice forward.” The mayor called out.
Jimin craned his neck to try and see, but he needn’t have done so as the crowd parted before him, a path leading straight to where the sacrifice would be left, the tether it would be tied to visible in the torch light.
“Jimin come.” His mother said, ushering him forward.
Jimin didn’t understand. Was he in the way? Was he blocking the route the sacrifice must take? He walked slowly towards his mother, his father watching, his brother smiling at him with a cruel satisfaction in his eyes. Jimin looked at the people around him, all of them were watching him.
“Hurry, come Jimin, now!” His mother snapped.
His pace slowed, fear crawling through him. All eyes were on him, the mayor, waiting at the sacrifice site, his mother beckoning him and only him forward, the crowd closing in behind him. His stomach clenched in realisation as his mother grabbed his arm, he turned back to find a wall of people blocking his path.
“Mother, what is going on? What is happening?” He asked, panic lacing through him.
“Shush now, and come.” She said, dragging him the rest of the way up to the tether.
The mayor was smiling at him encouragingly as though he was walking up to lay flowers on a monument. But that wasn't what was happening, something much more wicked and cruel was happening.
“Relax my boy, you are playing a special part in our most pivotal of ceremonies.” The mayor said, and Jimin's skin crawled at his tone, the implication that Jimin should be grateful for what was about to happen.
“Mother, please!” Jimin said, as he was handed to another man who dragged him the last few steps to the tether, his cloak pulled from him and tossed to the floor.
“Mother! Father! Please!” Jimin screamed, struggling to free himself of the man’s hold.
“Help him.” His father said to his brother.
Jimin felt a moment of relief, only for it to be shattered in an instant as his brother did not come to his aid, but to assist the man as he tied ropes around Jimin’s wrists, fastening him to the tether.
“Mother! Please!” Jimin cried, tears filling his eyes as the man restraining him stepped away.
The rope burned and stung his skin as he tried to pull his hands free.
“Help me! Please!” Jimin pleaded to his brother.
But he just grinned at Jimin, before leaning in and whispering in ear, “I can’t wait to see it burn you.”
Bile rose in Jimin’s throat at his words before he stepped down and went to join their parents leaving Jimin alone on the outcrop.
“In the year of the dragon, we make our greatest sacrifice to our watcher. The life of one of our own.” The mayor spoke but all Jimin could do was stare at his parents, his family.
“Mommy please…” Jimin cried.
Tears filled his eyes. His chest felt tight.
“It is a great honour to give those of our own blood. The Park family hold than honour as they sacrifice their youngest, the pure and innocent. Their precious loved one a gift to the watcher.”
“Please.” Jimin begged, “please don’t do this.”
Jimin felt the tears streak down his face as his mother held her head high, no shame in offering up her youngest child to the monster that lived in the mountains.
“We honour the dragon, with his virgin blood. His soul untarnished by the wickedness of the world.” The mayor continued.
Untarnished by the wickedness. Jimin almost laughed, the wickedness was his own family. Giving his life to preserve their own. He wasn’t precious to them. They had treated him badly his whole life. Working him to the bone while they ignored him and lived their easy lives. His father’s brutal temper, his brother’s cruelty, his mother’s neglect. He wasn’t a precious love that was being offered, he was insignificant, something to give easily so they did not have to think about him ever again.
“Please, I beg, please don’t do this.” Jimin said, this time he turned to the mayor, he no longer held any hope for his family’s aid.
“Quiet my boy, the time is near. Your sacrifice will be remembered.” The mayor said, his final words before he stepped down and moved to join the rest of the onlookers.
Jimin was left completely alone. The cold wind whipping at his exposed skin. A hush had fallen over the crowd as they waited. Waited for the recipient of the sacrifice to make it’s appearance. The night was cold, the moonlight above disappearing behind the wisp of a cloud. Then he saw it, the shadow that crossed the moonlit sky. It was only visible for a second, but he knew he hadn’t imagined it.
Then he heard it at last, the sound of wings. His heart hammered in his chest as the boom sounded across the still of the mountainside. All eyes rose to the sky in search of the beast, the thunderous whip of it’s wings against the air and then the shadow appeared once again, closing in on where Jimin stood. The air grew colder still as the dragon drew closer and closer, the shadow growing larger and larger as it swept towards him. He wanted to scream, to run, but he was frozen in place. Fear paralysing him as the beast that would take him finally came into view, it was just as he remembered. Huge wings blocking out the starlit sky and as the flames of the torches lit it’s scaly side, he saw the glimmer of deep blue green in it’s dark form. He couldn’t move, fixed in place, his arms slack at his sides, the ropes holding him needless as he froze and awaited the clawed feet that reached for him.
Jimin closed his eyes.
He thought he would scream when it took him, but the air was knocked from his lungs as jet black claws wrapped around him, lifting his feet from the ground. For a split second the ropes pulled taut, the roughness digging into his wrists then they pulled free of their tethers and with a booming flap of it’s wings the dragon rose, Jimin clutched in it’s grasp. His stomach lurched as he was lifted up and up. The icy wind numbing his cheeks as they rose. He had expected it to hurt, but the claws wrapped around him caused him no pain, they simply held him firm. They soared higher and higher, the air growing colder by the second. Jimin looked down, he could see what had been the ceremonial grounds, the torches still flickering in the darkening night. So small now as they flew higher. He could see their town below, the lights from the festival still glowing but rapidly shrinking as the dragon carried him away. And soon enough it was all gone from view as they swept through the mountains and up to the highest peak. His home and family gone. Everything gone.
He closed his eyes once more.
***
Jimin awoke to cold stone pressed against his skin. His head swam as he sat up, darkness surrounded him, but he could feel the wind coming from an opening in the rock face, the dim light from the moon illuminating it ever so slightly. He shivered, his head felt thick and heavy. He must have passed out, he didn’t remember anything after the town disappeared from below, but he knew the dragon had carried him high up into the mountains.
He struggled to his feet, swaying slightly, he reached a hand out for the stone wall to his side for balance and slowly walked to the opening. He couldn’t see much in the darkness of the night, but they were high, a cave in the mountainside. He could see snow, and the wind was ice cold as it whipped against his exposed skin, he thought of his cloak pulled from him at the sacrificial grounds, left behind like his home and his life.
“Come inside, you’ll freeze out there.” A voice from behind him said.
Jimin turned to see a young man, no older than he was stood towards the back of the cave, a torch held in one hand casting a warm glow over the dark rock.
“Who are you?” Jimin asked.
But the man didn’t answer him, instead repeating himself, “come inside.”
Jimin edged away from the cave’s entrance, whoever the man was, he was right. They were too high up, and the mountains were impossible to traverse. He was stuck there. Any hope he may have had of escaping impossible. He shivered again as he slowly made his way towards the man.
“Please come, it is warmer and more comfortable inside.” The man said as Jimin drew closer and he turned on his heel and walked deeper into the cave.
Jimin followed.
As Jimin followed the strange man through a series of dark passageways, only the light from his torch illuminating the way, his stomach twisted in knots. He still felt shivery and cold even as they moved away from the open cave entrance and deeper into the mountain. His head was still heavy form his loss of consciousness, but even through that heaviness his mind was still reeling from everything that had happened. He didn’t know how much time had passed since he was taken from the… he couldn’t bring himself to think about it again, his stomach tightening at the memory of what had happened. What they had done to him. His own family…
Jimin’s eyes welled with tears but he brushed them away. He couldn’t cry, not now. Not when he was stumbling through the belly of a mountain being led to his imminent end. Because that had to be where the man was taking him right? He had to be taking him to his master, the beast that had carried Jimin all this way. The beast that would take his life as his sacrifice.
Jimin stumbled on a loose rock, he reached out to steady himself, scraping the palm of his hand on the rough passage wall. It stung but no physical pain could compare to that within his heart. The man didn’t notice Jimin’s fumble, didn’t stop to check that he was okay, only carried on up ahead, the flame from the torch flickering with his steps. Jimin wanted to call after him, to ask him to wait, to notice him. But as the man disappeared around a corner the passage fell into darkness and Jimin was left stumbling alone after him, his eyes stinging with unshed tears.
When he finally rounded the corner he was surprised to see stone steps leading down, the soft glow of light coming from the depths in which it led. Jimin made his way slowly down, taking care not to fall again.
As he descended his eyes grew wide as a huge cavern opened up before him. Jimin had never seen anything like it before. Stalactites hung from the cavern roof and the walls seemed to shimmer with a sparkly substance. He could see crystal rock formations embedded in the walls, but what really drew his eyes was gold. Piles of gold and jewels were amassed together in one corner, the lanterns that were dotted around the cavern casting it in a glittering warm glow.
A dragon’s treasure.
Jimin had heard the stories of course. It was one told to every child. Dragons hoarded gold and treasures. Taken from the bodies of their victims and favours given from the people that feared them. He’d always just thought they were stories. But there lay the proof, a dragon’s hoard right before his eyes. Of course he knew their own town left offerings along with their annual sacrifice, but he didn’t know it had been things like that. He’d always thought of his hometown as a small humble town, where did they find the riches to gift to a dragon?
Jimin came to a stop at the bottom of the steps as he took in the vast cavern before him. Along with the treasure pile, he could see a small area laden with other belongings, those much more humble and understated. He could see a small living area set up. There was a worn table and chairs, bookshelves laden with more books and rolls of parchment than Jimin had ever seen. There was even a bed nestled into a small alcove in the rocky cavern wall, it was large and piled with blankets and cushions, it looked like a nest of softness and so inviting. Jimin’s weary body ached to fall into it and sleep. To sleep and wake up from the nightmare he was living on his tattered hard bed back home.
The crackle of a fire sounded and Jimin looked to see the man he’d followed into the cavern stood beside a small bonfire, it’s pale smoke slowly rising into the darkness of the cavern ceiling. The fire burned bright and strong, almost as if it had been there all along, though it had not existed moments before. Jimin watched from a distance as the man moved about, setting up what looked like a cooking station, Jimin could see a pot hanging over the fire, and he watched as the man poured water he’d pulled from a large barrel into it before moving to the cooking station to chop vegetables. It looked so normal just like any other kitchen back home, only with an open fire instead of the worn hearth they had back home. The smell of spices began to fill the air and Jimin’s stomach rumbled.
His eyes scanned the cavern again in search of it’s owner but the dragon was no where to be seen. Jimin could tell the space was big enough to hold the beast, but where it was now, he had no clue. It made him uneasy. Like he was being lulled into a false sense of security only for it to jump out at any given moment ready to accept his sacrifice.
Sacrifice.
That’s what he had been. His family had given him up to be the sacrifice. His life for theirs. His life for a peaceful life full of prosperity. That’s what they all said wasn’t it? That they made the sacrifice every year to protect them from the dragon’s wrath and bring them prosperity for the year to come. It was Jimin’s life that had been given for that. His life taken away in the blink of an eye.
Jimin knew his life wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t easy nor happy at times. But it was his. They had taken that away from him. He would face his end within the rock of the tallest mountain.
The words his brother had whispered to him resurfaced, I can’t wait to see it burn you .
His stomach turned. His own brother had wanted to watch him burn. That cruel boy who had given Jimin nothing but torment since he was born. Jimin had never understood it, why he hated him so much, but he could at least go knowing that his brother had never gotten his final cruel wish. He would not see him burn.
“Are you going to stand there all night?”
Jimin’s gaze shot back to the man whom he found watching him. He was stood beside the fire, the pot bubbling away with something that would smell delicious if Jimin didn’t feel sick at the memory of his brother’s words.
“Where is the dragon?” Jimin asked. “Who are you?”
Jimin couldn’t work out who this man was. Was he a servant of the dragon? Another sacrifice from another town awaiting his end just as Jimin was? That didn’t make any sense though, because the man knew his way around the cavern, he seemed at ease within the cool rock. He didn’t seem worried about the dragon making a sudden appearance.
“If you’re hungry, this will be ready soon.” The man said, stirring the bubbling pot.
Jimin decided that if he was going to face the dragon, he may as well do it on a full stomach. Though he still felt a little nauseous, so he wasn’t sure how well that would go down. He walked over to the fire, it’s heat warming his chilled skin. He stood a little way from the man and in the light of the fire he could see him more clearly. He had longish dark hair, pale skin and delicate features. His eyes were dark and cat-like, his too pink lips turned down in a pout as he inspected the pot. He was pretty. Jimin's stomach tightened for a different reason. The man was very pretty, prettier than anyone Jimin had ever seen before, and when he looked up at Jimin a gentle smile curling at his lips, Jimin felt his stomach swoop.
“Where is the dragon?” Jimin repeated, ignoring the feeling that had bubbled up inside of him.
“You don’t need to worry about that,” the man assured, “what is your name?”
“Jimin.”
“I’m Yoongi, please sit, the stew is ready.” The man, Yoongi, said.
Jimin did as he was told, not sure what else to do with himself. The man had told him not to worry about the dragon, but that seemed an impossible task. How could he not, when it was to devour him? To take him as it’s offering.
Jimin sank onto one of the chairs at the table, it’s wood was smooth and sturdy, gifted hands had carved it. Jimin knew very little of carpentry, but he knew well made furniture when he saw it. It reminded him of the pieces he'd seen in the major’s home the time he’d visited with his school class, the kind of thing wealthier folk could afford to have made. Jimin watched as Yoongi lifted the pot from where it hung over the flames and carried it over to the table. If Jimin’s mind hadn’t been plagued with a million other things, he would’ve noticed he’d reached into the fire without gloves and had touched the hot metal without flinching. Yoongi set the pot down on the table and grabbed a couple of bowls and a loaf of bread, serving up a portion for each of them. Jimin took a piece of the bread, the crust was golden brown and crisp, the inside light and fluffy. Along with the stew it smelled wonderful, but Jimin couldn’t bring himself to take a bite. His stomach still unsettled. He watched as Yoongi ate instead, heard his hum of approval as he took a bite of the stew.
“I… I don’t understand. Who are you and why are you here?” Jimin asked.
“This is my home.” Yoongi said.
“How… but this is the dragon’s…”
“Where the dragon goes, I go.” Yoongi said simply.
It didn’t make any sense to Jimin, who was this man, this Yoongi? Did he belong to the dragon somehow, did he serve the beast as a slave? Jimin couldn’t imagine a beast like a dragon needed a mere human for anything. Though as he looked around the cavern it was clear that it was made with a human’s comfort in mind. From the chairs to the spoon that sat before him, everything made for a human to use. The cavern was certainly big enough for the dragon to enter, Jimin could see how the cavern was empty a the opposite end to where they were sat, an open space as though ready and waiting for the scaled beast that would reside there. But this area was not made for a dragon, no it was made for a human. It was made for the man sitting opposite him.
“Were you a sacrifice too?” Jimin asked.
“No. Any sacrifice that came before you is long gone now.” Yoongi said, not looking up from his meal.
Jimin turned the piece of bread over in his hands, watched the crumbs fall to the wooden table. The previous sacrifices were long gone and that was Jimin’s fate. He too would be gone soon. It was just a matter of time. When the dragon returned, that would be his end.
“Please try to eat, it’ll make you feel better.” Yoongi said, his gaze lifting again.
His eyes were a deep brown, almost feline in shape, pretty. Jimin cast his eyes down to the bread still clutched in his fingers, he took a bite. Even after he’d toyed with it, the bread was still light and fluffy, the crust crisp and savoury. His nausea easing for a moment as he swallowed it down.
“Do you serve the dragon?” Jimin asked, taking another piece of bread.
“Not exactly.”
“Then what are you doing here? I… I don’t understand.”
“I’m here to give you a choice.” Yoongi said, sitting back in his seat, his bowl now empty.
Jimin ate his piece of bread. A choice? What kind of choice could this strange man offer him?
“A choice?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of choice?”
“One that will decide where your future lays.” Yoongi said.
Jimin had reached for another piece of bread but his hand froze where it reached, his eyes shooting up to meet Yoongi’s.
“My future?” Jimin asked, pulling his hand back.
Yoongi nudged the bread towards him, encouraging him to continue to eat, but any thought of food and vanished from Jimin’s mind. His future? Surely his future was already decided. The dragon would return and his sacrifice would be taken. Was Yoongi offering something else, a means of escape? Would the man before him help save him from the dragon?
“For many years sacrifices have been made to the dragon that resides in these mountains. It’s usually animals, treasures, but once every twelve years, on the year of the dragon a human sacrifice is made.” Yoongi said, telling Jimin a story he already knew, though the human sacrifice part was a little newer. “Those sacrifices were never asked for. They were never necessary.”
“It was to appease the dragon, to protect our people from it’s wrath.” Jimin said.
“There is no wrath to appease.” Yoongi said, “the dragon has never harmed the people who live in these mountains. He has never taken a human life.”
“But that’s not true. There was a family, in a neighbouring village. It burned their house to the ground and they were never found.” Jimin told him.
He was sure Yoongi must know this, if he lived alongside the dragon he surely knew what it had done. What it was capable of, and why his people lived in fear of it. Why they brought it offerings each year.
“Aish, you really shouldn't believe every story you hear.” Yoongi said.
Jimin raised his eyebrows at him. It wasn’t just a case of an old tale that had been passed around over the years, that had happened within Jimin’s lifetime. He remembered it, he’d been very young at the time, but he remembered the panic that had rippled through their town when they’d heard about what had happened. He could remember the smoke that was still visible in the morning light, the fire having taken hold during the night. The dragon attacking under the darkness of night. Jimin had been scared. His brother hadn’t made things any easier, whispering to Jimin that their town was next, that the dragon was coming to burn their house down. He didn’t understand how Yoongi could be brushing it off as some untrue story.
“It happened though, that family was never found. Their home and land destroyed.” Jimin said.
“While it’s true that the house burned down, the family was not killed by the dragon.” Yoongi said, he wasn’t looking at Jimin his gaze was focused on the fire.
There was a deep sadness that Jimin could almost feel emanating from him as he stared into the flames. Jimin could see the slump of his shoulders, could just make out the corner of his mouth turned down. He felt a weird urge to comfort Yoongi, like he wanted to wrap his arms around him and tell him that everything would be okay. It was a strange feeling to have towards someone he’d only just met.
However that feeling disappeared in an instant when Yoongi turned back to him, his eyes meeting Jimin’s one more, eyes which had changed colour. Jimin blinked a couple of times, sure his mind was playing tricks on him, but no, Yoongi’s eyes were no longer the warm brown they had been a few moments ago. Now they were a deep red, and as the firelight caught them it was as though they were glowing.
A sudden memory rushed forward to the front of his mind. Deep red eyes across an expanse of water. Deep red eyes looking at him. Deep red eyes holding him in place. Deep red eyes set amongst dark scales. Deep red eyes of a dragon.
*
“Jimin?”
Yoongi was looking at him, with those ruby eyes. Those eyes which Jimin had seen before. It shouldn’t have been possible with the distance over the lake, but he’d been able to make them out, the bright red eyes of the dragon looking at him before it took flight. He’d dreamt of those eyes so many times over the years, always wishing to see them again. He never could have imagined his wish would come true, and that he would be seeing them up close.
Those same eyes looked at him now. The same but different. So normal despite their rich hue, so human.
His heart was racing as he put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Yoongi alone in the mountains. Yoongi who had guided Jimin through the maze of tunnels. Yoongi who had reached into the fire without protection. Yoongi who had held the hot metal of the pot without flinching. Yoongi who shared the same deep red eyes as the dragon who had looked upon Jimin across the lake so many years ago. Yoongi who was the dragon.
“It’s you… you’re…” Jimin said, still not quite believing it.
“You’ve worked it out then.” Yoongi said, he leaned back in his chair.
He didn’t seem fazed by Jimin’s realisation, almost as if he’d been waiting for it the entire time. Jimin supposed he had been. Patiently waiting for Jimin to make the connection between man and beast.
“How… it doesn’t make any sense. How can you be…”
“How can I be a dragon?” Yoongi asked, and he smiled.
It was a resigned sort of smile, he didn’t deny it. Didn’t pretend. He just smiled.
“It’s true?” Jimin said, “but… but how? You’re a person…”
“I’m a hybrid. Part human, part dragon.” Yoongi explained. “My kind have existed for centuries. I’m just another in a long line of dragons in these mountains.”
Jimin tried to process what Yoongi had told him. A hybrid? Jimin didn’t even know that meant really. How could someone be part animal, part monster? Was he a monster? he didn’t seem that way, Yoongi had been nothing but kind to him from the moment Jimin had awoken in the mouth of the cave that led into the mountain. Jimin had so many questions but didn’t know where to start. What surprised him though, was that he didn’t feel afraid.
“Out of curiosity, what gave it away?” Yoongi asked, he got to his feet and went over to a small wooden box, he pulled out a bottle, it’s glass dark green and along with two cups he brought it to the table.
“Your eyes.” Jimin said, “they’re red.”
“Ah… yes, that happens sometimes without me realising.” Yoongi said, nodding as he uncorked the bottle and poured out two servings of what Jimin recognised as wine. “Here, I find alcohol helps.”
Jimin took the cup, he sniffed the burgundy liquid, it smelled sour and fruity. He took a sip, the bitter wine hitting his tongue and making him grimace.
“It’s an acquired taste, but I’ve been told that is a particular good wine from the northern region beyond the mountains.” Yoongi said, sipping his own drink.
“I don’t think it’ll be a taste I’ll be acquiring any time soon.” Jimin said, putting his cup down.
“You have questions.” Yoongi said, it more a statement than a question. Again, it was as though he had simply been waiting for Jimin.
“Yes but I don’t know where to start.” Jimin admitted.
Yoongi huffed out a laugh, “well there’s no rush and you really should try to eat something else.”
Jimin looked down at his bowl of stew, it had cooled now, but strangely his stomach didn’t feel as unsettled as before so he grabbed the spoon, and hissed as the cold metal touched his scraped palm.
“You’re hurt.” Yoongi said, reaching for Jimin’s hand.
He pulled away without thinking, then felt guilty as he noticed the way Yoongi’s face fell. Though any disappointment was wiped from his expression in an instant as he got to his feet and went over to a small tin set in one of the bookshelves. He returned to the table along with cloths and a bowl of fresh water.
“Will you allow me to clean it? I have some salve which will ease the pain too.” Yoongi asked, coming to Jimin's side.
Cautiously Jimin stretched out his hand, the skin was badly scraped and tiny bits of rock and dirt were imbedded. Jimin had been so distracted by the cavern and Yoongi himself, that he had forgotten all about it until the metal of the spoon had pressed against it. Yoongi knelt down beside him and softly took Jimin’s hand in his, holding it palm up as he cleaned the wound with a cloth and water. Jimin was surprised to find the water was warm, Yoongi had taken it straight from the barrel, which was no where near the fire. Yet as Yoongi pressed the damp cloth against his skin it felt as though it had been heated.
Jimin hissed again as Yoongi cleaned the abrasion.
“Sorry, I’m almost done.” Yoongi said softly.
“It’s okay.” Jimin assured.
Jimin couldn't stop watching as Yoongi tended to his hand, his touch so gentle and caring. Nothing like how he’d imagined someone who was part dragon. It was so intimate watching him kneeling at his feet, his gaze focussed on tending to Jimin’s injured hand. Jimin could feel himself blushing, no one had ever been so attentive to him in a long time. It was ridiculous, this was the man… the dragon… who he had been given to as a sacrifice. The one who held his future in his hands. Yet all Jimin could think about was how nice it felt to have his hand held in those larger ones as he softly cleaned the tiny cuts on his palm.
Jimin forced himself to look away, staring off into the darkness of the cavern roof as Yoongi continued tending to him. Once he had cleaned the area he took the tin which contained the salve. Jimin could smell something earthy mixed with the familiar scent of chamomile as Yoongi smoothed a layer over his torn skin before wrapping the remaining cloths around his palm as a bandage.
“Thank you.” Jimin said, finally returning his gaze to Yoongi, his hand already feeling better.
“I’m sorry I don’t have any pain tonics, but if it is still bothering you in the morning I can go down to one of the villages and collect something for you.” Yoongi said, getting to his feet again.
“The pain isn’t so bad, I think the salve is helping.” Jimin assured.
“Just let me know if you need anything else.” Yoongi said, before tidying away the bowl and cloths.
Jimin turned back tot he bowl of stew, taking up the spoon again. It definitely helped having his scraped hand covered up, it no longer stung as he held the spoon. Despite the warmth being faded the stew was still good. It was rich and hearty, it reminded him of the stew his grandmother used to make before she passed away.
“If it’s not to your taste I can make something else.” Yoongi asked as he returned to the table.
“Huh? No it’s good.”
“Then what’s with the frown?”
“Oh um, it just… it reminded me of my grandmother’s cooking.” Jimin said.
“Ah…”
“She passed away when I was eight.” Jimin said, unsure why he was telling Yoongi this. “She was probably the only person who really cared about me.”
Jimin missed his grandmother a lot. She had been his only safe haven when he was a child, her tiny little cottage the only place he could escape from his family. It had been her who’d told him stories about the dragons that, according to her, used to reign over the mountains before their people came.
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Yoongi said.
Jimin looked up at him, and he could see the sincerity in his eyes, the eyes which had returned to the warm brown, though he could just make out a hint of red ringing the iris.
“It was a long time ago.” Jimin said, though the pain still remained in his heart.
“Still, losing the people you love is hard and that grief never truly fades.” Yoongi said.
Jimin could only nod. Thinking of his grandmother was painful, but his memories of her were warm and comforting. Unlike when he thought of his parents and brother… the pain that resided in his heart for them was something else entirely.
“What is going to happen to me?” Jimin asked.
“Well, I wasn’t lying when I said no harm will come to you. While I accept the sacrifices given to me, their lives are never forfeited.” Yoongi said, “as I said earlier, you will be given a choice.”
“What choice?”
Yoongi smiled again, there was a softness in his smile, it made Jimin’s heart flutter in a way that he couldn’t explain.
“It’s simple, you can leave here, I will take you wherever you want to go as long as it’s not to your old town.”
“Why not my town?” Jimin asked.
“If you return they will think I have rejected the sacrifice.” Yoongi said. “The people will live in fear for a revolt I will not bring, but historically it has led to unsavoury things happening. Which is something I do not wish to reoccur.”
“So because you took me, they believe that you have accepted the sacrifice.”
“Yes, even though I have never asked for the sacrifices made to me. If I were to reject them now, I do not know what will happen.”
“If you never asked for the sacrifices why take them in the first place. If you don’t plan to kill me, why take me?”
Yoongi sighed, his shoulders slumping and he looked over at the fire again. Jimin could see the red spreading over the brown of his irises, emotion causing his dragon side to raise it’s head.
“I tried that once, the first time I was to accept the sacrifice myself.” Yoongi said, “when the sacrifice wasn't taken, the people of the town took it into their own hands to give the sacrifice. The sacrifice would be made whether by my hands or theirs.”
Jimin’s eyes went wide as he realised what Yoongi was insinuating. The people would make the sacrifice, they would take the life, spill the blood. Jimin’s stomach turned and he put down he spoon he'd still be holding, the remainder of the stew suddenly unappealing.
“I have never taken a human’s life. But through my inaction, someone lost their life anyway. Since then, I have taken the one offered to me and given them the choice of where to go.”
“They killed the sacrifice.” Jimin said, it sounded so insane and yet he believed it. They had so easily offered him up, given his life without remorse, it made sense.
“Yes, and I will never let that happen again.” Yoongi said, turning back to Jimin.
There was a defiance in his gaze now, the red seemed to almost glow, and Jimin could see it then, the dragon within the man.
“I can go anywhere I want?” Jimin asked.
Yoongi nodded.
“I’ve never been out of our town before, I don’t even know where else there is to go.”
“You don’t have to decide right now. I can show you places, take you wherever you want.” Yoongi said, the fierceness melting away from him. “I want you to be happy wherever you go.”
“Anywhere…” Jimin said, imagining all the new places that were available to him.
The world beyond their town’s border was huge and unknown. Jimin had no idea what kind future lay ahead for him beyond the mountains. It was filled with so much possibility. Something he never had back home. He could start again, live his own life, be free.
“What is the other option?” Jimin asked, suddenly remembering that Yoongi had said he had two choices.
Again Yoongi smiled that resigned smile.
“You have two choices, you can leave… or you can stay here, with me.”
Jimin didn’t know how to respond. The choice seemed obvious, why would he choose to stay locked away in the mountains with a stranger, a dragon when his whole life was open and free for the taking. Jimin understood that resigned smile now. The second option, the option to stay was something that no one had taken. Yoongi was alone here. A lonely dragon in the mountains.
“I’m sure I already know your answer, but please take some time to think it over.” Yoongi said, getting to his feet. “Please make yourself comfortable here, sleep and we can talk more in the morning.”
Jimin wanted to say more, to tell Yoongi that he was sorry. But Yoongi simply cleared away their used dishes and told Jimin where he could find more food and water if he desired it before disappearing through a dark tunnel that Jimin hadn’t noticed before. Leaving Jimin alone with only the crackling fire and the dragon’s hoard for company.
Jimin sat at the table for a little while, staring into the flames that never began to fade. Their heat warming him as he tried to wrap his head around everything that had happened over the last few hours. His family had given him up as a sacrifice to the dragon. The dragon turned out to be a man who had given Jimin the choice of leaving and starting his life again somewhere new or staying with him in the mountains. It was confusing and overwhelming and Jimin suddenly felt exhausted. He looked over at the bed nestled in the alcove, it had looked inviting before, but now it practically called to him. Yoongi had said to make himself comfortable, and so Jimin made his way over tot he bed. He kicked off his boots and crawled onto the bed. The blankets and pillows were soft and comfortable as he lay down, his aching limbs finally finding rest. He pulled the blankets over him, letting their weight envelope him. His mind was still reeling from everything he’d just lived through but the exhaustion from the events was finally taking over. He would think about it in the morning, he just needed to rest a little while.
Jimin eyes fluttered shut, sleep creeping over him. Yes, just a little rest and then he would deal with everything that had happened. Sleep first, then he would make his choice.