ELVEN | K.TH

32

I reach out and grip his hand.

Idiot, I murmur. When it was this easy.

He smiles.

When it's this simple.

I shift out of my chair, leaning over the table. Then I brush a kiss against his lips, staring into his eyes.

Are you telling me that if I hadn't acted like a complete idiot that day I might've never even known you?

He nods.

I shiver.

That's horrible.

Then I remember something that he'd said.

Wait, so you can't eat this? I blink, holding up a forkful of eggs and bread. Taehyung nods again.

But that didn't make any sense.

But the...the cherry pie Jungkook baked for you. I sign, eyes wide. You ate that. I remember.

When I say that, he winces as if I'd made him recall something unpleasant.

"I did. And it made me very sick."

You idiot!

I slam my fork down on the table, startling him a little.

Why didn't you tell me?! I made you eat a whole slice without even—

"Because how am I to refuse?" He says, with a wolfish grin.

"I was willing to do anything to please you. And I would've easily done more."

I'm going to smack you.

"Please do not."

I cross my arms.

Fine. Is there anything I need to know now before I accidentally give you something that might kill you? Say it right now if there is.

"Rinei, it's not like I can't eat anything."

Oh, really? What can you eat?

"Berries." He says. "Vegetables— plants. And a special type of bread, made by the elves."

Berries. Plants.

He really does want me to smack him.

You do understand that's practically nothing, right?

Then I stand up, scooping up the empty plate.

Let's go.

"Go where?" He asks, eyes widened. "There's—"

We're going to go find you some berries.

His confusion turns to laughter as I pull back my hair. He touches my wrist, pausing me in my tracks.

"Rinei, I'm not a deer."

You kinda are.

I tilt my head, inspecting him. He actually did look a little like a deer— his neck was slender and long, and his eyes were curved down, like large almonds.

A smile ghosts my lips as I brush the top of his head.

Pretty deer.

Let's go find you something to eat.

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I'd never known the Forests could be so peaceful.