No one's POV:

As soon as the sunkissed hand caressed the sharp and pointy thorns of the rose, he was pulled back by a swift movement.

Wrapping his strong hand around Taehyung's wrist, Jeongguk spun the Angel around and pulled him close to his chest to hide him from the danger and then began to back away slowly.

Taehyung gasped and shook his head violently in order to get rid of the all consuming spell.

As he was pulled away from the poisonous flower, he could hear Jeongguk's intense heartbeat thumping in his chest.

"Are you hurt?" Jeongguk asked, concerned about Taehyung being poisoned by the harmful flower.

"I-I don't think so." Taehyung replied as he shuffled away from Jeongguk's chest slightly.

"Just- let me check, please. I should have told you about all of the dangers of Hell. There is a reason why Heaven didn't want this land." Jeongguk stated as he gently took ahold of Taehyung's forearm and clasped his plan with his own hand.

Jeongguk then proceeded to examine Taehyung's hand as he looked for any scratches, bruises or cuts. Once he found none, the King sighed in relief and motioned for the two to walk back before Taehyung was seen.

"That flower has the nickname 'the death rose' due to its poisonous thorns and leaves that release hypnotising toxins into the air. It predominantly affects Angels because of the chemicals inside, it is extremely dangerous and many have died from it. I have yet to have found a cure for it but my Councillors and I have found a leaf that combats and slows the affects." The Devil explained as he stepped over a root that was embedded into the ground.

"Oh, I didn't know things like that existed, we don't really have dangers in Heaven, just the fear of falling but nothing like killer flowers." Taehyung replied as he glanced back at the crimson rose that seemed to be mocking him.

Shaking out of it, Taehyung thought about apologising now but the words just wouldn't string together to make an eligible sentence.

Before Taehyung could gain the composure to speak, Jeongguk did something that shocked Taehyung.

"I'm sorry." He said as Taehyung looked up at him with slight tears in his eyes.

"What? I thought I was the one that did something wrong? Why are you apologising? I should be the one to-" Taehyung began but was soon cut off by a stern and deep voice.

"No. It was my fault, I'm sorry for abandoning you that morning. I just- I got scared and it was stupid but I've  realised how wrong it was to just leave like that. I didn't account for how it would make you feel since I'm new to the whole 'friends' thing." The king said remorsefully as he glanced at the leafy floor, slightly embarrassed of his childish reactions.

Taehyung was left shocked at the apology, he thought that he was the problem. The Angel thought he was the one that did something wrong, not Jeongguk.

Sure, being abandoned after those nightmares hurt but he figured Jeongguk had an appropriate reason for his abrupt exit. Taehyung felt extremely lost without the king, it was almost like a piece of him was missing.

It felt horrible but he didn't really expect an apology, in fact, he thought that be was the one that should apologise.

"Um- I- I'm still sorry, I must have done something, right? You don't have to tell me but I would like to know so that I don't repeat my actions. I must have acted in a way that reminded you of something bad." Taehyung explained as he looked up at the Demon beside him.

"I think you deserve to know now, Taehyung. The reason I freaked out is because I felt overwhelmed. It took me a while to realise it but I understand why I felt like I had to distance myself from you now. I've always felt connected to you and that's because- we- we are bonded Taehyung, you are my mate. Since knowing that information I thought it would be beneficial to keep you since you will increase my power but as time went on- I- I began to develop feelings. Very strong feelings and I pushed you away because I have never felt like that before. It worried me to think that you were special to me. I know it is stupid now but I thought of you as a weakness that Heaven could exploit since I care about you. I'm not used to these emotions and it confused me, as a way of coping I distanced you from myself but I just can't do that anymore. Every moment away from you kills me and I can't handle it anymore." Jeongguk breathed out as he came to halt just below the balcony.

"I know that is a lot to take in and I can explain more to you but let's go back to my room." Jeongguk stated as he summoned his white, black and gold wings.

"O-okay." Taehyung replied, speechless at all of the information but more specifically the pattern of Jeongguk's wings.

They were like the inverse of his.

So that's why they had changed, it was because of the bond. It all made sense now but Taehyung didn't know how to feel about any of the newly discovered information.

Jeongguk slipped his hand around Taehyung's waist and pulled his to his chest as he bent his knees to swoop into the air.

After a few short seconds, Taehyung felt the familiar cobble beneath his feat. He still had a starstruck look etched into his beautiful features.

The expression caused Jeongguk to let out a slight chuckle at the cuteness before he led them to the seating area inside of his room.

"We're bonded." Taehyung whispered in shock as he lowered himself down into the chair.

It suddenly all made sense to Taehyung, why he had been kept alive, why he had felt such a strong connection with Jeongguk, why he was happy to stay in Hell.

Everything clicked.

However, one thought prevailed as he looked up at Jeongguk with glassy eyes and whispered. . .

"Did you use me?" Jeongguk seemed taken back by the question but still found it more than valid after what Taehyung had gone through.

"At first, yes. But it grew into so much more than that, I like having you around. I promise, after we started getting closer and playing chess together, it all changed. I know it was wrong and I'm sorry but right now I just want to be closer to you. All I can do is apologise for what I did." The king said in a desperate attempt to make Taehyung see his side of the story.

Taehyung remained quiet before he finally spoke, "Alright, I believe you. If we are bonded then we need to get along and I like the Jeongguk that I have been around. Life felt horrible without you and I don't want that again so. . . I accept your apology."

"Oh thank the Demons." Jeongguk gasped as he ran over to Taehyung and crushed him into a hug.

The Angel struggled to breathe but was quick to fall back into the hug.

"There is one more thing though. How much do you know about the bonds?" The king asked as thought about how to bring the topic of being 'fully bonded' up.

"Well, they haven't appeared for centuries but they are a sacred connection between two souls. There is such a thing called um. . . Being fully bonded." Taehyung explained, trailing off towards the end.

"And do you know how being 'fully bonded' is achieved?" Jeongguk asked as the embarrassed Angel looked towards the ground.

"Ahem- yes, I do." Taehyung replied, he felt heat creel towards his cheeks as he thought about what that entailed.

"Well, say it then." Jeongguk replied.

"You have to- uh make love." Taehyung mumbled as his eyes shifted around on the floor, suddenly finding the little black mark very intriguing.

"Yes, you have to have sex." Jeongguk said braisenly as he stepped towards the little Angel slightly.

"Also, bonds didn't just stop. The Archangels didn't like them because they involved having sex and so began the method of purification to prevent bonds from forming and breaking existing ones. That didn't seem to work on you so they gave up and sent you to Hell." The Devil explained as Taehyung was left shocked. Jeongguk only realised after he spoke how harsh that would have sounded but Taehyung didn't seem to be worried about that.

Taehyung had been lied to.

All this time.

The Archangels are selfish brats, Taehyung thought as he experienced a revelation.

Maybe that's why I'm so weak, it didn't work and it drained all of my power.

"Yes, that's what I figured too." The king said as if he read Taehyung's mind. It did makes sense and it would explain why the bond was so imbalanced in power.

"I don't expect anything to happen, so don't feel worried about that." Jeongguk said as he saw Taehyung's panicked expression.

The Devil understood, Taehyung's first time would be with someone who he was raised to hate. It couldn't be easy.

"Though, if you do want to, let's just say I'm not opposed." Jeongguk said cheekily as he made his way to his desk and pulled out the heavy, leather chair.

He didn't even need to look up to know how red Taehyung would be after hearing that. The Angel's thoughts on sex would be very warped since he was brought up to believe it was a sin.

Though what concerned Taehyung the most is that he didn't immediately shut the thought down. In fact, he rather liked the idea of being so close to Jeongguk.

He liked the Demon- a lot.

However, he didn't just want sex. The Angel wanted love and he would never give himself to someone he didn't love- bonded or not.