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Chapter Text

Only the sound of hurried footsteps echoes off the immense palace's walls as the lithe servant boy swiftly pads along the left wing's corridor. After bowing his head to the royal guard that with much diligence stands tall and mighty next to the entrance of the prince's chambers, the boy puts a halt to his great haste once he comes face to face with the big oak door.

Taking a moment to recover from the exercise of climbing approximately two hundred steps in the span of two minutes - if not less - Taehyung mentally prepares himself for whatever it is the capricious prince has found urgent enough this time to have him running all the way up from the kitchen at two in the afternoon. 

In this brief moment of recovery, Taehyung rubs the palm of his hand on his forehead to take the slight dampness of sweat away, and rearranges his hair to hopefully look decent. Being a witness of his distress the guard sends him a sympathetic look, a much appreciated silent encouragement that is followed by a dimpled smile, and the gesture feels so warm and sincere that Taehyung thinks it a crime not to smile back. With a smile of his own, he swiftly knocks on the thick wooden surface, only three little rasps, the sound of his soft knuckles against the door barely audible, and he waits a prudent period of fifteen seconds before twisting the golden knob and letting himself in.

All royal chambers are, in essence, breathtakingly large and exquisitely decorated with the most unnecessary objects to the point of making it difficult to find what one looks for, but Taehyung needn’t more than a few seconds to spot the lax, however timelessly elegant, figure of the prince laid carelessly atop the costly lounge that sits at the furthest end of the room.

The moment his presence is noted and those impatient eyes meet his gaze, Taehyung's response is mostly mechanical, instantly displaying the required courtesy with a bow at a much practiced degree. He purposely ignores the painful sound of his spine cracking, which results from forcing his body to straighten back up with perhaps too much urgency, and wastes no time in approaching the awaiting prince.

"Tae, my dear friend, to be sure one of these days your excess of politeness will break your back. But what took you so long?", the prince protests with a pout. "I thought I would die of old age waiting for you!"

His tone comes across more playful than serious, which is quite a relief, Taehyung thinks. In spite of the overly friendly greeting, he continues to stand still at a proper distance, watching as the prince elegantly stretches out his arms and leaves the lounge to stand in front of him - his long-time proclaimed favorite servant.

"I am awfully sorry, your highness. I was told you urgently required of my assistance and thus I hurried the best I could but-" Taehyung tries to explain in one breath the reason behind his tardiness, but he is promptly cut off, the gentle pressure of a hand on his shoulder startling him into silence.

"Please Tae, do halt all sort of formalities. Between us they are absurd, and it tires me to hear you speak so," his voice is firm, his eyes are not. Taehyung visibly relaxes.

"I am terribly sorry."

"Will you cease all unnecessary apologies also?"

"Yes, as you wish your high-", he struggles for a second, " Jimin ."

The prince, Jimin, seems pleased enough to grant him a smile. "See? That is much better," he says, walking past Taehyung to the marble desk. Taehyung does not move from his spot, nor do his eyes follow the prince's movements. It has become a second nature of his - all of this not doing anything until he is ordered to. Although he does not have to wait for long, for the prince soon comes back to him with a golden letter in his small hand and a determined expression on his face. Being considerably shorter than his servant, Jimin has to glance up at Taehyung, fingers thrumming idly on the delicate piece of paper. "Now, should I entrust you with this?"

Taehyung, feeling momentarily lost, blurts out: "What is that?", and immediately after saying this, he is painfully aware of how abhorrently idiotic it sounded. Prince Jimin is already snickering at his lapse, and Taehyung can feel his cheeks heat up in utter abashment.

"A letter, silly! You shall deliver it."

"Me?", Taehyung points at himself. The prince nods. "Should not Namjoon be a most suitable choice to do such a thing?", he boldly questions the prince's judgment, and after taking in consideration how coarse this is coming from a servant, he mentally beats himself.

The prince groans and rolls his eyes at Taehyung. "Well, precisely, he is a royal guard, Tae!" Patience has never been one of Jimin's traits, but for his favorite servant, he appears willing to conceal himself. "Do you know, guards are always being monitored. If he went to deliver a letter of mine I feel sure my parents should in less than an hour find out that I was messing with a commoner. An inevitable torture would take place if they ever found out. They would never allow me to see the light of day again, for a while at least."

Taehyung nods in understanding, having to force his mouth shut as soon as the beginning of an apology threatens to come out. He, better than anyone else, understands the prince's fright of being caught.

It is most unfortunate, but the prince's parents have always been against his ways, and more often than not, Taehyung has been the one to hear his cries and keep him company from the other side of the locked door. Countless of times, Taehyung has witnessed how the prince was dragged and locked away into the dark confines of a dull tower, kept isolated for days that easily turned into weeks. The king and queen weren't only cruel and cold to their own son, but even with more intensity to the humble people that worked under their command, those they considered lesser human beings. Maids, servants and guards alike were common victims of their nasty glares and constant mistreatment, and Taehyung, well, he has been here for as long as he remembers, and he supposes getting used to any sort of ill treatment has since birth been his only option.

"What do you say? You will help me, will you not?"

Taehyung does not have a choice anyway.

"Of course."

The prince looks up at him with starry eyes. "Thank you, Tae. I knew you would do this for me, you are the kindest creature I know."

They smile at each other. Despite sharing blood and heritage with his dreadful parents, Taehyung is convinced prince Jimin is nothing like them. Although an impatient young man who is bratty at times too, he possesses an outstanding source of kindness and sense of right. To the prince, everyone is equal regardless of their status or gender, and he seems to have a particular liking for the hardworking men that make their living outside of the palace's grounds, which is problematic, indeed. Nonetheless, Taehyung strongly believes in prince Jimin. He is their only hope for a better future.

The golden letter is placed in Taehyung's awaiting hand, and when he looks up from it, the prince is regarding him with an all too serious look.

"I needn’t say this is to be kept extremely confidential. You must hide the letter well under your coat, grab your mount, and set off to the other side of the river as soon as you can. It is not too far away, the second farm on the hill." Taehyung nods, and he is a bit puzzled by the adorable lovestruck smile that lightens up the prince's entire face as he adds in a secretive tone, "His name is Jeon Jungkook, and he runs a horse farm."

Taehyung grants the prince one of his boxlike smiles. "Second farm on the hill, Jeon Jungkook," he repeats, working to retain the details inside his head.

»»————««

The afternoon sun shines pleasantly over them as Taehyung gently urges his palomino mare to gallop a little bit faster. It is such a beautiful day outside. There is not a cloud in the cerulean sky, and he should be using this one in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy the time away from the sickening walls of the palace, but Taehyung has to dwell in pessimism. It is likely that he will get a scolding from Seokjin later, when he finds out he left without finishing his duties. He is supposed to be scrubbing the kitchen floors as of now, not attending to the needs of the prince's fickle love affair!

Taehyung takes out the letter from the folds of his coat and stares at the envelope. JK is written in elaborate calligraphy, a small heart drawn next to it.

Love.

Why must the prince seek love where only trouble would arise?

It is not that he does not wish for the prince to be happy with whoever he chooses to be, quite the contrary. Taehyung wishes for him that kind of happiness and health, but looking for love among the hearts of the working-class men is the sort of madness that will bring the prince pain, and subsequently, put Taehyung in a tight spot.

Taehyung realizes now just how dangerous the task really is, and negative thoughts begin to flood his mind. Soon, he thinks, the guards will surely begin to notice his constant come and go, they should find it odd and report it to the higher-ups. After all, Taehyung is but a mere servant, and he is not allowed to leave the castle on his own unless ordered to. In a matter of days, weeks if luck is on his side, they will have the whole ordeal figured out, and the prince will once again be forbidden of even more liberties. Taehyung prefers not to think what his fate would be if the worst were to happen. Oh, how he wishes he had declined!

He should laugh at his own stupidity. There is no possible way he could have declined, it was never his place to go against royal orders.

On the bright side, which is hard to see for Taehyung at this moment, these little trips surrounded by nature will without a doubt do good to his soul.

After a while of wandering, Taehyung arrives at what he hopes is the second farm on the hill, and stops to better admire the awe-inspiring sight. He carefully gets off his horse and takes hold of the reins, purposely tying them to a nearby wooden post so his only means of transport will not run off while he is away fulfilling his duty.

Whilst walking along the stone path that leads to a beautiful blue farmhouse, which is surrounded by extensive lush fields filled with pasture, a monarch butterfly flutters about Taehyung’s head, and he fails to contain his childish excitement. Being a person who both cherishes and values every single child of nature, he simply cannot help himself as he watches, completely mesmerized, how the small creature seems to follow him wherever he goes, and its little colorful wings attempt to tickle at his hair as if he were a flower.

The thought of him being confused for a flower entertains him greatly, and he decides to walk faster, wanting to test if the butterfly would still follow him. It does. Taehyung bursts into a fit of giggles, and he twirls around much like a carefree child would, the butterfly happily following his every movement, and soon it seems as if they are really dancing under the shade of the blue house.

As enthralled as he is, he does not take notice of an obvious presence coming near until it is too late. Taehyung jumps, startled by the sudden sound of someone clearing their throat rather harshly. Sadly, the friendly butterfly is scared away and vanishes from view. Taehyung's brows go taut with some sort of immature annoyance, and he quickly turns around, hoping to find the one at fault.

He sees a young man, standing with his arms crossed over a puffed out chest, a stern look on his face.

Taehyung feels his own face heat up uncomfortably as realization hits him like a splash of ice cold water. The little creature had distracted him with its playfulness to the point that he had shamelessly forgotten what he had come to do here in the first place.

"May I know, who are you and what are you doing here?", the man bluntly asks. Taehyung swallows a hard lump of uneasiness at the sharpness of his voice that threatens to become hostile any second from now. "Well? Do answer. I do not believe it is fine to trespass."

"Oh, my most sincere apologies, sir," Taehyung bows deeply, not really knowing what else he is to do to amend such offense. "My name is Kim Taehyung, and I am looking for Jeon Jungkook."

The man lifts one curious eyebrow, "That would be me."

Despite the stoic tone he uses, Taehyung notices the corners of his lips tilting to form an endearing smirk.

He ought to be prince Jimin's current love interest, Taehyung thinks. He has to admit that he understands now why the prince would risk pursuing a relationship with someone like him, a farmer of all people, undeterred by the consequences of doing so. This fine man, whom he has most regrettably offended, exudes an undeniable attractiveness that must be at length appreciated. Well built body, sharp jaw, jet black hair parted in the middle, a strong nose, and big brown eyes-

Inevitably, their eyes meet for the very first time, and it is almost magical, but mostly strange, how the world seems to freeze around the two of them for a brief moment.

Taehyung is the first to break the connection by averting his eyes, and he seeks to focus on the boring, safe ground instead. He fears the man's gaze will become more and more intimidating the longer he holds it.

Silence follows, but the sound of footsteps steadily growing louder takes him by surprise. The man, Jeon Jungkook, is no doubt approaching him with slow but confident strides that have Taehyung sweating cold on the spot without really knowing why.

Jungkook comes so close their shoes almost touch, looks at Taehyung up and down, and hums appreciatively.

"I am certain I have never seen you 'round here before," his voice doesn't strike Taehyung as sharp nor hostile anymore - the change may be subtle, but it is definitely there. His softer, lower tone fortunately serves to appease Taehyung's nerves, a little. "Now I am intrigued. What matters do you have with me?"

"I… I am only delivering a letter," Taehyung does not dare meet his eye yet, hands hastily searching under his coat until he takes hold of the golden letter, which he wastes no time in offering to Jungkook. As he patiently waits for the other to take it, Taehyung feels sudden warmth encircling his shaky hand, and he has to suppress a gasp. Slowly lifting his gaze, he notes the man's veiny hands are now on his. Those hands, though comparatively bigger and rougher, hold his with an unmistakable tenderness.

"You are trembling like a leaf," Jungkook calmly states, and Taehyung's head snaps up to find those big chocolate eyes staring intensely at him. "I hope I did not frighten you. If so, I apologize. I do not mean to be harsh, however, I understand if I come across as a little terrifying," he chuckles. “After all, I am not used to having visitors, and I never really know how to receive them." 

Taehyung shakes his head, caught in an extraordinary daze, hazel eyes dropping shyly. "Oh no, there is hardly any need to apologize, sir. It is entirely my fault, I am easily frightened."

"Easily frightened," Jungkook repeats, amused. "Much like a small animal."

The endearing comparison brings a sincere smile to Taehyung's lips. Jungkook's thumb, although idle, gently caresses the back of his hand, occasionally rubbing over his knuckles in a comforting manner. Taehyung does not mind the touch at all. The current situation feels like a spell, and he finds himself completely immersed in Jungkook's eyes for some unknown reason. He forgets time, chores and duties, prince Jimin and his letter...

The letter! Where is it? Taehyung panics, all of sudden awfully aware that it isn't in his hand anymore, eyes searching frantic as he looks around.

Upon seeing it lying on the ground, discarded, Taehyung gasps softly. "Sir, your letter-"

Albeit haltingly, Jungkook finally releases his hand and awkwardly steps back, as if suddenly aware that he should keep some distance between them. "Yes, I know." He bends down to pick it up, and looks awestruck for a moment when his eyes inspect the paper. "Wait, this cannot be..."

"It is," Taehyung nods, offering a small smile. "The prince will be expecting your reply. I shall come tomorrow morning to retrieve it, sir."

With that said, Taehyung knows he has fulfilled his task and is ready to leave, but before he even manages to move an inch away from the man, there is a hand circled around his left wrist that gently holds him in place.

"Please, call me Jungkook."

"Jungkook," Taehyung concedes, and his eyes oddly focus on the way Jungkook moistens his lips with the tip of his tongue. 

Then, the hold on his wrist disappears, but the tingling sensation lingers, and Taehyung almost runs back to his awaiting horse, heart pounding so incredibly fast that he can feel it on his ears.

The blond is already speeding away from the farm, yet Jungkook still gazes after him.

Chapter Text

The cool morning breeze gently caresses Taehyung's cheeks as he patiently awaits by the entrance of the blue farmhouse for the young man, Jungkook, to come out and greet him. He contemplates knocking on the door again, fearing the last three times he did weren't vigorous enough to be heard, but after the fourth try, it becomes obvious that the other must be somewhere else at the moment.

Taehyung scans the large field surrounding the house with his gaze. He spots a few scattered horses quietly grazing on the grass, and an adorable couple of sparrows plucking earthworms from the ground, but there is no sight of the man he is in desperate need of finding.

A great sigh escapes him. He realizes that at this pace, all of the efforts he made to wake up before the sun rose just so he could be back before noon will surely turn to dust.

Deciding he has been planted here for far longer than necessary, Taehyung begins to walk towards the stables, hoping to find the young man there.

To his relief, Jungkook is indeed there, crouching next to a black stallion as his hands work to clean the dirt off its hooves with the help of a metal pick. He is so immersed in his work that he does not take notice of Taehyung walking past the opening of the stable. Taehyung stops and leans against the frame, hesitant.

Although he does not wish to bother Jungkook while he is obviously busy and focused, he can't wait forever to be noticed either. He too has chores that need to get done back at the palace; he can't spend any more time waiting than he already did.

"Good morning," Taehyung greets softly, voice a whisper he is not sure the other heard. However, he is glad to see Jungkook stop and lift his head to acknowledge him, lips moving into a lopsided smile before continuing what he was doing.

"Good day, Taehyung," the way his name rolls off his tongue is rather odd, as if Jungkook meant to taste it. "I was not expecting you this early, to be honest."

"Oh, I am really sorry," Taehyung apologizes on impulse, feeling it is really his own fault for not letting Jungkook know at what hour he would stop by, and for assuming he'd be inside the house this whole time. "I can leave and come back later, if I am being a bother."

"Not at all," Jungkook hurries to say, momentarily glancing up, "Stay. I shall finish here shortly, hopefully you will not mind?"

"I do not mind," Taehyung answers, smiling to himself as he walks closer to the beautiful horses kept inside the stalls.

"Are you sure?" Jungkook inquires again, still working on the horse's hooves, "This place reeks of horse shit."

Taehyung huffs a laugh, shaking his head. "It is not that bad. Although, I do love horses, so I cannot say my opinion is absolutely impartial."

One of the horses catches his eye, its black and white spotted coat easily standing out from the rest, and Taehyung slowly brings a hand to its adorable pink muzzle. The animal flinches even before any contact is made, its muscles visibly growing tense, but Taehyung stills his hand for a moment to prove he meant no harm. The horse soon accepts his touch, letting Taehyung's hand rest on his velvety soft muzzle.

Unbeknownst to Taehyung, Jungkook is now staring at him, having finished polishing the horse's hooves and cleaned his hands with a damp rag moments ago. What he sees leaves him completely astonished. The blond is leisurely petting the most aggressive and stubborn stallion he owns as if it were nothing more than a docile beast, and not only that, the bastard is practically yielding to the warmth of that dainty hand.

"I am greatly surprised he let you touch him," Jungkook words out his shock, forcing his gaze away from the blond when the latter whips his head to look at him with those bright, spellbinding eyes. "Do not be fooled, that one is mostly ill-tempered," he tells him as he guides the remaining horse to its stall, "The arrogant bastard rebels against anything and everything."

Taehyung feigns a dramatic gasp at the harsh words directed to his new four-legged friend. "Do not say such things, you will upset him," he says softly to the creature, hands caressing the stallion's silky mane.

"Well, you do not know what he is capable of. That revolting creature has sent me flying to the ground multiple times with no hint of remorse."

The way Jungkook relates the incident is sort of amusing, and Taehyung barely succeeds to stifle a laugh. "There there," he soothes the animal that has started to grow tense again with Jungkook walking around the stable. "You are a good boy, are you not?" Taehyung praises, gently patting the horse's neck. Once the animal relaxes, he bestows a kiss onto his muzzle.

There is a pause, a sudden halt of all movement behind him that leaves him wondering if Jungkook had suddenly left.

No, he is still here, Taehyung knows, feels the intensity of Jungkook's stare on the back of his head. Turning around to face him, Taehyung is ready to ask what the matter is, but he only catches sight of those chocolate eyes for a brief second. Jungkook purposely avoids Taehyung's gaze like it burns him, and Taehyung is left staring blankly at his broad back.

Jungkook makes a move to the exit, hardly taking a couple of steps forward before stopping. "Come," it's all he says, and Taehyung follows him out.

They ended up in Jungkook's moderately big and well-illuminated kitchen, sitting across each other at the wooden table with a pair of tall glasses full of apple juice before them.

It was an inevitable outcome, really. Taehyung already had the letter for prince Jimin secured under his coat and was ready to leave, but Jungkook had insisted on him having a drink before he set off to the palace - an apology for the time he had been left waiting, he said. Ironically, to accept the offer would result in Taehyung delaying his depart for even longer, but he could not find the strength in his heart to refuse Jungkook's good intentions, or the hopeful look on his face for that matter. So, albeit hesitantly, he said yes.

Now, however, he is convinced that by staying he has done the right thing, and there is not an ounce of regret in him. Not only the juice that Jungkook offered him tastes extraordinary, but the dialogue that surges between them proves to be a highly enjoyable experience, both of them exchanging opinions and thoughts with the ease of a flowing river. On top of everything else, it is most fascinating to discover how much the two of them have in common.

And this is a novelty for Taehyung, to have someone who is willing to listen to whatever it is that he has to say, someone who truly understands.

"The things we take for granted," Taehyung rambles on, cheeks pink and alive, emboldened by the fact that Jungkook is right there, carefully listening to every single word coming out of his mouth, "The morning dew, a roof over our heads or warm soup in a freezing night, those we should appreciate the most."

"I could have never said it any better," Jungkook brings the glass to his lips and takes a sip, slurping in delight. Taehyung does the same, the refreshing fruity liquid doing wonders to his slightly dry throat.

Silence follows, but it is not awkward in the least, just silent. Taehyung takes this opportunity to ponder about Jungkook's intriguing personality and how he seems to be the only occupant of the house. A house big enough to comfortably fit a family of four at that.

Before he knows it, Taehyung finds himself asking, "Do you live here by yourself?"

And this time Jungkook doesn't answer immediately, instead, he tilts his head back to gulp down the remaining juice. It isn't until Jungkook nods in response that Taehyung realizes how prying and impolite the question was.

"I apologize, Jungkook, it was most impertinent of me to ask such a thing," he apologizes, searching in Jungkook's eyes for any hint of irritation. His fingers tighten around the glass from the creeping embarrassment he feels, "It was uncalled for."

He is taken aback by Jungkook waving him off. "It is quite alright. Your curiosity is... endearing," he comments, placing the empty glass on the table, and his eyes bore into Taehyung's when he speaks anew, expression unreadable, "But I will have you know that I do not like the pity dancing in your eyes."

"It is not pity," Taehyung defends, "I thought you were lonely, that is all."

"And I appreciate your concern, but I am not. After all, it was my choice to be alone."

"Do you not have any friends, then?"

"I do, of course. I enjoy solitude, not isolation," Jungkook gives him this look that is not entirely serious, but it is soft at the same time, making it easy for Taehyung to guess that under that rough exterior lies an inexplicable depth of tenderness. "Can I be honest with you?" Jungkook suddenly asks, any trace of jesting vanished from his face, which has Taehyung worriedly nodding for him to continue. He licks his lips, seemingly taking a moment to properly word what he is about to say, "If I may be so bold, I think your silences beg for someone to care. Tell me, Taehyung, why does it seem like you are the one who is lonely?"

Taehyung's immediate reaction is to sink into the chair. The question puts a frown onto his normally soft features, makes him feel caught and vulnerable and terrified all at once. Those eyes must have seen right through his soul, for there is no other possible explanation as to why something he worked so hard to keep locked away is easily guessed by a man that has only seen him twice.

"That is... I am not-" No matter how hard he tries, he is at a loss of words. At this point, he believes he will only make an even greater fool of himself if he continues babbling, so he falls silent. Jungkook shifts the slightest bit on his seat, chocolate eyes looking at him with puzzling softness, as if he understands.

Reality hits hard then. How much have they been sitting here? Taehyung wonders, feeling hectic.

"My goodness, it seems I got carried away. I must go back," he murmurs and stands hurriedly, barely glancing at Jungkook before he starts walking towards the kitchen's door. Jungkook quickly mirrors his actions, following him closely.

"Forgive me," Jungkook whispers behind him, guilt evident in the heavy sigh he unintentionally lets out right after. Taehyung turns around to face him, but nothing could have readied him for witnessing the look of absolute remorse on Jungkook's face. "I did not mean to upset you."

"No. Oh no," Taehyung hurries to say, straining to reassure him with a gentle smile, "I am far from upset, Jungkook. I truly enjoyed our conversation, it was wonderful and I...", he trails off the moment Jungkook gives him this dazzling smile, big and genuine, showing the most adorable pair of bunny teeth. "We... We should do this again."

"We definitely should."

»»————««

The rest of the day feels like an entire week of work. Taehyung doesn't remember the last time he felt this degree of exhaustion before he even had dinner, it feels as if his bones resent having to carry his own weight.

He might be dying to hit the bed, but he wishes he could at least bathe more than anything, as he knows for a fact he must stink. Taehyung shakes his head, settling on the task at hand instead: running a bath for the prince. He fills the tub to the brim with hot, of course not scalding, water, and pours a generous amount of scented salt, vanilla oil, and rose petals. Lastly, he lights the candles and leaves the bathroom to fetch prince Jimin's night robe.

"Tae!," the prince squeaks from his standing position next to the desk, a letter on his small hand, and to Taehyung's frustration, he is still fully dressed. "He says he misses me badly."

"That is amazing." Taehyung does his best to not blatantly ignore the prince's excitement as he briskly grabs the silk robe and takes it with him to the bathroom. Prince Jimin tails behind, a spring in his step, still making those squeaky noises Taehyung doesn't think any normal human could make.

"'I hope your evening is as pleasant as mine will be - as it can be, without you.'" The prince reads out loud for Taehyung to hear. "Oh Tae, he is not only good looking, but he also has a way with words unlike any man I have ever met. And I have met my fair share of men."

Taehyung limits himself to being polite, offering a soft smile as he helps the prince undress, cautiously guiding him inside the tub. All the while, prince Jimin stubbornly holds the letter in his hand as if it were his most prized possession, which, on second thought, Taehyung thinks it must be. Once he is sure the prince is comfortable, he turns on his heels to leave, wanting nothing more than to wash himself while the prince soaks in the tub. After that, he will help the prince out, drain the tub, clean any leftover mess and-

"Wait, Taehyung? Do you have a minute?"

Taehyung halts in the middle of walking out, briefly closing his dried out eyes in utter weariness before turning back to the prince. "Yes?"

The prince gestures to the wooden stool at the corner of the bathroom. "Come, sit down. I wish to speak with you."

So Taehyung agrees. It is his fate, after all, he never really has a choice.

He suppresses a sigh, resignation sinking in as he grabs the stool and weakly drags it next to the tub. Then, he sits on it, waiting for the prince to speak while trying hard not to fall asleep right there.

Prince Jimin looks up at him with sparkling, curious eyes. "You saw him, did you not?"

"Yes," he easily answers.

"And what did he say to you?"

Oh dear.

Taehyung feels too fatigued as of now to come up with an elaborated answer quoting the extensive conversation he and Jungkook had this morning. If he is being completely honest, he can only recall certain fragments of it, but even trying to condense those small bits into one sentence seems impossible. So he figures he will lie, just this once.

"He is not a man of many words, I am afraid."

"Really," the prince giggles, and Taehyung concludes he is pleased with the answer. "When I met him, mind you it was only once, I was out hunting, and my horse became awfully startled all of sudden, she ran off with me holding onto her," his voice is so melodic, so pleasing to hear. It almost lulls Taehyung to sleep, but he still fights against the overwhelming need to close his eyes, forcing himself to listen until the prince is done. "I was unable to stop her. She would not listen, the guards could not keep up with us, and I ended lost deep in the forest. I was so scared I cried," he laughs at the memory, Taehyung smiles, "But he found me and brought me back to safety. Our conversation was not at all memorable, but the way he held me so gently was."

"He is a good man," Taehyung mumbles without thinking, doing his best to sound more awake than he actually is.

He hears the prince sigh, and his eyes shot wide open.

When did he close them?

"You are tired, are you not?" the prince states, giving Taehyung a look full of concern, or is it disappointment? Taehyung can't tell. "I am sorry, Tae. You are the only one I can talk about him with. Go to sleep. We shall speak some more tomorrow."

"But I have to-"

His attempts to protest are silenced right away.

"I can drain the tub myself this time. You have done more than enough already." Taehyung nods, standing up from his seat onto his wobbly feet. "Heavens, you look terrible. How did I not notice earlier?" Another sigh leaves his plump lips, and Taehyung watches him play idly with the petals floating on the water. "Go rest now."

"You are most kind. I am truly grateful, Jimin, I really am." 

"Hush. You better not forget the letter tomorrow morning," he gives Taehyung a pointed look, "Second drawer of the desk."

"Yes. Goodnight, Jimin." Taehyung bows, gratitude exuding through his pores as he finally walks out the royal bathroom, heading to his much deserved rest.

Chapter Text

A week of wholesome conversations is what it takes for Taehyung to conclude that Jungkook is indeed a good man and the best suitor for prince Jimin, hence someone he could confide in. During his daily visits to the farm, every moment is employed in conversing together, and there is no room for boredom. They talk about everything - from what they do for a living, to what they dream of doing, and yet, Taehyung is not entirely sure what made him open up to Jungkook.

There is something in his manners that brings a sense of security to the moments they share together, a rarity that makes Taehyung forget they were once strangers at all. It is something that irremediably comforts and emboldens him to say the most trivial of things without the paralyzing fear of being judged. Jungkook is made of something that cannot be found in others, and perhaps it has to do with the mysterious aura that floats about him, or the candid faith he has in his beliefs when he speaks of them. Or, perhaps, it is the way he regards Taehyung with such ardent serenity present in his eyes, how he reads him like an open book and still manages to not seem intrusive.

Or, maybe- maybe he does not know him at all. But he wants to, and his soul vibrates with the brimming expectation of seeing Jungkook again.

Contrary to Taehyung's high spirits, this sunless and dull morning threatens to take a turn for the worse, angry dark clouds glaring at him as he gallops past the river and towards the farm he's gradually growing fond of. Timid raindrops soon start to caress his cheeks and nose, they are light and gentle for the most part of his journey before nature decides against it and the few scattered droplets double in number and thickness, falling down harder.

By the time he arrives at Jungkook's farm, both his hair and coat are sufficiently damp to feel uncomfortable. Fortunately, he is able to locate Jungkook's figure near the stables, the man rushing to get one of the horses inside as it begins to fully pour down. Taehyung calls his name but he is not heard, and so he urges his horse towards him.

Jungkook does not see him approaching and disappears into the darkness of the stable. Taehyung hops off his mount with the intention of handing over the letter, but as he is about to pass through the entryway, Jungkook steps out, and they helplessly crash into each other.

The impact is insignificant, with Jungkook not even budging an inch and Taehyung reeling backwards mostly out of shock. Still, there is an eager, strong hold on his arm that prevents him from falling - if he were to fall, that is.

"Sorry," they utter simultaneously, breaking into this awkward, short-lived laughter right after.

None of them say a thing. They limit themselves to greeting each other with honest eyes that bleed silent longing and subtle sparks of adoration. Taehyung realizes that Jungkook seems to be just as drenched as he feels, black strands of hair plastered to his forehead and clammy shirt perfectly hugging every hard muscle of his torso. He swallows dryly, immediately tearing his gaze from Jungkook's abdomen.

A sudden bolt of lighting makes his horse neigh pathetically behind him, and Taehyung turns around in a haste to comfort the poor startled animal. He rubs the damp fur of her neck with his hand and whispers soothing words to calm her, but nothing seems to work - her ears remain flat, her eyes wide, and her whining only increases.

"A storm is coming," Jungkook's vibrant voice announces as he steps out into the pouring rain to swiftly move between Taehyung and his mare. "They can feel it," he promptly takes hold of the reins, leaving Taehyung unable to look away from the entire process. Years of experience are clear on the skilled way in which his firm hand wraps around the leather straps, and one deliberate tug is enough to steady the animal that promptly settles down as if on command. "Let us get her inside, I am sure there is at least an empty stall left for her to use."

Before he makes a move however, Taehyung speaks, not willing to take advantage of Jungkook's hospitality. "Actually, there is no need. I was meaning to give you this," he grasps the letter from under his coat and shows it to him, "and take my leave before it gets worse."

Jungkook shakes his head in evident disapproval, refusing to take the letter. "It is too late for that, Taehyung. The storm is over our heads already, and I will not have you leave on weather as hostile as this," he huffs, walking past Taehyung to get his horse into an empty stall.

Taehyung does not argue further, but he does not follow him either, stubbornly standing outside as his clothes get more and more drenched. Jungkook comes out again and eyes him with an arched eyebrow, "What are you doing?"

"I hardly know," he shrugs, "I do not wish to be a bother."

"Taehyung," Jungkook sighs, "How many times must we go through this? You are never a bother to me, never. Come here," Taehyung is not given the opportunity to move on his own before Jungkook grabs his arm and effortlessly pulls him inside the stable. "You got yourself soaked. We should get you dry and warm, else you fall ill."

"I will be fine," Taehyung wriggles out of his hold, irked by the patronizing tint of Jungkook's words. "I may not be as strong as you are, but I am not a weakling."

"Why do I find that hard to believe?" He teases, but seeing Taehyung's attempt of a glare makes him speak again, "We shall settle this disagreement like gentlemen: a race to my house, and the last one is a weakling."

"As you wish, but I do expect you to play fair, Jungkook."

"You insult me. I always play fair."

On the count of three, they sprint across the fields and towards the blue house in the middle, rain falling upon them relentlessly. Taehyung smiles, smiles so big it hurts. This is easily the most exciting thing he has ever done in years; he can feel the joy bubbling up in his chest. Never once, since childhood abandoned him, has he felt this boundless, so alive and free.

Taehyung struggles to keep up with Jungkook's rapid pace, his legs strain to move faster, hot blood rushing through his veins, but in the end, his effort matters not, and the gap between them only seems to expand. He watches mesmerized at Jungkook, who smoothly turns around mid-race to face him with a concerned look that instantly morphs into something else, flashing an open, boyish smile of delight.

"Tired already?" He shouts, huffing from the exertion of doing so much at once, "What an easy win!" Jungkook taunts, looking so lively and athletic while running backwards, like it is the easiest thing to do. Taehyung sticks out his tongue in a mocking gesture, tasting rain on his lips. Jungkook laughs and turns around again, yelling that he better hurry up.

When they finally take shelter inside the house and the door closes behind them, both of them are out of breath and soppy with a mixture of sweat and rain, bodies standing much closer than what may be normally expected. Despite the place being quite dim, illuminated only by a few scattered wick lamps, Taehyung can easily distinguish the euphoric glint in those dark eyes that peer intensely into his own, searching. And Taehyung wonders what is it that Jungkook looks for, but he gets easily distracted by the few occasional drops running down the rest of his handsome features. Only when his whole body shivers from the cold does Taehyung snap out of his reverie, hugging himself to provide at least a bit of much needed warmth.

Jungkook seems to come to his senses as well, swiftly going around him to fetch a lamp from the nearest wall and beckoning Taehyung to follow.

He is made to sit on the plush white fur of a huge rug facing the fireplace, where Jungkook leaves him to disappear into one of the rooms.

A tingling sensation settles on his stomach the moment Jungkook comes back to kneel really close behind him, the gentle weight of his coarse hands falling on his shoulders.

"You should take this off," his voice is low as he tells Taehyung this, a whisper that is perhaps inoffensive in its nature and meant to soothe him, but it ignites something in Taehyung, and the heat that radiates from his body, plus their close proximity, does not help mitigate the feeling at all. His limbs are somehow frozen and unresponsive, making it an impossibility to shed off his coat himself.

However, Jungkook seems to have wanted to aid him from the start, his hands working ever so slowly, carefully shedding Taehyung's drenched coat that is surely not worth this much consideration. The rough pad of his fingertips linger on Taehyung's exposed nape for two seconds too long, and it seems accidental at first, but as he continues to pull the coat down, fingers gliding across the expanse of his shoulders and arms and clearly feeling through the buttoned shirt he is wearing, it becomes evident that the touch is deliberate. Taehyung's cheeks set ablaze as he tries to convince himself otherwise.

A hushed apology reaches his ears. Jungkook stands, stomping away rather loudly in what appears to be a mixture of embarrassment and regret, and Taehyung ceases to breathe for a second, confusion settling on his chest.

Not a single word is spoken as he accepts the dry blanket that is placed over his stiff shoulders. It puzzles him even more that Jungkook appears too mortified to even glance his way. Taehyung understands they are to forget the incident. His eyes focus on the licks of fire in front of him as he forces his mind to astray, trying to think of something, anything, but the ghost of Jungkook's fingers on him.

Jungkook comes and goes, minutes pass, and nature begins its rampage outside. The wind howls in an ominous manner that will surely give him nightmares lasting a lifetime, fat droplets of rain incessantly knock on the closed windows as if begging for entrance, and the murmur of the first thunder makes the entire house tremble. Taehyung shifts and fidgets, uneasy. He has never been keen of thunderstorms, after all.

His hair and clothes are dry by now, and Jungkook was compassionate enough to make warm chamomile tea for the two of them without being asked to, but Taehyung cannot help it. He feels terribly abandoned in the distressing silence Jungkook bestows upon them as he sits by his side, ignoring Taehyung in favor of reading the letter.

Taehyung's face hardens into a frown when a flash of lighting seeps through the closed curtains, and he begins to count in his head, dreadfully waiting for the thunder to strike.

"Taehyung," Jungkook's voice is sweet as honey compared to the horrifying sounds that he has been enduring during the past ten excruciating minutes, and Taehyung schools his expression before hesitantly turning his head to look at him. They are close, he realizes, close enough that their knees graze each other, and he briefly wonders how he didn't notice earlier. Strangely, their personal space remains unperturbed, as if being this close is the only way to be. "I have been thinking, shall I write the reply while you are here?"

Slightly perplexed by the odd question, Taehyung does his best to ignore the striding thunder, and focuses on Jungkook.

"I-I suppose you shall. We are trapped in here until the storm passes, anyway."

Jungkook carelessly lowers prince Jimin's letter to the floor, leaving it in plain view for Taehyung's curious eyes to see. Taehyung forces himself not to look.

"No, what I mean is, today and from now on, too," Jungkook explains. "I believe if you go back with a reply instead of empty hands it makes much more sense, do you not agree?"

"Oh. Yes, definitely." Taehyung nods, smiling. "Prince Jimin will be most pleased, to both send and receive a letter from you on the same day. What a genius idea, Jungkook."

Jungkook's eyes glisten, and Taehyung thinks it is the mention of prince Jimin what put those sparkles in there, not his words of praise. He scolds himself for even daring to think that this man, who is so obviously infatuated with the prince, had somehow wished to touch him in an intimate way.

"So, shall we make this a daily occurrence? You, staying with me until the letter is written?" Jungkook looks and sounds like an overexcited puppy, and Taehyung is torn between wanting to pinch his cheeks or laughing at the ridiculous change of character. He does none, of course.

"Yes, Jungkook, we shall do that."

"Great. I promise not to take long with my replies, the last thing I want is to cause you trouble by keeping you from your work."

"It is fine, but I do think you should be left alone if you are to write something so intimate... Will I not be intruding? "

"Trust me, you won't." He beams. Caught in the brilliance of his smile, Taehyung is far from suspecting that his words hide a secret meaning. "Right, I almost forgot. Are you hungry?"

"A little, but you need not feed me, Jungkook. My stomach can perfectly wait until I get back."

Jungkook dismisses him with a flick of his hand and stands up. "Nonsense. Wait here."

Taehyung lets out a sigh, lightly shaking his head. Is there an end to Jungkook's kindness? He is starting to feel indebted to him.

When Jungkook comes back with a basket of strawberries in one hand, Taehyung's eyes sparkle and his mouth waters.

He sits down next to Taehyung and smiles sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. "You told me you liked strawberries, and I happened to get a handful yesterday."

His heart falters, insides melting. "Oh, Jungkook, you remembered," Taehyung whispers, not bothering to conceal the huge smile that blooms on his face. "It is most thoughtful of you...I am delighted, thank you, but you did not have to--"

"It is nothing, really," Jungkook assures him, still shy as he offers the whole basket to Taehyung. "These are from the Jung's farm, a friend of mine. They're practically free."

The sweet, fruity fragrance fills his nostrils and Taehyung finds them most appetizing, all succulent bright red. "They look delicious," he mumbles appreciatively.

"Well, they taste so," Jungkook confirms, digging his hand into the basket to bring one of the biggest strawberries up to Taehyung's face. "Try one, come on. Fruit spoils if you only look at it."

Taehyung gladly accepts the fruit offered to him and takes the entire piece into his mouth. His eyes widen at the rich flavor that explodes on his tongue, and he looks at Jungkook, who simply smiles before taking two pieces into his mouth himself. He twists his face in an exaggerated manner as he chews with the sole purpose of making Taehyung laugh, which he inevitably does.

They peacefully eat some more until Jungkook produces a sheet of paper, an ink bottle and a plume from his pocket. Taehyung watches as he skillfully wiggles the plume around his fingers, signaling that he will get to work on the reply now. Placing the white paper on the rug, Jungkook bends slightly, supporting himself on his forearms, and begins scribbling.

As Jungkook is busy on his task, Taehyung entertains himself by risking multiple glances at his concentrated face where shadow and light dance beautifully, listening to the crackling sound of the fireplace and the rain pouring outside.

Taehyung's teeth dig unconsciously on his lip. He tries to be subtle, but he cannot bring himself look away, and he knows he is not entirely at fault - Jungkook is easily the most handsome man he has ever seen. It's fascinating to watch how his features draw tightly as he thinks, the way his tongue darts out to glide across his lips every now and then, and how he bites his inner cheek when the plume dries out and needs to be dipped in the ink.

Prince Jimin is one fortunate man.

»»————««

It is most challenging seeking to focus on the boring letter he is doomed to write when he has Kim Taehyung sitting right beside him, emanating a warmth he is steadily growing addicted to. What he yearns to do right now is the simplest of complications: to gawk at the blond to his heart's content. However, Jungkook is well aware that his heart would never be satisfied, for Taehyung's existence alone is absolutely captivating and downright maddening, and to stare at him indefinitely would be by all means strange, to say the least.

Jungkook catches him staring again, and again, and again, and every time he does, those doe eyes widen for a second or two before dropping to the floor in sheer abashment.

He resists the urge to smirk, and thoroughly ponders if he should say something about it. Oftentimes, when Taehyung is present, Jungkook finds it especially intricate to have control over what he says and does - he acts on impulse, which is rare of him, and so now he is overcome by the crippling dread of scaring Taehyung away with his disarray.

"What is it?" Jungkook finally queries, dropping the plume and abandoning the letter altogether. Emboldened by Taehyung's blush, he tilts his head and undoes the second button of his shirt, pretending to be innocent in his ways. He pretends not to know the reason behind the blond's furtive glances, pretends not to think of Taehyung's tentativeness as the depiction of utter adorableness.

"Nothing," Taehyung mumbles and drops his gaze, taking interest in his lap.

Really, what a lovely display. Jungkook couldn't conceive an angel more beautiful in both looks and character. But his face, oh, this Jungkook especially adored: his perfectly asymmetrical face, littered by little moles scattered in the most random of ways.

Bathed by the warm light of the fireplace, Taehyung's golden skin glows like a jewel would, and Jungkook believes this all-consuming infatuation will be the cause of his eventual demise. It is as if he is constantly throwing arrows that land true at Jungkook's poor, fragile heart, and Jungkook, despite being favorably quick-witted himself, is not entirely sure whether Taehyung does it on purpose, or he is completely oblivious. Both are equally menacing.

Occupied in observing Taehyung and taking note of what he does not say - a rather unhealthy habit he has adopted recently, Jungkook is slightly taken aback when he speaks anew, voice mellow.

"I wonder when it will stop."

"Soon, if the lack of thunder is any indication to go by."

His breath hitches the moment Taehyung's gaze unexpectedly meets his, "Do you think I could leave before noon?"

"I believe you could," Jungkook easily answers, the hint of a teasing grin dancing on his lips as he continues, "But do tell me, am I so disagreeable a company that you wish to leave as soon as possible?"

"Of course not," Taehyung is quick to answer, and to Jungkook he looks rather offended by the question. "If anything, you are most amiable, Jungkook. And you ought to know how grateful I am for every minute spent in your company."

"I can say the same to you, Taehyung." Jungkook flashes a sincere smile, Taehyung smiles back with even more fervor, and Jungkook is so overcome by this perfect rapture that he barely processes what he says next, "You are a sight worth staring at for hours on end."

Taehyung flushes red and ducks his head, "You should really not say such things."

"I am merely stating the truth. Have you seen yourself?" He boldly asks, heart thrumming on his ears as Taehyung curiously stares at him, flustered. "I could lend you a mirror, if you would like."

Taehyung meekly shakes his head. "There is no need, I know very well what I look like."

"I do not think you do." Jungkook cannot hold his tongue, Taehyung's reactions are too encouraging. "It has come to my attention that you seek opportunities to hide, to make yourself small and invisible. If I were half as handsome as you are, I would want the whole world to see me."

There is a brief pause in which they only look at each other. Taehyung speaks at last, hesitant, "But you are handsome, Jungkook, very much so."

Jungkook's pride swells, feeling lightheaded, yet he huffs, visibly unimpressed.

"Whatever handsomeness you speak of pales next to your beauty." He gushes, relishing in the way Taehyung's breath seems to get caught on his throat. Jungkook does not take notice, but he is gradually inching forwards until their noses are a breath from touching. His eyes rake all over Taehyung's features, and it should be impossible, but from up close, he is even more breathtaking. "Your hair, the shape of your lips, your eyes. All are meant to be adored, worshiped even."

"Please, stop." Taehyung pleads in a desperate whisper, but his eyes seem to tell otherwise, seem to beg for Jungkook to continue. "I do not think I have what it takes to survive such high praise."

Jungkook persists, "Your engaging temperament, too. Never have I ever met someone so good natured, dutiful and-"

"Jungkook!" Taehyung finally whines, all smiles and crimsoned cheeks as he pushes him away, lightly hitting Jungkook's chest in retaliation, and Jungkook relents only then, poorly disguising his laughter as timid rays of sunshine begin to filter through the curtains. 

Chapter Text

Taehyung merrily hums a tune while his eyes are set on the purpose of observing his blurry reflection on the surface of a metal pot, fingers working assiduously to tame the very few, though remarkably wild, strands of blond hair which stubbornly refuse to stay in place. Inside the deadly silent kitchen, Taehyung allows himself to dwell in such act of vanity without interruption, and the burning longing to see Jungkook, who inevitably occupies his mind, fuels the need to make himself look better than decent.

Naturally, he is least expecting it when a voice comes seemingly out of nowhere, "My, my, such high spirits so early in the morning."

As if he were a child caught stealing candy, Taehyung briskly turns around, eyes slightly wide as he lets the pot fall behind him with a loud clink. Fortunately, from the shadows of the kitchen emerges a face he knows all too well.

"Seokjin!" Taehyung cries out, "You startled me."

The man, as handsome as always in spite of the early hours, smiles fondly. Taehyung merely stares as he approaches to pick up the pot he so carelessly dropped.

"Though it was not my intention, I must admit that I have no regrets," Seokjin says, handing the pot to him and barely concealing his amusement as he recalls Taehyung's shocked expression.

Taehyung, rather embarrassed by his own overreaction, without delay places the pot back where it belongs. When he turns around, they are facing each other, and Taehyung purposely ignores the questioning look Seokjin throws upon him. "I could not imagine you to be awake at this hour today. Did you not sleep well?"

"I slept as soundly as a baby. But I am positively surprised by this awfully rare exhibition of good spirits," he declares in a joyous manner. Taehyung tenses. "It does make me wonder, whether it has anything to do with those secretive morning trips of yours, hmm?"

At Seokjin's revealing words, his blood runs cold, and he begs, "Please, tell me no one else knows."

It is terrifying to think, indeed, but it is very possible that the other servants might have taken notice of his unusual schedule as well. And while he is sure Seokjin could keep a secret for him, it is guaranteed that the others would not try to.

"Don't you fret, I do not think anyone noticed," Seokjin confirms softly, placing a reassuring hand on Taehyung's shoulder, and he is able to breathe normally again. "But I did, and it is only fair that you share with me where you have been going."

For a moment, the warmth of Seokjin's eyes makes him believe it is safe to tell him, but he is quickly deterred of the idea by the image of an upset prince Jimin. "I hope you will forgive me, but as much as I value our friendship, this is the only thing I cannot possibly tell you."

"What is the matter with this much secrecy?" he inquires. At Taehyung's silence, Seokjin frowns slightly in what appears to be nothing more than childish disappointment. "Does the prince know?"

"Yes, he does."

After an awkward pause, Seokjin clears his throat and gives Taehyung a meaningful look, "If it is a lover you are seeing, you need not be ashamed, for it is quite fine and expected for someone in the blooming days of youth as you are, to have a lover or two to sneak to."

"A lover, you say!" Taehyung gasps louder than he intends to, feeling heat pooling at his cheeks. "Heavens, no."

"Dear, do not try to deny what is blatantly obvious," Seokjin lets out a short laugh, smiling knowingly, "Your eyes shine a different light, what else could it be if not young, foolish love?"

Seokjin's words strike true, and the more he refuses to think of Jungkook as a - lover, yes - the more his vivid imagination betrays him. Taehyung shakes his head in stubborn denial to dwell in such nonsense. "Love, hardly possible," he firmly states, "Friendship, perhaps."

"Surely you do not think you can fool me, do you?"

"I would never dream of it," he confesses, but to no avail, Seokjin is already narrowing his eyes at him. "Stop looking at me like that. It is an acquaintance of mine I am seeing, nothing more."

Seokjin hums, at last moving away from Taehyung to prepare his own breakfast in silence, although he does catch him murmuring, "Love it is, then."

"You never tire of teasing me, do you?" he playfully laments, but waits for no answer and starts walking towards the door, the first rays of sunshine finally entering the windows. "I must take my leave now," he politely announces.

"Have fun!", it's Seokjin's final, and by all means teasing, shout.

Taehyung swiftly moves along the corridor that leads to a hidden exit, and soon enough, he is settled on his horse with the letter safely secured in the folds of his coat. Making sure he does not draw any unwanted attention, Taehyung carefully rides to the secondary gate meant to be used by royal guards and servants.

As it is expected, said gate is open and the surroundings are conveniently deserted, but when he goes to make his way through it, a gruff voice calls out for him to halt all movement. He does stop, not because he chooses to, but because he is unable to continue. He freezes on the spot as his breath catches in his throat, and the dreadful realization of being found out begins to make him nauseous.

Taehyung can barely suppress the shiver that travels down his spine to his very toes, and he can do little else but watch, completely petrified, how the royal guard approaches with confident and alarmingly fast strides.

"Where do you think you are going?", the man nearly growls. His tone is not the least bit innocuous, if anything, it is harsh and demanding and biting. As seconds pass and no reply comes, the guard seems to lose the minuscule patience he has been graced with, and all but glares up at him.

Taehyung swallows thickly before deciding on a non-betraying answer, "I am on duty, sir."

"Where to?"

Taehyung grips the reigns into his fists and wills himself to remain calm. While keeping a straight, unperturbed face, he comes up with an excuse that he deems believable enough, and decides to push his luck, "Heading to town, sir. The kitchen has run out of eggs."

Eggs. Seokjin would have openly laughed at his inconvenient lack of imagination when it came to lying, but alas, Taehyung has never been a good liar. He does, however, hope that this royal guard is dense enough to not notice.

The guard narrows his eyes, seemingly deep in thought. "Why have I not been notified of this?”

Good heavens, he is dense.

Taehyung speaks again, with more confidence shaping his speech this time, "I suppose my superiors might have seen it more fitting to simply send me, sir. After all, there is no reasonable need to worry the royal guards with matters as embarrassing and lowly as the lack of eggs in the royal kitchen, is there?" The guard blinks stupidly at him, as if he somehow struggles to keep up with the continuous flow of words. Taehyung continues, "I do believe it would be quite problematic if the King were to find out about the unspeakable disorganization of--"

The guard groans in exasperation, "For heaven's sake, close that dammed mouth, lad!", and after such pitiable outburst, he angrily gestures to the exit, not bothering to look at Taehyung again. "Leave at once and make haste."

"Yes, sir."

Finally, Taehyung is free from the palace's walls, riding towards his destination with a triumphant smile on his face. He cannot wait to see the look on Jungkook's face once he tells him.

»»————««

Upon arrival, Jungkook had asked, most politely, if Taehyung would be so kind as to wait until he was done with a pile of several straw bales that needed to be stocked, and Taehyung had been nodding his head yes before the man had even finished wording out his petition.

Taehyung often wonders why he cannot bring himself to be more subtle, to not give in Jungkook's wishes with such shameless ease, but the only plausible answer he finds is the realization that he has developed a soft spot in his heart for the farmer, and this is as embarrassing as it is dangerous. He cannot help lamenting the pitiable outcome of this newfound feeling should it evolve into something else - something greater and ineffable and absurd.

Now, despite being comfortably sat on the cool grass with his back resting against the base of a tree and sheltered by its generous shade, Taehyung feels sick with the inevitable dread of uselessness that originates from watching Jungkook work under the merciless sun. The weather is most pleasant for him, warm breeze soothing against his face, but Taehyung is deeply affected by the thought that it may not be so pleasant to Jungkook. No, it simply cannot feel the same for him, he thinks, not with the way he appears to be sweating so profusely.

Jungkook groans as one especially monstrous straw bale falls from his shoulder and hits the ground of the nearest stable rather loudly. The frown on Taehyung's face is evident, and he deliberately waits until Jungkook comes back to retrieve another to speak, "Are you alright?"

It is not the first time he asks him this, and definitely it will not be the last, for his concern doesn’t dissipate and only seems to escalate, regardless of the answer.

Jungkook comes to a halt where Taehyung is, breathing unusually even despite all the work he has been doing. He brings a strong hand to his sweaty forehead, and after rubbing the excess of wetness on his white shirt, he finally looks down at Taehyung. "For the last time, Taehyung, I feel quite alright," he says, determined to sound reprimanding, but failing when his voice shows the smallest hint of fondness. "I have no need for help."

Steady to his purpose, Taehyung insists, "You do look like you could benefit from a bit of help, or rest, or both." Jungkook, after giving the impression that he would at least consider his suggestion, waves a dismissive hand, and his stubbornness makes Taehyung sigh in defeat. "Does it pain your pride so much that you must decline my help?"

"My pride shall never guide my actions," he replies, and for a moment, the finality of those words makes Taehyung think Jungkook will turn and leave. Instead, he moves closer so that he now stands in the cooling shade of the tree as well, and Taehyung is at last relieved. "Would you not think it inappropriate if I were to accept the assistance of my own guest?"

"Well, yes, but it seems you have forgotten that I am no guest. I deliver letters."

The sound of Jungkook's laughter is always pleasing to hear, but as it quickly dies down and he walks away to continue with his task, Taehyung is once again left to his particular misery. He wishes to help, to make himself useful, and secretly, to be with him, but the other will not allow any of it, and now he must admit he is more bored than he is worried.

Much to his surprise, Jungkook comes back and drops one of those straw bales in front of him, a childish smile on his face. "See?" his eyebrows move oddly up and down, which results in Taehyung letting out a small chuckle, and he continues, "These are not as heavy as you think they are."

Feigning interest, Taehyung examines the bale for a few seconds, then slowly moves his gaze up to Jungkook's face, who is looking back at him expectantly. 

"I suppose I must believe you," he concedes, although not fully convinced to leave his concern for the other's wellbeing, "but I still should hate to see you exert yourself while I sit here and do nothing."

"While it pleases me how considerate you are," Jungkook begins, "I would like it better if you ceased worrying about me, for I am in no way exerting myself."

"That does little to mend the guilt that eats at my heart, I must say."

"I am afraid I cannot save your heart from this irrational guilt you speak of," the competitive glimmer in those deep brown eyes challenging his own proves that Jungkook is headstrong to a fault, which clearly indicates the beginning of an endless argument that has Taehyung rolling his eyes.

"There has to be something I can do, I am sure," he tries again, standing up to be at Jungkook's eye level, "if you would just let me--"

Jungkook places a heated hand on Taehyung's shoulder and promptly cuts him off before he can say another word, "Taehyung, you really have only two flaws. One is your dangerous determination, and the other, your inability to take compliments."

"Oh believe me, Jungkook, I have many more flaws than just two," he counters in spite of the warming feeling that threatens to cloud his judgment, "and while the former might be one of them, the latter is not."

Jungkook lifts a playful eyebrow, leisurely sliding his hand down Taehyung's arm as he comes to stand closer, "Oh? How so?", when he smiles, innocently devilish, Taehyung believes it an impossibility not to stare at his mouth. "I am certain if I called you beautiful right now, you would hit me."

"Of course I would, and rightfully so," he defends, "You cannot expect me to accept compliments that are exaggerated, after all."

"I surely do not recall exaggerating anything I ever said to you."

"You must have poor memory, then."

"Not at all, although you always make me forget myself," Jungkook easily admits, breathy against his warm cheeks. Taehyung didn't take notice before, but now he realizes, with a great amount of self-awareness, that Jungkook may be a bit too close to his face to not be considered intimate. With much difficulty, Taehyung forces himself to look up from his lips, and is met with the shocking realization that Jungkook's eyes are fixed on his own mouth. Jungkook seems to sense this, for he hastily looks up as well and their eyes find each other. Unable to endure the intensity of the situation, he ducks his head and focuses on the grass where he sees one of Jungkook's boots stepping in between his shoes. "How did we start this conversation?" Jungkook eventually asks.

“So-something about straw bales, I believe.”

Saying nothing about his stuttering, Jungkook steps back as if he had just taken notice of the invasion of personal space he was committing. “I shall get back to work," he announces with some sort of difficulty, clearing his throat. Taehyung only nods, hoping that he will be left alone now to compose his shaking self, but Jungkook seems to have a few more words to say him, "And please, do ignore me. I fear I will never get anything done if you keep looking my way."

Taehyung looks up at the mention of such odd petition, and is ready to ask him of the meaning behind it, but the other is already gone to continue with his duties, and as it often happens when one is told not to do something, Taehyung scarcely ignores Jungkook.

Not even once does Jungkook glance his way, and soon Taehyung tires of it and decides to do something else. At last, he finds entertainment in the calming process of plucking the small buttercups that are scattered all around him from their bed of grass. Out of boredom, his able fingers thread the buttercups' stems together to create a flower crown. Later, looking at the finished crown with a proud heart, he briefly tussles his hair before placing it on his head.

He is on his knees and in the middle of collecting more of the small flowers to make another crown when Jungkook approaches with heavy steps. Naturally, this causes Taehyung to lift his head to acknowledge him, and in the process of taking his figure in, he marvels at the taut muscles of his arms and neck. Even glistening with a thin layer of sweat, Jungkook does not appear the tiniest bit less handsome.

Jungkook comes to sit down in front of him, letting out a sigh of relief when the cool grass touches his heated skin. Drying his hands on his shirt, he dedicates Taehyung a small smile, and Taehyung wills himself not to tremble when the hand he raises comes near his face, traveling upwards to touch the flower crown that is elegantly decorating his head.

"Flowers look most becoming on you," his expression is unreadable as he says this. Visibly enraptured, Jungkook slides careful fingers over the flowers, regarding Taehyung almost adoringly. "Marvelous work," he praises, hesitant as he retracts his hand to let it fall on his lap, "you have gifted hands. Soft, gifted hands."

On the outside, Taehyung remains unperturbed, but on the inside, every inch of him is tingling so violently that he feels the inexplicable need to jump and dance and rejoice.

Under the pretense of finding Jungkook's attentions the most amusing nuisance, he says, "Flattery flows out of your mouth with such ease that I am convinced it is your mother tongue."

"You amuse me, but it is most certainly not," he briefly chuckles, "I like to say what I think. Is that a crime?"

"Well, I would not say crime, but sometimes saying what is on one's mind is not at all advisable."

Jungkook looks greatly pleased by his response, showing no delay in complimenting his wit before easing away any traces of enjoyment from his face and falling silent. His eyes, however, remain bright and fixed on the top of Taehyung's head.

He smiles, understanding. “Do you want me to make one for you?” At the question, Jungkook appears to be lost in thought and nods, saying not a thing.

After a while, Taehyung has finished yet another beautiful flower crown that he eagerly places on Jungkook's head, sitting back to endlessly admire his creation, and how well it fits him. It is a real pity that Jungkook's frown spoils the overall adorable sight.

"It feels odd on me," Jungkook nearly whines.

"How can you say that when you have not yet seen yourself?"

"Taehyung, I know you are too polite to openly mock me, but I am aware of how laughable I must look," Jungkook lifts one hand in an attempt to grab the flower crown, possibly to take it off, but Taehyung swats his hand away in a scolding manner.

"Oh hush, you look lovely."

Jungkook's hand falls flat on his lap, watching Taehyung curiously. "Who is abusing flattery now?"

"It is not-", he begins, but promptly falls silent upon noticing the widening of Jungkook's smile. "I truly mean it, you look lovely."

His chest swells in the most delightful manner when he notes that Jungkook, possibly unaccustomed to be the one on the receiving end of praise, seems mildly flustered. He laughs.

The sensation is short-lived however, for without any sort of warning, Jungkook startles him by inching forward. He reaches out as if he means to touch Taehyung's crown again, but his hand comes to bury itself in his hair instead. Against reason, Taehyung cannot bring himself to flinch or protest as he finds the caress effortlessly pleasurable, heart beating out of his ribcage.

"You..." Jungkook whispers, hastily retracting his hand. He opens his mouth to say more only to clench his jaw shut, mind and heart clearly at war.

“What is it?” Taehyung, albeit awkward, eventually asks, and it feels like the bravest thing he has ever done.

"I apologize, I could not resist touching it," Jungkook says in a rush,"Now I know it is soft, like the rest of you."

Upon hearing this, his cheeks set ablaze, and Taehyung truly believes in the possibility that Jungkook could be courting him, but quickly decides that such twisted supposition can only be the result of a wishful, despicable imagination.

"Jungkook, I..." he whispers, digging his teeth on his bottom lip to stop himself from saying it. He cannot. He mustn't. Not now, not ever.

Jungkook blinks owlishly, "Yes?"

"No," he shakes his head, "Do not mind me."

"Tell me, please, for I fear you are keeping many things to yourself these days."

"I... I forgot."

Much to his relief, Jungkook does not dig any further into the subject for the rest of the time they spend together, nor does he hint at anything related to it. They speak of horses and laugh at the ignorance that some royal guards display, but nothing is said in the lapses where their eyes glue to each other's with an unbearable hunger for intimacy. They pretend nothing is due to be said because both of them desperately seek to avoid the major confrontation of accepting what has blossomed within their hearts.

»»————««

"It is starting to worry me, Tae," Jimin confesses one lovely afternoon, voice taut with feeling, "His late replies are considerably of less ardent nature, rushed even."

They are in one of the several royal gardens, both lazily sat on a cloth that is there because the prince cannot stand the sight of crawling bugs. Prince Jimin has his head rested on Taehyung's lap, blond strands of hair fanned out beautifully as he reads, over and over again, Jungkook's letter with scrutinizing eyes.

Taehyung is determined to listen intently to each and all of the prince worries, but as it has come to be a common occurrence these days, he is doomed to fail, for his head is inconveniently full of him.

"How so?" Taehyung asks, encouraging the prince to continue as he does his best to soothe him with careful fingers that brush at his hair, occasionally threading the silky locks with lilies.

"I cannot be certain, but the way he addresses his feelings does not seem clear to me anymore," he lets out a gloomy sigh. "Do you think he is losing interest?"

The question makes his eyebrows draw together, "I would find that rather impossible, for he seemed quite intent in having a letter written a day for you, and as far as I am concerned, he is most diligent when he writes them."

"'You ought to know I wish you well'," the prince reads aloud in the deepest voice he can manage, presumably imitating that of Jungkook's. They share some giggles before the prince is back at the main subject of interest. "He ends the letter there, how terribly bland. Do you not think it odd?"

"I think it is quite the gallant way to end a letter."

"You are so naive, Tae," he groans. "Always thinking so high of others that you fail to see where they fall short."

"I am not naive, you worry too much."

"Perhaps, but I cannot have him think I am an easy catch," he says and lifts his gaze searching for Taehyung's. Taehyung smiles down at him. "Tomorrow," the prince tells him, looking too serious all of sudden, "when you see him, I want you to remind him that it requires more effort on his part to keep me interested."

He nods, "Yes, I shall."

Chapter Text

An entire week elapsed with no greater events other than the usual load of work in the kitchen, the pleasant mornings he would spend with Jungkook, and the irritable condition of the prince's character, whose increasing doubt of the veracity of Jungkook's feelings has successfully planted the seed of concern in Taehyung's consciousness. It is at night, when the absence of company makes introspection inevitable, that he is mercilessly assaulted by his own jumbled thoughts and contrary feelings on the matter.

These musings encouraged Taehyung to favor the reasonable possibility of Jungkook losing interest in the prince due to the neglecting nature of their premature affair. Anyone sensible enough would find neither the prince nor Jungkook guilty of such a lamentable outcome, after all, they had only seen each other once, and said meeting was remembered for its briefness. Indeed, Taehyung believes no love can possibly blossom and prosper in the distant interaction of correspondence without the blessing of spontaneous physical proximity, but this particular is not the main cause of his distress.

What brings chaos to his mind is something he purposely seeks to ignore without success. This is the twisted, and by all means inaccurate, likelihood of him being somehow guilty of their separation, in other words, an arrogant notion that implies he could be the reason Jungkook can't think the prince a suitable lover anymore. Taehyung persists on silencing such embarrassing chain of thoughts away, convinced they are founded by the illusion of an inclination his lonely heart secretly wishes Jungkook had towards him.

Upon prince Jimin's request, he had informed Jungkook of the matter at hand - albeit censoring all of his private reflections on it - and his reaction had struck him as quite elusive, but mostly silent, which far from shedding light into the topic, only added to Taehyung's inner turmoil. The mortifying revelation of Jungkook's indifference Taehyung wished to share with the prince immediately, but knowing all too well it would make him even more miserable, he endeavored to comfort the prince with kind words full of hope. For prince Jimin's sake, he chose to bury the truth, and let it haunt himself instead.

Ironically, only during his daily visits to Jungkook's farm does his distress lessen to extinction.

When he arrived this morning, each and every one of his worries dissipated completely as if by some miracle, and the sight of a nicely dressed Jungkook already waiting for him outside shocked him so pleasantly that his heart began to flutter in the most inappropriate manner. Their eyes locked, and slight confusion mingled with bewilderment as he took note of Jungkook's determined expression. Luckily, he was able to conceal it well under his usual cheerful countenance, and he promptly inquired Jungkook, who announced the urgent necessity of his visiting town today, more specifically the marketplace.

It did not occur to him that Jungkook would remember his accidentally expressing an innocent interest in visiting for the first time the town's marketplace, and as surprise died down and realization sank in, Taehyung beamed in delight. Jungkook insisted he would not have him refusing to come along and left no room for objection, but contrary to reason, Taehyung did not in the least hesitate to accept such a tempting invitation. Too excited to care for boundaries, he happily glued himself to Jungkook's side, and the two of them set off on an amiable stroll to town, which fortunately was at a most convenient distance of only one mile away from the farm.

Now, Taehyung tries not to gawp in stupefied wonder at the color and vibrancy that engulfs them upon entering the bustling marketplace. He has never seen anything like it before, so grand and yet humble, so full of extravagant merchants and children overflowing with zest, so alive and distinct from the boring palace grounds.

"What a marvelous place this is!" he tells Jungkook, unable to hide his enthusiasm, "I hardly know where to look."

"I imagine it must be overwhelming for those foreign to this part of town as you are," Jungkook's warm voice is meant to soothe. "May I be your guide?" he asks, "I promise not to disappoint. I pride myself in knowing how to locate all of the best items."

Taehyung is glad that Jungkook offered, but instead of agreeing right away, he chooses to amuse himself a little, "I believe to become an expert at something one must first enjoy it. And, aware as I am of your preference for solitude, it puzzles me greatly that you would fancy frequenting a place so loaded with people."

"I never said I fancied coming here," Jungkook counters in equal amusement, "Rather, my knowledge comes from dreadful repetition, as every now and then I must endure a certain amount of discomfort in order to get what I want. In fact, do not we all engage in this art?"

He cannot find Jungkook's words to be more painfully true. "Certainly," he replies, finally shifting his gaze from the crowd and other distractions to Jungkook's handsome face. "You say you will guide me, but how do you know what I would like to see?"

"It is a game of guess," he says with a charming smile, "Shall I show you, then?"

Taehyung nods eagerly, "I trust your expertise to surprise me. Please, lead the way."

"Stay close," Jungkook gives him a significant look, "I do not want to lose you."

As they venture further into the marketplace, Taehyung tails behind Jungkook, making him halt embarrassingly often to admire the magnificently dyed fabrics of the dresses and coats, the beautiful patterns of rugs, tapestries and curtains, and the vivid color and smell of fruits freshly recollected. It is such a pleasant experience that he is content with merely looking and does not consider buying anything, especially since he doesn't have any money with him. However, Jungkook does get a bag of pretzels for the two of them, and after striving to refuse yet having his stomach betray him, the treats are gone sooner than he would like to admit.

Nothing but joy, adoration, and gratitude towards Jungkook radiates from him in this instant. Taehyung has never felt so alive and cared for, and every time Jungkook looks at him, the world ceases its movement and his heart throbs with a tender affection that he can only hope it's not noticeable.

They've taken a thorough stop at one of the stalls where perfumes and jewelry are conveniently displayed to draw the attention of every potential customer. Many of the hand-made necklaces he sees impress him greatly in their uniqueness, but none takes his breath away as the one holding the most resplendent purple stone.

"Yes, pure amethyst, that one is!" the merchant cries out as early as he notes his interest.

Unable to take his eyes away from it, Taehyung lets out a dreamy sigh, but he is soon startled back into reality when a body presses close to his back.

"I hope I did not tire you already," Jungkook speaks behind him, more playful than apologetic, and he rests his head on Taehyung's shoulder to better examine the items that have caught his eye. Easing back into a relaxed position, Taehyung forcefully tears his gaze from the wondrous necklace, vowing to save enough for it in the future, and steps aside to make space for Jungkook.

"You truly underestimate me, Jungkook," he begins, mischievous as he avoids Jungkook's curious gaze and keeps his own fixed on the shimmering pendants. "It takes far more than an hour of wandering to tire me. To be honest, I am having so much a delectable experience that I fear I will not want to go back."

"Well, I am pleased to know we share the same sentiment. I must admit, however it astonishes me, today is the first time I find I cannot be bothered by the crowd."

Taehyung smiles to himself and resumes walking, only to take notice that Jungkook does not tag along immediately after. He turns around and observes that Jungkook is still standing in front of the previous stall, eyeing the variety of jewelry which the merchant, much eager to sell, proudly presents to him. The wandering crowd makes it hard to keep an eye on Jungkook, and he considers going back to him, but decides to stay where he is not wanting to pry as he comes to the realization that Jungkook looked decided to buy something, and prince Jimin comes to mind.

As Jungkook is detained by the insistent merchant, who seems to make it his inexorable duty to persuade him of buying more than just one item, Taehyung is shocked to feel a rough hand grabbing at his elbow and twisting him around. His immediate reaction is to glower at the impolite manners of the person who so unceremoniously called for his attention, but due to the gentle nature of his temper, he does not.

The man, a beggar, Taehyung observes, comes to stand before him much too close to his liking, all muddied face and sticky breath as he pleads for coins. "Kind sir," he whimpers pitifully, "Some coins to spare? I have not eaten in days."

On the assumption of the evident suffering this unfortunate man must be prey to, Taehyung's features soften, and without being apologized to he forgives his offense. He too laments not being able to aid the man at the moment, for he does not have anything to give him, and he does not think it would be appropriate to ask Jungkook for coins either.

"Forgive me," Taehyung speaks to him most tenderly, "but I do not have any coins with me."

Against all reasonable expectations, at the negative answer there is a drastic change in the beggar's character. Now, his hateful scowl stings Taehyung, and the grip he has on his elbow hardens.

"Lies!" he spits, and in a swift motion, he is propelling Taehyung towards his filthy body with a force that makes him realize, much to his horror, that this man is far too strong to be a poor, starved beggar in need of help. As if running solely on instinct, he whips his head to the side and struggles to find Jungkook's unassuming form standing at a fair distance from them, still very much invested in the task of buying and most likely unable to hear nor see what is currently happening.

It is unfortunate how badly Taehyung is deterred from calling out for help since far from finding aid in the crowd, he perceives people walk past them with a glance of distant annoyance at most, as if what is currently unfolding was a common occurrence. Breathing harshly, Taehyung resolves he is alone in his misfortune and struggles to free himself from the man's hold the best he can manage, but the inevitable friction of their bodies oddly puts a twisted smirk on the man's lips.

"A tempter, I see," he disgustingly breathes out, digging his thick fingers on Taehyung's arm, who can barely stifle a shriek at the ill-treatment. "I bet, with such looks, you would do well in a brothel."

The unbelievably crude words that so shamelessly come out of the man's mouth both petrify and nauseate Taehyung, but his desire to escape this awful situation is much greater than the importance of salvaging his wounded pride. "Please, let me go, I do not want any trouble," he tries to reason with him.

Despite his efforts to remain civil, the man purposely chooses to ignore his words and begins to drag Taehyung away, perhaps, into a more secluded area. Fueled by a strong repugnance and sense of survival, Taehyung's attempts to get out of his hold quickly grow in both intensity and aggression as he knees him on his belly and stomps on his feet with all his might. At one significant hard blow in the gut, the man groans in evident pain, and Taehyung yelps when he is shaken violently in rushed retaliation and bellowed at to stay still.

"I suggest you unhand him now, cur." Amidst the chaos, Jungkook's chilly voice cuts through the air like a knife successfully making everyone, including Taehyung's attacker, freeze. Sensing his heart's felicity, Taehyung hastily lifts his head to find him approaching in menacing strides. He is delighted to see him and wishes to revel in it, but upon spotting the glimmering blade he holds in his right hand, a gasp escapes him. "I shall have no delay in slicing your throat."

The man utters not a thing as he pushes Taehyung to the ground without any hint of delicacy and shows his deplorable cowardice in the act of running away, easily disappearing into the mass of people.

Jungkook rushes to Taehyung immediately, hiding the small weapon in the confines of his pocket. "Are you alright?" he inquires while offering an open hand, the obscure rage that darkened his expression moments ago appears to have faded into honest apprehension, and Taehyung has the impression that, had he not been thrown to the hard concrete, Jungkook would have gone behind his attacker to successfully make him pay the consequences.

Still breathing quite shallowly, Taehyung nods and stands on shaky legs with Jungkook's help. Thoughts of what could have happened had Jungkook not showed up in time flood his mind, and for a moment he dwells in the bottomless pit of self-blame, feeling stupid for not foreseeing the man's true intentions, for trusting so easily and causing Jungkook trouble.

He does not yet realize how much the incident has traumatized him, nor how badly he is trembling, thus for him it is most unexpected to find himself surrounded by warmth as the hand Jungkook places on his nape is used to carefully bring his body close to his into a soothing embrace. Such an act of intimacy feels so blissfully right that a shaky sigh escapes him, closing his eyes and leaning onto the comfort he is offered. Too soon, he recollects himself and albeit hesitant, begins to break away from Jungkook.

"Thank you," he says wholeheartedly, holding back from saying so much more. Upon gazing into Jungkook's eyes, a wave of immeasurable gratefulness and tenderness rushes through his entire being and he knows not how much longer he will be able to suppress it before he is fully consumed by it.

Jungkook shakes his head, "I am glad to see you unharmed, but you need not thank me. Confrontations such as this occur fairly often here, I should have known the better," he admits solemnly, sorrowful even, and Taehyung's eyebrows knit together at the evident regret bathing his features, "I should have never left your side."

"Oh, do not say that," he hurries to say, "You have been most kind and I cannot find any fault in your protection of me. In fact, it can only be my own fault. I am truly sorry to have burdened you this way."

"Taehyung, how can you think you have burdened me in any way?" Jungkook looks thoroughly astonished as he says this, "It is most definitely not your fault that you were waylaid. Please, do not ruin your peace of mind with a blame that you do not at all deserve." Jungkook's earnestness alone is able to make Taehyung understand the necessity of ceasing to indulge in his unhealthy habit of turning against himself.

Taehyung wishes to continue this conversation, but it appears the commotion has brought the undesirable attention of the crowd that is still gathered around them, and feeling uneasy under the scrutiny of so many eyes, they both agree it is best to end their visit.

Halfway from arriving at the farm, Jungkook halts all of sudden, and his hands busy themselves in a frantic search within the folds of his coat. Before Taehyung can ask what the matter is, Jungkook produces a small velvet pouch and turns to face him with a shy smile, "I forgot about this," it is the only thing he tells him. Then, after giving Taehyung a look he fails to grasp the meaning of, he proceeds to open the pouch, careful as he pulls out a fine leather cord.

Taehyung scarcely believes what is presented before his eyes. From the velvet pouch emerges a breathtaking necklace he had vowed to save enough for, the one decorated with the most fascinating purple stone. "It is beautiful," he finds himself uttering these words with a heavy heart, convinced he knows who the necklace is for.

"It really is," Jungkook agrees and steps forward, extending the hand that holds the necklace to Taehyung, "and I wish to see you wearing it."

Between incredulity and astonishment, Taehyung asks, "Me?" and it seems his reaction amuses Jungkook greatly, for an adorable chuckle leaves his lips.

"Yes, you. I hope you do not mind, but I could not bear to witness with how much longing your eyes fixed on it, and I supposed since you wished to have it, there was no harm in me getting it for you."

Overcome by emotions, Taehyung thinks he is not deserving of Jungkook's generosity, "Jungkook, I-," he struggles to find the right words, "I am too flattered, but I cannot possibly accept a gift of such high value. I would know not how to repay you."

"I shall accept no repayments from you," Jungkook warmly states, "Consider this a token of my appreciation." The warmth pooling at his cheeks is making Taehyung reconsider, but he still doubts. "Please?" he insists, "I will be very upset if you do not accept it."

Incapable of enduring Jungkook's bright pleading eyes any longer, Taehyung only hesitates for a moment before nodding his head in timid acceptance. He is rewarded with one of those rare, dazzling smiles of Jungkook, who comes to stand behind him and gently places the necklace around his neck.

Not long after that, they exchange their goodbyes in the form of a short embrace that occurs so naturally but implies too much, and the two of them part ways with the image of the other filling their heads.

Chapter Text

The overly warm breeze forces Taehyung to undo the first three buttons of his shirt in pursuit of cooling down, and the amethyst decorating the necklace Jungkook gifted him the other day is finally revealed from its confines, glimmering beautifully in the sunlight. He has not taken it off since it was given to him. Taehyung has made it his duty to guard such precious gift well under his shirt, close to his heart, hidden at all times to avoid unwanted inquiries.

Chapter Text

Resisting the violent urge to drag his shoes over the lengthy woolen rug, and still maintaining a much-practiced elegance of posture, Jimin retreats to his chambers wishing to be relieved at last of the vexing aftermath that followed every royal gathering, particularly the frivolous evening parties. He had succeeded in excusing himself from the ball on a false upset stomach, although he doubts his sudden retreat will be remembered by anybody present.

As he walks with poorly contained haste, a servant girl bows respectfully to him and, possibly to avoid disturbing the prince with her duties and unfit appearance, hurries to disappear from his sight. However, before she does manage to walk past him, Jimin makes her halt.

"Do you happen to know where Taehyung is?" he inquires, and his penetrating gaze demands of her an immediate answer.

Flustered, she shakes her head, "No, your highness, I am sorry."

Irked by the disquieting negative of her response, yet straining to remain the ever so polite prince he ought to be, he hardly nods at her and continues to the end of the corridor, steps heavy and mind overrun with a raised worry that has been eating at him ever since this afternoon.

Where in the world can he be?

No servant Jimin has asked has seen him in the course of the entire day, and it is past supper already! His knowledge tells him Taehyung is too well-mannered to ever think of vanishing in so sudden a fashion without first saying a word or writing a line to him, thus, with every passing hour, all hope that he is alright begins to fade away.

At this moment, Jimin is in desperate need of getting an answer that differs from what he has so far got, but he does not want to draw more attention to Taehyung's absence.

In the privacy of his chamber, Jimin finds himself still dressed despite the evening hours, and incapable of remaining sat for longer than a minute. There is gentle knocking at his door that makes his nerves jump, but all expectation quickly deflates upon seeing it is a servant, who looks nothing like Taehyung, the one that dared to come in. He is asked if he should fancy a bath before heading to bed, but Jimin only demands to have wine brought to him before wearily dismissing the boy.

Too soon, the wine is gone and dreadful guilt overcomes his former worry, and he makes an urgent dash to the door, flinging it open in his determination to find the only guard he can truly trust in such a time of fragile need.

Despite his haste, he does not go further than a couple of steps away from the entrance of his chamber before he finds him diligently standing there, and the very second his presence is noted, the guard - Namjoon, regards him with the utmost respect and a dutiful bow of his head. Jimin does what he can to compose himself, and readily indicates his wish for visiting the gardens to breathe some fresh night air, although he does not fail to realize the look Namjoon gives him is almost omniscient, as if he were aware that the only reason for so sudden a petition is the search of a more secluded space where there is less chance of unwanted ears eavesdropping.

Outdoors, they settle behind an isolated, tall fountain, and speak in hushed voices.

"You must know I never call upon you merely for the leisure of chatter, Namjoon, but now my uneasiness forces me to do so," he heaves a sigh of hesitation. "Have you perhaps seen my servant, Taehyung, at all on this day?"

The guard shakes his head, "I fear I have not, your highness."

Jimin knows he should have expected the guard's answer to be so, but his willful holding onto hope has now roused in him disappointment too acute to not be notorious, and a frown momentarily darkens his features. "Oh, well," he says, willing his calm voice to obscure the illness of his current state, "I had thought you should have seen him, that is all. Please, do carry on with your duties."

He waits for the other to leave as he has prompted him to do, but Namjoon's eyes are sharp and knowing. "Permit me the boldness, your highness, but what other duties ought I to attend which are of more importance than aiding you? If help is needed to find your servant, I hope to be of use."

"And I must thank you, Namjoon," he forces a polite, tight smile onto his lips, "but I believe attempting to find him within the palace's grounds will, unfortunately, prove to be fruitless."

"How so? Can it be true, that he is not in the palace? Could he have run away?" Looking slightly aghast, Namjoon assaults him with questions, but on receiving no reaction from Jimin's part, he gives a hopeful suggestion: "We may still be in time to catch him if you would allow me to send men after him immediately."

Without delay, Jimin reveals his disapprobation of such measure, "No, that we cannot do. To be fair, I believe there is not a thing we can do without drawing too much attention," he confesses, and seeing the puzzled expression taking over Namjoon's features seems to be just about enough encouragement for Jimin to lose his composure. Waves of guilt force him to abandon his resolution to keep all of it to himself, and bringing a hand to cover his mouth, he hopes to contain his sobs. "Since this morning, he is nowhere to be seen and it is none other but my own fault!", he cries as silently as his distress lets him, "Oh, my dear, dear Taehyung, if anything were to happen to him, I shall never find it in me to forgive myself!"

In so distraught a state as he is prey to, Jimin cannot be aware of the deep concern and fondness his outburst provokes in Namjoon, nor the rushed manner in which he moves forward to support him. "You do not look well to be standing, my prince," he says, gently placing his hand on Jimin's trembling shoulder, "Please, allow me to help you sit down first, then you may inform me what this is all about."

After he gives a weak nod of approval, Namjoon guides him to one of the garden's benches, where they both sit for a while as Jimin struggles to recollect himself. No other guards or servants are near to witness the great disparity between the two: whereas one appears serene and collected, the other burns with an affliction that threatens to break him apart.

"He is out there, I am sure," Jimin rambles on, "perhaps alone, perhaps not, and I can only bear with so much wicked uncertainty and pray he is safe."

"What I fail to understand," Namjoon speaks after a prudent pause, "is why a servant of his rank should be outside at all. Are not his duties limited within the palace's walls?"

Jimin finally raises his head to give him a look darkened with sorrow and guilt. "Taehyung is out there solely on my command," he whispers, "He should have been back by noon, he always did; he always comes back to me."

"I assume he is usually sent on duty to town, perhaps?" 

At Namjoon's tentative inquiry and overall loyal carefulness, Jimin is convinced he is trustworthy enough, and finally gives in on his desire to share the burden that has been weighing him down for so long. His reddened eyes bore into the other's with the severity the matter requires, "Only if you swear, for my sake and Taehyung's, to never let a soul know of it, I shall confess the rest."

"I swear it on my very life," Namjoon's answer is immediate and filled with a passion that does not go unnoticed, "As solemnly as I have sworn to serve you and your family."

The guard listens with a great deal of good nature and patience to the brief summary of every event that occurred, ever so secretly, within the expanse of a month, and after all is said, Jimin is surprised to find in his eyes no sign of alarm. Although his mind is now much relieved by the calming balm of his undying respect and acceptance, careful observation leads him to believe there certainly lays in the guard's brow a stiffness of concern and irritation, the latter of which Jimin thinks must be due to the belief that only his own pitiful self-centeredness is to blame.

Before speaking, Namjoon appears to evaluate his words with much tactfulness. "I do not mean to raise your worries, my prince, but do you not think this man you speak of could be involved in his disappearance?" he asks, and after seeing the beginnings of a scowl tensing Jimin's expression, urges to clarify such accusation, "As we know very little of him I believe it is possible, though I must add - remarkably foolish, that he might have abducted Taehyung in pursuit of a ransom, and perhaps-"

"No," Jimin does not let him finish, "to think him capable of committing such infamy strikes me as the greatest impossibility. While it is true that we may not know him well enough, did he not prove himself reliable and oriented to selflessness the time he saved me from the depths of the forest, wanting nothing in return?"

"Certainly," Namjoon readily agrees, but his countenance shows little conviction in his words, and his voice denotes an evident wariness towards Jungkook that cannot be erased by only one good deed. "However, we must act before it is too late, my prince. I shall, if you grant me permission, go in search of Taehyung myself, and you may have my word that I shall strain to be exceedingly discreet in my ways."

"I beg you not to," comes Jimin's rushed plea, and after that, nothing can keep his tongue from spilling what his heart fears most, "Were my parents to find out, I do not want to imagine in which arts they would manifest their rage towards you. To put you, my dear Namjoon, in such unfair hazard, would surely bound me to misery bigger than this."

Appearing shaken by so sudden confession of an affection that, in Jimin's judgment, was very much due, Namjoon clears his throat. "Very well," he nods curtly, "You must not be further afflicted, my prince, for I shall remain the entire evening in watchful duty, and you ought to never doubt that I will notify you on any news concerning Taehyung's whereabouts, be it dusk or dawn."

When the subject of their conversation seems to have died down, they stand from the bench, and Jimin, whose cheeks have slightly heightened in color and eyes are no longer as swollen, renders his thanks to him. As the two begin to walk out of the garden, he cannot help but add in a whisper, "I must have bothered you greatly with my troubles today, I hope you will accept my apologies."

Namjoon turns to face him, all meekness and bewilderment, "No, my prince, you need not apologize to me in the least," he assures him, "In all honesty, I am humbled to have been graced with your trust. I am, as I shall always be, at your service."

Jimin, both equally abashed and exhausted by his own public display of perturbed emotions - emotions which have been so carelessly unraveled to the eyes of a guard he esteems most, manages to flash a timid smile plentiful of gratitude at him, and in silence, begins to walk away.

»»————««

When the impassioned revelation of devotion for each other had subdued enough in intensity to allow them a brief pause to think of their situation, they discussed what they were to do, for there was much to be properly arranged, and a certain prince who very well resembled an obstacle. They agreed it was best that Jungkook put an end to his correspondence with him at once, yet such delicate enterprise could not be done as easily and as swiftly as it was agreed on.

To write a final letter was an especially intricate endeavor, and Jungkook believed it vital to be as careful and tactful in its execution as to not reveal the real purpose behind it. He had briskly grabbed a sheet of paper, his favorite ink and plume, and a handful of determination, before going to the nearest creek which always gifted him clarity of mind. There, he sat on the fresh grass, and all the while beside him was his silent companion, his most cherished beloved, who as he went on writing, laid down and slept to the calming sound of the flowing water. This was so great a newfound distraction, for never had the drowse of another been so enticing to watch, that Jungkook felt he would never get to finish the letter in time, but ultimately managed to feel satisfied once it was signed, and prayed to never have to write to him again.

With much reluctance and the heaviness of a remorseful heart, he gently awoke Taehyung to inform him that it was already afternoon, and he was meant to go away with the freshly written letter that expressed Jungkook's admitted disinterest for its addressee. Nevertheless, as all the emotional outburst they had experienced throughout the morning had made the two of them quite hungry, Jungkook thought it best he stayed, and was able to persuade Taehyung to enjoy a meal together before he parted.

As it could be no other way, said excuse to avoid immediate parting from each other lasted longer than the meal did, and while Taehyung seemed in little disposition of wanting to leave, Jungkook boldly encouraged his stay by caressing and kissing him at every given opportunity.

Now, evening has fallen upon them sooner than they are aware of it, and alas, Jungkook's powerful persuasion inevitably wears out. Taehyung appears reasonably anxious about how much he has delayed his departure, and although Jungkook knows he is too clever to ever lose himself in useless distress, he refrains from fueling his current anxiety by making any comment on it.

Jungkook dreadfully follows Taehyung all the way from the small dining room to the entrance of the house where, far from bidding him farewell, he wraps his arms around his frame in a mortifying display of refusal to let him go.

"I really must go," Taehyung whispers against the skin of his neck as they embrace by the main door. Jungkook only reels back in desperate longing to admire his face, and finds himself entirely mesmerized by the captivating sight of those cheeks in bloom and eyes that seem to shine a light of their own. "Leaving you is painful enough," he continues to say, the velvet edge of his voice pulling Jungkook closer to him again, "yet it seems you wish to enlarge my suffering by continually reminding me of what I will miss once I am gone."

Jungkook cannot suppress the fond smile that pulls at the corner of his lips, and his arms tighten around Taehyung for a moment too short before he finally yields to the inevitable, and frees him of his hold. "If it is of any consolation to you, I too will not be spared of that suffering."

"There can be no consolation for me in your pain, shared or not," he sighs, and as they begin to walk out of the door, Jungkook wonders how he can manage to be even more beautiful while looking so woefully resigned, "I shall get my horse."

Jungkook lifts his gaze to the sky, and when he notes the darkness of the sunset has already spread all over it, he cannot help feeling there is something essentially wrong about Taehyung wandering by himself at this time of the evening. With a mind promptly settled and a determination as strong as ever, he rushes to stop him mid-walk, and says, "No, stay here, I will do it."

Taehyung not questioning his offering of assistance is most convenient, satisfies Jungkook a great deal, and permits him to act on his own designs with magnified eagerness. The moment he comes back from the stables with not only Taehyung’s horse, but his own too, Jungkook finds enjoyment in the mixture of bewilderment and mild annoyance that bleeds all over Taehyung’s features upon his arrival.

"Two horses? Jungkook, whatever is the meaning of this?"

"It means I am going with you," he announces without sparing a look his way, hands busy adjusting the saddle of Taehyung's horse.

"Oh, no-" comes Taehyung's flustered stutter, truly an endearing sound, "For you to take such trouble - no, it is not at all necessary."

"It is much necessary, for I am not willing to let go of you otherwise," Jungkook states, finally elevating his head to meet his eyes with an unyielding resolution.

He watches as Taehyung steps forward and lifts a hand to tenderly caress the animal in front of him, "I reckon your intentions are most kindly founded," he says softly, "but I shall be happier if you and your horse stayed and found some rest."

"Taehyung," he begins with the hint of a grin that comes from knowing he has won the quarrel even before it has properly started, "How should I find any peace in rest when all I am left to think of is you traveling alone in the dark? No, do not say a thing. I am now entitled to act on my selfish desire to never have you leave in such dangerous conditions."

"Nothing I can ever say will change that obstinate head of yours, but do let me wonder," Taehyung counters as he leaves the horse to stand before Jungkook, a challenge in his eyes, "By the time we reach my destination, let us hope to be perfectly unharmed, will it not be darker, and will you not be in equal danger when we part ways? I believe I shall then be as tormented by concern as you are now."

"Tormented!" he laughs. "There is hardly any reasonable need for you to fret over my safety, dearest. I must assure you I am well acquainted with every nook and cranny of this side of the country, and, if you wish to be impressed, I will have no trouble finding my way back with my eyes closed."

The horror that washes over Taehyung's face upon his words is most entertaining to watch. "For the sake of my poor heart, will you promise me you will not do so precarious a thing as to walk with your eyes closed? I consider myself sufficiently impressed."

Jungkook smiles openly, "For your heart, I promise. Now, let us go."

The journey to the palace is spent in plenty of good spirits and so amiable a conversation that they are able to converse of a mutual desire to live together without much anxiousness. There seems to be an unspoken agreement between them to not sour their shared gaiety by mentioning either the letter or the prince, although Taehyung does imply at some moment or other that with time and patience, he will surely come to understand.

When the magnificence of the palace comes into view, Taehyung insists prudence is imperative at this point, and suggests they head to the smaller gates, the ones mainly used by servants working in the kitchen, which are advantageously hidden near the back entrance. Once there, their time together must come to an end, but their horses stand too close, and none of them seem to have the courage needed to say goodbye first.

"Will I see you tomorrow?" Jungkook gracelessly asks at last, and though he is well aware that so redundant a question should have been spared, he knows not what sort of desperation it would put his mind into had he not uttered it.

"Yes," Taehyung turns his head to face him, eyes more radiant than Jungkook has ever seen them, "but I fear I am not as patient as you are. Will you visit me in my dreams?"

"You have my honest word I will," he promises, losing himself in the brilliance and warmth of the smile Taehyung gifts him.

His horse neighs in annoyance from being pressed next to Taehyung's for so long, but he does not give a care. Every visible expanse of Taehyung's sublime golden skin is now enhanced by the silver light of the moon, and Jungkook feels quite out of breath. It is a sight he wishes he could immortalize and keep to himself to admire at all times, and soon, too much blood rushes to his head rendering his reason powerless. A high sense of precaution makes it necessary to look sideways before deeming their surroundings secure enough and surging forward to capture those lips in a stolen kiss. With great pleasure, he swallows Taehyung's muffled gasp in earnest, and brings a hand to the back of his neck to keep him steady.

"Jungkook!" Taehyung reprimands him right after, a breath apart from his mouth, "You must be mad," he whispers, and to Jungkook's judgment, he is obviously trying to conceal a creeping smile but failing, his expression coming across as too pleased to make his attempted sternness seem convincing.

"Indeed," he whispers back, dazed, "You make me mad."

Jungkook readily leans in to steal another, without so much success this time as Taehyung shies away. "You will get us caught."

A mischevious smile twists his lips. "Such risk must pale in comparison to the torture of leaving and not kissing you goodnight."

To his ears' delight, Taehyung laughs so daintily and quiet that, had he not been so close, he might have resembled the murmur of birds chanting in the distance, "What will become of me at the hands of so infuriatingly charming and careless creature?"

Taking in the marvel of Taehyung's face one last time, Jungkook happily indulges him by answering his question, "I dare say you shall be the happiest and most loved."

Chapter Text

Long after they have parted, the pads of his fingers still linger over his parted lips seeking the lost warmth of Jungkook's kiss, and Taehyung finds himself ridiculously wishing they had some sort of mystic ability to bring the sensation back. It had been a kiss much too unwise, yet so wondrously charming! Jungkook's lips had most definitely carried the irresistible fervor of youth and sincere devotedness, but it was the thrilling sense of danger that came with it what awoke within the depths of Taehyung's soul a fiery-colored flame that threatened to never extinguish. A flame that, to this moment, continues to redden his face, and of which enigmatic powers he has no control over.

Oh, if he could dance to the joy of his heart, he would! But he cannot let himself be governed by emotion any longer, for he has duties to attend, and a letter of urgent importance to deliver. The lateness of his arrival is evident, and moderate guilt clings to him much like wet earth clings to the naked skin. Nonetheless, he suspects his presence must have been but hardly missed. Most conveniently, the palace holds a small royal gathering this evening, and events of the kind always carry the necessary distractions to make everybody forget about a servant or two. At the very least, he does hope it has been entertaining enough to keep his absence from tainting the prince's thoughts.

Now, having left his horse in the commodity of the stables for a well-deserved rest, Taehyung enters the main kitchen where, as it is custom at this hour of the evening, only a few servants and a couple of busy maids remain about the place. He walks to the servant standing closest to the entrance with the intention of asking whether he can be of any use, however, he is not allowed the opportunity to do so as a very much agitated Seokjin appears, surely out of thin air, to greet him.

"Taehyung! You dare show your face, at long last!", he whispers in a manner so turbulent that it is perfectly audible to everybody else in the kitchen, several shameless heads turning to watch their encounter with curious eyes.

"Well, I must say I feel rather flattered by your enthusiasm, Seokjin," Taehyung smirks in half fondness, half mockery; but instead of receiving a thriving response of equal playfulness as he anticipated he would, an austere look is sent his way.

"Silly boy! I am in no disposition to fool around, do you have no shame in being so reckless?", he gestures wildly. It cannot be denied that at present Seokjin is prey of a foul mood, and this, added to the unexpected admonishing tint of his voice, makes the once eternal smile on Taehyung's lips to rapidly diminish into vanishment. As he inspects Seokjin's face more attentively, he thinks that such a troubled expression, obscured as it is with the heaviness of worry, cannot be merely the consequence of a fleeting bad temper. "Where were you?" Seokjin inquires with evident anxiety. "Our dearest prince has been looking for you the entire day! You should have seen the look on his face, I have never witnessed despair the likes of it."

This information brings a merciless pang to his heart. "Oh, is it true?" he mumbles, face falling into a frown as he imagines the many worries that his selfish carelessness must have placed in the prince's mind. "Poor prince Jimin! How much have I wronged him! I must flee to apologize immediately."

"Indeed, you must!" cries Seokjin, his theatrical mannerisms drawing even more attention to their private discussion, and if he does notice this, cares not. He is far from finished. "His worry was so grand, Taehyung, so grand, that he graced us with his presence, here, in the kitchens! Good heavens! A prince in the kitchens, is there anything more outrageous? Go now, Taehyung, and be sure to show him your most humble penitence."

Overcome by a sudden wave of oppressive repentance and slight fear, Taehyung gives Seokjin a brusque nod that he hopes conveys all of his gratitude and the promise of doing as he was instructed. Wishing to waste not a second, he walks briskly to the nearest door in pursuit of exiting the main kitchen to find the prince in his chambers, yet again his path is blocked by someone else.

"There you are!", cries out the old maid that stands before him, her rounded face grim and her voice crude. "Foolish boy! Where have you been?! Oh! if it was up to me I would whip you into some good sense," after that, she falls silent, her aged eyes scrutinizing his stiff form before deeming him worthy. Finally, she steps aside to leave a gap for him to pass through, and her voice again snaps: "Do not simply stand there and make use of those legs, lad. The prince awaits you."

Taehyung exhibits some difficulty in swallowing the lump of nerves that has formed in his throat, and to delay himself no further, rushes past the fuming old lady without a word. It is clear she had been purposely sent to collect him, therefore, it is safe to assume prince Jimin is aware of his return, and this is an assumption that does more wrong than good to Taehyung's nerves.

He cannot remain composed as he climbs the seemingly endless stairs leading to the upper left wing of the palace, his mind filled with an extensive pondering of what he is to say the prince. Perhaps, it might be true that haste is not ally to clarity of thought, nonetheless, in the brisk of his climbing his decision is made. Taehyung knows the letter he carries should suffice to inform the prince of the complicated situation at hand, but he strongly believes telling him the truth himself is due. It may very well not be as easy, but it is certainly what is moral and just.

He vaguely recalls Jungkook advising him to wait until the shock of the letter has passed before speaking directly to the prince about their affair, but Jungkook does not know him as well nor as in depth as Taehyung does. Once he relates to prince Jimin the greatness and purity of Jungkook's confession, Taehyung feels sure that he will come to understand, because nobody on Earth understands love more than prince Jimin does. Fair enough, it must be admitted that he may be weighed down by the enormous disappointment of not being Jungkook's chosen partner, but Taehyung will be there to comfort him through it all. He will be there to envelop his shaking form with tenderness and dry his tears with laughter.

It seems exercise has made him feel significantly less anxious by the time he climbs the last step, and he comes face to face with the guard, Namjoon, who acknowledges him with a curt nod that he answers with the flash of a smile. Taehyung draws a long breath to steady himself before letting his knuckles fall rhythmically on the wooden surface of the door. There comes no answer, but on this occasion it is obvious that explicit permission to enter is not needed, and he awaits a quarter of a minute before circling his hand around the knob and finally giving himself entrance to the prince's sumptuous chamber.

The door is closed behind him with an elegant click, and darkness wraps his senses. Only the walls and furniture glow ever so faintly with the timid source of light that is provided by a single wick lamp abandoned on top of the desk. Thinking the prince must have been exhausted of waiting and decided to sleep, he considers turning off the solitary lamp and leaving without altering his rest, but the windows are spread open allowing a harsh, icy breeze to come in, and upon further observation, Taehyung discerns the characteristic silhouette of the prince amidst the shadows. The sight is eerily odd, he seems to be standing at the balcony, back turned to him, the soft locks of his pallid hair and the thin fabric of his nightgown swaying with the mild wilderness of the wind.

"Jimin," he mutters tentatively, unsure, "Are you unwell?"

"Come," his mellow, pleasant voice beckons rather than orders Taehyung to approach him, and his feet begin to move as if wholly on their own volition. With great eagerness to please, Taehyung stands beside him at the balcony, enjoying the cool breeze that now caresses his face and plays with his hair as well. Assisted by the silver glow of the moon, Taehyung's eyes travel about the illuminated lines of his face wishing to make contact with his, but all effort is in vain as Jimin is facing front, and he seems to have his gaze set far away from here, the stars, perhaps.

Taehyung looks away, trying to find solace in the calm beauty of the view before them, and utters the beginning of an apology, "Jimin, I am terribly sorry—"

"Of course you are," he suddenly says, serene but not quite as gentle, "I trust you have been informed of how intensely afflicted your sudden disappearance has made me, though I should not wish to blame you, no, not entirely," he shakes his head as if trying to convince himself, and there is something about the way he carries his words that Taehyung cannot help feeling apprehensive of. "I am convinced you would have come to me sooner had it been in your power to do so, yes?" There is a forced pause, and such a question should have been easily answered had Jimin not turned his head to the side, finally facing Taehyung, who only then wishes he hadn't at all. With eyes now dreadfully accustomed to the darkness that envelopes them, not even the poor lighting of the chamber can prevent him from seeing the despairness of it. "Will you care to share where you have been, Taehyung?", Jimin inquires at last.

The sight that is presented to him makes the pit of his stomach curl into itself. Gone is the softness of the prince's features: his plush lips are dry and tilted downwards, his bright eyes are bloated and harsh. What a monstrous pity! Jimin's little cherubic face looks absolutely ruined, and Taehyung fears it is his own doing. For a moment too long, he merely stands there eyeing him, speechless and at a loss of what to do. His former hopeful intentions of confessing the truth are no more, in fact, they seem to him now the most despicable of tortures. No, he cannot possibly bring this poor soul any more suffering.

"You should have every right to be mad at me, Jimin. I am most ashamed of myself, to have you endure so much pain because of me! Oh, it is unpardonable," Taehyung heaves a shaky sigh, and the sheer repent of his gaze ventures into Jimin's sullen eyes. "I am not worthy of it, and yet, I must beg for your forgiveness. I dare hope you shall feel some reassurance in knowing that my unusual delay was never intentional," his heart tremors with the appalling awareness that he must give into a little falsehood here, "I went to retrieve the letter, and I was already on my way back when I stupidly wandered—"

Once again, Jimin interferes his speech, "Wandered, you say? That is very strange, considering you seldom enjoy much wandering." Taehyung has to steel himself when he feels caught under Jimin's piercing, almost iced stare. "I shed so many tears for you, but I suppose I must have worried in excess, after all."

A fresh surge of remorse comes over him then, and he gasps, feeling the most despicable creature alive, "Oh! How dreadful it is to imagine your face marred by tears I caused. Forgive me— no," he shakes his head, "My apologies will not do. Please, say what I am to do to improve your current state. Perhaps some herbal tea and cards? Wine? A bath?" he suggests, desperate to redeem himself to the eyes of the sorrowful prince. "Anything, Jimin, I shall do anything for you."

They stare at each other, one appearing entirely passionless and the other on the verge of dropping to his knees.

"Is it not lovely? Always acting in consideration of my feelings. I ought to congratulate you," he says with an air of strangled magnificence, eyes flashing some sort of mad light that shakes Taehyung the wrong way. "Really, what a flawless rendition! Tell me, Taehyung, do you think me a fool?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Oh, I believe you heard every word with perfect clarity," he rasps, "But perhaps your pretty little brain cannot grasp the meaning unless I rephrase it. Taehyung, am I but a simpleton to you?"

Utterly confused and stunned by so odd a question, Taehyung blinks at him, and endeavors to answer as honestly and as steady as he can, "No, of course not."

"How kind of you! But I am, I must be a fool, blinded by your meticulously threaded cobweb of endearing hypocrisy!", he thunders, violently stepping forward and startling Taehyung by attacking his chest with an accusative index finger. "After every thing I have done for your sake, treated you as family, gave you so many privileges! You forget my generosity and dare to fancy me unimportant, betraying my trust as if it were worth nothing!"

The shock is great, but so is the pain and alarm that invades his being at this moment. Taehyung's countenance grows pale, and he takes a few steps back wanting nothing more than to run away from Jimin's explosive rage. "Please, cease this at once! I am afraid I do not comprehend."

"No, Taehyung, your perfect fallacy has been discovered, and I will not allow you to deceive me further!", he bellows, face incandescent with contempt, "I saw you two, and I could hardly believe it myself. But certainly, there you were, together, with him!" His words, abrupt and harsh, seem to be laced with the grim edge of disgust, and Taehyung feels his blood run cold in his veins, hazel eyes growing wide and tremulous. In a fit of emerald envy, Jimin continues to speak with unrestrained resentment, "Upon my word, I thought, is he lost to every feeling of decency? Even I was ashamed to witness how impudently you put yourself on display, mouth to mouth with him in the middle of the gates! I wonder, were you so desperate for a little spotlight that you had to seduce your way into his bed?"

The crudity of the scorn that is thrown his way is sure to bruise the most tender parts of his heart, and as hot tears begin to gather in his eyes, Taehyung can blame none other but himself. He manages a broken whisper: "You cannot be this cruel, Jimin, I know you are not. Your words wound me, but I am bound to understand your anger, even your madness, truly I should feel them as mine. If only you would allow me to explain it to you, there is a letter—"

"Silence!" Jimin demands, breathing harshly from the effort of containing what is left of the boiling tumult inside him. Taehyung lowers his gaze to the floor, and cries silently. "I will not hear a word you say, but you will hear mine. Such letter you speak of does not interest me. What you have done is the greatest offense to my honor, and I will not tolerate being the victim of something so vile. From this day on, I shall forget that poor excuse of a man, and you shall too, Taehyung. I forbid you from seeing him again; this is my resolve, this is justice. Soon, you may forget he ever existed at all."

His reaction to Jimin's barbarous order is immediate. Taehyung raises his head to glare at him with watery, fierce eyes, uttering a heartrending cry, "No!", and suddenly unafraid, he steps forward. The look on his tear-stained face seems to be painted with shadow and light, torn between the primitiveness of pathos and the crimson beauty of courage. "You cannot force me to do such an atrocity, there is no way I could ever forget him— I love him!"

Menacing madness flashes in Jimin's eyes, "How can you think I should give a care for your wants when you had the audacity of dismissing mine?!", his nostrils flare, and Taehyung trembles at the thought that he might do something else, but Jimin only heaves out a mortifying sigh, and turns his head to the balcony. "I cannot bear to look at you any longer. Get out of my sight."

What a devastating scene this is! With those final words bleeding so much animosity, Taehyung is prompted to leave at once, and he has to force a shrill cry down his throat before storming out of the chamber in tempestuous agony, waterfalls of raw grief preventing him from seeing anything beyond the blur of wick lamps dancing in the darkness. 

Chapter Text

The walls of the palace, tall in excess and lacking in color, seem to exhale a melancholic breath of emptiness that both resonates with his own and asphyxiates him without mercy. No matter where Taehyung wanders to, he cannot escape this brutal dread that has originated in his heart, his poor lamenting heart that is sadly no longer an organ, but a monstrous phantom employed in eating at his mind.

Waking to find himself enveloped by the misery in which his soul is held captive seems to make time pass excruciatingly slow, and he is painfully aware of the three entire days that separate him from the most delightful moment of his whole existence. This is especially intricate to even think about, and though he does his best to avoid it, in the end he does brood, and he does mourn.

How fragile and fleeting the exuberances of mirth are! How careless and twisted the hand that holds the strings of fate! Life seems to him but a chaotic play with an amateur cast; all those fresh memories of what once felt so vivid have turned into nothing more than a dull illusion, or more accurately, a capricious dream he is forced to abandon.

Without him - without the vital certainty of ever seeing him again, Taehyung can scarcely function as efficiently as it is expected from someone of his rank. But in spite of being incessantly lured by a powerful desire to hide away in the confines of his room for an eternity, he believes staying in bed and drowning in floods of his own tears is the sort of luxury he cannot afford. The kitchens, his dreadful chores, and prince Jimin all await, quite impatiently, for him to attend to them.

Ah! the customs of a servant's life have never tasted so acidic, never felt so much disagreeable before. He had never complained nor rebelled against his duties, but now he feels the terrible itch to do both.

Nevertheless, he does neither, and the third day goes dreadfully on. There is a constant ache on the expanse of his lower back as he is on his knees, bent down and scrubbing the greasy floors of the main kitchen. It is a most arduous work, for he invests a great deal of valuable energy and effort into cleaning the floors, only to have them stepped on, over and over again, by the careless, dirty shoes of busy maids and impatient servants.

It cannot be helped, he thinks, sighing pitifully as he looks around the place. After all, it seems inevitable that his surroundings should be frantic with movement: the clock marks half-past seven in the afternoon, and dinner must be served in perfect condition and scrupulous punctuality.

To his ears come the clear sternness and authority of Seokjin's voice, who is spitting urgent commands to all and sundry, the shrill noise of a plate shattering into pieces as it hits the ground, and the cries of a woman complaining about her poor nerves. Taehyung remains unaffected by the chaos of it all, and continues invested in his task, that is, until some muffled sound - a man shouting, he presumes - can be heard outside.

Nobody but him seems to take notice. Surely it must be his own desperate fancy, but he is so badly shaken by the familiarity of the voice that he starts and abandons all the cleaning utensils to make a dash to the kitchen's back door.

The augmented proximity to the source certainly aids him in discerning what the man is shouting. His heart, until that moment a resemblance of all that is pitifully bland, seems to wake from its quiescence, and most vigorously begins to pump torrents of blood through his veins, making him flush with the rosy color of life again. Shaking, Taehyung opens the door and dares to step outside, eyes occupied in a frenetic search.

"Taehyung! Taehyung!", the man, back turned to him, continues shouting his name in a manner so agonizing that he resembles nothing but a helpless lunatic.

Perplexed by such unexpected discovery, Taehyung's eyes glisten with the promise of newborn tears, and before the man takes the chance to scream his name anew, he softly calls out for him. "Jungkook..."

When he turns around, Taehyung feels it. An instantaneous zap of energy feeds his starving soul at the time their gazes meet, and in less than what would be considered humanly possible, Jungkook runs to where he is barely standing, petrified and glassy-eyed.

"Dearest," whispers Jungkook, sounding almost tremulous. He is all labored breath and weightless elation, and his face appears to be painted with the dark hues of some vicious mixture in which distress is abundant. Then, he heaves a sigh of utter relief that seems to come from the very depths of his soul, and his hand comes up to tenderly cup the welcoming softness of Taehyung's left cheek. "These days I have been terribly wretched with a most poisonous fear, the fear of a possible tragedy, for my mind has been intent on torturing me with thoughts of something happening to you. But seeing you safe has healed me," he pauses to recover his breath, and slowly begins to look less like a madman. Taehyung, on his part, feels his throat tight and painful as if the barbarous hand of guilt were clasped around it. "You did not come to me, why?"

Jungkook’s expression is softened with the blessing of patience as he waits for an answer Taehyung cannot bring himself to verbalize. He fears he might cry out in agony right then, but as soon as Jungkook lightly brushes a trembling thumb over his cheekbone in a reassuring gesture, endless warmth distracts him from doing so. The light, innocent caress is enough to bring a natural sense of intimacy, and some delirious delight overcomes him for a moment too short before it morphs into something else: sudden trepidation.

"Oh, Jungkook, what are you doing?", he manages to say in a voice that is so low it is hardly audible, however, firm enough to convey the heaviness of his anxiety. There is a tremor on his lower lip, "This is madness, you cannot be here. How did you even walk past the guards?"

"That matters not now," Jungkook evades the inquiry in a hurried fashion, and the warmth of his hand is soon gone from Taehyung's face. "Three days of absence, Taehyung! I could hardly stand my own existence the first, with even greater difficulty I went through the second, and I dare not confess to you what was the illness of my mind this morning. I wonder, what happened?” His eyebrows knit together, “Do you love me no longer?"

"Please," Taehyung cries, "do not doubt my sentiments, it is poison to my heart. You know I do. I believe it is only my love for you what keeps alive this little spark of hope within me.”

The apprehensive silence that ensues afterward turns every muscle of Taehyung's body rigid. Jungkook's countenance seems to shift between two great emotions, looking as if he means to come forward and kiss him, but never moving an inch.

"I must take you with me," he says so suddenly and with such rushed urgency that Taehyung cannot help staring at him like one would stare a man who'd truly gone mad. "You need not say a thing, dearest. I feel words are not really necessary between us, for just one glance at you tells me of the great misery you are so quietly, so bravely enduring. And I will not stand idly to witness your suffering any longer. Let us go now, Taehyung. Let us find happiness, together."

If only it were that simple, laments the defeated voice residing in his head. To be sure, there is the crawling sensation of tears beginning to form in his eyes, but Taehyung finds he cannot cry, not even when Jungkook wraps his arms around him and brings his stiff form into a tight, loving embrace that, despite being much pleasurable and wanted, it is not reciprocated.

Panic blinds him, and almost immediately, Taehyung reels away from him. His wide, tremulous eyes worriedly scan their surroundings for a few excruciating seconds in quest of any possible witness, before filling with the most vicious guilt as they return to the absolute pathos of Jungkook's face, obscured now by the unforgiving lines of sorrow.

"I am sorry," he croaks, "But I cannot go with you."

Looking absolutely lost after hearing such unexpected and disappointing response, Jungkook's mouth quivers in the midst of a diffuse fear, "What are you saying? Please, do not turn from me."

"I cannot turn from you, never," his tone falls into a pitiful whisper as he endeavors to keep himself from rushing to comfort him. Indeed, he cannot bear to see Jungkook suffer without being stirred by some irrational, strong desire to give him relief, and as he tears his gaze from that face he so much adores, an idea comes to his troubled mind. "Come with me. We must cease to speak here in the open, it is not safe."

Radiant and alive with revived hope, Jungkook nods and follows Taehyung, who at a brisk pace leads the way to a small storage door that is only ten feet from the main kitchen. Upon entering the dusty place loaded with too many used shelves and piled utensils, they are welcomed by the last timid rays of orange sunset that manage to filter through a lonely window, and the dim light makes it seem as if it is not dust but golden powder dancing around them. When Jungkook closes the door behind them, without delay his expectant, bright eyes are directed towards Taehyung's face, finding there an expression that is divided between distress and delight.

"He knows,” he announces in a tone that is decidedly heavy with the grim weight of grief and agitation. Striving not to mention the haunting details of what occurred that horrid night, he limits himself to utter these words: “The prince knows about us, and he does not approve. He wants us apart.”

Creases of mild annoyance appear on Jungkook's forehead. "How can that be? Everything was explained in the letter, and I recall writing quite an excellent apology at the end. Has he not read it?"

Taehyung shakes his head in bitter denial. "That night, in spite of my numerous attempts at persuading him, he did not consent to read your letter, and yesterday, he made me burn it. No, do not look so angry. We must not blame him without blaming ourselves first, Jungkook. I know him, and I believe he is in so great a heartbroken state that he cannot help doing and saying the most inappropriate of things," he lets out a hopeless sigh. Jungkook says not a word, and it is not until it becomes impossibly obvious that Taehyung notices the short gap originally set between them has closed. His train of thought inevitably begins to gravitate around how much he craves the proximity: for the dreadfully loaded storage room may be small, but he wishes it were smaller just so it would give him a reasonable excuse to press against him.

As Jungkook remains oddly silent, Taehyung becomes shy under his intense gaze, teeth digging into the plush flesh of his lower lip nervously. "I am not supposed to be here, speaking with you," he blurts out, "I do not want to think what would happen had anybody taken notice of us out there earlier, surely he would come to know-"

“What is his opinion to us, anyway?" Jungkook inquires, evident disregard for the prince present in the surly manner in which those words are uttered, so close to his mouth they must be breathing each other. When his lips curl into a faint smirk, Taehyung’s heart flitters much alike the little wings of a young bird. "Love is never a crime, Taehyung, which largely means that you shall never reserve yourself from speaking to me to your heart's content."

Wise words must they be, but he can hardly listen to them as his focus is on every movement of Jungkook's sensual mouth. He blushes madly in response to the shame he feels for thinking this way, but he cannot seem to stop himself from doing so.

Without him expecting it, a pair of hands grab onto each side of his waist, and he cannot help taking in a sharp inhale, the mere contact being almost too deliciously suffocating to be endured. He feels faint and overheated, and his hands seek to grip the edges of the shelf behind him for some kind of support.

Finally, and not without a great deal of effort, Taehyung succeeds in quitting his gaze from his lips, choosing to venture into the darkness of those eyes that burn him. "You know nothing of the precarious situation we are in, and yet, I cannot find it in me to explain it to you, for it is too painful to even think of. Jungkook,” he says in an almost pleading tone, “if you truly love me, you must consider leaving at once, before anybody learns you were here at all. I do not think I could bear to watch you being thrust into punishment..."

"The only punishment I care about is being apart from you," Jungkook states, most fervently, an opinion that is in reality partly foolish. His face grows incandescent with an emotion stronger than him, and this time he does kiss Taehyung, who is too pleased to care about the little startled sound he makes. Their lips press together, swaying in the sweetest manner for a moment, a gentle display of a most intimate connection that is however cut short by the vibration of Jungkook's thrilling voice against the corner of Taehyung’s mouth. "How could you think I would leave without you, even if you asked me to?"

Taehyung abandons himself to the wave of joy that fills the air, and smiles dazzlingly at him. “I never thought you would,” he quietly admits, bringing his arms around Jungkook’s neck to pull him closer. For a moment they forget and lose themselves, going back and forth from speaking in hushed voices of their mutual adoration, to falling completely silent as they tenderly embrace each other.

“Taehyung,” Jungkook begins after leaving a feather-like kiss on his jaw, wishing to tackle the subject that floods Taehyung’s mind with so much uneasiness. "While it is true that I am ignorant of whatever the prince has said to you to make you so fearful of life, or in what twisted manner he has expressed his opinion for you to surrender to his every wish, I feel sure he can hold no real power over your freedom of choice,” he gives Taehyung a look that bleeds the highest determination and confidence, “And hard as he might try, he cannot force you away from me, for I shall never permit him to do so. I have decided to fight for you, whatever it costs me."

"I must say your recklessness both alarms and fascinates me,” he confesses, a bemused frown shadowing his features as he gently cradles Jungkook's head to the curve of his neck, threading long fingers through his hair. Jungkook only laughs lightly against the golden skin there, squeezing Taehyung tighter by the waist. "You are so much like a little boy,” he tells him, playful, unable to hide the fondness he feels. “For you, every danger resembles an idyll. I, however, am full of concern, for life is never quite as easy as one sometimes assumes it to be, Jungkook, and you seem to forget I am merely a servant. Whether I am free or not, it does not alter the fact that he does hold such power over me, and my wants can all but seem of little importance in comparison to his."

Abandoning the comfortable spot of his neck, Jungkook leans back to stare at him with an enigmatic glimmer covering his eyes. "Dearest, must we be tangled in such folly disagreement? You forget you are more than a servant. I look at you, and I see a beautiful young man with as many needs and desires as any prince may have, and with as much of a right to satisfy them. In that regard, there is no difference.” It is, by all means, undeniable that Jungkook’s argument has certainly gifted him with a new perspective, but Taehyung is too embarrassed to admit how wrong his senseless beliefs seem to him now, and believes it wiser not to make a comment on them. “Today, you can choose your own path; you can choose to come with me, that is, if being with me is what you wish.”

Dazed by the warm air that repeatedly fans over his mouth as Jungkook speaks in the most intelligible and alluring manner, Taehyung finds himself nodding stupidly, gazing at him through the sweep of his eyelashes. "I do. I have never wanted anything more than being with you."

What he says must have stirred something of a violent nature within Jungkook, for there is no such thing as a warning before he abruptly pushes Taehyung against the dusty shelf, making it rattle dangerously, and captures his parted lips in a desperate, almost bruising kiss. A whimper is all Taehyung manages to let out in response, hands blindly moving to grip the clothed flesh of Jungkook's shoulders, and he manages to kiss back with as much ferocity, fueled by an exquisite hunger forming at his core. When a slick tongue ventures into his mouth, Taehyung shudders and begins to move his own, tasting Jungkook and doing what he can to follow his feverish pace.

Glued by the mouth and breathing in the damp, heated air the other breathes out, they press against each other ceaselessly, swaying to a secret rhythm; both overcome with the intensity of an inner wilderness unlike they have ever experienced before. Every kiss serves to ignite a new flame that cannot be appeased by the closeness of their clothed bodies, and it is not until this brief moment of singular clarity that the true definition of passion is revealed to them, for the more it seems to grow, the more it leaves them deliriously unsatisfied.

When they finally break apart, all glistening lips and flushed cheeks turned a youthful shade of crimson, they are at the same time robbed of breath and filled with glorious elation.

"Jungkook," Taehyung quietly gasps as if he means to tell a secret, effectively making Jungkook glance at him in fond curiosity. "I have come to realize that my heart is no longer mine," he announces, face exuberant with merry, "it is yours and yours only. Take it, for I feel it thunder and rage whenever it is far from its rightful owner."

A sincere smile graciously lights up all of Jungkook's features, "Your heart is yours, Taehyung, but I shall have no problem in relishing it as if it were mine." He then presses a tender kiss to his temple, "I want to take care of you. Will you believe me if I confess that my only sin is my mad desire to love and protect you?"

"Yes," he answers immediately, candid, "I trust you more than I do myself, but I think too much, and my mind is a prisoner of fear."

"If we are together, what is there to fear, angel?"

"Losing you," he replies, voice wavering, and Jungkook is quick to bring him comfort by gently holding his head to his firm chest. "I do not think I will have it in me to survive if they take you away from me," he continues muttering against the fabric of Jungkook's shirt, "They will come after us, I am sure, and I tremble with horror by merely imagining you hurt."

"Then, hand in hand, we shall run," Jungkook says softly, his nose buried at the top of Taehyung's fluffy hair. "We have already run together once, across the field and under merciless rain, we can do it again. Do you remember how you felt at the time?" Taehyung nods, and both of them chuckle at the memory. "I sure do, I felt as free as a child. I say, let them come after us, and we shall look back at them in triumph."

There is so much confidence in those imprudent words that Taehyung feels inclined to admit his own worries are completely unjustified. Unfortunately, the truth is they are absolutely justified. "I am fascinated by the way you succeed in making all that is complicated sound so simple."

"It is unnecessary worry what makes complicated all that is essentially simple," it's Jungkook's witty remark before he reels back, and offers him an open hand, grinning.

Taehyung knows it is time, but his eyes widen for an entirely different reason.

The violence of a dramatically loud thump assaults their ears as the storage room's door is flung open; two guards entering the cramped place at once, and half a dozen of them can be seen standing outside in a defensive position. Jungkook is dreadfully startled by the sudden noise for, unlike Taehyung, he did not witness the prelude of it, and turns around to face the door. Upon noticing the guards, Jungkook scowls and instinctively steps back, positioning himself to shelter Taehyung from any possible harm.

It all becomes a ghastly blur to Taehyung. He hears the numerous threats the guards spill at Jungkook, sees their menacing stares, but the scene feels much unreal. However, his hand reaches out to hold Jungkook's with a force he did not think he possessed, refusing to let go, and he cannot help uttering a debauched cry when a guard comes to grab Jungkook roughly by the arm.

Jungkook does not fight back, does not say a thing; he is not stupid, seems well aware that they are trapped and easily outnumbered. Instead, he only looks back at Taehyung, and his eyes resemble those of a caged beast, candent with a primal determination to be freed.

Another guard soon joins the first and successfully pries their joined hands, an act of shameful savagery to which Taehyung cries out in anger. He foolishly tries to get in between the guard and Jungkook, receiving a brutal push for his efforts at meddling, his back painfully crashing against the shelves. Squinting one eye through the pain, he is able to witness how the two guards struggle to manhandle Jungkook, who seems to be full of rage as he stubbornly manages to turn his head in an attempt to keep his eyes on Taehyung. Before they pass through the door, Jungkook seems to mouth at him something along the lines of I love you, and this assumption is the last string left to shatter Taehyung completely.

Devastated and forlorn, Taehyung sinks to his knees. He cries and cries until Seokjin finds him and embraces his fragile form. When he has finally calmed enough to walk out of the storage room, Namjoon rushes to join them, saying nothing of the illness of Taehyung's state, and informing that Jungkook has been taken to the dungeons.

Chapter Text

His languid form rests on the velvety expanse of a scarlet chaise lounge that is deftly placed by the opened balcony, but Jimin does not spare a look to the splendid morning view the royal gardens offer. While winged creatures vocalize the tune of nature and droplets of golden mist get caught in a labyrinth of foliage, the prince’s mind is most conveniently distracted by the contents of the book he is reading. 

Caught in the grasp of his thumb and index finger, a white lily twirls around itself again and again as he drinks word after word like a parched man, letting his eyes rake over the ravishing verses of a poem, sometimes doing so twice if he finds their rhyme especially irresistible. 

There is a knock at his chamber's door that he absolutely refuses to pay attention to, but finds himself forced to answer when the recurrence of the knocking becomes an insistent annoyance. The door opens to reveal his visitor, and he looks up to find it is Namjoon who greets him, with a great deal of unnecessary courtesy, before closing the door behind himself and walking towards him with several decisive strides and a stoic gaze. 

Jimin lifts a curious brow. "How unusual of you to come here uninvited, Namjoon, but I do not complain.”

Although imperceptible to the untrained eye, the guard appears restless. “My apologies for disturbing your reading session, your highness. Do you find my intrusion inconvenient?"

"No, of course not,” he shakes his head lightly, an amused smile on his lips, “After all, yours has always been one of my preferred companies.” His hands close the book tucking away its tantalizing contents, and he acquires a firmer position on the chaise, choosing this moment of interruption to glance at the outer world. “Is it not a pleasant morning? There is hardly a cloud in the sky,” he sings nonchalantly, fingers toying with the poor little flower in his grasp. Then, he fixes his gaze on Namjoon, who stands there in all solemnity and rigor. "I have not been in such agreeable spirits for days, but you, my dear Namjoon, are in grave danger of becoming the ruin of my mood. You look dreadfully serious today, and I cannot stand it. Will you tell me what causes you to frown so?"

"Yes, it is precisely the sole motive of my coming here, your highness. As you well know," he makes a point of lowering his voice to a whisper, "I was instructed to keep his arrival at the dungeons from being known, but I fear I cannot maintain the truth concealed much longer. Three days have passed, and while it is a given that servants are too afraid to say a thing, my men are different. They are beginning to notice something is off, and it is alarming, for I can be certain that some of them shall not hesitate to spread such delicate information."

“Well,” Jimin blinks slowly, impassive, “if that were to happen, I believe we could come up with some sort of arrangement. There is no need to fill your head with pointless worry, Namjoon. All men, regardless of their rank, will keep their mouth shut for a bag of gold."

The guard does not answer for a moment, and to Jimin’s experienced judgment he seems to be deep in thought, working to conjure either a complex question or an unrefined petition. At once, Namjoon’s determined glare shifts into a daring look that sharpens the corners of his eyes, "With all due respect, your highness, how long do you intend on keeping him a prisoner?"

Jimin brings the lily up to his lips and delicately blows air into its immaculate petals, making them tremble. “Forever,” he breathes out.

"My prince," Namjoon seems to stumble around the words, unsure, "I am aware it is not my place to meddle on matters such as this, but I cannot help doing so when I am so deeply affected by concern for your health. What is there to gain from doing this? Not only must it be troublesome and torturous for your mind, but keeping him locked will surely not help you, nor Taehyung, forget him as successfully as you wanted."

“There can be no doubt that I hold you in high regard, my dear Namjoon, but I cannot agree with you. I consider it the most detestable thing to allow the corruption and decaying of my honor to continue by letting such a traitor loose,” his brows knit together in aggravation at the thought of him, the flower now crushed in his fist. “Whether it brings my mind torture or not, it is of little importance. I must keep him caged like the monstrous liar he is." 

The guard appears momentarily taken aback by the sparks of fury present on his tongue, but he recovers quickly, his gaze softening. “Certainly, your honor has been terribly wounded, my prince, and I understand your wish to have it repaired by any means, but I do not think this is the most adequate path to take. I do not sympathize with Jungkook in any way, and I never will; but I believe, for your sake and Taehyung's, that you must let him go."

Despite Namjoon’s voice having a calming effect on him, the color of irritation continues to rush into his face. ”No, I cannot do such a thing. It is the path of justice, and he does not deserve any mercy."

"Indeed, he does not, but Taehyung does. He has suffered enough."

Jimin scoffs, ”Have I not suffered as much?"

"Yes, my prince, so you have, and your feelings are absolutely justified,” he tells him, his tone placating. “But if you continue feeding the sourness of your heart, in due time that is all you will become, and it shall be pitiful."

A sigh escapes him. “I feel sure it cannot be more pitiful than loving a man who prefers someone other than me, Namjoon."

He expects no reply, but to his great astonishment and delight, Namjoon gifts him a smile replete of sincere sympathy, and says, very carefully: “There is nothing pitiful about unrequited love. It is a charming pain, for it only makes one rightfully sick with a melancholy for something that never happened."

As Jimin briefly wonders where that depth of sentimentalism has come from, the intensity of the gleam in Namjoon’s eyes forces him to rest his own gaze somewhere else. He faces the balcony and speaks into the morning breeze, “What can you possibly know of unrequited love, I wonder?"

"I have been suffering from it myself,” the guard admits, and as the heavy words slip past his lips, surprise settles in. Jimin turns his head in one jerky movement to look at him, and in the complex shadows of Namjoon’s expression, he sees a reflection of himself. “I have been suffering a great amount, too great to put into words, I am afraid. It has been a while now, so I am doomed to accept a life fueled by constant longing. There may be no hope for me, but there is still some for you." 

Raw feeling is palpable in the gap of silence that ensues then, and for the first time, Jimin finds himself at a loss of words. Namjoon does not urge him, the guard’s countenance appears now unchanged, strong and serene in spite of having just let him see a glimpse of his heart. The conversation has evolved in a manner that leaves the prince feeling open and vulnerable, and when he does speak anew, he does so without thinking. “I never truly knew him. It was such a harsh blow to realize that it was not the man I fell in love with, but the idea of a man. It left me empty, longing for someone who did not even exist - a ghost with no soul. His letters have caused this, how can I ever recover if I do not make him pay for his ill deeds?”

Namjoon throws him a singular look that he fails to grasp the meaning of. “If I may be so bold, my prince, I think it is entirely at your choice whether to continue on blindly suffering, or to finally allow the cause of your distress to become a turning point, a source of strength."

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean to say is simple: if you confront him about his wrongdoings, you may find it easier to determine whether his imprisonment serves your healing accordingly or not. It is merely a suggestion, but I do hope you think upon it.”

Struck as he is by the boldness of Namjoon's suggestion, Jimin cannot come up with a proper reply. His mind vehemently revolts against the idea, but his wounded heart has a strong inclination to weigh the possibilities such an interaction would bring, and it is this peculiar duality what produces in the back of his head an itch made of a newfound perspective. Perhaps the most reasonable thing to do is to express his anger and frustrations to the one who caused them.

It is not long after Namjoon left him to the solitary company of his own thoughts that Jimin finds himself descending the uncountable steps in quest of locating the most discreet route to the palace’s dungeons, wearing a royal healer's cloak over his head to prevent his face from being seen.

The atmosphere that greets him there, though dispiriting and terrible, does not deflate his purpose. He takes off the cloak and begins to walk briskly, head held high amidst the thickness of grim misery all around him, turning a deaf ear to the dishonorable men that groan and whine for him to free them. As he finally reaches the cell in which Jungkook is said to be imprisoned, he dismisses the sturdy guard taking custody of it with a silent flick of his hand, and within seconds they are left alone. 

Inside the gruesome cell Jungkook sits, back resting against the stone wall and head tilted down in a sheer display of hopelessness. 

Jimin saunters towards the large iron bars that separate them with an air of elegant supremacy, and for a moment, he allows himself to watch the man in all his deplorable glory. His bruised, bitter heart cannot find reason against rejoicing in the wretched state Jungkook is in, handsome features now unwashed and marred by the lines of the cruelest tragedy known to man - the forced deprivation of freedom.

"I must admit I am truly shocked to find you looking so lovelorn," his sharp voice disrupts the muteness governing the place as it bounces against the stone walls, causing Jungkook to jerk his head up in both astonishment and annoyance. Jimin crosses his arms over his chest and tilts his head downward to look into those darkened eyes that seem to burn with little specks of feral vexation. ”Who would have thought you capable of feeling? Certainly not me, and quite frankly, with deception being your field of expertise, one would have expected you to put on a better act."

"If you are here to torture me with your petty ridicule, I shall inform you that such frivolous acts have no effect on me,” Jungkook barks, followed by a harsh cough that denotes a dry throat.

"It is the wiser that you hold your tongue now, fool, else I am forced to remind you of your place,” he bites back, his tone domineering and his patience thin. “You must have thought it a possibility to escape the consequences of your actions, but it is your inherent immorality what has brought you to chains. Taehyung may be too naive to notice, however, it is very clear to me that a man the likes of you can never be anything but a poisonous influence to him. You are bound to mar his soul worse than you did mine, and I shall not allow it."

“Never!” Jungkook seems to take great offense on this statement, for his face twists into lines of sorrowful incredulity. He stands up with some difficulty, legs wavering as he grips the bars with too much force. “I could never harm Taehyung in any way, I had rather end my own life,” he blurts out, but the doleful pitch he uses only strikes Jimin as overly dramatic. Through the narrow gaps between the bars, Jungkook points a grubby finger at him as if to accuse him, but he seems quick to judge the gesture inappropriate and retracts it. “You are badly mistaken about me, Jimin, but I suppose you cannot be blamed for being so. I am, as you say, at fault of my own punishment, and I understand the impulsive nature of my actions has thrown you into a spiral of great pain and hunger for vengeance. Therefore, an apology is very much due, and here I shall humbly ask for your forgiveness.”

Though it cannot be denied that such impeccable diction is favorable to his character, however detestable his character may be, Jimin is not tempted to believe any of Jungkook's meticulously chosen words. "I cannot forgive you,” he spits, flat and void of emotion, earning an utterly confounded look from Jungkook, who must have expected to be forgiven forthwith. “To be fair, it is revolting enough that I ever fancied the slightest interest for you, and, for the time being, I cannot think of you without abhorrence. You have ruined me, Jungkook, you and the delightful prose of your letters have made me believe in a love that was only a delusion."

Jungkook nods in weary understanding. ”I dare say you are clever enough to realize such infatuation of yours was not entirely my doing, for it was only encouraged by the combination of a lonely nature and a rich imagination.” At such implications, Jimin feels his pride wronged and he readies his mouth to argue, but before he can do so, Jungkook continues, “I will admit those letters have caused us to become awfully tangled in a misunderstanding of which I could find no easy exit, but I believe if you had the good nature to read them again, you should notice the lack of affection in them."

“That I cannot do. I burned them all,” Jimin viciously admits, and upon seeing no emotion at all emerging on Jungkook’s face, he throws him a condescending look. "You are very fortunate Taehyung loves you, for had he not demonstrated such deep devotion for you, I would have had you prosecuted long ago."

And no sooner has Jimin mentioned the name of the lover than all dullness vanishes from Jungkook’s eyes, the lethargy in them promptly replaced by the dreamy light of yearning. ”You must allow me to see him, Jimin, please. I beg of you."

"Cease your begging at this instant. It is tedious and it will not do,” Jimin rasps under the pretense of not being currently swayed into consideration, his mind and heart at war. He regrets the question even before he formulates it. “Do you truly love him?"

Stupefaction flashes in those dark eyes for a moment, and the man bleeds passion when he speaks. "I am afraid I cannot successfully put into words how much I love him, for such thing has become unmeasurable to this day. From the moment I met him, I was dominated by a strange surge of vivacity that only seemed to escalate with each limited moment we spent together, and now I feel as if every breath I take apart from him pushes me further to my own demise.”

"That is all very well, very poetic," he says, feeling the unavoidable need to change the subject, "but do be honest. Do you repent at all? Do you feel any remorse from the pain you have caused me?"

"I would be lying if I said that I do not repent for what I have done, because I do to some extent, however, I do not think the guilt that taints my heart is large enough to satisfy you.”

»»————««

Trembling hands place the gold-rimmed teapot back on the serving tray with perhaps too much urgency. "Will there be anything else I can do for you?", the question rushes out of his mouth also, mostly out of habit, but in its urgent formulation his primitive urge to bolt out of the chamber plays a huge role.

The clock ticks away with a steady rhythm, and Taehyung faces the large wooden door, prey of an overflowing anxiousness. Jimin has not personally requested of him ever since poor Jungkook was unjustly taken to the dungeons, and as it stands, he cannot begin to imagine the reasoning behind the prince’s sudden demand to be served tea by him in particular.

"No," Jimin finally answers behind him, and Taehyung manages to silence a notorious sigh of relief, but he has not taken two steps towards the door when that melodious voice fills his ears again, making him halt. “Actually, yes, there is something else. Come, sit with me."

Hoping this new request does not appertain to Jungkook’s punishment, for he does not think he could bear to know whatever barbarity that is about, Taehyung dries his sweaty palms on the front of his robes and turns around, coming to sit down on the edge of the luxurious bed without delay. Though he does endeavor to keep his gaze focused on the boring marble floors, out of the corner of his eye he cannot help observing how Jimin shuffles closer to him and crosses his legs, not caring if these movements crumple the delicate fabric of the teal nightgown he is wearing. 

“Tae,” he whispers, exhibiting an insecure caution so very unlike him, “Will you look at me?” 

The tenderness in which such a question is uttered shakes him into absolute astonishment, a feeling that is greatly augmented by the overall softness he finds on Jimin’s countenance when he rises his head to look at him. Taehyung cannot be sure, but he suspects the unreadable expression present in Jimin’s eyes is the result of a remorseful heart.

The apricot-colored sunset darkens the room and bathes the furniture with an intimate gleam that reflects beautifully on their clothing and the ends of their hair. Jimin seems to watch him closely for a moment, but for some unknown reason his gaze drops, and he lets out a shaky sigh. “I am aware that I have been terribly cruel to you, Tae, and I am so very ashamed of myself,” his wavering voice finally breaks, and Taehyung does not have the heart to let him continue.

“Jimin, we both spoke to each other in such uncivil terms and said regrettable things on that evening,” he says softly, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. ”I am certain that I was as much at fault as you were, but we shall not discuss this matter any further. It is now in the past."

Jimin shakes his head. “No, do not comfort me," he entreats him with gracious firmness, taking Taehyung's hand in between his and squeezing. He bites his lip in an evident effort to keep himself from crying, looking so openly vulnerable that Taehyung feels his own eyes water. "Allow me to apologize for my lashing out on you, because you did not at all deserve the harsh treatment that was so wrongly thrown upon you. I pretended not to see the hurt in your eyes and acted most conceited and cruel, and there can be nothing I shall regret with more fervor in my entire life than what I said to you then.”

Blinking back tears, Taehyung endeavors to keep his voice steady. “You do not have to bear all the blame of the world on your shoulders, Jimin. Yes, I was indeed wounded because your words brought me to believe that I was the creature you hated most, but later on, I understood that you were badly heartbroken and alone, and I forgave you.”

“You are too lenient on me," he smiles warmly, his cherubic little face illuminated by the unmistakable glimmer of alleviation, and he adds, "Please, know that I bear you no ill will.”

Shocked disbelief paints a frown on Taehyung's forehead. “But how can you not? You deposited your trust on me, and I kept the truth from you.”

“Nonsense," he answers with the wave of a dismissing hand, and what he says next shocks Taehyung further. "I have accepted what happened between you two, Tae, and he, ever the perfect gentleman, has properly apologized to me. However, I still cannot feel any sympathy for him, and I must clarify that if I have concealed from my parents his arrival at the dungeons, it was only for your sake, not his.”

“Oh, Jimin, I am delighted to hear you say that,” he replies candidly, cheeks in a glow, “I have always felt it in my heart that you would come to understand.”

“It will never cease to amaze me how disastrously naive you are," Jimin teases him with an exaggerated roll of his eyes, "I am not as good as you make me.”

“You are, but I suppose it takes longer to see one's own goodness."

They share a little laugh, help themselves to some chamomile tea, and end up discussing far more idle matters. Taehyung cannot feel more at ease in the vast pleasantness of their conversation, and sooner than he expects it time has come for them to bid each other good night.

“I am certain no one has ever understood me quite as you have," Jimin suddenly confesses, and there is that gleam of painful honesty in his eyes again. "I do not wish to lose you, but my wish for you to be happy is by far the strongest, and though it pains me to say it, you would never achieve true happiness here.”

“Jimin?" Taehyung gives him a quizzical look, "What does this mean?”

“It means that you are free to go," his smile is rather sorrowful, and Taehyung's eyes widen. "I have already made the necessary arrangements for your departure, and you may begin to pack your belongings whenever you wish.”

The sweet bubbling sensation that takes over his stomach at what those words could possibly imply does not prevent him from being stuck in temporary disorientation. “But I have nowhere else to go.”

“You do," he sighs, "I let Jungkook go, Tae." At this, Taehyung gasps, bringing a quivering hand to cover his mouth. "He is as free as a dove, and he awaits for you, probably wearing that insolent smile on his bastard face.”

Tears of the most unfathomable joy well up in his eyes, and without thinking he flings his arms around Jimin, enveloping him in the tightest embrace. “Thank you," he mumbles, again and again.

Chapter Text

Watching the sunset from his favorite spot near the windowsill has proved to be quite an intense experience. At present, the land that stretches out before him begins to slowly transform into a coloured fantasy that announces the coming of the evening, a daily spectacle that without effort bewitches the entirety of his being... Taehyung’s fascination grows as the vast areas of pasture are beautifully improved with the apricot hue of the retreating sun, and much like a work of magic, the plain grass seems to turn into a sea of olive green herbs before his very eyes. When his gaze shifts from the earth to the sky, he finds a painting of pure opal and shades of coral clouds, and no matter how long he examines the landscape, his greediness for absorbing its aesthetic seems never to be sated. 

In the midst of his reverie he is fully convinced that such divine experience should be called art in the light conscience, and in his mind broods a sense of existential complacency, a very much needed sense of belonging which has rooted in the heart and keeps his soul warm.

It has been quite a delightful month and a fortnight since Taehyung was welcomed into Jungkook’s farm with the promise of staying forever, but it seems that, rather than growing accustomed to the charms of this place by the day, he cannot cease to be amazed by each and every of Nature’s old tricks. It is beyond his control, sunsets and other delights of the mundane occurrences awake in him some sort of childish curiosity. He supposes that, after living within the absolute dullness of the palace for so long, it is inconceivable for a creature like him to grow indifferent to the beauty of natural phenomena. Jungkook’s farm - his home now, he keeps repeating to himself - is a very valuable piece of worldly paradise in which, on the few occasions he finds himself alone and distracted, time seems to stop, and Nature appears to look back into his curious eyes, leaving him to feel both as the observer and the observee. 

A quixotic sigh escapes him, and he looks down, his attention back again on the tender lines of felicity that his friend has written him. 

‘I have found my very own happiness where I least expected it to be… or has it found me? Was it not there always, within my reach? I know not what blinded me then from seeing it, but now I can say with confidence that it is simply the greatest joy to love and be loved in return.’  

How much life can change over the course of mere weeks! Merry surely comes to those who are deserving of it long after being awaited, suffered, and longed for. A wide smile full of blithe is painted on his face as he reads this particular fragment again, wondering who might be the beloved Jimin swoons about. Despite his friend’s attempt at secrecy, the secret is for the most part exposed, and Taehyung cannot help feeling giddy when certain guard, whose longing gaze was too obvious, comes to mind. It could be no other, he concludes, and before tucking Jimin’s letter away with the others, he traces his fingers over the elevated surface of its intricately patterned envelope in an elated manner. 

Finally rising from the chair, Taehyung leaves the windowsill with a last lingering gaze, and waltzes from the kitchen to the main door in the highest of spirits. He walks past the plantation of roses near the entrance, and dives into the tamed wilderness of the fields employed in a vital quest for the man who claims to love him immensely, but who also seems to be perfectly alright with abandoning him for hours to tend to the horses.

Somewhere near the stables he finds a visibly drained Jungkook, completely absorbed in the arduous process of stacking bale of hay upon bale of hay and securing them together with a thick cord. Not wanting to be discovered yet, Taehyung halts and takes a moment to appreciate his figure from afar. Jungkook looks most gracious while engaged in such a physically demanding task. The bales of hay appear massive next to him and yet his muscled form can lift one without displaying any sort of difficulty or strain. It is correct to say there is not a thing Jungkook cannot do, but in Taehyung’s opinion this is rather troublesome, for his lover suffers from a tedious tendency to become distracted by his work, which more often than not provokes him to lose track of time and forget what is really important.

“You do work in excess, darling,” he chants as he saunters over to him, a fond smile curling on his lips. Jungkook, though having no doubt heard him, does not turn around and remains focused on the task of making a knot with the cord. There is no ill intention on such a lack of response, of this Taehyung is sure, but the sting of neglect, though minimal, is still there. No matter, he is prepared to persuade Jungkook into giving him the attention he requires if need be. “Have you not had enough? I believe it is time for you to have a brief respite of leisure.”

“Yes, I am quite finished here,” he says, turning around with so brilliant a smile that Taehyung’s heart falters. With eyes bleeding enthusiasm Jungkook comes to stand before Taehyung, and for a moment he is engrossed in his admiration of him, pleasantly distracted by the way the receding sunset reflects on the tanned skin of Taehyung’s exposed arms. He recovers quickly however, and speaks with confidence: “Now, my dear, I should gladly have you at my leisure.” 

Jungkook brings him closer by the arm and offers to kiss him, but Taehyung playfully neglects his advances, despite wanting them. 

“What a wicked thing to say. I wonder, have you grown too comfortable around me? You used to be so well-mannered.”

“Do you not find it more irresistible, my being obnoxiously forward, I mean?” 

He is pretending to be dramatically disconcerted, to which Taehyung raises an eyebrow, and gives him a question for an answer. “How could I ever find you attractive when you speak like a brute and reek of sweat?”

“Because you love me,” Jungkook simply replies.

“Even love has its limits,” he counteracts with a falsehood, and it is clever enough, but he is a little shaken off his act when Jungkook moves even closer, and they stand chest to chest.

“Not ours. Our love is made of a greater substance, an unspeakable one, do you not agree?”, the words ghost over his mouth as Jungkook breathes life into them, and a rush of warmth invades him when those hands move to grip the sides of his waist, where Taehyung had wanted them all along. Oblivious to his own knowledge, he has been the one chasing after Jungkook’s lips as he spoke and not the other way around. “You do want to kiss me,” Jungkook states with a sly smile, “Why do you deny yourself so much?”

“Oh, you are terribly mistaken,” Taehyung does what he can to hide from his voice the shame of having been so blatantly betrayed by his own body. “I want nothing to do with your sweaty face, or your impudent mouth for that matter.”

“Is that so?” Jungkook hums, and purses his lips in some sort of feigned discouragement that fades away all too soon. “Then I hope you will excuse my insolence, because I have been thinking a great deal about kissing you, and now that I have you in front of me I cannot hold myself back.” 

Wasting not another second, Jungkook kisses him fiercely, and Taehyung follows with equal vitality, not minding at all the roughness of his dried lips, or the mild dampness of his skin. As their tongues meet and the kiss grows more violent, Taehyung feels faint with rapture, and his hands instinctively seek to take hold of Jungkook’s shoulders for support. Eventually they have to part, their breathing erratic and their eyes turned a shade darker. 

“See, I did not find much resistance,” Jungkook cheekily comments with a triumphant grin that illuminates all of his features, and as if wanting to prove his point, he deposits a quick peck on Taehyung’s awaiting lips. “You do still want me, all sweat and impudence. I dare say you want me more when I am hideous.” 

Every inch of him oozes the smugness of victory, and had Taehyung not been lost in the aftermath of their kiss yet, he would have certainly attempted to protest against the truth. 

“You truly have become quite the outrageous creature,” he mutters instead, untangling his hands from those glorious shoulders before delivering an admonishing pinch to one of Jungkook’s cheeks, whose grin only seems to grow wider with mirth.

“And you quite the petty liar. But it is fortunate that even our grotesque shortcomings fit together, dearest,” having said this, Jungkook takes one of Taehyung’s hands in his and makes a show of pressing a gentle kiss to the back of it. In an overly courteous manner, he gives his arm to Taehyung, who accepts it after the shake of a short-lived giggle. The dark veil of the evening has nearly fallen upon them when arm in arm they leave the stables, and head at last to the blue house that can hardly be distinguished in the distance. “Now,” Jungkook begins with a contented sigh, “as we retreat to our little home, will you tell me of your day? I have been longing to hear the euphony of your angelic voice ever since I left you to yourself this afternoon.”

“I doubt there is any enjoyment in my relating of the uneventful afternoon I have endured, but I happen to be in the mood to humor you,” he holds tighter onto Jungkook’s arm and smiles warmly at the purple horizon before them. “Since you abandoned me to a doom of boredom and I was in want of some exercise, I decided it was best to escape the cage you left me in at the earliest opportunity. So I went on a long stroll around the farm, and tried to amuse myself by collecting wild flowers. I must have looked perfectly pitiable.”

Jungkook, who has not been able to tear his eyes from Taehyung's face the entire time he spoke, laughs very charmingly, and nods in agreement. “Yes, I thought I saw a glimpse of your poor grieving soul having a conversation with a group of uninterested hares as I worked. It was a most concerning sight, but I did not think I had the right to interrupt.”

Taehyung’s cheeks redden considerably. At the time, he had not imagined that he was being watched while doing something so ridiculous. Jungkook, however, seems to find it very amusing that he is mortified this way, and after fixing his mischievous lover with a deadly glare, Taehyung clears his throat. “To be sure, I was awfully lonely and had to seek the company of the wilderness as a last resort,” he says in his own defense. “Naturally, after bearing so much strenuous exercise and misery, I was in great need of a restorative bath. So I went home, filled the tub with warm water, poured in it the flowers I had collected, and soaked there for a good hour.”

“Dear me! What I wouldn’t do to be the witness of such a marvelous sight!” Jungkook comments excitedly and rather loudly, sending Taehyung an indecent smirk. “In fact, I do not think I can take the image of you bathing out of my mind now that you have mentioned it. For my own sanity, you must promise to call upon me whenever you decide to bathe again.”

“How dreadfully impossible you are,” Taehyung becomes so bashful that he laughs, cheeks in bloom. “I wish you would stop distracting me from the topic at hand, it is most inconvenient.” 

“With pleasure, I will grant your wish, and I would hush forever if you so desired it. We have almost arrived, but do continue to bless my poor ears, Taehyung.”

It is tough work to both try to seem unaffected and be this close to Jungkook when he is the permanent target of each and every of his dazzling compliments. Not to mention it becomes imperative that he looks away from the heat of his beloved’s vivid gaze if he wants to speak coherently. “Well, not much occurred after that,” he begins to say after a moment, still sounding timid, “I began to write down some interesting notes from the book the Jung’s lent me the other day, but I had not been seated for half an hour then to the door came the rapping of an impatient young man in search of me, and when I opened it-”

“A young man?” Uncaring of his late promise Jungkook interferes his speech, visibly calm but sounding all too serious, so serious indeed that he makes the two of them halt. “You opened the door to a stranger? What for?” 

There is no sign of former jesting or playfulness left on his divinely crafted face, and Taehyung would have been filled with worry, hurt even, had his perfectly matured mind not understood the nature of Jungkook’s temper. It is an evident indication of jealousy that does not occur often, and when it does it is never expressed this candidly. To be so ferociously protected envelops Taehyung with sweet delectation, however he is well aware that such conduct if encouraged will do more harm than good to Jungkook’s health, and it ought to be stopped.

“A letter, darling. He brought me a letter,” the softness of his tone and the carefulness he puts on each word are meant to placate his lover, but it is a tender squeeze to Jungkook’s arm that effectively makes him release the tension he has built up in the matter of mere seconds. Taehyung presses close to his side, and allows Jungkook's arm to wrap around him. “Before I tell you who the sender was, I must make it plain that I will not tolerate any expression of irrational jealousy in the future. A controlling lover becomes tedious in a trice.”

“Oh, it was never my intention to vex you,” his eyes drift to the pasture below their shoes as he utters this, and much like a naughty child, he appears thoroughly ashamed of himself. Too fond of him, Taehyung regards Jungkook with gentle magnanimity, and patiently waits for him to gather his thoughts and the courage to express them. “I am sorry, but in a moment of weakness I have been plagued by the thought of you being preyed on, and my mouth has moved on its own accord. It shall not happen again,” he pledges.

Taehyung does not fail to give him the reassurance he needs, “It is alright, Jungkook, I am not angry at you. I feel I can never be, even if you really tried to annoy me.” They smile at each other with the warmth of the eternal fondness and unlimited trust that strengthens their bond, and once satisfied with the solving of their slight misunderstanding, they resume walking. 

“Well, let us forget my weakness and do not keep me guessing,” Jungkook heartily says after a pause. “Dear, you have a most heavenly voice, and you speak so well, pray tell me who the mystery sender was.”

The exquisite style of speech Jungkook possesses certainly assists him to fall into Taehyung’s good graces with much dangerous ease, for though Taehyung did not have the intention to continue with the topic, he is now promptly persuaded into resuming the relating of this afternoon’s events. “Yes, as I was saying, this young man gave me a prettily enveloped letter, and the sender was no other than dearest prince Jimin. For obvious reasons I will not reveal to you the contents of this letter, but I suppose it is alright if I share with you the happiness and newfound hope he has expressed on it. I am most relieved to say he has found love of his own within the palace.”

“What wonderful news!”, he exclaims, although it comes across as more of a satire than a natural cry of celebration, “Surely he must have mentioned a desire to finally forgive me?”

Taehyung shakes his head. “He has not.” 

Likely to the fact of having not expected a negative response, creases of mild disappointment form on Jungkook’s brow. “Well, it seems there is not a thing I can do to mend it. I have already apologized twice, and quite splendidly I dare say. I know not what has failed.”

A sigh escapes him. “Apologizing does not mean immediate forgiveness, Jungkook. One apologizes twice because one is very sorry, or in your case, because it is the right thing to do, but forgiveness is only given after the wound has healed, not before. You must allow prince Jimin to take the time he needs to heal, and when he does, he is free to decide if you are deserving of being forgiven yet.”

“How wise you are, darling,” Jungkook notes in genuine wonder, “and how undeservingly fortunate I am to have you on my side.”

Upon arriving home, Jungkook excused himself to bathe in an urge to make himself presentable, which did not make sense to Taehyung, who thought him presentable enough for an ordinary dinner for two; and after this, he joined him at the table where they sat to dine together in the pleasant company of the intimacy their little house provided. The food has been nothing short of exquisite, quietly enjoyed and shared, and having no servants to importune them with the desire to clean after they are finished, Jungkook and Taehyung make sure to extend the gratification of the meal with wine goblets and amiable conversation.

At some point, Jungkook admits to strongly dislike the unhealthy obsession that some people show towards matters as frivolous as clothing, claiming that he finds the stress of fashion quite pointless. Taehyung, after laughing openly at his seriousness, comments on it. “I have always wondered what your opinion was on the distinguished art of clothing oneself, but I never thought your answer would be that of a savage.”

“You are terribly unjust to me,” he complains, but in spite of himself, Jungkook does not manage to sound as woeful as he intended to. “Am I to be laughed at and called a savage for having an opinion that differs from the rest?” 

“Of course not, darling, I am merely playing with you,” Taehyung assures him, long fingers dancing on the edge of his half-empty goblet. “In fact, what I admire most of you is that you always speak honest to yourself. To voice out one’s views, preferably if they are unpopular, may oftentimes be inadvisable, but it is an admirable act of bravery nonetheless.”

“I am glad to hear you speak so highly of me, I only wish you would do it more,” he takes a gulp from his own goblet, staring deeply into Taehyung’s eyes as he relaxes back into the chair. “Honesty is always becoming, and since I have a tendency to abuse it, I imagine that is where my attractiveness comes from.” 

Taehyung finds what he says very absurd and amusing, yet painfully charming. “You are frightfully conceited, but I feel the theory of ‘the word makes the man ’ is perfectly true in your case. Nobody speaks as handsomely as you look.”

“I should say the same of you, but it is a known fact that your beauty is beyond words.”

To this Taehyung shakes his head in the pretense of finding Jungkook’s response ridiculous, his grin revealing how much he enjoys it. Jungkook, satisfied with such a lovely reaction, finishes his wine and continues to stare at Taehyung for a long moment of silence. During this time, he drinks like a parched man the view before him, marveling at every of Taehyung’s delicately refined features as if it were the first time he saw them. 

There is something about him tonight, Jungkook cannot precisely name it, but he believes its exhilarating power has intoxicated his trail of thought beyond cure. Taehyung, on his part, is entertained by the contents of his goblet and does not seem to be at all aware of his own alluring effect, which makes him all the more delectable. 

Indeed, Taehyung is always madly gratifying to look at, but on this very moment his charms are somehow augmented, and Jungkook’s mind dances. He gawks at the caramel skin bathed by the warm glow of the candlelight, the mess of his golden locks falling with grace just above his honeyed eyes, the elegant nose and the youthful cheeks that give him an air of innocence, the petal lips dyed a mild shade of burgundy by the wine, the gentle trembling of his lashes as he stares right back at him… Jungkook halts, feeling hazy and quite out of breath. 

“Taehyung, my love, you look so beautiful tonight, I can hardly take it,” he blurts out, voice tight with feeling.

Colour rushes to Taehyung’s face, and he grows hot all over, realizing at once that the heat which begins to consume him is not produced by the wine. “Thank you, darling, you are quite shameless tonight,” he says the moment he deems it safe to speak without stammering. Silence follows. His gaze lowers to admire the visible tensing of Jungkook’s jaw; he has always been fascinated by it, for though it appears sharp as a knife’s edge it is soft to the touch, much like the rest of his appearance. “I have great suspicions that it is the effect of the wine, but I confess your face seems to have improved tonight as well, and your jaw, especially, looks most appetizing.” 

Jungkook raises his eyebrows and looks too pleased. “Allow me to be harsh, but I doubt my jaw alone would suffice to feed such zealous appetite as yours, as I have come to know it.”

“Well, I cannot deny that,” he admits, teeth digging into his lower lip. “I think your company has rather ruined me, for I become ravenous solely when I am with you.”

“Yes, and I think you are too far for comfort. This horrid distance between us is killing me," a pause, and he throws Taehyung a pleading look. "Will you come sit on me, let me embrace you?”

Finding it dazzling, Taehyung says not a thing and promptly stands up to oblige him, abandoning the rigid chair to climb onto the comfort of Jungkook’s lap. Though heavily mortified by the diffidence of his nature, Taehyung manages to disregard the evident redness of his face and throws his arms around Jungkook’s neck, who immediately wraps his around his middle, and the action draws a contented sigh from him. Encouraged by the welcoming closeness, Taehyung leans in to press a longing kiss on the edge of Jungkook’s jaw. He opens his mouth to let his tongue glide over it, satisfied when Jungkook’s breath hitches dramatically and his hands squeeze Taehyung in response, but he is least expecting it when Jungkook shifts and seals their lips together.

With greedy hands they finally take hold of every temptation the hours apart have denied them, and very soon they become tangled in their own passionate array of affection. As it is inevitable that they should require of a more comfortable place to continue this, Jungkook stands up, and with him comes Taehyung, whom he has easily hoisted up into his arms. 

Not without the clumsiness of impatience do they move the fervour of the moment to the privacy of their shared bedroom, where Jungkook removes in a haste what he can of Taehyung’s shirt, making it come down halfway and revealing at once both the glowing necklace and the golden skin that he aches to taste. Taehyung, with the intention of not falling out of his arms - if it were possible to fall from Jungkook’s iron grip - clutches his legs tightly around Jungkook’s waist, and throws his head back the moment he feels a trail of light kisses dampening his neck. His hands come up to fist at the lush locks of Jungkook’s hair as a wicked tongue dips into the hollow of his throat, and it becomes an arduous struggle not to let out any sort of embarrassing sounds. He whines in want, feels Jungkook quiver in response and stop his ministrations altogether as if on a trance, and Taehyung seizes the opportunity to do some teasing of his own. Moving his head to nest it under Jungkook’s jaw, Taehyung makes it his duty to nip gently at the strong column of his neck, and is delighted to hear little breaths of pleasure coming out of Jungkook, whose hands knead continuously at the clothed flesh of his thighs.

Shirts at last discarded, they land on the soft mattress with their mouths glued together, and in the absence of verbal communication their heated bodies speak to each other in a hundred silent ways. The rhythmic friction they are so devotedly creating makes desire bloom into the night air that fills the room and their lungs, and both of them thoroughly enjoy the rocking session, until they become intoxicated with it, and have to rid themselves of the last layers of inconvenient cloth. 

Flesh upon flesh, Taehyung chooses to run his hands along the muscles of the heavenly trained chest that is presented to him, and Jungkook indulges him by staying put for a moment. The gentle pressing of Taehyung’s fingertips produce the most delirious goosebumps as they travel aimlessly, until Jungkook cannot take any more of his torture, and placing his hands on him, makes him lie down. Jungkook hovers over him like a tamed lion, and their lips meet halfway but only for a brief period of time, for there are many delectable places they would rather be kissing now. Taehyung’s head sinks into the pillow as Jungkook licks his way downwards, slowly as if to ensure that he memorizes the taste of his chest and the softness of his abdomen, every drag of his tongue setting his skin in flames.

“How good you are, my Taehyung, so good and lovely for me...”, Jungkook mumbles in a shaky breath, and Taehyung is blissed out by such a rarity. Though naturally talkative and a splendid conversationalist, Jungkook prefers not to speak during the course of their lovemakings, or at least, he has not done so until now. The tone of his strangled voice echoes in the lust-driven chambers of Taehyung’s mind, and it makes his back arch into a lovely bow, his moistened lips parting in a silent request for more - more of his voice, more of his touch, more of his warmth; he wants love in any possible form Jungkook can give him. 

A loud gasp breaks from Taehyung when Jungkook’s hand seizes him, moving up and down with a frightening skill that makes him take hold of the sheets and cry out the name he adores. After a particularly delicious squeeze, Taehyung’s body quakes, and layers of white paint his quivering abdomen. As he recovers, he is still too blissed out to notice that Jungkook’s eyes are two spheres of liquid lust staring into his own as if they wished to convey the greatest secret of love solely meant for him to know.

Oil-coated fingers begin to work their magic, easing past the ring of muscle that leads to Taehyung’s luscious passage, and during this process Jungkook is overly considerate and collected, simultaneously kissing his neck and allowing Taehyung to latch his mouth onto one of his shoulders, uttering no complaint when Taehyung’s teeth dig mercilessly on the tender flesh. After a while, Taehyung becomes the vivid representation of all that is erotic, flushed flesh rocking into him, parted mouth dripping tantalizing little sounds and eyes drinking his gaze like wine. Jungkook, though fully entrammeled, knows he is ready to take him.

Taehyung grips his shoulders as his avid lover finally enters him, and he feels full but not yet sated. With every of Jungkook’s thrusts he grows more voracious for pleasure, and he whines beautifully, glancing up at him with glassy eyes. In the sheer blindness of their inexhaustible passion, Taehyung requires with the grace of a disheveled angel to have a taste of the maddening sweetness that drips from Jungkook’s mouth, and Jungkook, shaking and unstable himself, complies without hesitance, uniting their lips in a demanding kiss.

Although the ravishing sounds his beloved is making are irresistible enough to make Jungkook feel on edge, he does not halt the firmness of his movement and keeps going restlessly, as if plunging into Taehyung’s clamping heat were his only purpose in life. The desire to prolong the emotion is strong, however they soon reach their limit, and a sudden wave of immeasurable pleasure washes over them both. 

As they lay pressed against each other, shuddering off the last bits of ecstasy, the silver gleam of the moon comes in through the opened window, flooding the room with its magic and bringing the lovers to a peaceful slumber.