Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Jimin stared at the ceiling. 

He lay in bed, watching the play of light and shadow on the ornate plastering. A candle burned low on the bedside table. Save for the circle of yellow light reflected above, the room was dark. He hadn’t bothered getting out of the stiff clothes he had worn to the gala.  How he made his way back to his room is a little blurred in his mind. He suspects he has Taehyung to thank. 

He sat up, pulling his torso upright. His collar felt too tight.  He dug his fingers in, struggling with the tiny, pearly buttons at his neck.  At one point, his impatience got the better of him and he grit his teeth, trying to pull the buttons apart. The threads holding the buttons to the shirt snapped - and they skittered across the marble floor. 

He stood up with a jerk and paced about the room, running his hands through his hair, clenching and unclenching his fist.  He caught a glimpse of his shadowy reflection in the mirror. Slowly, very slowly, he made his way to it. The hollows under his eyes seemed to mock him for his state. 

Why was he behaving like a jilted lover? Nothing had ever been spoken between him and Jeongguk. Any feeling or emotion he might have felt, he surely felt alone.  He wasn’t the first man to have mistaken the attention of a pretty omega as interest when it was anything but. Did he even have a right to sulk and throw a tantrum over it? They had been thick as thieves. Best friends. I thought I was your best friend hyung .

Jeongguk had offered him nothing more than his friendship. They had never ventured into unfamiliar territory, never strayed from the safe confines of leaning on each other as friends.  How could he blame Jeongguk for any of this? If anyone was to blame, it was him, for never saying anything. He wore his affection for Jeongguk openly on his face but didn’t dare to allow it to escape from his mouth. 

But Seojun did. Like Seojun did everything.  He wanted Jeongguk. He reached forward and snatched him away.  That’s what Alphas do. All he could do now, was watch as the love of his life was bound to his brute of a brother, and he could do nothing.  Even if he took the throne away from Seojun - and that endeavour itself hung from the edge of a knife - stealing Jeongguk away from him would take more from him than he could give. 

His steps slowed to a halt. The thought tickled and twisted in his mind.  He shook his head, willing it away.  He slowly completed another circle around the room. Stopped. Glared at the floor. Try as he might, the thought was now here. And it would not leave him be. Slowly drawing a breath, he decided to indulge it. If he took the throne away from Seojun, then maybe, just maybe, it would give him the courage to speak freely to Jeongguk as well. 

Jimin frowned and paced about some more.  

He had been prepared to carry this flame, hidden away in his heart till the end of his days. Watching Jeongguk from afar, a satellite, following his every move, standing on the sidelines but he’d been fooling himself.  As if he could ever stand to the side and not even try.  That was what cowards do. 

His lip curled in a wry grin. He was many things, but a coward was not one of them. A coward wouldn’t bait his older, stronger alpha brother in front of the king’s council and make him seem a fool.  A coward wouldn’t dare to do half the things he had done in the last four years.   He cracked his neck.  

First, the facts. Seojun had no idea that his fondness for Jeongguk extended beyond the confines of friendship.  He probably thought whatever connection there had been, had shrivelled away in the light of his exile. After all, he had not spoken to Jeongguk since their ugly fight before he’d been dumped in Jeju. Seojun thought he had nothing to worry about - no rival, no competitor - just smooth sailing. Idiot.  His brother had always been easily distracted from the prize. 

Seojun thought losing face before the council was what he needed to worry about and threaten him for.  But Jimin’s dreams didn’t revolve around the throne. They never had. He had only ever dreamed about one person. 

He needed to stop this wedding.  He couldn’t let it go ahead... He’d been going about this all wrong. To take the throne from his brother, he had invoked his strengths and his superior control upon his senses and temper as critical to each of the nobles whose support he had once sought and now possessed.  Why hadn’t he done the same with Jeongguk? 

Jimin snorted. “Because I’m an idiot.” He spoke into the empty room, the candle flickering in spurts in its glass home.  He had to review his strengths when faced with his childhood friend.  Jeongguk still seemed to like him. That was important.  He still had his affection, and he was happy to see him at the theatre. His scent had bloomed so beautifully, and his eyes had sparkled with the radiance of the night sky.  

Jimin smiled to himself as he allowed his thoughts to wander away.  The smile died as he realised he had no plan. The palace had been planning for this wedding for over a year.  He barely had a week. The pacing began anew. One thing was for certain, the time for playing it safe was well and truly over. If there was ever a time when he needed to get reckless, it was now.  There was no way he could let Jeongguk get married without telling him how he felt about him. That was what mattered. He had to tell him. Whatever happened after that, whatever Jeongguk’s decision, he would accept it with grace. 

The rest of night passed with Jimin walking a groove into the marble floors. 

***

Jeongguk frowned. He was missing something. He stood and walked over to the cabinets at the end of the room. Pulling out a drawer, he swiftly ran his fingertips down the carefully filed folders, searching for a lesson plan he had set earlier for his students to start when term began again. He let out a satisfied hum as he found what he was looking for. Grabbing the folder, he pulled it out and leafed through it as he walked back to his desk. 

This was his first stint as a piano teacher at the Academy and like any first-time teacher, nerves and anxiety plagued his days relentlessly.  Every day was opening night.  He had to show he was worthy of his position every day; that he hadn’t simply been handed it because of the house he was born in.  It had been a consistent struggle to reach this place. There had been an uproar when his parents found out he’d applied. They were furious, his father in particular had been apoplectic in rage. It was plebeian and common to look for a job when you were a high-class omega. In the circle they belonged to, it was scandalous too. 

High born omegas like himself didn’t work. They collected accomplishments and cultivated interests.  Applying for a job was something that plebeians did.  He was betrothed to the Crown Prince - did he have any idea what he was risking?  The slightest hint of scandal could put an end to everything.  What if the prince found out and went digging for more. Trying to find out why Jeongguk wanted a job in the first place?  What if the prince discovered how unorthodox an omega he was?  What if he found out the family was wanting for money, deep in debt? 

His father was happy to continue to let his debt grow higher and higher - as long as it allowed him the trappings he needed to preen before the other nobles.  Sooner or later, his debts would be taken care of by the royal treasury.  

One call to the academy, and his application had been sent to the shredder. 

Jeongguk had raced to the Academy in person, pleading to see the Director. She was a stern and unyielding woman, an alpha.   Even though he cringed to remember that conversation to this day, ultimately, she had relented and allowed him to attend the interview process. He had cleared three sets of interviews plus a practical demonstration of his skill to earn his spot here. The salary had allowed him to move out of the family seat. A miniscule but important step towards the freedom he so desperately desired. 

However, he could not shake off the security detail Seojun had insisted upon giving him.  Two beefy alphas, from Seojun’s personal guard, followed him around everywhere. One was standing outside the room right now.  He glanced at the clock. It was almost time to go home, dusk had fallen.  The sky outside was rippled with deep pinks and purple as the sun had sunk below the horizon many minutes ago.  He groaned. He was nowhere near finished with everything he needed to get done. He stretched his arms over his head, turned his shoulders back a few times before leaning over the file to peruse the lesson map he’d planned for the new term. 

He blinked. Last night, he’d caught only faint glimpses of Jimin, as he flew about the ballroom like a sprite. It felt like every time he looked for him, he was in some different corner of the ballroom, speaking to a different person. They crossed each other on the dance floor once, close enough to touch, if he had reached out.  Jimin had ignored him all night long. 

Jeongguk clenched his fingers tightly around his pen. He let out the breath he’d been holding and very deliberately put the pen down.  Jimin was being cruel. He had refused to hear him out at the theatre earlier, leaving before he could even broach the subject properly. He huffed. How was this fair? 

Jimin had caught him off guard, showing up like that. Alright, maybe, he had hoped that Jimin would be there, because he had promised. And Jimin always kept his promises.  But, even so, he brought his new best friend along, like a deterrent; adding insult to injury, there hadn’t even been much time to speak with him. 

But honestly, would it kill Jimin to actually listen?  Not that it was surprising. Jimin was intense - always had been. You didn’t exist at the level of beauty that he did without having a complicated inner life.  

They had been best friends. Friends listened to each other. Didn’t he deserve to be heard before Jimin decided everything was his fault?  

There was a steady knock on the door. He glanced up and frowned. He wasn’t expecting anyone. He stood and strode over to the door.  He pulled the door open to find the Director’s personal assistant standing outside.  The man wore an apologetic expression and bowed low. 

“Jeongguk-ssi, the Director would like a word please.” 

Jeongguk inclined his head.  “I’ll be there presently.”  Turning, he tidied his desk and put his papers away. He would have to finish up tomorrow.  He grabbed his blazer from the back of his chair and slipped it over his shoulders.  Stepping out into the corridor, he glanced at his alpha guards before striding down the corridor towards the Director’s office. 

***

Seojun inclined his head to the side as the meeting dragged on. He had lost interest after the first ten minutes.  There was nothing of importance being said anyway.  Whatever it was, he could decide later.  Concerns and mitigants were more for the councillors anyway.  They were the ones who had to implement his vision and work around variables. 

He blinked as he realised the man was staring at him, looking expectant. Seojun glanced around the table to find them all waiting for him. 

“What?”

The councillor glanced at the piece of paper in his hand, “What is your view, Your Highness?”

Seojun raised an eyebrow. 

The councillor swallowed. “About the floods in lower Silla..”

Seojun waved a hand.  “Get them what they need. Pronto!”  He smirked.  “Surely, you could have resolved that one on your own, gentlemen.”

The councillor was about to speak when the door to the chambers opened and an aide swept into the room, taking quick strides towards the Crown Prince.  He executed a perfect ninety-degree bow, held it for the mandated three heartbeats before straightening and coming to a standstill beside the prince.  He held out a piece of folded note paper with two hands. 

Seojun plucked the paper out of his hands.  He frowned as he read, then glanced up at the aide.  “Is he here now?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Very well then.”  Seojun rose to his feet.  “Gentlemen, I must take your leave.  I must attend to my omega.” 

“Your Highness, we were hoping to have these pending matters decided today. Deliberations are complete and the council has their suggestions ready. We wait only for your seal.”

Seojun paid no attention. He walked towards the door.  His aide deftly opened the door and stood back. “I’m sure you’ll figure a way out, Councillor.  If you still need my guidance, then you may seek an audience tomorrow.”  The door shut behind him.  The councillors glanced at each other, flabbergasted. 

Seojun sauntered leisurely towards one of the many parlours in the palace for his exclusive use.  He was pleased to know that Jeongguk was here, that he had sought him out himself. Usually, it was challenging to get him to come to the palace under any pretext.  He had to admit, the chase had been thrilling at the beginning, but this close to their wedding, the constant battle for his attention had begun to feel irritating to him.  He knew omegas relished feeling sought after and pursued during courtship, but this was a bit excessive. If he didn’t know any better, he’d actually think Jeongguk wasn’t interested. 

He entered the room to find his intended pacing in front of the french doors. His brow was furrowed, and his lip turned down in a frown-pout. 

“There he is, the light of my life.”  Seojun called out to him. 

Jeongguk froze in his spot. Then turned to him. Clenching his jaw, he bowed stiffly. He glanced at the aide and spoke, “I need to speak to you privately, hyung.”

Seojun raised an eyebrow.  “What’s that darling?’

“Hyung, I__”  Jeongguk felt a chill settle over him as he remembered Seojun’s words in the car yesterday.  By the moon, he couldn’t be serious right now.  He curled his fingers into a fist and bit out, “Alpha, I need to speak to you privately.”

Seojun smiled.  He waved elegantly and the aide stepped outside.  “That sounds so much better darling.  I must say I am happy to see you here.  It's not like you to seek an audience out of the blue. Were you missing me?”  He ran his knuckles along Jeongguk's cheek, resting them under his chin.

Jeongguk lifted his chin and stepped back, slightly out of reach.  “Hyung_” He shut his eyes for less than a second, realising his mistake.  “Alpha, I was let go today from the Academy.  They said you asked them to do so.”

“I did.”

“You did?”  Jeongguk gripped his sleeve, just to give his hands something to do.  His scent soured.  “Why would you do that?”

“You’re not going to have time to teach anymore.  Once we’re married, I will need you with me at all times. Besides, your duties here at the palace are going to take up what’s left of your time. I didn't want you to be distracted by inconsequential things.”

“They’re not inconsequential things! This is my job, my responsibility!  How could you do something like this? You didn’t even tell me.”

“And? Was I supposed to ask your permission, Omega?”  Seojun’s eyes flashed with irritation.  “Was I supposed to consult you before making a decision?”

“You had no right! When the decision concerns me, yes. You should have.  You should have consulted me.”

“I had no right?”  Seojun chuckled but it was not a pleasant sound.  He stepped closer to Jeongguk.  “You have the audacity to question me?  Your Alpha?  Mouthing off like some common bitch.”

Jeongguk’s eyes grew wide, and his mouth parted in shock.  

Seojun crowded Jeongguk against the wall, stepping into his space. He grabbed his arm and tugged him forward.  “Who the hell do you think you are?  I am your Alpha. If I make a decision for you, you accept it. If I decide you will no longer touch the piano, let alone play it, you will listen. Do you understand?” He shook him, fingers pressing painfully into the flesh of his upper arm.   “Don’t ever raise your voice in front of me. Ever.”

“Do you understand?”

Jeongguk said nothing. His heart was racing a mile a minute. 

“I asked you something.  Answer me.  Do you understand?”  Seojun repeated, fingers curling in a vise around his arm. 

Jeongguk grit his teeth.  “No.”

Seojun blinked.  “ What ?”

“You are not my Alpha yet. Let go.”  He stepped back, pulling at his wrist.

“You have to be joking.”

“Let me go hyung.”

“Or what?”  Seojun gloated.  He twisted Jeongguk’s wrist inward.  “Go on, scream for help. I want to see you do it.”

Jeongguk gasped in pain. “Let go hyung! You’re hurting me.”  He tried to pry Seojun’s fingers off his wrist, face crumpling as the pain shot up his arm. 

“I’ve been too lenient with you. Too soft. It seems like you need to be reminded of your place.” 

Jeongguk froze. He ignored the burn of his muscles to glare at the alpha. “My place is away from you. Let go now.”  His voice was poisonous, his scent unbearably bitter. 

Seojun held a fist up to his nose, brow furrowing as the unpleasant odour of rotting citrus flooded his nostrils. The room was awash in the scent of Jeongguk’s disgust, it rolled off him in waves. He let go of Jeongguk’s wrist. 

Jeongguk backed away immediately.  

Seojun snarled. But before he could make a move, Jeongguk turned and sprinted out of the room.  

“Jeongguk! This isn’t over.” 

He ignored Seojun’s calls. He rushed through the hallway and down the stairs.  He knew he had mere minutes before his alpha guards would come looking for him. He slipped into a narrow hall leading towards the first-floor offices. There was a massive garden on one side that opened onto a terrace leading to the library. Even if Seojun sent someone after him, he could slip through the hidden door and come out on the other side of the wing and exit safely. 

He didn’t trust Seojun to remain calm right now. He had never experienced this side of him. He'd be lying if it didn’t make him wary and nervous. Truth be told, in the four years he had been engaged to him, he had managed to avoid spending much time in close quarters with his fiancé owing to his studies and performing commitments. 

But the alpha prince had always been the poster boy of propriety during the scheduled “dates” arranged by the palace and his parents over the years. He had never made an offending remark, nor taken a negative tone or shown any inclination that he held discriminatory views regarding his secondary gender.  

Or maybe he hadn’t noticed. He admitted his attention during these meetings was splintered and patchy at best. After all, he wasn’t there out of interest. The only reason he had attended those dates was because there was no excuse he could give as to why he didn’t want to meet his fiancée. 

He looked around carefully.  The library was empty. He hurried past the glass topped tables holding rare manuscripts and the original decree of laws passed by successive alpha kings in Goguryeo.  Leaning against the third wooden panel on the wall, he knocked softly until a hollow thud was heard. He felt along the edge until his fingers brushed against a catch in the wooden panel. He pressed it and the panel swung open, leading into a narrow corridor. 

He slipped through and emerged in a hallway framing the sunken garden on the other side of the library.  It was late. The sky was dark, overhung with reddish clouds. Perhaps it would rain overnight. 

He bit his lip.  Seojun’s cruel words drifted in his mind and try as he might, he couldn’t push them aside. The reality of his situation had never been clearer to him.  He was trapped. 

The clink of a glass and the subsequent murmurs of voices alerted him to the fact he wasn’t alone here. He looked up. 

The lights had been turned on in the garden.  Clear globes of glass were hung from the trees with clear wire, creating an effect like the globes were floating in the air. 

He heard the low sound of laughter and the crackling of logs. He slowly made his way along the meandering stone pavers leading deeper into the garden.  Crossing the whimsical moon gate at the other side of the stream, he found the bonfire was lit and a small group of people stood around it, each holding a glass flute. There were refreshments laid out on a pristine table next to them and liveried staff attending them. 

He blinked as he realised the only person with the access to host a soirée here, in this intimate part of the palace, was the person who didn’t want to have anything to do with him anymore. 

“ Jeongguk-ssi, what a surprise!”  Kim Seokjin’s melodic voice called out. 

Jeongguk glanced to the side, instantly slapping on a smile. He liked Seokjin. The elder alpha had been extremely kind and welcoming to him.  

“I wasn’t aware you’d be joining us…”  Jin smiled albeit in confusion. 

“Because he isn’t.” A curt voice cut in. Jeongguk whipped his head around to find Taehyung looking at him with a suspicious glare.  He could tell the older Beta didn’t like him, although he didn’t know why.  They were strangers to one another - Taehyung would only know what Jimin had told him. He could only hope it wasn’t all bad. 

Taehyung raised an eyebrow.  “Are you perhaps lost? May I help you?”  He glanced at him from head to toe.  “If you’re looking for your fiancé, his chambers are in the other wing. I can get someone to show you the way there.” 

“I know where his chambers are.”  Jeongguk frowned, bristling with annoyance. His scent turned sharp even as he tried to rein it in.  “I'm not looking for him.”

“Then, what are you doing here?”

“I was just…going home.”  He swallowed.  Then darting his eyes around the bonfire, he addressed Taehyung again.  “Is Jimin hyung here?”

Taehyung pursed his lips.  He could turn him away, if he wanted, and Jimin would be none the wiser.  He could squash that tiny spark of hope in his eyes.  But he wasn’t the sort of person who would do that. So, he ignored the voice of the devil on his shoulder and nodded.  

“He is.”  Rolling his eyes, he gestured at a seat near the bonfire.  “Have a seat. I’ll go get him.”  He turned and walked away. 

Jeongguk gingerly sat down, smiling awkwardly at Seokjin, who was looking at him with great interest.  

“Jeongguk-ssi,  How do you know Jimin?”

“Oh. Jimin hyung and I are friends. We’ve been friends since we were children.”  He glanced around.  “We used to play in these gardens as kids.”

Seokjin’s eyes gleamed and his lips curled into a pleased smile.  “Oh. That’s very interesting. I don’t know why I thought you two only became acquainted after your engagement.” 

Jeongguk lifted the corners of his mouth in a soft smile.  “That’s natural for you to think.”   Very few people had been privy to his friendship with Jimin.  He had never flaunted his closeness with him. It had been private and precious before Jimin had left and painful to remember after. They were close in the way very few people are. It was difficult to explain. How did one explain that another person held the entire world in their eyes and yet this person was as good as a stranger now?  How did he go about making sense of it? 

He felt the need to keep everything related to Jimin private despite the fact it was probably not needed. There wasn’t anything scandalous about it.  For his parents, they were childhood friends who had drifted apart. His mother had even told him that it was for the best that some distance had been placed - ‘no alpha wants to wonder about their omega’s closeness with another person. Whatever happened was probably for the best.’

Seokjin looked as though there was still something more, he wanted to ask but his questions would have to wait, because merely minutes after Taehyung had left to fetch him, Jimin was walking straight towards him. 

Jeongguk rose to his feet in a panic.  He hadn’t thought this through.  He really hadn’t thought this through. What made him think he could be trusted to hold a conversation with Jimin right now?  Yes, even though he had wanted to see Jimin as soon as he realised he was close by, it didn’t mean he was ready for it.  He wasn’t ready for the blinding smile Jimin sent his way, nor was he ready for the casual way Jimin took his hand and led him away from the bonfire and the prying eyes that accompanied it - once he told him he wanted to speak to him.  It felt so natural. His hand felt warm and comforting. 

Jimin strode along with purpose. 

Jeongguk looked at their hands clasped together. Taking a deep breath, he stopped and pulled his hand back.  “Jimin hyung, stop.” 

Jimin stopped and turned around.  “Ah, is this far enough for you?”

“I guess.”  Jeongguk shrugged.  He looked up.  Last time they had spoken, Jimin had left without even listening to him, and now he was acting like nothing had happened.  He glanced back towards the bonfire.   Much as he was happy to see him, he also didn’t want him to get the idea that all was forgiven. It wasn’t.  “I didn’t know you would be here.”

A slow smile spread across Jimin’s lips. “Is that so? Are you happy to see me?”  

Jeongguk blinked.  He can’t be sure but there is a certain archness in Jimin’s tone. His voice was honeyed, smooth like only he could make it, it sent a shiver racing down his spine, warmth spreading in his chest and made his stomach do a flip - Jimin had to know what he sounded like. 

“No - yes, I mean.” He replied carefully. “I just didn’t expect to see you today.”

“You didn’t expect to see me here ? Why not?”  Jimin’s smile morphed into a full-bodied grin and - damn his eyes were pretty. 

“Why did you leave so suddenly the other day?” He retorted, hot under the collar, reeling from the way his insides were turning into mush because of the way Jimin was looking at him.  He decided to rip the bandaid off. The pain was needed for him to think properly.

Jimin straightened his shoulders.  “So, we’re doing this? Now?” 

“Don’t you think we’ve avoided this long enough, Jimin hyung? Or are you going to be angry with me your whole life?” 

Jeongguk let his shoulders slump. He was tired. Tired of plastering a smile on, tired of pretending that this situation wasn’t wearing him down.  The guilt of his decision ate at him day and night, but it had been a mistake . A terrible mistake, and Jimin would understand if only he listened.  

Jimin clenched his jaw.  “I’m not angry with you.” 

Jeongguk laughed bitterly.  “Is that why you walked away yesterday? What about four years ago? You didn’t even bother to tell me you were leaving and for how long.  I had to find out from my parents. Do you know how that felt? It hurt, Jimin hyung. That you could cast me aside like I wasn’t worth your time anymore.” 

Jimin shook his head.  “Oh sweetheart,” his voice tightened immediately.  The curve of his lip was cruel against the softness of his features.   “Of the two of us, one was definitely cast aside, but it wasn’t you.” His eyes narrowed.  

“This! This is exactly what I’m talking about! You keep insinuating things and accusing me of something I haven’t done!”  His breath stuttered.  

The words sat heavily between them. Jeongguk’s eyes were bright, but he kept them fixed upon Jimin. He had enough of this. He was done being treated like he didn’t know what he was talking about. 

Jimin softened his stance immediately, trying to placate him.  What on earth was he doing - trying to fight Jeongguk? “Jeongguk, I’m not accusing you.”  He stepped forward and took his hands.  He brought them down, holding him in place, quelling his agitation.  

“Then why would you say— “

 “Breathe for me, sweetheart. Okay?” 

Jeongguk felt his nerves settle. His muscles relaxed. He looked down at his hands in Jimin’s grasp. His thumbs rubbed slow semi circles onto the back of his hands.  He closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in deeply. The ever so faint scent of neroli wafted around him. 

“Okay.” 

“Feel better?” 

“A little.” 

“Okay. Did you eat?” 

Jeongguk shrugged. “M’not hungry.”

Jimin smiled, endeared. “Really? You’re not hungry?”

More sniffling. A lot more rubbing of his nose with his sleeve. “No.” 

“Then, do you want to leave? Let me bring you back home. We can talk in the car.”  

“Okay. But no more running Jimin hyung. I—I don’t think I can forgive you if you walk away this time.” 

Jimin smiled back. His eyes curved into crescents. “Jeongguk-ah, I promise. I won’t walk away this time.”  His fingers slipped further down Jeongguk’s hand. He frowned as he felt the cold feel of a band. He looked down to find a diamond-encrusted band sitting snugly on Jeongguk’s finger. 

Running his fingers over the band, Jimin glanced up. Jeongguk seemed stricken. He bit his lip, carvings zigzags into the soft flesh with his teeth. 

Jimin quietly led him towards a hallway, then into an elevator that went down to the parking garage. 

He grinned suddenly. “Do you remember the day I got my licence?” 

Jeongguk snorted. “How could I forget? We spent half an hour trying to sneak your dad’s Phantom out without him knowing. What a disaster.”

“We would have been fine if that guard hadn’t noticed us.” 

“I told you to go for something less conspicuous, but you wouldn’t listen!” 

Jimin giggled. “Ehhh it was worth it but what’s better is now, I don’t need to ask for permission.” He clicked the key fob and Jeongguk watched with a widening smile as a glimmering black Phantom waited for them. 

Jimin held the door open for him. “Your Royal Highness, your chariot awaits.” 

Jeongguk giggled as he slipped inside.  “You’re such a dork.” 

“You love it.”  Jimin quipped and shut the door before he could see Jeongguk’s expression or hear his response.  The engine thrummed and came to life. The car glided out of the parking garage and onto the wide road leading out of the palace. 

***

Jimin kept one hand on the steering wheel and stole frequent glances at his passenger. They were almost at Jeongguk’s home, but he hadn’t said a word the entire drive from the palace, steadily staring out the window. 

It was a far cry from the Jeon mansion, which was where he was headed before Jeongguk corrected him and asked him to head towards a chic, less exclusive neighbourhood instead - “I don’t live with my parents anymore”. It was a small set of boutique apartments sat atop a hill. The solitary road uphill was lined with cypress trees; it was a beautiful property. When they were almost at the crown of the hill, Jimin pulled over. 

They sat in silence for a few minutes, neither willing to speak first. Jeongguk glanced at him, then down at his hands.  “Why is this so awkward?” 

Jimin smiled.  “We haven’t spoken to each other for four years. I’m not surprised it’s awkward.”

“Why didn’t we?”

“I— “

“No. Wait. I want to ask you first. May I?” Jeongguk turned in the seat, leaning forward.

Jimin followed his lead. “Okay. Ask away.” 

“Why did you leave me?  Why didn’t you stay”

Jimin exhaled slowly.  “You agreed to marry Seojun. I didn’t have anything to stay for.”  He shook his head.  “I was — I felt betrayed. You know what he was like. I couldn’t believe you would agree to be with him.” 

Jeongguk was silent. Even now, years after the event, he could remember the way Jimin’s face had closed off, his eyes turned ashen as the everyone standing in the room had erupted into offering congratulations when his father had announced the engagement. He hadn’t had a chance to even breathe before he’d been made to stand in front of Seojun, his mother lifted his hand, the band slid onto his finger, Seojun’s lips dropping a light kiss onto his flushed cheek. 

Jimin’s voice cut into the fog of his thoughts. 

“I thought we were going to sneak out of your birthday party and go celebrate on our own, like we always planned. But then, you were getting engaged to him? Did you like him? Did he court you? When did this even— “

“No, no . I thought it was you!” Jeongguk cut in. 

Jimin stared back at him, too shocked to say anything.

“They said it was a proposal from the prince. I —you were the only prince I thought of. I never imagined that it wouldn’t be you.”  He lifted the corners of his mouth.  “I was giddy, because it was supposed to be you.” 

“Why didn’t you say anything?” 

“I couldn’t . Everything happened so quickly. I barely blew out my birthday candles when they announced it…and then he was there…and you…you were so angry, you left. I tried to find you, but you didn’t answer your phone, and you sent me away when I came to the palace.” 

Jimin let his head fall back onto the headrest.

“Two days later, you were gone and…” 

Jimin stared at the ceiling of the car. By the moons, he had been a fool. An utter fool .  The love he’d been lamenting for four years had always been his, but he’d been too blind to see it. He straightened and leaned forward. “You thought it was me?” 

Jeongguk held his gaze steadily.  “I wanted it to be you. So, I convinced myself it couldn’t be anyone but you. They asked me what my answer was, and I said yes.” 

“How about now?” 

“Now?”

“Mmhmm.”  Jimin ran his fingers along Jeongguk’s cheek, stroking slow circles under his earlobe.  “You wanted it to be me then. Do you still want it to be me? Or has Seojun wormed his way into your heart?” He pulled him closer, the space between them squeezing to nothing.

“Jimin hyung…”

“I want to know.”  He whispered against his lips. 

Jeongguk held his wrist, squeezing, slowing them down. “You left Jimin hyung, for years. I had to learn how to deal with all this without you.” 

Jimin leaned away, watching him carefully.  Jeongguk’s eyes were huge, his pupils blown wide, lips quivering. Jimin leaned back a bit more, coldness seeping into him as Jeongguk seemed to relax at the distance between them.

“I’m sorry I didn’t speak to you before I left, pup.”

“Why didn’t you come back?” 

“I was asked to leave. Father didn’t want me here while Seojun was groomed for the throne.” 

“How are you back now?” 

“The king thought it was time.”  He breathed deeply. The sweet scent of bergamot lingered in the car.  “I'm sorry I didn’t listen to you sooner. I'm sorry I didn’t reach out.”

Jeongguk nodded his head. He was happy he finally got to speak his mind. But the hurt still rankled at his chest.  

Jimin watched him carefully.  “Jeongguk-ah. I really am sorry for everything. Will you forgive me?”  He cupped his cheeks in his hands, hoping.

“Jimin hyung, please try and understand. I want to forgive you, but you really hurt me.  How could you believe that I could just toss you aside like that? I didn’t even know Seojun-hyung. We barely spoke two words to each other in all the time you and I have been friends. I don’t even know why he proposed in the first place! I’m not at all the sort of omega he wants. It’s so confusing.”   Jeongguk stared down at his hands. 

Jimin blinked. “I’m sorry, what?” 

“What?”

“What did you just say?” 

“Just now?”  Jeongguk lifted a shoulder. “Just that I don’t know why he proposed because I’m not his type of omega and it’s really confusing?” 

“Jeongguk, you’re the sort of omega anyone would die to have.” 

Jeongguk snorted. “Well, I don’t know about that. Especially after tonight, I may not have a fiancé for very long.” 

Jimin struggled to contain his laughter, opting instead to plaster a shit-eating grin on his face. “Ggukie, you don’t sound heartbroken.” 

Jeongguk rolled his eyes.  “Stop.”  He smacked Jimin’s arm with his hand. 

The two sat quietly before Jeongguk looked at the road. “I should get going.” 

“Yeah, it’s late. I’ll walk you to your door.” 

“You can’t, I mean you shouldn’t,” Jeongguk said sheepishly.  “Seojun hyung gave me guards. I don’t want them reporting back to him that you were with me this late.  I don’t know how he’ll react, but I suspect he won’t be happy about it.” 

“I’m not afraid of him.” 

“Well, you should be. He can be very unpleasant.” 

Jimin frowned.  “Unpleasant? What did he do?”

Jeongguk’s eyes grew even wider, and he looked stricken. “Never mind. It’s nothing.” 

“Still cute when you try to lie. What did he do?” 

“Nothing you need to worry about Jimin hyung, I can handle it.” 

“You can, but you shouldn’t have to worry about it alone. You have me back Ggukie. Tell me what’s wrong. Trust me?” 

Jeongguk was quiet for a long moment.  

“Okay but if I tell you, don’t go charging back to him.” 

“What do you take me for? I know that your romantic experience has been limited to my brother and his substandard courtship, but please don’t club the two of us together.” 

Jeongguk felt his cheeks flush as Jimin kept his gaze on him, potent and utterly intoxicating.  “You’re completely shameless.”

“Oh sweetheart, you have no idea.”  He watched as Jeongguk tried to fight down the blush sitting prettily on his face. 

“I have to go.”  Jeongguk opened the door and was outside before Jimin could say anything else.

“Wait,” Jimin got out of the car, “Let me walk with you. I won’t linger, just till your door.”

“I —I’m not sure you should.” He drew a heavy breath in.  

“You can tell them I insisted. It’s okay.” 

They walked slowly, taking in the chatter of crickets and the crunch of gravel underneath their shoes.  The heady scent of jasmine from the vines around the apartment blocks mixed with the sweetening scent of bergamot. 

Jimin glanced about “this is a nice place. When did you move here?” 

“A year ago? I started getting a steadier income from the shows and I also started teaching at the Academy, so I thought it was time, you know, branch out.”

Jimin looked at him with pride.  “The Academy? Wow. That’s impressive.” 

“Yeah, I thought so.” 

Jeongguk stopped at an archway covered with a thick vine of bougainvillaea.  The flowers must be a sight to see in the sunlight, but they are beautiful even in the soft light of the moon. Beyond the arch, a tiny path laid with stone pavers led to a small staircase up to his first floor flat. The guards usually patrolled around there. 

“You really need to go now.  I can’t be seen with you.” 

“Walking you home, what a scandal.” 

“Jimin hyung, being deliberately obtuse is not cute.” 

“What is, then?” 

Jeongguk took a deep breath. “Goodnight hyung.” 

“Goodnight love.”

Jeongguk froze. He didn’t dare turn around and meet Jimin’s eyes. Biting his lip, he focused on putting one foot in front of the other until he was out of sight. 

*** 

By the time Jimin finally returned to the palace, the soirée had moved to Jin’s home. Jimin decided to make his way over there quickly. He hadn’t planned to see Jeongguk tonight, but the choice had been taken out of his hands as soon as their eyes met. There was no way he was about to let him leave without resolving their fight, not when he had come looking for him.

He was ready to conquer the world. 

Perhaps it was the fact that he was walking on clouds that he didn’t notice the shadows lengthening at the end of the corridor. He was almost past the last Corinthian column in the hallway when two burly men stepped in his path. Their uniforms identified them as members of the king’s personal guard. 

Jimin stepped back, eyes narrowing, as he watched them spread out in the hallway, more guards spilling out from the shadows behind them. 

“Your Highness, we have been asked to detain you.” The one on the left spoke, his voice booming in the silence of the hallway. 

“What? On what grounds?” 

“High Treason.” 

Jimin looked past the guards to see Seojun step forward, his back straight like a rod, an evil expression twisting around his features. His blood ran cold in his veins. They had been found out but how .  Every person involved was sworn to secrecy and he trusted these people with his life. There was no way any of them had spoken. 

“ Little brother, did you think I wouldn’t find out?  You’ve always been jealous of me. I’m not surprised you covet what's mine and try to steal it.  Perhaps you forgot, a Beta spare can never measure up to an Alpha prince.  I should crush you like the insect that you are.”  Seojun hissed, arm shooting out but before he could curl his fingers around Jimin’s neck, Jimin blocked his hand with his fist, pushing him back.  

Seojun gaped at him, but recovered quickly.  He scowled. “Neat trick, but it’s not enough to save you. 

The guards immediately stepped forward and grabbed him, immobilising him, and cuffing his wrists behind his back. 

Seojun smirked.  “Take him away.” 

***

“Hoseok! Get up!”  Seokjin pulled the heavy curtains covering the large windows aside, letting the sunlight filter in.  The human sized lump on the bed moved. A foot escaped from the heavy bedclothes.  Seokjin glared at the lump and without preamble smacked it.

Hoseok groaned.  “What - why -Jin hyung?”  He blinked. “What’s going on? Why are you in my bedroom?”  He squeaked. 

Jin tossed a change of clothes onto the bed.  “I’m only going to say this once so listen up.  Jimin was arrested last night. On charges of high treason. We need to move. Now.”

Hoseok’s demeanour changed instantly. He tumbled off the bed and strode to the bathroom, splashing water on his face.  Wiping his face, he walked out, “Do they know?”

Jin shook his head.  “I don’t think so. Well, they don’t know about us. I haven’t been dragged anywhere nor put on house arrest. Something is definitely wrong though.”

There was a knock on the door. Jin glanced at Hoseok, who was pulling his pants on.  He clicked his tongue.  “Hurry up!”

Jin walked to the door and cracked it open. He visibly deflated when he saw the figure of his aide waiting outside.  “It’s Taehyung.”  He spoke over his shoulder.  Glancing behind to check if Hoseok was finally decent, he left the door open so Taehyung could join them. 

“Well, what do we know?”

Taehyung shook his head.  “It’s strange. None of the others got picked up. Everyone’s alert though. But Jimin’s the only one they have so far.”

Jin frowned.  “What is he playing at?”

Taehyung bit his lip.  “There is one thing. The rumour mills are running extra hard; everyone knows Jimin’s been charged and with what. Seojun is feeding the gossip. He wants everyone to know.”

Jin scoffed.  “Of course he does. This close to the coronation, any slander against him would be disastrous but this? This is like all his dreams come true. He’s going to vilify Jimin and posture as the victim/saviour in one fell swoop.”

Hoseok tilted his head.  “Wait, let’s consider the facts. Jimin is arrested. The rest of us are free. We were about to contest Seojun’s claim in tomorrow's council meeting.  Why would he arrest only him and not move a muscle on the rest of us?”

Taehyung shrugged.  “He thinks Jimin’s the spearhead and with him arrested, everyone else will give themselves up.”

Hoseok shook his head.  “No. He hasn’t mentioned anyone else, has he?  We should all have been clapped in irons and thrown into jail by now. But we’re not.”

Taehyung looked between Hoseok and Jin.  “What are you saying?”

Hoseok smiled maniacally.  “Don’t you get it?  He doesn’t know anything !  He doesn’t know about the coup.  High treason is probably the only charge he could level that would immobilise Jimin.  He wants him out of the way!”  Hoseok moved his arms around as he spoke.

He snapped his fingers as if trying to find something hiding from him in his mind.  He turned to Seokjin.  “Hyung, last night, what were you telling me?”

“When?”

“Last night, at the bonfire.  Jimin wasn’t there, remember?”

“No, he went away–”

“--with Jeongguk!”  Taehyung quipped.  “He missed the bonfire because he was with Jeongguk.”

Hoseok grinned.  “That’s it!  What were you two fighting about on the night of the gala?”

Taehyung rolled his eyes.  “He disappeared for who-knows-how-long mooning after Jeongguk.”

“Do you see a pattern here?’

“Jeongguk?”  Taehyung pursed his lips.  “I swear, if the reason Jimin’s in this mess is because of that omega, so help me, I’m gonna break something.”

“No!  It’s so simple. We should have figured it out immediately.”  He saw twin expressions of confusion on both Taehyung and Jin’s faces and groaned.  “Seriously? Get there faster!”  He pushed them onto the sofa.  “Listen, Seojun is engaged to Jeongguk. Last night, Jin hyung found out that Jimin and Jeongguk are childhood friends. With me so far?”

They both nod.

“Okay so they’re so close that Jimin is willing to drop everything to go talk to him, wherever he can - he is the first person he goes to visit upon his return. At the dinner, they can’t keep their eyes off each other.  A mere week before his wedding, an omega comes looking not for his would-be fiance, but the fiance’s brother?”  Hoseok took a deep breath.  “The only conclusion I can draw from this is that Seojun has eyes on Jeongguk and he has realised that he has something to fear from his brother.  Hence the charge of high treason yet all of us are safe.”

“Hoseok hyung, you’re a genius.”  Taehyung stared at him with wonder in his eyes. 

Hoseok shrugged.  “I know.”

Taehyung grinned.  “What do we do then?  We can’t leave Jimin under house arrest.”

Hoseok glanced at Jin.  “We won’t have to. We continue with our plan. We have seven dukes out of twelve on our side.  All we need to do is challenge Seojun’s claim tomorrow.”

“How do we do that without Jimin though?”

“We can’t. So they’ll have no choice but to bring him forth before the council. Once he’s there, he can issue the challenge. With seven against him, Seojun will have no choice but to step down. He cannot rule with seven duchys pulling their support from the crown.”

Hoseok straightened.  “So it’s decided. Get the message out today. We put an end to this tomorrow.”

***

Morning brought a renewed determination to Jeongguk.  Sleep had not come easily to him last night. He kept tossing and turning, smushing his pillow, lying on his back, then on his stomach, twisting and settling on his side. Sleep however, eluded him. Ripples of pre-dawn light had roused him from his choppy sleep. He sat up in bed, squinting at the beams of weak sunlight on the floor of his room. 

Groaning, he finally dragged himself out of bed and into the shower. 

There wasn’t a worse day he could have picked to execute his plan.  His insides churned and he was certain he was getting uncomfortably close to heat.  He suspected this was deliberate.  His mother had been tracking his cycle since the engagement had been announced.  The wedding date had been picked very carefully.  There was no doubt his heat had been taken into consideration. 

An ugly feeling ripped through his chest.  How was the biological manipulation of half the world’s population acceptable in this day and age?  If his heat hit soon after or before his wedding, he would be mentally and physically incapacitated, unable to make informed choices.  But somehow, his mother was perfectly happy to give away the information for free, as though it were nothing. 

He shook his head.  He didn’t have time for distraction. 

Looking at the mirror, he nodded at his reflection.  It was time. 

Stepping out of the apartment, he pocketed his keys and waved at the guards, one standing at the foot of the stairs, the other near the archway leading out on the tree-lined avenue where Jimin had parked his car last night.  He skipped down the stairs and turned towards the garage.  The garage door had a handle in the middle, to be pulled up and over.  A mechanised pulley rolled the door and tucked it away against the ceiling. 

The secondhand canary yellow Beetle had been bought soon after getting his drivers licence.  It was called Nochu affectionately.  It was a good car, albeit a bit temperamental. 

Jeongguk slipped inside and brought the car out.  He jumped out and pulled the door down, waiting for the telltale click of metal to tell him the door was locked in place.  Waving at the guards once again, he zipped out onto the avenue leading down the hill and into the city proper. 

He was headed towards his parents’ townhouse - an expensive penthouse his parents preferred to keep in the city.  He swiped his card and brought the car into the parking garage. Biting his lip, as the numbers on the elevator sped up, he tucked his hair behind his ear.  He drew a long breath as the elevator doors opened into the foyer of the penthouse. 

A butler appeared as though out of thin air.  

Jeongguk bowed slightly.  “Jiwon-ssi, are my parents in?”

“They are in her ladyship’s morning room, your Grace.”

“Thank you.”

He stopped only for a moment outside the door. Then he was moving again, pushing the doors open, not waiting for the butler to come do it for him. He needed to get this out and then run from this place and never come back. 

“Eomma, Appa, good morning.”

His parents look startled. He had interrupted them in the middle of breakfast. Delicate, airy ceramic held fragrant morsels of rice, meat and vegetables.  His mother put her chopsticks down at once. 

“Jeongguk?  Is everything alright?”

“Yes, everything is fine.”  He glanced around the room. “I wanted to tell you before I go to the palace.  You should know first.”

“Know what?”  His father cut in. 

“I have decided not to marry Seojun hyung. I can’t do it. I would be miserable and unhappy and I never wanted to marry him in the first place.”

His parents’ voice rose at once, together. His father’s deep, thunderous shouts, his mother’s sharp, cutting enunciations joined together in a cacophony. 

“Are you out of your mind Jeongguk?”  His mother’s voice finally rose above his fathers’. “Do you think this is some kind of joke?  You can’t refuse!  He is the Crown Prince! He is going to be king of this kingdom - what are you even saying?”

“I won’t be happy with him. He scares me! And it doesn’t matter if he’s going to be king, he is a terrible alpha. I can’t respect a man who belittles me.”

His mother scoffed.  “Pray tell, how did he belittle you? No, because I really want to hear this.”

“He has no respect for boundaries first of all, and he got me fired from the Academy, without asking me.”

“Listen to this boy - he’s your Alpha, he doesn’t need to ask you.”

“He hurt me.  I felt like my wrist was going to fall off!”

His mother gaped.  Recovering a little, she swept an imaginary strand of hair off her forehead.  “Well darling, Alphas don’t know their own strength. I’m sure he meant no harm.  Look, this is just normal wedding jitters. It’ll pass. I know! The royal jeweller left some pieces for you to choose from - how about we go look at them now?”

“Eomma, you’re not listening. I am not getting married to him.”

“He’s been courting you these four years! What do you think it’ll look like, when we have to tell people the wedding isn’t going to happen? Everyone will think there’s something wrong with you!”

“I honestly don’t care and anyway, why do you just assume that?  People might also think there’s something wrong with him?”

“They might, but they won’t. Because he is the Crown Prince.  What’s gotten into you?”  His mother blinked.  She turned to his father, “Dear, I think someone cast a spell on him. It’s surely some black magic. He would never do this otherwise. We should send for our shaman...”

Jeongguk rolled his eyes.  “Nobody has done anything to me! I’m in full control of my senses.  Why don’t you listen?  I never wanted to marry him!”

“Why did you say yes then? We asked you, Jeongguk, you weren’t forced!  Whatever else, you want to blame your father and me for, we didn’t force you. We asked you and you said–”

“I didn’t know you meant him!”

“What do you mean? We told you the prince wanted to marry you!”

“Well, he’s not the only prince there is!”

A pin could have dropped out in the hallway, and they would all have heard it.  

“I –didn’t want him. I wanted Jimin hyung.”  He said in a tiny voice. “I’ve only ever wanted Jimin hyung.”

His mother collapsed into a chair.  “Jimin?  He’s a Beta .”  She almost snarled back.  “You want to give up an Alpha prince to trail after a Beta spare.  He is nothing, Jeongguk!”

“He’s twice the man Seojun hyung could ever be. I don’t care if he’s a Beta, what does it matter anyway?”

Growing up, he had always seen the heavy handedness of his father peppered by his mother’s frequent attempts to soothe him and smooth things over.  His father was loud, arrogant and narcissistic.  This had given him the misconception that his mother was a delicate flower who bent over backwards to keep peace in their household. 

But now, it seemed a very different picture was emerging.  His father stood quietly behind his mother’s chair, his hand providing a reassuring pressure on her shoulder. 

“Jeongguk, I will not allow it, you cannot be with a Beta.”

“I cannot?”  He raised his eyebrow, the challenge shining freely in his eyes. 

“If you do this,”  her voice, cold as ice, could scarcely be heard, “your place in this family is forfeit.”

He drew himself to his full height, fists clenched tightly at his sides.  “Then it is forfeit.”  He bent at the waist and bowed one last time, thanking his parents.  His hands shook as he straightened once again. He stared at his mother with bright eyes, and then walked out without another glance. 

His father started after him but was stopped by his mother.  “Let him go.  He made his choice”

***

Jimin looked up as the door to the room he was being held in opened abruptly. 

Seojun sauntered in.  He looked resplendent. His black trousers were ebony hued, the sheath of his sword gleamed as it hung at his hip and the epaulettes of his jacket gleamed with muted gold. He cut a very striking picture.  Seojun had never had trouble looking the part of the noble and brave prince. 

“You’re awake, good. I suppose sleep wouldn’t come easily to you now.”

Jimin rolled his eyes. “What do you want, Seojun?” 

“Nothing much. I came to gloat. How does it feel, Jimin? Knowing that you’ll never –”

Raised voices outside the door interrupted whatever Seojun was about to say. The brothers glanced at the door then at each other. 

Jimin arched an eyebrow.  “More surprises?”

Seojun frowned.  “No…there should be no surprises at all.”  He remained as he was, standing as still as a statue, staring at the door. 

The door rattled suddenly. Moments later, Jimin grinned as the figure of Kim Taehyung barged into the room.  He ignored Seojun and made a beeline for Jimin.  

“Jimin, are you alright?”  He placed one hand on his shoulder, and the other on his cheek, moving his face this way and that, trying to ascertain something. 

“Taetae, what are you doing here?”

Seojun rolled his eyes.  “What is the meaning of this?  Why are you here and by whose permission?”

Taehyung turned.  “I bear a summons Your Highness.  You have been summoned to answer a challenge for the throne before the king.”

Seojun blinked before a burning fury took over his face.  “What?”  He seethed. 

A muscle in Taehyung’s jaw twitched but he kept his calm.  “Your claim to the throne has been challenged.  You must appear before the council to answer.”

“Must? Must ?”  Seojun’s carefully constructed exterior crumbled as he screamed in disbelief.  “I must do nothing!! Who the hell do you think you are? I am your sovereign!  I   am the future king! You ought to kiss the ground I walk upon, you imbecile! I own the very air you breathe. How dare you?”

As Seojun’s words became more slurred and his temper more heated, the king’s guard entered the room and removed the cuffs on Jimin’s wrists.  

Seojun grew even more agitated.  “No! No! He can’t go free, I refuse. Put him back in chains. Put him back!”

“Your Highness, we have orders from the king to bring you both before the council.”  The stoic guard holding the handcuffs responded. 

Jimin glanced at Taehyung, who nodded encouragingly.  Slipping close, Taehyung whispered,  “It’s happening Jimin.  This is it.”

The next few minutes felt like a blur. Jimin tried to remain calm as they were ushered into the council room. He glanced up towards the dais where the king sat.  Hoseok stood next to him.  As the General of Goguryeo’s armies, after the king, his authority was supreme.  Hoseok gave Jimin an almost imperceptible nod. 

Seojun continued to rant in a rage, not making much sense until the king rose from his throne, holding a hand up to address the room. 

He glanced towards his left, where Seokjin stood holding a scroll in his hands. 

The king held his hand out and took the scroll.  He glanced it over and turned sharply towards Seokjin once again.  A frown etched across his forehead and he finally spoke. 

“Park Seojun, Park Jimin, step forward.”

Seojun glared at Jimin before making his way to the front and centre of the room.  Jimin followed gracefully, calmly taking his place beside his brother. 

The king looked at them both.  He handed the scroll back to Seokjin and nodded his assent for proceedings to begin. 

“Park Seojun, a challenge has been issued to your claim to the throne, how do you answer?”

Seojun scoffed.  “I reject this challenge as ridiculous.  There can be no challenge to my claim.  I have no Alpha brothers or sisters.  I am the sole heir to the throne.  There can be no challenge.”

Seokjin smiled.  “Your Highness, perhaps I should take this moment to remind you, not all your ancestors, who have taken the throne, have been Alphas.  In the late thirteenth century, your Alpha ancestor King Jiwon took ill and perished soon after.  At this death, his Beta sister, Haeryung, was called upon to take the throne and she did successfully, for many a decade.”

Seojun smirked.  “While your little history lesson may be invoked to give Betas some sense of importance, it means nothing.  I am hale and hearty. The throne is mine.”

“While that may be true - I speak of your good health, may it be preserved for many years to come -  the history lesson I seek to give this room today is to draw attention to the words Queen Haeryung left in the laws of succession.”  He paused. 

In his mind’s eye Jimin could see Jin quip ‘for dramatic effect’.

“Worthiness is the quality all sovereigns must show to allow for any challenge to be mitigated.  And it is this worthiness that I invoke today, as I tell you, your claim to the throne has been challenged, and you have been found lacking.”  

Seojun spat, “What?”

“Park Jimin, you have challenged your brother’s claim to the throne.  How do you answer?”

Jimin inhaled and replied calmly.  “I challenge Seojun’s claim, and have the support of seven dukes in this kingdom to back me.”

“What?”  Seojun spun around and lunged for Jimin. His fists swung out haphazardly and he screamed abuse even as the king’s guard held him back.  Jimin glanced at him with a bored expression. It was time to end this. 

“Hyung, let’s not insult the sanctity of this room by behaving like ruffians in the street.”

“I’ll finish you! I will pound you into the ground, you will never rise to see the sun again. I will destroy you!”

Seokjin frowned.  “That will be enough, Your Highness! If you wish to answer the challenge, name your supporters now. Or by the laws instituted by the past kings of Goguryeo, the throne must pass to Prince Jimin.”

“He doesn’t have what it takes to rule! He’s weak and useless!”  He whirled to face Seokjin, “I should have known! It’s you! You’re the cause of all this. You just want a puppet to control!  I won’t let you get away with it.”

He tried to shrug off the guards holding him down.  “Father, it's a conspiracy!  They orchestrated this.  Order their execution now!”

“Seojun hyung,”  Jimin said at last, “you continue to mistake my gentleness for weakness.  While it doesn’t bother me, since I put no stock in your words, I fear that this slander upon my person would be dangerous to ignore.”

“You deserve all this and more. Why couldn’t you just stay exiled?  I told you, didn’t I? If you continue to make problems for me I will slit your throat.”

“I’ll give you an opportunity to do it.” 

Seojun stopped thrashing and looked at him.  “What do you mean?”

“A duel.  Your weapon of choice.  When I defeat you, I will take the throne and that will be the last word on the matter. What do you say?”

Seojun scoffed.  “A duel with you? Don’t make me laugh.”

“Why not?”

“A Beta cannot duel an Alpha. I could kill you.”

“I assure you, you would find it very hard to do so.”

Seojun looked at him haughtily.  “I would never stoop so low as to bandy about with a Beta.”

“Then do you refuse?”

“You aren’t worth my time.”  He pushed the guards’ hands off his arms and stormed out of the throne room. 

Jimin raised his shoulders and looked at Seokjin.  “Does that conclude the challenge?”

Seokjin inclined his head.  He looked at the king.  “Your Highness, since the Crown Prince has refused a duel, and could not name his supporters, we conclude this challenge is fulfilled.”

The king turned his attention to Jimin, a curious expression on his face.  “I approve the challenge as fulfilled.”  He sighed.  “Seokjin, please make arrangements for the coronation.”

***

Jimin took a deep breath.  He raised his hand to knock when the door swung open, revealing Jeongguk’s smiling face that morphed into confusion. “Hyung?  How did you — when did you —”

A small, tastefully arranged bouquet of tiger lilies stole his attention.  “Jiminie hyung, you didn’t have to - they’re beautiful.  Come on, step inside.”

“Thank you Jeonggukkie.”

“How have you been? I thought I would see you more, considering everything but you’ve been very elusive.”

“I’m sorry pup.  Just getting used to being in the spotlight. I'm not very familiar with it.”  He looked around and settled on the very cushy couch.  Some boxes were still unopened, others had glassware, knick knacks, books and papers spilling out of them. A few paintings were stacked up against the wall. Jeongguk had not yet decided where he wanted to put them.  A lush fern sat on one of the end tables near the couch and a tangle of fairy lights lay on the floor.  

“How’s unpacking going?”  Jimin called out.  

“It’s going.”  Jeongguk walked back into the room, a vase in hand.  He had put the flowers in.  “I could have sworn I wrote down where everything was, but now I'm not so sure.  I haven’t had tea in three days because I can’t find my teapot.”

“Tragic.”  Jimin quipped.  

“It is, hyung.”  Jeongguk replied with a pout. 

Setting the vase next to the fern, Jeongguk curled up on the sofa next to Jimin.  “Hi.”  

“Hi Ggukie.”  Jimin weaved an arm around him, pulling him closer. “I missed you.”

“You saw me yesterday.”

“Yes, twenty-four whole hours ago.”  Jimin pouted.  “I’m deprived.”

Jeongguk cupped his cheeks with his hands.  “So needy.”

“It’s a dire state of affairs sweetheart.”  He sat up.  “I have something for you.”

Jeongguk smiled.  “What is it?”

Jimin looked at him carefully.  “Consider it your first courting gift.”  He opened his phone and handed it to him. 

“First? You’re losing count hyung, you’ve given me several weeks worth of courting gifts.”

“This one is special.”

Jeongguk looked confused but looked back at the screen.  He read the whole page and glanced up, eyes wide.  “What is this?  What are you trying to do?”

“It’s a proposal for reform in inheritance laws and omega rights.”  Jimin exhaled.  “I can’t change what's happened in the past but I never want you to feel like you can’t make a decision about what’s right for you because you’re scared no one will listen.”

Jeongguk was silent, still staring at the screen.  

Jimin watched him, getting more nervous as the minutes ticked by.  “This was stupid. What was I thinking? Gifts are supposed to be romantic, and this is just - depressing.  I’m gonna go.”  He scrambled to get up from the couch.

Jeongguk pulled him down.  “Hyung, where are you going?”

“Sorry Gguk, I probably should have just gotten you food or something.”

“Well, I’m not going to say no to food but are you serious right now? This is the sweetest thing you could have done for me.”

Jimin raised his brows.  “You don’t think it's stupid.”

Jeongguk huffed, and manoeuvred himself so he was sitting on Jimin’s lap, knees straddling him comfortably, hands curling around his neck.  “No.”

“Really?”  Jimin asked in a small voice.

Jeonnguk pushed his fingers into Jimin’s hair and shook his head.  “Hyung, I love everything you do.”  Smiling, he closed his lips over Jimin’s mouth in a searing kiss.  “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

fin