Chapter Text
Taehyung rushed forward with a desperate burst of strength, catching Jungkook in his arms before he could hit the ground. The nature fairy’s head wobbled before he blinked up at Taehyung sluggishly. “I’m...tired….”
“No, no no, no,” Taehyung gasped. Horror flooded his heart “Jungkook stay awake, do you understand me, stay awake -”
It was too late.
Hungkook’s eyes were already closing, breath leaving him in a sigh. He sagged in Taehyung’s arms, his body going completely limp. His head rolled back, face calm and expressionless, his lips slightly parted. He looked peaceful.
Taehyung fell to his knees, still clutching Jungkook against his chest. He pressed a hand to the fairy’s cheek, jostling him. “Wake up,” he begged, “Jungkook, sweetheart, please wake up-”
His own words seemed to mock him as they ran once more through his mind. A whisper that felt like it came from a lifetime ago.
‘One cut of this dagger against her palm, and she will fall into a sleep like death.’
Taehyung’s eyes flashed with magic. He could reverse it. He had too. Taehyung placed his hand on Jungkook’s chest, summoning the ocean of power that lay within him “Wake up ,” he commanded.
Purple magic wrapped around Jungkook, encircling his body. Taehyung narrowed his eyes and grit his teeth, feeling the curse that had settled around Jungkook, like an oil that coated the fairy’s essence. He pushed his magic against the curse, forcing its sickening power away from the one he loved.
Nothing happened. The curse resisted Taehyung’s attempts to remove it. The dark fairy hissed in frustration, his magic burning brighter as he strained against the curse. His magic swirled around him like a small maelstrom, volatile and desperate. He pulled, and pulled-
Taehyung gasped as his magic escaped him, unable to maintain his efforts any long. His chest began to shake erratically as his throat closed up. Hot tears began to pool in his eyes.
There was nothing he could do. The curse, once cast, could not be undone.
Taehyung dropped his head down and let out a wrenching sob, embracing Jungkook. The fairy that had literally healed him, put him back together after Dante had ripped him apart. He had grown love in a place where Taehyung had only found desolation, like a flower blooming in a burnt landscape.
And now Jungkook was gone.
Taehyung didn’t know how long he stayed there on the floor, clinging onto Jungkook like the fairy might slip through his fingers at any moment. A distant noise registered to his ears, like an animal’s wail filtered through wool. His throat burned.
He heaved for breath, lungs drowning, and the noise stopped.
Oh.
It came from himself . Howls of grief that echoed around the room, reverberating and bouncing against the marble walls. In fact, Taehyung was so lost in his own despair that he didn’t even notice at first a second noise that came behind him.
Taehyung heaved a broken breath, his face buried against Jungkook’s neck, fingers digging into the nature fairy’s skin. In the stillness between sobs, he heard a faint rattle. A dying wheeze.
Taehyung snapped his head up, looking around for the source of the noise. It took him a few seconds to quiet his own breathing enough to be able to detect anything else. And then he realized.
His body lay broken in his throne, but Dante was still clinging to life, eyes glassy, chest managing a slow rise up and down. His legs were sprawled out in front of him at an awkward angle, bits of bone visible through punctured flesh. Taehyung had cracked the throne with the amount of force he had thrown the king with, and the mahogany seat was now barely more than firewood.
The fairy stared at the King in shock. He blinked his eyes furiously, trying to make the room less blurry, even as he gasped through his cries. Then, slowly, delicately, he gathered Jungkook in his arms, and stood up.
He walked over to Dante. Taehyung’s footsteps were slow and heavy against the marble floors, the castle quiet in its desolation. The King’s shell shocked eyes eventually made their way over to Taehyung. His jaw lolled, trying to form words, but he was incapable. No more than a mute.
Taehyung stared at Dante, holding Jungkook bridal style in his arms. There was so much he had planned for his former lover - flaying him alive, burning his crown into his skull, crushing him slowly under the weight of his own royal robes.
But now, staring Dante’s broken body, Taehyung just felt tired. He felt done.
He couldn’t give into his lust for revenge.
It wasn’t what Jungkook would have wanted.
Taehyung’s magic began to reach out, approaching the King with a creeping purple dust. Like tendrils of ivy that trawled to the dark fairy’s former lover.
“You hurt me to raise yourself up from nothing,” Taehyung said hoarsely. His voice was flat and blunt. “And to nothing you shall return.”
His magic gripped Dante, wrapping around the man’s body. A strangled gasp came from the King’s lips as his form began to change, forced into a new shape by Taehyung’s power. His body shrunk, skin hardening. He would have screamed, had he the facility. In seconds, Taehyung was done.
The cockroach was almost unnoticeable on the throne, so small against a structure so large. Taehyung looked at the creature with dead eyes. “Goodbye, Dante.”
His wings extended and beat down, lifting Taehyung into the air. With powerful strokes, he left the castle behind, returning to the Moors. His home.
And in his arms he held the still and silent body of the boy he loved.
***
Nature felt Jungkook’s loss when they returned to the Moors. The flowers drooped, their stems weakening. The grass dried out and lost its color. The birds stayed in their nests, the songs silent. The mice hid in their burrows, the squirrels in their trees. It was as if the entire forest grieved. Taehyung grieved with them.
Taehyung landed by the base of the oak tree, holding Jungkook in his arms as gently as a newborn rabbit. The dark fairy’s eyes were red and swollen, skin pale, voice all but shattered. He looked down at Jungkook.
The fairy’s eyes were closed, long lashes resting on his cheeks. His pink lips parted slightly, cheeks rosy with his natural flush. He was still breathing, chest slowly rising and falling. To anyone else, he looked as if he were just sleeping.
But Taehyung knew better. He knew that while Jungkook’s heart might still beat and lungs might still fill, he was all but dead. He would never awaken from his eternal slumber - Taehyung had seen to that himself.
The forest groaned, a cool wind rushing through the Moors, carrying bitter news. Weeping willows sagged even lower, branches cracking like old bones. Taehyung bit the inside of his cheek so hard he tasted copper, flinching away from the scene around him.
This was his fault.
He gently set Jungkook down by the base of the Oak tree, making sure the fairy was supported by the tree. Adjusted one of the flowers in his hair. Jungkook always liked having flowers in his hair.
Taehyung smiled brokenly. “Just spare me a moment, petal,” he whispered. “I need to build you a place to rest.”
He stood, and faced the oak tree; the large antechamber that he had carved for himself. Then he raised his hands and closed his eyes.
His magic spread out from him slowly, respectful now instead of commanding. Over the barreren roots of the oak tree grass and veins started spurting. Pastel flowers bloomed across the roof, creating a canopy above the enclave. Snapdragons, daisies, orchids, delphinium. Flowers of honor, of remembrance.
The wood reshaped, flowing into a new form. Branches curving gracefully to create a raised platform, the space inside wide enough to place a person. Vines wrapped around the branches, soft grass coated the insides.
A final resting place as beautiful as the boy who would occupy it.
The chamber of the oak tree was now transformed, from dark jagged roots to nature bursting in every corner. Some of the branches had even parted, allowing sunlight to beam through. Just like Jungkook always wanted.
Taehyung finally opened his eyes and let his arms rest. The last of his magic settled, a longing breath of wind over the leaves.
It wasn’t as good as what Jungkook deserved. Taehyung couldn’t match the flowers that Jungkook sang into bloom. But it would have to do.
Taehyung turned and went back to Jungkook. He gently picked the fairy, and carried him over to the cradle he had created, his breath ghosting over Jungkook’s hair. He placed the nature fairy down like he was setting a jewel in a diadem.
Jungkook looked peaceful here, at home with the beautiful flowers lush around him. He looked so calm that for a moment Taehyung expected that he would open his eyes, flash Taehyung that smile as sweet as the first day of spring.
But he didn’t.
Taehyung’s knees buckled. He fell to the ground, body giving out on him. He grabbed at the cradle with one hand, stems crushed in his grip.
After he lost his wings, he wanted to die. He probably would have - would have thrown himself off the highest cliff in the Moors had Jungkook not found him. He felt like he was just broken pieces being held together by the thinnest of threads. Like nothing was worth it anymore.
Losing his wings was nothing compared to the pain he felt now.
Taehyung stayed curled up on the floor, crying for what felt like ages, his heart resting dead on the pedestal behind him. Eventually - mercifully - he fell asleep.
***
When Taehyung awoke the sun was low in the sky. A gentled light passed over, gilding the envalve he had created for Jungkook in gold. Taehyung slowly pushed himself to his feet, the long feathers of his wings trailing along the ground. His body ached from spending hours curled up on the dirt.
Jungkook looked even more beautiful in the setting sun. His tan skin glowed in the light, from days spent out in the fields under cloudless skies. His soft brown hair spread out a little bit around him, adored with flowers. Taehyung starred. Something inside of him throbbed with pain, ached to be heard.
Taehyung heard his own words before he realized he was speaking. “You tried to warn me,” he murmured, words soft and low, falling from his lips like petals. “That this quest of mine wasn’t worth it. But I was too blinded by revenge to listen.”
He thought he had run dry of tears, but one slipped slowly down his cheek. “I won’t ask for your forgiveness, my darling,” he said. “Know that I would rip off my wings myself if it brought you back. I’d burn alive just for you to smile once more.”
He raised his hand, used a single finger to trail down the soft skin of Jungkook’s cheek. His voice had turned raspy once more. “You stole what was left of my heart,” he forced out, “and now I’ve lost you forever.”
His hand dropped down, found its way over to Jungkook’s, clasped it. Taehyung raised Jungkook’s soft and limp hand, feeling as if he were committing a crime. He couldn't resist.
“I love you,” he breathed. He pressed Jungkook’s hand against his lips.
The nature fairy’s skin was gentle and cool. Taehyung allowed the kiss to linger for longer than he had meant to allow, closing his eyes. Finally, he forced himself to pull away. He carefully folded Jungkook’s head back over the fairy’s stomach.
Taehyung turned around, walking towards the opening of the chamber. He would guard this place for the rest of eternity if he had to. He would never leave Jungkook’s side-
“Tae...hyungie?”
Taehyung froze.
No. It was impossible. In his grief, his mind must have detached itself, creating constructions to allow Taehyung to keep on functioning. The voice he heard was nothing but his subconscious taunting him.
But still.
He slowly turned around, his entire body trembling. His eyes felt hot and wet. If this were an illusion, he hoped that there was a being merciful enough to put a swift end to his grief. One that would not make him suffer even more.
And then he saw.
Jungkook’s eyes were open slightly, looking at Taehyung confusedly. He blinked, and his eyes drifted up, seeing the splendor that had been built in his name, the canopy of flowers that hung over him. Confusion flashed across his face.
He looked back over at Taehyung. Who hadn’t dared move so much as a muscle. “Where am I?”
“ Jungkook ,” Taehyung gasped, and then nearly threw himself at the other fairy. Aided with a burst from his wings, he was at Jungkook’s side in a second, pulling him up from his reclining position. Jungkook’s body was stiff with shock, but Taehyung didn’t care, wrapping one arm around the fairy’s waist, the other around his shoulders. He dropped his head into Jungkook’s neck, his hands almost tearing at his tunic with how desperately he clung to Jungkook’s clothing.
“Please don’t let this be a dream,” he rasped, throat already growing tight. “Oh darling, please be real, please be here-”
His words cut off, too choked by tears to speak. Just a whimper came out as he squeezed his eyes shut, nearly burying himself into the crook of Jungkook’s shoulder. He felt the nature fairy wrap his arms around him, one hand gently stroking the back of his head.
“Taehyungie, please stop crying,” Jungkook whispered. Taehyung’s chest stuttered with little cries. “It’s okay, whatever it is it’s okay, I promise.”
Taehyung pulled away, unable to bear not being able to see Jungkook any longer. He needed to have those golden eyes look back at his own. He cupped Jungkook’s face with his hands, his thumbs brushing against the fairy’s cheekbones. “You’re awake. Y-you’re really awake.”
“Yes?” Jungkook asked, confused eyes looking at Taehyung with concern. The dark fairy’s lips trembled, cheeks wet. “What’s the matter? Are you hurt?”
Taehyung let out a laugh, wet and a little hysterical. “You don’t remember,” he said. He gently took Jungkook’s right wrist, turned it over so Jungkook could see a single thin red line on his forearm. “Look.”
Jungkook’s long eyelashes fluttered in bewilderment. He looked down, and then his eyes widened as he glanced back at Taehyung in panic. “Dante - he took the knife - he was going to hurt you-”
“You stopped him, sweetheart,” Taehyung said. “You saved me.” He gently stroked over the fading wound. “But he hurt you in return.”
Jungkook inhaled sharply, eyes fixated on Taehyung. “Is - is he -”
“He’s not dead,” Taehyung said, noticing the way Jungkook’s shoulders relaxed slightly. Jungkook’s heart was kind in a way the world did not deserve. “But he’s taken care of. He won’t bother us anymore.”
He drank in the sight of Jungkook reverently, like a monk finding a holy relic. “I - I don’t know how you’re alive - I cast the curse to last until the end of time-” Jungkook frowned, and Taehyung cut himself off seeing the downward turn of Jungkook’s lips. “Sweetheart?”
When Jungkook finally spoke his voice was as soft as a swan’s wing. “You must have broken it.” Jungkook kept his eyes down at the Zinnias at his feet. “No one else could have….”
Taehyung just stared at Jungkook, tears finally ceasing. “Broken it?” He repeated dumly.
Jungkook’s frown deeped, and Taehyung’s heart beat a little faster seeing the hurt in the fairy’s eyes. When the nature fairy spoke, it was with the most hesitant voice that Taehyung had ever heard him use. “With True Love’s Kiss.”
Oh.
Oh.
“True Love’s Kiss,” Taehyung repeated. There was something slowly growing in his chest, something more powerful than mere happiness or excitement. Something like euphoria. “Oh my darling. Of course. For you. Only you.”
Despite Taehyung’s sweet words, Jungkook drew more into himself, shoulders rising, head dropping down. “Did you - did you not - I’m sorry, I misunderstood -”
“Petal,” Taehyung murmured. Jungkook stopped talking as Taehyung placed a gentle hand underneath his chin. “True Love’s Kiss,” he echoed, a smile growing on his face. He leaned in until there was the tiniest distance between him and Jungkook.
The nature fairy’s eyes were huge. The faded light reflecting on the earthy brown, unable to look away from Taehyung. “May I?” Taehyung asked.
For a moment, Jungkook did nothing, and Taehyung feared he had miscalculated. He was about to pull back, draw his wings around himself, just be thankful for the fairy in front of him.
Jungkook prefered to act rather than speak. He leaned forward and pressed his lips against Taehyung’s. Taehyung sighed into the kiss, his eyes closing, mouth falling open a little until he could feel the wetness of Jungkook’s mouth against his own, the taste sweet like a cool spring.
The nature fairy pulled away, and already Taehyung wanted more. Jungkook smiled at Taehyung, rose blush lighting up his sun-kissed cheeks. “Taehyungie,” he said softly, yet implishly, “You forgot, didn’t you? About how to break the curse.”
Taehyung had the decency to look abashed. “I was so upset….” he muttered.
Jungkook slid forward, wrapping his arms around Taehyung’s neck. Taehyung eagerly responded in kind, hugging Jungkook’s waist, careful of his delicate wings. “You told me that true love didn’t exist,” he whispered.
“I was wrong,” Taehyung admitted openly. “You showed me.” His throat was beginning to grow tight again. “You saved me, darling-”
“Hush,” Jungkook commanded gently. “No more tears.” He pulled back a bit, framing Taehyung’s face with his hands. His eyes sparkled with love, the flowers around him deepening in color. “Kiss me again.”
Roses bloomed at their feet.
***
Taehyung never grew tired of the flowers.
They followed his love everywhere, peonies blooming at his feet, azaleas sprouting from bushes, wisteria drooping from vines. The plants appeared at the slightest blush, a melodic laugh, murmured words of affection.
Even Jungkook’s skin glowed with adoration. Sometimes Taehyung found golden dust clinging to the trees, his hair, his feathers. At first Jungkook was self-conscious, but Taehyung adored it, promised the nature fairy to make him shine as bright as the sun.
Love looked good on Jungkook.
Taehyung changed in more subtle ways. He shed his bristiling coat of feathers for simple flowing robes. His feet barely hit the ground for an entire wekk, relishing the feeling of cool air against his skin. He opened up the oak tree, discarded his staff, once more patrolled the Moors. The Taehyung that had been hardened by pain faded away, and a stronger one took his place.
And of course, there were changes between the two.
Jungkook falling asleep curled up against Taehyung’s chest, on a bed of woven grass. Taehyung feeding Jungkook strawberries, breath hitching when his fingers slipped between the fairy’s lips. Their hands clenching as they soared over a canopy of trees.
Then the kisses. On their linked hands, the corner of Jungkook’s mouth, feather-soft on Taehyung’s cheek. On the lips, warm, comfortable, coaxing the gentlest sighs from each other, hazy eyes and low laughs.
Other places too. Gasping when teeth hit skin. Bruises the color of marigolds, making Jungkook blush and Taehyung smile. Every night, daring a little bit more.
Of course, it wasn’t always easy.
The first time Jungkook casually brushed a hand along Taehyung’s wings, the dark fairy didn’t stop shaking for an hour. He couldn’t fall asleep with his back to Jungkook. Woke up screaming one night, begging Dante to stop. It took Jungkook nearly half an hour to calm Taehyung, remind him of where he was. After that, Jungkook sung the dark fairy to sleep every single night. His nightmares disappeared as if concealed by a thick fog.
Jungkook was patient, undauntedly so. Made sure he stayed in front of Taehyung, never approaching him from behind. Let Taehyung fall asleep with his back on the ground or against a tree. Carefully danced around the raven-dark wings, so graceful and subtle that Taehyung almost didn’t notice.
But the fairy did. Which is why he asked one day, in a slightly trembling voice, if Jungkook wouldn’t mind helping him preen some hard-to-reach feathers along the base of his wings. Knowing Jungkook would understand just what was being asked of him.
Jungkook touched his wings almost reverently, hands slow and careful as he smoothed out the feathers. Taehyung slowly relaxing, having forgotten what it felt like to have a gentle touch on his wings.
The nature fairy pulled away immediately when he saw a couple of tears slip out from Taehyung’s eyes, terrified that he hurt his love. But Taehyung explained, smiling wetly, that he used to wonder if he could ever stop feeling afraid, if the prima terror inside of him would ever fade away. Yet with Jungkook, he gasped through happy tears, there was never any fear. Only love.
After that, intimacy was inevitable.
They took their time, both perfectly content with the mere act of being in each other’s presence. But there came a night where Taehyung’s robe slipped off his shoulders; his hands trailed under Jungkook’s tunic. Jungkook fell back on a bed of grass, and Taehyung followed.
They didn’t even realize until the next morning that a field of poppies and camelias had bloomed around them, bursting into life at some point during the night’s activities. Jungkook turned as red as the flowers while Taehyung laughed, pressing fresh kisses along his jawline. Murmuring that he’d like to see what other blooms Jungkook could summon.
He never grew tired of the flowers. They were as much a part of Jungkook as his golden eyes and opalescent wings. Taehyung wanted to see all the colors that could pour from Jungkook, wanted to make him feel every species of love the dark fairy could offer. He chose to dedicate his life to learning the beauty that was Jungkook.
Even if such a task might take a lifetime, Taehyung wasn’t daunted.
After all, they had forever.