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"Who is that?" Jimin whispered to his friend. Taehyung raised an eyebrow at him.
"That's Jung Hoseok," he responded. "He's the new addition to your family's guards. He's one of the most skilled fighters your father had ever seen apparently. Even the captain gave him praises."
"How do you even know all this?"
"I told you, people tell me things," he said with a shrug.
"By people, do you mean Namjoon?" Jimin asked with a smirk. Taehyung almost tripped over himself.
"I can have friends in the Royal Guard too you know," he said with a pout and Jimin just rolled his eyes.
"Wanna watch?" Jimin tried to ask nonchalantly. "Or should we head to the study room?"
"And miss out on sexy guards training?" Taehyung said a bit too loudly. Hoseok looked up and Jimin nearly smacked Taehyung in the face for him to shut up. Jimin awkwardly smiled at him and Hoseok bowed his head. This attracted the attention of the other guards and soon enough, they all faced the two men and bowed their heads.
"No please, carry on," Jimin said with a forced smile. "We didn't mean to interrupt you."
"Jimin, what are you doing here?" his mother's voice said from behind, "To the study room, the both of you," she added. The other guards bowed towards her as well and she waved them off.
Jimin and Taehyung quickly made their way to the room but before Jimin went in, he looked back one more time and was surprised at the serious look on Hoseok's face as he trained.
"Stop oggling the new guy," Taehyung said loudly and Jimin covered his friend's face with his hand and pushed him into the study room.
He didn't notice Hoseok look back at the pair in intrigue.
"This is Hoseok," his mother said as she gestured to the man next to her, "He'll be your personal guard while we're away for the trip. We will be back soon but we will probably going on more throughout the year to solidify trades and agreements."
"Okay," he said nonchalantly though his mind was circling with thoughts of getting to spend time with the man.
"I'm surprised. I thought you would've argued you don't need one," she said in question. Jimin tried to keep his composure.
"What would be the point of arguing when I know you would still have him follow me anyway?” he said.
"You've matured," his mother said with a smile. She patted his head and lifted his chin. "You stay safe, my child. We'll be back soon," she said with a smile and Jimin nodded at her.
When she left, Jimin suddenly felt nervous at the idea of being left alone with the guard.
"Can you send for Taehyung to come to my room?" he said to Hoseok. Hoseok bowed in response before he opened the door to tell one of the servants to call upon his friend.
"Jimin, are you okay? What's-" were the first words Taehyung said but cut himself off when he noticed Hoseok in the corner of the room. Jimin had a nervous smile on his face and Taehyung grinned.
"Hosoek," Taehyung said as he nodded at the guard and Hoseok nodded back. Jimin glanced at Hoseok but was surprised to find the older already looking at him. He quickly looked back but felt a heat rise to his cheeks at being caught. Taehyung watched the display in amusement. "So Hoseok, Jimin here thinks-"
Jimin tackled the other before he could finish.
"Are you okay?" Hoseok said in question as he witnessed the strange display of Jimin attempting to cover Taehyung's mouth while Taehyung tried to kick him off.
"Just fine!" Jimin yelled as he kept shoving Taehyung's face away with his hand while Taehyung tried to bite him.
Hoseok laughed.
They both froze and looked up before they looked at each other. They shared a mutual thought of: Wow.
"Sorry," he said as he covered his mouth, "You're both very amusing. Joonie's told me a lot about you."
"Joonie?" Taehyung asked and Hoseok apologised.
"I mean Namjoon," he said. "Sorry, I'm overstepping."
"No, you're not," they both said and Hoseok smiled. Jimin suddenly smacked Taehyung's arm.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes, Great, Fine," Jimin said quickly, "Excuse us for a moment," he said and Hoseok nodded before he walked towards the door and stood outside.
The pair began to whisper harshly at each other.
"Namjoon rarely lets anyone call him Joonie," Taehyung said, "You have my seal of approval."
"Oh my God, shut up, he might hear you."
"You're the one acting like a lunatic and-"
"You started it!"
"I was just gonna tell him you thought he was hot."
"That's exactly what I meant!"
"It's just an innocent compliment!"
"No, it really isn't!"
"Jimin!"
"Tae!"
"Uhm, are you sure you're okay?" Hoseok said as he slid the door open. Taehyung and Jimin were holding each other's collars with clenched fists.
"Yes!" they both said as they released each other with forced smiles.
"Just having a debate," Taehyung said casually. Jimin jabbed his side. "Ouch," he said angrily as he glared at Jimin.
"Thanks, Hoseok," Jimin said with a smile and Hoseok nodded before he closed the door and returned to his previous position. The pair sighed.
"I'm sorry you have to do this," Jimin said as he walked out into the gardens, "It musn't be fun watching me do my princely duties all the time."
"It's my job," Hoseok said as he walked next to him, "But I don't mind. I like the company."
Jimin inwardly cursed at how such a mere phrase brought butterflies to his stomach.
"Right."
"Sorry you have to deal with this shadow behind you at all times," Hoseok said with a smile.
"I don't mind," Jimin said without hesitation. "I like spending time with you," he added. Hoseok raised his eyebrows at him in surprise. Jimin took three seconds before he realised he said that out loud and that he said it far too casually. "Sorry!" he said as he quickened his pace to walk in front of the other.
"Jimin, it's fine," Hoseok said with a laugh but Jimin kept walking faster. "No really, Jimin it's fine," he called out as he followed after him.
Namjoon watched the interaction from a distance in slight worry.
Jimin had just attended one of his lessons and previously told Hoseok to have a break at the meantime. Hoseok obliged when Jimin asked one of the standby guards to escort him. Once the lessons were over, Jimin eagerly walked in the direction of the Royal Guard's barracks, a little too excited to see Hoseok after only being separated a few hours.
"You're getting far too attached, Hosoek," Namjoon said loudly. Jimin stopped in his tracks. He turned around and dismissed the guard who bowed before he returned to his previous station.
"I'm fine," Hoseok said with a sigh. Jimin witnessed the pair's outlines sat in front of each other.
"I'm just telling you, you're getting too close."
"And you're not?"
"That's different!"
"How?"
"Taehyung isn't next on the throne," he said and Hoseok sighed before he stood up. Jimin furrowed his brows in confusion.
"Hoseok?" Jimin called and he watched the pair stand straight.
"Your highness," they both said as they slid the door open. They both bowed and Jimin raised his hands up.
"Please," Jimin said shyly, "You're both my friends. I don't require you to bow to me."
"But we want to," Hoseok said before he looked up at him with a smile, "You're our prince." Jimin clenched one of his fists as his heart fluttered. Namjoon nudged Hoseok's side.
If someone had asked Jimin when it all started, he probably wouldn't be able to tell you. All he could say was there were moments where their eyes would meet and they would hold their gazes a bit too long or even moments where their hands would brush against each other and they would apologise but still stand far too close. All he could really remember was how warm his chest felt whenever those moments happened.
And then there were moments Jimin remembered in great detail. One in particular he enjoyed looking back on.
Jimin had asked Hoseok if he could give him lessons in combat and occasionally spar with him. The older agreed and continually expressed how much the prince had been improving each day.
One day Jimin finally managed to pull a dagger against Hoseok's neck. Jimin smirked as he moved his weapon away. Hoseok smiled back but was surprised when he felt Jimin rest a hand on his shoulder.
"What are you doing?" Hoseok said as the prince took a step closer.
"Hyung," he said quietly, "Please don't hate me," he added and Hoseok held his breath as Jimin placed a hand on the back of his head and pulled him closer. They dropped their weapons.
A kiss. The first of many.
"Do you even know the meaning of the phrase 'hold back'?" Namjoon said as he and Hoseok sat in front of each other in the barracks.
"I can't help it, Joon."
"But you've held off on your feelings for him for so long. What changed? Why did you suddenly give in so easily?"
"Jimin makes me happy," he said simply. "And he has a cute butt."
"Shut up!" they heard from outside. They whipped their heads to see an outline of two people. Namjoon rushed to the door to slide it open with Hoseok behind him. He sighed in relief when he noticed it was just Taehyung and Jimin.
"What are you doing here?" Namjoon said as Taehyung had a wide grin on his face and Jimin stared at the ground.
"We finished lessons early."
"How much of that did you hear?" Hoseok asked with wide eyes.
"All of it," Taehyung said with a grin. "Especially the part about Jiminie here having a cute butt."
Jimin's face was bright pink as he stared at the ground.
"Well I mean, it is," Hoseok said.
"Hyung!" Jimin yelled and Hoseok laughed. Jimin was beyond flustered the rest of the evening.
"I love you," Jimin said as he stared up at Hoseok. They stood in the middle of the garden, their arms around each other.
"I love you too," Hoseok responded with a smile.
"My parents are back next week," the younger said with a pout.
"Let's not think about that okay?"
"But hyung, how are we-"
"Whatever happens Jimin, I'm with you okay?"
"Please don't say things like that."
"It's the truth," Hoseok said as he tilted Jimin's chin up. "This past year has been the best of my life."
"Mine too," Jimin said with bright eyes before he quickly leaned forward for a kiss. Hoseok smiled at his eagerness before he complied.
"What the hell is this?" a loud voice said. The pair pulled apart and turned their heads in shock. Jimin's father.
"Jimin, what is he doing here? What are you doing with him?" Jimin's mother asked in disbelief.
"Guards!" his father yelled, "take him away!" he said as he gestured towards Hoseok.
"No," Jimin said as he clutched onto the older's arms, "Don't." Several guards appeared and Hoseok was pulled away from the younger. He watched in horror as they hit the Hoseok’s back and he fell down. "Stop, don't," he said before he pulled out his sword.
"Jimin, no," Hoseok said weakly but Jimin didn't listen.
"What are you doing?" his mother yelled as Jimin's blade met a guard's.
"Release him!" Jimin ordered.
"Jimin, you are to head to your room this instant," his father said angrily.
"Release him," Jimin repeated as he knocked the guard in front of him unconscious. "Release him!" he repeated as several guards tried to restrain him. His parents watched as Jimin took them all down with ease.
"Jimin, drop your sword," his father said as he pulled out his own.
"What are you doing?" his mother said as she watched her husband walk towards her son.
"I'm not opposed to fighting you, father," Jimin said as he took position. Hoseok forced himself to stand as he pushed the guards holding him away.
"Stop," Hoseok said loudly before he stood in front of Jimin's father. Jimin's eyes widened.
"Hoseok what-"
"Don't do anything you'll regret, Jimin," he said and before Jimin could respond, he felt something hard hit the back of his head. The last thing he saw was Hoseok being dragged away and his father staring down at him.
"Jimin!" a voice called harshly. Jimin blinked his eyes open to find himself in his room. He groaned as he sat up and rubbed the back of his head. He turned to his right to find Taehyung, a worried expression on his face.
"Tae?" he asked and the memories rushed back in. "Hoseok," he said as he placed his hands on Taehyung's shoulders. "Where is he?! Where's my father? What happened?!"
"Breathe," Taehyung said as he rested his hands on the other's arms. "Breathe."
Jimin complied but stared at the other in question.
"There was a council meeting. Your father wanted to keep him locked up for the rest of his life or even send him to the battlefront to defend the kingdom and as far away from you as possible. He wanted exile. But the council spoke against it. They requested something worse and your father couldn't say no with the commotion they caused."
As the other continued to speak, Jimin’s expression darkened but when the word ‘execution’ was uttered, he stood up.
“Jimin?” Taehyung said.
"Are there guards outside?" he whispered and Taehyung nodded.
"Two," his friend stated, "One is Namjoon though," he smiled. Jimin sighed in relief. Taehyung was about to speak again when Jimin slid the door open and moved to attack the guard.
"Jimin!" Namjoon yelled as he held him back.
"Let go of me," Jimin said angrily. The other guard fell backwards in shock.
"He's going to help us!" Taehyung said as he rushed outside and stood in front of his friend.
"You should've said that in the first place," Jimin said as he relaxed. Namjoon released him and the other two sighed in relief. "Where's Hoseok now?"
"Your father didn't tell me," Namjoon said in irritation, "Probably knew I would've told you without hesitation."
"The old cells near the well. They're starting the ceremony in an hour," the guard said as Taehyung helped him off the ground. "I served under Hoseok in training and he is an honourable leader who doesn't deserve such an exit from this world," he said firmly.
"Thank you," Jimin said with a small smile and the other guard was taken aback. "Please don't follow us. Just tell them we overpowered you. We don't want you getting into trouble."
The guard bowed as the three rushed in the direction of the cells.
Jimin had a determined expression across his face as they quietly dodged guards and kept to the shadows. They stopped to hide inside one of the empty barracks that was closest to the cells.
"Jimin, what are you going to do?" Taehyung asked worriedly. "You'll free him and then what?"
"Run away," Jimin said as he met Taehyung's gaze. The pair looked surprised. "My father and the council clearly won't listen to reason and if I stay, they will have Hoseok executed."
"But Jimin-"
"And if for some reason, they don't get him executed, I wouldn't put it past them or the other villagers to have him assassinated."
"But your birth right," Namjoon started but closed his mouth when Jimin looked at him in desperation.
"Hoseok's life weighs far more," he said, "Besides, I trust my brother to take my place."
"He's barely an adult and-"
"But he's not child," Jimin cut him off. "Look, I'm sorry," he said, "I don't want to leave. I don't want to leave the village, the people, my family," he paused, "and I don't want to leave either of you," he added as he looked between the two. "But it's Hoseok," he said as he looked at Namjoon and he felt his eyes water. "It's Hoseok, Taehyung," he stated as he shifted his gaze and looked straight at his friend. Taehyung pouted.
"You're prepared to lose everything?" Namjoon asked and Jimin answered with no hestiation.
"Yes."
They both sighed.
"What would you do if it was you?" Jimin asked and the two widened their eyes and looked down. "Would you be prepared?"
"Yes," they both said as they glanced at each other then back at Jimin.
"You've helped me get this far. You can stop now," he said as he looked outside the window. Four guards. Easy.
"We're with you til the end, Jimin," Taehyung said, "Besides, Hoseok is our friend too."
"Our best friend," Namjoon stated. Jimin smiled.
Hoseok sighed as he leaned against the wall. He narrowed his eyes at the guards in front of his cell, men he taught and trained with. Ironic they were the ones to deliver him to his own execution.He closed his eyes and leaned back.
“At least tell me if he’s okay,” he said loudly and he noticed a couple of them shift uncomfortably.
“He’s resting in his chambers,” one of them said casually and Hoseok let out a breath of relief, somewhat comforted by the idea Jimin didn’t have to go through the entire ceremony like he thought.
“Excuse me,” a familiar voice said from outside. Hoseok furrowed his brows. “I wish to speak to him alone,” Taehyung said and the guards bowed in his direction.
“Sir, we were told not to-“
“He’s not unsupervised,” Namjoon said from a distance. “I'll watch him.”
They all looked at each other, conflicted.
“I wouldn’t betray the king so easily,” he said angrily, “Do not doubt my loyalty to the throne.”
Before they could respond, Jimin appeared from behind and knocked two of them out. Hoseok widened his eyes as he watched Namjoon do the same to the other two and grab the keys from one of the guards.
“What the hell are you doing?!” Hoseok whispered harshly as Namjoon handed the keys to Jimin. Jimin concentrated on unlocking the door. “Jimin, what are you doing?” he repeated as the door unlocked and he opened it.
They both stood in front of each other.
“Stupid,” Hoseok spoke first and Jimin rushed towards him and pulled him into a hug. “You’re so stupid. What are you doing?” he asked as he pulled Jimin closer. “Jimin, you idiot,” he said as his eyes teared up. Jimin pulled away and cupped the older’s face. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m not letting you die,” Jimin said and didn’t bother to hold back his tears.
“You can turn back,” Hoseok said as he mimicked the other’s actions. “I’ll go. You can still-“
“And live a life without you?!”
“You’ll be healthy and happy and-“
“Not without you!” Jimin cut him off, “I won’t be happy without you.”
“Jimin, this is insane,” Hoseok said, “God, you’re so stupid,” he added before he pulled the other into a deep kiss, “Stupid, stupid, stupid,” he repeated in between kisses and tears.
“I hate to break this up but they’re going to start wondering why Hoseok isn’t at his chambers for the ceremony to begin,” Namjoon said as he looked outside and back at the the other three.
“You should go, Jimin,” Hoseok said as he tried to push the other away, “You can just go back and I can escape myself.”
“They’ll kill you, ceremony or not!” Jimin said as he gripped Hoseok’s shirt and pulled him closer. “I’m not letting that happen.”
“I have nothing, Jimin! Where would we go? What would we do?”
“As long as we have each other,” Jimin said softly as he pulled him into another hug. “You’re with me, right? No matter what happens?”
“Always,” Hoseok said before he kissed the younger again. Taehyung and Namjoon sighed.
“We need to move,” Namjoon said.
“Let’s go!” Taehyung said and Jimin turned to walk away but Hoseok stood still. “Hoseok, come on,” Taehyung started but was surprised when he saw Hoseok’s dark expression.
“I’m not letting you throw your life away for me, Jimin,” he stated. Jimin widened his eyes.
“No, Hoseok,” he said, his voice filled with panic. “Don’t do this. Don’t throw this away.”
“I love you,” were the last words Jimin heard before he felt a piece of cloth over his mouth and his vision went blurry.
“What did you do?!” Taehyung said as Jimin collapsed in his arms.
“He’ll be out for a few minutes, just keep him busy once he wakes up,” Hoseok said as he knelt down in front of them. He rested his hand on the younger’s face and leaned forward before he kissed his forehead.
“What are you doing?” Namjoon said angrily as he grabbed Hoseok’s wrist, “He was ready to throw everything away for you!”
“I didn’t ask him to!” Hoseok said angrily as he stood up and met Namjoon’s eyes, “He was perfectly happy before I came along and he can be happy again,” he continued before he shifted his gaze back to Jimin.
“You made him happier.”
“He made me happier too.”
“Then why-“
“He deserves a full life. Not one filled with poverty and running away.”
“Hey!” a loud voice yelled from a distance. Hoseok grabbed Namjoon’s hand.
“Thank you,” Hoseok said before he leaned forward and pulled Namjoon’s sword from his sheath and placed it in his friend’s hands. Namjoon was caught off guard.
“What are you doing out of your cell?!”
“He was escorting me to the chambers,” Hoseok said nonchalantly.
“What is his highness doing here?!”
“Last goodbye,” he said, “He still hasn’t recovered so he’s simply resting.”
The guard looked bewildered.
“Will you not escort me and keep the king waiting?” Hoseok said angrily. The guard scoffed and turned around.
Namjoon’s first move was to knock the guard out but Hoseok easily blocked him.
“No,” Namjoon said as Hoseok moved to follow after the guard. “Hoseok, don’t.”
“You can’t,” Taehyung said as he stared down at Jimin. “You can’t, hyung.”
“If it means Jimin can be-“
“You don’t get it!” Taehyung shouted. The guard turned back around. “He doesn’t want anything else, hyung! He just wants you! He’s fighting so hard for the both of you, why can’t you fight too?!”
Hoseok widened his eyes.
“Taehyung, you don’t understand.”
“No, you don’t!”
“What is the meaning of this?!” a loud voice yelled and everyone turned their heads to find the king walking towards them, guards behind him. “What is my son doing here?!”
“He came to say goodbye,” Hoseok said and the king pulled out his sword and pointed it at Hoseok.
“I was not speaking to you.”
Hoseok looked down and Jimin stirred slightly.
“What have you done to him?!” he said as he raised his sword.
“Your Highness I’m sorry but I can’t let you do that,” Namjoon said as he stood in front of Hoseok, sword at the ready.
“Namjoon, you dare stand against me?” The King said in anger as the other guards pulled out their own swords.
“I am loyal to the throne,” Namjoon said, “And the throne is to fall under the future king. His wishes include no harm come to this man.”
“This man is a menace to our kingdom and deserves no such privilege.”
“The prince disagrees.”
“What kind of nonsense is this?”
“Namjoon, put down your sword,” Jimin’s mother said from behind.
The blades of the swords clashed.
“What a shame,” the king said, “What a waste of skill and potential.”
“Namjoon, stop this,” Hoseok said but his friend paid no attention. He and the king continued to clash swords and exchange looks mixed with anger and disappointment.
“Jimin,” Taehyung whispered as his friend stirred slightly, "Jimin, you need to get up now," he said as he shook him. Jimin furrowed his brows before he gradually opened his eyes. He heard shouting and swords meeting and he shook his head.
"Namjoon!" Hoseok yelled and Jimin turned his head to the source of the noise. He was surprised to find Hoseok stood in front of Namjoon, hands up, ready to block the sword. A sense of panic ran through him but was more confused when he realised his father was stood behind Hoseok, a sword pointed in Hoseok's direction.
"What's going on?" he whispered as he slowly sat up. Taehyung helped him stand up. "Stop!"
Everyone's attention turned to the young prince. Hoseok muttered a curse under his breath before Jimin stormed in the direction of his lover and to everyone's surprise, he slapped him across the face.
"Are you crazy?!" Jimin yelled, "How dare you! You don't get to decide whether or not I'd be happier without you!"
Hoseok stared at him with wide eyes, a hand on his cheek.
"How could you do that to me?!" He shouted before he gripped Hoseok's collar and pulled him closer, "We're together til the end, you hear me?"
"Jimin-"
"I don't care! I'm not happy if it's not with you! If my father or anyone else decides to take you away, they're going to have to take me too," he declared loudly. "Whether we die as old men or right now, as long as we're together! I love you, Hoseok-I love-" he said and Hoseok cut him off before he pulled him into a kiss.
Jimin's father's hand shook as it held the sword. Everyone watched in utter shock and surprise not just at the kiss but also the prior declaration from the prince. The passion in his voice and the look in his eyes made it evident he meant every word.
"Honey," Jimin's mother started as she placed a hand over the king's on his sword. "Put it down."
"You will stand for this?" he asked harshly and she narrowed his eyes at him.
"I will stand for my son to live," she said as she moved to stand in front of him. Hoseok and Jimin pulled apart and pressed their foreheads together.
"Go," his father said loudly, "Go now," he yelled and Jimin's mother turned around to face him.
"You eat everyday, okay? You listen to Hoseok," she said, "He's a smart man and he can protect you," she added shakily. Jimin started to cry before the mother and son rushed into each other's arms.
"My King, what are you doing?" one of his generals asked angrily. The King simply shook his head and turned away at the display.
"Stand down," was all the man could utter.
"Thank you," Jimin said to his father although his back was turned to him. The general gripped his own weapon and without warning, rushed to Hoseok, sword raised. Several things happened in one moment.
Namjoon raised his sword up and maneouvred his weapon to block the general's, the King had turned around, his own weapon ready once again and Jimin had rushed to stand in front of Hoseok.
Blood spilled onto the ground.
"I said stand down," the King said angrily with a sword straight through the man's chest. The general never even made it half way. "We still have an execution ceremony prepared and should anyone disobey my orders, we are welcomed to make use of it."
"Father?" a voice said from one of the barracks, "What's happening?"
Everyone turned as Jimin's younger brother appeared, a look of confusion on his face.
"I woke up to find you but everyone was gone and the whole village had woken up from the noise."
Jimin didn't hesitate to walk towards the other.
"Hyung?"
"Jungkook, It's okay," Jimin said as he pulled him into a hug. "We just had a small fight is all." Jungkook looked around at all the swords out and a man on the ground.
"What's everyone doing here? Hobi hyung?" he said as he called out to him. Hoseok quickly followed after Jimin and put a hand on the other's head.
"Everyone, leave, now," the king said, "And take him away," he said as he gestured towards the man on the ground. The crowd left the scene so all that were there were Jimin's family, Hoseok, Namjoon and Taehyung.
"Hoseok and I are leaving for an important mission," he said casually. "We're going to be away for a while."
"But does Hobi hyung have to come with you?" he whined and Hoseok laughed as Jimin smacked his brother.
"Yah!"
"I'm kidding, hyung," he said. "But do you have to go? Can't you stay?"
"It's dangerous for them to stay here," his mother said softly.
"But why? We can protect them. You said we were the strongest, didn't you father? That everyone will always be safe here."
"They'll be back, Jungkook," his father said, "Don't worry."
Jimin turned to look at the King and was surprised at the sincerity in his eyes as he said those words.
"I'm sorry," the man continued as he faced Hoseok. The queen once again walked towards Jimin and pulled him into another hug. She stepped back and quickly pulled the comb out of her hair along with a few of her bracelets and a pouch she hid in one of her pockets.
"This should help in the meantime," she said with a small smile before she kissed Jimin's cheek and placed a hand on Hoseok's shoulder.
Hoseok turned to her in question and she simply squeezed his shoulder and turned away. His parents then walked away, in the direction of where the ceremony was to be held.
"Does no one think I can take care of myself?" Jimin said as he looked around.
"No," Taehyung and Namjoon chorused and Jimin glared at them.
"Okay but you have to write me," Jungkook said with a nod and a yawn.
"Of course, just go back to sleep, Kookie," Hoseok said as he kissed the top of his head. Jimin mimicked his actions and Jungkook grinned at them.
"C'mon Jungkook," Taehyung said as he tugged on Namjoon's arm and walked towards the other.
He froze in front of Hoseok and quickly pulled him into a hug.
"Thank you," he said, "for making our Jimin happy," he added.
"No, Thank you," Hoseok said as he shook his head and tightened his grip on the other. Taehyung wordlessly moved to hug Jimin and refused to speak. Namjoon hugged Hoseok and wished him well, telling him that he will always keep him in his thoughts and prayers.
"Okay," Jimin said and him and Taehyung parted with eyes filled with tears. "I'll write you too okay?" he said and Taehyung could only nod.
"You're all very dramatic," Jungkook said as he rolled his eyes. "Let's go sleep. I'm tired," he said as he turned around. Taehyung and Namjoon followed after him but not without looking back at Hoseok and Jimin who found each other in the other's arms once again.
"Thank you for fighting for me," Hoseok mumbled and kissed him lightly, "For us."
Jimin started crying.
"If I lost you-"
"Hey, it's okay. You're not losing me, not now, not ever," he added. "You with me?"
"Always," Jimin said before another kiss.
"Does this mean I have to stop calling you 'Your Highness'?
"I never wanted you to call me that in the first place."
"But you're my prince and I will treat you as such."
"No, I'm your lover," Jimin said with a grin before he pulled him into another kiss.
"We should probably go before someone tries to kill me again."
"Not funny."
"Sorry," he said before another kiss.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
The pair managed to build a life for themselves. They stayed in a quiet village they found that thought nothing of their relationship and left them unbothered. Everyone kept to themselves and although there might have been whispers about their identity or gossip of what they were to each other, neither were bothered.
30 years later, a plague had taken hold of Hoseok. Jimin stayed by his side until the end.
"You're with me?" Hoseok asked as Jimin held him in his arms.
"Always," Jimin said as he tightened his grip.
His family and friends welcomed him home with open arms. His father had already passed away but he was happy to continue let his brother rule. As far as the rest of the villagers knew, Jimin was a distant relative that moved in during the season. They held a funeral for Hoseok, which Jimin was eternally grateful for, and burried him at the tree next to the temple where he recalled he and Hoseok had their first kiss.
"We will meet again, my love," Jimin muttered before he kissed the tree, "I swear to you."
Tears fell down his face.
"We will have more time. I will find you again in another life and I will love you just the same, if not more."
He turned away to wipe the tears and slowly walked away. He turned back and said a goodbye.
He visited Hoseok's grave everyday for the rest of his life. He requested to be burried next to him when his time came and Jungkook did everything in his power to make sure that happened, screw tradition.
"I'll see you soon," Jimin said with a smile when he closed his eyes for the last time.
"Hyung, it can't just end there!" Jimin said loudly as Seokjin closed the binded script.
"I don't write the dramas," he said as he sat up. Jungkook, Jimin and Taehyung were sprawled around Seokjin's room, listening to the other read out the script of his upcoming drama.
"It's so sad," Taehyung said as he sat up, "Was it really based on a true story?"
Seokjin shrugged.
"Maybe but don't you think we would've heard about it?"
"But the king would've kept it hidden. He wouldn't risk his son's safety would he?" Jimin said.
"At least they were together," Seokjin said.
"I can't believe he'd leave his family behind like that for so long," Jungkook muttered, "It's sad but I get it."
"Do you think they met again?" Taehyung asked. "In another life? Like he promised?"
"I like to think so," Seokjin paused, "Besides, bonds as strong as that wouldn't break so easily."
"Which is why," Taehyung said as he stood up, "You have to go to the practice room right now and apologise to Hoseok hyung!" he said as he threw the closest item, a pillow, at Jimin.
"What does that have to do with anything?!"
"You can't let what other people say control you and hyung's relationship, Jimin," Seokjin said in a 'as a matter of fact' tone.
"Neither of us are princes and no one's trying to execute us?!"
"That's not the point," Taehyung said with a sigh.
"Are you really using a script from a drama to advise me on what to do about my relationship with hyung?"
"Yes!" all three chorused. Jimin sighed. He pulled out his phone and stared at the screen before he unlocked it. His wallpaper were him and Hoseok with wide smiles on their faces, Hoseok had his face pressed up against Jimin's while he hugged him.
"This was supposed to cheer me up not make me think about him."
"Oops," Jungkook said as he rolled his eyes. Jimin glared at him.
"Namjoon said he's moping in the practice room, you know," Taehyung said with a pout. "He wanted to see if he wanted to get something to eat but he said he wasn't hungry and is just laying on the floor staring at the ceiling."
Jimin was hit with a pang of guilt.
"And it's my fault I get it," he said as he crossed his arms.
"You're missing the point, hyung," Jungkook said with a sigh.
"You're mistable, he's miserable," Seokjin said, "Fix it."
Jimin bit his lip and sighed. He stood up and the others sent him encouraging smiles before he walked out of the room.
The journey to the practice room felt like an eternity. Jimin practically dragged himself to simply stand in front of the door. He peeked inside and was surprised to hear loud music playing. An EDM track he’d never heard before was playing and Hoseok was in the center of the room, dancing as though he was desperate for something. Jimin walked in quietly and closed the door as he watched his hyung dance with his eyes closed.
When the song came to an end, Hoseok opened his eyes and he let out a yelp when he noticed Jimin.
“Oh my God,” he said loudly as he collapsed on the ground. He breathed heavily and Jimin rushed to the speakers to pause the music. “You scared me,” he said in between breaths. Jimin picked up the water bottle close to him and brought it towards the older.
“Sorry,” Jimin said as he handed it to him. Hoseok gulped down the water and continued to pace his breathing.
“What are you doing here?” the older asked and Jimin flinched at the serious tone.
“I wanted to talk to you.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. I’m fine. You’re fine.”
“No I’m not,” Jimin mumbled as he brought his knees to his chest, “I’m not fine and you’re not fine either.”
“Jimin, we talked about this,” Hoseok said as he stood up and walked towards the door.
“No we didn’t. I talked, you listened,” he paused, “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” the other said quietly, “You were right. It’s too much of a risk.”
“Hyung, it hurts you know?” Jimin said as he buried his face into his knees.
“What does?”
“It hurts how much I love you,” he stated before he looked up and faced the mirror to meet Hoseok’s wide eyes.
“But-“
“I was scared, I didn’t want to lose what we had and I didn’t want you to regret anything.”
“I won’t regret it.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because it hurts for me too,” Hoseok said quickly as he walked in front of Jimin and knelt down, “It hurts how much I love you too.”
Jimin’s eyes watered as the older placed his hands on his shoulders.
“I don’t deserve you,” the younger said shakily.
“You deserve more.”
Hoseok cupped his face and then he said something that hit Jimin like a title wave.
“I’m with you, okay?” Hoseok whispered, “Always.”
Jimin grabbed the other’s collar and pulled him into a kiss. The first of many.