Chapter Text
Jungkook doesn't want you to die.
The twenty one year old man stood in front of the door to your room. His feet shuffled against the wood of the large hallway. Unsure on how to present himself. How to get you to stay. Advisor Kim had come barreling in through the court room earlier this morning, bellowing the word of war to his parents. It had seem that the approaches of leadership and governance his parents had chose to undertake did not rest easy with the neighbouring kingdom.
Such radicality had instilled fear in the king of Azuria and as a result he announced war. All of the kingdoms knew King of Azuria was a man easily pressured by fear and would undertake careless decisions his advisors had little to no say in but this was a decision that seemed so outrageous that his father had to ask Advisor Kim to repeat his words of warning.
Everyone knew the King of Azuria would do anything to disrupt his family and his parents' rule. And to do so, he knew the King would be after him.
Naturally, you would step forward to volunteer yourself for battle.
Jungkook clenched his fists as images swirled through his mind, casting back to the day you both first met.
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You were meant to die on the battlefield. That fact itself was evident since the very day of your birthing. As a mage, you were bound to protect others, even at the cost of your life and by some stroke of dumb dumb luck, the person you were bound to protect was none other than the heir to the throne, Prince Jungkook.
You meet him at the tender age of 7. His doe like eyes peer at you cautiously, not used to meeting someone his age. You wore a brilliant scarlet robe of gold embroidery and had bowed deeply at the young prince.
"Jungkook," the Queen placed a hand on her son's shoulder, "meet y/n. She will be your protector." Jungkook tilted his head at you while you gazed back. You knew he was analysing you like you with him. Your mother's hand left your shoulder and you looked up at her. Her lips wobbled and you could tell she was trying to keep the tears in. After all, it was rare for young mages to see their parents once more when sent out duties.
"You will do a fine job, my gorgeous girl," she smiled down at you, bending her knees to kiss your forehead. You bit your lip, her words only putting you at ease slightly. Fear had riddled you over. Were you good enough? What if the prince didn't even like you? Questions coursed through your mind yet you dared not to voice any of them in front of the royal family. The both of you hugged each other farewell. Your mother slipped a chain that had a gem attached to the pendant into your small palm. She bowed to the monarch family and with a quiet chant, she faded amongst the wind that blew by.
The Queen smiled at you warmly as you walked towards them.
"We thank you for your services, y/n. It's not easy for little ones to leave the nest so early,"she casted a wistful look towards her son whose eyes never lifted off your small figure. You bowed once more, the rehearsed words leaving your lips.
"It's an honour, your majesty." However, these words that were meant to fill you with pride, instead had you experiencing dread as you feared what was to come in looking out for this prince.
The first thing you protect Jungkook against was a puppy. You weren't sure what possessed the prince to initiate a fight against the puppy but you could say for sure, if the fight continued, Jungkook would have lost.
Said puppy was on your lap, panting against the bountiful of belly rubs you offered whereas the black haired boy crossed his arms as he sat next to you.
"What did this little boy do to you?" you asked and Jungkook sprung up, pointing an accusing finger against the dog that was about to drift off into a wondrous nap.
"He tore apart the leather ball father bought me!" The young prince said, "it deserves to be punished!" You gave an unimpressed look to the boy you were meant to protect.
"I was speaking to the puppy, your highness, not you," you said flatly, giving the dog one final rub as its eyes closed for rest. A bright red crawled across Jungkook's cheeks as he plopped himself down quickly and stuck a tongue out at the small brown dog.
"He started it," Jungkook said with an air of finality and you couldn't help but giggle against his words. It was entertaining to see the inner brat of the prince that he so carefully tucked away in the formal events he was forced to attend. It filled you with joy to at least know he was comfortable around you.
"Also," he pointed at you to which you blinked at his finger, " don't call me 'Your Highness.'' He crawled to you and gave you a toothy grin that had you feeling tingles.
"Call me Jungkook. We're friends after all!"
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Jungkook doesn't want you to die.
You were in your room, seated on the edge of your bed, folding your robe when he knocked on your door. You already knew he was there before he even knocked, the familiar tingles always arose whenever he was close.
"Come in," you called out, placing your folded robe on the foot of your bed. The young prince entered, teeth caught in his bottom lip. His doe like eyes never changing as he took three long strides to you. You peered up at him and his eyes shone against the moonlight.
"You don't have to do this," he said but you both knew it was your responsibility to. If it meant protecting Jungkook, you would do anything to prevent harm's way from reaching. You shook your head, snorting at his words.
"You know I do," you smiled softly at his words. The battle tomorrow was unpredictable. Against one of the most violent militia across the land, several deaths would be witnessed on the field. You were unsure of what was to come and you and Jungkook knew that it is uncertain on whether you will return like all those other times. Suddenly, Jungkook was on his knees, his hands clasped around yours tightly.
There were tears evident in his eyes as he gazed into your shocked ones. "I can't have you leave me (y/n)." he whispered hoarsely, resting his forehead against yours. The tips of his bangs brushed against the bridge of your nose. His eyes were shut. another stream of tears flowing down his face. Your heart wrenches at this vulnerable sight of the prince. Rarely did he expose this other side of him. It takes every inch of your willpower to not cry along with the sole heir to the throne. You too were afraid to die.
But your fear of Jungkook dying was more overwhelming.
"And I can't have you dying," you whispered softly, rubbing your nose against his prominent one, "I am your protector, Jungkook. This is my sworn duty." Jungkook's brown eyes flickered across your face. Uncertainty and fear etched on his features. You could feel the tremble of his hands in yours and you knew your fingers were also shaking. He exhaled and pulled you into an embrace, burrowing his face into the crook of your neck. Shame coursed through him. Your hands were more rough than his. Fingers with cuts. Palms with callouses. Yet his were untainted. You had always protected him but he could never protect you.
"Please come back alive," his breath hot against your neck. He savoured the warmth your body radiated and listened closely to your quickening heartbeat. You felt your night shirt growing damp and you were certain now that you too were weeping. Closing your eyes, you brought him closer to you, savouring his body heat and listening to the soft thuds of his heart. You had little time together before the battle and all you wanted to do was bask in his presence.
"For my prince, anything," you swore but you both knew this was a promise that could not be kept.