Chapter Text
As far as Taehyung can remember, Yoongi has always been there in his life. As far as his memory serves him, Yoongi with shining cat-like eyes and pouty pink lips has always been beside taehyung. So it really frustrates him, disappoints him, crushes him with how he didn’t actually have a euphoric realization of how pretty Yoongi, the literal love of his life was until it was mentioned to him.
For a person who thinks an extreme amount about Yoongi and non-Yoongi matters, the very fact that he didn’t realize how delicately soft Yoongi was, infuriates him. What makes him further agitated is the fact that he only realized this when it was worded out to him by his fellow Prince who hasn’t even truly seen Yoongi as he has.
A big sigh escaped his mouth, not a prince-like behaviour but can anyone blame him? He is having epiphanies over epiphanies over the past two hours and it bothers him that he didn’t realize these impressive but endearingly cute things about Yoongi before.
He pouts most the time he speaks.
When someone complements him, he tries to act like indifferent but his whole face turns pink.
He’s actually pink all over, at the tip of his fingertip, his ankles, his CHEEKS.
His cheeks look like cute little dumpling.
He likes be called nicknames, Yoon and Yoongs being some of his favorite. He also absolutely adores the word ‘baby’.
He tends to hide his face when he is shy.
He puts his hand in between his thighs when he sleeps.
His actions very closely resembles that of a kitten.
He is endearingly small.
Okay, Taehyung knew the last one cause he used to tease Yoongi about it but he just realized that he is the perfect height to give forehead kisses to Yoongi and now he doesn't know what to do with this information.
Point of all this is that Yoongi is exceptionally pretty and now taehyung’s brain is somewhat broken cause he cannot stop thinking about him.
And oh look, there’s Yoongi in the garden. And guess how he looks?
Yep, yep, Pretty. Pretty and ethereal. Taehyung gonna die if he doesn't do something about this.
“Yoongs!” He called out from the balcony he is currently located at.
And pretty Yoongi whipped his head at the sound of the prince. “Taehyungie!” He says a little surprised. “Hey! What are you doing?”
Thinking about how irresistible you are.
“Just thinking. What are you doing?” Taehyung shouts.
“I am just here for some fresh air, its my break.” Yoongi screams back or at least he tries to scream.
He can’t shout, cute.
“Stay there, I am coming down!” and without waiting for a reply, he starts running down the stairs to meet the absoulte love of his life. The live of his life who looks so very precious and delicate.
And prerty! Oh my god, has he mentioned how pretty Yoongi is? Cause he just lost his breath and its definitely not due to running three flight of stairs. Maybe, a little... It's a mix of both.
“Taehyungie… You could have come down slowly, I would have waited either way.” Yoongi says, a small smile adorning his cute little face.
“Its okay” Taehyung says trying to catch his breath. “How are you?”
“Hmm.. I am good. Currently trying to out a new recipe, It has strawberry in them so I hope you like it”
“Yoongi, I will always love whatever you make.”
At this, Yoongi smile his infamous gummy smile and oh god Aphrodite is that you?
“So what are you doing?” Yoongi asks.
“I am just thinking...”
“Hmmm.. Something you can’t tell me?” a small concerned look with a head tilt.
Someone hold taehyung, he is about to lose it.
“Its not that I can’t tell you. Its just… something I don’t know how to tell you. “ he finishes.
“I get it. Take your time. I am always here for you okay?” Yoongi softly whispers.
And Taehyung? Taehyung is currently having breathing problem that he did not have prior to this.
“Well I should be going back to the kitchen. I am gonna make steak and pasta.” Yoongi declares. And nope taehyung is not ready to leave Yoongi just yet. “Mind if I come along?” He asks.
“Don’t you have any work to do? What about your lessons and all those prince things?” Yoongi asks.
“I am done for the day and its been a while since I last talked with you and definitely a long time since I last stepped into the kitchen.”
“That’s cause you always make a mess when you come to the kitchen. Remember the brownie incident?” Yoongi airily says while leading both of them towards the said place.
“That was one time thing! And hey after that nothing has happened!!” Taehyung replies defensively. In his knowledge, the flour wasn’t supposed to fly around like that just cause of the mixer but apparently he had to mix the dry ingredients just with his hands. It was a little… wack.
“Nothing has happened after cause you haven't been to the kitchen after that. The most you can do there is apply jam to the bread and eat.” Yoongi laughs and their usual banter keeps on rolling. Taehyung can see how he overlooked the epiphanies and euphoric realizations when he fell in love. Yoongi is just so easy to talk with, a human embodiment of comfort. Given that doesn't make it okay but he will live, he has his whole life ahead to admire Yoongi.
Or not…
“Yoongi hyung! I was searching for you.”
Jeon Jungkook. Prince of Busan, Taehyung’s friend, the person who spiralled Taehyung into this route of epiphanies. Also the exact person who said and taehyung quotes “Yoongi hyung is like so soft, so pretty. If he wasn’t your chef, I would have asked him out.”
“Oh! Tae Hyung is also with you.” Jungkook says acknowledging his presence. “What are you doing here Hyung? Aren’t you banned in the kitchen?”
“Just here to see and this is my castle you brat, I am not banned!” He was totally banned. “What are YOU doing here? I though you were ‘too busy’?”
At this, Jungkook laughs and yes, its adorable but Taehyung is not going to admit to that.
“Yoongi hyung told me he would teach me how to make his special steak.” Jungkook answers.
And oh god, is Jungkook trying woo Yoongi? Was him saying what he said to Taehyung a notice that Jungkook is gonna take his chance with Yoongi? Was he trying to pick a fight with him?
And as much as taehyung wants to say he has advantage over this, he didn’t appreciate Yoongi enough till some hours ago so he is going to keep his mouth shut on that.
“I didn’t think you were actually coming. I thought you were joking as usual.” Yoongi finally speaks.
And taehyung's jaw is slack. As usual? What does that mean? How much time have these two spent for Yoongi to talk with prince of Busan in that manner? Is Yoongi in love with Jungkook? Can Taehyung accept that?
The answer ladies and gentlemen and everyone who don't identify as such, is NO! Taehyung is not okay with Yoongi loving anyone other than him romantically and he will wreck havoc if Yoongi is taken away from him.
On that note, he says nothing as Jungkook and Yoongi start talking and as Yoongi starts showing Jungkook how to make steak. He just stays at the side, hoping Yoongi doesn't actually like Jungkook or really anyone whose name doesn't start with a ‘T’ and ends with ‘aehyung’. He also really hopes Yoongi only knows one Taehyung.
When the steak is finally finished, Jungkook takes his leave from the kitchen bidding his goodbye to both Taehyung and Yoongi, promising Taehyung of a sparring practice.
“Taehyung-ah, is something the matter?” Yoongi says in a small voice when they are finally alone.
“No… I just didn’t know you were close with Jungkook.” He answers with a clenched jaw.
“Hmm… He kept me company when you went to Ilsan last month and then we hit it off. He is a good kid.” Yoongi says with a smile, looking at the empty door.
And taehyung’s heart hurts a little. Because as much as he wants to wreck chaos, if yoongi ever falls in love with another person, he cant. He wont. Not because of any moral obligations or anything. Just... Yoongi’s happiness is all that matters.
“Do you like him?” And despite all that, Taehyung cannot help but ask.
“Of course I like him. I told you, he is a good kid. Will make a great king someday.” Yoongi finally turns towards him “Just like you.”
He looks a little sad, taehyung notes.
“Anyway, what’s the matter?” Yoongi says looking directly at taehyung.
“Huh? Nothing is the matter”
“Come on. Tell me Taehyung-ah. You didn’t talk the whole time Kook was here and you look… sad. What’s bothering you?” Yoongi pleads. And Taehyung is a weak, weak man, especially for Min Yoongi.
“I just realized something earlier and I think I might lose a very precious person in the near future..” Taehyung says, trying his best to give a small smile.
“Taetae…” Yoongi softly takes Taehyung’s hand on his “You cannot think as such! I am sure they want to be with you just as much as you want to. And... Hey, I might not equal to them but I hope you know that I will always be with you. Okay? Please remember that. If you ever feel like you want to talk, you can come to me anytime…”
“Even at the middle of the night when you’re sleeping?” taehyung asks, jokingly.
“Even at the middle of the night when I am sleeping.” Yoongi replies, dead serious.
Times like this makes Taehyung fall utterly and helplessly in Love with Yoongi, past all his beauty and just for is heart.
***
Days go on after that. Nothing notable happens except Jungkook goes back to his kingdom, his visit ending. Taehyung did not get to spare with Jungkook but its okay.
What’s not okay is the fact that he is somewhat dying cause of Yoongi. Since he has taken notice of how stunning Yoongi is and now he has visited the route of Jealousy, he cant seem to stay still. He is now more aware of his own surrounding, noticing the way women and men alike look at Yoongi, hearing the praises from the maid and admiration from the generals and knights. The gossip surrounding Taehyung, prove how Yoongi has many secret admirer but the rumor that shakes him is the one where Yoongi has a lover of his own.
Yoongi doesn't seem to bothered by it but Taehyung is totally and completely focused. One of these people might just steal yoongi or already has stolen Yoongi from him and he will be able to do nothing except sit at the sidelines and watch. His irrational fear has grown and grown taking some hours of sleep with it.
Taehyung is frustrated.
“I am gonna go talk with Yoongi.” he finally speaks out in a soft whisper.
“Did you say something your Highness?” The general to his rights asks to which taehyung just shakes his head. Indicating no but also trying to clear his head, he is in a meeting, he better focus.
By the time, he finishes all his work for the day, the day itself is finished. But he still continues his search for Yoongi, The elder who has given him permission to just call him by his name. The shorter who completely disappears behind Taehyung. His childhood friend who has the world’s cutest gummy smile and the only person who managed to awe him and steal his heart.
Taehyung is filled with so much love for Yoongi that he feels like he will burst if he doesn't convey at least some of them to him. So he searches. Searches High and low of the castles, at the garden, at the hallways, at Yoongi’s room. Everywhere. He finally finds him at the kitchen.
“Yoongs.” He calls out, his voice deep but soft.
Yoongi turns towards him a little too fast, taehyung is concerned for his neck. But its okay cause Yoongi smiles at him when he sees Taehyung.
“Taetae, why are you here? Didn’t you have dinner already?” Yoongi asks.
“I did. I just… missed you.”
“Hmmm.. It has been a week or something since we last saw each other so I guess huh…” Yoongi drifts off, his voice a little sad and then quickly adds in a small voice “I missed you too.”
At this Taehyung smiles. “what are you still doing here? I thought your duty ended some three-two hours ago?”
“Ah! I was making strawberry mousse. I was gonna bring it to you tomorrow. I had already made it but it didn’t look the best so… yeah” Yoongi says lifting up a glass thats filled a creamy but thick looking substance.
Silence fills the room when Taehyung doesn't say anything, finally after a breath or two or ten he speaks.“I need to talk with you.”
“What do you need to talk about?” Yoongi finally speaks after a pause, small soft voice encouraging even though he looks quite terrified.
“Do you have a lover?” and Taehyung is ready for a heartbreak. The refrigerator is stocked with ice cream and he has twenty shitty movies on his watch later list that he has already paid for.
“I don’t have a lover.”
Taehyung really was not ready for heartbreak. He had looked and the ice cream were almost finished and he had already watched those shitty movies. He is glad his heart didn’t get heartbroken.
“But I have someone I like.”
Taehyung was born ready for heartbreaks. He didn’t need ice creams or shitty movies. He could totally handle himself without those. Also, the alcohol cabinet is full, he checked after the ice cream.
“Oh…” Taehyung makes a sound of acknowledgement seeing how Yoongi looks so small in front of him and while Taehyung’s heart might have been broken, he isn't an asshole. “I hope you become happy with her or him or.. just that person.”
“He. But I don’t know if he likes me that way… I think he does but…” Yoongi says so soft, so small, so scared and Taehyung is about to beat the shit out of this ‘he’. Who the actual fuck doesn't love Yoongi?
“If he rejects you, I will beat him up.” Taehyung laughs in hope to disguise his broken heart.
But Yoongi doesn't laugh along. Doesn't even look up from the ground he is staring at. And Taehyung’s ’s heart breaks further because Yoongi looks so very scared “Yoongs..”
Yoongi finally looks up,a small voice “Don’t you wanna know who he is?”
And of course Taehyung does. But he cannot guarantee the safety of this ‘he’ if a name is actually put on him.
“Its okay. You don’t have to tell me.” Taehyung croaks out, backing away so Yoongi can have more space.
“Well… what if I want to tell you?” A little louder than before and raw.
Whoever this ‘he’ is, is an absolute piece of shit. Taehyung hopes he goes hell when he dies.
“Then … tell me” he still encourages though cause that’s the only thing Taehyung can say. How is he ever supposed to leave his best friend, the love of his life just like that when he sounds so fragile.
And Yoongi says something. A name, but its so so small, Taehyung doesn't even hear it.
“Yoongs, You are gonna have to be louder…” Taehyung says a sad smile on his face. He knows he looks defeated, but he will listen through to what Yoongi has to say. Its the least he deserves.
“Taehyungie...” a small whisper
“Yes?”
“Taehyungie.”
“What’s the matter Yoon?”
And Yoongi looks up, really looks up. His face, all shades of pink, eyes glossy with unshed tears and a hint of anger in them and a small pout.
“Kim Taehyung.”
And Taehyung tilts his head, encouraging him to go on.
Which seems to be a bad move because now Yoongi starts to cry.
“Yoongs… whats the matter? Yoongi?”
And its justpanic.
Taehyung engulfs Yoongi small frame, whispering ‘its okay’ and ‘its alright’ over and over again even though Taehyung has little to no idea why Yoongi is even crying… Its even more heartbreaking, knowing that Yoongi doesn't cry easily.
“You’re horrible.” Yoongi finally says after his cries have subsided. Its been ten minutes? Thirty minutes? An hour? Taehyung doesn't know. All he knows is Yoongi is no longer crying and that Yoongi just called him horrible.
“Eh?”
“Kim Taehyung.”Yoongi says with a finality “The guy I love. His name is Kim Taehyung.”
And Taehyung’s ’s heart just stopped. He swears it.
And oh my god Taehyung, you absolute utter dumb-ass! He wasn’t calling your name, he was saying your name and you made him cry. Also ‘he’ is you! Unless there's another Kim Taehyung Yoongi knows and loves in which case, what the absolute Fuck universe? But fuck all that...
“You like me?” He finally asks, a tremor evident on his voice.
“I love you.” Yoongi replies, small and just so so vulnerable.
And if this is a dream, he will bite the person who wakes him up. But he doesn't wake up, doesn't even feel remotely sleepy or remember sleeping so he finally breathes again, a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding.
“Yoon, Yoongs, Baby I love you too!”
And finally Yoongi looks up, eyes wide and lips pink and just so pretty pretty pretty. It shouldn't be allowed for anyone to look this pretty after they cry. This is a hate crime to anyone who is not Yoongi by the universe.
“Dont joke with me on this.. please!”
“Min Yoongi, I am in love with you. Have been in love with you before even knowing the meaning of the word, before even coming to terms with how incredibly stunning you are and have been in love with you since the minute you stepped in my life like an absolute angel.” Taehyung states, looking at the love of his life in the eye cause he will not have any more tears. He also really needed to get that out and granted for a love of 15 years, the confession is rather bland but he feels great.
They are sitting on kitchen tiles, yoongi in his arms with no romantic gifts or gestures in site but taehyung is in love and he thinks this is perfect.
And if the kiss Yoongi gives Taehyung after that is anything to go by, Yoongi too is in love with Taehyung.