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When Jeongguk thinks back to how they first met and everything that happened afterwards – all the while sitting here on a concrete bench by the seaside, with the sun drenching both of their bodies in a golden hue; his head on Taehyung’s shoulder – he can’t help but smile and subtly shake his head. It was more than four years ago, but to Jeongguk, it still feels like it was only yesterday.
It’s the kind of first meeting that you only see in films or read about in books, and he can’t believe that something like this could have happened to him. That someone like Taehyung would just come crashing into his life like that.
But it still happened.
And here’s how it went.
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There’s a buzz all around him.
Jeongguk walks with his head held high and his eyes trained on the hotel doors in front of him, despite the hundreds of flashes surrounding him. He’s got numerous bodyguards flanking him and shoving away in an almost violent way anyone who comes too close for comfort.
There’s some yelling.
Reporters delving out question after question. About his personal life. About his work.
It’s like it doesn’t even matter to them that he’s not some regular celebrity, that he is actually royalty – he’s the damn crown prince, for God’s sake.
All they really seem to care about is to get the next headline for their respective magazine covers.
Jeongguk has never once been to Rome, but he expected something completely different to the reception that he’s getting right now.
After a walk that almost feels like eternity, he’s finally in the safety of the hotel; the double entrance doors swinging shut, and with them, the last screams of the reporters and the flashes of the cameras die down.
And Jeongguk feels like he can finally breathe again.
“My prince,” one of the royal staff members speaks then – a man with perfectly slicked back dark hair and a blazer that costs more than someone’s rent – and Jeongguk regards him with a polite nod. Permission to speak. “You have a state dinner tonight, at 7. Until then, your schedule is free.”
Jeongguk politely nods at him.
“I will return to my room until then.”
The staff member bows in return to him, and just as Jeongguk is about to turn and leave, he speaks up again.
“My prince, we will escort you to your room.”
My prince, my prince, my prince…
Jeongguk is sick and tired of it.
“I can walk on up all on my own, thank you.” He says. It seems like the man will argue this fact, but one look from Jeongguk has him keeping quiet and nodding his head once; an expression of barely concealed distaste crossing his face at the possibility of Jeongguk walking all the way up to his room alone.
“Very well. The hotel is secure enough,” he says, a fake smile plastering over his mouth after the words.
Jeongguk leaves for the elevator without saying anything in return; his back ramrod straight as he walks.
Once he’s in the safety of the elevator – the golden doors sliding shut – his shoulders slump and he slightly slouches in on himself. He leans back against one of the elevator walls and closes his eyes for a brief second.
Thinks of freedom and summer time. Of the rose garden back home; hundreds of shades of colours blooming all around him; leaves of a tree swaying in the gentle, warm breeze of a beautiful summer day.
His thoughts float away from this stuffy, fancy hotel and to the countryside that awaits him back home. The horses in the fields and the stars in the skies.
The elevator doors slide open with a quiet “ping!”, and Jeongguk opens his eyes, only to be met with the wide eyes of a bellboy. A very handsome bellboy, with dark hair and honey skin; the hotel uniform shirt stretching over broad shoulders.
“Uh, hey.”
Jeongguk blinks. This might be the first time that someone addresses him so…casually. No deep bows. No perfectly rehearsed greetings or formal smiles.
Something in Jeongguk’s chest blooms; a feeling quite too strange, but immensely pleasant.
“Hello.” He whispers back. And simply stares at the other.
The bellboy looks up at the display above the elevator; signaling that someone is waiting for this exact elevator on the first floor now.
“You might wanna get out now, there’s someone waiting.”
Jeongguk nods his head immediately, stepping out. He half expects this other boy to walk in, but he remains standing here with Jeongguk, and they both watch as the elevator doors promptly slide shut; the display above beginning to count down the floor numbers.
There’s a silence between them that lasts a few seconds, and in those seconds Jeongguk wonders if he should just turn around and leave; go to his room and pretend this never happened, because the longer he stays here, the more he realizes how embarrassing this was just now.
He had just been staring at the bellboy without even saying anything, had been so rude. Mother always taught Jeongguk that staring was rude, and here he had gone and done it.
What a crown prince he is, indeed.
“Are you okay?” Jeongguk – honest to God – almost jumps at the words, turning his wide eyed gaze at the bellboy who awkwardly scratches the back of his neck. “You seemed a bit…sad when the doors opened. Are you okay?”
Jeongguk blinks. No one asks him that. No, seriously. Jeongguk cannot remember the last time someone actually asked him – genuinely – if he was okay. It’s always simply…assumed.
How can you not be okay when you are born in such privilege; in such indescribable wealth and bright spotlight?
Or, at least that’s the Jeon family motto.
“Uhm. Yeah.” Great, the prince thinks bitterly to himself, go around stuttering now. Mother would be appalled. “Yes, I’m quite alright. Thank you.”
The bellboy scrunches his nose.
“Why are you so formal?”
Jeongguk blinks, sudden realization dawning upon him. This boy has no clue who he is. He would not be talking in such a careless matter to him if he knew.
“Members of the Royal family are raised to always remain formal and polite.” Jeongguk recites as if from a book. The bellboy’s eyes widen.
“Oh. Oh shit! You’re that crown prince that’s been visiting! I’m Taehyung!” The bellboy – Taehyung – announces; extending his hand out for a shake. Jeongguk blinks down at his outstretched arm in an almost shock.
Warmth makes a cosy little home in his stomach. He tentatively reaches his hand out and slides his palm into Taehyung’s, the other boy’s fingers gently wrapping around his hand in a cradle.
“I am Jeongguk.”
Taehyung nods, shaking his hand once and smiling a bright smile at him.
“It’s nice to meet you, Jeongguk.” He lets his hand go and tilts his head to the side. “Were you sad?”
For some reason – here in Taehyung’s presence – Jeongguk finds no reason to lie. Kind of has an inclination to tell the truth because Taehyung’s got genuine eyes and a kind smile. Jeongguk is just the slightest bit curious.
“A little bit.” He reveals, feeling a rush of courage to look Taehyung directly in the eyes as he speaks. “It all gets a bit exhausting. All this work.”
Taehyung nods as if he understands what Jeongguk means, though the young prince highly doubts that he actually does.
“I get you. Yesterday I had to work a sixteen hour shift in this stupid place and help out in the bar. Loads of drunk people, very little actual fun.”
Jeongguk cracks a small smile along Taehyung’s words; watches him scrunch his nose as if remembering an unpleasant memory. He’s very expressive, Jeongguk realizes.
“At least I only had to come in for a uniform fitting today and now I’m free and get to leave this hell place for a few days.” Jeongguk nods, feeling only slightly envious.
Being free of all work and obligations for a few days, getting to leave this overly fancy, uncomfortably stuffy hotel sounds like a dream.
Too bad that in Jeongguk’s life, there is no place for dreaming.
“It was nice meeting you,” the prince says, giving a small, polite bow to Taehyung – just like mother and father always taught – and is about to turn around and walk to his room, when Taehyung speaks up again.
“What are you going to do now?”
Jeongguk blinks.
“Retreat to my room and take some rest until evening. I have a formal state dinner.” Once again, Jeongguk doesn’t exactly know why, but feels inclined to give Taehyung such details that most likely do not interest the bellboy in the slightest.
Taehyung looks at him; eyes intense and almost as if he is studying the prince. Then –
“Do you wanna come get lunch with me?”
Jeongguk’s lips part in surprise; his eyes wide as saucers. Lunch? With someone he just met a few minutes ago?
Mother and Father would be appalled…This is so unlike Jeongguk.
And perhaps, it is exactly this thought of what his parents would say to such a bold move like this that forces Jeongguk to slowly – almost hesitantly – nod his head once.
“Lunch sounds nice,” the words are almost foreign on the tip of his tongue for some reason, “I had a very light meal before.”
Taehyung gives him a slow, easy smile; his eyes unbearably gentle as he regards Jeongguk. The prince feels his cheeks heat up with a slight blush.
“Suppose we have to disguise you so we can actually leave without royal guards jumping us before we get to the doors, huh?”
Jeongguk blinks.
“They would jump you, certainly not me.”
Taehyung just laughs, eyes crinkling in amusement.
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It’s almost ridiculous; the disguise that Taehyung gives him.
It’s someone’s uniform – the pants and jacket entirely too big for Jeongguk’s hips and shoulders, and the young crown prince has got rather broad shoulders himself. Taehyung himself has already changed into his normal clothes; throwing his uniform down in the laundry room.
“Are you…certain that this will work?” Jeongguk asks nervously, tugging the sleeves past his hands; as if the material isn’t already swallowing him up whole.
“Positive.” Taehyung mumbles back, a determined expression upon his face as he tugs the bellboy hat over Jeongguk’s head. “Just fix your hair up up juuuuuust like this!” And he messes up Jeongguk’s hair, making it partly cover his eyes.
“Taehyung – “
“No one will even pay attention to you, come on! Do you really think your little guards are going to look at someone wearing a bellboy uniform and think – “Oh, damn, that MUST be the prince!” - ?”
The thought is ridiculous and makes Jeongguk giggle to himself; an oversized sleeve coming up to hide his mouth from view; giggles smothered in the material.
Taehyung gazes at him fondly.
“It’ll work,” he mumbles, almost too softly for Jeongguk to hear, but he does, and he looks at the other boy with a small smile, “it’ll work and I’m going to show you why Rome is the best city in the world.”
And Jeongguk believes him.
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Sneaking past the guards while wearing a bellboy uniform really does end up being a piece of cake, and soon enough Taehyung is pulling Jeongguk into an empty alley and rummaging his bag for clothes to change into.
“My pants will definitely fit you. Not sure about the shirt cause I think my shoulders are a bit more broad, but we’re the same height so the sleeves of the T-shirt shouldn’t drag too long down your arms,” Taehyung rambles, pulling out a pair of simple lightwash jeans and a white cotton T-shirt; light and airy for the summer heat of Rome.
“I…You want me to change in here?” Jeongguk asks nervously, looking around the alley with anxious eyes. His fingers play with the sleeve of his shirt.
Taehyung looks up from his bag and raises a brow.
“I won’t look, I’m a gentleman.”
Jeongguk rolls his eyes, but it’s playful.
“I’m sorry, I’ve never gotten changed somewhere where anyone can see me.”
Taehyung’s gaze softens a bit.
“I’ll stand guard,” he jokes, gently pushing the clothes towards Jeongguk, “don’t worry, you can get changed behind that crate thing. I’ll stand on the other side and make sure no one comes down the alley and the other side has a dead-end wall.”
Jeongguk exhales a breath, nods and then takes the clothes. He cannot believe he’s doing this.
“This is so weird.” He mumbles to himself, stepping behind a large wooden box. Jeongguk doesn’t know what’s in there and he’d also rather not find out.
He makes small talk with Taehyung while he changes his clothes. The other boy makes quite a few guard puns, and Jeongguk has to muffle his laughter in the clothes he changes into.
Once he’s done, he steps from behind the crate with a hushed “I’m ready!”.
Taehyung spins on his heel to face him and bites his lip once his eyes slide down jeongguk’s body, taking in the outfit on him.
Jeongguk bites his own lip – cheeks dusted pink – and looks down at the ground.
“Do I look like a fool?” He asks quietly and snaps his eyes back up when Taehyung makes a sound in the back of his throat that’s more reminiscent of a dead cat than anything else.
“No, you – uh – you look great. In my clothes. My clothes look great on you.”
Jeongguk bites back a shy smile.
Taehyung seems to snap out of his momentary stupor and gives him another slow, easy smile. Jeongguk is beginning to really like that smile.
“Come on, let’s get food!”
Once they step out of the alley, Jeongguk is cautious. He throws glances around and behind his shoulder as if someone will yell “my prince!” and come rushing towards them. Maybe a few camera flashes.
But nothing comes as Taehyung leads him over to a sky blue scooter.
“What’s this?”
Taehyung regards him with a look that says “are you dumb?’.
“It’s a Vespa. Almost everyone here has one.”
Jeongguk blinks.
“I’ve never…I don’t think I have ever gotten on one.”
Taehyung – despite all his previous surprise – doesn’t look too surprised at this specific revelation.
“Yeah, I don’t imagine they put princes on Vespas often.” He picks up a helmet which is of the same exact shade of blue as the scooter. “This is my main mode of transportation and the pizza place I want to take you to is basically on the other side of town, so this is our best bet. I hope you’re not afraid of scooters.”
Jeongguk gulps. Truth be told, he’s got no clue if he’s scared of them or not. He’s never been on one after all.
“Okay, we can take the scooter.”
Taehyung smiles and lifts the helmet over Jeongguk’s head.
“Let me help you put this on.”
His fingers are warm as they graze Jeongguk’s cheeks. The young prince exhales a soft breath when Taehyung steps closer to help him clasp the helmet.
“There we go,” Taehyung mumbles, giving him another soft smile and a gentle tap against the side of his helmet. “Now we know that precious head is protected.”
Jeongguk pretends the blush on his cheeks is from the heat of the sveltering sun and not from Taehyung’s sweet words.
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The pizza is absolutely incredible.
Jeongguk is rather certain he has never had anything more delicious or fresh as this. The mozzarella oozes from the pizza and the prosciutto on top is cooked to perfection; blending in with the other toppings of tomatoes and basil.
Taehyung had lead Jeongguk into a small establishment in a stone building, the sign on the door saying it was closed for lunch time.
Jeongguk had dug his heels into the stone pavement and shook his head, pointing at the “closed” sign, but Taehyung had laughed, wrapped an arm around his waist (Jeongguk did not blush and he did not melt against the other boy’s side, thank you very much) and said he knows the owner.
True to his word, Taehyung truly did know the owner and the elderly man had shouted upon seeing the bellboy; wrapping him up in a tight hug and leaving a big kiss on his cheek; Taehyung laughing all the while.
Jeongguk had been enthusiastically received by the elderly owner and sat down in one of the corner tables; refreshing drinks and an appetizer of a small charcuterie board served for the two of them.
On the house.
Now, Jeongguk was polishing off his fourth slice of pizza and he was in heaven.
“It’s good, right?” Taehyung asks, his own cheeks stuffed with a piece of mushroom and sausage pizza. He kind of resembles a very adorable chipmunk.
“It’s amazing!” Jeongguk exclaims, rubbing his greasy fingers in a pale yellow napkin. “I don’t think I have ever had anything better! The chefs at the palace are wonderful, but I don’t think they could compete with your friend.”
Taehyung smiles, sipping at his coke.
“Do they serve you caviar all the time?” His voice has a teasing lilt to it, but Jeongguk can tell it’s not ill-natured.
“Sometimes.”
The elder’s eyebrows raise just a little. There’s a comfortable silence between them that lasts for a few seconds before Taehyung is speaking again.
“When was the last time you went to a beach?”
Jeongguk ponders this. His stomach is warm from the food and he feels a bit sleepy, but in a satisfied way, so his mind works a bit slower.
“Years and years ago.”
Taehyung’s frown lasts only a second before it’s being replaced with an excited smile and a gentle look in his eyes.
“Well, there’s a really nice one not too far from the city and I want to take you there.”
Jeongguk sits up straighter, carefully wiping his mouth with the napkin.
“Can we go now?”
Taehyung smiles.
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The ride to the beach is one of the most pleasant experiences Jeongguk has ever had.
It’s a hot day, so the wind in his face is a very welcome sensation and Taehyung’s body against his is a solid and rather pleasant sensation as well.
Jeongguk spends the entire ride with his arms wrapped tight around the elder – almost in a death grip, because they’re on a freeway and Taehyung drives a bit faster than he did in the city.
It gives the younger an adrenaline rush that leaves him with a saccharine sweet smile and a happiness weighing down on his lungs that he hasn’t felt in a long while. Taehyung randomly points out little sights along the way to the beach, and Jeongguk does his best to take in each beautiful place before they zoom past it.
The beach Taehyung takes him to is smaller than the beaches Jeongguk has been to or seen in photographs, but it’s beautiful nonetheless.
It’s quiet and for a day as hot as this, there’s not that many people here. The waves lap up the shoreline and Jeongguk is mesmerized by the slow but consistent movements. The slowly setting sun paints the skies in shades of ornage and pink.
He can hear seagulls and a little boy laughing while splashing around in the warm water by the shore with his mother.
“It’s so peaceful here.” The prince mumbles, digging his toes in the sand. Taehyung sits next to him, balancing his weight on his palms behind his back and his head is thrown back to let the sun wash over him; the long column of his neck exposed.
“It is. I always come here when I have the time. Especially during the summer, but it’s beautiful in the winter too.”
Jeongguk turns to face him then, looking at the elder’s side profile.
“Thank you for today.”
Taehyung cracks one eye open and looks at him; something fond and gentle crossing his features.
“We didn’t really do all that much; just got some food and came to the beach.”
Jeongguk looks down at the sand and shakes his head.
“It was more than I could have ever dreamed of.”
It’s almost too personal, – too intimate – a confession like this. But it’s the honest truth. When Jeongguk woke up this morning, he couldn’t have even imagined that this is how he would have ended up spending his day.
It’s a bit surreal to him.
Just as he thinks of this, he feels a finger underneath his chin; gentle as it lifts his head up and forces him to lock eyes with the elder boy.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Taehyung mumbles, smoothening his palm out until he’s cupping Jeongguk’s cheek; his thumb gently stroking over his bottom lip.
Jeongguk’s eyes flicker down to Taehyung’s mouth, almost involuntarily. And for a second – just for a second – he wonders.
I’ve already done things I have never done before. What’s kissing a boy going to do?
He watches Taehyung’s lips pull into a smile. Jeongguk swallows.
“Would it be too ridiculous if I – if I asked to kiss you?” As he says it, he feels his face heat up, and it’s not because of the warmth of the day. But he can pretend it is.
“Nothing is too ridiculous.” Taehyung mumbles and leans closer. Their lips brush in a gentle touch.
This isn’t the first time Jeongguk kisses someone, but it may be the best. Taehyung’s lips are soft and firm and he quickly takes over the kiss; rubbing his thumb in small circles against Jeongguk’s cheek.
Their lips linger against each other’s even a while after the kiss has fully stopped, and Jeongguk doesn’t want to pull away but he knows he has to.
“Thank you.” He mumbles against Taehyung’s lips, and the elder bellboy chuckles.
“You are adorable.”
Jeongguk’s entire body is warm.
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Taehyung sneaks Jeongguk back into the hotel through a backdoor meant only for hotel personnel.
He gets Jeongguk up to his floor through a private staircase and walks him to the door of his room.
“I can’t believe no one even noticed I was gone.” Jeongguk giggles, his fingers locked with Taehyung’s.
The elder gives him a sweet smile, bringing Jeongguk’s hand up to his mouth and pressing kisses against his knuckles.
“They thought you were resting.” He shrugs as they come to a stop by Jeongguk’s door. The prince exhales a slow breath.
“Yeah…I suppose I have to go and get ready for that dinner now.”
Taehyung nods, presses another kiss to Jeongguk’s knucles.
“Will I get to see you again?”
Jeongguk allows the smile on his lips to break his face in half.
“Yes. Most definitely.”
Taehyung smiles too. Lets go of Jeongguk’s hand to cup his cheeks and lean in to press a firm, lingering kiss to Jeongguk’s forehead.
“You have my number, right?”
“You gave me it, yes.”
Taehyung nods and kisses the space between Jeongguk’s eyebrows, then the tip of his nose.
“Have fun, my prince.”
Jeongguk scrunches his nose and pushes Taehyung weakly. The elder laughs before locking their mouths together for one last kiss.
One last kiss for tonight, but not for forever.
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Jeongguk smiles as the memories fade from the front of his mind.
“What are you thinking about?” Taehyung’s voice is deep and soothing above his head. The young prince lifts his head to press a kiss to his boyfriend’s jaw.
“Just…reminiscing.”
Taehyung hums and gently drums his fingers across Jeongguk’s thigh.
“About what?”
“How we met.”
Jeongguk watches as Taehyung’s face blooms into a beautiful, slow smile. The same exact smile he gave Jeongguk all those years ago.
“We had a pretty fast-paced meeting, didn’t we?”
“A rather adventurous one too, I’d say.”
Taehyung chuckles and wraps his arm across Jeongguk’s shoulders. Stamps a kiss to his temple.
“I didn’t expect to get myself a crown prince.”
Jeongguk snorts, rolling his eyes.
“I didn’t expect to get myself a bellboy.”
“Hey! I don’t work as one anymore, come on!”
Taehyung’s whining is the background sound of Jeongguk’s night, but he doesn’t mind.