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"Your Highness. Please get up."
Yoongi just grabbed the blanket, pulled it over his head and curled himself under it, his tousled golden hair immediately disappearing from his sight. Seokjin was a little sad when he covered his head. He personally liked the bright hair the prince had. But for Yoongi, the brightness from outside was burning, almost burning, his eyes.
"No."
"But Your High-"
"No."
Seokjin just frowned and remembered what Prince Namjoon, the first prince and Yoongi's older brother, had said before he entered the second prince's room. "If he doesn't get up by your second request, just pull the blanket and he's gonna get up. Just deal with the aftermath, him being a whiny ass brat. It's easy." It's actually not easy for Seokjin. He was actually scared of what the second prince's reaction would be after making him leave his bed in such way. He summed up courage as he stood beside the bed before finally pulling the blanket off Yoongi but Yoongi's body hitting the floor was off his calculation. Seokjin's body froze as he saw the prince painfully groaning and rubbing his back as he laid on the floor.
Oh no... No, no, no, no. Seokjin kneeled in front of Yoongi and frantically reached out to him, not even sure how he should do it. Do I grab him up? Do I let him be still on the floor and check for injuries? Do I call one of the palace pharmacists? He looked like he was just flailing around with his hands waving and hanging in front of the fallen prince.
"What the hell...?"
"I'm sorry, Your Highness! I didn't mean it!" Seokjin swore he must've started tearing up already. Dear Lord. And it was the first time they've officially met. "I am really sorry! I really am! I should have not done that!"
"Hey." Yoongi grabbed one of Seokjin's wrists and pulled him. "Hey. Stop flailing. You look like an octopus. You're making me dizzy."
"I am far worse than an octopus, Your Highness! An octopus can be served as a delicious dish! Like Miruhulee Boava! You can't serve me as a dish!"
"Hey, calm down. First of all, I'm allergic to seafood and I have no idea what Miruhulee Boava is but it sounds disgusting. Second, we can't serve you as a dish because that's cannibalism and cannibalism has been banned decades ago."
"Oh."
"That's right. Get up and pull me up."
Seokjin immediately shot up with a sniff and pulled Yoongi gently off the carpeted floor. The prince squinted, noticing their height difference. Yoongi had seen Seokjin around as the man was often called for a sword fight but never actually saw him up close or even stood beside him and now that he has, he regretted defying the Queen, asking him to drink his milk when he was still a small child. Yoongi shook off his thoughts, straightening his back and rubbing the skin above his tailbone through his clothes.
"You almost cried."
"I am deeply sorry..."
"Yeah. You even compared yourself to an octopus." he yawned and rubbed the corner of his eye. He missed the way Seokjin's cheek flushed. He compared himself to an octopus. It was definitely embarrassing for him. "Seokjin... Am I right?" Seokjin nodded. "I see. So I can't refuse this time, huh? Having an aide." Yoongi yawned again and walked over to his wardrobe, opening it and staring at his clothes. "Call the maids and you can leave my room."
"I-I can fix your bed for you, Your Highness."
The prince hummed. "Then... Will you pick my clothes for today, too?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Good." he grabbed a towel from the rack beside his wardrobe and left for the bathroom.
I should redeem myself. Seokjin pulled a fist and started arranging the pillows on the bed. He straightened the sheets and picked up the discarded blanket on the floor. Probably should send this to be washed. Seokjin carefully folded it and placed it beside the foot of the bed and proceeded to the prince's wardrobe, left open by the prince himself. After picking out his clothes that what he thought would be appropriate to be worn on that day, he carefully laid them on the side of the bed. Seokjin then stood at the bathroom's door and knocked three times.
"Is it you, my aide?"
My aide... Seokjin wasn't sure how it exactly sounded like. Laced with mockery or just formality. "Yes, Your Highness. I have finished fixing your bed and picking out your clothes. I will be waiting for you outside of the room."
"You don't have to wait for me. Go practice with your sword or something."
"But I have to be with you at all times if possible." Seokjin heard the sound of the prince leaving the water and rustling. The door opened and Yoongi, steaming in a white robe, blankly stared at him. Seokjin was a little taken back. "W-What is it, Your Highness?"
Yoongi shrugged and flapped his hand. "Alright."
Seokjin then nodded and left the room to lean on the wall outside and wait for the prince. He sighed in frustration and ended up disheveling his hair after pulling on it. I hope the prince doesn't dislike me.
Twenty minutes.
Forty minutes.
An hour already passed and Yoongi hasn't come out of his room. Coincidentally, Namjoon, along with his own aide, Hoseok, walked through the hallway and saw Seokjin who was currently leaning on the wall beside the doors looking distressed.
"Seokjin? Why are you still here? Where's Yoongi?"
Lifting his head, Seokjin shyly rubbed his cheek with his index finger. "Prince Yoongi still has not come out... It's been an hour or so. Does he, perhaps, take too long to fix himself up?" Seokjin was confused when Namjoon forcefully smiled at him.
"Of all the things I forgot to tell you."
The first prince called for a maid to get the key of the second prince's room. Hoseok opened the door for them and Yoongi was nowhere to be found. The clothes Seokjin had picked out earlier was still laid on the bed and the curtain was dancing along the wind that was entering through the open window.
He didn't wear the clothes I picked for him... "You weren't kidding when you said he jumps out of windows."
Namjoon almost let out a chuckle when he saw Seokjin look at his feet dejectedly as if he was a kicked puppy. He just tapped the aide's shoulder softly. "You should eat breakfast."
"But the prince...?"
"Don't worry. At least he's up or else he would've slept the whole day off."
He went to the mess hall after walking with the first prince and his aide on their way to the library. The hall still had a few men, some gate guards and other people working inside the palace but not as many as it normally has during the exact time for meals.
"Oh, isn't this the pretty hyung from the Northern fortress?" Seokjin shifted and turned his head to whoever was the owner of that voice which sounded like a chipmunk or something close to that. "You really are!"
He was greeted by a bright smile and an attention-catching red hair. "Um...?"
"Sorry, sorry." he extended his arms and Seokjin confusedly reached for it to shake his hand. "Jimin. One the palace guards and also an archer. I usually hang around the wall walk near the practice ground. Seokjin hyung, right?" Seokjin nodded and they both released each other's hand. Jimin slid to sit across him and placed his tray on the table. "What brought you here, hyung? Another sword fight?"
"I got appointed as Prince Yoongi's aide by Prince Namjoon."
Jimin spluttered a bit of the water he was about to gulp and choked a little. After finally doing so and wiping off the excess liquid off the corner of his mouth, he stared at Seokjin as if the older grew another pair of ears. "So the rumors were true! Wow. After all these years, he finally has his aide. I doubt you're having a ceremony for that but this is gonna be known throughout the castle by the end of the day. So... Have you and the second prince formally met?"
"Yes..."
"Hmm. You don't sound thrilled. Did he jump out of his room and ditch you?" Seokjin looked at Jimin, his eyes just wide and clearly showed the signs of wanting to ask why or how he knew what happened. "The second prince's sluggish as hell but he's pretty adventurous and kind of a daredevil. You know, when I first got here three years ago, when the prince was eighteen, I was welcomed by the scene of him jumping out from one of the keep's windows down to a flanking tower." Jimin chuckled from the memory as he put a spoonful of food in his mouth. "He's nice though, don't worry. I'm sure you'll get along fine."
I thought he was nice when he said he was allergic to seafood. I thought he was nice when Jimin said so. Seokjin huffed and cleaned the flour off his clothes. I want to believe this is his way of being nice to me. When he couldn't get off the patch of dried... He wasn't even sure what it was but it looked awful. Seokjin just sighed in defeat and took off his outer clothes, leaving him with a thin black shirt.
"Are you not cold?"
Seokjin didn't need to look up to know whose voice was that. He was finding him for the past hour. He's probably there, lying down on the thick branch, his feet hanging a little as if he was a cat trying to sleep there. "Ah, well... There was an accident." When in fact, you’re the one who caused it, Your Highness. Not an accident but an incident, if I might correct. Seokjin rubbed his nape and looked up to Yoongi just to see him frowning. "Is there a problem, Your Highness? You look... upset."
"Nothing." Yoongi shifted and laid his back on the branch and used his arm as a pillow. "Run along now."
Eyeing the now sleeping prince, Seokjin stood still. They were at the forest at the back of the castle which was often used as a practice ground for horse riding and sometimes, hunting. It's still a part of the castle but sometimes, there were intruders and that, Seokjin thought leaving the prince by himself in such place was not a good idea. He was deemed to carry out his duty without messing it up. Not with the prince's life in line.
So he walked closer to the tree where the prince was on and sat beside it, leaning his back and head on the trunk. Defeated, he just folded his stained clothes and put it beside him to unclasp his scabbard off the side of his hip and pull out his sword, pointing it to the sky, the point glinting for a moment before blocking the brightness.
Sighing, he pulled his sword and put it back to its sheath before placing it on his lap. Seokjin pulled five thin silver daggers from the holster strapped on his left leg and cleaned each of them with care. I have not gotten a chance to use these since I had these made... He originally had black daggers because they were easy to hide but then black daggers were also easily lost. The last time he had them, there were bandits who attempted to steal weapons from the armory in the Northern fortress where he was stationed. He lost three of his daggers during a chase and the rest pierced through someone's skin as that person fled.
His peers had more or less expected him to continue pursuing an academic profession when he was younger. Seokjin though, unexpectedly left the country and had travelled to a few more. He was interested in liberal and fine arts but then he started dreaming of more beautiful sceneries he wished to see with his own eyes and also handling sharp weapons while serving the royal family and thus, he came back and here he was, after a long travel and trainings after trainings. Once the vanguard of the Northern fortress and now an aide of the country's second prince.
After returning his daggers back, he looked up once again and Yoongi was still in the same position, deep in his own sleep. Looking at him made Seokjin sleepy. Is the prince's sluggishness this contaminating?
Seokjin had a short dream of clangs of swords and the faint stench of rusty irons, herbs and liquor, familiar yet blurry faces drenched in sweat and flickering fire torches. With his sharpened senses, he heard a soft thud and rustling. He grabbed the collar of who was in front of him and quickly pulled a dagger and held it in reverse, his thumb pressed on the bottom of it. His eyes were already open but they were still adjusting from the sudden light.
"Holy shit. It's me!"
"Y-Your Highness...?" Seokjin withdrew his dagger and released Yoongi, who he recognized by his voice. He broke out in cold sweat from realization. He just raised his weapon to the prince. "You... I-I...! Did I-" His mind had stopped functioning properly as he tried to check if he had accidentally scratched Yoongi, afraid the prince has spilled his blood because of him. "Are- Is there-"
"Before you worry over me, try to orient yourself because you aren't even finishing your sentences."
"But why- I mean... How did- Are... Are you-?"
Yoongi pushed himself closer and showed his neck. Pale. Seokjin remembered the genius apprentice he worked with in the Northern fortress who was studying medicinal plants. Maybe he could go back there some time and ask for something that could improve the prince's complexion. "Can you see any open wound? None, right?" He pulled back and flicked Seokjin's forehead, making the older flinch and cover the slightly reddening skin. "I've decided. You're coming with me for my visit to the Western fortress."
"W-What?"
"Clean yourself and pack up."
Seokjin found himself with his light luggage, clothes and other necessities worth for three days in it, on his back, riding a horse and travelling west with the prince after he had mindlessly followed his out of the blue orders and cleaning himself up. Fast clacks of hooves and the rush of air filled his ears.
Yoongi pulled the reins softly enough to direct the horse to move a little more closer to Seokjin without losing speed. "Hey. How many years have you spent holding the sword?" He spoke a little louder to be heard.
That was sudden. "Um. More or less than eight years since I was nineteen... Your Highness." Seokjin wished the prince wouldn't notice his uneasiness. He was still feeling bad about their first official meeting and about earlier when he almost attacked Yoongi while half-asleep.
"Isn't the standard age to start swordsmanship sixteen? You started late." Seokjin mumbled something close to being busy as a scholar and the prince's ears perked up. "You're a what?"
"A scholar?"
"An academia scholar turned full-time swordsman? That's unusual. So that's why you're such a stiff person."
"If you don't mind, Your Highness, it would certainly make me feel at ease if you answer a question of mine." Seokjin heard the prince snickering beside him because of the formal words. Thank goodness we have to keep looking forward. This is really embarrassing. "Do you dislike me?"
"Do you think I dislike you?"
"To be very honest... Yes."
"You can't avoid thinking that." Yoongi chuckled. "I assure you, though, I don't personally dislike you. I just initially disliked the idea of having an aide."
Seokjin smiled sarcastically. The unluckiest days he had experienced in the castle flashed before his eyes. "Is that why His Highness did those things to me?"
"Oh. Oh no. I did those because it was fun!" Yoongi slowed his horse down and so did Seokjin before completely stopping in front of a drawbridge. He placed his thumb and index finger between his lips and whistled loudly. Heads peeked out from the windows of the guard house. "Hey!" Yoongi grinned as he waved his hand. In no long time, the bridge was lowered and they crossed it to get off the horses in the lower bailey to let them be brought to the stables. They were greeted by excited men who he thought deeply adored their prince. Seokjin's eyes trailed on a small boy, who he guessed was not even older than ten, running towards the prince and then successfully hugging his waist. "Hey there, small fry."
"Yoongi hyung! You're back!" the boy released him and Seokjin got a little startled when he turned at him and looked quiet scared. The boy slid behind Yoongi and peeked only a little. "Oh... H-Hello."
Seokjin walked closer and saw a small patch, probably to cover a small bruise or a scratch, on the boy's left cheek and a wooden sword the boy had tied on his waist. He adjusted the scabbard on his side and kneeled, slightly bowing before flashing him a sincere smile. "Hello. I'm Seokjin, Prince Yoongi's aide. What is your name?" The boy's eyes we're almost sparkling with stars when he heard his title as he answered, saying his name was Jungkook. Good. Seokjin thought. He didn't like kids being scared of him. "Jungkook, do you want to see my sword? Wanna hear its story? I swear, it's short."
The boy nodded in enthusiasm and walked over to Seokjin. "Are you really good? Strong?"
"I guess I am."
He carefully yet gracefully pulled out his sword and gently placed the blade flat on his palm.
"Tell me, hyung. Tell me."
"While I was in another country, finding a place to temporarily settle in for the night, there was this forge under attack so I rushed to help. Ah, there were six guys and I had to fight them off alone. But you know, hyung is strong so I sent them off to get punished. Not without getting myself half beat though. I can say I was still an amateur. The catch though, the blacksmith thanked and gave me this sword. He said it was made of a rare unnamed metal he had obtained and his best work. I didn't have the heart to deny him. For half a year, I worked in the forge with him and although I'm bad at blacksmith work, I had a great time."
"Hyung, what did you do while you were there if you weren't making swords and knives?"
"Oh. I learned and crafted scabbards and did other errands. Sometimes heavy work. He wasn't exactly as young as I was and his helpers were busy with their own parts to do, too. Being a blacksmith is not just about forging or sharpening swords and knives, you know?"
Jungkook's eyes was still on Seokjin's sword. "Was this recent? The sword looks really new."
"Six years. Even though I take really good care of it, the sword just doesn't get easily scratched or dulled even after fights." Jungkook was at awe. A sword like Seokjin's was rare indeed. "Maybe it's because of the metal he used but I like thinking it was because of the effort he put in to make this and his expertise." His smile was gentle as he returned the sword back to its sheath. "Say, Jungkook... Do you want to be a swordsman?"
Jungkook nodded. "Hyung. You're cooler than Yoongi hyung. I want to be a swordsman like you."
Seokjin threw his head back with a laugh at the boy's reaction before ruffling his hair. "Am I? Looks like I robbed off one of Prince Yoongi's admirers, didn't I, Your Highness?" Seokjin looked up, not expecting the mesmerized look the prince was giving him.
"Ah. Yeah. Uh... I'm gonna go see your dad, Jungkook. Keep Seokjin in company. You might as well tour him." With the boy's salute to the prince, Yoongi left without any other word.
Jungkook excitedly pulled on Seokjin's hand with both of his hands to pull him up. "Hyung. Let's go! After I show you around, can you teach me? With the sword? Please? And you travelled a lot right? Tell me stories!" And Seokjin just couldn't say no to such bright kid.
"And, and! With all that, Seokjin had already gone to more than ten different countries!"
The mess hall was not as wide as the one in the castle but enough to contain all of the people inhabiting the fortress. The few men awake that surrounded them howled in awe as they held on to their drinks. Jungkook, clutching a cup filled with grape juice, was sitting in between Seokjin and Yoongi, he himself bragging to them stories about Seokjin's own travels.
"Jungkook. Shouldn't you be sleeping already? It's past your bedtime."
"But Seokjin hyung...! I want to stay up, too!"
A man, supposedly Jungkook's father, stood up and pulled Jungkook up to carry him. "C'mon. You won't grow up neither like the prince nor his aide if you sleep late." He bowed to the prince and took his leave with Jungkook wishing them all to have a good night.
Everyone kept the festive-like spirit in the mess hall. With some of the men singing their hearts out and some dancing hilariously, Seokjin smiled along and enjoyed the company. He missed the people he worked with in the Northern fortress.
That night, almost all of them were passed out cold in the mess hall, some drunk and some sober. Seokjin laid the last blanket on the last man curling beside another one. They probably do this often. What a carefree bunch.
"Seokjin sshi! We'll be heading out for our round now. You can leave them and go take a rest."
"Alright. Work hard." Seokjin carefully tiptoed around to avoid stepping on the others who slept on the floor to reach the table where the prince comfortably slept. His cheek pressed over his crossed arms on the table. He pulled the blanket hanging on his back and gently tucked it, making sure it wouldn't fall if he moved.
Seokjin did not expect the prince to wake up earlier than him the next day. Yoongi was already on the practice ground, having a friendly fight with another swordsman. He even just finished taking a bath and was on his way to explore the rest of the fortress.
"Oh, Seokjin sshi. Good morning."
Seokjin nodded. "Good morning. How long has he been there?"
"About an hour ago, I think. This fortress is under His Highness' care so he often visits us here and challenges almost everyone for a sword fight."
With that in mind, Seokjin dropped his initial plan and went down to the practice ground. Jungkook immediately saw him and ran up to him. "Good morning, Seokjin hyung!"
"Good morning." Jungkook raised his hands and Seokjin carried him up. "You're up early!"
"I wanted to watch Yoongi hyung!" he playfully bounced on Seokjin's hold and pointed back. "Let's go! Let's go! Let's go watch!"
Seokjin was sure Yoongi had a pretty good and solid form. His thrusts and swings were smooth and even though he didn't create big movements, his attacks and defenses were great. He still needed polishing but it was good enough. He used the royal family's signature style in swordsmanship but Seokjin noticed the different twists of his limbs from time to time. That's interesting. The prince has a Rogue mixed in with his style.
By the time the prince had ran out of energy, he pulled out and let the others continue the sword fight. Seokjin grabbed the towel beside him and stood up, meeting him and extending his arms to offer him the towel. For a fleeting moment, Seokjin thought Yoongi wouldn't take it but then, Yoongi took the towel and gave him a small, a really, really small smile. It would be nice if he smiled like that to me more.
"Don't you want to try it out?" Yoongi suggested as he sat. "They're pretty good here, too."
"Is it fine? Can I use my own sword?"
"Feel free." Yoongi leaned on his seat and alerted the others with a loud voice. "Hey! Seokjin's up after! Those who want to fight against him, prepare."
Four defeated men and a halfway done fight later, Seokjin's face was still unusually stern compared to his gentle and always smiling one and it had already unintentionally turned everyone into quiet spectators. They all observed in silence, some with mouth agape and eyes nailed to him. When Seokjin swung his sword and sent his opponent stumbling to the ground with his sword flying back, he pointed his sword to the man's face before pulling back and sheathing it carefully. Hoots and claps made him snap out of a trance-like state, Seokjin hurriedly offered his hand and helped the man stand up, muttering his apologies for the rough act and congratulations for doing a great job with his gentle expression back.
"Now I know why the practice ground in the castle sounds eerily quiet whenever you're on." Yoongi threw a towel at his direction and Seokjin almost tripped to catch it. "That was entertaining. Thank you."
Seokjin pressed the towel on his heating cheeks at the prince's unexpected words. "T-There's no need to thank me, Your Highness..."
"That's too bad but I have to. Entertaining actually is what it is not but splendid. Splendid is such fitting word. You did really great, Seokjin."
"I deserve no praise for a mere practice sword fight, Your Highness..." Yoongi glared and it made him gulp a littler. "But if I must, I'll gladly a-accept it."
Yoongi smiled again. Not a big smile but surely more noticeable and bigger than the last one. Seokjin felt a little nervous realizing that he might've spoken his mind out earlier and the prince might've heard him.
The next day, Seokjin and Yoongi had packed up to go back after making sure that the prince's duty, the inspection of the fortress and the neighboring towns' statuses, was completely done. With them already riding their own horse, Jungkook, who was being carried up by his father, sadly looked up to both of them. The prince had promised to come back soon and Seokjin ruffled the boy's hair saying that he'll teach him more in swordsmanship and stay longer in the fortress to do so in the future.
"Jungkook really liked you. Was bouncy and more excited." Yoongi murmured as he laid himself on his bed with his legs hanging off. Seokjin just stood still a few feet away from him.
"He's bright and cute so I don't really mind."
"It was off. Not in my plans."
Seokjin confusedly looked at the prince. "What was off, Your Highness?"
Yoongi turned his head sideward to look at Seokjin. "Did you remember the things I told you while we were on our way here?" He didn't answer my question... Seokjin nodded. "I'm really tired... And I don't think I can even leave my bed right now. Report to my brother of our visit to the Western fortress..."
He almost didn't hear the prince's last words but thankfully he did. Seokjin walked closer to the prince and slightly shook his head at the sight. He really passed out. Carefully, Seokjin hooked his arms under Yoongi's legs and his back to place his head on the pillow, tucking him under the blanket. He caressed Yoongi's fringe, parting it to avoid getting his face getting prickled in his sleep. Yoongi's face scrunched up a little and it made Seokjin lightly snort.
"Oh! You're back." Namjoon exclaimed when Seokjin had entered his work room. Papers piled on one side of his table. "Need something?"
"Yes. I directly came here in Prince Yoongi's place to report you of our visit to the Western fortress." Namjoon raised his brow at him. "You didn't need a report?"
Namjoon just chuckled and motioned Seokjin to take a sit across him. "I'll hear it from Yoongi himself tomorrow." Namjoon leaned on the table and entwined his fingers, placing his chin over them. "So… Are you internally screaming at me now for appointing you as Yoongi's aide?"
"What? N-No!"
The prince pulled and leaned back on his seat. "You've been his aide for a few months now. Three, if I remember correctly? Do tell me how it was to work for him."
Seokjin was hesitant but seeing that the prince wouldn't let him leave without him telling him, he started, dropping all formalities for Yoongi, only honesty left. "He was kind of rude and he kept playing with me so I had a hard time suppressing myself from asking him if he disliked me. Well, I did ask him when we travelled west and he said he didn't dislike me. I felt relieved but really, I was offended by his... acts."
The prince nodded in acknowledgement. "Then?"
"Although I find him threatening, he's adored by the people in the Western fortress and I saw why. He's a decent man, a decent prince worthy to be called one. I've watched him during a sword fight, too, and he has a Rogue mixed in his style which interests me. He needs to improve his attitude a little more but I think I can handle it."
"Say, Seokjin. Will you continue being that brat's aide?"
Seokjin lightly snorted. "Yes, I will."
Namjoon clasped his hand with a clap. "Okay then! That's all I needed to hear from you! Seeing that he sent you here, I'm gonna assume he's passed out right now so you don't have a brat to look out for. Accompany me for the night with a drink or two."
"But I'm also pretty tired already."
The prince gasped and fake sobbed. "Rejecting my offer... You've gone cruel, my friend."
"You're exaggerating. And also, don't use me as an excuse just so you can ditch your work." Namjoon frowned, mumbling something that sounded like Seokjin wasn't his aide and he just wanted to have a short break. Seokjin smiled as he stood up. "Next time. I'll see to it so I can accompany you, Prince Namjoon."
"I told you not to call me that when it's just the two of us." Namjoon shuddered and glared at the papers on his table. "You're scaring me."
"It's just for formality." Seokjin bowed a little. "Have a good night."
Seokjin slipped his foot, applying enough force and tipped it to Yoongi's ankle, making the prince fall to the ground on his butt, his sword noisily clanged as it hit a stone on the ground.
The prince groaned as he laid himself flat on the ground after being sent sitting on it, covering his eyes with his forearm. "What the hell...?"
"That's weird." He crouched down and hovered over Yoongi. "Your legs didn't look stiff during the sword fight few weeks ago... Is there something wrong, Your Highness?"
The prince removed his arm off his face and saw Seokjin's face upside down above him. Yoongi's face scrunched up. "Yes. There is. You're just too good and formal. Really distracting."
"Pardon?"
"Get your face off me and pull me up to sit." Seokjin helped him sit up and even patted the dirt off from the prince's back. Yoongi turned his head sideward and stared at Seokjin. "You're babying me."
Heat crawled up to his cheeks upon the prince's distance from him and his words. "I-I'm just looking out for you, Your Highness."
Yoongi shifted and crossed his legs, sitting directly in front of Seokjin who was still crouching on the ground. "Why is it that you wanted to serve our family as a swordsman?"
Why does he like asking things randomly...? "It's nothing notable, Your Highness. I-It's a silly reason, you see."
"Silly or not, tell me. I want to know."
Seokjin sat down on the ground with open legs, the heels of his boots touching. He pressed his palms on his ankles and shyly hunched his back as he looked down. "The Queen... She had helped me out when I was younger and she was really nice. After a few years, when I was in my second year as a scholar in the academy, I remembered the memory then it suddenly came to me." Seokjin looked up at Yoongi. "That I wanted to serve your family."
"She did?"
He nodded. "It was during our town's festival. The Queen visited with Prince Namjoon and the King."
"Hmm... Well, how about swordsmanship? Being a swordsman? You could've served us as a diplomat or something. I think you're smart and responsible enough for that."
"I am glad you think of me like that but diplomacy isn't really my thing, Your Highness. Nor anything from the field of studies I took. I've looked up to swordsmen. Liberal and fine arts, even though really important and helpful, is no match to the art of swordsmanship for me. A personal thought, I can say. There are people who find beauty in it and I am one of them. I first silently admired from the sidelines and decided to make a move myself, even though it was a little late. It normally freaks people out when I say this but... I kind of love the feeling of using sharp weapons, too, especially a sword."
"Okay." Seokjin was a little curious when Yoongi started grinning. "So basically, you became a swordsman because swords turn you on."
"T-T-Turn on? That's n-not it!!!" Seokjin planted his face on his palms and whimpered before shooting up and look down at Yoongi while clutching on his chest defensively like he was a traumatized child. "Do not say such thing, Your Highness! S-Swords do not fuel my desire for s-s-sexual intercourse! W-Warmth of the other's body does! Not the coldness of a-a forged metal...!"
And it was Yoongi's turn to redden. "You've said too much! I was just joking! How can you take that seriously?!"
"I-I was just... I was-"
Yoongi sighed and stood up, patting the dirt off his pants. "Shush! Don't answer. I don't know if I actually should be embarrassed now or just laugh at you. You really talk a lot when you're scared or nervous."
"I-I'm sorry."
With a scoff and a small grin, Yoongi lightly smacked Seokjin's back and pushed him to walk. "Come on. Let's get inside and eat or something."
Yoongi called for a maid to send them snacks and refreshments in his room which Seokjin initially strongly opposed to. He tried to tell him that he could just eat in the mess hall but the prince had insisted and dragged him instead.
Seokjin awkwardly sat on the couch across Yoongi until the maid arrived with the trays. He helped her move the snacks and refreshments to the table and even sent her out with a polite smile and wave.
"Aren't you too nice?"
"Maybe I am." Seokjin answered as he sat.
The two silently consumed the food on the table until Yoongi paused and looked over Seokjin who was forking a slice of pie as he chewed. "Hey."
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"You probably should stop calling me that. Given that you're older than me, it's also weird. Call me just by my name, at least." He leaned back and sipped on his glass of juice. "It isn't hard, is it?"
"But that's..."
"Forget about formality. Come on. Try it."
"But Your Highness-"
The prince furrowed his brows. "I'm going to get mad."
"Y-Yoo... Yoongi..."
"Now that wasn't so bad, was it? From now on, just call me by my name and nothing else. If I hear you call me "Your Highness" or "Prince Yoongi", I'm going to make you eat chili peppers." He grinned triumphantly and took a croissant off the plate to bite on it.
But I don't mind eating chili peppers... Ah. I probably should just keep quiet. He actually looks like he won an argument with me. Seokjin smiled a little and took a sip on his own glass.
"Why're you smiling, huh?"
"There's a crumb on the corner of your mouth."
Yoongi furrowed his brows tried to wipe off the said crumb. "Is it off now? No?"
There's actually no crumb. Seokjin wanted to giggle at the sight of the prince trying to wipe off the inexistent crumb but he knew he better keep it in him. He's adorable.
Maybe it was just because he was so absorbed with his own duty but he had not really noticed that most of the people in the castle even called Yoongi by his name. Although they sometimes still referred to him formally, most of them anyway just talked to him casually. Seokjin thought it was nice. The country's royal family was really nice and working under a royalty such as Yoongi was not so bad after all.
Seokjin knew Yoongi kind of regretted getting him feel at ease in his presence. Over the past few months, the prince had tried to make his aide not feel inferior compared to him. Seokjin dutifully served him, he worked hard and he was sincere with his actions. If there was one thing Yoongi didn't like about Seokjin, it was him being too formal, too indulged in his duty to the point that sometimes, he forgets that he has to worry of his own self and he has to loosen up a bit. Yet there he was, the prince grumbling about how Seokjin was annoying him so early in the morning. The aide just chuckled and harshly pulled the blanket off him.
Yoongi curled on the bed and buried his head under his pillows, shouting a muffled, "Give me back my blanket!"
"Get up, Yoongi. We have to welcome the guests arriving soon."
A pillow came flying towards Seokjin's direction but he was able to catch it. Yoongi was sitting up, sleepy eyes glaring at him. Seokjin would probably be scared if he had to go back to the first few months he served him but the prince's bright hair was sticking out to all directions and all that he could feel was adoration.
The prince mocked sobbing as he removed himself from his bed. "Where is that Seokjin who panicked and almost cried when I fell from the bed? Bring him back."
"He's still here, Yoongi." Seokjin chuckled as he folded the blanket. "C'mon. Go take a bath now and get dressed. Your clothes are already on the seat and don't you dare not wear them."
"Geez. Alright."
Seokjin always stood beside Yoongi, few steps back. It was the position he got accustomed with and there were no problems. When they greeted the guests, they welcomed them with a curt smile, bowed and escorted them to their respective rooms. They've travelled, some of them for a day, some for days, in horse carriages. The maids and other helpers worked on bringing their luggage to their rooms.
The last guest to arrive was a princess from another country the next day. Soft-spoken but also a little aggressive. "Prince Yoongi, may I ask you of something?" The princess looked straight ahead despite the question she had asked when Yoongi turned to her.
"What is it?"
Seokjin mentally hissed. Yoongi just answered her informally. He knew the prince was already acquainted with the princess even before he came. Actually, their families have been friends, allies, for generations, as far as he knew. They knew each other since they were kids, Seokjin assumed. But still, a little formality isn't that hard.
"This is the first time I saw you with your aide. I'm happy you've finally accepted one. He's quite pleasing for the eyes." The princess glanced at Seokjin and he was so sure she just looked at him like she was eyeing a prize. "You know how much I appreciate beauty."
Yoongi simply smiled. "Eh. In fact, he is pleasing in a way more than what you're thinking of right now. It's a beauty you'd especially enjoy when the stars beautifully twinkle in the sky. Am I right, Seokjin?"
You're ridiculous. "I guess you are."
The princess lightly gasped and hit Yoongi's arm. "I was just complimenting your aide. You need not to be like that, you horrible man."
"You started it." Yoongi opened the room's doors and Namjoon was sitting behind a desk, signing papers after papers, with Hoseok standing beside him, reading off something for him. "I'll just leave you here."
"That man has a lot of explaining to do." The princess leaned in closer to leave a small peck on Yoongi's cheek and waved him off with a sinister smile. "See you at the ball."
Royalties are actually so weird. Seokjin thought.
The princess finally went in and the doors closed. Yoongi frowned as they walked back and pulled off his left hand's glove to wipe the light lipstick mark the princess had left on his cheek. Seeing that the prince couldn't even wipe it off himself, Seokjin sighed as he pulled a handkerchief out of his uniform's inner pocket and placed his hand on the prince's shoulder, making him halt. Seokjin faced him and ducked a little in level with Yoongi's face and wiped the mark off himself.
"I always told you to bring your own handkerchief."
When he was finished, he playfully pressed his hands on both of Yoongi's cheeks, the prince's face looked squished and his lips involuntarily protruded like a fish. Yoongi's frown worsened and Seokjin just giggled heartily before releasing him.
"Stop doing that to my face." he grumbled as he wore his glove again, continuing their walk.
"But you're so cute. Like a little cub."
"Oh God. Please bring back the Seokjin I first met."
When they reached Yoongi's room, the prince immediately plopped down on his bed.
"Well anyway, a duke had asked for your audience. Do you want me to send back a reply?"
Yoongi snorted. "That's probably the one who tried to sweet talk his way with Namjoon hyung after his coronation. Don't send back anything. Don't want to deal with him."
"Yoongi, that's rude." The prince just shrugged and crawled to position his head better on the pillow and bunch the blanket into a roll to hug it. Seokjin continued. "That's all for today in your schedule. Do you want to take a nap? I'll wake you up before dinner."
He rolled over and patted the space beside him."Take a nap, too. You've been running around since last week for the preparations of Namjoon hyung's coronation and the ball. Let yourself get some good rest."
"I can take a nap in my room... though..."
"Are you refusing to take a nap with me?"
"N-No. I'm just... Uh... Suggesting an option?"
"So taking a nap with me is not the better option?" And Seokjin ended up laying himself down beside Yoongi who was lying on his side, with the side of his head now pressed on his palm and his elbows and forearm on support, giving him a grin. "Isn't my bed really comfortable?"
Seokjin just gave him a tired but sincere smile before facing the ceiling and closing his eyes. "Why are you such a brat?"
"Why are you such an old man?"
Sometimes, it's Seokjin himself that regretted being accustomed to being at ease with Yoongi. He thought he shouldn't have let him go his way. They're too spoiled by each other. He should've gone a little stricter on him.
Seokjin groggily got up from the bed and sat on the side with his feet hanging from the bed. I got too much rest. He turned his head to glance at the prince, who was in fetal position and buried under pillows and his blanket, before standing up and getting the prince's clothes for the day.
"Seok... Mm... Seokjin..."
As soon as he placed the clothes on the seat, Seokjin walked over to the bed. "Yes? What is it, Yoongi?" The prince didn't answer. Mumbling my name in his sleep... Just what is he dreaming of? He grabbed his pocket watch from the inside of his uniform and clicked it open. Seeing as it was still early, he left the room to prepare himself for the day.
"Seokjin hyung! Good morning!" Jimin greeted him as soon as he saw him walking down the hallway with a mouthful of bread in his mouth. Seokjin was already freshly dressed and has two trays full of heavy breakfast on his hands. He had helped the cooks in the kitchen prepare for the prince's breakfast and halfway through with the ones for rest of the people in the castle for the past two hours.
"Good morning, Jimin."
"That's a lot. Here. Let me help you." Jimin reached for one of the tray and got it off from him before continuing to walk back to the prince's room.
"Thank you. Yoongi and I have slept without eating dinner. It's not healthy."
"To be very honest he looks a lot healthier than he used to before. Not that I'm saying he's not healthy though. There's just no way he'd skip his meals with you around now. You did pinch him a little too hard the last time he skipped a meal." When they entered Yoongi's room, the prince was still curled up on his bed as to be expected. "He still loves sleeping for too long though. He's still passed out."
They both placed the trays on the table and Seokjin approached the sleeping prince, shaking him a little to wake him up. "Please get up now."
Instead of getting up, Yoongi just rolled away from Seokjin. Jimin amusedly looked as he stood at least a meter away from the bed. Seokjin leaned in and pressed his knee on the bed to reach Yoongi and shake him up again, a little harder than before. Still, the prince didn't get up but pulled Seokjin's hand. The next thing he did almost gave Seokjin a heart attack. Made Jimin choke on his spit though, which was a close thing to almost having a heart attack... In a sense.
Yoongi kept on peppering small kisses on the back of Seokjin's hand and his wrist, nipping his skin softly as he murmurs, "You smell like... vanilla. C'mere..." Seokjin immediately regretted trying out the soap he received from the palace's head pharmacist. He really did try to pull his hand off but the prince was holding on to him for too tight.
"I swear, Jimin, this isn't normal." Jimin just coughed and gave him a sly smile. "Hey. Don't smile like that. Help me out here." He panicked as he tried to shake Yoongi awake again. "Oh God. Stop kissing my hand and please get up."
"Want me to leave you two?"
"Get out, Jimin." Yoongi grumbled and pulled Seokjin even closer, to which Seokjin also tried to fight off by pulling himself back. They looked like they were playing tug of war. "And don't talk to anyone about this."
He laughed and curtly bowed with a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Yes, Your Highness."
"Hey! Jimin! Wait!"
The door of the room was already closed with Jimin out of their sight and even before Seokjin could start telling off the prince, Yoongi pulled him for the last time, his face a fist away from him, and opened his eyes.
"Good morning."
"It isn't for me now. What was that?"
Yoongi released his grip and got up while his aide immediately pulled back and stood on his feet off the bed, rubbing the corner of his eyes with the side of his hands. "Do you have a partner for tonight's ball?"
He's avoiding it. "I'm just going to watch from the corners." Seeing Yoongi thinking of something Seokjin was so sure of as he got off the bed, he cut him off. "We can't ditch the ball, if that's what you're planning." The prince just painfully grunted as he slid on his seat in front of table with their breakfast on. Seokjin took a little more courage after eating to ask the prince. "Yoongi?"
"Yes?"
"Why were you kissing my hand earlier?"
The prince looked up to him, stared and for a little while before going down on his food again. "Lately, I've been dreaming of kissing you." He muffled, saying it so casually like he was saying the weather for the day was nice. "Sorry for not asking permission. I was kinda overwhelmed by your scent so early in the morning."
Seokjin was so glad he had decided to ask after eating. Who knows what could've happened to him if he was still eating. Gulping, he nervously looked at his empty plate, his hands trembling a little as they were placed on his lap.
The prince's utensils clinked on his plate and he looked up, with Seokjin's eyes still fixed on his own empty plate. "That was too sudden, wasn't it? I'm really sorry."
"You..." Seokjin's voice cracked at the end of the word. How awful he thought he sounded. He was too nervous. He looked up and his eyes met Yoongi's. His emotions were in scrambles when he saw how afraid Yoongi looked at him like the prince had done something really wrong, hoping that he had not. "D-Do you? Perhaps... I don't want t-to assume but... do you perhaps- Do you like me?"
"If that's how you'd like to put it then I guess I do."
The silence that came after his confession was deafening. Seokjin was having a hard time to take it in and when he was able to, he felt his jaw slackening.
"Oh. Oh..."
Yoongi chuckled. "Of course. That's your reaction."
"But- No. I mean... Why? W-When even? Why... Why me?"
"Asking why or when it happened isn't important. It just did. A simple affection, maybe along with admiration and respect, which grew. And never ask why it has got to be you. It's you. There's no way it would not be you. It's been a long time since I've last grown fond of someone and this time, I sure hope it wouldn't just end up into a silly memory in the future." Yoongi opened his palm and hovered it in front of Seokjin. Seokjin also noticed how slightly shaky it was. "Your hand?" Yoongi waited for a few seconds as his aide shakily placed his own hand on his. "I'm really sorry but you do know I am a man who's devoted to do whatever it takes to achieve and get what he wants and needs, don't you?"
Seokjin nodded. "I know. Don't be sorry, Yoongi..."
"I just feel so sorry. You're trembling so much." Yoongi rubbed the back of Seokjin's hand with his thumb in attempt to ease him. "Is it okay if I pursue you and your heart?"
Seokjin gripped on Yoongi's hand with a small smile. "I want to tease you. That sounded really cheesy. But... I'm too nervous to do so. It... sounded charming, too."
"It did?" The aide shyly nodded. "So... I take it that it's okay?"
"I guess it is. I-I don't really mind." With his free hand, Seokjin pressed his palm on his heating cheek. "This is embarrassing."
"Is it?"
Maybe it was just Seokjin or maybe it was that he had not noticed it before. Maybe it was because he now knew what his intentions were and was aware of it that he can almost feel that Yoongi always stared at him for too long. There were lingering touches and a little drawled out sentences. Maybe Seokjin was just too confident he thought he did know Yoongi like the back of his hand because apparently he didn't. Maybe if he knew Yoongi even before he became his aide, he would've noticed the stares and the unusual smiles.
Seokjin remembered the biggest smile he had seen on Yoongi. He thought the prince was just overjoyed, really. He got him a simple accessory, a necklace with the prince's gemstone attached on it, he bought from a certain town square they strolled in a week before that day. He was in an unusually good mood, like he was celebrating something which was making him happier than celebrating his own birthday. He was awfully happy during the party that night, too, more than he probably should have.
And then he remembered all those times he had purposely invaded the prince's personal space. All those times he had wiped the prince's sweat off him, the times he had teased and poked the prince's cheek and even that time when they had fallen asleep together, hiding off in the keep from Namjoon and Hoseok. Yesterday, too, when he had purposely squished Yoongi's cheeks. I feel kinda bad. It must've probably been hard for him to hold back.
When the clock struck eight, the ball had already started and Seokjin had been helping around the castle for the last minute preparations and had just finished attending to the guests who arrived a little later than everyone. Earlier that day, too, he had helped the other palace guards when the prince-turned-king and the second prince had made the second official public appearance in front of the castle where the crowd had been expecting them after Namjoon had showed himself as the new king after the coronation few days back. It was a busy week for them all and the ball was the formal closing for all the ceremonies and festivities.
Seokjin entered the ballroom, decorated with glittering reds and golds, and decided to just stay at the side to watch over everyone. He was still in his uniform and his duty was not yet done. At least that's what he thought.
"Oh. I found you, finally." Hoseok offered him a glass of wine but Seokjin had politely turned him down, making the other aide place the glass back down to the tray the servant giving out the glasses had. "Thank goodness. It's the last day. I want to take a rest."
"I've never been as busy as I was these past few days in my whole life." Seokjin chuckled as he watched the people mingle and dance beneath the bright chandeliers of the ballroom. "Not gonna dance?"
"I've danced with a few earlier!" Hoseok proudly said. "You? I was so sure the ladies over there were just talking about how handsome you are and how much they wanted to dance with you."
"I just got here, Hoseok. And I don't think I'm really up for a dance."
"What a waste. You're pretty popular with ladies."
Then Seokjin remembered Yoongi. He shyly smiled and rubbed his cheek with his index finger. "Anyway, have you seen Yoongi?"
"Him? I last saw him talking with Namjoon upstairs a while ago. Don't know where he is now though." Hoseok grabbed Seokjin's wrist and dragged him across the floor. "Let's not stay still, yeah? It's a ball, a celebration! We need to enjoy ourselves and eat and drink 'til we burst and pass out!" They arrived at the other side of the room where the buffet was at and Hoseok happily took plates for both of them.
"We're only supposed to enjoy and definitely not pass out. Heavens." He sighed as he reached of the clamp for the vegetable salad. "We still have to make sure everyone here is safe."
"You have to make sure I am safe." The aide almost jumped as he heard the voice from his back. He turned and saw the prince, dressed differently from the last time he saw him earlier, smiling at him. "Missed me?" Hoseok chimed in when Seokjin tried to answer, telling the prince he looked for him earlier, which made Yoongi even smile wider.
"I-I was just making sure you have not left the ball."
"Of course." Yoongi chuckled then picked a slice of carrot off Seokjin's plate to munch on it. "Wanna go outside?"
Seokjin knew Yoongi didn't like this kind of crowd. He got a few more food off the buffet table and bid good bye to Hoseok who stayed back before walking up the staircase to go up the ballroom's inner balcony and finally outside. Yoongi had pulled the curtains behind them and just left the glass window ajar.
"You should've talked to a few guests." he said, carefully placing his plate on the railing at the same time.
"I've talked to more than enough for this whole week." He walked over beside him and leaned back with his elbows placed on the railing. "Seokjin?" The aide just hummed as he chomped on his food. "Thank you."
"What for?"
"For letting me work on my way to your heart. For not closing up and rejecting me."
Seokjin flushed a bright shade of red. I should start making myself get used to this. Oh dear.
"I want to make sure. Is it really okay though...? Maybe you have changed your mind."
He shook his head. "It's okay. I have not changed my mind. Do you also want me to make you feel more determined? Maybe like- I don't know- Um... F-Flirt along with you?"
Yoongi looked at him in awe before laughing. "Why are you like that? God. My heart's beating so fast." He took in a deep breath and flapped his hand. "Do whatever you want to do. I just don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."
"Yoongi?"
"Yeah?"
"Can we- Um- Can we dance? I mean- Here. Can we dance here?"
The prince smiled. Seokjin remembered seeing that smile during his birthday only that the smile he had witness that moment was a lot brighter. Seokjin wished for the prince to smile more at him in the past to assure himself that the prince didn't dislike him, that the prince was actually happy he was his aide.
But now, the prince was smiling at him for a completely different reason, one Seokjin had not ever expected. Yoongi held out his hand and for the second time that day, Seokjin held on to it and let himself be pulled a little closer to the prince. The hand the prince was holding on to was directed and placed over his shoulder and by reflex, Seokjin's other hand also made his way over the vacant other and ended up tangling his fingers behind the prince's neck. Chuckling, Yoongi placed his hands on Seokjin's waist and they both listened to their light breaths and the almost incoherent music coming from the inside of the ballroom. They swayed and made little steps. The smile was plastered on Yoongi's face and Seokjin thought that that probably had been the longest time he had seen for a smile so wide to stay on him.
"Is this what I make you feel? You look extremely happy."
"Happy is an understatement. You actually asked me for a dance." Seokjin felt Yoongi's thumbs slowly rub against his uniform. "This is actually kind of awkward, don't you think?"
"Is it because I'm taller than you?"
"Yeah. Somehow. It's unfortunate. I really wanted to twirl you around and pull you with my arm on your waist. This is nice though. Just like this."
Not soon after, the music inside had played a jollier song, cheering was heard and that was a cue for them to stop their slow dance. The entertainers for the night were surely doing their thing in the middle of the ballroom.
Getting his almost forgotten food, Seokjin had offered Yoongi a piece of the meat off his plate which the prince had gleefully accepted. Seokjin thought he and Yoongi were pretty close. They were always together given the fact that as a prince and an aide, Seokjin was meant to follow Yoongi and look out for him. He thought maybe it was because he was too affectionate or maybe it was because they had spent so much time together that the prince had developed such feelings for him. It made Seokjin somewhat happy and fulfilled. Despite the sudden confession, Yoongi, a prince of the country he so much loved, liked him and it made him feel proud, maybe honored, and most likely appreciated.
Seokjin disliked the idea of liking someone or more like disliked the feeling of having butterflies in his stomach or electricity suddenly zapping at the tips of his fingers and his skin. He didn't like those things. But Yoongi had never made him feel like that. Yoongi was all pissy mornings, small smiles and long frowns, random questions, sweaty sword fights and adventurous out of the country travels. Maybe it was comfort and warmth. The prince's presence made him feel comfortable and warm and Seokjin thought it was a good sign, a good reason to start with.
"Yoongi?"
"Mm?"
"Do you want to practice tomorrow? I want to teach you a little of the style I use."
"Really?"
"Really."
Seokjin felt that warmth bursting inside him. He was constantly got bothered few months back by Yoongi to teach him the style he picked up from travelling around. It intrigued the prince but Seokjin felt like he should wait during that time. It was a good time. The prince's smile really is beautiful, he thought. It made him feel good and proud. He'd protect Yoongi and his smile with his life not just because it was his duty as his aide but because the prince himself was just so precious to him.
"I'm getting the hang of this." Seokjin giggled. "I really want to return your feelings."
"Hey." Yoongi held Seokjin's hand. "Don't force yourself."
"I'm not. Don't worry. Yoongi? Do you want a hug?"
"A hug?" Seokjin nodded. "Of course. Are you going to hug me?"
"Yes. Come here."
It was just like a while ago when they danced but this time, a whole lot closer. It was the closest they've been and they both felt nice in each other's arms. See, it looked a little silly. Seokjin ducked a little while nuzzling on the crook of Yoongi's neck while Yoongi was tipping his toes a little to firmly hug him. None of them was complaining despite the odd placement though.
"Yoongi?"
"Mm?"
"Do you want a kiss?" Seokjin mentally chuckled when he felt Yoongi flinch.
"Of course. Are you going to kiss me?"
"Yes." They didn't part. Seokjin just moved himself a bit and placed a soft little kiss on Yoongi's cheek. "If you managed to make me like you, too, would you want more of that?"
"I would." They separated and Yoongi looked like he was fighting off a smile just to purse his lips, obviously failing. "But next time, if you're offering me a kiss, please specify it. I thought you were gonna kiss me for real."
"I will keep that in mind." When the short rush had died down, Yoongi yawned and blearily blinked his eyes. He was obviously tired and Seokjin didn't have it in him to tell him off that he's still needed for the ball. "Do you want me to walk you back to your room?" Yoongi, surprisingly, shook his head. "But you're tired already."
"It's fine." Yoongi lazily grinned at him. "Entertain me if you want me not to fall asleep."
"Now that's why I want you to rest already." Seokjin sighed as he took the empty plate off the railing and held Yoongi's shoulder with his free hand, pushing him softly. "Let's go."
In the end, Yoongi slept for the whole day and Seokjin wasn't able to have a practice with him. It was okay for the aide though, he didn't mind. After all, he just wanted for the prince to not overwork himself so it was an exception. He let him just enjoy his sleep. When the prince woke up during an unusually cold afternoon, the moment Yoongi regained his clear sight and shifted his body sideward, he immediately got his eyes laid on Seokjin who was cleaning his daggers as he sat on a chair beside the window.
Seokjin hummed as he raised each of his daggers and lined it with his eyes from time to time, checking its state and cleanliness. When contented, a smile had made its way to his face and he happily twirled a dagger on his hand. Yoongi had seen this many times. He guessed that it should somehow make him feel threatened but he finds it endearing everytime instead.
On cue, the aide had noticed him stare and he instantly pushed his daggers back to the holster strapped on his leg in safety and stood. He walked over to the prince as he pushed himself up to sit and lean back on the bed's headboard.
"Good afternoon, Yoongi. Had a good sleep?"
"Yeah. But I feel sore. I want to go out and stretch. Have sunshine."
"I'm afraid you can't do that." Yoongi raised a brow and confusedly looked at him. "If you haven't noticed, it's raining."
"Oh."
Yoongi looked again at the window. The glass was tainted with drops of water and the atmosphere was a little dark outside with heavy rain covering most of the usually clear scenery. It really was a day better spent inside the castle.
"I'm gonna have one of the cooks make you some soup." Yoongi had muttered that he wasn't hungry and he just wanted Seokjin to stay. Really, Seokjin reddened at the prince's bold attempt but he was having none of that. "Nonsense. You skipped breakfast and lunch so you have to at least have something warm in there." He pointed at Yoongi's abdomen.
"But you're already in here." he reasoned as Yoongi pointed to his chest. "Warm enough."
Trying to compose himself, Seokjin crossed his arms over his chest and puffed. "It's really nice to hear that but I certainly don't want your stomach to have problems so I'm gonna leave you here and get you soup."
Seokjin just sat at the end of the bed, watching Yoongi feed on the soup he had brought for him. The aide had actually gotten not enough sleep as the memories from the night before kept flashing behind his eyelids when he tried to sleep. How he had offered the prince his hug and kiss, how intimate they were that night. Just the idea of the prince liking him was making him feel shy again but he also had to act professional. He still wanted to carry out his duty as Yoongi's aide properly. He didn't want to get himself spoiled by Yoongi and also the other way around. Although for him, it was still a bit surreal. It wasn't hard accepting it but getting used to it was. Seokjin could just imagine what will happen in the coming days. But then, worrying about it for too much was harder.
Probably should let it be.
"As much I'm enjoying the feeling of being stared at by you, I'm quite worried of what you're thinking of right now."
"Sorry. I just zoned out a little. Are you done?"
"Yeah." Yoongi set aside the bowl on the small table beside his bed and patted the space beside him. "Sit here."
Seokjin sat beside him as per requested. "What is it?"
"Nothing. I just want you close to me." His answer made him laugh lightly. "Why are you laughing?
"Now that I remember... You ditched me the first time we officially met." Yoongi's smile fell. "You also kept on bullying and playing pranks on me the next days and weeks after that. I wasn't angry but I am sure you hurt my feelings."
"I'm sorry..."
Yoongi looked like a scolded child and Seokjin couldn't stop himself from patting his head to assure him. "It's okay. I just find it funny because you're a lot different from what you were back then. You still tease me and occasionally give me headaches but yeah. It's funny, a little cute, how kind of pliant you've become for me. "
"You're not supposed to find it funny nor cute." Yoongi made a fist and punched Seokjin's upper arm. It didn't have force so it could pass off as just him bumping on his shoulder. "You know what's actually funny? That you actually don't act like my aide."
"I-I don't?"
"Yeah. You're like my consort." Yoongi grinned and Seokjin frowned. The aide abruptly pinched Yoongi's nose. "Ow! Ow! Let go!"
"Too early to suggest getting me as your consort. Get up because we're going to the library and I'm gonna make you work on those reports and statements you've neglected. Right now."
"Ow! I'm sorry! I was just joking! You know I'm just joking!" Seokjin let him go, not without pouting, and the prince rubbed his own stinging nose. He chuckled despite the situation and slumped back to lie down on the bed and curl under the blanket. "Seokjin."
Seokjin was looking away. "What?"
"My feelings aside, I don't think I'd ever want another aide." The aide's frown slowly smoothened out and he looked down at the prince with almost glistening eyes. "You're the best."
"I am?"
"Yeah." He shifted a little to a much comfortable position and closed his eyes. "You are. You do more than enough of your duty and you're a passionate worker. You're really thoughtful and caring despite your formality and strictness... I don't think I've ever told you this but I really am thankful you didn't give up as my aide." When he heard a sniff, Yoongi's eyes shot open and his head twisted to stare up at Seokjin who was now rubbing the tears off his eyes and cheeks with the back of his hands. "Hey. Why are you crying?"
"I'm- I was t-touched... You've thanked me for working hard and... But it was just d-different. I'm sorry." With a one last sniff, Seokjin straightened his back and smiled at him. "Thank you, Yoongi."
"Geez. Move closer." Seokjin scooted over and leaned a little closer to Yoongi. "Look at you. You shouldn't have rubbed your eyes." Yoongi reach for his face and softly pressed the end of his sleeve on Seokjin's tear-stained cheeks. "This is the first time I saw you cry."
"Ah... How unrefined of me. Crying in front of you."
"It's fine." He held on the sides of Seokjin's head and let him press his forehead on to his. Seokjin supported himself by pressing his forearm on the bed. "It's fine."
Seokjin then giggled. He didn't know why but he just did and the prince had followed. They both softly laughed and smiled with their foreheads pressed on to each other and it just felt so natural.
He couldn't wait for the rain to stop, maybe that day or the next day, so that he could soon have a practice with the prince but then if the rain continued, he would still be with him indoors. Whether be it in the prince's room or wherever in the castle. The either two situations weren’t so different and bad.
After all, the aide has to be with the prince at all times if possible. With that, both the prince and his aide couldn't be happier.