Chapter Text
"I just don't see why I need some stupid bodyguard," Jake complains with a loud whine, arms swinging and feet stomping against the floor as his tantrum grows. "I can take care of myself."
"He isn't 'some stupid bodyguard', Jaeyun," His father's voice booms from his throne, hands clasped together as he regards Jake with an exasperated look on his face. "He's the best in the country, the only one fit of taking care of you."
Jake rolls his eyes, arms crossing against his chest. He doesn't know what kind of game his father is playing right now, but Jake is very, very tired of it. "Jongseong has been taking great care of me just fine all these years, and even you said he was the one who was most fit to take care of me, were you not? There's no need for some bodyguard if I have the country's best Knight by my side!"
His father sighs, loud and dejectedly as he rises from his throne, eyes shining with regret and sadness. "A great war has been waged against us by the south, my son. Our Jongseong, unfortunately, has volunteered to be the one to lead our men into battle."
Jake breathes out a startled gasp, body beginning to tremble as his head snaps towards the right, wide eyes falling onto Jongseong who shrinks against the wall in shame, head hung low. "You - You dare make this impulsive decision without my knowledge, Park Jongseong?"
The man doesn't say a word and Jake feels anger and betrayal swirl in his gut. "All those years ago you swore you'd protect me. You swore that you'd stay by my side as long as I needed you. And now you're saying you'll willingly give your life up in battle?" His voice shakes when he speaks, tears beginning to fall down his face as Jongseong finally looks up at him.
"Jake," he says with a voice so soft it immediately quells Jake's anger. "You know as well as I do that I must do this. No one can lead our men like I could. The South... They're unrelenting in their attacks and that could bring harm to you." Jake sniffles, swiping at his eyes and nose as Jongseong strides towards him. It only takes a few steps before the man stands in front of him.
"I... I do not understand," Jake mutters quietly, eyes shiny with new tears. "Why are you doing this to me? Sunghoon... He'll be devastated as well."
"Sunghoon will understand," Jongseong says with a shake of his head. "I know he will."
Jake brokenly sobs, arms curling around Jongseong's shoulders as the man grasps his trembling body. "Then this new bodyguard... He's coming to protect me because what? Because you think the South will launch an attack on me?"
"Jaeyun, listen to me," his father calls softly and Jake lets Jongseong turn his limp body until he faces the king. "This is only for your protection. Heeseung is a great man and he'll keep you safe in Jongseong's absence."
Jake wipes harshly at his tears, pulling himself out of Jongseong's grasp with such a great force that the man stumbles back slightly before regaining his balance. "Fine, do as you please. Just know that I won't accept this man easily."
He storms away after that, ignoring the pleading calls of his father and Jongseong calling him back . Once he's a safe distance away and can't hear their voices anymore, he collapses against the wall behind him, sobs tearing his body apart as he hugs his knees to his chest. He'll do everything in his power to make Heeseung's life as miserable as possible. He swears by it.
The next morning Jake is awakened from his peaceful slumber by the sounds of heavy footfalls outside of his chamber doors. He sits up slowly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and running a hand through his tousled hair. A loud knock disrupts his peace and he yawns, pulling the covers off of his body as he shifts to the edge of his bed.
"You may enter."
The door opens slowly and an unfamiliar man steps through the threshold, softly closing the door behind himself. His hair is long and dark, curling around his ears and chin endearingly. He's tall, taller than Jake with eyes that are wide and dark, staring directly at Jake as he takes slow steps forward into his bedroom.
The black shirt he wears fits him so tightly that Jake can see the slight muscle in his biceps and his pants are of the same fashion. Jake gulps, rising from his bed. His hands curl into the sides of his sleep shorts, tugging them down ever so slightly as they ride up his thighs. The man's dark eyes follow the movement before he looks up at Jake again.
"And who may you be?"
The man bows, dark hair flopping before he stands straight again. "Forgive my rudeness, Your Highness," the man says in a surprisingly beautiful voice, neither too deep or too high. "My name is Heeseung Lee. From this day forward, I have been tasked with taking care of you."
Jake almost chokes on his spit, eyes going wide as he gawks at the beautiful man standing in front of him. Has he heard him correctly? The man who so brazenly agreed to take his Knight's place stands unabashedly in front of him, staring at him with dark eyes and ogling him as if he isn't here for work.
There's just no way this man is Heeseung.
"What are you saying, Your Highness? Of course I'm Heeseung. Do you perhaps suffer from amnesia?"
Jake flushes, cheeks turning a horrendous shade of red as he stomps his feet and points at Heeseung, already feeling a temper tantrum beginning to force its way out of him. "Do not make fun of me, boy. I am your Prince, and therefore you must respect me."
"But i'm not a boy? I suppose your father didn't tell you that between the two of us, I'm the hyung here," Heeseung says with an eyebrow raise, boots clinking against the floor as Jake steps forward and he steps back.
"No hyung would openly ogle the man they are meant to protect the way you have, Heeseung, " Jake says as he narrows his eyes at the man. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
Heeseung pauses, looking deep in thought as he trails his wide eyes over Jake's body with not one ounce of shame. Jake scowls and Heeseung shrugs. "I am nothing but a man, after all. Maybe you should dress more appropriately, Your Highness."
Jake stutters over his words, tongue feeling like dead weight in his mouth. Just who does this man think he is talking to the crown prince this way? After Jake regains his composure he reaches forward, grasping the front of Heeseung's shirt and tugging him down until they're face to face.
"You are nothing more than a lowly bodyguard, Heeseung Lee. I suggest you fix your tone and the way you are speaking to me. I could have you thrown in prison for this."
"I meant nothing of myself," Heeseung mutters, warm breath fanning over Jake's lips with their close proximity. Jake notes that his breath smells of strawberries and mouth wash. "I was speaking of the weather. It is very chilly and frigid outside. Please dress appropriately for the weather, young Prince."
Jake stares at him before dropping his shirt and stepping back. "And why would I dress for the weather, sir Lee?"
Heeseung stands up straight, eyes scanning the room for a closet or wardrobe. "In the short time that I've been here, I've learned that you're quite fond of the gardens, are you not?"
Jake nods, eyebrows pinching together. "I am. So what?"
"Your Knight, Jongseong? He told me that as a peace offering I should take you to the gardens as my first duty." He walks over to Jake's wardrobe, hands pushing and pulling clothes out of the way until he settles on a brown cardigan and trousers. He shoves the clothes at Jake who grabs at them with confusion.
"And what makes you think I would go anywhere with you? Do you really deserve my hand in compliance after what you've done?"
Heeseung sighs and drops to one knee in front of Jake, holding eye contact as he takes Jake's hand into his own. "Excuse me? Just what do you think you're-"
Jake clamps his mouth shut in surprise when Heeseung presses his pretty pink lips against the back of his hand. He lingers for a long moment before pulling his lips away but he continues to hold Jake's hand softly.
"It was not my intention to anger you with my decision to be here or with my words from earlier, Your Highness. Will you forgive me?"
Jake flushes again, prying his hand from Heeseung's and stepping back. "Please, call me Jaeyun."
Heeseung hums, taking a stand and brushing his knee off with a subtle flick of his wrist. "Okay, Jaeyun. Does this mean that you'll accept my offering then?"
Jake sighs and accepts with a nod. "Please step out while I get changed, sir Lee. I'll call for you when I'm ready."
Heeseung nods, turning on his heel and making way for the door. He suddenly stops, throwing a glance at Jake over his shoulder. "Heeseung is just fine, if you feel comfortable enough calling me that." He leaves without another sound after that, and Jake can still see the shadow of his feet under his door.
He lets out a long breath, flopping against his unkempt bed. His head is swimming with static and unknown feelings start to swirl to life deep in his gut. What is he going to do about Heeseung now?