Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Seokjin doesn’t know when he started to have feelings for Namjoon. Maybe it was when he first saw him at the palace garden, hands deep in the soil, making space for whatever seed he was planting. And after he picked up the water sprinkler that looked so small in his giant hands, he was whistling what he recognized as one of his town’s famous lullabies. Was he singing to the plant?

Namjoon turned around and had involuntarily tossed the small shovel in surprise which thankfully landed a meter away from where King Seokjin was standing and the sprinkler was already empty. “My Liege! Forgive me, I didn’t notice you there!”

“You’re quite a sight, Namjoon-ah,” Seokjin amusingly teased, his hands clasped and resting behind his back. “What are you doing here on your day off?”

“Just, uhhh…” Namjoon’s eyes were busily searching the ground for words to say, which was unlikely of him. He had always been too smart for his own good. He never stuttered once when he was on his bodyguard duty, he always knew what to say and what to do, especially when it’s concerning the king. “I’m uhh, feeding the worms?”

Seokjin raised his eyebrows at that.

“Well, uhh, also planting. I kind of picked-up a new habit, My Liege. What are you doing here? And where is Jeongguk?”

“Relax, he’s outside the gate. This is the palace and this is a garden, and you are here. Nothing bad will happen to me right?”

“No, nothing bad would happen to you, My Liege. Not when I’m around.”

Namjoon had said it so sincerely that it reached Seokjin’s heart and felt its warmth. “See. And why are you questioning the king’s whereabouts, huh? I’m human, too, can’t I have my rest?”

“I mean no ill intention, My Liege. Forgive me.”

“You sure have lots of things for me to forgive, Namjoon-ah.” Seokjin’s tone was polite and playful, Namjoon was too serious all the time. Seokjin thinks he really needs to loosen up.

“I’m–”

“You’re forgiven.”

“Thank you, My Liege.”

Seokjin was rewarded with Namjoon’s deep dimples and half-crescent eyes.



Seokjin doesn’t know when he started to have feelings for Namjoon. Maybe it was when he rescued an injured dog he found alone on the sea shore. They were on official business to check on the welfare of the people in the seaside communities as it was the aftermath of a typhoon.

“Can we stop for a bit, My Liege?” Namjoon called out the request. Seokjin’s horse came to a halt as well as all the others in their small group.

“Is there something wrong?” Seokjin turned his horse to Namjoon who was now dismounting and was looking worried.

“Hey there, are you alright?” Namjoon was addressing some sort of creature as he crouched down near the thick bushes and extended his hand. There was a small whimper and movement and suddenly a small white dog appeared, limping towards Namjoon. “Aigoo, poor you. Where is your family, huh?”

Namjoon scooped the little thing in his arms, brown dirt against its white wet fur, droopy eyes and seemed like he hadn't eaten for days.

“Can I bring him back, My Liege?” Namjoon addressed Seokjin with the question and made sure he replaced his dragon eyes with a puppy one, much like the eyes of the one he was holding.

“If you can be responsible for him, I don’t see why not,” Seokjin responded, still trying to sound authoritative even if he wanted to coo at the dog and at Namjoon, too, for being adorable.

“Thank you.” Namjoon wrapped the dog (which he later named as Monie) in his scarf to warm him up and laid him on the back of his horse before climbing back.

“Let’s head back!” Seokjin commanded the group and the sound of the horses’ hooves echoed softly in the background.



Seokjin doesn’t know when he started to have feelings for Namjoon. Maybe it was when they were on their weekly visit to the town. Seokjin made sure as a king to always connect with the people, to see what their daily life looks like, to know their struggles so he would know how they would help them. He promised he would not be king who has been so high on his pedestal that would make him untouchable and that people would be afraid of him, but he wanted to be someone to be seen as a friend.

Seokjin was with Yoongi, his advisor, Hoseok, his secretary, and four bodyguards including Namjoon (of course). They were walking when a group of people started to shout with words of Help! Water! Fire! Suddenly black smoke could be seen from where they are and it doesn’t seem to be far off. Seokjin’s instinct was to immediately rush to the scene, to help, but Namjoon was faster.

Apparently it was one of the town’s bakeries. Seokjin loved the red bean bread from there. The structure was nearly on collapse when they arrived, fire angrily blazing with the wind. But there was one young man, which Namjoon recognized as one of the bakery’s staff who was shouting.

“Help! Help! Somebody! Uncle Siwon is still inside!” the man cried out helplessly.

“Who’s inside? Who’s still inside?” Namjoon tried to get the man to focus to tell him what’s happening.

“M-my uncle Siwon! He was one of the bakers! He’s still trapped inside! Please help him!”

Namjoon assessed the situation, he was careful but he had to be fast, too. Seokjin was also assessing at the same time, it’s already too dangerous, but before he could make a decision, Namjoon was already headed towards the burning bakery and took the back entrance.

Seokjin, as a king, was trained to be swift and decisive in considering all factors and to be able to make the right decision at the right time. He was trained to be rational. A ruler couldn’t afford to be a slave to emotions. But for the first time, he felt his feet frozen to the ground. For the first time, he felt fear. He was paralyzed, body and soul. Namjoon.

The other body guards were carrying buckets of water together with the other villagers, hoping to salvage the situation. Hoseok and Yoongi were helping the nearby establishments to evacuate in case the fire spread out. But Seokjin stood in the middle of the road, staring at the burning building, praying to the universe to please let Namjoon live.

After what felt like a lifetime, Namjoon emerged from the fire together with one other man who was unconscious. People rushed to help them and Seokjin let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Thank you, he whispered to no one.


—


Seokjin did a lot of soul searching after that incident and came to one realization. That he has two problems: that yes, he may have developed feelings for Namjoon over the years, but also that he was also an alpha.

A king marrying a commoner isn’t forbidden. (Yes, Seokjin is already thinking about marriage). But an alpha for an alpha? That's a question he doesn't have an answer to. Yet.

“Hyung, are you okay?” Jimin asked.

They were in Seokjin’s office and Jimin was going through the details of the upcoming ball with Seokjin and here was Seokjin, daydreaming of him and Namjoon dancing on the dance floor. Namjoon’s hands on his waist, his hands on his broad and steady shoulders, the crowd disappeared around them and it was just them looking into each other’s eyes and waltzing through the music.

“Hyung?” Jimin asked again.

“Huh?”

“You’re blushing! What are you thinking?”

“I am not!” Seokjin placed his hand on his cheeks and they were indeed warm. “What were you saying?”

“Nothing. I said everything was in place and if you don’t have any more violent reactions then we can proceed with the preparations.”

“Uhh, yes sure.”

“And one more thing, hyung?”

Seokjin’s head was still in the clouds. “Please get married soon. I’m begging. I want to marry Kookie already.”

“I told you there was no rule that you cannot not get married ahead of the king!”

“But it just seemed so improper. And you know Jeongguk respects you so much.”

“But I can’t just pick any omega, can I?”

“Becuase you have too high of a standard!”

“You want me to settle for anyone then?”

“No, hyung. Don’t settle for anyone less than you deserve.” Jimin held his hyung’s hand and squeezed it for assurance. “I’ll just convince Kookie to elope.”

“Yah! I’ll behead you both if you do that.”

“No, you won’t. You love us.”

“Brat. Go! Have fun with your party.” Seokjin tried his best not to say stupid ball, as Jimin was very much excited to organize this event as much as any other gatherings and he won’t deny his only sibling that joy. But also, he hates this one particularly because it will be a hall full of omegas coming to meet him as a prospect for marriage. Who wouldn’t want to marry the king, right?

“It’s your party, hyung. It’s for you to meet your Cinderella. If you were listening to me earlier, I have invited all single omegas in our kingdom and not just royalties from the other kingdoms.”

Seokjin sighed. If he didn’t find an omega in this ball, there will be another ball and another ball and more letters coming from far off kingdoms asking for this bachelor king for marriage, for alliance, for whatever intention. It exhausts him just by thinking about it. Can he just marry Namjoon instead?


—


“Dan-gyeol!” King Seokjin saluted his audience.

“Dan-gyeol!” came the reply of the young recruits of the Bangtan Army, saluting back to the king. It was already dusk and they were still in the training grounds where King Seokjin had joined them.

King Seokjin lowered his hand and the small group followed as well. “Are you tired from today’s training?”

“No!” came their sharp reply, eyes trained to only look forward.

“Is Sgt. Taehyung treating you well?” Seokjin asked playfully.

“Yes!” said the chorus of voices.

“Aish, you just don’t want punishment from your teacher, that's why you’re saying that. But if Sgt. Taehyung insisted on keeping you after hours, you can always let me know!”

“Your Highness, we are always strict with our time!” Sgt. Taehyung countered.

Namjoon, who was standing behind Seokjin, snickered by himself. He knew that Seokjin was ragebaiting Taehyung, whom he had been a good friend to the King as well.

“Everyone say, ‘We love you, Kim-seonsaengnim!’”

“We…” There was hesitancy in their voices.

“Aish! One more time, loud and clear!”

“WE LOVE YOU, KIM-SEONSAENGNIM!”

Seokjin’s heart was full. He was a person who likes to keep everything light, even though he could feel the heavy weight of the burden in his heart that these kids would someday be in the battlefield and all he hoped was for them to remember that they were happy once in their lives too. He wishes there wouldn’t be any war, that there would be peace between kingdoms, that there would never be any bloodshed ever again.

“Good boys. I now leave you with your teacher then. You are dismissed.”

“Dan-gyeol!”

Seokjin saluted back and took his leave.

“Good job, Taehyung-ah.” Seokjin didn’t forget to pat his dongsaeng’s back. He was always grateful for the loyal people around him.

“All for the love of the country, Your Highness,” Taehyung said as he saluted the king.

“At ease. And have a good night.”

Taehyung led his students to their quarters until Seokjin and Namjoon were left. The half moon is already looking down on them and the small stars in the sky have started to appear. It was a beautiful night with clear skies and a cold breeze. Seokjin only wished for good things to happen for his kingdom.