Work Text:
Taehyung panted, adrenaline coursing through his body as he watched the monstrous dragon before him writhe in pain. His sword was the cause of it, the blade cutting deep into the beast’s heart.
The dragon began collapsing, moans as loud as thunder, but eyes no longer as bright as lightning.
Taehyung hurriedly moved out of the way but his own body had taken damaged already. He couldn’t control his body as well as he did during the beginning of the battle. Losing his balance, he grunted as his chest slammed onto the uneven floor.
His mind wasted no time screaming at him to move away, triggering him to roll over quickly just as the dragon’s head landed heavily beside him, crushing the earth below it. Smoke from the dragon’s fiery destruction and dust from the broken ground made Taehyung cough harshly.
He survived, but was quickly reminded of his injury when a searing pain burned throughout his left arm. He couldn’t dodge the flame that the dragon shot at him earlier, costing him his arm despite his armor. Even then, he was thankful it wasn’t his dominant, right arm.
His eyes felt heavy as the rush in his body began wearing off. His body ached for rest; not just from this fight.
Taehyung had been traveling for 20 days.
It had been 30 days since he last spoke to Seokjin.
He jolted, refusing to stop just yet. Not now, when he was so close. Not when he knew that Seokjin was in the tower just straight ahead. That was what the dragon was guarding.
He forced himself up, trying not to breathe too much of the ashy air despite his hungry lungs begging for any air.
“Seokjin…” he groaned, slowing trudging in the direction of the tall building. Tears pricked his eyes, and he had the choice to blame it on the hot smoke or his feelings for the prince…
Feelings that he had harbored for many years.
~~
“Wow~”
Taehyung couldn’t help but blush as Seokjin stared at him and his new look. He had just turned fourteen, meaning that he could finally wear heavy armor that all knights wore.
His father had served the King and he was happy to follow his footsteps and serve Seokjin for the rest of his life. His father had been a close friend of the King, and when Taehyung was only eight, he died honorably, protecting their kingdom’s ruler.
It was because of that exactly, that the King took Taehyung’s mother and himself under his care, ensuring that he would support Taehyung in his career.
“Taehyung, it looks really good on you!” the young prince complimented, his perfect smile and pretty eyes lighting a flame inside the young lad’s chest. That had been happening too many times lately.
He shrugged nonchalantly, muttering, “You’re too kind, my prince. It isn’t much, really.” He had just been promoted to a squire, so to him, the armor was useless without properly completing his trainings.
“What on earth are you talking about?” Seokjin exclaimed. “Father said that you’ve been doing great. How dare you not tell me that you would be training under the legendary Min Yoongi? Hmm?”
Taehyung looked away, pretending to adjust his attire to prevent himself from getting lost in Seokjin’s eyes. He scoffed, responding to Seokjin, “Legendary? I’ve caught a glance at him. He’s rather… stoic. I’m not sure I’ll impress him.”
Despite his attempt to space himself from the prince, Seokjin gently took hold of his jaw, turning him back to look at him. “Taehyung-ah.”
His chest tightened at the endearing tone, eyes growing wide as Seokjin’s lovely voice filled his mind, his world.
“I’m so proud of you.”
~~
The sound of metal clanking was the only thing Taehyung heard in this lonely place as he tossed the last piece of his armour down the stone steps. It bounced down until he could no longer see it. He didn’t need it anymore, finding it too heavy for his wary body.
With his metal attire gone, it allowed him to examine his burned limb. He felt a mixture of relief and dismay as he noted his red and blistering skin. The pain was present more than ever, but he tried to focus on the fact that at least he could feel the pain, which made him somewhat hopeful of some recovery.
He turned back to the remainder of the stairs, which winded up and around the cylindrical structure. The sun was setting, so he pushed on again.
He must.
~~
A nine-year-old Seokjin sat on the stairs outside the pavilion. Eight year old Taehyung naturally made his way over, joining the lonely little prince.
“Just ignore them, prince,” he advised, following Seokjin’s gaze. They watched the other children their age play with wooden swords, blankets adorned over their small shoulders to imitate courageous capes.
“But they’re right,” the little prince whispered, and Taehyung waited for the tears to come, like they always do whenever Seokjin got picked on.
“I’m cursed.”
“It’s not your fault,” Taehyung was quick to say. “It’s because of the evil fairy.” With that being said, his gaze at the other children turned hard. Even in his young mind, he found it foolish that they would ostracize the prince instead of resenting the wicked fairy that placed that terrible curse on him.
Everyone knew about the day it all happened.
After Seokjin was born, the King invited all to come celebrate the birth of his son, including the three fairies of the North, East, and South. The fairy of the North, radiant like the rising sun, blessed Seokjin with divine beauty. The fairy of the South, recognized for his angelic singing, gifted the prince with a voice as clear as a silver bell. Before the fairy of the East could bestow a gift to the prince, the celebration went awry.
The fairy of the West was never favored much to begin with, therefore slipping the King’s mind. That small mistake fueled the fairy’s anger more than ever.
And so, a curse was placed over Seokjin, which entailed that before his twenty-first birthday, he would prick his finger on a spindle of a spinning wheel, and die.
The fairy vanished after that, leaving the King and Queen devastated at their child’s new fate.
The other fairies were unable to undo the spell, but in an attempt to protect Seokjin as much as he could from the curse, the East fairy’s gift was for Seokjin not to die, but to be forever asleep. Only a true love’s kiss would awaken him.
~~
‘True love’s kiss…’ Taehyung thought to himself as he finally reached the top of the stairs. His temple gleamed with sweat. It wasn’t enough to rinse away the dried blood on his face.
The sun was gone long ago. Taehyung felt like it was perfect fate that the moon was full tonight. It provided him with enough light to complete his mission, to fulfill his heart.
Even though his legs burned from the climbing, Taehyung yearned to see Seokjin again, more than ever.
With one lift of a curtain near the entryway, he could make out a single room. It was fully furnished, but even in the dark lighting, he could tell that it was aged. Cobwebs clung to almost everything. Despite the room lacking any care, it was left organized, which made it easy to scan across.
It didn’t take long for his eyes to settle on the very person he had come this far for. He couldn’t stifle his sob, even with his shaky right hand covering his mouth.
Across the ancient room, resting next to the open window, laid his dear Seokjin. The moonlight spilled through the window, illuminating the prince ever so tenderly. The soft light made his skin fairer than ever, making the prince look so serene in his sleep.
He stumbled as he neared, wobbly legs soon giving out, slumping to his knees once he was at Seokjin’s side.
Guilt and regret instantly overwhelmed the pain from his arm as he clutched Seokjin’s smooth hand, which had been resting comfortably over his abdomen. He pressed it against his grimy face, nuzzling each knuckle as the familiar floral scent filled his nostrils. It’s warm, his clean skin soothing the burn on his left hand more than the cool breeze. He silently thanked the East’s fairy’s gift, which kept air streaming in and out of the prince.
“Forgive me, my prince,” his voice whispered in the night, trembling as his last memories of Seokjin painted his thoughts. “I’m so sorry. I was foolish. I should have been there to protect you.”
He hung his head down in shame.
~~
“Taehyung! Wait!”
The young man ignored the prince’s calls to him. He continued to stomp away, his strides angry as he seethed. His fists were balled up tightly, squeezing the fabric of his gloves. The gloves that Seokjin gifted him for this very ball. He even added some embroidery that could only be seen if one took a closer look, adding to his cherishment of it.
They weren’t children anymore. He’s twenty now, so why was he acting so immature? Instead of talking to Seokjin, why did he choose to turn away from him?
He knew exactly why.
It was because he saw Seokjin dancing with the Prince of a neighboring kingdom out in the Queen’s flower garden.
This wasn’t the first time Seokjin has had suitors and dancing partners. He’s a prince, it would be offensive if no one courted him at all. So, that wasn’t what set him off.
Because Seokjin and the other prince opted to leave the ballroom for a more private moment, there was no music out in the garden.
What set him off was them singing together, dancing together under the moon. It was the way Seokjin looked so captivated, eyes holding the fondness that he was used to receiving, the look he strongly believed should be reserved only for him.
The prince playfully spun Seokjin to one side, and that was the moment he finally spotted Taehyung. Seokjin’s smile immediately dropped the moment they made eye contact, and Taehyung didn’t bother to stay and watch longer.
“Taehyung, please,” the prince finally ran ahead of him, standing in his way with his arms spread out. “I know what you’re thinking, but would you please just listen to me?”
“Step aside.” He wasn’t in the mood to hear any explanations and tried to move to the side but Seokjin was quick to block him again. The prince lowered his arms, an almost defeated look on his face.
“You’re really not coming with me?”
Taehyung pressed his lips into a thin line. He avoided Seokjin’s eyes, looking past him like he didn’t exist. He knew that if he didn’t look away, his anger would soon melt under Seokjin’s caring gaze.
“Go search for someone else to take my place.”
Instead, he never looked back at the prince. He wanted to be mad, wanted Seokjin to know that he’s mad, needed him to bear parts of the heavy storm he created. He’s very upset.
‘Mad,’ was not enough to describe the furious heat he felt clawing out of every inch of his body when he saw the other prince’s hand on Seokjin’s delicate waist. ‘Upset,’ lacked the vulnerability he felt knowing that he would never be good enough to marry Seokjin.
As a child, he wanted to become a knight so that he could be by Seokjin’s side forever. As a man, he realized that it was not that simple.
~~
Taehyung’s body finally gave up once he had reached Seokjin, his destination. His left arm was finally tended to with a long cloth he found. He fell asleep right next to the prince, face tucked into the crook of Seokjin’s neck, his safe space.
He missed this. Missed when they would have sleepovers. Missed the way Seokjin snuggled close, letting him embrace him securely, especially during rain storms.
In his sleep, the young man dreamed about their life back then.
~~
Taehyung grumbled as he was shaken awake.
“Wake up! They’re here,” Seokjin insisted, hands continuously moving the seventeen-year-old boy by the shoulder until his eyes opened.
The prince had a slight frown on his face, which did not match his ridiculously pink pajamas.
“Ugh,” he croaked, shooting the prince a sleepy look. “Your Highness, who’s here?” He squinted, his vision still blurry. He didn’t even want to think about how his hair must look at the moment.
Seokjin reminded him with a sigh, sagging as he walked away from the large bed and towards his dressing room as Taehyung wiggled out of the comfortable sheets.
“Oh, right.”
Just the night before, Seokjin opened up about his worries regarding the upcoming guests. His father wouldn’t tell him the purpose of the visit, but the prince believed it’s about him, eyes uneased as he stared aimlessly at the mural painted on his ceiling.
Before they parted for the day, Seokjin on his way to greet the guests and Taehyung off to training with Min Yoongi, the knight in training offered a candy wrapped in pink paper. It was his favorite.
“A fine prince like you have nothing to worry about,” Taehyung assured, resting his hand on the prince’s shoulder. He made sure to include a reassuring squeeze.
Seokjin fiddled with the wrapper, not intending to open it just yet. He shifted from one leg to the other. “Promise you’ll stop by later today,” he whispered, uncharacteristically so. It made Taehyung tilt his head, to see the boisterous prince so uncertain. Nevertheless, he smiled warmly.
“Of course, Your Highness.”
~~
When Taehyung awoke, he noted that the sky was a deep indigo. Dawn was coming soon. He paused, glancing at the lovely prince next to him.
Seokjin must return soon.
He knew what awaited them. Already knew how things will end for himself.
Still…
His breaths came out stuttered, shaky, as he caressed Seokjin’s small face, knowing that he must not stall time any longer.
When he first came face to face with the dragon, he knew that there was the chance of him dying right there. He told himself that he must not hold fear, he must risk his life, if he wanted any chance of Seokjin living out the rest of his life.
After many days, he finally had one peaceful night with the prince. Taehyung knew that things would never be the same again in a few hours. Seokjin, who he had held so close to his heart, would wake, and would leave.
“You’re really not coming with me?”
He squeezed his eyes shut at the surfacing words.
He couldn’t. No matter how desperately Seokjin begged him time and time again, Taehyung felt that he must refuse. The only thing he could give now… was…
A kiss.
He moved up, supporting his body with his right elbow. Leaning over Seokjin’s tranquil face, he made sure to look over every feature.
The North fairy ensured that he had plump lips resembling a budding rose. His skin akin to the first batch of winter snow, accompanied with a brush of dawn’s blush across his cheeks. His hair was as dark as ebony, soft locks curling at his forehead.
Taehyung licked his lips. Once as their noses touched, he backed away by an inch, the light contact making his heart buzz. Gulping, he closed his eyes and began closing the remaining distance between them.
~~
Taehyung sat near the horse stables. None of the guests would be bothered with this place, offering him time alone. He glanced at his gloves, which he had ripped off earlier in his bad temper.
His mind replayed the hurt look on Seokjin’s face, and it wasn’t long before he began feeling guilty about his behavior. With a sigh, he walked over to pick up the dirty gloves, dusting them off.
He looked up at the moon. There was still time before the night ended. He would go apologize to Seokjin and explain himself. He bit his lip, gnawing the flesh between his teeth.
All of himself.
As he stepped away from the stables, he heard the rhythmic clop of a horse. He paused when he recognized the person nearing.
“Taehyung, where have you been?”
It was Yoongi, who asked him the question with a raised, panicked voice. He had always commented on how strict his mentor was, so it startled him to see him alarmed.
“I-I was out for fresh air near the stables, Sir Yoongi,” he stammered, not caring so much that it didn’t make sense to want fresh air in a place that smelled strongly. He blinked in confusion, asking, “Is something the matter?”
“Get on,” Yoongi instructed. “Hurry, boy! The curse has become true. The prince pricked his finger-”
“What?” Taehyung nearly screamed.
As they rode closer, Taehyung struggled to take in the horrible news.
‘How could it be? Seokjin was turning twenty-one within days!’
The King kept strict supervision on Seokjin, ensuring that he was never alone. He banned everyone in the kingdom from owning a spinning wheel. Taehyung was almost always with him. The King himself trusted that the lad would treat Seokjin the same way his father did to him.
Taehyung was loyal. He revered the prince. He did everything he could to become Seokjin’s anchor. Taehyung cared, honored…
Loved…
The kingdom had been thrilled just weeks ago, convinced that Seokjin would survive the curse now that his twenty-first birthday was quickly approaching. Yet, during those last, crucial days, Taehyung failed.
He failed to keep Seokjin safe. He failed to keep his emotions in tact.
“Taehyung!” The King shouted tearily as he got off Yoongi’s horse. “You were not with Seokjin?”
The squire bowed deeply before the King, shame, anxiety, and worry washing over him. “Forgive me, your majesty.”
“You were the last person seen with my son,” the King scolded him. His aged voice shook as he said, “Young lad, I respect you because I respect your father. You hold great talent and potential.”
“I understand, your majesty,” Taehyung replied back, voice strained as he tried to contain himself. He didn’t dare look back up, knowing that he had no right to. He knew that anything he said from that point onwards would be meaningless.
The King let out an anguished sound, exhaling heavily.
“I am deeply disappointed in you.”
Just like that, Seokjin was gone.
After Taehyung walked away from him, Seokjin must have been wandering back to the garden by himself.
The prince that Seokjin danced with caught a cloaked figure carrying the unconscious prince, quickly dispersing into smoky cloud before he could reach them. Only a spinning wheel was left behind, droplets of blood apparent on the pavement and spindle.
The worst had happened, and when the King ordered for the curse to be undone, Taehyung was resolute. His got his armor, his weapons, and his horse ready.
He would save Seokjin.
~~
Taehyung sealed his very first kiss on Seokjin’s forehead, tenderly savoured the skin there.
“I love you.”
His words came out like a whisper among calm, summer breezes. It was the truest yet bluest words he had ever said.
He eyes fell upon Seokjin’s lips.
He remembered all those times he spent adoring the way the prince’s lips would squish together whenever he’s pouting, make way for his perfect teeth whenever he laughed, and bounce back after he pressed a finger on them in thought.
He groaned mentally, sick by how hopeless he was. His love for the prince was bigger than anyone would ever imagine.
Even Seokjin didn’t know.
He thumbed over Seokjin’s lips longingly.
The sky had changed colors, new hues of orange and gold slowly blending into the blue sky. The sun would soon come up, and Taehyung hoped it would be the first thing Seokjin sees.
He backed away, alerted, when he heard footsteps coming up the tower stairs.
~~
Taehyung saw from afar how the ringleader pointed at nine-year-old Seokjin before he came over to comfort him.
“Everybody, if you touch him, you’ll be cursed too!” Prince Jungkook shouted, causing chaos among the group of children. The children closest to Seokjin jumped away while others screamed in horror or shrieked with laughter.
Seokjin walked away, knowing from past experiences that there’s nothing he could do. As he headed towards the pavilion stairs, Jungkook soared past him, red cape billowing from his speed as he obnoxiously yelled out once more.
“Curse!”
~~
Prince Jungkook yanked the curtain aside, slightly out of breath. His crimson cape followed his movement, but hung still over his back as he observed the room. His eyes widened when his eyes found Seokjin sleeping soundly on the other side of the room.
His eyes glistened as he hurried over swiftly, boots clicking cleanly against the hard floor. His tidy clothes rustled quietly as he went.
“Seokjin,” he sat on the edge of the bed, brushing his fingers through the prince’s neat hair. His brows were furrowed as he held back a whimper.
“I’m here, love.”
His emotions were also heavy, but unlike the squire who was there moments ago, they held a sense of hope.
He gazed lovingly at the prince, a rueful, poignant smile on his lips as he moved closer. He finally kissed Seokjin’s long-awaiting, untouched lips.
Taehyung, hidden inside a wardrobe, refused to watch through the cracks. If he did, he was afraid that the scorching heat that blinded him that night would return. Jealousy, the vulnerability of knowing very well that-
Seokjin would never be his.
He never was.
~~
“Taehyung-ah,” Seokjin held the squire’s jaw softly. “I’m so proud of you.”
Taehyung was left stunned, but their bubble was popped the moment a third person arrived.
“You’ve been promoted? Congratulations, Taehyung!” Jungkook walked into view and glanced at his newly attained attire, much to Taehyung’s disappointment.
The young prince was sent to visit Seokjin every summer since they were young children, and by now, everyone in the palace knew him for his boyish charm. His raven hair was parted to one side today, a new look to display a section of his strong forehead. It made Taehyung secretly roll his eyes, knowing he probably did so after hearing Seokjin swoon over a book character described with the same hairstyle.
“Thank you, Prince Jungkook.”
The younger prince quickly averted his attention to Seokjin. “Where are we going to celebrate?”
Seokjin smiled at him before nodding over to Taehyung. “Taehyung, where would you like to go? It’s my treat.”
Taehyung rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, the dynamic between him and Seokjin changing now that Jungkook was here. “Please, don’t worry about it, my prince. I still have to prepare for trainings.”
Seokjin groaned dejectedly. “Aw, really?”
“If Taehyung’s busy, let’s go choose a present for him together,” Jungkook chimed in smoothly. “I bought a bunch of things already since you can’t go out. You get to chose. I’ll even let you choose something for yourself.”
Taehyung felt an invisible barrier form between him and the two chattering princes.
~~
“Promise you’ll stop by later today,” Seokjin whispered, glancing up nervously at Taehyung. He could see his lashes very well like this.
“Of course, Your Highness,” he replied with a warm smile.
After Taehyung finished his training for the day and showered, he visited Seokjin in his bedchambers.
“How did it go?” he asked, walking over to Seokjin’s vanity. He took at seat there, using the prince’s expensive comb to tend his own hair. The other quietly followed him.
He let out a choked noise when the prince suddenly hugged him from behind. The comb dropped to the floor with a soft clink when he felt Seokjin’s breath on his neck, still damp from his shower.
“I was right,” Seokjin whined sadly, shutting his eyes. He hugged Taehyung tighter, fingers grasping the fabric over his chest.
“Father will be announcing my engagement to Jungkook tomorrow.”
Had Seokjin not been holding on to him securely, Taehyung would have sunk past the surface of the earth by now along with his pipe dreams. He wanted to seek help but the only other person around besides Seokjin was his reflection, who had such a mortified look, he knew it would be no use.
His breathing turned shallow. He gulped dryly, careful not to show his shock in his words.
“So it is an arranged marriage. How do you feel about marrying him?”
“I…” Seokjin hesitated. Then he hid his entire face into Taehyung’s shirt, muffling out, “I don’t know.”
That was what he said, but unbeknownst to the prince, Taehyung could still see his blushing, red ears. That was enough for Taehyung to understand Seokjin’s feelings towards Jungkook.
It was enough to make the crack in his heart grow so large, Taehyung doesn’t think it would ever heal.
~~
Taehyung was absolutely stunned when Seokjin walked down in his formal, tailored suit. The fabric mainly consisted of a royal blue, which Taehyung thought brought out the shine in his eyes and paired with his dark hair smoothly. The gold designs across the cloth traced his body perfectly.
Before he knew it, his hand was already stretched out, waiting until Seokjin accepted it. Although they both had gloves on, Taehyung felt a spark the moment their clothed fingers touched.
“You are stunning tonight, Prince Seokjin,” he breathed out.
Seokjin chuckled unsurely. His hair was slicked back to show his forehead, but in his timid state, a strand managed to fall out of place.
“You think so?”
With his other hand, he carefully took the strand between two fingers, comparing the dark hair to the silver thread that Seokjin decorated onto his gloves. He tucked it back in place slowly so that the rest of his hair remained undisturbed. It was as if he was arranging fragile flowers.
“Yes. All eyes will be on you.”
Taehyung was absolutely right. All that attended were left breathless when he escorted Seokjin to the ballroom.
~~
“I don’t see Jungkook…”
Taehyung felt his eye twitch at the name.
He and Seokjin had been wandering until they reached the balcony, where there were less people. He kept his posture polished, trying his best to maintain a steady tone as Seokjin tilted his head up to peer around for the young prince. His response was simple, “Perhaps that is for the better.”
“Tae…”
“I mean it.”
“I’ve told you already, he’s different now.”
“How are you so sure?”
“Because he was a child back then,” Seokjin explained, his light voice now deep with conviction. “He apologized to me. And yes, it was sincere.”
This time, Taehyung couldn’t stop his eyes from rolling, making Seokjin huff out in annoyance.
“He considers you a friend, you know,” Seokjin managed to say gently despite his irritation. “Jungkook had wronged me before, yes, but what has he ever done to you? Why do you despise him so much?”
A voice inside him pleaded to be let out, desperate to rip out of Taehyung’s throat and tell Seokjin why the mention of the other prince stirred such hatred behind his bitter face and much ache within his sheltered soul.
He imagined what it would have been like if their story was like those of love novels, how he, the protagonist, would boldly declare his love to the person he desired. He would snatch Seokjin into his strong arms and kiss him passionately like his life depended on it as evidence of his true feelings.
However, the reality was that the aspiring knight was not as brave as he would have wanted to be. He ended up being rashful, opting to hide that weakness behind a stubborn wall of false pride. It smudged his voice with spite.
“You’re naive to believe he truly loves you.”
He then secretly thought to himself, ‘I’m the one who really loves you.’
Like his other truthful thoughts about his undeniable love for the prince, the words end up chained in the deepest corners of his body. How could he ever tell Seokjin when he knows it wouldn’t matter at all? He would hate to admit it, but he feared opening himself up, letting Seokjin see it all, only to leave him carved out, raw, and hollow for the rest of the world to witness.
Seokjin gaped at him, shocked at his words. It was silent between the two but when Taehyung gathered enough courage to peek at him, he saw a transparent lash across the prince’s expression. He gulped, guilty because his voice held the whip.
A familiar voice called for the prince in the distance.
They both heard it, but Seokjin remained still, like he was giving Taehyung time to choose his next words carefully, or maybe he was giving Taehyung a chance to apologize or redeem himself.
There was no point in that though since Taehyung already knew that he has locked himself up again, and there would be nothing else he would willingly say for now.
Seokjin finally shifted and that triggered a throbbing need to comfort him. Taehyung reached over to catch the prince’s arm but he reacted too late.
The prince had already turned away from him, out of reach, sniffling and clearing his throat before answering, “I’m coming, Father!”
His empty hand hung in the air. Only the fragrance of Seokjin’s scented oils lingered.
After nearly an hour without the prince, Taehyung figured he’d search for him.
He’d been by himself in the ballroom, people watching for most of the hour, eliminating the room from his search immediately. He last saw Seokjin with his father, but the King was currently occupied with older nobles. Seokjin wasn’t with them.
He was heading towards the courtyard, passing by the Queen’s garden when he heard it.
Singing.
As expected, the silver, melodic notes were clear as a bell. Taehyung grew up loving the musical tones born from the handsome prince’s voicebox. This wasn’t new to him.
What he heard for the first time though, was the deeper voice harmonizing with Seokjin’s vocals. It stopped him in his tracks as his ears worked double time to identify this person. It was another man, tone airy, soothing, and to Taehyung’s envy, a harmonious addition to this unfamiliar song.
His gut had already predicted the picture he would see, but his body moved on its own anyway, following the voices around corner after corner until he reached the source of it.
They were indeed together.
They were singing, smiling together as their coordinated bodies moved as one. The world didn’t matter since all they could see was each other. They’re happy…
And Taehyung, who had always wanted to present himself as cool as water and calm as night, was agitated in a way he never felt before. An intense wave scorched over his back. He had no control over the deep rumbling in his chest that boiled up his neck into a low growl, his locked jaw being the only barrier preventing it from spilling over.
Ever since Seokjin had been promised to Jungkook, he had proposed over and over for Taehyung to go with him to the other kingdom after the wedding.
“You can be my personal guard,” he had said.
He wouldn’t need one anymore once his twenty-first birthday passed.
“We’ll be together, always.”
Yes, they would be together, but Seokjin would be connected to someone else. Taehyung was not sure if he could go on with the rest of his life seeing his most desire person within reach, yet protected in the arms of someone stronger, someone who could give everything and anything to him.
So when Seokjin chased after him out of the garden, blocked his way, asking him, “You’re really not coming with me?” Taehyung couldn’t do it anymore.
“Go search for someone else to take my place.”
Tears began to show on Seokjin’s face as he let out stifled cries. Taehyung continued on past him, thinking to himself how the prince could go live his happy life far away from him, with someone who isn’t him.
~~
Seokjin’s eyelids fluttered open, and Jungkook gasped, inching back, which gave room for the rising sun to shine in the awakened prince’s face. He exhaled, wincing from the bright light.
“Jungkook?” he called out quietly, seeing the figure before him but his vision was still hazy.
The younger prince leaned back in, tilting his head so that his raven hair blocked enough sunlight from Seokjin’s view. As overjoyed as he was, he didn’t want to overwhelm his fiancé.
After blinking several times, Seokjin stared at the person in front of him again. The sight made his heart skip a beat.
There, in the morning’s first light, was his beloved prince. It wasn’t a dream. Jungkook smiled with an endearment that set his body aglow, the soft curve of his lips greeting him in a way that made him feel safeguarded.
The sun did magical wonders. In it’s light, Jungkook’s curious eyes, which were Seokjin’s favorite trait, transformed the deep, piercing brown into shades the likes of honey and chestnuts.
He lifted his hand up to feel the side of the younger prince’s face. Jungkook laughed lightly at the sensation, his breath tickling his lips, the sound waking up the slumbering butterflies in Seokjin’s belly.
“I love you,” the younger prince said now that the older prince had finally woke from their kiss. He carefully lifted Seokjin up into his sturdy arms, holding him in a long embrace. “I don’t ever want to lose you again. Please…”
He lowered his head until his lips touched the shell of Seokjin’s ear.
“Will you marry me?”
Although they had been engaged for years, they were only adolescents when the engagement was announced. Jungkook never asked Seokjin properly, and there was never a need for him to do so since both kings had already confirmed it for them.
Losing Seokjin this time made him realize how devastating it was living day after day without him. He wanted the kind prince to know how much he meant to him.
Seokjin pulled back subtly. He gazed at the man of his dreams until he couldn’t hold himself back anymore.
He kissed Jungkook, who was quick to reciprocate. Seokjin felt his heart racing as he mumbled out in between their kisses,
“Yes.”
~~
One year later…
Seokjin slowed down to a stop once he spotted the horse stables. There weren’t that many people around at this time, hopefully making things easier for him.
“Your Highness!”
Seokjin flinched at the voice, only to breathe out in relief after recognizing the person.
“Sir Yoongi!” he greeted back cheerfully.
The knight left his horse to a stable boy before walking over to the prince. He bowed once before him.
Seokjin smiled, asking him how he had been. After all, he had been gone for a full year. It was nice to visit his kingdom and see everybody again.
“I have been doing well. Thank you for your concern, Prince Seokjin,” Yoongi formally responded, adding, “How was the trip back?”
“Oh, it went perfectly well, fortunately,” Seokjin commented back. They chattered a bit longer, but Seokjin’s mind was on something else. Someone else, actually.
“Um, excuse me,” Seokjin tried to sound as natural about it as possible. “I noticed Taehyung isn’t around. Are you still training him?”
“Ah, that boy,” Yoongi waved off casually. “I train him day and night and that mindless fool seems to not care about the things I teach him.”
Seokjin wasn’t sure what to make of the words, wondering, “What? You’re still going to mentor him, right?”
“Of course not.”
“Sir Yoongi, I beg you, Taehyung is…”
“Your Highness, I understand that Taehyung is a close friend of yours but,” Yoongi paused, a small, rare smile appearing on his face. “Why would I still be training someone who’s already a knight?”
Seokjin was speechless, his eyes lighting up after realizing what this meant. He beamed, excited as he rambled, “Really? Since when? I’m so happy for him! This was his biggest dream. Is he here right now?”
“Sure he is,” Yoongi answered, turning away from the stables and nodding over to a tree.
Seokjin followed his eyes, and sure enough, a young lad stood under the tree’s shade with a horse, likely feeding it some fruit. The prince’s stare softened as he took in Taehyung’s brown hair, which had grown a bit longer, just touching his shoulders. His frame seemed to have grown as well, shoulders stretching wider than before. He was turned away, so Seokjin doesn’t know if his face had undergo changes too over the seasons.
“What did I tell you?” Yoongi chided, but there’s an underlying fondness in his voice. “These days, his mind is always wandering elsewhere.”
Seokjin’s face fell slightly, remembering that certain night. He turned to Yoongi, thanking him before dismissing himself. He began walking towards Taehyung, his memories resurfacing.
~~
Taehyung didn’t attend Seokjin’s wedding. He wasn’t even at the palace when Jungkook returned triumphantly from the tower with him.
There was no trace of him, and even when he asked, no one knew the answer. Everyone was too busy celebrating the return of the prince, praising the heroic Prince Jungkook for his bravery.
It was only when the King asked Prince Jungkook about his courageous journey that Seokjin finally discovered a clue.
“It must be such a difficult quest. Were my men able to aid you?”
“Yes, I appreciate all that joined me in my search for Seokjin,” Jungkook smiled, appreciatively thanking Seokjin’s father. It’s times like this where Seokjin got to witness his partner speak so maturely, unlike the bickering fits they would have together. Jungkook’s brows furrowed as he admitted, “However, the West fairy must have acted very ill towards someone else. The dragon defending the tower had already been slayed when we arrived.”
Seokjin remembered. When Jungkook walked Seokjin out of the room and down the tower steps, they heard the King’s men clamoring below.
The dead dragon had transformed into the lifeless body of the West fairy.
“How odd,” the King uttered, shaking his head. “Well, I am grateful that we won’t be worrying about that wicked fairy any longer.”
For an unknown reason, Seokjin instantly thought of Taehyung. He remembered walking by during his trainings a few times and seeing him in his armor, hair tussled, and eyes so focused that he doesn’t even notice the prince. His strong right hand wielded a shining sword.
“I love you.”
He shook his head.
Ever since he’s woken up from the curse, he’s been hearing those words in his mind.
Were his memories scrambled during his spelled slumber? He swore it sounded like Taehyung’s voice, but he had never said anything like that to him before.
“I love you.”
The voice sounded so sad, Seokjin was afraid to uncover what could ever make Taehyung so forlorn. That was only if the voice he remembered was even real.
Taehyung never showed, and after a few short days, Seokjin left his kingdom to start his new life with Jungkook. He wanted to try convincing him one more time to come with him, even though Taehyung would likely oppose the idea again.
Jungkook loved him, tended to his every need… Seokjin was indeed happy to marry him. He was deeply in love, despite what Taehyung told him before.
He wasn’t upset at him. He never would be, because he knew that Taehyung cared so much.
~~
Summer, autumn, winter, spring… it had been that long.
Lush green leaves had transformed into ripe, gold sheets that crunched under every step. Icy flakes froze lakes into clear mirrors.
Spring brought back the very beauty Taehyung thought he would have forgotten by now, a lovely vision as warm as the sun, gentle like the moon. It carried a voice he tried so hard not to miss.
“Sir Taehyung.”
He hasn’t heard his name in that specific pitch in a year now. In the empty months prior, the prince’s voice in his memories had weakened into a muddled echo that only made itself known in the quietest nights after he awoke from a frightful dream.
He wanted to forget.
All that time he spent fracturing his yearning affection into unrecognizable shards meant nothing the moment Seokjin smiled at him once again. The passionate fire in him died long ago, but seeing that he was the reason behind the twinkle in Seokjin’s eyes made the aged embers glow.
That’s the thing about Seokjin he could never escape from. The thing that made him fall for him when they were children.
He didn’t know what romantic love was back when he was eight years old. He only knew that after his father passed away, it was Seokjin who comforted him. If he was not crying with his face buried in his grieving mother’s hold, he was receiving warm hugs from the then lonely prince.
He recalled feeling the jumping of Seokjin’s heart against his own chest, finding comfort in the constant pattern. He could still picture the adorable way the prince dabbed at his never ending tears with a flimsy handkerchief, listening to him wail for his dead father.
Even at such a young age, the prince held a compassion that the heartbroken boy grew possessively attached to. He felt seen every time Seokjin displayed acts of kindness, felt wanted whenever the prince sought for his presence.
Now, for the first time in his life, he didn’t feel the urge to run towards the prince. He stood in place, and it was Seokjin who closed the space between them by himself.
Taehyung bowed, dropping to one knee, greeting him. His voice had become rusty now that the person he conversed with most had been gone for so long.
He tried not to react when Seokjin placed his hands on him, telling him to stand. He stiffened every muscle in his face when Seokjin hugged him, made sure not to get greedy with his hands when he allowed himself to return the act.
When Seokjin asked about his health and well-being, he sent out scripted answers. He didn’t know why he bothered. Seokjin knew him too well.
When Seokjin sadly questioned him about his absence, he couldn’t come up with an answer. When he wondered if the knight was intentionally avoiding him, he found himself giving a single nod.
“Why?”
‘Why?’ he repeated the prince’s question to himself.
As loud as his love was for the man, it was equally discrete. It should be kept away more than ever now that he was married to Jungkook.
“Do you hate me for leaving?”
Taehyung tensed at the word, ‘hate.’
Seokjin made him feel emotions of different colors: happiness, sadness, excitement, anger, hopelessness, determination. He knew what it felt like to be zealous, bashful, content, distressed, calm. He loved feeling elated with Seokjin around. He didn’t enjoy times he felt anxious about their future. He could continue on with his list for decades, but the word, ‘hate’ would never show.
The prince was surprised when Taehyung unexpectedly stepped closer. His eyes grew wide when Taehyung leaned over, angling his head up slightly, hand reaching for the back of his head.
The only time Taehyung ever revealed his profound feelings out loud was when the prince was in that tower, asleep. He intended to keep it that way.
When Taehyung placed a firm but loving kiss on Seokjin’s forehead, it confirmed the assumptions the prince made back then.
He stilled, replaying the sad confession of love he heard at the tower, and thought back to the mysterious death of the ferocious dragon. He finally had his answers.
Taehyung moved back, eyes half-lidded as Seokjin stared into them in shocked realization. His hand slipped out from Seokjin’s hair. He mustered up a melancholic smile towards Seokjin, watching a tear slip down his rosy cheek. He wiped it away with his left palm, skin rough and scarred from the burn he received on that fateful day.
After he swiped one more tear with his thumb, Taehyung realized he couldn’t do more to stop them. If it had been him in the past, he would have scooped the docile prince into a tight embrace and flood his ears with comforting words. He would have pressed him close so that he could hear the calming pacing of his heart, the same way Seokjin did to him back when they were children.
He knew he had changed when he made the hard decision to retract his hand and the rest of his body, stopping himself from consoling the prince any more. He reminded himself that Seokjin was a married man, and he must preserve the prince’s reputation.
It felt odd, leaving the prince of his dreams in tears as he mounted his horse. What could he expect when it was his fault for the way he had become?
Seokjin sobbed in place as he rode away.
Taehyung flew through the air, letting the wind dry his eyes as he instructed the horse to gallop even faster, anything to keep his blood flowing and lungs filled. The sun gleamed off his metal gear as he escaped the shade of the trees.
After loving Seokjin so long only to lose him to someone else, the knight built walls inside him. He now wished to lose the ability to love anyone else, and leaving Seokjin was his first success.
He could already feel the cold armor surrounding his heart.