Replaced, a #taekookau [a/b/o] The prince looks out of the window from the palace's highest tower. His hands grip the letter addressed to him. He holds his breath, looking out into the darkness and thinking about the destruction that is about to fall upon their kingdom.

“My prince,” his butler bows to him, “they have reached the capital's gate.” The prince of the Ilseon kingdom shivers, grasps the windowsill, “cannot they wait?” “The wedding is tonight, my prince,” the butler looks at his prince with worry clear in his eyes, “why, may I ask?”

The prince holds the letter out for his butler, squeezes his eyes closed when the butler takes the letter to read. “𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑠, 𝑇𝑎𝑒! 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑦 𝑡𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑟𝑢𝑒𝑙, 𝑟𝑢𝑡𝘩𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔. 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛.”

“Prince Jimin eloped?!” his butler sounds faint, maybe he sways a little on his feet, “oh, my lord! My prince! The king is right outside of the capital! This wedding is the only thing keeping him from attacking this kingdom!” The young prince, Kim Taehyung, nods, “I know.”

“We have to tell your father right away!” the butler, Yong, bows, “please?” Taehyung looks outside one last time, sees the dark horizon fading with fireworks, and he can faintly hear the hollers of merriment following the king. “Yes. We shall. Come on!”

_______

“King Jeon is going to declare war!” his father falls on the bed, shaking his head, “he is notorious for his wrath and I do not wish that upon our kingdom! Oh, stupid Jimin! How can he run away?!” Taehyung stands, helpless, terrified, “what can we do now, father?”

His father looks horrified, almost at the verge of a heart attack. He frantically ruffles his hair, thinking. His eyes move from the window to Taehyung and then his eyes widen. “You!” he springs up, “you will replace Jimin in the wedding!” Taehyung chokes on his breath, “what?”

“Yes! My son! Yes!” The king's eyes glisten with relief, “you will marry him!” Taehyung shakes his head, “that is impossible, father! He has seen Jimin. He chose Jimin! He did not even spare me a glance! He came here for Jimin, and how would he not notice that it is me?!”

“We will not disclose it is you,” the king comes to stand right in front of Taehyung, holds his biceps with determination, “my son! We will present you like the royal groom, face hidden behind the royal attire. He would not know. Once you are married, he cannot back away!”

“He is a royal in true sense,” his father holds his head high, “he will never back out from the wedding after it is done. He would have to accept you and in return, he would have to respect the treaty between the royal in-laws!” “What about me?” Taehyung frowns, “father?!”

“My life will be a living hell!” Taehyung begs almost, “cannot we tell him the truth and-” “And have a war?!” his father roars, “do you think we can afford that, Taehyung?! Our kingdom is nothing in front of his power! His strength! He will destroy our family and our people!”

“We Kims are the protector of this land,” his father holds Taehyung closer, “our men swear their lives to this kingdom since they are born. Take this as,” his face crumbles, “your sacrifice, my son. This is your sacrifice for the people and this kingdom.”

“You, only you, can stop the Eagle of the Frostland.” The Eagle of the Frostland. Jeon Jungkook. A name given to him by his enemies. He is the eagle who brings destruction. Leaves a prospering land and its people in nothing but frost. A heart made of ice...

“You are the winter prince,” his mother holds Taehyung's hands in her, tears brimming in her eyes because she knows what they are asking of him, “you are the prince of what he spreads. You can do this, Tae, you can win him over.”

Taehyung, lovingly called the 'Winter Prince,' by his people because of his birthday being in the December's second last day. Taehyung looks out of the window. He can hear the procession. It is coming near. Taehyung closes his eyes, tears trailing out of them…

“Fine,” Taehyung lets out a deep breath, nodding to himself to brace himself for whatever to come next, “I will do this.” His parents share a look of pure pain. They both feel the loss of their two kids, but they are bound to the throne. They have to think as the royals first.

His father claps, nods to his butler, “get the prince ready for the wedding. Make sure his face is hidden properly.” Taehyung follows the servant, his eyes trailing over the known corridors of the palace he grew up in. Because he knows, he might never see this place again.

— Repost of my own prompt I posted a few days ago — Commissioned (my original idea, the commissioner picked it up for me to finish)

“What are you doing?” he asks his maids, “it stinks.” His maids share a look, “my prince,” she hesitated, “your scent. The alpha might pick up on the scent. We have to cover it.” Taehyung grips his hanbok, nods, “oh. Right.” This is not how he envisioned his wedding.

Walking down the corridors to the wedding chapel, Taehyung holds his breath. His eyes scan the crowd the alpha brought with himself. They are wearing furs and leathers on themselves. All of them look quite a brut as Taehyung passes them one by one. The alpha stands proud.

Taehyung's face is hidden, the order for him is to keep his head bowed too. Just in case. He stumbles on his feet when the alpha's scent carries over to him. The scent of blood. Raw, warm blood. It is nauseating, it makes his blood run cold. Taehyung does not dare to look up.

By the time he sits beside the alpha, he is a trembling mess. He grips his knees, looks down at his whitening knuckles with his teeth pressing down on his lower lip. “Do you want to proceed, my lord?” the priest asks the alpha. “Yes,” his voice is gruttal somehow, “I do.”

No one asks him. His opinions are not needed. Taehyung nods when they ask him if he takes Jungkook as his alpha, and Jungkook voices his consent loud and clear. “The mating shall wait,” Jungkook says when the time comes, “I do not wish to bond him till his heat.”

Taehyung feels his face heat up. He knows, just by those few words, that this king knows nothing about decency and he would not be treated with class. Jeons are powerful, but not known for their class and status. At all. They are brut. Taehyung knows why Jimin ran away.

No one should talk so openly about their mate's heat cycle. That is the common decency. Taehyung has never seen or heard an alpha who so clearly announces that in the middle of a wedding. He glares down at his hands, gripping the hanbok. “But,” his father hesitates, “my lord-”

“Without mating,” he hesitated, clearly red in the face to discuss such a matter among so many, “he is my son. A prince. You cannot take him back to your kingdom without mating him. What if you decide to never mate him? He will be no better than a concubine!”

There is a short laugh, a breathy sound. The alpha's voice comes out cold, dangerous even. “I cannot take him away?” Jungkook's voice shifts again, rage clear in it, “are you challenging me, lord Kim?” Taehyung holds his breath, the alpha's pheromones heavy in the air.

“If I wish, I can take him as my concubine, and you will have no words in that,” Jungkook murmurs, “do not forget he is your weapon for the treaty. I can just as well find another, more willing omega to birth my heir. Do you get it? Do not question me and my decisions.”

Taehyung knows the moment the alpha finds out he is not Jimin, he will be nothing but a concubine. Without that mating bite, he is nothing but a concubine and he has no hope of respect from this brut. His eyes fill with helpless tears, he looks up at his father, pleading almost.

His father ignores him. Does not even spare him a glance while he bows as deep as he can to Jungkook. “Yes, my lord,” he stands up, “as you wish.” Taehyung sits then, ignoring everything else while he thinks of what awaits him when Jungkook figures out who he is.

“Get up, my lords,” the priest smiles, nods at them to stand up for the last ritual. Taehyung takes the ring from his mother and pushes it up Jungkook's middle finger. Jungkook takes the collar. A gold plate with his name engraved on it. He ties it around Taehyung's neck.

Taehyung knows, this would change if they ever mate. Then he will wear the alpha's mark on his neck, and the alpha will finally wear a ring on his ring finger. Taehyung snorts, thinks how he would bet his life on that day never coming. He hopes it does not.

The choker, the collar, whatever it is, it fits snugly against Taehyung's neck. He touches it, feels it under his fingertips, and lets out a sigh. “With the blessings of the Moongoddess, the ancestors of the Jeons and the Kims,” the priest nods, “I announce you two married.”

Jungkook nods, “my men will have the feast, but I need to leave,” he looks over at Taehyung's father, “I have to reach my kingdom in two days for some private matter. If you can arrange, I will leave tonight itself.” Taehyung bites back a sob, “but, the rituals say-”

Those red eyes shift on his face and Taehyung bows his head right away. He cannot let the alpha see his face. “You are not to talk against me,” Jungkook murmurs, voice gravelly, “omega. You are not to talk over me, either. Am I clear?”

Taehyung frowns at his feet. He has never seen this in his household. His father and his mother were equal here. They run the kingdom together. He does not nod. He does not utter another word. “We will leave right away,” Jungkook orders, “load his luggage in the carriage.”

A/N— so this is a royal, historical story based around old times (I won't specify but yes, old) and alphas are, in most cases, like this. Also, there will be some weird rituals and stuff, it might not make sense from today's pov but yeah. I hope we can walk around it. x

________

By the time they leave the kingdom it is already over a day. They start around afternoon and travel till the night. “We will stop here for the night,” Jungkook calls over his troop, “ahead of us, we have the jungle, and it is not safe to cross that at night. Put the tents here.”

Taehyung sits in the carriage, watches the soldiers put on the tents and the servants, along with the maids, make the bonfire. The hassle entertains him in his tired state. He watches people start small fires to cook their meals for the night. “Come down, my lord.” A maid says.

“That is the royal highness' tent,” she leads him to the door, “you will stay with him. We will get the dinner here when we are done.” Taehyung follows her inside, sits at the edge of the bed and watches through the flimsy curtains how Jungkook moves around the place.

“Clean yourself up, my lord,” another maid carries in a bucket of water, “here are the night clothes. Rest yourself. Tomorrow we have a long journey.” Taehyung nods, watches them leave. With shaky hands, he picks up the clothes and goes to change. The maids wait outside.

By the time he is done, they come back to pick up the dirty water and leave with his hanbok and garments. Taehyung wipes his face, goes still when he smells the alpha nearby. He looks over his shoulder to see the alpha walking inside the tent. His eyes on Taehyung.

Taehyung grips the towel, watches how the alpha drops the curtains and walks up to him. Taehyung feels the chill run down his spine when the alpha stops a few steps behind him. “You...” Jungkook whispers, “you are not the prince I was to marry.” Taehyung lets the towel drop.

Jungkook's scent goes sour, the scent of blood thick in the air, “you are his brother! What-” the alpha whispers, eyes focused on Taehyung, “what was your name again...” he frowns, “where is prince Jimin?” Taehyung turns fully to face the alpha, “my lord,” he gulps, “I can-”

Jungkook reaches out to grab Taehyung by his elbow, in a quick motion he pulls out his sword to press it right over Taehyung's jugular. “Make it quick,” Jungkook grits out, “because, after you, I need to go for your family and kingdom.” Taehyung watches the alpha, “no!”

“No?” Jungkook hisses, his face inches away from Taehyung, “what do you mean by no?!” Taehyung holds his ground, ignores how that roar shakes him to his core, “no, you will not go for my family or my kingdom. You will listen to me,” he grips the alpha's shirt.

“You are not the omega I chose!” Jungkook roars, “I chose your brother! He is the perfect omega, hips made for childbirth, meek enough to take care of them without getting in my nerves. You are nothing like him.” Taehyung feels the fear shift to anger in him, “you are right.”

“I am not him,” Taehyung lets himself smirk, “and, yet, you almighty alpha... you were fooled in front of your entire clan by the Kims. If you now go back there, what respect do you think will be left of you? Huh? People will talk. Say how easily the Kims fooled you into this.”

“What you can do is,” Taehyung ignores how Jungkook's grip on his elbow tightens, “accept this and find someone else to bear your pups. I do not wish to bring your bastards in this world anyway! Just hold onto that treaty for your self-respect and I will hold onto mine.”

“I can easily get rid of you,” Jungkook grits out, “my generals would love to have a taste of the royal omega prince, you know?” Taehyung feels the words in his chest, the fear tries to grip him, but he holds his head high. “You can try,” he matches those red eyes, “alpha.”

“An alpha's worth is tested by the way he treats his omegas,” Taehyung murmurs, “if that is how worthless you are, do so. I do not see how that will be more disgusting than the thought of you touching me.” Jungkook's eyes shift, the grip on Taehyung's elbow loosens a little.

Those eyes roam all over Taehyung's face as if Jungkook is seeing him for the first time. Taehyung holds his ground, keeps the eye contact. “You realize, the moment we reach the palace, you will be thrown into the harem?” Jungkook whispers, “I will never see your face again.”

Taehyung breathes out a snort, “thank you, my lord,” he bows his head a little, “for blessing me. I will be forever grateful.” The air is tense. More so. There is a shift in Jungkook's scent. Taehyung cannot pinpoint it, but it is there. A heavy, musky smell that lingers.

“I had no say in this decision,” Taehyung murmurs, “for my country, my parents I chose this. But do not,” he jerks himself free, “do not for a second think I am weak or I will beg to a brut like you to accept me. I deserve better and I do not need to beg to you to know my worth.”

“I was the diamond of my country, and no matter how much of a dirty hand it falls onto, a diamond stays a diamond.” Taehyung holds his head up, “now you can decide what you want. Excuse me till then.” He goes to sit on the bed, pulling out an oil for his skin.

Taehyung pours it on his palm. He curses mentally when he sees his hands are shaking. He forces himself to stay composed, graceful. He rubs the oil on his arms, pulls his feet up to do the same with them. He keeps his eyes on his hands. Moving gently over his long legs.

The movement is sudden. He shrieks, the bottle dropping between his legs. Jungkook grabs his ankle and pulls it, so Taehyung is jerked forward. Taehyung's hands fly up to grab the alpha's shoulders, nails digging there. Jungkook hovers over him, face inches away.

“You will call me your alpha,” Jungkook murmurs, “learn to respect me when I am in the room. Do not speak until spoken to and do not dare to behave like this ever aga-” “I will follow no such rules,” Taehyung lies down on the mattress, watching Jungkook follow him to hover over.

“I will call you my alpha the day you earn that title,” Taehyung holds his neck up, “right now I am nothing but a claimed possession you own. I hate that! I will talk back when you are wrong. Something your parents should have done, so you would not grow into this brut, and-”

“I killed my own father,” Jungkook chews out, “I do not know who my mother is,” his voice drops, “and, I do not see you becoming anything more than a possession anyway. Might as well learn your place, omega. Before I crush you on my path too. Am I clear?”

“Also,” Jungkook whispers right over Taehyung's lips, “I will marry someone else because you are not the one I wanted. You will stay in my harem and have no benefits of the royal omega. Am I clear? I will come to you when I wan-” “Do not,” Taehyung stares, “if you want to live.”

“I decide who I bed, omega, not you,” Jungkook's eyes flicker over Taehyung's lips and up to his eyes, “I will decide if you will be visited or not.” “So you force omegas too?” Taehyung murmurs, disgust clear on his face, “a mighty alpha needs to do that? Force himself on them?”

As if burnt, Jungkook pulls away. He sits on his knees, his eyes shooting daggers at Taehyung. Taehyung sits up too, fixing his shirt. He watches how pale Jungkook looks. “No,” Jungkook murmurs, voice void of emotions, “no. I do not force myself on anyone. I am not-” he stops.

The king scrambles out of the bed, turns to comb his hair back from his face, “fuck,” he curses, “I did not mean to get in your personal space,” he curses, “you are just…” he shakes his head, “infuriating. I did not think-” Taehyung sits on the bed, watching the alpha.

Taehyung watches how the alpha tugs his hair free from the bun. Long, dark hair cascade down his back. Jungkook turns his face just a little to look over his shoulder at Taehyung's direction. Not right at him. “I am sorry,” Jungkook whispers, “I would never force myself on you.”

Taehyung holds his breath. “I am a brut, I am very much of a ruthless king, a terrible alpha, but I am not,” Jungkook's back muscles contort, his shoulders taut, “never that.” Taehyung sits quietly, not sure what to say.

Jungkook rubs his face with both of his hands, “you will be respected. All omegas in my harem are. You will stay there because as I said, you are not the omega I wanted or ever will. So, I will marry someone else. But you will stay, and the treaty will be intact. Do not worry.”

“No one would touch you if you do not wish for that,” Jungkook murmurs, “I vowed to protect you and keep your honour. I will.” Taehyung snorts, “my honour will be in dust the moment I cross the threshold of a harem. But, okay. Anything is better than staying as your omega.”

Jungkook nods, curt, “well, we get what we earn. No? You brought this upon yourself.” Taehyung knows that. He cannot argue with that. So, he does not. He sits and watches the alpha stride out of the tent. Jungkook does not come back for the rest of the night.

________

The Jeon Palace is beautiful. A little intimidating in its grey stone walls and high towers. But behind that wall, stands a beautiful white building for the royals. Taehyung watches it. Mesmerized. “This will be your room, my lord,” the maid bows, shows Taehyung the room.

Taehyung looks over at the vast balcony. He can see the hills and the Han River right by its side. He goes over to stand by the balcony, a smile on his lips. “Your harem is beautiful,” he whispers to the maid. The maid bows, a little confused, “my lord? This is not our harem.”

She sounds a little surprised at his exclamation, “this is the royal palace's east wing. You are right now occupying the bed chamber of his highness' childhood. He used to live here until he became the king.” Taehyung blinks, “what? Why am I here, then? I was supposed to-”

“His highness said specifically to put you here,” she smiles, “he lives down the corridor. The last room to the east. If you are needed, you can walk down there. No other room in this wing is occupied except for these two.” Taehyung stares.

“He sent a letter for you,” she holds it out, “I will take your leave if you do not need me anymore? For now? My lord?” Taehyung takes the letter, “he can... write?” The maid stops, frowns, a little confused, “well, he is the golden scholar of our kingdom. Why would he not?”

She points at the door by the side of the room, “that is his library. You have access to it too, my lord. Excuse me now.” Taehyung stares after her for a second before he opens the letter. The handwriting is neat, beautiful, if Taehyung can say so himself.

“𝐼 𝘩𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐𝘩𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑑𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛.” — 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐽𝑒𝑜𝑛 𝐽𝑢𝑛𝑔𝑘𝑜𝑜𝑘.

- this is taekook endgame but the journey will make you question it. If you are my reader, you know the deal. lol - If you want to support me, here's my kofi https://ko-fi.com/amyungv

Jungkook nods at the letters, signs them one by one, “send them out. The celebration will begin in a day or two, every kingdom is invited.” “Even the mad king?” Yoosang hesitates, eyes shifting from Jungkook to the letters in his hands. Jungkook nods, “even him.”

Yoosang bows deep, backtracks till the door and leaves. Jungkook places the quill into the ink and leaves it there. He gets up and yawns, stretches, before he sets out for his bedchamber. He walks inside his bedchamber and pauses when he sees the person on his bed.

Jungkook's eyes travel across her almost naked form. Her eyes are on him, those tinted lips curved in a smile that can pass as a smirk too. Her figure is hidden only in a sheer dress that hides nothing. Jungkook rounds the bed, comes to stand at the edge of it to look at her.

“Did I ask for you?” Jungkook starts to unbutton his hanbok, “I do not remember.” She laughs, the sound tingling all around the room like the wind-chime, “no, my lord,” she sits up, leaning back on her arms, “but, you never have to. I understand your needs better than you do.”

Jungkook's eyes travel across her figure. Yoona is the head concubine of this palace. She was a gift to Jungkook from his late father on his 'coming of age' birthday. She is the same age as Jungkook. Jungkook's eyes flicker over to her face, he smiles, “is that so?”

Yoona hums, gets on her knees to start unbuttoning Jungkook's hanbok for him. “I know you are tired from all this hassle, my lord,” she spreads her palms over Jungkook's bare chest, “have not seen me since you left. I know you missed me just as much as I missed you.”

Jungkook holds Yoona's hands, “I am married now, Yoona.” Those sharp eyes reflect the lights of the lanterns in the room, “and, where is that omega? I do not see him here to cater to your needs,” then her sharp eyes turn soft, “also, he has no say in our relationship, my lord.”

“You can have as many omegas as you want, need,” she starts on his trouser, “he is just to birth the crown prince and that is all he is here for. You, my lord,” she tugs Jungkook closer, “are mine.” Jungkook holds her waist, eyes wandering over her face, “I see.”

Yoona tugs the strings of the trousers with skilled hands. Jungkook's eyes flicker over her entire figure, and then he feels those lips on his jaw, slowly trailing down to his throat. Jungkook takes a step away, “as you said, Yoona, I get what I want. I do not want this.”

“I am married,” Jungkook turns away to wipe his jaw, “and, I do not wish to cheat on him.” “On a person who was cheating on you?” Yoona calls after him. Jungkook freezes, his steps haltering. He looks over his shoulder at the concubine. “Come again?”

Yoona nods, “I just went to congratulate him for the wedding, and he was in another person's arms,” Yoona comes to stand in front of Jungkook, “they were,” her face contorts, “in a compromising position too, my lord. That is why I came here to distract you.”

Jungkook stares at her, “you know, lying about the luna of this kingdom will be a punishable crime, right? Are you seriously taking that chance?” Yoona nods, “yes, my lord. Go to him right now, and he will be with that man. If not, he will smell like that alpha. I assure you!”

“Also, why do you expect him to be loyal to you, my lord, when you and I both know he was replaced?” Jungkook stares at her. Yoona nods, “I know. In the harem, spies are everywhere. We know things before the king himself knows. I know he is not the prince you were to marry.”

“You do not know, he probably had a lover,” Yoona makes a sad face, “a life. Before you and his parents snatched it away. Maybe that lover followed him here, and-” Jungkook turns on his heels, marches out of the room while totally ignoring the concubine behind him.

Jungkook ignores how his hanbok is off of him. His upper body bare to the wintry breeze. He ignores how everyone jumps to see the king marching down the long corridor towards the Luna's chamber without announcing his arrival. He stops in front of Taehyung's bed chamber.

Jungkook pushes the door, only to find it locked from the inside. Anger sizzles in his veins, creeping up to his brain with seconds. He knocks, hates that there is a room in his palace where he needs to knock. There are no answers. Jungkook slams his hand down on the door.

Jungkook curses, “open the door.” There are no replies. The alpha hears hurried footsteps. He stops to hear how the footsteps are not coming towards the door. They are moving far away. Jungkook's skilled ears pick up on it. They are moving towards the balcony in the room.

Jungkook frowns when he hears more than one footstep. Hushed words. Jungkook feels the anger swirl inside his brain, and he is pulling back from the door. With one kick, he breaks the door open and steps inside the room. There is no one there. The alpha looks around.

There is no one. Jungkook marches towards the balcony and freezes when he sees the rope that is tied with a pillar there. He leans over the railing and his entire body tenses. Taehyung is holding onto the rope as he climbs down, and there is another man who is on the ground.

The man on the ground holds the rope in place. His face is hidden behind a cloth that he wrapped around his entire face and head. His hanbok is all black. The man sees Jungkoo first, flinches back from the rope, “my love,” he screams, “hurry up!” Taehyung stops, looks up.

Jungkook's jaw hardens when their eyes meet. Taehyung gasps when the alpha grabs the rope, twisting it around his wrist and pulling it up along with him. “Jump,” the stranger screams, “my love, jump, and I will catch you!” Taehyung squirms a bit more down and then jumps off.

Jungkook watches Taehyung fall on the ground and the stranger grab him by his arms. Then he makes Taehyung stand up and they both run. Hand in hand. Jungkook lets out a short laugh, “pathetic,” he swings himself over the railing and lands on the ground easily.

Jungkook knows they are running for the river by the palace. The guards are there, but if the stranger got in somehow, they can leave just as easily. Jungkook runs, eyes easily tracing after the two of them. He reaches them in no time, rounds them to stand in front of them.

Taehyung grabs the stranger, pushes him behind his back. “Do not harm him,” Taehyung's voice trembles, “no! Do not harm him!” Jungkook's restraint breaks, whatever slight control he had over his anger breaks loose. He laughs, “and, he is?” The stranger lurches for him.

The stranger lashes out with a sword, getting Jungkook because he was focusing on Taehyung. Jungkook hisses when the blade cuts his forearm as he rises it to protect himself. Then he grabs the sword and kicks the stranger in the stomach. Watching him fall on his back.

Taehyung whimpers, “Joon!” Jungkook watches Taehyung kneel, pull the man into his arms. He watches the omega frantically try to cover the man who sits up, trying to crawl back up on his feet. Jungkook swiftly holds the sword against his neck, “reveal yourself. Now!”

Jungkook presses the sword down harder, "I said, reveal yourself!" The man slowly lets the cloth fall off of his face, eyes shooting daggers at Jungkook. Jungkook stares. Kim Namjoon. The prince's personal guard back in his kingdom. Who came here with Taehyung.

“Is that it?” Jungkook snorts, “were you having an affair with a mere guard?” Taehyung's eyes burn on his face, “I love him.” There is a quiet that drapes over the three of them. Jungkook watches Taehyung and Taehyung watches Jungkook. Namjoon sits, trying to find a way out.

Jungkook rises a brow, “love him?” Taehyun gets up, “yes,” he nods, hides Namjoon behind himself, “my parents did not ask me. No one cared. I had my life planned. This is the person I love, and I was always going to be his omega. You just came barrelling in my life, and-”

Jungkook reaches out, grabs Taehyung by his elbow to pull him firmly against his chest. “I am going to be very honest with you here, my luna,” he murmurs right on Taehyung's face, “and, I expect you to be just the same. Did you two get involved in physical intimacy?”

“Because, I need you to be pure for my heir to be born from you,” Jungkook murmurs. “I am not,” Taehyung murmurs, “we have been physically intimate quiet a few times.” Namjoon stands up, coming up behind Taehyung silently.

Jungkook's lips curl up, “you did not let me finish, my luna,” he whispers over Taehyung's lips, “if you did get involved and your father gave you to me, I will simply get rid of the proof and be done with it,” his grip tightens on Taehyung, “I frankly do not care.”

Jungkook's eyes flicker over to Namjoon and then back to Taehyung. “I do not care if you are virgin or not, purity is not attached to a person's genitals,” he lets Taehyung go, “but, the court will ask questions and your lover might open his mouth. So, I need to get rid of him.”

“Then you can stay, I do not care as long as you stay because you were publicly married to me,” Jungkook tilts his head to look at Namjoon, “and, I will be damned if I let you go.” He points his sword at Namjoon, “or, we can do a deal. Between the three of us.”

“What is the deal?” Namjoon frowns, arm around Taehyung's waist. Jungkook shrugs, “stay here. Be with him. Do not get caught. Do whatever you please. Just, when the time comes, give me an heir to represent to the court and I ignore everything else. I do not care, to be honest.”

“I frankly do not care about this patriarchy, this family can go to hell, I go on wars, win them because I love that.” “You love bloodshed?” Taehyung whispers. Jungkook shakes his head, those eyes are void of any emotion, “I love the thought of someday not winning.”

Jungkook looks at Namjoon, “stay here. Do not try to run away. Do whatever you two please. Just keep the decency to not get caught or too obnoxious, and I do not care.” “Why would you want my son to be the king?” Namjoon frowns, “are you,” he coughs, “you cannot birth one?”

Taehyung watches how the king laughs, moonlight basks him in a glow that Taehyung cannot describe. That laugh is the most hollow sound Taehyung has ever heard in his life. “That is not the point,” Jungkook shrugs, rounds them, “I just want to be the last king of his family.”

Taehyung watches Jungkook throw the sword on the ground. Carelessly walking over it towards the palace. “Just get inside,” the king speaks over his shoulder, “go to sleep. Do whatever. Just do not try to run. You would not succeed.”

“How can I trust you?” Taehyung calls after Jungkook, “how can I trust you that you will-” Jungkook's shoulders shake while he laughs and looks over at Taehyung, “since the start, between the two of us, my luna, you betrayed me more than once. Did I ever?” He walks away.

“Why did you lie about us being physical?” Namjoon murmurs, “we have never even kissed, love.” Taehyung looks after the alpha who walks inside the palace, “I wanted him to either kill me or let me go. I thought it would be that easy.” Namjoon sighs, “now, what?”

Taehyung turns to look at Namjoon, his eyes pooling with tears, “you can see, I will never be free, Joon. You should leave.” “I would never,” Namjoon pulls Taehyung to him for a hug, “I would never leave you here like this, Tae. Physical or not, we love each other.”

Taehyung buries his face against the alpha's neck, inhales the familiar scent that always calms him. He can practically see his dreams breaking right in front of his eyes. The dream to marry this alpha, bear his pups. Be his omega. Maybe some day Jungkook will let him go...

Then he can marry the love of his life and settle down in a life he always wanted. Taehyung looks at Namjoon, “are you sure?” Namjoon's dimples show while he smiles, “yes. I am sure. I am not going anywhere. Wherever you are, I will be right there.”

========

“How is the king today? Is he in a good mood?” the merchant asks the butler. He sighs, shakes his head, “he hardly ever is.” The merchant gives a wicked grin, “oh, but he will be after he meets my trades.” The butler eyes the man, nods, “set your trades up for the court.”

----- The merchant, Dal, bows to the king as soon as the court starts. Those eyes are sharp on him, the king gives a small nod. The merchant shows three cages, “I have got you three most precious gems of my life, my king.” He tugs the curtains off the cages.

Those eyes shift from one cage to the other. The omegas smile at him, bows once before looking up at him with their luscious smiles. The king hums, gestures for the merchant to speak. “I have kept the best for the king's harem-” Dal stops when he hears the commotion.

“My king, forgive me,” the general bows, “but, we found someone when you ordered us to follow your brother.” The merchant watches, the soldiers drag a person with them till the steps of the throne, drop him there like a sack of potatoes.

Dal watches the man look up. An omega, if the scent is anything to speak of. A pure blooded omega. The madking's eyes fix on the omega, “are you the lover that fool left the kingdom for?” The omega tries to stand up, fails and falls on his face, “wh-where is he?!”

“Dead,” the mad king leans back on his throne, leg bouncing on top of the other, “no one defies me and stays alive.” Dal watches, horrified, how the omega cries, screams at the king and tries to get up. The soldiers hold him down, grab his head to force him to bow in submission.

“Min Yoongi!” The omega screams, “I will have your head if you touch my alpha!” The court goes quiet. Dal thinks if someone drops a pin, he might hear it. No one takes the king's name. No one says another word after they do. If they dare. Dal prays for the omega's easy death.

The king tilts his head, “oh, but in this kingdom, it is me who collects heads, omega.” The omega thrashes, “where is Yoong?! Where is he?” “In a box,” Yoongi smiles, a chilling smile that curls his lips, “his head, I mean. For my collection. Another who dared to disobey me.”

The next few seconds are a blur. Dal watches the omega somehow free himself, bolt up the steps to the throne, and grabs the king by his hanbok. The slap rings in the court and Dal stumbles, horrified. He hears the collective gasps. “You did not just kill your own brother!”

The king takes a hold of the omega's nape, pushes him down on his knees between his legs. “What is this one's name?” The generals tremble where they stand. “I asked a question!” The mad king thunders, eyes still on that omega. “P-Park Jimin, my lord,” one stutters.

“So, let me summarize it for you,” the king murmurs, looking down at the omega, “my brother, and you were in love,” his face twists with disgust, “I told him to marry another prince for political reasons. Told him to keep you in the side. The fool denied. Told me I am heartless.”

“I offered to bring you here. Keep you in the harem while he just officially marries that prince. The fool told me I would never understand what loving someone feels like. Very well, then. I locked him up because I needed that wedding to go through. He ran away with you.”

“Me and the king you were to marry, we do not get along. Our families are barely holding onto a treaty. That, I am sure, will break when he figures out what happened. I am to face the burn and I know I can take him down, but,” the king makes a face, “too much work.”

“I do not prefer that much moving around, you know?” the king sighs, “but, now I have to. You are the sole reason. Do you know now I have two kingdoms mad at me? I will just throw you at Jeon's face and marry that damn prince to get it over with. Another hassle. That prince.”

The king sighs, “I do not want to marry. That prince talks nonstop and I know I will cut off his tongue sooner than later. But, now you leave me no choice. So, this is what got me angry. I hope you realize.” “Where is Yong?” Jimin hisses, tears rolling out of his eyes, “please.”

The mad king pushes him back, lets the guards take a hold of the omega. “Dress him up,” Yoongi leans back against his throne, “I got the invitation. We will be leaving for the Jeon's celebration. I will gift him this omega and wash my hands off of one trouble.”

“Hoba!” the king looks at his general, “prince Seokjin will be there too. Tell me when he comes, I will act crazier, so he refuses to marry me. If he comes to the celebration.” His general's lips twitch, “he is very pretty, though.” Yoongi shrugs, “talks my ears off. No.”

- This story will revolve around Taekook. I am planning to show them here the most. I will think if I want to make a separate au for Yoonmin or not. I don't want to as of now. - If you want to support me, here's my kofi https://ko-fi.com/amyungv

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Taehyung twists and turns on the bed. The vast space making him anxious while he tries to sleep. It has been three days since Jungkook found out he was trying to run away. The alpha added more guards around his chamber. Right under his balcony. Taehyung sits up, restless.

Namjoon is out there. In the guards' quarter. They part ways every night. Other than that, they are always together. Jungkook has not batted an eye. Has not come to Taehyung's chamber once. If he can say it, Taehyung is starting to relax in this place.

He walks out of the bedchamber, nods when the guards bow to him. He wraps the shrug tightly around himself and walks down the corridor. Ignores how two guards follow him. He walks down the stairs to step out of the palace and in the garden. Taehyung walks aimlessly.

His steps are leisure. He watches the green walls in front of him. “What is that?” he asks, stops to admire how tall the walls are, covered in green ivy and moss. The guard bows, “a maze, my lord. It is a plaything for the royals.” Taehyung stares, “do you know the way?”

The guard chuckles, “we are not allowed there, my lord. It is solely for the royal family to enjoy their time in.” Taehyung sucks his lower lip into his mouth, “what if I lose the way?” The guard smiles, “there are indications. It is just a small maze.”

Taehyung nods to himself, slowly walks inside the maze with his eyes tracing the walls. He wraps his arms around himself and lets his eyes guide him. The maze in not really complicated. Taehyung can see the marble tower in the middle of the maze and he follows the path.

He hears the laughters as he goes. Steps haltering. He looks at the tower. A gazebo, the roof, is tall enough to be seen through the maze. Taehyung stops when he reaches the last layer. He watches the king, leaning against a pillow, laughing at something on the floor.

In front of him is a beautiful woman. She is lying on her chest, legs up in the air, moving, while she looks at the floor too. They are playing chess. Taehyung watches how the king swats her hand, points at another place and tells her that is where the queen should go.

Taehyung tries not to disturb. He turns on his feet to leave. “My lord?” Taehyung makes a face, pauses, looks over his shoulder. The woman is looking at him, sitting up with a small smile. “My lord,” she stands up to bow, “you are here. Did you need something?”

Taehyung shakes his head with a small smile, “not at all. I was just taking a stroll. Please, continue.” He ignores how Jungkook lies there, supporting himself on his elbow and totally bare upper body and just in his pajama. “Please,” the woman bows, “come here. Rest yourself.”

Taehyung shakes his head, “no need,” he takes a step back, “it is totally fine.” “Ignore him,” Jungkook takes a hold of her hand, “lose the game. Come on.” She glares playfully at the alpha, “alpha!” she warns, “I am winning.” Taehyung arches a brow. She called him an alpha.

The woman bows again, “I am Eun,” she smiles politely, “please, come and rest, my lord. Then you can go your way.” Taehyung hesitates, eyes flickering over to the king and back to the woman, whose smile is still so welcoming. He walks up to the gazebo and sits where she asks.

Taehyung sits, watches Eun go back to the chess board. The place smells of flowers. Different types of flowers all around the gazebo. Taehyung looks around, hears how Eun laughs whenever Jungkook moves his pieces. Taehyung looks at the board and frowns.

“You are cheating,” Eun swats Jungkook, laughs when the king gives her a playful frown, “my lord, you can support me here! He is cheating. Right?” Jungkook is. Clearly cheating. Taehyung nods, “you are.” “I do not see it,” Jungkook sips his whiskey, shrugs, “not at all.”

“As the head of your harem, I will not allow you in the harem for the next few months if you cheat one more time!” Eun giggles, “do not cheat, alpha!” Taehyung smiles at her, her laughs are loud, kind of free and joyful. He looks at the concubine and back at Jungkook.

Jungkook's eyes are tender. There is a certain kind of softness that Taehyung has not seen since they met. He watches how Jungkook watches Eun. His eyes stuck on her face. Jungkook chuckles, “prove it. Where am I cheating, my rose?” Eun points, “horses do not run straight!”

Jungkook shrugs, “that rule is pathetic. Imagine an actual horse running two steps straight and one to the left of right? The ride will be so confused!” Taehyung bites back a laugh, “but, you should play according to the rules.” Jungkook sips his drink, “I make my own rules.”

Eun rolls her eyes, pinches Jungkook on his chest, “do not do that here. I will seriously never talk to you again.” Jungkook's eyes flutter over to her face, “and, how long did that last the last time?” Eun blushes, glares at him, “well, two weeks! That was a record!”

Taehyung feels like he is intruding. He looks at the two of them and back at the board. Then he thinks he should leave. “It was also foul play,” Eun tilts her head, “you brought me so many gifts. I could not just shoo you away.” Jungkook snorts, “okay, okay. Excuses. I see.”

“Tell you, what,” Jungkook reaches to pull her cheek, “if you win, I will take you out to that market you wanted to visit. If I win, you do whatever I say.” “That is a dangerous bet,” Eun looks at Taehyung, “my lord, how good are you in chess?” Taehyung squirms, “mediocre.”

“Do not believe a word that comes out of his mouth,” Jungkook arches a brow, “he comes from a good lying family.” Eun's smile dims a little, she looks at Jungkook and back at Taehyung, “alpha…” Jungkook shrugs, “just play, Eun. I missed this. Do not ruin it for me.”

Eun tries to laugh it off, “he is your mate, alpha, do not talk to him like that!” Jungkook arches a brow, “I did not ask for him. Anyway,” he points at the board, “you are next.” Taehyung tries to get up, Eun grabs his wrist, “my lord,” she begs almost, “help me?”

Taehyung shakes his head, “I would not like to invade, please,” he waves her off, “I also need to sleep. You two go ahead-” “Nonsense,” Eun drags him down to sit beside her, “play this round for me. Together we can win against him! Come on.” Taehyung hesitates…

“I tell you what?” Eun leans closer to Jungkook, “if you win against the both of us, you can ask whatever you want from me. But, if we win, you have to take my lord out and show him our kingdom. He has been cooped up here since he came. Okay?” Jungkook stares at her, “rose…”

Her smile is blinding, “come on, kook. A true warrior never backs away from a challenge. Come on, alpha.” Taehyung stares. His breath lodged in his chest. He looks back at Jungkook. Taking the king's name, no matter who you are, is a punishable crime. She has to be special.

“For me?” she takes Jungkook's hand in hers, “come on, kookie.” Jungkook's eyes are tender, his smile is more so, “I will do anything for you, rose.” Taehyung watches, how Eun nods, her throat bobs. Jungkook shakes his head silently. Then Jungkook nods, “come on then, start.”

Taehyung watches the board, his eyes scan the pieces still alive and nods. Jungkook starts with his bishops, easily killing Taehyung's rook. Taehyung goes for the queen, takes care of a horse. Eun sits, watches them play silently.

“Hey!” Taehyung whines, “you just cheated!” Jungkook stares, “no? The pawns can go back.” “No, they cannot!” Taehyung glares, “you know they cannot!” Jungkook makes a face, “hey, the pawns can go back, right, Rose?” Eun glares, “you know the rules, alpha! Play accordingly!”

The game continues and this time Taehyung forgets to control himself. He swats Jungkook's hand when the king goes to retreat the bishop. “You know bishops do not move that way!” Taehyung glares, “do not test me!” Jungkook arches a brow, “otherwise, what?”

Taehyung pinches Jungkook's wrist, “otherwise I will tell everyone that their king is a sore loser who probably does not know how to play chess!” Jungkook stares at him for a long moment, then nods, “fair enough. I would like to see someone believe you.” He goes with the move.

“Eun, you believe me, right?” Taehyung looks over his shoulder at her, “your alpha does not know how to play chess!” Eun stills, her eyes shift from Taehyung to Jungkook and then back at Taehyung again. Her smile is small, a little awkward. “He is not my alpha, my lord.”

Eun's eyes shift to the king and her smile goes tender, “he is alpha. I call him that to remind him of his rank when he acts up to that stupid rank. But, he is not my alpha,” her eyes are beautiful, Taehyung notices. Smile too. She is beautiful. “Who are you then?”

Eun smiles, “I was brought here to be his father's concubine.” Taehyung stills, freezes almost, “you are… you are young.” Her eyes are sombre, “I know.” Taehyung looks at Jungkook and back at Eun, “I do not understand!” Jungkook looks away. His posture stiff.

Eun looks at the chessboard, “I just presented as an omega when I was brought here. For his father. I was twenty,” she smiles, “he was,” her face contorts, “let's just say, he was not a good king.” Taehyung looks at Jungkook and sees how the alpha stays quiet.

“Kookie was fifteen then,” Eun looks at the king, adoration clear in her eyes, “I had no one to talk to. Everyone in the harem made me feel suffocated. So was he. In his palace. We-” Eun's throat bobs. Jungkook coughs, “you should go and rest, my rose. It is late.”

TW// Mention of non-con

Eun trembles where she sits, grasps her hands together, “the first night I spent with his father, I ran out of there. He was,” her face crumbles, “I had nowhere to go, and it felt like I was in a nightmare. I remember running to Kook's chamber to hide.”

“Go to sleep, Eun!” Jungkook gets up, turns his back to the two of them, “It is my order!” Eun looks at the alpha, tears swimming in her eyes, “he is your mate. He is supposed to know you.” Jungkook looks outside, “he knows enough. Go to sleep.” Eun looks at Taehyung.

“I wish I went somewhere else that night,” her voice trembles, “but, I knew no one here. I just blindly reached out to the only person who treated me like a human here. Who was so kind,” she sniffles, “but that monster followed me there. To his bed chamber.”

“I did not want to be the reason,” Eun bursts out crying, trembling where she sits, “he is like a younger brother to me. I still have not forgiven myself for what happened that night and how because of me, he got so much hate and-” Jungkook comes to kneel in front of her...

He holds her hands, “enough. Come on,” Jungkook pulls her up, “you need to rest. Do not-” Eun looks at Taehyung, sniffles, “I am the reason he killed his father,” her eyes find Jungkook's face, she breaks down, “I will never forgive myself for exposing you to him like that!”

“No child deserves to see their father like that,” she cries harder. Jungkook's lips twitch, “like what? A monster? That he was? You think I did not know? I had no guts to do anything about it. You just pushed me to do the right thing, my rose. Do not blame yourself!”

Jungkook reaches for the water, holds it to her lips, “drink. Come on, do not talk about it. You know how you get after you think of him. I...” Taehyung watches the clear misery and heartbreak on the king's face. “I cannot lose the only person I care about,” Jungkook murmurs.

Jungkook wipes her eyes, “you are the only family I have,” his eyes hold hers, “do not do this.” Eun looks at Taehyung and back at Jungkook, “I am not the only family you have. You just need to open up, and you can have so much more, kook.” Jungkook pulls away, “let's go.”

He holds Eun up, looks at the chess board, “it can wait. We can play again some day.” Eun shakes her head, “I feel sleepy. I will go and sleep. But, I already represented my lord as my general,” she tries to smile at Taehyung, “do not leave until you win him over, my lord.”

She bows, “I will take your leave,” she wipes her eyes and gives Taehyung a small smile, “I live in my own quarter. Right beside the harem. You can visit any time, my lord. I will take your leave now.” Jungkook tries to follow her, but she glares, points at Taehyung and leaves.

A/N — Every character is not going to be vile. We have Yoona. Eun is a OC I am creating as Jungkook's sister, type of. Let's not say she is interested in him that way. It makes me cringe for some reason. They are like siblings.

------

Jungkook stares after her, “you can leave,” he addresses Taehyung, “I will just lie to her that you won.” “So, you accept that you know nothing of chess, and you are the biggest cheat?” Taehyung calls after Jungkook. The king sighs, bows his head, and then looks back at him.

Taehyung's lips twitch, “just say it. I will leave.” Jungkook inhales deeply, “you will not be easy, huh? Do not know how to take the easy way out.” Taehyung shrugs, “I am already in the devil's den. Might as well do a deal with the devil. I might win. You never know.”

Jungkook sits down, watches the board, “go for it then.” Taehyung starts the game, his eyes moving with the king's hand every time he plays. “You are downright cheating!” Taehyung throws the pillow at Jungkook's face, “oh, my God, you are not even hiding that you are cheating!”

Jungkook's lips twitch, he hogs the pillow and rolls his eyes. “I did not know you can play this well, I was right in saying you lie, huh?” Taehyung shrugs, “that is called modesty, my lord.” Jungkook hums, “I see, where did the modesty go when you hit me, my luna?”

Taehyung shrugs, “you had it coming for cheating.” Jungkook hums, “okay. You are not getting these back, by the way.” Taehyung concentrates on the game, both of them bickering till the end. Taehyung watches both of their kings stand face to face.

“It is my turn,” Taehyung mumbles, smirking at Jungkook. Jungkook frowns, “it is my turn. Clearly.” Taehyung's smirk dims to morph into a frown, “huh? You just had your turn!” Jungkook stares, “when? This is my turn!” Taehyung throws his hands up, “you just got us here!”

Jungkook staers, “okay, you are clearly cheating. Ask anyone. It is my turn!” Taehyung gapes, “there is no one here!” Jungkook shrugs, “Moongoddess is! She is watching. If anything, she will punish me.” Taehyung deadpans, “you do not believe in her. I am sure!”

Jungkook's lips curl up, he shrugs, “you got me there.” Taehyung whines, “I cannot believe you just cheated through it all, and now you would not let me win!” Jungkook makes a face, “what will you get out of this anyway? What do you want? To go to the market? Really?”

“Would be nice,” Taehyung pouts, looks down at the board, “I feel suffocated here.” For a second, Jungkook just stares at him and Taehyung stares at the board. Jungkook hesitates, “you can,” he coughs, “you can go out with your lover. You know? No one would stop you.”

Taehyung tenses a little, “I never did that. So,” he looks away, “it is awkward.” Jungkook frowns, “did what? Went to a marketplace? Wow, that is,” he makes a face, “why not?” Taehyung shrugs, “royal omegas are not to mingle with the commoners. My father would say.”

“Commoners,” Jungkook mumbles, “the ones who made him the king? They are the ones he cannot mingle with? That made sense to you?” Taehyung looks at Jungkook, “it…” he stops, thinks, “he was worried someone might do something to me.”

Jungkook laughs, “and, then, he gave you away to the most ruthless king he could have thought of. Must say, what a hypocrite.” Taehyung sucks in his lower lip into his mouth, “he had no other choice. He was worried about the treaty.” Jungkook sighs, “you could have told him.”

“You let that alpha touch you,” Jungkook murmurs, “trust him enough to do that. Loved him enough to do that. How could you not tell your father? If he loved you so much, he would understand. I think.” Taehyung looks away, “it is not that easy. You do not know our kingdom.”

Taehyung feels his voice cracks, “you think if I had the means, I would be here?” Jungkook watches him for a few moments, lets out a deep breath. Taehyung flinches when he hears the wooden king dropping on the board. He looks at the board to see his king standing proud. Alone.

Jungkook gets up, “I will order Namjoon to take you to see the marketplace. Do not worry,” he snorts, “I heard lovers love to take strolls and talk for hours or whatever. Do so. Just,” he shrugs, “stop looking so miserable.” Taehyung stares, “what?”

Jungkook picks up his long robe, shrugs it on, “I said, go and have some fun. Enjoy. I know, this is the least I can do. But, I do no wish to see miserable people around me. It is bothersome.” “You make people miserable,” Taehyung whispers, “that is what I heard.”

The alpha's eyes find him, “they are not my people,” he bends to take the glass full of whiskey, takes a long sip, “but, you are,” his eyes stay stuck on Taehyung, “you are my luna.” Taehyung watches Jungkook stroll out of the gazebo. The glass in hand, taking sips time to time.

I will update Accidents and Scribbled tomorrow. See you tonight for more of this one. https://ko-fi.com/amyungv

@.Suna_lovesMG thank you so much for this gorgeous moodboard

“The market is a public place,” Eun frowns, sitting perched on the windowsill, “this is the first time he will appear in front of the general public. Do not you think you should accompany him?” Jungkook shrugs, “who would say what? Who cares?” “Well, I do,” Eun stares.

“Why do you care if he does not?” Yoona helps Jungkook into his clothes for the court, “if my lord does not want-” Eun looks directly at Jungkook, ignoring Yoona, “he is your mate, kook. Do not forget that you are the king! He is your Luna! Also, he does not smell like you.”

“I refuse to let our people question you,” Eun crosses her arms over her chest, “you have to understand this, kook. He is literally an unmated omega who is staying with us in this palace at this point. You cannot let him go like that.” Yoona snorts, “what should he do then?”

“If nothing,” Eun eyes Jungkook who is looking at him through the mirror, “you should talk to him about scenting. I know there is nothing between the two of you. But, his father sent him here as your mate, and he needs to play the role. You did not force him. His father did.”

Jungkook laughs, “do you hear yourself? So I just walk up to him and tell him that I want to scent him so others think I own him?” “No,” Eun sighs, rubs her temple, “so others know he is yours. He is supposed to be mated by now, Jungkook. That choker is already attracting eyes.”

“I do not know about that,” Jungkook sighs, “he has a lover, Rose. I cannot ask that of him.” Eun curses, “you need to set some rules, kook! He is, both of you agree or not, your luna!” Jungkook turns to face her, “I refuse to ask him if I can scent him or not. That is stupid.”

Eun nods, “fine. I will!” She marches out of the room. Anger and frustration seeping out of her as she takes the corridor up to Taehyung's room. She lets the guards announce her arrival and eyes Namjoon on her way inside the bed chamber, “can we talk, my lord?”

------- “But,” Taehyung looks at Namjoon who is standing inside the room because Eun called him inside too, “I am not sure if I want to or-” “You do not have to,” Jungkook walks in, shakes his head at Eun, “just,” he curses, “stay in the carriage. No one would be near enough.”

“How about you two go?” Namjoon hesitates before speaking, “it is just a stroll. No one would question if the king himself accompany you, and his scent will be pungent enough to cover yours. Right?” Taehyung hesitates, “I mean…” Jungkook sighs, “no, it is okay. Just-”

“It is not just a stroll, if I go, it will be our first public appearance and there are some protocols to follow,” Jungkook curses, “just go, you two. No one cares.” “I do,” Eun glares at Jungkook, “both of you are going because according to that match, I won. I get to choose.”

Taehyung looks at Jungkook, “I think we should.” Jungkook snorts, “you have no idea, my luna, what you are getting into.” Taehyung shrugs, “how bad can it be? We are just visiting the marketplace.” Jungkook sighs, “fine. Do whatever.” He storms out of the room.

------ It is the next day. Taehyung stares at himself on the mirror. He is wearing a white hanbok. He fixes the cloth over his chest before his eyes find the choker around his neck. He tugs at it, it is a little tight around his neck. Taehyung sighs, seeing the marks it felt.

There is a knock and Jungkook walks in. “Can you not ask for permission?” Taehyung frowns, “what if I was getting ready?” Jungkook rolls his eyes, “you are ready? We need to leave.” Taehyung looks back at himself, “just a moment.” He rubs some lotion under the choker, sighs.

Jungkook comes to stand behind him. His eyes on the choker. “Is it hurting?” the king asks, eyeing how Taehyung fixes it. Taehyung shrugs, “it is not made for my neck. It is a little tight. Can I not wear it?” “Would you rather wear my mark?” Jungkook arches a brow.

Taehyung glares, “I cannot believe it has your name engraved on it!” Jungkook steps up until he is right behind Taehyung, “yes, I know.” Taehyung feels the plate under his fingertips, “it feels like an ownership.” “Omegas are brought to this kingdom like that,” Jungkook nods.

“At first they wear the choker. Then,” his breath ghosts over Taehyung's nape, “then they are marked.” Taehyung looks at the alpha, “the name looks hideous on the chocker.” Jungkook's eyes trace over the name, “would like it on your skin instead?” Taehyung stills.

Taehyung sucks in a breath when he feels those hands on his hips. He tries to hold his breath. “You have omegas with your name imprinted on them?” Taehyung's voice waver. “No,” Jungkook murmurs, eyes fixed on Taehyung through the mirror, “but, there is always a first.”

“Imagine your alpha touching you,” Jungkook smirks, it spreads over his face slowly, “kissing down your spine,” his hands tighten on Taehyung's hips, “on the arch of your hips, if he sees my name, engraved, how would he feel?” Taehyung feels each word against his skin…

“How does he feel?” Jungkook wonders, tilts his head, thinking, “having you, fucking you-” Taehyung's eyes widen because of the king's word choice. His cheeks heating up. “Being with you while you wear my choker,” Jungkook frowns, “do you take it off before sex?”

Taehyung turns to face the alpha, “can you not be this vulgar?” he pleads almost, looking over Jungkook's shoulder, “someone might hear!” “No one is here,” Jungkook shrugs, “I am just asking a simple question. My Luna, do you take it off while you bed Namjoon?”

Taehyung glares, “I keep it on! Is that what you were looking for?! Is that the answer you wanted?” Jungkook gives him a look, “how does that feel?” his voice grows quiet, “how does it feel to be in his embrace while knowing I am the one you are tied to?”

“How does it feel,” Jungkook's hand comes up to trace the choker, “to know the world knows you are mine? Would not bat an eye if I kill your lover and take you for myself. How does it feel to be this powerless?” Taehyung looks away, “you would not do that.”

“No, I would not,” Jungkook chuckles, “but,” his grip tightens on the choker, he jerks Taehyung forward, so their lips are almost against each other, “but, I could. I can. Just that easily. That is the power your father took from you and gave me. You should have protested.”

“You are like a war ruin, my Luna,” Jungkook whispers, “I can choose things for you. Even your life. So, be glad that I am letting you off easy. Be glad that after what you and your family did, I am choosing to give you this freedom. Keep the damn choker on. Never question it.”

Taehyung's eyes brim with tears of anger, he glares at the alpha, “if that is what you want, go ahead. You know I cannot stop you. If that is all you want, I am right here! You are not doing me a favour-” “But, I am,” Jungkook snorts, “I am giving you freedom.”

“This is not what freedom looks like!” Taehyung shouts, wipes his tears. He refuses to let the alpha see his tears, “this is freedom in a cage! I did not want this.” “Neither did I,” Jungkook arches a brow, “I chose your brother. Remember? We do not always get what we want.”

“Now, come on,” Jungkook sighs, “get ready fast, and we need to leave.” Taehyung glares at him, “I do not want to go anymore.” Jungkook looks at him, “I am sorry?” Taehyung grabs the choker and tugs it free from his neck, “I do not wish to go! Did you hear me?!”

Taehyung throws the choker on the ground, steps on it, “I do not wish to go!” Jungkook's eyes flicker to where the choker lies, broken, under Taehyung's feet. Then he looks up at Taehyung's neck. There are cuts and scrapes around the omega's neck. The alpha looks at Taehyung.

Taehyung wipes his eyes furiously, “I know you have reasons to act the way you are. You are nothing but a brut, and you were betrayed. I get it all. But, do you think this was my first choice too?!” He kicks the choker, “I wanted to marry Joon and settle down in our cottage.”

“I wanted to bear his mark,” Taehyung turns away, looking outside through the balcony, “his pups. I wanted a life where my alpha would love me! He loves me, but he is not my alpha. I am not sure if he ever will be!” he sniffles, “do you think I wanted this?! No one wants you!”

“In their sane mind, no one would want you as their alpha!” Taehyung grits out, “a harem full of omegas probably said otherwise. The omegas you had in your bed, the war ruins, they probably said otherwise, but that was because they were terrified of you. No one loves you!”

“You will live a very lonely life!” Taehyung throws the cushion from the settee, “you will have no one beside you ever! You know why my father did you not tell you? Because he was terrified that you will do something to hurt my entire kingdom! You are feared. Never loved!”

“If you were not so fearsome! If you were a little more understanding, I would not be here, and you would not be here either!” Taehyung wipes his face, “so, do not blame me for everything. You got us here just as much as I did. You are nothing but a control freak!”

“Control is all I have,” Jungkook murmurs, voice void of any emotion, “control over everything is all I have. You are right. I am lonely, I am cursed to be this way since I was born. But, a man can only have so much. I made my amends with my curse. You need to make with yours.”

“I am your curse,” Jungkook points at himself, “so, either find a way to kill me, or, make amends. Because,” Jungkook gives a hollow laugh, “as long as I live, you will be my Luna and that is the life you got yourself into. I cannot help you. I wish I could.”

“That choker speaks for our family,” Jungkook whispers, “you are nothing but a concubine of class without that. That is protecting your virtue for others. You are not mated, you are not carrying my pups. That is the only way people know you are the royal omega.”

“That is the least I am expecting of you,” Jungkook sighs, “if there is anything else you want me to do, I can. But, you are still married to be, and we still have to keep up the pretence.” “You can kill me,” Taehyung whispers, “that would be my blessing.”

“I have loved only one alpha and that is Namjoon,” Taehyung hugs himself, “and, I do not see us falling in love. Ever. You can remarry, my lord. You can find someone who would want you.” “I can do that,” Jungkook thinks, frowns, “yes, we can do that. That is...” he nods...

“What?” Taehyung wonders. Jungkook nods, thoughtful, “yes! We can do this! We can,” he nods, enthusiastic, “before the celebration starts, before anyone comes, we can go to our winter palace, and we can fake your death.” Taehyung stares, “what...?”

Jungkook nods, “yes, yes. See, we can go there. Make an excuse of wanting to spend time alone. Then you can leave with Namjoon and I will fake your death. The palace is near a lake. The lake is too deep. We can always say you drowned. No one would know. Who would question me?”

Taehyung watches the alpha, “why… why would you do that?” Jungkook does not look at him, “because,” he looks around the room, “this palace witnessed too much suffering. These walls heard too many cries, curses, prayers for freedom. These floors soaked up too much blood.”

“If I can lessen one,” Jungkook frowns, “someone who is not at fault, who was shoved into this because the others decided for him. Which will be his life if he stays here. I would do it. I will do it,” he looks at Taehyung, “tell Namjoon. We are leaving by tonight.”

“People might doubt you,” Taehyung murmurs, “think and talk. Say that you did something to your luna.” Jungkook shrugs, “I stopped hearing what people have to say about me ages ago. Who cares? If anything, it will add to my reputation and help me protect my kingdom.”

Taehyung watches the alpha, “my father might come for you-” Jungkook laughs, “I want him to. I want him to dare. He will not go back,” he turns on his heels, “he will not get back to his kingdom-” “No,” Taehyung grasps Jungkook's arm, steps up to him on instinct, “please, no.”

“Please,” Taehyung whimpers, “do not do anything to him? Please, he was trying to save his people too. Please-” Jungkook looks at him. The alpha's eyes slowly traces over Taehyung's face. Taehyung grips Jungkook's arm in his both hands with urgency. “Please.”

Taehyung flinches when Jungkook's hand cups the side of his face. That thumb traces the rim of his lower eyeline. “Stop crying,” Jungkook sighs, “since I met you, I have realized, your eyes look pretty when you cry.” Taehyung holds his breath, “is that why you make me cry?”

“No,” Jungkook murmurs, “I just...” the alpha's throat bobs, “I wonder how you look when you are ecstatic. If your eyes disappear when you laugh. If,” a small, tired smile curls Jungkook's lips, “if you look silly or even more beautiful.” Taehyung's breath hitches, “what...”

Jungkook tries to pull away, “I hope I find my answer the day you get to leave with Namjoon, hmm?” he shrugs, “I will see you tonight.” Taehyung grips the alpha's wrist, “my father-” Jungkook nods, “I will not kill him. I give you my words. You can trust me.”

“This ruthless king honours his words, my Luna,” Jungkook squeezes Taehyung's hand in his, “wherever you go, wherever you decide to elope with your lover, know that I will hold onto my promise. I do not break those easily.” “What do I get you for this?” Taehyung wonders.

“𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑒, 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝐼 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟.” Jungkook wants to say. But, he snorts at his own thought. To Taehyung, he is nothing but a nightmare. Why would he remember him? Jungkook shrugs, “nothing. I want nothing in exchange.”

Taehyung watches the alpha leave. He watches the door close behind the alpha and then open to Namjoon who hurries up to him. “What happened?” Namjoon asks, frantic, “did he do something? Tae?!” Taehyung looks at Namjoon, “I think…” he breathes out, “he freed me.”

Between Namjoon pulling him in a bone-crushing hug and kissing the side of his head while murmuring how happy he is, Taehyung looks at the closed door. He is free from this cage. The scrapes from the choker sting, and Taehyung thinks... if this is what happiness feels like.

═══☆☆☆═══

Taehyung walks out of the palace with Namjoon right beside him. He gives Taehyung a reassuring smile before bowing and going to the front, where he will join the troop of soldiers who are going with them. Taehyung's eyes shift to the king, who waits by the carriage.

Jungkook has his eyes fixed ahead. His arms locked behind his back with his shoulders taut. The alpha's scent reaches Taehyung, the deep scent of blood makes him recoil. Taehyung slowly walks up to the alpha, stands behind him and clears his throat for his attention.

Jungkook looks over his shoulder at him, nods, “my Luna,” he turns, “get inside.” Taehyung watches Jungkook gesture for the carriage, and he nods. With a look at the palace and a smile at Eun, Taehyung grasps the door of the carriage and hoists himself inside.

Jungkook closes the door of the carriage, and Taehyung watches through the curtains of the carriage how the king hoists himself up on his black horse. Jungkook grasps the reins and pats the horse before he announces for everyone to move. The carriage starts following the king.

Taehyung watches the king instead of the scenery. Jungkook keeps his eyes ahead, walking side by side with the carriage. Taehyung watches his people bow to him while the troop cross the marketplace he was supposed to visit. He watches them look at Jungkook with smiles and awe.

The king does not talk or stop, but his eyes wander over his people. He points a few things out to his general, whispering something to them. Taehyung watches how almost everything Jungkook points are pretty old shops, barely holding up on their own. The general nods along.

They start to descend after an hour or so. Taehyung looks outside on the other side to see how they are leaving the capital behind. The roads are more steep now, narrower. The Jeon royal palace is established on top of a hill, the winter palace is down on the valley.

Taehyung feels nauseas the more they go. The round and round roads they take to descend the hill makes his stomach turn. He coughs, ignores how his butler watches him with alarmed worry. He grasps the edge of the seat when they take another narrow turn and almost doubles over.

“What is wrong, my lord?” his butler reaches out, rubbing his back, “are you not feeling well?” Taehyung shakes his head, “the hills,” he tries to smile, “I do not have experience of these roads. They make me nauseous.” He has to stop to force the bile down his throat.

The butler slaps the roof of the carriage and the coachman stops. Taehyung surges out of the carriage to empty his stomach by the side of the road, feeling as embarrassed as he can get while his maids and butler try to calm him and ask him to wash his face. “What is the matter?”

The king comes strolling over on his horse, “what is going on?” His butler bows deep, “my king, our Luna is not feeling well. He is not used to these steep roads with constant jerking and narrow passes. The closed space is not letting in much air for him to breathe, either.”

“I think our king should take our luna on his horse,” a maid murmurs, looking at her feet, “the carriage is not doing him good.” Taehyung blinks, wipes his mouth and shakes his head, “no need. I am absolutely,” he feels his head swoon, he coughs, “f-fine. No need.”

Jungkook arches a brow, “come on.” Taehyung shakes his head, trying to glare at the alpha, “I said, no need. I am fine.” Jungkook heaves a breath, “the faster we reach there, the better, my luna. Get up here.” Taehyung hesitates, looks over at Namjoon. He is watching them.

Taehyung catches pure worry on his expression. The alpha shrugs. Taehyung looks back at Jungkook to see the king has caught the exchange, is now rolling his eyes. Taehyung bites down on his lip, hesitating. Jungkook extends his hand, “I do not have the entire day, my luna.”

Taehyung glares at the alpha and takes the hand. He rises his foot to the stirrups, gasps when Jungkook tugs him up and over to straddle the horse. Taehyung grips the saddle, his eyes on the road, “you do not have to be so harsh!” Jungkook starts the troop, “let's go.”

Taehyung shivers, looking ahead of them, “wh-why is the horse edging towards the hill's edge?” he whimpers, trying not to look down. Jungkook sighs, “the horses prefer to walk on the edge.” “Oh, moongoddess,” Taehyung grips the saddle, “I will die like this. Oh, lord!”

Jungkook sighs behind him, “sit still.” Taehyung looks over his shoulder at the king, glares, “this is all your fault!” Jungkook heaves a breath, keeps his eyes on the road, “and, how is that?” Taehyung is not sure how is that. He looks ahead, whimpers when the horse stumbles.

Taehyung grips the saddle tightly, “oh, lord! Oh, lord.” Jungkook curses, “how the hell are you so whiny!” his arms go around Taehyung to pull him closer, “just distract yourself. See ahead. Look at the view.” Taehyung shivers, the view is good, but he cannot focus on it.

Jungkook's hands are roped around him, holding the reins in front of him. Taehyung feels the alpha's chest right behind him. He presses back, feels the alpha go stiff before letting out a curse. “Stop squirming!” Jungkook hisses, “stay still, I said.” Taehyung whines, “but-”

“I am going to be very honest with you, my luna,” Jungkook's voice growls near Taehyung's ear, “your bottom is almost pressing against my crotch. You do not move or help me, God, I will bend you over in front of your lover!” Taehyung goes still. Jungkook snorts, “there we go.”

Taehyung feels his cheeks heat up, “how,” he looks around them, watches how they are surrounded by others, “how dare you say that so loudly?! Anyone could hear! Oh, lord. Some might have heard!” Jungkook shrugs, “then, maybe keep that in mind and stay quiet and still.”

Taehyung feels the way his cheeks burn. He watches Jungkook's hands holding the rein and digs his nail there, hard. That earns him nothing but a snort. Taehyung feels infuriated and flustered. With a glare at the alpha, he pinches Jungkook. With all his might.

Jungkook lets go of the rein with his one hand and grabs Taehyung by his throat to pull him back against his mouth. He presses his mouth over Taehyung's ear. “My Luna,” Jungkook growls, “do not test me. Now,” his thumb presses down on Taehyung's scent gland, “submit.”

Taehyung feels goosebumps rise on his skin. He has never had an alpha command him to submit before. His father never used his alpha voice, and Namjoon would not dare. Taehyung feels a shudder run down his spine when that thumb rubs over his scent-gland, the omega in him whines.

Jungkook noses the side of his bare neck, “you would not want to trifle with your alpha, my Luna. Is that noted?” Taehyung blinks, grasps the saddle, “you,” his voice waver, “you are not my alpha.” “Then do not be bratty with me,” Jungkook murmurs, “am I clear?”

“You already smell too good for my liking,” Jungkook whispers against Taehyung's shoulder, “neck bare like that. Do not tempt me.” “Otherwise, what?” Taehyung glares over his shoulder, “you will bend me over?” Jungkook's eyes finally match his. The alpha grasps the rein.

Jungkook slaps the horse's side, “you all, keep the pace as it is,” he hollers. Taehyung's eyes widen, and he lets out a startled scream when the horse starts to run. Full gallop down the hills. He presses himself up against Jungkook, eyes on the road while the horse runs.

Jungkook watches the road ahead and Taehyung screams. “Stop the horse! Oh, my lord! Please, I am sorry! Stop the horse! I will not talk! Ever! Please!” Jungkook ignores, feels the frustration seep out of him while he lets his horse run free as he goes.

Taehyung turns his upper body with desperation and buries himself against Jungkook's chest. His face under Jungkook's jaw and lips pressing right there. “Alpha, please,” Taehyung whimpers, “please,” he sniffles, “you are scaring your Luna.” Jungkook freezes.

Taehyung sniffles, “please, I am terrified of height and this is scaring me.” Jungkook grips the rein, slowing down the horse while he looks down at Taehyung, “what did you just call me?” Taehyung's eyes are brimming with tears, “what?” Jungkook watches that face...

“What did you call me?” Jungkook demands again, watches how Taehyung looks ahead, away from him. “I do not recall,” Taehyung whispers. Jungkook wants to argue, he wants to say he heard, but then he stops himself. What would that change anyway? It would be nothing but a waste.

Jungkook clears his throat, frowns to himself. So what if Taehyung called him his alpha? There are so many omegas who called him their alpha. So, what? He sighs, holds the rein, “just sit still and do not anger me. We are about to reach.” Taehyung nods, trying to breathe.

----- The palace is beautiful. Taehyung watches, eyes skimming over the huge building, while Jungkook runs the horse inside. The alpha hops on first, helps Taehyung down and turns to nod at the stable boy who takes the rein from him and bows to the two of them.

Jungkook leads Taehyung inside as snow starts falling. As if welcoming them. “Where does that bridge go?” Taehyung asks, pointing at a wooden bridge. Jungkook looks over and turns away, “the lake. Where we will fake your death.” Taehyung gulps, nods and follows the alpha.

Taehyung follows the alpha, “where will I stay?” Jungkook chuckles, “you are eloping by tonight. Just stay wherever you want. Choose a room.” Taehyung stares at the alpha, “where are you going?” Jungkook shrugs, “my room. I need a drink.” The alpha leaves him right there.

Taehyung looks around. There are no servants there. The house is clean and guarded, but he sees no maid or anyone else. Taehyung frowns, thinks that maybe their troop is all they will have here. He wanders after the alpha because, if he is honest, he feels a little scared.

He finds the alpha in a vast room, the door wide open. Jungkook is standing by the corner, pouring himself a drink from the tumbler it was stored in. Taehyung stands by the door, watches the alpha take a long gulp before turning towards the window to open it.

Taehyung comes up to stand beside Jungkook. “Is that the lake?” Jungkook hums, sips his drink while unbuttoning his hanbok, “yes.” Taehyung watches the quiet lake, “there is a boat.” Jungkook nods, “yes. I made sure there is one.” Taehyung frowns, “what?”

Jungkook points at the boat, “I have already talked to Namjoon. Tonight, we will go boating and the boat will have a hole in it. It will slowly sink, and the story is, you do not know how to swim. So, you will sink along with it and I, as the selfish man I am, will save myself.”

Jungkook takes another sip of the drink, “no one would question it. Everyone knows how I am,” he snorts, “anyway, the lake is quite vast, there are no lights by tonight and no one would know. I will keep the guards off duty. Namjoon will wait by the other side of the lake.”

Jungkook looks at Taehyung, “he said you are a very good swimmer.” Taehyung shrugs, “used to swim in our lake. Yes.” Jungkook hums, “good. Just swim over to where you see the light. Namjoon will have a lantern with him. To guide you. Then you can elope down the jungle.”

“It will take you to the other side of the kingdom,” Jungkook murmurs, “I have given Namjoon two passes, and you will be guided out of my kingdom. Go wherever you want then. You,” he smiles, “will be free, my Luna.” Taehyung holds his breath, “are you sure that is all?”

Jungkook frowns, “what do you mean?” Taehyung gulps, “is this all? You are not planning something else, right?” his voice wavers, “you are not trying to make me elope to catch me down the road and kill Namjoon once and for all, right? Please. Is this all?”

“You are not planning to catch me and drag me back to your palace and insult my family, are you?” Taehyung grips Jungkook's arm, “you are not planning something else, right?” Jungkook's eyes wander over his face, “why do you think I am?” Taehyung pauses, “because... why not?”

“It will bring my family shame, which you might want after what they did to you,” Taehyung mumbles, “and, also, if Namjoon is dead, I have no one else to go to. What if you are planning that?” Jungkook chuckles, “I will let you ponder. I have nothing to say against it.”

Jungkook shrugs out of his hanbok, drops it on the floor, “you can think of anything you want, my Luna. I will not defend myself. Be ready by tonight.” Taehyung watches the alpha walks inside another room, closing the door behind himself.

-------

The night comes too quick. Taehyung finds himself wrapped in his own arms while he follows the king down the narrow path towards the lake. Jungkook helps him onto the boat and stands until Taehyung sits down properly. Then the king sits, starts to row the boat.

Taehyung looks around while Jungkook takes them far away from the edge of the lake. “There,” Jungkook points, “do you see?” Taehyung squints and then freezes when he sees the flickering light. It is very dim, but it is there. “Y-yes,” Taehyung whispers, “I see.”

Jungkook nods, “I will give you the night,” he murmurs, “I will stay in that gazebo,” he points, “and, cause a ruckus around dawn. It will look like we drowned while coming back. You will have the entire night to get as far away as you can. Do not stop anywhere, okay?”

“When you reach there, see Namjoon, wave the lantern twice for me to know it is indeed him. Okay?” Taehyung nods, feeling his throat running dry, “O-okay.” Jungkook sighs, “good. Now,” he pulls out a knife from his belt, “let's go.” Taehyung watches Jungkook hit the boat.

Water slowly starts to pool inside, the boat sinking. Jungkook looks up at him. Taehyung looks at the alpha. His breath lodged in his chest. Jungkook reaches behind himself, takes off a chain and holds it out. Taehyung frowns, watching it and looking back at the alpha.

“Wear it,” Jungkook murmurs, “it has my initials. It will protect you if there is trouble on your way. Just show this locket and no one in their sane mind will try anything with you. Okay?” Taehyung takes the chain, nods, “okay.” He wears it, feels the water pulling him down.

“Goodbye, my Lun-” Jungkook stops, huffs out a smile, “Taehyung. Goodbye.” Taehyung watches the alpha dive into the river and float. Waiting for him. Taehyung dives in too, swimming up to Jungkook. Jungkook laughs, “you are to go that way, do not follow me.”

The water is freezing. Taehyung nods jerkily and watches the alpha turn away to swim towards the gazebo. “W-wait,” Taehyung calls Jungkook, breathes in when Jungkook looks over at him, “you have anything in there?” he points at the gazebo, “the night is so cold.”

Jungkook stares for a second, points over Taehyung's shoulder, “your alpha awaits, Taehyung. Go. He has spare clothes for you, too.” Taehyung watches Jungkook swim away. He floats and watches the alpha leave and when he cannot see Jungkook anymore, Taehyung turns and leaves.

@.thvjjk24 thank you so much for this gorgeous moodboard

Jungkook gets out of the water and slowly walks up to the gazebo. His tired eyes take in the arrangements there. A mattress at the corner, a few clothes stacked on top of the settee. A lantern, ready to light up. Jungkook shrugs out of his soaked clothes and wears the pajama.

With a yawn, he goes to drop on the mattress. He lies down on his back, head resting on his arm. Eyes on the dark sky. He lets out a deep breath. Somehow he feels free. Kind of in his element. Alone, quiet, peaceful. It feels just the same. The world he built for himself.

His lips twitch when he thinks of the chaos that omega brought for a few days. It was… Jungkook is not sure how it was. Hectic? Yes. A change? Yes. Suffocating? In a way. Infuriating? Surely. Jungkook scratches his stomach, thinking, how far the omega is right now.

Then he sighs, Taehyung is not his responsibility anymore. He will just go back to his life, and it will all be a distant memory. He hopes, wherever Taehyung ends up living, he gets whatever dreams he wanted to live in. It is for the better, anyway. He was not fit for Jungkook.

-----

“Oh, Tae,” Namjoon drops the lantern after swinging it twice and pulls Taehyung into a tight hug, “I was so worried that he might change his decision. I was so worried. Are you okay?” Taehyung nods, silently looking over his shoulder at the lake, “I am fine, Joon.”

“Here are the clothes, Tae,” Namjoon pulls out a few clothes from his satchel, “change here, and then we will leave.” Taehyung takes the clothes, looks at the alpha, “go and wait by the horse.” Namjoon nods, turns on his boots and goes to wait by the horse. Taehyung changes.

He feels the necklace around his neck. The cold metal sends shivers down his spine. Taehyung looks at the chain and back at the lake. He holds the soaked clothes and pushes them into the satchel. He cannot leave anything behind. Then he joins Namjoon in front of his horse.

“Where are we going and what is the plan now?” Taehyung murmurs, eyeing the horse. Namjoon hesitates, “there are two plans, my love,” he rubs the horse's neck, “we mate,” he holds his hands up as soon as he sees Taehyung's eyes widen, “or, I scent you, so you smell like me...”

“We are eloping, my love,” Namjoon murmurs, “if we get caught, we do not want to let them think we are unmated, and it will come off like I am stealing an omega. The border guards can catch us and imprison the two of us otherwise.”

“I do not wish to do anything you do not want, my love,” Namjoon takes Taehyung's hands in his, “so you choose. Whichever.” “We certainly cannot mate,” Taehyung looks away, his chest feeling tight, “I do not know how long the process is and I do not want to. Not here. Scent me.”

Namjoon nods, “whatever you are comfortable with, my love.” Taehyung holds his breath, the alpha steps closer, his hands slowly come to rest on Taehyung's hips. Taehyung sucks in a breath. They have not done this. Ever. Taehyung is not even kissed yet. He looks at the alpha.

Namjoon reaches to cup the side of Taehyung's face, thumb caressing his cheekbone. Taehyung's throat feels dry, there is a feeling in him that gnaws his insides. Fear. Unbearable fear. Is this what he supposed to feel? “Shall I kiss you, my love?” Namjoon whispers.

Taehyung looks at the alpha, shakes his head, “no, just,” he grips the hanbok he is wearing, “just scent me. I do not,” he tries to force those words out, “I do not want to do anything until we mate and I do not wish to mate now.” Namjoon nods, “of course, whatever you want.”

The alpha smells of summer. Namjoon always smelt of summer wind. A sense of freedom always attached to it. Taehyung loved the scent. He loved how it made him feel every time they strolled their gardens back at home. Namjoon leans in, his lips almost over Taehyung's scent gland.

Taehyung looks over the alpha's shoulder at the lake, his heart skipping a beat. “Do we have to?” Taehyung presses his hands over Namjoon's chest, steps back, “the king,” he grasps the locket, shows it to Namjoon, “the king gave me this. He said this will protect us.”

Taehyung looks at Namjoon, plea clear on his face, “he said the locket will protect me. Us. We will be fine. Cannot we just leave?” Namjoon lets out a deep breath, nods, “as I said, my love, I will not do anything you do not wish. Let's go then.” Taehyung breathes out, “okay.”

The horse starts running and Taehyung finds himself pressed against Namjoon. His eyes follow the lake, they are to take the next turn, and he will not see this place again. “Where are we going?” he asks, eyes trying to find that gazebo. “Far away,” Namjoon smiles, “from here.”

Taehyung grips the saddle when he finally sees the gazebo. It is across from where they are. Dark, completely dark. Taehyung frowns, looks at the gazebo as long as he can, before Namjoon's horse takes the turn, and he cannot anymore.

Taehyung thinks to himself. Well, Jungkook told him he will hide and of course he would not light the lantern. That will alert others. Taehyung grasps the locket, feels the unease in the pit of his stomach. “What is wrong, love?” Namjoon wonders, “you are so tensed.”

Taehyung looks ahead, “nothing,” he inhales deeply, nods to himself, “nothing happened.” Taehyung leans back against Namjoon's chest, tries to think that finally he is free. From every responsibility that was forced on him. Finally, he is with his alpha. Free.

The responsibilities. Taehyung looks at the darkness surrounding him. His father trusted him to come here and uphold the treaty. His mother said she is proud of him. Proud that he is doing something his brother ran away from. She said he is what a royal omega should be like.

Taehyung bites down on his lower lip, thinking how Jungkook promised him that he would not break the treaty. But... Taehyung closes his eyes, the dilemma sits in his brain and spreads. He knew what he was getting into. Yet, he did, and now he is running away from that.

But he loves Namjoon. Does he not deserve to be with someone he loves? Taehyung looks over at Namjoon. They almost grew up together. His only friend and a shoulder to cry on. Namjoon was always there. Whenever Taehyung needed someone who was not just Jimin. He loves Namjoon.

“If you were standing on a crossroad,” Taehyung whispers, thumb rubbing over the chain around his neck, “one side has your upbringing, your pride, your status, and sacrifices that come with it. The other side has love. Which will you choose, Joon?”

Namjoon chuckles, “love never comes on a crossroad, Tae. Love never stands against your rules and regulations and pride and values. Love is the road. Love is that consuming. Love never lets you have a crossroad. It is the only way. If you love, you do not doubt it.”

Namjoon pulls the rein, stopping the horse, “love should not make you question your choices because love cannot be a choice. It is everything. It is blinding, terrifying, but it is everything.” Taehyung stares ahead, “not for a royal. I have responsibilities, choices to make-”

Namjoon smiles, “Jimin had those too, Tae. But he still ran away. He is not a bad prince. He is not a bad person. He was just simply in love. So, there was no other choice for him. That is love. That blinding. That unreasonably stupid. Are you reasoning, Tae? Right now?”

“I love you,” Taehyung urges, looks over his shoulder at Namjoon with tears in his eyes, “I love you.” Namjoon's eyes are glossy too, his dimples show when he smiles, “but, maybe,” he slowly starts, not to startle Taehyung, “you are not in love with me. Not 'in' love with me.”

“How can you say that?” Taehyung sniffles, tears rolling out of his eyes. “Because, my love,” Namjoon wipes his eyes, “if you were, you would run away with me before the wedding. As Jimin did. You would run away now. Gladly. Not look at that gazebo until you cannot anymore.”

“I do not love him!” Taehyung glares. Namjoon huffs out a laugh, “no, you do not. I know. But, he is a promise you made. He is the responsibility you took. I know you, Tae, you just cannot leave your parents' expectations like that. Right? Is that it?”

Taehyung feels tears roll out of his eyes, “if I go back, I will never find love again,” he sniffles, “it will just be a compromise because I cannot love him. But,” he closes his eyes, “I was promised to him. I feel like I am representing my family to him and I do not…”

“want him to think we are cowards to run when the opportunities are given to them. I do not want that. I do not,” he shakes his head, “I am not a coward. I am not the Kim he thinks I am. But, if I go back, what will be of my heart? I will have to get used to his shackles.”

“One day I will just give in and bear his pups and that will be all. That will be my life. A compromise. I do not know, Joon. I do not know, that terrifies me. I wanted so much for myself. A life where I get to have those novel like love and a partner who loves me back.”

Taehyung sucks in a breath, “I will just be forgotten. A pup bearing machine and that is all. I cannot love him, I might start to tolerate him and be civil. That is all I deserve?” he whimpers, hides his face into his hands, “then, why did I ever wish so much? I hoped so much.”

Namjoon hugs Taehyung, presses his lips over Taehyung's head, “then, you can choose, Tae. Love or not, if you want me to take you away, I will. If you want that, I will. Whatever you decide, Tae. I will do it.” Taehyung buries his face against Namjoon's chest, crying.

“Maybe everyone is not made for those grand gestures, those happily ever afters,” Taehyung whispers, nods to himself, “maybe some are made for history to remember them as a sacrifice. Maybe I am just that. Maybe I am just a sacrifice in my brother's love story. Yes?”

“A supporting character for a novel no one really cares about,” Taehyung sits up, “used for the lead to escape and have his classic love story and then forgotten by the end. Fine,” Taehyung wipes his eyes, “I will live that life then. A replacement. Forgotten prince of the Kims.”

“Take me back,” Taehyung shrugs, “I cannot run away from my responsibilities, apparently,” he looks over at Namjoon, “but, I free you. You are free to leave, Joon. Go wherever you please. We,” Taehyung gulps, “I do not wish to hold you back. Not anymore. Not after I decided.”

Namjoon gives him a rueful smile, “before anything else, I was your friend. Your bodyguard. I will not resign, my prince,” he bows his head, “you have to bear it. Me, my friendship.” Taehyung gulps, eyes wandering over Namjoon's face, “are you sure?” Namjoon hums, “I am.”

“Take me back then,” Taehyung sighs, “I am tired.” Namjoon nods, “you want to go back to the palace?” Taehyung shakes his head, “no,” he gulps, “leave me at the gazebo and you go back to the palace. I do not wish anyone to see us like this.” Namjoon bows, “very well.”

By the time Namjoon helps Taehyung to hop off the horse, quite a few steps away from the gazebo, Taehyung is exhausted. He pulls Namjoon in a bone-crushing hug and they both cry into each other's arms before slowly parting ways. Taehyung turns to leave after Namjoon rides away.

Taehyung slowly drags himself to the gazebo and stops on its first step. The smell of blood welcomes him. Taehyung feels his eyes fill with tears while he stands and inhales the scent. With heavy feet, he climbs those few steps and leans against a pillar to look inside.

There is no one in there. Taehyung frowns, looks at the place and sees no one. Did Jungkook leave? But, it still smells like him? Taehyung takes a step inside and freezes when he feels a blade press against his neck and someone jerks him back to pin him against a pillar.

“Oh!” Taehyung gasps, grabs the wrist that holds the blade against his throat, eyes wide and on the alpha right in front of him. Jungkook stares, face blank for a few seconds, and then he frowns, “what in the devil's name are you doing here?!” Taehyung tries to glare, “let go!”

“Why are you here?” Jungkook growls, “are you crazy?!” Taehyung swats at Jungkook's chest, trying to get out of his hold, “just let me go. You are choking me!” Jungkook lets go, steps back to watch Taehyung double over, cough, massaging his throat where the blade was pressed.

“Do you always have to be a brut?!” Taehyung stands up, leaning against the pillar to even out his breathing, “what is wrong with you?!” Jungkook stares, “why are you here? What is going on now?” Taehyung shrugs, “I came back.” The silence is eerie. Taehyung waits.

“You came back,” Jungkook plays with the knife in his hand, “drenched in alpha pheromones, probably mated, and have the audacity to try to act nonchalant about it. I thought you were an assassin or something. I heard you, did not recognize the scent. Was about to kill you.”

Taehyung looks away, “we decided to part ways.” Jungkook stays quiet. Taehyung twists his fingers together, “I cannot run away from my promise that I made to my parents. I cannot do that to them and my kingdom. If, for that, I have to stay with you, I might as well do so.”

Jungkook hums, voice void of any emotions, “so, you get to decide all that. You get to run away, stay hours outside with an alpha, come back drenched in his pheromones and tell me you want to stay, and I am to just bend over and accept whatever you want. Is that it?”

Taehyung inhales deeply, stares at Jungkook, “are you doubting me?” Jungkook laughs, “am I wrong in doing so?” Taehyung feels the anger shimmer in the pit of his stomach, “what are you implying?!” Jungkook crosses his arms over his chest, “I am saying, you left, you are done.”

“I do not have anything to do with you,” Jungkook turns away, “I am not taking back an omega who smells like someone else, an alpha nonetheless and-” “Scent me then,” Taehyung presses himself up against the pillar, holds it behind his back while he stares at the alpha's back.

“If that is all you care about, go on,” Taehyung hugs himself, looking down at his feet, “I will not stop you.” “You cannot stop me if I want to,” Jungkook looks out at the lake, “but, I do not nourish the habit of scenting other's omegas. Why are you here, Taehyung?”

Taehyung shivers, the cold breeze of the lake making him flinch, “I told you. I do not wish to leave.” Jungkook's shoulders shake while he laughs silently, “but, I cannot take you back. I freed you, now you are not going to be back to me. I refuse.” Taehyung's throat bobs...

“Where would I go?” he whispers, feels the fear slowly settle that if Jungkook does not accept him back, where will he go. Jungkook shrugs, “I do not see why that is my concern. You left and I left you. I am not going to take you back, Taehyung. See yourself out.”

“Are you going to beg?” Jungkook looks over his shoulder at Taehyung, rises a brow, “is that what you are thinking of doing?” Taehyung looks out. The darkness awaits. He looks back at the alpha, his husband, supposed to be his mate. “No,” Taehyung shakes his head, “I will not.”

Taehyung holds his head up, reaches behind himself to unhook the chain, and slowly places it on the settee. Jungkook watches him, turns to look at him with a mocking smile. He says nothing, waits for Taehyung to say or do something. Anything.

“I came back for my self-respect, my upbringing taught me better, and I might have forgotten it for a few days or so, but that is why I came back. That is why I will not beg to you either,” Taehyung straightens up, “if you do not want me, I do not need to be here.”

Taehyung bows, turns on his heels and walks back down the steps into the darkness. He hugs himself while he feels the snow start to fall, with a tired sigh, Taehyung looks around to think where he should go. A snort is his answer to himself. Who cares, really?

Taehyung walks down the narrow pathway, thinking to follow his nose and end up wherever the path takes him. Somewhere near, he hears the wolves howl, calling out for each other. The eerie feeling runs down his spine. Taehyung shivers, hurrying his steps.

He took almost twenty or so steps when he hears the footsteps, and then he is yanked back. Taehyung looks up from his feet to glare at the alpha, “what?” Jungkook's eyes are golden, he seethes, “what are you planning?! Where is Namjoon?! Why are you here? What is going on?!”

Taehyung looks away, “why do you care? You said you left me, and I am not your-” “Are you going to answer me?” Jungkook growls. Taehyung stares at the alpha, “no. I will not. I told you already that I came back thinking I cannot do that to my family. I told you.”

“Where is Namjoon?” Jungkook holds Taehyung by his elbow, “where did he go?” “He went back to his position,” Taehyung keeps his eyes on the alpha, “I told him to go back.” Jungkook's eyes move all over his face, “so, you two decided to stay here, under my roof and continue-”

“No,” Taehyung feels tears pool in his eyes when he thinks about it, “I freed him from this, whatever this was,” he sniffles, “he deserves someone who is not me,” he looks away. Jungkook watches him, “he... agreed?” Taehyung feels a snowflake land on his cheek, he nods, “yes.”

“You have to know this all sounds very suspicious to me, right?” Jungkook murmurs, “why would you come back? Why would you decide to part ways-” “Because I do not wish to bring that shame on my family and I do not wish for you to lash out on them,” Taehyung grits out.

“So, you are here to be my Luna?” Jungkook arches a brow, “or, we will just exist, and you will have different lovers, well,” he mushes, “we do have alphas in our harem too. If you want-” Taehyung makes a disgusted face, “I am not thinking of that! How dare you?!”

Jungkook makes a face, “what? I am asking that because I want to make sure.” “I do not need an alpha,” Taehyung looks away, disgusted, “will you stop assuming everyone is as characterless as you are?” Jungkook stares, “what did you say?” Taehyung glares, “you heard me.”

Jungkook breathes out, “you want me to believe you let Namjoon go. Whom you loved and who was your only source of physical affection for your family's respect and a damn treaty?” Taehyung nods, “yes.” Jungkook sighs, “okay, you are stupid. You can still leave. If you want.”

Taehyung kicks the snow under his feet, ignores how it lands on Jungkook's feet, “I was doing just that. You came to interrogate me for no reason!” Jungkook curses, “oh, my lord, you should leave. If you stay, I will do something very stupid. For heaven's sake, omega!”

Taehyung stomps on Jungkook's foot, feels the satisfaction when Jungkook hisses in pain, “everyone is not running for physical affection. I do not see why I cannot go without that for the rest of my life! Kisses and cuddles are not everything in life!” Jungkook stops, “what?”

Taehyung frowns, “what?!” Jungkook blinks, “what kisses and cuddles?!” Taehyung makes a face, confused, “you said physical intimacy!” Jungkook gapes, “no, that- Taehyung, I was talking about sex!” Taehyung freezes, eyes widening, “oh.”

Jungkook rubs his temple, “what were your father thinking sending you! He could have changed Jimin for a concubine of his, and I would have some use of them here. I,” he nods, “Kisses and cuddles,” he bites his lips, they twitch, “is that all Namjoon was doing?”

“No!” Taehyung feels his face heat up, “I,” he looks away, “I am a royal omega. I would not kiss-” “Oh, my lord,” Jungkook closes his eyes, blinks back at Taehyung, “do you even know how pups are made, omega?” Taehyung was always told to trust his alpha on this. He is not sure.

Taehyung turns on his heels, “I do not need to answer you! I will just leave-” “For what? Cuddles?” Jungkook tugs him closer, “enough of that, I guess. I,” he tilts his head back to look at the sky, inhales deeply before looking at Taehyung again, “come with me.”

Taehyung holds back and Jungkook gives him a look. “Do not worry,” Jungkook's voice melts into a hint of teasing, “I will not cuddle you. I promise.” Taehyung tries to turn and leave and Jungkook just drags him back with himself to the gazebo, ignores how Taehyung protests.

“Were you ever scented?” Jungkook asks when they step back inside, looks at the omega, “by him? Did that happen? You smell like him right now.” Taehyung shakes his head, “I am wearing his clothes and he hugged me. I,” he frowns, “it scared me,” he whispers, “the thought.”

Jungkook is quiet for a few moments before he nods, picks up his long robe. “Wear this and discard his clothes,” he holds Taehyung's surprised eyes, “yes. Because you cannot go back to the palace smelling like another alpha. After a night out. Change into my robe.”

“You are right here!” Taehyung curls in on himself. Jungkook deadpans, “I have seen enough naked omegas to get immune to it, Taehyung,” he turns around, “I will not look. Okay?” Taehyung hesitates, watches how the alpha walks to the far corner of the gazebo to look outside.

Taehyung slowly discards his hanbok, shrugs on the robe given to him and drops the pant too. With bated breath, he ties the string of the robe around his waist and looks at the alpha's back. “I am done,” he murmurs, stands awkwardly while Jungkook turns to look at him.

Taehyung watches the alpha's eyes shift. Take him in from head to toe, and then Jungkook looks at his face. Jungkook slowly walks up to him, stands right in front, “if Namjoon was not permitted to scent you, I will assume I am not either?” Taehyung thinks, “why do you want to?”

“Because after a night like this,” Jungkook whispers, his voice heavy, “when we go back, the maids and guards would smell me on you. As it is supposed to be.” Taehyung hesitates, thinks, “since when you care?” Jungkook shrugs, “since when you told me I should take you back.”

Jungkook sighs, “say no.” Taehyung watches him, confused. Jungkook slowly steps forward until he is right in front of Taehyung. Taehyung feels the cold pillar behind himself and presses up against it. “Just voice your discomfort, omega,” Jungkook murmurs against his face.

Taehyung waits for Jungkook to get closer to his face. Waits for that fear to rise its ugly head again, and then he watches, breathless, how Jungkook takes his hand in his. The alpha turns his hand, watches Taehyung, while he presses his lips over Taehyung's wrist.

Those lips press right over Taehyung's pulse, and then the alpha's tongue presses there. Taehyung sucks in a breath, tastes the scent of blood in the surrounding air. He cannot look away from where Jungkook scents his first gland. The tongue leaving his pheromones on Taehyung.

Taehyung feels his omega stir in him. The way Jungkook's eyes shift from golden to rose gold, it sends a shiver down Taehyung's spine. Jungkook holds Taehyung's hand in his grip and steps right up against Taehyung, “you smell of dewdrops.” Taehyung stares, “huh?”

Then Taehyung inhales and feels his face burn. His scent fills the air, as if answering the alpha's call. Jungkook nods, “dewdrops,” his other hand comes to cup the side of Taehyung's face, “the purest form of liquid one can wish for. An indication of coming spring. Life. Joy.”

“You smell of blood,” Taehyung murmurs, hand coming to rest on Jungkook's chest, “raw blood.” Jungkook nods, “another indication of life. As long as it flows, as long as it runs in us, we live.” Taehyung holds his breath, “you like to spill it.”

Jungkook leans in, breathes the words against Taehyung's lips, “yes, I do.” Taehyung holds his breath, eyes holding the alpha captive, “your scent makes me feel like I am drenched in blood.” Jungkook hums, “ask me to stop, Taehyung-” “Luna,” Taehyung murmurs, “I am your Luna.”

Taehyung's fingers slowly glides in Jungkook's hair, take a hold, while his eyes hold the alpha captive. “You do not get to scent me if I am not going to get my position back,” Taehyung shakes his head, holds those eyes while doing so, “I told you, I was not raised that way.”

“No omega defies me,” Jungkook challenges, just for the sake of it, “no one dares to. If I want to scent them, they bare their neck.” “How many have you claimed like that?” Taehyung's fingers tighten in Jungkook's hair, “do I need to keep a count?”

Jungkook's eyes trail over Taehyung's face, “just one.” Taehyung arches a brow, “Yoona?” Jungkook's eyes flicker to match his, they hold that stare while Jungkook leans in to press his lips against Taehyung's ear. “You,” he murmurs, “if you let me,” Jungkook pauses, “my Luna.”

Taehyung feels the words in the pit of his stomach. His omega flails in him. Taehyung tilts his head, silently baring his neck. Jungkook rubs the tip of his nose over Taehyung's pulse point there, growls when he inhales the pungent scent of the omega. Taehyung shudders...

Then he feels it. The alpha's lips press over the point, and he sucks. Taehyung whimpers, the feeling so new and sudden, it leaves him breathless. Jungkook holds him against the pillar, growls when Taehyung whines. Taehyung bites down on his lower lip when Jungkook nips there.

Taehyung digs his nails on Jungkook's biceps when he feels the alpha's tongue press flatly over his scent gland. The alpha licks, the saliva drying there to leave his pheromones on Taehyung. Taehyung cries out, the feeling is so raw and vulnerable, it makes him tremble.

“Alpha,” Taehyung feels his eyes fill with tears, he is not sad, he is not terrified, he is just overwhelmed, “please.” Jungkook nuzzles closer, tongue licking up the side of Taehyung's throat, “what is it, my Luna?” Taehyung is not sure what he wants. He blinks back tears.

Jungkook holds Taehyung by his waist, “what is it?” Taehyung shakes his head, “I feel funny.” Jungkook nuzzles his neck, turns his face on the other side to just leave bite marks around Taehyung's throat. “Funny?” Jungkook whispers, “what is funny?”

Taehyung turns away, pressing his forehead against the pillar, “I am not sure.” Jungkook watches the omega, hands hold Taehyung in his place while he presses in against Taehyung's back. “Between your legs?” the alpha growls. Taehyung whimpers, mortified, “be quiet!”

“You vulgar, salacious alpha, be quiet!” Taehyung grips the robe, feels Jungkook nuzzle his neck, “stop voicing-” “It is quite fine,” Jungkook wraps his arms around Taehyung, “you are to feel that way. Your omega senses a potential mate. He wants you to feel this way.”

Taehyung looks over his shoulder. He looks shaken. Lips bitten raw, eyes gleaming with tears, face a little pink. He looks wrecked, and Jungkook wants to wreck him more. “Is this how it feels-” Taehyung frowns, “I feel like I do when I am in heat.” Jungkook curses, “good lord!”

“You are not in heat, my Luna,” Jungkook murmurs, “this is just scenting. You-” “So,” Taehyung wonders, “I will feel like this every time someone scents me?” The growl vibrates the walls of the gazebo, and Taehyung jumps. His eyes widening. Jungkook's hold on him tightens.

“No one but your alpha,” Jungkook buries his face against Taehyung's nape, “touches you here. Am I clear?” Taehyung grips the pillar, “then,” his voice goes thin but does not waver, “where only your Luna touches you, alpha?” Jungkook goes still, “what?”

Jungkook blinks, “what?” Taehyung nods, turns to face the alpha, “if you get to have a part of me, solely yours, what do I get? Because,” he looks away, “you have a harem full of omegas. What does set me apart from them? Which part of you I own? Only me?”

Down the future lane, Jungkook will answer, to a bloody and nearly dead Taehyung, 'you own my heart, my luna. My entire heart.' But not tonight. That is a long road. A bumpy one at that. Hold on. - If you want to support me, here's my kofi https://ko-fi.com/amyungv

This story doesn't have MCD. None of the OT7 dies here.

“You can,” Jungkook thinks, “what do you want?” Taehyung is not sure, “can I hold onto it and ask later?” Jungkook arches a brow, “you cannot ask for my life or something like that. I will take yours instead.” Taehyung stares, “what would I do with that anyway?”

“Fine,” Jungkook nods, “you have my words. One wish of yours, I will fulfil.” Taehyung nods, silently bares his throat for Jungkook to scent him properly this time. Jungkook drags Taehyung back to the mattress at the corner of the gazebo. Sits him down on his lap.

Jungkook takes a hold of Taehyung's robe, parts it a little to leave kisses on his collarbones. Taehyung holds his breath, head feeling dizzy. “Stop,” he grasps Jungkook's shoulder when he feels the alpha's teeth nip him there, “no more.” Jungkook grunts, “goodness, lord!”

Taehyung bites his lower lip, “what?” Jungkook rests his forehead on Taehyung's collarbone, shakes his head, “nothing. Just give me a moment.” The alpha pulls back after a minute or so, looks up at the omega. Taehyung stares back. “Sleep,” Jungkook murmurs, “it is late.”

Taehyung does not bother replying. He lies down on the mattress and watches the alpha sit, facing the lake. He turns his back to the alpha, “you can lie down.” Jungkook does not answer. Taehyung looks over his shoulder at the alpha, “I do not mind. Just lie down.”

Jungkook does. Squirms as far away from the omega as he can while he lies down. Taehyung closes his eyes, after a few minutes, he falls asleep. ---- They get back to the winter palace to a letter from the general. The mad king and his troop already reached the capital.

“We have to leave right away,” Jungkook says after reading the letter, “is he welcomed properly?” The others nod, tells him he was welcomed right away. Jungkook nods, looks back at Taehyung. His eyes roam over Taehyung's form, and Jungkook sighs. “Go and change, we will leave.”

--- Taehyung dresses himself and looks over through the mirror to see Jungkook walking inside his room. He sighs, turns to face the alpha. Jungkook comes to stand in front of him, “Min Yoongi is in our palace. Waiting for us,” Jungkook holds his arms behind his back, “he is...”

“the sharpest person, one of the most fierce warriors and borderline psychotic,” Jungkook frowns, “I would like you to be on your best behaviour and keep your mouth shut around him. Do not attract his eyes. Do not stand out. Also,” Jungkook nods, “the wedding choker-”

“I am not wearing that choker,” Taehyung shakes his head, “no. It is not made for me. It is too tight, it hurt me, there are still scars from where it was too tight. No.” Jungkook sighs, “I know, that is why,” he pulls out a chain and holds it out for Taehyung, “for you.”

“The feathers will have our names engraved on it,” Jungkook murmurs, “when we get back.” “The crystal,” Taehyung looks up, “this is-” “As if a dewdrop,” Jungkook watches the crystal and nods, “wear it. Meet me by the gate. Also, we will ride the same horse and meet the mass.”

“Why?” Taehyung asks, frowning. Jungkook shrugs, “I want everyone to know you are their Luna and who they will bow to from now on, along with me,” Jungkook looks over at the mirror, “also, I want to make sure everyone sees your face. Come on.” The king leaves.

⊶⊶⊶⊶⊶

Taehyung follows Jungkook down the corridor of the guest palace where the king is staying. His eyes trail over the guards, and he notices how each one of them have a bare sword in their hands. As if ready for anything, any moment. Taehyung gulps, steps closer to Jungkook.

There is a soft melody playing. Taehyung finds himself enchanted the more he hears it. Jungkook curses, pushing open the last door of the corridor. “You know, as a guest, you should come to the court to meet the king,” Jungkook rounds the corner of the room to see the king.

Taehyung watches the man's back. Blond, straight hair cascade down his back till his hip. The man's long fingers glide over the piano while he looks outside. As if he can play it just as simply as breathing. As if he does not need to look at the keys, and they will just obey him.

“It is common courtesy-” Jungkook stops when the man laughs, stops abruptly and presses down on random keys to cut the soft melody into a harsh cry of the piano. Taehyung flinches, watches the man turn on the settee, and a cold shiver runs down his spine.

The king's face has a long scar. Running from his eyebrow, down till his upper cheekbone. The smile he offers Jungkook would be friendly, but there is something chilling in that stare. Taehyung grips his hanbok.

“The courtesy is,” Min Yoongi drawls out, “the king should stand by the door of his palace and welcome the guests. Which, I did not see happening,” he leans back on the piano with his elbows, eyes on Jungkook, “and, by now I thought we both know how much of that shit we love.”

“Anyway,” Yoongi waves his hand, “I am not here for courtesy, and you are not here to receive it either. I have a deal for you.” Jungkook arches a brow, “a deal?” Yoongi nods, “sit,” he looks over his shoulder, “Hoba? Close the door.” Jungkook sits on a couch in the room.

Taehyung watches how those lazy eyes shift on him, traces him up and down and then settle on his face. “Why is one of your concubines here?” the king asks. Jungkook sits taut, “he is my mate.” Yoongi's lazy eyes clear a little, “you mean the replaced spouse?”

Taehyung freezes. His eyes wide on the man, and Jungkook's scent sours around him. Yoongi probably picks up on it too, he snorts, “still a cub, not able to hide emotions as good as you should, kook.” Jungkook's eyes burn, “speak wisely, King Min. What do you know?”

Yoongi leans back on his chair, “I know where your actual groom is,” he nods when Jungkook's shoulders tense, Taehyung grips the hand-rest of the couch, “I know why he left. I know you want him-” “I do not,” Jungkook murmurs, voice void of any emotions, “I got my mate here.”

Yoongi's eyes shift to Taehyung again, “he is way too pretty. Is that all it took to change your mind? Do not you see the opportunity that you can take to seek revenge on that Kim Kingdom for doing this to you? They played with you.” Jungkook frowns, “why do you care so much?”

Yoongi smiles, gums out, “I do for two reasons. One,” he counts, “I like the drama,” he shrugs, “I am bored with this mundane life. Two, I got my hands on that pest, and he is making my life miserable, so I need to dump him either on you or on his deathbed.”

Taehyung squirms forward in his seat, “where is he?” “Who is he to you?” Yoongi asks, “I want to know who they replaced him with.” Taehyung feels Jungkook's gaze on him, the warning clear in those eyes, “I am his younger brother. Kim Taehyung.”

Yoongi hums, “makes sense, well,” he looks at Jungkook, “he ran away with my brother. You know how long I tried to keep that one in line and when he would not listen-” “You killed him,” Jungkook nods, “I know.” Yoongi smiles, “that is correct, now I have this omega in my hand.”

“Now, either you take him and mate him,” Yoongi shrugs, “it is not like this kingdom never saw more than one royal omega. Or, you keep him in your harem, use him for yourself or hold him as a prize for your generals to do better work-” Taehyung hisses, lips curling up in anger.

“You have your own harem,” Jungkook leans back on his seat, “why cannot he stay there? Better,” Jungkook slaps his thigh in conclusion, “you need to marry too. Marry him. Who would stop you?” Taehyung glares at Jungkook too. The two alphas are too busy to look at him, though.

Yoongi shakes his head, “never remind me that I am already betrothed. I am trying to forget that, anyway, I know I can keep two royal omegas like my father did,” Yoongi smirks when Jungkook twitches on his spot, “but, believe it or not, I do not want to marry anyone. Ever.”

“So, we are in a lost case,” Jungkook shrugs, “I cannot let the people know I was betrayed like that. So, no way I can tell the kingdom that Taehyung was not my first choice. You do not wish to keep him, I do not want to either, take him back to his father then. Best idea.”

Yoongi nods, looks at Hoseok, “Hoba, bring him here.” Taehyung holds his breath, watching hoba make his way out of the room and looks back at the king. “I sent that man a letter,” Yoongi murmurs, “he is coming here, I told him that I will hand his son over to him. He denied.”

“He said, his family's pride was hurt,” Yoongi laughs, “pride. As if a lost kingdom who is knee-deep in debt and is almost under our feet has any pride left.” Taehyung growls, “well, at least we are still trying to make it work. Surviving.” Yoongi's eyes find him.

The king observes him, hums with a twitch of his lips, “surviving by bending over is surviving with pride, then?” “Mind your language!” Jungkook growls, “you are talking to my Luna-” “I am not,” Yoongi's face morphs into blankness, “he has no mark on him. He is not mated.”

Jungkook seethes, “you do not get to decide or talk over me. I am saying he is my luna-” “I am saying he is not,” Yoongi rests his elbows on his knees, rests his chin on top of his joined hands, “because, words do not mean anything. Actions do, Kook. He is not yours.”

Before they can continue, Hoseok comes back. In his arms, he carries Jimin's unconscious and limp body. Taehyung springs up, follows the general as Hoseok places Jimin on the floor by Yoongi's feet.

Yoongi watches how Taehyung kneels, grabs Jimin by his shoulders and starts to shake him frantically for him to wake up. “He will not,” Yoongi murmurs, “not soon. He is sedated.” Taehyung's blood-shot eyes match Yoongi's observant ones, “how dare you?!” Yoongi arches a brow.

He looks over at Jungkook, “listen, you think no one knows who your actual crowned groom was? He,” Yoongi points at a person who is standing by Yoongi's settee, “he is my spy. He knows. There are many who know. Spies will spread the news and you cannot stop it.”

TW// blood, violence, death

Taehyung watches Jungkook stand up, slowly walk up to Yoongi. “Is that so?” Jungkook asks, looks at the king and back at the spy who has his head bowed, “he knows about this and will spread it?” Yoongi nods, “yes.”

Taehyung watches, breath caught in his chest, how swiftly Jungkook moves. The king pulls his sword out in a flash and swings it. With a clear hissing sound of the air, everything goes quiet. Taehyung watches, immobile, how the spy falls on the ground.

A cry escapes his lips when he watches the spy's head rolls away from his body, hitting the opposite wall and stopping there. Blood trails the path. Taehyung turns his face away, his gut wrenching as he heaves for breath. Jungkook hums, “there. I sorted it.”

Yoongi watches the dead man, sighs, “he was a good spy. Now I have to find another-” “What are you planning?!” Jungkook thunders, “do not go round and round and tell me what is it!” Yoongi watches Jungkook, “I want you to take this pest off my hands. Keep him.”

Yoongi looks down at the omega at his feet, “if you cannot keep him,” he looks up at Jungkook smirks, “get rid of him.” “Why did not you do it?” Jungkook asks, the sword still open in his hand, blood dripping on the carpet, “you are known for your collection of boxes like this.”

Yoongi looks down at the omega's face, thinks, “I could not. I took enough from him.” Jungkook stares at the alpha, looks at Jimin and back at Yoongi, “what…?” Yoongi snorts, shrugs, “you do it. Get rid of him. Just do whatever, take him off of my hands.”

“You can keep him in your harem, you know?” Yoongi gives Jungkook a teasing smile, “he is incredibly pretty. Those lips, I am sure, can do wonders,” he looks down at Jimin, “he is not lacking anything. It is a great deal. You know?”

Jungkook looks at Jimin, eyes trail over the omega, “I cannot keep him. He might open his mouth and spill whatever he knows. Then my reputation will be at stake. I cannot keep him alive,” Jungkook looks at Yoongi, nods, “he was gone. He needs to stay as gone.” Yoongi nods too.

“No!” Taehyung springs up, stands in front of Jungkook with his hands outstretched, “no. You cannot kill him! You cannot do that!” Jungkook's eyes shift on Taehyung, “do not meddle, my Luna. This is for my reputation and I will not let anyone-” “You promised!” Taehyung cries.

Jungkook stops, “what did I promise?” Taehyung wipes his eyes, “you promised me a wish. Remember? You promised me a wish last night when I asked you what can I have of you-” “Oh, my,” Yoongi chuckles, “this is the drama I was missing in my life,” he leans back, “tell me more.”

Taehyung ignores the king, grips Jungkook by his biceps, “you promised me a wish. This is what I want,” Taehyung begs, “let my brother live. Spare his life. Let him stay. I,” Taehyung sniffles, “if you want, I will leave. Keep him. I cannot see him hurt. I cannot see this!”

“You are not going anywhere,” Jungkook hisses, “my people saw you today. They will question-” “I should have really gotten a glass of whiskey for this,” Yoongi leans back on his settee, “hoba, get me some. This is free drama that I pay to watch annually otherwise.”

Jungkook glares at Yoongi and looks back at Taehyung, “you are not going anywhere! I cannot let that happen because my people, Yoona, Eun will question me and what respect do you think I will be left with?” “Shall I play the piano?” Yoongi asks, “to add to the melodrama.”

“For this kind of situation normally violin goes the best,” Yoongi hums, “but we do not have that here. So, we can work with the piano.” Jungkook looks at Yoongi, “is this all a jest to you?” Yoongi snorts, “your entire life is a jest to me. Your existence is a comedy to me.”

Taehyung watches the king rise, side step Jimin on the floor to come and stand in front of Jungkook. “Sorting things out irrationally,” Yoongi murmurs, “killing people off to silence them. I am all for it. But, you cannot silence truth, Jungkook. All the truths will be out.”

“One day,” Yoongi meets Jungkook's glare with a calm stare, “you will have to turn back and see the bloodbath you left behind and yet hear the echo of truth that you keep trying to silence. I hope that day you have one, at least one person beside you. Because, I will enjoy it.”

“I will sit on my throne and watch you run, run from the blood you spill,” Yoongi steps up to Jungkook's face, “I hope one day you stop and think why you smell of blood and how long you will hold onto that smell when you could have been so much mor-” “Be quiet!” Jungkook roars.

“I am,” Jungkook seethes, voice coming out tight, “what he made me.” Yoongi's eyes are just as fiery, “you are what you pretend to be, I am what he made me,” he slaps his own chest, “I took the burn. I took the heat. I burnt myself for you to be this person?!”

Jungkook rises the sword, the tip pointed at Yoongi's throat, “why did not you burn to ashes?” Taehyung watches Yoongi's throat bobs, the king falters for a fraction of seconds before his face goes back to that emptiness, “because, if not me, who else?”

Jungkook drops the sword, “keep him, kill him, burn him, throw him off a cliff, I do not care. He is not my responsibility and I promised,” he points at Taehyung, “him. So, I will keep the promise and would not harm him. But, you are free to do whatever you want.”

Taehyung's fear pushes him to do it and he reaches out to grab Yoongi's arm in his both hands. Jungkook freezes. Hoseok hisses under his breath, closing his eyes and looking away with a prayer. The king's eyes shift. They land on Taehyung's grip on his arm and then on his face.

“Hyung,” Taehyung sniffles, whimpers, shakes his head, “please,” he begs, “please, spare his life. I beg you, I will do anything. I beg you, please,” Taehyung pleads, “spare my brother's life.” “I did not spare my own brother's life,” Yoongi murmurs, “why would I spare yours?”

Taehyung grips Yoongi's hand tightly, “because, you said so yourself,” he looks at Jimin's unconscious form, “you have taken enough from him. Spare him now. Please. Please, hyung.” Yoongi watches Taehyung, eyes flicker over to Jimin next and back to Jungkook.

“What use do I have of him?” Yoongi tries to reason with Jungkook, “he tried to scratch my face off. Bit more than one guard. Threw food everywhere in the room I kept him in, broke everything there. I have never had a headache like this. What do I do with him?”

Jungkook looks at Jimin, “I can keep him. I can, but what do I say to everyone? Who is he?” Yoongi rubs the bridge of his nose, looks at Taehyung and back at Jimin, “we cannot free him and ask him to leave. He might go and spill everything. I do not know what to do.”

Jungkook's eyes are full of mirth, he smirks, “marry him.” The room goes quiet. Taehyung sucks in a breath and glares at the alpha, and Yoongi just gives Jungkook a bewildered look. “I know you want me dead,” Yoongi nods, “but this is not the way. Why would I ever do that?”

Jungkook shrugs, “simple. Seokjin gives you headache and pesters you. He is older than you, and he always reminds you of that and forces you to follow his orders around,” Jungkook's lips twitch, “at least, this one will hate you enough to steer clear of you. Forever.”

“How are you a king with a brain like that?” Taehyung makes a sound in his throat, looks at Yoongi, “hyung,” he pleads, “just... just let me talk to him, and he will listen to me. Okay? He will. I promise, he will not give you any trouble, and he can stay here. Without a fuss.”

Yoongi nods, “fine,” he looks at Jimin, “talk. I do not wish to take his life. Make him understand his choices are limited,” he looks back at Jungkook, lips twitching, “also, who knows? Maybe with time, you would want a second Luna?” Jungkook sighs, “one is headache enough.”

Yoongi goes to sit and holds Jimin by his shoulders to hoist him up. Taehyung stops to see the king lie Jimin down on the settee with his head on Yoongi's lap. Yoongi combs his fingers through Jimin's hair and hums. “Well, when is the celebration? Who are coming?”

Jungkook sits down, takes the whiskey Hoseok offers him, “everyone. Your would-be Luna is coming tonight. I have asked one of my guards to welcome him and his family.” Yoongi nods, “your in-laws, when will they join us?” Jungkook shrugs, “tomorrow. Hopefully.”

Taehyung kneels by the settee, reaching out to cup the side of Jimin's face. “He looks nothing like he used to,” Taehyung whispers, tears clinging to his eyelashes. Yoongi arches a brow, “you are saying he looks prettier than this?” he looks at Jungkook, “think about it!”

Jungkook rolls his eyes, looks down at Jimin and up at Yoongi, “think what?” Yoongi shrugs, “you will have two most beautiful Lunas to show off.” Jungkook watches the alpha, “since when you believe in showing off?” Yoongi sighs, looks down at Jimin, “fine, do whatever.”

----------

“If I knew father will replace me with you,” Jimin's face crumbles, his weak hands reach to grasp Taehyung's tightly, “I would have stayed. I wish,” his eyes fill with tears, “I wish I stayed, Tae. I wish I did not leave.” Taehyung watches his brother break down all over again.

“I wish I did not leave,” Jimin sobs, “married Jungkook and just be here. I ruined your life, and I am the reason he is killed,” the omega doubles over, breaking apart for the fourth time since he woke up, “it is all my fault. I should not have left! I should not have left!”

“Every time I see him,” Jimin seethes, wipes his eyes, “every time he smiles at me, I want to tear him into pieces,” the omega glares at nothing, “that psycho of an alpha!” Taehyung watches Jimin grip the duvet, knuckles turning white, “calm down! You are too weak for this.”

“He is a control freak,” Jimin looks at Taehyung, wipes his eyes, “he killed his brother because he refused to listen to his orders! He cannot stand when people defy him. I hate him! I hate him so much! He took everything from me! I wish I could wipe that smile off his face!”

Taehyung looks over at where Jungkook stands by the door frame, leaning against it and watching Jimin with observant eyes. Taehyung watches Jimin lie down, hug the pillow to his chest and keep murmuring how he ruined everything. He watches Jimin fall asleep doing so.

“He is not doing fine, I see,” Jungkook asks when Taehyung walks out of the room. Taehyung hums, “did my father come?” Jungkook nods, “just arrived. My generals will welcome him.” Taehyung looks at Jungkook, “do not you supposed to do that?” Jungkook eyes him, “do not.”

Taehyung sighs, shrugs, “did you see Jimin?” Jungkook nods, “I did. It is great that he fell asleep. He looks exhausted.” “Is he not pretty?” Taehyung tries to smile, “you know how pretty he is. Also, he did not get mated. He-” “I am not marrying him,” Jungkook stops him.

Taehyung looks away, “why not?” Jungkook rubs his temple, “listen, if he agrees to never speak of where he comes from and who he is, he can stay here. I do not mind.” “But, he will,” Taehyung shakes his head, “he keeps cursing the king. He keeps talking about it all.”

“You can marry him,” Taehyung murmurs, “with time he will forget his lover and you two can have a family. You can-” “You do not forget your first love just like that,” Jungkook's eyes are ahead, fixed on somewhere, “I have learnt that the hardest way possible.”

Taehyung follows Jungkook's eyes to see Eun. She stands near the staircase, looking up. Yoongi is stepping down, Taehyung is sure the king did not see her. Then Yoongi looks up and falters on his steps. Eun grips the railing, bowing, stiff. Yoongi stops in front of her...

Eun says something, and Taehyung watches Yoongi's lips curl with disgust. He snorts, side-steps the woman and marches away. Taehyung watches Eun turn swiftly on her feet, almost rushing to follow Yoongi on his trail. “What...” Taehyung whispers. Jungkook sighs, “ignore them.”

“Get ready,” Jungkook starts walking again, “your father requested an audience after I told him we have Jimin with us. Get ready. We will have the meeting by the garden for the tea time.” Taehyung nods, following after the alpha to his room.

⊶⊶⊶⊶⊶

“Execution is the only way,” Taehyung's father sighs, ignores where Jimin sits, and looks at Jungkook and Yoongi, “I lost my elder son that night and I will carry that truth to my grave.” Yoongi sips his tea, “so, you want me to execute you and send you to your grave?”

The old king shivers, “no, no! Not me, my highness! Him,” he holds his head high, “our family does not tolerate rebellious omegas. Omegas are to follow the alpha of the family's orders and carry their pups and rise them. They should not have a voice or opinion like this. Ever.”

Jungkook puts his cup down, leans on the table, “you will open your mouth when I ask you to. That too, for answers. I do not need your opinions. Seeing your face and listening you talk is hard for me. I want to silence you forever. So, let's not test my patience and answer me.”

“Are you going to take him back to your kingdom?” Jungkook points at Jimin, “safely?” Taehyung watches his father shake his head, “no,” the old king says, “if I am forced to take him back, he will be given to the harem of the generals.” Jungkook stares at King Kim.

“He is your son,” Jungkook murmurs, “was probably forced to leave because he knew this is how prejudiced you are and would never understand his point. Why cannot you take him back?” King Kim juts his chin out, “I will not let anyone tint my family name. He is dead to me.”

“How about you be dead to everyone?” Yoongi puts his feet up on the table, right on top of King Kim's plate of snacks, “how about this is the last meal and those are the last words you speak?” “I do not care,” Taehyung's father says with a blank face, “my legacy shall live on.”

“Your legacy of deceiving your own sons?” Taehyung asks, “your legacy of being a father who cannot protect his own sons? Who was never a safe place for his sons to come to? What legacy, father? I sacrificed myself and this is the least I am asking. For me. Please! Take him back.”

“I will not go back there,” Jimin chews out, eyes unblinking and fixed on the table, “I will not go back to that kingdom. I will not stay here either. I left that place and that place is not my home anymore. I do not know this place. I do not wish to be a load on Tae either.”

“All of this would not happen,” his eyes are the bluest when he looks at Yoongi, “if you did not kill your own brother off. You caused all this.” “Here we go again,” Yoongi rolls his neck, sighs, “here starts his fit again. It is done, and I do not regret it.”

“I do have a solution,” King Kim leans in, eyes glinting with hope, “what if,” he looks at Jungkook and back at Yoongi, “we pretend we never found him?” Jungkook frowns, “what do you mean? How?” Yoongi stares at the old man, “I know what he will say. Go on. Disappoint me.”

“We can get rid of him,” King Kim ignores the sharp intake of breath from Taehyung and the short laugh from Jimin, “we never found him. Chapter closed.” “For once,” Yoongi rubs his temple, “for once,” his voice goes quiet, “for once,” he roars, “be a damn father before a king!”

Taehyung jumps when Yoongi kicks the dish of snacks at his father, roars at the man. “For once, put your pups over your kingdom, your pride, your dick!” Jungkook's throat bobs, he looks away. “For once,” Yoongi growls, “be a damn father and treat the pups like pups!”

“Help them grow into an actual person!” Yoongi thunders, “because they did not want to be here, you brought them here and left them to fend for themselves and in a lifetime of trauma that they could have lived without!” Jungkook grips the edge of the table, “enough. Calm down!”

Yoongi looks at Jungkook, lets out a delirious laugh, “it is hilarious how you learnt that exact sentence and keep repeating it everywhere!” Jungkook's eyes snap to his, “it is indeed hilarious that you never knew where to utter a word and kept your silence till it destroyed-”

“Fine,” Taehyung's father nods, “I will take him off your two's hands. You two have done enough. One married my son and kept my kingdom's respect, along with our treaty, even after what I did. The other held onto the promise of tentative friendship too. I will respect these.”

“Where will he go?” Taehyung asks, terrified. “He will be taken care of,” his father assures, “I have a friend who is looking for an omega because his omega died of childbirth. I will marry him off to that alpha.” Yoongi frowns, “you mean, Seokjin's father? Your only friend?”

King Kim smiles wide, nods, “you got it, my highness! He is yet to birth an alpha heir for the throne. He will do good with Jimin. Jimin can give him an heir-” “He is fifty-four years old,” Yoongi speaks one syllable at a time, very slowly, “he is Seokjin's father!”

“Yes,” King Kim smiles, “that is not really a bad pairing. You know, king Lee's omega is only twenty-two, and he is forty. They are living happily with their pups.” Yoongi looks at Jimin and back at the king, “well, I am not his guardian. I do not see why I should protest.”

“Are you seriously giving up?!” Jungkook slams his hand down on the table. Yoongi looks at him, “well, you will not marry him. I am not sure what else I can do. He is not ending up in a harem, and matches like these are common. I guess, there are no other solutions.”

tw// mention of self harm, talk of self harm, suicide

“I have my own solutions and you all either follow it or I will take my life,” Jimin speaks for the first time since his father offered the proposal, “and, you all should know by now that none of you can stop me.” They all stare at Jimin. Jimin stares at his hands.

Taehyung reaches blindly, grasping Jungkook's hand in his. Jungkook flinches, looks at the omega and down at where his cold hand tries to seek warmth. The alpha covers Taehyung's hand with both of his, squeezing it assuringly while they wait for Jimin to finish his talk.

“I have chosen my life,” Jimin murmurs, “I was happy with it. Everything was going fine. Until,” his eyes find Yoongi, “you stepped in and ruined it. You took away my last ray of hope and my only love. You made my life miserable-” “I saved you,” Yoongi utters, calm, “that day.”

Jimin huffs out a snort, “no, you finished my life along with his that day.” Yoongi stares at the omega, “what is your solution, omega?” Jimin's face is blank, eyes oozes fire, “marry me.” Everyone goes quiet. Taehyung grips Jungkook's hand in his, eyes widening.

Yoongi breathes out a laugh, “okay, so hence proved. He has gone crazy.” “No,” Jimin shakes his head, “I have not. I want to drive you crazy.” Yoongi looks at the omega, “do you make sense to yourself because you surely do not make sense to any of us.”

“Oh, but, it is!” Jimin nods, determined, “you ruined my life in a day and I want to ruin yours,” his voice turns icy, “every day! I want to live side by side with you and ruin your life every second of every day!”

“I know people call me the mad king,” Yoongi hums, “but I am not mad enough to agree to this stupidity!” he snorts and looks at Jimin's father, “okay, drop him wherever you want. Harem, on an almost dying man's dick, into the river, I do not care.” Yoongi gets up to leave.

Jungkook curses, stands up, “how long will you punish yourself for the past?” he calls after Yoongi, “how long will you love and hate the same person and ruin every other life?! Either marry her or marry Jimin! Take responsibility for your actions! You never do that!”

Taehyung watches Jungkook, smells the alpha's anger around him. He reaches for Jungkook, but Jungkook storms up to Yoongi. “She waits!” Jungkook screams, “she waits every day for you to return! She waits every night for a word from you. You know! You keep her hanging like that!”

“I keep her hanging like that because I cannot hang her literally,” Yoongi breathes out a laugh, “your 'she' and my 'she' are two different persons, Jungkook. You will never understand.” Jungkook grips Yoongi's elbow, stops him, “is it worth it? Is a love like this worth it?!”

-------------

“You look awfully exhausted,” Yoona comes to stand beside Jungkook, “what is the matter, my darling?” Jungkook watches the maze from his balcony, frowns at it, “I wish I could word it, Yoona.” Yoona places a hand on his shoulder, “want me to take your mind off it?”

Jungkook looks at the concubine, his eyes wander over those eyes, down to those lips and back to those eyes again. Yoona smiles, waits. Jungkook looks back at the maze, “out of everyone, you know a lot. But I am afraid, you cannot help me either.”

Yoona comes to hug Jungkook from behind, presses her lips over his bare shoulder, “I will just stay here to comfort you then.” Jungkook looks outside, silently taking the glass of whiskey Yoona holds out for him from behind. Yoona rests her head on his shoulder, humming.

The announcement of Taehyung makes Jungkook looks over, and he watches Taehyung walk in. Taehyung's eyes go from him to Yoona who is still plastered on his back. Jungkook turns to face the omega fully, “you are here?” he wonders, “it is way past your bedtime.”

Taehyung shrugs, “I could not sleep.” Yoona steps beside Jungkook, “how is that his problem, my prince?” Taehyung ignores her, eyes fixed on Jungkook, “I will go.” Jungkook hesitates, not sure what Taehyung wants him to do, he nods, “okay. Good night, my Luna.”

Taehyung nods, leaves with his head hung low. Jungkook stares at the open door until the guards outside close it. He turns to face the balcony again. “Want to play something?” Yoona asks, “how about a game of chess?” Jungkook sits on the swing, shakes his head, “not tonight.”

Jungkook lets out a sigh when Yoona plops down on his lap, arms going around his neck with a wide smile on her lips. “Yoona,” Jungkook hoists her up to make her sit beside him, “I told you, we will not be this anymore.” Yoona watches him, “why not? You found someone else?”

Jungkook shakes his head, “that is not the point-” “You think that omega will take care of your needs?” Yoona sneers, a laugh bubbles out of her, “an innocent royal pup like him? Would know how to handle you? Is that it?” Jungkook looks at her, “I am not thinking of him.”

“I am asking, my love,” Yoona places her hand on his thigh, “I know you. I know how you are. Who would take care of you, and how long will you go without an omega just because you are married? It makes no sense to me. What do you call an alpha who only has one omega?”

“Loyal. The term is loyal.” Jungkook looks over his shoulder to see Yoongi and stands up with a frown just to remember that Yoongi does not need to announce himself. The mad king smiles at Yoona, “a term you surely know nothing of. I presume?”

Yoongi looks at Jungkook, “you still keep her around?” Jungkook crosses his arms over his chest, “I keep my loved ones around me. Yes.” Yoongi's eyes hold him in place, the mad king chuckles, “funny, how delusional you are when it comes to recognizing your loved ones.”

Jungkook watches Yoongi, “I love her.” Yoongi breathes out, looks at Yoona, “leave.” Yoona opens her mouth to protest, but Yoongi's smile vanishes in an instant. His eyes harden and one brow rises. Jungkook watches Yoona bow to the two of them and scurry out of the room.

Yoongi's face stays serious when he looks at Jungkook, “I raised you better than this, pup.” Jungkook grabs the pitcher full of water and hurls it at Yoongi, “do not ever go there!” His voice roars in the room, and Yoongi dodges the pitcher easily, eyes still on Jungkook.

Yoongi looks at the broken glasses, sighs, “still acting on impulses. Still so stupid.” Jungkook glares at the alpha, “do not judge me when you are not making the decisions from my shoes.” Yoongi looks at Jungkook, “I blessed you with a comfortable shoe, pup. No?!”

“Why are you here?” Jungkook combs his hair back, inhales deeply to calm himself, “why are you here-” “I came here to tell you that,” Yoongi nods, “I am leaving. In an hour or so.” Jungkook's face falls, “you... you are leaving.” Yoongi nods, “my work here is done.”

Jungkook looks at the alpha, “how easily you leave. Every time.” Yoongi looks around the room, “I cannot stand this place. It...” his face contorts, “it suffocates me.” Jungkook feels his eyes burn, “but, you left me to suffocate until the last breath was choked out of me.”

Jungkook lets out a hollow laugh, “the Eagle of Frostland,” he giggles, “they call me. You made sure of that. You are the reason I fly alone. You are the reason I am so alone!” Yoongi watches him, “would you rather be the mad, psychotic king?” he laughs, “is that what you want?”

“I wanted you to stay,” Jungkook turns away when that burn in his eyes intensifies, he clenches his jaw to not let that burn result into anything, “I wanted you to stay...” Yoongi snorts, “because, it gets easier to hide behind the wall and let the wall take the burn, huh?”

“I did not leave you!” Yoongi hisses, “I had to leave before I died!” Jungkook closes his eyes, inhales deeply, “why did you have to,” he looks over his shoulder at Yoongi, “leave with him? Why take him but not me? Was I not worth saving?” Yoongi sucks in a breath.

Yoongi looks away, “you were to inherit the throne.” Jungkook laughs, throws his head back and laughs, “so, it was just that. Him over me. Always. Here I was,” he does not try to hide the tears anymore, “trusting that wall like a shield when it was made of glass.”

Yoongi tongues his cheek, nods curtly, “I am not here to baby you, pup-” “Do not call me that,” Jungkook chews out, “if you love your life, do not call me that.” Yoongi snorts, “you think I love my life? You think I make enemies left and right because I love my life?”

“I died in that snowstorm!” Yoongi thunders, “I died when I let go of that kid's hand and left him for that monster to find because I had no other choice! I was just fourteen! I did not stand a chance! Your wall was indeed made of glass! He was just fourteen!”

A/N - I am not sure if I will write Yoongi's story completely yet because it will be hell lot of disturbing. I am not sure I want to go that deep or not without triggering myself. But, let's see.

Yoongi is breathing harshly now, “no one asks your side of the story because they are happy with the narrative they have in their heads. People call me the mad king and lunatic for the executions I did. Not knowing why I did it and who they are! No one cares! You know why?!”

“Because we are selfish, self-centred, like you!” He jabs a finger on Jungkook's heart, “you saw yourself hurting, and I do not blame you, but do you even know what I was going through?! Do you ever just think, that why I ran away in that snowstorm that night?! Ever?! No!”

Yoongi inhales deeply, “anyway, I am not here to fight a losing battle. You hate me and I do not care. I just came here to tell you I am leaving before dawn. Also,” he looks at the balcony over Jungkook's shoulder, “do not fuck it up. With Taehyung. You got a good person.”

“You got someone who cares,” Yoongi sighs, “I will wish you the best-” “Did you ever think of me?” Jungkook murmurs, “in all these years, did you ever look back and think if you were given another chance, would you do it different this time? Or, was it always going to be him?”

Yoongi's eyes twitch, they gleam under the candle-lights, “you were a day old when you were given to me,” his voice grows heavy, “you were this peeling, pink blob of a bundle who cried all night. I stayed up nights after nights looking after you. I raised you on my back.”

tw// mention of child abuse, starvation (please be patient with me, I am trying to write it as vaguely as I can)

“I was five myself. I gave my foods to you when we were starved, left to fend for ourselves,” Yoongi murmurs, “I held you to my chest when we were locked up in that cell he used to call 'training chamber.' I stayed awake making sure no insects bite you throughout the night...”

“I took your punishments for you,” Yoongi whispers, “always tried to shield you. I lo-” he chokes, “I loved you.” “Not enough to stay,” Jungkook snorts, “not enough to take me with you.” Yoongi curses, “I did not have an option! Why do not you understand?!”

Jungkook tilts his head, “you still did not answer me.” “I did not have to think of you when you were the only person on my mind all the time,” Yoongi grits out, “if that is what you wanted to hear!” Jungkook watches Yoongi, “then why did not you come back? Never?”

Yoongi breathes out a hollow laugh, “you remember those chambers as a place where you were starved till you fell unconscious for him to say he wanted to 'discipline' you. I remember them more vividly. My punishments varied and left scars that are yet to heal. Might never heal.”

“This place, this palace,” Yoongi shivers, “reminds me of days I would rather forget. Reminds me of a boy who suffered too much because,” his face contorts, “because your father was a sick bastard. You know nothing of him, and you are still disgusted of him. Only if you knew...”

“That night I ran blindly,” Yoongi chokes out, “I ran because otherwise I was going to do something to myself for being so helpless. I was dying every day. I was hating myself for being so weak when now I know, I was just a little kid myself! I ran for my life that night!”

“I wanted to take you with me, but I knew he would come for you, you are his heir,” Yoongi's face contorts, “he would not come for me. I could not take the thought of him coming for me. Ever again. I could not take the trauma of seeing his face, hearing him talk, anymore.”

“The men I executed,” Yoongi hisses, talking to himself now, “each one of them were involved in my misery somehow. Some helped him lock me up. Some helped him punish me. Some tried to be him when he left me alone,” Yoongi crumbles, “I took my revenge. It still is not enough!”

Yoongi inhales deeply, “these walls, these rooms, they still echo his laughs. His voice. It feels like I still need to look over my shoulders, just to make sure his shadow is not following me around. You do not know what he was, pup. I do, and I am terrified of him. Even now.”

“So, I will leave, as fast as I can,” Yoongi murmurs, “I came here for you. To bring you the omega you chose for yourself. I came here just so your reputation is not tinted. I will not stay. I cannot stay. I am sorry.” Jungkook watches Yoongi turn on his heels to leave.

This gets overwhelming because I know what I am writing and what past I am talking about of this character because I am kind of outlining his life. It's horrible and I need time to process it myself. I will see you tomorrow. But, Yoongi's character ends here.

I will bid him goodbye from this story, and we will close the door behind him. It might be too heavy for some of you. I do not want to trigger anyone like that. Good night. I will rest now. x

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷

“Stay for the celebration,” Jungkook calls out after Yoongi, “at least, stay for the celebration. Taehyung,” he looks away, “deserves the blessing of the eldest of the family.” Yoongi freezes on his way out, “never call me a member of this family. Ever again.”

Jungkook snorts, “you cannot just deny blood. Can you?” Yoongi stands taut, his eyes closing on its own accord, “I am anything but your blood.” Jungkook turns away, “if you ever cared for me, you will stay. If you never did, you can leave.”

---------

Taehyung looks at himself, sits on the stool while Jimin and others help him dress. Jimin's eyes are red. He blinks faster the more he adds layers on Taehyung. Taehyung sighs, grabs his hand and stops the omega. “I am fine,” he assures Jimin, “can you stop crying?”

Jimin shrugs, goes to fix Taehyung's hair, “I do not see you being happy. I see you crying yourself to sleep. I see your alpha come back from his harem. I see you watch him surrounded by those concubines. It was supposed to be me. I left like a coward and-”

Taehyung looks away, “this was my destiny. I have accepted it. I am kind of glad, you know?” he looks at Jimin, “I am glad he never once visits me in my bed chamber. He never once tried to force himself on me. I am glad he keeps to himself and lets me be on my own.”

Jimin does not say anything, he goes back to fixing Taehyung's hair. Taehyung looks at himself in the mirror and tells himself he is fine. He tells himself that every night. He tells himself that every hour. Every minute. He hopes, one day, he believes it.

----- The celebration is held outside. In the royal field where the general mass is welcomed to visit the royal couple and greet them with something while the royal couples give them clothes and ten gold coins as a return gift.

Yoongi sits beside Jungkook's throne. Lazily watching everyone bow to the royal couple. Taehyung sits beside Jungkook, nods to everyone who comes up to him and bows. He hands over the pouch of coins while Jungkook gives the clothes on a round, bronze tray.

Yoongi notices it first. He sits up alert, eyes furrowing while he watches Taehyung sway where he sits. The omega frowns, blinking rapidly, wiping his lips. Yoongi watches how Taehyung tries to force himself to stay composed, but fails and lurches forward.

"Taehyung!" Jungkook grabs the omega, who struggles to hold a hand over his mouth. Yoongi grabs a pot and holds it for the omega to empty his stomach before Taehyung loses consciousness. Jungkook stands up, quickly picking the omega up in his arms and hurrying back inside.

Jimin rushes with the omega, followed by Yoongi. Jungkook lies the omega down on the bed and calls for the doctor. Yoongi stands by the foot of the bed, watches how Jungkook stands beside the omega, watching him with a worried expression. The doctor comes right away.

Yoona and Eun walk in, standing by the doorframe and watching the royal doctor check the omega. Yoongi keeps his eyes on the doctor, watches how a smile blooms on that face. “Congratulations, my king,” the doctor smiles at Jungkook, “our Luna is carrying your pup.”

The room goes quiet. Everyone looks at Jungkook, whose irises are turning red as he looks at the doctor. “I am sorry?” Jungkook asks, voice calm, but a tremor of roughness clear in it, “what did you just say?” The doctor's smile falters, “our Luna is with pups.”

Jungkook's eyes flicker over to Taehyung and back to the doctor, “are you sure? If you are not, I will-” “I am sure, my highness,” the doctor bows, “but, if you want, you can bring in anyone else and do the check-up.” Jungkook looks at the omega, “I see. You may leave now.”

Yoongi's eyes flicker to Jimin, who sits by the omega's head, eyes wide and on Taehyung. Yoongi waits until everyone is out of the room before he looks at Jungkook. Jungkook is looking at Taehyung with something like confusion and anger. Yoongi sighs, walks around the bed.

“Come on,” Yoongi takes a hold of Jimin's elbow, “let's go.” Jimin flinches, “let go of me! I said, let go-” Yoongi ignores the omega's words and curses and drags him out of the bed. He looks at Jungkook and back at Taehyung. “Do not lose yourself,” he warns Jungkook.

Jungkook hears the door close behind the king and Jimin. He watches Taehyung sleep and turns to walk up to the balcony. A delirious laugh escapes him. He wanted this. He told Taehyung and Namjoon to do this. Then... why does he feel so angry? So betrayed?

He thinks how he did not touch a single omega since his wedding and- Jungkook shakes his head. Inhales deeply and tries to calm himself. He will be of no use if he is angry. He hears the moan, Taehyung whines, slowly waking up. Jungkook inhales deeply, nodding to himself.

He walks back inside to see Taehyung sitting up, wincing while he holds his head. “Are you still feeing nauseous?” Jungkook asks, coming to stand by the side of the bed, “do you need something?” Taehyung looks at him, looks around, “what happened?” Jungkook's muscles twitch.

He goes to pick up the pitcher full of water and pour a glass. He sits down on the edge of the bed and keeps his eyes resolutely on the glass. “You are pregnant with Namjoon's baby,” Jungkook murmurs, holding the glass out for Taehyung to take. Taehyung goes very still, “what?”

Jungkook keeps his eyes on the glass, smiles, “do you want me to call him? At this time, you should be with your alpha-” “Repeat yourself!” Taehyung grasps the quilt, “what did you say?!” Jungkook grips the glass tightly, “you are pregnant.”

Taehyung shakes his head, “that is impossible!” Jungkook keeps his eyes on the glass, “accept it, okay? I will not punish you. I will not be mad. I get mad when people lie-” “I am not lying!” Taehyung slaps the glass away, ignores how it drops on the carpet, “I am not lying!”

Taehyung shakes his head frantically, “I cannot be pregnant! I never had intercourse! That is not possible!” Jungkook finally looks at him, “the doctor is an expert. He is old. He birthed me. Why would he get it wrong?” Taehyung glares, “because I am saying so!”

Jungkook watches him, “you want another opinion?” Taehyung nods, “yes! I want another opinion because, I do not think hugging someone can get you pregnant! If that is not the point, then, no. I am not pregnant!” Jungkook stares at Taehyung, “fine. I will call for another one.”

---- “He is indeed with pups, my lord,” the doctor looks at Jungkook and back at Taehyung, “I am not sure what is the confusion here.” Jungkook looks at the new doctor and back at the omega, who is staring at the doctor with wide eyes. “You can leave,” Jungkook sighs.

“Why are you lying?” Taehyung mumbles, his eyes stuck on the doctor, “you know very well I am not pregnant. Why are you lying?” his voice cracks, “why-” “Leave,” Jungkook hisses, watches the doctor scurry away before he looks at Taehyung, “is this enough or you want more drama?”

Taehyung watches the door close, he looks up at the alpha, “what?” “I am not mad, okay?” Jungkook rubs his temple, “I get it. You both are in love and if you did something, I am not mad, and I will not do anything to you, to Namjoon, or to the pup. I will not.”

Taehyung looks at Jungkook, “okay.” Jungkook stares, “okay?” Taehyung nods, “okay. I know I am not pregnant. It will be proven in nine months. I will not waste my time proving something that will be naturally proven in a few months. Leave now.”

“Unlike you, I do not go around bedding everyone who comes my way,” Taehyung rests his hands on his lap, leans back against the headrest, “so, I got nothing to prove. It will be proven in a few months. Get out now. I do not want to see your face ever again.”

“You want me to trust you when you did nothing till now to show me why I should do it,” Jungkook grits out, “you blame me for not trusting a word that comes out of your mouth?” “No, I do not,” Taehyung mumbles, looks away, “that is why I am not going to waste my words on you.”

Jungkook opens his mouth to say something when there is a knock on his door. Taehyung, and him, both look over when the guard announces Taehyung's father's arrival. Taehyung looks at Jungkook, and Jungkook looks at the door while it opens to reveal the old man.

Jungkook storms out of the room and Taehyung sighs. He watches his father come and sit on the bed to squeeze his knee. “I heard you are pregnant,” his father smiles, “congratulations, my boy.” Taehyung looks away, “I am not, father.” His father frowns, “what do you mean?”

Taehyung feels his face heat up, “me and alpha,” he looks away, “it is not possible.” His father's frown deepen, “you two have not slept together?” Taehyung grips the quilt, “I am not comfortable talking about this-” His father curses, “my God, Taehyung! You are so stupid!”

“Then whose baby is it?!” the king thunders, “oh my, Lord! I will behead you if he now breaks the treaty! I cannot lose my kingdom for your childish acts!” Taehyung grips the quilt, “he will not break anything-” “Are you sure?!” his father hisses, “absolutely sure?!”

Taehyung shakes his head, urgently reaches for his father's hand, “he said, if the baby is someone else's, even then he will accept it and let me be. That is how much he respects the wedding and the treaty. He would never break it.” His father looks at him, thinking.

“I do not know if you are indeed pregnant with someone else's baby or if you are not pregnant at all, but,” his father nods, thinking, “I want you to act on it. Act as if you are pregnant, and I do not care how, get a baby. This is a good idea.” Taehyung frowns, “what?”

His father nods, “yes. Because, if you are correct, if he is going to respect the treaty and is ashamed to accept publicly that we played with him, then we should take advantage of it. See,” his father squirms closer, “he knows the baby is not his. His kingdom does not. Right?”

“This way, the kingdom will think you gave him an heir for the throne and,” his father's eyes gleam, “even if he wants, he cannot kick you out of here. Ever. He has to respect you as the head omega of his kingdom. He will be bound to us. In every sense! Do you get it?”

“Where do I get a baby, father?” Taehyung trembles, “how-” “I will arrange it,” his father waves his hand, “there are so many orphans or lowlifes being born every day. I will get it done. You do not worry. Just play your part and follow my instruction. For our kingdom, for us.”

Taehyung looks at his father, tears brim in his eyes, “what about my self-respect? He will think I slept around! I did not, father!” His father waves him off, “let him. Why do you care what a cruel king like him think of you? Why do you care about his opinion on your character?”

Taehyung cares. He cares what Jungkook thinks of him. He cares because Jungkook already thinks so low of him and he cannot be lower than that. He cannot see that disgust in those eyes when he did nothing to deserve it this time. He cares about Jungkook's opinions on him.

“I cannot lie to him like that,” Taehyung shakes his head, “I proudly told him I am not pregnant. I told him he will be proven wrong, and now I cannot-” “I am taking Jimin back with me,” his father murmurs in a low rumble, “here is the point, Tae. This is our treaty.”

His father's face goes blank, “Jimin will stay a royal omega as long as you stay pregnant,” his hand squeezes Taehyung's knee, painfully, “the moment you drop this act, I will drop Jimin in the general harem. I lost him when he left, it will not pain me at all. You decide.”

Taehyung feels the cold wave run down his spine. He feels his entire body going numb. “I do not know how I can do this alone,” he shakes his head, “I cannot do this alone.” “You are not alone,” the king rises his hands, claps, eyes focused on Taehyung, “you got help.”

Taehyung watches Yoona walk in, close the door behind herself. She smiles at him and comes to stand by his father. His father nods, “we made a deal. I paid the doctors off, and she will stay by your side and help you pretend to be pregnant. She has her own reasons, I got mine.”

Yoona bows, smiles at Taehyung when she stands up straight, “I get my alpha out of this, and you get your position. You get more, my lord. Your father's kingdom, this kingdom's Luna's position. I just,” her smile turns sour, “want my alpha to be mine alone.”

Taehyung watches the omega, “if your alpha was indeed yours, you would not have to run and stoop this low to secure his loyalty.” He looks at his father, “I cannot believe you would do this for your kingdom. At this point, I do not think you even care about your people.”

“You just want to stay the king,” Taehyung sneers, “and, like a stupid I let myself get involved-” “Jimin will face the consequences,” his father murmurs, voice as neutral as ever, “just keep that in mind.” Taehyung knows his father knows he will do anything for Jimin.

Taehyung looks away, “just never show me your face again. Never.” His father stands up, “one day, you will know I was doing everything to save you. After me, the kingdom will be yours, Taehyung.” Taehyung says nothing, he lies down and hugs a pillow to his chest.

After his father and Yoona leave, there is a knock on his door. Taehyung grips the pillow and waits for the announcement. “The King of Min kingdom is here, my lord!” the guard announces. Taehyung sits up, wipes his eyes and watches Yoongi walk in. He stands up to bow.

Yoongi nods, “I came here to bid you goodbye,” his voice is soft, “also, to congratulate you on your pups.” Taehyung's face contorts, “th-” he swallows hard, “thank you.” The king watches him, “you do not look happy. You did not want the pups this soon?”

“That is not true, my lord,” Taehyung tries to not look at the king's eyes, “I am, I am happy.” Yoongi watches him, his eyes heavy on Taehyung, “I may be mad, but even a mad person knows what happiness looks like, Taehyung, and you are not looking the part of it.”

Then Yoongi asks something Taehyung did not know he was dying to hear someone ask him since this all started. The mad king says something he was drying for someone to tell him. Yoongi steps up to him, rests a hand on his shoulder, “pup, I am right here. Are you okay? I am here.”

Taehyung feels how his entire body shake. He feels cold, all of a sudden everything feels too much, and he feels suffocated. He looks at Yoongi and tries to hold himself up, but the more the king watches him and waits patiently, the more Taehyung breaks.

Yoongi's had cups the side of his face, “it must be tiring,” the mad king murmurs, “taking someone else's place and just marrying a man with a reputation like that. Must be horrifying to come with him to somewhere as twisted as this kingdom. Are you taking care of yourself?”

“You can tell me,” Yoongi sighs, “I know you must hate me for what I did to your hyung, but I would not harm you. You got someone, okay?” Yoongi nods, “you got me. If anything, summon me and I will be here. You got me.” Taehyung sniffles, “I want to run away from all this.”

Yoongi watches him, “you were not...” his throat bobs, “Jungkook did not force himself on you. I am not taking sides, pup, but...” his face goes a little pale, “tell me he did not. Please.” “No,” Taehyung hugs himself, “he did not touch me. Ever.” Yoongi breathes out, “oh.”

Then the alpha frowns, “huh?” Taehyung nods, “he never touched me. No one,” he puts extra weight on the words, “no one ever touched me.” The door opens to Yoona walking inside, “my lord, I am here.” Yoongi stares at Taehyung, “no one?” Taehyung urges with his eyes, “no one.”

Taehyung jerks his head towards Yoona, “she is here to help me with my pregnancy,” his eyes brim with more tears, “my father asked her personally to stay by my side.” Yoongi's jaw ticks, “I see,” his eyes go to Yoona who obliviously smile at him, “I see.”

Taehyung nods, takes the glass of water Yoona gives him, “yes. My father is taking Jimin with him. To keep him safe,” his face contorts while he looks at Yoongi, “while Yoona takes care of me and write to him about my health.” Yoongi's eyes starts to change colour, “oh, I see.”

Tw// violence (physical/verbal), blood, injuries

Jimin wraps the shawl tightly around himself, walking down the long hallways of the palace he will vacate the next day. His father is forcing him to go back, Jimin can try to defy, but for what? Now that the hurt and anger had subdued, Jimin feels lifeless and empty.

His eyes jump from one room to another. He walks aimlessly along the wing. Jimin hears the muffled scuffle when he takes the next turn. He frowns, eyes settling under those burning torches. Down the long corridor is darkness, the sound comes from there. He hesitates.

The next thing he hears is a door slamming and a pained cry. Jimin takes off towards the sound with lightening speed. He ignores how the shawl drops off his shoulders, and he is in his nightwear now. He turns the corner and sees the last room's door wide open.

With hurried steps, he walks up to it, just to stop to see Yoongi inside. Jimin freezes. The king is wearing his leather pants, the white shirt loose around him, a wide belt that has various types of knives stuck on it. He is holding a sharp kukri in his hand, playing with it.

Jimin's eyes move when he hears the muffled cries and words. The omega stills when he sees the victim. The royal doctor. The doctor is tied with a chair by his wrists, a cloth binding his mouth too. He is trembling vividly, tears rolling out of his eyes while he watches Yoongi.

Jimin watches, grasping the door-frame, how lazily Yoongi turns to face the doctor. His eyes burning with the candlelights of the room. “Speak,” Yoongi murmurs, “speak what I want to hear. Otherwise, this kukri will go down your throat.” Jimin staggers, eyes widening.

“Are you crazy?!” Jimin screams, lurches inside to stand between the doctor and the king, “what did he do to you?! Why are you trying to kill him?! What-” Jimin pauses, eyes widening, “are you trying to blackmail him into doing something to Tae?! To his pup?! You freak!”

Yoongi's eyes flicker over to him for a second before he looks back at the doctor as if Jimin is not even there. Jimin watches the mad king round the table and free the doctor's one arm. The king sits at the edge of the table and smiles at the doctor, who looks half-dead.

Yoongi places the doctor's palm on the table, spreads those fingers, “your hands are blessed with healing knowledge. People say that through a doctor, the god treats the patient. We,” Yoongi slams the kukri's tip down on the table, between the doctor's fingers, “trust you.”

“To,” the kukri moves, Jimin watches, horrified, how the kukri moves with lightning speed between the gap of the doctor's fingers, “heal us. To tell us what is wrong and what we should do. We trust you blindly.” “I-I did not lie,” the doctor cries out behind the cloth.

“You,” the doctor flinches when the sharp edge of the kukri touches his skin just barely, “I birthed you, my hih-highness!” Yoongi laughs, throws his head back and laughs, before he grabs the doctor's hair and tugs his face up to match his eyes, “I am not thankful for that.”

Jimin watches the king grasp the doctor's jaw, almost snapping it, “never remind me that you birthed me if you want me to go easy on you. Now,” he holds the doctor's hand down and speeds up with the kukri, “I will go out of here with either my answers or your fingers. Decide.”

“Our Luna is not pregnant,” Yoongi murmurs, eyes ablaze, “who paid you to lie?!” Jimin stumbles, grips his nightwear and looks between the king and the doctor. The doctor shakes his head, “he is indeed pregnant, my lord! He is lying because, maybe,” he gulps, “maybe…”

“Maybe the pup is from his lover,” the doctor whispers, trying to smile at the king, “our Luna's character is not-” The scream is deafening. Jimin startles and looks for the reason and when he sees, he cries out, a hand covering his mouth. The doctor's thumb rolls on the floor.

Jimin's nostrils are attacked with the smell of blood, and he tries to shove the bile down his throat. “Take his name with respect,” Yoongi's voice comes out low, gravelly, “talk about him with nothing but respect. Are we clear?” The doctor cries, nodding vehemently.

“I will ask one last time,” Yoongi wipes the blood on the kukri against the doctor's cheek, smirks, “go on, try me. I like to see blood spilling. So, I will do this again if you want. Now, who told you to do this and why? He needs to know.” Jimin looks over his shoulders.

For the first time, Jimin notices the other alpha in the room. Jungkook stands by the other corner of the room, hidden in the shadows. His hands shoved in his pockets and his eyes fixed on the doctor, who probably saw him for the first time too.

“I am going easy on you,” Yoongi whispers, “he will not. So, spill. No amount of money is worth losing a limb.” Jimin coughs, his head spinning. He grips the edge of the table, tries to focus only on the doctor's face. The doctor shakes his head, “our Luna is pregnant.”

Jungkook sighs, uncrosses his legs and stands up properly. He walks up to the table leisurely, takes the knife from Yoongi and sits on the other side of the table. “Get the salt,” Jungkook murmurs for a guard to hand him over a pouch of salt. Yoongi looks at Jimin, “get out.”

“No!” Jimin hisses, “I am not going anywhere!” Yoongi gets up, curses, “omega! Get out of here! You are not made for this-” “This is what is going to happen,” Jungkook's icy voice cuts their quarrel out, “I will open you up and put salt in you. In your wounds...”

Jungkook traces the doctor's face with the knife, “you have got areas I can burn, doctor,” he chuckles, “keep you alive and burn you in hell simultaneously. Do you want that?” With that he dips the doctor's open wound into the salt and Jimin jerks forward to hide his face.

The scream echoes in the room, and Jimin buries himself against the mad king's chest, trembling with fear and disgust. Jungkook holds the doctor's hand right there, “tell me the truth, doctor. I do not like liars. You may birthed us, but, we fucking fed you for ages!”

Yoongi's arms come up to hold Jimin's shoulders, “go out. You are not made for this.” Jimin looks up, tears brimming in his eyes, “you dragged me into all this. So, I cannot leave now.” Yoongi's jaw ticks, “then fucking suffer.” Jimin pulls away, hugging himself.

When Jungkook rises his knife and Yoongi goes around the table to grab the doctor by his hair to shove his face into the salt, Jimin protests. “Wait!” Jimin slams his hands down on the table, startling both the alphas, “let me talk to him.” Jungkook arches a brow, “what?”

“Yes, let him talk,” Yoongi tilts his head, “the family is quite good at talking innocent people into their schemes. He might be able to sweet talk the doctor.” Jimin glares at Yoongi and Yoongi smirks back. Jungkook watches them and then nods. “Go on. Let's try this too.”

Jimin looks at the doctor, “why are you not accepting it? Whatever it is, you got,” Jimin hesitates, hates himself for saying it, “two of the most powerful men of this world here. They can help you if you come out clean. They can protect you if you are in danger. Please, speak.”

Yoongi snorts, “see? He is good at sweet-talk too.” Jimin grits his teeth, “would you rather kill him?” Yoongi nods, no hesitation in his nod, “of course. A liar, a traitor, deserves nothing but death. But, I can go easy or hard. Choose wisely, doctor-” “My girl...”

They all turn towards the doctor, who is sobbing into his gag now. He shakes his head, looks up at Jimin with horrified eyes. “Your father,” he gulps, “your father kidnapped my girl. My only daughter,” he sniffles, “she is not even of age. She is an omega... I do not know...”

“Where she is,” the doctor whimpers, “last Sunday, I got home, and she was gone. There was a letter. Explaining what I had to do when the time comes. I,” he begs, “I cannot lose her! She is so young. She has no one except me. I cannot lose her.” The three of them stare.

“I do not even know who are in this, I just got letters,” the doctor cries, “I was instructed. I do not know who is involved or what is going on. I just... I am a father.” Yoongi looks at the old man, “you could have come to the king.” The doctor sniffles, “no. I could not.”

“Why not?” Jungkook leans on his knee, “I am right here!” The doctor shakes his head, “the letters, all of those had royal imprint on it. Each one of them.” Jimin frowns, thinking, “that means, whoever it is, knows where you keep the stamp and is very close to you.”

“It is Yoona,” Yoongi murmurs, eyes fixed on the doctor, “she stole the stamp and helped in this.” Jungkook frowns, “what are you talking about?” Yoongi nods, “Taehyung told me, how Yoona was going to be with him and how she will write to his father. A clear indication.”

Jungkook looks at Yoongi, “Taehyung... told you all this?” Jimin stares at the mad king too, “when he did not utter a word to me?” Yoongi shrugs, smirks at them, “what can I say? When the situation is so maddening, a person should always trust the maddest one of them all.”

Yoongi looks at the doctor then, “we will find out your daughter. Just be honest now.” The doctor looks at the table, terrified of matching any of the eyes, “our L-Luna is not,” he gulps, “not pregnant.” Jungkook closes his eyes, feels the breath catch in his chest.

Jungkook looks at Yoongi then, “he told me that,” he looks back at the doctor, “and, like a fool, I did not trust him. I made him feel like he needs to seek you out, and he could not trust me-” “Not your fault,” Yoongi looks away, “you are right in your situation. I guess.”

“I do not know how to face him, I do not know-” “Be honest,” Yoongi rubs his temple, looks anywhere but at Jungkook, “apologize. Whatever his father plotted, whatever he participated in, you apologize for your wrongs. Your guilt. That is all you can do.” Jimin watches Yoongi.

Jungkook looks at the doctor, “I will find out your daughter. I will do everything to get her back to you. But,” he frowns, “you are not going to be a doctor in my kingdom anymore. You will pack up and leave. Because, no matter what, you should be loyal to your occupation.”

“What about Yoona?” Jimin arches a brow, “what about your harem full of concubines? All of them stuck there, waiting for a glimpse of you. I understand how they feel, you know? Their life purpose is to be in your good book. They are desperate for it. Their lives depend on it.”

“Imagine the despair,” Jimin's face contorts, “a person's life purpose being just that. To please an alpha, so they are kept in that harem. Safe, secure. Out of leering eyes and disgusting touches,” Jimin shivers, hugs himself, “I understand her desperation. But, even then...”

“No one has the right to make others' life miserable just because theirs is,” Jimin murmurs. Yoongi snorts, “coming from you, that is funny. You left knowing someone has to replace your place in Jungkook's life, and you still did it. Everyone is selfish when the time comes.”

Jungkook rubs his temple, “Yoona,” his throat bobs, “I cannot throw her out of the palace. She has nowhere to go. I will,” he frowns, “I will lock her up in the cell,” he nods, “I will punish her, but I cannot throw her out.”

Yoongi watches Jungkook, “do not do that. A jealous lover is more poisonous than a snake. Do not keep her here. You are just adding to your misery.” “I cannot kill her,” Jungkook hisses, glares at Yoongi, “unlike everyone else,” his face contorts, “she really loves me.”

“Not the time for you to cling onto a person who chanted some sweet nothings to you for their own good,” Yoongi glares, “love is not always sweet words and warm embraces, pup! You really think she loves you and was doing this out of love?! She loves the power you hold! Not you!”

“Well,” Jungkook grits out, “when everyone else was busy,” his eyes bore into Yoongi's, “running away, helping themselves, she stayed! She trusted me to be what I am today! She did not leave my side for a second! She is all I have with Eun! They are all I have got!”

“I cannot trust Taehyung,” Jungkook hisses, “yes, I can accept that I might be a little intrigued by him, hell, a little attracted. But, everyone gets attracted to a new thing in their lives but I cannot give up the two pillars who were always there to hold me up! Taehyung lied!”

Yoongi laughs, “two pillars held you up, while those pillars let the ground underneath your feet burn till it turned into ashes!” Jimin flinches when Yoongi roars. “Get out of your safe-place and face the reality that is the fire you see is set up by your pillars!”

Yoongi knocks the table off, kicks it, “open your damn eyes and see that just because some people did not sweet talk you into oblivion, that does not mean they never loved you! The person who loves you, will show you the real picture! Not a painted crap to keep you in the dark!”

“I will not throw her out,” Jungkook grits out, “if you are so sad for Taehyung and Taehyung already trusts you so much, how about you take him to your kingdom and keep him there?! I was doing just fine being on my own. I do not need this headache! You keep it!”

Yoongi watches Jungkook, his jaw ticking, “fine,” he nods, “fine, I will. If that is how I get to keep him safe, I will.” Jimin stares at the mad king, just as Jungkook does. Jungkook's face scrunches up, “what the fuck happened between you two?! Why are you so invested?!”

“Because he reminds me of myself,” Yoongi snarls, “helplessly trapped in a game of sick people being sick with each other while hurting innocent people who got caught in the web of it all.” Jimin watches Yoongi breath harshly, chest rising and falling rapidly.

“Do whatever,” Jungkook grits out, “if he agrees to go with you, I will let you take him. I do not care anymore. I do not need this burden on me.” “I will go.” The three of them jump, the doctor is sitting in his chair, almost unconscious from all the stress.

Jungkook turns his head to see Taehyung by the doorstep. The omega is wrapped in his quilt, his eyes gleaming with unshed tears. He looks at Yoongi, ignores Jungkook. “Hyung,” he whispers, “I will go. If you take me,” his voice cracks, “I will go with you.” Jimin blinks, “Tae-”

Jimin marches over to Taehyung and grips his elbow to drag him inside the room, “you cannot go with him! He is mad-” Taehyung shakes his head, looks at Jimin, “out of everyone I met, everyone who broke me, he is the only one who treated me like I matter. Not even you, hyung.”

“You left, thought about only yourself,” Taehyung shakes his head, “I do not blame you. But, you do not get to say anything anymore. I saw how my father wants to use me. I heard what my husband had to say after knowing what was wrong. I heard hyung defend me. I got it all.”

“If you want me,” Taehyung's voice cracks, “I am useless, but-” Yoongi reaches out, holds Taehyung's hand in his to pull him closer, “no one is useless. The situation they are shoved into, make them believe so. Do not say that. You can come with me, Taehyung. I am here.”

“I do not need to carry the dead wight of being the 'Luna' of a kingdom,” Taehyung looks over at Jungkook, “where I am not respected to the bare minimum. I do not see why I need to stay here anymore.” Jungkook's jaw ticks, “you are free. I never tied you. Never.”

“You are free to leave,” Jungkook stands up, “see how he keeps you-” Taehyung breathes out a tired chuckle, “I will know I chose this. With you, you were never my choice. I do not blame you, but yes. I am choosing this. I already feel much more in power.”

“That is all you were after anyway,” Jungkook snorts, “power. I hope you have that.” “I hope one day you wake up,” Yoongi speaks up then, voice icy, “actually wake up. Until then, I will keep Taehyung with me and make sure the next time you see him, he is self-sufficient.”

Jungkook nods, “keep him. I will keep my people.” “That is the point,” Yoongi sighs, “you do not know who are really your people. You do not care.” Jungkook says nothing. He storms out of the room. The door closes behind him.

II

Taehyung folds the last piece of cloth in his bag, his eyes moving from one corner of the room to the other. He just took the things he brought. Nothing else. With that in mind, he reaches behind himself, unhooking the chain he wears. The door opens. His eyes finding Yoona.

She stands by the door, watches him. Taehyung looks away. With a little effort, he pulls the necklace off his neck and places it gently on the bed. Taehyung watches the necklace for a few seconds before he turns to the concubine. “I am ready to leave, announce it.” Yoona nods.

The guards' voice echo in the hallway, and Taehyung follows Yoona down the corridor. He ignores how the maids and servants watch him. He ignores the guards bowing to him. He keeps his eyes on the woman ahead of him and stops when Yoona opens the door of the courtroom for him.

The courtroom is empty. Jungkook sits on his throne, leaning against a handrest with his eyes on the omega. His scent carries over to Taehyung, and Taehyung holds his breath while he steps inside. The door closes behind him. Taehyung walks the long way up to the alpha's throne.

He stops by the steps leading up to the throne and looks up at the alpha, whose eyes are stuck on him. “Give me the summary of the things you are taking from here,” Jungkook speaks monotonously, “show me the list of it. Write down your cause of leaving and sign it before going.”

Taehyung looks at the papers beside the king's throne and the ink, along with the quill, right there. He looks back at the king. Hesitating. Jungkook watches him, silently. Taehyung inhales deeply before he steps up to the small desk by the throne and sits on the step to write.

Taehyung is not sure if there should be anything official formation, but he lists the things he is taking from here. Nothing. Lists the things he is leaving here. Everything. Then he signs the paper and holds it out for Jungkook, who reads it carefully.

“The necklace,” Jungkook looks back at Taehyung, “you did not mention taking the necklace.” “I did not take it,” Taehyung keeps his eyes down, “that is left in my roo-” he stops himself, shakes his head, “the room I occupied till now. It is there.” The alpha stays quiet.

Jungkook nods, “okay. You may go now.” That is all. A marriage is over. Just like that. That is all it takes. Taehyung is not sure how to feel. So, he does not let himself feel. He gets up, bows, and turns to leave. Jungkook does not stop him. Taehyung did not expect him to.

Taehyung walks out of the palace to the waiting troop. Yoongi is already in his carriage. Taehyung stops by the carriage. Yoongi points at another carriage, “that is for you and your brother. He is already there. Get going.” Taehyung falters, “he is...” he looks over, “coming?”

Yoongi yawns, rubs his eyes sleepily, “yes, he wants to marry me, so he becomes my problem forever. A logic I am yet to understand,” he waves, “get going. We have a long way to go.” Taehyung blinks at the king's nonchalance and nods before going to the next carriage.

Taehyung stops when he sees Namjoon. He freezes. Namjoon bows, opens the carriage's door for him. “You...” Taehyung gulps. Namjoon smiles, “the king freed me too. Told me I am no longer needed here, and I can go wherever I want to,” Namjoon sighs, “I guess, he knew.”

Taehyung looks away, slowly climbs inside the carriage. His heart feels heavy. Taehyung feels his eyes prickle. He lets Jimin pull him in a hug and cuddle up to him while he stares out of the window. The carriage starts to move. Taehyung buries his face against Jimin's neck.

“Are you crying?” Jimin murmurs against Taehyung's hair, “Taetae?” Taehyung grips the omega closer, “it feels like I am failing. It feels,” he looks outside, “it feels like my freedom, but at what cost?” Jimin sighs, “what are you losing? What did you have that you are losing?”

“My husband,” Taehyung whispers, “why do I still feel bad about doing this when he clearly stated my absence would mean nothing to him. He has so many people around him. He addressed me as if I am a thing. An object. I do not understand this feeling. What am I feeling?”

“Maybe you feel obligated,” Jimin murmurs, “you were always the good son between the two of us. Always followed the rules and regulations because you felt obligated. Even here, you are certainly feeling like you owe him your loyalty or company. Is that it?” Taehyung is not sure.

“You are not,” Jimin's grip tightens around Taehyung, “are you in love with him?” “No!” Taehyung frowns, pulls away from Jimin, “I am not! That is not the point. I am not in love with him. How can I?” he looks away, hugs himself, “it was always clear that he will never be mine.”

Taehyung smiles, looks at the gate of the palace open for them to let them out, “his heart, if there is one, belongs to Yoona. He does not realize it. I hope now he will.” Jimin squeezes Taehyung's knee, “she is just a concubine. Kings have that. Our father has so many, Tae.”

“That does not mean they will marry them and-” Taehyung shrugs, leans back against the plush seat, “I am not sure if I want to talk about him anymore. I do not care who his heart belongs to. It is not like mine belonged to him anyway. Forget it. I will forget him.”

“Just keep your guards up with this person too, Tae,” Jimin looks outside too, a frown marring his face, “I do not trust Min Yoongi. He killed his own brother. Why would he take us with him if he does not have an ulterior motive? If he offers something salacious, come to me!”

Taehyung looks at Jimin then. For the first time since they met after Jimin came back, Taehyung looks at his brother. He holds Jimin's hand in his, tugs on it to make Jimin look at him. “How are you?” Taehyung mumbles, “how are you, hyung?” Jimin nods, “alive. I guess.”

---- “Do you think I should punish Yoona?” Jungkook asks, eyes on the sky and head resting on Eun's lap. Eun combs his hair with her fingers, “she loves you. Whatever she did, it was because she loves you. But, indeed she was wrong. You should at least talk to her. Scold her.”

Jungkook looks at Eun, “can you do it? I am exhausted.” Eun sighs, smiles down at Jungkook, “maybe you should go and rest yourself a bit?” she gestured towards the harem, “you have not visited in a long time. Now that you are free, give it a visit. There are new omegas joining.”

Jungkook closes his eyes, “I am not feeling it.” Eun hums, “then how about you go and take a bath? I will ask your favourite concubines to arrange it-” “What happened between you and hyung?” Jungkook feels Eun go still underneath him, he opens his eyes, “noona?”

Eun looks away, her face pale, “he used me. He used me to save himself time and time again,” her eyes well up with tears, “he threw me at your father. I called him my friend, I was,” she shudders, “I loved him. He just... he was using me. That is all you need to know, Kookie.”

TW// child abuse

“What?” Jungkook stares, feeling his body go cold. Eun nods, jerks her head up and down, “your father,” her grip on Jungkook's hair tightens, “your father had anger issues, kookie. You know that much. When he felt angry, which was most of the time, he would call for Yoongi.”

“Why?” Jungkook's voice wavers. He never heard this. Eun shudders, “to tie him up and either use his belt or other methods to punish him instead of the situation that caused him anger. Yoongi used me instead. He knew I was in love with him, so he would cry to me, beg me to +

“take his place and I would,” Eun cries now, full body shaking with the sobs, “I loved him so much, I would take his place and let your father use me instead. I went to him night after night. The whips were the least of my worries, kookie, but he used other things-” Eun cries...

“𝐻𝑦𝑢𝑛𝑔?! 𝑊𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝘩𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘?! 𝐻𝑦𝑢𝑛𝑔! 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔!” Jungkook stares at the sky. “𝑁𝑜𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑘𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑒, 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑗𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑠𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒.”

“𝐻𝑦𝑢𝑛𝑔! 𝑂𝘩, 𝐺𝑜𝑑, 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑔𝘩𝑠! 𝑇𝘩𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑠-.” “𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒, 𝑝𝑢𝑝, 𝑔𝑜 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑒𝑝.” “𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡𝘩 𝘩𝑒𝑟, 𝑘𝑜𝑜𝑘…” “𝑊𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒, 𝘩𝑦𝑢𝑛𝑔?”

“𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑓 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝐼 𝑑𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘. 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑒, 𝑝𝑢𝑝, 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑢𝑝 𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓.” “𝑊𝘩𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝘩𝑦𝑢𝑛𝑔?!”

“𝐻𝑦𝑢𝑛𝑔! 𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡𝘩 𝑦𝑜𝑢! 𝐻𝑦𝑢𝑛𝑔! 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒, 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡𝘩 𝑦𝑜𝑢!” “𝐻𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑝𝑢𝑝! 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑡- 𝘩𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑒- 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑡-” “𝐻𝑦𝑢𝑛𝑔!”

Jungkook sits up, his breath catching in his chest. He gets up and off the floor of the gazebo. Eun gets up too, worried eyes following Jungkook, “kookie?” Jungkook shakes his head, “I want to rest, noona. I will see you tomorrow.” He runs down the steps and enters the maze.

Jungkook stumbles inside the maze, leaning against a wall, while he lets the tears flow. Yoongi was in love with Eun. That thirteen years old teenager was so enamoured by the beauty that was Eun and Jungkook knew that. He knew that because Yoongi told him. One night, he said it.

All those words are memories he shares with his hyung. All those conversations are the memories Jungkook holds close to his chest. He still remembers Yoongi coming back to their room, crawling under the duvet to pull him closer to sleep. Knowing Jungkook cannot sleep alone.

He remembers Yoongi trembling behind him, his entire body cold against Jungkook's tiny form. He was just eight. He would turn around to hug his hyung close, and Yoongi would hold him as if Jungkook was his life source.

Jungkook never said it, but he knew his hyung cried. He felt those tears buried against his own hair. Yoongi had nightmares, cried out, thrashed in his sleep. Jungkook would hug him tightly, speak to him, tell him to wake up. Tell him he is right there.

“𝑊𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑡𝘩𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑠𝘩, 𝘩𝑦𝑢𝑛𝑔?” “𝑇𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟 𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑘𝑦.”

Jungkook looks up at the sky. The stars beam over his head and tears brim in his eyes. “How do you sleep now?” he wonders, “who holds your hands when you would lose your calm and hide in those dark rooms and scream for everyone to leave you alone? Except for me?”

“How did you leave me behind?” Jungkook slowly sits down on the grass, pulls his knees up to his chest, “how did you leave me in that darkness? How did you leave your pup who was everything to you? How did you never ask how I was doing? How did you choose everyone over me?!”

“I waited,” Jungkook grasps the grass in his fist, tears them off the ground, “I waited every night by the window of my room. Thought what you meant by being a star. You told me our mother was a star. The closest one to the moongoddess. I searched you beside her.”

“It took me years to know what you meant by being a star. It took me years to give up on the thought of you coming back. It took me years to get used to the idea that you are never coming to save me. My night in shining armour was gone, and I had no clue what I did wrong.”

“Was it my blood?” Jungkook looks at the sky, “was it the reason that I was his son, and you were not? But, our mother,” he crumbles, “you told me she left me in your care. Then, why did you choose that scumbag and not me?! Why did you never come back?!”

-----

- I have to dip now because this gets overwhelming. I will write Yoongi's pov in Yoonmin arc. We will know his side of the story in that story. See you tomorrow for the starting of that. - If you want to support me, my writing : https://ko-fi.com/amyungv

*.·:·.☽✧    ✦    ✧☾.·:·.*

“How does it look?” Jungkook lies on his bed, smoking from the hookah placed on his bedside table. He looks over at where Yoona is. By his feet, rubbing oil on his legs. Jungkook frowns, “how does, what, look?” Yoona makes a face, “my lord! Look carefully. The necklace!”

Jungkook sits up, watches the necklace she is wearing. He places the pipe of the hookah on the bed beside him, eyes still on that necklace. “Take it off, Yoona,” Jungkook's voice comes off quiet, quieter than he normally is. Yoona freezes, “huh? Why? It is just a necklace!”

“It is for the Luna,” Jungkook holds his palm out, “you are not that. Take it off.” Yoona's eyes pool with tears, “are you still angry with me? I asked for forgiveness. Whatever I did, I was so blinded by how you make me feel, my lord! I am so in love with you. It hurts.”

“𝑁𝑜 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢! 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒!” Jungkook feels the anger swirl in his stomach, coils in his guts before spreading through his veins. “Yoona! I said, take that damn thing off! It is an order from your king!”

Yoona takes it off, throws it on the bed and gets off of it. She runs out of the room, her cries bounce around the walls. Jungkook watches the necklace. It sits on the mattress. The stone gleaming under the soft moonlight. Jungkook picks it up, watches it carefully.

He snorts, fisting his palm to feel it in his hand. The edges dig against his palm. Jungkook feels the pressure in his chest somehow. He looks at the fireplace and with a curse throws the necklace into the fire. Flames intensify at the sudden intrusion before engulfing it.

Jungkook watches it. The stone still gleams. He stares, taking a long drag from his hookah. The flames are leaping against it. It will take way more than that heat to melt it, but the shine starts to fade. “Just like that shine, you will fade from my memories too, my Luna.”

Jungkook lies down on his bed again, eyes up on the ceiling. He smokes until his lids feel heavy. He falls asleep with the smell of burning woods and the metal. --- “He was not made for you anyway!” Yoona frowns, “he is older than you. Of two years! You deserve someone better.”

Eun slaps Yoona's head, “shut up!” she ruffles Jungkook's hair, “the age is not the point, Gguk. But, he left. Did he not? I thought so high of him, accepted him fully even when he did betray you in some ways. But, look what he did. You cannot waste your time on him.”

“You are just twenty-four,” Eun rubs Jungkook's muscles, “you are young. You deserve to have a partner who loves you and will be there for you for the rest of your life. This kingdom deserves an heir. A worthy heir from a love match. I do not care about anything else, gguk.”

Yoona walks out of the room, going to the garden to gather some flowers for herself. Eun watches her go and then looks back at Jungkook. “She loves you, always did,” she squeezes Jungkook's hand in hers, “she was never with anyone else. You know that. Do you not?”

Jungkook says nothing. He stares at Eun's hands, covering his between them. “You two are each other's firsts in so many things,” Eun murmurs. Jungkook snorts, “are you going to list those things now, noona? If you are, I shall leave.” Eun pinches him, “I am just saying.”

“You love her, gguk,” Eun smiles down at their joined hands, “you are so protective of her. You are her friend. She is the only one you call your friend. You two are each other's safe place. You do not realize because you never learnt, but you love her. This is love.”

“I just want the best for you,” Eun frowns, tears slowly pooling in her eyes, “I worry, okay? You are so alone. You do not let anyone near you. I will not be here forever, Gguk. I just want you to be in the best hands. I am selfish. I just see you and your comfort. Nothing else.”

“He left you,” Eun looks at the king, her heart aching, “his father used you. He used you by making you promise to not break the treaty when he did not hold his side of the promise. Everyone uses you,” her voice cracks, “I am tired of seeing you get hurt over and over again.”

“It was me who picked you up from that snowstorm the night your brother left,” she hiccups, “it was me who stayed by your side since then. I took punishments for you. I saved you by taking your father's wrath. I lied to him for you. I did everything I could to keep you safe.”

“I am leaving for my studies next year, gguk. I am going to a different kingdom. I cannot leave you to fend for yourself! Knowing that if I get the position, I will stay there and never come back. I just want to leave after seeing you with your family. Your people.”

Jungkook looks outside, eyes furrowed, “I do not wish to have pups. I do not want this family to-” “Your father is not you!” Eun hisses, her lips curl, “I raised you better than that! You will be an outstanding father. She will be a great mother to your pups, Gguk!”

“She came from a poor family. She struggled to find her way here. She knows how rough life can get. She is way more experienced than a prince or princess. She loves you. You love her! I do not see what is stopping you! I do not see why you are stopping yourself!”

“If the only thing stopping you is how Taehyung is out there, then I have news for you,” Eun's face goes blank, “I sent my spies after him. I do not trust your brother and neither do I trust the omega who just left like that. Read what they sent me back. Here!”

Jungkook's head snaps towards her. He watches her get up from the bed to go and open her drawers. She pulls up a few letters and turns to bring it over. Jungkook takes those, looks down to see their kingdom's royal spy seal on each one of them before he reads the letters.

“𝑇𝘩𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒'𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝘩𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑛𝑖𝑔𝘩𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝘩𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙. 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝘩𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛 𝘩𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑜 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔.” Jungkook feels the sizzle in his veins.

Jungkook flips to the other letter. “𝑇𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑡𝘩𝑒𝑦 𝑤𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝘩𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔. 𝑇𝘩𝑒 𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑔𝑎 𝑤𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑡𝘩𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑎 𝑐𝘩𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑒. 𝑇𝘩𝑒𝑦 𝑐𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑏𝑦 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑑𝑢𝑠𝑘. 𝑇𝘩𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔'𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑡.”

Jungkook drops the letters on the bed, sighs, “if you want me to marry Yoona, I will. But, never question Taehyung's character, noona. He came back from the freedom I gave him. With his lover. He is too prideful and too strong-willed and too innocent to do all this.”

“Also,” Jungkook rubs his temple, “I might hate him, but he never lied to me. Since the start, he was very much honest about hating me. I appreciated his honesty. It was not in my favour, but that is okay. He can be a lot of things, but he is not a liar. He never was.”

“I will marry Yoona, but stop spying on Taehyung. I freed him,” Jungkook stands up, “with respect and dignity. Do not disrespect my decision by trying to tint his worth. I will marry whoever you want, you just leave him alone. He wanted freedom. This is not freedom.”

“I want what you want, gguk. Do you want to marry her? Why not? You love her!” Eun sighs. Jungkook looks outside, “love...” he frowns, “I love you too. I do not know what love feels like. I do not think every marriage's foundation is love anyway. I care for her. I adore her.”

“I want you to be happy, if your happiness before leaving is seeing me settled, then fine. I will marry her,” Jungkook smiles at Eun, “I care for her. Deeply. I think that is enough. Some marriages do not even have that. We will make it work. You rest yourself now, noona.”

“Love is overpriced, we are all poor here,” Jungkook chuckles takes a step away from the bed, “I do not think I have time for love anyway. Just do whatever you want, tell me what I need to do, I will. I will let you decide everything. Just tell me where I need to be present.”

“I have my court waiting for me, noona. I will see you soon.” Jungkook storms out of the room. His mind reeling. The letters, those words, they flow in his head. He tries hard to run fast. Faster than the speed of those words that try to lodge deep in his chest. It hurts...

Jungkook knows that Taehyung would not do it. It is too soon. But... Namjoon is there. Taehyung is free now. Nothing is stopping them. Rightfully so. Jungkook speeds inside the courtroom, makes his way to his throne and sits. Everyone bows, the day starts as always.

------

The invitation letter comes back along with another letter after a few days, and Jungkook finds himself seething while he reads it. The letter :

“If he expects me to go to him, he is sorely mistaking!” Jungkook throws the letter on the ground, “I will just get married like the last time. I do not need his damn presence-” “You do!” Eun curses, “last time, he sent his blessings. His approval. This time he denied that!”

“One of the strongest kings of this side of the world cannot be missing from the celebration, gguk! You need to make sure he agrees to come or at least send his royal letter of blessings! This is very important. So many kingdoms are not approving your marriage with a concubine-”

“If they get to know that Min Yoongi is not giving his approval, this can go south!” Eun rubs her temple, “just visit him and make sure he at least writes the blessings down. I do not care, like you, about his presence, but you need his approval! To keep everyone in check!”

Jungkook kicks the letter, “I will marry her because I want to! Fuck everyone who has problems with it! I will go on wars if someone dares to voice their discomfort-” Eun sighs, “be calm, gguk! This is not when you lose your temper! You need to be diplomatic here! Visit him.”

“Your ministers came back,” Yoona murmurs, looking down at the letter, “this time I also think you should go.” Jungkook inhales deeply, looking at Eun, “why cannot we just get this over with? I have things to return to. I cannot go around like this!” Eun stares at him, bored.

Jungkook curses, “fine! Anything else you want me to do?!” Eun smiles, “nothing else. Just bring his approval and try not to bring him over. That is all you have to do. We will handle everything here.” Jungkook leaves the room after that.

--- ---

Taehyung watches the flower bloom at the basking sun of the dawn. The last petal spreads to reveal the full bloomed rose. He smiles, taps the petal before he noses the surface, inhaling the soft scent of the white rose. It is too early. The sun is just rising.

“Good morning,” he murmurs to himself, sits down on the ground to watch the sunrise. Taehyung places his hands on the grass, feels the moisture against his skin, and looks down at his wet hands. Dewdrops. Taehyung feels the way his heart stutters, something hurts inside him.

He has seen that letter. He has heard the ministers read it to Yoongi. Jungkook is getting married. To Yoona. Taehyung lets out a deep breath, inhales the morning breeze to the fullest. He stares at the sun, watching the colours spread all over the horizon.

There is something surreal the way everything is so quiet around him. Taehyung looks over when he hears the first sound of footsteps. Seokjin. He is walking down the path on his morning walk. Beside him is Namjoon. They are talking, both of them smiling at each other.

Taehyung's lips quirk when he sees Namjoon blush. His dimples deep in his cheeks. Taehyung feels his heart soar when Seokjin pokes the dimple, giggles loud enough for Taehyung to hear from where he sits. They do not notice him. Too into the conversations they are having.

Taehyung wishes the best for Namjoon. The only person who never wavered from his side since the start. He looks at the sun and gives a small, rueful smile. He will never understand why the universe make one fall for the other and other to fall for another. He closes his eyes.

If he wishes for Namjoon to be happy, Yoongi will never be. If he wishes for Yoongi to be happy, Namjoon will never be. Taehyung is not sure what he should wish for. So, he looks at the sun and lets out a deep breath. “You know the best, do what is the best for all of us.”

“Are you crazy?! Did you just pour the jug on my head?!” Taehyung looks over to see the balcony of Jimin's room, just by the garden. Jimin is standing there, looking up at the king's balcony, where Yoongi stands with an empty jug. “You looked sleepy,” Yoongi smirks, “wake up.”

Jimin picks up his shoe and throws it upwards, “yes! Good morning!” Yoongi dodges it, watches it fall beside Jimin, “how stupid of you to not know it will get back to you, omega?” Jimin curses, “get down here, I will show you what if feels like to wake up to chilled water!”

“Maturity does not come with age.” Taehyung looks over to see Hoseok, plucking flowers and keeping it in his planterette. Taehyung smiles, gets up to follow the man aimlessly. “I was waiting for you, hyung,” Taehyung grins, “you told me you will let me help you?”

Hoseok nods, holds out his pot, “see how many I collected.” Taehyung takes it, frowns at the flower petals, “these are...” Hoseok smirks, jerks the pot at Taehyung's face to watch the prince jump when the flower petals hit his face, “good morning, TaeTae!”

Taehyung gasps audibly, eyes widening. Hoseok giggles, everyone's eyes on them now. Yoongi and Jimin laugh from their balconies. Namjoon and Jin stop to look over and smile when they see Hoseok run with Taehyung chasing after him. “Get him, Tae!” Jimin shouts, laughing.

Taehyung hurries after Hoseok who speeds up. His loud giggles making him stand out. Taehyung finds himself laughing too. He runs after the beta, ignores how mud smears across his clothes or how the shoes fall off of his feet. He picks up from mud to throw at Hoseok.

The palace's gate opens. Taehyung and Hoseok stop in the middle of the garden to see the visitors. Taehyung steps beside Hoseok, both of them in the middle of the garden. The path slowly fills with soldiers. They stand on the both sides of the path and bow. Taehyung looks over.

He hides his palms behind himself, watching how the black horse struts inside the palace while the announcers over the royal gate announce the arrival of Jeon Jungkook. Taehyung grips his hanbok, going very still beside Hoseok whose arm automatically wrap around his shoulder.

Jungkook's eyes are not on him though. His eyes are on the mad king who is standing on his balcony still. Taehyung looks over to see Yoongi smirking at Jungkook, watching him slowly strut his way inside the palace. Yoongi's smirk grows when Jungkook's glare intensifies.

“I did not think you have it in you to step inside this palace,” Yoongi smirks, tilts his head with an appreciative nod, “welcome. I guess?” Jungkook hops off the horse, gives his reins to the stable boy. His eyes focused on the king. “You call this haunted house a palace?”

Taehyung watches the way Yoongi laughs, leaning his elbows on the balcony, “come in. Ghosts are always better than people anyway.” Jungkook rolls his eyes, looks over his shoulders at his troop, “stay here.” He goes to turn and his eyes find Taehyung. The king freezes.

Taehyung feels his breath hitch in his chest. The alpha's eyes are, as always, heavy on him. Jungkook's eyes do not waver. They stay on Taehyung's face. Taehyung knows he looks puffy from sleep. He knows there are dents from the pillows on his face. He thinks he looks bad.

Then he frowns. It is beyond him why he cares how he presents himself to the alpha. He looks at Hoseok beside him and smiles. With a playful smile, he slams the mud over Hosoek's face and giggles. “Got you!” Hoseok gasps, startled, breathes out a laugh, “oh, you brat! Wait!”

Hoseok runs and Taehyung dodges, ignores everyone between them because... he looks up at Yoongi and Yoongi smiles at him. Because he knows, no one will scold him for misbehaving in this palace. Taehyung laughs when Hoseok catches up with him and starts spraying him with water.

Taehyung falls on the ground with Hoseok right on top of him. Both of them a mess. When Taehyung looks back at the palace, Jungkook is still watching him. He huffs, looks at Hoseok who lies down on top of him on his back. “You are heavy,” he jabs Hoseok, hugging him nonetheless.

------

Yoongi's court is different. Jungkook sits on his given seat and watches how the king sits on his throne. So casually. Half lying on his elbow, feet on the throne. He looks sleepy. Hoseok, his chief minister, sits by his side. The other ministers are not present.

“You do not hold formal court?” Jungkook asks, had to. Yoongi barks out a laugh, “I try not to see my ministers' faces as long as I can manage. They got too much to say.” Jungkook stares, “yes. For the betterment of the kingdom!” Yoongi waves him off, “I am doing just fine.”

“Anyway,” Jungkook waves him off, “what I am here for. Your approval for my wedding-” “You cannot marry Yoona,” Yoongi plays with his sword, “I refuse to approve that.” Jungkook's jaw snaps closed, “and, who gave you the right to decide for me?!”

“You did,” Yoongi smirks, looks over at Jungkook, “by coming here personally to ask for my permission like the little pup you are.” “Yoongi!” Seokjin sighs, “please.” Yoongi rolls his eyes, “anyway, I will not give my blessings. I do not approve of this match.”

“Also, our family has two rules,” Yoongi sits up straight, looks at Jungkook with all the sleepiness gone, “the alpha cannot marry in two circumstances. One, the previous wedding is still legal. Two, without the previous omega's, if still legal, approval. Did you not know?”

Jungkook seethes, “that wedding is not legal-” “Who says?” Yoongi growls, silencing Jungkook, “you said I am the head of our family and I did not sign any papers that say the wedding is broken. You are still Taehyung's mate, and you still need his approval to get married.”

Jungkook gives a short laugh, “you think he will deny it? If I know him-” Yoongi giggles, “you think you know him? Well,” it is disturbing to Jungkook, how fast Yoongi's smile vanishes, “he can agree, but I am never going to. You cannot marry Yoona. That is not possible.”

Jungkook grits his teeth, “how will you stop me?” “Pup, do not test me,” Yoongi sighs, “I have my ways. If you return without my permission and try to marry her, she is not going to see the morning of the wedding day. I assure you.” Everyone goes quiet in the courtroom.

Jungkook grips his sword, anger running throug his veins, “why are you doing this?” Yoongi's face softens for a second, then he hides that expression behind a mask of indifference, but his voice cracks, “I left you among the bloodthirsty wolves once. I refuse to do it again.”

Taehyung sits by the balcony, sketchbook on his lap and the brush held between his lips. He looks at the view in front of him and tries to mix the colours just right to get the shade of the sky while the sun sets. He just cannot get the right shade. With a sigh, he pouts.

The scent is like memories. That scent brings back memories. The wind carries the scent and suddenly Taehyung is breathless. It smells of raw blood, spilled right there, still warm. Taehyung can almost taste it on his tongue. The intensity makes his head swirl. He looks up.

The guards announce the king's arrival and Taehyung gets up, wraps the silk robe tightly around himself. He looks down to see he is presentable. He is wearing a white hanbok with a silk robe. Taehyung holds his shoulders up and grasps his hands in front of him, watches the door.

Jungkook walks in confidently. His eyes finding Taehyung right away. The omega holds his breath while the alpha walks right up to him. “I need you to sign some papers for me,” Jungkook says as his greeting, “your permission announcement for my wedding.” Taehyung blinks.

Jungkook holds out the papers, “your hyung does not want to approve the wedding but if you agree, he cannot stop me. I will not let him. But, yes, I need your sign because-” “Where?” Taehyung asks, looking at the papers, “do I have to sign?” Jungkook stops, fingers curling.

Jungkook breathes out a silent laugh, “eager, huh?” Taehyung shrugs, “I do not see why I have to keep you waiting.” Jungkook holds out the papers, “each one. Bottom left corner.” Taehyung nods, goes to place the papers on the table and pulls out his ink and quill.

He dips the quill in the ink and presses the nip against the paper. With a long breath, he starts signing the papers. Taehyung is halfway done when Jungkook leans over the table. “What are you wearing?” Taehyung frowns, looks up at the alpha, “huh?”

The king's eyes are boring on Taehyung's chest and Taehyung looks down to see what the king is looking at and realizes, it is the locket. He chuckles, holding it in his hand, “this? Hyung gave this to me.” Jungkook's eyes burn, jaw hardening, “I see,” he breathes out a snort.

Jungkook nods to himself, “when noona told me, I defended you.” Taehyung frowns, “huh?” Jungkook's grip on the edge of the table tightens, “it is okay, Taehyung. You are in no way answerable to me. You do not need to act surprised.” Taehyung stands up straight, “what are you-”

“That is the necklace he used to wear since I knew him,” Jungkook looks away, “he gave it to you? Just for the sake of it?” Taehyung touches the locket, looks down at it, “yes...?” Jungkook hums, “I see how it is.” Taehyung frowns, “no, you do not. That is all there is.”

Jungkook's gaze flicker over to him then, his irises burn into Taehyung's. “Your scent,” Jungkook grimaces, “your scent changed too. It's,” he steadies himself, “you smell of him.” Taehyung freezes. For a second, he just stares at the king, and then he hugs himself tighter.

Taehyung chuckles, “coming from you, it is the biggest irony, my king,” he shakes his head, “I cannot differentiate your smell from the entire harem because,” he gestures vaguely, “you know why. You should not lecture me on how and why my scent changed. I do not owe you that.”

“I can go around sleeping with anyone I want, I still do not owe you an explanation for that. What rights do you have to waltz in my room and ask me anything so salacious? What rights do you think you have to question me and expect an answer? I do not need to tell you anything.”

“I was married to you when you smelt like her,” Taehyung smiles, hides the sharp tug he feels at the thought, “I was wearing your claim when I had no claim on you and I never, not even once, questioned you because I knew my limits. I always knew my limits.”

“Here,” Taehyung holds out the papers, “today I am giving you the permission that you and me, we both, know you do not need to be with her. But, anyway. For your subjects,” he snorts, “for the sake of it. Here is my approval. As if you ever needed that.”

Jungkook's eyes do not waver from Taehyung's face, “if I do not get to judge you, why do you get to do it since the start?” Taehyung looks outside, “I am not going in circles, my king, take the papers and leave. I have the sunset waiting for me to paint.” Jungkook curses.

“I have not touched anyone since we were married,” Jungkook hisses, “I do not owe you this clarification either but-” Taehyung smiles, looks down at his hands, “you refused to take me back because I spent some time alone with Namjoon. Remember?” Jungkook pauses, “yes...?”

“Then why do you expect me to forgive you for spending night after night with your concubines? Doing whatever you were doing? Why do you expect me to understand your side of the coin when you never understood mine?” Jungkook blinks, “they are, before anything else, my friends!”

Taehyung smiles down at his hands, nods, “right. Friends hug their married friends so intimately. Kiss them. Friends spend hours talking to each other in one's bed chamber throughout the night. Friends indeed,” Taehyung shrugs, “anyway, I do not care anymore. Well, I never did…”

“I wish you nothing but happiness with your Luna, my king,” Taehyung sighs, “I know, unlike me, she will not feel so alone and empty there.” Jungkook balls his fists, “are you seriously blaming me for how you felt?! When you knew what you were getting into?”

Taehyung holds those eyes calmly, “I knew what I was getting into. But, I did not know that the king was blind enough to let his personal preference bleed into his political judgement,” he holds his head high, “I went to you seeking justice. You showed how empty your justice is.”

“I was a victim of her wrongdoings,” Taehyung's throat bobs, but he does not waver, neither does his voice, “and, she got no punishment. Why? Because the king favoured her. I used to think a true king punishes the criminal. No matter how close they are. I was wrong. Was I not?”

“I sought justice, and I was asked to leave,” Taehyung murmurs, smiles to himself, “I did wrong by marrying you under the pretence, but that does not mean I will be punished for something I did not do. How can you call yourself a king when you are so blind to justice?”

“People call hyung the mad king, when he beheaded his own brother for an omega he did not even know. Now you tell me,” Taehyung murmurs, “if I proudly wear his protection around my neck, am I wrong? No,” Taehyung chuckles, “do not tell me. I do not trust your judgements anymore.”

Taehyung juts his chin out towards the papers in Jungkook's hand. “I freed you, do not worry,” his eyes find Jungkook, “I am not going to hold onto a lost cause. You can leave, my king. I am busy,” he smiles, “having a peaceful and respected life. I will take your leave now.”

“I know I did wrong, I know what I did to you was completely wrong but,” Taehyung looks outside, “my punishment was served the day I married you. You were my punishment,” he grips his arms in his hug, “even the law says, you cannot keep punishing a person who already served.”

“All the best for your marriage, my king,” Taehyung risks a last glance at Jungkook, “may she gets treated with respect and fairness. May your life fills with happiness and you prosper. I do not wish ill on you. I know you were a victim too. So, that is that. That is all.”

Taehyung bows, respectfully, straightens up and smiles at Jungkook, “hyung taught me to speak my mind. Which, apparently, helps to let go. Feel lighter. I am glad I got the chance. Thank you. Have a good day, my king.” With that, Taehyung turns on his heels and leaves Jungkook.

Jungkook watches Taehyung walk out on the balcony, sit down on the floor. He watches Taehyung pick up the sketchbook and look at the almost setting sun. Then the prince smiles, tears that page and throws it away. He turns a new page. A blank one. A fresh one. He starts over.

--- ---

The papers sit neatly on his bed. Jungkook reads them repeatedly and thinks. He thinks how Taehyung almost begged for Yoongi to sign too. He thinks how Taehyung had held Yoongi's hand in both of his and begged the mad king to sign his approval. Begged until Yoongi gave in.

He can leave now. Yoongi left the dining room with a solemn nod and complete silence, followed by Seokjin and Hoseok. Right on his toes. Jimin left right after them. Taehyung had gathered the papers and handed it all to him, bowed, wished him a good night and left too.

He feels childish, but at that moment, standing in that vast dining room, he felt left alone. All over again. Maybe he gets them. Maybe that is why the persistence grows in him. Maybe he is just being self-destructive, but he does not want to care anymore.

He did. In his own way, he cared too much. Now he can just set everything around himself on fire and sit and watch it all burn. He would try to run, to save himself. He just feels this anger, this rejection, this defeat that consume him the more he thinks.

He looks out at the night. It is dark. He packs his bag, silently getting ready to leave. “The night is too cold to leave a safe place.” Jungkook's hands hover over the luggage, he looks over to see Jimin standing by the door frame. Jimin steps inside, “stay the night.”

Jungkook frowns, “why are you here? I have my troop. I have spent ages under the sky. I will be fine.” Jimin's eyes are kind, expression soft, “this time you will not be fine. A person cannot be fine when they voluntarily want to put themselves in the harm's way. Stay.”

“Why would you care for a person who put your brother through so much?” Jungkook turns to face Jimin fully. Jimin sighs, “we all are made of wrongs and rights. No one can be fully right or fully wrong. I hate you for hurting him but I also know your side too. So, there is that.”

“I did him wrong too,” Jimin hugs himself, frowns, “I am guilty too. It was supposed to be me. I pushed him towards my doom. Everyone hates me for it. All I did was fall in love and try to find my happiness. Anyway,” he smiles at Jungkook, “I am not here for myself.”

He looks at Jungkook, “you remind me a lot of myself. You know?” he smiles, “rebelling, so someone would notice me, my presence and just,” Jimin's throat bobs, “love me. Doing unimaginable things, so someone would finally care to look at me. Try to save me. Be there for me.”

“We know it is not the right way, but when was the last time the right way got us anywhere?” Jimin snorts, “when was the last time someone saw us and took the effort to understand that in our destruction, we were just screaming for someone to help us out of our own nightmares.”

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷

Jungkook watches Jimin, eyes travelling across the prince's face. “Why are you blaming yourself for something your father did? You left because you loved someone. He should not have forced you and then, replaced you with Taehyung. Only if he had the guts to be honest.”

Jimin leans against the bed, eyes travelling over Jungkook's shoulders, “I hope one day Taehyung forgives me. That is all I hope. It was supposed to be me,” he clutches the robe, throat bobbing, “in his place. He was not supposed to go through so much. I messed it all up.”

Jungkook watches the omega's eyes pool with tears, “maybe,” Jungkook looks away, “start with forgiving yourself. Then you can move onto seeking his forgiveness.” Jimin smiles, looking at Jungkook, “you have to do the same, your highness,” he nods, “love yourself first.”

“You have to start accepting yourself the way you are,” Jimin nods, earnest, “start to be positive about yourself and then stop caring who loves you and who does not. You seek love in people who take advantage of it. How can someone love you when you do not love yourself?”

“You are destroying yourself and hoping someone will come to save you,” Jimin gulps, “no one does. No one can. Save yourself. It is hard. But, start. Whatever is holding you back, wherever you are stuck, try to drag yourself out of that headspace and move forward.”

“A broken glass cuts the ones who come in contact with it. You cannot make someone happy when you are broken yourself. So,” Jimin lets out a long breath, “heal yourself first. Do not depend on someone else to heal you. No one will do it, until you start trying.”

Jungkook looks down at his luggage, “why are you telling me all this?” Jimin tilts his head, smiles, “because, when everyone left the dining room, I saw you stand alone. You looked so defeated and no one understood that. I do,” he nods when Jungkook looks at him, “I understand.”

“I understand that crippling fear of standing alone and waiting for someone to come and get you,” Jimin sighs, blinks back tears, “I probably would not, a few months ago. But, then I eloped and waited for the one I loved to come and take me away, just for him to never show up…”

Jimin shivers, hugs himself, “I get you. Just,” he looks down at Jungkook's luggage. “I am sorry,” Jungkook nods, “that you had to go through all that.” Jimin's lips quirk, he shrugs, “well, I will be fine. Are you okay?” he leans down to find those eyes, “are you happy?”

There is something pushing up his throat. Jungkook forces it down, tries to breathe. He blinks, furiously looking at the bags on his bed. He nods, throat bobbing. “I am,” he is not sure when someone asked him if he is okay or happy, “I am fine. I am,” he frowns, “happy.”

Jimin hums, “it would come out way more easily if you were,” he stands up straight, “I hope you try to think of what I said. I hope you give it some thought. Anyway, I will not take up too much of your time. Just…” he looks outside through the window, “stay tonight.”

“You can leave tomorrow,” Jimin nods when Jungkook looks at him, “it is really chilly and risky to travel at night these days. The snowstorms are picking up speed any moment, and you should not knowingly put yourself through it. Stay,” Jimin bows, “let's not worry your hyung.”

Jungkook snorts, the mention of Yoongi making his skin crawl. “He is not my hyung,” Jungkook grits out, “and, he does not care-” “He is still up,” Jimin whispers, “talking to your troop about the routes you will take and what they should do to take you back safely, my lord.”

Jimin's expression contorts into something Jungkook does not understand. The omega gives him a forlorn look, “sometimes, the ones who really care, do not voice it. They silently do their part. The ones who are vocal, most of the time, those are the hollow echo of promises.”

Jimin bows, “have a good night, your highness-” “You can call me Jungkook,” Jungkook murmurs, looking at Jimin, he nods, “you are my elder. Age wise, relation wise too,” he stops himself, looking away, “I mean, would be if-” Jimin's lips quirk up, “if Tae was your Luna still.”

The words spike the alpha's scent, and Jimin bites back a shiver. He nods, bows again and takes a step back. “Have some rest, Jungkook,” Jimin smiles warmly at the king, “I will see you tomorrow when you leave.” It feels like an order. Jungkook sighs, nods. “Yes, you will.”

--- ---

“I will wait for you to come to the wedding.” Taehyung grips his hanbok, eyes downcast. He looks up to match those eyes. Ignores how everyone is watching them. They are gathered in front of the palace's gate to bid Jungkook goodbye. The six others look at him with worried eyes.

“The celebration is starting a week prior,” Jungkook smiles, stiff and sharp, “I will expect your presence with hyung and others. Of course, you would not stay here alone when he leaves, right?” Yoongi grips his sword and stops when Seokjin grips his hand, stopping him.

Taehyung lets out a breath, smiles, “of course, my king,” he nods, “if hyung goes, I will go with him. Do not worry.” Jungkook's eyes wander over Taehyung's face, he holds that gaze with his own. Taehyung does not waver. Jungkook nods, “I will send my carriage. See you.”

Taehyung watches the king hop onto the horse and the horse speed up and out of the palace's gate. He turns on his heels and ignores how everyone watches him, as he runs inside the palace. Taehyung wipes his eyes while tears roll out of them, rushes to his bed chamber blindly.

He is not sure why it hurts so bad. Maybe because he feels betrayed. Maybe because there is a part of him that breaks at the thought that he never got his justice. Maybe because he hoped Jungkook would see his side and take action. Maybe because… he hoped. He had hopes.

Taehyung goes to stand by the painting he made that evening. The sky is red, so red it is almost turning dark. He watches how the sun rays spread, trying to overpower the looming darkness. But the sun looks tired too. Slowly dimming and surrendering to the darkness.

“The sun rises again.” Taehyung flinches, looks over his shoulder to see Yoongi standing by his side, looking at the painting. “Huh?” Yoongi hums, eyes fixed on the painting, “even the darkest nights come to an end and the sun rises again. The darkness might win for now...”

“But, this is not the end,” Yoongi's jaw hardens, “there will be a new day. The sun will be up again and,” he nods to himself, “it will prevail. I am not,” Yoongi's eyes are sharp on the painting, “letting her get away this time. I am not going to let him fall for this again.”

“He will not marry that cunning woman. He will not fall for that, and I will not let him hurt himself because his rage blinds him.” Taehyung looks at the painting, “Yoona loves him. Your brother. He loves her too-” Yoongi chuckles, “obsession is not love, Taehyung.”

“Her love is nothing but her pride and fear mixed together. She fears that if Jungkook stops treating her as the treasure, the head concubine, and his only one, then she will fall back to where she came from. That terrifies her. That life terrifies her. Also-”

Yoongi sighs, “she takes pride in being Jungkook's first and the only one he kept beside himself for this long. She has a position in the harem for it. For being the king's favourite. She does not want to lose it. Her love is not for him. It is what he represents. The power.”

“How do you talk so wisely about love?” Taehyung wonders, eyes on the king, “hyung?” Yoongi stills for a second, then chuckles, “your hyung was not always so cruel, you know?” “My hyung is not cruel at all,” Taehyung murmurs, “he is loving, caring, sweet. He is not cruel.”

Yoongi looks away, “I will go now,” his throat bobs, “you can stay, Tae. You do not have to go to the wedding-” “But, I want to,” Taehyung looks back at the painting, “I want to go.” “Why?” Yoongi frowns, “what is the reason, you-” Taehyung shrugs, “to paint the dawn finally.”

- See you tonight. Yeah, the wedding is on, and they all will go. lmao. I LIVE FOR THE CHAOS! https://ko-fi.com/amyungv

*.·:·.☽✧    ✦    ✧☾.·:·.*

Taehyung is not sure if this some kind of sick joke on Jungkook's part or not, but he feels like it is. The carriage Jungkook sent is the same one he brought to Taehyung's kingdom on the day of their wedding. Taehyung watches it with a breath lodged in his chest.

He gets inside when Yoongi hoists himself up on his horse and announces that they are leaving. Taehyung sits, stiff and reeling. His eyes roam over the interior, and it is just the same. He twists and squirms on his seat when he sees the dried petals and flowers inside.

“Why did he send a carriage without cleaning it?” Jimin frowns, brushing off those flowers from the seats to the floor of the carriage. Taehyung holds back the words. The petals are almost dust by now but some lingers. It smears across the seats. Their wedding flowers.

Taehyung looks outside, watches the fields, and they are crossing. He ignores how the decoration of the carriage is the same, too. Jimin closes his eyes, falling asleep pretty quickly. Taehyung stays awake. His eyes find Namjoon who is riding beside his carriage, looking at him.

Taehyung smiles at Namjoon's worried glances, and Namjoon sighs, strutting forward to follow another carriage where Seokjin is. Taehyung watches Seokjin hold out his hand, a piece of some fruit in his hold. Namjoon hesitates, then leans in to take it from the prince.

Taehyung feels content. He leans his forehead against the window and watches Namjoon smile at whatever Seokjin is doing inside. He looks over to catch Yoongi's eyes, they are on his carriage. But not on him. Taehyung follows his gaze to see Jimin sleeping against the window.

Taehyung looks back at Yoongi and Yoongi quickly looks away when their eyes match. Taehyung closes his eyes too, trying to collect himself. “We will be resting the night here,” Yoongi shouts after a few hours of walking, “let's build the tents and fires. Come on.”

Taehyung gets out of the carriage, going to sit with the others while the guards and servants build the tents and light the fire. Yoongi, Namjoon and Hoseok are making sure everything is sorted. Jimin, Seokjin and Taehyung help the others with the tent's essentials.

“Your tent is built, my prince,” a maid bows, “that one.” Taehyung sees a white tent and nods, tiredly walking inside and dropping the flaps of the tent. He freezes when he sees the inside. It is the same tent Jungkook built on their way to his kingdom on their first night.

Taehyung watches how the bed is made. How those oils line the boxes they are carrying. He watches the decoration of the tent. His inside churns while he goes to sit on the bed, looking around with cautious. He does not understand. He does not get it. At all.

Jimin walks in, goes to change his clothes, and Taehyung sits silently. He changes after Jimin, takes a bath when the maids bring in warm water and fills a tub for him, and then he goes to sleep. Without eating anything. He does not feel hungry anymore.

“Wear something pretty,” Jimin says the next morning when they are dressing up to leave. Taehyung looks over at Jimin and frowns, “huh?” Jimin hums, “wear something pretty. Do not let others see you are feeling a little down or anything. I have arranged your clothes.”

Taehyung looks at the arrangements. Jimin replaced his cotton hanbok with a silk one. The royal blue colour reflects the morning sun, too sheer as it lies on the bed. The gold accessories sit right beside it. Earrings and a waist chain. Taehyung sighs, picking them up.

The neck is too low. It shows off the necklace Taehyung wears. The dragon roaring. Yoongi's symbol. Taehyung ties the waist chain over the hanbok, watches how it grips and gives his waist a shape. Then he uses the scent blockers and walks out of the tent. Ready to leave.

Yoongi chokes on his water, coughing and nodding at Taehyung, “oh, my!” Taehyung blushes scarlet, hurries to get inside the carriage, “hyung, please!” Yoongi smirks, playful, and knocks on the carriage, “you look royal.” Taehyung slams the door on Yoongi's laughing face.

By the time they reach their destination, Taehyung feels sick to his stomach, with something like anxiety eating him alive. He gets out of the carriage when his name is announced and follows his feet with his eyes while he walks up to stand behind Yoongi, on his left.

Yoongi represents them. He stands in the middle, on his right stands Seokjin and on his left stands Taehyung. Beside Taehyung is Jimin, and on his other side is Hoseok and Namjoon. “Welcome to the Jeon kingdom.” Taehyung grips the hanbok when he hears Eun's voice.

“I am glad you could make-” “Since when concubines are welcoming the royals?” Yoongi speaks, loud and clear, “I did not know this will be your royal welcome.” Taehyung sighs, eyes still on his feet. “The king is busy, my lord,” Eun's voice is icy, “he will visit you tonight.”

“Then I will hear my welcome speech from him,” Yoongi reaches behind himself, grasps Taehyung's hand in his, “come on, Tae. Let's not waste time on irrelevant things.” Taehyung lurches forward, trying to keep up with Yoongi's marching footsteps. Everyone follows the king.

“He must be sick,” Yoongi curses, “you do not have to stay here,” he looks at Taehyung, “you can take my room and I will-” “It is okay,” Taehyung holds Yoongi's hand, looks at the room he is given, “it is just for a week. I will be fine.” He is given the same room as before.

Taehyung closes the door behind Yoongi and leans against it. The room is just the same. Everything is just the same. Taehyung pushes himself to walk forward, to let his eyes wander. There are a few gifts on the bed, customary for every guest who comes. He got those too.

Taehyung ignores the flowers and opens the letter to read the same lines. A formal welcome from the king. Then there is a box that holds a brooch with the king's birthstone and the would-be Luna's birth stone attached together. Taehyung watches the brooch. Feels it on his palm.

Taehyung places the brooch down and frowns at the other box. It is a small box. He is not sure if he saw that on Jimin or Seokjin or Yoongi's bed when they toured their rooms before Taehyung came to his. It is placed out of the tray that holds the other gifts. He reaches for it.

It is a ring. The stone is not polished. It is uneven. The roundness of it feels rough. It... it is burnt. Taehyung frowns at the ring. The ring is new, but the stone. The realization comes when he tilts it and the afternoon sun rays catch on the stone. It reflects on his face.

Taehyung stares at the ring. The stone looks like it went through something. It is almost raw, it feels rough and not presentable at all. He holds the ring in his palm and tries to think why it is there. “Welcome to my palace.” Taehyung jumps, the ring drops on the carpet.

Taehyung's lips part, sucking in a startled breath. Jungkook stands by the door that closed behind him. His eyes on Taehyung. Taehyung looks down at the ring and back at the king in front of him. “Why,” he gulps, “the ring-” “I could not melt the stone,” Jungkook murmurs.

“Where are the guards?” Taehyung grits out, “why are you not announced?!” Jungkook shrugs, “it is my castle. I go wherever I want.” Taehyung frowns, “but, this is an unmated omega's chamber! How can you just walk in-” Jungkook laughs, “just like I did. Right now.”

Taehyung watches the alpha walk closer. His scent looms around him like a cloak. Taehyung grips the hanbok he is wearing. Jungkook comes to stand in front of him, the ring between them, on the carpet. “Was the journey peaceful?” Jungkook enquires, bending to pick the ring up.

“Yes,” Taehyung murmurs, watches the king straighten, “it was quite peaceful.” Jungkook hums, the corners of his lips twisted upwards, “I see,” he plays with the ring, “you look good.” Taehyung is not sure what to say to that. He holds his silence.

“I am sorry that I could not welcome you all at the doorstep,” Jungkook takes Taehyung's hand in his, thumb rubbing over Taehyung's knuckles, “was busy,” his eyes are on Taehyung's face while his other hand moves, “with my Luna. You know how it is.” Taehyung's breath catches.

“Do you like the ring?” Jungkook wonders, “do you think it will look good on her finger?” Taehyung looks at the alpha's face while Jungkook slips it on his finger, “I do not think we have the same ring size, my-” he gulps, “your highness.” Jungkook's eyes snap to his, “no?”

The ring sits perfectly on his finger, Jungkook watches it, “sad. It is her wedding ring.” Taehyung tries to take his hand away, the ring burns on his finger, “then maybe check it on her finger.” Jungkook does not let him go, “how does the locket feel? Heavy? Suffocating?”

Taehyung frowns, “huh?” “The locket, the necklace,” Jungkook tugs Taehyung forward, making the omega slam against him, “the fucking claim of Min Yoongi you are wearing! How does it feel?” Taehyung chokes on his breath when their chests touch, his eyes widening, “your highness-”

Jungkook snorts, “you know, I do not care about the wedding. I care about playing with you,” his words are mirthful, “I care about seeing you suffer. I did not deserve the names you called me when you stayed here the last time. This time, I want to own up to each one of them.”

“I do not care about the damn wedding, what is after that, I just want to stop staying up every night thinking of you and how you looked at me as if I was the biggest scum on this world when I did nothing to deserve it!” Taehyung watches the alpha, “even now, you would say it?”

Jungkook shrugs, “oh, no. Now I will make sure I give you reasons, lots of them, to call me those names. That time, I did nothing to deserve it. This time I will and I will have my peace. Knowing I deserved it. Your hate, your disgust, your rejection-” Taehyung laughs, “really?”

“My rejection?” Taehyung laughs, “you forgave her like she did nothing because she was a friend! You forgave her as if nothing happened when she was manipulating you and helped in that damn plan where I was coming out so wrong! I was announced pregnant with someone else's baby!”

Taehyung grips Jungkook's shirt, “maybe grow up and see that you are not the only one hurting! Maybe try and see how you are hurting others too! In your blind rage, you do not see the storm you create! You are doing all this to hurt me?! How lunatic of you! You are so foolish!”

“All this just because I left?!” Taehyung pulls the ring off, “all this because you would rather hurt me than accept that you were wrong? I am not hurt, you know? I am relieved,” Taehyung shoves Jungkook away, stepping back, “I got rid of you! You are better off with Yoona.”

“You both can mate, live forever in your twisted and sick world,” Taehyung places the ring on the bed, carefully, “birth pups and live in your bubble of lies. I just hope those pups do not turn out like you. Blind and partial and so arrogant! I will pray they do not be like you!”

Taehyung points at the ring, “I am here to carry out my words that I will visit. That is all. You can take your ring and leave now. It was a long journey, I am tired. I would like to sleep for an hour or so-” “I was ready to throw her in a cell,” Jungkook whispers.

Taehyung arches a brow, “oh, she will be. Thrown in a cell. For the rest of her life. By marrying you.” Jungkook's eyes sharpen. Taehyung nods, curt, “it will be the biggest punishment of her life. I take solace in knowing the punishment was served to her like this.”

“I said it before, I will say it again,” Taehyung points a finger at Jungkook, “no one will love you. You are sick and twisted. So, no matter how powerful you are and how much she craves the power, it will wear off some day. I just hope you build something worth staying by then.”

“We had nothing for you to turn this obsessive,” Taehyung grits out, “I cannot even imagine how you will be when she realizes, no amount of power and money is worth bearing you. Anyway,” Taehyung points at the door, “get out! I am here for my duties and let me do it and leave.”

“Duty,” Jungkook tastes the word on his tongue, “duty,” he growls, “where was your duty when you just left?! Where were your duty when you agreed to just leave instead of staying and giving me some time to process whatever was happening?!” Taehyung blinks, “what…?”

“I needed time!” Jungkook shouts, “I was told my closes friend was a traitor! I was told she planned all that for her own gain! I needed time to accept it! I was frustrated and I was confused. You just took the first scope and left-” “You told me to leave!” Taehyung thunders.

“You called me a burden!” Taehyung steps forward, jabs his finger on Jungkook's chest, “you made it sound like it was all my fault! You made me feel so worthless by not seeing the truth-” “Seeing the truth and accepting the truth are different!” Jungkook hisses, “I needed time!”

“But, you were so enamoured with the idea of leaving with the mad kin-” “Call him mad again,” Taehyung points his finger at Jungkook, “and, I will do something! Take his name with respect!” Jungkook's irises shift colour, “so loyal to him, so quick, huh? What did he do for it?”

Taehyung chuckles, “treated me with the respect I deserved. Behaved like the gentleman he is. That is all it will ever take.” Jungkook hums, his expression closing in, “to take others to his bed?” Taehyung's jaw hardens, “again, I do not owe you that answer, your highness.”

“You are marrying the one you were made for. I do not see why we are still having this conversation. I will not hear a word about hyung, and you should leave. The more I see you, the more your scent reaches me, I feel disgusted,” Taehyung turns away, “you disgust me.”

*.·:·.☽✧ “The moon got scars too” ✧☾.·:·.*

The scent slowly dims around him. Taehyung frowns before he remembers that Jungkook is a true blood. He can control his scent. He breathes in the fresh air, trying to ease the pain that courses through his veins. He knows the alpha is right behind him, Taehyung waits.

“Jungkook!” The voice startles them both. Taehyung goes stiff, his heartbeat picking up. “Yes, Yoona?” Jungkook sounds calm, extremely so, “you needed anything?” “Yes! You need to choose the wedding dress for me,” she whines, “come on, love. You keep making your Luna wait.”

Jungkook heaves a sigh, “we decided on one last night.” Yoona steps inside the room, hand outstretched- “Do not,” Taehyung looks ahead, hands balling in fist, “do not take a single step inside my room as long as I am here. Get out.” There is silence. Taehyung waits.

“Did you just-” Yoona murmurs, “do you know who you are talking to?” Taehyung turns to face the woman, skin crawling with a disturbing feeling that leaves him feeling breathless, “yes. A concubine. I am still the royal guest of this palace. Get out. It is my order.”

Yoona gapes, eyes moving from Taehyung to Jungkook. Taehyung crosses his arms over his chest, “it took me some weeks to get this in my head. To speak when I am uncomfortable. Get out.” Jungkook watches him, Yoona grips the doorknob, eyes pooling with tears.

“My king, you will let him talk to me like this?” Yoona sniffles, “he is here for our wedding. How can he insult your Luna?” Taehyung's lips twitch, he looks at Jungkook, “go on,” Taehyung nods at Jungkook, “tell me I am wrong. Tell me to apologize. Watch me laugh on your face.”

“That time, I had no one backing me up, you know?” Taehyung chuckles, “I felt so alone and powerless. You are so wrong if you think I am just the same now,” he shrugs at Yoona, “you do want to test my patience, Yoona. Take your tears and your alpha out of my room. Now.”

Jungkook goes to open his mouth when Yoona jumps. They all look over to see Yoongi walk in, dragging himself to the bed and plopping on it. He pushes the gifts aside, ignores how the flowers fall on the ground, and lies down on his elbow. Taehyung's lips twitch with mirth.

“Are they troubling you?” Yoongi asks, sleepy eyes moving from Jungkook to Yoona. “No,” Taehyung sits by the edge of the bed, in front of Yoongi, “they do not have that much power. Do they?” Yoongi's lips twitch, “no, they do not.” Taehyung and Yoongi stare at the other two.

Yoongi lies down on his back, like a starfish. He yawns loudly, cursing, tellsTaehyung to close the binds. “Also, take the smelly things out of the room,” Yoongi yawns, “they have their feet. Tell them to kindly leave.” Taehyung gets up, arches a brow at Jungkook and Yoona.

Jungkook storms out of the room, followed by Yoona. Taehyung looks at Yoongi, mirth tilting his lips, “what was this show for?” Yoongi looks at him too, gums out wihle he smiles, “sometimes, my precious TaeTae, you have to put on a mask. Just to keep the show going.”

Taehyung lies down on Yoongi, eyes up at the ceiling, “the mask is suffocating, hyung. It gets harder with time.” Yoongi lets Taehyung lie on his head down on Yoongi's stomach, scratches the omega's scalp with a hum, “but, it protects us. No? We need to put it on.”

Taehyung feels the smile twitch his lips when Yoongi's scent reaches him. Calm, soothing. His hyung smells of monsoon rain. Raindrops that pelt against the ground after a summer of wait. Yoongi is like Taehyung's prayers answered. A blessing. He closes his eyes, trying to sleep.

“Sleep, my phoenix,” Yoongi whispers, “it takes a rebirth to rise from ashes.” Taehyung will never understand why Yoongi calls him Phoenix. He will never understand why his hyung thinks he is that powerful, but he takes it. The trust feels good. It feels like home.

--- ---

Ballroom dancing. Jungkook never hated anything more than dancing with people to mingle. He never hated anymore more than mingling. But, here he is. Just a few days before his wedding. Hosting a ballroom dance among the royal guests. Right after which there is a dinner party.

Jungkook looks at himself in the mirror and nods when the maids tell him he is ready. He walks out of the room to see Eun waiting by the corridor. He lets Eun link their arms while they go down the steps to the ballroom. “You look angry,” Eun sighs, “come on, gguk. Smile.”

Jungkook looks at her. In her gown, she looks very pretty. The omegas are to wear something in silk and white. While the alphas wear the black. Jungkook gives Eun a small smile, “I do not see why this was necessary.” Eun makes a face, “it is a celebration before the wedding.”

When they reach the platform of the staircase, they are joined with Yoona who comes down from the other side of the stairs. She is wearing quite a revealing neckline, showing off her cleavage. The off shoulder dress hugging her curves. Jungkook nods when she takes his hand.

“How do I look?” Yoona asks, looking up at Jungkook shyly. “Gorgeous,” Jungkook says, frowns when Yoona's smile dims a little. “Thank you, alpha-” Yoona stops when Jungkook lets out a curse. “Do not call me that,” Jungkook looks head, “my king or lord is fine, Yoona.”

Yoona probably says something to it, Eun is speaking too. But, Jungkook does not hear it. His eyes find someone in the ballroom and all he hears is that giggle. The omega's lips are stretched on a boxy smile, so immersed in his talk that he forgot to put a hand over his mouth.

Jungkook stands and watches how Taehyung giggles at whatever Seokjin said. They both are by the door that leads to the garden. Both are wearing white, and both are laughing themselves to a fit. Taehyung is not wearing something revealing. He is dressed properly. In a classy fit.

But the shirt is transparent. The material so thin, it shows off the omega's curves. The trouser the shirt disappears in, clings to Taehyung's legs. It shows off the arch of his spine, his shaped legs. The omega did not wear any scent blockers. Jungkook can smell him.

On his neck, there is a choker. A gold string and a locket that hangs from it. Some bird. Caged in a heart. Red, as if burning from inside and trying to break free. Jungkook realizes with a start that it is a Phoenix. Ready to break free, born from the ashes.

The crown nestled in his hair is of dragons. The symbol of Yoongi's kingdom. Taehyung wears it on his head. Jungkook walks inside the ballroom, nods to whoever greets him. But his eyes are still on that omega who looks scandalous to me. Infuriating in his defiance.

When Taehyung turns to take a drink from a servant, Jungkook notices the clip the omega wears in his hair. It is a phoenix too. It holds Taehyung's long hairs off his face, proudly gleaming under the lights. Jungkook tastes the acid on his tongue. Taehyung looks owned.

Taehyung looks over when the murmurs rise in the room. His eyes find Jungkook, and he holds his breath for a second. Jungkook is on the other side of the room. Between them stand so many people. Everyone is trying to congratulate the king, talk to him. Just get his attention.

But, the king's attention is undivided, and on him. Taehyung takes a sip of the fruit juice and watches the king. His eyes roaming over Jungkook's attire. Jungkook wears a formal suit. It is quite simple but the long cloak over it, along with the leather gloves, give it an aura.

Jungkook's eyes trail over him. Quite shamelessly. Taehyung feels that gaze physically. As if it burns him. He looks at the women who are on his both sides. With a sigh, Taehyung looks back at Seokjin, shaking his head when the omega asks if he is okay. He is fine.

“One more woman thrust their bosom out at my face, I will go actually mad.” Taehyung chokes on his drink, looking over at Yoongi who comes to stand by them with a frown and a barely visible pout. He grins, “hyung, do you want to dance?” Seokjin snorts, “Yoongi does not do it.”

Taehyung pouts, “if Jimin hyung joined the celebration, we will dance together. But, he is under the weather. I want to dance.” Seokjin sighs, “you can dance with your friend. Namjoon is right here.” Taehyung looks over at Namjoon who gives him a small smile.

“Is that okay?” Taehyung murmurs, squirms, “I mean...” Yoongi reaches out to pat Taehyung's shoulder, “it is okay. Who will stop you? But, first, we need to go and congratulate the king on his engagement and upcoming wedding. He will choose his dance partner first.”

Taehyung frowns, “why cannot he dance with his Luna?” Yoongi shrugs, “they are not married yet. The would be Luna, if she was from a royal family, should not be near him before the wedding. But, this is not anything like the normal royal weddings. So, I do not know.”

“I did not know all this either,” Taehyung looks over at where everyone is lining up for the king to choose from them, “on my wedding, this did not happen.” Seokjin hums, “because your wedding was a treaty. They did not get enough time for all this. Your father did not do it.”

“Come on, let's congratulate them,” Yoongi starts walking, “then find a place to stand by while this circus ends.” Taehyung follows Yoongi and Seokjin. Yoongi congratulates the couple with a few gifts on a tray and then moves away. Seokjin goes next, bows to the couple.

Taehyung knows eyes are on him while he takes the step to stand in front of the engaged couple. He does not bow. He holds out a hand and his butler holds out a tray of gifts. “Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, your highness,” Taehyung speaks, “accept my offerings.”

Jungkook nods, terse, touches the tray and Yoona holds it to hand it over to her maid. Taehyung does not bow when he leaves the podium, either. He steps down, walks to the farthest corner of the room and stands by it to watch the celebration begin. Jungkook gets up.

Taehyung looks at the drink in his hand, thinking if he can slip out of here and go to sit by the garden. His eyes focus on the king who is surrounded with omegas and betas, a few alphas too. Jungkook steps down from the throne to search his first and last dance for the night.

Taehyung watches, sipping his drink, how the alpha walks confidently. His strides focused. His eyes are too. On him. Taehyung stops taking sips from drink, lips pressed against the rim of the glass, while he leans on a pillar and watches the king come his way.

Taehyung feels eyes on him. He feels everyone looking at him. Behind Jungkook, Eun and Yoona are looking at him. Taehyung sucks his lower lip into his mouth, eyes following the king. Jungkook comes to stop in front of him, eyes over his face. Taehyung holds his breath.

Jungkook reaches, “for my first and last dance,” his hand grasps Taehyung's and he tugs, “I choose you.” Taehyung stumbles, the drink sloshing dangerously before the glass slips off his hand and breaks on the floor. “I refuse!” Taehyung hisses, “no! I refuse!”

That arm sneak around his waist, Jungkook's breath hot against Taehyung's face, “that is the lesson your hyung forgot to teach you, omega.” His voice is barely over a whisper, “when it comes to me,” Jungkook twirls them with force, “you do not get to choose. I am not an option.”

- Our king needs to learn to speak what he really feels, but oh, well. It is not easy. Surely not when he is so confused. - anyway, see you tonight. If everything stays good. Here's my kofi if you want to support me https://ko-fi.com/amyungv

*.·:·.☽✧ “Seduce to destroy” ✧☾.·:·.*

Taehyung knows there are eyes on him. He knows the entire room is watching them. He can either accept it gracefully or create a scene. Taehyung places his hands on Jungkook's chest, “it is very alpha of you. Neglecting what I want. A true blooded alpha, indeed, your highness.”

The musicians, located at the side of the room, start to play their instruments. A few are singing. Taehyung lets Jungkook lead him to the centre of the stage, their bodies pressed together. The dance starts, others joining in one by one. Taehyung matches Jungkook's steps.

The song is a folklore of two lovers, cursed by the moongoddess to love each other but never mate. Taehyung ignores how the singers' voices fill with yearn and looks at the alpha right in front of him. Jungkook's eyes are glued on him too. Their steps graceful around each other.

Taehyung feels the way the alpha's palms spread over his back. He feels the way Jungkook holds him so close. His own hands grasp the alpha's cloak. They move side by side, gliding across the stage. Taehyung looks over at where Yoona sits, Eun and her talking while watching them.

There is a fire that burns in the pit of Taehyung's stomach. There is shimmering anger and hurt that run through his veins. He looks at the alpha and back at the two of them. He wants to stop feeling this way. He wants to stop feeling so betrayed. So wronged.

Taking control. Yoongi had said, taking control of one's life is the best thing a person can do. Taehyung should take control of his life, do whatever it takes to make it right. He looks at the alpha, “what is your habit of leaving your Luna to be with anyone else you can find?”

Jungkook's brows furrow, “what?” Taehyung chuckles, “you just cannot be with your Luna. No matter who it is, huh? When it was me, you would run to her. When it is going to be her, you are running to me. What is this? Do you fear the commitment, your highness?”

“Is it the fear of loyalty?” Taehyung wonders, twirls and lets Jungkook crowd his back, leaning against the alpha's chest, “is it the fear of having only one omega for the rest of your life that drives you to others' arms? Is that it?”

When Jungkook does not say anything, Taehyung does. He turns, steps up to the alpha so his lips are hovering over the alpha's parted ones. He knows this is inappropriate but Taehyung feels humiliated with this wedding. He wants it off. Looking at Yoona, he wants to win this one.

“I will be that,” Taehyung murmurs, a promise, against the alpha's lips, hovering over those lips, “I will be whatever you want me to be. Just,” his eyes flicker up to match Jungkook's frowning ones, “do not marry her.” The alpha's scent spikes, “what do you mean?”

Taehyung nods, “I will let you have me. For yourself. In return,” Taehyung looks at Yoona and back at Jungkook, “you punish her and get rid of your harem. All of them.” Jungkook breathes out. His expression going blank. The scent intensifies around them.

“Do you really think I will do it for just having you back?” Jungkook's lips curl with sarcasm. Taehyung shakes his head, “yes. That is the proposal. I can be anything you want me to be. I can be what she is to you. You do not love her, your highness. I can be that to you.”

“I just want to see her punished,” Taehyung murmurs, “I just want to see her getting the punishment she deserves,” Taehyung feels the anger seep through his words, “for that, I can do anything.” “For that you will stoop low enough to let me touch you?” Jungkook wonders.

“I am an adult,” Taehyung juts his chin out, “I am consenting to the one who will be my alpha. Yes,” he nods, confident, “you can have me. Just physical needs. It is not like you or me will ever fall in love with each other.” “Why do you think I will accept this?” Jungkook asks.

“You just want to have that power over me,” Jungkook grits out, “you just want to control me, and you think that is all it takes? A pretty face-” “Did not take much for them, why would it take more for me?” Taehyung jerks his head towards Eun and Yoona, “it is just an offer.”

“I will bring in so many things for you,” Taehyung murmurs, “Yoongi hyung's loyalty will be yours. He will never go against me,” he nods when Jungkook's jaw hardens, “agree or not, that is a powerful move.” The song ends, Taehyung steps back, bows a little and smiles.

“This is manipulation, you know, right?” Jungkook arches a brow. Taehyung laughs, “I do. But, the difference between me and her is, I am doing it openly. You will know that I am here for my priorities and not you. She is here for the same, too. Just that, she lies about it.”

“She hurt my pride, my self-respect,” Taehyung looks over at Yoona, “I want her gone. For that, I will do anything.” “Why do you think I will support you?” Jungkook wonders, “she is my friend. She is-” “You do not have to accept,” Taehyung steps back, “I had to offer.”

Taehyung struts down the dance floor to Yoongi who is sitting and watching him. “What did you tell him? He is still looking after you,” Yoongi says. Taehyung sits beside Yoongi, ignores Jungkook's eyes that are still on him, “I am just trying to be the Phoenix you call me.”

Yoongi frowns, “huh?” Taehyung watches Eun and Yoona, they are looking at him too. He hums, looking right back at them with a slow smirk. “You call me Phoenix. I need to burn this place down to ashes before I rise. Out and above this. I want to destroy the ones who wronged me.”

“First them,” Taehyung hisses, “then my father. I will turn each one of them into ashes. For what they put me through. For that, if I will set myself up too.” “Revenge takes away so much, Tae,” Yoongi murmurs, “you know? Right?” Taehyung does. He knows.

“Bringing this place down will bring Jungkook to his knees too,” Yoongi whispers. Taehyung looks at Jungkook, who is going back to the throne, “I know.” Yoongi watches him, a small smile on his lips, “rising from the ashes, the phoenix breathes fire. It burns itself, too.”

“You have to sacrifice too much in the process,” Yoongi murmurs, frowning at the stage, “and, I will stand your way if the fire comes anywhere near Jungkook.” Taehyung looks at Yoongi, “I do not need to hurt him. I will leave once I am done with these people. I promise.”

Yoongi's eyes are calculative on Taehyung's face, “what if that hurts him the most?” Taehyung laughs, “we are not in love, hyung. If anything, we cannot bear each other. What he feels for me is either the need to dominate me or just pure physical intimacy. Nothing else.”

Taehyung looks at Yoongi, “I know, you will take his side when the time comes, but-” “That is where you are naive, Tae,” Yoongi gets up, lets out a long breath, “you two are not on different sides. When you realize that, I hope by then it is not too late.” The king walks off.

--- ---

The ballroom is suffocating. Taehyung finds himself slipping out to the garden. He always liked the garden in this palace. For as long as he was here. He walks aimlessly through the maze. His hands caressing the wall of ivy as he goes. He finds himself in front of the gazebo.

He watches the gazebo. Under the moonlight, the white marbled structure shines. Taehyung walks up to it, opens the door and gets inside. There is no light. Just the moonlight seeping inside through the vast windows. He relaxes, leaning against a pillar of it, closing his eyes.

He wants to get out of this outfit. Everything is too tight. He wants to let his hair loose. He wants to just slip into his nightwear and sleep. He smiles to himself. Thinks how stupid he was to spurt all that. Jungkook would never agree. What was he thinking anyway?

The scent makes him go still. He looks over his shoulder to see the king walking inside the gazebo, closing the door behind himself. Taehyung startles, standing up straight, “how-” his throat bobs, “how did you get away? It is your celebration!” Jungkook shrugs, “I find a way.”

Taehyung plasters himself against the pillar while Jungkook walks up to him. The alpha stands right in front of him, eyes boring into Taehyung's large ones. “Why are you here?” Taehyung wonders. “To know about the offer,” Jungkook murmurs, “I want to know what you meant.”

For a second, Taehyung thinks of laughing it off. For a second, he thinks of just saying he was jesting. But, he was not. He wants to go through with this. He cannot see Yoona's victorious smirks, pointed at him. He cannot feel this humiliation and injustice anymore.

Taehyung nods, “I said everything.” Jungkook steps up to him, “what did you mean by that?!” Taehyung arches his back, places his hands on the alpha's chest, over his cloak, “I meant,” he looks at the alpha with bated breath, “I will be yours. In every sense. In every way.”

“If you want, I will bear your pups,” Taehyung plays with the brooch Jungkook wears over his chest, the symbol of his family, a roaring lion, “if you want, I can be your lover. Nothing will be denied to you. I am all yours,” Taehyung's voice wavers, “in every sense.”

“In return, you will promise me her punishment,” Taehyung whispers, it angers him to no end that he has to do all this to get justice, but, he will pick up on that later, “and, you will get rid of your harem. I want nothing more.”

Jungkook watches him, his hand comes up to caress the omega's cheek. Taehyung's skin crawls. He holds his breath. Tries to smile. Jungkook smiles too. He smiles and Taehyung feels the chill run down his spine. It is the most broken smile he has ever seen on someone.

“I respect you, Taehyung,” Jungkook murmurs, “I respect how you stood up for yourself. I respect that you are going to bear through all this because you want justice. All you had to do was,” he whispers, “stay. All I wanted you to do was tell me, despite it all, you would stay.”

“You told me to leave,” Taehyung feels his heart squeeze painfully in his chest, “you trusted her over me.” “No, I wanted you to,” Jungkook falters, “it makes no sense. But, I push people away before they can abandon me. I wanted to see if you would stay or not. You did not.”

“In her obsessive way, she did, she stayed,” Jungkook whispers, “I would punish her, but I am so alone,” his voice cracks, “if she is gone, then I just have no one to call friend anymore. I-” “She is not your friend!” Taehyung urges, “she never was! Friends do not do this!”

“She is the only one I was granted,” Jungkook hisses, “she is the one I deserve. I do not deserve better! I got what I got. I made my peace with the devil. You have no right to waltz in and judge my decisions when you are not standing in my shoes. You know nothing!”

“What is better? You?” Jungkook snorts, “who is ready to sacrifice himself for a revenge?” “No, I am ready to sacrifice myself for the justice I was not served!” Taehyung growls, “I am ready to sacrifice myself to see the culprit behind the bars. It is not the same!”

“Then be my friend,” Jungkook murmurs, “stay and be the friend you think I deserve. I do not need to bed you. I do not need to. Just stay and,” his voice goes heavier, “and, choose me. Make me believe I deserve better. I do not think I do.” Taehyung's breath hitches.

“Be what you are with your hyung,” Jungkook murmurs, “give me that loyalty. Be that protective of me. Have me,” he pleads almost, “have me like that.” Taehyung clutches the sides of his shirt, his eyes prickling, “w-what?” Jungkook nods, “give me a friend if you take one away.”

“Be my friend,” Jungkook murmurs, “without a motive. Just be my friend. Choose to stay. Be here because you want to. I will do anything,” Jungkook takes Taehyung's hands in his, “I will bring the world to your feet. Just choose me. Every time. Choose to stay. I will do anything.”

Taehyung sniffles, “I cannot stay if she stays. The injustice-” “I was going to punish her,” Jungkook gulps, “but that girl she kidnapped with your father, I had to find her first. You did not wait. I was so mad, I did not explain. I thought, if you would leave so easily +

“then you do not deserve my explanation. I felt betrayed, and I did not try to tell you to wait. You had already chosen to leave. I thought it is better. I was angry, upset, it was like,” Jungkook looks away, “it was like the history repeating itself. People leaving me behind.”

“My own brother did not stay,” Jungkook snorts, “why would you? So, I kept my calm and let you go. But,” Jungkook lets out a deep breath, “I am tired. I am tired of pretending it is okay. I am tired of everything-” “You are marrying her!” Taehyung screams, “why are you?!”

“Because I wanted to hurt you!” Jungkook slams his hand on the pillar behind Taehyung's head, “I wanted to hurt you, just as you hurt me by leaving. I knew it will hurt your ego. Hurt your self-respect!” Taehyung heaves for air, “you are stupid! All you had to do was explain!”

“You cannot explain your innocence to someone who already announced you the culprit,” Jungkook matches Taehyung's eyes, both of them are face to face, eye to eye, “you would not listen. Since the start, you never listened. Did you? No. You just took me as the evil!”

“I cannot stay,” Taehyung hugs himself, “what do I stay as? What would I be? I am not-” “What do you stay with your hyung as?” Jungkook asks, “what rights does he have to keep you?” Taehyung looks at the man in front of him, “he loves me. I love him.”

“You… love him,” Jungkook tastes the words, face contorting, “he loves you.” Taehyung frowns, watches the king's face go blank. As if a curtain falls to hide that openness. Jungkook takes a step back, looking at him with a twisted smile. “Well, that explains everything. Then.”

“That explains your wish to be here, with me like that,” Jungkook nods, “you want to bring me down, so he can take over this kingdom. Is that it? Goodness,” Jungkook breathes out a laugh, “here I was, really thinking you want to genuinely stop this wedding for yourself.”

“You just want to manipulate me and get me all alone, so it is easier for him to take over,” Jungkook grits out, “is that it? You and your hyung want to rule this kingdom! You want my throne!” Taehyung stares, he knows he should explain himself, but he does not. He is tired too.

“Now that you have got a whiff of our plan,” Taehyung walks past Jungkook, “I will go. It was a waste of time-” Jungkook curses, grabs Taehyung by his elbow and jerks him back against his chest, “am I a plaything to you?! Do you enjoy playing with my feelings?!”

Taehyung wants to say so much. He wants to scream that the king has no feelings. But, how could he? How could he say that when those eyes are ablaze and that grip is so tight on his elbow, he knows there will be marks later. How could he when the king said all those things.

But at the same time, he questioned Taehyung. Over and over again. His character. His loyalty. His self-respect. He questioned all of it. Taehyung pulls away, shaking his head at the alpha. “I said what I had to,” he murmurs, “I got nothing else to say.” He walks away.

Taehyung goes back to his bed chamber. He lies down on the bed, tears rolling out from the corners of his eyes. Silently, he lets them fall. There is a part of him that still aches. The dull throb of pain is so vulnerable and new. He does not understand why it hurts so much.

Taehyung falls asleep in that position. He falls asleep to tears clinging to his eyelashes and lips trembling around silent complaints for the waiting ears of the goddess whose beams illuminate the room.

.•° ღ °•.

“Do not do this.” Jungkook freezes where he stands. In the middle of the ballroom, now empty. He looks over to see Yoongi. Jungkook looks away, “you did not get enough high for the night to sleep it off?” Yoongi walks up to him, “this is the first and last thing I ask of you.”

Jungkook laughs, his shoulders shaking, “you got the audacity to ask something of me?! Still?!” Yoongi's gaze in unnerving, “I am here to beg you. Do not marry her. Not like this. Not out of spite. Not because someone thinks you should. Do not do this. Please.”

“Please?” Jungkook arches a brow, “please? Really? Why are you so invested-” “Because I love you,” Yoongi stops him, “and, I cannot see you destroying yourself like this.” Jungkook lashes out, grabs Yoongi by his collars and walks right up to his face, “do not lie to me!”

Jungkook roars, “never lie to me like that! If you want the throne, have the guts to say it! Meet me for a war! Do not use tricks like this. I never thought you would stoop so low for power! Then again,” Jungkook lets out a malicious smirk, “I do not know you at all. Do I?”

Yoongi lets his hand reach. His fingers tremble. He presses the palm against Jungkook's cheek. Yoongi's eyes glisten, those feline like eyes wander all over Jungkook's face. “One last time,” he whispers, “koo, one last time, believe your hyung. He would never lie to you.”

“You always lie to me,” Jungkook chews out, “the first was, you love me. The second, you would never leave me alone. The third,” his face contorts, “I was your everything. The fourth,” his grip tightens on Yoongi's shirt, “you love her. She gave you her everything!”

Yoongi goes stiff, closing his eyes, “leave her out of this.” Jungkook snorts, “why? The facade drops when she is in the picture? Why do you have to stoop so low? Now you are bedding Taehyung too? Why do you-” Jungkook stops when Yoongi's scent bursts out of him, raging, feral.

The wolf lurks behind those eyes. The alpha's lips curl to show his canines. Yoongi's eyes shift to golden. “Insult me all you want, Jungkook,” the king seethes, “do not utter a word for Tae. Not when it is an insult. Not when to degrade him. Do not take her name, either.”

The alpha's voice turns low. There is a hint of animalistic growl in it. They are not shape-shifters anymore. But, their ancestors were. They lost the capability. But, the wolf comes out like this. In anger, in pain. It tries to tear out. Even now. “Taehyung is like you to me.”

Yoongi growls, “I will take arrows for him. I will sacrifice myself for him. But, not like that. Never like that. And, that woman you call your noona? She taught you just this. That there is only one type of relationship and that starts with a knot and ends with it too!”

Yoongi glares, “there are relationships where it is not a settlement of profit and loss. It is just love. Purely that. I love him as a pup. I see him as one. I would never touch someone who-” Yoongi pulls away, looks away, “I will never want Taehyung. Neither does he.”

“You smell of an omega,” Jungkook murmurs. Yoongi snorts, “yes. Does this smell remind you of Taehyung?” Jungkook steps back, “then...” he frowns, “Taehyung agreed. He said you two were-” Yoongi rubs his temple, “I just came here to say this, Jungkook. Do not marry Yoona.”

“Do not marry her,” Yoongi takes a step back, “one time, one last time, listen to your hyung over your noona.” “She did way more for me than you did,” Jungkook speaks, watches how Yoongi's eyes flash red for the fraction of a second. “Right,” Yoongi chuckles, “of course.”

“It is because, she kept reminding you how much she did,” Yoongi gives Jungkook a tired smile, “I would die before reminding you of what I did because I did not do it as a favour. I did because I love you, and that is the difference you never understood.” The king storms out.

.•° ღ °•.

Yoona looks pretty in her wedding dress. As she is not a royal, she does not wear a royal hanbok with her family's symbol on it. She wears a white gown instead. Eun is busy, getting her ready, dolled up, Jungkook walks inside the room before leaving for the ceremony. “Jungkook!”

“You are not supposed to see the would-be mate!” Eun tries to hide Yoona from Jungkook's eyes. Jungkook looks in the mirror, sees how Yoona is hiding her face with her palms, and looks at Eun. “I do not believe in these superstitions, noona,” he sighs, “are you all finished?”

“I am leaving for the ceremony,” Jungkook points over his shoulder, “the carriages will take you there.” Eun nods, “get out. Now. We will be there in an hour!” Jungkook walks out, followed by his guards, he walks out of the palace to his waiting horse.

The groom will leave first. With his side of the guests. Jungkook watches the other kingdoms' royals wait by their carriages and horses. Everyone dolled up and waiting for him. Yoongi is on his horse, looking ahead at the main gate of the palace that slowly opens for them.

Jungkook stops by his horse when he sees him. Taehyung stands by Jimin, who is wearing a pink hanbok. Jungkook's eyes easily leave Jimin to fix on Taehyung. Just as, his heartbeat fixes for a second before speeding up. The king grips the reins of the horse, his eyes stuck.

tw// crossdressing Taehyung wears a red dress. It is off-shoulder. The neckline is so deep, it shows off his chest, where the gold chain lies. Around his neck is a diamond choker. The tanned skin of the omega glistens under the sun rays.

Jungkook holds his breath, eyes reeking over the omega's curves that the dress shows off so perfectly. It hugs his waist, right where the dress is nothing but thin silk, that shows off a diamond waist-chain underneath. Then it flows down till his toes.

The omega's hair is tied up in a messy bun. Locks falling all over his face. His neck is bare, except for the choker. He is not wearing his scent-blockers. When Taehyung moves, Jungkook's grip on the rein tightens. The side of the dress is slit, showing off his one leg.

The leg is wrapped in red stockings. When Jungkook finally looks at that face, Taehyung is looking at him. Their eyes meet and the omega holds that gaze. Jungkook cannot look away either. It is the omega who turns away first, graciously stepping inside the carriage.

Jungkook curses when he sees Taehyung's back. Taehyung's back is bare. The deep cut of the dress leaves his entire back exposed. Jungkook is not even sure how the omega was allowed to wear something like that. But that is not what catches his eyes.

It is the drawing of the raging bird on Taehyung's back that gets him. A phoenix. The drawing is not permanent. It is a body paint. The ink and colours explain that it is just going to stay for a few days. But it holds his captive, how fierce the bird looks on Taehyung.

The thought is sudden and unbidden. The thought makes him flinch and turn away from the omega. Jungkook wants to run his tongue over the tattoo. The thought is so salacious and the urge is so powerful, Jungkook hoists himself up on the horse, curing himself mentally.

When he catches Yoongi's eyes, the elder smirks at him. Jungkook glares and Yoongi actually lets out a laugh before he starts moving his horse. Jungkook follows. From the corner of his eyes, he sees Taehyung's carriage. He slows his horse, risking glances at the omega inside.

Taehyung knows. He matches Jungkook's eyes, arches his brow. Jungkook glares, his eyes travelling from Taehyung's face to the low neckline. Taehyung rubs his neck, arches it, scratches behind his ear. The earring dangles, he plays with it. Jungkook knows he is staring.

“It is morally wrong.” The voice makes Jungkook jump, he whips around to see Yoongi by his other side, eyes still fixed ahead. Smile still curving his lips up. “The only person you should look at like that, should be your Luna. Do not you think, pup?” Jungkook glares ahead.

“Stop the wedding, Jungkook,” Yoongi's smile slowly dims, “you can still stop the wedding.” “For what?” Jungkook grits out, “for whom?” Yoongi risks a glance at him, “for yourself. You do not want Yoona like that. You-” “I do not want anyone like that,” Jungkook hisses.

Yoongi goes to say something, but Jungkook taps his horse and jerks forward. He goes at the front of the march. By the time they reach the top of the hill, where the celebration will take place in the royal spring palace, it is already afternoon. The wedding is by evening.

Taehyung feels nauseous again. He gets out of the carriage and wipes his face. “I will rest myself,” Taehyung whines, “these roads are always making me nauseous,” he nods when Yoongi tells him there is a restroom for the royal omegas down the corridor of the second floor.

Taehyung takes the stairs up to the second floor and gets inside the room to see it is empty. He goes to close the door when the alpha walks in, shoving him inside and locking the door behind himself. “What are you doing?!”

Taehyung stumbles on his feet, eyes wide on the alpha. Jungkook leans against the door, “what am I doing?” he whispers, pushes off of the door, “what are you doing?!” he roars, “why are you dressed like this?! Why are you acting like this?! You are a royal omega!”

Taehyung rolls his eyes, “are you here to lecture me? Well, the head alpha whose pack I am under, your hyung, said I can do whatever.” Jungkook curses, “do this?! You are practically naked!” Taehyung snorts, “funny, how there were so many things to see, but you saw me.”

Taehyung turns away, “keep your eyes on those mundane things, alpha,” he looks over his shoulder, “get used to it.” Jungkook keeps his eyes on Taehyung's face, forces himself to, “what does that mean?” Taehyung shrugs, “nothing. You are too intelligent to not get it.”

“She is not mundane,” Jungkook takes a step forward. Taehyung chuckles, “I never said she is.” The fury rises. Jungkook forgets where he is, what he is here for and marches forward to hold that waist, jerk Taehyung back so the omega's back is pressed against his chest.

The scent is intoxicating. Taehyung is intoxicating. What even more intoxicating is how perfectly that waist fits in his grip. How perfectly that back arches to plaster against his front. What infuriating is how irrational Jungkook feels at that moment.

He buries his face there, at the arch of Taehyung's neck. Taehyung hums, the throaty voice reaches the alpha right away. “You have a wedding to attend, alpha,” Taehyung whispers, sucks in a breath when Jungkook squeezes the sides of his waist, “do not forget that.”

Jungkook growls, “quiet!” Taehyung chuckles, “is this how you act with your partners?” he turns his head to match Jungkook's eyes, “by shushing them? Too bad,” Taehyung pouts, “I am royal myself. I do not need to follow your orders.” Jungook's grip tightens, “omega-”

Taehyung giggles, easily squirming out of Jungkook's hold, “omega. Yes. Yours? No.” Jungkook sees red. There is something so maddening about the way Taehyung disobeys him. He knows he has no right, but he wants to... lord, he wants to. Jungkook takes a step towards him.

“I will be here,” Taehyung leans against the wall on the opposite side of the room, a teasing smile on his lips, “go and cancel the wedding, alpha. I will wait for you here.” Jungkook stops on his track. His eyes on the omega and Taehyung watches him back. “Another game?”

Taehyung shakes his head, “no game. Tonight, I will either leave this palace with you. Or,” he walks up to Jungkook, “I will leave with Yoongi hyung and never see your face again.” Jungkook watches the omega, “as my what?” Taehyung nods, “whatever you want me to be.”

“I will be your friend,” Taehyung murmurs, “I can be your companion. I can-” “My Luna?” Jungkook whispers, their breaths mixing between them, “can you be my Luna?” Taehyung's eyes glisten, “if, after seeing me, you want me. Then, yes,” he nods, “I will be your Luna.”

“And, I will be your alpha?” Jungkook wonders, “you will choose me too? Not forcefully. Not for a replacement. Not for the sake of a treaty. Not for the pressure of your father or the kingdom, you will choose me as your alpha?” Taehyung nods, “yes, I will. I am.”

“Why?” Jungkook wonders, “why would you? Just because you do not want me to marry Yoona? That is the only reason?” Taehyung nods, urgent, “that is the only reason. I do not want you to marry her,” he grips Jungkook's shirt, “I do not want you to marry. No.”

Taehyung cannot explain. He cannot explain this urge with words. He cannot voice it. He cannot describe this feeling that he, himself, does not understand. “Do not marry her,” Taehyung murmurs, “do not do it. I will do anything. I cannot see it happen. I cannot!”

Jungkook watches that face, wonders why the first time he did not notice this face. Wonders why he chose someone else the first time. He holds Taehyung by his waist, “why should I care about what you want?” Taehyung breathes out, lips trembling while he leans closer.

Those arms loop around Jungkook's neck, lips pressing against his ear. “Because,” Taehyung murmurs, “you promised to bring the world to my feet.” Jungkook snaps his eyes closed, hands tightening on Taehyung. The thought is maddening. That he will. If Taehyung asks, he will.

- See you tomorrow - if you want to support me, or my writing, here's my kofi : https://ko-fi.com/amyungv

°•°•° So, the Phoenix, rise, break the ice °•°•°

Jungkook walks out of the room to Eun standing by the end of the corridor. He walks up to the omega, and she looks at him, worried eyes all over his face. Jungkook nods, “he will stay. If I cancel the wedding, he will stay.” Eun lets out a deep breath, “oh, thank God!”

She gives Jungkook a look, “do not think about Yoona. The wedding might be off, and she might feel hurt, but I got her. We have to do this.” “Do we?” Jungkook wonders, “I mean-” “The omega said, he is doing all this to seek revenge, Jungkook. Do you think he loves you?”

Eun sighs, “he does not. He is doing all this because of the reason you said to me yesterday. He wants to prove himself right, and he will do anything for it. He is just like his father, Jungkook. Otherwise, why would he stoop so low to dress like a concubine and do this?”

Eun rubs her hand on Jungkook's chest, “he does not know that you are not so easily manipulated. He does not know that you are playing over him. Make him believe you care. Make him believe he won this round. We will win the next one. The bigger one.”

Eun's eyes move over Jungkook's shoulder, her jaw tightening, “he got your brother wrapped around his little finger. He is his father's only heir. He has too much we can use for our benefit. Do not forget, now he is the only heir of his family. We can use him. Well.”

Jungkook looks outside, over Eun's shoulder, “I do not know if all this is worth it. The entire plan of marriage and everything just to get him back under my control,” he sighs, “I am not sure if it is worth it.” “Did you not hear about those kingdoms teaming up?!” Eun curses.

“The spies are giving us warning for a month now!” Eun rubs her temple, “your advisory ministers said that the mad king is teaming up with them to dethrone you. Taehyung is Yoongi's master-stroke against you. He wants you two together, so he has some type of control over you.”

“But, what he does not know is,” she giggles, “you were not naive. You knew about his plan, and you are out-ruling him. You still did not tell me what you told him last night to get him this desperate.” Jungkook shrugs, “I tried to stay as close to the truth as I could.”

“We have to keep ourselves focused,” Eun hums, patting Jungkook's chest, “what we want. We want to win the war when it eventually breaks out, and-” “I want him dead,” Jungkook looks ahead, “I want him dead who killed my mother,” Jungkook grits out, “I want Min Yoongi dead.”

Eun watches Jungkook, her eyes filling with tears, “I would still ask you spare his life-” Jungkook's head snaps towards her, and he growls, “no! No. He took enough! He took enough from me. I do not want to spare him anymore. I stoop this low and I will go lower to finish him.”

“He took my mother's life,” Jungkook grits out, “all those proofs. All those signs. I cannot spare him, noona. I cannot fulfil your this wish. Taehyung,” Jungkook shakes his head, “he is just a stepping stone for me to reach the actual culprit. Min Yoongi. That omega is a fool.”

“He really thinks his naive seduction will work on me,” Jungkook chews out, “he really thinks I have not seen better. I am sitting and watching him play because he does not know he is playing on my palm. I will close it and press the life out of him. Easily. He is nothing.”

“Mate him,” Eun murmurs, “bind him to you. He is an important part of the plan, kook. He holds two biggest forces of this side, and if we have him totally chained to you, they will side with you. Yoongi will never go against him, as we can clearly see they are in love.”

Jungkook twitches. Eun hums, “and, Taehyung's father will not go against you because why would he? No matter what he says, Taehyung is his son and the treaty is still in action. He has to side with us. Also, if Yoongi sides with you for the war, Seokjin's father will, too.”

“Let me go and announce the wedding off,” Eun waves her hand, “you go back to Taehyung and tell him this. Jungkook, we are walking out of here when Taehyung is your Luna again. Make it happen.” Jungkook nods, holds Eun's hands in his, “can you,” he gulps, voice softening...

“Can you tell Yoona I am sorry?” Jungkook squeezes Eun's hands in his, “she did not know all this. She got dragged too much through the mud. Just for loving me,” he looks down at their hands, “tell her I am sorry.” Eun smiles, nods, “I will handle her. Now you go.”

Jungkook watches Eun leave, and he stands in the empty corridor. His mind reeling with the noises that fill his head. The words from those letters spring up and down in front of his eyes. The pleas of his mother in those letters, the blood stains on that hanbok she wore...

Jungkook turns on his feet, the anger and hurt blurs his vision. He takes himself back to the room where Taehyung is. Taehyung. A ploy to his plan. A pretty face with some large benefits attached to him.

Jungkook does not feel bad for deceiving him. Not after knowing what he planned, anyway. He pushes the door open to Taehyung sitting on the bed. For a second, Jungkook watches the omega. He is indeed pretty. Beautiful. That is all. He will be just that. Another pretty face.

Jungkook closes the door and Taehyung springs up. Those large eyes fixed on him, worried and hesitant. Waiting. Jungkook walks up to the omega. It is easy to cup the side of that face, nod and whisper... “I broke the wedding off.” That is all it takes for the omega to melt.

He lets out a sigh, steps closer to Jungkook. His hands rest on Jungkook's chest. “You did?” Taehyung asks, tentative, “was there any problem-” “No,” Jungkook shakes his head, arm circling around the omega's waist to pull him closer, “no one would speak over my orders.”

Jungkook watches how the omega leans on his palm, eyes fluttering. His scent engulfs them. Jungkook looks at those lips and up at those eyes. Taehyung's lips part, they tremble with anticipation. He feels pliant against Jungkook. It is so easy. Taehyung makes it so easy.

All Jungkook has to do is lean in and kiss those lips. “What do I get for it? You said, you will do anything,” Jungkook whispers against Taehyung's lips, “tell me the price you are ready to pay for this.” Taehyung clutches the shirt over Jungkook's chest, “I will pay anything.”

“𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡, 𝑑𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑝 𝑠𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑐𝘩 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠.” Yoongi's voice echoes in Jungkook's mind. Takes him back to that dingy room, both of them locked there for the night. Huddling closer.

“𝑇𝘩𝑒𝑛, 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑛𝑔. 𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑡𝘩 𝑖𝑡.” Jungkook presses his lips against Taehyung's temple, “stay with me. As my Luna. Stay with me in my palace. Do not leave. Marry me.”

Taehyung looks at Jungkook, “I have a few conditions.” The anger rises tenfold. Jungkook is not sure why Eun wants to keep this omega alive. He wanted to get rid of the entire family. He would rather fight the war and die than bear through this omega's tantrums.

Jungkook lets his hand curl around Taehyung's throat, pull him closer by that grip. Taehyung comes easily, eyes trusting. “What do you want?” Jungkook seethes inside, “what is it?” “You have to get rid of your harem,” Taehyung murmurs, palms spreading over Jungkook's chest.

Jungkook sees red. His grip almost tightens around Taehyung's throat. The audacity of the omega asking something so important and thinking Jungkook will do it. Jungkook wants to snap that neck, it would not take much. A long press of his thumb and he can suck the life out-

He chuckles, “why are you so insecure of those concubines who were here before you came and...” will be here after you leave? Jungkook does not finish the sentence, “I will not go to them. Is that all?” Taehyung nods, “that is all.” Jungkook hums, “why do you care?”

“Because, I want to do it right this time,” Taehyung murmurs, “I want us to do it right this time. I,” he looks down between them, “if we do this, I want us to try to have something close to a family. I want,” Taehyung looks back up at Jungkook, “to learn to love you.”

For a second, something stops in Jungkook. His eyes are stuck on the omega and his mind reels. He sucks in a breath, tries to remind himself that Taehyung is not saying the truth. He loves Yoongi. This is his plan. They are planning all this. Jungkook smiles, “is that so?”

“I thought love just happens,” Jungkook tilts his head, “it sneaks up on you and when you realize, it is already too late.” Taehyung smiles, shrugs, “love has a lot of ways to find its way, my lord,” he looks away, “sometimes, you have to learn a person, learn to love them.”

Jungkook stills when Taehyung rests his forehead on Jungkook's chest, “can you give me that? Time?” Jungkook holds the omega to himself, hums, “well, hurry up, omega,” his jaw tightens, “I do not think you have much time.” Taehyung chuckles, “I will work with as much as I get.”

There is a loud knock on the door and Jungkook steps back to look at it. He frowns, looks at Taehyung, who is looking at him too. “Open the door, Jungkook!” Jungkook's mouth sours, he looks at Taehyung and marches up to open the door to Yoongi.

With Yoongi, stands Seokjin, Jimin, Hoseok and Namjoon. Yoongi marches inside and looks at Taehyung. “What was he doing?!” the alpha asks, angry, “what did he do?!” Taehyung blinks, “uhhh... nothing? Why?” Yoongi looks at Jungkook, “why did you cancel the wedding? Like that?”

Jungkook crosses his arms over his chest, “because, we talked, and we want to give us a second chance.” Yoongi stares at him, looks back at Taehyung, “is he forcing you in any way to agree to this?” when Taehyung shakes his head, Yoongi cups the side of Taehyung's face, “yes?”

“Yes,” Taehyung nods, smiles reassuringly at Yoongi, “we...” he glances at Jungkook and back at Yoongi, “we are trying to mend things.” Yoongi looks at Jungkook, “are you going to punish Yoona?” Jungkook wants to pull his sword out, he nods, curt, “yes. I will. Punish her.”

“Why all of a sudden?” Yoongi frowns, “why Eun looked so fine with the idea all of a sudden? How did you convince her? How did you convince her so quickly?” his face goes blank, eyes caught in flames, “what are you planning, Jungkook? What is going on?”

“Why would you drag it till here if you were going to dismiss the wedding?” Jimin wonders, “if you were planning to give each other a chance, why not do it since the start? Why now?” Seokjin hums, “Eun was so set on this wedding, and suddenly she is waving it off like nothing…”

“Because I said so!” Jungkook grits out, “because, she does not go against my wishes, and she loves me.” Yoongi takes a hold of Taehyung's hand, looks at Jungkook, “you want a second chance? Why? You do not take easy on the ones who you think betrayed you. Why not now?”

“Why are you so opposed to the idea?” Jungkook frowns, looks at Yoongi, “if you do not feel anything for Taehyung, then why are you so against the idea of him being with me? He wants this just as much as I do-” “But, you do not,” Yoongi murmurs, “you are planning something. No?”

“You are planning something with Eun,” Yoongi pulls Taehyung behind himself, shakes his head, “with that woman beside you, I do not trust you.” “One more word against her,” Jungkook grips the pommel of his sword, eyes burning on Yoongi, “and, I will not hesitate before-”

“Killing me?” Yoongi laughs, humour nowhere on his face or voice, “like she did not?” The room goes silent. Everyone watches Eun rushing inside the room, stopping by Jungkook's side to grasp his bicep. Yoongi's scent blooms around him, sour, “you manipulative witch!”

TW// poisoning, manipulation, abuse, violence

Yoongi's grip tightens on Taehyung's hand, “you would go how far to secure your place in the kingdom?!” he seethes, “how far will you go to make sure all the strings are attached to your fingers, and you get to play them?! Your love is nothing but blind and selfish!”

“Night after night, she would sedate me,” Yoongi whispers, “mix those herbs in my milk to keep me defenseless for your father. I trusted her. I trusted her more than anyone in this palace, and she used it for her own benefit. To save herself, she kept sacrificing me!”

“I did not know better,” Yoongi chokes on his words, “I would trust her when she would bring me my food and help me bath, take care of me and tell me, over and over again, that she loves me. Maybe she did, because I kept saving her from her doom. Your father. Every day.”

“Your father was twisted,” Yoongi's face twists, horror clear in his eyes, “he liked seeing teens in pain. Young teens. Boys or girls. He liked sitting and watching them go through different types of pain, enforced by his two close generals. One was Eun's father.”

Tw// mention of cheating

“I was,” Yoongi looks away, too many eyes on him, “I was,” he lets go of Taehyung's hand, feels suffocated, breathless to even recall all that, “I was mother's illegitimate son,” he whimpers, “our mother,” he gulps, trying to breathe easily, “had an affair with our uncle.”

He looks at Jungkook, “she needed an emotional support. Someone who was not that beast. My father, your uncle, lost his wife to childbirth. Yoong. They got closer and I was born. Your father hated me. His ego was hurting to publicly accept that he was not enough for an omega.”

“So, he had to keep me. Had to see me grow like a fly on his nose. He did everything to take out his anger on mother. Until she died that night-” “You killed her,” Jungkook murmurs, “you killed our mother. Not my father. You did.” Yoongi freezes, “what?”

“You wanted to take the throne,” Jungkook whispers, “you-” “Jungkook,” Eun grasps Jungkook's hand, tugging him back, “stop. He is not worth talking to!” Jungkook ignores her, glare fixed on Yoongi, “you wanted to take my father's place, and you hated mother for having me!”

“You killed her when I was just two!” Jungkook screams, trying to get past Eun, “you killed her for having me! For birthing an heir-” Yoongi laughs, bursts out laughing, “you absolute stupid, I was seven! I was only seven when you were two! What are you saying?!”

“You poisoned her!” Jungkook screams, “you poisoned her and then your father killed her! You are just-” “It is the other way around!” Yoongi screams back, marching up to Jungkook, “she poisoned your mother and her father killed our mother for your father! For his revenge!”

Yoongi feels breathless. He feels the walls closing in on him while he thinks of that scene. That night, when he walked in and his mother was on the floor. Trying to breathe and thrashing. His eyes start to lose vision, he stumbles and Jimin reaches out, grabbing him.

Yoongi cries, sobs now, “I sat by her side, holding you to my chest because she kept reaching for your crib. Begging me to never let you go. To take care of you. I sat and watches life seep out of her,” Yoongi whimpers, “helplessly watched her die in front of me.”

“The only person who loved me in this hell,” Yoongi sobs, in his desperation, he forgets just how tightly he holds Jimin to him, as a security, a grounding force, “I would have run away that night, but I did not. I stayed because of you!” He screams, “only for you!”

“I trusted her,” Yoongi growls at Eun, “I turned to her. She was my friend. My first love,” Yoongi laughs, “last too. Fuck that shit! But, anyway,” he hisses, “I did not know a seven years old girl was into this. I turned to her, only for her to use m-” “I loved you!” Eun cries.

Jimin turns over his shoulder to glower at Eun, “that was a twisted way of showing love, I guess?” Eun wipes her eyes, ignores Jimin while she looks at Yoongi, “you think I did all that for my own sake?! You think I was not forced?! You think I wanted to do all that?!”

“I was an omega and a girl!” Eun screams, “my father was always training me to go to the harem! I was never treated right! I had to fight for a day's worth of food or sleep! I did whatever he made me do! I was,” she trembles, “I loved you, but I wanted to live!”

Yoongi wipes his eyes, face going blank, “so you agree that you did it?” The room goes silent. Eun chokes on her words. Her eyes wide and on Yoongi. Yoongi smirks, hollow and tired, “I will live my trauma over and over again if that means Jungkook will see the truth finally.”

- I tried to keep the plot simple, but I want to read something this complicated and I found nothing. So, here I am writing it. Self-indulgence at its finest. Bear with me if you join in. x - If you like it and want to support me, my kofi : https://ko-fi.com/amyungv

°•°•° You were magic, an illusion °•°•°

Eun fumbles, her eyes wide with fear and remorse. She whips around to look at Jungkook, whose eyes are already on her. She turns back to Yoongi. “You know, I love him!” she roars, “whatever I did to you, I am your culprit. But, I love him! I never want anything bad for him!”

“I did whatever I did with you, to protect myself!” Eun sounds hysteric, “I never touched a hair on him! He, he is my everything! Kook is everything I am living for-” “No,” Yoongi denies very calmly, “he is everything you need to live by. He is the power you hide behind.”

“You love him, because, without him, you are nothing,” Yoongi takes a step forward, “without him, you have no shield protecting you from this world. You love him as we love the protection of our home. To make it comfortable, we break it and make it on our own accord.”

“We find a better, comfortable home, but those walls break,” Yoongi murmurs, “those bricks, stones fall apart to create the space we want. If those walls could speak, they would scream in pain. We do not hear it. Mercy. That is what Jungkook is to you. Your stone walls. Home.”

“You shaped him the way you saw fit,” Yoongi shakes his head, “that is not good for him. But, you. You do not see it. That is the most dangerous side of it all. You do not see how you are wrong. That is-” “Is this true?” Jungkook's voice makes them look at the king.

Jungkook's eyes are bloodshot, on Eun, “all this. True? Then,” his lips tremble, the rims fill with tears that he holds back, “then,” his voice cracks, “those letters. That hanbok. Those... all those were false?” Eun gasps for air, shaking her head while she tries to reach out.

Jungkook looks at Yoongi, “those letters… those are her handwritings.” Yoongi lets out a breath, “she was illiterate, Jungkook. How would she learn to write? She never knew how to write her own name. I taught her to trace it,” his eyes fill with tears, “she loved that.”

“All her letters were written by her maid,” Yoongi wipes his eyes, “Eun's cousin.” Jungkook watches Yoongi, fumbling for words, “those letters are not-” Yoongi shakes his head, feels his heart break while Jungkook takes a step back, “no. She did not know how to write.”

“Every time she had to write something, Eun's cousin would write it for her,” Yoongi sighs, “not many. A few. To my father. The letters are with me,” Yoongi frowns, looks at Eun, “I know how Eun's cousin started to use those letters against mother for her profit.”

- idc what anyone says, I am in tears for kookie. Imagine finding out your whole life was a lie. damn!

Jungkook shakes his head, desperate, “but, that hanbok! That, I read those letters! I-” Yoongi reaches out, instinctively, when Jungkook stumbles on his feet, almost tripping. “Why would you lie?” Jungkook looks at Eun, “I did everything to make you happy. Why did you lie?!”

“I would do anything for you!” Jungkook shouts, “I would lie down my life if you asked me, why did you have to lie?” his last words come out clogged, tears finally rolling out, “why did you do it? I always kept you sacred like my crown jewel. Why did you do this?!”

“I had no one!” Jungkook shakes his head, “I trusted you with my everything. Put you there as my own mother! Loved you! Only you!” he screams, “I did everything thinking of your comfort and safety and wishes. While you kept feeding me lies? How many more did you lie about?!”

“I hate him for leaving me,” Jungkook points at Yoongi, eyes still on Eun, “but, I hate you more for staying and ruining me day by day! I hate you for what you did. I loved you so much! And, you,” he covers his face with his hands, trying to ease out his breathing, “oh, God!”

Jungkook lets out a laugh, delirious, “I have no one!” he giggles, wipes his eyes with the back of his hand, “everyone either fears me. Or hates me. Or wants me for something I can do for them. I have no one, never did. Not even my parents! Mama left! I was just two!”

“And, I wish I never met father,” Jungkook shudders, tears springing out of his eyes, “I wish I was not his heir. The expectations, the cruelty, the things he put me through to make me his 'worthy' heir,” Jungkook giggles, “I wish I never met you,” he looks at Yoongi.

“I wish you fed her the poison when I was yet to be born,” Jungkook looks at Eun, “I wish I was not here,” his lips quiver, “I wish I was never here.” “Jungkook-” Yoongi reaches, desperate, “please-” Jungkook stumbles, turns on his heels and runs out of the room.

Yoongi runs after Jungkook, calling his name. Hoseok and Namjoon stand by the door, eyes on Eun. “You would be put in the prison,” Seokjin states, “until the courtroom sit to decide your fate. Hoseok, bring in two lady guards and take her out of here.” Hoseok leaves.

--------

Yoongi slams his hands on the door of the bedroom for the fourteenth time before he gives up. He presses his forehead against the door, tears rolling out of his eyes. “Pup, please,” Yoongi sniffles, “just talk to me. Curse, shout, scream, just... talk to me. Please.”

When no answers come, Yoongi curses, “I will break the door, Jungkook-” “Leave me alone,” Jungkook murmurs, by the sound of it, right on the other side of the door, “you are good at it.” Yoongi stops, looks at the door and lets out a breath before slowly sitting down there.

He leans on the door, his back pressed against it. He hears the whimpers and sniffles coming from the other side. Yoongi closes his eyes, feels the tears roll out of his eyes too. “I am sorry,” Yoongi wheezes out, “I am so sorry. For what I did. For how I acted. I am sorry.”

“I am tired of forgiving,” Jungkook murmurs back, “I am tired of understanding everyone's side when no one understood mine. I am tired of giving chances, and I am tired of hoping some would love me back for those things. I am tired. Leave me alone. I beg. Leave me here. Alone.”

“At least, I would know the truth. That I am alone. I am tired of people leaving and saying they cared,” Jungkook sounds hollow, “I am tired of falling and thinking someone will catch me because I would catch them if they were falling. Let me face the truth. I am alone here.”

“That night, that child did not get it, did not get why his hyung was leaving,” Jungkook whispers, “tonight, this Jungkook does. I understand. It was too much for you. It got too late. You were underwater for too long. You had to leave before you stopped breathing. I get you.”

That breaks Yoongi all over again. That is a relief he sought for so long. For Jungkook to understand him. To at least, understand, if not forgive, him. Yoongi burst out in tears. “That child needed people around him, this Jungkook wants to be alone. Leave me, please.”

“The less you have around you, the less you will be hurt when they leave or turn out to be what they are not,” Jungkook sounds tired, “so, leave me alone. I beg. If I walk out and see any one of you, I will go crazy. I cannot take it anymore. By tomorrow, leave. I beg.”

“Jungkook-” “I will live,” Jungkook chuckles, “I will not die. Promise, I am a coward. I cannot do that to myself. Why do you think I am always on wars? I want someone else to do it for me. I cannot do it to myself. So, I will live. You will know. I will be fine. Please, go.”

“I cannot take the humiliation of meeting you all's eyes. I chose to trust her, and I did everything in my power to fuck it all up. I cannot look at,” he gulps, “Taehyung,” he sounds hurt, “I cannot let him see me. I cannot. The humiliation will kill me. Take him. Leave. Please.”

Yoongi looks at the empty corridor ahead of him. He can envision two boys, running down these hallways, giggling, playing, screaming… their childhood painted all over the place. He can hear his cries, screams, tears right here too. He shudders, hugs his knees.

“Can we rewrite those memories?” Yoongi laughs, it bursts out of him, joined by sobs, "can we burn this place and start it all over again?” Jungkook is quiet. Yoongi sees that baby, waddling after him, his heart hurts, “can you let your hyung in? One last time?”

Yoongi can feel those small, tiny arms looping around his neck. Those wide eyes fixed on his face while Yoongi told those stories. “Can we not rewrite the stars?” Yoongi whimpers, “I will choose the best stories. Tales of a place where the princes lived a happy life. Together.”

“Where there were no monsters,” Yoongi closes his eyes, hears those soft giggles that baby would let out, “where my baby highness was not scarred. Where I never stopped calling him my baby star,” he hears the sniffles on the other side, “where I never left. Lord! I would do it!”

Jungkook chuckles, “your prince will try of fairytales, hyung. Your prince is tired of those hopeful endings with sunshine and rainbows. For once, let him see the reality and I beg, if you ever, for a moment, loved me,” his voice cracks, “leave. At least for me to feel better.”

“Give me the space I need to settle all this,” Jungkook closes his eyes, leans his head on the door, “I need to bear through this on my own pace. I need to understand all this and think to myself and be myself first. I cannot do it if I see you. Not now. I need time. Please.”

“I want to be all alone for now,” Jungkook hopes Yoongi understands, this intense urge to not see anyone, no one, engulfs him. There is anger. There is hurt. There is confusion. There is that inferiority, insecurity. All of those emotions swirl inside him and Jungkook…

“I just want to sit down and think about everything because, right now, everything feels so messy-” “I get it,” Yoongi murmurs, “I get what you are saying. I was in that state for years. I just...” his throat bobs, “I will leave, if that is what you want. For your peace. Yes.”

----------

“When things get a little easier,” Yoongi whispers. He sees the little boy, lips outstretched on a wide grin while Yoongi scolds him for putting mud in his mouth, rush to hug his legs. Too small to reach anywhere above Yoongi's knees. “Can we sit and talk? I... I miss you.”

There is no answer for a few minutes. Minutes. Yoongi waits. He cannot move an inch without the assurance that Jungkook will reach for him again. Try at least. He cannot leave without knowing that the little boy will try to find that smile again. Try to break the ice again.

“If someday,” Jungkook starts slow, “if some day I look at you and see how you are now and not how you looked when you left me, I will reach out. I will try to reach out. I am not sure when that will be.” Yoongi thinks that is enough for him to live by. That is a promise.

Yoongi gets up, looks at the closed door one last time before he turns on his feet and walks down the corridor. He rushes. He flees. It feels like shadows follow him through these corridors, and he is terrified of looking over his shoulders. He feels like that little boy again.

---- Jungkook almost crawls to his balcony. He leans against the pillars and curls up on himself while he watches Yoongi leave with his troop. The two carriages leave right behind him. One has Seokjin, the other has Jimin and… Taehyung. Jungkook turns away, eyes closing.

There is a relief that comes with the quiet. There is a heartache that follows. Jungkook looks at his empty room and smiles to himself. He stays there. On that balcony. He stays there the entire night. He knows he needs to leave this Spring palace and go back to his capital.

But, for now, he cannot move. He stays on that balcony for long enough to forget what time it is or what day. The sun rises, and he stares at it, lying on the balcony. He wishes, sends a prayer, then rolls on his side and buries his face against his arm to soak up the tears.

The next night Jungkook stands up, feels how his head swoons. He walks to the bathroom to empty himself and then splashes some water on his face. He does not feel anything. Not sad. Not angry. Not hurt. It feels like there is a bubble around him, and he feels... nothing.

The sounds of the surroundings reach him. The scents of others reach him. The warmth of the sun or the cool breeze of the night touch him, but nothing registers. Nothing stays anymore. Jungkook likes that. He likes how floaty it all feels. As if he is finally shutting down.

Jungkook walks out of the bathroom. He goes and opens the door of the room and ignores how the guards stand taller and glance at him from the corners of their eyes. The plates line the doorstep. Jungkook counts. Six. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. So, he stayed there for two days.

Jungkook crosses the threshold, ignores those plates and starts walking down the corridor. “Do not follow me,” he commands when his guards start to move, “leave me alone.” He wants to scream it, but he feels like he will faint if he does that. He sways as he goes.

The maids stand still when he walks down the hallway to the liquor room. He opens the door and walks inside. Blindly goes for the last cabinet. For the strongest whisky, he stores there. He pours himself a glass. Chugs it and feels it go down, burning its path.

The vision blurs a little more. The brain goes a little fuzzier. Jungkook chugs the bottle, ignores how the golden liquor runs down from the corners of his lips, soaks up his shirt as it goes. He walks out of the room with the bottle in his hand, going back to his room.

On his way back to his room, he stops when he sees two guards standing by another bedchamber. He frowns, looks at the closed door and back at the guards. The guards bow when he comes to stand in front of the door. “Why are you all here?” Jungkook asks, “who is in there?”

The guards hesitate, “Your highness,” he gulps, not sure how to address the person, “the omega you were to marry.” “Yoona?” Jungkook asks, “why is she here?” The guards share a look, “she refused to leave without you.” Jungkook stares, “what...?” They nod. Jungkook curses.

Jungkook opens the door to see Yoona sleeping on the bed. Her dress is a mess, legs tangled with the sheets. Her dress is revealing her supple legs because of how it is misplaced in her sleep. She is a vision. Jungkook watches her, standing by the threshold before he walks in.

There is a part of him that feels lighter. Somehow. There is that part of him that latches onto the idea that Yoona stayed. No matter what, she stayed. Then there is another part. An ugly part that lurks in the darkness that says things Jungkook does not like. It confuses him.

That ugly part of him, that suppressed, dark part of him whispers... “𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝘩𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝘩𝑎𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠-” Jungkook whips around on his feet and marches out of the room. He cannot hear that voice. That voice makes him mad. It makes him so furious.

The guards try to reach for him when he stumbles, but he glares at them. They freeze on their spot and Jungkook walks down the corridor to his room. By his room, he stops. The guards are bowing, and two maids are picking up the plates. “Did he say where he went?”

The guards shake their heads. Jungkook watches the omega lets out a deep breath, nod to himself and place the plate by the door. “Someone followed him, right?” The guard shakes his head, “he would not let us. But, the entire palace is guarded. He is not in danger, my prince.”

The omega nods, “okay. Just...” his voice comes out tired, “make sure he eats?” “Why do not you wait, my prince?” the guard points inside, “wait for him to come back-” “No,” the omega shakes his head, “he might not want to see me.” Jungkook watches Taehyung turn to leave.

He is wearing a simple, cotton hanbok. It is beige, suits him so perfectly. The prince's hair is tied in a messy braid, falling over his shoulder. Taehyung looks tired, he walks down the hallway to his left. Soon going out of Jungkook's view. Jungkook rushes after the prince.

Jungkook turns the corner to see Taehyung getting inside the last room, closing the door behind himself. Jungkook stumbles on his feet while he runs to that door, shoves it open before Taehyung can lock it. Taehyung jumps, flinching back when the door almost hits him.

Jungkook stops, stands very still. He watches Taehyung and Taehyung is watching him. Both of them are wide-eyed and out of words. Jungkook takes a step forward and Taehyung takes one back. “Why are you here?” Jungkook asks, grips the bottle in his hand. Taehyung just stares.

Then he turns away, “because I did not leave.” The sarcasm infuriates Jungkook. He marches up to Taehyung and grabs him by his elbow to turn him around. “Taehyung,” Jungkook hisses, “I am not in the mood for sarcasm. Do not test my patience!” Taehyung watches him, “well...”

The omega shrugs, looking away, “that night, in that gazebo… I am not sure how much of that was your lie and how much was true. If anything of that talk was true or not, but you,” he looks back at Jungkook, “asked me to stay. So,” he shrugs, “I stayed.” As if it is that simple.

Jungkook watches the omega, “what...?” Taehyung nods, his throat bobs, “you said, even if I stay as a friend, I should stay. I,” his eyelashes flutter, “I think, two people stayed. One, who loves you,” Taehyung smiles to himself, “and, the other who wants to be your friend.”

“I think,” he looks at the alpha, “I think, you can do with a friend.” Taehyung nods, “whatever I have against Yoona, whatever I have against you... all those, I realized, I can put aside. I guess, you can do with a friend.” Jungkook watches him, “what do you get from this?”

“I get my peace,” Taehyung sighs, “I get to stop feeling so angry and upset all the time. By forgiving her and you, I get to have my peace back and,” he shrugs, “if you want, I get to have a friend. I do not think I had those in my life either. Ever. So, yes. I get peace.”

Jungkook's eyes roam over Taehyung's face, “you... want me as your friend.” Taehyung nods, “I got so much time here, you know? I talked to Yoona. When she stayed, I talked to her. I think, I understand where she was coming from. She loves you. She is wrong, but love is blind.”

.•° ✿ °•.

“What are you planning?” Jungkook asks again, his eyes roaming over Taehyung's face, “you cannot change like that. That is-” Taehyung sighs, “are you drinking this early?” he takes the bottle from Jungkook and goes to place it on the table, “you should eat something.”

Taehyung points at the door, “I left your food with the guards. You should-” “Do not try this with me, right now!” Jungkook seethes, “I am in no mood to entertain you! Just that day I was thinking of snapping your neck, and I am still feeling the same! I do not need your pity!”

For a second Taehyung watches him and then the omega nods. “Hyung is in the capital. He waits for me to return, so he can take me away with him again,” Taehyung plays with his fingers, “until then, you have to bear me. Just,” he points over Jungkook's shoulder, “eat something.”

“I will be out of your eyes very soon,” Taehyung promises, “as soon as we return to the capital, I will be gone with hyung. Until then,” Taehyung claps his hands, the maids walk in and Taehyung ask to bring in the plate of food, “eat and rest yourself.”

The maid brings in the platter and Taehyung pushes Jungkook to sit on the bed. He holds the platter on his lap and looks at the king. “Shall I bring in your food too, my prince?” the maid asks. Taehyung flinches, hurries to shake his head, “no. I am not hungry, I ate too much-”

The maid looks confused, her eyes moving all over Taehyung's face and then she nods, steps away. Taehyung holds the platter out for Jungkook, "eat. You look like you might faint otherwise." Jungkook sits still, he does not want to eat. He does not want to do what Taehyung says.

Taehyung sighs, “if you do not eat, I will feed you. Also, you need to go back to the capital. The court is empty without the king. You need to-” “Do not tell me what I need to do,” Jungkook grabs the bowl, glare fixed on Taehyung, “do not ever try!” Taehyung watches him eat.

“I do not need you for anything!” Jungkook murmurs between the morsels, “go away with your hyung. I do not need you to pity me. That is the last thing I want.” Taehyung watches him carefully, nods, “fine. I will leave, then. But, you got a friend in me. You accept or not.”

“I will write,” Taehyung pulls his legs up to rest his chin on his knees, smiles, “I will send you stupid letters. You better reply. I-” “Jungkook!” They both jump, eyes on the door where Yoona stands. Jungkook stands up, curses when Yoona runs inside to throw herself on him.

Taehyung sits, hugs his knees and watches Yoona crying into Jungkook's shirt. He watches the omega repeat her apologies and cry harder. There is a part of him that aches. That aches and reminds him how his justice was never served and never will be. But he suppresses it.

Taehyung has talked himself into accepting it. He will leave all this behind and not think about it. Maybe that was his karma. He lied and came into Jungkook's life, and that is how Karma served him. He keeps reminding himself that and looks down at the food he made.

He is so hungry. He has not eaten regularly. Shoved something down his throat when he remembered. Always by the alpha's door to press his ear and try to hear anything he can pick up on. He had stayed there, long enough for the guards to ask him to go and sleep. He was worried.

He was immensely worried. For the alpha. After listening to everything, he was worried about the alpha. Taehyung, at this point, just wants things to go back to normal. Normal, as it seems, is Jungkook with Yoona. Taehyung would much rather leave then take away that only person+

Jungkook is close to right now. He would much rather leave and try to close this wound than make a bigger one for Jungkook. Jungkook just lost everything he knew since his childhood and Taehyung refuses to take away the only person who he can still, somewhat, call a companion.

So, he sits and keeps his eyes on the food. He ignores whatever they talk about and tries to not meddle or come off like he is interrupting. When he sees Yoona pick up the plate, Taehyung blinks, looks at her. “I will feed you, my lord,” Yoona murmurs, “I have not eaten too!”

Right. Yoona has not eaten since the news. At all. Taehyung lets out a deep breath, nods when Yoona looks at him and tells him they will leave him alone. He would like that. He needs to eat something himself. Then he can pack and they can leave. Taehyung watches them go.

There is a pang, that lonely voice that speaks in his heart and reminds him how alone he is here. Taehyung wipes his eyes when he realizes, he misses Yoongi hyung. He misses Jimin. He misses their palace. He misses the others. He misses… being understood. Loved. Cherished.

Taehyung wipes his eyes, nods to himself. He can do this. He gets up and starts packing. He nods when the maid asks if he would like to eat something. He shoves the food down his throat while thinking of nothing but how relieved he feels that Jungkook is fine.

----- “Now that he has eaten and is showering, he will be fine,” Yoona speaks, hands clutched in front of her, “if you want, you can leave. I will take care of everything.” Taehyung nods, mutely watching her. Yoona hesitates, looks down at her hands and then back at Taehyung…

“Also,” she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, “I am sorry. For whatever I put you through,” she sniffles, “I was so insecure. You are so beautiful, a royal, he... he is all I have and ever wanted. Seeing him with you- I know what I did was wrong, but I love him so much. I-”

Taehyung shakes his head, tired, “I do not need to hear this and waste both of our times, Yoona,” he sighs, “I will never forgive you or forget what you did. I moved past it for my peace, but I did not forgive you or ever will. That is where my self-respect stops me.”

He shrugs, “whatever you did, it is on you. I cannot serve your punishment. I am not in that position. But, that does not mean, I will say I am okay with it. I am not. I never will be. But, if I keep holding onto it, the only peace I am ruining is mine. So, I am moving ahead.”

“If you loved him, you would know!” Yoona insists, “if you love someone-” Taehyung chuckles, “if I loved him and saw he got a chance to have something close to a family of his own, I would let him be. Never, for a second, even compare me to you, Yoona. We are not the same.”

Taehyung walks down the hallway, leaves the concubine on her position in front of the king's door. He gets inside his room and tries to even out his breathing. The anger and hurt still course through his veins, while Taehyung tries hard to not think about it. It still hurts.

-- “We will be leaving tomorrow morning,” Jungkook states that night when the three of them gather to eat dinner in the dining room, “I have informed the capital. Your hyung will be ready and you will leave as soon as you reach. You do not have to set a foot inside that palace.”

Taehyung nods, “okay.” Jungkook's eyes are fixed on him, and Taehyung keeps his eyes on the plate in front of him. He is still not sure how much he can stomach, but he eats. Slowly chews onto the rice and tries to fill up on the broth before nausea hits him for being too weak.

Taehyung stays long enough to make sure Jungkook eats enough to keep him going. Then he gets up, bows and leaves the dining room. Jungkook watches him go and looks down at his plate, feeling nauseous himself. He is not hungry. He does not feel like eating at all.

“Jin hyung sent a letter,” Jungkook murmurs, drawing patters on his plate with the chopsticks, “the girl you helped kidnap was found by,” Jungkook forces himself to say, “Jin hyung's fiancé. She accepted everything and gave her statement already.” Yoona stares at Jungkook.

Jungkook's voice is void of any emotion, “you are to attend the court as soon as we reach the capital,” those sharp eyes find Yoona, pinning her on her spot, “I need to announce the verdict.” Yoona trembles, reaches to grasp Jungkook's hand in hers, “what- what is the verdict?”

Jungkook takes Yoona's hand in his, rubs his thumb over Yoona's knuckles, “the verdict should be beheading you, Yoona,” his eyes burn, “for the things you put that little girl through. For the things you did to Taehyung,” his voice comes out calm, “the verdict should be it.”

“I was waiting till I find the little girl,” Jungkook murmurs, pats Yoona's hand, “now that I did, I will give my verdict. But, you are such a great friend to me,” he sighs, lips jutting out in a pout, “I cannot kill you. So, I will hand you over to The mad king. Along with Eun.”

Jungkook chuckles, “Taehyung lives in his kingdom now. You wronged his people,” Jungkook drops Yoona's hand, “he will serve your justice. I will hand you over to him and whatever he chooses, that is your fate,” the alpha gets up, walks around the table to come near Yoona.

Jungkook cups the side of her face, presses his lips against Yoona's forehead, “I love you. I really do. But, I was taught about love by Eun and you, and this is the love I know. I will wash my hands off of you two for my convenience. For my own peace. Goodbye, Yoona.”

°♤° ☆ °♤°

Jungkook seethes with each step he takes. He feels the anger with each corner he turns. By the time he stands in front of his bedroom, he is furious. At everything. At how unfair life is to him. At how breathless and painfully alone he feels. How empty it all feels.

Jungkook sees red the more he thinks of his life back in the capital now. The more he thinks about everything that will be his life now. In his fury, he takes the steps up to the omega prince's room and slams his hands on the door, keeps banging until it opens.

Taehyung has his hair half done in a braid for the night. His white nightwear is made of soft cotton. It hangs off of him, a little too big. Jungkook walks inside, slams the door closed behind himself. “I am here to give you,” he smiles wide, “my friend, a good news!”

He claps his hands, “I wrote back to your hyung and told him to make sure by the time I am there, he is ready to leave with Yoona and Eun. Do whatever he wants with them because they are proven guilty,” Jungkook nods at Taehyung's widening eyes, “yes! They are!”

“Now, you see,” Jungkook reaches out, grabs Taehyung by his elbow and jerks him forward, “I lost everything. Everyone. No matter how they were, they were with me. A company. Someone who at least loved me,” he giggles, “now, because of you, I got no one. No one to live with!”

“Now, you see,” Jungkook's other hand comes up to cup Taehyung's face, “if you did not come in my life, I would be still living with them. No matter how terrible Yoona was, she cared for me! Now, you will go and leave with your hyung and all those people you took from me...”

“Whereas, I will be left in my life to rot in hell,” Jungkook screams the last part on Taehyung's face, “is this the friendship you were talking about?! Is this what friendship looks like to you?! Huh?! I served your justice, omega,” Jungkook leans closer, “who serves mine?”

Jungkook pulls Taehyung closer by his grip on Taehyung's jaw, “tell me,” he hovers over Taehyung's face, “who serves mine when I was lied by your father. Tell me, who punishes you for that scam?! Tell me where I go to seek my justice now that you are leaving?!”

“You,” Taehyung places his palms on Jungkook's chest, feels the erratic heartbeat under them, “told me to leave.” Jungkook's scent flairs around them, the alpha's eyes scorching golden, “right. I did. I just wish I never met you. I just wish I never agreed to that treaty.”

Taehyung watches that face, “I wish the same, you know? I wish I never met you either,” he gives the alpha a faint smile, “I wish I was not into this mess. Trust me, you do not make it easy.” “I let you go, did not I?” Jungkook hisses, “the first time? Why did not you leave?”

“Because I wanted to respect our treaty, the promise we made to each other,” Taehyung shakes his head when Jungkook snorts, “I know I am not your choice but I took my oaths and I wanted to stand by them.” Jungkook lets go of Taehyung, “funny how that changed when hyung came in.”

Taehyung grits his teeth, “how many times do we have to tell you that we are not anything like-” “If there is nothing, you are telling me, you just go around imprinting the nicknames they call you on your skin?!” Jungkook laughs, “you want me to believe that?”

Jungkook turns Taehyung, presses his hand on the sheer material of the nightshirt Taehyung wears. “It is still there,” Jungkook hisses, “it is right there!” Taehyung looks over his shoulder, “and, I am thinking of imprinting it on me forever. Yes, I am. So, what?”

Jungkook's eyes burn on him, “nothing. Then, nothing. I just find it funny that you want to be my friend when you carry around his claim like this. I do not need that. I hate that you flaunt it like that. I hate that you-” “Why do I affect you so much?” Taehyung whispers.

“If you wish you never met me, if you wish I was never in your life, then why do you care?” Taehyung turns to face the alpha again, “why do you care who beds me, why do you care whose mark I carry, why do you care about who I share myself with?”

“In the future, you will be married again,” Taehyung hugs himself, “hyung always tries to hint that if I find someone worthy, he will get me married too. He does not want me to live my life like this for a sacrifice my father did of me. We will move ahead. Both of us.”

“Why does an imprint matter when I might carry someone else's mating mark in the future-” Taehyung stops when Jungkook turns away, his shoulders tensed. The omega holds his breath because it smells of blood around him. Dripping, warm, thick... blood coats his scent glands.

The pure-blooded alpha's pheromones fill the room, and there is barely a chance for Taehyung to catch his breath. The alpha tries hard, to control, to let his wolf settle in him, but there is an ache at the mere thought of the omega bearing someone else's mating mark.

Jungkook tightens his jaw, trying to control the searing anger and confusion that run through his blood. He tries to rein in his pheromones. The omega's answering pheromones are not doing him any good. The dewdrops mix with his blood, and it fills the room to the brim.

Jungkook knows he is getting out of his own mind. He knows if he gives in, the animalistic side of him will consume him. He breathes in, trying to control his wolf. The omega lets out a whimper. It sounds of stress and fear. The scent of his alpha dominates the room.

Jungkook hears how Taehyung's omega stirs, his whines break out of his lips. There is a clear imbalance in the air. Jungkook knows the omega is struggling, to hold himself in, to not let his omega take over. Jungkook hears another whine, the omega sounds restless, terrified.

So, Jungkook curses. He spins around and pulls Taehyung to his chest. Lets the omega bury his face against himself. Jungkook wraps his arms around Taehyung, burying his nose in those soft, bouncy curls against the omega's neck, trying to ease his alpha into settlement.

There is a minute they just stand like that. In each other's arms, trying to control their wolves into submission. Taehyung clutches onto Jungkook, clings to him, and Jungkook is no better. He holds the omega in his arms, nose buried in Taehyung's neck, “stay.”

“Because you have no one, so might as well have me?” Taehyung asks. Jungkook holds him closer, “because,” he gulps, not sure how to voice it without fully baring himself and trusting the omega to not laugh on his face, “because...” he cannot say it. He does not know how to.

“That night you asked me to stay too,” Taehyung buries his face more into Jungkook's chest, “then you said you were pretending. Today, you said you want to snap my neck. Why would I stay after this?” he looks up at the alpha, “why should I stay after this?”

“You planned to bring me down too,” Jungkook replies, “you planned my doom too.” “I know,” Taehyung nods, “that is why, I am not sure why would you ask me to stay. Why would I stay?” “You wanted to be my friend,” Jungkook reminds him, “you said, you would be my friend.”

“You wanted to kill me,” Taehyung glares, “you do not treat your friends like that. You do not treat people like that-” “Then teach me,” Jungkook pulls back a little to match Taehyung's eyes, “stay and teach me to be civil. Teach me to be human again.”

Jungkook's face contorts, “I feel like I am losing myself. Drowning in this hatred, anger and hurt. Help me be a human again.” Taehyung feels how tightly his heart squeezes in his chest, his eyes sting the more he looks at the alpha. His mind reels with the words Yoongi said.

Jungkook takes a step back, defeated, “if that is enough reason, stay,” he blinks fast, looking anywhere but at Taehyung, “or, you are, of course, free to leave.” Taehyung watches the alpha leave his room, quietly closing the door after himself. He finally lets the tears fall.

⊶⊷⊶⊷

“The court will decide their fate,” Yoongi speaks among them, “Yoona will be punished for kidnapping of a minor and the defamation of Taehyung. Eun,” he frowns, “Eun's charges are not easy to prove. We do not have enough proofs for that. We need time to get around it.”

“Anyway,” he slaps his thighs, “that, we will see where it goes,” he looks at the others in the room, “I sent Taehyung's father a letter, and he came here with an offer of his own,” Yoongi's lips twitch with disgust, “he is waiting outside for us to hear the offer. Both of us.”

Jungkook nods, looks over at the door to see the guards let the old king in. The king bows and comes to sit on the couch Yoongi points at. The man's eyes move from his sons to Yoongi and, lastly, to Jungkook. He rubs his hands, squirms, and smiles at them. Jungkook holds back.

“I know how this all started with my mistake,” King Kim starts, “so, I am here to solve it. I have discussed it with my minister-” “Get to the point,” Jungkook speaks through his gritted teeth, “I have low self-control in front of people like you.” Yoongi snorts.

The king nods, “yes, of course, my lord. I just,” he smiles at the two of them, unease clear on his face, “want to right the mistake. That is,” he gestures at his sons and back at Jungkook and Yoongi, “it all started with king Jeon marrying Taehyung instead of Jimin. Right?”

“But, now that I have given it much thought, I do not see why we cannot sort it out,” he chuckles, “my son, Jimin is here. What I gather, king Jeon has not touched Taehyung since the wedding for the betrayal. I understand. And, king Min really loves Taehyung. Right?”

“So, we can now mend the problem,” he squirms excitedly on his seat, “King Jeon can have his omega back. The one he chose. King Min can marry Taehyung, as he already loves him. I think, that way, we all create a bond for life. A family.” The room is quiet.

Yoongi is the first to break. He bursts out laughing. He laughs so hard, there are tears in his eyes. He wipes them, coughs and shakes his head. “I do not know what the moongoddess has against me that every time I am offered a family, it has to be this fucked up.”

He wipes his eyes, “oh, my, that was one of the craziest thing I heard after Eun telling me I am the moon in her sky,” Yoongi laughs again, holding his stomach, “nah, this is beyond that. This is the biggest jest I have ever heard! Go on, say some more. I can do with this.”

Jungkook watches the man, “I have a better offer. Hear me out.” The old man watches him and Jungkook smiles. “What if we get rid of you and give the kingdom to your sons to handle? What if we support them, instead of you, to grow it on their own? How about you die tonight?”

Yoongi hums, “yes. That sounds right. What do you all say?” Jimin looks at his father and back at the others before shrugging, “If you can find someone who would want me,” he looks away, “any king. Any age, I am ready to marry them. Not king Jeon or Min. Anyone else.”

Taehyung blinks, “what?!” Jimin nods, not matching anyone's eyes, “I do not wish to have that kingdom and I do not want my father to die. He is a horrible person, but he is just trying to save his kingdom from the shame I brought on it. I am ready to take the burn.”

He looks at Jungkook, “if you find someone who would still want me,” his throat bobs, “I would marry them. I do not care how old they are or how many omegas they have or the harem they have. I do not care.” “You cannot!” Taehyung grips Jimin's hand in his, “you cannot do this!”

“I will,” Jimin rubs Taehyung's hand in his, “I want to. How long can I stay at the Min palace like that?” his face contorts, “how long can I stay here if you even sort it all out with Jungkook? Who am I? Where do I belong? I feel like I am imposing everywhere, Tae.”

“I feel like I am an afterthought to everyone now,” Jimin looks away from Taehyung, “I feel like I-” “How about you marry Namjoon?” Jungkook arches a brow, “or, Hoseok? That way, you get to stay in either the Min palace or this palace. Rightfully. No?”

Taehyung glares at Jungkook, “you just want to get Namjoon married! That is all!” Jungkook blinks, “I-” he gapes, “that is not what I said?! I gave him two options?! These two are young and they are the generals of our kingdoms. They are pretty good in their ranks too!”

“No, you have problems with Namjoon-” “I have no problem with Namjoon!” Jungkook throws his hands up, “I am just offering a solution-” “I am fine with either,” Jimin stops them both, “anyone. I am fine-” “Because you need to belong to someone to feel yourself?” Yoongi asks.

Jimin does not match Yoongi's eyes, “I do not see why you get to speak about this.” Yoongi looks at Hoseok and back at Namjoon before nodding, “fair enough. If one of them is ready, you can do whatever you want, then.” Taehyung watches Jimin's eyes fill with tears.

Jungkook notices how Yoongi looks taut. His palms gripping the arm-rests tightly. “Voice your wishes,” Yoongi orders, voice booms in the room, “let's settle this here and now. You can deny or accept on your own accord.” The two generals share a look.

“I think Namjoon suits him the most,” Jungkook hums, thoughtful, “he is-” “Bothering you for no reason!” Taehyung grits out, “how about you stop thinking?! You do not do well in that matter!” Jungkook blinks, “I was just-” “I am ready to accept the prince's hand in marriage.”

Hoseok steps ahead, “if my king agrees, I would like to marry the prince. But, I have a clause. I want half of the Kim kingdom when the king dies.” The old king nods eagerly, “of course! If king Min signs a treaty to support us in our few needs, I can sign this. For sure!”

Jungkook looks at Namjoon, “why would not you want to marry him? He is pretty. He is-” “Like his brother!” Taehyung reaches out to pinch Jungkook on the tight, “can you stop?!” Jungkook fumbles, “did you just pinch me?!” “I will sign it,” Yoongi quiets them all, “yes. I will.”

Yoongi looks directly at Jimin, “if that is all he wants, I will sign it. If that is his wish.” Hoseok looks at Jimin too, “yes, my prince. If you want me, I shall marry you.” Jimin looks at Yoongi, his eyes brim with tears, “I do not see why I should not marry him.”

“Hyung, you cannot let this happen!” Taehyung runs after Yoongi, “you cannot do this. You cannot run away-” he takes a hold of Yoongi's forearm and stops the man from marching down the corridor, “please. Not after that night. Not after,” Taehyung hesitates, “what happened.”

Yoongi's eyes snap to his, and Taehyung flinches. The king glares at him for a second before he composes himself, his taut muscles do not relax though. “I was ready to take responsibility,” Yoongi murmurs, “your brother does not want me to. Also, I could not just announce it.”

“So, if anything, you should go and find your brother and talk to him,” Yoongi gets out of Taehyung's grasp, “I do not see how I can help you here, Tae.” The king walks out of Taehyung's sight. He lets out a deep breath, turning on his heels to see Jungkook walking up to him.

“Why are you always running after him?” Jungkook wonders, coming to stop in front of Taehyung. Taehyung whines, “not now! Not now! I do not have time for your jealous, childish self right now!” Jungkook blinks, “jealo-” he coughs, “jealous?! I am not jealous!”

Taehyung reaches to grasp Jungkook's hands in his, “help me stop this wedding. This wedding cannot happen!” Jungkook blinks, “why not?” Taehyung shakes his head, “because,” he looks restless, “because,” he curses under his breath, “promise me you will not tell anyone!”

Jungkook gives Taehyung a deadpan face, “no, I was just about to go to the harem and sit down with some fruit and drinks to share the news. Are you sure you want-” “Jimin hyung is pregnant,” Taehyung grips Jungkook's hands in his, “he,” he curses, “he is carrying hyung's baby.”

Jungkook blinks, blinks some more, then looks at the hallway where Yoongi disappeared and back at Taehyung. He looks back at the empty corridor and at Taehyung again. “So, he is,” Jungkook's throat bobs, eyes wide, “he is... wait, he got after both of you?! Or, what-”

Taehyung jerks his hands free, “get out of my sight! Oh, lord, I am not interested in hyung like that! Every time you say it, I want to smack you right across your face! I am not into him. He is not the type of alpha I would want like-” “You have preferences?” Jungkook asks.

“What is the type then?” Jungkook frowns, “too tall? Too many muscles? Dimples?” Taehyung lets out a long breath, “you know what? I will go and talk to someone who would help me rather than describe Namjoon to me!” He turns to leave.

Jungkook holds Taehyung by his elbow, stopping him, “okay, okay. I,” he sighs, “I will not talk about Namjoon or what your preferences are in an alpha, but,” he looks at the empty hallway, “how can we meddle in this? We cannot do anything. They are adults who chose this.”

Taehyung shakes his head, “but, that baby,” he grips Jungkook's hands in his, “they need to at least sit and talk about it. They are running from each other-” “Your hyung is betrothed to Jin hyung,” Jungkook murmurs, “we cannot forget that. We cannot ruin that, right?”

Taehyung shakes his head, “Jin hyung is in love with Namjoon and Namjoon likes him too. He is just too scared to think about it or even appreciate it.” Jungkook blinks, “wha-” he curses, “where have I been?!” Taehyung rolls his eyes, looks away, “in your harem, maybe.”

Jungkook blinks, “you are still on it?” Taehyung snorts, “well, unlike your worries, mine are valid. Unlike me and hyung, you do have physical affairs with all of them. Can you deny that?!” Jungkook rubs his temple, “I do not know how to discuss my physical affairs right here!”

Taehyung shrugs, “I do not need you to tell me anything-” “I have not touched another omega since I vowed to be yours,” Jungkook murmurs, discomfort clear on his face while he looks at anywhere but at Taehyung, “if that is what you are asking.” Taehyung blinks.

Taehyung feels his heart lurch in his chest, he grasps the hanbok, “wh-what?” Jungkook looks like he would rather run down the corridor than answer him. Taehyung shakes his head, “but,” he frowns, “Yoona, she was always with you. You would spend so much time in the harem, too!”

Jungkook shrugs, “I mean, do you blame them if they are interested in me?” He gestures at himself. Taehyung blinks, blinks some more and then rolls his eyes. “Yes, I have seen better. Anyway,” Taehyung waves his hand, “we can do this later but can you help me in this?”

Jungkook looks at the empty corridor, sighs, “I do not care about him. I do not-” Taehyung watches him, “you do not care about your hyung?” he stands his ground when Jungkook glares at him, “you do not care that he is hurting? Do not care about your brother's pup?”

“Hobi hyung loves hyung, and he would do anything for hyung, but,” Taehyung gulps, “I want hyung to be happy and Jimin hyung would be happy with hyung too. Hyung is the best alpha I have ever seen,” he sighs when Jungkook arches a brow, “yes, he is better than you. Keep quiet!”

Taehyung steps forward, places a hand on Jungkook's chest. Right where his heart beats. “You wanted me to make you a human again,” Taehyung says, their faces inches apart, “maybe you should start with hyung. Let that boy have his hyung back. Let him move on from that snowstorm.”

“Let the boy have his hyung,” Taehyung feels his eyes glisten when Jungkook looks at him, he nods, “let that small boy finally reach out and have the one person who he always wanted beside him. Let the pride go and see that his hyung waited this long to have him too. Please.”

Jungkook steps forward, his arm going around Taehyung's waist while he presses the omega up against the wall behind him. Taehyung sucks in a breath when their foreheads touch, the alpha's nose presses against his. Their eyes stuck on each other, breathes caught between them...

“You do not get to make me a human, break my ice and leave me vulnerable,” Jungkook murmurs, “you do not get to turn me civil and then leave. I am not a saint, omega,” he cups the side of Taehyung's face, “I am not like the ones you might prefer. I want my profit from this.”

“The profit is having hyung-” Taehyung stops when that arm around his waist tightens and the alpha cups his face a little more. “I want to have you,” Jungkook whispers, “what language do I use to make you understand that I want to have you.” “I am a profit?” Taehyung asks.

Jungkook nods, once, eyes stuck on Taehyung's, “yes,” he presses his lips against Taehyung's cheekbone, “you are the profit I will go on a war for.” Taehyung grips Jungkook's shirt, “how do you even want me to believe this? You wanted to kill me. Just yesterday!”

“No, I still want to kill you,” Jungkook hums, eyes gleaming, “trust me, I still want to snap your neck. You make my life miserable,” he hums when Taehyung glares at him, “you are the reason I am even listening to all this bullcrap, and considering getting involved.”

Taehyung digs his nails on Jungkook's chest, knows it will leave a mark, “well, I am not really crazy about you either. You just drive me crazy,” he nods, “I get what you are saying. You are insufferable, prideful, rude. You are arrogant. I would put a knife through you too!”

Jungkook hums, “good. Then, we feel the same for each other.” Taehyung nods, “good! Yes! I hate you and you hate me too-” Jungkook's thumb presses over Taehyung's lower lip, he tugs it, pulling it down a little. Taehyung's lips part, tremble under the alpha's touch.

Jungkook pulls out one knife from the many he carries on his belt. He holds it out for Taehyung. “You are entitled to plunge it through me for this,” Jungkook whispers, “forgive me.” Taehyung frowns, and then his eyes widen when the alpha leans in to press their lips together.

Taehyung takes the knife in a blink of his eyes and presses it against Jungkook's jugular. The alpha looks at him, the sharp edge of the blade almost cutting his skin. Jungkook holds Taehyung by his waist, steps closer, ignores how the blade is right there, on his throat.

Taehyung watches, immobile, how the blade sinks into the skin. Turning it crimson at first and then white before the first layer slashes under the edge of the blade. The alpha's lips are right there, hovering over his. Taehyung looks at those eyes, they wait for him to carry on.

Taehyung throws the knife away, lurches forward to throw his arms around the alpha's neck and pull him in. Jungkook growls, arms tightening around Taehyung as soon as their lips meet. This time for a deep, searing kiss that the omega welcomes quite eagerly.

The omega is inexperienced. He fumbles. He is messy in his kiss. Jungkook finds himself growling into Taehyung's mouth. He feels that heady type of haze at the thought that this is probably the omega's first kiss. He finds it unbearably hot. He kisses Taehyung harder.

“Is this,” Jungkook kisses down Taehyung's throat, “is this your first kiss?” Taehyung's long fingers comb through Jungkook's hair, tug at them, “why?” he pants, throws his head back when Jungkook sucks a mark on his throat, “does that make your alpha proud?”

“Yes,” Jungkook's chest rumbles, he tries to tug the hanbok down, off of Taehyung's shoulder to leave bites and kisses there, “yes, it does! It,” he buries his face against Taehyung's neck again, whispers into Taehyung's ear, “I want to be your first. All of those firsts.”

Taehyung jerks the alpha's face away from his neck with the grip he has on the alpha's hair. He pants, glares at the alpha, who stands and lets Taehyung hold him like that. “When I am not yours,” Taehyung grits out, “unfair, no?” Jungkook smirks, “does that make you mad?”

Taehyung jerks Jungkook back against him, stumbles to feel the wall behind him while he pulls the alpha into another kiss. “I hate you!” Taehyung bites down on Jungkook's lower lip, sucks on it harder, learning from the alpha who kisses his breaths away, “I hate you so much!”

Jungkook watches the omega. Taehyung leans against the wall, his hanbok pulled down to reveal his one shoulder. The marks are already blooming on his tanned skin. They will be there for days now. It is odd because Jungkook never likes to leave marks. They feel... intimate.

He grasps the omega by his throat, presses Taehyung up against the wall with a teasing smirk. Jungkook tightens his grip just a little, to make the omega's breathing a little tough, then he kisses Taehyung again. “I hate you too,” Jungkook presses those words on Taehyung's lips.

“What are you two doing?” Jungkook curses, hides Taehyung, “some day I will kill him,” he crowds Taehyung, looks over his shoulder at Namjoon with a glare, “who told you that you can address us like we are equals?!” Taehyung fixes himself, hidden from Namjoon's view, “behave!”

Jungkook looks at the omega, eyes wide, “you are asking me to behave?!” Taehyung stares at the hanbok, where the button tore when Jungkook tugged on it, “yes!” he sighs, looks at the alpha, “do not talk to him like that!” Jungkook curses, “Namjoon, go away!” Taehyung glares.

Taehyung pinches Jungkook's chest, looks over his shoulder at Namjoon whose eyes are wide, and he stands there, looking all sorts of confused. “Namjoon,” Taehyung smiles, ignores how it must look to Namjoon, “what are you doing here?” Namjoon blinks, “you are worse than him!”

Jungkook snorts, “that is how you want to go about this? What he was doing, wandering down the hallway? Really?” Taehyung sighs, ignores Jungkook who still refuses to move an inch and let Namjoon see him, “I was just asking if you needed anything.” Namjoon arches a brow.

“The lunch is ready,” Namjoon sighs, “prince Seokjin told me to get you all. Where is your highness, king Min?” Taehyung's eyes widen, “we were going after him!” Jungkook rolls his eyes, “you were.” Taehyung stomps his foot on Jungkook's, “you distracted me!”

“If I remember correctly,” Jungkook crowds Taehyung against the wall, “you kissed me.” “You kissed me first!” Taehyung gapes, “you initiated it. You-” Namjoon goes past them, “meet us for dinner, my lords, if,” he arches a suggestive brow, “you two are still hungry for food.”

The general walks down the hallway, and Taehyung ignores the alpha's eyes on him. His cheeks burn when he thinks about what Namjoon implied. When Jungkook leans in to kiss the side of his neck, pulling him closer again, Taehyung leans back. “Not now!” he warns, “come on!”

Jungkook curses, lets Taehyung drag him down the corridor. “I am going to fire everyone from this palace,” Jungkook mumbles, walking behind Taehyung, “so no one interrupts us.” Taehyung looks over his shoulder, “stop sulking!” Jungkook rolls his eyes, “I am not!”

“Also,” Jungkook grasps Taehyung's hand and tugs him back to himself, “not now,” he whispers against Taehyung's ear, “so, when?” Taehyung did not think about that. He looks at the alpha, who is already looking at him. Jungkook arches a brow when the omega smirks.

“When,” Taehyung leans to whisper the words over Jungkook's lips, “when you get rid of your harem.” He turns on his heels and rushes down the corridor. Jungkook watches him go. His heart skips a beat in his chest. He nods, “as you say.”

Thank you so much , for this gorgeous moodboard. Keeping you anonymous as you wanted

@.kooktaelin thank you so much for this beautiful edit! I am in love, tbh.

☆•°•☆ ☆•°•☆

“You really thought telling Jin hyung would solve this?!” Taehyung looks at the omega slamming his palm over the door from the corner of the corridor, “oh, my lord, he will kill either one of them!” Jungkook looks over Taehyung's shoulder, “only he can solve this. Trust me!”

Taehyung winces when Seokjin curses again. Colourful words leaving him one by one. “Oh, my lord,” he turns away to glare at Jungkook, “you just know how to create chaos!” Jungkook shrugs, “forget them, they will sort it out, you tell me why you were blaming me in there?”

Taehyung shoulders past Jungkook, walking down the hallway to his room. Jungkook follows him and when the omega goes to close the door on his face, he gets inside and closes it himself. Taehyung turns away, “I do not see what was wrong in my statement. Can you point it out?”

“It would be stupid of me to say just because you want me, you love me. Love,” Taehyung frowns, “that emotion, I am not sure if we will ever be in love.” Jungkook watches the omega, “I do not believe in love.” That is the point. Right there. Jungkook does not believe in it.

Jungkook walks up to Taehyung, “I think love only exist in fairytales and folklores. It is just... two people get used to each other or find each other physically attractive. That is all there is. So, you were not wrong.” Taehyung looks at the alpha, “I know I was right.”

Jungkook watches the omega, “I think the best a couple can hope for is mutual understanding, and that is all there is. Friendship, to the most. What do you think love is if not years of habits piling up until you are just two beings, used to living around each other?”

Taehyung grew up with those folklores. He grew up listening from his mother about that princess and the prince who were madly in love and their families did not let them marry. So, they turned into two mountains, joined by a river. His mother said the river was of their tears.

He grew up watching those two mountains and hoping to find his love some day. He grew up between those books where love blooms against all odds. He is a hopeless romantic. Taehyung bites down the words that want to spill out of him. “If I stay,” he murmurs, “here…”

“What would I be to you?” Taehyung watches the alpha, “a habit? People grow tired of habits, you know? One day, they feel like breaking out of it. Is that what I will be? A habit? Fear that day when you want to break out of it?” Jungkook has no answer to that. Taehyung sighs.

“I cannot promise you something I do not believe in,” Jungkook tries, “I cannot promise you lies. I refuse to. If you stay, I will be loyal,” he reaches to take Taehyung's hand in his, “down the future, I will be a good husband. Try to be a good father. I will promise you that.”

“But, I cannot promise to be in love because I am not even sure what that means,” Jungkook shakes his head, “my parents were surely not in love. I never saw or experienced love. I have gone to wars where alphas tried to give me their omegas, so I would save their lives. A bait.”

“I have seen kings throw their Lunas at my feet for mercy and if I spare their lives because of it,” his face contorts, “I have seen couples break apart for selfish reasons. I do not think love exists in this real world. I think it is just a fantasy of poets. That is all.”

“Is my honesty not enough?” Jungkook asks, steps up to Taehyung, “is the promise not enough that I am loyal to you? Is it not enough?” Taehyung can compromise. He knows Jungkook is, at least, being honest. He nods, a deep breath escapes him, “what would I mean to you?”

Jungkook cups his face, caresses his cheekbones with a small smile, “you would mean whatever you want to mean to me. I cannot promise something sentimental like my heart,” he snorts, “that is the stupidest promise. But, I can promise you my loyalty. My protection. Me.”

“You will be my first priority,” Jungkook whispers, “if you want, you will be my luna again.” Taehyung watches the king, “are you sure?” Jungkook nods, “of course. I just announced that the harem will be closing from tonight onwards. They will stay there but not as concubines.”

“They will stay as they stay in Min kingdom. On their own. I will provide for them and if some wants to leave, they are granted the permission.” Taehyung watches the king, “all of this for me?” Jungkook shrugs, “well,” he looks away, “I want you to stay.”

Taehyung thinks it is enough. He knows, most do not get this much, and he would work with it. “So, we are friends who sometimes kiss,” Taehyung nudges Jungkook with his forehead, “is that it?” Jungkook breathes out a laugh, “I would like to do more, but, okay. Kisses it is.”

Taehyung swats him on the chest, “you do not need to be so blunt!” Jungkook pulls Taehyung closer, “may I have a kiss?” Taehyung nods, smiles, when the alpha leans in right away. The kiss is tender, sealing the words they both feel brewing between them. A promise.

“This is the only way,” Seokjin murmurs, “if we can do this, then father will not have anything to blame you for!” Jungkook frowns and watches Yoongi frowning too. “You cannot mean this,” Yoongi combs his hair back, “this plan of yours sound as stupid as you are normally.”

Jungkook sneaks an arm around Taehyung, who sits beside him. Taehyung does not notice. Too engrossed in the discussion. Jungkook pulls the omega closer, until Taehyung is almost sitting on his lap. He presses his lips against the omega's neck, watching the others talk.

Yoongi looks at them and heaves a sigh, “can you stop scenting him and tell your Seokjin hyung he is stupid?” Jungkook rests his chin on Taehyung's shoulder, “your problem. I am here to see the drama unfold.” Yoongi curses, looks back at Seokjin, “you are stupid!”

“Can we know what the plan is?” Taehyung squirms when Jungkook nips his neck, elbows him, “I feel so lost right now!” Seokjin looks at them with a tired expression, “the plan is me getting caught by my father and you all in a compromising position with someone.”

“Yoongi can act like he is heartbroken and angry. The wedding will be off. Rightfully so. My father would not have a say in it. He would have to accept it. Right?” Taehyung blinks, “that... that does sound like a good plan.” Yoongi curses, “who would do this with you?”

“Namjoon!” Jungkook ignores Taehyung's glare, “see, Namjoon is the best choice-” “As much as I know his agenda is not the same as mine, but, Namjoon is a good option,” Yoongi hums, “but, what if your father forces him to marry you?” “Even better!” Jungkook quips.

Seokjin shakes his head, looks away, “Namjoon... last night he told me he would like to take the civil service examination. He wants to leave this kingdom to study more and have a respected position in your court. I cannot drag him into this.” Yoongi sighs, “here we go.”

“Do you not think it will be suspicious when I start to show?” Jimin wonders, “your father is intelligent. What if he gets a whiff? He would know it was all a plan, and then it will be too late.” Yoongi nods, “he makes a valid point.” Seokjin waves his hand, “no. Listen...”

“What about Hoseok?” Yoongi slaps Hoseok's back, ignores how Hoseok lurches forward and coughs, glaring at him, “he is a good option!” “Why are you always trying to set him up like that?” Jimin frowns, “what do you have against him?” Yoongi blinks, “nothing? I am helping!”

“They will make a lovely couple,” Yoongi pushes Hoseok towards Seokjin, “look at them! Match made in,” he frowns, “where does it say?” “Heaven,” Jungkook supplies, “because heaven is nothing but a matrimonial court. Apparently.” Yoongi nods, “heaven. Look at them!”

Seokjin blinks, “Hobi?” “Yes!” Yoongi gets off of the bed, gestures wildly at Hoseok, “handsome, smart, intelligent, knows how to fight, practically runs my kingdom for me. He is the best option! He loves you too!” Hoseok elbows Yoongi, hard, “in a friendly way. Of course!”

Jungkook arches a brow at Yoongi and Yoongi nods. Jungkook's lips twitch. He looks at Hoseok and back at Seokjin. “I think we should get Namjoon married too,” Jungkook holds his hands up, “he can do with an omega before he leaves. Everyone deserves love. No?” Yoongi snorts.

“You do not believe in love,” Taehyung stares at the alpha, “can you not be one of those heaven's cupids? You are going to hell anyway!” Jungkook holds his hands up, “I was trying to help. I do not see why I am getting cornered here. I just want the best for him.”

Seokjin looks at Hoseok, “you are not forced, hobi, you can say no. You can choose to walk away. Of course! You do not need to get in this mess,” he smiles, “I am not going to ask this of you. I-” “Oh, he would love to,” Yoongi pats Hoseok's back, “kiss you!” Hoseok chokes.

Jungkook nuzzles closer to Taehyung, hugs him tightly. Taehyung squirms, looks at the alpha. “What?” he asks, “what are you doing? There are people here!” Jungkook shrugs, “he said kiss. I want to kiss you.” Taehyung feels his face heating up, he looks ahead, “shut up!"

Seokjin looks at Hoseok, “are you sure?” Hoseok sighs, looks at the omega, “you should ask Namjoon once. I think you should really ask him once. What if you realize he felt the same after going through with this? What if he feels the same as you do? Ask him once, my prince.”

Seokjin shakes his head, “he does not feel the same, hobi. I cannot ask that of him. He is too good. He might agree. Just because I asked. I cannot do that to him.” “But,” Hoseok gulps, “I think he feels the same. Judging by how he looks at you, treats you, talks about you.”

Seokjin looks away, “just say you do not want to do this. I understand, Hobi. You do not have to say that. You have no idea how much it hurts to know the one you love does not love you back. I do not need a confirmation of that.” Hoseok chuckles, “right. I have no idea.”

Hoseok looks at Yoongi, “I will do it.” Yoongi nods at Seokjin, “then, it is settled. Now… why would your father visit us?” Seokjin looks at Yoongi, “send him a letter. Invite him for Jimin and Hobi's wedding. It will not go through, but we have to go along with it.”

“Instead, you two can get married,” Seokjin smirks, “and, if everything falls in its rightful place, Hobi might have to marry me. Is that,” Seokjin looks at Hoseok, “okay with you?” Hoseok smiles, it is not happy, “you did not want me. You do not want me to be your husband.”

Seokjin nudges Hoseok with his shoulder, “hey, I trust you enough to get drunk around you. We shared our sorrows and fears over drinks. I think, we can spend the rest of our lives doing just that. Get drunk and trust each other to just walk the path till the end. Yes?”

Hoseok looks at the omega, “is that going to be enough?” Yoongi watches them, “hey,” he gets up, “I was giving a solution but if you two do not feel like doing this, forget it. We will go for the war,” he looks at Jungkook, “right?” Jungkook nods, “of course!”

Jungkook lets go of Taehyung to come and stand beside Yoongi. “If you two do not want to, you do not have to. We can tell him everything honestly and see what he wants. If he wants war,” Jungkook nods with Yoongi, “we will give him war.” Yoongi hums, “right.”

“And, then what? Die?” Seokjin glares, “my father has too many kingdoms under his control. You two are young, naive. He is experienced. He is cunning. If he does not win in fair war, he will take the wrong route. You will never win! I cannot see that happening to both of you!”

“If he knows your weaknesses, he might come for that,” Seokjin shivers. Yoongi snorts, “we do not have weaknesses.” Seokjin stares, “are you really saying that?” Jungkook frowns, “yes? What weaknesses? We do not have anything that is holding us back!” Seokjin curses.

“Seriously,” Seokjin looks at Taehyung and Jimin, “all the best to both of you.” He looks at Hoseok, “we are going through with our plan. Okay?” Hoseok hums, “okay. If you want this, let's do this.” Yoongi asks again, “are you sure?” They both nod, “yes. We are sure!”

The guard walks down the dimly lit hallway of the prison. He knocks on the last door of the prison. Eun looks up, gets on her feet to take the food. The guard passes her the letter, hidden under the plate. Eun turns away, sets the plate down and reads the letter. Carefully.

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥.” Eun smiles, nods to herself, “good,” she takes the quill from the guard, writes her message down and sends it back with him. “𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯.”

“You will not have a pup, Yoongi,” Eun murmurs, eyes on those black walls of the prison, “you will not have anyone. If not me, you will not have anyone.” She looks at the letter, “your baby will never see the light of this world. I promise.”

“When that omega does not produce anything, you will think he lied to marry you,” Eun chuckles, “you already have trust issues. I will sit here and watch you burn. You are doing so much to save the pup, but there will be no pup. As if there never was. Count your days too, Jimin.”

“One by one I will see you all fall like a game of chess, only one will live, kook,” Eun hisses, “he will live and live as I tell him to. He will have no one to turn to and come back to me. I will be free, Yoongi. You have no idea how far I can go to be free again.”

The letter lies in front of her. She pulls out another. “𝑀𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑟, 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑜𝑛. 𝐼 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑒. — 𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠, 𝑆.” Eun chuckles, “I will get out and be the queen of all these three kingdoms. Watch it, Yoongi.”

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶

Taehyung lies on his bed, thinking of everything. His mind travels back to the king and their kiss. Kisses. He turns on his side, a hint of smile on his lips. Then he hugs the pillow and closes his eyes. The king's face is clear behind his eyelids. He sighs, sits up.

With a few more minutes' reluctance, Taehyung steps out of the bed. With tired feet, he drags himself out of the bed chamber. He wraps the shawl tightly around himself and walks down the stairs to go to the garden. The garden is quiet. Just as Taehyung remembers it.

It is like Déjà vu. He turns the maze's last corner and sees the king. The king is in the gazebo. This time on his back, a book held over his head and a candle burns beside him. He is reading. Taehyung sees no guards. He slowly walks up to the steps. “Could not sleep?”

Taehyung jumps, “h-how,” he stares, “how did you know? I made no noise-” “Your scent,” Jungkook tilts his head to look at Taehyung, “also, I am too trained to miss that slight sound of your steps.” Taehyung frowns, comes to sit on the floor beside the king, “right.”

“Can ask you the same?” Taehyung peeks at the book, “what are you reading?” Jungkook shrugs, “a new book. About a lone wolf finding a family of his own.” Taehyung nods, eyes gliding over the king, “why do you never wear clothes?” Jungkook blinks, “I... am wearing clothes.”

Taehyung arches a brow at the king's clothes. The king wore a cotton pyjama and has a shawl loosely spread around his bare upper body. Jungkook shrugs, “I feel suffocated in too many layers.” Taehyung rolls his eyes, “just say you like to show off your muscles.”

Jungkook's lips twitch, “no one is here. Also,” his eyes are mirthful, “you noticed I have muscles?” Taehyung fumbles, “I mean,” he waves his hands, “anyone with eyes would? I am not the only one! You are-” he stops, face heating up. Jungkook closes the book, “I am?”

“Well built,” Taehyung manages to murmur, “anyone would agree.” Jungkook hums, “I did not hear you. What?” Taehyung glares, not matching those eyes, “I said it.” Jungkook squirms, easily placing his head on Taehyung's lap, “say it again. Repeat it for me. Louder this time.”

Taehyung watches the king's face on his lap. His long hair tied in a bun and his bare face has a hint of the evening stubble. Taehyung looks away, face heating up, “do you enjoy my misery?” Jungkook reaches, his hand taking a hold of the necklace around Taehyung's throat.

The king hooks his index finger in the chain and pulls at it slowly. Taehyung bends to accommodate the tug he feels around his neck. He ends up hovering right over the alpha's face. Their lips almost touching. “Say it,” Jungkook whispers, “you have no idea how long...”

“How long,” Jungkook tilts his head a little, chin jutting out, “I have waited to hear a compliment from you,” his voice goes rough, “my Luna.” Taehyung sits up straight, springs up almost. The name, the title, those two words. They destroy him. His necklace comes undone.

The phoenix pendant drops on the ground, the beads spread all over the floor, free from the necklace's string. Jungkook watches him, and Taehyung tries hard to not show how much that word affects him. He grips the hanbok he wears, “do not call me that. I am not that. I am not-”

Jungkook gives him a small smile, “but, you are.” Taehyung is angry. He is hurt. That word brings back memories. That word hurts and opens wounds he is not ready to look back on yet. “Is that so?” Taehyung wonders, “how easily you were giving it up to her, though. No?”

“How easily you addressed me with that word and yet,” his throat bobs, “she held the title. How easily the meaning of the word always stuck with her. Not me.” Jungkook's eyes are glued on him, the alpha does not move an inch, “I never called her that or held her to it.”

“You did,” Taehyung grips the hanbok, “you would. If Eun's lies were not proved, if she did not accept her faults, you would marry Yoona,” the name leaves a bitter taste on his tongue, “you,” Taehyung hates being vulnerable, “you destroyed my necklace to make her a ring from it.”

Jungkook sits up, “you hated that necklace-” “It was still mine!” Taehyung is not sure what forces these words out of him but in this gazebo, under the dark, moonless night, he lets the king see his vulnerability that he hides under the sun, “you replaced me so easily.”

“You left so easily,” Jungkook murmurs, “you left like I was not even worth a replacement. You erased me as if I never existed in your life.” Taehyung glares at the alpha, “do not blame me. Do not blame me that I was hurt.” Jungkook shakes his head, “I am not. I am not.”

“I did not replace you,” Jungkook reaches to cup the side of Taehyung's face, “she could not replace you. That wedding,” Jungkook's face contorts, “was never going to take place. I was not going to actually marry her. I just... it was just a plan. You know that.”

“You wanted me dead,” Taehyung whispers, “you wanted me dead!” Jungkook nods, jaw tight, “yes,” the king tugs the omega to him, “I wanted you dead,” he manoeuvres the omega to sit straddling him, “I wanted that. Yes.” Taehyung watches the king, face to face. Both of them glare.

“You hurt me,” Jungkook murmurs, “I wanted to hurt you back.” Taehyung places his hands on Jungkook's shoulders, “you have the audacity to say I hurt you when you started it! You believed them so blindly that you hurt me the most! At the least, apologize! Say you are sorry!”

“I am sorry,” Jungkook breathes out, “for whatever it is worth, I am so sorry. For not trusting you, for not doing justice sooner. For being angry at you for leaving when I should have known better. I am sorry. For hurting you.” Taehyung watches the alpha, saying nothing.

“But, I will not apologize for anything else,” Jungkook's hands hold Taehyung's hips, “I will not apologize for Yoona because I did not touch her since we got married. I will not apologize for your thoughts that I called her or considered her as my Luna. I did not. Never.”

“The ring,” Jungkook breathes out a disbelieving laugh, “how did you not notice that the ring fits you. Or, you think you two have the same ring size?” Taehyung frowns, “huh?” Jungkook chuckles, “it...” he looks away, “I was so mad. So hurt. But, even then... it was for you.”

Jungkook shrugs the shawl off, the chain around his neck glimmer under the candlelight. The ring hangs from the gold chain. Taehyung places his hands on Jungkook's bare chest, hesitantly closing in on that ring. He touches it between his both hands. The alpha holds his breath.

“It is yours,” Jungkook whispers, “my dewdrop,” he watches Taehyung's face, notices how the omega's eyes shine, “my purest omega,” he lets Taehyung pull him closer by the ring, “my Luna.” Taehyung lets the teardrop roll down his cheek, “I am still angry at you. Okay?”

Taehyung watches the alpha, “this time we will do this my way. Is that clear?” Jungkook nods, “whatever you want, my Luna.” Taehyung watches him, his palms slowly spread over Jungkook's chest. Gliding up to his hair. The omega unties the king's hair, letting it cascade down.

He watches the alpha. Lets himself be bold to explore. His hands roam over the alpha's skin. Feel those scars and dents all over the alpha's body. Taehyung stops on each scar, Jungkook whispers how he got it. Some he does not remember. Taehyung stops by each one of them.

Jungkook sounds breathless. Taehyung frowns, innocent eyes looking at the alpha. Jungkook shrugs, “no one ever dared to ask,” he sucks in a breath when Taehyung's fingers trace over another scar, “no one was ever allowed to ask.” Taehyung's heart swells, “I can be the first.”

Jungkook's jaw hardens, “yes,” he nods, “you can be the first.” Taehyung stops over a wound on the alpha's stomach, “what...” “My father,” Jungkook murmurs, “he had a whip, specially made for me.” Taehyung's fingers tremble, “wh-what?” Jungkook nods, face blank, “yes.”

Taehyung watches the alpha's face, “why?” Jungkook chuckles, “at this age, I forgot the reasons. There were not a lot. He never needed a lot to lash out.” Taehyung sits on his lap, large eyes focused on Jungkook, “he was a terrible father, surely.” Jungkook swallows, “he was.”

Jungkook's eyes lose focus, as if the alpha is walking down the memory lanes. Taehyung watches him. Inhales the sour scent of the alpha around them. “The only night I remember vividly, with every detail, is the night your hyung ran away. He found me. Alone. Outside. Like that.”

TW — child abuse

Jungkook snorts, “he screamed at me that I was a weak and pathetic alpha. That I could not stop Yoongi from leaving. I remember him dragging me back to the palace, I remember the beating I took. I remember praying for hyung to come back and take me with him. Praying so hard.”

Jungkook gives a hollow laugh, “stopped believing in gods that night. Held onto the hope that hyung will be back for longer though,” he frowns when his eyes start to pool with tears, “instead, I prayed to hyung. To come back. Take me away. For days. Weeks. Months.”

“He locked me up in a room that had no windows. So I never knew what time of the day it was. As if it was timeless loop. I felt so suffocated. I would sit by the door and beg the guards to tell me what time it is, so I do not go crazy in this timeless loop of wait.”

“You know what hurt the most?” Jungkook murmurs, “the hope. Every time I would hear a footstep, I would cling to it, and then the door would open to reveal someone who was not hyung. The denial killed me. I could not believe hyung left. Just like that. I could not believe it.”

“I know I should see his point, but I was nine! I was so suffocated in there. Father would come every day to 'teach' me how strong I need to be. He would open the door and grab be by my ankle, tell me to free myself and run. Run. Run. Run. Then I would be free.”

“He would say hyung is waiting by the corner,” Jungkook's jaw hardens, “fuel me. Watch me thrash to free myself. He would say hyung got caught, and he is in the next room. All I have to do is free myself and run. The open door is right there. He would laugh at how weak I was.”

“One day I stopped trying,” Jungkook's voice cracks, “one day he came in. Sat. Grabbed me by my ankle and the guards opened the door wide. I stayed there, watching the open door. He kicked me, shouted at me to run. Do something. I did not. I could not kill him. I killed my hope.”

“That day I stopped hoping for hyung to come back. Stopped hoping for me to have a better future. Stopped hoping for the good to win over the bad, like those stories hyung would tell me. That day, I stayed on the floor, took his curses and kicks. Then he left.”

“I remember noona rushing in, scooping me up from the floor, and I saw another emotion after so long. Sadness. She was sobbing. For me,” Jungkook snorts, “I watched her hold me and cry her eyes out. I watched her drag me out of there and say, I was left on my own. Finally.”

“Can you believe,” Jungkook laughs, “the first thing I asked, in my fever, chanted, was, if hyung came back.” Jungkook wipes his eyes, “of course he did not. He got a chance to escape. I would not come back too. But, I cannot say it to him. It still hurts to think he left.”

“When you fail, it hurts,” Jungkook shivers, “when your hero fails, it hurts way more. My hero failed me. My hero, the one I trusted the most, the one I drew my dreams around, failed me. I was broken. I was angry. I was a new person. I wanted to kill Min Yoongi.”

“That is what your father wanted,” Taehyung speaks, his own eyes tearing up, “I think that is what he wanted. For you to lose your hero. For you to start hating him and some day, kill him. Because, he hated hyung for his birth. What else can be the reason for him to do this?”

.•° ✿ °•.

Yoongi's story, his side of the childhood, if you want to know about his side, here's where you can read it. Just this part. So, you know the full story. x https://twitter.com/Aamyungv/status/1586289939712397317?s=20&t=gIgQSm0QpSAXnoQE7hfryg…

°•. ✿ .•°

“Can I come in?” Yoongi knocks on the door, smiles when Taehyung looks over at him, “good morning, phoenix.” Taehyung smiles wide, “hyung, good morning! Why are you here?” Yoongi shrugs, “came here to ask you what you are going to do.” Taehyung frowns, “about what?”

“I have a kingdom to take care of,” Yoongi sits on the couch, watches Taehyung fix his bed, “I am leaving for it tomorrow. Your brother is coming with me. What about you?” Taehyung freezes, his eyes on the unkempt bed, “what,” he looks over at Yoongi, “what about me?”

Yoongi's expression stays the way it was, and he shrugs, “are you coming with me or staying here?” “Why would I stay here?” Taehyung frowns, defensive. Yoongi watches Taehyung, “I am just asking if you will or not.” “I am coming with you,” Taehyung grips the quilt in his hand.

Yoongi leans forward, his elbows on his knees, “is everything okay? Why are you going to leave with me-” “He did not ask me to stay,” Taehyung watches the alpha, “even if he does, I stay as what? He did not bring it up again. He might want some time alone too. You know?”

“No, I think you should ask him,” Yoongi gets up, “ask him what he wants-” “I cannot ask him,” Taehyung closes his eyes, turning away, “how can I just go up to him and ask to stay? That is very desperate and I do not wish to come off as such.” Yoongi sighs, “let me talk to h-”

“No, do not!” Taehyung shakes his head, “I do not want to pressure him. Nowadays, he is already so busy with the court's work and I do not want to pile up on it. Just...” Taehyung gulps, looks down at the quilt, “I will tell him we are leaving.”

---- “I have asked him a dozen of time to stay,” Jungkook rubs his temple, “what if he does not want to?” he looks at Jimin, “what if I am just forcing him, and he still is not sure?” Jimin watches the alpha fret, “I think he wants to stay too, Jungkook. Just solidify it.”

“How?” Jungkook glares at Jimin, “I asked him to be my luna too. He always shies away from that. He always finds a way to ignore my words. I do not know anymore. Maybe,” Jungkook frowns, “he does not want to. Not anymore.” Jimin rubs his temple, “this is so stupid of you two.”

Jimin takes Jungkook's hand in his, “how about this, you ask him once and for all if he wants to be your luna. Propose to him. Then we can leave after the wedding. How about it?” Jungkook watches Jimin, “very well. I will ask him tonight. For the last time.” Jimin nods.

------------

“I do not wish to marry again like this,” Taehyung states as soon as Jungkook proposes the idea. Jungkook inhales deeply, “why not?” Taehyung watches him, “do you not see the problem? Why do you want to marry me?” “To make you stay,” Jungkook begs almost, “to keep you here.”

Taehyung's shoulders slump, there is something in those eyes Jungkook does not understand yet. The omega looks away, “if you want the wedding for just that reason, I do not agree. But, I will stay,” Taehyung nods, “I just wanted you to be sure about it. That you want me here.”

“I will stay as your companion,” Taehyung whispers, looking down at his hands, “I cannot marry you for that reason. I am sorry.” Jungkook grips thin air between his fingers, his jaw tightening. He takes it as a rejection. He silently takes it as Taehyung's rejection for him.

“I see,” Jungkook hums, “well, you do not have to stay out of pity,” he turns to face the window in the room, “if that is why you are staying, you should not. Then, I think, you should leave with hyung.” The room is quiet. Too quiet. Then Taehyung moves to stand beside him.

“I am not staying out of pity!” Taehyung reaches to take Jungkook's hand, but the alpha shrugs him off. “You are,” Jungkook laughs, “why else would you stay? You prefer hyung over me in every sense anyway. No, I know,” he holds his hand up, “that it is not in that sense. Still.”

Taehyung hisses, “would you stop with that, already? Why cannot you understand, I do not wish to marry out of obligation all over again! This time I want to fall in love and have my alpha love me bac-” “Then you should surely leave,” Jungkook snorts, “because I will never love!”

Jungkook shakes his head, “I do not know what love is, and I will never know what it is. It does not exist. I understand physical needs, attraction,” he looks at the omega in front of him, “the things I feel for you, I know those. If those are not enough, you should leave.”

“You asked me to be your luna,” Taehyung murmurs, “just because you are attracted to me?” “Yes!” Jungkook sounds tired, “I want you to be my mate and eventually, if ever, I feel like we should have pups,” the alpha winces, “which I do not think I will ever want, then we do.”

“What about what I feel?” Taehyung frowns, grasping his hanbok, “what if I want pups and a family of my own?” “Then,” Jungkook closes his eyes, inhaling deeply, “then... you have to give me some time to come in terms with it. I am not sure if I will ever want that.”

“We want different things,” Taehyung concludes, hugging himself, “I want a loving and doting husband. I want a family of my own. I want a wedding out of love-” “None of those images really scream me,” Jungkook takes a step back, “do they? Can you see me in those roles?”

Taehyung feels the shooting pain in his chest when he realizes that he can clearly imagine Jungkook in those roles. For ages, that alpha he dreamt of had no face. Now... that alpha has a face and that alpha is right in front of him, telling him he does not want any of that.

“It does not matter what I see,” Taehyung tries to smile, “what matters is, you do not see yourself in those roles and that is enough of an answer. I can stay as your companion if you want that. But, I cannot marry you out of obligation and settle for that all over again. Sorry.”

Jungkook steps up to Taehyung, hands resting on Taehyung's hips to pull him closer. The alpha noses Taehyung's jawline, slowly gliding down to press his lips over the scent-gland. Taehyung pushes at his chest lightly, “I will not allow this either, alpha. I am sorry.”

Jungkook stops, “why not?” Taehyung looks at the alpha with his hands resting on Jungkook's chest, “because you want this without wedlock and that makes me nothing but a concubine of yours. Royal, but concubine nonetheless. I refuse to be that to you. What if I fall pregnant?”

Jungkook nods, rests his forehead against Taehyung's collarbone, “I know, I just... cannot control myself around you,” he inhales deeply, “I do not wish to bind you with me like that. If,” he pulls back to look at Taehyung, “if that is all you want, I shall not stand in the way.”

Taehyung watches the alpha, “what do you mean?” Jungkook gestures vaguely, “I mean, if that is all you want, you shall have it. If not with me, someone else. I just...” he looks away, “I cannot keep you here without giving us a name. If you stay here out of wedlock, then +

+ you will be nothing but a concubine to the general eyes. I cannot let that happen. I think,” he inhales deeply, looking away, “I think, you should leave with hyung then. Find someone who would be the alpha you really want.” Taehyung breathes out a snort, “of course.”

“Of course, you would rather I find someone else than you try,” Taehyung shrugs, “you would rather I find another man but not you-” “I do not love you,” Jungkook whispers, voice heavy, “I can lie, but that is all it will be. A lie. I told you before, too. I do not love you.”

“I do not love anyone, I do not think I am capable of that emotion,” Jungkook combs his hair back, “I do not think I am capable of feeling that. I do not want to destroy your dreams like that. Not anymore.” Taehyung turns away, “fine then. I think this clears up everything.”

“Why is this so complicated?” Jungkook lets out a forced laugh, “why does it hurt when it is so clear, as you said?” Taehyung snorts too, leaning against the window, “maybe because…” he frowns, thinking, “we met at a wrong time. Or, maybe because… we are wrong for each other.”

They both watch how their hands touch on the windowsill. They both watch how slowly their fingers entangle between them. Taehyung's eyes blur, lips quivering. Jungkook blinks rapidly, watching how well Taehyung's hand fits in his. “I wish you were different,” Jungkook murmurs.

“Different like those omegas who would bend every which way I tell them to. Agree to be whatever I want them to be. Do whatever I want them to do. That way, I would get to keep you beside me,” he smiles, shakes his head, “maybe then I would not want you to stay so fiercely.”

“Maybe you are different,” Jungkook looks at the omega whose eyes are on him too, “that is why I want you to stay so desperately. Knowing that I am no different than those stupid alphas, I reach for you and burn myself. Maybe you are meant for someone who can be different, too.”

“Why cannot you change?” Taehyung sounds choked, “why cannot you try? Why cannot you just try?” “What if I never do?” Jungkook's throat bobs, “what if, down the road, I stay exactly how I am tonight, and you finally realize what a mistake it was to wait for me to change?”

“I do not want to be anywhere near you when you finally look at me with disappointment and resentment. That is what my mother felt for my father, and I do not wish for you to feel like that for me. Then you will be left alone like she was and suffer like she did. I cannot.”

“I cannot see the history repeating itself,” Jungkook wrenches his eyes away from Taehyung's face, “I cannot put you through that exact misery my father put his mate through. I do not want you to seek emotional support and love in another when I fail in giving it to you.”

“I hate how people still say my mother cheated when she was driven out of her mind to just seek some ounce of love and support. I do not wish for you to feel the same. I cannot take that thought of you feeling that kind of suffocated around me. I cannot do that to you.”

“So, if you stayed, I wanted you to stay knowing what you are going to be. But, yes, now that I think of it, you should not stay. It will bring you no good. I think I was being selfish and just wanted you to choose me over hyung again, but that is not right. For you. In any way.”

Jungkook comes to stand by the door of the palace. He watches the servants put everything into the carriages. Watches Jimin walk out of the palace and stand in front of him. The omega bows with a small smile. He is accompanied by the doctor's son. “See you soon?” Jimin asks.

Jungkook nods, “I will visit when the pup is born.” Jimin watches him with a tender smile, “you do not need a reason to visit, you know? Just come over whenever you feel like.” Jungkook arches a brow, “you already sound like his luna.” The smile dims on Jimin's lips.

Jungkook hurries, “I did not mean it in a wrong way, I mean-” Jimin chuckles, “I mean, I did need a reminder that I am not.” Jungkook winces, “you know I did not mean it like that!” Jimin could not answer. Yoongi walks out of the palace with Hoseok and Namjoon.

Jimin goes to the carriage as soon as he sees Yoongi. “What went wrong now?” Jungkook asks. Yoongi rubs his temple, “omegas are not really my thing. I swear. I just said, he deserves better. That is all. Now he thinks I want to get rid of him and he denied my wedding proposal.”

Jungkook watches Jimin get inside the carriage and hold out his hand for the other omega. “They look like they make a nice pair,” Jungkook murmurs. Yoongi glares at the carriage, “another topic I stepped right onto. Got a pillow thrown at my face right away.”

Jungkook bites back a laugh, “you are stupid.” “Still not as stupid as you,” Yoongi looks at Jungkook, “what did you say to make Taehyung cry so much?” Jungkook's smile dims, “nothing that is not true. I wanted him to stay, then realized I am being selfish and said just that.”

Yoongi watches his brother, “he just wanted you to try, kookie,” he looks ahead at the carriages, “he just wanted his alpha to try.” Jungkook closes his eyes, “you and me both know we are just too fucked up for family.” Yoongi gulps, not sure how to deny that, “I know that.”

Yoongi gives a short laugh, “where did we go wrong? If we did go wrong, how did we meet these two right people who did not deserve all this wrongs? How do we make it right?” Jungkook closes his eyes, “do not ask questions I have no answers of.” Yoongi hums, “same here.”

“They are the right people, you know?” Yoongi whispers, “they are the right ones. I just do not want to make him wrong by being anywhere near him,” his brows furrow, “it feels like every time I touch him, I am tinting something I have no rights to ruin. I feel unworthy.”

Jungkook hums, “I want him, physically I want him so much, but,” his jaw hardens, “that is the bastard talking in me. My father,” he makes a face, “devouring whoever he desires, whoever he wants. I feel like I will turn into him as time goes by and I do not want Taehyung near me+

“You know how he treated mother, I have only heard, you know,” Jungkook frowns, “I do not know if I will be able to live with myself if I ever do that to Taehyung.” Yoongi breathes out a sigh, “you would not. I raised you better.” Jungkook chuckles, “what makes you say so?”

Yoongi looks at him, a soft smile on his lips, “you thinking all this says you are not him and never will be.” Jungkook bites back a whimper, looking away, “you do not know. He probably started somewhere too, right? Something made him what he was too. I am like him in my anger-”

“I am like him when I go to war,” Jungkook frowns at the horizon, “I bring death with me. People call me bad luck. I am a curse to so many. I am just like him in so many ways. How long before I turn completely like him?” Yoongi smiles, “your father never won a war face to face.”

“He never had the guts to go on wars, win one,” Yoongi glares ahead, “he was manipulative. He was cunning. He did his schemes from this palace and ruined lives. He never won a war on the field. You are not him, Jungkook. You never will be. You,” he sighs, “do not see, do you?”

Yoongi pats Jungkook's back, “he knew you were different. Not like him. That is why he did everything to make you like him. That twisted, that cunning, that monstrous,” Yoongi watches Jungkook, “you are like mother.” Jungkook snorts, “I will take my own life. Is that it?”

“No!” Yoongi's reply is sharp, “no! Do you think that woman was just that?! Did you just summarize her to that one moment? She lived with your father. She was strong. She stood up against him so many times. She was abused by her own husband, but she fought back. For so long!”

“She fought her entire life, Jungkook,” Yoongi looks at his brother, “she tried to live on for us but, she had no one,” Yoongi looks away, “she loved my father, my father loved her too but he was a coward. He did not stick up for her. She gave up when there was no way out.”

“If I am my mother then you are your father,” Jungkook looks at Yoongi, “giving up on him,” he points at the carriage, “being a coward. Not sticking up for him. You are being your father.” Yoongi looks at him with raised brows, “walked into that one, huh?” Jungkook hums, “yes.”

Yoongi looks away, “you are not him. You are not going to be him.” “I need to believe that,” Jungkook chews the inside of his cheek, “I need to trust myself to not be that. I just… I keep fearing that one day I will look back and realize I am already him. It is scary.”

They stop talking when Taehyung walks out. He is in a beige cloak. Wrapped around him protectively. The omega comes to stand in front of Jungkook, his eyes anywhere but on Jungkook's face. Taehyung bows silently. “Take care of yourself,” Jungkook murmurs, “have a safe journey.”

Yoongi silently goes to climb his horse, waiting by the carriage. Taehyung nods, “you too,” he looks over Jungkook's shoulder while he speaks, “take care.” Jungkook walks the omega to his carriage, holding his hand out for Taehyung to take as he climbs inside.

Jungkook sucks in a breath when he watches the snowflake float in the air to drop on their joined hands. He pulls back as if burnt. He watches Yoongi look up at the sky, watching the snowfall. The alpha's eyes find him too. Jungkook takes a stumbling step back.

Jungkook feels like he is back to that night again. The snow falls all around him while he watches the carriage go. Yoongi turns the face of his horse towards Jungkook, “I will visit soon.” Jungkook chokes on his words. He shakes his head. Yoongi's eyes are tearing up too.

Yoongi jumps off of the horse, holds his hands out to grasp Jungkook, “then, come with me.” Jungkook breathes out a disbelieving laugh, “what?” Yoongi nods, “come with me.” Jungkook shakes his head, confused, “I cannot leave. I am the king. Who would stay in the palace?”

Yoongi shrugs, “you are forgetting, our grandfather used to rule these two kingdoms from one palace. We can do that,” he pulls Jungkook closer, “just… leave this cursed palace behind. Come with me.” Jungkook watches the alpha, looks over his shoulders at the palace, “I cannot.”

Jungkook takes a step back, “there is so much to think about. Someone might invade. There might be an attac-” “We can handle those, we are not dying,” Yoongi frowns, “you are not abandoning the kingdom. Just, fine,” he waves his hand, “I can leave Hoba and Namjoon here for now.”

“We can work out a plan,” Yoongi waves his hand, “until then, come with me,” he begs, “with your hyung.” Jungkook watches Yoongi, “is this you trying to make things right?” Yoongi nods, “this is me trying to do what I could not that night. It is me writing over our nightmare.”

Yoongi cups the side of Jungkook's face, “that night I failed to take you away from your monsters. Today,” he sniffles, “let me.” Jungkook's lips part around a sob, “hyung.” Yoongi wipes his eyes, “let me do what I could not that night and regretted forever. Please.”

Jungkook gives a small nod, “okay.” Yoongi breathes out a sob, relief coursing through his veins, “did you just agree?” Jungkook nods, “yes.” Yoongi tugs Jungkook in his arms, hugging him tightly, “oh, lord! Okay! Thank you! Okay! Let's go. Let's leave this place behind!”

The snowflakes float in the air, the palace stands tall. In front of it, Hoseok and Namjoon stand and watch the troop leave. The carriages to the front with the generals. The servants and maids in the middle and the two kings at the end. On their horses, side by side.

Yoongi looks back at the palace, looming over the horizon. He smirks at it, tears clinging to his lashes. 'I got him out,' Yoongi thinks, 'from your clutch, and, with time, he will be free. I will make sure of it.' He turns back to face the front, Jungkook by his side.

Jungkook busies himself with the work as soon as they reach the Min Kingdom. He works on the accounts of his kingdom and writes the letters, reads through them as soon as Hoseok sends some back. He makes himself a home in the room Yoongi gives him. Barely getting out.

“The dinner is served.” Jungkook looks up from his study, “oh,” he looks at Taehyung with furrowed brows, “you... are here?” Taehyung watches him, “you were called by the maids. You did not come to eat. So,” he shrugs. Jungkook nods, “right. Sorry. I will be there soon.”

Taehyung gives him a long stare, “everyone ate, went to sleep. I am not sure when your soon is going to be, but I am hungry.” Jungkook blinks, “then... eat?” The omega's expression sours. Jungkook is confused, he stares at Taehyung. Taehyung sighs, “I am waiting for you.”

Jungkook feels the chill in the air, “waiting... for me?” Taehyung does not match his eyes, “yes.” Jungkook opens his mouth, closes it, opens again, “I am used to eating alone. Often.” Taehyung's eyes shift to him, “well, I am not!” he hisses, “so, how about you join me?!”

Jungkook springs up, “right! Okay! Okay.” He closes the files and follows Taehyung out of the room. They are silent as they walk down the corridors. “Do you like it here?” Taehyung asks, hands clutched in front of him, “is everything fine?” Jungkook nods, “more than fine.”

Taehyung snorts, “how would you know, you never get out of that office of yours.” Jungkook blinks, “well,” he hesitates, “there are too many things I need to look after. Too much workload. I am not at the capital, so-” Taehyung waves him off, “do not bore me with that talk.”

Jungkook's lips twitch, “okay, then. Tell me what I should talk about.” Taehyung shrugs, “anything else.” Jungkook hums, “do you like it here?” Taehyung nods, “yes. It is better than your palace and my father's palace too.” Jungkook arches a brow, “okay, my palace was bad?”

“Well,” Taehyung holds his head up, nose twitching, “this kingdom is not ruled by the harem. For one. Already better.” Jungkook gapes, “okay-” he frowns, “okay, the harem did not rule my kingdom?” Taehyung snorts, “the king was. Unlike here. I like this king better, too!”

“Okay, I guess he is,” Jungkook sighs, a small smile on his lips, “better.” Taehyung stops short, “what?” Jungkook looks at him, “what? I agree. He is better than me,” he looks around, “way better, really. I mean, anyone can see it.” Taehyung hesitates, “I was teasing you.”

Jungkook shrugs, walking again, “well, you said the right thing. I did let the harem control my decisions to some degree. Also, yes, this alpha is better. I mean, when I said you deserve better, I meant someone like hyung-” Taehyung watches him, “stop talking.”

Jungkook stops, “huh?” Taehyung looks away, “you do not need you to find me a groom or something. So, stop listing qualities you think I deserve in an alpha.” Jungkook hesitates, “I was just... I was just indulging. I mean-” “I get it,” Taehyung waves him off, “forget it.”

Jungkook takes a hold of Taehyung's elbow to stop the omega, “hey,” he whispers, “I am sorry. I was just,” he tries to smile at the omega, “I am just saying. You deserve someone like hyung. I really hope-” Jungkook stops when Taehyung looks up at him, eyes red-rimmed.

“Maybe stop telling me what I deserve and mind your business,” Taehyung grits out, “work must be really hard, huh?” he chuckles, “what with no concubines to keep you company? The type of intimacy you are used to. There is a harem for royals down the road. If you want to visit.”

“After all, that is all you are capable of doing, no?” Taehyung chuckles, “either be with your work or those concubine-” “Can you stop?” Jungkook grits his teeth, “I understand you hated it and I get it that you think I am just that. But, I do not need your judgement right now.”

“Yes, please, do tell me what I need to do for you to feel okay,” Taehyung waves his hands, “how do you want me to act or talk for you to like it, because, god forbid, I ask you to change a little! That never happens, right?! So, tell me, how would you like me to act?!”

“Oh, right!” Taehyung laughs, no humour in his eyes, “you said it!” he clicks his fingers, “you wanted me to be one of your concubines or act like one because you cannot bother to take any responsibility more than that!” Jungkook curses, “you are unbearable! You know?!”

“I do not want you as my concubines, you know why?” Jungkook takes a step closer to Taehyung, “because they know how to talk sweetly, and they know very well how to not always anger me!” Taehyung glares at him, “you are so insufferable! You are so pathetic! Selfish! Horrible!”

Taehyung wipes at his eyes furiously, “you are the most obnoxious alpha I know and you are nothing like the alphas I deserve, you are right, I deserve someone like Namjoon,” he nods, “I deserve someone like Yoongi hyung.” “Then go and find them!” Jungkook shouts, “why are you-”

“Because I am in love with you!” Taehyung shouts, frustrated. Jungkook stops, freezes where he is, “wh-what?” Taehyung stumbles, pressing himself up against the wall, heaving for air, “yes, I know,” he laughs, “pathetic, really. I know. I am so stupid. I am just so stupid!”

“I always thought love needs a reason, or at least someone perfect to bloom,” Taehyung giggles, hopelessly wiping at his eyes, “I always thought love blooms for that perfect alpha or that perfect match. That is why it is so pure, so cherished, so wanted. But, it is not.”

“It is not,” his face crumbles, “it does not need someone perfect. It does not need a reason. God, I know, you gave me no reason to love you,” he snorts, “love is nothing like those poets make us believe. It is painful,” his eyes pool with tears, “unreasonable. And, so stupid.”

“Maybe that is why they say, 'fools in love,' you know?” Taehyung recoils in himself, “because only a fool will fall in love with you and tonight,” he chuckles, “I am that fool. So helplessly in love with an alpha who is so selfish. So self-centred. So not worth it!”

“Eat, the food is served,” Taehyung turns on his heels, “good night.” Jungkook reaches out, grasping Taehyung by his wrist. Taehyung thrashes, shoves Jungkook away as if his touch burns. “Do not touch me!” Taehyung hisses, “do not even try to say something! Just go!”

“At least let me go,” Taehyung begs almost, “I have humiliated myself enough. At least let me go with some of my dignity!” Jungkook watches the omega run down the corridor before disappearing around the corner. He stands there, feeling empty. He has heard confessions before...

He has heard it from Yoona. He had heard it from some other omegas, but every time he knew why he got it. He gave them reasons to. Gifts, company, position… As he watches Taehyun go, Jungkook is not sure what he ever did for Taehyung to love him. Nothing. He did nothing.

Jungkook did not give Taehyung a single reason to love him. He did not do a single thing for the omega to love him. Jungkook combs his hair back, closing his eyes. Maybe love is selfless that way. True love. The thought is painful. Utterly so. Taehyung loves him. Selflessly.

He goes to the dining room, sits and silently watches the maids serve him. He stares at the food. Taehyung did not eat. Jungkook holds the chopstick in his hand, grasps it. A garbled laugh escapes him. Maybe this is where he turns into his father. Hurting the omega like this.

Jungkook drops the chopsticks, bile rising to his throat. He closes his eyes, burying his face in his hands. Did his mother ever love his father? Did he treat her like this? Where did they go wrong? Why cannot he just be normal and love the omega back? Why cannot he just live?!

Why cannot he just love the omega back? Jungkook gets up from the chair, shaking his head. He cannot. Even if he tries, what if he never feels the same? Jungkook stops. What does love feel like? How would he know? He lets out a delirious laugh. He does not know about love.

It is a concept lost on him. He wishes someone taught him. He wishes someone showed him how love feels like. He wishes, tonight, he wishes he knew what loving someone feels like. He knows anger, he knows hurt, he knows revenge, he knows fear. He does not know love.

“You deserve someone who knows how to love you,” Jungkook walks out of the room after picking up a bottle of whiskey, “you deserve someone who will tell you they love you just as much as you love them. I will never be that person. I do not want to pretend to be that person.”

“I do not want to give you hope just to take it away,” Jungkook unscrews the cap, “I cannot watch your eyes dim, cannot watch your fire stubbed out when you realize I am not the person you deserve. I cannot ruin you like that. I cannot do that to you. I am sorry.”

He takes a long gulp of the whiskey, the taste bitter on his tongue. He looks at the dimly lit hallway, a laugh escaping him. “This will be my life,” he breathes, “work, drinks, self-pity and failures,” Jungkook's face twists, “you are not made for this. You are not.”

Jungkook looks at the whiskey in his hand and at the hallway. He takes the second sip and laughs to himself. “This is how my life will be,” he tells himself, taking some steps towards his studies, “drink, work, maybe bed people who I do not care about and that is it.”

The thought in itself is so unappealing, so painful, Jungkook throws the bottle on the ground. He hears the sound of it crashing, and he turns to face the wall. His hands come up to support himself while his forehead stays pressed against the wall. His breathing harsh.

He just does not want this. He just wants what Taehyung offers. That illusion of feelings the omega thinks he has for him. Jungkook laughs to himself. The way that illusion breaks, it will hurt. Hurt so bad. Yet... he wants to be selfish. Selfishly take what Taehyung offers.

He knows he does not deserve it, and yet he wants it. So blindly. His fingers curl, balled and tight. He punches the wall, watching his knuckles bruise while he punches the wall in frustration. Over and over again. Just to punish himself for even wanting something so pure.

“𝐻𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟.” “𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝘩𝑖𝑚.” “𝐻𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟.” “𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝘩𝑖𝑚.” “𝐻𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟.” “𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝘩𝑖𝑚.” Jungkook slams his hand down on the wall, “enough! Get a grip and stop it!”

He knows he wants Taehyung physically. He knows his needs end right there. He wants to have Taehyung. He wants to consume the omega but in his own, very destructive way, and not how the omega deserves. Jungkook turns to lean his head against the wall, back pressed against it.

Tears well in his eyes. He closes them, ignores the trail of silent tears rolling out of them. The thought is sudden, and it just punches him in the guts. Leaves him breathless. This is his turning point. This is where he turns into his father. Right here, tonight.

Loveless, alone, buried in work, cunning, always suspicious of other's feelings or his own. This what his father was. So utterly alone and so helplessly bitter in his own power. Jungkook is walking right there. He is right there. “No,” he whispers, “no, I will not be him!”

He pushes off of the wall, “no, I will not be like him! I will not end up like him. I will not be that alone, empty and lifeless,” Jungkook shivers, “I will not be you, I will not get so fucked up. I refuse to be you!” He turns, rushes inside the dining table in his hurry.

He ignores how the servants and maids go still, watching him shuffle closer to the table and grab his dining plates. He ignores how they hesitate, looking at each other. Jungkook grabs a tray and fills it with the food before he leaves the dining room.

Maybe it will be worth nothing. Maybe, at the end, Taehyung will leave him. Maybe he will realize Jungkook is not worth it. But, he will try. If the omega is in illusion, Jungkook would try to make it a reality. He nods to himself, “I will learn,” he tells himself, “to love.”

“𝐼𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑘𝑎𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑛𝑔. 𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐𝘩 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑛𝑔.” Yoongi's words echo in his mind. Yes. He will teach himself to love, and he will do it right one day.

He holds the tray with his both hands and tells the guards to knock on it. Announce his presence. The guards do so and he waits. There is no answer. Jungkook curses, “keep knocking.” The guards do so, looking at each other. “Tell him to go away!” Taehyung shouts.

Jungkook curses, “open the door or I will break it!” “Break it!” Taehyung answers back, “I am not opening it.” The guards wince, one of them bowing to Jungkook, “my lord, you cannot break the door. The king will have a feat!” Jungkook stares, “okay, and?”

“I cannot image my brother caring that much for a door!” Jungkook glares. They gulp, “but-” Jungkook kicks the door, “Taehyung, open it before Yoongi hyung throws a feat! Apparently he cares about a door!” He keeps kicking while he guards cringe at the sound the door makes.

“What in god's name are you doing?” Jungkook flinches, “oh, my lord, you care enough to show up?! For a door?!” Yoongi looks sleepy, “I got up because of the noise! What are you doing?!” Jungkook points at the door, “I am trying to get in. He will not open the door!”

Yoongi blinks, “well, that means he does not want you there. Why on earth are you trying-” “He said he loves me,” Jungkook gives the tray to one of the guards, “and, now, he will not hear my side.” Yoongi lets out a deep breath, “he said, what? How... what?!”

Yoongi marches up to the door, “Tae, what?! You love him?! What, really?” his face breaks into a grin, “wait, you two confessed?!” Jungkook winces, “you are not helping-” The door opens, making them both flinch. Taehyung looks tired and also angry. He glares at the two of them.

Yoongi takes a look at Jungkook and Taehyung. Then he nods to himself and pats Jungkook's back. “I think you messed up,” Yoongi gives him an awkward smile, “enjoy the trouble now.” Jungkook gapes, watching his brother walk back to his bedroom, “this was you helping?!”

Yoongi looks over his shoulder, “he opened the door, did he not?” Jungkook gapes, rolls his eyes when Yoongi winks and goes inside his bed chamber. He turns to Taehyung, glaring at him. Jungkook grabs the tray and rushes inside when Taehyung goes to close the door.

Taehyung watches him, “what are you doing here?” “I got you dinner,” Jungkook places the tray on the bedside table, “you did not eat.” “Do not do this,” Taehyung sighs, “do not pretend like nothing happened. I am tired of going round and round like that. I am tired of this.”

Jungkook watches him, “do you want me to lie? Tell you that your feelings are reciprocated?” Taehyung closes the door behind himself, leans against it, “if it hurts less.” Jungkook hurts. To hear and see how Taehyung is hurting, it hurts him to his core. “I want to try.”

Jungkook stands, hesitating, “I want to give this a try.” “I am not sleeping with you, alpha,” Taehyung murmurs, “if that is what 'trying' means to you, I am not going to be that.” Jungkook shakes his head, “I did not think you would. I know you would not.”

Taehyung starts walking up to him, “that also means, you do not get to go around and sleep with those concubines.” Jungkook nods, “I know. I did not sleep with anyone since our wedding. You believe it or not.” Taehyung comes to stand in front of him, “what is 'trying' for you?”

Jungkook watches how the moonlight dances over Taehyung's face. How those eyes gleam while Taehyung looks at him. With barely concealed hope and reluctance. “I want you to be with the best alpha in this world,” Jungkook murmurs, “and, I want to try to be that alpha for you.”

Taehyung feels how the cool breeze brushes past him. He shivers. His lungs fill with too much air, and he is feeling breathless while he tries to hold this moment inside. Too scared to breathe and let that exact moment go. He wants to be here. Right here. Forever.

“You are not doing this just to please me, are you?” Taehyung chokes out. Jungkook gives him a small chuckle, his expression too bare and vulnerable, “no. If anything, I am doing this to please myself.” Taehyung does not want to cry. He does not want to feel so giddy. But...

It feels so surreal. “You do not love me,” Taehyung whispers, “but, you are willing to try?” Jungkook nods, “yes,” he inhales deeply, “I want you to know I will mess up. I will not be perfect. I will probably hurt you,” his face contorts, “you will probably realize you do not-”

“love me.” Taehyung's lips twitch, the omega breathes out, “you think I saw your perfection till now?” he arches a brow, “you think you created some grand illusion for me to fall in love with you? I have seen your worst and I still love you. I am not in any illusion.”

“Trust me, you did not really make it a bed full of rose petals for me,” Taehyung gives Jungkook a teasing smile. Jungkook shrugs, “I can get worse.” “You are not going to be your father,” Taehyung nods when Jungkook's eyes snap to his, “I know what you fear.”

“Y-you knew?” Jungkook murmurs. Taehyung shrugs, “yes. You are not him and I am not your mother,” he steps right up to Jungkook, “I would not sacrifice my life, I would take yours if you turned into your father.” Jungkook's breath hitches, eyes focused on Taehyung.

“You said you love me,” Jungkook holds Taehyung by his waist, “is this how you show love?” Taehyung rests his hands on Jungkook's chest, “I love myself more,” he shrugs, “you might find that unattractive about me.” Jungkook leans in, “it makes you more appealing to me, omega.”

Taehyung turns his head away, “told you that you are not going to get me in bed like that.” Jungkook presses his lips against Taehyung's jaw, “it is just a kiss though.” Taehyung's eyes flutter, closing on their own accord when the alpha's lips trail down this throat.

He pulls away, “no,” he shakes his head, “none of that. Not now,” he points at the food, “let's eat. I am hungry.” Jungkook watches the omega go to sit and follows. They eat in silence. Eyes meeting for shy glances and lips bitten to hide those jittery smiles.

When they are done eating, Jungkook gets up hesitantly. To leave. Taehyung lets the maids clear the trays and all, his eyes following them while they leave. He looks back at the alpha, and Jungkook is already looking at him. “I should go,” Jungkook murmurs, “it is late.”

Taehyung nods, “yes,” he looks at the door, “okay.” Jungkook hesitates, walking up to the door to stop there. Taehyung looks at him, standing right by his side. Jungkook risks a glance at the omega, “is it too soon to ask if I can stay the night?” Taehyung freezes.

“I think it is,” Taehyung shrugs, “but, then, I do not mind.” Jungkook lets out a small smile, “you do not?” Taehyung shakes his head, “no. I do not. You can sleep here,” he hurries, “if you want to.” Jungkook takes the steps to Taehyung, “I would love to.”

Jungkook is not used to sleeping beside someone. He is not used to sharing his bed. He sleeps on his back and in the middle of the bed. Now, he lies on the right side, eyes on the ceiling while Taehyung freshens up and sits at the edge of the bed to put something on his face.

“What... what are you doing?” Jungkook asks, frowning at whatever Taehyung is putting on his face. Taehyung looks at him, “oil. For face.” Jungkook turns on his side, head resting on his palm as he pops up on his elbow, “so, that keeps you this beautiful?” Taehyung blinks.

“Wh-what?” The omega's scent spreads in the air, “what are you talking about?” Jungkook finds his eyes glued on that quickly reddening face, “you are beautiful. You did not know that?” Taehyung looks away, resuming what he was doing, “no one said it so bluntly, my lord.”

“I am your alpha,” Jungkook corrects, “not your lord. Do not call me your lord.” Taehyung grips the bottle closer, eyes on his arm as he applies the oil on his arms too. Jungkook watches, eyes moving with Taehyung's hands. He watches Taehyung rub something over his lips too.

“How do you not know what this is,” Taehyung wonders, “everyone uses something for their skin. You do too.” Jungkook shrugs, “I do not use anything at night. I cannot sleep with something so greasy on my skin. Also, the scent bothers me.” Taehyung blinks, “so, now…”

Jungkook shrugs, “it is okay. It is not on me.” Taehyung nods, “yes. I will keep my distance.” Jungkook's lips quirk with a playful smirk, “I would prefer if you rather not.” Taehyung turns to dim the lantern, the tips of his ears turning red. “Go to sleep now.”

Taehyung lies down, pulling the blanket over himself. Jungkook lies down too, eyes on the ceiling again. Taehyung turns on his side, facing away from Jungkook. Jungkook hears the omega's breathing, the room too quiet for the two of them. He turns his head to look at the omega.

Jungkook sighs, “did you just ask me to stay to sleep with your back to me?” Taehyung is quiet for a few moments before he shrugs, “what do you want to do? People sleep at night.” Jungkook's lips twitch, “oh, you and me have different views on that one, my Luna.”

Taehyung goes still, “do not call me that.” Jungkook turns on his side, arm stretching between them to tug at the blanket over Taehyung. Taehyung clutches onto it for dear life while Jungkook pulls at it. “Come here,” Jungkook chuckles, “I do not bite, well, without consent.”

Taehyung grasps the blanket, knuckles turning white, “shut up and sleep!” A gasp tears out of him when Jungkook yanks the blanket and Taehyung finds himself losing his balance and falling on his back on the bed. The alpha hovers by his side, looking down at him. Taehyung glares.

Jungkook leans in, lips hovering over Taehyung's, “would you glare harder if I ruin whatever you put on your lips?” Taehyung turns his face away, “we are not doing anything. I told you.” Jungkook smiles, “well, we are not. Kissing is barely anything. Please?”

Taehyung does not answer, but he does not pull away when the alpha turns his face. Jungkook captures those parted lips in a soft kiss, and Taehyung arches over the mattress, arms coming up to grasp at the alpha's bare shoulders. Jungkook hums, licking inside Taehyung's mouth.

Jungkook growls into the kiss, “you taste so sweet here, my luna,” his one elbow supports him up beside Taehyung, while his other hand goes under the blanket to grasp the omega's waist, kneading the flesh there, “the sweetest.” Taehyung feels the goosebumps, that touch burns.

Jungkook is pulling at the silk nightwear Taehyung is wearing, making the hem ride up the omega's abdomen to stomach to his chest. The alpha's hand is in direct contact with his bare skin, and Taehyung whines into the kiss. Jungkook's palm spread over Taehyung's stomach...

Jungkook has never felt this before. This thrumming sensation as he presses his palm over the omega's flat stomach. There is a looming thought that makes him twitch in his pajama. The thought is sudden, intrusive, lucid. It makes him kiss the omega harder, firmer.

Taehyung probably understands because his hand comes to grasp at Jungkook's wrist. Jungkook pulls back to look at the omega's face. Taehyung's eyes are wide, pupils dilated, his lips are puffy and moist from the kiss. His chest heaves. He looks ruined. Already. Jungkook groans.

He leans for another kiss, his hand caressing Taehyung's belly. Taehyung breathes against his lips, his tongue trying to match Jungkook's probing one and failing. Jungkook growls into Taehyung's mouth, “how long do we wait?” he asks, “how long before you let me touch you?”

Taehyung wrenches his lips away, turning his face, “long enough for that 'Luna' to mean something,” he looks at Jungkook, his hand pressing Jungkook's palm on his belly, “not before you give me that title with everything. Not until then. I will not carry your bastards.”

Jungkook grunts, “fck,” his head drops to rest on Taehyung's collarbones, “fck, fck, fck! Okay. Okay.” Taehyung feels cold when the alpha rolls away to lie down on his back. He stares at the ceiling, trying to regulate his breathing. Jungkook is no better, his breathing erratic.

Jungkook goes still when Taehyung takes a hold of his arm and pulls it under the omega's head. Taehyung squirms closer to rest his head on Jungkook's chest and hold him around the waist. Jungkook looks down at that face. Taehyung is already looking up at him, a little hesitant.

“If the scent bothers you,” Taehyung murmurs, “or the stickiness bothers you, tell me. I will move.” Jungkook cannot help the playful smirk that curves his lips, “the smell and stickiness?” Taehyung nods, confused, “…yes?”

Jungkook leans closer to whisper against Taehyung's lips, “you need to stop for a moment and think what you are saying, my Luna. You cannot just provoke me like this.” Taehyung frowns, “what did I say to provoke you now?” Jungkook stares at that confused face, “really?”

Taehyung's eyes widen when the alpha's arm around him goes to squeeze his ass. He stares at the alpha, mortified, as the alpha's hand gropes him there. Once. Before the arm circles his waist to pull him closer. “You know what I mean, right?” Jungkook noses Taehyung's earlobe.

“Go to sleep,” Taehyung swats at Jungkook's face, pushing it away, “go to sleep now!” Jungkook laughs, holding Taehyung's hand and pressing soft kisses all over Taehyung's palm and down to his wrist. Taehyung watches, eyes fixed on Jungkook, as the alpha scents his pulse point.

Taehyung does not protest when the alpha licks the inside of his wrist, nuzzling against his pulse point. He does not protest when Jungkook buries his face against the crook of his neck to rub his pheromones there. “You will let me scent you from now on,” Jungkook murmurs.

“You smell of blood,” Taehyung whispers, “you know?” Jungkook pulls back, “do you want me to go on scent blockers?” The room is silent. It is too quiet. Both of them stare at each other and both of them feel breathless. The words echo around them. Spoken out of the blue.

“You would...” Taehyung's voice shows his shock, “you would do that for me?” An alpha's scent is their first sign of dominance. It spreads and lets the others have a taste of what that alpha is capable of. An alpha without their scent is like a curse. For anyone in power.

Jungkook shrugs, “well,” he thinks to himself, “I do not need my scent to speak for me. I speak for myself. If my Luna is bothered with my scent, then I can surely go on suppressants.” Taehyung watches the alpha, his heart aching in his chest, “and, would you do this for Yoona?”

Jungkook's eyes are heavy on Taehyung, “no one likes the smell of blood, Taehyung,” Jungkook's voice is gravelly, “no one likes to be reminded of wars and losses and death through a scent. If you did not see me taking those suppressants till now, you should know the answer.”

Taehyung bares his throat, tilting his head, with his eyes fixed on Jungkook. “Are you sure?” Jungkook asks, all serious. Taehyung's throat bobs while he nods, “I said you smell of blood. I did not say how it makes me feel.” “And, how does it make you feel?” Jungkook asks.

“Because I know people are repulsed or terrified with my scent,” Jungkook does not falter while saying it, “they fear me. The concubines I bedded, Yoona,” he watches how Taehyung flinches, “all of them would try hard to suppress how the scent made them feel. It is unpleasant.”

“So are you,” Taehyung murmurs, does not cower when Jungkook's eyes flash red for a second, blood-red, “you terrify others. Some are repulsed by you. You are what your scent is. A reminder of war, death, fear,” Taehyung's throat bobs, “and, yet, I love you. In your true form.”

“I loved you after knowing what you are, who you are and what you represent,” Taehyung cups the side of Jungkook's face, “there is no denying how destructive and dangerous you are. Like blood, you are capable of flowing it. Drain someone of it. In a blink of an eye. I know.”

“And, yet, blood is needed to save life,” Taehyung gives a small, tearful smile to the alpha, “that same blood keeps us alive. Warm. Just like that, I believe you have that side too,” Taehyung presses a kiss at the corner of Jungkook's lips, “so, I accept you as you are, alpha.”

“You do not need to suppress your dark sides from me,” Taehyung sighs, “I have seen them and I do not fear them because I know,” he shrugs, “your darkness will never let you consume me. I trust you on that. I want you. All of you. Just as you are. I love you for the same, too.”

Jungkook does not hide the tears that roll out of his eyes. He does not flinch or pull away when Taehyung's lips press against those teardrops. He does not move an inch when the omega squirms closer to hug him, burying himself against Jungkook. So trusting, so loving.

Jungkook hugs the omega to himself, lips pressing over Taehyung's head full of curls. “I will never let any darkness consume you,” Jungkook speaks to Taehyung but promises to himself, “I promise, I will not hesitate to drain anyone of their blood if they come for you, my Luna.”

Jungkook looks at the moon, right outside their window. His eyes stuck on it. “I promise to try my best to be a better man for you,” he looks down at those trusting eyes, “I promise.” Taehyung gives a smile, small but pure, genuine, “I will hold you to that then.”

“Eun eloped, along with Yushik. Yoona might know something,” Yoongi walks around the room, frowning, “we need to talk to her.” Jungkook watches his brother, “your guards are already talking to her.” “She did not utter a word,” Yoongi curses, “we need to talk to her.”

Namjoon and Hoseok came back to the Min kingdom after getting the news. The seven of them sit in the courtroom to discuss the matter in hands. Eun eloped. With Yushik. “I think king Jeon should talk to her,” Namjoon looks at Jungkook, “out of all of us.” Taehyung tenses up.

“Why him?” Taehyung looks at Namjoon. Namjoon shrugs, “because, she loves him. She is obsessed with him. If king Jeon can pretend that he misses her and is glad she is left behind and talk her into that trap, we can find a lot of clues from her.” Jungkook hums, “right.”

Taehyung watches Jungkook and Jungkook looks at him. “It is just for an act,” Jungkook shakes his head, “you know it.” Taehyung is quiet. Jungkook takes his hand, kissing the knuckles. “Come on,” the king begs, “we have to find Eun and Yushik. No?”

“I will let Taehyung decide this one,” Yoongi holds his hands up, “if he wants it, we go through with this. Otherwise, we can find a new plan.” Taehyung looks at Jimin, watches the omega watch him back. Jimin looks exhausted. Scared. Worried. Taehyung looks back at Jungkook.

“Okay,” Taehyung murmurs, “do whatever is needed.” Jungkook lets out a deep breath, looking at Taehyung with a small smile. Taehyung looks away, focusing his eyes on Yoongi instead. Yoongi nods, looking at Jungkook. “Let's hear it from Namjoon, then,” Yoongi waves his hand.

--- Jungkook stands in front of the prison, his eyes on the omega who is sleeping on the mat. He walks inside, the footsteps making Yoona twitch. She blinks, fighting back sleep to look at the intruder. A gasp escapes her when she sees Jungkook, “my lord!” she gets up.

Jungkook looks over his shoulders, “leave us alone.” The guards bow before walking away to give them some privacy. Jungkook hears their footsteps fade before he turns to Yoona. “How are you?” Jungkook asks, “did they overdo it?” Yoona's eyes brim with tears, “my lord!”

Jungkook's face contorts, “I am sorry,” he whispers, “for the pain you had to go through. Just a few more days, my love,” he reaches for Yoona's hand, “then it will all be over.” Yoona leaps forward to bury herself against Jungkook's chest, “I cannot do this anymore!”

“Just a few more days, love,” Jungkook combs Yoona's hair back and looks down at her face, “the wedding is fixed. On the wedding day, I will take care of the three of them,” he smiles, “then I will free you. Noona is free already. She will come to get you that night. Okay?”

Yoona cups the side of Jungkook's face, “you promise?” Jungkook nods, “we have come so far, love,” he presses Yoona to his chest, “now, only a few more days. Then we will be free. Trust me.” Yoona grasps at him, face buried in his chest, “I cannot wait to go home.”

Yoona looks up at him, “where is noona?” Jungkook smirks, “well, she rested in the winter palace and when Namjoon and Hoseok came back here, she went back to the capital. She is there now. Do not worry about her. When we leave, she will be there to welcome us.”

Yoona gives him a watery laugh, “okay, thank god. Okay. What about that omega though? Taehyung?” Jungkook shrugs, “I am here to make sure hyung and his heir are no more. If you want, we can take care of the omega too. I mean,” he smirks, “it would be showing him mercy.”

Yoona lets out a shaky breath, “Yushik came to meet me,” she rests her head on Jungkook's chest, “he left the poison with me. The one you asked.” “How did he come to meet you?” Jungkook presses his lips over Yoona's hair, “no one is allowed here.” Yoona chuckles, “trust me.”

“Here,” Yoona pulls it out from the vest, hidden in her belly button, “this capsule. One is enough to stop at least seven heartbeats.” Jungkook takes it, smiles, “I know. That is why I asked for this. Yushik's mother will get the payment after we are done here.” Yoona chuckles.

“Make sure Taehyung drinks,” Yoona holds Jungkook's hand in hers, lips pressing against Jungkook's jaw, “please, alpha. Make sure he is gone too.” Jungkook presses a kiss against Yoona's cheek, “I will. I will see you soon.” He walks out of the prison with a last look at Yoona.

Jungkook walks down the dark hallway, his eyes focused on his feet. With a small chuckle, he reaches into the darkness behind a pillar, grabs a wrist to pull the omega in his arms. “Were you spying on me, my Luna?” Jungkook whispers, eyes on the omega who has tears in his eyes.

Taehyung does not fight, he lets Jungkook drag him inside a cell to close the door. He watches Jungkook with a numb smile. “So, it was all an act?” Taehyung whispers, “is that it?” Jungkook's eyes are heavy on him, “I told you to trust me. Did I not?” Taehyung snorts, “right.”

Jungkook holds up the capsule, “I got the poison from her,” he whispers, eyes boring on Taehyung's face, “I got Eun in my palace.” Taehyung presses his hands over Jungkook's chest, “so, you helped her elope. You knew! You were in all this!” Jungkook nods, “I knew.”

Taehyung stumbles, back pressing against the cold wall of the prison. He bites back a sniffle, eyes closing with despair. He cannot believe this, does not want to. Taehyung tries to regulate his breathing, tries not to think how he confessed his love for a person who was lying.

“Eun hates Jimin,” Jungkook murmurs, “she is obsessed with hyung, and it is like, if she cannot have him, no one else can. She planned to kill them. I heard her talk to Yoona and I wanted an in,” Jungkook grasps Taehyung's biceps, “I hated hyung then but never wanted him dead!”

“I made them believe I was in their side,” Jungkook steps closer to Taehyung, crowding him against the wall, “I went along with them because I needed to know how many were in this with them. I had to be careful. I convinced them that if I throw them in jail, you all will trust me

“Exactly that happened, and then I came to visit them to tell Eun that I will take the plan forward. If it was not me, someone else would have this capsule and mix it in the food on the wedding night, Taehyung,” Jungkook holds the capsule up, “now I have it and I can destroy it.”

“Do it,” Taehyung stares at the alpha, “do it. Destroy it.” Jungkook keeps the eye contact while he breaks the capsule in his hand, dropping it on the ground. Taehyung sucks in a breath as soon as he hears the glass breaking. He looks at Jungkook's hand with worry.

Taehyung's throat bobs, “it is on your hand-” “Does not work until you intake it,” Jungkook shrugs, eyes still on Taehyung, “I am fine.” Taehyung grasps the alpha's shirt, “but, you still lied!” Jungkook nods, curt, “I did. I had to. For the bigger picture, I had to.”

Taehyung shakes his head, “I do not trust you. What if this is a fake capsule? What if there is more?” Jungkook's lips twitch, “I had it in my hand since I got out of her cell.” Taehyung's eyes burn, “do not laugh! You,” he looks away, “you lied. You still lied!”

Jungkook nods, “I could not burden you with this,” he shakes his head, “you would be worried sick. But,” he lets out a long breath, “hyung knows.” Taehyung's eyes snap to Jungkook, “I am sorry?” Jungkook hums, “hyung knows. I told him. Me, hyung and Namjoon know.”

“I think,” Jungkook takes a step back when Taehyung's glare intensifies, holds up his hands, “I think Hoseok knows too. Yoongi hyung told him.” Taehyung grips the hanbok, “anyone else? No, go on! Tell me every person in the capital knows too! Go on!” Jungkook winces.

“We could not tell Jin hyung because he is already worried about a lot of things,” Jungkook holds his hands up, “we could not tell you because you cannot lie to Jimin. If Jimin knew, he would worry, and that is not good for the pups. Also, I personally did not want to worry you.”

“Yes, because right now I am having a trip to the field of roses, no?!” Taehyung shouts, “since the news broke, me and Jimin hyung are going in circles while singing our lungs out! We are having the best time of our lives! It is not like we are worried sick here! You idiot!”

“Just say that you all alphas do not trust us omegas! Just say it!” Taehyung stomps his foot, “oh, you have no idea. I want to take my shoe off and throw it at your face right now! You have no idea how mad I am!” Jungkook winces, nodding, “I get that. I am getting that. Sorry!”

“No, you do not get it at all!” Taehyung throws his hands up, “you were there. Kissing her, hugging her, being all lovey-dovey and saying all that, for an act?!” his voice is shrill, “and, hyung knew? Namjoon knew?! I was hurting! It hurt to see that and hear you two like that!”

“You called her your love,” Taehyung's voice drops, as if energy draining from him, “you called her your love, and you kissed her. You,” his eyes glisten, “that hurt. You have no idea. You do not understand how much it hurts. I am not jealous, I am just,” Taehyung's lips wobble…

Taehyung turns away, swiftly wiping his cheek where a teardrop rolled out. He sniffles, trying to ease his breathing. “You will never understand how much it hurts to think the one you bared your heart for is walking all over it,” Taehyung mumbles, “even for an act.”

Jungkook's heart aches. He reaches out desperately, grasping Taehyng's wrist to slowly pull him closer. Taehyung wrenches his hand free. “Do not touch me when you touched her with that hand,” Taehyung murmurs, eyes ablaze, “do not get near me when you smell of her.”

“To you alphas everything is an act and everything is fair for war and politics and the kingdoms. I,” Taehyung shakes his head, “I am tired of being a pawn in this game of push and pull. I am so tired of you all.” He storms out of the cell, rushing up the stairs and away.

Jungkook combs his hair back, cursing. He looks down at the floor where the liquid poison dropped. A few drops. He watches the mouse dead near it, mouth agape and its body turning blue slowly. He looks away, feeling nauseous. “I could not risk it. Your life,” Jungkook murmurs.

“How did it go?” Yoongi asks as soon as Jungkook walks inside the room. Jungkook looks at the king, “Taehyung knows now.” Yoongi points at his foot, “I know. Stormed off after telling me I am the worst person he knows and stomped on my foot.” Jungkook winces, “I see.”

“I had to act lovely with her because that is how she remembers me,” Jungkook shakes his head, hopelessly looking at the king, “if I behave in any way different, she will know. I do not want to risk it.” Yoongi comes forward to pat his back, “I know that. I do know that.”

“Go and talk to him,” Yoongi's nose twitches, “but, before that, have a bath.” Jungkook rolls his eyes, “I know, I smell like her.” Yoongi snorts, “you smell too strongly of hers. She scented you, I guess.” Jungkook frowns, “that...” he looks down at himself, “oh.”

Jungkook walks back to his room and asks the maids to fill his bath. He sits on the edge of the bed while servants bring in hot water and start to pour it in the bath, mixing it to the right temperature. The scent of flowers and rice water fills the room. Jungkook sighs.

He sits in the bath, silently staring at the wall, while the maids rub those pests on him. He hears the footsteps and rolls his eyes when Namjoon walks in. “Taehyung told me to never show him my face again,” Namjoon stares at the king in the bathtub, “so, you told him?”

Jungkook lets the maids rub the pests down his chest, eyes on Namjoon. “If you are waiting for me to apologize, you can keep waiting,” Jungkook shrugs. Namjoon gives him a pointed look, “I know it makes you feel pleased that he does not want to see me anymore. You are petty.”

Jungkook dips under the water, breaking the surface to smirk at Namjoon, “yes. I am.” Namjoon sighs, sitting at the edge of the bath, “he is hurt. Terribly so.” Jungkook's smirk dims, he flicks his wrist and waits for the maids to leave them alone. “I know,” he nods.

He combs his hair back, long hair plastered against his back. Jungkook reaches for the scented oils, rubbing some on his neck and behind his ears. “I will talk to him,” he assures Namjoon, “also, you are his only friend. He will come around. You know it too. Right?”

Namjoon watches the king with observant eyes, “by the end of this plan, Yoona and Eun, they will not survive. It is a risky plan. You know? If they have any backup plan or if they doubt you... there can be backlash.” Jungkook knows that, he looks at Namjoon, “I know that.”

Namjoon gets up, holds out the towel for Jungkook, “just make sure Taehyung is alright. If the situation arrives,” he stares at Jungkook's face while the king gets out of the bath, totally unashamed of his nudity, “I will save Taehyung selfishly. I do not care about others.”

Jungkook wraps the towel around his waist, smirks at Namjoon, “we both agree on only one person and that is the sole reason we both disagree on everything else.” Namjoon's lips twitch, “yes. My loyalty lies under Taehyung's feet.” Jungkook shrugs, “mine lies around him.”

Namjoon watches the king walk out of the bathroom. He looks at the maids who come to drain the bath. With a tired exhale, Namjoon gets out of there. He ignores the king who is getting dressed, and walks to the door. “There might come a time,” Jungkook's voice stops him, “when…”

“I will not be around him,” Jungkook rubs the towel on his hair, eyes focused in the mirror, “for quite some time. Take care of him,” his voice has an odd edge that Namjoon does not understand, “do not leave his side for a moment.” “Where are you going?” Namjoon asks.

Jungkook's hand pauses for a second, his eyes flicker to Namjoon through the mirror, “too many loose threads by my father, Namjoon,” the king looks back at himself, “now that I want to tie them up, it might take forever. Or, worse,” he shrugs, “more than my time.”

Namjoon's hands twitch beside him, he balls them, “do not do something stupid. He loves you. You know that he loves you.” Jungkook's chest expand, the chill in the air finally settling in his bones, “I know. I know he does.” Namjoon walks up to him, “what are you planning?”

Jungkook shrugs, “nothing. It is just that, we are going against some cunning people. I know the future is not going to be all sunshine and rainbows,” he looks at Namjoon, rests a hand on Namjoon's shoulder, “if the storm comes, stay by his side.” The king turns away.

Jungkook walks inside the omega's room to see Taehyung standing by the window. He closes the door behind himself. Taehyung looks over his shoulder at him and then look back out. Jungkook curses internally, slowly walking up to the omega. “I am sorry,” Jungkook reaches for him.

He holds Taehyung around his waist and hugs him from behind. “I am so sorry,” Jungkook whispers those words against Taehyung's ear, nuzzling closer, “I had to act like that with her because she expects me to be like that, my Luna. She thinks I still adore her. You know?”

Taehyung does not say a word. Jungkook watches the omega's eyes fixed on the horizon. He rubs his nose against Taehyung's cheek. “Forgive me, my Luna,” Jungkook holds Taehyung's waist a little tighter, “I did not mean any of those words. I promise. I can never. Please?”

“If you have any punishment for me, I will take it,” Jungkook murmurs, “whatever it is.” Taehyung does not utter a word. Jungkook lets out a deep breath, “is this my punishment? You are not going to talk to me?” Taehyung stays as stoic as he was. Jungkook hums. “I see.”

Jungkook turns Taehyung in his arms, chuckles when he sees how the omega's eyes are resolutely staring ahead but not focusing on him. Jungkook tilts Taehyung's chin with his index finger, watching the afternoon sun rays beam on the omega's face. He feels his breath catch.

Those long lashes cast a shadow over Taehyung's cheek. The skin of Taehyung's cheeks glistens under the yellowish beams of the sun. The mole on Taehyung's nosetip stands out on his otherwise smooth skin. Those lips are parted, the omega is effectively breathing through his mouth.

“I do not smell like her anymore,” Jungkook whispers, “you can breathe through your nose now.” Taehyung does not utter a word. Jungkook lets out a breath, his eyes wandering over Taehyung's face. He cannot resist himself. He knows they should talk, and he knows he should stop.

Jungkook captures those lips in a kiss, smirks when he feels Taehyung inhale deeply through his nose. The omega's hands flying up to grasp at Jungkook's shirt over his chest. Jungkook kisses Taehyung deeply, his one hand holding Taehyung's chin up and the other around his waist.

Taehyung's nails dig on his chest and Jungkook hums with pleasure. He chuckles when Taehyung captures his lower lip, teeth sinking onto it with vengeance. Jungkook does not pull away when the omega bites down harder, almost tearing the skin. The skin tears under Taehyung's teeth.

Jungkook closes his eyes, letting the omega press harder. The kiss tastes of blood. Jungkook presses Taehyung up against the wall. Taehyung grunts into the kiss, unable to match the alpha's force. He turns his face away when his lungs start to burn, ignoring the alpha's curse.

“I am sorry,” Jungkook says, his breath catching in his chest when Taehyung's eyes finally find him, “I am really sorry, my Luna. I am so, so, so sorry. Forgive me?” Taehyung's eyes drop to Jungkook's lips. Those eyes focus on the crimson colour of Jungkook's lip and the cut.

Taehyung pushes him away, turning to face the window again. Jungkook lets out a deep breath, going to stand beside Taehyung. “Leave me alone,” Taehyung mutters, “for some time. Leave me alone. I cannot look at you. Not when all I see is Yoona all over you like that.”

Jungkook lets out a deep breath, “I am a king,” he tries again, “the throne is my responsibility. I have to run the kingdom. Politics is dirty, my luna,” he turns Taehyung in his arms, “there are too many conspiracies-” “Be honest with me,” Taehyung grits out, “you hear me?”

“Those four pillars of the throne stand for courage, strength, loyalty and,” Taehyung grips Jungkook's shirt, “honesty. You have to be honest with your peers. You cannot hide things from me. I am your Luna, you say? You have to trust me to tell me everything, then!”

“As long as you cannot stand on those four pillars, your throne will be tottering and there is nothing you can do to help it,” Taehyung frees himself from Jungkook's grasp, “also, your sorry does not mean anything to me because you do not get it. Not at all.” Taehyung leaves.

It is the night before Yoongi and Jimin's wedding. There is a small celebration among the people in the kingdom. No other kingdom is invited, but Yoongi is throwing a celebratory dinner before the wedding and there is celebration among the mass for their king's new life.

Jimin is yet to join the celebration. Seokjin is with him, getting him ready. The five of them are gathered at the edge of the garden, looking at the people milling around in the palace's garden, where the celebration is. “Now that Taehyung knows our plan,” Yoongi shrugs +

“He wanted to join,” Yoongi sips his liquor, “that general, you all see?” Their eyes fly to the general, going up to the drinks and taking a glass. Yoongi nods, “my spies told me he is the one who supplied Eun every news. Got Yushik and his mother in the plan too.”

“He got money and,” Yoongi makes a face, “he is the father of Yushik's pup.” They all gasp, looking at the king. Yoongi nods. “The man is a sleazy bastard,” Jungkook sips his drink, “he is not loyal to Yushik or anything. He is easily swayed. We can catch him tonight.”

“He is a great swordsman,” Hoseok pipes in, “we have to be very alert. If he guesses that we are planning something, he might go on alert. We have to catch him off guard.” Taehyung shrugs, “I can do it.” Four pairs of eyes snap to his face. Taehyung nods. All serious.

“You can do what?” Yoongi arches a brow. “Seduce him,” Taehyung's eyes are on that alpha, “get him to you all.” “You are out of your mind, and we are not doing anything of that sorts,” Jungkook grits through his teeth, “be silent now!” Taehyung rolls his eyes, “we have to!”

“Taehyung, it is very risky,” Yoongi holds his hand up, “he is cunning, skilled and very much-” “I will be fine,” Taehyung waves his hand, carelessly shrugging, “I am a royal omega. He will fall for it easily.” Hoseok nods, “to get a royal omega in bed, he will fall for it.”

“No one is going on anyone's bed!” Jungkook curses, “we can find another omega-” “I am doing this,” Taehyung stares at Jungkook with a blank face. “No, I do not approve!” Jungkook glares. “Since when you own me?” Taehyung arches a brow, “I am doing this,” he announces.

Yoongi shares a look with Namjoon and Hoseok before he looks at Jungkook and Taehyung, who are glaring at each other. “If Tae wants,” Yoongi shrugs, “okay.” Jungkook whips around to face him, “are you out of your mind?!” Yoongi winces, “well, it is not like they will actuall-”

“Come on, alpha,” Taehyung's voice makes them both stop, “you do not trust an omega like me?” Jungkook turns to look at Taehyung, “do not be petty like that! You have no idea how dangerous-” Taehyung shrugs, his eyes burning into Jungkook's, “it is for the bigger picture.”

Yoongi watches Jungkook glare while Taehyung chug down his champagne and put the glass down. He pushes his braid over his shoulder and lets out a deep breath before starting to walk towards the general. “Calm down,” Yoongi murmurs, “he knows what he is doing.”

Jungkook snorts, “oh, I know he knows what he is doing. Also,” he glares at Yoongi, “I would like to see you calm down if it was Jimin.” Yoongi clamps his mouth shut, earning a laugh from Namjoon and Hoseok. They all watch Taehyung knowingly walk right into the general.

Jungkook watches when the general turns to the intruder with a curse and a deep frown. Just for it all to melt and leave behind awe and a smile. His blood boils when the general bows and says something to make Taehyung blush. The general, Kyungho, eyes Taehyung up and down.

There are a few more words exchanged before the general is taking Taehyung's hand in his to kiss the knuckles. Jungkook swiftly turns his back to them. He sees red, for a few seconds he tries to calm his nerves, remind himself that it is all an act. None of that helps.

Kyungho's breath smells of tobacco and alcohol. Taehyung feels his breath catching in his throat in an ugly bile. His mind reels, taking him back to the scent of blood, and he thinks, with something like melancholy, how he came to feel at ease around the scent of blood.

“I ruined your clothing, I am so sorry,” Taehyung forces a smile on his lips, “if you would let me apologize, grant me a chance to dance with you, my lord.” Kyungho's eyes gleam with something primal, he gives Taehyung a once-over, “your husband is right there, my prince.”

For a second, Taehyung blinks, then he looks over at the man, “he is not my husband anymore. Is he?” he smiles at the alpha, “I am unmated and single.” Kyungho's eyes are hooded, “I heard the whispers that you two are something. Heard he spends quite some time in your room.”

It scares Taehyung that Kyungho knows so much. Taehyung does not let it deter him. He steps closer to the alpha, hands resting on his chest. “Maybe you can stop paying attention to the whispers, and,” Taehyung shivers when those hands come to rest on his hips, “focus on me?”

“With pleasure, my prince,” Kyungho drawls, grip tightening on Taehyung, “please, lead the way.” Taehyung leads the alpha to the dance floor, where some couples are dancing. He sucks in a breath when Kyungho tugs him closer in the name of the steps. Their chests touching.

Taehyung is not as tall as the alpha is. So the alpha leans in, hot breath ghosting over Taehyung. He is too close, his lips hovering over Taehyung's shoulder. “Always thought you belonged to someone who's not as blind to your beauty as king Jeon is,” Kyungho whispers, “love.”

“Always knew he could not satisfy you,” Kyungho murmurs, lips pressing at Taehyung's ear, “always wasting his time on whores and harem. When he could have had you,” the chuckle he lets out is edgy. Taehyung feels that ugly nausea, his skin burns where the alpha touches him.

“Well, his loss,” Taehyung shrugs, wills himself to look back at the alpha with a playful smirk, “maybe,” he goes on his tiptoes to whisper in the alpha's ear, “you can have me,” he looks over the alpha's shoulder, freezes when he sees Jungkook, “alpha.” Jungkook's eyes flash.

Kyungho chuckles, almost grinding on Taehyung as they dance. Taehyung hugs the alpha, his eyes boring into Jungkook's red ones. Jungkook is sipping his drink, sitting idly and watching them. The alpha's jaw ticks, the lights of the room casting a dark shadow on him.

Then Jungkook is getting up, pointing his glass at the door. Taehyung turns his lips towards the alpha's ear, “maybe we can be alone somewhere? This place is suffocating me.” Kyungho breathes out a curse, “of course, my prince. We can go wherever you would like to.”

Taehyung hears the murmurs rise around them when Jimin enters the room with Seokjin on his side. All eyes turn to fix on the omega, and Taehyung holds Kyungho's hand. He tugs on Kyungho's hand and pulls him out of the room. Taehyung rushes, steps hurried. Kyungho following him.

Kyungho is crowding him, right behind his back. Taehyung looks down the corridor. He is taking Kyungho to his room, and he hopes Jungkook is there. Otherwise... he should have asked where to take the alpha. Taehyung curses and leads the alpha down the corridor to his room.

As soon as he enters his room, he hears the door lock behind him. Taehyung whips around to see Kyungho locking the door. Taehyung looks around to see no one in the room. He takes a step back. Kyungho turns to him, eyes filled with want, “we are finally alone, my prince.”

Kyungho advances, taking calculative steps towards the omega. His eyes burn all over Taehyung, and Taehyung chokes on the air that smells of the alpha's arousal. Kyungho smirks, “since the day I saw you, I could not help but imagine you on my knot, omega.” Taehyung freezes.

“The only thing I am working for,” Kyungho chuckles, “did not think your alpha will be so dense to drive you to me like this. So defenseless and hungry for some affection.” Taehyung holds his ground when the alpha stands right in front of him, cupping his face.

“Do not worry, omega,” Kyungho grunts, “I will take care of you so good-” A sharp cry tears out of the alpha's mouth and Kyungho stumbles. His hand flying to his thigh where the knife is plunged, too close to his shaft. Taehyung chuckles, “I do not need him to take care of me.”

The omega knees Kyungho, making him drop on his knees. Taehyung pulls out another knife from the strap around his thigh and plunges it through Kyungho's palm, forcing him down on the ground with it. He sits on the alpha's chest, “took my lessons from the mad king, you see.”

He pulls out another from the leather strap around his thigh, pressing it against Kyungho's throat. “Try to get up or move an inch,” Taehyung bares his teeth, lips curling up in disgust, “I will not hesitate to slice you open.” The door slams, “Taehyung?!” Taehyung hums, “in.”

He does not flinch when the door crashes open, breaks from its hinges. Jungkook stands there, behind him Namjoon and Hoseok. Taehyung gets up, a foot still on Kyungho's chest, “it was easier than I thought.” Jungkook looks at the alpha and back at him, “you did this?”

“Of course, he did,” Hoseok smiles proudly, coming around Jungkook, “Yoongi's training paid off.” Taehyung does not look away from Jungkook, “you really think hyung would let me go with this bastard if he knew I cannot take care of myself?” Jungkook swallows, “right.”

Namjoon curses, “that is why he was sitting there so casually,” he comes to kneel by Kyungho. Taehyung steps away from Kyungho when Hoseok takes a hold of him. He keeps his eyes on Jungkook, Jungkook looking right back while Hoseok and Namjoon carry Kyungho out of the room.

Taehyung turns away from the alpha. The chill settling in. He goes over to the dressing table to fix himself. He ignores the alpha, who is still in the room, eyes on him. Taehyung brushes his hair with a comb, fixing the bun and messy strands. Jungkook walks up to him.

There is a part of him that is in rage. He wants to scream at the omega for disappearing like that. He is angry that Taehyung just came to his room without waiting for Jungkook to follow. He is also angry that the general touched him like that. Taehyung smells like him. But…

There is another part of him that is relieved. That was terrified. For that few minutes, Jungkook was blinded by that side. Worry. Gut-wrenching worry coursed down his veins when he could not find Taehyung in that room after one look at Jimin. That part overpowers his anger.

Jungkook leans his head down, forehead resting on Taehyung's shoulder. He lets out a garbled laugh at the thought that he does not care. He does not care if Taehyung actually starts an affair with someone, does not care if the omega actually beds someone. He just wants him safe.

The relief is paralysing. He holds Taehyung in his arms and feels the omega breathing, and he finds himself calming down. “I am proud of you,” Jungkook murmurs, lips brushing against Taehyung's skin, “for being so brave. For being so fierce. You mesmerize me, my Luna.”

“For a moment there, when I could not find you, I was terrified,” Jungkook watches the omega through the mirror, “the fear was so gripping, I felt breathless. I have never feared for my life like that. Never. But, tonight, in that few heartbeats, I faced my worst fear.”

Jungkook turns Taehyung to face him, cups Taehyung's face, “I am glad you are fine.” “You are not jealous?” Taehyung wonders. Jungkook shakes his head, “I was angry, jealous. Yes. I was in the mood to show you where you belong, then,” he chuckles, “then I lost you there, and…”

“I realized, I do not care who you belong to,” Jungkook shrugs, “or, who owns your heart. Or, who you love. As long as you are safe, protected, happy, I am fine. Because-” “𝐼 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢.” Those words ring in his head. As if a bell that someone hits out of the blue.

Jungkook flinches, taking his hands back and stepping away. Taehyung watches him, a little confused, “what...?” Jungkook feels that encompassing fear coming back, now it wraps around him like a blanket, in summer days. Making him feel too hot and bothered. He is in love.

He stares at the omega and thinks, now there is a person whose wellbeing matters to him. To a certain point where his mind loses itself if the thought crosses his mind that the omega might be in danger. If his enemies come to know about this weakness… Jungkook shivers.

He has too many enemies. If they know he has a weakness, then Taehyung will be under constant threat. Someone runs down Jungkook's spine. He takes a few more steps back from Taehyung. He is in love with Taehyung. Yoona and Eun are still out and if they come to know...

Jungkook swiftly turns his back to the omega, “fix yourself. We have to be at the celebration to act like nothing happened. Namjoon and Hoseok will take care of the general.” Taehyung blinks, “what... are you okay?” Jungkook nods, “I am okay,” he wipes his mouth, “fine.”

Taehyung reaches out to grasp Jungkook's wrist, “are you mad?” Jungkook looks at the omega's vulnerable eyes, “you wanted to make me mad.” Taehyung nods, “well, yes. But, you are looking pale and-” “I am fine,” Jungkook shrugs, “I am glad you are fine. Let's go now.”

Jungkook storms out of the room, his head swaying with all the thoughts jumbled inside his brain. He ignores everyone who bows to him as he walks down the corridor to the celebration hall. His eyes find Yoongi and Yoongi finds him. The king arches a brow. Jungkook shrugs.

Jungkook goes to sit beside Yoongi. “Is everything alright?” Yoongi asks under his breath, “you look like you saw a ghost.” Jungkook stares at the people mingling around, “I love him.” Yoongi looks at him, for a minute too long, “and, that scared the rationality out of you?”

Jungkook looks at the omega, who walks back inside the hall. He shrugs, looking away when Taehyung looks at him. “I think I should just-” he waves his hand, “he is never going to be safe with me.” Yoongi hums, “he can protect himself.” Jungkook glares, “but, I will hurt him.”

Yoongi chuckles, “yes, because you are not hurting him right now.” Jungkook glares at the king, “you know what I mean. I am the ruthless king and if my enemies find something, a weak point, they will harm it.” Yoongi nods, “so, now what is the plan? Acting aloof? Rude? What?”

“You know,” Jimin speaks, startling them both, “I can hear you two, right?” They both gape at the omega, eyes wide and mouth parted. Jimin looks at Jungkook with a barely concealed angry expression, “he is hopeless, your brother. Do you listen to him.” Yoongi rolls his eyes.

Jimin gives Jungkook a pointed stare when Jungkook goes to open his mouth. “A wounded lion is more fierce and scary, you know? A lioness is scarier when she gives birth. Because she loves her cubs and would not hesitate to kill for them. Be like that, then. For him.”

“If your enemies come for him, make sure they know not to touch a hair on him,” Jimin shrugs, “be that fierce, and they will fear him. They will stay away. You do not need to run away. You need to accept that you love him and vow to be there to protect him if he needs.”

“No one can be forever happy or safe or fine, Jungkook,” Jimin shakes his head, “we are meant to face troubles, bad days, sadness, deaths. But, that does not mean we will stop living or enjoying the moments of happiness we get in between. You cannot run forever. Trust me.”

“If you announce him as your luna, I would like to see someone come for him,” Jimin chuckles, “no one is stupid enough to hurt the one you are devoted to. They know your wrath and they fear it. And, if they do, show them that wrath. They deserve it. But, do not run like this.”

Jimin watches Taehyung come up to him, “love is not supposed to hurt, we make it hurt by overthinking and complicating it,” he gives Jungkook a pointed look, “think about it.” Taehyung comes to sit beside Jimin, “what are you talking about?” Jimin shrugs, “just, the wedding.”

Jungkook watches Taehyung lean on Jimin's shoulder, eyes on the others in the room. His eyes pause on the dance floor, watching those couples. Jungkook's eyes shift to Jimin, and Jimin is already looking at him. The omega gives him a roll of his eyes and Jungkook curses.

“Would you like to dance with me?” Jungkook asks, getting up to stand in front of Taehyung. Taehyung blinks, looking up at him, “what?” “Dance,” Jungkook supplies, “with me. Would you like to dance with me?” He ignores how Jimin and Yoongi are trying hard not to grin at them.

Jimin nudges Taehyung, “go on.” Taehyung hesitates, “I am not sure-” “Go on,” Yoongi sighs, “leave us alone. We are about to get married. Let us have some privacy, for heaven's sake. Get out of here.” Jimin bites back a laugh, “he forgot to add please.” Yoongi rolls his eyes.

Jungkook holds Taehyung's hand in his and leads the omega to the dance floor. Taehyung holds his shoulder with both of his hands and keeps his eyes over Jungkook's shoulder, and Jungkook holds the omega's hips, eyes fixed over Taehyung's shoulder.

He cringes when Jimin and Yoongi start making kissing faces at him. He swiftly twirls them to let Taehyung face them. “What are they doing?” Taehyung wonders. Jungkook winces, “they are mad. One is announced, the other is in disguise. Ignore them.” Taehyung chokes on a laugh.

Jungkook looks at the omega's smiling face and cannot help but smile back. Taehyung shakes his head. “That other one is my brother, by the way,” Taehyung arches a brow, “so, be careful about your insults.” “Otherwise, what?” Jungkook pulls Taehyung closer, “my luna?”

Taehyung shrugs, eyes wandering over Jungkook's face. Jungkook gives Taehyung a small smile, “now that you have proven your point,” he arches a brow, “am I forgiven?” Taehyung shrugs, swaying side by side, “depends. Did you learn your lesson?” Jungkook's lips twitch, “yes.”

“And, what did you learn?” Taehyung tilts his head inquisitively. Jungkook leans in, their foreheads touching, “I learnt that all my hugs, kisses, love belong to you, my luna.” For a second, Taehyung freezes, his eyes fixed on Jungkook. Jungkook holds that gaze.

“Wh-what?” Taehyung asks, trying to understand what Jungkook just said. Jungkook feels that gut-wrenching pain when he sees how vulnerable Taehyung looks. How hopeful those eyes are and yet how scared that expression is. As if he is terrified of Jungkook's next words.

Jungkook realizes, the omega is waiting for him to change the words. Taehyung is waiting for him to take his words back. The omega is waiting to see his hope burn and crash. Nothing, Jungkook thinks, nothing can hurt more than that. Seeing Taehyung so vulnerable.

“I do not have fancy words,” Jungkook ignores the others who are dancing around them, the musicians playing, the singers sing by the stage, he ignores his own erratic heartbeat, “so, I will not attempt at it. You,” he takes Taehyung's hands in his, “you own my love, my luna.”

“Not just my heart,” Jungkook shakes his head, breathes out a chuckle that makes him feel breathless, “because, the way I feel for you? I do not think it is possible for my heart to contain it. I feel it with my entire being,” he kisses Taehyung's hands, “you own me. I love you.”

“You are really...” Taehyung swallows, “you really mean that?” Jungkook nods, “yes. I do.” Taehyung keeps looking at him and Jungkook gets it. He gets it because he cannot look away from the omega either. If he thinks about it, it must be comical. To the outsiders.

The two of them standing in the middle of the dance floor, the others dancing in a circle around them. Their arms around each other and eyes brimming with tears, lips stretched on matching smiles. Taehyung slowly steps closer, burying his face in Jungkook's chest, “I love you.”

Jungkook's arms go around Taehyung, holding the omega to himself. He buries his face against Taehyung's shoulder, inhaling the fresh scent of dewdrops. He hums, not sure if he can say it again. So soon. He feels so overwhelmed already. He hopes Taehyung gets it.

“I saw you two's tongues down each other's throats, and was there a confession?” Yoongi asks when they go to sit by the couple. Jungkook rolls his eyes, the tips of his ears turning a little red, “why is that your interest?” Yoongi shrugs, “I just had a proposal.”

“What is it?” Taehyung arches a brow, “I am still angry with you, by the way.” Yoongi winces, “yes, I will make you some desert as an apology. Now,” he leans in, “Seokjin's father got a whiff of the whole thing, and he is sending his messenger to us in a week.”

“If war breaks in,” Yoongi lets out a deep breath, “prince Jimin will be here as my husband. But, what will happen to Taehyung?” he looks at Taehyung and back at Jungkook, “he is an unmated omega, staying with us. If anything happens to us, his security will be compromised.”

“What are you suggesting?” Jungkook frowns. “I am suggesting,” Yoongi risks a glance at Taehyung and looks back at Jungkook, “we send him somewhere safe. Somewhere, where he will be fine. He can leave-” “No,” Taehyung glares at Yoongi, “I am not going anywhere. I will be fine.”

Jimin shrugs, “how about... he can get married to Jungkook.” The silence is deafening. The three pairs of eyes stare at Jimin, and Jimin looks from one to the other. “What?” Jimin frowns. “That solves nothing,” Jungkook shrugs, “if I am dead, it will not save him.”

Before they can talk more, Namjoon and Hoseok walk back inside the room. They all watch Namjoon walk straight up to Yoongi while Hoseok waits by the door. “The general is tough,” Namjoon shakes his head, “he is not opening his mouth.” Jungkook rolls his eyes, “is that so?”

Jungkook gets up, “I will check on him,” he waves Namjoon, “you are too soft for him. I knew it.” Taehyung gets up, “I shall-” “No!” Jungkook glares, “you are not going to him. Not again. Just stay here.” Taehyung rolls his eyes, “I will be with you.” “No,” Namjoon denies.

Taehyung glares, "I am going!" Namjoon and Jungkook share a look before they start to leave, followed by Taehyung. The general is locked in the underground prison. Jungkook watches how the man thrashes when he sees Jungkook. A smile crosses Jungkook's lips as he walks in.

TW// description of torture, threats, injuries, blood

Taehyung watches Jungkook go and stand in front of the general. The king watches the man, silently staring at his face, while the general glares at him. “You will get nothing out of me,” the general screams, “you hear me? You will get nothing out of me.” Jungkook hums.

Kyungho watches how Jungkook pulls out a knife. Taehyung stands by the doorway, beside Namjoon, his eyes fixed on Jungkook. Jungkook grabs Kyungho's hands and steps on them to keep them flat on the floor. The king crouches to be on eye level with the man.

Taehyung lets out a scream when Jungkook uses the knife. Kyungho's thumb rolls on the floor, detached from his palm. Jungkook smiles at the man, “you are already on my wrong side, general. You touched my omega, my luna,” he traces the man's palm with the tip of his knife...

“If I were you,” Jungkook chuckles, the heel of his boot pressing down on the open wound, “I would be a little more lenient. Do you get it, general?” Kyungho's eyes brim with tears, face going purple with the pain, “I know nothing.” Jungkook nods, “I see, I see.”

Taehyung turns to hide against Namjoon, when he hears the sound of the blade tearing through flesh. “There goes another,” Jungkook tuts, no sympathy in his voice, “if you open your mouth, and it is to defy me, you will lose all of them, and then I will go for something else.”

“It is not worth it,” Kyungho sneers, “what do you want to know, Jeon?” Taehyung does not turn to look at them, Namjoon's arm rubbing on his back soothingly. Jungkook hums, “tell me why you agreed to this. You get paid enough. You were the general. Why are you doing this?”

“The answer will not please you, Jeon” Kyungho laughs, “I think I am risking too much if I answer it.” Jungkook chuckles, “so one of them spread their legs for you? Is that the answer?” The silence makes Taehyung turn, eyes on Kyungho who looks like a deer caught in headlights.

Kyungho blinks, “they both.” Jungkook nods, thoughtful, “that cannot be enough reason either. What more?” Kyungho looks confused, “that does not make you angry? The thought of your-” “They are concubines,” Jungkook traces the knife over Kyungho's face, “doing their job.”

Taehyung watches how Jungkook's smirk makes Kyungho flinch. Taehyung feels a chill run down his spine too. But, he is not scared. He is just standing there and watching a Jungkook he never saw and it... surprisingly, it does not scare him.

“I was never emotionally invested in them like that. Not Eun,” Jungkook's face twists, “not Yoona either. They can do whatever they want. Now, what is the other reason.” When Kyungho hesitates, Jungkook presses the blade against his throat. “Just make it easy for yourself.”

“They offered me the Kim omegas,” Kyungho licks his lips nervously. Taehyung freezes, eyes wide. Jungkook pauses too. “Sorry?” Jungkook's voice is tight. Kyungho nods, “they said, if I can help them kill the mad king, they will take care of you and the old Kim. In return...”

Kyungho shrugs, “they will get me the Kim princes for myself. Along with the kingdom. They told me you will agree if Eun says so. She promised me that.” Jungkook stares at the man, “how are they going to 'take care,' of the old Kim? What is the plan there?” Kyungho hesitates.

“By now Yushik is there,” Kyungho whispers, “he is in disguise as the messenger of your kingdom. The king will be invited to celebrate the mad king's wedding and on his way here, he will be murdered-” Taehyung bites back a whimper, “what?!” Kyungho nods, “it will create chaos.”

“People will think Min Yoongi did it by inviting him over. They will think Yoongi broke the treaty and kept the omegas here hostage. If things get according to the plan, Eun thinks you will be on her side and announce a war against the mad king. She wants you to kill him.”

“So, the plan is killing Yoongi,” Namjoon whispers, “Eun and Yoona think you are on their side. So, they think you will agree to this.” Jungkook nods, “also, by this, king Kim is dead and that kingdom is a load on me. She thinks, if I succeed in taking over the Min kingdom...”

“I would not want that vast of a kingdom for myself,” he looks at the general in distaste, “that way, she will preach the idea of this man ruling that kingdom, under my name. Against just nominal taxes, he will be ruling it fully. That was the plan. Also,” Jungkook frowns...

“By the time Seokjin hyung's father comes to know that Yoongi hyung is not marrying him, he will join my side and fight against Yoongi hyung. In all scenarios, according to Eun, hyung loses. What is the plan with Seokjin's father?” Kyungho shakes his head, “he does not know.”

“About all this planning,” Kyungho murmurs, “he is just in love with Eun. Eun is thinking of marrying him to be the Luna of his kingdom. That way, she can secure herself a kingdom because, let's face it,” Kyungho shrugs, “the man is old. He will die, or Eun will arrange for it.”

“That way she can be the queen of the kingdom, get rid of Seokjin, and rule it under her name. Also, she will get your security, so it was a win-win.” Jungkook chuckles, “I must say, she had a great plan.” “How are we striking this plan, then?” Namjoon wonders, confused.

Jungkook thinks, “anything else? Anything else you know?” Kyungho shakes his head, “there might be something more, but Eun is a cunning woman. She does not share her full plans with everyone. She just had her full faith in you and your loyalty. She trusts you to be on her side.”

Jungkook smiles, “she is right. I am loyal. To the right one.” Taehyung cries out, squeezing his eyes shut when he sees the king pulling out his dagger and the blade shine as he runs it across Kyungho's throat. Jungkook stands up, the warm blood all over the floor, “one down.”

Jungkook wipes the blade on Kyungho's pant before getting up to look at Namjoon. “Clean up the mess,” he walks up to Taehyung, “and, inform hyung to meet me in the courtroom.” Taehyung opens his eyes to glare at the man in front of him, “I will be there with you.”

Taehyung's eyes wander over Jungkook's clothes. The blood all over it. His hands are bloody too. Jungkook does not shy away from the omega's eyes. Taehyung's eyes take it all in before he is looking up at Jungkook. “You are going to clean it all up,” Taehyung whispers, “yes?”

“Jimin hyung is pregnant, he does not need to smell blood,” Taehyung points a finger at Jungkook. Jungkook chuckles, “I will. Were you scared?” Taehyung breathes out, his shoulders relaxing, “no,” he shakes his head, “just... shocked. I will never get used to brutality.”

Jungkook smiles, “I get that. You go and inform them. I will meet you all in the courtroom.” Taehyung nods, “I will.” Jungkook watches Taehyung leave before he turns to Namjoon. “Keep our guards after Taehyung and Jimin,” he shakes his head, “Eun will have a backup plan.”

“You think so?” Namjoon looks a little on the edge. Jungkook nods, “yes. She is a control freak. She likes to have everything double-checked and in her control. There is no way she left the major parts for me to do. If there is no war, there will be other ways. I know.”

Namjoon looks thoughtful, “fine. I will try to figure it out.” Jungkook hums, “come to the courtroom. We need to discuss the matter in hands.” Namjoon watches Jungkook leave. He stays there until the guards come up before he follows the king to the courtroom.

------- After listening to everything, the courtroom falls silent. “If king Kim dies,” Yoongi holds his hands up, “I do not care. I think, the man deserves it.” “But, right now, if that happens,” Hoseok shakes his head, “everyone will blame you and doubt your treaties.”

“We have to avoid the war,” Namjoon agrees with Hoseok, “we have to somehow avoid the war.” Jungkook tilts his head, thinking, “what if I go to meet Eun? I get rid of her. The head is gone, the entire body will dry out.” Yoongi makes a face, “except, I want to do it myself.”

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Taehyung feels the fear in the pit of his stomach, the nagging voice of worry, “she loves you. At least, she thinks so. She is obsessed. You are getting married tomorrow. She will never sit still. She might strike at the wedding or before it.”

“Jimin is protected,” Yoongi frowns, “I do not see what can she possibly do?” Taehyung thinks, brows furrowing, “there is just something wrong.” Jungkook watches the omega, “what is it?” Hoseok frowns, “I was wondering. Yushik had so many chances. To kill Jimin. No?”

“They were sharing rooms,” Hoseok frowns, “why would he not do anything? If he kills the omega, the baby goes with it.” “Jimin always got away,” Namjoon frowns too, “the blood in his room. Yushik running away. We all were distracted to find Jimin afterwards...”

“We do not know where Yushik is yet,” Namjoon tilts his head, “Kyungho said he might be there but Yushik did not steal the royal stamp. So, even if he carries the letter, why would king Kim believe him? It is not signed or stamped.” Hoseok stands up, “unless... it is.”

Hoseok turns to Yoongi, “unless it is stamped with the royal seal of the prince.” “What nonsense are you talking about?!” Taehyung thunders. “No, but,” Namjoon holds his hands up, brows furrowed, “yesterday,” he clicks his finger at Hoseok, “did you see Jimin eating the meat?”

Hoseok springs up, “he spat it out when you looked at him!” Namjoon looks at Yoongi, “it does not make sense that he falls in love with you so quickly and forgets your brother this easily. Also,” he looks at Hoseok, “are we sure there is a baby? At all?” Yoongi blinks, “what?”

“Yushik's mother said there is a baby,” Hoseok makes a face, “we do not trust that woman. The situation here is going down to the path where you are marrying him. He will be the luna. If something happens to you, he gets the kingdom. Right?” Yoongi nods, “yes...?”

“Why would he do that to me?” Taehyung grits out, “make it make sense.” Hoseok's eyes are cold when he looks at Taehyung, “he left you to fend for yourself once. What will stop him this time?” The silence speaks volumes in the courtroom. “I do not get it,” Yoongi curses, “wh-”

“He told me to propose to Taehyung,” Jungkook frowns, “he will be caught if we get another doctor and test him.” “He might be pregnant,” Namjoon hums, “another strong reason to have the kingdom for himself because that baby is the heir. He kind of made sure Yoongi marries him.”

“You both make no sense to me,” Yoongi shakes his head, “I do not get an ounce of what you are saying.” Hoseok clicks his tongue, “he hated you. I have been with him since he got here, my lord. He hated you. How did it change so quickly? How did we get here? Also, hear us out…”

“That day he made a chaos about a stupid room, and it got us so distracted, Eun eloped with Yushik. Instead of looking for them, we were worried about Jimin and got distracted again. Before that, Yushik shared a room, was in proximity with him, and he was never harmed. Why?”

Jungkook makes a sound with his tongue, “he almost persuaded me to propose to Taehyung. Why would he do that-” Hoseok gives a short laugh, “he wants to get you all in this trap. He wants Taehyung married to you too. So, if something happens to you two, they get the kingdoms and+

then Taehyung will be helpless against the group, but he will own the kingdom. It will be easy for them to get it. Otherwise, according to the law, if a ruler dies, the kingdom goes to someone in the family. The cousins or something. No?” They are all quiet after that.

Hoseok looks at Yoongi, “I just want you protected,” his voice comes out hoarse, “and, I know, right now you want to kill me, but, I will go against you if I have to. But, I need to know this too. I need to see this doubt through. I am sorry.” “Fine,” Yoongi nods, “okay, then.”

“Let's get this over with,” Yoongi nods, “once and for all. Let's get this doubt over with.” Taehyung gulps, “wh-what are you going to do?” Yoongi does not answer him, the king waves his hand, “get him here. Along with Jin. Now.” Namjoon bows before leaving the room.

Namjoon comes back running. He holds a piece of paper and his face has lost all of its colour. “H-he,” Namjoon pants, “he left!” he rushes inside to give Yoongi the paper, “along with Jin.” The silence is deafening. Taehyung grips the hand rest of the seat, eyes on the paper.

Yoongi reads the letter aloud, “When the war strikes, give in,” Yoongi's eyes harden, “I am taking Seokjin and your pup with me. If you dare to do otherwise, you will lose both of them. Also, Yoona. I am freeing her. We need her for the next step of our plan.”

Yoongi takes a look at the sign and the seal. He looks at Hoseok and Hoseok nods. “This is Eun's backup plan,” Hoseok hisses, “prince Jimin.” “I refuse to believe this,” Taehyung gets up, face blotchy with tears, “if anything, maybe my brother is abducted!”

“He had the best security,” Jungkook frowns, “there is no way he got caught and forcefully dragged away without us knowing. There is no way.” Taehyung looks at Yoongi, “hyung-” “Jungkook,” Yoongi crumbles the letter in his hand, “your palace. They will go there to meet Eun.”

Yoongi gets up, “we will find out. Let's go.” Taehyung rushes to grab Yoongi by his elbow, “hyung, Jiminie hyung would never do this! Think about your pup-” Yoongi's eyes are red, “if he is involved, he will pay, Taehyung. I do not care who he is carrying. I do not.”

Jungkook looks at Taehyung and comes to stand by his side, “I will try to soften the blow, but,” he looks at Yoongi's retreating back, “he is angry.” Taehyung shakes his head, “he will regret it. Just,” he takes Jungkook's hands in his, pleading, “please take care.”

“Namjoon,” Jungkook points a finger at him, “take care of Taehyung.” Namjoon bows, “I will. With my life.” Jungkook nods, looking back at Taehyung, “I will be back soon.” Taehyung nods, “yes,” his eyes are glossy as he reaches to pull Jungkook in for a kiss, “be safe.”

The horses are tearing through the darkness. The three of them do not stop. Hoseok watches Yoongi speed up more, Jungkook following right ahead of him. Hoseok feels the anxiety crippling up his spine. He is terrified for Seokjin. He hopes the omega is fine. Wherever he is.

They reach the Jeon kingdom in a day. Even without stopping, it takes them enough time to reach there so late. Jungkook dismounts the horse and Yoongi follows him inside. Hoseok following right behind. The guards bow while Jungkook storms inside the palace, not sure where to go.

A guard comes up to bow to Jungkook, “my highness, she awaits in the courtroom.” Jungkook shares a look with Yoongi and Hoseok before nodding. They walk up to the courtroom. Jungkook pushes the door open, eyes easily finding Eun. Sitting idly on the throne with a smile.

Hoseok lets out a cry, “Seokjin!” Yoongi and Jungkook watch Seokjin, lying on the floor, face down. Eun has her foot on his back. It looks like the omega passed out. On the throne's arm-rests, sit Yoona and Yushik. On both sides. “Welcome,” Eun smiles, “to the game of chess.”

“The kings are surrounded with the queens and knights,” Eun smiles, “it is going to be checkmate soon.” “Where is Jimin?” Yoongi growls, eyes hard, “where is he?” Eun laughs, “who do you think our master stroke, Yoongi?” Jimin rounds the throne, “hello, my lord.”

Yoongi stands there, eyes sharp, “what is going on here?” Eun pats the place beside her and Jimin goes to sit. Eun looks over at Jimin and takes his hand in hers. “First,” she looks at Jungkook, “I knew you will take Yoongi's side when it comes to life or death. I knew it.”

“So, I reached out to Jimin,” Eun rubs her hand on Jimin's, “who was still grieving at that time. We both had the same intention,” her eyes gleam, “your defeat, Yoongi. We wanted you gone. So, the long and crucial plan was born. To get you in the trap. Along with Jungkook.”

Eun clicks her tongue, “oh, since then, we are trying so hard for you to notice him, you know?” she wipes her forehead dramatically, laughing, “we had so many failed plans. I was worried that I scarred you enough for you to never sleep with another person again.” She pouts.

“Also, I had to literally struggle to get Jimin to sleep with you because, god, he hates you,” she laughs, Yoona joining in, “he made me promise he had to do it once.” Yoona hides a giggle, “he said it was the most torturous experience of his life.” Jungkook curses.

Eun gets up, steps over Seokjin, “by the way, there is no baby. If you did not get it yet.” Jungkook feels the hollow in his guts, his eyes snapping to Jimin and back to Yoongi who looks paler. “What do you mean?” Jungkook demands when Yoongi stays frozen. Jimin nods, “yes.”

Jimin relaxes on the throne, one leg crossed over the other, “there is no baby,” his eyes are on Yoongi, “you did not really think you are strong enough to do that in one try, did you?” Yushik giggles hardest, Yoona right behind. Eun gives a smirk. “I feel sorry for you two.”

“One got trapped here,” Eun gestures around her, arms outstretched, her eyes are vicious, “the other is about to lose his omega because,” she glares at Jungkook, “right about now, Min Kingdom is under attack. Seokjin's father is by the boarder. With his army.”

“What?!” Jungkook takes a step ahead, “what do you mean?!” Eun laughs, “let me explain. On this little game of ours? Seokjin's father and Taehyung's father are involved. Taehyung's father got the confirmation that you all are there, and then he met up with Seokjin's father.”

“When Seokjin's father got to know that Seokjin is not going to marry you, and he will eventually lose your support, the treaty you signed, it was easy to get him on our side. The deal is, Taehyung and Jimin's father will get this Jeon kingdom while Seokjn's father gets the Min.”

Yoona shrugs from her seat, “by the way, that old, wrinkly Kim will die with his youngest son, but he does not know that.” Eun nods, “I just need to marry Seokjin's father, Seung. I do not need Taehyung's father alive.” Jungkook looks at Jimin, “why did you agree to this?!”

Jimin gets up, shrugs, “because, simple. I want to see my father and your brother dead.” Hoseok swallows, “but, in the process, your brother-” Jimin makes a face, “in plans like these, some sacrifices are inevitable.” Hoseok laughs, delirious, “who are you?!”

“So,” Eun comes to stand in front of Yoongi, “how are you feeling?” her face shows the satisfaction she is feeling, “your kingdom is on fire. Under attack. Your precious Tae is dying in that fire. Your baby was never here. And, Jimin never cared for you. How are you feeling?”

Yoongi breathes in deeply, “he is my phoenix. He knows how to rise from ashes,” he takes a hold of Eun's elbow, “the baby was never a reality, then I lost nothing,” his sword comes up to press against Eun's throat, “I never cared for Jimin, why do you think his feelings matter?”

“Also, I might be losing everything, you are losing your life tonight, Eun,” Yoongi looks over her shoulder to see Jungkook marching towards the throne, “none of you are getting out of here alive.” Eun lets out a breath, her hands coming to rest on Yoongi's chest, “do it.”

Her eyes fill with tears that she holds back, “I knew I will die,” her lips curl, “I knew you will get me and this is like a suicide. But,” her eyes wander over Yoongi's face, “I made sure if I do not get you, no one else does. I destroyed you for this life, Min Yoongi.”

Eun grips Yoongi's shirt, “you are mine!” her voice echoes in the courtroom, “you were always mine! You were to be mine since we knew each other, and you dared to leave! I did everything to get you back! Fell in bed with your brother to make you jealous! Nothing worked!”

Yoona gets up from the seat, “Eun! What do you mean?!” her eyes are wide, “you said, we have a plan! You said you will get us out of here!” Yushik cries out when Jungkook grabs him by his neck, “you said, their force will come to get us out of here! Eun!” Eun does not answer.

Eun grasps Yoongi's face in both of her hands, “you are mine. You will always be mine! See what I can do,” she laughs, shrill and lost, “watch me burn your entire kingdom down, along with your brother's. See how no one is here who you can trust! No one is as fucked up as we are!”

Behind them, Jungkook has Yushik on the floor, unconscious from just one punch. Hoseok ties Yoona up. “You are mine,” Eun tugs Yoongi forward, capturing his lips in a kiss, “you are just mine!” Jungkook curses, “kill her! Just kill her, hyung!”

Yoongi takes a hold of her throat and shoves her up against a pillar. There is a small smirk on the corners of his lips. “I cannot kill her,” Yoongi shakes his head, “not when I want her to see her own downfall.” Jungkook comes to stand beside Yoongi, “she is obsessed and mad!”

“I know,” Yoongi hums, “she also has a plan. She thinks I am stupid. She is stalling us,” Yoongi chuckles, “waiting for that force Yoona talked about to reach us and take us out. No?” Jungkook hums, his worried expression turning into a playful one, “what she does not know is…”

“No one is coming,” Jungkook makes a sad sound in his throat, “there is no war. There is no attack. Nothing.” Eun laughs, “you two are so stupid! I have the letters! I have the updates of every hour-” Yoongi nods, “the letters, you say? None of your letters reached anyone.”

“Impossible!” Eun hisses, “I gave each one of those letters to Yushik, and he-” “He failed there,” Jungkook shakes his head, “Yushik is illiterate. He never noticed how the letters changed.” “Who would change the letters?!” Eun screams. “Me,” Jimin murmurs, “I did.”

“What?!” Yoona grabs Jimin's elbow, “you were on our side! You said-” Jimin glares, “I would never knowingly throw my brother in harm's way. I told the king about your plan as soon as you contacted me.” “So you were acting?!” Eun gapes, “even now?!” Jimin nods, “I had to.”

Jimin's hand comes up to cover his stomach, “I am with child. I could not let you all know it. I could not tell you about it. One mistake and I would lose the pup,” his eyes gloss over, “I was always with Yushik. I could not let him get a whiff. Even here, I had to be careful.”

Yoongi chuckles, “right now, Taehyung and Namjoon are travelling over to here. They are about to reach. You see,” his sword presses over Eun's throat, “it was not you, who was stalling us. It was us who were stalling you.” Eun looks pale, her lips quivering, “but...”

“I would know,” Eun murmurs, tears rolling out of her eyes, “I would know if he was with child. The scent-” Yoongi laughs, “hobi here knows medicines. Did you know his father was the most popular healer of my kingdom? Just as Yushik's mother made a potion for him to smell-”

“like me, Hoba made a potion that hides a pregnant omega's scent. Altogether.” The door of the courtroom opens, and they look over to see Taehyung and Namjoon. Both of them in black cloaks. Namjoon curses, “I had to take the jungle's route. It was horrible.” Taehyung snorts.

His eyes move to Yoona, “so, you are caught.” Jungkook rolls his eyes, “you are still on it?” Taehyung shrugs, coming up to Jungkook, “well, since I helped Jimin hyung to get her out of the prison and watched them leave, it was on me to see that she is caught.”

“Can I get up now?” Seokjin whines, “the floor is freezing and dirty. Also,” he sits up with Jimin's help, “that lunatic slapped me and made me drink something. Get her for that, Yoongi.” Hoseok kneels in front of Seokjin, worried, “do you recognize me? Hi.” Seokjin stares…

“Why would I not recognize you, Hoseok?” Seokjin frowns, “get out of my face!” Hosoek laughs, getting up to look at Jimin, “I am sorry.” Jimin frowns, “for what?” Hoseok pulls Jimin in a tight hug, “badmouthed you too much. I am so sorry.” Jimin smiles, “it was the plan.”

“What are we doing with them?” Namjoon comes up beside Yoongi and Jungkook. Yoongi shrugs, “this time, we are not wasting our supplies and ration on feeding them. This is the Jeon kingdom. So,” he looks at Jungkook. Jungkook smirks, “death. I choose death for the all of them.”

“Before that,” Taehyung reaches to grasp Jungkook and turn the alpha to face him, “I need to do this.” Jungkook frowns, “wha-” his eyes widen when Taehyung kisses him, right on the mouth. Jungkook drops the sword, holding the omega by his waist and pulling him closer.

“Ewww!” Seokjin winces, “was this necessary?!” Taehyung pulls back, smiling when Jungkook senselessly follows his lips. He looks over at Yoona. “He is my alpha,” Taehyung feels Jungkook's arms around him, “he loves me. I just want you to die knowing the truth.” Yoongi snorts.

“You are,” Jungkook nods, eyes never leaving Taehyung, he voices his thoughts in the middle of the courtroom for everyone to hear, “my love. Luna,” he presses a kiss on Taehyung's forehead, “my heart belongs to you.” Taehyung's throat bobs, “you said, you do not have a heart.”

Jungkook leans in, their foreheads touching, “is this going to be too sweet if I say that I had a heart, but it was always with you, so I never realized?” “I do not know about sweet but cringe, for sure,” Namjoon makes a face, “my god!” Jungkook shrugs, “you are just envious.”

Hoseok comes up to Yoongi, “let us handle them,” he takes the sword from Yoongi, “you do not have to.” Namjoon nods, going up to Yoona, “we will take care of them. You do not have to.” Yoongi curses, “call for the lady executioner,” he looks at Eun, “I will be present there.”

Jungkook nods too, all serious, “you do not want to do this by yourself?” Yoongi shakes his head, “no. No matter what she did, she is a lunatic, but I will still stand by my rules. Get the lady executioner. We both will be present, but we are not going to kill two women.”

- I will see you all tomorrow x - Here is my kofi, if you want to support me : https://ko-fi.com/aamyungv