Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/6889015.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      방탄소년단_|_Bangtan_Boys_|_BTS
  Relationship:
      Jeon_Jungkook/Kim_Seokjin_|_Jin, Jeon_Jungkook_&_Kim_Seokjin_|_Jin
  Character:
      Kim_Taehyung_|_V, Kim_Namjoon_|_Rap_Monster, Park_Jimin_(BTS), Min_Yoongi
      |_Suga, Jung_Hoseok_|_J-Hope, Kim_Seokjin_|_Jin, Jeon_Jungkook
  Additional Tags:
      because_i_love_a_cold_sassy_jungkook, then_cold_and_sassy_he_shall,
      medieval_times, Sadism, Masochism, Mentions_of_Pedophilia, Alternate
      Universe_-_Medieval, Alternate_History, Slow_Burn, Royalty
  Collections:
      JinKook
  Stats:
      Published: 2016-05-18 Updated: 2016-10-30 Chapters: 18/? Words: 92273
****** Heaven's Light ******
by pact
Summary
     Kim Seokjin has been raised and trained to serve whatever it is that
     pleases the clients of the establishment that took him in when nobody
     else would. But when he is brought up to the palace of The Majestic
     to be the pet of a prince who shows little concern to anyone who he
     deems inconvenient to him, Seokjin soon finds himself drowned in a
     series of manipulation, cruelty, sadism and the spoiled demeanor of a
     young man who holds the fate of his life between his fingers.
Notes
     Guess who has been inspired by the amazing writing of C.S. Pacat?
     Hint hint: It's me. :)
     I have this entire story mapped out from start to finish, but I don't
     know if this is going to earn much attention. So for now, I'll just
     write a chapter or two to see how it goes.
***** Runt of the Litter *****
The harsh treatment should not have come off as a surprise to Seokjin. It’s a
conduct he receives every single day after all. Nevertheless, he’s left
completely baffled and tensed when he suddenly finds himself being wrenched up
by the arm from his lumpy mattress and having his worn-out white shirt ripped
off of him. It takes a second or two for him to adjust his drowsy vision in the
darkness but thanks to the sunlight trickling through the curtains of the
window nearby, he catches sight of two armored guards standing before him, and
another one who had torn his shirt off mere seconds ago.
Some of his roommates have stirred on their own beds, watching the scene unfold
in front of them with inquisitive eyes. Normally, someone would have asked what
is going on but none of the occupants of the room dared to speak. Especially
Seokjin. He could only speak when prompted to—or at least that’s what he’s been
raised to do. The frigid air almost causes him to shiver but he manages to
swallow that down. The guard nearest to him grabs his jaw in a tight grip
before turning his head from left to right as though examining merchandise.
“Is he good?”
Seokjin identifies his handler, Yang Yoseob, stepping into the room and closing
the door behind him; drowning out the temporary noise and light that had
spilled out from the outside. Is he good? He doesn’t mean what he thinks he
means, does he? But before Seokjin could have a chance to further ponder on
that, the guard turns him around in a harsh manner and he fights back a yelp of
surprise as a natural impulse. Large rough hands start kneading his shoulders
and down to his lower back. He is then turned around to face the large man
again only to have his chest felt up, rough pads of thumbs brushing down
against his nipples.
“Name.” The guard grunts a demand, his head turned a bit to the side to imply
that he isn’t talking to him.
“Kim Seokjin.” Yoseob steps closer to them, his arms crossed over his chest.
Standing near the guards, he looks a lot shorter than he usually does. “Not our
best but he is consistently in his best behavior.”
This isn’t making any sense. Seokjin has always known that he will be sold off
to someone someday, but not this soon. And certainly not to a guard. A glint of
light catches his eye and he takes notice of the familiar red sigil marked on
the guard’s armor—the fangs of the drawn panther plunging him deeper into the
pit of uneasiness.
It’s the King’s sigil.
“Years.” The guard’s demand yanks him out of his thoughts.
“Just turned twenty-five last week. My own father trained him for seven years
until I took over. He’s been trained for a total of fifteen years. That should
assure you that he’s obedient enough.”
“Experience.”
“With men, you mean? Not counting my father, none.” Considering the lack of
light in the room, it’s almost a surprise for Seokjin to see the spark of
ambition that gleamed in his handler’s eyes for a second. “He has a pretty
face, but no man here wants to fuck someone who could snap them like a twig.
But that is what you are looking for, yes?”
Seokjin feels himself flush at the comment. It is true that he is of a rather
tremendous stature compared to his peers but that is due to the heavy chores
that have been bestowed upon him as a way to pay for his mother’s debt to
Yoseob’s father. The boys he’s been training with serve men with their elegant
lithe frames while he occasionally serves women, if they ever do step into the
tavern with genuine curiosity.  
The guard eventually lets go of him and casts a sidelong glance to his
comrades. Silence passes over the room, and as if coming to an agreement just
through their eyes, the guard tosses three small bags of coins to Yoseob who
catches them with ease. “Make him presentable before bringing him to the
palace, and His Majesty himself will see to it that you are paid in full.”
“His Majesty?” The words have slipped past Seokjin’s lips before he could stop
himself.
Everyone turns back to him, the guards appearing to be rather confused by his
audacity while Yoseob’s eyes are so wide, anyone would have thought he had just
witnessed a gruesome murder. Seokjin’s heart hammers within the confines of his
chest, only now realizing his mistake. Being bought is an honor for it means
you are worthy enough to leave a permanent interest in someone. And now that
honor could slip away through his fingers any minute and all because he
couldn’t keep his damn mouth shut. The same guard who had his hands around him
earlier grunts and eyes him from head to toe before turning his head a bit to
Yoseob’s direction, his eyes still lingering on Seokjin. “He’s blond. Why is
that?”
“O-Oh,” As though waking up from a shock, the short handler clears his throat.
“his mother is not from around here. She’s from the land of Callias, though
that could be easily seen just by looking at him. We don’t know why but she
came here one night while he was still an infant, pleading for help from my
father.”
“And where is his mother now?” One of the guards standing beside Yoseob asks.
Yoseob meets Seokjin’s eyes, his lips pursed in hesitance. “Dead.”
“Good.” The guard who is still eyeing Seokjin nods in content. “The less
attachment he has with other people, the better. Dress him, and His Majesty
will wait for him at the audience chamber.”
“Understood.” Yoseob bows his head politely as the guards finally file out of
the room. Once they’re gone, the handler lets out a heavy exhale as if he’s
been holding his breath ever since he had stepped inside. He then casts his
eyes on Seokjin with a hard look. “Get your act right, Seokjin. You nearly made
me lose gold.”
“Forgive me.” Seokjin naturally draws his gaze down to the floor.
“Whatever. Let’s just get you ready.” Yoseob looks back at the other occupants
who have not stepped off of their beds yet. “As for the rest of you, start
preparing the morning meal. I want to eat something after this.” He nods his
head to Seokjin with a commanding air and the blond instinctively follows him
out of the room, but not towards the door where the guards have stepped out
from. They tread straight for the stairs that lead to the underground floor
where the baths could be located.
“Is a highborn making purchase out of Seokjin?” It’s no surprise that Kim
Taehyung has the gall to follow them without being prompted to by Yoseob. He is
a favorite by the customers after all. He has that soft slender build and
the kind of pretty devious face that men in the area seem to be so fond of. He
pretty much keeps bread on their table.
“Not just any highborn.” Yoseob sounds pleased. “The King.”
Taehyung makes a low whistle. “Wow, Seokjinnie. Raised as the runt of the
litter, and now the pet of His Majesty. You’re basically living every pet’s
dream here.”
“Geez, thanks.”
Yoseob shoots Seokjin a warning look for his tone and Seokjin tears his eyes
away from him. “I mean, thanks.” He says again, making it sound as genuine as
he could. Taehyung could only snicker at that. If their handler isn’t around,
he would have whacked the kid at the back of his head.
“Taehyung, can you make sure the rest of your brothers are actually moving for
the morning meal? Take charge while I’m gone.”
“You can count on me.” Sounding proud as always, Taehyung climbs back up the
stairs just as the two have reached the baths. Seokjin then finds unfamiliar
bottles neatly placed on the small circular wooden table near the large steel
tub where pets do their personal washing. The glass bottles are of different
colors ranging from bright red to dark blue, their golden closures glinting
from the sunlight spilling through the high window.
“What are those?” Seokjin asks against his better judgment, yet again.
Yoseob sighs irritably at his carelessness. “You will be using those for the
fragrance of your body. The Majestic have provided these themselves. You are to
be His Majesty’s pet after all. You need to look, smell, and talklike one.”
Seokjin holds his breath at the thought. For once in his life, he will be
stepping into the territory of The Majestic—something he had never thought he
would ever be graced with.  He has never laid an eye on any of them for they
never go to taverns, only their guards do. But he has heard a great deal about
them and how bravely they have fought against the Androtis when their land was
threatened to be taken over.
And although the King’s life was the pay in exchange for the safety of their
land, his first born recently took over the throne and has been proving himself
to be as wise and noble as his father was.
“Make haste.” Yoseob gives him a clap on the back. “Then we’ll have you
painted.”
 
===============================================================================
 
Seokjin has never ridden a royal carriage before. He’s forbidden to peek
through the curtains, though he could tell judging by the noises outside that
the townsfolk are curious about the occupant of the ride. They would have
surely been disappointed if they find out it’s just but a mere pet. The
carriage had been waiting for him outside his home. Much to his relief, Yoseob
had joined him inside. He wouldn’t have known what to do and his handler has
dealt with the highborn before so of course, he’s much more educated in regards
to properly interacting with them. Seokjin casts his eyes down to his arms
where swirls of red paint marked his skin in delicately intricate designs. And
although they have already dried at this point, he could still feel them on his
face; along with the three small red jewels glued near the corners of both his
eyes.
He is the first one in their establishment to be purchased by a highborn so the
rest of the pets earlier couldn’t stop staring at him after the paint job.
Taehyung had told him to visit sometimes but they both know how unlikely that
would be. The King is known to be rather possessive of his pets after all. And
even though the honor is highly appreciated, a small part of Seokjin longs to
stay with his companions. He grew up with them, and the thought of possibly
never seeing them again plunges a cold weight into his stomach.
“What are you to do the second you present yourself to His Majesty?” Yoseob’s
voice slices smoothly through his thoughts like a quick split of a fruit.
“Drop to my knees, press my forehead against the floor…” Seokjin pauses, his
thoughts coming to naught.
His handler frowns. “And only to rise when His Majesty says so.”
“Oh, right.”
“This is going to be a mess.”
 
===============================================================================
 
“Yang Yoseob.” Yoseob speaks with his chin up, as though daring the guards to
deny him of the entrance he has been invited to earlier. The guards don’t seem
to be affected by his exaggerated hubris, or perhaps they have been trained not
to react to anything at all. They only give him curt nods before opening the
heavy double doors behind them—presenting the grand sight of the audience
chamber. In spite of its name, the place is stripped off of an audience. A long
pathway of a crimson-tinged carpet is displayed in front of them with the
throne located at the far end. Several steps of stairs will have to be taken in
order to fully reach the throne, though anyone could tell it has been built
that way to emphasize the King’s status that towers over everyone else’s.
As for the King, Seokjin finds him seated comfortably on his throne. Four men
are standing near him, two at each side and Seokjin could only assume that they
must be the King’s councilors.
The very second Yoseob strides down into the chamber, Seokjin is quick to
follow him while making sure they’re of the same pace. As they draw closer, he
feels a thick lump latch onto his throat. It isn’t obvious from afar but upon
finally getting a good look of the King, the blond realizes how strappingly
robust he is in stature. Undoubtedly brawnier than Seokjin. Just imagining
himself lying with him ties uncomfortable knots in his stomach.
He has an admirable face though, with a beard that appears to be meticulously
kept short and its lines shaped tight. It creates an attractive defined tracing
underneath his strong chin. The crown is placed with elegance over the clean
cut of his dark hair.
The King raises a brow at him and Seokjin stares back in awe.
“Seokjin.” Yoseob hisses at him.
And like an arrow gliding swiftly into his common sense, Seokjin flinches
involuntarily and drops down to his knees. His presses his forehead and his
hands against the carpet.
“Your Highness.” He hears his handler greet the King, surely bowing too but not
to Seokjin’s extent.
“Rise.” The King’s voice is deep and dominating.
Seokjin gathers back up to his feet and maintains his scrutiny on the floor, as
he has been trained to do.
“You must be Yang Yoseob, yes?” The King questions, his dark inquisitive brown
eyes probably trained on Yoseob.
Seokjin hears rather than see his handler nodding his head. “Yes, Your
Highness. I am here to present the pet that you have requested.” At the corner
of Seokjin’s sight, he could see Yoseob gesturing to him as though he is of
grand merchandise. Which he is not, because that position lies with Taehyung.
“Kim Seokjin, born in Callias—land of the beauty.”
“Land of the deceit, more like.” Seokjin hears one of the councilors comment in
a tone that lacks amusement.
“Hush now.” The King doesn’t sound displeased by the comment. “We have guests.
Look up, pet.”
With as much courage as he could harbor, Seokjin directs his eyes up to the
King. He almost winces at the intensity of His Majesty’s stare, making him feel
bare and vulnerable; and he’s only clad in slacks with his bare torso also
embellished with red paint in view for everyone to see so that is saying
something.
“You were born in a land where beauty is lavished upon with immense
appreciation. Why move here to Gennaios?”
“I-I—“ Words caught in his throat, Seokjin glances at Yoseob who only nods at
him in approval. He then looks back at the King. “All I know—Your Grace—is that
my mother was an exile from Callias. I never had the opportunity to unearth the
exact details of the occurrence.”
“And just for how long have you been trained to be a pet in Gennaios?”
“Fifteen years, Your Grace.”
“Interesting.” One of the councilors, who is of a plump stature with long dark
hair trailing over one shoulder, speaks up. “Then I assume he’s truly raised to
be a Gennaian, and not a Callian. He will have no trouble fitting in here.”
“Councilor Bomseok has a point. Callian pets are treated differently after
all.” Another councilor agrees with a nod of his head that seems a bit too big
for his lanky frame. “But since he grew up here, he can’t compare the treatment
he will be receiving to anything.”
The King appears to be pondering on this for a second or two before he
redirects his attention back on Yoseob. “How many Callian pets do you have at
hand?”
“Only one, Your Grace.” Yoseob answers immediately. “He is not greatly favored
by most customers of my particular market due to his sturdy caliber, but he is
still well-skilled. He has bedded women.”
“Women!” Councilor Bomseok roars out a laugh. “Women know how to please their
men just right! This is splendid, Your Majesty! Having women as his common
clients, this pet surely knows his way beneath the sheets if they taught him a
thing or two.”
Even though this isn’t the first time Seokjin has been spoken about in front of
him like this, that still doesn’t change the fact that he could feel his
stomach twisting in immense discomfort and his face warming up in humiliation.
Being talked about as though he is some product has never settled well for him.
But this is beyond his control, especially now with His Majesty gracefully
displayed before him. If Taehyung is the one standing in his place, he would
have surely been on the King’s lap by now—feeding him sweet whispers and
flatteries. But Seokjin doesn’t have his glamor or his charisma. He doesn’t
have that boyish deviant look. He has the personality of a stale bread. He only
has a handsome face and that’s about it.
A quirk of a smile pulls up one corner of the King’s mouth, a look of interest
sparkling within his dark eyes. “Councilor Daewon, please escort Yang Yoseob to
where he shall collect his promised gold.”
The councilor whose head is too big for his body nods and strides down the
stairs, gesturing Yoseob back to the double doors. Seokjin doesn’t turn to look
at them. He’s not permitted to. Instead, he keeps his eyes on the King who has
looked back at him at this point, his smile still intact.
“Do you believe you have what it takes to please your master?” He asks in a
tone that’s just dripping with sweetened fascination.
Seokjin bows down to one knee as a sign of submission and lowers his head. “I
am more than honored to be graced with the glory of pleasing His Majesty.”
Silence trails after his words and Seokjin finds that a bit unsettling. In
spite of not being prompted to, he looks back up at the King who is still
staring down at him in entertained absorption. For some reason, his councilors
appear to be a bit bewildered. Now this is certainly pushing Seokjin’s paranoia
over the edge of the plank. Has he said something he should not have? Not
having Yoseob by his side, he feels even more defenseless than he normally
does.
He hears the grand doors swing open again behind him and he turns around out of
impulse, getting back up to his feet against his better judgment. Striding into
the audience chamber with an air of genuine grace and self-reliance is a young
man clad in red highborn garbs from neck to toe. His soft youthful features
indicate the gracefully developed surface of a man entering his prime. He holds
the most enticing appeal Seokjin has ever laid his eyes on. In spite of his
dainty handsome aspect, a nerve can be seen working along the clean line of his
jaw as though miffed by something trivial. He doesn’t even spare a glance at
Seokjin in such a way that the blond is of little importance to him.
Instead, he keeps his dark doe eyes-- that seem to resemble the King’s-- up
ahead. And as he stands beside Seokjin, the blond realizes that the young man
is shorter than him by a few notable inches.
“You summoned me, brother?” The newcomer asks, his tone tight with restrained
impatience.
Brother?
Baffled, Seokjin shoots his attention back to the King who is smiling rather
smugly at the young man before meeting the blond’s eyes once again.
“Kim Seokjin, meet your new master.” He gestures to the other male. “My baby
brother, Prince Jungkook.” 
***** Cold Feet *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
“Master?” The tone that encloses around Jungkook’s voice is laced with so much
distaste, Seokjin couldn’t refrain himself from coming off as a bit humiliated.
He had been given the impression that he will be serving the King, and not his
younger brother who doesn’t exactly have the most loving reputation in
Gennaios. People have claimed that he is the type who overestimates his own
worth above everyone else’s, even his own brother. He’s had people flogged just
for merely glancing at his direction without his consent. And so when his eyes
meet Seokjin’s, Seokjin promptly pulls his stare away from him. He could hope
as much as he wants but he knows for a fact that he has been caught staring.
But it seems Jungkook has other priorities in mind for he takes a step closer
to the throne without paying the blond much heed for his unsought audacity.
“Did you honestly have me brought here just so I could have the misfortune of
witnessing your flimsy sense of humor?” The young Prince demands. Seokjin
doesn’t have to look up to know that Jungkook has once again glanced at his
direction, disgust seeping through the ambiance he carries. “Go home, pet.
You’re not wanted here.”
“He will do no such thing.” The King intervenes. “Look up.” Now knowing that
the order is directed to him, Seokjin lifts his eyes to His Majesty to catch
sight of a deep frown etched on his lips. “Jungkook, you do not turn presents
down. Especially when they are given by the blood of your blood.”
“Blood of my blood.” Jungkook repeats. “So I suppose I should have burst in
tears of joy when our sister had given me the carcass of a rabbit on my
birthday?”
The King doesn’t seem to be taking delight in his brother’s derision. In fact,
nobody in the room appears to be pleased with the Prince’s attitude. The
councilors have their own deep frowns stitched to their features though they
dare not to speak, evidently respecting this as a quarrel between brothers.
“That was Hyosung’s first hunt, so of course you should have shown gratitude.”
The King tilts his chin up to a meager degree as though reminding Jungkook who
he is now speaking to—his King, and not just his brother. “I don’t see why you
are reacting in such a manner, Jungkook. I have given you pets before.”
“Yes, and you had them all sold off in exchange for…” Jungkook looks back at
Seokjin, all traces of repulsion on his pleasant face still unscathed. It’s
such a waste, Seokjin thinks, for the gods to lavish such beauty on an
unpleasant character.
“You have confirmed it yourself last night that you have never so much as
touched a strand of their hair.” One of the councilors—who seems to be the
youngest of them all— finally decides to speak up, looking a bit bored and
tired of watching the exchange. “It is a waste of their talents, Prince
Jungkook. We deem it as for the best of their worth to be sent off to someone
who would truly appreciate the ace of their abilities.”
“Women can be used for other things, Councilor Namjoon.” Jungkook speaks as
though Councilor Namjoon had said something that bears no sense. If it isn’t
for his looks that would stand out in the thickest throng of the most alluring
individuals, you wouldn’t have believed that Jungkook is a prince given how the
King and the councilors are looking down at him from where they are situated.
But the distance between them doesn’t appear to matter to Jungkook for he still
maintains his dignified stance.
“Well, you’re using them wrong.” Another councilor speaks up and for some
reason, he looks a bit more indignant than the rest. “Show some respect for
your brother. He had his men search high and low for a quality such as this new
pet of yours.”
“And what quality is that, Councilor Jonghyuk?” Jungkook drawls as he languidly
crosses his arms over his chest.
“The finest one.” The King answers for him, his eyes calculating.
Strained silence stretches out between the two brothers. It feels a bit ill-
fitting for Seokjin to be the matter of their argument. He’s just a pet, after
all. If Jungkook isn’t pleased by the way he looks, the King could very well
request for another one without trouble. But it seems His Majesty is
determinedly set with his selection. Judging from their prior exchange,
Jungkook has never been given a male pet before until now. And taking the fact
that he has never touched any of his female pets into account, it would make
sense why His Majesty thought Jungkook would appreciate a male one.
Apparently, he has misread that.
“He’s from Callias.” Jungkook’s tone of revolt slashes through the thick air of
stillness.
And just like that, something switches in the King’s eyes. His frame is all
stiff and tensed as he bears down a hard look on his younger brother, his frown
gradually transitioning to a challenged scowl. For a second, Seokjin thought
His Majesty will blow a gasket but then the words that have slipped past his
lips have come off as alarmingly calm. “Do not forget, dear brother, that if it
weren’t for the help of the Callians, the people of Androtis would have you in
shackles by now.”
“And taking turns over your body.” Councilor Bomseok adds, entertained.
Seokjin finds himself holding his breath at the subject. He never thought
anyone would be gallant enough to speak of the Prince that way. Either
Councilor Bomseok has no respect for anyone at all, or that he just really
despises Jungkook. The King sends him a warning look though and Councilor
Bomseok bows his head in atonement without the bother of uttering another word.
Seokjin dares himself to cast his gaze on the Prince and much to his surprise,
Jungkook appears to be impassive by the pudgy man’s words. It imparts the
disturbing impression that he has heard far worse.
Jungkook meets his eyes again and in spite of the fear running down Seokjin’s
spine, the blond couldn’t help but be seized by the cold intensity of the
Prince’s scrutiny.
“If he’s mine,” Jungkook finally says as his stare lingers on his new pet.
“then I can do whatever I want with him, yes?”
Seokjin’s heart knocks hard against the inside of his chest.
As though coming to find peace at the cooperation of the Prince, the King nods.
“Whatever you want.”
 
===============================================================================
 
Seokjin tilts his head up as the guard wraps a golden collar around his neck.
It is customary for the pets of the highborn to sport an accessory so as to
show their pride of being worthy enough to earn the interest of someone that
holds a profound status. But being the pet of the Prince of Gennaios, Seokjin
could only endure a touch of apprehension and fright. While Jungkook may hold
the prominence of someone who has not lain a hand on his pets, Seokjin has a
hunch he will be an exception to that. The way the dark-haired prince had
looked at him with so much distaste earlier is clear evidence of that.
As though noticing his tensed build, the guard looks at him after securing the
collar. “There’s no need for cold feet. The Prince doesn’t hurt his pets, let
alone touch them. He doesn’t even let them into his bedchamber.”
Seokjin swallows. “He doesn’t like me.”
“He doesn’t like anyone.” The guard releases a breath of amusement as he takes
a step back. “That’s the reason why most of the people who have seen him wants
to bed him. He’s a challenge. You’re lucky that you’re in his hands instead of
Councilor Bomseok’s. Now that guy likes to share his property.”
Seokjin eyes him for a second or two, weighing in on his decision of speaking
out his mind. The man may only be a guard of the palace, but that still doesn’t
mean he’s beneath him. “You awfully like to gossip for a guard.” He goes
against his better judgment for the nth time of the day.
The guard looks taken aback by his words but instead of being offended, his
amusement brightens his features even further—his eyes turning into tiny
crescents as he smiles. “That’s the best I could offer to the Prince’s pets.
They don’t do much around here after all and I figured the same thing will fall
on you.” He then turns his back on him, striding over to the door. But before
he makes his leave, he looks back at him over his shoulder. “You’re going to
need a friend here so… my name is Jimin. Word of advice though, don’t test the
Prince’s patience.”
And without the bother of waiting for Seokjin’s response, he takes his leave.
Seokjin now stands alone in his new bedchamber. As expected, it is larger and
far more extravagant than the cramped space he used to live in with his
brothers. Sweet perfume of lavender adorns the air and the king-sized bed is
gilded with comfortable-looking cushions and bedsheets of red silk. Just as
Yoseob had promised him and his brothers, if they were ever bought by a
Gennaian highborn, they will surely be graced with riches and affection. Of
course they will have to walk out in public while sporting their collars as if
they’re nothing but mere canines but they should expect nothing but the best
from their masters and their masters’ staff.
However, Seokjin has been instructed to never step out the room unless he is
summoned by his master and being in captivity is not something that his handler
had promised him. 
Jungkook was the first one to walk out of the audience chamber earlier after
confirming how much authority he has over him. The King had no other orders for
Seokjin other than to ‘look after’ his brother before the guards took the blond
to his new room. He doesn’t have to check to know that the same guards are
right outside his door to detain security of his confinement.
Seokjin walks over to the full-body mirror that is displayed right beside a
white closet.
His skin is still marked with the complexed swirls of crimson paint and he
wonders if it’s all right to wash them off. The attempt to make him look
presentable to his master had delivered no success after all. His room is
connected to his own bathroom, but then the idea of the Prince walking in and
not finding him anywhere constricts his throat. He couldn’t risk any chances of
provoking him further.
He opts for the bed instead.
Even though he hasn’t done much, just standing in the audience chamber is
enough to completely drain his energy. The tension, the fear… it was all too
much for him to handle in one day. It felt like he was ten again on his first
day of training with Yoseob’s father. Seokjin pushes that memory back into the
depths of his mind and closes his eyes, the soft cushions underneath gracing
him the comforts that his old bed had never granted him before.
And before he knew it, he succumbs to slumber.
 
===============================================================================
 
Either paranoia is still running in his veins or he is still trying to get
accustomed to being awakened out of nowhere, Seokjin jolts out of his slumber
when he suddenly feels a grip on his arm. He looks off to the side to see Jimin
looking down at him with a touch of uneasiness. His bedchamber has been dimly
lit by a few candles, the lack of glow from the windows outside exhibiting the
fact that daylight has finally drawn out to nightfall. Had he been really
asleep for that long? He’s surprised that he didn’t even notice someone
stepping into his room earlier to light the candles.
“What’s going on?” He asks the guard, even though he knows that he’s in no
place to ask questions.
“The Prince wants to see you.”
Seokjin sits upright against the cushions. “Wants to see me?” He could feel
something cold and heavy coiling in his stomach. “But… I thought he doesn’t let
pets in his bedchamber?”
“He doesn’t.” Jimin confirms with a curt nod. “He’s at the audience chamber.
Now hurry, get up. You don’t want to keep him waiting.”
Seokjin hastily mops his face with his hand as he scurries up from his bed,
realizing that he’s still only clad in slacks and the evening breeze isn’t
doing him justice in regards to providing him the comforts of warmth. Whether
or not Jimin had taken notice of his shiver, he doesn’t show it. Instead, he
seizes the blond’s arm in his hand like any guard would do and escorts him out
of the room. As soon as the door swings open, Seokjin is welcomed by the sight
of four more guards standing in front of his bedchamber.
Four guards?
Why in the world would Jungkook think he needs four guards just to make sure
his pet actually stays put?
Jimin releases his hold of his arm and gestures to the pathway of the corridor.
Seokjin doesn’t have to be told twice and follows him, their steps falling in
silent sync.
“Do you have any idea what he wants to see me for?” Seokjin asks, keeping his
eyes down to the floor just in case they come across a highborn. He’s not
permitted to look at them unless they tell him to.
“You sure like to take liberties.” Jimin comments about his nerve to speak even
when not provoked. He doesn’t sound miffed about it though, thankfully. “But I
honestly don’t know. The King held a grand banquet earlier though so the young
Prince may or may not have had too much to drink.”
That doesn’t sit well with Seokjin. “And… what is he like when inebriated?”
Jimin hesitates. “Impulsive.”
Just like earlier, the audience chamber is stripped off of an audience but
judging by the traces of perfume that are still furnishing the air, Seokjin
could tell an event had taken place here while he was locked up in his
bedchamber. He finds the Prince standing by the throne, the young man’s eyes
following his own fingers that are gently running down the armrest of the seat.
When he sees them though, he draws his hand away and beckons them in. Jimin
nudges Seokjin to approach him and with an abundant of razzled nerves, Seokjin
carefully strides down the crimson carpet while Jungkook climbs down the stairs
with apathetic steps.
The cold look that had once graced the Prince’s eyes has now taken a lazy
aspect. He still holds himself with a brush of self-importance, but the
intoxication is there. He licks his lips as his eyes rake Seokjin’s entire form
from head to toe before a breath of incredulous hilarity pushes past his lips
as though he’s bearing witness of a joke that is short of finesse. It’s almost
frustrating to Seokjin that he couldn’t figure out the gears shifting behind
those stunning doe eyes. Jungkook doesn’t say anything but takes languid steps
around the blond, his arms crossed over his chest. And once he’s standing in
front of him again, his signature passive frown adorns his lips.
“Aren’t pets supposed to get on their knees when approached by their master?”
He asks in a voice similar to the sharpest blade of a knight’s saber.
Seokjin’s pulse leaps and before he could do what he had been trained to do for
fifteen years, Jungkook holds up his hand to place a pause on his intention.
“Don’t bother. You’ve already disappointed me.”
The blond swallows a lump that burns its way down his chest.
Ominous silence hangs between them as Seokjin tries his very best to keep
still, his arms at his sides. Jungkook is still watching him, calculating him
perhaps. But at long last, he finally speaks up. “Tell me what I should do with
you.”
The command has Seokjin stuck on the spot. It is never the pet’s duty to make
suggestions to their master and for some reason, he has a feeling that Jungkook
is well-aware of that. He swallows again. “My Prince…” He trails his eyes down
to Jungkook’s untarnished leather boots. “…as your pet, I am to do whatever it
is you would wish for me to do.”
“Really now?” Jungkook maintains his detached tone. “So if I tell you to open
your legs for every Prince’s Guard in the palace, you would do it?”
Seokjin shoots his stare up at him in shock, his lips parting and closing for
an attempt of a response.
Jungkook doesn’t react. “You are a pet, are you not? I’m sure this wouldn’t be
your first time being fucked dry by a guard of the palace. That is what you’re
good at after all.”
“I-I…”
“Or do you want my brother to join in? If he’s taken so much interest in you,
then I’m sure he’d be thrilled with the idea.”
Impulsive. Jimin had told him that the Prince would be impulsive. Seokjin knows
that Jungkook isn’t just tossing his words here and there. If he wants every
guard to bed his pet, then it will be done with just a flick of his wrist. And
seeing him inebriated, the chances of that happening are tremendously high.
This isn’t the kind of life a pet of a highborn should be having. In Gennaios,
they are to be treated with as much favor as their master.
But apparently, Jungkook sees him as someone with a status that is beneath a
pet’s.
“Would you like that?” The Prince asks in a sickeningly sweet tone.
Seokjin tears his eyes away from him, his burning cheeks hot as steam. “No…” He
pauses, then adds as an afterthought. “My Prince.”
“You’re from Callias.” Jungkook points out. “And everyone knows that Callians
will take any opportunity that would require them to open their legs. Your own
dead mother did that and it ended up with her having to put up with the likes
of you.”
Seokjin is starting to get the hang of going against his better judgment for he
looks up at the Prince again-- with resentment streaking his face this time.
Physique-wise, he knows that he could easily overpower Jungkook. But with a
guard in the chamber and a few more outside, he restrains himself. He doesn’t
involve himself in brawls and he doesn’t plan on starting.
Like always, Jungkook is impassive.
“You may have charmed my brother, but it’s not going to work on me.” He says, a
trace of distaste lingering in his voice. “I have seen the way you looked at me
earlier. I’m certain that you have heard that I don’t lie with pets and I have
no intention of changing that with you—a Callian.”
“You don’t lie with anyone.” Seokjin suddenly finds himself speaking up before
he could think twice.
Something flicks in Jungkook’s expression but it departs just as quickly as it
had emerged. “You lend an ear to gossip.”
“What else am I to do in my imprisonment?”
Silence draws out after his words as the two lock hard gazes.
“To whom did my brother send my pets to?” Jungkook asks, his voice tight with
suspicion.
“I don’t know.”
“I don’t take dishonesty lightly.”
“I really don’t know.”
Jungkook looks calculating again. “We both know that you will be of no use to
me. I could either have my guards enjoy you for a night and have you tossed
out, or give you a clean death. Tell me what I should do with you.”
They’re back to square one and honestly, Seokjin is starting to get a bit tired
of this exchange. “As your pet, we should be on your mattress by now.”
“I don’t lie with pets.”
“Is it because you can’t get it up?”
The hit was vehement and abrupt. It sends Seokjin stumbling back a few steps,
his head turned to the side from the solid impact. He feels his cheek burning
from where he has been struck by the back of the Prince’s hand and he sees
Jimin staring at him with a look of shock as though this is the first time he
had seen his prince hit anyone.
Seokjin has never been struck before.
He had been shoved, yanked and whacked on the back of his head for his
disobedience but he had never been hit at all. Not by his brothers, his handler
nor his clients.
His fingers reach up to touch the burning side of his face as he fronts onto
the Prince again, keeping his eyes glued to the floor. “M-My apologies…” He
forces the words out, his chest painfully tight. “I have spoken out of ill-
humor.”
He couldn’t see the look on Jungkook’s face but he doubts he’d be able to see a
trace of regret on him.
“Get him out of my sight.” Jungkook orders his guard, his voice cold and
detached. “I’ll deal with him tomorrow.”
Chapter End Notes
     I honestly did not expect for this story to garner attention but wow,
     thank you so much for the kudos and comments! They're certainly my
     motivation to write more!
***** Pompous Bitch *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
The crack of dawn has pulled in sooner than Seokjin prefers. Two servants have
woken him up-- much to his discontent—and urged him to bathe, informing him how
pets who are under the royal care wake up around this hour as it is the custom.
Seokjin knows better than to protest. After last night’s incident, he doubts
that going against The Majestic’s matter of courses would be the right path to
take. He could still feel the light sting from where he had been struck, though
he has a hunch it has something more to do with the shock of the circumstances
that took place in the audience chamber rather than the pain itself.
A pair of dark red slacks with a golden drawstring has been provided for him to
change in, but no shirt could be seen. It makes sense. Pets need to present as
much skin as they could to gloat their beauty and grant their masters pride for
being theirs. In Seokjin’s case though, it seems he could only grant his master
a headache. As much as he doesn’t want to, he knows that he will have to atone
again for running his mouth so negligently last night. This will certainly not
end well for him but he will have to do what the farthest point of his status
could give him.
When he finally steps out of his bath, he’s taken aback by the sight of Jimin
interacting with a stranger near the door. They finally take notice of his
presence but neither of them say anything at first. The stranger’s height
matches the guard’s and as he makes his way towards the blond, Seokjin picks up
on how he carries the very same cold look that the Prince has—although it’s
faint to a degree. Seokjin towers over him the second he reaches him.
The stranger inspects his face with his slanted eyes, his lips pursed at one
corner.
“He looks fine to me.” He finally speaks up with a voice that appears to have a
natural indifferent timbre to it.
“Are you sure?” Jimin joins them. “He was hit pretty bad.”
The stranger sighs and turns to look at him as if the matter of their
discussion isn’t standing right in front of them. “Were you even there to begin
with? Or were you just giving heed to the grapevine like you always do?”
“I was there!” Jimin comes off a bit too defensive.
But the stranger seems to be having none of it and turns around to face Seokjin
again. Seokjin keeps his lips pressed together and casts his eyes down at him.
Seeing how the stranger isn’t sporting any jewelry like most of the highborn
do, the blond knows that there is no need for him to avert his gaze away from
him. The possibility of the two of them bearing equal status is seemingly
favorable.
“Did the Prince really hit you, pet?” He asks, yet the tone of disinterest
completely contradicts his inquiry.
Seokjin stares at him for a second, his thoughts scattering within the hinders
of his mind. It’s difficult to determine if the stranger is challenging him to
speak out the truth or devotedly stick to his master’s side like how most loyal
pets are expected to do. Nobody has the right to know what goes on between the
affairs of a master and a pet and pets are prohibited from speaking ill of
their masters no matter the circumstances. Especially if they are a possession
of a highborn. That could either lead to public flogging or a deliberate death
and looking upon the catastrophe of a first day he had in the palace, Seokjin
knows Jungkook will opt for the latter.
The blond swallows down hard on whatever it is that crawled up his throat and
shakes his head. “No, he did not.”
The stranger’s frown deepens at this, apparently unconvinced. “Are you for
certain?”
“If I was hit by the Prince, I would know.”
 “But—“ Jimin starts but the stranger fronts onto him again.
“I shouldn’t even be here, Jimin. You honestly need to stop wasting my time.”
“But Yoongi, I swear—“
The stranger brushes past him without another word, taking his leave. Jimin
watches his receding back with wide eyes before turning around to face Seokjin
again. “Why in the world would you lie about that? He’s just the royal
physician! Whatever it is you tell him, it’s not going to depart from this
room!” But as though not taking offense from the fact that Seokjin had made him
come out as a liar, the guard draws in closer to him to inspect his face the
way Yoongi had done. “Are you okay though? That was quite a strike. I didn’t
even know the Prince had it in him.”
Flustered by the unfamiliar close proximity, Seokjin takes a step back and
clears his throat. “I’m fine.”
Jimin sighs. “I told you not to test his patience.”
“He must have had a rough night.”
“Or he needs one, more like.”
Seokjin chews on his lip and for a moment, there’s only the sound of silence.
The concern Jimin is laying out on him feels all too bizarre for him. The last
time someone had doted on him was years ago and although it’s evident that
Taehyung also sustains concern for his well-being, he conveys it in the most
outlandish ways from offering to suck him off to telling him not to get into
nasty brawls unless he bears no empathy for the person who has to clean up all
the blood.
“You look better without all the paint.” Jimin doesn’t seem to be bothered by
the silence between them, his grin scattering light into his eyes.
“Thank you.” Seokjin returns his smile with a faint one, but then an unsettling
thought occurs to him and his smile falls in bemusement. “Is it true that the
Prince has never lain with anyone?” He has been told before that people who
love gossip aren’t exactly the most decisive sources of accurate information
but at the moment, Seokjin couldn’t find it in himself to trust anyone here.
“For someone who has an abundant amount of suitors, you would have thought he
has someexperience. But I trust that he really has not bed anyone, nor has he
let anyone bed him.” Jimin gives a nonchalant shrug. “He doesn’t step out of
the palace and when he does, he normally goes to the library.”
“The library?” With a face that carries so much dashing elegance and fortitude,
Seokjin is surprised that he had never seen Jungkook in the library. He had
days where he had to work there by dusting and arranging books just for the
sake of earning more silver since he wasn’t deriving much in a financial sense
from Yoseob’s business. “I don’t think I have ever seen him step in there.”
“Not exactly very logical for a prince to step out of the palace just to go to
some library run by peasants, don’t you think? He cloaks himself.”
Just picturing Jungkook going through all that trouble just to borrow a few
books almost pushes Seokjin’s lips to crack a smile—until he remembers that
looming cold stare that could bring even the most audacious of knights to their
knees. It’s almost impossible to envision what kind of books the young Prince
even indulges himself in. In fact, the thought of him having any interests at
all comes out a bit too baffling. Nobody could ever see through those dark
frosty eyes of his.
But it does make sense why Jungkook would rely on cloaking himself when
stepping out of the palace. He’s not exactly adored by his people, especially
after those rumors about his haughtiness and lack of mercy branched off to
every townsfolk. Seokjin had heard about him before but had never paid heed to
all the stories for he lacks the interest for gossip. But at least now he has
been graced with the legitimacy that stands by one unequivocal rumor:
The Prince has the physical allure that the gods would proudly claim their
masterpiece.
A waste of beauty.
“I’ll leave you to your space then.” Jimin’s voice slices through his thoughts.
“I’m not supposed to be here after all.”
“W-Wait—“ Seokjin reaches out but manages to stop himself before his fingers
could even brush the guard’s arm. “—um, can I not survey the palace?”
A dim look of pity adorns Jimin’s face. “Prince Jungkook normally lets his pets
roam around but he particularly wants you confined in here. I’m not allowed to
ask questions, I just follow orders.”
Seokjin frowns at this. “Is it because I’m Callian?”
“Who knows?”
“Where’s the Prince now?”
“In his bedchamber.” Jimin shrugs and decides that is to be the dismissal of
their conversation as he turns around to take his leave. Seokjin purses his
lips in trifling annoyance but does nothing. Noises outside catch his ears and
he walks over to the barred windows to be apprised by the sight of merchants
stepping through the palace gates with their carts that carry goods. He recalls
having to do that a lot as a child, joining Taehyung and Yoseob’s father as
they transferred the cabbages they used to sell to the palace.
He and Taehyung—who were both small enough to fit inside the cart along with
the cabbages— would try to knock each other off and then Yoseob’s father would
tell them to knock it off. A faint smile graces Seokjin’s lips at the memory.
Never had he imagined himself to be living this kind of life, residing in the
royal palace and serving the Prince as a personal pet. No, this is the life
that Taehyunglongs for, not him. Everyone back home has been so certain that it
will be Taehyung who will catch the interest of a highborn—he has the looks,
the charm and the ambition for it. And yet, he’s still out there while Seokjin
is in here. Miserable.
A knock erupts on the door and he turns around just in time to find one of the
servants stepping in with a tray of food in her hands. She doesn’t grant him a
glance and simply places it on his bed before taking her leave hastily.
Well that was friendly.
===============================================================================
“Pick up the pace, pet.” A guard shoves Seokjin by the shoulder, causing the
blond to nearly fail his step. He shoots the man a frown over his shoulder and
yet this only earns him a scowl from the other, but before the notably larger
male could shove him again, Jimin catches his arm and shakes his head with a
frown.
“We’re not allowed to touch the Prince’s pets unless he says so.” He reminds
him, his tone uncharacteristically stern.
The older guard wrenches his arm away. “Piss off. The Prince said we’ll have
him soon enough anyway. I’m sure that pompous bitch wouldn’t mind if I push his
pet around.”
“W-What?” Seokjin skids his steps to an abrupt halt, his instincts compelling
him to turn and face the two. “What do you mean by that?”
“Get moving!” The unnamed guard snarls and gives him another sharp shove.
Seokjin staggers and refrains his steps, although very slow this time—his heart
hammering in his chest. Had he heard that man wrong? Or is Jungkook really
sticking to his word about letting his guards have his way with him? Seokjin
knows that he is entitled to some kind of penalty but honestly, are his words
really worth the ordeal?
Hoping for some kind of encouragement or at least a voice of reassurance that
the guard was just tossing words around, he sparsely looks back over his
shoulder at Jimin but the younger guard wouldn’t even meet his eyes, his cheeks
delicately flushed.
Oh no.
They reach the dining hall where the highborn and their pets are already
seated, grand delicacies displayed with refinement on the long stretch of the
table. The curtains of the tall windows have been pushed aside to expose the
moon, high and full in a sky of endless luminous ink. Jungkook had not invited
Seokjin to their evening meal last night, and Seokjin didn’t think that tonight
would be any different but he has been proven wrong. It’s simple to
differentiate the pets from the highborn. The highborn are all draped in their
magnificent crimson royal garbs that don’t unveil even a single play of skin
aside from their hands. Their pets, on the other hand, have their bare torsos
in view—men and women. All of the pets are painted in the same design that
Seokjin was painted yesterday, with one ear enriched by a single dangling ruby
earring. The mere sight of them makes the blond feel a bit too bashful.
He had not been painted nor was he given a ruby earring. Jungkook had told his
servants not to enhance his looks with anything and to just bring him to supper
as the way he is. It’s clear evidence that the Prince sees him as something
beneath a pet. Some other pets glance at his direction, a combination of
smugness and confusion embellishing their features.
Seokjin catches sight of the King seated at the far end of the table with a
female pet beside him who’s eating and murmuring inside jokes to him to which
he chuckles in return. All highborn possess a number of pets, but could only
bring one with them to supper. So being invited to an event such as this one
would have been an honor, if you have other pets to compete with. But Seokjin
is Jungkook’s only pet so this is awkwardly meaningless.
Speaking of the devil, he finds the Prince seated far away from his brother
with his hand encircled around a goblet and his head turned slightly to the
side in pleasant discussion with a man beside him. When their eyes meet,
Jungkook fleetingly excuses himself from the conversation and raises his hand
to beckon the blond in before averting his attention back to his companion as
though summoning Seokjin is but a frivolous obligation. One of the guards
nudges Seokjin forward and judging by how carefully executed the movement is,
he could tell that it was Jimin.
He draws a deep intake of breath and proceeds towards the vacant seat beside
his master, willing himself not to return the stares some of the people are
giving him.
“Oh, new pet?” Jungkook’s companion asks in amiable surprise the second Seokjin
has reached his assigned seat. “I’ve been told your brother had gifted you a
foreigner.”
“You’ve been told the truth, yes.” Jungkook’s charmed tone sounds so earnest,
it almost made Seokjin believe that last night’s occurrence had been nothing
but a figment of his imagination.  “Kim Seokjin of Callias, though I’m certain
his hair has already given his birthplace away.”
A servant makes her way to serve Seokjin a plate of roast beef but the blond is
far too invested in the other two’s conversation to even notice it. The man—who
appears to be in his late 40’s—casts a fleeting glance at him then redirects
his eyes back to the Prince. “What is he like then? It’s not everyday the
Callians would give their pets away so easily.”
Jungkook pauses at that and draws his attention on Seokjin. Seokjin flinches
involuntarily at the sudden scrutiny and averts his focus on his warm meal
instead, even accidentally picking up his spoon instead of his fork. Recalling
what the guard had said earlier, he knows that he will have to stick to
Jungkook’s good side if he wants him to change his mind about giving him away
to the Prince’s Guard. He hears Jungkook make a sound beneath his breath but
then he looks back at his companion.
“He’s all right. He has a fairly colorful character.”
The man chuckles. “Expect nothing but the most unique from Callias, that’s what
I always say.”
Seokjin could hear the tainted smile in Jungkook’s words. “Callians do have a
way of leaving quite an impression.”
It sounds like he’s saying more than he lets on but that goes flying over the
old man’s head. “Why, I remember the first time I fucked a Callian woman—“
Seokjin tunes the conversation out, not particularly keen on learning about
what the man does in his sheets. Jungkook’s doing a remarkable job appearing to
be attentive though. As he eats his meal, he could still feel the stares from
the people around him. Most of them are pets, obviously inquisitive as to why
he has not been primped for the occasion. It still doesn’t make sense why
Jungkook has brought him here when he could very well have his meal sent to his
room instead just to ensure that he’s really locked up tight until he’s on the
brink of his sanity.
He turns his head to his other side to find a female pet sitting beside him who
doesn’t even bother to look away when he had caught her staring. She has a
plump frame with enchanting dark eyes that stand out from all the red paint
stained on her profoundly tanned skin. There is something emanating from within
her that depicts her irresistable, especially when her lips curl up to a sweet
smile as though she knows every filthy secret the occupants of the room shelter
and has decided to use them in the near future for personal gain.
“You’re the Prince’s Callian pet, yes?” She asks, her voice like poisoned
honey.
Seokjin nods a bit hesitantly.
“Then why are you still alive?”
The blond freezes at the question, his eyes wide with shock. She had asked that
as if it’s such a general thing to be inquisitive about. Is that the reason why
some people are staring at him—not due to the lack of flounce on his image but
due to the fact that he’s still breathing?
“I-I—“
“The Prince hates Callians. When we heard his brother had gifted him a Callian
pet, we were certain he will have your head sliced off on your first day.” The
girl places her fork down with heedful elegance. “You must be one hell of a
good fuck if you had him convinced to keep you alive.”
“We didn’t—“ Seokjin stops himself, pondering on whether or not it’s okay to
disclose the fact that Jungkook wouldn’t even let him in his bedchamber, let
alone bed him.
“Oh?” The girl is clever, immediately catching on. “He stillrefuses to sleep
with his pets? I’m surprised. With a hunk like you, anyone would be willing to
have a taste.”
Seokjin feels heat rushing up his cheeks at the girl’s strange way of
flattering him and opts for a change of subject. “Who’s your master?”
“The King.” The girl says it all so casually while bringing her own goblet up
to her lips for a drink.
“The King?” Seokjin glances back to the King who’s too occupied speaking with
another highborn while his fingers mindlessly play with his pet’s long dark
curls. Seokjin shifts his eyes back to the girl who doesn’t appear to be
impressed by his state of surprise. “If you’re the King’s pet, then who is that
woman over there? I thought the highborn are only allowed to bring one pet to
the evening meal?”
A breath of amusement slips past the girl’s lips. “Don’t be so naïve,
sweetheart. He’s the King. He can do whatever he wants.”
“Oh.” That makes sense. Now he feels like an idiot.
“You are quite lucky though.” The girl sighs almost a bit whimsically. “Anyone
would give their left nut, or teat, to be a pet of the Prince. Even if they
know they won’t ever have the rare opportunity of sleeping with him. Just being
his pet would be good enough.”
That leaves a bad taste in the blond’s mouth. “Why would anyone want to be his
pet?”
The girl shoots him a look that is bordering on surprise and bewilderment and
Seokjin realizes the tone that he had laced in his words. But the girl doesn’t
comment on it, and instead keeps the topic treading. “He’s a good kid.”
Seokjin fights back a scowl of disbelief. Seeing the way Jungkook had carried
out his act in seeming to be genuinely interested in his conversation with the
old man a while ago, Seokjin could already tell that the Prince has his way of
charming people and this girl is no exception. He’s a good actor; another
characteristic bestowed on the wrong person. Before Seokjin could utter a
response to that, the girl suddenly gets up to her feet and strides over to the
King who has gestured for her to approach him.
There goes his only companion for the night.
The grand doors swing open and a towering man who seems to be in his mid 40’s
steps in, his royal garbs indicating his status of a highborn.
“Lord Choi.” Seokjin hears Jungkook call out to him, his hand raising up a bit
to seize the man’s attention. The Prince’s companion has stood up at this point
as if to leave the chair vacant for the lord that is being beckoned in. Lord
Choi catches sight of the Prince and a pleased smile graces his lips as he
makes his way to their direction, his eyes bold and loving.
And following just right behind him is a pet.
His familiar soft slender build is also brushed with intricate designs and his
devious eyes are embellished with red jewels around them.
Taehyung catches Seokjin’s eyes and winks.
 
Chapter End Notes
     Not much Jungkook action here, sadly. I've actually written two new
     chapters, but I'm still not very satisfied with the other one so
     hopefully that will come up tomorrow.
     I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Kudos are very much appreciated and
     your comments always make my day!
***** Golden Locks *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
“Your Callian pet.” A fleeting look of surprise graces the aged facial lines of
Lord Choi as he eyes Seokjin from head to toe just as he reaches them, his hand
only coming to touch the backrest of his vacant seat. Being the only Callian
pet in the palace, it would make sense that the highborn have spoken about
Seokjin before. Taehyung remains standing beside his new master, his stare of
interest locked on Jungkook. The Prince appears to be oblivious though for he
spares him no glance and gestures for the lord to sit beside him, to which Lord
Choi does after seeming to cut loose from his reverie. “So I take it that you
two are getting along splendidly, yes?” He says with a bemused smile before
motioning Taehyung to occupy the seat beside Seokjin.
“He is a gift from the blood of my blood.” Jungkook shrugs. “I will always
appreciate the gifts given by family.”
How sickening. Just yesterday, he was all set to wreak havoc in front of the
King and his council.
Knowing that there is no way he will be able to stomach their conversation in,
Seokjin turns to Taehyung the second the dark-haired pet settles himself
comfortably on the seat beside him. “Fancy seeing you here, Tae. You finally
got what you wanted.”
A twinkling knowing gleam shimmers in Taehyung’s dark eyes, shamelessly
pleased about it. “It was nothing. I’m surprised to find out who yourmaster is.
I thought it was the King who bought you?”
“He did… for his brother.”
“Lucky you.” Taehyung unabashedly stretches up to get another good look of the
Prince, his teeth biting onto his lower lip as though he’s some predator on the
brink of pouncing on a slumbering prey. “I don’t care what they say about the
Prince. I’d loosen up for him anytime.” Seokjin fails to refrain himself from
cringing at his friend’s vulgar language. Years of living with him will never
be worth getting used to his flagrantly obscene demeanor. He could not even
count the number of times he had walked in on him getting bedded and then
getting invited to join them, though that normally resulted to the blond
slamming the door closed and praying for the gods above to grace him with the
miracle of memory loss.
“So, is he good?” His friend pries with a nudge on his shoulder. “Did you mount
him? Or is it the other way around? You don’t look like someone who could take
a mounting.”
“Can you pleasenot say it like that?”
“Just telling it like it is, brother.” Taehyung tosses him a grin before his
eyes catch on the servant who’s just about to serve him his own plate of roast
beef, but he beats her to it by grabbing it from her hands. The servant stares
at him in a jolt and the young pet winks at her. “Thanks, love. I’ll take it
from here.” He drops his plate onto the table without even a single ounce of
grace, earning himself a few harsh turned heads from some of the highborn and
their pets. Seokjin has the sudden urge to apologize for his friend’s behavior
but then remembers that Taehyung is someone’s property now. He doesn’t have to
feel so obligated to apologize for him anymore.
He’s someone else’s responsibility.
Seokjin directs his gaze to his other side to check if Lord Choi will do what
any master should do if their pet is misbehaving, but then nearly winces in
surprise upon realizing that Jungkook and Lord Choi have been watching this
whole ordeal unfold before them. A cast of delight has surfaced the lord’s
venerable features, evidently finding this side of Taehyung endearing.
Jungkook, on the other hand, has his face wiped clean of any expression in
spite of how most of the highborn seem to be rather offended that Lord Choi has
brought a pet that lacks the proper dining discipline.
“New pet?” Jungkook questions the middle-aged man.
“My favorite one yet.” Lord Choi answers with pride.
Jungkook persists on watching Taehyung with calculating eyes. But then he says
nothing more to the subject and pulls himself up to his feet, directing a faint
smile towards Lord Choi’s direction. “I must call it a night. I’m sorry for my
early leave but it will be a hectic day for me tomorrow.”
“I understand.” Lord Choi returns his smile. “No offense is taken.”
Jungkook nods and steps aside to push his seat back under the table. He gives
no order for Seokjin to trail after him, much to the blond’s content. At least
now he would be able to have his supper without being on the edge of his
frazzled nerves, perpetually anticipating the Prince’s next move.
However, it seems his master has other plans in mind. Just as Jungkook passes
by, he lifts his fingers and tenderly treads them through Seokjin’s soft golden
locks-- entrenching an abrupt pause to the boisterous chatter on the table.
Jungkook delivers no attention to the awed looks and simply walks on as though
the affectionate gesture he had just lavished on his pet is something he does
regularly.
Seokjin is just as stunned as everyone else.
“You have confirmed it yourself last night that you have never so much as
touched a strand of their hair.”  Councilor Namjoon’s words resound in his
head.
“Nice.” He hears Taehyung assert an unnecessary remark.
As soon as the Prince is out of sight, hushed murmurs brim over the dining
hall. The King appears to be just as taken aback but manages to evade from his
trance when his pet, who Seokjin had spoken to earlier, offers to feed him a
piece of pastry. From across Seokjin, he sees a highborn speaking low to his
male pet, his scrutiny traced with a touch of indignation and a muscle
tightened in his jaw. His pet catches the blond’s stare and smirks before
blowing him a kiss then standing up to slip out of the hall.
“Seokjin!” Taehyung gives him a whack at the back of his head.
“Ah-- Tae!” Seokjin jumps at the sudden attack. “Was that necessary?”
“My master is talking to you.”
That statement alone is enough to have Seokjin turning his attention on Lord
Choi with so much haste, the heat of humiliation hot as steam in his cheeks.
Lord Choi appears to be unruffled by the lack of response from the blond
though. In fact, he seems to be rather amused as he curls his index finger to
motion him to move closer. Seokjin hesitates at that. He technically has the
right to cast aside the order of anyone unless they’re the King or his master,
but what reason does he have to do that? Lord Choi comes off as a rather
approaching kind of guy after all.
“Don’t worry,” He hears Taehyung murmur to his ear. “he only bites his pets.”
Seokjin swallows. “I did not need to know that.” He murmurs back but stands up
anyway to move to Jungkook’s seat.
Lord Choi seems pleased with his obedience. “I see you have won my nephew’s
affections.”
Seokjin blinks. “Nephew?”
“Yes. I was wedded to the Prince’s aunt when he was still a little darling.” An
earnest doting smile crowns the man’s lips as though dwelling upon a fond
memory. “I have been afraid Jungkook will… remain the way he has been for the
past few years. Believe it or not, that boy loved to laugh a lot. Show him a
simple magic trick and you’ll see him grinning from ear to ear.”
Seokjin doesn’t know why the lord is telling him this but he indulges him with
an attentive nod anyway. Just envisioning Jungkook as a child of all smiles, he
could somehow get the idea where Lord Choi’s fondness for the Prince is hailing
from. “What happened then?” He suddenly finds himself asking, only realizing
this now before it’s too late.
Lord Choi doesn’t seem to be the type who minds a pet having free will and
being nosy though for he doesn’t make any remarks about it and instead, heaves
a soft sigh. “That’s another story for another time, young man. Just please
take good care of him for me. Now feel free to enjoy your supper. I can see
you’re getting along with my pet anyway. It’s wise to have some friends in the
palace, remember that.” His words detain a quality of certitude as he stands up
from his seat to move on to dine with the King, leaving Seokjin more or less
muddled by his advice.
It’s the very same advice Jimin had given him.  
As the night stretches on, Seokjin invests most of his time talking to Taehyung
and being told about how much their brothers wouldn’t stop chattering about him
ever since he had moved to the palace. He became the talk of the establishment
which is definitely something Seokjin had never thought would happen. Clients
have claimed to be disappointed that they never got to ‘try’ him since he is
now apparently desirable enough considering how he has caught the interest of
the Prince who is known to be a celibate by choice. Nevertheless, he feels
eminently eased in mind to have Taehyung in the palace. At least he has someone
he could fully place his trust on.
When he starts to feel his strength draining from his body, Seokjin decides to
bring his night to an end and excuses himself from his friend. Taehyung just
nods before deciding to bother another fellow pet. May the gods have mercy on
that young woman’s soul.
While he makes his way towards the doors, he could still feel a few stares
lingering on him. It’s unmistakable that everyone has still not yet moved on
from the tender sight their Prince had exhibited with him for all of them to
see. Seokjin still couldn’t make sense out of what Jungkook could possibly
benefit from putting up such an act, or perhaps he’s just showing feigned
appreciation in front of his brother as a sign of respect. That would make
sense.
He steps out of the dining hall only to be apprised of a corridor completely
stripped off of its guards.
That can’t be right.
Seokjin furrows his brows in concern but treads on carefully, wondering if the
guards are situated at some pathways of the hall. It gives him a profoundly
bizarre feeling having to meander around the grand palace without guards
keeping him under surveillance. He wouldn’t have minded the temporary freedom
if it’s not the for the fact that the absence of security is far too
precipitous. But as he turns around a corner, he suddenly feels a large tight
grip enclose around his wrist and firmly yanks him against an eminently sturdy
frame. Before he could have the chance to determine what’s going on, he feels
another set of hands grabbing his arms and locking them behind him-
- challenging the farthest point of his muscles.
Someone grabs his hair and forces him to look up, his eyes meeting the diverted
beam of the guard who had shoved him earlier in the evening.
“Hey, Goldilocks.” A sinister grin curls his lips and Seokjin attempts to turn
his head from his rancid breath, but the man keeps his hold on his hair firm.
“I heard you’ve won the Prince over.”
Seokjin trails his eyes to the other four guards surrounding him, and notices
another one keeping a steady lock on his arms. Jimin is nowhere to be found.
This isn’t good.
“Yes, so you better let me go now or he will hear about this.” He lies through
clenched teeth, hoping this sickening rumor would be enough to give him a
short-lived might and main over them. But this only earns him a piercing blow
to the side of his face, almost knocking him off of his feet if it isn’t for
the hold on his arms. He hears a few entertained snickers coming from the
guards but he tries to pay them no heed as he glares back at the one in front
of him, his cheek stinging in pain.
“We don’t really give a fuck if you’ve spread for the Prince, or if he had
spread for you.” The guard traces a delicate line to the blond’s jaw to which
Seokjin tries to gratingly turn his head away from. “We just want to take what
was promised to us before it slips through our fingers. I’m sure your lover is
a man of his word and wouldn’t mind us having a fair share of you.”
A cold weight settles in the center of Seokjin’s stomach, his heart pounding a
mile a minute. He could feel the strength draining slowly from his knees. “Y-
You…” He pulls an attempt of finding his voice. “You can’t… The Prince has not
given you a particular point as to when you can have me.”
The man shrugs with impish nonchalance as he grabs Seokjin’s locks again and
wrenches his head up so as to expose his neck. “Better now than never.” He
releases a low chuckle before trailing a long line down the blond’s neck with
his tongue. Seokjin sets his jaw at the nauseating action and with a swift
flow, he drives his knee straight to the man’s crotch. The man cries out at the
unforeseen action. Taking the other guards’ shock to his advantage, Seokjin
pounds the back of his head straight to the other guard’s nose. A sharp crack
erupts in the air as the hold on his arms loosens and the blond decides to make
a break for it.
“You fuck--!” Another guard catches a hold of his arm and wrenches him back,
his free hand raised to strike him when Jimin’s voice ensnares their immersion.
“Let go of him, soldier!”
From up ahead, Jimin stands in a daring stance with his hand ready to unsheathe
his sword if needs to be. “You are going against the Prince’s orders.”
“He had said so himself that we are to mount his bitch.” The guard holding
Seokjin’s arm snarls. “You’ll get your share when we’re done with him”
“The Prince never specified when you can touch his pet so let go of him.”
“Release him, soldier.” Another voice joins in and Seokjin turns to find Lord
Choi at the other side of the hall, completely cornering him and the guards. In
an instant, the guard releases his hold of Seokjin and straightens up just as
the rest of the other guards do-- even the one with blood gushing out from his
now crooked nose. Lord Choi has his hands folded in front of him with grace as
he eyes each and one of them, displeasure written all over his face. “The
Prince has claimed that you are to have your way with the gift given by his
very own brother?”
“Yes, My Lord.” The guard with the rancid breath answers immediately.
Lord Choi directs his eyes to Seokjin who is already a bit shaky from this
entire ordeal. “And has the Prince asked you what you think of this?”
Meekly, Seokjin shakes his head.
A look of grief-stricken disappointment surfaces the middle-aged man’s face at
his response, like a father who has been lighten upon the fact that his son had
deceived him. “Jimin, get these guards to Commander Taecyeon and see to it that
he gives them the proper penalty for taking advantage of the Prince’s word.”
“Yes, My Lord.” And without even so much of a glance at Seokjin’s direction,
Jimin passes by him with the rest of the guards obediently trailing after him-
- leaving the blond with the Prince’s uncle. Once they’re alone, Lord Choi
releases a burdened sigh as he mops his face with his hand as though he doesn’t
mind showing a troubled side of his to a pet. It’s a dispiriting sight to
witness. Seokjin could tell how much care the lord has for his nephew but it
seems that’s something Jungkook only takes lightly. Something tells him this
isn’t the first time he had deliberately disappointed his uncle.
“I want to apologize for my nephew’s behavior but…” He tries, but then he
pauses and slowly strides in closer to Seokjin. “...I just don’t understand. I
know his guards. They will not risk going against his word unless they’re paid
with a splendid price.”
“You should have them dismissed for far more devoted guards then.” Seokjin
couldn’t help the tone of hostility spiking his words.
Lord Choi lets out a humorless chuckle. “That is to be decided by my nephew.
But I believe this is just an innocent mistake on his part.”
“An innocent mistake.” Seokjin repeats in incredulity.
The man offers him an apologetic smile. “Jungkook knows how much the palace
pets want to be his. They thrive for stealing his attention, even if it meant
bringing the other pets down. And if that is not troublesome enough, try having
a great number of lords and ladies as your suitors. They are far more perilous
for they have power. It seems my nephew has been so blinded with his affections
for you, he had made a public display of it for all to see. His suitors nor
their pets don’t take jealousy lightly.”
Seokjin then recalls one of the highborn speaking low to his pet and his pet
hastily slipping out of the hall to most likely tell the guards what to do to
him. And in return, they will get gold.
“It appears my nephew has a way of losing his track of mind when enamored.”
Lord Choi sighs softly with a shake of his head, although he is the one who is
ironically blinded by his love for his nephew that he fails to see through his
act.
Seokjin could feel a nerve working along his jaw, taut and twitching. He has
been inundated with a surge of so much resentment, he is a few seconds away
from blowing up. He’s not an idiot. He knows Jungkook has not been blinded by
his so-called affections. Jungkook knewwhat will transpire after he bared that
affectionate act of his. This is his way of handling a pet who misbehaves to a
meager degree-- lend them a lifelong worth of trauma like it’s nothing. And he
wouldn't even have his own head on the silver platter for it. It will be the
highborn who had made the deal with the guards. It’s treacherous and deceiving.
Seokjin couldn’t even believe someone as young as the Prince could scheme such
manipulation.
“Feel free to visit your master to his bedchamber. Just head straight over
there and go for the fourth door to the right. You deserve an apology after
what took place here.” Lord Choi speaks with dismissive words before turning
around to take his leave.
Once he’s alone in the hallway, Seokjin turns around to stride over to where
his masteris. Not a single guard could be seen wandering around which explains
how little they hold for their Prince’s safety seeing as how their priorities
are all set for where to stick their cocks in instead.
Fourth door to the right.
Seokjin doesn’t bother to knock on the Prince’s doors for entrance and instead,
barges his way in. He finds Jungkook on the reclining couch clad only in dark
slacks and a thin white long-sleeved shirt, the top three buttons undone to
reveal his pale collarbone. He has his legs crossed at the ankle on the low
table in front of him and his elbow resting on the armrest with his cheek
leaning on his gingerly clenched fist. He holds an opened book in his other
hand but when he takes notice of the blond’s presence, he puts it down with a
cool gaze.
“What do you want?” He asks, his lack of emotion unsettling Seokjin.
Seokjin almost loses his trace of thought at the rare sight of the Prince’s
bare skin. Seeing him in this state is nearly like staring at a completely
different person. Jungkook has long abandoned his usual domineering posture and
has let a casual one stand in place for it. This must be one of the reasons why
he never lets anyone in his bedchamber—it’s his only space where he could let
loose. But then the blond manages to break from his reverie and shoots the
Prince a glare.
“You…” He begins, his words frustratingly caught in his throat.
“Out with it.”
“You… Y-You wanted meraped! ” Now that he got the words out, Seokjin has come
to realize how much anger he harbors for the Prince. It’s not the kind that he
could forget about after a sincere apology. It’s not the kind that he could
just shrug it off and hope for the best. No, this is different. For the first
time in his life, he actually wants to hurtsomeone. And the Prince is just
right there in front of him, conveniently unarmed.
In contrast to the blond’s enraged composure, Jungkook just stares up at him
with eyes that give away nothing at all. He doesn’t even straighten up from his
seat. “Did I?” He asks. “And haveyou been raped?”
Seokjin clenches his teeth. “No, but--”
“Then this conversation is needless. Get out.”
“What is the matter with you?!” Seokjin finally bellows, his fists clenched to
his sides. Just as he had said this, the sound of hasty steps draw in and two
guards step into the room. Seokjin doesn’t recognize either of them so they
must have been summoned to take over the posts of the other guards who have
been sent off. Both of them look a bit alarmed by the casual sight of the
Prince but then they direct their gazes at Seokjin, one of them already
stepping in to seize him when Jungkook halts him with a wave of his hand.
The guard appears to be bewildered by the order but stands still.
Jungkook sets his book aside and stands up to his feet, evidently taking his
time approaching his pet.
“My dear Callian pet,” He says when he reaches Seokjin, not even appearing to
mind the fact that the blond’s height towers over him. “do you believe that you
have been in your bestbehavior?”
Seokjin scowls down at him. “Whether or not I have been in my best behavior,
that shouldn’t—“
“Answer my question.”
“No.” Seokjin’s voice is thick with hate.
“Then you certainly have no right to evaluate how I discipline you. You are
mine. You have been bought for me. I will have every man in Gennaios fuck you
if that’s what it takes for you to mind your manners.”
“You--!”
“Soldiers,” Jungkook delivers no interest in what Seokjin has to say as he
turns to his guards. “keep your ears out for my likely command of taking my pet
to the flogging post once I see fit.”
“Yes, My Prince.” Both guards answer in sync.
Jungkook then redirects his attention back on Seokjin. “I teach my pets how to
know their place, and we’re just getting started. Barge into my bedchamber
again, and we'll see where that takes you. Now get out.”
As though those last three words are their cue, both guards seize Seokjin by
the arms and escort him out of the room. In spite of the blazing hostility he’s
holding and the possible danger hanging in line for him, Seokjin doesn’t have
the energy to protest anymore and lets himself be ushered back to his
bedchamber. There is just no way of telling what Jungkook has in store for him
in the near future and just thinking about it is just far too tiring at this
point.
 
Chapter End Notes
     I could've written this better but oh well.
***** Sapphire *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
“If you want this to be over and done with, then stop moving.”
“Easier said than done.”
Yoongi shoots Seokjin a warning look to which Seokjin forms his lips into a
rigid grimace but turns his gaze away anyway, fighting back another wince when
the physician presses a coldly soaked cotton onto his cheek that further
intensifies the sting of the bruise. The hit that the guard had delivered to
him last night was notably worse than Jungkook had given him, and the blond
wonders if he’s going to be on the receiving end of those from now on. Just
recalling last night’s turn of events squeezes his chest in an impassionately
indignant restraint. He doubts he could sit still for another evening meal with
the Prince. Just knowing how deceptive he is to the point that he would have
other people’s lives at stake just for his convenience turns his stomach.
“This is my fault.” Jimin says, standing stiffly by the door. “The Prince told
me to keep a close eye on you last night but I was negligent enough to let my
bladder take control of me. I thought it would be fine if Junhyuk could
temporarily take my post… but I never thought he’d be in cahoots with those
other soldiers.” His face is outlined by a look of genuine defeat and disgrace
and Seokjin would have found his devotion remarkable if it isn’t heaped upon
the wrong person. He could very well take a dim view at the prospect of
Jungkook even appreciating the only guard who is fiercely dedicated to him.
“Stop beating yourself up over it. It’s embarrassing.” Yoongi tells him off as
though Jimin is only crying over spilled milk. “You’re only human. Did the
Prince slap you on the wrist for it?”
Jimin shakes his head. “No…”
“Then quit moaning. You got there on time. Seokjin didn’t get to have his first
taste of cock. I’m certain that’s good enough for the Prince.”
Seokjin presses his lips together in a tight line, knowing it wouldn’t be wise
to tell them that Jungkook does in fact want him to have his first taste. The
young Prince just could not chide Jimin for being there at the wrong time for
he is supposed to come out as innocent from the dilemma. Seokjin could tell
that even Yoongi regards the Prince highly in some way.
“Hold on,” The blond furrows his brows in mild concern. “how did you know that
I’ve never--”
“Jimin.” Yoongi answers his question too swiftly in his perpetual indifferent
tone as though he had expected that question. “Plus, you’re the buzz of the
palace now so watch your back.”
A knock erupts on the door and in an instant, something heavy crawls up
Seokjin’s throat as his eyes flicker from the door then to Jimin-- his mind
whirring with the possibility of Jungkook putting his directive of dragging him
to the flogging post into action. Jimin seems to catch on with his panic for he
offers him a small reassuring smile before reaching for the door to pull it
open. Waiting from the other side is thankfully no other than Taehyung.
His expression appears to be uncharacteristically subdued at first but when he
catches Seokjin’s eyes, his trademark grin graces his lips.
“Oh, so this is your room!” He makes an attempt to brush past Jimin but the
guard denies him access by putting his hand up to his chest. Taehyung looks at
him with a befuddled look, but then laughs and gives the other male a pat on
the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’m harmless. Lord Choi said I can visit Seokjinnie
anytime I want.”
“Prince Jungkook told me his pet is not to have any visitors.”
“That’s pretty cruel, don’t you think?”
“Your statement on the matter is irrelevant.”
Taehyung leans back a bit to scrutinize the guard from head to toe almost too
offensively. A flicker of embarrassment traces Jimin’s face at the gesture but
he still maintains his back straight and his chin up as if daring the dark-
haired pet to spar with him. Seokjin waits for Taehyung to convey a merrily
biting remark like he normally does when someone gets in his way, but his
friend just wrinkles his nose in displeasure and takes a step back, his hands
coming up in defense.
“I’m not here for him anyway. I was told the royal physician is here.”
“Who are you and what do you want?” Yoongi pipes in once he’s done with
Seokjin. Seokjin lightly traces his fingers on his bruise, still feeling a
slight sting to it though the salve had helped. He doubts Yoongi would
appreciate it if he’d ask to leave the ointment in his room though; the guy
seems to apprize his equipment to a high degree seeing how he constantly keeps
them near to him and away from anyone else.
Taehyung appears to have some sort of qualms over how to respond and this
piques the blond’s concern. His friend doesn’t have the aspects of someone who
had just caught an ailing condition, nor does he seem to be sporting any
physical injuries. “What’s wrong, Tae?” He couldn’t help but ask. Since his
question is sighted onto a fellow pet, he doesn’t have to concern himself about
overstepping his boundaries.
Taehyung casts his gaze at Seokjin, but then trails it to Yoongi. As though
having some kind of mutual understanding, Yoongi sighs and stands up from
Seokjin’s bed. Before he takes his leave, he shoots the blond an ominous frown.
“Don’t go getting yourself in trouble again, pet. I don’t want to have to waste
my curative equipment on you.” And with that, he steps out with Taehyung and
closes the door behind them.
Silence dangles between Jimin and Seokjin before Seokjin opts for breaking it.
“Do you have any idea what that was about?”
Jimin stares at the door for a second but then shrugs his shoulders. “Not a
clue.”
===============================================================================
Lengthy mundane days of being confined in his bedchamber have stretched out
after that. There are times where Seokjin would hear Taehyung from the other
side of the door trying to flirt his way through but Jimin remains miraculously
impervious from his enticing advances. Seokjin couldn’t honestly blame him
though. The guard is just following orders after all, but he does wish Jimin’s
devotion for Jungkook would falter for even a fleeting moment just so he could
have some company in his room. All the blond has ever done so far is wander
around in his chambers, stare out of his barred windows, and read the books
that are free for him to use.
For someone who has a particular fondness for food, Seokjin could only put up
with so much baking recipes before he starts getting queasy.
He knows this is Jungkook’s way of pushing him to the brink of his patience.
Nothing will absolutely delight the Prince more than having his Callian pet all
embittered and fouled up. The servants are no help either. They only come in to
serve the blond’s meals, make his bed and give him fresh new clothes. They
never dare to speak to him even when he tried to. Either they’re also under
Jungkook’s orders, or they are all simply not permitted to speak with any of
the pets at all.
The days have been so drawn out, Seokjin has lost count at this point.
But then upon the first blush of the day, Seokjin finds himself being woken up
earlier than usual by a servant. His questions have been paid no heed as the
servant lays out an attire of dark royal blue once he got up from his bed.
“Go and bathe. Prince Jungkook wishes for you to wear this.” She says without
so much of a glance at his direction before hastily taking her leave. Just by
hearing the Prince’s name already leaves a bad taste in his mouth. Seokjin
steers his gaze down onto the garbs displayed on his bed. Whatever his master
is up to, it will always be a given that it will not end well for Seokjin. But
he knows better than to go against his wishes and so with a miffed sigh, the
blond bends down to pick up a piece of the clothing to give it a brief scrutiny
but then only to have his breath held in recognition.
These are highborn garbs.
And not just any highborn garbs. The golden serpent pattern sewn on the dark
cerulean fabric signifies the ruling of Callias. It is rare to see Callian
highborn wandering about the land of Gennaios but when they do, they are always
warmly welcomed by the townsfolk and The Majestic due to their gracefully
enrapturing allure. How Jungkook got his hands on this attire, Seokjin doubts
that he will ever know.
Fitting the complete ensemble out turns out to be more of a difficult task than
Seokjin had thought. There are just far too many laces for him to keep track of
and the collar that supposedly reaches his neck has lost its purpose given the
fact that he’s still wearing a thick golden choker. When the servant steps in
again to check on him, she appears to be baffled at how he’s barely done tying
all the laces. She shakes her head in disbelief but closes the door behind her
anyway and helps him, even having the decency to unlock his choker and set it
aside for now. She then goes on to apply a soft amount of powder on his face.
“Why am I wearing this?” Seokjin asks although he knows silence will be the
response.
Which it is, not to his surprise.
As the servant adjusts his collar from behind, the blond looks up at his
reflection in his full-body mirror and his stare takes on a startled element.
With his royal blue attire, soft golden hair, tender plump lips, shoulders for
miles, and the bruise concealed under a light touch of powder-- Seokjin now
completely looks like an outright perfect Callian. Years of living and growing
up with Gennaians have been scratched out and consigned to oblivion.
It doesn’t feel right.
“Follow me.” The servant says once she’s done adjusting his collar. She doesn’t
bother to pause for Seokjin’s response as she turns on her heel and treads out
of the room. Still feeling rather indecisive about this, Seokjin does as he has
been told and trails after the girl. He is struck aghast when he lays his eyes
on a corridor that has been left stark off of guards saved for Jimin who
remains standing by the door. Jimin takes a good look at him and grins, jutting
his thumb up in approval. It seems he also knows what the Prince is up to but
Seokjin couldn’t grasp the opportunity to ask for the servant keeps trekking
on.
Seokjin catches up with her.
He falls short on sorting out the number of turns they have to take and the
rooms they have to go through in order to get to their unidentified
destination. The blond knows that asking questions would be proven to be
fruitless at this point so all the best he could do is follow the young lady no
matter how extensive their stroll is starting to look like. They eventually
climb down a set of stairs until they reach what appears to be an underground
kitchen. Several servants are milling about, probably having their brisk
breakfast before they could set out to do their duties.
When they catch sight of Seokjin, they suddenly divert their eyes away from him
as though he’s not there. Even the servant he’s with bears no attention to them
and heads straight for a large wooden door. She pushes it open and walks out,
Seokjin hesitantly tagging after her.
The early morning sky is flushed with the shade of a delicate watercolor blue;
the clouds dyed rose where the brilliant sun has adorned them with its radiance
and sparks faint cherry gold over the cornus kousa trees. It has come to the
blond’s attention that they have reached the back of the palace and a carriage
could be seen waiting on the graveled pathway. The servant gestures to it with
a tilt of her head.
“Wait for the Prince in the carriage.”
And without another word, she walks back to the kitchen and shuts the door.
Finally being left alone outside of his chambers, Seokjin’s first instinct is
to run away and make himself scarce from now on. But then a discouraging
inquiry comes to mind: where would he go? He gives no credence to the dim
likelihood of Yoseob taking him back, and making himself scarce is a rather
strenuous job to do considering his blond hair alone stands him out from a
crowd in Gennaios. Reckoning with his days in the palace makes the effort seem
worth it though, but the blond knows he needs to keep a rational view of the
unfortunate reality.
Escaping one’s master is a death sentence. It’s going to give Jungkook a
justified reason to kill him off.
And so with defeat clinging onto his shoulders like an unwieldy armour, he
strides over to the carriage. He climbs in and settles himself on the leather
seat, wondering how long he will have to wait for Jungkook.
In the nick of time though, the door to the carriage swings open again and
Seokjin catches a glimpse of the Prince’s face under the hood of a red cloak
he’s clothed in. Just by the mere sight of him is enough for a scowl to curl
the blond’s lips. Jungkook doesn’t seem to bear him in mind though for he
hardly shoots him a glance as he steps inside and settles himself on the seat
from across his pet, a faint sigh slipping past his lips. What’s with the red
cloak, Seokjin nearly impels on asking until Jungkook unfastens the clip of his
clothing and sets it aside-- revealing a display Seokjin nor anyone would have
thought of feasting their eyes on.
Jungkook is veiled in nothing but a pair of dark blue slacks that reach just
under his knees along with a golden drawstring. Golden cuffs that resemble two
serpents entangled together are bedecked around both his left wrist and his
right ankle. A dust of glitter shimmers over his smooth pale cheeks. But the
most outrageous sight of all is the golden choker that is arrayed with genuine
sapphires enclosed around his neck, matching the dangling sapphire earring
ornamented on his right ear.
Seokjin has only ever seen one Gennaian pet being in possession of a Callian
highborn and that was after the war against the people of Androtis and the
Callians have paid the Gennaians a visit to celebrate. It seems that’s exactly
the look Jungkook is going for.
As the carriage begins to move with a bumpy start, Seokjin still persists on
staring at the Prince in awe. Other than the choker, Jungkook’s bare torso
could easily collect dazzled looks from anyone. It could make the most
dedicated of priests grieve over his life decisions. Jungkook doesn’t have the
boyish lithe frame like Taehyung and the other brothers have back in the
tavern. He is slim but competent with a touch of sturdiness that lightly firms
his physique, reminding the blond that the Prince had his presence on deck in
the war against Androtis. He is not as brawny as his brother nor Seokjin, but
anyone could tell that Jungkook could handle himself in a fight. However,
subtle scrapes of wounds could be seen marking his skin from his arms and down
to his tight stomach as though he had scrubbed his skin too hard in the baths.
They don’t look fresh though.
“By all means, carry on with your stare and we’ll see if your eyeballs will
stay in their sockets by the end of the day.” Jungkook’s voice hauls the blond
out of his reverie but Seokjin doesn’t turn his head away. Instead, he drifts
his gaze up to the Prince’s eyes only to see him peeking out through the
curtain of the door’s window.
“Where are we--” Seokjin starts.
“Shut up,” Jungkook cuts him off, but calmly and without granting him a glance.
“I’m thinking.”
Seokjin’s eyes trail down to Jungkook’s hand where he sees the Prince rubbing
his thumb against his index finger in a seemingly restless manner. In spite of
that motion, Jungkook’s entire form still holds a noble bearing as though he’s
not in the midst of sorting out his possibly unsteady thoughts. Perhaps it’d be
for the best not to disturb his peace of mind for now. Seokjin leans back
against his seat in an attempt to seek comfort during the entire ride even
though he knows that’s a one-in-a-million chance. Being in a cramped space with
the Prince can never calm his nerves down.
The ride draws out in strained silence.
“Do you speak Callian?” Jungkook finally speaks up after a long-winded stretch
of time, his indecipherable eyes now immersed on Seokjin.
Seokjin immediately straightens up on his seat. “A bit. My mother taught me
Callian before she passed away, but it’s been years since I’ve spoken that
tongue.”
“Are you fluent or not?”
“I might not as be adept to it as I was before.” Seokjin then adds after
reconsideration. “Your Highness.”
Jungkook studies him for a fleeting moment before shaking his head and looking
back out the window. “You’re hopeless.” Seokjin hears him murmur in Callian,
the soft affricate of the words panning his mild Gennaian accent out.
Seokjin frowns and responds in his native tongue almost smoothly. “I heard
that.”
Jungkook promptly shoots him a look and Seokjin couldn’t tell if his eyes have
deceived him or not but he catches a spark of something sprightly in the
Prince’s eyes. But it’s gone before he could ponder on it for Jungkook has
looked away to reach for the brown satchel Seokjin had never noticed until now
that is situated on his seat beside him. Jungkook looks through its contents
for a second, then slings the strap over his shoulder.
“Where are we going?” Seokjin decides to try again, resuming back to the
language of Gennaians.
After a pause wherein Jungkook has peeked out again through the curtain, he
finally answers. “To town.”
Seokjin blinks. “Why?”
“I want to read.”
The moment where Jimin had mentioned that Jungkook cloaks himself just for the
sake of going to the library occurs to Seokjin’s mind. This must be what he
meant by the Prince cloaking himself. Nobody has ever technically caught a
glimpse of Jungkook, only when he was still a small child. He must have done
this a lot with his previous pets. Nobody bothers a highborn in town after all,
and no one from the palace would ever spare a pet a glance unless they’re in a
tavern. It’s a disguise so flawless, Seokjin finds himself completely
enthralled by the Prince’s ingenious mind.
Until he notices something off.
“But, we should be in town by now.” He points out rather dubiously. “I don’t
think your coachman knows where we’re going.”
“Jimin is right. You take liberties.” Jungkook gives him a dirty look, but
fields the blond’s curious thoughts anyway-- much to Seokjin’s surprise. “We’re
heading off to the next town, still within my land’s territory. I don’t go to
the same library all the time. Gennaios has hundreds of them.”
Seokjin knows that he should make a snappy remark at how Jungkook had just
referred to Gennaios as his land as though the fact that Seokjin was raised
here bears no significance whatsoever. But the younger man is entertaining his
curiosity so perhaps it’d be best to hold onto this rare opportunity while he
still has it.
“All this effort for a book?” He persists on.
“Would you go through all this effort for a good fuck?”
“You honestly need to stop categorizing the entire Callian race as one.”
“Prove me wrong then.” Jungkook’s conventional cold look has taken on a lazy
aspect at this point. “You’re a Callian and you’ve been brought here to do
what-- to aid people through their sexual frustrations. Callians are known to
be good with their hands and putting your profession into account, I believe
you’re a perfect fit to that general category.”
“That’s--”
“And let’s add the fact that you’ve been bought for me. You are mine. Your
worth only relies on how much my brother paid your handler.”
Just like that, Seokjin doesn’t appreciate him entertaining his curiosity
anymore. “You’re a monster.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.” Jungkook peeks out through the curtain again
with an air of nonchalance that just further frustrates the blond. Seokjin
decides not to speak after that, knowing that he will be left completely
embittered if he carries on with their conversation. He’d rather have an
immensely uncomfortable silence dangling between them than let Jungkook talk
down on his entire existence.
The entire ride drags out in another constricted lull.
The carriage eventually skids to a halt at long last and Jungkook takes a last
glimpse out the window before opening the door and stepping out. Still a bit
uncomfortable under foreign garbs, Seokjin draws a deep intake of breath and
follows the Prince.
The unfamiliar town appears to be significantly bigger than the town Seokjin
used to reside in. The lack of action in the area though indicates that it’s
still far too early in the morning. The curtains of a bakery nearby are still
slid closed and the warm aroma of coffee beans drifts in the cold morning air.
A few people are treading around to their morning duties, some moving with the
pull for slumber still in their system while some are greeting each other perky
good morning’s. Some have even settled a pause on their chores to take in the
sights of the two:
A Callian foreigner visiting Gennaios with a Gennaian pet.
“Good morning to you two!” A stout woman sweeping the street calls out to them
with an enthusiastic grin. “Have you had breakfast yet? We can open up our shop
early for you.”
Seokjin suddenly feels Jungkook’s fingers interlacing with his, making him a
bit too aware of their peculiar close proximity. But then he remembers that
Jungkook is playing the part of a pet and pets are expected to be affectionate-
- another sight of the Prince the blond had never thought of feasting his eyes
on.
“Tell her we’re in a hurry in a polutely.” Jungkook murmurs to him in Callian,
seemingly oblivious to his faltering grammar and pronunciation.
Seokjin resists an amused smile that’s fighting its way to his lips as he casts
his eyes on the woman, opting to speak in Gennaian. “That’s very kind of you
but we won’t be here for long. We just want to take a gander of your library.”
“I see!” The woman maintains her sweet smile. “Enjoy yourselves then!”
Jungkook squeezes his hand before tugging it and gesturing him to where the
library is, still keeping the distance between them as meager as possible.
Seokjin nods and treads to the desired direction, still far too mindful of
their hands clasped together. He could sense the stares some of the townsfolk
are bestowing on his fraud of a pet and he couldn’t blame them. When stripped
off of jewelries and only clad from neck to toe in plain red royal garbs,
Jungkook still looks downright captivating without a single ounce of effort on
his part. And now with all the gold and glitter, his image has been enhanced
eminently.
And the townsfolk know that he is not to be touched but his master and somehow,
that doesn’t sit too bad with Seokjin.
Not being able to hold himself back, the blond leans down a bit to speak low in
Callian to the Prince. “In case you don’t know, it’spolitely.”
Jungkook shoots him a glance, but then looks back up ahead. “What?” He returns
in the same tongue.
“You told me to speak in a polutely.” Seokjin points out, a barely noticeable
smug smile curving at the corner of his mouth. “I think what you meant is to
speak politely.”
Jungkook is silent for a moment.
“To speak polately.” He eventually tries.
“Po-litely.”
“Po-lite...ly.”
A small breath of laughter pushes past Seokjin’s lips before he could catch it
and Jungkook looks up at him with a crossing arched brow. “Does this amuse
you?”
“Seeing you struggle? Yes. More than it should.”
“Oh shut up.”
In the passing course of time, they manage to reach the library. It’s quaint
and charming in its own antiquated way. The windows are dusty and nearly tinted
bisque by age under the morning light, and it’s held by slabs of unrelenting
grey stone. But the doors are open for everyone to step in any time they want
and as the two walk in, Seokjin comes to realize that the library hardly has
any occupants. But then again, who would go to the library at this time of day?
He feels Jungkook tugging his hand again and when he looks down at him, he
finds the dark-haired boy tilting his head towards the librarian’s desk. Of
course Seokjin needs to take the first step. It wouldn’t make sense to see a
pet dragging his master around when their status would never accord them that
superiority.
Seokjin could easily take advantage of this temporary dominance he has over
Jungkook, but then he figures he will have to pay for the consequences at the
end of the day and he’s not really up to that risk. He takes Jungkook over to
the librarian who has glanced up from a number of scrollworks on her desk. A
cursory look of marvel crops up her face upon looking at Seokjin and Seokjin
doesn’t have to ask to know that this is her first time sighting a Callian
foreigner. But when she casts her eyes down at Jungkook, her hunched shoulders
ease off as though recognizing him.
“Lancelot and the hart with the white foot please.” The Prince says, still
detaining his refined air in spite of his disguise.
“The first or second?” The girl asks.
“Second.”
This isn’t making any sense. Whatever it is that Jungkook is looking for,
Seokjin is certain that he could find it in the shelves. Why bother the
librarian?
The librarian doesn’t seem to mind though as she takes out a thick book from
under her desk and settles it before them. Jungkook doesn’t spare any more
words and carries on leafing through the pages until he stops on a particular
one where a small scrap of paper could be seen pinned within the spine. Seokjin
furrows his brows at the sight but fails to seize a good look of what is
written on it for Jungkook has snatched it all too quickly and snaps the book
closed.
“Thank you.” He nods to the librarian before taking Seokjin’s hand again and
tugging his arm, obviously indicating their leave.
That culminated quicker than Seokjin had thought but he leads Jungkook out of
the place anyway. Once they’re out of earshot from anyone, he stirs his
scrutiny down at the Prince with inquisitive eyes. “What was that about?” He
asks, suspecting that the question is better asked in Callian.
“We need to go to Thai Mol Piyas.” Jungkook turns a deaf ear to his curiosity
by giving a completely unrelated answer in Callian. “It’s a tavern nearby.
There is someblonde I need to meet there.”
Seokjin pauses. “It’s someone.”
“Shut up.”
Chapter End Notes
     Gravity Christmas, your comments are so sweet and motivating! Thank
     you so much for taking your time to let me know what you think!
     Honestly, there is nothing better than knowing how much effect my
     story has on you!!
     Expect Hoseok (finally) in the next chapter, by the way. c:
***** Not Your Prince *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Seokjin doesn’t really know what they’re bargaining for when Jungkook told him
they need to go to Thai Mol Piyas. Will that tavern even be open at this time
of day? His questions always come out as not heeded by the Prince to the point
that he eventually gives up asking and just treks on to the direction he’s
being told to take.
Jungkook’s hand is still clasped onto his, but the blond couldn’t help but
notice how the younger man’s hold on him keeps loosening for a fleeting moment
before squeezing it again as though reminding himself that he’s supposedto be
holding his hand. It doesn’t take a genius to know that the Prince isn’t
particularly well-off in terms of physical contact-- probably the reason why
he’s never lain a finger on any of his pets.
Upon reaching the tavern, Seokjin isn’t surprised to see that it is still
closed. Through the window, he could catch a glimpse of two women setting up
the stools and a man wiping the bar. Strangely enough, Jungkook doesn’t even
spare the sight a glance. Instead, he tugs Seokjin’s hand again and gestures to
the back of the establishment with a slight tilt of his head.
Seokjin blinks in confusion before speaking in Callian. “Behind the tavern?
Why?”
“Just do it, will you?” Jungkook snaps fervently.
Seokjin purses one corner of his lips in annoyance but does as he was told
anyway, tugging Jungkook a bit harder than he’s supposed to. He catches on the
other male testily clicking his tongue in return and for a moment, the blond’s
glad that they’re putting up a front or Jungkook would have hit him again at
this point. As they turn around the corner, the blond is apprised by the sight
of street children going on a spree around the massive expanse of dirt behind
the tavern. They’re brimming with so much energy, it almost seems as if they
don’t live with the unfortunate scarcity of food.
Where are their parents?
Seokjin takes a gander of their surroundings with the anticipation of seeing
adults nearby but much to his surprise, the children are alone.
When they catch sight of the two though, they all abruptly cease their
merriment.
One young boy in particular takes a step closer to them and Seokjin finds
Jungkook going down on one knee and letting go of his hand. The young boy
narrows his eyes at them, his dark grimy face scrunching up in deliberation.
His friends behind him immediately resume their games, although Seokjin could
sense the rigidity in the air. It almost feels like he’s the only one who still
doesn’t have the slightest clue as to why he and the Prince are here in the
first place.
He looks down at Jungkook only to see him offering his hand to the young boy.
“Want to learn a magic trick?” The young Prince asks in a tone that is still
short of emotion, even when he’s now speaking to a child who doesn’t look any
younger than ten.
As though coming to a clear understanding of what that meant, the child treads
over to them without another ounce of hesitation until he’s standing in front
of Jungkook.
“It better be a good one.” The little boy says with a defying air, coming off
as cross-eyed and demanding.
Jungkook appears to be unfazed though as fishes out a gold coin from the pocket
of his slacks and holds it up for display, the early bright of morning causing
it to glimmer spectacularly. “Watch this.” In an instant, he claps the coin
directly against his free hand only to have it leave without a single trace of
it anywhere. He then reaches over the back of the child’s ear and retrieves the
gold coin out of nowhere. On the spur of the moment, Seokjin recalls how Lord
Choi had told him that a simple magic trick used to make the Prince smile from
ear to ear when he was still a young tyke, but when the blond eyes his master’s
face, all he could see is a detached look with a hint of motive in his eyes-
- almost as if Lord Choi’s words were nothing but a rumor that Jimin would have
enjoyed talking about.
Seokjin casts his eyes on the child to see a one-sided smile curling one corner
of his mouth. “I know better magicians than you, pet.” Seokjin finds himself
tensing up at the boy’s words but Jungkook fortunately appears to be impassive
about it. The child reaches to take the coin from him and dips it into his own
pocket. “The land of Androtis has better magicians.”  
Jungkook pauses in which he seems to be studying the boy’s face. “Is that all?”
“I want bread.” The boy sticks his chin up.
Seokjin couldn’t determine whether or not it’s the play of the sun but he
catches a fleeting glimpse of Jungkook’s lips quirking up to a minuscule smile.
The Prince finally straightens up and reaches into his brown satchel to attain
loaves of bread all bundled up in a paper bag. In an instant, the children
dallying about nearby scurry over to their direction like hankering canines
waiting to be fed. Jungkook hands the bag to the young boy and his next
movement has Seokjin at a startled trance-- he reaches down to tousle the
child’s greasy dark hair.
In his entire life, never had Seokjin been a witness of a highborn touching
what most people would assume is a peasant. He could easily count upon the idea
that the Prince has only done that for he’s technically playing the part of a
pet and not a highborn, but that doesn’t really require him tousling the hair
of a street child. And he did so in the most homey way possible as if he had
done that countless times by now.  
“Let’s head back.” Jungkook turns his back on the children once they’ve all
started enjoying themselves with their breakfast. “And fast.”
===============================================================================
“Are you still not going to tell me what you’re doing?” Seokjin inquires in
Callian as they tread back to where their carriage had halted.
“No. Your Callian pocket-sized mind wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
Seokjin frowns. “Monster.”
“Savage.”
Seokjin knows that he really shouldn't be interacting with his master like
this. He was taught better than this after all. However, all those years of
training have been thrown out of the window the second he comes to realize that
Yoseob's promise of his highborn of a master treating him with so much
affection turns out to be nothing but a myth. In his case, at least. Taehyung
is the one who had cashed in on having a loving master.
As they finally near their destination, a towering man who looks about to be in
his early 30’s clad in golden highborn garbs impedes on their path almost too
curiously. “Hold on there,” He shoots Seokjin a sickeningly sweet smile before
he trails his auburn eyes over to Jungkook. “You’ve got a lovely pet there,
handsome Callian. How much did you pay for him?”
Seokjin blinks, not entirely certain how to handle the situation unfolding
before him. He glances over at Jungkook but the Prince is just staring up at
the stranger with his usual air of nonchalance, obviously expecting for the
blond to deal with this himself. Seokjin ishis master after all. A pet can only
speak when permitted to.
“Erm…” Seokjin redirects his attention back on the highborn. “Not remember.
Many gold I think.” He says, feigning a thick Callian accent though he could
tell he’s doing a terrible job at it. He’s not the best liar.
However, this flies over the man’s head. “Is he tamed?” Without the bother of
waiting for Seokjin’s response though, he reaches over to thread his fingers
through the Prince’s dark locks and Seokjin feels Jungkook’s clutch on his hand
tightening with so much tensity. Seokjin couldn’t do much about this. He has no
reason to tell the man to back off considering the fact that masters are
supposed to luxuriate in flaunting the beauty of their pets. The man then grips
Jungkook’s jaw and turns his head from left to right exactly like how Seokjin
was inspected by the guard the day Yoseob had sold him off.
“He has quite a pleasant face. A bit dead in the eyes, but I suppose it’s
because he’s obedient.” The man remarks with a small approving smile as he runs
his fingers down Jungkook’s neck and to his chest. It seems that’s the breaking
point for the Gennaian prince for he smacks the stranger’s hand right away, the
man quickly withdrawing in complete shock.
“Not obedient.” Seokjin points out in his heavily feigned Callian accent.
The man examines Jungkook in short notice before shifting his eyes on the
blond. “That can be arranged. I’m a pet handler, you see. I travel far and wide
to purchase the most exquisite people I set my eyes on. I will give you fifty
grand worth of gold for this gem of yours.”
Just hearing him refer to Jungkook as though he’s an inanimate object turns
Seokjin’s stomach, but hearing how much the man is willing to give just to
acquire the Prince almost drains the energy from his knees. Fifty grand worth
of gold would be enough to last him a lifetime. Escaping his master will cost
him his life, but there is no master if he has him sold off to someone and
elope to Callias where he could change his name and start an entirely new life.
Whatever happens to Jungkook after that will be the least of his concerns.
He meets Jungkook’s eyes at the thought.
The dark-haired Prince is looking at him with what appears to be a manner of
expectancy-- as if he knowswhat’s going through Seokjin’s mind and is already
counting on it to happen.
Seokjin swallows.
Fortunate circumstances are now laid out in the cards for him. All he has to do
is sell Jungkook, and Jungkook wouldn’t even be able to retaliate unless he’s
inclining towards causing a scene and having his brother find out that he’s
been going out of town in disguise as a pet. Seokjin could leave this life now
for a significantly better one.
But then the image of Jungkook smiling at the child and tousling his hair rings
into his mind.
While it is beyond his doubt that the Prince is up to something, it tells him
that it’s not for the sake of self-interest. The fact that Jungkook had to go
out of his way to remind him to speak to one of the townsfolk in the politest
way possible in spite of being uncertain how to pronounce the word in Callian
and how he had not shown even a tinge of distaste at the mere sight of street
children like what most highborn would do, Seokjin will never be able to live
it down knowing that he had sold him off.
He would be like those people who think of pets as nothing but extravagant
possessions of the highborn.  
Seokjin purses his lips and looks back at the stranger.
“Not for sale.”
The man appears to be taken aback by the response. “Are you for certain--”
“Goodbye.” Seokjin squeezes Jungkook’s hand and treks away, feeling the
opportunity of a new life slipping through his fingers like the smoothest silk.
He knows he did the right thing, but seeing how Jungkook’s hold on him is
loosening the farther they get, he has a feeling the Prince doesn’t appear to
be sharing his thoughts. As they turn around another corner where it’s stripped
off of a single townsfolk, Seokjin only comes to realize that Jungkook has been
walking at a faster pace than him. When Jungkook releases his hand and turns
around to face him, Seokjin catches sight of the strain tautening the definite
edge of the Prince’s jaw.
“Why didn’t you close the deal?” The younger male demands, his voice heavy with
enmity and suspicion.
Seokjin frowns at Jungkook’s lack of gratitude. “Does it matter?”
His words seem to have elicited an internal debate within the Prince. Seokjin
could see his hands clenching and unclenching with perplexity. Their
conversation is starting to lurch off the cutting edge of a sword and he
couldn’t make up his mind whether or not he should say something.
“You let him touch me.” Jungkook’s voice sunders through the silence.
“You hit me.” Seokjin is quick to retaliate. “That makes us even.”
This provokes something in Jungkook but Seokjin had seen the next action
coming. His hand catches the Prince’s wrist before he could let him do any more
damage on him and he picks up on the restrained growl that nearly pushes past
Jungkook’s lips. Seokjin glowers back down at him, but this doesn’t faze
Jungkook for he makes an attempt to yank his hand away.
“Let go of me, pet.” His last word is laced with so much venom, Seokjin
couldn’t help but regret not closing the deal after all. But that regret is
short-lived for he lets go of Jungkook anyway and takes a step back.
“Are you done, kid?” He returns, though is mindful of his tone this time.
Jungkook scowls. “Have someone touch me again, and I will have your head on a
platter.”
And with that, he turns on his heel and strides on to their carriage.
Seokjin swallows a sigh that sears its way down his chest, trying his very best
to maintain his composure. Jungkook has shown so much kindness to other people
to the point that it earned him suitors from the highborn and an abundant load
of respect from people like Yoongi and Jimin. Why he deems Callians are not
worth the same treatment, Seokjin fears that he might never have the liberty of
knowing.
===============================================================================
Just as he had expected, Jungkook had him locked up yet again in his chambers
for the next few days. He had not been invited to any of the evening meals and
Jimin still wouldn’t allow Taehyung to pay him a visit. It wouldn’t be long
until this punctilious confinement tips him over his sanity. The bruise on his
face hasn’t entirely faded away yet, but it’s going there much to the blond’s
contentment.
There are rare times wherein Jimin would check in on him, but those moments are
so fleeting, Seokjin could have just easily depicted them in his mind as well.
Yoongi had also stepped into his chambers once just to examine his face. When
Seokjin asked him how Taehyung is doing, the physician told him to mind his own
business.
On the dead of the night though, Seokjin hears the door swinging open and he
looks up from the book he’s languidly indulging himself in to see an unfamiliar
young man stepping inside. He’s clad in crimson highborn garbs with skin that
seems to be a touch darker than most Gennaian highborn. Seokjin immediately
diverts his eyes down and shuts his book closed before straightening up from
his seat to give his visitor a polite bow.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” The man offers him a sheepish smile. “Look
up.”
Seokjin does so.
“You’re… Seokjin, is that right? Kookie’s pet?”
“Kookie?”
“I mean, Jungkook.” The man clears his throat, looking out of place. “The
Prince.”
“Oh. Yes.”
“I’m Lord Jung-- erm, never mind. Call me Hoseok.” Hoseok rubs the back of his
neck as his eyes take a gander of his surroundings, though it seems like he’s
just trying to look at anything but Seokjin. “I just came here to confirm
something-- to satisfy my curiosity, more like. But I don’t really know how to
say it…”
“Go ahead.” Seokjin prompts him politely.
Hoseok looks back at him, almost seemingly surprised. “Oh. Well. Is it… true
that your master had hit you?”
Seokjin pauses, uncertain on how to respond. Regardless of the dangerous
circumstances that Jungkook has bestowed on him so far, he knows that it still
wouldn’t be wise to speak ill of him. Word spreads fast in the palace,
apparently. And if Jungkook finds out that he had decided to contribute to the
rumors about him-- and although what happened between them isn’t technically a
rumor-- he knows that it will not end well for him.
“No.” He denies with a hesitant shake of his head.
“Then what’s that on your face?” Hoseok gestures to his cheek.
“That’s… a different story.”
Hoseok studies him for a while as though not convinced, but then a trustworthy
smile eventually graces his lips. “I admire your loyalty to Kookie and your
loyalty is what he’ll be needing tonight. The King, the council and the Prince
are waiting for you at the audience chamber. Somebody had spoken of the bruise
on your face and your master has been indicted for it.”
“W-Wait, I’m sorry?” Seokjin takes a hasty step closer to the lord. “Indicted
for it? But this really isn’t his--”
“Feel free to tell that to the council. They’ll be the judge.” Hoseok pats his
shoulder in reassurance. “Follow me.”
===============================================================================
Unlike most of Seokjin’s visits to the audience chamber, the place is now
brimming with the highborn and their pets whose bodies are painted with the
usual crimson design. All of them are seated at either side of the room,
leaving a pathway to the throne where Seokjin has been guided by Hoseok to
tread on. He spots the King seated on his throne with his council near him.
Standing at the bottom of the steps is Jungkook and even in the face of the
accusation that has been rendered to him, he still stands with a semblance of
disinterest as if coming to court is nothing but an unnecessary item on his
checklist.
“If you believe in Kookie,” Hoseok murmurs to Seokjin’s ear. “then you will do
everything that you can to save him from whatever his brother has up his
sleeve.” And with that, he leaves the blond once they’ve reached the Prince.
Jungkook greets Seokjin with a displeased frown but says nothing.
“Prince Jungkook,” The King begins, his voice boisterous over the grand
chambers. “you have been accused of striking your pet when your pet has not
caused any harm on you. Are you guilty of this allegation?”
Jungkook looks calculating for a moment but then he crosses his arms. “For now,
let us say that I did. What makes you believe that nothing prompted me to
strike my pet, brother?”
The King frowns somewhat tiredly and casts his gaze on Seokjin. “Speak up, pet.
Did you hurt your Prince?”
Seokjin’s mind couldn’t supply him with that particular memory. Although Hoseok
told him to defend Jungkook as much as he could, he couldn’t afford himself
getting penalized for something he never did. “No, Your Grace.”
“Well that settles it.” Council Bomseok appears to be pleased by the entire
ordeal. “The Prince is a brat. Let us get to the punitive measures already.”
“Patience, Councilor Bomseok.” The King sighs before focusing back on Seokjin.
“I can see a bruise on your face. Did that come from the hit the Prince had
given you? And speak justly. You will be charged for bearing false witness to
your King if you don’t.”
It’s strange how Seokjin knows that everyone’s looking at him with intense
desire to know the truth and yet, he still couldn’t determine what’s going on
through Jungkook’s mind though he could feel his stare slicing through him. “I-
I speak the truth when I say this bruise has nothing to do with the Prince,
Your Highness. This was due to my own ineptitude.”
“Where did you get it?” Councilor Namjoon prompts.
Seokjin hesitates.
“From one of my guards.” Jungkook answers for him, now seizing everyone’s eyes.
The King raises an inquisitive brow at the confession. “Your guards? Why is
that?”
“I told them that they can bed my pet if I see fit.” Not a single trace of
shame could be detected in Jungkook’s voice.
“With your pet’s consent?” Councilor Namjoon asks.
Seokjin could see a nerve working along Jungkook’s jaw as Jungkook shakes his
head. “No. But I am not in any act of deceit when I tell you that I’ve never
ordered any of my guards to touch him that night. It has come to my attention
that they’ve been promised a sum of gold by someone if they ravage my pet.”
This is it.
This is the part where Jungkook will turn the stones over and have someone else
take the fall for his treachery. He certainly has his way with words, Seokjin
has to admit.
But for some unfortunate reason, the King gives the latter part of his words no
heed at all. “Do you know the penalty for doing something to your pet that
draws no consent?”
Jungkook is silent for a moment, and so are the rest of the people occupying
the chambers. It almost seems like everyone is holding their breaths for what
the young Prince has to say. Seokjin is now even more anxious than his lengthy
mundane days in his bedchamber. He had been so sure that Jungkook will get out
of this dilemma innocent, but the King is one step ahead of him.
Finally, Jungkook raises his chin up. “What do you know about consent, brother?
The last time I checked, silencedoes not stand for consent in any way
whatsoever. Ask your pets.”
All at once, his words stir an uproar in the room.
Some of the highborn are heatedly throwing out their own ideas of penalty for
the Prince while some have stayed quiet on their seats, seemingly humiliated.
The pets, on the other hand, are all looking at Jungkook with so much adoration
and worship. Seokjin catches a glimpse of the woman he had spoken to at dinner
that night-- one of the King’s pets-- appearing to be satisfied of the Prince’s
response.
And somehow, Seokjin is now picking on what Jungkook meant by that.
“He’s a good kid.”The woman had described his master that time.
The King raises his hand to cease the noise and it works as everyone
begrudgingly sits back down on their seats. “Prince Jungkook,” He frowns down
at his younger brother. “you have just clearly admitted that you have the
notion of provoking an action towards your pet without your pet’s consent. You
may not have hit him, but you are still to be charged for abuse. For twelve
moons straight, you are not to step out of the royal palace under strict
surveillance.”
Seokjin finds Jungkook’s entire frame stiffening at that.
Jungkook clenches his fist. “But I have not--”
“My decision is final.” The King cuts him off. “Perhaps this will help you
learn to stop turning your back on your King.This case is dismissed.”
And with that, the King stands up from his throne and climbs down to the other
side of the stairs to take his leave-- his council trailing after him. As
everyone files out of the chambers, Jungkook remains standing on his spot. His
form still appears to be locked with so much tension, Seokjin stays standing by
his side just in case he goes on a rampage on the the highborn who are still in
the midst of clearing out the room.
Hoseok stays, and so does Jimin.
Seokjin sees them looking at each other with hesitance, as if they’re having
some kind of silent debate whether or not they should approach their Prince.
“Leave us.” Jungkook orders them without a glance to their direction.
The two hesitate for another moment but decide to do what’s best and leave the
room.
Seokjin watches Jungkook, noticing how the young man has once again started
rubbing his thumb against his index finger like he did in the carriage. As much
as Seokjin despises the way his master has been treating him, he could tell
that the penalty the King had bestowed on him has obstructed whatever it is he
has been working so hard on and that doesn't sit well with Seokjin either.
“Jungkook--” The blond begins but falls short of what to say.
A humorless breath of laughter slips past the Prince’s lips as he casts his
eyes on him almost bitterly. “You’re taking liberties again. Since when did you
start calling me by my first name?”
Seokjin purses his lips. “My Prince…”
“I’m not your prince.” Jungkook turns to fully face him. “You are not worthy
enough to be one of my people. You’re a repugnant Callian and that’s what
you’ll always be.”
Unlike before, Seokjin is left unaffected by Jungkook’s words for he now knows
he is only speaking out of hostility at the recent turn of events.
“But I am still your master.” Jungkook persists on, taking a few steps closer
to the blond until their height difference becomes more prominent. “And you are
mine. I can still remember the way you looked at me the first time we met. Tell
me, do you still harbor such desires for your master?”
Seokjin swallows the lump hanging onto his throat. “Pets are trained to desire
their masters.”
“So you want to spread for me?” Jungkook asks and it’s hard for Seokjin to
determine if his tone is hinting on genuine inquiry or feigned interest. “Or do
you want it the other way around? Do you want me writhing and panting
underneath you? Gasping your name out over and over with my arms encircled
desperately around your neck as you drive deeper into me?”
Heat of embarrassment paints Seokjin’s face at the image, his muscles sealing
with tension. Just envisioning the normally impassive Prince looking so
unhinged and disheveled for once carries all sorts of desire throughout the
blond’s body. Jungkook draws in closer and tilts his head slightly to the side
and for a moment, Seokjin had the ridiculous expectation of the Prince pressing
his lips against his. But then Jungkook just stares up at him, a look of
detachment still written all over his aesthetically pleasant features.
“Would you like that?” Jungkook’s breath ghosts over his lips.
“I-I…”
Jungkook draws away. “Unfortunately, I don’t roll in the sty with swine so save
your breath.”
Seokjin stares at him, completely dumbfounded and a little too frustrated for
the unnecessary allurement the Prince had shown.
Or perhaps that’s what Jungkook is going for.
Jungkook has turn on his heel by then, waving him off. “I want you to go to
Lord Choi’s bedchamber right this instant. Tell his guards I sent you there.”
“W-What?” Seokjin blinks. “But why--”
“I did not permit you to ask questions.” And with that, Jungkook takes his
leave.
Once he’s alone, only one unsettling thought occurs to Seokjin’s mind:
It’s been too long since he’s had a satisfying release.
And he could confirm it himself that’s the kind of thought Jungkook is really
going for.
===============================================================================
Just as he had been instructed, Seokjin sets out for Lord Choi’s chambers with
Jimin leading him.
“What did the Prince tell you while you two were alone?” The guard pries, not
to Seokjin’s surprise.
“Nothing important.” Seokjin could only hope his face isn’t giving anything
away. “Just reprimanded me for not speaking up for him.”
Jimin is silent for a while. “Are you surethat’s what happened? That doesn’t
sound like him.”
“How would you know? The Prince is hard to read.”
“Oh. Point taken.”
Two guards stand by Lord Choi’s bedchamber and when they catch sight of
Seokjin, their faces remain impassive.
“Erm…” Seokjin begins a bit warily. “The Prince sent me here.”
“Lord Choi is not present.” The guard informs him, his tone surprisingly
civilized compared to Jungkook’s other guards.
“Unless you are here to visit his pet?” The other one inquires in the same
civilized tone. “I believe it’s the new one who has been ordered to be locked
up in his chambers.”
“You mean Taehyung?” Seokjin suggests.
“Yeah, the smiley one.”
“Oh…” Why would Jungkook want him to visit Taehyung when he wouldn’t even let
him have his own visitors? “Okay, I guess the Prince wants me to see him then.”
“Go ahead.” The guard gestures him to the double doors.
“I’ll wait for you here.” Jimin tells him and Seokjin could only give him a nod
of acknowledgement before reaching for the doors and pushing them open. Just as
he had thought, Lord Choi’s bedchamber is even more grandiose than his own
chambers but that is to be expected from a highborn. Nearly every furniture is
draped in the hue of red and gold, but Seokjin soon turns a blind eye to any of
the room’s details when he catches sight of a figure lying on the bed.
His bare back is turned to the blond, his shoulders shaking and his skin
blotched with purple welts that almost look immensely grotesque. Repressed sobs
could be easily picked up on and when Seokjin draws in closer, he lays a gentle
hand on the boy’s shoulder only to have the boy jerk violently under his touch.
“I-I can’t right now… Please let me rest.” Taehyung’s broken voice invades his
senses.
And just like that, realization hits Seokjin hard.
Now he knows why the highborn are quick to make Jungkook pay for what he had
insinuated earlier.
Why that woman had claimed that all pets want to be his.
It turns out Yoseob doesn’t know a thing about the treatment of pets in the
palace after all.
 
Chapter End Notes
     I was supposed to update this two days ago but work got me too
     occupied. If you're still here though, thank you so much for your
     patience! And gosh, your comments always make my day!! Such a BIG way
     to motivate me and I really appreciate the time and effort you put in
     them!
     Also, look at this adorable commission done by ykmchi | tumblr!
     http://i.imgur.com/uhlwObw.jpg
     Ahhh this makes me so happy~!!
     Oh, and if you have any questions about the fic, feel free to bother
     me at bishi.tumblr.com!
***** Stay Alive *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
“Tae, it’s me.”
Seokjin feels Taehyung’s entire form stiffen under his touch but the younger
male doesn’t turn his head. Instead, he curls up even further to himself and
shifts away from him against the red silk sheets underneath. Growing up with
Taehyung, never in his life had Seokjin been a witness of his fragile moments
such as this one. He knows that Taehyung had been going to great lengths to
keep it that way but Seokjin knows him all too well. Even whenever Taehyung
tries to overcast his troubles with his signature wide grin, Seokjin always
sees right through it.
He remembers the first night Taehyung had given himself to a customer. Although
he had boasted on about how his customer told him that he will be seeing him
more often because of how good he was, Seokjin had easily picked up on how his
friend wouldn’t even meet his eye as he gloated. There were mornings where he
would see Taehyung waking up with red bleary eyes and the younger male would
kick up a fuss about how he didn’t get enough sleep last night because of their
roommates’ snores.
But Seokjin had always known that Taehyung had been sneaking out at night to
break down and let all his constrained emotions out.
Perhaps that’s why he had been so ambitious in getting the eye of a highborn.
Yoseob had promised them a life free of worries and troubles-- that they could
actually live a life where someone genuinely appreciates them, and would
possibly even lovethem. But it turns out Taehyung had left hell only to be
submerged into a deeper one.
Behind his good-natured smile, Taehyung is just trying to keep himself afloat.
After a moment of reluctance, Seokjin eventually seats himself on the
comfortable mattress. “Tae, look at me.”
Taehyung shakes his head so meekly, it could have easily fooled the blond that
he’s talking to a completely different person.
“Tae…” He reaches for his friend’s shoulder again but pauses and decides to opt
for his better judgement for once, keeping his hand back down on his lap.
“People tell me that we all need a friend in the palace. We grew up together,
so I believe our trust towards each other speaks in great favor here.” He has
little expectation of his friend finally letting him see how dejected and
tormented he has been his entire life, but Seokjin still couldn’t ingest that
teensy flare of hope that Taehyung would count on him enough to let him know
that he isn’t happy-- at least not in the way he makes himself out to be.
For a moment, there is only the sound of silence. The wind of nightfall rustles
the leaves hanging from the cornus kousa trees. Taehyung seems to shrink in on
himself, like a turtle withdrawing into its shell. In the stretched-out moment
that followed, the urge to murder Lord Choi nearly robs Seokjin blind but he
manages to keep a rational mind. He’s never the paragon of virtue, but even he
knows people who hurt others for the sake of their own entertainment are worthy
of getting battered.
Finally, Taehyung waveringly sits up.
He doesn’t look at Seokjin though. He keeps his face down, his knuckles white
on the clenching of his fist over an unfamiliar red handkerchief. Seokjin wants
him to look at him just to let him know that he’s here but it seems Taehyung
doesn’t want anyone by his side right now. In fact, his friend looks tired-
- almost as though he has fallen out of hope at this point.
“I hate it here.” Taehyung finally says, his voice deep but faltering.
“I know.” Seokjin tries to sound as considerate as possible but it doesn’t seem
to alleviate his friend’s state of mind. “I want to go home too.”
“No.” Taehyung shakes his head and from what little Seokjin could see, the
younger male bites down onto his lip as though restraining himself from
breaking down in front of him. “There’s no home. I hate it here. I hate it
there . I just… want everything to stop.” His voice breaks by the latter part
of his words and he quickly loops his arms across his knees to bury his face on
top of them, his shoulders quavering again as dry heaving sobs rack his slender
frame. His breaths come out heavy and raw like a cracking uproar from his
throat.
Seokjin catches a glimpse of discoloration hemmed in around his wrists-- like
rope burns.
The urge to embrace his friend overwhelms him, but what good would that do?
After the unmistakable things that have happened to Taehyung, Seokjin knows
that any form of physical contact is the last thing he needs. The fact that he
had cowered away at a simple touch is enough proof of that.
After a moment of Taehyung trying to regain his composure, he eventually looks
up at the blond and his face is the epitome of distress and loss of hope. He is
no longer the buoyant Taehyung he’s so keen on showing and Seokjin feels the
constricting string of heartbeats within the confines of his chest at the mere
sight of it. “I don’t think I can handle this anymore, Seokjin.” He says almost
breathlessly. “I don’t think I have anything to live for. I really want to just
give up, but…” He swallows. “I also want to stay alive. I haveto stay alive. At
least the Prince wants me to.”
“The Prince?” Seokjin frowns, somewhat finding that hard to believe.
Taehyung wipes his tears with the cloth he has in his hand and nods his head.
“He… He caught me trying to escape earlier.”
The bare idea of Taehyung putting his life on the edge of the plank for the
sake of breaking away from his master completely outstrips Seokjin of words. A
pet fleeing from their master or having romantic affairs behind their back is a
death sentence. Surely this isn’t the first time Taehyung had given rein to
someone’s sadistic urges, but everyone has their limit and Taehyung had
evidently drawn his up to the point that he would risk his life just to get
away from everything.
“What did he do?” Seokjin gently prompts him. Seeing that his friend is still
in one piece, he could only assume Jungkook must have had at the very least
threatened him.
Taehyung licks his lips. “He walked me back here. I just… broke down in front
of him. I thought he was going to have me killed but he just escorted me back
here to Lord Choi’s chambers.” He stops to swallow again, almost seemingly in a
painful manner. “He told me to stay alive; that I have to be patient with him.”
Seokjin purses his lips in conflict at that. It is to be expected from a
highborn to give a ridiculous advice when they could never get the picture of
what it is really like to be a pet. “I don’t think he knows that being patient
with a monster like Lord Choi would be that easy--”
“Not Lord Choi.” Taehyung looks up at him with bleary red-rimmed eyes. “The
Prince.”
Seokjin stares down at him, puzzled.
Be patient with Jungkook? Why would he ask of that from Taehyung?
His eyes trail down to the red handkerchief his friend has in his hand. “That’s
not yours, isn’t it?”
Taehyung follows his gaze and bites down onto his bottom lip, his grip
tightening ever so slightly on the cloth. “I don’t suppose it’s a crime to say
I’d do anything to be in your shoes right now.”
Just as he said this, the doors nearby swing open and Yoongi steps in. But then
he stops short when he catches sight of Seokjin and an expression like a
dangerous rainstorm passes over his face. “What in seven hells are you doing
here?”
“Jungkook sent me here.” Seokjin points out with a frown. “Who sent you?”
He sees Yoongi setting his jaw as though having some sort of silent argument
with himself, but then he eventually closes the doors behind him and doesn’t go
out of his way to answer the blond’s question. Instead, he walks over to the
mattress and doesn’t spare him a glance. Seokjin scoots away a bit to give him
space on the bed and as Yoongi sits down beside him, the blond only now
realizes that he’s been focusing on Taehyung.
“What were you thinking?” The physician asks, his tone cold but evidently tied
up in uneasy knots.
Taehyung doesn’t meet his eyes.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Yoongi persists on and when Taehyung still wouldn’t
look at him, he reaches over to take his chin between his fingers and tilts his
head up so he could look at him. Seokjin couldn’t help but be taken aback by
the gentle touch of the physician that is in complete contrast to his attitude.
“Taehyung, why didn’t you tell me you were going to leave the palace? Do you
have any idea what would have happened if someone else caught you?”
Taehyung’s hand comes up to Yoongi’s and for a moment, he keeps it there; his
fingers shaking and their eyes on each other. But then he eventually pushes his
hand away in a feeble manner, lowering his gaze down. “I-I… I’m sorry, Yoongi.
I just…”
Yoongi sighs and casts his eyes on Seokjin. “Leave us. I need to speak with my
patient.”
“Oh, okay.” Seokjin nods, standing up and hesitantly taking his leave.
It seems breaking free from his master isn’t the only life-risking thing
Taehyung has been doing.
As Seokjin leaves the chambers, he finds Jimin speaking with Lord Choi and the
blond’s pulse leaps. It doesn’t take an idiot to know that Lord Choi has no
idea that Seokjin had paid his pet a visit and whether or not this is Jimin’s
way of distracting him so the blond could have the chance of scurrying off to
his bedchamber, Seokjin knows that he needs to leave right now.
Like always, the guards standing by the doors remain frozen and impassive on
their spots.
Seokjin heaves in a deep breath and heads over to the other side of corridor,
thankful that Lord Choi has his back on him. If that man finds out he had
visited his pet without his permission, he will surely demand an explanation
out of Taehyung and seeing Taehyung’s state right now, Seokjin doubts that
he’ll be much of a good liar as he normally is at the moment. But then again,
Jungkook could very well cover up for them but would the Prince really pass up
the opportunity of having a justified reason to penalize Seokjin?
He may be kind to Taehyung, but that still doesn’t change the fact that he
despises Callians.
Fortunately enough, Seokjin reaches his chambers unseen by the lord and he
closes the door behind him with a relieved sigh.
Now he has time to think.
Seokjin draws away from the door and runs his fingers through his pale hair.
Jungkook had caught Taehyung breaking away from the palace and yet, he never
spoke about it. Not even in court where he could have used that case to get
everyone’s attention off of him and to Taehyung. He could have easily given
Taehyung’s life in exchange for his own freedom. But he never did. Other than
that, he sneaks out of the palace every now and then dressed as a pet. And
recalling how Jimin didn’t even appear to be taken by surprise upon seeing
Seokjin dressed in highborn garbs, the blond could simply assume that sneaking
out with a pet is a common thing for the Prince and has been keeping it under
wraps-- with his servants and Jimin being the only people who know about it.
In the library, Jungkook had asked for a strangely specific book and only took
out a small slip of paper from it before suddenly being in a hurry to go to
Thai Mol Piyas. That must be the location that was written on the slip of
paper, perhaps it’s a form of communication Jungkook has with someone outside
the palace.
They headed off for the street children after that and Seokjin has always found
the conversation Jungkook had with one of them a tad bit odd.
The child had mentioned the people of Androtis, and Jungkook had asked him if
that’s all he knows. Then he went on rewarding the children with loaves of
bread. Could the street children be part of whatever it is the Prince is up to?
He had told Taehyung to be patient with him.
And perhaps it’s because he’s in the progress of changing things.
The palace pets strive for his attention-- they want to be his and all because
unlike the other highborn, Jungkook doesn’t lay a finger on any of his pets. He
doesn’t hurt them. He doesn’t force them to do things that make them
uncomfortable and hence, why he had pointed out that silence doesn’t stand for
consent which had stirred an uproar among the highborn who are all evidently
guilty of what the Prince is accusing them of.   
The King’s words earlier ring into Seokjin’s mind: “Perhaps this will help you
learn to stop turning your back on your King.”
He recalls the first time Jungkook had summoned him and the blond found him
inebriated and staring down at the throne, his fingers running down the
armrest. He recalls how incredulous Jungkook had sounded when the King had
referred to himself as the blood of his blood.
And from what he’s heard before, the Prince is turning twenty-one soon.
But right before Seokjin could further ponder on that, Jimin suddenly steps
into the room and closes the door behind him. “That was close.” He stares at
the blond with a relieved sigh. “Took you a while with that pet, huh?”
“Sorry.” Seokjin scratches his head and seats himself on the mattress, mopping
his face with his hands. “I just have a lot in my mind right now.”
“Well you should probably get some sleep. Lord Choi just wanted me to ask if
you’re capable of defending yourself.”
Seokjin looks up at him, confused. “What? Why?”
Jimin shrugs. “I think it’s safe to say you’re not exactly everyone’s favorite
in the palace. You know, with the whole jealousy of pets and highborn, and the
Prince hating your existence…”
“Oh…” Silence opens around Jimin’s words as Seokjin mulls over that. He never
really did anything drastic here and yet, he’s still the subject of nearly
everyone’s animosity. “Our handler taught us a few knife tricks if that
counts…? Some customers can get too… hystericalat times and our handler doesn’t
want us risking our faces since our looks are pretty much our career.”
“Okay, good. Here.”
Jimin strides over to where Seokjin is seated and presents a sharp dagger that
bears a bright cerulean handle and silver crossguards. The blond furrows his
brows in puzzlement and doesn’t take the weapon. Instead, he looks up at the
guard. “Why would he give me a dagger?”
Jimin hesitates. “Well… after that whole ordeal with the other guards, he
thinks it’s best to keep you armed just in case the Prince thinks it’s about
time he actually lets his guards ravage you.”
Somehow, after everything that’s happened, Seokjin is starting to give credence
to the possibility that Jungkook’s threats are about as empty as a bird’s nest
in December. But apparently, Lord Choi is concerned over his well-being.
Seokjin doesn’t need his concern though. If anything, that old man should be
focusing his concern on his own pets instead of someone else’s.
But then again, perhaps the treatment of pets here has always been like this
and Lord Choi grew up thinking that way. Seeing how much that man loves his
nephew, Jungkook could probably bring him to reason that he could look at other
side of the light when it comes to having pets.
Tentatively, Seokjin reaches for the dagger but dwindles no more time in
examining it as he slips it under his pillow. “Thanks.” He looks up at Jimin
with a meager tired smile quirking the corners of his lips. “Maybe I really do
need that.”
“I think you do.” Jimin agrees, matching Seokjin’s smile with a brighter one.
“Get some rest then! Who knows what kind of boring day you’ll have tomorrow?”
“Wait,” Seokjin reaches for the guard’s arm just before he could turn around.
Jimin appears to be startled by the contact but the blond bears that no mind.
“I need to speak with the Prince.”
Jimin frowns. “You know it doesn’t work that way. He summons you, not the other
way around.”
“But I haveto talk to him.”
“I’m really sorry, pet. My hands are tied.”
Seokjin swallows down his impatience. “Can you at least tell him that I want to
see him?”
Jimin pauses at that, his eyes seeming to be raking over Seokjin’s form almost
dubiously. But then he finally shrugs his shoulders. “All right, I can try.”
===============================================================================
As the next drudging days stretch out, Seokjin comes to realize that speaking
with the Prince will take longer than he prefers. He could no longer hear
Taehyung from the other side of the door trying to flirt his way in, but
knowing that Yoongi has been keeping a close eye on him sets Seokjin at ease.
For now, he needs to focus on getting in touch with Jungkook. Not matter how
well he gets along with Jimin, he knows for a fact that the guard takes his
orders seriously and will not let anything obstruct that.
Maybe Jungkook does intend on making him wait.
That does sound like him after all and the mere thought of it thoroughly ticks
the blond off.
The sound of the door swinging open catches his attention and he promptly turns
around to find Hoseok stepping in. When their eyes meet, the highborn offers
him a smile that has finally lost its awkward tinge to it. Hoseok closes the
door behind him before taking a few steps closer to Seokjin, though he still
appears to be mindful of the distance between them.
“I found you trying to sneak away from Lord Choi’s chambers last night. Quite a
hilarious scene if you asked me.” The highborn grins. “But that’s not why I’m
here. I just want to ask if you know anyone from Callias.”
Seokjin blinks. “No, I was raised here.”
“If you were accused otherwise, will you be able to stand by that statement?”
“Yeah. I have my handler and my brothers as witnesses of that.”
Hoseok nods, his smile still seemingly pleased. “Good! That’ll be all then!
Have a good day with your...” He waves his hand around as though searching for
the right words. "...erm, room. I guess." He shrugs before taking his leave.
That was odd.
As the colors of the day soon start to subdue in the fading light and twilight
begins to fall, a servant steps in to serve Seokjin his dinner. Like always,
she leaves without a word nor a glance. Seokjin sighs and picks up the tray,
surprisingly not in the mood to eat at all-- not when he’s itching to talk to
the Prince. He places the tray over at the desk and settles for his bed
instead, deciding to take an early rest for the evening.
“Do you want me writhing and panting underneath you? Gasping your name out over
and over with my arms encircled desperately around your neck as you drive
deeper into me?”
Seokjin’s eyes shoot open.
No.
No.
He cannot think about that right now. He needs to sleep this day off. The more
he sleeps, the faster time will pass by until he could be allowed to talk to
Jungkook. Seokjin draws in a deep intake of breath as he shifts to his side,
burying his face onto his pillow and closing his eyes in an attempt to submerge
himself into slumber.
Until the image of an exposed Jungkook sprawled on his knees in front of him,
biting down onto his pillow and clenching the sheets underneath him takes
control over his mind.
Seokjin immediately pushes up from his bed, already feeling the heat roiling
within his stomach and moving south. He could feel the blooming color in his
cheeks and at this point, he knows that getting some sleep would be entirely
impossible unless he takes care of this.
It has been way too damn long after all.
There is no way he’d be able to do that here-- not when his doors are unlocked
for anyone to waltz in.
Instead, he opts for the bathroom.
He hurriedly shuts the door locked and leans his back against it, his hand
automatically and impatiently reaching down underneath his trousers where his
fingers make contact with the warmest and most honest part of him. He carefully
throws his head back against the door as his hand begins to stroke unevenly on
his skin-- warm and hard against his calloused palm. Short breaths slip past
his lips and he closes his eyes, involuntarily envisioning the Prince on his
knees in front of him.
The blond could picture Jungkook looking up at him with so much calculation and
certainty in his dark doe eyes, but his cheeks would be kissed pink at what
he’s about to do. Jungkook would have his fingers around his hard skin,
empirically running his hand up and down while still studying his face just to
see what he likes most.
Seokjin sucks in his bottom lip and shudders at the thought, pausing his hand
and running his thumb over the tip-- seeing Jungkook doing the same thing as a
way to see if he would like that. He pumps onto his skin again as he clenches
his teeth, not at all appeased with just his hand. His hands are undoubtedly
bigger and more calloused in contrast to Jungkook’s that are soft from being a
pampered highborn. His hand is just but a mere rueful alternative of what the
Prince would truly feel like.
But he will have to make-do of what he has.
He twists and pulls onto his skin with as much eagerness as he could give. He
could envision Jungkook experimentally slipping his tongue out and pressing it
just right over the tip against the slit. A deep desperate sound drives out of
Seokjin’s lips, perhaps a bit too loud than he intended. He knows that Jungkook
wouldn’t want him touching him yet. The Prince would want to take control over
the situation. It’s a relationship between a pet and his master after all.
But Jungkook would be different from the other masters.
He would want to give as much as he’d take.
And with that thought in mind, he would take the blond’s warm skin into his
mouth, letting it slide against his tongue. He would suck and pump perhaps a
bit clumsily due to lack of experience, but he’d be ambitious.
Ambitious to please and ambitious to prove that he’s not as helpless in bed as
most people think he is.
“Yes…” Seokjin breathes out in Callian, his head back against the door and his
eyes closed as he further pumps his skin to his long-desired release. He’s
close. He could feel it. The image of Jungkook’s free hand on his hip to keep
him still while his other hand continues running up and down against his skin
as he sucks him off invades his mind, and Seokjin clenches his jaw.
The imagery of it does enough for him as he jerks his hips one last time and
sets his release off onto his hand, not even realizing that he had cried out
Jungkook’s name as he did so. Having someone hear him is the least of his
worries though. Everyone is surely at the dining hall by now and Jimin rarely
pays him a visit. Seokjin sighs almost too heavily as he slumps against the
door, still trying to ease down from his high.
Now he feels pathetic.
Masturbating to the thought of someone who has him locked up, talked down on
his existence, and even struck him has got to be the most pitiful thing he’s
ever done.
Jungkook is undoubtedly physically desirable, but Seokjin couldn’t believe that
he still lusts over him even after the way he’s treated him. Sickened by what
he had done, the blond begins to clean himself up. He knows it’ll be another
long dull day tomorrow of the Prince making him wait for him but there’s not
much he could do now other than sleep and hope time flies by faster.
After cleaning himself up, Seokjin finally steps out of his bathroom.
“You took your time.”
He stops dead in his tracks.
Standing not far from the door and leaning a shoulder against the wall is no
other than Prince Jungkook, his eyes carrying an uncharacteristically amused
glint within them and a barely noticeable knowing smirk lighting upon one
corner of his lips.
“So,” The Prince drawls. “was I the giver or the taker in your little fantasy?”
Chapter End Notes
     Oh boy, you guys are wondering whether or not Jungkook would be the
     top or bottom in the smut that will partake in this fic. It's nice to
     know that we all have similar priorities huehehe
     Also, spectacular sketch of Kookie by angry-milk | Tumblr!
     http://i.imgur.com/xyknNJN.jpg
     I'm not worthy of such honor QuQ
     Comments and kudos are very much appreciated (and worshiped)!
***** Feast of Miracles *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Shame bathes the strained air around them. To say that Seokjin is mortified
would be a tremendous understatement. He could feel the tormenting heat rising
up to his cheeks and his pulse pounding in his temples. He clenches his fists
until his nails dig into his palm as his mind desperately scours through for an
excuse he could use to get that smug smile off the Prince’s lips. But what else
could he say? Jungkook had overheard the entire ordeal and if the blond goes
for coming up with some ludicrous excuse, it will do nothing but plunge him
further into the pit of humiliation.
He isn’t supposed to be masturbating to the thought of his merciless master.
Jungkook would know at this point that his own pet doesn’t like him.
And yet here they are.
The Prince’s question dangles between them and Seokjin swallows, his heart
still pounding a mile a minute. “I wanted to talk to you about something.” He
opts for a subject change and considering the fact that he had executed that
poorly, it fails to drive through Jungkook for the younger male shakes his head
and turns his back on him, looking around the room.
“Is this the first time you’ve touched yourself to the image of me?” He asks,
his tone bordering on amusement. “I seem to recall you calling me a monster.”
“You still are.”
“So you want to fuck or be fucked by one.”
Jungkook’s eyes find his and Seokjin picks up on the indolent dash tracing his
features. The Prince appears to be having a bit of a predicament trying to keep
his focus on the blond and it doesn’t require second thoughts to know that he
is undoubtedly inebriated; unequivocally more than last time. Trepidity spires
within Seokjin’s stomach like a serpent of Callias. He didn’t exactly have the
most warm-hearted experience when he dealt with an intoxicated prince, and
seeing him even far more intoxicated than before, Seokjin couldn’t predict what
his next actions would be. Although, Jungkook appears to be entertained rather
than canny.
But for sure, Seokjin will have to keep his guard up.
“You’ve had too much to drink, haven’t you?” A frown graces his lips.
Jungkook isn’t fazed as he waves his hand dismissively in the air. “I do admit
that I like a drop of wine or two when I’m pushed to biting the blade. I’d like
to think I could find an answer lying at the bottom of my goblet.”
Now this certainly affirms Seokjin’s suspicion of Jungkook being far too
inebriated than he was considering the fact that neither a sober nor a tipsy
Jungkook would ever admit to that. This must be the impact of the penalty his
brother had given him and Seokjin knows all too well that this isn’t the
impeccable time to be discussing with him about his shrouded motives. Jungkook
apparently drinks when he doesn’t know what to do-- probably one of the worst
decisions he’s ever made aside from hitting his own pet.
Seokjin presses his lips together in a tight line. “You really shouldn’t be
drinking, My Pri--” He pauses, and after a second thought, “Your Highness.”
Jungkook pauses, the diverted touch in his eyes fading to an almost miffed one.
He strides closer to the blond and the closer he draws in, the more tension
Seokjin could feel straining in his muscles. Once the Prince is standing right
in front of him, Seokjin detects the whiff of alcohol clinging to him like a
woman’s perfume. “Don’t test my patience, pet. You’ve finally caught me in a
good mood, it’d be best if you don’t ruin it.”
In spite of their height difference that comes about having the older male
towering over the other, Seokjin couldn’t help but feel uneasy by their
unfamiliar close proximity and he takes a step back. This earns him one rise of
a brow from the Prince but he pays that no heed. “If you want things to go
according to your plan, then now isn’t the right time to be indulging yourself
in liquor. Everyone needs you sober and in the right state of mind.”
Sharp troubling silence follows after his words as Jungkook searches his face.
Feeling a bit self-conscious by the look, Seokjin bites his lip out of modest
habit but then he notices the Prince’s eyes following the movement and the mere
sight of it causes his pulse to caper with apprehension. Jungkook’s shoulders
rise and fall with every unsteady breath, but he doesn’t do anything and
instead, meets his eyes.
“You said you want to talk about something. Out with it then.”
Seokjin finds that regrettably anti-climatic, but is still somewhat relieved
that Jungkook didn’t lift a hand at the very least. Still regarding the state
of mind the Prince is currently in though, the blond opts for a different topic
of discussion rather than the initial one he has been aiming for.
“It’s about my friend.” He begins, but then pauses before clarifying.
“Taehyung-- your uncle’s pet.”
Jungkook sizes him up with a lethargic gaze. “And how did you know Lord Choi is
my uncle?”
Seokjin fights back a wince at that. Jungkook probably doesn’t want him
interacting with anyone in his family but it’s far too late to back out now.
“I’ve spoken with him once.”
“How do you find him?”
Seokjin hesitates. “Complex.”
A faint quirk of a smile gilds the Prince’s lips at that. “That does sound like
my uncle. And what of his pet?”
“Taehyung is…” Seokjin hangs back on the thought. Will it really be sensible
for him to let Jungkook in on what he has in mind? This isthe Prince who had
struck him, constantly slanders his entire being, devalued his mother’s death,
and even intends on having him raped once he sees fit. But then again, all
these actions have been provoked by the plain naked truth that Seokjin is
simply a Callian and nothing else. If it were any other pet, they would have
been graced by the Prince’s generosity and concern. Since Taehyung is a born
and raised Gennaian, perhaps Jungkook would be in accord with unshackling him
from Lord Choi’s sadistic chains.
It is better to try now than never.
“I need you to barter for him from Lord Choi.”
The look of negligence eases off from the Prince’s pleasant features only to be
replaced by his signature stoic hue. “I see no reason that could compel me into
doing that. Your friend is of little importance to me.”
“You know he’s being mistreated.” Seokjin takes an inattentive step closer.
“And I knowhe has at least an ounce of your attention. If he doesn’t, you
wouldn’t have escorted him back to his master’s chambers when you caught him
trying to break away. You wouldn’t have sent me to him that night.”
He could see Jungkook setting his jaw. “Even if I do want to barter for your
friend,” The Prince speaks slowly. “It wouldn’t be that easy. Lord Choi values
his pets. He doesn’t trade them off unless he gets something vastly extravagant
out of it. Gold will not do.”
“What would he want then?”
Jungkook shrugs, almost as though he thinks he’s not inclined to come up with a
way to help Taehyung. “If it is not my problem, then I’d rather not bother with
it.”
Seokjin clenches his teeth. “You can’t just--!”
“I can.” Jungkook interrupts him with a biting glare. “I may not have gotten
your friend killed that time, but do remember that I still can. It wasn’t
particularly wise of you to tell a ‘monster’ about what or who you genuinely
care about.”
At first, Seokjin’s face is washed blank with confusion. But when the cogs in
his brain began taking a bend to the right curve, every muscle in his body
freezes. This conversation isn’t steering in the direction he wants it to go.
No matter how ruthless and implacable the Prince could be, Seokjin had always
thought that he would be willing to help Taehyung out. But it appears Jungkook
bears an immensely strong sense of grudge against him that he’d deem it
tractable to execute one of his people just to get a rise out his Callian pet.
“You wouldn’t…” He tries, almost too helplessly.
“I would if next time you waste my time again by requesting for me only to ask
for an insignificant favor.”
“But I just--”
“End of discussion.”
Jungkook turns on his heel and walks out without another word, leaving Seokjin
fouled up and paralyzed.
===============================================================================
Tall cornus kousa trees fleck shadows across the lush and thick blue-green
grass that wave and rustle in the cold breeze. He could hear the birds crooning
lullabies from their secluded nests and he picks up on the spicy essence of
fresh cut flowers the servants have laid out in his room earlier, replacing the
dried ones. He finds the merchants strolling through the gates with their carts
of neat goods, greeting the guards who only gave them curt nods. It has, once
again, been days since his last interaction with the Prince and Seokjin is
still confined in his chambers. He couldn’t help but wonder if the Prince had
ever considered inviting him to the evening meals again and that Seokjin had
completely destroyed that chance when he asked him for a favor.
How is that fair? It’s not as though he was asking for much. Jungkook could
have just easily let him down instead of putting Taehyung’s life at risk.
The door swinging open behind him catches his attention and he turns to find
Jimin stepping in with a breakfast tray in his hands. Seokjin blinks in
confusion. “What are you doing?”
Jimin doesn’t answer him at first as he closes the door and sets the tray on
the well-made bed. But when he casts his gaze on Seokjin, Seokjin discerns how
his eyes are alight with elation and now the blond is afire with curiosity.
Jimin makes a gesture for him to step closer and Seokjin promptly draws away
from the barred window.
Once he’s close enough, Jimin leans in. “I have good news for you.”
A bright sliver of hope flares up within Seokjin.
Jungkook was just really throwing words here and there. He genuinely does
intend to help his own people, even those who his Callian pet cares for.
“Well? What is it?” He prompts with a touch of zeal.
Jimin grins. “The Prince is taking you with him to the Feast of Miracles!”
And just like that, Seokjin’s smile easily falls with disenchantment and
perplexity. “What? How is that good news?”
Jimin appears to be taken aback by the blond’s sudden lack of enthusiasm, but
then he reclaims his excitement again nevertheless. “Do you not get it? It’s a
tremendoushonor for a palace pet to be taken to the Feast of Miracles! Only the
finest ones get to go! And what makes this even far better is that this is the
Prince’s first time making an appearance to the occasion and finally showing
his face to his people. The fact that he wants you to be there for that grand
moment will earn you so much respect from the other pets.”
Jungkook will be showing his face to his people?
But that makes no sense. Based on what the blond had understood, the Prince has
been trying his very best to be indistinct to the townsfolk in pursuit of
having the chance to wander around in disguise without being detected. Why
change his mind now?
“The King ordered him to join him in the Feast of Miracles, didn’t he?” He
concludes.
Somehow, Jimin looks as though he knows what’s going on through the blond’s
mind for he nods with certainty. “He did. But let’s not mind that now. You need
to eat up and the servants will come here to make you presentable. I hope you
have a great time there!”
Jimin gives him a comforting pat on the shoulder but before he could take his
leave, Seokjin stops him.
“Wait.”
“Hm?” The guard turns to look back at him.
“Are you… going to the feast?” Seokjin knows that he and Jungkook will be
surrounded by the Prince’s Guard but that somehow doesn’t sit well with him,
especially after he heard how those men talk about their Prince. Jimin seems to
be the only decent one around here.
A smile slowly spreads across Jimin’s face. “Of course. Did you think I’d just
leave him alone with the King? Without me there to protect him?”
Seokjin didn’t think it was possible to have even more respect for the guard.
“If you don’t mind me asking… why are you so loyal to Jungkook? You’ve heard
how his own guards talk about him and you’ve seen him hit me.”
For a moment, a flash of hesitation graces the guard’s face but then he smiles
again like he always does. “If it wasn’t for him and his family, I’d be a pet
too. His brother took me in and taught me how to swing my first sword. You
could say I grew up with the Prince.”
“And your family?”
Something flickers in Jimin’s eyes. “Bought by Callians.”
“O-Oh…” Seokjin casts his eyes away from his companion, wishing he could have
just kept his curiosity to himself. He could have struck a nerve there.
“Don’t look like that.” He then hears Jimin chuckle. “I’m not mad at you-- or
at Callians in general. There are just some things that people do because they
can, not because their race compels them to. The most that we can do is
acknowledge the mistakes of our fellowmen, try not to follow their footsteps,
and be an influence to others. Now go and have your breakfast. The servants
will be here soon enough.” Before Seokjin could seize the chance of seeing
Jimin’s smile one last time before the feast, the guard has already turned away
to take his leave and the blond watches the door shut closed before him.
===============================================================================
“Still no paint?” Seokjin stares at his own reflection as two female servants
comb his hair and spritz some spicy aromatic oil all over his bare chest.
“No.” One servant responds and that’s as good as he’s going to get from them.
In spite of the supposed honor he should be in touch of for being invited to
the Feast of Miracles, Seokjin would preferably stay in his chambers instead.
As vivid and ethereal as the name of the occasion is called, it still bears no
worth to its title. The Feast of Miracles is nothing but an excuse for
Gennaians to massacre each other without going up against the consequences just
for the sake of entertainment for the highborn. Comedic plays by dwarves would
be set up to reenact great wars as though they’re merely child’s play and not
about the gallant deaths of their men for their people and their land. Highborn
from different lands would offer their daughters to the King or to the Prince
as an attempt to unite their mighty and affluent families together.
Seokjin had only ever been present to the feast once when he was a child.
He was nine at that time and he had witnessed his first bloodshed. He could
still remember the man who had earned so much appreciation for his rapidity and
tenacity only because he had killed three men who had challenged him to a
combat right before The Majestic’s eyes.
He is the champion of Gennaios.  
And the last time Seokjin had heard about him, he is now the commander of the
palace guards.
“Come.” Both of the servants gesture Seokjin to follow them out of his
chambers, undoubtedly intending on leading him to the carriage. The blond takes
one good look of his reflection and draws a deep intake of breath, silently
praying to the gods above that he will not blow grits at the sight of blood.
===============================================================================
Jungkook has been reticent during the entire ride to town, though Seokjin had
already foreseen that. The Prince didn’t even spare him a glance when he had
stepped into the carriage but Seokjin did catch the scowl that had curled his
lips for nearly half a second. This is the first time Seokjin had ever seen him
wear the golden circlet that has a glistening ruby on the middle situated
gracefully over his head, indicating his status as the Prince of Gennaios.
Jungkook has been staring out the window and whether or not that is his way of
preventing the blond from ever initiating a conversation, it’s not going to
work.
“Why do you suddenly want to go to the Feast of Miracles?”
Jungkook just continues staring out the window.
Seokjin purses his lips. “Did the King insist you to?”
Still no response.
Now Seokjin is a bit hesitant. “Do… you think your people will recognize you
when you go up there? They’ve seen you dressed as a pet after all.”
“You should know that my uncle is bringing your little friend with him today.”
Jungkook deliberately sets the blond’s curiosities aside and bears a bored look
on him. “If you’re not in your best behavior, I could easily announce
Taehyung’s attempt of escaping and have him decapitated by our champion in
front of everyone.”
Seokjin clamps his mouth shut at that.
Jungkook nods. “Good boy.”
Just as he said this, the carriage pulls to a stop and Seokjin could already
overhear the festive music and the unrestrained joy of the townsfolk outside.
The door swings open and Jungkook takes a step out first. Seokjin follows him
right after and he’s immediately apprised by the sight of people in costumes
that are a riot of color enriched with feathers and sparkles. Some wear masks
while some wear comically large hats. Over their heads flails the banners of
the King’s sigil; a panther bearing its teeth and claws over a flaming sword.
But when they catch sight of The Majestic, they all cease their merriment.
In spite of the presence of the King, everyone’s eyes are on Jungkook.
This is the first time they have ever laid their eyes on the Prince of Gennaios
after all. Seeing as this is the closest town to the palace, Seokjin could only
assume Jungkook had never risked dressing up as a pet here for guards tend to
scour this area. He hears a few of the Gennaians spitting and hissing words
like “sadist”, “the devil’s child”, and “beast.” He could have sworn he also
heard someone wolf-whistle at the Prince’s direction. Jungkook, as expected,
spares no one a glance as he follows his brother up to the wooden steps that
lead to their shaded seats that seem to resemble the throne-- the King’s seat
is significantly larger than the Prince’s. There are more seats on both sides
though they have a respectable distance from the brothers.
Perhaps they’re for the councilors and other Gennaian highborn.
“Go on then.” Seokjin hears Jimin behind him and the blond swallows the lump
that’s clawing its way up to his throat before trailing after his master.
He catches a glimpse of a few familiar faces from the crowd: the baker who
likes to open earlier than the rest of the town’s establishments so everyone
could have their breakfast early, the woman who sings mellifluously with a harp
at the tavern once every full moon, and one of his fellow brothers who has the
yearn to read but could never have the chance to due to how their handler
forbids him so-- no customer nor a master would want their pet smarter than
them. A few of the townsfolk give him smiles and waves of recognition and
Seokjin smiles back, his hand coming up to wave back when Jimin suddenly pulls
his arm back down.
“Just focus on your master.” The guard murmurs to him. “You’re a palace pet
now. You’re not supposed to have any attachments with anyone.”
“Oh... right.”
As Seokjin reaches Jungkook who has already taken a seat, Jungkook carelessly
waves his hand to his side and Seokjin fight backs a frown. It seems like he’ll
be sitting on the floor beside him then. He does so anyway and as he looks up
ahead of him, he finds Lord Choi making his way to his seat near Jungkook’s-- a
grinning Taehyung following behind him. His body has once again been adorned
with spirals of red paint, his scars and bruises barely visible.
Seokjin then comes to understand why the design of the paint is meant to be
intricate.
“Let us start the feast!” The King’s voice thunders over the thick throng of
people and they all cheer in pride and joy.
Seokjin sees Jungkook languidly slouching on his seat to a meager degree,
resting his elbow on the arm of his chair and leaning his temple against the
soft clench of his fist. “This better be tolerable.” The dark-haired prince
says with a tired sigh.
The feast starts off with the comedic act of the dwarves. Grown men who could
probably only reach up to Seokjin’s hips come into the clearing right in front
of The Majestic in armor made out of plastic. Evidently, they’re acting out a
performance that is appertaining to the most recent war where the people of
Androtis-- Androtisuns-- have attempted to pillage their land. The former
King’s death has been enacted with shameless fart noises and hokey depiction.
The Prince has been portrayed as a spoiled child who only hid behind his horse
during the entire war; the actors probably did not think the Prince will be
making an appearance today, or maybe they do and have been bearing a grudge
against him for the rumors fanning out among the town.  
The one portraying their current King carries on as a hero throughout the act.
All the townsfolk, the highborn, and even the King are boisterous with
obnoxious laughter. Taehyung, on the other hand, only has a strained smile on
his face.
Seokjin had glanced at Jungkook’s direction every now and then during the
entire play and isn’t surprised to see that the young man remains impassive; if
not, a little bored.
After the play, the woman who sings at the tavern comes into the clearing with
her harp and plays a gracefully captivating song.
He who sits on the throne
He who commands his men
He who looks upon his people like gifts of the gods
While you may never how his mind works
You know his heart is in the right place
He bears no ill-intentions
No matter how some of his people look at him with distaste
He has their well-beings as his priority
Hail to the rightful king
For he bears beauty and peace for our land
An applause erupts around the woman once she finishes her song, though her
knowing gaze on the Prince did not go unnoticed by the blond. The King claps
his hands with an immense amount of pride.
Councilor Namjoon stands up from his seat so as to announce the next act and
Seokjin holds his breath at that, already knowing what’s coming up next.
“The Majestic would like Commander Taecyeon to take a step forward for the
feast’s next act!”
Taecyeon steps into the clearing clad in his armor with the King’s sigil
painted on the right side of his breast plate, a pompous smirk playing across
his thin lips. He has strong brows and a strong jaw with sharp facial lines
that labor the point of his virility. He is profoundly larger than Seokjin and
the King which is no surprise considering how he is The Majestic’s champion.
Women cheer louder at the mere sight of him and he raises his hand to wave at
them, obviously appreciating the admiration.
“As tradition, we shall bear witness to three heroic duels today.” Councilor
Namjoon persists on over the women’s squeals and Seokjin bites back a grimace
at how the councilor had just deemed this barbaric activity as something
heroic. “Three men will have their chance to outplay Commander Taecyeon-- the
best swordsman, archer and follower of The Majestic. The last man standing
shall have one unconditional wish from The Majestic just as long as it is
within the King’s power.”
It’s impossible. Taking a gander of the guards and the people around them,
Seokjin is certain that nobody could ever have the chance of killing off the
commander.
Unless they’re desperate.
And unfortunately, some of them are.
“I would take this challenge upon myself!” Seokjin recognizes the town’s
blacksmith-- a short sturdy man with thinning dark hair-- step into the
clearing.
“Name your wish.” Councilor Namjoon nods to his direction.
“I wish to have endless monetary support from The Majestic to my daughter.”
Seokjin could see the blacksmith’s hands are shaking. “She is seven moons in to
her pregnancy and I could no longer afford to keep her provided. I will do what
I can for her to stay alive.”
“Interesting.” The King scratches his cheek. “And where is your daughter now?”
The blacksmith pauses before stuttering out his response. “A-Asleep. She does
not know of what I am about to do.”
“Brave man.” Councilor Namjoon smiles at him. “Someone give this man a sword.”
Jimin steps forward to dress the blacksmith in armor that is too big for him on
his torso and hands him his weapon. The short man looks at the sword with so
much dread that at first, Seokjin had thought he will change his mind. But then
the man takes it with both hands and walks to the far end of the clearing from
across Taecyeon. Taecyeon looks at him, exuberating confidence.
“Begin the fight!” The King announces.
The blacksmith maintains his hold on his sword with both hands while Taecyeon
keeps his with one. The commander leisurely strides over to the shorter man,
waving his sword casually in the air. Judging by the significant difference of
their physical caliber, Seokjin already knows how the duel will end and he
turns his head away.
He hears the blacksmith let out a deafening war cry before it is abruptly cut
off and is followed by the sound of something heavy dropping to the ground.
Against his own better judgment, Seokjin takes a deep breath and casts his eyes
on the display to find the blacksmith’s head rolling down towards the stairs
that lead up to The Majestic. The crowd cheers gaily at the commander’s victory
and the King claps his hands once again with pride. Seokjin stares at the
blacksmith’s head with intense horror, dead eyes staring right back at stunned
ones.
Taecyeon’s sword must have been made of the finest material if he could cut off
a man’s head with one swift slice.
Suddenly, everything around the blond starts to move peculiarly. His stomach
twists in uneasy knots as he wills himself to look away but the fear in the
blacksmith’s eyes has him locked. Dark spots begin to splotch at the corners of
his sight and his pulse beats rapidly behind his temples.
He needs to get out of here.
He can’t bear witnessing another duel.
He doesn’t want to see the people he knows getting slaughtered just because
they are desperate for The Majestic to pay attention to their needs for once.
He never even realized that he has been breathing rather hard until he feels
Jungkook’s fingers threading through his pale locks. This act alone is enough
to drive the blond away from the man’s eyes and up to his master who isn’t even
looking at his direction, though his fingers continue to gently caress his
scalp in an almost comforting manner.
Seokjin doesn’t know why but he eventually reigns over his own breathing and
looks back at the clearing, seeing the servants getting rid of the blacksmith’s
head and his corpse.
The next man who has volunteered to face Taecyeon is a tall man with a lanky
frame. Seokjin has never seen him before but he claims to be an owner of a pub.
His only wish is to have the royal physician give his elderly mother a check up
every week. Just like earlier, the man’s head has been sliced off and Seokjin
has also managed to look away from the scene. Jungkook watches the display with
a guarded calculating look.
“It appears this will yet again be another year of Taecyeon being left
unscarred.” Councilor Namjoon once again stands up from his seat. “Who will be
the last volunteer to take him on a duel?”
Silence follows his words.
“Anyone? You will have a boundless wish.”
Everyone looks at each other warily but after seeing what had happened to the
two prior men, it’s understandable that nobody is willing to take the chance.
Except for one young man.
“I will.”
Jungkook stands up from his seat and everyone, including the King and the
highborn, look up at him with wide floored eyes. Jungkook holds himself with
his usual grace and self-reliance as he settles his eyes on Taecyeon. “I will
take you on.”
“Jungkook,” Lord Choi rises up from his seat almost too promptly. “you can’t.
Commander Taecyeon cannot kill his own prince.”
“He’s not going to.” Jungkook offers him a brief glance before focusing back on
the commander. “For it will be hishead rolling down the ground.”
The look of shock that had once taken over Taecyeon’s face eventually fades off
to amused incredulity. “This is no game, child. Sit back down.”
“Afraid that a childcan kill you off?” Jungkook quirks a brow at him and
evidently, that strikes a nerve within the commander for Seokjin could see
Taecyeon's jaw clenching at the taunt. Seokjin stares back up at the Prince
with so much bewilderment, he hopes that this is nothing but a figment of his
imagination due to the trauma he had gone through mere moments ago. What in the
world does Jungkook think he’s doing? Why would he believe that he could easily
take on the commander when Taecyeon carries a far more sturdy build than the
King himself?
The Prince shouldn’t risk his life, especially now that there are people who
rely on him. The palace pets look up to him as though he’s their emblem of
hope. Without him, what will become of them?
“You can’t be considering this.” Lord Choi looks at the King in disbelief.
“This is your baby brother.”
The King appears to be studying Jungkook for a moment as a wave of strained
silence rains down on the event. Much to Seokjin’s horror, the King truly is
considering it. He brings up one finger and gestures for Councilor Namjoon to
step closer which the young councilor did. He whispers something to his ear and
upon understanding, Councilor Namjoon turns to face the crowd.
“The King has allowed his brother to engage in an affair of honor with his
champion!”
An uproar erupts within the crowd. Most of them are cheering for Taecyeon,
telling him to slice off the ‘monster’s’ head while some just cheer for the
fact that they get to see another duel.
“Because this is the Prince’s first time making an attendance to the Feast of
Miracles,” Councilor Namjoon goes on. “the King would like to spoil him with
twowishes.” He turns to Jungkook with a pleasant smile. “Name two of your
wishes, My Prince.”
“Brother, I am grateful for your generosity.” Jungkook turns to look at Lord
Choi, though Seokjin couldn’t catch a glimpse of his face for his back is
turned to him. Either way, seeing his expression would be fruitless considering
the fact that the Prince is nearly impossible to read. “If I make out of this
alive, I wish to claim ownership over Lord Choi’s pet: Taehyung.”
Seokjin sees Taehyung’s eyes widening in utter stunned silence. Lord Choi
appears to be just as stunned with a touch of bewilderment. “Jungkook, why do
you--”
“Do you wish for me to stay alive, uncle?”
“O-Of course I do!”
“Then you’d best keep your end of the bargain.” Jungkook then turns to face the
crowd. “As for my second wish, I want to put an end to this barbaric occasion.
As soon as this fight is over, you are all to return to your homes. This will
be the last so-called Feast of Miracles you will ever take part of.”
And just like that, more spit of insults breaks out through the townsfolk. Some
cheer and agree with the Prince’s request while some encourage Taecyeon to make
his death slow and agonizing.
Jungkook takes his steps down the stairs and Jimin hastily rushes up to him to
dress him in his red armor, almost as though Jimin had seen this coming.
Seokjin sits still on his spot with tension rising within his shoulders and his
heart hammering against the confines of his chest. Jungkook is not going to
make out of this alive. Taecyeon already looks immensely sure of himself as
well as the rest of the people around him.
Jimin hands Jungkook a sword that appears to be designed personally for him. It
carries The Majestic’s family crescent on the center of the thick golden cross-
guard and its blade is nearly as tall as the Prince himself. But Jungkook takes
hold of it with a fine sturdy grip as though he’s held it countless times
before. He strides over to the other end of the clearing and faces Taecyeon,
his eyes seemingly detached and disinterested in comparison to Taecyeon who
appears to be looking forward to killing him.
“Let the battle commence!” The King’s voice booms over.
Just like he did with his prior battles, Taecyeon takes languid steps towards
the Prince as he waves his sword here and there as if he’s just playing with
it. He has a smile on his face that is just bordering on taunting. The closer
he draws in towards Jungkook, the more Seokjin tightens his grip on his knee.
With one swift move, Taecyeon raises his sword and swings it towards Jungkook’s
neck. One slice would have been enough to behead the Prince but it seems
Jungkook had seen his action coming for he easily eludes the motion by ducking
down and when Taecyeon nearly loses his balance, Jungkook takes advantage of
his shock and straightens back up to boot him off of his feet.
Taecyeon crashes down to his side, dust skying out around him.
“Get up.” Jungkook instructs him as he pats him on the head with the clean
surface of his blade while walking past him, appearing to be testing the weight
of his sword.
Silence hangs over everyone’s heads at the scene that had unfolded in front of
them. No one has ever had the opportunity to evade Taecyeon’s sword, even the
commander himself seems to be a bit stunned by the turn of events. And what
makes it worse is that Jungkook didn’t even seize the chance of killing him off
when the moment had been laid out in front of him. He could have easily sliced
Taecyeon’s head off when the commander had crashed down to the ground. Perhaps
Jungkook wants to see how long this will play out, or perhaps he’s mocking
Taecyeon. Perhaps this is his way of avenging the innocent townsfolk the
commander had killed just for the sake of sport.
Taecyeon clenches his teeth and stands back up on his feet, turning around to
face the Prince again.
Jungkook, as always, bears him a bored look.
“I will fuck your corpse when I’m done with you.” Taecyeon growls at him.
“By all means, give your best.” Jungkook shrugs.
Taecyeon lets out a war cry which he has never used during his prior fights.
Steel clashes against steel this time, both swords glowing with sterling might
under the daylight. Taecyeon swings his blade with as much valor as he could
muster but Jungkook continues to shun his attacks by just effortlessly angling
his sword. Seokjin wants to look away. If he couldn’t bear to see the townsfolk
getting butchered, then what more to witness the Prince facing the same
circumstances?
But then he notices something.
Not once did the Prince push an attempt to make a swing for himself. It’s the
commander who keeps doing all the sweaty work. And as Taecyeon goes for a
vertical swing to cast a strike on the Prince’s head, Jungkook twists to the
side. Just like earlier, he boots him back down to the ground and at this
point, a few snickers could be heard pouring forth onto the crowd.
“Just tell me if you’re tired,” Jungkook lets out a bored sigh. “so we can get
this over and done with. This is your last battle after all. We should might as
well make it last for my people.”
Taecyeon is laved with sweat as he growls and grabs his sword again before
standing back up to his feet. He goes in for another swing but Jungkook blocks
his attack yet again, pushing the large man’s sword with his own down to the
ground. The Prince kicks his foot off then strikes the handle of his sword
straight to his temple, leaving the commander crashing back down to the dirt
with his eyes rolling back from dizziness.
“Disappointing.” Jungkook pushes Taecyeon onto his back with the tip of his
boot. “I didn’t think a duel with you would be this dull. Get up.”
Taecyeon blinks rapidly for a moment but when he makes an attempt to get up,
Jungkook raises his sword up and cleanly slices his head off with a single
steady swing.
The head of The Majestic’s champion rolls off down to the stairs.
Constricted silence surrounds the town.
Taehyung belongs to Jungkook now.
Feast of Miracles is no more.
“Now I need a bath.” Jungkook hands his sword to Jimin who is quick to his
side. “Let’s head back. And tell my pet that he will be attending me in the
baths.”
Chapter End Notes
     Work has really been keeping me occupied. I'm so sorry for the long
     wait! I made this chapter a bit longer than the rest to make up for
     it. :D Also, more art by angry-milk from Tumblr!! http://imgur.com/a/
     OLqQu THANK YOU SO MUCH BOO!!
     And let's try to keep it civil in the comments section! c: I wanted
     to reply to all of your comments, but some have left me a bit
     speechless. Please do know though that I appreciate your attention to
     this fic! And I would like to make it clear that I'm not misleading
     anyone and if it seems like I did, well I apologize!
     But if smut is the only thing you're looking for in this story, then
     perhaps it would be best not to read this anymore because I want this
     to be more than that. And you will honestly have to wait long before
     we get to that part because my main priority is the development of
     the story (I don't intend on just putting that up on the last chapter
     though). ^^
***** Rhetorical Questions *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Everything starts to move far too fast for Seokjin to stomach in. The townsfolk
begin to enforce a rambunctious nature the very second Jungkook leaves the
feast, his guards keeping everyone away from laying even a finger on him. While
some of the townsfolk have left with agreeable nods, most of them seem to have
the hankering of unsheathing their claws at their Prince. Jungkook barely pays
them any heed as he saunters on with his head held high. Seokjin, on the other
hand, still couldn’t find the strength to get up from the floor.
He had just watched his master slice someone’s head off with a clean swing of
his arm and Jungkook’s expression had barely faltered at it. Almost as though
taking someone’s life withstands no burden to him. Of course, Seokjin believes
Taecyeon should be in line for penalty due to how he has killed men for sport
but killing him shouldn’t be the answer. It should neverbe the answer-- whether
it’s for the sake of entertaining the highborn or punishing someone.
“Get a move on.” One of the Prince’s Guard hastily grabs Seokjin by the arm and
shoves him towards the stairs, the blond’s heart leaping at how he nearly loses
his balance. One more misstep, and he could have broken his neck down those
steps. Nevertheless, he hurries down the stairs anyway, his eyes looking around
before catching Taehyung who is also being escorted by the Prince’s Guard.
So he really now does belong to Jungkook.
Then who could have Jungkook possibly meant when he said he wants his pet to
attend him in the baths? Just the bare thought of attending him in quite an
intimate manner sends heat rushing up to his face.
Just as Seokjin is within reach for the carriage, the guard lays a crushing
grip on his shoulder and sharply stirs him away to a different carriage.
“What--”
“Lord Choi wishes to speak to the Prince in private. You’re riding the carriage
with the new pet.”
“Oh. Okay.”
He finds Taehyung already by the carriage and when their eyes meet, a close-
lipped smile dips his friend’s dimples. He lets Taehyung climb in first and
just before he takes a step inside, he casts a final glance at the carriage he
had shared with Jungkook to see Lord Choi already climbing in.
===============================================================================
“The Prince really is nice.” Taehyung smiles, his eyes seemingly absorbed to a
future that is undoubtedly more promising than the present. Unlike the carriage
Seokjin had ridden in earlier, his friend had set the curtains of the window
aside to let the glimmer of daylight flow through. “I never thought he’d risk
his life for someone as lowly as I am.”
“Don’t talk like that.” Seokjin purses his lips as he makes another attempt of
erasing the image of Taecyeon’s head rolling down towards the stairs. “And I
don’t think the Prince believes that engaging in combat with Commander Taecyeon
is considered... risky.” Recalling the circumstances earlier, Jungkook did not
show any traces of qualms at how physically different he appeared to be
compared to his opponent-- almost as though he already knew what will come out
of the duel.
Then the blond remembers how calculating the Prince had looked during the first
two battles.
“I suppose those afternoon spars he has with Jimin paid off then.” Taehyung’s
eyes squeeze shut by the bright force of his smile and while the very idea of
Jungkook killing someone without so much of a wince twists the blond’s stomach,
it’s nice to see his friend genuinely grinning again. Taehyung won’t have to
worry much about Lord Choi anymore. He could actually spend more time with
Yoongi in his own chambers without fearing for the consequences.
Striking a note on that last thought, Seokjin leans in closer to his companion.
“On an unrelated note, what have you and Yoongi been up to?”
Taehyung’s eyes find his, and Seokjin could see how much embarrassment the
question had flung onto him, as the blond had predicted it would. He could see
the glow blossoming upon his friend’s cheeks and Seokjin couldn’t help the
ribbing smile that cracks one corner of his lips. Taehyung runs his fingers
over the back of his neck and peeks out at the window first which Seokjin finds
ridiculous because who in the world would be trekking alongside their carriage
just to listen to their conversation?
Taehyung then looks back at him and brings his finger up to his lips in a hush.
“Promise you won’t tell anyone?”
“Please tell me that’s a rhetorical question.”
“All right, fine.” Taehyung huffs at him, but then his silly pout is
immediately patched over by a wide grin. “Yoongi likes me!”
Seokjin blinks. “Was that supposed to surprise me?”
Taehyung’s smile falters. “It didn’t?”
“I’ve already caught on that days ago, Tae.”
“Oh.” A defeated pout breezes upon the younger pet’s lips. But then it
disappears just as quickly as it had come to view. “Well, what do you think
then? We’ve only kissed once but you can’t blame me. Yoongi is too stiff when
it comes to the law. But we’d make a cute couple, don’t we?”
Seokjin can’t be too entirely certain about that. Yoongi doesn’t exactly sit
well with him since he apparently has issues in regards to his attitude but
seeing how good of a mood his friend is currently in, he opts for not ruining
it. “Yeah. You guys do.” He smiles and right at that moment, he swears he could
see unshed tears in Taehyung's eyes.
And that’s because things are finally turning up for him for once.
===============================================================================
Rain falls in thick chaotic olive-sized drops, the wild evening wind sending
them gusting in one sharp direction. They thunder and run down against
Seokjin’s blurred windows and they batter on the roof like a hail of stones. In
spite of the chaotic noise the rainstorm is causing, Seokjin couldn’t help but
feel a sense of satisfaction and serenity. It’s probably the damp cooling aroma
the weather had daubed in the air, or perhaps it’s because he knows Taehyung is
in safe hands and doesn’t have to worry about him risking his life again just
for the sake of making an escape.
“Disappointed?”
Speaking of the devil, Seokjin turns away from the window to find Taehyung
stepping into his chambers with an adorable wide smile stretching at the
corners of his lips. His skin has been deprived of the usual crimson paint and
Seokjin could see splotches of moist yellow smeared evenly on each of his dark
bruise. He must have just gone to Yoongi mere moments ago.
“Of what?” A small pleased smile graces the blond’s lips as he turns around to
lean his back against the window. “If you’re going to say it’s because I wasn’t
the pet the Prince had referred to when he wanted to be attended to in the
baths, then I am locking you out in the rain.”
A breath of amusement pushes past his friend’s lips but much to Seokjin’s
content, he doesn’t press the topic any further and instead, he makes himself
comfortable on the blond’s silky sheets. “The Prince is really nice. He
wouldn’t let me touch or look at his body though-- no matter how much I wanted
to.” He then quickly adds as an afterthought, raising his hands in mild
defense. “Guilty is charged.”
“What?” Seokjin frowns in slight confusion. “Then what did you do in the baths
if you can’t even touch him? Is that not the whole point of attending to
someone’s personal washing?”
“He just let me wash his hair.” Taehyung gives a nonchalant shrug. “He had all
this thick layers of bubble soap in the tub so I couldn’t even sneak a peek.”
His gaze then strangely falls down to the red sheets where he traces
imperceptible circles on them with one finger. “He… did have a lot of scratches
on his arms. And if I predict it right, he probably has a lot on his torso as
well. They don’t appear to be that recent though but they still look a bit too
red...”
The memory of Jungkook groomed as a Callian pet with red scrapes of wounds
exposed on his bare chest and arms abruptly comes up to Seokjin’s mind. A
couple of days ago, Seokjin never paid much heed to that for it would be
fruitless to ask about it. The only response he ever gets from his own master
are sharp glares, slander about his existence, and reminders that he belongs to
him and that he needs to learn how to stop taking liberties. But now that even
Taehyung had noticed this particular detail about their Prince, he couldn’t
help but ponder with him about where he got those scratches.
But upon Taehyung’s next few words, everything starts to fall into place.
“Maybe he just really hates being stared at.”
The door swings open before Seokjin could have the chance to react and Jimin
steps in. When he catches sight of Taehyung who winks at him though, he could
only frown at him before directing his eyes to Seokjin. “Prince Jungkook wants
to see you.”
Seokjin shares a look with Taehyung before looking back at the guard. “Isn’t
the audience chamber being used by the King right now?”
Jimin almost looks like he wants to laugh but is holding it in as though to
maintain his rigid persona in front of Taehyung. “He wants you in his
chambers.”
As always, Taehyung slides in an unnecessary remark. “Nice.”
The walk to the Prince’s chambers feels longer than it should, or perhaps
Seokjin has been taking in every detail of the corridor in an attempt to divert
his own attention away from the thrashing of his pulse due to the thought of
the Prince inviting him to his chambers when he had done no such thing to the
prior pets he’s had. His questions of what Jungkook’s intentions could possibly
be have been left unheeded by Jimin who could only smile at him and shrug his
shoulders ever so teasingly. Now Seokjin could only wish Taehyung had tagged
along with them instead of scurrying off back to Yoongi.
Upon reaching the double doors to Jungkook’s bedchamber, Seokjin casts one last
glance at Jimin. “Final chance to tell me what’s going on?”
“Can’t take the chance.” Jimin offers him a playful nudge to the shoulder
before taking his leave.
Seokjin drags a deep intake of breath as he settles his eyes on the large doors
situated in front of him. The last time he had gone through this, he had caught
sight of the Prince appealingly dressed to bed. The uncommon show of skin had
nearly thrown the blond off of his rage that night and he could only wonder now
if he would once again be graced by the sight. Swallowing the heavy lump that
had latched onto his throat, he reaches for one door with his marginally
crooked fingers and pushes it open.
He finds Jungkook tossing what appears to be a scroll into the small fireplace,
the sea of flames forming cracking and clapping sounds at the precipitous boost
the material had provided. Much to Seokjin’s surprise, the Prince still isn’t
dressed to bed and he finds a large pitcher along with a golden goblet laid out
on the coffee table in front of the couch. Several opened books could be seen
laid out from the couch and to the table. He slides his gaze back to Jungkook
who doesn’t appear to have picked up on his presence yet for he drags his
fingers through his dark strands as his shoulders heave up then down in an
onerous-sounding sigh. Even from where Seokjin is standing, he could see the
tension tautening his master’s body.
Just when he’s in the rear of deciding whether or not he should just step out,
the blond unintentionally nudges the door further open and it creaks-- earning
him the swift and keen attention of Jungkook.
Jungkook hikes up one brow in faintly veiled annoyance. “It’s common courtesy
to knock before entering someone’s chambers. Did you not learn anything from
your handler?”
Seokjin deems it imprudent to admit that he had been so caught up with what the
Prince has in mind that common courtesy had been the least of his priorities.
“Sorry.” He says in a light sheepish tone. “Should I step out again or should
I--”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Come inside.” Jungkook scowls at him but then strides
over to his books where he reaches down to close them. Seokjin bites the inside
of his cheek in an attempt not to make any snarky remarks as he steps into the
Prince’s bedchamber and pushes the door closed behind him.
They say that a person’s bedroom represents their entire character but when
Seokjin took the opportunity to find out a little bit more about Jungkook, he
comes up with nothing. There is not a single object in his chambers that could
be worthy of being set store by personal interest, aside from the books. He
does find a swatch of oiled leather laid bare on another table beside the sword
that Jungkook had used earlier to cut off the commander’s head. The blade had
been polished to a dark steel radiance.
Once he’s stacked all the books on the floor beside his table, Jungkook
straightens up and raises his hand to beckon Seokjin closer. Seokjin swallows
again and lets his own tentative steps carry him to the Prince who waits on his
spot a tad bit impatiently. Once they hold a decent stretch of distance between
them, Jungkook hikes up one brow again.
“Well? Are you not going to attend me? Or am I supposed to teach you how to do
your job?”
Seokjin’s entire body freezes. “A-Attend you?”
Jungkook’s lips curl to an unsatisfied frown. “You’re more incompetent than I
give you credit for.”
“Sorry, I just--” Seokjin shakes his head as tries to take in the unexpected
set of circumstances laid out for him. “You’ve never ordered me to attend you
before.”
“And now I am.” Jungkook exhales with restrained patience. “Are you going to do
it or not?”
Seokjin knows that he really shouldn’t be running the Prince’s patience thin
but taking everything into account, he still couldn’t make sense of why
Jungkook had decided to let him do one of the common duties a pet is ought to
do when the mere fact that the blond is a Callian evidently repulses him.
Seokjin drifts his eyes down to the golden handmade clasps that fasten
Jungkook’s red highborn garb, already envisioning his fingers unbinding them
and pushing the fabric off of the Prince’s shoulders to unveil what could be
the white buttoned long-sleeve shirt that his master sleeps in.
“But why?” He finds himself asking instead, his eyes meeting up with
Jungkook’s.
Jungkook purses his lips. “Should you really be testing my patience after I
saved your little friend?”
Seokjin hesitates for another second but eventually strides in to close the
stretch of distance between them with indecisive steps, feeling smaller and
smaller the further he closes in on the Prince. Jungkook just watches with
indecipherable eyes and Seokjin tries his very best not to meet them as his
fingers slowly reach up to the very first clasp of his garment. It’s barely
prominent but the blond notices how the Prince had gotten taller to a slim
degree. It seems he’s still in the stage of springing his height up and Seokjin
could only wonder for how long he’ll be in this period of his youth. There are
some cases where men continue to grow until they reach the age of twenty-five
after all.  
“I want to thank you...” Seokjin says, his voice somewhat hushed as to show
inferiority. “for saving--”
“Don’t waste your breath.” Jungkook cuts his words off as Seokjin unfastens the
third clasp. The blond pauses and looks back at him in bewilderment. Jungkook
maintains his frown. “I did not save your friend because you told me so. I
already had the intention of taking him from my uncle the night I caught him
being an idiot.”
“Oh…” Seokjin’s eyes flicker back to the clasps, though he makes no move to
unfasten the remaining ones. “I still want to thank you.”
“You can thank me by finishing your job. Get on with it.”
Seokjin nods and hastily refocuses his attention back on his task, still
feeling Jungkook’s cold gaze searing through him. Once Seokjin has finally
unfastened the last clasp, Jungkook turns his back to him and the blond
promptly reaches to pull the garb down off of his shoulders. Much to his
expectation, he finds the white shirt underneath. Jungkook reaches up to
unclasp the first few buttons of it without turning to face him yet.
“Refill my cup.” He commands.
Seokjin folds the red fabric and places it neatly on the table before picking
the pitcher up to pour its content into the goblet. He hands the drink to
Jungkook who has then turned around to face him. Seokjin once again catches
sight of the cuts on the little show of chest underneath the white fabric, the
first few buttons unclasped to unveil only the edges of the wounds. But he
doesn’t linger his gaze on them, now aware of how much the Prince doesn’t like
being stared at.
“If you must know,” Jungkook begins after taking a sip from his drink. “it was
Taehyung who convinced me to let you do some of the common duties of a pet.”
Seokjin pauses. “Of all the people you could let through to your head, you
chose Taehyung? Why?”
“Because if a pet doesn’t get treated like a pet, they take liberties.”
Jungkook doesn’t seem to be displeased by his statement as he hands him back
his goblet. “That is what you do after all, is it not? Your friend is a
downright nitwit, but he’s smart compared to you.”
Seokjin frowns at the unnecessary slander. “You certainly have a charming way
of words.”
“Reserved only for my pets.” Jungkook returns with the tiniest quirk of a smirk
as he reaches for the cuffs of his sleeves to unbutton them as well.
“I’m honored.” Seokjin watches him, his fingers idly fidgeting with the fabric
of his slacks. “Is that all? Or do you have other ‘pet duties’ you wish for me
to do?”
“If you’re thinking of fucking me on the bed, then you will have to make me
swoon into your arms first.” It’s a strenuous challenge to determine whether or
not the Prince is joking considering the fact that while he still has his
meager smirk intact, his tone is incomprehensible much like how the gears in
his mind operate. But at least the tautening of his frame had finally eased
down at this point.
“So you prefer to be underneath a man?” Seokjin counters with the struggle of
concealing his tone of interest with a nonchalant one.
Whether or not Jungkook had seen through that, it didn’t show. “I prefer going
with what I’m in the mood for.”
“And that is?”
“For you to stop talking.”
“Okay.”
A breath of amusement that seems to seize a chuckle behind it slips past
Jungkook’s lips and Seokjin could have sworn his pulse had leapt at the sight
of it. It’s almost a miracle how he could talk to the Prince like this so
freely. Not once had he ever seen him behave in such a manner in public.
“I did summon you here for another reason.” Jungkook leaves him to stride over
to his sword. He picks it up with an easy grip and carefully displays it on the
handles attached on the wall. “Days ago, you said you wanted to talk about
something. In case you have not noticed, you’re not a very good liar. Taehyung
wasn’t the topic you wished to speak of. If you still want to let me in on what
you have in mind, then let’s get this over and done with.” He then turns around
to lean back against the table with his arms crossed over his chest.
Seokjin stares at him for a moment, caught off-guard by the sudden opportunity
to talk to him about something that had been bothering him for countless weeks.
He settles the goblet back down on the coffee table and fronts onto the Prince.
“I think I have an idea of what you have been up to.”
“Do you?” Jungkook slightly tilts his head to the side with supposed interest.
“Then what have I been up to?”
“You want your throne.”
Impervious silence follows his words. The diverted interest that had once
graced Jungkook’s soft pretty features fade to his signature undecipherable
look but he doesn’t say anything. His calculating eyes bore right through
Seokjin until he eventually nods his head. “I’m listening.”
Taking that as a strange form of encouragement, Seokjin draws in a deep breath
before proceeding on. “You’re the rightful heir to the kingdom, not your
brother. You’ve been devising plans and strategies to throw him off. But… other
than that, you’re also trying to figure out a way how to get rid of the system
where highborn can purchase people just for the sake of their sexual
fantasies.” He begins to recall every single detail he had noticed when he
stood by the Prince. “I was told that every pet in the palace wants to be yours
and that’s because unlike the other highborn, you don’t hurt your pets. You
don’t even so much as lay a finger on them.
And maybe that’s why you were outraged at the audience chamber when you found
out that your brother had sent all of your pets away. They’re your accomplices
after all. And not only your accomplices, perhaps you’ve also promised them a
life where they could be treated as actual human beings instead of toys-- and
having them sent away made you feel like you’ve failed them.”
He pauses for a reaction from Jungkook but the young Prince just continues to
watch him, the rain still pattering down but lightly this time.
The blond decides to persist on then. “You have people outside the kingdom
working for you. The library, the children…” He wavers at that, recalling the
affectionate gesture Jungkook had bestowed on one of the children. But he also
recalls what that child had told him. “And you found out that your pets have
been sent to Androtis.”
And right then and there, the blond realizes that the street children must be
the carriers of confidential information for the Prince. It makes perfect
sense. Nobody ever pays attention to street children, no matter how important
one’s conversation is. Jungkook has been shouldering all of these risks and
efforts just for the sake of the pets of Gennaians; even if it meant unveiling
his bare torso for everyone to see which would always result to him scrubbing
his skin in the baths as hard as he can until he could no longer feel those
stares lingering on his skin.
“But somehow,” Seokjin drifts his eyes away from Jungkook as he recollects his
thoughts. “the King found out about what you’ve been doing. He sent your pets
away to provoke you and for the sake of adding insult to injury, he gave you a
Callian pet for he knows how much you despise Callians.” He comes to realize
that the more he talks about this, the further things are starting to fall into
place. “He… He wanted to use your grudge against Callians to hurt me. And once
you’ve hurt me, he could use it as a reason to give you a penalty in front of
everyone, including the palace pets. He wants to give you a bad name so the
pets would lose their trust in you.” He meets Jungkook’s eyes again with a hint
of certainty this time. “And it worked. You didn’t see through your brother’s
plan and you hit me. But it backfired when you spoke on behalf of the pets
during the trial. Nevertheless, what you did left a bad mark on your reputation
with some of them.”
“On the night after I hit you,” Jungkook suddenly cuts in, his tone bored but
Seokjin could assume it’s his way of looking detached. “you accused me of
wanting you raped. Do you still think that way?”
Seokjin recollects the events of that particular night and the day that
followed after. Jimin had admitted once that Jungkook specifically told him to
look after him that night. “No…” He hesitates, still trying to fit the pieces.
“After you hit me, you… you realized that’s what your brother had wanted. You
needed to act fast. You thought I would take the opportunity to speak against
you if we get sent to trial. In the dining hall, you caressed my hair as a
display of feigned affection to everyone and to your brother. You wanted to
show him that his plan is going nowhere, but you also knew what will happen to
me if you did that which is why you specifically instructed Jimin to keep an
eye on me that night.”
But Jimin had failed him. On that very same night, Seokjin earned a bruise on
his face and Jungkook took the fall for it.
Jungkook remains reticent after that. While his eyes may seem detached, his
lips are pursed in what appears to be apprehension. He’s probably weighing in
his options here and all Seokjin could do is stand still and wait for his
response. He could be wrong, but that probability is much more like a needle in
a haystack. He’s got everything figured out now. All he needs is Jungkook’s
confirmation and no longer will the blond be at a loss.
Finally, the Prince speaks up. “What makes you think my brother is not the
rightful heir to the throne?”
Seokjin falters at the question.
Once again, he tries to recollect his thoughts and memories.
In the audience chamber, the King had reprimanded Jungkook about rejecting
presents given by family.
Blood of my blood.
“Because… he’s not your brother.” The way the King had bore down a threatening
hard look on Jungkook that day after Jungkook spoke of Callians in a repulsed
tone comes up to the blond’s mind. He remembers how Jungkook had referred to
Callians as though their only worth is seducing people. He remembers how one of
the councilors had referred to Callias as the Land of the Deceit and now that
he could put a face on the voice, it was Namjoon.
“He’s a bastard.” He finally concludes. “His mother is a Callian.”
A Callian had entranced the King to have an affair with her and impregnate her.
And just like that, Jungkook’s grudge against Callians finally makes sense.
Jungkook studies him for a while longer before finally responding, “Is that all
you know?”
Seokjin nods. “Yes.”
“Good, because that’s as much as knowledge I will allow you to make sense of.
You are wrong about one thing though,” Jungkook leans away from the table to
take a few steps closer to the blond. “I’m not the rightful heir to the throne.
It’s my sister, Hyosung. She was to be wed with my friend, Lord Jung-- or
Hoseok, as he told you to refer to him as. I’m assuming you’ve heard of that
news before in town?”
Of course he had. Much like Jimin, the townsfolk live for gossip. “Based on
what I’ve heard,” Seokjin rubs the back of his neck. “after the celebration of
the win against the Androtisuns, your sister eloped with a Callian highborn.
She’s now considered an exile.”
“Good boy.” Jungkook sounds pleased this time. “Hyosung never wanted the
throne, nor did she want to be tied down. My brother coincidentally introduced
her to a charming Callian and they rode off together after the celebration,
leaving the throne to my brother. You Callians are exactly one of a kind. If it
wasn’t for my burning resentment or my awareness of the deceit you people are
so good at, we’d be in my bed by now. You are attractive, I will admit. But I’m
not an idiot. I’m not like my father or my sister.”
Seokjin never realized until now that the Prince had sealed the gap between
them, the younger male’s body close enough for the blond to feel his warmth
through the thin layer of his shirt. Jungkook’s gaze lingers on him. “So tell
me, my dear Callian pet. Are you with me or against me? If you have plans of
disclosing this much information, you will leave me with no choice.”
Seokjin looks back down at him and in spite of the threat, not an ounce of fear
sends him a shiver. “You and Taehyung must be really fond of rhetorical
questions.”
At his response, something flickers in the Prince’s expression. A small smile
stretches the corners of his lips and his eyes appear to be satisfied-- it’s
the first time Seokjin holds some kind of certainty over Jungkook’s thoughts.
“Good boy. You are mine, don’t forget that.”
“I won’t.”
Chapter End Notes
     This is so... ugh.
     I'm so sorry for this boring chapter.
     I'll try to make up for it on the next update. :(
***** Deep in Slumber *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
It doesn’t take a genius to know this guy is one of the Prince’s suitors.
Seokjin has already lost his appetite at this point as he takes another cursory
glance to the side to see the young lord’s eyes looking at Jungkook with so
much adoration. Jungkook doesn’t seem to mind the gaze seeing there’s a small
pleased smile gracing his lips as he recounts the events of the war he had
taken part of against the Androtisuns. How nice of the Prince to be so friendly
towards a suitor while keeping his own pet captive and reminding how inferior
the blond is to him.
Seokjin frowns. Maybe he should have just eaten in his own chambers like he
always does. His eyes trail down to where the lord had placed his hand on which
is his master’s thigh. The young man gives it a gentle squeeze as he laughs
musically at the Prince’s joke that Seokjin must have missed. He appears to be
just as young as Jungkook is with short dark auburn locks and bright forest
green eyes. It’s almost infuriating to admit that the lord has the looks women
would swoon over.
“It’s your brother’s birthday tomorrow, if I remember correctly.” Jungkook’s
companion recalls with a charming smile. “And since he is now technically our
King, will you be attending the celebration?”
Whoever claims the throne is obligated to celebrate their birthday along with
the townsfolk. Although, now that Seokjin has thought about it, he never really
saw Jungkook present in any of the previous King’s feasts. But then again,
Seokjin had only ever attended the feast once. Their former King wasn’t exactly
keen on seeing too many pets around the town.
Jungkook gives a nonchalant shrug. “It’s not like I have a choice in the
matter.”
Another elegant laugh slips from the young lord. “Your brother does seem more
assertive than your father was. It must run in the family.”
“I suppose so.” For some reason, Jungkook pauses for a second. “You’re not
eating.”
Seokjin hauls himself out of his private enmity the moment he realizes his
master’s voice has been aimed at his direction. He slides his gaze on Jungkook
to see him looking back at him with his usual detached look, the young man
seated at his other side also staring at him with bewilderment. Seokjin hastily
diverts his attention back down on his plate, only realizing now that he had
barely touched his dinner.
“Are you all right?” Jungkook’s question catches him off-guard but when the
blond casts another glance at him, he realizes that he’s merely putting up a
concerned act for his companion.
“He looks fine to me.” The young lord answers for him, successfully seizing
Jungkook’s attention.
Seokjin scowls at him but the brunet pays him no heed as he reclaims their
conversation as though the blond isn’t even there to begin with. Seokjin didn’t
even know what to expect when Jimin had informed him that Jungkook had decided
to invite him once again to the palace’s evening meal. He had always thought
he’ll be bringing Taehyung with him from now on but apparently, Taehyung
prefers to have his dinner with Yoongi in the privacy of the physician’s
chambers and Jungkook had just let him be.
Again, Jungkook loves to leave Seokjin out of his generosity.
“Where’s Lord Choi, if you don’t mind me asking?” He hears Jungkook’s companion
ask.
“I can’t be too certain. The last time I saw him, he told me that he is off to
run some errands.” Jungkook shrugs as he picks up his goblet to take a sip.
Much to Seokjin’s content, the Prince has decided to ease away from alcohol
tonight.
“He must have been devastated when you took his favorite pet away.” The young
lord remarks, sounding far too smug about it.
“Surprisingly, he’s not.” As always, Seokjin couldn’t determine whether or not
Jungkook is amused by this. “My uncle spoils me too often.”
“So do my parents.” The brunet agrees in a pleased tone. “They have really
taken a liking to you.”
This is making him sick. Seokjin gently pushes his plate away before clearing
his throat in an attempt to catch Jungkook’s attention. “Will it be all right
if I take my leave? I’m not feeling particularly well today.”
“You do seem a little green. You need the royal physician.” Jungkook answers
almost too immediately. “That’s fine. I’ll take you to him.” He turns his head
to excuse himself from his companion who makes one last attempt to keep their
conversation going before the Prince finally stands up from his seat and
gestures for the blond to follow him. Seokjin fleetingly meets eyes with the
young lord and winces in surprise when he catches sight of the cold glare
shooting straight at him.
“Um, goodbye.” Seokjin gives him a curt nod before hastily trailing after
Jungkook.
As soon as they’re outside the boundaries of earshot, Jungkook speaks up. “Next
time, try to be quicker when coming up with an excuse to leave the dining
hall.”
Seokjin stares up at the back of his master’s head. “I thought you were
enjoying your conversation with him.”
“You thought wrong.” Jungkook abruptly places a halt to his steps which in turn
causes Seokjin to nearly bump into him. The younger male turns around to face
him. “I’m heading over to my chambers. If you really are sick, feel free to go
to Yoongi’s.”
Seokjin offers him a befuddled look. “Without any guards to escort me?”
A breath of dry humor pushes past the Prince’s lips. “You’re not that
important.”
“I think I am since you did bring me with you to the evening meal.” Seokjin
counters and while he doesn’t necessarily believe his own words, having a
comeback towards the Prince’s taunts feels satisfying.
Jungkook just wrinkles his nose-- a surprisingly childish expression. “I
probably wouldn’t have if I had known you would be glaring at my companion all
night. Save your jealousy, pet. I’m not interested in either of you.” And with
that, he turns to leave-- turning around the corner to where his room is
located.
Seokjin purses his lips as the Prince’s last words linger in his mind. Had he
really been glaring at the young lord earlier? Or perhaps Jungkook is being
full of himself; which wouldn’t exactly be that much of a surprise.
He sighs and looks around the empty corridor. Seokjin couldn’t tell whether
this is yet again another one of the Prince’s well-thought out motives or he
had just come to a decision to let him roam free for once. The blond couldn’t
help but take a dim view on the latter as he shakes his head and opts for
Yoongi’s chambers. This is the first time he gets to wander around without a
guard keeping tabs on his every movement after all. While he doesn’t
particularly like Yoongi for his attitude, he’s nevertheless curious as to how
he can handle a relationship with Taehyung.
Taehyung is quite a handful and the physician doesn’t seem to be the most
patient person he knows.
Upon reaching his destination at long last, Seokjin curls his fingers to a soft
fist and gently knocks on the door.
No response.
He tries again but still, not a single response could be heard.
That’s odd.
Seokjin carefully pushes the door open to a meager degree and peeks inside,
wondering if they’re even there in the first place. He would feel like such an
idiot to be knocking on a door to an empty room. As he leans in to sneak a peek
of the place, he catches a glimpse of Taehyung seated on a table, his frame
hunched down a bit. Seokjin frowns and gives the door another further nudge. He
then finds Yoongi on the chair, his back straight and stiff and his hands
clutching the fabric of his trousers rather tightly. Taehyung has his chin
between his fingers and when the dark-haired pet leans down closer to him,
Yoongi squeezes his eyes shut until Taehyung softly brushes their lips
together.
Seokjin blinks. Are they really doing this with the door unlocked? Do they have
anyidea about the expense they will have to pay if they get caught? This could
very well risk Taehyung’s life while Yoongi, being the royal physician, will
only earn a slap on the wrist.
The kiss barely lasts a second before Taehyung draws away and grins down at
him. “See? It wasn’t that bad now, was it? Look, I’m still alive!”
Yoongi opens his eyes almost too cautiously, his entire frame still tensed up.
But his frown is evident. “I think we should just do this… t-this kind of
thingonce Prince Jungkook--”
Taehyung cuts him off with an exaggerated groan. “Yoongi, don’t be so--”
“You two really should lock the door.” Seokjin decides to pry in, earning
violent jolts of surprise from the couple.
Taehyung looks at him with wide stunned eyes, his hand clutched to his chest as
his shoulders heave up and down in heavy breaths while Yoongi sits there frozen
with his mouth agape. It would have been a hilarious sight to see if it weren’t
for the circumstances that could lead Taehyung to his impending death.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything. But honestly, lock the door.” Seokjin
gives them a brief wave of his hand before stepping back and closing the door.
He will have to give Taehyung a lecture or two if he really is willing to do
this sort of thing in the palace.
Just as he’s heading back to his chambers, he suddenly finds Lord Choi turning
around the corner from the corridor where Jungkook’s room could be located. The
very second Lord Choi catches sight of the blond, a warm-hearted smile graces
his lips and Seokjin instinctively puts a pause to his steps. The lord strides
over to his direction with slow patient steps while Seokjin maintains his eyes
on the floor-- as expected of a pet.
“You can look at me, pet.”
As ordered, Seokjin directs his eyes up to Jungkook’s uncle. “Good evening,
Lord Choi.”
Lord Choi smiles. “A fine evening, indeed. I heard that my nephew has started
bringing you to the evening meals again.”
“I…” Seokjin ponders for a second. “I’m not very certain about that. This could
perhaps be a one-time thing.”
Lord Choi’s smile falters and after taking a fleeting gander of their
surroundings, he shakes his head. “I highly doubt that. You are allowed to
wander around the palace without a guard at your tail. It seems to me you have
gained my nephew’s trust.”
Against his better judgement, Seokjin couldn’t refrain himself from frowning at
the assumption. “Or perhaps he just realized that I am too much of an idiot to
figure out a way to escape from the confines of the palace.”
Lord Choi laughs at this, much to the blond’s surprise. “Give yourself a little
credit, my boy.” The older of the two gives the blond a gentle squeeze on the
shoulder. “I was just speaking with my nephew earlier and he claimed that you
are quite a smart man.”
Seokjin blinks. “What are his exact words?”
Lord Choi laughs again. “Well, he said that you are smart for a Callian but we
all know that’s as good of a compliment anyone could ever get from the Prince,
yes?”
How is that a compliment? Jungkook still technically taunted the entire race of
Callians so Seokjin couldn’t exactly pinpoint the part where he is supposed to
be flattered by that. Evidently, he and Lord Choi have different ways of taking
compliments but the blond knows better than to argue with a highborn. “That’s…
nice of him.” He manages to squeeze the words out.
Lord Choi nods his head, a fond smile on his lips and his eyes seemingly lost
somewhere. Seokjin could only purse his lips and wait for him to say something.
Pets aren’t permitted to end a conversation with a highborn after all.
Eventually, Lord Choi looks back at him and takes another step closer to lean
in. “Did… the guard give you the knife?”
Seokjin is surprised that he had almost forgotten about it. “Yes, my lord.”
Lord Choi sighs in what Seokjin could assume is relief. “I absolutely loathe it
whenever I have to do this. The mere fact that I have to give you a knife just
so you could defend yourself from my nephew’s spontaneous orders pains me
terribly. I really do apologize for what had happened that night.”
Seokjin swallows. “It’s fine, my lord.”
Lord Choi doesn’t seem to be in the mood to drop the topic though as he heaves
another sigh. “I just don’t know what to do with that child anymore. He’s been
like this ever since--” He abruptly stops his words and refocuses his gaze on
the blond as though he had just realized who he is speaking with.
But now Seokjin is burning with curiosity as he slightly tilts his head to the
side. “Ever since what?”
Lord Choi appears to be hesitating at first by chewing on his bottom lip. But
then as though giving in to his internal debate, he shakes his head and folds
his hands together in front of him. “Jungkook hasn’t been the same since the
death of the Queen.” Seokjin couldn’t remember much about the day the Queen had
died other than the fact that her way of death had been a mystery to everyone.
Not even the pets in the tavern could get any information about it from their
customers who were usually the guards from the palace.
“Even my wife,” Lord Choi persists on. “could not help him and she was known to
be the finest royal therapist in all the lands.”
“And where is your wife now?” Seokjin asks with genuine curiosity.
Something flickers within the lord’s eyes but it disappears just as quickly as
it had appeared. “She was poisoned by our enemies.”
“O-Oh. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Lord Choi’s smile falters to a faint one. “Being a member of The
Majestic means enemies are inevitable. I knew what I was signing up for when I
married her. She was an amazing woman. We both raised Jungkook like he was our
own after his mother passed away. It was a difficult time for us all but I am
pleased to see my nephew in a good mood tonight.”
“In a good mood?”
Lord Choi nods. “He must be quite taken with you. Are you taken with him?”
Seokjin is beginning to think Lord Choi isn’t as good at reading people as his
own nephew is. “I’ve been trained to be taken with him.”
Lord Choi chuckles. “Such a safe answer, but I’ll take it. I should go and have
my supper. Take care of Jungkook for me, pet.”
Seokjin hesitates. “...I will.”
===============================================================================
The celebration of the King’s birthday is very much like the Feast of Miracles.
All highborn are seated on an elevated area with a wide clearing in front of
them where townsfolk show performances for their entertainment. Though this
time, a long table is situated right in front of their seats so the highborn
could dine while they watch their people make fools of themselves. Seokjin is
seated right between Taehyung and Hoseok as a play that is inspired by some
childhood tale takes place at the clearing by children.
Taehyung doesn’t seem to be paying much attention to it seeing as how he
wouldn’t stop chatting another pet’s ear off while Hoseok appears to be more
enthralled at the wine in his cup. Seokjin gives him an odd look before
carefully leaning in to whisper.
“Just how much wine have you had?”
Hoseok looks at him in slight surprise before a clumsy grin pulls the corners
of his lips. “There is nothing like having too much wine, Seokjin. Ask your
master.”
Seokjin frowns. “I’d rather not.”
“Then how are you two supposed to like each other when you don’t want to get to
know one another? Let me tell you this, the only times he ever gets to have an
actual decent sleep is when he gets a nice cup of fine wine,” Hoseok pauses for
a second to grin at his own goblet. “or when he feels genuinely safe but let’s
face it; nobody is safe in Gennaios.” He takes another deep swallow from his
drink and Seokjin wills himself to look away, knowing that their conversation
is going nowhere when the lord is completely inebriated. Has he always been
like this? Since Hoseok was betrothed to the former heiress of the throne, it
doesn’t seem likely.
On the spur of the moment, he catches a familiar gaze from the thick swarm of
townsfolk ahead.
A highborn dressed in golden garbs.
He stares back at Seokjin with a knowing bearing before averting his eyes on
Jungkook.
Did he recognize them?
Seokjin leans in a bit over the table to try and catch a glimpse of Jungkook
who is a few seats away from him. As expected, the Prince isn’t even paying
attention to the play nor any of the townsfolk. If anything, he appears to be
only pushing the food on his plate around with a fork. His brother, who is
right beside him, seems to be genuinely enjoying the play though. As though
taking advantage of the distraction the children’s performance is giving,
Jungkook stands up from his seat and climbs down the stairs to the side with a
book in his hand.
Seokjin frowns at that. Where in the world could he be going?
He excuses himself from Hoseok who only nods. Seokjin doubts that he even
registered what he had said but that’s the least of the blond’s concerns as he
trails after where the Prince had gone to. He looks back over his shoulder to
look for that one particular highborn but he is nowhere to be seen anymore.
Nobody seems to be paying any attention to either of them but then again, they
have quite a thick crowd so Seokjin couldn’t be too certain about that.
Nevertheless, he follows the Prince until he realizes the younger male is
heading off for the walls of a lush, blooming forest that nearly arches over
the town.
The forest path has been painted white gold with daylight. Only a few fragments
of the blue sky could be seen and the air is rich with the fresh aroma of damp
leaves. The earth is still somewhat wet from the rainfall but that doesn’t seem
to bother Jungkook who continues to trek along the pathway. Seokjin manages to
stray away from the path as much as he could in an attempt not to be seen.
Jungkook might not continue heading for his destination if he finds out he’s
being followed.
The walk isn’t that long nor is it too short though they have to take a great
number of twists and turns until finally, Jungkook skids his steps to a halt
and Seokjin looks up to find a considerably large tree-- larger than any of the
trees in the woods. Jungkook pays no heed to it though as he settles himself
comfortably under the shade of it and presses his back against the trunk,
bringing one knee up and opening his book to read. Seokjin could only blink at
the sight. Did the Prince really just go all the way here to read a book? Why
this tree in particular?
“Go back to the feast, pet.” Seokjin nearly jumps in surprise at the sudden
voice of his master acknowledging his presence. Jungkook doesn’t bother to look
up from his book as though his command doesn’t hold that much importance.
Seokjin purses his lips before stepping away from one of the trees that he’s
hiding from and strides over to his master.
“Why are you reading here? It’s not safe for you to be alone.” Especially after
seeing how much the townsfolk despise him and how he had put an end to one of
their beloved traditions.
“Why does my safety matter to you? I would have thought that the death of your
abusive master would leave you overjoyed.” Jungkook turns to the next page of
his book and Seokjin couldn’t help but frown at his assumption. Does he not
like the Prince-- yes, he finds every single detail about him infuriating. But
at the same time, Jungkook is fighting for the freedom of pets. Perhaps not his
freedom in particular, but Seokjin knows a significant number of pets who would
do anything to break free from the chains of their land’s ridiculous laws.
“Go back.” Jungkook persists on.
“No.” Seokjin maintains his frown on the younger male. “Not without you. It’s
not safe.”
“You can do whatever you want then. I want to read.”
Seokjin sighs irritably. This kid really has no idea what the townsfolk are
like. The blond takes a gander of their surroundings for a fleeting moment,
looking back over his shoulder only to realize that the town is nothing more
than just a distant haze from where they are. He settles his eyes back on the
Prince again who has not once faltered from his seat.
“Fine.” Seokjin huffs and is about to sit beside his master when he notices a
few letters carved on the tree, just right on top of Jungkook’s head.
KK&T
He fails to understand the rest seeing how they just end up being a garbled
mess. But before he could try to further decipher it, he catches the Prince’s
cold impatient look on him and Seokjin hastily sits down beside him. Silence
caresses the atmosphere soon after, only the sounds of bugs buzzing and the
flipping of Jungkook’s pages being Seokjin’s only companions. He knows all too
well that striking a conversation with the Prince will be proven fruitless-
- especially now after seeing him genuinely fixated on the book he’s reading.
“What does this say?” Jungkook’s voice plunges through the silence and Seokjin
finds himself glancing at the book that has been nudged to his direction.
Jungkook is pointing at a particular line that appears to be written in Callian
characters.
Seokjin rubs his neck before translating the line to Gennaian. “It says, turn a
blind eye to those who laugh at what you are doing for in the end, they will be
the ones asking how you did it.” He then directs his eyes on the younger male.
“Why is there a Callian saying in the book?”
“Because the character is Callian.” Jungkook pulls the book back to himself
without so much of a glance at his pet.
Seokjin trails his eyes down to the book again in an attempt to sneak a peek of
the cover but Jungkook adjusts it a bit so as to keep it from his line of
sight. Seokjin frowns at that and settles his gaze back at him. “You speak
Callian but you can’t read it?”
“Spare me your wisecracks.”
“What’s the Callian character like?”
“Not like you, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Jungkook shoots him a look that
is just bordering on disinterest. “This one is pretty smart-- for a Callian.”
Seokjin taps on his knee, a small diverted smile enhancing his full lips. “But
is that not what you technically think of me?”
Jungkook narrows his lovely doe eyes at him almost too suspiciously. “My uncle
talks too much.”
“So you’re not denying it?”
For some reason, Jungkook doesn’t respond right away. In fact, he parts his
lips as though he is on the brink of making an attempt to retort but his
thoughts have come up short. His dainty cheeks glow in an endearing caress of
pink, or perhaps Seokjin had merely conjured that image in his mind for the
Prince had turned his head back to his book before the blond could have the
chance of confirming whether or not his blush is but a figment of his
imagination.
“Believe what you want to believe.” Jungkook finally says after an evident
swallow, loudly flipping the next page as his entire build grow stiff. “But I
came here to read so stop being an unnecessary distraction.”
“You started it.” Seokjin leans back against the trunk of the tree with a
shrug.
“Grow up.”
“If my master says so.”
Either Jungkook had glared at him for his response or not, Seokjin couldn’t
tell anymore for he had closed his eyes at this point. If the Prince really is
keen on spending the entire duration of the celebration reading a book away
from everyone else, then Seokjin wouldn’t mind sleeping the hours away. He
doubts Jungkook would leave him here alone, especially now that he has to keep
him safe in order not to fall in his brother’s traps.
Soon enough, Seokjin finds himself comfortably succumbing to slumber.
===============================================================================
The sound of footsteps crushing dried leaves and needles seizes Seokjin’s
attention and his eyes flutter open, seeing how the ambience is still warmly
illuminated by the sun driving for the farthest point of its crowning beams. An
hour or so until nightfall. But that is not what Seokjin has his full attention
on; it’s the body that is leaning heavily against his side. Seokjin moves his
head away from where he has been leaning on which is the Prince’s head that has
been resting on his shoulder for who knows how long. The young man’s book has
been long abandoned but still open on his lap, his hand carelessly lying still
on the blond’s thigh while the other lies on his book.
His even breathing indicates that he is still deep in slumber.
How did Seokjin notwake up from this earlier?
“Comfortable?” A voice nearby speaks up and he looks up ahead to find Lord Choi
standing before them, his hands gracefully folded in front of him and his lips
quirked up to the smallest smile Seokjin had ever seen him express. “I have
been looking everywhere for you two. I thought you decided to pass over the
King’s celebration and head straight for your chambers. Thankfully, it hasn’t
come to that.”
Seokjin licks his now dried lips as he directs his eyes to the sleeping Prince
then back to the esteemed lord. “Our apologies. My Prince wanted to… catch up
on his reading.”
“That’s fine.” Lord Choi lets out a soft chuckle. “He hasn’t been having enough
sleep these days so this is good. I’m surprised he even showed you his private
corner.”
Seokjin finds Lord Choi’s eyes trailing down to Jungkook’s hand where it still
lies on Seokjin’s thigh. Immediately but hesitantly, Seokjin takes hold of his
master’s hand and places it on the book instead.
Lord Choi makes no comment about it. “You should wake him up, pet. His brother
is about to make an announcement and he can’t do that without the Prince’s
presence.” And without another word, the middle-aged man turns around to take
his leave. Seokjin watches his receding back for another moment before turning
his head down to Jungkook who is still surprisingly deep in slumber. The fact
that he has been told about the Prince barely having any decent sleep these
days almost holds Seokjin back from waking him up at all.
The blond tilts his head down to catch a glimpse of Jungkook’s face.
Sure enough, the Prince is out like a light.
His fringes have been swayed to the side to expose his strong brows that are in
complete contrast to the prominent baby fat his soft features still appear to
have. Seokjin couldn’t imagine someone as young as the Prince having to scheme
through almost everything at such a young age. Lord Choi had described him as
someone who was once a child of all smiles, but his mother’s death had really
altered his entire character.
On the other hand, it is absolutely breathtaking to see him immensely composed
and serene for once. He doesn’t have his guard up like he normally does and
like an opportunity the blond could only get to grasp on for this one single
moment, he gets to have a closer look of how naive and childlike Jungkook’s
features appear to be. He could have easily fooled anyone from thinking he’s a
snide ill-tempered prince.
But he is undeniably beautiful.
“Staring will cost you.” The Prince’s voice is still spiked with sleep and yet
it’s still enough to have Seokjin’s pulse leaping in surprise.
“You’re awake.” The blond observes almost too dumbfoundedly.
Jungkook’s eyes flutter open as he finally moves away from Seokjin, cold
immediately swooping in to replace the warmth that had once been there between
them. Jungkook adjusts the golden circlet that has been askewed on his head and
rubs the drowsiness away from his face. “I’ve only been awake when my uncle
said something about an announcement.” He then turns to look at Seokjin with
one raise of a brow. “You sure did take your delicate time of waking me up.”
Heat rushes up to Seokjin’s face at the thought of being caught staring, but
he’s not going to let this fluster of his take control of him. Jungkook would
have wanted that, wouldn’t he? “Your uncle said you’ve barely had any sleep
recently. I just thought it’d be for the best if I let you sleep for a few more
minutes.”
“Your concern is nonessential.” Jungkook waves him off before getting up to his
feet, dusting off the dirt from his garbs. “We shouldn’t be keeping my brother
waiting.”
“Wait,” Seokjin hastily moves back up to his feet. “there’s something you
should know.”
This catches Jungkook’s interest for he looks back at the blond almost too
quickly. “Out with it then.”
Seokjin swallows. “Do you recall the man who wanted to buy you?”
Jungkook studies his face for a moment before shrugging his shoulders. “You
will have to be specific.”
His answer catches the blond off-guard but he clears his throat and reels back
to his train of thoughts. “The one who I rejected.”
“Ah. And what of him?”
“I saw him at the festivity earlier. He saw us. He recognizedus.”
Jungkook pauses, his canny eyes raking Seokjin’s entire build from head to toe.
“And what do you propose we do?”
“Wha--” Seokjin loses track of what he is supposed to say as the Prince’s
question bounces around within the confines of his mind. He’s not the
mastermind here so how should he know what to do? He never expected for the man
to be in this town of all places. “I-I… I don’t know. I just thought that
perhaps you might have a plan.”
“Yes, but I know for a fact that you wouldn’t like my plan.” Jungkook fixes his
dark fringes as though the topic at hand doesn’t concern him whatsoever. “I’ve
thought of having youexecute my plan but I cannot have you throwing up
everywhere at the mere sight of blood. Considering you are my pet, you will in
no doubt humiliate me.”
The memory of Jungkook comfortingly caressing his scalp during the Feast of
Miracles rings in Seokjin’s head.
“You’re… thinking of killing him?” Seokjin concludes, although very slowly
because surely, the highborn shouldn’t be in line for eternal rest.
“Do you have any better idea of shutting him up?” Jungkook’s tone drips in a
derisive zest.
“Any idea is better than your idea.” An unruly scowl curls Seokjin’s lips. He
thought Jungkook would be smarter than this. He can’t just possibly kill anyone
who gets in the way of his strategies. It’s downright inhumane.
“Fine then.” Jungkook bears a bleak look at him. “You take your pick: either I
have that man killed or I’d let him buy you from me.”
Seokjin blinks at the latter choice. “What do you me--”
“I’ve already spoken with him days ago.” Jungkook sighs in tedious effort. “He
has agreed to keep his mouth shut if I give you away. Callians don’t normally
give their pets away so to him, you’re a rare gem. Your sole existence can make
anyone filthy rich.”
Seokjin weighs his options.
Surely enough, he does not want to be bought. The man is a well-heeled traveler
after all and Seokjin isn’t exactly elated about the idea of being away from
Taehyung and their brothers. And who knows what kind of highborn would buy him
from that man? They could be a lot worse than Jungkook-- they could either be a
Callian or an Androtisun and Seokjin has never heard of how theytreat their
pets.
“But we can’t just kill him.” He eventually says, defeated.
“I’ve killed handlers before. This will be no problem.” A breath of caustic
amusement pushes past Jungkook’s lips. “Did you think that you were the first
person to have been offered gold in exchange for me? The very same thing
happened to two of my pets. Both occurrences resulted to me being sold off.”
Seokjin finds his entire form rigid with stunned tension.
Two pets have attempted to sell their Prince off? Even though all this time
he’s been fighting for their rights?
“I had to kill the handlers myself as soon as we were far into their travel.”
Jungkook brushes dirt off of his shoulder.
“What happened to your pets?” Seokjin could already feel his stomach twisting
at the answer he’s predicting.
“I had them killed.” Jungkook answers far too impassively. “They knew too much
about what I’ve been up to. I cannot afford having people I trust play Judas on
me. Now let’s not waste my time here.” Jungkook raises his chin up to a meager
degree as though reminding the blond of his esteemed status. “Do you want to
have that man killed or would you rather travel with him and be bought by,
let’s say, the princess of Androtis? I have been told that she has a thing for
blonds. Quite a gorgeous girl too. You’d be thrilled to be with her.”
Seokjin purses his lips. “I’m just your pet. Why does my opinion on the issue
matter?”
This appears to have caught Jungkook by surprise for his eyes flutter with
falter and his lips have once again parted then closed as though the response
he had come up with isn’t good enough. Silence drapes over them as their stares
linger at each other, neither of them having the gall to speak up.
Eventually, Jungkook takes the first step.
“I’ll have him killed then.”
And with that, he turns around so as to put an end to their discussion.
===============================================================================
Upon returning to the feast, The King finds them and somewhat impatiently
beckons them back to the table. Jungkook returns to his seat without so much of
a glance back at Seokjin. Seokjin heads straight for his own seat where he
finds Hoseok already passed out on the table. Taehyung greets him with his
usual wide grin.
“Hey buddy! Where have you been?” The younger pet asks, giving the blond a
playful nudge on the shoulder. “Getting some forest humping with the Prince?”
“That’s what youwould do, Tae.” Seokjin shoots him a good-natured but tired
look.
“Oh shucks, I have only thought of getting mounted on topof a tree like any
normal human being would.” Taehyung returns with a sickeningly sweet smile as
he bats his pronounced lashes.
Silence looms over the entire feast once the King had stood up from his seat,
one hand raised to garner everybody’s attention. “As you all know, I am
absolutely delighted to be celebrating my 28th birthday with my people. You
have all been wonderful companions, my friends. And I hope to be as great of a
king as my father once was. With that being said, I’ve decided to stray away
from every path that would lead to war. I cannot have my people quivering in
fear again. In order to do so, the council and I have come to the decision of
forming an alliance with the land of Androtis.”
As though on cue, large milky stallions horn into the celebration-- their red-
headed riders cloaked in emerald lavish garbs. Their green banners of a lugging
ferocious bear flap over their heads as they all make way into the clearing in
front of the highborn’s table. One rider in particular-- dark and thickly
built-- moves a step ahead from the rest, the crown on his head gleaming in the
sunlight. His face is lined with venerable age but he still holds himself with
tremendous self-importance. The closest ones behind him are two more riders: a
young man whose cheeks are dappled with freckles and appears to be around
Jungkook’s age, and a dazzling woman whose fiery hair is curled to graceful
locks. Both of them are sporting golden circlets on their heads.
Questioning murmurs break out through the crowd but none of them dare to speak
up.
“Brother,” The King of Androtis smiles at the King of Gennaios. “we are truly
honored to finally be allies with you. Our fathers, as much as we loved them,
were far too tenacious and proud. Together, we shall not repeat their mistakes
and put our people’s safety as our top priority.”
Anxiety gnaws at the pit of Seokjin’s stomach as he watches the entire scene
play out before him. What is the King up to this time? What in the world is he
thinking bringing their land’s worst enemy into their home with open arms?
He gazes over at Jungkook but Jungkook isn’t looking at the King of Androtis.
He’s locking eyes with the Princess, his jaw clenched and taut.
And like before, he’s rubbing his thumb against his index finger over the
table.
Chapter End Notes
     Okay, this came up later than it should and I'm so sorry. :c I've
     been so busy these days but rest assured, I won't be abandoning this
     fic! ^^ I'm so sorry that I can't reply to everyone's comments! I
     could never find the time to do so but I honestly take every thought
     by heart! Your comments are my greatest motivation!
     If you have any questions about the fic, feel free to bother me at
     bishi/buttermilk just in case I don't find the time to reply to your
     lovely comments!
***** A Thing for Blonds *****
Chapter Notes
     T/W: Rape, implication of pedophilia.
     Already mentioned in the tags but just to be safe!
To put things simply, the social graces of Androtisuns are downright crude.
Redheaded warriors scatter about the dining hall upon supper, most of them
already filling the air with sexual tension as they grind up against their own
pets while some persistently harass the Gennaian ones. One Androtisun has his
pet sucking him off in blatant view as he chomps on a roasted chicken leg while
another has flipped the skirt of a passing female Gennaian pet with a
boisterous snort-- the pet Seokjin recognizes as the woman he had conversed
with that one time during an evening meal. The King had simply allowed their
so-called guests to bed any of the highborn’s pets as a token of gratitude for
all of the efforts the Androtisuns have endured on the trip just to pay them a
visit.
Fortunately for Seokjin, none of the foreigners have bothered to touch him.
“If you’re getting insecure, then I should let you know that the only reason
why none of them are bothering with you is because they’ve been told that
you’re Prince Jungkook’s property.” Jimin, who stands right beside Seokjin by
the wall, leans in to whisper. “I doubt you’d take delight in earning their
attention anyway.”
Seokjin purses his lips, his eyes catching sight of Taehyung who’s already
seated on some man’s lap and twirling his finger around a few of the stranger’s
curly red locks as he whispers sweet nothings to him. “Knowing the Prince, I’m
certain that he wouldn’t mind me getting bedded by any of our guests.”
“Give him a little credit.” He could hear the frown in Jimin’s voice.
“You like him too much.”
“I like him enough.”
Seokjin decides not to provoke any form of argument with the guard. Aside from
Taehyung, Jimin is the only person he could somewhat put his trust in within
the confines of the palace. He crosses his arms and leans back against the wall
behind him, his eyes steadily inspecting the repulsive sight displayed before
him until he fronts a peculiar emerald stare.
The Androtisun Princess sits pleasingly on a seat far from their warriors,
surrounded by her own pets who are all of different races ranging from olive-
skinned brunettes to pasty redheads. Not a single Callian could be sighted
though. Nevertheless, the artless interest that shimmers within the lush jewels
of the Princess’ eyes catches the blond’s attention and when she gives him a
rather flirtatious wink, Seokjin finds himself swallowing in discomfort before
promptly breaking their senseless silent exchange.
Jungkook had mentioned once that she has a thing for blonds and honestly
speaking, Seokjin isn’t entirely certain what to make of that.
He finds Jungkook at the far end of the room near the corner, seeming to have a
hushed conversation with Lord Choi. As always, Seokjin couldn’t figure out the
atmosphere their conversation is carrying for the lord has his back turned to
him and Jungkook’s expression is as impassive as it usually is. But when their
eyes meet, the Prince eventually excuses himself from their discussion with a
seemingly reassuring squeeze on his uncle’s shoulder before making his way
towards the blond. He nods over at Jimin who leaves them be right away.
“Not hungry?” The younger male asks as he stands by the blond, leaning back
against the wall as well. “I would have simply thought you’d be starving by now
seeing how you completely skipped your lunch just to watch me catch up on my
reading.”
“I’ve lost my appetite.” Seokjin couldn’t help the grimace that graces his
features as soon as he accidentally takes in the sight of an Androtisun already
bending a female Gennaian pet over the table without a single ounce of grace.
“If anything, I just want to leave.” But of course, he could only take his
leave if his master sees it fit and considering the fact that Jungkook had been
going around the room with his brother to meet each member of the entire royal
family of Androtis, Seokjin knows that he’ll be standing in this room for a
long stretch of time.
Much to his surprise, he finds Jungkook’s shoulders shaking in a breath of
amusement. “Even when the Princess is practically undressing you with her
eyes?”
Seokjin casts his glance at him for a fleeting moment but after realizing that
the Prince isn’t even looking at him, he follows his gaze to find the Princess
still watching him from afar-- her delicately exquisite aura causing her to
stand out amongst the raucous crowd occupying the dining table. “I’m…” Words
caught in his throat, Seokjin licks his lips and tries again. “I’m not hers.”
“You can be for the night.”
He shoots a bewildered expression at Jungkook. “Are you telling me…”
Jungkook shrugs. “I understand that being my pet means leaving your animalistic
urges unheeded. As I have said before, I have no intention of sharing a bed
with you. I do, however, owe you for not selling me to that handler and I’d
rather not have you that honor. If it is consensual, feel free to spend the
night with the Princess. She’s already told me her genuine interest in you.”
And without the bother of waiting for Seokjin’s response, Jungkook strides away
from him to join his brother and their royal guests.
Seokjin swallows again and meets the Princess’ eyes who smiles ever so sweetly
at him.
The celebration of the two lands becoming allies has dragged on without Seokjin
being approached by anyone other than Jimin who had returned swiftly after
Jungkook left. Seokjin had caught Taehyung leaving the dining room with one of
the Androtisun warriors who had looked so enraptured by the young pet’s charm.
In spite of being under property of the Prince, Taehyung must have certainly
made the first approach towards the warrior. Does that not consider cheating on
Yoongi though?
Nevertheless, Seokjin is glad enough that the night had eventually reached its
end and he has been escorted back to his chambers where he could finally catch
up on to his slumber.
Until a gentle knock on the door catches his attention.
Nobody has ever knocked on his door.
Uncertain of what to do, he just stands there for a few more seconds to see
what else will happen next. Another knock passes by but when Seokjin still
couldn’t trust himself to say anything, the door eventually swings open and a
cascade of lovely red locks and large olive-hued eyes catch the blond’s
attention.
It’s the Princess dressed in a long silky green night robe that clings to her
slender yet well-proportioned figure. She is bare under the garb, her nipples
erect under the thin silk.
Seokjin feels his pulse leaping at the mere sight of the redheaded beauty.
She smiles at him before carefully closing the door behind her. The burning
candles are their only source of light in the wide expanse of the dark chambers
and their luminescence dances entrancingly over the woman’s lightly freckled
skin.
“I have been told that this is the chambers of Seokjin,” The woman’s voice is
akin to a honeyed pastry-- soft and sweet with a soft tinge of an Androtisun
accent. “the only Callian pet in Gennaios?”
“I-I…” Words caught in his throat, Seokjin tries to clear them up. “I doubt I’m
the only Callian pet in Gennaios.”
“Then you are theCallian pet.” The Princess giggles as she moves to close the
stretch of distance between them, her scent like sweet apples. “Your Prince had
spoken fondly of you and my interest has been piqued.”
“He did…”
She looks up at him under her thick lashes. “He told me how sharp of a pet you
are-- how even someone as I wouldn’t be able to get past you.” Like the
exquisitely tender finesse of a painter, the Princess brushes her fingertips
over the blond’s bare chest as her fascinating doe eyes follow her own flow of
movement until her hand reaches over to close onto Seokjin’s own hand. She
directs her gaze up at him again with a feline smile before leading his hand to
slip between the flaps of her robe. “But when I saw you, I immediately knew
that you could be so much more than just a mere pet. You’re a man, yes?”
Seokjin finds himself holding his breath the very second his hand comes in
contact with her bare mound. She ushers him to squeeze and when he does, he
catches the slight eager hitch of her breath. He couldn’t recall the last time
he had ever touched a woman before, though it could have been more than six
moons by now. Being kept within his chambers for endless days has lead him to
lose track of time at this point.
Keeping the blond’s hand on her breast, the Princess takes a step closer to
reach up and whisper to his ear; “Your Prince underestimates you, doesn’t he?
He can’t bring himself to admit that a pet is far more clever than he is-- that
a pet could see right through him.” Seokjin feels her kiss his ear, desirable
heat already coiling up within the pit of his stomach. “He can’t admit that his
pet is more of a man than he ever will be.” She trails her lips down his neck
before she pulls back just enough to look up at him again, her free hand
reaching down to palm the somewhat damp tent growing underneath the blond’s
slacks. Seokjin makes a restrained sound at the back of his throat and her
smile grows wider.
“Show me the man you really are.”
Just as she finally slips her hand underneath his slacks and takes a hold of
him, Seokjin lets out a sharp breath before all traces of self-control are
tossed out of his state of mind. He grabs the Princess by the back of her neck
and dashes his lips against hers almost too fervently, earning himself a
pleased sound from the redhead.
===============================================================================
Not a fragment of elegance or refinement could be plied at what they did.
Seokjin had taken every ounce of repressed frustration and desperation out on
fucking the Princess. Normally, he would have taken things slow and tamed just
as he had always done with his clients but the Princess does not seem to be the
type to enjoy such unhurried activity. She was loud too, perhaps intentionally.
He had fucked her on the table, on the wall, on the floor, and until eventually
on the bed.
But the strangest thing is what he remembers the most during all that are the
Princess’ lovely doe eyes that were hazed with so much desire.
She certainly has a thing for blonds.
“Prince Jungkook is lucky.” The Princess says with a breathy laugh just as
Seokjin finally drops down onto the bed beside her. “If you were mine, we’d be
at it every single day.” She turns to face him, her curly hair now a complete
mess but still fascinating nevertheless. “But I suppose that’s what you two do.
I cannot imagine your Prince managing to keep himself under control with
someone like you around.”
Seokjin licks his lips as he stares up at the ceiling, still in the midst of
getting down from his high and comprehending the Princess’ words. “Actually,
no-- I… I mean, we don’t really...”
“Fuck?”
“Yes.”
“Still?” A seemingly amused smile graces the Princess’ lips. “Honestly, when I
heard that he is still a virgin, I only thought it’s because he’s into men.
Male pets in Gennaios aren’t as desired as female pets are after all so it
wouldn’t be a surprise to know that everyone gives him female pets as presents.
I’m surprised he hasn’t been fucked until now. He’s quite a stiff kid, he could
use a good fuck every now and then.”
Talking about Jungkook like this doesn’t feel right, Seokjin realizes. No
matter how ignorant and stubborn he could be, Jungkook is still hisPrince. The
Prince who’s risking everything-- even his own life-- just to give his people
their rights for once even if it meant doing something that unmistakably gives
him immense discomfort. He’s an amazing swordsman and a clever prince who is
looked up to by noble people like Jimin and Yoongi.
And yet, for some reason, people are far more interested in who he prefers to
fuck.
They don’t look beyond his physical charm.
“He has a lot of things going on.” Seokjin eventually says with a careless wave
of his hand. “Being the Prince of Gennaios, he’s always occupied.”
“All the more reason for him to bed someone. Or be bedded. I don’t judge.” The
Princess shrugs as she pushes a few strands of her hair away from her face.
“Have you ever kissed him at least?”
Seokjin feels himself flush at the question. “No.”
“That’s a shame.” The Princess then turns over to lean on her elbows as she
looks down at him, her smile still radiant as ever as her crimson hair falls
onto her bare shoulders. “Then how about I just buy you?”
Seokjin fails from holding back the look of genuine surprise that breezes upon
his face as he meets her eyes. “Buy me? Why?”
“You’re a generous lover.” The Princess giggles, reaching over to give the
blond’s cheek a soft pinch. “I mean, what you did with your tongue…” Her smile
grows wider, almost as though she’s giddy just by recalling what he did. “...no
one has ever really focused on me like that before.”
“Oh…” Perhaps he has his former clients to thank for that.
“Do you think your Prince would let me buy you?”
Seokjin hesitates.
“Probably.”
===============================================================================
Evening melts away and morning fades in soon after, colors of a calming lilac
hue and luminous gold spreading and painting across the clouds. With the
somewhat eager anticipation of finding locks of red fanning out across his
pillow, Seokjin is rather taken aback to wake up and find the Prince seated on
the edge of his bed instead with a book in hand.
The Princess is nowhere in sight.
“J-Jungkook...!” Seokjin promptly sits upright in immediate shock, abashed
warmth casting over his cheeks. A knifelike chill carves his bare legs and the
blond looks down to find his bed sheets only barely shrouding any decency of
his body. He rapidly reaches over to stretch the silk out to his toes, his
heart hammering within the confines of his chest.
The Prince, on the other hand, appears to be just taking the display in with a
reserved stolid look.
“Have you learned any of these recipes by heart?” He asks, waving the book
which appears to be one of those recipe books that have been left as Seokjin’s
only source of entertainment. “Considering the fact that you’ve been locked
here for so long, I could only assume that you’ve crammed at least a recipe or
two in that pocket-sized brain of yours.”
Completely perturbed by how guileless Jungkook’s eyes are, Seokjin runs his
fingers through his disheveled blond hair as he avoids the other male’s stare.
“No. But what are you doing here?” He wills himself to look back at Jungkook
only to find him cocking a skeptical brow.
“What, am I supposed to request access to my own pet’s chambers?”
“That’s… not what I meant.” Seokjin rubs the back of his neck. “Where’s--”
“The Princess?” Jungkook doesn’t sound pleased as he stands up from the bed,
walking across the room to slide the book back into the shelf nearby. “She and
her people left at the first bloom of dawn. I take it that you are
disappointed? Don’t take it personal. She is not one for morning after-sex
affections.”
“Oh...”
Seokjin’s response must have prompted something within Jungkook for he looks
back at him with a sharp turn of his head. But as though catching himself, he
shakes his head and strides back to the bed before standing just right beside
it. “She offered to buy you for an imposing price.”
“What price?”
“An assuredly guarded trip to Callias.”
Callias? Why would the Princess think Jungkook would want to go to Callias?
Perhaps the fact about the Prince’s loathing for Callians isn’t as spread out
as Seokjin had thought. Although everyone seems to know about how much of a
frigid person he is.
“Why Callias?” He decides to ask.
Jungkook crosses his arms over his chest with a nonchalant shrug. “I have been
informed that the Androtisuns sold them off to Callians. We have to get there
if I truly want my pets back.”
Seokjin blinks. “We?”
A miffed frown quirks the Prince’s lips as if acknowledging this is a rather
tedious task. “Yes. You’re coming with me. I need a half-witted Callian by my
side. You’ll be serving as my translator if need be.” Seokjin tears his eyes
away from the younger male and to the windows outside, wondering just for how
long had the Princess been gone. Seeing as he is still here in his chambers and
the Androtisuns have already left their land, he could only guess what
Jungkook’s response was to the enticing offer the Princess had given him.
It would have been a fairly good deal.
Jungkook is not at all loved by the people outside the palace. Even the members
of the council don’t seem to be that fond of him so the chances of the Prince
getting assassinated are tremendously sky-scraping. He could use every soldier
he could get in escorting him to Callias.
“How did the Princess know you need to go to Callias?” He turns to look back at
Jungkook again with inquisitive dusked-copper eyes.
“Did you think I allowed you to bed her for no reason?” Jungkook arches a brow
at him again. “Who do you think told me about my pets being sent to Callias?
The Princess supports my motives but would only help if given a reward. She’s
been my information-seeker, though I believe she didn’t tell me about her
coming here so as to rile me up.”
That leaves a bad taste in Seokjin’s mouth. He had just been but a mere part of
Jungkook’s plan of gathering more information. Does he seriously still not
trust him enough to tell him his plans prior to putting them in action?
“So I was just a factor of your deal? Like I’m some convenient commodity to
you?” The blond prompts, his tone tilting slightly over a frustrated edge.
“I didn’t think you’d actually--” As though catching himself once again,
Jungkook clams his lips shut and softly clears his throat. “Whether or not you
agreed to bed her is inconsequential. I told her she can try to charm you but
if her efforts come to naught, she is still obligated to keep her end of the
deal.”
Never in Seokjin’s life does he feel so foolish-- embarrassingly so.
The sound of the door swinging open impedes through their conversation and much
to Seokjin’s surprise, Lord Choi steps in. But as though not expecting the
Prince’s presence, he stops short on his actions and his gaze shifts over to
the blond who is still on the bed with only a sheet of silk covering his lower
half then back at his nephew. For a second, Seokjin catches an unbridled look
flashing within the middle-aged man’s eyes until a sheepish smile overcasts the
galled aspect.
“Am I interrupting here?” He asks almost too gently. “I can come back later if
you wish.”
“No. We’re done here.” Jungkook shakes his head as he makes his way towards his
uncle. “I’ve also changed my mind. We’re taking Seokjin with us.” And with
that, he steps out.
This leaves a questionable impact on Lord Choi who immediately follows his
nephew out of the chambers, leaving the blond to his own private quarters.
So they’re leaving for Callias soon.
For once, he’ll have the chance to see what kind of people his mother grew up
with. She rarely told him anything about Callias or the people she knew there.
The only thing she ever shared about their people is how their pets take on a
different test in order to achieve detachment from others so as not to leave
any strings once they’ve been purchased.
===============================================================================
“I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”
“...”
“Can’t you at the very least look at me?”
“...”
At the corner of his sight, he could see the woman running her hand over her
face in what he could assume is drained frustration. But even so, he couldn’t
find the courage to meet her eyes. He keeps himself curled up on the corner of
the couch with nothing but a tear-stained pillow to bring him piddling comfort.
He couldn’t remember how long he has been crying but he could already feel his
temples pounding as though adding insult to injury.
Images of thick blood gushing out through the cut flesh of his mother’s throat
flash before his eyes and he digs his tiny fingers into his pillow in an
excruciating grip, burying his face against the cushion and crying his heart
out once more.
He could sense Lady Choi closing the distance between them but he urges himself
not to look at her, afraid that she might see everything.
Afraid that she could see through him-- see how he had done nothing to protect
his own mother.
How he had just stood there helplessly.
Frozen.
Shocked.
“You’re scared.” His entire body grows taut with tension when he feels his aunt
laying a hand on his knee. “And I understand that, Kookie.”
Jungkook shakes his head against his pillow but says nothing.
She doesn’t understand. She wouldn’t understand.
“I’m going to try a different method here.” Lady Choi squeezes his knee before
trailing her hand up further. “Have… you ever been touched here?”
Jungkook jerks in a startled response, looking back at his aunt by mistake-
- his weeping eyes wide with shock.
Lady Choi has an affectionate smile gracing her lips. “I know how to make you
feel better, Kookie. Let me do this for you.”
“N-No thank you.” Jungkook manages to squeak out for once since he entered the
room.
Lady Choi squeezes him, eliciting a pained yelp from the child.
“Let me do this for you.” The woman repeats firmly, her smile poisonously
sweet.
===============================================================================
They’ll be riding to Callias on the day after tomorrow.
Somehow, Seokjin isn’t looking forward to it. Jungkook will only be taking a
few carefully selected people with them: Yoongi, Taehyung, Hoseok, Jimin, a few
guards personally chosen by Jimin, and surprisingly, Lord Choi. Though, Seokjin
doubts Lord Choi knows anything about what his nephew is up to and is probably
only coming along out of genuine concern for him. Nevertheless, it doesn’t feel
right bringing him along especially with Taehyung joining them.
Seokjin sighs as he watches the guards close the gates outside for the night,
impervious to the downpour like always. He will just have to see how their trip
will turn out. The blond turns to make his way to his bed and call it a night
when he suddenly finds the door swinging open. He puts an abrupt pause to his
steps, anxiety enclosing around his build upon catching sight of that one guard
with the rancid breath stepping in.
“What are you doing here?” Seokjin couldn’t prevent the scowl that curls his
lips. How did he get through Jimin?
“I’m under the Prince’s orders.” The guard grins, smug. He closes the door and
much to Seokjin’s horror, he locks it.
Seokjin could feel his heart hammering frantically at this point. “What
orders?”
“To fuck you.”
Seokjin’s eyes flicker to his pillow then back to the guard. “You know touching
me without the Prince’s permission is a death sentence.”
“Like I said, I’m under his orders.” The guard slowly closes in on him.
“I don’t believe you.”
“That’s too bad.” Before Seokjin could make a run for the door, the guard
manages to grab him by the neck and shove him down the bed-- putting his entire
weight onto the blond’s back to restrain him. He keeps his hefty hand heavy on
the back of Seokjin’s neck as he straddles his legs before thrusting his hips
to push his clothed arousal against Seokjin’s rear.
Seokjin clenches his teeth and growls in disgust as he turns his head to the
side, making an attempt in moving and throwing the guard off-balance but to no
avail. “Get off of me, you bastard!”
“Oh, like that’s going to work.” The guard snorts as he continuously grinds
against the blond’s ass. “I have a better idea. Why don’t I fuck you real good
until you lose your voice, and then I kill you right after? I could just easily
say I was under your Prince’s orders and I’d be off the hook. I have some
people who would back me up after all.” He leans in to press up against
Seokjin’s back and lick the shell of his ear. “This would be that pompous
bitch’s second offense, wouldn’t it? A second offense-- no matter what offense-
- could either throw him out of The Majestic’s name or have him put to public
flogging. Which would you prefer?”
Seokjin just growls at him again as he shakes his head to stop the man from
sloppily licking his neck. He reaches behind him to at least try to push him
off but the guard catches his arm with his free hand and shoves it down against
the mattress.
“Shame. I would have thought you’d love the idea of the Prince being subjected
to public humiliation.” The man licks a long strip up the expanse of Seokjin’s
bare back, his hips still moving against him. Taking the guard’s absorption to
his body as an opportunity, Seokjin reaches for the knife under his pillow with
his free hand until his fingers manage to enclose around its handle. He keeps
himself still for now. He can’t bring himself to risk the guard finding the
knife and just simply tossing it out of his grasp.
“Well, enough talk. Let’s just fuck.” With a throaty laugh, the man grabs
Seokjin’s arm to flip him over-- excessive anticipation in his eyes. Just when
he’s laid on his back, Seokjin throws his fist that is clasped around the knife
against the man’s jaw as hard as he could. The man cries out in alarmed agony
but before he could get the chance to retaliate and strike back, Seokjin
reaches up and slashes the blade of his knife against his neck in pure
adrenaline rush.
The man’s body goes still and frozen in its last ounces of strength and shock
before it goes limp and falls heavily on Seokjin, completely staining the blond
with his blood.
Seokjin could feel his heart pounding within his chest and his hands trembling
at the sudden turn of events. Blood pools over his neck and down his chest.
Eventually, with frazzled nerves, he pushes the body off of him just in time to
hear the door being burst open. He turns to see Jimin standing before him with
stunned eyes, a darkening bruise on his forehead. Standing beside him is
Jungkook who stares at Seokjin with his usual undecipherable eyes, yet his
tensed jaw does not go unnoticed.
His dark eyes flitter from Seokjin then to the guard who lies motionless on his
back, his slit throat exposed for everyone to see.
“S-Seokjin!” Jimin manages to find his voice. “Are you all right?!”
“No…” Seokjin answers honestly, still trembling. He looks over at the Prince
who is surprisingly still staring at the guard, static and seemingly
indifferent as he rubs his thumb against his index finger.
“What do we do?” Jimin looks back at Jungkook in desperation only to receive no
response. “Your Highness? My Prince?” He then gazes at Seokjin in panic and
confusion but Seokjin averts his attention on the Prince instead, willing
himself not to panic.
“Jungkook…” He tries calling for his attention as well.
Surprisingly, it works because Jungkook meets his eyes and for once, he looks
just as lost. But then his eyes drift down on the blood-stained knife beside
the body, its blue handle strangely spotless. “Where did you get that?” He
asks, finding Seokjin’s eyes once more.
Seokjin gets up from the bed with shaky legs. “Lord Choi… he gave it to me.”
Jungkook studies him for a fleeting moment, his jaw still taut and tensed
before he casts his gaze on Jimin. “We’re leaving tonight. Alert everyone who’s
coming along.”
Jimin looks back at him in surprise. “Even Lord Choi?”
“EspeciallyLord Choi. Now hurry up. And clear the corridor to my chambers. I
can’t have anyone seeing my pet like this.”
Just as Jimin promptly takes his leave, Jungkook glances back at Seokjin. As
always, his impassive look resurfaces in spite of the circumstances that have
been laid out for them to deal with. “Have you ever ridden a horse before?”
“Yes.” Seokjin swallows the uncomfortable lump that has latched onto his
throat. “B-But I’ve never ridden one to run.”
“We don’t exactly have the time to train you, do we?” Jungkook frowns at him.
“Follow me to my chambers. We need to pack as much as we can before someone
finds this.”
He reaches over to grab the knife and shoves it into his pocket.
***** Read Between the Lines *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
The Prince had given orders to his guards so swiftly and calmly that at first,
Seokjin had completely forgotten that they’re shirking away from the
consequences they could possibly have from their prior state of affairs.  
Seokjin couldn’t determine how long they’ve been riding out in the middle of
the night but at least the rain had eventually faded away by the time they have
set out. Jungkook had given him a white linen shirt, a pair of dark slacks,
riding boots and a red cloak in pursuit of shrouding his discernible blond hair
from sight-- just like what he used to do as a child. His mother used to make
him slip on a blue cloak every time they step out to the village together in
pursuit of avoiding gazes from perverts. Callians do have a reputation for
their looks after all.
Of course, it’s no puzzle to anyone that Seokjin feels guilty for setting their
plans out earlier than it should but nobody spoke of it. In fact, Jimin had
looked at him with so much pity earlier and Taehyung wouldn’t stop smothering
him while the guards were busy assembling their stallions. The female pet who
Seokjin had conversed with that one time had surprisingly joined them as well
in spite of the consequences she could face by fleeing away from the King.
Yoongi had merely asked him if he’s hurt before turning away almost too
immediately after Seokjin had nodded. Hoseok, on the other hand, was with
Jungkook the whole time; even up until now.
Still maintaining his balance on his sprinting horse, Seokjin looks up to see
Jungkook ahead of their party with Hoseok and Lord Choi riding along at each
side.
Seokjin’s surprised that he still hasn’t fallen off of his own stallion yet
considering how long they have been traveling. The only time he had ever ridden
a horse was when he would deliver cabbages to different homes and that task
never technically obligated him to rush the animal.
Taehyung has never ridden a horse before though and was assigned by Jungkook to
ride with Yoongi.
For some reason, Yoongi didn’t look pleased about that.
Seokjin casts a fleeting glance back over his shoulder and feels at ease upon
realizing that the palace is now nothing but a murky haze in the distance.
Seokjin fixates his attention back on their path with an unsteady breath. What
happened in the palace earlier feels as though it’s far too hard for him to
believe-- but it happened. It really did happen. If Lord Choi hadn’t given him
the knife, he couldn’t even imagine what more could have possibly happened to
him.
As their journey drags on, Seokjin notices how some of the stallions’ paces are
diminishing until Jungkook eventually raises his hand up in the air as though
signalling something. Seokjin bears in mind what Jimin had taught him earlier
and gives the reins of his horse a somewhat solid tug before immediately
loosening his hold when the horse picks up on his message. The entire party
settles to a gradual halt and Seokjin sees Jungkook looking around through the
thick sturdy trees surrounding them. To Seokjin, they seem to be in the middle
of nowhere but perhaps that’s because he’s never really ventured out of his
hometown except for that one time with Jungkook.
“I don’t think we’re going the right way.” The female pet prompts her horse to
move to Seokjin’s side as she speaks in a hushed tone. She has also been given
a white linen shirt, dark slacks and a pair of boots. “This isn’t the way to
Callias.”
Seokjin shifts his gaze at her, bewildered. “Where do you think we’re going
then?”
The woman shrugs. “Androtis?”
The others seem to know where they are exactly because Yoongi prompts his own
horse to approach Jungkook carefully, Taehyung seated behind him with his arms
secured around his waist. Seokjin could barely get an earful of the exchange
the royal physician is having with the Prince but it seems Hoseok holds a
contrasting opinion for he intervenes to which Yoongi frowns at. Considering
how Taehyung is stretching up a bit, Seokjin could already tell that the guy is
shamelessly eavesdropping.
Surprisingly, Jungkook’s gaze switches over to Taehyung and Taehyung’s flinch
of surprise does not go unnoticed.
“I’m going to try and see what’s going on.” Seokjin mumbles to his only
companion as he gently urges his horse to take a few steps closer against his
better judgement. None of the guards seem to be paying much attention to him
after all.
“What do you think?” He hears Jungkook ask Taehyung, his tone still cold as
ever.
“What does he know?” Lord Choi asks with a sour frown. “He’s just a pet,
Jungkook. He’s never gone far from town.”
“I take it you two have barely exchanged words at all when he was in your
possession?” Yoongi bites back.
“Pet,” Jungkook ignores their banter and keeps his eyes on Taehyung. “speak
up.”
“Erm…” Taehyung’s head turns to each of the highborn, his hold on Yoongi’s
waist gradually loosening. “I… I have to disagree with Yoongi. Lord Jung-- ah,
I mean Hoseok... is right. I think we’re far enough from the palace to at least
call it a night. It’s not wise to wear our horses down.”
“Are you serious?” Yoongi looks back at him over his shoulder with a scowl. “Do
you honestly think none of the King’s Guard would be at our tails by now? They
could easily throw an ambush at us while we’re deep in slumber. We’re not far
enough yet. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Use your head, for God’s sake.”
He moves his attention back to the Prince, his scowl not at all fading in spite
of facing someone like Jungkook. “You’ve never turned down any of my proposals,
My Prince. And I don’t suggest you start now.”
Jungkook looks back at him with an impassive look before his eyes meet
Seokjin’s. Seokjin couldn’t find it in himself to look away though as Jungkook
purses his lips. “Well tonight’s full of surprises.” He beckons Jimin forward
who does so immediately. “We’ll camp out here. Give the horses as much water as
they need and we’ll set out again at the first bloom of dawn. Have three of
your men secure the perimeters and if they find anything suspicious, report
back to me immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“This is ridiculous.” Seokjin hears Yoongi remark rather bitterly.
“Sorry.” Taehyung mumbles.
“Don’t talk to me.”
Not exactly the best time to be having a lovers’ quarrel, Seokjin thinks. But
then again, this spontaneous journey isn’t exactly part of their evening plans.
He climbs down his horse once he finds the guards already tying the reins of
every stallion around the low branches nearby. Jimin naturally takes Seokjin’s
horse away without a word, far too preoccupied with the task at hand. Some of
the guards have already started setting up tents and when Seokjin had
approached them to help, they civilly rejected his offer. A royal pet shouldn’t
be doing trivial things unless he’s been ordered so by his master. Though the
female pet is already by their side, helping them out. She claims that she’s no
longer a royal pet.
Seokjin couldn’t help but feel bad for not being able to do anything though.
The guards couldn’t even at least light up a fire to see what they’re doing for
fire would most likely attract attention from miles away.
“Pet.” Jungkook’s voice catches his attention and he turns around to find the
Prince handing the reins of his horse to a guard before beckoning him in.
Seokjin promptly looks around, making sure the dark-haired male isn’t motioning
for Taehyung. But when he sees Taehyung helping Yoongi and a few of the guards
set up their tents (in spite of the guards’ protests), Seokjin purses his lips
and turns back to Jungkook who is still standing on his spot patiently. Seokjin
knows better than to keep him waiting though so he closes in on him while still
keeping a decent stretch of distance between them.
“Yes?”
“Follow me.” Jungkook gives him a curt nod before turning to head further into
the shadows of the woods. Seokjin hesitates. Trudging farther into the ominous
gloom of the forest doesn’t exactly sound like the best idea at the moment.
Saved for the sounds of crickets and tents being set up, it almost feels as if
there is not a single sign of life that could be detected anywhere. It’s hard
to see anything clearly with only the silver shine of the moon that’s peeking
through the gaps of looming branches being their only source of light.
Nevertheless, Seokjin knows better than to defy Jungkook so he drags a deep
intake of breath before trailing after him.
As soon as they’re out of within earshot, Seokjin finds his entire build
freezing in surprise beside Jungkook upon seeing Lord Choi waiting for them.
Jungkook still appears to be holding himself with the same amount of self-grace
and control as he faces his uncle who seems to be perplexed as to why he’s
here. When his eyes meet Seokjin’s with an inquisitive stare, Seokjin could
only shrug his shoulders in confusion.
“I have something of yours.” Jungkook’s voice slices through the silence, his
eyes trained on his uncle. He slips his hand into his pocket to fish out the
knife Seokjin had used earlier, now wiped clean. Lord Choi looks at it with a
stunned impact but Jungkook wastes no more time as he draws near his uncle to
hand the item back to him. “I have been told that you gave this to my pet
without my consent. May I know why?”
Seokjin stays rooted on his spot, watching Lord Choi’s expression switch from
shock to slight trepidation in a matter of seconds.
The lord looks back at his nephew. “I… I was worried about your pet. You have
to understand, my boy. I know how much you loathe Callians and I just don’t
want you hurting this young man just because of that.”
“That’s fascinating.” Jungkook’s tone remains indifferent. “You worry about my
own pet while taking delight in tormenting yours.”
“That’s… different.”
“Different how?”
Lord Choi’s face hardens at the question and Seokjin could feel his nerves
shaking up at the sight. It isn’t wise of Jungkook to stand so close to his
uncle who has a knife in his grip.
“Because that’s Taehyung!” Lord Choi hisses heatedly. “Do you not recall how
he--”
“I thought you were a big believer of letting go of the past.” Jungkook cuts
him off. “Don’t tell me that you’re still jealous of someone who is years
younger than you?”
“I--”
“And now you’re jealous of a Callian pet as well? You had that guard enter my
pet’s chambers to harass him, am I right?” Lord Choi makes an attempt to speak
up but Jungkook doesn’t let him. “Clever of you to make my pet think you’re
here to protect him while handing him a Callianblade. Tell me, is it to provoke
a war against Callians and have my pet executed for murdering a Prince’s Guard?
Or do you just want him raped because you saw us in his chambers together and
you just assumed the worst?”
Seokjin looks from one highborn to the other.
Did he hear Jungkook right? Does Lord Choi really have the intention of
executing him and initiating a war between Callians and Gennaians? But why?
What does he get out of that?
“Kookie…” Lord Choi reels himself back to a calm composure, his free hand
reaching up to caress his nephew’s jaw. “Please don’t think of me like that. I
understand that your paranoia can be overwhelming at times but I’m your uncle.
I love you.”
Jungkook’s entire frame grows taut.
Lord Choi smiles at him. “You love me as well, yes?”
Silence follows his words as the two stare at each other. Seokjin’s eyes trail
down to the knife only to realize how the lord’s knuckles have turned white due
to the strong rigid grip he has around it. This really isn’t starting to look
good and the blond knows that he has to intervene in one way or another. Lord
Choi’s patience appears to be slowly inching towards the sharp edge of a cliff
and Jungkook is far too dangerously close to him.
“Jungkook.” He makes an attempt to call out the Prince’s name, breaking the
silence and stepping closer to at least try and pull his master back.
Jungkook seems to have come to his senses right after for he gently pushes his
uncle’s hand away before Seokjin could reach for him. “Get out of my sight.” He
says, the scowl evident in his tone. “Return to my brother if you must. You’re
not needed here.”
“So…” Lord Choi’s smile stiffens. “You don’t love me anymore?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Jungkook sounds disgusted. “I never did.”
“But you promised me!” Lord Choi suddenly blares out at him, causing Seokjin to
jump at the unforeseen clamor while Jungkook stays put stolidly. The once kind
nature that normally embellishes Lord Choi’s aged features twists to a maniacal
enraged one, his breaths shallow and his eyes frantically dilated. “You
promised me that we would be together once you claim your throne! You promised
me that you will give yourself to me after all this! Why are you throwing me
away like I’m just some scraps of your shattered plans?! Your pet ruined
everything! He is the one who murdered someone and pushed everything out of its
course! Why are you deserting me?! I’ve been there for you since the beginning!
I’ve killedfor you!”
The sounds of footsteps drawing near garner their attention and Seokjin looks
back over his shoulder to find their companions entering the scene, Lord Choi’s
sudden breakdown obviously catching their notice.
“My Prince!” Jimin moves to stand in between the two but Jungkook holds his
hand up to stop him. Jimin stops but keeps his hand on his sword, ready to
unsheathe it if he needs to.
Jungkook maintains eye contact with his uncle. “There is a difference between
killing for me and killing for yourself. You did the latter. That is not my
problem.”
“I did it for you!” Lord Choi insists in a growl. “You were crying, you were
hurting!What else was I supposed to--”
“That’s enough.” Jungkook’s tone dips to an alarming stern tinge. “I am giving
you the opportunity to run back to the palace, by foot, or you can get killed
right here, right now.”
Lord Choi stares at Jungkook with a mixture of horror and betrayal contorting
his features. Seokjin could only watch the scene being played out right in
front of him. All this time, Lord Choi had wanted him dead and it's
just because of his sickening love for his nephew. The man is old enough to be
the Prince’s father.
“Fine.” The lord eventually speaks up after a moment of an internal debate, his
tone stiff but calm. “If that’s what you wish...” His eyes then flicker to
Seokjin and before anyone could completely comprehend what’s happening, Lord
Choi swiftly pushes Jungkook aside and raises the knife-- angled to slice it
through Seokjin’s throat.
Everything’s driving too fast that the blond couldn’t push his nerves to move.
He hears Jimin immediately unsheathing his sword.
But he fails to make it on time.
The attack doesn’t reach Seokjin’s neck.
Instead, the blade digs in right through the skin of Jungkook’s palm. The
Prince has grabbed the blade before his uncle could do any damage on the blond
and Lord Choi looks down at him, paralyzed. A small scowl curls one corner of
Jungkook’s lips as he tightens his grip on the blade, blood seeping and
dripping through the cracks of his grasp as he drives the butt of the dagger’s
handle straight to Lord Choi’s face-- the loud sound of nose cracking coming
off as too grotesque. He then tosses the weapon to the side, his now bleeding
hand twitching.
In an instant, Jimin and two more other guards seize Lord Choi by the arms and
Lord Choi cries out protests that only fall on deaf ears as he gets dragged
away.
Seokjin stares at Jungkook; speechless while Jungkook shakes the blood off of
his hand with a slightly pained wince.
He just saved him; the last thing Seokjin could ever imagine him doing.
“Jungkook--” He takes a step closer but is immediately interrupted by Yoongi
who bumps his shoulder as he passes by to approach Jungkook and examine his
hand.
“Next time you try to be an idiot, give me an early notice.” Yoongi reprimands
the Prince.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Jungkook could only mutter, not even once glancing at
Seokjin’s direction.
“We need to get to my tent. Hurry.” And with that, the physician escorts
Jungkook away.
“Seokjinnie!” Taehyung rushes over to Seokjin’s side, concern written all over
his face. “Are you all right? Did Lord Choi hurt you? I swear, you’re like an
open invitation to maniacs!”
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Seokjin watches Jungkook leave with Yoongi, the remaining
guards trailing behind them. “Hey Tae…”
“What? What’s wrong?”
Seokjin hesitates. “Have you met Jungkook before? Back before we were brought
to the palace?”
Taehyung doesn’t answer right away, but eventually, a seemingly stiffened
chuckle slips past his lips. “No, of course not. I would have told you if I
did.”
===============================================================================
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to carve on a tree.” A dissenting pout breezes
on the young Prince’s lips as he watches his friend engrave something on the
thick bark of a large tree with a dagger. How he got his hands on a dagger,
Jungkook would rather not ask. His companion doesn’t seem to be that mindful of
what trees think or feel though because he still has that wide grin on his face
upon finally managing to finish his masterpiece.
“Done!” He takes a step back and Jungkook stands beside him to get a good look
of what he wrote.
“KK&T’s Happily Ever After Tree?” He blinks, puzzled. “Why is this our happily
ever after tree?”
“Because this is where we play every night!” His friend runs his fingers over
the sloppy carvings. “And I thought it would be fun if the wedding will be set
here in front of this tree! Wouldn’t that be nice? I mean, I don’t know much
about royal weddings because our handler never really mentions them but still,
I think it’d be nice to have ours here!”
Jungkook wrinkles his nose. “Royal weddings are usually held in the audience
chamber, Tae.”
“Whaaaat? Really? That’s boring. Never mind then. You should just find yourself
a princess.” Taehyung reaches up with his dagger to mess up his writing but
Jungkook quickly pulls his arm down, a rigid frown gracing his lips.
“But I don’t want a princess.”
“That can’t be true!” Taehyung laughs. “Are you telling me you’ve never grown
fond of any girls at all?”
Jungkook shrugs. “There aren’t any kids in the palace except for that Jimin
kid. But I only get to talk to him during sword practices. The only person I
ever get to play with there is my uncle.”
“You’re lying.” Taehyung sticks his tongue out at him in a teasing manner.
“Don’t expect me to believe you. You’re the Prince of Gennaios, Kookie. You’re
supposed to be having the time of your life!”
“I am when I’m playing with you!”
“Oh, so are you are fond of me!”
“Of course I am!”
Taehyung opens his mouth to retort out of impulse but as if just realizing what
Jungkook had said, he clamps his mouth shut as the sight of his reddening
cheeks grow apparent. He quickly looks away and scratches his head. “Man, d-
don’t just say that so confidently…”
Jungkook feels his own face flush at their exchange but he decides to keep
himself bold. He is the Prince after all and he wants Taehyung to know that he
isn’t at all embarrassed of how he feels about him. Princes come off as more
charming when they’re honest. “I even already told my mother about you.”
Taehyung whips his gaze back at him, wide-eyed. “W-What? The Queen?”
“Yeah, who else?”
“What did you say?”
“That I like you and I want to marry you when we grow up!” Jungkook grins with
an eager hop of his feet. “And she’s fine with that!”
“Even though I’ll be a pet soon?”
“Why not? I’ll buy you right away when you get to that point.”
Taehyung narrows his eyes at him somewhat doubtedly. “Are you sure?”
Jungkook pouts. “Don’t you trust me?”
“You’re not promising anything.”
“Oh! Okay!” Jungkook pulls one of his royal rings off of his finger and offers
it to Taehyung, his enthusiastic smile brightening up his pretty face. “I
promise I will buy you as soon as you officially become a pet and this ring
will serve as the proof of my determination for that.” He drops the accessory
down onto Taehyung’s palm. Taehyung stares down at the crimson gem that
glistens under the sterling light of the moon, his eyes looking lost and
hesitant for a moment.
But then he looks back up at Jungkook again and shares his smile. “I’ll wait
for you then!”
“But you have to promise me that we’ll never stop meeting here every night
too.” Jungkook sticks out his tiny pinky. “Promise?”
“Okay! Promise!” Taehyung hooks his pinky with his.
“Kookie!” Jungkook perks up upon catching on his mother’s voice from afar.
“Mother’s done with her prayers. I should get going.”
“Okay, don’t forget our promise!” Taehyung calls out to him just as Jungkook
had started hurrying away.
Jungkook looks back at him again with a grin. “I won’t!”
===============================================================================
As the royal pet, Seokjin is obligated to share a tent with Jungkook so as to
tend to him. But it seems Jungkook has no intention of calling it a night yet
for the blond has been lying on his own bedding alone for a long while now. The
tent is big enough for Seokjin to stand in, fortunately. He could hear the
boisterous snores some of the guards are making outside and Seokjin couldn’t
help but feel bad for those who have to stay awake for now to keep their area
secured. Even though the guards are taking turns in keeping watch, it doesn’t
sound particularly healthy to only be having a few hours of sleep.
The last time Seokjin had seen Jungkook was when the Prince had stepped out of
Yoongi’s tent only to head straight for Hoseok’s-- perhaps to talk about
strategies. He hasn’t stepped out of it since then.
It seems Taehyung and Yoongi have already made up because Jungkook had allowed
Taehyung to spend the night in the physician’s tent instead of his. Nobody
seemed to even mind at all when they found Taehyung slipping into Yoongi’s tent
as though their relationship has been kept in general knowledge but not
frequently talked about. That shouldn’t come off as a surprise. Everyone who
has willingly volunteered to be a part of this travel means they share the
Prince’s principles.  
Seokjin sighs as he makes an attempt to drift into slumber again.
But every time he slips his eyes closed, the mere sight of Jungkook grabbing
the blade and getting himself hurt to save him keeps flashing in his mind. He
knows that the Prince is fine. Yoongi is an exceptional physician after all but
somehow, the blond couldn’t find it in himself to sit still until he’s
reallymade sure that Jungkook is okay.
Soon after, he hears the flaps of the tent being pushed open and Seokjin
immediately sits up to find Jungkook stepping in.
Jungkook stops when he sees him, but then proceeds to continue on striding
forward to light the lamp on. “Can’t sleep?” He asks in a manner that seems
like he’s just obligated to ask.
“Are you okay?” Seokjin disregards his lack of sleep. “Your hand--”
“I’m fine.” Jungkook doesn’t even spare him another glance as he begins to
unravel his garbs starting with the laces on his wrist, his bandaged hand
coming into view.
Seokjin hastily pushes the sheets off of him. “Let me do that for you--”
“I said I’m fine.” Jungkook turns his back to him. “Go to sleep.”
The blond frowns at his bullheadedness and stands up anyway. “Stop acting like
a stubborn child and let me attend you.” He walks around the Prince to stand in
front of him, gently pushing his hand away from his wrist to continue where he
left off.
Jungkook frowns but lets him do the work anyway. “You certainly have a way with
persuasion.”
“Reserved only for my Prince.” Seokjin returns before focusing on his other
wrist. “What took you so long in Hoseok’s tent anyway?”
“That doesn’t concern you.”
“If it has something to do with our travel, then I think it does.” Seokjin
frowns back at him. “Besides, I was told that we’re heading to Androtis instead
of Callias.”
“Who told you that? Mihee?” A barely noticeable smile graces Jungkook’s lips
when Seokjin nodded. “She really is a human map.”
“So her name is Mihee…” Seokjin says almost mindlessly, only realizing now that
he had never gotten her name. As the fabric around Jungkook’s wrist finally
loosens, he begins unraveling the clasps at the front. “Is it true though? Are
we heading to Androtis? Do you think Lord Choi would tell your brother about
that?”
“Of course he would.” Jungkook grimaces as if Seokjin had just said something
that carries the kind of logic even an infant would understand. “Why wouldn’t
he? He’s a man who wants to get back at people.”
“Wait,” Seokjin pauses his work to look back at him. “what are we going to do
then? We can’t just let them catch up to us.”
“No.” Jungkook shakes his head. “Because while they’re heading off to Androtis,
we’re steering our paths to Callias just like we planned. I just had to make my
uncle think we’re heading off to Androtis before I get rid of him. That will
keep them off our backs for now. It will take my uncle perhaps a day and a half
to reach the palace by foot.”
“Wow…” Seokjin stares at him in awe. “You really are smart.”
“Really, you’re only seeing that now?”
Perhaps it’s because he hasn’t had any sleep yet or maybe he’s just really
tired but Seokjin finds himself easily chuckling at the look of genuine
disbelief tracing Jungkook’s face. Jungkook doesn’t seem to be amused by his
reaction though for he clicks his tongue in annoyance and reaches up to loosen
the clasps of his garbs instead.
“No, don’t.” Seokjin gently pushes his hands down again to continue his task,
his eyes once again catching sight of the bandage wrapped around the Prince’s
hand. He refocuses back on unraveling the clasps slowly. “Also, I want to thank
you for… you know, earlier.”
“You’re my only translator. You still have use to me.”
Somehow, the insult doesn’t stick to Seokjin. “Even so, thank you for saving
me.”
He hears Jungkook swallowing. “Well… you are mine after all.”
He then doesn’t say anything else after that though Seokjin could feel the
Prince’s stare on him as he helps him push the garb off of his shoulders,
revealing his usual white linen shirt underneath. Jungkook takes the fabric
from Seokjin’s hands to fold it himself and Seokjin just stands there, watching
him in silence.
“Jungkook…” He rubs his neck. “If you don’t mind me asking… did you really
promise Lord Choi that--”
“We’d rule Gennaios together?” Jungkook sets the fabric on the small foldable
table nearby. “Yes, I did. But I’ve come to learn that promises aren’t exactly
meant to be kept. And honestly, I don’t want a man like him having that much
power over our land.”
“I see. He really does seem to love you a lot though.”
“That has nothing to do with what he can do for my people.” Jungkook frowns.
“He isn’t interested in anything or anyone but me. He only married my aunt to
get to me. You need to learn that seeing and hearing something aren’t exactly
similar to actually comprehending it, pet. Read between the lines-- you’re
going to need that. Lord Choi, no matter how gentle of a person he made himself
out to be in front of you, is insane. Why do you think I brought you with me to
him earlier? He thought that he’s part of my plan to throw my brother off, but
he’s not. He’s working for my brother as well.”
“What?” Seokjin furrows his brows in confusion. “How… How does that work?”
“He likes to play safe.” Jungkook reaches down to undo his belt so as to loosen
his slacks for comfort. “If my brother wins and somehow gets me thrown out of
The Majestic’s name, he will see to it that I become Lord Choi’s pet. But if I
win, Lord Choi thought that I will agree to be his lover.”
“So you… manipulated your uncle into running errands that are convenient to
your plans while at the same time plotting some kind of strategy to get rid of
him?”
Jungkook drops the belt down onto the table beside his garb. “He was a nuisance
so it isn’t that much of a loss on my part.”
“But… But you played with someone’s feelings!”
“He’s disgusting.” Jungkook scowls at him. “Don’t validate his feelings for me,
pet. You don’t know him like I do. Don’t forget that he wanted you dead and
that he wanted to start a war against your people. End of discussion.”
Jungkook blows the lamp out and moves to his own bedding which is right beside
Seokjin’s. Seokjin stands there for a moment, still trying to make sense of
what Jungkook just told him. Of course, he doesn’t agree with what Lord Choi
feels for his nephew but the bare concept of someone exploiting another
person’s feelings for their own gain just doesn’t sit well with him.
It’s not right.
But perhaps he has no say in this particular case.
Like Jungkook said, he needs to read between the lines.
Eventually, he moves over to lie down on his own bedding before turning his
head to look at the Prince only to see his back turned to him. “Jungkook…”
“Mm.”
“Sorry.”
Jungkook stays silent for a while. But then his shoulders heave up to a sigh.
“Go to sleep, pet.”
Chapter End Notes
     Since I've been getting these asks in Tumbr-- no, I'm not into
     pedophilia. O_O
     I understand that it's mentioned a lot here but that doesn't mean I'm
     into that omg
     Anyway, comments and kudos are very much appreciated!! :D
***** Storms *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Blood drowns his vision.
Scarlet stains on his garb.
A dagger in his hand.
He could have done it differently. He could have still saved himself without
having to take someone’s life away just because he couldn’t find a far more
sensible decision.
“Weak. Insignificant. Uneducated. Dull. Liar.”
Familiar taunting words echo within Seokjin’s mind, paralyzing him to a rigid
posture as he stares down at the blood that certainly isn’t his. This isn’t his
fault. He was left with no choice—it was either his life or someone else’s who
he barely knows. He is afraid of death. Everyone is. Anybody would have done
the exact same thing if given similar circumstances. But to whom is he even
trying to prove this to? Exerting himself over justifying what he had done
can’t be a good sign.
The intensity of his surroundings are starting to melt into blazing hues so
vivid that it’s almost blinding. A bleak unwieldy weight sits on his chest,
obstructing his breathing. He couldn’t feel his racing heart but he could hear
it battering in his ears.
“Good for you, child.” The hand that had made promises of keeping him sheltered
and fed pats his shoulder but it doesn’t give the fatherly warmth that it
should.
It never did.
Seokjin stares down at the red stain marking his blue cloak.
He is being forced to relive this moment
Dark frightened brown eyes shoot open as he bolts upright from his bedding,
sweat rolling down his skin within the warm humidity of the tent. His pale
blond hair has been slick with perspiration and clings to his forehead. He runs
his trembling fingers through it and almost cringes upon realizing how damp it
is. It’s been so long since he’s had that dream and it doesn’t have to take him
long to know what triggered it.
He runs his hand over his face in a futile attempt to calm himself down.
He directs his gaze to the side only to find the Prince’s bedding deserted.
And the lamp has been left lit.
===============================================================================
“You’re soaked in sweat, sweetheart.” Seokjin looks up to find Mihee prompting
her own stallion forward until she falls at an equal pace with Jungkook to hand
him her pink handkerchief, her honeyed brown skin glowing tantalizingly under
the dazzling glimmer of the sinking sun. “We wouldn’t want the Prince of
Gennaios looking absolutely drained in front of the townsfolk now, do we?”
Jungkook stares at the handkerchief in what appears to be mild hesitation. “I…
suppose you’re right.” Seemingly flustered, he accepts the handkerchief and
gently dabs it around his forehead then down to his neck. Mihee appears to be
satisfied with his simple compliance and continues on keeping in pace with him.
It makes sense, Seokjin believes. She is the human map of this whole journey
after all so she shouldbe ahead of the party. Nevertheless, even with
unequivocally reliable people surrounding them, the blond still couldn’t help
but concern himself over Jungkook’s scarcity of sleep.
The Prince had gone to sleep in the dead of the night and Seokjin had woken up
earlier than usual to find him no longer by his side.
“I need a bath.” Yoongi, who is in pace with Seokjin, eventually speaks up with
a grimace—though his voice is carefully hushed considering the fact that
Taehyung is asleep behind him, the young pet’s arms encircled loosely around
his waist and his cheek resting against his back. “Never in my life have I been
this uncomfortable.”
“Don’t remind me.” Seokjin cringes. “Being inside the palace for so long, I
almost forgot how warm it is in Gennaios.”
Much to his surprise, Yoongi chuckles in pleasant humor. “I’m worried about the
Prince. He has never stayed outside the palace for this long. It may not look
like it, but I can tell he’s just dying to take a bath. He’s ridiculously
meticulous with his hygiene.”
Seokjin arches a brow at his direction. “How do you know that?”
Yoongi rolls his eyes. “Oh don’t give me that look, pet. Taehyung had attended
him to his personal washing before. He tells me everything.”
Seokjin’s eyes immediately drift over to the slumbering Taehyung. In spite of
his friend’s response to his question last night, Seokjin isn’t entirely
convinced. Jungkook had pointed out how Lord Choi had borne pure loathing
towards Taehyung due to ridiculous jealousy. Seokjin could only ponder on what
initiated that jealousy in the first place. Knowing Taehyung, his friend could
easily be hiding a lot more than he thinks and if it isn’t for his impeccable
optimistic front, Seokjin could have simply read through him.
Their party ventures on until the night sky shadows over the wide expanse of
land and they eventually skid to a halt upon finally reaching their
destination.
Common townsfolk look up to them with lingering inquisitive gazes but none of
them dare to get in their way. Seokjin sees Jungkook leaning into Mihee as
though to murmur something. Mihee pauses for a second or two before pointing
directions while Jungkook listens on attentively. At the corner of his sight,
Taehyung slowly stirs awake and looks around.
“Must be nice not having to hold the reins of the horse, huh?” Seokjin gives
his friend a one-sided smile.
Taehyung returns it with a lazy one. “Bite me, Goldilocks. Everyone here knows
I’m good at riding anyway.”
“Oh seven hells.” Yoongi sighs in exasperation.
Jungkook raises his hand up again in gesture and the party proceeds to move
further into the town, all the townsfolk giving them way. It shouldn’t take
long for them to find an inn somewhere, especially after seeing how Mihee seems
to know where they are. The town appears to be no different from Seokjin’s
hometown, although this one is a bit more crowded—or perhaps it’s because
everyone’s gathering around after finding out that the Prince is in the
premises. Seokjin looks off to the side to find Taehyung murmuring something
against Yoongi’s ear which in return earns him a very flustered-looking Yoongi.
Right, Seokjin is not interested in learning what they’re on about.
“Isn’t that man a Callian?” The voice of a child catches his attention and he
looks around for a moment until his eyes meet the dark eyes of a boy—no older
than six—looking up at him while tugging on the skirt of his mother’s dress.
“Don’t make eye contact with him!” His mother suddenly scolds him in a hiss,
turning her son’s head away. “He belongs to the Prince. Do you want to get
flogged for staring?”
Seokjin frowns.
Apparently, even this town has heard of the rumors centering around his master.
They manage to get by without a single commotion and at long last, they wind up
at a tavern. As a few guards take their stallions away, Seokjin catches sight
of Jungkook seemingly lost as though he’s looking for someone in their company.
But when his eyes catch his, the Prince forms his lips to an impatient frown
before beckoning the blond in. Seokjin hastily pushes through the guards.
“Take your shirt off.” Jungkook tells him with a commanding air.
Seokjin blinks. “Why?”
“You’re a pet. I don’t want people thinking a pet of mine can easily defy
tradition. Now hurry up.”
That makes sense. Seokjin tugs his shirt off and Jungkook promptly grabs the
fabric from him only to shove it into his brown satchel. No matter how drained
the Prince is starting to look, he still manages to hold himself with
immaculate self-grace in contrast to the rest of his party who are all lacking
sleep and don’t have enough energy to travel on farther. Jungkook keeps his
head held high as he steps into the tavern, emphatic music already spilling out
the moment he pushes the doors open.
Just as expected, female pets can be seen clustered around to entertain their
customers. Looks of boundless ambition fall upon their faces as soon as they
catch sight of the Prince’s party but before any of them could approach them, a
man who seems to be in his late 40’s draws close to the Prince with a winning
grin.
“Your Grace, we have been expecting you.” He gives Jungkook a polite curtsy
before gesturing to the staircase nearby. “All the rooms have been tidied up
for you and your troop. Feel free to stay here for drinks if you wish.”
“Drinks won’t be necessary.” Jungkook offers the man a small smile. “But we
appreciate your generosity. Please bring my Callian pet here some spare
clothes.” And without another word, he heads straight for the stairs—with
Seokjin and the rest following suit. As expected, everyone pause their steps
the second they reach the hallway to wait for the Prince to choose a room that
he finds fit to his liking. But then Jungkook looks back at Seokjin and tilts
his head slightly to the side. “Are you not going to sleep?
Seokjin stares back at him in surprise. “Me?”
“You’re sharing a room together.” He feels Taehyung nudge his shoulder, a grin
playing across the younger pet’s features.
“O-Oh.”
“Nervous?”
“Erm…”
“Hah!” Taehyung claps his hand on the blond’s back. “I knew it. I can read you
like the cover of a book.”
Jungkook rolls his eyes and treads on to pick a room. Reluctantly, Seokjin
follows him. He had always thought that sleeping near each other would be a
one-time thing but apparently, the Prince is getting the hang of having him
around to attend him.
Eventually, Jungkook opts for the room at the far end of the corridor and
pushes the door open. Seokjin follows him in, not surprised that the room is
not at all as extravagant as their chambers in the palace. In fact, the room
barely has anything at all but a queen-size bed, a table, a small couch, a few
candles on small shelves, and another door that presumably leads to the bath.
“Wait for their servants to bring you your clothes.” Jungkook pulls his satchel
off as he unhurriedly makes his way towards the bath. “Don’t do anything
stupid.”
Seokjin frowns as he watches the Prince take his leave to tend to his personal
washing. What in the world could he possibly do in a room that barely has
anything in it? But he supposes that makes sense. Most customers only come here
to fuck after all. Putting up decorations in the room would be rather
pointless. The only decoration Seokjin could remember back in Yoseob’s tavern
are those vases that hold dried flowers.
Jungkook’s personal washing took longer than Seokjin had anticipated but the
second the sweet scent of cherry invades his senses, the blond turns away from
the window sill where he is seated to find Jungkook stepping back into the room
in a fresh white linen shirt and dark slacks-- his dark hair still damp from
the bath.
“You smell nice.” The words slip out of Seokjin’s lips before he could have the
opportunity to at least consider them.
Jungkook fortunately doesn’t even spare him a glance as he tosses his satchel
beside the bed. “It’s just their cheap soap. You must have ridiculously low
standards to find this kind of scent impressive.”
A frown quirks the corners of Seokjin’s lips. “Do you really have to squeeze in
an insult here and there every time we talk?”
“You make it too easy.” Jungkook’s tone is surprisingly light as he says this.
“Now go take a bath. I can smell you from here.”
Seokjin couldn’t refrain himself from rolling his eyes just like how the Prince
did earlier before standing up, carefully keeping hold of the fresh new clothes
one of the tavern’s pets had given him. Just as he had thought, the bathroom is
just as plain as the bedroom with only a steel bathtub in the center, a small
round wooden table that holds a variety of bottles and a couple of clean towels
on the shelf. The air is heavy with the sweet aroma of the soap Jungkook had
used.
Seokjin could only hope that the Prince would be fast asleep by the time he’s
done here.
===============================================================================
Perhaps hope isn’t keen on standing by his side because as soon as Seokjin
finishes his washing and steps out of the bath, he finds the Prince lighting up
the candles. In fact, it seems more candles have been added everywhere in the
room. A harsh bolt of lightning cleaves the evening sky as thunder snaps the
air before fading to a reverberating rumble, rain battering down against the
roof. Jungkook turns away from his task and eyes the blond from head to toe
before nodding his head in what appears to be mild approval.
“Better.”
Seokjin rolls the sleeves of his own plain white linen shirt up to his elbows.
“Why are you lighting up all these candles? Aren’t you going straight to bed?”
Jungkook appears to be miffed and puzzled by his question. But when he directs
his eyes back to the candles then down to the box of matches he has in his
hand, the subtle wince of his entire frame catches Seokjin’s eye. It almost
seems like he had just realized what he has been doing and has been caught red-
handed. Although lighting up the ambience of the room isn’t exactly a crime,
Jungkook’s reaction appears to show otherwise.
Eventually, the Prince hastily drops the box of matches down on the table and
reaches for the pitcher of water that he may have summoned for while Seokjin
was in the bath. “Mind your own business.” He responds a bit too falteringly as
he refills his glass.
A frown etches the blond’s lips at his dissatisfying answer. “I can’t sleep
with the candles on.”
“Then I suppose you won’t be getting any sleep tonight.”
“Are you serious?” Seokjin walks up to the younger male. “Surely you can’t be
thatoverbearing.”
Jungkook sets his now empty glass down to face the blond, unsurprisingly
intrepid over their height difference. “You’re underestimating my patience
then.”
“Jungkook,” Seokjin could feel the annoyed nerve working along his jaw. “it’s
late and I’m not in the mood to indulge this childish behavior of yours that
somehow sprouts up every now and then in the least convenient times. Whether
you like it or not, I will blow all these candles out because I would prefer to
keep myself awake and balanced on my horse throughout the journey tomorrow.”
Jungkook looks back at him with a hard stare but without the bother of waiting
for his response, Seokjin turns away from him to start with the candles seated
neatly on the shelves. But before he could even blow the first light out,
Jungkook’s next words put an abrupt halt to his intentions.
“I can’t sleep in the dark when it’s raining this hard.”
Silence trails after his words.
Seokjin turns around to look at him but Jungkook has his back to him, his
shoulders stiff with obvious tension. Did he hear him right? Did Jungkook just
actually admit a weakness of his out of pure desperation? It doesn’t sound like
him-- a man of his age-- to be scared of something as trivial as a rainstorm.
“Are you… afraid of storms?” The blond decides to confirm carefully just in
case he had heard him wrong.
Jungkook doesn’t say anything at first but then he eventually turns around to
front onto him. The look of impudence on his pretty features could only come
off as fabricated and even remotely comical. As rare as it is, his cheeks are
flushed with uneasiness which obviously doesn’t help with whatever kind of
defense he has in mind.
“It’s none of your business.” He says rather lamely, his lips twisting to a
small displeased scowl. Seokjin could only assume that he’s miffed at his own
response rather than the question that still hangs over their heads. The blond
sits idly on the edge of the bed nearby and tries to look as patient as he
could as he lingers his gaze on the young Prince. He recalls how Jungkook had
turned off the lamp in their tent last night and he didn’t seem to be that
bothered with how they were surrounded by sheer darkness that time.
But then Seokjin woke up this morning to find it burning again.
“Did you turn the lamp off last night for show?” He realizes. “Then lit it back
on after making sure I was asleep?”
Jungkook has let his scowl twist his lips further at this point as he glares
daggers at the blond. “Does this amuse you? Feeling like you have the upper
hand here just because the mere sight of storms or the dark barely daunt you?”
Seokjin shrugs, fighting back the smug smile that tries to creep up his lips.
“I’m afraid of a lot of things. Rain just isn’t one of them.”
Jungkook heaves a heavy sigh as he runs his hand over his face. “Having the
candles lit keeps me alert, all right? I’m sure that by now you know how there
are countless people out there who want my head served on a silver platter.”
The smile manages to break through towards Seokjin’s lips as he shakes his head
in disbelief. “What? You can’t be alert and asleep at the same time.”
“The candles help.” Jungkook insists with a furrow of his brows. “I’m half-
asleep most of the time.”
Seokjin blinks. “So you’ve been doing this a lot? Even in the palace? Why
bother when you have several guards keeping an eye on your chambers?” He
recalls Lord Choi saying something about Jungkook having paranoia but that case
never saw the light of day since the Prince had hastily thrown him out before
Seokjin could hear any further details about it. “Do you… have trust issues?”
He adds as an afterthought.
Jungkook frowns at him. “No, I don’t. I just know better.”
Looking back at what Hoseok had said about Jungkook not getting any sleep at
all, he could only assume it’s because of the candles. Not only do they keep
the Prince awake, but they also keep his paranoia scorching and alive. If his
last decent sleep had been the time where they sat next to each other in the
forest, then there is no way that Jungkook could even compose a coherent
thought at this point; let alone lead their troop. How could his supporters
place their trust in him when he can’t even trust most of them?
“Why don’t you just try keeping the candles out for one night?” Seokjin
suggests with a small reassuring smile. “One night wouldn’t hurt.”
“That’s not happening.” Jungkook answers immediately as he moves to the bed.
“You could try.” Seokjin watches him unfold the extra blanket settled on the
bed. “If it will set your mind at ease, I’ll stay up all night to keep watch.”
Jungkook pauses his actions and raises a brow at him. “And why would you do
that?”
“You haven’t been getting any sleep at all.” Seokjin decides to lay the bare
fact out in the open. “How would you be able to lead our party with a barely
conscious mind?”
Jungkook watches him, seemingly calculating. “You need sleep as well.”
“I’ve had more sleep than you did last night.”
Jungkook doesn’t seem to be convinced. “And how will I know you won’t just kill
me in my sleep?”
A look of incredulity passes over Seokjin’s face as he stares back at the look
of suspicion the younger male is giving him. He’s not serious, is he? No matter
how much the Prince ticks the hell out of him and how much he had wanted to
hurt him before, Seokjin has never laid a finger on him. He had figured that
Jungkook would have learned to at least trust him to a meager degree by now but
it seems such is not the case. “I had the chance to do that when we were alone
in the forest.” Seokjin stands from the bed, his lips pressed together in an
offended thin line. “But hurting you didn’t even cross my mind. If anything,
shouldn’t I be the one acting all doubtful around you since you have
technically hit me before? Being near you is like walking on thin ice every
single time because I have no idea when you’ll lose it and hit me again..”
Something flickers in Jungkook’s expression but Seokjin fails to figure out
what it is. Like always, it’s far too difficult to work out the gears shifting
behind the Prince’s dark impassive eyes.
But finally, Jungkook could only click his tongue before completely unfolding
the extra cover of the bed and moving onto the mattress to lie down on his
side, pulling the sheet over his body and keeping his back turned to the blond.
“You can blow the candles out as long as you keep your end of the deal.”
Relieved by the Prince’s unexpected sudden compliance, Seokjin lets a small
smile grace his lips before he moves over to the candles to blow each and one
of them out-- immersing the entire room in utter darkness saved for the
moonlight streaming in through the curtains and filling the space with a
nipping glow. Seokjin then proceeds to move to the small couch until Jungkook’s
voice hauls him out of his intention.
“What are you doing? You’re going to lie here on the bed, not on the couch..”
Seokjin looks back at him in confusion but it’s almost hard to see the Prince
in the shadows. “Why?”
He hears a sound of annoyance coming from Jungkook. “How are you to defend me
when you’re not near me?”
Seokjin ponders on that thought.
Jungkook must be really scared of the storm.
Eventually, the blond nods and goes over to the bed to lie down beside the
Prince. Feeling Jungkook shifting beside him, he could only assume that he had
moved back to his side just so he could turn his back to him like he did last
night. Seokjin just remains on his back with his hands folded on his stomach,
his ears waiting for Jungkook’s even breathing so as to know if he has truly
fallen asleep for once.
A few silent seconds pass by but in spite of the decent distance between them,
he could somehow still feel the tension radiating from Jungkook’s form.
“Pet.”
“Hm?” Seokjin turns his head to look at the Prince but the younger male still
has his back turned to him.
“What do you plan on doing if I ever get my throne?”
The ‘if’in his question bothers him but he pushes that to the back of his mind.
He’s surprised that Jungkook is even asking him this. “Do you… intend on
setting me free once you reign as king?”
“Of course I intend on doing so.” Jungkook’s tone takes up a defensive touch
and Seokjin feels him shifting again on the mattress. He then realizes that the
young Prince’s voice is much louder now. Jungkook has lain on his back. “It
wouldn’t look good to the others if I still kept you as my pet. That’s going
against one of the things I’m fighting for.”
Seokjin fiddles with his own fingers on his stomach, hesitation roiling within
him. “I’ve never thought about it before.” All his life, he’s been training to
become a well-disciplined pet that someone would eventually buy to use. Having
a different life apart from that is almost unthinkable to him. He couldn’t
imagine himself being anything else but a pet.
He hears a breath of amusement push past Jungkook’s lips. Even with darkness
casting over the Prince’s face, it’s still no different from actually seeing
him because either way, Seokjin wouldn’t be able to figure out if he’s playing
a light joke or is in the midst of taunting him. “Did you actually think you’ll
be my pet in perpetuity?”
Seokjin shrugs. “When you hit me that night, I thought that I wouldn’t live
long in the palace.”
Jungkook suddenly grows quiet and Seokjin looks back up at the ceiling above
them. To others, it might come off as silly how he brought that particular
topic up almost consecutively in one night but it’s an occurrence in his life
that left a hard impact on him; literally and figuratively. That night, he had
learned that the Prince has an uncontrollable temper. The kind of temper that
just cracks through barely noticeable crevices before breaking out in a
scorching blaze.
It taught Seokjin to tread through his words carefully.
But it also taught him to do the exact opposite for silently tolerating the
Prince’s attitude would only mean letting him get away with hurting people.
Surprisingly enough, Jungkook’s voice wrings through the silence. “Before you
decided to be a pet then, did you ever want to be something else?”
“I had to be a pet or otherwise, I’d be living in the streets.” Seokjin clears
it up first. “There was never a second option so it wasn’t my decision to
make.”
“And your mother was okay with that?” For some reason, Jungkook’s tone has
dived down to a subdued aspect.
Seokjin shakes his head. “I doubt she would have been. The only reason why I
became a pet is because she was no longer around to be useful in the tavern.
She would have fought hard if my original handler would even thinkof turning me
into a pet.”
“What…” Silent hesitation seems to put a pause in the question Jungkook has in
mind but he pushes through. “What kind of woman is your mother?”
Seokjin wavers at the question. It has been fifteen years since his mother
passed away. Thinking about her now makes it feel like the fact that she is
gone is far too surreal. “She’s…” He feels a small fond smile embellishing his
lips. “...strong and very outspoken. Even as a child, I saw her smack a guard
for flipping the skirt of her dress. She carried me in her arms and ran off
before the guard could even seize her for her so-called audacity.”
Much to his surprise, Jungkook lets out a quiet chuckle that isn’t even close
to being derisive. “I’d pay to see one of the townsfolk actually hit a guard
and get away with it.”
Seokjin feels his smile grow wider at the fond memory. “Well, my mother never
took injustice lightly. She used to feed the poor with little leftovers we had
and had once even snatched a sword from the guard without being noticed after
she saw him pulling an act of power trip on one of the homeless.” Immediately,
Seokjin clamps his mouth shut upon realizing how he had just conveyed the fact
that his mother had possessed the stereotypical sly trait of a Callian.   
He waits for Jungkook to show contempt.
But nothing comes up.
“A palace guard who loses his sword is to be dismissed right away. Your mother
is clever.” Not a hint of disrespect could be detected in the Prince’s voice.
“She sounds lovely.”
Seokjin looks back at him in surprise despite barely discerning Jungkook’s face
in the darkness. Not once did he ever imagine Jungkook speaking fondly of a
Callian-- the least of all his mother. Now that he’s thought about it, if his
mother is still alive, she would have been a devoted supporter of what Jungkook
is fighting for. She uses her sharp tongue as her weapon so Seokjin has no
doubt that she would have given the Prince a talking-to if he ever so much as
makes a mockery of Callians. In fact, Jungkook would have needed her more than
he would need him.
His mother may not have told him everything, but Seokjin could tell that she
knew a lot of things.
Perhaps things that she is determined not to let him in on.
He then hears Jungkook sigh after a brief pause. “I’m sorry for how vile I had
spoken of her that time.”  
Seokjin shrugs and directs his gaze back up at the ceiling, a strange light
feeling drifting in his chest as a small appreciative smile draws back to his
lips. “Don’t concern yourself over it. I’m used to brats saying whatever they
want to say.”
Jungkook grows quiet again and just before Seokjin could assume that he had
finally fallen asleep, he speaks up again. “You still haven’t answered my
question though-- about what you want to do if you weren’t a pet.”
Seokjin purses his lips in reluctance. “My mother once told me that she always
wanted to establish a bakery right near our home so she could make more money
while at the same time, keep an eye on me and my brothers.”
“And by brothers, you mean your fellow pets?”
“That’s right.” Seokjin nods. “Everyone in town loves her pastries. She taught
me everything she knew.”
“I suppose you find those recipe books in your chambers rather dull then.”
Seokjin couldn’t stop the chuckle that slips past his lips. “They are dull… to
some extent.”
“Is opening a bakery something you would have done if things turned out
different for you?”
Seokjin hangs back at the question for a moment. He couldn’t remember the last
time he had envisioned himself owning a bakery with his mother; a dream they
both shared with genuine enthusiasm. But that dream died along with his mother
and the mere thought of it could only come off as ridiculous to him. But just
as Jungkook had asked, if things were different where his mother would still be
alive and they’re not swimming in debt, then maybe their dream wouldn’t have
sounded as ridiculous as it does right now.
“Yes.” He finally answers. “I don’t think I could imagine myself doing anything
else. I’m not smart nor am I interestingly talented. I guess… I’m like an open
book that nobody would ever bother to read.”    
Somehow, he could feel Jungkook’s stare lingering on him but doesn’t say
anything. The silence abiding between them caresses the atmosphere to a
soothing comfortable tone. Being submerged in total silence with rain as their
only regard of reality and Jungkook by his side would normally daunt the blond
but by some means, the air closing around them feels different. It feels loose
and unscathed. Now that Seokjin has thought about it, this is the first time
anyone has ever asked something about him without scoping for grounds that
would validate his obedience as a pet.
It doesn’t feel right talking about himself.
He’s not supposed to have any sort of attachments to what he had in the tavern.
He’s not even supposed to be dwelling on the past.
Suddenly feeling the gnawing ache of anxiety at the pit of his stomach, Seokjin
clears his throat to crack the silence. “What about you though?” He asks. “Have
you ever thought of what you’d want to be if being king isn’t in the cards for
you?”
“No, I haven’t.” Jungkook answers. “But if that were the case, I’d want to have
at least enough time to catch up on my reading.”
“What do you usually read?”
He hears Jungkook make a sound of hesitation at the back of his throat and this
just further piques his interest. “Well?” He prompts, turning his head again
towards the direction of the Prince.
“I command you not to laugh first.”
Seokjin blinks. Now he’s reallycurious.
“I won’t.”
After another fleeting moment of internal debate from Jungkook, the younger of
the two eventually admits, “I like fantasy novels.”
“You mean… like wizards and dragons?”
“...that’s right.”
Seokjin bites the inside of his cheek to keep himself from smiling. “But aren’t
those books usually for children?”
“There are adult fantasy books as well, you idiot.” Jungkook spats half-
heartedly.
A grin tugs the corners of the blond’s full lips. “All right, if you say so.”
“I thought I commanded you not to laugh.”
“I’m not!”
“I can hear your smile in your voice.”
“All right, you got me.” Seokjin surrenders his point by laughing at that. “But
it’s not because I find that funny at all. In some way, I just find it
amusing.”
It’s strange how he could picture Jungkook raising a brow at him. “And why is
that?”
Seokjin maintains his smile as he runs his fingers through his pale sandy hair.
“It’s just that it’s been so long since I’ve met someone who isn't far too
invested in reality. I’ve always thought that it's reality that makes people
lose interest in adventures.”
“Is that so…” Jungkook sounds contemplative. “Have you lost that interest
then?”
Seokjin’s smile falters a bit. “Of course. Being a pet, I think traveling and
seeing the world just aren’t in the cards for me.” He pauses to ponder on that
thought, only coming to recall where they are at the moment. “But I guess it’s
safe to say that I still have a sliver of hope.”
“...and why is that?”
“Because we now have someone like you by our side.”
Jungkook grows quiet again and Seokjin dares himself not to speak, expecting
for the Prince to say something along the lines of how he intends on eventually
setting all the pets free while still making his own Callian pet go through
hell. Seokjin has already grown accustomed to hearing Jungkook deny every
admirable act he makes that are solely for other people and not for self-
interest. He wouldn’t be surprised if the Prince would even say that the only
reason why he’s fighting for the rights of the oppressed is because he could
garner their support to help him take his rightful throne.
But then the words that slip past the young man’s lips are the exact opposite
of what Seokjin had counted on:
“I can’t promise anything. My brother is a clever man.”
Hearing him admit this has stripped Seokjin off of words, the knot in the
blond’s stomach tightening. There are several sides of Jungkook that Seokjin
had seen from being unbelievably impassive at most things to losing his temper
in the most alarmingly reticent manner. He always holds himself with such
tenacious poise that he intimidates those who so much as glance at his
direction.
But tonight is an exception.
“That’s fine,” Seokjin finds himself reassuring him. “because even if you lose
the battle, at least we’ll know that our Prince fought for us.”
“I could die though.” Jungkook points out, bitter. “You could too. One misstep
from my part and I could bring someone’s life to an end.”
Something tells Seokjin that this isn’t the kind of thought that Jungkook had
only considered now.
“Then I think you should trust yourself more.” He finally says. “Now get some
sleep. You’re going to need it.”
“...right.”
He feels Jungkook shifting on the bed again and Seokjin could only assume that
he has turned back to his side just like he did last night. After a lengthy
moment of making sure he’s asleep, Seokjin leaves for downstairs to get himself
at least a few slices of apple to keep himself awake.
===============================================================================
“Squandered puddles of scalding potion cascade across the wooden floor, putting
all of Ocasuphior’s efforts to tragic waste. Had he not confided in that
devious bandit, he would not be in this blizzard of a mess. A bom--” Jungkook
pauses his loud reading upon coming across a strange word. He furrows his brows
and leans closer as though cutting the distance between him and the word would
help him in pronouncing it right. “A bom… bomba…”
“A bombardment of a different nature meets his ears.”
Jungkook jumps from the precipitous voice near his ear, almost knocking off the
lamp he had brought with him to the woods. He grabs the lamp and turns around
to find an unfamiliar face-- not the face he had expected to meet at this time
of night. Jungkook had never seen him before and considering how he’s not even
allowed to be out here, a twisting sense of dread spires in his chest.
The boy appears to be older than him; perhaps four or five years older which
possibly makes him to be around eleven or twelve years of age. He’s clad in a
blue hooded cloak that overcasts most of his face and he looks down at the
spooked Prince with a slight tilt of his head.
Jungkook gathers the courage to stand up and speak. “W-What are you doing
here?”
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” The boy asks nonchalantly before taking a
step closer to look around the ground as if he’s on a search for something, his
height intimidatingly towering over the younger boy. “Why is a highborn child
like you reading in a forest at the dead of the night?”
Jungkook swallows.
Nobody is supposed to know about how he and his mother sneak out of the palace
every night just so his mother could say her prayers to the sainted tree where
her grandmother was buried under. Her religious views differ from the King and
she had been forced to leave them behind upon marriage. But the honor she holds
for her religion is far too unyielding for her to just abandon.
She had only started bringing Jungkook along when he caught her sneaking out
once.
“Cat got your tongue?” The boy persists as he straightens up, seeming to have
given up on his search.
Jungkook makes an attempt to look strong. “W-What are you looking for?”
“A ring.”
Jungkook’s supposedly firm posture falters. “A ring?”
“Mhm. I saw it around here earlier but didn’t have the chance to pick it up. I
could use something expensive to sell.” The boy then pulls the hood of his
cloak off of his head to reveal a shock of tousled blond hair, his enticing
features putting a sudden stop to Jungkook’s expression. His dark engaging
brown eyes are framed by strong brows that are in contrast to his soft hair
that almost looks silver under the moonlight and thrown back into a low messy
ponytail.
A Callian.
Jungkook has never seen a Callian in person before but true to most people’s
words, they are absolutely breathtaking to look at.
Until the boy’s voice breaks through his reverie. “I’ve been searching
everywhere . Have you seen it?”
It takes the young Prince a second or two to stomach the words in, but he
eventually comes back to his senses and a small pout graces his lips.
“Shouldn’t you return the ring to its owner instead of selling it?”
“Sounds like something a privileged would say.” The boy’s smile comes off as
neighborly. “I’m sure whoever lost it will just buy a new one. I, on the other
hand, need bread on the table. Pets don’t earn much, you know.”
“You’re a pet?” A flicker of hope glows within the Prince. Perhaps this boy
knows where Taehyung could be. He didn’t show up last night and apparently,
tonight is no different.
“Disgusting, right?” The boy chuckles as he rubs the back of his neck.
“N-No!” Jungkook immediately shakes his head, his eyes wide with agitation at
how he must have offended the Callian. “I… don’t think you’re disgusting. It’s
just that--” He stops, only realizing now what he is about to ask. Taehyung
isn’t allowed to step out of the tavern in the middle of the night, especially
since he’s still an apprentice and not a full-fledged pet yet. Asking about his
whereabouts to the boy would most likely put him in trouble.
Instead, he decides to save face. “Pets aren’t allowed to be outside in the
middle of the night, right?”
The blond brings his hands up. “Guilty is charged. I’m desperate.”
Jungkook tilts his head slightly to the side in curiosity. “Why?”
“Not all pets want to be pets, kid.” The boy picks up the book and flips
through the pages, seemingly looking for an interesting picture. But then he
gives up and snaps it closed before handing it back to Jungkook. “I need enough
money to at least keep me afloat until I find something to do with my life.”
“Can’t your mommy help you?”
“That’s not an option.”
“How come you don’t want to be a pet then?” Jungkook keeps his book close to
his chest. “Is it because you can’t go to heaven?”
The boy gives him an incredulous look. “Where did you hear that?”
Guilty heat flushes Jungkook’s face, only now catching on how he had just
blurted out something that only Taehyung had told him. “I… heard it from
someone.”
“Someone told you that pets don’t go to heaven?”
Jungkook nods with immense apprehension. “Is it true though? Is it true that in
the afterlife, pets could only see the light of heaven from afar but will never
have the chance of reaching it just like the rest of the sinners?”
The boy leans back against the tree and shrugs his shoulders. “That’s what our
handler has been telling us. Do you think your friend won’t go to heaven?”
The heat in the Prince’s cheeks sharpens. “How did you--”
“I put two and two together. It wouldn’t make sense how a young highborn would
know about that when majority of our clients are just palace guards.”
Jungkook chews his bottom lip, guilty. “You weren’t supposed to know that.”
“You don’t have to tell me who he is.” The boy reassures him with a gentle
laugh. “But do you think he won’t go to heaven?”
Jungkook looks up at him with wide perplexed eyes. “I-I… I want him to go to
heaven. He should go to heaven because he’s very nice and I want to be with him
forever!”
“Other than being nice, what else does he have that qualifies him to be sent to
heaven though?”
Jungkook ponders on that, his mind coming up blank.
Looking back on his conversations with Taehyung, he only realizes now that
Taehyung rarely talks about himself. He doesn’t know a single thing about him
aside from the fact that he’s a pet who likes pastries. “He’s…” He stalls, his
eyes drifting down to the ground before going back up to the Callian. “He’s
always happy.”
“Nobody is always happy.” The boy shakes his head with a smile. “People still
have their bad days. Does your friend ever confide in you when he’s sad or
angry?”
Jungkook is reluctant at this point. “No. I’ve never seen him sad or angry.”
“Then I guess there’s still more to build in your relationship.” The boy draws
away from the tree to stretch his arms out with a contented sigh before turning
around. “It’s like what my mother used to say, ‘People who don't weather
through your storm don't deserve to see the sunshine in the end.’ I’d like to
keep that in mind every now and then. Anyway, I’m giving up on that ring. See
ya.”
And with that, he walks away with a quick wave of his hand.
Jungkook watches him until he couldn’t separate between his withdrawing form
and the shadows beclouded by the tall trees.
Chapter End Notes
     It isn't much but I hope you enjoyed this chapter! It's rather
     soothing compared to the prior ones. :)
     Comments and kudos are forever appreciated! I'll be having a busy
     week so if there's something you're curious about, feel free to drop
     by my ask box in tumblr!
***** Land of Beauty *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
It was supposed to be a quiet dinner between the three of them like it always
has.
His uncle would come into his room to tell him that supper is ready and
together, the two of them would head for the chambers where he gets his private
sessions with his aunt. He can’t eat in the dining hall anymore. He can’t stand
crowds.
A few carefully selected dishes would be displayed on the table. Jungkook
always expects to find his own dish being more colorful than the rest given
that he doesn’t eat meat. He would then hear his uncle and his aunt make small
talk, evidently walking on eggshells whenever he’s around. But he never minded
that. Being the little boy that he is. he always knows how to tune out a
conversation between adults.
He would start out by just pushing his food around with his fork until his
uncle would tell him to sit up straight and finish his dinner.
His aunt would then smile at him and ask if he wants dessert.
He would decline the offer without eye contact.
But tonight is different.
Great heaving sobs rack his entire body as an endless flow of tears trail down
from his eyes that reflect devastation. His aunt remains still on her seat, her
face planted on her dish; motionless. Jungkook has no idea how it happened. One
thing she was telling him about his sister’s upcoming birthday, and the next
thing she’s choking on something that she must have sipped from her wine.
His aunt had grabbed anything she could get her hands on in panic, her eyes
wide with fright and her breathing only coming off as broken gasping noises.
Jungkook had scrambled away from the table at this point, terror striking his
body to a frozen halt.
His uncle coolly stands up from his seat and walks around to the other side of
the table. He presses two fingers somewhere against Lady Choi’s neck before
sighing and turning to face Jungkook.
“She’s gone now.”
A broken sob tears past Jungkook’s lips as Lord Choi makes his way towards him.
The man kneels down in front of him and wipes his tears with his thumb, his
brows furrowed in mild concern. “Kookie, why are you crying?”
Jungkook knows that his sobs will only make his attempts of speaking futile so
he shakes his head instead.
All of a sudden, Lord Choi grabs his arms and squeezes them which elicits a
pained yelp from the young boy. “Why are you crying, Kookie?” He tries again,
his blunt fingernails digging into Jungkook’s arms. “She’s not going to hurt
you anymore. She’s not going to  touch you anymore. Why aren’t you happy? I did
this for you.” His eyes search the Prince’s face before repeating, “Why aren’t
you happy?”
“U-Uncle… Please...” Jungkook tries to wriggle away from his grip but Lord Choi
does nothing but tighten his hold on him.
“Stop crying!”
Lord Choi’s sudden outburst pierces through Jungkook’s nerves and the young
boy’s frame trembles harder. Jungkook bites down on his lip so hard that he
could taste a prickle of blood in pursuit of controlling his sobs, but when he
finds the manic look in his uncle’s usually gentle eyes, another heaving sob
breaks away from him.
In an instant, Lord Choi strikes him across the face and Jungkook is sent
crashing down the floor the second he has been released.
Jungkook staggers up to his knees and presses his palm against his lips,
forcing his sobs down. One side of his face throbs in pain, feeling it heat up
from the impact. He sees Lord Choi walking back to him and when he looks up at
him, he finds his uncle looking down at him again with the face of an
affectionate father.
“See what you made me do?” Lord Choi sighs, his hands reaching to pull Jungkook
to a warm embrace. “Don’t cry, Kookie. I did what I had to do because I love
you. Please understand that.”
===============================================================================
The far-reaching expanse of the ocean stretches out to every direction without
a snippet of land on display. Seokjin feels his stomach lurch and he’s more
than certain that he’s inclined to upchuck his breakfast at the slightest
motion of the ship. He sits still on the floorboards with his back leaned
against the wall and his hand pressed firmly against his lips in an attempt to
keep his nausea in control. He still hasn’t had a decent slumber since
yesterday and although he could take advantage of this sail to catch up on his
sleep, the mere sounds of the ocean waves hitting the ship has been keeping him
up. Just how long will it take until they get to Callias?
“I told you to get some sleep.”
The blond looks up from the shadow that overcasts his entire frame to find
Jungkook looking down at him with a disapproving frown.
“I can’t.” Seokjin droops his head down. “The ship is making me sick.”
“Did you try sleeping in the lower lodge near the center of the ship like I
told you?”
Seokjin shakes his head. “No. Taehyung beat me to it.”
The Prince sighs. “Well don’t make a mess here. We’re only borrowing this
ship.”
Seokjin could only nod his head and lifts his hand to wave him off. Being in a
queasy state, he’s not exactly in the mood to be talking to anyone-- especially
when the conversation is centered around his nausea. He hears Jungkook click
his tongue in annoyance but seeing how his shadow eventually withdraws, Seokjin
sighs in relief at being left alone.
He knows that he could have easily gone to Yoongi for help but he couldn’t find
the royal physician anywhere and frankly, he doesn’t have the energy to persist
on his search. Yoongi must have gone off to the lower lodge with Taehyung.
Seokjin lifts his head up and much to his misfortune, he finds Jungkook
approaching him again. Can’t this kid take a hint?
“Chew on this.” Jungkook hands him a single slice of peeled ginger.
Seokjin just stares at it. “Why?”
“Do you want to feel better?”
Reluctantly, he reaches for the sliced root. “Where did you get this?”
Jungkook shrugs and much to Seokjin’s surprise, he moves to sit down beside
him. “The captain keeps a whole jar of it on the ship just in case.”
Seokjin takes an uncertain bite of the ginger and fails to refrain his lips
from curling to a grimace at the tangy spicy flavor that impinges upon his
tongue. It’s more pungent than he had counted for but who is he to complain?
He’ll do absolutely anything just to get the detestable twisting of his stomach
away. For a moment, Jungkook’s presence has been inadvertently dismissed from
the breadth of his attention as he tries to focus on keeping his nausea in
check.
“Better?” The Prince’s voice steps in as soon as the blond finishes nibbling
the entire slice.
“A bit.” Seokjin throws his head back against the wall with his eyes closed,
somehow finding the air sweeter compared to earlier and the high noon sunlight
pleasant against his mildly tanned skin. “Thank you. I needed that.”
“Good. Because we need to talk about Callias before we get there.”
Seokjin opens one eye to give the Prince a peek, seeing the younger male bring
one leg up only to rest his arm on his knee. “Do you need me to teach you how
to speak fluent Callian?”
“I think I can speak Callian fairly well.” Jungkook’s frown has been etched
deeper, flat annoyance laced in his voice. “So spare me your ego. I only need
you just in case I misunderstand a few phrases.”
“All right.” Seokjin closes his eyes again and draws in a deep breath. “What do
you want to talk about in particular?”
“What you know about your homeland.”
Suddenly, the air doesn’t seem as sweet as he thought it was.
Seokjin’s eyes shoot open and he feels his entire frame going rigid at the
topic that has been laid out before him. He turns his head to the Prince with
what he hopes is the most convincing curious look. “Why? I thought you know
enough about Callias.”
“I do.” Jungkook arches a brow at his direction, evidently not buying his act.
“I’m wondering if  you  do.”
Seokjin immediately tears his gaze away from him, feeling an onerous tug at his
nerve. “Of course I do!” He pushes an apprehensive laugh. “I can speak the
language, after all. Don’t tell me you’ll also need me as a reminder of proper
Callian tradition so you won’t end up offending anyone there?”
He could feel Jungkook’s calculating eyes on him, but the Prince eventually
speaks up. “And what is this tradition you speak of?”
Ah, damn it.
“You don’t know a  thing  about Callias, do you?” The leveled tone of
incredulity in Jungkook’s voice feels belittling.
“My mother never really talked about it.” Seokjin scratches his cheek in an
attempt to come off as sheepish. He’s already preparing himself for the string
of taunts Jungkook will most likely bestow upon him for this newfound
information. Seokjin could only hope that he will try to be merciful for now.
He doubts he could handle heavy insults and a wave of light nausea at the same
time.
“Callias is an archipelago.”
Seokjin blinks and shoots a look at the Prince.
Was that a taunt?
“A what?”
“An  archipelago .” Jungkook repeats almost too languidly. “A series of
islands. Did you know that?”
Reluctantly, Seokjin shakes his head.
Jungkook sighs. “Then we have a long way to go.”
Throughout the sail, Jungkook expounds on every single detail he knows about
Callias and alarmingly enough, Seokjin finds himself so genuinely enraptured by
every word that his motion sickness eventually leaves his system. He could
never understand why his mother never exerted herself in letting him know a
thing or two about their people other than the fact that they’re known for
their beauty and wit. It makes sense how Jungkook seems to know a lot about
Callias-- they are an ally of his kingdom after all.
Callias turns out to have a number of titles:
Land of Beauty
Land of Traders-- or  traitors , as what envious people would say.
Poisoned Fruit
The Islands of the Golden Serpents
Callias has the sweetest and juiciest fruits and the rarest of seafood. It is
also the oldest and richest of all the lands. Their divine beings, Dilitirio &
Omorfia, are an espoused couple who have snake scales for skin and forked
tongues that help them control the wisdom that needs to be shared. They are
also against sexual interracial affairs between two different genders-- you’re
either a pure Callian or not at all. Much to Seokjin’s surprise, Jungkook has
not spoken a single ill word of the Callians; although he did mention how they
are infamous for being manipulative.
“Have you ever met a Callian before though?” Seokjin asks at one point. “Aside
from me?”
Jungkook shrugs nonchalantly. “Once. But I was a child at the time.”
“What were they like then?”
“He wasn’t memorable.”
“Oh.”
Their conversation has then been cut short as soon as Jungkook has been called
out by the captain of the ship. Seokjin hears him grunt in annoyance but stands
up anyway, patting the dust off of his garbs.
“We’re close.” He tells the blond. “Go and wake Taehyung up.”
===============================================================================
The inside of the carriage is draped in nothing but gold and blue-- the colors
of Callias. When they have managed to reach the shore, Seokjin didn’t get the
chance to take a better view of their surroundings for everyone has been
hastily hustling about to their waiting carriages. He did manage to catch sight
of the inquiring glances of the fishermen nearby who were all daubed in blue
paint from head to toe. The feeling of soft sand underneath his boots felt
strangely foreign. Jungkook had prompted him to join Yoongi and Taehyung in
their carriage since Hoseok seemed to intend on having a private conversation
with him.
“This is the first time I’ve gone overseas.” The corners of Taehyung’s grin
reaches his eyes. “Are you excited, Yoongi?”
Yoongi reaches up to adjust the curtain draped over the window of the carriage,
evidently not fond of sunlight. Though it comes off as rather counterproductive
because the light still persists on streaming through the thin gaps of the
curtains, striking a portion of the carriage with a radiant glow. “Not exactly.
I’ve been to Callias a couple of times before. Before I started serving for
Prince Jungkook, I served for his father.”
“Pssh, don’t brag.” Taehyung lets out a scoff before directing his excitement
to Seokjin. “What about you, Seokjinnie? This  is  your homeland after all.”
Seokjin can’t be too sure of his answer. He doesn’t know what to feel about
this entire ordeal. Although Jungkook had shared enough information about
Callias, Seokjin couldn’t help but have this nagging feeling that he might not
end up liking what he sees. What if the terrible things Jungkook had said about
Callians are true? What if Callians will look down on him for taking his
training in Gennaios?
“A little.” He musters up a smile instead.
“You know, I heard orgies are pretty common here.” Taehyung brings up his legs
to cross them on the cushioned seat. “I wonder if the Prince wouldn’t mind
sharing you with other Callians.”
Seokjin feels a slight color coming to his cheeks. “D-Don’t be ridiculous.”
Taehyung laughs at this and waves his hand dismissively. “There’s no need to be
so embarrassed about it. You’re a pet. You’re expected to adjust to whatever
your master is into and knowing the Prince, I have a feeling he’s into some
sick sadistic games. What’s he like in bed anyways? It must be nice to be the
only one who gets to see Prince Jungkook all sweaty and disheveled.”
If Seokjin thinks his blush had been subtle before, now he could  really  feel
his cheeks as hot as steam.
“ If  Prince Jungkook even lets him mount him.” Yoongi adds as an afterthought,
staring at Seokjin with a raised brow from across.
Taehyung snickers. “It could be the other way around too. Maybe the Prince is
just as dominant as he is in bed.” And with that, he gives the blond a playful
nudge on the shoulder. “Who tops?”
“ Nobody!”  Seokjin pulls an attempt of keeping his tone firm, though it
unfortunately comes out as somewhat scandalous which earns him a look of
disbelief from both of his companions. He swallows the thick lump that has
managed to crawl its way up to his throat. While he knows that it is against a
pet’s principles of behavior to speak of their master’s manners in bed unless
prompted to by their master themselves, Seokjin still couldn’t help but be
bothered at the way these two are talking about Jungkook. It just… doesn’t
feel  right. “I-I mean, we’ve never done any of those… things. You know the
rumors. Prince Jungkook doesn’t lie with anyone. He certainly wouldn’t make me
an exception.”
“I call bluff on that.” Taehyung blows an immature raspberry.  “You just want
to keep the dirty details to yourself.”
“Leave him alone.” Yoongi rolls his eyes. “Who cares if he’s fucked the Prince
or not?”
“I do!” Taehyung straightens his posture with a defiant pout forming on his
sharply-bowed lips. “It’s about time Seokjin gets a taste of cock and it would
undoubtedly be nice if that cock belongs to Prince Jungkook. I mean, just
picture it! Prince Jungkook all stringent and verbally harsh in front of
everyone else. But when with Seokjinnie in his bedchambers, he would most
likely be speechless and needy. Quite an adorable side of him if you ask me!”
“Nobody asked you.” Seokjin could only grumble.
“You better behave once we reach the palace, Tae.” As though giving the blond a
break, Yoongi swiftly shifts the topic. “The Vasilika might not take kindly to
loose lips such as yours.”
“The Vasilika?” Seokjin blinks. “Who’s that?”
“The Queen. That’s what they call her here.”
“What?” Taehyung pipes in. “What happened to the King?”
“The  Vasilikis, ” Yoongi enunciates the title with a steady tone and Seokjin
takes note of that. It seems referring to Callians as their respectable titles
is greatly imperative. “has retired early and gave his throne to his daughter
instead.”
“They can do that?” Seokjin finds himself frowning, skeptic. “That easily?”
Yoongi shrugs. “Why would Callians trust a ruler who just doesn’t want to rule
anymore?”
“Makes sense.” Taehyung agrees with a nod.
The carriage eventually comes to a halt and someone pulls  the door open for
them. Yoongi is the first one to step out before assisting Taehyung to follow
behind him. Seokjin purses his lips, immense hesitation putting a pause to his
movements.
This is it.
For the first time in his life, he’ll be feasting his eyes on what he’s
supposed to deem as his people. Have they ever even heard of him before? Being
the only pet of the Gennaian Prince, it seems likely but he’d rather not put
too much of his confidence on it. If anything, he’d prefer not to be heard of
at all no matter the circumstances. The lesser people look at him, the better.
He then drags a deep intake of breath before finally stepping out to the stoned
pathway.
Just up ahead, he already finds Jungkook and Hoseok making their way towards
the grand doors of the palace.
The palace glimmers under the delicate touch of sunlight. It holds a pronounced
status symbol for it is entirely made out of gold with a brush of sapphire here
and there. It is so ridiculously high that Seokjin couldn’t help but wonder
just how large of a family their royals are. Several pointed towers overlook
the land, as though he is staring at an enormous crown and an assortment of
gardens are enclosed around it.
Their guards are all clad in golden armor, their headgears keeping their
identities unseen.
His ears pick up on several curious voices and he turns to find quite a few
Callians behind the grand gates, obviously trying to sneak a peek of what the
Gennaian Prince must look like. They’re all dressed in only two different
flimsy materials: either silk or cotton. Perhaps the material signifies their
financial status but it seems even some of the highborn cannot just enter the
palace as easily as it is in Gennaios. When their eyes settle on Seokjin, a few
of them suddenly start murmuring to one another.
Perhaps they  have  heard of him.
“Seokjinnie!” Taehyung’s voice snags him from his reverie. “What are you
waiting for? Come on!”
The younger pet reaches over to tug Seokjin by the wrist and the blond tears
his eyes away from the townsfolk. Yoongi is no longer by their side but is
instead trekking along with Jungkook and Hoseok. As they step into the palace,
they are greeted by the sight of a meticulously clean marbled floor and well-
detailed pillars that are marched ahead and daubed in immaculate white paint.
Anybody with eyes could see just how serious the palace servants take their
tasks considering how there is not a single spot of dirt that could be
detected.
A strikingly tantalizing woman draped in a flowing cerulean dress that
compliments her soft ashen brown complexion stands before them in evident
expectation, her golden hair braided to a low bun. She offers Jungkook a polite
curtsy to which Jungkook nods in return. But when she opens her mouth to speak,
the Prince slowly holds up his hand and the girl clamps her lips shut-
- seemingly offended. Jungkook gives her an apologetic nod before glancing back
over his shoulder to beckon Seokjin in.
Right. Translator.
Seokjin hurries over to Jungkook, the Gennaian guards making way for him.
“Proceed.” Jungkook nods to the woman with a light Gennaian accent.
The woman looks over at Seokjin with analytical blue-gray eyes but persists on.
“Prince Jungkook, before I assist you to the audience chamber, please do
understand that our Vasilika is not pleased about the sudden change of
arrangements. I suggest you tread carefully if you wish to reach a compromise.”
Jungkook glances over at Seokjin, speaking in Gennaian. “I only understood half
of that.”
Seokjin scratches his cheek. “She said the Vasilika isn’t happy that we came
here earlier than we should. You will have to be careful with your words.”
Jungkook nods. “Even so, I have something that  she  wants so it doesn’t matter
whether or not we came here on time.”
Seokjin looks back at the woman and translates his master’s words. “He said he
understands the circumstances and that he will tread on with utmost patience.”
The woman looks pleased. “Follow me then.”
They follow her up ahead until they reach two tall doors which the guards push
open for them.
They reach the audience chamber.
And unlike the one in Gennaios, this one is brimming with citizens. Their
chatter dies down as soon as they step in and everyone looks down at them with
mixed reactions. A blue carpet is rolled before them and just right at the end
is a golden throne where the Vasilika is seated. Just like in Gennaios, several
steps of stairs will have to be taken before one can reach the throne. As they
stride in further, Seokjin tries to take a better look of the Callian ruler.
But the second he does so, he realizes that she already has her eyes on him.
He visibly jumps at that and at the corner of his sight, Jungkook looks at him.
“Prince Jungkook of Gennaios,” their female guide introduces the Prince in
Callian. “has come to meet our great Vasilika, Clytemnestra of Callias.”
The Vasilika looks down at them with a stunning olive-brown face that appears
to be annoyed, as if she has somewhere else to be; though Seokjin could tell
that her visage only naturally comes off as such. Her sea-colored eyes are
gentle under thick lashes in contrast to her natural expression and her plump
lips are pursed in speculation. A stream of soft blonde curls drape down over
her exposed shoulders and a golden crown seats neatly on top of her head. Just
by looking at her, she appears to be around her mid 30’s at most.
“Prince Jungkook.” She nods to Jungkook’s direction in acknowledgment,
surprisingly speaking in fluent Gennaian. “I must say, I was rather taken aback
by your messenger telling me that your arrival will be a few days early. Why
the sudden change of mind, may I ask?”
Seokjin could hear a female Callian repeating the Vasilika’s words in Callian
for the audience.
“Things didn’t go according to plan.” Jungkook explains, holding himself with
graceful posture. “But I’m not obligated to expound on specific details. I came
here with what I’ve promised. I hope you’re keeping your end of the bargain as
well.”
The Vasilika shifts her eyes at Seokjin then back at Jungkook, her lips
twisting to a one-sided smile. “I didn’t think you were serious.”
Jungkook pauses. “If you don’t want him, then we’ll just take our leave.”
The Vasilika lets out a laugh that comes out like a sultry melody. “Please. I
didn’t say I have no intention of keeping my end of the bargain. I doubt that
you will be able to leave without taking what is yours, yes?”
What bargain are they even talking about? Seokjin knows enough that Jungkook is
here to reclaim his pets, but what is he exactly trading with? Recalling how
the Vasilika had switched her gaze at himself earlier, somehow the blond could
feel his stomach turning over. He looks around, finding the audience’s peering
blue gazes bearing down on him.
Only him.
He directs his eyes on the Prince but Jungkook wouldn’t look back.
The Vasilika can speak Gennaian fluently.
Jungkook had managed to hold a brief conversation with him in Callian before.
He never needed a translator.
He brought Seokjin here for a different reason.
“That’s what I thought.” The Prince says with an impatient sigh. “Just hand me
my pets and we will be on our way.”
And at that, the Vasilika’s smile grows wider as she tilts her head and twirls
a golden curl around her ringed finger. “My, I never said anything about giving
your pets in right away.”
Tension hits Jungkook’s body. “Our agreement is that I bring what you want, and
you give me what I want.”
“Yes, when  I  see fit. For all we know, this gentleman could be a fraud.” She
stands up from her throne and climbs down the stairs, her guards immediately
enclosing around her just in case. She has her eyes trained on the Prince but
the closer she gets, the more she steers her direction towards Seokjin instead
and a wave of intensity shrouds the blond’s entire frame. She stands right in
front of him and Seokjin could already tell that she almost matches Jungkook’s
height.
She reaches up with her accessorized hand and caresses Seokjin’s cheek before
trailing it down to his lips, her eyes following every movement. She then
reaches up again to push her delicate fingers through his blond locks and
Seokjin tries his very best to stay still. He’s familiar with this. The
Vasilika isn’t just giving him a good look for no apparent reason. No, she’s
inspecting him as if he is a rare merchandise which further confirms his
suspicion.
Jungkook is giving him away.
And frankly, Seokjin doesn’t know how to feel about that either.
“The only Callian who was raised in Gennaios... The rarity of it is
captivating.” Surprisingly, a look of fondness glimmers within the Vasilika’s
piercing cerulean eyes and she finally takes a step back to glance at the
Prince.
“Does this pet know our ways?”
Jungkook meets Seokjin’s eyes but for some reason, he tears his gaze away
almost too quickly. “I can’t promise anything about what his handler taught him
but I informed him of what I know about Callias.”
“Somehow, that doesn’t please me.” The Vasilika doesn’t even look convinced.
“With blond hair and perhaps half a soul at the very least,  you’d  make a
decent Callian. But I suppose you’d take that as an insult, yes?”
Jungkook frowns. “What do you mean by that?”
The Vasilika smiles. “Forgive me, Prince Jungkook, but I have heard of rumors
regarding your… dislike towards my people. And to think that you have been the
one to be gifted with a Callian pet, how should I know if you have not
tormented this poor boy?”
“He’s spotless, is he not?”
“True. But with the right wit and methods, anyone can traumatize a person’s
mind.” The Vasilika turns her head towards Seokjin. “Has your master been kind
to you?”
Seokjin looks back at Jungkook only to find him keeping his eyes up ahead, as
though patiently waiting for his answer but not even interested enough to look
back at him and Seokjin knows that at this point, he has kept his mouth shut
long enough. “Jungkook, are you really giving me away?”
In an instant, the chamber is heavy with dead air.
Even the Callian translator has kept her lips sealed.
Jungkook finally looks back at him, appearing to be caught off-guard.
“Are you?” Seokjin persists on.
Jungkook immediately regains his posture. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“I have no other choice.”
“Oh,” the Vasilika cuts in, her brows raised with interest and her eyes still
fixated on Seokjin. “isn’t this awkward? I’ll let you two settle your issues
within privacy.” She shifts her attention towards Jungkook. “You and your men
will stay here for three daylights. I would like to see how your Callian pet
behaves. You should know that we treat our pets differently here. If I am
satisfied, then we can seal the deal.”
“Three daylights?” Jungkook frowns at her.
“Yes. Unless you’re not confident enough of your pet’s social graces?”
Jungkook’s frown grows deeper and he shrugs his shoulders. “Do whatever you
want with him. Just as long as we seal the deal in the end.”
The Vasilika grins and claps her hands twice in a delicately yet enthusiastic
manner. She then turns back to Seokjin. “You’ll enjoy it here, my young
Callian. Do know that you still belong to your Gennaian Prince. But after three
daylights, you will belong to a master who will shower you with genuine
affection.”
Seokjin swallows. “That… sounds lovely.”
“Splendid!” The Vasilika reaches in to give him a soft peck on the cheek before
turning around to face the servants that are standing not too far from her.
“Servants, please make sure our guests are comfortable here. Take them to their
chambers so they can freshen up before the evening meal.”
Seokjin notices how Jungkook wouldn’t even spare him a glance when he turned to
join Hoseok and Yoongi as soon as the Callian servants begin politely ushering
them out of the audience chamber and to a hallway that undoubtedly leads to
their guest chambers. Frankly, Seokjin couldn’t even be bothered with how the
Prince is avoiding him. The fact that he’s giving him away without so much of a
word about it prior to the meeting tugs a heavy pull in his chest. Seokjin is
infuriated, yes, but why should he be?
He’s just a pet.
Jungkook isn’t obligated to inform him of private affairs such as this one. He
did  tell him before that he will make him learn his place.
He never had the intention of saving him from the wretched life of a pet at
all. His curiosity last evening was an act to keep Seokjin from suspicion and
Seokjin, in spite of knowing how sly the Prince can get, had fallen for it.
Once Jungkook rules Gennaios and sets all the pets free, Seokjin will remain
here in Callias with his worth unaltered.
No matter how many directions the blond wants to look at it…
...he’s still a pet and Jungkook is still a prince.
 
Chapter End Notes
     Is anybody still reading this?
     I'm so sorry for the long wait! Work has been keeping me super
     occupied. :(
     And perhaps I've also been struggling with motivation aslfahsdflsf
     This chapter is supposed to be longer but I figured I've made you
     guys wait for too long. orz
***** Promise *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
“Joining your mother for once?”
A radiant smile that glows brighter than the moonlight lavishing them from
above graces his mother’s lips and Jungkook tentatively sits down on his knees
beside her, his eyes trained on the bouquet of purple morning glories settled
neatly in front of the tree. Underneath the tree lies his great grandmother who
has now joined their ancestors in the stars above them—or at least that’s what
his mother had told him. His father calls it an outrageous cock-and-bull story
that encourages children to believe in falsehood. Jungkook does find comfort in
the thought of having their ancestors look after them from above but he knows
better than to say that out loud.
“Where is your friend?” He feels his mother’s fingers gently brushing his hair.
“He doesn’t come anymore.” Jungkook sighs, leaning onto her for warmth. “Uncle
said he had already been bought by a highborn. As soon as he becomes a pet, he
will be immediately sent to them.” He didn’t want to believe it at first but
after nights of Taehyung never showing up at all, it only makes sense that the
pet thinks it’d be wiser if they stop meeting up. Pets are not allowed to be
attached to anyone but their masters after all.
It would have been nice if he got the chance to say goodbye though...
“Oh, Kookie… I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Jungkook closes his eyes with another sigh, delving into his
mother’s affectionate embrace. “Father never liked pets anyway. He probably
wouldn’t want me marrying one.”
“Well, we can’t please everyone because we don’t have to. The only approval you
need is your own. Perhaps this is just a sign that you are meant for someone
else.” His mother plants a gentle kiss on the crown of his head. “There is
another boy out there right now, waiting for fate to bring you two together. I
know it.”
“But father wants me to marry a princess…”
“He just doesn’t understand you enough yet.” His mother tilts his head up by
his chin and he meets her dark doe eyes that mimic his, though her lashes are
far more prominent. “Soon, he will. But that shouldn’t be your priority.
Prioritize finding yourself for now, all right?”
Jungkook nods.
“That’s my boy.” His mother kisses his cheek. “Why don’t you take a nap for now
while I finish my prayers, all right?”
“…okay.” Jungkook hesitantly pulls away from her and gets back up to his feet,
dusting the dirt off of his garbs. “I’ll be over there.” He points at the
nearest tree he could find and his mother smiles at him with an understanding
nod. Although it would be ideal to just sleep beside her, Jungkook figures it
wouldn’t be polite to sleep in the scene where his mother whispers her prayers.
As soon as his mother faces the tree again, Jungkook hurries over to the other
tree and settles himself comfortably under the shade.
He could see his mother bowing her head in prayer and he leans back against the
trunk of the tree, closing his eyes and feeling the cool evening breeze caress
his skin. In spite of his mother’s promising words, imagining himself being
with someone else other than Taehyung doesn’t feel right to him. Taehyung is
the only one in his life he’s so sure about-- even if it meant convincing the
Eternal Father that he’s a good enough person to walk through the gates of
heaven.
But maybe his mother is right.
If Taehyung really is meant for him, this wouldn’t have happened.
How is he supposed to know if he’s met the right one then? He couldn’t envision
anyone else being as fun and amazing as Taehyung is.
It’s impossible. He’ll just end up marrying a princess under his father’s
orders; that could be his fate too under the circumstances he's in. Perhaps
it'd be better if he doesn't dwell on it too much. He doesn't want his mother
worrying over him when she already has enough on her plate. He crosses his arms
over his chest and gives in to slumber after a few more moments of utter
silence.
“Kookie…”
Jungkook stirs awake upon feeling his mother’s gentle touch on his shoulder. He
looks up to find her smiling down at him very softly. “Are we heading back
now?” He asks, his voice groggy with sleep.
His mother chuckles and nods before offering her hand to him. “Come on now. We
need to hurry if we don’t want your father finding out.”
Jungkook hastily stands back up to his feet and takes his mother’s hand without
another word. Together, they begin to trek down the pathway. As they pass by
the tree where Jungkook had thought he and Taehyung will hold their wedding at,
Jungkook gives it a fleeting hopeful glance but only to be apprised by the
sight of nothing. Taehyung really isn’t coming back.
He feels a heavy tug in his chest but forces himself to pay no heed to it.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight, Mommy.” He says, looking up at
his mother.
"Should I have Mihee bring you a cup of warm milk then?” His mother asks
without giving him a glance, her head turning from side to side cautiously.
“That always works, doesn’t it?”
“Maybe. But I want--”
A tenacious grip around his wrist suddenly yanks Jungkook away from his
mother’s hold and he almost crashes down to the ground until the aggressor
wrenches him up by the arm, stretching the farthest point of his muscles.
Jungkook cries out in pain and tries to claw the grip away from him but when
the glint of a dagger comes up in sight, he freezes.
“Get away from him!” He hears his mother scream and before he knew it, he sees
her tearing the assailant away from him. Jungkook falls flat on his back, dirt
swirling and skying out all around him and his heart hammering within the tight
confines of his chest. He opens his eyes just in time to find his mother
reaching down to pick him up and he instinctively reaches his arms up to her to
be carried.
“Mommy!”
Just as she reached him, a blade glimmers from the moonlight above and slits
over his mother’s throat in a thin line right in front of him.
His mother’s eyes that have always been so affectionate glaze over, soulless.
Her lips that always know the right words to say part in instant shock.
Her body that is so warm and loving falls onto Jungkook, motionless
Jungkook’s eyes are wide with fright, feeling his mother’s blood gushing out
and pooling all over him. A figure moves in his range of view but he couldn’t
bring them out from his hazy vision. He feels his mother’s body being moved
away from him. Eventually, the sound of withdrawing steps rouses his senses and
he blinks the blurriness away, his cheeks warm and wet.
Walking away from him and his mother is a figure draped in a blood-stained blue
hooded cloak, their hand slipping a dagger that bears a blue handle and silver
crossguards down into their pocket.
===============================================================================
Seokjin stares at his very own reflection, somehow still striking this complete
situation as far too surreal. In front of him stands a Callian pet who does not
look as though he was raised in Gennaios at all. Before the servants lead him
to his chambers earlier, they have routed him straight for the bathroom where
they washed him up with practiced ease and patience. Unlike the servants in
Gennaios, these women were particularly chatty—asking him about what it is like
to be a pet in Gennaios and what kind of person the Prince is. Embarrassingly
enough, they even commended on how ‘well-endowed’ he is. It was strange seeing
servants speak in such a manner but he has to bring his own mind back to the
fact that this is no longer the land where he grew up in.
After the bath, they dressed him up in what he assumes is how Callian pets are
dressed. Similar to Jungkook’s disguise, he was given a pair of blue knee-
length slacks and embellished his neck and wrists with golden accessories that
are adorned with a few sapphires here and there. They have completely snapped
off his golden Gennaian collar. His ears have never been pierced but
conveniently enough, they only clipped the customary dangling sapphire earring
on instead. His cheeks have been dusted with faint gold glitter and his torso
had been delicately smeared with oil that has the sweet fragrance of coconut.
Looking at himself now just reminds him that he will continue on living his
life as a Callian pet after three days.
Jungkook and the rest will head back to Gennaios, expecting whatever the King
has in store for them. Seokjin will never see Jungkook take the throne that is
rightfully his. He will never see Taehyung freely showering Yoongi with his
affections in public. He won’t get to hear any of the ridiculously fascinating
rumors Jimin always has to offer. He’s even curious of what Mihee plans on
doing as soon as Jungkook wins her the freedom she deserves.
A knock on the door drags the blond away from his thoughts. As he turns, he
finds the Vasilika peeking into his chambers before pushing the door further
open. A delicate smile graces her glossed-up lips. “In need of a tour?” She
offers.
===============================================================================
“I cannot help but notice that you call your prince by his name?”
“Huh?” Seokjin looks down at the Vasilika who meets his gaze with a curious
smile, her arm hooked around his.
“Earlier, you called him by his name and I’m wondering if that is common in
Gennaios.”
“O-Oh…” Now that he has thought about it, Jungkook hardly reprimands him for
calling him by his first name anymore. Tentatively, he directs his eyes away
from the Vasilika and takes a thoughtless gander of the tall pillars in the
corridor that are carved into marvelous frames of headless women—each pillar
representing different body types. “Um, no. It’s not a common thing. I just
somehow found myself doing so. He doesn’t seem to mind. At least, not anymore.”
The Vasilika lets out a pleasant laugh at that. “You’re quite an interesting
pair. Such a shame that he’s decided to give you away. But I suppose fate is
fate. Perhaps you’re meant to belong to someone else.” Several servants offer
them polite bows as they pass by and the Vasilika smiles at them with a nod of
her head. “Which brings to my attention, I intend on introducing you to your
soon-to-be master. I’d like to take pride in the fact that I selected him
myself and he’s thrilled to meet you!”
“You…” Seokjin hesitates. “You don’t mean right now, right?”
The Vasilika’s smile falters uncertainly. “Oh. Is now a bad time?”
As if on cue, the tall double doors up ahead are pushed open by the guards from
the other side to give access to an unfamiliar tall man who’s still in the
midst of pulling off his riding gloves as he strides on. His flawless sun-
kissed complexion brings out the refreshing bluish purple of his eyes and his
short silvery blond curls are tousled to an exquisite mess over his brows. He
appears to be just as tall as Seokjin, or perhaps a few inches taller but he
has Jungkook’s physique—slim and muscular, or at least that’s what Seokjin
could pick up on from his hunting garbs. A jeweled brooch that presents two
serpents intertwined together around an apple can be seen pinned on his right
breast. He halts his tracks upon catching sight of Seokjin and the Vasilika and
a playful smile etches its way on his thin lips that frames his prominent jaw,
seemingly complacent at the sight. He treks on to their direction, taking his
precious time in doing so but the Vasilika doesn’t seem to mind as she waits
for him patiently.
“Vasilika.” He bows to the Callian ruler, his voice rich and warm. When he
directs his gaze at the other blond, a devilish glimmer flickers within the
innumerable flecks of vibrant blue and purple in his eyes. “And you must be
Seokjin?”
Seokjin just stares back at him, somehow frozen in spot. To say that the man is
attractive would be a complete understatement. The stranger carries the dashing
charm of someone who is certainly used to earning attracted glances from those
around him but doesn’t have the need to gloat about it. He has those expressive
eyes and distinct cheekbones that people would so easily swoon over and Seokjin
is no exception.
The man’s smile wavers to a meager degree as he waves a hand in front of
Seokjin’s face. “Hello?”
“O-Oh…” Seokjin wills himself out of his reverie, colored heat warming his
cheeks. “Sorry. I… um… I uh—I mean--”
“This is Seokjin, yes.” The Vasilika saves him, pulling him closer to her. “The
one I was telling you about earlier. Seokjin, meet Navroz; my brother by
marriage. He is to be your master if you’ve proven yourself enough to be well-
behaved.”
“A pleasure to meet you.” Navroz’s lips stretch to a genuinely sweet smile. “Is
it true that you’re a pet of the Gennaian prince?”
“Um… y-yes…” Seokjin manages to stutter out.
“That must be a hellish ride for you then.” Navroz’s eyes twinkle with light
humor. “Well, you don’t have to worry anymore. You’ll be mine soon enough and
trust me, you’ll like me more. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m in need of a bath
before supper starts. I’ll see you later.” He gives Seokjin’s chin a light
touch with his knuckle before giving the Vasilika another bow then brushing
past them.
Seokjin watches his retreating back, though he could feel the Vasilika’s stare
lingering on him.
“Do you like him already?”
He hesitates.
“Not really.”
“Well you should.” The Vasilika reaches over to caress his jaw and turn his
head towards her direction. “Much like Prince Jungkook, any pet would kill to
be in the possession of Navroz. He’s not exactly one to purchase pets but you
are apparently an exception. You’re a lucky boy.” Before Seokjin could have a
chance to respond, a servant steps in and leans up to whisper almost too nimbly
in the Vasilika’s ear. The Vasilika sighs at this and gently waves the servant
off before smiling again at Seokjin. “Duty calls. Feel free to take a gander of
the palace, if you must. I know that you’ll love it here. Every full moon, our
fireflies tend to grace us with their presence so don’t miss that. See you at
supper!”
Without another word, she takes her leave along with the rest of the servants
trailing behind her. Seokjin watches her for a while, still not entirely sure
how to feel about all this. His future master is undoubtedly an attractive
sight to see but that doesn’t change the possibility of what kind of person he
could be behind closed doors. Jungkook is unbelievably attractive too but that
never stopped him from being a beast. He had also let his guard down when he
met Lord Choi, as well as when he met the King.
He just has no idea who to trust anymore.
“Oh, Seokjin!”
Seokjin nearly jumps at the precipitous calling of his name from behind and he
turns to find Hoseok and Jungkook just entering the corridor. Hoseok is attired
in Callian highborn garbs while Jungkook is clad in a fresh new set of Gennaian
garbs which what he may have packed in his satchel. Like always, a chummy smile
could be seen tugging the corners of Hoseok’s lips, though Jungkook remains to
be as impassive as ever. Trailing behind them are Jimin and two more Gennaian
guards.
The mere sight of Junkook immediately makes Seokjin’s blood boil.
“What are you doing wandering around here by yourself?” Hoseok asks as soon as
they reach the blond, but he doesn’t bother giving Seokjin enough time to
respond for he quickly adds a comment as an afterthought. “Wow, now you
definitely look like a Callian pet! Blue really suits you!”
“Oh, thank you.” Seokjin maintains his gaze down on the floor as he gives them
a bow of acknowledgment.
“Look up.” Jungkook speaks up, not a trace of guilt in his tone whatsoever.
Seokjin meets his eyes but comes across nothing from the cold detached look the
Prince is giving him. Seokjin matches it with a hard one but wills himself not
to speak up out of spite. He doesn’t want Hoseok nor Jimin thinking he doesn’t
hold even an ounce of respect for their Prince after all. Lengthy strained
silence seizes the atmosphere but eventually, Jungkook heaves an inward sigh
and breaks the constricted lull of the air. “I expect you to be in your best
behavior tonight, pet. Otherwise, you would have made this entire trip
pointless.”
Seokjin could feel the scowl slowly curling his lips. “Best behavior?”
Jungkook nods, guileless. “Yes. Don’t disappoint me.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Hey now…” Hoseok takes a step forward, his expression hesitant and unsettled.
“Let’s try not to make a scene—“
“All this time,” Seokjin cuts him off, his glare lingering on Jungkook. “you’ve
been planning on trading me away without telling me. Why?”
“S-Seokjin,” Hoseok persists on. “like I said, let’s not cause a scene here. It
wouldn’t look good if someone sees us and—“
“Leave us, Hoseok.” Jungkook tells him in his signature frigid tone. He then
turns his head slightly to the side without breaking eye contact with his pet.
“Same goes for you, Jimin. I need some privacy alone with him.”
Hoseok and Jimin exchange glances but without the audacity of objecting, they
leave along with the other guards. Annoyance smolders beneath the coldhearted
front Jungkook is so competent on exhibiting though it bears no dread on the
blond. It doesn’t work like that anymore.  Seokjin could feel the anger
simmering and churning deep within his own system, a tight nerve working along
his taut jaw. Although he had convinced himself earlier that Jungkook holds no
obligation in apprising him about his business affairs, the blond still
couldn’t help himself from growing rigid with fury.
He’s tired.
Tired of being tossed around by the highborn like he’s some inanimate object.
Tired of everyone wanting to be in his shoes just for the perks of it without
bothering to understand what exactly he’s been going through.
Tired of all the deceit.
The manipulation.
The cruelty.
But most of all, he’s tired of not having control over his own life.
He never should have tried to resolve what Jungkook has been up to. He should
have just kept his head down and his lips shut just like how he had been taught
and raised to do in the tavern. Then perhaps that sliver of hope he had about
how things will turn over a new leaf would never have bloomed in his mindset.
He never would have minded being traded away to a Callian master if he had no
idea that Jungkook intends on setting the Gennaian pets free.
He never would have cared at all.
“What do you want me to do?” Jungkook’s voice splits the silence apart, his
tone hard.
“Explain.” Seokjin speaks through gritted teeth.  “Why you never told me about
all this.”
Jungkook fixates his stare on him for another second or two before letting out
a sigh and running his delicate digits through his dark hair. “Nobodyknew about
it until now. I never told anyone.”
Seokjin’s glare falters to a meager degree, not expecting that kind of answer.
“What? Why?”
“Because I knew Hoseok and the rest would be against it. I couldn’t risk
dwindling any more time on contemplating whether or not I should do it. I have
no idea what the people here are doing to my pets. Wasting more of my time only
means giving my brother enough of it to throw me off.”
“But… you can always save your pets once you’ve—“
“—reigned king?” A dry humorless laugh pushes past Jungkook’s lips. “I’ve told
you before, pet. I can’t promise anything. If my brother wins, then the best
that I can do is get rid of my uncle and keep my pets under my care. Even if
that meant giving you away.”
“You have Yoongi and the others at your side!” Seokjin takes a step forward,
frustration building up in him. “If you really do want to fight for your
throne, then eventually giving it up shouldn’t even be considered at all!
Everyone I know is lying, hiding, surviving and fighting for you!”
“They’re all doing that because they will all get their own rewards by the end
of it, not because they like me.” Jungkook suddenly snaps, his tone as keen and
cutting as the blade he had used to effortlessly slice the commander’s head
off. “If I earn my throne, Taehyung and Mihee will be set free. Jimin will get
to see his family again. Hoseok will be allowed to pursue my sister. Even
Yoongi, who told me before to just let my brother be, just started working for
me as long as he gets to be with Taehyung freely in the end. I don’t have their
loyalty. I have their cooperation. Let’s face it, I’m the least likable person
you know. It wouldn’t make sense if people have come this way for me without
getting something out of it in return. If my brother offered them the same
rewards just for them to easily turn their backs on me and have me killed, then
they wouldn’t hesitate whatsoever.”
Prickles of disbelief gnaws the inside of the blond’s stomach. The way Jungkook
had said it almost made it seem as though he doesn’t give a damn whether or not
people like him. The Prince is not an idiot-- Seokjin is sure that he’s well-
aware that even his own personal guards hold no respect for him. The royal
council looks down on him. The townsfolk spit at the mere sight of him.
And yet, he doesn’t seem to care.
“How… How can you rule Gennaios if you’re fine with people hating your guts?”
Seokjin’s tone comes off as faint this time, tired doubt overruling his
resentment.
Jungkook locks eyes with him, unwavering. “...I’d rather have people hate me
than die for me.”
Suddenly, the doors are pushed open and Seokjin turns to find a female servant
just stepping in but immediately pausing her steps upon seeing them. Her eyes
deviate from Seokjin, to the Prince, then back to Seokjin again. She gives both
of them a bow before speaking up in Callian, “My apologies for interrupting but
I would like to inform you that supper is ready.”
“Thank you.” Jungkook speaks in the same tongue. “We’ll be there right away.”
The servant nods and takes her leave almost too quickly. Seokjin turns to look
back at Jungkook, not wanting this discussion to end just yet but when he sees
Jungkook closing the distance between them, he feels his pulse quickening.
Startlingly, the stone cold gaze that normally clouds over the Prince’s soft
features have ceased to a mildly uneasy one. As soon as he’s close enough for
the blond to tower over him, Jungkook casts his eyes to the side almost
timidly.
“You should know,” he says, his tone quiet and faltering. “if I had a choice, I
wouldn’t give you away. And I hate myself just for that bare thought.”
Just as he brushes past him, Seokjin takes his hand in his to hold him back.
Jungkook looks back at him, mildly taken by surprise.
But Seokjin keeps his eyes determined on him. “Then promise me one thing. Once
you’ve claimed your crown, take me back.”
He knows it’s insane and unhealthy to want the person who had struck him and
belittled his entire existence to take him back as soon as he can but Seokjin
still wants to hold onto that last thread of hope that he could still
eventually attain his own free will, even when that thread is slowly but surely
slipping through his fingers.
Jungkook looks down at their hands then back at the blond.
“If I claim my crown,” He finally says after a long pause. “then I'll see what
I can do.”
===============================================================================
As it turns out, supper is spent outside the palace where the highborn dine
with the townsfolk. Everyone brings their own contribution of food to the
table. The townsfolk bring in their homemade goods while the highborn bring
theirs that were made by their finest personal ‘culinary artists’-- or as they
prefer to be called. Several tables are assembled right before a bonfire that
has been braced in the middle of a stone firepit, the flames flickering and
flourishing to tall vigor. The falling night veils the sky with a vast expanse
of binding darkness, small specks of light speckling above them like delicate
jewels. Children shriek and laugh as they gallivant around, chasing Taehyung
who has undoubtedly befriended most of them by now. Just like Seokjin, Taehyung
is dressed in how a Callian pet is usually dressed; though they were both given
dark blue linen shirts to wear for the occasion. Evenings can be unbearably
cold in Callias. Navroz then suddenly comes picking one child up in the midst
of their game and the child cracks up, playfully calling Taehyung out for help.
The smell of smoke weaves along with the rich aroma of the dishes varying from
roasted pigs and seafood drizzled in different kinds of sauce to large platters
of splashy fruits. Yoongi is near the buffet table, assisting the elders and
the servants in arranging the dishes almost rather timidly. His complexion
surfaces out as ghostly white in comparison to the aged Callians. The elders
seem to appreciate him though for they smile at him and keep on pinching his
cheek. If someone else were to do that, Yoongi would have swatted their hand
away. But instead, he looks uncharacteristically shy. Mihee joins in to help
him and Yoongi appears to be immensely relieved for her presence.
For some reason, Hoseok is away from the crowd and near the guards-- laughing
along with Jimin.
“You’re the Prince of Gennaios?” Seokjin and Jungkook are welcomed by a man who
is of an abundant size with long graying hair and ocean-hued eyes that are
afire with delighted tenderness. A genuine smile hides behind his lengthy beard
that is dappled with the shades of salt and pepper. He’s draped in blue
highborn garbs and judging by the jeweled brooch he has that is similar to
Navroz’s, Seokjin could only assume that he’s a member of the Vasilika’s
family.
Jungkook sizes him up with one look before nodding his head. “Yes, Prince
Jungkook of Gennaios.”
“Splendid!” The man roars out a thunderous laugh and with one swift wave of his
arms, he pulls Jungkook up to a tight embrace-- completely lifting the startled
Prince off the ground. “Welcome to Callias, young man!” Jungkook almost loses
trace of his footing once he’s been lowered back down, his face beet red at the
aging man’s unforeseen action.
“T-Thank you.” He reaches up to adjust the golden circlet over his head.
The man then grins down at Seokjin. “Seokjin, yes?”
Seokjin nods a bit hesitantly. “Are you… Are you going to hug me too?”
“Of course!” The man gives him his own embrace as well, lifting him up just as
he did with the Prince. “We are thrilled to have you here! Welcome home!”
Seokjin lets out an embarrassing yelp but somehow, the embrace is more
comfortable than he thought.
Once he’s been lowered down, a young plump woman with an endearing face verges
upon them. Seokjin catches sight of the similar brooch on her dress. “I see
you’ve met the Vasilika’s father.” She giggles, her hand coming up to pat the
man’s arm. “Don’t scare them now. They’ve had a long day.”
“They look fine to me.” The Vasilika’s father laughs as he reaches over to mess
with Jungkook’s hair, almost knocking off the circlet in the process. “And
don’t refer to me as the Whilom Vasilikis. Reminds me too much of my old man.
Call me Kronos, all right? And this lovely lady here is my daughter-in-law,
Athenaia.” He gestures to the woman who bashfully brushes her curly golden hair
out of her enticing blue-purple eyes that match her brother’s. “She doesn’t
like being called the Second Vasilika so just call her by her name as well.”
“You’re married to the Vasilika?” Seokjin asks, interest piqued.
“Yes.” Athenaia smiles with demure pride. “Our wedding was three moons ago so I
am still getting the hang of…” She gestures to her dress. “...well, the royal
life.”
“Athenaia used to be my daughter’s pet.” Kronos gives her a proud kiss on the
head. “Always been quite a shy child but she’s slowly coming out of her shell.
My daughter has been making sure of that.”
“Fascinating.” Jungkook comments and strangely enough, there is not a hint of
derision in his tone. “So you are perfectly fine with your daughter marrying
someone of the same gender?”
“What’s there not to be fine with?” Kronos beams proudly. “My daughter can be
too impulsive for her own good but Athenaia mellows her down. Athenaia used to
be afraid of social interactions but my daughter has been giving her a lot of
confidence. If they’re happy, then I’m happy just as much!”
“What about children?” Jungkook points out and Seokjin looks at him
quizzically. “Who will take over the throne after your daughter?”
“Adoption is always an option, my boy! Gracious behavior doesn’t run in one’s
veins, but in how they’re raised.”
“Kronos!”
Two children suddenly comes bounding up to Kronos, expertly climbing over his
enormous frame and shrieking as another child runs to them with a tiny roar.
Kronos laughs and keeps hold of the two kids before running away from the one
that is portraying a monster, or at least that’s what Seokjin thinks. Athenaia
giggles again as she watches them leave before turning back to the two, her
smile faltering a bit shyly.
“Well, feel free to go to the buffet table if you’re hungry. I’ll just go and
check on my wife. She’s still in our room, looking through important scrolls
with her mother.” She rolls her eyes in a comical manner. “She’s been so busy
ever since she became a Vasilika.”
“At least she has you.” Seokjin smiles at her politely.
Athenaia’s face flushes at that and she nods. “That’s nice of you. Thank you.
But it's her mother who she mostly listens to. I-I’ll take my leave then.”
Seokjin watches her walk away but when he sees Jungkook about to stride on
towards the buffet table, he reaches over to hold him back by tugging the cuff
of his sleeve. Jungkook stops and casts his eyes on him confusedly.
“What?”
“What’s with your sudden curiosity about the Vasilika’s affairs with Athenaia?”
“Why, am I not allowed to be curious?” The Prince frowns.
“It’s not that. It just doesn’t seem like you to be that fascinated.”
“It’s not a big deal.” Jungkook pulls himself away from his grip and walks on
to the buffet table where Hoseok is now standing. Hoseok smiles at his arrival
and points at several dishes, most likely recommending a few. Jungkook nods as
he listens but he doesn’t seem to be entirely focused on what his friend is
telling him.
But then he looks back over his shoulder and when his eyes meet Seokjin’s, he
quickly directs his focus back to the delicacies displayed before him.
Seokjin blinks.
What was that about?
Chapter End Notes
     YAY 1000+ kudos!!
     Huge appreciation for Marmoset and Insoo for really looking into the
     details in the last update!! While I can't confirm any of your
     theories yet, I think it's safe to say that you got most of them
     spot-on! Like wow, I'm so happy people are this enraptured by the
     story! So amazing! c:
     Also, I made a Twitter account if you guys want to know more stuff
     about HV and the other stories I've been working on. I'm gradually
     trying to be active there as well. ^^
     You'll learn more about the Callian pets in the next chappie.
     Comments and kudos are much appreciated!
***** I'll Be Good *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Seokjin couldn’t remember the last time he had been this immensely mesmerized.
Music plays from one end to the other as Callian pets swing and twist smoothly
in front of the bonfire, their golden bangles and their tambourines fiddling
along to the whimsical tune. Unlike Seokjin, they have all discarded their blue
linen shirts for their performance-- flaunting their physical grace and allure.
The way they make eye contact with their audience as they move around can send
a delighted shiver down anybody’s spine. The flames grant their sun-kissed
complexion and their blonde locks a luminous orange and gold glow as they glide
from one place to the other, every single one of them in flawless
synchronization.
One female pet in particular has been maintaining her sultry gaze on Jungkook.
Seokjin tears his eyes away from the sensuous performance to look at the Prince
seated beside him only to find him watching the girl back with his common
impassive look. People can barely catch his scrutiny this long. He has barely
even touched his food; his plate still vivid with the splash of colorful fruits
and vegetables. If anything, he’s only been letting the servants refill his
drink. Is he actually interestedthis time? Seokjin feels a flicker of annoyance
flare within him but then he drives it away to the back of his mind.
“They’re splendid, aren’t they?” Navroz remarks from his other side, a diverted
smile curving his lips. “It took them years to master that sort of artistry.
People say they have danced through flames bare-skinned, but I have yet to see
that myself. The pet handlers here never let anyone watch a pet’s training,
sadly enough. But these pets know how to entertain any type of person. Soon
enough, you will be joining them in their performance.”
Seokjin can feel the slight coloring of his cheeks at the thought of him
swaying so sensuously with the other Callian pets. It doesn’t seem like a
pretty sight to him. “I’m not much of a dancer.” He responds with a small
sheepish smile, his hand subconsciously rubbing the back of his neck.
A look of genuine surprise passes over Navroz’s handsome face. “Really? Then
what form of art did they teach you in Gennaios?”
Form of art? Is that supposed to be a thing for pets?
“U-Um…” Seokjin clears his throat in an attempt of taking his time in answering
that. “I don’t really know what you would consider a form of art. We’ve just
been taught to be submissive and to be adaptable in the… erm… you know...
sheets.” He then takes a deep swig of his wine, but immediately regrets it as
he nearly spits it out.
“Pssh, I’m not surprised.” Navroz scoffs in dry hilarity. “Pardon my words but
Gennaians are savages.”
Now that leaves a far more bitter taste on Seokjin’s tongue than the wine did.
“My friends are Gennaians.” He finds himself pointing out before he could even
consider the course of his thoughts.
“My point still stands.” Navroz then nods over to Taehyung who’s seated at
another table nearby, far too occupied in stealing from Yoongi’s plate with his
bare hand to even notice that he’s being watched.
“T-That’s…” Seokjin falters, slight frustration building up within him. “That’s
just Taehyung being Taehyung and I like him that way. He doesn’t represent the
entire Gennaian race.”
Navroz looks entertained, much to Seokjin’s annoyance. “Okay, then what about…
your little prince?” He leans in to whisper the latter part of his sentence, a
devious smirk playing across his lips. “If I heard it right, he sends those who
so much as give him a bad look to public flogging. He even intended on sharing
you with his guards without your consent. I don’t know about you but a prince’s
actions represent his entire people.”
“Then you’ve heard wrong.” Seokjin fails to fight back the scowl that curls his
lips. Has the King been making sure those words scatter throughout all the
lands? “I’ve never seen him have someone flogged at all and he makes sure
mutual consent is present before letting me sleep with other people.”
“So he doesshare you with other people?”
“What-- t-that’s none of your business…!” Seokjin hisses through gritted teeth,
scandalized.
Navroz laughs at him and for once, Seokjin would rather be locked up in his
chambers again than see a genuine smile on someone's face. This guy evidently
enjoys getting a rise out of him as though Seokjin’s emotions are nothing but
entertainment for him to luxuriate in. Navroz then leans in closer, his fingers
reaching up to give the other blond’s jaw a gentle grip. Seokjin’s first
instinct is to break away from him but upon thinking over the number of
forbidden barriers he had already stepped over while interacting with him as a
pet, he decides to keep still. For now.
“I think you should know that it willbe my business soon enough.” Navroz runs
his thumb over Seokjin’s smooth cheek, his eyes tracing over the other male’s
lips. “I have to know how much influence those savages have bestowed on you. I
don’t want an untamed beast in my bed after all.”
Seokjin immediately jerks away from him in disgust. Just as he does this, a
small thin slice of tomato comes flinging over straight to Navroz’s face. Where
in the world did that come from? Seokjin jumps in surprise but Navroz doesn’t
even flinch. Slowly, the taller Callian reaches up and peels the slice away
from his face with a bewildered look clouding his features. Together, they
glance at Jungkook’s direction but the Prince is already in the midst of
standing from his seat and dropping the napkin he had just used to wipe his
fingers.
“How immature.” Navroz mutters begrudgingly but Seokjin just disregards him as
a barely noticeable smile stretches his lips.
Jungkook doesn’t cast a glance at him though. Instead, he turns to face the
Vasilika. “This has been a delightful meal but I’m afraid I will have to call
it a night. I haven’t gotten a decent sleep since the beginning of our trip.”
“Oh, of course!” The Vasilika stands up to give him a kiss on the cheek before
squeezing his shoulders gently. “I hope to see you tomorrow for the morning
meal, yes? Perhaps you can go hunting with my brother-in-law.”
“I’ll pass.” Navroz pipes in with a roll of his eyes. “Hunting is what makes me
unwind. I don’t want to waste that by babysitting him.”
“Lord Navroz,” The Vasilika gives him a stiff warning smile. “Prince Jungkook
is our guest. Please behave.”
“That’s very kind of you but I’m not very keen on the idea of hunting.”
Jungkook says then shoots a frown at Navroz’s direction. Navroz makes a show
out of it by waving a small cut of ham before popping it into his mouth.
Jungkook just shakes his head and glances back at the Vasilika. “I’ll be on my
way then. Good night.”
“Good night as well.” The Vasilika smiles at him then goes back to her seat.
“Pet,” Seokjin immediately straightens his back upon the sound of Jungkook
calling him. “you’ll be attending me in my chambers so follow me.”
“Oh. All right.”
“Have fun.” Navroz says that sounds a bit too bitter.
Seokjin stands up from his seat anyway and hurries after Jungkook who wastes no
time in waiting for him. The royal guards give them respectful bows when they
enter the palace but Jungkook pays them no heed, his pace somehow leaning
towards more to a sluggish tone. Seokjin tries to walk in the same pace with
him and when he pulls an attempt of catching a glimpse of the Prince’s face, he
finds the young man's eyes unfocused and his cheeks flushed with intoxication.
“What did I tell you about drinking too much?” The blond frowns disapprovingly.
“That it’s good for the heart.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Didn’t you?” Jungkook tilts his head slightly to the side, giving the
impression of a wondering innocent boy. “Maybe that was Hoseok. Did you know
that he’s very well-versed in justifying my actions?”
Seokjin shakes his head and tugs the inebriated Prince by the wrist to
carefully steer him to the right direction. “Were you the one who tossed that
tomato to Navroz’s face?”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy the sight.” Jungkook leisurely pulls his arm
away from his grip. “He was bothering you, was he not?”
“That…” Seokjin hesitates. “...doesn’t matter. I’ll be his soon enough, so I
should might as well get comfortable with him.”
Jungkook lets out an obnoxious breath of disbelief-- something he never would
have done if sober. “But you aremine until the third day of our stay here. I
don’t remember letting him touch you.”
“Since when did you care who touches me?”
“That’s my room.”
Jungkook nudges him to the door to their right, unsurprisingly avoiding
Seokjin’s question. Seokjin just decides to let the subject go though. He knows
enough that there’s no point in drawing in any satisfying answers from the
Prince even if he begs for it. As he pushes the door open, Jungkook suddenly
brushes past him with so much haste and drops himself to the bed on his
stomach.
Wow, he must have had quite a share of wine.
Seokjin purses his lips in subtle discretion as he steps in and closes the door
behind him. Jungkook’s shoulders heave up then down to a heavy sigh before he
flips over to his back, his arms spread out on the mattress. He gives Seokjin a
clouded gaze as his fringes sway to the side along with the way he tilts his
head. “Well? Aren’t you going to attend me?”
Seokjin scratches the back of his neck. “Um, would you mind getting up to your
feet first?”
Jungkook moves his head to stare up at the ceiling before closing his eyes.
“Yes, I would mind.”
Knowing that this conversation will just go around in circles if he persists on
talking the Prince into standing up, Seokjin softly clears his throat and moves
closer to the bed. Jungkook makes no movement. In fact, his body that is
typically unrelaxed with frazzled suspicions seems composed and indolent. But
then again, he always behaves in such a manner when inebriated so this is not
news to Seokjin.
The blond takes a seat beside him and silently takes in the sight displayed
before him. It would undoubtedly be nice if Jungkook could actually unwind like
this without the need for alcohol. The fact that he has been dependent on
drinking as an act of taking a breather bothers Seokjin, but who is he to tell
the younger male what to do and what not to do? He’s just his pet after all.
And if things go according to plan, they will part ways. It shouldn’t matter to
Seokjin anymore whether or not Jungkook lives through his drinking problem. He
still can’t be too certain if Jungkook will ever even come back for him. He
should might as well become adept in living in his homeland.
Dragging out a soft sigh, Seokjin reaches out to unravel the first clasp of the
Prince's top. Jungkook still doesn’t move a muscle and Seokjin takes that as a
sign to venture on. He continues unfastening each clasp until the very end. He
then looks back at Jungkook but he still has his eyes closed. Is he asleep?
That can’t be comfortable seeing as he is still wearing his leather boots.
Seokjin moves down to the floor and to his knees to pull the Prince’s boots
off. Jungkook grunts at that but doesn’t say anything.
Just as Seokjin finally got rid of his boots, Jungkook eventually sits up in
the groggiest manner the blond has ever seen him execute. His dark hair is in
an attractive mess and as he pulls out his red garb off of his torso to reveal
his usual white linen shirt underneath, Seokjin realizes that he’s flushed down
to his neck. Jungkook runs his fingers through his black locks as he tosses his
crimson top carelessly to the side.
But when his eyes meet Seokjin’s, he pauses his movements.
Seokjin stays on his knees and stares back at Jungkook’s incomprehensible eyes.
Silence looms over them, neither of the two daring to break it. Seokjin’s mind
vigorously searches for a relevant topic to bring up, or even at least bring
him the nerve to ask Jungkook if he could take his leave but somehow, he finds
his words caught in his throat. His stomach shifts uneasily and when he sees
Jungkook’s eyes trailing down to his lips, his heart abruptly starts racing.
All of a sudden, he remembers the first time he had seen the Prince-- he was so
enraptured by his physical charm that he almost forgot the reputation Jungkook
carries with him. He remembers how serene and childlike he had looked when he
had fallen asleep beside him, how embarrassed he was being when he admitted his
fear of rainstorms, reminding Seokjin that no matter how cold he is, he still
has a vulnerable side. He remembers how he had injured himself protecting him
from Lord Choi.
But most of all, he suddenly remembers his words about not giving him away if
given the choice.
It isn’t healthy getting caught up in this whirlwind of emotions for someone
who had hit him and belittled his existence but in some way, Seokjin pays no
mind to that anymore.
Because in spite of all the flaws Jungkook has made, it is no secret that he’s
giving his all for the best of everyone.
Even if it meant sacrificing his own health and personal needs in the process.
Seokjin never thought it would be possible for him to hold this depth of
feeling for someone.
“Do you like it here.” Jungkook’s indecisive tone slivers into the lull of his
chambers, his eyes meeting Seokjin’s again.
Seokjin swallows down the lump that has latched onto his throat. “I-I… um…
Callias is… I mean, the people… are nice.”
Something flickers in Jungkook’s eyes but he doesn’t say anything. He then
eventually looks away. “No, I meant here... in my chambers.”
Seokjin’s heart skips a beat. “O-Oh… You mean, you want me to…” He takes a
gander of the room for a fleeting moment before directing his gaze back on the
Prince. “You’re not comfortable sleeping in a place you’re not familiar with?”
“That’s one way to put it.” Jungkook stands up and Seokjin takes this as a hint
to get back up on his feet as well.
“I’m thirsty.” And just like that, Jungkook’s assertive detached tone recovers.
“Refill my cup.” He gestures to the low table nearby as he begins untucking his
shirt from his trousers. Seokjin wastes no more time in standing around and
walks over to the table where a golden goblet and a pitcher are situated. The
tension that once furnished the air has left without a trace and naturally,
Seokjin isn’t sure whether or not he should be relieved. He doesn’t know where
their circumstances will leave him at if they do something right before they
put an end to whatever connection they have.
After filling the goblet up, he turns to walk back to Jungkook but stops when
he finds the Prince already walking towards him and reaching for his drink.
Wordlessly, Seokjin hands it to him but Jungkook doesn’t stop walking until
he’s standing closer than usual. He takes the cup, their fingers deliberately
brushing against each other as he does so. Seokjin stares down at him but
Jungkook doesn’t meet his eyes, though his face is still just as flushed as
earlier. He takes a quick sip from his drink, stops, then puts it down on the
table beside them. Seokjin keeps himself still. Somehow, he could feel the
intoxicated warmth exuding from the younger male but unlike before, not a touch
of dread is striking his nerves.
The last two times he had seen Jungkook inebriated are when he got struck to
the face for running his mouth and when he was threatened to behave if he
wanted to keep his best friend alive.
But the air Jungkook has with him now is different.
Jungkook maintains the slim distance between them but for some reason, he
wouldn’t meet his eyes.
“Jungkook?” Seokjin tries to catch his attention, thinking that the Prince’s
mind must have wandered off.
But when Jungkook looks up at him, Seokjin finds himself catching on the look
in his eyes for the very first time. Flustered hesitation brews behind the
Prince’s enticing hazed stare and Seokjin feels a throbbing anticipation within
himself. His fingers twitch and his heart races.
Slowly, Jungkook breaks the silence. “Close your eyes.”
Seokjin’s first instinct is to do so as commanded but when he takes another
good look of the rosiness in Jungkook’s cheeks and the buzzed aspect veiling
his eyes, he remembers one important detail that he should have thought of in
the first place.
Jungkook isn’t thinking straight.
If they do something tonight, the chances of Jungkook regretting it the next
morning are high.
And Seokjin doesn’t want to be anybody’s regret.
“I-I can’t.” He says with as much self-control as he could muster.
Jungkook furrows his brows slightly. “Why.”
“You’re not yourself.”
Jungkook searches his face for a moment before taking another step closer.
Seokjin keeps himself still, prepared to gently push him away if he insists.
But instead, Jungkook just sighs and rests his forehead on his shoulder before
taking in a deep drag of breath, his hand coming up to clutch onto the blond’s
arm.
“What a fucking mess.”
A soft breath of laughter slips out of Seokjin’s lips at that. That surely is
one way to describe whatever is happening between them.
“You’ll be all right.” He assures him, giving him a gentle pat on the shoulder.
Jungkook then pulls away to look back at him. “Neither of us will be all right
by the end of this.”
“We will be.” Seokjin smiles at him, hoping that would ease the young Prince’s
nerves.
Jungkook just nods though and finally steps further away from him, untangling
the laces around the cuffs of his shirt. “You can sleep in your own chambers
tonight. It wouldn’t be wise for you to stay here.”
Seokjin nods understandingly at that. “All right. Are you going to be okay
here?” Taking in the vulnerable state Jungkook is in right now and remembering
how there aren’t any guards outside his chambers, it would be very imprudent to
leave the Prince by himself-- unarmed.
Jungkook looks back at him almost too quickly, stopping his actions to a rigid
pause. “Why, because I had too much to drink...?” He then resumes back to
untangling the laces. “I’m not going to hurt anyone, don’t worry. I’ll be
good.”
“N-No.” Seokjin doesn’t have to think twice to realize that the Prince has
misinterpreted his concern. “I meant--”
“I’ll be good.” Jungkook turns his back to him, now walking over to his bed.
“Get some sleep, pet.”
Taking into account the dismissive tone that binds the Prince’s words, Seokjin
keeps his mouth closed and nods his head before quietly taking his leave. As he
steps out of the room and closes the door, he lets out a tired tedious sigh.
Pet.
The word rings in his mind. Normally, the sound of his title would just slip
through one ear to the other.
But now, it’s different.
For once, the title has an effect on him.
And it doesn’t feel good.
“Oh, Jin!”
He quickly pulls away from his thoughts just in time to find Navroz walking
down the corridor towards him. Marvelous.
“My name is Seokjin.”
“It sounds funny.” Navroz shrugs carelessly. “I’m calling you Jin. So I see
your master isn’t in the mood to have you around.” Evident amusement glimmers
within the taller blond’s eyes and Seokjin fights back a scowl.
“He’s tired.”
“Of you?”
Seokjin clenches his jaw. “What can I help you with?”
Navroz laughs again and claps his hand against Seokjin’s back, drawing him away
from the Jungkook's door. “I just wanted to show you something nice. Frankly,
I’m not even allowed to show this to you at least until your little prince is
away but there has been a change of plans.”
Seokjin gives him a doubtful look. “What are you going on about?”
Navroz cocks a brow at him, though a pleased smile still stretches his lips.
“Wow, Gennaian pets sure are different.”
Seokjin brushes his arm away from him. “Where are you taking me?”
Navroz holds up his hands in mock defense. “Calm down, princess. I’m not going
to hurt you. Like I said, I just wanted to show you something nice. You’ll
thank me for this.”
Seokjin isn’t entirely what it is but something doesn’t feel right. He throws a
look back at Jungkook’s chambers only to find the door still shut. “Um, perhaps
I should head back to the feast first and find some soldiers to stand guard
outside Jungkook’s--”
“Unbelievable.” Navroz rolls his eyes. “You doubt your own people. What makes
you think we’d want to hurt the brat? He’s beneath us. We wouldn’t waste a
perfectly clean blade on him.”
“You’re rude.”
“Great observation skills.”
Seokjin opts to end the conversation there and keep quiet, annoyance prickling
his skin. Is this really the man he will be spending his days with once
Jungkook and the others take their leave? Because he’s taking a dim view of the
possibility of him tolerating the guy for another second. Eventually, Navroz
tugs his hand to put a stop to their tracks and Seokjin directs his eyes to the
door before them. Navroz fishes out a tiny silver key from his pocket and
unlocks the door before pushing it open, darkness welcoming them from the other
side.
“Wait here.” Navroz steps in and is consumed by the bare obscurity of the room.
Seokjin stays outside, his fingers restlessly tapping on his sides.
This really doesn’t feel right.
Candlelights gradually come into view and right before his eyes, he finds large
objects draped in white sheets. Navroz is inside, lighting up the last candle
before looking back at him. “Come on then, Jin. We don’t have all night.”
“What are we doing?” Seokjin warily steps into the room, looking around in
genuine caution as though something will jump at him from the shadows any
moment.
“Digging out a few fragments of the past.” Navroz takes his hand again and
pulls him further into the room as Seokjin avoids knocking off any of the items
in the way. They then stop to a large object that bears a rectangular shape,
also draped in a white sheet. Navroz grins somewhat giddily at whatever it is
they’re about to do and Seokjin looks at him in bewilderment. Navroz gestures
to the item. “I think I should give you the honor of pulling the sheet off.”
Seokjin glances at the object displayed in front of them then back at Navroz.
“I’ll… I’ll pass. I should head back--”
“This is harmless.” Navroz pulls him back just when Seokjin makes an attempt of
stepping away. “Honestly, what did those savages tell you about us? Just pull
the sheet off.”
Seokjin stares at it again, his heart hammering within his chest. He doesn’t
know what he’s particularly scared of. It doesn’t look like a weapon but for
some reason, knowing how much of a jerk Navroz can be and seeing how excited he
is about this, he doubts that whatever is under that cloak would be anything
but pleasant. Taking a deep breath, Seokjin reaches his hand out and takes the
fabric between his fingers before pulling it away.
The sheet drops to the floor in a gentle wave, dust scattering out from
underneath.
Seokjin stares at the familiar pair of blue eyes that are looking right back at
him.
He recalls how warm and loving those eyes used to look at him.
He recalls how they used spark up with great defiance when injustice came their
way.
And he recalls the tears they shed as she kissed him farewell in the dead of
the night.
Seokjin stares at the flawlessly-detailed painting of his mother dressed in a
magnificent cerulean gown with a brooch of two serpents tangled together around
an apple pinned above her right breast.
But what really catches his eye is the golden circlet neatly placed on top of
his mother's head.
Chapter End Notes
     This was supposed to be posted on Kookie's birthday but life got in
     the way. Pssssshhhhh
     The song "I'll Be Good" by Jaymes Young is the inspiration for this
     chapter. If you want to understand Kookie's character more, try
     listening to it! :D
     By the way, I have a new_story up if you guys are interested!
     ALSO I AM AT FAULT. I'm like totally new to this AO3 thing and did
     not know that the "Major Character death" tag is a thing. I just
     skimmed through when I posted this and that option didn't catch my
     eye. I'M SO SORRY!!!
***** Fireflies *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Silence occupies the room as Seokjin stares at the familiar cerulean eyes that
used to look at him with so much love and affection. His mother looks elegantly
young in the painting with her pale hair braided over one shoulder and her
dusky complexion adorned by the warm rays of sunlight brushed intricately on
the canvas. In fact, she almost looks exactly the same as the last time Seokjin
had seen her.
“I don’t understand.” He finally says after a lengthy moment of just staring at
the painting. “How… Why…”
“I wasn’t supposed to tell you about this.” Navroz explains, his tone
uncharacteristically serious. It doesn’t suit him. “But it was the Vasilika’s
decision to tell you as soon as possible after seeing… how comfortableyou are
around your prince.”
“The Vasilika?” Seokjin immediately throws a bewildered look at the other
male’s direction. “She knows about this? Does everyoneknow about this?”
“Only the royal family knows.” Navroz bends down to pick up the abandoned sheet
from the marbled floor. “As far as the townsfolk is concerned, you’re just a
Callian pet raised by Gennaians.” Seokjin takes a step back as he watches him
drape the sheet over the pleasant painting of his mother. He wants to stare at
it longer-- gather every detail he could recall from the artwork-- but his mind
is just buzzing with so many questions that he couldn’t stop Navroz from
putting the portrait away from his sight.
After settling the sheet neatly, Navroz bears him a look that is bordering on
discomfort. “I know you have a lot of questions but you’ve had a long day and--
”
“Why do you have a painting of my mother?” Seokjin doesn’t want to waste
another second being kept under the shadows again. He’s tired of it. “If she’s
part of the royal family, then why did she move to Gennaios? Why didn’t she
tell me about any of this? Why didn’t the Vasilika tell me from the start? Does
Jungkook know? Does he know all this time?”
“Whoa, princess. Slow down.” Navroz puts his hands up in graceless plea.
“You’re getting kinda overwhelmed here.”
“Overwhelmed?” Seokjin bites, feeling his patience running thin. “I just found
out that my mother is a member of the royal family in Callias after twenty-five
years. I don’t think ‘overwhelmed’ is the right word to put it. Why the hell am
I only knowing about this now?” Perhaps it’s just his temper playing mind games
to him but somehow he could feel his tone rising with every word he utters.
Nothing is making sense to him anymore. As though being given away by Jungkook
isn’t enough of a shock for him, Navroz comes in and suddenly hurls this
information straight to his face without a damn.
Navroz sighs. “If you want me to explain everything, I need you to calm down
for a minute, all right? Just sit down.” He gestures to an ancient wooden seat
nearby but Seokjin doesn’t want to oblige. He doesn’t want to take orders from
anyone anymore. The tone lacing Navroz’s words were outright patronizing-- a
tone that has been used towards him far too often. For a moment, he stands
still; his jaw clenched in immense frustration and his hands curled to tight
fists. But eventually, he resists the urge pick an argument with the taller
blond. It will lead them to nowhere and he wants answers now.
Seokjin lets out a bothered sigh before moving over to sit on the chair. Navroz
makes a pleased sound at the back of his throat as he reaches to pull out a
similar seat so that they’re sitting next to each other. Seokjin could only
safely assume that he doesn’t want to face him as he expounds on every
necessary detail about this clusterstorm of information.
“I’ll start at the beginning.” Navroz clears his throat. “Your mother is the
Vasilika’s older sister-- a blueblood. She was supposed to be the one next in
line for the throne.”
Astounded, Seokjin directs his gaze at him but Navroz wouldn’t even meet his
eyes. Instead, he has his focus fixated on the floor beneath them as he picks
on the cuff of his sleeve. Seokjin then looks away. His mother didhave a rather
strong personality. She was always brimming with so much passion and charisma,
her confidence easily influencing those around her. She was dauntless and
defiant against the injustice of the authority. She was an altruist, more so
than anyone Seokjin has ever known. She would have made a remarkable queen.
“But things didn’t go according to plan.” Navroz continues on. “After their
visit to Gennaios, your mother told her sister-- the present Vasilika-- about a
man she met. How she had fallen in love with him in spite of their encounters
only lasting for three days.”
Seokjin recalls Jungkook telling him about how Callians are strongly against
interracial affairs between the opposite sex. You’re either a pure Callian or
not at all.
“The man is a Gennaian highborn. Your mother said that he was charming and was
desired by nearly everyone in the palace, including herself. But this man chose
her. He had fallen in love with her as well. Your mother intended on
withdrawing the traditional Callian law regarding integrated relationships once
she reigned queen. Every full moon, she and her lover would go out of their
ways to meet up. Unfortunately, one of their encounters wound up leaving your
mother with child--you. She absolutely had no one to talk to but the Vasilika
and of course, the Vasilika promised that she will take her secret to her
grave.”
Seokjin catches a displeased frown curling Navroz’s lips.
“But someone wanted the throne.”
Cold dread spikes Seokjin’s nerves, somehow knowing where this is leading to.
“What’s worse than getting involved in interracial sexual affairs is conceiving
a child from the act. Originally, the mere act of it is punishable by death.
Callians make sure that the child will not see the light of day.”
A chill nauseating weight settles in the center of Seokjin’s stomach, an
impeding thought occurring to him. If his mother had not departed from Callias,
he wouldn’t even be alive right now.
“My sister,” Navroz runs his fingers through his blond locks, seemingly
bothered. “was already the Vasilika’s pet by that time. And she was the one who
wanted the throne.”
“What?” Seokjin sharply looks at him. “You mean Athenaia?”
Navroz nods. “Did you believe that it has been the Vasilika managing Callias?
No. It’s all my sister’s work. The pets here are different, Jin. They don’t
just stand there and look pretty. They’re all clever. They know how to appeal
and enchant every single variety of a person’s character. They analyze their
client and as quick as a flick, they become the epitome of their master’s most
ideal lover. A Callian pet can have their master wrapped around their finger
easily.”
So Athenaia’s demure nature has all been an act, Seokjin realizes. Just what
kind of training do pets undergo here?
“Athenaia had the Vasilika convinced that they’re destined for each other. She
was thirteen at the time but she’s good at what she does. She knows the
Vasilika’s secrets, even your mother’s. Athenaia took advantage of the
situation and persuaded the Vasilika into reporting your mother’s affairs. The
Whilom Vasilikis-- the Vasilikis at the time-- was unbelievably enraged at the
thought of his own disciplined firstborn carrying the child of someone who
isn’t Callian. But he didn’t want to execute his daughter so he devised a new
law just for her sake.”
Navroz rubs the back of his neck as he slightly turns away from Seokjin,
apparently embarrassed. “The… erm... new punishment for that kind of crime is
that the unborn child will be taken away from its mother’s womb, have it
cooked, and drive the mother into eating it in front of her people to show
shame.”
“Kronosput that into writing?!” Seokjin couldn’t help but cry out in complete
disbelief. The large jovial man that he just met a few hours ago had authorized
the act of cannibalism as some sick form of punishment.
Navroz nods. He appears to be just as disturbed which is honestly relieving to
Seokjin. “He still wanted your mother scarred for going against tradition. And
I’m sure you know what happened next; she ran away which meant deserting her
monarchical responsibilities. Her father couldn’t write off another punishment
for her so he had no choice but to send an assassin out for her.” Navroz pauses
at this point, seemingly hesitant at first before shaking his head after what
appears to be an internal debate. “The assassin eventually found your mother
after years of searching. I’m… I’m not entirely sure about this but I was told
that she was found working in a tavern?”
Finally, he casts his eyes on Seokjin and for the first time, there is not a
trace of ridicule or amusement in his violet-blue eyes. Just genuine concern
and curiosity.
Seokjin runs his tongue over his dried lips and tears his stare away from the
taller Callian. “Yes… she worked at the same tavern I was trained in. B-But she
didn’t want me to become a pet. When she passed away, I was left with no
choice.”
“I see.” Navroz says in a surprisingly understanding tone. “If you don’t mind
me asking, did she say anything to you before she…”
“No.” Seokjin saves him from the apparent discomfort of asking. He doesn’t want
to recall the last moment he had with his mother. Just thinking about it is
enough to leave a wrenching strain in his chest. But he somehow could hear the
gears shifting behind Navroz’s words-- as though the guy knows something but is
still in the midst of piecing everything together. With a deep intake of
breath, he continues. “Before she left, she woke me up in the middle of the
night, told me that she loved me, and then bid me goodbye. The following
morning... my handler informed me of her death. I didn’t want to hear any more
of the details.”
He had cried on his bed alone day by day at the time. Sometimes Taehyung would
be around to hug him, but he was already in the course of training to become a
pet so he wasn’t around as much as Seokjin had wanted him to be. Now that he’s
thought about it, no matter how twisted of a home he had, at least they had let
him be to mourn over his mother’s death. It isn’t necessary to give a pet that
kind of privacy no matter the circumstances. And even if he wasn’t a pet then,
his handler had already counted on it the very second he was alone.
“I might be wrong,” Navroz’s voice yanks him back to reality. “but I suspect
the only reason why your mother never went to her lover after her escape is
because that’s exactly where the assassin would have gone to first. The
location would have been too safe and too easy.”
It doesn’t matter, Seokjin thinks. Either way, she was still caught and killed
just for the sake of his own life.
He clenches his fists over his slacks, an impassioned storm sinking into his
pulse that beats with uncharacteristic nerves. He swallows down hard on what
crawled up his throat as he runs through everything Navroz told him. All her
life, his mother had been risking everything just for him-- even if it meant
leading her to her inevitable murder. She could have easily stayed at home, go
through with her morbid punishment, then continue to live on as an esteemed
noble. In spite of how Callians look down on mixed races, his mother always
thought otherwise. She constantly spoke highly of him and told him that no
matter how strong the storm is, there will always be the warm sunshine in the
end.
But no matter which way she looked at him, he’s nothing like her.
He doesn’t have her spirit.
Her tenacity.
Her brilliance.
Her altruism.
Unlike her, he had succumbed to the life of a pet so effortlessly. He let
people shove him around like he’s some inanimate object. He couldn’t speak up
about the discrimination The Majestic has been bestowing upon the less
fortunate. He relied on Jungkook to save Taehyung from Lord Choi. He murdereda
palace guard and brought everyone down with him for the crime.
He’s weak.
Useless.
An inconvenience.
How is he worth his mother’s life? His mother could have changed things. She
could have been an amazing influence to everyone. She was everything he could
never be. If she could see him now, what would she think?
“Why are you telling me all this now?” He asks, his tone uncertain and quiet.
Navroz doesn’t respond right away but Seokjin could feel his stare lingering on
him. “Because we need you.” He finally answers. “The Vasilika isn’t proud of
what she did. But she is still at my sister’s beck and call. Love and devotion
can do wonders to a person.”
“You need me?” Seokjin wills himself to look back at him, too exhausted to even
sound doubtful. “How?”
“By the time Prince Jungkook takes his leave, the Vasilika will approve the act
of romantic interracial affairs without Athenaia’s knowledge. It will be a
jarring path for us all but it’ll be fine. As soon as that law receives its
approval, you’ll be--”
“No.” Seokjin promptly cuts him off, his entire build stiff with tension.
Somehow, he knows what Navroz intends on saying and he doesn’t want to hear it.
“I’m not doing it.”
This time, Navroz frowns at him in what appears to be slight annoyance. “Anyone
would kill for the throne, Jin. And we’re handing it to you with a damn pretty
bow on it.”
“I’m not doing it.” Seokjin repeats as he finally stands up, nearly knocking
his chair off. “I know nothingabout Callias. I’m incompetent. I’m not like my
mother. I can never live up to the standards she had set. You and the Vasilika
will have to think of something else because I’m not getting myself involved in
this.” Without the bother of waiting for Navroz’s response, Seokjin sharply
turns around to walk out. The last thing he needs right now is screwing
everything up again.
“Just hold on a minute.” He feels Navroz’s grip encircling around his wrist and
carefully tugging him back.
Seokjin throws out an indignant scowl at his direction and tries to wrench his
arm away but Navroz just tugs him harder, unbelievably stronger than he looks.
“Let go of me!”
“Not until you shut up and listen to me.”
“I’m tired! I don’t want to hear any more of this!”
“Calm down!” Navroz hisses, tightening his hold on him. “I know this is a lot
to take in but for the sake of your people here, I need you to listen.”
Seokjin clenches his teeth. “Your people are not my people so all of this is of
no importance to me.”
“You sound just like your prince.”
Seokjin stops.
Finally, Navroz lets go of his wrist and sighs. “I’m not going to let you rule
over Callias by yourself. Why do you think the Vasilika chose me to tell you
all this?”
Seokjin could only stare at him, but the gears in his mind begin to shift in
understanding. “You… me... Are you suggesting--”
“I’m not suggesting.” Navroz holds up his hand to pause his words. “It’s
already in the cards for us. The Vasilika has only just recently claimed the
crown. We have a feeling Athenaia isn’t keen on sharing the throne with
anyone.”
An unimpressed frown tugs the corners of Seokjin’s lips as he takes a somewhat
defensive step back away from the taller blond. “And why should I trust you?
Why should I believe that this isn’t some kind scheme you’ve constructed to
steal the throne from Athenaia?”
Navroz grimaces. “Because I don’t thirst for power like my sister does? Because
I was raised to genuinely love my home? You honestly need to learn to trust
people, Jin.”
Seokjin holds himself back from spouting out any biting remarks. Trusting
people is the only thing that even got him in this predicament in the first
place. Why should he continue to do so now just because someone he just met
told him so? For all he knows, Navroz could murder him the second he takes the
throne just so he could take over Callias by himself. He casts his eyes away
and bites his lip, his mind going through a fray of clashing thoughts. He
doesn’t trust Navroz. And after everything he’s been told, he doesn’t trust
anyone in this palace at all.
They all pushed his mother into fleeing away from her own home just because she
had loved someone.
Just imagining someone being shamed for loving turns his stomach in the most
revolting way possible.
Why should he rule a land like Callias? Why should he take care of the people
who made things worse for his own mother?
Would she want him to do this?
“I’m not saying you have to make up your mind right now.” Navroz eventually
says. “You have until the day after tomorrow. If you don’t want to do it, then
you’re free to go back with Prince Jungkook as you please. We’ll just have to
deal with Athenaia ourselves.”
Go back to Gennaios with Jungkook.
And what will await them there?
They left the remains of a palace guard and surely enough, Lord Choi must have
reported of their whereabouts by now.
Either way, Seokjin can’t figure out whether or not things will fall into place
for him.
Both paths could lead him to his possible death.
“...I’ll think about it.”
===============================================================================
As soon as the warm vivid rays of morning light began warming the room up with
a cozy glow, Seokjin finds himself waking up after hours of uninterrupted
sleep. Still in his drowsy state, he pushes himself up and runs his hand over
his face in an attempt to brush the sleep away. At first, the unfamiliar
surroundings around him catch him by surprise but then he eventually settles
back after remembering where he is.
And what kind of situation he is still in.
Why does everything have to be so damn complicated?
A knock on the door catches his attention and for a moment, he just stares at
it-- not entirely sure what to do. But when the knock erupts again, he shakes
away any doubt he has in his system and scrambles away from his bed to answer
the door.
A female Callian pet awaits from the other side.
“O-Oh!” The girl nearly jumps in surprise, her cheeks darkening with
embarrassment. “Good morning…!”
“Erm, good morning…” Seokjin greets back uncertainly.
As though she’s in a state of mental panic, the girl fiddles with her fingers
before folding them together behind her back. She casts her eyes away from him
and purses her lips. “F-Forgive me for my fluster. I-I just did not think you
would answer the door.”
Seokjin blinks. “Don’t most people do?”
“W-Well, yes… but bluebloods just usually beckon us in.”
Did he hear her right?
“I’m sorry?”
“I-I mean--!” Swiftly, she turns around and runs away. But not before crying
out an apology as she does so. “I’m so sorry!”
“Wait!” Seokjin steps out to go after her but then stops when he remembers that
he isn’t technically wearing a shirt. He stops and watches the girl turn around
a corner, completely dropping out of his sight.
What was that about?
“Whoa, what did you do to scare her away?” Taehyung’s voice comes out from
behind and Seokjin quickly turns around to find his friend looking at him with
a skeptical raise of a brow, already dressed in the usual Callian pet guise.
Seokjin frowns. “I didn’t do anything. She just freaked out all of a sudden.”
“Odd girl.” Taehyung comments with a nonchalant shrug. “But anyway, I just came
here to tell you that breakfast will be ready in a few minutes. Better take a
bath now while you still have enough time.”
Seokjin could only nod, though his mind is still miles away. “All right.”
“Oh, and about Prince Jungkook…” This immediately catches the blond’s
attention. He hasn’t thought of Jungkook since last night. “He has a bit of a
bad headache today so tread carefully.”
Seokjin nods again. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
===============================================================================
“Peppermint tea is always the best solution for morning after’s.” The Vasilika
remarks in Gennaian with a proud smile stretching her glossed lips as a servant
places a cup of tea in front of Jungkook who has been rubbing his forehead
under his fringes from time to time. A soft breeze sweeps by and crowns the air
with the sweet scent of aconite flowers that are closed around the long stretch
of the garden. Seokjin could see a few female Callian pets standing and
giggling on the bridge that lies across the vast pond nearby. Most of them have
been stealing glances at him and this gives a slight apprehensive tug of his
insecurity.
“Thank you.” Jungkook says before taking an apparent desperate sip from his
tea. Seokjin notices how he’s been avoiding looking at him ever since they
stepped out into the garden for breakfast. In fact, he took a seat right across
the table away from him instead of beside him like he would normally do and
Seokjin could only wonder whether or not it’s because he is somehow embarrassed
of how he behaved last night. While it may not be the first time he was around
the blond utterly inebriated, it was still the first time of which he tried to
make a move on him.
And then getting rejected right after.
Any pet would have killed to be in Seokjin’s position that evening. Lord Choi
would have gone berserk if he hears of how Jungkook almost threw himself at the
blond. Just like Jimin said, Jungkook never touches his pets and yet he was
thisclose to giving in and kissing him.
That should mean something, right?
But maybe Seokjin is just reading into things and that the Prince just wasn’t
really thinking straight because of the alcohol.
“What about you, Seokjin?” The Vasilika’s voice breaks into his train of
thoughts and Seokjin hastily tears his gaze away from Jungkook to find almost
everyone looking at him in a manner of expectancy.
Shoot. What were they talking about?
“Seokjinnie is just as excited about the fireflies. He wouldn’t stop talking
about it last night.” Taehyung saves him, his signature grin in place. He gives
Seokjin a wink and Seokjin smiles at him in grateful return. But when he
catches Mihee’s scolding look, he clears his throat and timidly casts his eyes
down.
“Well you won’t be disappointed.” Kronos lets out a sonorous chuckle. “The
fireflies only come out every full moon so everyone is looking forward to it.”
“We don’t have fireflies in Gennaios.” Hoseok smiles politely. “So this will
definitely be worth the experience.”
“Callian pets even have a performance for it.” Navroz adds with a casual wave
of his goblet. “It wouldn’t be the same without those ladies’ lovely song.” As
he says this, Seokjin subtly looks back at the bridge again to see the women
still giggling and murmuring at each other. It’s strange seeing pets scattered
about the palace without their masters nearby. One woman catches his eye and
boldly blows him a kiss. Seokjin feels his face heat up at the gesture and he
immediately looks back down at his plate, hearing the female pets laugh.
His mind drifts back to that one particular pet who had insinuated the fact
that he’s a blueblood. How did she know? Navroz made it clear that only the
royal family knows about his background and absolutely nobody else.
“Perhaps Prince Jungkook would be interested in trying out one of our pets?” He
hears Navroz suggest as he casts a glance at Jungkook with a sly smirk. “You’re
allowed to have the Callian experience here. You’re a guest after all.”
“That’s a splendid idea, brother.” Athenaia says softly, oblivious to the
fleeting glare Jungkook had thrown at Navroz’s direction. “I’m assuming that
since Seokjin grew up in Gennaios, he doesn’t bear the usual qualities that a
Callian pet normally has. If you wish, we can line up our finest ones for you
to choose and spend the evening with after the feast.”
“I appreciate the offer,” Jungkook begins, his dull tone contradicting his
words. “but I already intend on spending the evening with my own Callian pet.”
“Again?” Kronos asks in disbelief.
Seokjin exchanges a glance with Jungkook and catches the slight flinch that
lurches the Prince’s body. Jungkook quickly turns his eyes towards Kronos
though the flush of his cheeks are apparent. Seokjin, on the other hand,
couldn’t stop himself from staring at him in bewilderment. He’s never seen
Jungkook this flustered and off-guarded before. Yoongi seems to have caught on
for he cocks a brow at the action but says nothing.
Falteringly, Jungkook clears his throat and nods his head. “Yes. I’m not one
who enjoys taking different paths. I’m already comfortable with my own pet.”
“It’s not wise to show favoritism when your other pet is here.” Athenaia frowns
disapprovingly and gestures to Taehyung.
But Taehyung doesn’t even flinch. “Oh, don’t worry about me! Yoongi just
recently bought me from Prince Jungkook.”
“Yoongi?” Now everyone’s heads are turned towards the royal physician who just
looks back at them cooly in spite of Taehyung’s spontaneous fabricated story.
Athenaia still doesn’t look impressed, her frown not matching her soft dainty
features. “The royal physician managed to afford a pet from a prince?”
“I’m no peasant.” Yoongi frowns back at her.
A look of panic graces Athenaia’s face. “O-Oh! I don’t mean to offend--”
“Don’t mind him.” Taehyung laughs as he gives Yoongi a loving nudge to the
shoulder. “He’s just usually crankier in the morning.”
“Let’s not bring tension to the table.” The Vasilika’s mother speaks up for the
first time, her aged face firm and icy. “Athenaia, please watch your words next
time. We taught you better than that.”
Quick as a flick, Athenaia lowers her head in evident shame. “My apologies.”
The Vasilika rubs her shoulder comfortingly and gives her a kiss on the cheek.
“You’re all right, don’t worry.”
If Navroz hadn’t said anything last night, Seokjin would have found the sight
sweet and loving. But now thinking how the Vasilika intends on taking
Athenaia’s power away and how Athenaia might intend on murdering the Vasilika,
the mere sight of the two of them together could only twist the blond’s
stomach.
It must be easy putting on a false act of love.
===============================================================================
Lightning cracks the murky clouded sky.
An unbearable weight loads in his chest.
Blood spurts out from the open cut on the man’s throat.
Seokjin stares down at the corpse of the royal guard, his own body refusing to
move. To run away. To escape from reliving the scene again. The man stares back
at him with wide frightened eyes, his lips parting in a futile attempt to
breathe. Seokjin finds himself enclosing his hands around his own throat
without meaning to. He tighten his hold. He squeezes his throat, blocking any
chances of air.
“Good for you, child.”
The voice echoes within the tight confines of his mind.
His surroundings fade into darkness.
There’s nothing to see.
He can’t breathe.
“How come you don’t want to be a pet then?” A tiny voice puts forth and Seokjin
loosens his hold as he gasps out for air. The same voice carries on. “Is it
because you can’t go to heaven?”
A towering wooden post materializes from afar in the gloom, large clusters of
hay surrounding it.
“I can’t promise anything.” Jungkook’s voice suddenly resounds Seokjin’s senses
and he catches the Prince fading into his sight near the wooden post, his hands
bound behind him and his eyes shrouded under a blindfold. He falls onto his
knees and Seokjin immediately rushes after him. But the faster he runs, the
farther Jungkook is from his reach. He tries to call out his name but Jungkook
keeps his head lowered as though he couldn’t hear him at all.
Seokjin feels the weight in his chest growing heavier with every step.
The deafening roar of an angry crowd streams the air but Seokjin couldn’t see
anyone else but Jungkook. Jungkook sits still, his shoulders slumped and his
breathing ragged with glaring pain. Another lightning cracks through the
shadows and in that swift gleam of light, he catches a glimpse of unfamiliar
faces hovering everywhere. No bodies. No heads. Just terrifying faces twisted
with absolute mania and resentment.
Jungkook crashes down to his side as though he’s been kicked off.
Another lightning cracks in, setting the hay ablaze this time.
The gnarled faces emerge from the dancing light of the flames, all of them
bearing hard looks on Jungkook.
Seokjin tries calling out his name again but Jungkook doesn’t even flinch.
He looks…
...so defeated.
Tired.
There’s no fight in him anymore.
He’s giving up.
“Jungkook!” Seokjin screams out his name but his voice is drowned out by the
loud outcries of the crowd. They’re getting louder. Seokjin couldn’t focus on
Jungkook anymore. Ear-splitting voices drown his senses and he loses his
footing, causing him to crash down onto the ground hard. But in a blink,
everything goes eerily quiet.
He can’t see anything anymore.
Until a voice ghosts over his ear.
“I’ll be good.”
Seokjin wakes up with a violent jolt of his body, finding Jungkook sitting by
his side. Jungkook looks down at him with a concerned furrow of his brows. “You
were murmuring in your sleep.”
Seokjin could still feel his heart hammering inside his chest but he bears that
no mind as he sits up and stares back at Jungkook, his hand immediately coming
up to hold the Prince’s unbandaged hand and giving it a squeeze just to make
sure this is real. Surprisingly enough, Jungkook just watches him with a subtle
glow of his cheeks and Seokjin sighs in utter relief upon feeling the Prince’s
warm hand against his. He slumps down and rests his forehead against Jungkook’s
shoulder, taking in deep breaths to calm his nerves down.
What kind of dream was that?
Why did it feel… so real?
“Unhand me.” Jungkook’s familiar cold tone catches his attention and for the
first time, Seokjin feels so reassured to hear it from him.
Seokjin feels him move away from him and he leans back as he watches Jungkook
stand up from his bed. He keeps his back turned to him without saying anything
as if he’s still far too occupied in recollecting himself. Seokjin decides to
do the same and runs his fingers through his tangled blond hair, finding his
scalp warm under his touch. Judging by the candlelights illuminating his
chambers, nightfall must have taken its place. He had spent the rest of the day
exploring the village with Yoongi and Taehyung before heading straight for his
bed the second they rode back to the palace. Ever since the beginning of their
trip, he hasn’t been getting enough sleep lately.
“I would like to apologize for my behavior last night.” Jungkook says out of
the blue and Seokjin looks back at him in surprise. Jungkook still has his back
turned to him, his build stiff with tension.
Slowly, an understanding smile graces Seokjin’s lips. This is the second time
Jungkook has given him a genuine apology. “You don’t have to. You were drunk.
If anything, I should be apologizing for not consenting. It’s my job as your
pet to--” He puts an abrupt pause to his words, only remembering now about his
status.
His realstatus.
Does Jungkook know?
He always seems to know everything after all. He’s good at putting pieces
together.
“Even then,” Jungkook pays no mind to his pause. “I shouldn’t have done that.
If I were to commit such an act, I would want honest consent from the other.
Not because I just ordered them to.”
Seokjin hesitates. “Maybe under different circumstances… I would have--”
“No.” Jungkook’s sharp tone cuts him off. “Don’t say it. I don’t want to hear
it.”
Seokjin clamps his mouth shut, confused.
Maybe he’s really reading into things.
“I just came here to tell you that the feast has already begun. Freshen up
before presenting yourself to the Vasilika.”
Without another word, Jungkook leaves him.
Seokjin just stares at the closed door, the cold rejection the Prince has just
given him weighing down in his chest harder than he thought it would.
===============================================================================
Much like last night, the evening meal is spent with the townsfolk. By the time
Seokjin stepped out, he catches sight of a few Callians already feasting and
excitedly talking about the fireflies that will grace them with their presence
soon enough. He finds Taehyung playfully chasing a few kids who all hide behind
a flustered-looking Yoongi. Jimin stands nearby, being hit on by a female
Callian pet but just like how he treated Taehyung, he keeps himself impervious
to her advances.
Seokjin can’t find Jungkook anywhere.
“Jin!” Navroz beckons him in from his table. “Where have you been? Come and
eat!”
Seokjin approaches his table but he keeps his eyes scouring his surroundings
for a certain dark-haired prince.
“Looking for your master?” The Vasilika asks after taking a sip from her drink.
“O-Oh…” Seokjin immediately looks back at her, a bit embarrassed for being
caught not paying attention to any of the occupants of the table. “Um, yes. His
absence tends to worry me.”
“He’s over there.” Navroz nods over to the right.
Seokjin follows his eyes and from afar, he could see a figure leaning against
the trunk of a large tree-- unaccompanied.
“I think he wants to be alone right now.” The Vasilika points out. “It’d be
best to leave him be.”
Seokjin doesn’t even spare her a glance. “I’ll… just ask him if he’s hungry.”
In spite of the cold shoulder Jungkook has given him earlier, Seokjin still
wants to get to the bottom of whatever the hell is going on between them. The
tension that has been looming over them has been distinctive yet peculiar at
the same time. Something changed in their connection. Jungkook has stopped
scorning at his mere existence and Seokjin doesn’t feel intimidated by his sole
presence anymore. The aura between them is so pronounced and undeniable that he
can’t just let Jungkook steer clear of it as long as he wants to.
As Seokjin draws near, Jungkook meets his gaze and frowns.
But that doesn’t stop him though. He continues to stride forward until he
finally reaches him, only noticing now that the Prince isn’t clad in his usual
Gennaian highborn garbs anymore. Similar to what he’s wearing, Jungkook is
clothed in a plain white linen shirt and dark slacks. He must have run out of
his own attire to wear.
“What are you doing alone over here?” Seokjin asks with a slight tilt of his
head. “Aren’t you hungry?”
Jungkook breaks their eye contact and shakes his head, his arms crossed
languidly over his chest. “I can’t deal with the crowd right now.”
“I see…” Knowing that Jungkook isn’t even going to invite him to, Seokjin walks
over to stand beside him-- earning himself a good view of the feast. From where
they’re standing, he could see  a Callian highborn appearing to be courting
Mihee though Mihee looks a bit miffed. Hoseok saves her by cutting in and
sitting down between them.
“What were you dreaming about?” Jungkook questions without offering him a
glance. “Based on your whimpering earlier, it sounded serious.”
Seokjin’s cheeks burn at how the Prince had put it and throws a look of slight
discontent at him. “I wasn’t whimpering.”
A barely noticeable smile curves Jungkook’s lips. “I was there.”
“I think I was grunting rather than whimpering.”
“You were mewlingmore like.”
“I-I wasn’t!”
And just when Seokjin thought that he isn’t capable of it, Jungkook laughs.
It’s the kind of laugh that is kept restrained at first but the more he thinks
about it, the more he eases his grip over his strings and lets his entire build
quaver with laughter. He turns his face away from Seokjin and brings his hand
up to hide his smile. If this were any other person, Seokjin would have stayed
bothered considering the fact that he’s being laughed at. But seeing Jungkook
being reduced to a heap of laughter brings his own lips to twitch into a smile.
His laugh sounds warm and amiable which is a stunning contrast to his
perpetually frigid tone.
Seokjin feels an overwhelming warmth expand throughout his body.
It’s bewitching.
Pure and uncomplicated.
Something he has never been sensible of until now.
“Sorry.” Jungkook finally takes a breath and steals a glance at the blond, a
small smile still playing across his lips. “Your face was just ridiculous.”
Seokjin smiles at him and wrinkles his nose in feigned contempt. “You’re lucky
I don’t mind you laughing at me.”
Jungkook arches a brow, hilarity in his eyes. “Am I supposed to be appreciative
of that?”
“Somewhat, yes. When Taehyung laughs at me, I usually whack him on the head.”
Jungkook chuckles at that and turns to face the feast again. “Kidding aside
though, I really am curious about your dream earlier.”
“Oh.” Seokjin feels his smile faltering at the memory of the images he had in
his head. He can’t recall every detail but he remembers the murder he had
committed back in Gennaios and how it came back to haunt him in his sleep. He
remembers the lightning. He remembers Jungkook, defeated and alone.
He can’t tell him the latter.
The last thing Jungkook needs is being reminded of how he really can’t promise
any favorable outcomes for everyone.
“Well?” Jungkook presses on.
“It’s…” Seokjin hesitates, but when he looks at Jungkook, he’s surprised to
find him looking back at him with a look of curiosity gracing his handsome
youthful features. Seokjin swallows. “...just a nightmare about what I did back
in Gennaios.”
Jungkook doesn’t say anything at first but then he directs his eyes back at the
feast. “It was an act of self-defense.” He points out, though his tone lacks
the usual bitter tinge to it. He sounds uncharacteristically considerate.
“Still…” Seokjin looks down at the grass beneath them. “Maybe… Maybe it
wouldn’t be haunting me if I… did my training right.”
“What do you mean?”
Jungkook probably already knows about this. Seeing how a great number of pets
favor him, Seokjin knows that one of them would have at least enlightened their
prince of what pets do in order to achieve complete inadequacy of attachment
and affection for anyone. They are all prohibited to speak of it to anyone.
It’s just not a topic for discussion. It’s meant to be kept under wraps.
But somehow, hearing how perturbed Jungkook sounded… something tells him the
Prince has not been informed of this at all.
“Pets aren’t meant to have their strings attached to anyone.” Seokjin finally
says after a fleeting moment of silence, grateful for Jungkook’s patience.
“But… pets are humans too. We get attached whether we like it or not. That’s
why by the end of a pet’s training, there’s this certain task we need to take
in order to be an official pet. A pet under training is never told about it
until they’ve actually reached that stage.”
Fear lurches his stomach and weakens his knees but he tries to keep himself
still.
Jungkook stays quiet so he continues. “By the time we turn 13, we would be
given a dagger… and a victim.”
Seokjin could feel the color draining from his face at the memory but he keeps
his stare glued to the ground. Jungkook still isn’t say anything and that
doesn’t bring any comfort to Seokjin whatsoever. Is he judging him? Is he
disgusted? Nevertheless, Seokjin has been longing to let this all out in the
open.
“Who was your victim?” Jungkook suddenly asks, his voice glacial and cutting.
Seokjin flinches at his tone and he drags in the courage to look back at the
Prince.
Jungkook isn’t even looking at him, but he could see a twitch of a nerve
running along his now taut jaw. Seokjin could feel his heart in his throat, his
body incapacitated with pure apprehension. Jungkook really is judging him-
- looking down on him with downright distaste. For a second, Seokjin doesn’t
want to say anything more but it feels as though things will be worse between
them if he doesn’t finish what he started.
He pulls his gaze away from him and swallows again. “I-I… I never knew her
name. I was just given certain instructions. Back then, I was told that… that
there was a woman. A highborn woman who would step out into the forest every
night to… to practice an outlawed religion. She was my victim. Only a few
selected highborn can give out a name and it would be the handler’s job to
assign that victim to a pet as long as they get paid. As soon as a pet has
executed their task, they are expected to return to the tavern with proof and
they are not allowed to mourn. They are expected to swallow it down until the
guilt grows them numb.”
Seokjin folds his hands together in an attempt to stop them from shaking. “My
task… the woman…”
“You killed her.” Jungkook isn’t even asking. He’s saying it as though it’s a
solid fact.
But it’s not.
“I didn’t.” Seokjin shakes his head and from the corner of his eye, he catches
Jungkook whipping his gaze at him. The blond sighs and shakes his head again.
“I couldn’t do it. I-I didn’t want to.”
Jungkook stares at him. “But…” Now he sounds uncertain. “...how…”
Seokjin lets out a shaky breath. “There was an older pet who was willing to do
it for me as long as I paid him. I didn’t have a choice. I-It was either that…
or die in the streets. It would have been different if my mother was there but
she wasn’t. I… I had nobody. I was young and stupid. Everything is pointless
because I still ended up k-killing someone and...” And just like that, he could
feel his walls tumbling down as harsh pain pierces through his chest. The guilt
is unbearable. It’s making its return again, refusing to let him pretend like
it never happened. The raw emotion slams against him and he chokes out a sob,
only realizing the tears streaming down his cheeks.
Shit.
He immediately wipes them away but his efforts are futile because more sobs
rack his body. He leans his entire weight against the tree and continues to try
and wipe his tears away. This is humiliating. Degrading. The last thing he
needs is coming out unguarded and vulnerable in front of Jungkook.
He is susceptible to mockery now.
Jungkook will pierce him more with his sharp biting insults.
And Seokjin will just let him.
Because he’s tired.
Tired of everything.
His mother wouldn’t have given up this easily but he isn’t like her. He’s
nothing like her. He should have taken her place because at least she would
have made the world a better place instead of being a blubbering mess. She
would have solved everything like the clever woman that she was.
She wouldn’t be this helpless.
Suddenly, he feels warm fingers touching his.
He looks up just as Jungkook has carefully pulled his hands down away from his
tear-stained face. The melodic harmony of the female pets’ voices furnish the
air as they perform for the fireflies that have yet to show themselves. There
is not a single trace of loathing or distaste in Jungkook’s eyes. There is
understanding and sympathy-- a look that he never thought he would see on the
Prince’s face.
And for a moment, it almost feels like everything is going to be okay.
Jungkook reaches up to wipe his tears with his thumb.
“I know,” he begins, his eyes searching Seokjin’s face. “how hard it is to live
a life you’ve never asked for. But you don’t have to stand alone.”
A warm bizarre sensation blooms in Seokjin’s chest, not finding it in himself
to look away from Jungkook-- from the man who was once his cold-blooded master
but now as someone more. For a moment, he finds himself dazed and at a loss for
words and thoughts. Something flickers in his stomach and the world stops. The
colors around them melt away. There is no wind. No sound. There is nothing in
his sight but Jungkook.
Tiny dancing glimmers of light begin to flutter around.
They give a faint attractive glow to Jungkook’s face and in that moment,
Seokjin knows that there is no point in wondering what they have between them.
Because for once, there’s something in his life he’s sure about.
He feels Jungkook’s hand dropping from his cheek and down to his chest and
Seokjin holds his breath. He doesn’t mind whether or not Jungkook could feel
the uncontrollable racing of his heart because seeing the rosy heat flushed in
the Prince’s face, he knows that he isn’t alone. With trembling fingers,
Seokjin reaches up to carefully caress Jungkook’s jaw. He feels him going stiff
with tension under his touch but neither of them pulls away.
He’s rather thankful that Jungkook doesn’t get to wear his usual highborn garbs
tonight. It almost feels like neither of their status is there to get in their
way.
There is still a hint of uncertainty in Jungkook’s eyes, but the look of
determination is stronger.
“Jungkook…” Seokjin manages to find his voice. “I… Can I…”
Jungkook’s blush glows deeper as he awkwardly casts his eyes to the side. “M-
Moron. Why are you even asking…”
Endeared, Seokjin smiles.
“Look at me?” He requests.
Jungkook has a quick moment of what it seems to be an internal debate before
giving in and looking back up at the blond.
As ridiculous as it may sound but Seokjin never thought it would be possible
for Jungkook to be even more beautiful than he is now. Everything about him is
flawless from his dark doe eyes that were once emotionless to his captivating
lips that used to recklessly speak out of pure spite and nothing else.
Seokjin’s heart beats faster-- frantic and rising through his throat. But it’s
not an unpleasant feeling.
Knowing that he doesn’t have to try and ask again, he leans in close and slowly
presses his lips against the Prince’s.
Jungkook’s lips are soft and warm.
The kiss feels so real yet unreal at the same time and Seokjin tries to figure
out how that could be. Neither of them are moving. It’s just a pressing of
their lips-- a simple action that burns with actual emotion. He’s
kissingJungkook. He has his lips on his; an experience Seokjin never thought
that he or anyone would ever be graced with. It doesn’t last long because
Seokjin eventually draws away, his eyes sliding open to see Jungkook looking
back at him with uneasiness. His face is beet red but he looks tensed and on
edge. For a moment, Seokjin panics. Maybe Jungkook didn’t want that, or maybe
he finds the kiss disappointing.
Or maybe he’s just not interested.
But when he feels Jungkook’s fingers gently clenching around the front of his
shirt, Seokjin feels something inside him jolt with anticipation.
“Again…” Jungkook’s voice traces over his lips and he feels him kissing him for
the second time.
Seokjin slips his eyes closed, confidence building up inside him as he pulls
the Prince closer by encircling an arm around his waist. Jungkook presses
against him without an ounce of hesitation this time, their lips moving against
each other; hot and demanding as though they don’t have enough time for this.
And maybe they don’t but Seokjin pushes that thought to the back of his mind
because he’s actually kissing the Prince of Gennaios.
The contact is more intoxicating than any alcohol could ever give him. It’s
comforting, heated and impatient all at once. Jungkook’s inexperience is
obvious at first by his reluctance to move but he’s a fast learner. The tension
that locked his muscles earlier has eased away. Seokjin coaxes him further with
his lips and their kiss grows deeper. He could feel Jungkook’s hands on his
chest, tightening their hold on his shirt.
He hears a small sound erupting from the back of Jungkook’s throat.
It almost sounded needy and it brings a wave of tenacity and confidence in
Seokjin.
Jungkook is the first one to pull back and Seokjin leans his forehead against
his, their breaths mingling together.
He’s never seen Jungkook out of breath before and it truly is an enticing sight
to behold.
Not a single word has been exchanged between them yet.
Jungkook still has his eyes closed as he catches on his breathing. Eventually,
his eyes slowly flutter open and he sighs.
“You keep me sane.”
They’re not the exact words Seokjin wants to hear, but they work.
He then catches Jungkook’s eyes trailing down to his lips again, the stirred
look on his face further rousing the flaming spark inside the blond. Fireflies
flutter around them but neither of them pays the insects any heed. Seokjin
wants to kiss him again. He wants to be lost in what they shared mere seconds
ago, but he doesn’t want to catch Jungkook off-guard. He’ll have to let him
take control for now because this is an entirely new field for the younger
male.
Unfortunately, Jungkook doesn’t do anything.
Instead, he casts his eyes up to Seokjin’s again and his next words are
impossible for the blond to refuse. His voice is still hesitant and shaky with
a hint of craving.
“Do you want to go to my chambers?”
Chapter End Notes
     You're probably wondering how Taehyung executed his own task but that
     is another mystery for another time.
     I'm back from the dead! As an apology for the hiatus, I made this
     chapter longer than the rest.
     I've also started showing glimpses/teasers for the next chapter in my
     Twitter so feel free to check that out every now and then!
     I've also been receiving messages/comments/asks about how problematic
     my stories are and well, they're not. If you have a particular
     problem with my writing, just say so politely through Twitter or
     Tumblr instead of just purely throwing hate at me. I'd be happy to
     clarify things for you. Just don't leave them in the comments section
     because chances are I won't reply.
     Thank you so much to those who defended me though! I didn't think
     anyone would do that for me so I'm touched! And thank you to those
     who have left me very touching and supportive messages!!
     With that aside, thank you for reading!!
***** Adequate *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Private silence crowns the dim evening ambiance of the bedchamber. He could
still hear the merriment of the feast from afar but that is already far gone
from the blond’s absorption, especially when he could feel Jungkook’s fingers
ghosting under his shirt and over his stomach as they kiss. Jungkook had grown
reluctant when they reached his chambers, not uttering a single word at all
even after Seokjin had locked the door and gently pulled him in by the waist
just to drink his scent in.
Seokjin didn’t want to initiate the kiss. He didn’t want to push Jungkook into
thinking that he now owes him this for kissing him and asking him if he wanted
to go to his chambers. If he’s having second thoughts, then Seokjin wouldn’t
mind stopping for now. Maybe it will be a little frustrating on his part but he
isn’t going to let the younger male know that.
Fortunately for him though, Jungkook hasn’t resisted yet. When the Prince had
finally reached up to drive his lips against his and continue where they left
off, whirls of emotion tautened the pit of Seokjin’s stomach. Jungkook’s sweet
scent and the feel of his body against his are enough to send the blond into an
exhilarating trance. He could taste the mild smack of rich wine from Jungkook’s
tongue and for a moment, hesitance crowds his senses.
As though noticing this, Jungkook draws away.
“What?” He asks, his tone lacking concern but overly watchful.
Seokjin could feel his soft breaths brush against his lips and while the
younger of the two doesn’t emit the thick aroma of alcohol, he feels compelled
to ask.
“You’re not drunk, are you?”
Sudden tension hits the air.
Seokjin could barely see the reaction striking Jungkook’s face in the dark but
he could very well hear the frown in his voice. “No. I’m not.” Jungkook steps
back from him. “For God’s sake, I don’t drown myself in alcohol every night.”
“Sorry, sorry.” Seokjin runs his fingers through his hair with a strained sigh.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I just… I just wanted to be sure if you’re sure
about this.”
Through the faintest beams of moonlight shining through the leaves and into the
room, he sees Jungkook turning away from him and rubbing the back of his neck.
Dread engulfs Seokjin’s body, wondering if Jungkook really is having second
thoughts about this. He might regret this now but perhaps it’s for the best
that he made sure how the the other feels about this first before pushing
further from where they stand.
Thick silence hangs in the air like a sharp frosty icicle. Even up until now,
Seokjin could see the tension clinging onto Jungkook’s shoulders as though it’s
some unwieldy armor belonging to a man twice the Prince’s size. He wants to say
something-- anythingto get Jungkook out from his suppressed frazzled nerves.
But only a sliver of words shudder on the tip of his tongue, too reluctant to
step off the edge.
Finally, Jungkook’s voice breaks the uncomfortable lull of the room. “They’re
probably wondering where we went.”
Seokjin realizes that he’s staring towards the window where the glow of the
feast can be seen from afar. His face falls at the insinuation but refrains
himself from reacting adversely. “Do you want to go back to the feast?”
Jungkook doesn’t say anything at first and each passing second drags Seokjin
further into defeat. Maybe nothing will happen tonight.
“Do you want to?” Jungkook asks, his tone uncharacteristically wary this time.
Seokjin jerks his eyes back at him, feeling his heart jolt at the question.
Jungkook is giving him a choice here. A pet doesn’t necessarily earn this kind
of freedom from their master. But then again, Jungkook doesn’t see him as a pet
nor does Seokjin see him as his master. At this very moment, within the
confines of these chambers, reality can’t touch them. Reality can’t constrain
them. Reality can’t ownthem.
“No.” Seokjin manages to find his voice as he gathers up the courage to stride
over to the Prince, his hand reaching out to take his. As their fingers reach
each other, Jungkook gradually turns his head to him and Seokjin is grateful
for the moonlight gracing a faint silver glow on his handsome face. Underneath
the glimmer of dawn, he could still clearly see the flecks of self-
consciousness bathing in Jungkook’s dark eyes.
It doesn’t take too long for Seokjin to register as to why Jungkook doesn’t
look as self-assured as he normally is.
Calmly, he brings their hands up to press his lips softly against the back of
the Prince’s hand. “But we don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to.”
“I want to.” Jungkook says almost too immediately before seemingly catching
himself and darting his gaze down. His jaw is clenched with apparent
uneasiness. Seokjin doesn’t need better lighting to know that Jungkook must be
completely flushed for speaking out his thoughts without calculating them for
once.
A small endeared smile plays across his lips as he gives Jungkook’s hand
another soft kiss, drawing in a glance from the younger male. “Let me do this
for you then.” Without another moment of regrettable reluctance, Seokjin lowers
his head and seizes Jungkook’s lips with his. Just like the first time,
Jungkook lacks the dash to move but Seokjin feels driven. Jungkook just said
that he wants this-- that he wants his first time to be with him.
Of all people he could be with, he chooses Seokjin.
And Seokjin intends on not disappointing him.
He entices Jungkook further by prodding his tongue against the seam of his
lips. Jungkook parts his lips earnestly, his hands moving up against Seokjin’s
chest and clumsily unraveling the laces of his shirt. Seokjin feels himself
smiling in their kiss as he pulls Jungkook closer by the waist, their kiss
growing fervent and impatient. Reality leaves no trace within the private
intimacy they’re sharing. For once, their focuses are solely on each other and
not even the shitty circumstances they’re in can put an end to this moment.
As Seokjin draws away to extend a trail of delicate kisses down Jungkook’s
neck, he feels Jungkook’s build grow rigid. This really is a whole new area for
him, the blond thinks but doesn’t ponder on it too long when he feels
Jungkook’s fingers threading through his hair and tilting his head slightly to
the side with a sharp breath. It’s odd yet refreshing to see the Prince
vulnerable and not knowing what to do for once. Seokjin finds his somewhat
hesitant modest side as an undeniably captivating charm of his-- among other
things.
He could already feel the familiar stimulating warmth coiling within his
stomach and driving south. When he pulls Jungkook in closer against him, he’s
both surprised and relieved to know that his arousal isn’t unjust.
He hears Jungkook make an attempt of suppressing a moan but it still slips out
anyway and the Prince quickly buries his face against the blond’s shoulder in
obvious embarrassment. He curses something in Gennaian but it comes off muffled
against Seokjin’s shoulder. Seokjin stops kissing his neck to release a hushed
chuckle, his hand moving down to pull Jungkook’s hips against his. Jungkook’s
sharp breath brushes over Seokjin’s ear and Seokjin sighs in bliss as he grinds
their hips together, feeling both of their arousals growing with every
movement. It isn’t long before he feels Jungkook moving against him as well,
keeping his face buried against his shoulder as short subdued moans erupt from
the back of his throat.
“Jungkook…” Seokjin sighs in the midst of his kisses against the Prince’s neck,
the touch of Jungkook’s indisputable hard arousal against his stimulating him
even more. As much as he doesn’t want to, he eventually pulls away and nudges
Jungkook down to the mattress. Apparently weak in the knees, Jungkook drops
down onto the fluid blue bed silks-- keeping himself propped up by his elbows.
Under the sterling luminescence of the moon, Seokjin can see him avoiding eye
contact. His chest heaves up and down in unsteady breaths.
Slowly, the blond lowers himself down onto his knees and in front of the young
prince. At this, he catches Jungkook’s eyes which are now wide with awareness.
“What are you doing--”
“It’s fine.” Seokjin ambles his hands up on a trail of their own over
Jungkook’s thighs, a faint reassuring smile playing across his lips. Jungkook
doesn’t say anything more but his gaze traces down to Seokjin’s hands which
have moved up further to his belt. Seokjin unfastens it with ease before
stretching up to give Jungkook an encouraging kiss. Jungkook doesn’t hesitate
to kiss him back this time, returning it with equal fervor as Seokjin carefully
draws his legs apart to move in between them. He slides his hand underneath his
slacks and palms against the younger male’s hardened length. Jungkook breaks
the kiss to breathe out shakily and Seokjin takes this opportunity to bite and
suck on the tender area of his neck. He feels Jungkook’s fingers moving up to
his shoulder and tightening around the fabric of his shirt, seemingly liking
what he’s doing.
Seokjin runs his tongue over the reddened mark he has left on Jungkook’s neck
before pulling away and tugging the Prince’s slacks down. Jungkook keeps his
head lowered, his expression shrouded by the darkness and his fringes. But then
he lifts his hips up a bit and once his slacks have been tugged down enough,
Seokjin lays his stare on his exposed arousal. He could feel his own cheeks
coloring at the sight, a bit caught off-guard by the dark-haired male’s size.
Has Jungkook ever touched himself?
He doesn’t seem like the person to do so but if he actually has, the mere
thought of it is enough to work up the blond.
He has never touched a man before though so in a way, this is a new territory
for the both of them. He has been sucked off before by his generous female
clients but he couldn’t count on the same thing for Jungkook. He tries to think
back on how his clients did it but his mind draws a blank. He wants this to be
an exhilarating experience for Jungkook but how can he do that when he’s never
done this before?
Seokjin swallows the lump that has latched onto his throat as he looks up at
Jungkook whose head is turned to the side, patient but obviously stirred. The
commanding air he normally carries with him is long gone and has been instead
replaced by uncertainty and discomposure. He’s letting Seokjin hold the reins
of the moment for once and Seokjin takes it as a personal responsibility of
his. Even though he’s never touched another man before, he’s still particularly
adept at sex-- more so than Jungkook.
Slowly, he reaches over to tilt Jungkook’s head towards him and press his lips
against his as his other hand travel down to wrap around the base of his heated
flesh. Another suppressed moan breaks out from the back of Jungkook’s throat
but he doesn’t dare on breaking the kiss, evidently intent on swallowing down
whatever kind of noises his voice is yearning to make. His fingers trail up to
entangle through Seokjin’s pale golden hair then clenching his grip tight when
Seokjin starts to move his hand up and down his hardened arousal. Seokjin runs
his thumb over the rousing trail of clear fluid exuding from the tip as he
gives his lips one last peck before lowering himself back down, settling
himself comfortably on the floor between Jungkook’s legs.
He looks back up at Jungkook but the young prince has his hand up to veil the
latter half of his face, probably thoroughly embarrassed at how much heat is
daubing up in his cheeks. But his eyes are on Seokjin’s and Seokjin takes that
as an encouragement to push further.
Stopping his hand, he bends down to dart the tip of his tongue and run it over
the precum seeping out. He feels Jungkook slightly jerking at the contact and
he places a hand on his thigh, running it up and down to ease his nerves.
Carefully, Seokjin immerses his lips around the roused skin-- only managing to
take half of him in before finally hearing Jungkook let out a voice. The sound
has been cut short though, as if the Prince has quickly caught himself before
he could embarrass himself even more.
Seokjin pulls back, takes a breath, and goes back down on him again.
His hand moves around the area his lips can’t reach and he feels Jungkook’s
upper frame slightly curling over him and giving his hair a weak tug. He hears
him breathing out another curse in Gennaian and this brings in a whole new
swell of confidence within the blond. Seokjin continues to slide his head
unevenly, sucking and licking as he does so before pulling back just to press
his tongue flat against the crown of the younger male’s length. He finds
Jungkook still covering the lower part of his face but his eyes are shut closed
this time, his brows furrowed in evident concentration and bliss.
Seokjin doesn’t even know if he’s doing this right but based on the reactions
he’s eliciting from the Prince, he could only assume that he’s doing okay at
the very least.
He begins to move his hand around his flesh again as he stares up at him.
“Good?” He coaxes, wanting Jungkook to look at him.
Much to his satisfaction, Jungkook opens his eyes and stares at him without
lowering his hand. He doesn’t answer but the clear bright fluster in his eyes
are good enough of an answer. Seokjin smiles at him before lowering his head
down again to lap up the substance trailing down his length with his tongue.
Once again, he takes him in his mouth and Jungkook lets out another terse moan
against his palm. Seokjin could feel his own groin twitching at the sound but
he keeps his focus fixated on making the Prince come.
He hollows his cheeks-- one of the few things he remembers his clients doing to
him-- and Jungkook’s tugs at his hair upon the sudden pressure. Seokjin tries
to take him in deeper into his mouth but pulls back immediately when he
realizes that he still hasn’t gotten the hang of it yet.
“Seokjin…” He hears Jungkook breathe out, unknowingly sending a sharp shiver
down Seokjin’s spine and arousing the blond even more. He has never heard
Jungkook say his name before and it brings a nearly unendurable swell of warmth
in his chest. Seokjin feels his fingers trailing from his hair and down to his
shoulder to nudge him away. Seokjin does so quickly, swallowing down the taste
of precum in his mouth as he looks back up at Jungkook. But Jungkook doesn’t
give him enough time to stare at him because he pulls him up for another kiss.
Seokjin feels his cheeks flush at the action. He didn’t think Jungkook would
want to kiss him after sucking him off but the younger male doesn’t seem to
give a damn that he could taste himself in his mouth.
“Jungkook…” He breathes out, frustratingly finding the will to part from the
kiss for now. Jungkook looks back at him with dark clouded eyes and the mere
sight of it works the blond up even more. “Do you really want to do this?”
“Haven’t we moved past that already?”
“I just want to be sure.”
Jungkook searches his face again before eventually nodding his head and placing
a chaste kiss over Seokjin’s lips. “I want this, Seokjin.”
I must be going mad,Seokjin thinks because he still can’t be convinced that
this is really happening. That Jungkook really wants him. The feeling is
incomprehensible, pronounced and just utterly chaotic. It draws out through
every extent of his body, engulfing him.
He wants this just as much.
Seokjin pulls his shirt up and over his head, the cold evening air striking his
bare skin right at once. He tosses the material to the side and sees Jungkook
just taking the sight in before him, professedly shy all of a sudden. His stare
embarrasses Seokjin but the blond doesn’t let that take control over him as
soon as he finds his voice.
“I can’t see you clearly in the dark.” He points out, about to stand up and
light some candles.
But Jungkook tugs him back down by the hand. “No.” He says, his voice firm for
the first time since they reached his room. “I want to keep it that way.”
Seokjin stares at him, dumbfounded. “But I want to see you.”
Jungkook shakes his head. “I can’t do that yet.”
Seokjin suddenly recalls the red scratches staining all over Jungkook’s torso
and how Taehyung had insinuated that they have all been self-inflicted.
Understandingly, he nods his head and lowers back down to his knees.
“All right.” He finally says before kissing him again, his hands coming up to
unravel the laces on Jungkook’s shirt. He eventually discards the material off
of him and doesn’t waste any more time in kissing him again. He unfastens his
own belt as he does so, moving up to hover over him until the Prince is lying
flat on his back. Seokjin draws away from his lips to tug Jungkook’s slacks
further down to get rid of it before doing the same thing to his own. Just as
he has finally discarded the remaining pieces of clothing, he finds Jungkook
moving back up against the pillows-- looking anywhere but him.
Seokjin crawls over to him to seize his lips with his again, his hand coming up
to press both of their aroused lengths together. He moans at the much awaited
contact as he moves his hand eagerly. Jungkook moves underneath him in complete
sync with his hand.
Their kiss begins to take on a deeper and demanding tone.
But Seokjin pulls back when he feels a glass bottle being pushed against his
free hand. He looks down to find Jungkook handing him the bottle of oil that he
must have reached for from the bedside table while he was distracted. It’s no
surprise that the servants have prepared this along with a couple of neatly
folded towels near the bed. Seokjin looks down at him with a quizzical arch of
a brow.
“Have you done this before?”
Jungkook frowns at him, but the infatuated fluster remains still in his eyes.
He props himself up on his elbows. “I’ve done research, idiot.”
A teasing grin slowly graces Seokjin’s lips. “Oh, so you’ve been looking
forward to doing this with me?”
“If that’s what you want to think.” Seokjin knows that he’s teasing back even
when his words and his expression lack the necessary tone to them.
Seokjin casts his eyes down to the bottle then back up at Jungkook, stumbling
indecisiveness nearly freezing him. “Do you… o-or should I…”
As though making sense of the question he’s going for, Jungkook bites his lip
uncertainly. “I don’t know…”
“Well… have you ever pictured us doing this?”
“Yes but…” Seokjin notices Jungkook’s gaze trailing from his chest and down to
his length. He hears him swallow. “...it depends.”
“Depends on what?” Seokjin carefully pushes.
Jungkook looks away, his jaw taut with self-consciousness. “On what I’m in the
mood for.”
At least this answers Seokjin’s earlier question. Jungkook has certainly
touched himself-- and to the thought of him too. This undeniably excites the
blond as he leans down to brush his lips against the younger male’s.
“If it makes you feel better, I have never done this with a guy before so this
all new to me as well.” He admits gently in a hopeful attempt to reassure him.
“So I’ll do whatever makes you comfortable.”
Jungkook seems to hesitate for a fleeting moment but then he brings his hand up
to the back of Seokjin’s neck to pull him down for another brief kiss.
“You are mine.” He says, his constantly restated line not bringing any dread or
annoyance to Seokjin like it used to. It doesn’t bear the usually assertive
touch to it. Jungkook kisses him again before breaking the contact and leaning
his forehead against his, his eyes closed and his breaths brushing softly
against Seokjin’s lips.
Then he adds in almost a whisper, “and I am yours.”
This provokes a fierce spark inside Seokjin and he kisses him again, hard. He
feels Jungkook’s fingers tangling through his blond locks as he coaxes him to
lie back down onto the mattress. He travels his lips down to the Prince’s
collarbone, biting and sucking as he does so while his hand almost clumsily
unlatches the closure of the bottle. He pours an even amount of oil over his
fingers, some of it slipping off and dripping down onto Jungkook’s tight
stomach in messy droplets. He sets the bottle aside for now as he moves up to
give the Prince another brief kiss.
He hears Jungkook take in a shudder of a breath when he pulls away.
Seokjin keeps his eyes on him as he drifts his hand down to prod the tip of a
single smeared finger inside of him. Jungkook’s breath hitches and he throws an
arm over his eyes, his chest heaving up and down in supposed incitement.
Seokjin catches a glimpse of a few faint scratches all over Jungkook’s skin but
chooses not to dwell on them. He runs his tongue over his lips and slowly
pushes his finger in further, watching for any kind of reaction from the other
male that would indicate him wanting to put a stop to this.
When his finger slides in deeper, Jungkook slightly arches his back and reaches
out a bit to hold onto Seokjin’s wrist. Seokjin pauses, waiting for Jungkook to
tell him to stop. However, Jungkook only stays still until he eventually lets
him go and moves his head back up against the pillow-- his arm shrouding any
traces of an expression from him aside from his parted lips.
Seokjin pushes his finger deeper in up to his knuckle before pulling it out
halfway and pushing it back in, receiving suppressed short moans and subtly
uncomfortable squirms from the Prince. Jungkook’s body is slick with sweat
under the moonlight, his nipples perked from the freezing evening air and
arousal. It is a sight so rare to behold that the thought of being the only one
who gets to see Jungkook like this nearly takes Seokjin’s breath away.
Eventually, he edges in a second finger and Jungkook doesn’t jerk as much at
the intrusion. Seokjin begins to spread his fingers inside him, genuinely
wanting this part to be over with so he could satisfy his own urges as well.
But Jungkook’s comfort matters more and he knows that he will have to be
patient. He reaches for the bottle of oil again and pours it onto his fingers,
not bothering to stop them from sliding in and out of Jungkook as he coats them
with enough amount.
Just right when he curls his fingers, Jungkook jolts up and lets out a loud
voice.
Seokjin stops.
Jungkook freezes.
They both stare at each other for a moment.
Until Seokjin repeats the exact same action, eliciting another violent flinch
from the Prince. Jungkook covers his mouth to bite back another noise, his
glare that lacks actual indignation bearing down hard on Seokjin.
“Was that good?” Seokjin asks but doesn’t give Jungkook enough time to react as
he moves his fingers to hit the same spot again.
Jungkook’s moan comes off muffled against his hand as he throws his head back
against the pillow, Seokjin mercilessly driving his fingers against the same
spot over and over again. With his free hand, the blond reaches up to hold
Jungkook’s hot length and Jungkook arches his back off the bed. He desperately
closes his legs, pinning Seokjin’s arm between them but the blond nudges them
open again as he lowers his head down to lick a long trail up his length.
Jungkook writhes underneath him, defenseless as he breathes out another curse.
Seokjin can tell that he’s close. His breaths are growing quicker and heavier
with every passing second but he can’t let him have his release just yet.
And so with that, he pulls his fingers away and Jungkook lets out a frustrated
grunt-- now a beautiful sweaty mess. Seokjin brushes his damp fringes away from
his forehead to plant him a kiss there before reaching for the bottle again.
He begins to coat his own arousal with oil, feeling Jungkook’s stare on him as
he does so. He could feel himself tremble with immense anticipation but knowing
that this is Jungkook’s first time, he needs to collect himself. He’s the one
leading here and Jungkook is letting him. He has his trust in him. Seokjin
finds Jungkook staring right back at him, his hair disheveled handsomely and
his lips moist and slightly bruised from all their kisses.
“What?” Seokjin asks him curiously, running his smeared hand around his own
length.
“Nothing.” Jungkook shakes his head and draws his gaze away. “I just… still
can’t believe you’re doing this with me.”
The self-doubt Jungkook had with him earlier has returned and Seokjin leans in
to turn his head toward his direction. Jungkook looks up at him and sure
enough, he’s lacking the confidence he used to pride himself in. He isn’t the
cold impassive man people loathed, but someone who isn’t reacting any
differently from anyone who is about to have their first time with the person
they’re sure about.
And perhaps this isn’t the only thing he’s been so reluctant of recently.
“I am yours, right?” Seokjin reminds him with a small comforting smile. “And…
you are mine.”
Jungkook searches his eyes for a second or two before his gaze drifts down to
Seokjin’s lips. Knowing that he isn’t going to make the first move this time,
Seokjin closes in on him and locks their lips together. Jungkook kisses him
back a bit too eagerly which nearly catches the blond off-guard.
But Seokjin isn’t complaining.
He feels Jungkook’s arms looping over his neck and he carefully positions
himself, his hard arousal touching Jungkook’s entrance. He feels Jungkook pause
for half a second in the midst of their kiss and Seokjin pulls back a bit, his
fingers shaking with impatience.
“Ready?” He asks breathlessly.
Jungkook swallows, his gaze shifting to the side as he nods.
Seokjin reaches down to hold the back of the Prince’s thighs and winds them
around his waist before closing in on him again to press his lips against his.
Keeping Jungkook distracted by the locking of their lips, Seokjin gradually
presses his length down into him.
Jungkook flinches at the intrusion and separates himself from their kiss to
throw his head to the side, biting down onto his lip as though to stifle any
more moans. Seokjin lets out a trembled breath and nuzzles Jungkook’s neck,
breathing in the sweet aroma of soap as he nudges himself in deeper. Jungkook’s
breathing hitches but makes no indication of stopping the blond.
Seokjin licks a long trail up his neck, feeling Jungkook’s hold on him
tightening-- the younger male’s blunt nails digging into his back. Jungkook’s
entire frame is still far too rigid for Seokjin to push in further. Seokjin
sighs and presses gentle kisses on his neck, his hand drifting down to run it
over Jungkook’s thigh gently.
“Relax…” He coaxes softly against his ear.
He hears Jungkook taking in another deep breath before slowly setting himself
at ease. It takes a while but soon enough, Seokjin finds himself pressing in
deeper.
Once he’s completely inside him, Seokjin breathes out in content as he moves up
to look at Jungkook. Jungkook loosens his hold on him and turns his head to the
side, throwing his arm over his eyes again as he tries to catch up on his
breathing.
“Are you okay?” Seokjin asks, caressing his jaw.
Jungkook licks his lips. “Wait…”
Seokjin stays still, the tight warmth bounding around his length making it
harder for him to keep himself in control. This isn’t like his time at the
tavern nor the night he had spent with the Androtisun Princess. He was sloppy,
impatient and rough during those moments.
But this is different.
Because for once, he wants this to last as long as it can before the real world
yanks them back to their disastrous circumstances. After this, they will have
to function in ways people are used to seeing them as. Jungkook will have to
maintain his detached facade so the wrong people won’t be able to see through
to him while Seokjin still has to make a decision that will affect not only his
life, but the lives of Callians.
This could very well be their last night together.
When Jungkook finally nods his head, Seokjin drags a deep intake of breath
before pulling his hips back a bit then pushing himself back in. Jungkook
throws his head back against the pillow again as a sharp gasp slips past his
lips. Seokjin holds his thighs in place and jerks his hips again in a slow
careful manner, his eyes searching for any kinds of signs where Jungkook wants
him to stop.
Fortunately, nothing comes up and Seokjin takes that as a good sign to pick up
his pace.
He jerks his hips sharper this time and this earns him a short breathy moan
from the Prince. Soon enough, Seokjin finds himself working at an even pace-
- his own breaths coming up short with each thrust. Jungkook pants underneath
him, a subdued moan escaping his lips every now and then and his fingers
digging into his palm. The stretched heat squeezing around the blond’s length
is almost too unbearable for Seokjin to keep himself at a balanced motion. Only
realizing now that he can’t see Jungkook’s face, he reaches out to pull his arm
away but Jungkook keeps it planted firmly over his eyes, his other hand
clenching onto the blue silks underneath him.
Seokjin pauses. “Jungkook--”
“No.” Jungkook refuses with a shake of his head.
Seokjin frowns. “It’s bad enough that I can’t see you in the dark. I want to
see your face.”
Jungkook’s chest continues to heave with heavy breaths as he seems to hang back
on what to do. Seokjin jerks his hips forward without warning and a sharp gasp
eludes past Jungkook’s lips, completely breaking his train of thoughts as
Seokjin dives in to suck and bite onto his neck.
“J-Jungkook,” He says in between rapid short thrusts. “let me see your face.”
Jungkook doesn’t respond but his voice slips past his lips in sync with the
jerking of his hips. Believing it to be good enough of a distraction, Seokjin
brings his hand up and pulls Jungkook’s arm down.
Their eyes meet.
And a sudden scorching wave of desire seethes within Seokjin’s nerves as he
finds his hips involuntarily quickening his pace. Jungkook’s voice grows louder
but Seokjin stifles it with a swift impassioned kiss. Jungkook’s cries melt
into his mouth, even yelping against it the very second Seokjin encloses his
fingers around his neglected leaking arousal. Seokjin jerks his roused flesh
sloppily, twisting his wrist and rubbing his palm against the warm skin as he
feels Jungkook finally moving along in time with his thrusts.
“Seokjin…” Jungkook breaks away from his lips to gasp out his name, most likely
unaware of the intense impact it has on his partner. Seokjin straightens up and
jerks his hips into rough abrupt thrusts, watching Jungkook try and compose
himself but failing. He’s the only one who can get Jungkook to react like this.
He’s the only one who can get to see him like this. Jungkook trusts him enough
to let him in.
Feeling himself getting closer, Seokjin seizes their lips together once again
as he pushes in deeper and jerks Jungkook’s length faster. Jungkook’s nails
claw down onto his back, doubtlessly leaving red trails behind. Seokjin notices
the change of pattern in the Prince’s noises and he knows that he’s just as
close as well. The familiar heat curls and throbs at the pit of his stomach and
after a few assertive thrusts, he finds himself releasing in pure bliss.
Jungkook gasps out from their kiss as he reaches his own release, trails of
white fluid staining his stomach and Seokjin’s hand.
Seokjin thrusts out his release inside him, shuddering from the exhilaration
before eventually losing his energy. Carefully, he pulls himself out and gently
slumps down against Jungkook-- their heaving breaths simultaneous. Not a single
word has been uttered between the two of them, only now the faint sounds of the
feast from outside spilling in and calling their attention.
But Seokjin doesn’t want to be reminded of the world outside these chambers
yet.
And he doesn’t want Jungkook remembering it as well.
With a strained grunt, Seokjin lifts himself up to look down at Jungkook. But
not so surprisingly, Jungkook wouldn’t meet his eyes. He has his head turned to
the side and in spite of the darkness shrouding him, Seokjin could see the
delicate flush of his cheeks under the mild moonlight.
“Jungkook,” He says softly after pressing a kiss on the other male’s jaw. “you
okay?”
Jungkook appears to be hesitant but relents eventually. “I’m fine… but it’s
hot.” He nudges Seokjin away in a feeble manner and Seokjin gathers his
strength to draw away from him. Jungkook grunts as he sits up and reaches over
to snag a towel from the bedside table, a grimace surfacing over his features.
“And I feel sticky.”
He hands Seokjin the towel before taking another one for himself.
“Nothing hurts?” Seokjin asks.
“My body aches and that’s just as worst as it can get.” Jungkook tells him, the
nature of his voice retaking its impassive quality but at this point, Seokjin
can tell it’s a front he puts up to conceal his embarrassment. He doesn’t know
why Jungkook is still putting up with the act though when the blond has
technically seen every side of him.
Once they have cleaned themselves up and discarded the towels to the side,
Seokjin moves up to hover over Jungkook once more and plant a chaste kiss onto
his lips; delighted to know that the Prince did not withdraw from the contact
despite his embarrassment. He then plops down onto the mattress beside him with
a tired sigh. He sees Jungkook still sitting upright, his bare back exposed for
his eyes to feast on. Just right behind his shoulders, Seokjin could see
similar faint red scratches marked all over his skin.
“Jungkook?” He calls him out, his hand coming up to gently tug Jungkook’s arm.
“What are you thinking about?”
Jungkook glances down at him. “You.”
Seokjin snorts. “That’s original.”
Jungkook stumbles over his words at first, undoubtedly caught off-guard by his
comment. “Being ‘romantic’ is not what I was going for.”
When Seokjin tugs his arm again somehow stubbornly, Jungkook sighs and lies
down beside him-- kicking then pulling the sheets up over their bare bodies. As
soon as he makes sure that the Prince is comfortably settled beside him,
Seokjin prods. “Then what exactly were you going for?”
Jungkook turns to his side to look at him, his expression now entirely shrouded
by the dimness of the room. “I was wondering when did you start thinking of me
in this way.”
“You mean naked?”
Jungkook slaps his chest weakly and the blond just laughs, catching his hand
before the Prince could draw it away. Seokjin brings his hand up to his lips to
kiss his fingers. “Why were you thinking about that?”
He sees Jungkook’s shoulders lift up to a shrug. “It just… feels too surreal.”
A charmed smile stretches Seokjin’s lips. At least he knows he isn’t the only
one who’s still struggling to believe this is actually happening.
“You’re not regretting it, are you?” He asks in slight apprehension.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Jungkook gives his hand a reassuring squeeze. “Why, do
you?”
“No.” Seokjin shakes his head. But just like what Jungkook said, this feels all
too surreal. It almost seems like yesterday when he was presented to the
audience chamber and was introduced to a prince who wanted nothing to do with
him-- who threatened him, ridiculed him, and even hit him when he struck a
nerve. It would make sense that neither of them ever really thought that
everything will lead the two of them up to this very moment.
“How was it?” Seokjin decides to ask in spite of the pull of sleep in his
system. “For your first time?”
“It was…” Jungkook pauses for a moment and it feels like he’s doing it on
purpose for effect. “...adequate.”
“A-Adequate…?!” Seokjin sputters in disbelief.
Jungkook laughs before pecking the blond on the lips, sending him heavy
flutters in his stomach. “You’re an easy mark for mockery.”
Seokjin feels his own lips smiling when he hears Jungkook’s own smile in his
voice. “And you’re a sadist.”
“According to Navroz, I’m a savage.”
“He’s the one going around killing animals for sport.”
Jungkook chuckles at that but hesitation swallows the mood in when Seokjin
feels the Prince’s hold on his hand loosening. Silence stills the atmosphere to
a strained confinement until Jungkook slices it clean with a notice of what
awaits them outside his chambers.
“By tomorrow, Navroz is to be your master.”
Seokjin immediately shakes his head. “No, I don’t want to think about that
right now.”
Jungkook is quiet for a moment and knowing how adamant he can be, Seokjin fears
that he might push the topic more.
But Jungkook just moves closer to him. “All right.”
Seokjin plants a soft kiss to his lips, quick but eagerly returned by the
younger male.
“Thank you.” He sighs after drawing away as he leans his forehead against
Jungkook’s, his eyes closed and the feeling of slumber pulling him in deeper.
He could still feel Jungkook’s stare on him but it no longer sends him the
panic and uneasiness it usually brings.
But right before he falls asleep, he feels Jungkook brushing their lips
together.
“I don't deserve you."
Chapter End Notes
     The first of many... O_O
     Kudos and comments are great motivators! c:
Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed
their work!