FOUR WEEKS HAD passed, Tahani slipping out of the palace every other evening to meet Jimin.

Every time they met, she would bring over a bag of her own treats; fruits, vegetables, desserts, anything she could discretely sneak out of the kitchen. Saving some for Jimin, she gifted the delights to children, elders, and other village people who she would pass by. It became a routine, one that she started to be known for.

This time, when she arrived in Jimin's town, she had started for his home as they had planned to meet during the day for the first time in a while. On her way, however, she came across the bookstall owner as she hauled her way along the side of the road. Tahani noticed her hoarse breathing and slight limp, prompting her to rush to her side.

"Hey grandma," she quickly grabbed her arms, "Are you alright?"

The woman sent her a small smile, "Yes, I'm—"

However, before she should finish her sentence, her weak legs gave in, and she started to fall to the floor. Eyes widening, Tahani knelt beside her, taking her hand and pressing the back of it to her forehead.

"Grandma! How could you be outside when you're this sick? You should be inside resting!" the younger woman scolded, and the lady shook her head.

"I'm really fine, sweetheart—"

"No, no, you're not," looking around for help, she tried to catch the attention of someone who was walking past. Luckily, while there was no one there at that moment, a familiar figure turned the corner and froze in the far distance when they saw Tahani on the floor with the bookstore owner.

Pulling hands out of pockets, he jogged up to the two, crouching down as well.

"What happened?"

"Grandma here is unwell and isn't admitting it," she scolded again, "Could you do me a favour, Jimin?"

"Of course, what do you need?"

And with that, Tahani listed off a couple of herbs and spices, asking Jimin to create a small tonic by mixing them all together. Nodding, he quickly got up and disappeared into the nearest house.

Smiling gratefully as he left, she turned back to the older woman, "After you drink this, we're getting you home, and you are going to rest. Okay?"

"Honey, I don't need—"

"I'm not taking no for an answer," fortunately, Jimin arrived in no time and handed her the glass of brown liquid.

The lady scrunched her nose at the smell, but Tahani shook her head, "I promise it will help."

Jimin rested his hand on her shoulder as he waited for her to drink it, "She seems to know what she's talking about," he told her, "She learns about health for fun."

"Why do you say that like it's a bad thing?" she questioned sarcastically to the now-laughing Jimin.

"Quick, drink it before I get an earful," he teased, and the pair waited.

She finally caved, reluctantly pressing the drink to her lips.

"It might not help straight away," Tahani informed her, "But after some rest you should be fine. Is there someone who can look after your stall for a few days?"

"Yes," Jimin interjected, probably knowing she would disagree, "Vedha hasn't started school for the semester yet."

"Vedha?"

"Her granddaughter. She's in her last year of high school, and I'm sure she'd be more than happy to help out."

"That's perfect," Tahani grinned at him before extending it to the elder, watching her finish up the last of the concoction, "Let's get you home now."

So they did, both supporting her as they hobbled to her house. Jimin had taken Tahani's bag over his own shoulders, despite her protests.

It didn't take too long, and they engaged in adorable conversation about Vedha—her granddaughter—a small girl with big dreams, a big heart and an even bigger voice.

"I can't wait to meet her," Tahani cheesed, "I feel like we could get along well."

"I think you two would," the grandmother nodded, "I would love for you two to meet. Next time you're visiting, come around. She'll most likely be at home."

When she said that, she saw a smirk start to pull at Jimin's lips while a blush bit at her cheeks. No one else knew how often she actually came around. She strolled these streets almost every day, in the secret of the night. But to the people, it seemed as though she only seldom came by.

"Next time she comes around, I'll make sure she stops by," Jimin finally said when Tahani didn't reply.

"Perfect," pinching his cheek, she stepped foot into her house, "Are you two sure you wouldn't like to stay for some tea?"

"Yes, we're sure," he spoke for them again, "We have a couple of errands to run."

Tahani raised an eyebrow questioningly, but said nothing. What did he mean? He had told her that he'd already finished his deliveries for the week as he wanted to keep the day free.

"Alright, sweethearts," waving weakly, she pulled the door half-closed, "Have a great day, alright?"

"We will," Jimin had said before the door closed softly.

Turning to him, Tahani crossed her arms over her chest, "Errands? What errands? You never told me about any errands."

"You wouldn't have wanted to stay anyway," he pointed out, "She was offering tea."

"But what if I did?" They had gotten to know each other quite well over the past four weeks, each other's likes and dislikes coming to them like common knowledge.

He shifted around, and she knew he was hiding a smile, "C'mon, we have somewhere to be."

"What?"

Turning his head over his shoulder to look at her, the smile that graced his face immediately sent tingles down her spine.

A sigh left her at the sight. He just looked so warm.

She wanted to carry his light in her fists. She wished to be able to bottle up his warmth and show others that the world was still a beautiful place.

"When are you expected back at the palace, by the way?" he asked as she followed behind, but she froze.

"Wait, what?"

"Hmm?" Turning around, "I asked, what time are you expected back?"

"H-How do you know I'm from the palace?"

"Oh," he bit his lip, "Sorry, was I not meant to know?"

"Well, it's not meant to be a secret," taking the opportunity to catch up, she stood by him, "But how did you know?"

"Uhm," he rubbed the back of his neck, "It was an assumption I made when I first met you. I guess I didn't think anyone else around here would wear such extravagant outfits—not that it's bad! I just assumed. And then, as days passed, it was confirmed by the few things you'd say about your sisters, your home. I mean, I've never been to a library, let alone have one in my own place."

"Oh," pursing her lips together, "Right."

"I'm sorry; perhaps I should have told you that I knew. I didn't think it made a difference, but—"

"No," she turned then, taking a step forward toward the beach, already knowing that was where they were headed, "No, that's fine."

"For what it's worth," he joined her, "I think you make an amazing princess."

She raised an eyebrow at him again, so he continued.

"In the past four weeks I've known you, I've learnt how you thirst for knowledge. About the people here, about science—which I will never understand, by the way—about the smallest ways of improving our lifestyles. Your light is shining in all the places you've set foot in here, and it's just the kind of person I'd think we'd want helping rule our country."

Your light is shining in all the places you've set foot in.

All her life she's told herself that she had no light inside. But he was saying something completely different.

"Thanks, Jimin," letting her gaze fall to her feet, they listened to the rhythm of her bangles and kolusu the rest of the way, neither knowing what to say to fill the gaps.

It was okay, though; they were comfortable.

Once at the beach, they spotted the blanket Jimin had placed along with a picnic basket and a small bag.

"You know, you really don't have to go to all this trouble every time we meet."

"It's not every time," he shrugged, "Besides, I want to."

"What did you bake this time?" She grinned, shuffling closer to the mat, "I'm starving."

"Nothing new," he joined her, "Just—"

She gasped when she opened the box, "My favourite!" She finished for him.

"Your favourite," he nodded, smiling proudly to himself.

"Don't mind me," unwrapping the goods, she brought it to her mouth, "I'm not waiting for you."

He chuckled, tilting his head to the side as he watched her, "That's okay."

"Hey," lifting her hand to cover his face, she spoke again, "You know I don't like being watched when I'm eating."

"But I like watching you," the words left him, and she was grateful she had been covering his eyes, for she knew the pink dusting her cheeks then wouldn't have been subtle.

"Jimin—"

"Especially when you're happy," he continued, as if he didn't care that she was a flustered mess, "Your eyes crinkle at the sides when you smile like that, and your cheeks seem to lift even higher. It's adorable."

Stop. She wanted to say. The rope around her lungs had pulled together even tighter, and Tahani didn't know how much longer this feeling of breathlessness would come up when he spoke to her.

Dropping her hand slowly, she met his eyes. And they were looking back at her with the fondest expression. He was looking at her as if he saw an entire galaxy in her own orbs, ones she was sure were void of any beauty.

"Jimin," her heart, a wild, restless beast in her chest, was thumping so hard against her ribcage that she couldn't hear her own thoughts. "Jimin, what are we?"

He looked taken aback by her question, blinking wordlessly for a few seconds. With every breath that passed, Tahani felt her heart drop further and further.

What if she didn't like his answer? What if he didn't think of her the way she thought of him? What if—

"I-I don't know," he let out finally, a sigh accompanying his euphonic voice, "I don't know."

"Wh—"

"I'm sorry, Tahani, I'm sorry if I've been bothering you—"

"No, no, that's—"

"I just know that every time I see you, my entire being seems to light up. Like I've been alone my entire life—I haven't—but being with you makes me feel like there's been a bunch of emotion, experiences, feelings that have been hidden from me. When I'm with you, I never want to leave, and when I'm not with you, I want to see you again."

"Oh—"

"I don't know what this feeling is, but it makes me too happy to let go. I'm sorry if I've been burdensome, though. I truly didn't mean for you to feel that way."

"No!" she half-yelled, "Ah, sorry. I feel the same way; I don't know if there is even a name for how I feel around you." Because how could there be? Being with Jimin is unreal; it's beauty, and grace, and all things heavenly. She could search every literature book, every dictionary or scholar's work. She would never be able to describe it.

A smile pinned his lips then, and he gently reached out to brush a strand of hair behind her ear, "Because a bird flew before there was a word for flight, one day there will be a name for what we have."

Breathing catching in her throat, it hit her like a book to the face.

She had finally met her sun. The person whose light she wanted—needed to mirror for the rest of the world—the person who'd light her up in all her darkness.

The sun to her moon.

thank you again for reading!

this week's been a rollercoaster omg, i've been really sick the entire time and on top of that, dealing with a whole lot of rage after a dear friend of mine got plagiarised and then she was gaslit, manipulated and lied to about it. yikes, people can just be so :(

anyWAY let's just hope the coming few days and weeks are better :')

how are you!! how is everything going on your end? i hope you're liking the story so far!