Growing up, Prince Yoongi has never liked the tradition of keeping slaves. It seems archaic and backward, watching all the court royals clad in the most dazzling designer hanbok outfits, parading around with beautiful slaves as trophy pets.

His parents shrug as he brings it up as a child, "It's a part of tradition. Feudalism is dying in this day and age, all traditions are. It's our job to maintain the orders from the past. You will understand, when you become king."

Yoongi never interferes with other royal's affairs, turning a blind eye as they flaunt and compete amongst themselves with their pets.To him, life already feels trapped, why strip more people of freedom for service, or assert dominance on the weak just for a show of power.

He has a secret dream, of being a modern sovereign that wins people over with intellect and principles, not just by inheritance.But over time, the dream dulls & recedes to the back, as he realizes that there are restrictions to the power of a prince, & eventual, of a king.

One day, during court, a group of prisoners of war was brought in. The neighboring country Omelas is the country's biggest rivalry, so after a critical battle, select captives are brought all the way back to the capital, as a show to flaunt the victory.

Yoongi watches as each royal family picks a prisoner to become a slave of the household. The group dwindles until only one remains, and the crowd in court quiets as he is brought in front of Prince Yoongi.

"He was a minor prince in Omelas. A suitable tribute to your imperial highness, I believe." The General bows in front of Yoongi, but his voice is loud enough for all to hear.

Yoongi frowns at the sight - the clothes on the tall slave in front of him are tattered, and the grime on his face can't hide the beauty underneath. There's a limp when he walks, and yoongi can tell each step takes tremendous effort, but the slave's head is tilted up proudly.

Yoongi clenches his jaw at the thought of how the general is putting him on the spot. All the prominent families at court have contributed greatly to the war efforts, they want to celebrate in a moment of victory. As the prince, it is his job to acknowledge their wishes and respect tradition.

His gaze turns cold, and just as he is about to deny the general the pleasure of watching him cave in, he spots the trail of crimson by the slave's feet, and the way his gaze flickers in and out, hanging onto life by a thread.

Yoongi knows the fate that awaits the slave, if he's to be rejected as a tribute. Whatever he's suffered so far will seem kind in comparison.The slave looks towards him, and their eyes lock. His gaze is unflinching, not an ounce of pleading to be found in those alluring orbs.

What an idiot, can't even submit to his fate to save his own life. Yoongi rolls his eyes, but can't deny the stir in his heart.If the tide of war turns the other way, and if our positions ever switch, would I be just as stubborn as you? Yoongi sighs.

On that day, the tall fallen royal of Omelas becomes the first and last slave of Yoongi's household. His name is Taehyung.

Later that night, Yoongi makes way to the small room by the edge of his residence that's been assigned to Taehyung. He hastens his steps at the sound of shouting and yelling. Striding through the door, Yoongi spots two servants holding Taehyung down onto the floor. His breath hitches at the sight of a metal brand by the fireplace, the insignia at the tip of the brand glowing dimly.

As per tradition, slaves of each household receive a branding of the family crest. Yoongi's royal insignia is that of a tiger. Not pouncing, not baring its canines, just a tiger lifting its front paw majestically, as if sauntering through an open rice field. For absolute power does not need to be flaunted, it's ingrained in him, the undisputed authority and responsibilities that come at birth.

Yoongi sucks in a deep breath to steady his mind, and listens as the servants bow down to explain how Taehyung refuses to be branded, no matter how hard they've tried to "persuade" him. He waves the servants away, and steps over to help Taehyung up, taking note of the way Taehyung winces as they touch.

Yoongi speaks carefully, "This won't happen again. Look, I had to do what was necessary to save you, but I promise that you will always have free will from now on. As long as you put up the occasional front at court, for publicity sake. Do we have a deal?"

Taehyung stands frozen, head dipped low, and Yoongi watches as the glint of cold stubbornness in his eyes slowly turns hollow. Just when he's about to turn away, a muted sigh escapes Taehyung, and he gives a tiny stiff nod in response.

That night, Yoongi instructs his entire household staff that only he can give direct orders on anything relating to Taehyung, nobody else, thereby bypassing all the traditional rules a slave must follow.

As the days pass, Tae and Yoongi slowly fall into a routine. Yoongi never tells Tae what to do, & Tae plays the pet role in court quietly, dressed in the most elaborate couture, with bejeweled choker & intricate earrings that are worth the entirety of a small country's fortune. Tae sits obediently by Yoongi's side, never utters a word, although Yoongi would catch him occasionally  suppressing a yawn, or rolling his eyes subtly at some absurd remark by another royal, drawing a small grin out of Yoongi.

It's the time they spend together at night that yoongi really treasures. As Tae's health recovers and his trust in Yoongi grows, he becomes more and more relaxed in private, eyes sparkling prettily, words gushing out when he's excited about the subject. As a former royal himself, Tae is well educated, especially in court politics and military strategies. Even Yoongi's strategist / astrologist Namjoon is often impressed by Tae's unpredictable ideas.

When Yoongi's father suddenly falls ill one day, the court sinks into chaos, people vying for the crown and undercutting Yoongi's authority. They try to stir up distrust between Yoongi & the second prince Jimin, to the point where Yoongi almost believes that his own brother Jimin is scheming to kill him. But Tae talks him out of it, helping to plan for Yoongi and Jimin to meet and speak frankly to each other, dissolving the brooding distrust.

On a crisp autumn day, with shades of earthy brown and vibrant yellow painting the slopes of Namsan, Yoongi inherits the throne in a golden coronation robe, with Taehyung gazing up towards him in the background, smiling fondly.

They enjoy the moments of joyful tranquility together, although Yoongi can always sense something a little hollow about Tae, even in the happiest moment when they are celebrating, something missing in those sparkling eyes. Tae always seems a bit detached, thoughts drifting as a somberness washes over his profile, when he thinks novody's observing him. Yoongi wonders what Tae is really like, away from all the restrictions of his current existence, before all the pains of his past transpired.

Their peace is interrupted when one day, more royal captives arrive from battles at the border, all from Omelas, Tae's homeland. Tae bites his lips and stays silent, as the prisoners are paraded in shackles, to be offered to different families at court as tribute.

He turns to look at Yoongi, and there's mist in his eyes, and for the first time, glints of pleading.

Yoongi hesitates, knowing fully well the consequence of speaking up - he relies on the support of all the aristocratic families to fund the continuous border battles, defying tradition in a moment of celebration is not something a young king can afford.

He gulps and decides to keep quiet. Tae's gaze swirls and turns cold, and he storms out of court, to the gasps and disapproving murmurs of the crowd.

Later that night, when Yoongi visits Tae, Tae is solemn. His voice is low, each word piercing through Yoongi, "You think you are different than your father, that you will rule with your heart, but have you really done anything differently? Or you hide behind your power just like the rest of them? There's no love when you claim the freedom of another, no victory when your glory is built on the suffering of other human beings. I know there are limits to your power, I understand, but sometimes - sometimes your silence hurts just as much as the physical pains we've had to endure."

They don't talk for a while, Tae avoids him and Yoongi can't bring himself to refute what Tae uttered that night with tears streaming down his face. The scene keeps replaying on his mind, as he talks and plans with Namjoon, waiting as an idea begins to take root in his heart.

One day, news arrive from the border that the capital of Omelas is under siege by another country. What a perfect opportunity to end the centuries old feud and conquer Omelas, the crowd whispers in court. By nightfall, under the disguise of the darkness, an unassuming carriage leaves the city wall and joins a small band of troops waiting silently in the countryside. Inside the carriage, Yoongi has shed the usual brilliant royal gold, but is instead clad in commoner garb.

He turns to Tae who is seated next to him, and smiles casually, "Well, now we are finally the same. No more king or slave out here, we fight as equals for as long as we survive."Tae's eyes gleam in the dark, "Why are you doing this? What do you gain out of all this?"

Yoongi averts his gaze, thoughts far away, "To finally correct a wrong, I suppose. I've been silent for far too long."

Yoongi instructs Jimin to govern the country, as he embarks on the treacherous journey to the capital of Omelas with Tae by his side. They outwit bandits, help the war-ravaged locals along the way, and rely on sheer luck and recklessness to survive every battle in their path. Outside of the gilded palace gates, Yoongi revels in finally being free. He learns to let his vulnerability show, when his wound is infected and Tae nurses him back from the brink of death.

Yoongi realizes that this is the first time he's seen Tae for who he truly is. Everything is genuine, the smile that blossoms when he bends down to talk to the village children, the flash of recklessness in his eyes as their gaze locks before battle, the warmth of his shoulder as they support each other and stumble back to the tent after a long day. And Yoongi knows he can no longer go back to the pretty but lifeless doll of a being that Tae maintained in court. This is who Tae really is, fierce, stubborn, gentle and passionate, in all his perfect imperfections. And Yoongi finds himself in rapture, unable to look away.

He doesn't belong to you, he reminds himself sometimes inwardly at night, with Tae sleeping soundly next to him. You have to let him go, for he deserves to be free.

By the time they make it to the capital, the grand palace is in shambles, and the royals embrace Tae with teary eyes, but glance towards Yoongi warily, too tired to fight their inevitable fate.

The court is stunned into silence when Yoongi kneels down in front of the king and queen of Omelas, "I am here, not to conquer, but to offer my support for your nation. I am at your service."

He eyes Tae and continues, "someone once told me that there's no glory in victory built on the suffering of others, and I agree. Prince Jimin has my instruction to release all prisoners from Omelas, and my army at the border is marching in to help defend your capital. I am personally here, to request for an alliance, for peace." 

 That night, in the privacy of their bedroom, Yoongi sits by the edge of the bed and breathes out a long stuttered exhale. It's finally done. Whatever doubt the Omelas court had towards him has been eased by his presence here. Trust can be built once you open yourself up and willingly show your vulnerabilities.

A figure sits down next to him, torso curling in, slender fingers climbing up his arm teasingly. Yoongi averts his gaze, afraid to lose the courage to utter the words that's been plaguing his mind, "I haven't been entirely honest. This trip wasn't just about protecting Omelas."

Tae hums, a small sound that dissipates in the space between them."What I also wanted to do, was to bring you home safely." Yoongi clenches his jaw before continuing, "Sometimes I wish we met in a different ciircumstance, back when you had your own life..."

He lets the words gush out, as if it's the last time, the only time he allows them to be heard, "You were right, there is no love without freedom, I've been too selfish to admit it. Well, you're free now, I won't keep you."

He dips his head down, and waits for the inevitable footsteps away. But instead, he hears a sigh, breathing into his skin and making him shiver, "Well... it's never too late for a fresh start, wouldn't you say..."

When Taehyung's lips brush against his, it all feels like the very first time - soft, chaste, as the past finally fades and the future opens up ahead of them with its infinite possibilities. Taehyung whispers into the kiss, "My king..."

"Yours..." Yoongi responds, heart beating wayward, skin flushed.His hands reach in to grasp Taehyung. Through the opening of his robe, Yoongi spots something in brilliant royal yellow on Taehyung's chest - the outline of a tiger lifting its paw, no longer restricted by the shape of the family crest, but leaping forward into the unknown landscape.

Maybe everyone is shackled in their own way, by the circumstance of their life. A cage, however gilded, however invisible, is still a cage. But in that moment, Yoongi realizes, love has given him the courage to set both of them free.

Decades later, king Yoongi is remembered in the history books as a sovereign that governed not by birthright, but with intellect and great respect for his nation. The Omelas Prince Taehyung stays by his side for decades to come, as a symbol of the alliance between the two countries, and of everlasting love.