"Excuse me, where may I find Park Jimin?" The old lady who gasped at the sight of him looked around for help.

He made his choice. He decided he didn't want to go through this alone, and took his father's advice of finding the people who will support him on his journey. But who has been his biggest support thus far?

He had cut his palm and held it against his face for the illusion of a head injury, letting the blood trickle down his face, then held a scarf against it just enough to conceal his identity. The people in town were not yet informed of his escape and had their guards down for now, so he needed to made his exit as soon as possible.

"Holy God, what happened to you?" she asked.

"Please" he insisted.

"He should be at his store two turns to the right" she responded.

"He isn't, I looked" Jungkook shook his head, hissing at the inexistent pain.

"He must be at the palace then, do you need me to show you a doctor?" she offered and he decline, thanking her before trying somebody else.

"Of course. I saw him heading to his sister's" a new man replied, "I can lead you there if you'd like" he offered.

"That won't be necessary, if you could only tell me where to go" he asked and followed the path described until finding himself at the designated doorstep.

He knocked.

"Good evening sir, oh- Woobin! Can you please come" the familiar Thera called her husband after noticing the blood. "Hurry" she urged.

"I was told Park Jimin is here?" he asked, making sure not to reveal himself.

"You can come in sir, have a seat before you collapse" the Pyre invited, and he hated to abuse of their generosity but he couldn't stay out in the open too long.

"Jimin!" Mina called, opening the door of the smaller room where her brother sat, stressfully rocking his body back and forth with his hands clasped under his chin. He couldn't wait to go back to the palace the next morning and find out the Prince was not found.

"Hello" she snapped her fingers by his ear, making him jolt. "What is going on with you?" she muttered.

"What is it"

"An injured man needs your help, I think he had an accident" she informed and he sighed. This is such ill timing, he thought to himself and nodded.

"Where is he" he asked, standing up and following her to the living space where he man sat, wearing very familiar armor he swore he handled only a few hours ago. His heart sank, surely it wasn't him.

"What are you doing here" he said, his heart hammering in its cage before the other dragged the scarf down his face, cleaning the blood and turning to face him.

"Heavens" Mina breathed in surprise.

"I came to find you" Jungkook replied, standing to approach Jimin, but Woobin stepped in between protectively.

"Please stay where you are, your Highness." the Pyre requested with his hand extended forward to create space. "I don't want to jump into conclusions and say that my brother in law is foolish enough to put not only himself, but his sister- my wife- in danger, but I do have questions." he pontificated, addressing both the Prince and his pharmacist accusingly.

"Woobin, I can explain everything" Jimin sighed, "He shouldn't have come here I know-" he added, glaring at the Prince who essentially did exactly what Woobin said.

"Will you allow us a moment in private" Jungkook interrupted. There was no time for confrontation, he needed to get going.

"I'm sorry, no." Woobin declined, "Not until I understand what a man who's to be publicly executed at noon for multiple crimes is doing in my home" he insisted, his temperature rising already like the hot-headed Pyre he was.

"The Prince is not the criminal you think he is Woobin," Jimin announced to get his attention and give him the explanation he wanted before a fight breaks out between the two. "I don't know what sorts of things you've heard around here after the announcement but he was never a threat to the kingdom. He's being framed-"

"Did somebody put the ink on his skin to frame him? Did someone force him to practice dark magic?" the taller asked, unbudging from his position.

"What dark magic" Jungkook huffed.

"The one marked by that shape on your chest"

"We read the papers" Mina confirmed, "They say you have it because you cast a forbidden spell" she agreed.

"Mina, do you remember the Allura?" Jimin asked his sister, whose face lit up at the memory of the stories their father used to tell them around a cup of tea. "It's him" he gestured to the Prince, cutting to the chase as time slipped by.

"What?" she shrieked.

"What's that" Woobin asked, clueless.

"You're lying, it's impossible" she added, carefully observing the fugitive while walking closer.

"Where are you going" Woobin whispered, holding her back by the wrist to keep her from the potentially dangerous man.

"The Allura is good, Woobin" she reassured, "If it's true, we have nothing to fear."

"You have to trust me Mina, it is true, and we really need to have a moment in private now please" Jimin urged, hoping they could let them off the hook.

The two walked to the small room Jimin was to spend the night in, and closed the door behind themselves. Upon hearing the lock latch and the silence settle, the shorter felt as though the floor was open for his thoughts to come out.

"Are you out of your mind? This is the last place you should be Jungkook, you are jeopardizing all our efforts to save you" He scolded, frustration painting an expression the Prince had never seen before on his face.

"I know- I couldn't go without you" he shook his head.

"And what would this pit-stop earn you? We were going to see each other eventually, why are you being a child" Jimin huffed. "Woobin is right, if someone finds out we are harboring a fugitive all of us would be arrested, have you thought about that?"

"You're not listening to me Jimin, I said I couldn't go without you. I need you, I can't do this alone." Jungkook insisted, holding him by the shoulders and looking deeply into his eyes to verify whether he understood his intentions yet.

"You want me to go with you?" Jimin scoffed incredulously. "And then what? Be a fugitive as well? I'm devastated that you have to go through this Jungkook, I am, and I wish there was a way to go back in time and stop all of it, but I cannot up and leave my life behind to go against the law, I cannot do that to my family." he shook his head.

"Please Jimin" Jungkook begged, "My debt to you is hefty and I can barely repay it as it is, but I can't stop myself from asking. There is no ground I can walk on, no sun that will shine upon me, no stars that will show me the way, without you by my side" he claimed.

His entire life he walked alone, making his decisions with nobody holding his hand, choosing paths as judging eyes looked down on him, testing him and his rationality. He never needed anybody to share leadership, and rather preferred solitude in his private moments. Yet there he was, a soldier kneeling at his lover's door, pleading not to face his battle alone as the idea of solitude gnawed away pieces of his soul.

"You are my partner, my Guide. You know me, you know that I wouldn't wish you any harm, but my mind numbed the further I rode that horse leaving you behind, my heart arched because I knew it won't be easy seeing you again" he explained, holding his face in his hands before resting their foreheads together and closing his eyes.

The Liquis' tearful eyes spoke more than words would. It was an unfair dilemma to him who has done more than enough for the Prince, and he knew it, but he still yearned to be selfish just this once, he wanted this for himself.

The shorter's hands found his own on his cheeks, and his heart gave, not knowing what to expect.

"My love?" he asked with a fearful voice as he opened his eyes again.

"Why must you make me choose..." Jimin breathed as a single tear rolled down his skin before melting into the Pyre's palm.

"I'm sorry" he whispered.

"What even is your plan if I do come with you" Jimin inquired, failing to see substantial added value from his company. The Pyre was strong on his own, and now that the secret is out, he could learn water from anybody willing to teach him. Was heartache so much to worry about?

I wanted to spare you useless heartbreak. With all that happened that evening, he was able to push the Queen's accusations to the back of his mind, but looking into Jungkook's eyes, he couldn't help but remember.

"We'll find our way I'm sure of it. If it is your life you fear for, I vow to shield and safeguard it with my very own, for as long as blood courses through my veins. I just wish to be with you" Jungkook firmly nodded, absentmindedly brushing his thumb across his cheekbone to smear the tear thinner.

Mina snapped her eyes to the door which finally opened after what felt like forever, seeing her brother come out of it with his hand clasped into that of the most wanted man of the kingdom. She gulped, stepping closer after noticing Jimin's eyes, or rather the emotion they held.

"What to do?" she asked, stealing a glance at her husband then back at the two.

"We'll be out of your hair in a second" Jimin smiled tightly.

"We? No, not we." she shook her head, "With all due respect, your life is much too dangerous to drag my brother into it" she refused, pointing her index at the Prince warningly.

"Stay inside please" Jimin asked Jungkook, who nodded and stepped back into the room. "Mina, I've made my decision" he insisted.

"You're not thinking, Jimin. What about what I told you? You're smarter than this, are you being threatened?" she asked, squinting at him skeptically. Her brother was kind, of course he would try to help somebody in a pinch if solicited. However, there was a difference between selflessness and self-sabotage, and he would be two feet into the latter if he joins a fugitive.

"Nobody is threatening me Mina, let's not waste any more time" he huffed, beginning to pick up his cloak and wrapping it around himself.

"Jimin, I care about your safety as much as Mina does and she's right. Whatever you are planning to help his highness with may put you in peril. Please don't deprive her of the only family she has left" Woobin pleaded, trying to knock some reason into him.

"She has you, Woobin, she's no longer alone. Jungkook is."

"Why are you adamant on sharing his fate, you who despised him once?" She reminded, her voice shaking as she resorted to reminding him of his hate, anything to dissuade him.

"I'm his guide, he needs me." He mumbled.

"Oh please, he's not a child Allura, he can make his own decisions." she countered.

"I'm-" he sighed, "Do you remember the masked man? My guest at your wedding?" he asked.

"Of course I do. What would he think about this, are you willing to break a heart and run off with another man in the middle of the night, a criminal at that? None of this makes proper sense and I'm beyond surprised the idea is yours" she shook her head at the absurdity.

"He is the masked man" Jimin announced and watched recognition slowly settle on her expression. Her brows arched and eyes widened before she clasped her mouth with her hand.

"You're lying" she squeaked.

"Were the rumors about your courtship true, brother in law?" Woobin asked carefully.

"Yes" he found himself saying, and couldn't tell whether it was a lie to convince them sooner, or wishful thinking.

"Now it makes sense" he sighed.

"It's still too big a sacrifice" she disagreed, selfish enough to protect her brother no matter his reasons.

"One I'm ready to make, Mina. I gave a year of my life up to plot evil things against him, I can give another to make up for it" he gulped, never having gotten over the guilt.

"You don't know if it'll only be that. What if it's more, what if you're giving everything up?"

"Then I am. I simply have no more room for regrets in my heart" he smiled tightly.

"I will choose to believe you brother in law, I will choose to believe in the goodness of that man because you have so much faith in him. I will support you with anything you need if you say the word, but I beg of you to keep my family's safety in mind." Woobin pleaded, wrapping an arm around his wife's shoulder as he stood his ground ahead of the Liquis.

"Always" he firmly nodded, "I'm deeply sorry this happened here in the first place." he shook his head regretfully before knocking on the door of the room where Jungkook was, signalling for him to come out.

"You will need food, and things," Mina scurried to the kitchen where she could pack them a few necessities. "Bread, dried beans and meats, Woobin where did you keep the- umm- the blankets?" she asked through her shaky voice.

"You'll need weapons, correct?" Woobin asked the other Pyre who nodded. "I only have a few things I brought back from the workshop, but I'm sure I can find you a sturdy blade or two. I know that Jimin doesn't need any but I'll give him one as well" he thought out loud as he looked through a wooden storage unit.

They spent the next few minutes organizing themselves and their belongings, hurrying to leave but dreading that moment deeply. Jungkook helped Jimin tie his leather armor under his new attire and fastened the water flask around his waist, silently looking back up into his eyes and reading them like a book, but not saying anything back.

"You have everything in here-" Mina began before noticing the look they shared, fully aware of her interruption.

"Thank you Mina" Jimin replied, breaking away from the taller and slinging the bag onto his back.

"Thank you for everything" Jungkook added, ignoring their complaints as he kneeled for a full bow of gratitude.

"I love you, sister." Jimin said while walking to embrace her fo the last time in a while, hopefully.

"Take care of yourself" she whispered between her sobs.

"Keep him safe" Woobin said while taking Jungkook's hand into a firm handshake.

"I swear it" the other nodded determined. "Clench your teeth" he said as he grabbed onto the husband's forearm.

"You could've warned me" Woobin grunted.

"You wouldn't have complied" Jungkook shrugged.

"Shall you need the work of a blacksmith, tell them you were sent by Ingot. Remember the name so that there are no questions asked." Woobin insisted, knowing that sharing his blacksmith affiliation name will come in handy for the two in their journey.

"Ingot." he confirmed.

"We need to go" Jimin muttered, keeping his head down so his bangs could cover his teary eyes. "When tomorrow comes, keep in mind to say things exactly how we agreed" he reminded.

With the sound of the front door's lock shutting them out of the couple's home, they felt seen, vulnerable at once, out in the open for anybody to catch, but there was no time for doubts and second guesses. Jimin made his decision to follow the Prince on his journey and so it began.  

They galloped through the trees of the forest about to break through to the northern valleys where they'd have little cover, and as suspected, it didn't take long for them to start seeing lit flames in the landscape. Hoseok had likely figured their direction and was leading his men there, and if Jungkook hadn't made this detour, he would probably have blended himself into some woods by now.

"Hold tight" he spoke over his shoulder before pulling the reigns and forcing the horse faster, they needed to out-run the group because with only the two of them travelling heavy, they couldn't afford having to protect themselves as well.

"Two horses are closing in, Jungkook" the Liquis warned as he prepared his water at hand.

"Can you wave them off?" he asked, while his mind worked out their path to safety.

"We'll see" Jimin replied before shooting a series of crystal daggers at the riders. He managed to hit one's shoulder despite the darkness making him fall off the horse, and missed the other, forcing him to try again and waste more water. "Alright, we have officially told them where we are now" he huffed out.

"As long as Hoseok isn't here yet, we will be fine" Jungkook reassured, looking behind just in time to ward off an attack from the Pyres. "I'll need you to take the lead for a while, can you do that?" he asked while securing his arm protectors and unsheathing his blades, not giving him a choice per se.

His aim was perfect, being trained to fight in the dimmest lightings, this pursuit was almost a game to him. However, the more soldiers he dropped, the more came at him with their strongest fire as a weapon.

"Jeon Jungkook!"

There he was, braving through the winds and racing past the rest of the horses with rage in his eyes.

"Shame on you! I've never been more disappointed!" he berated while pulling his sword to the side, ready to give the Prince proper heat to fight off.

"Jimin..." Jungkook warned.

"If I could fly the horse I would" he clicked his tongue, trying to focus on the evading the rest of the attacks.

"Escaping your punishment like a coward? And here I thought you'd at least die with honor" he scoffed with distaste.

"Blend us into the trees" the royal requested, earning a confused hum in return.

"And cause a forest fire? Let's not sacrifice any more life while we are at this" he disagreed.

"We'll go into the forest so that they don't attack as strongly, it'll give us a few moments to breathe, please don't question me right now" he huffed, deflecting Hoseok's hits with his core tight and muscles engaged.

They were equally strong, but the older had more experience which was worth its weigh in gold at times like these. While Jungkook's training was deemed complete when he won against Hoseok for the first time, it didn't mean he always did later on. When they didn't tie, one of them came on top by a hair, so they stopped duelling each other, and it wasn't this night that Jungkook wanted to test their abilities again.

Jimin snapped his head back when a painful groan reached his ears, to see the Pyre hunched over with a hand on his shoulder, his aching arm weakly moving the fire at will to defend against the attacks.

"Can you still fight?" Jimin asked, letting the horse navigate its way ahead.

"Don't insult me" Jungkook rolled his eyes, "I'm not even bleeding."

"Good because I need to focus" he said and closed his eyes. Pulling water out of living things was always a struggle and never a comfortable technique, but doing it on the move was a first for him.

"I'd rather kill you right now than take you back to the capital a deserter! You won't live to cast shame on my name or any more on that of your father!" Hoseok continued letting his anger speak, his fire more hazardous with every sentence, giving Jungkook his cue to change strategies.

"Steer left, he's too angry with me" he commanded, tightening his legs around the animal slightly as it turned at once, leading them towards thinner woods. "I guess there are no half measures with him," he huffed, holding Jimin's waist securely as he reached over to the leather-wrapped sword handle.

"This isn't what it looks like Hoseok, you don't understand what's truly happening" the Prince finally replied.

"What else do I need to know, are you not evading the King's judgement?" the older accused.

"I am not your enemy, but you won't just take my word for it" he sighed, halting his breath to swing a slash of fire through his sword, strong enough to scare master Jung's horse into backing away even if he deflected it.

"Jungkook...?" Jimin fearfully called when he noticed horses appearing ahead of them this time.

"They're really trying to make me regret that detour, huh?" the Pyre grumbled before hopping off the horse and planting his sword into the ground, the tip of it deep in the soil as it conducted the flames through the cracks, which then rose creating a barrier to stop the guards behind from getting any closer and give them time to take care of the new company.

"What?!" Jimin knit his brows, nervous to be left on his own, his ice blue eyes studying the guards' formation in front of him for any vulnerabilities while a piece of his mind stayed behind with the Prince. "Who does he think I am?" he shrieked to himself, clearly not confident in his jockey skills but too busy to dwell on it.

He launched his attacks with one hand while the other still worked on replacing the water he lost with each dagger, slowly gathering a pathetic amount he couldn't hold onto as much as he wished because of the constant threat to eliminate. Unable to focus, he looked behind to see if the Prince had any intentions of backing him up, and relief overcame him as he found him running his way.

"Jimin!" he heard before he was knocked off the horse himself, his ears ringing as he squinted, tying to push himself off of the ground but failing. He was hit, that much he realized once he put a hand on his thigh to find it bloody; somebody cut him and it burned like hell. He wasn't made for fighting, he wasn't used to fire, yet there he was hissing in pain as Jungkook carried him by the side.

"Hang in there" the Pyre grunted before whistling to the horse that came right around. He looked back to find Hoseok about to break his barrier and hurried to get Jimin on. "Look at you, handling your wounds like a true soldier" Jungkook praised as he watched the Liquis wrap a torn piece of fabric around his muscle.

"I think there are more ahead" Jimin warned, "I don't have much water left, and I can't pull it anymore" he informed.

"I'll take care of the ones in front of us" he reassured. "Hold on to me" he added and felt Jimin's hands latch onto his sides, then yanked the reigns to barge ahead. His sword swung left and right, with fire blazing along its blade while his other hand attacked just as ferociously. One by one, the guards and horses fell, giving them a clear way through.

Suddenly, the horse brayed in pain, and both turned around to find Hoseok pursuing them alone, for his men were still stuck behind Jungkook's barrier.

"Everything you know, I taught you." the former General said, "And none of my disciples are absconders" he stubbornly followed, the determination in his voice second to its presence in his eyes, and Jungkook knew if his master wanted something done, it will be.

"I'll make us a shield but it won't be strong" Jimin suggested, beginning to work on it with the little water left.

"He wants me to turn around and confront him" Jungkook explained.

"Surrender to your fate already, kid" Hoseok urged, hoping to convince him not to make a fool of himself. "You and that traitor protecting you" he added. 

"He betrayed nobody!" Jungkook countered.

"He turned his back to his Majesty, he betrayed the entire kingdom" the other disagreed. 

"I am forcing him to, he has no sin to pay for in this calumny" he defended. 

"Then you'll be proud to know you've led an innocent man to his doom"

"We will escape, Hoseok" Jungkook stubbornly promised, turning behind to estimate the distance between them. Trouble was, the grunting animal was losing speed and his companion was injured and unarmed. 

"Surely you don't believe you have a chance" the older said, "You are clearly outnumbered here, or are you too used to being backed by thousands of men to assess your abilities?" he mocked.

His nerves restless from the ongoing pursuit, the Crown Prince looked at his pharmacist to see him clutching the blood-soaked fabric around his thigh, trying his best not to voice out the pain from the constant movement, yet it was clear as day in the ice blue eyes which usually reflected calm and serenity. 

"I will split the very ground we are on if I have to" Jungkook stated, and desperation really makes the impossible come true. His face mark shined and his eyes glowed red while a rumbling took them by a storm, scaring the horses and stopping Hoseok's at once. 

"Lord..." the master breathed in surprise as a wall of bedrock surged from the flat ground, rising multiple strides high and extending yards long to keep them from circling it. It was a full barrier that not even his fire broke through, and it was the two young men's token to safety.

"Who did that? Did I do that?" Jungkook asked himself in shock.

"I wouldn't recommend touching your face" Jimin nodded.

"I don't know how long that will stay up so let's keep going" he said, "We will reach the Bandu Waterfall in no time and I'll get you patched up" he assured.

"I guess we don't need the shield for now" Jimin sighed and transformed the crystal into water to move it inside the bottle, while his eyes dimmed back to their natural brown hue. 

Seconds into minutes, they began hearing the sound of heavy waters crashing from a distance. "We're almost there, can you hang tight a little more?" Jungkook softly asked, the knot between his brows clearly indicating his concern.

"It barely hurts" the silver-haired denied, trying to keep a strong face while his hand clutched the reigns tight.

The extraordinary feat only appeasing his worry slightly, Jungkook hurried to get off of the horse and climb the closest hill to make sure it remained protecting them. A sigh escaped his lips once he took time to witness what his new abilities created, then looked up at the sky to thank the magic star wherever it was.

"No no- slowly. Wrap your legs around me, I'll carry you to the shelter" Jungkook offered to help the other down, twisting the leather reins around his wrist to lead the horse along. His hands underneath Jimin's thighs while the latter hooked his arms around his shoulders, they made their way through the bushes and browning fall trees until seeing a wooden cabin dissimulated in nature. 

"We're here" he announced, "Can I put you down while I inspect the place?" he asked. 

"Of course, I'll wait for you" Jimin nodded, a grunt leaving his throat as his torn muscles moved. "Just go, don't worry I'm alright" he added when the taller's eyebrows twitched in worry.

"It's clear, why don't we look at that leg now" Jungkook said once he was back, escorting the Liquis to the closest chair and pulling out the first aid goods Woobin packed for them. 

"You're so brave, pushing through the pain to keep up the defense" the taller mentioned while cleaning the gash, his careful fingers wiping the mix of blood and dust ever so gently not to elicit any louder hisses. 

"It sounds like you're trying to make a child feel better. I did a horrible job back there just because of this wound" Jimin sighed somewhat apologetically.

"I never imagined you to have military grade stamina. In fact you impressed me if anything" he shook his head, "It's all behind us now, at least for a few days. The stream will conceal our presence from scout Vals, and until they get close, I will be figuring out our next stop" he explained. 

"Did the weather get harsh suddenly or do I have a fever?" Jimin asked as he rubbed his arms. 

"Your temperature is normal" the other reassured, "But your body is too used to living in a Pyre state" he nodded. "The high concentration of Pyres warms up the atmosphere because of the heat we naturally emanate, and since we're alone in a thousand stride radius now, you can feel the actual temperature of the area" 

"We should've packed thicker then" Jimin sighed, looking at the light blankets Mina gave them, herself unaware of this fact as she had never left the state either.

"All this and you're worried about the cold?" he scoffed pointing at his tall stance. "I'm going to wrap you up, heat us some food, and hold you until you feel warm again" he promised.

He grabbed the clean bandage and bound his bloody thigh tight again, before leaving a light kiss on the covered wound. He felt Jimin's hand find his tussled hair and card through it then looked up to his kind eyes peering at his own. 

"Let me tie your hair back neatly" the pharmacist offered, watching him nod and turn around to sit on the wooden ground between his legs. 

With the abundant amount of water, Jimin didn't find it hard to pull some inside and make a comb out of it, untangling the black locks and running his hand over their soft length. 

"The last time somebody did my hair, it was my mother" Jungkook spoke up.

"Did she teach you?" he asked.

"She tried, but I never listened. I didn't realize she would stop doing it for me so soon. After she had just passed I didn't allow the hand maidens to come near it, so I would leave it down, then I began tying it low because of my combat training, and as I grew older I needed to tend to my image, so I practiced." 

"Your father didn't have the touch I assume? Neither did mine. He used to tie my hair like he would a bunch of herb stems" Jimin chuckled at the memory. 

"I assume this expertise comes from years of practice on Mina" Jungkook pointed out. 

"Indeed, I can do all sorts of braids and buns now, do you want to try?" he joked. 

"I should face Hoseok next time with a fancy hairdo, that'll take him off guard" the other laughed.

While the pot of rice porridge heated up, the pharmacist did inventory of their little belongings to establish a rationing system until their next top up, and the Pyre stashed their weapons where they would be convenient to grab at need. 

"Stir" Jimin broke the peaceful silence, making Jungkook turn his way and raise his eyebrows in amusement. 

"Me?" he asked. 

"Anybody else here with us?" the shorter scoffed. 

"Right" he shook his head and did as told. 

"Enough. Serve it" Jimin said again. 

"...Okay" Jungkook mumbled. "I sure hope Mina didn't adapt to Woobin's taste because this might be too spicy for you sir Park" he teased. 

"Knowing her, she didn't even have to, she always liked the spiciest food at festival stalls" he sighed, "I'm worried for my tongue." 

"Well that's no good is it, I might have to move up my plans of cooking for you to later today" he replied. 

"Then I should probably let you know that I don't particularly enjoy truffles" the other scrunched his nose.

"Difficult you are. They're in season, that's all I will find out there" Jungkook shook his head at the request.

"Try harder" Jimin flatly responded, taking him aback. 

"You're doing this on purpose" he stated with a straight face, and waited for Jimin's composure to break into a guilty smile.

"I thought I'd get a reaction before you realized" he giggled before taking a first scoop with his spoon.

"I've been ordered around many a time by my father but it was odd hearing it from you" Jungkook reflected.

"Why not? I don't have enough authority? You're not really a Prince anymore, you know?" Jimin teased. 

"You didn't even address me by my name, it was strange" he pursed his lips, "Cold." 

"I thought you were never worried about cold" Jimin raised a brow challengingly. 

"Eat your food" Jungkook scoffed. 

They laid on the makeshift bed of blankets and rugs and held each other to sleep. Lighting a fire wasn't an option as it could send a smoke signal right to where they hid, or give away a heat signature for scout Pyres to feel, so all they had was themselves to keep warm. Although it was only a problem for one of them.

"Get some rest, you've been through a lot lately" Jungkook whispered, the rising sun's rays hitting his face through the gaps of the wooden blinds, highlighting his small face cuts.

"What could I say about you then?" the shorter responded, gently running his fingers over the fresh scratches on his forehead.

"We are thousands of strides away from the palace, somewhere I refused to live at first" he started, "I am no longer Prince, a title I despised, nestled in responsibilities I dreaded" he added, "Is it bad to admit I am glad to be laying here with you?" he asked looking into the other's brown eyes.

"I could've been home, safe and sound" Jimin replied, noting the guilty twitch of the Pyre's brows. "But I am glad I won't be wondering if you're alive or dead, if you're injured." he said as his hand rested on the man's chiseled jaw.

"I love you" Jungkook reminded, and his lips curved into a light smile in response. 

The low afternoon sun marked a new day for them. The mobile one of the two was out collecting herbs and wild vegetables Jimin requested, when a sunshower suddenly started, drenching him as he worked, but it was worth the beautiful scenery. For once in forever, he felt free. 

Standing at the top of the hill, he could see the waterfall they passed by the night before, the sign that he had almost succeeded. Surrounded by tall trees and the tiniest flowers, a soft melody accompanied the scene, a delicate harmony blending with the whispers of the wind. With closed eyes, he surrendered to the moment, feeling the cool touch of rain mingling with the warm embrace of sunlight. 

The interplay of elements evoked a sense of peace, as if the universe itself had conspired to create this sanctuary. A sense of relief permeated the air, as worries and burdens were washed away, carried off by the ever-flowing stream. And when he opened his eyes- Oh when he opened his eyes.

Mother nature, don't leave me in awe for my heart quickens as it dances with joy. He thought as he took in the graceful arc of colors spanning the expanse of the sky.

"My love, I've come to-" his voice muted at the sight of his pharmacist's head resting back against the wooden wall, his limp fingers barely holding onto the twigs he was handling, while his chest heaved at a peaceful pace. The rainbow had reflected against the stream outside of the cabin and now hit his silver hair as a splash of paint on a new canvas. "Take you..." His eyelids fluttered open as he slowly woke from his slumber, batting his light lashes that glimmered in the sunlight.

Mother nature, you're adorned with captivating wonders, yet in his presence your beauty pales and surrenders. He marvelled.

"You're back" Jimin muttered, seeming to unfreeze the taller with his remark, who settled the haybag full of things down and nodded.

"I am" he simply replied, taking his cloak off and sitting on the low stool by the pharmacist. He reached towards his injured leg and grazed the bandage with his thumb, "How are you feeling?"

"Fine... The tea I made earlier might have made me a little drowsy" he tiredly smiled.

"Sleep is essential for healing" he confirmed, "I will be preparing the ingredients for our meal, so if you'd like to lay down, please" he invited, arranging the rugs straighter. 

"I would rather offer a helping hand" Jimin disagreed. "I don't see any truffles" he remarked, looking at the goods rolling out of the open bag.

"Your orders were loud and clear" Jungkook nodded.

"I might just find commanding quite enjoyable" the Liquis grinned.

"Well don't get carried away" he chuckled.

"Is the wall still there?"

"Yes, surprisingly, I wonder if I would have to take it down myself" he replied.

"Maybe some Theras could do the job" he shrugged, the train of thought leading him to a familiar face once more. "Do you think Mina will be okay?"

As they were on the run, the couple who last saw the fugitive Prince was unable to shut an eye for the night. The sister was worried for her brother, and her husband for his brother in law, though neither granted a benevolent thought to the source of their concerns, not that he could blame them. 

Morning come, the newly wedded were first to demand access into the palace, stopped by the countless guards barricading the entrance against the townsfolk that had heard rumors, indubitably leaked from inside the royal residence. "Please we have information about the Crown Prince" the two said, and for that were given permission to enter. 

"What do you know of the fugitive?" a guard asked.

"We wish to speak to your leader directly" Woobin requested.

"Former General Jung Hoseok is handling matters elsewhere at the moment, but worry not, we shall relay all information to him as soon as possible" the guard denied. 

"It is imperative that we speak to him directly please, this is a matter of life or death" Mina insisted. 

"Aren't you Park Jimin's sister? I recognize you... Step forward please" he demanded while subtly gesturing to his fellow guard to approach her. 

"What's the meaning of this?" Woobin put himself between them shielding her behind. "We are here in good faith, we want to help" he stated.

"Sure you do, Park Jimin was seen riding out of town with Jeon Jungkook himself in the middle of the night." he informed and nodded for the men to continue their task, "We have the right to assume you two were accessories to their escape and as such you will be apprehended and questioned until proven innocent." the guard explained as their arms were being bound behind their backs.

"This isn't right, once more, please call Jung Hoseok" Woobin resisted. 

"Rest assured, he will question you himself" the other responded. 

Moments later, they found themselves in a room by the dungeons waiting for the man who would essentially absolve them of the accusation. "Park Mina, you have some nerve walking through those gates after what your brother has done." Hoseok spoke upon opening the door. 

"Master Jung, you must have the wrong idea about Jimin" she responded. 

"No that would be you. Are you claiming Park Jimin was a victim? If that was the case he wouldn't have protected the fugitive so diligently, he fought against our forces as though we were after him instead" he scoffed.

"He's been coerced to. The former Prince threatened our safety and claimed he had people to harm us at the ready if my brother withheld his cooperation" she explained, "He had no choice but to fight you, to protect us."

"He could have sought protection from us." Hoseok clicked his tongue.

"He couldn't risk anything going left, that would be 3 lives on his conscience" she sighed thoughtfully and turned just in time to register the confusion on her husband's face. 

"Who-" master Jung began before realization dawned on him. 

"Darling?" Woobin called, his eyes round and brimming with hope at the implication. 

"I'm pregnant" she nodded, a soft smile curving her lips when the taller pulled her into his chest, celebrating the newfound life blossoming within her. A fusion of emotions danced within that hug; excitement, wonder, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the miracle unfolding in their lives. For an instant nothing else mattered, not what happened the night before, not where they stood, not what may unfold after this interrogation.

"I told Jimin after dinner" she said, "The former prince must've been listening as he lurked around our home." she pursed her lips regretfully.

"Damn him" Woobin grumbled.

"Jungkook would never threaten a pregnant woman" Hoseok muttered as his throat tightened anxiously. How could he have been so blind to his successor's transformation into a harbinger of darkness? The shock reverberated through his core, shattering the illusions of trust and friendship he had cherished. Each memory replayed, tainted by the revelation, as he grappled with the haunting question of how he missed the signs.

"He did. His sins against mother Nature have consumed his soul" she regretfully said, alluding to the magic he was accused of wielding. "I don't know what he wants my brother for, but the fact that he was willing to go to such lengths far from puts me at ease" she expressed. "Woobin and I are here asking you to save him."

"Tell me what happened exactly" Hoseok found himself requesting.

"We invited my brother for dinner last night, and a few moments after the meal we heard a knock. Who we thought was an injured man soliciting the medical help of my brother turned out to be none other than Jeon Jungkook." she started, "At first he tried to convince Jimin to leave with him because of the feelings they shared, but he declined him so he resorted to whispering threats into his ear. The next second my brother was saying goodbye to us, clearly scared of what Jeon Jungkook was capable of..."

"Something snapped in him sir Jung, it was terrifying" Woobin confirmed, "Look what became of my arm when I confronted him," he said while rolling the sleeves of his Hanfu up to reveal the burn mark from the palm of a hand. "He scorched my skin with his bare hand before pulling Jimin along and onto the horse" he claimed.

"Has the fugitive spoken of where he was taking your brother?" Hoseok asked. 

"We heard him say something about a waterfall, and how happy they would be living under it" Mina replied, and Hoseok gestured for his men to unfold the nearest map.

"Anything else?"

"He wasn't exactly clear about their journey, but he did mention wanting to take Jimin places he would be comfortable" Woobin added.

"Water, he's heading to places surrounded with water so that we can't hear him" Hoseok nodded and looked back at the couple. "You two will be staying in the palace until we can be sure of the information you've provided. That included" he said while pointing to Mina's belly. 

---

"Aren't you worried Hoseok's wrath would only intensify with the way they must've spoken about you?" Jimin asked.

"Anything to keep them safe my love. Had I known of her pregnancy I would've found another way to get to you" he reassured. "Though I'm sure her husband is glad to run me through the mud, especially after that burn. Impressive pain tolerance though" Jungkook hummed.

"He's a blacksmith I'm sure he's been through that a few times before" Jimin pointed out. "That being said, he's kind hearted despite first impressions," he smiled as he chopped the mushrooms. "I hope she told him the news by now" he wondered out loud.

"He must have a lot of respect for you" the taller mentioned, "He must trust your judgement a whole lot to let you come out of the house with me last night. No Pyre would've."

"Well he didn't back down without a fight" Jimin replied.

"I am aware that I take the image of a large danger sign in their eyes, but I wouldn't have left without you either" Jungkook shrugged.

"Is that so?" Jimin's lips curved into the beginning of a smile, "Would you have taken me if I didn't want to go?"

"I would've done my best to convince you" the Pyre shrugged.

"And then would you have left me behind if it didn't work?" he pried again, noticing the hesitance in his eyes as he carefully thought his response through.

"It wasn't an outcome I ever considered, but I suppose I would have left with my tail between my legs" he nodded.

"You were so sure I would agree?" Jimin raised his brows, "What if I had believed Queen Sunmi?" he added.

"About what? What did she do now..." Jungkook sighed at the mention of the name.

"Before I started executing my part of the plan to break you out, she found me to-- I believe make me feel better about your fate" he recalled, "And said these things, said you were a liar" he began.

"Not the worst she's called me" 

"She claimed you lied about my father's death" Jimin cut to the chase, focusing on every change in the taller's expression. "You'd told me he died quicker than you could reach him, she said you gave him up."

"Never" he denied. 

"Then all her claims of a deal being made with my father on the stakes are false" he added to make sure, but why did Jungkook's eyebrow twitch just then. "Right?" he insisted, but why did Jungkook empty his lungs into a deep breath as though preparing himself for something.

"The battle of Altar-" Jungkook started and Jimin's face fell little by little.

"It's a yes or no question" the Liquis interrupted, his body tenser than a second ago.

"It was the toughest, most tragic battle I'd ever led-"

"Jungkook please" Jimin spoke as he settled the knife and watched him do the same. His heart picking up its pace the longer he waited for that confirmation, now starting to doubt it'll ever come.

"For us and for the enemy, so they tried to negotiate a truce, and your father was one of the terms. I don't trust Sunmi's words so I'll tell you with with my own." he pursed his lips, not daring to look at Jimin's face yet. 

"Everything happened as I had said before, except when we reached your father, I was given a choice to stop the battle and take him back. However the enemy was weaker than us at that point in time and continuing the battle would've eventually led us to victory, so I chose that instead" he admitted. "I thought I could take your father back by force, but they were quicker" he finished.

"I can't believe this" Jimin breathed, and only then did he look up to see the disappointment in his eyes. 

"It sounds like I had a choice but I really didn't in the the grand scheme of things" he defended again.

"Why did you lie. You looked me in my eyes and said you would tell me the truth" he reminded, his temples bulging as he jaws clenched due to his bubbling anger.

"You wouldn't have understood, you were angry back then--"

"You think I'm not right now?" Jimin berated, "I had just attempted to kill you and failed at it, how bad could it have gotten if you'd just told me what happened and not tried to manipulate me once again into thinking you're a saint!" 

"I was going to tell you"

"When?" the Liquis countered, "When would've been a right time if not back when you promised to? In fact is there anything you're still hiding from me because who knows what else Sunmi is right about" he spouted, not bothering to filter his words due to the emotional stress.

"Don't go there Jimin" Jungkook requested.

"You're not giving me a choice" he responded, "Every time I trust your words I end up deceived and I--" he gulped, his eyes beginning to burn from the betrayal cutting deep in his chest. "Am I making another mistake trusting you now too? Tell me, were any of the things you said to me last night true?" his voice was louder by the second as doubt clouded his mind. 

"Of course!" Jungkook urged to reassure. "My love for you surpasses anything I've ever felt, I was afraid to lose you, I'm deeply sorry" he apologized, taking his hand into his own and squeezing lightly. "Believe me, there wasn't one day I didn't think of telling you the truth, but Sunmi managed to convince me that the second I do, you would turn your back to me forever" he pleaded.

"So you resorted to your old ways, deeming that I couldn't handle the truth" Jimin deduced.

"Could you?" the Pyre asked in return, "I know how much he meant to you, surely more than I ever will." he stated. 

And for a second Jimin's heart knew a flicker of doubt. For the first time ever.

"I left my family behind for you, I'm sacrificing too much for your sake, how dare you keep that--or anything like that from me" he reproached anew, turning a blind eye on the question.

"The half truth I told seemed to help you out of that darkness, don't you think? You looked brighter as though you were beginning to move on-"

"Don't speak as if that was your intention" he warned. 

"It wasn't, but seeing the effect it had on you added onto my reluctance to confess"

"I don't know what to do with you" the Liquis shook his head as a solemn expression sat on his features. 

"There isn't a single reason for me to withhold anything from you anymore" Jungkook replied.

"I can't even look at you right now, not without seeing the scene unfold in my mind. How you looked at my father in the eyes before rejecting the deal knowing what it meant for him" he muttered regretfully. 

"Will you ever find it in you to forgive me?" he asked.

"Forgive you" Jimin scoffed. "I'm trapped here with you, so time will tell" he added. "May I have the room now" he requested, his gaze locked on the long neglected diced mushrooms, but it was safe to say their appetite wasn't the largest now.

Hissing as he stood, Jimin dragged his injured leg to the improvised bed and lowered himself on his good side. His mind buzzed and heart ached of deception, there was nothing in his power to overturn the situation so he stayed, resigned to endure the pain of reopened wounds and hope it would numb faster.

For the rest of that day, the Liquis handled their feud with silent treatment and complete disdain towards the taller, barely giving him any consideration when he was inside, and only thinking of him when he wasn't.

Unwilling to be near him during the small temperatures of the night, Jimin chose to build himself a crystal cocoon that would hopefully preserve his body heat and to his surprise it worked decently. He continued treating his wound alone, despite Jungkook's numerous offers to help, and accepted the food he made for there being no alternative.

"We need to move, Hoseok will be onto this location in a few hours at best" Jungkook announced. "I have worked out a route for us, we will be heading up East towards Ujin. I used to stay in a few places across the state during missions" he added.

"Wouldn't Hoseok know of them?" Jimin asked as he lowered his tunic over his freshly bandaged thigh.

"He doesn't" he confirmed as he finished packing everything back into the travel bags. "Let me-" he began to curl his hand around the silver-haired's arm to help him up the horse when Jimin nudged him away and struggled by his own means. 

"I'm glad your leg is healing fast" Jungkook spoke after a few minutes of silence, and as expected, received no response. "Is this how you felt while talking to me back there?" he smiled tightly. "It must've been difficult, not knowing if I was even listening."

The rhythmic gallop echoed through the tranquil landscape, punctuating the silence that enveloped them. While their lips remained sealed, a symphony of unspoken thoughts resounded in their minds. The Pyre, lost in contemplation, couldn't help but be consumed by thoughts of the other. Every once in a while adjusting his stance to wake his senses into feeling Jimin's body behind his own. 

"Hide your face, love" he said when they approached a populated village, and so the silver-haired concealed his distinguished locks and countenance. 

The village, drenched in the soft glow of twilight, exuded an atmosphere of serenity. The clatter of hooves echoed through the narrow streets, intermingling with the hushed whispers of the evening breeze, while some of their occupants paused to observe the passing travellers. 

"We won't be until nightfall, are you feeling alright?" Jungkook whispered over his shoulder.

"Yes" Jimin simply replied back. Always ignoring his prompts and declining his assistance, he wished he could have some space for himself but circumstance made it so they would be bound at the hip at all times. Between his injury and their disappearance, he had no choice but to stay with the subject of his current torments.

Their new temporary home was a small cabin in another sparsely populated village, slightly better accommodated than the last with a proper mat and covers to lay in. "I'm not hungry" said the Liquis when offered a loaf of bread.

"Please, your body needs all the food it can get" Jungkook insisted but to no avail. It seemed the shorter's mind was set regardless of reason. 

Yet further up North they were, and harsher the night got. What seemed to be a cozy home started to fall short and the cold tendrils seemed to seep into Jimin's bones as he laid. Sensing his distress, Jungkook drew him closer with unwavering tenderness, despite his effort to break free.

Arms encircled Jimin's shivering figure, offering solace and protection from the biting cold. In that intimate moment, the frigid air surrendered to the shared warmth, as the rhythmic beating of their hearts intertwined. 

"Use me, even if you're angry with me" Jungkook whispered amidst the stillness of everything around. 

The soft, reassuring touch ignited a flicker of tranquility, coaxing the Liquis into a serene slumber, where the frost of his anger melted away in the tender embrace.

---

Long time no see, some of you guys will throw rocks at me for not updating "Later." as well but I really didn't have time to write. 

So here you go, hope you like this chapter and I'll see you on the next one! Love you hihi ❤️

-Aida-