“So, young man,” Kim Seonwoo's voice made Jungkook look up from his dinner. “Taehyung tells me that you will be staying with us from now on.”

Kim Hara's scoff must have been loud enough to be heard by the neighboring houses even, but elder Kim, who was used to his wife's antics, didn't react. Jungkook, however, couldn't help but flinch. He was not used to people treating him like this.

“Yes.” Jungkook replied in a soft voice. “I'm sorry for intruding in on your family, sir, I-”

“Nonsense!” Seonwoo waved his hand dismissively. “Any friend of Taehyung is welcome here.”

“Yes, of course.” Hara's voice was dipping with animosity. “We are running a free shelter here, any dirt from the roads is welcome.”

Taehyung put down his cup a little harsher than needed. “That's enough, mother.”

“You all are making me out to be a bad person here. I'm just looking out for my family. We can barely survive the winter, just the four of us-”

“It's true that times are tough.” Seonwoo cut in the middle of his wife's rant. “It's the same for everyone, not just for us. But we have not yet fallen low enough to turn away a guest.”

A few moments of silence fell at the dinner table. Jungkook could see his silhouette on the wall, created by the single lantern. At the dining room in the palace, Jungkook can't even see his shadow, because the palace was lit up by at least 15 lanterns. It almost looks like day time.

How different a world it was.

He raised his head up from his meal again, to look at Taehyung's father. “I'm willing to work to earn my keep here. I- I don't want to be a burden.”

“That's-” The elderly man was thinking for a second to find the right word. “Admirable. What kind of work can you do?”

Jungkook's lips wobbled. He's well-versed in many things. He has had the best scholars from a very young age, and best trainers the country had to offer. Except, half of those things he can not say and almost all of them have zero importance here. But there was one thing that might be of use.

“I'm knowledgeable in basic medicine and applications. Maybe I can work with you, since you work at the local doctor.”

Taehyung snapped his head towards Jungkook. He had never told the younger man any details about his family. So how did Jungkook know about his father's work?

But of course, Taehyung mentally scolded himself for forgetting who Jungkook was. Of course the prince would have had people look into his life. Only Taehyung was the ignorant one. Only he was the stupid one.

“Really? That's settled then. I will have to ask the doctor whether you can come as a help, but I think it will be okay. He was talking about hiring someone. We do need help with gathering herbs and distributing medicine for the sick. You won't have to work everyday but maybe two or three times a week.”

Jungkook gave a nod. He didn't really care how tiring the work would be, only that he would be able to reduce the burden he has unwillingly put on Taehyung's family. And if he gets to stay away from the house at the same time, then it's an added bonus. He didn't particularly fancy staying cooped-up in the small room, now that he knew Taehyung would not be keeping him company.

Rest of the dinner went in silence. Jungkook dutifully ate everything on his plate, not wanting to be ungrateful. He was thankful for the Kim family for sparing what little food they had.

After the dinner was done, Taehyung and Jungkook retired to the room. Taehyung was laying the bedding in a corner, while Jungkook silently stood at the opposite corner. He was okay to sleep on the floor again, but he knew it would not be possible since the air would get unbearably cold at night.

“We don't have spare bedding. I will buy a new one for you, when I get some money.” Taehyung held out a thin quilt. “It's either we share or you use this for now.”

Jungkook gave a soft smile as he reached for the quilt. “This is enough, thank you.”

Taehyung watched as Jungkook laid down the quilt, as far away as possible in the tiny room. Taehyung didn't have a spare pillow to offer and since Jungkook had already unpacked his bundle of clothes, he didn't have anything to lay his head on. He simply had to use his arm as a pillow.

The sigh Jungkook let out when he laid down on the thin quilt was too quiet, so it didn't reach Taehyung's ears. And once the elder blew out the lantern, the low light coming from the moon was not enough to let them see each other. Taehyung was grateful for that, for he didn't think he could watch the pitiful state of the prince for another second.

It was late at night when Taehyung woke up again. It was a slight noise, barely undetectable, but Taehyung had always been a light sleeper. He quickly sat up, and concentrated on that sound, trying to figure out what it was. It only took him a few seconds to realize that it was the sound of teeth clattering.

Taehyung sprung up from his mattress and quickly walked toward the corner where the prince was sleeping. And as he suspected, the sleeping prince was the one making that sound. Taehyung lightly touched Jungkook's arm, and noticed that the skin was icy cold.

The prince was shivering due to the cold.

Taehyung could barely stop the anguished cry that was threatening to spill out of his lips. He quickly pulled his own quilt, and covered the prince with it. He gave it a few seconds but when the prince didn't stop shivering, Taehyung slipped under the covers himself, opting to warm the younger with his own body heat.

Taehyung gently spooned Jungkook, keeping his moves slow so that he wouldn't wake up the prince. Taehyung already knew that Jungkook was a heavy sleeper, he had heard many stories from the prince himself about how hard it was to wake him up from sleep. Jimin conformed those too, often being the one who got punished for not getting the prince on time to places he was required to be.

After a few minutes of spooning the younger, Taehyung noticed the tremors getting lessened, and finally stopped altogether. He stayed for a few more minutes, before getting out of the covers. Taehyung knew it would not be good to get caught by Jungkook in that position, so he moved back to his own mattress.

Taehyung was used to the harsh cold. So sleeping without a blanket was not a big deal for him. But for the prince, who never had to face such difficulties in his entire life, the cold was torturous. Taehyung wanted to kick himself for forgetting that.

Next day morning, Jungkook was surprised to see himself being nicely tucked in warm covers. The sun had just risen, so the room was not dark. Taehyung was kneeling next to him, evidently trying to wake him up for some time now.

“You said you wanted to work with my father.” Taehyung said in an even voice. “He will be leaving soon.”

“Oh.” Jungkook quickly got up. I'll get ready soon.”

“Come for breakfast when you're done. I hope you can manage to dress without your maids.”

With that, Taehyung left the room. For a few seconds, Jungkook stood still, before he quickly went to wash his face. He was feeling ashamed when he found out that he indeed had trouble dressing by himself. But how is it his fault that he had people helping him his whole life? That he never had to do things alone so he was never given the chance to do things by himself.

Don't get him wrong, Jungkook was not complaining. He was okay to start from now. It's just that he wished he had someone to guide him through this transition time. Or at least, not have him pulled down, even before he tries.

When he reached the table, it was empty. There were signs of food being there, but it was cleared out now. He could hear Taehyung and his father talking outside, so he quickly went out.

“Good morning.” Taehyung's father greeted him with a smile. “Are you ready?”

“Yes sir.” Jungkook gave a nod. “I'm ready.”

“Let's go then.”

Just when Jungkook took a step toward to follow, Taehyung grabbed his wrist and stopped him.

“You were awfully quick. Did you eat? Your breakfast plate was on the table.”

Jungkook glanced back towards the door, where Taehyung's sister was standing with an uneasy look on her face. It didn't take a genius to know what happened.

Jungkook gently pulled his hand out of Taehyung's hold. The skin where the latter's hands touched seemed to be burning. And for no reason, it made Jungkook feel like crying.

“Yes.” He answered in a soft voice. “I thought I was late so I ate quickly. It was… delicious.”

Taehyung gave a nod, accepting that answer, and he watched Jungkook following his father. He needed to leave quickly too. Today was the market day and Taehyung wanted to get at least 5 commissioned paintings done, so that he could buy the essential stuff for Jungkook.

____________________________

The local doctor, Kim Namjoon, was impressed with Jungkook's knowledge in herbs and remedies. He didn't ask too many questions. And accepted when Jungkook told that he learned the art of medicine from his local doctor.

Kim Namjoon was young, charismatic and most importantly, had a very intuitive knowledge about human behaviors. It served him well while treating patients who would not always say the truth. At least not completely. Namjoon could see that Jungkook was hiding something, but he also believed that the younger man did not have any ill intentions. Namjoon had never felt such a pure aura from anyone.

They got along well, both Namjoon and Jungkook being intelligent and of similar age. Their conversation mainly focused on medicine. Namjoon was pleasantly surprised to know that Jungkook's knowledge about medicine far surpassed that of a local doctor. Some of the things the younger knew were hard to acquire. And the most surprising thing was that Jungkook didn't seem to even know about how rare the books he mentioned. Not even Namjoon had access to those.

When Jungkook returned that day, he had a surprise waiting for him. A fresh set of bedding and a pillow. He thanked Taehyung, who just shrugged it off, as if it was nothing important. Needless to say, Jungkook had a better sleep than the previous night.

What he didn't know was that Taehyung, in fact, did not have a peaceful night. His back was hurting from sitting for long and his arm felt like it was about to fall off. 8 paintings a day was not something Taehyung had ever thought possible.

But when he heard Jungkook's soft snore, he knew the pain was worth it.