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A Plum Wine to Share.

As he laid unconscious, Kim Taehyung couldn't help but ponder upon how he ended up in such a place. This was never a part of his lifetime plan. All he wanted was to become a surgeon, then get married, have kids.

Tsk. And, I haven't even kissed a girl yet.

A groan escaped his lips as he opened his eyes.

The sky had turned a pale orange as the sun set slowly.

Taehyung's head was still throbbing in pain. He felt a bit dizzy. Feeling uncomfortable, as he began to shift his body, he felt a weight on his chest. Glancing down, he saw it was the King, asleep beside him. His strong arm was wrapped around Taehyung protectively and his pretty head was nestled next to him.

Seeing this, Taehyung was stunned.

Why is he sleeping beside me?

Their faces only a few inches away.

As the evening glare of the orange sun fell lightly on the King's face, he was caught in a trance by the peerless beauty of the hero.

He is even more handsome up close.

His skin was flawless with a healthy glow, and his eyelashes were long. Taehyung could almost feel the warmth of his breath.

The King was radiant, as expected of a hero.

His heart pounded out loud.

In the heat of the moment, Taehyung's hand rose and slightly pushed back a strand of the hero's hair, tucking it behind his ear. His fingers gently moved lower and brushed against the lips.

The movement made the King's eyelids flicker. Slowly, those dark eyes opened and their eyes met.

Taehyung felt like his heart was on his throat. He quickly put his hand away.

The King stared at him. "You're awake."

"I'm awake."

"You're red."

"Am I? Haha. It's hot in here." He said quickly. Nervously, fanning himself with one of his hand.

What am I doing? Come to your senses!

The King sat upright. Then, slowly got off the bed.

"What happened to me?" Taehyung asked.

"You fainted."

"Oh."

"You were asleep for a whole day."

"Oh!" Taehyung was surprised. "Haha. I didn't expect the poison to be so strong."

"It was." The King stated flatly. "Why did you do such a thing? Why did you drink the wine?"

"Oh that. Pftt." Taehyung shrugged. "I guess I wasn't on my right mind that time. I remember thinking I did not want a servant to drink it and suffer. He might have a family to take care of."

"But you suffered."

"It's fine because I don't have anyone."

"So you're willing to die because you have no one?"

"..."

Oh, what to say? How to answer such a question? What Taehyung said was the truth. He really had no one here. And, shouldn't the King be praising him for trying to save a person's life?

The King bit his lower lip as he looked at Taehyung. He seemed mad. Really frustrated. But the hurt in those eyes was what confused Taehyung the most.

Deciding to liven up the mood, he chose to tease the King. "Ah. Were you worried for me? Is that why you were sleeping beside me?"

"Yes." The answer was so blunt that it made Taehyung's mind go blank for a second.

Now, Taehyung felt guilty for trying to play with his feelings. "I am sorry."

The King didn't speak.

"Your Majesty?"

Taehyung observed the King as he stood there still with his rigid back facing the room. His fists were clenched tightly, and there was a small crinkle on his forehead.

The King appeared to be restraining himself.

"Your Ma -"

All of a sudden, the King swiftly turned on his heel and rushed towards him.
In a throaty voice, he called, "Taehyung, I..."

Hearing his name called out, Taehyung felt blood rush to his cheeks.

"Listen, I -"

Suddenly, there was an uproar outside. "Your Majesty!" Namjoon shouted as he bursted into the room.

The King paused. He shot an annoyed look at Namjoon. "Have you forgotten that this is my room!"

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. But, I bring news. It's about Minister Hyun."

"What about him?"

"He is dead."

"What?!" Taehyung jumped out the bed. His steps faltered and he nearly fell but the King caught him. "How did that happen?"

"Um..." Namjoon hesitated. Since it was not the King asking the question but a servant, he had no idea whether to answer or not.

"Answer him." The King ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Taehyung blinked.

"We found him dead in his cell. His tongue was cut out. It seems like someone sneaked into the prison and murdered him."

"Who would do such a thing?" The King sighed.

After a thought, Taehyung said firmly, "The one who poisoned the wine."

Namjoon and Jungkook exchanged confused glances.

"Think about it! The man was innocent. Someone framed him. And to keep him from revealing a thing, he got killed. This also means, Minister Hyun knew who the perpetrator was."

"How can you be so sure that Minister Hyun was innocent?" Namjoon inquired.

"Because he said so himself that he had tasted the wine before bringing it to the King. This means, the wine got poisoned somewhere in between these two events."

"And I am to believe you just like that?" Namjoon raised his eyebrows.

Taehyung frowned.

"I believe him." The King said.

Taehyung smiled, blushing slightly. "Then, what are we waiting for? Let's go find out the truth."

"How?" Namjoon groaned.

"The liquor store will have the answer."

***

The trio came up with a plan.

Namjoon was to go investigate alone. However, Taehyung begged to come along. The King rejected this idea - keeping in mind that Taehyung was still recovering from the poison - but he gave up. He allowed the sick person to go only on one condition -

The King came along. Since the royal family seldom came out, no one was familiar with their appearances. Dressed in simple hanbok with a gat on his head, the hero was...still handsome as always.

He didn't look royalty, but still looked like a chaebol.

On the way to the liquor store, Taehyung couldn't help but notice all the girls glancing shyly at the King. He heard a few of them saying -

"Oh, who is that person? Such a beauty."

"I've never seen him before. Ah! Such a handsome face."

"Heavens have really blessed him with a pretty face!"

Taehyung couldn't help but feel proud.
He wanted to tell them 'See! This is the power of the hero after all!'

He smiled sheepishly at the King.

The King glanced down at him. "What?"

"Nothing!" Taehyung smiled even more, showing his perfect set of teeth.

The King swiftly looked away. A blush spread across his cheeks.

"Here we are!" Namjoon announced as they arrived at the crowded liquor store. "So, how do we do this? Any idea, Taehyung?"

Taehyung smirked. "All we have to do is drink. The gossip will come on its own."

"What?" Namjoon muttered.

The trio headed into the store and took the table near the window.

"Now what?" Namjoon asked.

As soon as they were seated, a servant came rushing towards them. "Welcome!" He greeted with a big smile. "What can I get you, sir?"

"Two jars of wine." Taehyung returned a smile.

"Yes, sir." The servant nodded and left.

"I knew it! You came here to drink, didn't you!" Namjoon accused.

"Just wait!" Taehyung snapped looking around with searching eyes.

The servant came back with two jars of wine which he placed down carefully on the table, then bowed and left.
Without a word, Taehyung took the jars and started pouring wine for the three of them.

"What are you playing at?" Namjoon frowned, taking a sip from the cup.

"Wait and watch."

While Namjoon grew anxious, the King kept his calm as he slowly drank wine.

That was when Taehyung spotted a trio of young noblemen walk into the store.

Ah-ha! Rich people know everything!

The noblemen came and took the table beside theirs and started talking. Taehyung couldn't help but eavesdrop.

"This place is really crowded." One of them said.

"That's because of the first pick of plum they brought in yesterday. People have come all the way to taste them!"

"You're right!" Taehyung said, casually joining the group. "I've heard the taste is quite exceptional."

"So have I." The man agreed. This man was extremely handsome.

Taehyung flashed a charming smile. "I am Taehyung. You are?"

"Rowoon." The handsome one smiled.

"I am Dawon."

"My name is Chanhi."

"Nice to meet you all. If you don't mind, can I join your group for a drink?"

"Yes, yes! Of course!" Chanhi nodded.

"Thank you!"

Turning back to his table, he winked at Namjoon before taking his cup of wine and joining the group of noblemen.
Whereas, Namjoon was left stunned seeing how quickly Taehyung was able to bond with the group.

Soon, the servant had brought them jars of wine and snacks, and they were all talking and enjoying.

"So, what do you do?" Taehyung asked.

"Oh. I'm mostly into trade." Rowoon said.

"Same." Dawon shrugged.

"I am learning to be a physician." Chanhi informed.

"Physician? That's really difficult, isn't it?" Taehyung murmured, innocently.

"Yes, it is. I have to remember all these herbs and stuffs and poison."

Taehyung made an O with his mouth.

I've hit the jackpot!

"Speaking of poison, did you hear about Minister Hyun?" Taehyung whispered.

Rowoon nodded. "Poor fellow! The wine wrecked his life."

"Yes." Dawon agreed. "I know. He talked a lot about it with my father; how he had made sure the owner gave him the first of the first pick."

"I pity him." Taehyung said, sadly.

Chanhi nodded. "My father told me the old man was framed."

"Oh." Taehyung faked a gasp.

"I know! My father told me that he had seen Minister Hyun talking to the owner. Then, when the owner had left, and Minister Hyun was alone drinking the wine, a small person approached them."

"Did your father see the face of this tiny person?" Dawon asked.

Chanhi shook his head as a no.

"Was it a male or a female?" Rowoon asked, drinking wine.

"It was hard to find out in such a crowd, and my father was watching them from afar, so..." Chanhi said taking a sip.

"I'm pretty sure it was this person who framed Minister Hyun." Dawon said as he gulped down wine.

"What a sinister person!" Rowoon said.

Taehyung looked over his shoulder to glance at the King and Namjoon. 'Did you hear enough?'

Namjoon raised his cup and nodded.

The King stared at him fixedly.

"Now, now, let's not discuss such things and bore us all." He heard Rowoon say. "The night is young, after all."

Turning back to the noblemen, Taehyung, "Well, I'm tired. I should -"

Rowoon grabbed hold of his wrist and flashed him a drunken smile. "Where are you going?"

"Um..." Taehyung gave a nervous smile.

BANG! He heard someone slam the table behind.

Rowoon stroked his cheek. "I must say, you have a handsome face."

"So do you."

"Taehyung, do you have a lover?" The question left Taehyung speechless. He turned to Chanhi and Dawon for help, but they were dozing on the table.

"No. I want to experience more things before I take a wife." Taehyung said.

"Oh." Rowoon smiled. "How about an experience with me?"

Taehyung was flabbergasted.

Suddenly, there was a loud roar from behind. "Enough!" The King's voice sounded loud and clear. He walked over to them and removed Rowoon's hand from Taehyung's cheek.

Then, the King grabbed Taehyung by his arm and pulled him up to his feet. "Let's go. We have learned enough."

"Who do you think you are?" Rowoon growled with anger.

"You wouldn't want to know who I am." The King answered.

Sensing a fight coming ahead, Namjoon was all ready to unsheathe his sword.

"What's going on?" Dawon yawned.

Chanhi who had just woken up, noticed Namjoon and his sword. This made him start screaming.

"Chanhi, stop screaming! Don't worry! There isn't going to be a fight. Namjoon -!" Taehyung was frustrated. He turned to the King. "Tell him to put that thing away!"

The King flashed a quick glance at Namjoon who nodded and put the sword away.

The other customers were staring their way now, and had started gossiping.

"Let's go." The King tugged at his arm.

"Okay, fine. Relax."

"Taehyung -" Rowoon called.

The King shot him one deadly look, and Rowoon backed down. Taehyung pitied him. He nodded understandingly.

You are only an extra. What can you do to the hero?

The servant had came running to them. "Sir, you have to pay first."

Taehyung smiled nervously for he had no money. He and Namjoon exchanged helpless glances.

And that was how the King came to pay the bill.

***

Halfway on their way back, Taehyung stopped on his track.

"What's wrong?" Namjoon asked.

"I forgot something." He said. "Let me go get it back."

"I'll come with you." The King offered.

"No. I'm fine!" Taehyung smiled wildly. "Just give me your wallet, please."

Namjoon scoffed. "What makes you think His Majesty will -!"

He was rendered speechless when he the King - without any hesitation - reached within his robe and gave his pouch of coins.

Taehyung took it with a big smile. "I'll be back soon. You go on ahead."

"Where are you going?" The King asked.

"Don't worry." Taehyung assured with a bright smile. He could swear he felt the King's eyes on him as he ran away.

***

Taehyung returned late night holding three jars of plum wine.

Oh. The King must be asleep. I'll drink these by myself.

As he slid the door open, he came face to face with the King.

Taehyung smiled. "You're awake."

The King pressed his lips into a thin line. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the jars of wine Taehyung held in his hands.

"You brought liquor." He said calmly.

"I did."

"Why?"

"Because...um..." Taehyung skipped across the room and plopped down at the floor near the round-table in the room.

"I was hoping to share a drink with you at the store." Taehyung grinned. Then, sratching the back of his neck, he said, "But I didn't get to."

The King remained silent.

"Oh. Here!" He threw the pouch back to the King who caught it. Staring at the blank face of the King, Taehyung teased, "What? Did you think I would steal it?"

The answer came out like a breath. "I would never."

Taehyung laughed. "Ahh. I really hate drinking alone." He pouted. "If only I had someone to drink with."

The King had been completely used to Taehyung's antics by now, so, he couldn't possibly say no. Not when he made a face like that.

The King let out a deep sigh.

"I will drink with you."

"Yay!" Taehyung smiled. "Come, come." He gestured the King to sit across him which he did. Then, he poured wine for himself and the King.

***

They conversed about the poisoned wine incident - it was mostly Taehyung who talked while the King listened - as they drank wine.

"Aah." Taehyung smiled, putting down an empty cup on the table. "I like this wine. Do you, Your Majesty?"

The King nodded.

"Still, even after drinking so much, I'm still sober." Taehyung complained.

The King remained still.

Taehyung glanced at the King who had been sitting awfully quiet for a while now. His head hung low.

"I've been talking for a long time." Taehyung scolded. "Are you even listening to me?"

He stretched out his hand and poked the King's arm. "What's wrong with you?"

All of a sudden, a giggle escaped the King's soft lips.

This startled Taehyung. He stared at the King in disbelief. Did the cold face man really just giggle?

"Are you drunk?" Taehyung asked in a tone of doubt.

The King looked up at him and then - wait for it - for the first time Taehyung saw the King smile. A genuine one.

The intensity of the protagonist halo increased.

"I am not drunk." The King flashed a pretty smile.

Taehyung's heart quickened.

My God, how cute!

He could see flowers bloom around the King's head; the way they do in manga when the heroine laughs and the hero falls in love.

***

Author's Note:

SF9 Cameo~ woo~

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