'I have been irrevocably in love with you Kim Taehyung'

Taehyung jolted away from the prince as if he was electrocuted...his hands shivering and eyes brimming with tears as he glared at Jungkook

' Tae-'

' Don't say a word Jungkook!' Taehyung's voice came out way more harsher than he intended it to 'I don't want to hear anything'

' Am not asking you to say it back' Jungkook tried to make the elder look at him ' I just wanted you to know what's in my heart...I wanted you to know how I was waiting all these for you to come back-'

' Your wait was in vain Jungkook because we...can never be more than a Prince and his guard' Taehyung spat

'What is stopping you Taehyung' Jungkook felt his eyes burn ' W-why are you being so harsh...'

' What's stopping me?' Taehyung scoffed even though his cheeks were all wet ' There are a million things stopping me your highness...The fact that you are the prince of Astraxus and me just a mere guard...the fact that I am the son of a guard who refused to obey Jongwook and ran away and the moment he sees me..am done for..and how do you think your Namjoon hyung will react-'

' You shouldn't care about whether anyone else will accept us-'

' I can't accept us!' A helpless sob left Taehyung 'I still haven't accepted the fact that I like men Jungkook and you want me to accept us? I am still scared of my own sexuality... about my own feelings and y-you'

' Hyung' Jungkook took two long strides... standing in front of Taehyung as he cupped his cheeks ' Look at me hyung...'

Taehyung's lips wobbled as he lifted his gaze towards the prince

' You don't have to be scared of your feelings anymore hyung' Jungkook's own voice shook ' You are perfect just the way you are...a-and am not asking you to love me...I-'

Taehyung balled his fist on either side of him... restraining himself from holding on to Jungkook who looked so vulnerable

' Whenever-' Jungkook took in a shaky breath... wiping off Taehyung's tears with the pad of his thumb 'Whenever you feel scared hyung..j-just look at me...I will be there to hold you...all prepared to shield you from the whole world'

' Jungkook ah' Taehyung cried

' I promise...if you ever go down..' Jungkook swallowed 'I promise to go down with you..a-and if I ever get out of this hell...then that would be with you only...'

Taehyung broke down completely as Jungkook leaned forward joining their foreheads..both of them closing their eyes.. taking a moment for themselves

' Hyung' Jungkook mumbled 'I promise to love you till my last breath'

' What's happening here'

Both of them abruptly stepped back.. turning around only to see Yoongi standing there with his hands crossed over his chest

' Yoongi Hyung.. ' Taehyung's heart dropped..fear creeping in as he moved away from Jungkook only to stop when Jungkook grabbed his wrist ' What are you doing?'

Jungkook totally ignored the question as he stared straight at Yoongi interlacing his fingers with Taehyung's pulling him closer

The silent gesture making Yoongi turn his head scoffing before looking back the duo

' Woah!!' Yoongi exclaimed ' This happened sooner than I expected'

' Huh?' Jungkook blinked sharing a small glance with Taehyung who was now nibbling on his lips

' I knew this would  happen someday seeing the way you both look at each other' Yoongi chuckled 'Especially you Kook..you look at Taehyung as if he is the only living person in the whole world'

Jungkook's cheeks burned as he glared at Yoongi 'Why are you here anyway?'

' Ah I almost forgot' Yoongi sighed ' Taehyung ah..so we have a custom of giving our guards something as a sign of recognition.... Even though you don't belong to the palace guards.. you still are a part of us....so I brought this...'

Taehyung looked at Yoongi's extended hand which held a small bright red silk sack... He slowly held his arms out taking the bag...A gasp leaving him as he took out its content

' This is so beautiful!' He exclaimed looking at the dagger

' We usually give swords...but Jin hyung told that you are skilled more in using a dagger...' Yoongi explained ' Also Jin hyung said that you have a special liking for emeralds...' Yoongi continued...missing the way Jungkook whipped his head towards Taehyung with an amused smile 'So Namjoon made sure to include that too.. I hope you like it?'

' Y-yeah...I love it...' Taehyung nodded.. awkwardly standing there ' I'll take care of this.. Thankyou'

' I should get going now-'

' Hyung' Taehyung called out ' I... don't love the prince and there is nothing going on between us'

Yoongi looked at Jungkook who now had a sad smile as he nodded

' So please don't tell anyone...I-'

' Jungkook ah' Jin ran in... looking all pale startling the other three who didn't expect his arrival

' Hyung are you alri-'

' Jongwook is here!'

🍁🍁🍁🍁

Jungkook walked into the royal court of his castel..his head held high and eyes burning in hatred as he saw the King waiting for him

' Prince Jeon Jungkook' Jongwook called... distaste dripping each syllable ' Thought I'd have to wait a whole day to get a glimpse of you'

' Why are we hiding?' Taehyung whispered to Yoongi as they both hid behind the wall next to the door

' Jongwook can't know that Jungkook has a guard' Yoongi whispered back ' Or specifically that you are his guard'

' Why are you hiding?' Taehyung asked again

' Jongwook doesn't even know about his own son sneaking out to meet Kook' Yoongi looked horrified 'If he gets to know of my presence here..he will behead me and trust me Taehyung ah..I might act old but am just twenty seven...am too young to die..now shut up and listen to what they are saying'

' What do you want' Jungkook asked.. eyeing Namjoon who was silently standing beside his father...

' Me? Oh..I have got everything I wanted...' Jongwook laughed ' I got the crown...the throne of Astraxus...the stupid Astraxians's trust... everything except my beautiful queen..your eomm-'

' Don't you dare!!'

' Appa no!' Namjoon screamed...scared out of his wits when he saw Jongwook drawing his sword out the moment Jungkook lunged forward...the sword poking into Jungkook's chest as he glared hard at the King

' Look at you acting like an angry puppy' Jongwook smiled sweetly.. pressing the sword more into the prince's skin ' A caged bird should know where it's limit lies..you got it Jungkook ah?'

' Appa leave him' Namjoon said assertively when he saw red spots staining the white shirt Jungkook was wearing

' Agh' Jungkook groaned in pain as Jongwook's sword dug deeper...

' A-appa please' Namjoon begged helplessly..he could see Jin's scared orbs looking at the younger

' You know Namjoon ah?' Jongwook asked...his eyes still fixed on Jungkook and his sword now being dragged down... cutting his smooth skin ' I should have just sent him to his father that day itself...If it wasn't for that stupid guard Kim...I would have killed him long back'

' Hyung...we should stop him' Taehyung breathed out...his whole body shaking in fear as he saw how fast Jungkook's silk shirt was soaking up the blood...

' Stay quiet Tae-' Yoongi's face paled at Jongwook's next words

' But it's still not late' Jongwook smirked ' I still have a chance'

' No!'

' Appaa!' Namjoon pushed his father away.. making the man stumble back and the sword fall down....

Jungkook clutched onto his abdomen...blood pooling into his palm as he fell on his knees

Jin withheld the urge to run towards the younger and do anything to make it hurt less...but all this while Jongwook's attention was stuck onto the passage towards their side..from where he heard someone's loud No

' You have someone here Jungkook?'

That one question from Jongwook was enough to stop time for everyone present there...even for Yoongi who had his arms around Taehyung.. holding him back with an hand over his mouth shushing him

' Appa..we should go-'

Jongwook raised him arm.. silencing his son as he started walking to the passage door..an evil glint in his eyes as he neared when suddenly a bright light flashed around him making him groan and close his eyes..and open it again only to see himself surrounded by mirrors instead of walls....

(something like this...they have mirrors instead of walls and u can see reflections around)

' T-this is my castle...and you are not going anywhere without my permission!'

Jongwook raised his head.. meeting Jungkook...his own eyes widening when he saw a burning green sparkles around the cursed Prince whose eyes were glowing green and silver

Jongwook turned at the speed of lightening...a wide victorious smirk on his face

' You naive kid' He scoffed ' You gave me what I was looking for!'

Namjoon and Jin shared a confused glance hearing Jongwook's evil laughs...

' I came to check if your powers have grown and look at this!!' Jongwook raised his arms looking around the hall which looked like some beautiful castle of mirrors...as he walked closer to the trio ' This...is so bloody beautiful.. the absolutely proof of how powerful you are Jeon.... The absolute proof that keeping you alive wasn't a bad decision after all!! Now get all this back to normal so that I can leave!'

Jungkook's whole body shook in pain..his will power failing with every second as he spat ' Kim Jongwook
t-there will come day when....when you will pay for your sins! And I will make sure th-at I am the one who will kill yo-'

Jungkook sucked in a sharp breath...his eyes brimming with tears...the mirrors around them turning back into the old castel walls as the sword twisted more into his gut...

' You take after you mother Jungkook' Jongwook pulled the sword out pushing the boy down onto the ground ' Foolishly stubborn!'

' Jungkook ah' Namjoon rushed forward to the younger when Jongwook held his hand... 'touch him and I'll make sure he will be dead!'

Yoongi closed his eyes..his hand pressing more onto Taehyung's mouth..who was struggling to be let free from Yoongi's hold

' Appa' Namjoon cried helplessly ' Please save him.. I'll do anything... anything you ask for.. just.. please save him'

' Seokjin' Jongwook smriked as he heard his son before turning towards Jin who had his head hanging low and eyes closed ' Go call healer Lee from his home... Can't let this filth die now'

' Yes your Majesty' Jin ran out the very second Jongwook said that...the King turning towards his son ' Come with me Namjoon'

' Kookie' Yoongi unwrapped his hand from around Taehyung who ran towards the prince who laid on the ground bathed in his own blood ' Koo...'

' Hyung' Jungkook breathed out...' B-bring me to my e-eomma'

' No no please.. don't close your eyes...' Taehyung cried ' I promised to take you there... hyung will help you.. just-'

' We should take him to his chamber Taehyung' Yoongi urged

' Yeah...yeah...come on' Taehyung nodded quickly as he and Yoongi helped him up... ' Let's take him to my chamber...he is in no state to be taken upstairs

' Yeah'

Both of them managed to lay the younger down who was squirming in pain... while Yoongi held a cloth against his wound...

' E-eomma' Jungkook mumbled... half conscious

' Jungkook ah...' Taehyung cupped his cheeks ' Hyung is here.. hold on just a bit more...the healer will be here any moment-'

' Yoongi'

' We are here Jin hyung' Yoongi called back and soon Jin ran in with another man who quickly kept his bundle down before urging them all out

🍁🍁🍁🍁

' How can he do that!!' Yoongi gritted out 'That absolute asshole...I wish for someone who could just end that fucker'

' Yoongi calm down' Jin sighed...one arm around a still shaken Taehyung

' How can I when he is in there' Yoongi's rambling stopped when the healer walked out

' How is he?' Taehyung was quick to ask

' The prince will be fine...' The healer said ' The wound was deep but not dangerous...but it might take some time for it to heal....Make sure he applies the medicinal herbs daily'

' Thankyou so much for coming' Yoongi smiled softly

The healer just nodded..his gaze back towards Taehyung... ' He... doesn't seem to be from Astraxus'

Jin stilled...his eyes going wide at the realization that they all forgot about to hide Taehyung

' His hair and eyes are the proof of that' The healer continued ' Who is he? Did the king allow someone to be this near to the cursed Prince-'

' Jungkook is not cursed!' Taehyung rasped out.. 'Stop calling him that!'

Something changed in the healer's eyes as he turned completely towards Taehyung ' Who are you?'

' Never knew that the healers of Astraxus had the gut to talk like that to anyone inside the palace walls'

All of them bowed in respect as Namjoon walked in... looking totally annoyed at the healer

' This is not healer Lee...' Namjoon eyed the man 'Right Seokjin shi'

' Healer Lee is bedridden...so he sent his son' Jin answered politely

' I see' Namjoon nodded ' What's you name?'

' Lee Minhyuk'

' Lee Minhyuk shi...This' Namjoon pointed towards Taehyung 'Is someone who means a lot to me...and I advice you to keep your mouth shut if you love your dear life...is that clear?'

' Yes my Prince' Minhyuk bowed ' Forgive me for my mistake'

' Leave' Namjoon ordered and the healer rushed out

' Namjoon ah' Yoongi called out relieved ' Thankgod you came'

' How is he?' Namjoon asked worried

' Safe...the wound wasn't deep enough to kill him' Yoongi replied trying to ease his own self 'He left him alive '

Jin frowned at Yoongi who looked as if he couldn't believe that Jongwook actually left Kook alive

' Are you alright Tae?' Namjoon asked carefully as he could clearly see how scared the younger looked

'Yes hyung' Taehyung nodded...' You all should go back before the king notices your absence'

' But Kook-'

' Am here...' Taehyung assured ' I used to help a healer in my old place...I..am enough for Jungkook'

Namjoon thought for a while before nodding ' If anything inform me quickly'

Jin hugged his brother one more time before following Namjoon out

' Taeh-'

' I know...I should have stayed back' Taehyung hung his head low

Yoongi chuckled as he hooked his hand under the younger's chin making him look at him 'You were just worried for him...and that's totally fine... Take care of yourself too...You are really important to him'

' Don't you have any problem.. with all this..like Namjoon hyung?' Taehyung asked fiddling with his fingers

' No one has any problem..not even Namjoon'

' But-'

' You will understand someday' Yoongi smiled 'But Taehyung ah...keep one thing in mind..that it's very difficult to find someone who will always hold you their priority..the one who loves you more than their life..and once you find them..hold on to them tightly'

🍁🍁🍁🍁

Jungkook was woken up by the movement of something soft over abdomen...a slight sting followed by a soothing cooling touch...and small sniffles... He slowly opened his eyes...his head throbbing at the light from the burning torches lit around the chamber...

He looked around in a dazed state...his mind slowly registering the surroundings.... realizing it to be Taehyung's chamber...his heart sinking as everything that happened came back to his mind...

A hiss slipped past his lips even before he could completely acknowledge the sting on his body.. making him look down only to see Taehyung staring at him with big wide teary doe eyes...his face inches away from Jungkook's tummy

' What are you doing?' Jungkook mumbled

' You woke up' Taehyung stood straight..a relieved smile on his face

' Were you trying to take advantage of me being unconscious!!' Jungkook asked wide eyed 'Where is my shirt!!'

' You shouldn't have woken up' Taehyung deadpanned

Jungkook laughed at the annoyed guard only to groan at the sharp pain...' Oh goddess...'

' Jungkook ah' Taehyung's worried voice was heard 'Don't strain your muscles..you need rest'

' Hmm' Jungkook hummed

' I need to apply the rest of this herbal paste..it might sting a bit..but you will heal faster yeah?' Taehyung asked to which Jungkook again nodded

Jungkook watched how Taehyung kneeled beside the bed...a bowl of some medicine kept next to him into his he dipped his two fingers... taking a lump of it and slowly spread it over his wound....

Jungkook whimpered.. his eyes brimming with tears again...

' Heyy..heyy... it's ok' Taehyung held on to Jungkook's arm with his free hand...as he blowed over the wound all the while he applied the past...the cool air sending shivers down Jungkook's spine..his mind spiralling with not so holy thoughts as he continued ogling at the elder who had his lips puckered out....as his dark blue locks fell over his forehead.. covering most of his face and even before Jungkook to control himself..his hand had found their place in Taehyung's hair..his fingers combing the silky locks back.. tucking it behind his ear...

Taehyung froze at the action....his eyes wide as he looked up at the younger

' Koo-'

'You are so beautiful Taehyung' Jungkook breathed out..the whole chamber drowning in an ocean of silence until Taehyung decided to stand up

' I have to tell you something' Taehyung spoke up looking at Jungkook who nodded asking him to continue 'I respect your feelings.. but you must understand the truth that we  never can be each other's...'

' Taehyung not again-'

' I can't return your feelings Jungkook' Taehyung snapped

' Are you sure?' Jungkook's jaws clenched

' Yes' Taehyung's lowered his head

' Look at me Taehyung...' Jungkook demanded ' Reject me on my face'

' I already told you' Taehyung whispered but the silence in the room was so thick that Jungkook clearly heard it ' Isn't that enough?'

' No. Look in my eyes and tell me that you don't feel anything for me!'

Taehyung raised his head...his deep grey orbs glistening with unshed tears as he met the soft emerald ones...his chest aching with each breath as he said the words which Jungkook dreaded to hear even in his farthest dreams

' I don't love you Jungkook...nor can I ever'

🍁🍁🍁🍁

Heyy loveliesss

How are you alll

Hope the chapter was fine

Please do vote and comment

Take care

Love
Luna