"You shouldn’t drink so much, Master Taehyung“

“And you should drink some more, My Lord. What’s with the courtesy, Jungkook? You know I can’t stand it when you’re so formal to me.”

Jeon Jungkook looked at him briefly, before going back to scanning the room filled with people in extravagant dresses. They were standing in little groups, talking, drinking and eating the snacks the servants offered them. A few even attempted to dance while others just listened to the little string quartet that played. Normally the whole castle was rather cold since it was big and made out of stone but tonight the room was bright and warm thanks to the many candles that were lightened for the festivity.

“It’s an official banquet, of course I have to be formal, Master. People would talk if they heard otherwise.”

Kim Taehyung the fifth, Prince of Raynaia and Lord of Greenwaste, couldn’t help the snicker that fled his lips.

“Everyone knows about us anyway. I’m sure they won’t mind if you leave the honorific!”

Jungkook turned his head again in Taehyung’s direction to meet his eyes but this time he held it.

“It’s something different if they know that I call you by your name behind closed doors, or if I do it at an official occasion, where I’m supposed to guard your life, Master Taehyung. It’s got nothing to do with my feelings; it would just be downright disrespectful. And you know that very well.” The last sentence was spoken only a little louder than a whisper so no one else would here.

“Hahhh... I know. I just wish sometimes that it wasn’t so complicated. I’m just fed up with this whole situation.”

Taehyung took another sip of his wine. It wasn’t the first time they had this conversation and probably wouldn’t stay the last time either. The young prince was sick of the whole formality and wished to show the whole kingdom truthfully just how happy he was with Jeon Jungkook, his first knight that was supposed to only guard the prince’s life and not be the biggest part of it. But that was still impossible as of now.

He was already lucky enough that they weren’t tortured and quartered, the punishment for being caught doing improper things with someone of the same sex only 150 years ago. So much had changed since then and gay couples were a normal part of community now.

Everyone was allowed to love who they wanted. Except high officials that needed to maintain a certain professionalism. Therefore they couldn’t forgo the formality and honorific that was expected at court.

Jungkook’s gaze softened when he saw the sad face of the man he loved. He knew how much Taehyung hated those courtesy things since it put kind of a cold distance between the speakers. And it put Jungkook beneath him since his titles were lower. He thought that in some complicated way it hurt Jungkook and that might have been true if it wasn’t for Taehyung.

The prince never let him feel his superior role and never abused his powers on him. Of course he gave him orders sometimes, but never against his will. He didn’t force him ever to do something he wasn’t comfortable to do. And he was the purest being on earth.

Seeing his face now made Jungkook want to decrease the space he had put between them.

“Master Taehyung, would you like to go for a walk in the garden?”

It took a moment but then Taehyung’s face lightened up until he almost beamed.

“Yes! Let us go.” He said, already heading to the door of the balcony that led to the garden.

Jungkook chuckled to himself before he hurried after his prince. He caught up to him when Taehyung had already reached the broad gravel walk that led throughout the whole gigantic garden. Every now and then was a lantern hanged to brighten the path.

The dim light did something unbelievable with Taehyung and made him even more beautiful. Jungkook could tell that Tae was now in a really good mood. He had a light smile on his lips, almost not noticeable but when someone knew his face as well as Jungkook did it was very clear. And he was humming a soft tune.

Jungkook had to hold back not to grab his hand or embrace his waist since they were still in plain sight. Taehyung seemed to have had the same struggles, because as soon as they turned the corner Jungkook felt his hand on his waist that drew him closer.

They kept walking in comfortable silence some more until Taehyung suddenly stopped and then dragged Jungkook behind some alley seamed with little trees. They finally landed in a secluded little area that wasn’t accessible for those that didn’t know about it.

It was beautiful! There was a small pond, surrounded with flowers, behind them was a willow tree that swayed his leaves with the breeze and in the middle of it all there was a stone, big enough for two grown men to sit on.

Jungkook sat down, a smile on his face and waited for Taehyung to join him. Sure enough the older guy climbed behind him and hugged him form the back. He loved to do that and Jungkook enjoyed the feeling too. It was usually him who had to protect the prince and whenever Taehyung did that it felt like he told him that whatever happened, he had his back too.

Jungkook leaned his head back on Taehyung’s shoulder and looked up at the stars. It was a moonless night, therefore the stars shone even brighter.

“I love you, Taehyung.”

Taehyung had put his chin on Jungkook’s shoulder before but with his words he turned his head and gave him a soft kiss on the area between his ear and jaw. It carried a lot of feelings that didn’t need to be worded; Jungkook understood every single one of the unsaid letters because he felt the same.

The soft lips and his warm breath on his cheek let Jungkook ease completely and grab a hold of the arms that were slung around his chest while closing his eyes.

Taehyung snuggled his head some more into him and then playfully bit his earlobe to make him laugh (successfully) before he rested his head again on Jungkook’s shoulder.

The moment was so peaceful that he never wanted to leave.

“The stars sure are beautiful, right?” Taehyung asked.

“Mhh”

“They shine so bright, every single one of them sparkles like a little diamond.”

“Are you trying to get me to say ‘Just like you’ or what?” Taehyung’s deep laughter sounded sweet in his ear and the vibrations on his back were magnificent. “’Cause I would never say something so cheesy – even though you are.”

This time Taehyung’s laughter shook his whole body. And soul. He really loved this man.

“Actually I wanted you to promise me something.” Taehyung said when he calmed down.

“Don’t worry, I promise to put your royal, drunken ass to bed tonight, MASTER Taehyung.” Jungkook emphasized the word Master purposely. He hoped to make Taehyung remember these moments so he would feel less burdened in the future when they had official gatherings.

Jungkook felt more than he heard Taehyung chuckling.

“That wasn’t what I wanted but I’m going to hold you on to that!” Another quick kiss to his ear; this prince sure knew of the weak spots of his subordinate.

“If it’s not that... You want me to catch you a star from the sky? Master Taehyung, you know I can do almost anything. Even more so if it’s for you! But I think this one might be a little difficult. Even for me.”

Taehyung answered that with a chuckle and a slap on his stomach since Jungkook was still holding on to his arms.

“Can you keep serious for a moment?”

“Of course, MASTER Taehyung. I’m totally serious, Master Taehyung. Please tell me your demand, Master Taehyung.”

Jungkook probably deserved the head bump he received for that.

“Promise me to stay with me until you counted all the stars. Whatever may happen in the future, however tough it might get or however bad a disagreement might be we will have and how many people might ask us to separate, promise me to stay with me until you counted every single star on this sky.”

“Did your father pressure you again to brea-“

“Promise me, Jungkook!”

Jungkook sat up and freed himself from Taehyung’s embrace to turn around and look in his eyes. He placed his right hand over his heart while he laid the other on Taehyung’s cheek, gently stroking it with his thump.

“Kim Taehyung the fifth, Prince of Raynaia, Lord of Greenwaste and emperor of my heart, I swear by everything that’s sacred and the stars on the sky that, before I haven’t counted every single one of said stars and presented you at least half of them on a diamond tray, I won’t ever leave you.”

There was a soft nod from Taehyung, indicating that he accepted his vow. But the relieved face Taehyung made let Jungkook lean in and kiss him. With this their promise was seal and whatever the future might have in store for them, they would go through it together.