Taehyung sniffed and wiped his eye as Namjoon finished. He glanced at the younger and became alarmed. He set his cup down and reached his hand out to Taehyung, placing it on his shoulder.

"Hey, it's alright now. It's been decades," Namjoon told him.

"I know but-but it's just so sad."

Namjoon smiled and took his arm back, linking his hands together and placing them on his lap. "It was. Now it's just... a distant memory."

"But you still love him," Taehyung said, clutching his tea cup tightly.

Namjoon looked down at his fingers, playing with them. "I always will. I know our love wouldn't die that easily."

"You can change him. Show him this wasn't the right choice and it's not too late to fix it. If you talk to him, he'll listen. He must want to be with you as much as you want to be with him. We wouldn't even need the shield," Taehyung began to say but Namjoon shook his head.

"He won't. He doesn't listen to anyone, he does what he pleases. When Taewon decides something he doesn't give up on it. If he did listen to me, he'd be here right now."

Taehyung sighed and put down his empty cup. He nodded, but he wasn't about to let this go. He bid Namjoon goodnight and immediately went down to the stable.

He found that the sensor spell didn't only work for the shield but also for the other sensors in the palace and his pendant kept him safe from the intruder sensors. He snuck out Mage and went to the shield as fast as he could and summoned his uncle.

"Nighttime visit, I see? Isn't it past your bedtime, troublemaker?" Zorock asked almost immediately arriving after Taehyung's first call.

"I'm just..." Taehyung thought, trying to make up an excuse. "Dying for the next lesson!"

"Of course you are. Our magic is really incredible no? It's no surprise you're curious. Alright, is there anything in particular you'd like to learn?"

Taehyung thought about it for a while before coming with the answer. "How do you make your shadow creatures?"

"Hm, nice try," Zorock said with a chuckle. Sure he was helping the enemy but he wasn't dumb enough to reveal all his secrets.

"Fine, I'm tired of magic today. How about some life advice?" Taehyung asked.

Zorock lifted a brow but didn't suspect much. They both lowered down the ground as such an altitude wasn't necessary.

"Life advice from your runaway uncle. Sure, go on."

Taehyung took in a deep breath. "I like this elf."

"Ah, love advice," he noted, his facial expression slightly shifting but Taehyung couldn't tell what that meant for him.

"And I told him that I liked him but he wouldn't take me seriously. He told me to prove to him that I could be a good King."

"Well you didn't give up there did you?" Zorock ask, creating a cloud table out of no where and leaning on it.

"No. I've been basically passive-aggressively flirting with him," Taehyung explained. He hesitated before speaking his next words. "Like you did with Namjoon." Taehyung waited for Zorock's face fall, and it did at the mention of his name.

"Listen kid, love's a great thing, but don't expect for it to be with you through thick and thin. Love can only come so far before it's put to some ultimate test and loses," he said.

"Love only loses when one falls out of it," Taehyung said. Zorock stared back in silence knowing damn well what Taehyung was trying to do.

"Get him some flowers, it always works. I'm tired tonight, come again another day," Zorock said shortly. He didn't let Taehyung say anything more as he vanished in thin air.

Taehyung sighed, thought about calling him again but shrugged off the idea and returned. He sneaked back into the palace after returning Mage and quietly made his way to his chamber. On his way, he saw the light spilling through the creaks of Leonava's room. 

He opened the doors carefully and walked in, finding the room empty except for the elf sitting at his desk, looking at a piece of photograph.

"Jeongguk," Taehyung called out. The younger's dropped the picture and tried to discreetly wipe his cheeks. He looked at Taehyung with his red and puffy eyes.

"What are you doing up so late?" Jeongguk asked, his voice raspy.

Taehyung approached the elf and took the chair to sit beside him. He looked at him and Jeongguk stared back.

"What's wrong?" Taehyung asked softly.

Jeongguk bit his lips as the tears resurfaced. He wiped the corners of his eyes and shook his head. "Nothing," Jeongguk replied, looking down. Taehyung took the younger's hand into his getting Jeongguk to look back up.

"You can tell me, Gguk," Taehyung tried again.

Jeongguk took in a deep breath before getting the photograph with his spare hand and giving it to Taehyung. It was a picture of a young Jeongguk, maybe six, and his dad.

"It's his birthday tomorrow," Jeongguk said. "I just miss him."

Taehyung looked at the picture again, noticing the similarities. "You look just like him," Taehyung said with a smile. He placed the photograph back and returned his attention to Jeongguk.

"Close your eyes," Taehyung requested. Jeongguk threw him a questioning look but followed and shut his eyes.

"Think about him, your most precious moment. Do you see him?" Taehyung asked and Jeongguk nodded slowly, hot and fresh tears slipping through.

"See, he's right there. He'll always be there with you," Taehyung whispered and felt Jeongguk's hand grip onto his more tightly. He reached out and wiped the tears from his face.

Jeongguk's eyes opened and a small smile made its way to his lips. Taehyung smiled back and poked the corner of his lips and dragged it up.

"Your dad wouldn't have liked you crying on his birthday right?" Taehyung asked pulling back his finger, slightly tilting his head.

Jeongguk pressed his lips together and and looked down again. "No," he answered. The two remained in silence for a moment before Jeongguk spoke again. "It's not fair, for both of us. Zorock will get what he deserves, I'll make sure of it."

Taehyung bit the inner walls of his cheeks. Here he was trying to get Zorock to change but Jeongguk's solution seemed to be something completely different. Maybe if Taehyung remembered the death of his parents he would've felt more hatred towards his uncle, but it's just how he'd always been. Thinking everyone deserves a second chance.

"If you don't mind me asking, what exactly happened?"

"Zorock sent his army of those shadow demons and my dad was leading our own to make sure they didn't get to villagers. He died in combat."

"I'm sorry," Taehyung said, feeling guilty for some reason.

Jeongguk shook his head. "Don't be."

Taehyung nodded. He let go of his hand and Jeongguk looked back at Taehyung, alarmed at the loss of contact.

"C'mere," Taehyung said with his arms now wide open. "A hug always helps."

Jeongguk sat there just blinking for a few seconds. Then he hesitantly leaned over and wrapped his arms around Taehyung waist. Taehyung scooted his chair closer so that he could engulf the younger in a tight hug. Jeongguk gasped, not expecting it but readjusted his position so that it was more comfortable.

Jeongguk felt Taehyung rub his back and hum the tune of his mother's lullaby, his touch and voice both soothing. Taehyung was right, a hug does seem to help. Jeongguk nuzzled his head into Taehyung neck and shut his eyes. 

Is your heart racing fast? Are you out of breath? Are there butterflies fluttering in your tummy? Do you feel you like you're just going burst?

The words bounced through Jeongguk's mind and his eyes instantly opened. He quickly pulled away and as confused as Taehyung was, the older didn't question it.

"We should head to bed now," Jeongguk said. "You're coronation outfit fitting is right after breakfast tomorrow."

"Yeah. Okay," Taehyung said followed by a sigh as he got up. Jeongguk shut the lights and closed the doors once they were both out. Jeongguk stopped walking down the hallway when he realized Taehyung was following him.

"Isn't your chamber the other way?" Jeongguk questioned and Taehyung brows shot up.

"Right," Taehyung said and turned on his heel. As he took the first few steps, his stomach let out a loud cry that echoed through the empty hallways. Taehyung froze, hoping Jeongguk didn't but the small snicker he heard said otherwise. Taehyung mentally cursed him and went back on his track, deciding to go faster this time.

"Wait," Jeongguk called out. Taehyung stopped in his tracks and turned his head back.

"You wanna sneak into the kitchen? Like old times?" Jeongguk asked. Taehyung smiled and walked back over to Jeongguk.

"Let's do it," Taehyung replied with a grin.

The shared a mischievous smile before making their way down. The two for some reason decided to be as quiet as possible even though there were guards and maids passing them. The two were even startled whenever they stopped to bow, thinking for some reason everyone knew of what they were scheming.

The kitchen had just been cleaned off so there was no one in sight except for a guard on night duty. Jeongguk suggested they go through the "secret" passageway the helper elves use to get from place to place faster to avoid having to face the guard.

Once they quietly got into the kitchen, Taehyung couldn't help but start laughing and both began to have a fit of giggles.

"Why the hell am I doing this?" Jeongguk whispered, mostly a question to himself as he wasn't the type to mess around like this. At least not in a long while.

"It was your idea!" Taehyung whispered back as they both stood in front of the ginormous pantry. Taehyung opened the doors carefully and they met with sweets galore.

"And it was a bad idea," Jeongguk said looking all their options.

"And who said bad ideas are always bad?" Taehyung questioned shaking his head.

Jeongguk looked at him a cocked his head. "What??"

Taehyung ignored the younger and grabbed the first thing he could reach. Although the title he read said otherwise, Taehyung was 99% sure they were just giant marshmallows.

"Oh, here," Jeongguk said and took the bag of marshmallows. He opened the bag with ease and took one out. He gave the bag back to Taehyung and floated a wooden stuck from some cabinet then stuck it into the marshmallow . He held the marshmallow in one hand while the other hand dropped little snowflakes. As soon as they made contact with the sweet, it began bubbling and browning like a roasted marshmallow.

"What the fuck?" Taehyung muttered, amazed by what he was witnessing.

"It's called a frozen marshie. Isn't it kind of cool? It's as if I was burning it, but if it was put to fire, it'd freeze," Jeongguk explained handing the 'marshie' to the older.

"This world amazes more and more as the days pass," Taehyung whispered staring at the marshie. "You amaze me," he made sure to add looking at Jeongguk. Taehyung wasn't sure as it was so dark but he could've swore there was a tinge of red on the younger's cheeks.

He took the marshie from him and took a bite. It tasted exactly like a roasted marshmallow except there was just something about it that made it taste a hundred times better.

Jeongguk finally smiled noticing Taehyung's pleased reaction. They took a seat on the ground and made a couple more frozen marshies.

"Do you feel ready for your coronation?" Jeongguk asked, taking a bite of his marshie.

Taehyung sighed. "I don't know. I have to strengthen the shield soon after. What if I can't, Gguk?"

Jeongguk hummed. "Honestly... I'd rather you not."

"What?" Taehyung asked, shocked as he was the first (other than probably Zorock) who didn't want the shield back up.

Jeongguk let his hand fall to his lap. "Casting the shield... it took your father's life. Yes, they've said the next generation is always more powerful but is it enough?"

"You don't believe in me?" Taehyung asked.

"It's not that. I know you can do it but, but... I'm just afraid there'll be a price too big to pay," Jeongguk said, his voice small. Taehyung bit his lip, understanding what Jeongguk was getting at. He placed his head on Jeongguk's shoulder, causing Jeongguk to slightly tense his shoulders then relax.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen. Like we agreed on, I'll prove to you that I can be a good King, which includes bringing the shield back up and then I'll come and sweep you off your feet. I won't leave you," Taehyung said and tilted his head up to see Jeongguk looking at him too.

They remained there, staring into each other eyes until Jeongguk's glowed the bright blue like they do, except this time Jeongguk saw it in the reflection of Taehyung's.

Taehyung quickly lifted his head off the younger's shoulder hoping he didn't make him uncomfortable. "I think it's about time we call it a night," Taehyung said, standing up and dusting his pants.

"Yeah," Jeongguk answered quickly getting up as well. They put the marshies back, threw away their sticks and left the kitchen the way they came in. When it came to the point where they had to split paths, the two hesitated for a moment.

"Goodnight," they both said at the same time, getting a chuckle out of the two. As they walked in the opposite directions, Taehyung had this sudden urge to look back.

Just a glance, he said to himself as he turned his head around. Of course it doesn't mean anything, but a swarm of butterflies erupted in Taehyung's stomach as Jeongguk looked back at the same time.

Jeongguk whipped his head back and began to walk faster. Taehyung cooed at the elf's cuteness and continued his way to his room, a smile resting on his face all the way.

•—•—•

Taehyung yawned as he went down to the breakfast table. He took his usual seat beside Jeongguk except Jeongguk wasn't there. He searched around the table hoping to find the elf.

"Jeongguk wanted to have breakfast with his parents," Jimin informed him, knowing exactly who the prince could be looking for.

"Ah, right," Taehyung sounded nodding.

"Mind if I join you for your fitting today, Taehyung?" Aunt Linda asked as she served herself some eggs.

"No, not at all," Taehyung replied with a smile. Linda returned the smile and placed some scrambled egg on Taehyung's plate too, which the prince quickly thanked her for.

Taehyung looked around the table, everyone chatting with one another about whatever matter they wanted to. Everyone was so kind to one another, so supportive. He hopes that the smiles in the room remain for forever but it all relied on him.

He thought back to what Jeongguk said about not strengthening the shield again. He wasn't much concerned of what the damage it'd be on him among all the the other variables, but would that really be the end? Wouldn't Zorock just keep trying harder to break through the shield? if Taehyung was gone, who was to do it again? Taehyung knew the only way he could stop this was by changing Zorock with the help of Namjoon. But what if he can't? What if Zorock's petty revenge rules over his love for Namjoon?

All these question's swarmed through Taehyung's mind until he was snapped out of by Hoseok's loud voice.

"Will you please just talk to me?" Hoseok yelled now standing up on his chair and looking at Yoongi in the seat beside him. Everyone's eyes were on the pair.

"I have nothing to say," Yoongi replied, continuing to eat. Hoseok groaned and grabbed the elf's wrist, causing Yoongi to drop his fork and look at him confused. Hoseok didn't say anything, just dragged him out of the dinning hall and shut the door.

"Dude, what the hell?" Yoongi said, twisting his hand from the tight hold of Hoseok's hand, although, he didn't manage to break free.

"Well what the hell's up with you? You keep avoiding me," Hoseok said looking right into his eyes. Yoongi quickly turned his head away.

"You've been like this since Jeongguk and Taehyung messed around pretending to be me. I'm sorry if you were weirded out but it was their silly prank. Just a joke."

"Just a joke... Right," Yoongi repeated. He bravely looked back up and Hoseok managed to read the words his eyes were screaming. The grip around Yoongi's arm loosened.

"W-Well what if it wasn't a joke?" Hoseok asked.

Yoongi lifted a brow. "What?"

"Well, um, what if I did like you?" Hoseok asked hesitantly.

"Well–" Yoongi started but stopped not actually knowing what he would do. "I'd think your joking because you hate me and my guts."

Hoseok sighed. "Okay, I know I pick fights with you a lot but that's just... that's just because I wanted to get your attention. Like a stupid school elf picking on his crush, you know?"

"Oh," Yoongi sounded. "Wait so is this still hypothetical?"

"Umm depends on if you also like me or not," Hoseok said.

Yoongi smiled. He stepped closer, carefully placed his hand on Hoseok cheek and laid a delicate kiss on his lips and pulled away.

"I must be insane, but I also like y–" before Yoongi could finish his sentence, Hoseok dropped his wrist and snaked his arm around his waist to pull him back in for a kiss.

The kiss started slow but it quickly became more. The two kept going, only taking breaks for air. At a point, it became like a competition on who could last the longest without pulling away, so for a while the two just did their breathing through their nose until they heard a whistle. Yoongi and Hoseok finally separated to look at the door where the sound came from to see the elf's head poke through.

"The maids wanted to know if they could throw out both your plates or if you're going to come back in to finish it. I take it you two aren't going to be done for a while?" Jin asked, doing his best to hold in his laughter.

Yoongi shut his eyes tightly and pressed his lips together until they disappeared, hoping the prince would go away if he didn't see him.

Hoseok took in a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, they can throw it out," he answered for them.

Jin nodded. He moved his brows up and down before winking and closing the door. When Yoongi heard the doors shut, he finally opened his eyes.

"I hate you," Yoongi muttered.

"Oh do you now?" Hoseok asked playfully, lifting his chin and reattaching their lips again.

—•
A lil sope for y'all

And an early happy birthday to our precious sunshine!!
HOSEOK DESERVES THE WORLD

Bye<3