Note: thatonedudewitha_ had asked for a picture of Zorock/Taewon to help visualize him better. I tried to find someone that suits what I had in mind but I couldn't. The closest I could get was Kim Woobin, there's a pic of him above

Also, I have a feeling many of you don't care about this and might skip since there's no taekook which I understand I skim through some parts of fanfics too, but there are a couple important info about the plot/characters so if you care about that then well it's your call :)

—•

Namjoon and Taewon
25 years ago

Namjoon hummed at his brother, not being able to look up as he had to be precise with the measurements for the potion he was concocting.

"The first prince is back?" Namjoon repeated, and Jimin nodded.

"Poor Prince Taewon. Everyone here basically bullied the kid out. He was so adorable, copying everything King Saejoon would do," Jimin said. "Haven't you spoken to him before?"

Namjook shook his head slightly, still very concentrated on the bottles. "I was there for his birth. Seen him running around the castle with Jaewon when he was young but I've never spoken to him. I think I tried once and he ran away from me. Cute kid."

"He's twenty-seven now," Jimin informed. "The King apparently wants him to stop travelling the world and take a more serious position. Maybe even start looking for his partner if not already."

"Yeah, I was there. The other advisors weren't too happy about that. They made him step down from the throne after all. Jaewon's grown to be a nice young man but his head's in the clouds, always sneaking out to the village to see his lover I presume. He doesn't have any interest in leading his kingdom."

"I know, things would've been fine how they were. I used to call Prince Taewon 'Little King' whenever I saw him. Stupid nonexistent curse," Jimin muttered under his breath.

"Shh," Namjoon hushed him as they weren't to even whisper a word about the curse in case outsiders got a hold of it. Jimin sucked in his breath and mouthed an apology.

"We have to be there for his arrival in a half an hour right?" Namjoon asked and Jimin raised a brow.

"Yeah," Jimin stretched, not having a good feeling about his brother's question.

"Perfect. That's more than enough time for you to finally get on a call with Princess Amberly and tell her you're not head over heels in love with her," Namjoon explained.

Jimin groaned. "But I'm not!"

"Well she says otherwise. You were shamelessly flirting with a girl that is way too young for you."

Jimin sighed. "She's 30! She's older than me!"

"You know what I mean. Meet a girl your own age," Namjoon snapped.

Jimin rolled his eyes. "It was funny the first time you said that but now it's just annoying. Whatever, I'll go clear the misunderstanding, your highness!"

Namjoon chuckled and shook his head as Jimin left the room. He finished the potion, poured it out in a bowl and added the last liquid that instantly turned the potion into a solid sphere. Then he dropped it into a tray with his three other samples. Just as he did, he heard the doors open and shut in a hurry.

"How'd the call–" Namjoon started and turned to look at his brother — except it wasn't his brother. Namjoon raised a brow as he looked at the elf with a scarf covering the bottom half of his face.

"Who are you?" Namjoon asked.

"Umm, me? I'm... an intruder," the other answered. Namjoon almost laughed at the elf's uncertainty.

"Well, intruder, what are you doing here?"

"Um... intruding?"

"I see. Then you'll make the perfect test subject," Namjoon said picking up one of the balls he'd just made.

"Huh?" the elf sounded, back still against the door.

"Catch," Namjoon said as he threw the ball over to his way. The ball began to glow as it built up speed but the said intruder didn't notice as he quickly caught the ball, not having enough time to even process what it could be. When he caught it, the ball broke and a liquid spilled onto his hand.

"What the..." the intruder trailed and tried to move his hand but found himself feeling constraint. All he was able to do was move his facial features.

"What is this?!" the elf yelled looking at Namjoon.

"Hmm." Namjoon stepped closer to the other with his fisted hand on his chin. "Something must've gone wrong, you can still look around and speak."

He stepped closer and looked at the elf carefully before reaching out a hand and pulling the mask off. Namjoon squinted his eyes, feeling like he's seen the elf before.

"Who are you?" Namjoon asked again.

"It's me, Prince Taewon! Please let me go," Taewon pleaded, grunting as he was probably trying to break free.

Namjoon thought about it for a moment before speaking. "I have no reason to believe you."

"I know every nook and cranny of this palace, ask me anything, Sir Namjoon Kim," he said.

"You know my name," Namjoon noted, although anyone could know that.

"Not only that, I know that you're immortal, you used to be and Earth elf, you can shift into any age before your kinda death age, you have a brother named Jimin, you bite the insides of your cheek when you're frustrated, and you make little fists when you accomplish something," Taewon went on.

"Not only are you and intruder but you're also a stalker," Namjoon accused. The first few informations weren't surprising but then he got to his little habits that he didn't even realize he had.

"No. I came through the purple portal, just-just check my pendant," Taewon said looking down.

Namjoon hesitantly pulled at the string peaking around his neck to reveal the pendant with the kingdom's emblem. He turned on his wrist call and quickly scanned the pendant. Instantly, Prince Taewon's profile appeared with a picture of him. Namjoon stepped away quickly, glancing back at Taewon to double check. He immediately got down on one kneee and bowed his head.

"Your highness," he greeted.

"No! You don't– It's okay, please get up," Taewon said and Namjoon followed his order.

"Well, can you let me out now?" he asked.

Namjoon remained silent for a moment, trying to gather the right words to say. "Well, the potion was still in the beginning process. I have yet to concoct something to reverse its effects."

"So, in other words, I'm stuck like this?" Taewon asked, not sounding as upset as Namjoon expected him to sound. More amused, actually.

"Yes," Namjoon confirmed.

Taewon pursed his lips before he sighed. He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. Namjoon watched curiously as the prince'a face calmed. Taewon concentrated all his power into it and suddenly, his hands flew apart.

"Aha!" Taewon cheered, stretching his body finally being able to move again.

"How did you..." Namjoon started but knew that it made sense a royal family member could break through such a powerful potion.

"Seems like your potion wasn't as strong as you thought, hm?" Taewon said but now walking over to the large window at the other end of the room.

Namjoon followed behind. "I apologize, but shouldn't your majesty be outside at the entrance where they've prepared a grand welcome for you?"

Taewon turned around abruptly, surprising Namjoon as he almost couldn't stop in time.

"Exactly what I want to avoid," the younger said, snapping his fingers. "Also, please just call me Taewon."

Taewon looked through the window where he could see some of the preparations awaiting his arrival. He looked back at Namjoon and frowned.

"Have we discovered a spell to clone ourselves yet?" Taewon asked.

Namjoon chuckled and shook his head. "We're working on it. You shouldn't keep everyone waiting."

"What? So they can give me disgusted looks and call me a monster?" Taewon muttered. Namjoon opened his mouth to say no one would do that, but there would be no point.

Taewon sighed. "I guess I should greet my parents and dear brother."

"I shall see you another time, Prince Taewon," Namjoon said, bowing slightly.

Taewon tilted his head with a mischievous smile. "Oh yes you shall."

Namjoon watched Taewon with careful eyes as he left the room, the same smile still dancing on his lips. He never got to ask how he seemed to know that and so much more about Namjoon.

•—•—•

"Boo!"

Namjoon slowly turned his head away from the flowers and looked up at Taewon. He raised a brow, not understanding what the prince was trying do.

"Your majesty," Namjoon greeted.

Taewon rolled his eyes. "Really, not even a small fright? On Earth, it's something you yell when trying to scare another human."

"Well no wonder, I'm not human. You've been to Earth?" Namjoon asked as he was always fascinated in their parallel universe.

"Mhm, on my 10th birthday," Taewon said proudly. "Anywho, I came here about a different matter."

Namjoon glanced back to his flowers and at the prince, before getting up to face him. He packed away his notebook and pen then answered, "Yes?"

"You, me, dinner, tonight, meet me at the west gate?"

Namjoon raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

"A date. I'm asking you out on a date," he explained, not shy about it at all, instead with a knowing smirk.

Namjoon stared back for a few second before a laugh slipped through. He pretended to cough to cover up. "A date?" he questioned.

"Jeez, I know you're old but you should know what a date is," Taewon said, crossing his arms. "Are you laughing?"

"Glad you know my age, which is exactly why I'd think this was a joke," Namjoon replied and turned back to look at the flowers.

Taewon placed his hand on his wrist and turned him back around. "Well it's not a joke."

Namjoon's smile slowly dropped realizing the prince was indeed being serious. "Prince Taewon..."

"I've waited all these years so that you wouldn't treat me as a kid, and now that I come back all grown and handsome– note, very handsome– you still won't take me seriously. I mean, what's a elf gotta do?" Taewon ranted.

"Nothing. It doesn't matter if it was any other elf, I don't want a romantic partner of any kind," Namjoon responded with. He took his hand away from Taewon's and walked past him, heading towards the door.

"So you won't even give me a chance? You never know what can happen," Taewon said trailing after him.

Namjoon opened the door but turned back his head to look at Taewon.

"No, I really don't get it," Taewon insisted.

Namjoon huffed and said, "I don't need to give you a chance to know that in the end, I'll be alone again in a few decades. You might not understand but I'm the one that has to watch everyone else grow old and die while I'm stuck like this."

"Wow," Taewon breathed out. "Who hurt you?"

Namjoon shook his head in disappointment. "Goodbye, your majesty."

•—•—•

"Prince Taewon," Namjoon greeted with a sigh. "And to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Oh don't fret, I'm not here to court you again. That's later. I need your help," Taewon said.

Namjoon didn't exactly know how soon 'later' would be but he decided to ignore it. "And what with?"

"How did you become immortal?" he asked.

Namjoon brows shot up, not expecting such a question, although he wasn't the first to ask. "If immortality is what you're after, then I'm sorry, I can't help."

"No, it's not that," Taewon said shaking his head. He stepped closer to quiet his tone. "If there was a being or magic that was powerful enough to give you eternal life, then it could just be powerful enough to reverse the curse."

"The curse? The curse is real?" Namjoon questioned.

Taewon shut his eyes and reopened, mentally preparing himself. He raised both his hands and formed his orb.

"What in the Elvador..." Namjoon whispered, looking into it the black orb.

"I know," Taewon said and gulped. "It's full of darkness and... evil like everyone thinks I am."

"But you're not–" Namjoon started.

"But my gift is. I've seen Jaewon's and father's. There's was white and so pure. I don't want this, it's not fair. Please, I don't want to be a monster," Jaewon pleaded.

Namjoon looked into his eyes and he genuinely felt bad for him knowing what it was like to be trapped in a life you never asked for.

"I'm sorry, I still can't help. Right before I technically died, I saw this lady. Everything was blurry but her silhouette was glowing. I might've been hallucinating but I've always believe it was that being that made my brother and I immortal, but I have no clue who they are or where they can be found."

Taewon's orb disappeared and he dropped his head down. He sighed and shut his eyes again. Namjoon watched, not knowing exactly what to do in this situation.

"I can still help, is there anything I can do for you?"

Taewon lifted his head to look at the older. "You could go on a date with me."

Namjoon understood that that 'later' meant now. Namjoon offered him a smile before he kindly said, "No."

•—•—•

"Why are you so obsessed with those flowers?" Taewon said, literally upside down in the air.

"Ah!" Namjoon yelled when he turned around to see who the voice belonged to.

Taewon spun and landed back down on his feet. "Yes! Gotcha!"

"Do you really get that much joy in having a fright out of me?"

Taewon placed a finger on his chin and pretended to think. "Hmm, just a little bit. Did you know you have the most adorable scared face?"

Namjoon opened his mouth to say something but instantly shut it and turned around. "I, uh, didn't know you could fly. Doesn't it take air elves decades to master the skill?"

Taewon pursed his lips. "Really? I was bored one afternoon and just tried it."

"You what?" Namjoon asked, his head whipping to look at Taewon. Taewon displayed a cheeky grin as he floated off the ground and outstretched an arm.

"C'mon," Taewon said and offered his hand.

"Oh, no. I do not want to try," Namjoon quickly rejected.

Taewon rolled his eyes and flew a little closer. "Thighle sa a rethafe," he chanted, and Namjoon felt himself feeling lighter.

"Just trust me and take my hand," Taewon insisted. Namjoon thought over it before hesitantly grabbing onto Taewon's hand. Taewon smiled wide and gripped onto the hand tightly. He flew a little higher until Namjoon's feet was off the ground.

"Okay, this was a bad idea. Your highness may put me back down now." Namjoon said frantically looking down at ground.

"Oh, c'mon."

Namjoon shook his head. "Is this a bad time to tell you I think I've got fear of heights?

"Hey, I've got you," Taewon said softly and Namjoon looked back up. Their eyes met and Namjoon felt a little more at ease for some odd reason.

Without warning, Taewon began to speed up, going higher and higher to the clouds. Eventually, he came to a stop and went slowly.

"Look," Taewon said, pointing to ground. Namjoon looked away from Taewon's who he didn't realize he was staring at the entire time to down at the view.

Namjoon couldn't help but gasp. "It's incredible," he whispered. It was all so tiny but he could see everything. The palace, the village, the forest, the gardens – everything.

"I know. It'd be even cooler if we were higher. Say, what would you do if just let go?" Taewon asked.

Namjoon head snapped to look at the younger. Since he had put a spell on him, Namjoon was at his height instead of hanging off his arm.

"You wouldn't," Namjoon warned.

"Don't worry, I'll catch you. I've got the speed and you'd be falling really slowly," Taewon said and Namjoon could feel his grip loosen.

"Your highness–"

"I said call me Taewon," he whined.

"Prince Taewon, this isn't the time for another one of your silly games," Namjoon said, his grip around Taewon's hand now tightening.

"On count of three! One."

"Prince–"

"Two."

"Your high–"

"Three!"

"Taewon!" Namjoon yelled. He shut his eyes and clutched onto Taewon's waist. He opened his eyes again slowly once he heard Taewon laughing. As soon as Namjoon realized, he released the younger from his grasp but didn't think of what would come next.

Namjoon began to fall, although, very slowly. He was still able to see the instant fear in Taewon's eyes. He didn't even let Namjoon fall for another second as flew lower than him and caught him in his arms. Namjoon grabbed onto his neck for better support.

"I wasn't going to let go of you!" Taewon screamed. He took in a deep breath and his smile returned. "Seems like I've swept you right off your feet."

Namjoon turned his head away. "Could we just– Could we go back to the ground?"

"Of course."

They finally landed back on the ground and when Namjoon's feet hit the soft grass, he relaxed.

"Are you okay?" Taewon asked, hoping he didn't make a mistake.

Namjoon nodded, thinking back to how he felt at the moment when he was 'falling'. He was reminded of when Jimin and him had jumped off the cliff, changing their lives forever.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Namjoon said, offering a smile. "Thank you, I'm grateful to have experienced such a thing in my lifetime."

"Then are you going to pass on the chance of a lifetime to go on a date with me?"

"Yes. Yes I am. I've experienced flying, I need nothing more."

Taewon's jaw dropped as Namjoon bowed and left the garden.

•—•—•

This went on for a while. Through all the rejection, Taewon never gave up. He just kept trying again and again.

"Can't believe my brother's going to get married soon, yet I'm still single. Now who's to blame for that?"

"You."

And again.

"Are you busy?"

"Yes."

"Great! Let's go on a date."

"No."

And again.

"A flower as pretty as you," he said, holding a beautiful rose.

Namjoon lifted a brow. "Did you cut that from the garden?"

"Uh, yeah?"

"Flowers like those are meant to be admired from where they are, not plucked out to die without proper care," he replied.

"Right, earth elf. I'll go see if I could replant this."

Namjoon nodded and watched Taewon's slumped figure walk out. He couldn't help but smile watching the younger try his best. Namjoon shook his head, forcing his lips back down. He took in a deep breath, noting to himself to be careful around him.

The next time wasn't so successful either. Taewon came to him with a huge grin and his hands behind his back. Namjoon lifted a brow, thinking about what it could be this time.

"Prince," Namjoon greeted shortly.

"Surprise," Taewon yelled, revealing the bouquet of metal roses he was hiding behind his back. "Handmade by yours truly."

Namjoon was nearly speechless looking at the beautifully crafted roses. He could tell that Taewon paid close attention to all the little details.

"You made them?" Namjoon asked, stunned. "With magic?"

"Yes and no. I wanted it to be more, uhhh how should I say this. Authentic? So I went with the old fashion way. Hammer and fire, baby. Here, it may not be as pretty as the flowers from before but I tried my best."

Namjoon carefully took the bouquet and somehow they smelled like real roses too.

"So, about that da–"

Namjoon cut him off when he noticed black marks on the younger's palm and fingers. Namjoon set the bouquet on a table then grabbed Taewon's wrist. Taewon closed his hand into a fist immediately.

"Open your hand," Namjoon demanded and Taewon struggled to get out of his grip. He stopped trying and showed the older his hand.

Namjoon lightly grazed over one of the burn marks and Taewon's hissed. Namjoon pulled his hand away, alarmed.

"It's whatever. I'm going to go to the Healer's in a bit. I was too excited to show you," Taewon explained. Namjoon bit his lip and looked over at the burn marks again before looking at Taewon.

"Taewon-ah," Namjoon started. "Don't do silly things like this anymore. Look at what happened, how are you going to write? Your magic can only help you so much. Go see the healer right now. Isn't it enough? Let's stop."

Taewon sighed and brought his arm back to his side when Namjoon let it go.

"You know, those roses are made of steel. They match your heart perfectly," Taewon said and walked out the room.

Things were quiet for a while after that. Namjoon hadn't been bothered by the sly prince since then but for some reason he felt more bothered by the fact that he wasn't being bothered anymore. Then, by pure chance, when he was given an agreement document from Sir Lin, who had an urgent task to attend to, for Prince Taewon to sign, he felt a little something inside of him happen.

He knocked on Taewon's door and waited for the come in. Once he went inside, he saw the room to be a mess with papers and books, his desk swarmed with files and more papers. Taewon was focused on something he was writing to notice who even came in.

"I was given this document for you to review and sign," Namjoon said and Taewon looked up, yet he looked unfazed. He took the papers from Namjoon's hand and began to read over it.

"Hm, I don't know. What's in it for me?" Taewon asked, now rereading the paper.

"Is it not there?" Namjoon asked.

"Well, all for the kingdom, yes. For me personally," Taewon replied, still looking at the paper.

"There should never be anything that is coming–"

"Will you go on a date with me?" Taewon asked the words Namjoon hadn't heard in a while. The question Namjoon didn't realize he took for granted until now.

Namjoon realized then that he shouldn't keep himself closed from love forever. He didn't know what tomorrow held and he didn't want to have more regrets that he already had.

"Okay," Namjoon replied and Taewon finally looked up from the papers.

"What? Wait– I was kidding, you don't have to. I'll sign it, don't worry," Taewon said and took his pen and signed on the indicated places. "Here you go," he said handing the document back.

Namjoon took if but still stood there. "So you won't take me on that date?"

"Well would you want to?"

"That's why I said okay."

Taewon stood up from his chair and smiled wide. "Really?"

Namjoon nodded. "It'd be rude of me not to after all the effort you've put in me. You're quite the charmer, Prince Taewon."

Taewon chuckled. "I know. Okay, meet me in front of my chamber. Let's have dinner together."

"Alright."

"It's a date?"

"It's a date."

Taewon prepared a whole candle lit dinner on his balcony. As cliché as it sounds, it was nice and refreshing. At the end of the dinner when they were both just standing against the railing, admiring the view, Taewon didn't hesitate to lean in for a kiss. Namjoom was surprised at first, but closed his eyes and kissed him back.

So it went on. Namjoon had always been composed and calm but whenever he was around Taewon, it was as if he was his biggest weakness. Taewon might not know it but he had Namjoon wrapped around his finger.

Taewon was always the bold one, initiating kisses and holding hands secretly behind their back or under tables in front of officials. Pulling Namjoon to his chamber when they should actually be doing work, pushing him onto his bed and undressing them both. Namjoon was so fucking careful about everything yet he let Taewon do whatever he wanted. He let him roam his body, please him, make love to him.

They shared their first 'I love you' one beautiful summer day when Namjoon was as stressed as ever when Prince Jaewon had left on his honeymoon, but Taewon made it all disappear.

It went on for years but it was always kept a secret, not even Jimin was told. Namjoon knew it wasn't what Taewon wanted but the younger respected his decisions silently. Everything was so good until the curse decided to take it's toll.

Taewon began to lose control of his gift here and there. It might've just been a slip but everyone had their eyes on him waiting for the opportunity to kick him out of the palace again. They nitpicked on everything he did and eventually, he broke.

Taewon began to break things, scream at everyone in sight. He was confused and frustrated, not feeling familiar with the gift he's had for so long. The King couldn't even calm him down and he let himself listen to his advisors. He told Taewon to leave and never come back.

"Taewon dont do this," Namjoon said, trying to stop him from packing everything. He grabbed his arms but the younger shook him off.

"How would you feel if the one person you've looked up to your entire life tells you he doesn't want your goddamn face in his sight? Tells you to leave and go as far as you can to never come back?" Taewon screamed and continued shoving more clothes into his bag.

"He didn't mean it," Namjoon insisted.

Taewon shook his head. "He did. He was scared of me. I saw it in his eyes. I'm not wanted here."

"Taewon," Namjoon called, grabbing his shoulder and forced Taewon to face him. "This is your home, this is where you belong."

"You want me here, right?" Taewon asked with a look of desperation in his eyes.

"Of course," Namjoon replied.

Taewon cupped Namjoon's cheek and kissed him passionately. Taewon pulled away and peppered little kisses all over Namjoon's face before reattaching them again to his lips. They pulled away and pressed their foreheads together.

"I love you," Taewon whispered.

"I love you too."

"Will you come with me?" Taewon asked after a moment of them just holding each other.

"You don't have to leave. This is your kingdom," Namjoon said.

"I can't. Now will you come with me or not," Taewon asked again.

Namjoon shook his head. "I won't. I want you to stay here."

Taewon let go of Namjoon and stepped away. Taewon nodded and blinked repeatedly to stop the tears from falling.

"Fine. I'll go alone," Taewon said and continued throwing more things into his bag then zipped it. He flung it over his shoulder and walked out to his balcony.

"Taewon, please," Namjoon said following after him.

Taewon ignored him a stood up on the railing.

"Tae..." Namjoon breathed out, holding onto his hand.

Taewon turned around. He combed Namjoon's hair back with his finger and pressed his lips on his forehead. "Goodbye, love," Taewon said against his skin and pulled away. Taewon flew back but Namjoon didn't let his hand go. He held onto it until he couldn't and when their contact broke, Taewon faced forward and didn't look back.

Namjoon slipped to the ground of the balcony, not having a clue about what was to come next.

—•
Oof I didn't think this was going to be that long
Sorry for the wait!!

I know this wasn't Taekook but I still hope you guys enjoyed it! (And to those who didn't, it's okay next week we'll be back to our main ship :))

Bye<3