Please, if you have a moment take a look at my recent post on my message board to see how you could support the BLM movement. Stay safe everyone.

—•

Jeongguk woke up to the sound of chirping birds in Taehyung's arms. It took him a few moments to adjust to being awake. He took in a deep breath, doing his best to turn around so that he faced Taehyung without moving the older's arm around him.

"Tae," he called out, his voice low and quiet. Jeongguk sighed, lifting his hand to rake his finger through the older's hair before resting it against his cheek.

"Your highness," Jeongguk whispered, caressing his face.

Taehyung hummed, leaning into the touch but still not opening his eyes. "Go to sleep," he mumbled and Jeongguk chuckled.

"There's work to be done and–" Jeongguk started listing but Taehyung groaned, cutting him off. He finally opened his eyes and pulled Jeongguk closer to him, if that was even possible.

"Can't we just stay in this world forever?" Taehyung asked with a pout.

"One can dream," Jeongguk said. "But right now, we've got to return."

"Yeah, return to not talking to each other," Taehyung said and released the younger from his hold. He lifted himself up into a sitting position and dragged his hands down his face to wake himself up properly.

"Hey," Jeongguk called out, sitting upright as well. "You know we have conflicting opinions that won't disappear unl-unless we're in this make-belief world or we come to a compromise."

"And how do you suppose we come to a compromise?" Taehyung asked, turned his head around to face him.

"You can start by not leading a war with no experience and instead, fight from home by giving your support. Doing that makes you no less of a King," Jeongguk suggested and Taehyung shook his head.

"I would be King no matter what. What I want is to be a good king. One that doesn't back away from a fight and hide behind his people."

"You're not hiding. You're protecting yourself. To be a good king there's needs to be a king in the first place."

Taehyung scoffed. "Jeongguk, I want to protect the people right now, not myself."

"Why can't you just be selfish this one time?" Jeongguk yelled, throwing his hand in the air.

"Just because you're being selfish right now doesn't mean I have to. Not to mention how you volunteered just to be petty. I don't understand! You were all about me fulfilling my role as King of Saphia and now you want me to be a coward!"

"You're not being fair, Tae. This is not being a coward, this is being smart. Yes, I need you. Call that love; call that selfishness; I don't care. But the people need you too and they need you alive. We can't afford to risk anything."

Taehyung let out a frustrated sigh and let his head fall into his hands for a moment before he clapped once. "You know what, you're right about getting back home. There's a lot to be done."

Jeongguk frowned, knowing he ruined the whole point of their fantasy world. Taehyung was about to get out bed but Jeongguk grabbed his wrist and held him back. Taehyung sat down but his back was still turned to him.

"Listen," Jeongguk began, crawling closer to Taehyung until he was close enough to wrap his arms around him. He pressed a soft kiss on his shoulder then let his head rest on it.

"I know very well why you're doing what you're doing and I'm very proud of you for that. There's just this part of me who's afraid something bad will happen that is not letting me support you as I should be. It's why the conflict starts no matter where we are. We can't go on pretending everything is fine or agree to disagree."

Taehyung nodded. "I understand that too."

"Good. At least we understand each other, right?"

Taehyung chuckled and tilted his head to rest on top of the younger's.

Jeongguk continued. "I also didn't volunteer just to spite you. I want to help too, okay? I want to be there, fighting by your side if you're going through with it. Plus, I can try to live up to my fathers."

"Well since I know I can't stop you, all I've got to say is thank you," Taehyung said after a few seconds of silence. "Your father would be very proud."

"Yours too."

Jeongguk and Taehyung stayed motionless like that for some time. They didn't know if they were avoiding going back to the real world or were hoping the other says something that will put an end to their endless argument. Either way, the quiet helped them both calm down. At some point, the silence became unbearable to them both and Jeongguk filled it by humming Taehyung's mother's lullaby.

"I love you," Taehyung whispered.

"I love you too," Jeongguk replied and pressed a kiss on his cheek.

At least they knew their love would always be real and strong no matter what world they are in.

•—•—•

"I'll see you," Taehyung said and Jeongguk nodded. Taehyung kissed his cheek and stepped back from the portal and into his study. Taehyung sighed. He was dreading coming back to the real world where he had a million different problems to worry about. He decided to take care of what's at the top of his priority list and summoned Namjoon so that they could start their journey to Fionesta.

"I'm assuming it didn't go well judging by the long face?" Namjoon asked after they were boarded in the two-person vehicle led by a pegasus. There were multiple guards around them following protocol so the two had to make sure to keep everything hushed.

"No, quite the opposite. It was magical," Taehyung said, a smile creeping to his lips remembering his beautiful night. The smile quickly dropped reflecting on the morning's event.

"But magic doesn't last forever, I guess," Taehyung finished. He felt grateful Namjoon didn't try to pry anymore. He really didn't feel like talking on it and would much rather keep his mind occupied with the future of their world.

The world. That's so strange to Taehyung. It felt like it was just yesterday Taehyung felt like he could achieve nothing big in his lifetime and was just another irrelevant human walking amongst the soulless. He would've had to work as a waiter to pay out his tuition and when that's done, his meal fee for the rest of his life. If it weren't for Jimin, he surely would've fallen apart. Then here he is now, leader of one of the most powerful kingdoms with the responsibility to make sure everyone can go to bed without worrying about tomorrow. The weight that was on him was definitely a challenge and could've even been more than he could hand, but for once in his life, Taehyung felt like he had a purpose. He found his purpose and he wasn't about to mess it up.

They landed in Fionesta safely but made sure not to be seen by any of the civilians, by request of the King. It was a bit awkward to be walking through halls he knew he was not welcomed in but Taehyung had gotten used to it. He made sure to keep his chin and have confidence in his strides. The most important lesson he learned from day one: don't show weakness.

"Thank you," Taehyung said politely as the King handed him the book hidden in an enchanted bag. The King nodded but his hands were still clutching the bag as if he was rethinking his decisions.

"I would have never done this, you know? You're young. The young are often foolish and irrational. But I saw how you ran in to face the buniclo while I ran away and maybe what we need right is foolish and irrational," he said, his grip slightly loosening. "My advisor told me I was creating a lose-lose situation. I trust I will not regret going against her, King Taehyung?"

"You have my word," Taehyung promised and the King nodded again, finally letting go.

"Is this... is this the strongest?" Taehyung questioned, knowing he should probably leave before the elf changed his mind.

"I'm afraid not. I would have given it to you," he answered.

"Where is it?"

"Could you guess who has it? Zorock's first stop after his rebellion was here for a reason."

Taehyung nodded as he already knew that but he couldn't help but hope he would be wrong. He thanked him again and decided it was best not to stay for too long in case the word got out that Taehyung, an elf with the ability to use dark magic, now had the second most powerful dark spellbook.

As soon as he got back home, he got two guards outside, locked his study door and shut down the portal. Taehyung took out the spellbook from the bag and placed it on his. As he ghosted a finger over the black leather cover, Taehyung felt this odd kind of energy from it. He took in a deep breath and open the book. In big red letters, the words forbidden were stamped on the cover page. Taehyung licked his lip before flipping to the next page.

Page after page, Taehyung read each and every word and did his best to not remember them out of fear that he would, without realizing, use the spell and that it'd get out of hand. He just needed to find something that'd help them win against Zorock, not help him by creating more of those shadow creatures that Zorock has found a way to control.

Taehyung sighed as he came to the end, finding nothing that seemed useful or wouldn't cause more destruction than what he was expecting. He couldn't risk creating a creature and then lose control of it. He knew he'd have to go through it again until he got an idea but there was just something about the book that made Taehyung want to get as far as possible from it due to how drawn he was to it. His hands were itching to cast one of the spells and the words were caught at his throat. It could simply be his curiosity but he couldn't help but think it was the effects of the curse. Either way, he knew it meant nothing good.

He was about to open it again when he heard two little knocks at the door and Jeongguk announcing his name, requesting permission to come in. Taehyung quickly put the book back in the bag and placed it in his bottom drawer and casted a spell that'd only allow him to open it. Then he finally opened the door with the flick of a wrist.

"Thought you were going to let me stand at the door for the entire day," Jeongguk said entering the room and shutting the doors behind him.

"Now what reason do I have to do that?" Taehyung asked with a polite smile. "So, what brings you here on this lovely evening?"

"You skipped dinner with us again," Jeongguk said, eyes trailing over to the tray that had been brought to him looking untouched.

"I was just about to eat," Taehyung lied and Jeongguk saw right through him. The younger took a seat in front of him, crossed his arm and leaned back.

"Go ahead," he said and Taehyung rose a brow before he sighed. He cleared his desk for the plate of food and casted a spell to reheat it.

"You can't skip meals, Tae. With all the training you do, it's important to keep a good diet," Jeongguk scolded and Taehyung rolled his eyes. He swallowed the bite and nodded.

"I know, Gguk."

"You better. If you're not all in, you should just stop now."

"Jeongguk."

"What?"

"We talked about this."

Jeongguk pursed his lips, looking away and at something random of his desk. He took in a deep breath and nodded. "Sorry. I'll let you eat in peace," he said, placing his hands on the armrests to lift himself up.

"No, stay," Taehyung said and Jeongguk stopped, settling back down in his seat. "I want to keep looking at my lover's handsome face."

A laugh slipped through Jeongguk's lips. Taehyung smiled stretched out his arm with his palm facing up as an invitation. Jeongguk returned smiled and rested his hand on top of his.

"My Elvador. I've been so caught up with our issues that I didn't even realize how much stress you've been going under with the pressure from all seven kingdoms. How are things going?"

Taehyung shrugged, taking a sip of his water. "I'm pretty sure three out of seven of them have their doubts and formed some kind of separate alliance to get rid of the hierarchy in Saphia and split the land amongst themselves but other than that, well, great!"

"What? Are you serious?" Jeongguk asked with wide eyes brushing over Taehyung terrible attempt at getting a laugh.

"Unfortunately yes, but you don't worry about that. I won't let it happen. We will come out of this stronger than ever and if they value our resources, which they should, it'll all be alright," Taehyung said, his thumb going over the back of Jeongguk's hand.

"You really have become a King," Jeongguk said, his words a little airy, and Taehyung smiled proudly.

"I guess I have. Who would've thought? The couch potato who had no clue what he wanted with his life," Taehyung joked and took another bite.

"I remember hoping I got the wrong person but really, I am so very proud of you for how far you've come," Jeongguk said and gave the older's hand a squeeze.

"Thank you. You did give me the right motivation though."

Taehyung continued eating until his plate was eventually cleared. He dabbed his mouth with the napkin and his hand became empty as Jeongguk pulled back his. The older looked up alarmed at the loss of contact.

"I better get going. I came to make sure you ate. You should head to bed too, finish up any work tomorrow," Jeongguk said and Taehyung frowned. He was sick of their short interactions where they were arguing for half the time. He just wants some time with his boyfriend where he doesn't have stress about work or argue with him.

"Do want to move in with me?" Taehyung asked suddenly and Jeongguk's brows shot up.

"What?"

"Into my chamber, I mean."

"You do realize that is highly inappropriate for a king?" Jeongguk snickered but quieted down once he realized Taehyung was being serious.

"Tae, you know I can't. You're the King and I'm-I' m just a loyal servant. I can't just share a bedroom with you all of a sudden. Elves will talk," Jeongguk explained.

"And why not? I'm already this Dark Lord King in everyone's eyes, I don't care anymore."

Jeongguk sighed. "We're still in a fight, Tae."

"In the strangest of ways. We can still talk to each other normally if we put it aside for a moment. Can't we just agree to drop everything for the night and just... hold each other and cuddle?"

Jeongguk stared back at him, actually contemplating the idea and Taehyung added, "We can't go to the woods every time we want to run away from the real world."

The younger chewed on his lips, still not feeling convinced. Taehyung got out of his chair and walked around his desk. He squatted and grabbed Jeongguk's hands, pulling them close to his chin.

"Please? I keep feeling like you're drifting further and further away from me the longer our disagreements goes," Taehyung whispered and Jeongguk looked down at him with a frown.

"If you feel like that, how do think I'm doing? You came here clueless, barely standing without me guiding you through it. Now you're a king and you know exactly what you want, making all these major decisions on your own. I heard you're doing amazing at your training sessions. You've grown in you skills so much a-and it's like you don't need me anymore."

"That's not true, I do need you" Taehyung said shaking his head. "I need you to remind to me eat."

Jeongguk rolled his and finally cracked a chuckle that he obviously tried to hold back making Taehyung smile. He kissed the younger's finger and let his lips rest against them for another moment before pulling back.

"And I need you to love me. I need you to be there by my side. I need you to take me into your arms at the end of a tiring day and tell me everything is going to be alright. I need you, Jeongguk."

Jeongguk gulped and nodded. "I need you too, Tae... Okay. I'll move in with you."

Taehyung's smile widened and he stood up, pulling the younger with him and engulfing him in a hug. Jeongguk slipped his arms around the elf's waist to return to embrace, laying his against his chest.

"We're still in a fight, though. Don't think I'm going to drop it because of this," the younger said, his grip tightening.

"Wouldn't even dream of it. You know, we kind of suck at this whole couple fight concept. Here we are, hugging. Normal couples would probably be giving each other the silent treatment but I guess we did do that in the beginning–"

Taehyung's words were muffled out when Jeongguk lifted his head back and connected their lips together. Taehyung wasn't complaining. He was glad they weren't like normal couples.

—•
Please, if you have a moment take a look at my recent post on my message board to see how you could support the BLM movement. Stay safe everyone.

Happy Pride Month!
Bye<3

edit: I'm sorry I pressed publish by accident while I was proofreading akkajdbd