When Taehyung arrived down at the stable, he saw Namjoon waiting there for him as he expected. Taehyung got off and Namjoon dismissed his escort to return and investigate the crack along with the others.

"You went to see him again?" Namjoon asked as soon as the elf left, not sounding pleased at all.

"Well, I had a bone to pick with him," Taehyung answered, not showing much expression.

"Hm." Namjoon uncrossed his arm and passed Taehyung the towel he was holding. "I hope you do remember I'm your Royal advisor, your highness. This does not help your current situation. You're really making it hard to keep the council calm. I do hope you consult with me next time before taking such irrational decisions," Namjoon said finally. He looked at Taehyung for another moment, as if he wanted to say something more but, in the end, turned around and transported back into the palace through a portal.

Taehyung sighed, patted his face dry and threw the towel over his shoulder. He waited until he could use the portal again and returned to his chamber. There was another guest waiting there for him at his door.

"Hey. Got caught in the storm?" Jeongguk said, seeming worried but trying not to show.

"Yeah," Taehyung replied opening the door to his chamber. Jeongguk followed him in and shut the doors behind them.

"I'll go change first," Taehyung said and Jeongguk agreed with a nod.

"Yeah, make sure to dry your hair well. I'll wait."

Something about the whole mood was off. Both looked hesitant and their colours were dull, but Taehyung couldn't really think at that moment so he let it be. At least Jeongguk's presence actually helped him calm down a bit. He dried off and got a change of clothes before taking a seat on his bed beside Jeongguk.

Taehyung looked at Jeongguk and noticed the dark purple spot on his neck. He reach out a hand to touch it and Jeongguk flinched as Taehyung's cold and slightly pruned fingers touched his skin.

"Sorry about that," Taehyung said and slid his thumb over the marking.

"It's okay, everyone was too stressed to notice. And I don't mind it," Jeongguk replied.

Taehyung cocked a brow and pulled back his hand, letting it rest on his lap. "You don't mind?" Taehyung teased and Jeongguk finally cracked a smile.

Taehyung hoped it relieved some tension that hung in the air. "What's up?" he asked.

Jeongguk's smile slightly dropped and he shifted closer to the older. He placed a hand on Taehyung's cheek, just staring at him for a few seconds then connecting their lips for a slow and soft kiss. When he pulled away, his hand dropped to take a hold of Taehyung's hand.

"I heard what happened. With the council... and the shield," Jeongguk started. He paused and contemplated on wether he should even ask. "What were you doing there?"

Taehyung looked away, focusing his gaze to the ground. He'd hid the entire thing from Jeongguk since he knew how strong the younger's opinions of Zorock were. Taehyung didn't think he would understand but he saw no point in lying any further.

"I was speaking with Zorock," Taehyung said and heard Jeongguk take in a heavy breath.

"I know. Why?"

"I was upset. It's his fault everyone thinks this curse will make me turn against everyone," Taehyung explained.

"There's a lot he has pay for, we're all waiting for the day, Tae, but we're holding it in. You can't just go out there alone. You never know what will happen. Do you know how many times I've wanted to leave the shield just so that I could get a hold of him in my hands?" Jeongguk said and Taehyung bit his lip.

"But its so strange. The sensors didn't go off because there was an elf present. We didn't know until we brought out the seeing orb. How did you do it?" Jeongguk asked and Taehyung realized he couldn't get away with just half the truth.

"I used a potion... and I knew to because it wasn't my first time," Taehyung said. He glanced back at Jeongguk, a little scared of what the reaction will be. He was still calm but only because he was confused.

"I talked to him. He was the one who told me about the curse and I– god as crazy as it sounds, I wanted to train from him," Taehyung said and watched Jeongguk's expression change. Jeongguk grip's on Taehyung's hand loosened and Jeongguk slowly took it back.

He realized it all made sense. Taehyung's fast improvement, whatever he pulled with the buniclo in Fionesta. Taehyung knew a lot of things Jeongguk never taught him. Even why he often wanted to skip training but Jeongguk just shrugged it off thinking the elf was trying to avoid him.

"Jeongguk, wait just let me explain," Taehyung said before the younger could say anything. He tried to grab Jeongguk's hand again but Jeongguk pulled it away quickly enough making Taehyung frown. Jeongguk shut his eyes closed his eyes, slowly inhaled and exhaled before opening his eyes and nodding.

"Okay, explain," Jeongguk said.

"I wanted to control my magic before it took control of me. Who else knows about it better than Zorock? I'm not saying our training wasn't enough, but I was frustrated. I didn't understand this power and curse, he was the only one who would tell me. And he didn't have any problem in becoming my mentor," Taehyung said.

"Mentor? Taehyung, are you insane? He's not your mentor, he's our enemy. How could you believe him so easily? He obviously has ulterior motives," Jeongguk said, getting up from the bed not being able to sit still for another second.

Taehyung stood up as well. "I know that. I do. But I believe deep down somewhere he has the potential to change. He wasn't always like this. He used to have a heart as big as all of ours and he still might."

Jeongguk scoffed and stepped back. "Do you not realize everything he has done? All those that have died because of him? My fucking god. What? Do you call him uncle too now?"

Taehyung remained quiet, recalling the times it had passed by in conversation. Jeongguk shook his head and stepped back more. "You've got to be kidding me," Jeongguk said.

"Gguk, I'm not trying to say what's he's done is not wrong now. He deserves to be punished, yes, but isn't it better to make him realize his mistake. No one wants a war, Jeongguk. Please you have to understand me–"

"I'm trying to, Taehyung. I really am here but I just can't. He's the reason our parents are not with us today. Why everyone lives in fear with each passing day. He's not going to change. How do you want me to understand that you want to learn your magic from such a- a- a-"

"Monster?" Taehyung finished for him. Jeongguk pressed his lips together and tried to catch his breath first. Taehyung continued. "Go ahead, Gguk. Call him a monster. It's the very word that drove him to this point."

"What, Taehyung? You want me to feel sympathy for him? I can't, Tae, I'm sorry. You're lucky, you don't remember, but the picture of losing those I loved are still burning hot in my memories. That elf has a stone fucking cold heart to have been able to do all those thing, and I just cannot believe you can change him," Jeongguk said. Taehyung gulped and shook his head.

"There's nothing to lose in trying."

"Yes there is. You. You, Taehyung. No one trusts him, there's a reason he's the only elf on the other side of the shield.  You don't know what you're getting yourself into," Jeongguk said. "Tell me, has he changed even one bit since you've been seeing him?"

Taehyung shoulder's slumpt down. "Not really but–" Taehyung didn't have a but. He couldn't change Zorock and he probably never will.

"That's what I thought," Jeongguk spat. He spared him another glance before turning around and heading for the door.

"Jeongguk, please. You promised you wouldn't leave me," Taehyung yelled, if only his feet didn't feel stuck in place he would've ran after him.

"I'm not–" Jeongguk said but stopped to swallow the lump in his throat. "I'm not leaving you. I need some time to think and calm down. Thank you for being honest with me but please– just... just leave me alone."

Taehyung opened his mouth to say something more but the words never came out and Jeongguk shut the door. Taehyung stared at the door hard, thinking that if he did it for long enough Jeongguk might come back. Of course, it wasn't that easy. Taehyung groaned and combed a hand through his hair.

He was stupid and careless deciding to meet with Zorock like that. Maybe if Taehyung did have his memory he'd have as much hatred for Zorock as Jeongguk does. Everything just came piling on top for him. The council's on his back, the shield is weakening, he has only begun to understand his powers and now Jeongguk's upset with him.

"Fuck!" Taehyung yelled and a blast of energy released suddenly from his hand, hitting a vase and shattering it to pieces instantly. Taehyung drew back his hand quickly, staring with wide eyes and what remained of the vase. He looked down at his trembling hand and not even clutching his wrist with the other stopped the shaking. He shut his eyes, clenched it into a fist and brought it to his chest, taking in big breaths to calm down. He couldn't do it. He couldn't.

"Oh ,bub," he heard a familiar voice say and was engulfed in a warm hug.

"Jimin," Taehyung breathed out, leaning into the familiar touch. His hand finally stopped shaking.

"Your soulmate senses tingled?" Taehyung asked with a chuckle. Jimin hummed and nodded, tightening the hug.

"I came to check up on you. I'm not trying to scare you okay? I just want you to be ready for all there is to come. Things are going to change but I need you to be strong. You're the rightful heir to this throne and as long as you can put your foot down, they can't touch you," Jimin said. Taehyung pushed him back a little so that he could look at him.

"What's going to happen, Jiminie?" Taehyung asked.

"Well, bub, the last time a council wanted to dethrone their king, the king was taken by force and publicly executed."

"Jimin!" Taehyung yelled with alarmed eyes.

"But that was 200 years ago and the King was an asshole and deserved it. It's very different now. You'll face trials, but since you are King, you can refuse, although that may anger them more. There's the people to also consider. You do not want to be a meanie dictator, right?" Jimin said and Taehyung nodded slowly. He always loved how Jimin talked about the most serious matters using the most silly words.

"Just, do what you think is right. We'll be right behind you."

"God, Jimin. I just want to go back to New York. Shit was much more simple," Taehyung said and released himself from Jimin's hold.

"I know, Tae. You're doing so great, you can get through this."

"I hope so, I really do."

•—•—•

Taehyung was in his private library. Jimin had to leave eventually but he promised he'd come running if Taehyung needed him. Taehyung readied himself to go to his study, distract his mind a little but he knew he had bigger issues to worry about. Plus, he did not want to face another council member. Instead, he decided to turn off his wrist call and to do some research on the shield and the golden flower.

He did think it was odd that they didn't decide to take immediate action. That frightened him a little more, that they were thinking up a plan.

"A golden flower has a lifespan of a 10000 years..." Taehyung began to read out loud but he couldn't concentrate. Jeongguk was also running through his mind the entire time. He could remember clearly the look of disappointment in Jeongguk eyes. So then he brought out a few books that talked about memory erasing and retrieval spells wondering if his opinion on Zorock would change with his memories back.

Soon enough, he was drowned in a pile of books that were getting him no where. Just as he finished the next book (he'd lost count of how many he'd read) and shut the cover closed, he heard the doors to his library open. Now, there were only a limited number of people who would come in without knocking first.

"Jeongguk," the name rolled of his tongue so easily. Taehyung stood up as Jeongguk walked to him and stood at the other side of the table. Taehyung didn't like the distance Jeongguk created between them, he wanted nothing more than to just run up and engulf the younger in a much needed hug, but he let it be.

"Sorry for leaving like that, I just needed some air. I've calmed down, and I thought about it. What you did is... understandable, but I hope you understand me too for why I don't want you to see him," Jeongguk started with and Taehyung frantically nodded.

"I do. You have all the rights to be upset with me. I shouldn't have hidden it from you either. I'm sorry," Taehyung apologized.

"It's okay. But well, if you understand, then I want you to promise me you won't ever go out to see him again," Jeongguk requested.

Taehyung didn't know why he hesitated so much on making the promise. It wasn't like he had any plans of seeing his uncle again after how things were last left off. Taehyung cursed at himself for still having hope the elf could have a change of heart.

"Jeongguk–"

"Promise me, Tae."

"I... I promise."

Jeongguk nodded and shut his eyes, a sigh of relief leaving his lips. When he opened them again, Taehyung saw his glossy eyes and the tears that fell every time he blinked.

"Oh, baby," Taehyung called out, running around the table to pull the younger into his hold.

"I won't try to do it again, I promise," Taehyung repeated. He cradled his cheeks and wiped the tears that rolled down. Jeongguk nodded into his palms.

"I know, I believe. It's just–" Jeongguk was saying but paused to sniff. "I've lost one too many people I love. I-I can't lose you too."

"You won't," Taehyung said and pressed their foreheads together. "I'll be right here. Right here."

Jeongguk's sobs got louder at that. Hee wrapped his arms around the older and buried his head into him, hugging him as tight as ever. Taehyung caressed his back and whispered soothing words and "I love you's".

It was odd. Taehyung always thought saying "I love you" was a big deal and would be shared at a very special moment. Then with Jeongguk that wasn't the case. He never needed that special spark for him to know he loved the elf. He just knew that from the very beginning, there was love, wether is was platonic or romantic. It just came so naturally to them.

After a while, Jeongguk managed to stop the cries. He pulled away from Taehyung chest and wiped whatever remained on his face with his sleeve.

"I'm sorry," Jeongguk said and Taehyung helped him dry his wet cheeks.

"Don't apologize," Taehyung said softly. He pushed back Jeongguk's hair and placed a kiss on his forehead.

"What were you doing?" Jeongguk asked now looking at his table filled with piles of books.

"Just some research."

"Need help?"

"I'd love that," Taehyung said and Jeongguk finally smiled. Taehyung stole a quick kiss, remembering how scared he was that he might've messed up so bad that he'd never feel those pretty lips against his again.

Jeongguk bit his bottom lip after he pulled away. It seemed like he had a thought go through his mind before he pulled Taehyung back in for a more longer and desperate kiss.

—•
I got sidetracked from writing this update with this tk oneshot I'm writing (it might not even be published i started it for my own pleasure, I had an idea and this urge to write it all out and ahhh I couldn't stop I'm going back to it now) so this a lil late sorryyy

Stay safe y'all! Take care!!
Bye<3