chapter iv: warm baths make good mornings
During the evening, Yoongi was given an program, describing the plan for the following week. The assassin gave it a brief glance at the time but the following day, after he's woken, he decides to at least read today's plan. The day starts with an optional breakfast together, although it says those not wishing to socialise so early can just eat breakfast in their rooms at their own time. There's still an hour until the group breakfast, which Yoongi decides he will attend, so the male begins to get ready.
The room Yoongi is given is large, larger than any room the magpie has ever slept in. There is a large four poster bed positioned against the wall, with an option for a bird's nest on the top of the canopy. The dark haired male chooses the bed to reduce the risk of being caught: he can't afford to be spotted in bird form, his true form, and have the fact he is a magpie be exposed. There is also a private bathroom connected to the main room, which Yoongi makes use of once he's woken completely.
To his surprise, a bath has already been made and steam is still wafting slightly off its surface. As he undresses, the assassin glances around to make sure whoever made this bath has gone. He then slowly hops into the bath, pleased that it's comfortably warm. Sitting in the large metal tub, Yoongi allows himself to be completely submerged for a moment, before breaking the surface again. The assassin then notices the soaps that sit beside the bath and reaches for the closest, giving it a sniff before beginning to rub against his body. It smells of lavenders and creates a light purple lather against his skin.
As he enjoys the luxury of this bath, Yoongi almost forgets about the breakfast. He just allows himself to soak, appreciating how nice it feels. It doesn't help that the temperature of the bath doesn't seem to drop at all, maintaining the same level of warmth for the duration of his rather long bath.
But then the dark haired male has to begrudgingly pull himself out of the bath. He dries the excess water off his body with a towel that is neatly piled nearby before wrapping it around his waist and returning to the main room. He rummages through his clothes before he finds a simple black suit. Then the towel is dropped as he dresses himself, once again taking his time. When the assassin leaves his room, his wings and hair are still damp and he smells of the lavender soap.
A small number of people attend the breakfast as most seem to have chosen to sleep in or have simply forgotten. Due to the size of the table, clearly made to hold more people, the small group is seems even smaller. Jungkook once again sits at the head of the table, except this time he's only accompanied by a grey haired male. This meal is still a lot more intimate, as everyone sits close to the king and he's able to interact with all of them.
"Did you all have a good sleep?" He asks, opening the floor to the others as he eats his fish. Instantly the others begin trying to talk over the top of each other, desperate to be heard by the raven boy. Jungkook only chuckles at this, shaking his head, "You'll have to speak one at a time; I can't hear you all when you speak at once." Amazingly, some order is achieved as the group all provide a review of their sleep, one at a time like Jungkook said. All are positive, clearly trying to suck up to the king. Although, at the same time, Yoongi also can't fault his experience ― although he is curious about that bathtub.
"My bath was already filled and warm when I woke up," The assassin speaks up in one of the few moments of silence, turning all eyes to him. Even Jungkook, who had been staring at the fish he was cutting seconds before. The king stares with big, curious eyes, cheek bulging with the amount of fish he just shoved into his mouth, "How? Should I be worried about people coming in while I sleep? Are there secret passages ― could someone spy on me while I'm getting changed?"
If Jungkook could laugh, he might have. But he can't, because doing so would cause the food in his mouth to be spat across the table and onto his unsuspecting guests. Instead he chuckles, hand covering his mouth in case any food does try to make it's getaway. As he quickly chews and swallows his breakfast, the dark haired boy shakes his head.
"No, you don't have to worry." Jungkook answers once his mouth is free, "There's no secret passages or people sneaking in ― it's just magic. There's some flames underneath the floor that keeps it all warm, I think." Now the boy chuckles, although this has a more self-deprecating tone to it, "Honestly, don't ask me how it works; I have no idea. I just know it does and let those with the magic do their thing."
"But how does the water get there?"
"Oh, servants change the water when you're out." Yoongi nods slowly, happy with his answer. As his attention returns to the plate of salad in front of him, someone else changes the topic. The magpie stabs his silver fork (probably real) into one cherry tomato, watching the juices bubble at the top as its red flesh is punctured, and brings it to his lips. Chewing on the tomato, Yoongi gazes around the room again. He accidentally makes eye contact with the wingless brunette sitting further from Jungkook. Taehyung's lips curve into a friendly smile, hand waving while still holding his own utensils. The assassin only stares blankly, swallowing the chewed up tomato. He blinks, once and quickly, and decides that will have to do in terms of a greeting, scooping lettuce leaves into his mouth. He doesn't see the way Taehyung's smile slowly dies as his lips turn downwards sadly.
* * *
The boy looks nice, streched out lazily like he is, the sun shining through the window and coating him in its warm rays. Seokjin smiles, gazing adoringly at the unsuspecting male. The younger's eyes are closed, probably sleeping still, and so this affection goes unnoticed. That is, until the prince plonks himself down beside him, the movement waking the other up.
"Jiminie is so cute. What'd I do to get such a cute bodyguard?" The blue haired male coos, pinching the cheek of the younger. Not fully awake, Jimin takes a second to comprehend this. He groans, face hurting as its shaken. However, he is awake enough to realise he's being complimented and a light pink dusts his cheeks. When Seokjin stops pinching him, one cheek is redder than the other.
"Is this a dream?" The knight asks. His voice is still croaky as sleep clings to it. His question, which sounds genuine, causes the older male to chuckle and shake his head. Jimin sighs, almost disappointed.
"Your cheek wouldn't have hurt if you were." Jimin nods slowly, eyes closing again. He seems to drift back off to sleep and his expression turns peaceful. Seokjin gives him a small nudge in an attempt to wake him, but the male is unresponsive. Then he gives him a bit more of a rougher shove. A small smile does pull at Jimin's lips, telling the older that this is intentional. "Seems I have to wake Sleeping Beauty then..."
Jimin doesn't open his eyes when he feels Seokjin's arms slide beneath him. He refuses to when the older male picks up off the bed and starts carrying him around. While worry and curiosity begins to bubble up inside of him, his eyes remain firmly closed. Even when the prince stops, standing still.
He does, however, open his eyes when he's suddenly submerged in warm water. The white haired male splutters, bringing his head to the surface. The blue haired male laughs ― although cackling would be more appropriate, Jimin doesn't want to describe the prince in such an unattractive manner. When he looks up, the knight is surprised to see Seokjin pulling his light pyjama shirt up over his head. This is casually discarded to the side, along with his pants, and the prince is soon sitting in across from Jimin. While this isn't something particularly new to the pair, it never fails to catch the younger off guard. Similarly, he never fails to get overwhelmed about the pure beauty that is his prince, no matter how many times he sees him.
"You awake now?" The prince asks, getting a quick nod from the younger. Much too quick, in hindsight, but there's nothing he can do now. "Good. Anyway, now that we're here, you can wash my back."
"What am I, a servant?" Jimin mutters insincerely, because he doesn't really mind doing things like this. He's ignored anyway as the older spins around awkwardly in the small tub that isn't really designed to hold two people. The seagull then reaches over to grab one of the soaps that smell of wild berries and rubs it against the older male's back, creating a bubbly lather that spreads across the bare skin. Jimin is gentle at the base of the male's wings, stroking the soft blue wings with his soap-free hand. His small hand travels down the blue and green feathers, until he reaches the tip that resembles an eye. So engrossed in his admiration of the colours that shift in the light, the younger fails to notice the way the older male shivers ever so slightly, forgetting that his wings are particularly sensitive.
"Are they working?" Seokjin then asks, snapping the younger out of it. Jimin looks up at the older male, who's glancing over his shoulder with a smirk. "Do they attract you?" The seagull nods, again too quickly. This makes the prince smile and sigh happily. "Maybe they'll work on the king too then."
That stupid raven, Jimin frowns at his mention. This is a dampener on his good mood, one that Seokjin doesn't notice. He continues to chatter, now moved onto something else, but Jimin isn't listening anymore. He's too lost in his thoughts, in his sadness and grumpiness, wallowing in the frustration that he's unable to do anything. Not anymore, at least.
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