"I need you to arrest Taehyung."

Jungkook pauses, greeting halting at his lips, and frowns. The small smile that had spread across his face morphs into a confused expression at Yoongi's own greeting.

"I need you to arrest him," The older male repeats, stopping in front of the king, the amulet hidden in the pocket of his coat, "Get some guards, do whatever it is you do, and make it look believable. Everyone has to think he's actually been arrested. But, when he's in prison, he needs protection constantly, make sure there's always some guards—your best guards—on him at all times."

"W-Why?" Jungkook looks at the older male as though what he's saying is madness, as though the words spewing from his mouth are absolute insanity. Which, admittedly, without the context Yoongi has, maybe they are.

"He stole the amulet. Say that, if anyone asks, if you need to give a reason, but he didn't. Taehyung is innocent, but it has to look like he's been caught—everyone has to believe it." Jungkook opens his mouth, clearly about to question something again. The confused expression hasn't lessened at all—if anything, it's increased.

He feels bad, keeping Jungkook in the dark, but the older male can't let Taehyung be found guilty. Both because the wingless male's being manipulated, and because Yoongi himself is being manipulated into keeping the secret. Besides, confessing would probably require him to admit more than he'd like to; the assassin would like to avoid explaining his occupation to Jungkook.

"But, I don't understand... What happened to the thief?"

"I took care of them. Don't worry about them, they won't hurt you again." Yoongi, taking a risk, takes Jungkook by the hands. Briefly distracted from his task, he's amazed at the softness of the younger's hands—he really hasn't had to work a day in his life... Though, small callouses seem to be forming, only new and small. Yoongi runs his thumb gently across one: it's still soft, but beginning to harden ever so slightly. Heh, it's cute. His focus then returns to the actual task and he looks up to Jungkook's eyes, "Please, just trust me on this."

Jungkook looks conflicted—it's clear on his face, in the way he chews on his bottom lip and the furrow on his otherwise smooth brow. He doesn't answer for a few moments, thinking it through, and the silence is near unbearable. But then, right as Yoongi thinks he's lost, the king nods, "I'll trust you—I trust you. I'll– I'll arrest Taehyung, make it look real. I'll make it real, everyone will think he's actually been arrested." Relief floods the older male, bringing a small smile to his lips, and he hugs the younger again. The king freezes for a moment, taken by surprise, but is quick to return the hug.

"Thank you. I promise, when this is all over, I'll explain it to you." Face hidden from view, Jungkook can't see the concerned expression that falls over Yoongi, misses the near sigh that passes from his lips. Guilt bubbles in his stomach as he lies to the younger, "I'll explain all of it." Naturally he won't—he can't—but he'll explain all he can.

When the hug ends, Yoongi pulls the amulet from his pocket. It seems breaking the hug apart was pointless, as Jungkook instantly jumps on the older male, arms wrapped tightly around him. The gratitude is suffocating—literally—as Yoongi is buried beneath the folds of Jungkook's clothes, within the vice-like grip of the younger male's hug. All the air in his lungs is being squeezed out of him.

The boy in his arms is shaking, somehow feeling simultaneously strong and weak in his grip. Every so often, he'll mutter a quiet thank you and squeeze the older tighter. Yoongi is pretty sure, if the damp feeling on his shoulder is anything to go by, Jungkook is crying as well. Yoongi decides not to say anything, just gives him a small pat on the back that turns into a linger touch, which naturally evolves into a returned hug. The boy, once again, feels so small—somehow, someone with so much power feels so small. It almost makes the older male wish he could keep his job as a guard for ever, filled with a strong desire to protect the boy. Yoongi has never felt so strongly for someone—no friend, no family—and it scares him.

And it seems Jungkook, to a degree, feels the same, as he confesses mid-sob, "I love you, Min Yoongi." His voice is quiet, hidden in clothing, and Yoongi almost misses it. But he doesn't, and the words cause him to tense up. His heart lurches, maybe nervously, maybe happily, and he can feel all words already getting caught in his throat. The king pulls himself from the older male's frozen arms and wipes his blushed cheeks. Nerves have stricken his face, as he chews his bottom lip painfully and otherwise smooth brow furrows. "Please, will you... Will you marry me?"

Yoongi gulps. He hadn't expected to have this thrown on him, not so soon. He had hoped he might have some time, to figure out how he's going to handle this. He wants to say yes—he desperately wants to say yes, pledge himself to the younger forever, and allow him to love him like his heart wants. But he has to bite the words back, suffer through the pain as he declines what he wants so bad.

"I– " The older male falters, mouth suddenly dry. He understands why Jungkook looked so nervous just before—he assumes he probably looks rather similar now. He can feel guilt, and regret, bubbling up inside his stomach. A soft, disappointed sigh leaves his lips, "We can't get married."

Jungkook falters, hurt gleaming in his eye, "Why not?"

"Because... it wouldn't work." The hurt only grows and this, in turn, creates a stabbing sensation in Yoongi's stomach. The guilt and regret only grows larger. "I-It's not that I don't want to—I would, trust me I would—but we can't... be together. It just wouldn't work. You're a-a raven and a king, I'm just... a crow and a knight, at best. You deserve someone better than me, of better blood, of-of better everything."

"No," The hurt disappears, hardening into something more akin to stubbornness. The change is almost instant. Jungkook shakes his head, "You can't tell me you would, but you won't because you can't. You were invited to this, Yoongi, clearly you can. And I won't—I won't let The Council, or status, determine who I marry. This is my life—our lives—we're discussing."

"Jungkook, please," begs Yoongi, desperately. "You don't deserve me."

"No. I would have accepted it, if you genuinely didn't like me or want to, but you said you do. If it's status you're scared of, don't be—if The Council says no, I'll fight them. I won't—we won't—let it choose our fates."

"I–" Jungkook presses his finger to Yoongi's lips.

"If what you're about to say involves saying you can't, don't."

When his finger lowers, Yoongi sighs softly, "I will marry you." While, in any other situation, he would be elated to marry Jungkook, he can't help but worry about what might come from this. Maybe, he can hide his past from the boy, but he'll have to tell him eventually. He just can't help but shake the feeling that all this is a bad idea.

The amount of eyes resting on Yoongi fills the assassin with more unease. His entire being screams to run away, to escape while he can, but he remains rooted in his place beside Jungkook. He can't tell if it's fear or dedication that keeps him rooted—it feels like both, a mix of the two, neither.

Members of The Council—important ones, possibly—along with close friends and supervisors have all been gathered by the king, for him to make his announcement. Amongst these people stand Namjoon and Hoseok, naturally, but also the speckled bearded uncle. Now, more than ever, the sight of the man fills Yoongi with unease. His fingers itch to take his dagger and kill the man, to protect Jungkook from such evil in the only way he knows how.

"Now, as you may be aware, I have gathered you today to announce my decision." Jungkook speaks over the quiet chatter, cutting through Yoongi's thoughts as well. His voice rings clear and confident, without a tremor of nerves. However, behind his back, Yoongi can see the way his hands are clenched tightly into fists, nails digging into skin. The older male takes a half-step forward, subtly reaching out to touch one tense hand. He can feel it relax, ever so slightly, beneath his own hand. "Recently, I have chosen the suitor I will marry. I chose Min Yoongi."

Jungkook turns towards the magpie, reaching out to him. He takes Yoongi by the hand, perhaps as a way to present their engagement to the rest of the group, but the way he leans against him feels as though he is searching for some kind of support. Without even thinking, the older male gives his hand a reassuring squeeze and a small smile, the largest he can manage.

If Jungkook can do this, when he is so clearly nervous, maybe Yoongi can too. Maybe he can become the crow knight he claims to be. He can live and fake his lie, until it becomes the truth—until even he believes it. He'd do that for Jungkook.

In response to the king's announcement, a quiet murmur rises across the crowd. Council members mutter to one another, glancing up at the pair, and continue their appraisal; even Namjoon and Hoseok are discussing it, though the younger of the pair has a wide smile across his lips and even Namjoon looks pleased with the choice. Only one person really seems overtly apposed to the idea—the uncle glares up at Yoongi, steely gaze quashing any hopes the male had been trying to build up.

"If anyone has any objections, speak them now, but be aware that all will be ignored unless the reason is very convincing."

Predictably, the uncle steps forwards. Hush falls over the crowd again, all eyes on the speckle-bearded male. He walks until he stands in front of the pair, looking up at them with his icy gaze.

"Jungkook, you can't marry that man." Yoongi's desire to run increases—he wants to escape, to save himself before it's all too late. But the king still clinging to his hand stops him, both physically and emotionally. He can't leave Jungkook, not even now, when his life is in danger. "That man standing beside you has lied to us from the moment he first stepped foot into this castle. I knew there was a rat amongst us and I had my suspicions about Yoongi, so I brought him closer so I could watch him. But now, I can't let you, my dear nephew, mistakenly marry a man who has lied to us about both his status and race. I can't allow you to allow this man to sit on the throne beside you—this lowly magpie and vicious assassin, hired to kill you."

Shock rumbles across the crowd and Yoongi really wants to run. This goes against everything he's trained himself to do but still, he stays. He stays, gripping Jungkook's hand tighter as though silently begging him to not believe all this—to believe he isn't as bad as the man makes him out to be. Even the king looks shocked at these accusations, mouth agape as he searches for words.

"How can you tell that? Yoongi... Yoongi is a knight and his wings, they're completely black. He has protected me—saved my life." Jungkook rushes to his defense. Poor, poor Jungkook.

"They were all probably ruses, to trick you into trusting him, to coax secrets out of you so he can find your weakness." The hand around Yoongi's loosens, grip growing weaker with every word. Slowly, the older male can feel Jungkook being pulled away from him. "His wings could have easily been altered, but he can't hide his true form from us. Have him transform—if he truly is who he says, he has nothing to fear; if not... then, we'll all see the truth."

Jungkook completely lets go of Yoongi, taking a step away from him. His sad eyes, desperately begging him to prove the uncle wrong, meets the older's own terrified ones. He gives a slight nod, urging Yoongi to transform.

Hopelessly, Yoongi grows smaller as feathers begin to sprout from his body. The process, usually so quick, feels like it takes an eternity. His heart thumps in his chest, guilt rolls around in his stomach. He never takes his eyes of Jungkook, still trying to silently communicate that he's changed—but he thinks these messages are lost.

When the small bird perches on the edge of the stairs, true identity revealed to all, Jungkook's expression grows cold. His gaze scares Yoongi more than the uncle's—hurts him more than any injury he could obtain. Another murmur has travelled across the group but Yoongi doesn't hear it; all his focus remains on Jungkook. He chirps apologetically.

"Arrest that bird." Jungkook orders. His voice is empty, but there is still a hurt shake to it. His composure is shattering bit by bit by the second, tears already beginning to well in his eyes. "Put him in a cell until I can decide what to do with him."

The uncle stands beside Jungkook, placing a hand on his shoulder. He whispers, "I'm sorry this had to happen," but his expression looks anything but sorry. Yoongi knows, whatever the king decides, it will be nothing compared to what the older male has planned for him.