"There's the magical, the healer, the heaven, this one that I thought I loathed the most- the fraud however then there was this other one I loathed even more - the shattered. Truth be told, there are way too many to mention."

Sputtering nonchalantly Jungkook took another giant chomp out of his roasted corn cob, some kernels dropping from the side of his mouth considering it was heretofore loaded with corn already.

"Don't perceive it wrongly, I mean, you had me marching to your drum at the first smile, yet I averse it with a passion when you display it to obscure your agony." He blubbered with a mouth full.

It was Wednesday, the second day of their daring impudence. To say that last night was 'eventful' shall be the understatement of the century.

After their little sojourn at the abandoned cowshed, not to mention a lascivious love making session while the clouds poured their hearts outside, they were on foot once again and had to rest outside in the woods in the dark.

The prince trembled at every rustle of leaf, flinched at the slightest gnash of wind and had his guts twisted in anticipation of an animal onslaught. Yet, not once did he complain. According to him- he has never been happier.

With that annotation, they were now heading aimlessly to north.

Well, aimlessly for Taehyung. The younger was amply aware by now that absolutely nothing Jungkook did or said was aimless. An intent was bourn in every move of his.

Come what may, the royal was resolute on not questioning a thing.
When he put his trust in Jungkook's palm, he decided not to crosscheck it's welfare, he just did it blindly. There wasn't much put on stake anyhow.

The canvas above was not painted with gray anymore; sky peculiarly opalescent by the sun's luminosity, yet it also was not scorching sunny.

It was like the weather favored the travel of two lovers running away from veracity, searching for their haven.

"And, if I'm permitted to know, why exactly did you start naming my smiles?" Taehyung spoke between giggles nibbling on a single kernel unlike the other who barely managed to speak with a face stuffed like a rice sack.

"What kind of question is that? You're the embodiment of enthrall!" Jungkook, offended, looked at the younger who was busy smiling at how adorable the older looked trying to scold him with a jammed mouth.

A bloom like that of carnation decorated itself on the royal's cheeks, who tried his best to curb it by molesting his lip under his teeth.

And for Jungkook it was a sight to boast at how he could demure a human who had the power to possibly reticent the most beautiful murals.

"You turn so rosy when you're complimented. It's like the very moment I begin to wonder if this is the most mesmerizing a person could seem, you establish me wrong. I wish to achieve this all my life."

The coral shade on Taehyung's face only grew at this, making the other coo. "You look like a raspberry at this moment. Makes me want to taste-"

"Jungkook!" Taehyung smacked the older on his arm, virtue of which the almost finished cob in his hand fell on the ground. "You are insatiable!"

"Accredited to you." Jungkook leaned rubbernecking at the prince. "And those luscious lips-"

The royal gasped at the brazen language and shameless gesture in middle of a populous crammed road. He pushed the firm chest and harshly stomped his foot on that of the other's and waddled ahead with crossed arms.

"Ow! I was joking! Come back here!" the other followed, snickering loudly.

******

Three hesitant knocks echoed through the colossal chamber, giving away the intruder. "Come in!" the man gawking at the ceiling unblinkingly spoke out.

"Your highness." the tall man stepped in with a tray in his hands.
"Pardon me for opposing your orders, but it is past noon and you have not taken a grain of food. Please eat something."

"How can I, Yugeom? Not knowing if my brother has eaten or not. If he is conceivably held captive or tormented or even alive?"

"Your highness, we will find him. I overheard Sir Yoongi has taken the accountability for south, Lt. Jimin for west, Lt. Twae for east and Lt. Hoseok himself has started journeying to north."

"I trust Yoongi and Hoseok. Send for second checks on the other two." the man finally turned to his guard as his voice cracked.

Yugeom's breath hitched. Never had Kim Jongha cried. During his years of guarding, not once. However, now as he watches a single saline drop sliding down the groomed skin of his face, he feels nothing but anguish.

"Your highness, I know it's not my place to discourse on the matters. However.." Yugeom contemplated his words again.

"Say it, Yugeom."

"What if.. What if prince Taehyung is not abducted. What if he.."

"Eloped?"

Yugeom nodded meekly, panicking. "Forgive me, your highness its a preposterous idea. I wasn't-"

"For the longest time I have wished for him to do that and the imminent situation is fitting for him to take this step, yet, you know Taehyung."

"Yes, your highness. He wouldn't know any direction beyond his garden. I should've thought this through, he can never elope alone out of Arauna."

Alone?

'Had he asked once, just once, I would have fought the world for him. And God knows I never fight.'

The first prince shot out of his chair, startling the other "There's a cullinarian by the name Namjoon. Send a call for him."

Yugeom bowed and proceeded to follow despite the legion of questions he had.

"And look for him in the hallways. He is never in the kitchen."

*****

"I -um- my name- um-"

In a desperate state of apall, Taehyung frantically looked around for any signs of the older who had asked him to stay beneath the tree while he 'arranges' for some money to buy supper.

"Did you forget your name, little boy? I do too sometimes. You can take your time." the kind old lady smiled at the pretty boy completely disregarding the hysteria he was under.

There is no way he is supposed to disclose his real name. All he has to do is decoct a fake name and vamoose away from the cursed tree. But you see, unlike the man he fell for, fraudulence is not his best asset (to say the least).

Hyperventilating under the scrutinizing view of the toothless smile, Taehyung once again glanced to his right expectantly, where the theif had walked off to.

"Jungkooook.." he whined lowly when there was still no sign of him.

"Jungkook? Oh what a strange name." the woman sighed and sat beneath the tree pulling Taehyung's hand with her muttering 'sit boy'.
"Howbeit, who am I to criticize? I named my first son Papaya."

Taehyung tumbled down ugly- landing on his hips beside the woman who was now taking out something from her jute bag.

"These days you boys have no strength. My little Mango used to be so strong when he was your age, he lifted buffaloes with one hand."

"M-mango- the fruit?"

"Mango, my other son! Oof Jungkook, you are pretty but you seem a little slow up here." she pointed finger on her forehead and grinned showcasing her edentulous gums.

"Hehe.. I suppose so." Taehyung awkwardly shrugged and adjusted himself gulping at the oat bread that the old lady just unraveled from her bag.

He licked his lips. It had been three days since he had had proper bread. Not that he shall ever bother Jungkook with demands, but the sight of this made his appetence swivel out of hand with an unholy desire to snatch and stomach it like fodder.

"Are you going to eat this bread with your eyes, boy? Use your pretty mouth and hands." she casually muttered cutting a piece and raising it to his eye level, profoundly testing his self control.

"Take it, Jungkook. It's okay." the awaited synthetic voice came from behind the royal making both him and the old lady jolt.

All the delirium seemed to instantly culvert out of the prince's body like a waterfall when he discovered who was back.

"And who shall you be?" the woman interrogated with a raised brow.
She was not a culprit in her current open hostility. Any unitary man with face covered by a scarf interrupting a conversation deserved that raised brow.

"I'm a dear pal of Jungkook's." he smugly replied plopping down beside the two putting all his weight on the royal.

The woman averted her gaze to ask the younger if he favors the acclaim but one look at the other's face gave away his approval.

"Well I can see that. He has suddenly started glowing like someone lit a latern on this boy's face. What's your name, young man?"

"Apple. My name is Apple." Jungkook chimed with a mundane face. Taehyung hastily stuffed his mouth with a big piece of bread to stiffle the loud laugh that urged to burst out of him.

"Oh what a lovely meaningful name!" the lady chirped. "Two pieces of bread for you! And you call me Granny."

Jungkook grinned observing the younger's narrowed eyes at the old lady. It was a sight too endearing when combined with his cheeks bloated from bread. What a baby.

He was so astrayed in his admiration that he forgot the lady's presence when he offhandedly took off his scarf to munch on the food. Not until he heard a loud gasp.

"What is that hideous mark?" the old woman pointed a finger at the face.

Taehyung gritted his teeth squeezing the remnant bread in his fist.
"The scar is not hideous! It is inestimable to people like you and me and there-" he was stopped by a warm hand gently caressing the small of his back.

An unsaid acceptation was exchanged within the two pair of eyes to which Taehyung huffed and started nibbling on his now pasty bread again, clearly agitated by Jungkook's unfazed reaction to the boorish remark.

"It is a scar from childhood, granny and don't mind this one's outburst he is a little traumatized from yesterday's weather."

"Oh? What happened?" the lady looked at Taehyung with concern placing a hand on his.

Um.. I would tell you if I was aware myself.

The younger cluelessly turned to his 'pal' with big doe eyes soliciting an answer. Jungkook only wondered what consequences shall behold if he kissed this boy right here.

"Our little shelter was pillaged because of the ravaging weather in the kingdom of Saret.
While I have assauged my own heart about this bereavement, my friend here has fronted a major setback."

The grief that Jungkook feigned seemed so legitimate that if Taehyung didn't know better, he would have inevitably shed a tear or two in solace. That is precisely what Apple's Granny was doing at the moment.

Taehyung on the other hand pinched himself to control the hysterical twitch of his lips.

"Oh my little boy! Is there anything I can do to help you?" she squeezed the prince's hand for alleviation of some sort who helplessly turned to the older again.

"No, that shall not be necessary, granny. We heard they sell some cheap shelters in the kingdom of Brell so we are headed there with the little savings we have concocted. Until then, this tree is our condominium."

"Brell is three days by foot away. You sure are clout with muscle but look at this malnourished boy. He will certainly meet his demise if he walks any further."

Taehyung frowned and pouted looking at Jungkook silently asking to defend him.

"Best believe I'm well aware of that, granny. I mean look at the blisters on his delicate feet, he is fragile. However desperate times call for desperate measures."

Taehyung's pout now exagerated like a pig's snout and frown deepened like feet stamps on desert. Jungkook was in for some serious trouble.

"Nonsense! Both of you- pretty boy with strange name and strange boy with pretty name, are staying at mine for a breather of a few days before you start moving again. I myself could use some comrads for a few days."

Without awaiting a consent she started packing her bag whilst getting up, dusting her skirt on Taehyung's face. "You both can take Grape's room, albeit should you clean it first. It has been a garbage bin for a few years."

"Um- Grape.. your other son?" Taehyung hesitantly asked, curiosity getting the best of him.

"Huh? What kind of mother must name her son Grape? It's my daughter!" she waved her hand as a gesture for them to follow her. "Thank goodness your handsome face makes up for your slow wits, boy."

Jungkook snickered but cupped his mouth instantly on receiving a particularly irate glare from the other.

"Not to toot my own horn but I walk really fast so you boys better keep up with me. Especially you, Jungkook."

"I will." both the boys said in unison and looked at each other.

This will be so overbearing.

Nevertheless there is a day or two of assured roof and real food. That is more than what the couple yearns for at the moment.

Before the royal could halfheartedly begin to follow the old lady, who had already started dogtrotting ahead, he was sternly pulled behind the big tree.

"Jungkook what are you-- we will loose track of her- mmph-" his tongue was halted courtesy of a passionate intrusion of the older's tongue into his mouth.

After a good minute of violently sucking on the complaint boy's lips Jungkook pulled away, smirking satisfied with his prodigious attack and the majestic red of his lover's cheeks.

Taehyung feebly landed a punch on the older's chest "I don't like her very much and the scar is not hideous and I'm not malnourished and I'm not dimwitted!"

"Yes baby, I'm aware. However, she doesn't need to know that. That is how manipulation works. Let's enjoy some comfort while it lasts, yes?" Jungkook pecked his forehead and wrapped his arms around the dainty body.

The pout succumbed to the affection showered on him as he submitted into the embrace and sighed loudly, agreeing.

For as long as possible.

******

"Your majesty, I'm aware how each prophecy resonates like bad omen at this moment. However you must put your trust in us. I myself take the accountability for prince Taehyung's search in the north."

"It's a given I trust you Hoseok. Yet you know what I am genuinely concerned about."

"We do, your majesty. Yet you need not perturb. The army is on it's toes for Prince Taehyung." Lt. Park chipped in his share of condolences.

Everyone was hassled not only about the prince who went missing out of the evening blue, yet also about the worry if the possible abduction was an indicative of a war announcement.

Considering Arauna's commercial downfall this year, bloodshed was not an alternative while combat was a lost case to begin with.

Everyone was so occupied speculating their own theories that no one payed mind to the wide smirk that adorned Hoseok's face while exiting the hall.

No one but Min Yoongi.

=

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Thank you for sparing your time.

Bye byeeee