A/N: Hi. Sorry I haven't done a note in a while--idk what to say half

the time and i feel like the story is much more interesting than 

me blabbing about nothing but--

what i wanted to say for real is that i love all of you who read this and 

give my strange words so much attention. really. i mean it. :)

sooo

treat yourself nice in quarantine please. play some games, get to know someone, write,

drink tea, exercise. anything that makes you happy. I love you!

izzy 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rose crawled up Taehyung's leg with a worried pout on her face. Her and Lucio had ran from Jimin's side to the library. Both of them were out of breath and scared.

"Um...daddy?"

The blonde turned away from Jungkook's explanation of a thickly bound text and picked the girl up. "Yes, what is it Rose?"

"My daddy sent us."

Lucio butt in, hopping against Taehyung's leg with wide, erratic eye movements. Taehyung popped a brow in worry and bent down to lift the boy up. Lucio clung to his shoulder with one hand and Rose's with the other.

"Jungkook?"

Taehyung nudged the ravenette's side.

Jungkook's face was still buried in the book.

"...and that's when we'll send in Jimin as bait-"

"Kook. Hey, could you pause for a second? Something's up."

Jungkook turned abruptly from his book. Immediately, he got to work nibbling his lip when he saw the look on his husband's face.

"Oh. Uh, yeah. What's wrong, kids?"

Lucio averted his gaze, burying his neck into the blonde's shoulder. "Someone is here."

"Some bad people!" Rose affirmed.

Taehyung frowned, placing the kids down on the ground. "What do you mean some bad people are here? People are always coming and going from the Oak Castle-"

"Are there soldiers with these people?" Jungkook cut in. Seriousness laced his tone. 

Rose nodded while grabbing Lucio's hand. 

"Yes."

"Hmmm..." Jungkook pushed past his husband towards the door of the library. "I think we should check this out-"

"Wait, Kook!" Taehyung held out his hand. He paused to listen, tilting his head to the side. "I hear soldiers coming."

"How many?"

Taehyung didn't hesitate. "Four. Two sets of two. And there's another servant with them..."

Lucio and Rose read the confusion in the room. They stumbled behind one of the library's shelves hand in hand. Jungkook wavered around the door. 

"Then it's all right if I open the door? Only soldiers are coming. They're probably here to tell me of the visitors." He placed his hand on the door handle.

"I guess, but..." Taehyung walked over to his husband. "They all have elevated heart rates. They're worked up about something....I don't like it. I'll go with you."

Brushing up next to Jungkook, the blonde motioned for the other to open the door. Jungkook gripped the handle with more strength and tugged it towards him. The library door opened with a slight creak. 

Immediately Jungkook flinched back. "W-what-"

"Who is it?" Taehyung peered around Jungkook's head. The ravenette was shaking as he backed up against the blonde's chest. 

Mr. Jeon and Mr. Kim caught sight of their sons in the doorway, speeding up their walking pace. The soldiers surrounding them looked confused, but caught up with the old royals nonetheless.

Jungkook started, in shock. "Y-you said there w-were o-only f-four gu-guards and-"

"Father...?"

Upon seeing his lifelong abuser alive again, in the flesh, Taehyung cried out in disbelief. He thought he had gotten past all of those horrible thoughts...horrible memories of his dad. Now that Mr. Kim was here again...

Taehyung yanked Jungkook's waist away from the door and slammed it shut. The ravenette looked at him with tears beading in his eyes, shaking his head. The couple held onto each other like it would kill them otherwise. 

Jungkook was the first to speak. "Taehyung...they can't be real..."

The blonde buried his face into Jungkook's neck. "I thought I'd never have to see him again, Kook. Why the fuck are they here? How is this even possible?"

"I don't know...I-" Jungkook thought for a moment before pulling Taehyung back to face him. "They must've been reanimated. Jimin's father probably did this bullshit. He probably sent them to the Oak Castle to..."

Jungkook frowned. 

What was Mr. Park planning to do with their deceased parents? 

Taehyung murmured something that Jungkook couldn't catch. Right as the Oak Prince was about to ask him what it was, a series of knocks sounded on the door. A soldier's voice called through the door. 

"Your highness! There are two guests here that have requested to see you and Mr. Kim Taehyung. May I open the door?"

"NOT YET!"

Jungkook rushed to pull Taehyung's blubbering form away from the door. The blonde succumbed to his shock the only way he knew how...through tears.

"J-Jungkook...he's here...I can't look at him..."

"Hey now." Jungkook quickly checked to make sure the kids were safely behind the bookshelf. He saw them huddled down, talking to each other softly. "We need to get out of here. I can't have the kids getting hurt in case...in case they-"

"YOUR HIGHNESS!"

Taehyung clenched onto the ravenette's arms tighter. "Fuck, Jungkook I c-can't go out there and face him again."

Jungkook took in Taehyung's pale face and knew he had to help his husband out. The blonde had battled plenty setbacks in the past--from his loss of hearing to his death and return back to this world. He didn't deserve another asshole ruining it for him. 

"I'll go get the door, Tae."

As Jungkook pulled free of Taehyung's grasp, he figured he shouldn't be so rushed to get the door, especially since he didn't know what the other side held. Obviously, the two reanimated parents weren't their original selves, right? But at the same time...

They wouldn't do anything to him in front of the soldiers; that would just be stupid. The entire kingdom would know of Mr. Park's antics then.

"Jungkook! Get back here!" Taehyung whisper-shouted, following his husband. The ravenette shook his head.

"Your highness, please! It's urgent!"

"I'm coming to open the door now!" Jungkook cried out in irritation. His breath came in quick flutters as his sweaty hand clasped the door handle. 

"Seriously, Jungkoo-"

The Oak Prince pulled the door open with a swift motion. The servant leading the party appeared alarmed to see the prince in such a worried state.

"Is now not a good time, sir? I can-"

From behind the head servant, the two parents pushed their way forward. Getting shoved to the side harshly, the Oak Servant gave out a cry. Taehyung swore.

The Oak Prince pointed at his soldiers, who were trailing the two important men. "Swords on them. Now."

The soldiers trailing the two old members of royalty looked startled. Point their swords at the old rulers of Noirwood? That was blasphemous.

"Don't make me repeat myself. This is an order."

Taehyung's father made a strange groan that bordered on amusement. Jungkook stepped backward, clutching his husband's hand as a sign of defiance. As a sign that said you can't hurt him anymore. The soldiers straightened up at the sight.

Soon, four sword tips surrounded the pale, sickly-looking fathers of Jungkook and Taehyung. Nobody moved. Jungkook could feel Taehyung's fingers shaking in his grasp. Each of the fathers eyed their own sons.

"On your order, Oak Prince." One soldier spoke in a clear tone. The other three soldiers twisted their gazes around impatiently. The swords wavered in the air.

Jungkook bit down on his lower lip. It was introduction time.

"Welcome to the Oak Castle, Mr. Jeon..." Jungkook bowed at his father, not holding any evil sentiment for the man in his heart...however, he refused to call the zombie-like thing "dad." Illusions weren't meant to be taken seriously. 

Mr. Jeon didn't answer. He blinked, lips pressed together tightly. 

With effort, Jungkook turned to Taehyung's father, who was sneering at the blonde. "And you, I can't help but refrain from saying welcome to you. Never, ever, in my entire life would I welcome a fucking monster into my castle. You should be glad I haven't ordered my men to kill you right now, you asshole."

The soldiers visibly tensed at the threats Jungkook voiced to Mr. Kim. Taehyung squeezed Jungkook's hand hard. The ravenette continued with the fakest, rudest tone he could muster. 

"So, now that our introductions are over...what brings you two here today?"

A nervous bead of sweat fell down Jungkook's back. He waited, watching the replications of two old rulers stand motionless in front of him. The swords still pointed at the threats in the doorway, keeping them in place. 

The Oak Prince expected as much silence from them. The other four undead soldiers that Jimin killed could only grunt and follow orders. But somewhere deep down, Jungkook wanted them to be able to speak. Wanted them to specify why they were sent...to say what Mr. Park had in mind for them.

Although Jungkook had a pretty good idea of the reason they were sent. 

Suddenly, Taehyung whistled a high tone out of the blue. He stopped as soon as he started, not changing his facial expression. Jungkook gave him a brief look, but couldn't linger on it.

Somewhere in the distance, a faint whistle sounded. Jungkook's expression relaxed a bit, putting two and two together.

It had to be Jimin. 

"So...no answer then? I guess I'm going to force you two to leave. Guards, escort them out of the castle now."

Jungkook motioned for the soldiers to escort the two men from the premises, a deadly glare in his eye. He wanted his soldiers to know how serious he was, despite any old loyalties they might have held for the two royals. 

"Yes, sir."

A guard in front stepped up to grab Jungkook's father. Taehyung's father scowled with such intensity that the ravenette wondered if he was really alive. The blonde took the glare as a threat, stepping forward to spit on his detestable excuse of a guardian. On the outside, Jungkook loved the sight of his husband getting his poke at his father, but on the inside-

 Taehyung...don't get too close!

Apparently what the blonde did set his father off. Without another moment to spare, Mr. Kim lunged forward, grabbing the sword pointed at him with both hands. The soldier yelled out, struggling to get it back. 

"Taehyung!"

Jungkook pulled Taehyung back before his father could spin the sword on him. From behind them, Jungkook could hear the quiet whimperings of the kids behind the bookshelf. 

Mr. Jeon took the opportunity to get free of the soldier leading him away. With a move faster than Jungkook could follow, his father's replica ducked under the sword and kicked the soldier's feet out. The sword plunged into another soldier, taking him down. 

"Shit!" 

The ravenette moved backward on instinct. He knew he didn't stand a chance against the two undead versions of their fathers. Only someone as strong as Jimin or Taehyung could take them out--especially since they needed to either be pulverized or burnt up to be gone for good. 

In a matter of seconds, the two fathers slung their loose arms around to kill the remaining soldiers. The original servant hid whimpering by the door, on Jungkook and Taehyung's side of the library. 

"Close the door!"

Jungkook ordered the man. Meanwhile, he looked for something in the library that might serve to block off the door so that the zombies couldn't get in. 

Especially since Rose and Lucio were inside...and...

Jungkook shivered at the thoughts being put into his head. If Rose saw Jungkook murdered it might shatter her world. Even Lucio would be scarred from the bloodshed. But Jungkook had an idea that Lucio had seen quite a bit by living with Jimin in his three years. 

"I'm o-on it--c-closing the d-door!"

The Oak Servant rushed to slam the door. Taehyung backed him up, standing with one arm spanning the door's width and the other one on the handle in hopes to hold it shut.

"Jungkook! Tell the kids to get in the back closet!"

Taehyung shouted at him. Screams sounded from behind the doorway. Blood pulsed intensely in Jungkook's ears. He ran back towards Rose and Lucio's cowering forms.

"Rose. Lucio. Follow me now."

Jungkook grabbed each of their wrists and without question they trailed into the farthest corner of the library. The ravenette pushed the door open with his foot, bidding them inside. 

"Daddy..." Rose had tears running down her cheeks. "What's going on?"

"Honey..." Jungkook felt his heart break at seeing the little girl so scared. Lucio seemed less shocked than her by the situation, but was nonetheless scared. "It'll be okay. There are some bad guys we need to take care of. You two need to stay in here while we take care of them, okay?"

"Our daddy will fix it." Lucio side-hugged Rose. "He always does."

Jungkook knew the little boy was referring to Jimin. "Yes. Jimin hopefully will come soon, but for now!" He pointed to a group of books on the floor. "Stay in here and look over those books for me okay? Make sure all the pictures are in there. And make sure you don't come out of this closet unless one of your fathers gets you...am I clear?"

Rose nodded, hugging Lucio tighter to her. Jungkook bent down to press a kiss to her cheek. As he was about to leave, Lucio shouted out in pain.

"What?! What is it Luce?" Jungkook nearly fainted from the timing of the noise. "What's the matter?"

Lucio pouted, staring at the ground. "I didn't get a kiss."

Jungkook bit his lip, stifling the swearing bout he was going to have. Here there were innocent people dying and a little adamant boy needed to have a kiss? It took him by shock, how this boy could be so stoic around death but needed attention. 

Lucio was a lot like Jimin.

"Okay! Here." Jungkook hastily kissed Lucio's cheek. "After this is over I'll get to kiss you more, Lucio! You will let me!"

He didn't spend a second longer in the closet than he needed to. After exiting and closing the door, he grabbed a nearby bookshelf. A few tough tugs later, he dragged the bookshelf in front of the door, blocking it off. Panting with exertion, Jungkook hurried back towards the library's entrance.

The Oak Prince didn't know what he expected to see when he got back. So when he tore around the bookshelves, eyes wild and heart beating erratically--

"What the..."

The library doors were open. 

Wide open. 

Taehyung was no where to be seen. The Oak Servant who had helped close the door was gone.

Plink. Plink. Plink.

What was that sound? 

Jungkook creeped into the main section of the library, holding his breath. His hands were sweating like crazy. Where was everyone?

The Oak Prince crossed his arms around his chest, lingering around the entrance. He peered into the hallway and instantly turned away. The freshly murdered bodies of his soldiers still lay mottled on the floor. The hallway was as bloody as ever, pools growing in size as his men bled out. 

Plink. Plink.

Jungkook covered his mouth and wandered a few steps in the library. Should he stay in the library to protect Lucio and Rose? Should he see where the others went?

He felt so useless, wandering about. He knew that Jimin had knowledge of Mr. Jeon and Mr. Kim's arrival, so Taehyung wasn't completely unprotected but...

But he couldn't help but worry...until an idea popped into his head. 

Taehyung could hear magnificently well. If he wanted, the blonde could hear the happenings of an entire section of the castle. He knew that Taehyung could probably hear him, but he didn't know if it would do anything to try and contact him. It wasn't like Taehyung could communicate back to him.

What was the harm in trying though?

"Taehyung..." Jungkook said quietly. "Lucio and Rose are safely put away in the closet in the library, blocked by a bookshelf. I hope you're okay, and--OH MY GOD!"

Midway through his report to his husband, Jungkook discovered the source of the plinkings. A cold drip of something fell onto his face from above him. He chanced a glance up, screaming when he saw a body draped across the light fixture. 

It was the Oak Servant who had helped them. His head barely hung onto his body, the tendons of his neck stretched out disgustingly against the fixture's frame. Drips of blood rained down to plop onto a metal decoration knocked from a bookshelf.

Plink. Plink.

 Nausea flooded Jungkook's senses as drips fell past his upturned face. 

He needed to get out of there.

Without another logical thought, he darted from the library, covering his mouth. He hopped over the dead soldiers and dodged the largest of the blood puddles. 

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!"

After he made his way past them, he noticed a chain of bloody footprints leading away from the mess. He could guess what made them.

Following the trail left for him, Jungkook tried to think of happy things to rid himself of the nasty corpse in the back of his mind. By the time the trail tapered down to one set of footprints, he lifted his head to find himself in the third floor armory. The storage room for much of the castle's finer weapons, such as bows, daggers, throwing knives, and chemical weapons.

It was silent. The footprints ended in the middle of the floor. Jungkook looked around for the owner of the prints. All he saw were shelves of weapons. 

It didn't make sense.

Then, from behind him, a voice.

"Ah, I knew you'd follow the tracks."

Jungkook held up his fists in defense, twisting around. His knees nearly gave out at the sight. Behind the doorway was a very familiar half-blood's silhouette.

"For fucks sake, Jimin. You didn't have to scare the shit out of me."

Jimin said nothing, only motioned for Jungkook to come out of the armory. As Jungkook moved much more relaxed out of the room, he asked for an update from his lover.

"So, is Taehyung alright? Are they dead? What happened?"

Jungkook reached the threshold of the door. Jimin faced away from him, walking down the hall. 

"Taehyung took care of his father. Used his father's own cane to make him utterly unrecognizable before crushing the remains up. It was pretty bloody...haha."

The Oak Prince rushed to catch up with the half blood. For some reason Jimin was hurrying down the hall, towards the third floor tower entrance. Jungkook clenched his jaw.

"And my dad? Did you help Tae get rid of him or-"

"Why yes. Jimin tore up Mr. Jeon within seconds, burning his body up in the back of the castle. Both parents are back there. Completely destroyed. They jumped out of the window."

Jungkook felt relief tug at his heart before logic kicked in. He furrowed his brow, stopping in the hallway. Jimin's back was to him. When Jungkook stopped, the other stopped as well. But he didn't turn around.

"Wait. Why did you just say 'Jimin tore up Mr. Jeon...?'"

The man in front of him didn't budge. "Oh, just a formality. I'm fond of storytelling 's all."

Okay, what the fuck.

Jungkook cursed himself for not seeing it before. The way this person had been talking the entire time was so not Jimin.

A wave of the utmost fear struck Jungkook when he realized what had been accomplished. Why the man in front of him had sent Mr. Jeon and Mr. Kim to the Oak Castle. He wanted to get one of them alone, capture one of them...to use on grounds of surrender. The old man must've received information about their relationship...he was going to try and use their love against them.

And what better than to capture the weakest link?

"Mr. Park...it seems you've won this round." Jungkook flinched as the man turned around, exposing his face. "I didn't expect you to impersonate Jimin so well...you got me."

The man removed his hood. He even had the audacity to smile at the Oak Prince. "I was sure you were dead, Prince Jeon. But it seems my son has a sort of...affinity for you...wouldn't you say? He confirmed my doubts as I kept noticing his trips to the south...to this castle."

The ravenette scowled. He knew he shouldn't make any stupid moves like running. The man obviously needed him alive if he was going to barter for the kingdom. 

"Wonderful...good for you to figure that out so soon. Now, where are we going? Are you taking me back to the crypt?"

Mr. Park parted his lips in surprise, not expecting Jungkook to act so unaffected by the situation. After a few seconds, his face lost its shock. He emotionlessly pointed to the door leading to the tower. 

"I see you're smart for following directions, boy. No wonder Jimin takes a liking to you. He probably has his fun from time to time ordering you around, I bet. That scoundrel. Haha."

Jungkook bit back the fury that grew at the remark about Jimin. There was no use battling this man. The ravenette walked past the overly proud man standing next to the door.

"Why do you want me out here? Are you going to push me off the ledge to try and convince Jimin to give you what you want? Because I'm sorry, but that simply won't wor-"

The breath hitched in Jungkook's throat. 

There, standing at the end of the tower outside in the freezing wind...staring at him with a contrite expression on his face-

Was Florian.

+     +     +