"Hobi? Can I show you something?" I outstretched my hand, feeling his soft hand wrap around mine as he gave a heartfelt nod. His eyes sparkled against the moonlight, making my heart swell.

I guided him close to the edge of the cliff, his hand squeezing mine with apprehension.

I turned to face him with a frown. "A-Are you... scared of me?"

His eyes grew wide and he shook his head quickly. "No! God, no! I just... I'm scared of the situation that we're in. We... We don't know where we're going to be ending up and that worries me. My future has always been planned out and set in stone, or, uh, gold, and now I don't know what will happen."

"And for that uncertainty, I'm sorry." I sighed. "This is all my fault."

He cupped my face, his eyes growing watery. "No! This is my damn father's fault. Your crime should not have had these circumstances. But without you being arrested, I wouldn't have met you, and then I wouldn't have fallen in love with you."

I turned around, pulling him in front of me. I wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head on his shoulder.

"What do you think of our view?" I whispered next to his ear.

I felt him shiver as he took a step forward, pulling me with him.

"It's beautiful," he sighed.

We sat in silence while we overlooked the town of Auralia in the distance. The lights glistened against the lake on the edge of the town. The flags throughout could be seen at half mast, probably due to the Prince missing.

"Woah, this is such a cool spot! Look, Kookie." Taehyung shouted, patting my shoulder. I squeezed my eyes closed at the thought of losing my peace and quiet, but shrugged it off.

Jungkook soon joined Taehyung, sitting towards the edge of the cliff with the older in his lap. Their limbs were tightly entertwined.

"God, they're cute. I'm glad that Taehyung found somebody else." Hoseok mumbled, pecking my cheek.

"Somebody else? What do you mean?" I questioned gently.

He gave me an awkward chuckle. "We used to... make out until I broke it off before I met you."

Jungkook gagged, eyeing Taehyung warily.

"It was before you became a guard, Kookie-poo, I swear!" Taehyung held his hands in a defensive position.

"I will vouch for that, Jungkook." Hoseok added, Jungkook's posture finally relaxing once again.

"As long as it doesn't happen again."

"Oh please. I'm sorry Hoseok, but Jungkook, your lips are so much better." Taehyung giggled, leaning in for a lengthy kiss with Jungkook.

"Hey now! No making babies in front of everyone," Jin shouted as he crept up, holding Namjoon's hand. "Let's be able to enjoy the night with our loved ones, overlooking this beautiful spot Yoongi lead us towards."

The group hummed in acknowledgement as we all took our positions with our significant others.

The owls chirped in the distance, and the crickets and cicadas echoed throughout the trees. The stars glistened over the overlook as we admired the nighttime view of the town we all once called home.

"You know, guys?" Namjoon asked, making eye contact with everyone.

"What's up, Joon?" I questioned.

He laughed and screamed at the top of his lungs, "Fuck Auralia and fuck the King!"

We burst out laughing before shrugging. We all cupped our mouths and shouted those same words like a mantra, even Hoseok, whose eyes sparkled with the first sense of freedom I think he's ever felt.

••••

Y'all.... I start classes on Wednesday. It's my last semester of college.

I feel fucking old.