"So how you feeling?"

The prince looked up, ruffling his messy hair. His eyes screwed shut, but he still raised his head to the voice. His lips in a pout, as his hand ruffled his curly locks. His brain loading and not really understanding what was happening at the moment.

"Hmm?"

Jungkook bit back his laughter, while Seokjin sighed.

"I'm guessing you slept good, if your so out of it." Seokjin said with a raised eyebrow. Hoseok yawned, rubbing his eye with his fist.

"Yeah I guess waking up early and training really drained me I suppose."

"I think it's because your body nearly died, is why your exhausted." Seokjin scoffed but Hoseok was so out of it to hear his remark. Jungkook sat next to him on the mattress, beaming.

"Guess what!!"

Hoseok winced giving a tired pout.

"Please no yelling Jungkook. My brain is not up yet." Hoseok yawned, laying his head on his arm with his knee up. He barely opened his eyes but was enough for Jungkook to know he was listening.

"Sorry. Anyways you have to guess." Jungkook whispered, poking his side. Hoseok looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Next Jungkook curled up to the prince, his arm going around his shoulder, squeezing him.

"I don't know?"

"Come on guess!"

"Look I don't know I just woke up Jungkook."

"Okay fine! I'll tell you! You-"

"-Won the tournament Hobi!" Eri came rushing in the tent and jumping on his mattress. He made an 'oof' sound the moment her tiny body crashed into his thighs. Hoseok smiled, tiredly patting her head before realization hit him.

"Wait what?!"

"Hey! I was gonna say it! But yeah! You won! And since Namjoon Hyung is temporarily banned, you are Y/n's new dance partner!" Jungkook was bouncing on the mattress while Hoseok was now fully awake and looking at Jungkook wide eyed. His body jerking back and forth from Jungkook's movements.

"Namjoon is temporarily banned? I won? DANCE PARTNER?!" Hoseok yelled.

"See Namjoon broke several rules when the last battle came. The main one being he tried to kill you. He's temporarily banned from any activities in the camp. And yes you won. Either way you won even if Namjoon didn't try to kill you. You had the most arrows anyways. Since Namjoon was immediately disqualified, you won automatically." Seokjin explained, heading towards a table to look for some clean bandages.

"And remember when I mentioned that if anything happened to Hyung you would take his place? It's the rule. If a member who is currently going to be a dance partner is suddenly injured, then you can choose someone else. Better yet for the way Y/n's works is every new comer is automatically consider a backup dancer. So by the rules and all that, you get to be Y/n's dance partner." Jungkook added.

"And what exactly is that?" Hoseok asked timidly.

"It's the main dancer Y/n dances with. You know the big center that everyone is gonna lay eyes on." Seokjin shrugged casually before walking back to Hoseok who looked even more shock.

"H-huh? Dancing? B-but what?" Hoseok felt his throat grow dry and his cheeks heating up. Dancing? With her? Hoseok felt like he was gonna throw up out of nerves.

"Yup! I heard you were a pretty good dancer. Everyone has heard this rumor, of course we just don't know rather if it's true or not." Jungkook smiled. Seokjin shooed Jungkook off the bed while Eri was still on Hoseok's lap, playing with his hands. Her excitement had drained down but she was far more entertained with his hands than whatever they were talking about.

"Right. Are those rumors even true?" Seokjin asked with an raised eyebrow. He scooped up Eri and handed her to Jungkook. Seokjin then gently pushed Hoseok to lay down before undoing the bandages. Hoseok relaxed and stared up at the ceiling of the tent. Jungkook playfully bounced Eri in his arms while Eri giggled. Jungkook cooed at her, giving her cheek a big kiss.

"Well I suppose so. I love dancing but I haven't done it in-Ah ow!" Hoseok hissed the moment Seokjin used a damped cloth to clean the open wound.

"Sorry. Should've warned you." Seokjin apologized, before once again using the damp cloth to clean the dry blood.

"Well either way, Hoseok Hyung this is your chance! Sweep Y/n off her feet! Aren't you excited?" Jungkook asked with a bright smile, smiling so wide his nose started to scrunch. Eri was now playing with the earrings that hanged from Jungkook's ear in fascination.

"No I feel like imma-OUCH!" Hoseok hissed again when he realized Seokjin started to undo the stitching.

"Sh*t I knew I was forgetting something. Hey Kookie, keep Eri distracted this is a little gruesome. Also can you hand me that bottle?" Seokjin said as he wrapped an apron around his waist. Jungkook nodded with a hum, grabbing a bottle near him and handing it to him before turning the other way so Eri wouldn't have a view of it. Not like she was interested anyways, she was far too interested in his silver earrings. Hoseok at this point was breathing heavily, his eyes screw shut while pain seem to be the only thing he felt.

"F-forgot what?" He words came out rushed and breathy. Seokjin damped the cloth with alcohol, briefly looking at Hoseok before gathering his tools.

"To numb you. Your stitches look a bit infected so I'm going to have to put new ones. Probably since I had to rush stitching you up. I don't have any numbing medicine, we are currently out due to my negligence of finding the merchants. I've been too busy watching Eri and other duties that I haven't been able to do it. Also Y/n refused to send anyone else after my incident so we are currently running low on lots of things." Seokjin explained, now carefully pressing the rubbing alcohol on his open wound. Hoseok tried not to yell or scream at the burning sensation, his eyes glossy.

"Sorry about this, it was actually a lot better when you were sleeping. Do you want a towel to bite down on?" Seokjin asked, stopping his movements. His eyebrows furrowed in worry, genuinely sorry for inflicting such pain. Hoseok let a shaky breath before nodding slowly. He never felt such pain before.

"D-damn Namjoon knows where to hit." Hoseok laughed bitterly. Seokjin shook his head and gave him a small folded towel to bite down on.

"You really shouldn't be joking at a time like this. Now I'm going to clean and then stitch back up okay?"

Hoseok nodded, already sweat dripping from his forehead. Seokjin really hated this part of his job, inflicting pain unwillingly. Also the blood, it was gross and always got everywhere. Hard to clean and pain in the-

"Hey Seokjin do you have-OH!" Y/n froze at the sight of blood and a shirtless prince. Seokjin looked up, midway stitching back up Hoseok who now had his eyes open and wide. He was sweaty and biting down hard on the towel. Hoseok doesn't even remember when or how but Seokjin was already done cleaning and stitching him right back up. Seokjin looked unfazed, blankly blinking at Y/n.

"Have what? I'm a bit busy darling." Seokjin said with an raised eyebrow. Y/n stared up at Seokjin with her cheeks feeling hot. She quickly cleared her throat, trying to ignore Jungkook's teasing stare.

"R-Right, do you have any pain killers?"

Seokjin flickered his eyes back down to start his work again, tensing just slightly whenever Hoseok flinched and released a muffled groan through the now damped cloth.

"No. I need to get some more. Why?"

"Joon needs them."

"Wow you still care for him even after what he did." Seokjin said with a mocked smile. Y/n rolled her eyes, turning her heel and stared at the tent flaps. Her back facing him so she wouldn't be tempted to look at Hoseok.

"He's still my best friend Seokjin and been through hell with me, yes I still care for him. Is that a crime?" Y/n asked her arms crossed over her chest. Jungkook side glanced at Y/n, swaying Eri to sleep.

"It's not a crime Y/n, just what he did was wrong. He genuinely wanted to kill Hoseok, he had an urge to hurt him, to kill him Y/n. We all care for Hyung, but his actions we cannot defend. I'm honestly disappointed Y/n. He's been with you for a long time and yet just cause the prince liked you-"

"Wait what? Liked me? What does Hoseok liking me have to do with anything? Why would he care?" Y/n now turned to face Jungkook who froze. He looked like a deer in headlights, his body visibly tensed. Even Seokjin halted his movements, nearly dropping the scissors he had in his hands. He was just about done and was cutting off the string when Jungkook was speaking.

"Jungkook?" Y/n dropped her voice an octave lower and gave him a hard stare. It was like she was demanding him to answer. Jungkook swallowed thickly, his eyes averting everywhere but her heated stare. Seokjin was now trying to hurry and place new bandages so Hoseok could rest. The silence was low and dreadful.

"Jungkook! Answer!"

"No! It's not my business! Besides, if you knew the prince liked you, why didn't you say anything?" Jungkook barked back. Now it was Y/n's turn to be shocked.

"W-well that was obvious enough! And besides, you all knew and the whole camp knows, it's not a big deal-"

"So your aware of his tactics? Know he's pursing you but just brush them aside? False hope? Really Y/n? You give him false hope?" Now it was Jungkook's turn to glare down at Y/n.

"Enough!"

By now Hoseok was done and sat upright. He was breathing heavily, with Seokjin holding him upright. Hoseok felt even weaker and tired but this fighting was meaningless. Jungkook and Y/n looked at him a bit startled at his outburst.

"Look even if she knows Jungkook that's fine. It's really no big secret. She's not giving me false hope or anything calm down Jungkook." Hoseok reassured. He then turned to face Y/n, his eyes softening.

"And Y/n, I understand, you still care for him after what he did. Also it really isn't our place to say why he did it nor I want it to affect your relationship with him, but it's done and over with. No worries. I'm fine both of you really." Hoseok smiled weakly. It was strange however, his vision was getting blurred. He saw black dots clouding his vision. His smile dropped and his eyes rolled back. His body limped as he black out on the mattress. His ears muffling the yells of different voices.

⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️

{One month later}

"1,2,3-sh*t!" Hoseok lost his footing and tripped onto the ground. The sun was high and hot, summer was finally here and was beating down the earth without mercy. Hoseok was wearing a sleeveless shirt that was tied from the waist with a black belt and black sleeveless robe. He was wearing tattered pants from the amount of times he's tripped and fell on the green grass. He was barefoot on the grass, sweat glistening his skin that glowed like honey. The wooden Bo staff fell on the ground far from him. Hoseok laid on the grass, his eyes shut in pain and his chest raising and falling while his breathing was staggered.

"There's no reason to go so harsh on yourself Hyung." Jungkook said, bending down while he place his hands on his hips. His tall figure shield the sun from Hoseok's eyes as he fluttered them open. He looked up at Jungkook with a weak smile. Hoseok was able to see the small crease that started to form on Jungkook's forehead in worry.

"I'm trying to recover faster."

"Well it's not working, your only making it worse. Your wound is not fully healed." Jungkook sighed. Hoseok sat up, fixing the wrapped bandages around his hands and wrist that kept him from getting splinters from the bo staff.

"I can't help it, just sitting there when I could be doing anything else. It's boring helping Seokjin cook and listen to the brief meetings which I'm still not use too. Are you sure I'm supposed to listen to that?" Hoseok asked warily. Jungkook rolled his eyes, sitting next to Hoseok with his arms now crossed over his chest.

"Again with this? Hyung you won meaning you join the merry men. And consider your circumstances, you didn't have to fight Y/n for the last round so I say you got the easy way. But look you won this which is what you wanted right?" Jungkook asked, raising an eyebrow at the prince. Hoseok sighed, placing his hands on his lap. His hair was longer, his bangs nearly covering his eyes. He might need to trim it since the summer days were only getting hotter.

"That was my original plan but ever since that whole thing that blew up with Namjoon, I don't know anymore. Maybe I really shouldn't pursue her, it's clear she's not interested. Besides she doesn't even talk to me ever since you brought up me liking her a month ago." Hoseok explained, releasing another long sigh. He rubbed behind in his neck anxiously.

"Maybe I made her uncomfortable or maybe it's her way of showing she's uninterested, whatever the case is, maybe I should just call it quits."

"Seriously? Just like that Hyung? Is that why you've trained yourself like this? Ever since Jin Hyung gave you the okay to move around, you've been nonstop training. Hyung, you don't know that."

"No Jungkook I do know that. Her sentences have been short and cold just like the day we met, and honestly it hurts. It's like I'm in square one again." Hoseok now stood up, walking towards his Bo staff to pick it up. He looked at it, his expression sadden.

"Hyung, you still don't know. For all you know Y/n is just confused, conflicted especially after what Namjoon did. They known each other for years, obviously she's conflicted about him. Come on, don't call it quits when you still have one more opportunity that not even Namjoon has." Jungkook now stood up, a grin was dancing on his lips. Hoseok glanced at him, his eyebrow ticked in interest despite the blank expression he gave.

"See Namjoon is banned from any actives the camp does meaning-"

"Yes I'm aware the dance for Y/n's parents anniversary, Jungkook how is that an opportunity?"

Jungkook wrapped his arm around Hoseok, his grin never wavering.

"Because Namjoon was going to propose to Y/n during the dance."

Hoseok tensed, his eyes going wide as he looked at Jungkook surprised and confused. But Jungkook's carefree grin vanished and replaced with a blank look as he looked forward.

"That was the plan. We were all going to be a part of it to help Namjoon, but he's been on Y/n's bad side especially since I nearly spilled the beans a month ago and what he did to you. It was going to be special. But I guess not so you have that upper hand now. That dance means a lot to Y/n since it's the thing she holds so close when she thinks about her parents. So you have to do it. Don't call it quits! Impress her! Her mother fell in love with her father from that dance ritual so do it Hyung!" By now Jungkook was grabbing Hoseok's shoulders and shaking him as he spoke with emphasis. Hoseok gripped his Bo staff, his eyes wavering from the intense stare Jungkook gave him. His insecurities showing themselves like an open book.

"But-!"

"No butts Hyung! Do it! Your not gonna really let her marry Namjoon are you?! Well!?"

"N-no."

"Are you gonna let her be snatched by another man!"

"No."

"Then do you want to impress Y/n?!"

"Y-Yes!"

"Then are you going to give up?!"

"No!"

"Great! Dance practice starts today! Let's go!" Jungkook wrapped his arm around his neck and started dragging him. Hoseok's sputtered on his words, his cheeks immediately turning into a dark shade of red.

"What!?!"

⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️

"Jungkook I'm covered in sweat." Hoseok whispered while Jungkook merely ignored him. Jungkook placed his hands behind his head as he stood by a bored Jimin. Jimin had a bored look, crossing his arms as the dance instructor was going over some rules. Taehyung was there also but was near the front which Hoseok tried to ignore but it was hard when Taehyung would glance at him.

"Sh, you should be listening to the dance routine." Jungkook whispered back. Hoseok frowned, flickering his gaze to the old instructor.

"It's probably something I learned already-"

"I truly doubt that prince. Our dances are not simplistic like your fancy ones at balls. We don't even teach that kind of dance. Our music isn't the same either prince." Jimin was now the one whispering, but he continued to listen. Hoseok glanced at Jimin with furrowed eyebrows.

"What?"

"See we don't do Waltz or whatever you guys do, we do something more I guess, what's the term more freely? Our body moves the way the beat is presented and not the way it's told." Jimin explained. Hoseok thinned his lips in thought. He had no clue what Jimin was talking about. Freely? But doesn't all dance have routines? Doesn't all dances have what to do and not let your body have its way? Hoseok was confused, so confused he didn't hear when the instructor ordered them to start stretching. Jungkook stretched his arms over his head with a smile while Jimin was reaching for his toes. Hoseok looked at them cluelessly.

"Come on prince, you need to stretch or your body is going to be hella swore." Jungkook urged.

"Like when we train?"

"Yes. Dancing requires lots of body movements like our thighs, calves, abdomen, even our arms. So if you don't stretch them, especially since you've been training lately, you could pull a muscle, cramp and then it hurts. So stretch." Jungkook was now reaching his toes while Jimin calmly stretched his arms. Hoseok glanced at them both before finally stretching along them.

"Hey how come Yoongi and Seokjin aren't here?" Hoseok asked when he realized they were missing. Jimin was now finished, running his fingers through his hair to pull away his bangs.

"Yoongi doesn't really like dancing and only does it for Y/n. Seokjin has many responsibilities and prefers doing them rather than dancing. Besides neither of them are interested in dating right now. They aren't bad at dancing, in fact they are good but they both have reasons." Jimin explained, readjusting his sleeves to his elbows. Hoseok finished stretching, nodding along to what Jimin said.

"Oh. Then are you guys interested finding someone?"

"Nah. Me, Jimin and Taehyung just enjoy dancing that's all. Also we only join for Y/n who typically just dances because it's the time we celebrate her parents anniversary. Jimin was actually a famous dancer near the boarders before he joined camp. So obviously he enjoys it even if he only learned ballet. Me and Taehyung just grew fascinated with dancing and do it every year." Jungkook shrugged, once again placing his hands behind his head.

"Ah! Also one more thing, the girls are just right across from us practicing the same routine. After two days the girls will come join us and we start the real practice which really isn't a practice or routine, it's just following the beat." Jungkook explained with a grin. Hoseok tensed, looking at Jungkook.

"W-wait what?"

"Right and you will have lots of pressure. Your the big center along with Y/n, meaning everyone will have their eyes on you and see what special solo dance you will come up with at the end of the song." Jimin said nonchalantly. Hoseok nearly choked on his spit, his cheeks growing redder and hotter by the second. His words were too busy stuck in his throat to even react.

"Ah! Right I forgot about that. See I haven't been Y/n's partner like in three years. Jimin will be next year since he came late unless Y/n gets married in a year then that's a different story." Jungkook hummed almost like he was teasing at Hoseok. Hoseok felt his brain sputter and couldn't speak. It was right at the moment his eyes travel to the girls who were only a couple feet away from the boy group. His eyes caught Y/n, his breath hitching in his throat.

Her hair was tied in a side ponytail, wearing a shirt that was sleeveless and cut from her belly, it exposed her belly and shoulders. It was black even her long skirt that had a slit on her mid of her thigh down to her ankles. It nearly exposed her whole left leg. She was barefoot letting her feet touch the patchy grass. She was speaking with the other girls, giving friendly smiles. Hoseok felt his cheeks grow hotter and a deep shade of red. He place his hand over his mouth with his fingers lightly covering his nose. He bit his lip nervously, not even paying attention to when Jungkook wrapped an arm around his shoulder lazily.

"Hot right? She only wears that for dance practice."

"Y-you set me up." Hoseok stuttered out, averting any prying eyes. He needed to blame someone for his messy feelings. Jungkook only gave a cocky smile.

"I didn't do a thing Hyung, you entered that contest willingly I'm just here to steer you in the right direction. Now it's time for the dancing, ladies will go first." Jungkook said, throwing a mischievous look at Hoseok. Hoseok lightly glared at Jungkook before facing the girls.

On cue, the music started. At least the people playing the instruments did. Hoseok listened, realizing he's never heard such a beat. Jungkook was already humming the tune while Jimin lightly nodded his head along the music. Hoseok glanced at them both, before flickering his gaze back at the group. He didn't realize he was solely focusing on Y/n.

She moved her body smoothly, her face serious as if she was in deep concentration. Her hips moved along the beat, her hands following a similar beat. Her feet moved along the grass with grace not having any trouble sliding across it. Her face relaxed after a certain beat, a smile itching its way on her face as the beat got faster and louder.

As the beat got faster, so did her movements. Her hands now clapping along to the music like everyone else did. She then place them on her hips, moving them along with the music. She took them off her hips and started clapping again but with each time the drums were heard. Sweat was starting to form against her skin but she didn't even waver. It seem she only grew more comfortable and started moving her body fluidly.

Hoseok was so memorized he didn't even realize how red his face had gotten nor how wide his eyes were. He probably should've paid attention to how they did it but he couldn't keep his eyes off her no matter what his brain told him.

And he was going to give up on her.

What an idiot he was.

The music stopped leaving the woman in the group to strike a pose. Y/n had her left leg out while her right leg in. Her toes carrying her weight while her head was high. Her back slightly arched and her left arm over her head while the other held her skirt showing more of her skin. It was right at the moment, her eyes fluttered in the crowd. Her eyes meeting Hoseok instantly. He nearly melted into a puddle with the look she was giving him. Apparently he didn't even notice himself leaning backwards until Jungkook caught him before he feel.

"Were you about to faint?!"

Hoseok gave a nervous chuckle, he knew for sure his cheeks were redder than an apple. He felt hot all over, his heart thumping so hard in his chest.

"N-no?"

Jungkook help him stand straight, giving a genuine concern look.

"Damn bro you got it bad."

Hoseok cleared his throat, rubbing behind his neck in embarrassment. He shut his eyes knowing one more look at anyone and he really was going to faint. It wasn't necessarily his fault, Y/n was the one who caused it.

"Some audacity she has. Doesn't speak for me for nearly a month and goes around walking in that outfit. That's completely unfair." Hoseok mumbled, squeezing his eyelids tighter. Jungkook nudged his arm, causing Hoseok to flutter his eyes open as he hummed.

"Prince?"

Hoseok tensed, slowly trailing down at Y/n who now stood in front of him. Y/n had a hand on her hip while the other was playing with her necklace she had around her neck. Hoseok cleared his throat again, giving a half wobbly smile.

"Ah, yes dove?"

'You did not just call her dove! What happened to calling it quits?!'

"I'm assuming your wound is better now that your here?" Y/n asked. Hoseok nodded mindlessly. His brain was sputtering and scattered, nothing in his head made sense. Even the words that left his lips were on some sort of autopilot.

"Y-yeah. So I'm your dance partner correct?" Hoseok asked internally screaming at the way his voice cracked. This woman was doing a lot of damage then what he told himself. Or anyone in that manner. His eyes were having so much trouble staying at her face. They wanted to wonder around her body to let it permanently soak in his memories, the same way his hands wanted to touch her bare waist and memorize every freckle or mole. He swallowed hard, placing his hands behind his back when the urge grew too strong for him to handle.

'You sound like a perv! Stop it!'

'I can't when she's looking like that!'

'Keep it together Jung Hoseok!'

"Yes. So we should start coming up with a dance for the grand finale. We also have to keep in mind about our attire for the dance. I have a few ideas but I wouldn't mind your input." Y/n said completely unaware the internal terminal Hoseok was having. Hoseok swallowed thickly, so thick his adam apple starting bouncing in his throat.

"S-sure little dove, when would you like to meet up for it?"

'When did it get so bad?! Hoseok focus!'

"How about at night perhaps after dinner. It's the only time I'm not busy. I'm currently busy preparing the dance since it's already in a week." Y/n explained, her hands starting playing her hair as she gave a small pout.

'Come on not the pout my dove!'

"Yeah thats fine. We have such little time since it's mostly freestyle correct?" Hoseok asked his smile still wobbly as his legs. They currently felt like jelly and he could hear Jungkook snicker next to him.

"Yes. Technically we don't need any practice but we just do it so nobody crashes into each other. Alright then tonight then. See you later then." Y/n waved at him but Hoseok quickly rushed to wave back.

"Yes! See you later then my dove!" Hoseok sputtered out a bit too loud. Y/n stopped in her tracks, looking at him. Her cheeks grew warm at the nickname while everyone glanced at their way. Jungkook bit his lip, trying to keep his laughter in. Even Jimin let out a snort. Hoseok stiffened, his cheeks even redder and hotter. He felt like he was going to pass out.

"Um right. Okay I'm going to go now." Y/n cleared her throat before rushing out of the crowd. Once she was gone Jungkook bursted out laughing while Jimin shook his head with a small amused smile.

"My?! Wow! Let's go Hyung! That's what we're talking about, confidence!"

"P-please shut up Jungkook." Hoseok mumbled, covering his face with his hands.

"Another thing prince, if your going to bluntly check out Y/n, can you please refrain from doing it in front of me?" Jimin added with slight annoyance. Hoseok whined and nodded, his cheeks so red and hot he really did feel like he was going to really pass out.

"G-got it."