"You wanna join what now?" Taehyung's eyes were wide, his lips parted. His messy blonde locks growing slowly into a mullet, his hands nearly dropping the large basket of strawberries. Hoseok winced at the tone of voice, hushing the younger as he also held the large basket of strawberries.

"The tournament." Hoseok answered, walking ahead of Taehyung before setting the basket of strawberries where all the fruits were set. He stretched and wiped the sweat off his forehead, rolling his sleeves to his elbows. Taehyung followed him and also set down the basket of strawberries.

"Hoseok your crazy! Not the tournament! Who even told you about it?" Taehyung asked his eyes ready to pop out of his eye pockets. Hoseok walked to grab an empty basket, placing it on his hip as he walked towards the strawberry vines. Taehyung hastily grabbed a basket as well and followed the older one.

"Y/n. I met her earlier by the river bank. She told me she trains by the river to get ready for the tournament which from what I heard is in a week." Hoseok explained, picking up ripe red strawberries from the vines and placing them in the basket. Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows as he too started to picking the strawberries.

"Okay but why? Sure you can join anyone can, but why? What's there to gain?" Taehyung asked, stopping his movements. Hoseok bit his lip, as he continued to pick the strawberries. At the moment Hoseok was helping Taehyung collect the strawberries and other fruits. Other people were helping but none seem to care about the conversation the prince and Taehyung were having.

"Because why not. I mean I haven't practice my fighting skills in a while so it's a perfect time to see what I lack in and what I'm still good at." Hoseok shrugged. Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows in confusion placing his basket down to cross his arms over his chest.

"That's bull crap Hoseok. You hate fighting, your passion is dancing not fighting. Are you seriously going to lie to someone who's known you for years?" Taehyung scoffed and harshly slammed the basket on the ground to gain Hoseoks attention. Hoseok flinched and looked at the male in front of him.

"Now tell me the truth." Taehyung huffed. Hoseok sighed, standing up straight as he placed the basket on his hip again. He bit his lip as his cheeks slowly tinted pink.

"I-I just want to Tae." Hoseok defend, his face slowly growing red. Just in fact why was he doing this anyway? He just told himself to get over Y/n but he couldn't help himself, and the only way to get her attention was through the tournament but he couldn't necessarily tell Taehyung that. Taehyung narrowed his eyes at the prince, Hoseok swallowed chewing his lip.

"Okay but why? You hate violence that was like your biggest fight with the king. You wanted no part in war nor taking down Robin Hood which you now know is a women." Taehyung scoffed. Hoseok only laughed nervously with a hard swallow.

"Of course. And I still don't want to peruse violence. It's just for fun Tae, come on. Why are you questioning me?" Hoseok said with a nervous chuckle. Taehyung's eyebrow twitched in annoyance as he glared at the older male.

"Because when you lie you turn red." Taehyung said bluntly. Hoseok swallowed even harder giving out a nervous laugh.

'That's the second person who said that!'

"What are you hiding? Just tell me Hoseok. There's no reason to lie, besides I'm your friend you can tell me anything." Taehyung said with a pout. Hoseok sighed now placing his basket down as he scratched his cheek.

"Yeah you are. I know just I can't tell you here." Hoseok said. Taehyung raised his eyebrow but nodded and picked up his basket to continued to pick strawberries.

"Okay that's fine let's just finish picking strawberries." Taehyung hummed with a grin. Hoseok smiled back and picked up his basket to continue picking strawberries but his heart racing. Just how was he suppose to tell Taehyung?

⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️

"Okay now tell me!" Taehyung whined as he shook Hoseok's shoulder. Hoseok grunted as he tried to reach for the cool river again. Currently they both were near the river bank to cool off the hot sweat covering their foreheads. Hoseok waved him off and splashed water in his face with a content sigh.

"Please wait Tae, I'm still hot." Hoseok whined, cupping his hands to scoop up water. Taehyung pouted and crisscrossing his legs to sit next to Hoseok.

"Okay but I can't wait any longer! We need to hurry before Y/n calls us for the announcement for the tournament." Taehyung urged, his fingers brushing against the cool river. Hoseok sit back with his elbow resting on his left knee while his right leg stretched out. He rolled his head back as he rolled his shoulders until a soft pop was heard. Hoseok hissed slightly before rolling his head back forward.

"Geez I'm so sore. Who knew strawberry picking was so laborious." Hoseok sighed. Taehyung shrugged, placing his hands on his feet as he hummed.

"I don't know guess I'm used to it. We do a lot of this as summer draws near. Sooner or later prince, your gonna get the hell we have here. Especially during the summer where it's hot. Everyone has to contribute to something if their staying here. Though your more of a special case. There's no such things as oh that's a mans job or oh that's a girl job. No Y/n doesn't care who does it as long as it's done. So she makes boys do the fruit picking or even the sewing like me and Yoongi." Taehyung explained with a click of his tongue.

"Even girls get training once their 9, just basic self defense. It's their choice to continue their training. So far it's only been Y/n who continue her training but she's fine with that. Boys however are required but after a certain age if I'm right I believe 18, they can chose to either continue or not. That's why I'm saying, why would you want to join the tournament? These boys and teenagers have trained basically their whole lives. And are very eager to have the Danger tournament, planning to win. That's why I'm asking, what's there to gain from this? Your literally a prince Hoseok." Taehyung said, his eyebrows furrowed. Hoseok presses his lips into a thin line before rubbing behind his neck.

"I know. It's just to prove something that's all. I just need this to prove something, it's really important to me." Hoseok said. Taehyung tilted his head and blinked.

"But what? Your already amazing and a prince. What's there to prove?" Taehyung asked. Hoseok sighed knowing no matter how much he hints at Taehyung that he would have to bluntly tell him for him to understand.

"Fine I'll tell you, you just can't freak out." Hoseok said sternly. Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows further as he gave a weak nod. Hoseok took a deep breath and leaned slightly closer towards Taehyung's ear.

"I like Y/n." Hoseok whispered. Taehyung's eyes widen and a heavy gasp escaped his lips. He jerked back with wide golden eyes. His lips parted as he gave a stunned look at the prince.

"You l-like Y/n?!" Taehyung shouted. Hoseok quickly covered his mouth as he hush the younger male.

"Yes! Now be quiet! I don't need the whole world knowing!" Hoseok hushed, placing his index finger on his lips. Taehyung gently shoved the prince away with an awestruck look.

"Wait! So you want to enter the tournament to impress her?" Taehyung asked with his voice lowered. Hoseok gave a shy nod, playing with his fingers.

"Yeah or at least get her attention. I know it's dumb and most likely have no way of winning the thing, but I just want her attention. At least anything before they sent me back to the palace." Hoseok explained, but his thoughts were rambled from being torn on both sides. One side saying he should give up while the other is yelling at him to go for it.

"Okay but you are aware Y/n hates your guts right? Though don't take it personal, at first she hated Jin for being a noble. It's just in your case, your a royal, and to make matters worse; your the kings son." Taehyung emphasizes on son. Hoseok sighed and rubbed his face with his hands, his own heart sinking.

"Yeah I know. Which is why it's dumb and stupid. But I really like her. Though she never shows it, she's so kind and gentle towards people. And I get it, she's only harsh because of what happen to her." Hoseok said, his gaze locking with the rushing river. Taehyung sighed and leaned back to lay on the soft grass.

"She's harsh because the king made her that way. Y/n saw her father get slayed in front of her eyes. She was only nine when it happened. When Y/n tried to speak up, the king only mocked her before brutally beating her. Even her mother tried to step in, but guards held her back. Your father was the reason why Y/n rarely smiles anymore. That day she learned women were only meant for having children and staying at home. That day, she decided to change that. She hates men yes but not fully. She knows not all men are like that. That's why she keeps her head high with a sword in her grasp." Taehyung explained, placing his hand on his forehead with a long sigh.

"I could see why you like Y/n she's really amazing and takes the definition of a women to another level, but closes herself and only opens to Namjoon. Look I'm not against it, just know it's going to be extremely difficult for her to even give a thought to you. She's not all about muscle or your ego, she's more about how do you treat people? Are you a good person? What's your real persona and not the one you hide behind? Also it's harder because she's not necessarily looking for a significant another." Taehyung explained, now sitting up. Hoseok listened before looking at the grass.

"I'm not gonna lie Tae, but I was hoping to have your back in this but appears I'm alone on this one." Hoseok laughed with a wary smile. Taehyung only gave a sad smile.

"I can't really give your back. Though I want to, but let's just say someone who's known me longer already was two steps ahead of you and asked for my help. And right now I'm literally torn. Your both good for her just he's more of an advantage than you are." Taehyung gave a weak smile, his fingers playing with the small strands of grass. Hoseok's heart race before he looked forward with a sad smile.

"Nice to know I'm not the only crazy person to like her. I'm guessing this person has more abilities than me and clearly knows her like the back of his hand. And the reason he has an advantage over me is because he's no royal. But been there at her lowest point. Though it's relive to know Y/n isn't dating anyone." Hoseok laughed, his own heart sinking at his own words already knowing who this mysterious man is. Taehyung's smile flattered seeing the princes grin expression.

"It's Namjoon, is it?" Hoseok asked his voice barely audible. Taehyung swallowed hard and looked down with a nod. Hoseok sighed feeling hope shattered but he gave a huge grin.

"That's okay. I understand, family first right? Thought I've always consider you my brother, blood is thicker. I'll join the tournament without your support which is totally okay! I'll try as much as I can. I haven't lost yet, so I still have hope. You should know how much I believe in hope." Hoseok said as he stood. He wiped the dirt off his clothes as he gave a huge smile behind his pained chocolate orbs. Taehyung felt incredibly guilty but gave a weak nod not knowing what to say.

"Well okay then it's settled! Now let's go hear that announcement!" Hoseok tried to mask his aching heart with his famous heart shaped grin. But in reality he was crumbling inside wondering why he didn't stop like he said he would. Why didn't he give up before he got hurt?