Hoseok couldn't even sleep that night, nothing but endless tossing and turning. His face still felt as hot as earlier. He groaned into his pillow once again. The stars were twinkling in a dark blanket while the moon was high. Everyone was asleep but the prince who was only hurting himself by replaying that same event from earlier. His tent buddy was changed to Jungkook who was snoring away on dreamland. Honestly, the prince wasn't sure why it changed but he could only assume Taehyung was the cause of it.

Hoseok glanced at him, silently resenting the male for being able to sleep like a baby. He flopped his head back on the pillow as he stared up at the ceiling.

'Because he wasn't stupid and said he loved someone.'

Hoseok rolled to his side and groaned again. He remembered how stun she looked and how quickly she left. She slipped from his finger tips, leaving them tingling with her touch. Her warmth gone and disappeared into the night. He was going to explain but what more was there to even explain? She knew he had feelings for her and now knows how in love he is with her. This was only confirming what she already knew.

Hoseok sat up, ruffling his hair. The wind blew gently through a crack giving him fresh air.

'But she returned the kiss, surely that meant something? Dove wouldn't just kiss someone just because heat of the moment, right?'

Hoseok sighed, placing his hands in his lap. He wasn't so sure anymore. He thought it was clear with her feelings but he wasn't so sure. She was confusing at times and pull a full 180 on him. If she showed a bit is emotion, she completely goes blank. If she's unsure about something, she goes blank. That's where it hit him.

'She changed completely when she's unsure about her feelings.'

Hoseok eyed at Jungkook who was still snoring away, in his werid sleeping position with his limbs being all over the place. Confirming he was asleep, Hoseok grabbed a shirt and slipped it on. He then slipped out of the tent. He quietly and quickly headed towards the river bank. The moon being the only thing to light up his way. The cool night air hit his face, cooling his blushing cheeks. It tangled his already messy hair. He walked towards the river bank, sitting near the edge as he watched the water stream down.

"She seems like that type, no? I mean she already tries so hard to hide that self from people. But why? God I wish she told me, but she has this walls that no matter what I do, can't knock down." Hoseok sighed, now laying flat on the grass. He watched the stars twinkle, almost like they were laughing at his frustration.

"God who knows, and to make matters worse I have some audacity to say I love her when knowing full well she doesn't return those feelings." Hoseok place his hand on his forehead with a weak smile.

"But that kiss, doesn't it mean she likes me that way? Maybe not in love with me like I am to her, but favors me?" His eyes glinted a hopeful glim but it quickly dimmed down the more his common sense started kicking in.

"Who are you kidding, prince? Are you an idiot?! She hates your guts and maybe not as much as before, but she wants your father dead and your entire bloodline to die! Well jokes on her, the king isn't even my father!" Hoseok sat up, angrily throwing a near by rock at the water. It splashed and ripped in the soothing waves. He sighed heavily, his heart heavy. He place his palm on his face, rubbing it tiredly.

"Who are you fooling?" He whispered to himself.

"H-Hoseok?"

He quickly turned his head, wide eyed and stiff. Y/n had a blanket over her shoulders, and yet to him, she looked beautiful under the moonlight. His heart thumper like a rabbit, both out of admiration and fear. He gave a weak smile, quickly standing up.

"A-Ah! Couldn't sleep either dove?" He laughed out nervously. He wondered if she heard his loud confession. Y/n felt her cheeks grow hot before clearing her throat.

"N-no. I'm guessing for the same reason?"

Hoseok laughed out dryly, running his fingers through his hair.

"I don't think for the same reason but yes, I'm having a restless night." Hoseok didn't need his heart jumping up with hope so he shut it down as quickly as he could before his heart would hurt again.

"We have practice tomorrow, you should get some sleep." Y/n had walked towards him. Her hair was a bit messy and her eyes were wide awake despite how sluggish her body moved. Hoseok shook his head.

"Your telling me to sleep when your also up at some ungodly hour."

"I'm used to it. I haven't had proper rest in a while. Either my dreams haunt me or my worry does. I am a leader of this clan, I have to be up when anything happens. I have to be aware so no one's in danger. But you are not, so you need to go off to bed." Y/n readjusted her blanket and held it closer to her shoulders. The breeze picked up and brushed through her face.

Hoseok was tempted to kiss her face but refrained. He already had a taste and it seem to be the only thing occupying his mind at the moment. As if the rant he had earlier meant anything at the moment. Why kind of temptress was she for making him feel that way?

"Right. I suppose so but it won't matter you sending me off to bed, I'll be awake for the rest of the night. Besides the breeze feels nice." Hoseok smiled weakly at her, trying to refrain the question that was stuck in his throat. It was there, tip of tongue and ready to be spilled out. Just a question that he needed to know the answer to. Y/n stared at him, tilting her head a bit to the side.

"Just ask me about it. Your refraining from saying anything about it." Y/n said bluntly. Hoseok chuckled dryly, his voice strained.

"Why should I mention it? I'm too scared to. Why you may ask? Because I'm scared to know the answer. I really don't want to get hurt Y/n." Her name rolled of his tongue, but it didn't sound right to her.

Where was that cute nickname she grown quite attached to?

"I'm not trying to hurt you Hoseok. I—" The words stuck on her throat the longer she stared at him. Y/n thinned her lips, before parting them. She needed to hear that nickname, that was his nickname he gave her. So why isn't he using it?

"Don't call me that."

Hoseok raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Call you what?"

"My real name."

"And why not?"

"Because it doesn't sound right when you say it."

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean? Why? Because I'm not Namjoon?" Hoseok scoffed. Y/n creased her eyebrows.

"No. That has nothing to do with it. Just don't call me by my real name."

"Why not? You threw a fit when I first called you it, now your saying to call you dove?"

Y/n stared into his eyes that was filled with an overwhelming size of emotions. She couldn't understand most of them but one of them looked like desperation.

"Yes."

"Your so confusing, Y/n." Hoseok place his palm on his forehead while he sighed.

"It's dove." She corrected, her lips moving faster than her brain. Her face felt hot when his brown orbs flickered back to her eyes as his jaw clenched and unclenched. They were glaring holes into her eyes but the more she blinked, the more his glare wavered.

"I can't call you that." Hoseok said quietly. Her lips moved faster than usual, not even letting her think about it.

"And why not?"

What was going on with her?

"Because it's a name of affection. I've grown to love you, do you not see the wrong in this?"

"I see no wrong in calling me dove."

Why won't her lips stop moving?

"It doesn't matter, your a Robin."

'Stop. It. Don't say it'

"No, dove."

"Why are you being so stubborn and weird today?" Hoseok asked, genuinely confused on her words that left her lips.

'Don't you dare—'

"Because I like you."

Those words left like lemon drops from her lips before her eyes widen. She covered her mouth quickly while Hoseok stared at her.

"Like me? You like me?" Hoseok blinked, pointing to himself just to make sure he wasn't mishearing things. Y/n slowly brought down her hand as she slowly nodded.  She saw no reason to hide it when her lips didn't give her a chance to think about the words that left her. Her actions already proved what needed to be said, yet this man wanted to hear it.

"I might not love you the way you do for me, and I will admit leaving after you said those words probably hurt you and it wasn't the best thing, but I do like you more than a friend, more than anyone in this camp. But I'm not completely sure, I'm still confused, which is why I left the moment you said it." Y/n explained, clutching onto her blanket. Her eyes had looked back at the grass that tickled her feet.

"Look, I really didn't mean to hurt you. And even if it takes a bit for you to forgive me, please call me dove. You can't just call me a nickname and then not use it anymore when I already gotten far too attached." She whispered. She felt his hand slip under her chin. She looked at him to meet his brown eyes.

"You know what's dumb, dove? I'm not mad, albeit I am frustrated. But god, my f*cking god, you bat those pretty eyelashes and I'll forget every bad thing you did." He leaned towards her face, to the point their noses were brushing. This usual bashful man was no where to be found but instead this man who was madly in love with her. Y/n bit her lip, trying to keep her stare at his dark eyes. But they flickered at his lips rather she wanted to or not.

"That's dangerous thinking." She breathed out, her heart rapidly beating. Her mind was blanking and only focusing on his lips that barely moved.

"Exactly. I can't even think now. God, why are you so beautiful dove?" His arm slithered around her waist, pulling her close. She casually shrugged, her eyes hooded.

"I don't know, but can you just kiss me?"

"Only, if you promise to be with me this time." He muttered, his lips brushing on the corner of her lips.

"Promise to be mine."

"Okay."

That simple word.

A one four letter word was all it took for the prince to pull the thief into a kiss that locked their promise.

A promise that the prince would hold dear in his heart.

A promise if broken, would hurt and drive him to the darkness.

A promise that could not easily be broken nor mended again.

⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️

He couldn't focus at all.

His eyes always traveled to the girl dancers, watching her move and sway to the beat. His eyes never left and always replaced with a love struck smile. The tent flaps were open, giving him the view that wasn't too far.

Hoseok was far worse when she wasn't his. The next two days, his eyes never left her figure. And though he was a bit hurt he couldn't do it publicly, he would happily steal her away at any chance to just to pepper her with kisses. She had warned him not to make it obvious since she wasn't necessarily ready to tell everyone about her relationship with the prince. Which Hoseok didn't mind, as long as he could hold her at the end of the day.

He sighed dreamily, his smile still glued on his features. He wasn't even aware of the raging stylist that was sewing up some touches on his sleeve.

"No, these sleeves are not it! Maybe beige? Or some cream colors? No swans are white! But too much white in this costume is bad!" Seonghwa groaned. A male with dark black hair and beautiful blue eyes, looked at his Hyung with confusion.

"Then black? His corset could be black instead of golden. The gold is a bit much, with the feathers and all." The male said, pointing to the corset Hoseok currently had on.

"I was thinking the same Yeosang but her outfit is already pitch black with a touch of blue. Well actually her fabric appears black, but in the light it gives a natural blue glow." Seonghwa crossed his arms over his chest to stare at the love struck prince. Yeosang, leaned back on his chair and searched through a sketch book.

"Okay so you gave Y/n a light blue shirt that appears white but the because of lighting and such, it's actually blue. Why not with him? Gold is good but there's too many whites. We should add some darker color of sort. Or anything really at this point."

Hearing his lovers name, Hoseok perked his head like a dog.

"Huh?"

"This prince isn't even paying attention. He's staring at Y/n. But yes I agree Yeosang, too many whites and golds clash with his skin tone. And his hair." Seonghwa eyed the prince before searching through his fabrics. Hoseok blushed but couldn't help the smile that was forming. Just thinking or even hearing her name caused him to sigh.

"But swans are white."

"True, but the near the beak there's a black boarder. Using that sense make the corset and gloves black. Even the shoes so there isn't too much white." Yeosang suggested. Seonghwa hummed, eyeing the prince again. Hoseok sat still, realizing he really should pay attention.

"Alright. That sounds good and the pants would have a gradient texture. So they would be black but fade into a white. Also remind me to get him another corset." Seonghwa said. Yeosang laid his chin on his palm, raising his eyebrow at his Hyung.

"Why?"

"His waist is a lot smaller than I thought. Of course the most tiniest waist is Jungkook and Jimin but I think the prince has a nice waist as well. So don't forget to measure him." Seonghwa grabbed his notebook and wrote down in his notes.

"That's a good thing, right? Or is that an insult?" Hoseok asked.

"No, it's a complement." Seonghwa smiled.

"Okay. Am I done now? Also since your making so many changes to my wardrobe, is this thing gonna be mobile?" Hoseok asked, slipping out of the chair.

"Yes it will. You'll be able to dance in it. The pants and sleeves are mostly my main concern since it's the most part everyone uses to dance. But the material will allow you to move freely." Seonghwa pointed to his sleeves and white pants.

"I'm keeping the shirt since I just finished measuring your length of arms and such. The sleeves are just gonna be puffer or something. I'll think of something. Yeosang, measuring tape please." Seonghwa walked towards Hoseok who looked at the designer strangely. Yeosang threw a white measuring tape to Seonghwa who caught it.

"Take off the corset. It's tacky anyways." Seonghwa ordered. Feeling no room to argue, Hoseok zipped down the corset and slipped it off. Within seconds, Seonghwa wrapped the measuring tape around Hoseok's waist. Hoseok let out a little scream when Seonghwa tighten it.

"Okay. Is this too tight?"

"Yes! I need air!"

Seonghwa loosen the measuring tape just slightly.

"Now?"

"A bit better. Geez, are you trying to kill me?"

"Maybe. Anyways your a lot smaller than I thought. No worries, there's nothing I can't do." Seonghwa unwrapped the measuring tape before walking away to write in his notebook. Hoseok released a deep breath, glaring at the designer.

"So now that's done, can I go?"

"Not yet, Pearl needs to come in to make sure everything's okay." Seonghwa shrugged.

"Needs to check what?" Hoseok asked, slightly jealous at the nickname Seonghwa called her. Yeosang glanced at Hoseok and let out a little chuckle. He could see the jealously swirling in his orbs.

"Calm down prince, Seonghwa doesn't like Pearl like that. It's just a thing he calls her. His reasoning is how rare she is, like a Pearl. Seonghwa has been here long enough to call her that." Yeosang explained, leaning back on the chair. Hoseok felt a blush creep on his cheeks, and cleared his throat.

"I'm not jealous." He muttered.

"Didn't say you were."

His blush deepen while Yeosang laughed at his face. Seonghwa shook his head, chuckling at Yeosang's remark.

"Don't tease the prince, you know just a mention of her name, he starts wagging his tail like some dog." Seonghwa crossed his arms over his chest while chuckling.

"I am not a dog." Hoseok mumbled.

"Seonghwa!"

"Ah! Pearl!"

That was enough for Hoseok to perk his head, his eyes lighting up. His stare landed on Y/n who walked towards them. Hoseok tried to bite back his smile and hide his blushing cheeks but failed miserably. He looked like a little dog wagging its tail at the sight of its master and that alone made Yeosang release an amused chuckle.

"How's the costumes going?"

"Good! Just your partner here is harder to do than I thought. But no worries, I think I'll come up with something." Seonghwa explained. Y/n nodded along to his words. Her face suddenly felt hot when she felt Hoseok stare at her. Thank goodness everyone knew his growing crush on her or this would be awkward.

"And my costume? How is it?" Y/n cleared her throat.

"Going good! I think you'll like it this year. I must say, it's my best work yet. Well, besides when you get married and I will obviously would make your wedding dress the best dress you ever wear." Seonghwa was smiling wide while Y/n felt her cheeks grow hotter.

"H-hey I'm not even seeing anyone Hwa. Slow down a bit." Y/n laughed nervously. Her throat suddenly felt dry and clogged. She cleared her throat again while Seonghwa casually shrugged.

"I'm aware, just thinking ahead."

"Right, can I see it?"

"Your outfit? Hmm I don't know. I think it should be a surprise."

"Oh come on, really?"

"Yes. Besides since I'm changing the prince's costume, I might likely have to change yours as well." Seonghwa explained. Y/n gave a half smile trying to ignore the love struck puppy next to her.

"Then just make his match mine if the color scheme is becoming too difficult."

"Yeah! I don't mind matching dove!" Hoseok burst out happily. His smile was so wide that his cheeks were starting to hurt. Seonghwa jumped a bit at his sudden burst of energy.

"Yeah okay, if that's what you want Pearl."

Y/n scratched her chin in thought.

"Before I give you an answer, let me see what you have so far."

"Alright fair enough. Just let me find that sketchbook, also Yeosang can you go get Jungkook? It's his turn and I know he's been avoiding me." Seonghwa snort, leaving the tent. Yeosang whined a bit and stood up.

"I hate getting him, he always runs and I'm not that fast." Yeosang whined.

"Just spar with him. Your pretty ripped for a designer so I think you can take him head on and win. He's competitive as hell. Try that." Y/n said with a shrug.

"Huh, okay. Thanks Pearl." Yeosang gave a teasing smile towards the prince before walking off. Hoseok frowned a bit, sitting back on the wooden chair he left earlier.

"Curse that pirate." Hoseok mumbled. Y/n turned towards him and laughed a bit. She pat his head while Hoseok continued to mope.

"He's not a pirate."

"He looks like one! Wait, was Seonghwa a pirate? He dresses like one." Hoseok looked up at her while her fingers combed his hair.

"No, he was raised by them. But stuff happen and my father found him when he was a boy."

"That long?" Hoseok widen his eyes, with his mouth open. Y/n laughed, her fingers leaving his hair.

"Yes. That long. Also you are not discrete about checking me out, are you?" Y/n raised an eyebrow while Hoseok felt his face grow hot.

"I-I'm trying not too! But you ignored me and all I wanted to do was kiss your cheeks." Hoseok stuttered out. His heart was thumping so hard in his chest, he couldn't even hear his own words that left him. Y/n didn't know rather to laugh at how red he got or be flustered about his comment. She cleared her throat, her cheeks feeling hot all of a suddenly.

"Stop saying stuff like that. Your ridiculous I swear." Y/n huffed. Hoseok glanced at the open tent flaps, seeing no one, he got up and surprised her with a hug from behind. Y/n let out a small scream, stiffening under his hold. He squeezed her, placing a messy kiss in her cheek. Her face felt hotter while she stood there frozen.

"I know. Ridiculously in love with you, my dove." Hoseok whispered with a grin. Y/n turned her head to face him, now squirming under his hold. She tried to move his iron grip from her waist but her flustered state left her with no strength. However, Hoseok knew if she truly didn't like it, she would've thrown him halfway through the world by now.

"N-no public affection!"

"It's not public if no one's here." Hoseok teased, squeezing her even tighter. He peppered her cheeks with kisses while she squirmed. He turned her around now, while she place her hands on his chest to get him away.

"S-stop it! Seriously! You fool! Stop with the-"

He swoop down to kiss her lips, cutting off her sentence completely. She immediately pulled away, her eyes wide as she looked at him.

"N-no! Don't do that!"

"Why not? I do it all the time when I see you. Besides, what's wrong with one kiss?"

"That's was more than one! Now let go!" Y/n smacked his arm while Hoseok chuckled.

"Okay, okay." Hoseok let her go while Y/n moved away from him. She fanned her face with her hands. She was never going to ever get used to his kisses or anything of that sort. Hoseok sat back down on the wooden chair.

"Y-you are just flirty!"

"Am not dove and you know it." Hoseok huffed with another chuckle leaving his lips. Y/n rolled her eyes and narrowed them at him.

"Yes you are."

"Dove, I am not. You know because the moment you wink at me, I'll faint." Hoseok smiled.

"Your smile is telling me otherwise."

"Whatever you say, dove." Hoseok shrugged, his smile never leaving his lips.

"Seriously, your gonna get us caught."

"Can't help it. Now that your mine, I can't help but show you all the love this prince as to offer!" He dramatically sigh. Y/n lightly smacked his arm, shaking her head.

"Your seriously ridiculous. You can go and help. We have many things to do before the anniversary that's in four days." Y/n fixed his shirt a bit while Hoseok stared at her.

"Which means we need to get that dance routine going or we're gonna be a mess. I hope Hwa isn't gonna get too stress, him or Yoongi. God I feel bad for Yoongi." Y/n place a head on her forehead with a heavy sigh.

"Ah, right, how's Namjoon doing." Hoseok asked a bit wary. Y/n sighed even heavier, crossing her arms over her chest.

"He's doing good, health wise. But lately, I don't know he's been so off. I don't even know what's got into him lately. He goes on and on about me being too close to you and I never understand what he's trying to say. I feel like—" Y/n looked at the scattered paper on the desk with a heavy look.

'It's because he found out I love you.'

"Like what, dove?"

"Like I don't even know who he is anymore. Him and Taehyung haven't been themselves lately. I don't know, maybe it's just me." Y/n sighed.

'It's because he's loves you.'

Is what Hoseok wanted to say but kept his mouth shut. It wasn't his business to be sputtering that around, besides that would only confuse Y/n even more if anyone mentions to her that Namjoon was in love with her. She was already confused about liking him, it was only going to cause turmoil if anyone mentions anything about it.

"I'm not sure if he acts any different really since he's been a bit harsh after a couple of weeks of me staying here, but if you think somethings wrong, you should ask him."

'I don't want you to ask him.'

"Clear the air with him, make sure you ease those tensions."

'He's going to confess, please don't ask him.'

"Your his best friend just as he is to you. So ask him dove, if you truly feel the need to."

'He was going to marry you.'

Y/n smiled weakly at him, slowly wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Your really sweet Hoseok. Thanks, maybe I will."

'Don't.'

'Please.

'Your mine.'

"No problem dove. I'm glad I could help."

'Please just stay by me.'

Hoseok leaned down to kiss her forehead, his thoughts screaming for his lips to say what he wanted to say. But he silenced them, knowing how much she cared for that man. He tried to not let his jealously run free and just stuff it in a bottle. Y/n flashed him a smile, one that melted his heart while it felt heavy.

"Actually, there's something I've been meaning to ask." Y/n took a step back, pushing herself up to sit on the wooden table that was far. Hoseok looked at her with confusion.

"Sure dove, ask away."

"That night we confessed—" Y/n started, her fingers gazing against the white fabric that laid there.

"—Is it true?"

"Is what true?"

Y/n flickered her dark eyes with his, speaking in a low voice.

"Is the king, really not your father?"