|Engraved in Ink|
🌸 Part One

"Taehyung!"

The said male's conversation came into an abrupt stop once he noticed a group of three coming in his way.

Ah. Forgot ChanBaek came along in secret

"I'm so sorry Sehun. I really need to get back to my friends," Taehyung bowed after apologizing which left the other one chuckling. "No problem. I hope to see you around?" Sehun inquires which Taehyung responds positively to.

"Yeah. Bye!"

The blonde walks away, picking up his pace as Jungkook looked as if he was going to tear up.

"Yah Kim Taehyung!I kept looking for you for the past ten minutes! I suddenly lost you from my sight then..Why do yoㅡ...I th-thought something happened to you.  Then I called Cha-chanyeol becausㅡ"

The sight alone of Jungkook slowly muffling his cries as he tried to speak made his heart clench. The guilt of not thinking about his lover while he continued to talk to Sehun starts to surge in his whole system.

Taehyung envelopes him into one of his warm hugs, fingers running comfortably in the younger's hair, as he kept whispering sweet nothings and apologies. "Taetae's sorry baby. I won't run off like that again," He reassures as he pressed a kiss on the shorter's forehead. "I'm here now okay? Aigooo please stop crying," Taehyung says, peppering Jungkook with more sweet kisses.

"Mhm. You're still a jerk for making me worry."

"But I'm your jerk~"

"That line has been overused."

"Oh...But you still love me tho."

"And I can't help but say that's true."

----

"Babe, who was that guy you were talking to at the fairground?" Jungkook suddenly questions. They were currently cuddling in bed after a heated argument about Jungkook's studying habits because according to Taehyung, with his continuous skipping of classes, the younger doesn't give much importance to education while some can't exercise their right to have it.

("So what? I get tutoring from Namjoon hyung ever Friday," Jungkook rolls his eyes and puffs out his cheeks. "That's not an excuse Kookㅡ"

"Can we please not talk about this?"

"Jeon!")

"Sehun's a newcomer in the kingdom. I think he came from Japan and went here for family business," Taehyung mumbles drowsily as sleep continued to overcome them. "Something wrong bunny?" The blonde wonders once he noticed Jungkook grow quiet.
The said boy nuzzles deeper into the crook of the other's neck muttering a small, "Nothing. The name just sounds familiar."

"Let's get some sleep huh?"

And so they did. Sleeping in each others arms, steady breaths and soft snores emitting from their mouths. They could really get used to this life style.

----

Later that evening while Jungkook was cooking dinner, who reasoned that Taehyung should never be near the kitchen or stove or else the house will burn down and they'll probably die, the said blonde received a call from his mother.

"Hey Eomma, is there anything wrong?"

"Taehyung-ah, could you drive here tomorrow morning? Your father has something to tell you," His mother replies on the other line with such a grave tone. Its as if she hasn't slept in days. The prince suddenly feels a chill run down his spine. He feels like his mother isn't telling him a crucial thing regarding his father.

"Eomma, did something happen to Appa?" he whispers quietly into the phone. He always knew that his father wasn't the strongest when it comes to health concerns. He remembers seeing his father being bedridden for a week just because he caught a fever, well at least that's what his mother told him when he was fourteen.

It didn't seem like a normal fever to him though. At the age of sixteen, he found some old documents saying something about his father having some low blood levels and other shit.

Then, sudden whimpers and sobs were heard from the other line. "Eomma?!" he raises his voice in concern, making Jungkook look at him in question. After fixing the the table settings, the younger finds his way besides Taehyung who was sitting on the couch.

"Taehyung-ah, I feel like your Appa would leave us sooner than I expected." 

His hands were shaking as he clutched on his phone tighter. "Eomma, get some rest. I'll be there with Kook tomorrow. We'll talk about Appa later," He says rather coldly and quickly ends the call. Taehyung felt like pulling his hair out in frustration. The brown eyed male always knew that one day his parents would leave him- leave him and the kingdom, but he wasn't mentally prepared no matter how much he tried to be.

"Taetae, whatever that is, it'll be alright," Jungkook reassures. His arms wrapping around his waist as the younger nuzzles his face into the crook of the other's neck. "Thank you Kookie. Let's eat?" He initiates once he started to feel a tad bit better.

----

The next morning, both had skipped breakfast just to avoid traffic and get there as soon as possible. They were greeted by Baekhyun who was currently waiting for them in front of the manor as he was already dismissed from his patrol around Taehyung and Jungkook's neighborhood.

"Hyung, I'll go speak with my mother. Could you keep Jungkook company?" The blonde request, earning a short nod from the older male. 

Taking the stairs, he soon found his mother in his father's room, sitting beside the bed as her head was resting on the soft mattress. His father, meanwhile, was wide awake. Running his fingers through her hair as he smiled once Taehyung came into his line of sight.

"Son, how have you been?"

"I'm supposed to ask that Appa," Taehyung jokes a little, his father chuckling quietly after. The changes in his father was noticeable. Pale skin, dark rimmed eyes, half hearted chuckles...

Taehyung thought that he looked lifeless and tired.

"Taehyung-ah, I won't last for long. The cancer took a relapse on me."

Cancer?

"When I'm gone, the throne should be secured. I'm not getting any younger as well. It is time for us to conduct your coronation," his father says slowly, waiting for his son's initial reaction. Instead of protesting or hesitating, Taehyung only gulped and nodded firmly. He has been raised to do this, he can't back out now.

"Y-yes Appa. What date do you have in mind?"

"Your birthday would be the ideal date for the coronation. Would that be okay?"

Taehyung's turning twenty in exactly four days, it seemed too soon. He wanted to extend the date but he figured that it wouldn't help his father's condition if he went against the coronation.

A short nod from him was enough then he was dismissed to go back to Jungkook.

Taehyung found Baekhyun and Jungkook playing an intense match of UNO in the living room. "Godammit!" Baekhyun whines when Jungkook has placed all his cards. The smug look on the younger's face grew as Baekhyun handed him twenty silver coins.

"Didn't know you guys would be the type to bet on UNO," Taehyung snickers as both males' cheeks turned red being caught in the act. Taehyung turns to Baekhyun and sends him a smile. "Hyung, thanks for looking out for my baby boy~"

"Hㅡhey! I'm not a-"

"C'mon Jungkook, let's get going~"

Baekhyun sighs at the two. Kinky yet cute couple indeed.

----

This time, Jungkook was driving them home because Taehyung felt physically and mentally tired. He hasn't told Jungkook about the coronation. He'll do it once they get home.

They were passing by the busy street of the Kingdom as Taehyung's eyes landed on an intriguing shop.

"Baby?"

"Yes Tae?"

"I wanna get a tatoo."

Jungkook almost bumped into a street poll.

-🍓-

Heyoooo!! So yeah, another update coming in~

I'm splitting this into two parts because I think it's better that way.

Also, chapter lengths will be short because my schedule is really tight right now but I want to update without making you guys wait for long. Besides, it'll be easier that way.

Shorter; more chapters.

[I don't even know if the title makes any relation here]

Bye bye!!