14: It's in your head
Super sorry, I didn't realise the chapter didn't actually go through. If you still can't see it, let me know and I'll try my best to fix it.
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The state of Gwacheon was currently unknown, something that had Namjoon on every level of concern. He'd sent a raven, letters and had even asked someone to send a telepathic message - nothing. All methods of communication were lost on the kingdom. Rightfully, it had the general stressed to no end, worrying about what might have gone wrong while they were away. Add that to the fact that both Prince Jungkook and Hoseok out of commission everything seemed to be falling apart.
Jin was by Namjoon's side as the pink-haired male paced up and down the empty halls of the palace. He had yet to tell him what was so wrong and Jin just assumed he was worried about the others. "Namjoon-ah, don't worry. The prince won't stay down for long and neither will Hoseok."
"What makes you think I'm worried about Hoseok?" Namjoon spat. Jin was slightly taken aback by this.
"I thought you two were friends?" He inquired. The general scoffed and finally stopped pacing, opting instead to lean against the wall with Jin standing in front of him.
"In the past that may have been true, however Hoseok had betrayed my trust long ago and that is something one cannot earn back so easily." With pursed lips, Jin furrowed his brow at the younger man. Just as he was about to ask for more detail, Namjoon sent him a look that seemed to summarise everything in one word:
Agust D.
That was enough for Jin to hold his hands up and change the subject. One can only mention Agust D's name so many before the need to punch something arises. "If it's not that, then why are you so stressed?"
Of course, Namjoon didn't want to worry his prince but he'd already done that by seeming so pressed. So he decided to just be blunt about things. "All communications have been lost to Gwacheon."
Not the best move. "Pardon?" Jin muttered incredulously.
"Since we've arrived I've been attempting to contact anyone in the kingdom, yet all possible ways of communication have been ineffective." The general's suddenly flat tone didn't sit well with Jin and he tugged at the younger man's shirt collar until they were at direct eye level.
"And you didn't think to inform me sooner?" He growled. Namjoon couldn't help but shutter at the sudden switch in attitude while he did his best to bow in apology.
"I did not wish to worry you, my prince." Realising his aggressive tone, Jin released the general and did his best to softened his expression.
"It's alright. I just wish I'd known sooner." Even if he did, it wasn't like he was just going to leave everyone here. After last time he didn't want any of them out of his sight again. While he thought about the best course of action, Jin felt a headache come on. He groaned and Namjoon immediately asked if he was okay. "I'm fine, just a bit of a headache."
"You should rest then, I'll escort you to your chambers and you can-" Jin held his hand up to the younger man's face as he shook his head.
"No need. Don't you remember what Huening Kai said? It's just the high magic intake." Namjoon looked at Jin sceptically as he pulled out a small pouch. He examined his companion while he took out two, almost sugarcube looking, pills. Yet before he could take them Namjoon snatched them away with wide eyes, eliciting a whine of annoyance from the older.
"Who gave these to you?" The general asked coldly.
"Jackson," Jin responded, still confused as to what the issue was. "They're pain killers, he told me they'd help calm my powers down a bit until I got used to them." Namjoon clenched his teeth, angrily clutching the pouch in his hand before finally turning back to the prince.
"These are not painkillers," he said through gritted teeth. "In fact, the reason they work so well is because they're draining your powers from you. It stunts your magic, diminishing it over time until it becomes dormant." Namjoon was seething with betrayal. How could Jackson do this? More importantly, why?
By now the confusion on Jin's had been replaced with a great irritation he was trying his best to contain. Jin could tell that Namjoon was ready to burst so he kept calm for his sake. "Namjoon-ah," he said calmly. "It's okay, I'll stop taking them and maintain the strength I still have. I'll be fine." He noticed the knight's eyes soften and then pecked his cheek, flashing Namjoon a sweet smile. Namjoon was momentarily taken aback but smiled back.
"Seokjin-"
"For the last time, just Jin is fine. I'm not your prince, just your hyung." Namjoon bowed to him, apologising under his breath. By now Jin just let the knight stick to his formal ways, clearly it's a habit that's been drilled into him.
There was a new issue facing them now and Jin was unsure how to go about it. The question was not necessarily what to do more so it was whether or not this was his conflict to deal with in the first place. They were so close to getting back home and he did not want to be the factor that held them back. Yet he felt a degree of responsibility for Gwacheon and was unsure of the reliability of Prince Seokjin. The last thing Jin wanted was to leave Namjoon alone with such a mess to clean up.
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Jimin sat wordlessly at the prince's side, watching anxiously when Jungkook's eyes began to flutter open. The younger man mustered a groan of fleeting pain when he finally sat up. He glanced around for a moment before his eyes landed on Jimin, falling into his arms immediately. Jimin held him right back and cupped Jungkook's face with a smile. "You are here, you two are really back in my arms..." Wept Jungkook in disbelief. The blunette couldn't help but look fondly at him, though his mind was soon clouded with dread when thinking back to the man behind them. Jungkook must've noticed his sudden distraction and turned his attention towards Taehyung.
His face bearing it's now usual blank expression, Taehyung stood away from the other two with his arms crossed behind his back and his head down. "Taehyung?" Jungkook called softly. Jimin felt his heart clench at the dejected expression on the prince's face when Taehyung didn't respond. "Why is he still like this? What is wrong?"
"Jungkook..."
"What did they do to him? Hyung, tell me!"
"I don't know!" Jimin shouted. He didn't stop the tears from streaming down his cheeks. There was no point in holding them back. To his surprise, Jungkook didn't say anything else and only wrapped his arms around the smaller man. Not long after, he felt the prince go stiff as another pair of arms embraced him as well. "You didn't have to command him to do that..." Jimin sniffed.
Jungkook looked down with his eyes wide. "I...I had not told him to do anything..." The blunette resisted the urge to gasp, slowly rising and turning to face Taehyung. His eyes looked softer than before. They still seemed cold yet there was a semblance of life in them now. This time however, Jimin was determined to not get ahead of himself and simply smiled back. "Thank you," he said, taking Taehyung's hand while trying his best to avoid direct eye contact with him. However, the younger didn't seem to like that very much. He tilted Jimin's head up, with the other two anxiously holding their breaths awaiting his next move. Yet Taehyung's face soon bore no sense of recognition and he soon let go of the blunette.
Jungkook clutched the blank beneath his hand irritably as a glare soon formed on his face. "I'm going to kill them," he seethed. "I'm going to find Kai and rip his read right off his body, then shove it down Taemin's throat!"
Taehyung's brow twitched into a frown but neither of them noticed. "I know you want to hurt them bunny, but you'll just end up getting hurt yourself instead, then what will we do?" Said Jimin.
"Then what do you propose? That we just sit here and wait for him to remember us?" There was a sad look on Jimin's face as he took the prince's hand. Jungkook's irritation faded away at the dark look in his eyes when he simply replied:
"Yes." No matter how long it took, Jimin was willing to wait for Taehyung. The others had lives to go back to, but Taehyung was Jimin's life and he wouldn't leave him behind no matter what. Even if it meant he had to stay behind with him.
Jungkook could tell that was exactly what he was thinking. Knowing what they had at stake if they couldn't get back, he wasn't going to force them to make a decision to stay. It was bittersweet now and all Jungkook wished for was their happiness. So he took Jimin's other hand and gave him an affirming nod to let him know he'd wait as long as needed with him.
"Prince Jungkook," Huening Kai said from outside the door. He entered not long as the prince allowed him in. "The others wish to speak with you, shall I allow them in?" Jungkook nodded at him. Namjoon, Yoongi and Jin soon came in looking less than pleased, though all for different reasons.
"What's wrong?" Asked Jimin upon seeing their worried faces. Jin couldn't find the words to tell him, so Namjoon opted to speak instead.
"There is an issue in Gwacheon. All communications are blocked and I am afraid we will have to return soon." Jimin stood to his feet immediately. His wide eyes turned to Jin for an explanation but his downcasted gazd didn't make contact. Huening Kai helped his prince out of bed, despite him saying he was fine.
"Hyung, you can't leave!" The blunette exclaimed.
"Jimin-ah, this may be an emergency and if it's not we'll be right back." Even with this explanation, Jimin still stood with his arms crossed and his gaze averted. Jin sighed. He wanted to explain that he didn't want to leave but he figured it'd just fall on deaf ears.
"Perhaps a wardrobe change would do well before you depart," Jungkook suggested as he glanced over the state of their attire. Everyone was still wearing their outfits from the ceremony, a sight that was not so appreciated by the prince. "Fucking finally." Muttered Yoongi once Huening Kai showed them out. Noting the rather downhearted expression on his hyung's face, Jimin turned to Jin for explanation. He, however, wasn't sure what was on their blonde friend's mind either, as he had yet to say anything. So instead of questioning him, off they went to get changed into something much more fitting. Jungkook stayed behind to collect his thoughts.
"My lord?" Said Hyuka when he peeked his head back into the room. The prince had taken to staring out the window, twisting his wand aimlessly as a way to destress himself. A habit he had fallen into ever since he had come to power. "Shall I prepare you a warm drink to ease your thoughts?" Asked the servant.
"That won't be necessary Huening Kai. You are dismissed." The brunette furrowed his brow at this dismissive response. Against much of the boy's better judgment, he inched forward, ignoring the prince's wishes - an activity he seldom took part in. Cautiously, Huening wordlessly stood by Jungkook's side. Contrary to what he expected, the prince didn't shoo him away. Rather the two were laced with a welcoming and peaceful silence. The boy would glance at his lord as a means to examine any cues that he may be invading his moment yet Jungkook focussed his eyes on the world outside of him. Not a hint of irritation in sight.
Eventually it was Jungkook who broke the silence by saying: "Is it wrong of me to wish the best for their happiness despite that being a world without me in it?" Huening Kai was rather taken aback by this almost unequivocal statement nor was he sure how to respond to it. So rather than saying something that may blindly satisfy the prince, Huening Kai replied:
"It depends on how much you truly value their happiness. If they are stuck in a world by force, they may never be satisfied, no matter who's there with them. But if they return by will they will always have you in their hearts. It may not seem fair but love means sacrifices, and that is not something one can easily avoid. It is all rather selfless I would say." The prince hadn't responded immediately and Huening Kai thought he had done something wrong. "A-Ah, my apologies, my prince! I let my mouth wander with my mind. It will never happen again." That is until a light sigh escaped Jungkook's lips and then a smile.
"I will be sure to carry those words with me Hyuka." For the first time since they started speaking, Jungkook faced the young boy. "I suppose you are right," He mused. "If I love them, I'll let them go, won't I?" He turned back to the window. The prince's thoughts finally settled while his hands reluctantly moved up the handle of his wand, stopping almost indefinitely.
"I cannot remember that last time I saw you like this my lord," Huening Kai noted with a grin. "Tell me, what is it like being in love?"
"It is as my heart is bursting with a million emotions at once. One just as wonderful or confusing as the last. Everytime I look at them I feel nothing but pride knowing I have them by my side yet if less than five feet from my grasp I feel great pain. I suppose that would be the downside. Nevertheless, I've come to cherish each of these feelings and any moment that brings them about because it means I care truly about them with my entire being."
Jungkook wouldn't trade it for any feeling in the world. He had only wished he had realised it earlier instead of being such a brat to them in the start. Huening Kai was in awe at his prince. He could only hope he could be entranced by such an emotion as well in the future.
A few moments following their silence, the other three entered the room once again looking much happier with their new fit. Namjoon was in something keen to a general of his status, Jin wore a simple but fitting black, button down vest with white puffy sleeves, Yoongi wore something similar, although he had ditched the vest and excess ruffles. Gone was Jimin's corset in favour of a flowy shirt tucked into his tight black pants, matching the flowing half cape he wore. Taehyung was instead the one in a corset, although slightly looser than Jimin's had previously been; accompanied by a very low cut white shirt and simple black pants. "Fit for royalty," Jungkook awed towards his two consorts.
"Or prostitution," Remarked Yoongi towards Taehyung's revealing fit. Both Jimin and Jungkook glared at him, not noticing that Taehyung silently moved to cover part of his bare chest. Jin, however, did and pouted ever so slightly. Both him and Jungkook froze suddenly, going into a defensive stance immediately when a new aura entered the room. Jimin jumped back as a bright orb manifested itself in front of them, hastily stretching and squirming before it was pulled apart by two hands on the inside. Panting and grunts could be heard as a head finally poked out. "Beomgyu!" Exclaimed Huening Kai. He raced to pull his struggling friend out of the dysfunctional portal and got him out just before it could close on him.
The silver-haired servant was bruised from head to toe, his face having been slashed by possibly a whip and his clothes ripped and blooded. The shifter gasped at the battered state of his friend and worriedly asked for an explanation, along with Namjoon and Jin helping him to stand. "W-Was it..."
"No...at least not yet..." The others looked at one another in confusion and simply waited for him to continue. "It...It was Jackson." Namjoon's grip on the boy tensed causing him to wince at the added pain. The general quickly noticed and apologised to him, however his anger didn't subside. "Ever since we got back from rescuing Taehyun he had been acting extremely suspicious, as if he was not expecting me to make it back. But eventually, he seemed rather pleased by it. The day I went to confront him, I was held down and told that Prince Seokjin had died and that General Namjoon was missing, placing him in charge."
"That bastard!" Shouted Jin. He and Namjoon carefully placed the wounded servant in a spare chair while Huening Kai comforted his friend.
"A man with black, feathered wings and bright pink hair had arrived not long after saying he was coming to collect me. Hyuka, they're going to sell me back! I don't want to go back!" Huening Kai gasped as Beomgyu collapsed into a fit of tears. The other shifter and Jin tried their best to ease him but he was on the verge of panic.
"This is serious," Jungkook acknowledged. "I will not be having you waste time getting back by carriage. I'll have a portal opened immediately." Jimin gave Jin a strong hug before he could go, and Yoongi did the same. Namjoon headed out with the prince but Jin lingered when he saw something out the corner of his eye. Taehyung smiled at him, or at least he thought he did. It was so quick and his face changed in the blink of an eye that he couldn't be sure. Regardless, he still smiled back.
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Yoongi paced back and forth through the empty halls of the palace. Night had fallen on the kingdom, other than the guards and occasional maids, all were asleep. He made sure to avoid them though, in fear of being called out for lurking around so late. Yet he couldn't help it. There was so much on his mind. Yoongi had started to wonder how much time had passed in their world and if anyone was looking for them. It had been several weeks at this point yet it didn't feel like a lot of time had passed at the same time. Was Hoseok looking for him? Hoseok didn't want to speak with him. No, that was the wrong Hoseok. Everything was so confusing.
The blonde huffed in irritation while he continued to stalk down the halls. The more he paced, the more he noticed the room begin to spin. The candles flickered at the speed of his thoughts and his vision became blurrier by the second.
What's going on?
Yoongi thought to himself, but that just added more fuel to the flame.
Why can't I get a grip and control myself?
His hands clutched desperately at his head, his legs failing to keep to work and finally giving up as he slid down the wall in pain.
Is it his powers? Why does it hurt so much?
Everything he asked himself made his head spin faster. He felt so close to exploding. "W-Why..."
You ask a lot of questions.
Yoongi's eyes snapped open with a yelp as a new voice entered his head. "Jesus Christ Taehyung! What the fuck are you doing?" Sure enough, his emotionless friend was standing over him with an unamused look across his pale face. Yoongi scowled at him and quickly tried to pull himself up, but failed as he stumbled back down. To his surprise, Taehyung caught him before he hit the ground and held him back up right. The older man looked at him with confusion but soon chuckled.
"I knew you were in there somewhere. It's just taking a bit to chip away all the ice around you, huh? That's okay," Yoongi released himself from Taehyung's hold and sat down, this time more relaxed. Instinctively, Taehyung sat beside him, gazing at him with a blank stare while waiting to see what he did next. "I know Jimin won't leave without you, and neither will I. It's your fault we're even in this mess you fucking dork, only fair that you help us get out of it, right?"
It was strange, Taehyung was usually the one to carry their conversations, yet he hadn't said a word. Yoongi was the one to fill the unending void of silence between them, yet he found it oddly comfortable and felt more inclined to say what was on his mind. "I've got a lot of messed up feelings in my head Tae. Mostly about Hobi and the weird hoo-doo-voo-doo in my system. He told me to stay away because I looked like Agust D, the blonde hair and scar. I've never seen him so terrified before. I know he loves the guy, but he's scared to death of him too. I guess I just want what's best for him, even if it's not Agust or...me? I don't know, I just hate that guy. I refuse to acknowledge we have any similarities. And you know what else I found out I hate? Horses. They're like tall rats and they're awful."
Yoongi didn't realise, but he quickly got distracted by his rambles and the conversation had completely derailed. Late night dreariness. He didn't notice either, but Taehyung smiled at it, and didn't bother to stop him at any point.
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Jimin had taken to sleeping on the edge of the bed, with Jungkook in between Taehyung and himself, because his wings took up so much space. Ever since he had gotten them he hadn't had a single night of good rest. Every time he shifted or turned they were always in the way. There had to be a guide or something on how to deal with these things because at this point he was delirious from lack of sleep.
To distract himself from his exhaustion, Jimin focussed his attention on the two sleeping beauties in front of him. Jungkook was sound asleep, curled up next to Taehyung's chest and while the older looked stiff, he was still somewhat inviting. The sight of their dozing faces was enough to ease Jimin at least a little. It was the first night they had spent together in days, that alone had him in a much more comfortable state of mind. It was just enough for him to yawn as his eyes finally began to flutter closed.
Until...
Jimin...
The blunette's face scrunched up at the whisper and tried his best to ignore it.
Oh come now love, I know you hear me.
Jimin sat up in an instant. His heart raced as he searched desperately for the demon calling for him. "Over here love." He whipped around and screeched, with Taemin's face just inches from his own. Jimin felt frozen in place, feeling nothing but his heart pounding in his chest as the demon caressed his cheek and slowly brought him closer. "Did you truly think you could hide from me?"
"S-Stop...Get away!"
"Jimin!" Jimin found himself gasping for air as he fell into the prince's arms. He gently stroked his hyung's hair to calm him down, while Taehyung, now awake and full alert, looked around the room for any signs of danger. "H-He was here...he touched me..." Jungkook narrowed his eyes at this and slowly sat Jimin up.
"Hyung...There's no one here." He said gently and tiredly. Jimin saw that he was clearly exhausted and laid the prince back down and did the same for Taehyung. "You must be tired...please try getting some sleep." Jungkook was back to sleep in an instant. He fell back into Taehyung's arms and the two were out once again.
But he saw him. He touched him. Jimin knew for a fact.
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