Laurel Prince

Taehyung left the battle field in his carriage, hands still dripping with blood. When the time came, he gazed up at the approaching Oak Castle with a deep sadness. Taehyung knew he would have to face Jungkook or Jimin sometime that night or the next, and he wanted none of it. He didn't want their pity. 

Instead of being in an angry or aggressive mood after losing--Taehyung was hurt, distressed. He took a strong blow to his pride, a jab at his heart. He was sad.

The Laurel Prince's own troops would be at the command of somebody else--because he lost them. Because he was too weak to beat the Stone Prince in a duel.

As he climbed out of the carriage and strode towards the private side entrance of the castle, a medic ran up to him. Taehyung's hands still bled pretty badly, rivulets of maroon pouring down tan fingers. Without asking, the medic seized his wrists to get a better look at the cuts that ran down both of his palms. 

"Sir, your hands need assistance. I'll get those cuts stitched up for you right awa-" 

"Don't touch me. Get away. Leave me alone." Taehyung growled at the medic, ripping his arms free from the man's grip. Taehyung didn't care if he came off as mean to the medic or bled all over Jeon's Castle. He didn't care if his cuts got infected and he fell ill. He didn't care that his hands would be scarred for the rest of his life, to match the long scar that ran along his torso. 

All he wanted at that moment was to go to his room and take a long hot bath with a large keg of wine. He missed wine. 

He missed his parties.

He needed to get his mind off of everything. 

Storming up to his room, he ignored the worried looks from passing servants at his bleeding condition. He slammed the door to his bedroom open, leaving a red smear across the handle. Once inside, he went to the case of the wine that he'd personally asked for. and tore it open. Even if the wine at the Oak Castle wasn't as sweet or fulfilling as his own, Taehyung would make do with what he had. I'm going to drink until I can't anymore.

Taehyung winced as his sore hands took the wine bottle in their grasp and brought the mouth of the bottle up to his lips. The dark wine comingled with the metallic taste of blood in his mouth, and he winced. After a few long draughts, he set the bottle on his night stand and stood up to get his bath water ready.

Taehyung peeled off the sweaty, damaged armor on him and violently threw it at the side wall. The chain metal thunked loudly onto the room, leaving a small dent in the dry wall. But Taehyung could care less. It wasn't like he couldn't afford to pay for incurred damages.

"Fuck...I lost it all...fuck."

The sound of running water muted the sound of Taehyung's soft sobbing as he lay on his bed, hands throbbing painfully and energy extinguished. After a few salty tears slipped down his dirty cheeks, he realized how stupid he had been at the duel. Grabbing the swords...why did I have to do that? Why?

The other princes probably thought of him as an unstable, narcissist who just wanted to fight people or have a fun time drugging them.

And maybe he was. But Taehyung was willing to change...he was willing to stop that. He knew the behavior was infantile, immature. He wanted to stop that.

Just...not tonight.

Taehyung greedily reached for the wine bottle and tipped it back, drinking down the rest of the liquid. The warmth of the alcohol filled him up, made him feel complete. He angrily wiped the tears off of his face with the back of his hand. Blood dripped everywhere, tainting the sheets, his clothes. He didn't care.

"F-fuck!"

The Laurel Prince stumbled over to the wine stash and ripped open another bottle, carrying it with him to the bathroom. He felt disgusting--full of blood, sweat, and now, tears. The bath would wash all of it away...might help clean him of filth.

Taehyung only hoped the sadness, guilt, and embarrassment would wash away too. 

Stone Prince

When Jungkook and Jimin arrived at the Oak Castle, Jungkook hopped off of the carriage frantically. They quickly made their way into the castle side-by-side, but Jimin was aware that the younger stood a little closer than usual. 

"Jimin, are you sure you're okay? No cuts, sprains, aches, trauma to your head or neck...that I need to worry about?" Jungkook laid his hand on Jimin's shoulder, which stiffened under his touch. 

"Yes, Jungkook. Like I said, that fight was nothing. My training days are harder than that was...it's nothing, really--I'm fine." Jimin felt an odd pang of joy rising in him at the notion that Jungkook was expressing such open worry over him. "Seriously."

Jimin wasn't used to people other than his close advisors worrying about him...or caring about him. He was just 'that prince from the north', and to most people in Noirwood the mystery surrounding him didn't prompt any sympathy from them. But Jungkook clearly cared about his wellbeing. It made him joyous...made him want to drop the stone front he always put on. Just for tonight, I'll let it drop. I trust him.

Jimin smiled. It felt so nice to smile back at Jungkook genuinely.

"Okay Jimin, but if you need anything, don't be afraid to come to me...I know you're, um,  leaving for the north to command the army the day after tomorrow, but..." Jungkook looked down at his shoes and sighed. "Don't be afraid to contact me if you...uh, need help."

Jimin did something he had never done before, but he couldn't help himself--Jungkook was being too sweet to him and he felt an urge to pay back the kindness that he was receiving. 

He took Jungkook's chin in his hand and made the ravenette tilt his head down to look into his eyes. Jimin's eyes were no longer void of emotion or blank like Jungkook was used to. 

They were glowing silver in the soft torchlight of the chandelier in the main hall. Millions of stars in the sky couldn't shine brighter than Jimin's eyes were glowing in that moment. Jungkook was entranced--star struck.

"Look at me, Jungkook. I'll be fine in the north...I'll leave and come back so quickly it'll be as if I never left in the first place." Jimin gazed between Jungkook's doe eyes and realized that he enjoyed looking at Jungkook's face this close up. The younger was even more attractive up close.

"Ji-Jimin." Jungkook finally seemed to realize the position that both of them were in, Jimin's hand still attached to Jungkook's chin, both males extremely close to each other. 

But Jimin wanted more, felt a sort of longing deep within him that he didn't know how to get rid of. So he let his instincts drive him for once; he finally let his emotions control his body instead of his brain. 

Jimin yanked Jungkook into a bear hug, despite being smaller than the Oak Prince. Jungkook let out a small gasp and his body was still for a moment as Jimin wrapped his arms around the younger male tightly. He's so warm.

After realizing that Jimin didn't trip and surely meant to hug him, Jungkook's arms slowly made their way up to Jimin's toned back. The ravenette said nothing, his breath caught in his throat.

"I just wanted to say thank you. For your hospitality." Jimin closed his eyes tight and inhaled the sweetly musky scent of the younger, wanting to hold onto him for a long time. However, the other side of him, the stone side of him, began to realize what he was doing. Against his own will, Jimin's arms unlatched from Jungkook and he stepped backwards, in shock with himself. What am I...what am I doing? He probably thinks I'm so weird, too clingy.

Jungkook, however, was smiling, a blush on his cheeks spreading by the second. Right as he was opening his (cute) pink lips to say something, the part of Jimin's mind that denied what he felt spoke up.

"I have to...to uh, go." 

Jimin turned sharply on his heel and swiftly strode away. He knew that Jungkook was probably confused by his strange behavior, but at the same time, he knew that Jungkook needed that hug too. He could tell by the way the ravenette's heart rate soared right as he pulled him in close against his own warm body.

Him and Jungkook weren't really that different after all. 

Jimin just needed to get the other half--the stone half--of his mind to see that. He needed to change. Otherwise loneliness would consume Jimin alive in his own skin. 

He didn't want that.

Oak Prince

Jungkook stood in shock, where Jimin had left him moments earlier after giving him a hug.

A hug from the Stone Prince. A fucking hug...a hug...but why did he...? What is...? I...

Jungkook's shock from the events of that day built up to fully immobilize him in his place; he couldn't even believe that the dream of Jimin he had was only just last night. 

It had been a long day. But for Jungkook, it wasn't over. I need to speak to Taehyung.

First he had to make sure that the Laurel Prince had made it back to the castle in one piece and wasn't beating someone up or something. Heaven only knew what was going through the blonde's mind following that duel. He's probably so angry...I hope he isn't hurting anyone. Or ruining something.

Jungkook forced his heavy legs up the stairs to the bedchambers and prayed to all of the oak in his castle that Taehyung was in a stable mood. Even if Taehyung were asleep, that would be better for Jungkook than if the blonde decided to lay his hands on the ravenette...or throw a punch...or...

Jungkook didn't want to think about it. 

When he arrived at Taehyung's door, he took a deep breath before he knocked three times and called out. "Taehyu--ehm, Prince Kim, it's Prince Jeon. I need to talk to you. " He had to speak politely, in case anyone overheard him. 

While he waited for an answer, Jungkook spotted a fresh smear of blood on the doorknob and frowned. 

Did Taehyung not get his hands taken care of? Did he ignore my medics?

Inside the room, Jungkook heard several loud thumps and a couple of explicit words before the door swung open to reveal Taehyung. 

A very disheveled, wet, and drunken Taehyung. 

Taehyung's blonde hair was dripping wet, tiny droplets falling down his tan cheeks. His eyes were wide as he spotted Jungkook, his mouth opening to match his dark eyes. The elder's hands were clad in thick wads of bloodstained gauze, which made Jungkook grimace. Taehyung was wearing a black silk pajama top that dipped very low into his toned chest. 

As for his pants...he wasn't wearing pants.

He was just in his boxers. Oh...oh my okay. Um...fuck...

Jungkook took in the sight before him and couldn't help but stand there like an idiot, mouth open like a fish while Taehyung gazed at him questioningly. Jungkook tried to say something. 

"Oh, um...h-hi I w-was just going to check...yeah, check in on you-"

Before he knew it, Taehyung seized his wrist and pulled him through the doorway in a flash. Jungkook stumbled into the room, instantly met with the light smell of alcohol. The door shut loudly behind him, and he jumped. He didn't miss next words that came out of Taehyung's mouth. How could he?

"Hiiii Jungkook! I miisseddd youuuuuu! Didn't want you to keep your pretty self waitin' out in the halll for too long, yeah?" Taehyung winked at him. Jungkook gaped. 

Did he hear that right?

"Come into my room now!" Taehyung's deep voice slurred with every word and Jungkook watched as the older male, who still had a hold on his wrist, swayed a bit as he pulled the younger toward the bed. Oh...my...

Jungkook barely got his feet out in front of him as the elder yanked him along. "Taehyung, you're drunk."

Taehyung pretended not to hear him. He let go of Jungkook's hand to fetch his fourth bottle of wine off of the nightstand. He popped the top off easily and took a large swig from the bottle, his lips stained a dark burgundy. 

"Wan' some, Jungkookieeee?" Taehyung giddily pushed the wine bottle towards Jungkook, who shook his head excessively. 

"Um...no, I'm okay." Jungkook began biting his lip, not knowing what to say to Taehyung when he was...behaving like this. He's raging drunk. Obviously he isn't taking the loss well. I can still try to comfort him though.

"Suit yourself, party pooper!" Taehyung wavered as he sat down on the bed, motioning for Jungkook to sit next to him. "Come heerree!! I don't bbiiitee!!"

As Jungkook made his way across the piles of sheets and pillows strewn about the room, he couldn't help but admire Taehyung's beauty, even if he was drunk. The loose black night shirt he wore highlighted the darkness of his long eyelashes and coffee colored eyes. Jungkook couldn't miss the muscles in the Laurel Prince's long legs, nor the fact that his legs were as utterly elegant as they were strong. 

So godly. 

Jungkook's face tinted red just thinking about it. About Taehyung. About his allure--his beauty. Why are these t-thoughts in my head? I'm not even drunk. 

Jungkook sunk down onto the bed a good distance away from where Taehyung sat--he needed to stay far away to remain calm. He ran a stressed hand through his black hair. Taehyung turned his head at Jungkook and smiled boyishly. Jungkook struggled to keep his own eyes glued to Taehyung's, trying hard not to look at the man's gorgeous body. Stop. Thinking. About. That.

Jungkook finally brought up what he wanted to ask the blonde prince before. "Are your hands okay? I saw blood on--on the door handle and I didn't know if you got them patched up...or..." He paused. "You know, I had the medic prepared for our return just in case something like this happened...he was ready to help you..." Jungkook trailed off. 

Taehyung upturned his hands, revealing the gauze. "Nahhh, I didn't want your medic to go through th' trouble of takin' care of meeeeee." Taehyung cooed. "I jus' patched it--myself up. Just as good. Fresh as new! Wrapped skillfully by yours truly!" 

Jungkook chuckled at Taehyung's words but still felt a bit angry that the Laurel Prince refused treatment. "Taehyung, you're going to get an infection if they stay wrapped like that any longer. Seriously, you should have those stitched up. If you don't feel like it now then maybe in the morning?"

Taehyung stared at Jungkook. He licked his lips in thought. Then, he tutted. "Nope, not necessary...they'll be fine like this."

No, they won't. Jungkook tried a different approach.

"Do it for...me?"

Taehyung's eyes grew as he considered this last statement. He pretended to think really hard and comically pursed out his lips while scratching his forehead. "Hmmmm...well, ummm, Jungkookieee if you put it that way...then yes, I guessss I'll do it for you!"

Taehyung suddenly scooted in so that their thighs were touching and lifted his pointer finger up, booping Jungkook on the nose. Jungkook's cheeks were flaming hot and Taehyung laughed at the reaction he got out of the younger male. 

"You're so cuuuutte you knowwww." Taehyung scrunched his nose up in a mischievous smile, his leg lightly bumping against Jungkook's own on the large bed. 

Jungkook couldn't help himself. "Well you are just too goddamn handsome for your own good."

Taehyung giggled at Jungkook's sudden revelation, making Jungkook's stomach do flips in on itself.

How is this the same Taehyung from the duel? 

Taehyung reached over for the wine bottle on his bed stand and Jungkook looked away as the prince drank another good portion of the bottle away. Taehyung obviously wasn't taking the loss of the duel well, and he felt pity for the blonde who tried hard to distract his mind from the pain. 

But he didn't ask about it nor did he say anything comforting. Instead Jungkook walked over to Taehyung and held his hand out for the wine bottle. I could use some of this too.

"Actually, I changed my mind about the wine." Jungkook got out, grabbing the bottle from Taehyung's bandaged hand and downing a big drink of his own. When the sweet wine was in his stomach and fuzziness crept into his head a bit, he noticed Taehyung staring hard at him. 

Like, not even trying to hide it. 

Jungkook noticed the stare directed at him and panicked a little on the inside. He was afraid that Taehyung's stare might be one of drunken anger instead of lust. What if Taehyung was remembering that Jungkook ordered Jimin to control the Laurel Army? Shit, is he mad? I can't tell, but I should leave before I can find out.

Jungkook set the wine bottle down, smiled politely, and took a couple steps toward the door. Nervousness seeped into his tone as he attempted a farewell. 

"Thanks for the wine, Taehyung. I'm glad to s-see you're back at the castle in one piece. Make sure to get your, uh, hands sewn up tomorrow...for me...heh..." He forced out an uneasy laugh and glanced at his pocket watch. It was ten o'clock. "It's getting late, al-alright? I'll, uh, see you at breakfa-"

"No." Suddenly Taehyung was off of the bed, lunging for Jungkook who closed his eyes and held up his hands as a reflex. Taehyung stopped right in front of him, grabbing his arms and slowly placing them down at his sides. He's not going to...hurt me?

Jungkook opened his eyes to see Taehyung right in front of his face, smiling widely at the fact that Jungkook got so scared. Jungkook noticed just how close they were, how he could smell the sweet wine on Taehyung's breath and see the peach fuzz on the Laurel Prince's cheeks. 

"Please stay with me." Taehyung said in a low voice that sent shivers through Jungkook.

Jungkook stared back at him, saying nothing. His hands started to sweat. And then Taehyung leaned in to his ear and whispered something that made Jungkook feel...

Strange.

"You might want to stop looking at me like that Jungkook. Or I swear I'll be the one kissing you this time."

This time?

"What are...y-you talking about?" Jungkook asked in a low, quiet voice. Taehyung's head was only inches away from his, bobbing slightly from the alcohol.

Taehyung pulled back to see Jungkook's eyes crinkled in confusion, lower lip being chewed on slightly, nervously. What is Taehyung talking about?

"Oh, that's riiiggghhhtt, I didn't tell you." Taehyung voice took on a peculiar tone as he took steps towards Jungkook, slowly forcing him backwards towards the bedroom wall.

"At my party, when you were so intoxicated..." Jungkook's heels hit the back of the wall. "You decided it was worth it to...kiss me. We kissed before you even knew who I was."

By then, Jungkook's back pressed against the wall, head tucked as far back as it could go. Taehyung kept inching closer, leaning in towards Jungkook's pinkish cheeks. 

And Jungkook did not stop him. 

"You're--you're l-lying..." Jungkook breathily let out as heart rate escalated. The proximity of their bodies was making him dizzy. "I wouldn't kiss someone I just met."

"Well, you did...your lips were on mine." Taehyung paused as he watched Jungkook's reddened lips just inches away from his. "And I know you want to kiss me now."

Before Jungkook could respond to the statement, Taehyung leaned all the way in so their lips were brushing against one another's. The kiss was light at first, led by Taehyung who brought one hand to the wall behind Jungkook's head and the other to cup Jungkook's face. Taehyung's black silk shirt brushed up against Jungkook's own plain shirt. Oh! Oh...

Jungkook finally starting moving his lips--giving Taehyung the answer to the previous statement about wanting to kiss him. 

He really did. So badly.

Jungkook's hands made their way up to Taehyung's blonde hair, pulling and turning Taehyung's head so that his mouth was angled for better access. Jungkook's kissing was aggressive, greedy, and it wasn't long before Jungkook forced his tongue into the elder's mouth. 

Taehyung hummed in satisfaction, letting out soft puffs of air through his nostrils when Jungkook pushed him back lightly. The pair broke the kiss as Taehyung stumbled backwards and fell onto the bed. On his back. Jungkook was there in an instant, looming over the sexy man with his heart pounding. He's so...so hot.

Jungkook hovered over Taehyung so that elder's legs were in between his own. He bent over Taehyung's beautiful long body, staring darkly at him. Taehyung's eyes were glossed over with alcohol and the ecstasy of Jungkook. 

Both males wanted more. 

Taehyung impatiently tugged on the collar of Jungkook's shirt, smashing their lips together once more. Each kiss was sloppy, hungry, but Taehyung didn't mind. Jungkook nibbled on Taehyung's lower lip, eliciting a soft moan out of the older which turned him even more on. 

Before Jungkook knew what he was doing, his hands glid away from cupping Taehyung's face to slide under Taehyung's silk shirt. His skin is so smooth, so warm-

"NO!" Taehyung suddenly shouted, pushing Jungkook's chest away hard and sitting up on the bed. Fear lurked in his wide eyes. Taehyung wiped at his mouth and hurried to pull his shirt back down over his stomach. Wh-what?

Jungkook stood there, confused and frozen. "What--what did...did I do something wr-wrong?" Jungkook was scared by the blonde's terrified expression. Taehyung lifted his head up to look at the ravenette, tears starting to brim in his eyes.

"No, Jungkook, it...it's not you. It's me." The Laurel Prince averted his gaze at a spot on the wall. He said nothing for a while, just panting softly. Finally he opened his mouth, turning towards Jungkook's shocked face. 

"I'm sorry for...for everything. You can leave now..." A single tear fell down Taehyung's cheek. 

Jungkook hesitantly turned to leave, hands shaking from all the strange things he was feeling now. He felt guilty that he had just made out with another prince he was supposed to be working with. He felt confused by Taehyung's behavior; it seemed like he wanted Jungkook so badly, but something was holding the blond prince back. He felt sad because he thought about Jimin who he had just hugged moments earlier. He felt angry that Jihoon was going to send an army to Noirwood soon, and here he was, falling for two princes. Wait, falling for...oh...oh no...

All of these things hurt Jungkook to think about. 

What am I doing? I need to leave.

Before the ravenette was completely out the door, he heard Taehyung's grief-stricken voice say one last thing to him.

"Jungkook?" Taehyung sniffled, raising his pained chin up slightly. "Just forget this ever happened, yeah?"

For some reason, that hurt Jungkook the most. 

~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR'S NOTE

;(

Dear lovely readers-

I hope you have a bright and lovely day and are drinking enough water! Stay hydrated, water truly is important not only for physical health but for mental health. You're not you when you're thirsty...not that kind of thirsty, you dirty minded folk! Ugh, whatever :)

Stay tuned for Jungkook falling in love with two princes during a time of war! How dramatic, untimely...and so utterly delectable! 

.izzy.