Chapter Text
Being the prince of the Kingdom of Korea was neither as simple nor as beautiful as people might think. Too many responsibilities and too many pressures that led to life being a burden. Moreover, the king's illness had also been added for some time and was slowly destroying him more and more.
Jimin couldn't take it anymore.
Since his father had fallen ill, his royal duties had tripled, he didn't even have time to think about what he was eating at that moment. His life had been hectic before, but now the situation had become exhausting.
There was also a detail to consider that wasn't so small after all: he had to get married.
He had now reached marriageable age and the king was pushing him to get married as soon as possible given that his life expectancy was becoming increasingly shorter.
He knew it well too; it wasn't long before he would become king and obviously this means totally granting his life to his people and canceling himself.
One night in June, he decided to run away, not forever, he certainly couldn't do something like that. Just for one night, remember who Jimin was. Only Jimin and not Prince Jimin.
It was something he did very quickly, without thinking much about it. He wanted peace, tranquility, a moment to himself.
Leaving the Palace obviously hadn't been easy, but he knew the building very well, after all it was his home and he had grown up within those walls.
He didn't have a specific place in mind to go, he let himself be led by his legs, any place far from the city would have been fine.
After more than thirty minutes of walking, he had to stop because his path was blocked by a river. It was the first time he had been in that area and he didn't know there was a river flowing there.
He then decided that this was a signal to stop and sit down for a while.
The starry night of a late spring day, the light breeze that moved the leaves a little creating a pleasant sound and the water that made his way, created just the perfect environment for someone who wanted to stop thinking about his problems.
He was happy to have trusted his legs and that they had dragged him there.
Even though it was difficult, he forced himself not to think about everything that awaited him back home. He just wanted to enjoy the moment. A moment that would not return very soon, or perhaps never again.
As he wandered with his gaze to imprint that idyllic landscape in his mind as best he could, he saw a figure several meters away from him. He was very distant, but he was quite certain that it was a person who, like him, was enjoying the moment. Who knows what his story was, why he was there, what his thoughts were. He certainly couldn't go to him and ask him these questions, firstly because no one had to know that the prince had escaped and was there without guards, secondly because he certainly couldn't disturb this very intimate moment that person was having. If he had wanted company, he wouldn't have been there at that moment (or at least not alone).
He had focused too much on the other boy and had lost track of time. By now it was getting too late and he had to go home.
Before getting up and going back, however, he wished he could return to that place several times and be able to savor again that quiet and tranquility that he had felt there. He knew that it was impossible because he was too busy and moreover, starting from the following day, meetings with suitors organized by his father were waiting for him.
He had received an ultimatum a few days earlier: by the beginning of autumn, he would have to find the person to marry. For this reason, he was now faced with meeting after meeting with people who couldn't wait to have a crown on their head. The mere thought of him made him feel immensely tired.
The peace and tranquility he had known in that moment was already slipping away. It was time to be Prince Jimin again.
-
Kim Taehyung, also known as the second son of the famous noble Kim, had run away again.
What was supposed to be home, a hospitable place to spend good times with loved ones, was for him the worst nightmare that could exist.
Every night, as soon as all the lights were turned off, he rushed out of that house and went to the river, the furthest place he could reach away from his family and the city that always has its eyes on it.
Taehyung's father was rarely home, spending his time doing business or drinking with his friends. Mrs. Kim, on the other hand, was a petite woman who loved being the center of attention and, since her husband didn't give it to her, she looked for it from other people like her friends to whom she always bragged about Seojun, her son.
Seojun was handsome and talented, an important member of the king's army and thus continually provided great material for his mother's boasts.
Taehyung had very little to do with this beautiful family picture. He was not even the son of Mrs. Kim, but of a woman who had been her husband's lover for some time and who was now no longer there. He didn't even remember his mother anymore and the only things the maids told him was that she had been a beautiful woman, that's all.
His stepbrother pretended he didn't exist, his stepmother forced him to stay at home as much as possible so no one would notice her husband's betrayal (in fact everyone thought he was her son), and his father was simply absent.
He spent his days painting, playing some instrument and reading.
Sometimes he would go out if there were official events, but he always tried to stay out of the way. He said that his life was not an existence but only a presence that could be avoided.
The only moment in which he could feel a little more alive and above all give meaning to his life, was precisely when he was there in front of the river.
He knew solitude well, but it was different to be alone in a room and to be alone in front of the flowing river. You just weren't truly alone. There were the little fish swimming, the birds in the trees, the wind caressing his skin, the only caress he had received for as long as he could remember.
His life at his house was unremarkable. On the banks of that river, he meant something in the big picture of nature, as did those fish, those birds and that wind.
As always, he was so absorbed that he didn't notice that not far from him there was another person who was leaving at that moment.
Taehyung made a wish, a simple, small one. He wanted to stop perpetually experiencing that feeling of loneliness. He was tired of having no friends, of having no one to talk about his day, his thoughts. He just wanted to talk to someone.
Life isn't that great if you don't have someone to joke about it with.
Unfortunately for him, however, the time had come to stop dreaming and go home, dawn was near and soon his nightmare would begin again.
-
When Jimin woke up, he was flooded with words telling him about his appointments for the day. He was slightly dizzy from the almost total lack of sleep, but he knew that this shouldn't stop him from getting up and getting ready to start that morning.
After finishing dressing and having breakfast, he went to his father's rooms to see how he was doing.
Every day he saw more and more how the situation was getting worse and by now he was resigning himself to what would happen in the imminent future.
The sight of his scratched face, which was once full, caused a pain in his chest which however he could not show in public and in the Palace there was always the public. The only time he could abandon himself to tears was late at night in bed but obviously he had to be silent because there was always someone outside the door listening to him.
“Father, how are you feeling today?”
His father couldn't even speak well anymore, his words were light indistinct murmurs. The doctor had said that these would be his last days.
Jimin took his father's hands between his and looked at him with a serene smile trying to reassure him and give him strength.
However, his time was precious and he couldn't waste it in this sentimental way. The future king could not be a victim of feelings, he had to be a cold and composed man, perfect and never out of place.
One of his secretaries arrived to remind him that he had a meeting with a suitor in ten minutes and that he had to reach the meeting place.
He let out a tired sigh before getting up.
He looked at his father for the last time that day, said goodbye to him and turned away as he did every morning.
-
Taehyung was tired.
Tired of his life, tired of that family (if it could be defined as such), tired of that country, tired of everything.
Every day he told himself that he could escape and go far away, as far away as possible. Why didn't he do it then? Because his stepmother had threatened to torture and kill all the servants if she did so. He was not fond of anyone in particular among the servants because, on the lady's orders, they had to limit contact with her illegitimate son as much as possible. Being the cause of the murder of twenty people certainly wasn't one of his desires and for this reason running away was not a choice he could consider.
He was therefore forced to suffer alone for his entire life. He too had resigned himself by now.
“Have you heard of the king? Poor man is about to leave us,” said a friend of the landlady who came to visit her.
“I'm very sorry, he's so young.”
“Really a shame. My husband heard that chaos reigns in the palace because the prince must find a wife. Before his situation worsened, the king ordered the prince to find a wife but did not impose one on him, he left him the freedom to choose for himself."
“It was a bit reckless in my opinion, he should have chosen himself and not let his son do it.” His stepmother replied.
That kind of gossip was commonplace in the Kim household. Taehyung was tired of those too by now.
He then decided to go into the garden to watch the clouds, one of his favorite pastimes. The clouds always travel and are in many different places, they are not locked up in a house like him. Every now and then he imagined himself as a cloud and lost himself in daydreams for hours and hours.
That would have been what he would have done at that moment too if he hadn't heard his stepbrother come running into the house.
"Mother! Tomorrow evening our family will attend the dinner organized at the Palace!”
Her mother almost fainted from enthusiasm.
Taehyung stared at them emotionlessly, he didn't understand all this excitement.
“Only the most important families of the city were invited. It is a dinner organized to better evaluate the suitors for the prince. Our family cannot offer a bride to the crown, but it is still a way to affirm our power.”
“I have to go to the tailor before he gets assaulted.” She said goodbye and with her friend arm in arm they both left the house happy.
“Taehyung, you must come too, the whole family must be there. Behave yourself." Seojun said.
Taehyung shrugged, turned and walked to the garden.
-
When Taehyung arrived at the river that evening, the air was different. He wasn't sure how to define it but there was something unusual about it.
The river flowed as always, the wind was absent and the night was dark. Everything was normal, but he felt a new sensation.
He decided to ignore all of this and sit in his usual seat and get lost in thought like he always did.
He wanted to forget everything and didn't want to think about the next day when he would be surrounded by so many people who would surely talk about him like they always did.
He avoided these kinds of events when he could precisely because people always had something to say about him. Why does he never leave the house? Why doesn't he join the army like his brother? Why doesn't he have a wife yet? Why is he never with people his age? Questions upon questions.
Now he was having second thoughts. He had to stop. The river was his sacred place and he could not contaminate it with these torments.
He suddenly heard the sound of trampled leaves and was frightened. After all the times he had gotten away with it, had they finally found out and come to get him?
He jumped up to hide but he realized that the person had said something and his voice was not familiar to him. He was cursing because part of his dress had gotten caught in a bush.
Taehyung stood there not knowing whether to walk away or help the person in trouble. Lost in his indecision, he realized late that the person had managed to free himself and had managed to get to the river.
The two were now facing each other and staring at each other a little shocked at having this unexpected company.
"Oh sorry! I did not want to bother you!" said the other.
Taehyung was convinced he had seen him before, but he couldn't remember where.
“Don't worry, it's not a private place, just as I can stay here, you can stay here.” Taehyung said.
"Right."
They were both a little embarrassed by this conversation and they could sense it.
Taehyung then decided to sit down again and go back to doing what he was doing before this person arrived.
The other understood that their conversation was over and that surprisingly he had not been recognized or simply the other had not wanted to talk to the prince (and if this was the right answer, he was
very grateful). He sat down a few meters away and started staring at the river.
Jimin had been very happy when he had managed to escape from the palace again and reach that place. He was convinced he couldn't do it anymore, but the last suitor he was supposed to meet hadn't been feeling well and he had to say goodbye earlier than expected. He sighed in relief at the thought.
For several minutes the two boys enjoyed that quiet and that evening in silence. Even if they had company, it wasn't unpleasant, in fact perhaps it was quite the opposite.
The two didn't know each other, but they were experiencing such an intimate moment together.
They were not the prince and the son of a nobleman that evening. They were simply two strangers who had met at the same time to appreciate the tranquility of that pleasant place.
-
He was used to events like this. Very important formal parties or dinners were often held at the Palace.
This time, however, it was different because the purpose of this dinner was to identify a number of girls to be considered for the royal wedding.
He had lost count of all those families who had introduced their daughters to him, showering them with compliments and always boasting exceptional qualities that they were sure no one else had.
Jimin always smiled at everyone and thanked them for participating. The truth was that after the third one he really stopped listening because he was tired of all that nonsense.
He understood the importance of having an heir, but he just couldn't find interest in any of these girls. He probably would have let one of his advisors decide who he should marry and never think about it again. Luckily Yoongi knew perfectly well all the stories of these families, therefore, he was sure that he would choose the best one.
The Kim family was heading to greet him and the first thing they noticed was the lady's pompous and detailed dress, surely, she had spared no expense in buying it.
The head of the family bowed to pay homage to him and the rest of the family followed suit.
He recognized his eldest son wearing his army uniform. He also saw that the second born was there, which he knew was very rare. When they looked up after bowing, he could look at his face and was surprised to recognize that he was the same person from the river. The other was also surprised and he started biting his lip out of nerves.
After the Kim family said goodbye, the prince continued to follow them with his gaze. No one had to know about his escapes from the palace and this could be put in danger by Kim, he had to settle the matter.
On the other hand, Taehyung was panicking and having similar thoughts, could he trust the prince, or would he tell his family about his nightly visits to the river? No, it couldn't be like that. How had he not recognized the prince? He kept calling himself stupid as he tried to escape from the crowd of people after moving away from his family.
Suddenly a person in a palace uniform stepped in front of him.
“Master Kim, please follow me.” And Taehyung followed him.
-
He was taken to a room upstairs, away from the bustle of dinner and prying eyes.
The waiter left him as soon as Taehyung entered and closed the door behind him.
“Master Kim, this time we can't remain silent I'm sorry. We need to talk about some things.”
Taehyung looked in the direction where that voice came from and saw the prince next to a table while he drank some liquor.
“Of course, Your Highness.” He said with a hint of a bow.
“I'll get straight to the point. What you saw last night was the fruit of your imagination, you have never seen me in that place, are we in agreement?"
“We are only if you forget you saw me there.”
“Great, I notice we're on the same page.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I didn't see you and you didn't see me."
They looked at each other nodding and Taehyung, thinking the conversation was over, started walking towards the door.
“Do you often go to the river?” Jimin asked suddenly. He wanted to know if the other regularly frequented that place since he had also seen him the day before their official meeting. He had to figure out whether to change places to possibly relax.
“I'd rather not answer.”
"Needs to. It is your prince who orders it."
“I don't want to answer if you'll allow me.”
“Permission not granted, reply and make sure you are sincere.”
“I go there every night, are you happy now?”
"Yes. Thanks for the reply."
“Can I go now or do you have anything else to ask?”
“Why do you go there every night?”
Taehyung didn't understand why the prince was so interested. He just wanted to get out of that room.
“I'm sorry but, with all due respect, I don't think this is something that concerns you.”
“I will decide it and now answer.”
“I like that place and the peace you can breathe. There's no one there and I can get lost in my thoughts, or at least it's usually just me."
“If you had company again, would you forget that person's identity for that period of time and not mention it to anyone?”
“If I had company, it would be something I would enjoy in that moment and I wouldn't talk about it to anyone like I don't talk to anyone about that place. It is a secret and must remain so."
“Good, Kim. See you soon." With that, Jimin placed his glass on the table and left the room.
-
Dinner ended very late but that didn't stop Taehyung from going to the river.
The next day he had no commitments and therefore he could have woken up very late.
He was certain that he would have no company that night because the prince must have been very busy and he definitely had to get some sleep.
Would that place so dear to him become a place to share with someone else? And what's more, not just any person but the crown prince. He was a little anxious that he might say or do the wrong thing and find himself in trouble.
He had seen him other times in the past and for this reason he couldn't understand why he hadn't recognized him the night before. Maybe he was so relieved that he hadn't been discovered by any of his family that he didn't think much of it.
Could he really trust the prince? He had something to lose too so he would keep the secret, right?
Indeed, that night Jimin was unable to go to the river even though he would have liked very much.
He knew that Taehyung was there and he would have liked to immerse himself in that silence too, but the next day endless meetings and encounters awaited him and he wanted to sleep at least a few hours.
However, he hadn't realized that his thoughts were storming his mind and falling asleep wasn't as easy as it might seem.
The dinner had been a success according to everyone, but for him it had been a complete disaster. He couldn't bring himself to like the idea of marrying a random stranger. The more he thought about it, the more he felt like throwing up. Soon he would be left alone, without a father, but with an unknown person at his side and with many servants and more or less trusted people, and he would have to lead a kingdom. But was this really life? Was it normal to feel this weight crushing him and not letting him breathe? Was this how he wanted to continue? He was certain that sooner or later he would explode.
The only moment of real life that he knew was the one he spent sitting on the lawn in front of that river.
Now when he thought of the river, it came naturally to him to also think of young Kim. Why did he spend all his nights there? Was he also running away from something? And since how long?
This was all absurd. He was taking an interest in the life of someone he barely knew. He had to think about political affairs and find the right wife and not waste time with that boy.
Yet for the first time in so many years, his mind wasn't stressing about the good of his kingdom but about something that made him feel good.
-
“His Highness, the king asks for you.”
At those words, Jimin rushed to his father's rooms.
“Father, how are you today? Do you feel better?”
The situation certainly hadn't improved but at least his father was able to say a few words unlike the day before.
“Ji-Jimin. C-c-come h-here.”
Jimin went to his bedside and held his hands. The king's hands were so cold and powerless. He tried to warm them somehow.
“Tell me everything, father.”
“I'm s-sorry for l-l-leaving you alone. Find so-someone who m-makes you h-happy.” He was too tired to continue.
“What matters is that you're okay, don't worry about me.” With that said he wiped his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief and made him drink some water.
After about ten minutes spent taking care of his father, he was called by the secretaries to go to the meeting he had to attend.
He took leave of the king with a deep bow and left with tears threatening to spill.
-
It was very late but he didn't care. He felt an extraordinary need to go there. He needed it badly.
That night was not as calm and peaceful as the previous ones. The wind was slightly stronger and threatened bad weather for the following day. The summer would probably start with a storm. The hot season, which was to mark the greatest change in his life, began with a storm as his heart had been for days.
Jimin knew he would find him there in his usual place.
He was sure that the other had heard him coming but he didn't point it out. He also sat down in the same spot as last time and they remained silent for a while.
“Tomorrow it will be difficult to come here, if it rains a lot the river will overflow.” Said young Kim.
"Thanks for the information." Replied the prince.
Taehyung finally turned to look at his face for the first time that evening.
“Last time you asked me why I come here every night and I answered you. Why are you coming here?”
"For the same reason. I need to stay away from the Palace and all those people, I need to breathe too." He also turned to look at the other. “What is your name young Kim?”
“Taehyung, Your Highness.”
“No, call me Jimin here, Taehyung. I want to be just Jimin when I’m here.”
“Okay Jimin.”
They went back to looking at the river lost in their thoughts.
“Are you happy Taehyung?”
The boy was surprised by that question. It was very simple on the surface but very profound in reality, especially if done by a stranger.
“I forgot the last time I smiled, if this is enough of an answer.”
“I understand very well. But I remember the last time I really smiled and not out of politeness. It was a few years ago when my father gave me the family sword. I was so happy at that moment, but now I don't even remember what it feels like to be happy."
“Maybe we're not meant to be happy.”
“You're wrong in my opinion. If we were happy once we can be happy again, it's the circumstances that don't allow us to do so."
“Maybe this applies to you. There is no room for happiness in my future just as there wasn't in my past or there isn't in my present. My very existence is useless.”
"It is not. At this very moment, quite the opposite is being demonstrated. You are useful even if you don't realize it. You are useful to me by keeping me company. Not just any company, but just the one I
needed, one where I could be Jimin and not the prince.”
Silence followed again but this time it was a little more pleasant. They were starting to no longer be unknown. Of course, they didn't know each other's tastes or stories, but they knew very intimate thoughts that they had never expressed out loud before and this made them even closer.
“Jimin, don't you want to escape? Leave this place?”
“Perhaps it is the thing I would like most in the world and it is also the most impossible. I was born with a great weight on my shoulders and I cannot ignore it. You?"
“If only I could, I would have left so long ago.”
“The only joy we have is this place. Here it's like escaping for a while even if you have to go home afterwards.”
“This place is to me more home than the real one.”
The first drops of rain began to fall. Their time was running out.
“We should go home. I think the rain will increase soon.” Taehyung said.
“I'll see you soon Kim Taehyung.”
“I'll wait for you here Park Jimin.”
-
Jimin didn't go to the river for several days. What everyone was waiting for happened. The king was dead.
He had left on the first day of that summer during one of the worst storms in recent years. Even the sky mourned the death of the King of Korea.
Jimin imagined that all that rain were his tears, tears that he couldn't let out because he was now the king and, as such, he couldn't let his emotions show, not even to mourn his father.
They were such hectic days that passed without the new king realizing what was around him. Families and officials who offered him condolences, royal funerals and the entire people in mourning.
When he put his head on the pillow before falling asleep, he couldn't unlock his emotions. He had become so good at holding everything inside that now he couldn't even get free.
He was alone, completely alone and with a kingdom to lead every day of his life from that moment forward.
In one of the darkest moments of his life, people began to put pressure on him to marry. The heir to the throne had to be secured to the crown.
He wanted to scream, but his voice wouldn't come out. He wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn't come. He wanted to punch something, but he felt no strength in his arms. He wanted many things, but he
couldn't have them.
To make matters worse, now that he was king, escaping to the river had become practically difficult. He had tried one of the first days, but he had been spotted almost immediately by a guard.
Except now he just couldn't take it anymore. If he had stayed in that Palace a little longer, he would have gone completely mad.
He covered himself as best he could and climbed out of a window. Luckily, he wasn't hurt but he already feared the moment when he would have to return. By a miracle he managed not to get caught by the guards and this also made him reflect on the security levels of the palace given that no one had ever noticed his nocturnal escapes.
This time Taehyung was standing waiting for him and turned around as soon as he heard him coming.
"I was waiting for you."
“Sorry for the wait, they haven't been easy days.”
“It's okay, you're here now.”
For the first time in his life, Taehyung had anxiously awaited the arrival of a person.
When he heard about the king's death that day, he was very sorry. He too had been present at the funeral and had had the opportunity to see Jimin. He had seen the mask on his face and was even more sorry.
He had spent the last few days hoping that the new king would show up in what he now called their place, but eventually he had begun to doubt whether he would ever see him again as his life had now changed drastically.
Taehyung was the first to sit in his usual seat. Now he was done waiting.
Jimin imitated him and finally realized that he was breathing, that he no longer had that pain in his chest and that he had the infinity of the sky above him that fascinated him so much.
“Now everything has changed, you don't have to wait for me anymore. This might be the last time I come here.”
“As long as you keep coming here with your mind, I will be here waiting for you and keeping you company.”
“Thank you but you're just wasting time. My life has ended, the king's life has begun."
“Forget all this when you are here, take off your mask. You said it yourself that you're just Jimin here.”
Those words broke something in Jimin, something that had been building up all this time. Finally, after failing countless times, he cried.
What started out as a soft cry ended up being a painful, sob-filled wail.
Taehyung let him do it, he knew he had to vent.
“I don't know what to do, I feel lost. I just want to disappear!" Jimin said.
“You know what you have to do and that's exactly why you want to disappear. You are the king, what everyone would like to be, yet life has been so unfair to you, to us. Maybe in another life we would have been happy.”
“I can't think about other lives, I can barely think about this one. Why were we born to suffer?”
“That's what I ask myself every day. When I find an answer, I'll tell you.”
“Come to the Palace.” Jimin said suddenly.
"What?" Taehyung said, convinced that he hadn't quite understood what he had been told.
“Come to the Palace and become my councilor.”
“I'm sorry but it doesn't make sense, I don't know anything about political issues or the things councilors deal with.”
“Then come as my friend, please. I don't know if I can come back here again and if I can't, this place will come to me somehow through you.”
“You don't understand, I can't leave the house. I'm forbidden. Do you think that, if I can't go around the streets, I will be given the opportunity to stay in the Palace?”
“I'll find a way, trust me. Just tell me you'll come please."
"I do not know. I have to think about it."
“Taehyung, you will never be happy if you stay locked in there or spend the nights here alone. Please if you don't want to do it for me, do it for yourself. You too deserve to know what happiness is."
“And you think you can make me feel happiness?”
“I can't give you any certainty about this, but I can assure you that I can try if you give me the chance.”
“Jimin, this could be dangerous.”
“But it might also be the only thing that's good for us.”
Taehyung sighed. He knew it was something risky and said in the heat of the moment. What's more, the king wasn't even completely himself now, he was at the mercy of the pain that he was finally letting go of.
"I'll come."
-
When a Palace spokesperson arrived at the Kim house the next day, everyone was shocked (everyone except Taehyung who had started to break out in a cold sweat).
“I am here to report a request from the king.” He announced.
Mr. Kim invited him to continue.
“A member of your family has been chosen by the king to be at his side during his duties and in his free time. The king wants to know whether the request is accepted or not. If you accept, the aforementioned member of the Kim family will be able to choose whether to remain in this house or move permanently to the Palace to always remain as close as possible to the king." He said.
Mrs. Kim was so pale that she looked like she was about to faint. This was a great honor for her family and it would have caused a lot of talk in the city's salons. This thing would be the center of attention and she was already anticipating it.
Seojun was trying to remain impassive but the pride he showed by puffing out his chest as much as he could was clear. He didn't think he had ever impressed the king but, apparently, he thought he was wrong.
Taehyung's heart was pounding. He was scared even though he tried not to let any emotion show.
“It would be a great honor for my family to accompany the king on his important journey. We gladly accept his request. Seojun, would you rather stay here or move to the palace? You choose.” The father said.
But before Seojun could respond, the royal spokesperson cleared his throat and spoke.
“I'm sorry, Mr. Kim, maybe there were some misunderstandings. The king's designated member of the Kim family is not Master Kim Seojun but Master Kim Taehyung.”
That was the moment Ms. Kim fell to the ground. She fainted as soon as her stepson's name was mentioned. Her husband had rushed to help her, while her son, now with a deflated chest, observed the scene with dull eyes. Nobody could believe what had happened.
“Taehyung?” Mr. Kim said. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, sir. I await your response on where you prefer to live, Master Kim Taehyung.”
Everyone started staring at Taehyung, some wanting an answer, some trying to understand how it was possible that the king was asking about him.
Taehyung almost never attended public or private events, he never went out, why did the king want him? They didn't even know each other, how was it possible that he wanted him around then?
That was the opportunity he had been waiting for all his life, it was the moment to spread his wings and fly away from that house.
“I think it's best to live in the Palace so I can always be available to our king and be more helpful.”
“Perfect, pack your bags, we'll be waiting for you outside.”
Everyone went out and only the four Kim remained in the room.
The lady had regained some color, but she was still sitting on the floor in her husband's arms.
"What is this all about? How is it possible that Taehyung was chosen by the king?” She asked, raising her tone.
“Calm down dear, you might feel sick again.”
“I don't care now! I want explanations.”
The moment that had always terrified Taehyung had arrived. This confrontation had always frightened him but now he could no longer hold back, he had had his chance and he didn't want to let it slip away.
“I don't know why the king chose me. If I don't go, everyone will know that the Kim family went against the king's word and we can't allow it.” He said trying to leverage the gossip that his stepmother liked so much. It was the only way he could think of to try to obtain the much-desired freedom.
“Have you ever spoken to the king?” His half-brother asked him.
"No." He lied. He had made a promise and would die rather than betray his new and only friend. “Now excuse me but I have to go pack my bags, they are waiting for me. I can't keep the king waiting.”
He went to his room and with the help of some servants began to pack his bags. He tried to move as quickly as possible because he feared that some member of his family would prevent him from leaving.
Fortunately, this was not the case.
When they finished loading his things into the carriage, he didn't even turn to look at that house. The only thing he saw was the road in front of him which suddenly seemed warmer and more colorful than it had always been. His eyes focused only on the future, while the past was behind him ready to be forgotten.
The Palace was waiting for him. But above all, someone was waiting for him, something that had never happened before in his life. He smiled a little at the thought. And then he realized it.
With the fingers of his hands, he touched the hint of a smile he had made.
He had to tell Jimin. He smiled for the first time in many years.
-
Jimin was impatient. He had been waiting for Taehyung's arrival all morning and kept praying that his father would accept. It had been his idea not to immediately say which of the two brothers had been chosen so that Mr. Kim would accept and not be able to go back if necessary. He didn't really know what Taehyung's family problems were, but he was sure that there were and now in the Palace he would be safe and maybe even calmer.
“Your Majesty, you must meet the noble Son's daughter soon, she is waiting for you in the garden.” One of his assistants reported.
“Do you have any news on young Kim?”
“We don't know anything yet.”
Jimin went to the garden thoughtfully. Did it take him that long to pack? Was he just going crazy and wanting his friend to get there as quickly as possible?
Miss Son was there waiting for him and unfortunately, he had to force himself for yet another charade.
After about twenty minutes of conversation in which the girl had done most of the talking, Jimin was ready to bang his head on the first tree he found in front of him. It was certainly a more interesting activity than the torture he was undergoing.
She did nothing but talk about how she possessed all the skills considered worthy of a perfect wife. She could do this and that. She was beautiful and her beauty was the envy of many. She was smart and she never stopped pointing it out.
'ENOUGH!' the king really wanted to scream. He had done nothing but hear the exact same things said by different voices for weeks. He was so tired.
At a certain point, a servant approached them.
“His Majesty, Master Kim has arrived at the Palace.”
Jimin's heart skipped a beat. He was there, he had arrived. He wanted to run to him, but he couldn't. He couldn't abandon the girl like that out of nowhere and he certainly couldn't show everyone his joy at Taehyung's arrival, he had to be careful.
“Show him his rooms and help him unpack his bags. Tell him that I will go and say hello as soon as I can and that we will have dinner together later."
The servant went away to carry out his king's orders.
Now Jimin no longer wanted to bang his head against a tree, but he wanted time to pass faster so that he could end that torture and go to someone he found interesting and not pretend that he was.
While the girl continued her speech and he responded by nodding or saying small casual phrases, he thought of Taehyung.
Why did he always think about him? And why couldn't he stop? He couldn't find answers to these questions and at that moment he didn't even care.
The time had finally come for Miss Son to take her leave. Jimin quickly said goodbye and headed towards his desired destination.
As he went to what had been chosen as Taehyung's rooms, he thought about how many girls he had yet to meet. If he remembered correctly there were still five left. Afterwards there would be a selection and only a few of them would remain. The final decision was up to him and at least in this case he wanted to have the last word so as to have someone at his side who liked him at least a little.
But now he didn't want to think about it, he had to meet his friend. This was more important.
-
The room they had given him was at least three times larger than the one he had had in his entire life. He didn't even know what to do with all that space, but he didn't really care.
It still didn't seem real to him. He wasn't at his house anymore and, as far as he was concerned, he might never go back there again. He hoped so.
They had left him alone so he could sort out his things quietly.
“I hope you like your room, Kim.” A voice said.
Taehyung turned to see who had arrived and saw the king who signaled him to wait and not answer.
“Serve dinner here as soon as it's ready. Now I'm going to spend some time with Master Kim. Unless it's dinner, I don't want anyone to disturb us. You can go.” With that said, Jimin closed the doors and waited a few seconds before moving because he wanted to hear the footsteps of the servants leaving.
“So, is everything okay Taehyung?” he asked with a smile lighting up his face. Now he could say call him by his name without a problem.
Taehyung smiled back at him, a smile that included his eyes.
“I think I can answer yes for the first time in my life.”
“Is it perhaps a smile that I see on your face?”
“Ever since I left that house, I can't stop doing it.” He said, still smiling.
“I'm glad to hear you say that.”
Jimin sat down at a table and was immediately followed by his friend.
“Please tell me everything went well with your family.” He said a little worried.
“Yes, everything went well, also because I wouldn't be here otherwise. At first, they thought you chose my brother but then when they heard my name, they were too shocked to say anything, so I took
advantage of it and now here I am. No one could understand why you chose me. I should be a complete stranger to you.”
“Luckily, you're not. You don't know how happy I am to have you here. I couldn't give you a real role to play in the Palace, but I managed to find something anyway. I know you won't tell anyone about the river, but we have to find something to say about our friendship. Someone will surely ask us how we met and why I decided to let you live here.”
“Oh right, I hadn't thought of that.”
“Let's remain vague, it's always better this way. We could say that we spoke at the dinner I held at the Palace some time ago and we found some kind of understanding. It's not a lie, but it's not entirely the truth either.”
“Yes, it's the best.”
They spent some time in silence, that silence that was so dear to him when they spent it with each other. They both had a lot on their minds and wanted to make the most of that important moment in their lives.
“Jimin?”
“Mh?”
“I'll have to remember to call you His Majesty in public, this is already driving me crazy.”
Jimin laughed. He laughed so hard that his eyes started to water. He didn't even know when it was the last time he laughed so heartily and he didn't even know why he was having that reaction since Taehyung hadn't even cracked a joke. It was simply his way of unloading everything he had been through recently.
“And I will have to remember to call you Master Kim.” He said wiping the tears from his eyes.
Taehyung looked at him happy and peaceful. He had a calm and devoted expression. He finally had someone to talk and joke with.
They continued talking for a long time, they wanted to get to know each other and to really be heard, something that had never happened to them.
Even after finishing dinner, Jimin stayed with Taehyung for a long time, he didn't want to leave anymore.
Taehyung had told him some things about his family to make him understand his situation better, obviously he had avoided revealing the big secret of the Kim family, that is, the true identity of his mother. Jimin in turn had complained about the desperate search for a wife that had been forced on him.
They discovered that they had many things in common and thought alike about many things. One thing they couldn't really agree on was whether mandu or tteokbokki were better.
When it became too late, Jimin got up to go to the door. He would have liked that night not to end but unfortunately it didn't.
Before Jimin opened his mouth to say goodnight, Taehyung beat him to it.
“You know this is the first time I've spent a night away from the river since I can remember, excluding the days when I was so sick I couldn't get out of bed or when it rained a lot. I'm happy I found a good reason not to go but I feel like I'm breaking a promise I never actually made.”
Jimin didn't know what to say. For him the river had been a very important place, but he knew that for Taehyung it was different. It had been a real home for him for many years.
He then decided that sometimes since words aren't enough, it was better to move on to another type of comfort.
He came over and hugged him. It was the first time they touched each other.
Taehyung stood still at first without knowing what to do.
He had never received a hug and didn't know how to behave. But then it came naturally to him to wrap his arms around his friend's body and bury his face between his shoulder and neck.
So, was this what it felt like to hug someone? Was it normal to feel that heat created by two bodies so close, a heat that he felt both outside and inside? Heat that was almost certainly making him blush?
“Taehyung, the river will always be there and no one will ever be able to take it away from you, if anyone tried they would have their days numbered because I swear I would eliminate them myself. When you want to return there, you will be free to do so. Maybe we could even go together sometime.” He said, pulling away from the hug a little so he could look him in the eyes. He moved one of Taehyung's unruly locks behind his ear and smiled at him.
“I haven't thanked you yet for everything you've done, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be happy now and it's so nice to be happy. Jimin, you are my savior.”
“Taehyung, I didn't save you, I just helped you, but it was you who did it. We are simply kindred souls who were perhaps destined to meet on the banks of a river forgotten by the world.”
They were still hugging each other and it seemed that neither of them wanted to take the initiative to break away. However, it was a yawn from the taller one that caused them to separate. Jimin had laughed a lot in front of a very embarrassed Taehyung.
“Sweet dreams Taehyung and see you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight Jimin, see you tomorrow.”
They both went to sleep dreaming of a different tomorrow than usual, a tomorrow where they would spend time together.
-
The first few days were a constant discovery for Taehyung. When he wasn't with Jimin, he wandered all over the building. His favorite place was the garden, where he could do what he loved most, look at the sky.
He had been entrusted with a personal servant even though he didn't feel the need for one, but Jimin had insisted a lot and, in the end, he had given up on the idea of this boy following him everywhere.
His name was Hoseok and he always served it with a warm smile. Sometimes they even had conversations. Taehyung was happy like he had never been before.
The only thing missing for his complete happiness was spending the whole day with Jimin. Unfortunately, the latter, being the king, did not have that much time to dedicate to the other. Of course, he did everything he could to be able to be together but it wasn't very easy.
Taehyung had once unintentionally interrupted a date between the king and one of his suitors. He apologized immediately and was ready to leave, but Jimin took this opportunity to end his suffering. He had invited him to walk with them.
Despite the girl's initial embarrassment, she then continued her entire conversation, but for the two boys they were just words wasted in the wind. They had spent the whole time looking at each other furtively and making hints of smiles.
That evening they had laughed a lot remembering that event and Jimin had suggested to his friend that he always interrupt his dates, but Taehyung had refused to do this, partly out of embarrassment and partly because it was truly torture as Jimin said.
However, it often happened that the reason why Jimin was not available was related to ruling the kingdom. He had many meetings with officials to follow, discuss the economy and taxes of his country and make diplomatic agreements with other peoples. Being king was something that kept you busy at all hours of the day.
One evening Jimin threw himself onto Taehyung's bed and lay on his stomach. They had finished dinner and the king had no commitments that day.
“I would really like to be a child again. I never have a free moment and I'm really tired.” Jimin said.
“This time I don't agree with you because I feel great now. I hated my childhood.”
“Good, hold this against me.” He threw the pillow in his face.
Taehyung laughed, put the pillow back where he belonged and lay down like Jimin.
“Have you decided who will be the lucky one among the girls who have been selected?”
"No. I just can't do it. I would like to sink into this bed and never get out.” He said rubbing his face as he yawned.
“Sorry to be a killjoy but tomorrow is the day they ask you for the final decision. It's almost August and preparations for the wedding have to begin.”
Jimin made a noise of frustration. He didn't want all this.
“I can understand how you feel, but there's nothing you can do about it, right? You just have to marry a girl and guarantee an heir, then if you don't care about her, you can always ignore her.”
"No! You're not understanding at all! I hate all this! Do you know how to make an heir?” Jimin blurted out.
“Well yes, but I still don't see this as a big problem.”
The sound that came out of Jimin's mouth was even louder this time.
“Instead, it's a big problem. Really big. If I tell you something, will you promise not to tell anyone?”
“We have so many secrets that I didn't think I had to assure you again that I won't tell anyone anything you tell me.”
“No Tae, this time it's different. You have to promise me." He said looking into his eyes as his eyes began to fill with tears.
“I promise, Jimin.” He said looking back at him.
Jimin hid his face with his hands before speaking.
“Tae, I don't think I can ever have a child because I don't like women that way.” He said sobbing.
To tell the truth, Taehyung was a little confused. He started stroking his friend's arm who couldn't even look at him and was shaking like a leaf. He didn't know what to say so he simply limited himself to
those caresses.
After a while Jimin calmed down and Taehyung took his hands covering his face and moved them away.
“Jimin, don't cry anymore, seeing you like this makes me suffer.”
“Aren't you horrified by what I just said?”
"Why should I? We can't like everything in life, everyone has their own tastes and preferences.”
“Yeah, maybe, but I'm wrong Tae. I have to give an heir to this kingdom, but the very idea makes me sick.”
“You don't have to worry, I'll help you. We will find a way to secure an heir without your direct participation.” He said patting his head.
“How do you plan to do it? It's not easy to do something like that.”
“Maybe it won't be easy, but it won't be impossible either. Speaking of secrets, you need to know my real story. I didn't want to lie to you, but I wasn't ready to tell you."
Taehyung told everything. He told him about his real mother, about why he had always been treated badly at home, about how his father was unaware of his existence, about the things his stepmother had done to him, everything. It was like lifting a boulder off his chest, he felt light.
A part of him hoped that his story could also reassure his friend, give him some hope for the future.
“Tae, I'm so sorry. I should have come to that river first and taken you away from that house.”
“Don't worry, eventually you get used to living like this. You showed up when you were supposed to and you were the best thing that happened in my entire life.”
Taehyung rested his forehead on the other's. It was such an intimate moment for them, they had both revealed two important secrets and had freed themselves of these burdens with the happy awareness of being understood and not judged.
They could feel each other's breath on their skin as they looked closer than ever before.
He didn't know what prompted him, but Taehyung wanted to get even closer to Jimin and decided to follow this sudden need.
Taehyung's lips lightly touched Jimin's at first. It was like a little caress between their lips.
When he realized that Jimin wasn't going to move away, he placed his hands on his cheeks and truly brought their lips together.
At first it was a very quiet kiss, but after a few seconds Jimin began to take charge of the situation and deepen the discovery of their mouths.
Taehyung's taste was very sweet and Jimin really liked sweet things. He tasted the honey from the sweets they had eaten shortly before and it seemed to him to be divine nectar. Jimin's, on the other hand, could be defined as heavenly by Taehyung. Not so much for the taste itself but for the fact that he felt in heaven after touching those lips.
When they started to feel the lack of oxygen, they broke away.
They were both red in the face and had shining eyes, they were feverish.
They looked at each other shocked by what had just happened and neither of them had the courage to start talking.
After a few seconds of staring at each other, one of them finally decided to speak up.
“I'm sorry, I shouldn't have. Forgive me, I really don't know what came over me."
“Don't apologize Tae, I agreed. No problem."
“If there's no problem… can I do it again?” He murmured.
Jimin's eyes widened at that question, he hadn't expected it at all.
“You can do it as many times as you want.” He answered.
And so they spent the whole night kissing and telling each other their stories.
Jimin returned to his room only when the first light of dawn began to emerge and with a smile that never left him.
-
He was very tense even though he was trying hard not to show it. He didn't even know if he was actually succeeding.
He sat on the throne surrounded by high officials as they decided his fate. He had asked Yoongi to stay by his side and help him with the final choice.
Even though he was physically there, his mind was still in the Palace but on the opposite side where Taehyung's room was. He couldn't stop thinking about what had happened between them the previous
night. He hoped they could do it again as soon as possible.
He felt alive in that moment like perhaps never before. He just couldn't stop thinking about it and the fact that his mind was somewhere else was perhaps visible to others too.
After a debate on who would be the best queen, the king's opinion was asked. But he had no idea what they had said until that moment.
He turned to Yoongi to understand the situation and the advisor bent down to speak to him so that no one else could hear him.
“They are undecided about Miss Son and Miss Choi. Both are part of powerful families, but while Son is more involved in the commercial context, Choi has more influence on the military.”
Jimin nodded and thanked the counselor.
“I have met both young ladies and they have many qualities. Both made a good impression on me and were perfect. Obviously, I can't marry both, therefore, a final decision must be made. I propose to vote for your preference by show of hands so that we can choose one.”
Until the end he was avoiding choosing. His father had given him the chance, yet he refused to do it because he couldn't have what he really wanted. He just hoped that the chosen girl wouldn't demand
anything from him.
The vote declared Miss Choi the winner. History had been made in that moment. The future queen had been found.
-
Meeting Miss Choi the next day was something Jimin will never forget.
The girl was very young and she wore that carefree smile of someone who has no worries. She seemed elated about the role she would soon fill.
Jimin greeted her with a bite in his stomach. He looked straight into her eyes trying to imagine a future with her but the more he tried the more nauseated he became. Of course, his face remained impassive, he was trying so hard not to show any emotion that his face felt sore.
The wedding date and some things about the preparations were decided. He would be a married man in about a month. Everything would have changed.
The only thing he could think about was 'Taehyung. I need Taehyung.'
He felt like he was about to explode, he struggled to breathe and his hands were shaking. The discussions about marriage continued around him but it was as if the sounds were muffled, he couldn't understand anything they were saying and he didn't even care. His gaze wandered around the room looking for someone in particular, but he knew he wasn't there. He began to sweat coldly and feel his heart pounding in his chest. He wanted to get up and run away but he didn't even know if he was capable of it at that moment.
Yoongi was talking to him, but he couldn't understand what he was saying. He felt all eyes on him, which he was used to but in that moment, it made him feel even worse.
The counselor approached him to see what was going on and Jimin grabbed him to whisper in his ear, “Taehyung.”
Yoongi sent a servant to find Taehyung and then had the king get up and take him to his room. He held it close to him throughout the short journey, helped by another servant.
Jimin couldn't even understand what they were doing at that moment, he could only feel his feet dragging on the floor and arms holding him up.
When they arrived in his room, they made him lie down in his bed and the servant went to call a doctor under the councilor's orders.
Jimin had started to break out in a cold sweat and felt his limbs tingling. His vision was blurry and he heard vague noises that he couldn't associate anything with.
At a certain point he felt someone shake his hand and caress it. He felt a pleasant sensation of warmth that began to pervade his body. This person was humming sweetly.
The king felt the need to turn his head to see who this very pleasant voice belonged to. His eyes slowly began to focus and he saw Taehyung staring straight at his face with one of the most beautiful smiles he had ever seen in his life. Was he in heaven?
The doctor, in the meantime, had arrived and asked Taehyung to move so he could visit the king, but this proved more difficult than expected. Jimin had started to squeeze Taehyung's hand back and
didn't want to let go.
In the end, the medical response was that everything was fine with Jimin. He was definitely very stressed but other than that he didn't have any problems, he just needed to rest.
All the people who were in that room were invited to leave to let the king rest.
Taehyung didn't want to leave him alone, but the doctor's orders were that everyone had to go out.
“Taehyung, stay here.” The king said in a small voice. He was so sick that he didn't think about how much that sentence could cause problems. This wasn't the time to think about it though.
Young Kim didn't have to be told twice and after waiting for everyone to come out (some with doubtful faces), he closed the door and immediately headed to Jimin.
While one of his hands held the king's, the other gently caressed his face, trying to make him feel his presence. He was there and he would never leave.
“Jimin, it's okay. Get some rest, I'll be here to take care of you.”
After hearing those words, Jimin smiled slightly and fell asleep knowing that he was in the loving arms of the person dearest to him.
-
When he woke up, he was happy to feel arms holding him and comforting him. He turned to look at Taehyung's face which was inches away from him. He had been there staring at him for hours and
studying the details of his face.
"Do you feel better now?" Taehyung asked.
“I have no idea what happened, I don't even know how I am here. The last thing I remember is that we were discussing wedding preparations.” He said quickly and trying to catch up on everything that had happened.
“Jimin, listen to me.” He said taking his chin between his fingers to make him focus only on him. “Stop for a moment, don't think about any of this. I asked you how you feel, can you answer me?”
Jimin looked at him with the still confused look of sleep and with his eyes wandering over every detail of Taehyung's face.
“I feel good now. I feel good because I'm in your arms.”
He tried to huddle even closer to the taller's body, which was almost impossible given that he was already attached to him.
“Good, then now rest a little longer before you think about other things. Just focus on the two of us, on this moment if it makes you feel better.” He left a sweet kiss on his forehead and hugged him to his
chest.
In this position Jimin could hear Taehyung's heartbeat and decided right then and there that it was his favorite sound ever.
“Tae.”
“Mh?”
"Thank you."
“I will always be there when you need me.”
Jimin lifted his head and kissed him. It was a very sweet and intimate kiss. A kiss they both needed.
“Tae, if in another life I asked you to marry me, would you accept?”
“Weren't you the one who once told me you didn't have time to think about other lives?”
“Yes, but answer anyway.”
“In another life, I would have accepted or maybe I would have asked you, who can say. I can assure you, however, that in every life I would have decided to spend it with you until my last breath."
“We have not been lucky in this life.”
"You are wrong. I consider myself lucky because I met you. I've already won."
Jimin kissed him again, this time with a few tears rolling down his cheeks. He was certain that he would love him in every life.
-
The news of what had happened to the king did not take long to spread to the living rooms of the entire capital. They were all worried about his health and consequently that there might be problems before the arrival of the long-awaited heir.
Obviously, this topic was also discussed in the Kim household.
Many people asked Mrs. Kim for information since her son lived in the Palace with the king. Surely, he had told her something about it. What people thought, however, couldn't be more wrong because the
lady didn't know anything at all. In order not to make it clear that she no longer had relations with her so-called son, she responded vaguely and unconsciously fueled even more the rumors that the king was ill.
Tired of the situation, she then decided to go to the Palace herself the following day to try to understand how the situation really was.
When Hoseok told Taehyung, who had just left the king's room, about his mother's visit, the boy could hardly believe it. He didn't want to see her for any reason in the world but, apparently, they had
already made her sit in his rooms and he had no escape route.
Seeing her again was worse than he had anticipated. His face was so tense and he had a grimace on his face that he couldn't make go away. He didn't want to appear hostile towards his stepmother in
front of the servants, but his face just couldn't cooperate.
“Mother, why are you here?”
As always, he got straight to the point. The sooner he hurry, the sooner she would leave.
“My son, how are you? Do they treat you well here at the Palace?”
“They treat me better than I've ever been treated in my life. Now tell me why you are here.”
Mrs. Kim gave him a disdainful face before continuing. “I heard that the king isn't feeling very well.”
He knew she was there for some gossip, having it first-hand this time would have made her even happier.
“The king is fine, he's just tired.”
“That's not what people say.”
“It may not be what they say, but it's the truth.” He snorted.
“How is he now?” She insisted.
“He is very well. He is preparing for another busy day after having rested.”
“They told me he felt ill during a wedding meeting.”
“They told you many things.”
They looked at each other intensely. She noticed that something in Taehyung had changed, he was no longer that lonely and silent boy he once was. Now he was able to face her without fear and in the
most obvious contempt. She no longer had any power over him.
“The king is very tired. Just know this. They have been difficult weeks for him but now he will recover. I think I've answered all your questions. You can go tell them around now.” He showed her the exit.
Mrs. Kim was furious and she really wanted to slap him but she couldn't or she would be in trouble. After giving him one last angry look, she left.
-
The preparations for the wedding had begun. The entire palace was in turmoil and everyone was eager for the fateful day to arrive.
One evening Jimin and Taehyung managed to escape and go to the river again. It was very difficult, but with the help of Hoseok and Yoongi they hoped they managed to avoid being noticed by anyone. However, they felt they needed that place.
When they arrived, Taehyung was so happy that his face lit up. It was nice to be back there. Nothing had changed in his absence, yet something seemed different to him. He had changed, he was no longer the same person who used to spend all his nights there. Now he was no longer alone, he had a friend or perhaps something more, the situation was not very clear to him.
“It seems like a lifetime since we were last here.” Jimin said.
“Yeah.” Taehyung nodded.
They sat down. Taehyung took his usual place, while Jimin stood next to him. They both lost themselves in looking at the river and the landscape that surrounded them as if they were enraptured by the magic of that place.
The king placed his head on the other's shoulder and cuddled up to him.
“I was waiting for us to get here to tell you. I spoke to Miss Choi yesterday.” Taehyung said at one point.
Jimin shot his head up and turned to look at Taehyung.
“What did you say to each other?”
“She's a really nice girl.”
“I don't doubt it but tell me what you said to each other now.”
“I asked her if she had any kind of feelings for you and she told me that she hopes to love you one day, that is too early to talk about feelings since she doesn't have any kind of relationship with you.”
Taehyung said, still looking at the river and its slow flow. “Then I asked her if she had any kind of expectations about your relationship. She told me that she would like to be friends with you and that just as they forced you, they forced her too. She said that you two share a similar fate and that she would like to find in you someone who can understand her from this point of view."
"Oh. I didn't think she was forced too. She seemed so happy and eager to be queen."
“Yes, apparently we both forgot that in this adventure there was also another person who plays an important role.” He took a pause before continuing. “She said she would like to know you and that's why she asked me who am I to you.” For the first time since he had started speaking, he turned to look at him in the eyes. “I told her I'm just someone who cares a lot about you.”
“Tae! You are much more than this! You are the person who makes me feel good, the one who makes me laugh, the one who comforts me, the one who, as soon as he looks at me just like you are doing now, causes something in my stomach. You are that person who I constantly think about even while I sleep. You're everything for me."
Taehyung kissed him softly while with one hand caressed his cheek. He pulled away after a while to get lost in his gaze again.
“I couldn't tell her all this.”
“Oh no, of course. The important thing is that you know it." He said smiling sweetly.
“Hearing you say that is always nice. And the important thing is that you know that it's mutual. You've turned my life upside down and you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I love you."
Jimin wasn't expecting those words. He was taken aback and Taehyung saw it in his gaze. He feared he had made a mistake.
“I love you too, Tae.” The king said after a while. He moved closer to him to kiss him again.
That evening was very important for them. They were in their place, the one that had marked the beginning of their acquaintance, and now they had expressed their feelings there. They knew that their relationship wouldn't be easy. It would be difficult to hide it, but they had to do it at all costs because they couldn't do anything without each other.
Two souls who felt lost and alone had met their mate in a remote and unknown place as if they had somehow been attracted to each other. They had saved each other and would never stop being grateful for their presence in their lives.
They knew they would have happy days and sad days, but they were no longer alone and would never be alone again.
-end-