Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Taehyung steps back from the canvas; head tilted as he studies the half-finished painting, he’s working on.
Jimin looks up, watching him intently before speaking, “Do you need me to get you anything?”
Taehyung shakes his head, “No, I have all the supplies I need. At least for today.”
“Are you sure? I haven’t had any tasks all day, My Prince.”
Taehyung shoots him a look, “Fine, come here and tell me what is missing from this if you want something to do.” He and Jimin were the same age, and no matter how many times he has to tell the servant, Jimin consistently forgot to act as a friend instead of hiring help.
Jimin happily hops off the stool he has been sitting on for the last several hours while Taehyung had been painting.
He studies the canvas for a long moment, Taehyung watching him for a response.
“I really don’t know; it’s missing a lot of paint?” Jimin says hesitantly looking up at Taehyung.
Taehyung sighs, “Why do I even bother asking you? I need Namjoon or something.”
Jimin shrugs and his training triggers him into a bow, an apology on his slips. Taehyung snorts and flicks the shorter man's forehead.
“You act like we aren’t friends,” Taehyung frowns at Jimin.
Suddenly they both turn as the door bursts open and Namjoon himself comes into the room, he fumbles with the door and turns to them, breathing heavily.
“Speak of the devil! Joonie-Hyung, can you give me your opinion on my painting?” Taehyung asks the older man with a smile on his face.
Namjoon nods and looks at the canvas as he catches his breath, “it’s good, Taehyung, you just need to add more black into the background as you fill in the other colors.”
Taehyung studies the half-finished canvas again and then nods, a grin spreading across his face.
“I have to talk to you about something Taehyung, your brother sent me over,” Namjoon says quietly.
Taehyung whips around to Namjoon, worry blooming in his eyes. Seokjin and Taehyung had an agreement that they would always be honest and upfront with each other about things happening in the kingdom. A year ago, when their father passed away, Seokjin had promised that he would always tell Taehyung important things in person, not through advisors or letters. Namjoon wasn’t exactly a servant but the fact that someone was sent in the first place was indicative of a potential issue.
“Is something wrong? Is he sick?” Taehyung drops his paintbrush and palate on the table next to him, already reaching for the ties of his apron. Jimin moves to help him take the cloth off as Namjoon begins to assure him.
“Jin is fine, but he’s running around busy with some stuff,” Namjoon pats Taehyung’s hand to calm him, “We just received word that the tension in Artelia is at an all-time high, they are planning a journey here and the threat of war is only growing.”
Taehyung studies Namjoon now, painting forgotten as Jimin cleans up the studio unprompted.
“What can I do?” Taehyung asks, ready to spring into motion at a moment's notice.
Namjoon smiles softly, “There isn’t much you can do, Tae, Jin needs time to prepare for their arrival. Lay low. Maybe it would be a good idea to have a small bag packed in case we need to get you out of here quickly.”
Taehyung frowns, “You can’t expect me to run away if war breaks out!”
“Yes, we do expect that. We can’t have everyone in the royal family in the danger zone, and you know your brother will be the last to leave his country behind. We just want you to be safe,” Namjoon looks into Taehyung’s eyes, imploring him to listen and understand.
Taehyung pouts like a toddler would and Namjoon can't help the chuckle that he lets out. Taehyung wasn’t really that much younger than he was himself, but the boy was too endearing sometimes.
“Just think about it Taehyung, we can pray it doesn’t come to that, but it may,” He pats Taehyung’s shoulders, “I need to go to your mother now, behave yourself.”
Taehyung sighs and nods, knowing the last part of that came from both Namjoon and Seokjin. And Seokjin was the king now, he had to listen to his brother.
Namjoon quickly says something to Jimin and leaves the room, much more gracefully than he had entered it.
Jimin waits quietly near his stool, not sure what Taehyung’s next move was going to be, maybe he shouldn’t have put away the painting.
“Let’s go to the gardens,” Taehyung finally looks up. Jimin sighs, the look on Taehyung’s face wasn’t a good one. For the next few days, he was going to be moody. At least this time he had a very good reason to be unhappy.
Jimin opens the studio door and lets Taehyung walk through as they head through the large stone castle, down a few sets of stairs, across several large rooms, and down a long hallway to the small door in the rear of the castle that Taehyung liked to use over the larger entrance in the conservatory.
Jimin holds the heavy wooden door open and shuts it carefully after Taehyung passes through, almost running into the prince as he turns to follow him into the garden.
Jimin looks up where Taehyung is staring and sighs, Jungkook must be on weeding duty today, “Should we go back in, Prince?”
Taehyung doesn’t respond for a long moment, “No, let’s go,” He takes a deep breath and walks down the path that he loves the most, despite it leading right past the man crouched in the daisy beds.
Jimin sighs and follows Taehyung at a respectful distance, knowing that other servants and workers would talk at the slightest divergence from palace decorum.
Jungkook bows as they walk by, shooting Jimin a small smile after Taehyung had passed him and Jimin nods slightly before hurrying after the prince.
“Taehyung, you really shouldn’t just ignore him. You talk to every other servant,” Jimin whispers.
Taehyung stops in the path as they cross into a small, wooded area, “I don’t care what I should do.”
Jimin sighs, now out of sight of any other servants or busybodies.
Taehyung frowns, “He obviously doesn’t want me to speak to him, he requested a different job all on his own without telling me.”
“I think you should just ask him why. It’s been like two years now and neither of you are over it.”
Taehyung turns and continues down the path, “No if he doesn’t want to be near me, I won’t force him.”
Jimin rolls his eyes but follows his charge further into the grove of trees, “At least I got an easy position out of him switching.”
Taehyung only seems to become moodier as he walks along, staring at the ground instead of up at the branches and flowers he normally enjoys so much.
Jimin resigns himself to a quiet afternoon and evening and closes his mouth, Taehyung needed to work himself out of his mood on his own.

“Taehyung, change of plans, we are not going to dinner,” Jimin opened the door to Taehyung’s room where he was carefully applying some charcoal to the corners of his eyes. Taehyung looked up at him in alarm as he ran around the room, grabbing a small bag from the back of a cabinet.
Jimin looks over, “Come on, we need to move now,” he grabs a few other things and rushes to the door.
Taehyung stares at him and Jimin sighs grabs Taehyung’s wrist and drags him into the hallway. They quickly walk over to a servant staircase and Jimin pulls the confused Prince all the way to the last floor. Taehyung sits down heavily on Jimin’s bed in his small room as Jimin moves around.
“Put this on, you need to look like the help,” He throws a slightly beat-up shirt and pants at the prince and begins to smudge the charcoal off his face.
“What happened?” Taehyung finally asks, voice cracking.
“Start changing and I’ll tell you,” Jimin urges, putting a few other things into the bag he had brought from Taehyung’s room.
Taehyung quickly begins to put the other clothes on, and Jimin runs some oil through his hair, trying to make it look dirty.
“The Royal guard from Artelia and their prince are in talks with Seokjin and it’s going south very quickly, we need to get out of the castle like now.”
Taehyung looks up at him in alarm, ready to protest but Jimin gives him a withering look and he stops short.
“If you think you can just throw your life away after I have spent years of mine taking care of you, you are sorely mistaken. Button your shirt and put these shoes on, you are going to need them for the horse,” Jimin places the bag on the bed and slips into the hallway for a moment while Taehyung fastens the loops on the old pair of boots.
“Come now, the coast is clear,” Jimin hisses, cracking to door open. Taehyung grabs the bag and follows Jimin into the hallway, trying to get used to the unfamiliar footwear and clothing. Jimin leads him through some more servant passageways, out a small door, and into the horse stables.
“Kook! It’s me, I brought him, I’m going to go keep a lookout,” Jimin calls quietly into the barn before he backs out of the door.
Taehyung looks around the dim room, bewildered and overwhelmed.
Suddenly Jungkook comes out of a horse stall, leading a large gray mare, and Taehyung jumps in surprise.
Jungkook gives him a wry smile, “I know you didn’t want to see me here, but you don’t really have a choice at the moment. Get on her, she’s the most gentle out of them all, but she’s still very strong.”
“I don’t know how to control a horse!” Taehyung hisses at Jungkook, worry, and annoyance threading together in his voice.
“Instead of hiding yourself in your studio you should have learned with your brother, it would have helped now,” Jungkook comments, bringing the horse closer to Taehyung gave the younger man an indignant look, “I like my paints!”
Jungkook sighs, a small smile on his lips, “You shouldn’t ever stop painting, Tae, you are so talented with it. But that means you need to live, and to live, you need to get on this horse and get as far away from here as you can.”
Taehyung’s eyes don’t leave Jungkook’s as the younger walks closer to him, his extra inch making Taehyung look up slightly.
“Kook,” Taehyung says, starting to feel panicked.
“You need to get out of here now!” Jimin comes back into the stable, Yuta on his heels.
“They have the guards down and King Seokjin is being held at sword point, they went to search for the Queen Dowager, and it won’t be long before they are going to come for you, Prince Taehyung,” Yuta recounts, breathless from running.
“What about Namjoon?” Taehyung presses, ignoring Jungkook who was trying to turn him toward the horse.
Yuta looks down at the floor, “He won’t leave Seokjin, you know that.”
Taehyung nods, his brother and Namjoon had a specific kind of bond, and it was partly the reason why Seokjin had put off getting married.
“Get on the horse Taehyung!” Jimin hisses, anger flaring in his eyes. Yuta quickly ducks out and Jimin stands in the doorway, watching for Artelia guards.
Jungkook turns Taehyung and slaps his leg, urging him to put his foot in the stirrup.
Taehyungs eyes start to blur as he finds his footing, letting Jungkook help to hoist him over the horse's back.
“Ready?” Jungkook asks, trying to ignore the tears gathering in Taehyung’s eyes. He reaches to hand the reigns to Taehyung who refuses them.
He looks at Jungkook resolutely, “I’m not leaving without you.”
Jungkook’s mouth falls open in shock and he falters, searching for something to say.
“I will not leave this stable unless you are with me Jungkook, so make your choice,” Taehyung crosses his arms defiantly.
“Guys, the guards are beginning to search the halls, Felix just told me, you need to leave now Tae,” Jimin says from the doorway.
Jungkook looks up at Taehyung, imploring him to just go but the prince still refused to take the reigns and kicks his feet from the stirrups.
“I don’t have time to saddle another horse!” Jungkook finally says, leading the mare toward the stable door.
Taehyung glares at him, “Then get on with me.”
Jimin sighs in exasperation, “Jungkook, just go, you know this is the only way right now.”
Jungkook looks back and forth between Jimin and Taehyung and finally nods. In one swift motion, he puts a foot into the stirrup, swings himself across the horse behind Taehyung, and gathers the reigns, one arm on either side of Taehyung.
Jimin holds up a hand and they all sit frozen until Jimin nods and throws the door wide open. Taehyung has to suppress a yelp as Jungkook digs his heels into the horse and they shoot across the stable yard toward the woods on the far side of the castle gardens.

They slow once they are deep into the woods, Jungkook expertly navigating them down some small unused paths toward the border of Samiline to the east.
“Are you okay?” Jungkook asks, keeping the horse in a slow walk.
Taehyung relaxes his grip on the front of the saddle and takes a few deep breaths, not sure how he had stayed on the horse.
“I’m sorry that was so fast when you aren’t used to horses,” Jungkook says apologetically.
“It’s okay,” Taehyung says quietly.
Jungkook stops the horse and swings down from her back, keeping the reigns to lead her down a slope toward a stream.
Taehyung finds the stirrups with his feet, needing the support with Jungkook’s firm chest suddenly absent.
They reach the stream, cross it, and make their way up the other bank into a thicker cluster of trees where Jungkook stops the horse, tying one reign to a branch.
“Here,” He holds out his hand to Taehyung who looks at it and suddenly starts to break down.
“Taehyung,” Jungkook reaches both hands up, hands finding Taehyung’s waist as if they belonged there, “I’m so sorry, Tae.”
Taehyung reaches for Jungkook blindly with one hand and Jungkook quickly urges him to climb down, slowly lifting the prince off the horse. Taehyung’s hands land on Jungkook’s shoulders as the younger supports his hips, carefully placing his feet on the ground.
Taehyung quickly steps forward, head falling into Jungkook’s shoulder as the younger pats his back, tears falling freely.
“Tae, I am so sorry this is happening to you,” Jungkook says quietly, letting Taehyung cry.
Tae nods into his shoulder, “Jin,” He chokes out, fresh hot tears falling from his eyes.
Jungkook sighs, “Namjoon too,” one of his hands finds its way up Taehyungs back, into the short hair above Taehyung’s neck. The light scratches calm the prince pretty quickly, but he continues to hide his face in Jungkook’s shoulder, hands gripping the back of his shirt.
“I admire Namjoon,” Jungkook says, absentmindedly.
Taehyung finally shifts, clearing his throat and taking a step away from Jungkook, “Why?”
“He was able to do what I couldn’t,” Jungkook says vaguely waving the topic away.
Taehyung sits heavily on the ground where a pile of leaves had gathered, “You think there’s any way they won’t hurt them?”
Jungkook grimaces, crouching a few feet away from Taehyung, “I don’t think so, Tae. They are known for being cruel.”
Taehyung suddenly gasps, “Jimin!” Tears begin to well up in his eyes again, “What are they going to do to Jimin?”
Jungkook hangs his head, worry for many of the other servants rushing through his body. He let’s himself feel it for a moment before shaking his head, he had to get Taehyung across the border today, preferably before sunset. He glances up to see the sun heading toward the tops of the hills to the west and stands up.
“Tae, we have to keep moving,” he holds a handout to Taehyung to help him up, “We need to get across the border before dark.”
Taehyung looks up at him, eyes still watery but lets Jungkook lift him to his feet and onto the horse.
“When did you get so strong?” He asks after he is settled on the horse.
Jungkook shakes his head with a small smile, “I have been for a while, you’ve just been ignoring me.”
Taehyung looks at him indignantly, but his train of thought is disrupted when Jungkook starts to walk, leading the house instead of getting on with him.
“You are going to walk?” He asks, confused and disappointed to be so far from the younger man.
“We can’t overwork Lila here, we aren’t too far from the path to the border anyway,” Jungkook says, patting the horse's neck and starting a quick pace through the trees.
Taehyung sits quietly on the horse, letting Jungkook guide them through the woods, “How do you know where we are?”
Jungkook glances back up at Taehyung with a smile, “You went to paints I went to horses and woods,” he says simply with a shrug.
“I like my paints,” Taehyung grumbles to himself, and Jungkook laughs.
“I know you do, and I love that you are passionate about them, I wish you could spend your entire life painting, don’t ever think I’m making fun of you for it.”
Taehyung stares at Jungkook in shock, not realizing that the horse had stopped until Jungkook turns and starts walking again.
They continue in silence for several minutes while Taehyung processes this information and collects his thoughts.
“Jungkook?” he asks, brow furrowed.
Jungkook glances up at him, “Yes, Taehyung?”
“If you didn’t leave because you didn’t like painting, then why did you request to switch positions?” Taehyung asks, watching the back of Jungkook’s head as they continued through the trees. Jungkook flinches and stumbles on a rock.
When he doesn’t answer Taehyung frowns further, “Jungkook? Did I do something to make you uncomfortable? Or was it the actual paint? Are you allergic? Or did you just want to be outdoors more? If it was me-”
Jungkook places a hand on Taehyungs thigh, a hand motioning him to be quiet. He points through the trees to a road and a group of people riding along it.
Taehyung freezes as the group pass without a second glance into the woods as they head east.
“Who were they?” Taehyung asks in a whisper after they disappear again.
“Artelia guards, It’s good we were off the path when they came.”
Taehyung stares with big eyes at the road and Jungkook sighs, leading them the rest of the way to it.
“Shouldn’t we stay off the road?” Taehyung asks, worried about this plan.
Jungkook shakes his head, “They are looking for one prince, you don’t look like a prince, and you are not alone. We need to get past the border before they begin to head back to the castle.”
Taehyung nods, “I’ll do what you say, I can’t believe you thought I would be able to do this all on my own.”
Jungkook laughs, “It’s probably good I came, I won’t lie.”
Taehyung smiles, Jungkook’s laugh a breath of fresh air on the otherwise terrible day. Jungkook tells him to be quiet and Taehyung shuts his mouth as they progress down the road.
“Okay, we're getting close,” Jungkook stops the horse when they both start to hear the noise of people instead of the woods.
Taehyung looks up, as Jungkook comes to the side of the horse.
“Here’s the plan, I’m going to get on with you, you are going to pretend to be sick, and I’m bringing you over to look for a doctor.”
Taehyung looks at Jungkook with wide eyes and Jungkook has to stop himself from cooing, “Will that work?”
“Yes, if you are as good an actor as I think you are, we will be able to get across the border and past the guards. If we are looking for a doctor, they will let us through,” Jungkook assures Taehyung and then pats his knee with a small smile, “Gonna let me up?”
Taehyung nods, quickly pulling his feet from the stirrups, trying to make room for Jungkook on the horse. He holds his breath as Jungkook swings up behind him, caging the older man in once again.
“You, okay?” Jungkook asks, sensing something off in Taehyung’s mannerisms.
Taehyung nods quickly, “Fine, what kind of sick am I?”
Jungkook chuckles, “You ate something bad, and you are fainting?”
Taehyung thinks as Jungkook settles into the saddle and then leans back against him, head tilting to the side as if he had lost consciousness. He misses the hitch in Jungkook’s breath entirely.
Jungkook clears his throat, looking down at Taehyung’s long exposed neck and shaking his head, “Good job, I know you would be a good actor.”
Taehyung smiles, “Thanks!” He lets himself relax against Jungkook’s chest and takes a sharp breath as Jungkook wraps one arm tightly around his chest.
“Ready?” Jungkook asks and then kicks the horse into a canter when Taehyung nods a yes.

“Where are you headed?” The guard analyzes the two boys on the gray horse.
“Hi sir, my friend here fell ill and the closest town is here, we really need to get to a doctor, I don’t know what’s wrong with him,” Jungkook explains, worry apparent in his face and voice and Taehyung’s head lolls to the side as if he couldn’t support it himself.
The guard’s eyes narrow as he takes in Taehyung’s dirty, sweaty, and pale face, Jungkook’s large eyes filled with worry. “Have you seen a rich-looking young man traveling alone?”
Jungkook pretends to think about it, “No sir, nobody like that. Why?”
“Some men from a western country are looking for a runaway royal, nothing too crazy for you to concern yourself with, I know we have a healer in town, but you might want to ride on to the capital, there are better services there,” The man ushers them through as Taehyung begins to shake in Jungkook’s arms.
Once Jungkook has put a comfortable distance between them and the border, the guard and the men searching for Taehyung, he slows the horse and nudges the older, “We’re past the worst of it.”
Taehyung continues to shake, a small sob leaving his mouth as he picks his head up.
Jungkook sits up straighter in alarm, “What’s wrong? Are you actually sick now?”
Taehyung shakes his head, still leaning into Jungkook, “They were talking about Jin.”
“Hold on tight,” Jungkook whispers. As soon as Taehyung has a grip on Jungkook’s legs, he kicks the horse, and they fly through the rest of the small border town and into the woods on the other side where Jungkook stops the horse.
He climbs off, leaving Taehyung cold and alone yet again, and finds his way into the woods, stopping at a stump.
“Taehyung let’s take a quick break,” Jungkook reaches up, finding Taehyung’s waist yet again as he tries to soothe the older.
“They were laughing at Joonie trying to protect Jin,” Taehyung chokes out between sobs and Jungkook deflates.
“Those idiots,” He mutters, leaning his head against Taehyungs thigh.
Taehyung’s breath catches in his throat and Jungkook looks back up at him before reaching for him again and lifting him down to the ground.
Jungkook sighs as Taehyung collapses onto the stump, folding in on himself. He quickly ties up the horse and wraps his arms around Taehyung who leans into him, having his second breakdown of the day.
They stay that way for so long that Jungkook’s legs cramp up, but he would never say anything to Taehyung.
“I wish I could go and kill those men right now,” Jungkook finally says when Taehyung begins to calm down.
“Are we staying here?” Taehyung asks, sitting back up and realizing where they were.
Jungkook shakes his head, “You really trust me way too much,” He changes gears quickly, “We need to get to the next town and find an inn. Jimin should have put some coins into the bag you have with you.”
Taehyung nods, drying his eyes, “How much further is it?”
“Not that much, an hour maybe,” Jungkook says softly.
“Okay, let’s go,” Taehyung says, but doesn’t move.
Jungkook stands, stretching the cramps in his legs, “Do you want to ride together? You can rest a bit before we get there.”
Taehyung looks up surprised but nods shyly. There was something about Jungkook that was so comforting. He felt at ease in the younger man’s arms and his worry melted away.
Jungkook got them to the next town, riding in the dark and rousing Taehyung as the town's torches came into view.
He expertly gets them and Lila room and board at the inn, keeping one hand on Taehyung the entire time. Taehyung didn’t mind, he let his mind wander as Jungkook took care of everything and lead him to the room the innkeeper choose for them. She gave Jungkook a lantern and promised she would bring them some bread in a moment before disappearing again.
“Tae, zone in please,” Jungkook tugs on Taehyung’s arm as he stares at the single bed in the room.
Taehyung turns, coming out of his thoughts to stare at the bed. He shrugs and lays down on it, patting the other side.
Jungkook stares at him, “I can just sleep on the floor.”
Taehyung sits up, looking almost angry, “No, tell me right now why you don’t want to be around me. We have spent so much time together and then suddenly you leave me alone with a new person! I love Jimin but I didn’t grow up next to him. Jungkook, we spent so much time as kids, running around the gardens, getting in trouble for running in the library, stealing food from the kitchens, and bothering the friendly guards on the towers.”
“I don’t know what I did to make you feel like you can’t be close to me, but I am so sorry, Jungkook. Please tell me what I did so that I can fix it and have my best friend back near me.”
Jungkook turns away from Taehyung, trying to hide the emotion on his face.
“Jungkook, Please,” Taehyung reaches for his hand, trying to pull him back around.
“Tae, you didn’t do anything, I promise,” Jungkook manages to say, around the lump in his throat.
Taehyung pulls harder on Jungkook’s hand and the younger turns, face pained.
“Kookie, please tell me what’s going on,” Taehyung says. Jungkook tries to brush it off, but Taehyung sounded so lost and confused he gives in.
“Taehyung, I like you.”
Taehyung stares at the younger who took to studying the floor.
“I like you too Jungkook,” Taehyung says softly.
Jungkook shakes his head, “No, Taehyung, I fell in love with you. Somewhere between the garden, library, towers, and kitchens, I fell in love with you, and it hurt to be with you all the time and know that you would be set up in a marriage to some girl from another kingdom. I couldn’t stand to spend every moment of every day together just to know that some princess was going to take my place soon. I was selfish and I ran away because it hurt too much.”
Taehyung stares up at Jungkook in amazement before pulling him closer, grabbing the front of his dirty shirt, and pulling him down into a kiss.
Jungkook freezes, hands flying to catch himself on the bed, caging Taehyung in again before he pulls away.
“What are you doing?” Jungkook asks, making to stand back up.
Taehyung keeps hold of his shirt and keeps him there, “I have always loved you. You should have told me earlier.”
Jungkook stares at the older man still bent over him.
“We could have been together the last two years instead of you avoiding me,” Taehyung pouts in his signature toddler way and Jungkook starts to laugh.
“You are so cute,” Jungkook breathes out before kissing the pout right off Taehyungs face.

The innkeeper comes back a few moments later with some food for them which they eat quickly. When Taehyung starts to yawn Jungkook smiles and declares it time to sleep, making Taehyung wash up quickly in the room’s water basin.
They climb into bed and Taehyung curls up into Jungkook’s chest, letting the younger man hold him.
“What are we going to do tomorrow?” Taehyung asks, worry catching up to him. Those men were only an hour and a half horse ride away.
Jungkook pats his back soothingly, “We will follow the instructions in your bag, go to the safe house and live there until it’s safe to try and return.”
“What if it’s never safe to go back?” Taehyung asks, tensing slightly.
“Then we pretend that life until today didn’t happen, we go to the safe house and start a new life. Create new names for each other and live there.”
“I don’t like that idea.”
“You don’t want to live happily ever after with your amazing boyfriend in a private house in the woods?” Jungkook asks cheekily.
Taehyung slaps his chest, “You know what I mean.”
Jungkook catches his hand and presses a kiss to his palm, “I do know what you mean, and I’m sorry I can’t offer you more options. I would do anything for you if I could.”
“I know you would,” Taehyung whispers, cuddling further into Jungkook as sleep began to take him under.

The next morning the innkeeper brings them food in their room, dropping a subtle hint to not join the other guests in the dining room downstairs. Jungkook nods his thanks and keeps Taehyung out of sight in their room until Lila and a second horse Jungkook had purchased with their last few coins were ready to ride out.
Taehyung finds a cloak in the bag Jimin had packed him and puts it on, hair still messed up and dirty to hide his face.
Jungkook helps him onto Lila, keeping Taehyung’s horse near his own as they start out to the safe house.
It’s past noon when they pass through the small town Jimin had written down. They follow the instructions to a small path through the woods.
“Are you sure about this?” Taehyung asks as they ride, single file down the path.
“I trust Jimin’s instructions, we should be there soon,” Jungkook assured him.
Soon they came out on a small clearing. A cabin sat in the middle, a small stream of smoke rising from the chimney. Several animal pens surrounded the cabin and a stream cut through the far side, a small well contraption set up next to it.
“Told you,” Jungkook grins at the look in Taehyung’s eyes. He looked inspired and his hands were twitching. He wanted his paints.
A small man with cat-like features stepped out of the cabin, spotted them, and called into the cabin. He was quickly joined by another man, his smile as bright as the sun as he came toward them.
“Hi! How can we help you?” The taller man asked, smile disarming.
“We were told to come here for shelter, my friend here is being looked for by some not great people and we were told this was a safe house of sorts,” Jungkook quickly explained, wincing at the way his words had made them sound.
“Prince?” The man asked eyeing Taehyung and nodding when he started in his saddle.
“We got a letter a few days ago about some trouble in the next kingdom, you are welcome to hide out here as long as you need,” He smiled again and then seems to remember something, “I’m Hoseok, and that’s Yoongi, I hope you guys are not scared of couples like us.”
Taehyung reached over and grabbed Jungkook’s hand with a smile, “No we’re not.”
Hoseok’s eyes lit up as Jungkook blushed to his toes. He turned and ran over to the other man, Yoongi, and said a few things to him. Yoongi looked up and waved at them with a smile and wave before ducking back into the cabin.
Hoseok gestured to an animal pen and Jungkook lead both horses to it, stopping them just short of the door.
Taehyung sits quietly as Jungkook jumps down and leads their new horse into the pen before doubling back, lifting Taehyung down and leading Lila inside it as well.
“You go in, I’ll de-tack them,” Jungkook tells Taehyung and closes the pen door between them.
Hoseok smiles again, “Come on in with me, you must be famished!”
Something about Hoseok was so disarming and Taehyung just nodded, following him across the clearing with only a second's hesitation.

An hour later Taehyung finally began to relax. He had eaten some food, talked to both Hoseok and Yoongi about everything, and had Jungkook’s arm wrapped around him. And the best part, Jungkook wasn’t going to avoid or ignore him ever again.
He leans further into Jungkook as they sit at the table in the safe house, smiling sadly, thinking of his brother, mother, Jimin, and Namjoon. He wouldn’t be able to forget them any time soon, but he was grateful that they had made him an escape route and he still had Jungkook with him. Maybe they could just start a new life here in this clearing.
Maybe they could live happily ever after, after all.
Taehyung had lost his crown and title, but he had gained something even more precious. Jungkook.

Chapter Text

“Tae,” Jungkook shakes Taehyungs shoulder as the older sleeps, “Hyung, you need to wake up, Hobi Hyung has information for us.”
Taehyung mutters something but lets Jungkook sit him up on the bed in Yoongi and Hoseok’s spare room. They have been living here six months already and part of Taehyung wishes this could be their permanent future, but he knows better than to hope for that.
“Do I need to carry you?” Jungkook teases, poking Taehyung’s arm insistently.
“Fine, I’m up,” Taehyung lifts his head, finding Jungkook through his hair. It had grown several inches over the last few months, and the messy curls only endeared him further to Jungkook, who had trouble not cooing every time he saw his boyfriend.
“How do you feel this morning?” Jungkook asks, making eye contact with Taehyung so the older wouldn’t brush the question off or avoid it.
Taehyung sighs, “I’m okay, just tired.”
Jungkook nods, most days Taehyung was fine. He could wake up and smile and laugh with Jungkook, help with the animals, and farm and talk freely. Every now and then there was a day when he was withdrawn, a gray cloud over his head as he thought about the family and people he had left behind.
“They said it’s big news today,” Jungkook stands and holds out a hand to Taehyung, “Let’s go find out what it is.”
Taehyung nods, still sleepy, but puts his hand in Jungkook’s and follows him out into the large main room of the cabin.
“You’re up! I’m glad, here, eat while Yoongi cleans the horse,” Hoseok places a bowl of some sort of porridge in Taehyung’s hands and spins away, back to the small kitchen area.
Taehyung stares at the bowl, still half asleep, and Jungkook chuckles, taking a seat next to him on the padded bench.
“Just one bite at a time, Hyung,” Jungkook says, lifting a half-full spoon to Taehyung’s mouth.
Taehyung smiles and open’s his mouth, letting Jungkook feed him the porridge.
Yoongi comes in several minutes later and stops to talk to his husband before they both join the others.
“I heard some good thing’s from my contact today,” Yoongi says lightly, letting Hoseok press another bowl into his hands.
Jungkook sits forward on the bench as Taehyung finally seems to wake up, looking at Yoongi in anticipation.
“The spy network is finally prepared to execute a plan, it’s a very well put together plan. They will be able to get the right people into place to remove the general and the price of Artelia who are currently in the palace. The only thing they are missing is essentially, you, Taehyung.”
Jungkook turns to Taehyung, already worried about how successful this plan would be. Taehyung’s eyes bulge as he looks at Yoongi, “Why?”
“They need to put someone on the throne, and they can’t use anyone from Samiline, they know you are still alive and need to put you in place to encourage the people of your country to help fight the Artelia army.”
“This can’t be safe!” Jungkook is almost out of his seat, thumbnail between his teeth.
Yoongi grimaces, “Of course, it’s not safe, but this is war Jungkook. There are people in your country who are suffering under the Artelia royals, and they need your help. Taehyung’s help, as their prince.”
Jungkook stands, anger surging along with the anxiety, but Taehyung puts a hand on his arm.
“Kookie, all my life, Seokjin let me do whatever I wanted. He let me live in peace and didn’t make me attend any royal training if I didn’t want to. He let me paint and be artistic. I can’t let him down now that he’s gone. It’s my duty to serve the people, I have to do anything I can to help them.”
“Taehyung, You can’t be serious! What if you die? Then you won’t be able to help anyone! And I can’t lose you now that I have you!” Jungkook sits back down next to his boyfriend, distraught.
Taehyung takes his hand, “I have to, Kook. I was born into the royal family, and I can’t just ignore the responsibility that comes along with that totally and status.”
Jungkook wilts into the bench, knowing that nothing he says will change Taehyung’s mind once he’s decided something.
“Taehyung, the people would be so proud to have a leader like you, you will make a fantastic king,” Hoseok says with a kind smile.
Taehyung nods, “What do we do now? What’s the next step?”
Yoongi clears his throat and pulls out a book from his riding vest, “In here is everything that has been passed to me through the spy network, it’s a lot so we are going to be here for a while.”
Taehyung nods handing his mostly empty porridge bowl to Hoseok and leans forward on the bench, ready.

Three days later Taehyung finds Jungkook sitting on a large flat rock the two had discovered while exploring the small stream their first month at the cabin.
He sighs, Jungkook looked down, and it was probably his own fault.
“See any fish today?” Taehyung asks as he sits down next to Jungkook, feet dangling off the edge of the rock.
Jungkook looks up momentarily, “A few.”
Taehyung grimaces, “Kookie, I’m really sorry-”
Jungkook shakes his head, interrupting, “You don’t need to apologize, I know it’s something you have to do.”
“But that doesn’t mean my heart isn’t telling me to hide here with you for the rest of our lives,” Taehyung says, a sad smile on his face as he watches the stream pass below their feet.
When Jungkook doesn’t respond he continues, “Please, believe me, I love being here in this private clearing, taking the horses out together, eating, laughing, talking, I love that nobody here is waiting on me hand and foot. I love being with you, I love you,” He pauses, a blush rising on his face, “And if I could, I would build us our own cabin, where we can live together happily forever.”
He looks up to see Jungkook beaming at him, and his eyes widen in surprise.
“I love you too Taehyung,” Is all he says before knocking the older onto his back with a hug.

The day soon came for the group plans to begin. The network had been buzzing for a fortnight, information and ideas flying back and forth through it from the castle to Samiline’s royal family to the cabin hidden in the woods.
It was a cool autumn morning when Taehyung and Jungkook set out from the cabin, taking their two horses back through the woods to the nearby town and beyond.
They had tried to convince Yoongi and Hoseok to come with them, even just as moral support but the couple had declined, they were farmers, not soldiers, and they had a safe house to man even when it was suddenly empty.
The trip back to the town was uneventful, the sun rising steadily behind them as they rode along the path.
Yoongi had finally told them the name of his contact in town, they would be going to the blacksmith's shop and asking for a young man by the name of Keeho. He was supposed to go with them to the meeting point before they all executed their plan.
Keeho was waiting for them, he had been checking out the window every few minutes since the sun had risen and finally started to breathe normally when the two men came to a halt in front of the shop.
“Hi, I’ll grab my horse and be out in a moment, are either of you hungry? I have some bread and cheese if so,” His kind mannerisms seem to oppose his sharp features.
Taehyung quickly agreed, a bit of extra food in their stomachs couldn’t be a bad idea. Keeho was quick about his task, riding around the side of the building a moment later with the food in a small bag.
“We are going to take a farm road instead of the main road, I hope Sir. Min filled you in total,” Keeho handed them each a piece of bread that he ripped off the loaf and smiled as they both looked at him dumbfounded.
“Sir?” Jungkook finally asked, curiosity getting the best of him.
Keeho nods, “Yes, he’s a knight. He didn’t tell you that did he?”
Both boys shook their heads, “No he didn’t.”
Keeho laughs, “He never tells people, he should, he did a lot of work to get the title,” He seems to remember the current situation, “We should head out, just follow my lead,” He expertly turns his horse and heads down an alleyway.
It isn’t until the sun has started its descent in the sky that they reach the meeting place. The group has made a camp in a large clearing, with tents and a few fires doting the green grass. Keeho tells them that it’s pretty close to the border between Patrinic, Taehyung’s kingdom, and Samiline.
The small group is met with gusto from the head general of Samiline who runs over, a huge smile on his face when he learns that they have arrived on the edge of the camp.
“Hello! We have been awaiting your arrival, prince!” he bows to all three of them before continuing, “I go by the name Jungho! I am so happy you all arrived safely, if you will, Hyunjin will take your horses and I will bring you to meet our prince and begin the final preparations!”
Jungkook refuses to hand off Lila and Sam, insisting that he will care for them himself and Jungho’s face seems to fall slightly but he recovers quickly, suggesting that they rest for a bit and eat before they begin to plan. Everyone agrees to this new plan and Jungho leaves them with Hyunjin and Seungmin who show them to the temporary stable.
To Jungho’s satisfaction, Taehyung is eager to meet the Samiline prince and convinces Jungkook to let the horse be brushed down by the stable boys, half dragging him to the prince's tent in the center of the camp.
Jungho excitedly introduces Taehyung, Jungkook, and Keeho to the prince, Yeosang. They can’t help but be in awe at his appearance, he was effortlessly beautiful.
“Thank you for coming to the help of my people, I will be forever in your debt, my Prince,” Taehyung says, bowing deeply to the blond man.
Yeosang quickly stands and bows as well, “Please, it is only what a good neighbor would do, I hope that our two kingdoms will have a long and happy friendship!”
Jungkook mutters something under his breath and Keeho gives him a curious glance but is quickly distracted as the two princes begin to talk about the plans for the next day.
Their talks last the rest of the day and are only ended when Jungho and Jungkook, who have quickly become friends, make a valiant effort to stop and eat a decent meal. Keeho thanked them for insisting on eating, he had started to get a bit grumpy.
Sooner than anyone wanted, the dawn comes again, and the camp is packing up, ready to head across the border and into position for the reclaiming of the kingdom.
There is a good amount of chatter and friendly talk as the company rides west.
“Shouldn’t we be quieter?” Jungkook asks Taehyung as they ride near the back of the large group.
Taehyung shakes his head, “We are still rather far from any danger, and the leaders from Artelia relaxed their security very quickly, we should be fine.”
Jungkook frowns but doesn’t argue any further.
“Were you even paying attention to all the plans we made?” Taehyung teases throwing the younger a grin.
Jungkook rolls his eyes, “I was too busy looking at your gorgeous face.”
Taehyung instantly colors and gapes, shocked enough that Lila pauses in her walk as if to ask if he was okay. Taehyung pats her neck and she quickly catches up with Jungkook who was smiling to himself, proud and a little stunned that he had that much power over his prince.

Jungkook was regretting everything by the next day.
He really should have been paying more attention to the plans that Taehyung and the others had been discussing all of this time instead of helping with the farm and animals. He had no idea what was going on now. Taehyung would never judge him for asking what their next step was, but he still felt foolish for not being as involved as he should have been. This was his boyfriend and everyone in the company knew it.
The company had stopped and set up a quiet dark camp as night fell and Jungkook was left to his own devices as Prince Yeosang’s servants set up tents and brought them all food. Taehyung had disappeared somewhere, and a servant named Ten had led him to a tent, and judging by the size of it, and the real furniture inside, he would be staying with Taehyung.
Ten came back a while later with some food for him and he ate quietly before lying down on the sleeping mat laid out for them to rest.
“Kookie,” Taehyung was shaking his shoulder, “Love, wake up, I need you to come with me tonight.”
Jungkook quickly sat up, eyes still half closed, “I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” He mumbles, limbs heavy and clumsy.
Taehyung smiles at the younger man, fondness in his eyes, “It’s okay Kook,” He sits down next to Jungkook and wraps his arms around the younger, who leans into him, a happy sigh leaving his pouty mouth.
“Jungkook, I want you to know I love you,” Taehyung says, leaning his head on the top of Jungkook’s.
It takes a moment, but when Jungkook finally comprehends the statement, his eyes fly open and he pulls back to look at Taehyung, slightly panicked, “You sound like you’re saying goodbye!”
Taehyung chuckles, shaking his head, “Not if I can’t help it. I want you beside me until we die, you already know that.”
Jungkook smiles shyly, suddenly stretching his limbs.
“We have a midnight meeting tonight and I want you to come with me,” Taehyung says, threading his fingers through the hair at the back of Jungkook’s head.
Jungkook leans into it slightly, quickly agreeing to go. He wouldn’t probably follow Taehyung straight into the mouth of an active volcano if the man asked him.
“Let’s go, it’s almost time to leave,” Taehyung helps Jungkook up and they walk out of the tent hand in hand, joining Keeho and the others at the center of the dark camp.

The meeting was successful. Taehyung, Jungkook, Keeho, Yeosang, and Jungho all reached the small pond where they were meeting the others just as the moon came out from a cloud, showing a few other figures in the moonlight.
Jungkook gasped and Taehyung tugged the younger ever so slightly closer to him, worried until he saw the delighted look on his face.
“Yuta!” Jungkook whispered excitedly, tugging on Taehyung’s arm.
It was true, there were four figures standing next to the tree line on the other side of the pond.
Jungho quickly left the group, walking over to the others to make sure they were safe before waving them all over.
Everyone was quickly introduced, and Yuta and another servant that Taehyung had only seen once or twice named Seungmin bowed to Taehyung and Yeosang before telling them who their companions were.
“This is Sana and Johnny; they are both from Artelia and have agreed to help us with our plan,” Yuta gestures to them.
Jungkook looks on in awe, paying attention this time as they quickly go over the final plans for their attack the next day.
Yeosang made sure that everyone was told to sleep longer the next day, and everyone was finally awake and assembled around noon.
The final preparations were executed, and several servants were dispatched to the village to spread the word of Taehyungs return that night. If all the people showed up, the plan would be much more successful.

Evening approached quickly, the whole camp silent but charged with anxious energy until just before sunset Felix stumbled into the camp and announced that the plan was moving along, it was time for them to move.
Taehyung stood up from the mat he and Jungkook had been sitting on, holding hands as the anticipating and anxiety rolled around them.
“Ready my love?”
Jungkook looked up at the older and nodded once, letting Taehyung pull him up to stand as well.

“How do we know this is going to work?” Jungkook asks as they crouch behind a large bush, watching the castle.
“It has too,” Taehyung says, trying to sound as certain as he could. Jungkook is about to say something in response when movement catches their eye from one of the turrets.
Yuta was there waving a multi-colored flag. Taehyung grinned, “It’s already working, let’s go.”
Jungkook takes a deep breath and follows Taehyung across the vast expanse of gardens and into the same half-hidden door that Jimin had gotten Taehyung out of seven months before.
Seungmin is there, holding the door open as they all file in.
Jungkook grins when he sees a few other servants in the corridor, helping them all into the kitchens.
Soon they were in the servant’s hall, leading to the large feast room.
“Tae, are you sure?” Jungkook asks, hearing the loud sounds of a party going on beyond the door.
Taehyung nods, both in response to Jungkook and as the signal to move. The door is opened, and they file in, staying in the shadows on the side of the hall. Three other doors open and other members of Yeosang’s army file in until the whole room is surrounded.
Johnny approaches Taehyung, Yeosang, and Jungkook, “Sana has gotten the prince out of the party, they should be covered, you just have to worry about Siwon. He can be pretty brutal.”
Taehyung nods and Johnny walks away from them.
“Where are all the guards?” Jungkook hisses to Taehyung.
“The kitchens gave most of them some beer earlier, it was laced. The ones in here are still our people,” Taehyung says with a bit of a smirk on his face.
Yeosang whispers something to a few people and then signals for his people to start moving. And move they do, they disperse between the many tables of laughing people, cover the entrances and exits, and all stop just as Taehyung and Yeosang reach the raised platform at the far end of the hall.
Several of the guests begin to look around at the men standing around suspiciously and begin to look worried.
Jungho jumps onto the platform and starts talking very loudly.
“Good evening! Sorry to interrupt your evening and party but I have some very important news for you all! Prince Taehyung has returned to take back his kingdom! Surrender now or we will be forced to draw our swords!” Jungho grins, almost happy to be almost in a battle, “You won’t like it if we have to draw our swords,” He laughs.
The hall goes quiet.
“Who are you? And how do you possibly think we will surrender to you?” A man stands up, looking angry.
“I am general Jungho, I am from Samiline, my own prince is here, Yeosang,” Jungho gestures to the blond royal, who deftly jumps up onto the platform with Jungho.
He bows quickly to the room, “I will have my army destroy everyone here, Prince is taking the throne back tonight.”
The man who stood up now draws a sword and advanced toward the platform but several guards step between where he was and the platform.
Taehyung jumps up onto the platform as well and some of the assembled partygoers cheer, happy to see a member of their own royal family.
“Hello! I hope you know General Siwon, that the guards in this room are loyal to me, not you. You have no choice but to surrender here. Your prince is probably dead by now anyway, you have no chance of winning here tonight,” Taehyung addresses the angry man, knowing exactly who he was.
Siwon grows only angrier, “Go to Jihoon,” He tells another man, who manages to dodge several guards and run out of the room. Johnny quickly runs out after him, worry suddenly crossing his face.
“What do you mean, the prince is dead?” Siwon slowly continues to approach the raised platform as the rest of the room seems to hold its breath.
Taehyung shrugs, “Sana took him out to his room about an hour ago. I heard she doesn’t waste time when she has things to do. Jihoon is probably dead by now.”
Siwon’s eyes narrow even further as he stops a few feet from the line of guards between the room and the platform. He looks around the room, looking at many people, and frowns, not finding what he was looking for.
He turns back to the platform just in time to see Taehyung smiling at Jungkook across the room. He hides a smirk as he studies Taehyung.
Jungho tilts his head as Siwon makes eye contact with a man before turning back to the platform.
“And if I don’t surrender?” He asks testily, one eyebrow lifted.
Jungho steps forward, “You probably will die tonight.”
Yeosang steps forward, on the other side of Taehyung, “You will also make an enemy of Samiline.”
Many of the drunk guests stare at Yeosang, his beauty distracting them from any other thoughts. Yeosang smiles and many of them sink into the seats in awe.
Siwon makes a movement with his hand. Before anyone can react two men have Jungkook, his arms behind his back and a sword at his neck. Taehyung’s face grows red and Jungho grabs his arm, preventing him from doing anything or moving from the platform.
Siwon smirks, “If I find out that Prince Jihoon is in fact dead, I will kill each and every one of you, starting with Prince Tae Tae’s little boyfriend here.”
Taehyung grows even angrier, staring at Jungkook who looks terrified, choked sobs beginning to escape his mouth.
Despite his fear, Jungkook is still shaking his head, trying to communicate to Taehyung that the kingdom, the crown, and the people are more important than him.
Yeosang helps Jungho pull Taehyung back from the edge of the platform as every guard pulls their sword, pointing them at both Siwon and the two men holding Jungkook.
“You have two men in a room full of the best soldiers in Samiline, you will not get out of this alive, “Yeosang says, his face stern.
Siwon just scoffs, pointing his own sword at the closest guard, “I guess I will have to send word to have King Seokjin and his royal pet Namjoon killed.”
Taehyung’s body shuts down. Did this man just say his brother was still alive?
Jungkook is still looking at him with panic-filled eyes, tears running down his face as the room waits, whispers about the former king flitting around them.
Several men stand and draw their swords, working their way toward doors, ready to fight their way out of the hall if they need to.
Yeosang slaps Taehyung’s back and his body finally starts to work again, his eyes finding Jungkook’s.
Siwon watches this all happen with satisfaction in his eyes, “Shall I give you a choice?” He walks across the front of the room, lazily swinging his sword around, “I’ll let you pick who dies first. Your boyfriend or your brother.”
Taehyung glares at him, ready to lunge at him.
“If you attack me, I will have you tied up and I will torture that young man in front of you,” Siwon says, laughing manically.
Taehyung grits his teeth, “What do you want from me? In exchange for Jungkook’s life?”
Jungkook frantically starts to shake his head again, only stopping when the sword at his neck presses further into his skin.
Siwon laughs again, “I want your head on a platter.”
Taehyung glares, slowly starting to walk toward the edge of the platform and Siwon watches happily.
The door flies open and the man who had run out earlier comes in, “Prince Jihoon is dead!” He yells, before collapsing on the stone floor.
Siwon turns to Taehyung, glaring as he quickly swings his sword at the closest guard, catching the man in the arm. He falls and Siwon begins to climb up on the platform before completely freezing. Taehyung watches in awe as the large man slowly falls back down, flopping onto the floor, a dagger sticking out of his back.
Sana is standing in the doorway, looking crazed as she throws a second dagger across the room, it finds a home in one of the men holding Jungkook, and he falls to the ground. The second man quickly lets Jungkook go, trying to flee the angry girl.
The room sits in silence as Sana looks around, a third and fourth dagger clutched in each hand. Taehyung jumps off the platform, rushing over to Jungkook as Jungho motions to Ten who run out of the room. Yeosang quickly begins to talk again, pulling the room's attention to himself, affirming that the country's royal family was taking control back and then announcing that the feast was over, to file into the main throne room, or leave the castle entirely.
More guards from Samiline came into the room to user everyone out and the servants began to take the platters of food out of the hall.
The room explodes in talk as people begin to slowly exit the hall. Johnny pulls Sana into a hallway and she beings to sob, letting him hold her as the servants walk past them. Yeosang and Jungho talk on the platform and the younger quickly orders his guards to make a search of the dungeons.
“Are you okay?” Taehyung asks, holding Jungkook’s face in both hands as they both knelt on the floor.
Jungkook nods his breathing shaky. Taehyung frowns, lifting his boyfriend's chin to examine his neck.
“I am so sorry, Jungkook. I thought I could protect you and I totally failed,” Taehyung says, gently dabbing at the small cut that was dripping a few drops of blood.
Jungkook shakes his head, trying to protest but Taehyung insisted, apologizing again.
Jungkook looks at him with renewed tears and Taehyung frowns, feeling his own eyes begin to fill with tears. Jungkook just leans into him, his face finding Taehyung’s shoulder and Taehyung pulls him into a tight hug, holding the younger as tightly as he could.
They stay like that as long as they can, until Yeosang walks over and tells them they needed to talk a walk to the castle dungeons. Taehyung’s head whips up to Yeosang remembering what Siwon had said about Jin and Joon.
Jungkook pushes him until he stands up, and lets Taehyung pull him to standing as well.
“Did they find them? Are they really still alive?” Taehyung asks, refusing to let go of Jungkook’s hand.
Yeosang smiles ever so slightly, “I think so, go on with them, I will go stall in the throne room.”
Taehyung nods and lets a guard lead him and Jungkook out of the hall and through his own castle to the dungeons.
They stop in front of a cell and Taehyung peers through the bars, trying to make out the shapes in the dark. It’s Jungkook who sees them first, his gasp quiet.
“Jimin,” He says, his voice cracking.
Taehyung quickly makes someone unlock the door and they rush into the cell, finding Jimin laying on his side, his body littered with cuts, bruises, and layers of dirt.
Jungkook drops to the dirty straw-littered floor and brushes a hand across Jimin’s face. The smaller man stirs slightly, and his eyes flicker open, widening in surprise.
“You can’t be here,” He croaks out, voice horse and rough, “They will kill you both.”
Jungkook helps him sit up, ignoring Taehyung who moves away from them both.
“It’s okay Minnie, they are all dead now, we took back over,” Jungkook assures him, cringing at the weak and injured state of his friend.
Jimin looks at him in surprise, “Go get Jin,” He manages to say, weakly leaning into Jungkook.
Taehyung had waved several guards into the cell, ordering them to get Jimin and his cellmate, Hyunsik, who was the general of their army, to bedrooms and to get them attended to by a doctor.
Jungkook didn’t want to leave Jimin, but Taehyung gave him a pleading look and Jungkook quickly followed him, watching as the prince released many of his previous servants and friends from the cells.
They finally had come to the last cell, furthest in the dungeons. It was totally void of any light and the air was stale as they unlocked the door.
There was no movement from inside the cell and Taehyung called for a lamp which was quickly produced and handed to him.
With the help of the small lamp light, Taehyung and Jungkook found both Seokjin and Namjoon, huddled together in a cover of the cell, unconscious but holding hands.
Jungkook took the lamp ad Taehyung rushed over to them, trying to wake them. They were in even worse shape than Jimin had been in, both were covered in injuries, some looking as fresh as that day.
“Tae, let me check for a pulse,” Jungkook gently knelt down next to Taehyung who sat heavily on the floor, not caring how much dirt he was getting on his clothes.
Taehyung stared, mute as Jungkook checked both men and then sighed in relief, “They both have steady heartbeats, we should get them to the medical room.”
“Guards!” Taehyung called, summoning several men to the cell. He let them carry Seokjin and Namjoon out of the cell, and sighed, his head falling onto Jungkook’s shoulder.
“Tae, you are doing a really good job,” Jungkook rubbed his free hand across Taehyung’s back as the older sighed, “I’m sorry I wasn’t more help.”
Taehyung looked up at Jungkook, “Kook, you have nothing to be sorry for. If anything, I’m sorry for dragging you into danger the way I did.”
Jungkook shakes his head, “No, Tae, I wanted to come, don’t apologize.”
Taehyung stares at Jungkook, searching his face. As Jungkook gives him a small smile Taehyung leans in and presses his lips to Jungkook’s.
Jungkook giggles, holding the lamp out away from their bodies as he kisses Taehyung back, happy that they managed to get through this crazy evening.
There’s a sound on the bars of the open cell and they both jump apart, turning to the sound.
Yeosang smiled at them, “Don’t worry, just me. I’m sorry to interrupt, but we have the last order of business.”
Taehyung nods, “Right, we need to do that.”
Jungkook smiles, and takes the lead, pulling Taehyung out of the cell. This was the part Taehyung didn’t want to do, he needed support for this.

The messengers had worked their magic, most of the entire city had come out to the castle as asked.
The throne room was full of people and none of them were quiet as they waited for something to happen.
Yeosang finally stepped out and a hush fell over the room as they all watched the beautiful man begin to talk. He introduced himself and then called Taehyung to the throne, the castle holy man appeared out of nowhere behind the throne.
The crowd watched, holding their breath to see what would happen.
“Hello,” Taehyung began addressing his people. Among them were many of the feast attendees.
“I am Kim Taehyung, younger brother of King Seokjin. I thought that today I would have to come here and tell you all that I would accept the throne to protect this country, but I have been lucky today. We have found King Seokjin in a cell in the dungeon, he is alive.”
The room bursts into talk and Taehyung waits for a moment until they calm down again.
“I saw him a few moments ago but he has been treated badly. If you all will accept me, I will assist in the running of the country until he is well again. I know he will want to come and serve you all again soon.”
The crowd erupts into applause and loud talking once again. Taehyung bows deeply and then sits on a smaller throne near the main two, reserved for advisors. The holy man comes forward, says some ritual speeches, and presses a few things into Taehyung’s hands, signifying his role as a ruler.
Taehyung stands and the applause gets even louder, half the guests in the room were drunk after all.
Soon the guards begin to usher people out of the hall, sending them home to their beds.

“How do you feel, Interim King Taehyung?” Jungkook asks a while later. Taehyung had not moved from the throne platform even after the hall was emptied completely.
Taehyung looks up at Jungkook from his seat on the floor, the cape and crown still on him, “I don’t know.”
Jungkook smiles, sitting down next to his boyfriend, “That’s understandable, my liege.”
“Ew,” Taehyung makes a face and shakes his head, “Never from you, please, I hate titles, you know that.”
“I promise I won’t keep that up, Taetae,” Jungkook says cutely, managing to pull a smile onto Taehyung’s face.
Taehyung lets his head fall sideways onto Jungkook’s shoulder, his gaze back on the pair of thrones.
“Do you want to sit there one day?” Jungkook asks, gesturing to the slightly larger king’s throne.
“No, I have never wanted it and I never will. But I’ll do what needs to be done for the people,” Taehyung says with a sigh.
Jungkook tilts his head, “I think that is what will make you a very good king.”
Taehyung sits up and turns toward Jungkook, giving his boyfriend all of his attention, “What do you mean?”
“You wouldn’t be doing it out of greed or wanting power. The people only prosper under a monarch who cares about them. You would have a good reign. Not that Seokjin doesn’t do a good job.”
Taehyung considers this before nodding, “I see. I hope Jin is okay.”
Jungkook stands, “Let’s put this ceremony stuff away, and then we can go to the medical area.”

Before they could get far from the ceremony vault Johnny stops them.
“Prince Taehyung, I have a huge favor to ask of you,” He bows so deeply that Jungkook thinks the tall man will topple over.
“Sure, what’s up?” Taehyung asks casually, not liking this formality.
Johnny looks surprised but quickly straightens up, “Sana and I, we will be executed if we are shipped back to Artelia, would you allow us to seek refuge here?”
“Of course! You can stay here in the castle as long as you want, I’ll talk to the maids about getting you both rooms if you don’t have them already.
Johnny flushes slightly, “We only need one, my prince, Sana won’t be able to be alone for a while.”
Taehyung looks concerned, “Johnny, literally anything you need, tell me or if you can’t find me, Jungkook, or anyone that it’s urgent, I am in yours and Sana’s debt.”
Johnny bows again, looking relieved, and then runs down a hallway, throwing his arm around Sana halfway. They both disappear through a doorway that Jungkook knows leads to a stairwell.
“I hope they are okay,” Taehyung says with a worried frown.
“They won’t be for a while,” Yuta suddenly pops out from a corner.
“They did betray their country,” Jungkook squeezes Taehyung’s hand with his own.
Yuta nods, “It's more than that though, Siwon was Sana’s brother and he had promised her to Prince Jihoon.”
Taehyung and Jungkook stared at Yuta in shock for a long moment, "She threw a dagger into her brother for me?" Tahyung asks, astounded.
Yuta nods, "She's the one who got Jihoon too.
They both stared at Yuta again, trying to comprehend the fact that Sana had killed her brother and fiance all in one night.
“I apologize for dropping that bomb on you right now, I was sent to find you, King Seokjin is asking for you both," Yuta bows, and then turns, gesturing down the hallway.

As it turned out, Seokjin and Namjoon were in pretty good shape. Their injuries were mostly superficial, still painful but would heal just fine. With lots of rest and proper meals, they would all be fine. Jimin was in worse shape despite looking better. The Artelia group knew that Jimin had gotten Taehyung out and had been trying to get information out of him for months. The medical team thought he would recover fully; despite the length of time, it would take.
Taehyung and Jungkook stopped in Jimin’s room first, despite knowing Jin wanted to see them. Jimin assured them he was alive, and they shouldn’t worry until Yeosang walked into the room, looking for Taehyung.
Jimin gasped, “Taehyung, I take it back, I think I’m dying,” His voice has gained strength over the last few hours, “I see an angel, Tae, I don’t want to die yet.”
Taehyung laughed as Yeosang blushed fiercely. Despite looking like a mess, Jimin was still an attractive man.
“Jimin, this is Prince Yeosang from Samiline,” Taehyung introduced them quickly.
“King Jin really wants to see you, I can stay with Jimin if you would like,” Yeosang smiled, hoping that his interest in the shorter man was hidden.
Jungkook snickered but let Taehyung pull him out of the room and down the hallway.
“I bet it takes three days before Jimin has him wrapped around his tiny pinky finger,” Jungkook laughs.
“I think five,” Taehyung counters, looking at his own pinky.
“Days?”
Taehyung grins, “Hours.”
Jungkook laughs links his pinky with Taehyungs and pushes a door open.
Both Namjoon and Seokjin look up and smile as they walk into the small medical room.
Taehyung rushes over to them, kneeling on the floor, “I’m so glad you are both okay.”
“We will be, we are glad you got out,” Jin says sending both boys a smile, “Thank you Jungkook, for doing what you did back then. I think you saved our whole Kingdom.”
Jungkook flushes, bows to Seokjin, and then looks around awkwardly until Taehyung stand and puts an arm around his waist.
“Jin, I’m not marrying anyone unless it's Kookie.”
Seokjin laughs, “About time, baby brother,” He leans his head on Namjoon’s shoulder, both of them smiling despite looking exhausted.
Taehyung looks between them, confused, “What?”
“I always knew you liked our Jungkookie here, I was just waiting for you to say something so I could schedule your wedding.”
Taehyung gapes at his brother who can’t help but laugh again.
Jungkook rocks back and forth on his heels, embarrassed.
Once Taehyung gets it through his head that Seokjin approved of him and Jungkook they were able to move on to other subjects and Taehyung received plenty of advice, warnings, and encouragement from his older brother.
Soon Namjoon was falling asleep in the bed he and Jin were laying in and Seokjin shooed them out, promising he would get better soon and take the throne back.
As soon as they were back in the hall Jungkook took Taehyung’s hand again, “Let’s go find a bed to sleep in for tonight. I’m exhausted.”
Taehyung nodded, the events of the day starting to catch up with him, “Let’s get some rest.”

“I’m glad this went well,” Jungkook says as Taehyung walks off the raised platform in the main hall of the castle.
Taehyung grins, snaking one arm around Jungkook’s waist, “Me too, I think we will all be happier now.”
Seokjin stands from the throne and bows to the people and the room erupts in raucous applause.
It had been a full month since the day Taehyung had come back and taken the kingdom back from Artelia. Seokjin and Namjoon have recovered quickly, the doctors deciding that their being together was the reason they had been able to heal so fast. Seokjin had returned to his old self if occasionally slipping into a bit of a quiet mood at times. Whenever he did, someone would find Namjoon and send him over. Namjoon always seemed to be able to comfort the king when nothing else would help.
Namjoon didn’t appear to have changed at all, still his old thoughtful and kind self.
Jimin was a different story, his injuries were taking much longer to heal, and Taehyung fretted over him often, worried about how down he looked at times. Luckily Prince Yeosang had taken a liking to the man and was often seen in the medical area and as Jimin healed, he brought him out for short walks in the garden to revive his strength.
Jungkook often had to pull Taehyung away from the two men, warning his boyfriend to let them be, they looked incredibly happy together.
Jungkook elbows Taehyung making the older focus again on his brother who was announcing a few things to the people.
“I wish to honor Lady Sana and Sir Johnny, they both sacrificed very much to help us become free from Artelia's reign. Please help me thank them for saving us all,” He gestured to the two and then sheepishly stepped up the platform to even more applause.
Once the room calmed down and they left the platform Seokjin took a deep breath, looked over to Taehyung for a last ounce of encouragement, and waved for Namjoon to step up next to him.
“I hope this is not too much of an issue with you all, but this is the person I wish to have reign with me,” Seokjin told the stunned crowd, taking Namjoon’s hand, “We will find another way to produce an heir for the kingdom, please don’t worry about that.”
Smiles began to break out all throughout the crowd, a few people whistling as excited chatter began to fill the room.
“You are not upset that you will have two kings?” Seokjin asks, stunned at the reaction from the people assembled.
Laughter rang out as people shook their heads.
“We are happy you found someone to spend your life with, King Seokjin!” One older woman called from the crowd. Smiles broke across Jin and Namjoon’s faces as they realized that this was apparently not going to be an issue with their people.

Everyone ended up leaving the castle, chattering, and talking about a royal wedding and coronation, some talk of Prince Taehyung mixed in with it all.
“You did a very good job, Taehyung, you should be proud of yourself,” Yoongi says as Taehyung and Jungkook walk into the private dining room.
Taehyung grins, throwing his arms around the small grumpy man who pretends to struggle in the surprise hug. Jungkook and Hoseok grin at their men before walking further into the room together.
“I’m glad you survived, Keeho told me about the sword thing,” Hoseok says, leaning forward to look at the small scar on Jungkook’s neck.
Jungkook swallows hard, “Me too, I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life.”
Hoseok pats his shoulder, “You did well, Kookie.”
Jungkook grins as Taehyung and Yoongi come to join them just as Johnny and Sana walk in. The two had been inseparable the entire time, you couldn’t find one alone anywhere in the castle. Sana had been through some really tough things and Johnny refused to leave her side.
Seokjin had taken a liking to both of them, asking them to plan to stay at the castle more permanently, he could use more advisors with inside information on Artelia for future relations.
They had agreed immediately, happy to have someone to stay.
The meal was about to start when Keeho and Jungho walked in, followed by Yeosang supporting Jimin, one arm around his waist and the other holding one of Jimin’s hands. Jungkook grinned, seeing the latter two.
The Samiline group was going to be heading home the next morning, taking with them Hoseok, Yoongi, and most of their guards. Yoongi had been complaining about missing his farm for days, despite enjoying the royal treatment the last week.
Yeosang and Jimin came over to Taehyung and Jimin as soon as they walked in, and the others quickly walked away, finding their seats.
“You look good Jimin,” Jungkook comments, seeing only the limp in Jimin’s step. He had been in pretty bad shape when they first found him, unable to walk for at least a fortnight due to some nasty injuries to his legs.
“Thank you, I think it’s mostly due to Prince Yeosang here, he’s helped me a lot.”
Yeosang didn’t respond, his neck flushing ever so slightly.
“How unfortunate that he is leaving tomorrow,” Taehyung says, watching both men’s reactions. Jimin squeezes Yeosang’s hand and the taller takes a steading breath.
“I was actually wondering if you would allow him to come back with us. We have some fantastic doctors who may be able to try some new treatments for Jimin’s leg. We have a large castle ourselves with gardens to walk through and plenty of healing foods. He would be well taken care of.”
Jungkook had to duck his head, hiding the smirk on his face behind his shaggy hair as Taehyung chuckled.
“Of course, Jimin saved my life and has been a loyal companion, I want him to recover and be happy as soon as he can,” Taehyung looked directly into Jimin’s eyes as he said this and Jimin grinned so hard at the implications that he almost fell over in happiness.

After the meal, Yuta and Felix appeared, asking Taehyung when he wanted his room to be ready.
“Whenever you do it is fine, just tell Seungmin to be more careful with the pillows, there were feathers the other day,” He waves them off, knowing that they just wanted to get their tasks over with for the night.
They nodded and left the room, grabbing Seungmin on their way out, and heading to Taehyung and Jungkook’s quarters.
“Let’s go for a walk?” Jungkook asks, nudging Taehyung toward the door.
“Sure,” Taehyung agrees, letting Jungkook lead him out of the room, through the familiar hallways, and out the door, Jimin has pushed him out of all those months ago.
The sun was reaching the tops of the mountains as they began a slow walk around the garden.
“So, what happens now, Prince Taehyung?” Jungkook finally breaks the silence as they reach the stone fountain in the middle of the gardens.
Taehyung takes a deep breath, stopping and turning to Jungkook, “I think whatever we want.”
Jungkook smiles, his front teeth looking like a bunny more than usual, “And what do you want?”
“I just want you. As long as I have you by my side I don’t care where we are or what we do,” Taehyung says, half cringing at himself at the cheesy words.
Jungkook full-on giggles, hiding his face with his hair again.
Taehyung lifts his chin, “What do you want?”
Jungkook’s face turns serious rather quickly as he studies Taehyung’s face before responding, “I want to live happily with you. But I don’t think I want to do that in the castle. I will always be stuck between servant and prince and it's kinda uncomfortable. That’s probably too much to ask, isn’t it?”
Taehyung studies Jungkook as well before smiling, “I’ll ask Jin in the morning about letting us move to a manor or something in the countryside.”
Jungkook’s eyes light up, “Really?”
“Of course, I’m going to be my life’s work to make you happy!” He pulls Jungkook back into a stroll down a random path, “I can see it now, we take Yuta, Felix, Seungmin too, Yunho is a good cook, we move to a small manor and live our lives in the woods, maybe have our own animal farm.”
“Can we bring Ten too?” Jungkook asks, excitedly pulling on Taehyung’s arm as they walk.
Taehyung laughs, “We may need a large manor to fit them all, but let’s see what Jin says tomorrow. We might need to wait for a while after the others leave, they might be lonely without us.”
“I’ll wait as long as I have to,” Jungkook sighs happily, fidgeting with Taehyung’s fingers.
Taehyung grins at his boyfriend, happy that they had reached this point. He might have his status back and be a prince once more, but he would give up everything to be with Jungkook.
Jungkook was a treasure worth more than everything in their castle combined, and he was going to treat him like the most precious jewel.