-- mutual pining, hurt/comfort, angst, slow burn, enemies to friends to lovers.
Jungkook is a prince of a prosperous kingdom and has been betrothed to wed a beautiful princess from a foreign land. But when he meets her he canāt help his eyes from wandering to her brother, Taehyung, the newly crowned king, who stands hand in hand with his own beautiful wife.Ā
Just picture this. There's rumours of a war brewing in the west. Taehyung is the new king of a very powerful kingdom in the wake of his father (the old king) passing away. Jungkook is the prince of a much smaller kingdom that wants to make an alliance with Taehyung to protect themselves in case a war does break out, and it just so happens Taehyung is now in charge of marrying his sister off. Honestly Iām kind of thinking like almost a Bridgerton Edwina, Kate and Anthony situation.Ā
From the moment Jungkook and Tae first see each other theyāre both very hot and bothered, and Jungkook is terrible at hiding it and he thinks Taehyung hates him because Taehyung is always so reserved and cold towards him or just a bit rude.
Jungkook has never particularly kicked up a fuss about having to have an arranged marriage. He knows it's his duty as a prince and as the future king. But when he sees Taehyung it just changes everything. Jungkook cannot stop thinking about him and when Taehyung acts so cold towards him it devastates Jungkook. Because heās trying so hard to get to know his future brother-in-law, heās trying so hard to feign interest in Taehyung's sister. She's a lovely person and he genuinely enjoys talking to her. Perhaps if Taehyung did not exist he could even one day fall in love with herāJungkook is no stranger to finding both men and women attractiveābut Taehyung does exist. Taehyung has a wife, also a wonderful person. Jungkook just needs Taehyung to treat him kindly because he cannot bear the thought of Taehyung hating him for some unknown reason on top of everything else. Perhaps if Taehyung did not treat him so coldly then Jungkook's feelings for him would not feel so strong.Ā
He snaps one evening after several failed attempts to engage Taehyung in conversation.
He found him in the palace library and it was just the two of them. and Jungkook had drunk just enough wine at dinner to be brave enough to blurt, āDid I do something to offend you? Please, if I do, tell me and I shall make it right. I would hate for there to be any animosity between us given that we are to be family.āĀ
Taehyung looks at him with an unreadable expression. The same unreadable expression that has been driving Jungkook crazy for several weeks now.Ā
āYou have not offended me,ā he says simply, and goes back to his book.
āThen why do you treat me so coldly?ā Jungkook asks, wanting to rip the book from Taehyungās hands (and quite possibly rip Taeās clothes from his body).Ā
āI do not treat you coldly,ā Taehyung says, standing and heading towards the door. āI treat everyone this way. Goodnight.āĀ
But Jungkook finds himself following Taehyung down the palace corridors. āI do not believe you. I have seen you smile at my mother, my father, your sister. You have smiled at the servants. You have never smiled at me.āĀ
āPerhaps it is a coincidence?ā
āIt is not! Please tell me what I did wrong!āĀ
āYou have done nothing wrong.āĀ
āI do not know what you want me to say. Perhaps you would prefer that I lie and say you have?ā Taehyung sounds irritable now, but he doesnāt stop walking and he doesnāt look back.
āI would prefer the truth,ā Jungkook huffs. āHow can you let your sister marry someone who you seem to despise? Are you so cold hearted thatāā
Taehyung rounds on him, eyes burning. āLet us say for a moment that I do despise you,ā he says in a deadly whisper, taking a step so close that it forces Jungkook to move backwards. āDo you really think accusing me of being heartless and hounding me as I make my way to bed will change my mind about you?ā
Jungkook's back hits the wall and he finds himself gazing into Taehyung's eyes. Theyāre much too close. Taehyung isnāt moving. Theyāre both breathing hard. Jungkookās mind empties of words even though he knows heās supposed to be answering Taehyungās question. He stares at Taehyungās lips and it seems Taehyung stands there for an eternity, the animosity in his eyes fading little by little as they search Jungkook's.Ā
He steps away from Jungkook hastily when footsteps echo from around the corner, and Jungkook finds himself breathless and alone in the dark.
From there I picture many more arguments and much more heavy breathing and getting a liiiitle bit too close. Jungkook doesnāt feel like he can let himself kiss taehyung because, 1. Tae is married, and 2. Jungkook is supposed to be marrying Tae's sister in about a month.
Taehyung is obviously treating Jungkook coldly because Taehyung finds him very attractive and he canāt be with him because heās just arranged for his sister to marry Jungkook. Even though his sister has expressed multiple times that she doesnāt particularly want to marry Jungkook, Taehyung still canāt act on his feelings because the marriage is still taking place for political reasons. Taehyung has the weight of an entire kingdom on his shoulders and heās drowning under the pressure a little bit. a lot.Ā
This is what first brings him and Jungkook closer together, and begins to build a mutual understanding and friendship between them. Taehyung receives a message from back home with bad newsārebellions in his own kingdom, against a law he had put in place. He receives it during evening drinks and excuses himself to read it.Ā
Jungkook excuses himself too because heās nosy, and he finds Tae having a panic attack of sorts. And he really sees a different side of Taehyung that evening, a vulnerable side. Taehyung is barely a man and he doesnāt know how to rule a kingdom. He tells Jungkook everything heās been struggling with in a hushed voice as they sit on one of the palace balconies.Ā
āI have been trained for this my entire life, but no amount of training can truly prepare anyone. I only wish my father were not dead. He was not a good man, but if he were here then I would not have to do all of this.āĀ
āWhy are you telling me all of this?ā Jungkook asks quietly.Ā
Taehyung shrugs. āBecause you found me out here. Because I have not told a soul any of my troubles since I was crowned king. Because I do not want you to think that I despise you. I would not have chosen you for my sister if I thought you were not a decent person, although I must admit, hearing rumours that you have a preference for men did make me hesitate in my decision.ā
It's a bold thing to say. It catches Jungkook off guard. āI⦠Iā¦āĀ
āWe all have our preferences,ā Taehyung says, gazing at the palace gardens far below them. āI would not begrudge any man his. It is only that I would not want my sister to marry a man who could never love her.ā
āMy preference is for both men and women,ā Jungkook admits. It's the first time heās told anyone. Most likely the only time he ever will. Itās foolish to tell Taehyung, given that liking men is hardly smiled upon.
āSo you will love my sister then?ā Taehyung asks the question so earnestly that all Jungkook can do is nod. Of course he will. That is their arrangement. āI would like us to be friends,ā Taehyung breathes. āEnough of this animosity between us.ā
āI would like that too,ā Jungkook says softly.Ā
Their hands touch in the darkness and neither of them pull away, both pretending no touch is taking place.Ā
āFriends it is then,ā Taehyung says.Ā
But friendship does nothing to satiate his desire, which only seems to grow by the day. He keeps Taehyungās secret, that he is floundering and has no idea what he is doing as his kingdom's new ruler, and Taehyung keeps his. Taehyung even confides in him that the only reason he and his sister came three months before the wedding was due to take place is because Taehyung just wanted to escape from being king for a little while. At least being away he can delegate most of the decisions to his advisors and can lounge and walk in the gardens.Ā
Their first kiss happens in a feverish fumbling of hands and teeth and lips, in the dark of the gardens where they had decided to take an evening stroll after dinner. Jungkook had tried to offer to take Taehyungās sister for a walk, but she had declined saying she was too tired, and Taehyung had volunteered in her stead. Jungkook isnāt quite sure how the kiss happens. One minute theyāre laughing, the next heās being pressed against the rough trunk of a tree, moaning softly into Taehyung's mouth.Ā
They break apart abruptly, Jungkook shoving Taehyung back, both horrified.
āI am to marry your sister!ā Jungkook hisses, fingers pressed to his lips. āYou are married!āĀ
āA mistake,ā Taehyung breathes. āToo much wine. We were not thinking clearly.āĀ
āWe were not,ā Jungkook says, smoothing his hair and rumpled shirt. He's burning all over. āLet us not⦠let us not speak of this again. It never happened.āĀ
āWhat never happened?ā Taehyung asks, too shakily to truly make the joke funny.Ā
āExactly. We are friends. Nothing more.āĀ
If only it were that easy. They part that night without exchanging another word, but when Jungkook goes to bed he canāt rid himself of the memory of Taehyungās lips on his. And over the next few days he finds a question burning within him whenever he sees taehyung, but heās too
burdened by guilt to ask it.Ā
Then Taehyung leaves the palace. Two weeks to go until the wedding and apparently business is too urgent back at home for him to stay away another moment. He leaves his wife behind to ensure his sisterās comfort and safety.
Jungkook has resigned himself to his fate again until heās walking in the gardens one day with Taehyungās wife and she says quite plainly, āMy husband has told me of what happened between you two beneath this tree.āĀ
Jungkook is just gobsmacked. āWh-what happened?ā
āOh, do not look so surprised. And do not deny it. He did not betray me by kissing you, if that is one of your concerns. His royal highness and I⦠we married out of convenience, not for love or lust. We have freedom within this marriage to be with whomever we wish.ā
āOh,ā Jungkook says quietly.Ā
āYou will not have that freedom if you marry my sister-in-law,ā she says. āI have seen the way you look at his royal highness. Our sister deserves better than a marriage with a man who cannot keep his eyes or his hands off of her brother.ā
āI know she does,ā Jungkook says. ābut I⦠I simply cannot stop this wedding. I am doing it for my kingdom. I always have been. We do not marry for love. You of all people should know that.ā
āI am aware of what this marriage is. and what my own marriage was,ā she says mildly. āBut if you go through with it I expect you to remain faithful to her and only her. There will be no exceptions. She dreams of true love and although she has no illusions about this marriage either, I would like for her to find happiness in it given time.ā
āI promise you,ā Jungkook says, although it breaks his heart. āI would never be unfaithful to her in our marriage. I truly believe she deserves happiness and I would do my best to give her that.ā
āGood. Because if you fail I will gouge out your eyes and feed them to you. Understood?āĀ
And so Jungkook is right and royally screwed. The wedding is a week away and he cannot think of a way to get out of it. He cannot stop thinking of Taehyung. He cannot stop hoping that Taehyung will show up, his business in his own kingdom having been resolved in time to attend the wedding after all.Ā
Two days before the wedding is to take place, there comes terrible news. It feels like a sick and twisted answer to all of Jungkook's prayers. There has been an assassination attempt on Taehyungās life. Poison. Taehyung is dying. Or he may be dying. The doctors are searching frantically for a cure.Ā
At this news Taehyung's sister comes to Jungkook, pleading with him to postpone the wedding, to allow her to travel home to see her brother. Jungkook of course agrees and says heāll go with her too. For protection of course. Not because he is desperate to see Taehyung again in case he dies.Ā
When they arrive at the palace in Taehyungās kingdom and are escorted to Taehyung's bed chambers and finally see Taehyung, pale and unconscious in his bed, Jungkook cries. He finds himself torn between feel sick and needing to leave the room so he does not have to see Taehyung like this anymore and rushing to his bedside to tend to him. He leaves because he does not want anyone to see how affected he is by Taehyungās sickness, but later that night he makes his way back to Taehyungās chambers and sits with him.Ā
When asked, the doctors tell Jungkook that Taehyung most likely has a week left. They have slowed the poison, but finding an antidote is proving impossible. He is simply getting worse.
They leave Jungkook alone and Jungkook sits for a long while and holds Taehyungās hand as he sleeps. Around midnight, Taehyung stirs, waking just barely. Or waking only as much as he can in his state of delirium.
āIt is you,ā he breathes, lifting a weak hand to touch Jungkook's face. āI am dreaming.āĀ
āYou are not,ā Jungkook says, smiling despite everything. āWe came as soon as we heard.āĀ
āI dreamed my sister was here alsoā¦āĀ
āShe is here. Asleep at the moment. In her own chambers.ā
āButā¦ā Taehyung coughs, a dry, hacking sound that shakes his body. āShe cannot be here,ā he says, faint at first, then insistently. āShe cannot be here. It is not safe.āĀ
āThey caught the poisoner. She is quite safe. Relax. Everything will be alright.ā
He pushes Taehyung down gently and there is so little strength left in Taehyungās body that he slumps the few inches heās managed to raise himself, turning his face into his pillow.Ā
Jungkook dabs his forehead with a damp cloth left by the doctors. āYou will be alright.ā
Tears wet Taehyung's cheeks. āI deserved this. I am no good at being king. I only hope my wife will be a better one when I am gone.āĀ
āYou are not going to die,ā Jungkook says firmly. āWe will find a cure.ā He refuses to accept that Taehyung will be gone. āI have sent for the finest healers in my kingdom.āĀ
Taehyung's eyes begin to close. āThat is good,ā he murmurs. āStay with me until they come. I would hate to be alone.āĀ
āI will. Have some water before you sleep.āĀ
Taehyung grimaces. āI only feel sicker when I do.ā
Jungkook lets Taehyung sleep. After a moment's thought he finds himself inspecting the jug of water and the plate of half eaten food at Taehyung's bedside.
He calls in the doctors. āBring me the queen.ā
āShe is asleep, your royal highness. it would not beāāĀ
āIs his majestyās healthāāĀ
āNo. He is the same. I merely require a word with her.āĀ
āThen perhaps you should wait until morāā
āAm I or am I not a prince engaged to marry his majestyās sister, the princess? Do as I say at once!āĀ
Five minutes later Taehyungās wife walks into the room, followed by the doctors. but she dismisses them with a wave of her hand when she sees Jungkook's face.Ā
āWho do you trust in this palace?ā Jungkook asks. āWho do you truly trust?ā
āMy ladyās maid,ā she answers.
āThe one who came with you on your visit to my kingdom?āĀ
āShe can cook, I presume?āĀ
āI think we should have her prepare his majestyās meals from now on. Her and only her. No one else shall handle it. Nor his drink.ā
āVery well,ā she says. She doesnāt ask questions. She doesnāt have to. āWhat of the doctors?āĀ
āDo you trust them?āĀ
āThey have been at the palace for several years.ā
āBut do you trust them?āĀ
āI shall find new doctors tomorrow. Are you planning to stay here all night?ā
āFor his protection, yes.āĀ
āThank you,ā she says gratefully. āOne day you will make a good king. Taehyung has never been particularly good in a crisis.ā
The next few days pass by sluggishly. Taehyung sleeps mostly, waking only for brief intervals to sip water and choke down a little food. The healer Jungkook has summoned arrives and begins treating Taehyung. and it is a relief to everyone. Jungkookās kingdom is famed for its healers, its advances in medicine.Ā
Taehyung is still dropping in and out of delirium a day later however, when he wakes for a little while. Jungkook and the princess sit with him, but Taehyung scarcely seems to know his sister is present. Heās mumbling incoherently, seeming to be half dreaming.Ā
Then, looking towards Jungkook, he says, āIt was a mistake I would make a thousand times over. I hate myself for it, but I cannot regret it either. To kiss you⦠I⦠I still smell the grass and the tree and feel your hands⦠You haunt meā¦ā His words fade, his eyelids drooping.Ā
Jungkook tries to laugh it off. āI wonder who he thought he was seeing.ā But he feels shaken to his very core because haunted is exactly how he feels by Taehyung too.Ā
āNot his wife, that is certain,ā the princess says faintly, but she sounds far away.
Later, Taehyung's wife tells them both to go out and get some fresh air. She will watch over Taehyung for the afternoon. So Jungkook walks with the princess through the palace gardens.Ā
āMy brother is quite smitten with you, isnāt he?ā the princess asks mildly. āHe saw no one but you when he said those words.āĀ
Jungkook almost laughs. āI do not think he is smitten with me.ā Taehyung had been delirious. Taehyung had left. Taehyung had said their kiss was a mistake. āI assure you I am not⦠I do notā¦ā
āYou kissed him then?ā she asks, ignoring his protests.Ā
Jungkook nods once. He cannot lie any longer. to lie would not conceal the truth from her. she knows already. āOnce. Never again. It was a mistake. We both agreed it.ā
She nods, gazing out towards the high hedges of the maze at the end of the garden. āI should have known. You have shown so little true interest in me. I had expected us to share a kiss or two, but now I realiseā¦āĀ
āI cannot begin to apoloāā
āDo not bother. I never really wanted to marry you anyway. You never really wanted to marry me either. When I met you, though, I thought you would make a husband I could be happy with. You are kind and sweet. now i see that that can never happen.ā
āWait, we mustāthis marriage is bigger than both of us. It is for our kingdoms. I cannot not marry you.āĀ
She looks at him levelly, eyes unreadable as Taehyungās had once been whenever he looked at Jungkook. āThis marriage is for your kingdom, not mine. I can walk away whenever I want. It is you who needs me. Perhaps you should have thought of how important it was before you decided to act so recklessly. Be with my brother if you wish to, but neither you nor he will force me into a marriage like this. If my brotherās feelings for you are true, you will not need a marriage to protect your kingdom. If they are not true thenā¦ā She shrugs and walks away. āI suppose I will receive news of your kingdom being overthrown soon enough.ā
Jungkook avoids everyone for several days after that encounter. He considers going home, but to go back to his parents and tell them what a mess heās made is impossible. He has to fix this somehow. If only he can bring himself to go to Taehyungās chambers. But he is afraid of what Taehyung will tell him and he is ashamed of how he has treated Taehyung's sister, so he spends his days in the chambers he has been given to sleep in and walks in the gardens. Servants bring him news of Taehyungās improving condition from time to time.
Until one day he rounds a corner in the garden to find Taehyung standing before him, looking pale and fragile, but out of bed for the first time in weeks.Ā
Taehyung smiles at him tentatively. āI was told I would find you out here.āĀ
āHas the princessāā
āShe has told me everything,ā Taehyung says.Ā
āWill you walk with me then?ā Jungkook asks in a strangled voice. āI must explain everything. I must beg⦠I must⦠Iā¦āĀ
Taehyung shakes his head. āI am afraid I am not quite up to walking. If you will sit with me instead I would be grateful.āĀ
āOf course. Anything you wish.āĀ
They sit side by side on a stone bench and Jungkook wastes no time in beginning to speak. āI beg of you to not forsake my kingdom now that this marriage has fallen to pieces. My kingdom does notāI have a duty and I cannot let my kingdom be destroyed if there is a war. You are our only hope. I know we have so little to offer, butāāĀ
Taehyung holds up a hand. āMy sister spoke rashly the other day. Understandably. We have caused her great hurt. I do need your kingdomāyour healers have knowledge and herbs that are hard to come by here, and if a war did break out your kingdom gives us an invaluable advantage due to its location. I am willing to form an alliance without marriage, so do not worry over your peopleās safety. You saved my life. I owe you everything.ā
āI cannot thank you enough,ā Jungkook says, blinking hard. āI cannot⦠i⦠you owe me nothing. I cannot thank you enough.ā
Taehyung shakes his head as if to say it's nothing. āI have been informed by my wife that she told you of our arrangement, the freedom we have in our marriage.āĀ
Jungkook's heart begins to thrum. āYes. She did.āĀ
āI have also been informed of what I said while I was sick. And I want you to know I meant every word. You have haunted me since I first laid eyes on you. At first, I thought I could push you away, that I could push my desire for you away. But it did not work. And then we became friends and I found my desire only became stronger. It was a desire not only for your body, but for who you are inside. Our kiss has haunted me in every sleeping and waking moment since it happened. Every time you look at me. every time you touch me, even if it is the slightest brush of your skin against mine. I left because I was afraid I would not be able to contain myself. And with your permission, if you feel as haunted as I do, I should like to stop containing myself now.ā
āYou have my permission,ā Jungkook breathes.
Their kiss is deep, but Jungkook finds himself holding the king carefully, not at all like the frantic nights he has pictured happening between them. Their corner of the garden is concealed, so they do not worry as they undress each other and Jungkook lays Taehyung down in the grass. It pains him to see the angles of Taehyungās bones, the aftermath of Taehyungās poisoning, and how little food he has been able to eat. So he kisses Taehyungās body softly. They move together, the rich scent of grass and earth and summer blossoms all about them. And when they can contain themselves no longer, when kissing is too difficult and the peace of the summer's day is punctuated by soft noises they cannot hold back, they still, their foreheads pressed together, Taehyungās hands in Jungkook's hair. Chests heaving, they lay together in the grass, basking in the remnants of the waves of pleasure that have washed over them.Ā
āI think that will haunt me for a very long time,ā Jungkook murmurs at last.Ā
Taehyung smiles widely. āPerhaps we can avoid any future hauntings?ā
āI would like that,ā Jungkook says, kissing him softly.Ā
āThere is plenty of space in my bed chambers for another, if you would like to stay here permanently to conduct the necessary negotiations between our two kingdoms,ā Taehyung mumbles.
āThose negotiations are very necessary,ā Jungkook agrees, kissing Taehyungās jaw.Ā