Chapter Text
Jungkook was groaning in displeasure, feeling hot and sweaty all over his tired body. The boy actually wanted to continue his sleep since he was still sleepy but he couldn't stand the heat any longer. He really wanted to yell at the servants to bring him cold water. He squirmed here and there; trying to get away from the source of the heat which is clinging on his body. However he couldn't move anywhere—it was as if something was keeping him still, lying on his side on the bed. And whatever it is, it made the boy curious half to death. It was even weirder than the heat was emitting noises—exactly like Yifan-hyung's snores. He hates it when it was blowing hot air to his head. Jungkook opened his eyes quickly and was shocked when he saw hands around his stomach.
"HUWAAAAAA!"
Taehyung flinched and spontaneously was woken up from his deep slumber. He needed a while to gather his whole consciousness. He remembered last night's incident when he felt resistance in his arms. Wait... this is not just a mere resistance. The kid was screaming madly. That high-pitched screams which were hurting ears did help Taehyung sobered up fast, but made him pissed off as well.
"HUWAAAAAAAA! AAAAAAA!" Jungkook was screaming and struggling against the hands around his body; trying to get free from Taehyung but he hugged the boy's bareback tighter to him instead.
"Y-yah! What's wrong? I've told you I won't eat you, right!"
"LET ME GO, AHJUSSI! IT'S HOT YOU KNOW! HOOOTTT!" He was half-screaming and whining and kicking on Taehyung's legs. Realized it didn't work at all, he moved his target to Taehyung's hands around his chest and bit down as hard as possible.
"AAARGH!" Taehyung shouted in pain and pushed Jungkook away in reflex. He was cringing and pinching the teeth-mark wound which was starting to bleed. Taehyung growled lowly, getting pissed off even more at the little Snowelf who was facing him arrogantly with his hands on his hips.
"What are you doing in my room, ahjussi?! Get off now!" Jungkook ordered him while glaring; trying to look as scary as possible.
Taehyung was gaping in disbelief; shocked seeing the little boy snorted so bravely at him. He even raised his tone. And wait! Didn't he just snap at him? Taehyung glared back in wrath. There was not even one person ever snapped at Kim Taehyung in his whole 40 years of life! Not even his own father.
"Whose room do you think is this, kid?" Taehyung sat down firmly and was glaring back at Jungkook seriously.
"This is my room! Slaves are not allowed to sleep in my room!"
Taehyung glared even more, "YOU CALLED ME WHAT?!"
"A Slave! Don't yell at me or I'll cut your tongue off!"
Taehyung was taken aback. Speechless. He was too shocked hearing those harsh words coming out from those cute red lips. Oh... until last night, he was still thinking that this boy was a pitiful being that needs his protection—a beautiful little creature that would cry every time someone tries to get close to him. He even compared the boy to his deceased daughter. Now he will takes that back.
"W-What are you waiting for?! G-get off n-now!" He snapped at him again even though his voice was a bit shaking. Jungkook was pouting; actually feeling afraid but trying to hide it by putting his hands on his hips. He remembered that his father scolded him and said, 'a prince shouldn't be a crybaby'. Probably it was because he was a crybaby and weak, that's why Appa sent him off to the monster house. If only he could hold back his tears and be a cool prince like Yifan-Hyung, Appa would change his mind and take him back home to Hviturland.
"W-What are you looking at?!" Jungkook tried to growl at Taehyung who was still glaring at him sharply. The boy took two steps back, but he didn't cry even though his eyes felt hot. Jungkook was holding back desperately. He had enough of being a crybaby in front of these monsters yesterday.
"Hah! I should have let you die from fever last night." Taehyung mumbled to himself.
Seeing the older man stayed still, Jungkook was getting more annoyed. However it is, he would make this ahjussi out of his room!
"Why are you still sitting there?! Get off and bring food for me now!"
Taehyung snorted with a bitter smirk—he really wanted to break one of the pretty boy's fingers. Even one broken finger might trigger a war with Hviturland and he didn't want his father disappointed in him. He is a father's boy after all. XD
"Eat whatever on the table." Taehyung pointed to a direction with his face.
Jungkook turned his head to the direction. His eyes widened at the sight of foods pile on the table, some even fell to the floor.
How dare this man tell him to eat those dirty foods?!
"NO! I-I want warm and fresh food! Ahjussi, bring it for me or I won't eat! My stomach would get sick and I will die here!" Jungkook tried to sound as panic as possible but Taehyung just chuckled carelessly at him. He smirked with a mocking expression.
"Just die, then..." Taehyung said carelessly.
Jungkook face went pale. He looked down; couldn't contain the suffocating feeling in his chest any longer. His lower lip was trembling while he fisted both of his hands. Seeing the sight of that pitiful boy, Taehyung sighed in defeat.
"Aye! Aye! Aye! I'll bring it to you! Just stay there or I'm the one who'll eat you!" Taehyung grumbled while walking out; putting his robe on the way. He had no choice. He didn't want any trouble with his annoying father for making the kid sick or cry, and he didn't like it when the boy's crying.
Taehyung saw a glimpse of the boy trembling before he closed the door. Aish... He shouldn't have said something like that to him. But once in a while, an insolent kid like him should be scolded a bit.
In the kitchen, Taehyung realized one thing—this is the first time in his life he bothered to bring some food for someone else, precisely he was ordered by the boy.
"Bring them until we reach my room," Taehyung ordered the servant. He didn't even know why he'd bother to choose the food for Jungkook, thinking of a Snowelf's taste. But whatever... he only grumbled in his heart while walking back to his room with a servant tailing him on the back. The servant was wondering why the Prince would bother to come to the kitchen which is so far from his room.
Taehyung stopped in front of his room and turned to the servant, taking the tray from him. "Now go back and resume your previous activity."
"Ye, Your Highness." The servant bowed and went back to the kitchen.
Taehyung held the tray with his left hand and pushed the broken door open. He sighed when the wood fell to the floor, and he was just using two fingers to push it. It was not even right to call it a door anymore. Taehyung noted to himself to tell the worker to repair his door later—might as well change it to steel or concrete one.
"Jungkook-ah," Taehyung called him while stepping into the room. He frowned when he was greeted by quietness. He put down the food tray on the table and observed his surrounding; trying to catch a glimpse of the boy on a corner of the room even under the bed. But Jungkook was nowhere to be seen. The wide-opened window seemed to answer Taehyung's confusion.
"Che." Taehyung cursed in his heart. He glanced out from the window. A small shoe was left without its pair. He recognized its Jungkook's instantly. He was a bit wondering though. How did the short kid climb the window? And wherever he is now, walking outside alone with that tempting scent...
"Brat..." Taehyung doesn't want to be responsible more than this.
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"Eat my shoe, old man!" Jungkook mocked at no one with a low voice.
After throwing out his shoes from the window, he sneaked out from the room through the door. Jungkook was almost caught several times by the kingdom's guards but luckily there were many potted plants, big enough to cover his body. He even held his breath when a servant was looking around as if noticing his presence and almost found him.
"Haaah...!" Jungkook sighed. He was so relieved when he stepped his feet outside of the kingdom. The hot sun rays greeted him and Jungkook walked out in pleasure, welcoming the freedom although it feels quite far away.
Jungkook had to be silent and sneaked down on the walls, behind the plants in the garden to hide from numerous gardeners and guards. He crawled until his favorite clothes were dirty from the waist down.
"Tsk." He whined when he saw dirt around his shoulder. When he reached a shady place covered by trees, Jungkook stopped his journey and decided to take a rest for a while. It has been one hour but he didn't find any gate or doorway out. He was frustrated at how big the kingdom is. It made his legs tired but he can't stop now. After massaging his legs and arms, Jungkook crawled down near the walls again to the point that he didn't care anymore about his dirty clothes or branches that hurt his arms.
Jungkook was giggling happily when he thought he saw a small gate from behind the bushes. The closer he got, the more he's sure it was indeed a way out.
"Yeah!" Jungkook stood up and squealed happily seeing the gate. Without observing his surrounding once again, the Snowelf prince was running toward it right away only to be disappointed since the gate was locked and chained.
Jungkook pouted and hit the door, causing noisy jingling sounds. Jungkook was not aware at all that he had disturbed the gate's guard form its sleep not far from there.
Jungkook inhaled deeply and nodded in certain. 'This gate is not too highs from me.' He said to encourage himself.
Jungkook had put a foot up to climb when a big shadow from his back covered his body to the outer side of the gate. A five feet monster, winged and three-headed and of course... ready to tear Jungkook's little body apart to the bones.
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oOoOoOo
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Taehyung was still trying to sniff the boy's track until his instinct told him to go to the kingdom's backyard. He could smell a stronger scent of the Snowelf and fear on the air.
"Oh, sh*t..." Taehyung's eyes widened and quickened his steps. He had just remembered their 'pet' on the backyard: an unfriendly one and uncute pet to boot.
"Don't die yet, kid." Taehyung cursed while half-running, almost made him wanted to transform to a wolf—right in the middle of a day! It would waste a lot of energy and Taehyung won't do it twice for an insolent little Snowelf! Unfortunately, the sound of cries were the ones that greeted him there.
"Jungkook-ah?" Taehyung called. The cries and screams of fear were heard along with a lion's roar and a bird's cry—Taehyung couldn't even decide which one is the worst of them. But at least, what he saw just now relieved him a bit.
Jungkook fell on the ground with bloody legs. His skinny hands were covered with scratches and bruises. Probably those wounds made the little spoiled prince couldn't move far from the Chimera, which keeps barking at him. Just another meter—if it was not because of those large chains around its feet, the monster would have devoured Jungkook's whole little body.
"Jungkook-ah!" Taehyung shouted when the three-headed being was starting to swing to its left and right. It's a sign... right before the dragon head opens its mouth widely.
"Stop it, Kim!" Taehyung was already standing as a defense in front of Jungkook and shouted to the creature. His right hand was raised high, touching the lion's jaw. Even if it's too late, he had to accept some burns or worse, losing an arm. Luckily, Taehyung's voice is familiar to the beast and made it stop attacking. It bowed to Taehyung in obedience.
Then as if reading the order from its master's eyes, the beast backed down. The large wings waggled gently before shutting down to its body. The monster sat down quietly like a puppy.
Jungkook who was watching it by holding his breath now choked then started to cry again. "Ah-ahjussi! Ahjussiiiii—" Jungkook wept desperately and stammered, both of his hands were reaching out; asking for a protecting warm hug.
"Tsk!" Taehyung grumbled but still, he hugged the frail boy and caressed his back gently.
"Sssh! Keep it down. If you don't stop crying, that monster would wake up again!" The radourland prince threatened the boy and successfully made him shut his mouth—desperately holding back his tears by covering his mouth with both hands.
"I've told you don't go anywhere, right?! This is what will happen if you don't hear my words." He tried to convince the little boy. Taehyung just sighed when Jungkook nodded his head and kept trembling in his arms. He didn't even know which devil whispered to him to peck on Jungkook's head—which indeed calmed the little Snowelf.
"H-Hic!"
Taehyung released their embrace although Jungkook's hands were still holding onto his arm tightly. He turned back and kneeled then said, "Now let's go back to the room. Don't be bad again!"
Jungkook nodded weakly; unable to answer. His cries raised again when he tried to stand up for real, especially because he saw the blood dripping from his feet and made him even more conscious of the pain. He trembled and let his body fell to Taehyung's back who caught him soon and lifted the boy to his back, walking towards their room.
"Eomma..."
Taehyung sighed. The boy was crying behind his back and started to call his mother who's far, far away in Hviturland. Taehyung ignored it because who knows, if he says something wrong, the boy's cries would raise a few octaves and it would be the last thing Taehyung wants.
"Stay here." Taehyung leads the boy to sit on a chair. The boy obeyed him this time, sitting on it though followed by his sobs.
"I-I want to go home, ah-ahjussi..." Jungkook rubbed his teary eyes and started to cry again. Taehyung's next answer made it worse.
"No can do."
"HUEEEE! I WANNA GO HOME, EOMMAAAA!"
Taehyung cursed then shook his head; decided to ignore him. Well, he might shut his mouth when he's tired later.
"Yah! Yah! Now eat! You can continue your cry later."
Jungkook's wail turned to quiet sobs when Taehyung offered a tray of food in front of him—not as warm again but still good. The Snowelf kid blinked innocently with hiccups. He looked up to Taehyung then looked down again to stare at the delicious-looking food.
"You can eat by yourself, right?" Taehyung asked suspiciously. Oh please don't tell him he had to feed this spoiled prince too. Taehyung would have to give up because he never feeds anyone in his life except his monster pets.
Fortunately, Jungkook nodded and grabbed the spoon weakly. The boy was starting to spoon the food slowly to his mouth. Small sobs still could be heard between his chewing and swallowing.
Taehyung was keeping his eyes on the boy until he unexpectedly finished the food. There's only one plate filled with vegetables and salad left untouched. Taehyung frowned in confusion.
"Why don't you eat salad?" 'Doesn't elf eat vegetables and fruits?' But Taehyung didn't ask the second question since it sounded too racist and stereotype.
Jungkook shrugged while rubbing his swollen eyes. "I don't like it." He answered shortly.
Taehyung snorted. 'What a spoiled boy.'
"Finish the veggie, boy!" Taehyung insisted. Jungkook was taken aback with teary eyes. His eomma and hyungs never forced him to finish the veggie and fruits.
"Nooo! I want to go home! I want my eomma! Huaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
"Aish, not again!" Taehyung grumbled in annoyance. Now he had refilled his energy, Jungkook's cries are getting louder and hurting ears. Taehyung face was an ugly dark shade, and it got uglier the moment he heard the boy ordered him once again.
"Take me to my home, stupid old ahjussi!"
"Just go back by yourself riding the chimera earlier!" Immaturely, the prince snapped at him and successfully made Jungkook wailed even more.
"Yah! Y-yah!" Taehyung really wanted to shut his mouth but holding back his desire. His left hand alone can kill this Snowelf prince, and Taehyung wouldn't want to do it. But he doesn't want the cries in his room more.
"Shut up, Jungkook-ah!"
Oh no, it made Jungkook wailed and wept worse instead. He was also starting to hit Taehyung with his small hands and feet.
"Take me home! Take me home! Take me home! Take me homeeeee!"
"Y-yah! Yah! Shut it, brat!" The crown prince shouted, trying to block Jungkook's attack and holding back his wrath from throwing the fragile body away at the same time.
"Alright! Alright! I'll take you home if the king allows it!" He almost made the older man cry.
Jungkook stopped hitting him. His cry subsided a bit. He bit his lips and looked at Taehyung with hopeful, swollen eyes. "Re-really, ahjussi?"
"Ne! If the king let you go home!" Taehyung threw the burden to his father. He's tired already having to face this kid. He was also afraid to say something wrong, so let the king decides.
However, for Jungkook, Taehyung's answer sounded like an absolute future. He even remembered it as a promise. "R-really? Hic, hic, HUAAAHJUSSIIIIIII!"
Taehyung was startled when the boy suddenly threw himself to his body and hugged him tightly. He cursed silently even though his hand pets the boy's head in response.
'Damned brat.'
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oOoOoOo
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"N-Namjoon-ah..." The beautiful queen moaned softly; whispering the Radourland King's real name whose naughty lips were smooching his sensitive neck. The thick clothes were messy and disheveled because his hands are roaming on his body.
Namjoon smiled to the pale guy before capturing those red lips to his own softly.
"Appa, I'm in!" The queen was shocked when the entrance door of the king's private hall was opened roughly. However, Namjoon was not. Taehyung was standing in front of the room arrogantly; though he was quite shocked as well seeing the slightly intimate scene of his father and the second queen.
"Appa, I need to talk to you." He said while snorting in disgust and closed the door from outside. Namjoon sighed at his son's behavior while his queen was busy fixing his clothes. The king pecked his lips once again apologetically before going outside.
"So, what's bothering my crown prince's heart that he come here to meet me? Is Jungkook well already?"
Taehyung made a disgusted face hearing his father's question. Sure, he had never stepped a foot in this place anymore since their mother's death. If it's not because of Jungkook, he won't set a foot here right now.
What for he's here anyway?
To see his father lovey-dovey kissing with his new queen like earlier? HAH!
"Too healthy. He's been whining non-stop begging to be taken home." Taehyung snorted in annoyance. "Come on, Appa. Just let him go. I'll even personally take him to Hviturland and apologize to his family." Namjoon was expressionless and just stared at his son with full attention. Taehyung became uncomfortable when his father didn't say anything but stare at him.
'Che... I shouldn't have come here after all. I knew it will be like this.' He spat and grumbled in his heart.
"Taehyung-ah, do you know what you're talking about?" Namjoon whispered softly and folded his hands in front of his broad chest. No, he's not angry at Taehyung. After all, he knew his son well, and he's sure that Taehyung was not serious about it. He knew that Taehyung knows well the consequence of his plan so he took it just like a spoiled whine from his boy.
"Aish, then just give him to someone else, Appa! I'm busy and I don't have time to take care of an insolent boy like him!" Taehyung whined and disappointed at this father. Returning a mate candidate without any reason is a humiliation to the family. Okay, Taehyung had a ton of reasons but somehow he knew it won't work at all. Namjoon had expected it and chuckled softly.
"Then tell me, what are you doing every day until you don't have time for him? Training with the knights? Doing the kingdom's works? Helping my ministers? Hmm?" Namjoon was giggling at the thought; mocking at his only son who was looking pissed and ashamed. But it's true! He's a king but he always has time for his beloved queen.
"Alright, alright! I'm not busy, but I don't want to be betrothed to that kid, Appa! I don't like having a mate, but being a baby-sitter instead! I'm not a perverted man who likes kids, especially him—crybaby, spoiled, arrogant, impolite... Did you know? He called me a slave this morning!"
Namjoon wasn't shocked but laughing instead.
"You're right, Tae. He sounds healthy to me."
"And then he escaped when I went to the kitchen! He was almost died by our chimera because he planned to escape through the back gate!" Taehyung didn't have to tell his father that it was Jungkook who ordered him to fetch the food and obeyed him. The king's laugh subsided to a smile.
"It's because you didn't claim him, Tae. If you did, the chimera won't harm him. Wherever he goes in this place is dangerous as long as you haven't marked him yet. How's his condition now?"
Taehyung raised an eyebrow.
"You know—you didn't sound like you care about him that much. What exactly is your plan, Appa?" Taehyung felt suspicious enough. The king drank his soju.
"Probably it seems so to you, but I'm very worried—especially because you haven't decided when you will claim him yet. He might die anytime, Tae." Kim Namjoon was lying. He was actually doesn't really care to the Snowelf kid. No, not yet until he really becomes Taehyung's mate. Before it happens, he doesn't care about the war outbreak between Radourland and Hviturland caused by the boy's death. After all, he brought the kid here to be his son's mate only to get heir for his throne—a grandson. He doesn't even sure Sehun would care about the boy enough to start a war against them whereas Hviturland itself has been in the cold war with Stavurland for so long. But nobody needs to know these so no harm would come to the boy.
"Appa, we need time. It's different if you chose someone older who doesn't have a psychological problem. Why must be him? If it has to be Snowelf, doesn't he have other siblings?" The crown prince fixed his sitting position. Namjoon glanced at Taehyung again then sighed heavily.
"Taehyung, you do know the condition between our lands, right? We're not having a war with each other, but we also don't have an alliance. Our relationship with the ice land is so tense. Sehun actually doesn't trust us. When I came to meet him to propose his child for you, he didn't give any choice but Jungkook, his youngest son." The big-built king drank the soju again. Taehyung didn't say anything to let his father continue.
"...To tell the truth, there was a rumor spreading around that Sehun's first son on the throne is having romantic feelings with Jungkook. A lot of servants knew it already, but they didn't tell anything to the king in fear. Sehun was mad when he caught both of them kissing."
Taehyung's eyes widened in shock.
"WHAT?!" Taehyung found it hard to speak.
"B-but—his own brother?!" He stammered in disbelief of what he had just heard. That innocent, crybaby and spoiled kid kissed his own brother?! But Taehyung didn't blame Jungkook. He's actually angry and blames Jungkook's oldest brother who should take care of the boy instead, not teaching him such an indecent act!
"It seems like Sehun hates his youngest and blamed him for his third queen's death. That's why I put a big hope in this mating between you and Jungkook to change our lands relationship to be better."
"Appa, you really—Aish... That boy might not a virgin anymore!" Taehyung sighed in annoyance.
"Omo? Tae, are you jealous?" Namjoon smirked at him.
"It's not like that!" The curly-haired man denied quickly.
"Don't worry, my boy. He's a virgin. You'll know the difference after you mark him. Hahaha hahaha!" Namjoon was laughing happily while Taehyung snorted in defeat with a faint blush on his face.
"Arasso, arraso! Then what should I say if he whines to get home again?!" He's back to his first purpose coming here since he couldn't bear with his father anymore.
"Distract him, Tae. Since his psychological state is like a kid—much younger than he actually is, treat him like one. Play with him, win his heart by becoming his friend, make him happy, and give anything. Except for letting him go home."
Taehyung scratched his head lazily. Even just thinking about it felt troublesome for him. Namjoon patted his back. Not long after that, he saw his father's wife coming to their way to bring his father another bottle of soju. Taehyung looked away on purpose when the man smiled warmly at him.
In truth, Taehyung had to admit this second queen is almost perfect—he's so beautiful and kind-hearted. That motherly warm smile tickled Taehyung's heart as if reminding him of his own mother. And Taehyung doesn't like it.
He also doesn't like this person.
One thing that makes him so low in front of his eyes.
One thing that made him can't accept this person forever, moreover forgiving him.
This man had made his mother fell sick and died because their stupid, idiot father loves this person and neglecting his own queen—the mother of his children. If there's anyone to blame, it's this man. He should have to go away and leave Namjoon because he already had a queen and children. True, he's a king. People will get attracted by his throne and power and won't leave him alone. And this person surely is no different than those vermins out there.
"I'll be going now, Appa." Taehyung snorted in annoyance to the other way and got up quickly before he's too close with his father's queen.
"Wait, Tae! YAH—" Namjoon was about to snap at his impolite boy, but a gentle hand on his shoulder stopped him and made him turned his face to his beautiful angel. The man shook his head weakly and put down the tray. He sat beside his husband with eyes glued to the ground for a while, and then looked up again to stare at his husband with his beautiful dimpled-smile; trying to look okay. However, he couldn't hide his slightly teary eyes from Namjoon.
"Hhhh... He's still like that towards you, so insolent." Namjoon grumbled and brought his hand up to caress the cheek of his beloved person.
"Please forgive him nde, Seokjin-ah?" The long dark-brown haired man shook his head and touched the large hand on his cheek.
"It's fine, Namjoon-ah..." Those dark-honey colored eyes couldn't hide his sorrow behind his smile.
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"Ahjussi! You told me you'll take me home! You're a liar!" Jungkook whined and sulked right away when he saw Taehyung came to the room on the next day.
"Yah, don't call me ahjussi! Call me hyung!" The crown prince folded his hands in front of his chest arrogantly.
"No! You're old! The old man should be called ahjussi!"
Taehyung glared angrily at the insolent boy. How could he call him old?! He's barely in his 40! What about his hyungs then? But in a moment, his anger turned to laughter.
"Oh? Is that so? Well... It can't be helped then. This old ahjussi actually wanted to take you for a walk outside, but ahjussi doesn't want to befriend with an insolent kid like you. Just stay here until you're die of boredom!" Taehyung turned his back to the door and walked away with a sly face.
"Aa—W-wait!" Taehyung smirked in victory when Jungkook sounded panic and told him to stop. He stopped, but not turning his back to face the boy.
"Is there anything else, little prince?" Taehyung was giggling quietly since Jungkook couldn't see this expression.
"W-where did you want to take me?" He asked a bit arrogantly.
"Hmmm?" Taehyung was forcing his brain to think quickly. What kind of places would appeal to a kid like Jungkook?
"Nggg... I... I was going to take you to the garden and play with the bunnies."
"Bunnies?!" Taehyung cheered in his heart when he saw those large eyes were filled with sparks. Jungkook jumped down from Taehyung's bed and squealed excitedly.
"I WANNA GOOOOO!"
Taehyung pouted, looked away, and played hard-to-get with the boy.
"No way! Ahjussi won't take a bad boy like you. We're not friends after all." He turned his back again.
"Ahjussiiiiiii!!!!" Jungkook whined while stomping his feet.
"No." The older man looked away once again, refused to meet the boy's face.
"Ahjuss—Hyuuuuunggg~" He whined once again with persuading tone. Taehyung didn't expect Jungkook to be so smart. He had to hold the smile from forming on his lips and turned his head a bit.
"What?!" He asked as rudely as possible.
"I want to go to theeereeeee!"
"You have to apologize to me." Taehyung challenged the arrogant boy. It seemed unacceptable for Jungkook and he was speechless. He whined and bit his lower lip but not saying anything. Jungkook doesn't like to apologize. An apology is only said by low-class people.
"If you don't want to, I'll be going now..."
"AAA! Okay, hyung! I'm sorry... Take me with you! I'm bored in this ugly room!" He whined while tugging on Taehyung's white shirt. A vein popped on the taller man's head, but he sighed while laughing; trying to remember his father's words.
'This sh*tty brat...' He growled quietly.
"Here! Follow me!"
Jungkook laughed happily and started to follow Taehyung's big steps with his short legs. Impatient with Jungkook's slow steps, Taehyung offered his back in the end which was accepted gratefully by the boy.
'A prince is cooler riding on a horse than walking on feet.', said the boy which almost made Taehyung snap. However, his emotion vanished right when he saw Jungkook jumped off from his back to chase the rabbit happily. And when the little Snowelf was playing with those white-furry creatures, Taehyung could see the real Jungkook—an innocent and happy kid. The 'mask' he wore before had fallen somewhere and forgotten.
"If you obey me and stop being so troublesome, I'll take you to the festival too." He promised the boy who was carrying a black white rabbit in his arms.
"REALLY HYUNG?!" Jungkook put the animal down and hugged Taehyung's chest like a kid waiting to listen to his mother's fairy tale. Although it's not suitable for his age, he's cute enough to be mistaken as five years old. A bit exaggerating though...
Taehyung pretended to put a sour face, but couldn't hold back a smile seeing Jungkook happy like that. Taehyung caressed his head and played the soft hair before nodding. "We'll go there someday this week."
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oOoOoOo
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Taehyung enjoyed his walk through the city's crowd. The streets are full of different races of demons participating in the summer festival. Mostly from Radourland but there are some newcomers from the other lands, gathering on the borderland every year. This is currently the safest area in Radourland, guarded by their thick security and was managed by a branch kingdom of them. Taehyung was quite amazed seeing how they managed to leave at least one safe place in the Red land.
Jungkook was not too far behind him; trying to walk along with Taehyung's large steps who was turning his head to look at him with a thin smile. Those large brown doe eyes were rolling, observing his surroundings with an amazing expression.
Taehyung was wondering, 'Won't that frail neck gets tired from looking around too much?'
And true, Taehyung was startled when Jungkook was about to fall down and went limp. Luckily their distance was close so the taller man could catch Jungkook without any difficulty.
"What's wrong, Jungkook-ah? Are you sick?" Taehyung regretted his decision for a second; taking out the boy who's' just recovering from his fever.
"U-uunnnn! I'm dizzy because there are so many things I could see!" He answered excitedly; trying to hide the frown in his head. Taehyung didn't trust him enough. He decided to walk while holding Jungkook's hand beside him and chose a quiet path.
"Don't get so excited like that. Take it slow. I'll take you to see all around if you want." Jungkook looked up with sparkling eyes.
"You promised me, hyung!"
Taehyung swallowed; hearing Jungkook's happy laugh really tickling his heart. So far, he only saw Jungkook's crying or arrogant face; insisting to be taken home. He never thought the boy is capable of other expressions. He didn't know why, but he's happy when he saw the boy's laughing in joy. His hand fit in his strangely as Jungkook dragged him around wherever he wants.
Taehyung noticed that Jungkook spent a long time standing in front of colorful stands—watching a couple caught fishes, colorful magical balloons, and he stood the longest in front of a cotton candy stand.
Is living in the snowy Hviturland feels so empty?
Does the boy never see other colors but black and white?
Taehyung put his hands on his knees and leaned down to the gaping boy and let out a naughty smile.
"Haven't you had cotton candy?" Jungkook was a bit startled when he heard Taehyung's voice beside his ear.
"Cotton candy? The one that looked like a cloud?" He pointed at the pink cotton candies row. Taehyung nodded.
"Want to try one, Jungkook-ah?"
"E-EH? Can I...?" He asked in disbelief. His eomma never let him eat colorful food other than fruits which he disliked.
Taehyung smiled. He came to the stand owner and back with cotton candy. Honestly, he'd like to buy Jungkook one thing from each stand in this place. But what would people say later at home? Especially his father. How humiliating...
The Snowelf held the candy stick Taehyung gave to him and smiled childishly. Taehyung shook his head when the word 'adorable' crossed his mind.
"Thank you, hyung!" Jungkook tip-toed to hug Taehyung who let him do that. What made him a bit surprised was when the boy gave a quick peck on his lips innocently; something that Jungkook used to do to his eomma and hyungs to express his love. There's a strange beating in his chest, but Taehyung tried hard to ignore it.
"What's this color?" He asked as nothing happened a while ago.
"O-oh... it's pink."
"Ping? I love ping!" Jungkook decided it in a whim while taking a bite.
"Sweeeeet!"
Taehyung cursed. It's true that for a 19 years old kid, he had a younger psychological state. Usually, kids around him had learned to act mature and started to show interest to someone. Some even felt shy to express their love with a family member already. How could his father tell him to commit adultery acts with this innocent kid? Jungkook most likely didn't know why he was brought here. If only his father would postpone their mating for at least five... or three years more, waiting for Jungkook to grow a bit older and get used to this environment, Taehyung probably won't feel so uneasy and guilty like this.
However, he knew it was just his wishful thinking. His stubborn old father would most definitely insist on the mating this year.
They continued the walk while holding hands. Jungkook's still in lead to whichever way he wants. He kept asking a lot of questions which starting to make Taehyung sick. But he tried to be patient since it's not like Jungkook is happy like this every day. Jungkook was only taking looks at first, but now he found something that really intrigued him: a pink bunny plushie, almost as tall as him. He's starting to whine to Taehyung to buy it for him.
"Aish, Jungkook-ah! What is that for? It's for a girl!" Taehyung was blushing a bit from embarrassment since Jungkook's loud whine attracted people's attention to them.
"Hyuuuuuunggg... I want it...... bunny bunny bunny bunny!!!" The black-haired boy was tugging on Taehyung's clothes desperately. The seller smiled gently, letting Jungkook hugged the plushie which was strangely cute and fit beside the boy.
Taehyung cursed; actually, he was not angry but mostly embarrassed. "Fine, fine! I won't give you any other thing after this! You hear me?!"
Jungkook nodded happily and hugged the plushie in his arms tightly when he saw Taehyung paid it for him. Taking the boy home with that large, bright pink plushie was already humiliating. What else would he ask him? Taehyung blushed when he thought about what his father would say to him.
When they were passing away toward a shrine, they saw a lot of people walked to the crowd and gathered in front of it.
"What's that?" Taehyung asked to himself.
'Is there an accident?' Taehyung hadn't come to the festival for a long time. He was trying to remember what kind of attraction was held in front of the shrine when he smelled blood and realized right away.
"Let's go, Jungkook-ah! Jungkook-ah?!" The man couldn't find Jungkook who usually stayed on his left side. Taehyung turned to his surrounding in a panic—to the back, his right way and left way, and to the crowd. His heart was beating fast in worry since there are many people here.
Was he kidnapped? Or did he gets washed away with the crowd?
Taehyung hadn't taken a step yet when he heard Jungkook's cry from the crowd. The man ran closer to Jungkook's hysteric scream in a hurry.
'I'LL KILL THEM IF THEY LAY A FINGER ON HIM!' Taehyung growled unconsciously. His fangs lengthened and those wolf eyes glowed. He pushed the crowd on his way off until he saw his little Snowelf; sitting on the ground, crying and trembling. His new bunny was dirty from the ground's dirt and he was hugging it desperately with all his life.
In front of Jungkook was a calf being eaten alive by the demons as an offering. Those demons stopped their activities and turned to see the source of that noise which is no other than the Snowelf.
The calf was trashing and trembling on the ground with stomach torn, his inner organs were scattering out. Taehyung took Jungkook to his chest to hide his view. It was enough to get him nightmares for nights already. He took a relieved breath when he knew Jungkook was not harmed at all... yet.
However Taehyung had to bring the tempting-smelled Snowelf prince away from here, or they might attract more people there. Taehyung picked up the trembling kid with a bit intimidating aura to his surrounding then leaped away from the scene.
'sh*t... they might know who I am now.' He cursed silently. Taehyung doesn't like to expose his identity to the public. He prefers to walk around like a commoner.
Jungkook was still sobbing on his shoulder, hugging the dusty bunny. He was calmed a bit from Taehyung's warmth. He hugged Taehyung's even neck tighter.
'We better go home now.'
Taehyung had no choice but to carry Jungkook home like a princess that evening.
