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Jungkook digs through the cold soil. By now the dirt on his hand never leaves. It sticks to his skin, stays under his fingernails. A long time ago, Jungkook resigned to his fate. He stopped wondering if there is more to his life than what lays in front of him.Cling. Jungkook throws another potato into the cartwheel.With his back crouched he loosens up the soil to look for another one. It’s futile.With a sight Jungkook flops down.The well-kept gardens of the spring realm are usually swarmed with nature faeries. Today, a swarm of them fuzzes around the apple trees. In the distance a few faeries patrol the dark crimson forest. Wings puffed out in a show of strength.Jungkook scoffs.He stands up, and grabs the cartwheel to return to his cabin. Jungkook’s cabin is on the outer part of the village. He has to pass the gate of the gardens, walk through the flower meadows and up the small hill to get to his home.“Caterpillar!”Haneul.In a matter of seconds, Jungkook speeds up.However, Haneul breezes past him.“You didn’t attended the harvesting.”Jungkook shrugs. Doesn’t spare Haneul a glance.“You’re so selfish.”The insult rolls off Jungkook like a water drop on a leaf. He had heard worse. Far worse.“Lost the ability to talk now too?” Haneul taunts.Jungkook keeps his gaze focused on the pathway leading through the garden. “Don’t you have something better to do?”“I will tell on you if you don’t help.” Haneul flatters away.“What’s there to tell?” Jungkook mutters, but Haneul is long gone.Firefly awaits him perched on the wooden fence of his cabin. The little bird chirps as soon as his eyes meet Jungkook’s.Jungkook grins.“Missed me?”Firefly loops into the air. A spark swooshing through the sunlight.“Of course, you did.”In his cabin, Jungkook’s stows the potatoes and carrots away. Every part of his home Jungkook build with his own two hands. Unlike other nature faeries Jungkook doesn’t live in one of the tree houses surrounding the gardens of the Spring realm.Humming Jungkook returns to his own garden. Haneul’s words dishearten Jungkook not the slightest. He finished his duty at sunrise. In the morning Jungkook delivered his harvest to the faeries delegating the harvesting.Haneul got nothing on him.Jungkook yawns, and grabs his shears to tend to his herbs. He trims his rosemary bush. He also wants to harvest the autumn cabbages before the winter begins. Gardening calms Jungkook. He prefers the solitude of his cabin. His world was always set out to be small.With a chirp Firefly sets down on his shoulder. Jungkook scratches his head before he tends to the cabbages."Jungkook!"Jungkook startles. Yoongi, his brothers best friend, rarely yells. He is calm by nature."The winter faeries are here!"Out of breath, which is severely unusual for Yoongi, he props himself against Jungkook’s wheelbarrow.Jungkook squints his eyes at Yoongi, "How is that my concern?".Yoongi sighs, it's one of those you-should-know-better-sighs. "The winter solstice. Have you forgotten?"No, Jungkook hasn't. He is mindful of any seasonal change. Jungkook needs to be aware of every weather change to protect his little garden. He has no magic to help him out. The excited buzz of the faeries about the seasonal solstice is also hard to ignore."I never attended one of the winter solstice and I don't plan to."Jungkook, still on this knees in front of the cabbages, frowns.He is physically unable to attend any of the feasts, whether it is the winter and summer solstice or the autumn equinox. Without being able to fly his only option is the fancy and costly faerie transport. Yoongi should know all too well how hard of a time he has because he is stuck here."Have you forgotten the calling?""No."How could Jungkook forget the calling which led all nature faeries into frenzy? For weeks no one talked about anything else - "A new King.", "The Ice Prince.", "Devilishly handsome with a heart as cold as ice.". Jungkook heard it all, inevitable. Astonishingly he even felt the vibrating of the earth, a calling warmer than he had thought from a Prince born in the winter. Jungkook rarely has access to feel magic thrumming through his veins. His magic ability is non existent, and his wings are the ones of a child. He never had the chance to blossom.In low frequency the calling had shuddered through him like a warm hug."When you should know, the winter faeries are here to invite all eligible faeries for the selection.""I can't fly." Jungkook rebuts, stubbornly getting back to digging out cabbages.Yoongi shuffles closer to him, but Jungkook doesn't look up. In the distance he can make out the booming voice of a official messenger from the Winter Court."You have felt it, right? The calling?"Jungkook nods hesitantly."See, you were called. Every one who felt it has to go."Jungkook stares at Yoongi, "How can I?". With force he digs out another cabbage, "I can't fly."."I don't think you have a choice." Yoongi says, "Every eligible faerie who isn't bound to another through one of the Courts has to go.".Jungkook huffs, angrily he gets up, pats his hand a little cleaner on his trousers. He stares at his dirty hands in contemplation."What am I supposed to do?". He laughs bitterly. "Do they really expect me to pay for one of these transports?".Yoongi grumbles, "You will never know if we miss the announcement.".Jungkook resigns. Arguing with Yoongi is fruitless. With a nod Jungkook faces Yoongi. As soon as Yoongi seems sure he will follow him, he leads the way.With a chirp Firefly flatters away into the forest behind Jungkook's cabin. Similar to Jungkook he prefers the solitude only the forest can offer.The fields and gardens are empty by now, it is eerily silent for a afternoon. In the distant Jungkook hears the familiar flapping of wings.The faeries gathered in front of the old entrenched cherry tree in the outer part of the gardens. In the crown of the cherry tree the Spring Courts holds their official assemblies.Jungkook normally avoids any gatherings if he can. When they welcome the spring at their own equinox, Jungkook stays in the dark corners or lets himself be swallowed by the crowd. He has never particular cared, always felt like an outsider. He is clearly not meant for something bigger than him. If he were the Goddess of the sky, sun, moon and earth would have blessed him with the ability to fly, to enchanted, to even save a little flower from wilting, but he wasn't.Murmurs flitter through the clearing.In front of the dark forest, which begins right where the cherry tree is rooted, the Spring King stands. Gracefully. Flowers grow around him, a few white snowdrops, blue forget-me-nots and lilac bluebells blossom at his feet, different coloured foxgloves and snapdragons rank around him. A trail of tulips aligns behind him, gently blooming right out of the soil. Even Jungkook is able to feel the power he radiates from the other side of the clearing.Nature faeries and here and there a animal, drawn in by all the noise the faeries made, align around the clearing. Yoongi whispers with a friend next to him, Ji-won, if Jungkook remembers correctly one of the forrest guards.Two winter faeries, recognisable by the official ice blue uniforms of the Winter Court, stand right beside the Spring King.One of the winter faeries with hair as grey as the stones down at the river steps forwards.It’s drop dead silent as he reads out the proclamation for the solstice in a deep loud voice. This time it goes different than any other times one of the official announcements had been proclaimed."The King and the Crown Prince of the Winter Court invite all faeries of the Spring Court to their solstice, welcoming the winter. Let it be known, that one the first of December the Crown Prince Kim Taehyung of the Winter Court will start his coronation. A grand feast and celebrations are promised. The selection, as part of the coronation will begin by midnight of the first winter day. We urge every eligible faerie to attend the solstice and with that the selection to uphold the balance of the sky, earth, fire and water."The official, who has all faeries captivated, takes a dramatic pause to empathise his words. Jungkook suppresses the urge to scoff."The selection will choose contenders for the winter games, which will determine the new ruler alongside the Crown Prince. At the end of the winter the Winter Court will tie a knot to bind the magic within the new King and the selected.""The Winter Court requests the honour of your presence."Silently the man takes a step back. Louder than before a murmur goes through the crowd. As much as the Winter Court is feared it is admired, strength and power has always been desirable for faeries. Jungkook is no exemption, he strengthens his body to that extent that he can keep up with the other faeries without a ounce of magic.A prickly feeling on his neck makes Jungkook snap his head around, and meet the sharp gaze of the Spring King. Jungkook lowers his eyes on instinct, but watches him talk to the faeries from the the winter realm.Jungkook has a inkling why their eyes are set on him.And he is proven right, when he is, later one, visited by the officials of the Winter Court.The sight of two officials with their enormous ash white wings in his small garden, on his cobbled path, next to his self build wooden fence, is rather ridiculous.“Jeon Jungkook?” One of them asks.“Yes.” He murmurs, and stops peeling potatoes.“First officer from the Winter Court.” The faerie with hair as dark as the night sky says.“You are suffering from a ten degree wings injury?” He inquires.Jungkook winces inwardly, injury, he has long stopped hoping they would stop calling it a injury.Warily he nods.Intrusive eyes gaze at him. They linger behind him where his wings should peak out.“We have to inspect the degree of your injury to determine if the Winter Court will pay for a transport.”Jungkook blinks at them, “What?”.Jungkook stiffens. His heartbeat quickens. Inspect them? He wishes his brother was here or his parents.“Yes. Can you turn around for us?”Jungkook gulps, a angry flush takes over his face, “Excuse me?”.“We just need to make sure. As you might be aware, faerie transports are expensive.”For the first time the grey haired man speaks up, their hair colours are so uncommon for any nature faeries, “We had our fair share of malinger.”.Jungkook is baffled why anyone would pretend to have any degree of wing injury.As if reading his mind the man continues, “Some have a three degree injury and expect us to pay a transport. We are ordered to solely provide help for a anything above a six degree injury.”Jungkook is stunned, his heart is pounding in his chest. He has seen a five degree injury. One of the wings of the faerie had been shredded apart. How is anyone able to fly with that? Malinger? Jungkook doesn’t think that is the right word for anyone dealing with a wing injury, but Jungkook keeps quiet. Always has, always will be. He is a faerie who can’t fly, can’t enchant. What does he know?His heartbeat vibrates through his chest and his hands tremble in anger as he stands up, and slowly turns around.It’s humiliating, even more so when he hears one of them gasp.“You’re not injured.” The first official tilts forward to inspect Jungkook’s wings.Jungkook bites his tongue. It’s obvious that he isn’t injured.Jungkook’s wings are about the size of his hand. Translucent they shimmer in a golden hue. When he flaps them he can create a little breeze and that’s about it. They are so small, Jungkook used to hide them under his clothes, but this just stirred up the rumours. Made faeries swarm around him to try to have a look at his wings.Jungkook feels vulnerable.“Can you lift your shirt?” The first officer inclines, “We need to make sure you’re not hiding your wings.”.Tightly Jungkook presses his eyes close. Why couldn’t Yoongi still be hear? He would have known what to do, would have retorted something brash.Jungkook has no choice but to comply. He could cause a ruckus, but it would be brought to the Spring Court. The outcome would be similar and he would only draw more attention to himself. He would rather not.Hastily Jungkook pushes his shirt up to free his back.It’s silent behind him till one of them murmurs, “I have never seen something like this before.”.Jungkook decides he has enough, let’s go of his shirt, turns back around, hands balled to fists, and squints at them.The grey-haired faerie frowns, as he notes something down in a small notebook. The other concludes, “Ten degree wing injury. Unable to fly.”.“A day before the selection a faerie transporter will be send for you.” The first official states.The grey-haired official snorts at that, but promptly receives a scolding look from the other.Jungkook understands, he gets the implication. Why bother with someone like him? As if he will be selected. He agrees, wholeheartedly.
Jungkook is lucky. He is.He knows faeries with wing injuries who never got to see the realm out of a bird's-eye view again."I'm lucky," Jungkook echoes his thoughts. His stomach is in knots. Anxiety keeps him awake. The sun set a long time ago.Tomorrow, Jungkook will fly again.Fly over all of the realm, might see the flaming sea's his brother told him about. A continues body of salt water, Namjoon had told him, like the pond in the gardens, but salty and endless. Breathtaking, Namjoon says. Jungkook believes him. As a currier for the Spring Court Namjoon has seen the whole faerie realm. Namjoon has always been his rock, whatever comes out of his mouth is the truth. They will land right in the Uncanny Valley between the imagined Mountains, Jungkook sometimes sees flickering in the sun on a particular clear day, right where the Winter Courts resides.To this day he remembers how his father and mother used to pick him up, and fly around with him. His nose had tickled from the wind, his hair had been tousled and he had laughed so much. Giggled out of joy. Till the day he was unable to be picked up by anyone.Shouldn't he be excited?His brother will be there too. Namjoon. Jungkook had missed him.Firefly buzzes next to him. Glows in the dark. Seemingly still awake and aware of Jungkook’s nervousness. The little bird chirps as he settles down next to Jungkook, moving his head to the side as if he is questioning him.“I know,” Jungkook whispers, “Now that I will be flying again I should be over the moon, shouldn’t I?”.Firefly chirps, short and sharp, before he settles back at picking his glowing feathers.“I’m scared,” Jungkook continues, “I haven’t been in the air for so long.”.Firefly stops nestling his feathers. He looks rather affront as he hops closer and lets out a tirade of chirps. He nudges Jungkook and settles on his nose before he leaps up, makes a turn in the air as to show him that his fears are nonsense.Jungkook giggles. Firefly settles back onto his side, and brushes a wing against his cheek.“You’re right.” Jungkook mumbles, “I shouldn’t be afraid to fly.”.With a sigh Jungkook closes his eyes. It’s not the flying per se that’s keeping him awake, it’s the unknown. Worries cloud his thoughts. He fears the other faeries. Will they scrutinise him?Eventually Jungkook falls asleep with Firefly nestled in the crock of his neck.Firefly chirps him awake too early for Jungkook's liking. Every year the faeries visiting the Winter realm leave before the sun rises fully.Drowsy Jungkook gulps down the glass of water on his nightstand. Restless he immediately gets up to get ready. Faint sunshine shines through the cracks of his drapes. Like every morning Jungkook makes his small bed in the corner of his room.Jungkook puffs out a breath of air as he moves down the narrow and short stairway into the cramped downstair room. His stomach grumbles when he turns on the kettle to boil water.Firefly settles down on his shoulder. Jungkook smiles lightly as he scratches his head.He chirrups at his touch.For Jungkook it has always been easy to get along with animals, creatures of the forest. The deers that come too close to the gardens, the frogs who quack at him whenever he sees them at the pond, the bees who never sting him but buzz around him and the birds that sing for him. At least in Jungkook’s head they do. Possibly that’s all there is to it. His imagination.The kettle whistles, and Jungkook carries on with his morning. Brewing elderberry tea, freshening up, getting dressed in comfortable clothes suited for a long journey.It’s cold, Yoongi had told him, in the Uncanny Valley at this time of the year. Jungkook had bound his thickest jacket on his duffel bag, but he fears it might not be warm enough as he has no magic to compensate the temperature change.In the Spring realm it’s always a little bit warmer even in the winter. In the Winter realm they say the winters are harsher than one can even imagine. Snow higher than a fairy, frozen ponds, icicle which can pierce a fae.Two solid knocks at the door startle Jungkook out of his fretting.Early in the morning he was told they would leave. Everyone together. It’s a tradition, like flocks of birds they travel together. Jungkook loves watching the birds pass by on their journey throughout all of the realms. He can't believe he will do they same today.Relief floats through Jungkook at the sight of Yoongi at at his front door. No unfamiliar fae.“Are you ready?” He asks. Yoongi has always been straight forward, one of the reasons Jungkook gets along with him rather well.Yoongi says it as it is. He doesn’t talk behind Jungkook’s back, but he also doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that he can’t fly.'It is like it is', Yoongi always says, 'we just have to learn to live with it'. Yoongi even told him, 'It makes you only stronger'.The first time Yoongi had called him strong, Jungkook nearly cried since that’s not what people associate with him. After all Jungkook lacks everything a faerie should be able to do.Jungkook nods at Yoongi and gets his duffel back with the thick cotton wool jacket he had made himself.As he heads out, Firefly sits down on his shoulder. A comforting stable presence.Yoongi watches him carefully when he locks his cabin.“We will fly right by your sides.” He says, worry radiates off him.Jungkook chuckles. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me, doesn’t suit you.”.Yoongi sighs, mumbles something incoherent, and stares into the sky. “It’s a good day. It won’t rain.” He states and stacks up the hill towards the village.Jungkook follows him, his worry clouded mind hadn’t even thought of the powers of nature.“What do we do if it storms?” He questions suddenly adding another worry onto his list.“In the worst case, we take a break. Look for a shelter.”Jungkook nods.It’s bustling with life in the village, faeries swarm around, a overwhelming excited buzz flows through the air, laughter and chatter fills the clearing. Quite the contrary to what goes on in Jungkook’s mind.He sees his parents close to the pear trees, which still bloom even on the last days of autumn. One of the faeries must have put a powerful spell on them. His mother gracefully commands the faeries carrying the baskets full of spring fruits and vegetables.Presents for the Winter Court.Jungkook’s mother is the youngest faerie to ever join one the Courts. As long as Jungkook can remember she has always been busy as a bee working for the Spring Court.Akin to his mother Jungkook soaks up knowledge like a sponge. Knowledge, he has long learned, is as well as his strength one of the only powers he can possess. He knows the Winter Court isn’t as overflowing with fruits and vegetables. Certain foods are sparse. A indulgence.Once Namjoon had brought Jungkook a red beet from the Winter realm which Jungkook had spit out in disgust. Tasted like dirt. A delicacy in the Winter realm, Namjoon had said. To this day Jungkook is bewildered about it.Yoongi leads them straight to a black wagon on the side of the clearing.Jungkook tightly grips his duffel bag. His heartbeat echoes in his ears."Caterpillar, they let you fly?"Jungkook disregards Haneul's malicious comment, and the whispers traveling along the clearing. He pretends he doesn't hear a word.Many seasons ago he had learned to ignore the stares and the whispers. As he grew up Jungkook managed to cope with his dismaying reality. By the time Jungkook was about 5 years old the whispers started, he didn't understood back then, only knew something about him was different. He heard what the others said about him, behind his back, into his face - "Look at his wings.", "Why are your wings so small?", "Why aren't you flying?" -. Caterpillar is what they started to call him and it stuck to him like honey. Cruel souls even go farther, call him a Crawler or inchworm. Jungkook has heard it all.With time Jungkook started not to care, not to care about the crude tongues of the other faeries who would never know that not being able to fly is pain enough in itself, that cruel words are the lesser of the two evils. Jungkook wouldn't mind to be shunned forever just so he can fly up high into the sky. Let himself wander with the wind, along the clouds and birds, far away to the imagined mountains and maybe he would even be able to see the flaming sea's.The enormous dark wagon is flanked by four faeries, who will, to Jungkook's knowledge, carry the wagon through the air.Their wings are massive, resembling more the ones of a bird than of a fairy. These type of wings are necessary to fly the wagon’s transporting faeries. That’s exactly why they are unimaginable expensive. Only a few out of thousands of faeries possess wings as strong as them, and most of the ones who do have task much more important than carrying a unknown injured faerie through the sky.Not one of them looks at Jungkook with curious eyes or tries to sneak a peek at his wings. A little tension vanishes off Jungkook's shoulders. Firefly chirps next to him. All of them must have surely seen wings worse than his.As the approach one of them turns towards them, wide greyish feathered wings are visible behind him, strong muscles frame his body, his eyes are sharp like the one of a hawk, his long silver hair floats till his hipbone. Jungkook’s shoulder long curls seem short in comparison to his silver mane. The faerie is only clothed in black trousers. Jungkook shivers at his sight.“Jeon Jungkook?” The faerie inquires.He nods resolute.A few faeries around them watch curiously. Seldomly one sees a faerie transport and faeries with wings as strong as the one of a bird but larger than a tall faerie."First time?"Before Jungkook can retort anything the faerie continues, with an outstretched hand he points at the door of the wagon, "Don't lean out of the window.".The faerie beckons him forward with a gesture, "The door is closed with a simple lock.". Jungkook stumbles forward. Easily the faerie opens and closes the snap mechanism used to lock the door. "Don't open the door while we are flying unless you have a death wish."Jungkook swallows visibly."Understood?""Yes, crystal clear."The faerie gazes at Jungkook's companion perched on his shoulder, "Animals aren't allowed inside."."He will fly.""Even in the cold?" The faerie stares at him, and gazes at the tiny bird on his shoulders. "He won't withstand the snow and wind in the winter realm.""How would you know?"The faerie rolls his eyes at them, in a lower tone, he adds, "He can take a break in the wagon if he has to, but I know nothing."."Get inside," He turns around, "We will be leaving any minute.".Without much thought Jungkook opens the door to settle down inside of the spacious wagon and locks the door behind him. He tucks his duffel bag under the bench, which is equipped with cushions.Through the small window Jungkook looks outside.Taking off the wagon sways slightly.A good while all Jungkook sees are the crown of trees of the dark forest and the sun rising in the distance. Hues of orange tint the sky, and the air feels fresh on Jungkook's skin. The swaying of the wagon lulls him but Jungkook keeps his eyes open. He looks over the whole Spring realm, the enchanted cherry tree seems small from above, his own cabin is the size of a ladybug.He sees the other faeries flying. Yoongi white translucent wings shimmer in the rising sun. Jungkook eyes transfix on him, how he glides through the air with ease. He sees his mothers golden wings in the distance glistening in a similar color like is own do. A little sadness always accompanies Jungkook whenever he watches other faeries carelessly fly, especially his mother.No one understands how it feels. Not even Yoongi.Jungkook has met other faeries who couldn't fly. When he was younger his parents took him to others faeries that weren't able to. There was this older man, which had one wing cut off by cruel faeries. It's the day Jungkook learned what a injury done by a faerie to another isn't curable with magic. One of the reasons his father came to the conclusion that Jungkook might be cursed or had been punished by the Goddess of the sky, sun, moon and earth herself.For what Jungkook doesn't know, and he has given up to understand his father's ideas a long time ago.His father flys close to the faeries transporting goods. Vibrant green wings flatter in the air.He also got to meet a young faerie who fell so badly on of her wings had been ripped off. For unknown reasons her wings healed too slowly. Not one faerie had been able to cure her injury. She had been able to fly a little, but always stumbled around and fear mad her stay at the ground. Her sad smile. Jungkook can remember it till this day.He also met a cursed faerie with eyes as glassy as the fog on an early spring day, and scars where wings should have been. No one knows what happened to them, some say they escaped out of the prisons of the Winter Court where they had been tortured with dark magic, other says they angered a powerful faerie. The faerie never looked at Jungkook, didn't say a word, all he did was mumble incoherent words over and over again.Needless to say Jungkook didn't sleep for days after that visit.Jungkook had nightmares about being cursed for a long time, but the one of the injured faerie he met also told him that there is strength in loss. That he is probably stronger than any faerie out there, because they have it easy and Jungkook doesn't.By the time the sun stood high in the sky Jungkook caught sight of the glittering white imagined mountains in the distance. The wind blowing through the wagon became colder the closer they got.Jungkook considers slipping on his jacket to warm himself up.Abruptly, the wagon staggers. Jungkook sways a little. A look outside makes clear that they are setting down right behind the dark crimson forest. Wide meadows stretch in front of them. A few faeries landed on the meadow.A short stop.Jungkook had been told they would make a break when they are halfway there.As soon as Jungkook steps out Firefly slips into his blouse, nestles against his neck and warms his skin instantly, sends down sparks right into Jungkook's body."Thank you," Jungkook murmurs into his feathers seeking warmth.Firefly chirrups.Jungkook walks around the meadow, groups of faeries have settled down everywhere on the meadow, stretching, laying down, eating the food they brought.In the distance, Jungkook makes out, Yoongi laughing with a group of faeries.Jungkook sinks down on a cold stone, and gets out the meal he prepared for the journey. A cooked sweet potato, still a little warm inside. And a few carrots. And a soft pear, Yoongi had brought him yesterday along side a fresh apple and peaches."Wings likes his are rare."Jungkook jumps, a second he thought he had been spoken to, but a group close by is seemingly in the middle of an argument about the winter faeries.Jungkook was never good at understanding other faeries. Maybe because he rarely interacts with them, has been shunned for a long time."I saw them at the autumn equinox." Jungkook makes out Haneul's voice under the group. "Golden and blue.".Jungkook groans, and tries to ignores the hearsay they seem to busy themselves with. He doesn't care about how the Crown Prince looks.Firefly nips at his skin.Jungkook hums, and feeds Firefly a good chunk of the pear. Stretching his limbs Jungkook flutters his eyes close, and enjoys the sun warming his skin.Jungkook has heard it all.Whispers say the Crown Prince has eyes bluer than the river floating through the gardens, and hair as white as the snowdrops blossoming in Spring. A deathly stare, which can freeze another faerie with just one look. Other say he has Rubin red hair, and bloodshed dark eyes who can take your soul.Jungkook doesn't really care about the whispers.But he can't help himself to be puzzled about the Winter faeries, to put it lightly. In other words, he is intimidated. There is a reason the winter faeries are also known as dark faeries. The most powerful faeries to exist, their reign not only over nature, like spring faeries, who can let a flower grow under their finger tips, or fire like summer faeries, or autumn faeries who reign the air, and Jungkook has seen it with his own eyes can make water out of thin air. No, the winter faeries are the most feared, they bring coldness, darkness and death as they say. In winter most flowers die, food is scarce, the water freezes.Winter faeries, the only faeries who aren't bound to an element.Most spring faeries are bound to earth or scarcely to the sky, a summer faerie is always bound to fire and autumn faeries are bound to water or the sky.Winter faeries, they say, can possibly control every element, their magic not bound, springs free around. Most are able to control one or two or even three elements. And the Crown Prince is whispered had mastered them all.Jungkook has never seen the winter Crown Prince or any of the Queens, Kings, Princes or Princesses of the other Courts.Powerful Faeries make Jungkook quiver in his own inability to enchanted or to fly. He tends to avoid them if he can, and he wishes he could have avoided them his whole life.As Jungkook gets back into the wagon Firefly stays snuggled close to him inside his jacket.Their journey is uneventful for a good while, and the wind gets colder but the weather remains sunny. Soon enough they have reached the imagined mountains.They pass the massive mountains, and Jungkook can hardly believe his eyes.A enormous palace emerges in the valley. Flanked by snow-covered mountains, surrounded by two smaller castles the palaces is perched on a high hill. With a white marble facade the palace nearly fades into the mountains surrounding it weren't it for the cobalt blue turrets.The faeries land on the hill close to the smaller castles. Next to them buildings scatter the hill. Jungkook makes out faeries running through the snowy streets.As the wagon lowers on the ground, Jungkook reaches out of the window to catch one of the white flowers flattering from the sky.Snowflakes.Thick and snowwhite.Jungkook giggles as he catches a few on his bare hand.The wagon rattles as they set down on the ground. Jungkook hastily puts his hand back inside again.The door opens. The silver haired fairy, still cladded in only a pair of jeans, smiles at him."We arrived.""Thank you." Jungkook slips out the wagon, tightly holding his duffel bag close to him, and shakes out his stiff limps."Jungkook."Jungkook knows that voice, he beams. With a few wide steps he tightly slings his arms around Namjoon's neck."I missed you."Namjoon laughs. "Glad you're here.".Jungkook tilts his head back to grin at Namjoon."How long has it been? Did you grew out your hair?" Namjoon pulls at one of Jungkook's locks.Jungkook shakes out his hair, and lets go of Namjoon. "You haven't been around for ages.""Don't exaggerate. Pretty sure I've visited you a few moons ago."Jungkook grins."Come," Namjoon gestures him to follow, "You will be in a cabin with other unbounded faeries."."Will you stay with us too?""No," Yoongi emerges next to him, "He won't. He is with the Courts in one of the smaller castles."."Which one?" Jungkook cranes his head to stare at the towering buildings reaching high up into the sky. Jungkook has never seen buildings this imposing. The winter realm, Jungkook has heard only the stories about it, about the palace the current King build as soon as he was crowned. One of the smaller castles used to be their residence before the other two were build."This one." Namjoon points at the castle right to their left.Faeries swarm around everywhere. A jittery summer faerie argues with one of the winter soldiers a few feet away. Other soldiers usher flocks of faeries in different directions. Jungkook's mother leads a multitude of faeries, packed to the brim with baskets, together with a soldier of the Winter Court towards one of the smaller castles.Jungkook stares up the gigantic palace in wonder. He throws his head back as far as he can to see the blue turrets shimmer in the sun. He wonders why they build such large and imposing castles.“It’s cold here,” Yoongi says, “Somehow they have to protect themselves from the cold. Not every faeries posses as much magic as you might think.”.Jungkook wrinkles his noses, about to rebut, but Yoongi continues.“The cold season is harsh to faeries with little magic. Don’t get sick.”“Faeries can’t get sick.” Jungkook retorts. Out of habit.Yoongi smiles. “Don’t believe everything they tell you. There are faeries who can’t fly, even though they say there aren’t.”Jungkook bristles, and rolls his eyes.He is pretty sure he knows this better than anyone.
Jungkook follows Yoongi's hurried steps into the palace.Faeries surge inside. Jungkook's shoes are still wet from tumbling through the snow. Jungkook’s morning had been unassumingly beautiful, he soaked all his clothes in a matter of seconds.Firefly warmed him up quite a bit, still emits warmth from where he rests in Jungkook's coat pocket. Yet the coldness clings to his bones, but Jungkook wouldn't want to have it any other way. He slide down a hill laughing, made a little copy of Firefly out of snow and whacked Yoongi with a ball of snow, who grumbled at him trying to hide his smile.He isn’t even nervous, now that he is here, had a good night rest and no one particularly cares about him. He is rather delighted. His wings hidden behind thick clothes, everyone let’s him be. There are more important things to care for, the solstice, the selection, the coronation.No one bothers with him.Jungkook was able to roll through the snow, and enjoy something he has had never seen before. The snow in the Spring realm stays a few days, and melts rather fast leaving poodles of water.If it were for Jungkook, he would have done nothing else today, but duty calls.He sniffles, and trots behind Yoongi. The cold tickles his nose.The faeries rushing through the entrance of the palace push and pull, Jungkook gaze is fixed on Yoongi's boots. It's surreal, that he will see the throne room of the palace soon enough. Jungkook would never have thought he will get a glimpse of snow-covered mountains, let alone a palace build out of marble.Ji-won walks right next to Yoongi, a wreath of flowers bound into his lime green hair. A lot of the spring faeries took the time to adore themselves with flowers, even Yoongi has a daisy woven into his orange hair.If Jungkook could blossom flowers out of his fingertips he would probably do the same. They look beautiful.Trying not to get lost Jungkook stays close to the two.They walk along a wide corridor with high ceilings. He heard someone say that the palace has about 200 rooms, and two throne rooms ornamented with gold, the rarest stones and gems found in the mountains.Black opals. Blue sapphires. Emeralds.The corridors are as white as the snow outside, and every few foot another soldier flanks the walls of the corridor. Jungkook feels a little like the lambs on the meadows in the Spring realm, when they are brought back into the stables.Jungkook's shoulders tense the further they walk inside the place. Nervous energy vibrates from a lot of faeries, a young summer faerie buzzes next to Jungkook her yellow hair shines as bright as the sun. For a few Faeries, today will be life changing, but Jungkook doesn't think he needs to be worried.By earth, the sky, water and fire Jungkook vows he will not be selected.Winter soldiers lead them into a enormous room. "Into a line. Straight into a line. Stand behind each other."."Don't push!"Jungkook ends up behind Ji-won, who stands right in front of him. With Yoongi to his right, they are lined up in the gigantic throne room.Jungkook is tall enough to peak other Ji-won's shoulder as the crown room fills up. The room itself is made out of marble. The ceiling is white like the snow outside, shimmering in blue hues, the same colour of mostly everything else in the room. The chairs, the different Officials of the realms sit on, glitter in a transparent dark blue. Jungkook makes out his mother in a corner of the room, but he hadn’t detected Namjoon yet.The throne itself is intriguing, but the first thing Jungkook’s eyes are drawn to are the wings of the Crown Prince, golden framed and clear blue like water. It’s different than the golden hue he has seen on nature faeries, the princes wings are framed in solid golden intricate lines. His wings shimmer blue inside, white cracks swivel through them and light let’s them shimmer in a violet tone. The pattern of his wings make it look like they are moving, water floating and freezing in the wings, shimmering in different hues of blue. Jungkook is mesmerised, and as it seems he is not the only one. The faerie next to him stares opened mouthed.As Jungkook’s gaze travels around he notices the blue flowers on the shoulders of the Prince, adoring him, encompassing him. The first flowers Jungkook consciously perceives since he had landed in the winter realm that aren't blooming on a nature fairy. Blue waves waver and golden spots glitter around him, like the prince isn’t able to hold his magic within him, like it’s needs to be freed, floats around him in a mesmerising display of magic. Which is exactly what is supposed to do, Jungkook thinks, display his magically ability. His power.The power he will let loose to select the choose ones.A loose white blouse doesn’t let much to imagination, it’s halfway unbuttoned and Jungkook shivers only by seeing it and hugs himself even tighter. His cotton jacket to thin for this weather. The prince pants seem as thin as the one Jungkook wears in the summer, and Jungkook is pretty sure the throne he sits on is made out of ice. Translucent and hard it reflects the happening of the throne room within it. Under his naked feet the floor freezes in a mesmerizing display of ice crystals.“Welcome,” the Kings voice thunders through the room, “to the annual winter solstice.”.As the King speaks Jungkook gaze draws towards him.Enormous midnight blue wings slightly wrap around him, strong and sturdy they seem to form a protective stance. The sharp ends of the wings are showing towards the front. Long dark hair encompasses his face, strong brows, a sharp face, and eyes that can yield the strongest fae.“This year, my only son, will be coronated throughout the winter.” He pauses. “I’m grateful for your abundant attendance of the selection.”.Jungkook shivers. It’s not like any of them has a choice unless they want to live their life abounded from the faerie realms.“We will begin this year with the selection to ensure a delightful solstice. According to the tradition my son will let his power loose to find the selected enabled to become a King or Queen by his side.”Jungkook looks right back at the Prince again, easier on the eye than the King. Jungkook feels like he can taste the King's power just by looking at him.It’s the first time jungkook looks at his face, and feels the air suck out of him.He neither has white hair nor red, neither blue nor black eyes.His hair is golden. Nearly white. Like snow glittering in the morning sun. His eyes are a deep, dark blue, that make one think they are as dark as the night sky. His gaze is hardened, like Jungkook knows it to be from faeries who have seen too much, have a burden to carry. The crown prince probably has.As much as Jungkook despise this whole fanfare, he probably didn’t choose it either.His face is a cold mask of nothingness. Indifferent.Jungkook has no idea what he might be thinking about.As Jungkook lets his gaze travel he meets the eyes of his brother at the side of the room. By the other officials of the different Courts. Namjoon had already been staring.Jungkook grins at him.Namjoon only nods. Always so serious.“The choose ones shall stay in this room, as the other may leave by the time the selection is finished.” The King finishes his speech with a few platitudes Jungkook tries not to roll his eyes at.Out of the windows, Jungkook can see the white landscape, icicles hanging from above. Long and thick, about the size of Jungkook’s arm.He can’t wait to leave, touch the snow again, maybe wander a bit up into the mountains. Not too far, the animals as he has been warned aren’t to kind out here. Bears and Wolves wander around in the snow, but Jungkook has also already detected snow-white rabbits hopping around.Eerily silence settles in the room. The ceremony is about to start. Jungkook has heard million stories about it. How different the faerie dust of every Prince or Princess looked at there selection.Next year, the Spring Prince will hold his coronation. Jungkook was born into a unlucky time, where he is exposed to multiple coronations, multiple selections. The generation of his mother hadn't witnessed even one coronation.It has been a long, long time since the Winter Court held a selection. The winter King is rumored to be well over a thousand years old.The Crown Prince raises from his throne.Little Sparks glow around him, like firefly's in the night. His eyes close halfway, his brows slightly tug downward, white snowflakes dance, a purple hue shimmers, and waves of blue faerie dust spark around him. His wings flatter as he lifts off the ground. And Jungkook gapes, when his haircolour changes to the colour of the snow laying outside, and ice ranks around his head like a crown. He looks otherworldly, majestic.A glittering gold springs free first, swooshes out like it is excited. All eyes are fixated on the Crown Prince's faerie dust, which hoops around, and beelines towards Jungkook. Jungkook quivers, as it encircles him. His knees weak, but the magic whooshes past him, and he exhales in relief. The golden dust dances around the enormous hall, stops to encircle faeries, flies, and springs around.Simultaneously a white dust springs free, and encompasses a faerie within seconds, their blond hair flies up as the dust circles around it, and makes the faerie glow in a bright white light.A gasp goes through the crowd.Behind the faerie a dark dust engulfs another one by drawing lines on their skin that slither around in a eerie uncomfortable way that makes Jungkook head snap away toward a purple dust looping around faeries, and seemingly taking his time in selecting a fae.A green dust is slithering on the walls like a tendril looking where to grow along. It reminds Jungkook of the Spring faeries magic, maybe it is the part of the Crown Prince bound to earth. Jungkook rather not imagine where the gooey dark dust came from. The emerald green dust ranks on the ceiling till it drops down on a faerie in a rather startling way, but encompasses the faerie gently, ranks around them in a gentle hug.It's a fae from the Spring realm. Jungkook can make out the flowers woven into their hair.A dark blue that crashes like waves on the ground lulls in a faerie right at the front, like a wave swallowing the fairy, drowning it.Jungkook can't make out the purple dust. Has it already chosen?The rooms becomes eerily silent as all stare at the golden dust flying through the hall, taking his time, gliding through legs, looping around. It looks like it’s having fun. Sparkling, hoping up to the ceiling, and dropping down again.Jungkook is sure it went to every fairy, there is in the room. It’s frightening when it comes back into his direction, it’s much slower now than before like it’s taking his time. When it flys right into him, Jungkook world gets much more sharper, he feels like he can see every particle flying through the air, magic thrums through his veins, the power Jungkook feel is as deliberating as it is frightening, he feels like he is glowing, inside out, glitter shimmers across his skin, a golden glimmer surrounds him.Jungkook feels like he can conquer the world.And then it hits him, that he is glowing, that every single gaze in the room is set on him. That he is the last one. That he is one of the chosen ones.He meets Namjoon’s terrified gaze across the room and Jungkook world shatters.It’s frightening how fast he resigns. He knows he just got his death sentence.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Jungkook is ushered into a room. Alone.Panic clocks his throat. He wills himself to breath slow and refined. Tears spring in his eyes. The door behind him closes with a heavy thumb, and Jungkook has half a mind to stop himself from bolting out of the room. He wouldn't come far.He sinks onto his knees. Jungkook’s small wings itch, and he takes off his coat to shake them a little to get the itchiness away.Firefly is restless but quiet next to him, as if he understands the severity of the situation. He presses his small head against Jungkook’s leg, and Jungkook wants to cry. He wants to go back to his cabin, to the forest, to his blooming garden.Everything here is sparse. White. Jungkook hasn't seen one single blooming tree since he arrived, and he will most likely never see one again before he dies. Jungkook sobs, and presses his palm against his mouth to mute his cries.He can’t fathom what happened to him. Can’t understand how he was selected. How he should be able to survive.Jungkook sniffles as he watches Firefly pick at his clothes.The Winter Court is as cruel as the darkest coldest winter nights. Faeries rarely survive their games. At the last coronation for the now ruling King only one of the selected except for the chose one survived. Every other participant died. The first in a winter storm, the second by their inability to handle dark magic, and Jungkook can’t remember what happened to the other ones. He hadn’t even been born back then.Jungkook cries and cries, on the floor of the room assigned to him. With Firefly next to him, the only being that keeps him somehow grounded to earth.Firefly chirps at Jungkook’s feet, it’s dark outside by now. A long time ago, Namjoon had told him that the sun sets earlier in the winter realm. Jungkook can only lightly make out the mountains towering in front of his room.Someone knocks, loud and resolute. Quickly Jungkook pulls his jacket back on.“Yes?” Jungkook calls.The door opens, and a faerie around his age hovers inside the room. A dazzling smile on his face, glimmering dark yellow wings flicker behind him, “Jeon Jungkook, right? I’ve been assigned to you.”.Startled Firefly flys out of Jungkook's embrace.“It’s a pleasure,” A waft of energy floats inside with him, a summer fae, Jungkook is sure of that, his aura is almost blinding.What is a summer faerie doing here?“I’m one of the couturier of the Winter Court. I will help you with your attire. I’m sure you haven’t packed for this.” The faerie flashes him a smile.“Ah, where are my manners?” The faerie says with a smile, “I’m Hoseok.”.Wide eyed Jungkook stares at the faerie floating through the room. With him a few other faeries enter and a plethora of clothes on multiple clothes rails.“Oh, dear,” Hoseok says as their eyes meet for the first time. His glow dims on the edges.Jungkook probably looks like he feels. Out of sorts.To his surprise Hoseok hushes the few faes that followed him out of the room.“We ambushed you, didn’t we?”“It’s fine,” Jungkook tries to wipe off the last traces of tears on his face. His eyes feel puffy.With a snap of his finger Hoseok lights up the room in a dim glow, “A little sunlight goes a long way.”.Firefly chirps from the top of a shelf.“Oh?” Hoseok looks up, “You certainly agree with me.”.Firefly chirps again.Jungkook smiles weakly, knows his bird is more offended to be outshined by Hoseok’s light than anything else.Hoseok pulls a yellow cloth out of his pocket, neatly tied. "I brought some pastries with me.". Hoseok opens up the cloth, a puff pastry and a few cookies come to light. "Looks like you could use something sweet.".With grace he drapes them in front of Jungkook on the plush carpet."This is my favourite." Hoseok hands him the puff pastry.Jungkook isn't feeling like eating, and he is a little wary of the summer faeries intention. Despite it all Jungkook bites inside the pastry, he hasn’t eaten since the morning, and had foolishly thought he would be back by now.Jungkook can't remember the last time he had anything baked that wasn’t a self-baked cornbread or a carrot cake.The pastry is flaky outside, and fluffy inside, a cream ooze into his mouth, and Jungkook taste buds are delighted."A little sweetness goes a long way." Hoseok winks at him."It's good." Jungkook mumbles, and takes another bite.Hoseok grins at him. "Perfect. Brought them all for you, eat as much as you like, we have a long evening ahead of us.".Jungkook winces as the unpleasant thoughts come up again. What was about to happen to him?“As we need to get you ready,” Hoseok continues, “I fear we do not have much time.".Hoseok claps into his hands. "So let me brief you. Dinner begins in a few hours. Tomorrow afternoon is the offering. The solstice feast will begin right after."The offering. The fist step of a fae courtship. Jungkook stomach turns, and for a second he thinks he might puke the pastry back out."Most importantly, right now we need an attire for this evening." Hoseok brushes his hand through the clothes on the rail."What's your favourite colour? What do you like to wear?" He turns toward Jungkook with a tilted head, and a warm smile.“Black?”“Black?” Hoseok repeats affront, and stares absentmindedly at all the hand picked outfits on the clothes rail, "A colour that isn't a colour at all. I carefully picked differentiating green tones and warm earthy tones.".“Jungkook, you must know you would look stunning in anything, but don’t you think a earth tone would be the best?”“You can adore yourself with flowers that would compliment each other.”Jungkook remains silent. Is it his burden to let Hoseok know what there will be no flowers?“Can I know the colour of your wings?”“Golden.” Jungkook whispers. Eyes downcast on the tip of his shoes, his comfortable boots. He is still in his warm and loose trousers and his well made jacket - does he have to dress up as someone he isn't?“Can I ask why are you hiding them?” Hoseok is upfront.“So many rumours are flying around the whole realm,” Hoseok laughs brightly. “Everyone is in a frenzy.”.Jungkook flinches at his words.Hoseok blinks at him, with a flick of his hand he gestures at Jungkook, “Don’t listen to them. These are just words, they all wish to be you.”.Jungkook balls his hands to fists, and stares out of the huge windows. He can see the stunning mountains through the glass windows.“They wish to die?” Jungkook asks grimly.Hoseok halts in his shuffling, “Don’t be ridiculous. You will win.”.“Win?” Jungkook retort incredulous.“Of course, you will,” Hoseok says with force, “Don’t think about something that hasn’t happened yet. We will go day by day.”.Jungkook wants to say so much. Hoseok doesn’t understand. He isn’t in his positions. Doesn’t know he can’t bloom flowers on his palm or grow a tree in the ash of a fireplace. Can't whisper with plants like his brothers - who had the ranks in their garden chasing him around even as a toddler until he was old enough to tell them off.“You’re healthy. Young. Good looking. Everything will work out.”Jungkook sucks in his bottom lip, not willing to let Hoseok know how ridiculous he is being.“Come on, let’s pick something beautiful,” Hoseok hums, “Golden you say?”.“Green would go excellent with it, as well as white, and even black if you insist on it.” Hoseok continues as he picks out clothes.“We need a outfit for this evening, the offering and for the solstice celebration. The rest we will be discussing later on.”“The winter court will obviously take care of everything.”“Which element are you bound to?” Hoseok asks, “Excuse my excitement it’s been so long since I had the pleasure to work with a spring fae.”.Jungkook thinks it’s the best to jump into the cold water, “None. And I can’t fly.”.Jungkook has got to hand it to Hoseok, he merely looks shocked to the core for a few seconds before his unwavering smile is back. A lot less bright than before.“What do you mean?”Jungkook sighs, does he need to talk to a stranger about this? Has he lost his right for privacy? At this point what does he have to loose anyway.Jungkook takes off his jacket, and let’s his small wings flutter in the air. It’s freeing, he hates hiding them.He turns around and let’s the summer faerie see for himself.He is meet with silence for once.Hoseok hums.At the telltale sound of the hangers being moved on the rail Jungkook turns back around. Hoseok rummages through the clothes rails. He pulls out a white blouse, snatched at the waist, pants coloured exactly the same colour. "They would complement the colour of your wings.".Jungkook isn't used to barely getting a reaction towards the condition of his wings. Everyone has something to say, a shocked statement, a reprimand comment, noisy questions.Jungkook has heard it all."As you wish, for todays dinner we will go for all black." Hoseok yanks dark coloured clothes of a different rail. "I will dress you in black tomorrow as well if you insist, but I would urge you to at least try out what I suggest and think about it."Hoseok studies him with a calculating gaze. "You would look so good in white, emerald, cobalt.""And goddess, the jewellery we can adore you with!" Hoseok throws his hands into the air."And please let me make you presentable." Hoseok squint at him. "You have no colours in your cheeks. Goddess, there are only a few hours left till the feast will officially begin."Jungkook tenses, swallows his tears that want to swell up in his eyes."Don't worry. I will walk you through what will happen the next few days.""Weeks" Hoseok adds, “That’s also why I’m here. If you have questions, worries, let me now.”."I'm all yours." He says with a blinding smile, "For as long as you will have me."."Now take this." Hoseok hands Jungkook clothes, "And get changed." He gestures at a door in the far left corner of the room.Behind the door is a rather large washroom. Jungkook changes his dark trouser to trousers in a similar colour, but much more vibrant. The black seems to swallow all light. His light blouse is changed to a black loose shirt out of a fabric Jungkook has never felt before, almost silky between his fingers, nestles it against his skin. It's much more comfortable than Jungkook would have thought.But no jacket.Jungkook stares into the mirror on the wall. He looks ashen, and the black outfit makes him look even sicklier. Maybe Hoseok is right.He turns to the side to get a look at his wings, neatly sliding through the material of the shirt.Charmed clothes.No hole has been cut or sewed into the shirt. Jungkook never had access to fine clothes like that. Had always customized his clothes by himself.He frowns at his small wings.The one closer to the mirror is a little crooked, a little bit smaller than the other. Uneven, small wings.He has to walk back out there with them out in display?Cursed. Doomed. Weak.Jungkook grips onto the washbasin. Knuckles turning white. Not even the strength of his body, the muscles turning tight, can hide his weakness.He is doomed.Breath. He has to breathe.Jungkook inhales shakily, and exhales with a hard breath. He will try his best to stay alive.As soon as Jungkook emerges Hoseok asks, "If it's okay I will get the other helpers back in here?"Jungkook nods curtly. Presuming he really hasn’t much of a choice.The faeries swarm back inside, none of them seems to particular care about they way Jungkook looks, only follow the orders Hoseok throws at them.Jungkook finds himself in front of a mirror on a cushioned chair with faeries buzzing around him."Is that necessary?" Jungkook frowns when Hoseok starts to tend to his hair."Trust me. You will look striking.""The Goddess choose you to be a soon to be King." Hoseok gazes is determined. He tilts Jungkook chin up. "I will make you look like one."With a marbled hairbrush Hoseok brushes through his hair. A faerie stocks up the vanity before Jungkook with different sized boxes and tubes.Jungkook recognises the charcoal, he used to watch his mother put on her eyelashes in the morning. Her eyes looked smoldering, almost frightening intense when she applied it.Hoseok hums low, "So handsome. What beautiful hair you have. Thick chestnut brown locks."Jungkook scrutinises his reflection in the mirror. The tear streaks and the redness of his eyes is still visible. He looks rather pale and drained than handsome."What do you prefer?" Hoseok strokes through his looks, "Loose? Curly? Braided?""Out of my face." Jungkook answers curt.Hoseok sniggers. "As you wish, my Prince.".Jungkook chokes on his spit, and sends a sharp gaze toward Hoseok. He is no Prince, and never will be.Hoseok eyes twinkle. Carefully he tends to Jungkook's hair, braids the fringe loosely back just like Jungkook wished him to do. On a normal day Jungkook ties his hair back with a strap. Curiously Jungkook watches Hoseok work. He isn't used to see faeries of a another realm work in a realm where they aren't born in. Especially not a summer fae in the winter realm, in the spring realm, sure. But winter?"How did you end up here?" Jungkook asks."What?""You're a summer fae.“Hoseok hums. "That I am. I'm bound to a winter fairy.""Isn't it cold here?" Jungkook can't even imagine living in a place where ice cold wind is the norm.Hoseok laughs. "You get used to it. Actually I quite enjoy the cold. Keeps my own heat at bay."Hoseok brushes a last strand behind Jungkook's ear. "Pleased?"Jungkook nods. Delicate braids are braided on either side of his head keeping his fringe out of his face. Jungkook fails to remember the last time someone braided his hair. Probably his mother when he was just a toddler."Now let us bring a little colour back to your face."With a finger snap another faeries tends to his face, a little powder is dapped onto his skin that seems to get rid of the reddishness on his face. A tint is applied onto his lips and his cheeks, and makes Jungkook look alive again. The paleness of his face can only be guessed.He protest at the charcoal a faerie wants to brush onto his eyelashes. "I rub my eyes a lot."Hoseok waves the faerie away and checks on Jungkook's face himself.Jungkook looks a lot better than before. Less exhausted.Hoseok hums satisfied, and Jungkook seizes the opportunity to asks what occupies his mind."Can Firefly come?" The thought of leaving Firefly alone in this room makes Jungkook sick to his stomach."The bird?""Yeah.""The Prince is fond of animals as well."Jungkook frowns, surprised by the familiarity of which Hoseok talks about the Crown Prince."Have you met him?""In a way I did.""In a way?"Hoseok smiles. "My husband is part of the Court."Now, everything makes sense to Jungkook. How Hoseok got this position working in the palace. How a summer faerie got to meet a winter fae."Part? Or working for them?" Jungkook whispers curiously.Hoseok raises a eyebrow at Jungkook's bold question."He is a adviser of the Crown Prince."Jungkook jolts. Suddenly aware that he needs to be careful with Hoseok. What he says to him. In truth Jungkook should be, needs to be careful around anyone here. Jungkook isn't prepared for a life at a Court, and certainly not the Court in the winter realm.Jungkook blinks away the tears threatening to spill down his cheeks."Don't be scared." Hoseok tucks a strand of Jungkook's hair back. "I heard only good things.""About him." He adds.Jungkook suppresses the urge to scoff. Who in his right mind would speak ill of the Crown Prince? Isn't that blasphemy? Isn't that a death sentence by nature?Questioning the Goddess of the sky, sun, moon and earth is punishable in every realm."Today, you will only have to be present at the dinner. Afterwards you will be brought back here, it's your room. All of this is yours for the time being.""What about my things back at the cabins?""Soldiers will collect them for you. They should be here later on."Jungkook stares at the mirror in resignation, he doesn't look like himself, isn't comfortable with the idea of strangers getting his things for him, and all he can do is accept his fate."Can't I get them myself?"Hoseok grimaces. Jungkook knew the answer before he asked. Even one of the faeries that came with Hoseok glances at him disturbed.No one is left unguarded as soon as one got selected. Too valuable. A almost royal. A future King or Queen.And what if he runs away?Today Jungkook lost his freedom."Don't be silly." Hoseok answers eventually, "There are greater things waiting for you.".A startling loud knock echoes through the room. Firefly nestles into Jungkook’s pant pocket scared by the loud noise.A second later, multiple winter soldiers enter, apparently here to pick him up and lead him to the dinner hall."One moment." Hoseok stops Jungkook on his way to leave the room."We need to keep the tradition." Hoseok gets out a flower Jungkook has never seen before. Blue whitish with a purple tint to it."You have to be adored with a token of the Spring realm." Hoseok tucks the flower in Jungkook's hair, and with a little sparkle of magic Jungkook can feel how Hoseok secures the flower in his hair. "It shouldn't fall out. Not even when you dance, unless you take it out with your own hands." Hoseok winks at him.With a heavy heart Jungkook follows the winter soldiers back towards the throne room, he is flanked by four of them as they walk through the corridors of the palacesPeople stare.And there are quite a few of them flying down the same corridors towards the throne room. The official beginning of the feast.Jungkook is glad the soldiers somewhat hide him from the enquiring eyes of the faes flying by, but he can hear the whispers nonetheless.Why aren’t they flying?The throne room is swarmed with faeries of every realm, banquets are lusciously set with food from all over the realm. Jungkook hasn't gone to one of the banquets of the spring equinox since he was about 8 years old. Namjoon used to bring him his favourite treats after the feast.Blackberries straight from the Summer realm, and the classic hearty stew of the winter realm.In the back of the throne room the royals of every realm are seated just like they were earlier that day, on the side officials of the different realms had taken their places.Jungkook can’t make out Namjoon in the crowd.As soon as they enter the soldiers keep a little more distance from him. Watching him from afar.Jungkook hears a faerie gasp, another one gawk at him. No, a lot of them stare. Murmurs flitter through the room. Fairies stare at his back, Jungkook wants to shrink, hide in his bed. Shame crawls through his body. Memories echo at the back of his mind.One of the soldiers leads him to one of the banquets close to the royals.A blonde faerie dressed in finest silks sits in front of him. Intricate glowing lines light up her beautiful anemone red wings, and she smiles at him.Jungkook wishes he had paid more attention at the selection. He has no clue which faes had been selected with him. He focuses on the faerie right in front of him. The bench next to him is still empty."I’m Zora." The blond fairies tilts her head, and raises a teapot. "Tea or mead?""Jungkook." He nods at her. "Tea, please."Delicately she pours Jungkook a dark coloured tea in the porcelain cup in front of him. "The others are still arriving."Jungkook nods, and sips his tea.Another faerie sits down beside him, and Jungkook knows these forest green wings.Haneul.Jungkook freezes.How hadn’t Jungkook recognised him? Had he been the Spring faerie encompassed by the tendrils like fae dust?Haneul doesn’t spare him a glance, pours himself a glass full of mead, and gulps it down in one go. Jungkook watches him wide eyed, he wouldn't be able to walk straight if he did that.Looking close Haneul looks rather pale around the nose. The excited gleam always present in his eyes has diminished.Jungkook looks away, some things you don't even wish on the faes you don't like.How can anyone expect them to celebrate the solstice?A deep laugh draws Jungkook's attention away from his dark thoughts.The faerie settling next to Zora seems to gleam. Jungkook eyes snap at his dark blue wings, bird wings. Jungkook presses his hands to fist, his fingernails into his palm. If he had the wings of a bird, maybe he would be as laid back as the selected winter faerie laughing with another winter faerie next to him."Got selected by the dark fae dust."Jungkook head snaps toward Haneul, whose eyes are also fixated on the blue winged fairy."Dark magic, Caterpillar. Dark magic." Haneul laughs bitterly, and pours himself another glass of mead. "Cael posses dark magic.""How do you know?"Haneul snorts. "Caterpillar, not everyone lives like hermit.". He takes a large gulp of mead. "Next to him is Hyeon-Jeong, not the smartest but strong. Bound to the sky and the water.".Jungkook can't rip his eyes away from the two winter fairies a seat away. While every selected brims in tension, the selected winter fairies seem laid back.Well, they might know what awaits them.Quietly another faerie settles down on the other side of Jungkook, long orange hair hides half of their face as they sit down."Quin." They breathe and lightly bows their head to all of them."Jungkook." Jungkook bows back, as he takes in the wings of the fae. Butterfly wings, not uncommon for a faery. Delicate wings, that can crumble with a wrong touch, but as easy as the crumble they are restored.By now the hall is brimming with fairies, Jungkook can't find a familiar face in the crowd. Laughter fills the air, and Jungkook panic rushes back in. Tomorrow the winter solstice will begin, the last day he will not have to fight for his life. For a second, Jungkook contemplates if he can go look for his brother, but then he sees the winter soldiers escorting Zora to the washroom and abandons the idea.Tomorrow. Tomorrow he will be able to see everyone one last time. Now he has to focus on stomaching some of the food brought to the table otherwise he will loose without a fight. He needs every bit of strength that he can get.
This is his best option.Jungkook packs up some of his precious herbs with a heavy heart. Hoseok had told him the truth, when Jungkook came back his duffel bag had laid at the foot of his bed. Relief had washed over Jungkook as soon as he had found his herbs inside of it.Jungkook thanks himself for always coming prepared everywhere he goes, otherwise he would be doomed right now. He is expected to make a gift for the crown prince. His offering. Showcasing his magic abilities. What he has to offer. Proving his worth, showing he is strong enough to win. Showing he is a worthy life companion. All he has are his abilities, and what better proof than the herbs he grows in his garden. It's as good as a conjured herb. There is no difference. Expect that it took Jungkook a lot more care and time to let it grow, to finally harvest it, but in the end it's the same herb.Jungkook smoothes out the brown paper he found on the commode. With a dark pen, he found in a golden jug right next to the paper, he carefully writes down the instructions on how to use the herbs Jungkook picked out for his offering.He brought the dried willow bark which relives pain, and Jungkook always carries with him just to be sure. He prays the Prince will take no offense by the disgusting taste if the actually decides to use it. Jungkook is sure the Crown Prince has access to all sort of herbs and healing magic Jungkook isn’t even aware of, so it's unlikely he will ever use it.A dried valerian root, Jungkook put aside a little bit for himself as well, pretty sure he needs it to sleep tonight. And a little dried chamomile, Jungkook’s favourite tea, apart from elderberry tea. Sadly he can't carry elderberry tea with him since it needs to be cooled.With shaking hands Jungkook closes the small brown package. It looks rather humble, and Jungkook knows this will be a first. Has heard the wildest stories about faeries offerings. It's tradition for every faerie wanting to bond with another to offer something to show their interest. His mother brought his father a extinct fruit she conjured. Goddess knows how.Once they say one faerie caught a star out of the sky for a Crown Princess a few dozen years ago. The current Spring King they say had been gifted flowers out of a realm beyond the faeries realms.Jungkook chucks his small package on the commode. Sighing he throws himself on the giant bed, and stares at the wide ceiling. Jungkook closes his eyes, images of the day flash in front of his eyes, and all strength leaves Jungkook's body. Firefly chirps somewhere in the distance.What do you even give a Prince who has everything?Jungkook falls into a dreamless sleep.
Early in the morning Jungkook awakens. The sky is still pitch-dark. Only the moons soft light shines through the room. Jungkook had forgotten to close the curtains. Sleep doesn't come back to him, so after what seems to be a long while Jungkook lights the candle on the night stand. Firefly lays on the bed snuggled in the blanket, not disturbed by Jungkook.Jungkook brushes his hair behind his ears and sits up.The candlelight illuminates the room in a dim light. Jungkook hadn't been able to have a look at the room he had been assigned to. His home till he dies or survives. If he holds on long enough, maybe, maybe he will be able to get back, and forget all of this ever happened to him. Jungkook doesn't even want to think about the other possible option. Being bound to a Prince. Soon to be King. That's impossible. The Goddess probably created him like this to live a short life, maybe it's his fate to serve a purpose greater than him. Maybe his death will be worth it.Jungkook shakes his head at his thoughts.His room is lavishly decorated.His drawer is out of wood Jungkook has never seen before, a dark reddish colour, glossy like it has been oiled and it’s engraved with delicate carving. The curtains are pompous, delicate drawing of flowers and trees hang on the walls, a mirror and a vanity with enough toiletries to last a lifetime stand in the corner of the room.The drawer is filled with clothes and Jungkook recognize some of the clothing of the rails Hosoek had brought.Jungkook hadn't even changed out of his clothes after he came back. He washes up with the bowl of ice cold water, that might have been warm once upon a time. And changes in a linen shirt and soft loose trousers out of material Jungkook has never felt before. Soft and smooth.His stomach grumbles, and Jungkook sighs. He can't even brew himself a tea.Is he allowed to leave this room? Jungkook doesn't think so.Hopelessly Jungkook tosses himself back onto the bed, and tries to get comfortable in the soft sheets. The sticky sadness inside him doesn't loosen, keeps him alerted.Forever Jungkook will remember the look on Namjoon’s face. His face had crumbled, and Jungkook had been sure that there is nothing in the world that can affect Namjoon's confidence. Now he isn't so sure anymore.Restless Jungkook tries to fall asleep again, and he must have because he wakes up to the sun shinning, Firefly cheeping, and the smell of food.A lavish breakfast is brought to him early in the morning. Jungkook is used to his baked bread, and the strawberry, raspberry and currant jam he produces in the summer that lasts him throughout the winter.In front of him are pastries like Jungkook has never seen before, only one reminds him of the one Hoseok had brought him. Meat, eggs, milk and every single fruit the Spring and Summer realm has to offer.Jungkook devours the blackberries, and another of those flakey and puffed pastries.The faeries serving his breakfast don't even look at him, Jungkook isn't sure if it's because he isn't able to fly or because he is a selected. Eyes lowered they enter and leave again.Are they afraid or do they pity him? Maybe both.Jungkook eats in his bed, because he can. He doesn't think there will be much things he will enjoy in his near future. He should at least find happiness in the small things.Like eating pastries in bed."Hungry?" Jungkook murmurs, and breaks off a piece to feed Firefly.A spicy tea Jungkook has never tasted before has also been prepared for him, and Jungkook sips it and throws Firefly grapes that he catches in the air.Jungkook knows a long day awaits him. The offering, where he will probably humiliated himself by offering something so humble to the Crown Prince. Jungkook hopes and fears to be rejected right there and then, not deemed suitable for a Prince, but he also knows it's unlikely. He has never heard about this happening.Not if you have been a selected by the fae dust of a Prince or Princess of the Court.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Don't speak unless you are spoken to." Hoseok brushes a curl of Jungkook's hair out of his face. "The only exception is the formal greeting of the royals. You have been taught basic court etiquette?".Jungkook squints his eyes. He barely remembers what he has been taught as a child."Always use the title when speaking to a royal." Hoseok continues straightening the collar of Jungkook's high necked plain white blouse. "Bow to higher ranked officials. If you want to leave, you should formally ask for permission to do so.”It’s no different from the rules inside the Spring Court. Jungkook rubs his thumb over the soft skin on the back of his hand. Hoseok had given him numerous oils for his skin. Some had a flowery smell to it that reminded Jungkook of his garden back home.“How will the offering take place?” Jungkook whispers. Hoseok had stormed his room as soon as Jungkook finished his breakfast. Apparently he doesn’t have much of a choice of what to wear, has to wear clothing and jewellery befitting for Royals.“Once it’s your turn you will be able to enter the throne room, and immediately be permitted to great the Royals.” Hoseok kneads an oily substance into his hair. “And offer your gift.”. Through the mirror Jungkook can see Hoseok glance towards the small package on the commode. He looks like he wants to ask, but keeps quite.“And the others?”Hoseok meets his eyes through the mirror. “One after another you will be able to enter, after your offering you will be seated inside.”.Jungkook fingers twitches. Firefly chirps in his lap.“I’m afraid your little bird has to stay here.” Warily Hoseok gaze at the small bird. Firefly has bitten him just a moment ago. Jungkook had yelped after Hoseok had accidentally tugged to hard brushing his hair, and Firefly struck.“You will be able to freshen up once the offering is finished.” Hoseok hums as he weaves the same blueish flower from before into Jungkook’s hair. “And reunite with your little guard bird.”.Firefly chirps sharply.Jungkook brushes a finger over his small head. The bird falls silent, and presses his tiny head closer to him.“You can bring him to the dinner and the feast. It's just like every other solstice or equinox you must have visited.”Jungkook frowns, he should have payed a little more attention to the Spring equinox. Maybe he would feel better prepared.“The Prince will ask you to dance at least one time. It's proper etiquette to be seen together. You're courting him after all.”Jungkook suppresses a sneer. Courting. Jungkook had hoped to never court a faerie. Live in his cabin till the day he dies.“And at least one soldier of the Winter Court will probably never let you out of their sight.” Hoseok quietly adds.Jungkook sighs, cradles Firefly closer to his chest and stares at the stranger in the mirror.His eyes seem rounder, framed long lashes accentuated by the coal Hoseok had used on them, his eyelids shimmer in the light, a faerie had tapped white powder onto them. His skin is flawless, the scar on his cheek is hidden by layers of powder. His cheeks glitter rosily, and his lips have a reddish tint to them.He doesn't look like himself. Jungkook wants to rip the flowers out of his hair, wants to destroy the delicate braids Hoseok had woven into his hair and get out off the shimmery white blouse and white pants.In the end, he let Hoseok do whatever he wanted. He had been insistent in a way Jungkook hadn't expected him to be.Now Jungkook looks innocent. Fragile. Weak. All of the things he doesn't want to be."You like it?" Hoseok stares at his face in the mirror with a sharp look. Concentrated."No." Jungkook answers rough, he turns his head so he doesn't have to look at himself. Helpless. All he has control over right now is what comes out of his mouth, so he doesn't sugarcoat his answers.Hoseok laughs, tabs his head, and Jungkook locks his eyes with the summer faerie.Knocks echos through the room.With a quirk of his lips Hoseok leans in, and whispers, "You look naive. The others will underestimate you.". He winks, and turns away with a smile."Come in." He calls.Jungkook stares at the faerie, not sure if he imagined his words.Underestimated him?Jungkook shakes his head, he is weak in comparison to any fae magic.A group of winter soldiers enter, and Jungkook sighs. It's his time to go. He grabs the small brown package."I will always look out for you." Hoseok says inspecting Jungkook’s outfit one last time before he goes. "Don't you worry."Jungkook gazes sticks to Hoseok, and his small smile as he follows the Winter soldiers the familiar way toward the throne room.He can't help himself but worry.
Jungkook is brought into a petite and vacant room. A huge window front lightens up the room. Ice crystals glitter in the windows, light reflects from them and casts forms on the marble floor."Please have a seat.” A winter soldier with maroon dark hair and yellowish wings gestures at the emerald chaise lounge right in front of the window.Careful Jungkook sits down. He fidgets with the small package in his hand, and stares outside. It would take him a long time to get used to this, being addressed politely, sitting uncomfortable on a rather comfortable seat. If he were alone Jungkook would sprawl himself on the seat. The cushion is comfortable and soft.A shudder goes through Jungkook as one of the soldiers opens up a window and icy air enters the room.The wait is nerve wrecking. With every moment that passes Jungkook get’s even more anxious. Goosebumps travel across his skin, not even Hoseok warm clothes can completely shield him from the cold. None of the soldiers talk to him, like statues they stay in the corner of the room. The quietness make Jungkook's stomach turn.After a while another door, Jungkook hadn't noticed, white like the walls around them, opens. A soldier enters, and calls for the group standing in the corners of the room.The maroon haired soldiers eyes meets Jungkook's, and he doesn't even have to say it, Jungkook knows.It's time.He is guided through the slightly hidden door into a small and dark corridor. He has to cower a little to not hit is head at the ceiling. Jungkook wonders how many of these corridors exist in the palace as he is lead through poorly lit passageway right in front of the throne room.The maroon haired soldier straightens his uniform before he knocks on the massive door. Jungkook holds his breath. The doors open up for them, the soldier bows as he gestures for Jungkook to enter.Without faeries lining up in the throne room the colossal size seems almost frightening. At the end of the room the faeries perched on the thrones seem to hover other him. Alone the wings of the royals scream their power right into Jungkook's face. Even know Jungkook can see the fae dust of the Prince dance in the air around him. Powerful faeries from all of the faeries realm are seated at the site of the room. He can taste the power of the faeries present on his tongue, it hits him with such a force he nearly falls on his knees right then and there.Every instinct of Jungkook's body screams at him to run.The room is completely silent except for the swooshing of various faerie wings. Jungkook's steps echo through the throne room."Jeon Jungkook." A Winter soldier by the door announces, "Faerie of the Spring realm. Harvester.”.A whispering goes through the room. His humble day to day laid out in one word, judged in the very second. Son of a Spring Court Official and a Healer, and still all he could do is harvest.A disappointment. That is what he is. Jungkook knows it too well.With his eyes lowered, but his chin held high Jungkook slowly walks towards the Crown Prince. Tightly he holds he small brown package in his hand.Jungkook stops a few feet in front of the royals, and bows. "His Majesty, the King. Her Majesty, the Queen. His Royal Highness, Prince of the Winter realm."."Welcome, Spring fairy." The King proclaims."May I hand his Royal Highness, Prince of the Winter realm, my offering?""You may."Jungkook steps closer towards the Prince, and sinks down on his knees as it's custom for any offering. He holds out his offering for the Prince to take, and looks up into the Prince face. A unwavering gaze is set on the small brown package in Jungkook's hand, for a second Jungkook is scared he will not take it, will be offended by Jungkook's offering. It's obvious that there was no distinguished magic involved by preparing his offering.A murmur goes through the room.Jungkook startles hearing his brother's voice from behind.“He doesn’t posses a spark of magic. He shouldn’t be part of this.”It’s the first time Jungkook sees the slightest movement in the Crown Princes face. A flash of something, a tug of his mouth.It’s no wonder he is called the Ice Prince.“And who are you to speak?” The Kings voice booms through the room, making Jungkook quiver on his knees and snaps him right out of his thoughts.His brother is risking his head for him. Literally.Tightly Jungkook presses his eyes close, he wants to scream. For him it’s already to late, Namjoon shouldn’t risk to be dragged into this.“Currier of the Spring Court. Kim Namjoon.” As always his brother sounds calm, collected, like he didn’t just dared to speak up against a long lasting tradition.“And your word goes against the one of the Goddess?” The room falls completely silent. Jungkook can hear the way his hands tremble where he holds this offering.The offering the Crown Prince still hadn’t take out of his hands.Namjoon doesn’t seem to dare to utter another word.“Is that what you’re indicating?” The King inquires.Jungkook hears the thumb of someone falling, he can’t help but snap his head around afraid his brother will be dragged out of the Court. But he himself is kneeling down, “I apologise. Excuse me, your highness. My emotions got the best of me. The selected is my brother.”.Jungkook holds his breath. For a second it’s not only his life on the line.“I shall excuse you.” The King relents, “Taehyung proceed.”.Jungkook’s eyes snap back to the present in his hand. Long golden tanned fingers take the small brown package out his hand. Jungkook sucks air back into his lungs.“I accept.” The Prince states, without opening the small package. With quivering legs Jungkook gets back up, holding his head down, he bows and goes to where the other selected are seated.Jungkook wonders, why the Prince accepted the offering without knowing what’s inside the package. To save Jungkook the embarrassment? To keep it to for himself?As the last one giving his offering he hasn’t been able to see what the other selected had offered the Crown Prince. But by the hush that went through the room seeing his offering it had all been more impressive than the small brown package.Hoseok gives him a thumbs up and blinding smile form across the room. Jungkook suppresses his desire to break out in tears.
Jungkook's breath stocks.The clearing behind the palace is free of any snow, green grass springs out of the soil, and wide snow-covered hedges edge the fest. Jungkook wants to run his hand through the plants, dig his hand through the soil. It is almost like they call out to him.A bear out of ice startles Jungkook as he descends the stairs. The snout eerily familiar to the brown bears in the Spring realm, but the bear stays in place cold and motionless like he was carved out of a thick block of frozen water. Glowing snowflakes sink form the sky, and never seem to reach the ground, but leave ice cold kisses on Jungkook's skin.Firefly leaps into the air, and leaves Jungkook to himself. Joy emits from the small bird. For Jungkook’s taste he has been stuck in a room for way too long.The faeries floating through the air seem to make the stars in the night sky competition with how they have made themselves shine. A lot of Summer faeries have literally flames licking their skin.Jungkook nervously fumbles on his dress pants. After the offering Hoseok had made him change his entire outfit for the festivities, and touched up his hair. Two winter soldiers are glued to him since he left for the fest, the maroon haired one, and another Jungkook isn't familiar with. Yet.Jungkook sighs.Relief hits him as soon as his feet touch the grass, and give away to a familiar feeling and sound. The smell of plants, grass, hit him the same second, and Jungkook's whole body slacks in relief. How much had he missed the smell of freshly watered soil, and plants. He nearly doesn't register the stares.They stare at him as he walks across the enormous clearing. A young faerie with purple hair gawks a him. A few faeries whisper loud enough for Jungkook to hear they are talking about him. His hands ball to fist. Jungkook has only one goal in his mind, hide in the shadows as soon as possible."Caterpillar." Haneul calls behind him, and Jungkook resists the urge to punch him right into his face. He is sure he isn't the only one who heard Haneul scream the insult at him.Jungkook doesn't falter in his steps.Haneul catches up to him. "Dark magic." He comes so close to Jungkook he can smell the alcohol in his breath"What?" Jungkook frowns at him, and warily glances at the glass of mead in Haneul's hand.Did he ever stop drinking since they have been selected?"Tomorrows game, be thankful I help you out." Haneul’s wing flatter hectic behind him.Jungkook grunts.Haneul sighs a breathe of relief when he spots his friends and joins them. Leaving Jungkook staring after him, his steps falter. He doesn't know where to go, had hope he would see Namjoon anywhere. But no familiar face.Fear turns to Anger.If something happened to Namjoon Jungkook will be furious. Namjoon has more kindness in him than Jungkook has ever seen in a faerie, and is one of the only faes that made Jungkook feel like he has a family.Jungkook walks towards the side, looking for a familiar face. Wherever he goes the faeries give way for him, keep a proper distance from him. It makes Jungkook sick to his stomach.Jungkook steps closer to the hedge, and the familiar crunch of snow under his boots makes him aware that he left the enchanted area that seemingly made the snow melt. The warmth spell Hoseok put on his clothes make the cold bearable.Jungkook sinks down on a hidden bench in the dark. From afar he watches the festivities, and listens to the laughter and melodies.In the middle of the opening faeries glide in a whimsical dance under a doom made out of the blue flowers Jungkook had seen blooming on the Crown Prince's neck. Hypnotic music travels through the clearing. The sound of a pan flute and a harp. A enormous bear out of pure ice spits blue flames into the air. Warm lights float and twinkle through the dark.Jungkook can't even relish the ineffable beauty of the solstice with his future laying in the Winter Courts hands.Dark magic, Haneul had said."Are you hiding?" Alarmed Jungkook looks into the dark. Nearly swallowed by darkness the Crown Prince stands next to the hedges.Jungkook shakes his head, and immediately he bows in greeting. "Your Royal Highness, Prince of the Winter realm."."Would be no use either way.""What? Why?"The Crown Prince stares at him in contemplation. In the darkness his face is hidden, but his wings glow in the dark and sparks of faedust swirl around him."So it's true what they say?"Jungkook tightly grips the bench, and looks away from the Prince. "What do they say?". And who is they? Jungkook has long given up to care about other peoples senseless words."I can feel you. Each one of you. My magic is within you." The Prince steps closer. "You should be able to feel me too."Jungkook breath hitches. He hadn't know that. He is able to feel him? In what way?Jungkook learned along time ago, that a lot of things aren't spoken out loud, because everyone just knows. Everyone feels it.Did the Crown Prince faedust became part of him?Jungkook looks down at his hand like they might gleam gold again and display the faedust that selected him."What do they say?" he whispers."You have no magic. You can't fly. You're cursed by the Goddess herself."Jungkook head snaps up to look at the other in shock. The Crown Prince doesn't even seem slightly put off by the words that left his mouth, seems to posses a bluntness even harsher than Yoongi's."And what if I do? What if I am?" Jungkook retorts defensive, "I didn't choose to be selected."."I didn't choose you either." The Crown Prince gives him a small polite smile. "Some things in life we don't choose.".We just have to learn to live with it. Jungkook has heard this saying too many times in his life. Mostly from faeries who share his destiny. Like the faeries Jungkook meet as young kid when his parents still had hope for him. Or from faeries like Yoongi, who know how it is to be lonely. Who didn't even have parents to abandon him, because they never where there in the first place.There is a flicker of hope in Jungkook, that maybe the Crown Prince isn't like the hushes whispers say. And who is Jungkook to listen to that? A victim of the hushed words himself."May I have this dance?" The Prince reaches a hand out toward him, and Jungkook has no choice but to agree.The Prince's hand is cold as ice.Gold glitters on Jungkook's skin as soon as they touch. Sparks dance up his arm at the contact. Startled Jungkook pulls his hand away. The Prince snatches his hand right back, in loose grip he holds his wrist. In fascination Jungkook stares at the dust coming alive on his skin."It's still there." Something like wonder glitters in the Prince eyes, and Jungkook stares in fascination. Has never seen the other indicate more than a indifferent look."This doesn't usually happens?" Jungkook asks, going by the startled reaction of the other."No, it intervenes with your own magic, it shouldn't stay on your skin." A colder finger glides over Jungkook's back of the hand. Golden sparks fly wherever his touch lingers.Jungkook closes his eyes in resignation. As it seems nothing will ever go as it should.Holding his hand loosely the Prince leads Jungkook out of the dark toward the fairies dancing in the air. Jungkook can feel the gazes on him. He has no clue if he is the first selected the Prince choose to dance with or if he is the last. He didn't particular pay attention to the happenings of the fest, he was more focused on finding Namjoon and staying far away from anyone else.The Crown Prince hand tightens around Jungkook's.Taehyung doesn't take off into the air. Doesn't even hover. Stays on the ground, and leads Jungkook through the routine.It's been a long, long time since Jungkook danced.The sway through the room, people stare. Jungkook too. Stares at the dark flowers trailing down the Crown Princes attire, in stark contrast to his glowing golden wings. Jungkook wants to run his fingers over the ebony petals.At a sharp inhale of breath. Jungkook's eyes snap back up.The Prince eyes are fixated on his hair. The polite smile drops off his face. Eyes narrowing, and a shiver runs done Jungkook's spine. The others grip on his hands becomes frightening tight.Jungkook wants to run. Out of here."Where do you get the flower?" The Crown Prince asks sharply."What?""In your hair?"Jungkook gulps. Tries to think of what to retort. Was Hoseok going to get into trouble?"Did you conjure it?"Jungkook shakes his head."Where did you get it?""From the garden." He lies.A long time ago Namjoon had told him about the stunning gardens of the Winter Court. Wouldn't be far-fetched that he plucked it right from a bush or the ground. The Prince doesn’t know that Jungkook would have never shorten the life of something blooming. Giving the fact that he wouldn't be able to regrow or salve the flower with a spell. Every flower he grows had to be nurtured, and cared for.Taehyung's face hardens. He doesn't say another word, the polite smile vanished, and he let's Jungkook go as soon as the song ends.He bows, Jungkook returns it, and the Crown Prince leaves him in the middle of the dance floor.Jungkook watches him retract, beautiful wings disappear in a sea of faeries.Jungkook needs to asks Hoseok what he has woven into his air.Leaving the faeries swirling Jungkook catches sight of Namjoon and Yoongi standing at the side, eyes looked at him, hand high in the air, gesturing at him. Firefly sits atop of Yoongi's hair as if it's his nest, and picks at the flowers Yoongi has woven into his orange hair.Jungkook breathes a sigh of relief, and stacks towards them. He has an armful of Namjoon in a matter of seconds.Goddess, has Jungkook missed him. More than he ever has. Namjoon's reassurance brought Jungkook through his darkest nights.Namjoon drags him towards a dark corner.The soldier watching over Jungkook stays as far away as he probably is permitted to when Namjoon sends him a hard look. The currier uniform of the Spring Court is a powerful garment to wear, and Namjoon has always worn it with confidence."Jungkook." Namjoon voice is tight, strained, and Jungkook can't help but worry about him. Immediately sees the dark circles under his eyes.“I will get you out of there. I swear, Jungkook, if it’s the last thing I do.” Namjoon holds him on his shoulders, grip tight, not once has Jungkook seen him so desperate, so uncollected.“Can you promise me to try?” Namjoon’s voice wavers, “Please?”."Try?""To fight, Jungkook." Namjoon's eyes seem glassy in the dim light, "I know you. I know you won't even harm a bug, but now is't the time to be altruistic. Okay? Please. For me.".Jungkook blinks, doesn't feel like he can trust his voice, stays silence. Fight? He will try to survive.“Please, don’t give up before the games even begin.” Namjoon’s voice cracks.Jungkook burrows his head in his shoulder, can't hold it anymore, and sobs.“Please.” Namjoon whispers, craddling Jungkook's neck, “All you have to do is fight. I will help you.”.“Namjoon.” Jungkook sniffles, he had spent enough time crying. It was time to stop, accept his fate, “Can you look after Firefly when I die?”.“Jungkook,” Namjoon cries, “I can't loose you. I won't loose you.".Jungkook has never seen his older brother teared eyed before."It's okay." Jungkook pats Namjoon's shoulder, afraid to say even more. He looks over his shoulder to get a break of Namjoon's emotion who overwhelm him, he catches Yoongi's glassy eyes."It's not. It's not okay." Namjoon voice gets the confident sound Jungkook is used to, "It's unjust, and I will..”. Namjoon voice breaks. He tightens his grip. The silence is deafening."I'm afraid." Jungkook whispers."It will be ok." Namjoon doesn't sound like he believes himself.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
In the morning, all of them are lead downhill by an entourage of winter soldiers.Jungkook rubs his puffy eyes, and meets the razor sharp ones of one of the selected winter fae. Hastily he averts his gaze, doesn't want to spend his last minutes of peace rilling each other up. He had been groggy since he woke up, eyes red rimmed from crying, and body tense from distress. Heavily annoyed by Hoseok’s cheery demeanor he had sat through his breakfast and getting clothed. His mind still foggy with yesterdays memories, with a little bit of hope installed in him, Namjoon’s promises have never been empty.Peering down the mountain Jungkook can make out a ring shaped budding, and a shiver runs down his spine. A amphitheatre.Supposedly it's common to make animals fight each other in the winter realm, Jungkook can't even fathom that. Cruel. And for what? Amusement?Jungkook rather spends his time caring for animals instead of watching them rip each other apart. It's against the core magic of a spring faerie to be cruel toward another being. As a young fae Jungkook found Firefly with a broken wing close to the dark forest, his glow diminished, but his chirps had called for Jungkook. Jungkook had cradled him close to his chest, and promised to take care of him, he nursed him back to health, and let him free as soon as he was able to fly again. But Firefly always came back.The closer they get the more Jungkook's fears take a hold of him. Today another being might be doomed to fight in the field of the theatre. A different spectacular. One that might involve Jungkook.No one of them knows, what exactly awaits them.Haneul walks close to him. Has been since they day they got selected. Jungkook isn't sure if Haneul finds comfort in a familiar face, but Jungkook for once doesn't mind his presence.Jungkook trembles. The harsh wind blows right through his clothes. For the games all they are allowed to have are the clothes on their body, beforehand examined by officials of the Winter Court. To make sure all they use on the quests are their own abilities.Someone whimpers quietly, and Jungkook knee-jerks his head towards the sound. Quin looks devastated, a second away from breaking down, pale like the snow under their feet.“Don’t worry.” Someone cuts the silence. Cael stretches his wide bird wings, and nods towards Jungkook. “He will die first.”.Jungkook jaw drops, shell-shocked he stares at the smirking fairy.A soldier behind him snickers, and Jungkook lets his head hang for the last few steps inside the enormous building. He is probably right, Jungkook is not made for this. Not made to fight.But he will not die without trying to stay alive. All he has to do is survive. He can do that much. He has to.All of them are ushered into a dark room, only illuminated by a few fire balls floating through the air. Every entrance is guarded by winter soldiers. The heavy door closes behind them, and leaves them in the darkness.A faerie cladded in the uniform of the winter court awaits them. Deep purple wing elongate behind him, and his dark hair shimmers blue. "Welcome. Today the games will officially begin.".
"The first is to test your ability to handle dark magic. As a King or Queen of the Winter Court, you will be exposed to dark magic and therefore you need to be able to withstand it.” The official nods at them, "Good Luck.".He leaves with them with that.Jungkook knows nothing about dark magic, expect that had been drilled into his mind since the day he was born - avoid it if you can.Jungkook wonders where it will com from. Which faery is allowed to conjure dark magic? One of the officials? The King? The Crown Prince?Roughly two of the winter soldiers grab him on either side, and carry him. Jungkook startles, can't process what happened until he is dropped in small room. With a huge gate, and a barred door that closes behind him.Trapped."When the bell rings you are expected to step out of room", one of the soldiers says letting him go.The soldiers position behind Jungkook. By the way he is treated he is sure he will be pushed outside either way. If he doesn't go by choice."Why did you haul me in here?" Jungkook brushes his hand over his arms trying to get rid of the feeling of being touched. "You could have just told me.".No one answers him. In the dim light Jungkook can't even make out their facial expressions."When will the gates open?"Silence.Seconds. Minutes tick by, and make Jungkook anxious. Gives him time to think.Dark magic?Will it help if Jungkook tries to channel his magic? The small amount that sometime flickers to life in the oddest moments. Only as if to remind him that it's there even if it is not enough to spring free. Juts like his wings, only existing, not functioning.If the Crown Prince is right, and that his magic, his faedust sits within him, his magic must have gotten a little stronger. A tiny bit. Right?
Jungkook searches within himself to feel the golden glow, a hint of magic, a little bit of strength, but all he feels is his own heartbeat vibrating through his body.Jungkook sighs, plops down onto the ground. He has to save his strength. Whatever awaits him will not be pretty.It takes a small eternity till the gates rise up, and open towards the amphitheater.As he steps out the sun blinds Jungkook. Next to him and in front of him the other selected enter the theatre. Through squinting eyes Jungkook makes out their silhouettes. On an increased platform the Royals are seated, secluded from most of the faeries, their thrones sparkle in the morning light. Around them, Spectators fill the ranks."Let the game begin." The Kings voice thunders.Blackness falls from above.Everything is dark. Darker than the darkest winter night Jungkook has experienced.Until it isn’t, and a light shimmers a few meters away. Long blonde hair shimmers in the lights, and the telltale sign of flattering wings. Someone conjured fire.Golden flames dance on Zola’s hand.Another blue flame sloshes through the air, and bursts into the ground close to her. Jungkook startles even though he is far away from the happenings."Quench the flame." Someone hisses, out of the same direction. The voice travels through the darkness, echoes, as if all of them are trapped in a dark void.A roar frightens Jungkook to the core.A wild animal.The scream what follows from the direction of the flame alerts every nerve in Jungkook’s body. He runs without looking back. Straight into the darkness stretching out in front of him, away from noise.Vaguely he reckons where the walls are, where the area should end.But is he even still inside the amphitheater? Or have all of them been transported into a different realm?Jungkook braces himself of the possibility of running into a brick stone wall.Are they still watching?All Jungkook sees is a black void.A pin drop could be heard. The screaming had stopped. The silence unnerving. Jungkook’s breath goes too fast, too loud in his ears. He has to think logically. He shouldn’t panic.Did they let animals loose on them?Bears and wolves. Namjoon had told him about the animals living in the mountains.Don't run, Namjoon had said, if you meet a wolf or bear stay still. If they don’t leave, move away slowly.He shouldn’t have run.Expect for the tremble of his hand, Jungkook stays still. Breathes shallowly to makes as little noise as possible.What if it's not a animal? The thought sneaks up, and Jungkook has to swallow down a flash of panic.A being created by dark magic.Jungkook has heard a lot of stories, especially as a kid, about beings nor faerie nor animal nor human. About blood eating beings with unnatural strength, ghosts who haunt realms and beings half animal half human banned from the human realm wandering all the others to find a place to call home.Myths. Jungkook presses his eyes shut, and shakes his head. It’s the wrong time to think about old myths.Jungkook shivers, but stays rooted in his place.Another sound close to him makes Jungkook yelp.Something is close to him, Jungkook can feel the warmth of another being close by.Something wet licks his hand. Rough. And wet. Dripping. With saliva? A warm snot.Jungkoook bites his tongue to stay quit. Everything in him screams at him to run. to get out of here, but there is no exit, only darkness.Don’t panic.The being is small, if his snot is at the height of his hand. The rough tongue similar of a goat, or a dog?Jungkook shudders slightly.A dull crashing sounds echoes through the void, and the vibrations of something hitting the ground nearly bring him to his knees.The being pants.The area fills with light, like someone inflamed torches in a dark room.Before him sits a dark wolf, head tilted as he stares at him. Blood drips from his snot.Jungkook stumbles back in shock.The wolf in front of him evaporates into grey smokes.The crowds roars.A few feet away from him Zora lays. At least Jungkook thinks it's her.Golden hair splayed on the ground, the rest of here body torn apart by claws.Jungkook's feel dizzy, trembling he takes another step back.Is this real? A fabrication of magic? Is the first game over?A loud voice booms through the arena. Jungkook catches only bits but he get's the gist of it.The first game ended, and all he did was cowered in a corner in the dark while another faerie was ripped apart a few meters away from him. He can't rip his eyes away from the lifeless body in front of him, the blood staining the snow. This could have been him. He could have helped her.Jungkook stomach twist, he folds in half, and vomits.From then on it’s a blur. He is dragged out by soldiers, and sinks on his knees as soon as they let go of him. His world sways, and Jungkook so desperately wants to turn back the time. Wants to forget, can’t comprehend that this is happening to him.With a slam Jungkook is thrown against a wall, and all breath is knocked out of him. His feed float in the air, and Cael is all up in his face.“What enchantment did you put on him?” Cael spits.“What?” Jungkook gasps out with a chocked breath.“On the shadowwolf.” The faerie grits out.“I didn’t…” Junngkook wheezes.“Don’t play dumb. The others might believe your innocent facade, but I don’t.” Cael's grip tightens around his collar. “So cut this shit. Tell me.”Jungkook coughs. “I owe you nothing.” He is exhausted, has no intention of playing these games, no intention of winning, all he wants is out. All he wants is his to go back to his cabin, his garden, to Firefly.“I didn’t put a charm on him.” And even if he had he wouldn’t have told Cael.“You’re going to regret this.” Cael sneers, his large wings spread out menacingly.Jungkook gasps for air as Cael grip tightens further. Jungkook desperately tugs at the others hand. Cael doesn’t move a inch.“I can’t wait for you to die.” He hisses as he lets go of Jungkook.Jungkook sinks down. The sand is rough against his skin. Jungkook catches the eyes of a winter soldier standing a few feet away. No one had intervened. Jungkook looks away as a new wave of nauseas hits him. He gags.Haneul sits right in front of him, leaning against a boulder, his shirt ripped apart, a ghostly expression on his face.Hyeon-Jeong stares at them in amusement."Not even a scratch on your pretty face.” Hyeon-Jeong grins, winks at him, and whistles through his teeth.A deep gash runs alongs his forearm, blood drips down slow but steady.Jungkook leans against the wall behind him. A spitting image of Haneul.“You shouldn’t let him get to you.” Hyeon-Jeong adds.Jungkook blinks at him, trembling hands, about to leash out at anyone. He isn’t meant to be here. Jungkook wants to scream.“He underestimated you.” Hyeon-Jeong cocks his head. “Now he is scared.” A smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.“I wonder how you did it, but...". He shrugs, "The round is over anyway, and I'm alive so who cares." Hyeon-Jeong grins at him, almost carefree. "It's still weird, you must hold a slither of dark magic or be able to cast a charm this powerful to let a animal conjured by dark magic not affect you."A animal formed by dark magic? Jungkook didn’t even know what was happening.Hyeon-Jeong nods after Cael. “He is the son of a Court Official. Too much pride in him. One of the few faeries able to conjure dark magic, and-" Hyeon-Jeong beams at him "-you made him look like he had no idea what he was doing.”.Hyeon-Jeong snickers. Jungkook stares at him. He has no idea what he did. What happened. He waited it all out with his eyes pressed close.“If you really don’t posses any magic like they say you do, you will die next round either way.” Hyeon-Jeong says. His everlasting smile never reaches his eyes.Jungkook’s blood runs cold. “How do you know?”“They will let us out in the snow.” Hyeon-Jeong shakes himself in display of coldness. “And in the cold dark night you will freeze to death.”.He salutes, “Good luck.”.With long slow strides he follows the other winter fae.By now, more than one winter soldier buzzes around Hanuel. Jungkook turns away as he starts to spit blood.What had happened? Why didn’t it happen to him?
Jungkook tosses and turns around in his bed. The moonlight trickles through the small gap between the curtain’s. He can’t fall asleep, the images of the day haunt him, and he can’t shake of the nausea. To his astonishment they had been exposed to dark magic till the sky had gleamed orange by the setting sun. Deemed healthy he had been brought to his room and left to his own devices. Hoseok hadn’t come, and Jungkook had been relived, seeing him smile would have made him lash out. But the quiet of his room also drives him mad.Jungkook groans, and gets up.Firefly sleeps soundly next to him.Jungkook can’t stand the silence, the thoughts running wild in his head, he lightens up a candle, and walks toward the door. His bare feet quiet on the carpet.To his surprise the door gives in, no winter soldier in sight. Jungkook finds himself in front of a open door. Jungkook tightly grabs his candleholder, and walks into the corridor.The hallways are empty, and barely lit.Jungkook tiptoes along the corridors. Wanders in awe. Even by night the palace is impressive.The enormous windows, the stucco on the high ceiling, and the icicles shinning in the moon light.Jungkook halts.A light blue flower grows through a small batter window. Jungkook stretches his neck. The blue petals shimmer in the dim light. Jungkook squints his eyes. It’s the flower Hoseok had woven into his hair.On his tiptoes Jungkook peers through the gap. He couldn’t believe his eyes. In front of him extend flowers upon flowers and luscious green grass.The gate next to the window is locked.A smaller opening next to it, gives Jungkook entry. Lures him into the garden. All logic flies out by the possibilities of seeing something growing out of soil.Jungkook looks on last time at the locked gate, hesitates for second before he passes through the arched opening.A waft of a sweet scent greats him, earthy, floral, rose. Red roses rank around the entry. A strand of Jungkook’s hair gets caught in a thorn of a red rose. Jungook smiles.In abundance bushes with the flower Hoseok had brought him. Behind the bushed, tall hedges seem to form a maze. A archway opens up into a path littered with different flowers, growing out the ground like the Springfaerie King himself walked down the maze. Sunlight shines down on Jungkook and he shields his eyes from the sun.A stolen paradise inside of the castle.Enchanted to the brim. Not that Jungkook can feel the magic, but how else would it be possible for the sun to shine in the night?Jungkook can't help himself but be enthralled. The archways are accrued with wisterias, with lavender, violet, pink and white flowers. On the ground orange calendula - their oil Jungkook knows is good for skin - grows lavishly.Jungkook walked right into a different world.Struck with amazement he follows the path leading into the garden, skimming his fingers over the flowers. Their petals brush his fingertips in greeting. His bare feet sink into the lush grass. Lost in the flora Jungkook wanders through the maze.Lavender grows in tall bushes, chamomile grows here and there as well as red clovers - full of vitamins and minerals - Jungkook is careful not to step on one. Plants Jungkook has never seen before grow out the soil, he is careful not too touch them. Who knows what they are capable of. Echinacea's pink petals gleam through the weed.Lush Bright yellow Goldenrod, Jungkook has in his garden as well. He had infused them many times. They always remind him of the sun, whenever they grow, Jungkook knows, the winter is coming. The golden days of the sun give way for the autumn.In this garden the change of seasons do not seem to matter.Before he sees them Jungkook smells the citrusy, tart and sweet scent of the lemon balm. He rubs a leaf between his fingers, carefully to let the leaf live on while still getting a hint of their scent onto his fingertips.Jungkook hums, lost in his thoughts. The possibilities of this garden are endless. Herbal teas. Healing balms.He bumps into something soft. A brown mass of fur greats him. A brown snout sniffles.A bear.Jungkook jolts, falls back on his behind, while tightly gripping the candle holder. He holds his breath.But the mass of brown doesn’t move, his eyes are closed, and the creature growls in his sleep.Carefully Jungkook scrambles back up, with a last look toward the sleeping brown mass Jungkook rushes right back where he came from. Following the flowers that greeted him, it’s easy to find his way back."What are you doing here?"
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Jungkook gulps, and turns around.The Crown Prince stands in front of him. Light sparks flow around him, and he stares at Jungkook in utter shock. Disbelief."You stole the flower from the palace garden?""What?" Jungkook blinks. Stolen? It takes Jungkook a minute until he remembers. The flower. “Hoseok gave it to me."The Crown Prince tilts his head, striking eyes questioning him.Jungkook jolts in shock, remembering who he is talking to right now. The Prince. Hastily he bows, and stutters out the greeting he is supposed to give the Prince. "Your Royal Highness, Prince of the Winter realm"."The door is locked for a reason." The Prince continues. "How did you enter?""I...Trough the small corridor." Jungkook points towards the small opening. He does a double take, because the entrance he used to see is accrued with thorny red roses.The Crown Prince lifts a brow at him. "Seems unlikely." He states and takes a step closer.Jungkook stumbles back, and nearly ends up in one of the rose bushes blooming behind him."You shouldn't be here.""Why?" Jungkook frowns. "Why is the garden locked? It's beautiful.""Not for everyone.""What?""It's not beautiful for everyone." "Are you always talking in riddles?"The Prince smiles. "Do you know the periculosus?""Yes," Once Jungkook has seen the plant with his own eyes. Dangerously beautiful. A good few feet away it bloomed out of the ground, Jungkook had hastily ran into the village to warn about the periculosus flower growing close to the pond."Do you know why it's so unique?""It's dangerous.""Exactly. And why?""Because it's choose on a whim if they like a faerie or not, and either spews poisons or entrances one with their beauty."Taehyung nods. "The same applies to the garden. You got lucky."Jungkook gasps, stumbles a bit. His curiosity had nearly ensured his death?"Jungkook, isn't it?"Goddess, does the Prince not even know the names of the faeries risking their life for him?"Why are you here?" Jungkook answers brashly. "If it is as deadly as you say?""I couldn't sleep." The Prince unlocks the gate. "It's not often that someone dies because of you.“.Brashly he gestures for Jungkook to go through the gate, and he follows right after, cutting off the sunlight flittering through the dark corridors."And the garden has never harmed me or anyone reign the Winter realm." Swiftly the Prince locks the gate, and sprinkles a little magic on it. Jungkook sees the lock and gate tighten, leaving what lays behind it up to ones imagination. As the Prince hand clasp around the lock to secure it, his night gown almost slips of his shoulders, and for a second Jungkook sees dark thorn like lines crawl up to his shoulder, before the Prince pushes his gown back up."Follow me." Jungkook trails after the Prince along the corridors of the palace. With a light fizzle Jungkook's candle goes out, but Taehyung's golden sparks create more light than one candle ever could.How can so many plants and flowers with healing abilities grow in garden if it's able to spew you in poison? Jungkook can't even imagine the danger the Prince could mean. Or was he talking about the bear?"I have seen the garden grows calendula, and Goldenrod. I have them in my garden too." Jungkook hums, trying to catch up with the fast steps of the other, who always seems to be one step ahead of him, "Where do the other flowers come from?"The Prince doesn't answer him."They are good for healing." Jungkook states unbothered by the silence."They are?""You didn't know?""No. We use our magic to heal.."For a split second Jungkook is offended, the next Jungkook resigns. Of course, they do. Foolish him. Even though the other doesn't sound condemning, he does probably look down on Jungkook."Well, they do. A lot of healing plants grow there.""You seem to know a lot even for a nature fairy."Jungkook bristles, "How would you know how much I know?"."You gifted it to me." Abruptly the Prince stops, Jungkook nearly tumbles into him."Wouldn't it be dangerous for a Winter fae to room around the Spring realm?""I suppose so." Jungkook stares at whitish ice flakes glistering around the Crown Prince."Don't go wandering around anymore. The palace isn't a place where you want to get lost."Jungkook can't take his eyes of the intricate play of the Prince’s magic, "Is there a place someone wants to get lost?".The Prince smiles, the golden faedust glimmers around him."Sleep. You will need it." He says before he turns around.Jungkook stares dumbfounded after him, realising he is in front of his room.
The sun has barely risen when Jungkook is woken up. The mountains are still cloaked in misty clouds.He devours his lavish breakfast with a dooming fear of what is to come."My lovely fairy."Jungkook sighs as Hoseok enters the room."I got special gear for you today."At that Jungkook looks up. Hoseok holds a mountain of clothes and a duffel bag in his arms. "All for you."He drops a thick jacket on the bed, a thicker cotton sweater and even a pair of thick gloves."For once how it looks is secondary." Hoseok continues."It's always secondary." Jungkook retorts.Hoseok lifts his eyes up from the clothes to him, and gives him a sad smile. So uncharacteristically sad that Jungkook's stomach plumps.Had Hyeon-Jeong been right?"You're right." Hoseok brushes his hand over the jacket he had laid out. "I made it in your favorite color."."Thanks." Jungkook mumbles starring a the ink black jacket."The duffel back is full of essentials allowed for the next game.""You know what awaits us?""Yeah, by now everyone does.""I don't.""The mountains."Jungkook stares outside the huge window at the snow-covered mountains."You will have to ascend one, and come back safe and sound.""How long will it take?""At least a day.""What if I don't make it?"Hoseok stays silent for a good while. Long enough to make Jungkook feel uneasy."Troops will come looking for you after four days. You will, of course, loose if you can't make it."If you are still alive by that time hangs in the air. Jungkook knows the temperatures in the night are a death sentence without any magic. Even with magic they can be deadly.Three nights by these temperatures. Jungkook sighs. He will be dead after one if he doesn't figure something out."Firefly?" Jungkook asks hope distinct in his voice."He has to stay. Only the bag provided for you is allowed and what you find in the mountains."Jungkook gulps."I made it as warm as I was able to." Hoseok strokes the jacket laid on his bed. “It won’t be visible in the night.”.Jungkook rubs his eyes. A sudden tiredness comes over him being confronted with what awaits him.
It’s eerie how silent it is in front of the mountain.Faeries crowd in front of it, but aside from their wings flattering, it’s silent. The severity of their journey apparent to everyone.“Not many have survived this.” Hoseok whispers. Jungkook is glad about his presence. There aren’t a lot of faeries Jungkook feels comfortable with.“That’s what I needed to hear.” Jungkook snarls nonetheless.Hoseok flinches. The flatter of his wings stops.The coldness bites. Jungkook’s ears are flushed red.A loud horn echoes through the valley signaling the start of their journey.“Good Luck.” Hoseok magic caresses Jungkook’s back on last time. With Hoseok the warmth leaves him.The coldness bites. Jungkook’s cheeks are flushed red. Gloves protect his hands from a similar fate. No other participant wears them. Not even Haneul, who Jungkook knows is sensitive to the coldness.Are you close to the other spring fairy? Hoseok had asked on the way. You can works in pairs, he had said.Jungkook scoffs as he watches Haneul stomp up the mountain. He rather not.Try to get as far as you can as long as the sky is still bright, Hoseok had advised him. There might be truth to that.Tailing the other faeries, Jungkook trudges through the deep snow. His wings itch under the thick coat. Jungkook can’t wait to let them free again. He just has to get through this.The higher he ascends the harsher the wind blows.Jungkook tries not to touch his provisions. He had a lot for breakfast, and his duffel bag provides him only with a day worth of water and food.Climbing up the mountain is monotonous. Here a there a rock protrudes out of the thick snow. Some shine in peculiar colours in the sunlight. Other than that all Jungkook sees in front of him is snow and the clear blue sky. Behind him the palace gets smaller and smaller.Kind of like he is flying.The faeries on the ground soon turn to ants.The darkness arrives earlier than Jungkook had thought, but he remembers that the days are shorter in the Winter realm. A little panic plants himself in Jungkook. He tries not to give it a lot of attention. He knows it’s difficult near impossible to survive this, but at least he has to try. He has to.He needs to find some form of shelter to survive the night, Once it’s dark he won’t be able to continue. He could get lost or worse injure himself.But all he sees is thick snow.
In the end Jungkook makes his makeshift bed behind a large stone protecting him from the harsh cold wind.It doesn’t take long till Jungkook shakes with cold. Laying still doesn’t keep him warm. Jungkook wishes Firefly was here, his glow and warmth always comforting.Should he walk in circles?Jungkook shakes his head. He needs to conserve his strength. Quite as a mouse he lays in the dark, in the cold, and all there is left for him is to pray. Pray that the Goddess of the sky, sun, moon and earth won’t let him die. Jungkook wants to live. He has so much left to do. So much he hasn’t seen. Like the waves of the seas, and the shores welcoming them.Jungkook closes his eyes, and imagines Namjoon close to him, talking about a world Jungkook will never see. Only in his imagination. Or maybe in another lifetime. About frozen lakes faeries slide on, waves who are frightening beautiful, and endless sand warm under a faeries touch. For a moment Jungkook can hear the crashes of waves until he realizes snow crunches next to him.Jungkook startles. He looks up into a pair of yellow eyes.The eyes of a predator. Eyes of a cat with the body of as large as one of the strongest bulls Jungkook had seen in the Spring realm.The white coat glistens in the night.Jugkook tenses. He won’t die because of the cold. No. He will die by the maul of the animalistic creature snarling above him.With measured steps the creature comes even closer. The warmth of his breath caress Jungkook's skin. Out of instinct Jungkook shuffles back, hitting the stone behind him with his back. Weakened by the long walk up the mountain, Jungkook can’t find it in him to believe he would be able to flee from the creature.Jungkook’s teeth chatter. With fear, with cold, Jungkook doesn’t know.The wildcats tongue lolls out, and Jungkook flinches.The creature licks him from his jaw up to his hairline, and drops himself on Jungkook. Punching all of the air out of his lungs. For a second Jungkook panics that he is going to suffocate.The weight isn’t enough to knock him out.Jungkook stares in disbelief at the bright fur in front of his face. The large head lays right beside Jungkook’s. The beings breath tickles his skin. Carefully Jungkook reaches out a trembling hand to touch the fur in front of him. The animals purrs at his touch. Jungkook lets out a disbelieving laugh.In seconds Jungkook body heats up with the heavy body on top on him.At this point Jungkook hasn’t much to loose, more grateful than afraid. He falls asleep with a hand buried in white thick fur, snuggled close to the wildcat.He startles awake by a wet tongue licking his face. Jungkook eyes fly open, the wildcat looks down at him, tongue out, yellow eyes crinkled, like the animal is smiling at him. For a moment Jungkook is disoriented. The cold wind blows harsh against his skin, and Jungkook remembers where he is, what he has today,In the horizont the sky is tinted a orange hue. The morning has begun. The snow gleams in the sunlight, and Jungkook deems himself lucky to live for another day.“Thank you,” He whispers to the warm being on top of him.The fog had cleared up, and in the morning light Jungkook can make out that the top of the mountain is near.His stomach grumbles, and Jungkook grabs for his duffel bag.White bread, berries, his water flask.Jungkook gulps down water, and tears the bread apart.“You’re a pelicular cat.” Jungkook says to the wildcat rolling in the snow. As if the cat understood he looks up to him, yellow eyes slightly crossed, and Jungkook can’t help himself but laugh. How could he ever find this creature intimidating?“You want some?” He asks, holding out the bread for the wild cat. The cat yawns, and Jungkook can’t help and get the impression that the cat would rather eat snow than what Jungkook offers him.“Suit yourself,” Jungkook huffs, and washes down the rest of the bread with a mouthful of water.“I have to go on now.” Jungkook tells the cat, and reaches out to pet his head again.The wildcat purrs under his touch.“Wanna go with me?” Jungkook murmurs. He could use the warmth of the creature for longer. His heated body is already cooling down again. The wind blows harsh against every inch of skin, worming his way through his thick clothes.Jungkook yawns, stretches himself, “Let’s go.”.To his surprise, the cat actually follows him.It doesn’t take long till Jungkook can make out the silhouettes of the winter soldiers waiting on top of the mountain.Their face veiled by thick scarfs, but their eyes widen in shock seeing the wildcat walk beside Jungkook. None of them move, stare at them like it’s a sight they have never seen before.Jungkook had been told they would be at the top, making sure everyone who says they reached the top actually did. They both lock eyes with him, one slightly nods, and Jungkook sees that as a sign that he had been recognized and moves on. Down on the other side of the mountain. He just wants to make it out alive, he doesn’t even care if they eliminate him saying he never reached the top.It’s less lonely with another creature by his side. It’s less dull.The cat elegantly hops through the snow, stretches sometimes, sharp teeth show itself whenever it opens his mouth.Jungkook startles when the cat suddenly growls at pile of snow. A little flower peaks through the snow. The cat paws at the ground, a ugly feeling settles in Jungkook’s stomach. Jungkook falls on his knees, right next to the cat, uncaring of the cold he shovels the snow away with his hands.Clothes appear in front of him, and the ugly feeling in his stomach wanders up to his throat, making Jungkook hold his breath. Flowers grow around a body, and Jungkook would recognize Haneul everywhere.Even with ice blue lips, frozen strands of hair, and his wings shielding his body.Jungkook presses his palm against his mouth.He is still breathing.“Can you warm him?” Jungkook asks, and the cat drops himself on the faeries body. Jungkook slithers close to the warm cat and the cold faerie. The wildcat nuzzles his snout into his neck. Jungkook strokes through his warm coat of fur. It feels like a small eternity till Haneul’s body feels warmer, and his lips turned a rosy color.And Jungkook knows, “We should go on.”.The cat jumps up at his words.Without a second thought Jungkook shoulders Haneul. He isn’t much heavier than the sacks of potatoes and carrots Jungkook had carried through the Spring gardens.The cat growls at him.“What you want to carry him?”Yellow eyes stare up to him.“Don’t be ridiculous.” Jungkook states, “I can do it.”.Jungkook needed to be careful not to slip on their way down. The way down was long and tiresome. They only took one small break, Jugkook’s body used to heavy works in the gardens wasn’t bothered by the weight on his shoulders, but his legs weren’t used to going up and down mountains. The hills in the Spring gardens couldn’t compare to these imposing mountains.With a clear sky and the sun shining down on them Jungkook can make out the faeries waiting at the bottom of the mountains form far away. Their cheers and applause he heard as soon as he could make out some of their faces.Smiling, laughing, celebrating.Jungkook feels sick.He detects Cael’s broad back with the dark blue wings in the sea of the people.Haneul feels heavy on his spine. He focuses on his last few steps.In the distance he hears a roar that sinks deep into his skin. The frighting sounds does nothing but sooth Jungkook. He knows he will be alright.It’s the last thing Jungkook hears before he faints at the bottom of the mountain. Haneul’s weight settling down on him.
Jungkook wakes up in dark room, a few candles flicker shadows on the walls. His mouth is dry as if he hasn’t drunken water in days. His body aches.Stiffly Jungkook sits up, every movement reminds him of what lays behind him. Of what he had done.A carafe with water stands right next to the bed. Without a second thought Jungkook drinks right out of it stilling his thirst.“You’re awake.” Jungkook startles.The Crown Prince moves out of the shadow.Instead of golden lights a darkness looms around him, crawls across his skin, shadows grow around him, and Jungkook thinks he should be afraid, but he isn’t.“What are you doing here?”The Prince laughs, “Never one for formality, are you?”Jungkook flushes.“Making sure you don’t die.”“What?” Jungkook frowns at him. He can barely make out the face of the other. “What happened?”“You passed out after you had crossed the mountain.”The opening of a door startles Jungkook, a small being trudges into the room. Wrinkled skin hides his eyes, small daft fingers hold a tray.A gnome.“Oh, the patient had awoken. How wonderful.”, he proclaims and places the tray on a nightstand right next to Jungkook, “My prince, you can stop fussing around. Your glooming drives me insane.”.The Prince stills, the shadows around him flare up, but he leaves without another word.Gnome comes forth with a soup and bread right by his side, “Eat, boy, eat. You haven’t eaten since you fell ill.”.“Did I finish it?” Jungkook whispers.The wrinkled eyes of the gnome look up to him, “Did you finish what? The game?”.Jungkook nods, taking the bowl, his stomach grumbles.The gnome laughs, “Of course, you did, brought your friend right with you.”.“My friend?”“The other Spring fairy,” the gnome grumbles, “has awoken a good few hours before you.”.“You’ve been out quite a long. The Prince was driving me crazy with the way he urged me to awaken you.” The gnomes grumbles, “Time will tell, I told him, time will tell.”“I’m no goddess.” He throws both of his hands in the air, “no god. You were breathing and your body had already been heated. Nothing to worry about, I told him, but did he ever listen to me?”Wide-eyed Jungkook watches the gnome mix the content of different vials, “Eat, my boy, eat.”Jungkook obeys.“Not even as a kid, did that boy listen to me.” The gnome continues.“Who?”“The prince.” The mixture in his hand bubbles as he throws a handful of a dried plant inside of it, “Here for you, will help with the remaining pain.”Jungkook stares at the bumbling mixture with mistrust.“Trust me, boy. I have been the palace healer longer than you have been alive.”What has he to loose? Jungkook throws the drink back, nearly gags at the after taste, but another gulp water helps to bring it down.“Your friend has been asking for you since he had awoken. Another pain in the ass. I tell you.”“But it’s good your loved, eh?”Jungkook shakes his head. Love? No one loves him despite his brother, and even his brother had greater things to worry about than him. Namjoon had always dreamed big, Jungkook was just a ant in his world.“Once your back to strength, you are awaited for today’s feast.” The gnome continues with less cheer to his voice, “But as far as I know, It’s just the selected, the Royals, and the winter court officials.”.“I told them to at least wait a day, let the faeries rest, but does anyone ever listen to me?” His wrinly eyes look up to him. Jungkook is sure he doesn’t expect him to answer.“Not even the boy does.” He grumbles.“How long have I been out of it?” Jungkook wonders out loud.“You have slept though a whole night and half a day. Your body needs the strength back you had taken from it.” The gnome turns away from him, “Eat up, and I will take you to your room.”.Jungkook stares at the clear soup, his appetite gone, still he takes the spoon and eats.
"Thank you for saving me," Haneul’s eyes had found him as soon as Jungkook sat down. As one of the last to enter the throne hall Jungkook was seated right next to him. In front of him, Cael and Hyeon-Jeong.Haneul fidgets with his cutlery. The gratitude he radiates is palpable. The smell of honey mead wafts off him.Jungkook wrinkles his nose, and nods. He would have never let someone die.At the head to the table the King and by his side the Crown Prince are seated. The Prince’s eyes look hollow, the shadows are gone, so are the golden sparks surrounding him, but his wings glitter behind him in an intricate show of moving water.Jungkook can’t stomach the lavish meal severed to them, he knows he should, but he can’t.A winter fairy, supposedly a winter official by his uniform, stares holes into Jungkook. Weren’t it for his blue bird wings, Jungkook would wonder why, but he is sure that the man is related to the fae in front of him.The closeness between them obvious.“Is it true that they call you Caterpillar?”Jungkook jerks with the attention given to him. Haneul stiffens next to him.“Excuse me?” Jungkook splutters.The winter official seems calm in his demeanors as he continues, “You can’t fly, right?”.Under the table Jungkook balls his hand to fists, nails digging into his skin, “Why are you asking?”.“I’m Shinju, Cael’s father.” The faerie states, “I’m wondering how a faerie without it’s own fae dust can survive the conditions of the mountains.”“Are you implying something?” It’s Haneul who speaks, his voice sharp.“No I’m just wondering, can’t a old fae be curious?” He laughs, eyes sharp. His laugh sounds forced to Jungkook’s ears.It’s eerily silent on the table, all eyes on him, Jungkook feels heat crawl up his face. Out of anger, out of embarrassment.“I heard he tamed a Panthera uncia.” Another speaks up cutting the silence, “Isn’t it evident how he did it?”.A murmur follows his word.“I heard that too. I just want to know how?” The eyes are pinned on him, “Without his supposed magic?”Jungkook would answer his question if he knew. Jungkook doubts the other would understand him if he tries to explain. Tries to say that he just gets along with animals better than with any faerie he ever met. Jungkook never questioned it. The animals give him serenity, console him, and who is Jungkook to question them?“The wildcat?” He asks instead.Some officials laughs at his words. “He calls it a cat.”, someone calls out.“What have you up your sleeve, Caterpillar?” The words of Shinju carry a threat, but his mouth is set in a smile.“Don’t call me that,” Jungkook spits out before he can stop himself.“Sore spot?” His eyes gleam in amusement. Jungkook wants to claw his eyes out.“Enough,” Jungkook meets the eyes of the Crown Prince as he looks up, but the King had spoken. “Thank your for joining us. I wish to speak to the selected.”.The room clears out. Shinju’s gaze lays heavy on him as he leaves.“Taehyung stay.” The King’s voice is sharp.Jungkook stares at the wooden table, and wishes himself far away.“Listen close, chosen ones.” Despite his words there is no warmth in the King’s voice. “There are only two games left, and I wish all of you to take this serious. It’s not a source of amusement despite what it’s called, this determines the future of the Winter realm, therefore the future of the faerie realm per se. This is significant for every faerie breathing right now, and been given breath in the foreseeable future.”.Jungkook’s eyes are fixated on the Crown Prince, the shimmer of his wings and how the flutter silently behind him. So different to the ones of his fathers, who’s dark feathery wings swallow the space around him.What the Prince’s mothers must have been like? How her fae dust must have been like to create these wings that completely erased his fathers magical heritage.Jungkook stares at Taehyung’s hollow eyes. How much of her magic encompasses Kim Taehyung?“All of you have to be able to carry the burden of the crown. This realm needs to be leaded by a fae strong, powerful and capable of authority.”Jungkook blinks. He doesn’t want to win.“You’re dismissed.” The King announces, “Jungkook, stay”.Jungkook fixes his gaze back on the wood of the table. The potent magic of the King lingers in the air, making Jungkook swallow. He stays rooted on his seat, as the others retreat silently. No-one dares to question the King.Jungkook isn’t ready for whatever will be thrown at him.When the door falls close the words that are thrown at him aren’t as hurtful as they once were.“You have no fae dust? Can’t fly?”Jungkook shakes his head, fear cloaks up his throat, having the full attention of the King is intimidating, makes him quiver. His dark wings would be able to swallow Jungkook’s whole body.“You shouldn’t be here.”“Father.” The Prince reaches out one hand in the air never meant to touch.The King seems to flinch at the close contact the Crown Prince makes towards his father. It's undoubtedly hurt that flashes on the Crown Princes face. The King looks angry, ready to lash out, but the words seem to be held back, as he turns toward Jungkook with judgmental eyes. Fury is visible in every move that he makes.What makes him flinch away from his own son?Fear? Jungkook knows it to well. His father has been avoiding him for a long time already, he is also scared of his own son."It makes no sense." The King stares at Jungkook. "Why aren't you dead already?“.He swivels around and leaves Jungkook behind with the Crown Prince.His words echo hollow in Jungkook’s mind. Dead. Jungkook doesn’t want to die. He wants to live like any other being deserving of a life.Jungkook feels nothing. The emotions inside of him leave him feeling numb, to many repressed feelings.He turns toward the Crown Prince, a lonely tear rolls down his cheeks, that he hastily wipes away.Jungkook eyes widen, words he was about to say stuck.The Crown Prince unyielding gaze sets on him, but the hurt behind his eyes is too apparent for Jungkook to not see it. A pain he knows to well.His father stoped touching him the day it became evident that Jungkook wings will never grow.He heard him say to his mother, "Who knows if the curse contagious? Or what if it is a sickness?" - His fathers ideas made Jungkook lay awake night after night, worrying if he will die, what he has done that the goddess punishes him for, if he is as sick as the say, will he wilt away? How will he be able to fend for himself without magic?"I don't need your pity.“ The voice of the Prince is harsh.Jungkook startles, laughs, wholeheartedly, he isn't sure if his going insane already, "Me neither.".He walks away.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Secluded. Jungkook feels trapped in the large room. His tears leave salty trails on his cheeks. He hasn’t slept a wink. As soon as a strip of light brightens up the mountains Jungkook sneaks out of his room.The palace is quite, this early in the morning.Jungkook footsteps echo through the corridors. Nonetheless he makes it to the courtyard. The air smells fresh, and despite being inclosed by high stone walls, Jungkook feels freer.The snow crunches under Jungkook boot’s. The snow thick, no tracks visible. Jungkook stares up into the sky, closes his eyes, and breathes in the cold air.A snowflakes melts on his nose.Later today another game will begin. Jungkook wishes he could go back in time.“Haven’t I told you to not wander around at night?”By now Jungkook knows that voice. If he didn’t he wouldn’t have known who stopped beside him. A thick coat hides his wings, and his face swallowed by the large hood.“The day has already begun.” Jungkook retorts.The Prince hums. Noncommittally. “I couldn’t sleep,” He provides.Jungkook’s own sleep riddled mind catches up with the situation, hastily he bows, “His Royal Highness, Prince of the Winter realm.”“Call me Taehyung, and you don’t have to great me formally outside a official events.”Taehyung? Jungkook wouldn’t dare, he doesn’t want to loose his head. The only one able to address the Prince with his name is the King, and other royals of his status.“Take this.” He places another cloak on Jungkook’s shoulders.“What for?”The Prince lifts his hood, and gives him a barely there smile, “To protect yourself from the snow.” The Prince swivels around, “Now follow me.”.Jungkook slips into the heavy cloak, and is immediately engulfed in warmth. Warmth he hadn’t been able too feel since he left the Spring realm.The cloak must be soaked in magic.“You’re following me or not?”Jungkook stumbles after Taehyung through the thick snow.He walks straight towards the gates of the palace. Wide eyed Jungkook watches as just a lift of the Prince’s hood makes the winter soldier wave them through. Just a glance of the Prince’s face opens the gate in front of them, and here Jungkook thought he might never leave the palace again.Taehyung leads him to the village right by the foot of the palace, encompassed by the two other castles towering beside the palace.As soon as they step into the village, Taehyung grabs him by the sleeves of his cloak, and pulls him into a narrow alley.“How do they let me to leave so easily?” Jungkook murmurs, now close to Prince.Taehyung snorts, “Have you forgotten what I told you?”“What?” Jungkook tries to keep up with Taehyung’s fast steps through the dark alleys.“My fae dust is part of you, I always know where you are.” Taehyung’s sharp eyes meet his, a shadow hides them. “I would know where you are if you try to run. Isn’t that what you think about?”.“When why the winter soldiers?” Jungkook retorts, unwavering of Taehyung’s comment, “Why are the winter soldiers following me at every turn once the sun has risen?”“To intimidate you.” Taehyung pauses, “To protect you?”.Jungkook retort dies on his tongue as the streets in front of them light up, and the buzzing of faeries fills the air.Enchanted lights fly in the air above them, lighting up the narrow street in front of them. The smell of sugar, and fruits hits Jungkook with a stark intensity. Reminding him of the sugarcoated fruit he used to eat the the Spring equinox. Once he ate so much he got sick, but it was worth it nonetheless.The Prince brushes his arm, his eyes settled on Jungkook, “Follow me.”The street is littered with merchants shouting out their wares, and the smell of hot drinks and cooking stew wafts through the air.“Where are we?”“The winter fest.”“Aren’t they inside the castle?”The Prince eyes are sharp, calculating, as if he can’t tell if Jungkook is serious. He turns away without a word.Taehyung walks through the crowd with ease, Jungkook has a hard time to keep up with him. Not used to crowded spaces.A few faeries are enthralled with a spectacle in the air. Jungkook looks up. A delicate dance between two faeries, flying in unison. For a second he is jealous, reminded of what he doesn’t have, of what he will never have.“Isn’t this why you keep sneaking around?” Taehyung asks him suddenly, bringing him out of his trance. He pulls Jungkook on his cloak to get him moving again.“What?”“To find a way outside?”Jungkook is floored, he hadn’t had even thought about it, had deemed it a hopeless endeavor.“And despite you thinking I want to flee you’re bring me outside the palace?"“I won’t let you out of my sight, don’t even try to run away.” Taehyung looks up under the hood right at Jungkook. His eyes shimmer in liquid gold.Jungkook would have sworn his eyes had been dark blue.He shakes his head, he has to get a grip, and not be charmed by Taehyung’s beauty. By his magic.Jungkook lets the anger he felt flare up at Taehyung’s word consume him. Is this a game to him as well? Look what you could have, but you don’t.“So what is this then?” Jungkook spits out with more venom than he had thought, “Why am I here?”.For a second Taehyung stills, falters in his steps. “Sometimes I crave being outside of the palace. Outside… I thought maybe you were yearning for it too.”. Taehyung eyes search his as he turns towards him, and tugs him closer.“Don’t forget.” Taehyung whispers close to him, “I feel you.”.“I don’t feel you.” Jungkook harden his gaze.Taehuyng smiles, more genuine than he ever had in Jungkook’s company. “I know.”.They have stopped at a small stall in the shadows of a larger one. Jungkook recognizes the sweet smell, and the sugarcoated fruits exhibited.“Two fruit sticks.” Taehyung trades a few shimmering bronze coins with the sugarcoated fruit sticks.“Here for you.”Jungkook stares at the stick handed to him. Strawberry’s, cherry’s, apples. He would never be able to say no to one of his favorite snacks.Jungkook takes a bite, and relishes in the flavors that burst on his tongue.“Why is the market swamped this early in the morning?” Jungkook asks, munching on a strawberry.Taehyung nibbles at his fruits, as he stares at him, “Do you really not know?”.Jungkook shakes his head.“The King has forbidden any fest outside the castle.”Jungkook blinks, stares at the Prince. “Are you telling the truth? Why would you be here then?”.Taehunyg snorts, “You can’t be this naive, can you?”.“I certainly have picked up on your shaky relationship.” Jungkook bites back.Taehyung face closes up so quickly, Jungkook wishes he hadn’t said a word.“Then you should know,” his voice hard, “that I don’t see eye to eye with him.”.With rapid steps Taehyung storms forward again. Jungkook tries to keep up.“Why are they forbidden?”Taehyung doesn’t answer.Jungkook sighs. “I just want to go back home,” He mutters, “I know nothing. I’m not made for this.”“My father doesn’t like what he can’t control.” Taehyung says, and slows down.“So he forbad the fest?” Jungkook frowns, “He doesn’t know whats happening here?”.Taehyung hums noncommittally. “I keep forgetting, you can’t feel magic.” Taehyung lifts his hood, his long blue hair blows in the breeze. “Every corner of the fest outside the castle is spellbound, Jungkook. You can feel it when you enter, you can feel it when you leave.”“No one with ill intentions would be able to enter.”Jungkook thinks back to the King, his imposing power, the raw force of his magic, that made Jungkook shudder. How would any fae be able to hide anything from the King? How will Jungkook be able to keep it a secret?Maybe his panic was palpable.Taehyung continues, “You won’t be able to talk about. Not with someone with ill intentions.”.“How is that possible?”“Dark magic.”Jungkook stares at Taehyung like he grew a second head. “Who would be so powerful?”Taehyung smiles, his eyes twinkle, “You’re cute.” With that he turns away from Jungkook and walks towards the gates of palace.Jungkook blinks, and follows overwhelmed by what the morning brought to him.The palace towers in front of him, and just as easily as they got out they get back in.In the courtyard Taehyung swivels back around, his golden eyes locking with Jungkook’s. Jungkook watches the golden fuse with a dark moody brown.“I’m sorry, I wish I could influence your fate.” Taehyung whispers and leaves him.Jungkook is left with more questions than answers.He shivers and pulls the cloak tighter around himself.The cloak.“Taehyung,” Jungkook calls, “you forget the cloak!”.Taehyung had already disappeared in the palace.
For the second offering Jungkook needs to find a offering uniquely from the Winter realm till the sun rises again. He wasn’t given much more informationen by the winter soldiers. Apparently as contender of the cruel games he should always know what to do.Jungkook sighs. He is relieved that he doesn’t have to fear for his own life today. Still.Another offering. Another step for courting.By now the sun blazes down on the thick snow and reflects in the icicles. Puzzled by his conversation with the Prince Jungkook takes his time to think about the offering. He muses if he wouldn’t be able to offer anything if he would be freed from all of this. He gives up that strain of thought right away. The winter soldiers sticking to his side might report any doing of him straight to the King.Jungkook doesn’t want to die without a fight.When the sun’s at its highest Jungkook wanders outside, Firefly perched on his shoulder chirps in excitement.To his surprise the winter soldiers let him go. Alone. Through the gates. Out into the snow.Jungkook supposes it would be difficult to attain a offering confined in the palace. He knows, if he tried to run he wouldn’t come far companionless, even if he had magic.The sun warms his face, reminding Jungkook of his home. He misses seeing Yoongi. He misses his brother. He doesn’t know if they are watching him, if they sat on the stands of the amphitheater or were swallowed by the crowd at the bottom of the mountains.Firefly chirrups as he flys high into the sky, enjoying his freedom.Jungkook watches him go.Hoseok had denied him when Jungkook had asked to see his brother. His uttered why, wasn’t answered with words, Hoseok pitiful eyes were answer enough.Junjgkook rubs his temple in contemplation as he stares up the mountain.Should he risk it again? He has to find something. Anything.Trading for something is out of question if Jungkook understood the winter soldiers correctly.Jungkook steps through the thick snow.The higher he hikes the thicker the snow, Jungkook remembers it too well. The picture of Haneul buried in the deep snow vivid in his mind, Jungkook stomach lurches, and he is glad he missed out his breakfast this morning. The pasteries, fruits, and the cold tea still stand untouched in his room.Once Jungkook had arrives back at his room the tea had been cold.Jungkook wanders for Goddess knows how long. The scenery is incredible. Jungkook can see the village, the soundings hills and mountains, and the castles from where he stands. The sun sinks little by little and goosebump grace Jungkook’s skin. The coldness creeps through Jungkook’s thick cloak.Jungkook stumbles as the majestic creatures rises out of the snow. The eyes that blink at him a familiar yet so frightened unknown to him. The cat ears twitch, and a thick tongue rolls out bearing sharp canines.The cat long tail flicks through the air, and the cat shakes himself letting snow fly everywhere. It looks at Jungkook as if it’s saying you’re back.Why has it taken so long for you to come back?But maybe Jungkook is reading too much into it. He should be afraid, but he isn’t.He reaches out a hand, and the cat nestles into his palm.“Good to see you again,” Jungkook murmurs.The cat purrs, and pulls a grin from Jungkook.“Have you been well?” Jungkook smiles, and shakes his head, “What am I asking? Of course, you are, this is your home, isn’t it?”.The cat rolls on his back, looking up to Jungkook, as if’s asking for pets.Jungkook obliges, and runs his cold hand through the soft fur.“I hope I’m not intruding.”The cat purrs, not caring for Jungkook’s words, rolling in the snow, delighted by Jungkook’s pets.Jungkook puffs out a breath of warm air, “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the games, you know?”.“Finding something for someone I don’t even know nor love, that’s a task in itself, and now it should be from the winter realm?”The cat snuggles closer, heaving half of his body weight on Jungkook’s lap, yellow eyes looking up to him.“Hmm?” Jungkook smiles softly at the cat, “You’re also stumped by it, aren’t you?”.The cat yawns, his sharp canines close to Jungkook’s face.“You’re pretty,” Jungkook whispers.For a second the cat stares up to him, jumps up, and startles Jungkook, it trots away with slow calm step, as if he just awaken, and maybe he did, maybe Jungkook awoke the cat.Jungkook stares after him, and decides he has too look further.He vividly remembers some beautiful stones from the first time he climbed the mountains.He pulls Taehyung’s cloak closer around him, and trudges up the mountains. Desperate for anything presentable for a Prince.At a certain point, fog starts to appears, limiting Jungkook’s view.Should he turn back? He can’t see further than a few feet.Jungkook grumbles, just his lucks, and turns around. Distracted his feet gets caught in the snow, pain shoots up from his ankle, Jungkook grunts in pain as he falls down into the cold.Jungkook curses, heaves himself up. As soon as he applies pressure on his foot his ankle throbs. A hopelessness seeps into him, but he knows he didn’t hike up far, he will make it down. He wished Firefly had sticked closer to him.Jungkook limps back down, cursing himself, and his carelessness.The fog lifts after a while, and Jungkook instantly feels better.Caught up in his injury, he doesn’t notice the snow cat back at his side until his snout notches Jungkook.“You’re back?”, Jungkook sighs, curses, as pain shoots through him after a wrong step.“I hurt myself.” Jungkook huffs, “Out of all things what could have happen to me.”.The wildcat, stays close to him, as if nudging Jungkook to lean on him, and Jungkook does. A little bit of his weight lifted from his injured ankle.“Thank you,” Jungkook grits out, “You’re a little life saver.”.The cat huffs.Jungkook smiles.“Came up here to find something, to get back without anything but a injury.” Jungkook mumbles.The way back is longer than Jungkook had remembered it.Back down in the valley the cat stops as if not willing to leave the mountain. Jungkook understands, better than he ever has, if he were able to get back to his home, he wouldn’t want to leave it, too.“Goodbye, pretty,” He murmurs, petting the head of the snow cat.Something shiny catches his eyes in the mouth of the cat. The animal drops a shiny gemstone in front of Jungkook’s feet.As if to say for you.“For me?” Jungkook asks.The cat tiles his head to the side, yellow eyes blink up to him“Thank you,” Junggkook takes the stone. Rough around the edges, crystal clear in the middle. Jungkook can look right through the middle of the moss green gem.He could give it to Taehuyng, Couldn’t he? Had the cat understood his desperation? Had known what he wanted?“You’re a lifesaver,” Jungkook finds himself saying. Again.He looks up, but the cat is already gone, merged into the snowy landscape.
The stone burns in Jungkook’s pocket, feels heavy against his thigh. Jungkook feels like he shouldn’t have taken something belonging to the mountains with him, but does he have a choice?Magic radiates from the gem making the skin under his trousers prickle.As much as it burns, the warmth the stone emit is also comforting, like Jungkook has Firefly nestled into his pocket.Jungkook hopes there is value to the stone. Hopes he doesn’t make a fool out of himself.Hoseok hasn’t said much seeing Jungkook wear Taehyung’s cloak, a gem clenched into his hand, and drenched from the melted snow.He had only sighted, made Jungkook a warm bath, forced him to eat some pastries and fruits, dressed him and told him about today’s ceremony.Jungkook was relived to hear that the offering will be simpler than the first. No larger festivities. Just a dinner with the royals, and the other selected.Nothing serious, Hoseok had said, as he dressed him.Jungkook begged to disagree. To him it sounds rather serious.Jungkook still feels like he is pretending to be someone else. His hair nicely done by Hoseok, his skin free from any blemished, his blouse as white as the mountains, and his posture stiff.Even his hand, Jungkook stares at them, are spotless and soft, but if he looks close he can make out the callus from the hard work in the fields of the spring realm.With every step Jungkook is aware of the limp, the way pain throbs up his legs, and Jungkook should have probably told Hoseok about it, should have made another fairy have a look it, should have healed it.Jungkook isn’t sure how advanced the healing magic in the Winter Court is, but probably better than his own self brewed herbal medicines.“What happened to you?”Jungkook startles by Haneul appearance next to him, he glides through the air silently.“What do you mean?” Jungkook grits through his teeth.“You limp.”Jungkook shakes his head, worry blossom in Haneul’s eyes, and thats one thing Jungkook never wants to see. Haneul worried. He prefers his taunt.The door opens in front of them, and magic strikes Jungkook, it fills the air, powerful display of each and every single fae in this room.Jungkook doesn’t know how he will survive this dinner, he tumbles after Haneul, glad that for once no one pays close attention to him. Most of them must already know that Jungkook’s wings are no wings at all.It buzzes in the throne room, as the faeries take their places at the banquet. The selected are seated right next to the Prince and the King at the top of the banquet.Jungkook is glad to sit next to Haneul, far away from Cael’s intrusive energy nearly forcing Jungkook on his knees. He grits his teeth to hold himself together despite all of the magic swirling through the air.It’s less stifling this time around. Not as formal as his first offering. Jungkook heaves a sigh of relief. It’s stressful enough to feast with royals and the officials of the winter court. Here and there, Jungkook can make out officials of the other courts.He looks for Namjoon in vain.For a second, the thought that he abounded him crosses his mind, but he quickly scolds himself. He would never. No, despite what his parents did, Namjoon stood sturdy by his side.Seated, Jungkook realizes someone is missing. Haneul, Cael, Hyeon-Jeong.“Where is Quin?” He whispers to Haneul,“He died in the mountain,” It’s Hyeon-Jeong who answers him, a small smile that doesn’t reach his eyes graces his face. Jungkook is startled by it, suddenly realizing that both of the winter faeries sitting in front of him are focused on him.Quin is dead. For what reason?Jungkook hadn’t even spoken a word to him since the solstice.“He might not be dead,” Haneul says, a frown between his eyes, a hard grip around a glass of mead, “They just haven’t found him yet.”.“Either way, he lost.” Cael says.Jungkook stares at him, at his midnight blue eyes, and the sculptured face. A handsome fae if Jungkook wouldn’t find anything he says repulsive.Cael glares at him, his gaze burns with questions, and Jungkook can’t even be put off by it. He knows why. Hoseok had been disturbed by seeing him roll around with a wild snow cat.They are dangerous, Hoseok had told him, untamable. Not even a powerful fae can make them obey. Jungkook had just shrugged, the cat had been anything but kind to him.It’s the King’s booming voice announcing the beginning of the second offering that makes Cael look away.Jungkook looks down onto the brownish tea that swirls in the teacup. The offering follows the same order as it did the last time, and it’s then that Jungkook realizes that he is last because he got selected last.Jungkook hears Cael’s offering before he sees it.A small cage, the whimpers strike Jungkook as soon as his gaze sets on the the small creature inside it. He bites his cheek to not reach out for his call for help. The beings painful calls echoe through every cell of his body.There must have been a lot of violence involved in catching it, Jungkook can feel his pain as if it is his own.His big eyes shine in desperateness right at Jungkooks, small ear tucked against his head, and Jungkook nearly sobs at the desperation in them.“A ermine.” Taehyung says, and by the way Cael puffs his chest Jungkook suspects it’s rare to see one.“The myth says they fulfill your every wish when you see one.”Jungkook can’t help but disagree, the creature seems scared for his life, not willing to give a wish to one fae in all of his lifetime, as they became his nightmare over night.It’s young, Jungkook can tell, so young.A baby.Jungkook can see the ermines distant memories in his eyes, the playful fights in the snow, his den under the thick layers of snow, his family. Jungkook heart hurts, but he can’t tear his eyes away from the small creature reminding Jungkook of the brown bunnies stealing salad in his garden.The ermine shakes inside of the cage, and tries to hide behind his fluffy short tail, paws reaching for it, holding on.“A rare creature.” The King says.Jungkook grips his hands together, to control his need to reach out, set the creature free, his hands start to shake.The cage is placed on a stool right by the Taehyung’s side, right in Jungkook’s field of view.Jungkook eyes become glassy by the overwhelming feeling to reach out.He bores his fingernails into his hand to snap out of it.There is nothing he can do. Yet.Haneul offers Taehyung berries, Jungkook has never seen before - berries white as the snow, and small as a blueberry - in a small woven basket.Taehyung doesn’t outwardly react, but to Jungkook he doesn’t seem as tense as he did holding the ermine’s cage. The King doesn’t react at all, seemingly the berries are not as impressive as the ermine, who still shakes in his cage.Taehyung’s face is like it’s made out of ice, has been since Jungkook had entered the hall. There is no way to read his face.Hyeon-Jeong presents the Prince a perfectly smoothed gem found in the mountains, and embedded in a golden necklace he conjured.Jungkook stares at the intricate jewelry in Taehyung’s hand.Suddenly his rough gem seems silly in comparison, but he got nothing else.He doesn’t even want to be here. He doesn’t have to try as hard as he does. He doesn’t care if his offering won’t be well received.He just has to get through this. Endure. He just has to endure.Taehyung’s blue eyes shimmer in a golden hue when Jungkook looks right at him. His magic omnipresent, always there, always showing.“His Royal Highness, Prince of the Winter realm,” Jungkook murmurs. His grip tightens around the stone before he hands his offering to the Prince.Between Taehyung’s graceful hands adorned by large gemstone rings the brown paper, Jungkook had wrapped around the stone, looks distasteful. But Jungkook had nowhere else to look at than Taehyung opening his package.As gasp leaves Taehynung’s mouth as soon as the stone shines through the paper cracks. Startling Jungkook.“Where did you get this from?” The King’s voice is sharp, hardened, in a way that makes Jungkook cower.“From the mountain,” Jungkook murmurs confused.“How?”The stone gleams in Taehyung’s hands, shines as if it had never belonged to anyone else. In Jungkooks hand the stone had looked rather dull.For second Taehyung’s eyes flash in the same moss green as the stone.Jungkook frowns, “Does it matter?”.The same second he had spoken, he regrets his word. Talking back to the King might be not such a good idea. He squirms in his seat.“The mountains must like you.” Another voice speaks far away from Jungkook with a vibrant timbre.He catches the eye of a pink haired winter official, who cut the tension hanging in the air with a few words, and gives him a warm smile. Jungkook’s is struck by his beauty, by his pinkish wings peaking behind his shoulders.“They must love him.” Another one murmurs.“Nonsense.” Shinju’s voice is brusk, “Luck must have been on his side.”Someone laughs.The King calls for the dishes to be served, his eyes never leaving the stone laying on the table in front of Taehyung.Jungkook is glad when all of this is over, when he can go. He feels trapped like the ermine starring at him from the other side of the banquet.We have quite something in common, Jungkook thinks, trapped and offered to the Prince like a present.The Ermin chirps. Bright and clear, and Jungkook smiles.
Jungkook watches the hall empty out, his eyes are focused on the ermine. Taehyung’s holds the cage in his hand.Jungkook follows him, uncaring of what others might think, he is focused on the small caged animal, and their longing eyes. As soon as he deems them as alone as they can be Jungkook asks, “Will you let him free?”.Taehyung freezes, as if he did not expect Jungkook.“I thought you could sense me?” Jungkook mumbles.“I wasn’t paying attention,” Taheuyng huffs, the ermine looks up at Jungkook’s voice. Their eyes lock again, it seems calmer now. Less stressed.“You have to let him free.”“I can’t.”“What?” Jungkook head whips up to meet Taehyung’s eyes, “Why?”.“Aside form the obvious reason that this was a courting offering.” Taehyung lips quirk up the slightest. “His family wouldn’t take him with fae smell sticking onto him, covered in fae dust. He reeks of danger for them.”.Jungkook frowns, hadn’t know this, any animal he had touched had always been able to go back, “Are you sure? Can’t you turn it back?”Taehyung shakes his head, “Cael used dark magic.”Jungkook can’t grasp what that means, not educated on such matters, but Taehyung’s grim face says enough. The warning he heard about dark magic says enough.“What you gonna do with him?” Jungkook whispers reaching out to the small creature through the bars. The ermine nibs at his finger, his pink snout sniffles.“The palace is formidable, he won’t be restricted to such a small space ever again.”Jungkook nods. For some reason he trusts Taehyung’s word, despite it all. Silence settles between them, Jungkook focused on the ermine.“Where did you get the stone?” Taehyung sounds careful.“From the mountains. Why?”“How?” Taehyung hums, “It’s my birthstone. Did you know that?”.Jungkook shakes his head, “I thought it was pretty.”Taehyung stares at him, incredulous. “You don’t even know what you gave away?”Jungkook blinks.Taehyung frowns, his mouth settles into a grim line,“If it where different circumstance, I would give it back to you.”.“I don't understand,”“It enhance fae’s magic”“The stone makes you stronger?”Taehyung hesitates, “In a way, yes.”“Has anyone ever told you that’s frustrating to talk to you?” Jungkook scowls, stares at the ermine who curiously looks up to him, their button eyes shimmer in admiration. For what, Jungkook doesn’t know.“It hasn’t been studied that well. There are only a few crystal and gems books ins which this stone appears. It’s incredibly rare, one might even question its existence if my father wouldn’t have one, too.”“Huh? Why didn’t you study it? If your father has one?”“It’s incompatible with his magic, Jungkook. The only way we were ever able to see it function was to enhance healing magic of one of the palace healers, it’s the only instant it had worked.”Jungkook frown stays, but he nods. The words remind him of his own throbbing ankle. “Where can I find the healer?”“Are you hurt?” Taehyung’s smile vanishes, “Bade.”The maroon haired winter soldier steps closer.“Bring him to the healer.” Taehyung’s tone doesn’t leave any room for arguments.Jungkook locks eyes with the soldier, who became his shadow. His maroon hair was tight back tightly, and his face unreadable.Jungkook turns back to the ermine swaying in his cage. With his body upright he steadily looks at Jungkook, who would give him the world if he could.“I’m sorry,” he murmurs, reaching out to pet the creature, “I’m sorry someone took away your life. You’re strong, right? You’re gonna find a new way to live.”“Hmm,” he hums, and pets the creature this his index finger, the Ermine squeaks happily, and Jungkook hopes for the best.He follows the winter soldier, and leaves Taehyung without another word.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The morning of the third game Jungkook is awoken by Hoseok’s grim face. His light dull around him. The smile he gives seems unconvincing.“Morning Jungkook.”“Are you okay?”A bitter laugh escapes Hoseok, “You’re fighting for your life, and ask me if I’m okay?”. Hoseok brow creases, “You are to good to be here. You should have never been here.”.Hoseok takes Jungkook’s hand into his own, “I’m sorry,”.“What for?”Hoseok lowers his head, and doesn’t elaborate, “I’m sorry.”.Like any other day, Jungkook is brought his lavish breakfast, a fae even tends to his injured ankle, which by now seems to be healed thanks to the palace healer.Hoseok has brought a satchel with him, filled with garments.Through a bite of pastries Jungkook muffles, “What is it today? Why do I need a new set of clothes? I’ve been doing fine with what you provided for me.”.But what Hoseok brings to light is his own set of clothes, the one they took from him, his self-made wool coat, his stitched trousers, his worn out boots. “I wanted to gives this back to you.”.Jungkook gulps down his bite, a sudden sadness taking ahold of him. “Your clothes are much warmer.” Jungkook says into the heavy silence. Jungkook can’t help but get the feeling that this is a Goodbye. That Hoseok is saying goodbye to him.“What is it?” Jungkook asks. His voice dull, and hollow.“They make you fight each other.”Jungkook heartbeat quickens.“This hasn’t been done in thousands of years.” Hoseok distressed voice cuts through Jungkook’s shock. “I don’t know why.”.“What if I refuse?”Hoseok doesn’t answer, the silent stretches.“Will we fight till death?”Hoseok shakes his head, “No, no, knocking someone out is enough, you can make someone unresponsive with magic even.”Jungkook’s shoulders sack in relief, “Why are you so worried then?”“Cael will kill you.” Hoseok doesn’t smile, he states it like it’s certain.“How are you so sure?”“To make sure you don’t win. Cael is the son of a high court official close to the King.” Hoseok shakes his head. “To excel is part of him. He trained, he knows the ins and outs of the palace. You’re a hindrance, uncontrollable, he can’t trust you nor understand you. He wants you dead.”“How do you know? Do you know him?”“My bonded.. he is close to many fae in the Court, Jungkook.”Jungkook nods. His days are counted. “I will die, won’t I?”Hoseok eyes are sad, “I won’t lie. His magic is one of the strongest in the winter realm, but he is also arrogant and haughty.”.“One last thing” Hoseok voice it’s quite as he takes out a delicate necklace from a pouch. “This is for you.”.A single stone hangs on the necklace, intricate it shimmers in a light green, a yellowish hue, trapped inside a single blossom.“What for?” Jungkook asks.“It’s from your brother.”Jungkook heartbeat quickens, “You talked to him?”.“Yes,”“Where is he?”“He is staying in the village with..” Hoseok hesitates, “a friend of mine.”.“Why didn’t you tell me. I could have visited him?”“It’s too dangerous, for you, for him, for anyone of us.”“Why?”“They watch you more than you think,” Hoseok is grim, as he says it, “They trust me. They don’t trust you, and certainly not your brother.”.“The King? The Court? Who is they? And I just want to see him?”“Let me put this necklace on you.”“Is it really from him?” Jungkook voice wavers, can he trust Hoseok?“Can’t you feel it? ” Hoseok lays the necklace around his neck, “It’s embedded with his magic.”.Jungkook eyes widen, his heart is pounding. Shock visible on his face.“I told you, they don’t trust him, and for a reason.”Jungkook minds flashes with possibilities, but he can’t feel any magic from the necklace. “I can’t feel it.”“Namjoon said, it might be that way. Told me you have never really been able to feel the magic of others.”“Won’t this have consequences? Won’t someone find out? Did he give me part of his magic?”Hoseok shakes his head, “He said you’re not a fighter, but a lover, it’s… to protect you. It’s not..” Hoseok bite this lip, “It can’t fight for you.”.“How?”“You have to ask him. ”“I can’t.” Jungkook huffs frustrated, “how should I ask him if I can’t even talk to him?”“You will come out alive of this, and you will ask him. I trust you. Jungkook, you can do it.” Hoseok doesn’t look like he believes himself.Jungkook holds the small stone between his fingers, Namjoon, goddess, does he miss his brother.
Only the sight of the amphitheater makes Jungkook shiver, engraved are the memories of the last time he was here. This time he walks the way to the amphitheater alone. Except for the winter soldiers shadowing him, making sure he goes where he has to go.The inside is as dark as the last time. This time he isn’t surprise to be thrown in the room all by himself.This time the wait is somehow worse. Maybe there had been some hope back then. Now Jungkook can only pray to the goddess to help to keep him alive, he clutches the stone between his hands, and tries to shake his nerves. His fear.Goddess, he wants to live.The gates open, and no cheers erupt from the stands. It’s eerily quite. Many fae’s fill the ranks, but this doesn’t seem like a spectacle they want to see.Jungkook doesn’t really see a difference to the first game. They have them fight for their live either way.Cael, Haneul and Hyeon-Jeong enter at the same time as him.A gong and the voice of the King boom through the theatre.Jungkook knows what that means. The game begins.In horror he sees Haneul collapse in front of his eyes. Sacks lifeless onto the ground, and Jungkook is so caught up in it, and what had caused it, that it takes him a second to realize that the two winter fae’s are on their way toward him.Hyeon-Jeong flies right at him, and Jungkook shouldn’t be surprised. Cael and him have probably talked about this. To eliminate him first.Before Jungkook can react, Cael takes Hyeon-Jeong by surprise and crashes into him. Blindsided he falls, and whatever speed Cael put on him seems to work as lays on the ground motionless. Jungkook quivers.Cael dark tendrils move in the air around him, Jungkook hasn’t seen dark magic up close since the first game. It scares him to the bone.Cael is slow, and calculated in his steps. His eyes are deadly, and Jungkook knows Cael wants him dead. He smiles at him, and Jungkook remembers what Hoseok said. He is arrogant, he smokers like he already has Jungkook pinned against the ground.Cael shots a black fog at him, and Jungkook slams against the ground and wheezes. His back throbs, and pain shots through his body.Jungkook coughs, blood on his hands, his lungs hurt. His head swoons.He is going to die. There was no way he could survive this murderous fae.Cael packs him by his hair and throws him, from then on Jungkook is out of it, gagging up sour bile as he lands painfully on the cold stones below. He scrambles backwards in panic.Cael decided to play with him. He didn’t even decide to kill him instead of knocking him out, no he decided to toy with him.Somewhere behind him Jungkook hears a bang, powerful magic vibrating through the air, making the ground vibrate. Jungkook doesn’t dare to turn around, his eyes focused on the winter fae in front of him. Jungkook hears the swoosh of the wings, but Cael is too fast for Jungkook to see.Jungkook flies through the air, breath knocked out of him, a pain shoots through him as his body hits the wall behind him. A sickening crunch makes him aware of the bones breaking inside of him.He can’t even catch his breath until Cael gots his hold around him again.He tries to rip Cael’s hand of his throat, stealing his air. He sacks to the ground in relief when Cael lets go, Jungkook gasps for breath.His ears ring. A sudden silence in the theatre makes Jungkook wearily look up, his view blurred, he feels dizzy and instantly falls back down onto his hands. He is prepared for the next strike that never comes.Has it ended already? Had he endured enough?Or this that death feels like?No, he can feel his body throb, Jungkook crawls a bit, before unbearable pain shots through his body, making him scream for his life, he scrambles for help, but he isn’t touching the ground anymore, his feet in the air. Jungkook opens his eyes wide, the pain now subsided in his body, he stares down onto the ground.He meets Cael’s eyes, the fae stares up at him in disbelief, and Jungkook body is flooded with relief as the pain leaves all of his body.Is he flying?Jungkook stares down at himself, he is casted in a golden glow, cocooning him, holding him, protecting him.Cael glides up toward him, elegant bird wings take him up with just a few flaps,He takes a run-ip to ram into Jungkook.Strangely Jungkook doesn’t feel afraid, he feels light, as he watches Cael charge at him. He bounce off something invisible before he can even reach Jungkook.Jungkook hears his wild screams like he was packed in cotton. Cael screams and tries again, but nothing works. Jungkook watches him try again and again, until the gong declares the ending of the game.Back on the ground Jungkook feels healthier than he ever has.Cael stands in front of him. A few feet away, he seems willing to charge at him again, but he seems to know better. H looks exhausted, catching his breath.This time Jungkook smiles, he can’t help himself. He survived this. He did.He stumbles back onto the gate, who opened as soon as the gong signaled the end of the game.Jungkook is grabbed by two winter soldiers as soon as the gates close behind him, they tug him up the hill toward the palace, as if Jungkook had anywhere else to go.He is brought to the thrown room. All Jungkook wants is a break, but seemingly he is not allowed one.The throne room is nearly empty, except for the King and a few winter officials standing by his side, and Jungkook gets the feeling he got from one nightmare to another. The King doesn’t look happy.“Assess him,” he shouts, without acknowledging Jungkook.A winter fae comes close to him, his face hidden behind a cloak, but Jungkook knows these kind of fae’s. Truth seekers. Often used to torture. To examine other fae.Jungkook had heard the stories about the Great War thousands of yers ago where they were used excessively by the Winter Court.The fae touches him, and JUngkook in the hold of the winter soldiers, has no room to avoid his touch.Jungkook doesn’t even feel scared anymore, nothing can shook him. Are they going to kill him? Torture him? Hasn’t he proven himself?The hand is ice cold, and ice-cold magic runs through Jungkook making him scream in pain and shock. His stomach drops, bile comes up, and Jungkoook feels like vomiting.The hand falls from him, and the fae steps back, “My king there is no magic. No dormant magic either. Except the one we..”."How can this be?” The King cuts the truth seeker off, “Nothing? Anything? At all?”“I can feel the remnants of the Crown Prince fae dust still ruining through him, not enough for such powerful magic as he had shown today.”The King falls back into the throne.“And he has a protective necklace around his throat, embedded with magic of spring fae’s and a summer fae,”The King looks up, his wings spreading behind him, as if he is about to take off.“It’s a plea to the goddess, asking for protection. It wouldn’t work if she isn’t inclined to help him. But..”“Yes?” The King bells.“I do not think it has made any difference, it’s more off sentimental worth than anything else. There is no healing magic in it.”Jungkook makes an incoherent sounds, still affected by the other magic.“How did you do it? How is this possible? Do you know what’s at stake?”Jungkook coughs, and a little trail of blood runs down his lips, he still folded in half by the winter soldiers. Silently he stares at the ground his ears buzzing.“Leave, everyone, leave me with him.”Jungkook falls onto the round as the soldiers let him go.The door falls close.“My son, his magic, the magic of the winter realm, the realm, ever fae living here, do you understand?”Jungkook feels shaky as he slowly raises from the ground again.“Do you think you will be able to handle that? A fae that can’t even fly?”“I didn’t ask for this,” jungkook whispers, he is so tired suddenly, incredibly exhausted.“My son, needs someone who can keep up with him”, silence stretches, he steps closer, stands right in front if him, taps his finger against Jungkook’s mouth.Jungkook can feel the silence spell form between them.He will never be able to talk to someone about his, the magic settles into Jungkook with a unpleasant flare.“I tell you this in secret, my son is sick. Don’t win if you can’t take it, do you understand what depends on you? This realm, this Kingdom.”Jungkook flinches, when the King steps closer.“The prophecy says his future bonded will be his savior I expected great from you if you decide to be the one,” the King sneers, “and if you don't deliver If I find out you weren’t supposed to win, I will haunt you, and everything and everyone you love.”.“You know what happens then a bonded fae dies? The other does too. He needs someone as powerful as him to keep his magic at bay.”Jungkook rubs his fist against his temple, and swallows down whatever words he wants to scream back.The King steps back, and shouts for his son, “Taehyung”.Taehyung is there in a matter of seconds, Jungkook is startled by his appearance.A door falls close behind the throne.“Father” Taehyung looks like he was made of stone, his hair dark, and his eyes in raging blue, if it weren’t for his eyes, Jungkook wouldn’t be able to tell what Taehyung thinks, but there is a certain anger brewing in them.“Did you meddle?” The King addresses his son, “Taehyung tell me. Did you intervene? Was it your magic?”.Jungkook blinks, surprised by the King questioning his own blood. The King’s hand tremble out of rage. Or fear?“You have would know if it was mine,” Taehyung says, his voice cold, his eyes burning. “Why is he here and not in the healing quarters?”.The King doesn’t answer him, he breathes out, stares at Taehyung then at Jungkook, and turns away from both of him, “Bring him there if you want, he looks fine to me,”.“He got beaten half to death” Taehyung states.But the King doesn’t acknowledged them anymore, he walks towards the throne, his back turned toward his son.Taehyung eyes land on Jungkook, “Come with me.”.Jungkook follows him, as the truth seekers magic seems to leave his body, he doesn’t feel as wobbly anymore. Frankly, he wants to be alone."I’m feeling fine. I think I’m fit.”, Jungkook says.Silent rage radiates of Taehyung, his eyes are a deep black, and his faedust sparkling around him glows in a frighting display of his power. "You were hurt, you went through something terrible and upsetting, and you need to rest. So let me help you.""Are you ok?" Jungkook whispers, a little anxious, he had never seen Taehyung like this.Taehyung swivels around, his eyes lock with Jungkook’s and blaze golden for a second, before the search other his face, his body, “Every scratch, every bruise, I will pay back in blood,” he turns around again with fast steps, “now come”.Jungkook blinks flabbergasted, before he stumbles after him. With every step farther away from the King he feels better. At least physically he doesn’t feel like he is injured.Taehyung doesn’t seem like he would budge, so Jungkook let himself be dragged to the healer, who confirms Jungkook’s thought."Healthy fae, a healthy fae,”, the gnome says, his wrinkled eyes focused on Jungkook, “not a single scratch. Rest, he should rest.”.Taehyung is silent in the corner, “Are you sure? He was badly hurt.”.“Fine, everything fine, my prince, no need to worry, healthy fae, very healthy fae, healthier than last time I saw you.” He gives Jungkook a small smile, “Now hush, hush, there are other fae’s who are hurt.”.Taehyung doesn’t argue, he turns away, and beckons Jungkook to follow him.Jungkook stares at the bed hidden behind a curtains, and follows Taehyung outside.“Are the others okay?”Taehyung halts in his steps, he doesn’t turn around, but jungkook feels him tense, “How can you worry about fae who tried to erase you?”.Jungkook falls silent, and follows Taehyung.“Haneul is fine, Hyeon-Jeong is fine, Cael is fine.” Taehyung declares after a moment.A burden falls off Jungkook’s shoulder. He had been worried about Haneul.
To Jungkook’s surprise Taehyung brings him to the locked palace garden.“Taehyung?”“I want to show you something.”Jungkook hesitates, ”I thought it's dangerous?”."We already established it isn't for you." Taehyung answers, ”The garden rarely changes his mind.”."Is that why Hoseok can go here?" “Hoseok?” Taehyung frowns, shakes his head, “He can’t,"."How..?""He got the flower through other means.""But..""I wondered too. I talked to him, he told me he got them from window.” Taehyung points at the window, where the flowers grow out.Jungkook nods.Taehyung opens up the gate, “Follow me.”.Jungkook does. He can’t put his finger on it, but something on Taehyung beguiles him, makes him want to trust him, but Jungkook shouldn’t. He shouldn’t trust anyone in this place.Taehyung leads him through the maze.Jungkook soaks in the atmosphere of the garden, of the flowers, and fresh soil. The atmosphere rather soothing, the garden comforting. Familiar.Taehyung seems to know exactly where they are going. If Jungkook remembers correctly he does take different turns as Jungkook did, when he wandered through the maze.Jungkook cannot believe his eyes, behind the maze, a small cabin stands, surrounded by plants and flowers, ivy ranks a long the walls.“Does someone live here?” JUngkook can’t help but ask.Taehyung shakes his head, “It was my mothers, she build it a few hundred years ago.”.“How old are you?” Jungkook suddenly wonders.“A two hundred years old.”“Oh.”Taehyung smiles, it doesn’t reach it eyes, but it’s the first time Jungkook sees anything other than rage on his face, “Come on in.”.Taehyung’s faedust sparkling around him instantly lights up the cabin.There is a large fireplace. Taehyung light it up with just a flicker of his hand, the flame roar up, and the cabin is filled with light, a small bath is sunken to the ground right before the fireplace. The water sparkles in the firelight.Taehyung lets the door open, and sunlight catches the rest of the cabin.It’s sparsely, but warmly decorated, reminding Jungkook of the intricate wooden furniture in the room he had been assigned to.Jungkook startles as Taehyung suddenly drops down in front of him, his head bowed. “I’m sorry, that you got hurt, that have to go through this. I’m sorry.”. Taehyung’s voice breaks.Jungkook is shocked, he doesn’t know what to say, he wants to say it’s okay, but it isn’t really, but he also doesn’t really understand what’s going on. He feels like there e is more to this, than he thought.“Is it..” The silent spell cloaks Jungkook’s throat up, and make him gasp for air.Taehyung eyes snap up, and he seems to visibly deflate, like he knows what Jungkook was about to say. “It’s true,” Taehyung watches him closely, “He puts a silent spell on everyone he tells about my sickness.”.“I fell ill after my mother died.” Taehyung doesn’t get up from the floor, but scoots closer to the fire, settling cross-legged in front of the fireplace.Jungkook joins him. For reasons unknown to him Jungkook feels somehow safe with Taehyung, a sincerity to him that do not many fae’s in palace seem to posses.He should be careful, regardless.Taehyung rolls up his sleeve, his whole arm overgrown with thorny branches, protruding out of his skin. "My magic is eating me up. Destroying me.”.Jungkook gapes, his hand stretches out to touch, as if he could take the pain away with his finger tips.“You can touch it.” Taehyung’s voice vulnerable, “My magic is trying to find any outlet it gets.”.Jungkook lets his finger glide over the thorns, and his skins starts to glow instantly, the gold faedust shimmers on where they’re touching, and the thorny branches twitch under his touch. Jungkook can’t help but find it fascinating, “Does it hurt?”.“Sometimes,” Taehyung whispers, “not right now, no.”.Jungkook nods."The realm lives off it.” Taehyung sighs, shifting little closer to him."Your magic?” Jungkook remembers being taught that the different realms live off the magic of the royals.Taehyung nods, "Mine, the ones of my father.”, a sadness encompasses his eyes that makes Jungkook shudder, ”It's gotten too cold in the realm, because I can't handle mine. It takes over.“.Jungkook stares at Taehyung.“My father, he is afraid,” Taehyung continues, “He is scared of what will happen once he is gone,”.Jungkook looks back down on the thorns, who do not seem harmful to him.“Fear can make one to ignorant, mindless,” Taehyung sighs, “you cannot reason with my father anymore. Since my mother died, and I fell ill he has been going mad.”.Jungkook can traces a certain bitterness in his words.“He is trying to find a solution, hoped the one bonded to me can help, he hold on to a old prophecy from hundreds of years ago.”“What does it say?” Jungkook whispers, “The prophecy?”Taehyung sighs, “That a fae as powerful as me, even more, should reign by my side, and bring back the balance into the realm, the prophecy was spoken by my brith from one of the high priests of the goddess. My mother was very faithful.”.“My father never thought much of it, until I became ill, and my magic grew incomprehensible.”“Your feadust?” Jungkook reaches out to one of the sparks floating around Taehyung.“I can’t control it, like I said, it’s trying to find a way out, and it keeps growing and growing, and the older I get the more it takes a hold of me.”“What’s why it’s always flowing around you?” A spark of Taehyung’s faedust dances around Jungkook’s hand.Taehyung’s nods, watching the other.A quite chirp startles Jungkook, and he looks towards the door, where the ermine stands upright, snot and paws in the air. Next to him a stoat, which brown fur is in contrast to the white fur of the ermine. Between the two a even smeller stoat wiggles inside the cabin.“He quickly made friends.” Taehyung said.The ermine dashes right at Jungkook, his paw settling on his thighs, and he looks up to him with his two button eyes. Jungkook strokes him with his index finger, and the ermine chirps, and settles his whole body in his lap, Jungkook laughs. “You pretty, pretty ermine.”.The stoats seem to be more wary of them, and dash around the two fae’s and settle themselves on a cushion close to the fireplace, but far away from the two fairies.“Do many animals live here?” Jungkook wonders, remembering the bear he saw many nights ago.“You wouldn’t believe how many fae think animals are great gift for a prince,” Taehyung eyes are sad as he watches the ermine snuggle into Jungkook’s lap.“Was the bear a present?”Taehyung seems confused for a second, his brows drawn together, “No. I can’t remember a time where he wasn’t here. I think he is here to protect unwanted visitors.”.Jungkook nods, “But I thought it isn’t easy to enter the garden?”.“It should be impossible, but it’s better to be cautious than careless.” Taehyung’s whole aura dims, and the cold facade takes ahold of his face, startling Jungkook, his gaze is unreadable as he locks his eyes with Jungkook’s, “I’m trying to find out why you could enter, you shouldn’t have been able to.”.The intensity of Taehyung’s gaze makes Jungkook shiver, but he doesn’t feel afraid, even though he feels rage roll off Taehyung. Jungkook doesn’t think Taehyung’s anger is directed at him.“Why did you tell me all of this? Did you talk to the other selected too, did you bring them here?” Jungkook wonders out loud.“No, they wouldn’t be able to enter, and no I did not talk to them.” Taehyung gulps, his mask breaking again, “There are a few thing I cannot tell you yet, but I will soon.”Taehyung stars into the fire, “Can you trust me or try to?”.Jungkook stares at the fae, the prince, Taehyung, can he? His mind says no, his souls want to engulf itself with Taehyung’s, and Jungkook feels like Taehyung’s soul wants the same thing.“No,” Jungkook answers, “Trust is earned, not given.”.Taehyung nods, frowns, his mouth set into a line, “You’re right.”. He gets up, and grabs a few blankets close to the fire pit, throws one to Jungkook, as well as a cushion, and another one onto the ground next to him. He rummages through a shelf, and comes back with a wooden box in his hand.Taehyung settles next to Jungkook on the ground, his blanket thrown over himself, “Sometimes I stay here for a little while, I feel close to my mother this way, her magic floats through here more so than it does in other place in the palace.”.He opens the wooden box, and to Jungkook’s surprise it’s full of food. Apples, biscuits, dried fruits and salted dried meat.“Take whatever you want. You must be hungry.” Taehyung pushes the box towards him, and gets up again.Jungkook grabs a few biscuits, a handful of dried fruits, and quickly devours him. Seeing the food he became aware of his hunger.With a carafe of water Taehyung settles back down again, and pours Jungkook a mug of water.Jungkook downs it in one go.“Will you stay with me for a while?” Taehyung’s eyes flicker golden as he looks at him.Jungkook makes himself comfortable settles the ermine on his chest, who seems unbothered by the movement, and asks a questions that had been burning in his mind, “Why do you change your eye and hair color all the time?”. Jungkook knows of the spells that change ones appearance, but why would the Crown Prince do it all the time?“It’s my magic,” Taehyung says, “It’s difficult to control, especially my eyes.”.“What changes them?” Jungkook turns towards the Prince.Taehyung shuffles on his side too, facing Jungkook, “You know one’s fae magic is bound to one’s soul?”.Jungkook nods.“It changes with my soul with the magic that resides there, it isn’t a spell, it’s my magic that needs to be released somehow, like I told you, so it worms it way out the way it can.”Jungkook nods, and watches Taehyung's eyes flutter as he talks. His wings are snugged close to his body. There is an ethereal beauty to the Prince, Jungkook finds hard to grasp. Jungkook finds his magic almost inviting, as if it is calling out to him, charming him.Jungkook yawns. He is exhausted from the happenings of the day, he wished he could wash up, and snuggle Firefly to his chest, but there is still a warm being bringing him comfort. The ermine’s eyes are closed a he lays in Jungkook’s arm, he looks peaceful, serene.Taehyung’s voice is warm and comfortable, and Jungkook isn’t really listening anymore, his eyes close, and he falls asleep.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Jungkook wakes up shivering and disoriented. As soon as his eyes land on Taehyung, sleeping a feet away from him,Jungkook remembers. He sits up. By now the fire has gone out.Through the window sunshine flitters inside the cabin. Jungkook stretches his limbs. The door is still ajar, but Jungkook can’t see the ermine or the stoats. His stomach grumbles.“Prince Taehyung,”Taehyung stirs awake, his eyes are puffy, and his faedust glitters around him, his skin glows, and his eyes are golden when he looks up to Jungkook.“I should go back,” Jungkook tell him.Taehyung nods, rubs his eyes, and gets up without a word. He looks tired. Exhausted. Jungkook presumes they haven’t slept long.They leave the garden together. Through the windows Jungkook can see that the horizon is already tinted orange. Taehyung brings him right to the doorstep of his bedroom.The whole walk back the air is charged between them. Taehyung seemingly deep in his thoughts.Two winter soldiers stand in front of Jungkook’s door like they had been waiting for him. Taehyung acknowledges them with a nod. Jungkook doesn’t, he looks back, one last time, to wave Taehyung goodbye, and silently enters his room.“Jungkook!”Jungkook flinches.Hoseok sits on a armchair right by the window, his hair disheveled, his glow dim.Jungkook blinks at him with sleep heavy eyes.Firefly chirps from somewhere in room. He lands on Jungkook’s shoulder, buries himself in the crook of Jungkook’s neck.“Hey, little one.” Jungkook pats his head with his finger.“Goddess, where have you been?” Hoseok looks exhausted, “I’ve been looking for you everywhere. The healing quarters, the throne room.”. He fusses over Jungkook, grabs him by the shoulders, and examines his body, “Are you hurt? What a question, of course, you are.”.“I’m fine.” Jungkook speaks up, gently cupping Firefly, and pressing a kiss on his head. Firefly rubs a wing against his cheek.Hoseok stares at him, “What happened out there?”.Jungkook mind is flooded with vivid memories of the last game. He shakes his head to get them out of his mind, but he can’t forget the way Cael looked at him. Fear still present.“I don’t know,” Jungkook sinks down onto his bed. “Was it the stone? The necklace?”.If it was Jungkook might be in real trouble. But what did the truth seeker say? It has more of an sentimental worth than anything else?“Impossible,” Hoseok looks toward the door as if he expects someone to blast through it, he starts pacing in front of Jungkook, “I will tell you what I know, it’s too late now either way.”.“What you know?”Hoseok takes a deep breath before he sinks onto his knees facing Jungkook, cupping his knees, “Namjoon, Yoongi and I made a ritual to asks the moon goddess to spare your life, we didn’t want to you win, but we want you to survive, do you understand?”.Jungkook frowns. “What ritual do you mean?”. And why would Hoseok participate in something like this for him? They don’t know each other. At least not that well.Hoseok bites his lips, “Sacrificing ritual.”.“What?” Jungkook quivers. Hoseok can’t mean, what he thinks he means.“Do not worry,” Hoseok continues, “Even though we sacrificed a part of our magic to the moon goddess, and offered her our magic, she did not take much, and charged all our sacrificed magic into the necklace.”.Jungkook blinks. “She did not accept your sacrifice.”.“No,” Hoseok shakes his head, “She didn’t. Namjoon was miserable, he had put all of his hope into this, the only thing he could think of to intervene, go to the source who bestows us with magic.”.Hoseok pauses, looks up to Jungkook. He quietly whispers, fear evident in his facial expression, “I never though of the goddess as cruel, but I did at that moment.”.Jungkook stares at him, “And this necklace?”. He brushes his finger over the stone.“It’s all what she gave us, it’s all what we got out of it, even though we knew it wasn’t… it was the only hope we had at the time.”.Jungkook nods, “Is Namjoon okay?”.Hoseok grimaces, and Jungkook knows him well enough to get the idea.Jungkook sighs, and rubs his temples. He survived the game without knowing how. He healed himself. He must have, how else was this possible? He stares at his hands, as if they were able to tell him what happened. Or was it Taehyung’s magic after all? The one who became part of him?Jungkook looks up again into the eyes of the summer fae, who seems to be deeply affected by the happening of the last day, “Why are you helping me?”.“My bonded, like I told you, the winter official is close to your brother.” Hoseok gives him a tilted smile, not nearly as blinding as usual, “I also believe this is..”, his wings flutter nervously, “unjust.”.Jungkook nods. He isn’t naive, he knows where are fae’s who question the thousand year old traditions.“I asked to tend for you specifically.” Hoseok continues.“You did?”Hoseok smiles, “Yes, someone had to report back to your brother or he would have tried to take down the palace days ago.”.Jungkook smiles at that. He knows Namjoon is protective of him, but he also wishes Namjoon would think of himself more instead of others. If he tried anything he would have been take to court, stripped of his status, maybe he would even be sentenced to death.“So I did this?” Jungkook raises his hand. Hanging onto the ridiculous thought that they will suddenly spark with magic, that any magic might suddenly flow through him. and answer his questions.“You must have,” Hoseok confirms.“But how?”“You’re asking the wrong fae,” Hoseok gives him tightlipped smile, “But I bet your brother will read one book after another till he finds out.”.That beckons a small smile out of Jungkook. He has a vivid memories of bringing Namjoon tea as a young fae whilst the other was buried in his books. While Jungkook does loves to read, as a young fae he preferred to run through the mud, and chase after the squirrels who would tease him, sometimes tossing nuts on his head.Jungkook always complained to Namjoon about it, about the cheeky squirrels, the noisy frogs and the cocky fox. Namjoon was the only one who indulged Jungkook and his lively imagination. He never made Jungkook feel like he was strange or less than any fae. Though he teasingly questioned Jungkook if he truly fought a small fox.When he was young Jungkook truly believed they squirrel where teasing him, and he did not hold back at that time. He told anyone who asked.It became another reason for them to look down on him.Some said, he was more animal than a fae.At first, Jungkook didn’t mind that, back then he thought of it as a compliment.Jungkook loves animals after all.Later, he realized, they used it as another reason to outcast him, to shame him, to make him feel like he doesn’t belong. He isn't a fae, he is a animal. He is a Caterpillar.“Jungkook?”JUngkook meets the worried eyes of Hoseok, who gently rubs a hand on his knee.“You should eat,” Hoseok gets up to bring him the tray with his breakfast, “Today won’t be as straining, but you need to regain your strength. Yesterday must have taken a toll on you.”.Hoseok sharp eyes scrutinize him again.“What will happen?” Jungkook asks.“It’s the last game,” Hoseok stand the tray on his nightstand, “Only Cael and you are left.”.Jungkook takes a bite of a peach, his mind provides memories of Cael without asking, Jungkook swallows. Firefly quietly chirps as he rubs his head against Jungkook’s thigh.“No fights?”Hoseok shakes his head, “It’s about trust and loyalty, it’s the longest standing tradition of the winter court games.”.“It is?” Jungkook racks his brain, but he can’t remember having ever read or heard about it.Hoseok pours Jungkook a cup of tea, “The gardens, it’s another thing the winter realms is famous for, right? Their enchanted gardens that make it even possible to live here, in the coldness that makes it hard to grow anything.”.Jungkook nods.“The gardens will decide your fate,” Hoseok says with a smile, “You will be fine. You won’t be hurt.”.For once, Hoseok does look like he means it, and even Jungkook can’t find himself to disagree with him. He came this far after all.
At midday, Jungkook is picked up by the winter soldiers. The maroon hair one always one step behind him. For the last game, there aren’t many fae present. Seemingly every winter official, a few officials of other realms, and the royals of the winter realm.Jungkook eyes widen as soon as he been brought through the crowd gathered in the palace corridor. The gate of the garden is familiar, Jungkook had walked through it a few times by now.Is it important for the last game?No, it can’t be.The Kings proclaims the last task. He stands close to the gardens gates, “As soon as a fae steps close to garden they will know if the garden calls for them or if it doesn’t.”.Jungkook sways, his eyes wander to the locked gate.“Solely fae worthy of the throne will be able to enter the garden,” The King continues, his gaze wandering over the crowd, “any fae not loyal to the winter realm won’t be allowed to enter, if they forcefully try, they will die."Jungkook heads snaps toward Taehyung. Taehyung, who stands next to his father, his face set in stone, his wings glowing behind him, dressed splendid, Jungoook eyes bore into him, but he doesn’t look at Jungkook. He doesn’t even glance in his direction."No one expect myself, the late Queen, my son, and our royal ancestor were ever able to set a foot in here." The Kings gaze sweeps toward Cael, and then to Jungkook, his gaze scrutinizing, ”All you need is to bring a flower from inside the garden.”.“Your last official courting gift.”Jungkook feels physically sick. He bores his fingernails into his arms to not lash out. To not scream at Taehyung. This can’t be true. No, he entered the garden after the first game, if this was all there is to it, why didn’t they stop it?Jungkook watches in trance how Cael steps forward, and tries to open the gate, it doesn’t budge. Cael contemplates, his movements calculated. A shudder goes through Jungkook seeing him in flesh again. It doesn’t take long for Cael to find the small opening on the left hidden in the shadows. Just like Jungkook did all those night ago.Roses close the opening, making it impossible to enter, but Cael tries, and Jungkook watches them grow around his arms, thorns biting his skin. The more he tries to fight them, the tighter they seem to close around him. The first time it happens Cael screams in pain, and Jungkook can’t even imagine how it feels, for a moment he looks away. Cael tries nonetheless. Jungkook can see that he looses patience, when his magic flares up. But the moment he uses it, the rose tendrils throw him through the corridor, and he crashes into the wall with a sickening thump.It’s then that the King turns toward Jungkook, dismissing Cael, who grunts in pain as he lays on the floor.“Your turn,” and Jungkook feet carry him to the opening like they did last time. The roses make place for him, the red roses brush through his hair as he enters. The soil under his feet, the scent of the flowers, the sun shining down on him, nothing changed, the same as earlier today.The implications of this make Jungkook dizzy, but what can he do?He presses his lips together, and suppresses the tears wanting to spring into his eyes. He can’t. He sinks onto the ground, presses his head between his knees, and tries to breath.He will win, he won the day he entered after the first game. Zora is dead. Quin is dead. Haneul nearly died.Jungkook presses his lips together, he can’t change it, but he could have, apparently he could have. Why didn’t Taehyung tell him?Anger burns in Jungkook, that makes him forget his despair. Why? Only Taehyung can answer that.He stands up and takes in his surroundings, a flower? Jungkook takes on of the blue roses growing in one of the bushes right in front of him. Mumbling a apology for taken one them, shortening their life span.Jungkook goes back outside, just like he entered the garden, as soon as he steps closer to the opening, the red roses make space fro him.He is greeted by cheers. Winter officials smiling at him, foreign faes looking at him like they never had. Nausea overcomes Jungkook. He bites his tongue.A deep frown is settled between the King’s brows. Taehyung and his midnight dark eyes do not give much away.Jungkook’s eyes burn with rage as he hands the flower to the Crown Prince. Who takes it without touching the others hand.This wasn’t over, this is far from over.He let himself be brought back to his bedroom, knowing he will only be able to confront Taehyung when they are alone.It’s when Hoseok greets him with the words my prince Jungkook realizes, that he will never be able to go back. He cries, then and there in Hoseok’s arms.
The whole palace is preparing Taehyung’s coronation. The palace lively. Fae’s flying around, and preparing. Jungkook heard royals of the other realms have been invited back. His parents will be coming too.To his relief, Jungkook isn’t involved in the preparation. His part in the coronation process nearly non existing. All he has to do is be present.On the insistence of the Crown Prince Taehyung their bonding will be happening after the Coronation. Jungkook felt relieved hearing that. Bonding was intimate, their fae magic would intermingle. It was exhausting, strenuous, and Jungkook wasn’t prepared for what. He wasn’t ready.The thought of bonding Taehyung, who deceived him, made him sick to his stomach.But certain things seem to be expected from him.It’s a days after the last game that he is visited by a winter official.His hair rose, his wings elegant and delicate, a pinkish tint to them.To his horror the official bowed to him, “My Prince, court official Jin, at your command.”.“Please, don’t bow.”The fae smiles, “My Prince, you have to get used to it, but fret not, that is why you have me.”.Hoseok laughs from his seat at the window, “Don’t unsettle him.”. He shakes his head, his eyes fond, “Jungkook meet my bonded, Jin. Jin meet Jungkook.”.Jin winks at him.“Have we met before?” Jungkook asks, he swears the saw the pinkish wings before.“Of course, my prince.” Jin straightens up, “I attend every court meal with the royals.”.Jungkook squint his eyes at him. The last offering, the dinners. JUngkook remembers him.“That’s exactly why I’m here. I’m ought to teach you court etiquette, and advise you.” Jin continues.“You’re the one close to my brother.” Jungkook states, uncaring of Jin’s words.“Your brother? A fine fae, very cultured.”Jungkook scoffed, “Can I visit him?”.Jin blinks at him, a amicable smile on his face, “No.”.“Why?”He claps into his hands, reminding Jungkook of Hoseok whenever he wants to change the topic of conversation, “You already have the command of a King, so we do not have to worry about that, that’s great, isn’t it?”.“Now come on, we have a tight schedule, and there is only so much I can do with the time given to me.” He clapped again, “Are you a fast learner?”.Hoseok’s bonded is a extraordinary winter fae.His manners always on point. Elegant, and tasteful.While Jungkook likes to learn from Jin, and didn’t mind being lectured about the winter court, the realm, and his duties. Everything felt like an out of body experience.He still hadn’t talked to the Prince since that day. No one of royals came to see him and neither was he called to see them. He ate alone, with Hoseok or Jin. Instead of a flock of winter soldiers following him, only the maroon haired soldier was left, who followed him around.Days rushed by like this, and no matter how often Jungkook begged Jin and Hoseok if he can see his brother. They did not budge.
It’s in the middle of the night when someone knock on Jungkook’s door.Jungkook finds the Prince in front of his door.His cloak hiding his face, his faedust dancing around him, “Can I come in?”.Jungkook nods, opens the door wider, and watches Taehyung step in, lowering his hood. Jungkook had waited fro this, a chance to speak to the Prince.“I’m sorry,” Taehyung whispers as soon as the door closes behind him.“Sorry?” Jungkook laughs bitterly, “What took you so long? You should have come days ago,”.Taehyung looks crestfallen, and for a second Jungkook’a anger gets replaced by worry, but Jungkook snaps right out of it."You knew all the time?" Irritation settles into him, his body vibrate with anger, “What is all of this for? Why did people die? I could have done the last game right away, couldn’t I?”."Loyalty." Taehyung’s face back to the mask he wears too often for Jungkook’s liking."What?""The garden isn't able to tell until you have shown your loyalty to us. Or to me to be precise.""I entered the first night.” Jungkook presses out between his lips.“I know.”“You told me, you told me…” Jungkook runs a hand through his hair, "It doesn't make any sense. Why didn't we tell anyone? We could have stopped this?" Jungkook realizes he is screaming,Taehyung hushes him, "Please, it’s not as simple as you may think. We couldn't have.”.Taehyung hand reaches out to him, Jungkook takes a step back."Don't touch me.” Jungkook shouts, "You call this a game, it's not a game, fae die for you, for this, and why? for nothing?!"Taehyung face cracks, and a stray glittering tear rolls down his cheeks."I entered after the first game?!" Jungkook keeps his voice a little calmer, swallows down the tears threatening to leak, "Was my fate already decided by then?”."I don't know. I'm sorry." And Taehyung lets his face fall down, knocks his head against Jungkook's shoulder, and a silent sobs seem to shake him. "I'm sorry.”."Tell me what you know, you must know something. Why didn't we stop this?” Jungkook take another step away from this Prince, whose head hangs low, his eyes on the floor.Taehyung heaves a sight, he swallows, and tilts his head upwards. “What’s why I asked you to trust me. I..” He presses his lips together.“Trust? Trust is something you earn, and no one in this place deserves my trust.” Jungkook presses his hand against his temple, “No one.”.Taehyung nods, “You’re right. You’re right. I’m trying.”.“Trying?” Jungkook cries, “If you’re trying at least tell me the truth.”.“I don’t want you to be hurt.” Taehyung’s voice is quite, and he presses his eyes close as if he is in pain, “I’m trying to look out for you.”.“That’s too late, Taehyung.” Jungkook says, “I’m not as fragile as everyone seems to think I am, would I be standing here if I was? You should treat me as your equal.”.“What do you know?” Jungkook presses, “Nothing makes sense, and fae died, Taehyung, they died. Do you understand?”.Taehyung opens his eyes at that, And looks at Jungkook, he steps a little closer, and whispers, “Quin isn’t dead.”.Jungkook frowns, “Have they found him? In the mountains?”.“I send fae to look for him, he is in my personal healing quarters, my father doesn’t know.”Jungkook gulps, wet his lips, and realize what this means. Taehyung goes against the King. Of course, he does, Jungkook should have realize that, the day he brought Jungkook to the forbidden fest. But can he trust his words? Jungkook isn’t sure.“As soon as I realized you would win, you would be my bonded I tried everything within my power, I don not have lot of influence until my coronation. I can’t go and destroy thousand of years of traditions on a whim.”“It wouldn’t be on a whim,” Jungkook clears his throat,”You knew? You were sure I was your bonded?”.Taehyung nodded, “It is state in the rules of the game that the chosen selected fae can only enter after surviving multiple trials in the winter realm. No one should be able to enter before that.”.“What does this mean?”“I’ve been trying to find out,” Taehyung continues, “I knew you where my bonded after I saw you in the garden, there wasn’t another explanation. But I haven’t been able to find out why you could enter so early on.”“Why did we have to fight each other if you knew?”There is a vulnerability to Taehyung’s eyes, “King’s order.”. He closes his eyes, and opens them again, a golden hue print in his eyes again, “I told you, every scratch, every bruise, I will pay back in blood.”.Jungkook shakes his head, dismissing Taehyung’s words who were to no importance to him right now, “Why would he order that?”.“He isn’t fond of you, if you haven’t noticed.”“Why?”“Many things, your missing magic, your small wings, his dislike of any fae that isn’t a winter fae…” Taehyung looks serious when he adds, “It’s probably the latter, ma father isn’t a fan of many fae’s outside of the winter realm.”.Jungkook runs his hand through his hair, this was all too much, too much. “I’m exhausted.”.His head spins, but he had another demand for the Prince, hoping he had the influence to make it possible, “Can I see my brother?”.Taehyung doesn’t look surprised. “I’ve been trying, he did not leave a good impression on his last visit, I don’t think he would be able to enter the palace, at the current moment. Probably once we are bonded, as you..”. Taehyung trails off, but Jungkook gets the gist.Once they are bonded he won’t leave. He can’t leave.“But I’ve been trying to make time to leave the palace, as soon as I can, I will take you with me, and we will see your brother. I promise.”Jungkook nods, clinging to the hope of Taehyung telling him the truth. Despite Taehyung keeping knowledge to himself he has never been cruel, so JUngkook dares himself to hope.“Have you been doing fine?” Taehyung asks.Jungkook snorts, “I don’t know.”.Taehyung nods, “If I can do anything to make it easier for you, ket me know.”“I think you have done enough,” Jungkook doesn’t mean to sound so bitter.Taehyung sighs, “I will leave you to it, you can tell Jin if you want to see me or if there is anything I could do for you. He will report back to me.”Jungkook nods.Taehyung leaves him with a hushes goodbye, and another utter of the words who seem to lose their meaning every time JUngkook gets hurt again, “I’m sorry.”.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Taehyung keeps his promise. Jungkook wears Taehyung’s cloak around his shoulders when they make their way to his brother. Not because it’s Taehyung’s cloak - definitely not - but because it’s warm.They walk through the snow-covered village. Taehyung hood hangs deep into his face. his wings hidden by the clothing. He could be mistaken for any other villager walking around in the cold evening air.A few winter fae pass them wearing cloaks similar to the one the Prince gave him. The color a gradient darker on his cloak, but barely noticeable.“Is it common to wear cloaks like this?” Jungkook breaks the silence between them.Taehyung hums, “The coldness has become unbearable the last few years. It’s the best way to keep one warm, some fae’s wings are very sensitive to the cold.” .“Even winter fae?”“Even winter fae.” Taehyung quickly enters a small street. Jungkook follows him toward a wooden doors, hidden in the narrow street. Taehyung knocks three times, stops, and knocks two times.The door is thrown open, and Hoseok appears with a wide smile on his face, his aura bright. “There you are.”Firefly immediately peeks out of Jungkook’s cloak, as if offended by the summer fae and his brightness.Jungkook giggles at his antics.The bird chirps, his small head emerging out of Jungkook’s cloak, his eyes narrowed at the summer fae.Taehyung ushers them inside. The room they enter reminds Jungkook of the house he grew up in. Homely, a large fireplace, rows of shelves, and a huge wooden table.At the table sat his brother, and Yoongi.There he was his brother, and Yoongi sitting at the table.Namjoon has him in his arms as soon as the door falls close behind them. Apologies fall from his lips as if he himself is responsible for Jungkook’s fate.Namjoon’s hug is comforting. Calming. Jungkook bask in it.“It’s okay,” Jungkook wills himself to say, “I’m alive.”.“You are,” Namjoon nods, “You are.”. His gaze flitters behind Jungkook, and his expression shifts. Jungkook has seen Namjoon like this a few times. He isn’’t new to the side of his brother. Whenever he dealt with a rather frustrating officials of the spring realm he had this look on his face. Serious, a warning in his gaze.He lets go of Jungkook to bow to the Prince.Jungkook finds himself in Yoongi’s arms. He can’t remember if Yoongi ever hugged him. Yoongi wasn’t one to a seek touch. Hee took care of Jungkook through the small things.The batch of pears Jungkook found outside his cabin, the broken fence, he had been complaining about, suddenly repaired. While Jungkook is sure Namjoon told Yoongi to keep an eye on him whenever he was gone, he knew Yoongi wouldn’t do a thing if he did not want to. Jungkook is grateful for him.Being hugged by Yoongi, knowing that there are fae’s that would miss him, it’s something Jungkook needs right now. He feels out of touch with his once so familiar world. The thought that he won’t be leaving the winter realm crashed won on him again, and Jungkook squeezes Yoongi lightly.“The meal will turn cold,” The words bring Jungkook back, and only now he notices Jin sitting at the table, a warm smile on his face.Yoongi lets go of him. Firefly flies out of Jungkook’s cloak, and takes a seat on top of Hose’s head, who squints up to the bird. Jin snort next to them.“What’s for lunch?” Taehyung takes a seat next to them. Jin launches in a monologue like he so often does, by now Jungkook has heard thousands of them.Jungkook sits squished between Namjoon and Yoongi. The stew Jin made reminds Jungkook even more of his home. The meal was simple, warm and delicious, not as fancy as the meals in the palace. Jungkook did not think were would be a day that he gets sicks of the lavish meals in the palace. He wishes he cold cook again or brew his own tea.Taehyung seems almost carefree as he eats. His face open when he speaks with Jin, never closed off. Jungkook gets, the stifling atmosphere in palace makes Jungkook shrink.“Are you.. doing okay?” Namjoon asks quietly.Jungkook looks at him, Namjoon’s worried eyes, exhaustion wafts of him, and Jungkook worries for him.He nods, “Thank you for the necklace.”.Namjoon’s frown depends, and he looks upset at Jungkook’s words, “Don’t thank me, brother, I should have done more. I have to live with that.”.Jungkook shakes his head, “No, some things in life happen to us, and we can decide to make the best out of it, it’s what you always told me.”.Namjoon sighs, “But was this really supposed to happen?”.Jungkook swallows. Does Namjoon know? Did Taehyung tell him?His brother turns toward the Prince seated in front of them.“When can I visit my brother?” Namjoon’s tone cold when addressing the Prince. Jungkook is startled by the way Namjoon drops formalities. His brother always one for respect.Did something happened between them?“You will be invited to the Coronation, and after the bonding, there will be no restrictions.” Taehyung answers, crumbling a tissue in his hand.“There shouldn’t have been restrictions in the first place.”“It wasn’t my decision, I told you that.”“It’s okay,” Jungkook interrupts them, “I don’t mind.”.Namjoon frown deepens, “Jungkook.”. His voice scolding.But Jungkook shakes his head, “Have you been here before?” Jungkook looked at Taehyung, “Talking to my brother?”.“Yes,”Jungkook nods, “Why?”.“Jin is my friend,”Jungkook looks towards the pink haired fae, he looks calm, is the quietest of the faes on this table. Hoseok amuses Firefly, and Namjoon throws daggers at the Prince.“He is your friend too?” Jungkook looks at Namjoon, who sighs and nods.He is so tired of being kept in the dark, Jungkook doesn’t feel like he can makes sense out of what had happened to him.“Does anyone of you know what happened? How I healed myself?” JUngkook is hopeful as he looks at Namjoon, despite suspecting that Hoseok or Jin would have told him if they knew anything.It’s silent except for Firefly, who chirps and takes off into the air.“I’ve been trying to find out,” Namjoon says, “But I haven’t found anything, the library in this realm is poorly equipped.” He sends Taehyung another look.Taehyung stares at his empty bowl.“Which makes no sense,” Namjoon continues, “Since the winter realm was the lest destroyed by the great war, and as far as I know, the library remained intact.”.“But the Prince won’t-“Hoseok loudly claps into his hand, “Ah, Namjoon we talk about this. Jungkook, with all due respect we can’t be sure right now, we have to be careful.”.“This is important for me.”Hoseok smiles, “Of course, but it’s not only important to you, It’s important to every age in this realm, you need to stop think about you. It’s crucial to see the larger picture.”.“So, you should probably head back.” Jin adds.Jungkook splutters. Already?“I will look into it.” Namjoon assures Jungkook, embracing him, holding him close. Young is quit as he squeezes Jungkook’s hand one last time before they part.“I See you tomorrow,” Hoseok chirps.It’s gotten colder. By now the sky is dark, the crescent moon visible.Taehyung is fast on his feet as he leads him through the village.“Have you told them?” Jungkook asks in a narrow small an empty street, the palace already in sight.Taehyung seems to exactly know what he means, “No.”.“Are you scared they would despise you?” Not like Namjoon already does.Taehyung is silents for a moments, “Is that what you do? Despise me?”. His eyes shimmer in a golden hue when he turns and looks at Jungkook.Jungkook wants to say yes, but he can’t, his tongue is tied. He shakes his head and trudges past the Prince.
“Jungkook?”Jungkook looks up to find Hoseok standing in his door, holding a bundled cloth. A frown between his eyebrows, “I found this in front of your door.”.Jungkook stares at it, the fine silky material of the cloth seems to be covering something inside of it.“What is it?”Hoseok looks at it contemplating, “It’s for you, and it’s spellbound.”.“What?”“Only the intended receiver can open it.”.Hoseok hands it to him.Jungkook doesn’t think twice before loosing the know on the fabric, who instantly falls to the side. A wooden casket on the inside. Hesitantly Jungkook opens the casket.A small golden key, a letter, and, Jungkook blinks twice, tealeaves inside a jar.The letter crinkles under his fingertips.Jungkook, it reads, I hope you except my courtship offer.His eyes flitter to the end of the letter, before reading on.Taehyung is scribbled under the neatly written words. As far as Jungkook had been informed Taehyung would not need to court him. Even though Jungkook had rolled his eyes inside his head, he had said nothing.Jungkook lets the later fall back into the casket.“Did you told him to do this?”“Hmm?” Hoseok looks startled, “I.. No? Is it from the Prince?”.Jungkook eyed Hoseok, who had Firefly on lap as he was lounging in the armchair by the window.“Believe me or not,” Hoseok sighs, “I’m not as close with him as you may think. He close to my bonded, yes, but I know you better than I have ever known the Prince.”.Jungkook looks back at the casket, takes the letter, and skims through it.The key for the cabin. In the garden. The leaves of the tea renowned in the winter realm. He can brew them in the cabin. If he wants to. Jungkook remembers the fire pit, and the utensils littering the cabin. Taehyung's mother used to spend days there.The key is heavy in his hands, a strap is tied around it, and Jungkook binds it at his trouser and pushes the key inside his pocket. He sound’t be touched by the bare minimum, but he can’t help but admit that Taehyung has been listing to him. Seems to know him better than Jungkook thought he did.Hoseok is unusually quiet. Jungkook sends him a glance, but Firefly has him wrapped around his wing.Jungkook rolls his eyes at the duo, he whistles through his teeth, and Firefly takes of right away, settling on Jungkook’s shoulder.“We can leave.” Jungkook states, and discards the casket right next to his night stand.“My Prince,” Hoseok’s eyes twinkle, and his smile brightens up the room, “Another bright day lays in front of us.”.Jungkook grumbles as he follows him towards the small library he agreed to met Jin. The winter soldier, his shadow, always a flap behind them.
In the middle of the night Jungkook hushes through the corridors of palace. He has a small pouch bound to his trousers, and Firefly on his shoulders. He enters the garden through the small opening, and tries to remember the way to the cabin. The maze, despite the various flowers and plants, make everything look similar.Firefly sits tiredly on his shoulder, his small head nestled into Jungkook’s neck.Jungkook feels a pull baiting him into a certain direction. He trust his guts, and lets himself be lead by his instincts.The ermine greets hims right as he turns around a corner, and sees the cabn. He dashes around him, Jungkook giggles at the small animal.“Hello, little one.”Firefly tweets. The ermine answers with a chirp.Jungkook rubs his finger against Firefly’s head, “Isn’t it pretty hear?”. He takes a deep breath, and inhales the familiar scent of grass, flowers and soil.The key easily opens the cabin door. Jungkook drops Taehyung’s cloak right by the fire pit, and takes the firewood, wood ships out of rack next to it. With the flint he brought Jungkook kneels next to the fire-it.and takes the lightning stone he brought to make a fire.Roused by Jungkook’s movement Firefly chirps, and flies away to settle down on a shelf close to the door. His eyes closed, he bundles himself up. Jungkook can feel his apprehension. What are we doing here? I’m tired, Firefly seems to think, and Jungkook rolls his eyes at him.It takes a bit, but the wood ships start to smolder sooner than later, and heat up the wood. Jungkook builds up a small flame, and blows to make it bigger until he made a fire.He takes a kettle to fill it with the water Taehyung seemed to be storing in the cabin. To heat up the water he fastens the kettle on top of the fire pit. From his pouch he takes a small cotton cloth filled with chamomile, and hangs it inside the kettle.He ermine lounging in front of the fire pit suddenly squeaks as a mice hushes across the room. The ermine surprised, the mice completely unbothered by the fae and the ermine. The mice runs on a shelf and disappears.Jungkook smiles at the ermine who stares after the mice in contemplation. Seemingly startled, their button eyes fixed at the shelf, his body upright.“Cute,” Jungkook mumbles.He pours himself a large mug of chamomile to ease his mind, to calm himself, and settles down on one of the cushions. He uses Taehyung’s cloak to cover himself. Sunshine flitters through the window, and Jungkook feels a little comforted.The team is warm, and the taste familiar.Jungkook snuggles into his cushion. He falls asleep wrapped up in Taehyung’s cloak, the ermine cuddled up to him, and Firefly resting in the crook of his neck.
In the following night quite knocks echos in Jungkook room. If he wouldn’t have laid awake, still bothered by the days laying behind him, he wouldn’t have heard them.He opens the door to find Taehyung standing in front of him. His cloak around him, hiding his glow. He holds a candle holder in his hand.Jungkook blinks perplexed.“Taehyung?”“I want to show you something, can you get your cloak?”Jungkook grabs his cloak, and throws it on, a shudders goes through him as the warmth surrounds him.“Bade.” The maroon haired winter solider, nods at Taehyung and stays at Jungkook’s door, when the two leave.“Where are we going?”Taehyung presses a finger against his own lips, and motions Jungkook to follow him. The walk though wide corridors and angled ones. Jungkook would have been lost already, but Taehyung walks target-oriented.The corridors turn narrower and darker the longer they walk, a narrow staircase bring them to a windowless corridor that makes Jungkook shiver. Coldness seeps thought he walls. The air is colder in there, the stone walls thick around them. It’s eerie, and Jungkook hopes Taehyung isn’t about to show them where the winter realm keeps their prisoners.They stop in front of a enormous wooden door. Taehyung presses one of his many rings into a lock, the door opens with a creak. Before he enters he holds out a hand for Jungkook to take.Jungkook stares at Taehyung’s hand, and back at his face.“You won’t be able to enter if we aren’t connected.”Reluctantly Jungkook takes Taehyung’s hand, his hands are cold but soft. Jungkook’s skin sparks golden at their touch, and vibrates in excitement. Jungkook can feel his magic prickle on his skin.The door falls closed behind them, and Jungkook cannot believe his eyes, rows and rows of books fill the place. Extremely high into the air. They must be in one of the towers of the palace.Taehyung drags him through rows of bookshelves, Jungkook can’t help but stare. The library of the Spring Court isn’t as larger and Jungkook had never been there, only heard stories from Namjoon, who had studied inside of the library. Like any official it had been expected from him.Jungkook gawks at the amount of books littering the library.Taehyung’s brings them to large armchair, hidden behind a bookshelf, and motions for him to sit down. Taehyung appears skittish, almost nervous.“I think I have found something on you.”“On me?” Jungkook blinks up to him.“My father has been looking for records of fae reacting to dark magic like you did since the first game.” Taehyung continues.“He has?”“There are mentions of fae being blessed by the goddess herself.” Taehyung takes out small notebook from inside his cloak, and heaves out a large tattered book out of the shelf in front of them. He drops them both on the small table next to the armchair.Strand of magic, reads the front of the book. Taehyung opens it up on a exact page, like he knows what he is looking for.“I think you’re an empath, Jungkook.” He states. “It is regarded as a myth, in all of the realms, but empathy used to be listed as a strand of magic in ancient history books.”.The open page showed a fae, surrounded by animals, and other fae.Jungkook can’t make out the words written beside of it, as it written in the old scripture.“There is a whole section on them,” Taehyung continues.“Some fae are more talented in specific magic. Like healers who have a tent for healing magic?”Jungkook nods. Like his father, who has been blessed to be particularly blessed with healing magic.“I think you’ve been blessed with the ability to be close to creatures of the realms. I don’t know if in any realm, but this realm definitely. No matter how the land must have taken a liking to you for being the selected, their future King, no, not even my magic is enough to make me befriend a panther uncia, Jungkook, that’s not something that happens.” Taehyung eyes are serious as he look at him.“My father has been looking into it since the day you came down the mountain with the animal by your side. But every single empath I have read about, still has their own magic, faedust.” Taehyung seems frustrated, his eyebrows furrowed as he stares down at the old book.“But every nature fae? Has a close bond to.. nature?” Jungkook remarks unsure about Taehyung’s words.“No, Jungkook, you don’t understand, it’s not the same.” Taehyung meets his eyes, “If you touch an animal what happens?”.Jungkook blinks, thinks about it for a second, “I don’t know.”.“Can you feel it?”“I guess so?” Jungkook answers, does he? Feel them? “But I mean my brother he can grow like flowers in his hands, I don’t have that magic, I don’t even have my own faedust.”Taehyung glides with his finger over a paragraph in the book, “I read it to you. Fully identifying and replicating emotions, moods and temperament of sentient beings… can even manipulate emotions”.Jungkook mind swirls. “From animals? From faes?”“Every sentient beings, also faes.”“But I don’t..” Jungkook shakes his head, “I can’t do that.”.“You have never trained your magic Jungkook, if you bundle it, concentrate you might be able to.”“But what about the healing?”“If you were intended to win, maybe Cael never stood a chance, maybe it wasn’t you, maybe it was the goddess blessing for you.”Jungkook snorts, “Being beaten did not feel like a blessing at all,”.“I think thats why my father chose this game, he knew you weren’t be able to win with your magic.” Taehyung states, “It’s non-violent by nature.”.“But why couldn’t..” Jungkook rubs his temple, “the truth seeker?”“They already know you’re an empath.” Taehyung sighs, “I told you, they have been looking into you for a while. But being an empath doesn’t not explain the healing, therefore the truth seeker.” Taehyung shakes his head, “The King certainly did not want to tell you what you are.”“He knows?”Taehyung nods, “For a long time already.”.“Why?” Jungkook asks, “Why didn’t you tell me?”.“I didn’t know. My father, he trust me to a degree, but he does not trust me with you, he keeps me out of anything that has to do with the games.” Taehyung huffs, “and it isn’t so easy to keep an eye on him, the Court..” Taehyung shakes his head, his voice tone bitter, “It’s complicate, my father doesn’t want to let go of the crown, he was pressured by the Court, he has been reign for too long, and some are unhappy with him, and some aren’t.”.Jungkook heaves a breath, “He doesn’t even want you coronated?”.“He wants me bonded, he doesn’t want to give up his power.”“Make it make sense,” Jungkook grumbles.Taehyung laughs, it lights up his whole face, and Jungkook is stumped for a second, hasn’t seen Taehyung laugh since he got to know him. “I’m his son, his pride, Jungkook, but at the same time his rival.”.“That’s why he wanted Cael to win?”“He is easier to control, definitely easier to control than you.”Jungkook smirks at the thought, can imagine how affronted Cael would look if he heard Taehyung’s words.“I compiled everything I know for you,” Taehyung holds the small notebook out for jungkook to take, “I wrote everything down, and translated it.”.“Build your opinion about it yourself.” He adds.Jungkook takes the book, “Thank you.”.“Don’t thank me, it’s the least I can do for you.”“And I found something else.” Taehyung takes off into the air. Jungkook watches him fly up, and come back with a arm full of books.Ancient books.“Look.” Taehyung lays something in front of him, and Jungkook can make out the flowery seal everywhere, he sees it all the time.“The royal seal of the Spring Court.”Taehyung nods, "It's from the Spring realm, a history book.”.Jungkook frowns. Why would it be here?Taehyung lays another one next to it, "From the autumn realm.”, he continues. Jungkook stares at the seal on the book, Taehyung place another one next to it, “From the summer realm.”.“They look ancient.”“They are very old, it’s the history of the royal selection of the bonded from the different realms before the Great War.”"Why are they here? And not in the realm?” JUngkook voice quivers.
"Look," Taehyung whispers, he opens up all of them, as if he has already memorized what he is looking for, “here are they retelling the royal selection of the bounded in every realm, and where the winter courts should have been retold the pages a ripped out.”.
Jungkook glides a finger over the ripped edges."You entering the garden, made me think. And I remembered finding them when I was younger, wondering why they are rotting here.“ Taehyung pause, “Went looking for them after I found you in the garden, where it should have been impossible for you to be,” Taehyung sounds frustrated, “It should have been impossible.”.“They shouldn’t even be here,” He continues, “they should be in their respective realms. If it was stolen in the Great War it should have been given back.”Jungkook heart thumbs in his ears, he gulps, “They never gave it back.”.“They didn’t.” Taehyung blinks down, at the old tattered books, “The Court is hiding something, my father is hiding something.”.“But what for?”“Greed? Power?” Taehyung shrugs his shoulders.“A history book of the royal selection in the winter realm exist too. But t it’s even more secured than these ones,” Taehyung taps his finger against one of the books, “at least this library every fae accompanied by royals can enter.” Taehyung sighs, “It’s in my father’s chamber. I sneaked in to look at it.”Taehyung mouth is pressed into a hard line, dark magic seems to suddenly seep out of him, and his eyes seem to darken.Taehyung looks at him, his eyes boring into Jungkook’s, "There is no mentions of the winter games until my gerat-great-grandfather became King."
"I don't think they existed before that.”
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With his large round eyes the ermine peers up to him.Jungkook concentrates, and gazes right back at the animal. His eyes twinkle in the sunlight. The small ermine tilts his head. A stoat hops right next to it, and looks confused from Jungkook to the ermine.“Little one,” Jungkook mumbles, “Can you understand me?”.The ermine chirps, and takes off and circles around Jungkook.“No idea,” Jungkook grumbles, “What that means.”.The stoat chases after the ermine.Jungkook sighs, and takes another look at the notes Taehyung had written for him.He came to the conclusion that Taehyung might be right about certain aspect of his supposed magic. If he can call it magic. Jungkook supposes it is more of a ability since he has no faedust running through him.Taehyung’s neat handwriting fills multiple pages about so called Animal Empathy. Further traits a Empath could also be capable off fill even more pages. Jungkook skipped through them with little interest. He has no empathic abilities regarding other fae’s.Emotion detection or manipulation of fae’s. Jungkook isn’t capable of that.He only dedicated himself to the notes about Animal Empathy - sensing and detecting the emotions of animals. - and Jungkook believes he might posses that ability.Imprinting, one section of it, had caught Jungkook’s eyes immediately.Jungkook looks up to Firefly, who nestles on a shelf. Bonding with another being, Taehyung had written down, and perhaps thats why Firefly always comes back to him.Jungkook whistles through his teeth, and Firefly cracks an eye open.He gives Jungkook a sleepy look, and Jungkook giggles at that, because he knows he has no control other his stubborn albeit sweet bird.Imprinted animals are inclined to protect and care for their empath. Pure love. The notes say, which Jungkook finds quite unconvincing. Nowhere it says how it happens, so Jungkook’s isn’t actually sure if he bond Firefly to him, if it was mutual decision or perhaps Firefly just decide to stay by his side.The ermine chirps beside him and his small paws pick on Jungkook’s trousers.“Hmm?”He lays his head on Jungkook’s thigh, button eyes look up to him, and Jungkook knows what he wants. He scratches two finger over his head, and the ermine purrs. Jungkook has lap full of stoats a second after, wanting to be petted.The more time he spends in the garden, in the cabin, the more animals show themselves. No one as daring as the ermine, but the stoats follow his example, and have already learned how to beg for pets. Sadly Jungkook has only two hands, but he indulges them as best as he can.The only trait he thought he did possess. Written out in Taehyung’s notes.Intuition.In the field of animals. Being good at reading animals. Making them feel safe. Effortlessly in a way. Intuitive. He doesn’t think about it. He sees them, instinctively knows what they need, if they need anything, and being rewarded with their trust. Or love, as it’s stated in Taehyung’s notes.It’s easy for him to communicate with them.But that’s there is stops as well, he can’t manipulate them, he can’t read their minds or understand every single act, chirp or growl out off their snouts.There is a whole section about taming as well. But Jungkook disliked nearly every word in there, because it instructions the reader on how to tame animals even the most vicious beasts. It makes Jungkook recoil. It’s wrong to take away the instinct they have established to survive in their natural habitat.Jungkook scoffs at it as he skims through it again while he tries to give every single stoat on his laps at least a little bit of attention. One of them nibbles at wrist, and another one climbs up on his blouse.Rarely Taehyung came, sat next to him while Jungkook went through Taehyung’s translations and tried to test out if he can read the thoughts of animals. It always ended with Firefly rolling his eyes at him or the ermine asking for pets.Taehyung encouraged him to try over and over agin, but Jungkook thinks the fae doesn’t really get it. Jungkook does not feel he can control it. It’s part of him. Intervened with his existence. He does not question it.Only the last page of Taehyung’s notes made Jungkook apprehensive. A waring of sorts, the risk of being an empath. If an empath forms a too close bond to animals or a certain animal they may become more animal than fae.But deep down, Jungkook thinks, that wouldn’t actually be so bad.Jungkook yawns, and puts the notes aside to devote his attention to the rampant animals on Jungkook’s lap.With all the time Jungkook spends in the cabin, between his royal lessons, Firefly had only warmed up to the ermine. Whenever the stoats came bawling into the cabin Firefly starred at them with mistrust.Jungkook laughed at his antics, he knew Firefly didn’t like commotion. On most days the bird flew around the large garden.Sometimes Firefly Brough him, his chest puffed out, a mouse, who furiously squeaks at Firefly. Needless to say the mouses do not really like Jungkook around here.A lot of time has passed since the day Taehyung brought him to the library, and in a way, Jungkook feels thankful for Taehyung. Who made it possible for Jungkook to know more about himself. Taehyung’s silent care touching. Taehyung seems to make sure he wasn’t hurt anymore. Not in a way that was avoidable.
Jungkook feels calm, the moment before the coronation. He isn’t devastated anymore. What should he be afraid of? The games were over, and even though the haunted him, his life became rather comfortable.Jungkook looks down on his hands, where the calluses had declined, and his skin became softer. A fae took them to rub oil into them.Hoseok was tending to his hair, and in a way his touch became comforting. Knowing that Hoseok was kind to him. Cared about him. Was ready to sacrifice part of his magic for him.After a bath, Jungkook had been clothed in a icy blue robe with golden streaks to it, his neck was bare except for the golden jewelry that was hung around it. Due to his bathwater and the oils rubbed into his skin he smells of roses and lemon balm. His skin was powdered, and a rosy tint mixed with oil had been applied to his lips.Despite the bonding haven’t taken place yet, Jungkook was ordered to walk beside the Crown Prince. In a frighten display of himself and their bond.But Jungkook wasn’t fearful. With the days passing Jungkook tried to accept his new way of life. Something had shifted inside of him. Nothing that can happen could be worse than what he experienced. He lived through so much in his young life, that he doesn’t think that there is anything that he can’t handle. He had looked death in the eye and stayed alive? Who can say that about themselves?Jungkook squared his shoulder and looked into the mirror. Hoseok tied his hair back, and woven dark blue flower into it. Jungkook looked nothing like he did when he arrived in the Winter realm. He looked polished, majestic, and nothing like a fae working in the gardens of the Spring realm.And he wasn’t, he wasn’t a fae working in the gardens.“You look stunning,” Hoseok smiles next to him. His glow bright and all compassing. Firefly chirps on his shoulder.“I do.” Jungkook agrees.“You remember everything you’ve been taught?” Hoseok asks for the fifth time this day.Jungkook nods, “Yes.”.He knows Hoseok only means good with his pestering. Jin and him were rigorous with making Jungkook understand that he cannot make any mistakes today. The impression he gives off is important for the future of the realm.Every royal will be here.The Queens of the summer realm, and their daughter, Princess Jia. The King and Queen of the autumn realm, and their daughters and sons. The King of the Spring ream, and his son, Prince Jimin, who is a friend of Prince Taehyung and will be bonded and coronated next year.He barely remembers the Prince of the Spring realm, who was said to be gifted by the ability to grow fields of flowers and forests of trees with only his melodic voice. The Prince was never present on the fields of the realm, where Jungkook spend his time digging through the dirt.Now, Jungkook knows all of the royals names, ages, magical abilities, the courtesies of their realms, because apparently he has to know this as a royal himself.
Taehyung was decked out more than him. He was covered in gems and gold, which the winter realm had in abundance. Jungkook had been told the gems and gold are being mined in the mountains of the winter realm.His robe and trousers are colored in a distinct dark blue, and gold was woven into them as well. Taehyung’s robe looked thinner than Jungkook’s, the Prince feet bare. There’s a smokiness to his eyes, and Jungkook realize Taehyung’s eyes hate been outlined by coal.Behind him stood the King. In his usual lavish attire, gems on his robe, but no crown on his head.“Jungkook,” Taehyung eyes met his, and midnight blue pupils shimmered golden.“Taehyung,” Jungkook bows slightly, as he has been told to do for greeting the King and the Prince. Do not bow to anyone ales, Jin has stressed over and over again. “His Majesty.” Jungkook slightly bows to the King.Taehyung hold his hand out for Jungkook to take, and Jungkook did, without hesitation. If he can trust someone in here, it would probably be him.Taehyung’s hand soft albeit cold.The Prince squeezed his hand. Jungkook squeezed back.The King stood behind the pair, his large wings spanning nearly around the two. His stance could be mistaken as protective of the young royals, but to Jungkook it felt restrictive, like warning.Their entranced had been planned to the minuscule detail, only winter soldiers stood by their side. The one assigned to Jungkook joined the other at the back of the entourage.Music started, the door is opened by soldiers, and Jungkook walks through the throne room, Taehyung by his side, a rug laid out for them.Suddenly he feels overly exposed. All eyes set on them.Jungkook only looked ahead, right at the throne. He did not meet anyone’s eyes nor paid attention to them. He held his head hight, not only because he was told so, but because he hand no fear left in him.Fae’s that laughed about him, his inability to fly, only felt laughable to him. None of them had gone through what he did, and stayed a life, he pitied them and their small minds.The throne he was seated on was cold.The ceremony started with a long speech of the King, that Jungkook barely listened to, because it was just pleasantries.Instead he let his gaze wander over the crowd seated beneath him.He saw his mother, his father, Haneul, other Spring fae’s he barely recognizes, and the King and crown Prince of the Spring realm.On the other side of the room he found Jin, Hoseok, Yoongi and Namjoon. Fae’s who cared more for him than fae he shared blood with.Hoseok gave him a blinding smile from where he sat, Jin next to him looked pleased, while Namjoon had a scowl on his face. To Jungkook’s surprise Yoongi had an arm slung around him.Another speech follows from the King of the Spring realm, who declares to be honored that a fae out of his realm will rule next to the new King of the Winter realm.Jungkook tries to not let it show how much he despised his words. He had been shunned his whole life, and now he is declared as something wonderful that happened to the Spring realm.Taehyung squeezes his hand.Jungkook had forgotten that their hands were still intertwined. The Prince gives him a closed mouth smile. Jungkook nods back at him.The bejeweled golden crown is brought inside on a midnight blue cushion carried by winter soldiers. A excited chatter flatters through the air, and the music float through the air again, ad the King of the Winter realm takes the crown.And places it on Taehyung’s head.The crowd cheers. Jungkook startles at the loudness of it.
Afterwards a feast takes place. Jungkook sits on the throne next to Taehyung overlooking the festivity. The banquet is adorned with a plethora of fruits, meats, vegetables, and carafes of mead.Jungkook eats a lot.For the first time, Jungkook somewhat enjoys the feast, knowing he won’t be fighting for his life in the near future. After the festivities Jungkook will be moved to the royal chambers. To display the strength of their bond to the realms. Jungkook isn’t bothered by it, he never grew fond of the room he had been assigned to. More so, negative memories were linked to the room.In addition, Taehyung insured him that he still would have his own room.Taehyung leads him to their chambers after the feast. A group of winter soldiers always behind them. That’s not something Jungkook feel like he will ever get used to. Rarely being alone.This time, they leave the throne room through the door behind the throne, the part of the palace Jungkook never had asses to. The hidden section away from the bustling of the palace.His room is large, larger than he anticipated, but he should have expected it. The high ceilings, enormous windows and golden curtains, a even larger dresser, a open door seemingly leading to washroom of his own,The furniture rather similar to his old room.“Is it to your liking?” Taehyung asks, standing by the door of his room.Thankfully, the winter soldiers stay outside of his chambers to guard him. To watch him.Jungkook realizes that all of his clothes and possessions have already been brought into the room.“Yeah,” Jungkook murmurs. Until he sees Firefly sitting in a cage in the corner of the room. Hastily Jungkook runs towards him to open the door.“Why is he caged?” Jungkook frowns displeased.“To move him?”Jungkook cradles the small seemingly tired bird against his chest.“I heard he made quite the commotion, I’m sorry, I did not think of it sooner, but they had to move him somehow.”Jungkook pecks the bird on his head, and sets him on his bed.“He can live in the garden.” Taehyung remarks.Jungkook shakes his head, “He does not like to be far away from me for long periods of time.”.“You’re in the garden every day.”Jungkook laughs at that, “I suppose you are right.”.“Is it a bother to have him here?”“No,” Taehyung shakes his head, “By now, everyone knows.”.“What?” Jungkook frowns at Taehyung, “Knows what?”.“You’re magic, everyone knows,” Taehyung smiles, the crown gleams on his head, “Do you think my father would let any fae think I will be bonded to a fae without magic?”.“He has been spreading rumors about your magic all over the realm, not like they haven’t already been flying around since the day you healed yourself.” Taehyung continues.Jungkook scowls at that, presses his lips together, “And what do they say?”.“That the myths are true, that empaths exist, that you’re especially blessed with animal empathy,” Taehyung smiles at him, “I’m sure my father is exaggerating your magic, but in the core they are no lies.”.Jungkook runs a finger over Firefly’s head. He dislike fae talking about him, but he guesses he has no choice at this point.“My room is right next to yours.” Taehyung tell him, “to the left.”.Jungkook nods.But Taehyung doesn’t bids his farewell after that, instead he steps further into the room. “I wanted to ask you something.”“Yes?” Jungkook questions, and fumbles with the heavy jewelry straining his neck.Taehyung closes the door behind him. “Will you be fine with the bonding happening soon?”“Does it matter?” Jungkook answers, “It will happen either way.”.“No, it won’t.” Taehyung states.Jungkook sighs, “What do you mean?”.“I’m the King. I decide.” Taehyung takes another step closer, “No one else gets to decide anything for me. Anymore. No one else is going to decide anything for you. Except you.”.Jungkook mind reels, and he shakes his head, “What about your father?”.“Don’t worry about him anymore,” Taehyung smirked at him, his feadust excitedly swirls around him, ”he signed his doom with giving me the crown. I told you about my magic. I’m stronger than him, always was, the only power he had over me was the crown.”Jungkook frowned, “Won’t he…?”.Taehyung smirked at him, something lurked in his eyes and glinted dangerously, “He underestimated me. He thinks he has control over the Court. A long time ago I made sure he doesn’t. My father reigns through cruelty not intelligence.”.“The royals of the other realm are glad to see my reign. For a long time I have had their support.” Taehyung adds.Jungkook gapes at him.“Who won the great war and forced the different realms onto us?”“The Winter Court.” Jungkook whispers.Taehyung hums, and nods, “I promised to give back what was stolen. It’s only a matter of time till my father will realize his power is nonexistent.”.“The few winter officials supporting him will be replaced in the following weeks,” Taehyung continues, “I’ve had to watch over the cruelty of my father for too long. I’ve waited and prepared for this moment for most of my life. The only unreliable factor in all off this was you, my bonded. I was scared it will tear my plan apart.”Taehyung’s gaze met his and he sinks on his knees, right in front of Jungkook, takes his hand, a ripple of gold tingles up his arm from where Taehyung presses a kiss against the back of his hand.“I apologize for keeping you in the dark, sincerely, but it was too dangerous for you, and for me, and my first priority has always been the fae’s living in my realm.” Taehyung gazes up at him, and presses his forehead against Jungkook’s hand, “I can’t thank you enough for being strong enough to endure my fathers torture.”.“It’s okay.” Jungkook murmurs, and he truly feels, for the first time, that it is oaky. As awful as it was, he is alive, and he feels like his experiences in the winter realm brought him closer to himself than he had deemed possible.Taehyung shakes his head, “Jungkook, I promise you, with my soul, my magic, my being in this realm, my title, that I will make sure no fae, and our offspring, won’t have to suffer the way we did. I will abolish the games.”.“It will take time, but I promise you, I will.”“Taehyung,” Jungkook bites his lips, “get up.”.Taehyung does, he stands still facing Jungkook, their hands touching, the skin glows golden where they’re touching. Tension thick between them.“Why should we delay the bonding?” Jungkook murmurs, “It’s bond to happen, and I never thought I would be bonded, and if if I imagined I would be I wouldn’t have come up with this, but now that I know it’s you, I don’t think I would want anything else.”.It’s a startling realization, but true nonetheless. Taehyung let’s him be.Taehyung’s golden feadust dances around him at Jungkook’s words.“Can you feel it?” Taehyung asks, and presses Jungkook's palm against his chest where his robe gave way to his skin, “My soul? My magic?”.Taehyung skin was cold to the touch.Jungkook shakes his head, confused by the intensity of Taehyung’s gaze. It has been like all off the layer have shedded, like he sees Taehyung in his whole glory, his impassive mask gone.His eyes liquid gold.“I can feel yours, my magic took a liking to it the second I meet you, it’s so hard to stay away from you, to see you fight, it broke my heart, and I wanted..”.Taehyung’s grimace, and it tugs at Jungkook’s heart. He wants to wipe his worries away.“Oh Goddess,” Taehyung’s voice break, “I wanted so badly to intervene, but my father held me back, and wanted to rip him apart.”.Jungkook stares at him wide eyed.“Luckily you healed yourself in time, or we would have had..” Taehyung shook his head. “I don’t even want to think about it.”.Taehyung closes his eyes, “Your soul it’s like, it’s the opposite of mine, as if the were made for each other, can’t you feel mine?”.And Jungkook does, does feel something where his fingers touch Taehyung’s skin, and give off a certain glow. It feels almost as if Taehyung has a part of him, that Jungkook can finally access.“I think..” Jungkook looks down to where his hands glows golden on Taehyung’s skin, “I feel it.”.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Jungkook’s routine doesn’t change, except for the fact that Taehyung is present in his life more often. He eats with him in the evening, and in the morning.Taehyung changes.For the better. He is less guarded around Jungkook. Seeks him out more often, talks to him like he is his equal. Till they are bonded he has been told Jungkook isn’t allowed to participate in royal affairs. He had been relieved to hear that. There is still so much he doesn’t know, doesn’t understand about the winter realm.The days trickle by rather peacefully. Jungkook doesn’t trust it.It feels like the calm before the storm. Too good to be true.Everyday, he wakes up early, eats breakfast with Taehyung, who seemingly wants to know everything about Jungkook. What he likes to eat and drink - Jungkook tells him he misses the elderberry tea he brews in his cabin-, where he live beforehand - Taehyung’s eyes light up when he describes the cabin he lived in similar to the one of Taehyung’s mother -, if he is close to his family - Jungkook only talks about Namjoon -, about his friends - he seemed surprised to hear that Haneul isn’t a friend of his -. Afterwards he is taught about royal affairs by Jin till he is left to his own devices late in the afternoon. Jungkook spends the rest of his time in the garden or sometimes with Namjoon and Yoongi who seemingly are allowed to visit him now - Jungkook pretends not to notice the fleeting touches between the two -.Jungkook isn’t sure about Taehyung’s words despite his confidence, but seeing Namjoon and Yoongi reassures him that Taehyung does after all has authority over the happenings of the palace.He hasn’t seen Taehyung’s father since the day of Taehyung’s coronation, but it’s only a matter of time till they meet again.Both of their remaining family will be present at their bonding ceremony. According to tradition the families of the bonded and high priests of the goddess must be present. In case of a royal bonding also officials of the respective realm. But no one else will be there. The matter rather intimate.Jungkook had heard so many stories about bonding. Romantic ones. Tragic ones. Unbelievable ones. Needless to say Jungkook is a little apprehensive.When Hoseok brushes his hair after his bath Jungkook took his courage in both hands.“Hoseok?”The summer fae hums as he rubs rosemary oil into Jungkook’s hair and spreads it with a golden comb brushing through Jungkook’s hair.“How does it feel to bond?”Hoseok meets his eyes through the mirror. “Delightful. Overwhelming.” He brushes through his hair. “You feel the magic of another fae in you, at first it’s overwhelmingly good. Imagine all the things you love, and the feelings they give you, and add them together, that’s how it feels like.”.“Always?” Jungkook whispers, “You bonded a fae you love, won’t it be different for me?”.“On the contrary,” Hoseok shakes his head, “You’ve been chosen. You’re soulmates, your magic wildly compatible. The goddess chose you to be his bonded.”.Jungkook watches Hoseok run his fingers through his hair. It became longer. Grew over his shoulder. Back in the Spring realm Jungkook had regularly cut it with a knife. He doesn’t think Hoseok would let him do that, but Jungkook also doesn’t want to. He likes it long, and he has the luxury to do so here. Hoseok dries his hair after a bath and tends to it in a way that Jungkook’s hair is always silky and easy to comb.“I don’t.. I’m not sure I feel it.”“Jungkook.”“Hmm?”“At this point do you really believe you weren’t mean to be here?” Hoseok takes a vial from his dresser and pours oil into his hands. The comfortable smell of lavender fills the room. “All the obstacle you faced, and you are still here. It’s meant to be.”.Hoseok rubs the oil against his neck, digs his finger into his muscles to massage them lightly.Jungkook closes his eyes, and enjoys how the tension gives way to a sensation of serenity. “How does it feel afterwards? To be bonded?”.“Comforting, you alway feel a fae close to you.”“Do you think I will feel it?”“Why wouldn’t you?”Hoseok unwavering optimism makes Jungkook smile.Hoseok rubs some of the oil against his temple and between his eyebrows. Jungkook already feels so much more serene. “It will be fine, and I have always been right so far.”.Jungkook wholeheartedly laughs at that.“Now, get a good night rest,”.Jungkook hums, and let himself be lead to his enormous canopy bed. Firefly was already sleeping on a silky yellow cushion. Jungkook sank into the bed next to him, and let himself be tucked in by Hoseok.“Good night, my prince.”“Good night, Hoseok.”Jungkook was already half asleep when the door fell close.
Dressed in a purple robe and silky black pants, his hair tide back by a leather band, still smelling of the lavender Hoseok rubbed into his skin, Jungkook is on his way to the dinning hall. Hoseok had not tended to him this morning. Jungkook had requested to have a few mornings to himself, and his query had immediately been granted.The hidden part of the palace was even more majestic. Magnificent golden drawings on the walls show the winter realm in detailed artworks. Statues of animals residing in the realm litter the corridors.Jungkook loves them.Right in front of his room stands a mountain lion. Jungkook read about them in one of the books Taehyung had stocked up in his room. Every single one of the books about a animal residing in the winter realm. Jungkook was moved to tears, but he swear Hoseok, who witnessed it, to not tell on him.Jungkook opens the large double-door and finds Taehyung in an armchair by the window. His bare feet resting on the windowsill, his wings nestled against his body, and they breakfast propped up next to him on a small white table.“Good morning.” Taehyung sends him a disarming smile.“Morning.” Jungkook walks toward the window, and the other armchair standing on the other side to it, facing Taehyung.“Did you sleep well?”Jungkook hums, eyeing the breakfast, pouring himself a cup of the fruit tea he took a liking to.“I brought you some sweets.”Everyday Taehyung is out and about. Sometimes he brings Jungkook delicacies from all over the winter realm. Jungkook wouldn’t admit it, but he loves it.Jungkook bits his lips as he peers into the paper bag resting on the table.“Caramels and candied fruit.”“Thank you,” Jungkook takes one of the brownish squares out of the bag, it felt soft and gooey against his fingertips. The soft caramel melted in his mouth, and taste like sugary baked pastries without dough. “It’s delicious.”.“I thought you might like it.”Taehyung discovered Jungkook’s sweet tooth rather quickly. Perhaps he even knew about it for a long time.“I do.”“I’m glad.” Taehyung looks back out of the window.In comfortable silence Jungkook savors his breakfast. He east a savory pastry filled with spinach, downs two cups of teas, and nibbles on a few caramels.“Have you decided about the shared chambers?”Jungkook looks up into Taehyung’s icy blue eyes. The last few weeks they have remained rather bright instead of darkening into the midnight blue Jungkook got so used to.“Yes,” Jungkook answers, “I rather decide after the bonding.”.Taehyung nods, “As you wish. I won’t be able to eat with you tomorrow morning.”.“I know.” Jungkook has been briefed about the bonding ceremony in detail. On the day of the bonding no contact till the ceremony.Taehyung has been more than considerate. As far as Jungkook can tell. He let Jungkook in on any decision regarding the bonding ceremony.What flowers? Jungkook is happy with every flower that exist. What food? Jungkook let Taehyung decide for them. The other was already aware of Jungkook’s preferences for vegetable, sweets and fruits. What beverages? Tea, of course, Jungkook doesn’t care for anything else.And most importantly, the shared chambers. Taehyung let him decide. Per tradition they have to share a room after the ceremony. Taehyung says: What the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t grieve over. - and he is right, who would know what they do behind closed doors. Taehyung told him he doesn’t have to decide beforehand. He can decide how he feels afterwards, and that’s what Jungkook prefers.Once bonded we will want to be close to each other, were Taehyung’s words.Jungkook believes him, but the thought of sharing a room with someone, even though he has spent most of his life being alone, was surreal and a little bit frightening.“Do you feel prepared?” Taehyung eyes flitter over him, assessing him.Jungkook smiles, touched by the way Taehyung looks out for him. “Yes.”.Taehyung blinks, his eyes shimmer bright gold, and he gives Jungkook a smile. He gets up, and Jungkook knows whats coming. He holds out his hand for Taehyung to take, his skin shimmering golden as they touch, and Taehyung presses his lips against the back of his hand.“Thank you for being with me.” Taehyung murmurs against his hand. Golden dust flies around him. His eye lock with Jungkook’s. “I see you tomorrow at the ceremony.”.“I will be there.”Taehyung gives him another smile, and leaves with a last fleeting look at Jungkook. Jungkook watches the few flocks of golden dust flying through the air where Taehyung sat and munches on the caramels.Tomorrow he will be a bonded fae. Something Jungkook never saw coming for himself. For his brother? Sure. For himself? No.
The wind was icy as it blew into Jungkook’s room. The snow outside as white as the robe Jungkook was wearing. The mountains he saw from his window were in golden streaks drawn onto his robe.Hand painted, Hoseok said.Silky golden trouser loosely flow around Jungkook’s legs. His small wings wave in the wind. Golden jewelry graces his neck. No flower was woven into his hair, his head bare to carry the burden of a crown.A gentle floral fragrance sticks to his skin, and not even the harsh wind of the winter realm can blow the scent away. He had rubbed the soothing champaca oil, Hoseok had given to him, into his skin. The champaca flower rare, and Jungkook feels blessed to have access to it. Firefly perches on his shoulder, and has not left him alone since Jungkook awoke this morning.“Jungkook?”Jungkook closes the window, and faces the high priest waiting for him.“I’m ready.”“Follow me.” The white robe of the priest drags on the ground as he moves through the open door.Jungkook sets Firefly on his bed, and to his relief the bird stays put and watches him leave.Jungkook follows the high priest.He leads him through the corridors to the palace temple. Jungkook hasn’t been to temple of the goddess since he was a little kid. But Jungkook knows what is expected of him. Has gone through this with Jin multiple times.Walk along the corridor, kneel beside Taehyung.As expected, the palace temple is magnificent. The walls glow golden, and the icy white furnishing reflects the gold. By the door stands a detailed golden statue of a pair of swans. Their eyes blue gems.On his knees Taehyung sits in front of the shrine at the end of the temple. His head turned towards Jungkook who walks behind the high priest toward the new King. Out the corner of his eyes Jungkook sees Namjoon standing next to his parents, but he quickly focuses back on the winter King Taehyung.The crown glows on his head, magic swirls around him in a gorgeous display. His robe is the same as Jungkook’s. Snow-white and with golden drawings of the winter realm.Except for Jungkook’s and the high priests steps echoing through the temple, it’s silent.Quietly Jungkook sinks on his knee beside Taehyung. Just as he has been taught. Taehyung gives him warm smile.Jungkook’s hand feels clam, his heart beats in his ears, but he gives Taehyung a closemouthed smile back.Another high priest stands in front of them. His robe a dark red, his eyes milky like Jungkook has seen on many high priests, and his wings and hair as white as Jungkook’s robe. His voice is low but firm as he greets the fae’s kneeling in front of him.He motions for them to lay their hands onto the golden stand before them.Taehyung places his hand on it, the palm of his hand facing up. Faedust dances on his fingertips. Jungkook’s hands are still bare of any faedust, his magic absent. He intertwines his fingers with Taehyung’s, the back of his hand facing upwards. Taehyung’s hand is cold to the touch.The high priest begins to recite the bonding spell intertwining their magic, his hand hovers over their joined hands.Jungkook jolts in shock as magic fills his body. Joining his own pulse Taehyung's magic vibrates within him, taste syrupy on his tongue, warms him up, and tingles in his fingertips. A burst of energy passes through him.A golden glow takes a hold of him. Encompasses him. In a way Jungkook hasn’t seen since the day he healed himself.His arm and hands tingle. His hand glows on top of Taehyung’s.Taehyung’s magic rushing through him feels like a flower blooming in him. Jungkook’s feel as happy as a bird in the sky or a bee dining on a blossoming flower.Taehyung sucks breath in sharply next to him, and Jungkook jerks his head around. Taehyung eyes are like liquid gold. He looks dazed, and out of it.He is alright. The magic in Jungkook sings, and Jungkook can feel Taehyung. His deep sense of relief. His gratitude.Taehyung’s hands are warm.Jungkook gaze flickers back to their hands, and his hand had stopped glowing, instead the golden lines are etched onto his skin. A flower blooms on the back of his hand, and under Jungkook’s robe more golden lines peek out.He is so submerged in the feeling of magic inside of him. Of feeling Taehyung. That he doesn’t feel the touch of the high priest on his head letting them know they should let go.Taehyung is the first who loosens the grip he has on Jungkook. It’s then that Jungkook realize how tightly they have been holding onto each other.Jungkook let’s go, and holds his hand in from of his eyes.The golden glow is gone, the golden lines aren’t. His robe sleeve slide down his arm and shows his skin“They are gone.” Taehyung whispers next to him.Jungkook faces him.Taehyung has his robe pulled over his shoulder. It’s bare. No trace of the black thorns ranking his skin.“They are gone.” He repeats, his eyes lock with Jungkook’s, and tears flow down his cheeks.Worry blooms in Jungkook, but the magic in him soothes him, remind him, of Taehyung’s relief. The faedust always swirling around Taehyung’s is gone. No sparks circle him. Weren’t it for the crown, his gorgeous face and his wings Taehyung would almost look like any other fae.Part of his magic, Jungkook realizes, is gone.“No,” Taehyung says, his eyes flittering over Jungkook, “It’s not gone. You have it.”.Jungkook blinks, and stares down at his hand. He gasps seeing his other hand is also graced with golden drawings.“Remarkable.” It was the high priest who spoke. His eyes set on Jungkook’s skin. “HIs majesty magic stored in your skin.”.Jungkook gulps.Taehyung’s hands are warm when he takes Jungkook’s into his. Facing each other their knees touch. The ceremony isn’t finished.Taehyung’s thumb rubs soothing circle on the back of Jungkook’s hand.The high priest in the white robe steps closer, he holds the cushion with the crown on his hands. He kneels beside the two, his head bowed, and presents the crown to them.Taehyung lets go of his hand. His fingers tremble as he take the white golden crown, and sets it on Jungkook’s head.“We witness here in the sight of the goddess and present fae’s the union of Kim Taehyung King of the Winter Realm, and Jean Jungkook, Spring Fae, newly crowned King to lead by the King’s side.” The high priest proclaims. “One soul, intertwined in eternity.”.“Please recite your vows to the realm and to the King.”“I pledge,” Jungkook voice waver slightly, his eyes still locked onto Taehyung’s, ha had memorized this, “to stand by your side in the harshest and darkest winters. This is my promise to lead with you, and protect the realm besides you.”.Taehyung smiles at him, his cheek still wet from the few tears who spilled down, and his eyes full of… love. For him?
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Taehyung holds his hand as they walk outside the temple.The throne room is adorned by flowers and the banquet set with food from all over the realm. The crown sits light and stable on Jungkook’s head. When the royal couple enters the room the fae’s waiting for them stand up.Jungkook sits besides Taehyung at the head of the table. Everyone else takes their seats around the table.By now Jungkook recognizes everyone sitting around the table.His parents decked out in the official sage green uniforms of the Spring realm, the Spring King himself, his son, Prince Jimin, whose beauty was intensified by the flowers gracing him. Namjoon, his brother, who watched the happenings with thoughtful eyes. Cael’s father whose disdain was palpable. Jin, who stood out like a sore thumb with his pink hair. Taehyung’s father, who was focused on Jungkook like no other in the room. Jungkook stared back without remorse.He felt different since he left the temple.Somewhat more like himself, like his world became sharper, his senses more focused, like a vail had been lifted from his eyes. Convinced that he looks different Jungkook wants to look into a mirror. Something changed. His arms under the robe still tingles, and Jungkook suppresses the urge to take off his robe.Not yet. Not here.Dignifying the Winter realms’s traditions Jungkook listens to the stiff and formal words of the former King heralding the banquet.Taehyung stands up right after his fathers speech. “Thank you all for coming.” He begins.Something stirs in Jungkook. Jungkook frowns.“Jungkook.”Jungkook stares up into Taehyung’s golden eyes. Despite the feadust not swirling around him anymore, his eye color changes. The golden crown gleams on his head.“I’m honored to be bonded to you.” He gives Jungkook a faint smile, “I’m certain under our rulership the winter realm will rise to new glory.”Taehyung’s oration is short, and sweet, but also very formal. Jungkook supposes that’s how it is in front of others, who shouldn’t look behind the facade of royals. Which includes him, now.Shocked Jungkook watches his mother stand up, and his stomach turns. No.“My son.”Jungkook can’t remember the last time he had talked to her.“Me, you father, and brother are proud to see you bonded.”Don’t talk about my brother. Jungkook feels dizzy.“I hope you make us and the Spring realm proud in your new home, we always knew you were,” She paused, “ah, unique.”.Unique. Right.Jungkook presses his lips into a thin line, and doesn’t react to a word she says. Taehyung hand lays comforting and grounding on his thigh. He wishes his parents weren’t here. His father can’t even look him in the eye. After a uncomfortable moment, Taehyung encourages everyone to eat.Jungkook had always been good at ignoring sharp tongues and spiteful words. He digs in with delight. Once his parents travel back to the Spring realm he won’t ever have to see them again.
“Will you come with me or stay in your chamber?”Jungkook eyes flitter from Taehyung to the door, but he made his decision. “I will stay in mine.”.Taehyung nods like he had seen it coming. He bows his head, takes Jungkook’s hand like he always does, presses a kiss on the back of his hand, where the golden flower blooms, “Good night, Jungkook.”.“Good night.”Jungkook enter his room, and hastily lights up the candles to illuminate his room as best as he can. He takes off his robe, puts his crown on the provided cushion, and takes a candleholder into his hand to look into his mirror.Jungkook breath hitches. He can’t believe his eyes.His arms are marked with golden drawings. Jungkook sinks onto the floor, and shuffle closer to the mirror. Their is a panther on his left shoulder, and shakes his fur.They move.A bird flies above him. A wolf growls on his other arm, a tiger stretches himself on his forearm, a group of stoats run around him. A large butterfly flaps their wings on his elbow.Taehyung’s magic dances inside of him, sings, entices the beings on his skin, and Jungkook gets the feeling that they always have been there. He just couldn’t see it without faedust.A chips brings Jungkook out of his trance.“Firefly?”The small bird chirps, and settles beside him. He glows in the dark, and Jungkook meets his eyes through the mirror. The bird is focused on Jungkook’s skin, and his eyes follow the movements of the animals moving across it.“Isn’t it beautiful?”Firefly chirrups.“You think it’s pretty.” Jungkook hums.Firefly takes off, and loops around Jungkook. He lands on Jungkook lap, looks up to Jungkook, and tilts his head in the way Jungkook knows he is asking for pets.He cups him with his hands, and caress his small head with his thumb.Jungkook gasp as his skin glows at the touch. Firefly has his eyes closed, as he enjoys Jungkook’s touch. He can feel the content of the bird rippling through him. A flock of bird flys up his arm, and another bird, who suspiciously looks like Firefly picks a worm out of the earth.“Are you hungry?” Jungkook asks.The Firefly opens one eye to look at him, and chirrups.“You are. Let me get you something.” He stands up, the bird cupped in his right hand, and walks towards the fruit basket in his room. He picks out a soft plum.Goosebumps grace his skin, and Jungkook suddenly realizes who cold it is. He sits down on his bed, and wraps himself in one of the blankets, and feeds the plum to Firefly.“You know you could have gotten it yourself.”Firefly chirps.Jungkook grins, “You like when I feed you don’t you.”.Jungkook throws a piece of plum into the air, and Firefly catches it skillfully midair.“Sweet thing you.” Jungkook throws another piece, and Firefly lops through the air in delight. But it doesn’t take long for his glow to dim, his strength to dwindle, and his eyes to fall shut.Snuggled up into Jungkook’s bedsheets the bird quietly snores.“I need to wash up.” Jungkook sighs. A shudder goes through him. He pulls the blanket closer to him as he waddles to his nightstand. The water is still lukewarm. Someone must have brought it in right before the banquet ended.It’s odd to have everyone catering to him.Jungkook washes his face and his hands with the water, and changes out of the delicate robe and trouser into a dark shirt and linen trousers.He yawns, and blows out the candles littering his room.Laying in bed he still shivers, something doesn’t feel right, and Jungkook feels like he forgot something, like he should do something, but he doesn’t know what.Until he remembers Taehyung’s word. You will want to be close to me. Is that it? Is this how Taehyung’s absence feels?The magic in him swirls in glee. Jungkook sighs, and gets up.
Jungkook knocks at Taehyung’s door. The door is opened immediately, and Jungkook is met with Taehyung holding a candle holder only dressed in a pair of silky trousers. Jungkook eyes sweep over his torso before he hastily averts his eyes, a blush covering his cheeks.“Jungkook?”“Can I sleep next to you?” He blurts out without looking at the other.“Of course.” Taehyung takes a step back, “Come in.”. He doesn’t comment on Jungkook changing his mind. He just quietly plods to his bed, and puts the candle holder on his nightstand.Jungkook follows suit.He puts his candleholder on the opposite nightstand. A little embarrassed about barging in Taehyung’s room - even Taehyung offered - he slips under Taehyung’s blanket without a word, and blows his candle out.He hears the sheet rustles as Taehyung does the same, and darkness engulfs them. Jungkook can hear Taehyung breath from where he lays. It’s not the first time they slept next to each other, Jungkook reminds himself.“Can I ask you something?”Jungkook startles at Taehyung’s voice breaking the silence. “Yes.”“Do you.. Have you..” Taehyung clears his throat, “Did you leave someone behind?”.Jungkook mulls over Taehyung’s question. “In the spring realm?”Jungkook hears the sheets move. “Yes.”.“Honestly,” Jungkook pauses, “Don’t have the best relationship with my parents, and Namjoon is traveling a lot because of his work, so, not, not really.”.“I’m honestly still confused how long Namjoon was able to stay here.” Jungkook adds.“Oh, I stationed him here.”“You did?” Surprise colored Jungkook’s voice.“Yes, your King is amicable, it was simple to work something out.”“Oh.”“So,” Taehyung takes a deep breath, “There is no lover?”.Jungkook is taken by complete surprise. “Lover? No.”Taehyung hums. Somehow Jungkook can feel his relief. “You don’t mind my advances?”.“I mean, no?” Jungkook is confused, “Aren’t we-”.“Can I hold you?” Taehyung interrupts him.Jungkook blinks into the darkness, and nods.“Can I?”“Yes.”The blanket rustles as Taehyung moves closer. His hand is warm, and he pulls Jungkook into his arms, embraces him, and Jungkook hadn’t thought it would feel so good. He melts into the touch.When was the last time he was hugged like this? Has he ever been embraced like this?Taehyung tucks his chon over Jungkook’s head, and Jungkook cuddles up into Taehyung’s arms.“You’r warm.” Jungkook states.“My pain is gone.”“Gone?”“The abundance of my magic which didn't know where to go finally found a place to reside in.” Taehyung presses his lips against Jungkook’s head, his voice a little hoarse, was Taehyung crying again? “I couldn’t thank you enough for this.”.“No, Taehyung.” Jungkook presses his head gains Taehyung’s chest, “I didn’t do anything. It just happened.”.Did you get anything from me? Can you feel me like feel you? Too many questions occupy Jungkook’s mind, but he is tired.“You should see my skin tomorrow.” Jungkook says instead.“I saw it. The flower. Is it covering you? My magic? Does it hurt?” Taehuyng seems to be equally plagued by questions.On the contrary, Jungkook thinks, it feels, Jungkook focuses on inside of him, warm, content, complete, so good.But jUngkook isn’t going to bare his heart like this. Not yet. “I think, it amplifies my own.. abilities?”.“How so?”“I think, it’s better if I show you. Tomorrow.”“Okay.” Taehyung whispers.Taehyung hands caresses the back his hand, and Jungkook relishes in the touch. It’s almost mind-blowing, his whole body erupts in goosebumps. No fae has touched him like this in decades.Taehyung’s touch is delicate, tender.Jungkook buries his head in his neck, and can’t help himself but press a quick kiss on Taehyung’s collarbone. Taehyung stills, his hand halts in his air, happiness flits through their bond, and full of content Jungkook hum against his skin.“Jungkook.” Taehyung whispers against his head.“Hmm?”“Can I kiss you?”Jungkook tightens his arm slung around Taehyung, he simultaneously expected it to happen and is surprised Taehyung asked.“Yes.” Jungkook lifts his head of Taehyung’s chest. Only the silhouette of Taehyung is visible in the darkness of the night. Taehyung’s hand stays at his nape while the other cups Jungkook’s cheeks. Their noses brush, and breaths intermingle before Jungkook lightly presses his lip against Taehyung’s.Taehyung hums, and brushes his lips over Jungkook’s. Slowly. Jungkook feels arousal pools in his stomach. He presses himself against the other almost urgent for his touch. Taehyung doesn’t stop caressing the back of his head. His nails rake through his hair, and Jungkook almost groans by the wonderful feeling, by the way Taehyung makes him feel.Appreciated. Loved. Cared for.He has never done this before.Taehyung’s lips are soft against his own.Taehyung parts his lips, and Jungkook follows suit. Taehyung’s tongue runs along Jungkook’s lip before he rolls it over his tongue. Taehyung tastes minty, like the mints they use to clean their teeth. Mimicking Taehyung Jungkook swirls his tongue around Taehyung’s. Jungkook can feel Taehyung shudder. Jungkook runs his finger across Taehyung’s back, and carefully cresses where Taehyung’s wings disappear in his back. Taehyung’s thumb strokes along his cheeks as he deepens their kiss, making Jungkook mind spin.Their lips part, foreheads touching, they both even out their breath.Taehyung presses a chaste kiss against Jungkook’s lips, and tucks him back under his chin. His arms and wings engulf Jungkook in a gentle hug. Jungkook feels content, and warm. He slowly doses off listing to Taehyung’s even breath, and relishing in his body warmth.
Jungkook wakes up to a loud crashing sound. At first he is confused where he is until he members. Taehyung. But the bed beside him is empty.Someone yells outside the door, and Jungkook recognizes the voice instantly. It haunts him in his dreams after all. Taehyung’s father. Another crash vibrates through the building.Jungkook bolts up, and jumps out of Taehyung’s bed. With fast steps he walks towards the door, and throws the door wide open without think twice.What’s happening?“You!” Taehyung’s father points at Jungkook. His wings spread in full glory behind him, he floats in the air, his long hair flys around him, and looks at him stunned.“No.” Taehyung’s voice is ice-cold as it cuts through the air. An Ice barrier encompasses Jungkook, and shields him from the former King. “I told you to leave. I’ve been lenient and letting you reside in one of the other palaces of ht Winter Court’s. Don’t test my patience, father.”“I made you who you are.” Taehyung’s father roars. Dark blue faedust swirls around him“You brought me into the world.” Taehyung voice is low but firm, “But you certainly did not made me who I am today.”.“So please father, spare us your anger.”Jungkook watches them with bated breath. His mind catching up with what’s happening.“Son, you will regret this.”Taehyung shakes his head, “I don’t think I will.”.“Do you think it’s simple to be King? You think you won’t have to make decision you don’t like? Abide by traditions you don’t want?” He doesn’t feel anymore, but there is a certain threat to his words.“As I have said, you disrespected my bonded,” Taehyung’s eyes meet Jungkook’s for a second, “I don’t want you near him.”.“And I know, father, I know what you have been hiding, and I will not stand for it.”The King laughs bitterly, “I did it to protect the winter realm, protect you. IF you share all out knowledge you will loose another war.”.“Why would there be another war? I will o everything in my power to prevent it. It’s been centuries, father. We can’t live in fear of others.” Taehyung flys into the air, “Instead of making the other realms and courts afraid of us we should try to work with them.”.“You’re naive.” The dark haired man spits before he spins around. “If I see you destroy the winter realm, what generations have build, I will intervene.”.Taehyung gaze never leaves the retracting back of his father. The door behind him falls close with a heavy thump.The ice wall in front of Jungkook vanishes into thin air.“I’m sorry, you had to see this.”“Are you okay?”“Yes.” Taehyung sighs, and flies toward Jungkook. Elegantly he sinks back onto the ground a few feet away form him. “My father is stubborn, he hasn’t been listening to me, so forced him to move, it was only a matter of time till he blew up on me.”Jungkook notices the shattered statues he had admired days ago. The Tigris statue lost his head, and an owl is completely shattered into thousands of pieces.“But there is nothing he can do.” Taehyung adds. “Don’t worry. He won’t cause you harm. He loves me in his own twisted ways.”.Thats more than Jungkook can say about his parents, so he gets it.“You forced him?”“Yes, he wasn’t following my demands, and not willing to compromise, so I cleared out his chambers and moved his stuff to the castle facing the north.”“Oh.”“Are you okay?” Taehyung asks, “Were you awaken yay the commotion?”. His gaze flitters over Jungkook “Of course, you were.”.Taehyung rubs his temple, “I will heat someone to clean this mess. Be careful not to step into a shard.”.Jungkook nodded, and rubbed his eyes.“I will see you at breakfast.” Taehyung flys off.Jungkook looks after him for a second, and waddles back into his own room to wash his face, and changes his clothes. What a morning.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Jungkook can’t believe his eyes.Endless water stretches out under him. He can’t make out where it ends. The wind tosses his hair, and Jungkook stretches a hand out of the wagon. The fresh and humid air caresses his skin.Jungkook soaks in the view from the wagon being flown by faeries with wings stronger than his. His brother was right. The ocean is endless, and full of movement. Not as still as the pond next to Jungkook’s cabin back in the Spring realm. The waves crush against the shore, and the water ripples.“It’s beautiful.” Jungkook whispers.Taehyung hums in agreement.His hands intertwined with Jungkook’s. Instead of flying next to the wagon his bonded choose to sit next to him. Jungkook appreciates his comforting presence, and his warm hand holding his.Many moons have passed since he bonded Taehyung, and his skin was graced with the most intricate drawings of all the sentient beings Jungkook had ever encountered. Taehyung marveled them whenever he could, whenever Jungkook sneaked into his bed, and let him trace the golden lines on his skin.None of them where as beautiful as the rippling sea roaring under them.One morning Taehyung had said: ‘You can fly wherever you like’.‘To the sea?’ Jungkook had replied with his mouth full. Chewing on a pastry Taehyung had brought him from a bakehouse by the border to the Autumn realm.Pumpkin had been woven into the dough. It had oozed out in a creamy orange mousse.‘If you want to visit the see. You can, we can.’To Taehyung’s amusement Jungkook had jumped up, and asked, ‘Now?’.‘We would have to prepare for that, it’s a great distance away, behind the mountain in the north east.’Pleased by being able to see the flaming sea’s in his lifetime Jungkook did not mind the wait. ‘I want to go as soon as possible.’‘It’s better to visit in the summer.’ Taehyung had let him know.But Jungkook had only shaken his head, frowned at his pastry, and had repeated his words - ‘I want to go as soon as possible.’.“I never thought I would see the sea.” Melancholies takes ahold of Jungkook. The beauty of the sight not lost on him, but had he not met Taehyung none of this would have ever happened.“Now you can.” Taehyung strokes his thumb over Jungkook’s hand, golden dust follows his touch. “You can see whatever you want, whenever you want.”Jungkook nods, but instead of happiness a sudden sadness engulfs him. He can do it. But what about the fae with the torn wing? Or the old fae whose wings were cut off? What about people like Jungkook who can’t fly and aren’t bonded to a King? Robbed of experience just by being born different or being handed a difficult fate.Taehyung’s hand strokes through his hair. Since Jungkook snuck into Taehyung’s chamber most nights Taehyung became more affectionate. It made Jungkook even more aware about the fact that he hadn’t been touched with care since his wings stopped to grow. Jungkook did not mind Taehyung’s touch one bit, he blossomed by every stroke of Taehyung’s hand through his hair, by every caress of the lines inking his skin, by every lingering kiss on his skin. Jungkook melts into Taehyung’s touch.“Yet, you look sad.” Taehyung murmurs, and runs his finger along Jungkook’s nape.“What about faeries like me?” Jungkook mumbles.“What do you mean?”“Faeries that can’t fly.” Jungkook turns away from the window towards Taehyung sitting beside him.Surprise colors Taehyung’s face. “What about them?”“Shouldn’t we..” Jungkook bites his lips, and let his gaze wander outside again. Watching the blue sea he murmurs, “Shouldn’t we help them? Shouldn’t anyone have the chance to see something so beautiful if they wanted too?”.“Don’t you think there are more fae’s out there like me?” Jungkook meets Taehyung eyes. He looks taken aback.“You said I could change things if I wanted to.” Jungkook adds. As the time passed Taehyung had given Jungkook the chance to make decision for the winter realm and the court, but Jungkook preferred to stay in the cabin, and tend to the enchanted garden and the animals living inside of it. He also thinks he shouldn’t make decision for a realm he had never lived in, a realm he knew nothing of despite the games and the happenings in the highly guarded palace. But Jungkook knows how it feel to be excluded. “Anyone should be able to fly, I’m a fae as much as you.”Taehyung blinks at him, and a smile graces his face. “Of course, you can.” He presses a kiss against his cheek. “Of course, Jungkook. Whatever you want. I will invoke a court gathering as soon as we are back.”.Content Jungkook turned back to the stunning view.
The sea is loud. It roars.Whenever a new wave breaks onto the sand in front of them the water splashes and froths. Like flames the waves licks the sand off the shore. A power behind each wave that could rip a strong fae right into the glistening water.Jungkook’s feet sink into the sand. Taehyung advised him to take his shoes off. The wind howls around him. He takes a tiny step into the sea to feel the ripple of water at his bare feet.“Be careful.” Taehyung’s voice cuts through the loud wind. “Don’t go in to deep, the waves are dangerous.” The winter fae, not willing to get his feet wet, stands few steps away from him. Alert. Ready to reach out if necessary.Jungkook hums, and leans forward to dip his hand into the water. The consistent so different to every pond Jungkook had dipped his feet in. He watches how his hand is swallowed by another wave, covering him in tiny splashes. The harsh wind tears at Jungkook’s clothes, but the sun warms his skin.“Winter isn’t the right season to visit the sea.”“I know, you told me.” Jungkook watches the water drip from his hand, “It’s different.”.“The water? It’s the salt.”Jungkook can’t help himself and licks a drop of water from his finger. He grimaces at the taste. Right. Salt. “That’s undrinkable.”Taehyung laughs behind him, and Jungkook whips his head around to met Taehyung’s gaze. His eyes shine in amusement, the golden glow of his eyes warm. The wind tousled his blue hair, and the sun makes it look brighter than it is.A few winter soldiers stand far off by the wagon sitting next to the house they are residing in for the duration of their stay. A small but sturdy building right by the shore.A night Taehyung was able to spare for visiting the flaming sea’s.In the distance the mountains of the winter realm protrude into the sky.Walking back to Taehyung the sand sticks to his wet sole.Taehyung takes his hand right back into his, and presses a warm tingling kiss on his cheek.“Let’s go inside.” Taehyung tugs him to the building, “In the summer you can dive into the water.”.“We should walk along the shore.” Jungkook objects, and pulls Taehyung right back to the sea.Taehyung stops, and runs a hand over Jungkook’s cheek, “You’re cold.”. He tugs up the hood of the cloak that had slipped off Jungkook’s head. “Tomorrow we can walk. Now we should warm up in front of a fireplace.”.“You can keep me warm.” Jungkook squeezes Taehyung’s warm hand, his magic seeps into Jungkook, and leaves a tingle everywhere their skin meets.Taehyung smiles. “Tomorrow. I promise.”Jungkook relents, but just because Taehyung promises him to walk along the shore towards the end of the strand.Seated in front of the fireplace, a warm blanket wrapped around him and warm freshly brewed elderberry tea in his hand he has no regrets about relenting.The sound of the waves, and the crackling of the fireplace make Jungkook relax into the bed. The house by the ocean is furnished sparsely.Two armchairs, a large bed, a big fireplace, and a few necessities are distributed throughout the room. The soldiers and the carriers sleep outside in tents build for the weather. Jungkook can’t even imagine, but he supposes they must have their magic to keep them warm.Taehyung emits heat from where he sits right beside him.Jungkook snuggles closer to him, and his warmth. Taehyung brushes his hand gently over his nape, and Jungkook sinks into the touch.Jungkook doesn’t protest when Taehyung rearranges the blanket so it engulfs both of them. This way Taehyung’s heat is even closer to him. His loose blouse hangs of Taehyung’s shoulders revealing his skin, and Jungkook cherishes the warmth his body emits. Jungkook leans back against his torso. Taehyung slings his arms around him, and readjusted him between his legs.Jungkook softens into Taehyung’s arms.A hand sneaks under his pullover, and the finger splayed on Jungkook’s stomach set his skin ablaze. Jungkook buries his head against Taehyung’s neck and soaks in the comforting smell of his body odor. Taehyung smells like fresh, ice-cold, clear winter air.Jungkook never had a fae’s body curled around him, Taehyung’s chest pressing against his shoulders. Every touch of Taehyung’s leaves goosebumps on Jungkook’s skin, he had never known how much he had missed being touched. Being cared for. Being loved. It was overwhelming albeit in a incredible good way.When Taehyung’s hand slips in his trouser, Jungkook jolts startled.Their eyes meet.“Have you been touched there?” Taehyung murmurs right by his ear. A shudder races through Jungkook, and he shakes his head.“Do you want me to?” Taehyung trails a finger along Jungkook’s waistline, “I promise I will make you feel good.”.Jungkook releases a shaky breath, he can’t denied that the thought of Taehyung touching him excited him. Touching him where Jungkook had never been touched.“Yes.” He whispers against Taehyung’s throat.Taehyung’s hand reaches low. Right where Jungkook had never been touched by anyone else but himself. Right where Taehyung could feel how aroused he was.Jungkook squirms, but he moves his hip to encourage Taehyung’s touch.Simultaneously nervousness and excitement take a hold of him.“Does this feel good?” Taehyung asks. His hand running over Jungkook’s cock. Gentle and warm.Jungkook nods, and presses into Taehyung’s touch. He could feel his hand against his cock, and Taehyung’s own arousal against his behind. Would Taehyung take him? Or would he embrace Taehyung? Jungkook did not know what to expect.“Jungkook.”“Hmm?” Jungkook presses a lazy kiss against Taehyung’s neck.“You like this?” Taehyung speeds up in his movement, and leaves Jungkook breathless.“So good.” Jungkook answers honestly. So much better than doing it by himself, whenever he thought he knew how Taehyung will move the other surprise him, and takes him off guard, making Jungkook’s arousal soar.“Good.” Taehyung smiles against his cheek, and presses wet kiss against his temple down to his jaw. He slides Jungkook’s trouser down with his free hand and pushes his sweater up. His mouth latches onto his neck, and a moan leaves Jungkook’s mouth.Taehyung litters this neck with open mouthed kisses and small bites. His grip tightens around Jungkook and his movements becomes faster.Jungkook chokes on the sensation, his eyes flutter close.“Taehyung.” Jungkook whispers. He tangles one of his hands in Taehyung’s hair while the other grabs onto the sheets rather desperate.“Yeah?”“Taehyung.” Jungkook turns his head towards the other, desperate for something he can’t name. It had never felt so good when he touched himself alone. Taehyung kisses him.Taehyung palm slides over him from the tip all the way to the shaft. Jungkook’s pleasure build up with every move of Taehyung’s hand.“Taehyung.” What else was there to say?A low chuckle leaves Taehyung’s mouth and caress Jungkook’s neck. “That’s right, say my name when you come.”.Taehyung thumb slides over his tip, and Jungkook sucks in a breath. With each movement of Taehyung’s hand the pleasure teared at Jungkook until he snapped. A groan and Taehyung's name left him in the same breath. Jungkook comes all over his abdomen.Hazy minded Jungkook turns his head, and kisses Taehyung. Taehyung’s tongue slides against his.With a pleased sigh Taehyung moves away. With lidded eyes Jungkook watches him take the heated water from the fireplace, plunge a towel inside of it, and brush the warm towel over his torso.Jungkook opens his mouth to say something, but there is nothing to say. Taehyung’s movements are tender, and Jungkook melts into the mattress. Taehyung leaves kisses on his torso. With every swipe of the towel another kiss graces his skin.Taehyung’s lips soft and velvety against his skin.“I love you.” Taehyung murmurs after the last swipe, the last kiss, his head resting on Jungkook’s stomach, kneeing by the side of the bed, peering up at Jungkook through his thick dark lashes.Goosebump grace Jungkook’s skin at the delicateness of Taehyung’s movements, the dedication of the young King.Jungkook brushes his hand through Taehyung’s blue hair, and licks his lip. Content Taehyung sighs his eyes closing as Jungkook runs his finger through his hair.Should he touch Taehyung too?“Should I..?” Jungkook isn’t sure of what to do. He has never touched a fae so intimately, and are they even finished or was this just the beginning? Unsure Jungkook chews on his lip.“Another time, Jungkook.” Taehyung gets up, and presses another kiss against his lip, “We have all the time in the realm. This is only the start of us.”.Taehyung sinks onto the bed besides him, and wraps the blanket back around them.“But I want to.”“And you will.” Taehyung kisses his nose, “But not today. We should sleep, we need all our strength for tomorrow after all.”.“Why?” Jungkook frowns, he wants to protest but his tired body betrays him and lulls him into a sleepiness.“Have you forgotten your walk along the shore?” Jungkook feels Taehyung ran his fingers against his temple. Golden sparks follow his touch.Jungkook snorts quietly, and yawns. “That’s not… that’s easy.”Taehyung laughs, warm, the flames of the fire dance in his blue eyes. “For you I suppose it is indeed easy.”.“Sleep.” He murmurs against Jungkook’s skin. “We have so many nights left.”“If you say so.” Jungkook snuggles closer to the other. “Isn’t it easy for you too?”.“Jungkook.” Taehyung’s fingertips ghost over his skin. “No, I fly, and I rarely walk.”.“Oh, right.” Tired Jungkook barely understand what Taehyung tells him, yet he reassures him. “You can fly next to me. I don’t mind.”.Like the feeler of a butterfly, soft and barely noticeable, Taehyung litters his face with kisses. His lips brush his skin with a soft touch. With closed eyes Jungkook puckers his lips to make Taehyung kiss him.His lips are warm and pillowy as he presses them against Jungkook’s, “Good night.”.
Jungkook digs through the loose warm soil. Brown soil sticks to his skin, and his white blouse is already stained.Firefly breezes past him, a piece of peach in his beak, and a furious ermine hunts after him. A group of stoats chase after them, chirping agitated. Jungkook chuckles, he knows they are just playing. With a smile on his face he throws another carrot into the basket beside him.The palace garden is thrumming with life. The conditions perfect to grow any kind of vegetable and fruit. The small garden in tune with what’s growing inside of it. With Jungkook’s care the garden transformed into impossible great lushness.Since their return from the flaming sea’s Taehyung went right back to his duties, which keep him impossible occupied most of the time. Jungkook doesn’t mind, he loves the solitude of the locked garden, and the company of the animals habituating it.He spends his days, and sometimes even his nights caring for it.His brother had retreated back to fulfill his duties as a courier of the Spring realmHis parting words are itched into Jungkook’s mind - ‘I couldn’t imagine someone better than you taking the throne, despite my selfish wish to protect you from everything and everyone, I haven’t seen you more alive than now, your altruism will be good for this realm’ - His brother approval had brought him comfort.He tries to help Taehyung in ways that do not change who he is, who he wants to be, he doesn’t sit in on the court gatherings (unless he has to). Instead he advices him if Taehyung wants to hear his opinion, he fully trusts Taehyung in that regard.Jungkook prefers to tend to the gardens of the palace. Eyer single one of them even though they are all enchanted to the brim, Jungkook’s makes sure they are cared for. With Taehyung encouragement he even educates the healers of the palace on his knowledge about healing plants and flowers, but he supposes they won’t need it.“Jungkook!”Jungkook whips his head around, Taehyung soars through the garden, his voice filled with urgency.“What?”“The snow.” Taehyung lands right in front of him, his blue iris surrounded by gold. “It’s melting.”Jungkook frowns, his habit of keeping up with the weather changes and seasons still in place, even through the most turbulent months of his life he hasn’t stopped to keep track of the passing time. “Spring is starting, of course, it should get warmer.”“Jungkook.” Without a second thought Taehyung takes Jungkook’s dirt-stained hands into his soft ones. “The snow hasn’t melted in decades, this close to the palace.”Taehyung gulps, “I told you how I can’t regulate my magic.”.Jungkook frowns, “Hasn’t it gotten better?”.“It has. Don’t you understand?” A euphoric feelings seems to be rushing through Taehyung, his eyes glow, and his smile doesn’t waver. He takes Jungkook’s by the hand and pulls him through the garden, the gate, right in front of the large window in the corridor.Water drips down the windows glass, the icicles hanging from the ceiling smaller than they ever were, and before them extend the snowy meadow littered with green patches, grass growing between the snow, the snow not white anymore instead stained with soil, and brownish.“I haven’t seen this since my childhood.” Taehyung brims with happiness.He slings his arms around Jungkook’s waists and he hooks his chin on his shoulder. Jungkook can see his reflection in the mirror. Adoration oozes out of Taehyung’s eyes, and he murmurs against Jungkook’s ear. “You brought us Spring.”.