@Aamyungv: Taehyung's eyes are wide, "you...

Taehyung's eyes are wide, "you want to do what now?"

Jimin nods, closes the lid of the gift box to stare up at Taehyung, "get married. I want to get married. There are offers. You know. The suitors will come to the ball. The princes from every kingdom. I am getting married."

Taehyung comes to kneel in front of Jimin, "hyung, how about you sleep on it? We will talk tomorrow, okay? Let me," he takes the giftbox and the letters, "I will give it all to Namjoon hyung. You go to sleep-"

Jimin shakes his head, "do whatever. I have decided."

Taehyung watches Jimin storm out of the courtroom. He sits there, holding the gift and letters in his hands.

Taehyung opens the letter again, a small smile on his lips, "I know," he gulps, "you wrote this to hobi hyung. But I wish..." he closes the letter, "I was there too."

Taehyung takes everything to his room and goes to bed with the letter beside him.

He sleeps peacefully that night.

__________

The announcement spreads like wildfire. It goes everywhere, in every kingdom.

One of the princes is going to choose a suitor from the annual ball.

Everyone, who gets the invitation, sends back a confirmation and a few courting gifts for the princes.

The ball is in a week.

Jimin is in his room, reading a list of things they need to buy for the ball.

A knock startles him. He looks up to see Hoseok standing by the door.

"Yes? Come in," Jimin leans back against his pillow, "what is it, hyung?"

Hoseok looks restless, excitement bubbling in his eyes.

"I need a day's breaks, my prince," Hoseok bows, looks up with wide and hopeful eyes, "I need to run some errands."

Jimin frowns, "a day's break? What errands?"

Hoseok gulps, "some personal errands. I will be going to the Min kingdom. To bring a few things from that palace."

Jimin frowns, "what thing? You-"

Hoseok stutters, "so- some things are left there. I need to get them. If you get married, then I have to go with you, so before that-"

"When do you need it?" Jimin leans forward, "which day?"

Hoseok gulps, "a day before the ball."

Jimin's fingers twitch around the book.

That day, a lot of ships are anchoring in the harbour. Jimin looks at the man who never took a break in this past one year.

Something burns in him, ignites the more he watches Hoseok, "okay. Go. You are permitted a day's break."

Hoseok bows, "I will see you, my prince."

Jimin watches him leave and claps his hands.

A guard comes in, stands with his head bowed.

Jimin eyes the empty hallway, "get our most trustworthy spy to follow him. I want to know where he goes. Who he meets. What he does. From now."

_______

That night the spy, Subin, comes to meet Jimin in the garden.

"He sent a letter today," Subin narrates, "it was to go to the next harbour."

Jimin sucks in a breath, "the harbour that is just two days away from here?"

Subin nods, "yes, my prince."

Jimin nods, "good."

Taehyung watches how restlessly Jimin walks around to make sure everything is alright.

He watches how Jimin snaps at people if anything is a little out of place.

It is a masquerade ball. Taehyung hates it, but he can do nothing, as he knows Jimin wants it.

"You are going somewhere?" Taehyung frowns, watching Jimin get ready a day before the ball, "Hobi hyung left a few hours ago. Where-"

Jimin shrugs, "you know, Min kingdom is mine, right? I am going to check up on the value of it. I need to list it all before the wedding."

Taehyung frowns, "you can ask anyone-"

"No," Jimin shakes his head, "I will go back on my own. You do not worry. I will be back before dawn. Okay? You stay and welcome the guests. They all would want to meet the king. I will join you for dinner."

Taehyung watches Jimin leave.

_______________

Jimin follows Subin who has returned to take him back to where Hoseok went.

Jimin frowns at the boy, "the harbour?"

Subin nods, "there is a saloon," he murmurs, "near the harbour. Hoseok went there and asked for a drink. I left my men there to keep an eye on him."

Jimin nods, wraps the veil tightly around his face. Only his eyes are visible as they ride.

Subin leads the way and Jimin follows.

It takes them almost an hour to reach the harbour, and then they leave the horses at a public stable before walking up to the saloon.

Hoseok is sitting by a corner table. Jimin and Subin walk in, nonchalantly finding a table across from his.

Jimin keeps his veil on, his eyes on the man who looks restless.

Between them are the crowd of people. Sailors, pirates, drunk men hollering at each other…

Jimin keeps his eyes focused on Hoseok who seemed too busy to notice anything.

He frowns.

Normally, Hoseok is very alert. His eyes are skilled, and he is a trustworthy warrior for his sharp skills.

Jimin watches how the man taps his fingers on the table.

Impatient.

Those fingers still all of a sudden. Stilling Jimin's heartbeat along with it.

Jimin's eyes find Hoseok's gaze and it is fixed on the door of the saloon.

Hoseok's eyes widen, lips parting, before those eyes start to fill with tears.

He stands up on shaky legs as Jimin watches.

Jimin's eyes follow his gaze to find a man whose back is to him.

The man is wearing a seaweed green jacket, underneath it is another almost same coloured shirt along with a faded blue pant.

Jimin watches how the man combs those black strands of hair as he walks up to Hoseok.

Hoseok throws his arms around the man and the man twirls him with a laugh.

Jimin's heart shatters in his chest, the world coming to a stop when his eyes finally sees the man's face.

Every sound, the surrounding chaos vanishes to leave behind a hollow as he watches Min Yoongi.

Jimin can clearly see the scar. He can clearly see that face. That hair is cut short, black. Those arms are around Hoseok.

That smile.

That wide smile as he puts Hoseok down and lets Hoseok cup his face.

Hoseok touches all over the man, checking as if to see if he is real...

Jimin's vision starts to blur.

The bigger that smile grows, the blurrier his vision gets.

When Hoseok throws his arms around Yoongi again, Jimin turns away as if burnt.

He springs up, "I-" he blinks as fast as he can, "I will talk to you later. See you."

He rushes out.

____________

"How are you?" Hoseok asks, for the fourth time.

Yoongi sips the ale, nodding, "fine, getting by. I do not know why you forced me to come back by swearing on yourself. What is going o-"

"Jimin wants to get married," Hoseok cuts it short, "the ball is announced for that."

Yoongi's eyes are on Hoseok, a small smile on his lips, "I know," he nods in acknowledgement, "the news reaches me. The tides bring in news, hoba. I knew that since the start."

Hoseok watches him, "then, what do you want to do about it?"

Yoongi laughs, "nothing."

Hoseok frowns, "what?"

Yoongi nods, leaning forward, "Jungkook would go to the ball," he sighs, rubs his temple tiredly, "he just wants to see the prince once before we catch the ship again. I will just spend the night here somewhere. Or on the ship. Frankly, I do not know yet."

"You would not meet him?" Hoseok asks, tears cling to his eyelashes.

Yoongi's smile fades a little, those eyes catch a little moisture, "no," he shakes his head, "it took everything to forget that face. I do not want to remember all over again."

"How is Areum doing?" Yoongi wonders, "how is she?"

Hoseok chuckles, "she is getting married in a few months too. Told me how she would never forgive you if you do not visit her when you come to meet me."

Yoongi thinks about it, "she is coming for the ball?"

Hoseok nods.

"She is already here," Hoseok makes a face, "as a guest. Why?"

"Where is she staying? I will give her a visit tonight then," Yoongi smiles, "like when we were kids. Surprise her in her room?"

Hoseok laughs, "she hated those."

Yoongi shrugs, "where is she staying?"

Hoseok sips from the ale, "she is staying at the guest palace. The room by the garden. On the east side. You know, near the fountain."

Yoongi hums, "I will visit her tonight then. Make sure the way is clear."

Hoseok rolls his eyes, "you sneaky idiot. Fine!"

Hoseok watches the king, "you look good. You are more muscled, I see."

Yoongi kicks him under the table, "you have two husbands. Do not drool over me."

Hoseok laughs, "I will always drool over you! But, are you sure? Meeting her at night... if you get caught, it will be-"

Yoongi waves his hand, "it will be fine. Who would know anyway? There is a celebration tomorrow. There are too many people in the kingdom and the palace for anyone to notice me."

Hoseok hums.

Behind them, Subin notes down the details before leaving.

— Taekook will meet at the ball

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