But I Still Want You | Jikook ✓

Chapter 21: I'm Your Soulmate

Jungkook

I collapse by the silver-haired male as he fusses over his scarecrow friend. Fixing up the castle was an arduous task, but it was something that had to be done with how close we were to a cliff. Relocating and rebuilding was beyond necessary. Doing it without the fire demon to call on for support was harder than I expected, but I did it.

Jimin looks at me with his pretty brown eyes. "Can you fix him?"

Despite my exhaustion, I stretch my hands. His happiness is worth any bit of exhaustion and I am indebted to the magical scarecrow for saving not only me, but my Jimin. "I can try."

Closing my eyes, I raise my hands over the scarecrow and focus my magical powers onto what's broken. However, there is stronger, older magic so intermingled with his being that I don't know how to go about even fixing one splinter of his base.

"I'm sorry," I say softly. "The magic surrounding him is too strong. If I mess with it, I could end up killing him in the process."

The male frowns, tears streaming down his face and collecting on the scarecrow as he leans over his injured friend. "I'm sorry. I promised that I would fix you. It seems like all I do is mess things up." He lifts the broken form and hugs him. "Thank you for everything you've done. You've been around when others haven't and it really feels like you're my soulmate in a way. For that, I am forever grateful. Really."

He wipes his eyes with a small fist, sniffling as the scarecrow continues to smile at him, the smile growing in size.

"Stupid scarecrow," Jimin cries, "why smile? No matter how bad things seem, I always see you smile. I wish I could do for you even a fraction of what you've done for me."

Jimin hugs the scarecrow again, this time, a bright white light envelops the pair, nearly blinding me. I raise my hand in front of my face to shield my eyes, watching as the scarecrow begins to morph in Jimin's embrace.

The silver-haired male jumps back once the transformation is complete, face a bright red at the sight before him.

In the place of the scarecrow sits a man with long, dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a boxy grin nearly as big as the one the turnip held.

"Prince Taehyung," I force out, "the reason for the war."

The prince scratches the back of his head. "Yeah, sorry about that. It's been so long, it seems. My memories are fuzzy, but I was cursed by some mage, the Mage of the Waste, I believe they were called? Said something about rivaling beauty and the next thing I knew, I didn't have opposable thumbs."

Jimin blushes brightly. "I-I've been calling a prince 'Turniphead?!'"

Taehyung laughs gently. "I liked the nickname, Jimin. You don't need to think any different now that I'm a human. We're still friends, right?"

He nods. "Why? Why were you so nice to me?"

The prince plays with his hair, twirling it as he thinks. "When I saw you, I could feel that you were cursed, but being cursed myself, I guess I just always saw the real you. You kept mentioning being an old man, but all I saw was someone my age. And you were beautiful."

I tongue the inside of my cheek, my gratefulness to the prince beginning to wane.

"Honestly, I fell in love with you."

The ends of my hair turn green and I scowl, turning away.

"Wh-What? Me? Really?"

"Yes, you. You're amazing, but over time, I came to see your heart belonged to someone else. So please don't think I expect you to be my prince or anything of the sorts. I am more than happy being friends. That is, if you'll have me."

I peek at them and Jimin kisses Taehyung's forehead.

"Of course I'll have you, Taehyung."

The brunet smiles, thankful. "I'm glad. Now, I should probably work on returning to my kingdom and clear everything up." He kisses Jimin's cheek and bows. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Park Jimin."

Jimin waves, face somehow even redder than before as he waves. "Please be safe, Taehyung."

"I''ll make you a boat." I close my eyes and smile. "Your kingdom is much too far to walk."

"Thank you, Jungkook." He bows and I make the boat quickly, wanting him to leave and fix this war while also leaving before Jimin can change his mind and decide being the prince's husband is what he wants considering they're 'soulmates.'

Jimin grabs my hand as his friend departs, the silver-haired male waving happily.

"Come visit once you're able, Taehyungie!"

"Will do!" He calls, winking at us as the boat begins to go with the current.

I look at our interconnected hands as Jimin rests his head on my shoulder and I smile.

"I came to see your heart belonged to someone else."

Hazel eyes appear in my memory and I feel the ghost of another hand grab my free hand and I smile, a single tear rolling down my face.

"You are me, I am you."

Author's Note: The book is so close to ending and Imma cry. Oml. It's been a ride. And I love Taehyung as Turniphead. Aaaaaa

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Make sure to take care and love yourself as best as you can.

With lots of love,

-BBM