When you die | Jaeyong

Cinc

'Well, Jung just sexually harassed someone.' Johnny said as he saw through Jaehyun's eyes.

'Which Jung?'

'The son.'

'Well, like father like son I guess.' Taeil rolled his eyes. 'Is he coming now?'

'He is.'

'Jung Jaehyun... Why do you have to be so troublesome?'

'It runs in his family.'

'You're right... They're lucky they're close to the Moons, otherwise I don't think they would be having the life they're having.'

'You're right, your majesty.'

After a tough day feeding horses and taking care of them, Mark went back home. As he opened the door he heard soft sniffles from inside. He silently got inside and closed the door. He found Taeyong, naked, hugging his legs and all curled up onto his bed's mattress. His clothes were on the floor, messily scattered. As soon as Taeyong saw him he broke down. Mark immediately got next to him and hugged the older, trying to comfort him.

'Taeyong... What happened?' Mark feared the worst. What if some unknown man had broken in while he was working and harassed the older? As ridiculous as it might sound, Mark felt the need to protect Taeyong, now that he was so fragile after losing his loved one.

'S-someone broke in... H-he said he was a Jung... I feel so g-gross, Mark. He touched me! I-i let him touch me in a sexual way, w-what if Doyoung gets mad? He even kissed me... Doyoung will hate me forever now!'

Mark wanted to tell him Doyoung was dead and there was no way he could be mad at him, but that wasn't a really comforting thing to say, so he just kept mumbling 'It's fine, don't cry.' as he caressed the older's back.

Mark asked Taeyong why was he naked and the older responded saying that he felt gross for letting Jaehyun touch him and that he would rip his skin off if he could as well. After a while, Taeyong calmed down and covered himself with Mark's clothes.

Since Doyoung wasn't with them they had less income than the usual and they were running low on money, the only clothes they had were the ones they were wearing. Food wasn't abundant either, Taeyong barely ate during the days he didn't work and the younger could see him looking skinnier and unhealthier.

The next day, Taeyong went back to work. He'd skipped a few days and he felt guilty because during that time Mark had been struggling to buy them food and something to drink.

As he neared the market he put on his characteristic smile, greeting the people that waved at him.

'We missed you!'

'Will you tell us a tale today?'

'Do you have new poems?'

'Why didn't you come yesterday?'

Taeyong's heart warmed as he saw people there appreciated him. It didn't take long for him to start narrating one of Yuta's stories.

People got immersed in Taeyong's words. Before ending the story, Taeyong saw a very familiar guy join the crowd of listeners that were surrounding him.

'...and that's why you shouldn't trust everyone, because just like the princess you might get tricked by bad people.'

Yuta clapped along with Taeyong's public, he saw them give him bread and fruit as the crowd dissipated.