A Tiger Called Rapunzel ✓ || TaeGyu || HYBEPride 2021

The Tiger Festival

"So we have a short list of things that we have to do," Taehyun said, pulling out a small scroll. "We want to go to the kingdom library for at least a bit and read some books. We have to share a strawberry cake. And then you wanted to go shopping for some souvenirs." He grinned at Cholongkkoch. "But my guess is that you don't have any money to buy the souvenirs with."

Cholongkkoch's smile faded. "I don't."

Taehyun held up a small bag of gold. "That's where I come in. This will buy you a couple of small things, I'm sure." He handed the bag to Cholongkkoch. "Keep that safe. And also, if you see something and you want to be a part of it, just go do it! But take me with you, so you don't get lost."

"Oh, thank you!" Cholongkkoch took the bag from Taehyun and gave him a quick hug, then skipped further into the castle. Taehyun tried not to blush, but simply followed behind.

The Castle sat in the middle of the grounds, which surrounded the Castle in a circle formation. There were houses and businesses set directly into the castle walls, each one decorated with a banner. All of the shop doors were open, and crowds everywhere were purchasing wares and eating foods. Cafes had their windows open, and there were delicious smells all through the air. There was a theater nearby where performers were gathering material for a play, to be performed later.

There were guards posted all over the town, able to give directions and pass out maps. Taehyun told Cholongkkoch to take a map from one of them, and she did, staring at the map for a full fifteen minutes under the shade of a nearby tower. "There are so many fun things, I don't know where to start! I wish it could last forever."

"Well, there will be more festivals, and you can always come back next year." Taehyun once more pushed aside the idea that Cholongkkoch could be the long lost prince. It wouldn't do any good to entertain a fantasy, to practice a jubilation that would never happen.

He scanned the map until he found something. "Hey, there's a royal clothing shop on the way here," he said, pointing. "If we go right, there's a patisserie here that sells those strawberry cakes, and we can stop here first on the way. I've got an idea. I've seen these before. Do you trust me?"

Cholongkkoch nodded. "I trust you."

They walked along the path until Cholongkkoch stopped for a moment. She could feel a tug at her heart; she immediately knew that it was Kai. The distance between them was starting to hurt. Taehyun turned. "Cho-yah?"

"I --"

He was by her side in an instant. "What's wrong? I can tell from your face something's up. Shoot, did you see your mom? Do we need to hide?"

She shook her head. "No, I -- I just feel the distance between me and Kai is all. It hurts a little."

"Let me know if it gets worse, okay?" And Taehyun walked away, and Cholongkkoch realized she had stopped breathing. She wasn't used to having him as close as he was now. Before, he had always visited, but he had kept his distance, bringing her gifts and stories but not hugs and touches on the shoulder. And not only had they shared a bed, but he had put his arm around her when they had been traveling in the cart.

She wasn't sure what she was feeling, but judging by the fast beating of her heart, it was probably the first steps to an adventure. Ishmael must have felt this way when he set sail on the Pequod! It wasn't a bad way to feel like this at all. It just meant that her story was finally starting. So she followed Taehyun across the path, walking slightly behind him until he turned back to her.

"Why are you walking behind me?"

"Is there another place I should be walking? I typically walk behind Mama when I'm in town, because I don't know where I am going."