Crimson Crown

⌠64⌡

Jinyoung sat on the bed of the infirmary wrapped from head to toe in a large blanket with a cup of warm tea in hand. His eyes were puffy and his nose was runny; he'd been out in the rain for so long after Jackson left, and he was eventually found by a guard and dragged inside.

He slept for maybe an hour or so, and had been in the same position since he woke up in the wee hours of daylight.

Youngjae now paced back and forth in front of him while he stared off at the wall across the room.

"Are you sure you told him to leave?" 

"Yes."

"Then why is your entire face swollen like that? You look awful."

"I got caught in the rain looking at the stars. I got sick."

"I am no fool." Youngjae paused in front of him, stepping closer. "Did you two have a disagreement?"

It was hard to lie to Youngjae without him being suspicious. Jinyoung knew that, but he still couldn't bring himself to tell the whole truth. Even after Jackson had torn his heart to pieces, he couldn't turn everyone else against him like that.

"He just..." The prince shook his head, taking a short sip of tea. "... thought it would be better to go to his home. Being in the palace... it was a lot for him."

"But the King and Queen requested that he stay-"

"It was a mere request. He still had the choice to leave, so he took it."

Youngjae sighed in frustration. He could tell something was off about this situation, but did not know what, and knew that trying to pry it from Jinyoung in this state would be near impossible. "But, you are not allowed outside the palace. How will he teach you about... you know..."

"I do not need him."

The latter frowned. That was the total opposite of something Jinyoung would normally say.

"...Are you sure you are okay? Is he okay?"

Jinyoung's face dimmed. His head dipped down. "I am sure he is well and fine... and I am fine, too."

"I do not believe you."

"Why do you care!" He suddenly snapped. "You hated him from the start, so it does not matter, does it?"

"You matter to me. And if you are unhappy, then my purpose is to rectify that." Youngjae retorted.

Jinyoung shook his head. "There is nothing to rectify. Please leave me, I said I am fine."

Youngjae stood in place, taking longer than usual to obey.

"...No."

Jinyoung glanced up, brows furrowed. "Excuse me?"

"I am not leaving."

"It was an order, Youngjae."

"Then reprimand me." The latter stepped closer, his expression softening. "Something is wrong. I refuse to leave you like this."

"Leave!" Jinyoung yelled, his cup of tea falling to the floor and shattering. Suddenly he was crying, and he couldn't stop the pain in his chest nor the heavy tears rolling down his cheeks. "I do not need him, nor you, nor anyone! Just leave me!"

Instead of heeding his frantic orders, Youngjae did the opposite. Though Jinyoung shoved him and squirmed, Youngjae wrapped his arms tightly around the prince as he sobbed into his shirt. It only took a few seconds of struggling for Jinyoung to submit, his fingers clutching tightly onto Youngjae as his sobs turned into wails and he fell apart in his friend's embrace.

Youngjae stayed there, allowing his tunic to dampen with the prince's tears for as long as he needed. He did not care what happened between him and the vampire, his life's purpose was to take care of Jinyoung, and Jackson being out of his life may be for the best.

~.~

Jinyoung cried for the entirety of that day. He did not know that he was capable of producing so many tears, but he realized that so much of himself had revolved around Jackson recently that losing him felt like losing a piece of himself. He was in a state of limbo, now unsure what to do aside from longing for Jackson and then crying from knowing he can no longer have him.

He did not move a muscle, ate nothing, and spoke very few words. It was only until the next day, after another almost sleepless night, that he was slightly better, but still in his sunken state. 

After quite literally forcing some breakfast down Jinyoung's stubborn throat, Youngjae was finally able to drag him to his bedroom so he could have a proper rest.

"You should sleep." He said as he tucked Jinyoung under his covers.

"I am not tired." The latter retorted, eyes still red and swollen, as the occasional tears still fell down his cheeks sometimes.

"It does not seem like you have rested since yesterday."

"I am okay."

Youngjae paused, glancing down at the prince's face. His own chest tightened seeing the latter so broken up like this-- it was worse than almost anything he had seen before. "...I do not know what really happened between you and Jackson but... it will all be okay, eventually."

Jinyoung gave no response; not that one was expected. He'd been quieter than usual, and Youngjae had quickly gotten used to feeling as if he were talking to a wall. Still, he wanted to lend his words, just in case the latter would be receptive to any of them.

"If... if it is heartbreak you are going through then, I know you will be able to move past it. You have handled much worse, of course."

He fluffed Jinyoung's pillow, poured him fresh tea, and lit some scented candles. He would glance back at the latter, only to find him still staring up at the ceiling as he had been for the past couple of hours. Once he finished the last of his duties, he turned and bowed.

"Then... I will be going. Please rest."

He waited for a response, still receiving none. A soft sigh of worry escaped him, but he did not want to force anything from Jinyoung yet. He turned and headed for the door, silently hoping that he would finally get some rest.

"When will my chest stop aching like this?"

Youngjae paused just before the door. He turned, locking gazes with the latter. The question made his own chest tighten. "It is painful... and it may take a while, depending on how deep your feelings are... but your heart will eventually recover, and you will be back to yourself faster than you realize."

Jinyoung's eyes drifted to the ceiling again. "The last thing I could say to him... was quite hurtful..."

"He must have said some hurtful things as well for you to respond that way."

"...Regardless, I shouldn't have said them. It was a deep cut, a dishonorable one."

The servant hummed. He did not know what transpired, but he had easily picked up that Jinyoung felt partially at fault. If he truly were or not, he was not sure, but his guilt stemmed from a part of him that wanted to take back whatever had been said. "Well... that regret means you still care for him. But you do not need him. These feelings will pass easily with time, along with any regrets you may still hold. Do not worry."

Jinyoung let out a heavy sigh. He was deep in thought, but had no intention of going into it. "...Thanks..."

Youngjae nodded, slowly stepping out into the hall. "Call me for anything."

The door shut closed, and Jinyoung was left with his thoughts. He was unsure if his feelings would pass as easily as Youngjae said, but maybe after everything, it was for the best.