Crimson Crown

⌠86⌡

It had been 3 days since Jinyoung had last seen Jackson.

It all went by in a blur; he remembered the pain in his chest when Jackson collapsed on the floor of the Cornelian royal chambers. He remembered panicking, and thinking the worst at that moment, hoping that he really didn't make the latter suffer all for nothing. He remembered forcing his arm into the latter's mouth, feeding him his blood until someone ripped him away.

He was a hysterical mess as they left Cornelia, and refused to leave Jackson's side until they got back to Alveras. Once in the palace, Jackson was rushed to the clinic while Jinyoung was forced to his room. The thought of being grounded while the person he cared deeply for was in pain frustrated him to no end. For days, he was told not to worry, that Jackson was doing better, that sharing his blood helped and there was no need to stress anymore; he didn't care, he needed to see him for himself.

While Jinyoung's punishment was being stranded in his room, Jackson's would much more severe. He needed to make sure the latter was okay, he wouldn't stop thinking about him until he was able to see him again.

The sudden knock on Jinyoung's door just barely pulled him out of his worrisome thoughts. He already knew who it was, as Youngjae visited him around the same time every morning to offer him breakfast.

"Come in..." He sighed.

Youngjae stepped into the room, hesitantly shutting the door behind him. "How are you doing?"

"Bored."

The latter lightly chuckled. "Well, it is expected, being cooped up here."

"I do not care that I am punished, but Jackson..." The prince shook his head, burying his face in his hands. "My father was already furious with him, and I am unsure of my mother's feelings... I have not seen him for days... I am just so worried..."

Youngjae walked over, gently resting a hand on his shoulder. "What matters is that the truth came out. No more hiding or lying."

Jinyoung shrugged. He wanted to reach this point, but it all happened so fast and so soon; he wished he was better prepared for it.

"Still... I at least want to see him... to apologize for all this..." He mumbled.

His head sank further down to his knees. He was clearly in a miserable state.

Youngjae let out a breath, then turned on his heels toward the door. "Well...I will come to get you for a bath later tonight."

"Yes, whatever." Jinyoung muttered.

"Your breakfast will be up shortly. Be ready when I come for you later." Youngjae took another glance back at the prince before finally stepping out. "Enjoy your meal."

Jinyoung nodded, waving him away. "Sure..."

~.~

Another day had passed with no updates or contact with Jackson. He had to be alright, or else he would've been told otherwise, but still not being able to see him put a lot of strain on Jinyoung.

Constantly thinking about him did no good, it only made him crave the latter more. He was getting to the point where sitting in his bedroom all day was driving him slowly mad; at least if Jackson were there, he would be distracted.

Just around the time came to prepare for bed, Jinyoung's deafening quiet was interrupted again by a knock at his door. The visitor did not wait for him to respond and simply intruded. The prince sat on his bed as Youngjae stepped in again, just as he promised he would earlier that morning.