Destiny's Children

29. FIRE AND WATER

"Ahhhh", Jungkook protests in pain as soon as he takes the first step on the staircase.

Taehyung, who is holding him, bearing most of his weight only sighs. He could've easily called someone to take care of Jungkook, but considering all the guards are still in arena, clearing the training session and getting ready to go back to their posts, made him do this tiny thing himself. Beside the fact that it's his own palace security's fault that the boy got hurt in the first place didn't help either.

Therefore the would be king helped the shaking boy down from the horse, and inside the palace smoothly until the stairs arrive of course.

Taehyung too lost in his own thoughts and controlled rage, squats down a bit and picks up the injured boy in his arms without a warning.

Jungkook yelps at the sudden motion. His already big eyes almost pops out as he looks at Taehyung horrified who has already started to climb on the steps while holding Jungkook effortlessly.

After the initial shock, Jungkook takes his chance to observe the king's face up close. Though only the right side profile is visible to him, he stills finds the furrowed brows, intense glare, sharp jawline, masculine neck, glittering with the sweat, eyes keenly focused on the steps as he follows, sharp stare that still contents the fire of the previous argument, pitch black hair that is sticking on the forehead and nape.. nape.. where Jungkook's left hand is creeping uncertainty.. those prominent collarbones... the masculine yet sweaty smell that engulfs him... those heavy breaths that he can feel fanning on his skin.... Sexy ... He means mesmerising..

"You are heavy..", Taehyung protests when they reach the last step of the stairs.

"You... you c-can put me-e down s-ir..", Jungkook manages to reply.

But in stead of putting him down or even replying him, Taehyung walks straight towards the East wing, where Jungkook's bedroom is. He meets the maid he had appointment for Jungkook on his way and asks to bring the Palace physician and some hot water and towel in the said room.

The King takes the boy into his room before placing him softly on the mattress. He looks around the room and finds it still almost vacant. He moves around the corner to pour a glass of water and drinks in a single go. Later he pours another glass and offers it to the boy who was observing his every move silently.

"Drink..", He orders, which the later obeys.

After taking back the empty glass and placing it back to its spot, he returns his attention to the boy.

"You are sweaty and dirty...", He observes, "You better take a shower or the cuts will be infected..", He advises and offers a hand to help the boy move again.

"I.. I think I can manage now..", Jungkook slightly protests.

"Just take the help.. I am not in the mood to argue..", Taehyung replies and Jungkook accepts the hand without further adieu.

He helps the boy to enter the adjacent washroom and place him inside the wooden bathtub.

Taehyung observes the embarrassed boy, then sighs.

“I understand you think its insulting for you to take help like that..”, Taehyung says, “But right now you are injured.. and there is no shame to take some help when you are slightly down.. And don’t misunderstand my gesture.. the only reason I am helping you because it was partially my family and guards fault that you are here in the first place… And that I was there with you.. and yet I failed to protect you from getting hurt… I owe you this much to at least help you..”, Taehyung explains.

Jungkook looks at the King in awe before replying, “But it wasn’t your fault my king! You didn’t know… and beside, you did protect me! You saved my life.. if you didn’t calm the horse on time.. I’m scared to even think what could’ve happen.. It was only my stupidity that I fell at the end..”, Jungkook takes a breathe before continuing, “It’s just… I am not that habituated of receiving kindness… Somi and Soyeon were the only people here who showed such helpful nature to me before.. I’m…I’m just a little flustered…”, Jungkook explains and the king smiles.