⚜REST WITHIN ME⚜ [Namjin] [Taekook]

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Author p.o.v.

"Seokjin," Taehyung calls softly, shaking the prince off the sleep who mutters something while snuggling more into the King's neck, "Seokjin, wake up." The young prince tries again, forcing the Roman from his rest and back into the world. And, this time, Seokjin stirs with a drowsy yawn and glances straight at Taehyung with squinted, swollen eyes. Taehyung smiles faintly and gestures the latter to wake.

Seokjin nods hazily and rubs a hand over his eyes before turning them away from the prince towards his lover. Namjoon looks the same as he did three days ago even after he was nursed by Seokjin. There wasn't any progress in the king and it has been almost two weeks they couldn't rouse him. But unlike what the doctors say—that the king has to heal by himself—Seokjin doesn't believe in that, and does everything to wake Namjoon. "W-What?" The prince asks, bringing his hand over their blanket and dragging it over Namjoon's stomach.

Taehyung replies softly, going around the bed to Namjoon's side, and kisses his forehead before turning towards Seokjin again. "It is your turn to renew the medicine, Seokjin. You shouldn't sleep without redressing them."

"B-But I'm fine now." The prince complains—his eye brows furrowing in irritation upon having his rest disturbed. But as he meets the hazel eyes, Seokjin purses his lips together and grumbles. He rears to his elbow and gazes at the king, and his expression softens. He leans in and kisses the cold lips and brushes few strands of hair off the forehead. "I will be with you shortly, Joon."

Taehyung watches them for a moment—his grip on the tray tightening alike the dread in his heart. His eyes water slightly, and he tears his gaze away from the young prince smiling at his brother who doesn't response. Seokjin does everything to ensure his brother's health and hygiene—sacrificing his own, and Taehyung has seen numerous times how the Roman prince has taken care of Namjoon, despite his own wounds and aches. He has spent nights awake, days awake, looking at his brother, talking to his brother and often crying and pleading at his brother. But, nothing seems to matter to Namjoon because still, he refuses to open his eyes.

"Tae, I will call you in after using the lavatory." Seokjin muses out loud and the latter turns around to lock eyes with the prince who stands from the bed after dressing the robes around his slim, wan body. Taehyung cringes internally, gauging at how thin and paler the roman prince appears to be after the incident, and it hurts his heart as much as it might hurt Namjoon if he was awake. But heedless to the worry on Taehyung's face, Seokjin strolls towards the restrooms and closes the door behind.

After a beat of silence, Taehyung sighs aloud and places the platter on the counter, choosing to sit on the bed beside his brother. He stares at Namjoon and tenderly takes his hand between his and kisses every scarred finger until his tears begin to flow. "It has been two weeks, brother. Why are you still asleep when it's a disaster out here? The crew is in doubt and questions me if their king will make it back to the state, and—and Jungkook...brother, Kook is exhausted from consoling me every night when I cry. Why can't you just wake and make things right over here?" He sniffles, glancing at Namjoon's pale features and then regarding the closed door to the bathroom. "And, Seokjin will perish if he keeps on with his heedless attention to his own health, Joon. He doesn't care about himself, but you. I can't get him into eating a meal without having him arguing that you'll starve if he doesn't feed you. He has the spirit, brother, but he's soulless without you. Only you can bring your queen back to life, and...your little bear awaits to be held by you as well, J-Joon. Please wake for our sake, brother."