Hold My Hand - A Taekook Love Story.

31 - The Courting Gift..

"So... where are we going?"

Taehyung turned his head slightly and looked over his shoulder at the prince walking half a step behind him. When he went to meet Jungkook in the morning and requested him for a day-out, he didn't actually think Jungkook would agree just like that. Yes, he had hoped, and was ready to talk however long necessary to convince the prince to accompany him, but he hadn't expected it to work almost immediately. They had been walking for about half an hour, before Taehyung was even presented with this question.

"Well, it's market day today. So I thought maybe, you know, we can go to the market."

"But you don't have your painting stuff with you."

"I'm.. uhhh.... not going there to work."

"Why are we going to the market, if not for you to work?"

Taehyung stopped and turned around to look at Jungkook, who had a slightly confusing look on his face.

"It's a date, Kookie." Taehyung said as he gently held Jungkook's hand. "I wanted us to go on a date."

"Oh.."

Taehyung watched as a faint trace of a blush appeared over Jungkook's cheeks. He wanted to touch those cheeks, but didn't think it was time yet. After all, it hasn't been that long that Jungkook agreed to give them another chance. Even though there had been a huge improvement in the way they interact, Taehyung didn't want to push his luck unnecessarily.

Jungkook had been more welcoming, more responsive to Taehyung, and actually seemed like his former self around the elder. It was amazing to witness just how soft hearted the prince could be, when he lets go of the hard shell he built around himself.

Taehyung turned back again and started to walk. Only now, Jungkook's hand was securely engulfed by Taehyung's large palm and slender fingers. As they walked, hand in hand, Taehyung couldn't stop the goofy smile that spread over his face, at the simple act of Jungkook not pulling his hand away.

It took them about one and half hours of walking to get to the market. It wasn't that bad, as they walked at a slow pace. Also the cool temperature and the breeze prevented them from getting tired as well. Taehyung had to let go of Jungkook's hand a while back, as they encountered other people going to the same destination.

"What do you want to do first? Should we get something to drink? Eat? Or walk around the market a bit?"

Jungkook thought for a few seconds. He was a little thirsty after the long walk, but he knew Taehyung didn't have that much money to spend so he was reluctant to ask. He had already decided to prevent Taehyung from using any money on him, his time is all Jungkook wants to call it a successful day.

"Let's walk around a bit." Jungkook answered. "I haven't been to the market in a long while."

"You haven't?" Taehyung asked as he guided Jungkook towards the area where they sell ornaments and garments. "Surely you had to buy things."

"I did. But Jimin hyung got me the things I wanted. He didn't want me to walk all the way-"

Jungkook stopped talking as he realized what he was blabbering. Talking about how considerate Jimin was regarding Jungkook walking was not the right thing to say right now.

And as expected, Taehyung looked apologetic. "I'm so sorry, I should have thought about that! Kookie, I-"

"It's okay." Jungkook gave a soft smile.

"No, the walk was too long and you should rest on your day-off but I dragged you here instead-"

"Hyung.."

Whatever Taehyung was going to say, got blocked by the gasp he let out. This was the first time he heard Jungkook call him that, after he learned about the prince's identity. The time before Taehyung confessed for the first time belonged to a beautiful dream and the time after that, until recently, belonged to a horrible nightmare.

"W-what did you call me?"

Jungkook looked down with a small smile. "What? You are older than me. Why, I can't call you that?"

"You can! Gods!" Taehyung hurried to reassure. "Of course you can. I- I just- I didn't expect-"

"So this is where I can buy a new hair clip? My one is kind of chipping away." Jungkook walked off, but stopped and turned when he realized Taehyung was not following. "Aren't you coming, hyung?"

Taehyung let out a throaty sound that he's not proud of, before hurrying to follow Jungkook.

They walked around the market, checking different stalls and various items. Taehyung had heaps of friends there, almost every vendor spoke at least a few words to him. And when he introduced Jungkook as his friend, nobody thought any different. As Jungkook had lived as a commoner for more than a year now, his appearance barely had any princely traits to it.

He was like any other man.

"Who's your friend, Taehyung-ah?" An old lady, who was a good friend of Taehyung, asked as she gave a soft smile to Jungkook. "He's such a handsome man."

"He is, isn't he?" Taehyung was beaming as he looked at a rosy-faced Jungkook.

"But you might not want to look at him like that, Taehyung-ah." The old lady was clearly teasing. "You're gonna break a lot of girls' hearts."

"Oh well, I can't help it, I guess. He's absolutely gorgeous."

"Stop it!"

"Oh look, he got shy!" The old lady laughed. "Better hide this one from the girls as well. Or you'll end up with a broken heart instead."

Taehyung laughed merrily, as they bid goodbye to the lady. He was actually worried that Jungkook might burst with all the blood rush to his face, had they stayed there for long.

They got some snacks and drinks along the way, Taehyung sometimes only had to pay half the price since he was a friend. And despite Jungkook's protests, Taehyung paid for the hair clip the former wanted. It was not from the expensive lot on the stand, but both felt it as priceless.

While they were walking, Jungkook came across the ornament stall that he saw the very first time he visited this market. He looked for the ornament he saw that day, but it was not there anymore. He must have spent a little longer at this stall because it piqued Taehyung's interest as well.

"Did anything catch your eye?"

A shiver went down his spine at the puff of breath he felt behind his ear. Taehyung was standing behind him and looking over his shoulder at the ornament stand.

"N-no. Nothing." Jungkook couldn't even turn around with how close the elder was standing. "W-we should go."

"Hmm... should I buy you something from here?"

"N-no. I don't-"

"With how red you're right now, I'm gonna assume that you do know what these items are."

Jungkook couldn't answer. The necessary sounds absolutely refused to come out of his mouth so he just nodded.

"Okay." The words were more of a whisper. "Pick something, please. Or would you prefer for me to choose?"

Again, words failed Jungkook so he just nodded, making Taehyung come to the front. The elder looked at all the stuff on the display, picked up a few to closely examine and finally stopped on a cute looking comb. It had flower carvings and two small bells at one end, which made a pleasant sound when moved.

Taehyung turned to look at Jungkook, with the comb in his hand, and by the look in the younger's eyes, he could tell that Jungkook definitely liked it. Taehyung pulled out his wallet from the inner sleeve and turned back to the vendor.

"I'll take this."

The old vendor gave a big smile, putting all his discolored teeth on display. "Excellent choice, young man. This is an all time favorite of the ladies. One look at this courting gift, and any girl will say 'Yes' to you."

"I sure hope so." Taehyung said as he gently placed the comb in Jungkook's palm, before looking back at the vendor. "But it's not for a girl. Actually, it's for him."