TREASURE ✔

12

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Jungkook squinted against the morning light as he helped his mother tie satchels of food and wrapped bundles of gifts to her horse. A glance at Taehyung walking towards him from across the courtyard told him that his family's rider escorts were ready to depart. In the hazy glow of the morning sun, Jungkook could still see traces of redness and swelling around Taehyung's eyes. He was quieter than usual this morning and though the castle inhabitants did not remark on it, Jungkook couldn't help but feel protective.

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Jungkook stroked Taehyung's hair gently, trying to be as soothing as possible, waiting patiently for his hiccups to subside and his eyes to dry. When he had finally gathered enough strength to stand, he had avoided looking Jungkook in the eyes, even as Jungkook had wiped his wet face with a handkerchief. Jungkook could tell that Taehyung was embarrassed, shy, unsure of how to act after his display of emotion. He held out a hand the help Jungkook off the table.

Jungkook almost collapsed when he tried to stand, his legs so boneless and weak, that Taehyung propped him up in alarm before sitting him back on the table. Taehyung stripped off his shirt and used it to wipe Jungkook as best as he could before, with gentle hands, he helped him put his underthings and his trousers back on, and carried him to their bedroom. There, the tub was filled and Taehyung cleaned him before laying him softly on the bed.

Jungkook held his arms open, wanting only to comfort Taehyung, to wipe away the devastated look on his face, but Taehyung turned away, muttering something about the mess in the sunroom, and left. Feeling abandoned, but not having the strength to chase after Taehyung, Jungkook laid back on the plush pillows and let himself nap and heal.

When the bedroom door opened later, Jungkook had woken to find Taehyung peeking in at him, his eyes averting immediately when Jungkook turned his head to look at him. Taehyung's embarrassment was palpable and Jungkook could almost reach out and touch it with his hand. While he was sympathetic, it was a clear sign that Taehyung didn't feel comfortable enough with Jungkook to let himself be vulnerable. Jungkook's chest ached with wanting.

But he stayed patient. He didn't move or make a sound as he watched Taehyung shuffle about the room. Taehyung turned away from Jungkook as he washed himself, so that all Jungkook saw a view of his shapely buttocks, the muscles in his back flexing as he soaped his body. Even as he toweled himself dry and slipped into a robe, he hid himself from Jungkook's line of sight.

Only when he was fully clothed did he approach Jungkook and lay down next to him on top of the covers. Tentatively, he reached out and took Jungkook's hand, entwining their fingers and holding it against his chest. For a long time, neither of them spoke. The slow steady beat of their heart coupled with Taehyung's body heat along his side brought Jungkook infinite comfort. He hoped this peaceful moment would last forever.

Taehyung let out a soft sigh, his breath gently blowing against Jungkook's ear. His eyes were dark and searching, their blue color hypnotizing. Jungkook couldn't make himself look away.

"You're not like anyone I have ever met," Taehyung said, his tone quiet and puzzled, not unhappy with the revelation, but not happy either. Jungkook didn't know how to respond so he waited as Taehyung finished. "You undo me."

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Jungkook surveyed his mother's horse with a critical eye. Originally outfitted for speed, it was now decorated with an assortment of bundles and packages. Jungkook had packed some of the salves and medicines he knew the village would need most. Eun-Ae had raided her store of fancy preserves to send back with the Jeons, as well as fresh breads and pastries, and enough food to feed an army for days. The small contingent had at most half a day's journey ahead of them and Jungkook imagined they would feast quite happily.

The escorts Taehyung was sending with them to protect them on their journey home were similarly laden down with gifts for the villagers: fine fabrics, artisan goods, copperware, steel trinkets from the clan's forge, anything he could think of to delight them. Jungkook knew his parents would make sure the villagers had nothing but positive thoughts about Taehyung, and he could only hope the gifts they were sending would help the process along.

His family approached, their packing done, leaving only their departure. Jungkook's heart was heavy in his chest. Though his family was close by and Taehyung had said they could visit any time they wanted to, he knew it wasn't the same. There had been a small part of him that had wanted to go home with them, to leave Taehyung and the confused feelings they had about each other behind. For a moment, he had wanted to go back to a life where he had never experienced all the tumultuous sensations he had been made aware of these last few days.

But he wasn't a coward. He would see his new position through, at least until the war was over, perhaps beyond if Taehyung still wanted him. People's lives depended on him. Taehyung himself depended on him.

He hugged his mother first, nodding as she gave him last-minute instructions to take care of himself. His father and sister were next, each squeezing him tight, as if they were trying to memorize how he felt in their arms. To his surprise, they hugged Taehyung too. His expression of delighted shock was endearing and Jungkook couldn't help but smile.

His family was helped onto their horses and with a final wave and shouts of farewell, they rode off back to the village, followed closely by their dragon escorts. Jungkook watched them go as long as he could, until they were flickering specks in the distance, clouds of dust making them waver in and out of his vision. Taehyung wrapped an arm around his shoulders and dropped a kiss on his head, and Jungkook let out a breath he had not known he was holding. After Taehyung had held his hand the night before, he hadn't laid a finger on him since. Jungkook finally admitted to himself how much he had missed Taehyung's touch.

"What did my mother tell you?" Jungkook asked to distract himself from his revelation. He had seen her whispering in Taehyung's ear as she hugged him.

"She asked me to take care of you," Taehyung said, "She worries that you will overwork yourself." Jungkook nodded, expecting that.

"Your sister said she would cut my balls off if I made you unhappy."

Jungkook snorted out a laugh. Trust Nayeon to threaten a dragon lord without a second thought. He would have loved to have seen Taehyung's face when Nayeon made her threat in her usual calm voice.

Still chuckling, they headed back into the castle.

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