Royalty Rivals [[Taekook ff]]

Chapter-3[🌺]

The days following the tournament felt like a blur of political meetings, royal duties, and strained interactions. Jungkook had returned to the Northern Kingdom, but his thoughts remained in the Southern palace, haunted by the moment he and Taehyung had shared in that dimly lit corridor. He hadn't spoken of it to anyone-not even to Yoongi, who always seemed to sense when something was bothering him.

Jungkook's mind was usually clear and sharp, focused on his duties as king. But lately, his thoughts drifted too often to Taehyung: the way his eyes had darkened in the moonlight, the quiet vulnerability in his voice when he'd said his name. It was infuriating. Why couldn't he stop thinking about him? Why did everything feel... different?

Yoongi watched his younger brother with quiet concern, noticing the way Jungkook's temper flared more easily, his focus more scattered than usual. It wasn't like him.

"You've been distracted," Yoongi said one morning as they sat together in the council chambers, reviewing reports from the kingdom's border patrols. "Something's bothering you.

"Jungkook's hand tightened around the parchment he was reading, his jaw tensing. "I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind.

""Is it about the tournament?" Yoongi asked, his eyes sharp with understanding. "Or... Taehyung?

"The mention of Taehyung's name made Jungkook's chest tighten. He quickly averted his gaze, unwilling to meet his brother's knowing eyes. "It has nothing to do with him.

"Yoongi didn't push further, but the silence between them spoke volumes. He knew his brother too well. Something had shifted between Jungkook and Taehyung, and it wasn't just the usual rivalry anymore.

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Meanwhile, in the Southern Kingdom, Taehyung was facing his own inner turmoil. Since Jungkook's departure, he had thrown himself into his royal duties with a vengeance, trying to distract himself from the confusion gnawing at his mind. But no matter how hard he tried, his thoughts always seemed to drift back to the Northern King.

Hoseok had noticed the change in him, too. Taehyung was more distant, more agitated. The smugness he usually carried was absent, replaced with a restlessness that seemed to grow with each passing day.

"You've been different since the tournament," Hoseok commented as they walked through the palace gardens one afternoon, the scent of blooming flowers heavy in the air. "You barely smirk anymore. What's going on?

"Taehyung's gaze was fixed ahead, his expression unreadable. "Nothing. I'm just busy.

"Hoseok raised an eyebrow. "Right. Busy thinking about Jungkook, maybe?

"Taehyung stopped in his tracks, his heart skipping a beat at the mention of the Northern King's name. He turned to glare at Hoseok, but the usual bite in his retort was missing. "I'm not thinking about him.

"Hoseok crossed his arms, his tone gentle but firm. "You are. And you have been for days. Whatever happened between the two of you at the tournament, it's bothering you.

"Taehyung opened his mouth to deny it, to brush off Hoseok's observation as nonsense. But the words wouldn't come. He hated how well Hoseok could read him, how easily his best friend could see through the mask he wore.

He hated how much Jungkook was on his mind, how the memory of that brief, charged moment in the corridor lingered in his thoughts like a ghost.

With a sigh, Taehyung finally spoke. "I don't know what's happening. I've never felt like this before. Around him... it's different now.