Hold My Hand - A Taekook Love Story.

43 - Kisses Have Magical Powers To Heal..

"Ahh.."

"Shh.. Just a little bit more, hmm?"

"Hurts.."

"I'm sorry, I'm trying my best to be gentle."

"N-no.. Please.. Isn't it enough?"

"You know it's not, love. Aren't you the one who told me we need to apply heat to restore the blood flow?"

Jungkook gave a little sigh in a defeated manner, before releasing Taehyung's hand. He wanted to turn his head away, but Taehyung was holding it firmly with one hand, while the other hand gently pressed the towel soaked in hot water over the bruise on his cheek.

Once the elder man was done with the cheek, he placed the wet towel down. He then proceeded to undo the knot tying the upper part of Jungkook's hanbok. Now that the hand restraining his head was gone, Jungkook swiftly turned his head to the side, and buried his good cheek in the bedding. He was feeling extremely shy, and he found it hard to even look at Taehyung.

He didn't think the first time he'd get undressed in front of the man he loved, would be for him to treat his bruises.

Taehyung couldn't help the displeased noise that left his mouth when Jungkook's ribs became visible between the parted two halves of his hanbok. The entire left side of Jungkook's stomach and ribs were of a nasty blueish color and Taehyung was sure it'll turn purple by tomorrow.

"That's a nasty hit." Taehyung grimaced when Jungkook's pained whimper rang through the room. "How did this happen?"

"I tripped." Jungkook replied through gritting teeth. "And someone kicked me, before I could get back up."

Taehyung quietly continued his work, fingers slightly shaking due to Jungkook's obvious discomfort. The prince had another bruise over his shoulder and a wound that needed cleaning on his arm, which Taehyung had already tended to.

"You know.." Taehyung looked up to see Jungkook's soft smile. "When I was young,I used to be a proper brat. Always sneaking off and getting hurt. At first it was within the palace but as I grew older, I used to sneak out of the palace as well. Jimin hyung usually managed to get me back inside without any real damage though. My father knew about my escapades. Often he would send hyung to check up on me, or even himself."

Taehyung laughed merrily. "I'm sure you were a handful."

"I most certainly was." Jungkook smiled too. "I don't think any other prince got scolded like I did. Most of the gray hairs on my father's head are a direct result of my shenanigans."

"Can't believe I actually feel bad for the king."

Jungkook was silent for a few seconds. Taehyung didn't disturb him either, for it was clear that the younger one was reminiscing about his past. He simply waited, one of his hands gently kneading Jungkook's feet, in hopes of soothing any discomfort there. He only had to wait for a few minutes.

"When I was young, my father used to kiss my wounds. He said it's a magical remedy and will make them heal faster." Jungkook turned to give a soft smile to Taehyung. "It did."

Taehyung put down Jungkook's feet which were resting on Taehyung's lap, before leaning forward and making Jungkook lay down. "Well, let's see if I can call upon the same magic too."

For the next half an hour or so, Jungkook isn't really sure how much time passed, Taehyung kissed him everywhere. At first, the kisses were innocent. Little pecks which felt like butterfly wings, warm puffs of air, feathery fingertips... over the bandages and other please that were hurting. When he moved to non-hurting places next, was when Jungkook felt the real impact of those kisses. They were rough, to an extent at least, and demanding.

"Is this okay? Are you in pain?"

Taehyung wanted to be sure because the little noises Jungkook was making seemed to alternate between pleasure and pain.

"Yes." Jungkook whispered. "And yes, but don't you dare stop."

"Kookie-"

"Just kiss me, hyung."

So that's exactly what Taehyung did. He tried to be mindful about Jungkook's injuries but he's not sure how successful he was. Anyway, Jungkook never complained. If anything, he was the one encouraging Taehyung even when the latter tried to stop. Until both of them were panting.

After it was all done and they both calmed down, Taehyung got ready for bed and laid next to Jungkook. He pulled the younger one closer to his body, but kept the hold somewhat loose due to his physical condition. As much as Jungkook likes to cuddle, his body was hurting. The last thing he remembered from the night was Taehyung's slender fingers combing through his hair, making him lull into a peaceful sleep.

___________________________________

"Hyung, you can not follow me everywhere, everyday!"

"Try me. Just try me."

"Hyung, you're not making any sense. What about your work?"

Jimin walked closer to Jungkook and whispered into his ear, so that no one else could hear it. "Screw work. What could possibly be more important than your safety?"

"Hyung, please.. be reasonable."

"I am being reasonable, Kookie. You're not going anywhere alone, and that's final."

Jungkook turned to look at Taehyung, as if to ask him for support, but Taehyung just shook his head. He gets what Jungkook is saying about privacy and all that but Taehyung would rather he take a little inconvenience than a repeat of what happened last night.

Yoongi had already left for the palace first thing in the morning, to inform about what happened last night. Jungkook was worried about his father's reaction to the situation. Earlier, he would have thought his father didn't care about what happened to him but now Jungkook knows better. His father had always loved him, and always will.

When the king gets to know about the attack, Jimin following him to work would probably be the least of Jungkook's concerns.

Losing to the united front of Taehyung and Jimin, Jungkook reluctantly agreed to let Jimin accompany him when he went to work that day. It was either that or quitting his job altogether.

The day was uneventful, Jimin was waiting for Jungkook when the latter was finished with work, and he walked Jungkook to Taehyung's house.

As per Taehyung's request, Jimin stayed for dinner that day. The atmosphere of the house was different, Taehyung's mother and sister seemed to be in a much happier mood. This was the first time they didn't behave like there's something smelly on the table, they used to do that whenever Jungkook sat for a meal.

After the dinner, Taehyung, Jimin and Jungkook sat outside. They were chatting about something random when they heard the sound of an approaching horse.

"Yoongi hyung!" Jungkook quickly took a few steps and helped Yoongi dismount. "What happened?"

Yoongi looked exhausted. He let Jungkook guide him towards a place to sit, before looking up at all of them.

"I couldn't meet Hoseok." Yoongi said while he gave a worried look to Jungkook. "The security was so tight that I couldn't even go near the palace.

"What?!"

"Yeah, the palace was under attack last night. The king and the crown price are okay, but some of their guards are hurt."