Your Majesty {NamJin}

four

Being unable to find Taehyung in his rooms, Seokjin assumed he'd already made it to Namjoon's administrative offices. He went to meet Namjoon there, as that was the place he made all his negotiations, discussed war and the like. Carefully sidestepping the puddles while keeping the little section of the palace in sight, he scurried towards the doors, hoping to find Taehyung there waiting for him.

With no one in sight, Seokjin decided to linger there until someone -- his friend or his secret love -- broke the silence. Until then, he rested on the wooden bars that fenced the office deck, and looked around at the place he called home.

With a massive courtyard that was the center of the royal palace, it took three minutes just to walk across from anywhere. Everything circled around the courtyard, and from there, one could see everything. To the north was the main palace, with its long steps leading up to it. To the south was the intricate red gate that led into the palace. To the west was the living rooms of the nobles and the gardens. To the east was the banquet hall, and behind it were the kitchens and the servants quarters. Even the servants lived in good conditions -- something many kings of the past failed to provide and something Seokjin truly admired Namjoon for.

"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" Namjoon said, surprising an unexpecting Seokjin and breaking him from his thoughts.

"Y-Your Majesty blesses me with his presence," he began, bowing to him. "It certainly is beautiful," Seokjin said, this time with more confidence. Namjoon turned his face toward the courtyard, sighing as he rested his hands on the rail.

"Is there something wrong, Your Grace?"

Namjoon turned back towards Seokjin and smiled sadly. "I'm afraid there's nothing that can be done about it at the moment."

Looking down, Seokjin nodded, left with worry and even a bit of guilt. "Oh...I'm sorry, Your Highness."

Seokjin's hand, which had left the bar when Namjoon first approached him, went back up to rest on it. However, his hand didn't touch the rail.

It touched Namjoon's.

As soon as the two realized what was happening, they looked up at each other. Seokjin's eyes again met Namjoon's, and the former once more grew shy and took his hand away.

"I-I beg your forgiveness"--

"Forgiveness for what?" Namjoon said, smiling at Seokjin. His voice was gentle, and it soothed the noble while riling him up at the same time. "All you did was touch my hand."

"I...I-I...Y-Your Majesty..." Seokjin stuttered, unable to hold himself together. He wanted so badly to just fall on his knees and tell Namjoon everything, but reason prevented him from doing that.

"I'll admit, it felt good, Seokjin."

If he says another word I will fall weak. Someone kill me right here, or else I'll truly go crazy.

"Ever since my father passed away, I haven't felt a feeling of affection. I don't have his hugs or his pats on the back or his words of support anymore. It's been a long time, and it gets really lonely."

Seokjin stood there, still half dazed, but now sympathetic for Namjoon. Remembering the former king's funeral, Namjoon had assumed the throne with a heavy heart that still grieved for his father. Who knew what kept Namjoon going at this point? He had no partner, no children, and no real close friends. It was Namjoon's responsibility to look out for everyone, but who would look out for him?

"Your Grace..."

"I've said too much," he whispered, chuckling a bit. "I don't really share my feelings with others. I feel that there's no one I can trust."

Seokjin brazenly placed a hand on Namjoon's back and looked into his eyes, knowing that to touch the king without permission could land him in big trouble. But this was different. Namjoon really needed it.

"Your Grace."

"Seokjin," he whispered, strumming Seokjin's heartstrings fondly without being aware of it.

"Your Grace...I know these are just words, and I could never be a worthy confidant for a great person such as you...but if you ever need to talk to someone, or if you'd just like some company, please summon me anytime you wish."

The most beautiful, genuine smile formed on Namjoon's face.

"Seokjin, your words mean the world to me. I believe I've found someone I can trust."

Holding back cries and jumps for joy, Seokjin nodded, patting Namjoon's back and reluctantly removing his hand. Less than a minute after, Taehyung joined the duo, bowing towards them both.

"I apologize for making you wait, Your Highness."

"Nothing to apologize for," Namjoon said, amicably looking at Seokjin. "It was a good wait."

Taehyung followed the two inside the grand office, unsure of what the royal meant by "a good wait". Suddenly realizing that Seokjin and the king were alone for a good fifteen minutes or so, he smiled to himself and gave Seokjin a subtle pat on the back.

"Your Majesty, as you are aware, I returned from my tour of the northern provinces early this morning," Taehyung said, kneeling on a pillow before Namjoon's desk. Seokjin followed suit.

"Yes, Taehyung. Are my fears confirmed?"

"I'm afraid they are, Your Majesty."

Sighing again, Namjoon got up and began to pace the room. "I've sent men to the north countless times. I've defeated the groups countless more. I cannot keep doing this. The people are growing restless, the rebels are doing worse. What should I do..."

"Your Majesty, let us gather what information we have and act accordingly," Seokjin said, trying to find the most practical answer.

Nodding, Namjoon sat back down at his desk. "Continue."

"We know that they operate underground. And they terrorize only the northernmost provinces."

"Yes, but what can we draw from that?"

"Most likely, their main base is in or somewhere near the northern provinces. Even though it is plausible that there are other bases in other areas, it's highly unlikely."

"I agree, Your Grace," Taehyung said. "That can be safely assumed."

"So what can we do to stop them?"

"Well, they don't attack one single province. It's the entire north. And they execute attacks very quickly. So there would have to be some sort of communication method that is rapid and efficient."

"You're saying we should cut off their connections?"

"Precisely. Meeting all together in one place would be too risky. And no one has ever actually seen two members of the group together in one place."

"I see the logic in that," Namjoon nodded. "But there are many ways to communicate."

"Indeed. But there is one thing that makes trips through all the northern provinces. It never stops."

After a moment of silence, Namjoon began to laugh.

"The rivers. They all go through the provinces! Seokjin, you are a genius!"

Taehyung patted Seokjin on the back, laughing along with Namjoon. "Seokjin, you are the answer to all our problems."

Hours later, the three had formed a foolproof plan. The nobles said goodbye to Namjoon, and they made their way back to their rooms.

"Okay," Taehyung said, placing a friendly arm around Seokjin's  shoulders, "you have to tell me what you two did before I came."

"Haha, you won't believe it."