THE RAVEN KING, yoonkook

chapter xxii: the protection in cuddles

It's been two days since the amulet was taken and Jungkook hasn't left his bed. Namjoon tried, once, to pull the him from it but the boy had clung to the head, screaming, and kicked up such a fuss the older male eventually gave up. Since then, the boy has been given his own way and allowed to stay in bed; food and anything else he might want is brought to him. The only time Yoongi has seen him leave is for the bathroom.

Jungkook is certain he's going to die. With the amulet gone, death is inevitable. His defences are down—it would only take one more attack to kill him now. He's not even sure Yoongi, who sits dutifully beside his bed (sometimes wandering around the large room, other times running, when he needs to stretch), will be able to protect him. If anyone gets past the knight, his only defence, he'll die. The king hadn't realised he was so dependent on his amulet—he'd believed some of the strength was his own. But now, he doubts that. He can barely get out of bed without fearing for his life, can barely stay in bed without anticipating the attack; might as well enjoy those final days in bed then.

When Yoongi isn't running around or doing exercise, he usually sits in the chair not far from the bed. He's spent a lot of the time reading, making his way through book after book. Every so often, he'll ask the raven what a particular word is or what a phrase means and, for a brief moment, the younger male will be distracted. But the distractions never last long. Soon the crow will be back to reading and the silence will fall over the room. In that silence, all Jungkook can do is ruminate, dwelling on death.

"How are you so calm?" Jungkook asks, when the anticipation feels like it's consuming him and he's not sure he can breath in all this panic. Underneath, in his tone, is an almost accusation: how can you be so calm when I could die at any moment? The king hadn't intended it, but it still slips out. This is lost on Yoongi, who shrugs carelessly. He places his book down on the side table, joining his many other books, and takes a moment before responding.

"I don't see why I'd be anything else." The dark haired male responds, stretching his neck. There's an audible pop, followed by a content sigh. "I'm doing the same job as always—which I know I'm good at—and all you're doing is lying around, so it's pretty easy."

"But the amulet!"

Yoongi stares blankly, soft frown furrowing across his brow, "It's missing, I know. But you said that was only a contract, or a sign of it. I've lost plenty of contracts and I–" The crow stops abruptly, causing panic to blossom in the younger's rib cage. Why has he stopped? Why has his eyes grown distance? Is something behind him—is now the time? But Yoongi only shakes his head, "I still did the jobs, protected the people, saved the day. Y'know, that sort of... knight stuff."

There's a moment of silence; Yoongi continues to stare off into the distance, a confused sort of expression resting on his face, while Jungkook watches him, also feeling rather confused. Then, slowly, he remembers: he'd lied to Yoongi. Of course the male thinks it's a contract—that's what he was told!

The young king is an idiot.

"Yoongi," Jungkook begins, bringing the other's attention back to the present, "I lied. The amulet isn't a contract."

"Oh."

"It's more important. It's... That's where all my powers come from. Without that, I'm completely defenceless—I'm nothing." Yoongi continues to stare blankly at the younger male, no new concern suddenly blossoming across his expression as the gravity of the situation dawns on him. He just stares, almost uncaring. "I could die. Properly, this time." The crow blinks, nods. It's almost infuriating. "Why are you still so calm?"