THE RAVEN KING, yoonkook

chapter xxvi: revelation

"I need you to arrest Taehyung."

Jungkook pauses, greeting halting at his lips, and frowns. The small smile that had spread across his face morphs into a confused expression at Yoongi's own greeting.

"I need you to arrest him," The older male repeats, stopping in front of the king, the amulet hidden in the pocket of his coat, "Get some guards, do whatever it is you do, and make it look believable. Everyone has to think he's actually been arrested. But, when he's in prison, he needs protection constantly, make sure there's always some guards—your best guards—on him at all times."

"W-Why?" Jungkook looks at the older male as though what he's saying is madness, as though the words spewing from his mouth are absolute insanity. Which, admittedly, without the context Yoongi has, maybe they are.

"He stole the amulet. Say that, if anyone asks, if you need to give a reason, but he didn't. Taehyung is innocent, but it has to look like he's been caught—everyone has to believe it." Jungkook opens his mouth, clearly about to question something again. The confused expression hasn't lessened at all—if anything, it's increased.

He feels bad, keeping Jungkook in the dark, but the older male can't let Taehyung be found guilty. Both because the wingless male's being manipulated, and because Yoongi himself is being manipulated into keeping the secret. Besides, confessing would probably require him to admit more than he'd like to; the assassin would like to avoid explaining his occupation to Jungkook.

"But, I don't understand... What happened to the thief?"

"I took care of them. Don't worry about them, they won't hurt you again." Yoongi, taking a risk, takes Jungkook by the hands. Briefly distracted from his task, he's amazed at the softness of the younger's hands—he really hasn't had to work a day in his life... Though, small callouses seem to be forming, only new and small. Yoongi runs his thumb gently across one: it's still soft, but beginning to harden ever so slightly. Heh, it's cute. His focus then returns to the actual task and he looks up to Jungkook's eyes, "Please, just trust me on this."

Jungkook looks conflicted—it's clear on his face, in the way he chews on his bottom lip and the furrow on his otherwise smooth brow. He doesn't answer for a few moments, thinking it through, and the silence is near unbearable. But then, right as Yoongi thinks he's lost, the king nods, "I'll trust you—I trust you. I'll– I'll arrest Taehyung, make it look real. I'll make it real, everyone will think he's actually been arrested." Relief floods the older male, bringing a small smile to his lips, and he hugs the younger again. The king freezes for a moment, taken by surprise, but is quick to return the hug.

"Thank you. I promise, when this is all over, I'll explain it to you." Face hidden from view, Jungkook can't see the concerned expression that falls over Yoongi, misses the near sigh that passes from his lips. Guilt bubbles in his stomach as he lies to the younger, "I'll explain all of it." Naturally he won't—he can't—but he'll explain all he can.

When the hug ends, Yoongi pulls the amulet from his pocket. It seems breaking the hug apart was pointless, as Jungkook instantly jumps on the older male, arms wrapped tightly around him. The gratitude is suffocating—literally—as Yoongi is buried beneath the folds of Jungkook's clothes, within the vice-like grip of the younger male's hug. All the air in his lungs is being squeezed out of him.

The boy in his arms is shaking, somehow feeling simultaneously strong and weak in his grip. Every so often, he'll mutter a quiet thank you and squeeze the older tighter. Yoongi is pretty sure, if the damp feeling on his shoulder is anything to go by, Jungkook is crying as well. Yoongi decides not to say anything, just gives him a small pat on the back that turns into a linger touch, which naturally evolves into a returned hug. The boy, once again, feels so small—somehow, someone with so much power feels so small. It almost makes the older male wish he could keep his job as a guard for ever, filled with a strong desire to protect the boy. Yoongi has never felt so strongly for someone—no friend, no family—and it scares him.