Hoseok was not angry. It had all dissipated when he had seen that look in your eyes, wide and watery and it had caused him to freeze. He'd seen that look many times before, like when you accidentally burnt his birthday cake or spilt sauce on his favourite book and like always, Hoseok couldn't help but forgive you instantly.
"Jeongguk, go back to the palace." The Knight perked up and Hoseok raised an eyebrow to question the pumpkin before shaking his head to try and maintain focus as he turned to the ladies, "I'll see you beautiful maidens at my party."
With that he walked towards where he had tied his horse, the golden coat glimmered in the sunlight that filtered through the clouds and he smiled, pressing his forehead to her silky mane, "let's go save my Princess."
In a smooth movement, Hoseok pulled himself onto the saddle of his horse, kicking her sides with his heels and heading in the direction you had run off to. After you had left, he had tried to continue talking like he wasn't worried about you but soon it became unbearable and now as he raced down the small roads, it dawned on him where you had gone.
The final rays of sunlight faded just as he made it to the entrance of the meadow, finding a figure leaning against the oak tree that stood in the centre of the field. With a pat to his mustang's mane, Hoseok slipped off and let her roam around as he waded through the waist-high grass.
Long sheaths of brown grass brushed against his legs and waist, it was crisp in the late autumn weather and an overwhelming sense of nostalgia washed over Hoseok. Before he had been aware of what being a Prince meant, he used to run away from the court and would hide in the dense grass as officials tried to find him. It was there had met you, a young girl with a flower crown and an infectious smile that kept him coming back every day until he was caught.
Hoseok had never put these memories together until he saw you sitting under the tree. Its huge branches dwarfed you and reminded him of those days spent with you during the Summer, with the green leaves providing you shade as you exchanged fairytales.
"If you came here for an apology, go away," your voice made him jump, Hoseok found you staring at him, biting into a bright red apple as you waited for an answer. He wondered what must have happened to change that young innocent girl to the one who called Princes cons, it made him even more passionate to change your mind.
Slowly Hoseok approached you, sitting down so his shoulder brushed against yours and waited for you to pull away, but you didn't. "I'm not here for an apology," you huffed and bit into your apple waiting for Hoseok to continue, "I am here to ask one question."
You nodded having expected a catch because everything came with a price, you knew that well. However, Hoseok's question caught you off guard, as he placed his hand on your thigh and tapped it, "why do you pretend to hate me?"
"Pretend?" You shook your head in disbelief, "why do you think I'm pretending?" You pushed yourself up from where you were sitting to try and walk away from Hoseok. You felt a droplet of water land against your cheek and as you turned to look at him, wondering why he believed you were pretending when you'd just said such horrible things to him.
It made you feel like maybe you had misjudged Hoseok because even though he was a hopeless womanizer and enjoyed teasing you, he was also continually forgiving and kind. Two traits that you struggled to find when they hadn't been present in your home before the kitchen.
The rain quickly changed from a light splattering to a downpour but neither of you moved, in a mental and physical deadlock as both waited for the other to yield. Of course, it was Hoseok who spoke next, "you're forcing yourself to hate me," he paused and stood up, reaching out his hand to grasp his and pull you towards him, "it's not me you hate but my title."
He laughed and you watched with wide eyes as the droplets of rain dripped down his face, his soft eyes looked at you with such care that your heart fluttered. Hoseok's gaze dropped to your lips before he pressed a kiss to your lips, pulling away and whispering, "you hate the fact that I'm a Prince. You don't hate me."
It was as if a flick had switched inside you, staring at Hoseok as you refused to give him an answer. Instead, you pressed your hands to his chest and pushed him away, "don't be so full of yourself."
Your clothes stuck to your body, cold rain soaking you to the bone and instead of focusing on Hoseok, you began to shiver. Desperately you tried to hide this fact, looking down at the ground and seeing again the difference between you and him, his sturdy leather boots looking barely scathed compared to your thin linen shoes.
But even though you'd pulled away, Hoseok still tried to look after you as he shrugged the coat from his shoulders and placed it over your shoulders. Even though you were cold, his mere actions made your heart race and if anything you were only more confused than before.
