spellbound [taekook] ✓

six: prince's first mission

"No," Jeongguk rejected, not even wanting to hear another word of it. He got off his seat and began putting away all the equipment.

"Oh c'mon!" Taehyung screamed out, letting out puffs of air. He had already been tired from all the workout he suffered through with Jeongguk intensive routine, now his mood worsened because of the same elf. He dragged his feet to Jeongguk. "You didn't even hear me out," he whined.

Jeongguk elevated the mats and shoved them inside a closet while looking at the prince. "'Cause I know it'll be stupid and everything will be a mess in the end."

"How could me pretending to be interested in you possibly go wrong?"

The younger set down the lifts, the action making a loud thunk. He glared at Taehyung. "Do you hear yourself? How can it go wrong? I can think of a million answers to that."

Taehyung frowned, following Jeongguk to the treadmills as he checked if the ones they had used were turned off. "I'm telling you, Gguk, if he does have any feelings for you then the only way to bring it out is if we get him a little jealous."

"Oh and a little jealousy never hurt anyone, right?" he asked, flashing a very sarcastic smile.

The older continued trailing after him, but now stomping his feet. "But Gguk–"

"No buts! This does not matter and it is not the appropriate conversation for the time. Right now we should be focused on your training. Speak another word of this and I will shove this dumbbell so far up you ass you won't even dream of becoming king."

Taehyung stood there, eyes big and blinking repeatedly. He raised his hands up and stepped back, sucking in some air.

Jeongguk sighed. "I'm sorry, your majesty. I went too far. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that, forgive me, please."

Taehyung scratched the back of neck, laying an awkward punch on the elf's shoulder. "You don't need to apologize! It's casual between friends."

After a long moment of silence, Jeongguk finally spoke again. "It's just, I've been turned down by him far too many times, so at this point, it doesn't even matter. He knows I like him, and if one day he changes his mind, I'll be here."

The older nodded, getting closer to pat his back. Jeongguk looked so weak and fragile at the moment, letting his guard down. Taehyung wanted to give him a hug, but he didn't want to push his limit. Then Jeongguk quickly realized and straightened up his back, pretending as if nothing happened and continued to put away the last few equipments.

Taehyung watched, confused on what he should do. He was certainly not going to give up on this mission, but he had to do it in a way which the younger wouldn't stop him. He thought of that the entire walk back to his room. If he was going to do this, he needed to know the other side of the story too. He rung the bell in his room, an helper elf immediately coming through. The prince requested the see Jimin.

After a few moments, the doors bursted open. "It is I, the great and powerful, Jimin!" the elf chanted entering the room.

Taehyung laughed at his friend's grand entrance. Jimin laughed along, running over and taking a seat on the bed beside him. Then he quickly got up, down on one knee and bowed.

"Your majesty," Jimin greeted, over-exaggerating his words.

Taehyung rolled his eyes and hit the boy's head. Jimin sprung up, a fake look of anger on his face. He pointed a finger at the prince. "Respect your elders!"

"You're like 3 months older than me, shut up!"

Jimin laughed, taking his seat again. "Actually, I'm 447 years older than you."