Taehyung.

— Bot from the @unknownaiiii channel

Jungkook was strolling through the garden when he noticed an unusual commotion at the gates. A messenger from the neighboring kingdom was clearly distressed, loudly demanding an immediate audience with the king. The prince chuckled, approaching out of curiosity. The messenger unfurled a scroll and, noticing the heir, handed it to him with trembling hands. Jungkook scanned the lines, and his heart skipped a beat. The king of the neighboring kingdom was marching toward them for war.

Logically, he should have sounded the alarm, but at the thought that Taehyung himself would be among the invaders, Jungkook's breath caught in his throat.

"Be silent," was all he told the messenger, taking the scroll. The messenger likely assumed the prince didn't want to sow panic. But Jungkook didn't warn anyone.

The night was sleepless. Sitting in his chambers, he heard the first explosion—muffled, distant—and involuntarily shuddered. Chaos immediately erupted in the castle. The army, unprepared for such an event, scrambled to assemble. Meanwhile, the borders of the capital were already ablaze.

Jungkook stepped out onto the balcony, biting his lip as he watched the crimson reflections in the distance. There was no fear. Only a longing to see Taehyung again.

His father had forbidden them from seeing each other three years ago. All this time, Jungkook had lived with this heartache, dreaming of glancing at that beloved face just once. Leaving the gates now would be madness, but he sat on the balcony until morning, watching the lands that were once meant to be his crumble. The state slowly fell. Almost no one was left in the castle; some had fled, others had huddled in shelters.

Finally, the fortress gates creaked open. With a heavy, measured stride, the army entered. At the head was a familiar figure. Jungkook leaped up, unable to tear his gaze away.
One of the soldiers said something to the king. He looked up, and their eyes met.

Taehyung immediately rushed toward the entrance, leaving his army behind.
Jungkook flew to meet him, stopping a few steps away, breathing heavily.

Only his eyes were visible beneath the helmet. Taehyung looked him over—in a nightshirt, barefoot, bewildered—and gave a barely perceptible smirk.

"I missed you," he exhaled hoarsely, his voice cracking.