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Yoongi adjusts the satgat, a conical straw hat on his head to avoid the glare coming from the strong afternoon sun. He's roaming around the market today, trying to gather the latest gossip around town.
He liked to do it often because he believes that "to be a good king is to know who you're ruling" as he likes to mention every time his advisor Seokjin pointed out the dangers of such ventures. He roams around, smiling at the butchers and vendors who he has grown fond of. They have come to recognise him as a resident of a neighbouring village who likes to visit often.
The sun is beating down a little too harshly today, but Yoongi trudges on, listening to the market goers and shop owners chattering amongst themselves.
"The harvest day is coming soon, miss, would you like to buy something new and pretty?" One of the vendors selling hair pins and similar accessories asked a passing group of women.
Everywhere around him, the people were laughing, talking among themselves, bargaining with the vendors. Somewhere behind him, he heard his name and stopped, pretending to inspect a beautiful vase which was for sale.
"Did you know that king Yoongi might declare his fiance on this year's harvest day?"
"Is that so? That's so romantic."
"It's not confirmed yet, but there is a word on the street that it's going to be the daughter of King Sajung. But it's mostly for political reasons, rather than actual love. "
Yoongi takes it all in with an amused smile. Rumours didn't take time to spread in small villages, words passing mouth to mouth each time with some personally added twist.
It's been two months since Yoongi became the king. His father had passed away due to a long term illness he had been suffering for a few years. And naturally, Yoongi became the king.
Even when he was a prince it was one of his favourite pastimes to dress up as a commoner and roam around his kingdom, traveling to far away villages sometimes. This time, he had left early at dawn and ridden his horse a few hours away, and decided to just stroll around the busy marketplace.
He heard a lot of gossip spreading around the kingdom since he was crowned a king. Some of it was true, while the other was complete bullshit.
It was a known fact that he was a skilled swordsman and had accompanied his father in a battle which took place with a neighbouring kingdom some years back, when he was a boy just out of his teens. He had heard rumours going around that he had been betrothed to a beautiful princess for alliance, which was utter nonsense. He would never ruin the life of a woman intentionally, or any person for that matter and forego theirs and his chances of finding true love. And there was also the fact that he was as straight as a noodle can be. So a princess was out of question.
The sun hid behind a billow of clouds drifting lazily in the breeze, which gave a momentary relief of cool shadow. Yoongi reached the end of the market which opened to a plain ground, where many people had put up little stalls, selling food items. In the middle of the ground, a small group of spectators had gathered. Yoongi could hear the faint noises of a flute coming from somewhere in the crowd. He moved towards them, his curiosity piqued.
He gradually reached the centre of the crowd, after pushing and squeezing his way through the throng and finally saw what the people were watching.
There was a young boy, standing to one side playing the flute which Yoongi had heard. In the middle of it all, there was another boy, dancing to it's melody.
The dancer was graceful and moved like water, smooth and gliding so easily, it felt more than just dancing. It was passionate, each and every move calculated, nothing less than ethereal. The dance in itself was so very delicate, but sharp at the edges. Yoongi was blown away, as he watched the dancer with a gaping mouth. The dancer in question also had a very pretty face, exactly the kind Yoongi could fall for. Pretty brown eyes, plump pink lips and a strong jawline complimenting his features.
The performance came to an end and the dancer bowed to the audience as the crowd moved forward to place coins for him in a little hat near the flutist's feet. Yoongi couldn't move an inch, rooted to the ground. He kept watching the pretty boy, who was smiling at people who came to him and held his hands, complimenting him.
He started to approach the boy, drawn in by his pretty smile and crescent moon eyes. When he came to stand in front of him, the dancer noticed him and gave him a huge smile.
"Do you come here often?" Yoongi said, his voice coming out weirdly high pitched. He felt embarrassed and cleared his throat loudly. The dancer seemed to notice it and chuckled a bit before he said,
"No, we usually travel around, we don't have a specific place to perform. But we're traveling to the next village over, tomorrow, if you'd like to come see us."
There wasn't a hint of shyness at all, contrary to what Yoongi was expecting. He was confident, professional but his eyes were warm and gentle. Yoongi was the one who felt abashed from talking to the pretty boy.
"What's your name?" He asked.
"I'm Jimin, who are you?"
"My name's Suga."
Yoongi couldn't give his real name, as every person in the kingdom knew it. Jimin looked suspicious at the name, because it hardly sounded like a real one. But he didn't comment and smiled at Yoongi.
Now Yoongi didn't know what to say, so he just grabbed a coin from his pocket, a gold one and handed it to Jimin.
"Here, for your performance. It was so beautiful, one of a kind. I loved it."
Jimin kept staring at the coin, hardly believing it. It was a gold one, the highest currency there was. He looked at Yoongi with wide eyes, genuine shock all over his face.
"Oh my god! Thank you so much, this is so generous! We never receive a gold one!" He said bowing politely.
"You deserved it. I'd love to see more and I think I definitely will." He gave Jimin an encouraging smile.
"Does that mean I'll get to see you again? But how will you know where we perform?" He asked.
"I'll find you again." Yoongi gave him a reassuring nod and walked away, whistling the tune of the song he'd heard earlier on the flute, resisting the urge to look back again.
***********
The next day, Yoongi was riding to the next village in search of the dancer, Jimin. The boy hadn't left his thoughts for even a second last night, when he had travelled all the way back to his palace. Jin and Jungkook were waiting for him, worried because of his absence. He'd entered through the gates, a goofy smile on his lips and a dreamy look in his eyes which baffled them both.
He had been riding for more than an hour and the sun had already risen, halfway through the sky indicating it was some time past ten. He was excited to see Jimin again, to say the least. He'd been sleeping on and off last night, his conscious and subconscious thoughts both taken over by Jimin's grace and beauty. He'd seen many dancers, professional and rich in their talent over the years performing at his palace for special functions. But there was a raw passion unique to Jimin, which attracted Yoongi. He wanted to see more and more of it.
He reached the town an hour later, trotting leisurely on his horse. He had reached another marketplace, buzzing with activity and energy. The people here were shouting out their goods, attracting the buyers with offers. He tied his horse to a tree nearby, and ventured out into the market.
An old lady was sitting at an open stall, selling bejewelled necklaces, bracelets and rings. Yoongi thought of buying Jimin one of them, their allure as attractive as Jimin himself. He looked at a necklace which was a deep sapphire pendant, hanging off a silver chain. He remembered Jimin wearing a blue costume yesterday and decided that the necklace would go perfectly well with his attire.
The old lady spoke up when she saw Yoongi inspecting the jewelry.
"The lady would be lucky to have it, my dear. It's pretty, isn't it?"
Yoongi looked at the old, wrinkly lady and said, "yes, very. But not as much as the person who's going to receive it."
"Oh my dear, such a smooth talker you are. Why don't you make this old lady happy and buy one?"
"I'll buy this one then" he said, pointing at the sapphire necklace. "How much for this?"
"It's twenty gold coins, but for you I'll make it fifteen" she said with a wink.
Yoongi handed over the money and thanked the lady when she packed the necklace in a small paper bag with a cute little bow on it.
He pocketed it and wandered further.
"Hey, Suga!"
He took a second to realise that the person was calling for him and turned around to find Jimin, walking towards him. He was smiling widely, all happy and cheery with his hands behind his back.
"So, you did find me." He said as he approached Yoongi.
"I said I would." He said, unable to take his eyes off Jimin.
He looked so radiant under the sun, his tan skin glowing, a little blush to his cheeks from the heat, black fringes falling into his eyes.
"When are you performing today?" Yoongi asked.
"In less than an hour. Are you excited to see it?"
"Well, I came here all the way for it, so that proves the excitement."
"Oh? Where do you live?"
Yoongi looked at the genuine curiosity in Jimin's eyes. Poor, oblivious Jimin.
"I live a few towns away. Took me a couple hours to ride here."
Jimin's mouth opened in shock, a hand coming up to his lips.
"Oh my, you came this far just to watch a dance?"
"Yes."
"Oh no, now I feel really obliged to perform the best so that you won't be disappointed for traveling so far for it!" Jimin said, frowning.
"Don't worry. I think you'll do the absolute best. And also, I won't be disappointed at all, now that I've met you."
Jimin blushed, the tips of his ears going red and he was silent for a few seconds. He quickly regained his composure and said, "then I'll just put on a performance that will be unforgettable, for you." He winked at Yoongi.
"Hey, Jimin, let's go, we're getting late." someone shouted from behind Yoongi.
Jimin gave Yoongi a long look, conveying a lot of things without words, which Yoongi couldn't understand. He turned around to see Jimin join the boy who had called him, the same one who was playing the flute yesterday. He was giving Yoongi a questioning look, which he sent at Jimin when he got closer. Jimin said something to him which Yoongi couldn't hear and the flutist gave a wide smile, which was surprisingly heart shaped. Yoongi liked his smile.
A few minutes later Yoongi found himself standing at the front of the crowd, waiting for the performance to start. Jimin walked to the centre, raised his hands to the sky, striking a pose and waiting for music.
The flutist started playing, along with another man today, who was playing a gayageum, his long slender fingers plucking and caressing the strings nimbly. Yesterday's melody was haunting, like uncovering horrific secrets. But today, the music sounded much more sensual, heavy. With every note, Jimin's body bent and twisted with such flexibility that left Yoongi dazed. At one point, Jimin swayed his hips all the way to the ground and did a split and jumped back to his feet. Everyone clapped enthusiastically at the step, including Yoongi, who looked far too eager than anyone else. At the end of the song, Jimin did a perfect spin and when he turned around, he was directly facing Yoongi. For a second, they just looked into each other's eyes, Jimin's heavy expression searing onto Yoongi's mind. He was huffing to catch his breath, chest falling and rising to fill his lungs with air. The crowd started clapping and cheering loudly, moving towards the small hat placed near the musicians' feet. Jimin graced everyone who complimented him with a smile, the old and the young alike charmed by his beauty and talent.
Yoongi was rooted to his spot again, his respect and adoration for Jimin growing ten fold. When the crowd dispersed, Yoongi approached Jimin from behind, who was accepting some coins from an old lady and thanking her profusely.
He sneaked up on Jimin when he wasn't noticing and tapped his shoulder. Jimin turned around to look at him and Yoongi was blown away by the radiant smile Jimin was giving him.
"That was some performance." Yoongi said, coming short for words.
"Did you like it?"
"Like is such an incompetent word to explain what it felt like, Jimin. You were so beautiful, a dancing god, if I may say so. I can't put it into words."
Yoongi knew he had said too much too soon, but Jimin looked so happy that Yoongi felt it was worth it.
"Thank you so much Suga. I hope I made it unforgettable for you."
"Oh, that it definitely was. Never gonna forget you or your performance ever, Jimin."
Jimin looked really pleased with his reaction, which satisfied Yoongi in turn.
"I have something for you." He said.
"Oh, is it another gold coin?"
"No, but I hope you like it."
He took out the small paper bag from his pocket and placed it in Jimin's hands. Jimin looked at it for a few seconds before looking at Yoongi and asking, "A gift? For me?" as if he couldn't believe it. Yoongi nodded and Jimin opened the package.
Jimin took out the necklace and placed it in his palm, the jewel reflecting the sun on his skin. He looked so mesmerized, he was silent for a whole minute, just observing the piece of jewelry in his hand. Yoongi watched as the reflection fell across Jimin's cheek, casting blue hues. He looked so pretty Yoongi had a sudden urge to kiss those pretty hues. He reeled his thoughts in, startled at his own wayward mind, somehow feeling a little guilty for thinking about Jimin in such a way, although pleased at the same time.
"It's beautiful, Suga. Wow, just, thank you so much." Jimin said, looking shy and adorable, overwhelmed by Yoongi's courtesy.
"It's my pleasure."
Jimin stretched his hand with the necklace towards Yoongi, as if giving him it and said, "Why don't you put it on me? Afterall, it's your present and I want it properly."
"Of course." The words came out of Yoongi in a sharp exhale, all the air leaving his body within a second. He stepped forward, taking the necklace from Jimin's hand. Jimin turned around, and Yoongi put the necklace around his neck, clasping it at the back.
When Jimin turned around, he was standing so close to Yoongi, he could feel Jimin's breath at his chin. He looked into Yoongi's eyes directly, and Yoongi couldn't look away even if his life depended on it. He glanced down at Jimin's lips, but didn't linger there for longer than a beat, afraid of what he might feel, what he might want if he looked too long.
He looked at the pendant resting at the base of Jimin's neck, between his collarbones. It looked beautiful on Jimin's skin, the dark blue complimenting the tan of his skin. He reached out to touch the pendant and grazed his fingers lightly against its cool surface.
"Do I look pretty?" Jimin asked, his voice a whisper.
"So pretty, Jimin. The prettiest of all." He whispered back, as if anything louder than that was like commiting a sin.
Jimin let out a sigh and stepped back, Yoongi's hand hovering in the air.
"Will I get to see you again?" Jimin asked, a hint of hope hiding somewhere in his voice.
"Of course Jimin. I'll find you. Again and again. Do you want to see me again?"
"I would've waited for you, even if you'd have said no."
Those were the only words Yoongi needed to realise that he was falling, hard, and Jimin didn't seem to be doing any better.
***********
Since that day, Yoongi followed Jimin and his crew wherever they went. He'd take time off his schedule and travel to places, meet Jimin and spend time with him, watch him dance. He didn't know how he was going to confess his status to Jimin, but he didn't stress about that just yet. Right then, all he wanted was Jimin, his company, his time.
Yoongi soon learnt that Jimin was a really kind person as much as he was a great dancer, always helping people whenever he could, even if they might be strangers. His crewmates, Hoseok who played the flute and Taehyung who played the gayageum knew each other since childhood. All three of them had been travelling for a few years now, always on the move and dancing their way through people's heart around the kingdom. They were well known in their part of town, where they'd started their little band.
The more Yoongi met them, the more he got to know about them. They had many stories to share, most of them from the time they had travelled to different places, of the people they'd met and their funny experiences. One time, Yoongi was laughing with them hysterically, clutching his stomach to one story when Taehyung had broke the string of his gayageum in the middle of a performance and Jimin had stumbled, falling face first onto the ground, of which Hoseok pulled off quite an uncanny imitation.
Yoongi got to know more about Jimin, his little habit of hitting Yoongi on the shoulder when he was teased, the way he threw his whole body on the person beside him when he laughed loudly, how he became shy and blushy every time Yoongi brought him gifts. Sometimes it were flowers, sometimes silk scarves and sometimes more jewelry. Jimin always accepted them flushing furiously and thanking profusely. He always asked Yoongi if he looked pretty when he tried those gifts on, a frown between his eyebrows and when Yoongi assured him that he was looking lovely, always did, he grinned so wide that it took Yoongi's breath away.
It had been three months since they had met. One time, Jimin and Yoongi were sitting in a meadow of wildflowers under the shade of a tree, reclining leisurely against the thick trunk. The sunlight escaped through the leaves to cast little spots of sunshine on the ground. There was a light breeze which ruffled Jimin's hair every now and then, the rays of sun falling into his pretty brown eyes, bringing out the colour in them. They were sitting in comfortable silence, but after a point Yoongi realised that something was wrong. Jimin's posture looked stiff, and he seemed to be pondering over something, a dreamy look to his unfocused eyes. Yoongi nudged him and Jimin startled a bit.
"What is it you're thinking of?"
Jimin looked at him for a second, as if he was caught doing something wrong, but in the end, he gave a long sigh, determination in his expression.
"I've wanted to ask you something since a while now." He said. "Why do you keep coming back? For us?"
Yoongi sat straighter and thought about Jimin's question. It had a very simple answer and he was willing to give it.
"I like to see you, to talk to you, watch you dance, everything about you."
"Are you saying you like me?"
"I think I am."
Jimin's mouth gaped open in shock at the sudden confession. Yoongi knew he liked Jimin and he was aware of Jimin's feelings too. They weren't that subtle about it, rather they did not want to be. Yoongi was obviously trying to court Jimin since the day they had met. But they were afraid of talking directly about it, until now.
Maybe because it was rather unusual in their time for two men to court each other, but it was not unheard of. Any such topic needed to be broached with caution. Some people were for it, but there were always some people who had something bad to say about these things. But Jimin and his friends didn't seem like those types. Maybe Jimin liked men too, Yoongi had a hunch that he was liked by Jimin, the same way he did, but now the cat was out of the bag and Yoongi just couldn't lie. He knew they were going to have to talk about it, someday.
"Wow Suga, I didn't expect you to be that straightforward. Now you're making me blush." Jimin said, covering his face.
"What's the point in lying? I come here for you, everyday. Even when I go back all I can think about is you. I feel so happy Jimin, that destiny gave us a chance to meet each other." He finished softly, pulling Jimin's hands away from his face.
Jimin was teary eyed, trying to reel in his emotions.
"Hey hey, don't cry. Come here." Yoongi pulled Jimin close and hugged him tightly, who gave a loud sniff, tears falling down his face and onto Yoongi's shoulder.
"Thank you so much for coming into my life Suga. I feel so happy with you. You make me happy. So, so happy. I know I wasn't sad before, but I feel much more livelier since I've met you." he sobbed into Yoongi's neck.
They stayed like that for some time, Jimin's tears subsiding after a while. When he leaned back, Yoongi took his face in his hands and held him tenderly, looking into his tear stained eyes and asked, "can I kiss you?"
Jimin smiled wide and nodded vigorously, his head bobbing up and down. He closed his eyes and pouted his lips. Yoongi watched him, looking so soft and adorable. He leaned in and gave Jimin a peck on his pouted lips and pulled away immediately.
Jimin opened his eyes, looking at Yoongi questioningly.
"I thought I was going to get a proper kiss which swept me off my feet or something! That wasn't even a kiss!" Jimin said, disappointed.
Yoongi laughed loudly and Jimin, after glaring at Yoongi for a few seconds couldn't hold it in as he too, broke into laughter.
Something had stopped Yoongi from really kissing Jimin, his mind not letting him give in to his passion completely. He had a hunch of what that was.
************
When Yoongi reached his palace that night, he was a man with a mission. After dinner, he went searching for Namjoon, who was his royal ambassador. When he reached his study, he knocked on the door.
"Come in." A voice came from inside.
Yoongi entered the room, which was a warm place littered with books lining the shelves. An orange glow of candlelight fell on every surface and a silent hush fell over the space when Yoongi closed the door behind him.
"What brings you here at this late hour?" Namjoon asked, looking from above his spectacles which were perched on the bridge of his nose.
"I have something to ask you."
"That much is obvious. Am I about to know the reason for your frequent absences from the palace lately?"
"Maybe."
"Go on."
"I want you to invite someone to our palace."
Namjoon leaned forward, seemingly interested more than before in what Yoongi had to say. He nodded for Yoongi to continue.
"There's this street dancer and his group of friends. I met them on one of my excursions of the kingdom. They're really talented. I'd like to invite them to perform on the coming harvest day."
"Oh that's nice, scouting talent from the streets. Very benevolent of you." He gave Yoongi a thoughtful look. A pause, and then, "but why them?"
Yoongi went silent for a few seconds. He knew it when Namjoon suspected something. And when that happened he also knew that Namjoon would always have ways to find out the truth. There was no point in lying.
"There's this dancer from the group, name's Jimin."
"Go on, go on."
"He's really talented. The way he dances, I tell you, it's not something we see everyday. There's so much conviction in it but at the same time, it's ethereal, I have no words to explain it. He's really beautiful."
"Oh, I thought it was just his dancing skills that were wonderful. Looks like the dancer in question seems to have attracted your attention too." Namjoon said teasingly, to Yoongi's annoyance.
"Okay, I'll admit it, he's gorgeous. And well, there's more to it."
"And that is?"
"He doesn't know of my status yet. And we've already confessed that we like each other."
Namjoon peered at him in silence, thinking hard. Yoongi knew it was a huge secret, but the topic was so hard to broach and a perfect opportunity never actually showed up between him and Jimin where they could talk about it. But he had his suspicions and Jimin wasn't a stupid person. Yoongi had mentioned once in passing that he worked at the palace, but didn't go much further, swiftly changing the topic. Jimin had looked at him doubtfully, but he never asked again.
"Okay so you think you'll reveal your identity before him on harvest day?" Namjoon asked.
"Yes. Wouldn't it be a perfect opportunity?"
"I think so. Let's just hope he doesn't pass out or something in the middle of the ceremony."
"I don't think he will."
"Well, that's a relief. I'll get on it."
**************
The next time Yoongi met Jimin was a couple days later. When he reached the small hotel where Jimin and his friends were staying, he came running out on the street and jumped into Yoongi's arms, who catched him and hugged him tightly.
"Looks like someone's really happy to see me."
Jimin giggled and was placed back on his feet.
"You know, the best thing happened yesterday. We are invited to the King's palace for the harvest day Suga! We're invited to perform!" Jimin exclaimed. He looked so happy, his cheeks red from smiling so much. Yoongi couldn't help himself and gave a peck on the apple of his cheek, which somehow managed to make Jimin blush more.
"I'm so happy for you, Jimin. It was all you and your talent. You deserve it so much. All of the kingdom needs to see just how beautiful you are." Yoongi gushed, matching Jimin's level of happiness.
"Will I get to see you there?"
"Of course I'll be there, remember I work at the palace?"
"Yes, yes of course." He gave a contented smile. Then a frown crossed his features. "I wonder who found out about us, that we actually got an invite from the palace. Was it you, Suga? Did you recommend us?" He asked, eager to know the answer.
"Maybe, in a way."
"What does that mean?"
"It doesn't matter. What matters is you make this opportunity worthwhile, prove yourself. Have you planned what you're going to perform?"
"Yes. Me, Hoseok and Taehyung have it all planned. We were actually practicing late into last night. We still have two days. We'll be practicing today. Do you want to stay and watch?"
The invitation was extremely tempting but Yoongi didn't want to spoil the surprise for himself. So he denied.
"I'll let that be a surprise. I'll see you then, on harvest day."
"Can't wait anymore." Jimin said, smiling.
When Yoongi turned to leave, he felt a hand on his arm, pulling him back and before he could ask what Jimin wanted, he felt a pair of lips touch his cheeks gently. When he leaned back he found a grinning Jimin, looking pretty and a little rebellious at what he'd done.
"You still owe me a kiss, Suga." He said, teasingly.
Yoongi pulled him close enough to whisper in his ears, "oh, I'll give you that and more, just you wait." And then he blinked at a flushed Jimin, and brushed a hand on his warm cheeks, the touch filled with promises yet to be fulfilled.
***************
The harvest day came with a flurry of preparations and buzz of excitement around the palace. The delicious smell of food could be smelt coming from the huge kitchens. The halls, balconies and passageways were decorated with wreaths of colourful flowers. The sky was clear blue and sunny, a light breeze rushing gently through the trees and grass, gently caressing them.
Yoongi had woken up early that day and gotten ready and dressed up in his ceremonial robes to supervise the decorations and arrangements for the big feast, which took place every harvest day. All the courtiers and aristocrats joined the feast at the palace, enjoying different performances from artists who came from different parts of the kingdom to entertain them. The people in all the villages celebrated the harvest day by gathering together, dancing, drinking and having fun.
Yoongi met Seokjin in the kitchen who was ordering the chefs around, throwing instructions here and there. He was appointed to look after the feast menu and to check that everything was nothing less than perfect. He was tasting the dishes, slurping on soups and directing the cooks on how to make them taste better.
Namjoon was in charge of welcoming the dignitaries, who had travelled to the palace from different parts of the kingdom. Yoongi saw Jungkook, who was the head of the king's guard and was supposed to be looking after the security and surveillance. He was ordering the soldiers around, commanding them to get in positions and was keeping a close watch on everyone who entered or was roaming around.
Yoongi took a detour of the whole palace, checking if everything was in place, greeting everyone he saw on the way. The feast today needed to be just flawless, and nothing less.
He entered the hall in which Jimin was going to perform today. It was decorated with flowers and greens, adorned around beautifully carved pillars. The hall in itself was meant for hosting such ceremonies, the centre of the floor encrusted with a beautiful array of colourful tiles. The ceiling was no less than magnificent, with paintings depicting meadows of flowers. It truly felt like sitting in a garden, blooming with flora.
Just then, Jungkook entered the hall from behind Yoongi and approached him, giving him a mischievous smile.
"Your Jimin has just arrived with his crew. They've been taken to the waiting chamber."
"That's great news. Look after their hospitality, personally. See to it if they need anything."
"I'll do it, your majesty."
"Aah, first you tease me then call me majesty?"
"With all due respect, when did I ever tease you, your majesty?" He asks dramatically, placing his hand on his chest.
"You called him my Jimin." Yoongi huffed childishly.
"Isn't he?"
The way Jungkook was smirking was already a sign of Yoongi's defeat. He couldn't argue a word over that. But he wasn't mad at all. In fact, he blushed so suddenly, Jungkook's eyes widened than they were already before and he chuckled, trying to control his laughter.
"Oh my god, I didn't know you were in that deep. I'll look after him, don't worry. And by the way, he's really pretty. Totally your type, if I may say so." He smiled genuinely now.
Yoongi felt reassured from Jungkook's words. He always knew what to say, how to act so that it made the other person comfortable. It was a nice trait to have.
Yoongi climbed the platform on which his throne was perched and sat down, waiting for the guests to join him. One by one, people came in and bowed before him, placing presents before him, mostly including the specialities which they'd harvested on their land. They went to sit on chairs which were placed from wall to wall, leaving the central area empty for performances.
After everyone had settled, the celebration started. Many artists had come to the palace in the hopes of entertaining the courtiers and receiving valuables in return. Yoongi watched the performers, a lady with a voice of a nightingale, a man who performed a beautiful form of some western dance. There was a man who displayed the art of fire breathing, and another woman who had the whole hall erupting into laughter due to her witty humour.
But Yoongi was most excited for Jimin's performance, which was arranged to be held last. As other presentations went by, Yoongi's enthusiasm mounted up gradually.
When it was time for the last performance, a buzzing excitement fell over the hall. It was a well known fact that the best act was always kept for the finale, and everyone's curiosity was palpable.
Then, as if on cue, the doors to the side of the hall opened and Jimin entered through them, Hoseok and Taehyung following behind him. The murmur around the hall fell back into complete silence.
Yoongi's eyes fell on Jimin at the same time Jimin glanced at him. There was a moment of confusion on Jimin's face, then realisation and later surprise as he looked at Yoongi, the king, sitting on the throne. But he was quick to hide his emotions as he came near the platform and bowed down to Yoongi. When he looked up again, he saw a slight smile gracing Jimin's lips, which Yoongi returned. He whispered Jimin's name, his mouth moving around the words, but Jimin was far too away to actually hear them. Yet, he understood as Yoongi saw him mouthing 'Suga' the name with which Jimin knew him. He smiled so gently, so lovingly at Yoongi that it took his breath away for a second, his heart beating so rapidly in his chest that he could feel it's palpitations.
He was looking so ethereal, a long, black robe with intricate embroidery hanging off his shoulders under which there was a white silk shirt. And on his neck, he was wearing the sapphire necklace that Yoongi had given him.
Everyone in the hall witnessed this interaction and whispered in each other's ears as to who was this performer who was bold enough to talk to the king directly, let alone smile at him.
Then Jimin went a few steps back, never taking his eyes off Yoongi and took his position, waiting for his cue to start. Yoongi was spellbound from the moment the first notes from the gayageum rung around the hall clearly, and Jimin started to move.
This was a dance of passion, of love, of everything Yoongi had felt since he'd met Jimin, which was being reflected in Jimin's eyes as he danced fiercely, a fiery gaze in his eyes. His moves were sharp, no holds barred and every move held some meaning, some story. The notes from the flute were sharp and high pitched, conveying the raw emotions Jimin was expressing through his moves.
It felt too soon when the performance came to an end. Jimin did the last step, the music stopped. His head was facing the ground below, his hands to his sides as he caught his breath. There was a moment of silence, in which only Jimin's rapid breathing could be heard around the hall.
And then, the crowd erupted into a loud applause. Many of them were looking at Jimin in awe, some with respect. Jimin looked up, surprised by everyone's loud response. Out of all the performances which had happened that day, the applause for Jimin's and his friends' was the loudest.
Jimin looked at Yoongi, a question in his eyes which Yoongi knew was 'was it unforgettable?' and Yoongi couldn't help but nod, he knew it was more than just that. It was extraordinary, and everything else compared to it was just mediocre, because it was Jimin who was in the middle of it all, his Jimin.
The moment Jimin smiled at him, standing there in the middle of the hall, deserving the cheers and applause he was being rewarded with, that Yoongi had a moment of epiphany. He was in love with Jimin.
**************
That evening, when the feast and celebrations were done with, Yoongi set out to find Jimin. He hadn't got a proper chance to meet Jimin after his performance, having been busy with the guests. He reached the chamber where Jimin was staying and knocked on the door. The door opened a few seconds later, Jimin peering from behind it.
"I think we need to talk, shall we?" Yoongi asked, pointing towards the garden visible from the window in the passage.
Jimin nodded as he came out and shut the door behind him. He followed Yoongi who had already started making his way towards the exit. Jimin catched up with him and walked behind him, looking nervous.
"You don't have to be anxious, Jimin. Just because I am your king now doesn't mean I'm a different person. My feelings are still the same. Please, walk beside me." Yoongi said, holding his hand out for Jimin to take.
Jimin looked up at him so fast that Yoongi was afraid he might have cricked his neck if he wasn't as flexible as he was. He silently hurried up to stay abreast with Yoongi, holding his hand.
They reached the garden, which was blooming with flowers of a thousand different colours everywhere around them, covering every piece of land they could find. The sun was nearly setting in the sky, which was painted in the beautiful hues of orange and purple. Yoongi guided Jimin towards a huge tree and sat at its base, just like the time they were sitting in a meadow and had confessed to each other.
Jimin hadn't taken his eyes off of Yoongi for even a second. There was a look of fear in his eyes, as if Yoongi might push him away. But Yoongi held on tighter, giving his hand a little squeeze.
He gave Jimin some time to think, to speak what he was thinking. After a few minutes of silence, Jimin spoke up.
"That was a big surprise, Suga. Or is it your majesty now? How should I address you now?"
"Just call me Yoongi, Jimin. Not majesty, not Suga. I'm sorry I took so much time to tell you the truth. I was afraid. But that day, when you said you liked me back, I knew I had to tell you. I could not love you like that, when you were being kept in the dark. You didn't deserve that. Please forgive me."
"This changes nothing, right, Yoongi?" Jimin says his name so gently, his voice timid, that Yoongi has to control himself from kissing Jimin senseless right then and there.
"No, Jimin. I'm still yours, and I'll still court you. Only you."
"But I'm just a street dancer, I don't have a stable home, or money. I'm poor and live off the pennies I get from dancing. If I stop that, I won't be able to live."
"No, Jimin. Never think of yourself like that. You're beautiful and talented. I see the beauty of this world when you dance, it's nothing less than magical. You live doing what you love to do, and you're not afraid of it. I dream of living like that, Jimin. Money and everything doesn't matter much, if you're doing what you love."
This brought tears to Jimin's eyes and as one of them fell from his eyes, Yoongi wiped it away with his thumb. He looked so pretty even while crying, Yoongi couldn't believe what kind of luck he was blessed with to be getting to touch Jimin, his angel.
"And about that home you mentioned, you can stay here, with me in the palace. I'd love to wake up to your gorgeous face everyday. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be graced by your angelic smile, Jimin. And as long as I have it, I'll cherish it. Please stay with me, will you?"
Jimin broke out into a glorious smile at Yoongi's request, putting the sunset behind them to shame.
"Yes. I'll stay. With you."
Yoongi's heart had stopped for a second, but the moment Jimin answered him, it fluttered in his chest, spreading a pleasant warmth throughout his body. Yoongi knew it was the right moment, so he held Jimin's face in his hands and leaned forward to kiss him. Jimin closed his eyes and took in a sharp inhale at the sudden contact, but after a second, he pressed his lips to Yoongi's firmly. They held each other so tightly, months of restrained passion suddenly breaking out into their kiss.
They kissed for so long that the sun had set behind them, making way for the moon and the stars to shine above. The kiss felt perfect, the warmth of each other's bodies like home.
Yoongi had always wondered why he liked moving to different places, why he was never satisfied at the palace, his home, where he would never want for anything at all.
But now he had an answer. Home was never a place, it was a person. And he'd found it in Jimin.
That night, when they lay in each other's arms, limbs tangled in the sheets, Jimin asked Yoongi,
"Despite everything, I love you Yoongi, you know that, right?"
Yoongi smiled, looking into his lover's eyes.
"I know."