Usually, I would say pls comment a lot but at this point, I've given up, just do what seems right to you

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"That is impossible", Jeongguk said, staring at the pretty male in front of him who looked back at him with glossy doe eyes, shaking his head softly. "I'm not sure... but I have a story that might explain to you why I'm thinking that", Taehyung hurried to say because he felt Jeongguk slipping away.

"Please listen... please Jeongguk. I don't want to attack you, I want to communicate with you because I know what it feels like to be dealing with helpless anger", Taehyung said, eyes shortly unfocusing before he made his decision. "I was engaged without my consent, sold off to another kingdom because my father wanted to protect me and ensure my safety. But is it worth my freedom? I've never been free, just like you. I know I can't feel what you feel because I haven't been in your situation but I know what it feels like to be helpless. I had to watch how others ruled over my life and made me their puppet. Friends and family using me for their own purpose", the small raven said, somehow managing to still Jeongguk's movements with his words.

"From experience, you and I are no different... slaves in different ways but still slaves. I know it sounds disgusting to compare myself to you since I could never truly experience hunger but I experienced the fear for my life. And I also lost my father to a stupid fight", the prince told Jeongguk, offering him a piece of his heart.

Jeongguk took it without regrets and found himself moving closer to Taehyung, somehow feeling bonded to the prince despite being so different, yet so similar. Jeongguk has only found people who understood his anger and hatred but never tried to understand his reasons behind. He has felt alone in a sea too wide and deep. 

So he listened to Taehyung and found himself falling.

"My Appa was the most bravest man I knew and he had a heart of gold. He was an amazing regent and he loved me and my father beyond belief. I became the heir to the throne and Appa did anything to teach me the ways to treat the kingdom. He believed in kindness and understanding your pupils and taught me to never think of myself higher than others. We often did trips down to the villages, disguised of course, to get to know the people from up close. It was beautiful and horrifying. But I learned so much from it and I promised myself to be a good king in the future", Taehyung smiled fondly by these memories.

"What happened?", Jeongguk asked carefully, wishing to have experienced such a beautiful bonding to his own parents, but instead he has been sold off for a box of wine. 

"He was killed, during a war. My Appa fought so bravely but t-they were so many and they hunted our soldiers down. Appa was the last one to die and they sent my father his head", Taehyung's voice cracked at the end, recalling the horrible night where his father has screamed so loudly and blood curling, that his vocal cords were harmed permanently.

Starting from that day, Taehyung was forbidden to step foot outside the palace and his visits to the village together with his Appa became a faint memory. His father has turned stricter with him, drilled him more and soon announced his engagement to Kim Seokjin.

Taehyung knew, that despite all the pain his father Baekhyun held in his heart for the loss of his husband Chanyeol and true love, all he wanted was to protect Taehyung and ensure his safety.

Yet he bought that with Taehyung's freedom.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Taehyung", Jeongguk said and he meant it. No pet name denied the meaning behind his words and Taehyung was grateful for that. So he found the power to continue.

"I know what I'm going to say isn't going to heal the scars or fix the trauma you went through. But I want to try to ease the pain in your heart. I saw you, Jeongguk. Not the version in front of the pirates, the big scary captain no one is challenging. I believe I got a glimpse of the real you and I will never share this with anyone. You don't have to believe me, I'm royal. But if you put at least a bit trust in me, I would like to help", Taehyung offered Jeongguk a shy smile at the end and Jeongguk bent his head in guilt.

He was defeated, couldn't bring himself to hate the prince, Taehyung who was so good. So pure, kind and accepting that Jeongguk didn't know what to do with his emotions. So he tried to express them with a small kiss to Taehyung's hand. 

"Tell me your story. I will listen to your every word", Jeongguk whispered, not trusting his voice from how overwhelmed he felt. Taehyung made a pained little noise in the back of his throat, feeling he was holding a hurt puppy who was baring its teeth at anyone trying to get closer.

"I remember to be eighteen, just engaged to Prince Seokjin", pain shot through Jeongguk's heart hearing that again. Now that he got to accept his feelings, he had a concurrent. "And I was so so angry all the time. I wanted to defy my father at all costs, do something that would make my Appa proud so I could feel closer to him", Taehyung's voice drifted off a bit.

"There was this... prisoner brought into the royal palace, I heard him screaming up to my rooms. Yelling that he was set up and innocent. Father didn't want to answer my questions which greatly upset me. When I asked him to what purpose the prisoner was brought here, Father replied he was here to die. I didn't feel this was right. Someone's mere purpose to be killed sounded weird to me and still does. Who is a king to decide about someone's life like that? It genuinely got me curious so I sneaked down to the prison", Taehyung continued on while Jeongguk was intently listening to his story.

"I think- no, I know I made my decision when I heard someone singing. A man with the voice of an angel didn't deserve to die so I ordered the guards to leave for a walk with me as I wasn't allowed to go to the garden alone. When we returned, the prisoner was gone. I was so happy because I felt like I did something good, something my Appa would do. I felt proud for saving a life", Taehyung teared up at the end, looking away from Jeongguk and sniffing.

"I know this cannot repair anything the royals have done to you and what they did to other people... but please don't judge me too quickly when you hear my title", a tear escaped Taehyung's eyes and he gasped surprised when his chin was caught by gentle fingers.

His head was turned into Jeongguk's direction who looked so gentle at him, black eyes turning soft when the small prince vulnerably looked at him. Jeongguk wiped the tear away from his cheek. 

Before leaning forward to capture Taehyung's lips in a short sweet kiss. "You saved me back then, Taehyung. And I wronged you for my beliefs. Please forgive me, sweet angel. Because you're the only one I'm begging for forgiveness", Jeongguk said with thick voice, merely holding himself up. 

He now truly believed it was Taehyung's doing which has saved his life. And fate brought them back together, gave Jeongguk a chance to thank his savior. Even though it wasn't true, Jeongguk wanted to believe it. 

So he closed his mind and opened his heart.

"I forgive you because I understand the reason behind. My parents are the only reason I haven't turned to revenge against the people who wronged me. Your guardian was ripped away from you. This brutal loss cannot be forgotten. But you can forgive yourself, Jeongguk. Like I did", Taehyung sobbed out, voice failing him as his emotions took over.

He didn't pity Jeongguk but he felt so connected with Jeongguk after the pirate shared his story with him. Taehyung felt like he has known Jeongguk his entire life. All of his wrong doings were forgotten by the kind prince who didn't like to live in vengeance.

"You are different to anyone I've encountered. Am I being selfish when I wish for you stay by my side?", Jeongguk decided to reveal the truth of his heart, expecting Taehyung to back away but the prince never did the thing Jeongguk expected him to do.

He instead closed the gap between them, pressing their foreheads together. "No. Because after what you've told me, I want to stay by your side as well. Help to ease your pain", Taehyung whispered.

The two stayed connected in this meaningful moment, eyes closed and hearts somehow beating in the same rhythm.

~

I liked this chapter a lot... idk if you did too but you dont have to tell me, or do anything

Ela_koo