"HobiHobiHobi!"

I giggled and shook my head as I saw Taehyung skipping towards me. "What's up, Tae?"

He engulfed me in a hug with a wide smile on our faces. "I've missed you! I just got back from that trip your father sent me on for a bit."

"Ah, yes. That explains why I haven't seen you around the castle! I've missed you, pal."

Taehyung's smile faltered for a moment before he cleared his throat and brought it back. "Do you have a few minutes to spare? I want to catch up!"

I checked my watch and nodded. "I have about twenty minutes before my meeting. We can chat in my chambers."

••

Sitting on the sofa next to Taehyung felt like the good ole days. We grew up doing this, before I was even able to attend meetings and fulfill my duties as Prince.

He scooted closer to me and gave me a closed-mouth smile. "Hobi, I really have missed you."

I chuckled and nodded. "It was weird not seeing my closest friend around the castle."

I had been hoping he would get the hint of me trying to separate us by throwing him in the friendzone, but alas, he didn't want to give up.

He frowned. "Hoseok, why are you friendzoning me? I thought-I thought we had something."

I shook my head, unable to meet his eyes. "I just... It's not right! We can't. I'm the Prince, and you're an employee. It's against the rules and the whole town or Auralia would freak if they discovered it."

He climbed onto my lap before I could protest. "Maybe you need some convincing."

He leaned over and put his lips on mine hungrily. His hands gripped my shoulders tight.

His lips left my mouth and started peppering kisses along my jaw, making my head fall against the back of the sofa.

"T-T-Tae..."

His lips traveled beneath the jacket I was wearing, to my collar bone. He started sucking on the skin right above the bone, a spot that has always made my toes tingle.

"You can't tell me this can't happen," he whispered against my skin.

I shook my head, coming back to my senses as I realized how it felt to have his lips on mine. It didn't give me the same feeling as before. My heart was no longer feeling it with him.

"Tae, stop."

He ignored my command, continuing to travel across my chest and jaw with his lips before he made his way back up to my mouth.

I pulled away, frowning. I gently forced him off my lap, watching as he pouted. "Tae, I'm sorry. I just... I am just not feeling it anymore."

I could picture Yoongi's face, his gummy smile that vaguely has been seen. I couldn't help but smile and blush at the thought.

Taehyung's eyes grew large. "You met someone else while I was gone, didn't you?"

I sighed, not knowing what exactly to say.

"You can tell me, Hobi. I-I know we shouldn't do this. I won't tell anyone, please."

I nodded, trying to find the right words to say. "I-I have been getting closer to someone. I didn't realize until a minute ago that I was interested in him."

"Who is he? What's he like?" He crossed his legs, excitement on his face.

I felt my heart clench at the thought of Yoongi's fate. I could feel tears threatening to leave my eyes. Taehyung saw this and scooted over, wiping my tears as they fell.

"What's wrong, Hobi? Obviously you want to talk to someone about it."

I inhaled a shaky breath before exhaling, trying to slow the emotions inside me. "H-He is so handsome. He's quite shy and quiet, but he has such a great laugh and smile if you can get it out of him. He's had a tough life, so he is filled with angst like my books lmao and sadness, but his eyes show so much emotion and life behind them."

Taehyung smiled. "He sounds incredible. Who is he? How did you two meet?"

"I met him, uh, in the prison."

He perked up at this. "Ooh, a hot, sexy prison guard, I'm a fan!"

I shook my head. "He-He isn't a guard, Tae."

His head quirked to the side as confusion spread across his features.

"He's a prisoner. Death Row."

•••••••

Let's see how many chapters can end with the words "death row" lmao

Don't worry y'all, Tae will have love soon😉

Also, Namjoonie will be introduced probably next chapter as well.