BTS and Monsta X

That night Jin was lying in bed, while tossing and turning trying to get to sleep he felt his stomach rumble, clutching his tummy he got out of bed, grabbed his candle and made his way towards the kitchen. He wasn't supposed to be out of his sleeping quarters after dark but he’d done it dozen of times before, he’d learned all the guards patterns, it was a piece of cake to sneak past them. Slowly and quietly he snuck through the corridors, tiptoeing past the guards. Just as he made it to the kitchen he went to open the cupboard where all the puddings were stored when he heard a plate hitting the ground.

He turned around holding his candle into the darkness “h-hello?” he whispered. His mother had warned him about monsters coming to eat little princes that disobeyed but he always thought it was just a story, something he was told to trick him into following the rules. Slowly he walked towards the sound “H-hello..?” He asked, this time his voice more nervous. What if it was the monster?

He could hear shallow breathing, coming from under the table. Jin took a deep breath, if it was the monster there was no chance of escape so he decided to brave it. After the count of three he’ll look under.

One..two..three

He shone the candle under the table. Ready to face the monster.

But it wasn’t a big scary beast, it was a small boy, smaller than him, skinnier than him but looked just as scared as him if not more, with a loaf of bread clutched between his bony fingers. They both looked at each other in shock for a few moments when the tiny boy climbed out the opposite side to Jin and started running.

“Wait!” Jin called running after the boy.

The boy didn't listen, opening the back door that goes out into the garden, the tiny boy ran as fast as he could but his frail frame was no match for Jin and soon Jin had caught up to him, tackling him to the ground. The boy cried in pain and panic desperately trying to escape. “Stop!” Jin angrily whispered as he heard two guards talking not far from where they both were. The boy didn't, still trying to move “If you run know the guards WILL catch you, if you stay still, i will make sure you're out of the garden, back into the villages without being spotted” He firmly breathed, the tiny boy froze.

“Now are you going to run if i get off you?” The small boy shook his head, no. Jin got off the him just as they both heard the two guards come closer “Quick, behind them bushes” Jin whispered as the both ducked behind the damaged bushes Jin had spent just that morning slashing.

The two guards walked passed them, towards the kitchen back door to guard. “We can't move until they move around the back, otherwise they'll see us”Jin said as he peeped over the bushes to look at them. “They should move in a few minutes, it’s cold they’ll want to keep moving” Jin tuned to face the small boy who was sat still frightened, clutching the bread to his chest.

“Did you steal that from the castle's kitchen?” Jin asked and the boy looked up in panic so Jin jumped in again, as not to frighten the boy ”It's ok if you have, i go down all the time and take a pudding it's just why would you take bread when you can have a pudding?” Jin smiled trying to seem more friendly.

The small boy didn't seem to understand Jins friendly tone and replied “B-bread- bread will last longer than pudding” in a barely audible whisper looking down. It was at this point where Jin realised just how thin the boy was, his skeletal figure, sunk in cheeks, the boy was starving.

“D-do your parents not give you bread?” Jin asked concerned

The boy shook his head  “They're both dead” he said, even in the darkness Jin could tell the boy was welling up and lacking the skills to be able to deal with someone crying he swiftly changed the subject “I’m Jin by the way” He smiled placing out his hand proudly “Prince Jin”

The small boy, taken back by this it took him a moment to realise that Jin had placed his hand out to be shaken. “I-im Taehyung” He eventually stuttered placing his hand out to shake Jins. Jin smiled as they both shook hands “Well Taehyung, it’s nice to meet you”

“n-nice to meet you too”

Just as soon as they separated their hands the guards started to move “Come on, this is our time to move”Jin said grabbing Taehyung's hand and guiding him out of the bushes. Jin lead Taehyung around the back of the garden towards a small hole in the wall “Go through there, it will lead to the back of the market. I trust you know where to go from there?” He asks. Taehyung nods and bends down to crawl through when Jin tells him to wait “How do you eat without your parents providing for you”

“I- i steal” Taehyung says clearly ashamed, looking down at the floor.

“B-but that's bad. The guards will catch you. You'll have your hands chopped off” Jin protests.

Taehyung shrugs “if i don't i'll die”.  Jin thinks for a moment, “Meet me here tomorrow just after dusk” Taehyung nods before crawling through the hole and going off into the village.

Jin starts to make his way back, carefully entering the kitchen and quietly shutting the door behind him. He walks up to his candle and picks it up and sneakily makes his was back to his bedroom.

The next day all Jin could think about was the boy, after a restless night the small frame of the boy, his visible bones and tattered clothes seemed more disturbing. How could anyone live like that? In his father's kingdom how was thtis allowed? Jin had never seen anyone like that before, he didn't even think people could be like that, so skinny and ..sad. . His eyes, they just were filled with fear and sadness even in the darkness the emotion was visible. As sorry as Jin felt for him all he could think about was what the boy was doing now, was he safe? If he doesn't have any parents does he not have a home? There was so many questions running through his head that as soon as he was sent up to his sleeping quarters he just sat by the window waiting for the sun to go down, eager to see the boy again.

Eventually the sun had set and Jin snuck out to the kitchen again. He grabbed a large cloth and placed 3 loaves of bread and a pudding in the it along with a block of cheese before wrapping it up, placing it in his pocket and making his way out to garden. Before opening the door he placed his ear against it, listening for guards, there was muffled talking that could be heard behind the door. Jin kept listening for a few minutes until the voices faded. Waiting another moment to make sure they were gone before opening the door. Quickly he ran across the garden to the back wall where the hole was.

He bent down into the hole “Taehyung?” He asked

There was a silence for a moment “Yeah.. i-i’m here” the small voice called from within the hole. Less than a few moments later the frail boy crawled out and stood up to meet Jin.

Jin smiled “Hiya!” He exclaimed holding out the wrapped food towards Taehyung. “This is for you”

Taehyung took the cloth and unwrapped at, there was a moment of confusion and happiness “T-thank you” He exclaimed unsure what to do with himself.

Jin smiled back before sitting down on the grass gesturing for Taehyung to do the same.

They both sat there in silence for a moment as Taehyung picked up the pudding and started stuffing his face. He devoured the pudding within seconds. “Woah… haha slow down you'll give yourself a stomach ache” Jin awkwardly laughed.

“S-sorry” Taehyung relies wiping his mouth “I've never had one of those before” He giggles.

Jin could tell Taehyung was much more comfortable by the boys body language. Even as a boy he was taught that to be a good leader and fighter he must be able to read peoples body language,with Tae there was no aggression in his posture but there never was at any point of their time together. There was no fear or awkwardness though, Tae seemed more comfortable and relaxed which made Jin not only happy but proud of himself for being able to make another human comfortable around him. Most people he met were always so formal and stiff, no one was there selves around royalty, always keen to put forward their best image. Jin had already caught Taehyung stealing so there wasn’t much need for Tae to put a fake image forward combined with the fact if Taehyung lacked parents he probably wasn't taught the etiquette ways for anything. This made Jin realise that he had never had another friend his age before.

Everyone he knows are his teachers, servants or guards and the only person that talks to him like an equal is his mother: he’s never had a true friend before.

“How old are you?” Jin asked

“Seven” Taehyung replies with a mouth full of cheese

“I’m ten” Jin smiled excited. “We can be friends?”

“I-i’ve never had a friend before” Taehyung confessed, taking a huge bite from a loaf of bread.

“Me neither! We can best friends” Jin cheered, nudging Taehyung's shoulder.

They both smiled and Taehyung pulled out another loaf of bread, breaking it into two “here” he said passing half a piece into Jin's hands.

They both sat there eating the bread talking, giggling until it started to rain. “I should go” Jin sighed annoyed to be leaving his new friend so soon. Taehyung nodded and they both stood up “same time tomorrow?”

For the next few years Jin  and Taehyung continued to meet up at night, Jin would bring him food and they would sit for a few hours talking. Throughout this time Jin became more aware of outside the castle walls, how the poor live, the crime rate, the bad harvests and so much more. They became close friends so much so that when Jin turned 16 he was allowed to pick his own personal servant, Jin went against his father's ‘better judgement’ and picked Taehyung. Since then taehyung moved into the castle and him and Jin have been even closer friends since.

“Tae!? Hey taehyung...KIM TAEHYUNG!”

“What-what i’m coming” Tae shouts running into the room in a panic “What Jin- oh”

In front of Tae was a half dressed Jin with the top half of his torso and head trapped within in his shirt. “What happened?” Tae laughed, there was a pause, even without seeing his face he could tell Jin was going red with embarrassment. “It's a new top OK. It doesn't fit”

“I can tell it doesn't fit” Tae says trying not to laugh

“It's not funny! Help me out” He shouts, after a moment of soaking up the hilarious view Tae began to help.

“Alright come on” He giggled grabbing the top of his shirt as they both pulled away from each other eventually pulling the shirt away from Jin.

“Thanks”

“No problem, maybe next time get a shirt that fits” Tae joked searching Jins draws for a suitable, fitting top while Jin sat on the bed “Not funny, anyway it was your fault for not giving them the correct measurements. You're supposed to be my servant”

“Well don't breath in so much when i measure you! It’s OK to have a bit of a tummy Jin” Tae smirks

“I DO- I do not have a tummy” Jin pipes up but Tae just shakes his head laughing.

“Here” he states passing Jin the top “This should fit”

Jin grumpily takes the top from Tae’s hands mumbling a thank you while getting dressed into it.

“I’ll go bring you breakfast then” Taehyung says walking out the door, Jin makes a noise of approval.

Taehyung makes his way down to the kitchen, past the guards giving each one a polite nod and smile, which they return. He makes his way into the busy kitchen “Chef! The prince has awoken and wishes for your finest cuts of pig, your freshest eggs and the best, juiciest grapes, picked by the most beautiful virgins” Tae says in a formal, recited tone lifting his arms wide into the air gently gliding towards him.

Not amused by Taes speech he turns towards him “here” he grunts, sloping an overcooked egg and a uneven lump of meat on a tray. “And the grapes..?” Tae asks in a disappointed whimper

“in that box” The chef then goes back to his work kneading some flour.

“Alrighty then” Tae mutters rolling his eyes. Chef was never much of a happy soul but Tae still liked to try, it was just a shame Chef didn't like the trying.

He couldn't go back to Jin with that pile of mush on his plate, he turned, looking around on the table where he saw Hoseok “Hoseok! Hobie! The jester of hope! J-hope!” He exclaimed walking towards him.

“What is it Tae?” He asked knowing what was coming

“You wouldn't mind, would you if we maybe swapped breakfast meals?”

“Not happening” Hoesok bluntly replied picking off a grape and placed it in his mouth

“Come on Hobie! Help me out, Jin will be mad if i give him this” He says holding up the plate of food a little too close to Hobbies face.

“If it’s that big of a problem ask chef for another” Hoseok shrugs

“Ask chef?! Are you mad? No thank you Hoseok I like my life”

Hoseok sighs “This is the second time this week you've asked to swap meals with me!”

“That’s only twice!” Taehyung shrugs, desperation in his eyes

“Yeah and it’s Tuesday.. And anyway it’s not my problem Chef doesn't like you”

“Well how do i get him to like me? And please Hobie, i’ll get you some extra time off to visit your family”

“You can’t. He hates people like you, everyone else loves you so he will hate you. Some people are just like that” Hoseok says before swapping plates with him “I want an extra day when i see them on Thursday” He commands and Tae nods smiling quickly making his way back to Jin’s quarters when gets stopped “Hey, Taehyung, give these to the prince. They’re his sleeping medication. He told me he was running low” Namjoon calls from the stairs a few steps behind. He jogs up to Taehyung passing him small glass bottle filled with a dark green liquid. Taehyung looks at it and shivers “That can't taste nice” to which Namjoon chuckles

“Yep but it does its job”. Taehyung thanks him before carrying on his way to Jin's quarters.

Once he arrives he places the food on the table, setting it up neatly as Jin writes a letter on the desk in the corner of the room.

“There, You could say it was for for a king” Tae smiles admiring his work. The table was set out beautifully  with even a flower pot for decoration “Or at least a future king” He looks up towards Jin smiling, proud of himself but Jin is still concentrating on his writing with a slight frown on his face.

He waited patiently for a moment. ..then another, then another until -”God damn it Jin your food will get cold!” Tae shouted. Jin sighed and looked up towards the window “Do you think Jimin will agree for us to start accepting Knights and guards as gifts from other allied kingdoms?” He asked tapping the feather quill on his chin.

“I don’t know, i’m not Jimin” He shrugged

“Of course he wouldn’t. What was i thinking” Jin said to himself scribbling out a line.

Jin eventually stood up and walked towards the table “This looks nice, you could say it was fit for a king. ..or soon to be king at least anyway” Jin laughed to himself, Taehyung gave a forced laugh “Good one Jin” He replied through gritted teeth.

After a few mouthfuls of stuffing his face he stopped and pulled a grimace “It’s cold” He frowns.

“Well yeah… i did tell you” Taehyung said pulling a face at Jin behind his back.

“Dont pull faces at me” Jin says stuffing another mouthful of egg into his mouth which receives another face being pulled by Tae.

“You know if it was anyone else that did that they would be put in the stocks” He says turning around to face Taehyung.

Tae shrugs smiling “Glad i’m not anyone else then”

Once Jin finishes he gets up and walks back towards his desk sealing the letter with some candle wax and a stamp “Pass this to Jimin, its suggestions for new battle plans. I want him to read them before our meeting tonight ” Tae takes the letter and places it within his shirt for safe keeping.

“Anything else?”

“The stables need cleaning and my armour needs shining” Tae nods and leaves the room.

He makes his way to the training field where no doubt Jimin would be.

It was a slightly dull say with fresh dew covering the grass and the sky covered in clouds with a few gray ones spotted around. It was windy and cold, as Tae walked across the field towards Jimin he felt his goosebumps on his skin rise and he shivered slightly. Jimin on the other hand was covered in sweat. Red flustered cheeks with some of his hair sticking to his forehead as he slashed his sword through the air.

Standing at least 5 foot away Taehyung called his name “Jimin”

Jimin stopped immediately, turning to look towards “Yeah?” He asks stabbing his sword into the ground for it to stand by itself before walking up to him panting slightly. Instinctively Tae steps back a little, Jimin is scary, Even when he doesn’t mean to be he is.

“I-i urm. This is from Prince Jin, he wants you to read it before your meeting tonight”

Jimin takes the letter from Tae “Thank you” He says giving him a nod.

Tae takes that as signal for him to leave and speed walks/runs away back into the castle.

Once Taehyung left his sight Jimin went to put his sword away and opened the letter. The letter read of new ideas to unite with their neighbouring kingdom, Arion. As soon as Jimin realised this he ripped the paper in half and threw it on the ground storming off the village to find someone he can vent to, the only person he feels truly comfortable with; Jungkook.

“I’ve bloody had it with Jin!” Jimin screams walking into Jungkook's home. “Him and his bloody idea of uniting with Arion! It's not going to happen- woah what are you doing here?” Jimin asks seeing Hoseok sitting down on a chair next to Jungkook.

“He lives here now” Jungkook states

Jimin frowns trying to hide is embarrassment “Right, well urm i wanted to talk to you” He says calmly giving Hoseok a death stare encouraging him to leave.

“I’ll leave you two alone then” Hoseok says getting the message, just before he leaves speaks up again “I know it’s none of my business but surely uniting with Arion is a good thing..?”

Jimin turns to Hoseok and he regrets opening his mouth almost instantly. “Do you know who rules Arion? Min Yoongi” Jimin spits getting closer to Hoseok, right into his face “Min Yoongi is a monster. He’s killed hundreds of my men. Hundreds! He doesn't want an alliance and he will never get one. Our kingdom does not and will never unite with monsters like him. Ok?” Jimin spits. Hoseok says nothing, just leaves quickly out the door.

Jungkook sighs “Well that was a nice way to introduce yourself”

Jimin shrugs “He shouldn't be so stupid then”

Jimin turns and sits down next to Jungkook. There's a moment of silence as Jungkook waits for Jimin to calm down before starting to talk. “How are you?” Jungkook grins

“Not funny Kookie” Jimin says, a slight smile appearing on his lips as they both look at each other. “How did you and him end up living together anyway?” Jimin continues.

“He use to share a house with one of the old town criers. Well that was until the old man went mad. Started accusing Hobie of “ He made quotation marks with his hand “being a spy” Jimin interrupts frowning “Wait, how do you know he’s not?”

“Oh no one listens to that old bastard, i don't think he's spent a day sober in the past 5 years”

Jungkook gets up and pulls a bottle out from the back of the cupboard “Want some?” He asks popping the cork and taking a drink from it himself, Jimin holds out his hand as Jungkook passes it him.

“I've been practicing you know” Jungkook smiles

“Oh yeah?” Jimin beams, taking a swig of the wine

“Yeah! And I am so good I bet I could beat you now” He says pulling out a wooden stick and slashing in the air like you would with a sword, which receives a small chuckle from Jimin

“Hey! I could” Jungkook smiles trying to act offended by Jimin's chuckle.

“Well then, if you think you could beat me we shall see. You, me tomorrow morning just after sunrise in the training field.” Jimin smiles standing up “Prepare to be humiliated Kookie” he passes the bottle back. “No you prepare to be humiliated park Jiminie!” Jungkook calls back.

Jimin ignores that last comment “I need some new armour by the way”

“Oh yeah? Well you’ll have to put in a order like everyone else”

Jimin huffs “What’s the point in having a blacksmith as a friend then?”

“Urm i’ll think you find it’s because no one else is willing to be friends with you”

“It’s not my fault they’re all afraid of me” He cries flapping his hands into the air which receives just a stare from Jungkook. “Well i have to keep up an image don't I? I’m the scary knights commander. My men fear me so my enemies fear me even more” He protests but Jungkook just shrugs

“You could have made friends with Hobie but you blew any chance of that happening now”

Jimin shrugged, not wanting to be friends with Hoseok anyway.

Taehyung had finally managed to finish cleaning the stables and shining Jins armour just before dinner so he made his way the dinner hall where already the chefs were out preparing the table and the jester was in the back corner of the hall practising juggling. “Hey Hobie!” Tae called walking over. As soon as Hoseok saw it was Tae he stopped juggling and called back “Hiya Tae!”

Once Taehyung managed to get over towards him he noticed that something was off about Hoseok, he didn't seem as jolly as he usually was. “Are you ok?”

Hoseok took a moment, thinking about how to reply “Jimin is terrifying isn't he?”

Which received a laugh “So you've finally met him then”

“Yeah, Jungkook and him are friends?” He asked confused “...why?”

“I don’t know, i think i’ve heard someone say they knew each other as children? But he’s also the only person who isn’t scared of him” Tae answers shrugging, just as soon as he finished speaking Chef shouts “The king will be here in five minutes people! Let’s get a move on!”

“Well i’ve gotta get ready” Hoseok says, they both separate as Hoseok goes to the front of the hall, in front of the table. Taehyung goes to the back of the table and stands behind the seat where Jin sits and waits. After a few moments the trumpets sound and the large doors open as four guards walk ahead separating to each side of the door as the King walked in proudly, head held high as he strolled over to his seat, belly jiggling beneath his thick layers of silk and cotton clothes followed by his mistress. Wearing the Queen's old jewellery, caked eye makeup and a purple dress, she swayed her hips and pushes her chest forward as she struts behind him.

Then Jin follows a fair few steps behind them. He gives Taehyung a smile as he walks up to his seat standing behind it. “Did you give Jimin the letter?” He asks quietly as just so the two of them hear it. “Yes, oh and also i lost a bet with Hoseok and I promised him an extra day off when he visits his family on Thursday” Taehyung lied

Jin pauses for a moment “Who’s Hoseok?”

“The jester” He nods towards the boy in the centre of the hall who is juggling 7 balls.

“Oh Jhope! ...Tae how many time have I told you stop betting! This is like the 5th time this month I’ve had to help you out”

“I know, I know! So does he get an extra day?”

There was another pause “I guess so”

Tae smiles thanking him just then the King places his hand into the air motioning for everyone else on the table to sit and the feast to begin. The trumpets start playing and Hoseok moves to the centre of the hall providing the entertainment.

As the feast begins the King and his mistress are chatting away, the woman snorting and laughing repulsively loud as the king very clearly gropes her.

Tae looked away disgusted as so did everyone in the room.

“Oh stop it haha” She would coyly giggle as the king rubbed his hand across her thigh and tried to place his hand into her top to reach her breasts. “You and me are in for one long and passionate night tonight” He tried to whisper but said made it loud enough so that everyone in the room could hear.

“Oh baby, i wish we could do it right now” She purred

“Ohh you are one naughty girl” He barked placing his face into her chest as she giggled. Tae couldn't help but look at Jin. He was eating a lot slower, staring ahead of him, chewing on his food more harshly. Probably because he lost his appetite from his seeing his dad and that woman grope each other.

“See Jin! You’ll get yourself a real woman like this one day don’t you worry about it” The king laughed looking over to Jin who kept his eyes firmly on his plate

Jin was clearly embarrassed so much so that after they had all eaten and the king had dismissed everyone no doubt so him and his mistress could do it right there on the table Jin just stormed off. He did however give a quick thank you to Chef and J-hope for the entertainment; which was much more than than the king did.

Tae followed Jin but he stormed off so quickly that Tae had to basically run after him to catch up.

“Jin! Jin wait” He called. Eventually he got to his bedroom Tae followed, shutting the door behind him.

Jin was pacing back and forth, hands up through his hair as he tried to calm down. “Jin..?” Tae asked slowly walking towards him but Jin started to shout “REAL WOMAN?” he screamed kicking a stray pillow that was on the ground. He moved to sit on his bed, rocking back and forth, hands over his head “Does he know how humiliating he is? He’s a disgrace to our family” He shouts, this time with tears rolling down his cheeks. Tae sits beside him and pulls him into a hug, Jin doesn't resist, hugging back. “Mum died and what did he do? Nothing he didn't even go to her funeral! He was too busy shagging that bitch that he had been fucking since i was 4!” He cried. “Real woman? She is not a real woman! Mum is! And he doesn't even talk about her, she should be alive not him. It-it’s not fair” Jin broke down crying hysterically, Tae just held him gently soothing him until he calmed down.

Once he calmed Jin pushed off him and looked away “No one knows about this” He murmurs wiping his eyes Tae nods and smiles placing a hand on Jin’s back “I’m here for you Jin. Just like you was there for me OK?” He smiles. Jin nods, wiping the tears still falling down his face. “You should probably go anyway. I have a meeting with Jimin right about now” He says composing himself, Tae didn't argue just nodded and got up to leave. Just as he left the room he saw Jimin walk up. Jimin gave him a quick nod of approval still somehow with that intimidating, scary look in his eyes before entering Jin’s room.

Jimin entered seeing Jin facing the window “Prince Jin..” He called waiting to be formally welcomed in “Ah’ Jimin come in” He motioned “Drink?”

“Please” Jimin answered as Jin filled two glasses with some red wine, passing one to Jin. “Did you read my letter?”

“Yes and I don’t agree with them. Were not going to unite with Arion, with Yoongi, he’s killed too many of our men, our friends Jin”

Jin paused for a moment, taking a sip off his wine “Look I know you and Yoongi have a past but this is what's best for our kingdoms. They were our friends you’re right but that’s the price of war and we’ll lose more of our men, our friends if we don't unite”

But Jimin just shakes his head “They don’t even want to unite. They want to tear your kingdom down brick by brick, even if we managed to unite some how i wouldn't doubt for a second that Yoongi would place assassins on the both of us. There would be more killing and we would be defenceless against it! He's a monster Jin. Heck i bet hes already got spies here now” Jimin explains, frustration in his voice audible

Jin just sighs nodding “You're right, even if we did unite i could never trust him or his men but we can’t stay at war forever”

“We won't” Jimin says taking a step closer to Jin before continuing “We need to get rid of Yoongi. If he’s gone then there's no one left to rule leaving us to take control”

“And how are you going to kill him? Hm? Because you out of all people should be aware of how good he is in combat” Jin says turning around to face the window. That comment made Jimin instinctively place his hand on his stomach, the scar lining his whole stomach. The only time he came close to death was by Yoongi’s sword.

“I’ll train harder, I know I can beat him” He pleads.

Jin shakes his head “How would you get the chance Jimin? We don't have the men to go to battle again”

Jimin nods processing his thoughts before speaking “I go over there, i go there and i kill Yoongi myself”

Jin laughs “You can't be serious”

“I am! I go there and i get him by surprise him, catch him off guard and kill him. Then I come back get our men and we claim Arion as our own”