VIVI

Jungkook stirred softly under the duvet, his arm slid around your waist, pulling you closer until your back was flush against his chest. He buried his nose in your hair, breathing in the familiar scent of your shampoo.

He nuzzled into the crook of your neck with a sleepy sigh, not ready to wake up yet.

You gently pushed his shoulder until he rolled onto his back then turned to face him properly. Jungkook blinked awake slowly and turned his head, his gaze fell onto yours and the sight of you already watching him with that sweet look in your eyes, hair messy from sleep made him smile.

"Morning," he mumbled and without thinking, he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to your lips.

You scrunched your nose, pushing Jungkook’s face away with your palm "What was that for?"

Jungkook kissed you so naturally like it was the easiest thing in the world. You knew he hooked up with other girls casually but you wondered: Was he like this with every girl? Did he always wake up and kiss them without thinking? Call them pretty? Ask them to stay the night?

He hooked up with Jihyo. You may have heard that they were seen leaving the club together last week, and the Jihoon mess at the party proved it. Whatever, it’s not like you wanted Jungkook to be your boyfriend… not really. 

This arrangement worked for you but a tiny part of you hated how much you cared about that.

Jungkook blinked, a little dazed from the kiss.  "Because I wanted to," he said simply. Then he reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind your ear.

"Real cute," you muttered sarcastically before sitting up fully, the sheets pooling around your waist.

The bed creaked as you swung your legs over the side, heading toward his dresser to find something to wear for breakfast.

Jungkook’s gaze trailed after you, he propped himself up on his elbows, watching you slip on one of his old t-shirts. 

"I love this view."  

You shot him a look over your shoulder, "Shut up," you said lightly with no real bite behind your words.

Then he rolled out of bed too, he stretched his arms above his head before standing up. "Alright, alright," he chuckled. Grabbing a pair of sweats from the floor and pulling them on without bothering with underwear, they hung loosely on his hips as he padded barefoot down the hallway.

He yawned and ran a hand through his messy hair, “Pancakes for my girl,” he mumbled to himself while you cleaned up in the bathroom. The kitchen light flickered on as he entered, opening cabinets and digging out the pancake mix from behind some ramen cups. 

You emerge from the bathroom, hair tied up and you peeked into the kitchen, arms crossed.  “Can I help with anything?” 

"Yeah," he cleared his throat, "You can mix this."

"You use box mix?" you asked, feigning shock. "I thought you made these from scratch."  

"Gotta keep you coming back somehow," he teased as you started stirring the batter.

"You don’t need pancakes," you teased, "You just like having an excuse to see me in your kitchen."  

You both knew the sex was really good, but Jungkook also genuinely believed that you kept coming back because of moments like these, the quiet domesticity of having  breakfast together.

He liked making you food, he liked seeing you in his kitchen at 9AM, hair up and wearing his clothes. It felt good. It wasn’t just your guys hooking up anymore (not to him at least).  

He poured the batter into the hot pan. "Yeah, and?” he flipped a pancake with ease and shot you a grin, "I like seeing you in my space." 

Jungkook turned fully toward you, he closed the distance between you, his face just inches from yours. "But I like being in your personal space even more," 

His eyes flicked to your lips for a split second before meeting your gaze again. His head tilted slightly "You gonna let me kiss you, sweets?" he smirked; he already knew you’d say yes.

Letting the whisk slip from your fingers, you wrap your arms around his neck and press your lips to his. He kissed back instantly, one hand cradling your jaw while the other pressed against your lower back to pull her closer.

This was easy, kissing him like this, wearing his clothes, maybe you should stop being so careless. Maybe it was time to stop pretending it meant nothing— but when Jungkook’s hand slid down and squeezed your ass possessively you couldn’t think straight anymore. 

Jungkook moaned into your mouth and backed you up against the kitchen counter, hands gripping your hips before lifting to set you on it. The cold surface pressed into the backs of your thighs as he stepped between your legs chasing your lips, he couldn’t get enough. 

Teeth grazing your bottom lip, fingers trailed up your thigh, under the hem of the oversized shirt you borrowed from him. He kissed down your jaw to your neck, nipping lightly at the sensitive spot he knew drove you crazy.

Jungkook’s fingertips brushed against bare skin, you weren’t wearing panties? The discovery sent a jolt of heat straight to his groin. "Fuck," he muttered

"You wanted this to happen, didn’t you?" he murmured against your lips between kisses

Instead of answering, your hands tangled in his hair, tugging lightly to tilt his head just right, nipping at his bottom lip before sliding your tongue into his mouth. 

Jungkook’s moan vibrated against your lips as his fingers glided up your slit. You were already wet, without breaking the kiss, he circled your clit with one finger then dipped lower to gather slickness before pressing a single finger inside. 

You gasp into the kiss as Jungkook’s finger slid in slowly. He curled his finger slightly to brush against that sweet spot inside. He watched your face, lips parted, eyes half-lidded "You feel so fucking good," he praised, thumb brushing over your clit as he added a second finger slowly. "So perfect."  

Jungkook’s fingers moved with practiced rhythm, every soft whimper from you fueled him to keep going "Look at you," he whispered, kissing the corner of your mouth, "Taking my fingers so well."  

His fingers were still working inside you, the wetness running down his palm as he leaned in, lips brushing your ear. "You’re my girl, aren’t you?" 

You should have been annoyed by the possessiveness because you heard a lot of guys say things like this to you, but today it felt different and it sent a thrill through you.

"Ngh… Jungkook," you whined, arching into his touch. That nasty wet sound of his fingers moving in and out made you lose it, hands gripping the counter edge for balance as pleasure coiled tight in your stomach.

"That’s it, baby cum on my fingers," he coaxed, gaze locked on your face watching you unravel. 

Your entire body tensed—your thighs clamping around Jungkook’s hand as your orgasm crashed over you. A breathy moan escaped your lips, eyes fluttering shut as you held onto his bicep. 

The loud beep beep beep of the smoke alarm blared through the kitchen, startling both you and Jungkook. His gaze snapped to the pan on the stove. There was smoke swirling over the pan, and the pancake was completely burned.

"Shit!" he cursed, yanking his hand away from you to rush to turn off the stove.

You burst into laughter as he flailed, frantically waving a towel over the smoke alarm. Going from making out to nearly have to put out a fire was absurd. "Can’t cook and fuck at the same time, huh?" you teased, nodding toward his disaster of a pancake. 

Jungkook shot you an offended look, tossing the ruined pancake into the trash with an exaggerated sigh. "Excuse me," he said dramatically, "Multitasking is hard when you’re this distracting."  

You raised an eyebrow, gesturing to the bowl of batter, "How was I being distracting?" you asked innocently, "I was helping you mix the batter."  

Jungkook pointed the spatula at you accusingly, "You were distracting with your face," he declared, "And your lips, and how you look in my shirt."  

You crossed your arms, tilting your chin up in defence, “Well you kissed me first," you shot back, "So technically… this is your fault."  

Even though your heart did this stupid little flip whenever Jungkook kissed you. Deep down, you liked his confidence, his stupid face, his hands on you and the way he looked at you.

You liked him… maybe even more than she should. 

You told yourself it was just physical attraction that you didn’t have feelings for him that's why you went out with San in the first place. 

"I asked if I could kiss you," he corrected, stepping closer, "You didn’t even let me finish talking—just grabbed my face and went for it."  

You scoffed, rolling your eyes as you hopped off the counter. "I’m going to go shower," you announced, already striding toward the bathroom.

"Can I join you?" he asked, already following you down the hallway before you could even answer. 

You pressed your palm flat against Jungkook’s chest—stopping him in his tracks. "No," you said softly, "Go finish making the pancakes. I’ll be out soon."  

Jungkook didn’t argue, just nodded. He turned on his heel without another word and walked back to the kitchen, focusing on salvaging breakfast like it was his life mission.

There was something almost sweet about how eager he was to please you, the sizzle of fresh pancakes filled the kitchen as he flipped them gently, the sound of running water from the bathroom reached Jungkook’s ears and his mind instantly wandered. 

Jungkook’s gaze flickered toward that direction for a brief second, he could already see the steam fogging up the mirror, water falling off your skin… and damn, he wished you’d let him join you. 

If you’d let him join he would’ve washed your back, would’ve had you pressed against the tiles by now bent over with his hands gripping your hips. The mental image had his cock stirring—already imagining what it feels like. 

He shook his head slightly, refocusing on the pancakes before they burned again.

—

Twenty minutes later, Jungkook had plated a perfect stack of fluffy pancakes. The kitchen smelled like maple syrup and butter now. 

The water clicked off, and you stepped back into the kitchen, dressed in clothes you had left at his place weeks ago, a denim skirt that hugged your hips and was just above mid-thigh. Paired with a red top that had delicate lace detailing along the back giving a sexy, effortless look. The fabric clung in all the right places, and he couldn’t help staring as you walked into the kitchen.

"I didn’t know I left this here," you said, smoothing the fabric of the skirt.

Jungkook had definitely hidden that skirt on purpose—tucked deep in his drawer, thinking you’d never find it again. His memory flashed back to that night when you showed up past midnight, dressed in this exact outfit. 

He was so horny that he couldn't wait to take it off, so he hiked it up and fucked you right by the— he looks away and clears his throat. A grin spread across his face, his gaze dragged over you slowly taking in how good you looked.

“Coffee?” He offers, holding out the mug to you. 

“You made coffee?” You ask, not grabbing the mug right away like you usually would when he offered you some. 

“Didn’t I tell you I quit caffeine?” Your brows furrow, trying to recall if you mentioned anything to him.

Jungkook pauses, confusion flashing across his features at your words. ”Wait, you’re quitting coffee?” He asks, the mug still in his hand.  “You didn’t tell me.”

“Oh, thought I did.” You’re sure you mentioned it to someone, but now that you think about it, it must have San. “I just realized I was having too much coffee” you say, “You know working at the café and all…”

Jungkook nods, understanding where you’re coming from, working at a café meant easy access to coffee. “Yeah, I get it.” He says, an awkward smile tugging on the corners of his lips. 

“So no more coffee then?” He sets the mug down on the counter, his eyes roaming over you again. 

“I’ll have some you made, though.” You say, eyeing the mug. You knew he made it just how you liked it and you didn’t want it to go to waste. 

Jungkook’s smile widens, glad that you made an exception for the coffee he made. He pushes the mug toward you across the counter and you mumble a soft thank you

"You look really good."  He said, voice low and appreciative, reaching for his own mug to take a sip, forcing himself to focus on the coffee and not the skirt. 

You smile at his compliment and take a sip of your coffee. “Mmm, just the way I like it.”

It makes him feel a little proud that he remembered how you liked your coffee. He bets that the other guys you went out with didn't know how you likedf your coffee or made you breakfast.

He leans against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest. "The mocha creamer is what really makes it good," he says softly, hoping you would notice.

Recognizing the taste of your favourite creamer, you say, “You got the creamer I told you about.” 

Jungkook nods, he remembered the time you mentioned the creamer you loved and he made a mental note to buy it the next time he went grocery shopping. He pushes off the counter and walks over to the fridge, opening it and grabbing the creamer

“Yeah, I got it just for you.” He says, turning around to face you while holding up the creamer bottle for emphasis. 

“Wow,” you say, “You really are obsessed with me.” You tease him, watching as the tips of his ear turn red.

Jungkook scoffs at your words, his eyes glancing at the ceiling but the flush creeping up his neck betrays his true feelings. 

“Obsessed?” He echoes, raising an eyebrow as he places the creamer back in the fridge. “I’d say I’m attentive.”

He slid the plate of pancakes toward your spot before rounding the kitchen island.  He pulled out his own chair right next to you—close enough that his thigh pressed against yours. Sitting down, he grabbed his coffee and took a sip, watching you take the first bite.

"Mmm… so good," you hummed, eyes fluttering shut for a second in bliss.

That small praise meant more to him than it probably should’ve. His lips curled into a soft smile as he watched you eat. 

"You have a game today, right? The spring fair thing." you asked between bites. 

Jungkook nodded, swirling his coffee absently. "Yeah," he confirmed, "Game’s at 3. It’s that spring fair thing—Yonsei vs. Seoul National."  

It was an exhibition match, sponsored by both schools as part of the annual spring festival. Scouts from professional teams would be in the crowd today. Not for formal evaluations, but to scout talent casually. It was their chance to see players like Jungkook up close and maybe even get noticed. 

Jungkook took a few bites of his pancakes before glancing at you "You gonna come watch the game?" he asked, licking syrup off his lip. "I need my good luck charm."  

"I have to be at work by 11," you said apologetically, "I can’t make it… I’m sorry."  

Jungkook’s smile faded just a fraction, disappointment flashing across his face before he masked it, leaning closer to you. "Well… maybe I can convince you to sneak out early," he murmured, as he brushed his thumb over your wrist.

You arched an eyebrow, playing along with his flirting but not making it easy for him. "Oh really?" you teased back, tilting your head, "And how exactly are you gonna convince me? Hm?"  

Without warning, he grabbed your chair and spun it toward him. He leaned in and captured your lips—kissing you slowly, syrup still sweet on his tongue. His hands slid up your thighs under that skirt making his intentions VERY clear.

You broke the kiss, pushing him back by his shoulders before things could escalate. "You should get ready," you said calmly, though your cheeks were flushed pink, "It’s almost 10."  

He leaned back in his chair, exhaling through his nose. His eyes flicked down to your thighs that skirt riding up slightly  "Right," he muttered, standing up and grabbing his plate to wash it.

Clearing your own plate as you walked to the sink beside him, "We need to get going soon," you reminded him gently, "And you still haven’t showered."  

"Alright, I’ll go take a quick shower," he mumbled, sulking as he shuffled toward the bathroom. 

—

You both clean up before leaving his apartment. Jungkook walks beside you, his hands shoved into his pockets as you both make your way to campus. He glances at the time on his phone it was 10:15am. 

He lets out a soft sigh, knowing he’s running a little late. Normally he’s punctual, almost never late for anything—especially baseball. But this morning had been….eventful. 

He steals a glance at you, his eyes checking out your silhouette and the way your hair moves with the breeze. 

“I might get chewed out for being late,” he comments.

“Sorry, I thought pancakes would be a good idea.” You apologize, feeling guilty about making him late. 

Jungkook shakes his head. He bumps your shoulder playfully with his. “No, breakfast was delicious. Totally worth being late for.”

He can’t be mad at you for making him late. Heck, he can’t be mad at you for anything especially not when you look so good in that skirt he likes so much. 

Once you both reach campus, Jungkook glances over at you, realizing he probably won’t see you at the game later. He tries to ignore the disappointment that crawls up his chest. 

Then he remembers—the spring fair. You would probably be going to that, it was open until late. 

“Are you going to be at the fair later?” He asks, trying to sound nonchalant, hoping he doesn’t sound too obvious he wants to see you there. 

"I was thinking about it," you say, toying with the ends of your hair.

It wasn't like you were going to be busy after work, so the spring fair would be fun. You didn't have any final plans with your friends yet, and you finished all your assignments on time, so technically you were going to be free.

Jungkook’s heart races at your reply. He hides it well though, keeping his expression neutral as he responds as casually as possible, “You should come.” He says, trying to keep the eagerness out of his voice. “I heard they’re gonna have some pretty cool stuff this year.” 

"I know," you said, laughing lightly, "I’m on the planning committee. I helped pick all the games and stuff." 

You had helped pick the games, food vendors, and even designed some of the carnival booths and flyers.

"Then you have to be there," he teased, "It’s your baby." Jungkook wasn’t directly inviting but he clearly hoped you'd show.

"Maybe I will," you shrugged, "Depends if I’m up for it after work."  

Jungkook nods, trying not to sound too excited. “Cool.” He manages to say before looking away. 

He hesitates for a second and then adds, “I’ll be at the booth with the baseball team if…you know, you wanna stop by.” He bites the inside of his cheek to stop himself from saying anything else.

"You guys going to run the whole booth after the game?" you ask with a laugh.

Jungkook hums, confirming that the baseball team would, indeed, have a booth at the fair after the game.

 “Yeah, Coach wanted to do something fun for the community. So, it’s going to be a bottle knockdown type of game.” He explains, watching you smile. 

You think back to your bad luck tied to these kind of games and how you always end up spending more money than necessary.

"That sounds fun," you say. "But I'm not very good at carnival games.”

He shrugs, a small smirk playing on his lips. “Doesn’t matter if you’re good or not.” His voice drops to a whisper, even though no one else was around. “If you want, I could just rig it for you.” He raises an eyebrow, clearly joking. 

You giggle at his words “I’ll see if I’m up for it la—“ You’re interrupted by one of Jungkook’s teammates yelling at him from afar.

Namjoon yells just clearly enough for both of you to hear, “Hey, stop flirting and get your ass over here!” 

You take a step back from Jungkook, even though his teammates have seen you two together on multiple occasions before, you still tried to keep it friendly. 

Jungkook groans, rolling his eyes at the sound of Namjoon’s voice. He glances back to find and a few other teammates waiting impatiently by the field. “I’ll be right there!” He hollers back at them, shaking his head before turning back to you. 

“Duty calls.” He smiles apologetically, clearly annoyed by Namjoon’s timing. 

“Good luck at the game,” you wave at him before turning on your heel to head home.

"Thanks.” He waves back in return, watching you walk away. His smile fades as soon as you're out of sight. 

He turns back to the field, where his teammates are still waiting for him, their expression ranging from annoyed to amused. 

Namjoon has a knowing smile on his face as Jungkook approaches. “Took you long enough,” he quips. “Flirting with your girl on the field again?”

Jungkook rolls his eyes at Namjoon’s comment, shoving his arm playfully. “Shut up,” He mutters, shoving his hands into his pockets as they start walking toward the field. “We were just talking.” 

“Yeah, ‘just talking’.” Hoseok teases, using air quotes “We can all see the heart eyes from here.” 

“She’s not my girl, alright?” He huffs, “we’re just friends.” 

Namjoon lets out a dramatic gasp. “Oh? So you wouldn’t mind if I asked her out on a d—”

Before he could finish, Jungkook immediately glared at Namjoon. “Don’t even think about it.” 

He can see the rest of the team snickering at Namjoon’s comment, they knew about his situation with you.  “Whatever, man,” Namjoon says, patting him on the back. “Let’s just get started already.” 

Jungkook huffs, shaking his head following everyone else but his mind is still stuck on you, wondering if you’ll actually show up at the fair later. 

03 / 05

Café Bombón, a cozy little spot downtown, though Jungkook wasn’t there for coffee or at least not just coffee.

He spotted you immediately behind the counter in a lilac apron, folding the edge of a takeout bag with skilled fingers while chatting with another barista. The bell above the door chimed as he entered.

A small smile tugged at his lips when you looked over your shoulder "Jungkook," you greeted him as you reached the counter where customers ordered.

"Hey," he replied, the café was busy, other customers lined up waiting for their orders, a few chatting at tables with their drinks.

You tilted your head slightly, curious. The café was a solid 30-minute walk from campus, far enough that Jungkook didn’t usually come here unless he had a reason.

"What brings you here?" you asked, wiping down the counter absentmindedly.

Jungkook shrugged casually, "Was running errands nearby. Thought I’d stop by… see if you were working."

"So what can I get for you?"

Jungkook’s gaze lingered on your face and the way you bit your lip slightly when focused. He leaned in just a little closer than necessary and said, "Surprise me.”

"Can I add poison to it? That’d be a surprise, wouldn’t it?" You deadpanned, your finger still hovering over the screen

"Oh yeah," he said smoothly, leaning even closer over the counter "Poison me. I dare you."

Your lips twitched trying not to laugh. "You dare me?" You repeated slowly, arching one eyebrow.

You tapped your finger against the edge of the screen once… twice… like you were considering it.

"Oh, I wouldn’t kill you fast, Jungkook," You said smoothly, "I’d do it slowly. Lots of sugar… high-fructose syrup overdose."

Jungkook blinked and laughed softly at that, you would know about that sort of thing. The bell chimed again—another customer walking in. Jungkook’s laughter faded, but the grin stayed on his face.

Realizing they were holding up the line (and that you had actual work to do), he cleared his throat and switched to a normal voice. "Okay, okay…" he said, still smiling, "I’ll have a large caramel macchiato." his usual go-to drink when he came here.

You typed down his order, glancing up at him with a small smile. “Anything else for you?" you asked politely in the same tone you'd use for any customer.

The line had grown slightly behind Jungkook, a few students waiting patiently while chatting among themselves. You gesture toward the display case where the cinnamon rolls sat, glazed and still warm.

"The cinnamon rolls are really good today," you said proudly, "This is our third batch. Fresh out of the oven."

"Alright… I’ll take one,since you recommended them." he said, pointing to the cinnamon roll.

You picked up a Sharpie, ready to write his name on the cup. "Can I get your name?" You asked, already knowing it but following procedure anyway.

He decided to mess with you, "Ian." He replied.

Your lips pressed together to keep from laughing right in his face. Ian? Seriously? You scribbled ‘IAN’ on the cup "$6.50 for the macchiato and cinnamon roll," you rang him up without another word.

Jungkook stepped aside to wait, lucky for him, you were the one making his drink. The other barista took over handling new customers as you moved behind the counter to prepare his order.

A few minutes later…you placed both items on the counter in front of him with a polite smile. Jungkook took the cup and bag from you. "Thanks," he said softly before glancing at the clock on the wall.

"What time are you off work?"

You glanced at the clock and it was a little past 6 PM. You still had about an hour left before your shift ended. "In an hour," you answered, wiping your hands on your apron again before leaning against the counter slightly.

Jungkook nodded and turned toward a nearby empty table in the corner of the café. "I’ll wait for you," he said simply, walking over to sit down like this was completely normal and didn’t have anything better to do.

You scrunched your nose, not because you wanted him to leave, but because you didn’t want him to waste an hour just sitting there.

...Or maybe you did want him to leave. It was weird and seemed like too much effort for a casual hangout.

"You really don’t have to," you said gently, from across the counter. "I can just text you when I’m done."

Jungkook shrugged, propping his elbows onto the table “I don’t mind,” he said simply, then smirked "What, you embarrassed I’m watching you work?”

Your stomach twisted slightly, not from Jungkook’s presence, but from the feeling it stirred up. "I’m not… it's just…" your thoughts trailed off.

It reminded you of your ex—Jeonghan. The man who was ten years older than you, intense, possessive, controlling.

He was the kind of guy who showed up unannounced, texted constantly like he needed constant reassurance you were his, always wanted to know where you were and who you talked to, it was overbearing in a way that suffocated you.

Jeonghan used to wait for you after work too, and now here was Jungkook—doing the same thing. It's not like Jungkook was doing anything wrong; he wasn’t anything like your ex, but the familiarity of this moment scared a little part of you that remembered how suffocating that felt before.

"Are you sure? Don’t you have other things to do… other girls to entertain?"

Jungkook’s playful expression faded at your words "No," he answered flatly, "I don’t."

“Fine, if you need anything, let me know.”

Then you slipped into work mode again, taking orders from customers who walked in, ringing up payments, handling drinks.

The café stayed busy and Jungkook just sat there by the window, scrolling through his phone casually, sipping the macchiato you’d made him earlier without a care in the world.

―⋆★⋆―

The café was quieter now, and the clock struck 7 PM. You clocked out, grabbed your bag from the back room, and without a word, you walked straight to Jungkook’s table, where he’d been waiting patiently for an hour reading something on his phone.

Jungkook glanced up as you approached "That was fast," he commented, standing up and shoving his phone into his pocket.

“Just don’t make it a habit.”

Jungkook nodded slowly, you didn’t want this to become a thing, a habit of him showing up unannounced every time you were at work.

"Yeah," he said easily, "I get it."

If you wanted space, he respected that. No pressure from him, he only stopped by today because he happened to be in the area and wanted to see you.

Jungkook pushed the café door open for you, holding it as you stepped outside into the cold evening air. "Hungry?" he asked, turning to face you fully on the sidewalk. "We could grab dinner."

"Yeah," you agreed, you hadn’t eaten since your lunch break, "Dinner sounds amazing."

"There’s a really good sushi place a few blocks away," he said, already turning in that direction. "We could walk there. It's not too far." He knew you liked sushi and they’d talked about trying this spot before but never gone together.

This was different.

Usually, you’d meet up with him at a convenience store after practice or classes, grab snacks, maybe a drink and then head straight to his place. They were never real dates, just casual hookups disguised as hanging out.

As they crossed the street together and approached the restaurant, he felt a sudden wave of nervousness wash over him. This felt like two people going on a real date.

The sushi place was small, had soft lighting, wooden tables, and the smell of grilled fish in the air.

They were quickly seated at a cozy corner table for two. Jungkook slid into his seat across from you, his knee bounced slightly under the table.

Jungkook opened his mouth and he tried to say something smooth like, ‘You look pretty today.’ but instead he blurted out "So uh… you like salmon rolls or…?"

When you looked at Jungkook, he avoided your eyes while he talked by looking at the menu, but you could tell he was acting weird.

"Yeah," you said slowly, playing along, "Should we order some?"

The waiter came by with a notepad, ready to take their orders. Jungkook cleared his throat and straightened up, "We’ll start with edamame. And… uh…" His eyes darted back to you, "You want miso soup?" he asks and you nod.

When the waiter left to get your appetizers you leaned back slightly in your chair, as you asked about his day, "So," you started, "what’d you do today?"

"Had practice this morning, went to class..." he said, keeping his gaze on the table, playing with the utensils "Then I ran errands after...groceries, baseball stuff." The waiter returned with their edamame and miso soup, placing them in front of them before leaving again.

"Are you okay?" you asked softly, was something bothering him?

"Yeah," he admitted quietly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I’m just… nervous."

"Nervous about what?" you ask, resting your elbows on the table now, chin propped in your hands. "We’ve already seen each other naked."

"’I’m not nervous about that. We’re good."

Then, his voice dropped lower like he was shy. "It’s just… I’ve never really taken you on a date before."

Your smile falters slightly, "So this is a date…?" you said slowly, your voice tinged with confusion.

You’ve never called anything between you two a "date" so why would this be any different? He didn't really ask you out, and you were wearing work clothes. You would have preferred some kind of heads up.

Jungkook’s confidence wavered the second you said it like that. His face flushed "Wait, no—no, I mean," he backtracked fast, waving his hands slightly "It’s not a date-date."

"Not unless… you wanna call it that?" he mumbled under his breath

Had he misread everything? Were you just seeing this as dinner as friends?

And to top it all off the waiter chose that moment to drop by and take their sushi orders, he stood there politely with his notepad "Ready to order?" he asked gently.

Jungkook cleared his throat. "Uh…we’ll get the rainbow roll platter," he said quickly to the waiter, "And… salmon nigiri." avoiding eye contact with you as he ordered.

"Can I add a spicy crab roll?" you asked the waiter politely, voice calm like nothing weird had just happened.

The waiter nodded and jotted it down before leaving again with their orders. The moment he walked away silence returned to their table. Jungkook stared at his chopsticks, anything to avoid looking at you.

You glanced around the restaurant, checking if any of their mutual friends or people from campus were there. The last thing you wanted was gossip spreading that you were on a date.

"I just hope no one sees us," you muttered under your breath, mostly to yourself but loud enough for Jungkook to hear.

He paused, his eyes narrowing "Would you rather be seen with San?" he counters

"You know that’s not what I mean," you clarify, “I just don’t want people making a big deal out of this.”

Jungkoon crossed his arms as his jaw tightened. “Out of what?”

“They’ll think this is a date” you deadpan, you really didn’t need the attention right now

“So… it’s not a date?”

"No, it's not," you said flatly

"Sorry," he muttered, rubbing his face with one hand before forcing a small smile. "I just... got weird about it."

The waiter came back with their sushi on a lacquered tray, the smell of it filled the air. You were both hungry, and it gave you both a chance to chill out after that tense moment.

"I think we’re overcomplicating things," you admitted, picking up your chopsticks and pointing them at him playfully. “You’re just nervous.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, finally relaxing. He grabbed his chopsticks and picked up a piece of salmon nigiri. "We’re just two people eating sushi."

You took a bite of your spicy crab roll, then shot Jungkook a look "Exactly," you said after swallowing.

Jungkook leaned back in his chair "Maybe not labeling this as a date was for the best," he said with a lazy grin, picking up another piece of sushi. "Less pressure."

"Ohhh, so that's why you were nervous?" you teased, "Because you thought this might be a date and didn’t know how to act?"

It sounded ridiculous when you said it out loud because Jungkook was the guy who shamelessly flirted with you any chance he got and now he was nervous over dinner?

"Yeah," he admitted shamelessly, "I don’t do dates or go out like this.”

“You mean with other girls.”

"Yeah," he shrugged one shoulder, "I don’t go out with other girls like this." He hooked up, had fun but never took girls to dinner.

―⋆★⋆―

The rest of dinner rolled by in easy conversation. They talked about everything and nothing like campus gossip, dumb memories from high school, the baseball team’s upcoming game and deeper stuff too, like dreams for the future.

Jungkook liked that you were a great listener, he found himself opening up more than usual, sharing things he wouldn’t normally tell just anyone.

"I don’t know," he started, swirling his drink, "Maybe it’s all stupid. My dream of going pro."

"You’re like one of the best players here," you stated, "You can go pro. It’s not stupid."

You continued, "Aren’t you in engineering too? It’s not like you don’t have a plan after uni."

"Yeah," he murmured, "You’re right."

Jungkook wasn't gambling everything on baseball. He had backup options, a solid future even if this whole baseball thing didn’t work out, he had a safety net with engineering.

The night had wrapped around them like a warm blanket. Jungkook paid before you could even offer to split the bill and stood up, stretching slightly.

He felt lighter, like all those nervous thoughts from earlier had melted away over sushi and easy conversation.

For once, he wasn't overthinking what they were, or what they weren't.

You grinned at him under the glow of a streetlamp, "Let’s get ice cream?" You suggested, "My treat." And since he’d paid for dinner, you wanted to return the favour.

"Oh yeah?" He slung an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close as you walked toward the ice cream parlor. "What else you gonna give me for free, [YN]?"

You leaned in close as you walked, lowering your voice to a teasing whisper "How about I let you lick something sweet later?"

Jungkook’s breath hitched, his grip around your shoulder tightened as heat shot straight to his core. "Careful," he purred, letting you go as they reached the ice cream shop, "You’re gonna make me skip dessert and take you home instead."

"Try it," you dared, nudging the ice cream shop door open with your shoulder before stepping inside.

The moment they stepped inside, Jungkook was so distracted that he didn’t see the girl standing right in front of them. He bumped into her hard, causing her to stumble and the ice cream cone in her hand splattered on the floor.

Her face twisted into an instant annoyance, recognizing Jungkook the second she saw him. It was Jia, she was one of the cheerleaders Jungkook hooked up with casually before you came into his life but it was nothing serious.

"Really?" she snapped, "You couldn’t watch where you were going?”

"Shit, sorry," he said quickly, "I didn’t see you."

He pulled out his wallet and nodded toward the counter. "I'll buy you another one. What flavor?"

"Raspberry," she said curtly before turning back to you, her eyes scanning you up and down. Who are you? Why were you with Jungkook?

"You’re Jungkook’s girlfriend?"

You blinked, caught off guard by the question. You weren’t sure who this girl was to Jungkook, "Uh… no," you said honestly, "We’re just friends."

Jungkook returned and Jia took the new raspberry ice cream from him with a polite "thanks" but her attention snapped right back to you.

"Right," she said smoothly, tilting her head, "You're San’s girlfriend, aren't you?"

The second those words left her mouth, Jungkook stiffened. San took you to one party and suddenly people think you're dating him? He barely tolerated San on a good day.

Please, that guy didn’t know anything about you.

Jealousy burned up inside him, he looked at you but you looked away staring at the display of ice cream. Unsure of what to say now.

'No, we're just friends too' but it obviously didn't look that way.

Jia didn’t wait for you to respond, already turning away "Well anyway, I need to go. Thanks for this," she said dismissively to Jungkook then walked off without another glance.

The shop door chimed as she left and the second she was gone, Jungkook exhaled sharply through his nose.

"So what ice cream are you going to get?" you asked him casually, still scanning the flavour options.

He stared blankly at the menu for a second before shrugging, "Dunno."

You laughed lightly trying to play it cool but the second you turned to him, your smile faded a little. Jungkook’s usual playful energy was gone.

"What do you mean you don’t know?" you teased gently, nudging his arm.

Jungkook sighed, rubbing his temple. Instead of answering about ice cream, he reached out and grabbed your wrist gently, pulling you toward the door.

"Let’s go."

You followed without protest, letting Jungkook lead you out of the shop. The night air was cool again as they stepped onto the sidewalk.

"Hey… what’s wrong?"

"People just… assume shit," he muttered finally, looking up at the sky "Like you’re San’s girlfriend or whatever."

“It pisses me off." he finishes, running a hand through his hair.

"Hey," you said, stepping closer and smoothing a hand over his chest, "Ignore them.”

“Let’s go back to your place, yeah?"

"Okay," he said, as he looked down at you, his hand sliding to the small of your back, pulling you closer. Jungkook leaned down, pressing a slow kiss to your lips

"Let me take you home."

Jungkook didn’t say anything, just closed the door behind him and turned to you, closing the distance between and he kissed you again, hungrier this time.

His hands found your waist as he backed you gently against his bedroom door then turned the knob behind you without breaking contact.

The door swung open, revealing his neatly made bed, dark sheets, scent of his cologne wafted through the room. Jungkook guided you inside without hesitation, kicking the door shut behind them.

His hands slid under your sweater as you stumbled toward the bed together.

Jungkook was hovering over you for a second before claiming your lips again, kissing you slower this time; he was savouring this moment.

His mouth trailed down to your jaw, then neck kissing and nipping lightly while his hands slipped under the hem of your shirt.

A soft sigh escaped him as he pressed another kiss to the corner of your mouth.

"Take this off," he murmured, voice rough as he sat up slightly to help you peel your sweater and shirt over your head.

You sat there in a delicate bralette sending a visible shiver through Jungkook, his breath hitching.

The lace barely covered anything, and it looked so good on you. For a second, he just stared then his hands were on you again trailing up your sides to trace the edges of the fabric with his thumbs.

"God," he breathed out before ducking down to kiss along your collarbone.

Jungkook pressed soft, open-mouthed kisses along the tops of your breasts, right above the bralette, "I missed you," he murmured against your chest, right before his mouth found the lace-covered peak of your nipple sucking lightly through the fabric.

"Missed me that much?" you teased in a breathy voice, arching into him slightly to give him better access. "It's only been a week."

His hands slid up to unhook the bralette, fingers fumbling slightly the second it was off his lips wrapped around your breast, he swirled his tongue over your nipple before closing his lips around it again, sucking on the peak and one hand slid up to cup your other breast thumb brushing in slow circles.

He switched to your other nipple, sucking harder now teeth grazing just enough to make you gasp. He lifted his head just enough to meet your eyes, pupils blown wide with desire

"You know I missed you," he said in a low tone, "Missed this pussy." His hands slid down to the waistband of your pants next fingers hooking into them.

He kissed a trail down your stomach, you tilted your head back against his pillow, fingers tightening in his hair but Jungkook sat back just enough to look at you.

"Lift your hips," he ordered softly, voice thick.

When you did he hooked his fingers into the waistband of your pants and panties sliding them both down in one swift motion kicking them off the bed. Jungkook pressed a soft kiss to your bellybutton, his lips lingering there for a second.

"You’re so beautiful," he murmured against your stomach before trailing lower.

His hands gripped your thighs gently, spreading your legs wider until Jungkook’s eyes locked onto the faint mark on your inner thigh a hickey, clearly left by someone else.

He knew exactly who it was from. Without a word, he ducked down and sucked harshly on the same spot but harder leaving a darker, fresher mark over it.

Jungkook pulled back slightly, his lips still wet from the new hickey he’d just left. He studied your face as he dragged a thumb over the mark

"Cute," he said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "San really went all out on you, huh?"

"Oh please," you scoffed, reaching up to pinch his cheek, "You’re acting like you don’t leave hickeys on girls all the time."

Jungkook caught your wrist before you could pinch him, holding it gently and pressing a quick kiss to your palm. "Yeah, I do," he admitted shamelessly, "But that doesn’t mean I like seeing them on you."

"Wow, so possessive," you said, laughing softly. You sat up slightly, cupping his face with both hands now. "You’re such a baby."

Jungkook scrunched his nose "Yeah," he agreed without shame, "And? You love it."

He pushed you back onto the bed again, capturing your lips and shutting you up. You moaned into the kiss, the sound vibrating against Jungkook’s lips messy and sweet.

Jungkook broke the kiss with a wet sound—saliva connecting their lips for a second, "Take off your clothes," you ordered, voice already breathless with want.

The demand in your voice sent heat straight through him and without hesitation, he yanked his hoodie off over his head, tossing it somewhere behind him. Then he kicked off his jeans while he leaned back in to kiss you again.

Your hands roamed over Jungkook’s bare chest, nails scraping lightly over his abs, you dragged your fingertips over the obvious bulge in his briefs, you palm over it teasingly before finally hooking your fingers into the waistband.

He bit back a groan, hips twitching upward involuntarily. "Fuck," he muttered against your mouth

"What are we going to do, Jungkook?" you asked in a low voice.

"Whatever you want," he answered roughly, his hands were already moving, shoving his underwear down his hips.

He was already aching for you.

The sight made heat pool in your lower belly. Without breaking eye contact you reached out and wrapped your fingers around him—giving a slow stroke.

"Shit—"

His hips jerked into your palm, craving more friction, pre-cum glistened at his tip, your thumb swiped over the head and he caught your wrist gently. "Don’t tease," he breathed out.

Jungkook releases your wrist to trail hot, open-mouthed kisses down your stomach, again. His hands slid up your thighs, pushing them apart slightly as he settled between them.

"Let me show you," he murmured, "How much I missed my favorite girl."

He kissed your sopping cunt like a starved man, then licked in one slow, deliberate stripe, tasting you properly and sucking softly on your clit. Your back arched off the bed, hands flying to tangle in Jungkook’s hair.

Every flick of his tongue, every suck sent electric shocks through you. You bit down on your lip to muffle a louder moan but failed when he added two fingers, curling them just right.

"J-Jungkook—" his name came out breathy and broken.

His fingers pumped deeper while his tongue circled relentlessly, switching between fast flicks and slow, filthy licks just to hear you gasp. "You taste so good," he groaned, voice thick with arousal.

"Missed my pussy, missed you." he moans.

Your whole body tensed the coiling pressure snapping all at once as Jungkook pushed you right over the edge. Your orgasm crashed through you like a wave, back arching off the bed as you gasped his name.

Fingers tightening painfully in Jungkook’s hair, your thighs trembled around his head, while his tongue kept lapping gently to draw out every last pulse of pleasure.

Jungkook hummed in satisfaction, his lips glistening when he finally lifted his head.

"Look at you," he purred, "So pretty when you cum."

Your hands clutched at his shoulders, pulling him up toward you for a kiss "Jungkook… please," you begged, voice breathless.

Jungkook smirked against your lips, loving how desperate you were, he dragged his thumb in slow circles over your sensitive clit.

“Please what?" he teased, circling the sensitive bundle of nerves.

You whimpered hips jerking up into his touch, chasing the friction, your legs wrapped around his waist, you "Need you,"

"Need me?" he echoed mockingly, dragging his thumb in one more slow circle before stopping entirely.

His fingers sliding through your slickness before bringing them to his mouth, sucking them clean with a low hum.

Jungkook’s cock twitched against your thigh already leaking just from how wet you were. He dragged the head against your soaked core, coating himself with it and smirking at the filthy sound.

"Yeah? My girl needs this cock?" he taunted in a husky whisper, lining himself up but not pushing in yet.

He pressed the tip of his cock against your entrance but held himself there. "Tell me," he demanded, breath hot on your lips, "Did San fuck you just like this?"

"Hmm… maybe," you said casually, dragging out yours words just to piss him off. "He was pretty good."

Jungkook reached over to his nightstand, grabbed a condom from the drawer and tore it open with his teeth, rolling it on slowly just to make you wait, he finally looked back at you—eyes blazing.

"Oh yeah?" He shot back, pinning your wrists above your head with one hand and the other guiding himself to your entrance.

"Let’s see if you remember how I fuck you."

Jungkook pushed into you in one smooth thrust, his grip on your wrists tightened as he set a relentless pace, hips snapping like he was proving something.

He leaned down, his lips brushing your ear as he pounded into you each word a filthy growl between heavy breaths, "Feel that? That's me. Not San. Me."

His hand slid from your wrist to grip your thigh, hiking it higher around his waist to drive even deeper. "You're all mine."

Your loud moans filled the room. Jungkook took you exactly how you liked it. Your nails dug into his back, leaving faint red trails down his shoulders.

"Jungkook!" you cried his name again when he hit a spot that made you see stars.

Jungkook groaned at the sting of your nails, he kissed you roughly, swallowing those pretty sounds as his thrusts grew messier and less controlled. The bed creaked under them; sweat slicked their skin together.

"Fuck—you feel so good," he panted against your lips between kisses.

Your breasts bounced with every thrust, nipples pebbled from pleasure. Your moans were loud, filling Jungkook’s bedroom.

"Jungkook—you feel so good," you gasped out between breaths, hands gripping his shoulders for balance as he pounded into you.

His muscles tensed, the coil in his stomach tightening with every slap of skin against skin. He was so close but he wanted to make you fall apart first, one hand slid between you, thumb finding your clit again rubbing tight circles.

"Come on, baby cum for me," he urged, thumb pressing harder on your clit while his hips drove into yours. He could feel it—the way your walls fluttered around him, how you tensed right before that edge.

His voice cracked as he begged you to cum. He shifted slightly, angling his cock to hit that sweet spot inside you.

"Cum on my cock, sweets, let me feel it," he groaned, pupils blown wide with lust.

You hooked your legs around Jungkook’s waist, heels pressing into his lower back to pull him even deeper.

"Harder! I’m so close!"

His hands gripped your hips tighter as he pounded into you harder, each thrust deeper and more desperate than the last.

"Yeah? Like that?" he rasped, sweat dripping down his temple.

"Mmm… just like that," your eyes half-lidded, lips parted as you reveled in the sensation.

Jungkook looked down at you completely captivated. Your face was flushed, lips swollen from kissing, hair fanned out messily on his pillow. Your chest rose and fell rapidly, those pretty tits bouncing slightly with each of his movements.

Your eyes were glazed over with pleasure, dark pupils blown wide and you had that fucked out smile on your face.

"You’re so pretty," he breathed out. “all mine." he whispered, kissing you sloppily before biting your bottom lip.

Your moan was soft, almost dreamy, the coiling tension in your stomach reached its peak. "J-Jungkook…" you moaned his name like a prayer, fingers curling into his hair as waves of pleasure crashed through you.

The second you came, your walls clenched, pulsing and fluttering around Jungkook’s cock. Your tight cunt milked his cock perfectly, dragging him right over the edge with you.

A loud moan tore from his throat as he lost control completely, his hips stuttered, losing rhythm completely "Fuck, [YN]—I’m gonna—" he couldn’t even finish before wave after wave of pleasure crashed over him, muscles tensing as he spilled deep into the condom.

"You're so fucking perfect," he groans.

Jungkook collapsed onto you gently, still inside you as he caught his breath. He pressed lazy kisses along your jawline then nuzzled into the crook of your neck "Love you," he mumbled sleepily against your skin words slipping out before he could stop them.

You blinked at his words, heart suddenly pounding for a different reason now “what?”

"Shit—I mean," he backtracked instantly.

He hadn’t meant to say that out loud… especially not after sex. He rolled onto his back beside you abruptly, staring at the ceiling.

Jungkook scrambled to cover up his slip-up, heart pounding. He cleared his throat awkwardly, avoiding eye contact.

"I mean… I love sex with you," he corrected awkwardly, "It’s good. Really good."

Laughing at his terrible cover-up you reached over and flicked his forehead playfully.

"You’re so stupid," you teased. Then you rolled onto your side to face him properly, smiling. "But yeah, I think it's really good too."

That's why you kept coming back to each other; no one else made you feel as good as he did.

Jungkook turned his head to look at you "Stay the night?" he asked quietly.

He already knew your answer would be yes, you always ended up staying over after nights like this.

“Only if you make me pancakes in the morning.”

"Deal," he said, grinning before pressing a quick kiss to your lips.

02 / 04

Beauty had always been your burden as much as your blessing. Tales of it traveled farther than merchants and faster than ravens, crossing borders until even distant courts spoke your name with a mixture of admiration and longing. Princes penned verses in your honor without ever meeting you. Even seasoned knights, men hardened by war and duty, often found themselves disarmed by nothing more than a smile.

With your coronation fast approaching, the kingdom stood on the brink of celebration. It would be the grandest event seen in decades, drawing princes, dignitaries from every corner of the continent. Some would arrive seeking alliances. Most would arrive seeking you.

The prospect amused you more than it excited you.

“Protecting my daughter is not merely a matter of strength,” your father’s voice boomed through the hall. “It demands unyielding discipline and absolute loyalty. You will each face three trials. The princess herself will accompany you, so that you may prove your worth in her presence.”

Your eyes swept slowly across the line of knights standing before the throne, a faint mask of boredom kissing your beautiful face, certain that none of them would truly be able to handle you.

For years, entertaining yourself at the expense of knights had become something of a pastime. A lingering touch against a gauntleted hand, a mere whispered compliment that left disciplined warriors suddenly forgetting their own names. Watching them struggle to maintain their composure was endlessly amusing.

You had notoriously toyed with men like this, living wildly beneath the weight of your royal title, and your father knew this better than anyone. That was precisely why he had designed these trials.

He wasn’t simply looking for the strongest sword arm. He wanted a knight with sharp intellect and the rare ability to withstand your constant attempts to live life on your terms rather than as a perfectly mannered princess.

A small, intrigued smile played on your lips when the first few knights stepped forward. They were impressive in brute force, but you could already tell they would crumble the moment you decided to play.

Then he stepped forward.

Sir Jeon Jungkook.

Even fully armored, with only his dark, piercing eyes visible through the narrow slit of his helmet, once his unflinching gaze met yours for a brief second, a strange spark ignited low in your belly. You tilted your head, studying those dark eyes with growing interest.

The first trial took place that very evening in the smaller banquet hall. Only a select few courtiers were present. You sat at the high table beside your father, sipping from a jeweled goblet.

Unknown to the competing knights, the King had arranged for one of the wine pitchers to be laced with a powerful sleeping draught. Harmless, but potent enough to leave the princess disoriented and vulnerable. Only the King, a few trusted advisors, and the princess herself knew of the plan.

The knights had been given only one instruction: protect the princess. No further details.

As the evening progressed, the effects of the draught began to take hold. Your thoughts grew pleasantly hazy, movements slower. The jeweled goblet nearly slipped from your grasp once before you caught it. A second time, you laughed at something that had not been particularly funny.

Several knights noticed. Some were too busy trying to appear vigilant, eyes constantly scanning the room for imaginary assassins.

A few noticed your condition and drew dangerously close. One insisted on helping you stand despite the fact that you had not asked for assistance. Another rested a hand against your lower back almost inappropriately while guiding you through the room. One knight even smiled when he realized how heavily you leaned upon him after stumbling.

The courtiers watched everything. So did the King.

You were beginning to feel genuinely annoyed when a tall figure stepped silently between you and yet another overeager knight.

Sir Jeon Jungkook.

Unlike the others, he had not hovered around you all evening. He had remained where a royal protector belonged, close enough to intervene, distant enough to respect your space.

Dark eyes studied your face through the narrow opening of his helmet. “The princess has had enough wine,” he declared.

The knight beside you scoffed. “She seems perfectly fin—”

“She does not.”

You watched surprise flicker across the other knight’s face.

Sir Jungkook’s hand briefly closed around your forearm as you swayed, steadying you before immediately letting go the moment your balance returned.

Within moments he had summoned two ladies-in-waiting to accompany you back to your chambers. When another knight offered to carry you himself, Sir Jungkook declined on your behalf before you could even answer.

“Her reputation is as important as her safety.”

For the first time all evening, genuine curiosity stirred within you.

Most men saw opportunity when they looked at you. Some saw beauty, a few saw a future crown. Yet somehow, Sir Jeon Jungkook seemed to see only his duty.

As the ladies guided you toward the doorway, you glanced back over your shoulder.

“How noble of you, Sir Jungkook,” you teased, voice softened by the draught. “Are you always so resistant to temptation?”

His gaze never wavered. “My duty is to protect Your Highness.”

For reasons you could not quite explain, that response lingered in your thoughts far longer than any flirtatious remark ever had.

The final trial was, by all appearances, the simplest.

After weeks of staged attacks, hidden tests, the remaining candidates expected one final demonstration of skill. Some anticipated a duel. Others believed they would be sent to defend the princess from another fabricated threat. Instead, the King announced that the last trial would consist of a single week of personal duty beside the princess. No further explanation was offered.

The knights were disappointed.

You, however, knew exactly what your father was doing.

The trial was not designed to test strength or intelligence. It was designed to test restraint.

Most of the candidates failed within days. Some became overly eager whenever you requested their company.

Others ignored palace protocol the moment you suggested bending the rules. One knight allowed you to wander through the city market without informing the royal guard because he was too eager to please you. Another accepted an invitation to share wine in one of the palace balconies despite knowing perfectly well how improper it appeared. Every failure was carefully observed and quietly recorded.

Only one knight remained infuriatingly impossible.

Sir Jeon Jungkook.

The more you watched him, the more determined you became to discover his weakness. Surely he had one. Everyone did.

At first, your attempts were harmless. During walks through the palace gardens, you lingered beside him instead of remaining ahead as protocol dictated. During meals, you directed most of your conversation toward him. More than once, you deliberately brushed your fingers against the steel of his gauntlet while speaking. Other knights would have turned crimson. Some would have stumbled over their own words.

Sir Jungkook merely stepped aside and continued his duties as though nothing had happened.

Perhaps it was the way every other knight had spent the past weeks attempting to impress you, the King, or the court.

Where others sought favor, he sought only to fulfill his duty. And thus, when the day of the final judgment arrived, the outcome surprised absolutely no one.

Your father rose slowly from his seat.

“Sir Jeon Jungkook,” he declared, voice echoing through the hall. “You have successfully completed all trials. You have shown not only strength and intellect, but the rare ability to anticipate danger and resist… temptation.” His gaze flicked briefly to you. “From this day forward, you are hereby appointed as the princess’s personal royal knight and protector. Guard her with your life. And may the gods help you.”

A murmur rippled through the court.

You turned toward Sir Jeon Jungkook, stepping just close enough that your crimson gown brushed his armor.

“Welcome to my service, Sir Jungkook,” you whispered so only he could hear. “I do hope you’re prepared. Resisting me may prove to be your greatest trial yet.”

His dark eyes held yours with unshakable strength. “I was under the impression I had already passed that one, Your Highness.”

—

Having Sir Jeon Jungkook follow you around all day wasn’t ideal.

It had not even been three months since his appointment as your royal knight, yet his constant, silent presence had already begun to grate on your nerves. He was always a towering shadow in dark armor, never more than a few steps behind. What annoyed you most was his utter lack of reaction.

No matter how boldly you flirted, no matter how you tightened your corset in front of him until your breasts nearly spilled over, no matter how many times you “accidentally” brushed against him, he remained perfectly composed.

What bothered you most of all was that you still had no idea what he looked like. Only those dark, intense eyes visible through the narrow slit of his helmet. The rest of him remained hidden behind steel, a constant, frustrating mystery.

The journey to the neighboring kingdom for the grand alliance celebration had been long and stifling. You rode in the royal ornate covered carriage borne by four strong horses and guarded on all sides. The extravagant gown you wore was beautiful but suffocating, the tight corset pressing against your ribs and making every breath feel like a struggle. Boredom weighed on you like lead.

Your dearest friend, Lady Isolde rode beside you in her own litter. She was to be wed in a month, and the two of you had spent the journey giggling like girls again, whispering behind silk curtains.

“He’s so tall,” Isolde teased, peeking through the gap toward where Sir Jeon Jungkook rode steadily beside your litter. “And those eyes… I wonder what the rest of him looks like under all that steel. Do you think he’s handsome, or just another brute?”

You laughed softly, though your gaze lingered on the narrow slit of Jungkook’s helmet, where those dark, intense eyes remained fixed forward.

“As if,” you replied, laced with mock boredom. “He’s far too proper. I could tighten my corset until my breasts nearly spill, and he wouldn’t even glance.”

Isolde giggled. “You should try. For science.”

Sir Jungkook’s eyes flicked toward the litter for the briefest second before returning forward. You smirked. Annoyed as you were by his constant, unflinching presence… you were also undeniably intrigued.

That night, after the feasting and music had died down and the royal party made camp near the forest’s edge, you slipped away, desperate for even a moment of peace, and determined to test just how far his restraint could stretch.

The air had grown chilly, carrying the faint bite of early autumn as you made your way to the forbidden stretch of the deep bend where the river water ran swift and dangerously deep. No one was permitted here after dark, especially not the princess.

You knew he would follow.

The heavy footsteps of armor soon echoed behind you on the rocky bank.

“Your Highness,” Sir Jungkook’s deep voice rang out, firm. “This area is strictly prohibited at night. The currents are treacherous and the water is far too cold. We must return to the palace at once.”

You barely looked at him. Your eyes were fastened upon the vast expanse of the river, moonlight dancing across its dark surface like scattered diamonds. You wanted nothing more than to feel the cool waves kissing your bare skin, to swim freely under the moon with no eyes judging you in, except his.

A small, unusually kind smile touched your lips as you turned toward him.

“Why don’t you join me, Sir Jungkook?” you asked softly, your voice carrying on the gentle night breeze. “Just for a little while. The water looks so peaceful tonight.”

Sir Jungkook stood like a statue in his dark armor. “Your Highness… that would be highly improper,” he replied, voice low. “I am here to protect you, not to… bathe with you.”

You let out a soft, melodic laugh and began walking toward the river’s edge, the hem of your gown brushing the grass.

“Well, I suppose then…” you bit your lip, your fingers moving to the laces of your gown with aching slowness. “I shall swim, and you will stand guard like the loyal knight you are.”

You could feel his intense eyes watching through the narrow slit of his helmet as you loosened the ties. The rich fabric slid from your shoulders like liquid silk, pooling at your feet.

Completely bare under the moonlight, you wore nothing beneath. Your skin glowed luminous and your full breasts rose and fell with each breath, nipples already stiff from the cold night air. The curve of your waist flared into soft hips, and the smooth, delicate skin between your thighs was on full display.

Sir Jungkook immediately turned his head sharply away, staring fixedly into the dark trees.

“Your Highness!” His voice was strained. “This is highly inappropriate. I cannot allow—”

“You don’t have to allow anything,” you cut him off, dripping with defiance. “You’re not permitted to touch me while I’m bare. So you’ll just have to stand there.”

You waded into the river with a soft gasp. The icy water bit into your skin, but the thrill of rebellion pushed you forward. You swam out deeper, the cold making your body hypersensitive.

You glanced back at the bank. Sir Jungkook stood like a statue, head turned away, refusing to look at your naked form even once. His armored fists were clenched tightly at his sides.

A thrill of satisfaction ran through you.

You felt exhilarated. Free. And wickedly aware that the most disciplined man in the kingdom was standing on the bank, fighting not to look at you.

“Are you really going to stand there all night, Sir Jungkook? The water feels wonderful… and I’m all alone out here.” You swam further out, the cold water caressing every inch of your bare skin. A soft, content sigh escaped your lips.

It would be a plain lie if you said you weren’t at least a little relieved that he had followed you. The deep bend was no joke. its treacherous currents and deadly depth were feared even by The King. Yet here you were, aching to tear down the walls of the knight who refused to bend to your charms.

You floated lazily on your back, letting the moonlight kiss your bare skin. Then, with a mischievous glint in your eyes, you took your chance.

Once a subtle current tugged at your legs, you gasped dramatically, flailing your arms and letting out a soft, helpless cry. “Oh—!”

You fought back a giggle, pretending to be a damsel in distress, knowing the current wasn’t strong enough to truly endanger you. You wanted to see if you could finally crack his composure.

But the gods had other plans.

Without warning, a far more treacherous undercurrent slammed into you like a living beast. It dragged you under violently, twisting your body, filling your mouth and nose with icy water. Real panic surged through you as you lost your breath and sight in the black depths.

“Jungkook!” you screamed, the sound barely coherent as water rushed into your lungs. This time, it was no act.

Sir Jeon Jungkook did not hesitate for even a fraction of a second. He plunged into the river fully armored, cutting through the violent current with powerful strokes. His strong arms wrapped around your waist, yanking your naked body against his steel chest as he fought the river with raw, expert strength. You clung to him desperately, coughing and gasping as he dragged you back to the rocky bank.

The moment he pulled you ashore, his helmet caught on a low hanging branch and was ripped clean off.

You lay on the grass, gasping for air, when your eyes finally focused on the man hovering above you.

And you forgot how to breathe.

Sir Jeon Jungkook was devastatingly, unfairly handsome.

Wet raven black hair clung to his forehead and sharp, sculpted cheekbones. Water droplets traced the strong line of his jaw and dripped from sensual lips. His dark eyes, now fully exposed, were intense and beautiful, framed by long lashes and thick brows. A faint scar graced his left eyebrow, adding a rugged edge to his otherwise perfect masculine beauty.

Before you could speak, he swiftly grabbed his crimson cloak and draped it over your naked body, covering you completely with careful reverence. His gaze remained locked strictly on your face, never once drifting to your exposed skin.

“Are you okay, Your Highness?” he asked, voice rough with concern. A faint blush colored his cheeks as he noticed the way you were staring at his now-bare face.

You opened your mouth to speak, but no words came. The combination of the dangerous current, the shock of nearly drowning, and the overwhelming sight of your knight’s true face left you dizzy and speechless.

Your vision blurred. You passed out in his arms.

Sir Jungkook pulled you closer against his armored chest, one large hand gently brushed your wet hair away from your face, his touch surprisingly tender. He lifted you effortlessly, cradling you like a warrior carrying his lady, your head resting against his broad shoulder, body wrapped securely in his cloak, legs draped over his arm as he carried you back to his mare.

He mounted carefully, keeping you nestled safely against him as the horse began the journey back to the palace through secret paths.

You woke briefly as he laid you down on the thick rug before the hearth in your royal chambers. The fire was already roaring. You were still wrapped in his cloak, beneath it only a thin silk bandeau now clung to your body, the delicate material barely containing your breasts, pressing them together in a deep, soft cleavage that rose and fell with each shaky breath.

You trembled from the cold and the lingering shock of the river.

Sir Jeon Jungkook remained kneeling by the fire, his movements precise as he stoked the flames. Water dripped from his raven hair onto his armoured shoulders. Then he rose to his full, imposing height, towering, broad shouldered.

Without a word, he reached for his helmet, which rested upon a nearby oak chest, clearly intending to conceal his face once more.

“No,” you whispered, your voice soft yet commanding as you pushed yourself up on one elbow. “Do not put it back on.”

The knight paused, gloved hand hovering above the helm. His dark eyes met yours, intense and conflicted.

“Your Highness… it is not fitting for me to stand before you unveiled,” he said, his voice carrying the formal cadence of a sworn knight. “I must maintain the dignity of my position.”

You sat up fully, the cloak slipping slightly from one shoulder, revealing the smooth curve of your skin and the edge of the silk bandeau. Despite the cold still clinging to your bones, warmth bloomed low in your belly as you gazed upon his face, truly beheld it for the first time.

“Come closer,” You rose to your knees on the rug, the cloak parting further as you reached for him. “Let me see you properly.”

He hesitated, every line of his powerful frame taut with restraint. Yet he obeyed, lowering himself once more to kneel before you. Even on his knees, he remained nearly at your eye level, so tall and broad was he.

You lifted a delicate hand and brushed your fingers through his damp raven locks, pushing them back from his forehead. A contented sigh escaped your lips.

“You are far too pleasing to look upon, Sir Jungkook,” you whispered, almost in awe. “I had wondered what lay beneath that steel. Never did I imagine such a face.”

Sir Jungkook remained perfectly still on his knees before you. His hands rested tensely on his armoured thighs as he fought to keep his gaze fixed on your face and not the way your breasts strained against the thin silk bandeau.

“You flatter me, Your Highness,” he replied, voice low. “But I am your knight. Nothing more. Please allow me to restore my helmet.”

You shook your head slowly, refusing to let him hide again. Instead, you leaned closer, your fingers still buried in his damp raven hair.

A new, overwhelming wave of admiration and obsession washed over you. This man... this mature, hardened, breathtakingly handsome knight was kneeling before you like a devotee. The realization sent a fresh rush of heat between your thighs.

“You’re older than me, aren’t you?” you murmured softly, continuing to caress his hair with gentle strokes. “Hardened by battles and years I haven’t yet seen.”

You wondered how many more scars he carried beneath that heavy armor hidden across his broad chest, his strong back.

“I am twenty eight, Your Highness,” he answered quietly, his deep voice carrying that disciplined tone you were growing addicted to.

“Tell me something personal,” you said, your voice turning playful yet curious. Your fingers trailed from his hair down to trace his cheekbone once more. “Have you ever been with a woman, Sir Jeon? Truly been with one?”

His jaw tightened visibly. The question crossed every boundary a knight was sworn to respect.

“Your Highness… such questions are not appropriate for me to answer,” he replied. You leaned in even closer, still stroking his hair tenderly, your breath brushing against his skin.

“But I want to know,” you whispered. “Have you ever touched a woman the way a man touches a lover? Ever kissed one?”

Jungkook’s breathing grew slightly heavier. His dark eyes stayed locked on yours with iron discipline, though you could clearly see the storm brewing behind them.

“I have not, Your Highness,” he finally answered, voice low and honest. “My duty has always come first.”

A thrill ran through you at his confession. You let your fingers drift lower, brushing along his sharp jawline. “And if a woman wanted you… desperately?” your voice dropped to a near whisper. “If she wanted your mouth between her thighs… your tongue tasting her, would you deny her?”

The impure question hung heavy in the air between you. You shocked even yourself with how boldly it slipped out, but the vivid image, his devastatingly handsome face trapped between your legs, mouth glistening with your arousal made the heat bloom even more slick between your thighs.

Sir Jungkook’s hands clenched tighter on his armored thighs. A faint flush colored the tips of his ears and neck, but he remained on his knees.

“Your Highness,” he said, reverently, “I am sworn to protect you. Not to… indulge in such thoughts.”

You smiled softly. Then you leaned back on the bed, letting the crimson cloak fall open completely. The thin silk bandeau was the only thing left covering you, and even that felt too much now.

“Then I command you,” You looked down at him, this powerful knight on his knees before you, and felt a rush of pure need. “I want your mouth on me, Jungkook. Right now.”

“Your Highness, I—”

“Touch me,” you breathed, cutting him off. “Please, Jungkook…”

You reached down and grabbed his gloved hand, bringing it to your chest. Slowly, you pressed his large palm over the thin silk bandeau, letting him feel the soft, heavy weight of your breast. Your nipple was already painfully hard beneath the fabric.

Sir Jungkook’s breath hitched sharply. His entire body tensed, the muscles in his arm flexing under the armor as he fought against every instinct.

You didn’t stop there, dragging his hand lower, sliding it down your stomach until his fingers rested between your thighs. You were soaked. your petals slick and hot against his gloved fingers.

“Feel how damp you make me,” you whispered, voice shaking with need.

Sir Jungkook let out a low, strained groan. His dark eyes were fixed on your face, but you could see the violent war happening behind them.

The most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on — the princess, the future queen, was laid out before him in nothing but a flimsy silk bandeau, legs spread, pressing his hand against her dripping cunt.

“Your Highness…” he rasped, albeit desperate. “This is beyond forbidden. You are royalty. I am sworn—”

“I don’t care,” you whimpered, grinding slowly against his gloved fingers. “I need you. I’ve never felt this way before. Touch me now, my knight. Please.”

His hand trembled. For a long moment, he simply rested there, feeling your wetness soak through the leather of his glove. Then, with a broken exhale that sounded like surrender, his fingers moved.

He stroked along your soaked folds, parting the delicate petals of your most secret flower. And what a flower it was... a lush, glistening rosebud blooming only for him. Your outer lips were soft and swollen with need, flushed deep, delicate like the first blush of dawn.

As he gently spread you open, the inner petals revealed themselves: silky, and impossibly tender, layered like the finest rose in full bloom after a summer rain. At the center lay your sweetest nectar, dripping and honeyed, flowing abundantly from your aching entrance.

The knight didn’t know what came over him, but your pulsing heat and slick, puckering folds had him utterly entranced. His breathing grew ragged. You could see the way his throat worked, the way his tongue unconsciously darted out to wet his lips. He was drooling.

“May I lick you, Your Highness?” he asked hoarsely, voice thick with barely contained hunger. “Please… allow me to taste you.”

The desperate plea from such a disciplined man sent a fresh wave of arousal flooding through you.

“Yes,” you breathed, spreading your thighs wider for him, your voice trembling with raw need. “Use your mouth on me, Jungkook. Lick your princess until she cannot think.”

The moment the words left your lips, something in him broke. Sir Jungkook leaned in and dragged his hot, wet tongue slowly up your soaked slit. The first full taste of you pulled a deep, guttural groan from his chest. You were intoxicatingly sweet and dripping with arousal. He licked you again, slower this time, savoring every slick fold as if he were drinking the finest wine in the kingdom.

You cried out sharply, back arching off the bed as overwhelming pleasure flooded your body. The sensation was brand new, so intense it made your legs twitch violently.

“Oh... Jungkook!” you moaned, fingers digging into his raven hair.

The knight’s tongue circled your swollen clit before sucking it gently into his mouth, then plunged inside your tight heat, ravishing you with slow, deep strokes. The wet, filthy sounds of his mouth eagerly eating you echoed through the chamber, obscene, and shameless.

The most beautiful woman he had ever known, the future queen, was thrashing beneath him, legs shaking uncontrollably around his head, soft whimpers and loud moans spilling from her pretty lips.

Your hips rolled desperately against his face, coating his tongue, lips, and chin with your sweet release. Sir Jungkook drank every drop you gave him, groaning against your cunt as his own cock strained painfully against his armor.

He had never tasted anything so addictive.

You were already twitching, gasping, legs trembling so hard they threatened to close around his head. The pleasure was too much, too new, too overwhelming for your body.

Suddenly, Sir Jungkook pulled back slightly, his lips glistening with your juices. His dark eyes looked up at you, breathing ragged.

“Should I continue, Your Highness?” he asked hoarsely, voice thick with lust and devotion. “Tell me… do you want more?”

You could barely form words. Your body was shaking, pussy throbbing, dripping onto the mattress beneath you.

“Please don’t stop,” you whimpered desperately. “Keep licking me... please...”

The knight obeyed instantly. He buried his face back between your thighs and attacked your clit with relentless strokes of his tongue. Two thick fingers pushed inside you, curling perfectly against that sensitive spot while he sucked hard on your swollen pearl.

The pleasure hit you like a storm.

Your entire body seized up. A loud, broken scream tore from your throat as your orgasm crashed over you violently. Your thighs clamped around his head, hips bucking wildly against his mouth as you gushed on his tongue. Wave after wave of intense pleasure ripped through you, leaving you shaking uncontrollably, vision blurring at the edges.

You nearly passed out from the sheer intensity of it. body twitching, chest heaving, soft cries still falling from your lips as the pleasure refused to let go.

Sir Jungkook stayed between your thighs through every tremor, drinking down every last drop of your release like a man who had finally found salvation.

When your body finally went limp, trembling and oversensitive, he gently kissed your inner thigh before pulling back, his handsome face flushed and glistening with your arousal.

You could barely speak, still catching your breath as you stared at the sight of your proud, disciplined knight with your release shining on his lips.

—

“The Princess requires her knight’s escort to the eastern tower for stargazing.”

The message was innocent enough on paper. But the court had begun to notice how often you summoned Sir Jeon Jungkook for these private “duties.” Some whispered that the Princess trusted no one else. Others envied the knight who had earned such unwavering favor from the realm’s greatest beauty.

They had no idea what really happened once the tower door was bolted.

In the eastern tower under the stars, you would push Sir Jungkook against the cold stone wall and demand his mouth on you again. He always hesitated at first, “Your Highness, we mustn’t…” but the moment you looked at him with those wide, needy eyes and whispered “Please, Jungkook… I ache for you,” his resolve crumbled.

He would drop to his knees in full armor, push your skirts up to your waist, and bury his face between your thighs. The sounds he made while devouring you were filthy and desperately loud. wet slurps and deep groans as he drank every drop of your arousal. You quickly learned to muffle your loud moans against your own arm or his shoulder, thighs shaking violently around his head as he brought you to shattering orgasm after orgasm.

He never asked for anything in return at first. But one night, after he had made you come so hard you saw stars, you dropped to your knees in front of him, hands trembling as you freed his thick, aching cock from his breeches.

You had never seen the knight fully bare, but you had tasted him.

You took him into your mouth with clumsy but eager hunger, sucking and licking until he was groaning your name like a prayer, his gloved hand gently cradling the back of your head. When he spilled down your throat, you swallowed every drop, looking up at him with wide, adoring eyes.

The tension between you only grew hotter, more forbidden.

You began creating excuses just to be close to him.

You “accidentally” wandered into dangerous parts of the forest during hunts. You “lost” your way in the palace corridors at night. You deliberately teased foreign dignitaries until they grew too bold, all so Sir Jungkook would have to step in, pull you protectively against his armored chest, and hold you there while scolding you with his low voice.

Each time, you nestled your head against his chest plate, breathing in his scent, feeling safe in a way you had never felt with anyone else.

One quiet afternoon in the royal rose gardens, while the other knights kept their distance. The summer blooms were at their peak, rows upon rows of crimson roses spilling over marble trellises in a riot of color and fragrance. Courtiers often compared them to you. You had heard the comparison so many times throughout your life that it had long since lost all meaning.

Your attention was elsewhere when Sir Jungkook paused beside a rose bush heavy with crimson blooms. Reaching out, he selected a single flower and turned it thoughtfully between his fingers before approaching.

“A gift?” you asked.

“If Your Highness would accept it.”

The answer surprised a smile from you.

He stepped forward and tucked the rose behind your ear. His gloved fingers lingered only for a second before withdrawing, but even that brief touch seemed to affect him more than he wished to admit.

When you looked up, his gaze was fixed upon the flower. “Beautiful things are dangerous,” he said quietly.

You laughed. “I believe roses are dangerous for everyone except gardeners.”

His expression didn’t change.

“I wasn’t speaking about the rose.”

Your heart fluttered so violently you had to look away. it was becoming impossible to deny how deeply you were falling for him.

The kisses grew sloppier, more desperate with every stolen moment.

In the abandoned library, your knight would press you against the bookshelves, helmet removed, and kiss you like he was drowning, tongue sliding against yours, hands gripping your waist as if afraid you might vanish. You kissed him back just as hungrily, tugging at his hair, moaning softly into his mouth while your hand palmed the hard bulge in his breeches.

Your hunger for him was insatiable. You ached for his presence constantly. The court noticed how you lit up when he entered a room, how you instinctively moved closer to him during gatherings. They saw devotion, they saw trust.

They never saw the way you both held each other’s eyes like lovers who knew their time was stolen.

The relationship was utterly forbidden. Your father would banish him, or worse, if he ever discovered the truth. But neither of you could stop. Something real was blossoming between you.

The knight admired your wild, rebellious spirit. You admired his quiet strength and unwavering honor. In the darkness, you were no longer just princess and knight. You were becoming each other’s secret salvation. And it was only a matter of time before the tension finally snapped.

—

The Coronation.

The kingdom was in full celebration. Banners of the finest gold flew from every tower. The greatest event in decades had arrived, your coronation as Queen.

Princes from across the realms had come in droves, each more eager than the last to win your hand and the throne beside you. They brought lavish gifts, performed in grand tournaments, and showered you with compliments. The entire court watched with bated breath, waiting for you to choose.

You sat upon the raised dais in a breathtaking gown of white, looking every bit the ethereal queen-to-be. But your eyes kept drifting to the tall, armored figure standing silently behind your throne, Sir Jeon Jungkook.

He had become even more composed in public, yet you could feel the storm raging beneath his helmet. Especially when you decided to play your cruel little game.

Prince Min of Veina leaned close during the feast, whispering sweet nothings about your beauty. You laughed brightly, placing a hand on his arm, letting your fingers linger, leaning in just enough for your neckline to offer him a generous view of your breasts.

From the corner of your eye, you saw Sir Jungkook’s gloved hand tighten around the hilt of his sword until his knuckles turned white.

Another prince, a golden haired lord from the eastern isles, offered you a rose during the garden promenade. You accepted it with a coy smile, twirling it between your fingers while glancing toward your knight.

Sir Jungkook’s dark eyes burned behind the helmet. You could feel his jealousy like a living thing, hot and barely contained.

That night, after the feasting and dancing, you summoned him to the eastern tower under the usual pretense.

The moment the door closed, he was on you.

The knight pinned you against the cold stone wall. The single rose you’d been idly twirling between your fingers, a gift from one of the many princes, fell forgotten to the floor.

Sir Jungkook’s dark eyes burned with something almost feral.

“You will be wed off soon?” he growled dangerously, breath hot against your ear.

You looked up at him, heart racing. Your long, wavy hair had finally been let down after the long day, cascading over your shoulders and hips like dark silk. The tight corset of your white coronation gown was already loosened, the fabric slipping slightly off one shoulder, revealing the smooth curve of your skin.

“What do you think about Prince Min?” you asked sweetly, tilting your head. “I think he’s quite lovely. So charming. He even said he would worship me every night once we’re wed.”

Sir Jungkook’s jaw clenched so hard you heard it crack. The jealousy that had been simmering all day threatening to explode.

“Doesn’t it drive you mad, Sir Jeon?” You leaned in closer, letting your breasts brush against his armored chest. “Knowing your princess, the one you’ve been secretly devouring every night, is wanted by so many powerful men? That they all dream of putting a ring on my finger and taking me to their beds?”

“It is exquisite torture, Your Highness,” he growled, eyes burning. “Watching them look at you like they have any right to you. Knowing I’m the only one who’s ever tasted you, the only one who’s ever made you scream.”

His raw honesty sent a sharp thrill through you. You bit your lip, loving the way jealousy sharpened his features, making his dark eyes appear even more intense. He was possessive and barely holding himself back. And you wanted to push him further.

You stepped away from the wall with a teasing smile, walking over to the tall, gilded mirror that stood near the fireplace. The white gown still clung to your body, hair cascading in long, wild waves down your back. You picked up a silver brush and began slowly running it through it, watching him in the reflection.

Sir Jungkook followed you like a shadow, stopping just behind you. His tall, powerful frame loomed in the mirror, twice your size, radiating heat and restrained fury.

“Does that bother you, my knight?” A teasing smile played on your lips. “Knowing that soon I might have to let another man—”

You didn’t get to finish. Sir Jungkook’s large hand closed around your wrist, stopping the brush mid stroke. He plucked it from your fingers and set it down with a deliberate clack. His other hand gripped your hip, pulling your back flush against his armored chest.

Your breath hitched. The playful boldness you’d been wielding all night vanished in an instant.

“Enough,” he growled low against your ear, “You’ve teased me enough tonight, Your Highness.”

His dark eyes burned into yours through the mirror. The intensity there made your knees weak. This wasn’t the restrained, obedient knight anymore. This was a man who had finally reached his limit.

He reached around you and slowly began unlacing the rest of your corset. The white gown loosened further, slipping down your shoulders. You watched in the mirror as he tugged it lower, exposing your full breasts to the cool air and the warm firelight. Your nipples were hard, flushed, and sensitive.

Sir Jungkook’s hand cupped one breast possessively, squeezing it as his thumb brushed over the stiff peak. You gasped, arching into his touch.

“Look at yourself,” he ordered quietly, voice rough. “Look how beautiful you are. How perfect. And yet you let them think they could ever have this.”

He pinched your nipple, rolling it between his fingers until you whimpered. His other hand slid down, gathering the fabric of your gown and pulling it up to your waist, fully exposing your bare cunt in the mirror.

Your face bloomed bright red as you instinctively tried to close your legs, suddenly overwhelmed with shyness at the sight of yourself so lewdly displayed, flushed and completely bare in the golden firelight.

But Sir Jungkook wouldn’t allow it. His large hand gripped your thigh firmly, spreading you open again as he pressed his body harder against your back.

“Don’t hide,” His dark eyes met yours in the mirror, intense and commanding. “Look how filthy and wet you are for me.”

You shivered, unable to tear your eyes away from the reflection. The contrast was obscene, your ethereal white gown bunched around your waist, breasts exposed and heaving, legs spread wide while his armored body loomed behind you like a dark, possessive shadow.

Sir Jungkook’s hand returned between your thighs. Two thick fingers slid through your slick folds, parting them slowly so you could see everything in the mirror. You whimpered at the sight, embarrassed yet unbearably aroused.

“So beautiful,” he breathed as he circled your swollen clit with his fingertip. “This is what belongs to me. Not to any prince. Not to anyone else.”

He pushed two fingers inside you without warning, curling them deep. Your mouth fell open in a silent cry as he began ravishing you with slow, deliberate strokes that made wet, obscene sounds echo in the quiet tower.

You tried to close your legs again, overwhelmed, but he held them open with ease, his grip firm and unyielding.

“Watch,” he ordered softly, voice dark with lust. “Watch how easily I can make my princess fall apart.”

Your eyes stayed glued to the mirror as his fingers plunged in and out of your soaked cunt, his thumb rubbing tight circles on your clit. Your cheeks were flushed deep crimson, lips parted in shameless moans, breasts bouncing slightly with every thrust of his hand.

The pleasure built fast and merciless. Your legs started shaking, thighs trembling violently as you fought to stay upright.

Sir Jungkook’s fingers curled deeper, stroking that perfect spot inside you while his thumb pressed firm circles on your swollen clit.

You came hard with a broken cry, arousal gushing down his wrist and dripping onto the stone floor beneath you. Your head fell back against his armored shoulder, body convulsing as wave after wave of intense pleasure tore through right after.

The knight dragged his arousal coated fingers from your pulsing heat and brought them to his mouth, sucking them clean while his dark eyes stayed locked on yours in the mirror. The obscene sight made you whimper, legs pressing together instinctively. This time, he allowed it.

You pulled away from him shyly, legs unsteady as you walked toward the wide couch near the fireplace. You crossed your arms over your chest, trying to cover your bare breasts, suddenly overwhelmed with embarrassment.

Sir Jungkook approached you ever so slowly. His heart was pounding. you could see it in the rise and fall of his broad chest. The way your flushed cheeks and shy posture made you look so adorable only made his desire burn hotter.

He stopped in front of you, towering over your smaller frame. Without a word, he gently uncrossed your arms, exposing your breasts again. You tried to cover them once more, but he caught your wrists softly.

“You’re too beautiful to hide, my love.” he murmured, voice low.

He leaned down and took one sensitive nipple into his hot mouth, sucking gently at first, then harder. You gasped sharply, hands flying to his shoulders as overwhelming sensitivity shot through you.

“Jungkook... it’s too much...” you whimpered, lightly pushing at his shoulders, cheeks burning with shyness.

He pulled back just enough to look at you, eyes dark with lust and affection. “You’re so sensitive here,” he whispered, almost in awe. He flicked his tongue over your nipple again, watching your reaction closely. “So angelic when you tremble like this.”

He sucked harder, alternating between your breasts, licking and biting softly until you were a whimpering mess, pushing at him weakly while your body arched into his mouth.

You grew frustrated at the unfairness, nearly naked while he was still fully armored. With a small, determined huff, you pushed him back slightly and began tugging at the straps of his armor.

“It is not fair,” you muttered, cheeks still flushed. “You get to see all of me, but I still haven’t seen you.”

The knight let you undress him, helping you remove piece after piece until he stood completely bare before you for the first time.

Your breath caught.

He was magnificent. Broad shoulders, powerfully sculpted chest marked with old scars, some long and faded, others newer. A few dark tattoos adorned his left pectoral and ribs. His abdomen was ridged with muscle, leading down to narrow hips. His cock hung heavy between his legs, thick and already hard.

You stepped closer, running your hands over his bare chest, tracing every scar with reverent fingers, exploring the strong lines of his back, more scars mapping his battles. He stood perfectly still, letting you admire him, though his breathing had grown heavier.

“You are… so manly, my knight,” you breathed, barely coherent, as your hands returned to his chest, sliding down the hard ridges of his abdomen. “So big… so perfect.”

The room had grown hotter, heavier. The air between you felt charged with months of suppressed longing. Your breaths mingled as you stared into each other’s eyes... yours wide with awe and desire, his dark with barely restrained hunger.

Sir Jungkook’s control finally snapped. He lifted you and laid you down on the wide couch near the fireplace, pinning your exploring hands above your head with one large hand, holding them there firmly before his body hovered over yours, powerful and imposing, thick cock resting heavy against your inner thigh.

“Look at me,” he commanded, voice low and rough.

You did, heart hammering.

“Tell me what you want,” he demanded, eyes burning into yours.

You squirmed beneath him, aching and desperate. “Take me,” you pleaded, trembling. “Please, Jungkook… give it to me. I need you inside me.”

Sir Jungkook let out a low groan at your words. He positioned himself at your entrance, the thick head of his cock pressing against your soaked folds. He was big, almost intimidatingly so. You felt the stretch even before he pushed in.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Your Highness,” he whispered, voice strained with worry and barely contained lust. His dark eyes searched yours, torn between desire and restraint. “You’re so tight...”

You trembled beneath him, legs parted wide around his hips. “Please,” you begged softly, cupping his face. “Don’t hold back. I need you. All of you.”

The knight exhaled shakily and began to push inside.

The stretch was intense. You gasped sharply as the thick head of his cock breached you, slowly forcing your walls open. Inch by thick inch, he sank deeper, filling you in a way you had never experienced before. It burned sweetly, bordering on too much, making your nails dig into his shoulders.

“Ah... Jungkook…” you whimpered, tears pricking your eyes at the overwhelming fullness.

He paused halfway, breathing hard, jaw clenched tight. “Tell me if it’s too much,” he rasped, rough. “I’ll stop. I swear it.”

But you shook your head, wrapping your legs around his waist.

“Don’t stop,” you pleaded, voice breaking. “I need you deeper… please.”

With a low groan, he pushed the rest of the way in, burying himself to the hilt. The fullness was devastating. You felt so stretched, so completely claimed, that for a moment you could barely breathe.

Sir Jungkook stayed still, letting you adjust, pressing soft kisses to your tear stained cheeks.

“You’re taking me so well,” he murmured, voice filled with awe and lust. “Such a good girl for me.”

When the burn finally melted into aching pleasure, you rolled your hips experimentally.

“Move,” you whispered. “Please… ruin me.”

That was all it took.

Sir Jungkook’s control snapped completely. He pulled back and thrust into you hard, setting a deep, punishing rhythm. Jealousy and months of pent up desire fueled every powerful stroke. The wet, filthy sound of his thick cock slamming into your soaked cunt filled the tower, mixing with your loud, broken moans.

He was a knight sworn to protect the crown, now utterly ruining the very sovereign he had pledged his life to shield.

“Mine,” Sir Jungkook growled, biting down on your neck hard enough to leave a dark mark. “Not theirs. Never theirs.”

He ravished you relentlessly, claiming you, marking you. His mouth was everywhere: sucking bruises into your breasts, biting your collarbone, licking the tears from your cheeks. He pinned your wrists above your head again, hips snapping against yours with raw need.

You came hard the first time, screaming his name as your walls clenched violently around his thick length. But he didn’t stop. He took you through it, then flipped you onto your hands and knees, on the wide couch.

First, he worshipped.

The knight dropped to his knees behind you, his large hands spreading your cheeks reverently. He leaned in and pressed slow, open mouthed kisses along the curve of your royal backside, lingering presses of his lips that made your breath hitch. He kissed lower, then lower still, until his tongue dragged hot and wet over your soaked folds from behind.

“So beautiful,” he murmured against your skin, breath hot and heavy. “So divine. And yet I am going to ruin every sacred inch of you.”

Then the worship turned into ruin.

He rose, gripping your hips with white knuckled force, and thrust into you from behind in one deep, devastating stroke. You cried out sharply at the stretch, the thick length of his cock forcing your walls open, filling you so completely it stole your breath.

You sobbed in pleasure, fingers clawing at the cushions as he drove into you relentlessly. The power he exerted over you was intoxicating. this hardened warrior, dominating you utterly while still worshipping every tremble of your body.

“You belong to me,” he rasped, ruining you with slow, devastating strokes now. “Say it.”

“I’m yours,” you whimpered, voice breaking. “Only yours, Jungkook... ahh!”

By the third round, you were a sobbing, whimpering mess, tears streaming down your face from overwhelming pleasure, body covered in his marks, cunt swollen and dripping with your combined release.

He took you in every way he could: against the wall, bent over the couch, riding him as he sat on the edge of the seat, then finally on your back again with your legs over his shoulders as he drove impossibly deep.

All night long, the tower echoed with your moans, his deep groans, the obscene wet sounds of your bodies joining. He claimed you utterly and completely devoted.

When he finally came for the last time, buried deep inside you, he held you tight, spilling pulse after pulse of hot seed into your womb, filling you until you felt impossibly full, claimed from the inside out.

Sir Jeon Jungkook pressed his forehead to yours, his lips brushing against yours with every word.

“You command the entire kingdom, my lady,” he whispered reverently, “but here in this hidden place… you are mine to ruin.”

You could only tremble in his arms, utterly spent, legs wrapped around his waist, heart pounding wildly as the fire crackled beside you.

The weight of what you had just done, and what it meant for both of you settled uncomfortably in the air. But in that moment, wrapped in his powerful arms, marked and filled by your knight, nothing else in the kingdom mattered.

The days that followed were a delicate illusion of peace.

It was late morning when you found yourself in the secluded royal bathing pool fed by a gentle river, surrounded by floating lily pads and white blossoms that drifted lazily on the current. The water was warm, scented with rose and lavender oils poured in by your maids. Sunlight filtered through the overhanging willow branches, casting soft, dappled light across the surface.

You leaned back against the smooth stone edge, your long dark hair floating around you like ink in water. Your body still carried the secret marks of the previous night, faint bruises on your hips, love bites hidden beneath the waterline, and a persistent, delicious ache between your thighs that reminded you with every shift who had claimed you so thoroughly.

Your maids, Elara, Verra, and old, wise Selyse moved around you carefully. They had raised you since you were a babe, more mothers than servants. They knew you better than anyone.

Elara poured another stream of warm water over your shoulders, her sharp eyes catching the faint flush that still lingered on your cheeks.

“You are glowing again this morning, my lady,” she said lightly, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. “One might think the moon itself had kissed your skin.”

Verra, younger and bolder, laughed softly as she massaged oil into your scalp. “Or perhaps a certain tall, dark eyed knight has been keeping you… well attended.”

You felt your face heat, but you couldn’t stop the small, secret smile that curved your lips.

Selyse, the eldest, clicked her tongue but her eyes were soft with affection. “Hush, you two. Our princess has always been radiant. Though…” she tilted her head, studying you, “there is a new light in her eyes these days. And a certain weariness in her step that speaks of long nights.”

You bit your lip, sinking a little lower into the water as lily pads brushed against your skin.

“It is nothing,” you murmured, though the flush in your cheeks betrayed you.

“Nothing?” Vera teased, wading closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially.

“We have seen you grow from a wild little girl into this breathtaking woman. We know your heart. And we know it does not belong to any of those puffed up princes parading through the halls.”

You reached out, squeezing Elara’s hand, then Verra’s, your voice dropping to a shy, trembling whisper.

“It is true,” you confessed, cheeks burning hotter than the midday sun. “I have given myself to Sir Jeon. Body and heart. He is the only man I have ever wanted. The only one who has ever touched me.”

For a heartbeat, silence fell over the bathing pool. Then came the gasps.

Elara’s eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth. Verra let out a delighted little squeak, nearly dropping the oil vial. Even old Selyse, usually so composed, looked momentarily stunned before her face broke into a warm, knowing smile.

“Oh, my sweet girl,” Elara breathed, scandalized, thrilled. “You wicked little thing! With your own knight? Right under the King’s nose?”

Verra giggled uncontrollably, splashing water playfully in your direction. “And here we thought you were simply fond of him! All those late night ‘stargazing’ trips… you minx! Was he gentle? Was he… big?”

“Verra!” Selyse scolded, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. She turned to you with motherly affection. “Though I must admit, we have suspected for some time. The way he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching… that man is utterly gone for you, my lady.”

You buried your face in your hands, mortified but unable to stop the shy, giddy smile spreading across your lips. Your gaze drifted across the river to where Sir Jeon Jungkook stood guard a respectful distance away, half hidden among the willow trees.

Even from here, you could feel the weight of his stare. He stood tall and imposing in his armor, but his dark eyes were fixed on you with a quiet, burning intensity that always made your stomach flutter.

You bit your lip, still flushed from both the warm water and the memory of his mouth, his hands, his body claiming you so thoroughly the night before.

“He is… everything,” you whispered dreamily, more to yourself than the maids. “Strong. Honorable. And when we are alone… he worships me like I am his entire world.”

Verra let out another delighted laugh. “As he should! Our princess deserves nothing less. Though if the King ever finds out…”

Selyse gently squeezed your shoulder, her voice softening with both love and concern.

“Then we will protect your secret as fiercely as we have protected you all these years,” she said. “You deserve to love who you love, my dear. Crown or no crown.”

You looked back at Sir Jungkook again. He hadn’t moved from his post among the willow trees, tall and steadfast in his armor, but your heart ached with a sharp mix of fear and wonder.

If The King ever discovered the truth, he would not spare your knight. Sir Jungkook would be banished, or worse. And you… you would be married off immediately to seal the wound.

The thought disturbed you deeply.

You turned back to the water, forcing a smile for your maids, but the warmth of the bath could no longer chase away the chill settling in your chest.

—

The rumors had begun to spread like fire through the palace corridors.

A lesser knight claimed he had seen “suspicious movement” near the eastern tower. One of the visiting princes mentioned, with a sly smile, that the Princess seemed unusually attached to her personal guard. Nothing concrete, nor proven. But the whispers were growing louder.

Your maids noticed your distraction immediately. During your morning dressing, Verra fastened the laces of your gown with unusually tight pulls, her voice urgent.

“My lady… you must be more careful,” she whispered. “Some of the king’s men have been asking questions about Sir Jeon. They say he spends too many nights away from the barracks. And one of Prince Min’s retainers swears he saw a tall figure slipping into your wing after midnight.”

Elara’s hands paused on your hair. “The knight is being cautious now. He avoids being seen with you as much. But you… you still look at him like he hung the moon. It is only a matter of time before the King hears something he cannot ignore.”

Selyse placed a gentle hand on your shoulder, her eyes full of love and worry. “You are playing with fire, sweet girl. And fire does not care how much you love it.”

Your heart clenched with fear. You hadn’t seen your knight alone in a week. He had been deliberately distant, protecting you both by keeping his distance. The absence gnawed at you like hunger.

That night, you sent for him under the pretense of needing extra security for a private walk in the inner courtyard.

The moment the hidden door to your chambers closed behind him, you were on him.

You pushed Sir Jungkook against the wall, frustration and fear pouring out of you in a desperate kiss. Your hands fisted in his tunic, tugging him closer.

“Where have you been?” you demanded between kisses, voice shaking. “I was scared. I thought something had happened to you. I thought my father had already—”

“I’m here,” he whispered against your lips, rough with emotion. He pulled you closer, arms wrapping around you. “I’m right here, my love.”

But then he pulled back slightly, forehead pressed to yours. His dark eyes were filled with pain.

“I cannot stay,” he said quietly. The words hit you like a blow. “Your father has ordered me to lead a company to the western borders. There have been reports of raiders. He says it is to prove my devotion to protecting the realm… and you. He also made it clear I can no longer linger so closely around you. The rumors are growing too loud.”

You stared at him, heart shattering.

“No,” you whispered, then louder, “No. You cannot leave me. Not now. Not after everything.”

Tears stung your eyes as the hurt poured out.

“After our first night, you pulled away. You kept your distance like I was poison. And now you’re leaving entirely? What if something happens to you out there? What if I lose you forever? I can’t take it, Jungkook. I won’t survive it.”

Your hands moved frantically, tugging at the straps of his armor with desperate, angry fingers.

“I don’t care about the king. I don’t care about the borders. I only care about you.”

Piece by piece, you stripped him. The armor fell to the floor with heavy clangs until he stood completely bare before you, broad chest, scarred skin, powerful frame looking every bit of the warrior he was. You shoved him back onto the bed and climbed on top of him, straddling his hips.

Sir Jungkook’s hands moved instinctively to the laces of your corset, trying to free you fully, but you slapped his hand away, tears already glistening in your eyes.

But the knight was patient. He sat up slowly, your legs still wrapped tightly around his waist, and gently cupped your face with both hands. His thumbs brushed away the tears on your cheeks with heartbreaking tenderness.

“My love,” he whispered, voice soothing, “Let me worship you. Let me take care of you tonight. Please.”

He leaned in and captured one of your sensitive breasts in his mouth, sucking slowly. His tongue swirled around your stiff nipple, drawing a shaky moan from you. He moved to the other, giving it the same devoted attention, sucking and licking until your back arched and fresh tears slipped down your cheeks, this time from overwhelming sensation and emotion.

Holding you close, then gently but firmly, Sir Jungkook leaned back, gripping your hips and guiding you upward. In one rapid motion, he pulled you over his face, settling you directly onto his waiting mouth. Your soaked folds pressed flush against his lips and tongue, your thighs framing his head as he looked up at you with pure hunger.

“Use me,” he growled against your dripping folds, the vibration sending sparks through your core. “Pleasure yourself on my tongue love. I want to drown in you.”

You hesitated for half a second, still shy and nervous, cheeks burning hot even as your body screamed for more. But the frantic ache between your legs won out. You lowered yourself more fully, your slick cunt sliding over his mouth, his nose buried against your clit. He groaned loudly, the sound muffled and obscene as he immediately speared his tongue deep inside you, licking and sucking at your juices like a man starved.

You started moving almost desperately, grinding down with frantic little rocks of your hips. Shyness still flickered in your chest, making you whimper and bite your lip, but the pleasure overrode everything. Your hands braced on the headboard as wet, filthy sounds filled the room, the slick slide of your cunt over his tongue, his eager slurping and moaning, the way he sucked your swollen clit between his lips and flicked it mercilessly.

“Oh gods...” you gasped. Your thighs trembled around his head as you grew bolder, grinding harder, smearing your arousal all over his face. He gripped your cheeks, spreading them, holding you down so you could use him exactly how you needed. His tongue ravished in and out of your dripping hole, then flattened to lap broad strokes from your entrance to your clit, devouring every drop.

But it wasn’t enough.

You lifted off his face with a wet pop, strings of your arousal connecting you to his glistening mouth. His eyes were dark, lips swollen and shiny with your juices. Before he could speak, you slid down his body impatiently.

You straddled his hips, wrapped your hand around his thick, throbbing cock, and sank down onto him in one frantic motion.

The stretch made you cry out, but you didn’t stop. You rode him hard, bouncing on his length with frantic, emotional need, your breasts bouncing heavily with every harsh drop of your hips.

“Don’t leave me,” you sobbed, riding him faster, tears falling onto his chest. “Please, Jungkook… I can’t lose you. Not after this. Not after you’ve ruined me for anyone else.”

He thrust up to meet you, matching your desperate rhythm, his strong hands gripping your hips to guide you deeper.

“I don’t want to go,” he rasped, voice breaking with the same pain. “But I must. Your father commands it. I have to prove my loyalty… so I can stay by your side.”

You leaned down, kissing him messily through your tears, riding him like you could keep him here forever if you just moved fast enough.

“Then stay inside me,” you begged, voice cracking. “Fill me up. So deep that a part of you stays with me even when you’re gone. I want to carry you with me when they try to take you away.”

Sir Jungkook groaned deeply. His hands tightened on your hips as he suddenly flipped you onto your back, pinning you beneath his powerful body.

He made love to you then, with deep, devastating strokes that reached the very core of you. His mouth never left your skin, sucking marks into your neck, whispering promises between every thrust.

“You are mine,” he breathed against your lips, hips rolling deeply. “I will come back to you. I will fill you again and again until you swell with our future.”

You wrapped your arms and legs around him, clinging desperately as another orgasm built inside you. When it finally crashed over you, you sobbed his name, walls pulsing tightly around his thick cock.

Sir Jungkook followed right after, burying himself as deep as possible with a low, guttural groan. He came hard, flooding your womb with thick, pulsing ropes of his seed, holding you so tightly it felt like he was trying to merge your souls together.

Even after, he stayed buried inside you, pressing soft kisses to your damp forehead, your cheeks, your trembling lips.

“I don’t want you to go,” you whispered, small and broken. “I love you too much.”

Sir Jungkook pressed a soft kiss to your temple, his arms never loosening. “I know, my love,” he murmured. “And that is why I must return to you. No matter what.”

The weeks following Sir Jungkook’s departure had stretched into an endless gray fog.

You moved through your royal duties like a ghost wearing a crown. You sat through council meetings with a straight spine and a hollow smile, listening to nobles bicker about alliances, trade routes while your mind wandered back to your knight’s strong arms. Every night since, your bed felt too large, too cold. You would press your face into the pillow he had once used and fight the ache in your chest.

You missed him with a desperation that bordered on madness.

This morning was no different. You had barely kept your breakfast down before the maids helped you into a heavy velvet gown the color of deep wine for yet another assembly with potential suitors. The princes and lords from neighboring kingdoms were growing impatient. Your coronation was only a month away, and the pressure to choose a consort was mounting like a noose around your throat.

By midday, the nausea returned with a vengeance. You barely made it through the formal greetings before excusing yourself to the private solar, hand pressed to your mouth.

Elara followed quickly with a basin. You retched violently into it, eyes watering.

“Your Highness…” she whispered, rubbing gentle circles on your back.

“I’m fine,” you rasped, waving her away. “Just… something I ate.”

But it wasn’t.

Later that evening, after the day’s obligations were finally over, Vera and Selyse insisted on the usual massage to ease the tension in your shoulders. They helped you out of your gown until you lay on the wide cushioned table in nothing but a thin silk shift.

The moment Selyse’s skilled hands moved over your breasts, the older maid froze.

Verra, who was working on your legs, also stilled.

“…Your Highness,” Selyse said carefully, “Your breasts… they are fuller. Tender, yes?”

Your breath hitched. You had noticed it days ago but had tried to ignore the swelling, the sensitivity. The way even the softest fabric sometimes made you wince.

Verra’s hands gently pressed against your lower belly, not quite a touch, more an assessment. “And the sickness every morning… the fatigue… the way you’ve been crying in your chambers…”

Your eyes filled with tears. You turned your face into your folded arms, shoulders shaking.

Selyse knelt beside the table, taking your hand gently. “My lady… are you with a child?”

You didn’t answer at first. Then a broken sob escaped you.

“I think so,” you whispered. “I… I don’t know for certain, but the timing…” Your voice cracked. “It would be his. Sir Jungkook’s.”

Both maids exchanged a heavy glance. This changed everything.

Verra spoke softly, “My lady... with your coronation approaching. The lords are already circling like vultures, pushing their sons at you. If this comes out before you choose a prince…”

“I know,” you said, voice muffled. Fresh tears slipped down your cheeks. “I know what it means. But I can’t… I can’t just marry one of them. Not when I’m carrying the child of the only man I’ve ever loved.”

You sat up slowly, clutching the silk shift to your chest, arms wrapped protectively around your still flat stomach.

“My dear knight...” you sniffled. “He is out there fighting gods-know-what, and I’m here pretending to be the perfect princess while my body betrays our secret.”

Selyse brushed a strand of hair from your face with motherly tenderness. “We can hide it a little longer, Highness. Looser gowns. Ginger tea for the sickness. But you must decide soon what path you will take. The child… it will not stay hidden forever.”

You nodded, but your heart was breaking all over again. The thought of choosing one of those cold, ambitious princes while carrying Sir Jungkook’s child made you feel ill all over again.

Selyse pressed a kiss to the top of your head, her voice firm with loyalty. “We pray he returns soon, my lady. And until then, we will guard you and this little one with our lives.”

—

The weeks blurred into months as winter settled over the kingdom like a heavy white shroud. Snow blanketed the towers and gardens, turning the world soft and silent, yet inside your chest, the storm only grew louder.

Sir Jeon Jungkook had not returned.

Your belly had swelled noticeably now, a gentle but undeniable curve that marked the life growing within you. With the help of Elara, Verra, and Selyse, you hid it beneath layers of loose, flowing gowns and heavy cloaks lined with fur.

The rich fabrics concealed the truth for now, but you could no longer ignore the way your body changed, the tender fullness of your breasts, the occasional flutter of movement beneath your skin, and the constant, bone deep exhaustion.

You had begun excusing yourself from the suitors’ assemblies more frequently, claiming headaches or matters of state. But the King, grew increasingly impatient.

In the grand throne room one frost laced afternoon, he fixed you with a stern gaze as snow fell outside the tall windows. “You cannot delay any longer, daughter,” he spoke, heavy with royal command. “Prince Min of Viena is a strong candidate. The coronation is weeks away. You must choose a consort soon. The realm needs stability.”

You bowed your head, hands clasped tightly over your hidden belly beneath the voluminous velvet. “Yes, Father,” you murmured, the lie tasting like ash. Inside, your heart screamed for the only man you wanted.

Every few days, with your maids’ help, you sent letters. Verra would sneak them to a trusted rider, sealed with your private wax. You poured your soul onto the parchment; how much you missed him, the way your body was changing, the secret you carried, your love that only deepened with every passing day. Yet no responses ever came. The silence gnawed at you, feeding nightmares of him lying wounded on some distant battlefield or worse.

The worry became unbearable.

One bitter winter morning, wrapped in a thick hooded cloak that concealed your swollen middle, you slipped away from the castle with only Elara and Selyse accompanying you. The three of you rode through the snow dusted forest to a modest stone cottage on the outskirts of the kingdom, the home where Sir Jungkook had grown up.

When the door opened, an older woman with kind eyes and streaks of silver in her dark hair stood before you. Sir Jungkook’s mother. She froze at the sight of the princess on her doorstep, her hand flying to her chest.

“Your Highness…?” she whispered, stunned. “Surely I do not deserve to be blessed with your presence at my humble door. Please, come inside before the cold takes you.”

She ushered you, Elara, and Selyse quickly into the warm cottage, the scent of pinewood and baking bread wrapping around you like an embrace. The fire crackled merrily in the hearth as she helped you remove your snow dusted cloak. Only when you were seated by the fire did her gaze drop to the unmistakable swell of your belly beneath the loose gown.

You took a steadying breath, your hands resting protectively over your rounded stomach.

“I carry his child,” you said softly, trembling with emotion. “Your son’s. Sir Jungkook’s. He does not know yet… he has not returned, and I… I needed to feel close to him somehow.”

Jungkook’s mother, Maera, stood completely still for a long moment, her eyes wide with shock. Then her hand flew to her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes.

“Oh… gods above,” she breathed, her voice cracking. “A grandchild…? From my Jungkook?” Fresh tears flowed freely as she dropped to her knees in front of you, taking your hands in hers with deep reverence. “My lady… my princess. You honor me beyond words. You honor my son. To think that you, a royal daughter, would carry his child… I am stunned. Truly stunned. And so deeply moved.”

She pressed her forehead to your knuckles, weeping quietly with pure joy and emotion. When she lifted her head again, her eyes shone with fierce affection.

“You are already family to me,” she whispered. “Come here, sweet child.” She rose and pulled you into a warm embrace, cradling you gently as if you were made of glass. “You must be so frightened, carrying this secret alone while he is away. But you are not alone anymore. Not while I draw breath.”

You felt safe in her arms, the weight on your heart easing just a little as winter wind howled softly outside the cottage walls.

After composing herself, Maera wiped her tears and fetched a small wooden chest from a shelf. She sat beside you, opening it with trembling hands.

“Look,” she said tenderly, pulling out several treasured items. She showed you a faded sketch of a chubby baby with dark, serious eyes —Sir Jungkook as an infant. Another portrait showed him as a sturdy little boy of four, holding a wooden sword with determination. There was even a lock of his soft baby hair tied with a ribbon.

“He was always so intense, even as a babe,” she said with a watery laugh. “Strong and quiet… but when he smiled, the whole world lit up. Just like I imagine your little one will.”

You traced the portraits with gentle fingers, tears slipping down your own cheeks. Seeing these glimpses of him as a child made your love for the knight swell even deeper. You could so clearly picture your baby with his eyes, his strength, his rare smile. The thought made your heart ache with both joy and longing.

Maera kept one hand over yours, cherishing you openly. “Thank you for coming to me,” she murmured. “For trusting me with this precious news. We will wait for him together, my daughter. And when he returns, he will be the happiest man alive.”

The two of you sat by the fire for a long while — his mother and the mother of his child, talking softly as snow continued to fall outside, bound by love for the same man.

The days after your visit to Maera’s cottage only deepened the ache in your soul. Winter grew harsher, and so did your impatience. Every morning you woke with your hands on your swelling belly, feeling the strong kicks of his child, and the longing became unbearable.

One evening in the royal chambers, you fell to your knees before the King, tears streaming down your face. “Father, please… I beg you. Bring Sir Jungkook back. I need him. I cannot do this without him.”

The King frowned, confused by your desperation. “Daughter, he is leading my forces on the border. The realm needs him there. Why this sudden insistence on one knight?”

You could not tell him the truth. “I just… need him,” you whispered brokenly. “Please.”

He did not relent. The pressure to choose a suitor only intensified.

And then the sickness took hold.

Your body ached constantly. deep soreness in your back, hips, and breasts that made every movement painful. The baby’s kicks, once a comfort, now left you breathless. You grew feverish and weak.

Elara, Verra, and Selyse rarely left your side, forcing herbal teas and bitter medicines down your throat while piling warm blankets over you. For nearly a week you were bedridden, barely able to leave your chambers, hidden away from the court under the excuse of a winter chill.

One cold, silent night, as snow tapped gently against the window panes, you drifted in and out of a fevered haze. The herbs made the world soft and blurry around the edges.

You thought it was a dream when the heavy door to your chambers opened with a quiet creak and a tall, familiar figure stepped inside, shedding his snow dusted cloak. The firelight caught on his sharp jawline and those intense dark eyes.

Strong arms slipped beneath you, lifting you carefully as he climbed into your grand bed. A warm, calloused hand gently cradled your swollen belly. You felt the press of soft, reverent lips against the curve of your stomach.

“My love…” The knight’s deep voice whispered against your skin, rough with emotion. “I’m here. I finally came back to you.”

“Jungkook…?” you murmured drowsily, eyelids heavy, unsure if this was real or another cruel dream born of longing and medicine.

“It’s me,” he breathed, pulling your body flush against his solid chest. He was real. warm, solid, smelling of snow, leather, and the faint scent of campfires. “I’ve been aching for you every single day. Your touch, your voice… it kept me alive out there.”

His large hand stroked slow, soothing circles over your rounded belly, feeling the baby shift and kick beneath his palm. He lowered his head, pressing his lips directly to the taut skin.

You let out a tired, broken sound. “You left me… You promised you’d come back sooner. Look at me… I’m so sore, so heavy with your child, and you weren’t here…”

Sir Jungkook chuckled softly, the sound warm against your skin, even as his eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I know, my princess. I deserve your scolding. I’m deeply sorry.” He kissed your belly again and again, soft open mouthed presses wherever he could reach. Then he trailed his lips higher, attaching his mouth gently to the swollen, aching curve of your breasts, sucking lightly and kissing away the soreness with such care that you whimpered in relief.

His hands never stopped moving, massaging the deep ache in your lower back, cupping and gently holding your heavy breasts to ease their weight, stroking your hips and thighs. He intertwined his fingers with yours, holding your hand tightly as if afraid you might vanish.

“You are unreal, my love.” he murmured, voice hoarse with awe as he looked at you. “Your glow… it’s deeper now. The way pregnancy has changed you… you’re beyond anything I could have imagined. You shine like starlight. Carrying our child has only made you more radiant, more mine.”

You clung to him weakly, drowsy but desperate for his touch. “The baby… it kicks so much. I don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl… but it feels like you. Strong and stubborn.”

Jungkook smiled against your temple, one hand still resting warmly over your belly. “This child is the product of our love. A piece of both of us. I already love them more than life.” He kissed you deeply, slowly, pouring months of aching into it. “Every battle, every cold night, I thought only of coming home to you like this… holding you, feeling our baby move, worshipping the body that’s creating our future.”

He continued kissing every place that ached... the sides of your breasts, the curve of your belly, the inside of your wrist, his mouth soft and devoted. You melted into him, the pain easing under his gentle care as he held you close.

“Stay…” you whispered tiredly, already slipping back into sleep.

“I’m here right now,” he promised, lips brushing your ear. “Sleep, my love. I’ve got you both.”

When morning light filtered through the heavy curtains, you woke slowly, body still aching but strangely comforted.

The bed beside you was cold. No warmth lingered. No cloak on the chair. No scent of him on the pillows. Only the faint memory of strong hands, whispered words to your belly, and soft kisses remained.

You touched your swollen stomach, feeling another firm kick, and tears filled your eyes.

Was it a dream? A fevered hallucination woven from medicine, longing, and love? Or had Sir Jungkook truly returned to you in the dead of night… only to disappear again before dawn?

The herbs and medicines your maids prepared worked their magic. The fever finally broke, the deep soreness in your body eased into a manageable ache, and the constant nausea faded. Though you were still tired, your strength slowly returned. Your belly continued to grow rounder and heavier, the baby’s kicks becoming more insistent and lively.

One quiet winter evening, when the moon hung full over the snow covered palace, your maids turned your chambers into a secret sanctuary.

Accompanied by Sir Jungkook’s mother, they had worked together in absolute secrecy. No one outside your trusted circle knew. They had decorated the large private solar adjacent to your bedroom with soft candlelight, evergreen boughs, and winter white roses. Warm furs and silk pillows were arranged in a luxurious nest near the hearth. Incense of myrrh filled the air, and a small table held gifts wrapped in fine cloth.

They helped you into a loose, flowing gown of the softest ivory silk that draped beautifully over your swollen belly, leaving your shoulders bare. When you stepped into the room, all four women bowed their heads in reverence.

Selyse took your hand and guided you to the center of the soft pillows. “Tonight we celebrate you, my lady. And the precious life you carry. No one else will know of this blessing. It is ours alone.”

They treated you with deep adoration, as though you were sacred.

Elara gently massaged your feet with warm scented oil while Maera brushed your hair until it shone. Verra offered you sweet honeyed fruits and warm spiced milk, foods meant to nourish both you and the baby. Selyse laid her hands lightly on your rounded belly and spoke soft blessings for a safe birth and a strong child.

Selyse, ever wise, placed a small crown of dried herbs and winter berries on your head. “You are the vessel of love and life,” she murmured. “Even in these uncertain times, you bloom. We honor you as our princess… and as the mother of Sir Jungkook’s heir.”

You felt tears prick your eyes as they presented their secret gifts: tiny embroidered blankets, a soft knitted cap in deep green, a small silver pendant shaped like a blooming rose, a symbol of motherhood.

Vera leaned her cheek against your belly for a moment, grinning when the baby kicked in response. “He or she is strong already. Just like their father.”

You placed both hands over your swollen stomach, feeling another firm flutter. The warmth of their love and the secret celebration soothed the constant ache of missing your knight.

“Thank you,” you whispered, “All of you. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Elara kissed your temple. “We will keep you and this little one safe until Sir Jungkook returns. And he will return.”

The warmth of the secret celebration lingered on your skin as you returned to your chambers that night. The maids had just helped you out of the ivory silk gown when a royal messenger knocked urgently.

“The King demands your presence immediately, Your Highness. In his private study.”

You had no time to prepare. Still glowing from the love and blessings of your maids, you wrapped yourself in a heavy velvet robe that concealed your very swollen belly and followed the messenger.

The moment you entered the study, the atmosphere turned icy. Your father stood behind his desk, several of your letters spread before him.

“Daughter,” he spoke, controlled. “I have given you time to come to me yourself. I know you have been sending letters to the front lines. To Sir Jungkook, specifically.” He turned to face you, his expression stern but not yet furious. “I know of your… admiration for him. Speak truthfully now. What is this attachment?”

Your throat tightened. This was the moment. With your belly heavy with his child and your heart aching, you could no longer hide everything.

“Father…” you began, voice trembling as you stepped closer. “It is more than admiration. I love him. Sir Jungkook is the only man I want.” Your hands instinctively moved to cradle your stomach. “And I… I am carrying his child.”

Silence crashed over the room.

The King’s eyes widened, then narrowed sharply as his gaze dropped to the unmistakable swell beneath your gown. His face darkened with shock, then rage.

“You what?” he hissed. “A knight’s bastard? While I have been parading princes before you? While the entire realm waits for you to secure the throne with a proper alliance?”

“Father, please,” you begged, tears filling your eyes. “It is his. Our love is real. If you would only let him return, we could—”

The King’s face twisted with fury. “You dare speak such filth to me? A royal princess swollen with a common knight’s bastard?”

You rebelled, voice shaking but defiant. “It is not filth. It is love. I will not marry Prince Min. I will not let you use me as a pawn for alliances while I carry the man I love’s child.”

“Enough!” The King slammed his fist on the table, making you flinch. “I have been patient with your childish infatuation, but this is treason against your bloodline. You will do as you are told! Your fate is sealed. You will marry Prince Min before the month ends.”

Later that same night, before your maids could even calm you, you found your most trusted rider in the stables. With tears streaming down your face and snow falling around you, you whispered your final message: “Tell him… tell Sir Jungkook that I will wait for him. No matter how long it takes. My heart is his alone. I will wait.”

The rider bowed and galloped into the night. No response ever came.

The next weeks were a nightmare.

Prince Min visited often, his eyes raking over your body with open lust and infatuation. He complimented your “ethereal glow”, clearly aroused by your pregnant form, but his arrogance disgusted you. He spoke openly of claiming the throne through you, of bedding you the moment you were his. You hated him with every fiber of your being.

You fought your father harder than ever, refusing to attend meetings with Prince Min, screaming that you would rather die than marry him. But the King had reached his limit.

One brutal afternoon, he summoned you again and placed a bloodied cloak and a forged letter before you.

“Sir Jeon Jungkook is dead,” he said flatly. “He fell in battle two weeks ago. This is proof.”

The world shattered.

You collapsed to the floor, a guttural sob tearing from your throat. The baby inside you kicked as if sensing your pain. From that moment, you broke completely.

You refused to eat. You barely slept. You stopped speaking, even to Elara, Verra, and Selyse who begged you through tears to think of the child. You lay in bed for days, staring at nothing, your once radiant glow fading into pale exhaustion. Your maids feared for both your life and the baby’s.

Despite how numb you had become, when your maids gently suggested taking you to Maera’s quiet home on the edge of the forest, you agreed without protest. You were taken there in secret under the cover of night.

Maera, a strong but grieving woman with the same dark eyes as her son, took you in without question. She cared for you with quiet hands and even quieter words. You didn’t speak much to her either, but you accepted her care wholeheartedly. After all, she was mourning the loss of her son, and you were mourning the loss of your lover and the father of your child.

The King, despite his fury, still sent guards to watch over you from a distance. You were still royalty, still carrying what he believed might be his grandchild. But you could only think of the protection you once had... the strongest, safest pair of arms that had ever wrapped around you.

You mourned deeply. But you couldn’t be completely selfish with a baby on the way, restless and eager to come into the world.

The labor came on a stormy night.

The pains started suddenly and violently. Maera and your maids worked frantically around you as you screamed and cried, gripping the sheets until your knuckles turned white. The King himself had ridden out in secret when he heard you had gone into labor, standing outside the cottage with a face pale with rare fear.

He didn’t know how to comfort you. He only knew one thing, his daughter was calling for her knight in her delirium.

Even though he viewed the child as the product of a sinful affair, something in him softened at the sound of your broken sobs. He could not lose you.

Inside the cottage, you gave birth to a baby girl.

She was small, chubby, with a shock of raven hair and big, dark eyes that looked exactly like her father’s. The moment the midwife placed her on your chest, fresh tears streamed down your face.

“She looks like him…” you whispered, hoarse and broken. “My little love… she has his eyes.”

You held her close, sobbing softly as the pain and grief mixed with a fragile, overwhelming love. Even in your exhaustion, you couldn’t stop crying. You believed Sir Jungkook was dead. The thought that your daughter would never know her father tore you apart.

Maera wept beside you, gently stroking your hair. “She’s beautiful,” she whispered. “Just like her mother.”

Outside, the King stood in the rain, waiting.

When the door finally opened and the midwife stepped out, he demanded to know if you and the child were alive. Upon hearing they both were, something in his hardened heart shifted.

He turned to his captain without a word and gave the order.

“Send riders to the western borders at once. Bring Sir Jeon Jungkook back. Tell him… his princess has need of him.”

It would take time. The borders were far, and the roads were muddy from the storms. A week, perhaps a month.

In the quiet warmth of the cottage, you held your newborn daughter against your chest, wrapped in soft linen.

You rocked her gently as she fussed against your breast, nursing hungrily. Your maids and Maera moved around you, bringing broth, fresh cloths, and ever soft words. But you barely spoke. The grief had hollowed you out.

“I wish you could meet your father,” you whispered to the baby one quiet night, voice cracking. Tears slipped down your cheeks as she latched on again. “He would have held you so carefully. He would have loved you more than anything in this world. He would have protected us both…”

Maera sat beside you, her own eyes red from mourning. She placed a gentle hand on your shoulder. “He would have been so proud,” she said softly. “Of both of you.”

You could only nod, throat too tight to speak. The emptiness inside you felt endless. Every time the baby cried, every time she looked up at you with those familiar dark eyes, the pain returned like a fresh wound.

The King demanded your return to the palace, as you were still royalty, still bound to your father’s will despite carrying a child out of wedlock. He wrote letter after letter insisting you resume your duties and prepare for the inevitable marriage to Prince Min. You refused to answer most of them.

Your maids tried their best to comfort you, but even they could not reach the depths of your sorrow. The only light in your world was your daughter. Tiny, perfect, with Jungkook’s dark eyes and a tuft of raven hair. You held her constantly, whispering stories about her father, singing lullabies with a voice that often broke halfway through.

You mourned him deeply. The King had not even granted him a proper funeral. No rites. No chance to say goodbye. Just a bloodied cloak and a cold declaration.

One quiet evening, Maera left the cottage to fetch groceries from the nearby village. Your maids had been called back to the palace on the King’s orders, duties they could not refuse. For the first time in weeks, it was just you and your baby in the small, warm cottage.

You sat by the window, cradling her in your arms. She cooed softly, tiny fingers wrapping around yours as you gently rocked her. For a few precious minutes, you allowed yourself to smile a real, soft smile as you played with her little hands and kissed her forehead.

“My baby,” you whispered, “The loveliest babe. Don’t tell the queens and princesses, I think they’d be terribly jealous.”

The baby blinked up at you. “Oh, yes,” you continued solemnly. “Especially of those cheeks.”

You leaned back in the chair as exhaustion eventually won over you, your eyes growing heavy. With your daughter nestled safely against your chest, sleep claimed you quickly.

When you woke, the cottage was awfully quiet.

Your arms were empty.

Panic slammed into you like a physical blow. You shot upright, heart hammering wildly as you looked around the room.

The baby was gone.

“No… no, no, no...” you gasped, stumbling to your feet, voice rising into a broken sob. “Where is my baby?!”

You searched frantically, under the blankets, behind the chairs, near the hearth, terror clawing at your throat. Your mind spun with nightmarish possibilities. Had someone taken her? Had the King sent men to steal her away?

Then you saw him.

A tall figure standing near the doorway, cradling your daughter gently in his strong arms. She was sleeping peacefully against his chest, tiny fist curled into his tunic.

Your knees buckled.

It was Sir Jungkook.

He looked exhausted, travel worn, mud on his boots, shadows under his eyes, but he was alive. Real. His dark eyes met yours, filled with unbearable love and pain.

You stared at him, trembling violently, refusing to believe what you were seeing.

“No…” you whispered, shaking your head. “No, no, this isn’t real. You’re dead. They told me you were dead. This is another dream. You always come in my dreams and then you leave me again—”

Your voice cracked into a sob as you backed away, hands clutching your chest.

“You left me,” you cried, tears streaming down your face. “You left me and our child. I mourned you. I almost died mourning you. Please… don’t do this to me again. I can’t take another dream. I can’t wake up to find you gone again.”

Sir Jungkook’s face crumpled with anguish. He took one careful step forward, still cradling your daughter like the most precious thing in the world.

“My love,” he said hoarsely, voice breaking. “It’s not a dream. I’m here. I’m real. Your father… he lied. He sent me away to the borders to keep me from you. But I came back the moment he allowed it. I rode without stopping.”

You shook your head harder, tears falling faster, refusing to believe it even as your heart screamed at you to run to him.

“You’re dead,” you repeated, voice small and shattered. “You have to be dead… because if you’re not, then you let me believe it. You never answered my letters. Not one. I wrote to you every single day, pouring my heart out, begging you to come back to me, to our child… and you never...”

Fresh tears spilled down your cheeks as the pain twisted deeper.

“You were in on it, weren’t you?” you whispered, voice breaking. “You let my father tell me you were gone. You left me here to rot in grief while I carried your child alone. How could you?”

The knight’s face crumpled with agony. He took a step forward, but you flinched, and he stopped immediately, hands trembling at his sides.

Before he could speak, your daughter stirred in his arms. As if sensing the suffocating tension in the room, she let out a sharp, hungry cry, her little lips puckering, tiny fists waving.

You moved without thinking, reaching for her. Sir Jungkook gently handed her over, his hands lingering for a moment as if afraid to let go. You turned away from him, sitting on the edge of the bed and loosening your dress to feed her. The baby latched on eagerly, her cries softening into small, contented sounds.

The knight stood there, watching you in silence. He looked lost, this battle-hardened soldier, returned from war, now completely unsure how to comfort the woman he loved. He slowly lowered himself to his knees in the middle of the room, head bowed.

“I wrote to you,” he admitted hoarsely. “Every chance I had. Your father… he made sure none of my letters reached you. He wanted you to believe I was gone. I fought every day to come back to you. I almost died trying to get word to you.”

You didn’t look at him. You kept your eyes on your daughter, tears falling silently onto her soft hair.

“I mourned you like a widow,” you whispered, voice thick with pain. “I almost died. And now you’re here… acting like you didn’t abandon me when I needed you most.”

The words cut awfully deep. Sir Jungkook’s shoulders slumped, but he stayed on his knees, silent and respectful, giving you the space your wounded heart demanded.

Your daughter stirred in your arms, letting out a small, distressed whimper as if she could sense the storm raging between her parents. You rocked her gently, pressing a kiss to her soft raven hair.

“Shh, my sweet one,” you cooed softly, “Mama’s here. You’re safe.”

Sir Jungkook’s hands twitched at his sides, aching to reach out, to touch you, to hold both of you, but he remained still, jaw clenched tight. He was no longer in full armor, only a worn tunic and breeches, his appearance shambled from the long ride, fresh bruises blooming across his knuckles and jaw.

You turned away from him, focusing on the small tasks that had become your life in the cottage. The rain outside grew heavier, pounding against the roof like a relentless drum.

You moved about the space, stirring the pot of stew over the fire, folding fresh linens, anything to keep your hands busy and your mind from breaking completely.

Hours passed in heavy silence. When your daughter finally grew fussy again, you nursed her by the hearth until her little eyes fluttered shut. You laid her gently in the wooden cradle Maera had prepared, stroking her cheek one last time before covering her with a soft blanket.

Only then did you notice movement near the door.

Sir Jungkook was standing there, cloak in hand, quietly preparing to leave.

Something inside you fractured. You stepped toward him, voice cracking. “You’re leaving again?”

He turned slowly, eyes filled with torment. “I was only going to check the perimeter. The rain is heavy, and I… I didn’t want to burden you further.”

You stared at him, this warrior who had survived hell just to return to you, and the dam finally broke.

“Come here,” you whispered.

He obeyed without hesitation.

You led him to your bed and with trembling hands, you began removing his tunic, revealing the damage the war had left behind.

New bruises painted his ribs and shoulders in shades of purple and blue. Fresh scars, still healing, cut across his chest and abdomen. He looked harder, a man who had walked through fire and barely returned.

Your lips trembled, but you forced yourself to stay steady. You turned away briefly, gathering clean linen strips, salve, and a bowl of warm water. When you returned, the knight stood perfectly still, letting you see all of him, the bruises, the brutal evidence of everything he had endured just to return to you.

You began tending to him in silence, your hands gentle as you cleaned a particularly nasty cut along his side. But the more you looked, the more the dam inside you cracked.

“What have they done to you, Jungkook?” you whispered, voice breaking. Tears spilled down your cheeks as you carefully wrapped a bandage around his ribs. “You’re… you’re covered in pain. All of this… just to come back to me?”

He stood motionless, letting you care for him, but his dark eyes never left your face.

“I would go through it a thousand times more,” he said softly, “if it meant coming back to you and our daughter.”

You shook your head, fresh tears falling as you pressed a bandage over another wound. “Don’t say that. Don’t you dare say that. I can’t bear thinking of you suffering like this. I thought you were dead. I thought I would never see you again, and now you’re here… broken because of me.”

Sir Jungkook slowly lowered himself to his knees in front of you, even though you were still trying to tend to him. The powerful knight, the man who had survived war, knelt before you like the loyal protector he had always been.

“Your Highness,” he murmured, head slightly bowed, voice thick with emotion. “I failed you. I wasn’t here when you needed me most. I wasn’t here when you carried our child. I wasn’t here when you gave birth. I wasn’t here when they told you I was gone. Forgive me.”

You dropped the bandages and pulled him into your arms, holding his head to your chest. His arms wrapped around your waist instantly, clinging to you like a man who had almost lost everything.

A broken sob tore from his throat.

Your knight, your warrior, the strongest person you had ever known, cried against your chest like a child. Deep, shuddering sobs that shook his powerful frame as his arms tightened around you.

“I thought I lost you,” he choked out, voice muffled against your skin. “Every night on the border, I prayed I would make it back to you. To both of you.”

You held him tighter, fingers threading through his raven hair, your own tears falling onto his head.

“You’re here now,” you whispered, rocking him gently. “You’re here. You came back to us. That’s all that matters.”

For a long time, the only sounds in the cottage were the rain outside, the crackling fire, and the quiet, heartbroken sobs of a knight who had finally returned to his princess.

—

The rain had not eased by the middle of the night. It hammered against the thatched roof like an impatient army. You had fallen asleep in Jungkook’s arms on the narrow bed, your daughter nestled safely in her cradle beside you. For the first time in months, your sleep was deep and dreamless.

A sharp knock on the cottage door shattered the peace.

Sir Jungkook was awake in an instant. He slipped from the bed silently, pulling on his tunic and reaching for the sword he had left by the door. His body was still tense from war, every muscle ready for threat.

“Stay here,” he whispered, pressing a quick kiss to your forehead. “I will see who it is.”

But you already knew.

A cold certainty settled in your chest. You rose, wrapping a shawl around your shoulders, and followed him despite his warning. Your daughter stirred but remained asleep.

Sir Jungkook opened the door, sword half drawn, rain pouring behind the figure standing outside.

It was the King.

Your father stood in the downpour, cloak heavy with water, face pale and drawn. Guards waited at a respectful distance, torches flickering weakly in the storm. His eyes moved past your knight and landed on you.

For a long moment, no one spoke.

Then the King stepped inside without invitation, water dripping onto the wooden floor. His gaze softened when it fell on you — his only daughter, still pale from childbirth, carrying the weight of grief and motherhood.

“My child,” he said, voice rough. “You must return to the palace. You are still royalty. Still my blood. You do not belong in a cottage like this.”

You stood straighter, even as exhaustion and lingering pain made your body ache.

“I belong where I choose,” you replied quietly, but firmly. “And I will not return without Sir Jeon. He is my knight. He is the father of my daughter. He stays with me.”

The King’s jaw tightened. He glanced at Jungkook, who stood tall and silent beside you, sword now lowered but ready.

“I know what you are to each other,” the King said heavily. “I have known for some time. Prince Min is a fool and a coward, but his bloodline is strong. The alliance—”

“I will not marry him,” you cut in, voice steady despite the tears gathering in your eyes. “I will return to the palace. I will perform my duties as princess, as future queen. I will be the ruler this kingdom needs. But only if Sir Jungkook remains at my side. As my knight. As the man I have chosen. As the only man with any right to me.”

The King looked at you for a long time. He saw the woman you had become, not just his rebellious daughter, but a figure of quiet strength. The people in the surrounding villages spoke of you with reverence. They told stories of the princess who helped common women, shared food during hard winters, who listened to their troubles as if they mattered as much as any noble’s.

The King exhaled slowly, defeated but not broken.

“Very well,” he said at last. “Sir Jeon will return with you. He will remain your personal knight. But this… affair… must remain hidden from the court. For now.”

You nodded once, relief flooding through you.

The King’s gaze drifted to the cradle where your daughter slept. He had not yet seen her. You had kept her away from him, protecting her with every fiber of your being.

He took one hesitant step toward the cradle, then stopped, as if afraid.

The King’s shoulders sagged. For the first time in years, he looked truly old.

“Bring her home,” he said quietly. “Both of you. We will find a way.”

When the heavy door of the cottage finally closed behind your father, you let out a huge, shaky sigh. The weight of the conversation pressed on your chest like a stone. You turned and walked to the cradle, gently lifting your daughter into your arms. She stirred but settled quickly against your chest.

Sir Jungkook followed silently behind you, his presence warm.

“I would not trust him,” you whispered, voice laced with bitterness. “My father lied. He did all of this, told me you were dead, kept us apart, made me believe I had lost you forever. How can I believe a single word he says now?”

Jungkook stepped closer. He gently wrapped his arms around you from behind, resting his chin on the top of your head as you held your daughter.

“Petal,” he murmured softly, the old endearment slipping out like a balm. “Your father is a hard man, but he is not as cold as he pretends to be. He sent for me the moment he learned you had gone into labor. He could have kept me away forever. But he didn’t.”

You turned slightly in his arms, eyes wide with disbelief.

The knight continued, low and calm.

“There was one night… when you were still heavy with our child and very sick. I rode through a storm to reach you. Your father allowed it. He let me see you. I held you while you slept, fevered and restless. I whispered to you. I kissed your forehead and promised I would return. But I had to leave before dawn. He made me swear not to wake you. He said it would only make the pain worse when I had to go back to the borders.”

You stared at him, stunned. Tears welled up again.

“That night… it was real?” you whispered. “I thought it was a dream. I thought I imagined your arms around me.”

“It was real,” he said gently, pressing a kiss to your temple. “I was there. And I have regretted leaving you every single day since.”

You turned fully toward him, still cradling your daughter. The baby had woken and was fussing softly. You loosened your dress and began to feed her.

Sir Jungkook watched the two of you with such open love and longing that it made your chest ache.

“She has your eyes,” you said softly, brushing a finger over your daughter’s cheek. “So dark and beautiful. Just like yours.”

Sir Jungkook’s expression softened further. He reached out, gently stroking the baby’s tiny hand.

“And she is as beautiful as her mother,” he murmured. “I hope she grows to be as strong as her. As kind. As full of fire and love.”

For a while, the only sounds were the soft suckling of your daughter and the rain pattering against the roof. Sir Jungkook stayed close, one arm around your waist, the other lightly resting near the baby.

Eventually, after your daughter had fallen asleep again, you made the decision.

“We will return to the palace,” you said quietly. “Together. As a family. I will not hide anymore.”

The next morning, after tender farewells to Maera, who hugged you both tightly and kissed her granddaughter’s forehead with tears in her eyes, you left the cottage.

—

Three Months Later,

The palace had transformed around you.

After your return, the finest healers in the realm were summoned, learned men and women versed in herbs and ancient remedies. They tended to you with the utmost care, restoring the strength you had lost in grief and childbirth. Slowly, the hollow exhaustion faded. Color returned to your cheeks. Your body healed, and with it, your spirit bloomed once more.

You were treated not merely as royalty, but as something sacred. The people whispered that the Princess had returned more radiant than before, as if the earth itself had blessed her.

Your maids, Elara, Verra, and Selyse, were beyond ecstatic to have you back. They fussed over you constantly, brushing your long hair until it shone, dressing you in the finest silks, and whispering prayers of gratitude for your safe return.

The kingdom now knew the truth: the child was Sir Jeon Jungkook’s. The scandal had spread like wildfire, but instead of outrage, most of the people embraced it. They saw their princess glowing, and fiercely protected.

Prince Min had tried to slander you upon his return, calling you impure, unfit, a disgrace for bearing a knight’s child out of wedlock. Sir Jungkook had nearly killed him in the great hall before the King’s guards pulled him back. Prince Min was expelled from the kingdom that very day, the alliance shattered. No one mourned his departure.

It was a warm evening when you returned to the royal bathing pool, surrounded by floating lily pads and fragrant white blossoms. The water shimmered under the sunlight as your maids helped you undress. Your daughter, now three months old and full of life, babbled happily in Elara’s arms, reaching for you with chubby little hands.

“Come here, my sweet,” you cooed, taking her into the warm water with you. She immediately nestled against your bare chest, tiny fingers grasping at your long, wavy hair as you gently rocked her. She was a needy little thing, always wanting her mother’s warmth, her scent, her voice.

Verra smiled as she poured scented oil over your shoulders. “She adores you, my lady. Look at those big, bejeweled eyes.”

You glanced toward the far bank where Sir Jeon Jungkook stood guard, as always. He was no longer forced to hide. He remained your personal knight, ever watchful and devoted. His gaze met yours across the water, soft with love and quiet pride. He had become even more protective since your return, rarely leaving your side unless duty demanded it.

The King had grown strangely silent on the matter of your relationship. Seeing you flourish and beloved by the people, had turned him into something of a coward when it came to opposing you.

He doted on his granddaughter in private, though he still struggled to fully accept the circumstances. Yet he no longer pushed for any other marriage. He had seen what happened when he tried to separate you from your knight.

Bit by bit, your beauty had deepened into something almost otherworldly, skin luminous, eyes bright with life, a gentle fullness to your figure from motherhood that only made you more captivating. You moved through the palace performing your duties with grace while still finding time to help the common women who came to the gates seeking aid. You had become more than a princess.

At night, when the palace slept, Sir Jungkook was yours completely.

He would slip into your chambers, shed his armor, and worship you with slow hands and mouth. He made love to you like a man who had walked through hell and returned only for this. You clung to him every night, whispering how much you loved him, how you had chosen him long before the crown ever mattered.

Your daughter babbled softly, pulling at your long hair again with her tiny fist, drawing a soft, delighted laugh from you.

“Oh, my little one,” you cooed, gently untangling her fingers from your waves before pressing a kiss to her chubby cheek. “You are going to pull Mama’s hair right off if you keep that up, aren’t you? Such a strong little flower.”

She giggled in your arms, reaching up to pat your face with her small, uncoordinated hand, her big dark eyes, exact replicas of her father’s, sparkling with pure joy. The resemblance was almost startling even at such a young age. She was the most beautiful thing you had ever seen.

Elara sighed dreamily as she poured warm water over your shoulders. “Look at her, my lady. She is perfection. She already has the whole palace wrapped around her tiny finger.”

Verra nodded, gently massaging oil into your hair. “And you, my princess. You glow like the sun itself these days. Motherhood suits you more than any crown ever could.”

Selyse, ever the wise one, glanced toward the bank where Sir Jeon Jungkook stood guard, fully armored but with his helmet removed today. A small, teasing smile tugged at her lips.

“And that one over there… he can’t take his eyes off the two of you. Look at him, standing there like a lovesick fool in steel. Our fierce knight, brought to his knees by a baby and her mother.”

The knight’s ears turned faintly red, but he didn’t deny it. His gaze remained soft, locked on you and your daughter with quiet awe and devotion.

Later that evening, in the royal rose gardens where he had once walked beside you as your new knight, Sir Jungkook carried your daughter in his arms.

He was still in full armor, crimson cloak draped over his broad shoulders, but he held her with such careful gentleness it made your heart melt. The baby was dressed in the softest cream colored gown embroidered with tiny golden flowers, a little bonnet tied under her chin. She looked like a living doll against his armored chest.

She reached up with both hands, grabbing at the edge of his armor, babbling excitedly as she tried to pull herself closer to his face. When he leaned down, she patted his cheek with a wet, sloppy kiss.

Sir Jungkook’s entire expression softened into something almost boyish. He smiled, genuine and devastatingly handsome.

“My little love,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

You walked beside them, heart full as you watched your daughter play with the buckles on his armor. Every time he lowered his head to let her see his face, she lit up. But when he playfully put his helmet back on for a moment to tease her, she immediately fussed, letting out a small, indignant cry and reaching for him with both arms.

“No helmet,” you laughed softly. “She hates it. She wants to see her father’s face.”

Sir Jungkook removed it immediately, tucking it under one arm while cradling her with the other. He leaned down so she could press her tiny palms against his cheeks and give him another sloppy kiss on the jaw.

The maids watching from a distance cooed and teased him lightly.

“Look at that,” Verra whispered loudly enough for him to hear. “Who would have thought the man who survived the western borders would be brought down by tiny hands and gummy smiles?”

Later that night, the heavy oak door to your royal chambers was barred, only the soft glow of candles and the low fire in the hearth illuminated the room.

You stood before the tall mirror, slowly changing into your nightgown. The fabric whispered against your skin as it slid down your body. Your gaze caught on the beautiful ring on your finger, the one Sir Jungkook had slipped onto your hand in secret weeks ago, a quiet promise between the two of you. You turned it gently, a small, private smile touching your lips.

Your daughter lay nestled against your bare chest, warm and content, her tiny fingers curled around the edge of your loosened gown. She babbled softly, her big dark eyes full of adoration for her mother.

Sir Jungkook stood a few steps behind you, fully armored except for his helmet, watching the two of you with quiet awe. The firelight danced across his face, highlighting every healed scar and the lingering shadows of war that still clung to him.

You gently laid your daughter in her ornate cradle, pressing one last kiss to her forehead as she drifted into sleep. Then you returned to the mirror, picking up the silver brush to run it through your long, wavy hair.

Sir Jungkook followed without a word. He stopped behind you, his large hands resting lightly on your waist. Slowly, he leaned down and began pressing soft kisses along your bare arms, from shoulder to wrist, as you continued brushing your hair.

You giggled softly, cheeks flushing with that familiar shyness even after all this time.

“Jungkook…” you murmured, breathy. “You ought to distract me.”

“Good,” he whispered against your skin, kissing the curve of your shoulder. “I have missed you all day. I need my darling.”

He dropped to his knees behind you with a quiet clink of armor, bowing his head in his familiar, devoted way. You turned to face him, running your fingers through his raven hair, then tracing the sharp line of his jaw and the faint scars that remained on his face.

You saddened for a moment, remembering the brutality he had endured.

But he looked up at you with such pure worship that it took your breath away. To him, you were more than a princess. you were his salvation, the very source of life that had healed him.

You pulled him closer, and he rose, lifting you effortlessly into his arms and carrying you to the grand bed.

The knight laid you down gently, then began to worship you with slow, reverent hands. He unlaced your nightgown with painstaking care, peeling the silk away until you were bare before him. His mouth found your breasts immediately, sucking softly on one sensitive nipple, then the other, drinking the sweet milk that flowed for him with deep, grateful groans.

You moaned softly, fingers threading through his hair as he fed from you, his tongue swirling, lips sealed tight around your peak. He drank like a man who had been starving for you, savoring every drop as if it were the very essence of life itself.

Sir Jungkook groaned deeply against your breast, the sound vibrating through your chest as he drank almost desperately. His large hand cradled the soft weight of your breast, squeezing gently to draw more from you while his other hand stroked your side with reverent tenderness.

“So sweet,” he whispered against your skin, voice hoarse and worshipful. “You give me life, my petal. You heal what war tried to break.”

You whimpered, arching into his mouth, overwhelmed by the intimate, sacred act, fresh heat blooming between your thighs.

When he finally released your nipple with a wet pop, his lips glistening, he looked up at you with dark, adoring eyes.

“You are my salvation,” he murmured, kissing the valley between your breasts before moving lower. “The mother of my child. The light that brought me home.”

When he finally moved lower, he spread your thighs with firm hands and settled between them. He looked up at you once, eyes dark with devotion, before lowering his mouth to your core.

He worshipped your flower, seeking nectar with slow, deep licks that made your back arch, followed by gentle suction on your swollen clit. His tongue delved inside you, tasting every inch, groaning at your sweetness as if it were the most sacred thing he had ever known.

You whimpered and moaned, hips rolling against his handsome face as pleasure built in waves. He was relentless yet tender, bringing you to the edge again and again before letting you tip over.

When you finally begged for him, voice trembling with need, Sir Jungkook rose above you like a knight before his altar.

He did not rush. Instead, he sat back on his heels, dark eyes drinking in every inch of your bare, flushed body with such raw hunger that it made your skin burn. You felt vulnerable and impossibly desired under that gaze. A shy, breathless giggle escaped your lips as heat flooded your cheeks.

Sir Jungkook reached out with one large, calloused hand and traced a single finger slowly down your body, from the delicate line of your throat, between your heaving breasts, over the soft curve of your belly, and down to the sensitive skin of your inner thigh. The touch ever so feather light, yet it left fire in its wake.

“You are a goddess made flesh,” he whispered, voice hoarse with awe. “And I am but a mortal who has been granted the honor of kneeling at your feet.”

He leaned down and pressed his forehead to your thigh in a gesture of pure worship, eyes closed, breath warm against your skin as if he were praying to the only deity he had ever believed in.

Then he moved over you, settling between your spread thighs. His thick cock pressed against your entrance, hot and heavy. He looked into your eyes as he slowly pushed inside, inch by thick, stretching inch, filling you so completely that your mouth fell open in a silent cry.

You dug your nails into his back as he began to move, first slow and loving, then harder, deeper, claiming you with every thrust.

“I love you,” he groaned against your neck, hips snapping forward. “I love you more than life itself.”

When you came, it was with his name on your lips and tears of overwhelming pleasure in your eyes. Jungkook followed moments later, burying himself deep and spilling inside you with a low, broken groan, filling you with pulse after pulse of his release.

In the quiet that followed, with the knight’s arms still wrapped around you and the weight of the world momentarily forgotten, it was strangely easy to remember the day he had first knelt before the throne.

The impenetrable knight clad in steel, sworn to protect a princess draped in silk. and protect you he would, as though it had been carved into the marrow of every breath he would draw, for eternity.

Café Bombón, a cozy little spot downtown, though Jungkook wasn’t there for coffee or at least not just coffee.

He spotted you immediately behind the counter in a lilac apron, folding the edge of a takeout bag with skilled fingers while chatting with another barista. The bell above the door chimed as he entered.

A small smile tugged at his lips when you looked over your shoulder "Jungkook," you greeted him as you reached the counter where customers ordered.

"Hey," he replied, the café was busy, other customers lined up waiting for their orders, a few chatting at tables with their drinks.

You tilted your head slightly, curious. The café was a solid 30-minute walk from campus, far enough that Jungkook didn’t usually come here unless he had a reason.

"What brings you here?" you asked, wiping down the counter absentmindedly.

Jungkook shrugged casually, "Was running errands nearby. Thought I’d stop by… see if you were working."

"So what can I get for you?"

Jungkook’s gaze lingered on your face and the way you bit your lip slightly when focused. He leaned in just a little closer than necessary and said, "Surprise me.”

"Can I add poison to it? That’d be a surprise, wouldn’t it?" You deadpanned, your finger still hovering over the screen

"Oh yeah," he said smoothly, leaning even closer over the counter "Poison me. I dare you."

Your lips twitched trying not to laugh. "You dare me?" You repeated slowly, arching one eyebrow.

You tapped your finger against the edge of the screen once… twice… like you were considering it.

"Oh, I wouldn’t kill you fast, Jungkook," You said smoothly, "I’d do it slowly. Lots of sugar… high-fructose syrup overdose."

Jungkook blinked and laughed softly at that, you would know about that sort of thing. The bell chimed again—another customer walking in. Jungkook’s laughter faded, but the grin stayed on his face.

Realizing they were holding up the line (and that you had actual work to do), he cleared his throat and switched to a normal voice. "Okay, okay…" he said, still smiling, "I’ll have a large caramel macchiato." his usual go-to drink when he came here.

You typed down his order, glancing up at him with a small smile. “Anything else for you?" you asked politely in the same tone you'd use for any customer.

The line had grown slightly behind Jungkook, a few students waiting patiently while chatting among themselves. You gesture toward the display case where the cinnamon rolls sat, glazed and still warm.

"The cinnamon rolls are really good today," you said proudly, "This is our third batch. Fresh out of the oven."

"Alright… I’ll take one,since you recommended them." he said, pointing to the cinnamon roll.

You picked up a Sharpie, ready to write his name on the cup. "Can I get your name?" You asked, already knowing it but following procedure anyway.

He decided to mess with you, "Ian." He replied.

Your lips pressed together to keep from laughing right in his face. Ian? Seriously? You scribbled ‘IAN’ on the cup "$6.50 for the macchiato and cinnamon roll," you rang him up without another word.

Jungkook stepped aside to wait, lucky for him, you were the one making his drink. The other barista took over handling new customers as you moved behind the counter to prepare his order.

A few minutes later…you placed both items on the counter in front of him with a polite smile. Jungkook took the cup and bag from you. "Thanks," he said softly before glancing at the clock on the wall.

"What time are you off work?"

You glanced at the clock and it was a little past 6 PM. You still had about an hour left before your shift ended. "In an hour," you answered, wiping your hands on your apron again before leaning against the counter slightly.

Jungkook nodded and turned toward a nearby empty table in the corner of the café. "I’ll wait for you," he said simply, walking over to sit down like this was completely normal and didn’t have anything better to do.

You scrunched your nose, not because you wanted him to leave, but because you didn’t want him to waste an hour just sitting there.

...Or maybe you did want him to leave. It was weird and seemed like too much effort for a casual hangout.

"You really don’t have to," you said gently, from across the counter. "I can just text you when I’m done."

Jungkook shrugged, propping his elbows onto the table “I don’t mind,” he said simply, then smirked "What, you embarrassed I’m watching you work?”

Your stomach twisted slightly, not from Jungkook’s presence, but from the feeling it stirred up. "I’m not… it's just…" your thoughts trailed off.

It reminded you of your ex—Jeonghan. The man who was ten years older than you, intense, possessive, controlling.

He was the kind of guy who showed up unannounced, texted constantly like he needed constant reassurance you were his, always wanted to know where you were and who you talked to, it was overbearing in a way that suffocated you.

Jeonghan used to wait for you after work too, and now here was Jungkook—doing the same thing. It's not like Jungkook was doing anything wrong; he wasn’t anything like your ex, but the familiarity of this moment scared a little part of you that remembered how suffocating that felt before.

"Are you sure? Don’t you have other things to do… other girls to entertain?"

Jungkook’s playful expression faded at your words "No," he answered flatly, "I don’t."

“Fine, if you need anything, let me know.”

Then you slipped into work mode again, taking orders from customers who walked in, ringing up payments, handling drinks.

The café stayed busy and Jungkook just sat there by the window, scrolling through his phone casually, sipping the macchiato you’d made him earlier without a care in the world.

―⋆★⋆―

The café was quieter now, and the clock struck 7 PM. You clocked out, grabbed your bag from the back room, and without a word, you walked straight to Jungkook’s table, where he’d been waiting patiently for an hour reading something on his phone.

Jungkook glanced up as you approached "That was fast," he commented, standing up and shoving his phone into his pocket.

“Just don’t make it a habit.”

Jungkook nodded slowly, you didn’t want this to become a thing, a habit of him showing up unannounced every time you were at work.

"Yeah," he said easily, "I get it."

If you wanted space, he respected that. No pressure from him, he only stopped by today because he happened to be in the area and wanted to see you.

Jungkook pushed the café door open for you, holding it as you stepped outside into the cold evening air. "Hungry?" he asked, turning to face you fully on the sidewalk. "We could grab dinner."

"Yeah," you agreed, you hadn’t eaten since your lunch break, "Dinner sounds amazing."

"There’s a really good sushi place a few blocks away," he said, already turning in that direction. "We could walk there. It's not too far." He knew you liked sushi and they’d talked about trying this spot before but never gone together.

This was different.

Usually, you’d meet up with him at a convenience store after practice or classes, grab snacks, maybe a drink and then head straight to his place. They were never real dates, just casual hookups disguised as hanging out.

As they crossed the street together and approached the restaurant, he felt a sudden wave of nervousness wash over him. This felt like two people going on a real date.

The sushi place was small, had soft lighting, wooden tables, and the smell of grilled fish in the air.

They were quickly seated at a cozy corner table for two. Jungkook slid into his seat across from you, his knee bounced slightly under the table.

Jungkook opened his mouth and he tried to say something smooth like, ‘You look pretty today.’ but instead he blurted out "So uh… you like salmon rolls or…?"

When you looked at Jungkook, he avoided your eyes while he talked by looking at the menu, but you could tell he was acting weird.

"Yeah," you said slowly, playing along, "Should we order some?"

The waiter came by with a notepad, ready to take their orders. Jungkook cleared his throat and straightened up, "We’ll start with edamame. And… uh…" His eyes darted back to you, "You want miso soup?" he asks and you nod.

When the waiter left to get your appetizers you leaned back slightly in your chair, as you asked about his day, "So," you started, "what’d you do today?"

"Had practice this morning, went to class..." he said, keeping his gaze on the table, playing with the utensils "Then I ran errands after...groceries, baseball stuff." The waiter returned with their edamame and miso soup, placing them in front of them before leaving again.

"Are you okay?" you asked softly, was something bothering him?

"Yeah," he admitted quietly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I’m just… nervous."

"Nervous about what?" you ask, resting your elbows on the table now, chin propped in your hands. "We’ve already seen each other naked."

"’I’m not nervous about that. We’re good."

Then, his voice dropped lower like he was shy. "It’s just… I’ve never really taken you on a date before."

Your smile falters slightly, "So this is a date…?" you said slowly, your voice tinged with confusion.

You’ve never called anything between you two a "date" so why would this be any different? He didn't really ask you out, and you were wearing work clothes. You would have preferred some kind of heads up.

Jungkook’s confidence wavered the second you said it like that. His face flushed "Wait, no—no, I mean," he backtracked fast, waving his hands slightly "It’s not a date-date."

"Not unless… you wanna call it that?" he mumbled under his breath

Had he misread everything? Were you just seeing this as dinner as friends?

And to top it all off the waiter chose that moment to drop by and take their sushi orders, he stood there politely with his notepad "Ready to order?" he asked gently.

Jungkook cleared his throat. "Uh…we’ll get the rainbow roll platter," he said quickly to the waiter, "And… salmon nigiri." avoiding eye contact with you as he ordered.

"Can I add a spicy crab roll?" you asked the waiter politely, voice calm like nothing weird had just happened.

The waiter nodded and jotted it down before leaving again with their orders. The moment he walked away silence returned to their table. Jungkook stared at his chopsticks, anything to avoid looking at you.

You glanced around the restaurant, checking if any of their mutual friends or people from campus were there. The last thing you wanted was gossip spreading that you were on a date.

"I just hope no one sees us," you muttered under your breath, mostly to yourself but loud enough for Jungkook to hear.

He paused, his eyes narrowing "Would you rather be seen with San?" he counters

"You know that’s not what I mean," you clarify, “I just don’t want people making a big deal out of this.”

Jungkoon crossed his arms as his jaw tightened. “Out of what?”

“They’ll think this is a date” you deadpan, you really didn’t need the attention right now

“So… it’s not a date?”

"No, it's not," you said flatly

"Sorry," he muttered, rubbing his face with one hand before forcing a small smile. "I just... got weird about it."

The waiter came back with their sushi on a lacquered tray, the smell of it filled the air. You were both hungry, and it gave you both a chance to chill out after that tense moment.

"I think we’re overcomplicating things," you admitted, picking up your chopsticks and pointing them at him playfully. “You’re just nervous.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, finally relaxing. He grabbed his chopsticks and picked up a piece of salmon nigiri. "We’re just two people eating sushi."

You took a bite of your spicy crab roll, then shot Jungkook a look "Exactly," you said after swallowing.

Jungkook leaned back in his chair "Maybe not labeling this as a date was for the best," he said with a lazy grin, picking up another piece of sushi. "Less pressure."

"Ohhh, so that's why you were nervous?" you teased, "Because you thought this might be a date and didn’t know how to act?"

It sounded ridiculous when you said it out loud because Jungkook was the guy who shamelessly flirted with you any chance he got and now he was nervous over dinner?

"Yeah," he admitted shamelessly, "I don’t do dates or go out like this.”

“You mean with other girls.”

"Yeah," he shrugged one shoulder, "I don’t go out with other girls like this." He hooked up, had fun but never took girls to dinner.

―⋆★⋆―

The rest of dinner rolled by in easy conversation. They talked about everything and nothing like campus gossip, dumb memories from high school, the baseball team’s upcoming game and deeper stuff too, like dreams for the future.

Jungkook liked that you were a great listener, he found himself opening up more than usual, sharing things he wouldn’t normally tell just anyone.

"I don’t know," he started, swirling his drink, "Maybe it’s all stupid. My dream of going pro."

"You’re like one of the best players here," you stated, "You can go pro. It’s not stupid."

You continued, "Aren’t you in engineering too? It’s not like you don’t have a plan after uni."

"Yeah," he murmured, "You’re right."

Jungkook wasn't gambling everything on baseball. He had backup options, a solid future even if this whole baseball thing didn’t work out, he had a safety net with engineering.

The night had wrapped around them like a warm blanket. Jungkook paid before you could even offer to split the bill and stood up, stretching slightly.

He felt lighter, like all those nervous thoughts from earlier had melted away over sushi and easy conversation.

For once, he wasn't overthinking what they were, or what they weren't.

You grinned at him under the glow of a streetlamp, "Let’s get ice cream?" You suggested, "My treat." And since he’d paid for dinner, you wanted to return the favour.

"Oh yeah?" He slung an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close as you walked toward the ice cream parlor. "What else you gonna give me for free, [YN]?"

You leaned in close as you walked, lowering your voice to a teasing whisper "How about I let you lick something sweet later?"

Jungkook’s breath hitched, his grip around your shoulder tightened as heat shot straight to his core. "Careful," he purred, letting you go as they reached the ice cream shop, "You’re gonna make me skip dessert and take you home instead."

"Try it," you dared, nudging the ice cream shop door open with your shoulder before stepping inside.

The moment they stepped inside, Jungkook was so distracted that he didn’t see the girl standing right in front of them. He bumped into her hard, causing her to stumble and the ice cream cone in her hand splattered on the floor.

Her face twisted into an instant annoyance, recognizing Jungkook the second she saw him. It was Jia, she was one of the cheerleaders Jungkook hooked up with casually before you came into his life but it was nothing serious.

"Really?" she snapped, "You couldn’t watch where you were going?”

"Shit, sorry," he said quickly, "I didn’t see you."

He pulled out his wallet and nodded toward the counter. "I'll buy you another one. What flavor?"

"Raspberry," she said curtly before turning back to you, her eyes scanning you up and down. Who are you? Why were you with Jungkook?

"You’re Jungkook’s girlfriend?"

You blinked, caught off guard by the question. You weren’t sure who this girl was to Jungkook, "Uh… no," you said honestly, "We’re just friends."

Jungkook returned and Jia took the new raspberry ice cream from him with a polite "thanks" but her attention snapped right back to you.

"Right," she said smoothly, tilting her head, "You're San’s girlfriend, aren't you?"

The second those words left her mouth, Jungkook stiffened. San took you to one party and suddenly people think you're dating him? He barely tolerated San on a good day.

Please, that guy didn’t know anything about you.

Jealousy burned up inside him, he looked at you but you looked away staring at the display of ice cream. Unsure of what to say now.

'No, we're just friends too' but it obviously didn't look that way.

Jia didn’t wait for you to respond, already turning away "Well anyway, I need to go. Thanks for this," she said dismissively to Jungkook then walked off without another glance.

The shop door chimed as she left and the second she was gone, Jungkook exhaled sharply through his nose.

"So what ice cream are you going to get?" you asked him casually, still scanning the flavour options.

He stared blankly at the menu for a second before shrugging, "Dunno."

You laughed lightly trying to play it cool but the second you turned to him, your smile faded a little. Jungkook’s usual playful energy was gone.

"What do you mean you don’t know?" you teased gently, nudging his arm.

Jungkook sighed, rubbing his temple. Instead of answering about ice cream, he reached out and grabbed your wrist gently, pulling you toward the door.

"Let’s go."

You followed without protest, letting Jungkook lead you out of the shop. The night air was cool again as they stepped onto the sidewalk.

"Hey… what’s wrong?"

"People just… assume shit," he muttered finally, looking up at the sky "Like you’re San’s girlfriend or whatever."

“It pisses me off." he finishes, running a hand through his hair.

"Hey," you said, stepping closer and smoothing a hand over his chest, "Ignore them.”

“Let’s go back to your place, yeah?"

"Okay," he said, as he looked down at you, his hand sliding to the small of your back, pulling you closer. Jungkook leaned down, pressing a slow kiss to your lips

"Let me take you home."

Jungkook didn’t say anything, just closed the door behind him and turned to you, closing the distance between and he kissed you again, hungrier this time.

His hands found your waist as he backed you gently against his bedroom door then turned the knob behind you without breaking contact.

The door swung open, revealing his neatly made bed, dark sheets, scent of his cologne wafted through the room. Jungkook guided you inside without hesitation, kicking the door shut behind them.

His hands slid under your sweater as you stumbled toward the bed together.

Jungkook was hovering over you for a second before claiming your lips again, kissing you slower this time; he was savouring this moment.

His mouth trailed down to your jaw, then neck kissing and nipping lightly while his hands slipped under the hem of your shirt.

A soft sigh escaped him as he pressed another kiss to the corner of your mouth.

"Take this off," he murmured, voice rough as he sat up slightly to help you peel your sweater and shirt over your head.

You sat there in a delicate bralette sending a visible shiver through Jungkook, his breath hitching.

The lace barely covered anything, and it looked so good on you. For a second, he just stared then his hands were on you again trailing up your sides to trace the edges of the fabric with his thumbs.

"God," he breathed out before ducking down to kiss along your collarbone.

Jungkook pressed soft, open-mouthed kisses along the tops of your breasts, right above the bralette, "I missed you," he murmured against your chest, right before his mouth found the lace-covered peak of your nipple sucking lightly through the fabric.

"Missed me that much?" you teased in a breathy voice, arching into him slightly to give him better access. "It's only been a week."

His hands slid up to unhook the bralette, fingers fumbling slightly the second it was off his lips wrapped around your breast, he swirled his tongue over your nipple before closing his lips around it again, sucking on the peak and one hand slid up to cup your other breast thumb brushing in slow circles.

He switched to your other nipple, sucking harder now teeth grazing just enough to make you gasp. He lifted his head just enough to meet your eyes, pupils blown wide with desire

"You know I missed you," he said in a low tone, "Missed this pussy." His hands slid down to the waistband of your pants next fingers hooking into them.

He kissed a trail down your stomach, you tilted your head back against his pillow, fingers tightening in his hair but Jungkook sat back just enough to look at you.

"Lift your hips," he ordered softly, voice thick.

When you did he hooked his fingers into the waistband of your pants and panties sliding them both down in one swift motion kicking them off the bed. Jungkook pressed a soft kiss to your bellybutton, his lips lingering there for a second.

"You’re so beautiful," he murmured against your stomach before trailing lower.

His hands gripped your thighs gently, spreading your legs wider until Jungkook’s eyes locked onto the faint mark on your inner thigh a hickey, clearly left by someone else.

He knew exactly who it was from. Without a word, he ducked down and sucked harshly on the same spot but harder leaving a darker, fresher mark over it.

Jungkook pulled back slightly, his lips still wet from the new hickey he’d just left. He studied your face as he dragged a thumb over the mark

"Cute," he said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "San really went all out on you, huh?"

"Oh please," you scoffed, reaching up to pinch his cheek, "You’re acting like you don’t leave hickeys on girls all the time."

Jungkook caught your wrist before you could pinch him, holding it gently and pressing a quick kiss to your palm. "Yeah, I do," he admitted shamelessly, "But that doesn’t mean I like seeing them on you."

"Wow, so possessive," you said, laughing softly. You sat up slightly, cupping his face with both hands now. "You’re such a baby."

Jungkook scrunched his nose "Yeah," he agreed without shame, "And? You love it."

He pushed you back onto the bed again, capturing your lips and shutting you up. You moaned into the kiss, the sound vibrating against Jungkook’s lips messy and sweet.

Jungkook broke the kiss with a wet sound—saliva connecting their lips for a second, "Take off your clothes," you ordered, voice already breathless with want.

The demand in your voice sent heat straight through him and without hesitation, he yanked his hoodie off over his head, tossing it somewhere behind him. Then he kicked off his jeans while he leaned back in to kiss you again.

Your hands roamed over Jungkook’s bare chest, nails scraping lightly over his abs, you dragged your fingertips over the obvious bulge in his briefs, you palm over it teasingly before finally hooking your fingers into the waistband.

He bit back a groan, hips twitching upward involuntarily. "Fuck," he muttered against your mouth

"What are we going to do, Jungkook?" you asked in a low voice.

"Whatever you want," he answered roughly, his hands were already moving, shoving his underwear down his hips.

He was already aching for you.

The sight made heat pool in your lower belly. Without breaking eye contact you reached out and wrapped your fingers around him—giving a slow stroke.

"Shit—"

His hips jerked into your palm, craving more friction, pre-cum glistened at his tip, your thumb swiped over the head and he caught your wrist gently. "Don’t tease," he breathed out.

Jungkook releases your wrist to trail hot, open-mouthed kisses down your stomach, again. His hands slid up your thighs, pushing them apart slightly as he settled between them.

"Let me show you," he murmured, "How much I missed my favorite girl."

He kissed your sopping cunt like a starved man, then licked in one slow, deliberate stripe, tasting you properly and sucking softly on your clit. Your back arched off the bed, hands flying to tangle in Jungkook’s hair.

Every flick of his tongue, every suck sent electric shocks through you. You bit down on your lip to muffle a louder moan but failed when he added two fingers, curling them just right.

"J-Jungkook—" his name came out breathy and broken.

His fingers pumped deeper while his tongue circled relentlessly, switching between fast flicks and slow, filthy licks just to hear you gasp. "You taste so good," he groaned, voice thick with arousal.

"Missed my pussy, missed you." he moans.

Your whole body tensed the coiling pressure snapping all at once as Jungkook pushed you right over the edge. Your orgasm crashed through you like a wave, back arching off the bed as you gasped his name.

Fingers tightening painfully in Jungkook’s hair, your thighs trembled around his head, while his tongue kept lapping gently to draw out every last pulse of pleasure.

Jungkook hummed in satisfaction, his lips glistening when he finally lifted his head.

"Look at you," he purred, "So pretty when you cum."

Your hands clutched at his shoulders, pulling him up toward you for a kiss "Jungkook… please," you begged, voice breathless.

Jungkook smirked against your lips, loving how desperate you were, he dragged his thumb in slow circles over your sensitive clit.

“Please what?" he teased, circling the sensitive bundle of nerves.

You whimpered hips jerking up into his touch, chasing the friction, your legs wrapped around his waist, you "Need you,"

"Need me?" he echoed mockingly, dragging his thumb in one more slow circle before stopping entirely.

His fingers sliding through your slickness before bringing them to his mouth, sucking them clean with a low hum.

Jungkook’s cock twitched against your thigh already leaking just from how wet you were. He dragged the head against your soaked core, coating himself with it and smirking at the filthy sound.

"Yeah? My girl needs this cock?" he taunted in a husky whisper, lining himself up but not pushing in yet.

He pressed the tip of his cock against your entrance but held himself there. "Tell me," he demanded, breath hot on your lips, "Did San fuck you just like this?"

"Hmm… maybe," you said casually, dragging out yours words just to piss him off. "He was pretty good."

Jungkook reached over to his nightstand, grabbed a condom from the drawer and tore it open with his teeth, rolling it on slowly just to make you wait, he finally looked back at you—eyes blazing.

"Oh yeah?" He shot back, pinning your wrists above your head with one hand and the other guiding himself to your entrance.

"Let’s see if you remember how I fuck you."

Jungkook pushed into you in one smooth thrust, his grip on your wrists tightened as he set a relentless pace, hips snapping like he was proving something.

He leaned down, his lips brushing your ear as he pounded into you each word a filthy growl between heavy breaths, "Feel that? That's me. Not San. Me."

His hand slid from your wrist to grip your thigh, hiking it higher around his waist to drive even deeper. "You're all mine."

Your loud moans filled the room. Jungkook took you exactly how you liked it. Your nails dug into his back, leaving faint red trails down his shoulders.

"Jungkook!" you cried his name again when he hit a spot that made you see stars.

Jungkook groaned at the sting of your nails, he kissed you roughly, swallowing those pretty sounds as his thrusts grew messier and less controlled. The bed creaked under them; sweat slicked their skin together.

"Fuck—you feel so good," he panted against your lips between kisses.

Your breasts bounced with every thrust, nipples pebbled from pleasure. Your moans were loud, filling Jungkook’s bedroom.

"Jungkook—you feel so good," you gasped out between breaths, hands gripping his shoulders for balance as he pounded into you.

His muscles tensed, the coil in his stomach tightening with every slap of skin against skin. He was so close but he wanted to make you fall apart first, one hand slid between you, thumb finding your clit again rubbing tight circles.

"Come on, baby cum for me," he urged, thumb pressing harder on your clit while his hips drove into yours. He could feel it—the way your walls fluttered around him, how you tensed right before that edge.

His voice cracked as he begged you to cum. He shifted slightly, angling his cock to hit that sweet spot inside you.

"Cum on my cock, sweets, let me feel it," he groaned, pupils blown wide with lust.

You hooked your legs around Jungkook’s waist, heels pressing into his lower back to pull him even deeper.

"Harder! I’m so close!"

His hands gripped your hips tighter as he pounded into you harder, each thrust deeper and more desperate than the last.

"Yeah? Like that?" he rasped, sweat dripping down his temple.

"Mmm… just like that," your eyes half-lidded, lips parted as you reveled in the sensation.

Jungkook looked down at you completely captivated. Your face was flushed, lips swollen from kissing, hair fanned out messily on his pillow. Your chest rose and fell rapidly, those pretty tits bouncing slightly with each of his movements.

Your eyes were glazed over with pleasure, dark pupils blown wide and you had that fucked out smile on your face.

"You’re so pretty," he breathed out. “all mine." he whispered, kissing you sloppily before biting your bottom lip.

Your moan was soft, almost dreamy, the coiling tension in your stomach reached its peak. "J-Jungkook…" you moaned his name like a prayer, fingers curling into his hair as waves of pleasure crashed through you.

The second you came, your walls clenched, pulsing and fluttering around Jungkook’s cock. Your tight cunt milked his cock perfectly, dragging him right over the edge with you.

A loud moan tore from his throat as he lost control completely, his hips stuttered, losing rhythm completely "Fuck, [YN]—I’m gonna—" he couldn’t even finish before wave after wave of pleasure crashed over him, muscles tensing as he spilled deep into the condom.

"You're so fucking perfect," he groans.

Jungkook collapsed onto you gently, still inside you as he caught his breath. He pressed lazy kisses along your jawline then nuzzled into the crook of your neck "Love you," he mumbled sleepily against your skin words slipping out before he could stop them.

You blinked at his words, heart suddenly pounding for a different reason now “what?”

"Shit—I mean," he backtracked instantly.

He hadn’t meant to say that out loud… especially not after sex. He rolled onto his back beside you abruptly, staring at the ceiling.

Jungkook scrambled to cover up his slip-up, heart pounding. He cleared his throat awkwardly, avoiding eye contact.

"I mean… I love sex with you," he corrected awkwardly, "It’s good. Really good."

Laughing at his terrible cover-up you reached over and flicked his forehead playfully.

"You’re so stupid," you teased. Then you rolled onto your side to face him properly, smiling. "But yeah, I think it's really good too."

That's why you kept coming back to each other; no one else made you feel as good as he did.

Jungkook turned his head to look at you "Stay the night?" he asked quietly.

He already knew your answer would be yes, you always ended up staying over after nights like this.

“Only if you make me pancakes in the morning.”

"Deal," he said, grinning before pressing a quick kiss to your lips.

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