Archive of Our Own

It's the same shit again.

Everyday, Jungkook wants to quit uni. It's so stressful, and he just wants to work full time already.

He's currently in the final year of his graduate program, and has pretty much been supporting himself for the last few years. He started freelancing as a photographer a few years ago, and luckily, became a known name, famous for his unique compositions and signature photography style.

His parents are super proud of him, and he's made quite a generous amount of money out of his freelancing, too.

He's doing a degree in business studies, and plans to use it to create his own brand. Maybe become a full time photographer soon, and integrate his skills and degree into a company.

That's the only reason he keeps holding on, even though he doesn't want to keep studying anymore.

He's twenty four, and he just wants to put the books away for good.

Sighing, he makes his way upstairs to his apartment room. It's not too far from campus, and with the number of students from his uni that live in this complex, it feels like a dorm setting.

Just way more space, and way more freedom.

He keys his doorknob, and twists it, hoping to immediately get undressed, take a shower and go to bed. It's been a tiring day.

He gets inside and locks the door, throws the keys into the small ceramic plate placed on the table by the door, and sets his bag down on the table.

He runs his hands through his hair, and starts to take off his shirt already. It doesn't matter – he lives alone. There's nobody else in this apartment.

Or so he thought.

Because as soon as he enters his bedroom to grab his clothes and a towel, he gets a huge scare. Gets startled, freezes in place as he stands with the door pushed open.

"What the fuck?!" Jungkook yells.

The person sitting on his bed gets startled too, and his eyes go wide. He turns his head to look at Jungkook, and keeps staring, as if Jungkook is the one who's broken into someone else's apartment.

And as if just that part isn't strange enough, the guy is dressed....so strange. Why is he wearing a hanbok? It's not Chuseok.

And even stranger is the fact that he has his hair done up in a way he doesn't think the nation has seen in a few hundred years.

His long, silky hair falls on his shoulders and back, and there's a bejeweled hair pin holding up a knot at the top of his hair.

And Jungkook isn't going to lie. The guy is very, very handsome, but that isn't helping at all. Jungkook is horrified regardless.

But then, the man's eyes trail down his bare chest, and he looks away, a little embarassed, his cheeks flushed pink. Jungkook feels immediately mortified too, and grabs a t-shirt from a chair nearby. He hurriedly puts it on, and then becomes alert again.

"Who are you?!" Jungkook asks, looking around for any object he can find to use if this guy tries to attack him or something.

But upon hearing this, the guy's eyes narrow, and his brows draw closer together. "Don't you know who I am?"

Jungkook huffs, his own eyes narrowing. "What are you even saying? How would I know a stranger who broke into my apartment?"

"Into your what?" The guy asks, looking puzzled. His voice is smooth, and much deeper than Jungkook expected.

"Apartment?" Jungkook says, a little weirded out, and chuckles. Makes a joke on the way he's dressed. "What are you, from Silla or something?"

"Yes!" The guy stands up, eyes wider than before, as if he finally has a lead. "And I don't know how I got here. This room is so strange. Everything looks different. Where am I?"

Jungkook stares at him like he's just grown a new head. He chuckles in disbelief. "Okay, is this a prank? Going on YouTube? Not funny. Breaking into someone's place is never funny. Where's the fucking camera?"

Taehyung stares at him, a frown forming on his head, and a pout on his lips. He's rather beautiful, Jungkook thinks. But right now, he's nothing but a menace to Jungkook.

"What? I don't understand so many of those words." The man says, and he looks super upset.

His expression softens Jungkook's heart, just a little.

He sighs, and puts his hands on on his hips, looking up at the ceiling in despair. He really doesn't need this in his life right now. "Who are you? Come on."

"Kim Taehyung." He says. "The prince of Silla. How do you not know me? Everyone knows me."

Jungkook huffs out a laugh, and leans back against his wall. He drags his body down until he's on the floor. "You realise that I don't believe you, right?"

And that's when Taehyung, Prince of Silla, bursts into tears. He hides his face with his hands, and plops down on Jungkook's bed, and his shoulders shake as he sobs.

Jungkook gets up, and doesn't know what to do with him.

"I don't know how to prove it to you. First, I suddenly end up in this strange place, and now there's a strange man being rude and asking me to prove that I'm the prince?" Taehyung looks up, eyes all red and cheeks smeared with tears. "I'm at my limit right now."

And this time, Jungkook is a little scared. Taehyung was being polite and soft in his words, but right now, he suddenly seems angry and a little hostile.

"Do you maybe think that it's hard for me to believe too?" Jungkook says, calm. "This is my house, and suddenly there's a person I don't know in here. What about me?"

Taehyung sighs. "I don't know how to prove it to you. You can take my jewelry, check my clothes. These are all the best, most expensive silks in Silla."

Jungkook thinks for a while, and then heads back into the living room.

"Are you trying to kill me?" Taehyung asks, and then his voice turns deeper, tone darker. "Do you have any idea what could happen to you if you attempted that? I will–"

"Oh my God!" Jungkook says as he enters the room again, with his phone in his hand. "I'm not trying to kill you, what the fuck? Can you be quiet for a bit?"

Taehyung sighs, and his brows droop down. "What are these strange words? What is this place?"

Jungkook quickly pulls up Google, and wonders what to type. His fingers press buttons and backtrack several times, before he settles on 'Kim Taehyung Prince of Silla.'

Jungkook is honestly not expecting anything. It's laughable that he's even looking this up, because how is it possible?

But when the first page of results displays on his screen, Jungkook feels his throat go dry, and he doesn't quite want to laugh anymore.

His eyes flit to Taehyung, and back to his phone, and Jungkook is pretty sure he can feel the sweat dripping down his body.

He clicks on the images tab, and there's old, distorted paintings of whoever Kim Taehyung, prince of Silla is. Jungkook is going to be honest, they don't resemble him a hundred percent, but he can tell it's him.

Also, the paintings don't do justice to what Jungkook can see in front of his eyes.

But the way it has been drawn, the features, Jungkook can tell. He goes back to the first page and clicks on the first article, and starts reading.

'Here we shall talk about his majesty – king Kim Taehyung, who was one of the greatest rulers of the Silla Dynasty around the years 700-740. He ruled for around 40 years, and was extremely popular and beloved among his subjects. Apart from his kindness and efficient administration, the king was also known far and wide for his striking, stunning looks. He has often been named one of the most handsome kings in the history of the country.'

Jungkook gulps, and sweat beads line his forehead. The last bit must definitely be true, but how is all of this even possible? His head starts to spin a bit, and Jungkook comes and sits down next to Taehyung to ground himself.

"How is this possible?" Jungkook whispers, mostly to himself.

Taehyung tilts his head to take a good look at Jungkook and at his phone. "What is that?"

Jungkook sighs. "An iPhone. A phone. Smartphone. Umm, it's a...device? You can communicate with others using it."

Taehyung stares at it, like he doesn't even believe Jungkook. "What year is this?"

"2022."

"What?!" Taehyung exclaims, his loud and deep voice booming through the room.

"Shh!" Jungkook places a hand on his mouth. "There's other people who live around me. Don't yell."

Taehyung goes quiet, but his eyes flit to Jungkook's hand on his mouth, and back to his eyes. Jungkook immediately lets go, and gets a little shy himself. "Sorry. I'm...not trying to harm you."

"Okay. Umm, can you help me, then?" Taehyung asks. "I want to go home. I don't understand anything. How is this happening?"

And then, the doorbell rings, and Jungkook panics. He looks around his room, grabs Taehyung by the arm and carries him to the bathroom, and leads him inside.

"Listen, please. There is someone at the door. Just stay here for a while." Jungkook warns, and is about to shut the door, but Taehyung grabs his wrist.

"Wait!" Taehyung says, looking into Jungkook's eyes. "You'll come back, right?"

Jungkook takes a deep breath, as they make eye contact. He nods, because that's what he thinks is the right thing to do.

Taehyung then lets go of his hand, and steps back for Jungkook to shut the door. Jungkook does, and just stands there for a while. Taehyung just trusted him, so easily?

He walks to the door, and finds that his friend Jimin is visiting. It's not a good time, and Jungkook doesn't want to appear rude, but he just can't focus on his friend right now.

He's here to borrow some stuff, so Jungkook makes a quick run to his room and gets him the same, just gives him whatever he has and asks him to return them on time.

"Wow, why are you pushing me out?" Jimin laughs, and quirks his brows teasingly. "Is someone coming over?"

Jungkook rolls his eyes. "Hyung, please. I just..I have to umm, shower. Organize some stuff."

"Chill, I'm kidding!" Jimin smiles. "I'll see you in the evening."

Jungkook nods, and is relieved as he shuts the door.

He turns around, lays his head against the door, and takes in a deep breath. About the situation on hand, Jungkook just doesn't know what to do.

Where to start, how to go about it.

Just decides that maybe, in return of the trust in Taehyung's eyes, Jungkook should at least try to help.

♡

"What kind of a garment is this?" Taehyung holds up the t-shirt Jungkook just gave him, and studies it with his brows drawn in concentration. "It's just like the one you're wearing."

"It's...a t-shirt." Jungkook explains. "Take a shower, and change into this."

Taehyung also scrutinizes the shorts Jungkook gives him, but doesn't say anything.

"Okay Jungkook." Taehyung says, using the knowledge of his name he acquired a few minutes ago. "Please prepare my bath."

Jungkook snaps his head to look at him. "You were a prince in Silla. Not here in Seoul."

Taehyung frowns. "I... I've never prepared my bath myself before."

"How old are you?" Jungkook draws his brows together.

"Twenty six." Taehyung says.

"Oh." Jungkook suddenly thinks he should affix an honorific if he should address Taehyung by his name. "Umm, you just– Ugh."

He gets up then, and goes and turns the water on in the bathtub, waits for it to fill, and drops one of his bath salts into it.

It's expensive, but he thinks Taehyung would like it. He doesn't really have anything else to offer.

"Your bath is ready." Jungkook tells him when he comes out. "Umm, go in."

"Oh, thank you so much." Taehyung stands up, and starts to undo his hanbok.

"Wait, that–" Jungkook puts his hand up in front of his face, and looks away. "Umm, let me go out first."

Taehyung pauses, a little surprised. "I wasn't going to completely undress in front of you..." His voice trails off, and Jungkook is out of the room even before he can finish.

Around half an hour later, Jungkook hears the clearing of a throat from behind him, when he's sitting on his sofa. He turns, and spots Taehyung's head peeking from behind the door of his bedroom.

Just an eye, and his long, wet tresses are visible as he tilts his head. "I took a bath."

Jungkook nods, eyeing Taehyung's hair. "Did you wash your hair?"

Taehyung nods, and peeks out a little more. His face is visible too, now. "But just with water. I didn't find anything else."

Jungkook sighs, and leans back against the back of his sofa. "I'll introduce you to shampoo by the next time you wash your hair."

"Hmm?" Taehyung asks, finally coming out from behind the door, and pulling his shorts downwards even though they already go below his knees.

"What?" Jungkook asks, amused.

"My legs are bare." Taehyung says, smiling sheepishly. "It's strange."

"Are you hungry?" Jungkook asks then.

Taehyung nods. "Extremely. But I didn't know how to bring it up."

Jungkook gets up, and walks to his kitchen. He whips up some ramyeon in a few minutes, because it's the easiest and simplest thing he can manage right now. He pours it into the bowl as neatly as he can, and takes it back to where Taehyung is.

Currently, Taehyung is sitting on Jungkook's couch, running his palms over the leather. When Jungkook puts the ramyeon bowl on the table, Taehyung stares.

First at the bowl, and then at Jungkook. "Jungkook, what is this?"

Jungkook stares at the bowl too. "Umm, is this not common where you live?"

Taehyung shakes his head, poking into the noodles with his chopsticks. "Do you have some rice?"

Jungkook nods. "Uhh, I would have to cook it first. Can you have this for now? I'll make you rice for the next meal."

Taehyung looks up at him, eyes big and lips parted, but nods. "Oh. Thank you."

He then pokes the chopsticks into the bowl, and picks up one mouthful, but it slips back down into the soup, and some of it splatters onto his hand.

Taehyung clicks his tongue, but doesn't say anything, and tries again. This time, he is able to put it into his mouth, and Jungkook is amused as he witnesses his expressions changing from confusion to wonder to excitement.

"What is this called?" Taehyung asks, when he's done swallowing. "It is extremely delicious."

"This is ramyeon." Jungkook says, and sits down on the sofa next to him. "It is instant food. Food that can be cooked quickly and without much effort."

"Ohhhh." Taehyung says, but his attention quickly shifts back to the bowl, as he keeps stuffing bite after bite into his mouth.

In five minutes, he licks the bowl clean, and Jungkook stares, astonished. "I thought you wanted rice. Look at you now."

"We don't have this in Silla." Taehyung smiles. "Can I take some of it back when–"

Taehyung abruptly stops the sentence, and a sigh escapes his lips. His shoulders droop, and his expression turns a little sour.

Jungkook feels bad already. Taehyung is kind of adorable with how he doesn't know anything about the modern world, and by now, Jungkook is almost convinced that he isn't lying or playing a prank on him.

He just wants to assure Taehyung.

"We'll find out a way for you to go back." Jungkook says, without even thinking it throughout.

"Really?" Taehyung smiles, but looks sad. "Thank you. I am so upset again. I don't understand...how could this have happened? It must be such an inconvenience for you. I apologise."

It is definitely a bit of an inconvenience, but obviously Jungkook doesn't say that. "No, don't worry about it. Maybe, for now, I'll teach you about how the world works in the year 2022, okay?"

Taehyung nods. "Thank you, Jungkook. You are so kind. What if I ended up in the apar....apat? Apart–"

"Apart. Ment." Jungkook provides.

"Apart. Ment." Taehyung repeats, and this time, the smile is genuine. "What if I had ended up in the apartment of someone else? Maybe someone who would have tried to harm me? I'm lucky it's you."

And Jungkook's heart melts just a little. Flutters in the slightest, and he feels a little shy as he hears the words.

He just nods, because he doesn't know what to say, but then, adds. "I think I should probably tell you in details what a smartphone is."

♡

They spend the whole evening going over gadgets, modern lingo and the lifestyle people currently lead in this day and age. Taehyung is a surprisingly fast learner, and soaks up information like a sponge.

By the time it's midnight, Taehyung learns how to call someone using a phone, and how to use voice search. Jungkook promises to teach him the Hangeul script soon, and for now, Taehyung is content with whatever he's learnt.

He seems to enjoy searching images. He can't wrap his head around the concept of pictures at all.

"You mean you can just....cl–click? Click pictures?" Taehyung asks in awe, ready to listen and learn. "And you, Jungkook, do that to earn money? Can you show me?"

Jungkook nods. "Sure. Umm, wait here."

He's glad that the next day is a Sunday, because it's already past midnight and he's still awake. They – They're both still awake. He's been sort of busy with Taehyung for the last few hours.

He opens a cabinet, and takes out one of his professional cameras very carefully. He carries it back to his bed, which Taehyung is currently sprawled out upon, and takes it out with such care which makes it seem like like he's handling glass.

Taehyung's eyes go wide. "Is this the...umm..." He tries to remember the word Jungkook taught him a few minutes ago. "Camera? Camera!"

A smile automatically forms on Jungkook's lips. "Yeah. This is the camera. Let me take a picture of you, and show you."

Jungkook turns his camera on, sets it to his eyes and looks at Taehyung through the viewfinder. "Umm, can you smile a little? Just think of this as posing for a painting."

"Oh." Taehyung says, and immediately runs his fingers through his hair, trying to set it in place. He folds his knees, and keeps both his hands on them. "Is this okay?"

"Mhm, just sit like you were sitting before." Jungkook instructs him. "And smile. Uhh, just act like the camera isn't even here."

"Oh." Taehyung says, and his body immediately relaxes. He goes back to spreading out his legs, and looks up at the camera. He isn't smiling, but just looking at Jungkook with a blank expression.

And once again, Jungkook notices how beautiful he is. His features are otherworldly, and he must have rightfully been called one of the most handsome kings Korea has ever seen.

Heck, Jungkook thinks Taehyung would make the list for top ten in the whole world too, and not just among kings.

Taehyung is so beautiful like this, that Jungkook doesn't dare look at him with his naked eye. Just sees the perfect moment through the viewfinder, and clicks.

And then, he clicks on the playback button to see how the picture turned out. It's beautiful, but doesn't do justice to what Taehyung looks like in real life.

Jungkook really likes the composition of the picture. Taehyung, wearing Jungkook's t-shirt and shorts, which are both oversized on him, with his long, silky hair cascading down his shoulders. Jungkook gulps.

"Show me!" Taehyung says, excitedly getting up, and approaching Jungkook. Jungkook immediately shows it to him, and he can see Taehyung's eyes widen as much as it must be physically possible.

"How?" Taehyung says, not touching the camera because he probably understands from the way Jungkook handled it that it must be important and expensive. "This is unbelievable. Really, Jungkook, what a wonderful world you live in."

Jungkook feels a little sad at the words, but he wants to make sure Taehyung doesn't think of home right now. Doesn't really want to see him upset again.

"Do you want me to print it?" Jungkook asks.

"Whoa!" Taehyung exclaims. "Can you do that?"

Jungkook nods. "We have a device for that too. It's called a printer."

He then proceeds to directly connect his camera to one. Jungkook inserts a photo paper into the other side, and a minute later, Taehyung's photograph comes out of the front.

The picture is clear, very high in resolution, and Jungkook admires it himself first, before he shows it to Taehyung.

"Here." He holds it out. "What do you think?"

Taehyung takes it from Jungkook's hands, and stares at it in disbelief. "That really is me." He smiles. "I'm so amazed. You know so many things."

Jungkook just chuckles. "Everyone here does."

He then checks the clock, and realises that he should probably sleep now. He turns to Taehyung, and then speaks.

"Taehyung...hyung." Jungkook says, clearing his throat. He's saying the name for the first time since the morning. "We should sleep now."

Taehyung nods, and looks outside the window. "It's quite late. Your smartphone says it's 12:24 am. You can even tell the exact time. In Silla, we just know morning, day, afternoon, evening, night." He smiles.

"Uh, you can take the bed." Jungkook gestures to his bed, and then looks outside the door, towards his living room.

"And you?" Taehyung asks, curious.

"The sofa." Jungkook says. "I'll sleep on the sofa."

"Huh?" Taehyung says, bewildered. "It's so narrow. You can't sleep there... I feel so bad. It's all because of me. I'm sorry, once again."

"No, it's fine. Trust me, I–" Jungkook begins, but is cut off.

"My bed was larger than yours, but I think we can both fit here." Taehyung says. "Please sleep here. It's my first night here, anyway. Everything is unfamiliar for me."

And that's where Jungkook melts a little again. "Uh, but–"

"We're both men. It shouldn't be a problem." Taehyung says, and smiles.

And Jungkook's heart stops in his chest, because that's exactly why it's a problem.

They're both men, Taehyung is very, very attractive, and Jungkook is very, very gay.

He wonders if Taehyung has ever encountered a homosexual person in Silla, or if he's even heard of someone who is attracted to people of the same gender. Jungkook feels a little uncomfortable bringing it up, because he has no idea what Taehyung's thoughts on it might be.

He is from centuries ago, after all. Quite literally.

"Uhh. Would you be comfortable?" Jungkook asks.

"Given the situation, I think I would be more uncomfortable alone." Taehyung says, and there's that hint of sadness again in his voice.

"Uh, okay." Jungkook immediately agrees, because he feels bad. "I will sleep on the bed. Just so that...if you need any help, I can provide you with that."

Taehyung nods, and then suddenly starts to look around. "Jungkook, have you seen my hairpin? I can't sleep with my hair let down."

"Umm, wait." Jungkook says. He has a better alternative.

He walks up to his dresser, and grabs one of the hair ties he had bought back when he had longer hair. He doesn't need it at the present moment.

"Here." He holds out his hand, and offers it to Taehyung. But then, he realises that Taehyung wouldn't know how elastics work. "Umm, do you mind if I do your hair?"

Taehyung shakes his head, and smiles. "I've always had it done for me, so I'm used to it."

Jungkook nods, and walks to go stand behind Taehyung. They're the same height, and Jungkook's heart stills a little when he touches Taehyung's hair.

It's so smooth, straight and soft, that Jungkook wants to keep feeling it with his fingers. However, he just gathers all of it together at the base of Taehyung's head, and secures it with the elastic hair tie.

He leaves the few locks loose at the front, and they frame Taehyung's face beautifully.

"There." Jungkook says, as he steps away to take a better look. "Umm, you should use the bathroom before you go to bed. You remember what I taught you, right?"

Taehyung's face goes red again, just like it had earlier, when Jungkook had tried to explain how to use the toilet. They were both equally embarassed, but it's something that had to be covered. It couldn't be left out.

Taehyung just nods, shying away from meeting Jungkook's gaze. "I'll go and come back quickly."

Jungkook, meanwhile, readies his bed for them to sleep. He wonders if putting a pillow partition in between them would be weird or suspicious.

And while he's still contemplating it, holding a pillow up and looking at it, Taehyung comes out of the bathroom. Jungkook panics and drops the pillow onto the bed, and starts to fluff it up to make it look like he's just getting the bed ready.

"Uhh, which side would you like to sleep on?" Jungkook asks, plucking a tiny strand of facial hair and looking away, just to avoid being awkward.

Taehyung looks at the bed, and then sits down on one edge. "I don't know. I've never shared a bed with anyone before."

Jungkook thinks about it for a while, and then speaks. "Take that side. There's the bedside lamp if you get scared in the dark. The bathroom is closer. And there's less light on that side in the morning."

Taehyung nods. "Okay."

He crawls on all fours then, towards the pillow, and lies down gently, taking up very little space. 

Jungkook chuckles at that. "Take up more space if you need. We'll fit. The bed is huge."

Taehyung smiles shyly, and then spreads out a little more. "Your bed is very comfortable."

"Thank you." Jungkook says, as he sits down on his side of the bed. "Umm, people are going to come over and notice you. I think... I think I'm going to tell them you're a friend who's visiting for a few days. Is that okay?"

Taehyung shrugs. "I don't have an option."

Jungkook nods. "We'll figure something out, okay? Don't worry."

Taehyung smiles at him. "Why are you so kind? You would make a good ruler, you know. I also aspire to be kind and benevolent when I take the throne."

Jungkook feels a certain warmth spread in his chest, then, because it reminds him of the article he had read about Taehyung this morning. It's only been under a day, and yet, Jungkook feels a little endeared by this stranger who doesn't even feel like one anymore.

Already.

Jungkook lies down in bed too, feeling a little strange, because he's only ever done this with men before or after they sleep with each other. He keeps his eyes on the ceiling, and avoids looking at Taehyung.

"Good night, hyung." Jungkook says.

"In Silla, they say hyungnim." Taehyung sounds like he's teasing Jungkook.

A smile breaks through Jungkook's lips again. "Alright. Good night, hyungnim."

"Good night." Taehyung says, and sounds happy. At least happier than he did when Jungkook first spotted him on this very bed. "Jungkook-ah."

♡

Jungkook loves Sundays, because he loves his fair share of sleep, and he absolutely despises waking up.

He stretches his arms when the sunlight gets too much for his closed eyes, and is about to roll over on his bed out of habit, when he begins to feel the heavy weight laying on his legs.

Jungkook's eyes snap open, and he remembers that he's not alone in this house anymore. He looks down at Taehyung's leg, which has somehow ended up on Jungkook's own, and then at his head, which has drifted away to the corner of the bed.

He went to sleep all perfectly aligned with the edges of the bed, but right now, Taehyung's body is oriented diagonally across it.

Jungkook immediately hoists himself up on his elbow, and gently pulls Taehyung's head back towards the pillow because he's just a few centimetres away from ramming his head into the nightstand.

Taehyung's eyes slowly open with the movement, and they open at the exact moment when his head is right under Jungkook's face.

"Jungkook...?" Taehyung asks, voice groggy, raspy and deeper than it was when he was fully awake. "What are you doing?"

And Jungkook panics. Again. It's the voice and the sudden position they're in, and he immediately puts Taehyung's head on the pillow and moves apart.

"Umm, you were about to hit your head." Jungkook explains.

Taehyung smiles again, satisfied. This early in the morning, his cheeks look like bread loaves, and Jungkook thinks he looks adorable.

Jungkook shouldn't be thinking so.

"Thank you. See? You're really kind." Taehyung says, raspy voice still sending chills through Jungkook's body. He has a thing for low-pitched voices.

"It's nothing." Jungkook laughs it off, as the still lay in bed side by side.

"I wish we met in Silla." Taehyung says then, scooting closer. "We would definitely be friends. Don't you think?"

Jungkook nods. He does think so. Taehyung is easy to get along with so far. Jungkook doesn't talk a lot, but Taehyung fills in the spaces with conversation. He's curious, and Jungkook doesn't mind explaining.

Plus, Taehyung has been trying his best to adapt to Jungkook's lifestyle, trying to give him as less trouble as possible.

So yes, Jungkook does think they would be good friends even if they had met at another time, centuries ago.

While he's thinking all of this, Taehyung suddenly comes really close, and keeps his hand on Jungkook's chest like it's nobody's business. He brings his face really close too, and stares at Jungkook.

Jungkook's eyes go wide at the proximity, and his heart starts to go crazy in his chest. He gulps, and tries to move away, but Taehyung is fairly strong and doesn't let him budge from under his hold.

"Jungkook, you promised to teach me Hangeul and how to operate the VT today, right?" He asks.

"TV. The TV." Jungkook says, trying to calm himself down. "Yes. I will. It's a Sunday today."

Taehyung grins, his smile taking on a boxy form when he does. He looks happy and eager, but then, his brows draw together and he looks at his hand on Jungkook's chest.

"Are you okay?" He asks. "Your heart is beating so fast."

And that's when Jungkook slides off from under his touch, and abruptly jumps out of bed. "I need to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back."

Taehyung breaks into a hearty laugh then, and relaxes against the pillows. "It's just me. Why are you being so shy? What would you do if it was your wife instead of me?"

"Wife?" Jungkook chuckles. "You don't directly marry people like that.... anymore. Well, usually. I don't know."

Taehyung stares back at him, lips parted and brows pulled together. "Huh? Ohhhh. You mean courting?"

Jungkook sighs. "Maybe we should also cover dating today."

"Dating?"

Jungkook sighs. It's going to be a long, long day.

♡

"Gay?" Taehyung blinks up at him. "You don't like...women?"

Jungkook shakes his head, biting on his lips nervously. He doesn't even know why he's nervous, as Taehyung tries to wrap his head around these new words and concepts.

"You mean, we can love people of the same gender?" Taehyung asks, inquisitive and intrigued.

"We can love anyone we want." Jungkook smiles at him, his nerves slowly easing when Taehyung's immediate reaction isn't to judge him.

That's the first thing Jungkook had been expecting from someone who's used to living in the 700s, but Taehyung just keeps surprising him.

"That's...a good thing." Taehyung says, nodding, eyes roaming around the sofa. "And people don't say anything?"

Jungkook shrugs. "Some people support it, some just don't. That's the way it is, I guess."

"So it's acceptable? For a man to feel attracted to another man?" Taehyung asks, curious again.

Jungkook nods. "Of course. We should all be able to love whoever we want. How can love be dictated by gender? Or race, nationality, anything? I think that's not how love works."

Taehyung nods, agreeing. "You must be right. So..."

"So?"

"Is that why I've never really felt anything special for women?" He looks up at Jungkook. "A lot of princesses want to marry me, you know. They're all beautiful. Very beautiful. But I still don't feel that spark with anyone. I mean, I never felt any desire to do anything...you know."

Jungkook listens, a little surprised, but nods.

"And on the other hand, I've seen some men, and found them really intriguing. Really handsome, or really smart. But then, I've often corrected myself. Because how can that be? They're men. I'm a man. And that's not how it works, that's what I've been taught. So I've always thought that it must be just admiration." Taehyung says, his eyes out of focus.

"You can't force people to love a certain way." Jungkook just smiles.

"Now that you're saying these things... It makes sense." Taehyung says, looking nervous. "So you're gay? Which means, you like men? In...that way?"

Jungkook chuckles, endeared once again. He's losing count now. "Yeah. In that way."

"And I...am I...?" Taehyung looks up at Jungkook, eyes questioning, as if Jungkook has the answer.

"Maybe. But it's not wrong, okay?" Jungkook tells him. "Even if your friends in Silla tell you that it is."

Taehyung shakes his head. "People in Silla would think it's ridiculous. I'm never going to tell them. But I just have to figure out how to escape marriage once I go back."

And then, Taehyung's face drops, and he continues speaking. "If, I ever go back at all."

And instantly, Jungkook's heart drops to his stomach too. "Hyung? What is the last thing you remember of your time in Silla?"

Taehyung looks into the distance, and shakes his head. "I was just trying to hide, trying to avoid an alliance with a girl. I wandered into one corner of the palace I've never been too..I lost my way. And...then..."

Jungkook listens. "Hmm?"

Taehyung shakes his head again. "I don't remember anything much after that. Just that I was here, and panicking. Thank God I found you."

Jungkook's heart melts, but he stands still, and takes in all of the information. He really wants to help Taehyung, but doesn't know how to.

For now, he has a lead though. Maybe there was something in that place Taehyung wandered into at the palace. That must be it.

It sounds ridiculous, but someone from Silla popping into the year 2022 and onto Jungkook's bed? Beat that.

And then, Jungkook thinks about the things Taehyung said a while ago about the way he feels about love and sexuality. A soft pink blush sits high on Jungkook's cheeks when he recalls the way Taehyung's legs ended up on his body this morning.

Taehyung not realising it is cute, but Jungkook is glad he could give him some clarity.

But now that it is all out in the open, Jungkook hopes it wouldn't be a hindrance.

♡

Jungkook and Taehyung's days go by unexpectedly smoothly together.

At first, Jungkook decides to leave Taehyung at home when he has to leave for uni, but he feels worried. Doesn't know if doing that would be a good idea because Taehyung is still very new to these surroundings, albeit he's a very fast learner.

But then, he asks Taehyung to dress up, ties his hair into a bun at the top of his head, and takes him along.

He figures that being nonchalant about Taehyung's sudden appearance will make his reasoning more believable.

He explains this new face as one of his friends who is staying here for a few days, just like he had planned, along with a backstory they came up with in the morning itself.

Apparently, Taehyung just moved to Seoul from Daegu, and is looking for a job. Jungkook conjures up a story about how Taehyung has been an art major in the past, and while he expects a lot of questions to come in about his background, they don't.

Taehyung messes up some words he doesn't know, some concepts he's still foreign with, but Jungkook's friends don't pay any mind to it.

Instead, they just seem to be entranced with Taehyung.

Keep complimenting him on his looks and his pretty long hair, on his voice, on the way he carries himself. One of them even says that Taehyung looks like he has royal blood, and Jungkook almost chokes on his banana milk.

"Hey, man!" Jimin pats his shoulder, worried. "You okay?"

"He probably agrees." Namjoon laughs, and Jungkook's heart lodges in his throat.

"No, haha, what do you mean?" Jungkook tries to cover.

Taehyung, on the other hand, is completely calm. Jungkook looks at him, eyes begging for some help, when Taehyung just smiles and looks at his friends.

"Actually." He begins. "I am a royal descendant. The Kim clan of...." Taehyung thinks for a while, making something up in his mind. "The Kim clan of Gwangsan."

Jungkook is impressed by the way Taehyung doesn't falter much as he says it. Had he not known better, he would have believed Taehyung too.

But then, the eldest in their squad, Seokjin says. "Hey, me too!"

Both Taehyung and Jungkook get startled for a bit, but then Jungkook interrupts, stealing a glance at his watch. "Ugh, where are Yoongi and Hoseok hyung? I'm getting late."

"Just take the books from them later." Jimin tells him.

Jungkook nods, and mindlessly grabs Taehyung's wrist. "Umm, we should get going."

"But... he doesn't go here, does he?" Seokjin asks, confused. "Where are you going to take him? You should have let him relax at home."

"Uhh no he just wants to draw. The... scenery." Jungkook lies. "Art major, remember? Come on, hyung."

"Oh, did you bring your art supplies along?" Namjoon smiles at him. "Drawing live from nature, that sounds relaxing. You should come with me to the Han river sometime!"

Jungkook just nods, and takes Taehyung away, but Taehyung just keeps turning and waving goodbyes to his friends. After they've walked enough to be out of the line of sight of Jungkook's friends, Jungkook heaves a sigh of relief.

"They're nice." Taehyung beams. "Just like you."

Jungkook blushes at how easily Taehyung says it. "Well, the hard part is over. That went...well."

"How did you know I like to draw?" Taehyung asks then.

"You do?" Jungkook is surprised.

Taehyung nods. "I used to draw from nature, just like your friend Namjoon said. Sitting outside the palace. It was very beautiful around where I lived."

Jungkook reaches into his bag, and pulls out a sketchbook, a pencil and an eraser. "I love drawing too. But for now, you can have it."

Taehyung looks at the modernized version of art supplies he probably uses in his world, and stares at them in awe. He looks at the eraser for a long time, and then asks. "What is this?"

"If you draw something you don't like, or if you make a wrong stroke, you can use this to erase it." Jungkook explains.

Taehyung rolls it around in the palm of his hand. "An eraser? Amazing."

"I don't know if you leaving you alone here is a good idea." Jungkook says, actually concerned.

Taehyung looks up at him. "I interacted comfortably with your friends because you were there. With others, I don't know. What if they ask me something I don't know the answer to?"

Jungkook sighs. He eventually makes Taehyung sit right outside his class, and sits in a place from where he has easy visual access to him. Jungkook thinks he's lucky that they only have to submit an assignment, and there's no other class today.

But his heart is in his mouth the entire time he waits for the professor to arrive, along with his whole class.

His eyes keep glancing at Taehyung, whom he instructed to sit on the bench right below the big, shady tree. Every time Taehyung as much as looks around with a confused expression, Jungkook gets worried.

And then, scolds himself, because this isn't good. Getting attached to someone who's here only temporarily isn't good.

But then the professor arrives, and snaps him out of his thoughts for a few minutes. Jungkook patiently waits for his turn, feet restlessly tapping against the floor as he shuffles his gaze from the front of the class to outside the window.

When he is able to finally hand it over, he literally bolts out.

Walks as fast as he can, and reaches where Taehyung is still sitting, the way Jungkook asked him to. He seems to have found a scenery he likes, and he looks safe.

Jungkook feels relieved.

Doesn't know if he should be so worried about a stranger from the past he's known for two days, and who is probably going to magically teleport back to where he came from without a warning.

But he tells himself that being kind is never a bad thing. So what if Taehyung has to leave? It's not wrong to feel concerned – Taehyung is precious.

He's nice, kind, adorable. He listens to everything Jungkook asks of him, and he's trying to co-operate a lot. Jungkook can't help but feel protective, even though he's sure Taehyung would he fully capable of protecting himself in his own world.

So maybe, it's okay that Taehyung has started to dig a soft corner in his heart. Jungkook will handle it later.

♡

Jungkook brings out the cardboard box he hasn't touched in months, and hopes he finds what he's looking for.

There has to be one old iPhone that he hasn't cracked and which should work fine with some charging. He takes the lid off and sighs in relief when he sees his previous phone, almost intact, barring a few scratches on the screen.

Jungkook thinks it's workable, and plugs the charger into it.

Taehyung is passed out on his bed, sleepy after being hyperactive at his uni, and he just looks so soft with his hair disheveled and plump lips parted. His palms ball into tiny fists as he sleeps, and his chest softly rises and falls.

Jungkook swallows the strange lump in his throat, and reprimands himself for letting himself get so attached.

He feels tired too, but he knows Taehyung is going to want to eat when he wakes up, so he heads to the kitchen.

This time, he prepares some rice and then fries it with some kimchi. He also puts aside some egg gimbap for the two of them, and is about to leave the kitchen, when he suddenly feels Taehyung's presence behind him.

"Did you cook for me?" Taehyung asks, still yawning, and carelessly sliding his palm around Jungkook's bicep. He is beaming as soon as Jungkook nods. "Wow, looks delicious. Can we eat now?"

"In a bit." Jungkook says, cheeks flushed from the touch. He doesn't even know why his heart is going haywire. "But first, there's something I want to give you."

Taehyung slides his hand off, curious. "Really? What is it?"

Jungkook just walks back to his room, and without even asking, Taehyung is following him. Jungkook unplugs the phone and sees that it still works fine. He quickly connects the WiFi, and readies it.

"Here." He hands it over to Taehyung. "Your phone. For...your time here."

Taehyung accepts it with wide eyes, a sparkle in them at the sight. He looks delighted to say the least. "For me? Jungkook! Thank you, I'm so excited."

"It's my old phone." Jungkook says shyly, without meeting Taehyung's eyes. "It's working okay. It works the same as my other phone does."

"I can look up anything I want on Goggle on this too?" Taehyung asks, a smile now permanently spread on his face.

"Google, yes. Yes, you can." Jungkook says, biting back a smile. "But the main reason behind giving this to you is, so that you can contact me whenever you need."

Taehyung stares back. "Calling you, you mean?"

Jungkook nods. "I'll put my number on speed dial. And remember to charge your phone whenever the battery runs low, okay?"

"And can I message you now?" Taehyung asks. "I've learnt the Hangeul script. I can't believe I had to learn hanja and later on people just simplified everything like this?"

Jungkook smiles, recalling how fast Taehyung picked up the script. He knows the words of the language already, so it isn't hard to transliterate it into Hangeul.

"Yes, you can text me now." Jungkook holds his palm out, and asks for the phone back. "Let me show you how."

Taehyung readily hands it over, and scoots closer to Jungkook so he can take a better look. Jungkook's heart beats a little faster when he does that, but he continues to explain regardless. Teaches him to type, to use punctuation, and even emojis.

The result?

Jungkook receives sweet, short and appreciative messages throughout the day now.

Good night, Jungkook. You're so kind. :)

When Jungkook is sleeping right next to him.

Good morning, you look so innocent when you're asleep.

Jungkook finds this message sitting on his phone when he wakes up, and a smiling Taehyung looking at him and repeating what he said in the message.

I'm so hungry. :(

When Jungkook is already cooking in the kitchen.

Now, Jungkook is the absolute worst at texting. He would've been annoyed if it was someone else bothering him with all these texts, but he finds himself amused, even fascinated.

And it scares him a little.

But regardless, he finds himself with his phone in hand an hour later, replying to Taehyung's texts even though they're seated side by side. Finds himself smiling.

And then, he's typing out a message of his own.

Good night, hyung. You're very beautiful.

And Jungkook doesn't miss the smile on Taehyung's face, illuminated by his smartphone screen.

♡

Over the course of the next week, Jungkook takes Taehyung out a few times to tour the city, to eat at some of his favorite places as well as to meet his friends.

Taehyung blends in seamlessly for the most part, and for the parts that he misses out on, he makes up for with his enthusiasm and charisma, even while talking to strangers.

He's a people's person, for sure. No wonder why he's marked down in history as a beloved king, and Jungkook can't help but wonder how Taehyung would look ruling over a huge part of the country they live in.

He shakes the thoughts off and just watches Taehyung, staring at every new, unfamiliar object with awe. Every now and then, he scoots closer while walking, and whispers, "What is that?"

People check him out a lot, Jungkook notices. He wonders if they see anything different.

After roaming around all day, Jungkook feels a little tired but Taehyung, contrary to his expectations, is still buzzing with energy.

"Aren't you supposed to be a prince? Are you used to traveling around so much? Doesn't it tire you out?" Jungkook asks, one week later when they're on their way back home.

Taehyung smiles brightly, and shakes his head. "I'm very tired, but back in Silla, I didn't go out much. This is so overwhelming. I will always hold these memories close to my heart."

Jungkook looks at him, as they walk side by side on an empty street post dinner, on the way to Jungkook's apartment. He can't get out a word.

"Thank you for taking care of me like a friend." Taehyung smiles, looking down. "I wish only good things for you. No, no. The best. The best things for you."

Jungkook feels something heavy settle upon his heart, and he knows this feeling. Spending a little over a week with Taehyung, basically glued together all the time – he's getting used to it now.

And it's going to be hard to let him go.

Jungkook wants to voice out these thoughts, but doesn't.

"I really want to go back." Taehyung says then. "But I would be lying if I said I don't want to stay here with you either."

Jungkook looks to his front again, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks. "Oh.. that's nice."

Taehyung nods. "I don't really have a lot of friends back there. This...it... It feels like I finally have one."

And Jungkook just wants Taehyung to stop talking because it's getting sadder and sadder.

And while he's figuring out a way to change the topic, there's a cool wind blowing, and a sudden sound of thunder.

Jungkook doesn't even has the time to process it – Taehyung, quite literally, jumps from where he is to a position much closer to Jungkook, grabbing his shirt near the chest with one hand and using the other to wrap around his bicep tightly. His eyes are shut, and he freezes.

Jungkook, obviously, kind of freezes too. Taehyung is warm cuddled up against him like this, and it's making his heart do things it shouldn't do.

"I hate the thunder and lightning." Taehyung exclaims in a weak voice, right into Jungkook's shoulders because that's where his mouth presses into.

Jungkook feels goosebumps erupt all over his skin, and the weather doesn't really help. As if on instinct, his free hand comes up to hold Taehyung's fist to comfort him.

It starts to drizzle, and Jungkook grabs Taehyung by the wrist, before pacing towards a lone bus stand. There's a shade overhead, so Jungkook thinks it's a good place to wait until the rain stops.

Taehyung sits down first, wet hair strands sticking to his face and forehead, and Jungkook gets the urge to remove it with his fingers. Of course, he ignores the urge in favor of quietly settling down beside Taehyung.

"Do you like the rain?" Jungkook asks him.

Taehyung nods. "I like it the rain, but I don't enjoy getting drenched in it. I'm also a little scared of the thunder and lightning."

"I can tell." Jungkook simply says. "Don't worry, we'll go home as soon as the rain stops, and I'll give you dry clothes to wear. A warm bath too, if you want."

Taehyung looks at him, and smiles. This time, the smile is more mellow, reaches his eyes first, and Jungkook can see fondness in Taehyung's expression.

"What?" Jungkook asks, feeling a little shy.

"You're the best." Taehyung simply says.

♡

When the rain isn't as brutal anymore, and instead turns into a light drizzle, Jungkook hurries home, his grip gentle around Taehyung's wrist. He doesn't notice the way Taehyung steals glances at him, or fondly looks at where their hands touch.

And now, after having spent over a week by Jungkook's side, basically joined at the hips to him, Taehyung can't help the small, but sure feeling that's budding in his chest. He doesn't question it, though.

Jungkook told him it was alright, after all.

And what can he even do? How can his heart not melt when Jungkook, suddenly burdened with him, still treats him like he's precious?

When the first thing Jungkook does is grab a towel and wrap it around Taehyung's head, patting his hair dry, helping him absorb the wetness from his long tresses, Taehyung swears he completely loses his heart to Jungkook.

"This should do." Jungkook's voice is sweet, tender, like a blanket of safety, as his hands work their way around the towel.

The room is silent, the only audible sound being that of the rain outside – it's turning heavy again, splashing against the glass window panes.

Taehyung gulps, and he can hear his own heart throbbing against his chest. Maybe, throbbing with the rhythm of Jungkook's name.

Jungkook is so close, their faces just inches apart from each other's. And when Taehyung feels Jungkook retracting the towel from his head, he finds his hands flying up to grip Jungkook's wrists.

"Jungkook, w-wait." Taehyung says, and his voice comes out as half a whisper.

Jungkook freezes at the sudden touch, neither expecting it, nor being prepared for the way his warm palm ignites flames under his skin in the cool weather.

Jungkook clears his throat. "Uhh, yeah?"

Taehyung stares at Jungkook through the towel and his wet hair, and doesn't know how to say the words. "Um, I'm..."

Jungkook waits, heart suddenly feeling explosive inside his chest.

"You said it's okay." Taehyung just says, and then his thoughts are kind of hanging. Out in the open, half out of his head.

"Hmm?" Jungkook asks, genuinely confused, but kind of mesmerized too because Taehyung is beautiful.

Little does he know, he's making Taehyung's pulse skyrocket too. Not just because he's handsome, but because he's all the other good things too.

"You said it's okay to feel something for another man." Taehyung says. "As a man."

Jungkook feels his limbs go steel cold at the words, the implication setting in. At first, he can't believe what he's hearing. "Yeah..."

"I want to kiss you." Taehyung just says. "Can I?"

Jungkook thinks his heart might just actually explode right about now. He doesn't even answer – isn't able to.

Just keeps staring into Taehyung's eyes.

"If you don't want to, it's not a problem." Taehyung smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "I just wanted to let you know how I feel. You make my heart flutter. A lot. Thank you for taking care of me. And I know that this–"

Taehyung's breath is knocked out of him when Jungkook suddenly cups his face, leans in and shuts him up with a kiss.

Taehyung freezes too, lips stuck in place at first, not at all expecting Jungkook to kiss him already, but then, Jungkook wraps his arms around Taehyung's waist ever so tenderly, and Taehyung melts in his embrace.

As his hands automatically come up to wrap around Jungkook's neck, his lips slowly follow Jungkook's lead, and it finally has some semblance to kissing.

Actual kissing.

Taehyung can't process how good it feels. The towel slides down his back and falls to the ground, but none of them stop.

Their lips soon start to move together in perfect sync. And Taehyung thinks Jungkook is better than anything he has ever tasted.

He might just get a little addicted.

♡

After the first kiss, Taehyung discovers that he enjoys the way Jungkook's lips feel against his own a little too much.

Every morning for the last few days, Jungkook wakes up to wet, kittenish nibbles against his jaw or Taehyung's nose nudging against his face. The first thing he does these days after waking up is give Taehyung his morning kisses, rather than checking his phone.

Taehyung even suddenly kisses him when he's doing daily chores, or when he's trying to talk to someone on the phone.

And Jungkook doesn't mind. At all. He loves it.

The only thing that bothers him, is that all of this might stop soon – anytime, abruptly. What if Taehyung magically vanishes just like he appeared into his life?

It saddens Jungkook to even think of that. Makes him feel like there's a big block of stone weighing down on his heart.

But still, for the time being, Jungkook thinks that maybe everything is going to be okay every time Taehyung smiles.

It gives him a little hope.

♡

"Jungkook." Taehyung asks, eyes wide and staring at his phone. "I've found out how two men...you know."

Jungkook's heartbeat quickens, and he rushes to Taehyung. He holds his phone gently, and pulls it towards himself. "What are you watching, hyung?"

A second later, Jungkook finds his face being colored pink. On the screen, a pornographic video is playing, with one guy fucking the other from behind.

"Where...where did you find this?" Jungkook asks, unable to look at Taehyung.

"I just wanted to know how two men do it." Taehyung simply says, like he doesn't have a care in the world. "The one on his knees also sucked the other one's...penis."

"I...I know. How it's done." Jungkook says, locking the screen. "Um, why were you..why did you want to know?"

Taehyung keeps staring at him with puppy eyes, fiddling with his hands. "I...I want to have sex with you."

Jungkook drops his old phone.

♡

"Are you sure, hyung?" Jungkook asks for the fourth time, as they sit in silence, lights dimmed, facing each other.

Taehyung nods. "I'm sure. I really, really like you."

Jungkook blushes. "Okay. This is going to be your first time with a man, right?

Taehyung looks down at his hands, and bites his lips. "With anyone. We aren't allowed to do it until we're married."

It makes Jungkook smile fondly. "So you're breaking a rule?"

Taehyung looks up at him, eyes twinkling. "Maybe I'll marry you someday."

Jungkook clears his throat, as butterflies explode in his chest at the words. "Uhh, umm, I don't know how to–"

Taehyung immediately leans forward and presses a hungry kiss to Jungkook's lips, cutting him off mid-sentence. It doesn't take Jungkook more than a few seconds to ease into the kiss, his arms naturally wrapping Taehyung in an embrace, as the other's arms slide around his neck.

They establish a slow, languid rhythm, their lips melting into each other's, and right there, on the edge of the bed, tangled up like that, they feel like it's the most domestic thing in the world.

Like it's only natural. Like it's only inevitable for them to do this, like it's the only way it should go.

Taehyung's hands frantically move down Jungkook's back, pulling at his t-shirt upwards, trying to strip him off of it.

Jungkook chuckles a little into the kiss. Taehyung's never been so, so eager before. Jungkook wants to ask Taehyung again if he's sure, but is worried he's going to get mad.

Besides, it feels so good when Taehyung's fingers brush over the bare skin of his back under the t-shirt, that he forgets how to speak.

Taehyung manages to get it off, before grabbing Jungkook's hands and placing it over the hem of his own t-shirt. "I want you to take mine off."

Taehyung is so adorable, Jungkook could cry.

His breathing is heavy, as he gently pulls the t-shirt upwards. Taehyung puts his hands up in the air, ready to get shirtless, but before the shirt is completely off, Jungkook can't help but lean in and press a kiss to Taehyung's chest. "How did I live all these years without you?"

Taehyung hurriedly pulls it off his arms himself, and cups Jungkook's face when his hands are free.

"Jungkook..." He whispers, lips very close to each other's. "Thank you for having me in your home, and letting me treat it like mine."

Jungkook shakes his head, and kisses Taehyung on the lips quickly. His hands gently rove down Taehyung's chest, thumbs lodging underneath his nipples.

Taehyung gasps into Jungkook's mouth, because it feels so good. Goosebumps erupt all over his skin at the touch.

He moves closer and slides onto Jungkook's lap, putting his legs on either side of his body. The transition is so smooth, that it happens effortlessly.

Jungkook's hands slide down to his waist, and he gently tugs at Taehyung's shorts. "Can you take them off for me, hyung?"

Taehyung pouts. "Can you take them off for me?"

"You're not a prince here, remember?" Jungkook teases, pressing another kiss to his lips, but his hands are already working their way down Taehyung's pants, taking it off.

He doesn't know how to deny Taehyung anything.

As soon as the waistband slides down Taehyung's thighs, his cock springs up, already getting hard. The sight makes heat pool in Jungkook's belly.

Taehyung is suddenly a little shy, biting on his lip and looking down at his own cock, unable to look Jungkook in the eye anymore. He attempts to kick the pants off, and his chest heaves with his heavy breathing.

Jungkook gently holds Taehyung's chin, and tilts his face upwards. "It's okay. Don't have to be shy."

Taehyung looks into his eyes, and there's a faint blush on his cheeks. "I've never...like this...in front of another person...."

Jungkook gets his incomplete sentences too, so he nods. He wants to make Taehyung's first time as comfortable and memorable for him as possible, so he wants to make sure he is relaxed first.

"Take it easy." He whispers. "It's just me. Just us."

Taehyung nods, and his eyes search Jungkook's face before trailing down his body. He starts to undo Jungkook's pants too, growing a little bolder by the second. "I'm nervous."

"Don't be. We're not in a rush." Jungkook simply says, pressing a kiss to the corner of Taehyung's mouth.

Taehyung just breathes onto Jungkook's lips, tugging at his zipper. Jungkook helps him take his pants off, without having Taehyung move around too much.

And then, it hits them. They're both naked, Taehyung sitting on top of Jungkook, and their cocks brush against each other's. It feels obscene, but in the sweetest way possible.

"Is it awkward for you, hyung?" Jungkook asks, voice soft and loving, as he pushes Taehyung's hair back with his fingers.

"No, but I'm scared." Taehyung answers. "And very shy."

"Do you want to lie down?" Jungkook asks.

Taehyung shakes his head, leaning forward and pulling Jungkook into a hug. "Can I please stay like this?"

And Jungkook's heart melts, because he has the sudden, overwhelming urge to protect Taehyung from everything in the world. "Of course."

"But I still want you." Taehyung whispers against Jungkook's neck. "In me."

Jungkook almost chokes at the language. "You've been watching too much porn, haven't you?"

"Every time I did, all I could think about was you." Taehyung tells him, pressing their foreheads together."This is a good position too, you know."

Jungkook chuckles, shoulders vibrating from the laughter. "I can't believe you're the prince of Silla. So up to date with pornographic videos on the internet."

"But can I suck your cock first?" Taehyung asks, cheeks red.

Jungkook is surprised. "Do you want to?"

Taehyung nods. "Well, it's not the most appealing thing in those videos but with you...I want to do it."

Jungkook gulps. "You can't do it in this position, hyung."

Taehyung immediately slides off, and gets on all fours in front of Jungkook. Then, he leans down and strokes Jungkook's cock gently a few times.

"Sorry in advance if I'm bad at it." He looks up at Jungkook and smiles, and Jungkook can't believe he wants to cry right before he's getting a blowjob. "I just wanted to try it with you."

Jungkook just nods, and runs his fingers through Taehyung's hair. "Try anything you want to."

Taehyung doesn't talk after that for a while. He just gently wraps his fingers around Jungkook's cock, like it's something precious, and observes it from different angles for a while.

Then, without warning, he takes it into his mouth, and Jungkook's eyes shut on their own accord from the sensation it sends along his entire body.

Taehyung tries to copy the movements he's seen in the videos, and while he's not great at it, Jungkook still feels like it's the best thing in the world.

When it starts to make Taehyung gag, Jungkook himself stops him, and Taehyung pulls his cock out of his mouth, tears lining his eyes.

"Ugh, I'm not good at it." Taehyung whines with a sour expression on his mouth, as he immediately gets back into Jungkook's lap and hugs him.

"No, it was great." Jungkook pants against Taehyung's skin, holding him close. "I enjoyed it a lot."

"Really?" Taehyung asks, sounding a little less dejected. "Umm...can you do it for me too, sometime?"

"Of course." Jungkook kisses his shoulder. "Anything you ask for, hyung. I'll do it."

Taehyung bites his lips then, and whispers, eyes wide. "Okay, can you fuck me now, then?"

All of Jungkook's blood rushes to his cock instantly, and he can't help but kiss Taehyung again. His lips travel down Taehyung's chin to his neck, and Jungkook leaves marks of how much he wants Taehyung on his skin right there.

He kisses Taehyung's collarbones, and pulls him closer into a hug. Then, he whispers into his ears. "I will, but I'm going to make sure it hurts as less as possible, okay? I'm going to put a finger in first."

Taehyung shyly smiles. "I know. I know all the steps."

Jungkook chuckles, and presses a quick kiss to his lips. "Can you get off me for a bit? I need to get the lube and a condom."

"Can we skip the condom?" Taehyung asks, and arches back, retrieving something from under the pillow. "And here is lube. It was...in your drawer. I just wanted to prepare everything. I hope you don't mind."

Jungkook stares at the tube in his hand, and then back up at him. It's as adorable as it is comical. "No condom? Are you sure?"

Taehyung nods, and when Jungkook lays his palm out, Taehyung squeezes some of the lubricant onto his palm. Jungkook properly coats his fingers with it, and lies down against the headboard, Taehyung still on his lap.

"Can you lay back, hyung?" Jungkook asks him. "So I can access your...umm."

Taehyung nods eagerly, like this isn't just lovemaking, but also a learning experience for him. He does as he's asked, and he does it well.

As always, he's full of surprises.

Jungkook then stretches his rim out a little, before inserting his finger.

It must sting, but Taehyung just bites down on his bottom lip and shuts his eyes, holding back any kind of sound. He looks so hot that Jungkook wants to put his cock inside him already.

But of course, he waits. He's going to be slow and patient with Taehyung. He finger fucks him slowly, and Taehyung seems to enjoy the process a few minutes later, because after those minutes pass, Jungkook doesn't even have to plunge his finger in and pull it out anymore.

Taehyung just fucks himself on it.

Jungkook adds more fingers one by one, and he is left in awe of how well Taehyung handles it. There's no way he could tell it was his first time had he not known better.

Taehyung is definitely not a pro, but he's not bad at it. Doesn't seem like a beginner at all.

"Jungkook!" Taehyung whispers. "More."

But Jungkook is running out of fingers.

"Do you want me to..." He begins.

"Yes." Taehyung replies even before Jungkook finishes his sentence. "That's what I meant."

Jungkook pulls his fingers out, and grabs his cock with the same hand. He's nervous too, because he wants this to be a good experience for Taehyung.

"Can you lift your hips just a little?" Jungkook asks, and Taehyung complies in a second.

Jungkook doesn't waste any time teasing – just tells Taehyung he's putting it in, and he does.

"Ahh." Taehyung moans, his hands gripping Jungkook's bent knees to ground himself.

And as soon as Jungkook manages to put his cock in, he sits back up, and holds Taehyung close in the position he wanted.

He pulls Taehyung forward too, and even though it's difficult with the way they're positioned, Jungkook bucks his hips into Taehyung, and Taehyung's body shudders with each thrust.

He's so gorgeous like this, long hair falling down to his mid back, his beautiful features moulding into whatever he's feeling.

After one point, Taehyung just rides him, taking control and fucking himself on Jungkook's cock. He does it well enough to give pleasure to both of them, and their bodies are just a tangled, sweaty mess.

Jungkook returns the favor in whatever way he can – he kisses parts of Taehyung's body, pressing his lips to his collarbones or his shoulders or beneath his jaw. He wraps his own fingers around Taehyung's cock too, and strokes it so that Taehyung feels even better than Jungkook hopes he already is.

"I'm about to come, hyung." Jungkook warns. "I think."

Taehyung immediately puts his hands on Jungkook's shoulders, as if it's his anchor. "Wait, don't.... don't pull out."

Taehyung presses his lips together as he says it, hair strands sticking to his sweaty forehead and a blush sitting high on his cheeks.

Jungkook smiles, pushing Taehyung's hair backwards with his fingers. "Do you want me to come inside you?"

Taehyung nods. "Yes."

And Jungkook hasn't stopped stroking his cock, so it's Taehyung who comes first in his hands, and then looks extremely embarassed at the mess he's made.

"It's okay." Jungkook assures him. "I don't mind it."

And then, Jungkook listens to what he asked for. Taehyung bounces up and down a few more times, but they've lost their rhythm by now. Jungkook spills inside him, but the liquid flows down Taehyung's ass and inner thighs and drips back down on Jungkook's stomach.

It tires them out, so they just stay like that for a while, bodies limp in each other's embrace.

And Jungkook has slept with a lot of people in the past, people who were much better in bed, but this is now his best time till date.

As for Taehyung, he doesn't even want anyone else.

♡

"Sometimes." Taehyung whispers, as Jungkook gently kisses him against the wall. "I don't even want to–"

"Mhm?" Jungkook teases with his lips.

"Go back." Taehyung pants. "Just want to stay here and be with you for the rest of my life."

It makes Jungkook nuzzle into Taehyung's neck, and hug him tighter, before coming back up and kissing him, grinding his body against Taehyung's.

The kiss gets heated soon, and they start to shift a little. Taehyung giggles, and pretends to run from Jungkook just to tease him, but Jungkook is faster and stronger.

"Stop!" Jungkook chuckles as he follows Taehyung. "Come back here!"

Taehyung shakes his head, and advances into a darker area of Jungkook's apartment, one where he keeps old, unused stuff. Taehyung is about to step in when Jungkook catches him, and the impact sends them both against a wall.

Then, they're falling down together, laughing into each other's necks.

"I like you so much." Taehyung says, and presses his lips against Jungkook's.

Jungkook kisses him back, hands tightening around Taehyung's waist, as if to secure him.

And then, in the middle of kissing, Jungkook realises that it isn't his apartment. He's actually never seen this place before. He's never seen a place like this before, in fact.

His lips stop moving, and his brows draw together as he slides his face away. "Hyung..."

"What?" Taehyung whines, chasing his mouth. "Come here, you–"

"Hyung, where are we?" Jungkook keeps talking, slightly pushing himself upwards on his elbow. "This is not... This is not my apartment."

Taehyung looks at him, annoyed and eyes narrowed, and then looks around. In a second, his eyes go wide, and he springs off of Jungkook's body and onto the ground.

"Jungkook, I'm back!" Taehyung exclaims, a smile on his face. "This is my home. The palace! How did we– wow!"

But Jungkook is horrified, suddenly finding himself in an unfamiliar setting. He can't even wrap his head around it. "What is happening? Is it my turn now..to... What is this?"

Taehyung looks at Jungkook, happy tears in his eyes, and suddenly, his eyes go wide. He points at something with his finger. "Jungkook...your...your hand."

Jungkook follows Taehyung's gaze to look at his own hand, and he gets the scare of his life because he can't even see his whole hand.

It's visible just up to his wrist, and then when he pulls it towards himself in shock, he can see his palm again.

Jungkook examines his palm, brows drawn close together, and then looks at where it was positioned. Then, slowly, he pushes it back there, and his palm disappears into thin air again.

"No way..." Jungkook whispers, and then curiously drives his head through the plane of that spot.

He can't believe his eyes when he can see the interiors of his apartment on the other side. It's a portal – some kind of magical, time-space portal that has a to and fro gateway between Jungkook's apartment and Taehyung's room, it seems.

It's crazy, but Jungkook believes it.

Taehyung has been very real to him for the past few weeks, after all.

"Hyung...we found the link." Jungkook says, heart beating like crazy.

"So...I can travel back and forth?" Taehyung asks, and walks forward, sticking on foot in.

When it vanishes, he gasps.

"Looks like it." Jungkook says.

"This isn't going to stop working, right?" Taehyung asks, the worry evident in his voice.

"I hope not." Jungkook shrugs, hoping with everything he has that it never does.

It doesn't.

And then? Honestly, they feel content as long as they get to see each other, even if they exist in two different time periods.

They're still making it work.

Jungkook attends Taehyung's coronation. Feels his chest swell in pride. Taehyung feels the same way when Jungkook graduates.

Some days, Jungkook has to put on Taehyung's silk hanbok and pretend to be his friend in front of the royal family. They dare not question the king, but do wonder why this specific friend has such short hair.

And other days, Taehyung craves ramyeon and just shows up unannounced, just to hug Jungkook from behind and ask for a bowl. Obviously, Jungkook immediately gives it to him.

It's inside Jungkook's bathroom that Taehyung first tells him he loves him, and they're getting the best view of Silla's mountains from Taehyung's bedroom balcony when Jungkook finally says it back.

They spend their nights wrapped up in each other's arms. It's mostly on Jungkook's bed – they both prefer it. But little do the people of Silla know that their king has made love quite a few times on his giant, extravagant bed with his handsome 'friend.'

And while it's bizarre, they get to be with each other. Through this absurd time-space portal, somehow, they feel like they've found their other half.

It still works a year later, when Jungkook's friends come to learn of Taehyung as Jungkook's boyfriend who often travels to and from Daegu, and are extremely fond of him.

It still works when Jungkook becomes a hotshot photographer after he graduates, and the main attraction at his first exhibition is that one picture he clicked of Taehyung.

And it still works when Taehyung announces that as the king, he will not be marrying anyone, but then ends up marrying Jungkook in the modern world, suits and all.

He loves his husband so much. Doesn't think anyone in Silla would be a match.

And as long as they get to be with each other, Jungkook and Taehyung think it's okay the way it is.

♡