Chapter Text
Once every five years the elemental kingdoms are required to meet to discuss growth and relations between each kingdom. This is the first year, however, that Taehyung is made to attend. As his 25th birthday comes to pass and he has officially been crowned as the prince of their realm, it is his duty to begin learning the responsibilities that his father holds. As uneventful as this meeting turns out to be, the celebration dinner that follows is nice. Taehyung is surprised to find his close friends here as well. The prince of the earth temple, Namjoon and the freshly crowned King of the skies, Hoseok in attendance. Though, he really shouldn’t be surprised, seeing as it is getting close to the passing of generations.
“is there not an heir to the fire temple?” Taehyung is genuinely curious, as they look over the entire dinner area and the only representatives present from that kingdom are the reigning couple themselves. Surely someone has to take over, the continent of the elements centennial is next year, which is when all kingdoms are due to have the next powers lined up to take over.
“oh, they do. but i believe he is set to be wed this week, so he couldn’t attend.” Hoseok seems to be unsure before he nods furiously “yes i’m certain, he was arranged with one of the wealthy families from my kingdom.”
“how have i never met them?”
“the fire temple powers are very strange. they’ve basically sheltered him from the entire world, they hired Seokjin for private education and made him sign a non-disclosure agreement.”
“wha—“ Taehyung nearly spits out his drink “what century are we in? why are they treating their heir like that? has anyone even seen him? is he well?”
“Taehyung don’t look so disturbed. that’s just how they do things in their kingdom, the fire temple isn’t as… free as we are. even their citizens aren’t allowed to mingle outside of the kingdom like we all are, hence why you’ve never met him.” Hoseok leans in to whisper quietly “but from all of Eunwoo’s bragging apparently he’s a total smoke show with the kindest heart in the world.”
“That doesn’t even make sense, if they can’t mingle outside of their kingdom then how the hell did he end up arranged to marry someone from yours?”
“i think his family knows Eunwoo’s family, their bond goes back before the elemental kingdoms were established.”
Namjoon has returned with more drinks and finds himself puzzled by the way Taehyung’s brows are cinched insanely tight “what's wrong? why is it so tense right now?”
“Taehyung is learning the ways of the fire temple and feels angry over it. which is understandable considering how we all were brought up, but if Jungkook wishes to change things he can do so when he becomes the reigning power next year.”
Taehyung settles back into his seat. He’s not sure at all how he feels about someone that’s been sheltered from the world running a kingdom. Really, what can this Jungkook guy even do for the nation when he’s never left his temple? Taehyung doesn’t even mean it in an asshole way, like genuinely. The guy may as well be living under a rock.
One thing Taehyung knows forsure, is that the water realm and the fire temple won’t be able to keep their longstanding status as partner-kingdoms, if their new power is someone incapable of fulfilling their duties.
✧✦
“good morning, my heart”
Jungkook rolls over to find his fiancé entering his bedroom with a breakfast platter, “morning”
“our wedding is in three days” Eunwoo is smiling from ear to ear when he places the tray next to Jungkook’s bedside. Choosing to climb into bed next to him and press a kiss to his cheek “i can’t wait to be married to you.”
“is it three days already?” Jungkook looks up to the calendar on his wall and sighs “i feel like we just found out we were set to marry yesterday.”
“it’s been years, my heart. C’mon” Eunwoo laughs softly. Pressing even more kisses to Jungkook’s cheek. It’s not that Jungkook is against the wedding. It’s just…. not how he imagined his life would be. He certainly didn’t imagine being told who he would marry and when. “i know you weren’t exactly into this at first, but i’m really proud of the way we’ve grown, aren’t you?” he holds onto Jungkook’s hand softly. Intertwining their fingers and Jungkook figures, if he is set to be arranged to someone anyway, at least it is someone as kind as Eunwoo.
It is much later in the day, after Eunwoo has returned to his own home that Jungkook decides to go for a run in the temple basement. He’s grateful that his father took to building an area for him to exercise…though he would much rather exercise outside. The little glimpses of fresh air he gets from his window aren’t enough. He wants to walk barefoot in the ocean that he can see from his locked balcony doors. It’s so tempting to set flames to the hinges that barricade him from the outside. All it would take is one wave of his finger tips and he could burn it all down. He doesn’t, though. Of course not. That would be wrong.
The first thing he will do, when he takes over next year, is open the gates to the sea. Just because they are fire elementals doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be allowed to explore the ocean that is so clearly inviting them to come and play. With the way the waves crash against the vacant shore. The ocean must be lonely too, just like he is. He wants to go. It’s been twenty three years….he can wait one more.
✧✦
“Taehyung, darling, are you dressed? Your father and I are going to the fire temple, will you join us?” He is dressed however he had plans to go deep sea fishing with Seokjin and Namjoon. “what for?”
“we are going to deliver a wedding gift, as we will not be attending the actual wedding. We think this will be a good opportunity for you to introduce yourself to their son. Seeing as you will be working side by side for many decades after next year.”
“i don’t know mom..” Taehyung sighs when he opens his door all the way, looking at the woman with concerned eyes, “i don’t know that our alliance with the fire temple will be good to carry on after this year.”
“Taehyung…angel…our people have had alliance with fire elementals since the day the kingdoms were established. You do not have the choice to break that alliance. It is set to stone. Our ancestors would roll in their graves if they knew you said such a thing.”
Taehyung feels frustrated. Clearly his parents aren’t aware of the situation. “their heir has never even left the temple...how is he going to be fit to run a kingdom, let alone honor an alliance.”
His mother seems to be speechless as she nods with a sad smile “Well lets go meet him, hm? And after that we can talk to father at home about the future of the alliance.” Taehyung is annoyed that his plans of a fishing day are completely ruined but his parents don’t ask much of him, so he figures this is one request he can honor.
✧✦
“are you guys happy”
Yoongi, Jungkook’s cousin, and his husband Jimin look up from the meal they were eating with curious eyes. “shouldn’t you be getting ready? i believe you’re receiving some wedding gifts today.”
“please…” Jungkook smiles sadly “tell me that it’s worth it. Because right now all i can think about is the fact that an arranged marriage is the worst idea in the universe.”
Jimin smiles softly at him, feeling Yoongi’s hand squeeze at his thigh lightly, “we are happy, but…that’s not fair to you because we were still able to choose each other…it was an arranged marriage by our families but we got to choose each other out of dozens of people. Unlike being told specifically who we have to marry.”
Jungkook huffs and crosses his arms, “i guess i took too long to go against it. The wedding is in forty eight hours.”
“i thought you like Eunwoo?” Yoongi ruffles his hair “he’s nice and you guys get along really well.”
“yeah we get along as friends. We haven’t even kissed. I’m going to be tied to him for life and we haven’t even kissed.”
“he kisses you all the time!”
“my cheek or my hand or my forehead….but we haven’t kissed. And i don’t want to that’s not— that’s the problem. Shouldn’t i want to kiss my future husband? Shouldn’t we be all excited and floating on cloud nine?”
Yoongi cackles a bit maniacally “i think Eunwoo is bub…you’re the one who doesn’t want this.”
“i feel so bad…how can I marry him knowing i’ll never be happy?”
Yoongi gives Jimin a glare when he can see that his husband has words on the tip of his tongue, but they’re all stopped when Jungkook’s father enters. “Jungkook. Your mother and our guests are waiting for you in our private dining room.” his father nods politely at Jimin and Yoongi, “I’m sorry to interrupt.”
“it’s okay, we were finishing up anyway. We’ll talk to you later Jungkookie.” Jungkook’s head lulls backwards as he sighs. Trying to think of something, anything he can do to prevent this wedding from happening. Even if he knows it’s hopeless.
✧✦
Beautiful .
It is the only word that comes to mind yet Taehyung still feels like it isn’t enough. This is the hidden heir to the fire temple? What a fucking shame. A disgrace to the planet that this man has been kept away from everyone. Truly, it feels like a high crime of sorts. Although…maybe it’s better off that way. If his family always intended to arrange his marriage keeping him locked up is certainly the only way to keep people from going after someone as radiant as the man in front of Taehyung right now. With his hair that cascades into subtle waves. Eyes that sparkle far brighter than any star he’s ever seen. A gentle hand that reaches out with a soft smile, “Hello, I’m Jungkook.”
“Taehyung.” he says easily. “congratulations on your wedding.”
“ah…yeah…thanks” Jungkook’s smile falters and Taehyung notices immediately. Surely he’s got to know how wrong it is for him to be sheltered like this. They begin to walk and talk while their parents mingle around the table of gifts. “are you looking forward to the ceremony?”
“i suppose.” Jungkook shrugs. arms wrapping around himself “there’s supposed to be a lovely meal.”
Taehyung giggles. He can’t help it, nearly curls over in laughter as he looks up to find Jungkook puzzled “you’re most looking forward to the food?”
“of course.” Jungkook nods furiously, lips pursed in a way that almost looks like a pout. Taehyung might die, honestly. This was not a good idea at all. “food is the best part of every day, a wedding is no exception.”
“I just think one would be most excited to say their vow—”
“there you are, my heart.” Jungkook freezes in his steps. Mentally cursing his parents for inviting Eunwoo to this too. Can’t he have a couple more days of normalcy? “Eun, hi..” he unconsciously steps closer to Taehyung. There is no reason at all for it. He doesn’t even realize he did it. But the water prince does. And he cannot help the way his chest tightens. Wouldn’t you be ecstatic to see your fiancé days before your wedding? So why does Jungkook look miserably sad?
The man hooks an arm around Jungkook’s waist and tugs him away from Taehyung quickly, “I don’t believe we’ve met. You’re the prince of the water realm, right? I’m Eunwoo. My family is from the palace of the skies.”
“Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you. I was just congratulating your husband-to-be.” Eunwoo squeezes Jungkook tighter, leaning over to press an obnoxious kiss to his cheek and Taehyung notices the way Jungkook’s face twists. Opting to keep the conversation going he says, “I’m great friends with your ruler Hoseok.”
“really?” Jungkook’s face twists “how did you come to meet him if you are from differing kingdoms?”
“oh-er- um” Taehyung clears his throat, has this incredible urge to tell Jungkook how fucked up it is that he isn’t friends with them all. They’re in the same age category and all set to be rulers. Jungkook should absolutely be apart of their friend group. But he was stripped of that opportunity by his insanely controlling parents and ancient kingdom ways. “we were introduced from a young age, Hoseok, myself and the future heir to the earth temple, Namjoon.”
“wait, Namjoon…he sounds familiar…” Jungkook’s eyebrow quirks before his face lights up “is that Seokjin’s brother?! Seokjin is my teacher.”
Taehyung smiles softly as he nods, “Yep. Namjoon is Seokjin’s little brother.”
“wow.. i can’t believe you all know each other…” he’s managed to wiggle himself out of Eunwoo’s grasp. Takes a few steps closer to Taehyung as he tells Jungkook a funny story about when he met Seokjin for the first time. The way the man was super protective over his little brother but then ended up protecting Taehyung from Namjoon trying to force him to watch television shows from the human continents. Insisting it was important to their duties as future kingdom leaders. Jungkook is laughing loudly as Taehyung speaks. Goes on and on about how that sounds exactly like Seokjin because he always tells Jungkook crazy stories about his little brother’s obsession with the non-magi peoples.
Taehyung knows he shouldn’t pry, of course not, but he just can’t help it “surely you have friends too, right? Other than your teacher and your fiancé?”
“um, i mean my cousin Yoongi and his husband Jimin are my friends and I like them a lot. I don’t have many though.”
“it’s okay, i don’t either” Taehyung’s smile reaches his eyes “you’re welcome to hangout with us anytime you want. We go fishing and have days on the beach a lot.”
“the beach?” Jungkook looks a bit confused when Taehyung laughs a little “yeah, you know , the ocean?”
“you get to go?” Jungkook’s voice falters and Taehyung feels his fists clench at his sides. “of course. Have you never been? Come with us next time—”
“I-I can’t. Um. The temple itself is locked. And-and our gates are locked too, occasional visitors are allowed inside but we aren’t allowed to leave.”
“so all of the guests at your wedding will admire from outside the gates?”
“no. They will be permitted for the duration of the ceremony and reception only.”
“ahh…” Taehyung can feel Eunwoo’s eyes on him, but he doesn’t really care. “why?”
“um, our elemental powers are dangerous. Especially the royal powers. It’s to protect our people and other kingdoms.”
“yeah, the fire temple and the water realm are the two strongest elementals in the continent but…i don’t think that means you all should be sheltered inside the temple….as long as you’re all taught how to use your powers properly it should be fine to go outside.”
He wasn’t sure how Jungkook would respond. But Taehyung certainly wasn’t expecting for his hand to clasp onto Taehyung’s bicep “I agree!” face lit up and determined. eyes sparkling in a way that Taehyung cannot look away from. “that’s what i plan to do when i take over at the centenn—”
“kook, please” Eunwoo scoffs “why are you explaining yourself and our future plans to a stranger? Do you even pay attention to the lessons with your father?”
His hand falls from Taehyung’s arm with a frown.. “well, I just—”
“Jungkook, what have you been taught of the other elemental kingdoms?”
He looks confused but he answers Taehyung anyway, “i’ve learned about all of our histories. The founding. The basics of all of our powers.. um—”
“were you aware that your kingdom and my own are long standing allies, even before the kingdoms were officially put into place?”
“yes.”
Taehyung glares at Eunwoo with a smirk, “that means, that the future of your kingdom and my own are business of each other. As we will always be close allies. So do not feel guilty for sharing any information with me. It will be important for us to be on the same page, especially if your plans involve huge changes for your kingdom. You may run into issues or people who don’t want such change—it will be nice to have another kingdom to help show your people that the changes you wish to implement are all good ones.”
“yeah!” Jungkook smiles brightly “Eun, will you go check with Minsuk to see when dinner will be served? I’m going to walk with Taehyung back to our parents and bid them all goodbye.”
It’s clear that Eunwoo is unhappy but he still leans in to kiss Jungkook’s forehead, “anything you wish, my heart.”
Taehyung does his best not to cringe physically, but he cannot help it. Is about to say something he really shouldn’t say when Jungkook speaks up instead, “it’s a shame that you won’t be able to attend the wedding. I’ve enjoyed talking to you.”
“i imagine you’ll be busy with your husband on your wedding day anyway, right?” Taehyung smiles softly but the smile on Jungkook’s face nearly falls entirely when he huffs, “right.” and then they’re in the hall with their parents and Taehyung almost wishes he were going to be at the wedding too. Although, he puts the thoughts away immediately, there is no point in whatever budding interest he is feeling right now. The temple guards opening the doors for them to leave are a very clear reminder of what Hoseok said, which is that Jungkook’s entire life has been planned for him already. Taehyung just think it really sucks.
✧✦
Jungkook tries to go straight to his bedroom to sleep after dinner.
His mind hasn’t stopped racing since Taehyung left. Can’t stop thinking about the fact that all of the other kingdom’s are living their lives so much differently than he has. It makes his stomach twist in the worst ways. He’s angry. Matters growing worse when Eunwoo grabs him by the forearm to stop him from closing his bedroom door, “you won’t tell me goodbye?”
“sorry, i don’t feel like talking right now”
“oh, really?” Eunwoo chuckles bitterly “you had plenty to say to the water prince. Talked to him for over a fucking hour but can’t be bothered to say one word to me before i leave until our wedding day.”
“are you serious? All i’ve ever gotten to talk to is you! And Jimin and yoongi! For once I get to talk to someone else who is really nice and has fun stories to tell me and you’re MAD at that?”
“i’m not mad that you got to talk to someone, of course i’m not. But i am upset by your behavior, i don’t know. You were practically clinging to him. Giggling and smiling at every word he said, as if it were the two of you that were newly weds and i’m just a bystander watching.”
“with all do respect, Eun. I’m not going to apologize for making a friend. Especially now that i know he’ll be a big part of my duties as the reigning power of the temple next year.”
“oh yeah, can’t fucking wait for that. He may as well have fucked you with his eyes! And you don’t even notice!”
Jungkook’s face twists in disgust “how can you say such a crude thing? He was kind! And answered all of my questions even the ridiculous ones like what does the ocean smell like . Why are you making this something that it isn’t?”
“of course. Tell me that i’m the one in the wrong.” Eunwoo goes to the door and Jungkook just falls onto his mattress. He wished for a way out of this…he prayed and prayed to whoever in the stars was listening. And he knows that Eunwoo isn’t at fault either. He knows that. But it doesn’t stop him from saying “i’m not in the wrong either! I didn’t ask for any of this! I didn’t ask to get married, or be trapped in this bloody temple for my entire life and I certainly didn’t ask to be told how I can and can’t act around my friends!”
“oh for fucks sake, get over yourself Jungkook. I didn’t ask for this either, but it’s happening. So the least you could do is respect me as your fiancé. You met the guy one time and suddenly you’re the best of friends.”
“leave, i don’t wish to speak to you any further tonight.”
“i don’t wish to speak to you either.” the door slams hard and Jungkook’s eyes burn. He feels angry and hurt and confused and he buries his face in the pillow to prevent from unintentionally setting his entire bedroom on fire.
It’s unfair. None of this is fair to him and how is he the one painted as the bad guy? He wasn’t trying to disrespect Eunwoo at all. But Eunwoo was being very standoffish to Taehyung who was nothing but nice to them. Jungkook isn’t a property. He’s been treated like a property all of his life. Once he takes over and there is noone to boss him around further, he won’t be anyone’s property ever again. Certainly not Eunwoo’s.
✧✦
Taehyung doesn’t know how to make sense of himself. More so, how to make sense of the fact that three days ago he didn’t even know that Jungkook of the fire temple existed, and now that’s all he can think about. Even as Hoseok and Namjoon are getting everything ready on their boat to go out to sea. He just keeps thinking about how amazed Jungkook had looked when he told him that the best way to describe how their ocean smells is refreshing. That Jungkook would absolutely love to come on the water with them. It’s not fair that he’s kept inside the temple.
“what’s got your head lost in the clouds?”
He looks up to find Namjoon looking at him curiously, and well.. Taehyung has no reason to lie, “well, you know i went to the fire temple yesterday.”
“oh yeah, gift giving, how was it? Did you meet Jungkook or were his parents just standing at the door taking gifts?”
“I met him, we actually talked for awhile. Uh, Eunwoo was there too.”
“oh” Hoseok’s eyes light up “isn’t he such a nice guy?”
“i mean i guess, he acted as if i was trying to steal his trophy.”
Namjoon laughs with a sigh “well, it doesn’t help they don’t seem to have a very strong relationship. I’m sure he was intimidated. You’re a good looking guy, a royal at that.”
“you know, i kind of got that vibe about their relationship. How do you know it isn’t very strong?”
“i mean. I’m not supposed to talk about it. Jin signed the NDA remember?”
“oh come on, i’m not going to report you.” Taehyung huffs. He shouldn’t even care. But he does. He cares more than he’s willing to admit. And it’s stupid because he has no reason to care, he doesn’t even know him. But the way he clung to Taehyung’s side and the sadness he felt when Jungkook realized he’s basically being held as a prisoner by his own kingdom—it just fucked taehyung in the head.
“Jungkook asks Jin a lot of questions. About romance and relationships and marriages. Which is funny because Jin is the last person to ask these things. He has no desire to marry ever, but he does talk to Jungkook and says that the guy just seems so sad all the time. And anytime he’s tried to get him to open up about his arranged marriage he only shrugs and says ‘its how it’s meant to be’”
“but its not!” Taehyung sighs. Hoseok’s brows raise enough to make Namjoon curious and Taehyung’s face feels hot. It’s not that he cares. It’s just— Hoseok’s voice raises to an annoyingly high pitch “does the most coveted royal on the continent, our dearest water prince have a crush?”
“see! I knew you were gonna say that when i saw the look on your face!” he starts to bait his hook with another dramatic sigh “it just doesn’t feel fair. You know if their kingdom were normal he would probably be our friend too. And we could help him through the bullshit of this arrangement. But he’s stuck in the temple all by himself all day every day. Guys, i’m not joking when i say he looked so fucking pitiful when we were talking and his fiancé walked up. Like all of the life and energy had been sucked right out of him.”
“Eunwoo is a good guy.” Hoseok defends immediately “he was arranged into this too, you know. But he will take really good care of him.”
“okay, and he can be a good guy all he wants—but if Jungkook doesn’t want to get married he shouldn’t be forced to.”
Namjoon and Hoseok do agree. They do. But Taehyung is clearly very worked up over this and the last thing they need to do is encourage their friend to crash a wedding. Let alone a wedding involving the royals of the kingdom he is most strongly aligned with. Namjoon reels in the small fish he just caught with an exaggerated breath, “well, in the worst case scenario, Jungkook doesn’t have to stay married forever, once he takes over he can do whatever he wants. If he chooses to be divorced after he takes over, noone can really punish him for that.”
✧✦
The morning of the wedding, Jungkook is sad. Sad and angry and bitter. Sad and angry and thinking about Taehyung and the other elemental royals his age. The ones that get to hangout and do fun things and live their youthful lives together. Sad and angry and frustrated that even Eunwoo has the luxury of coming and going as he pleases from his own kingdom. Meanwhile Jungkook’s never been able to step outside the guard doors.
Jimin comes by early in the morning to begin his skin care and prepare for the ceremony. Lays out Jungkook’s suit and cloak across his mattress and he just wants to scream. He doesn’t want this. He doesn’t. But what can he do? He has no choice. “what’s wrong, jungkookie?”
His eyes well with tears before he can stop it, lip snarling when he looks up at Jimin with sadness in his eyes “i don’t want to do this. I don’t want to get married. I don’t want to be a part of the fire temple anymore. I hate being trapped here. I hate this life. I hate it.”
“hey, hey, relax…” Jimin wraps him in a warm hug. Jungkook’s arms draping loosely at their sides as he just sobs “you’ve been strong for so long. I know how hard it must have been. There’s less than a year until your coronation, yeah? That means less than a year until you get to live however you want. If you want to open our gates and let us all be free, you get to do that. You’re so close, Jungkookie. You’re going to be the type of ruling power that our people have longed for this entire century. You know that? I’m sorry.” Jimin’s voice cracks and he sobs “I’m sorry that life has been this way, but please stay strong. If not for yourself, for all of our people. All of the littles who have no idea they’re being sheltered from an entire world of hope. You can be their freedom, Jungkookie. I’m so sorry that noone was there to be yours. ”
Jimin is right. Jungkook leans back and takes a deep breath. It’s just jitters and anxiety, he can do this. What does it matter if he’s married. He doesn’t have to do anything. Nothing has to change between him and Eunwoo. So what if they’re tied to each other forever. They can just be house mates or something.
“it’s nothing for you to apologize for. I will be fine.” his smile is tight lipped. He looks at the spread of make up that Jimin has brought and sighs “help me finish getting ready, please?”
“of course.” Jimin grabs the make up brushes and pins Jungkook’s hair back. “you’ll be a radiant groom today.”
It doesn’t take nearly as long as Jungkook expected for them to finish his makeup and hair. It’s all very light and low maintenance. But the little dusts of glitter that Jimin has put in the corners of his eyes and the tip of his nose makes his cheeks flush. He looks good, really good. His face burns even hotter when he catches himself wondering what Taehyung would think of the glitter on his face. It’s ridiculous…but Taehyung seems like the type of person Jungkook would admire. Someone he would look to for validation because Taehyung just seems to know so much. It’s intimidating, yet he just wants to know him more. He can’t wait to become real friends with him after this year.
Jimin leaves about thirty minutes before the ceremony to go get Jungkook some tea and make sure everything is ready in the courtyard. It feels like a sick and bitter joke that Jungkook’s first time leaving the temple is for a wedding he doesn’t even want to have. Flops onto his mattress and doesn’t care much that the fabric of his suit and cloak are wrinkling. Closes his eyes and lets himself think about a version of this life where the kingdom wasn’t sectioned off and he had other friends. Friends from other kingdoms that he got to spend time with. Friends that he could walk barefoot through the sand with. Friends that he could cook meals for and make them happy with his food. Friends that he could cherish. A life that isn’t so fucking lonely. His eyelids feel heavy right when he knows it’ll be time for him to walk down to the foyer. He just doesn’t want to be lonely anymore.
“ma, I’m ready—”
“oh darling, our travel was cancelled. Apparently a terrible tsunami has hit the non-magi continent.” she smiles sadly “we will have to reschedule at a later date. Probably next summer instead.”
“what?” his brows furrow. “i didn’t even feel anything…normally i would’ve sensed it and we could’ve warned them—”
“i’m not sure.” she shrugs, his mother knows more than any about his power and he can tell on her face that she's concerned too “but there’s nothing we can do now. Hopefully the oceans will be calm now and we don’t have to worry about such things on our own land. Let’s just hope that they don’t take too much damage and that everyone is safe.”
Taehyung takes a seat on the bench in their hallway with a sigh. That is so strange. He is very in tune with his powers. He can feel so much as a change in the tide, let alone an entire tsunami. Something is wrong.
When Jungkook opens his eyes the first thing he feels is numb. His entire body is numb. Cannot feel his limbs and struggles to even raise his arm from the mattress. It’s alarming, he even tries to snap his fingers just to ensure that he can still ignite a spark but he cannot create the force necessary to do so.
What comes second is a pressure. A suffocating pressure in the air around him. When he finally manages to get to his feet he attempts to sprint out of his room but everything feels as if he’s in slow motion. Trapping in a quick sand that he cannot climb out of. Then he reaches the doors to the temple, the doors he is supposed to walk through any minute now for his wedding. But the doors are locked. Not only are they locked but they burn . Jungkook, as a fire wielder, does not feel heat. Yet the metal from the handles of the door sears his palm so severely he doesn’t dare touch it again.
He hears doors slamming shut. Feet sprinting. Before there’s a voice. Jungkook. Then another one. prince jeon, can you hear us?? Another. Jungkook! Answer us! Another one. Baby, it’s your mother. Please speak. But nothing comes out. No matter how hard he tries he cannot utter a single word. He sprints back into his bedroom, if he can get the window open he can at least let them know he’s trapped. And then it sinks in.
He’s trapped.
And if the temple doesn’t want him to leave, he will never find a way out. His chest sinks in. It feels as if a ton of bricks are pressing against him when he falls to the floor and tears well in his eyes. He’s never going to get out. He will have lived every single moment of his life within these walls and he will die within them too. The smell of burning is one that cannot be ignored. It floods down the hallways and seeps in between every door. The temple is burning and Jungkook realizes now, that he will burn along with it.
“Taehyung! Are you napping?”
He rubs his eyes at the frantic tone of his father’s voice. Followed by his fist loudly knocking at Taehyung’s bedroom door. “Son? Wake up! It’s urgent, we have to help the fire kingdom right away!”
“huh?” he gets up and takes groggy steps. He’s confused and doesn’t know what his father is talking about, until he’s being dragged by the wrist outside. Even from their front gates they can see the large shroud of smoke that fills the air. Though it isn’t black or grey like a bonfire cloud would be. It’s not even ashy like a wildfire would burn. It’s red. Burning, blazing , red. This isn’t normal. And it ties back to what Taehyung felt earlier when he heard about the tsunami. Something is wrong .
They’re nearly at the kingdom gates when he sees Hoseok and his brother flying in with Seokjin and Namjoon attached to their hips. “what is going on? Have you guys gone inside?”
“King Jeon should be here any second—”
“I don’t know what any of you can do.” the lady of the fire temple falls to her knees in front of them. Vicious tears streaming down her face “we can’t get inside. M-my-my baby he’s stuck. He’s inside and it’s burning and my husband cannot dispel the flames.”
“Jungkook is inside?” Seokjin is near shouting “why wouldn’t he have been in the courtyard for the ceremony!”
“he was supposed to!” two short-ish guys run up out of breath and clothes burned in spots where they must have been trying to battle the flames. “but seconds before i went inside to bring him out for the ceremony the doors slammed shut and locked us all out. Even the doors separating the kitchen staff from the rest of the temple are locked.”
“so there are other members inside as well?” Taehyung’s father drops his cloak to the floor and begins looking frantically, for who Taehyung assumes would be the king Jeon. “no. The kitchen window was shattered out and they were able to escape.”
“but no other windows shattered?!” It’s Namjoon now who’s voice has raised “we need to find a way into this building to get him out! Fuck the temple, but we cannot let Jungkook burn in there.”
Something has pissed off the elements. Taehyung can feel it in his gut. This is no accidental burning. This is deliberate. Just like his oceans raging into a tsunami without him noticing, was deliberate. The elements are angry at them, for reasons he doesn’t know. Reasons he doesn’t have time to think about right now. The only thing he can do at this moment is try to help put out the flames while the others try to get inside that damn temple.
“Hoseok, can you fly me to the balcony on the left wing of this building it leads to Jungkook’s bedroom.” Taehyung watches as Hoseok and Seokjin take off to the opposite side of the building meanwhile he rushes to the source of the flames. A giant raging fire from the back of the temple. There’s hundreds of people with water sources, his own parents using all of their power and nothing is working. Taehyung rushes to try to find where the fire begins. Builds up the most potent orb of water from all of the seas on the planet. Yet when he blasts it right at the base of the fire, nothing happens. At least a sizzle should have occurred. But it is almost as if the fire avoided his orb. Morphing around it until the water splashed against the temple wall before it covered the spot again to continue its rage.
Touch it.
A damn voice has been telling him to touch it since they entered the kingdom. Touch what? He doesn’t know. But after witnessing the way these flames reacted to his orb, he is curious. And a bit terrified. Still he steps closer, he can hear his mother calling for him in the distance, but he just keeps walking. Hand extended and he’s nervous. When his index finger reaches out to touch the flame, Taehyung clenches his eyes shut. But before he can touch the flame there’s a voice screaming from the place he saw Hoseok fly Seokjin to. He doesn’t get time to catch up to what’s going on before Hoseok’s brother has hands on his waists and is taking him into the air “we need you up here, now . The heir is unconscious, Jin can barely see him. The flames have reached his bedroom and smoke is starting to block the glass.”
From where they are flying Taehyung can see Eunwoo and Jungkook’s mother on the ground beneath the balcony that Jin and Hoseok are desperately trying to bust open. But nothing is working. Seokjin’s fingers are charred from burns when Taehyung is put on his feet beside them. He will heal Seokjin’s hands as soon as he gets this damn balcony open. Builds up another orb because with no flames here maybe the water pressure will be enough to burst the glass. To all of their dismay nothing happens. Almost as if the temple rejected the water and reflected it back on all of them. Clothes drenched and frustrated Taehyung bangs a fist on the frame of the balcony door, “what the fuck is your problem?!” He doesn’t know what he’s yelling at. The temple. The fire element. The glass. The universe. Everything . But there’s a person in there who does not deserve to die by these insanely infuriating flames. Hoseok gasps. “Taehyung do that again.”
“what? Yell at the fucking temple?”
“No! Hit the doorframe!”
So he does, Hoseok and Seokjin watching in amazement as the hinges shift. Those hinges have been welded shut. Yet they’re moving every time Taehyung’s hand touches the door. They all share a look at each other, before Taehyung says fuck it. Protecting his hands with an insoluble glaze he takes hold of both balcony handles, in utter disbelief when the balcony doors fly open. Knocking them all to their feet when smog and smoke fill the air they were breathing but Taehyung is already moving. On all fours, unable to see, he’s crawling. Crawling until he bumps into something that must be another person. He’s never claimed to be the strongest elemental when it comes to muscle, yet it’s easier than he anticipated to pull Jungkook’s body over his back and drag him out onto the balcony. Free from the flames and the smoke, and out where Hoseok can take him and fly him to a safer ground. The smog was potent and Taehyung can feel the tightening of his lungs when they’re outside and Seokjin’s voice is loud. It get’s drowned out by all of the voices. Jungkook’s mother crying, Eunwoo yelling, Jungkook’s father shouting various words and praises and phrases. Drowned out by the voice that kept tempting Taehyung to touch it now murmuring, sleep. And his eyes flutter shut before he can fight it off. Before he feels himself being lifted. The pressure in his chest is too tight and so he succumbs, but he got Jungkook out… right?