When they reached the room, Taehyung stepped inside, the dim light from the window casting long shadows across the floor. He laid Jungkook down on the bed with a gentleness that felt almost reverent, as if the boy might shatter if handled too roughly. The servants brought a towel, and Taehyung took it without a word, his hands moving with a quiet precision as he wiped the remnants of tears from Jungkook's face. The fabric was soft, the touch even softer, a small act of care in a world that had been anything but kind to the boy.

Taehyung sat on the edge of the bed, his hands still cradling Jungkook's, his thumb brushing lightly over the younger's knuckles. He watched the rise and fall of Jungkook's chest, the way his lashes fluttered faintly in sleep, the tension in his face slowly easing. For the first time since he'd found Jungkook crumpled on the ground, Taehyung felt something other than confusion or guilt. It was a quiet ache, a pull in his chest that he couldn't quite name.

He stayed like that for hours, silent and still, keeping watch over the boy who had somehow, without warning, become so important to him.

When Jungkook woke, the sunlight was streaming through the curtains, painting the room in soft, golden hues. He blinked, his mind still foggy with sleep, and turned his head. His breath caught.

There, slumped in a chair pulled close to the bed, was Taehyung. His head was tilted back against the chair, his long legs stretched out in front of him, and his hands—warm and steady—were still loosely holding Jungkook's.

For a moment, Jungkook couldn't process it. Fragments of the previous day flickered in his mind—Taehyung's voice, his own breakdown, the weight of everything he'd been carrying. But this? Had Taehyung really stayed all night?

His pulse quickened, his chest tightening with something he couldn't quite name.

Taehyung stirred, his lashes fluttering open as if he'd sensed Jungkook's gaze. His eyes landed on the younger, and a slow, sleepy smile spread across his face. "Good morning, Jungkook," he said, his voice low and rough with sleep.

The sound sent a shiver down Jungkook's spine. He looked away, his cheeks burning. "Why... why are you here?"

Taehyung's smile turned playful, his tone teasing. "Not even a good morning? How rude."

Jungkook shot him a glare, but there was no real heat behind it. Taehyung chuckled, the sound warm and familiar, but then his expression softened, his gaze turning serious.

"I couldn't leave you," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "You looked so fragile yesterday, Jungkook. Like you might break if I walked away." He paused, his thumb brushing lightly over Jungkook's hand. "So, I stayed."

The words hung in the air, heavy and unspoken, and Jungkook's heart stuttered in his chest. He didn't know what to say, so he looked down at their joined hands instead, the warmth of Taehyung's touch grounding him.

Taehyung broke the silence first, his tone lighter now. "You must be hungry. Should we eat?"

Jungkook blinked, startled out of his thoughts. "Breakfast?"

"Yes, breakfast," Taehyung said, already rising from the chair with a fluid grace that made Jungkook's stomach do an inconvenient flip. "Do grand dukes not eat in the morning?"

Jungkook rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath as he climbed out of bed. "We do."

By the time they sat down at the small dining table, a modest spread of food had been laid out—warm soup, fresh bread, and an array of side dishes. Jungkook ate quietly at first, his appetite only just beginning to return.

"You should eat more," Taehyung said, nodding toward Jungkook's bowl. "You're too thin."

Jungkook glanced at him, startled. "I'm fine."

"Fine isn't good enough," Taehyung countered, his voice steady but kind. "You need to take care of yourself."

Jungkook hesitated, the sincerity in Taehyung's tone catching him off guard. He mumbled something indistinct, focusing on his food instead.

Taehyung leaned back in his chair, watching him for a moment before speaking again. "I don't understand why you carry everything alone, Jungkook. You don't have to."

Jungkook's hand froze mid-motion. He didn't look up, but Taehyung's words pressed into him, stirring something raw and unspoken.

"Everyone expects something from me," Jungkook finally said, his voice low. "It's easier this way."

Taehyung's gaze didn't waver. "Easier for them, maybe. Not for you."

The silence that followed felt heavier, but not uncomfortable. Jungkook finished his meal without another word, his thoughts swirling.

When Taehyung rose to leave, brushing off his robes as he prepared to return to the palace, Jungkook stood too, watching him with an expression he couldn't quite read. "Thank you," he said quietly. "For staying."

Taehyung smiled, the kind that felt like sunlight breaking through clouds. "Anytime, Jungkook. Remember that."

The late evening sunlight spilled through the tall windows of Jungkook's room, painting the thick carpet in soft, golden patterns. He sat curled up on the chaise lounge, a book propped in his hands, his face twisted in a mix of disbelief and mild horror.

The title of the book, "A Lady's Eternal Devotion," gleamed in gold on the leather cover. It was the kind of aristocratic romance that high society adored—flowery, dramatic, and utterly ridiculous. Jungkook, however, was not impressed.

"What is this garbage?" he muttered under his breath, flipping the page with a scowl. The plot was a trainwreck. The duke had abandoned his wife for gambling and mistresses, only to waltz back two years later with a bouquet of stolen roses and a half-hearted apology. And the wife? She'd accepted it with trembling gratitude, as if his cruelty were some grand romantic gesture.

Jungkook groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This society is insane" he said aloud, his voice dripping with disdain. He glanced at a particularly cringeworthy line: 'His cruelty was merely his love in disguise.'

"Disguise? More like a red flag the size of a castle," Jungkook muttered, tossing the book onto the table. "If this guy existed in the modern world, he'd be ripped apart on social media. Cancel culture would eat him alive."

Just as he was about to launch into another rant, the door burst open. Jimin strode in, his grin wide enough to rival the sun, cradling something wrapped in a soft cloth.

"Jimin," Jungkook said, lowering the book and narrowing his eyes. "What now? Did someone write me into another ballad? Or is there a new rumor about me I should know about?"

"No," Jimin said, his tone dripping with drama. "I bring you something far better than gossip or songs. Behold!"

With a flourish, he pulled back the cloth, revealing a tiny, bright-eyed fox kit. Its fur was a vibrant orange, and faint magical markings glowed softly along its ears and paws.

Jungkook blinked, staring at the creature. "Is that... a baby fox?"

Jimin nodded, his grin widening. "A gift. From Taehyung."

The mention of Taehyung snapped Jungkook out of his daze. "Why is he giving me a fox?"

"Patience, Kookie," Jimin said, sitting down on the edge of the bed, the fox nestled comfortably in his lap. "It's from the hunting contest. Taehyung won, by the way. He hunted the grand stag—best of all the magical creatures in the forest. It was quite the spectacle."

Jungkook's expression darkened immediately. "Hunted? What, did everyone cheer as he dragged it back, bleeding and half-dead? Did you all feast on it afterward?" His voice was sharp, laced with disgust.

Jimin burst into laughter, the sound bright and unapologetic. "Oh my god, no! The weapons we use don't hurt the animals. The bows, arrows, swords—they're enchanted. They only make the creatures fall asleep for a while. Nobody gets hurt."

Jungkook relaxed slightly but still looked skeptical. "Fine. And the fox?"

Jimin's tone softened, his grin fading into something more genuine. "Its mother was killed by one of the Rogues outside the hunting grounds. Taehyung found it alone. He said it reminded him of you."

Jungkook blinked, caught off guard. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Jimin shrugged, his grin returning. "Adorable but prickly, maybe?"

Jungkook shot him a glare, but his attention was quickly drawn back to the fox. It yawned, its tiny mouth stretching wide before it snuggled deeper into the cloth, its glowing markings flickering faintly.

"It's... kind of cute," Jungkook admitted grudgingly, though he refused to let his guard down completely.

Jimin's grin turned smug. "Kind of cute? It's adorable, and you know it. Besides, Taehyung thought you'd like it. Said you could use a friend."

Jungkook rolled his eyes, but there was no real bite to it. He reached out tentatively, his fingers brushing against the fox's soft fur. The creature stirred, its bright eyes blinking open to meet his.

"Fine," Jungkook said, his voice softer now. "But if this thing starts chewing on my books, it's out."

Jimin laughed, the sound warm and familiar. "Deal. Now, what are you going to name it?"

Jungkook hesitated, his gaze lingering on the fox. "I don't know. Something... not ridiculous."

"How about 'Prickly'?" Jimin suggested, his grin widening.

Jungkook shot him another glare, but there was a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Don't push your luck, Jimin."

As the fox curled up in his lap, Jungkook couldn't help but feel a strange sense of warmth. Maybe, just maybe, this little creature wasn't such a bad gift after all.

"There's more," Jimin said, his voice dripping with mischief as he reached into his coat. He pulled out a folded note, holding it out to Jungkook like it was some kind of treasure. "From His Majesty."

Jungkook eyed the note warily, as if it might bite him. He took it reluctantly, unfolding it with careful fingers. The handwriting was elegant, the ink dark and precise against the parchment.

"Jungkook,

I thought you might appreciate this little one. She's strong and stubborn, but I think she has a kind heart.

Just like you.

—Taehyung."

Jungkook's face burned. He folded the note quickly, shoving it into his pocket like it was a secret he couldn't let anyone see.

Jimin raised an eyebrow, his grin widening into something downright smug. "So?"

"So what?" Jungkook snapped, his voice a little too sharp. He busied himself with the fox, avoiding Jimin's gaze.

"So, you're blushing."

"I am not."

"You totally are. Your ears are red."

Jungkook groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Can you just tell me what to feed this thing?"

Jimin laughed, the sound bright and unapologetic. He handed the fox over, the tiny creature curling up in Jungkook's arms like it had always belonged there. "You're welcome, little spark. And don't worry—she's already attached to you."

Jungkook looked down at the fox, its bright eyes blinking up at him. Despite himself, a small smile tugged at his lips. The absurdity of the book, the stress of the court, the weight of everything he'd been carrying—it all faded, just for a moment.

"She's cute," he muttered, more to himself than to Jimin.

Jimin smirked, leaning against the doorframe. "Taehyung thinks so too."

"Get out."

Jimin left the room cackling, his laughter echoing down the hall. Jungkook sighed, sinking back into the chaise lounge. The fox yawned, stretching its tiny paws before settling into his lap.

He reached into his pocket, pulling out the note again. His eyes skimmed over the words, his chest tightening in a way he couldn't quite explain.

Just like you.

Jungkook groaned, tossing the note onto the table. "Stupid," he muttered, though there was no real heat behind it.

The fox stirred, nuzzling against his hand. Jungkook sighed, scratching behind its ears. "Guess you're stuck with me, huh?"

The fox blinked up at him, its glowing markings flickering faintly. Jungkook couldn't help but smile.

"Fine," he said, his voice softer now. "But if you start chewing on my books, we're going to have a problem."

The fox yawned again, as if to say, Deal.