Jungkook strode through the grand corridors of the palace, Lyra beside him, still grumbling about his reckless decisions.

"You could have played it safe, you know," she muttered. "Just lose a little. Make them think you're not a threat."

Jungkook snorted. "Think? Ly, I just wiped the floor with both of them. That ship has sailed."

Lyra groaned. "Yeah, yeah, Mr. Untouchable. Just don't come crying to me when Pretty Boy and his twin decide they don't like you breathing their royal air."

Jungkook smirked. "You think Taehyung doesn't like me?"

Before Lyra could answer, a smooth voice interrupted.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that."

They both turned and there he was.

Taehyung leaned casually against the marble column, arms crossed, his golden robe slipping just slightly off his broad shoulders. His sword rested at his hip, but there was no tension in his stance. Only amusement.

Lyra stiffened. "Uh, I'll... leave you two to whatever this is." She shot Jungkook a pointed look before disappearing down the hallway.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow. "You stalking me now, Your Highness?"

Taehyung chuckled, pushing off the column. "If I was, would you be flattered?"

Jungkook tilted his head, stepping closer. "Maybe. But I'd also be suspicious. A prince wasting his time on a mere outsider?" He tsked. "Scandalous."

Taehyung smirked, closing the distance between them. "You're not just an outsider, darling." His voice dropped into something lower, something dangerous. "You're a problem."

Jungkook grinned. "I get that a lot."

For a moment, they stood there (too close) eyes locked. Jungkook could see the gold flecks in Taehyung's dark irises, the way his lips curled like he was always a second away from teasing or devouring.

Then, a third voice cut through the tension.

"And yet, he still stands."

V.

Jungkook turned slightly, finding the other twin at the far end of the hall, watching them. Unlike Taehyung's easy smirk, V's expression was unreadable.

Jungkook met his stare, cocking his head. "Didn't take you for the jealous type, Pretty Boy."

V's lips twitched (just barely). "I don't get jealous."

Taehyung scoffed. "Liar."

Jungkook snorted. "Guess I'll just have to test that theory."

V's gaze darkened slightly, but he didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he took slow, measured steps toward them until he was standing on Jungkook's other side.

Jungkook suddenly found himself between the twin princes, the heat of their presence pressing in from both sides.

V leaned in slightly, his voice low. "The Emperor isn't the only one who's watching you."

Jungkook raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to intimidate me?"

V's lips barely curved. "Should I be?"

Taehyung, still smirking, dragged a slow finger along the edge of Jungkook's sleeve, his voice a lazy purr. "I think he likes you, Jungkook."

Jungkook turned to Taehyung, eyes narrowing. "Do you?"

For the first time, Taehyung didn't answer immediately. Instead, he studied Jungkook, eyes lingering on his lips, the faint bruise forming on his jaw from the fight.

Then, in a slow, deliberate motion, Taehyung lifted a hand fingertips ghosting over Jungkook's chin, tilting his face slightly.

Jungkook let him.

"Like isn't the right word," Taehyung murmured.

Jungkook swallowed. "Oh? And what is?"

Taehyung smiled sharp, dangerous. "Intrigued."

V let out a low hum beside them. "Careful, Jungkook," he murmured. "You keep teasing him, and he will bite."

Jungkook smirked, eyes flicking between them. "Then maybe I'll have to see how sharp his teeth are."

For the first time, V's lips curled into something resembling a smirk.

And Taehyung?

His eyes darkened with something far more dangerous than intrigue.

Something like possession.

Jungkook had fought them in the arena.

But this?

This was a different kind of battle.

And he was more than ready to win.

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