"My husband, please give me a chance to explain myself"

"I can't abide to look at you"

”Please. I beg you”

The urgency in Jinki’s voice caused Jonghyun to look up, into his face. Jinki, with his eyes b with unshed tears, just looked immensely vulnerable at that moment and that was certainly something Jonghyun couldn't resist. Holding Jinki's hands, Jonghyun pulled him to sit beside him on the bed, his face softening,

"Make me understand. Tell me why you started stealing"

"I was someone who never knew what struggle was. Ever since my parents died, everyone in the kingdom treated me as their own, and gave up what they had, just so that I would remain happy. When I realized what was happening, I vowed to protect them at all costs, come what may. Once, when I was traveling to another kingdom for my first tournament, I saw a group of people who were forced to leave as they weren't able to pay the taxes enforced on them. A family of four, the woman heavily pregnant, struggling for their next meal while their rulers sat on a jeweled throne. I couldn't bear to see it and tried to help them when we were all stopped by a band of rebels. At that moment, I was able to understand what they were trying to do. The rebels all were brave, but they needed a leader. The people needed help, so I became the leader of the rebels. Instead of entering the tournament, I went as a spectator and found out where the coffers were. We struck at night, taking everything we could, and left a note for the ruler that we would return to take his life if he didn't treat his subjects well. That was where it all started. I didn't mean to attack you. Please believe me."

"Let's not talk about me. I'm happy that you helped out those people, but you need to stop this, Jinki. It isn't safe"

"With someone like you by my side, I'm sure I'll be fine"

"The two princes who kidnapped you....have you robbed them before?"

"Never, but now they're my next target. I promise you that I will stop"

"I cannot permit you to do this"

Now that he'd heard the story, Jonghyun couldn't help but feel a little proud of Jinki. It seemed as though both of them had lived rough lives, but dealt with it differently. How could Jonghyun remain angry with Jinki for hiding something when he had done the same thing?

"My prince, there's something I have to tell you. It's about the lad"

"Is Taemin your son? Both of you have similar features"

"No, he's my brother's"

"Why hasn't he been crowned yet? The lad has royal blood"

Jonghyun stopped in his tracks, having not expected this conversation to go as smoothly as it was.

"Don't you have any objection to it?"

"None"

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Overcome by relief and feeling as though a heavy weight had been lifted from his chest, Jinki got into the covers, leaving enough room for Jonghyun to join him. He had already suspected that the lad was royal, from his regal bearing. Even the lad's fondness for Jonghyun made him wonder if he was his heir. Once they returned to their kingdom, he wanted to sit the lad down and tell him, together. His heart fluttered as he felt Jonghyun enter the covers as well. Settling down, Jonghyun's deep and easy breathing told him that he was asleep. Sitting up to look at Jonghyun's sleeping face, Jinki was struck once again by how handsome he was. his hair, Jinki smiled as the sleeping Jonghyun sighed before stretching his arm across Jinki's waist and snuggled close. It felt nice. Having Jonghyun's arm around him felt really good, and this closeness was something Jinki had definitely missed out on. Smiling at the way their bodies seemed to fit together perfectly, Jinki closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. 

Jonghyun awoke to find Jinki lying almost across him, curled up like a child, his fist touching his cheek. Lightly tracing Jinki's features, Jonghyun kissed his forehead to wake him up. The beatific smile on Jinki's face was more than enough for him to understand that this was not a dream, but reality. Jinki did feel the same way towards him. 

"My prince, I've called for a bath, so once you're finished, we can dine and leave for the castle"

"Stay"

"But...the bath..."

"There's no reason why I should bathe alone"

Letting out a little squeak of astonishment, Jonghyun abruptly left the room before Jinki could see how red his face had become. Hearing Jinki's giggles through the closed door, Jonghyun shook his head, smiling to himself as he went to speak to the cook. It was definitely much too soon, but it was good that both of them wanted to take things at a slow pace.

*********************************************************************************

Jinki couldn't help but laugh as he saw Jonghyun skipping out of their room, his face turning an endearing shade of pink. It was enjoyable to tease his husband and watch him squirm. Jonghyun didn't know this, but Jinki had his own plans for what to do once they went back to the castle. He had planned to attack his kidnappers and return back before Jonghyun woke up. The easiest way for Jonghyun to not wake up is if Jinki gave him a sleeping-draught, which wouldn't be an easy task. They kept stealing glances at each other from across the table as they dined, which made Jinki realize that they were courting each other, all over again. He was able to see the soft side that his husband had kept hidden from most of the people who knew him. How could he have thought Jonghyun was a brutish boor? It was time to return to their reality, and somehow Jinki really didn't want this day to end. Feeling romantic, Jinki suggested riding together, on his horse, which was the sturdier of the two. Though Jonghyun had expressed some initial reluctance overtiring the horse, Jinki managed to convince his husband to ride in front of him for a few minutes. Jinki was enjoying the way Jonghyun felt against him. Slipping an arm around his waist, and caressing it slightly, Jinki grinned as Jonghyun shivered with the thrill. What Jinki enjoyed the most was the various reactions of his husband as he touched him.