behind closed doors

15장

⚠️there's a scene in this chapter which readers could find upsetting ⚠️

They were all sitting around the bed, trying to make the Queen feel as comfortable as possible. She wanted to have a sweet send off, and leave feeling happy. It was difficult for them all not to cry and the Queen knew it but she didn't want that to stop her happy send off.

"Taehyung when you were just a pup we were teaching you how to growl. You decide to practice it and you tried it on a butterfly. You made a weird gurgle noise, instead of it being scared, it scared you and flew right at you. You were so scared you began running with your little feet screaming that the butterfly was going to kill you" the king explained the story making the Queen laugh breathlessly, which turned into a few chesty coughs and a wheeze.
"That's so embarrassing" Taehyung held his face in his hands for a brief moment.
Jungkook giggled slightly at the story, as he could imagine a little Taehyung running from a butterfly.

The Queen weakly stretched out her hand to her son and the other to her husband. She squeezed them gently and looked at them both.
"My beautiful boys" she whispered.
"Look after each other, I love you all, all three of you" she said looking at Jungkook as well.
Tears fell from the corner of her eye and rolled down her cheek. She shut her eyes and the grip on their hands released. They watched as her face paled and her face was expressionless.
"L-long live the Queen" the king called out.
Taehyung and Jungkook repeated it in small voices.

The King began to cry holding onto her lifeless hand. Jungkook swallowed a lump in his throat, wiping a small tear away, he needed to be there for Taehyung. Taehyung had an emotionless face. He placed his hand on the back of the kings back and rubbed it gently. The king cried more not wanting to believe his mate had died. His heart was in agony, he wished that he was the one who died not her. "Taehyung do you mind giving me some space for a while" the king asked softly not wanting to be harsh on him.
"Of course father, tell me if you need anything" Taehyung said picking up the courage to talk to his father without crying himself.

Jungkook stood up from the bed following Taehyung out the door. They went to their chambers and shut the door behind them. Taehyung laid on the bed without uttering a word. Jungkook wasn't expecting any words from the elder, he knew it would be too difficult for him.
He followed Taehyung on the bed and leant against the head board. He wrapped an arm around Tae's back. Taehyung snuggled into Jungkook's side, wrapping an arm around the younger's waist. Jungkook made small patterns on the elders back and kissed his head every now and again. He ruffled the boys hair and whispered a few things to the alpha.

Jungkook felt the boy tighten his grip around Jungkook's waist. Taehyung nuzzled his face into Jungkook's body as he tried stopping himself from crying, but it didn't work. Tears fell from his eyes, falling down his face onto Jungkook's jumper. Sniffles were heard in the room making Jungkook relieved. He was glad Taehyung trusted him enough that he didn't want to hold up his guard. Jungkook shuffled down so his face was right next to Tae's. He placed a hand on Taehyung's cheeks and caressed it, gently wiping away the tears which fell down his face. He leant forward and pressed a kiss on Taehyung's lips. It quick but he wanted to show Taehyung that he was proud of him. Taehyung understood because he leant his forehead against the younger's.

Not long later Taehyung fell asleep. Jungkook studied Taehyung's face from the close proximity. He noticed the bags forming under his eyes, and his nose had a red tip from when he was crying. He swore to himself that he would do anything to help Taehyung. He wanted to be there for the elder, instead of letting him suffer on his own like he did when his dad passed. He let the boy sleep and cuddle with him for a little longer, till Jungkook decided that Taehyung needed to eat, as he hadn't eaten anything all day.

Jungkook slipped out of Tae's hold and replaced himself with a pillow. He walked away from the room and walked past the room with the king. He looked in quickly and saw that the Queen's body had already been taken away. However he noticed that the king was laying on the floor. Jungkook sighed softly, and walked in quietly. He bent down and lightly touched the King's shoulder, waking him up. The King opened his eyes and saw Jungkook.
"O-oh Jungkook" his voice rasped out.
"Come, you shouldn't be on the floor" Jungkook said with a quiet, sweet tone.
He had grown much more comfortable around the king, and he told the boy to drop formalities when it's just them.

The king nodded and Jungkook helped the king up, leading him to the bed. Jungkook covered the King with the duvet covers and sat next to him.
"How are you feeling?" Jungkook asked gently.
"I'm alright, how's my son?" He asked with worry.
"He's fragile, but I think he'll be okay, I'll make sure he's not alone" Jungkook said sweetly.
"I'm glad he has you, you're an absolute angel. Thank you because if you weren't here I think both of us would fall part" the King sighed.
"It's alright, I'm here for both of you. Now you should probably get some rest. Remember to eat later. I've left Tae to get him some food" Jungkook smiled lightly as he stood up from the bed.

The king did what the boy said. Jungkook wasn't treating him like a baby, he just knew he was fragile. Both the prince and the king would be fragile for a while, so Jungkook knew he had to help them and show them it was okay.

Jungkook walked to the palace kitchen and asked for them to make a sandwich for Tae. They quickly made one and Jungkook thanked them. He went back to their room and noticed Taehyung passed out. He slowly shook the boy and woke him up. Taehyung groaned and open his eyes.
"Come on Tae, you need to eat" Jungkook helped prop the boy up. Jungkook sat next to him and gave Tae the sandwich. Taehyung rested his head on Jungkook's small shoulder and ate the sandwich. Once he finished he hugged Jungkook tight.
"Thank you" Taehyung mumbled out.
"I'm proud of you" Jungkook kissed his head.