DIAMOND| YOONMIN

VII. Forest Of The Dark

"And into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul." Unknown.

"I came to see you."

Jimins's eyes grew wider as he restated what the King said in his mind. "M-me?" he mumbled in a small voice. "Why?

Yoongi nervously rubbed the back of his neck and approached him, avoiding his eyes. "Hoseok and Namjoon kept bothering me to come apologize to you. They can be very insisting."

"Oh? Apologize for what, your Majesty?"

Yoongi sighed and lifted his head to let him stare at his sapphire blue eyes. "For being rude to you." he answered. "You were a stranger to me and I couldn't trust you easily, this is how I am."

Jimin smiled. "I understand." he said. "You've been through a lot and I get why you don't trust just anyone."

The King nodded and kept staring at him confusingly, like he was feeling bad for acting rudely toward such an innocent creature like him.

"Jimin, are you alright? I sent you to bring my robe and you got l-" Taehyung widened his eyes when he spotted the King in front of the mansion. "Your Majesty?"

"Good morning." Yoongi said.

"It is...very strange to see you here." the Elf chuckled nervously.

"Oh, yes I was just passing by." the King lied, avoiding Jimin's stare.

"Well now that you are here, I would like to invite you inside." Taehyung smiled. "Come in please."

"I am actually busy, maybe another t-" Yoongi didn't have time to finish his words when Jimin gently grabbed his arm. "Please, your Majesty. Stay with us for a moment." he said with a sweet voice the older couldn't resist.

The black-haired sighed and nodded. "Alright then."

Jimin's eyes were sparkling as the King stepped inside Vulas.

"Prepare us some tea, please." the Elf asked his servant.

Taehyung prefered that they settle outside in the large garden that could be seen from the large windows of the library. He invited the King to sit on a large golden chair while he sat near Jimin in front of him.

"It has been a long time since I last saw you in the village." the long-haired said.

"I know." the King sighed. "I practically don't leave the castle."

"Why not?" Jimin pouted.

"I don't know." Yoongi shrugged. The King grieved on the inside, but believed that he hid his sorrow from everyone. He was one of those creatures you can read easily just by seeing the color of his eyes or his movements. However, no one dared mention it to him. He knew that some could know his emotions but he tries to forget it and hide his sadness because he thinks that his position as ruler demanded a look of complete confidence and control.

"Your tea, my Lord." the servant, Karlyle placed the silver tray on the small glass table.

"Thank you." Taehyung smiled.

The King felt comfortable around the Elf, five years have passed and he still couldn't stop blaming himself for Kythaela's death. He knew Taehyung really loved his sister, they were inseparable since they were children, they lived all the good experiences together and knew each other better than anyone. Before marrying her, Yoongi had to promise his friend that he will take good care of his sister and always protect her no matter what happens. But he failed.

"Your Majesty." Taehyung broke the silence. "There is no need to feel bad when you are around me." he gave him a small smile. "The past is the past, maybe it is time for us to move on."

"You are right." Yoongi nodded. "Too many years and I am still not able to forget, it's killing me."

Jimin stared at them sadly, he felt bad because he wasn't there for them when they needed comfort. He wished he could have discovered this world before, he wished he could be a part of their life five years ago to help them and never let their friendship break.

"I know." Taehyung sighed and stared at the King. "I really miss our old days."

"Me too."

Jimin wanted to make the environment happier so he stood up and clapped his hands. "Then, how about you start hanging up with the others like you did before?" he smiled. "I am sure you will feel better this way."

The Elf smiled. "You are right Jimin, we should let go of the painful memories and start making beautiful ones. What do you think, your Majesty?"

The black-haired nodded slowly. "Maybe we should try, yes."

They spent the entire morning in the garden, drinking their tea and talking about all the things they did in the past. Jimin was more than excited to hear their old adventures; like when they used to sneak out of the palace at night to go on a picnic in the forest and come back in the morning to face the late King and get scolded; they used to play with the unicorn's horns until they annoy them and get chased by them. They told him a lot of funny and stupid things they used to do until he couldn't control his laughter anymore.

A few hours passed and it was time for Yoongi to come back to the castle.

"It was very nice to talk to you again." Taehyung said when they were in front of the portal.

The King just smiled and gently bowed to him before heading outside.

"Your Majesty!" Jimin followed him running and grabbed his arm. "Wait." he said with a breathless voice.

"What is it?" Yoongi asked, trying not to look at his red cheeks.

"Will you come back?" the diamond-haired asked, making the King stare at him surprisingly. "Please come back to see us."

The older put his hand on his to get it away from his arm in a gentle way. "I don't know Diamond, I don't know." he mumbled quietly before leaving.