Diamond: The City

"Old ways won't open new doors." Unknown

"Stop right there!"

The two men froze when they saw the guards standing before them.

The prince hurried to put the blue hood on to hide his face because he could not risk getting recognized by the king's men.

"Infiltrating inside the king's castle is a crime!" one of the men screamed.

The prince should be relieved that they were doing their work well, but at that moment he just wished they could be stupid and clumsy.

"Arrest them!"

Fortunately, the masked man was quicker than them. He grabbed the prince's hand and kicked the first man who approached them before running away in the middle of the large and dark corridor.

"Do not look back, just run!" he told the prince. "Who told you it was a good idea to come here?!"

Surprisingly, the silver-haired did not feel very scared or nervous. While running, he could not stop laughing. It was his first time running away from people who want to arrest him and it felt so new and so exciting to him that he thought he did well to leave his home and go on an adventure.

The masked man had no idea of where he was going, but he made sure to run from corridor to other in order to confuse the guards and make them lose their track.

"There is a hidden door somewhere." the silver-haired said with a breathless voice. "They put it for emergency purposes, they won't guess that we know it."

"Where is it?"

"I do not remember well, it must be just somewhere here."

The Eagle rolled his eyes, "Really?"

"Just follow me."

"The last time I followed you we almost got caught." he could see him faking a smile despite the mask covering his face.

"Come on, it is not that bad." the prince chuckled. "I am sure we can leave."

"If you say so." the Eagle sighed and followed him.

He cursed when he heard footsteps approaching.

"Seems like we have to run again." Jimin shrugged and dragged the masked man with him.

"Stop!" the guards shouted. "Don't you think you can leave this castle!"

"We will see about this." the Prince smirked and pushed the large pot for plants strongly to make them fall on the ground. Yoongi helped him and chuckled when he saw the guards struggling to get past them.

"You can be really wild when you want huh." he told the prince.

He was laughing while following him and he did not see nor feel someone behind them.

"Got you!" Jimin widened his eyes when he saw the guard grabbing his friend's arm.

"Let go of him!" he shouted.

"And why would I listen to you?" the man furrowed.

"Because I am your pr-"

Yoongi's loud and obvious cough cut him off. He pressed his lips and mentally cursed himself because he was on the verge of revealing his identity and ruining his plans.

He drew his sword and faced the man, "Let's see if you can get me."

The guard clenched his fists and pushed Yoongi violently on the ground making him groan with pain because of his back injury.

Jimin felt bad for his friend and promised to finish that up as soon as he could.

He made sure that his hood hide his face well so that the man does not recognize him.

The guard way maybe well trained, but Jimin was a Prince and he had more experience than him. His father taught him how to master a sword since he was a child, then the royal knight, Kai, became his new teacher when the King started getting old.

The guard was having a hard time keeping control of his weapon. Jimin used the tricky techniques Kai taught him until the man's sword dropped on the ground.

Yoongi watched him with amazement. He shook his head with a smile, wondering if there were more interesting things to know about the young prince.

"Let's go!" Jimin helped him stand up and both ran toward his chambers. He hurried to grab the clothes and things they will need before heading to the private garden.

?

They were far from the castle after minutes of running and Yoongi cursing without limits.

They found themselves in front of the river, out of breath, sweat all over their faces and their feet hurting.

"Damn." the masked man frowned when he felt the horrible pain in his back increasing.

"We need to get you to a doctor." the prince said, caressing his back.

"No!" Yoongi pushed him "We need to get you to the doctor! Have you lost your mind?! What kind of good idea was it to enter the castle, and what? Bath?!"

Jimin pressed his lips, trying not to burst out laughing. "I know, it was not the best idea." he rubbed his neck. "But I got us warm clothes."

Yoongi looked at him with killer eyes and shook his head. He walked to his dog and unleashed him. "Let's go my boy, we need to get away from this insane man."

Jimin laughed, "What? Insane man?!" he fell on the grass and laughed louder than he ever did.

"You dare to laugh?" Yoongi frowned.

"Look at you!" Jimin pointed at the masked man. "You look so funny Yoongi." he put his arms around his belly and kept laughing. "Your nagging is cute."

"Cute?" Yoongi raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Shadow let's go. He really is insane."

He walked away with his dog, making the prince get a hold of himself and follow him. "Where do you think you are going?"

"Somewhere there are no dumb princes like you." the Eagle mumbled.

"Oh, come on!" Jimin rolled his eyes. "Didn't you enjoy it? Because I surely did." he giggled. "I never lived this before."

Yoongi stopped walking and turned to look at him, "I live this everyday Jimin." he said with a cold tone. "And trust me this is not always enjoyable. Especially when you get caught and tortured to death."

Jimin tensed.

He watched his friend walking silently, surely thinking about something bad that might have happened to him before.

The prince bit his lower lip and walked behind him nervously.

He did not add another word until they arrived to the village.

?

They walked in the middle of the crowded road, watching the merchants inviting people to buy scarves for the cold, necklaces for their loved ones or dreamcatchers to have a good sleep.

Jimin could not stop smiling because he has never been in such a lively place ever.

He admired the villagers for their hard work and their kindness toward the people. He saw them greeting their friends or buying a simply gift for their lovers. It was something he wished he could do everyday; to meet friends and spend his best moments with the person he loves, or will love.

Yoongi surprised him by adjusting the hood well on his head. He looked at him with confusion and saw him pointing to something with his chin.

He frowned when he saw a draw of him and his brother all over the walls.

He approached it and read, "Dear people of Crystal, a handsome amount of gold is promised to you if you find the two princes and get them to the royal guards. King Baekhyun."

"My dear father." Jimin rolled his eyes. "So persistent."

"You need to be careful here." Yoongi told him. "Diamond is a big city, you risk to be recognized."

"I will do my best to avoid the villagers." the prince said.

The masked man nodded and looked around him, searching for someone who sells food.

"Are you hungry? There is a old lady who sells warm soup." he asked.

"But we need to get you to the doctor first." Jimin crossed his arms. "You seem to be in pain."

"I am, but the hunger can be more painful, trust me."

Jimin shrugged and followed him.

They drank the pumpkin soup until they felt their bodies getting warmer. Crystal was a cold kingdom and it only worsens during fall and winter days.

Jimin opened his bag and took the fur coats to give one to his friend and place the other around his shoulders.

"We need to go back to the ship." Yoongi said.

"Not now, I am sure it is still under repair." the prince said. "You saw its state after the storm."

Yoongi sighed and took another sip of the rum. "We cannot stay in Diamond for long."

"I know, but I need to find my brother first. I cannot leave him with that psychopathic pirate."

?

Taehyung could not stand the pirates' presence anymore. He watched them stealing food and clothes during the entire day without having the power to do anything.

He hated seeing them scaring out the merchants and taking everything they worked hard for.

He was sad and disappointed.

"Can you stop sighing for once!" Jungkook's annoyed voice interrupted his thoughts. "You are making me nervous."

"Serves you well." the prince shrugged.

Jungkook stopped and raised an eyebrow. He approached Taehyung and lifted his chin with a finger, "What have you said, love?"

"I said that it serves you well." Taehyung spoke coldly.

"Oh, why is that?" the pirate furrowed.

"You stole and hurt innocent people!" the prince shouted. "You have no heart, no compassion!"

Jungkook chuckled, "Well, maybe that is why we go by the name of pirates."

The crewmen started laughing.

"But one thing." Jungkook looked straight into the prince's eyes, "I do have a heart, love."

"Right?" Taehyung scoffed. "Where? In your arse?"

The pirates froze and looked at him a horrified eyes. They knew what happened if someone ever makes the quartermaster angry. It never ends well.

But surprisingly, Jungkook remained calm and simply smiled to the prince. He lowered his head and took Taehyung's cold hand before placing it on his chest, "It is here, love." he spoke with a gentle voice. "Not in my arse, but close to your heart."

The blond gulped.

He found himself hypnotized by the pirate's voice and his beautiful words.

It was so similar to several lines he read in some romantic books before.

For the first time, he let the hate and blame behind and only admired the young man's beauty. His red hair was moving gently along with the breeze, looking exactly like the flame on the ship's flag.

"Now, back on deck!" he ordered the crewmen.

He grabbed Taehyung's arm and walked in the middle of the empty streets.

Suddenly, the prince stopped, making Jungkook look at him confusingly. "What is it?"

The prince crossed his arms and pressed his lips while gathering his thoughts. "I do not understand you." he said.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow.

"You are that rude and merciless bastard, but at the same time you are that man with a warm heart. I do not understand." Taehyung shook his head. "Who are you really?"

Jungkook smirked and walked closer to him until he cornered him somewhere against the wall. "It depends on who I am with."

"Really? Because I do not see what those harmless villagers did to you earlier." Taehyung frowned.

"This is an exception, love." the pirate sighed. He caressed the prince's blond locks, "I have to do this as a pirate, as a member of the Burning Flame. This is our own way of survival."

"Still." Taehyung looked away. "It is not a reason."

The red-haired smiled and approached his face to the prince's, "But you are the reason of my warmth." he whispered against his ear, making shivers run down his body.

"Why?" Taehyung tried to sound normal.

Jungkook looked at him and placed his thumb on his red lips. He caressed the lower lip slowly and gently, without taking his eyes off him. "You are the first lad to make me feel this way." he said. "And I do not know what to do with you."

Taehyung could not feel his legs anymore. Jungkook's words provoked a strange sensation in his body that made him desire only one thing; his touch.

"How...how do you feel?" he asked.

Jungkook bit his lip and caressed the prince's cheek with the back of his hand. "You lighten the flame in me." he said with an unusual deep voice. "You make my fire want to leave my body and burn those lips of yours."

Taehyung gulped and placed his hands on Jungkook's muscled arms. "How do you burn them?" he asked.

Jungkook took his hands and placed them around his waist before placing a kiss on the prince's lips.

Taehyung immediately responded to his kiss and opened his mouth slightly to let the pirate push his tongue and capture his own. Jungkook put his hands on the blond's cheeks, deepening the kiss and feeling his flame consuming both their bodies.

They parted after a while, breathing heavily, looking at each other with lust and desire.

"Do you understand who I am now?" the pirate asked. "Just a word from you, just a single touch can make me lit up."

Taehyung nodded shyly. "I understand."

?

On their way to the harbor, Yoongi and Jimin got surprised to see that there were controls in the ships' entrances.

Apparently, the king ordered the royal guards to check every single person who left the lands with the hope of finding his sons.

"My father can go to that extent." Jimin rolled his eyes. "He will never leave us alone."

The masked man felt bad for him. He did not like seeing the anger on his face, so he pinched his nose, making him look at him with wide eyes.

"What are you doing?" Jimin chuckled.

"Let's go somewhere else. The controls will surely not remain until night, so let us come back here later."

"You really are worried about me." Jimin said with a smile. "How sweet."

The masked man rolled his eyes and walked away. "You can be really annoying."

Jimin laughed, "But you love my annoyance."

Yoongi shrugged.

"Let's be honest, both of us were living a sad and hopeless life before. I was craving my freedom while you craved gold. And now, despite all the danger and risks we got what we wanted, don't you think?"

Yoongi frowned and looked at the prince, "Do you still think I am here because of gold?"

"Isn't it the case?"

Yoongi rolled his eyes, "I am here because your stupid arse got me here." he said. "I could have been lying peacefully on my dirty old couch."

"Exactly." Jimin said. "If we reach our goals, your dirty old couch will be replaced by a large bed with the softest mattress."

Yoongi furrowed.

"I know you think I am right." Jimin smirked, "Now move your arse and find us somewhere to stay."

?

It was getting dark when they entered a small tavern hidden in the empty streets of the village.

Yoongi ordered them food and drinks while Jimin chose a table in an isolated corner.

"Here." the Eagle placed two jars of rum on the wooden table. "Drink to get warm, but not too much. I do not want to handle your drunken self again."

Jimin chuckled, "Am I that hard to handle?"

Yoongi sat in front of him, "You almost took off my mask."

The prince rubbed his chin, "My drunken self must be smart."

Yoongi rolled his eyes.

"I am really curious about how you look like."

"You already saw my eyes and my li-" the masked man stopped talking when he realized what he was about to say. "Sorry, I needn't remind you of that."

"You have no reason to apologize." Jimin smiled. "Yes, I did saw your lips and yes, I did think they were soft."

Yoongi froze.

"Looks like I am already drunk." the silver-haired giggled.

Yoongi did not say a thing because his interest was suddenly focused on the neighbouring table where two men were talking.

They were so drunk that they did not realize they were spilling their secrets.

"I am going to get that notebook!"

Jimin froze and turned his head.

"Even the King would not guess where it is!"

They laughed and asked for more jars of rum.

"What is it that you know gentlemen?" the old lady asked them with a smile.

"We know where the notebook is!"

Yoongi and Jimin shared a quick look.

The masked man did not hesitate to stand up and walked toward their table. Judging from their drunken state, they might hardly remember him the next morning.

"What do you know about the notebook?" he asked. "Where is it?"

"You are looking for it too." one of the men laughed and tapped his back strongly, causing his pain.

"Tell me where it is."

"The old man said, let the wind bring you to where the purest soul burns under a red sky." the man said before losing consciousness.

Yoongi walked toward the prince who was already up and ready to leave.

"Where the purest soul burns under the red sky. This is definitely where I think it is." he said.

"I know." the Eagle nodded.

Jimin finished his rum and looked at his friend, "Yoongi, I think now it is the time for us to move our arses to Flames."

The masked man burst out laughing and tapped his back.