Archive of Our Own

“Holy shit.” Yoongi perched forward on the couch to reread the email he’d just opened, catching the attention of his roommates in the living room.

”What happened?” Jimin questioned, waltzing over and plopping down next to Yoongi.

“I got an offer letter.” 

“You did?” Namjoon asked, his face lighting up. “Congratulations! We told you it wouldn’t take long. What’s it for?”

“It’s for private piano lessons,” Yoongi kept rereading the email. “For Kim Taehyung.”

All of the boys froze, equally as stunned as Yoongi who still sat in disbelief over his laptop on the coffee table.

“Kim Taehyung?” Jungkook finally repeated after a long pause of silence. “As in Prince Taehyung?”

“Yeah.” Yoongi sat back, trying to process this reality he was struggling to grasp. “i guess his dad wants him to get piano lessons.”

“His dad, meaning the king?” Jimin asked.

“Yeah…”

All of the roommates gathered around Yoongi’s laptop to see for themselves.

“Goddamn.” Jungkook shook his head in disbelief. “How did you even get in contact with them?”

“I didn’t. I just signed up for this staffing agency to get my name out there for piano lessons, then all of a sudden I’m getting an offer letter to be a teacher to the fucking prince.” Yoongi said. “Apparently they reached out to both my undergrad and grad school music professors as references. I don’t even know how they found them, but they all gave ‘shining reviews’ according to this.”

Yoongi reread that part of the paragraph, where it talked about his professors praising his work.

“Well this will definitely get your name out there.” Namjoon said.

“Will it?” Yoongi questioned sincerely. “I mean, given their family, I’m probably gonna have to sign like twenty NDA’s. I don’t think I’m even supposed to be telling you guys about it.”

“Probably not.” Jungkook dismissed it. “But think about it—you’re gonna be the first person to see what Taehyung looks like since he was, like, a toddler?”

“He was six.” Jimin corrected him. 

Of course Jimin remembered his age. He’d always bragged that he was born the same year as Prince Taehyung, and that his birthday was the closest to Taehyung’s out of everyone in his grade. His student body was also some of the last people to see Taehyung in the flesh before the series of political figure assassinations and international threats on the prince’s life were made, then King and Queen Kim hid their son from the world. 

Yoongi couldn’t deny that it was somewhat intriguing to have this opportunity and see what had become of the prince. He was the “national sweetheart” up until he was closed off from the world, and everyone still imagined him as such. His parents never let him leave their estate, post anything about himself, appear on the news like he once did, or accompany his parents when they visited schools like he had at Jimin’s.

No one knew what had happened to Prince Taehyung or what he looked like, but It had been nearly twenty years since he’d shown his face, and it was approaching the time that his father promised to let him go out into the world again once he turned 25. Everyone would know what he looked like in less than a year, but Yoongi couldn’t lie that it was extremely enticing to think that he’d have the one of the first viewings before anyone else.

“I don’t know…” Yoongi scanned over the email for the hundredth time. “It seems pretty stressful.”

“How could it be stressful? It’s piano lessons to a presumably bored, full grown adult millionaire.” Namjoon said.

“And not just any millionaire, but the prince himself.” Jimin added.

“Yeah, that’s kind of exactly what makes it so fucking stressful.” Yoongi’s voice had a snippy tone, causing the younger to frown, and Yoongi immediately groaned and backpedaled. “I’m sorry, I know you guys are trying to help. I’m just really feeling stuck.”

“Okay, let’s go through the pros and cons one more time.” Jungkook encouraged, perching his elbows on his knees as he focused. “Pros: he’s an adult so you won’t have to deal with childish behavior or attention issues, he’s rich as fuck so you know you’re getting paid well, and his dad has insane connections beyond anything your old professors could hook you up with, so if you do a good job, you’re pretty much set for life.”

“I mean, how can you even fight back against that pros list?” Namjoon whistled in amazement, to which Yoongi frowned.

“Easily, like this: he’s a prince whose been cooped up and spoiled with everything he could ever want for 20 years—which could result in an abundance of behavioral issue there, he’s rich as fuck so his dad is definitely expecting miraculous improvement in what I can only imagine is an unrealistic amount of time, and his dad has all the connections in the world—meaning, if I fuck this up, my career is destroyed for the rest of my life.”

The three friends shared glances, trying to figure out how to move forward. Yoongi brought up some good points, but this was also the potential opportunity of a lifetime. The possible risks were high, but the benefits were through the roof.

“Look, I don’t wanna tell you what you should or shouldn’t do,” Jungkook countered, “But all I’m gonna say, is that if I were you, I’d run my ass over to that billion dollar estate, kiss the king’s feet, and perform a miracle on his son so that you’re golden in your objective of becoming a successful concert pianist.”

The singer had a point. They’d all gotten their careers in the performing arts settled through their connections—Jungkook had gotten his role on broadway through their singing instructor, Jimin had gotten his position as a ballerino in the Paris Opera Ballet through his dance instructor in school, and Namjoon had become a theater director through his apprenticeship under his theater professor. 

Yoongi was the only one in their group whose professors didn’t have a connection waiting for him upon graduation like his friends, and now he was struggling to make a name for himself. This could potentially be the golden ticket to launch him into success. But he also had to accept that his projected future in the performing arts may be stunted short if he fucks up this job as the prince’s piano teacher.

“I don’t know…I’ve never even tutored someone in anything, let alone taught someone an entire instrument.”

“But you learned from your instructor, right? Just do the same shit she did.” Jungkook encouraged him. “I know you can do this, we all do.”

Yoongi saw his other friends nodding in agreement, and ran his fingers through his hair, letting out a dejected sigh.

“And, not to add any additional pressure, but there’s no telling what’ll happen reputation-wise if you refuse the king’s request for you to teach his son.” Jimin added, softly.

That truth was the final point Yoongi needed to hear to solidify his decision.

“Okay.” He cracked his knuckles nervously as he pulled his laptop closer, pressing “reply” to type up his acceptance email to the king’s offer. “I’ll do it.”

“Awesome!” Jimin gently clapped his little sweater paws together excitedly. “It’ll be great, I have a good feeling about this.”

“Plus, you’re a pretty patient guy.” Namjoon pointed out. “Even if he does have an attitude, how bad could he possibly be?”

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Yoongi took a deep breath as he stood before the mahogany door to the gigantic mansion that was Kim Taehyung’s home. He’d had to be let in from two separate gates of security, and he was feeling rather out of place with his 2009 corolla parked amongst a sea of luxury vehicles in the twelve car driveway.

He exhaled and lifted his hand to knock, too nervous to use the gold door knocker in case he broke it. He’d never been somewhere this expensive in his life, and everything seemed precious, fragile, and far out of his tax bracket.

The door opened to reveal a man that was the most butler-looking person Yoongi had ever seen. Tall, lean, back straight with slicked back black hair and an English mustache, paired with a completely expressionless face. 

“Are you Min Yoongi, the piano teacher?” He questioned, even his voice sounding like a butler’s.

“Yes, that’s me.” Yoongi tried to match his poise and stand straight. 

“I am Franco, the personal butler for Prince Taehyung.” He bowed and turned with a single wave. “Please follow me.” 

Franco closed the door behind Yoongi and escorted him into the main room, where Yoongi couldn’t help but choke on his breath at the grandeur of it. White marble floors, genuine leather couches, glass and stone art pieces, a giant mahogany wood grandfather clock, and a gorgeous chandelier hanging from the ceiling. He looked to the marble double staircases, and at the base in the center was the most breathtaking grand piano Yoongi had ever seen, completely white with gold trim.

Yoongi didn’t even realize his jaw had dropped until the sound of footsteps echoing on the marble coming down the hallway snapped him back into where he was, and he turned to see a tall man in a suit walking up to the two. He was on the phone with someone who sounded important, hanging up right as he stood before Yoongi.

“Mr. Min Yoongi, it’s a pleasure. My name is Jin, I am King Kim’s executive assistant.” The man gave Yoongi a firm handshake. “I’m the one you’ve been communicating with.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Yoongi responded, trying his best not to gawk at how handsome the man was.

“I just wanted to formally introduce myself, as well as remind you of the ground rules, which you agreed to when you signed your NDA.”

Truthfully, Yoongi hadn’t really read the NDA carefully, so he was grateful for this rundown.

“Of course, nothing that happens within these walls is to be discussed once you leave the villa.” Jin spoke with authority, and Yoongi nodded knowing damn well he'd be updating his roommates on everything. “Second, you must never try to reach out to the king. If there are any concerns you have, you will report back to me.”

Yoongi felt these sounded easy enough. Obviously the first one would be broken when he told his roommates about what was happening, but he knew they wouldn’t put him in danger to tell anyone else.

“Finally, you must control your emotions around the prince.” Jin finished, confounding Yoongi at how out of place the last rule was. “Taehyung is an attractive man, which is why his father has purposely hired only male tutors to mitigate any possibility of an affair. It is illegal for me to ask you of your sexual orientation, but if you are attracted to men, you must contain any feelings you may develop for the prince. Understood?”

Yoongi was a bit stunned by the rule, but all he could do was nod and agree.

“That won’t be a problem.” 

“Good.” Jin looked at the butler. “Franco, would you please go fetch Taehyung for his lesson?”

“I’m here.”

Chills ran down Yoongi’s spine when he heard the deep timbre of the voice that announced its owner’s presence. Yoongi tilted his head up to spot where the source came from, and his lips parted upon what he saw: a stunning man with honey tone skin, a sculpted jawline, big brown eyes, and fluffy chocolate hair topped with a golden crown hanging haphazardly on his head. 

Prince Kim Taehyung.

Jin wasn’t lying when he told Yoongi that the prince was an attractive man. Yoongi had to blink a couple times to fully grasp that he was indeed seeing the prince for the first time in nearly twenty years. He’d hardly remembered what Taehyung looked like in his last few appearances on screen, but he had a strong feeling that he would never be able to guess this is what “the nation’s sweetheart” grew up to be. 

The prince’s eyes did a full body scan of Yoongi, finishing off with a little grin once his gaze matched the pianist’s once more. It made Yoongi blush unexpectedly, and he looked away momentarily to collect himself.

“Ah, there you are! Why don’t you come down and meet your new piano teacher?” Jin summoned him.

Taehyung made his way to the staircase, descending the marble steps with just as much grace as Yoongi would expect from a prince. As he neared, Yoongi was surprised to find that the prince was not wearing anything expensive nor regal—it was a simple t-shirt and sweatpants with mismatched socks. Due to such a casual outfit, Yoongi had greater access to see Taehyung’s physique, to which he had to control his expression before he visibly ogled at the prince.

The prince was tall—even taller than Jin. He had broad shoulders in contrast to his lean waist, and strong arms as exhibited through his muscles naturally showing with his subtle movements. As any piano teacher does, Yoongi eyed the prince’s hands to see what he was working with, and found Taehyung to have beautiful, long fingers, which excited the pianist in terms of how easy it would be to teach him.

Taehyung was finally at the bottom of the stairs, standing face to face with Yoongi as he looked into the pianist’s eyes with his big, beautiful ones.

“Well, this is what I look like.” Taehyung shrugged. “Congratulations, now you know.”

The piano teacher realized the prince was probably expecting some introduction, and cleared his throat to regain his composure.

“Hello, Prince Taehyung.” Yoongi gave a polite bow. “I’m Min Yoongi, I’m going to be teaching you piano.”

“Sup.” Taehyung gave Yoongi a head nod, catching the pianist off guard at how casual he was in his greeting. “Ready to start?”

Yoongi’s eyes widened and he glanced at Jin briefly to see if he was going to be given any further direction on how he was meant to interact with the prince.

“I’ll leave you to it, then.” Was all Jin said, pulling out his phone to answer a call as he walked away, leaving Yoongi and Taehyung alone.

Taehyung immediately took off the crown, tossing it onto the nearest chair with no regard to its value. That crown’s worth was certainly more than Yoongi had ever made in his entire life. It almost bounced off the cushion and onto the marble floor, and Yoongi held his breath, nervous that it would slip off and go clanking on the ground.

Thankfully it remained where Taehyung dropped it on the seat, and Yoongi let out a small breath of relief. He looked up to see Taehyung staring at him, and something about the grin on his face instantly had Yoongi feeling nervous before him.

“How old are you?” Taehyung asked suddenly, and Yoongi thought that the slightly rude question was probably a fair security measure.

“I’m twenty-seven.”

“Damn, you’re almost thirty?” Taehyung said. “I thought you were like nineteen at most, and they just got some prodigy to teach me.”

It was slightly a compliment, though the delivery was a bit jarring to the pianist.

“Oh, thank you.” Yoongi cleared his throat again, pulling one of the music books from his satchel. “Shall we get started?”

“I guess.” Taehyung shrugged, sauntering over to the piano and plopping down on the bench with no tact.

Yoongi figured that was something he could correct once they got some of the most important parts down, and simply joined him on the bench, opening up the book and setting it on the stand. He looked over at Taehyung with a polite smile to get the lesson going.

“So, your father’s assistant tells me you’re brand new to piano?”

“Yep.” Taehyung said, his eyes unabashedly glazing over Yoongi’s body again before continuing. “You’re pretty hot.”

Yoongi’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head at how abrupt the comment was, and extremely brazen.

“I figured they’d hire old guy from a university or something.”

“Oh…” Nothing Yoongi had learned in his years tutoring could ever have prepared him for this moment. 

“Are you gay?” Taehyung continued, and Yoongi nearly fell back in his chair at the now very invasive question.

“I…I beg your pardon?”

“Are you gay?” Taehyung repeated with the exact same cadence as the first time. “Like, do you like men?”

“Um—” Yoongi felt he was short circuiting as he tried to decipher which way to best navigate this inappropriate conversation. “Why do you ask?”

“You seem gay.”

Yoongi knew his cheeks must be bright red from how shocking the turn of their dialogue had become, straying far away from his lesson on chords.

“Why do you say that?”

“Because you play piano.” Taehyung shrugged. “Everyone who plays piano is at least a little gay.”

Yoongi’s jaw was nearly on the floor. Who the hell was this kid?

“That’s…a bit of an odd assumption to make.”

“So you’re straight?”

“I apologize Prince Taehyung, but I really don’t think this is an appropriate conversation.” Yoongi cleared his throat, trying to get back on track as he looked at the sheet music once more. “Let’s just—”

“I’ll take that as a no.” Taehyung said. “I figured you weren’t straight, you know, with the piano playing and all.”

“Prince Taehyung,” Yoongi took a deep breath, turning his head to the younger man, “As much as I do not appreciate the assumptions being made, I feel inclined to say that I don’t find there to be any problems with being gay.”

“Oh, I know. I am gay.”

Now that truly surprised Yoongi. Given the prince’s…entire makeup as a human, the last thing Yoongi expected was for him to reveal that he was anything but painfully straight.

“You are?” Yoongi couldn’t stop himself from asking.

“Yep. I’m playing piano, aren’t I?” Taehyung smirked. “I’m not out of the closet though. Otherwise my dad wouldn’t let me have male tutors and teachers. I just figured you wouldn’t out me though, since I’m pretty sure you’re gay. Am I right?”

It did prod at Yoongi’s patience that Taehyung kept repeating his assumptions, but the pianist finally sighed and gave in.

“If I answer your question, can we please get to the lesson?”

“Well, since I’m pretty positive you’re gay, I’ll switch the question. Do you have a boyfriend?”

Yoongi’s eyes went wide, and his hands clenched into fists.

“Why on earth would you wanna know that?”

“Just curious.” Taehyung shrugged, a playful smile on his face. “So, I’m guessing you don’t?”

“This is extremely inappropriate, and none of your concern.”

“Oh, it most certainly is my concern.” Taehyung chuckled. “I’ll take your embarrassed blushing as a ‘no,’ you don’t have a boyfriend.”

Yoongi closed his eyes, taking another deep breath to gather his patience before putting on a polite smile once again.

“Alright, now that we’ve gotten the personal questions out of the way, can we start off with practicing scales?”

“You hardly answered any personal questions, actually. And I’ve got a lot more.” Taehyung said, deterring from Yoongi’s mission yet again, and loading up the next batch of invasive questions. “So, are you a virgin?”

Two hours later, Yoongi trudged into the apartment, dropping his bag and keys and flopping face first onto his sofa. Namjoon and Jimin gave each other concerned glances from where they were sitting at the table, before they looked over at the pianist.

“So…how’d it go?”

“You know how yesterday you asked me, ‘how bad could he possibly be?’ ” Yoongi’s question directed towards Namjoon was muffled as he spoke it into the cushion his face was smashed into.

“Yeah?” Namjoon questioned.

Yoongi lifted his head up from the cushion, glaring at Namjoon.

“I forever curse you for jinxing the situation, because he’s even worse than how bad I thought he could possibly be.”

Jimin gasped at such a hex Yoongi could be wishing upon his best friend.

“What happened?” Jimin asked as he hurried over to join Yoongi at the couch along with Namjoon.

“In the time I was there, Prince Taehyung asked me if I was gay because, and I quote, 'everyone who plays piano is at least a little gay.' Then, he asked me if I was a virgin, when I lost my virginity, if I partied or slept around in college, guessed my body count for about fifteen minutes, and tried to get me to answer the questions on the rice purity score test for about thirty minutes.” Yoongi grumbled. “Do you wanna take a guess how much piano we played?”

“...I’m guessing it wasn’t a lot?” Namjoon suggested.

“None!” Yoongi squalled, flopping over onto his back. “He didn’t even touch the keys once. He just kept asking me questions about my personal life, all of which were extremely invasive, might I add.”

“I mean, at least he was curious about you?” Jimin shrugged. “He could’ve been worse and just talked about himself the whole time.”

“At this point, I wish he had.” Yoongi huffed. “I have to go back tomorrow. How the hell am I gonna put up with this five days a week?”

“Oh c’mon, Yoongi.” Jimin patted his leg. “It’s only a couple hours a day. Sure, maybe he’ll be annoying for all of it, but think about the money you’re making. Whenever he gets on your nerves, just pull up your bank account balance on your phone. I promise, it’ll motivate you.”

Yoongi sighed, staring up at the ceiling. His friends were right, but they weren’t the ones who had to deal with this peculiar prince. However, Yoongi supposed that Taehyung wasn’t technically the worst. If the prince wanted to sit around and waste time for two hours, Yoongi was getting paid regardless. He’d just continue trying to teach the prince at least a few things.

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Yoongi rubbed his temples, gathering every last shred of his patience that was left. “Prince Taehyung, I am begging you to at least touch the piano just once. ” 

It had been nearly a month, and Yoongi hadn’t gotten Taehyung to even talk about piano more than three times. When he did talk about it, he was asking Yoongi if he’d ever fucked on a piano, snorted coke off of a piano, or if he had mozart on his sex playlist.

Yoongi was losing every last fiber of perseverance, and when he was dissociating from whatever nonsense the prince was spewing, Yoongi would ponder whether or not it was possible to make a time machine so he could go back and break his laptop before sending in his application for this hell hole of a job.

“Just press one key, that’s all I’m asking.” Yoongi pleaded with the prince, holding onto any semblance of composure he could.

“If I do, will you tell me what your first time giving head was like?” 

Just like that, the steaming frustration boiled over within Yoongi’s entire being, and he erupted.

“That’s it!” Yoongi threw down the music book onto the grand piano. “I genuinely thought there was some hope for you, but you are truly helpless!”

Upon bringing his piano teacher to finally lose it, Taehyung couldn’t help but snicker to himself, as he had finally completed his main mission.

“Aw, c’mon Yoongi. Did I really upset you that much?” Taehyung teased. “I was only playing around a little.”

“A little? All you do is play around!” Yoongi gathered up his materials. “Well, I’ve had it. Tell your dad he can hire someone else to put up with your shit and try to teach you one single chord, because I give up. I have absolutely zero faith that you will ever take one single thing seriously in your entire life, and I will not fall victim to the stupid little games you play anymore.”

“Well, you just might have to if you wanna get paid.” Taehyung grinned at the piano teacher.

“Absolutely not. You can tell your dad I’ll refund him for the rest of the lessons he paid for, because I won’t be wasting another second of my time on you.”

“I don’t know about that, Yoongi.” Taehyung said in a sing-song voice. “My dad holds a lot of power. Don’t you think it’d be a little ballsy to say no to the king?”

Yoongi stopped in his tracks, turning around with disbelief in his eyes.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Oh yes I would.” Taehyung hummed, standing and floating over to Yoongi. “I am a spoiled prince afterall, and I get everything I want because no one is brave enough to go against my dad. You know, the king.”

“No one takes that seriously.” Yoongi said with malice.

“Are you sure? Because I can think of quite a few people who certainly do take it seriously. Employers, for one, who don’t want to be taxed higher for workers providing unsatisfactory service to customers and negatively affecting our economy.”

Yoongi’s jaw dropped. “You couldn’t possibly be that cruel.”

The idea that Taehyung would go so far as to tell his dad to alter the labor laws so that companies who employed Yoongi would be taxed at a higher rate was an absolute abuse of power, and something that no one could stop the king from doing.

Taehyung just shrugged with a shit-eating grin. “I don’t have that high of a moral code, and I don’t like being told ‘no.’ So, if it means getting what I want, you better believe I would absolutely be that cruel.”

Yoongi stood in utter astonishment at the impasse he’d found himself in. The bratty, entitled, egotistical prince holding future job opportunities above Yoongi’s head if he didn’t complete his agreed upon piano sessions was not something the pianist could have foreseen in his wildest imagination.

“So,” Taehyung came around Yoongi handing him the book. “I suggest, if you ever want to make another penny, that you go sit your cute butt down on that bench and continue teaching me the chord scale.”

Yoongi snatched the book from Taehyung’s fingers, crinkling the pages in his hands from how hard he gripped it. Taehyung smiled contently as he walked with a skip in his step back to the bench, patting the spot next to him for Yoongi to come join.

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For another two months, Yoongi had no choice but to return to Taehyung’s private villa every day at noon, struggle through an unsuccessful lesson while the prince prodded him with inappropriate questions for the entirety of it, then come home and hole himself up in dread for the next day.

“C’mon, Yoongi. I really don’t think you understand the opportunity you have here.” Jimin tried to reassure him, rubbing his hand in soothing circles on his back.

“I am going to lose my mind. He’s picking away at my sanity, one chip at a time.” Yoongi spoke into his pillow. “By the time my contract is finally up, I’m going to be a hollow shell of a man with gray hair and wrinkles.”

“You know that’s not true.” Jimin dismissed the dramatic comment. “Did you do what I told you and look at your bank statements for inspiration?”

“I don’t have the opportunity. Anytime I pull out my phone, Taehyung is over my shoulder, asking if I’m on Grindr.”

Jimin was a bit stumped. No matter what he could think of to try and ease Yoongi’s frustration, it seemed Taehyung was ready to squash it. It truly was pretty befuddling how Taehyung had managed to become this way when he was supposed to be a poised prince, but Jimin imagined that this might be the consequence of his father cutting him off from society for nearly 20 years.

“How much longer do you have again?”

Yoongi sighed and turned his head so his cheek was smushed against the pillow.

“Three more months.” He grumbled. “His father hired me for the second half of the year until his birthday.”

“Well there you go! Just three more months. You can do this, you dragged yourself through four years of undergrad and another three of grad school, which nearly took you out from the amount of stress.” Jimin reminded him. “I know you can make it another three months, and I promise you, once you leave that house for the last time and see your savings, you’ll be glad you did this. You’re making more in six months than what some people make in two years.”

Yoongi closed his eyes and took a deep breath, internalizing the words Jimin was saying. He treasured their friendship, because Jimin always knew what to say and how to encourage the friends in their group. He just felt guilty that Jimin had to recite his pep talk to him weekly at this point.

“He doesn’t even know what minimum wage is.” Yoongi said. “I don’t mean he doesn’t know the dollar amount of minimum wage, I mean that he doesn’t know it exists. He thinks everyone just gets paid enough to live no matter what their profession, like most people with home insecurity aren’t already working two to three jobs because minimum wage isn’t enough to survive.”

Jimin winced thinking about the oblivion from the prince, being one of those members of society that was currently working two jobs aside from being a ballerino and living with three roommates just to survive.

“He’ll never have to know any of that, but maybe if he won’t learn any piano, you can try and teach him the ways of the world outside of his royal bubble? Expand his horizons, maybe once he comes to power he’ll have more compassion and help the people unlike his dad.”

The idea sounded wonderful, but knowing Taehyung, he’d just yawn and find a way to segue into a different, lewd topic.

“Just three more months, Yoongi.” Jimin encouraged him again. “Three more months, then you can take another three to recoup and heal from the emotional damage this kid is causing you.”

Yoongi huffed and finally sat up gathering his music tote and getting to his feet.

“Alright.” He agreed, taking the keys from Jimin’s hand. “Time to return to hell for two hours.”

Yoongi was back at Taehyung’s villa, sitting slumped at the piano bench while Taehyung tossed cheerios up in the air and caught them in his mouth. The piano teacher had to admit, the prince’s aim was impressive. However, he came here to teach piano, not watch some skill that his six-year-old nephew showed him at last year’s Christmas party.

“Are we going to learn any piano today?” Yoongi asked flatly once Taehyung finished his bag of cheerios.

“Sure, after a quick dip in the pool we can dry off and get right down to playing.” Taehyung bartered, and Yoongi let out a deep breath, closing his eyes momentarily to try to imagine himself in a peaceful place, far far away from here.

Taehyung’s newest endeavor was trying to get Yoongi to join him in his pool. Every day for the past two weeks, he’d spent most of their lesson asking Yoongi to go swimming, followed by asking him if he’d had pool or jacuzzi sex before. Yoongi, as usual, had been shocked at first, then grown jaded to putting up with it and dodging the invasive questions.

“For the last time, I am not here to go swimming with you.” Yoongi sighed. “I’m here to teach you piano, which you have somehow successfully dodged for the past almost three months. Isn’t your dad curious why you haven’t learned a single thing?”

“Oh, he doesn’t care if I learn. He just wants to keep me busy so I don’t try to sneak out and get into trouble.” Taehyung yawned. “He doesn’t even remember all the tutors he’s hired for me or what they were supposed to be teaching me.”

Yoongi could have screamed. So his dad didn’t even care about his son learning something as beautiful as the piano, all he wanted was a distraction for Taehyung. What enveloped Yoongi’s entire life and what would hopefully become his career, was just babysitting to the spoiled prince.

“Unbelievable.” Yoongi stood from the bench, walking away from the piano to try and gather his wits. “Years of breaking my back and whittling my fingers to the bone in school—all that grueling work just to be wasted on a spoiled prince like you.”

“Grueling work?” Taehyung chuckled. “You sit on a stool and fiddle your fingers over pieces of wood. I wouldn’t say that’s super laborious.”

Yoongi’s eyes went wide as he spun around on his heel, glaring at the prince. “Oh, really? And what exactly do you have any merit to be judging on what is or isn’t laborious?”

Taehyung smiled snidely. “I don’t need a blue collar job to get a feel of what is or isn’t a hard job.”

“That’s so rich coming from you.” Yoongi snapped. “You wouldn’t know what hard work was if you watched an entire six part docu-series about the working class.” 

“Aw, I wouldn’t?” Taehyung pouted, sarcastically. “What a shame, guess I’ll just have to wipe my tears with the wads of cash weighing my pockets down.”

“You’re despicable!” Yoongi stomped his foot on the ground. “I know you’re a prince, but I’ve never met someone so unpleasant and disconnected from reality as you!”

“Disconnected from reality?” Taehyung asked. “How so, because I’ve never been poor?”

“No, because you’ve never lived a day in a normal life.” Yoongi snapped. “You don’t know what it’s like to have to wake up early, get on the bus, go to school or study or actually work for what you want. You don’t know what it’s like to have to try, to succeed on your own or learn proficiency in anything!”

Taehyung just smiled snidely at Yoongi’s outburst—just like he always did when he achieved his perpetual goal of riling up his piano teacher.

“Well, most of that is true.” Taehyung shrugged, standing up and advancing toward Yoongi. “Although, I do have to push back on the part about not being proficient in anything.”

“Oh, really? What is it you’re proficient in? Bringing people to their breaking point of patience?”

“Yes actually, but there’s another type of breaking point I’m good at bringing people to.” Taehyung said, and suddenly Yoongi realized he was being cornered by the tall prince, who was smiling sinisterly down at him as he got closer. 

Yoongi didn’t realize how close the prince was getting, nor that he was taking steps backwards, until his back pressed against the door as Taehyung towered over him. Their position caused the pianist to seemingly melt beneath the tall prince, completely powerless to the sultry look in Taehyung’s eyes as he smirked devilishly down at Yoongi.

“Wanna see what type of breaking point I’m referencing, Yoongi?”

Yoongi felt a lump form in his throat, and his mouth was physically watering as he trembled beneath him. He hadn’t even realized he could feel this way about the prince until Taehyung was standing before him this way, towering over him and cornering him against the wall. He cursed his subconscious for betraying him and making him weak under Taehyung, well aware that if he tried to open his mouth, the sound that would come out would only make things words.

It didn’t matter that Yoongi was trying to hold back—Taehyung could sense his desperation with just one glance. That infuriatingly gorgeous, cocky smile curved his lips as the prince let his eyes glide down from Yoongi’s face down his figure, and back up to his cat-like eyes.

Yoongi swallowed shallowly as he quivered beneath the prince, closing his eyes as Taehyung started leaning in.

“Mr. Min?”

Jin’s voice called to him from down the hall, causing Yoongi to gasp as he was torn from the moment Taehyung had put him in. When the pianist opened his eyes, Taehyung had pulled away in an instant, replacing his lustful expression with his regular bored one as they both watched Jin walking in, hanging up the phone.

“Oh, good. I’m glad I caught you before you left.” Jin said, bringing the time to Yoongi’s attention. 

Normally, Yoongi was counting down the minutes until he could bolt out the door. However, with Taehyung’s little endeavor, Yoongi hadn’t realized he only had five minutes left of the piano lesson.

“Yes?” Yoongi tried to regather himself, thanking the universe that his hoodie was big enough to cover his boner, but simultaneously cringing that the lawyer was now enlightened of how unprofessional the pianist had started to dress when he came for the lessons.

“I’m sure you’re aware that the duke is returning for his son’s birthday gala next week?” Jin prompted.

 Of course Yoongi knew, it’s all that had been on the news for the past month.

“Well, he asked the king if he knew any pianists to fill the role in his orchestra, because his fourth one had to drop out.” Jin said. “King Kim does not know of any personally, but he asked me to reach out to the professors at your performing arts university for recommendations, and nearly all of the professors of the music department recommended you.”

Yoongi had to focus the majority of his attention on not letting his jaw drop as he listened to Jin finish his statement.

“If you are willing, the duke would like to hire you to play as one of the pianists in his orchestra. It would not be for the whole night, but you would be one of the four and play for about a half hour, if you take the offer.”

Yoongi was rendered momentarily speechless by the opportunity, in complete disbelief of what Jin was saying to him.

“He’d love to.” Taehyung answered for Yoongi. “He’s the perfect guy for it.”

Apparently Jin didn’t need any further confirmation, even if it was from Yoongi, aka the man he was making the offer to.

“Splendid, I will inform your father.” Jin directed to Taehyung before walking away and holding his phone up to his ear to make the call.

Taehyung turned to Yoongi with a proud grin while the pianist was still trying to recount the events that had just taken place.

“Pick your jaw up off the floor, Yoongi.” Taehyung laughed, patting him on the back. “This is your first big break, you gotta start practicing.”

Yoongi blinked his eyes in an effort to regain his cognitive abilities.

“I can’t believe it…” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Your dad asked me to play in the orchestra?”

“Yeah, I mean it makes sense. If all your professors recommended you, and I’ve told my dad you’re a great teacher, it only makes sense he’d ask you.”

Yoongi furrowed his brows up at Taehyung. “You’ve told your dad about me?”

“Of course. He asks how lessons are going, and clearly I enjoy our little sessions.” Taehyung smiled smugly. “Obviously I’m gonna say you’re good at your job.”

Yoongi couldn’t even give an attitude at Taehyung’s comment, still in shock at the luck he’d finally encountered after months of putting up with torment the prince had inflicted upon his patience.

“This is so sudden.” Yoongi finally spoke. “I don’t even know where to start, or how to prepare. I haven’t even met the orchestra or collected the pieces.”

“You’re fine, Yoongi.” Taehyung waved his worries off. “You can read music so just play what they give you, and the violin band or whatever will follow your lead. Playing the piano is the least of your worries.”

Yoongi whipped his head around to look at Taehyung in disbelief.

“The least of my worries? That’s the entire opportunity, my potential ticket to success as a concert pianist, how could you say that’s the least of my worries?”

“Because playing piano is only half the part. With audiences like this, presentation is everything.” Taehyung said. 

“Are you saying I don’t look royal enough?” Yoongi narrowed his eyes at the prince.

“Beauty wise? Yes, you fit the part. However, it’s clear to see from a mile away that you don’t fit in based on your drip.”

Taehyung delivered the insult on Yoongi’s style so casually that the pianist hardly had a moment to respond.

“First of all, we definitely need to get you some better clothes.” Taehyung cut Yoongi off before he could even start.

“What? What’s wrong with my clothes?”

“You dress like a middle school music teacher.” Taehyung said, frankly. “If you’re gonna perform at a birthday gala like this, you need to look like royalty to fit in.”

“I have suits at home.” Yoongi said, making Taehyung scoff.

“No offense, but I promise that nothing in your closet will make you fit in at this gala.”

“How do you know that?” Yoongi frowned, and Taehyung groaned in exasperation.

“Look, I can’t have you going out there looking like a chimney sweep.”

Yoongi’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “Where on earth are you getting the idea that my suits make me look like a chimney sweep?!”

“I just assumed.”

“Well you assumed wrong.”

“And I guess I’ll never find out, because we’re making you some new suits to avoid any possibility of you looking like you belong as an extra in Mary Poppins.”

“Unbelievable.” Yoongi rolled his eyes, though he couldn’t particularly argue. He was certain that whatever suits these aristocrats and royal members wore was more expensive than every piece of clothing in his closet combined.

Taehyung went to the intercom to notify his butler.

“Franco, can you call for Ellois, please? We need to craft Yoongi a new suit.”

Yoongi’s eyes bulged and he grabbed Taehyung’s sleeve to get his attention.

“Taehyung, I can’t accept that.” Yoongi shook his head. “It would take me three years to pay you back.”

“I’m not asking you to pay me back. I just need you to make a good impression as my piano teacher.” 

“But, those suits must be thousands of dollars.”

“Yes, but are you forgetting that I’m a prince?” Taehyung looked at him with confusion, almost offended. “Money is no object, but concert tickets are. And if you want to be selling them down the line, you need to make a dazzling first impression, because these are the kinds of audience members that will be attending your shows if you go on tour.”

“Taehyung, there’s no way it’ll be ready in time.” Yoongi said, making Taehyung laugh.

“Once again, I’m a prince. I can make anything be ready in whatever time I want.” He said, further astounding Yoongi at his unashamed gaul. “Tomorrow when you come for our lesson, be ready to take your measurements.”

“What? During the lesson?” Yoongi asked. “Isn’t that going to be taking advantage of your dad’s money? I am supposed to be teaching you piano during those two hours.”

“Yeah, and that’s been a real successful journey so far.” Taehyung snickered, going over to grab Yoongi’s bag for him. “Just come at the normal time tomorrow. We’ll have your measurements taken, and the suit will be ready by next week.”

“Taehyung, I can’t possibly accept this.” Yoongi insisted as Taehyung ushered him to the doorway in a shocking turn of events since the pianist was usually bolting out the minute he could.

“Yes you can. I’m not having my piano teacher look a mess in front of a royal guest list. Now get some rest.” Taehyung said, nudging a still stunned Yoongi out the door. “Oh, and Yoongi?”

The pianist turned around to see Taehyung leaning against the doorframe, smirking at Yoongi as he did another full body scan.

“Don’t think we won’t eventually revisit our little conversation before we were interrupted.” Taehyung taunted before closing the door behind Yoongi.

`•.¸¸.♫ │▌▌▌│▌▌│▌▌▌│▌▌│▌▌▌│♫´¨`*•.

As Taehyung had promised, Yoongi’s suit was ready by the following week, just days before the concert. Yoongi had been practicing like crazy, and he wasn’t sure if his heart rate had gone back to normal since Jin had told him the news.

Jimin had leaped for joy and congratulated Yoongi, taking him out for dinner along with Namjoon. Yoongi had hardly eaten anything as he was far too nervous—in fact, he’d barely eaten anything for the week, and now he stood in the greenroom along with the other pianists who were completely unphased by their responsibility.

“Don’t worry, kid.” One of the pianists said as he sipped from his champagne. “You’re going last, everyone will be drunk. Once you get through the first song, all your anxiety will melt away.”

“You're lucky this is your first big gig. Mine was at an emperor’s wedding.” Another pianist chuckled as he was fixing his hair in the mirror. “A birthday party is a piece of cake compared to that.”

Yoongi smiled weakly and tried to nod along, but nothing was really helping. His leg was bouncing, his fingers tapping on his knee. He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to play when he couldn’t control his erratic foot on the pedal or his twitching fingers on the piano keys.

“You guys ready?” They heard a call from the director. “Florence, you’re up first.”

The man straightened his jacket, patting Yoongi’s shoulder as he walked out. “Take a deep breath, you’ll be fine.” 

Yoongi eventually followed them out, peeking from behind the curtain as Florence expertly pushed the tail of his coat back to sit at the piano. He glanced at the orchestra, nodding once before he began playing. Yoongi looked out at the crowd as the guests smiled, pleased at the music kicking off the night, and started congregating in the area of the ballroom designated to dance.

Yoongi watched Florence, mesmerized by how unphased he was. There were moments he even closed his eyes as he felt the music, and all those years that Yoongi spent training and preparing became a waste in his mind since he knew he would never play as well as the other concert pianists here.

“Get out of your head, Yoongi.”

The pianist jolted as he heard the familiar voice behind him, and turned to see Taehyung standing there.

“What are you doing here?!” Yoongi whispered, nervously glancing around. “I thought you weren’t allowed to leave your villa?”

“My dad said I can come to high security events for members of royal families my last year before I can be released into the real world.” Taehyung explained. “I can see you freaking out about your performance, but you don’t need to. You’re gonna be fine.” 

“How can you say I don’t need to freak out?” Yoongi glowered. “Do you hear Florence? He’s amazing!”

“Yeah, I would hope so, he’s a professional. But so are you.” Taehyung said. “There’s no reason you’d be any less than him. You just gotta relax and let your talent lead you through it.”

“I feel like I’m gonna throw up.” Yoongi hugged himself.

“Well, do it now while you have time.” Taehyung warned him. 

Yoongi genuinely contemplated it, but opted to simply watch Florence. For about an hour, the pianist played and led the orchestra. He watched as the other two pianists went, each one playing show stopping pieces for an hour each. Yoongi hadn’t been able to calm himself down the entire time, and once the final pianist finished his set, the man stood and took a bow, receiving cheers from the party guests.

“Min Yoongi, get ready. You’re next.” The director said, and Yoongi felt faint.

“Relax.” Taehyung nudged him. “Most of the guests are hammered by now. They won’t even notice if you miss a key. Haven’t you played in front of an audience anyway?”

“Yeah, my fellow classmates and their families in college for performance night.” Yoongi said. “This is my first time playing in front of people this important, and I’m freaking out.”

Taehyung chuckled, patting Yoongi lightly on the back.

“Well try to calm yourself down, and remember that this is just one stepping stone into your career as a concert pianist.”

Yoongi couldn’t respond, opting to look back at the pianist yet again. He was twiddling his thumbs, his heart pounding in his ears as the man exited the floor and took his glass of champagne from his assistant once he was out of the public eye.

“See? Piece of cake.” The pianist said to Yoongi as he passed by. “You’ll be fine.”

The director came up behind Yoongi, placing a hand on his back and nudging him toward the curtain.

“Alright, you're next.” She said, completely unaware of Yoongi’s terror as she was simultaneously looking down at her clipboard. “Ready? Go.”

She pushed him out of the curtain, and immediately Yoongi looked out among the crowd. Many of them were chatting amongst themselves, drinks in their hands. A few of them looked up, waiting for him to make his way to the piano. 

Yoongi swallowed the lump in his throat, looking back at Taehyung who was peeking from behind the curtain. The prince gave him an encouraging look and nod, along with a thumbs up. Yoongi nodded back and slowly walked up to the piano, immediately insecure of how his shoes were squeaking.

Yoongi got to the bench and attempted to push out his coat tail like Florence had, but ended up missing and sitting on the fabric anyway. He prayed that the foundation the makeup artists had put on was concealing his bright red face as he lifted his shaky hands up to the keys. The pianist looked up unsurely at the orchestra who were waiting for his lead, nodded to them, and began playing the first piece.

The orchestra quickly fell in line, and the guests continued dancing on the floor. Yoongi’s hands were still trembling madly and they were so clammy that it made it hard for the pianist to hit the notes correctly. His heart was pounding as he felt his fingertips sliding on the keys when they were supposed to be placed firmly on them, his mind racing as he tried to keep up with the orchestra.

Suddenly the piano rang a sour note as Yoongi’s fingers slipped off the F#, pressing onto the G key and ruining the flow. The orchestra would have kept going if Yoongi didn’t freeze up, his eyes going wide and his fingers stilling. He felt his vision was blurring as the guests and orchestra slowly came to a stop, wondering why there was a pause in the piece.

Yoongi couldn’t take the snowballing anxiety and quickly rushed off of the floor and out the back entrance before he could hear anyone’s reaction. He ran to one of the alabaster stone pillars and hid behind it, his back pressed to the stone as he gasped for breath, beads of nervous sweat dripping down his temple. He was shaking so violently and he thought his knees might give out as he entered a full blown panic attack. 

The music inside started playing again, indicating that one of the other pianists had filled in for him, causing Yoongi’s stomach to churn. He hopped down the steps and made a run for it into the meadow just outside of the palace to complete his meltdown hidden from anyone who had just witnessed his pathetic mistake. Once he found a big enough willow tree, he crouched down to lean against it, holding himself as he tried to control his breathing.

In a few minutes, with his breathing and self soothing exercises, Yoongi managed to calm down enough to at least think rationally—though the shame of what had just happened was haunting him. He’d never been so mortified in his life, and he wasn’t sure how he could ever show his face again. He knew one thing for sure, was that his dreams of becoming a concert pianist were over, and he had to start thinking about other career opportunities.

Yoongi let out a heavy sigh as he walked onto the bridge above the pond, sitting at the edge with his legs hanging over. He watched the life amongst the water, the frogs leaping onto the lily pads and the koi fish swimming around. He wished that he could become one of those fish, with no worries other than to continue gliding lazily in the water amongst his fellow fish and dodge any cats that might come by for a snack.

“Damn, I finally found you.” A deep, familiar voice said as it approached. “You must have been amazing at hide-and-go seek as a kid.”

Yoongi whipped his head to the side to see Taehyung approaching. The pianist turned away, hiding his face from Taehyung as the prince came and plopped down next to him.

“Well, that went well.” Taehyung said ironically.

Yoongi didn’t have it in him to snap at Taehyung, and simply looked back down at the water.

“Can you please not make things worse right now? Just for once?” Yoongi murmured. “I have enough humiliation to sort out.”

Taehyung leaned back on his hands, letting his legs dangle over the bridge like Yoongi as he opted to watch the dragonflies glowing around the cattails surrounding the koi pond.

“This isn’t the end of your career, you know.” Taehyung said finally. “I know that’s probably what you’re thinking right now, and you’re wrong.”

Yoongi closed his eyes and let out a defeated breath, resting his chin on the wooden rail of the bridge.

“Taehyung, everybody that has any semblance of power and influence was at that party, and I just fucked up three minutes into my first piece.”

“Yeah, but none of them know you.” Taehyung pointed out. “They didn’t announce your name, and even if they had, none of them would remember. They were all drunk, and all the orchestra was the same in their eyes. This was just practice for the real thing.”

“Well if that’s how my first gig went in just a ballroom, I don’t even want to think about what it’d be like if I ever performed in a concert hall.” Yoongi looked down at his legs hanging off the bridge. “My first moment to prove that all that work was worth it. It was supposed to be perfect, and I blew it.”

“You don’t need to be perfect, Yoongi.” Taehyung said sincerely, looking intently at the older now. “You’re incredibly hard working, more than any of the other pianists in there. The only reason they don’t choke up is because they were raised performing in front of crowds and told they’re masters of the craft when they couldn’t even remember the scales.”

Yoongi frowned and looked over at Taehyung, to which the prince just chuckled.

“I don’t completely ignore what you say during our lessons.” The prince grinned. “I remember what scales are.”

Yoongi looked back at the pond, his eyes focused on the lilypad floating below his feet. Taehyung followed his line of vision, also focusing on the same lilypad as a tiny frog leaped onto it.

“You’re nervous because you have something to prove—because you actually worked your ass off to get where you’re at, instead of instantly getting hired due to nepotism.” Taehyung continued. “Your talent is so far out of their leagues, and once you get the hang of performing in front of snooty rich people like this, you’ll outshine all of them. You’ve just gotta give it time, but you’ll get there.”

In a completely unexpected turn of events, Yoongi took comfort in what Taehyung was saying to him. Up until that moment, almost every interaction he’d ever been forced into with the prince had been an attack on his tolerance. Never would Yoongi have thought Taehyung’s words could be anything above tolerable, let alone consoling. 

After a moment of taking in the soft hums of the night, Yoongi looked over at Taehyung again, who only met his gaze after a moment of feeling the pianist’s eyes on him.

“What?” Taehyung asked.

“You know, for being a nuisance 99% of the time,” Yoongi said, “That 1% when you’re not driving me up the wall, you can actually be kinda sweet.” 

The backhanded compliment only made Taehyung laugh, accepting it proudly. “Yeah, I’m a bundle of surprises, aren’t I?”

Yoongi rolled his eyes, but found the prince’s conceited comment a little less repugnant than he typically did this time.

“Are you ready to go back?” Taehyung asked.

“No. I’ll never be able to show my face in front of those people again.” 

Taehyung grinned, hoisting himself up. “Yoongi, the party’s long over. Everyone is gone. We have to go back so my security team can drive you back home.”

Yoongi huffed, tossing one of the sticks on the bridge into the water before taking Taehyung’s outstretched hand and standing up, dragging his feet as they made their way back to the villa. Sure enough, when they got to the ballroom, it was completely emptied of every attendee. All that was left was the confetti and spilled champagne on the dancefloor, and Yoongi let out a long sigh of relief at dodging the potential encounter with any of those who witnessed his humiliation.

“Where’s your security?” Yoongi asked. “I can’t wait to go home.”

“They’re on their way after dropping off my dad.” Taehyung said, to which Yoongi paled in horror. “Don’t worry, he left early. He wasn’t there to see your performance. 

Yoongi let out a breath of relief, though he was still shaken by the entire experience, and rushed to the main entrance to be out of the villa and wait for the security.

Taehyung followed behind, but suddenly halted, grabbing Yoongi’s wrist to stop the pianist as well. “Wait, before we go I wanna see something.”

Yoongi grumbled as Taehyung pulled the pianist behind him. “What is it? I’m so exhausted, Taehyung.”

“Just come here.”

He pulled Yoongi all the way to where the orchestra had previously played, right up to the grand piano. Yoongi cringed seeing it, but Taehyung just maneuvered Yoongi to sit down on the bench as he was before.

“Alright, play for me.” Taehyung said, causing the piano teacher to give him a funny look.

“Taehyung, I play for you every day.”

“No, you play me chords and practice scales. You never fully play for me, and after botching this performance up, I wanna see what you’re like when you actually play with confidence.”

“This is stupid.” Yoongi bellyached. “Can’t we please go?”

“Just one song.” Taehyung countered. “One song, then we can go home.”

Yoongi glared up at Taehyung teasing what was a horrifying moment for him, though he knew deep down that the prince didn’t mean it. He sighed, straightening his back, taking a deep breath, and looking down at the keys.

Once Yoongi’s fingers were on the ivory, it’s like all the air left the room, every square inch completely filled with the grandeur of magnificent music produced from Yoongi’s genius. It was piano like Taehyung had never heard before—a mixture of modern and classical, with tempo changes that were unexpected but heavenly to the ears.

For the first time, Taehyung stayed quiet, leaning back on the piano bench as he marveled at Yoongi’s fingers pressing down on the keys. The pianist didn’t even notice his eyes fluttering closed, as if he was becoming one with the piano and his soul was pouring into the music which now flowed out and filled the room.

A few minutes passed by, Taehyung just breathing in the music that came from Yoongi’s fingers, until the pianist finally finished the last scale, letting out a deep breath once the reverb of the strings finally silenced as he lifted his foot from the pedal. He opened his eyes to see Taehyung staring at him in adoration, grateful to finally hear his piano teacher perform his majestic talent.

Suddenly they heard the sound of distant clapping echoing in the ballroom, and they both looked to where it seemed to be coming from. There, at the top of the stairs, stood the duke. Yoongi got up from the bench and bowed quickly.

“I’m sorry sir, I should have requested permission before I played.”

“Don’t apologize, young man.” The duke said as he descended the marble staircase. “I should be thanking you for granting me the pleasure of listening to you play.”

“He’s amazing, isn’t he?” Taehyung cut in before Yoongi could deny his claims of being incredible, like he was about to do.

“He certainly is.” The duke said as he reached the bottom of the stairs. “I apologize that I did not get to hear you tonight, I was late to my own son’s birthday gala due to a foreign relations mishap. I must have missed an incredible performance.”

The two glanced at each other, secretly thanking the universe for this foreign relations mishap that had granted Yoongi grace from his tarnished reputation after fumbling his performance tonight.

“It’s alright, it wasn’t anything too special.” Yoongi said. 

“I doubt that.” The duke smiled at him. “Well, with your talent, I hope we’ll be seeing you at more events in the future.”

“You definitely will.” Taehyung spoke for a speechless Yoongi again. “He’s my teacher, so I’ll make sure his schedule is clear.”

The rest of the conversation was a blur as Taehyung and the duke finished up and the prince escorted Yoongi out. It wasn’t until they were in the car that Yoongi seemed to finally snap back into reality, looking up at Taehyung.

“He liked my playing.” 

Taehyung smiled at him. “I knew he would.”

“Wait,” Yoongi furrowed his brows, “You knew he was there?”

“Not the whole time.” Taehyung said. “But I saw him walking out and watching you from the second floor. I didn’t stop you or acknowledge him because I wanted him to see you play.”

Yoongi opened his mouth to scold him, but Taehyung arched his brow with a snide grin.

“It worked out, didn’t it? He did hear you play, and you didn’t choke like before.”

The pianist realized that Taehyung did indeed help him, and sighed, slouching back into his seat.

“Yeah, I guess.” Yoongi conceded before looking at Taehyung. “Thanks for that, by the way.”

Taehyung could tell that Yoongi was being genuine, so he didn’t push the matter further. Although, he could not help himself from the crude thoughts intruding into his conscience. 

“If you really wanna thank me, I know a way you can show your gratitude.”

The prince winked at Yoongi, whose soft smile instantly dropped at Taehyung’s comment. Just like that, the old prince and his lewd comments were back.

`•.¸¸.♫ │▌▌▌│▌▌│▌▌▌│▌▌│▌▌▌│♫´¨`*•.

Once again, Yoongi was at the door to Taehyung’s villa for their next lesson. After gently using the gold door knocker, the pianist heard footsteps on the marble floor from the other side of the mahogany, followed by Franco opening the door.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Min.” 

“Hi Franco.” Yoongi waved as the butler held open the door for him.

“Prince Taehyung is finishing a call, but he says he’ll be down in just a moment.” Franco informed him. “Can I get you anything while you wait?”

“I’m alright, thanks Franco.”

The butler nodded and left Yoongi alone with the piano. Yoongi opened the fallboard, gently ghosting his fingers over the keys and mentally preparing for their lesson.

After Taehyung’s abrupt episode of compassion, Yoongi had hoped that perhaps the prince had turned a new leaf and opened his horizons to finally pay attention and try to learn the piano. It only took the next session to realize that was not the case. Yoongi had walked into the mansion the following week to find Taehyung shirtless and snacking on ice cream at the piano, preceding him asking if Yoongi had ever done food play before.

All of Yoongi’s hopes for the prince immediately deflated, and he’d just had to take a deep breath and trudge over to the piano, preparing for the typical 2 hour interrogation of a lesson.

Yoongi’s phone vibrating snapped him out of his moment admiring the piano, and pulled out the phone to see Jungkook was calling after nearly a month of being on vacation with his boyfriend. Normally he wouldn’t be on his phone during the lesson, but Taehyung wasn’t even there yet, so Yoongi stepped outside to take the call. 

“Welcome back.” Yoongi said with a hint of spite at his friend not contacting him for the entire trip.

“Hey! Jimin told me about you playing in front of the duke as soon as I got back. That’s awesome, congrats buddy!” Jungkook responded, completely disregarding Yoongi’s tone.

“Did he tell you that I choked and ran off stage before that?” 

“Well, yes. But that doesn’t matter, you showed off your skills to royal people with connections!”

“Jungkook, why are you really calling?” Yoongi deadpanned.

“Can’t I just be excited for my pal?” Jungkook waited for a moment to see if Yoongi was buying it, and relented when he took the pianist’s silence as an answer. “Okay, so there’s this masquerade party for the emperor’s son next week—“

“Jungkook, I don’t have connections to stuff like that.” Yoongi cut him off before he could even finish the ridiculous question. “I was just invited to play at the birthday gala by chance, and they’re definitely not asking me to do that again.”

“But Taehyung is probably going, right? Why don’t you just ask him to take you, and then you can ask if me and Hoseok can tag along!”

Yoongi looked up at where he was certain Taehyung’s bedroom was, realizing he was too close for comfort and in direct earshot if the prince decided to eavesdrop from the window—which would be very on brand for him. He let Jungkook ramble for another thirty seconds until he’d made his way to the other side of the pool.

“Why would Taehyung ever let me tag along to a masquerade ball?” Yoongi asked once he was a safe distance from Taehyung’s window.

“Because he wants to fuck you.”

“Which is exactly why I shouldn’t be near him anymore than I already have to be.”

“But…hear me out,” Jungkook started. “If you just take one for the team…”

Yoongi’s eyes went wide as it clicked what Jungkook was insinuating. 

“You are not asking me to sleep with Kim Taehyung so you can take your boyfriend to a party.”

“Not just any party! The regal masquerade, it’s literally like the Met gala but for royal people. We already got the masks and everything.”

Yoongi groaned, kicking one of the pool toys out of his way in frustration, nearly tripping on another in the process and causing a loud squeak noise.

“Jungkook, if you already spent money and started preparing for a party you weren’t invited to, that’s not my prob—“

Before Yoongi could answer, the loud, deep barking of a huge dog started approaching, and Yoongi looked up to find Taehyung’s giant St. Bernard barreling towards him. The pianist realized too late that what he’d assumed to be a pool toy that he was kicking out of the way was actually the dog’s squeaker toy, and now a 140 lbs tank of a dog was running at full speed towards him.

Yoongi tried to run, but he was too late. The dog pounced on him in a hyper fit to play, knocking the pianist into the pool as well as knocking the wind out of him from the blow. He’d landed in the deep end to be specific, which was a problem since Yoongi could not swim.

He broke the water’s surface momentarily from his thrashing, trying to call for help and simultaneously take in as much air as possible before sinking beneath the water again.

“Help!” Yoongi screeched, but his cries for help were muffled by the water swarming into his mouth.

He kept sinking under with his heavy sweatshirt weighing him down, and soon he found his feet touching the bottom of the pool, his body completely submerged as he struggled to reach the surface again. The water was crushing in on him as the chlorinated water blurred his vision, and his lungs burned as though they were about to explode. 

Yoongi suddenly felt arms around him, and he was lifted up—breaking the surface of the water. He heaved for breath, simultaneously coughing up water and clinging onto whatever figure was keeping him afloat as it took him out of the pool.

The pianist finally blinked the water from his reddened eyes and glanced up to see Taehyung’s jaw as he looked straight ahead, carrying Yoongi up the pool steps and setting him down on the chair closest to him. He wrapped a towel around Yoongi as the pianist coughed to clear his lungs of the water he’d accidentally swallowed.

“Yoongi, are you okay?” Taehyung asked, pushing the pianist’s hair out of his face. “What happened?”

“I was on the phone and your dog ran out thinking I wanted to play.” Yoongi choked out, stuttering as he came down from the terror of what he’d just experienced. “I fell over when he jumped on me into the pool, and I can’t swim.”

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry, Yoongi.” Taehyung said sincerely. “Yeontan’s dog toys are mixed with the pool toys, so he definitely thought you wanted to play. I should’ve warned you.”

The St. Bernard walked up to the pair with something in his mouth. He nuzzled Yoongi’s arm before dropping his soaking wet phone into his lap that the dog had retrieved from the pool floor. Though he was just a dog, he somehow looked remorseful with his tail hung low and his ears flopped down, and Yoongi managed to pat the dog’s head as some form of truce while still coughing out water.

“Franco, can you put this in rice?” Taehyung asked once the butler rushed out, handing Yoongi’s most likely destroyed phone to Franco.

“I’ll buy you a new phone.” Taehyung promised, “I’m so sorry, Yoongi.”

A gust of autumn wind blew over the boys, causing Yoongi’s shivering to increase and his teeth to start chattering. Taehyung sprung into action, scooping the pianist into his arms once again.

“Oh shit, and it’s freezing. Let’s get you into some warm clothes.”

Taehyung took Yoongi into the house and Brenda brewed him a hot cup of tea. Franco brought him a robe to change into, taking his soaking clothes to wash and dry of the chlorine. Soon Yoongi was curled up in the soft robe with a weighted blanket and a steaming cup of tea on the couch in front of the fireplace.

“I’m so fucking sorry, Yoongi. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to say it enough.” Taehyung apologized, sitting on the coffee table to face his piano teacher, now changed out of his sopping wet clothes after jumping in the pool to save Yoongi. 

“It’s alright.” Yoongi assured him, though still shaking slightly from the cold and the residual fear. “Who were you talking to on the phone?”

Taehyung gave a small grin. “It was the duke. He called asking about you.”

“He did?” Yoongi asked in disbelief, putting down his tea to sit up straight on the couch.

“Yeah. He’s putting together an orchestra for the entertainment company he owns. He’s looking for someone to join the concert pianist lineup for their tour.”

“Tour?!” Yoongi’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

“Yep. He was really moved by you playing the other week.” Taehyung said with excitement. “He just needs you to come do an audition at his concert hall and a practice piece with his orchestra to make sure you’ll be a better fit than the other candidates.”

Yoongi’s animated face slowly fell, his heart rate picking up as he thought back on the last time he played with an orchestra in front of important people.

“I know where your mind is going, and I’m gonna stop you right there.” Taehyung put a finger up to Yoongi. “You know you can do this. He wants you to audition because he likes you so much. You already have one foot in the door.”

“The last time I played in this setting it was a disaster.” Yoongi winced.

“But you already know you can do it. It’s not gonna be a crowd either, just him and a few other judges.” Taehyung said. “Just pretend it’s us alone in the ballroom, and do what you did when you played for me.”

“Taehyung, this is entirely different.”

“Okay, but you can’t keep hiding your talent forever, Yoongi.” Taehyung urged the pianist. “This is your dream, and now you have a chance at achieving it. You’re gonna have to get over this stage fright, and this is the perfect stepping stone.”

Yoongi looked away, trying to internalize Taehyung’s encouragement before Franco entered the room.

“Mr. Min, there’s some people at the main gate asking to see you.” Franco informed him. “It’s three young men, they said their names are Jimin, Jungkook, and Namjoon.”

“Oh, those are my roommates.” Yoongi responded, puzzled. “Why are they here?”

“The one boy Jungkook said your phone call was cut off after hearing you shriek and they came speeding over to make sure you’re alright when your phone was going straight to voicemail after they tried to call you again.” Franco shared. “They seem quite worried.”

Yoongi looked over at his phone sitting in a bowl of rice and sighed, pushing his bangs back.

“Yeah, that sounds about right.” 

“Would you like me to tell them to wait for you? Unfortunately we cannot have guests inside the house without the king’s permission.”

“It’s okay,” Taehyung cut in, looking at Yoongi. “You should probably just go with them now.”

Yoongi frowned in confusion at the prince. “Already? We still have another half hour left.”

“Yeah, but they’re probably pretty worried. Plus, it’s been a lot for you today.” Taehyung told him, gathering Yoongi’s bag and phone in the bag of rice. “I’ll get your things. Just wear the robe home, and we’ll have your clothes clean for you tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?” Yoongi asked one more time, getting to his shaky legs. “I can stay.”

“It’s alright, I don’t think they’ll feel content until they see you.” Taehyung said, handing Yoongi his things. “They sound like really good friends.”

“Yeah. Kind of a pain in the ass sometimes, but they are amazing.”

Yoongi glanced up and saw a quick flash of something on Taehyung’s face. It was a peek at an emotion he’d never expressed in front of Yoongi, and it only lasted a second before it was gone and back to his regular flirtatious grin.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Yoongi.” Taehyung said, walking the pianist to his door. “Make sure to come wearing tight clothes for Brenda to take your measurements for a new suit.”

Yoongi turned around with an annoyed look on his face, and watched as Taehyung did another full body scan from Yoongi’s hair to his toes, meeting his eyes and giving him one last wink before closing the door behind him.

`•.¸¸.♫ │▌▌▌│▌▌│▌▌▌│▌▌│▌▌▌│♫´¨`*•.

“Taehyung, I don’t know about this.” Yoongi muttered, pulling at his coat sleeves and looking around nervously.

“I do. And it’s going to be great.” Taehyung said, swatting Yoongi’s hands away from fiddling with his outfit.

“What if the same thing as last time happens?” Yoongi voiced his fears, reaching up to pull at the collar of his dress shirt.

“It won’t. You’ve got this.” Taehyung said, grabbing Yoongi’s wrist to stop him before he could mess up the stylist’s work from his nervous tugging. “You played in front of him once, now just do it again with the help of an orchestra to spice it up.”

“That wasn’t in front of him, that was in front of you and he just happened to be there.”

“Okay, then just play it for me.” Taehyung switched tactics. “I’ll be right here. You can look up and see me whenever you get nervous, alright?”

“Mr. Min? It’s your turn.” The duke’s assistant informed him.

Yoongi reached up to tug at his collar, the action once again being intercepted by Taehyung’s fingers around his wrist.

“You can do this. Just one song and it’s over. I’ll be right here the whole time.”

Yoongi looked up into Taehyung’s warm eyes, that rare comforting smile on his face again as he nodded to the pianist. Suddenly the assistant was ushering him onto the stage, and he was immediately met with the familiar face of the duke, along with three other strangers.

“There he is!” The duke greeted Yoongi. “We’ve been eagerly awaiting you. Come on in and show them what you played for me.”

What he’d played technically wasn’t for the duke, but Yoongi wasn’t going to correct him. He gave a nervous smile as he walked across the stage and to the gorgeous grand piano. He practiced pushing the tail of his coat out of the way, this time succeeding in his mission to appear poised. 

He took a seat, gulping in anxiety before briefly looking ahead. He saw Taehyung off the side of the stage, nodding at him once and giving him an encouraging smile with a thumbs up just like his first performance. Yoongi closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before looking at the keys and letting his fingers take over by muscle memory.

It was only for the first minute that he had his memorization bearing most of the weight, until he eased into it. The sounds of the violins and violas and cellos vibrated in his bones, and his fingers moved naturally with their strokes, causing both of their instruments to flow together like water. The wind instruments kept Yoongi on beat with each blow of the trumpet and trombone and french horn, and soon Yoongi felt himself becoming one with the sounds echoing throughout the theater. 

No one else was there, nothing else mattered but the beautiful music coursing through his veins. He couldn’t help but close his eyes at times, feeling a type of tranquility he’d only ever known when his fingers were on the ivory keys of a piano. 

In just five minutes, the piece was complete. Yoongi opened his eyes, which he hadn’t realized that he’d closed, and turned his head to see a very proud looking duke along with the judges looking equally as pleased.

“Great work, Mr. Min.” The duke congratulated. “You did not disappoint.”

Yoongi smiled as confidently as he could muster, still feeling woozy from the panic he’d previously held inside.

“Thank you, your highness.” Yoong stood and bowed.

“You can return to Prince Taehyung now. We’ll be in touch. ” 

Yoongi bowed once more before walking off stage. The minute he was out of view, he stumbled as his knees gave out. Taehyung caught him with ease, a bright smile on his face.

“You did it! That was great!” Taehyung cheered for him as he helped steady Yoongi onto his feet. “I knew you could do it. I was certain of it.”

“I wasn’t.” Yoongi held a hand over his chest, checking to see if his heart was still pounding. 

“Well now you know that you can.” Taehyung hooked Yoongi’s arm through his as he walked the dazed pianist out to the car.

“What now?” Yoongi asked once Taehyung helped him in and buckled him up.

“Now, we just wait for the duke to call and say you got the job.”

“Taehyung, there’s still all the other pianists who auditioned.”

“Yeah, but they don’t matter.” Taehyung said flippantly. “Auditioning is just protocol. You’re the only person he requested to come, all the others signed up. Trust me, the next time he calls me, it’s going to be him offering you the position.”

`•.¸¸.♫ │▌▌▌│▌▌│▌▌▌│▌▌│▌▌▌│♫´¨`*•.

Yoongi’s problem was that he believed Taehyung. His whole life, he’d managed to get by with his pessimistic outlook on everything saving him from disappointment, or his cynicism protecting his time by not spending it hoping for something that most likely wouldn’t happen. It’s what got him through high school, college, and grad school. He never assumed he was the best, never held onto expectations that wouldn’t be met, and in turn, he would be pleasantly surprised if he did succeed.

However, this was not school. This was not a test he took or a piece he turned in or a thesis he wrote, this was an audition for perhaps the greatest opportunity of his life. There couldn’t be a more crucial situation to maintain his pessimism. But for some reason, he’d decided to believe when Taehyung told him that the duke would be hiring him in just a matter of days. Now it had been two weeks, and he’d heard nothing.

“Cheer up, Yoongi!” Jimin tried to comfort his friend as he saw Yoongi’s optimism slowly fade day after day. “Maybe they’re just taking a longer time to get everything prepared than you’d previously expected?”

“Or they came to their senses and realized they shouldn’t be hiring a rookie pianist on a full tour without even having official concert experience.” Yoongi sighed, tossing his empty coffee cup in the trash as he hiked his music tote up on his shoulder. “I just need to face the facts. I was never good enough for that orchestra.”

“Come on, don’t say that.” Jimin pouted at him. “You’re more than good enough. You’re phenomenal, and even if they don’t choose you, you’re still young and there will be more opportunities. You’re going to do great things, Yoongi. We all know it.”

Yoongi forced a weak smile at the younger and muttered a “Thanks Jimin,” before heading out the door to his personal hellhole—now made even hotter with the burn of rejection.

To Yoongi’s slight surprise, it was Taehyung who opened the door instead of Franco once Yoongi arrived at his mansion. 

“Welcome, Yoongi.” He greeted Yoongi with that shit-eating, stunning smile on his face.

“Taehyung?” Yoongi peeked past to see if Franco was behind him. “Where’s Franco?”

“My dad gives the staff one day off a year.” Taehyung said, and it took Yoongi a lot not to roll his eyes at the notion of a king only giving his loyal employees one day in an entire year to themselves.

“I see. How are you managing?”

“Well, the house isn’t on fire even though I’ve burned every pop tart I’ve put in the toaster, so I’d call that a win. Come on in.”

Yoongi had to refrain from rolling his eyes at the prince’s incompetence regarding domestic duties as he followed the prince. He shouldn’t really be surprised that this was the day his staff was off, seeing as Taehyung had changed their practice from noon to 8pm. Presumably, his maids weren’t there to wake him up and he’d slept through most of the day.

“Want anything to eat?” Taehyung offered.

“I’m alright.”

“Perfect, because I wouldn’t know how to make it.” Taehyung chuckled to himself, taking a seat on the piano bench and patting the space next to him for Yoongi. “Now let’s get started, sugar plum.”

Yoongi sighed, advancing slowly. “Taehyung, I’m really not in the best mood these days, so I’m asking to please just either do the lesson or sit in silence for two hours.”

“My dear Yoongi, what upsets you?” Taehyung asked with a hint of irony, making Yoongi frown.

“You know damn well what’s been upsetting me.” Yoongi groused. 

“I assure you that I have no idea. Care to enlighten me?” Taehyung responded, and Yoongi could tell the annoying prince was having fun messing with him.

“Enlighten you on the fact that you got my hopes up to the sky with that audition and all that stuff about him asking for me, just to be ghosted directly after?” Yoongi responded with bite in his words.

“Ah, yes. The ghosting.” Taehyung nodded.

“You know, I understand that you get everything you want all the time, but for people like me, these opportunities are once in a lifetime.” Yoong tried to explain to him once he’d taken a deep breath. “This audition meant everything to me. So to be silently rejected like that, and then teased about it by the person who got my hopes up in the first place, just really pours salt on an open wound.”

“Hmm, that does sound disappointing.” Taehyung mimicked compassion, and Yoongi got up to storm out, hearing Taehyung’s giggling in the background. “Aw, where are you going?”

“I can’t do this today.” Yoongi called over his shoulder, reaching the door.

“Well, you’re going to have to see me soon when you’re preparing for the tour.”

Yoongi halted in his tracks, completely frozen as he processed Taehyung’s words, before slowly turning around to see that shit eating grin on the prince’s face.

“What?”

“I said, you’re going to need to see me when you’re preparing for the tour, since this is the type of piano you’ll be practicing on.” Taehyung said, before nonchalantly adding the second half of that statement. “Oh yeah, by the way, the duke called and said he wants you.”

Yoongi’s music tote thudded on the ground as his lips parted, complete astoundment keeping him glued in place for a moment.

“I got it?”

“Yup.” Taehyung hummed proudly. “He said he’d pretty much made his decision before you walked on stage, but he had to follow through with all the auditions as custom.”

A gradual smile lit up Yoongi’s face once he gathered that Taehyung wasn’t pranking him

“I can’t believe it.” Yoongi began maniacally giggling to himself as he started pacing around in glee. “I’m performing with an orchestra, and going on tour.”

“Correction—you’re performing in front of an orchestra, and we’re going on tour.”

Yoongi’s smile fell instantly as he stopped and looked at Taehyung with that smug grin and dreamy eyes fixated on the pianist.

“What do you mean we ?” Yoongi questioned.

“I mean that I convinced my dad to let me come out of hiding earlier so I could join you on tour.” Taehyung explained. “He almost said no, but he trusts you and the duke’s security to keep me safe for when I come along.”

For once, Yoongi prayed to the universe and whatever god might exist up there that Taehyung was joking. He had to be joking. But one look on the prince’s self-satisfied face, and Yoongi realized that Taehyung was serious.

“What?!” Yoongi screeched at last. “You cannot be serious.”

Taehyung snickered, getting to his feet and leaning against the piano. 

“I most certainly am, my sweet little teacher.” Taehyung hummed. “Soon we’ll be on the road, and you can teach me piano after every little show you put on with your violin crew.”

“It’s called an orchestra!” Yoongi nearly screamed in frustration, covering his face with his hands. “You cannot be serious, you cannot be fucking serious!”

“Aw, what’s the matter, Yoongi? You’re worried my allure is going to distract you from your ability to play piano?”

“No, I’m certain your presence is going to soil the entire tour!” Yoongi started pacing again, holding his hand over his forehead as his mind reeled.

“Why’s that?” Taehyung taunted. “You should be thrilled. If not for my dad you’d never have the funds for this cute little traveling music show.”

“It’s not cute, don’t you get that?” Yoongi snapped around as he glared at Taehyung from across the floor. “This is my entire life! Everything I’ve ever done has led up to this moment, and now the absolute bane of my existence is going to ruin everything for me!”

“This bane of your existence is what gave you the opportunity to have your time in the limelight.” Taehyung grinned snidely. “You’re welcome. You can give me a kiss to thank me…or a blowjob. Either works.”

Yoongi was trembling with rage as he marched over and stood right before Taehyung, shooting daggers into the prince as he glared up at him.

“I hate you.” Yoongi proclaimed, his voice low and growly as he seethed.

“I know.” Taehyung chuckled. “That’s what makes this so hot.” 

Without thinking, Yoongi reached up and pushed Taehyung’s chest, realizing instantly how firm it was. He supposed it made sense, since the prince didn’t have much to do when he was home all day other than exercise and antagonize his piano teacher when he could.

The pianist felt the vibrations of Taehyung laughing as his body didn’t move an inch. Yoongis’ frown deepened as he pushed again with more force, finding the same result that Taehyung didn’t budge. In a futile effort of expressing his fury, Yoongi began smacking Taehyung’s chest repeatedly, hoping for the prince to eventually make any sound of discomfort from the pianist’s hands striking against him.

Instead, he was met with more laughter from the prince, finding it incredibly amusing that Yoongi was getting increasingly frustrated as he kept hitting Taehyung with more force, only to be met with the same unfruitful result every time.

“Feeling better, Yoongi?” Taehyung finally asked mockingly, once Yoongi was panting from the exertion of energy it took to repeatedly hit the prince’s firm muscles.

Yoongi scowled up at the prince, raising his hand once more to slap Taehyung's face, only for the prince’s long fingers to wrap around Yoongi’s wrist, stopping him easily from delivering the strike. Yoongi’s eyes widened at the direct contrast in strength between the two, and tried to pry his wrist from Taehyung’s grip. When he was unsuccessful, he raised his other hand to try and hit the prince, discovering the wrist to be in matching positions to his first one.

Taehyung took a step forward, backing Yoongi against the wall to pin him against it, holding his wrists by his head as he smiled deviously down at the pianist.

“Aw, I really hope you weren’t trying to actually hit me, little Yoongi.” Taehyung tsked, still extremely amused by the demonstration of anger from his teacher. “That would be a very dangerous thing to do to a prince that could call for your banishment.”

“You wouldn’t do shit to me.” Yoongi glowered. “You’re far too dependent on me.”

“Is that so?” Taehyung smirked. “Please, enlighten me.”

“You need me to keep coming, since I’m the only person you can interact with.” Yoongi answered venomously.

And, for once in the four months he’d been coming to this god forsaken mansion, Yoongi noticed a crack in Taehyung’s cocky exterior.

“You’re not allowed to leave, and you don’t have any friends to come keep you company, so you’ve been forcing me to be your babysitter. You mess with me like how you would with a friend if you had any, but you don’t.” Yoongi continued, phrasing it as harshly as possible when he saw he was getting a reaction from the prince. “If I weren’t forced to be here, you’d be all alone in this big empty mansion. You have to get your dad to pay someone to come here and spend time with you, since you’re so insufferable on your own.”

That tiny expression that Yoongi had only seen once twisted Taehyung’s face as he listened to the pianist’s words. It looked like something as close to sorrow as the bratty prince was capable of, and Yoongi realized that he’d finally struck a nerve with the otherwise unshakable, cocky prince.

The moment of triumph withered away almost as fast as the peek into Taehyung’s true feelings did, when suddenly the prince’s typically smug expression morphed into one of malice, and Yoongi realized exactly what position he’d put himself in. He started to quiver under Taehyung, the exceedingly strong prince who had him pinned to the wall, with all the societal and physical power superior.

“You know what? Maybe you’re right.” Taehyung relented. “Maybe I don’t have friends, or family members who spend time with me, or places to go or people to see. Maybe I am just cooped up in here alone with all my money, and I’m exactly what everyone expects—a cocky, vain, entitled, insufferable prince.”

Something about the way Taehyung was repeating Yoongi’s words to him made the pianist tremble both in intimidation, as well as something else he hated to admit.

“But you know what else? At least I’m not a pathetic little piano teacher, who gets off on being bossed around and humiliated by his student.”

Yoongi felt his heart drop to his stomach at the prince catching him in his lechery. He hadn’t known that Taehyung had picked up on his attraction to him at all, because Yoongi assumed his frustration with the prince had heavily outweighed the draw his body had to him. But now, here they were, with Taehyung exposing Yoongi for exactly what he felt, and the pianist was crumbling beneath him.

“I think you secretly liked the fact that I was paying you to be here. You like the fact that I want you so much I’m willing to spend money on you. You really are a little freak, aren’t you? You like knowing that I’ll pay you thousands just so I can keep looking at your sexy little body all week.”

The pathetic mewl escaped Yoongi’s lips, and he sealed them shut, cursing himself for exposing what Taehyung’s words were doing to him. The prince just scoffed, though there was no real humor to his reactions now.

“Well then, if you really don’t want to come here anymore, I’ll end us off on getting what we’ve both been craving since the minute you walked through the door.”

Taehyung leaned in and pressed his lips against Yoongi’s, kissing him hungrily as he released all the tension that had been building up for both of them. Yoongi moaned and arched his body off the wall, pressing it against the prince’s as he balled his fists, his wrists still pinned to the wall.

Taehyung slotted his leg between Yoongi’s thighs, grinding it against the growing hardness between the pianist’s legs. Yoongi couldn’t stop himself from grinding against it, desperate for friction as his lust for the prince slowly took over his entire being.

The prince smirked and pulled away from Yoongi’s lips, kissing down the pianist’s jaw and to his neck, sucking and biting on the fair skin. Yoongi whimpered at the slight discomfort, the pain only adding to the pleasure as he kept rutting himself onto Taehyung’s leg.

“Grinding against my thigh like a slutty little bitch, huh?” Taehyung chuckled against Yoongi’s skin. “Yeah, seems like you really hate me.”

Yoongi clenched his jaw as he tried to hold back his moans, but it was futile. The pleasure Taehyung was giving him was far too much for Yoongi to contain, and quickly his lips parted to release the sounds of desire from Taehyung’s performance.

The prince relented his grip on Yoongi’s wrists, grabbing either side of his button-down shirt and ripping it clean apart, letting the buttons go flying as he pulled the fabric completely off and discarded it on his marble floor. He grabbed Yoongi’s tiny waist in his big hands, turning them so they were facing the piano. 

He bent Yoongi over it, reaching around to unbuckle Yoongi’s pants and yank the jeans down all the way to his ankles, pulling them along with his boxers right off so Yoongi was only in his socks pressed up against the piano while Taehyung was fully clothed.

It was beyond degrading as Yoongi’s face was still smushed up against the eighteen thousand dollar piano, his naked and sweaty body at the disposal of the arrogant prince. Taehyung reached into his pocket, pulling out the mini package of lube he always held just in case, and pouring some directly onto Yoongi’s hole, before spreading another squirt onto his fingers and circling the pianist’s rim

“Y-you have lube?” Yoongi choked out, shuddering at the cold liquid on his entrance.

“Yeah. I’ve been waiting to fuck you for a while, I’ve always remained prepared.”

Yoongi didn’t get a chance to comment further before Taehyung was slipping one of his fingers into the pianist’s hole, causing the older to cry out and dig his nails into the white mahogany of the grand piano. Taehyung didn’t take his time in stretching Yoongi out, seeing as he was pretty angry at the pianist’s harsh but true comments and just wanted to start fucking him immediately out of revenge.

The older was squirming and begging on the piano only minutes later—begging for Taehyung’s cock. The prince sneered and unbuckled his belt, pulling his joggers down just enough to release his cock, letting it slap against Yoongi’s ass a couple of times.

Yoongi could tell just from that action that Taehyung was big, and groaned in satisfaction once the prince lined his cock up to the pianist’s entrance and started pushing in. Yoongi’s jaw was slack as his voice slowly began reaching higher octaves than he knew he was capable of, in pain and pleasure of Taehyung’s gigantic cock making its way inside of him, up until it was pressed up against the pianist’s prostate.

He went completely limp against the piano, his eyes crossed with pleasure as Taehyung began thrusting into him. He still clenched and gritted his teeth, the pain matched with the pleasure ripping sounds of desire from deep within him and projecting them out to echo throughout the expensive mansion.

Taehyung grabbed Yoongi’s hips and lifted his upper body up completely onto the piano so that his feet hung off the floor, leaving the pianist entirely at the prince’s mercy. Taehyung kept a firm grip on Yoongi’s thin waist, his hands nearly encompassing it as he fucked into him. The piano legs screeched against the floor, probably scratching the expensive marble with every thrust Taehyung pounded into him.

Yoongi’s eyes were rolling to the back of his head, his tongue lolling out against the piano and his drool forming a puddle around his mouth on the glossy white maple wood. The abuse to the piano would have Yoongi sobbing if he weren’t currently being sent into another universe of pleasure against it. He practically was sobbing, but not for what was happening to the piano—it was for what Taehyung was doing to his ass.

Yoongi didn’t know this type of erotic euphoria was attainable, or even existed. His mind was blank, and he could only faintly hear the utter filth Taehyung was speaking to him. Something about being a horny slut? Or that this was his sole purpose? He wasn’t quite sure, all he knew was that the bratty prince who had been the bane of his existence for four months straight was now fucking him into oblivion, robbing him of his ability to think or string together a single sentence.

“You’re nothing but a little whore for me, Yoongi. You say you hate me so much? Then explain to me why you’re falling apart from my dick in your ass.” Taehyung pushed in as deep as he could go, eliciting the highest note Yoongi was certain he’d ever reached. “Oh wait, you can’t. You can’t speak at all, your mind has nothing in it but desperation for my cock. Well fucking take it, then.”

Taehyung pistoned his hips inside of Yoongi, triggering the pianist’s glossy eyes to leak the tears gathering in them, joining the pools of liquid coming from the older onto the piano that was worth his entire college tuition. It didn’t matter, it’s not like Taehyung was ever going to use it after Yoongi left anyway.

“You like getting humiliated and degraded by me, huh? Then let’s see just how humiliated you feel leaving with my cum leaking out of you.”

Taehyung reached around and jerked Yoongi’s neglected, painfully hard dick, the pianist only lasting a couple strokes before cumming all over the piano. If the king ever demanded Yoongi pay the repairs required after this little session on the piano, the pianist would be indebted to him for the next decade.

The prince gripped Yoongi’s hips hard enough to bruise before slamming in one final time, cumming as deep inside of the pianist as he possibly could with a gravely curse from his lips. He held his hips pressed up against Yoongi’s ass before slowly grinding in and out of the pianist a couple times to ride out their orgasms.

Finally his dick stopped twitching inside of Yoongi, though he could still feel the pianist’s hole spasming around him. Taehyung pulled out, the older whimpering at the loss now that his asshole fluttered around nothing. 

Taehyung let out a breath as he put his dick back in his pants, buckling his belt.

“Take as long as you need to collect yourself before you leave.” Taehyung directed, pushing his sweaty bangs out of his face. “The door will automatically lock behind you once you close it.”

Then, without a goodbye or one final look at the pianist, Taehyung walked upstairs to his room, and Yoongi faintly heard the sound of his bathroom door closing so he could shower off.

It took a moment for Yoongi to regain his vision, and even longer for him to be able to use his muscles again. His legs were so shaky that he knew if he got off the piano too quickly, he’d fall straight onto his ass. His ass, which was certain to hurt like a bitch tomorrow once he woke up, from Taehyung’s enormous dick inside of it.

Yoongi carefully shimmied off the top of the grand piano and, as predicted, almost fell onto his ass once his feet made contact with the ground. He hunkered down and crawled over to gather his shirt, pulling it over his sweaty frame. He couldn’t wear it properly, seeing as the buttons were littered across the floor, so he just pulled it around himself as tight as he could while he turned to crawl around the floor and search for his pants.

The feeling of Taehyung’s cum oozing out of him stopped being hot the minute he had to pull his pants on over it. By the time he finally had his belt buckled, he had enough use of his muscles to pull himself to his feet. He was still stumbling, but he managed to grab his keys and his book bag before heading to the door.

Yoongi stood at the entrance for a moment, listening to the running of Taehyung’s shower from the bottom of the stairs. The pianist wasn’t quite sure what his next move ought to be—seeing as the prince hadn’t given him any information as to what his future at this place looked like. He gathered that he most likely wouldn’t be coming back, and he wondered if he’d be getting paid for this short session after spending a half of it trying to fight the prince, and the last half of it getting fucked by him.

`•.¸¸.♫ │▌▌▌│▌▌│▌▌▌│▌▌│▌▌▌│♫´¨`*•.

“I’m sorry, Yoongi.” Namjoon said, his eyes downcast along with the other roommates after hearing the pianist explain the story.

There really wasn’t much else to say, it was truly devastating. Yoongi’s big break, and it had been ruined by the entitled prince. Yoongi had hardly moved in three days since the realization hit him the next morning after coming back from Taehyung’s, his eyes locked on the torn up rug in their living room as his mind raced. Being told his dream was coming true just to have it hindered by Taehyung, and ultimately having that dream snatched away after getting fucked into another universe by the boy who caused it all.

“I’m sure there will be other opportunities.” Jimin tried to encourage Yoongi with weak reassurances.

It was no use. They all knew that nothing would ever come close to what Yoongi had just lost, and he could practically kiss any association with royalty goodbye after what had happened with Taehyung. Yoongi would be shocked if he ever got another job again.

“It’s okay, guys. You don’t need to try and encourage me. I know I fucked it all up.” Yoongi rubbed his eyes. “Now I just have to face the music that I single handedly flushed any career in music down the toilet.”

“Yoongi, don’t say that.” Jimin pleaded.

Before the pianist could respond, they heard Jungkook bounding down the hallway.

“Yoongi?” Jungkook was tilting his head as he read the return address of the letter before handing it to the pianist. “This one is for you.”

“Wow, that’s a fancy looking envelope.” Namjoon commented. “Who is it from?”

Yoongi read it, and his heart dropped to his stomach as his hands went cold. 

“It’s the duke.” Yoongi sighed, not bothering to be careful in ripping the flap open. “It’s probably a rejection after Taehyung told him what happened.”

The roommates all deflated as Yoongi pulled out the letter, preparing for Yoongi to sigh and flop it onto the table.

However, upon reading the first line, Yoongi’s eyebrows knitted together. He sat up, perching forward as he read the letter carefully, all the roommates unaware that they were leaning in, anxiously awaiting an update.

When Yoongi took too long, Jungkook finally cut in. “What is it?”

“It’s a formal offer letter.” Yoongi said. “He said I got the position.”

“What?!” The three boys nearly shrieked at the same time, before leaping into action, crowding around Yoongi and pulling him into their arms in big hugs of celebration.

“Congratulations, Yoongi!” Jimin squealed, kissing the pianist’s head.

“You got it! Your first gig, and it’s a fucking royal orchestral tour!” Namjoon cheered, shaking Yoongi in excitement.

“That punk ass prince couldn’t conceal your talent. The duke wants you no matter what!”

Yoongi finally broke into laughter, unaware that tears were streaming down his cheeks until Jimin was wiping them away with his sweatshirt sleeves.

“I can’t believe it. I thought for sure that opportunity was long gone.”

“Turns out he likes you more.” Namjoon said with a satisfied smile. “And you can kiss that stupid ass piano tutoring job goodbye with prince Taehyung.”

The reminder that Yoongi was still under contract hit the pianist, right at the same time as he heard a notification from his phone. He pulled it out and saw that his scheduled payment had gone through to his bank from giving lessons to Taehyung.

“What is it?” Jungkook asked once he saw the perplexed look on Yoongi’s face.

“The king just paid me.” Yoongi said. “Like, my regular paycheck. As if I’ve been teaching Taehyung these past few days.”

The boys all settled down, quickly becoming equally bemused as Yoongi by the information.

“So, he’s still paying you?” Jimin asked.

“...I guess so?” Yoongi shrugged.

“Do you think he knows?” Namjoon questioned.

“There’s no way the king would pay me if he knew.” Yoongi shook his head. “I’m just shocked Taehyung didn’t tell his dad what happened.”

“I mean, he’s probably just as scared you’ll tell him, since he’s in the closet and all.” Jungkook hypothesized.

“His dad doesn’t care about that, he just didn’t want his son sleeping around with tutors and teachers. That’s why Taehyung didn’t come out—so that he could still fuck the men his dad hires.”

Despite already having been told that Taehyung had a track record of fucking his tutors, it never failed to baffle the roommates.

“So, are you gonna keep tutoring him?” Jimin asked.

Yoongi stared at the notification, pondering on the question for a moment before shrugging.

“I mean, he didn’t fire me, so I guess I still have to uphold my contract until the tour starts.” Yoongi said. “Plus, I do need that grand piano to practice.”

“Do you think he’s gonna talk about it?” Namjoon questioned.

“I doubt it. All the staff will be there.” Yoongi sighed. “It’s just gonna be a hell of a last two months finishing up our lessons after all this.”

`•.¸¸.♫ │▌▌▌│▌▌│▌▌▌│▌▌│▌▌▌│♫´¨`*•.

Yoongi knocked on the mahogany door the following morning, taking a deep breath to prepare for how inevitably awkward this encounter was about to be. Franco opened the door as expected, and greeted him as usual.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Min.”

“Hi Franco.” Yoongi greeted as the butler let him in. “Is Taehyung ready?”

“He is currently on a call. He said it would be a while, but that you can go ahead and start practicing on the piano.”

“Without him?” Yoongi looked at Franco, bewildered at the idea.

“Yes. He said you’re going to need to get comfortable with the grand piano for the tour.”

Yoongi put his music tote on the ground as he plopped down on the piano bench.

“Oh okay.” He smiled unsurely at the butler. “Thanks Franco.” 

“Let me know if I can get you anything.” The butler bowed before heading out.

Franco acted completely in line with his usual behavior, leading Yoongi to believe Taehyung hadn’t told him. In all reality, he probably hadn’t told anyone for fear of it getting around to his father, no matter how close he was with the staff in his personal villa.

It felt foreign to be playing the piano without Taehyung by his side, but Yoongi needed to practice. Since graduating, Yoongi only ever played on a grand piano like this at Taehyung’s house, since all he could fit at home was his keyboard. He hadn’t played regularly on a grand since grad school, and he needed to re-familiarize himself with the weight of the keys and use of all three pedals as opposed to the one plugged into his keyboard.

Yoongi decided to push away the discomfort of playing without Taehyung’s presence, and just started. For the next two hours, Yoongi played all the way through until his fingers were sore. He played the entire set that he would be on tour, and started on the first piece again when Franco’s presence brought him back down to earth.

“Mr. Min, I’m here to inform you that it has been two hours.”

Yoongi’s eyes widened as he looked up at the clock, and sure enough, it was a couple minutes past 2pm. For the entire 2 hour lesson, Taehyung was upstairs, doing god knows what.

“Oh, right.” Yoongi cleared his throat, gathering his bag. “Um…is Taehyung going to come down?”

“Perhaps tomorrow, today he just needed to get some things handled.” Franco said, walking Yoongi out.

It was confusing, since Taehyung A) had few, if any responsibilities, and B) tended to drop everything for his lessons with Yoongi. No matter what was going on around the mansion, who he was talking to or what game he was playing, he was always excited for his lessons with Yoongi.

Now, he didn’t emerge from his room to so much as greet Yoongi, and it perturbed the pianist.

“Okay, thanks Franco.” Yoongi bowed before heading out, feeling a little off kilter at not seeing the prince for the day.

However, it did not turn out to be just one day, but every day following.

Every day, Yoongi would come to the door, Franco would let him in as usual, then tell Yoongi whatever reason Taehyung had given for not coming down, Yoongi would practice on the piano for the entirety of the lesson, then he would go home. Day after day, week after week, that’s the new routine.

As grateful as Yoongi was to have a grand piano at his disposal to master his set on, it did start to unsettle him that he never saw the prince. He’d gone from spending two hours every weekday with him for the past four months, to suddenly never even catching a glimpse of Taehyung’s perfect face.

“He’s probably just embarrassed.” Jungkook suggested. “I mean, usually people are after one night stands.”

True, but this was not a regular one night stand. This was a very particular situation, and Yoongi was starting to feel uneasy about the fact that he hadn’t seen the prince since then. At this point, he’d rather just see him and have both of them awkwardly avoid bringing it up than whatever this new routine was.

“Isn’t your tour just around the corner?” Namjoon asked. “It’s probably for the best that he's letting you practice in peace.”

“I suppose.” Yoongi half heartedly agreed, though there was no real relief behind his words.

To be quite honest, against all odds, the pianist was starting to miss the entitled, cocky prince. He hadn’t realized how accustomed he’d become to Taehyung’s charming smile as he asked absurd questions and badgered Yoongi for two hours every day. He was shockingly starting to miss the banter between the two of them, always scolding Taehyung to be serious and the prince making an innuendo about it.

What Yoongi had believed to be the bane of his existence, had quickly become a gaping hole in his daily routine, and the sudden shift with no warning had him dread going to Taehyung’s mansion for a different reason than before. 

The first few months, Yoongi’s apprehension to drive nearly an hour for Taehyung’s lessons came from not wanting to deal with the prince’s obnoxious questions. Now, his hesitancy to go to his house stemmed from the loneliness he felt sitting in the main room, playing the piano in solitude for two hours, knowing Taehyung was just up the stairs, avoiding him.

It was a lack of presence that Yoongi had believed would be his saving grace, but all it turned out to do was leave a hollow space within him as the reality hit that he may never see the prince again.

`•.¸¸.♫ │▌▌▌│▌▌│▌▌▌│▌▌│▌▌▌│♫´¨`*•.

The end of the second to last month hit a day before the first show of the tour. Taehyung’s dad let Yoongi out of his contract a month early to start the tour, which the pianist had mixed feelings about. What would have been a dream come true three months ago turned into a melancholy update to the pianist, as he agreed and thanked Jin for relaying the early contract release from the king. As well as wishing him good luck on his tour.

Yoongi now stood in the backstage of the concert hall, anxiety-ridden in anticipation of the first show of the tour that was going to change his life.

“It’s finally time!” Jimin squealed, bouncing up and down as he handed Yoongi the bouquet of roses the roommates had all pitched in to buy him.

“Remember, we’ve got front row seats.” Namjoon said.

“If you need any moral support, just look up at us.” Jungkook chimed in. “I’ll be sending good vibes with my eyes all night.”

Yoongi grinned at his friend's efforts to hype him up before the first performance of the tour.

“Thanks guys.” Yoongi said sincerely. “This really means a lot.”

“We wouldn’t miss it for the world!” Jimin insisted.

Yoongi heard the sound of footsteps approaching the green room, and looked up to see the stage director peeking in.

“Mr. Min? It’s time to start assembling.”  She informed him, and Yoongi nodded before looking at his friends.

“I guess this is it.” The pianist shrugged.

“We’ll go to our seats.” Jimin said, wiping off some lint from Yoongi’s coat. “Good luck! As if you even need it, you’re going to slay.”

The three friends all retreated to their seats, and Yoongi placed the bouquet down on the vanity in his green room. Suddenly there was a knock on his door, and Yoongi turned to see none other than the king standing in the doorway with a proud smile on his face. Yoongi couldn’t stop himself from doing a quick check to see if Taehyung was behind him, but he was not.

“Congratulations, Yoongi.” The king praised as he walked in. “I can’t tell you how proud I feel as your first employer. The duke has thanked me countless times for bringing you to that party where he discovered you. You’ve become my pride and joy in this field.”

“Thank you so much, your majesty.” Yoongi smiled shyly, feeling nervous as he now spoke to the king for the first time. “I hope I don’t disappoint.”

“You’ll do fine. Taehyung has extremely high standards, and he says you’re the best teacher he’s ever had.”

Yoongi was unsurprisingly taken off guard by that piece of information, given everything that has happened.

“He has?”

“Absolutely. Any time I’ve asked about you, he said he’s learned so much and that you’re extremely patient and a mastermind at your craft.” The king said. “Now here we are, and you get to show audiences around the world of your gifted fingers.”

Yoongi blushed at the shower of compliments, having always been someone who struggled to believe anyone’s words of affirmation.

“That’s extremely kind. Thank you, your majesty.” Yoongi bowed to him, pausing before asking the question that was eating away at him. “Is…Prince Taehyung coming tonight?”

“He should be! He might just be running late, you know how he is.” The king chuckled. “We’ll certainly be coming to congratulate you after the performance. You’re going to make us proud.”

The king patted Yoongi’s back and headed out, leaving the pianist alone in his room. Yoongi stared at himself in the mirror, trying to gather the confidence and bravery he would need to make it through his first performance in front of thousands of people—many of them royal.

“You look nice.”

Yoongi whipped his head around to see none other than Taehyung standing in the doorway, looking dashing as ever in his elegant suit.

“Taehyung?” The pianist said, his voice nearly a gasp.

“I wanted to wish you luck before your first performance.” He smiled politely. “And apologize for missing our last month of lessons. I heard you, and I know you’re going to put on a phenomenal performance tonight.”

Though Taehyung was definitely there standing before him, it didn’t feel real. This wasn’t the irritating, eccentric Taehyung that had pestered him for four months. This wasn’t the obnoxious prince that had made countless moves on him, and it wasn’t the prince who had fucked him stupid the last time they’d met.

It wasn’t Taehyung standing before him. This was Prince Taehyung, and it made Yoongi feel far lonelier than he had been, knowing that the old Taehyung was most likely gone forever, and that from here on anytime Yoongi was around the prince, this was the version he would be getting.

“You had better make your way to the stage. I won’t make you late.” Taehyung said kindly before walking towards the door.

Yoongi felt helpless watching the prince leave, his mind scrambling to choose the right words to snap Taehyung out of this regal form of himself and speak to him normally just for a moment.

“Hey Taehyung?” 

The prince stopped, turning around to look at Yoongi. The pianist seemed hesitant, clearly unprepared for Taehyung to actually listen to him.

“I’m…I’m sorry. For what I said.”

Taehyung just stared at Yoongi for a moment as another polite smile formed on his perfect face.

“Good luck, Yoongi.” Taehyung wished him once more. “You’re going to do great.”

Then, just like their last night together at Taehyung’s mansion, the prince walked away without another word. Yoongi stood idly in his green room as he watched the door close behind him, dazed and replaying the scene in his head until his name was called.

“Mr. Min?” The stage director came to the door, looking exasperated. “You need to take your place, they’re about to raise the curtain.

Yoongi shook his head quickly to snap out of it, rushing after the director. She positioned him at the side of the stage as the announcer completed requesting that guests turn off their cell phones and limit their trips outside so as not to disrupt other guests. It was over far too quickly, and suddenly the lights were dimmed and Yoongi’s name was called.

The pianist felt like the world was blurring around him as the director gave him a nudge, and he started walking out onto the stage. He was instantly met with applause from the audience, eager to experience what the duke had been raving about.

Yoongi glanced to the right and saw his best friends sitting in the front row, giving him excited smiles of anticipation. It soothed him enough to make up for the lack of Taehyung’s presence as he walked out to the piano. 

He pushed the tail of his coat out of the way to hang over the bench as he took a seat. His eyes flicked up to the curtain, where he’d secretly hoped to see Taehyung standing and giving him an encouraging smile. Instead, it was the stage director, giving him a nod that he could start the performance. 

Yoongi felt he might freeze up, until his eyes quickly floated up to the box, where Taehyung and the king and queen were sitting, waiting in anticipation. The prince knew what was going on in Yoongi’s mind, and gave a warm smile, nodding for him to start with a tiny thumbs up like he had the first two times Yoongi played in front of an audience.

It was the final push of encouragement that Yoongi needed before he could finally begin, closing his eyes and picturing it in his head before his eyes went to the keys, his fingers following after.

The orchestra began playing the second Yoongi did, and just like that, the pianist felt himself dissolve into the notes that rang from the piano. The air was replaced with the music, and nothing else mattered but his fingers on the ivory, and the sound that came with it.

Yoongi played for an hour straight, never once missing a key. Everything flowed perfectly and beautifully, and by the time the last note finished, the entire auditorium erupted in cheers. The audience gave a standing ovation as Yoongi stood, walked to the edge of the stage and took a bow. Roses dropped onto the stage, and Yoongi looked out amongst the crowd.

Jimin, Jungkook, and Namjoon were howling and whistling as if at a sports game, and Yoongi decided not to tell them that cheering that way wasn’t appropriate for the setting unless they came to more of his shows after that. He just smiled down at them and bowed to the audience once more before walking back to stand before the piano as the curtains fell and concealed them from the audience.

Yoongi felt as though his ears were ringing, partly from the music and the cheers, and partly as his body’s way of pulling him out of the headspace he fell into when he was that immersed in the music. The orchestra members all congratulated Yoongi and each other, and the director escorted them off the stage and to the green rooms. 

Only minutes after Yoongi had gotten inside, the duke and the king burst into his room, with endless praises as they congratulated him. Yoongi hardly heard a single thing any of them said, feeling as though he was coming down from a high. He registered them showering him with compliments and saying they were going to take him out to dinner the following day to celebrate.

He wasn’t sure how long they were there, but when they finally left, things were already starting to quiet down backstage. Once alone, Yoongi plopped down onto the sofa. All of the adrenaline and deep emotion had completely rung him dry, and now he just sat and stared at the bouquet of flowers on the table before him. His phone was buzzing, the roommate group chat blowing up with his friends congratulating him and telling him that they were going out the minute Yoongi got home to celebrate his first big performance ending up to be a total success.

Yoongi continued to stare ahead at the flowers for an indefinite amount of time before all of the sounds of chattering and bustling outside of his door went completely quiet, indicating that the orchestra members had gone home. He knew that there was probably only a matter of time before he was told he needed to leave by the janitors, and finally gathered his bag and the roses to leave the concert hall.

He was almost out the door when a faint sound caught his attention and he stopped to listen. He frowned as he looked back and decided to investigate where it was coming from. 

The closer he got to the backstage area, the louder the noise was, and he realized that it was piano. Specifically, someone playing the piano, and beautifully, at that. Yoongi looked around to see if any other orchestra members had stuck around, but the backstage was completely deserted. 

Perhaps against his better judgment, Yoongi followed the sound, walking through the curtains to the stage that just hours before he’d been performing on. As he rounded the corner, he saw the piano strings vibrating, and when he looked up, he saw none other than Taehyung sitting on the bench—playing the piano with such grace it nearly brought Yoongi to tears.

The concert pianist didn’t even realize he was advancing towards the piano until he was standing right in front of it, looking at Taehyung from over the lid. He watched in astonishment, completely speechless as Taehyung finished the last chords. The reverb of the chords echoed as Taehyung kept his foot on the sustaining pedal, staring at the keys his long, beautiful fingers laid on.

“You…learned how to play?” Yoongi questioned in awe.

Taehyung finally released the pedal and let the theater go quiet as he looked up at Yoongi.

“I always knew how to play.” Taehyung responded. “I was alone in a mansion all day every day for twenty years. What else was there to do but fiddle with the giant piano sitting there collecting dust?”

Yoongi was at a loss for words, his eyes shifting between the keys and Taehyung before the prince slowly lowered the fallboard to signify that his time with the piano was over.

“I figured I’d play just a little more before I have to go back home.” Taehyung said, securing the key lid and looking back up at the pianist. “You’re still a good teacher, though. And a far better pianist than me. You’re gonna do really well on your tour.”

The prince stood, making his way to walk off the stage and to the back exit.

“Taehyung?” Yoongi called, causing the younger to stop and look over his shoulder at the pianist.

Yoongi was just as unprepared on how to continue the conversation as before he’d performed, except far more desperate this time around. 

“I…I don’t want you to go home.”

Taehyung slowly turned to face Yoongi from a safe distance apart. “I have to. I’m not supposed to be away from my villa for too long.” 

Then, in a completely unexpected turn of events, Taehyung gave a courteous bow to Yoongi. 

“Before I go, I also want to apologize for what I said the last time I saw you at my house. I didn’t mean any of those words.” Taehyung said with remorse, referring to the dirty talk he’d used when he’d fucked Yoongi. 

Truthfully, the pianist could hardly remember anyway from the salacious ecstasy he’d been brought to via the prince’s earth-shattering sexual performance. 

“I also want to apologize for my behavior over all of our months together. You should not have had to put up with that, and I should not have acted in such a way.” Taehyung finished what he was saying with a polite smile. “I really do thank you for your patience with me, and I’m wishing you all the luck in the world on your tour, and from here on in your pianist career.”

Before Taehyung could turn to try and leave again, Yoongi called to him one more time.

“Taehyung!”

The prince remained where he stood, his eyes on Yoongi.

“Yes?” He asked, his expression still completely stoic.

Yoongi didn’t have any other way to express himself with words, so he simply ran over to Taehyung and threw his arms around his neck, going on his toes to press his lips to the prince’s. Taehyung was understandably quite shocked, but closed his eyes and he wrapped his arms around Yoongi’s waist nevertheless, grateful for the affection from the man he’d developed passionate feelings for.

The pianist held Taehyung tight, holding their kiss for long enough that the prince eventually crouched and secured his arms around Yoongi’s waist, lifting him up so they were the same height and he didn’t have to hunch over to kiss him nor have Yoongi crane his neck up. Yoongi held Taehyung tighter, cradling the back of his head with one hand, curling his fingers through the prince’s silky hair and cupping his face with his other.

Taehyung relished in the kiss, holding Yoongi up with ease as the pianist kept it going. Eventually they needed to pull away for air, and Taehyung lowered Yoongi back to his feet and Yoongi reluctantly accepted the pause in their kiss to explain.

“I don’t want you to go.” Yoongi finally said. “I know you have to go home, but I don’t want you to.”

Taehyung finally smiled genuinely, his heart warming at the words Yoongi spoke, sharing that he actually yearned for the prince’s presence.

“I don’t want to go home either, but I don’t have much of a choice.” Taehyung responded. “I’m a bit confused, I thought you hated me?”

“I thought I did too.” Yoongi admitted sheepishly. “But once I wasn’t around you every day, I realized that I don’t hate you. I actually missed you…like, a lot.”

Taehyung chuckled at Yoongi’s confession. “Are you sure you don’t just have Stockholm syndrome?”

“Tae, I’m being serious.” Yoongi said, and the prince immediately dropped the playful tone, proving to the pianist that Taehyung could in fact be mature enough to get focused when he was asked to be. “I realized after being away from you for a while that I actually kind of like you. Not the sex, not the money, and not the connections. But you. I like you. And I want you to come with me afterall.”

The previously cocky, brat of a prince looked unsure of himself for the first time Yoongi had ever seen. Like he couldn’t believe Yoongi would like him for him, and not what he had to offer.

“I have nothing to gain from asking you to come. Your dad paid me so I’m not worried about being broke, and he set me up with all the overseas connections and now I’ve proven myself to them so I’m not afraid of your dad ruining my career.” Yoongi explained. “There’s no other reason for me to be asking you to join me, except to keep me company.”

“There will be plenty of people with y—”

“I don’t want just any company. I want your company.” Yoongi stopped him before he could continue. “I want you to come with me, and tell your corny jokes and immature innuendos, and continue being a little nuisance to me, because it turns out I really like it. I really like you, Taehyung.”

After analyzing Yoongi’s face, Taehyung’s signature grin finally restored onto his perfect lips, endeared by the pianist’s words in his confession.

“I really like you too, Yoongi.” Taehyung professed, leaning in to kiss the eager pianist once more.

Yoongi didn’t release his arms from where they were looped around Taehyung’s neck as he pulled away from the kiss to look into Taehyung’s big eyes. “Do you think your dad will still let you come with me?”

“Yeah, I never told him I wasn’t.” Taehyung chuckled. “I was just gonna tell him I didn’t want to go on the day you left so he didn’t have time to try and talk me into it.”

“Oh, well, that makes things easier.” Yoongi smiled in relief.

He leaned up to kiss Taehyung again, making no effort to stop. The prince didn’t miss a beat, lifting Yoongi’s thighs up around his waist and carrying him to the piano, laying him out on the top of it. He unbuckled the expensive leather belt secured in the waistband of Yoongi’s slacks, hooking his fingers in and pulling them down and off the pianist’s legs completely.

Yoongi eventually broke the kiss to look up at Taehyung with pleading eyes.

“You’re not gonna make me crawl around for my pants again, are you?”

Taehyung cracked a grin, failing to hold back his laughter at the piece of information Yoongi had just shared.

“You were crawling around for your pants?”

“And shirt.” Yoongi added on, a little frown on his face as Taehyung continued to fail in his effort to hold back his laughter, and Yoongi smacked his shoulder. “It was not funny!”

“I’m sorry, you’re right. It’s not.” Taehyung corrected, though the smile pulling at the corner of his lips exposed that there was little truth to his words. “And no, I will not have you crawling around looking for your pants. I’ll re-dress you myself, and carry you to the car if need be.”

The idea of being carried after Taehyung’s dick rendered him nearly paralyzed both gave Yoongi butterflies from how hot it sounded while also making him blush from how humiliating it would be, especially if any of his orchestra players caught such a scene. Though everyone was long gone at this point.

“Fuck,” Taehyung rasped into Yoongi’s skin as he kissed his neck. “I’ve been wanting to do this ever since that night. You have no idea how many times I’ve dreamed about those sexy moans you make when you’re getting pounded by my dick.”

Yoongi whimpered, curling his fingers into Taehyung’s hair and wrapping his legs around the prince’s waist. He’d missed Taehyung so much, and now he just wanted all of him everywhere.

After Yoongi sucked Taehyung’s dick and the prince ate the pianist out, along with globs of spit to try to lube themselves up, Taehyung was finally pushing into Yoongi. The pianist was wincing in pain, and Taehyung kept pausing to make sure he was okay, followed by tender kisses on his cheek and collarbones.

Finally once Taehyung had lodged himself inside of Yoongi, the pianist got used to the stretch and directed Taehyung to move. The prince started slowly, watching Yoongi’s every shift in facial expression to make sure he wasn’t hurting the pianist past what he was accepting of.

Eventually, Yoongi was fine, and urged Taehyung to move faster. When Taehyung fucked Yoongi on his own grand piano, the table legs scratched against the marble, and the thing about this grand piano, was that it was on wheels, so Taehyung found himself having to hold the piano still so he could pound into Yoongi. 

At a certain point, Taehyung’s grip got so hard on the lid, that his thrusts were paired with the prince yanking the piano forward to add to the momentum of him burying his dick into Yoongi’s ass. The pianist was seeing stars, clawing into the wood as his toes curled and the heat coiling in his stomach kept building.

“Tae…” Yoongi whimpered. 

“Are you gonna cum for me, Yoongi?” Taehyung taunted, using every ounce of restraint he had not to suck hickies onto the pianist’s neck for the sake of Yoongi not having to put on foundation for his next few performances. “Go ahead, pretty boy. Cum all over the nice suit I paid for.”

He thrust in particularly hard against Yoongi’s prostate, and the pianist nearly screamed out as he did exactly what Taehyung said—cumming all over his stomach, which included his expensive dress shirt. He was pushed near the point of overstimulation as Taehyung fucked into him with fierce vigor, trying to chase his own orgasm before he groaned and thrusted in as deep as possible and came inside of Yoongi.

The pianist whined as he felt Taehyung fill him with his load, the prince slowly pushing in to ride both of their orgasms out. Taehyung looked down at Yoongi, who appeared disoriented from how hard he’d orgasmed. He chuckled and bent down to kiss the pianist, Yoongi using his remaining muscles to wrap his arms around the prince’s neck.

“Can you walk?” Taehyung asked once he’d pulled away.

“No.”

The prince chuckled as he pulled out, causing Yoongi to grunt at the loss like their first time as his hole fluttered around nothing. Taehyung pulled Yoongi’s pants up before lifting the pianist in his arms and carrying him through the deserted backstage to his greenroom. He laid him down and properly cleaned him up with tissues in there, sneaking kisses as he did so.

Yoongi felt a wave of relief as he came down from his high, realizing that Taehyung was going to be with him like this every night. In the green room or hotel room together, the two of them alone with just each other at last. For the whole tour, Taehyung would be with him, just like this.

Yoongi sighed in satisfaction as Taehyung squeezed onto the couch with him, pulling the pianist to lay on top of him with his head on the prince’s chest. It was their first time ever cuddling like this, and Yoongi felt tingles all the way down his spine at how good it felt, hearing Taehyung’s heartbeat and feeling the prince wrap his arms around his waist.

“Hey Tae?” Yoongi finally asked.

“Hm?”

“Are you gonna fuck me on a piano every time we have sex?” 

The question made Taehyung crack up, and Yoongi could feel the low vibrations of the prince’s laughter against his cheek.

“I wasn’t planning on it.” Taehyung said with a smug grin. “But if that’s your fetish, I’ll have a piano put in every room you enter so I can fuck you wherever we are.”

While the comment previously might have had Yoongi rolling his eyes, he just smiled in contentment now that he knew he had the old Taehyung back, and held the prince closer as he drifted off to sleep curled up against him.