Firmly Trapped 6/6
Title: Firmly Trapped 6/6
Pairing: Kai/Taemin (Exo/SHINee), [Side Pairings: Chanyeol/Baekhyun, Changmin/Jaejoong]
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: These two definitely do not belong to me, but I'm borrowing them for the joys of this story.
Summary: Taemin doesn't want to be a prince, living in the shadow of his perfect father and his father's consort. He wants to be free, no matter the price he has to pay.
A/N: This story takes place about 16 years after Tightly Bound's epilogue. Taemin is 17 years old at the beginning of this story, with Baekhyun at 18 and Kai at 16. Taemin's older sisters are 21 years old.
Warnings: Prostitution
Part 6: The Truth Trap
Hours later, after a long warm bath in his mother’s private bathing wagon, Taemin lay on a bed in one of the guest wagons. His mother spared no expense outfitting them for comfort, and the bed was even softer than the one at his castle. Rainbow hangings draped around it, closing it off from the small sitting room and the other bed. He wore only a thin pair of pants with a thick blanket over him.
The bed dipped behind him and fingers ran through his hair, moving it off his shoulders. He opened his eyes just to make sure it was Kai who kissed his skin, and then he smiled and slid over, allowing Kai to climb under the covers with him. They rearranged until Taemin was tucked under his chin.
Kai had taken to meeting his parents well. He remembered to bow at least and not actually gape at how tall Father was and how white Mother’s hair was. Taemin introduced him as Jongin.
He could tell that his father wanted to start the interrogation right away, but again, only Jaejoong’s soft hand on his arm stalled the questions.
Taemin was glad. He did not want to talk about life in the namsadang.
“Can I brush your hair now?”
Taemin chuckled. “Did you bring a brush?”
“Yes.”
Taemin sat up, and Kai moved close enough to kiss his bare shoulder. He started at the bottom of Taemin’s hair, the ends just past his shoulderblades. It was still wet from his bath. Kai used his hand almost as much as he used the brush. Taemin loved the feel of both.
“Do you know what I like most?” Kai whispered, rubbing his fingers along Taemin’s neck.
Taemin made a noise to show he was listening.
Kai chuckled. “Twisting your hair in my fist while you suck on my cock.” He demonstrated, wrapping his hair up in his hand, and yanking Taemin’s head back.
Taemin licked his lips and moaned. Kai laughed and let his hair go and went back to brushing it.
“I have a feeling your parents are going ot make you cut it.”
“They can try.”
The brush clattered on the wooden floor and then Kai tackled him to the bed, peppering his skin with kisses and bites.
Taemin let him, rolling to his back. He danced his fingers up and down Kai’s back.
Kai pulled the blanket over their heads and then scooted about until their faces were level and they did not have to move to kiss. A soft kiss, with Kai’s hand on Taemin’s cheek. Taemin felt that the kiss was supposed to be short, but he did not want short, and he opened his mouth, reaching for Kai’s tongue. Kai sighed and kept the kisses shallow, but at least he wasn’t pulling away. Taemin loved shallow kisses, a little tongue, more about the touch of lips than anything else. He felt treasured and accepted, like Kai expected nothing more from him than the kiss. No responsibilities.
Taemin finally pulled away and smiled. “Thank you.”
“For what?” Kai asked, running his hand through Taemin’s hair.
“Coming with me.”
Kai chuckled. “You threw me over your shoulder and ran, like I had a choice.”
Taemin pouted.
Kai smiled and leaned forward for a kiss. “Thank you for rescuing me. I knew if they knew who you really were that they’d do something drastic, just for the money.”
Taemin nodded. “Thank you for keeping our secret.”
Kai swallowed. “Well, I love you, it’s the least I could do.”
Taemin’s smile widened. “You love me.”
Kai nodded. “Of course. Thank you for being patient. Thank you for understanding why I kept holding on to that life even though it did not mean anything.”
“But it did.”
“It didn’t. Not anymore.”
“It did at the time. It meant a lot. Everyone’s life means a lot even if it’s under a fat sweaty village leader who is paying for your body.”
“You are too good for me.”
“I feel the same way about you.”
He shook his head. “A namsadang whore and a prince.”
“I’ve been a namsadang whore too. Want to try your hand at being a prince?”
Kai bit his lip. “You said I wouldn’t have to live in a castle.”
“You won’t. We won’t.”
“I ... I ...”
“And what about your family? Father will find them for you, even if they have moved from your birth village.”
Kai shook his head. He gripped Taemin’s hand, fingers threaded together. “I ... I want to care, but it is hard. I’ve lived most of my life not even knowing them. I was sold to the namsadang when I was only six. And like you said, they sold me.”
“We’ll still look for them.”
“That isn’t important. You are important. I want to stay with you.”
“You will,” Taemin said and kissed him. “I promise. I love you. No one will take you away from me.”
“What are you going to tell your father?”
Taemin shrugged. “The truth, I guess.”
“All of it?”
“I have never lied to my fathers. I don’t plan on it now.”
Kai rolled away and faced the wall. Taemin stared at his back for a moment and scooted close. With an arm around his waist, Taemin littered Kai’s dark skin with small kisses. Kai shuddered, and Taemin kissed his neck again, his hand slipping under the band of Kai’s breeches.
“Well, well,” a different voice said from outside the fabric enclosure. “Jongin’s bed is empty. Imagine that.”
Taemin huffed in frustration, but he at least did not curse out his father’s lover when the hangings around the bed were ripped open. Jaejoong had a tendency to use magic when he did not want to be heard, sneaking up on anyone to make sure they were not breaking rules.
Taemin looked over his shoulder and attempted to glare, but Jaejoong was not upset, smiling widely at them both.
“Fabulous. Your father owes me a fantastic blowjob.”
“Ew, Joongie, gross.”
Jaejoong sat on the edge of the bed. “I told him you two were lovers. He did not believe me. So we bet on it. And now I get his mouth on my dick, and his fingers inside--”
“Ugh, gross. Too much information.”
Kai laughed.
“Get up,” Jaejoong said and smacked Taemin’s bottom. “Your parents will be here in about two minutes to come and talk to you.”
Taemin sighed and buried his face between Kai’s shoulder blades. “Must we do this today?”
“Yes, especially if we need to start arresting entertainers as soon as we return to the castle.”
Taemin rolled to his back and took a deep breath before sitting up. Kai rubbed his back, and then played with the ends of his hair.
Jaejoong moved away from the bed, to a shared dresser. He pulled out two matching, billowy white shirts and tossed them on the bed. “Your father wants me to put a truth spell on you, but I don’t need to, do I?”
A test, Taemin knew. He pulled on the tunic and met Jaejoong’s eyes. “No. You don’t.”
Jaejoong smiled. “Good.”
Changmin entered the wagon and was followed by both of his mothers. Jinri held a tray of tea. She brought it over to Taemin and Kai with a smile, and then offered a cup to Jaejoong and Changmin.
Taemin waited until his parents were sitting on the other bed, mirroring him and Kai where they leaned against the wall, legs crossed. The tea was lavender and rose, a mix of his mothers’ favorite herbs.
Taemin felt himself choke up a little. It been too long. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath.
“First,” he said, and had to repeat it when his voice was stronger. “First, you all have to know that no matter what happens from now on, Kai ... Jongin, sorry, Jongin is going to be part of my life.” He held out his hand and Kai took it.
“Kai?” Jinri asked.
“His stage name, with the namsadang.”
“Ah, and to the point already,” Changmin said.
Jaejoong shook his head. “Start at the beginning. We’re both aware of your relationship with Jongin.”
Taemin glanced over at him, and Kai smiled and held out his hand. “I met Kai the day after I left. The namsadang was performing in Sodal, and we stopped at the river just beyond the town, and Kai came to get some water. He recognized me, but said nothing about it. After that, Baekhyun and I just moved and lived off the land until the autumn. We met up again with the namsadang and they let us stay through the winter. We gave them fake names, and Kai never said a single thing about who I really am. I got your first leaf a while after that, before spring.”
“They took a long time to find you each time,” Jaejoong said. “I figure it’s because you kept moving, and it’s hard to send things on wind currents.”
“You sent more than one?” Changmin said, frowning at his lover.
Jaejoong smiled. “I sent another one, after a particularly harsh feeling of hurt slammed through you. Why didn’t you ever send anything back?”
“I did not want something to fall in the wrong hands.”
“If the namsadang leader had found out who he is,” Kai interjected, “they would have hurt him, ransomed him, done ... done something horrible.”
“Why did you stay then? With those that were hurting you?” Changmin practically shouted.
Taemin played with Kai’s fingers, unwilling to actually talk about this part. He had to, he’d promised Jaejoong that he would be honest.
And then to his surprise, Kai pushed away from him and landed on his knees. “It’s my fault, your majesties. If it was not for me, Taemin would have left the namsadang before ... before ...” Kai winced and looked up at Taemin.
Taemin sighed. “Before I started being used as a prostitute.”
It was completely silent for about three seconds and then Changmin exploded from the bed, standing and towering over Kai. “You sold yourself?”
“You are a prince, not a whore!” Jinri said.
“Why would you do such a thing?” his mother added.
Taemin looked down at Kai, who was shaking and shooting silent apologies over to Taemin with his eyes.
Taemin sighed, and then he moved, and his parents stopped yelling (though Jaejoong had not even started). He kneeled next to Kai and bowed, almost completely in half, sufficiently shutting them up and stunning them still.
“I stayed because of Kai, yes, because he took care of me and protected me. I fell in love with Kai in a horrible situation, and if I had left him there, especially after the leader found out who I was, then all four of you would be yelling at me for leaving him there. So I stayed, I stayed until they almost broke my spirit. I stayed until I became the namsadang’s favorite whore who men paid almost double to have, and even triple if both Kai and I pleasured them. But then the leader found out who I was, found out that Kai knew, and was on his way to killing him. So we ran. Tell me I did the wrong thing.”
He reached over and took Kai’s hand and squeezed it tightly.
It was Jaejoong that lifted his face. “What else are you not telling us?”
Taemin shut his eyes and fought to talk over his tight throat.
“He killed the leader to save me,” Kai whispered.
Taemin blinked and just barely held his tears back. “I never miss my target.”
Jaejoong smiled. “You are an amazing archer, Taemin-ah. Even better than your father when he was your age.” He wiped at a tear on Taemin’s cheek. “It is always hard to take a life, Taeminnie, but you did it protecting your friend. That is always honorable. I want you to start over, okay? Tell us everything that has happened. We will not interrupt you.” He glared at the other three. “Even if I have to silence them, okay?”
Taemin nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“Do not be sorry for protecting your friend. Never be sorry for that. We understand why you ran away from the castle. We understand why you have often ran away. I do not think you need to be sorry for anything. We only want to know what happened to you, and we need to know the crimes of the namsadang before we arrest those that we can and help free the ones that were trapped and used like you. Okay?”
Taemin swallowed and nodded again. “Okay.”
Jaejoong squeezed his shoulder and then helped them both up. To Taemin’s surprise, he hugged Kai and heard him whisper, “Thank you for protecting him.”
Kai was only able to nod back.
Taemin sat on the edge of the bed with Kai next to him and their fingers entwined, and he told them the entire story. And this time, his parents let him explain. He glossed over the first time he was sold to who knew how many men, but made sure that he explained Kai’s part in making sure he was not alone, making sure he was not hurt in any way. He talked about the conversations he heard, the ones whispered when the leader was not around. He explained why he decided to leave, that Kai had not agreed to go with him, but how all of that changed because the leader was hurting him and how they had to fight their way free, with Baekhyun getting injured. Jinri brought him more tea when his voice went hoarse. Kai kept a hold on his hand.
“You can’t judge me,” Taemin said, looking right at his father, “for doing what I did, because as I’m sure I do not need to tell you, sex feels good. Especially when you’re with someone you care about so much. But you can’t judge me, or the people being taken advantage of by the namsadang. And even the reason why. Most of this is your fault. You can’t judge anyone because they see you as living a depraved, elven life. The people do not agree with the depravity that sits upon the throne. Many speak ill of you behind your back. I’ve been all over this country, I’ve seen everything they do behind your backs, the illegal trade of people, drugs, and sex - but if the king can be immoral then so can they, and they do not respect your authority.”
Changmin sighed. “I do realize that.”
“But you do nothing to fix it! When was the last time you left the castle? When was the last time you went out on a tour and visited the farms and families who support you?”
“A king is busy,” Jaejoong said.
Taemin shook his head. “Too busy for his people? And even as the prince, you rarely left the castle except to show off in tournaments.”
“That is quite enough,” Changmin said, voice rising a little bit.
“It is,” Jaejoong said and shut Changmin up with a look. “The two of you need to rest more before dinner.”
“Or even sleep through it,” Jinri offered. “I’ll bring you some food later, okay?”
Taemin nodded. “Thank you, Mama-Ri.”
Jinri laughed and was the first to rise. “You haven’t called me that in a long time.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
Jinri kissed his forehead and then ruffled Kai’s hair. “Welcome to the family, kid.”
Luna hissed at her lover who only laughed and motioned for the other woman to head out the door.
“Rest,” Jaejoong whispered and kissed his forehead too.
Taemin was very aware of his father stomping out the door without saying anything else.
Jaejoong smiled. “He knows about his people, Taeminnie. He knows that they do not respect him. Your grandmother had an elaborate plan to change that, but then your grandfather died so suddenly. I suggest that if you have any ideas on how to help, you present them properly, in court as anyone else would. That way, he must consider your ideas and must listen to his council on them as well.”
Taemin smiled. “Thank you, Daddy Joongie.”
Jaejoong moved away and softly shut the door behind him.
Taemin fell to his back with a heavy sigh.
Kai stayed sitting, tense and unsure.
Tugging at his shirt, Taemin said, “I love you.”
Kai turned and nodded. “I love you too.”
“Thanks for being here with me.” Taemin smiled and tugged a bit harder. “Come and kiss me. We’ve been given a reprieve and we should take advantage of that with sex because I do not know when I am going to get you alone again.”
“And I bet that is what Chanyeol and Baekhyunnie are doing and we cannot let them have more sex than us.”
“Definitely not.”
Epilogue: The Hope Trap
Part 5: The Resting Trap
Part 4: The Broken Trap
Part 3: The Pleasure Trap
Part 2: The Hidden Trap
Part 1: The Honor Trap
.
Pairing: Kai/Taemin (Exo/SHINee), [Side Pairings: Chanyeol/Baekhyun, Changmin/Jaejoong]
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: These two definitely do not belong to me, but I'm borrowing them for the joys of this story.
Summary: Taemin doesn't want to be a prince, living in the shadow of his perfect father and his father's consort. He wants to be free, no matter the price he has to pay.
A/N: This story takes place about 16 years after Tightly Bound's epilogue. Taemin is 17 years old at the beginning of this story, with Baekhyun at 18 and Kai at 16. Taemin's older sisters are 21 years old.
Warnings: Prostitution
Part 6: The Truth Trap
Hours later, after a long warm bath in his mother’s private bathing wagon, Taemin lay on a bed in one of the guest wagons. His mother spared no expense outfitting them for comfort, and the bed was even softer than the one at his castle. Rainbow hangings draped around it, closing it off from the small sitting room and the other bed. He wore only a thin pair of pants with a thick blanket over him.
The bed dipped behind him and fingers ran through his hair, moving it off his shoulders. He opened his eyes just to make sure it was Kai who kissed his skin, and then he smiled and slid over, allowing Kai to climb under the covers with him. They rearranged until Taemin was tucked under his chin.
Kai had taken to meeting his parents well. He remembered to bow at least and not actually gape at how tall Father was and how white Mother’s hair was. Taemin introduced him as Jongin.
He could tell that his father wanted to start the interrogation right away, but again, only Jaejoong’s soft hand on his arm stalled the questions.
Taemin was glad. He did not want to talk about life in the namsadang.
“Can I brush your hair now?”
Taemin chuckled. “Did you bring a brush?”
“Yes.”
Taemin sat up, and Kai moved close enough to kiss his bare shoulder. He started at the bottom of Taemin’s hair, the ends just past his shoulderblades. It was still wet from his bath. Kai used his hand almost as much as he used the brush. Taemin loved the feel of both.
“Do you know what I like most?” Kai whispered, rubbing his fingers along Taemin’s neck.
Taemin made a noise to show he was listening.
Kai chuckled. “Twisting your hair in my fist while you suck on my cock.” He demonstrated, wrapping his hair up in his hand, and yanking Taemin’s head back.
Taemin licked his lips and moaned. Kai laughed and let his hair go and went back to brushing it.
“I have a feeling your parents are going ot make you cut it.”
“They can try.”
The brush clattered on the wooden floor and then Kai tackled him to the bed, peppering his skin with kisses and bites.
Taemin let him, rolling to his back. He danced his fingers up and down Kai’s back.
Kai pulled the blanket over their heads and then scooted about until their faces were level and they did not have to move to kiss. A soft kiss, with Kai’s hand on Taemin’s cheek. Taemin felt that the kiss was supposed to be short, but he did not want short, and he opened his mouth, reaching for Kai’s tongue. Kai sighed and kept the kisses shallow, but at least he wasn’t pulling away. Taemin loved shallow kisses, a little tongue, more about the touch of lips than anything else. He felt treasured and accepted, like Kai expected nothing more from him than the kiss. No responsibilities.
Taemin finally pulled away and smiled. “Thank you.”
“For what?” Kai asked, running his hand through Taemin’s hair.
“Coming with me.”
Kai chuckled. “You threw me over your shoulder and ran, like I had a choice.”
Taemin pouted.
Kai smiled and leaned forward for a kiss. “Thank you for rescuing me. I knew if they knew who you really were that they’d do something drastic, just for the money.”
Taemin nodded. “Thank you for keeping our secret.”
Kai swallowed. “Well, I love you, it’s the least I could do.”
Taemin’s smile widened. “You love me.”
Kai nodded. “Of course. Thank you for being patient. Thank you for understanding why I kept holding on to that life even though it did not mean anything.”
“But it did.”
“It didn’t. Not anymore.”
“It did at the time. It meant a lot. Everyone’s life means a lot even if it’s under a fat sweaty village leader who is paying for your body.”
“You are too good for me.”
“I feel the same way about you.”
He shook his head. “A namsadang whore and a prince.”
“I’ve been a namsadang whore too. Want to try your hand at being a prince?”
Kai bit his lip. “You said I wouldn’t have to live in a castle.”
“You won’t. We won’t.”
“I ... I ...”
“And what about your family? Father will find them for you, even if they have moved from your birth village.”
Kai shook his head. He gripped Taemin’s hand, fingers threaded together. “I ... I want to care, but it is hard. I’ve lived most of my life not even knowing them. I was sold to the namsadang when I was only six. And like you said, they sold me.”
“We’ll still look for them.”
“That isn’t important. You are important. I want to stay with you.”
“You will,” Taemin said and kissed him. “I promise. I love you. No one will take you away from me.”
“What are you going to tell your father?”
Taemin shrugged. “The truth, I guess.”
“All of it?”
“I have never lied to my fathers. I don’t plan on it now.”
Kai rolled away and faced the wall. Taemin stared at his back for a moment and scooted close. With an arm around his waist, Taemin littered Kai’s dark skin with small kisses. Kai shuddered, and Taemin kissed his neck again, his hand slipping under the band of Kai’s breeches.
“Well, well,” a different voice said from outside the fabric enclosure. “Jongin’s bed is empty. Imagine that.”
Taemin huffed in frustration, but he at least did not curse out his father’s lover when the hangings around the bed were ripped open. Jaejoong had a tendency to use magic when he did not want to be heard, sneaking up on anyone to make sure they were not breaking rules.
Taemin looked over his shoulder and attempted to glare, but Jaejoong was not upset, smiling widely at them both.
“Fabulous. Your father owes me a fantastic blowjob.”
“Ew, Joongie, gross.”
Jaejoong sat on the edge of the bed. “I told him you two were lovers. He did not believe me. So we bet on it. And now I get his mouth on my dick, and his fingers inside--”
“Ugh, gross. Too much information.”
Kai laughed.
“Get up,” Jaejoong said and smacked Taemin’s bottom. “Your parents will be here in about two minutes to come and talk to you.”
Taemin sighed and buried his face between Kai’s shoulder blades. “Must we do this today?”
“Yes, especially if we need to start arresting entertainers as soon as we return to the castle.”
Taemin rolled to his back and took a deep breath before sitting up. Kai rubbed his back, and then played with the ends of his hair.
Jaejoong moved away from the bed, to a shared dresser. He pulled out two matching, billowy white shirts and tossed them on the bed. “Your father wants me to put a truth spell on you, but I don’t need to, do I?”
A test, Taemin knew. He pulled on the tunic and met Jaejoong’s eyes. “No. You don’t.”
Jaejoong smiled. “Good.”
Changmin entered the wagon and was followed by both of his mothers. Jinri held a tray of tea. She brought it over to Taemin and Kai with a smile, and then offered a cup to Jaejoong and Changmin.
Taemin waited until his parents were sitting on the other bed, mirroring him and Kai where they leaned against the wall, legs crossed. The tea was lavender and rose, a mix of his mothers’ favorite herbs.
Taemin felt himself choke up a little. It been too long. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath.
“First,” he said, and had to repeat it when his voice was stronger. “First, you all have to know that no matter what happens from now on, Kai ... Jongin, sorry, Jongin is going to be part of my life.” He held out his hand and Kai took it.
“Kai?” Jinri asked.
“His stage name, with the namsadang.”
“Ah, and to the point already,” Changmin said.
Jaejoong shook his head. “Start at the beginning. We’re both aware of your relationship with Jongin.”
Taemin glanced over at him, and Kai smiled and held out his hand. “I met Kai the day after I left. The namsadang was performing in Sodal, and we stopped at the river just beyond the town, and Kai came to get some water. He recognized me, but said nothing about it. After that, Baekhyun and I just moved and lived off the land until the autumn. We met up again with the namsadang and they let us stay through the winter. We gave them fake names, and Kai never said a single thing about who I really am. I got your first leaf a while after that, before spring.”
“They took a long time to find you each time,” Jaejoong said. “I figure it’s because you kept moving, and it’s hard to send things on wind currents.”
“You sent more than one?” Changmin said, frowning at his lover.
Jaejoong smiled. “I sent another one, after a particularly harsh feeling of hurt slammed through you. Why didn’t you ever send anything back?”
“I did not want something to fall in the wrong hands.”
“If the namsadang leader had found out who he is,” Kai interjected, “they would have hurt him, ransomed him, done ... done something horrible.”
“Why did you stay then? With those that were hurting you?” Changmin practically shouted.
Taemin played with Kai’s fingers, unwilling to actually talk about this part. He had to, he’d promised Jaejoong that he would be honest.
And then to his surprise, Kai pushed away from him and landed on his knees. “It’s my fault, your majesties. If it was not for me, Taemin would have left the namsadang before ... before ...” Kai winced and looked up at Taemin.
Taemin sighed. “Before I started being used as a prostitute.”
It was completely silent for about three seconds and then Changmin exploded from the bed, standing and towering over Kai. “You sold yourself?”
“You are a prince, not a whore!” Jinri said.
“Why would you do such a thing?” his mother added.
Taemin looked down at Kai, who was shaking and shooting silent apologies over to Taemin with his eyes.
Taemin sighed, and then he moved, and his parents stopped yelling (though Jaejoong had not even started). He kneeled next to Kai and bowed, almost completely in half, sufficiently shutting them up and stunning them still.
“I stayed because of Kai, yes, because he took care of me and protected me. I fell in love with Kai in a horrible situation, and if I had left him there, especially after the leader found out who I was, then all four of you would be yelling at me for leaving him there. So I stayed, I stayed until they almost broke my spirit. I stayed until I became the namsadang’s favorite whore who men paid almost double to have, and even triple if both Kai and I pleasured them. But then the leader found out who I was, found out that Kai knew, and was on his way to killing him. So we ran. Tell me I did the wrong thing.”
He reached over and took Kai’s hand and squeezed it tightly.
It was Jaejoong that lifted his face. “What else are you not telling us?”
Taemin shut his eyes and fought to talk over his tight throat.
“He killed the leader to save me,” Kai whispered.
Taemin blinked and just barely held his tears back. “I never miss my target.”
Jaejoong smiled. “You are an amazing archer, Taemin-ah. Even better than your father when he was your age.” He wiped at a tear on Taemin’s cheek. “It is always hard to take a life, Taeminnie, but you did it protecting your friend. That is always honorable. I want you to start over, okay? Tell us everything that has happened. We will not interrupt you.” He glared at the other three. “Even if I have to silence them, okay?”
Taemin nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“Do not be sorry for protecting your friend. Never be sorry for that. We understand why you ran away from the castle. We understand why you have often ran away. I do not think you need to be sorry for anything. We only want to know what happened to you, and we need to know the crimes of the namsadang before we arrest those that we can and help free the ones that were trapped and used like you. Okay?”
Taemin swallowed and nodded again. “Okay.”
Jaejoong squeezed his shoulder and then helped them both up. To Taemin’s surprise, he hugged Kai and heard him whisper, “Thank you for protecting him.”
Kai was only able to nod back.
Taemin sat on the edge of the bed with Kai next to him and their fingers entwined, and he told them the entire story. And this time, his parents let him explain. He glossed over the first time he was sold to who knew how many men, but made sure that he explained Kai’s part in making sure he was not alone, making sure he was not hurt in any way. He talked about the conversations he heard, the ones whispered when the leader was not around. He explained why he decided to leave, that Kai had not agreed to go with him, but how all of that changed because the leader was hurting him and how they had to fight their way free, with Baekhyun getting injured. Jinri brought him more tea when his voice went hoarse. Kai kept a hold on his hand.
“You can’t judge me,” Taemin said, looking right at his father, “for doing what I did, because as I’m sure I do not need to tell you, sex feels good. Especially when you’re with someone you care about so much. But you can’t judge me, or the people being taken advantage of by the namsadang. And even the reason why. Most of this is your fault. You can’t judge anyone because they see you as living a depraved, elven life. The people do not agree with the depravity that sits upon the throne. Many speak ill of you behind your back. I’ve been all over this country, I’ve seen everything they do behind your backs, the illegal trade of people, drugs, and sex - but if the king can be immoral then so can they, and they do not respect your authority.”
Changmin sighed. “I do realize that.”
“But you do nothing to fix it! When was the last time you left the castle? When was the last time you went out on a tour and visited the farms and families who support you?”
“A king is busy,” Jaejoong said.
Taemin shook his head. “Too busy for his people? And even as the prince, you rarely left the castle except to show off in tournaments.”
“That is quite enough,” Changmin said, voice rising a little bit.
“It is,” Jaejoong said and shut Changmin up with a look. “The two of you need to rest more before dinner.”
“Or even sleep through it,” Jinri offered. “I’ll bring you some food later, okay?”
Taemin nodded. “Thank you, Mama-Ri.”
Jinri laughed and was the first to rise. “You haven’t called me that in a long time.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
Jinri kissed his forehead and then ruffled Kai’s hair. “Welcome to the family, kid.”
Luna hissed at her lover who only laughed and motioned for the other woman to head out the door.
“Rest,” Jaejoong whispered and kissed his forehead too.
Taemin was very aware of his father stomping out the door without saying anything else.
Jaejoong smiled. “He knows about his people, Taeminnie. He knows that they do not respect him. Your grandmother had an elaborate plan to change that, but then your grandfather died so suddenly. I suggest that if you have any ideas on how to help, you present them properly, in court as anyone else would. That way, he must consider your ideas and must listen to his council on them as well.”
Taemin smiled. “Thank you, Daddy Joongie.”
Jaejoong moved away and softly shut the door behind him.
Taemin fell to his back with a heavy sigh.
Kai stayed sitting, tense and unsure.
Tugging at his shirt, Taemin said, “I love you.”
Kai turned and nodded. “I love you too.”
“Thanks for being here with me.” Taemin smiled and tugged a bit harder. “Come and kiss me. We’ve been given a reprieve and we should take advantage of that with sex because I do not know when I am going to get you alone again.”
“And I bet that is what Chanyeol and Baekhyunnie are doing and we cannot let them have more sex than us.”
“Definitely not.”
Epilogue: The Hope Trap
Part 5: The Resting Trap
Part 4: The Broken Trap
Part 3: The Pleasure Trap
Part 2: The Hidden Trap
Part 1: The Honor Trap
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