Chapter Text
The Min family arrives the following Monday, and while Jimin is excited about seeing his friend for the first time in nearly a year, he finds himself wishing the man would leave as soon as he arrives. Yoongi can’t seem to take his eyes off of Jungkook as soon as he’s out of the carriage. The younger boy is waiting for the Min butler to hand over their luggage, but Yoongi is looking at him like he’s fresh meat.
Jimin feels a familiar burst of jealousy at someone staring at his baby like that. He knows Jungkook is handsome and attractive, but it doesn’t mean he has to like it when someone looks at Jungkook like he’s nothing but a pretty shell.
He’s so focused on observing Yoongi that he forgets he’s meant to welcome the entire Min Family to his home - specifically, Min Yoonji. Lord Park clears his throat, a clear indication that he’s waiting for Jimin, and so he quickly moves forward, bowing in respect as he greets her and the entire family.
Min Yoonji is just like he remembers. She’s always been beautiful with her sharp cat eyes, cute nose, and round cheeks. That doesn’t fool him though, he knows that she thinks she’s better than everyone else, and she’s extremely stubborn in her ways. But despite that, he knows that she will be the most pleasant candidate presented - because she wants to get as far away from Jimin as possible.
This means that there’s no sabotaging necessary. There’s no way she’d agree to marry him. So the entire time that the Min family is here, instead of being with her like he would under normal circumstances, he finds himself in the company of Min Yoongi.
He is also like Jimin remembers. He’s kind, and wise, and there’s that little something about his personality that makes Jimin want to argue and debate with him, even if it’s pointless. However, he has changed a bit since the last time they saw each other. A year ago, Yoongi never cared one ounce about Jungkook despite knowing that they were close friends. He was always polite, but he never spoke to or spoke of Jungkook unless necessary. But now… now he keeps bringing up the younger boy.
If Jimin didn’t know better, he’d think that his hyung has a crush on him. He brushes it off as impossible though, because when has he ever met someone else like him and Jungkook? Someone who liked their own gender? It’s never happened before, but maybe it's because of the same fear that keeps Jungkook and Jimin from shouting out to the world that they love one another. And this makes Jimin think again, if Yoongi was like them, wouldn’t he have that fear too? So why would he be so obvious about it?
He tries to write it off as his hyung just wanting to be friends with Jungkook - Jimin’s closest friend, but still. It irks Jimin to no extent. He constantly has to stop himself from just shouting at Yoongi to leave him alone because Jungkook is taken and his.
That’s what he keeps telling himself. Repeatedly.
Until Wednesday arrives, and his mother decides to throw a ball because she thinks that it’s time for her and their father to start finding Nari a husband. Jimin wonders if it isn’t enough that they’re already trying to force him to marry, but now they’re already focusing their attention on his twenty-year-old sister. He can’t get them to hear him though, and he can’t help but feel a bit disappointed in himself.
The house is full of bustle as the staff prepare for the first ball being thrown in the house since the ‘get-jimin-engaged’ project started. The rooms of the house are packed with people from town and other guests that Jimin doesn’t even know. The theme is pink - the color of love, his mother says with an excited smile on her face. He can see how much she missed throwing balls and having the opportunity to impress people on a grand scale. He has to admit, this is by far one of the more extravagant balls she’s ever hosted. The food is spectacular and the decoration delicate and pretty.
Though, even with all her planning and effort into making this a night everyone enjoys, Jimin doesn’t. He’s forced to dance with every eligible young women around, even those that already rejected him, and some people he’s sure would be on the list soon enough. The only positive coming out from this night is that Jungkook looks extra dashing as he walks around serving guests with a precious smile that makes Jimin’s heart stutter. He looks gorgeous, with his hair swept to the side and the waistcoat clinging tightly to his body. Jimin can see how tired he is though, and he has the sudden urge to save him from guests, even for a few minutes.
He is able to sneak away at some point, while his parents aren’t looking, and he finds Jungkook just as he’s about to head back to the kitchen for refills.
Jimin grabs the tray in his hand and places it in the hands of the first staff member he sees, a gentle smile on his face, “I need him for a second. I spilled some wine on my clothes. Please excuse him.”
Before Jungkook can even protest, or the staff can notice that his outfit is squeaky clean, he’s dragging the boy behind him. The younger is groaning, complaining about how he’s going to get into trouble for not helping.
“You won’t, I’ll cover for you.” Jimin giggles, holding on tight until he finds a small, quiet corner room in the house where no one is around, and no one guests would come to.
He can still hear the music. He smiles happily, closing the door behind them. He holds out his hand to Jungkook, “Let’s dance.”
Jungkook sputters, nerves on high alert at the thought of dancing with his lover while they’re not in a securely private area when anyone could come looking for him or Jimin, “What?!”
Jimin steps closer, taking Jungkook’s hand in his before he places it around his waist, “I said, let’s dance.”
“Hyung- I have to go help.” Jungkook bites his lip, glancing at the door nervously. What if someone comes in and catches them like this? Jimin can explain them being away for a bit, but how can he explain them holding each other?
“Do you not want to dance?” Jimin asks, even though he knows it’s not that. He sees the worry that swims in his baby’s eyes. He wishes to take it away. Just one night, can’t they be like the others and dance to the same music? Or are they going to be cursed with having to dance to the tunes in their head for life?
The other boy shakes his head, “It’s not that. I’m just a bit nervous. There’s so many people here.”
“Don’t worry. The door is closed, no one will come in.” Jimin squeezes his shoulders gently before he wraps his arms around Jungkook’s neck. He’s right - no one will come in, they are far enough from the party that no one should even come this way. He tells Jungkook just as much, “This room is too far from the party. Trust me, no one will come.” He looks into the younger’s pretty brown eyes and tries to convey his sincerity in this, “Please dance with me? I’ve danced with dozens of women today, but I haven’t had a chance to dance with my baby.”
And maybe it’s cruel of him to use that nickname when he knows Jungkook can’t resist doing whatever he wants after that.
Jungkook nods, “I trust you hyung.”
Then he melts against Jimin, leaning his head to rest atop Jimin’s, and they begin to sway to the music.
It’s peaceful and calm, and Jimin loves the feeling of Jungkook against him. The warmth, the way his breath tickles his ear. The feeling of security as Jungkook pulls him closer, the way their hearts beat as one.
It’s something the two of them never got to do before, but here they are and he wishes the moment could last forever. The music above changes to a more lively song, and he finds himself and Jungkook pulling away at the same time.
They don’t have to communicate with words as both of them separate and begin to dance a traditional ball dance. It’s almost poetic, how the story of the song is about a love that conquers all. How there is nothing that can get in the way of it, if it’s true love.
He listens and thinks; this is it. This is us.
Jimin and Jungkook.
Born out of opposites, like the sun and moon, but they still found a way to each other.
Born too similar, so people might hurt them for what they don’t understand.
Born from love. Because they’re made to be.
When the song comes to an end, they meet in the middle, and it’s physically impossible for Jimin to not grab Jungkook and pull him in for a fierce, desperate kiss.
“I love you.”
“I love you.”
When they make their way back to the main area of the ball, Jimin subtly squeezes Jungkook’s fingers before they separate.
The second he’s in the room, Nari is on him.
“Where did you disappear to?” She scolds, upset at her big brother leaving her to fend for herself in a sea full of leeches. “I can’t believe you left me, next time you disappear, take me with you!”
Jimin laughs, putting his hand on her waist as they begin walking around together. “I’m sorry. I got some wine on my shirt and had to fix it up.”
She frowns as she looks down at his shirt, and Jimin immediately changes the subject because he knows that she’s far too sharp. He moves onto something he knows will distract and fire her up.
“Have you seen anyone that you like?” He asks, glancing around the room to find a few new faces. These guests must have arrived while he was gone.
She groans, head in hand as she shakes her head with frustration.
“Everyone here is despicable! I can’t believe mother thinks these are eligible young men. No one should be marrying them.”
This has him laughing so hard that he nearly falls over, but there’s a firm hand on his stomach that stops him. He freezes when he realizes that it’s Jungkook, and he quickly pulls himself together to seem indifferent. He takes a step back, laughter stopping as refuses to meet his lover's eyes.
“Thank you, Jungkook.”
“Of course.”
And then he’s gone again, and Jimin misses him already.
The next time he sees the younger, Jimin is standing with Nari and her friends, Ryujin included, and Jungkook is with Yoongi. He’s holding a tray to his side, but he’s leaning down to hear what the other has to say.
Whatever it is must be funny because his lover is giggling, hand over mouth, eyes all scrunched up.
It makes fire burn in Jimin’s veins.
He watches as his hyung smiles at Jungkook, and there’s a sinking feeling in his stomach that he was wrong.
Earlier, he thought that his hyung couldn’t be like them because no one fearing the consequences would be so open like this. He could have been wrong. Yoongi might just be like them. He might be holding the same secret as them close to his heart. He’s just not as scared as them - or maybe they’re too scared because they have something to lose.
But even if he is into men, Jimin thinks as he watches the way his hyung eyes Jungkook’s arms with interest, there’s no way he’s getting ahold of Jungkook.
That’s his man.
Jimin continues to watch them, seething from his teeth but not making a move until he catches Yoongi reaching out to squeeze Jungkook’s biceps.
He sees red.
He finds himself storming over, an irrational feeling of jealousy and possessiveness rearing it’s head. He doesn’t hear his sister call for him, asking where he’s going. He can’t hear or see anything beyond JungkookJungkookJungkook.
How dare Yoongi touch him?
“Hyung.” Jimin grits out the words as he reaches them. He glances at Jungkook, who gulps nervously at the tone and takes a step back. Jimin catches his wrist and with a menacing smile, he says, “Jungkook-ah, remember to come see hyung when this is over, okay? I think I want a bath. Tonight I’ve had too many people touch me and I don’t want to sleep in this state. I’m sure you can say the same.”
The air is tense as he stares at his lover, whose eyes dart between Jimin and Yoongi. Jungkook wonders if he missed something - if Jimin and Yoongi are fighting and he doesn’t know about it. But he can’t ask now because even if the three of them are in their own corner in the room, they’re still in a room full of people.
The blond lets the boy’s wrist go, and Jungkook nods.
“Yes, I’ll come to you.”
“Good, now why don’t you refill the tray hmm? I’ll keep Yoongi-hyung company.”
Jungkook glances between them again, before he turns to Jimin with a worried look.
Are you okay?
Jimin gives him a smile that reassures him and Jungkook politely excuses himself.
Finally, when he’s gone, the blond turns his attention to Yoongi, who is looking at him calculatedly. Jimin knows that the little exchange with Jungkook was probably not a good idea, and he wants to ask what the older is thinking about it. If he suspects anything about the two of them, if he is like them, but Jimin doesn’t know if it’ll be such a good idea. He’s scared of what he might hear.
“You and Jungkook seem closer than I remember.”
Jimin nods. The last time Yoongi saw him and Jungkook in the same room together, Jimin was better at hiding his feelings and jealousy. Though, he supposes, that’s a direct result of Yoongi being too touchy and interested in Jungkook now.
“That comes with spending many years by each other’s sides,” he responds, and his hyung nods with a little smile playing on the corner of his lips. It’s close to a smirk, and he looks smug, but Jimin doesn’t understand what he’s smug about. He shifts uncomfortably on his feet, suddenly feeling like he was just played and that he walked straight into a trap.
“I had a friend like that too. You know Kim Namjoon?” Jimin nods. Namjoon is a member of the education committee in the town over. He’s heard about him, but he’s never actually met the man. Yoongi continues, “He and I were like that too. Spent so much time together that we became close. I remember when I got jealous of him spending time with others as well. No hard feelings Park, don’t worry about it. I understand it’s something that our close friends just bring out of us.”
The blond schools his face to look stoic. It sounds like his hyung is trying to imply something about him and Jungkook - and the thing he’s implying could quite literally get them jailed. Suddenly the situation dawns on him, and he is itching to get out of this uncomfortable corner with his hyung.
“I’m not jealous hyung, I promise. But I have to go, it seems as though my sister needs me.” He lies, a fake smile planted on his face. “Please enjoy the rest of the ball.”
He gets out of that corner as fast as he can, missing the way Yoongi smiles triumphantly.
For the rest of the party, he’s in a bad mood and doesn’t bother dancing with any of the female guests, instead hanging back with Ryujin and Nari’s other friends. He makes sure to watch who is dancing with Nari, taking special note of their names and what they do. He promised he’d make sure she finds a good match, so he will.
But he can’t stop the feeling of bile wanting to rise up his throat every time he thinks about his conversation with Yoongi. So later in the night, he tells Nari that he has to leave because he feels unwell, and her eyes shine with concern as she reassures him that she’ll be fine. Even his mother allows him to leave, but not without a grimace of her own. He contemplates going out for a ride to The Sleeping Horse again, but he doesn’t think it would be a wise decision, given how many guests from out of town they’ve invited over. It’s not likely that anyone of their social standing would be sleeping there, but he’d rather be safe than sorry.
On the way up to his room, he spots Yoongi talking to a tall, broad-backed man outside of the house. He’s got dragon-like eyes and a dimple smile as he gazes down at Yoongi. His hyung returns the smile, gums sticking out sweetly. Curiosity about the nature of their relationship peaks Jimin’s interest and he finds himself ready to sneak out.
He’s stopped halfway through, by his father, who talks loudly enough to draw Yoongi’s attention and alert him that he and his acquaintance aren’t alone. He looks over at Jimin and his father, eyes unfocused before he pulls on the man in front of him to move away.
Jimin sighs. He turns to his father with a forced smile, “Yes?”
“You’re leaving? All of our guests are still here.” He responds, disapproval clear in his voice. Jimin knew his father wouldn’t let him leave the ball, which is why he didn’t ask for his permission in the first place.
“I’m feeling unwell. Please - I need to rest.” Jimin sighs, exhausted at the idea of even returning to the ball, “I promise that I’ve already danced with all the eligible young ladies. I don’t think it would make a difference if I stay longer.”
There’s silence before his father nods stiffly, “Fine.”
Jimin smiles and bows politely to his father before turning to go back up.
“Jimin-ah.” His father stops him again, “Tell me something. Did you like any of them?”
He doesn’t know what to say. He doesn’t, for obvious reasons, but he knows his father won’t like that answer. So, instead, he shrugs and responds, “I didn’t dislike anyone.”
His father seems to be bothered by this, frowning deeply at the answer. But in the end, he sighs and gestures for Jimin to continue walking to his room.
The coolness of his pillow and the sheets feel like heaven against him the second he lies down. He can’t fall asleep - he’s not tired and the music from the ball is still too loud despite being so far away from it. And as much as he’s grateful for the break this provides from people, he failed to realize that being left alone would mean his thoughts would roam free.
The way Yoongi looked at Jungkook… the way that he touched him with clear interest…
It makes Jimin uncomfortable and it makes him feel jealous, which is not only a feeling that he hates but also something he hasn’t felt in such a long time. He hadn’t needed to feel it before, because while some guests would come and eye Jungkook hungrily, none of them were none. None of them were potential love interests for Jungkook because Jungkook would never ever find women attractive. But tonight…
For a split second, he watched as someone else touched and looked at Jungkook the way he does.
And it makes him feel sick because
Because what if he does get married, and he and Jungkook don’t pull through, and one day down the line he has to watch Jungkook with another person? Being in love with someone else. Even the idea makes him feel sick.
He lies there stewing in his own feelings of jealousy over something that hasn’t even happened yet.
When Jungkook arrives to his room two hours later with his hair slightly messy and flushed cheeks from the hard work, Jimin feels desire burn through him. He sits up straight in bed and narrows his eyes at him.
His baby. His man. No one else’s.
No one else could ever have him like Jimin does.
The younger doesn’t even have a chance to say anything before Jimin is on him, pulling him in for a rough kiss as the door slams closed when Jimin pushes him against it. His hands move frantically over Jungkook, running through his hair before down down down over his body, settling on the swell of his ass. He pulls him closer, and even though they’re already pressed against each other, it’s not enough.
He bites down on the younger’s lip, and Jungkook whimpers before he twists himself out of Jimin’s hold.
“Baby-” Jimin starts, but is cut off by Jungkook pressing a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth.
“Wait, wait.” he pants beneath Jimin. They’re both still out of breath. “I just need to put something down.”
Jimin lets him move out of the way, trailing after him, clutching onto the back of his waistcoat. Jungkook puts what looks like a letter on his desk, and the second his hands are free, Jimin turns him around and pulls him in again.
“All mine now.” Jimin purrs into his ear, before licking across the appendage. Jungkook gasps softly, his ear one of his erogenous zones. The younger boy grips onto Jimin’s arms, tightening his hold when the blond drags kisses down his neck, before marking him there.
He’s biting, licking, and soothing it all at once, and Jungkook - he feels overwhelmed. He squeezes Jimin, fingers digging into his arm, not knowing what else to do as the other assaults his neck.
Jungkook finds himself not caring if anyone sees those marks in the morning. Jimin makes him feel amazing. He moans when the elder finds that one spot, and he almost jerks himself free because of how sensitive he feels. It’s so-
It’s so good.
His skin feels on fire, and he needs out of his clothes. He needs Jimin out of his. He needs to hear his hyung moan.
Jungkook trails his hands up until he’s gripping tightly onto Jimin’s hair. He pulls his hyung’s head back, making him hiss.
“I want you.”
It’s like he triggers something in Jimin, because his eyes flare with lust and he’s pulling him in for another rough kiss. In between the harsh biting, licking, and pulls, he keeps murmuring “You’re mine.”
The younger nods in agreement, moaning little yeses into the kisses. Jimin pushes him, and he lets himself be pushed to land on the soft bed. The blond doesn’t even give him a chance to breathe as he attaches their lips again, kissing until he sticks his tongue down Jungkook’s throat. Their tongues meet, and it’s wet and hot and oh-
He feels Jimin’s leg brush up against his already hard crotch. They moan together, Jimin feeling it too.
The elder loves it when he sees the effect he has on his baby. He’s hard too, but there’s nothing quite like knowing you’re desired, especially in moments like these where all he can think of is how no one else should ever be able to have Jungkook like this. He tugs on the younger boy and twists them around so that Jungkook is hovering over him. He takes a second to just look at him.
The pink flushed cheeks, his swollen red lips that are slick with spit, his eyes - oh those beautiful, beautiful brown eyes - dilated with interest and admiration, the way his broad shoulders follow that soft yet lustful gaze…
Jimin needs to devour him.
It seems like Jungkook agrees with those sentiments because less than a second later he’s pushing away, going straight for Jimin’s pants and pulling it down.
“Baby,” Jimin gasps when he feels the tight grip of Jungkook’s hand around him. “Ba-”
“Can I suck you?” He asks, and the blond’s cock twitches in his hands. It makes the younger smirk, oh, yes, his hyung wants that. Jungkook eyes the hard cock in front of him - it’s not as big as Jungkook’s, but what it lacks in length it makes up for in girth. His mouth waters at the thought of the stretch of his lips around it. The tip leaks precum as he waits for Jimin to answer him, and he can’t resist thumbing over the head of the cock., spreading some of the substance around.
Jimin jerks into his hand, nodding, guiding Jungkook’s head down.
“Go on,” Jimin encourages, and the younger opens his mouth wide before sinking down. The stretch is just how he imagined, the corner of his lips burning with pleasure. The faintest taste of salt meets his tongue and he swirls it around the head before he hallows his cheeks to provide a tight suction for Jimin. The man beneath him moans, hand coming to grip his hair as he lightly thrusts into Jungkook’s mouth.
“So good baby,” he encourages, voice strained, and fuck if that didn’t go straight to his dick.
Jungkook’s stomach tightens in pleasure just from hearing Jimin call him good, and he sighs as he continues to sink his mouth around the cock, until it’s all the way in his mouth. It reaches the back of his throat and he gags as tears begin to fill his eyes. The stretch and the burn is just - too much. But it’s so good - because he knows that it brings his hyung pleasure. Jimin runs his fingers through Jungkook’s hair and whispers, “Relax. Breath.”
He does. He manages to get himself comfortable enough to start moving, taking Jimin in and out, drool dripping down the thick and veiny cock. Some slip down to his chin, and he knows he must look like a mess.
Jimin writhes beneath him, moaning as he arches off the bed. Jungkook feels his thighs twitch when Jimin sinks down again, and then his hyung thrusts into the warmth of Jungkook’s mouth. He continuously hits the back of Jungkook’s throat, making him gag but fuck, he loves it. He loves the feeling of being used for his hyung’s pleasure, he loves the way his hyung is moaning because of him, he loves the taste and weight on his tongue. Most of all, he loves the way Jimin keeps chanting that Jungkook is his, that he is doing amazing, and that he is perfect. It makes the younger preen, toes curling as he hurriedly humps his achingly hard cock against the sheets.
His briefs are wet with his own precum, and he wants out of his pants that are digging into him uncomfortably in this position and with his cock straining the material.
“You’re making hyung feel so good my baby,” Jimin gasps when Jungkook begins to fondle with his balls. His eyes nearly roll to the back of his head when Jungkook pops off of his cock and begins to kitten lick him. He looks so filthy, tears running down his cheeks, mixed with his own drool and Jimin’s precum.
“You look so pretty,” his hyung murmurs when Jungkook looks up at him. The younger’s eyes twinkle before he moves his mouth to Jimin’s balls, licking and sucking on them, happy when his hyung moans in overwhelmed pleasure.
Jungkook feels so
Floaty.
Like he could cum just from this.
Just from hearing the way Jimin moans because of him, from feeling his thighs twitch under him, from the way his balls tighten in his mouth, the way his cock twitches and leaks because of him.
He sighs in contentment when he takes Jimin’s cock back in his mouth. Feels so good. He needs his hyung to cum in his mouth - he needs to taste it, swallow it, have it in him. He needs it so fucking bad.
Desperation overtakes him, and he sucks and strokes and swirls until Jimin is shaking under him, cock twitching in his mouth as his balls tighten and then-
He gasps as pleasure overtakes all of his senses and his mouth is painted with white, sticky, and salty cum. He hums happily around Jimin’s cock, swallowing what he can desperately, not stopping with his sucking until he has milked his hyung dry.
“Greedy baby.” Jimin coos when Jungkook finally pulls off. There’s cum dripping down the side of his mouth, and Jimin cleans it off with his finger. The younger eyes it hungrily, before he takes Jimin’s finger in his hands and guides it to his mouth.
His finger is engulfed in warm wetness, and he gasps as Jungkook cleans his finger, sucking it like he would a cock.
“You like it that much?” He asks softly as he eyes Jungkook. He looks so peaceful and sated. But he didn’t even get to cum yet. At least that’s what Jimin thinks until the other nods, pulling off of his finger before whining. “What’s wrong baby?”
“I-” He moans uncomfortably, “I came in my pants.”
“Oh,” Jimin gasps, moving around to take a look. There’s a big stain right by his crotch area, the material clinging onto the boy and giving a clear outline of his cock. “Oh, baby liked making hyung cum?”
Jungkook blushes, suddenly shy, as if he didn’t just give Jimin one of the best blowjobs ever. “Hmm.”
“You’re so cute my love,” Jimin says as he twists around, grabbing onto Jungkook’s big, muscular arms and dropping down on him. Jungkook groans at the unexpected weight before he holds onto Jimin’s thighs. “You did so amazing for hyung,” Jimin murmurs as he bends to press kisses all over Jungkook’s face. “You made me feel so good,” he presses one to his neck, before licking against the mark he left earlier. “But I want you to fuck hyung now, can you do that?”
And even though his cock is now soft in his briefs, the mere mention of Jimin wanting him to fuck him has him chubbing up again. He nods eagerly, ready to do whatever Jimin wants.
“Yes, yes,” He chants, circling his hips up so that Jimin can feel how he’s ready for him.
“Ah, my perfect baby.” Jimin kisses him again, on the lips this time, slipping out his tongue to taste the inside of Jungkook’s mouth. There’s a hint of salt and bitterness from his cum, but he likes it. When he does separate from him, it’s to give an order, “Stretch me.”
Jungkook is quick to wiggle out from under Jimin and fetch the oil. There’s a sense of urgency from Jimin when he’s back by the bed, and so he tries to be fast when stretching his hyung. His mouth waters at the way he looks on all fours, his pulsing rim so inviting for a kiss, but he resists because he’s good and Jimin didn’t say he could lick.
When he’s three fingers in, Jimin taps his hands, “Enough, enough. Fuck me now baby. Fuck your hyung.”
He’s loosening his own pants, gasping as he’s finally set free from the uncomfortableness, and then he’s pressing his hard cock against Jimin’s tight and wet hole.
“Go on,” Jimin urges, wiggling his butt back so that the tip of his dick catches.
Jungkook gasps, his cock oversensitive from cumming once before already. He pushes in, moaning when Jimin sucks him in easily and so, so tightly, “Hyung.”
“That’s a good boy, go on.”
He thrusts up to the hilt, both of them moaning in tandem. Jimin grips the sheets beneath him before he pushes back, fucking himself on Jungkook’s cock.
“You feel so good,” Jimin moans, “Fuck hyung baby.”
Jungkook grips onto his hips, leaning forward as he begins to thrust. His cock is sensitive, and he’s sent into overdrive as Jimin squeezes him.
“Hyu-” Jungkook whines, as he pushes forward, stomach already tensing with the need to cum, “m gonna cum, hyung.”
He doesn’t want to - he should wait, he should wait for Jimin hyung, but-
“Cum for hyung, but don’t stop fucking me until I cum too.”
He spills immediately when he’s given permission, falling forward as his legs shake, but then he’s pulling back and continuing to fuck his hyung, whining at the overstimulation. His cock- he can’t take it.
“Hyung- ‘s too much, hyung, cocks sensitive,” He moans as he continues even still. His body, his mind won’t let him stop unless he’s allowed to.
Jimin slips off of Jungkook, and he almost blanches, thinking he was bad, but then his hyung turns around onto his back and brings his knees to his chest, “You will fuck me until I cum, okay baby?”
He finds himself nodding, he will. He will.
“Good boy,” Jimin coos, sighing when Jungkook sinks in him again, “You make hyung feel s-so good, hmm. Your cock was made for me, ah.” He moans as the younger fucks him, going faster at those words. “Feel how I just suck you in?”
He nods, fucking Jimin harder, the elder keening when he finds his prostate and continuously hits there.
“Ah! You w-were -nggh- made for hyung.” His eyes are screwed shut, a sheen of sweat on his skin that Jungkook just wants to lick up. He moves languidly in Jimin when he leans down to lick across his neck. Fuck, fuck.
He’s going to cum again. But he won’t - he won’t until Jimin cums. Jungkook tightens his grip on Jimin and fucks him at an animalistic pace.
His hyung screams for him, clutching around his cock in a vice grip, “Y-your cock, fuck! Cock just for me. Oh, Koo- all mine. Just like you. All- all for me.”
And Jungkook pants, unable to hold back as he cums again at those words, whimpering when Jimin finally cums around him too.
They hold onto each other tightly, both crying out as their highs hit them with an intense, blinding pleasure. Jungkook lies on him, and Jimin lets his legs go before he wraps him up in a hug. They just hold onto each other for a little bit.
When he’s finally calmed a bit, Jimin gets up to fetch a piece of clothing to wipe Jungkook clean, the boy whining beneath him when he runs the rough material over his sensitive cock.
“Sorry my love, I’m almost done.”
The other continues to twitch and whine while Jimin makes sure to clean him well. He moves onto himself when he’s done, his hole aching at the touch. He can’t help but moan.
“You fucked hyung so well baby,” He praises Jungkook, turning around once they’re both clean to gather the younger in his arms. They wrap around each other, feeling content beyond imagination.
“Was I good?” A soft voice asks, and Jimin immediately nods, running his hands all over his baby before settling on scratching the back of his head.
“The best. You always make hyung feel so good, you are such a good boy.” He responds, just as softly, as he presses a kiss to the younger's forehead.
Jungkook hums, nuzzling deeper into Jimin’s neck.
“Love you.” He whispers contently.
“I love you too baby.”
Out of the corner of his eyes, he spots the letter that Jungkook put down when he came into the room earlier. He doesn’t want to ask about it now, not when the younger is about to come down from subspace. So he waits until Jungkook is sleeping, and he gently lays him down on the bed. He brushes his hair out of his face when the younger sniffles.
Jungkook has delivered correspondence to Jimin many times before, but usually, he doesn’t leave it at his bedside table. Jimin isn’t sure what to expect. When he opens it, he surely does not expect it to be from Yoongi.
He has no idea what the letter could be about, but he gets comfortable on the bed as he begins to read it.
Dear Jimin,
I’m taking a big risk and chance in sending you this letter. I pray that it’s not a mistake on my part. But if I’m wrong, then I hope that our many years of friendship will keep you from sharing this with anyone.
You may not know it, but I arrived in town a day earlier than the rest of my party. I sought refuge in an inn on the outskirts of town, called The Sleeping Horse, driven by a desire to visit an old friend. It would have been impossible to do so once I reached your estate.
To my astonishment, I spotted you and Jungkook there. I found this odd - I thought, why are you both at an inn if you have a perfectly good house to sleep in? Nevertheless, I knew the two of you were friends, and I was ready to greet you when I saw you both head to your room. I asked the innkeeper, and I know you booked two rooms. I waited for you to come out and go to your room so that I could greet you alone. But you never came out. You both stayed in the same room.
This doesn’t necessarily have to mean anything. It could have been entirely innocent, but I felt suspicious, especially after having heard rumors about how you do not want to marry. I thought there might be a reason for this, but I had to test it.
Since the day I arrived at your house, I have been testing my theory. I purposefully overstepped my boundaries with Jungkook. I observed as you ground your jaw, fists shaking at your side as your jealousy became clear. You were uncomfortable with me being around him, acting the way I did - displaying an interest in him.
You see Jimin, you and I are alike. I know that you know what I mean, and I trust you understand the gravity of those words.
Now the content of this letter thus far might make you feel threatened, or scared, but I promise I am here to offer help. I know the situation you are in. I overheard your father talking with mine. He plans to have you married sometime next year, and he’s worried that you’ve been sabotaging your potential brides. He thinks you’re too much of a stud to have so many women reject you (he’s not wrong). I have been in the same boat with my father for years, and he started talking about using the same plan on me now.
Earlier today, while everyone was still in the ballroom, I met with my friend Namjoon. He’s the friend I met at the inn that night. I told him what was going on, and he told me of a solution - or rather, an escape plan. There’s a boat that sails to another land where men and women like us can be free to love each other in public and private. You can be with Jungkook without having to go to inns in the dead of the night and I can be happy with Namjoon.
I urge you to burn this letter once you’ve read it. Come talk to me tomorrow before I depart, if you are interested.
Sincerely,
Min Yoongi
Jimin’s hands shake as he lights a candle to burn the letter. The smell of burnt wick and paper fills his nostrils when he’s done. He feels almost numb on the outside, but his brain is running a thousand miles per minute. He can’t even think about how his jealousy was misplaced because it was just a test from his hyung.
The words of Yoongi’s letter stay with him as he paces around the room. Yoongi said he knows of a place where men and women like them can be free. Where they can be happy.
He glances at Jungkook, who’s still snoring in bed. The boy is curled up against Jimin’s pillow, hands tucked into his chest as a tuft of hair keeps moving with every breath he takes. Jimin thinks about how he is going to have to wake him up soon so that he can go to his own room to not raise any suspicions. How the only way for them to get some privacy is to go to the inn - the same one where Yoongi noticed they stayed in the same room. Is it even safe for them to go there?
Jimin can’t stop thinking about all the possibilities at hand. Yoongi has sent him into a spiral.
He’s been thinking about it for a while though - he’s just never been brave enough to think it out loud. Yoongi is forcing him to. It’s always been a notion he’s never thought possible, one he’s never dared to do anything about. But now it is entirely possible. They can leave and go to a faraway place, with the help of his hyung.
If they leave, they can be free. They don’t have to hide. No sneaking off to inns, or waking up in the middle of the night to not raise suspicions.
If they leave, he’s abandoning his family. His sisters.
If they leave, he can finally be Jungkook’s without the burden of having to find a wife. They’ll truly belong to one another, in every sense of the word.
If they leave, he is breaking his promise to Nari. The promise he made that he’d make sure she finds someone suitable - someone good.
If they didn’t leave, they could still get caught one day, and his father would throw him out anyway.
If, if, if, if, if.
There are too many things to consider, and he can’t do it alone. He needs to talk to Jungkook. He can’t make this decision for them both. Jimin isn’t the only one who would be giving things up. Jungkook would too.
His chest tightens as his brain pushes forward an idea that he doesn’t want to acknowledge.
What if Jungkook doesn’t want to leave? What if Jungkook can’t leave his life behind?
What if Jimin isn’t enough?
First thing the next morning, Jimin is on his way to Yoongi’s room. He’s been staying in the guest wing, and when he knocks on the door there are hurried steps before it’s being opened.
Yoongi doesn’t look surprised to see him. Instead, he looks rather pleased.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“You know what,” Jimin responds shortly, inviting himself in and closing the door behind him. He doesn’t have time for chitchat, he feels uneasy already coming to Yoongi before having discussed anything with Jungkook. But he first needs to know if it’s plausible before he gives the younger any hope. This morning he woke the boy up when it was time to leave, sending him off with a chaste kiss on the lips, and telling him nothing about what he read last night.
“I take it that you’ve read my letter.”
“Of course, I read your letter. I burnt it, by the way.”
“Good. And since you’re here, can I assume that you want to take me up on the offer?”
“I need to know where we’re going, the time and date we’re going, all the logistics. I need that before I can talk to Jungkook. Also - how much do you trust Namjoon-ssi, the one who gave you all this information?”
A look passes over Yoongi’s face at the mention of Namjoon, and it’s one of unshaken trust and loyalty.
“I trust him with my life. He’s to me what Jungkook is to you.”
“Okay. Then tell me everything.”
The day drags as Jimin is forced to sit through goodbyes and fake pleasantries. Walking around with every nerve in his body going haywire was not a pleasant experience - he feels nervous about this whole thing. He just wants to see Jungkook - he needs to talk to him as soon as possible about what Yoongi said. According to him, there was around a week for them to make a decision, because this boat only comes once every six months. There was a lot that needed to be discussed so all this time spent on goodbyes felt unnecessary, especially since he did plan on seeing Yoongi again, if Jungkook agreed.
He thinks he can definitely convince the younger of seeing the pros here.
Later in the evening, when the Min family is finally gone and the staff is preparing for the new guests that will arrive the following Monday, Jimin joins his father in the study.
The two of them are talking about the future of the Park household, especially given that the farmers went through a harsh winter and were unable to cough up enough income to pay for their land. Jimin tells his father all about this idea of selling ceramics and other finished goods to help make up for the loss in income.
His father leans back in his seat, considering the proposal. “It's a bold move, Jimin. We’ll be making our way into a whole new sector of the market. Why not just increase our rental?”
He sighs. Of course, it’s a valid question. Maybe Jimin just isn’t made to be in this line of work since he finds it so difficult to look into the people’s eyes and tell them that they need to cough up some more money. The Park family does well for itself, but the people they rent out to… need every penny they can get. He doesn’t enjoy having to increase prices higher than the general rate per year because it just feels unfair.
He explains this to his father, who listens intently, and smiles, his eyes shining with what Jimin recognizes as pride. It’s the first occasion he’s seen his father look at him like that in a long time.
“I think you’ll do well son, to take care of your family when I’m gone.”
Something in his heart jumps at that. His father has said something along those lines before - that he knows Jimin could take care of the family but it’s the lineage and inheritance that concerns him, especially given the unfortunate recent news with the Won family. But hearing his father say it like this just sounds different. It has more weight to it, and Jimin can’t help but puff out his chest, with a little smile of his own, “Thank you, father.”
“We should talk about this in more detail later, sometime next week. I have some personal business to take care of.”
“Of course, we can talk next whe-” Jimin cuts himself off when he realizes that he might not be here next week. He might be gone, on a boat to run away from this life. He thinks about his ideas, and how it might not ever see the light of day if he runs away. His father won’t be able to start this new venture all by himself, and his sisters won’t be allowed to do a thing. He forces a smile on his face when his father looks at him questioningly, confused at his abrupt cut-off.
“We can talk next week.”
“Great.” His father smiles before heaving himself out of the chair, Jimin immediately goes to help him stand up when he hears the pained yelp. “Thank you, Jimin. My back - ah, I’m getting sicker by the day.”
Guilt swirls in his stomach. He pushes it down and focuses on helping his father stand up straight. When he is comfortable again, he squeezes Jimin’s shoulder and smiles.
“By the way,” his father says as he begins to walk out of the study with Jimin by his side, “The Shin family is coming again next week. They’re going to stay the full week.”
The Shin family? Shin Ryujin? And they’ll be staying the full week…? Does that mean-
“Shin Ryujin is one of your candidates?” He asks curiously. He didn’t expect her to be part of it. Everyone in town knows how much she doesn’t want to get married - but his parents especially know, given that she and Nari are so close. He tells his father of his surprise when he confirms that she is a candidate.
“I was surprised too - but her father said she might be interested. I’m not sure if it came from her or him, but it looks like my boy might be getting married soon anyway.”
What
The
Hell.
Jimin doesn’t have the patience to wait for Jungkook to come to him. They need to talk, and they need to talk now.
He finds his way to the servant's quarters, asking around for Jungkook, who he finds in the kitchen, talking with other staff members. Everyone stands up out of respect when they see him but he’s quick to tell them they can relax. He’s here to talk to Jungkook.
The younger rinses his hands before reading Jimin out of the kitchen. They find a quiet corner and Jungkook looks around to make sure no one is there before he asks, “What are you doing here?”
“Can we talk somewhere private?”
Something in his voice must tip Jungkook off that whatever this is about, it’s serious. He runs a hand through his fluffy brown hair, frowning deeply as he thinks.
“Do you want to go back to your room?”
“No,” Jimin shakes his head as he bites his lip, he doesn’t have the patience for that. “Talk now.”
“Okay, okay. Guess we’re going to my room.”
Jimin can count on one hand how many times he’s been in Jungkook’s room. It’s too suspicious if he shows up here, while it’s normal for Jungkook to be around his area of the grounds. The room is identical to the rest of the staff's rooms, and it’s almost devoid of any personal touches aside from the books and some of his favorite snacks. There’s also a cute bunny stuffy that he recognizes, one that he won when they attended their first festival together - back when Jimin’s father didn’t deem it inappropriate for him to be around ‘the help’ in public.
“It’s Koo,” Jimin says with a soft smile as he sits on the bed, bunny stuffy in his lap. He remembers requesting that Jungkook name it Koo because of how it reminded him of the younger - with his bunny smile and round doe eyes. “Every time I come here, I’m surprised you still have him.”
“You shouldn’t be. Koo will be around as long as I am.” Jungkook sits next to Jimin, hand finding its way to his thigh as he squeezes then asks, getting straight to it, “What’s wrong?”
“Why do you think something is wrong?” Jimin asks, voice high as he suddenly gets hit with nerves again. What if Jungkook says no?
“It’s not every day that my lover who is also my boss comes up to my room to speak to me.”
“Well then, shouldn’t you appreciate me being here even more?”
Jimin knows he’s being ridiculous and he’s reminded of how thankful he is that Jungkook puts up with him.
“Of course, I appreciate it, but you wanted to talk immediately and that’s why we’re here. Is it that bad that you lost your nerve to bring it up?” Jungkook asks with a frown, and then fear fills his eyes as he quickly turns onto Jimin, eyes wide and frightened. “Tell me you didn’t get a yes from one of the girls. Min Yoonji would not do that. I- no.” His voice cracks, Jungkook choking on his words, “Jimin, ple-”
“It’s not that.” Jimin rushes to put his lover at ease, “But,” he sighs. He should just get this over with. He’s scared. He’s only ever felt like this once before, and that was on the night that he and Jungkook confessed to one another. The fear of rejection makes him feel frozen.
“Jungkook-ah, don’t panic.” He starts. He needs to make sure Jungkook doesn’t freak out when he finds out that someone knows their secret.
But his words seem to do the opposite of his intentions as Jungkook begins to shake his head, pulling away from Jimin, ready to isolate himself from everything.
“No, baby,” Jimin stops him by pulling him in closer. He takes his wrists in his hands and firmly says, “Look at me.” He waits until the younger’s brown orbs meet his, and then he maintains eye contact as he speaks. He needs Jungkook to understand.
“Do you remember that letter Yoongi-hyung sent with you last night?” Jungkook nods ever so slowly, and so Jimin continues. “Well, in that letter, he said he’s just like us. He- he knows about us and he has a male lover too. He told me-”
“Wait.” Jungkook cuts him off, gasping as Jimin’s words sink in. Fear sinks into his bones. “Yoongi knows about us? How?”
“He saw us at the inn that night… he noticed that we stayed in the same room.” He can see the panic surge in the other, so he quickly adds, “No one else would have unless they were watching us the entire night. He only did it because he wanted to greet me.”
Jungkook gulps, still trying to absorb this information. It’s a lot. Someone else knows about them. He would feel scared under normal circumstances but Jimin said that Yoongi was like them. That he had a man he was with too? He gestures for Jimin to continue his story about the letter.
The elder clears his throat, looking nervous again, “You see. In the letter he told me that he knows my father’s plan for me, with the marriages and all. Hyung said that he suspects I’ve been sabotaging the meetings, and-” his voice catches, and he takes a deep, brave breath before saying, “He says he knows a place where we can be free together. Where we don’t have to hide, and he’s going there with his lover. I went to him this morning to ask for the details, and he told me that the boat leaves next week and the next one is in six months. I- I know you know this but in six months my father plans to marry me off. Jungkook-ah, I’m here to tell you that I want to go. Do you?”
The room is suffocating and tense as he waits for an answer. Jungkook’s face is void of emotion, and that makes Jimin feel sick. He needs to know what his baby is thinking - he needs to know what’s going on in that pretty little head of his. The longer he waits, the more he’s scared that his fear is coming true.
Jungkook doesn’t want to go.
“Do you not… want to?” he asks, hating himself when the question is out in the open.
“It’s not that.”
Oh my.
He is going to say no.
Jimin feels the world shut down around him. His baby doesn’t want that. He doesn’t want to run away with him and live a life of freedom where they can be together and not be scared of being caught. Where they don’t have to face the possibility of being thrown into jail.
The elder fails to hear the younger calling him, thrown into a spiral of negative thoughts, all stemming from one main thread:
I’m not enough for him.
Jungkook worries as he twists his wrists out of Jimin’s hands, the blond boy not responding to being called.
“Jimin, Jimin, hyung,” He repeats as he squeezes Jimin’s hand. When he doesn’t respond to that either, he bites his little fingers, causing him to yelp and finally get out of that daze. Jungkook doesn’t miss the way his eyes are glassy and red-rimmed.
But he needs to push through and explain to Jimin why he can’t do this. Even if the other begs for otherwise.
“It’s not that I don’t want to, hyung. I would love that. I would love to go and be with you out in the open. I would love to fall asleep in the same bed as you and know that I don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night just to go to my own quarters so that we don’t raise suspicions. I would love not to have this whole, get-jimin-married project hanging above us. But hyung, if we run away, we’d be leaving everything behind. You would be abandoning your family. Your sisters.”
“Bu-”
“No, I’m still talking,” Jungkook says stubbornly, shaking his head as tears fill his vision and wet his face, “I have thought about running away with you many times. Trust me, I have wanted to since the second Nari almost caught us kissing in the study together. But I know you. And it would kill you to leave your family. The shame would kill you.”
“What about us?” Jimin asks, voice shaking and full of mirth. “I’m doing this for us. You don’t understand - my father is going to marry me off in less than six months if we don’t do this. Jungkook, it hurt just to watch you being flirted with by Yoongi-hyung. You hated watching as I had to court the ladies and they touched me, even while knowing that I don’t even find women attractive and hated it myself. How would we survive me marrying someone else, being forced to have their kid, and being with you? You won’t be able to come to my room anymore at night. You will be my side- you’ll be my side piece.” Jimin spits out the last word, disgusted with himself for using it regarding Jungkook. “Don’t you see that I’m doing this for us? I can sacrifice everything if it means being with you. I just-” Jimin’s voice breaks, “I just want you.”
“You think I like the idea of you being with someone else? No! I hate it,” Jungkook screams, upset too, this whole thing is so upsetting. He doesn’t understand why Jimin is suggesting this in the first place - they’ve had this option for so long and never went with it because of something Jungkook assumed was unsaid - their families.
“I am yours, and you are mine, and we keep telling each other this. And you will be mine even when you belong to someone else. I don’t fucking care, you’re mine. Jimin. You say that you’re doing this for us, but I’m doing this for you!”
“No! How is this for me? I said it before and I’ll say it again. I just want you!”
“You don’t get it. Hyung, fuck. I want exactly that. But I know you. I know you better than you know yourself. It would kill you if you ran away and had to wonder how your family is doing because you can’t come back after abandoning them. The shame would kill you. You would grow to resent me, and we’d become unhappy because while you have me, you won’t have your family. Your sisters especially. You promised Nari that you’d look out for her and help her with finding a potential husband. Jimin, my love, my darling, my baby. You will never be able to do it.”
“How can you say that?” Jimin asks, breaking down into sobs this time. He knows what Jungkook is saying is partly true - he would feel ashamed for abandoning his family. He would hate himself probably. But he’d never resent Jungkook. He would never put that on him. It’s the world that is unfair. It’s not their fault they’re like this. He could never place such feelings on Jungkook when no matter what, there’s no win-win situation. Him being willing to do this should be enough.
“Don’t you know how much I love you? Do you know how badly I wish we could just spend one entire day together? I miss you when I wake up, I miss you when I go to sleep, I miss you even when you’re with me. I need you so badly, and now that the opportunity for freedom has presented itself, how can I reject that? Jungkook, please, I beg you. I need you to please just. Think about it.”
“What if I do and the answer is still no?”
Jimin swallows, unblinking as he answers, “Then we stay. We’ll put a pin in the sabotage plan because I don’t think I have the energy for that while knowing we could have been free in the first place and it’s just avoiding the inevitable.”
Jungkook’s knees wobble at that. He holds onto Jimin’s arms as he sinks to the ground, heart breaking in his chest. Silent tears fall down his face as he buries his face in the elder’s stomach. Jimin is going to give up. He’s giving up on them if Jungkook doesn’t say yes.
“This is so unfair.” he cries out, words a blubbering mess. Jimin feels his own heart break in his chest as tears fill his vision. He hates seeing Jungkook cry like this - he remembers making a promise a long time ago to make those who made him cry pay. And here he is. The culprit.
“Baby,” Jimin manages to get out, choking up himself, “It’ll be okay.”
They’ll find a way. They always do.
But the younger shakes his head into his stomach, and Jimin gasps when he feels the warm tears through his shirt.
“Shh, shh,” he begins humming a song, the notes wavering as he holds back his own tears. He pets the younger’s head slowly, tenderly, as if any sudden movement could cause him to break down further. With his free hand, he draws Jungkook closer, trying to offer as much comfort as he can while his own heart aches at the sight before him.
Why does it hurt so much?
They aren’t breaking up.
They love each other.
So why does it hurt?
Jimin doesn’t miss the red-rimmed eyes the next morning as Jungkook helps to dress him. The younger boy is quiet, only speaking when he needs to. Jimin thinks he should retract what he said the previous night about no longer going on with the sabotage plan. But he was right - if they stuck with it, it would only prolong the inevitable. He doesn’t know if he has the strength for that.
While Jungkook is busy with his suspenders, Jimin murmurs, “Did you know this week it’s Ryujin who’s coming as a potential bride?”
This makes Jungkook pop his head up like he just heard Jimin say ghosts were real.
“What?”
“Father told me yesterday. Apparently, they requested it.” Jimin says, eyes flickering across Jungkook’s, watching nervously for his reaction.
Them requesting it can only mean one thing. This arrangement is going to happen. She will say yes unless there is any ulterior motive for doing this in the first place.
But Jimin knows there must be more to it, because he knows Ryujin does not like him, and he knows that she does not want to get married. He knows their sabotage won’t work on her, not after all the time they’ve spent together recently. He’s not sure what to do, but he does know that he needs to get her alone in order to convince her not to do this for whatever reason she signed on for it in the first place.
“If they requested… does that mean…” Jungkook trails off.
He looks scared. Jimin doesn’t know if hope is worth it anymore, but he doesn’t like seeing Jungkook like this at all.
Jimin takes his hands in his and squeezes tight.
“I don’t think it means anything. But I'll need to talk with her to find out. We know she doesn't want to be married, otherwise, why would she have helped me with Ms. Chung?”
“Unless she helped you because she wanted to marry you…” Jungkook trails off, and then it hits Jimin.
What if Jungkook is right? But nothing makes sense even then. He shakes his head.
“I need to talk with her.”
Just then, Lord Park walks in. He's got a skip in his step, looking better than he has for many months.
“The Shin family is here!” He says with a huge smile on his face, and if Jimin wasn't so uncomfortable with this situation he would be happy that his father looks healthier than usual.
“I’ll be there in a minute.”
Jimin straightens his coat as he steps away from Jungkook, unable to offer him any reassurance this time. He’s not sure if there’s any to give.
Ryujin looks beautiful as she exits her carriage, but Jimin can’t see anything other than betrayal when he looks at her. She makes a beeline for Nari, who greets her with a friendly hug. Jimin doesn’t even bother going up to greet her, instead, she comes to him, and he frowns when she sends him a look that seems like it should mean something.
He’s not sure what to do with that.
The day is not spent like usual, as it was with previous candidates, because Ryujin already knows enough about the town and the Park family. Jimin’s father announces that they’ll be going horse riding today, and he watches as Nari and Ryujin squeal in excitement.
He’s excited too, but mainly because he thinks it could be the perfect opportunity to get Ryujin alone and talk to her.
“Hello Dae,” Jimin speaks sweetly to his horse when he gets to the stables, “How are you? We’re going to go for a ride out.”
It’s been a few days that he’s ridden Dae, spending most of his time focusing on sabotaging the arrangements made by his father rather than taking his time doing normal duties and activities. He pulls Dae out before getting on and then watches as Nari helps Ryujin onto a horse before she gets on one herself. Jimin raises his brow as he hears the yelp coming from Ryujin.
“Please tell me you know how to ride a horse.” He says with a chuckle.
“I do!” She huffs, voice pitching high in embarrassment as she takes the reigns, “I just haven’t in a few years. I’m a bit rusty.”
“Well then, we should freshen you up,” Nari says with a giggle as she steers her horse out. The two of them follow behind her, Jimin watching Ryujin carefully to make sure that she’s alright. He can’t have a guest getting hurt on his watch.
“How about we do a quick lap and then a race?” Jimin suggests, the two girls nodding in agreement. He lets the two of them trollop ahead of him, thinking about ways he can get Ryujin alone. It would be inappropriate if he went to her quarters in the middle of the night to talk, but he also knows that during the day his father will not let the two of them be alone.
Maybe he can try to convince Nari - though he already knows she’ll say no. Just three weeks ago she was skeptical about letting the two of them be alone in the study while she stood outside. There’s no way she’ll let them be alone together now when there’s a potential marriage here.
The three of them talk about all sorts of things while they’re out for their walk, none of it anything of substance. It’s mostly about the novels Nari has been reading from Jimin’s study - she tells Ryujin how much she enjoys learning about this new industrial revolution that’s meant to take the world over by storm. She has a bright mind, Jimin thinks to himself. If she were a man, she’d be able to do really well in this world. Jimin would have nothing to worry about if he left if only the laws weren’t skewed in her counterpart's favor.
For a minute, Jimin filters out the rest of the world and wonders what it would be like to leave. Not just from the perspective of him and Jungkook - but what it would be like for his family if he left.
His sickly father could die from the shock, leaving his sisters and mother destitute. Even if he didn’t die from shock, the sad truth is that he’ll be dying soon, just as he said, as one of the reasons he wanted Jimin to marry. Either way, a few months from now, his family could be in peril as a distant relative from another part of Korea came to claim what rightfully belonged to them. His mother kicked out of the master room, and she and his sisters would likely to end up in one of the renter's houses. And when it came to the Park land - the renters would probably have to pay more money to make up for the shortfall of income on the farmer's side because the new landlord won’t understand the basic decency Jimin has tried to give them. The new owner of the Park residence won’t understand that there’s another way to earn, he won’t try, he’ll take the easy way out and leave the people in town to suffer.
And his sisters - Nari, she’ll be forced to marry, and he will never know who it is, if he treats her well, or if they have babies. And Jiwoo… she’s still so young, but he doesn’t doubt that with no man around his mother will push her to marry as soon as she’s of age too.
These are all things that could happen to the people he loves if he left them behind.
Maybe Jungkook is right.
Maybe he wouldn’t be able to do it.
But he wished that it wouldn’t be like this.
“What do I get in exchange for winning?” Nari asks with her chin gutting out proudly, and Jimin really doesn’t have it in him to tell her that he let her win. No one here can beat Dae and Jimin - they make a great and unbeatable team.
“We never agreed on a winner getting anything!” Ryujin says with a laugh, shaking her head in disbelief.
“Well, even so, I want something. So what do I get?” She asks, this time pushing herself into Jimin’s space, fluttering her eyelashes and widening her eyes.
“You look absolutely ridiculous,” he says with a straight face. “And you’re getting nothing.”
She huffs, annoyed about not getting her way, and he has the urge to remind her of her age.
“You still have bragging rights,” he adds as a little bit of consolation.
This makes her beam mischievously, “Wait, you are right!” she giggles, and then she sees their father standing outside of the house watching them, and she runs up to him, ready to brag about how she won the race.
Left alone with Ryujin, he turns to her, narrowing his eyes, down to business immediately, “Why are you here Ryujin?”
She stiffens, not expecting to be asked so outright about her plans, before she relaxes and turns her sharp eyes on him, “I have a proposal for you.”
“A proposal? Ryujin, I thought you didn’t want to get married at all!” He asks in disbelief. She really is coming with a proposal. He didn’t expect this at all.
She shakes her head, “No, I don’t. And that’s why I need to speak to you in private about it.” She says, stopping in her tracks. Jimin stops and turns to face her, curiosity burning his brain. “I promise, it’s not what you think. But I would like to speak with you alone, tonight. Please.”
He’s shaking his head before he can even fully register all of her words. “If we are found alone, we will be forced to marry no matter what! You can’t expect me to ju-”
“Please! You owe me. Remember? For helping you with Ms. Chung? You owe me.” She sounds desperate, and Jimin bites down on his lip as it sinks in how serious this must be for her too. “Just hear me out. And this won’t be only for me. It’s for you and Jungkook too.”
His world stops. Panic overtakes every ounce of his being.
“What?” he breathes out, forcefully, as if the words are being punched out of him.
She takes pity on the man in front of her, eyes softening when she sees the fear swimming in his eyes. “Don’t worry. Please. I just need to talk to you alone. Please.”
He doesn’t know what to do aside from agreeing. What else can he do? He owes her, plus it seems like she knows something about Jungkook and Jimin…
The rest of the walk to the house is tense and silent, and Jimin’s father beams at him when he sees the two of them together.
“Ah, Jimin-ah, I sent Jungkook up to draw your bath since I knew you’d want one. Make sure to finish before dinner.”
“Thank you,” Jimin says, mind still reeling from his conversation with Ryujin. The two of them pass a look between each other as they walk up the stairs together, going opposite ways when they reach the first level. Her to the guest wing, and him to his bedroom.
Jungkook has drawn a bath, but he isn’t there when Jimin arrives in his room. A feeling of disappointment sinks in.
He’s not here.
With a sigh, he undresses himself and gets in the rub. He curls into himself as it feels like everything comes crashing around him.
Jimin sighs as he watches Jungkook do his duties from afar. He wishes he could be with Jungkook right now, but his father told him that he needs to spend less time with him and more time focusing on the problems and matters of the estate. He didn’t want to do these things, he just wanted to be with Jungkook, doing whatever it was that his lover was doing. Anything, as long as he was with Jungkook.
“Jimin, come here.” His father calls him, and he groans as he leaves his spot with a perfectly good angle of Jungkook wiping the tables. He could see the way his pants tightened around his thighs when he bent over to lean across the table as he cleaned. How disappointing that he has to walk away.
“Yes father?” he asks when he reaches the man, standing right beside the house entrance.
Lord Park points to the carriage waiting outside and says with a smile, “It’s time to visit our farmers.”
“Okay,” Jimin responds. He might as well get it over with.
The day doesn’t drag on as he expected it to. He learns the farmer's names, their children’s names, what they grow and he hears stories about what they’ve been going through. He hears of the possible solutions his father gives them, and the help he offers. Jimin never really paid attention before, but at the end of the day, he finds himself caring about what he could be doing here one day.
Maybe he is just a landowner's son, but he gets to see and experience so many different people thanks to his duties and he can help them too.
When sunset arrives, Jimin finds himself in the staff kitchens, looking around for Jungkook. He probably shouldn’t be here - but who’s going to stop him? Ms. Yun says that he’s unavailable because he’s still cleaning up, and while he waits for someone to fetch Jungkook, he thinks about telling the younger all about his day. He may not find it fascinating, but he has always been such a good listener.
There’s a rush of footsteps, and then Jungkook is in front of him, cheeks flushed and eyes wide in what looks like worry.
“Hyung,” he starts, and Jimin frowns at the urgency and anguish in his tone, “What’s wrong?”
“Hmm?” Jimin hums in confusion, “Nothing is wrong. Why? Are you okay? You look pink.”
He almost reaches out to cup the youngers face but remembers himself before he can. They’re in public. He takes a step back and waits for Jungkook to tell him if he’s alright or not.
“I’m fine. What did you want?”
“I want to talk.”
“You want to talk?” the boy frowns then asks, lower, “Here?”
Jimin nods. He just wants to enjoy his company.
The younger sighs and tells Jimin to follow him up to his room. The blond doesn’t comment on the attitude the boy is giving him. He hopes it’s just because he’s tired. Jimin is prepared to give him cuddles and a massage to make him feel better.
When he enters the room, the first thing he notices is the bunny stuffy Jungkook won two years ago at a fair, “Hi Koo,” Jimin giggles as he squeezes the plushies little hand.
“What did you want to talk about?” Jungkook grunts as he takes a seat by his desk while Jimin settles on the bed. The boy doesn’t even look at him, focusing on writing something on a piece of paper instead.
Suddenly, Jimin doesn’t know if he should be here at all. Jungkook - it doesn’t seem like he wants him in his room.
“Jungkook-ah, are you alright?” Jimin asks as he makes his way off the bed and towards the boy. Maybe he just needs someone to talk to also. Jimin can wait to tell his stories another day.
Jungkook sighs heavily. He twists around before Jimin can begin to rub his shoulders, and shakes his head, “I’m sorry hyung. I know I’m being difficult right now. It’s just that - well, just this morning my father gave me a talk on how I should not be spending this much time with you. He said that your father… told him to tell me that. And he said that even the rest of the staff find it weird how close we are… they talk about us… it just makes me nervous. That’s all. I'm scared we’re not cautious enough. I’m scared people will find out what we are.” He looks at the floor, “I don’t think… I don’t think I want you to come visit me here. We should rather find another way to meet.”
“Like coming up with a code?”
The younger perks up, “Yes, exactly! Can we do that?”
“Of course we can. I’m so proud of you for telling me instead of keeping it in.” Jimin presses a kiss to the youngers forehead, and the boy returns it by kissing Jimin’s wrist, where his hand connects with his shoulder. “By the way, hyung promises, we’ll be so careful that no one will ever know.”
Shin Ryujin knows.
She knows about them.
“Please, don’t panic,” she says as she explains how she knows about them. The three of them sit by the lake, the same place where two young boys confessed to each other many moons ago. Jungkook came despite the two of them being at odds with each other about their future and the way Jimin gave up on their plans.
She tells them about how she suspected for a long time that something was going on between them because of the way they’d look at each other when they thought no one was looking. She saw the way that Jimin marched over to Yoongi on the night of the ball when he held onto Jungkook’s arm. She saw the two of them sneak away and come back together looking rather satisfied with themselves. Then later that night, she went to the staff's quarters after the party to request something for her mother, and for a split second her will weakened and she asked if Jungkook was around - but he wasn’t.
And if her finding out about them is not enough, she then confirms his fear ever since he found out that she was coming.
She wants to marry Jimin.
Not because she wants him.
In fact, she doesn’t.
She doesn’t want anyone - she never has had a romantic or sexual inclination to anyone, and she believes that she won’t with Jimin either. She doesn’t expect anything from him. It’s to be a mutually beneficial arrangement.
No sex, just the marriage in name. Maybe friendship, if he wants.
And freedom for him and Jungkook, at least as far as she can extend herself - she will be able to grant them that. She will cover for them both.
At the end of the discussion, she leaves the two lovers under the moonlight. They offer to walk her back, and she refuses, saying that she wants to give them a moment alone to discuss her proposal.
They stare at the shimmering lake before them, the moonlight reflecting beautifully on it.
Jimin knows what he wants. He thinks that now, he and Jungkook might finally be on the same page again.
“It feels like destiny,” Jungkook murmurs next to Jimin. The two of them sit side by side, leaning against the big bur oak tree, shoulders touching, knees brushing together.
“What feels like destiny?” Jimin asks back. He thinks about how a few days ago the two of them weren’t even talking. Ryujin feels like a miracle right now.
“That we spoke with her here, in this spot. That this is where we first confessed, and now this is where we’re going to decide our fate together as a couple. This is it Jimin. It’s now or never. We have two days before Yoongi’s boat leaves. We decide now, and whatever our decision is, it’ll shape our forever.”
“Do we even need to discuss it?” Jimin whispers. He knows Jungkook’s stance on running away. He knows that everything Jungkook said a few days ago was right - and that while running away would still offer more freedom than staying would, it’s not the right decision.
The younger boy turns to him. His eyes shine bright in the moonlight. Beautiful, is what he is.
Jimin turns to face him as well. They stare at one another, tracing over each other’s faces, and each other’s features. They both know deep down what the answer is. They don’t need to discuss anything, because fate already aligned the stars for them.
Deep in their hearts.
They know what they’re going to do.
at the docks, two days later
Dear Yoongi Hyung,
I am sorry that I will not make it to see you and Namjoon-ssi off. I’m sure that you expected Jungkook and I to be there with you, but our plans have changed.
I am to be married in six months time to Shin Ryujin. You must know of her, her family owns the largest share of sweet potato in Korea. This marriage might come as a shock to you, but it is something both me and Jungkook are very happy with. After you left my home a week ago, the Shin family came to stay with us. Ryujin told us that she knew of our secret, and she had a proposal for us. She wants to marry me, but just in name and title. She will let Jungkook and I be happy together, and she will not get in our way.
This letter doesn’t only serve the purpose of telling you that I’m to be married, but also, that I plan to join you in a few months. Along with Jungkook and Ryujin.
We had a only two days to think about how we would navigate this to ensure all of our happiness, and we now have a plan. It might not be perfect yet, but it's something. Ryujin and I will be married, and during the period before the wedding, I will work my hardest to secure Nari a good husband. After the wedding Jungkook, Ryujin and I will board a ship and sail to you. It’ll be for our ‘honeymoon’.
Instead of returning a few weeks later as expected, Ryujin will fall sick, and a few more weeks later, we will discover that she is pregnant. She will give birth to a beautiful boy (read: we adopt a Korean baby) and we return when he is old enough to come on the ship with us. Jungkook and I might return to Korea in between these few years, we still need to decide. But when Ryujin and our child is ready, we will return to Korea as a family.
In order for a part of our plan to work, and for Jungkook and I to return back and forth, I need to ask you for something. I was thinking of starting a business venture there, and I am hoping you’d agree to be my partner. If it is successful, Ryujin will stay in Korea to take care of our child while Jungkook and I travel back and forth in the name of business. I know we can do great things together hyung - so I'm hoping that you take me up on this offer.
This is our plan, and it might have some faults or bumps along the road I’m sure. It's not clear either. But I thought I should tell you to look forward to seeing me and Jungkook soon, hyung.
We will meet you on the flower path.
Travel safely.
With love,
Jimin