Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

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Sunlight streams into the room, reflecting off the papers in front of Jimin. With the phone pressed to his ear, he scribbles down notes, a massive grin on his face as he listens to man on the other end of the line.

“That sounds perfect, Mr. Kang, thank you so much. We’ll see you on Saturday, 1 P.M.” Jimin bites at his lip to contain his excitement as he listens, nodding along with the man’s words. “Of course,” he says. “We’re looking forward to it. I’m sure Jungkook will be excited to hear the news. Thank you. You have a fantastic day, now.”

Jimin hangs up and scribbles down the date in his notebook, then practically bounds out of the office with it in hand. He heads for the stables, greeting the ranch hands he passes, and makes a beeline for the outline of Jungkook. Jimin sneaks up behind him, arms slipping around his waist, and then he holds up the notebook for Jungkook to see.

“Tell me how much you love me right now.”

“What— Holy shit.” Jungkook blinks at the notebook as if not believing his eyes. “How the hell did you convince him to meet?”

“Charm,” Jimin kisses his jaw, “lots and lots of charm.” He chuckles as Jungkook turns his head to peck him on the lips. “He’s not settled on the sale yet, but he’s willing to meet and negotiate.” He steals another kiss. “You didn’t tell me you love me.”

“I love you.” 

Jungkook reaches up to boop the tip of Jimin’s nose, then nods toward the stall in front of him. “She’s doing well so far. Gonna have to start camping out here soon so we’re ready when she goes into labor.”

Jimin settles his chin on Jungkook’s shoulder, leaning his weight on him as Jungkook leans on the bars of the gate. “We can take turns,” he says, “like last time. We got that new cot, so it should be more comfortable now, right?”

“Should be. Won’t be as cold this time either.”

“I mean, we did get a two-person cot, so,” Jimin squeezes him a little tighter, “we could always keep warm together.”

Jungkook hums in response, holding Jimin’s hands where they rest on his stomach. “That sort of defeats the purpose of taking turns out here, you know?”

With a sigh, Jimin slumps against him, nearly knocking him off balance before he catches himself. “Yeah, but don’t you think it’ll be more fun if we’re both out here?” Jimin asks as he tugs at Jungkook’s turtleneck, exposing just enough of his neck for him to kiss the hickey he left there last night.

“Could be,” Jungkook says as he lifts Jimin’s hand to kiss it, his eyes finally leaving the pregnant horse to look back at Jimin. “But I don’t think a cot is really ideal for what you have in mind.”

“Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.”

Jimin slips away as Jungkook drops one last little kiss on his hand. He pockets his little notebook and reaches for the water bottle sitting atop his tack box—the one Jungkook had given him for Christmas. He shakes the bottle at Jungkook, still almost completely full.

“Are you drinking enough out here? I know how you get when you’re working.” He tosses it to Jungkook. “Make sure you stay hydrated. And don’t skip lunch like you did yesterday.”

“I told you, I just forgot,” Jungkook says, sheepish as he takes a drink. He chugs about half the water bottle in one shot.

Jimin fucking knew he wasn’t drinking enough. Over a year since he officially moved to Jeju—he knows every damn habit Jungkook has now, including his workaholic tendencies.

“Okay, well, you’re not allowed to just forget lunch anymore,” he says as he fixes Jungkook’s hair, slightly mussed from the wind earlier. “Because, one, it’s not good for you, and two—now this is the most important part—you stood me up last time and I don’t like being stood up. I had such a nice lunch cooked for us.”

“I showed up.”

“Late.” Jimin drags his finger down the curve of Jungkook’s nose, over his lips.

“But I still showed up.” And then Jungkook gently snaps his teeth down on Jimin’s finger.

Jimin tugs it away with a hiss as Jungkook grins at him. Scrunching his nose and cradling his finger to his chest, Jimin says, “I’m not your lunch.”

“Well, that’s disappointing.”

“Mhm, well, I could be,” Jimin says as Jungkook sits atop the tack box. He sidles up to him, leans in, Jungkook’s hands on his hips, and then Jungkook pushes him back. Jimin’s jaw drops open in mock offense.

“You have an appointment you’re gonna be late for.”

“I have time.” Jimin stands between his legs, Jungkook’s knees squeezing on either side of his thighs, his hands dancing low along his waist. Over a year of close quarters on this ranch together, and they still can’t keep their hands off each other.

The smile on Jungkook’s face tells Jimin exactly what to expect before he says it. Another sigh escapes him as Jungkook speaks, “Jimin. I know you don’t like it. I promise it’ll help. Or if it doesn’t, you find a different therapist.”

“I know. I just— It’s annoying. Being prodded at all the time, asked all these stupid fucking questions.” Jimin lets himself be pulled in closer, Jungkook’s head resting against his chest as he hugs him. “It just feels intrusive. I don’t… like talking about things. Not these things anyway.”

Jungkook’s thumb brushes against his back as he looks up at him. “I thought it was going well,” he says. “Why are you so reluctant to go now?”

Jimin shrugs. “I don’t know. I just don’t want to. I think it’s— It just feels like a waste. I know it takes time. I know what you’re gonna say, but…” He groans and leans down, slumping over Jungkook, who just chuckles as he holds him tighter.

“Can I be totally honest with you?”

“Ugh. Aren’t you always?”

Another laugh. Jungkook’s hands rub up and down his sides, soothing him. “Every time I got super reluctant about going to appointments, it was usually because I was getting close to some kind of breakthrough.” He leans back again, and Jimin distracts himself by playing with Jungkook’s hair. “I was really resistant to change. It makes you feel like you’re being told you’ve been doing something wrong, but really it’s just because we never knew any better. Not anyone’s fault, just life.”

Jimin feels his heart swell as Jungkook stares up at him, especially as he runs his hands through his hair and Jungkook’s eyes almost flutter shut at the feeling.

“Stop being being so wise,” Jimin says. “You’re way too young for that.”

“Like I’ve said before,” Jungkook leans into his touch, smiles up at him, “years of therapy. It’s the only reason I’m an even semi-functional adult.”

“Well, compared to me, you are a very functional adult,” Jimin says with a peck on Jungkook’s lips, his hands holding either side of his face. “A very, very functional, wonderful, beautiful adult I love very, very much.” He watches as Jungkook’s smile widens, knowing damn well Jimin is about to ruin the moment with something. “So please don’t sacrifice me to the horse gods before I get a chance to be a functional adult worthy of your love.”

With a shake of his head, Jungkook stands up and slips his arms around Jimin’s shoulders. They’re almost nose to nose as his eyes dart over Jimin’s face. “You’ve always been worthy of every kind of love out there,” he says into a chaste kiss. “Now, go get that pretty head examined, then we gotta go do that thing.”

“Thing?”

“Yep,” Jungkook steps back from him, gathering his things as Jimin watches, “the thing I said we were going to today.”

“Oh, right, the thing you won’t tell me any details about. I’m getting a little nervous.” Jimin grins to himself, Jungkook’s back turned to him. “Gotta be honest, this whole conversation kind of makes me feel like I’m about to be inducted into some kind of horse cult.”

“Ah, come on,” Jungkook says as he turns to him, a saddle blanket and other various tack draped over his arm, “you ruined the surprise.”

“You know, I wish I could say I feel like you’re joking, but I wouldn’t put it past you.”

Jungkook shrugs.

“Okay, well,” Jimin tugs him forward by his shirt, “maybe that will be next week’s therapy topic.”

“Oh? And what’s today’s? The psychology behind why you literally fight me in your sleep for all the blankets on the bed?”

“I do not do that.”

“You literally almost knocked me off the bed the other night because I was trying to get one blanket back from you.”

“Lies and slander.” But Jimin kisses him anyway. “There’s no evidence except for your word, because the only other potential witness—and dare I say, true victim in this situation—is me.” He kisses Jungkook again. “And I was asleep. So you can say anything you want and no one would ever really know if it was true or not.”

Jungkook chuckles into the kiss, “You also grope me a lot in your sleep.”

“Mm, I’m not asleep when I’m doing that,” Jimin murmurs, head shaking as Jungkook beams. He feels his own smile spreading, arms draped over Jungkook shoulders for one last kiss before he steps away. “Alright. I guess I’ll head out. I’ll text you when I head back so you can be ready with your robes, candle, horse figurines, pentagrams, whatever you need for the ritual.”

Still grinning from ear to ear, Jungkook rolls his eyes at Jimin and waves him off. “Alright, get outta here.”

With a dramatic spin away from him, Jimin heads for the exit, but freezes when he hears Jungkook call out to him again.

“Hey.” Jungkook’s smile fades from playful and mischievous to gentle, his eyes softening as he looks at Jimin. “I’m proud of you. I know it’s not easy to stick with it but you’re doing well. Okay? I love you.”

“I love you too,” Jimin says, and he waits. As Jungkook gathers the rest of his things and heads in the opposite direction, Jimin waits until he’s out of sight, watching him until he rounds a corner, and then he heads for his car.

“You ready to go, babe?”

Jimin grins at that as he checks himself in the mirror. He has no idea where Jungkook is planning to take him, but he figures this outfit will fit in just about anywhere around here and he’s not missing his opportunity to wear it.

“Just about,” he calls back. “Are we gonna be late?”

“Nope. No specific times. Just wondering.”

With one last glance at himself, a slight readjustment of one of his suspenders, Jimin heads for the front door where Jungkook already waits. He can’t help but grin at the sight of Jungkook, classic black turtleneck with the dark grey suspenders—a perfect juxtaposition to Jimin’s white button-down and black suspenders. He has to stop himself from laughing.

“Have you seen my wallet?” Jungkook asks as he searches through jacket pockets. Jimin watches him from the hallway, smirking as he props his foot up on a nearby stool and waits for Jungkook to notice. “Jimin?”

Jungkook looks up, Jimin posing with his hands on his hips, and pauses. It takes him a moment, and then he laughs. 

“Nice look,” he says as he moves to lean on the wall. He crosses his arms, eyes drifting over Jimin from head to toe, then all the way back up. “I see why you like them so much now.”

Jimin lifts a brow, hip cocked out to one side. He runs his fingers along one of the suspenders, snapping it lightly against his own chest. “Finally, you’ve seen the light.”

“Are you actually wearing that today?”

“Why, you don’t like it?”

“No, no, I definitely like it.”

Jimin sidles up to him, slipping his fingers beneath Jungkook’s suspenders and tugging him close. “What if I started dressing like this all the time?”

“I think you would miss your Gucci and Chanel and…” Jungkook pauses, trying to drum up more designer names until he finally gives up. He shrugs. “You know you’d miss it.”

“One of these days, I’m gonna style you up and you’ll be forever changed. I feel like Dior would suit you.” Jimin gives Jungkook’s suspenders a playful snap. “I’d kill to see you on a haute couture runway someday.”

Jungkook shakes his head as he leans in to steal a kiss. “I don’t even know what that is.”

Jimin’s smile drops and he presses his hand over Jungkook’s mouth before he can kiss him. “We’re breaking up,” he says, and feels Jungkook laugh against his hand.

“Well,” Jungkook says, voice muffled until he leans back, “can you at least help me find my wallet first?”

With a light smack to Jungkook’s chest, Jimin nods toward the kitchen. “On the counter. You tossed it there last night before dragging me into the shower.”

“Oh, right.” Jungkook circles around Jimin, hand running along his waist, a roguish smirk on his lips. “No wonder I forgot about it,” he says, and then slips around the corner, leaving Jimin to gather his own things. “Salem has plenty of food and water for the day, right?”

“Of course he does,” Jimin calls back. “I’m a responsible pet parent.”

Jungkook pops back around the corner as he pockets his wallet, then darts in to steal the kiss he never got before. “I know you are,” he says with a smile, “now let’s go,” and he heads for the door.

Jimin has no clue where they’re going or why. If he didn’t trust Jungkook wholeheartedly he would be nervous, but he figures he has his reasons. So instead of begging for answers, Jimin just holds Jungkook’s hand or his thigh as they drive, chitchatting over the noise of the radio. They head toward town, and Jimin can’t even begin to venture a guess at what he has planned.

Until he sees the top of a ferris wheel come into view, right next to the race track. Crowds of people swarm toward it—teenagers, families, couples, everyone. Jungkook must be on edge, choosing to spend time around this many people, but he knows Jimin will enjoy it.

Jimin had mentioned a few weeks back how carnivals were something he had always been fascinated by but never allowed to go to. Not allowed to mix with the rabble, he supposes was his parents’ reasoning. Bad influences, scary carnies, all the stereotypes. He had just wanted to ride some stupid fucking rides.

“Alright,” Jungkook says as he pulls the truck to a stop. “You ready to live out your childhood dreams?”

Jimin purses his lips as he watches a rollercoaster zoom around in the distance. Just watching it makes him nervous. “With your birthday coming up, shouldn’t I be the one surprising you with stuff like this?” he asks

“There are no rules about when we can surprise each other.”

Catching his lip between his teeth, Jimin glances toward the carnival again and grins. “Alright, you little sap,” he says with a light pinch to Jungkook’s arm. “Let’s go.”

Jungkook hops out first, making his way over to Jimin’s door and opening it for him as. Jimin can’t help but laugh, getting out and immediately pecking Jungkook on the lips.

“Like I said,” he says as Jungkook shuts the door and leans in for another kiss, “total sap.”

“You love it.”

“I do.”

Jungkook’s lips twitch into a slight smile—different than before, like he knows something Jimin doesn’t. Jimin narrows his eyes at him in curiosity.

“What?” he asks, but Jungkook just shakes his head.

“Nothing.” He spins Jimin around and nudges him toward the carnival. “Let’s go.”

Jimin looks up as he hears screams from the rollercoaster and his heart leaps nervously into his throat. “Okay, but first,” he whips around to face Jungkook again, stopping so suddenly it makes Jungkook crash into him, “I have to confess something.”

Jungkook grabs his shoulders, then rubs down his arms, grinning at him. “I know you ate the last of that frosting in the middle of the night,” he says, and Jimin laughs. “Where else would it have gone?”

“That’s not—” Jimin doubles over with laughter, giving Jungkook and light shove back. “Shut up. That’s not what I was talking about. But while we’re on the topic of confessions,” he tugs Jungkook closer by his suspenders, “I know I didn’t forget to buy those chips when I went shopping the other day. You just ate them all in a single day. I found the bag in the garbage.”

Jungkook presses his lips together to keep from laughing. “Listen, I like snacking when I have to do paperwork. There was a lot to do that day.”

Jimin throws his head back as he laughs, Jungkook’s arms wrapping around him to keep from tipping backward. “Okay, okay,” Jimin says as he straightens back up, hands planted on Jungkook’s chest now. “The real confession… is that I’m absolutely terrified of the really big, scary rides here. So…”

“So,” Jungkook nods along, and it’s clear he’s trying not to laugh, “we can totally just ride the kid rides. I’m sure no one will wonder what two grown men are doing on the teacups.”

“You’re such a brat,” Jimin says, but he can the amusement on Jungkook’s face turn to fondness. If anyone ever wonders what real life heart-eyes look like, he thinks the expression on Jungkook’s face would be it.

“Again, you love it.”

Jimin just gives him a grin before turning away, glancing back to make sure Jungkook watches him as he walks. He does. He always does. And then he follows after Jimin.

Jimin insists on buying their way into the carnival once they reach the gates. Jungkook went out of his way to do this for him, and Jimin knows he’s not a fan of crowds. Spending time in places like this never fails to stress him out, so he knows the toll it will take just for Jungkook to be here with him. He’s determined to make it worthwhile for both of them now.

“You know what we could do?” Jungkook says as he throws an arm around Jimin’s shoulders. “We could go play some games for awhile too. Whichever you wanna do first. But then we have to go to the main event. It’s the first time they’ve ever done this here before.”

“This is where the horse cult comes in, right?” Jimin teases, but he guides them toward the games anyway.

“You guessed it.”

“So this is how I become a certified rancher?”

“By joining a cult that worships horses?” Jungkook chuckles. “Or is the cult run by horses? How does this work?”

Jimin shrugs, Jungkook’s arm squeezing around his shoulders as he does. “Hell if I know. I haven’t joined yet.”

With another laugh, Jungkook leans in to kiss his temple, and Jimin almost freezes in place. Jungkook almost never kisses him public. He’s rarely even this handsy or walks this close when they’re out and about. He’s assured Jimin a million times it’s nothing to do with shame or appearances, but that public affection simply makes him feel too awkward. Jimin doesn’t know when he suddenly decided that no longer matters.

Not that he’s complaining. Not one bit.

“Okay, so what’s the actual main event?” Jimin asks.

“A rodeo.”

Jimin snorts as they come to a stop beside a game that seems to involve throwing darts at balloons. Something Jimin has only ever seen in movies. “A rodeo? Seriously? Will there be rodeo clowns?”

“Why? Are you scared of those too?”

Jimin frowns, and Jungkook’s grin only grows wider. “Alright. To make up for that one, you have to win me a prize.”

“Pick a game.”

With his hands on his hips, Jimin looks around, sizing up each game, contemplating if he wants the most difficult or one that might give him the nicest view. He wouldn’t mind watching Jungkook climb up that rope ladder.

He settles on the hammer and points at it.

“Let’s see how strong my baby is,” he says, earning an instant blush from Jungkook, who tries to turn away to hide it. It’s far too late for that. Jimin can see the red all the way to the tips of his ears.

“Alright,” he says again as he leads the way over to the game.

Jimin sits back and watches, admiring the flex of his arms as he lifts the mallet, the grin he shoots back at Jimin just before he swings down and nails the platform perfectly. Jimin barely pays attention to the ding that tells Jungkook he’s won or the guy asking him which prize he wants. He’s too focused on Jungkook himself—his smile, the twinkle in his eyes whenever he looks at Jimin.

He barely snaps out of it even when Jungkook holds up a little cat plush in front of his face. “For you, my love,” he says with a kiddish grin.

Jimin takes the plush, looking down at the little green eyes and black fur, so similar to Salem it’s almost eerie. He feels himself smiling such a bright, wide smile it makes his cheeks ache. His eyes drift up to Jungkook and, if he didn’t know better, he would say Jungkook is just about to lean in and kiss him in front of everyone.

“Man, I can never win at that one,” someone says from behind Jungkook, and he spins around to look.

Next to the same game stands Taehyung, Hoseok, and a young boy Jimin doesn’t recognize.

“Fancy seeing you two here,” Hoseok says with a wink. “Are we interrupting a date?”

“Kind of,” Jimin says, and Jungkook gives him a nudge. He shrugs. “I’m just being honest.”

Taehyung doubles over as he laughs, the boy glancing between them before he finally settles on staring at Jungkook. Jimin is used to this by now. A lot of people recognize Jungkook around here, and kids of equestrian families often get a little starstruck around him. Anyone who aspires to be a jockey practically worships him.

“You wanna learn how to win this thing every time?” Jungkook asks him, and the boy’s eyes go a little wide before he composes himself, keeping a straight face. He clearly wants to look cool in front of his hero. “There’s a trick to it.”

“Sure,” the boy says, his excitement clear despite his best attempt to remain as suave as he can.

Jimin stands back as Jungkook heads back toward the game, picking up the mallet as he explains something to the boy. Taehyung flings his arm over Jimin’s shoulder and leans on him.

“My little cousin, Sungjin,” he says with a gesture at the boy. “He’s been begging me to introduce him to Jungkook for months now. I tried to tell him not to bug you guys, but he ran off before I could stop him.”

“It’s fine,” Jimin says with a shrug. He feels himself smiling as Sungjin swings the mallet for the first time, Jungkook standing back as he does. It doesn’t quite reach the top, and Sungjin looks disappointed. “How old is he?”

“11. He went to his first race last summer and he’s been talking nonstop about becoming a jockey ever since.”

Jimin’s smile grows as Jungkook leans over to say something else to the boy, pointing at the mallet and giving him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. He looks completely at ease, none of his usual shyness or anxiety creeping in. Jimin swears his heart swells at the way Sungjin stares up at Jungkook with stars in his eyes, how oblivious Jungkook seems to be that he’s this boy’s idol.

Jungkook squats down beside the game, guiding the mallet toward it as he explains something else, and Sungjin just nods along. For a moment, Jimin wonders if this is what Jungkook would look like as a dad. Kids are something Jimin insisted he would never want—too easy to mess up with bad parenting—and Jungkook has no preferences either way, perfectly content with raising his horses instead. But if this is what he’d see everyday, maybe he wouldn’t be totally opposed.

If this is how Jungkook would be with their own kids, Jimin definitely wouldn’t mind. He can imagine him teaching them how to ride a horse, explaining how to saddle up and properly care for tack.

He pushes those thoughts out for now, but he keeps it in mind for another time.

Jungkook looks happy like this.

“That’s fucking adorable,” Hoseok says as Jungkook steps back for Sungjin to try again. He nudges Jimin. “Daydreaming, are we?”

“Shut up,” Jimin groans, shoving both him and Taehyung away.

“Hey, if you wanna take him, feel free,” Taehyung says. “I got guilt-tripped into babysitting him today.”

“Might not be such a good idea,” Hoseok says. “I think Jimin might just sit there and gaze at Jungkook the whole time. Sungjin could run off and he’d never even notice."

Jimin rolls his eyes, giving Hoseok another shove. They both cackle wickedly at him as he walks away, moving to stand behind Jungkook instead. He sticks his tongue out at them as they laugh, and he feels Jungkook’s arm immediately wrap around him. The sound of the bell dinging pulls his attention back around to Sungjin, who drops the mallet to throw his hands up in celebration.

“See? It’s nothing to do with how big you are,” Jungkook says to him as he spins around to face them. “It’s all about technique.”

“Is that why you’re so good at racing too?” Sungjin asks, and Taehyung laughs.

“Okay, okay, just pick your prize and leave these two to their date,” Taehyung says, grabbing his cousin by his shoulders and guiding him away.

“But I—”

“C’mon.”

Taehyung and Hoseok both give them a quick wave before getting Sungjin his prize and leaving. Jungkook watches them go, then turns his smile on Jimin, almost embarrassed, sheepish.

“What?” Jimin asks.

“Nothing,” Jungkook says, turning away before Jimin can pry any further. He heads for another game—darts and balloons—and Jimin follows after him.

He gives Jungkook a light poke in the side. “No, no, you don’t get to act all cute like that and then just walk away. What are you being so bashful for?”

Jungkook shakes his head, hands in his pockets. He only casts a quick glance back at Jimin, but it’s enough to see the grin on his lips. “Not being bashful. Just… I don’t know.”

“Ah-ah.” Jimin wraps his arms around Jungkook’s waist, heels digging into the ground to stop him. He feels Jungkook’s laughter rumbling through him as he grabs at Jimin’s hands, loosening their grip just enough to turn and face him. “What are you thinking about?”

“It’s stupid,” Jungkook says.

“Tell me.”

Jungkook shakes his head. “Nah, you’ll laugh.”

“Jungkook,” Jimin says, reaching up to adjust the collar of Jungkook’s shirt, “how long have we been together? You know I love to tease, but I’ll never judge. If you tell me what you were thinking, I’ll tell you what I was thinking about.”

“Oh?” Jungkook lifts a brow. “What were you thinking about?”

“You first.”

Licking his lips, Jungkook glances off to the side. He takes a deep breath. “Just… helping that kid, just made me think of the future. Things I’d like to do if we could.” He shrugs. “You know kids aren’t a goal of mine or anything—couldn’t adopt with current laws anyway. But it just made me think of other things. Laws and stuff that I hope change in the future, in time for us to be able to do it.”

“Like what?” Jimin asks, trying not to burst into an amused grin at the way Jungkook rambles, cheeks turning redder the longer he talks. 

Jungkook shrugs again.

“Does it involve getting down on one knee?” Jimin asks, and that makes Jungkook flush bright red. His lips purse and he glances away, and Jimin wonders if he’ll always be like this, if he’ll ever stop making himself shy around Jimin. “Do you wanna know what I was thinking?”

Jungkook looks at him again and nods, still mortified into silence.

Suddenly it’s Jimin’s turn to feel embarrassed. With Jungkook’s eyes on him, he feels very seen, like he sees right through him, into him. He supposes if Jungkook never stops being shy around him, this will be what Jimin can never stop doing—feeling as though he’s stripped naked in front of Jungkook, bearing everything to him whenever he speaks. He used to hate it.

“I was thinking what a cute dad you would make,” he finally says, and Jungkook’s brows shoot up his forehead. “But the marriage idea, that’s cute too. I like the idea of you down on your knees— I mean, down on one knee.”

Jungkook laughs and rolls his eyes. He spins Jimin around and pushes him forward. “Alright, you’ve had your fun,” he says. “Let’s pick another game.”

“You pick this time,” Jimin says, but before Jungkook even gets a chance, his phone goes off. Jimin grabs it, checking the screen, and his face falls instantly. As always, Jungkook notices in a second, reaching out to him.

“Everything alright?” he asks, and Jimin just nods.

“Yeah, it’s fine,” he say with a glance up at Jungkook, but he can tell by the look on his face that he doesn’t believe him. Jimin sighs, then purses his lips together. He hasn’t told Jungkook about this, and for good reason. He’s sure he knows what he’ll say and, frankly, he doesn’t want to hear it. He needs to let go, he already knows. “It’s just Seojun.”

Jungkook’s head cocks curiously to one side. “Okay?”

“I… have him update me sometimes,” Jimin explains, “on my parents.”

He can see the disappointment on Jungkook’s face—at least, he thinks it’s disappointment. He hopes it isn’t.

“I just feel like I need to be ready, you know? Like, if I know what they’re up to, I’ll be ready if they decide to pull any shady shit with me. And…” Jimin pauses. This is the part he hates to admit to. Keeping an eye on them for self preservation is one thing, admitting that some part of him might still care is another.

“You wanna make sure everything’s okay with them, don’t you?” Jungkook asks, and Jimin can’t meet his eyes anymore.

“I know, I know. I should let go,” Jimin says, arms crossing, like he can hide behind himself as Jungkook stares right through him again, “stop thinking about them. I just— I don’t know.”

The gentle hand on his arm is the only thing that makes him feel the slightest bit comforted.

“No, I understand,” Jungkook says, and Jimin scoffs. Of course Jungkook would be understanding, sympathetic. Sometimes Jimin wishes he would just tell him to snap out of it and get over himself. “I do. I know it’s not easy to let go of something like that. And if it’s not hurting you too much, then there’s nothing wrong with checking in.”

“They don’t check in on me,” Jimin says, and as much as he knows saying those words aloud should hurt, he feels nothing but warmth when Jungkook pulls him closer. “I shouldn’t even waste a second on them.”

“Well, that’s what makes you different from them.” Jungkook smiles, warm and comforting as he brushes a strand of Jimin’s hair back. “I think a little piece of you will always care, and that’s okay. As long as you always put yourself first, that is, then I think it’s okay.” His fingers brush through Jimin’s hair, then along his jaw to cup his chin. “It’s one of the many reasons I love you. Your heart is way too big for this world.”

Jimin feels like shrinking in on himself and hiding forever. Even now, hearing things like that instantly awakens that side of him that wants to reject it.  He’s better than he used to be, but it’s still almost habit to deny that he’s worthy of the love that Jungkook gives him.

“Says you, the biggest romantic to ever grace the face of this world,” he finally says, earning a grin from Jungkook.

“I think you underestimate what a romantic you are too. Now,” Jungkook cups either side of his face and pulls him into a chaste kiss, “let’s get back to fulfilling those childhood dreams.” He kisses him again. “You can check in on your parents later, if you still feel like it.”

Jimin can only laugh as Jungkook steps around him. He glances at the crowd, everyone seemingly too busy to notice. He doesn’t care who sees. He’s just surprised, again, that Jungkook seems so unabashed all of a sudden. He swears it was only a month ago he could barely get Jungkook to hold his hand anywhere outside the ranch.

He spins on his heel and rushes to catch up to Jungkook, snuggling up to his side as he does. If Jungkook is willing, Jimin will be damned in he doesn’t take advantage of the opportunity.

Sliding his hand down Jungkook’s arm, he’s pleased to find fingers lacing with his when he reaches Jungkook’s hand. Jimin could get used to this.

He kind of likes showing Jungkook off this way.

By the time they get home, Jimin can’t wait to get these suspenders off. He doesn’t know how Jungkook puts up with them, but after a couple hours it felt like they were digging into his shoulders. He’s starting to worry he’ll have permanent marks from them. If this is what Jungkook goes through just to look as good as he does, Jimin will have to remember to show his appreciation more often.

“Ugh, god,” he groans as he slips them off his shoulders, letting them hang around his waist. “Remind me to never wear these things for long days out ever again.”

“You probably just had them too tight,” Jungkook says, tossing his wallet and keys aside. He leans back against the wall, arms crossed as he watches Jimin kick his shoes off.

Jimin shoots him a grin. “Well, next time I’ll be sure to consult the suspender expert first.”

“And I assume that’s me?” Jungkook asks. He pushes away from the wall as soon as Jimin reaches up to rub his own shoulders. He gently swats Jimin’s hands away and spins him around. His hands grip Jimin’s shoulders, thumbs rubbing over the afflicted areas as they talk. Jimin almost melts against him. His hands are like magic.

“No, I’m obviously talking about my grandma,” Jimin teases, earning a squeeze on his shoulders. “But I think I’ll leave the suspender-wearing up to you from now on. You’re right, I miss my Chanel.”

“I’m sure there are Chanel suspenders you could buy,” Jungkook murmurs into Jimin’s skin, kissing just beneath his jaw.

Jimin shivers at the touch, just ticklish enough, just pleasurable enough. “True,” he says as he leans his head to rest on Jungkook’s shoulder, lips still trailing down his neck. “I like the way you think.”

There’s a chuckle from Jungkook, then one more kiss before he pulls away. “C’mon, let’s change into something comfortable,” he says with a light tug on Jimin’s wrist. “You can lay down and I’ll give you real massage.”

Jimin narrows his eyes as he follows Jungkook toward the bedroom, suddenly suspicious. “Why are you being so nice today?” he asks, and Jungkook glances back at him with an almost offended laugh.

“Am I not nice everyday?”

“You are,” Jimin says, “but you’re doing all kinds of stuff today. I feel like you’re buttering me up to ask me to do something you know I don’t wanna do.”

Jungkook laughs as he slips his own suspenders off, shaking his head. “Jimin, aren’t you used to me going overboard all the time for absolutely no reason?” he asks, his shirt coming off next, discarded carelessly to the chair in the corner of the room. “You know by now I just have no sense of what’s too far.”

“That’s fair. Just making sure you didn’t mistake your birthday for mine or something.” 

“Okay, that’s still two weeks away, and it’s making me nervous how you keep bringing it up. I’m afraid of what you have planned.”

Jimin chuckles as he drops onto their bed, watching Jungkook as he changes. “Oh, you should be.”

With a playful grin shot back at Jimin, Jungkook says, “Terrified.”

Jimin feels himself beaming from ear to ear, eyes on Jungkook. He lets his gaze drift over his back, tracing Jungkook’s tattoos as he goes, lingering on the two hands drawn across his back. It makes Jimin’s heart clench even today, knowing what that tattoo in particular means. Even now, Jimin struggles to grasp exactly how or if he ever helped Jungkook the way Jungkook has helped him. He knows Jungkook says he did—they’ve talked about it a million times, and of course he believes Jungkook—but it’s hard to imagine that he could ever affect someone else’s life like that.

Trapped inside himself. That’s how Jungkook has described how he was before Jimin. Trapped. 

Jimin doesn’t feel like he did much. He was just always there, until one day Jungkook started to open up. He doesn’t think he can take credit for that, but whatever caused it, he’s glad they’re here now. He’s glad to see Jungkook so comfortable, so happy. Whatever dark clouds used to linger around Jungkook, Jimin hardly notices them anymore.

He seems bright, cheery, always playful.

Jimin still has a little way to go, but he’s happy that Jungkook is happy, and it gives him hope that someday the things that haunt him will mean little to nothing anymore.

Jungkook glances back at Jimin as he pulls on a shirt, then looks again when he notices Jimin staring. “What?” he asks, with a nervous chuckle. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“What, I’m not allowed to stare at you now?” Jimin asks. He leans slightly back on the bed, very obviously dragging his eyes up and down Jungkook just for the sake of a reaction.

“You can do what you want, I’m just…” Jungkook shrugs, changing out of his pants now.

“Shy?”

“Just wondering what’s going through your head.”

“Nothing much.” Jimin sounds as casual as could be, nonchalant as he adds, “Just… how completely in love with you I am.”

Jungkook’s lips twitch into a bashful smile before he looks away again, and Jimin wants to wrap him up and hold him forever. 

“Aw, now you’re shy,” Jimin says as Jungkook distracts himself with tugging on a pair of sweatpants.

Jungkook pauses, lips pursed as Jimin stands back up. He spins around so they’re facing each other completely, running his fingers over where Jimin’s suspender should rest, akin to the way Jimin would play with his suspenders. His smile grows as their eyes meet. “I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of hearing you say that.”

“Well then, I love you,” Jimin says as he molds their bodies together, one arm around Jungkook’s shoulders, his other hand tracing the curves of his face. “I’ll never get sick of saying it, so… you better mean that. You’re gonna hear a lot more of it for the rest of your life.”

“Is that a promise?”

Jimin nods, Jungkook’s smile meeting his, warm lips ghosting together, slow and gentle. “Promise.” His fingers curl into Jungkook’s hair as he whispers the words into his mouth again, “I love you.”

He feels himself tugged closer, hips held close to Jungkook’s, lips on his, then on his neck, then his collarbone. Hands tug his shirt up, catching on his chin before Jungkook manages to yank it off and toss it aside to the sound of their laughter.

“You’d think after all this time we’d be more graceful,” Jimin says as he back up toward the bed. His fingers hook into Jungkook’s waistband, pulling him along.

Jungkook shakes his head. “It’s more fun this way,” he says, and as if to emphasize his point, Jimin hits the bed sooner than expected and topples onto it. He pulls Jungkook down with him, Jungkook barely catching himself in time to stop from falling on top of him.

Jimin grins up at him, fingers dancing over Jungkook’s stomach before he starts pulling his shirt off too. “Shouldn’t have even bothered putting this on,” he says as Jungkook leans closer, the tip of his nose barely touching Jimin’s.

“Starting to think getting dressed around you ever is just pointless.”

He sits upright as Jimin tugs his shirt higher, then pulls it off and tosses it aside. Before Jimin can make any retort, arms wrap around his waist and Jungkook pulls him farther onto the bed, rolling over until he has Jimin pinned down in the center. He sits on Jimin’s hips, hands running through his hair as Jimin’s climb his thighs.

Jungkook leans down again, but slower this time, the playfulness subsiding for a moment as his hands cup Jimin’s face. He takes it slow as he lifts Jimin’s head from the bed, pulling him into a kiss.

He always does this, always takes a moment to savor the moment, trace Jimin’s face, memorize the way he pushes up into the kiss. Jimin will never tire of it, never tire of feeling like Jungkook can’t get enough of him. Because he knows he can’t get enough of Jungkook. A year of living together and still Jimin feels the same excitement to wake up beside him, the same rush of happiness every time they kiss.

The same warmth spreading through his chest whenever Jungkook kisses him like this.

And then he nips at Jimin’s lower lip, just enough to make Jimin pull back and look at him. He shakes his head as Jungkook smirks, then draws his hand down the side of Jungkook’s face, thumb pressing against his lips.

He adores this side of Jungkook—playful, bratty, unconstrained. It’s the real him, the one he shoved down and locked away for so long before and even after they met. This is the side of him that Jimin was always so thrilled to catch even a glimpse of. Now he sees it everyday, and it only makes him fall more in love.

“Say it again,” Jungkook whispers as their lips brush together.

Jimin smiles. “I love you.”

He can feel Jungkook’s smile.

“I love you.”

And the slow and steadiness from before dissipates, eager hands pulling at clothes, arms tangling around each other. Heels dig into the mattress, fingers drawing pale lines down each other’s backs. Nothing but the sound of their voices fills in the room, quiet gasps as soft as the breeze outside, the rustling of sheets like the branches against the window.

Jimin knows the sound well, has committed to memory the way they mingle with the world around them, yet all they seem to sense is each other. And that’s all they really need.

Just each other.

Somewhere in the middle of the night, long after they fall asleep wrapped up in each other’s arms, Jimin wakes up to the sudden loss of Jungkook’s warmth beside him. He twists around in the sheets, looking around the room until he catches sight of Jungkook haphazardly tugging his clothes on.

“What’s going on?” Jimin mumbles, barely able to focus his eyes.

“Shit, I was trying not to wake you,” Jungkook says, bracing himself on the dresser as he tugs on a boot. “Ara just called. The foal is coming.”

Jimin blinks, the words not quite sinking in. And then it hits him. “Already? Isn’t it early?”

“Little bit, but this is why we start watching them early,” Jungkook says. “I’ll be back in a couple hours.” He rushes across the room to give Jimin a hasty kiss. “Go back to sleep, babe.”

“No, I’ll go with you.”

“You don’t have to—”

But Jimin is already on his feet, the sheets slipping partially off the bed, Salem watching them with curious eyes from the chair in the corner.

“You go on ahead, I’ll catch up,” Jimin says. There’s a quiet “okay” from Jungkook before he darts out of the bedroom.

Jimin has never witnessed a horse giving birth before and he’s not sure he wants to. Yet another part of him is too curious not to go, and he had promised himself he wouldn’t shy away from things like this anymore. When he chose this life with Jungkook, he chose to accept all of it. Even the gross parts.

And he knows how anxious Jungkook gets over these things, always worrying, always overworking himself for the sake of the horses. If Jimin can support him through it, he will. He would do just about anything for Jungkook.

Even watch an animal be born.

He grabs whatever clothes he can, yanking them on so quickly he’s fairly certain his shirt is on backwards, and rushes after Jungkook. He’s already halfway to the stables by the time Jimin is off the front porch and running to catch up. The stables are mostly quiet once they arrive, save for the labored breathing of the mare at the far end.

Ara steps out of the stall as they approach, wide-eyed and almost frantic. “Hey, so I didn’t call you right away because everything seemed fine. She had no problem with the first foal—”

“First foal?” Jungkook asks, coming to such a sudden stop that Jimin nearly runs into him.

“Yeah. Twins.” Ara gestures for them to follow. “She’s having a hard time with the second one, though. It hasn’t been long but she’s obviously straining. I called Minwoo too in case the vet takes too long. I know he’ll know what to do.”

Jungkook just nods as he steps inside the stall. Jimin lingers outside, almost afraid to look in. He may be used to shoveling shit and a number of other disgusting things around here, but this is on a whole other level he doesn’t think he’s ready for.

He can hear Jungkook talking to the mare in a soothing tone, trying to calm her as she thrashes a bit. It makes Jimin’s stomach twist, thinking about all that could go wrong, how devastated Jungkook would be. He wants to help. He just doesn’t know how, what they even need to do.

“How long ago did you call my uncle?”

“Right before I called you.”

Jimin slips inside the stall, trying to keep his eyes on Jungkook and nothing else. He feels useless. He wants to reach out and do something as he watches Jungkook kneel down beside the mare. Jungkook glances up at him, then back to the horse, and takes a deep breath.

“We might have to pull it,” he says, then gestures at the newborn foal beside him. “Ara, move that one over so it’s safe in case she kicks or thrashes at all. I don’t think we have time to wait for my uncle to get here.”

Ara just nods, scrambling over to the other foal and carefully scooting it over. It seems lively at least, even when brand new. But who knows about the other one, or the mare. Jimin doesn’t have much experience with this, but he’s heard and read enough.

“Jimin,” Jungkook looks up at him, and his stomach twists again, but he’ll do whatever Jungkook asks of him, “I’m gonna need you to help pull.”

“Me?” Jimin asks.

“Ara needs to check over the other foal, she knows what to look for. But this one— I need to help get its head out. It’s not coming out right, so I just need you here to help pull as I guide it, okay?”

Jimin can feel himself shaking. He supposes this is what he signed up for by moving here, though, and if Jungkook needs him, he’ll help. He nods, dropping down beside Jungkook and trying to force himself to look, though he thinks he might gag if he does, at the very least.

“Okay, put your hands here,” Jungkook says, guiding Jimin where he needs to be. He glances up at him and Jimin is sure he’s whiter than a ghost, wide-eyed, panicked. Jungkook gently knocks their heads together. “You’ve got this. You just need to grab it and pull when I tell you to. Not too hard—I’ll tell you if you need to put more strength into it, but right now we’re just trying to help a little bit, okay?”

Jimin nods, letting Jungkook close his hands around what they can see of the foal so far. He can’t bring himself to look right at it as Jungkook lets go of him, and he tries not to think about what’s happening. He just listens for Jungkook to tell him what to do, watches Ara as she checks the other foal, listens to the mare’s breaths as they calm slightly.

“Okay, pull,” Jungkook says, and Jimin does exactly as he was told, gentle but firm as he grasps the foal. “A little more, babe, you’ve got this.”

Jimin looks away, lips pursed as he feels the foal moving. Out the corner of his eye he can see someone else—Minwoo finally approaching. Part of Jimin wishes he had shown up a little sooner so he could be doing this. The other part of him is just proud of himself for not fucking fainting already.

He can hear a sigh of relief from Jungkook as the tension fades, the foal safely out on the straw bedding now. Jungkook twists around to grab something and Jimin falls back, scooting away from the scene. He watches as Jungkook wipes the foal’s face down, cleaning its nose until it can breathe on its own. Jimin doesn’t know why, but he feels like crying. He can feel the anxious air around him. Maybe he doesn’t fully understand what could have happened, but he can feel the worry from Jungkook. That’s enough to tell him that this could have gotten ugly if they hadn’t been here to help.

Jungkook looks up at Minwoo as he steps in, and a sort of dazed, distracted grin crosses his face. If Jimin wasn’t on the verge of tipping over and passing out, he would melt at the sight.

“You’re a little late,” Jungkook says, and Minwoo chuckles.

“I’m old. I don’t move as fast as I used to.” He looks down at the foals, head shaking at them. “Twins. Shit.”

Jungkook chuckles. “Yeah,” he says as he scoots back to sit beside Jimin, wiping his hands down. He watches as Minwoo checks over the second foal, the first already squirming around as Ara leaves it beside its mother. Nudging Jimin with his elbow, he adds, “You don’t have to stay out here if you don’t want to.”

Jimin stares back at him, his mind blank. He’s sure he’s not exactly of any use out here, but at the same time he doesn’t want to leave Jungkook’s side just yet. What if he is needed? Then again, he does desperately want to wash up.

“It’s fine. We’ve got this,” Jungkook promises, leaning in to touch his forehead to Jimin’s. Jimin can feel himself starting to smile, and it makes Jungkook’s smile widen even further. “You did great.” He looks to the others. “Ara, you can go home and get some rest now, if you sneed to.”

Ara doesn’t protest. She looks exhausted as she hauls herself to her feet. Minwoo steps back from the foal and looks to Jimin and Jungkook.

“We’ll have to make sure she doesn’t reject this one,” he says, gesturing to the second foal. “It’s definitely the runt. So if she does, we’ll have to try to nurse it ourselves.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Jungkook says, and the determination on his face makes Jimin’s heart clench. He seems so sure of himself, so serious, Jimin can’t help but feel that usual fondness creeping up like it always does when he sees Jungkook in his natural habitat. He loves seeing him like this, and he’s happy he can be a part of it now.

“Alright,” Minwoo says as he squats down beside the exhausted mare.

Jungkook leans over to knock his shoulder against Jimin’s. “You can go back in and go to sleep. I’ve got this.”

“I can stay if you need me.”

Jungkook smiles, a wide, toothy grin, reaching all the way to his eyes. Jimin loves when he smiles at him like this. “Don’t worry about it for now. I’m sure you’ll have to take your turn watching them eventually.” He leans over a presses a kiss to Jimin’s shoulder, then his cheek. “I’ll be back in later.”

Jimin turns just enough to meet him in a quick kiss. “You sure?”

“I’m sure.” Jungkook gestures toward the exit. “You can clean up at the faucet just outside.” He plants another kiss on Jimin’s lips. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Okay,” Jimin murmurs, suddenly feeling the tiredness seeping back in. He smiles into one last kiss before he stands. There’s a soft “goodnight” from Jungkook as he leaves.

Jimin does just as he said to do and washes up before heading inside. He can hear Jungkook and Minwoo talking until he’s out of earshot, and then he practically stumbles back into the house. As tired as he is, he still forces himself to get in the shower before he climbs back into bed. There’s no way he would have slept peacefully if he hadn’t.

With Salem on his chest, Jimin pictures that little foal, wonder how it’s doing already, if it’s standing, if Jungkook is worrying. He hopes he isn’t, and he hopes he can be of more help tomorrow.

Mostly, as he drifts off to sleep, he just can’t fucking believe he helped deliver a foal.

The next few days consist mostly of Jungkook rushing in and out of the house as he checks on the foal between other ranch chores. At first, Jimin only checked in occasionally, mostly preferring to stick to what he knows unless Jungkook asked something specific of him. Over time, Jimin can’t help but feel something stir inside his chest for the smaller foal—a filly. The other is a colt.

Watching it struggle to stand on its first day had nearly broken his heart. Jungkook had been almost certain it would never find the strength. It had been Jimin’s turn to watch them for a couple hours when it first stood, determined, stubborn, even as its legs wobbled.

He had been a goner right then and there.

Now, Jungkook is hard-pressed to keep him away from the damn thing, constantly reminding him to get plenty of rest and making sure he doesn’t miss any meals. Jimin feels as determined as the little filly is to keep it alive now, despite Jungkook’s warnings about how rare it is for twins to survive.

“The colt is fine,” Jimin keeps reminding him, “that means the filly can be too.”

Every time he says it, Jungkook kisses his forehead and reminds him, “I know. But if things go wrong, please don’t blame yourself.”

It won’t go wrong. Jimin refuses to let that happen.

For now, Jimin focuses on paperwork, despite how badly he wants to go check on the filly. He knows Jungkook will insist it’s not his turn and that he needs to rest. As if there’s such a thing as rest when you live on a ranch. It’s nonstop work, day in and day out. Not that Jimin is complaining. He’s surprisingly content with staying so busy all the time.

He hears the front door open and he hops to his feet, hoping it’s Jungkook with good news. Salem trots along behind him, then bounds ahead when Jungkook comes into sight.

“Hey. Everything good?” Jimin asks, and Jungkook nods before yawning, arms stretched above his head.

“All good.”

“I can head out to watch them now if you need to—”

“No, no.” Jungkook catches Jimin by his wrists before he can reach the door, dragging him into the sitting room instead. He drops onto the couch and pulls Jimin down with him, wrapping him up in his arms and throwing one leg over him to keep him pinned where they lay. “My uncle is watching them for now. You need to relax for a bit.”

Jimin chuckles against Jungkook’s chest where he’s trapped. “I need to relax? Or you need to hug me like a teddy bear so you can relax?”

“Both.”

“Well.” Jimin grins as he shifts be just enough to look at Jungkook, eyes drifting over the dark circles under his eyes. He’s sure he looks much the same. “We can rest until tomorrow, and then we have to meet Kang.”

Jungkook groans. “Fuck. I completely forgot about that.”

“I can go meet him myself if you don’t have time—”

“No, I’m not making you do that, Jimin. You do way too much around here already.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

There’s a quiet mixture of a hum and a laugh from Jungkook before he pulls Jimin to his chest again. “No, you’re here to snuggle with me while I take a nap,” he says, then chuckles at himself. “Everything will be fine if we just lay here for a bit.”

Jimin can’t bring himself to argue with that as Jungkook buries his face into his hair. Truthfully, he’s hated taking turns to watch the foals, as necessary as it is. He hates sleeping alone, so he won’t fight this little opportunity they have to fall asleep together for once.

He wraps his arms around Jungkook and holds him a little tighter, and he feels Jungkook instantly relax against him. If he wasn’t so tired, he would savor the warmth of their bodies pressed close, the sound of Jungkook’s heartbeat. But he’s exhausted. Only seconds after he hears Jungkook’s breath slow down, signaling that he’s already fast asleep, Jimin passes out too.

Jimin doesn’t think he’s ever spent so much time in the stables. In the past year he’s of course spent hours and days and weeks out here, but never like this. He spends every second he can spare with the filly. Between chores and business meetings and spending his nights on a cot, Jimin constantly feels like he could pass out on his feet, but he wouldn’t trade it for anything.

The first time he saw her stand up makes it worth the exhaustion. The way she nuzzles her nose into his hand almost makes him forget the ache in muscles.

They’ve passed the riskiest few days since the foals were born. The colt has barely slowed down for a second since he started walking, and if they can keep the filly out of dangerous territory for a little longer, they should be home free. The fact that she’s even still alive is a miracle, according to Jungkook. Jimin had been afraid to hear the statistics, but eventually couldn’t resist whipping his phone out to look up.

It wasn’t pretty.

And he hadn’t slept at all that night.

Now, it’s not quite as terrifying to fall asleep. He’s not afraid he’ll wake up to find her not breathing. He sleeps easy, even in the stable. Even as a chill sets into the air. He has more than enough blankets wrapped around him, tucked up to his chin.

Somewhere past midnight, he wakes to the feeling of someone gently shaking his shoulder and his back aching from the cot. Jimin stretches and yawns, twisting around to look up at the blurry image of Jungkook. He smiles at him, and he thinks Jungkook smiles back.

“Time is it?”

There’s a gentle chuckle from Jungkook as his hand strokes Jimin’s hair, pushing it back from his face. “Time for you to go inside and get some real sleep. Come on.”

“Just because I’m sleeping in a barn doesn’t mean it’s not real sleep,” Jimin says, but he makes no effort to stop Jungkook as he pulls him upright. He sits down beside Jimin, who wastes no time in leaning his head on Jungkook’s shoulder. He could fall right back to sleep like this.

“Trust me, you may think you’re getting enough sleep out here, but once the worry and adrenaline from all this wears off, you’ll feel it.” He wraps his arm around Jimin and squeezes, kissing the top of his head. “I can take over for the night.”

“Honestly, I’m fine—”

“Jimin. Go inside. Sleep in a real bed.”

Jimin glances at the foals, curled up near each other as they sleep. He sighs and looks at Jungkook. “What if something happens?”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

With a sleepy sigh, Jimin leans heavily on Jungkook, smiling at the way Jungkook cradles his head, rocks him back and forth like he’s trying to lull him back to sleep. Jungkook shifts around, lying back on the cot, pulling Jimin down to lie on his chest.

“Seriously, you’re working yourself to death out here, Jimin. You need a real night’s sleep.”

“Mm, I think I’m fine right here,” Jimin mumbles against his chest. He throws a leg over Jungkook, shifting around until he’s fully straddling him. “Honestly, there can’t be a better night’s sleep than one with you.”

“Well, you’re not wrong there,” Jungkook says as he catches Jimin’s face in his hands, kissing the tip of his nose. “My cuddling skills are unmatched.”

“That, they are.” Jimin grins as Jungkook kisses him again.

“Now go inside.”

Jimin chuckles, his head turned to one side for Jungkook to kiss his cheek, then to the other as he kisses again.  “You know, you’re not doing a very good job of convincing me to leave,” he says, the last few words muffled by Jungkook’s lips.

“I know.” Jungkook runs his fingers over Jimin’s cheek, tracing beneath his eye, along his lips. Jimin presses a kiss to the tip of his finger, tongue darting out before Jungkook yanks his hand away. He scrunches his nose up in mock disgust. “Go inside. Shower up. Sleep.”

“Shower? Are you saying I stink?”

Jungkook scrunches his face up. “Maybe just a little bit.”

“Brat,” Jimin says with a light smack to Jungkook’s arm, earning a laugh from him. It makes the foals stir and Jimin’s eyes snap to them, watching and waiting. When they settle again, he looks to find Jungkook staring fondly up at him.

“You did really good with them,” he says, cupping Jimin’s chin. “Seriously. I’m not sure she would have made it without you.”

“So does this finally make me a real rancher?” Jimin asks as he leans over Jungkook’s sprawled form, hands sliding up his chest. He tries to hold back the grin fighting its way onto his lips, spurred on by the warmth in his chest. “Am I a certified cowboy yet?”

Jungkook grins up at him, lounging with his arms behind his head. “Nah, I don’t think so. You’ll always be my city boy.”

“Oh?” Jimin folds his arms across Jungkook’s chest and rests his chin atop them. “Well, as long as I’m your city boy, I guess I can live with that.”

Jungkook chuckles, arms wrapping around Jimin now. He holds around his waist, squeezing him tight, and leans up just enough to bump their noses together. “Now go get some sleep, city boy.”

Jimin groans as he lifts himself off Jungkook, glancing at the foals one more time. “Promise to let me know if anything happens?”

“Promise.”

“And you promise not to forget that your birthday in this weekend,” Jimin says as he stretches, grinning down at Jungkook where he lays, “because you swore not to overwork yourself because I made plans for us?”

“I promise.” Jungkook reaches over and gives Jimin’s thigh a squeeze. “I’m taking the day off. I arranged everything with Ara and everyone. Though, I have to be honest, I’m still a little afraid of what you have planned.”

Jimin’s catches his hand, lacing their fingers together loosely. “Don’t be. I promise you’ll love it.”

“I love anything you do,” Jungkook says as he rolls onto his side.

“Sap.” Jimin leans down, kissing the back of Jungkook’s hand. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Jimin.”

Jimin slowly backs away, leaning forward as he goes to keep their hands laced together a little longer. When their fingers finally slip away from each other, Jungkook still reaching out to him, hand outstretched dramatically, a playful smile on his lips.

With a wink, Jimin drops his hand to his side, Jungkook’s reaching for the blanket. He watches as Jungkook settles in, backing away until he’s out of sight, and then he finally turns and makes for the house.

“No peeking,” Jimin says, hands over Jungkook’s eyes as he guides him.

“I promise, I’m not.”

Jimin grimaces as Euphoria snorts. He’ll ruin the surprise. Then again, it’s not like Jungkook can tell which horse it is by a snort. Or maybe he can. By now, Jimin wouldn’t be surprised.

“Okay. Ready?” Jimin pulls his hands away, revealing to Jungkook both Providence and Euphoria, tied in place next to a tree, saddle bags strapped on their backs. Jimin grins as Jungkook’s head cocks curiously.

“Honestly,” Jungkook says as he puts his hands on his hips, “ I was actually afraid you would plan a surprise party.”

“Oh, please, I know you better than that.” Jimin gives him a light shove as he passes him, heading for the horses. “All those people singing to you, you would have died from embarrassment. Nope, I thought something quiet and intimate would be more to your taste. So… horseback ride to a nice little picnic site, just us overlooking the ranch.”

He stops next to Providence, watching as Jungkook approaches Euphoria. The smile on his face tells Jimin he made the right call today. He loves when Jungkook looks this happy.

“Vet said he’s good for short or easy rides. He’s healed up enough that he can carry you just fine, just not for long periods of time.” Jimin smiles as Jungkook scratches behind Euphoria’s ear. “I thought you’d like to ride him again. Even if it’s just for a little trip up the hill.”

Jungkook smiles up at the horse, his eyes practically sparkling. His grin widens as Euphoria’s nose bumps against his face, and Jungkook leans his forehead on Euphoria’s. He looks over at Jimin, shaking his head, fond as could be.

“You thought right,” he says. “Where are we going?”

Jimin points to the top of a distant hill. “Right up there. I spent a whole day scoping out the best spot.”

“Alright. Let’s go,” Jungkook says, reaching out to pet Providence next. But the horse turns his head toward Jimin instead, nose nuzzling into his chest. Jungkook drops his hand and looks at Jimin, lips pursed. “See? How many times do I have to tell you this horse only tolerates me before you believe me?”

“He loves you,” Jimin says as he scratches beneath Providence’s chin. “He just has his preferences.” He reaches over to tap beneath Jungkook’s chin. “You’re an acquired taste, baby.”

“Oh, am I?” Jungkook asks as they both climb onto their horses. He looks over, brow lifted at Jimin. “A taste I assume you’ve acquired by now?”

Jimin waggles his brows, lower lip between his teeth. “You know it,” he says, then leans in. He keeps his legs tight against the saddle, holding himself upright as he closes the gap between him and Jungkook for a kiss.

And then Providence snorts and shifts away from Jungkook and Euphoria. Jimin holds tighter on the reins, a surprised huff leaving him as Jungkook laughs. As soon as Providence stops moving, Jimin shoots the other man a glare.

“I think he’s jealous,” Jungkook says before gently spurring Euphoria on.

Jimin rolls his eyes before following Jungkook to the hill. It’s only a few minute walk to reach the spot Jimin had picked out—a cozy little spot beneath a tree, right at the edge of a short drop-off overlooking the ranch. They can see everything from here, yet it’s just far enough away that it feels like their own private little place where no one can find them.

They secure the horses to a nearby tree, grabbing the packs off and pulling everything out in relative silence. It used to bother Jimin, how quiet Jungkook would get while working on even the smallest of things. Now, the silence between them feels comfortable, and Jimin likes to use it to sneak little glances at Jungkook whenever he thinks he’s not looking.

He likes the little twist of Jungkook’s mouth to one side as he lays out the picnic blanket. He loves how his brows furrow as he digs through the food Jimin brought and sees some of the more questionable options. And he absolutely adores the way his eyes go a little wide when he looks up to find Jimin grinning down at him.

“What?” he asks as he sits on the blanket, Jimin stretching his arms above his head before joining him.

“I’m just admiring the view,” Jimin says with a pointed look at Jungkook, and then he gestures out to the fields. “Look at how gorgeous it is.”

There’s a snort from Jungkook. He gives Jimin a light shove before he lies back, arms crossing behind his head. Jimin stretches out beside him, hands on his stomach as he looks up at the clouds drifting by. He notes the shapes he sees in them, listening to the breeze and steady sound of Jungkook’s breath. He points up at the sky.

“Look at that cloud,” he says. “It’s shaped like your head.”

Jungkook laughs, but he doesn’t disagree. Instead, he reaches over and takes one of Jimin’s hands, lacing their fingers together between them.

“Thank you,” he says with a squeeze to Jimin’s hand. “You really do know me well. This is much better than a surprise party.”

“And to think I always thought I’d make a terrible boyfriend.”

There’s a light chuckle from Jungkook before he lifts Jimin’s hand to his lips, almost absentminded as he kisses at his knuckles. It’s a habit Jimin hopes he never breaks.

“Then again, maybe I am. I didn’t get you a gift,” Jimin says. He turns his head to look at Jungkook, grinning. He already knows that Jungkook is going to tell he doesn’t need to give him one, so he pipes up before he can. “But I’ll do something special for you instead.”

“Something special? Like what?” Jungkook stops kissing his knuckles, their hands returning to their sides, still entangled.

“Anything you want.”

“Anything I want?”

“Anything.”

Jungkook’s face morphs into something wicked, a smirk on his lips. “Anything at all?”

“Okay, well, now you’re making me wanna take it back,” Jimin says, his smile vanishing as Jungkook’s grows wider.

“Too late.”

“Okay, what the hell did I just get myself into?” Jimin asks with a nervous laugh. “I assumed you would ask for, like, birthday sex or something, and now I’m afraid you have something fucking crazy planned like you always do.”

“I mean, that happens most nights anyway, so,” Jungkook shrugs, “I’d rather wish for something you’ve been a little more resistant to.”

Jimin stares back at Jungkook, mouth half open, ready to protest if need be. Suddenly, as Jungkook bites at his lower lip, it clicks. “No.”

“Yes.”

“I’m not—”

“You said anything.”

“Anything but that,” Jimin says as he tries to roll away, but Jungkook throws a leg over him, pinning him in place.

“Jimin,” he murmurs against the back of Jimin’s neck, kissing it, “you have to stop being afraid of letting a horse run when you’re on it.”

“Jungkook,” Jimin responds, mimicking Jungkook’s exact tone, “I watched you break your leg and pop your shoulder out of place on a running horse.”

“You’ve also watched me win races and come out just fine on a running horse.”

“I’m traumatized.”

Jungkook lets go of him with a laugh and sits upright. “You were traumatized by my injury?”

Jimin swings himself up as well and frowns over at Jungkook, eyes hooded, unamused as they stare at each other. “It felt like I experienced it, okay?”

“Ah, well,” Jungkook shrugs, “I’ll get my way eventually.” He reaches over and gently slaps Jimin’s thigh, then squeezes. “Until then, you gotta come up with a name for the filly.”

Jimin glances over at him, then back to the ranch, then at Jungkook again before he laughs. “What? No. I can’t come up with your type of names,” he says. “You wouldn’t like anything I could think of.”

“Doesn’t matter if I like it,” Jungkook says with a shrug. “What say do I have in what you call your horse?”

“My h—” Jimin’s voice falters, certain he had heard that wrong. There’s no way Jungkook means that. He had to have misspoke, right? “No. No, Jungkook, don’t— Don’t fuck with me like that.”

“I’m not fucking with you.”

They stare at each other a moment longer, Jimin’s jaw hanging open, a thousand questions on his tongue. He can’t say much except, “Are you f— Are— You— You’re serious?”

“Yes. You need to raise your own horse eventually.” Jungkook looks at the ranch, his hand still on Jimin’s thigh, sliding down to his knee, then back up. “That is how you can become a certified country boy.”

He smiles again as Jimin stares, dumbfounded, speechless. The fond little laugh that leaves him would usually make Jimin’s heart want to explode, but right now he’s still stuck on trying to comprehend what’s happening.

“I’m supposed to be the one giving you gifts on your birthday.”

Jungkook shrugs, looping his arm around Jimin’s shoulders now. “I’ve been planning to do this for awhile now. Just felt like the right time.” He leans in to touch his nose to Jimin’s. “She wasn’t expected, so we have no specific plans for her. She’s growing up well, despite everything. I’m sure she’ll be strong enough to carry you in the future, just like any other horse.”

His fingers brush through the ends of Jimin’s hair, then trace patterns onto his arm as they stare at each other.

“She’s yours, Jimin. If you want her.”

“Of course I want her—” The words whoosh out of Jimin in a single breath, a half-dazed smile of shock on his face. “Fuck, Jungkook, you’re actually serious?”

Jungkook nods. “Of course. I’ll teach you anything you need to know along the way, but… I think you’ve got a pretty good handle on it already. Probably better than you think.”

“Yeah, you’ve got that right,” Jimin says. He shakes his head, eyes on the ranch now, still trying to decide if he’s dreaming this or not. His own horse. Jungkook must be insane.

“You’re gonna do just fine with her.” Jungkook kisses his shoulder. “Trust me. Now,” he lets go and reaches for one of the bags, “where’s the champagne? In this one?”

“Yeah.” Jimin turns to search for the glasses. “Let’s get shitfaced and then go for a ride, because that sounds totally safe.”

Jungkook laughs, and the sound of it warms Jimin’s heart. He’ll never not love that sound or the smile on Jungkook’s face whenever they lock eyes. Not everything here is perfect—Jimin still has a long way to go, but he’s getting there. He is happy, he thinks. Sometimes he wonders how he would ever truly know what that feels like, but then he thinks it isn’t all that important.

Whatever it is he feels when he’s with Jungkook, it feels good, and he supposes that’s what matters.

“Can’t believe I’m letting you bully me into this,” Jimin says, puffing his cheeks out, a pout on his lips as Jungkook guides Euphoria up to stand alongside Providence. He feels Jungkook’s hand rub along his back as he works up his courage. 

Truthfully, he can’t believe that he’s even willing to try. Jimin two years ago would have had an absolute tantrum at the thought of even being put on a horse.

“We’ve come a long way, haven’t we?” he asks, and he would be lying if he said it wasn’t partially a way to delay the inevitable.

Jungkook seems to recognize that, judging by the amused grin on his face. “Mhm. We have. Now, go a little further,” and with that, he grabs Jimin’s ankle and forces him to spur Providence on. 

The horse lurches forward, Jimin holding tight as he speeds up. He can hear Jungkook laughing behind him as he pulls Providence to a stop, turning him around to face Jungkook again.

“You’re the worst!” he calls to him as Jungkook carefully trots Euphoria over to meet them.

“You love me.”

“Yeah, maybe,” Jimin says, his lips betraying him as he smirks at Jungkook. He hates to admit it, but even that short run felt kind of nice. Why does Jungkook always have to be right?

“You love me,” Jungkook says again as they stop side by side again, facing opposite directions as Jimin leans in.

He brushes his lips against Jungkook’s, holding Providence steady this time so he doesn’t interrupt them. “I do,” he whispers into the kiss, letting it last just long enough that he can tell Jungkook doesn’t want to stop. He pulls away.

Jungkook just shakes his head at him as he leads Providence around them in a circle. He casts Jungkook a sly smirk, readying himself for another burst forward from Providence.

“Knew you’d like it once you tried,” Jungkook says, and Jimin just gives him a wink before Providence takes off across the field.

It is terrifying, how fast they move, but it makes Jimin feel like nothing can catch up to him, like he’s flying, and he wishes he had tried this ages ago. There have been more than a few troubles he would have liked to have left behind in the past, running like this. Now, he supposes he’ll just have to do this for fun. There’s not much left that he feels he needs to escape anymore.

He comes to a stop at the base of a hill, Providence shifting excitedly as he wheels him around to face Jungkook again. Even at a distance, he can see Jungkook’s smile as he and Euphoria approach.

Jimin’s heart still pounds from the adrenaline of the run, but that doesn’t stop it from doing the little skip it always does when he looks at Jungkook. He doesn’t think that will ever go away. He thinks he’ll always be just a little surprised that they ended up here, but he’s glad they did.

Yeah, there’s nothing about this that he ever wants to leave behind.