Chapter Text
"He"s dead."
"You"re sure?"
"I watched him die," Jungkook holds his deep bow. "Buried him in a shallow grave. The thief is gone. You"re safe, You Majesty."
"It took you long enough," The king criticizes. "But thank you, Captain. You"ve done well."
This was the first time Jungkook realized how cold the king"s tone was. He thought it was professionalism. Only now he realizes how wrong he was. Perhaps...perhaps this man truly was evil.
"I"d do anything to protect you, Your Majesty," He rises. "I will take his measly sword as a trophy. No thief will dare show their face in these grounds again."
"I would like to hope not," He looks down at Jungkook. "You are dismissed, Captain."
With one last bow, Jungkook leaves the throne room, a deep frown on his face.
The thief from last night changed his life.
*
"We"re almost at the village, Captain."
"Thank you, Taehyung," Jungkook nods once at his second in command. "Namjoon, how are you faring?"
"Perfectly fine," The palace"s head advisor smiles. "We still have another town after this. I"ll rest there."
"The inn is supposed to be very nice there," Jungkook assures.
"I don"t need luxury," Namjoon laughs. "It"s just for a night, anyways."
"You"re a respectable man, Kim Namjoon," Jungkook smiles, before guiding his horse to the front of the pack.
He leads the group—consisting of advisors and soldiers—to the nearby village. Cheonju was a small place located near Umak river—the longest river running through Norewang. If one didn"t make any stops, they could get from the palace to Cheonju by foot in half a day, less on horse. However, Jungkook and the rest of the palace staff were on their third day of travel, having started their journey heading Southeast, down to the southern most cities, and back up, hitting the most important western towns on their journey back.
They should make it home tomorrow. Jungkook was growing weary from his journey escorting the royal advisors through the country. The sooner he got home, the better.
The group made their way into the village, and the residents stared. Most of them wore the simple clothes of commoners. Jungkook tried to meet their gazes. After all, he was like them once. He knows how often people in power treat lower classes less than scum.
Because what could ever come from the son of a concubine?
The captain of the guard continues to meet them all with kind eyes, occasionally nodding. He hopes they can read his intentions. He hopes they"re doing okay.
Then he meets an extremely familiar set of eyes.
Jungkook gasps a breathy gasp.
Jimin dashes away. Almost as quickly, Jungkook dismounts his steed. "Taehyung, take my horse." He starts running. "I"ll be back soon!"
He runs in the direction he watched Jimin go. From the corner of his eye, he sees Jimin round a corner, so he pursues. He forgot how nimble this former thief was.
With a burst of energy, he sprints forward on a long stretch of road. He grabs Jimin"s wrist, and the thief gasps. He tries to struggle away from Jungkook in a panic.
"Hey! Hey, it"s just me," Jungkook tries to soothe. "There"s no one else, Jimin. No one else followed me. I-I just you in the crowd, and I just had to speak to you. How could I just let you run off like that?"
Jimin stops struggling, but he doesn"t make eye contact with the guard.
"I just wanted to talk to you," His voice gets softer. "Jimin, I missed you. Four seasons have passed since the night we spent together."
"Don"t say it like that," Jimin murmurs. "It makes things sound crasser than they were."
"That"s rich coming from you," Jungkook chuckles softly. But his face softens again. "You know what I meant. I never stopped thinking about you. I had always hoped we would meet again."
Silence.
"Won"t you please look at me?" He stares at him intensely. "What have I done so that you won"t even glace at me?"
Hearing that, Jimin seems to give in, sighing. With a bit of hesitation, he looks up.
And tears flood his eyes.
Jungkook immediately fills with concern. "Oh, oh Jimin, don"t cry! What have I done? What can I do to mend things?"
But Jimin steps forward. "You saved my family."
Before Jungkook can ask any questions Jimin throws his arms around Jungkook"s shoulders. Stunned, Jungkook holds back. Jimin cries softly.
"My niece is the healthiest she"s ever been," Jimin tells him. "We finally have enough food. The rationing system worked, Jungkook. Taxes have lowered since the war. The rations have given the south time to recover from the famine. Their crop was better this year, we have food!"
"I-I know," Jungkook nods. "I just came from the south. They"re doing quite well, considering what they"ve gone through."
"It"s all because of you," Jimin pulls back. "Everything changed because you promised it would. My family are alive and well because of you."
"...I worked so hard, Jimin," Jungkook confirms. "Because you gave me everything I needed to try. I did it for my kingdom, for my people, but it was because of you. This was your doing, Jimin."
"But you brought the ideas into the palace," Jimin argues.
"But I changed no laws!" Jungkook counters. "I just advocated, like you advocated. We tried, and we tried hard enough, Jimin. We did it. With a team of others."
Slowly Jimin nods. "...We did."
"I"m so glad I met you again in this life," Jungkook changes the subject softly. "I haven"t gone a day without thinking about you."
"...I have your ring," Jimin shuffles around, until he finds it in the folds of his hanbok. "I suppose I should give it back to you."
"My ring?" Jungkook furrows his eyebrows. "You were supposed to sell that."
"I couldn"t bring myself to," He shrugs, looking down. "...I guess I didn"t really want to let go of you."
Jungkook"s heart fills with warmth. "Oh..."
"Anyways, here you go," Jimin holds it out.
"What? No," Jungkook shakes his head quickly. "Please, Jimin...keep this part of me. I want you to keep it...at least until we can meet again."
"Meet again?" Jimin narrows his eyes.
"Jimin, you can"t expect me to let you go again!" Jungkook readjusts his grip so he"s softly holding Jimin"s hand. "I"ve never forgotten about you, and it seems you"ve never forgotten about me. I know where you live now, and I think I"ve more than proven you can trust me, have I not?"
"That"s true..." Jimin trails. "But the capital is so far away. Do you expect me to go back there? What if someone recognizes me as the thief? I know you weren"t the only one who saw me that night."
"So we can meet a few towns away, at a midpoint," Jungkook plans. "Like Gasudong. That village would probably only take an hour by horse, both ways. Do you have a horse?"
"No, but that"s never stopped me before," Jimin gives him a look. "You know how often I frequented the palace."
"That"s true," Jungkook chuckles. The confidence Jimin had possessed before was slowly coming back to the surface. "Then can we plan a night? I can sneak off undetected once my shift ends."
Slowly, Jimin nods. "At the night of the half-moon. Let"s meet in Gasudong. We can meet when the moon is at its highest."
"Oh, okay," Jungkook nods. "Sure, yes! It"s a date."
"You better not bring your sword unless you bring mine," Jimin reaches forward and taps the hilt resting at the captain"s belt. "I can"t fight you this time around."
"Surely you"ve gotten another one?" Jungkook furrows his brows.
He shakes his head. "I was hoping I"d get mine back someday."
"Well...not anytime soon," Jungkook frowns. "What would I say if the sword I"m keeping as a token of my slain thief just up and disappeared? Everyone at the palace knows that"s my prized possession."
"Prized possession?" Jimin repeats.
"Why wouldn"t I want to display what is yours?" Jungkook asks rhetorically. "And anyways, it"s normal to take a trophy from a dead enemy. It"s odd, but it"s the culture of a soldier."
"I see," Jimin sighs. "Well I guess I did try. I should look into getting another sword then. It"s been far too long."
"Not until after we meet though," Jungkook teases. "I"m meeting you unarmed. For you, I"ll come without protection."
"Don"t sound so excited about it," Jimin gives him a look. "You sound as if I want you to go get into harm"s way. I wouldn"t have asked for you to leave your sword if I thought you couldn"t defend yourself. I have the scar to remind me of your fighting abilities, remember?"
"With my sword," He counters.
"Your sword is an extension of you," Jimin shrugs. He clears his throat. "Anyways. I"m sure you"ve been gone long enough. People may get suspicious."
"Oh...right," Jungkook looks at the ground, nodding. "May I kiss you goodbye?"
"I..." Jimin"s face melts into a soft smirk. "I"m going to make you wait until we meet again."
"But..." Jungkook whines. "But you"ve stolen my heart. The least you can let me do is steal a kiss back."
Jimin chuckles softly. "There"s a reason I"m the thief of the two of us. Goodbye, Jungkook. Until we meet again."
"Don"t run away from me anymore," Jungkook murmurs.
"I was just embarrassed to cry in front of you," Jimin confesses. "But that ship has sailed. You"ve given me enough to trust you a bit now. Don"t worry."
"Good," Jungkook smiles. "Well, until the night of the half-moon. You"ll always be in my thoughts."
Jimin stares at the ground. "...Mine too."
Jungkook"s heart swells with warmth. He never knew if Jimin cared for him like the soldier cared for the thief. Now he knew it was true. Jimin truly cared for him.
"Goodbye," And Jungkook dashes off, maneuvering through buildings until he"s back on the main road.
Taehyung is the first to notice. "Where have you been?"
"Just..." He tries to think. "I just thought I saw someone. From my past."
"Your past?" Taehyung wonders. "Like before you came to the palace? You never talk about that part of your life."
"There"s nothing to tell," Jungkook shuts him down. "My life was nothing before the palace, and now I"m here, and I work my hardest. That"s it."
"Okay...but," Taehyung presses. "That person from your past. Surely they wanted to make you revisit it?"
"He"s the only one I"ve ever talked to about my past—who"s still alive, anyways," Jungkook reveals. "Only he and Captain Song knew. And anyways, it didn"t matter. It wasn"t him. I got lost on my way back. That"s what took me so long."
"...Okay," Taehyung doesn"t sound like he believes him. But it doesn"t matter to Jungkook. "You"re lucky your horse behaved so well. I"m not a babysitter, you know."
Jungkook laughs, hitting him softly. "Is that how you speak to your captain?"
The laugh is returned. "When he runs away like a distracted child, I will."
"That"s it, I"m demoting you!"
"I"m still waiting for it after the 613 other times you"ve said that!"
*
Jungkook sneaks into the abandoned cottage at the very edge of Gasudong. He hoped Jimin would think to do the same—he had forgotten to plan a place within the town to meet. But Gasudong was hardly a village—a neighborhood with a few stalls for food was more like it. They"d find each other eventually of course, but Jungkook would rather not waste time.
He wore plain clothing—clothing he admittedly stole from the palace storage. Bright red would make him an easy target. He couldn"t wear his normal garments without being detected.
His heart was racing. Would Jimin actually come? It was just a single night they spent together, after all. Perhaps they were just caught up in the passion of the night, and then in adrenaline that day they met again. Jimin seemed to be the logical type...
"You brought your horse?"
Jungkook gasps.
He turns around, towards the entrance. There, in all his glory, was Jungkook"s favorite thief. Seeing him in the moonlight, like he was the first night they met, created a storm of wonderful emotions within his abdomen and chest.
"Um...yes. Of course I did," It takes him a moment to find his voice. "I didn"t have much time to get here, so I rode instead of walked."
"What if it gets us caught?" He sounded a bit aggressive. "This is such a small village! What if someone sees it? What if they find us!? We should"ve chosen a larger town-"
"Jimin," The captain takes both his hands. "I said I was going to bring my horse when we last saw each other. She"s a good steed. She"s quiet, and well-trained. And I rode her bareback—no one will know she"s from the palace. We"re both wearing plain clothes, we both just look like two people meeting up. If people see us, it"ll be embarrassing, but not compromising. We"ll figure something else out. I don"t know too much about you yet, but I know you"re a planner. Guess what? I am too."
Slowly, Jimin"s shoulders release tension. "Oh...well. Fine then."
"Fine then?" Jungkook chuckles. "No greeting or anything?"
"Oh...right," Jimin looks up. "I missed you, Palace Scum."
Jungkook pretends to be offended, pulling him closer and pressing him against a wall. "The nerve you must possess to call me that, you little fox!"
"Fox?" Jimin smirks at him. "Is that what I am?"
"Quick, sly, combative," Jungkook lists. "Beautiful."
"Ah, I see," Jimin tilts his head, licking his lips.
They kiss for the first time since the morning after they met, and Jungkook completely lets go. He responds like an addict after severe withdrawal, caging his thief in and letting their tongues dance. Jimin releases a noise of contentment that makes Jungkook go wild. Everything just felt perfect.
Jungkook had been worried his memory had been tampered with by his brain, making that first night seem better than it actually was. "What if Jimin wasn"t as good as he remembered him?" He thought, for example.
But all that worrying was so obviously for nothing. It wasn"t like he remembered it at all. It was better.
He pulls away from Jimin, chest heaving. "Jimin, I missed you so much."
"I"m angry," The shorter beams. "I was going to make you wait longer. It"s not fair you"re just as charming as I remembered."
"You"re quite a bit more confident than the last time we saw one another," Jungkook notes, stepping away from the villager.
"I was afraid of you at first," Jimin confesses. "Then emotional from seeing you again. But I"ve prepared for tonight. You"ve already watched me scream profanities at you. There"s no worse side to me than desperation. So now I just come to you as I am."
"Good," Jungkook breathes. "That"s all I could have ever wanted. You look incredible—by the way. It"s wonderful to see you looking so healthy."
"You"ve made it so we all have enough food to eat," Jimin deflects. "That"s your own doing."
"Once again, no," Jungkook argues. "That was our doing."
"I didn"t do it on purpose, I was a dead man walking," Jimin counters. "I just screamed whatever I wanted knowing it was the last night I"d ever see. I can"t possibly take much credit."
"Your screaming made me aware," Jungkook shakes his head. "I don"t even know why we"re having this conversation, just take the credit you so genuinely deserve. Your desperation saved countless lives, Jimin. Our head advisor toured the country because of your account, and saw how impoverished it was. Quit arguing with me. You"re incredible."
"...I missed you being annoying like this," Jimin says after a moment. "I thought about your insistence to be right often. I wanted so badly to believe you were concrete in your morals, like you presented to me that night."
Jungkook blinks a few times. "...I don"t know how I"m supposed to take that."
"I think it"s beautiful seeing how sure of your morals you are," Jimin"s voice gets quiet—like it always does when he truly shares his feelings, Jungkook is starting to realize. "I guess...I guess I just think you"re beautiful."
"...I couldn"t read you at all the night we met," Jungkook admits. "I still can"t very well now. Honestly, I didn"t know if you truly ever cared even a bit for me until I saw the ring. But when I did see it, I realized that night was extremely important to you too. Even though you couldn"t have possibly known my true character until merely moons ago when the food carts rolled out...you care for me too, don"t you? More than seems logical for the amount of time we"ve spent together."
Jimin seems to visibly retract a bit. "W-well, emergency relief packages were sent out to villages just two moons after we met. That was an indicator of your character."
"...You do really care for me," Jungkook breaks into a smile. "So I"m not the only crazy one."
He holds out for a second more, and then sighs. "...No, you aren"t. Happy? I care for you too, Jungkook. Obviously I do. I wouldn"t be here if I didn"t. I"m not one to do pointless things."
"I had hoped we were destined to meet again in this life," Jungkook steps closer to him, whispering. "And right now I just feel like the luckiest man in the world."
Jimin looks down, before saying, "Perhaps destiny is kind after all."
"I"d like to think so," Jungkook stares at him with honey eyes.
This time Jimin closes the gap. The kiss is much softer this time. Jungkook puts a hand on Jimin"s shoulder. The thief in turn holds Jungkook"s waist. They lean close to one another, just to feel the physical closeness they"ve both longed for since the morning they parted.
A short while passes, and Jungkook pulls away. "Tell me where you"ve been," Jungkook prompts. "What you do. Please trust me with that information, Jimin. I want to know everything about your life. I"ve longed to know how you"ve lived."
"It"s really been that agonizing to not know?" Jimin"s teasing is soft.
"Of course," Jungkook nods. "I loved learning about your family, your interests, your opinions, your values that night. But now I know where you live. There can"t possibly be more sensitive information than that?"
"Nothing exciting, that"s for sure," Jimin shrugs. "I work on the largest farm in Cheonju. They let me go for a while, but I got my job back when the economy was better. I herd the goats on the property, and I care for them. They produce milk, and medicinal resources that go straight to the healer. I actually quite like my job, simple as it is. I"m glad I got it back."
"I bet you work hard," Jungkook assumes.
"They were fools to let me go..." Jimin trails. "But we had to eat the goats in the famine. It"s not like they really had another job for me."
"I"m so glad things are better," Jungkook holds his hands. "I"ll work hard to make sure a disaster like that never happens again. Our head advisor will too. Namjoon was beyond distraught when he saw the condition of the kingdom. He didn"t leave his room for days after he returned."
"I"m glad there are good people in the palace," Jimin tells him. "Perhaps there is hope for our country."
"Well, you can always talk to me about things," Jungkook offers. "I trust you to keep a secret."
"Of course," Jimin confirms. "What would people say if I revealed I was sneaking around with the man I claimed tried to kill me?"
"That"s what you said?" Jungkook"s eyes widen. "What was the story you went with?"
"That the captain of the guard caught me, but I gave him a bad beating and escaped," Jimin explains. "But you destroyed my sword, so that"s why I didn"t have it. They hate you in my village. Not enough to attack you, of course. They"re just upset I got hurt. I spoke too much, I couldn"t salvage your reputation."
"What did they think when I ran after you the other day?" Jungkook gets nervous.
"No one knew it was me you were after," Jimin shrugs. "They just thought it was odd."
"Oh...okay," Jungkook takes a deep breath. "Good."
"Everyone thought I was hiding," Jimin admits. "They all thought I was home. But I snuck out the window and hid within the crowd...just for a chance to see you. I didn"t expect you to notice me."
"I"m so glad I did though," He squeezes his hands.
"I...I wonder how much I would have regretted it," Jimin looks down. "Watching you go by without being seen. It would have been my own fault, but..."
"Destiny truly is kind," Jungkook says again. "Please never run away from me again, Jimin. I couldn"t bear it. Let me fall in love with you."
"W-what?" Jimin"s eyes widen.
"Let me have the time to fall in love with you," He repeats. "I don"t ever want to lose you again. Never run from me again. I want you in my life."
"...You can"t possibly think I risked this much to see you only once," Jimin stares at him. "The people of my village know what you look like now. If someone followed me here today, I"d be doomed. But I didn"t care. Because I wanted to see you. I don"t risk anything unless I know it"ll pay off. I"m not a flight risk, Jungkook. I"m here to stay."
The guard pecks his lips. "Oh, you"re making me go wild! I"ll make the risk worth it, I promise."
And Jimin goes, "...I know."
*
"What"s got you so happy?"
"Huh?" Immediately Jungkook"s smile drops.
"You"re just so happy lately," Taehyung notes. "And I"m happy you are...but also, why? What"s changed?"
"N-nothing in particular," The captain lies. He didn"t even realize he was acting different.
"Oh, don"t lie to me," Tae jokes, punching his arm lightly. "What is it? Why so secret? Is it a romantic dalliance, perhaps?"
"No!" But his face gives it away. It"s bright red.
"Who is it?" Taehyung presses. "What"s their role? A maid? A guard? Someone higher up?"
"No one here," Jungkook denies. "No one at all. I"m not lying, Taehyung. You could ask every single person working in this castle. Every single citizen in the surrounding area. I"m not involved with any of them."
"...Huh," Is all Taehyung says for a second. "I guess I believe you. You"re acting so odd though."
"Perhaps I"m just happy the kingdom is doing well once again," Jungkook excuses. "The war really damaged our country."
"Then you must really be in love with the country," Tae jokes. "Seriously. I don"t know what"s going on, but you seem moony."
Moony...for the boy he meets each half-moon.
He"s seen Jimin four times since their first secret meeting, and he was falling in love with him. Yes, it had just been over two moons, but Jungkook was still sure. Perhaps he was still in the honeymoon phase, and the bubble would pop soon...but he doubts it. Jungkook has already seen Jimin at his worst and most vulnerable. And Jimin knows his past and didn"t think less of him for it.
He"s falling for Jimin quickly.
But he wasn"t aware that was showing on his face. He obviously thought of Jimin often. He thought of him enough in the past year already, but now that he sees him on a regular basis, the former thief had truly taken permanent residence within the captain"s mind.
He makes a mental note to watch his emotions from now on though. He"d hate for someone to follow him to Gasudong.
"I don"t know what to tell you," Jungkook shrugs. "I haven"t changed anything about my life. I must just be happier these days."
"Well, alright-"
"Captain."
Jungkook tenses slightly.
He turns around, bowing deeply. "What is it, my king?"
"Starting in three days" time, we"re cutting down on food supplies for the soldiers," The king tells him. "With much of our resources being funneled into those food relief programs, unfortunately we must look within the palace walls to save."
"B-but your majesty," Jungkook orders. "With all due respect, my men cut back on meals when we started rationing food throughout the country. They"re already practically starving as it is."
"Times are tough, Captain Jeon," The king replies. "We must all make sacrifices."
"How will they protect our kingdom without food-"
"That"s enough from you," His voice is cold. "Know your place, Captain Jeon. A decision has been made. It is your duty to accept it, and follow orders accordingly."
"...Yes, your majesty," He mumbles dejected. "I apologize for my outburst."
He bows again, and the king leaves.
Taehyung puts a hand on his back.
"What am I to do?" Jungkook whispers. "My men are so hungry, but they"ve kept in such good spirits. How do I tell them they"re getting even less?"
"You work so hard for them," Taehyung encourages. "They won"t hold it against you. You know how much they respect you."
He"s punishing Jungkook. The king has to be punishing him. He knows somehow Jungkook was involved in taking away some of the power he held. He no longer confides in Jungkook, he makes decisions for the army over his head. Jungkook knows he"s being punished for doing the right thing.
But how does he tell anyone that?
*
"Oh Jungkook-"
Jimin moans into the taller"s mouth. Jungkook had pressed his thief against a wall, no space between them, practically kissing the soul out of him. Jungkook loved this type of closeness. Even as the world had melted from summer into fall since the two had begun meeting, this type of closeness kept Jungkook warm.
"J-Jimin," He stutters, trying to get the shorter"s attention.
"Hm?"
"I want to..." He says between kisses. "Start a revolution."
"What?" Jimin pulls back, dazed as well as confused.
"I..." He takes a deep breath. "I want to start a revolution. I want to overthrow the king."
"J-Jungkook..." Jimin stares at him, eyebrows furrowing. "Are you serious?"
"Things are getting worse, Jimin," Jungkook"s voice is soft. "The king is trying to control things the way he wants again. Namjoon told me he"s trying to end the distribution of rations. Yet he"s still letting my men starve. He knows I"m involved in forcing his hand and making him provide food and lower taxes. He"s punishing me by taking away what my men need to live. He"s going to take away what you need. I can"t live like that. If no one else is going to fight against him, I am."
"But it"s so risky," Jimin argues.
"What?" Jungkook asks. "Yes, and? I thought you"d agree it"s necessary."
"I-I do, it is. But," Jimin sighs. "How do you expect to go about this? As captain of the guard? You are so close in proximity with the king. How do you plan on making plans to overthrow a man you see every day? Won"t he catch wind?"
"Do you not believe I can be careful?" Jungkook frowns.
"No, of course that"s not it," He shakes his head. "I mean we"ve been doing this for almost half a year without detection. Obviously I trust you to be careful. But the hallways of a palace are so small, the walls within crowded. One wrong person could overhear you, and that"s the end! Boom, your head on a platter."
"Oh..." Jungkook softens. "It"s because you"re worried about me?"
"W-well, I of course don"t want you to die," He immediately shuts up. "That would be inconvenient for me..." He looks down.
"Jimin..." The guard takes both his hands softly.
"I don"t like this idea," Jimin whispers. "I just want the man I love to be safe."
"...You love me?" Jungkook stares at him desperately. Jimin had never said that before.
"Isn"t it obvious?" Jimin can"t make eye contact. "You"ve risked your life to save mine. You"re gentle, but firm in your beliefs. You risk so much by meeting me every half-moon, and it"s the best part of each fortnight for me. I love talking to you, I love kissing you. You"re the man I get along with most in this world. I obviously love you, Jungkook. And I don"t want you to so carelessly do something that could so easily get you killed."
"...You know I love you too, right?" Is all Jungkook can figure out to say.
"W-well, I didn"t know for sure," Even in the dim lighting, Jimin"s blush is apparent.
"I love you so much, Jimin," Jungkook promises. "Truly. And I"m going to be safe. How could you judge the safety of my actions when you regularly risked your life infiltrating the palace?"
"That was different," He tries to defend. "I was desperate. It was my last resort."
"Well, what are my other options?" Jungkook counters. "Let an entire army starve? Watch as a king willingly lets a country starve? He"s a tyrant. I can"t stand it! I need to fight back. I"ve wanted to since I"ve met you! I know I can do it. If I get the right people to help me, I know I can do it. I want you to be one of them."
Jimin looks up at him. "What?"
"I need you, Jimin," Jungkook tells him. "I need you to be my connection to the civilian population. We"ll create a plan, and then you spread it. I know you can do it, you"re a pillar in your community. You know how much people respect you. We"ll get people on our side. I bet I could get Namjoon to help. I won"t let anyone die. Not until the day we fight I won"t."
Jimin seems to soften at this a bit. Jungkook knows what to say now to get him to listen. He knows Jimin likes to feel needed. And Jungkook really needs him now.
"I don"t know..." He trails. "How are you going to ensure you remain undetected? How can you make sure you don"t get killed?"
"How could you ensure you wouldn"t be caught when you stole from the palace?" Jungkook eyes him. "I mean you even left flowers so we knew it was you."
"I-I couldn"t know, truly," Jimin huffs. "But that was for my people-"
"And this is for mine," His voice is gentle. "Obviously it"s risky. Obviously there"s a chance I could get charged for treason and killed. But how will anything get done if I don"t try? Are you saying you"re allowed to risk your life for the people you love, but I"m not?"
"I was going to die either way..." But his voice doesn"t hold much argument anymore. "I thought I may as well die fighting."
"Right," Jungkook nods. "For me I could either slowly watch my people and my loved ones fall back into despair, starving and hopeless, or I could risk my life fighting. If you were in my position, wouldn"t you rather fight?"
Jimin says nothing, but he doesn"t need to. Jungkook knows what his answer would be.
"I know you"re worried for me, and I love you for it," Jungkook whispers. "But I have to do this. Don"t you see I have to?"
Jimin hangs his head. "...Yes. I know."
The taller kisses his forehead. "And you know I couldn"t possibly do it without you, right? I need your drive, your skills, your charisma. I know you have connections that can help us out, I know you"ll be able to spread the plan without getting detected. There"s no one else I would rather have to help me. I couldn"t find a better partner if I tried."
"...You bastard," Jimin sighs. "I"ll do it."
"Bastard is harsh..." He jokes softly. "It"s truly what I am."
"I don"t care," Jimin cups his face, kissing him. "A concubine and a patron made a mistake, and it made you. I"d say it was the greatest mistake in human history...Thank the stars you exist."
"You"re sweet when you want to be," Jungkook teases. "I like this side of you."
"I..." Jimin smiles at the ground. "You"re the one who gets it out of me. I don"t really understand the power you have over me, Jeon Jungkook. But I guess I don"t mind it. I"ll be by your side always, Jungkook. And...if this is something you must do, then I will fight alongside you. I"m choosing to believe in you. Please don"t let me down."
"I won"t," Jungkook stares at him. "I"ll win. I promise."
*
Jungkook sits next to Namjoon one early winter day. The head advisor was sitting with two of his most trusted confidants—Yoongi and Hoseok, two royal lawmakers. They were eating dinner, chatting amongst themselves, so Jungkook thought he"d join in.
"Good evening," He greets the three of them. "How are you all doing?"
"Not terribly," Namjoon shrugs. "You?"
"I"ve been worse," He says truthfully.
"Are you not eating?" Hoseok questions.
"Oh," Jungkook looks down. "I tend to skip meals when I can these days. The food I don"t eat can be given to a soldier that really needs it. They aren"t given much these days."
"I advised against that," Namjoon reveals. "I told him the soldiers more than any staff need food to do their job. But the king"s word is law, and he was adamant, so I didn"t fight it."
"The men work so hard," Jungkook sighs. "They get less food, but still choose to work just as hard as they always have—if not more...They faint. My boys keep fainting and I just have to watch. I try my best to do what I can, but I feel so helpless...they"re asking for my help, but I can"t help them..."
"Jungkook..." Namjoon trails. "Do you need me to put in a word for you? If you"re so distressed, and if you have multiple men fainting..."
"I don"t think that"s a good idea," Jungkook denies quickly. "I...I don"t believe I"m highly favored by the king anymore."
The three of him are staring at him now.
Jungkook continues, his voice almost non-existent. "...I think things started going downhill when I told you about the starving people in our country."
Namjoon"s eyes widen. "...Jungkook, how much do you know?"
The captain"s heart skips a beat. "What do you mean?"
Namjoon looks around, before standing up. "Come with me."
Slightly alarmed, Jungkook follows. They travel for a short while, until they reach the advisor"s room. The pair walk inside. It"s then Namjoon finally speaks.
"What made you bring that up?" Namjoon questions. "What do you know?"
"Namjoon, I know nothing," Jungkook huffs. "I was just telling you what I noticed because I trusted you. I mean obviously you have the best interests of the kingdom"s people at heart. I felt I could confide in you."
"Well, of course I"m glad to hear that," The taller sighs. "If the king knew you were talking like that, he"d have your head. And mine too, for that matter."
Jungkook"s heart starts beating faster. He had never heard another palace staff member speak so openly about the ill temper of the king. That was considered slanderous. The staff were either blissfully unaware of the king"s character—like Jungkook once was—or too afraid to speak up about it.
"May..." Jungkook starts, talking a deep breath. "May I confirm something with you?"
Namjoon narrows his eyes. "...Go ahead."
Suddenly the words get caught in this throat. He chokes them out. "...Our king is a power-hungry tyrant...isn"t he?"
Namjoon sighs a deep sigh, hands reaching up to cover his face. He slides them down. "...I"m afraid so."
"I saw how you were the day you came back from your initial survey of the country," Jungkook whispers. "He lied to you, didn"t he?"
"You"re an observant man, Jungkook," Namjoon doesn"t make eye contact. "I really hate that about you right now. I like you a lot, Captain Jeon. You just seem good. I honestly would rather you be ignorant and obtuse about something like this."
"I was..." Jungkook trails. "For a really long time I was. And then I saw it for myself, and I couldn"t be ignorant anymore."
"Have you spoken about this to anyone else?" For this question Namjoon stares directly at him. "Have you uttered your grievances to even a soul?"
"Not one," He shakes his head. "You know as well as I do the risks. We know his true character."
"...That is right," Namjoon confirms. "But even still—and excuse me for being rude—what would you like me to do with this information? I don"t feel comfortable openly or frequently bad-mouthing a man who can so easily end my life."
"Well..." Jungkook starts. "I kind of want your help."
"Help?"
"I want to overthrow the king," Jungkook admits out loud for the first time within the palace walls. "And I"ve started creating a plan. I have a civilian connection—I"ve trusted him with my life before, and I will do so again. I need an advisor"s perspective. Ideally, I"d like it to be you."
"Are you insane, Captain Jeon!?" Namjoon exclaims, before lowering his voice. "Do you have a death wish? How long have you been planning this?"
"Longer than you need to know," He shakes his head. "I"ve been planning because I knew what civilians have gone through. I see my men getting sick, I know I"m not alone in how I feel about the king. If I won"t do anything, who else will?"
Namjoon is silent.
"You have to think, too," Jungkook presses. "It would be safer if it were planned from the inside, right? How terrible would it be if we were ambushed? Our lives would be in danger because we"re associated with the king by proxy. If we were the ones who planned an attack, we could keep the right people safe, we could let civilian attackers in swiftly, we could put the king into a vulnerable position. Please, Advisor Kim, it must be done. I"d like you to be on my side."
"...Let"s talk about it," Namjoon huffs. "In a few days. Let"s meet. I need some time to sort my thoughts."
"Fine by me," Jungkook nods. "I deeply respect you, Kim Namjoon. I"m more than happy to wait a few days."
"I respect you too, Jeon Jungkook," He says softly. "Please don"t get into trouble."
*
"I"ve recruited quite a lot of soldiers I trust. They"ll fight with us."
"Mm-hm."
"And I"ve been teaching Namjoon Yoongi and Hoseok how to fight, just in case."
"Yep."
"Did you meet with that doctor yet? Is he on board?"
"Jungkook."
The captain pulls away from his lover"s lips, puzzled. "What?"
"I think you"ve forgotten that this isn"t a strategy meeting," Jimin huffs out a small laugh. "That you were the one who so desperately wanted to meet with me every half-moon."
"What?" Jungkook furrows his eyebrows. "Darling, you know I"m here for you, because I love you, and I desperately miss you when we"re apart. But we"re planning a revolution-"
"Yes, I know," Jimin sighs, lighthearted despite the issue. "But we can have time for that every night. I don"t want to talk revolution while devouring your lips. You taught me to be selfish on that night so long ago. Now I"m asking to be selfish again...Focus on me, Jungkook."
The captain"s heart pounds in his chest, blushing. "I"m yours, Jimin. Surely you know that? My heart, body, and soul are yours. I can"t believe I made you feel this way. Of course you have a right to be selfish, my love...especially if it involves wanting me."
"I long for you whenever we"re apart," Jimin smirks, kissing him once again.
Jungkook indulges, pulling away after a few moments. "You know what though?"
"Hm?" He responds, placing his hands on Jungkook"s waist.
"When this is all over," Jungkook whispers. "I"ll get to stop hiding you...if that"s what you"d like, of course."
"...Really?" Jimin breathes.
"Yeah," Jungkook nods. "I feel like once we overthrow the king, you and I, Namjoon, and a few others will be able to choose a monarch we believe will advocate for the people. Even if people found out you were the palace thief, as long as we explain why you did it...honestly, I bet people would regard you as a hero. The whole reason we"re hiding is for the fear of you getting caught and killed. Once that"s not an issue...I just want to show you off to the world."
"...I"d love to tell my family about you," Jimin admits. "Tell them the real story of that night...tell them how much I love you."
"I"d love to meet them," Jungkook nods. "I want to show you my friends, my men. You could live at the palace with me. We could truly exist as a couple, not two smitten idiots who have to sneak around."
Jimin"s face melts into a wonderful smile. "That would be incredible." His face shifts. "...We need to get through this. Stay alive for me, Jungkook."
"Oh..." His heart sinks. "Of course I will. You too. Stay alive, Jimin. Grow old with me."
Jimin nods softly. "Alright."
"That does remind me, though...I"ll bring our swords next time," He tells his lover. "I need to teach you some moves to pass on. I"ll make sure you"re the best protected you can be, that you know the strategies of my men. But...well, please leave most of the fighting to the soldiers on our side. I know you"re so capable of so many things. But there are soldiers who have dedicated years of their lives learning how to fight. Be there to support, but by God don"t put yourself in danger where you"re not fairly matched."
"...I understand you"re worried," Jimin stares at him. "And I guess this is a point I should give into. But I will be there. I will fight. And we will win. Together."
"We beat the king once for the sake of the kingdom," Jungkook pecks his lips. "We"ll do so again."
"We will," The thief agrees. "But until then, be selfish. Love me now."
Jungkook beams. "Eternally."
*
Planning the revolution took an entire year. In fact, Jungkook was surprised things worked out so quickly.
Things just fell into place. Once Jungkook got Namjoon on his side, it all got so much easier. Namjoon opened up a world of connections. He had so many good ideas. The two of them worked together the closest, meeting in secret, and whispering suggestions so they could form the best plan possible.
Jimin was the palace"s connection to the civilians. And he worked like a mad man. Quickly he slipped in and out of towns, getting people on his side without getting detected. In moments of doubt, he"d show them the Captain of the Guard"s ring, much to the people"s shock and wonder. No one knew who this mysterious man was. Just that he spoke of change on the horizon, and the words he spoke were logical and plausible.
They wanted in.
Jimin helped coordinate the distribution of supplies once Jungkook ordered them to be manufactured in secret. He got the best civilian doctor in the country—Kim Seokjin—to be on the scene on the day of attack with others of his stature. He helped train civilians using techniques Jungkook had taught him. He did everything Jungkook couldn"t.
So they had the people, they had the supplies. The trio decided that it was time. They"d attack at the new moon—the darkest night in each cycle. Jimin would lead the civilians to the palace, and Jungkook would be watching, disguising his search by reviewing soldiers on night duty—after telling the king he believed they were lacking. Namjoon would be with the king, putting him in a vulnerable spot as the attack began.
Everything was planned to the last detail.
They were going to win this.
They had to.
*
Jungkook stared out in the darkness, eyes searching. They should be here any moment, he was sure of it.
"Are you ready?" His best friend"s deep voice comes from behind him, soft.
"You don"t even know," He whispers back. "I mean, we already saw signs of things going back the way they were. This is beyond needed."
"I know," Tae nods. "I support you, Captain."
Jungkook returns the gesture. "I can always depend on you, Taehyung."
With yet another nod to acknowledge the statement, Taehyung walks away.
Suddenly, there"s a flash of movement at Jungkook"s 2 o"clock. Then another. And then more.
"Now," He says softly, and the soldiers next to him take blue fabric from their pockets, tying them around their heads as bandannas.
Like a chain reaction, the soldiers around the wall follow. Taehyung, who had dashed to the courtyard below, makes eye contact with the captain, and does the same. He then runs off to alert other soldiers recruited for the movement. Taehyung has worked harder than Jungkook could"ve ever imagined he would—and he was expecting great things from him. Jungkook was beyond thankful for all his help.
The gate was silently opened, and it was then Jungkook made the call.
"Charge!" He yells at the top of his lungs, and everything erupts.
Countless civilians fly into the palace grounds at the speed of light. Jungkook looks down as some of his soldiers who weren"t in on it flood in, looking at the sight, shocked. His heart pangs. He wished he could"ve told them...but he couldn"t risk telling anyone he couldn"t fully trust to keep quiet.
The civilians had the swords Jungkook had ordered to be manufactured, yes. But others brought axes, clubs, knives tied to sticks. It was a rag-tag army—very different from what he usually commands. But it was the most important army he had ever led.
The fighting begins. Jungkook hasn"t seen Jimin yet. It doesn"t worry him—he"s talked extensively with Jimin. He knew he"d be staying out of harm"s way...but it would be nice to see him tonight. Even brief eye contact would give him so much comfort.
So the battle had begun. It was time for the next phase of the plan.
Capturing the king.
Most of the way he"d be able to avoid combat. But unfortunately there was a part of his path that was blocked by angry people wielding swords. The only way was through.
He put his blue bandanna on his head, then headed down into the courtyard. He unsheathed his sword for protection, but he hoped he wouldn"t have to use it. The battle consisted of his men on both sides. Jungkook couldn"t bear having to fight them.
"Captain Jeon!"
Jungkook turns around. A soldier in uniform is approaching him, sword up. Jungkook deflects his attack.
"How could you!?" The guard says. "How could you let this happen?"
Jungkook continues to defend himself. "I"m doing it for my country, I"m doing it for my men. We live in tyranny. I"m protecting my people!"
"How can you let your men fight one another?" He sounds betrayed. "The civilians will kill our soldiers!"
"I wished it didn"t have to be this way," His fighting is as eloquent as his words. "I spent years fighting a bloodless battle. It was no use. This was our last resort. If you want to do the right thing, stand down."
A million emotions flash through the other man"s eyes. He lunges forward again.
Jungkook quickly maneuvers, knocking the sword out of his hand. The man"s eyes widen in utter disbelief. "Stand down, Sargent Kang! Go to your quarters. Encourage others to do the same."
Sargent Kang gives him a long look, before turning and dashing off.
Jungkook sprints from there, and he makes it through the rest of the crowd without getting confronted.
Next, he runs down the hallway, navigating to the secret door that leads to a safe room. He and Namjoon chose which room the king would be in strategically. It would be away from the madness, and easy for Jungkook to get to alone.
Because the battle was just a distraction.
The king was his.
Perhaps Jungkook was too obsessive over that detail. Perhaps he was too obsessive in general. He was the same way with Jimin, after all—he ordered his men to let him pursue Jimin alone.
But he was just so hurt. Almost half of his life he had spent close to the king. Many of those years he had idolized him. He thought the king had valued him...the betrayal he felt lit a fire in his soul. Not only did the king hate him, but he actively relished in the power he had over people"s lives.
...He wanted to watch them die, because he knew he was their only chance at living. He wanted to play with people"s lives.
Jungkook"s blood was boiling.
As he approaches the hidden door, he takes off the blue silk adorning his head. He uses his key—captain of the guard has access to every part of the palace for safety—and rushes down the stairs.
The king and Namjoon area lone in the room when Jungkook arrives, just as planned. The captain bows deeply.
"Your Majesty, it is in your best interest that we evacuate," Jungkook instructs. "The attackers have breached the castle walls. Some of them seem to have brought supplies to light the palace on fire. I"ve already sent soldiers to hitch up the horses. We"ll go to your summer home until it is safe for you to return."
"Have you scouted a clear route through the castle?" The king questions.
"Of course, Your Majesty," He lies through his teeth.
"We shouldn"t waste time," Namjoon pipes. "Lead the way, Captain Jeon."
"Of course, Advisor Kim," He bows politely, before doing so.
They walk up in silence. It"s not until they enter the hallway that the king pipes up. "Oh, by the way, Captain Jeon."
Jungkook turns around. "Yes?"
In a split-second, the king grabs Namjoon"s sword from the sheath. Jungkook is a step ahead, blocking his attack with his own weapon.
"M-my king!" He exclaims, the shock in his voice quite real.
"You orchestrated this," The king snarls. "Didn"t you?"
Jungkook"s eyes widen. "I did no such thing."
"A liar and a traitor, I see," The king lunches forward, but Jungkook dodges with ease. It was obvious the ruler was slightly out of practice.
"I"m not the one who devastated my own kingdom," Jungkook moves to the offensive, trying to strike, but failing. "I"m not a tyrant playing with people"s lives like it"s nothing."
"I"ve done nothing of the sort!"
"Oh yeah?" Jungkook asks. "Then why were so many people starving to death when we had the resources to accommodate their needs? Why start a war over territory that wasn"t even worth fighting for? Why punish my men because you despise me!?"
In succession the swords clash, one, two, three loud clangs! Jungkook is managing to back the tyrant into the end of the hallway, one step at a time. Namjoon is now far from the duel.
"I knew you were up to something," He deflects. "You have been for years. I should have killed you much sooner."
"I sure am lucky you"re a fool," Jungkook smirks. "Tyrant scum."
They continue to fight, Jungkook the obvious better swordsman. But the king kept up good pace. This was much more difficult than the captain thought it would be.
Jungkook went for the king"s hand, but he misses, the king dodging away. Every hit Jungkook tries to make the tyrant parries. He can"t land a single blow.
But he tries. With all his might he tries. The king was going to lose.
Then...Jungkook gets sloppy. Only for a second, the first time in years probably, he messes up, overshoots his blow.
He makes himself vulnerable.
Jungkook sees the blade coming while he"s still in momentum from the overshot swing. He can"t maneuver in time. Everything seems to move in slow motion.
And then he gets shoved.
He hears a cry of pain—a cry he"s heard before. Jimin is on the floor, bleeding, holding his side.
Fire ignites within Jungkook. He stares at the king with a deadly gaze. At once he charges, stabbing the king in the abdomen, twisting the sword through his flesh. With one jerk, he pulls it out, and the king falls.
"I was hoping to catch you alive so the entire kingdom could watch you die a slow, painful death," He spits. "But it appears you"re dying like the coward I now know you"ve always been."
The king gurgles.
The second Jungkook knows the tyrant is no longer a threat, he kicks his sword away, rushing to Jimin"s side.
"My love!" He kneels by him, taking the blue silk from his pocket and putting pressure on the wound. It immediately gets soaked in blood, but Jungkook keeps pressing.
"You did it..." Jimin"s voice is raspy, weak.
"What on earth is wrong with you!?" He starts to tear up. "You said you"d stay out of harm"s way."
"Not if it meant you"d die instead!" He tries to huff out a laugh, before cringing in pain.
"How did you know I was here?" Jungkook whispers. "You shouldn"t have been here. I didn"t tell you where the king would be."
"Destiny, my love," Jimin reaches up to cup Jungkook"s face. He"s wearing Jungkook"s ring. It"s cold on the captain"s cheek. "You saved my life a couple times. Fate thought it was my turn."
"Not like this," A tear runs down his face. "Not if it means you dying instead."
"I"d much rather it be me than you," His breath is becoming shallower.
"Jimin, no..." Jungkook cries. "No! I love you! You can"t leave me!"
"I know you love me," He tries to smile. "That"s why I"ll die happy."
"Jimin-"
"Jungkook!" Namjoon rushes down the hall. Taehyung is at his side, sword drawn. They skid to a halt, eyes wide. "Oh heavens. He"s dead..."
"You truly killed the king," Taehyung breathes, slowly putting his sword away.
"Get Dr. Kim Seokjin!" The captain screams. "Now! Jimin is dying, he can"t die!"
"Jungkook..." Jimin trails. "It"s okay."
"No!" He shakes his head frantically. "It"s-"
"I heard my name," The doctor rushes around the corner. "I—oh! Oh no! Not Jimin!"
He runs to the former thief"s side, checking his pulse, as well as the wound. He grabs rags from his pockets, fastening them to the wound with longer fabric tied around Jimin"s waist.
"Is he going to be okay?" Jungkook asks, tears blurring his vision.
"I"ll do what I can," Seokjin picks Jimin up bridal style. Jungkook stands to follow, but Namjoon stops him. The doctor runs off.
"We have other things to worry about right now," He reminds the captain softly.
"That man is the love of my life, my very soul," Jungkook trembles. "He can"t die..."
"No wonder you were so happy," Taehyung notes in a whisper.
Namjoon sighs. "He is in the hands of destiny now. There is nothing you can do for him at the moment. The country, on the other hand, needs you. They need to know the king is dead. You must tell them—it"s your job."
"Have Taehyung do it," Jungkook shakes his head dejectedly. "I...I couldn"t possibly..."
"No, you are the leader of this movement," Taehyung steps forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You were the one that conceived the revolution. You are the one that made it happen. It is only right that you finish what you have started. I don"t know Jimin very well, but I bet he"d be quite proud of you if you did this, would he not? Where would he rather you be?"
"...He"d want me to finish what I started," The captain"s voice is barely audible. Taehyung and Namjoon were both right. And if it weren"t for Jimin being injured, he wouldn"t let a soul touch the king"s body before him.
"So you"ll do it?" Namjoon stares at him.
Jungkook nods. "I"ll do it."
He wipes his eyes, trying to push the image of his bloody lover out of his mind. He would see Jimin later—alive. Right now, he needed to end things, once and for all.
He stares down at the king"s corpse. Almost as disgusting as when he was alive. He screws his eyes shut, preparing. He opens them once more.
And with one swift slice, the king"s head becomes detached.
He grabs the head by the hair and stalks towards the main courtyard. Once there, he looks over at the battle below. There were bodies on the ground...Jungkook is upset there had to be casualties, but they gave their lives for the good of all Noraewang civilians. Jungkook will forever be grateful for them.
He makes eye contact with the soldier in the tower across from the courtyard and nods once. The soldier nods back, bringing up a horn and playing a single note; loud, deep, a note that halts all movement below.
It quiets enough for Jungkook to speak. "Citizens of Noraewang!" He yells, thrusting the head high into the air. "The tyrant is dead!"
The crowd erupts.
Jungkook casts the head to the side. It"s gruesome, and Jungkook wishes he felt worse about the lack of care he was giving to this human body part. But he didn"t. He was just as happy as anyone that that terrible man was dead.
Namjoon steps up beside Jungkook, silencing the crowd. "I am Kim Namjoon, head of the royal advisory board. I worked closely with Captain Jeon Jungkook for the past year to make sure our plan succeeded. The entire plan was orchestrated by Captain Jeon. He is smart, kind, and determined. He was willing to risk his life every single day for the good of the citizens of Noraewang. I propose we elect him as king."
"What!?"
Jungkook stares at him, utterly dumbfounded. The crowd cheers once again.
"Don"t be surprised," Namjoon stares. "You"re the obvious choice as a successor. You would be a wonderful leader, Jungkook. I"ve observed that over this year."
"I-I don"t know the first thing about running a kingdom..." He argues.
"Well, I"d be honored to be your head advisor," Namjoon puts a hand on his shoulder. "Please, Jungkook. You are this country"s best choice."
"I don"t know if I"m in the right state emotionally to consider this right now," Jungkook shakes his head. "I"ll think about it."
"...You need to see Jimin, don"t you?" He guesses.
"Obviously!" Jungkook pushes back tears starting to once again form in his eyes. "What if he dies while I"m not there!? He needs me, Namjoon. I need him. I can"t do anything until I know how Jimin is. Ask Taehyung to help disperse the crowd. Have him organize a team to clear bodies. He"s incredibly capable, and I"m really of no use right now."
"Orders given like a true king," Namjoon can"t help but say. "I"ll do so. Go to him, Jungkook. I wanted you to give the news, but I can do everything else."
He bows deeply as Jungkook says, "Thank you!" Dashing off to the infirmary.
Jungkook slams the door open, scaring a few people inside. Men are groaning in pain, some in beds, some standing, more still on the floor. Nurses rush from person to person, definitely overworked, but doing a fine job nonetheless. The captain looks around frantically.
He doesn"t see Jimin.
Two soldiers are carrying out a deceased civilian out of the ward. Jungkook"s heart drops to his stomach...Was Jimin already carried out?
"What was that noise? We need to keep quiet in here," Dr. Kim walks in from the back. "Oh, Captain Jeon, you"re here. That was quick."
"Why are you just standing there?" He asks, tone quite tense. "Why aren"t you treating Jimin? You should be treating Jimin!"
"Calm down," Seokjin walks up to him. "And keep your voice down. Jimin is fine. He"s going to live."
Jungkook stops in his tracks. "...What?"
"The wound was superficial," The doctor explains. "It cut into muscle, but nothing deeper. Jimin did almost pass out from the pain, but he wasn"t dying. You and I both know how strong he is. He could"ve bled out though, if you hadn"t put pressure on the wound in time. You helped save his life."
"O-oh," Jungkook starts to tear up. "Oh thank goodness. Thank the stars he"s alive!"
"I had to stitch up his wound. That put him through a lot of pain," Seokjin continues. "But he will survive."
"May I see him!?" Jungkook practically pleads.
"He"s back here," Seokjin nods, leading him to a private room in the back of the infirmary. "With some guidance, hopefully I can transfer him to a different room soon. He most likely won"t need extensive supervision after the night is through."
"I"m so glad Jimin got you on our side," Jungkook praises. "I will be forever indebted to you, Dr. Kim."
"It"s my job," He deflects. "And I joined a cause I believe in, I"m happy to serve the revolution. Change is all I want from you, and it"s what you"ve given us. Anyways, he"s in here. Be gentle with him. I need to go treat other patients now."
"Of course," A tear rolls down his cheek. "Thank you."
They part ways, and Jungkook opens the door..
Jimin"s eyes are closed, and Jungkook"s heart stops for a second. But he quickly sees the steady rise and fall of his chest, and calms down. He"s not wearing a shirt, but his torso is covered in bandages. There was blood on the cloth, but it was starting to brown—it wasn"t fresh. Jimin was really okay.
The former thief opens his eyes, turning his head in Jungkook"s direction. When he sees him, he smiles. "My love."
"J-Jimin," Jungkook breaks down. "You"re okay."
"I"m in agony," He corrects with a small laugh. "But it"s worth it if it means you"re still alive."
"Can we stop saving each other"s lives?" Jungkook cries. "Can we just live for once?"
"Yeah, we can now," Jimin reminds. "You killed the king."
"I did," He confirms.
"I"m so proud," Jimin smiles up at him. "So proud to be loved by someone as remarkable as you. You saved the kingdom, Jungkook."
"I couldn"t have done it without you," Jungkook takes Jimin"s hand in both his own. "If I didn"t have you orchestrating everything on the civilian side, I never could have done it."
"I just did what you told me to," His voice is soft.
"I"m so glad you"re alive," Jungkook kisses his hand. "I truly thought you were dying. I don"t know what I would"ve done with myself if you had died. You"ve still never given back my heart, you know. I couldn"t have you dying with it—not now. Not for a long time."
Jimin chuckles. "I"ll keep it forever."
"You can," Jungkook nods. "Just stay with me for a long time, Jimin. Please."
"Of course," Jimin beams. "Let me truly start my life with you today."
"Right now," Jungkook agrees. "Our days of sneaking around are over...especially if I"m to be king."
Jimin"s eyes widen. "What?"
"Namjoon told the courtyard he wanted me to be king," Jungkook looks down. "I hadn"t thought for a second that would be the outcome of this. But Namjoon seems to have so much faith in me. And...and maybe I really could do it. I want to make our kingdom better, I want to help people. I have experience in leadership....Perhaps—if it"s what the country wants—I could do it as king."
"Oh you"d be a wonderful king, Jungkook!" Jimin praises. "You are the best choice for that role. I"ve never met a person as truly good of heart as you."
"Really?" Jungkook asks. "You think I could do it?"
"You know I"m not one to lie," Jimin points out.
"No..." He realizes. "You"re not..."
"Even on that first night, when I called you the bastard king"s lapdog and such, I knew there was something about you," Jimin whispers. "Something that made it so easy to trust you. You took that night and you turned it into this. You saved my family—you saved the country! Jungkook, you possess all the qualities of a good king."
"...Will you rule beside me?" Jungkook asks. "As my partner? Live with me in the palace, be by my side if I am to take this role. I couldn"t do it without you. Like everything I"ve accomplished in the past few years, I couldn"t do it without you."
"I will be by your side the rest of my life," Jimin vows. "Of course I"ll be by your side in this."
"I love you so much," Jungkook rests his head on the bed.
"I love you too," Jimin pets his hair. "Look at you. The son of a concubine is becoming king."
Jungkook looks up. "And a petty thief who almost got beheaded for stealing from the palace is ruling right beside him."
"The hibiscus flower has bloomed," Jimin smiles. "Our people have risen again."