Arranged | Jinkook ✓

Chapter 30.0

It was time.

Once weeks had separated them from this moment. And then only days. Only hours. Minutes. Seconds. The time between them constantly closing until nothing more remained.

It was time.

Sleep hadn't come. Instead he had spent the hours between darkness walking in the light of the sun, soaking in it's warmth and praying to the gods to guide him down the proper path. Begging for them to be proven right and those who opposed them to wrong. Wished so desperately with all of his heart that when this night was over everything would be as it should. That his dreams would be only that - dreams, and not some twisted form of their future reality.

There was still time. His mind could still change.

But it wouldn't. There was no argument strong enough to sway him away from what his heart wanted. Nothing that could convince him, could change what his soul had already decided.

This was his path. And he would walk it no matter which way it twisted.

There was no going back. But he had been here before. Had stood at the edge of no return so often that he had simply grown used to it. All he could do was attempt to prepare himself.

...

Moonlight. But that too was like an old familiar friend now, shining down upon him as though it were the gods themselves smiling, blessing their union. He wondered which side they were on.

There was a lake that cut across the land - a strange occurrence considering how barren and dry the rest of the surrounding earth remained. Once it had over flowed with life, and now it was nothing more than a sad reminder of what had been.

The outer banks were dry, covered in dirt so fine it almost resembled sand. Still water reflected the night sky, painting a perfect picture. An endearing backdrop for what they were about to do.

There was a hand being offered, and he realized that was staring, sitting idle atop his horse and looking out over across the landscape. Shook himself out of his own thoughts and lowered himself from the saddle, taking a moment to adjust his clothing before taking it, letting their fingers intertwine as he was lead forward.

"It could never be as beautiful as you." The sound of the other's voice rode along the wind, reaching him and sinking into his mind like musical notes. Shyly, he found himself shrinking in against the prince's back, pressing his forehead against the solid expanse.

"You do not have to keep trying to charm me, your highness. I am already your husband." It was meant to be playful and light, but his voice shook slightly as he spoke, unable to keep the unease completely at bay.

"Oh darling, didn't I tell you? I plan to keep charming you until we grow old and turn to dust." Years from now. Decades. Centuries. They would live to see them all, walking side by side. Hand in hand. A beautiful gift that was being offered.

"I wonder how handsome you'll be then." It was difficult to imagine Jungkook any other way than he was now. Hard to force to his mind to conjure what the years might change.

"Will you still love me, even when I have wrinkle and my hair is gray?" Of course. There was no question. He would love Jungkook then as he did now. Always and forever.

"I will love you forever. Even when you are old and gray and we have spent a thousand life times together." Things wouldn't always be perfect, he knew that. Knew that there would be times of strife and struggle. Knew that they couldn't force the world outside to bend entirely to their will.

But he was sure of this. Sure that he would always love Jungkook. Forever. Until this world crumbled into dust and there was nothing left.

"You say such sweet things." Their feet sunk into the soft earth, and he realized that they were near the edge of the water, having allowed himself to be lead there without even knowing. Felt himself being twisted, let himself be moved until there was a hand cupping his chin and the other's thumb pressing against his lips, dragging the bottom on down. "Make such good promises. Offer me things I can not return. I have done nothing to deserve you."