ɬɧɛ ɱąɖ ƙıŋɠ//℘ʝɱʄʄ

*•Epilogue Pt.3•*

(SMUT)

As the Sun slowly descended down and displayed hues of yellow and red that stretched across the endless horizon, the General decided to head back to the campsite. Being absent for too long isn't a responsible act yet spending some much needed quality time with her family, which is now completed, is very tempting. Nevertheless, the General didn't forsake the kingdom she called home and had vowed to protect it with her life. Duty calls.

"Let's head back. I bet you miss your nerdy bestie and that slick blonde cousin of yours. Not to mention we got our king back", Xena said while propping Ermin onto the horse and fixing the reins but the silver hair man had a doubtful frown creasing his forehead as he blankly stared at the General with mind full of unspoken thoughts, mostly dilemma. 

"Hey, what's wrong?", Xena asked in a soft voice and stretched her hand towards Jimin. "Honestly though Xena....I'm not really interested in getting back onto the throne", he spoke in such dull voice that he almost sounded.....sad? Worrisome grew in her when she saw him glancing back at his small cottage and colorful garden before turning back at Ermin. 

He let out a long sigh before turning to Xena and took her hands into his. "5 years old, Xena. 5 years bathing in my own darkness, grieving, going crazy over absolutely nothing all because of my greed and thirst for power but also shackled by my own power", he let out another shaky breath and voice cracked. It caused her to choke on her breath when she saw the sparkle of tears layering in his silver eyes. She couldn't even imagine what he went through for all those 5 years alone for him to tear up in front of her. The last time he teared up was when he stared into her pleading eyes when he got dragged into the portal.

She felt a pang in her heart seeing him struggling to make out words, knowing he was alone and away from her for so long and battled with his own power for the sake of being alive to see her from afar. She felt sorry for not finding him sooner, for not being there when he was tearing apart, for not shielding him when the world around him collapse. But somehow these destructive cracked open another side of him.

However Jimin looked much brighter, softer, elegant and peaceful even. Maybe those 5 years of solitary isn't so bad at all. Xena pulled him onto a deep heartfelt huge, feeling each other's heartbeat, the one that they have longed whenever they fall asleep or waking up to a new day. Her hands caressed his head as he snuggled into the crook of her neck as if they were back home, back to where they belong. 

"I'm so sorry. Must've been terrifying, huh...", Xena sighed. She couldn't believe that this was the same man who once conquered lands and brought down kingdoms. He seemed so vulnerable and even scared that made her wanted to protect him more. He kept his sobs in and stayed frozen in her embrace, not wanting his son to see a crying father. He wasn't comfortable with this weaker side of him but it seems like he might need to adapt to it since his maniac persona was slowly fading away as well as his powers. 

After pulling the stunt back then, Jimin's power became chaotic at first and he was having an extremely hard time controlling it, which was why he chose such a remote place to live. It drove him to the wall, trying to escape this small fragile vessel but ironically had no place to run it. It became beyond mankind's control and Jimin had to suffer the pain it brought. 

But as time goes by, and as he secretly visited the General more, his powers subsided and retreated, slowly losing its grip on the vessel. Til now, Jimin was left with only a small speck of it which is enough for him to build a garden from scratch. 

The great Psychotelesis of the young king seemingly found its own balance and is now living peaceful within him yet he still dreams about the havoc it had caused him. And now that he's finally home with his love ones, Jimin wishes to not engage in his power anymore. Hence, he decided to put away his greed and pride and stepped down from the throne for good. Also because he wanted to babysit his son while Xena works.