UNTILL I MET YOU || JIKOOK

14

JIMIN POV

When Friday came around, all he wanted to do was sleep.

He felt like he hadn't had a moment's rest in weeks.

But when he said as much to Yoongi, his brother had a very different view.

"It's not sleep you need,it's down time. You need the chance to let your hair down for one night."

"You can't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, Jimin."

"Sooner or later, it'll start to drag you down."

It was already dragging him down like an anchor threatening to drown him.

"Come to the party tonight. What better way to kick back than with as much music and alcohol as you can stand?"

"Sleep would be more useful."

"You can sleep tomorrow."

"Tonight's the night to put all our troubles behind us and have a good time."

It sounded great, the idea that he could let his worries go for a few hours and just be jimin, the guy who liked a quiet drink and a bit of music to pass the evening.

It was infinitely more appealing than being Prince Jimin, eldest son and heir of the king, destined to defend their kingdom from those who would tear it down.

And lately married.

Married to an omega who might well be the son of their greatest enemy.

he didn't want to believe it.

No one in their kingdom did.

But it was growing clearer by the day that someone with deep pockets and adept in magic was funding the pirates.

Their parries were having less and less effect on the attacking boats because with each new wave of attacks more of them were made of spelled wood and thus protected.

The pirates were starting to become easier to take out than the boats themselves.

But now, instead of taking out one boat and eliminating a dozen pirates in one sweep, they had to go pirate by pirate.

All it would take was a few to slip behind the lines for there to be havoc in the kingdom.

A lot of damage could be done by a small group, especially if they knew what they were doing.

Or what they were looking for.

Jimin tried to put all that aside as he followed the others to the hall Fian latched onto him before they'd even reached the door, babbling some nonsense in his ear as Jimin scanned the room.

His rising irritation only worsened when he caught sight of Jungkook sitting at Ari's table.

What was he doing here?

Almost immediately, he felt guilty for the thought.

Where else was Jungkook going to be on a Friday evening?

Every young person in the castle would be in the hall tonight.

Still, Jimin's irritation mingled with renewed frustration as he followed his brothers and cousins to the table they'd chosen.

He sat between Tae and Yoongi, taking the drink Fian offered him and downing half of it in one go.

He was determined to forget his troubles for a few hours since that was likely all he'd have to spare.

The drink was strong, going right to his head, so he slowed to brief sips.

He thought he'd shaken off Fian by his choice of seat but the omega reappeared by his side sometime later, after Yoongi had gotten up to dance.