UNTILL I MET YOU || JIKOOK

19

JUNGKOOK POV

He was surprised to find Jimin at breakfast the next morning.

"No pirates today?"

"Not so far. Perhaps they're taking the day off?"

"Then maybe you should too." He said it lightheartedly, but the alpha seemed to consider his suggestion.

"Yoongi is handling the guard's training today."

"So, barring a lazy start to a pirate attack, I can probably spend the day in the castle."

"I've been meaning to discuss castle security with Lord Varken."

He deflated a little. He'd been hoping the alpha might suggest they spend some time together.

But they'd already had dinner the night before, and they were having breakfast now.

Besides, he was supposed to be talking to Jin through the touch stone after breakfast.

It was all arranged.

"We should have dinner in the great hall," Jimin said suddenly.

"Today?"

"Yes. It's one of the minor winter festivals tomorrow."

"Well, it starts tonight."

"There'll be music, mulled wine, and spiced biscuits for dessert."

Jungkook felt his face fall at the word music.

Music meant dancing and the last time there'd been dancing in the great hall...

Jimin caught sight of his face. "There's no dancing," he said quickly.

"Not until the midwinter festival."

"I'd like you by my side tonight."

"I'd like the chance to make things right, jungkook. Please."

"No dancing?"

"Not a single reel or a jig."

His instinct was to say no but he could see how eager the alpha was.

"Well, it's hard to say no to spiced biscuits."

"Don't forget the mulled wine." Jimin was trying, unsuccessfully, to hide a smile.

"Can't forget that," Jungkook agreed.

"Then I guess it's a date."

"Great. I'll collect you from your rooms just before six and escort you to the hall."

"You don't have to do that."

"Yes, I do And I want to."

"Your father must really be tightening the screws."

He couldn't see what else had caused this sudden change in the alpha's manner.

Jimin made a face. "I won't say he's happy with me but he isn't the reason I'm doing this."

"Jungkook You deserve better, I see that now."

"The idea that I could just marry you, stow you away in the castle, and forget about you..."

Jimin snorted. "You just don't want to have to pry me off the side of a cliff again."

"Once is more than enough,"

Jimin agreed amiably. "But it's more than that, I know what it is to be lonely And I'm surrounded by family every hour of the day."

"I can only imagine how you've felt these last few weeks in this cold, isolated castle."