UNTILL I MET YOU || JIKOOK

Epilogue

JIMIN POV

For an island nation like theirs that prided itself on its independence, being under siege was more an exercise in patience than a real challenge.

Jimin's life didn't change all that much as the months passed. Not as a result of the siege, anyway.

Impending fatherhood and his time spent supporting Jungkook in his quest to keep the island shielded were his new challenges.

It was an everyday struggle to get Jungkook to poke his head above ground as winter turned to spring, spring to summer and finally, the leaves began to fall as they welcomed the autumn.

"I'm telling you, Alpha. This is beyond an alchemist's expertise."

Jungkook paced back and forth in the central chamber, a hand pressed to his back, his pregnant stomach rounded and heavy.

Jimin winced just looking at him, wondering how receptive he'd be to a backrub just then.

"I heard you the first time, and the second, and the sixteenth."

"You're sure there's nothing you can do?"

Jungkook rolled his eyes.

"Like I told you the previous sixteen times I've optimized the machine and the seams."

"They're as strong and reinforced as I can make them. The problem isn't the celestial silver."

"It's the sigils. The runes are old, they're fading."

"They need to be redrawn by a scribe."

"Which we don't have."

"Well, we need to find one, and soon. Best I can tell, the north-northeast spoke is going to fail in the next few months."

"The west spoke won't be long after. And then the southeast."

"Once that goes,we won't be able to maintain the shield And even if by some miracle one of those sigils doesn't fail, there's a dozen more ready to die next year."

"We're running out of time." his mate winced, rubbing hard at his back.

"We know all this, Baby. Even as we speak, we have people searching for a scribe to help us."

They were hoping one of their allies the few they had left would have a scribe on hand they'd be willing to let them borrow.

Even a few months might be enough to allow them to protect their kingdom for years to come.

"Well, they need to look harder. The shield..." Jungkook winced again, bending at the waist.

Jimin couldn't watch him any longer. He crossed the room and slipped behind him, pressing his hand to the omega's aching back.

"The shield is holding."

"And even if it fails, the full armada is long gone."

"They're no longer on our door step, waiting for an opportunity to strike. They'll need to regroup, plan a new strategy. All that takes time. We have time."

He rubbed the omega's back soothingly, feeling the muscles cramping up beneath his palm.

"Baby, how long has your back been hurting?"

"Since last night."

"It comes and goes. It's there more than it's not now, though."

"What did the doctor say when you told him?"

Jungkook threw a look at him over his shoulder. "Um..."

Jimin hid a groan of frustration. "You're supposed to be looking after yourself and taking it slow."