like a Firefly || kookmin

chapter 12 (horse riding)

It was cold ! That’s the first thing Jimin noticed when he woke up. He hugged his own delicate body in order to warm himself a little by the back and forth movements of his tiny hands .

Jungkook was nowhere to be found . It wasn’t much of a surprise, though, cause through the night, Jimin could feel that the tall man wasn’t able to sleep as he moved now and then ,fixating the small boy in a better position in his arms ,but Jimin was just way too sleepy to open his eyes and ask him not to move around and sleep . Maybe he hadn’t slept at all last night … ! At that, the small boy felt guilty …and embarrassed! He kind of had acted like a child last night … oh God … Jiminie ! Why don’t you learn to act like an adult? Couse this is what you are now for God’s sake, an adult ! .. so act like it and don’t fucking cry out of some silly dream !
The small boy raged at himself .

Finally shaking off his thoughts,  he got up and decided to go to their spot , where he knew the tall man currently was .

_____



The practice was just over . Jimin took a deep breath ,wiping his delicate hand over his sweaty forehead while taking a glimpse at his trainer ,Jungkook, who was already looking at him with narrowed eyes .

“You didn’t put much energy on the lessons today , I thought I was the one who couldn’t really sleep last night ,hmm?” The tall man finally broke the silence , looking intimidating with his serious expression that Jimin barely saw… toward himself ,actually.

“I told you I’m not gonna go easy on you today ,right ?” Asked the tall man again , titling his head to the side ,proceeding to look at the pretty boy who was blushing in embarrassment.

“I’m… sorry,” the small boy whispered, dipping his head down , not being able to lock eyes with the taller one when he was talking openly about last night , pointing directly that he hadn’t slept due to Jimin resting in his close proximity… and Jimin was.. embarrassed .
He had acted like a little child last night , he should have known that Jungkook wasn’t Taehyung. He wasn’t responsible for the small boy being scared and unable to sleep because of a stupid nightmare.

“Why are you apologizing?” Asked Jungkook , eyes big in curiosity.

“I… bothered you last night , and you couldn’t sleep because of me … ‘m s-sorry ,”

“Hey… don’t apologize for that ,OK? It wasn’t your fault .Just put a little more energy on the work , OK? And yeah … I couldn’t sleep last night ,but it wasn’t because of you … it’s just …” Jungkook tried to calm the boy down , feeling that Jimin was somehow ashamed about last night . The small boy was embarrassed, and the tall one could feel it .
He took a hesitant breath and said:

“Never mind ,”

“Thank you ,” whispered the small boy , finally daring to look at the tall man.

“For what now ?” Jungkook asked with a tinge of amusement in his eyes,  clearly enjoying this conversation so much he wanted to continue.

“For …f-for comforting me and …letting me sleep with… next to you . That was really nice of you , h-hyung,” Jimin finally said the things he had been wanting to say ,ever since he woke up this morning.

The tall man arched up an eyebrow. Why did he have to look so cute when thanking Jungkook for letting him sleep next to him ?
The tall man wanted to tell the pretty boy in front of him that he didn’t need to say thank you , that that hug was something he himself had also needed and well… wanted . Wanted to assure the boy that it wasn’t for him that he couldn’t sleep last night , that Jungkook was used to not sleeping that much through the nights, but last night it was because of a totally different reason . The reason being a cute cuddly boy who was scared and needed to be comforted , whose eyes were teary and doleful ,and was cutely asking Jungkook to let him sleep in his close proximity. How could one resist? And last night , he didn’t close his eyes even for a minute , looking at the sleeping beauty in his arms , wanting to make sure he was fine and wouldn’ have a bad dream again … after all , it was his embrace Jungkook had offered the small boy, and he definitely wanted to be a good host . But in the end, even with Jimin finally finding his comfort and breathing normally ,he couldn’t get his eyes off him , finding himself notice every single beautiful part in his small face ,every curve in his delicate body ,the warmth radiating from him and the .. everything... just him , you know ? He couldn't understand himself . The tall man had slept next to Hoseok ,Yoongi, and his other friends a plenty of times … but.. the way he felt around this little being was way different . It was confusing , even for himself .!
And this … The tall man couldn’t ignore the delightful feeling spreading throughout his body when the fuck ever that kid called him hyung .
Weird ! Something was definitely fucking going on and Jungkook didn’t understand.

He cleared his throat.
“That’s what hyungs do , right ?” Asked the tall man , titling his head to the side .

“Yeah … my hyung would do it too whenever I was scared, it’s really… soothing. “ Jimin said , some emotions flashing in his eyes mentioning his hyung.
Wait ! What ? His hyung? Who the fuck was his hyung?

Jungkook narrowed his eyes .
“So it felt good and soothing because it reminded you of your own hyung, huh?”
He then put his large hand on his chest , pretending like his heart was actually hurt .
“Ouch,”

The small boy’s eyes grew wide at those words .
“What ? N-no… I did not mean it like that . It did feel good just … well , it just did . I don’t know why.”  The small boy tried to say .
Jungkook seemed really eager to see where this conversation would go , enjoying seeing how the boy got nervous with every word that left his mouth.

“Who is this hyung of yours ,anyway ?” Asked Jungkook, pretending not to care so much ,but hell he did.
Jimin inhaled deeply , taking some fresh cold air, refreshing his entire body .
“We were grown up together. He was my one and only friend . We … were soul soulmates ,”

“Was?”
“I … I probably won’t see him … again , so..”
Jimin murmured, his doe eyes filled with tears , the poor boy trying his best not to let them run down his face .

Jungkook came a little closer . Now standing right in front of the smaller one , trying to choose his words carefully .

“Is … he …dead ?” Jungkook then asked . Grabbing the boy’s chin softly and making the boy look him in the eye .

Jimin sniffed as a single tear found its way on his flushed cheek , shaking his head quickly..

“No . God no .. it’s just … I can’t see him again , and that’s… sad .”

“Life isn’t always the way we want it to be ,right?”
The tall man gently stroked his thumb over Jimin’s cheek , wiping the tear away.

“Don’t cry , kid . I’m sure he misses you just the same .”

Jimin sniffed again .
“Yeah ,”
“And I’m not c-crying .” He then added swiftly .

Jungkook smiled softly .
“OK, tough guy. I didn’t see you cry ,”

They both let out a gentle giggle.

“Stupid fucking perves!”

They both turned around to see the one who said that sentence in an annoyed tone , shocked as they saw Hoseok. 
He came into the yard , frowning his eyebrows  and mumbling things the other two couldn’t define , but it was clear that he was cursing .
Jungkook distanced himself from the smaller one and frowned .

“What’s wrong, hyung ?”
The older man came into a halt , looking at the two of them waiting for an answer.

“Ah . Those fucking asshols made me take off my clothes,  I swear to God I would fucking kill them if they weren’t special guards. “
Hoseok explained angrily, and Jimin’s breath hitched in his throat.

“What the fuck are you talking about ,hyung? The special guards made you take your clothes off ? What the fuck for?” The tall man wanted to know , his eyes suddenly filled with worry and anger , showing that he was ready to kick any probable asses that caused inconvenience to his friend.

“Beats me. They didn’t say much . I was walking like a normal being minding my own business, then they popped up out of nowhere and suddenly asked me to loosen my collar so that they could see my back . Fucking idiots . “

“Weird,” Jungkook mumbled to himself .

“people are saying some things, some rumors are spreading in the town! .”
Hoseok said , not continuing his sentence to see the two boys reaction . The youngest boy looked so shocked ,his eyes that were always glassy were now big in curiosity and worry .

“What kind of rumor , Hoseok hyung?” Jimin asked shakily, taking some steps to be closer to the older one .

“Some people say the moon child is missing. He is the one they are looking for, and that’s the fucking reason those jackasses come to the town everyday and make young handsome boys naked to see the mark on their bodies. They are looking for their runaway prince!“

“Handsome boys ?” The taller man asked .
“Yeah.”
“So why would they suspect you?” Jungkook joked .
“Fuck you .”
Jungkook wiped his smile and his expression became steady and serious again .
In the meantime,  Jimin was mesmerized, not knowing how to react . He felt like he was caught by the two men in front of him who didn’t even look at him , felt terrible about having to lie to them . God! Wish he could tell them the truth… at least one of them …Jungkook!
But the small boy was afraid of how he might react . He couldn’t lose his shelter … not now .. he was finally getting used to this place, and these people . He couldn’t lose them all, didn’t want to ,actually.

“The moon child ?” Jungkook asked , a smirk adorning his features. Then he continued:
“I can’t believe people still believe in that shit .”

“But it makes sense ,doesn’t it ? Why would they check every young boy’s back? I still can remember the day that the moon child was born , I was just a kid but I remember it clearly like it was yesterday ! Everyone was talking about a savior,  a -a godsend with a moon-shaped mark on his body , ready to redeem and protect every body . Now they’re checking for the mark , the moon_shaped mark . “ Hoseok stated ,averting his gaze to where the small boy was currently standing and asked:
“What do you think , Jihoo-ah? Have you ever heard of the moon child story?”

The small boy clearly twitched, looking up at Hoseok’s eyes , trying to analyze the situation in order to make some sense out of it . Had he ever heard of the moon child story ? Of fucking course , he was the one and only moon child , how could Jimin open his mouth and lie about it when all this mess was because of him …

“I … I have ..,” Jimin finally mumbled.
Jungkook took a quick glimpse at the boy , crossing his arms , seemingly interested in the subject .
“So what do you think ? You think the moon child is actually missing ?” Hoseok then wanted to know .

Jimin dipped his head down , making himself even smaller , didn’t like to answer these questions, couse that would mean more lying …and the small boy didn’t want that , having enough lies in his monthly list already.

“ I… well…,”
“What the does any of it matter ? The moon child must be fucking crazy to leave the palace and come to this shit house ,anyway . Right, hyung?” Jungkook said with an smirk.

“B-But we shouldn’t judge, w-we don’t know anything …” Jimin himself was surprised at the things he had just said . He didn’t want to say those things, but it was like it kinda had slipped his mouth .
Hoseok and Jungkook looked at him intently.

“He is right . It’s not our goddamn business anyway .” Jungkook agreed .

Hoseok shook his head .
“Agree , but it doesn’t mean I don’t wanna tear those mother fuckers’ asses off . I still do and I will .” Hoseok gritted through his teeth.

Jungkook grinned .
“Shut it ,Jeon, or I’ll punch your annoying handsome face . You know what ? I’m waiting for the day they would suspect you. That day , I would give anything to see if you’d smile when they are touching you and making you take off your fucking clothes .” Hoseok said  , arching one eyebrow ,looking at his younger friend with victory in his eyes .

“First of all , this moon child baby must be around 17 18 by now , that means they definitely wouldn’t suspect someone like me …” Jungkook stated with a grin as he pointed at himself ,showing off his muscles.
“Yah…” Hoseok wanted to say something ,but the taller one shut him with his hand and continued :
“And ,it means the reason those guys suspected you is that you look like an eighteen year old kid ,hyung. I’m sorry .”

“Have I ever mentioned that I deeply hate you ,Jungkook_ah ?”
Jimin couldn’t help but chuckled at their argument.
The older one of them didn’t spare them a glance , but suddenly remembered something and shouted:
“Yahhh. I almost forgot . I came here to see whether you like some horse riding ? I need to clear my head . It’s not raining for the first time in this bloody autumn , the fields must be fit for riding now . So , what do you say ?” Said and looked back and forth between his two friends, waiting for their answers .

Jungkook turned around to be able to look at the smaller one .
“What do you say ,kid ? Wanna go?”

Jimin lifted his head,  locking eyes with the taller one while involuntary biting down on his bottom lip , contemplating.
Jimin really, really wanted to go , it seemed incredibly good . But there was a great issue …he ..he couldn’t ride a horse!
It wasn’t like he didn’t have the opportunity to .
On the contrary,  he had to learn so many things as a child of an aristocratic family such as archery, sword fighting, and horse riding . The thing was that Jimin didn’t want to … he, unlike the other boys in his age, was interested in books and science, art and colors , wanted to paint beautiful things in his free time , so he didn’t really put much interest into those matters to learn them .

“I don’t know how to ride a horse ,hyung.” The boy said ,averting his gaze as he couldn’t lock eyes with the taller one for long , for he didn’t know what reason.

“It’s OK. Hyung will teach you . Wanna go or not ?”
Jimin swallowed hard , his stomach twisted in excitement
“W-Wanna go ,” Jimin said , his beautiful doe eyes flashing at the thought of Jungkook teaching him .
How was Jimin suddenly interested in learning how to ride a horse ? Wasn’t that something he resented when he was in the palace?
Well, don’t ask him that . People change.

His pretty face lightened up , and a smile adorned his face as he looked at the taller one . Some emotions flashed in the latter’s eyes that Jimin couldn’t define .

“Let’s go then ,guys.” Hoseok stated with a big smile .

                               ********

The small boy was just standing there , desperately looking at the huge animal in front of him , starting to regret for accepting Hoseok’s offer.

“I-It’s huge, “ Jimin whispered.
“It might sound scary, but I promise you that once you learn it properly, you’ll love it .”
“And I’m here right beside you, OK . No need to be scared.”  Jungkook assured the boy .

The small boy nodded , waiting for Jungkook to tell him what to do .
“First , let’s mount the horse .”
The tall man came a little closer , gesturing to touch the boy .
“May I?”
“G-go on ,”
Jungkook grabbed the boy’s delicate waist, lifting him up like he was as lightweight as a feather and placed him up there on the saddle gently. Jimin gasped at the suddenness of Jungkook’s lifting him ,making him straddle the animal . He felt dizzy , this animal was really tall .
Then , Jungkook mounted the horse , sitting right behind the smaller boy .

“The coolest and the scariest thing about horses is that they’re so goddamn tall .” Jungkook stated , hot breath hitting Jimin’s skin , sending a shiver down his spine .

“Oh.” Jimin breathed , being excited about the new experience.
Jungkook grabbed the reins and gave them to the smaller one .
“Hold the end of the reins ,just in front of the saddle,  but remember to keep them loose , we don’t want to scare the animal , do we ?”

Jimin did the exact thing ,but surprised as he felt Jungkook’s big warm hand on the top of his small ones . Now , the two of them were holding the reins .

“Now relax , sit deep in the saddle , you can lean on me as well if you want to .”
Jimin was shaking . He wasn’t sure if it was because he was scared or because of the close proximity and hot breaths of Jungkook’s hitting on his flushed skin .
Jimin leaned back a little , his back pressing to Jungkook’s warm chest .

“Now give the animal a gentle squeeze with your legs to signal he should begin walking .” the tall boy instructed .

Jimin did, but the animal didn’t move an inch . He heard Jungkook’s gentle laugh right against his ear, the sound vibrating in his chest ,audible to the smaller one who was leaning back on him securely.
“Not that gentle , you practically caressed him.” Said and gave the horse a couple of soft bumps . The animal began walking slowly .

“Oh …he is walking. “ The small boy informed with surprise and excitement in his soft voice .

Jungkook gently smiled .
“Yeah , he is . You’re doing a great job ,kid , keep going . Now I’m gonna let you ride it , I’m not helping you with holding the reins from now on ,OK? Just hold them loose ,and the animal will walk .”

Jimin nodded ; however , He didn’t really want to lose the warmth of Jungkook’s hands just yet.
Feeling so safe just knowing that the latter’s hands were above his , it made his heart all warm .
Anyhow ,a moment later , Jungkook’s hands were gone , but still making the smaller one’s tickle at the reminder of the gentle touch , making him feel like he was on fire .
The cold breeze was such a strong contrast to Jimin’s hot skin , kinda helping the poor boy to come down from his high .
Jimin licked on his lips, something was happening inside him that he couldn’t understand. He was experiencing the feeling he had last night as well when resting in Jungkook’s arms .
The tall boy wasn’t helping when whispering in his ear about how well the small boy was doing . And it made him… it made him imagine things … , his body temperature was going higher and higher with every single fucking hot breath of Jungkook’s hitting against his skin , making his cheeks warm up in excitement and embarrassment.
Oh God ! Jiminie, what the hell is wrong with you ?
He didn’t know either , being lost in that moment .
He leaned back on Jungkook a little more , wanting to feel him closer .

“I-I wanna go faster,  Jungkook_ah!” Jimin whispered.  Only then he realized he had called Jungkook in an informal way yet again .
He turned around a little to be able to look at the man behind him .
“I’m s-sorry,  I meant…hyung. “ He was quick to apologize , his voice shaky and breathy due to him being … you know …excited .!
Jungkook placed one hand on his flushed cheek .
“Shh, it’s OK.  You can call me whatever you want. “
Then , he gave the animal another gentle squeeze.
“And OK,  we will go faster now .”
With that , the animal started to walk a little faster.
Jimin’s heart started beating faster at the touch and the words , gulping audibly as he caught his bottom lip inbetween his teeth .
Yes … something was definitely wrong with him . Was it normal that he was all hot just by some gentle words and some simple touches of the older one ?
No . Clearly it was not . They were both men , he shouldn’t feel this way , but he did and couldn’t help it .
With the animal walking faster , the small boy was bouncing up and down gently,  making it hard for him to hold the reins loose.
“Hyung, help me with the reins ,please .”

Jungkook didn’t need to be told twice, placed his hands on Jimin’s,  helping him .

“How does it feel to ride a horse,  Jihoo-ah? You like it ?” The tall boy suddenly asked .

“It’s amazing, hyung. I’m having so much fun .” Said the small boy lively .

“I’m glad .”

“How did you learn it ?”

“Yoongi and Hoseok hyung taught me , it came to when I was ten year old .”

Jimin looked at Hoseok who was far away , and he was riding his horse madly fast .

“Ten year old ? You must have been such a talented little boy ,hyung. “  Jimin said with a smile .
“Not that talented , let’s just say I was surrounded by so many good people who taught me so many good things .”
“Oh ..”
Jungkook gave Jimin’s tiny soft hand a gentle squeeze
“But you are so talented ,kid . I mean it ,”

The small boy blushed , making himself smaller while leaning back completely on the tall one, his head resting on his broad shoulder , breathing his comforting scent deeply inside . It was as if Jungkook was cuddling Jimin , with him holding the reins and the small boy leaning back close to his chest .

“T-Thank you …,”   Jimin breathed .
He was melting in the latter’s arms , but not wanting to apart. Want that moment to last for a while … like for long …so long …
Wanted to think how would it mean for him to feel like this. Was it right ?
Was it appropriate that the small boy felt like kissing the man ?
God !
Fuck !
Holy shit !
Jimin couldn’t believe he had just thought about that .
He didn’t remember even thinking about these things , well .. except when he caught his servant making out with one of the maids in the corner of his room , and for a long time ,all he could think about was their kissing. He also remembered he asked Taehyung about these things, but his older friend was way to decent to explain to a 13 year old kid what they were doing .
But now … it was a totally different situation here, he was shamelessly thinking about kissing a man , Jungkook !
Oh ,dear lord , help him .!
He was absolutely nuts , out of his mind ...
He should escape that situation before anything stupid would happen .
Though he wanted to stay in that position so bad،, he gathered all his self control,  separating from the man a little and said with a shaky voice:
“I ..I wanna stop , I don’t feel good .”
Said and quickly detached his hands from Jungkook’s. 

“Hey,  what’s wrong ? You feel sick ? “ Jungkook asked , his voice filled with worry .

“Y-Yeah … s-sick.” Jimin lied , still ashamed at his own thoughts.

Jungkook pulled back gently on the reins with one hand. His other hand placed on the small boy’s waist as he didn’t have anything to catch hold of , securing the small boy .
Once the animal stopped ,Jimin wanted to jump off him , feeling so stupid , his mind wasn’t functioning and all he could think about was Jungkook and how close he was , also feeling guilty for his own thoughts. however ,Jungkook was there to stop his movements.

“What are you doing ? You’re gonna hurt yourself,  kid .let me help you .” the tall man said softly, jumping off the horse and then , helping the other boy to come down .
As soon as the small boy was on the ground, he begin walking fast on the opposite direction to where Jungkook was , just wanting to run , not being able to look at Jungkook’s eyes, he felt like if he did ,the taller man would read his mind and understand what shameful thoughts Jimin had about him .

“wait , where do you think you are going ,huh ?” 
Jungkook asked in a low tone , sending a shiver down Jimin’s spine .
Jimin finally tuned back but didn’t lock eyes with him .

“I...I just wanna go home ,hyung, please .” Said Jimin desperately.

Jungkook came a little closer .
“I’ll take you home . Just don’t walk away like that . Are you OK, Jihoo ? You look flushed!”
Jungkook said and grabbed his chin , slowly moving his hand and caressing his hot skin .
“I think you have a fever .”

Jimin shook Jungkook’s hand off . This physical touch was the last thing his naughty part needed right now .
What he needed was space and staying far enough away from him . Just in case he wouldn’t do something stupid .
“I’m OK, just … wanna go home .” Jimin whispered .

Jimin really wanted that… wanted to go home and lock himself in the small bedroom , just to empty his stupid head from these nonsense thoughts …
Wanted to close his eyes right fucking away and sleep just to escape from reality…
But little did he know , it was just the beginning… .

**********

Hi Hi .
This chapter is rather long .
Please enjoy .
See you in the next chapter ♡