MOON || JIKOOK ✅

13.

JIMIN POV

The ride across the island was the most diverting morning
Jimin had had in recent
memory.

Jungkook kept up a steady conversation that didn't
require too much of Jimin's attention so that he could
focus on the horse and his surroundings.

The alpha pointed out different places and sights, mentioning
a few other trips he had
planned for them both.

There were hills for rock climbing, old ruins from hundreds of years before
to explore and caves with glittering jewels embedded
in the rock.

They stopped twice on the
way to the lakes.

Jungkook talked about how he
liked to get out of the saddle
and stretch his legs.

Jimin strongly suspected the breaks were for his benefit.

He couldn't complain—he didn't want to get saddle sore if he could avoid it.

Each time they stopped,
Jungkook was on hand with water from a flask and snacks
in the form of nuts and berries
in a cloth bag.

Jimin wasn't hungry the first
time but ate a few to be polite.

The second time, he savored
the burst of sweetness on his tongue from the strawberries
and the sharp taste of the nuts.

"We don't get strawberries this early." Jimin commented as
they got back on their horses.

"Summer arrives a little earlier here and it was especially
early this year."Jungkook said.

The ground was flat enough
and the trees and shrubs
sparse enough that they could ride side-by-side for the
last leg of their journey.

"There." Jungkook said suddenly, pointing ahead of them.

"The lakes."

They were much closer than
Jimin had expected, appearing suddenly in the near distance.

"How...?"

"We've just crested a
small, flat hill."

"It's a barely noticeable incline on the way up but quite
steep on the way down."

Sure enough, the path down to the lakes was steep enough to push Jimin forward in the
saddle.

Star didn't so much as twitch, carrying on smoothly down toward the shore.

There were three lakes but
two were far smaller than the largest third.

The water sparkled invitingly
in the sun.

Jimin's skin was warm and sweaty and he longed to dive right in.

But he hadn't thought to bring
a towel or a change of clothes.

Jungkook was first off his horse, patting Whisper's flank and murmuring something that sounded suspiciously like,
'good girl' before he turned
his attention to Jimin.

"May I help you down?" he asked, offering his hand.

"Yes, thank you." Jimin took it and swung off the saddle, feeling Jungkook's other hand catch
him around the waist and
slow his landing.

His feet safely on the ground,
he gave his head a moment to catch up, aware of Jungkook's hand still pressed against him.

"Steady on your feet?" The alpha asked, his voice a low murmur.

"I am, Thank you."

It was another beat or two before Jungkook stepped away, moving to his horse and the saddle bags.