MOON || JIKOOK ✅

14.

JUNGKOOK POV

When Jimin was calm enough and no longer shivering out of
his skin, Jungkook helped him dress in dry clothes and
wrapped another blanket
around him.

He was still pale and weak.

Since his constitution hadn't been the strongest to begin
with, Jungkook didn't want
to take any chances.

He needed to get Jimin back
to the summer palace and
have him seen by the doctor.

He tried to help Jimin to his
feet but the omega's legs
went from under him.

Jungkook caught him easily
and set him back down on
the blanket.

"You just rest here while I
pack our things."

Jimin nodded, trembling
fingers tugging the blanket
more tightly around him.

Jungkook corralled the horses, packed the saddlebags and
then tied Star on a long rein
to Whisper.

Jimin wasn't strong enough to ride alone and Jungkook didn't
want to risk him falling from
his horse.

They'd ride together.

He crouched by Jimin, who
was sitting on the warm grass now that the last of the
blankets had been packed
away.

"Ready to go?"

Jimin managed a shaky nod,
his eyes drifting to where Star and Whisper waited patiently
for them.

"I think so."

He helped the omega to his feet but when Jimin took a hesitant step toward the stallion, he gently redirected him toward
the ginger mare.

Before Jimin could ask, he had him up on the saddle, his
blanket tucked securely
around him.

"But...?" Jimin started to say, glancing back at Star.

"We'll ride together, nice and slow."

The omega scooted forward on the saddle and Jungkook
climbed up smoothly behind
him.

"I'll get us home." He promised, taking the reins.

"You just rest, Close your
eyes if you like."

"We'll be back at the palace
in no time."

Refreshed after an afternoon
of grazing, Whisper didn't complain about doubling up on her riders but Jungkook was
still careful to keep to an
even pace.

Star followed along obligingly
as they crested the hill that led to the lakes.

Once they were over the top,
the palace was already in view.

It would still be a few hours' journey but it was an easy
path to follow.

Jimin held himself tensely in
the saddle, his hands clinging
so tightly to the edges of his blanket that his knuckles were white.

"Are you in pain?" Jungkook asked, prepared to slow
Whisper to a stop.

"No." Jimin's answer was both immediate and a little confused.

"You're very tense."

"I could ride by myself."

"You don't have to..."

Oh, so that was the problem.

"Is it making you uncomfortable being so close? I could walk beside you if you'd prefer."

"That way, if there was any
risk of you falling from the saddle, I'd be right there to
catch you."

There was an awkward pause.