Jungkook P.O.V

I tug the reins of my horse causing his full gallop to come to an immediate halt. There's a wave of confusion from those behind me. My horse, also confused from the sudden command, gallops a few steps backwards to steady its balance.

In front of us, shielded by an umbrella, stands Jimin. He looks just as ethereal despite standing in the middle of a downpour. Meanwhile, besides my vision that is slightly protected by this straw hat, the rest of my body is drenched.

"Jimin!" Said boy looks directly into my eyes. "Are you here to stop me?"

His response is simple. "Yes."

Many gasps and whispers come from those behind me.

"Well, I can't let you do that," I counter. "I can't let these innocent people, my family, die as a result. You understand me, right?"

He says nothing.

"These people, like me, are just guilty of being poor. We didn't kill anyone. You have to believe me."

He begins to speak slowly as if he's trying to be cautious of his speech. "So your plan is to just up and leave?"

"There's a place out there somewhere for us and I'd rather find wherever that is instead of staying here."

"Leaving would only make you seem like guilty criminals running from justice. There may even be a bounty placed on your head."

"So letting my family stay here in this death camp is an option? They're just like animals waiting to be slaughtered!" I bellow at him.

"We can ask the elders to reconsider the punishment of those of you who remain from your clan. It makes sense considering the actual masterminds of all the bad things are dead!"

"They were secretly hid here for months, Jimin, without your knowledge. Do you think the elders give a damn?"

My tense jaw muscle twitches. Jimin runs a hand through his hair, a mannerism that he usually does when frustrated. "Leaving now will only make all clans label you as a criminal and banish you from association."

"Those bastards slaughtered magic-less civilians from my clan as target practice. Do you think I care?"

"You don't but you should!"

"Jimin, we promised to form our own opinions despite what others may say. Let them label me a 'criminal.' Do you truly believe that what's going on is right?"

"My clan sent me here to stop you," he reiterates.

My eyes meet his. Those soft eyes stare into mine as if pleading with me to stay, not because he wants to catch me, but because he cares about me.

There's only two choices here: a) convince him to come with me and betray his clan. Or b) put up a fight and leave without him.

As much as I love seeing those pinchable cheeks, I can't ask him to come. He just found out his true heritage. I wouldn't dare put him at risk of losing his family.

"Jimin-"

Jimin looks to the ground, stepping to the side. His hand holding the umbrella slightly shakes. I barely hear his next words over the pouring rain.

"Be safe."

Be safe? I slowly process those two words. He's not deciding to come with me, however, he's still betraying his clan by letting me go freely. "Are you serious?" I mumble at the realization, baffled that he'd put himself in trouble with his clan. "Your family-"

"Go!" He cries out, head snapping up in my direction. "Go before I change my mind."

There's a wall of tears threatening to spill from his eyes. Luckily there's a few streaks of rain sliding through my hat, down onto my face. It'll help to hide the tears that are threatening to spill out from mine.

"Jimin?" He doesn't look up from his spot. Still, a sad smile forms on my lips. "If it turns out that I am wrong please know one thing: I'll be ready to die by your hands and your hands only." He glares. He's not the killing type so maybe that was an insult to his character. But I meant every word of it. His hands only.

"Yah!" I yell out to my horse, squeezing my legs and heels around it. It takes off and those behind me follow. Puddles splash as we make our way through them.

And with just a brief glance behind me, I see a defeated looking Jimin, whose umbrella is now on the ground, watch us until we're out of his sight. At least, that's what I assume. I have to turn away to control my horse.

And even if I didn't, I'd still turn away because I can't stand the sight of leaving him behind.

⚠️ Warning ⚠️
This story is a BTS AU and will contain:

LGBTQ+ issues, violence, sexual situations, and inappropriate language.

Please proceed with caution.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locals, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and does not represent the author's view of said beings.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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