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When Namjoon reached the northernmost tip of the Arctic he was exhausted. He had been traversing the world’s oceans for the better part of the day and it was pitch black now. Hoseok had contacted him via comm link and told him the others had regrouped after a fruitless search.
“Where are you?”
“On the east end of Svalbard.”
“...So, where are you?” Hoseok repeated.
“Near the North Pole. Svalbard is an archipelago that belongs to Norway.”
“You’re on top of the world, literally,” Hoseok joked and Namjoon gave a tired laugh. “You don’t sound too good, Joon.”
“I just did the sea voyage of my life on maybe five hours of sleep--in the last four days.”
“Oh my god. We shouldn’t have let you go alone. I’ll send Jin your way right now!”
“No, no don’t worry. I’m sure the guys are tired too. I’m almost done here anyway. This is my last stop.”
“Joon, we didn’t discuss this but… what if he isn’t on Earth anymore? He can travel between planets like Jin and he might have even returned to Themyscira, right? It’s a hidden island, so you wouldn’t be able to find it.”
Namjoon hadn’t even considered that as a possibility.
“Shit.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You, and everyone else, have done more than I deserve. Thank you. I’ll head back soon but...I’m thinking of spending some time in Atlantis.”
“But, Joon, you should be with your friends not dealing with the pressures of the throne. Not yet. Stay in Metropolis or even Gotham for a while.”
“I’ll think about it. My mind hasn’t been centered for some time...I didn’t think one person could affect me like this, Hobi.”
Hoseok gave a hearty chuckle.
“I’ve been there. One moment I was this completely independent, self-sufficient reporter superstar who swore he didn’t need a partner or a friend or anyone who wasn’t
me
. Then Seokjin stumbles into my life--literally stumbles because the man nearly broke my desk when he fell onto it on his first day--and suddenly being alone is unimaginable. I don’t want silence and solitude when I’m aware that there’s someone who loves me and appreciates me and wants to share my life with me. Every time Jinnie leaves to save the world, he takes my heart with him. It’s...a lot, I admit it.”
“The difference is I don’t know how Jimin feels. He could want nothing to do with me.”
“I’m not too sure about that,” Hoseok hummed. “The Prince is a closed book but not as much as Yoongi because no one can beat that man. I would see a spark of something in his eyes when the League first began having meetings and fighting together.”
“A spark of something?” he chorused.
“I don’t think I can put it into words and it’s not my place anyway. Only Jimin can explain his emotions after all. But, Joon, all this happened because Jimin felt so upset about your impending marriage that he ran away. Doesn’t that give you an indication of how he feels? At the very least, he’s
affected
by you.”
Namjoon processed Hoseok’s words and decided he was right. The only thing that would allow his thoughts to settle and stop buzzing and vibrating painfully in his brain was a conversation with Jimin. And he would search every galaxy for his prince.
As it was he didn’t need to look further than the western tip of Svalbard because an hour after hanging up with Hoseok, Namjoon was slowly swimming through the dark Arctic waters when he saw a figure floating in the air.
The silhouette was petite and slim and it seemed that this floating being was sitting cross-legged a few feet above the water, contemplating the night sky and letting a hand fall to graze against the ocean surface.
“I finally found you,” Namjoon said, just loud enough to startle the peaceful figure, who gave a yelp of surprise and straightened to a defensive posture in air, warrior instincts preparing him for any battle.
“Namjoon?” the soft voice he’d been deprived of for so long was tentative and fearful, a fact which made Namjoon’s heart twist in his chest.
“Hello, little prince.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you, of course.”
“...Why?”
“Why?” Namjoon repeated the question with a breathy sigh. “Because I was empty without you.”
Even in the darkness, with only the moonlight granting them some illumination, Namjoon could see Jimin’s lovely brown eyes wide and misty, staring back at him.
“I was a shell of myself when you left, Jimin. And I didn’t realize it for the first month or so, but suddenly, all at once, I understood.”
“Understood what?” the prince tilted his head to one side and Namjoon wished he could grab him and hold him to his chest then and there.
“That I couldn’t live without you. Losing you was whittling away at my heart and soul and if I didn’t find you again, who knows what I would have been left with? Jungkook, Taehyung, Yoongi and Seokjin were helping me and Hoseok would keep us updated from Metropolis. This was my last hope at locating you and...here you are.”
Jimin gulped, the sound almost too loud in the stillness of the night.
“You came all this way to find me, Namjoon, but you haven’t told me why.”
“I guess I’ve been hiding behind poetic words when the simple truth is what all you really need to know,” he paused to take a steadying breath and he let his body glide closer to where Jimin floated over the ocean.
Namjoon used his command over the ocean currents to lift him up and out of the water, making it seem like he was standing on the surface itself. Finally, he was face to face with the most beautiful being he had ever come across. And the words didn’t need his permission to bubble forth, knowing that these three syllables had always belonged to Jimin and only Jimin.
“I love you.”
What Namjoon was not expecting was for Jimin to choke on his next breath and collapse into the ocean, his body giving out on him and impeding his flight.
“Oh fuck,” Namjoon cursed, darting under the water to retrieve Jimin, who had fallen backwards with enough force to have him sinking down from the weight of his costume and the sword he always kept on his person.
He sped them towards the shore once Jimin was safely in his arms and laid him back on the sand, watching as the silver-haired prince sat up and coughed a few times before sitting there frozen and breathing unevenly.
“Jimin?” Namjoon said the name with the utmost tenderness and was shocked to see tears cascading down his beautiful face. “Why are you crying?”
“Because this isn’t real,” he sniffed.
“What are you talking about?”
“This,” he waved wildly around them. “You! Your l-love. It’s not real. And if it is it’s not meant for me and you’re saying it out of misplaced guilt. You don’t need to tell me what you think I need to hear to get me to come back for the League. I know my duties and I haven’t been sitting idly. I’ve been protecting nearby communities and helping preserve the local ecosystems and habitats. The animals all love me!”
“I know,” Namjoon chuckled. “On the way, the seals were raving about how clean their waters were. They babbled about their savior being a flying angel, but I didn’t take them seriously, assuming it was just a helicopter of scientists or conservationists that was hanging around. The description is more accurate than I thought. You are a flying angel.”
“Stop,” Jimin ran a hand through his wet hair and his his face from the Atlantean.
“Why? I’ve held back my true feelings for long enough. You deserved to hear this months ago.”
“Months ago?”
“How long do you think I’ve loved you, Jiminie? It didn’t start an hour ago,” he offered him a gentle smile, dimples and all, and Jimin released a little gasp.
“You said it again.”
“I did,” Namjoon teased.
“Asshole,” Jimin glared. “This is a lot for me to take in. I don’t feel the cold like humans do, but I did just take a dip into the Arctic Ocean. I’m on the verge of shivering.”
“Do you have a house nearby?”
“A cottage. I built it myself.”
“Wow.”
“I’m not a helpless little prince, you know.”
“I do know. You’re courageous, intelligent, and beautiful. A triple threat. And that’s not even including your perfect body and exceptionally adorable nature.”
Jimin’s mouth dropped.
“N-Namjoon, where is a-all of that c-coming from?”
“I told you. I hid the truth from you for too long.”
“And the truth is...that you...love me?” Jimin repeated his words so hesitantly Namjoon couldn’t help crouching down and pulling the smaller frame into his arms, straightening and carrying him against his chest. “Namjoon!”
“What?”
“I can fly, you don’t need to carry me,” he flushed.
“I know you have the strength to carry me--and maybe a stadium along with me--but let me have this moment. You’re cold and it is my fault after all. Just lead the way and relax.”
“Fine,” Jimin relented, pointing towards his cottage and silently guiding Namjoon there.
“This is nice,” Namjoon praised when they entered the small yet cozy looking cottage.
“Thanks,” Jimin murmured, wiggling to be put down once they were inside.
Namjoon chuckled but acquiesced, placing Jimin on the bed in the corner.
“Where did you get all the furniture?”
“I purchased it at the nearest town and flew it over.”
“And no one was alarmed by the appearance of a stranger as gorgeous as you and dressed like that? I know it’s a more isolated region, but Jungkook swears the entire world knows who we are.”
“I wasn’t wearing this,” Jimin glowered though it was more to hide the deepening blush from Namjoon’s casual stream of compliments.
“Are you angry with me, little prince?” he asked, his tone serious.
“No. Well, a little... You know what, yes.”
“Why?”
“
Why
? You were betrothed and on your way to marriage in a few months and you hadn’t told me anything about it! You acted th-the way you did w-with me and let me f-fall for you and d-didn’t tell me!” Jimin stumbled over his own words, but he didn’t bother holding them back anymore.
“I’m sorry,” Namjoon’s deep voice resonated with heartfelt sincerity. “I didn’t realize what was happening between us until it was too late and you were leaving. I wasn’t aware of my feelings until you were gone and I was left with all my thoughts and insecurities. It was not a good place to be,” he admitted.
“And now?”
“I imagine a different future for myself.”
“What about your marriage? And the throne?”
“I still plan to become king and become an honorable leader to my people...I am also still preparing for a marriage.”
“Then why the hell are you here?” Jimin’s voice was definitely angry now and tears bloomed in his narrowed eyes.
“Let me be more clear before you punch me into another plane of existence,” he raised his hands placatingly. “I’m not marrying Mera.”
“Wait, what?” Now Jimin looked bewildered. “But, you said you were preparing for a marriage?”
“I may have been too ambitious,” he laughed sheepishly. “I haven’t even asked you yet.”
“You need to ask me something?”
“Uh, yes?” Namjoon raised an eyebrow, noticing that Jimin was still in a state of confusion. “Now, I understand why Yoongi was so exasperated with me earlier. It’s a right in front of your face kind of thing.”
“Are you insulting me?” Jimin hissed.
“Actually, I was going to propose to you.”
Jimin’s small hands flew to cover his mouth.
“You’re not serious,” he said, the sound muffled behind his hands.
“Oh, but I am,” Namjoon winked, kneeling before Jimin, who gaped at him from the bed.
Namjoon pulled out the engagement ring, an intricately formed silver band with a gleaming pearl at the center. It had taken Namjoon an entire day to find that pearl, but it’s blinding whiteness reminded him of Jimin. Pure and angelic. Beautiful and brilliant. LIke it was made for the man before him to wear on his tiny finger.
“Jimin Park, Prince of Themyscira, beautiful angel of mine, my eternal ray of light...I love you. I never imagined being able to love, always perceiving my parents’ love as something unattainable, something I could never be allowed to have. But, fate--if such a force exists--gave me the opportunity of a lifetime placing you in my path. You are an extraordinary person and I swear I’ve become a better man because of you. I...Jimin, I can’t imagine a life without you. Please do me the honor of becoming my husband, my partner, and my king . Help me rule Atlantis. Help me be the best version of myself. Stay by my side for the rest of time...Will you marry me?” he finally asked.
The silence seemed infinite and Namjoon was seconds away from stumbling to his feet and muttering a million apologies before jumping back into the ocean to cry all the way to Metropolis or Atlantis, he didn’t even know where he would have gone. But, then Jimin’s melodious voice graced his ears once more.
“Yes. I’ll marry you, Joonie because...I love you too. So much more than you can even imagine.”
Namjoon smiled and slid the ring onto Jimin’s finger and pressed a kiss to the knuckle of his ring finger, leaning up to cradle Jimin’s face.
“Do you remember the shooting star we wished on all those weeks ago?”
Jimin nodded silently.
“I wished for you. Well, specifically I wished for your wish to come true because you were the most beautiful person, inside and out, and you deserved happiness. I would never have imagined we’d be here and that I’d get to share in your happiness.”
Jimin burst into a strangled mix of tears and laughter that made Namjoon stare, befuddled by his fiancee (his fiancee!) acting so strangely.
“Sorry, sorry,” Jimin hiccuped, wiping his tears and smiling brightly at Namjoon. “Do you know what I wished for?”
Namjoon shook his head.
“After you told me your parents’ story I wished that I could have my own love story and my own happy ending. With you, Joonie.”
This time it was Namjoon wiping desperately at his eyes as tears spilled forward. Jimin’s laughter was a lovely, grounding melody and Namjoon realized in their emotionally charged moment they had forgotten one thing.
“Little prince...my love, can I kiss you?” he asked in a careful whisper.
“I think I’ll kiss you first actually,” Jimin grinned before moving forward and capturing Namjoon’s lips in his own.
Namjoon tasted like the sea. Fresh and invigorating. Jimin tasted like pure bliss. Namjoon had no other words to describe the sensation of Jimin’s plush, pink lips against his.
When they pulled away they simply gazed at each other with matching dopey smiles. Namjoon was about to speak when he heard the telltale beeps of urgency from the comm link in his right ear.
“Just a second,” he told Jimin before answering the call telepathically (it was amazingly advanced technology crafted by Yoongi himself but Namjoon was mostly thankful it was waterproof). “Hello?”
“Namjoon! You said you were heading right back, but you should have been here! Oh wait, are you in Atlantis? Please say you aren’t,” Hoseok fretted.
“Namjoonie, come back to us!” Taehyung’s pout was evident from his shout in the background.
Namjoon chuckled.
“I’m not in Atlantis.”
“Are you home? Don’t lie to me, Fish Boy, I sent Seokjin to your place and it was dark and empty. Where are you?”
“Fish Boy? That’s offensive,” Namjoon made a face, which made Jimin giggle.
“I think it’s cute,” he winked.
“Who is that?” Hoseok demanded. “You’re not alone! Namjoon Kim/Aquaman/Fish Boy/whatever the hell else you go by--don’t leave me in suspense!”
“Your yelling is hurting my eardrum.”
“Namjoon!”
“Okay, fine fine!” Namjoon laughed. “I’m not alone. I’m with my fiancee.”
Jimin flushed when Namjoon took his hand again to press kisses from his palm to the inside of his wrist.
“Oh. My. God. Did you do it? Did you find him?”
“Yes and yes.”
The screech Hoseok let out made Namjoon wince, but he couldn’t be upset by his friend’s excitement, rapidly followed by more squeals of joy as Hoseok relayed the information to the rest of the League.
“We’re going to start planning the wedding ASAP.”
“Thanks, Hobi. We’ll be back soon,” Namjoon informed him.
“Tonight?”
“Hmm...no not tonight. We’re a little
busy
tonight,” Namjoon’s smirk was positively lewd and Jimin gave a little jump when Namjoon’s soft kisses turned into teasing nips at his wrist.
“Eugh, definitely didn’t need that information, but...have fun. We love you both. Congratulations. We’re so happy for you.”
“I know, Hobi. Jimin and I are so thankful to have you five as our best friends.”
“We love you!” Jimin added and Namjoon could swear he heard sniffling on the other end of the link.
“Bye, Hobi,” he chuckled.
“Bye, lovebirds!”
“So…” Namjoon let the syllable trail off as he turned his attention back to Jimin, who blinked innocently back at him.
“Yes?”
“Are you going to play coy?”
“Maybe we can play tag again. Catch me and I’m yours for the night. What do you think?”
“Absolutely not. You can fly. I can’t.”
“If you were truly determined, you would find a way,” Jimin challenged.
“Nope,” Namjoon pushed Jimin fully onto the bed and climbed up after him, blanketing him with his larger frame. “I’ve chased you and longed for you and missed you for long enough.”
“Me too,” Jimin murmured softly, lifting his now-ringed hand to caress Namjoon’s hair.
“I’m tired of being away from you.”
“Then never let me go, Joonie.”
“I can vow that I won’t,” he promised, dipping down to kiss Jimin’s forehead and then each temple and his nose and cheekbones.
He made his way down to Jimin’s smiling mouth without hurry, enjoying the feeling of his fiancee’s warm, smooth skin. And when he reached his lips he didn’t restrain himself, putting all his passion into the press of their lips.
“I love you,” he breathed into their kiss.
“I love you too,” Jimin replied.
And so it was that the King of Atlantis and the Prince of Themyscira fell in love.
FIN