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In a world where dragons and humans run freely among the city walls of Yera, Park Jimin, a dragon tamer, lives his life happily with his dragon lover at his side. Their story wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows, before the city walls were closed and dragons forbidden from having entry.
Before all of this, Jimin’s life wasn’t fame and fortune. Before this, he barely knew how to make a name for himself, he was just a boy, the adopted son of a noble with a past unknown to many. He was just a man who never spoke unless spoken to and even then it was a rare case, indeed.
Now; however, so many things are different. Jimin has found his voice. He’s found something, someone, who he’s forever sworn to protect from harm. Though more often than not, it’s his lover who protects him.
He once used to live with his father, unable to guess if he’d ever experience the life of living alone. Now, he’s been blessed by the King of Yaven, a beautiful kingdom indeed and lives among his fellow friends and other dragons in a house located on Palace grounds. To have his own space is nice to say the least.
It hasn’t been long since everything in his life changed. So fast that Jimin had a hard time putting it all together, sometimes he has to recollect himself despite it being a year since everything began. Since the day his dragon mark flared up and he was sent on a quest to save the remaining dragons in the world.
Jimin learned fairly quick though after these dragons were saved that there’s more than originally thought. More dragons, more secrets, and even a mysterious thing that could let a Tamer live an eternal life that has been on his mind for months now. He’s never known a way to mention it to Yoongi though. He’s never really cared too much about it, never had a desire to find it, but now as his birthday approaches and he’s once again reminded that he’s getting older; he can’t help but want it.
“Yoongi?” Jimin calls. The dragon tamer looks out from the kitchen towards the restroom where Yoongi is drying his hair. It’s something that only Jimin has been able to see, not just Yoongi drying his hair but Yoongi in general.
(The moon lights up the field in decadent colours of blue and white. The stars offer a twinkling light that reminds Jimin so much of Yoongi’s eyes. A beautiful golden hue. He could see galaxies in those eyes.
Though the reason he’s outside isn’t to stargaze or admire the moon but to see Yoongi staring up at the white circle in the sky. Jimin’s footsteps are soft, light. He takes a seat beside Yoongi and sighs.
“What are you doing out here so late?” Yoongi asks.
Late.
It is late.
Two o’clock in the morning and Jimin couldn’t sleep. Something told him he needed to be with Yoongi right now. Something screamed at him.
“I needed to be with you. That’s what my heart was saying.” Jimin answers truthfully. Yoongi’s tail wraps around Jimin offering him a small sense of warmth. He’s grateful for it. “Are you okay?”
“I was just thinking. Clearing my head, really.”
“What were you thinking about?”
“My human form.”
Oh.
Jimin’s eyes widen. He honestly never thought that Yoongi would mention that, but now that he has, he’s extremely curious.
“I’ve been afraid to turn into my human form in front of people for centuries now. When I was younger, a baby dragon, as one might call it, I was taught that a dragon only reveals their human form when they feel safest. When they love their Tamer.”
This is news to Jimin. Huge news. If it’s something from centuries ago when Yoongi was a young dragon, then it wouldn’t be known by Jeongguk, or even Hoseok and Seokjin. Maybe that’s why they were so comfortable changing into their human forms on Namjoon’s wedding day, because they were raised differently .
“The only ones who have seen it are Hoseok and Seokjin but they’re also dragons, so it makes sense. I’ve never shown my form to a Tamer before but…” Yoongi’s golden eyes look down at Jimin’s brown ones. “I want to show you.”)
Jimin remembers that day like it was yesterday despite it happening over a year ago. He remembers the pain and fear in Yoongi, the way he was scared that Jimin would reject him because of his human form, but Jimin knew. He knew that he would love Yoongi forever. He knew from the second he found Yoongi in the Dragon’s Den that they would be together for a long time. Forever.
Even now, Yoongi’s form has been kept from the others. Even though it’s been a year and they’re all as close as can be, it will take a while before Yoongi is comfortable enough to show everyone what he looks like in his human form. Sometimes Jimin wishes that day would come. Sometimes he wonders if it will ever come, but he never asks Yoongi. He never forces. That day will come on it’s own.
“Yes, Mimi?” Yoongi calls from the restroom. His mop of hair that was drying falls onto his face and he blows it out of his eyes. He looks from the mirror towards the kitchen, curiosity lingering on his face. They’re supposed to head out to breakfast with the others so Jimin doesn’t quite understand why Yoongi is spending the time messing with his hair but he doesn’t question it. All of this just gives him more time to admire him from afar. “Your eyes have a question in them, I can see that from here. I may have an answer.”
Jimin inhales and exhales a breath. He doesn’t know why he’s nervous to be asking about this. Why did it matter? Was it a big deal? Or maybe it was because it’s another dragon secret that he’s never been taught and maybe Yoongi will make fun of him for it. Of course, it’s not like Jimin could do anything about what he does and doesn’t know. After all, he wasn’t raised by tamers, and the only person who might know anything about being a tamer is Jeongguk who happens to be half-dragon.
“A long time ago,” Jimin begins. Yoongi sets down the hair dryer he was using and leans against the doorway to give Jimin his full attention. “And when I say a long time ago, I really mean like a year ago when we first met. I can’t remember who said it, but someone mentioned something that could give a Tamer eternal life. I was wondering if there was anything more you could tell me about it.”
Yoongi’s eyes widen as Jimin finishes his question. He crossed his arms over his chest, bites his lip and inhales. He looks nervous, taken aback by the question.
“You yearn for the Umbra. A stone that only dragon tamers can wield, one that hasn’t been seen or used in centuries.” Yoongi bites his lip again, “Why do you want it?”
Jimin pouts, surprised that Yoongi would even be asking such a question when it should be obvious. “Dragons live for a very long time, Yoongi. Us humans, don’t. I’m getting older and older every year, one day you’ll be without me. Alone in this world again and I want to change that. I want to find this stone, I want it so I can stay by your side for a long time.”
“You know, if you use it, you’ll live longer than everyone else right? Longer than Taehyung and Namjoon, mainly. Jeongguk will have a longer life span because he’s a halfling.”
“I know that.” Jimin dries his hands and walks over to the restroom to be closer to Yoongi. “I know that, but…we’re bonded. We’re fated together, Yoongi. I don’t want you to live without me, not if you don’t want to.”
“It won’t be easy to find, though, you know.” Yoongi points out. Jimin shrugs.
“I’m up for the challenge. I had to track you down at one point too, remember? I can find this. Besides, I’ll have you with me and I know someone with a lot of connections, we’ll figure it out.” Jimin smiles gleefully as he leans up and gives Yoongi’s nose a kiss. “Will you help me?”
“Of course. Just say the time and I will. Any day, any night. I’m yours.” Yoongi pulls Jimin in close and gives him an actual kiss then.
“I love you.”
“I love you.” Yoongi muses.
♡︎
“Your Majesty!”
The words echo throughout the palace as if there’s no one inside but there is. Guards linger at every corner, listening, watching but never making a sound nor moving. It took Jimin a while to get used to seeing but never hearing them, sometimes he wonders if they’re silently judging him. Or if they’re envious of the life he’s currently living.
The Majesty in question—Kim Taehyung—turns on his heel. There’s a small pile of books and paperwork stacked up in his arms. It must be on his list to finish today, Jimin feels bad for bothering him but he has a question and who better to ask than the man with all the connections?
“How many times must I remind you that you need no longer call me by that title, Jimin?” Taehyung scolds the moment Jimin catches up to him. Jimin smiles sheepishly. For the past year, it’s something that Taehyung has been trying to get Jimin out of the habit of doing, but it’s not easy when for all of his life, Taehyung was his King. “We’re family now. Actually, we have been for over a year. I’m just your brother.”
“Brother or not, you’re still my King. It’s not something I can get to used to for a while, but one day I will, I promise Your—Taehyung.”
Jimin still remembers how quiet he used to be in Taehyung’s presence. A shadow to his elder brother—Prince Kim Namjoon—Taehyung’s husband. Now that he’s found his own voice though it’s easier for him to say what he wants, ask for what he needs, speak out. Jimin is grateful for it.
“I assume there’s a reason for your visit.” Taehyung gathers. He tilts his head to the side in curiosity. “Might I inquire as to what it is?”
The question that he was thinking of slips from his mind but the moment he sees Hoseok flying outside of the palace window, he’s reminded of what it was and clasps his hands together gracefully.
“As a King, you have many connections. Piles and piles of knowledge, and if you do not know something, you can figure it out with the help of others. I’d like to ask you for your help with something.”
Taehyung immediately looks curious, even more so than before. “You rarely ask anything of me, I must say I’m taken aback. However, I’m honored to be of service, what can I do?”
“I’m curious about a stone. One that only Dragon Tamers are capable of wielding. Yoongi said it’s called the Umbra, do you know anything about that?”
A thick silence falls between the two of them as Taehyung’s face twists into one of thought. He purses his lips, places a hand on his hip and looks away from Jimin. It might be a long shot that Taehyung will know anything considering all Dragon lure and Dragon Tamers were thought to be non-existent until last year, but maybe he’ll get lucky.
“The Umbra is a small stone,” another voice chimes from below them. Jimin whips his head to the staircase only to see Jeongguk staring at them interestingly. He has an amused look on his face. “Like you said, only Dragon Tamers can use them, but it's a beautiful stone so I wouldn’t be surprised if a mere human had it simply for decoration.”
“You know about the stone, Jeongguk?” Jimin asks, surprised. Maybe he shouldn’t have been surprised though. Maybe he should have expected him to rather than Taehyung.
“I’m half-dragon, Jimin, remember? Plus, I was raised by a Tamer too. They taught me everything I needed to know about our magical world.”
“Can you tell me where to find it?”
Jeongguk and Taehyung take turns looking at each other before Taehyung finally speaks up. “It’s here in Yaven,” he explains. Jimin’s eyes widen in happiness, “However, a noble has it. Do you remember Nobleman Cal? It’s one of his favourite treasures, a gift he gave to his youngest daughter—Noelle—I worry you may not get your hands onto it, Jimin.”
Jimin’s heartbreaks. No. No no no no. He can’t give up this easily. There’s bound to be a way that he can get it, right?
“Well…is there anything I can do? Anyway to get it from him? A trade of sorts? Can’t you order it on behalf of the palace?”
“That would be abusing my power, and I won’t do that.” Taehyung huffs. He holds the pile of papers tighter and glances at Jeongguk again. “You can go and ask him for it, see if there’s anything he would trade for it, but I doubt there’s any hope unfortunately.”
“I see,” Jimin mopes. He’s never been good at negotiating. He’s never had a need to, but if he really wants this stone, he may have to. “Would he speak with me? I know I’m considered a Nobleman but I’m still a Tamer, would he see me?”
“I don’t see why he wouldn’t.” Taehyung confirms. “He has nothing against you or the other dragons being here. In fact, Noelle comes here quite often to see Hoseok and Seokjin.”
“However, Jimin,” Jeongguk intervenes. Jimin turns his head to look towards him. “If you’d like, I can accompany you to visit him.”
Jimin smiles. He nods his head gratefully. “I would truly appreciate that, Jeongguk. Thank you.” He turns his head to look back at Taehyung and bows, “And you, Your Majesty—“
“ Taehyung.”
“Okay, alright, Taehyung , thank you for sharing what you know. It means a lot.”
“Trust me, if I knew about a stone that could give me eternal life to live with Namjoon forever, I would want to find it too.” Taehyung boasts. He erupts into laughter. “I know how much this means to you so you can be with Yoongi. I hope you’re able to figure out something, Jimin.”
“Me too.” Jimin murmurs. “Me too.”
To imagine what his life would be like if I failed…one day when I’m gone, Jimin thinks. He shakes his head, no, I shouldn’t think such things. I’ll find a way to get it from Nobleman Cal. I’m sure of it.
“We can go now, Jimin. I have to speak with Nobleman Cal about something anyways so this was perfect timing.” Jeongguk offers. Jimin takes a step to follow along but before he does, Taehyung hands him a small packet and addresses that he delivers it as well. “It hopefully won’t take us too, Seokjin, Hoseok and Yoongi wanted to treat us to dinner tonight, but don’t tell them I told you.”
Laughter escapes Jimin. He needs to find that stone. He doesn’t want to risk losing moments like this.
♡︎
The road to Cal’s house isn’t a far trail. Jeongguk and Jimin arrive within ten minutes of leaving the palace plus they had time to pick up a little gift for tiny Noelle. A small bin filled with decadent chocolates, her favourite. Jimin couldn’t help but wonder how often Jeongguk visits for him to know such a thing about her, but he doesn’t question it. It's hardly any of his business.
A path leads up to the doorway. Grey and scattered with stones that lay at their feet. There’s weeds poking out, a gardener definitely needs to come and clean up the patches, but that isn’t something he needs to point out. Surely, Nobleman Cal is well aware of things regarding his own personal life. He doesn’t need someone he’s hardly spoken with to interrupt or butt in.
Jeongguk leads the way to the door. He knocks on it and waits, rocking back and forth on his heels with the box of chocolates resting in his arms. It only takes a short while before the sound of a lock turning echoes throughout the area and they come face to face with Nobleman Cal. A smaller figure pokes their head in between his legs and looks at the two of them. Jimin immediately recognizes her as Noelle.
“Jeongguk.” Cal beams. He smiles happily as he motions for Noelle to back up so that Jeongguk and Jimin can enter the house with ease. “And Park Jimin, the King’s brother, to whom do we owe the honors?”
Jeongguk crouches down until he’s on one knee and beckons for Noelle to come closer. He holds out the box of chocolates for her and smiles as she takes them into her hands, a soft word of gratitude is spoken before she hides away behind her father once more. The shy type, Jimin recognizes. That’s how he was, that’s how he still is. Even if he has his own voice now, it doesn’t mean he’s any less shy.
“I’ve come for two matters,” Jeongguk says as he stands back up, “One of them can wait until further notice; however, the other cannot. Do you still have in your possession the Umbra?”
Cal straightens up at the mention of the stone. His eyes wander over to Jimin but immediately look away. He nods his head, “Of course I do. It was a gift from Ann, I gave it to little Noelle some time ago. Why do you ask?”
“I promise I will explain,” Jeongguk continues. He glances at Jimin, then Noelle than looks back at Cal. “Could we see it, sir? We’d like to take a closer look at it.”
“Of course.” Cal looks down at Noelle again. “Dear, can you grab that pretty stone we keep in your room? Jeongguk and Jimin would like to look at it.”
Noelle’s eyes fill with something that looks like excitement as she happily bounces off to her bedroom to collect the stone her father requested. Jimin holds his hands behind his back. His eyes stare around the room they’re standing in. There’s nothing out of the ordinary, nothing too dramatic nor boring. It feels warm, cozy. It feels like a home. Jimin tries to relax but he’s never been inside before, he’s a little bit on edge.
Moments later, Noelle comes back with a small stone resting in her hands. She passes it off to Cal who in return gives it to Jeongguk for him to look at.
“Might I know the reason you’re looking for the Umbra, Jeongguk? Or rather, Jimin, I should say. It’s you who wants it, correct?” Cal crosses his arms over his chest and glances at Jimin.
Jimin has never quite understood Nobleman Cal. Since the day that it was announced he was a Dragon Tamer, Cal has taken a dislike to him. Rather than being polite on most occasions, he comes off as brash and abrasive. The only reason he’s being decent today is because of Jeongguk’s presence. Without it, he doubts this whole conversation would have gone smoothly.
“I’m sure you’re aware of the Umbra’s powers, yes?” Jimin asks. Jeongguk holds the stone out for them to both look at. It’s a radiant purple stone with what looks like silver glitter inside of it. Jimin feels as if it’s calling out to him, asking him to hold it, to feel it, to touch it, to own it.
He can hardly stop himself when his fingers reach out and brush against the cool rugged surface of the stone. A weird sensation burns through Jimin as he does, the stone glows brightly, but not so much that it blinds them. Jimin’s hand falls to his side, his eyes widen, Jeongguk’s too.
“What did you do?” Cal questions. He takes a step forward, Noelle lets out a soft gasp of amazement. “How? I’ve never seen it do such a thing before. I—“
The sound of glass shattering has everyone breaking their surprise. Cal immediately moves to cover Noelle from any danger as three people push their way into the house towards them. Jimin grits his teeth as Jeongguk begins to draw his sword but before he can, one of the intruders is pushing him against the wall and snatching the stone from his hand. A yelp of pain escapes Jeongguk then and he clutches onto his shoulder.
“ Jimin! Jeongguk!” A voice cries. Jimin throws his head back to look out the front door to see Yoongi landing on the ground just outside. He’s in his dragon form, a look of displeasure and worry rests upon his face and eyes. Jimin can read him like clear water. “Are you two alright? What just happened?”
Jimin hardly has time to answer what Yoongi’s question is as Nobleman Cal lets out a cry of his own from being attacked. The moment Jimin realizes that this is getting bigger than merely the stone, he rushes forward and swoops Noelle up into his arms to protect her. He dashes out of the house with her, she’s shaking, scared by the whole ordeal that is taking place, but Jimin tries his best to calm her down.
“Do you like dragons, little one?” Jimin asks. Noelle nods her head quickly, “I heard you like to visit the dragons we have at the castle. I’m going to leave you here with Yoongi, okay? He’ll keep you safe. I promise your Dad is okay. He’s tougher than he looks.”
“What is going on?” Yoongi questions, but Jimin shakes his head having little to no time to explain. Jimin sets Noelle down on the ground and mere seconds later, Yoongi is wrapping one of his wings around her to keep her safe from whatever is currently going on.
Jimin wastes no time in running back inside of the house. Jeongguk is no longer resting against the wall, instead he has his sword drawn and he’s fighting one of the intruders. Cal is doing the same. That leaves one. The same one that took the stone, the leader, Jimin assumes.
Looks like you’re mine, Jimin chants in his head.
Throughout the last year, he’s been working on his fighting skills. Whether it’s with a knife, a bow or simply hand-to-hand combat, he’s gotten most of the techniques down. Since he hadn’t expected anything to happen, he didn’t bring a weapon with him. He didn’t see the point. Now he wishes he had, but he’ll make do with what he can. He’s not letting these intruders get away with what they have done. They won’t get away with stealing the stone, attacking Cal and Jeongguk or scaring Noelle. Jimin will see to it that they’re punished.
“Where’s Noelle?” Cal grunts mid-fight with one of the intruders. He never looks away from his enemy. That’s one thing that Jimin admired him for. His eyes were always focused, always concentrated. “Is she safe? Did they hurt her?”
Jimin shakes his head as the leader of the intruders stuffs the stone into his pocket and cracks his knuckles. Jimin positions himself in his fighting stance, ready to attack but also ready to block if need be. “She’s safe. As soon as they attacked you, I grabbed her and brought her to Yoongi. She’s shaken up but beyond that there isn’t a single scratch on her.”
“Good.” Cal lets out a breath of relief. “Thank you for protecting her.”
Always, Jimin answers to himself. I won’t let anyone get hurt. It’s a promise he’s made to himself. One he intends to keep.
The leader throws the first punch, but Jimin moves out of the way just in time so the strike ends up hitting and damaging the wall. They’ll definitely have to pay for the damage, after all, the only reason they attacked was because of him. Because he wanted the stone. He doesn’t see why they wanted it though, it’s of no use to them, it’s of no use to anyone but Jimin. Maybe they were hoping for a good coin. Who knows?
While the leader struggles to get his fist out from the wall, Jimin takes the offensive giving it everything he’s got from kicks to punches to swings. Cries and grunts of pain echo throughout the walls of Cal’s home and Jimin can only pray that Noelle doesn’t hear all of this. He doesn’t want this to be something she remembers if they can help it.
One by one the men drop. Jeongguk finishes off his first, a swift hit in the neck knocks him out cold. Cal beat his enemy up enough times that he also blacked out and the leader ultimately gave up once he realized how screwed he was.
“Well, would you look at that.” Cal comments. He places his hands on his hip as Jeongguk walks over to see the three of them together. “What a turn of events.” He looks around his house and grimaces, “And my home…my lovely home.”
It’s true. What Jimin thought was once warm and cozy is now cold and broken. A simple reminder of what just happened. It’s crazy how things can change in the blink of an eye.
Jimin turns towards Cal and bows, “I’m so sorry about all of this. If I didn’t bring up the stone at all then maybe your home would still be okay. I…I didn’t realize the risks we could be taking by bringing this up.”
“I’m going to get some help to bring these three in.” Jeongguk says. He sheathes his sword and exhales a breath, “His Majesty will pay for the repairs, Nobleman Cal. Please do not take this out on Jimin, I was the one who invited him to join me today. This is my fault.”
“Neither of you are to blame,” Cal states. He crosses his arms over his chest, sighs and shifts his weight from one leg to another. “Bandits are running around like crazy if they hear anything remotely close to treasure. It’s become an annoying problem. It was only a matter of time before they attacked my home, as well as the other Nobles. I’d keep your guard up.”
“Understood. I’ll relay that to His Majesty as well.” Jeongguk nods and looks towards Jimin. “Can you finish things here? I’m going to get some more guards.”
“Of course,” Jimin bows his head and watches as Jeongguk quickly departs. He can hear him and Yoongi talking in the background but listens to very little of it. “Um…about that stone…the Umbra…”
“My wife Ann gave it to me,” Cal cuts off. He clears his throat and runs a hand through his hair. His eyes are focused on the hole in the wall. It’s right next to a picture frame, one with three people in it. Jimin assumes the woman is Ann. “She was a Dragon Tamer like yourself, Park Jimin. When Noelle was born we both assumed she would be a Tamer too but so Ann gave the Umbra to her. A gift.”
Was.
The word echoes in Jimin’s head. This won’t be a happy story, will it?
“However, since my wife no longer had the Umbra with her, she eventually got sick and passed. That’s not to say that all Tamers will get sick if they give up the Umbra, no it doesn’t work that way, but it’s how her life played out.” Cal closes his eyes and inhales a shaky breath. “She asked me to pass the Umbra to another Tamer, one who might live a happier and longer life than hers. Noelle isn’t a Tamer, I’ve learned that, so if she says you can have it, it’s all yours.”
Jimin lowers his head. He’s grateful that Cal would be willing to part with the Umbra despite it meaning so much to him. However, he knows now that he’ll have to negotiate with Noelle rather than Cal himself. If he thought Cal would be a challenge, he worries how it will go with little Noelle.
“Jimin? Is it safe now?” Yoongi asks. Jimin turns on his heel to see Yoongi looking at him with his head cocked to the side. Noelle peeks out from underneath Yoongi’s wing, worry is written all over. Jimin nods.
“It’s safe now, Noelle. You can come out.” Jimin calls.
The second she hears those words, Noelle is running out from behind Yoongi’s wing to the house where she immediately finds her father and crashes into him. Cal scoops her up and spins her around. “I’m okay, little angel. I’m okay. There’s nothing to fear, Daddy is here and the bad guys were taken care of.”
Jimin walks over to the leader of the group and digs around in his pockets until he finds the Umbra once again. It pulsates in his grasp, a warm sensation emits from it. It almost reminds him of when he and Yoongi were still completing their bonding process last year. It feels nice.
He admires the stone. The way the purple and glitter collide with each other, the way it emits a small glow while sitting in his hand, while in his possession. It must be a way to show that it’s truly working, it’s doing its job of keeping him alive, safe from danger. He wishes it could work on everyone but then it would have been impossible to get his hands on.
“Noelle,” Cal begins. He sets her down on the ground once again and motions towards Jimin. “Our visitor has a question he’d like to ask you. Remember though, the decision is yours so you can say no if you’d like to.”
Jimin glances at Cal and Noelle, then he crouches down and shows her the stone. “This stone, Noelle, is very special. It’s magical for someone like me but it’s yours. I was wondering if we could do a trade. I’ll give you something in return for this stone. I know it means a lot to you though so please think about it.”
Noelle looks down at the stone. She stares at the way it glows in Jimin’s hands. A faint smile rests upon her lips as she looks up and says, “You're just like Mommy, right? This stone used to glow when she had it too. It’s so pretty.”
“I am, yeah.” Jimin confirms. Another Tamer he never had the pleasure of meeting. He can only wish he was born a few years prior. A few years sooner. Maybe he would know so much more. “That’s why this stone is so precious to me, that’s why it’s so important.”
A small silence follows. Noelle purses her lips as she thinks. Whether she’s debating if she wants to agree or what she wants in return, Jimin has no clue. He can only hope that she’ll agree and he’ll be able to have this stone.
When Noelle looks up and away from the stone, her eyes immediately look out of the door towards where Yoongi is still sitting waiting patiently for Jimin to leave. He feels bad for making him wait so long.
“You can have the stone,” Noelle says, “But…I want to fly around on him.”
Jimin’s eyes widen. That is not at all what he expected her to say. Even Cal seems taken aback by her statement. They lock eyes. Would Cal even allow that? Would Yoongi even allow it?
“I-I…” Jimin stammers. He hasn’t a clue how to respond to that. Did he agree? Or…?
“Honey, you need to ask the dragon about that. Jimin can’t answer that one.” Cal states. Jimin blinks. Did that mean Cal was okay with it? As long as Yoongi agrees? He tilts his head to the side but looks towards Yoongi and motions for him to come closer.
“Yes?” Yoongi asks as he approaches. “What is it, Jimin?”
“Um…well, you see here. I was just negotiating with Noelle about the stone and now she has a question for you.” Jimin answers.
“Oh?” Yoongi tilts his head to the side. “What is it?”
“Ask your question.” Jimin whispers.
“Can I fly on your back?” Noelle asks without hesitation. She must really be determined to fly on a dragon’s back. How long has she dreamed of it? Hadn’t Taehyung mentioned something about it earlier? Or did he simply imagine it? “In return for the stone…I want to fly on your back.”
“Oh.” Yoongi melts. He lowers his head and sticks inside of the house nudging Noelle slightly. “Sure thing, kid. I’d love to give you a ride.”
“He said yes,” Jimin whispers again. “You can have your ride.”
Noelle bursts into a ball of happiness then. Cheers and screams erupt from her as Jeongguk returns with two other guards to take care of the bandits who broke in. Cal turns to look at Jimin and smiles, “The stone is yours then. Thank you again for keeping her safe.”
“Always.” Jimin’s grip on the Umbra tightens. “I promised myself I’d never let anyone get hurt if I can prevent it. Though again, I’m sorry about your house.”
“It’s fine. Messes were made but they can easily be replaced.” Cal dismisses the new situation. Instead he picks Noelle up and carries her outside so he can put her on Yoongi’s back for her payment.
Jimin watches happily. Though it’s different than a humans, he knows Yoongi is smiling right now, and as he holds the stone tighter and tighter, he realizes something.
With the power of this stone, he’ll be able to witness that smile for all eternity.
That puts the biggest smile on his face.