Chapter Text
“Who is that [boy] I see staring straight back at me?
Why is my reflection someone I don’t know?
Somehow, I cannot hide who I am, though I’ve tried
When will my reflection show who I am inside?”
-Reflection, Mulan
Jimin
The familiar chirping of the birds filled the crisp spring air as Jimin dipped his fingers into the reflective water of the pond in the royal gardens. God. Who was the boy even looking at him anymore. A 22-year old prince who had almost nothing going for him. The only boy he’d ever loved was dead and he knew his dad was disappointed that Jimin refused all of the people who courted him from neighboring kingdoms. But Jimin knew their attraction was hollow. They didn’t want Jimin. No they wanted “Prince Jimin”. They wanted the beauty, the power, the status. But they didn’t want him. They didn’t even know him. They were just “in love” with an image. A fake image. Because the truth was that Jimin was miserable. Always missing something deeply fundamental after Jungkook’s death.
“Jimin-ah…” Jin’s familiar and soft voice floats into his ears before he feels the familiar press of a comforting hand to his back.
Jimin looks up at the older boy through his eyelashes, his eyes seeming to hold so much emotion in them that Jin’s face falls even more when looks at him.
“Hello hyung.” Jimin whispers softly, melting into the familiar touch of his best friend of years.
“Oh Jimin-ah… I know today is a difficult day for you. But. It’s been 3 years now. And your father is throwing the annual “celebration of life” for Jungkook-ah tonight. And. He wants you there this year Jimin-ah.” Jin speaks softly, crouching down to Jimin’s level and looking him in the eyes.
“I know. He told me hyung. Says it’s leaving a bad image that I’m not showing up to his celebrations of life even though it was known that me Jungkookie became friends during his time working for us. But… it’s so hard hyung. To stand there and dance and converse like the only person I’d ever loved didn’t die 3 years ago today. To pretend like I wasn’t in love with him. To pretend… to pretend he was just my friend when he was so much more than that.” Jimin sighs, tears pooling up along his lash line that threatened to spill.
“I know Jimin. I know. But your father is worried about how this is looking to the public. And he’s right… People are getting suspicious. There’s two theories going around. That you and Jungkook weren’t as close as everyone thought you were or that you guys. Well then there’s the theory that’s true. That you guys were closer than everyone thought. That you were… in love.” Jin sucks in a deep breath, heaving a sigh and rubbing Jimin’s back.
Jimin chokes back a sob before the tears are spilling and for the first time all day Jimin is truly allowing himself to feel the raw, unfiltered pain. 3 years. He has lived the past 3 years of his life without the man he loved, who he still loves in some deep part of him. And Jimin knows, a part of him will always belong to Jungkook, will always love him. His first love that he will love for all of eternity. But he also knew. It was time. He needed to move on. Move on with his life. And the first step in doing so was attending this celebration.
“Ok. I’ll go.” Jimin says when the sobs subdue and his body stops shaking.
Jin carefully raises his hand to the younger’s face and wipes away his tears before placing a soft kiss on the top of his forehead.
“You’re so strong Jimin-ah.” He whispers against his forehead as he rubs his finger’s through the blonde’s hair, softly and ever so careful. With a nurturing aura almost similar to that of a mother’s and that thought makes Jimin giggle a little. Yeah. Mama Jin.
“Thank you hyung. This is just. My first step.” Jimin says, sighing as he feels the previous waves a sorrow and sadness be lifted off his chest.
“Of course Jimin-ah. I just want to watch you grow. And I wanted your heart to heal. And I want you to fall in love again. And I want you to to be happy again.” Jin says, slowly detangling his fingers from the blonde’s hair to slowly allow himself to stand up.
Jimin misses his comforting touches as soon as they leave him. Already feeling a little bit colder without the physical support of his best friend.
“Well. Let’s go get you ready.” Jin says, extending his hand out to Jimin who takes it and hoists himself up to his feet again.
“Yeah.” Jimin nods his head, letting a soft smile grace his lips as him and Jin walk hand in hand back to the castle.
“Sooo. The dress code for these celebrations are always like white, black and red. Because those were Jungkook’s favorite colors. So I’m pretty sure your father had an outfit prepared already for you. And if you want we can do your makeup and your hair as well?” Jin suggests when they get closer to Jimin’s quarters.
“Yeah. Jungkook deserves me at my best.” Jimin says, smiling weakly.
“Okay then. I know the perfect hair accessories for you then. I’m sure we’ll have you look your absolute best Jimin-ah.” Jin says, squeezing Jimin’s hand comfortingly in his own.
When they arrive at Jimin’s door to his quarters he’s a little surprised to see Kim Namjoon, one of his brother’s knights, standing near the door.
“Oh! Namjoon-ah! What are you doing here?!” Jin exclaims upon seeing the man, reaching his hand to poke at the knight’s cheek.
Jimin sighs. Weren’t these two supposed to be keeping things a “secret” and “under wraps”? Well. They weren’t very good at it.
“His Majesty requested that look after Prince Jimin for just today. As this will be the first of these celebrations the young prince has attended. His father was worried.” Namjoon explains, unconsciously reaching his own hand up to wrap around Jin’s finger.
“Ohhh! Makes sense I suppose.” Jin reasons, lowering his finger to look back at Jimin who has taken a very special interest in the ceiling.
“Yes. Are you helping the prince get ready for the party?” Namjoon asks Jin, sneaking a quick kiss to the older’s finger.
“I am. So we should go. That way I have more than enough time to have Jimin-ah looking his absolute best!” Jin says, squealing a little bit when the larger man kisses his finger, his cheeks flushing red and he looks back once again at the prince waiting for him.
“I suppose I should let you go then.” Namjoon grumbles, obvious disappointment lacing his voice.
“I suppose.” Jin teases with a slight smirk at the corner of his mouth and then turning fully to Jimin before saying, “Let’s go Jimin-ah. We have to bathe and ready you for the celebration.”
Jimin walks up to the pair, side eyeing them slightly before following Jin into his quarters.
“You know you two are quite obvious in your affections to each other.” Jimin says, a frown etching his features.
“Now now Jimin-ah don’t frown like that. It’ll wrinkle your perfect face.” Jin teases, using his hands to smooth down the lines caused by the dramatic prince’s pouting before admitting, “I know we’re obvious in front of you Jimin-ah. But we’re more careful around others. We just trust you.”
Jimin smiles softly and his heart fills with pride at being trustworthy enough that his hyungs don’t feel like they have to hide their relationship around him.
“Now. Let’s get you in the bath.” Jin says, walking into the large bathroom and Jimin can hear the familiar rush of water as the older dips his hand under the stream to test the water temperature, turning the knob until it’s perfect and letting the tub fill up all the way.
Jimin unbuttons his top slowly allowing the fabric to fall to his feet and doing the same with his pants and underwear. When Jin gives him the okay he delicately eases into the bath. Allowing the warm water to seep into his bones and carry away the tension in his muscles. He lets out a sigh of relief as the water sloshes around for a while before settling back, the bubbles from the bath soap fizzing and tickling Jimin’s skin ever so slightly.
Jin comes behind him, soapy hands running through his long hair and massaging the shampoo into his scalp and Jimin leans into the touch. The older then rinses and repeats the same with conditioner, allowing it set while he massaged Jimin’s shoulders, finger methodically pressing into his muscles and rolling out the knots in his neck. And Jimin is at peace for even a little bit in this nightmare of a day.
When Jin deems him clean enough he rushes off to get a towel for Jimin and helps him out of the tub once said towel is secure. Jimin revels in the soft, fluffy and warm feeling of the obviously recently cleaned towel. Jin helps him pat down his skin and takes the time to methodically run a towel through his hair, soaking up as much of the water from his hair strands as he possibly can. Treating the golden blonde strands like they are actually pure gold.
“The outfit you’re father had made for you is sitting on your bed Jimin-ah. Go get changed and then I will do your hair and makeup.” Jin says, giving his back a small pat to encourage him in the way of his room.
Jimin nodded his head before softly pattering his way to his bed where the outfit had been laid out for him. And his breath caught. Oh… This was so so cruel. He knew those necklaces. Ones that made their home so beautifully around Jungkook’s neck. Jimin reached out and pressed his fingers to the cold metal. The cold metal he had wrapped his fingers around so many times in steamy make outs in dark corners. Cold metal that had pressed against his cheeks when he had laid on Jungkook’s chest. Cold metal that Jungkook should still be wearing. Cold metal that should be warmed by the body heat of the man he loved. Cold metal that will never be warmed by the man again.
Jimin blinked away the hot tears threatening to fall once more. Looking away as he let the towel drop and replacing its fluffy material for that of the cotton of his underwear and the elegant fabric of his pants. He slipped the soft lacey top on, leaving the jacket for after Jin had done his hair. And then he reached for the necklaces, hand pausing and breath catching one last time before he grabbed them to take to Jin to put on.
“Here Jin-hyung. They laid these out for me to wear.” Jimin said softly once he was in the bathroom again, holding his hand out for the man to take the chains.
Jin picked up the necklaces delicately, his own breath catching when he sets his eyes on them. But Jimin just lifts his hair up and nods his head. So Jin reaches around, putting the necklaces on, clasping them to the right length in the back and soothing them down so they fell in the right places.
“Jimin-ah…” Jin goes to start but Jimin shakes his head with a soft “Don’t.” and so Jin doesn’t. He instead picks up the brush and brushes it through Jimin’s beautiful blonde locks, working all the little knots out of it so he could do his hair.
He works his hands softly, braiding sections in his hair, two dutch braids on top and two a little to the side. Tying them off with little clear elastics and leaving the rest of his hair to fall in beautiful cascades down his neck and back. When he’s done with his work he rounds around the front, styling Jimin’s bangs so they perfectly frame his beautiful, soft face. He can’t himself from placing another soft kiss on the blonde’s forehead in comfort. And Jimin raises his hand over Jin’s softly, accepting the comfort.
“I’m so sorry you sweet boy. The world truly is too cruel to the nicest people. To the people who don’t deserve it.” Jin whispers lowly into Jimin’s forehead who tears up again, reaching up to wipe them away quickly before they can fall.
“Thank you.” Jimin says barely a whisper, barely audible.
Jin nods his head and carefully starts doing Jimin’s makeup, making sure to highlight his soft features and show off the already natural beauty that’s there. Once Jimin’s make up is done, Jin lifts his chin to inspect making sure everything is as close to perfection as he can manage. He’s still doing this when there’s a knock at Jimin’s door and Jin looks away and moves his fingers away from Jimin’s face.
“Stay right here Jimin-ah. I’ll be right back.” Jin says before walking off to go open the door.
Jimin hears Jin whisper with the person at the door before sending them off with a “Thank you so much.”
When Jin comes back into the bathroom he’s carrying a wooden box that he sits down on the counter. When Jin opens up the lid Jimin’s breath catches in amazement. In it is a beautiful silver crown with red ruby jewels.
“It’s beautiful.” Jimin says in amazement, wonder filling his eyes.
You’d think things like this, crowns and jewels, wouldn’t amaze Jimin after them being his normal since he was born. But Jimin wasn’t blind to beautiful things. He still is astonished everyday by the beauty of the thing he gets the privilege of wearing.
“I thought it could fill being the red in your outfit along with the rings.” Jin says, opening a drawer and bringing out one of Jimin’s jewelry boxes. He rummages around it before pulling out 4 rings, all silver with red jewels. Jin grabs Jimin’s hand softly, delicately slipping each of the jewels onto his fingers. He drops his hand softly and turns his attention to the wooden box and the crown inside of it.
Jin reaches in so delicately making sure he has a sure grip on it so he doesn’t drop it. That would be a disaster. He turns back to Jimin and softly places the crown onto Jimin’s head, allowing the chains to fall on his hair softly and the jewels sticking out brightly and perfect against his blonde hair. Jin positions the crown to where it won’t fall off and steps back, admiring his hard work before smiling and clapping his hands together.
“You look like absolute perfection Jimin-ah.” Jin says, stepping away so Jimin can look at himself in the mirror. And Jin wasn’t lying. Jimin looked stunning.
“Thank you hyung. It’s thank to you.” Jimin says, smiling at the older male before the sound of Jimin’s door opening fills his ears. Both him and Jin jump slightly, not expecting the sound before stepping out of the bathroom to see who it is.
Jimin sees Namjoon standing there, bowing.
“Sorry for the intrusion your highness but your father has requested I bring you now. So that you won’t miss your entrance.” Namjoon says, his head still bowed and Jimin smiles a little at how formal the knight is.
“Ah. You’re okay Namjoon-ah. Thank you so much. We can go now after I put on my shoes.” Jimin says before sitting down on the sofa at the end of his bed and pulling his shoes on, tying them himself and standing back up.
Namjoon stands up straight and offers his arms to Jimin who takes it and smiles at Jin before turning to the knight and nodding his head. Jin opens the door for the two and they walk into the hall, the clacking of Jimin’s heels echoing through the empty hall. The two of them walk together all the way to the entrance of the ballroom when Namjoon bows and wishes Jimin luck before turning and standing at the door.
One of the guards at the door nods for Jimin to walk in and Jimin pushes open the doors to the ballroom, stepping into the bustling room and walking to the edge of the balcony and the room seems to fall quiet at the sight of him. Chatter and talking stops as everyone turns their eyes and attention to him. And he’s used to this. To the quiet and the attention. It’s a heavy weight that comes with being his status, with being a prince. But even in the quiet Jimin can hear the notes of a piano playing a beautiful hymn. Probably the most beautiful song he’s ever heard and his eyes follow his ears down to the piano.
To the piano where he sits. Fingers playing those keys with natural ease. His focus entirely on the music notes on the sheet in front of him and his heart going into every note he plays. And oh. He’s beautiful. Handsome. Soft and Jimin can see muscles on those arms.
Time seems to stop. To slow down. And in that moment. Jimin’s life is changed forever.