Soft morning light seeps in through the window, and you hear Arahae in the shower. You’ve learned she’s a natural early riser and sometimes sneaks out for a morning walk before you’re awake. When you roll over onto your side and check your phone, butterflies whirl in your stomach.
JK
good morning
Memories from last night come rushing back. Remembering the frank conversation between you makes you bury deeper into the covers. Last night, there was a part of you that tried to convince yourself that he was high and wouldn’t remember anything in the morning. Even though you saw the sincerity in his eyes. Felt the weight of his words.
Jasmine
good morning
sleep well?
JK
very
let’s go sightseeing before the concert
Jasmine
we’re allowed to do that?
JK
as long as we’re back in time for hair and makeup
and you can’t let me out of your sight, remember?
Jasmine
you’re going to keep using this against me aren’t you
JK
only if you want me to
Smiling, you pull the covers over your face.
Jasmine
where are we going?
JK
hyde park and buckingham palace
I’ll tell the group chat
Love Yourself Tour
JK
Jas and I are going to hyde park and buckingham palace
who’s going?
Arahae squeals from inside the bathroom where she’s getting dressed. “Me!”
RM
getting ready now
Jimin
wait for me
Tae
me too
someone wake Yoongi up
Jimin
I’ll do it
Hobi
godspeed
I’ll be down in a sec
RM
your sacrifice will be remembered my brother
Jin
woke up to so many texts
sounds fun
You fling the covers off and change into your favorite fall street clothes. You’re adding extra touches to your makeup in the mirror when Arahae comes out of the bathroom in a cute and casual warm outfit. “I can’t wait to go to Buckingham Palace,” she says. “It’s gorgeous. I’ve always wanted to go there.”
“What’s it like?”
“Like being transported back to a time when debuting, dance cards, and suitors were the most important things.” She laughs softly. “Sometimes I wish courting was still mainstream. It feels like romance is dead.”
You look over at Arahae. “A fellow hopeless romantic, I take it?”
She sighs. “Maybe the most hopeless. I’ve tried dating apps, but they’re too dystopian. Gave me existential dread for months.”
“Yeah, they’re pretty awful. But I’ve seen you eyeing someone.”
She waves a hand. “He doesn’t think of me that way. I mean, he’s Park Jimin.” She looks down. “I’m just another girl from Seoul.”
“You can’t be serious,” you say. She shrugs. You turn her to face her own reflection in the mirror. “Look at you! You’re kind, spontaneous, bubbly, and a little chaotic. Anyone would be lucky to have you. Jimin is crazy if he doesn’t see that.”
She smiles. “Thanks. I needed that.” She studies you. “I have to ask. What’s going on between you and Jungkook? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him like this.”
Your heart quickens. “Like what?”
She shoves you with her shoulder. “Love drunk,” Arahae says, giggling. “I mean, the way he pounced Doyun was wild. Even if he deserved it.”
Heat spreads across your cheeks. “To be honest, I don’t really know.” You both grab your bags and head out of the room to the elevators. “I know how I feel.” She taps the elevator button and waits for you to continue. “Now that I’m with him, I don’t know if I can live without him.”
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Arahae gives you a look of understanding, and you both step into the elevator. As the doors are closing, you hear footsteps running over. “Wait!” A hand sticks between the doors causing them to reopen, revealing Jimin and Jungkook in cozy fall clothes.
“Speak of the devil,” Arahae says under her breath.
“I could say the same,” Jimin says, flashing a smile. You and Arahae exchange looks.
“Sobered up?” you ask Jungkook.
“Entirely.” You smile at him. “Let’s ride to Hyde Park together,” he says to Jimin and Arahae.
“Sure,” Arahae says.
You walk out of the elevator through the lobby and into the London air. The sky is smeared with clouds and watery sunlight peeks through in a few places. Three black SUVs line the front of the hotel on the cobblestone street.
Piling in the car, you and Jungkook take the back row and Jimin and Arahae fill the middle. The car pulls away, mazing through traffic. Jimin and Arahae start their own conversation in front of you.
“I hope you don’t think any of what I said last night was untrue just because I took the pain pill,” Jungkook says in a low voice. You stay silent. “I remember everything,” he says, looking into your eyes. “And I meant it.” You break his gaze, your lips tugging at a smile. “I wanted to make sure you knew that.”
You look back at him. “You don’t waste time, do you?”
“Not when I know what I want.”
“What exactly do you want, Jeon Jungkook?”
“That’s what I want to talk to you about. Later.”
The SUV pulls up to the side of the road. Getting out of the car, you take in the weathered arches and columns forming the entrance to Hyde Park. The other members pour out of the cars and gather at the front. As you walk through the park, dry leaves crunch on the stone under your feet, and there’s an edge to the crisp breeze. Autumn has painted every tree in shades of red, yellow, and orange. Manicured lawns stretch out around you and fountains trickle in the distance.
“It’s even more beautiful than the pictures,” Taehyung says. Others agree.
“How are you guys holding up during the tour so far?” you ask them.
“Besides my stupid heel injury, I’m loving it,” Jungkooks says.
“Tiring but worth every second,” Yoongi says. “I was trying to get some more sleep until someone woke me up.” Jimin laughs.
“Jimin, how are you still alive?” Namjoon asks.
“I thought about ending him, but after some consideration, I came to the conclusion that it wouldn’t be best for the group. So I decided to spare him,” Yoongi says offhandedly. “This time.”
You turn into a long stone road lined with towering, old oak trees. Underneath a canopy of yellow leaves, a hot cocoa stand rests. A sudden breeze armed with icy claws rakes through you, sending a shiver down your back as you realize the thin jacket you brought isn’t going to be enough.
“Take it,” Jungkook says, shrugging his jacket off. Jin announces he’s headed to the cocoa stand, and a few others follow.
“But–”
“I’ll be fine,” he says. You know you can’t argue with him when he gets like this. Resigned, you let him help you slip into his warm, oversized jacket. It smells like him, and you work to keep a clear hold on your thoughts as he walks over to the cocoa stand.
“So you were an ICU nurse, right?” Hoseok asks.
“I can’t imagine what that must’ve been like,” Namjoon says. Taehyung and Jin rejoin the group with drinks in hand.
“It’s just like any other job–corporate overlords, paperwork, and dissatisfied customers.” Arahae laughs. “Besides, if it got me here, maybe it was all worth it in the end.” You pause thoughtfully. “What I can’t imagine is being a trainee for years without any guarantee you’d debut or be successful. The amount of work you put in before any return is incredible. Whenever I was going through dark times, I’d listen to your music and remind myself that others have worked harder in more extreme circumstances than me only to still never give up on themselves and their dream.” You look down. “It gave me hope things would get better for me, too.”
“Have they?” Namjoon asks. Jungkook returns to your side and hands you a cocoa.
Your fingers fumble with an edge of Jungkook’s jacket, a small smile touching your lips. “I’m here with all of you. I’d say that’s a huge improvement.” You take a sip of the sugary chocolate drink, feeling it warm you.
“Our lives are a special brand of crazy, but I think you’re a pretty good addition,” Taehyung says, smiling.
“Can we go to the Buckingham Palace now?” Arahae pleads, adding a hint of aegyo.
“Who can say no when you ask like that,” Jimin says.
Chatting happily, the group weaves its way out of Hyde Park and crosses the street to Buckingham Palace. The grand building is stamped into the landscape against the rolling dreary clouds. Pops of purples, blues, and whites spill across the immaculate front gardens. Standing in the large front plaza, a statue topped with a gold angel looms over you.
“Let’s go!” Arahae says, pulling Jimin toward the Palace. Jimin laughs and lets her lead him. You hang back with the rest of the group, watching Arahe and Jimin run ahead. Passing through the large iron gates with the royal family crests and into Buckingham Palace, everyone meets in the first room.
The Grand Entrance has a deep red carpet with statues and gold accents. You inhale sharply at the tasteful opulence of the Palace.
“I’m going to the Picture Gallery,” Namjoon says. “It’s the Royal Family’s art collection.” Yoongi and Hoseok follow him. Jin and Taehyung veer off on their own quest.
With Jungkook at your side, you follow Arahae and Jimin forward up a small staircase to the most regal double staircase you’ve ever seen. The glittering swirls of gold are contrasted by a deep brown bannister. The same soft red carpet lines the stairs with paintings and vases nestled into the walls.
“Oh my god,” Arahae breathes, looking around. Arahae grabs your hand and pulls you. “Come on, we have to make our grand entrance!” You laugh as she drags you up the stairs. At the top, she stands at the crest of one staircase while you stand at the other. You pretend Jungkook’s oversized jacket is an elegant gown, placing a hand on the bannister. Arahae clears her throat and lifts her chin.
As you both descend the golden staircase, you lock eyes with Jungkook below. You match steps with Arahae, and a heavy silence cloaks the room. When you reach the bottom, you hold out a hand to Jungkook.
Taking it, he says, “Princess.” He bows and gently kisses your hand, letting his lips linger. Looking up at you, he straightens and holds his arm out. As you hook your arm in his, you hear Arahae laughing with Jimin. You both face the other couple.
“Now that we have the most beautiful women in all the realm, we shall drink, be merry, and live happily ever after,” Jimin announces.
Arm in arm with Jungkook, you weave through ornate rooms dripping in gold and chandeliers until you come upon a long hallway with dusty pink walls and art hung on every surface. The arched glass ceiling lets natural light filter in to touch the plush cream rug extending the length of the room.
Arahae and Jimin walk at their own pace around the room as you and Jungkook fall behind. You examine the art in silence, your footsteps echoing around the room until you see a landscape painting with delicate brushstrokes. The artist is so skilled, a soft light seems to emanate from the painting. “It’s beautiful,” you say.
“It is,” Jungkook says. When you turn to ask him a question, you see his gaze is set intently on you. Blushing, you look away.
You hear Arahae and Jimin giggling from another room and follow the sound to the source. You come to a cavernous room drenched in red with chandeliers hanging above. Jimin and Arahae are engaged in a playful regency-inspired dance.
Jungkook turns to you. “Would you do me the honor of giving me your first dance?” he asks, holding his hand out. “Unless there’s someone else, princess.”
“There is no one else.”
He smiles as he takes your hand. Placing your palm against his, you turn in a circle meeting his eyes. The room falls away. As you change directions, Jimin and Arahae bound over and cut in. Laughing, you switch partners and dance with Jimin. He flashes a full smile as you spin. You return to Jungkook, and he leans in. “Let’s get out of here,” he says.
“And go where?”
He gives a mischievous smile before he grabs your hand and runs off with you. Running through the Palace, you hear a Royal Guard call out and begin chasing you.
Jungkook curses, laughing. You hold tightly to him as he swiftly turns corners and flies through doorways, the extravagant Palace whirring around you. You burst through a door that spits you out into the cool, open air of a royal garden. He pulls you behind a row of tall hedges with a fountain in the middle. You both attempt to quiet your breathing as you hear the guard run outside. He places a hand over your mouth.
The guard paces the area before giving up and walking back inside. Jungkook releases his hand and you both fall into laughter. Looking around, you see you’re alone in the fragrant garden.
“I want to show you something,” he says. As you’re walking next to him, he interlaces his hand with yours. Leading you across a lawn and between trees, you come to a secluded garden with rows of roses in red, orange, and pink, their sweet scent wafting through air. The scenery takes your breath away. Letting go of your hand, he faces you. “I wanted to continue our conversation from earlier,” he says, brushing a strand of hair out of your face, “about what I want.”
“Do tell.”
He draws closer to you looking serious. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since I met you. And after I learned about your natural…inclinations,” he says, licking his lips, “I feel like I’m losing my mind.” Your heart pounds as you hold his intense gaze. “I want you, Jasmine. All I need to know is if you’re ready for something real with me. You’ll be mine,” he says, taking his thumb and brushing it across your lips. “Completely.”
“Yes,” you breathe.
His soft lips are on yours and his hand is in your hair. As you kiss him, you press yourself against him and feel a hardness between his legs that stokes a fire in you. He opens his mouth, deepening the kiss, and slips his tongue in. Sliding your tongue against his, you push against his hard cock, your hands aching to roam where they want. A groan escapes him as one of his hands encircles your neck and tightens with gentle pressure.
Droplets of water land on your face, and you both break away from the kiss breathless. As rain begins to pour, he kisses you again slowly and lightly.
You run laughing with clasped hands through the gardens back to the entrance of Buckingham Palace. By the time you reach the SUV waiting out front, you’re both drenched. Climbing into the back of the SUV, you see Arahe and Jimin running over smiling and soaked from the rain.
Jungkook moves next to you, turning your face towards him. “God, Jas,” he says in a low voice, his eyes full of need. “I’m going to have fun with you.”