Chapter Text
Jimin emerged from the cabin of the boat to see Jungkook standing there leaning against the opposite wall.
“You took long enough,” Jungkook said and pushed off the wall. “I trust you’re ready for your breakfast.”
“Why not? I am famished from spending nearly two hours cleaning up. I was left in such a state that,” Jimin stuttered unable to find the words to describe the mess he’d woken up to.” The sheets had been plastered to him, and there was a copious amount of evidence of his lovemaking with his husband. It had all been there on him. “Well in a complete state of disarray,” Jimin finished and turned on his heel to walk upstairs with Jungkook trailing behind him.
“I will make sure you get a double portion of food then and incidentally,” Jungkook continued as they reached the deck of the boat, “your attire isn’t at all appropriate for this trip. Is this all you packed?”
Jimin looked down at his outfit and then turned to Jungkook and realized the problem right away. His husband wasn’t wearing his usual silk trousers and lush coats instead he wore a simple muslin shirt and buckskin trousers. His hair wasn’t neatly styled and instead moved freely with the salty air of the ocean, and he looked glorious.
“I didn’t know about the trip and so I didn’t instruct Yoongi to pack appropriately.” Jimin considered and perhaps one of his riding outfits might work for the trip; although, the gold embroidery might be a bit too much. Truth be told, he wouldn’t have anything simple enough for this trip even if he had known about it.
“You are a bit shorter than I, but you are welcome to use anything of mine. I am sure we’ll find you something,” Jungkook said with a smile.
“You have never struck me as the sharing type.”
“Well we are married now, I will eat off your plate, sleep in your bed, and share everything I have with you.”
Jimin wasn’t sure what to do with this man that was now his husband and instead decided to evade. “What are you doing here? I wasn’t sure I’d see you since you escaped this morning.”
Jungkook grinned down at Jimin as he offered him his arm, “I had some things to see to. But I thought you might bolt, throw yourself overboard, and swim back to Busan so I came to make sure you didn’t.” Jungkook gave Jimin a bigger grin.
Jimin moved to the edge and looked out into the coast line. The shore was visible but definitely too far for anyone to realistically swim. “I think I can make it,” Jimin said teasingly. “The minute I touch the shore I’ll make sure to let everyone know that after being with someone you leave them wrapped in your mess and that you don’t keep your word to help clean up.”
“It wasn’t just my mess,” Jungkook said as he ran a hand down Jimin’s side.
“I will that you keep your hands to yourself and hold your tongue,” Jimin glared at Jungkook and looked around, but thankfully the deck was empty.
“It’s true isn’t it?”
Jimin simply sighed. There was really no point in bickering with his husband. He needed a giant cup of tea if he was going to do that because he was still exhausted from the physical exertions from the night before. “I am ready for breakfast if you can lead the way.”
Jungkook gave Jimin his elbow and led him around the deck of the boat.
“Can you tell me about the boat,” Jimin asked. He knew Jungkook’s boat was unique and that it had a peculiar name but besides that he didn’t know much. He admired the sea but as a gentleman he didn’t really have time to spend at sea.
“I’ve had this boat for a long time.”
“You bought it,” Jimin asked.
“No, I won it from a Bugis calalai,” walked to the edge and ran a hand down the wooden edge.
“You won it?”
“Yes,” Jungkook laughed and shook his head. “But it’s a long story, what I can say is that it has to do with Jin, some Buginese sailors in Banjarmasin, and a promise of marriage that may or may not have happened.”
Jimin didn’t even know what to say. Buginese sailors, a faraway land, and adventure? It was so far from the cold and damp rooms of the monastery.
“It’s a transportation cargo ship. The hull of the ship is like a sailing vessel of the red sea or Indian ocean. But it’s masts are akin to the schooners but the front mast is larger. It has a curved stern and keel and it’s on the smallerish side. There are boats much larger than this sailing south. Satan is a Palari but a Lamba or lambo is a similar style but larger.”
“You miss it,” Jimin pulled away and looked up at his husband.
“I do at times. It was fun sailing without a direct course. Someday ask me about Jin’s misspent youth,” Jungkook pulled Jimin close and led him towards the end of the boat. “Jin is older but he acts like more of a kid than I do.”
“Prince Jin is unique,” Jimin said trying to smoother a laugh when Jungkook looked down at him in disbelief.
“You’re much to kind,” Jungkook pulled Jimin forward towards a simple table.
Jimin took a seat and did his best to not laugh or agree with Jungkook. Prince Jin was a bit odd but he was also kind and caring. Jimin couldn’t think of another person besides Yoongi and Namjoon who was as kind, caring, and honest as Prince Jin. True, he did talk about his beauty quite a bit, but Jimin couldn’t blame him. It was true he was very beautiful.
“Good morning Captain.”
Jimin looked up to see one of the top five most handsome men he had ever seen, and that included the incomparable Prince Jin.
“Oh no,” Jungkook groaned. “Why are you here? I am going to kill Hoseok when I see him.”
Jimin watched interested as Jungkook tried to trip the handsome man, but he simply side stepped with grace.
“I am glad to see you are your usual cheerful self, Captain,” the man turned to Jimin and his smile widened. “I am Hyungwon at your service and it is lovely to meet you Lord Jimin.”
“Nice to meet you,” Jimin tipped his head slightly and did his best not to stare.
“Where is my coffee,” Jungkook asked as he tried to hit the back of Hyungwon’s knee but came up a few inches too short.
“What can I get you Lord Jimin? Is tea alright or would you like some coffee?”
Jimin watched mesmerized as Jungkook pouted and Hyungwon navigated with ease.
“Shouldn’t you be getting me coffee first,” Jungkook grumbled. “I am the one that owns the boat and pays you but don’t mind me. Coffee!”
Hyungwon solved the problem by giving Jungkook his back, “Lord Jimin would you like some fruit or a sticky bun? I find fruit goes better with tea but a sticky bun and coffee is heaven. If you prefer something else, I am certain we can manage.”
“Oh no please don’t worry, tea is perfectly fine,” Jimin said quickly. “I still haven’t acquired a taste for coffee I am afraid. Some fruit sounds lovely.”
“Anything you don’t like Lord Jimin?”
Jimin shook his head, “I am not a picky eater. I probably should be but I like to eat.” Jimin bowed his head slightly and touched his cheeks.
“Nonsense,” Hyungwon said quickly. “Picky eaters don’t survive in the wild. I’ll be right back.” Hyungwon turned on his heel and left Jimin staring after him.
“What about me,” Jungkook asked but Hyungwon was out the door. “I want a sticky bun!”
“I like him,” Jimin said when they were alone. “He’s so handsome and poised. When I met Prince Jin I didn’t know men could be that beautiful or elegant. I mean I grew up with,” Jimin cut himself off and sighed. “I was never like that, I always hoped I would miraculously be graceful but it never happened. But, I suppose there is quite a bit of the world I need to see. I can just admire beautiful men from afar. Say Jungkook, in your travels did you meet a lot of beautiful men?”
“Bloody hell,” Jungkook crossed his arms over his chest. “I sleep with him once and he’s become indecent. You’re going to pick up bad habits, aren’t you?”
Jimin simply laughed. He meant it as a legitimate question but seeing his husband get fussy was amusing.
“Good morning, Captain and congratulations Lord Jimin.’”
Jimin was about to retort something clever to his husband and see if he could perhaps muss him up a bit more when he got a glimpse of the man walking in and felt his mouth go completely dry then water.
Jimin had always appreciated the years he spent studying with the monks. He learned about charity and prudence. Jimin also learned how to carry himself with dignity and calm. While he would never have Jin’s grace and length, he moved with a nice calm. Several people had commented on Jimin’s ability to remain clam during chaotic situations. He had survived the conversations with Minho and that whole situation with clam that so few had ever known his true feeling. But Jimin’s control was ingrained into who he was, he was calm and it took a lot to break through his calm. Only his husband, truth be told, had been able to unnerve him. But obviously he should have been more prepared, in less than twenty-four hours from entering Jungkook’s world Jimin was finding himself surrounded by beautiful shirtless men.
This man was a muscle filled Adonis with a sweet smile. He wasn’t beautiful not compared to Prince Jin or Hyungwon, but he radiated attraction. It didn’t help that he was shirtless and had the most beautifully sculpted body Jimin had ever seen.
“Sweet Lord in heaven Wonho,” Jungkook stood up and ran to Jimin’s side to cover his eyes.
Jimin struggled against Jungkook and tried to get a look at what was happening.
“I have Lord Jimin’s tea,” the big handsome and shirtless man said with a confused look on his face.
“Aren’t you forgetting something,” Jungkook asked furious.
“Hyungwon said he was bringing the food up and your coffee wasn’t ready Captain’ so no I don’t believe so.”
“Your shirt Wonho, ouch,” Jungkook shouted after Jimin bit him so get free of him.
Wonho looked down at himself but somehow didn’t seem to register what the problem was as if walking bare chested was natural to him.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Wonho,” Jimin supplied as he lifted the lid to the tea pot and smiled.
“Ahh,” Wonho shifted uncomfortably. “I am not a gentlemen’s son Lord Jimin. Wonho is fine.”
“It’s nice to meet you Wonho.” Jimin was prepared this time and simply smiled aback at Wonho’s brilliant smile.
Wonho bowed and set some plates down. “Food will be right up. Eat well Lord Jimin. Captain you too, you’ll need your strength.”
Jimin felt heat rush into his face and there was nothing to protect him it was broad daylight. He picked up a glass of water hoping to look casual. As if talking about his husband needing to eat to get his strength from loving him happened all the time. As if Jimin was used to being surrounded by gorgeous men who looked more like fairy princess’ and gods was normal.
A few minutes later, the door of what Jimin assumed was the kitchen swung open and was grateful Jungkook was pouting and looking the other way because he goggled. The man who came through it looked as if he stepped out of a novel. It was some work about ancient warriors, honor, and love. He had a strong and manly jawline. His build was strong and wide and his skin tanner than the rest. His movements were meticulous as he carried a tray over. His hair was black as night and cut tight around his angled jaw. His eyes were a dreamy soft brown despite his serious countenance. His lips and strong brows stopped him from being beautiful like Hyungwon and Jin but the softness of his eyes reminded Jimin of Wonho.
“Good morning Captain,” he bowed in front of Jungkook and waited.
“Good morning since you’re here am I to assume Hoseok reached out to all of you.” Jungkook sat back as the handsome man placed a sticky bun front of him and poured some coffee.
“We wanted to give you this as a gift Captain. Kihyun and I thought it was best we came along on the trip than a skeleton crew of strange sailors.”
Jungkook nodded and waved over towards Jimin. “Jimin,” Jungkook said with a smile, “this is Shownu. He’s the Lieutenant of the boat My Baby. I am sure you’ll meet Kihyun he’s the acting Lieutenant. Shownu this is my husband Lord Jimin.”
“Lord Jimin,” Shownu bowed and set a bowl of fruit in front of him.
“Lieutenant Shownu, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Shownu bowed. “I can promise you a smooth trip. Although seven crew members might not seem like enough, I can guarantee that we can see to your every need. Please, let me know if we can get you anything Lord Jimin.”
“Shownu, Lord Jimin didn’t pack properly. Can you find him something more appropriate to wear? See if Jooheon can adjust something for Lord Jimin to wear,” Jungkook took a drink of his coffee and started to eat.
“I would appreciate it,” Jimin bowed.
“I will ensure we have something ready for you as soon as possible Lord Jimin,” Shownu bowed and excused himself.
“Your crew seems nice,” Jimin said as he started to eat his breakfast.
“They’re not my crew. Shownu owns his own boat.”
Jimin took a bite of a strawberry and tried to figure out why the name of the boat sounded so familiar. My Baby, Jimin was certain he’d heard that name before but where?
Jimin sucked in his breath, “they’re pirates.”
“I believe the word you are looking for is privateer,” Jungkook said with a frown.
“They steal and attack people,” Jimin pushed his food aside. “I heard they overtook a ship and they took everyone off from the ship and sold everything onboard.”
“I am sure they did,” Jungkook leaned back in his chair and stared at Jimin. “But not our people, and as long as it’s a foreign vessel, all forms of hostility at sea are permissible.”
“You know there is such a thing as right and wrong, right? Evacuating a ship full with women and children in it, and selling everything those poor people owned can’t ever be right.” Jimin pulled his bowl back and took a bite of fresh pineapple.
“Do you know who signed their commission?”
Jimin shook his head.
“Duke Kim Shindae.”
Jimin knew that name well. Duke Kim Shindae was one of the most powerful and wealthy men in all the province. No one sold in Seoul without direct permission by the duke.
“Duke Kim takes a sizable percentage from everything that My Baby brings back to port and I doubt anyone would think what he was doing was wrong,” Jungkook grinned in challenge. “But my dear, you can continue to be naïve about the world because you can afford to do so,” Jungkook winked at him and ate his sticky bun.
Jimin wanted to say something, but there was no point in fighting; although, he did think Duke Kim lacked honor and honesty.
“Do we have a plan for today?”
“I have some work to do, but I will join you in a few hours. I have a small library not as stocked as your home, but you are free to read or relax in our room if you’d like.”
“I think I’ll look around the boat if that’s alright,” Jimin took another bite of his food.
“You can go anywhere you like, and please,” Jungkook reached across the table to touch his hand. “Don’t ask for permission, I own the boat and you’re my husband.”
“I will look around the boat then,” Jimin said with a smile. He could do whatever he wanted. Jimin took a drink of his tea and basked in the wonder. “I thank you.”
**
Jungkook ate his sticky bun in silence and watched his husband.
Jimin had been a little pale when he’d emerged from their bedroom. Jungkook had worried that perhaps he had hurt him somehow but he was happy to see some color had returned to his face. Even if the reason why color returned to his face had to do with Wonho’s shirtlesness, Hyungwon’s beauty, and Shownu’s sheer manliness. Jungkook needed to make sure Minhyuk, Kihyun,Jooheon and IM remained out of view. Collectively they might be too much for his dear husband to bare.
“I’ll be going now,” Jungkook drank the last of his coffee and stood up.
“Come find me if you need anything or find Shownu,” Jungkook bent down and kissed Jimin on the cheek. “Enjoy your day,” he ran a hand down the side of Jimin’s face and walked away.
“Shownu,” Jungkook walked into the main deck and waved Shownu over. “I am ready when you are.”
“Yes, Captain, I will be right over,” Shownu nodded and took a pistole and a sword out of cabinet and followed Jungkook below deck to a small study.
“What did you find out,” Jungkook asked as soon as Shownu closed the door.
“We separated into groups as you suggested Captain. Wonho and Hyungwon went straight to Seoul. They were able to follow the money trail, but so far, the people it implicates is peripherally. It seems to be that for those investors it’s just a way to get extra income and they’re unaware of how the money is being acquired. Kihyun and I managed to raid some of the ships with the cargo and freed boys and girls that were going to be sold. We returned home as many as we could and placed in safe houses the others. But Captain, we still don’t know who is behind everything. Just when we get close enough, they disappear. We can continue to attack but without an entry point I doubt we can do much.”
“Jin has also come up empty,” Jungkook considered the problem at hand. They had to do something but it seemed they needed to wait for their enemy to make a mistake at this point. “Wait, is there any danger to-“
“No sir,” Shownu answered quickly. “Lord Jimin is safe. There is no danger to him. Yoongi, Hoseok, Doctor Namjoon and Prince Jin are securing the house. We also haven’t confirmed that whoever is threating and who hurt Jung Hoseok are the same group. We are certain that they are unaware it is us breaking their prostitution and exploitation ring. As a result, Lord Jimin is still safe. As long as he lives in your home, he will be watched after and protected. It was a good plan to have Prince Jin move close by and to inform Doctor Namjoon and Yoongi of the situation. But Captain,” Shownu trailed off.
Jungkook sighed and ran a hand over his face, “what is it?”
“Are you certain Lord Jimin shouldn’t be informed?”
“No,” Jungkook said firmly. “Taehyung has Minho’s protection no one will hurt him. With us out of my mother-in-law’s home, she will also be safe. It is up to me to protect Jimin.”
“You didn’t know sir.”
Jungkook looked up confused and was surprised to see understanding in Shownu’s face.
“You wouldn’t have married Lord Jimin if you knew he’d be in danger. There was also no way of knowing how far things would go.”
Jungkook nodded. “Keep us at a good distance from the coast and please tell Wonho to put a shirt on.” Jungkook turned to some papers on his desk and got to work. Worrying about an unknown enemy wasn’t going to accomplish anything and for now he had other things to worry about.