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The World of Westeros - House Lannister

575 a.c - Maester Arthura's note.

House Lannister is still a sensitive topic among many places in the realm. 

Their participation in numerous betrayals in Westeros’ past made their relationship with the Kingdom difficult. They were not extinguished after Queen Daenerys conquering just because of her affection towards Tyrion Lannister - who served as Hand of The Queen until the end of his days.

But even with this troublesome past, it still feels unnatural to talk about such prematures deaths - even when it's a Lannister. I never thought Lady Marjorie’s name would be here so soon, so personally I never bother on making her profile. 

Lady Omega Marjorie Lannister was the eldest pup of Lord Alpha Taelly (deceased) and Lord Omega Jon(deceased).  She was raised by her sire’s twin brother, Sir Taenil Lannister, after the tragedy which took both of her parents.

She never married or carried any pups of her own, so her line shall die with her. Her parents had two other children, who are alive during the production of this paper, and have at their back the mission of bringing House Lannister back to its prime. 

Lady Marjorie was supposed to be betrothed to Prince Namjoon Targaryen - which would mark the first union between the two Houses since the beginning of times -  but she passed before anything was settled. 

The cause of her death is a mystery even to Maester Louis of Casterly Rock, who reported the girl had a stomach ache the day before she was found - but his letter says nothing more, which raised suspicion among the Crown if something had happened to the girl.

Her body was retrieved by her younger brother, Lord Omega Jimin Lannister, who found her floating at Casterly Rock’s bay. She apparently drowned, but no one knows what she was doing at the beach that day, since it was uncommonly rainy in the Westerlands. 

The decision of whom the Prince is supposed to be betrothed now is still unanswered - and shall be written only in the reports about the people involved. 

Lady Omega Marjorie Lannister died at 575 a.c, thirteen years after the passing of her own parents. 

She shall rest at her castle’s crypt and may her soul find peace.

JIMIN I 

It was just about a year since Jimin visited King’s Landing for the last time, with his uncle and brother, as guests of the royal wedding. 

He had fun, he wouldn’t lie. The food was good and everything you could expect of a banquet of that importance. The dancing continued until long hours in the morning and the omegas were all daydreaming about finding a love worthy of a thousand songs.

Back then, King Seokjin Targaryen was still the Crown Prince, finally marrying his betrothed - the young Jungkook Martell. It was a big celebration, there wasn’t any denial of it; all of the Great Houses of Westeros sent their representatives and the Lannisters of Casterly Rock weren’t an exception.

But it was impressive how much everything could change in the course of a year - there weren't any more songs on the road to King’s Landing, any loud laughter got lost and the hope of a bright future was now blurry in the head of many.

When he first visited, he was just a pup dreaming about the future and with a whole world of possibilities ahead of him. Nothing was settled, the decisions were yet to be made and he still had the godly luxury of having hope. 

“But you know what they say, right?”

“What?”

“That Prince Namjoon is a dragon in a man’s body.” 

Now, Queen Alpha Lya Targaryen was dead, taken by the ill that tormented her in the last years of her life. Her eldest son was now King of the Seven Kingdoms - and all Westeros shall rise to Seokjin Targaryen, Protector of the Ream. 

The young Jimin Lannister, once the Kingdom’s delight, was now bound to marry the King's brother.

Traveling in that same carriage who took him the first time, he was not looking forward anymore to finally entering the biggest city in Westeros. His mission now was to fulfill his own duty and complete the destiny his sister could no longer.

“I heard some alphas even saying he could be Caraxes reincarneted.”

“A red Dragon? It suits him, I suppose.”

“You don’t know him, Sheryl.”

Jimin would like to remember when exactly did Sheryl and Alanna stop entertaining him - the boy was never  bothered by hearing them talking for hours without a pause. They would make him laugh, blush, and the boy would be happy just to have company. But lately, so much has changed in the world and he hasn't had the luxury of staying still.

“And what do you think, Lord Jimin?” Alanna asked, maybe too uncomfortable with her Lord Omega so silent during a conversation about his future husband. He preferred when she was pretending he wasn’t there - like many people have been doing since Marjorie died. 

Everyone kept saying to him that his sister was taken away far too young - but he doubted anyone knew the hurtful meaning behind their words. 

Taken far too young meant that he never had the chance to ask his Marjorie what she truly thought about the wild creatures the Targaryens ride and have been dominating for years. 

She thought they were beautiful? A symbol of true power? A mysterious thing that never should have been brought back to life? 

There were so many mundane things he wanted to ask her now that he simply couldn’t. 

He was forever destined to keep his mind full of suppositions of what she should have liked. 

“I was never very fond of dragons, my ladies.” 

He knew it was a very bold statement coming from someone at his position, but what choice did he have? Deep down, his thoughts about King’s Landing, dragons, and his sister didn’t matter - Jimin’s destiny was chosen for him and the only thing he could do was endure.

“I bet you’re saying this because you're still thinking about your mysterious knight.” Sheryl’s tone was playful and the girl was smirking at her lord. Jimin, on the other hand, felt a shiver going through his spine and the boy gulped.

“I don’t want to be rude, but you shouldn’t mention it anymore. Now that I’m so close to getting married, my Lord brother wouldn’t be pleased to hear anything about this,” he said almost in a whisper, looking at the road with his head so full of dreams that were no longer his.

He wasn’t lying; Taemin wouldn’t like to know his brother was still thinking about that mysterious man, especially now that the preparations for Jimin’s wedding were ongoing.

That knight belonged to another life; one where Marjorie never fell and was the one marrying the prince.

Just a year had passed since the royal wedding but it felt like a lifetime ago. Jimin himself was a completely different person - the man who went to watch that tournament was happy, fun, and a delight to be around. 

Now, during the night, he always questioned if it was possible for the dead to take the best of us when they die. 

Marjorie surely took his.

”I don’t know, but imagine you find that mysterious knight in the capital again… your faceless prince.” He knew Sheryl had the best intentions in mind - wanted to cheer him up, bringing good memories to blurry his sister’s shadows in his thoughts. But it was hard.

Of course Jimin remembered the alpha in a blue shiny armor with no symbol or standard. His helmet covering all his face and the noble omegas begging to see him, to discover if it matched his impressives battle skills. 

How could he forget the alpha who gave him the Crown of Love and Beauty after winning all the day’s fights? 

During the royal wedding, the boy even allowed himself to think if the man was going to reveal his face and ask his brother and uncle to betrothed the young omega. Was he a noble? He should be, an armor like that was expensive and hard to maintain. 

But that never happened and the alpha disappeared, leaving Jimin only his dreams of a mysterious love. When Marjorie died, he couldn’t even rely on those anymore; So, why bother thinking about it again?

“I think it would do you good, make the Prince jealous of you.” Alanna sent him a smile and the boy gathered all his will to give one back. It’s been months since the last time he felt anything that could make him give an honest one.

“What was the name they called him?” 

“The Feather Knight. Or Jimin 's little prince.” Sheryl’s tone wasn’t mocking, but it felt like she still believed in those fantasy tales he was trying too hard to forget. 

Jimin knew it wasn’t fair asking them both not to mention it again when he thought about it regularly. But maybe that was the last piece of fantasy he allowed himself to have, and he wanted to keep his secret.

And it was not like any of that matters anymore. 

The alpha could be anyone in the world, it wouldn’t change the fact that Jimin was promised to another man… to Namjoon Targaryen, Royal General of Westeros, Prince of Dragonstone and the Red Dragon himself.

The last few hours of travel went with him in complete silence, with Alanna and Sheryl talking in the background of his mind.

When Marjorie was alive, they used to plan on visiting King’s Landing together. Their uncle didn’t allow her to attend the royal wedding, but once Jimin came back he was planning to tell her they would still have a lifetime to visit the place - once she married the prince. 

He had so many things to tell her about the city, about everything he discovered. How it really changed after Queen Alpha Jinya Targaryen was crowned and decided that Westeros deserved a chance to evolve. 

How her daughter, Queen Alpha Lya, also did a great job, constructing more roads, installing sanitation, and making her Great Lords do the same in the biggest cities. 

Lannisport was not a small town, and also had many things for a noble omega to do. But King’s Landing was Westeros' capital for a reason. The market was lively with products from almost everywhere in the Known World. 

Silk from Yi Ti, gold from Braavos, exotic fruits from Sothoryos and, if you knew whom to ask, you could even find magic artifacts from the distant lands of Asshai.

In any other situation, Jimin would be thrilled to come back in such a short time. In another life, he would be on his horse and not on a carriage, riding side by side with his siblings, chatting happily and excited about what was yet to come. He would be dreaming about finding his mysterious knight again.

In any other circumstance, his sister would be planning to fool their Lord Brother and uncle; she would be talking about getting them both common clothes and going to the market in disguise. 

They would buy anything the gold from Casterly Rock could provide and come back to their family bragging about the silk, the clothes, and the jewelry. Taemin would be mad just for a second and uncle would say that omegas were just omegas.

But instead, he was coming back alone and lost. There wasn’t any gold from Braavos or any memory of that knight who could mend the hole on his chest. Marjorie's absence hurt the same since the day he found her and these fake memories were the only thing he was allowed to have.

This and her own fiancé.

“My Lord…” He was so lost in his head, he didn’t even realize his carriage suddenly stopped. Sheryl was talking to him, but her joyful tone wasn’t there. “Lord Taemin wanted to speak with you. He sent a messenger.”

Jimin wasn’t surprised; of course Taemin wanted to talk to him. Another useless attempt to calm his nerves. 

“These Lords have all the types of demands, don't they? Ask Sir Wyllim to stop the carriage, I’ll go after him,” he replied, ready to leave his refugee of solitude and face the soldiers that were taking him away from home.  

“Actually… he wanted to speak in here, if that's your wish.” It was funny how Sheryl and Alanna would treat him differently once they remembered the House Jimin was born. They were not really his friends, but his servants. 

Yet, it was kind of her to talk like she wouldn’t leave if the boy didn’t allow it. He was a Lannister, yes, but Taemin was her Lord. Jimin could command them, of course, but only if his alpha brother gave him permission. 

“Send him in, then.” He tried not to sound annoyed; it wasn’t Sheryl’s fault and he knew he wasn’t being a good person to be around these days. “We shouldn’t let the Lord wait, should we?” The other omegas left, sending him apologetic smiles. 

The door remained open and the boy waited. It didn’t take long for Lord Taemin Lannister to enter the place. Apparently he was riding not far from his brother’s carriage. 

He closed the door and asked Sir Willym to ride again. It still amazed Jimin to see the man using his Lord's voice and face.

Taemin grew into a good looking alpha, he had to admit. He was wearing his red and gold armor, with the Lannister lion shining proudly on the chest’s left side. His blond hair was a little bit longer, but its color was similar to Jimin’s. He didn’t look like the pup that used to chase the boy through Casterly Rock, but he still had the same round face from where they were kids. 

His eyes, on the other hand, told a different story - the man was tired. Taemin was no longer a pup but a Lord dealing with a war threatening to invade his ancient home. 

Jimin didn’t bother to greet him, too busy looking at the road through the window - they’ve been traveling for days now and he was getting tired of the journey. 

If Taemin chose to talk privately, obviously the man didn’t want to chat about the weather or ask again which cake Jimin preferred the best. The omega wasn’t stupid after all - he knew his brother wanted to talk about the forbidden subject. 

About what was going to happen after their comitive left Jimin in King’s Landing. 

The boy could feel the tension in the air and the heaviness of unspoken subjects. But his Lord brother didn’t seem interested in actually starting that conversation. He just kept glancing at Jimin now and then - was he afraid of saying anything and ruining what was left from their relationship? Would he still care? 

The Lord of Casterly Rock, one of the richest men in the Seven Kingdoms, was afraid to talk to his young omega brother? 

“I mean… with all due respect, but you kicked my companion out and invaded my carriage because you enjoy my company, brother?” Jimin dared to ask, still looking at the trees and the road through the window. The war hadn’t reached the Crownlands yet. 

“I enjoy your company and you know that. But I assume you also know that this is not the reason why I chose to talk to you here.” The man was nervous and Jimin could smell it on him. He knew his brother's scent like his own and even with Blockage Tea, he was familiar enough to pick up any change.

“I was doubting that you wanted to talk at all.” Jimin chuckled sarcastically. “You just keep staring at me like I’m some kind of freak in a circus.”

Taemin sighed heavily, as he’s been doing while talking to Jimin for the past few months. “I was worried. Your companions reported that you barely said a word in the last few days.” 

“So now you interrogate my companions?” It was impossible not to note the bitterness in his voice. “Sorry if I’m not the talkative type right now.” He still didn’t make an effort to face his brother’s eyes, focusing on the road ahead of him.  

“Jimin… look. I know this is not ideal…” 

“‘Not ideal’ is a pretty way to put things, brother. But I don’t think we can describe what’s happening here with any existing words,” he whispered, almost to himself, but he knew Taemin heard it all.

When his uncle announced that Marjorie would marry the prince, the boy was afraid, as any younger brother would be, that his sister would forget him once she was married. 

They were always so close, but in the last few months the girl was distant, and he was afraid of being left alone once everything was settled. Without their parents around, and uncle being busy raising their alpha brother, it was just them - two omegas against the world.

But she died after the announcement and Jimin was left alone with the burden only to himself.

“She was also my sister, you know that, right?” Jimin finally looked at his brother and for the first time in months, the alpha looked hurt. “She was my older sister, Jimin. You’re not the only one who is suffering.”

The boy wanted to scream his lungs out - every conversation with Taemin was leading them nowhere since his engagement was announced. The alpha would never understand what he was asking Jimin to do and what he was demanding the boy to forget.

“You should have let me mourn her properly before making me do this,” he said bitterly, hoping his words would reach the alpha’s ears and hurt him just a little more. 

“The Crown gave us almost a whole year, Jimin. It’s a completely reasonable time and the Prince needs to get married.” Why did it feel like every time they were discussing this topic, all of it was about how this would affect the other half involved, and never the boy?

”They say he’s a monster, Taemin. Why are you sending me there? Why would you send Marjorie?” 

The boy was whispering, too afraid that anyone would hear him calling the King’s brother such heavy names, but it was true. Jimin heard the stories about the Red Dragon as everyone else in the Kingdom did.

Namjoon was not a regular soldier or the Prince a maiden would dream to marry. The tales and songs about him indulged more fear than lust. Him fearlessly riding Viserion, Queen Daenerys’ own dragon, and burning whole armies to the ground. How he would cut alphas’ heads like it was the most normal thing in the world. The soldiers used to say that when he screams in battle, his voice resembles a dragon roaring to the skies and that’s how he received his nickname - The Red Dragon.

The Skagos Rebellion, when Queen Lya was still alive, was only solved when the Crown’s alphas arrived to assist Lady Stark and how it was Namjoon who led them to victory -  he was the Kingdom Royal General, after all. 

And now the news from the Riverlands, telling how the King and his brother were burning IronMen to the ground as if it was nothing. The soldiers spoke loudly in taverns how Namjoon enjoyed the blood on his face and the sweet smell of the ones he burned.

King Seokjin Targaryen was the most powerful alpha in Westeros right now - and by his side, he had the most fearsome brother anyone could have. 

Yet, uncle Taenil was ready to give Marjorie to him - and once she was not available anymore, Jimin should bear her burden.

“Stop believing in all the tales you listen to, brother. The Prince is not a monster, you saw him at the wedding.” Taemin was right, he saw Namjoon closely and yet, none of it would calm his nerves. 

The man barely spoke or smiled during the three day celebration. And never for a second he left his family side - always with his dame and his brothers. The only two people who were not Targaryens and were around the Prince was the future King Consort, Lord Omega Hoseok Velaryon, and Sir Yoongi Stark. 

He even kissed Jungkook’s hand but refused to dance with the omega during the ball.  He didn’t kill or hurt anyone - but he wasn’t very welcoming either. 

“I’m an omega, Taemin. The only thing you allow me to have is  my tales.” 

“I also had to do things I was not willing to do, Jimin. But this is our duty.” His brother’s voice was hurtful and he felt sorry immediately. 

He knew the man was talking about his own wedding and the implications of it. Sometimes, lost in his own grief, Jimin forgets that Taemin also has secrets he can’t share with anyone - especially their uncle. 

“I know… and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be like that.” And it was the truth - they were not on the best terms, but the boy would never turn his back on his brother on that matter. Taemin’s secret would be forever safe with him.

“It is just… what we need to do. I need to marry and you need to too. And after that, we can mourn her. And everything else.” 

When the boy was a pup, he used to pray for many things; for his sire and dame to rest in peace, for his uncle Taenil’s safety return from his journeys, for his brother to be forever lovely and for his sister to never leave Casterly Rock.

Marjorie was older and everything Jimin wanted to be - kinder, smart, rebellious. She was beautiful and yet the most fierce soul he ever met.

So, in his selfish dreams, they were destined to be pups forever; they weren’t supposed to grow.

Now, he was twisted at how the gods are capable of playing with human emotions. He was one year older, but she would be forever the age from when he found her at the bay. 

Jimin's heart ached a little bit in his chest. Things weren’t supposed to be like this. When did everything change? 

When did he stop thinking about faceless knights to fill his mind with memories of the dead?

“You know… I used to pray for her to never leave?” There was no time for confessions, but he needed to say it to someone. “I think I would be alone and I was already feeling bitter since we were kind of distant during the last few months.”

”She loved you, don’t think otherwise.” 

“I don’t doubt that. I just think I lost precious time.”

It was funny how memory was tricky - Jimin couldn’t remember his dame’s scent or voice, having to believe what his sister and uncle said about him - but the day he found Marjorie’s body floating on the water was forever painted in black ink all over his brain. 

She had been missing since the night before - Maester Louis said something about a stomach ache, but Jimin heard the screams coming from his uncle’s chambers. They were fighting since he announced she should marry the prince.

She left the room without talking to the boy. Her face full of tears was the last memory he had with her alive; the next day, she was already gone.

Back then, Taemin sent all the castle’s guards after her and no one could find the young lady. Her clothes were all in her closet and also her jewelry. Her nest, always so cozy, was full of her family clothes and nobody saw her leaving.

Jimin and her always played hide and seek growing up and he always found her - that time was no exception. The difference was his scream of horror, so loud that it made his throat bleed; his uncle, who was hugging him, forbade the boy to look more than he should.

Marjorie was an omega and still a pup when their parents died. While her uncle prepared Taemin to be Lord of the Rock, she took on her the job of helping to raise the two pups. She was only ten when she was taking care of a scared seven year old alpha and a six year old omega. In a way, sometimes she was more of a dame than she was a sister.

So, when the doors of Taemin`s chambers finally closed and it was only he and Jimin in the room, they grieved everything together. 

The sister, the omega, the dame. After that, all of it just felt like a nightmare and on the next day she was buried. 

He doesn’t remember much of it.

Jimin never had the chance to ask her how to be. And now he had to figure it out on his own.

“It feels like you're asking me to walk on her grave and live her life.” Jimin’s words were sharp and left his mouth like a cloud of daggers. He was on the verge of tears. “I wouldn’t mind marrying any other alpha if that means helping the family. But this is not any other alpha. Prince Namjoon…”

“It’s not about living her life… It's about fulfilling our promises. It’s about strengthening the realm and protecting our lands. It’s about fighting until all of the IronBorns are as good as dead or back to their island.” Taemin`s voice took Jimin out of his trance with tears falling on his face. Somehow, reminded the boy that he was not talking to his brother - he was talking to his Lord. 

He was fierce in his words and the omega knew he spoke the truth on some level - a noble omega has a lot of privileges already, finding a mate the way the Moon God planned wasn't one of them.

It was his duty - his own battlefield.

Their own Dame was borned a Westerling, after all. He walked in a carriage, just like this one, on the road to Casterly Rock - he was a gift to be delivered to Lord Alpha Taelly Lannister.

Jimin was not a gift in any way - the war was not over yet. But he wasn’t dumb and knew that he was part of a deal that House Lannister was in no position to decline. 

He knew, from the moment he learned his first words, that he had a duty with his people. And he was fine with that. He would marry Lord Ian Marbrand or any other alpha that his brother and uncle found worthy of him. 

He wasn't some kind of rebelling omega that would threaten to kill himself because of a wedding. The ones of the stories that would bravely defy anything - Jimin wasn't like that. The common folk required a peaceful kingdom to thrive, and marriages are a perfect way to do it.

It was his dame’s destiny, his sister's destiny… his own destiny.

“I care for my people, if that’s what you’re suggesting. But you’re not the one being delivered to your dead sister’s fiancé. The Red Dragon himself.” He finally faced his brother’s eyes and found a mixture of pride, sorrow, and even regret. “The alpha she was supposed to marry is called by the Kingdom as if he was a curse, and then she dies. How am I supposed to be happy about it?”

That was the problem and it didn't matter how he spoke of it - nobody seemed to understand. 

When Lord Omega Jon Westerling betrothed Lord Alpha Taelly Lannister, he was not occupying a dead person`s place. He was not promising to be loyal to someone who should have married his sister of all people. He wouldn't have to share a bed with the man she was supposed to bond to, to mate. He never had to walk through life thinking he was living somebody else’s destiny.

Jimin was not a gift. He was the consolation prize, sent to occupy the hole his sister left in a negotiation she was never part of - like she was nothing but a trade deal for a man the others themselves were afraid to speak about. 

And all of it against his will. 

If Taemin admitted he was sending Jimin like this, the boy wouldn’t be so mad. But pretending it was nothing but the ordinary - that was the thing hurting him. 

“She would have wanted you to be happy.” Taemin finally responded, not giving Jimin the words he desperately needed. “All she ever wanted was for us to be happy.”

“I don’t know any happiness since they brought her body back to the castle, brother..” And he spoke the truth. A year had passed already, but he still felt that empty space over his chest and he was starting to think that it would never be filled with anything. 

He was never a religious person - but he knew his dame prayed for those gods when he needed comfort; so, the boy tried. He listened to texts, to the septans' words and closed his eyes searching for something he discovered that not even the divine could give him back. Because when he was done, he was still here, living, breathing and missing her deeply.

“You’re not going to be alone there. You’ll have Seojon.” 

Oh. 

Seojon.

The boy’s shock was visible on his face and he had no intention to hide it. Seojon’s name wasn't often spoken between the Lannisters any more.

At the end of the day, there were four pups in Casterly Rock growing together.

Seojon Lorch was a ward taken by Lord Taelly himself; a third alpha child of a small vassal house, who would never inherit anything. He was sent away from home to learn his place in the world.

He was a lovely and smart pup, and grew close to the three Lannisters very quickly. He was about Marjorie’s age, and the two of them always took good care of Taemin and Jimin. He trained with a sword, he learned to read and to count with the two little lords and the cute lady - as he often liked to say. 

Jimin was the youngest among them and saw him like an older brother; he loved him like one. 

The boy always thought that when Taemin was of age, Seojon would be named a knight and would serve House Lannister as he always wanted to. 

Strangely, years passed and he never got the honor. Jimin could understand him being mad about it, but would never forgive his absence.

One night, he just left without a warning, carrying only his sword and horse. Marjorie cried for days straight and somehow, blamed Taenil for what happened - she refused to tell Jimin why. The boy, who still had a pup heart, thought that it was nothing more than a joke - and he would come back in no time.

The days passed and he didn’t. 

Now, thinking back at those times, he could see that this was the first sign of the laughter dying in Casterly Rock. Taemin was even more immersed in his work and Marjorie never spoke Seojon’s name again. Frankly, she barely spoke anything about anyone, and even her relationship with Jimin seemed damaged after the man’s departure.

When she died, the boy thought he would at least receive a letter or any sign that Seojon was alive. It felt wrong to bury his sister with one of his brothers missing. But nothing came. A whole year passed like this.

“Seojon? Since when?” He didn’t know how to feel. Was he mad? Was he happy? Two years is quite a long time and the way he left… Did he still see Jimin as his younger brother?   

”He’s been serving Prince Namjoon for quite some time now. He will be on your personal guard for now on.” 

For the first time in a while Jimin was genuinely surprised. How in the hells Seojon end up serving the Prince? Was that the reason why he never reached out?

“Before you ask, the Prince knighted him and demanded the man was in your guard. I had no interest in him so close to you again, but Targaryens can be very… convincing.” 

It felt so weird to hear Taemin talk that way about the man who grew up with him - the alpha boy he always looked up to. He didn’t judge, though - Jimin also had mixed feelings about it.

Why would Namjoon demand such a thing? He never met the boy in the first place. They never even spoke. 

Before he could even vocalize the million questions floating on his mind, the carriage stopped. By the window, he saw they weren’t on the road anymore. 

They had arrived. 

“My Lords, it’s time.” Jimin didn’t remember seeing Lady Alpha Moonbyul Payne entering his carriage but he nodded at her. She was a beautiful woman - in any other life, he would be happy to mate her.

But the boy knew her heart belonged somewhere else.

“Thank you, Moon.” Taemin smiled at her, a soft gesture he would hide from his other ladies and lords, but Moon always had a special place inside that one Lannister heart.

She bowed a little and left them both alone again.

“This is for the best, all of it. Prince Namjoon is a good alpha, Jimin. I would never have allowed this wedding if he was not.” Taemin sounded so sincere but still, the boy was curious about what a good alpha meant for his brother. 

“He could be a god made of pure gold... He was not mine to marry, he was Marjorie’s." He kept his voice low, they were at the royal gates and he didn’t want any gossip in the castle before he even properly arrived.

“Jimin…” It was a tired warning. A tone he almost never used, still preferring to talk with his brother with kind words other than commands. 

“I’ll fulfill my duty, don’t you worry. I`ll bring sweet princes and princesses into the world, if the gods allow it. Because this is what it is, my duty.” He would marry, of course he would - how could he deny it to the Lannisters? To his family?

But since he was not allowed to choose his own destiny, they should at least let him have his anger to himself.

”It doesn't need to be like this. You know that. But we`ll talk more once the war is over, and you settle here, is that ok?” Taemin's face was a little softer as he said the words and Jimin just nodded again, accepting the help off the carriage. 

The sun burned his eyes and it was almost midday. The gates of the Red Keep were big and had three dragons on each side - it opened to him, and some guard announced the arrival of the Lannister of Casterly Rock. 

While walking through the gates from the biggest stronghold of Westeros, the boy tried to calm his own nerves.

Somehow, all of it became true way too fast. 

He was here to marry Prince Namjoon Targaryen. The Red Dragon. Marjorie’s fiancé.

He is a good alpha, his brother and uncle equally said. The same words they said to Marjorie and probably the last thing she heard before everything.

It was a lie to assume that Jimin didn’t think of the man during the year the Crown allowed for him to mourn his sister, but it was… different. He was too busy missing her and crying himself to sleep; some part of him, the one that was still a summerpup, had hoped that his family wouldn’t go through the whole thing.

Like, how could they send Jimin away from home at the moment he needed comfort the most? How could they take him away from everything he knew, so they could just fulfill a promise?

Now, walking through that enormous garden, there was no more denying his destiny; it was no surprise when he started to panic.

Namjoon Targaryen was a scary man.

It was strange. Jimin knew his appearance, the platinum hair, the purple eyes, the dragon gaze - but beyond that the man was nothing for the boy but the murder tales of him. 

And Seojon, an alpha he once trusted with his life, was now at the man’s service.

“The King Consort and Prince Taehyung will be waiting for us.” his brother said, a gentle reminder of who they were dealing with. A reminder for Jimin to be on his best behavior. 

And the sad part was that he knew he would never embarrass his family.

Yes, Jimin was sad and had angsty feelings about the whole thing. He was scared and he wanted to vocalize it because it was his only weapon. He at least should make sure that they knew they were making him miserable. 

But at the end of the day, it didn't matter how mad he was with his family. It was his family and his legacy. Deep down, he believed the words he said to his uncle before leaving Casterly Rock. 

It was his duty.

“The… the Prince… shouldn’t he be the one to welcome me?” he asked, trying to hide the sudden fear in his voice. Would the Namjoon greet him mounted on a dragon, like Targaryens often do? He never saw one personally before. 

“He’s in the Riverlands with the King and I think I said that to you already." He gave the boy a side eye. “But soon he will be here and you two can talk properly.”

When a war was at stake, omegas and weddings were not on an alpha`s priority list - Jimin should know that by now. Taemin’s own wedding with Lady Omega Solar Crakehall had been postponed. But if he was being honest, his brother wasn't very… interested in omega's affairs in any way.

While they were approaching the biggest doors the boy had ever seen, he couldn’t stop thinking about what would be his sister’s impressions with the Red Keep. Would she like the beautiful garden with flowers of all colors and shapes? The green brushes shining through the sun and the two famous dragon fountains - one on each side decorating the road made of cobblestone?

“This garden… is just as beautiful as the first time.” Jimin whispered, not hoping for anyone to catch his own thoughts, but Taemin hummed in agreement. 

“It is, in fact. She would have loved this place - she begged me to expand the garden back at home…” So he was also thinking about her. He sounded regretful,  with a sorrow in his voice - a type of grief he only allowed Jimin to witness. 

The boy didn't respond to it, but held his brother's hand without looking at him - at first, the alpha didn't do anything but Jimin waited - soon, he was holding the omega`s hand tightly. 

For a brief second, he felt like he had an older brother once again.

The boy noticed that in the middle of that godly garden, there was a good amount of Targaryen and Martell flags placed. The Dragon and The Sun - a good combination. Knights were also present, most of them were Targaryen soldiers, but the Martells would never allow their omegas back in King's Landing without proper protection after the last time. 

Once they reached the door, Jimin found himself facing an omega wearing yellow and red silk, the House Martell colors — his hair was pitch black and on the top of his head, a crown  made of silver and bejeweled with amethysts. 

Jimin heard many songs about King Consort Jungkook Martell's beauty and grace. During his wedding, he was stunning and looked like he came directly from a fairytale. But now, even wearing more simple clothes, he still had the aura of royalty the songs always talked about.

He was the eldest pup of the current Princess of Dorne, and his beauty was well known from the dornish deserts through the snow lands of the North. 

Taenil even considered sending a marriage proposal to Dorne, believing such an astonishing omega was what would bring some interest to Taemin  - but Queen Lya was faster. 

Her son - back then still Crown Prince Seokjin, was known to be a shy person, who didn’t talk much, had a small circle of counselors and even a smaller circle of friends. But it was said between whispers and gossip that the omega finally broke the man out of shell and showed him he could do other things besides rule his Kingdom.

“Lord Taemin, Lord Omega Jimin. It is a pleasure to receive the Lannisters in the heart of the Kingdom.” He smiled politely, and his hands were all over his growing belly - the Targaryen seed was growing proudly inside him.

“Your Highness.” Taemin bowed and kissed Jungkook’s hand. “It is our pleasure. Thank you for receiving us and our comitive.” Once upon a time, it would be uncle Taenil doing all the greetings, but now his brother was a man - a true Lord of Lannister.

“Oh, always so polite my Lord. I’m deeply sorry that my Royal Husband and Prince Namjoon couldn’t be here for your arrival. But the war is taking so much from us already.” Jungkook sounded really sorry and bowed a little — a signal of respect that a King wasn`t required to do. 

“Don`t you think about worrying, Your Highness. We're happy to visit King’s Landing and give you and Prince Taehyung our kind regards,” Taemin continued. “It’s been too long since our last visit.”

By the King’s side, Jimin finally found Prince Taehyung; the youngest between the Targaryen brothers and one of the most beautiful omegas the boy ever found. He had platinum hair the same as Namjoon, but way longer. The boy heard some stories about the man, all of them telling about how he had a strong personality. He met him briefly during the royal wedding, but nothing enough to create any kind of connection.

“Welcome to King's Landing, my Lords,” Taehyung said and Jimin let out a shy smile.

An anticipating silence fell above them, and the boy was sure everyone was looking at him somehow. 

He was the reason for the trip after all.

“Your Highness, Prince Taehyung. It is a pleasure.” The boy was proud of himself for not letting his voice shake much, but he knew his hands were trembling. 

He bowed a little, like the septan taught him when they were getting ready to leave and hoped he did it right. 

Yes, he met them before, but it was different. It was quicker, only a few words, Jimin was not destined to live with them forever and Jungkook wasn’t carrying the realm’s future in his belly. 

“He is like a cute pup,” Prince Taehyung said, still smiling. And for a second, Jimin thought he saw the King Consort smile too. 

The royal Prince just called him a pup?

“Well, Taehyung is a prince by all manners, but he has this thing where he says whatever comes to mind,” The King said, but he didn’t sound like he was scolding and more like… teasing? “Don’t mind his words.”

His uncle would have scolded him if the tables were turned and he had called some high born a pup.

Jimin didn't care, though. Better being called a pup than other things. 

“Don`t you worry, Prince Taehyung`s words don't bother, Your Highness. They flatter me.” 

“Your Highness is too much a title.” Before Jimin could even deny calling Seokjin Targaryen’s mate by the name, the man continued, “If you need to address me directly, just call me King.” He said, looking at the boy, like the invitation to drop some honorifics were only meant to him. “We’re about to become family, after all.”

Oh, yes. Jimin shouldn’t forget this.

“And I'm more than honored, my King." He wasn’t feeling honored, but he knew what he was supposed to say. He knew that we would have to lie a lot, for now on.

Maybe that was his first of many lies.

“Well, it is impolite to keep you here at our doors. We’re happy to receive friends in the castle. In those troubled times, we should remain together. It’s Seven Kingdoms after all.” Jungkook looked so young, but yet so assertive in his words. The man was King not only by title. “The Red Keep is yours.”

“Do not worry, Your Grace,” Taemin said. “We won’t stay long. Maybe a night. They need us in the Riverlands.”

They were leaving? So soon?

“Are you leaving?” The words were out before Jimin could stop them. The boy knew he sounded too panicked when his brother gave in a questioning look. “I just… thought you would rest for a few days, before departing.” He tried to fix it the way he could.

“Oh, we thought that as well.” Prince Taehyung’s voice caught their attention, looking between the two men worried. “We prepared chambers for you and a place for all your alpha companions to rest.”

Jimin wasn’t pleased, not even a little bit. He knew when he mounted his horse that he was being delivered in King’s Landing and it wasn’t a common trip. He has all his belongings with him because he was fucking moving. 

Because he was marrying the Prince. Because Casterly Rock was no longer his home. 

Because his sister was dead.

But being left alone in the castle, with a few Lannister’s knights to protect him and Seojon of all people… it didn’t feel right.

Not for the first time since he left his home, he thought about how this was not what was supposed to be. If Marjorie was alive, he would be with her until the day of the wedding. Until she was feeling secure in her new home… and only then, he would go back to Casterly Rock and marry whoever he was supposed to. 

“That’s very kind, my Prince.” Taemin bowed in a thankful gesture. “But a night is enough. The King needs us… the situation is…” He sounded like he wanted to say more, but looked at Jungkook’s belly. No one wants to bother an expecting omega. 

“Don’t worry about explaining. I’ve been reading the reports the King sends me.” He waved his hands dismissively. Looking back at Jimin, letting out a sweet smile that felt too genuine. “But don’t worry, Jimin. The castle is big, but you have me and Tae keeping you company.” 

He wanted to say that he didn’t know them. That for him they were his King and Prince, not friends. They were the family of his future husband, not his.

But he knew it wasn’t polite and how much it was at stake. So he just smiled back. 

“You’re too kind, my King. Thank you.” 

“I should fucking fly there. They need me.” Taehyung whispered, but Jimin heard and tried not to look surprised. He had forgotten that the omega also had a dragon, just like his alpha brothers.

Jungkook let a long breath out, like he was tired of that conversation already. “You’re being useful here, Tae. Without the King or Namjoon, you’re the protector of the city.” 

The alpha knights behind them didn’t sound bothered that an omega was being called the ‘protector of the city’. In Casterly Rock, they would, he was certain. 

Taehyung didn’t look convinced by his words, but didn’t respond to it either. Now, looking closely, the fellow boy didn’t look as polished as you expect a royal omega prince to be. Yes, he was beautiful and was dressed in silk, but his shirt was rumpled and his hair a little disgrain - nothing too outrageous, but Jimin’s uncle would never allow him to receive guests in such a state. 

The boy didn’t want to make assumptions based on a short encounter, but it was said between the nobility about how Prince Taehyung wasn’t a perfect omega fit, the one you imagine being the son of Queen Alpha Lya. ‘She spoiled him too much,’ they used to say. 

“Well, one night or not, you shouldn’t be standing at our door. Let’s head inside at least.” King Jungkook made a sign with his hands, commanding the knights to finally open the castle’s doors.

His eyes were focused, as the omega led the way, followed by the Prince and finally by the Lannisters. 

Jimin was entering his new home for the first time, and as the heavy door was being dragged by three men on each side, he could only think about his sister walking on the same path.  

✨✨✨

The boy was in a tower. 

From his window, he could see an enormous forest growing with life and memories - but also full of dangers and wild creatures. Part of him wanted to go back, but…

”I’ve come from there. I survived,” he thought with himself. He wasn’t sure what he did survive, but he knew his end almost came too soon. 

The night was pitch black, and the only form of light was a gold moon shining over the sky - he looked at it, like one would look to an old friend who once was everything he knew. The gold moon once protected him in the forest, but in the tower, it wasn't needed any more. 

He knew the moon was his home and his heart was aching, missing it - but his soul knew the truth. 

He felt a presence. A breath on his neck, hot enough to burn and melt his body, but instead, only brought him comfort. 

The dangers of the forest could never reach him again.

The Tower was home, the Forest his domain and the Gold Moon a memory.  

The boy woke up in a hurry and there was no moon in the sky - the morning came fast after he closed his tired eyes in that strange bed. He was sweating, still getting used to the weather in King’s Landing. He forgot to close the curtains in the room, so the sun going directly into his brain wasn’t of any help.

He should ask maester Louis for some herbal tea…

Maester Louis was in Casterly Rock.

The realization came like a fever dream - he wasn’t in his nest, his bed or even his room. 

He was in King’s Landing. 

He was miles away from home and he was alone. Bed cold and scentless. His wolf didn’t feel safe, even if he could smell the alpha guards protecting his room from outside. 

None of them were Seojon - he would have recognized the smell. 

He knew if he asked Sheryl, she would come and sleep with him, scent him even - but he denied anyone on his nest since Marjorie. Nothing smelled nice enough. 

But now, alone in that bed, he was starting to reconsider. 

On the day before, the King was very gentle and after a quick visit over the castle, he told the guests that they should sleep - especially the alphas that were leaving so soon. That meant that Jimin wouldn’t be able to talk to his brother about his departure, about Seojon… but he was so tired of sleeping in a tent. When he closed his eyes, it wasn’t even night yet. 

He was granted a comfortable place in the Royal General’s Tower - Namjoon’s domain in the castle. He didn’t have time to explore it, but it wasn't small. Once Namjoon returned, he would move again so they could officially mate - he would sleep in the Prince’s chambers. In his bed.

He didn’t want to think about that.

“M’Lord… Thought I heard a sound…” A voice came as soon as the door opened, and Jimin was thankful he wasn’t wearing his night clothes. 

An omega girl was looking at him - she had red hair and black eyes. Her face was covered in freckles - what she was wearing was a mixture of peasant clothes, but still too elaborated for the common folk.

“I'm sorry… but who are you?” Jimin asked, still a little confused from his sleep. 

“I’m Nari, m`Lord. I used to be part of King Jungkook’s service, but Your Grace said you would probably need help adjusting, so he sent me.” She bowed to him and the boy sent a polite smile. 

He knew he would have servants of his own once he arrived, but the first one being sent by the King Consort himself could only mean high honor or distrust, nothing in between. Jimin was too tired to even consider any of the options, and just decided to be careful like he would be with anyone in the Red Keep.

“Nice to meet you, Nari. My brother is leaving today. Need to shower.”

He was surprised to see that the water for his bath was already hot. Nari said that all bathrooms in the Red Keep had this feature - she just didn’t know how to explain it, but it was installed when Queen Alpha Lya was still in power. 

The girl seemed nice enough; she helped Jimin shower and even to choose what to wear to send his brother off to the War.

”My alpha sister went too, M`Lord. To the Riverlands. To fight the Greyjoy alpha.” She said, fixing his hair, looking at him through the mirror. “He’ll come back, just like she will.”

He wanted to believe her words, for both of their sakes.

She led him through the castle and Jimin was pleased now that the King sent help - he would get lost in no time by himself.

The Red Keep was an enormous place, like he and Marjorie used to talk about before going to sleep. The Iron Throne rose strong and fierce through the Main Room, and on its side, a chair made of pure gold adorned with jewelry - where the Consort would sit when ruling in the King’s name. 

There were so many doors and stairs leading to different places, that Jimin was sure he would never memorize everything. Prince Taehyung said he would have a proper tour with him once he was settled and the boy finally realized why. The Throne Room and the Council Chambers were all on the main floor, but the Castle was divided by its towers - a few constructed during Aegon the Conqueror reign.

Jimin could hear his maester’s voice inside his head, telling him the most important towers: The Royal Chambers, the Hand Tower, The Queen Apartment’s and The Royal General Domain - where he would live from now on.

True to his word, Lord Taemin only stayed a night with his army and was leaving to the Riverlands to fight the threats of the IronBorn and their ungodly magic. King Jungkook Martell himself blessed the alpha in the Throne Room, urging him a flawless victory over the barbarians. 

Jimin found himself at the same big old door he saw the day before, but now, he was giving his own blessings, wishing his brother an easy victory upon the Kingdom's enemies.

“May the Moon God light your way…” he whispered, always careful to sound vague enough so the gods never made him a fool again. “May they allow you to come back, brother.”

Jimin was still feeling somewhat betrayed - still didn’t feel secure by being left alone; he couldn’t stop the urge of hugging him before his departure. Their uncle was already risking his life on the battlefield…

He knew the heavy price the war could charge on their warriors - he could be as mad as he wanted, but he would never forgive himself if he lost them too.

So, for the first time in months, he let his brother’s scent calm him, like it did when he was just a pup. The older man kissed his temple and he felt like a little boy all over again - but he didn’t cry like he used to, or begged in the hope his brother would listen.

“I’ll be back, alright? Uncle will too. You’re not alone.” He looked at his eyes and Jimin knew he believed his words. He wished he could believe them too. “I know you’re scared, but you have the lion’s blood inside you.”

Jimin wanted to respond, saying that a dragon could kill a lion king in one bite, but he kept his mouth shut - not the right moment.

He whispered his vows of victory and just hugged him tight. Taemin’s scent resembled so much of home, of what everything Jimin knew - of Marjorie. It felt right; almost like every piece was back together. It wasn’t filled with anger generated from their fights over the last months, but it smelled like Taemin wanted Jimin to remember him. Wanted to give the boy a piece of himself.

When they both let it go, they exchanged a look that somehow reminded Jimin of the boy who was his brother and the Lord he became. They didn’t say another word, but he knew her name was floating between them. 

Taemin  left the Red Keep with his big comitive, full of alphas mounted on horses and wagons full with supplies. Jimin saw the carriage that brought him here being taken, Alanna and Sheryl inside. And as soon as the gates were once closed, he was officially alone. 

Or was what he thought.

“What do you want to do now, my Lord?” Someone called him and the boy didn’t turn around to face it. 

Jimin could recognize that voice from miles away - he was surprised to not see the alpha yesterday… Was he waiting for Taemin to leave, so he didn’t have to face the man he once called brother?

“Sir Seojon. Heard that you’re now part of my guard.” The man was no longer his family, but an alpha at his service. It didn’t matter all of the memories he had floating over his head.

“I'm the Commander of your guard, Lord Jimin. The Prince decided.” 

It was funny how that man was capable of influencing so much in the boy’s life without evening meeting him. They never shared a word, but now every step Jimin would ever take was related to him.

The boy looked around, searching for any sign of Targaryen or Martell soldiers - apparently the King really gave him privacy to send his brother away. 

“That bothers you?” It did. Because so much was changing and he was supposed to calm Jimin’s nerves, he used to be his brother - and not cause him panic. The boy had lost so many people already, he couldn’t deal with ghosts from a different life.

“Not really,” he lied and then turned to face the man. “I want to ask a question, Sir.” 

Seeing Seojon Lorch after two years was like facing a dead person - one Jimin was sure he would never meet again. Somehow, he felt like he didn’t age a day and at the same time he lived a thousand different lives. His dark hair was longer, his eyes more tired and on his left cheek, a scar. 

His armor was black and red - the Targaryen colors.

Seojon was facing him, waiting for his question. Jimin wanted to scream  - tell him how Marjorie cried… how everything went downhill after his departure. But there was no emotion on his face - not even he seemed surprised to see Jimin after so much time.

So why would he bother with all of his emotions? 

“When did you and the Prince become close?”

The man looked like he was waiting for that question - as if he knew what was on Jimin’s mind. 

Yet, he took his time to respond - and the boy waited.

“The Skagos Rebellion, my Lord. Fighting by his side.” Their formal interaction felt weird and wrong. Seojon was not supposed to be serving him, not like this.

“And he just knighted you?”

“He saw potential in me and once we won he gave me the honor, my Lord.” Facing Seojon was the same as dealing with all his demons in person - Marjorie, his uncle, his marriage.

Somehow, that man represented everything Jimin was trying to escape. In front of him were all the bad thoughts he wanted to forget, all of the past he wanted to erase and the future he wanted to avoid. But in flesh and alive - wearing armor with his future husband’s standard and the vague promise of protecting him.

Yet, he had the answers Jimin needed.

Jimin could’ve asked many things, starting with why he left. Why did Marjorie never mention his name and why he never went to say his goodbyes to her. 

Why didn't he care anymore?

But he wasn’t sure if he was ready for the truth. He would have a lifetime to ask the alpha all of this.

“How is he?”

“What?”

But there were so many things scaring Jimin right now and Seojon's recent comeback to his life wasn’t on his priority list.

People used to say that Namjoon would glare at the sky, like he was seeing a battlefield in front of him instead of clouds.

When Marjorie was still alive, he overheard his brother’s alphas say how different Namjoon was in and out of battle. Jimin listened, but didn’t ask the soldiers what they meant - he wasn’t sure if he wanted to know. 

Taemin promised him that Marjorie would be safe in King’s Landing by his side, and he trusted his brother. Now, considering how scared he was, he got himself thinking about how selfish his own desires showed to be. 

Was Marjorie feeling this scared about marrying a stranger? Was she scared of being so far from home? Did she have nightmares? Was that why she…

“How is he? Is he a good man?” Jimin asked again, playing with his fingers. “And, please, Sir. If you still have some respect for me, don’t say things like how good of an alpha he is. That doesn’t say much.” And it didn’t. A good alpha could mean anything - Queen Alpha Lya Targaryen was a good alpha, and still had a bastard pup with a commonwhore. 

“I don’t want to sound invasive but… are you afraid, my Lord?” Seojon’s face still said nothing to him and Jimin didn’t know how to answer. Was he stupid enough to confess to an alpha who was serving the Prince how the prospect of marrying him was scaring the boy?

“Just answer me… how is he?” 

Seojon looked directly at Jimin and for the first time that morning, his eyes were shining with something more than indifference.

“He is fierce, my Lord.” Before Jimin could know what that meant, he continued. “He knighted me and I will always be thankful for that.” 

Seojon wasn’t the bulkiest or biggest alpha, but he was fast and smart. Many Lord and Lady alphas wouldn't take those abilities in consideration, Taemin didn’t, but the Prince... 

“But… he’s not merciful, my Lord. Prince Namjoon hates traitors and liars. I saw him kill too many alphas to believe otherwise. Some are afraid of him, others admire him.”

“And where do you stand?”

Seojon was considering his words - apparently the answer wasn’t easy to give. 

“I admire him, my Lord. But I am also… aware I must stay on his good side.”

A lifetime ago, Lannisters were known for being traitors and liars - Jimin wasn’t any of those things. 

He was just a young omega who couldn’t do anyone any harm. 

He was afraid and alone. And dangerous thoughts were running through his mind.

“Just… don’t keep thinking about it too much, my Lord. It is your second day here,” Seojon pointed out. “And the Prince is too far away. You can just picture someone in your mind and assume what you want.” For a moment, he sounded like the boy Jimin grew with and not the knight.

“Yes, maybe,” he agreed. “But it’s hard not to imagine such a fierce alpha, as you said yourself… He is my future husband, the same way he was my sister’s.”

The mention of Marjorie made the man tense all over again - like he was seeing a ghost and not Jimin in front of him. It was a weird experience… deep down the boy knew Seojon still cared for her at some level…

He wasn’t stupid - he could say that man knew more than he was willing to share. And he was not talking about Namjoon.

He was talking about Marjorie.

But right now, Jimin was tired, sad, and couldn’t deal with any more drama.

“I’ll go to my chambers, Sir. Still have a lot to unpack. I do not need company, don’t worry.”

He left and Seojon didn’t follow him or make any attempt to make the boy stay. He was glad… he needed to think, to put his mind in order and the man’s presence was disturbing. Too many questions and too many feelings involved. His heart was racing and just now he was feeling the truth of it - he just saw Seojon Lorch.

He was still getting used to how big and full of strange corridors the Red Keep was, so he dismissed his alphas and let a royal guard guide him to his… Tower. The castle was full - servants, noble omegas from smaller houses, and knights. 

The King Consort and Prince Taehyung were nowhere to be found, and Jimin felt intimidated with so many strange faces - he couldn’t help but feel that all eyes were on him, analyzing his movements and the way he walked. 

But in a way, he was also grateful for being left alone. He had a lot on his mind - the war, his uncle, his brother, Seojon, and Namjoon. 

And he didn’t even have his nest to lay down and relax for just a moment. 

He breathed heavily, trying to focus on the place he was. His room was nice - a big bed in the middle, a fireplace, and a large window from where he could see the whole city growing. It didn’t feel like home as his room in Casterly Rock - but the boy doubted that anywhere in the world would be as cozy as the place he shared with Marjorie. 

He doubted he would ever be able to nest again. 

His chests were almost all opened - with only one left. The one Jimin didn’t allow the servants to undo the night before. 

It was still closed with a lock and it was looking back at Jimin, like it knew what he was searching for. 

Seojon’s words echoed through his mind - Namjoon was too far away for him to just imagine a man. Paint a picture of him and make it true inside his head.

But Namjoon someday will stop being made of fantasy to become his reality… and here he was: alone, without family… without his sister. Seojon was nothing more than a memory of his past…

He couldn’t stop and now his mind was going to the most scary places. He was alone, nervous and all pieces of dreams were taken away from him. 

All but one. 

He knew he shouldn't. But sometimes…

He got up from the bed and opened the damned thing, looking under all his clothes, searching for the long forgotten crown. If his brother or uncle found out he kept it and brought it with him… 

There wasn’t any color on it anymore - the flowers that once adorned the crown of love and beauty had already died. It felt cold under Jimin’s touch and it was as if the boy was being brought back to that day.

He didn’t know exactly why he kept it. It didn’t mean anything and he never had the chance to look at the man’s face that day. But even after a year, the smell of wet earth would still be with him - a faint scent, but it filled the boy completely and he knew it came from that alpha.

That day was the last time Jimin felt he could conquer the world and maybe that’s why he kept it. To remind him that he could survive. Back then, he already faced Seojon’s leaving, Marjorie‘s absence, and his uncle’s indifference. 

Was his Feather Knight going to protect him from his husband?

If he couldn’t, then he would have to protect himself.

“Oh, my Lord. I’m sorry. Am I interrupting?” King Jungkook’s voice caught him by surprise, and he put the thing back in his chest the fastest way he could. 

Did the King see something?

“Your Highn- My King. I’m sorry. I wasn’t notified of your arrival.” He frowned - normally such an important visit would be warned to him.

“Oh, don’t worry. I actually didn’t send any messenger, I wanted to check on you myself. Did Nari serve you well?” 

The King was wearing a more casual outfit than the day before, but he was still gorgeous. Jungkook was big and some people wouldn’t say he was an omega, but he had a soft aura - the one would make Jimin feel calm and at ease around the man.

“Oh, Nari. Yes. She arrived this morning, helped me with the bath and my clothes. She is lovely, my King.” He was speaking the truth - he didn’t know if he could trust her completely, but she wasn’t noble and it was unfair of Jimin to just spread misinformation about her.

“She’s wonderful. She was sent here from Dorne to assist me, you know? One of my very best. I’ll find her a good mate as soon as Lord Alpha Greyjoy is dead.” The man took a seat in a chair close to Jimin’s bed and just looked at the man with a gaze which was impossible to read.

“She’s very good, my King.” Jimin wasn’t sure about what to say next. Not for the first time he felt somewhat inadequate - he was trained for this, of course, but Marjorie was raised to marry a prince. She spent years learning the capital costumes and ways of living. Jimin was sure he would live all his days in the Westerlands.

“Don’t give me that look!” The King laughed loudly as Jimin tried to soften the suspicious gaze he didn’t realize was on his face. “Not here to sniff if you’re good enough for Namjoon. Queen Dame Jocelyn didn’t do it to me when I arrived.” His uncle had warned him that maybe some omegas would try to test him, to check if he was really fit for the part. His head was so full that he didn’t even think about it.

As he tried to speak, the King continued. “I’m here to invite you, actually.” Jimin was even more confused - invite him to where? And why? “Once you feel comfortable and settled, you should come have lunch with me and Taehyungie one of these days.” 

The way he talked so casually about the prince made it obvious they both were close and not just bound because of Jungkook’s marriage with his brother. But why in the hells would the King want him present at those lunches?  

But he also knew he could never refuse an invitation like this - a King Consort calling a fellow omega to a lunch? It is not something you say no to - especially if Jimin wanted to survive in the capital.

“It would be an honour-” He tried to remember the right words to accept an invitation like this, but he was interrupted again. 

“Don’t need to be so formal.” Jungkook put his hand over his growing belly. “We’re not trying to investigate you or play mind games in the way they expect omegas to do. We just know how lonely it can be to be in a foreign place without family around.” He sounded like he was talking from experience and part of Jimin wanted to believe he was just being genuinely good - but it was so hard. 

Why would anyone be so kind for nothing?

And it was not like Jungkook was really alone, not now.  

“You have family here, though,” he said, looking at King’s belly and the omega let out the sweetest smile Jimin has ever seen. He glowed by the mention of his child.

“Yes, I do. I was blessed by the gods, indeed. But a child won’t resolve your loneliness, Jimin.” He sounded so sincere, that the boy felt again inclined to believe that it actually came from a place of preoccupation. “My first weeks here were… hard. The gods know I love my royal husband, but it was hard to break into his shell - a friend would do you good.”

Jimin knew part of the story - Queen Alpha Lya and Queen Omega Jocelyn agreed to a marriage between the Martells and the Crown many years ago. The servants would often gossip that Seokjin Targaryen and his sire Lya’s relationship, which wasn’t very good to begin with, deteriorated with the separation of his parents - and he wasn’t interested in fulfilling the wedding.

But he did, anyway. Jungkook grew to be one of most beautiful faces in Westeros and even like that, most of the Kingdom didn’t believe their relationship would work more than something contractual. They were wrong.

He didn’t know how and when, but the couple fell in love and it didn’t take too much time for the now King to pup his mate.

But now, hearing Jungkook’s words, Jimin could picture him when he was just an omega, betrothed to a man he didn’t know, and wasn’t interested in him - with the people from Dorne expecting him to just pull off heirs from his womb like it was nothing.

Maybe they had more in common than the boy imagined. 

Did Jungkook also have an imaginary knight to hold on to? And a real one he didn’t know he could trust?

“Thank you, my King. I’m not trying to sound disrespectful, but things changed really fast and I’m just trying to adjust.”

“I imagined. Marrying someone you don’t know is scary and with the loss of your sister, of all things. The gods don’t prepare us for such tragedies.” The open mention of Marjorie scared the boy; he wasn’t ready to hear her name being said so explicitly like this. Before they could think about sniffing into Jimin’s business, they would think about sniffing hers. 

“But don’t let the sadness over consume you. We have no idea when the alphas will be back, so we should bond. We can’t forget we’re a pack species, after all.”

Yes, they were. They didn’t refer to it as a pack anymore, but the concept was alive. Omegas living together in the same place would often nest together and when alphas were away, they would gather to keep each other protected. In other words, what the King Consort was offering was a possible place in his nest, so Jimin could be protected too. It was a high honor for a man who was basically an outcast in the castle. A high honor should belong to his sister, not him.

Jimin thought about it for a second - even if he was his King,  Jungkook was a stranger after all. A kind stranger, but people could lie - and in the capital, of all places, this was a most common trait. But the boy knew he needed to at least try to trust those people. 

The Martell was not only his King, but his fellow omega, husband of Namjoon’s own brother - and Jimin would marry the Prince at any time. Wanting or not, they were bound by family now - they would be together in gatherings, meetings, and… 

If Jimin would bear pups one day, they would play with Jungkook’s children.

“I will, my King. Tomorrow you can expect me at lunch!” He tried to sound excited and hide any sign of discomfort in his voice.

The King analyzed him, and if he noticed anything strange on the boy, he didn’t bother to mention.

“Great! Taehyung will love it. He finally will have a good motivation to send those boring omega companions on a walk.” Jungkook got up from his chair and Jimin panicked a little - was he supposed to help the King? “I’ll leave you to be, my Lord. You must be still tired.”

“A little but… should you keep walking while carrying a child, my King?” Jimin hoped it didn’t sound disrespectful. Jungkook sounded really active for an expecting omega.

“Ah, don’t you worry. Walking is good for me and it’s still the beginning, only five months.” He smiled and Jimin returned it. He couldn’t help but wonder if the man was feeling lonely while carrying a child without his alpha around.

Jungkook smiled again and said that the next day a servant would come to his room to guide him to the garden where the King Consort and Taehyung eat everyday. He left the boy alone again after this.

Jimin let out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding - it went better than expected. Jungkook was the most powerful man in the Kingdom right now and he talked to him perfectly.

Would Marjorie be proud of him? Would she congratulate him on talking to the King without trembling? 

His chest hurted once again - she wouldn’t, because she would be the one talking to Jungkook in the first place. The one being invited to private lunches in the garden. The one worried about marrying the Prince. The one asking around if he was a good man.

This wasn’t his place, and yet, here he was - living, breathing and missing her deeply. 

Chapter Text

JIMIN II

The boy was drowning.

All his eyes could see was the infinite blue emptiness of the ocean. The water filled his lungs, making it impossible for him to breathe. Everything burned like hell; almost like he was set on fire. But he was far away from combustion.

He was drowning and everything was beautiful. The clear water was everywhere around him, embracing him like a dame’s hug he hadn't felt in a long time.

It was all so scary and still beautiful.

He could feel the ocean inside him, filling him, bringing him somewhere. Was it home?

He knew for sure that it was already way too late to even consider it… but this was the right thing to do?

He couldn’t even remember why he was leaving - only that he was empty. In his memory, he saw a man in the body of a devil, bringing him tea. 

He drank and then he drowned. 

That was it.

He continued slowly sinking and the light was becoming a distant memory - the sun’s warmth was just… something far away right now. 

Lost in his own mind’s ocean, soon he felt heaviness upon his eyes. His body was tired.

Somewhere far away from that place and unaware of its future, a knight dressed in gold armor was looking at the moon, asking for their god to protect someone he loved dearly. What he didn’t know was that the person never craved for the moon’s watchful view but for the sun’s strong embrace.  

His eyes were finally closing and he would miss the view from  halfway down. But at least he had his memories and his truth - all of it shall die with him.

The knight dressed in gold armor - somewhere in the forest he once loved so much, protecting him from what lurks in the dark - could not prevent this. 

He wasn’t able to prevent the boy from drowning. 

That night Jimin didn’t sleep well.

With fatigue lingering in his bones from the trip, it was hard to let himself find any comfort on his new bed. His whole body felt alert and the mattress under him was like pure stone - his wolf somehow knew he was far away from home. 

His mind, full of thoughts and worries, wasn't of any help either. 

When he felt his brain finally slipping to a sweet land of relaxation, he knew the sun was about to rise. Yet, he did what he could to enjoy the few hours of sleep that he was able to get.

The boy didn’t know how much time had passed, but soon rays of sunshine went directly to his eyes and he let out a loud complaint. A figure was opening his room’s curtains and letting all the sun go into his bed. They were talking to him, telling something - trying to wake him up.

Nari.

Before he could even ask her to let him sleep just a little more, he suddenly felt panicked; wasn’t he supposed to meet the King for lunch? Was he already late?

“Good morning, m’Lord. I tried to wake you up earlier, but you’re a heavy sleeper.” The girl was smiling at him, gathering items for what he was assuming was his bath. “Don’t worry, you’re not late. King Jungkook only eats after all his meetings.”

The boy rubbed his eyes and let out a loud yawn. At least his first official day at King’s Landing wasn’t a complete disaster already. “Thank you, Nari. Sorry, I didn’t sleep well last night - couldn’t relax.”

He could feel his body begging him to go back to bed for just a little longer, but he resisted.

Basket in hand, the girl analyzed him for a second before responding. “You should at least consider starting to nest, m’Lord.”

He was afraid that she would say something like that - omegas could easily sense when another wasn’t properly nesting. 

As the King said the day before, they were pack creatures and an omega without family around should at least have a place to come back and feel safe inside. Jimin had none of those things, so his wolf was basically living in survival mode for the past few days.

“I’m not going to be in this room forever,” he responded like it was reasonable, which it wasn’t. Yes, soon Namjoon would arrive and it was expected that Jimin’s nest would be in his husband’s chambers - it didn’t mean he should need an alpha to start one. He could always move his nest if that were the case.

“You won’t do the Prince any good by stressing yourself without a nest, m’Lord.”

Jimin knew the girl spoke the truth -  but his mind would not allow him to even start thinking about building anything. 

He knew he should. His instincts were telling him to do it, but his mind constructed a wall blocking him from even starting. 

And still, it was not like he had the items for a nest with him. His uncle and brother's scent were more annoying than comforting these days, all of Marjorie's things didn’t smell like her anymore, and he didn’t have anyone he trusted enough to bring into his safe space.

A nest should be made of items from people that make an omega feel safe and comfortable - and those were scarce in Jimin’s life right now.

Nari threw a sweet smile at him, somehow unaware of her Lord’s internal torment, and just continued preparing his bath. She moved around the room like a professional and the boy remembered Jungkook’s words, saying how much he enjoyed her services. After that, the King left the room, leaving Jimin alone with his thoughts and…

Now that the sleep fog was finally dissipating from his brain, the boy started to remember why he went to sleep so late last night.

Seojon. 

The Crown. 

The alpha who grew with him and his family, just to leave everything behind on a random night, was not only in King’s Landing, but he was part of Jimin's personal guard ordained by the Prince himself.

He left Marjorie to be buried without his presence, because he was too busy serving Namjoon. 

“It’s ready, m’Lord.” 

Jimin just nodded and followed the girl to the bathroom allocated inside the guest’s chambers, taking off his pajamas.

The boy knew he tried to show Seojon how much he didn’t care about any of it yesterday - but it was a facade. Now that he was back in Jimin’s life, he allowed himself to have all kinds of thoughts he blocked once he left and when Marjorie died. All the theories he never shared with anyone. Uncle Taenil wasn’t very fond of Seojon’s friendship with his nieces, but he never did anything to send the alpha away - he was taken as a ward when his brother was still Lord of the Rock.

Jiimin didn’t even know why he was so obsessed with it anyways. He was about to marry and all of the Lannister’s drama didn’t belong to him anymore. Nothing he may discover would change the fact that Marjorie died.

But still… It's been a year since his sister passed without explanation and it didn’t matter how big an effort he put into it, he couldn’t guess what exactly happened that night. The fight with their uncle, the stomach ache - nothing fit back then and now, with his memory blurring, it felt worse. 

A year ago, he gave up through the lack of information and for his sanity’s sake, but now, he had Seojon. 

The man Marjorie once loved dearly and now was an infinite repository of her memories of what they lived. When that was the topic, it didn’t matter that he left - he was there for most part of it.

But somehow, destiny could be tricky and Seojon was serving the alpha Jimin should marry - the one that belonged to his sister first. The only man he should be concerned about was Prince Namjoon and not the Lorch boy.

Nari was helping him bathe while humming a song Jimin didn’t recognize. She was scrubbing him with soap and the warm water did the job of finishing waking him up. It was relaxing in a way his sleeping wasn’t, and if his mind wasn’t so full he would even close his eyes and rest a little bit more.

“Are you alright, m’Lord? You feel tense.” The girl was observant, as one would expect of someone who served the King Consort.

While the warm water embraced his body, he considered what he should answer. He was feeling tense and there wasn’t one motivation for it - it was a combination of factors. Seojon, his sister… his wedding.

“Just… It feels weird to be away from home. ” It wasn’t a lie and it wasn’t the truth. A blurry line he shall walk on.

“I understand. His Grace was tense just like you when he arrived.” Jungkook talked to him about it, but still felt almost unnatural. He was carrying the King’s baby, ruling in his name and nothing could expose them as a loveless couple.

”He truly was?”

”Well… See, I don’t always go around telling bad things about our rulers…” Nari stopped her ministrations and looked at the boy’s eyes, her gaze full of uncertainty. “But the Red Keep was a different place when Queen Lya was alive.”  

The boy softened his look. “How so? We often heard stories… but I don’t go around believing in gossip.”

The girl waited a while before speaking again, gulping. ”See… Queen Alpha Lya, may her soul rest in peace, was a… with all due respect… a difficult person to be around. Her children followed her mannerisms and… it was hard.”

He waited for her to say something more, but the girl just went back to scrubbing. Making a commoner talk badly about their Queen wasn’t an easy job - it didn’t matter if the woman was long dead.

He met Queen Lya only once, and she was far too sick to even speak properly - but he knew the stories.

The difficult marriage, the bad relationship with her kids, and all of it because she was not a delight to be around. None of those things were openly discussed, since no one wanted to be caught saying blasphemy about Her Grace - but in the night, people spoke and some things couldn’t be secrets in a castle as big as this one.

“So, you’re saying that King Seokjin was difficult because his sire was?”

The girl looked at him, almost like she was analyzing if Jimin was trustworthy. “Yes. And if anyone asks me, we never had this conversation.”

”And what about the Prince? Namjoon, I mean.”

Her scrubbing became softer and less erratic. For a moment, she didn’t speak again and the boy assumed he was not going to get his answer - maybe he pushed way too far.

But then, she talked. Her voice was a little lower. “The Prince… he is different from… what the people see.”

Jimin didn’t respond, but he couldn’t hide his shock - that was the first time someone had described Namjoon with other words that didn’t include his proficiency in battle and ability to kill.

“Don’t be like that, Nari. I won’t tell a soul about our conversation.” He tried to give her a genuine smile just for the girl to calm down. He would never allow anyone to punish her for telling him the truth he asked for.

“I just don’t… don’t go around planting bad seeds in your head, m’Lord. People like to talk a lot about what they don’t know.” 

Jimin nodded and decided to stop his interrogation; he didn’t understand what she meant by bad seeds and the link between this and Namjoon’s relationship with his sire, but that would have to wait. Poor Nari was about to explode for just briefly mentioning some royal private matters.

Instead, Jimin let her talk about other topics - the girl mentioned Dorne, how she missed the weather and the food; how her dame served Jungkook’s dame and how it was an honor to serve the King Consort. 

Jungkook was good, she said, not only a good Consort, but a good person. Jimin wanted to believe that.

The boy chose a simple red silk set for the day. It was nothing fancy, but beautiful enough to impress his companies. Once he was finished, he let the girl take him where the King and Prince would normally eat. 

He tried to shake any confusing thoughts about Namjoon, his sister, and Seojon out of his head - it wouldn’t do any good just keep imagining things and making up scenarios.

Namjoon was somewhere in the Riverlands fighting, Marjorie was dead, and Seojon… well, it was another day’s problem.

Nari was guiding him through the castle since Jimin was far from knowing the place. While walking with her, it didn’t take him much time to realize that yes, the first garden of the Red Keep was beautiful, with flowers and brushes growing and shining while welcoming visitors at the door. 

But the Queen’s Garden, hidden inside the castle, far enough from the training pit so the omegas didn’t need to listen to alphas grunting, was stunning as a dawn star. 

He couldn’t remember which Targaryen queen had the idea of an inside garden in the castle - but he knew it started with her annoyance of the Kingswood being named after the King, but nothing for the Queen. So, a garden was installed in her name and it was one of the most beautiful places Jimin found himself in.

The trees grew strongly, providing shades and relief  from the insane heat of that time of the year. Artificial lakes were all over the place, with statues inside shaped in the form of all kinds of animals - mostly dragons - but still beautiful. The flowers were of all colors and shapes - tulips, geraniums, wild roses, and cycads. 

Some would think that Casterly Rock wasn’t beautiful or luxurious enough - but it wasn’t the case. Jimin’s family castle was splendid as you would expect of one of the most prestigious families in the continent. But one must not forget that the Lannisters were vassals to the Targaryens and had been for hundreds of years. They were rich and powerful, but there was a reason why they were Lords and not Kings of the Rock. 

Jungkook was sitting close to a tall tree and it was easy to spot him right away - in front of him was Prince Taehyung, saying something that was making the other omega laugh. Their voices were loud and the whole interaction felt scandalous, but also really joyful.

They were also wearing more simple sets and Jungkook wasn't with his crown - they looked like a pair of average noble omegas and not the King Consort of the Seven Kingdoms and the Prince; Jimin felt less intimidated and asked himself if that was their intention after all.

“Lord Jimin, finally! I thought you forgot about us.” Jungkook smiled as soon as he saw the boy and Jimin bowed to both of them.

“I would never miss it, my King. My Prince.” He took a seat in an empty chair by Taehyung’s side. “The garden is beautiful!” It was the first thing that came into his head, and it felt appropriated to say - a good start for a pleasant conversation. 

“It is, isn’t it?” Taehyung was smiling too and now up close, he looked even more beautiful - he also had the same dark purple eyes as Namjoon, and with his platinum hair, the boy just looked ethereal. “My Dame loved this place when she used to live here. She complains all the time about how DragonStone it’s literally just stone .”

Jimin gasped with his drink in mouth - already feeling horrible for not being able to hide his shock. The whole Kingdom knew that Queen Dame Jocelyn Baratheon left King’s Landing a couple of years ago. But it wasn’t something he would expect for a prince to talk so openly and without shame.

Taehyung must have realized the effect his words had on the boy, because in the next second he said, “Jimin, you have so much of the West in you. Loosen up!” The prince slapped his shoulder and laughed. “Don’t need to make that face. Yes, my dame left the city and went to live in DragonStone once she found out that my Royal Sire had a bastard.”

Jimin was there for barely five minutes and now the Prince was talking openly about the private life of Her Almighty Grace Queen Alpha Lya. He felt like a hypocrite, since he was doing the exact same thing not long ago, but still. Mentioning her bastard child felt too much for a short conversation with people he barely knew. 

Jimin never lived anywhere out of the Westerlands, but he knew the Kingdom saw the bastards with a prejudiced look; even in Dorne, having pups outside of marriage wasn’t a pleasant surprise. 

Queen Daenerys betrothed one so many years ago, but the stigma was something hard to forget.

Yet, even with so much prejudice, there wasn’t a single soul in the whole Seven Kingdoms who wouldn’t know how to tell the story behind the omega Any Waters -  Taehyung’s younger sister and Queen Lya’s bastard daughter. 

“I’m sorry, I just don’t want to be indiscreet, my Prince,” Jimin responded shyly. 

“Taehyung.” King Jungkook let out an alert, while asking for a servant to bring their food and more cold drinks. “You're gonna scare him. And we are supposed to show how adorable and cute we are.” 

“Well, it’s impossible to be indiscreet if it’s something everybody knows. Dame Jocelyn only put a foot back in the city when my brother married.” Taehyung drank a little bit more of his wine, his tone indicating annoyance with the story he was telling. 

Jimin was still trying to figure out how the dynamic between the two omegas worked and where he would fit. The Dornish sounded so juvenile but yet assertive, and Taehyung was a summer pup in everything, even if he was a bit older. But even with that, they seemed to be very close friends. He was hoping for friendship for him too, but it was always good to be careful.

It was not like the Targaryens, the Martells, and the Lannisters had a good history between each other.

Still, it was weird to hear the Prince talk with so much property about something Jimin only knew through gossip. 

A lifetime ago, Lya and Jocelyn were the main couple of many songs and stories - those that make omegas cry begging to have such a beautiful love as their own. Jocelyn, a young maiden that brightened up Lya’s eyes during a visit to the Stormlands. And Lya, the brave alpha princess who would burn the world to see her mate happy. When they claimed each other, the whole realm celebrated. 

A love that once was called the purest of all, ended up with the Queen Alpha dying alone and the Queen Consort living recluse in a castle far away. 

“Well, enough about my in-law's hate towards this city, before Jimin gets scared and runs away.” Jungkook thanked the servant for the food - a combination of figs, dates, olives, and citrus fruits arrived at their table; a typical Dornish snack. A plate of cooked meat was also served to the three omegas. “What do you tell us about yourself, Lord Jimin?”

“About myself?”

“Well, yes! We’re gonna become family any day now. And Namjoon was very discreet while talking about you.” The King responded, choosing which fruit he would eat first. “So, tell us about yourself.”

Namjoon was discreet talking about him? 

The Prince talked about him? 

Jimin didn’t know why he was so surprised about that - if the man chose his guards, then he must have mentioned the boy a few times at least. But still...

“You look surprised, my Lord.” Taehyung’s voice caught his attention, and Jimin found the Prince looking directly at him - not in an accusatory way, but a curious one.

“No, it’s just…” The boy was searching for the best words to explain himself without sounding disrespectful towards the royal family. “He was supposed to marry… my sister. Her and I were very close, that’s for sure. But I did not play a big part in the aspects of her wedding… I imagined the Prince didn’t talk much about me.” 

It was almost all the truth. He hid all the foggy parts - Namjoon choosing Seojon as commander of his guard, a man who once was his brother. How he was afraid to finally meet him and find out that all of the tales were true.

How marrying him because his sister died made his stomach hurt.

“I imagine it must be hard… to marry your sister’s fiancé,” Taehyung responded, not knowing he was vocalizing all of Jimin’s worries. 

The boy didn’t say anything right away, too shocked to speak; not because of the question, but because it was the first time since his engagement was announced that someone had openly mentioned how hard it was on him - the burden he was carrying of mating someone attached to the memory of another. 

“Taehyung.” The King let out another warning sound. “We agreed on no invasive questions.”

Jimin wasn’t stupid and he knew people talked about his situation. Unlike Taehyung, who preferred to vocalize it to the boy directly, there were a good amount of noble omegas who would often gossip behind his back. He would pretend he wasn’t listening like his sister taught him to. But their questions made in whispers always arrived in his ears.

Was he the poor soul who would marry the prince? 

Was it his sister who died?

Maybe the gods saved her from marrying the red dragon himself…

“It’s just what it is, my Prince,” he decided to reply, taking a sip of his wine. He didn’t feel it was appropriate to vent about the torments in his head with two men he barely knew. With his fiancé’s brother of all people. “And it’s a great honor marrying one of royal blood.” He recited his uncle’s words like one would talk about a contract made with a devil - an obligation for a greater good that you don’t know if you’re ready to face the consequences.

What else could he say? That the idea of mating the alpha destined to his sister made him sick? That the Namjoon he created in his mind was a scary man? 

That he was afraid he was destined to a life of sorrow and misery, like people were predicting? 

“I know they trained you well when you say those words,” Taehyung spoke, gaining an unpleasant look from the King. The boy’s tone wasn’t mocking, but Jimin was trying really hard not to be offended by his words.

“What do you mean, my Prince?” he asked, longing for an explanation and trying to hide the spike of anger in his voice.

“Don’t take this as an offense, my Lord. But your words sound more like what an alpha wants to hear from an omega and not your opinion on the matter.”  The man was staring into his eyes, but he didn’t look like he was mad at Jimin or even calling him fake - it looked like Taehyung pitied him. “We know the drill, Jimin. You don’t have to pretend you're thrilled with the whole situation.”

Part of him was willing to deny everything the Prince was saying - his words, his will and his duty belonged to him. 

They were all he had. 

What an alpha wants to hear from an omega.

So, if all of it was true, why did Jimin feel so small hearing those things? 

Why did he suddenly lose all of his words?

The boy was too little when his own dame died. His uncle gave up having children and never married. Taenil wasn’t a bad alpha, but he wasn’t a dame. All the omega’s affairs and doubts he could ever have were often explained by the septans that accompanied him even if the Faith of the Seven was not well seen in Westeros anymore.

He knew their visions of the world were more conservative than in other places - he felt it on his skin at his very first heat.

But he never considered it an actual bad thing. More like the way life was - you’ll do some things you don’t like now and then. 

It was his duty, after all.

His sister would marry someone, give them children, and Jimin would do the same when the time comes. 

The boy never questioned a thing, not ever. The only moment he dared to go against their wishes was when his wedding was announced. Then, he was called spoiled, his own uncle saying he wasn’t willing to help his own family. To give them the glory they deserved.

While growing up, Marjorie was way more rebellious than the boy. Her fights with her uncle became frequent over the years; the girl would disappear to train with a sword and mingle with the alpha soldiers - especially Seojon. Taenil was never pleased with her and Jimin, even loving the girl so much, always questioning why she couldn’t simply just obey .

Maybe he was too much of a pup to understand how heavy it was the burden he was asking her to carry.

Because now, her burden was his.

“What my beloved nest companion wants to say, Lord Jimin.” The King took the conversation from both omegas, maybe sensing the situation was about to get sour. “It’s that you don’t have to pretend nothing is happening. You’re about to marry your late sister's fiancé, and since you didn’t run away to live in the Free Cities, I imagine you will go through with the wedding. And if you're planning to do so, you need to let the bad feelings sink in, so you can… open yourself to happiness.”

He thought all his life that the prohibitions and privations his uncle imposed on him were with the best of intentions.

But was it?

His words belonged to him or it was just his uncle and brother whispering?  

Both omegas were still facing him and the boy had nothing to say. He knew his face was blank and that was because maybe, deep down, the prince was right.

“I have no bad feelings, my King.” He lied again, not only because he was tired of that conversation, but because he didn’t know how much he could trust them two. Some part of him was afraid that a crow telling how he spoke bad about the Prince would arrive in his uncle’s hands. 

He could take the humiliation but not his screams. 

In the end all of his thoughts, his anger, his pettiness, and his bitter scent were nothing more than a tiny bother to Taenil and Taemin. Because in the end, he would ride to King’s Landing, he would repeat his uncle’s words, and he would marry. 

He would spend the rest of his life mourning. And nobody would care.

“But it’s hard to… think about happiness in this situation. An imposed marriage is a hard thing to do.” Yet, he decided to be just a little honest. The imposition wasn’t really the problem, but it was better than talking badly about the King’s brother.

The Consort seemed to accept his explanation on some level, and agreed with his head. “Never is. But a marriage by love isn’t a thousand wonders either.”

“See my parents, for example. The commoners will remember them by how they ruled, the nobles will remember them by their unofficial breakup. I will remember because of the countless fights and scream-“

Before the Prince could continue, a scream cut through the garden. Taehyung stopped abruptly and looked at the woman running in their direction.

“Your Highness!” The old alpha was now facing them. She had white hair and was wearing a long chain around her neck, full of links made of different types of metal - bronze, copper, gold, iron, and more. 

Jimin heard stories about Grand Maester Arthura - recently promoted to the post but a loyal servant to the Crown. She had a letter in hand and was out of breath as she spoke. 

“I must apologize for interrupting my Prince, but this matter is of importance and needs to be handled urgently.”

Jungkook turned to her with a preoccupied gaze. “Arthura. What happened? My husband sent a crow?” He put his hand over his belly, in a protection gesture in the mention of the King. Jimin could see the bite mark on his neck - he could feel in his soul how the youngest craved for his mate. 

“Not the King, Your Grace… but Lord Omega Hoseok Velaryon. It’s about the…” The Maester suddenly stopped, only now realizing that the Consort had another visitor for his lunch - she didn’t want to discuss private affairs in front of a stranger, Jimin guessed.

“Let me read it,” Jungkook said anyway. The woman hesitated a little, but the King Consort insisted. Taehyung faced both of them and waited while taking a sip of his wine. 

All castles in Westeros have maesters - trained scholars who would often advise their Lords or Lady alphas - would take care of them if one falls ill. 

The Grand Maester was the monarch's adviser. And of course she wouldn’t want a stranger, a Lannister of all people, listening to private matters.

First that weird conversation and now this. Jimin never felt so out of place ever in his life - he could feel in his bones he didn’t belong in that table. 

Yet, he didn’t move a muscle to leave. Instead, he distracted himself by searching in his head who was the Velaryon Lord.

If he was recalling it right, Hoseok’s parents died in a ship wreck when he was just a young pup. He was their only heir and the Crown supported him to succeed his sire.

Years later, when Hoseok was already an adult, a cousin of his gathered a few alphas and tried to constestate his call upon Driftmark - saying that she was the oldest Velaryon alpha and should be lady instead. She even proposed that she should mate Hoseok and resolve the whole thing peacefully.

Jimin remembered hearing a song telling how Hoseok cut off his cousin's head, and while covered in the woman’s blood, he asked if any other alpha had a problem with an omega ruling over Driftmark.

Bards are known for often making things way more heroic than they really were - but in the song’s final verse, no one dared to say a word. Since then, Lord Omega Hoseok Velaryon was Lord of the Tides and Master of Driftmark. No alpha by his side, telling him what to do. 

Jungkook was still reading and whatever was written on that paper was causing a great surprise on him, making him unable to hide it. “Hoseok is smart. This could put an end to Lord Greyjoy terror upon the Riverlands.” The man was speaking a little low, but loud enough for Jimin and Taehyung to listen. The boy didn’t know if he should be hearing any of it, but nobody told him to leave. So he didn’t.

“Are you sure you don’t want to discuss it in private?” The maester asked, and Jimin took it as the final hint for him to leave. But before he got even ready to go, the King spoke again, without taking his eyes off the paper.

“No, but thank you for asking. Jimin is a Lannister, but all the traitors in his family are long dead. And we will always be thankful to the late Lord Tyrion for that. So, the boy can know.”

Maester Arthura finally faced the boy, as if just now she  realized that the man in question was the Prince’s fiancé. “I am deeply sorry, Lord Jimin. I didn’t mean any offense.” She was polite, but not very welcoming.

It took years to clean the poor image Casterly Rock constructed among the Kingdom; the War of the Five Kings was the last straw - too many crimes were committed by the lions. Even with all of the traitors dead and their names banned, somehow Westeros would always remember - see them as traitors and liars. 

Trusting a Lannister was still difficult, even if Queen Cersei’s body was long rotten. 

The boy only nodded. Even after two hundred years, the scar of the war never truly healed. His family didn’t have the traitor's blood anymore, but there was a solid reason why a Lannister and a Targaryen never married.

Until now.

“What do you think about the offer, Arthura?” Jungkook asked, suddenly taking the attention of Jimin.

“It’s highly risky, Your Grace. Very creative, but risky.” The woman had a serious gaze and a stern voice; she was old and could be someone’s grandsire.

“Well, if my life depended on Hoseok sailing with his ship in the Sunset Sea, I would have the most pleasant dreams while sleeping - because I know he would keep me safe.” The King responded, like he was pondering the possibilities. “He wouldn’t suggest this if he wasn’t sure.”

“What did he suggest? To just burn Pyke to the ground? Me and Rhaegel would be up to that, really.” Taehyung was talking nonchalantly about carbonizing people while eating his olives.

“If burning Pyke was a possibility, Namjoon would be serving Lord Greyjoy as our lunch right now.” Jungkook folded the letter again and handed it to the maester. “Hoseok wants to sail to the Iron Islands, save the poor Lady Tully being held there, so then we can burn them to the ground.”

”He’s audacious, for sure.” 

“He’s crazy, my Prince. With all due respect, Your Grace - but the Iron Men have been sailing for thousands of years, they could go swimming from Essos to Pyke completely blind..” Jimin still didn’t say a word - it wasn’t his position after all. But during years, he listened about the Crownlands politics, how it was in King’s Landing where Westeros’s future was being decided. 

Who would marry who, who would be born from that and who would die because of it. 

“I don’t want to be rude, maester. But the Velaryons sails since Old Valyria was still the greatest empire in the world, with dragon lords ruling over it. Hoseok himself even went to Sothoryos alone. He's no fool.”

The woman kept silent, pondering her next words. “The Daynes would have to accept it.” 

Now, Taehyung’s voice cuts through their conversation “The Lady Omega of House Dayne is Jungkook`s sister, am I right?” The King Consort just nodded, tapping his fingers on the table. 

An impatience silence was set between them four, no one dared to say a word more. Jungkook was thinking, and it was almost possible to picture his brain working with full force. 

And only after what it felt like hours, the King spoke again.

“He needs my answer right now?”

”The faster the better, Your Grace. I assume you would like to speak with the counc-”

“Send Lord Hoseok a crow in my name. Tell him he can use the port in Starfall, my sister will allow it. And send a letter to my sister and her wife, tell them that we will allow their trades with the Tyrosh.” 

It was a lie to say the woman didn’t hesitate for a second, but then she just nodded. “As your wish.” She bowed to them and looked briefly at Jimin - they stared at each other for a moment, before she vanished through the same path he appeared

What else could she do? Talk to the King? 

She just did. 

Only after they couldn’t see the woman any more, Taehyung spoke again.

“You’re not gonna check with the council, are you?” 

“Half of the council isn’t here anyways. Seokjin is yet to name a new Hand of the King… and Hoseok’s letter seemed rushed; he needed an answer right away.”

“Isn't it too dangerous?”

“Being dangerous is a famous characteristic of war, Tae.” 

Jimin was becoming even more surprised. He knew Jungkook was ruling the Seven Kingdoms during the war - the council and the King were fighting and trying to come back alive. Any decision coming from King’s Landing should have the Consort approval - but it was different seeing it in person. 

If maester Arthura was willing to follow the man’s order even if she was disagreeing, it was because the King Seokjin himself put that authority on his husband’s shoulders. 

Because he trusted his omega.

Jimin wasn’t a stranger with the aspect of ruling - he was trained and educated for this. But he was realizing how the concept of omega ruling was different here than back home.

His uncle wasn’t a violent alpha or one who thought that omegas were only good for breeding. He was the one insisting that Marjorie and Jimin had the best education, learned to mount horses, and participated, when requested, in important decisions. When he was ruling in Taemin’s name, he always reminded Marjorie and Jimin that they were also Lannisters and should be proud of it, should wear their lion blood on their sleeves. 

But the Westerlands weren’t modern as the rest of the Kingdom, and many alphas there still thought that an omega had its place in the world. They could rule, of course, with a good alpha to guide them. And they should focus more on accounting for their castle and helping to arrange good marriages. 

They shouldn’t be the ones deciding war strategies, sending crows, and ordering alphas around. 

The only battlefield an omega should endure was the birthbed, his uncle used to say.

“Well, I’m sorry, Jimin. With the war they need me for almost everything these days.” The King looked back at him and apologized.

“There’s no need for it, my King. I understand.” The boy replied and Jungkook smiled at him. “Wars are more important than beautiful gardens and gossip, anyway.”

Taehyunh let out a weak laugh and drank from his cup again. ”I prefer the gardens and the gossip. Alphas don't have that. That’s why they fight."

✨✨✨

Some would think that after the first lunch, the trio would never gather again - that Jimin would feel offended by the questions, by their behavior, and wouldn’t feel embraced by the two omegas.

But they were at war and there weren't many things to do by himself in that big castle and even bigger city. After coming back from their first encounter, Jimin did go back to his chambers a little distressed by their words - Taehyung saying he was playing the omega part alphas wanted him to, and Jungkook saying all those things about him marrying Namjoon - how he could find happiness . 

Jimin would never know how the conversation could have ended if they never got interrupted and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to - somehow, their words were lingering him in places he didn’t even know he had on his mind. 

Taehyung and Jungkook sounded so much like the omega Marjorie always wanted to be. 

He was not familiar with the Red Keep's countless corridors, stairs, and strangers' whereabouts, so finding his way to the General’s Tower was hard - not impossible, but it took him much more time than he intended. Deep down, the boy knew it hadn’t been a week since he arrived, but everything in that place screamed that he was a stranger to it.

When he finally found the right stairs with the help of a gentle servant, Jimin was surprised to see Sir Seojon guarding his room door. It didn’t feel like a necessity. Who in the world would be crazy enough to invade the Targaryen stronghold and do him any harm? 

The man was even wearing his full armor set with the Lorch’s manticore on one shoulder and the three-headed dragon of the Targaeryens on another. 

The lion of Lannister was nowhere to be found. 

The boy was hoping to be ignored and left alone - he talked enough for one day. But his knight was smart and still knew Jimin like the back of his hand.

“My Lord?” he asked, as soon he saw the Lannister running through the corridor longing for privacy.

“Not now, Seojon.” It was easy just to drop honorifics as they did back in Casterly Rock; it almost felt like nothing changed between them. 

“Tough day, my Lord? Nari told me you had lunch with the King and the Prince.” The man entered the room alongside the youngest, not afraid of being spotted by anyone - he was just the boy’s guard doing his job.

“Why are you in my room, Sir?”

“Well, it’s not my first time in your room.”

“ Well. This was before you made your choice and abandoned me.” He didn’t mean to sound so resentful, but the words were out before he could stop them. 

Seojon kept his silence and chose not to respond, like the coward he was.

“Why were you guarding my door?” Jimin asked, crossing his arms and looking at the man. Maybe the lunch just got him wound up and he needed to pick up a fight.

”What?”

”For a knight, sometimes you just don’t listen. Why were you guarding my door?” He sat on his bed, looking directly at him. Seojon had the same boyish eyes as ever, but somehow Jimin knew he had grown in those years they spent apart.

“Well, I don’t know if you’re familiar with the concept of knights, my Lord. But normally, we are sworn to protect. And I made an oath to protect the young Lannister boy.” His tone was sarcastic, like an older brother would talk to his siblings. “So I’m just doing what I swore to do.”

”Well, I’m literally inside one of the most protected places in the whole Kingdom, Sir. Who would do me any harm?”

”I’m afraid I don’t know the answer, my Lord. But I’ve learned over the years not to question Prince Namjoon’s orders.”

Prince Namjoon's orders?  

“It was the Prince himself who told you to guard my door?” The boy needed to be sure he wasn’t hearing things.

“Well, the letter had the royal seal and his signature. And the orders were clear - to keep you safe until he is able to return.”

So, Namjoon was not only picking the alphas for his guard but also ordending them? And why didn’t he talk to the boy himself? He could write letters to his knights, but not to his betrothed?

Not that Jimin was dying to talk or meet him. But still… the man was miles away and yet he was feeling his presence all over the place. Everyone had a commentary to say about him: his personality, the person he was, the orders he gave. 

If burning Pyke was a possibility, Namjoon would be serving Lord Greyjoy as our lunch right now.

But he, the person who would marry him, had nothing but suppositions in his head.

And most importantly - Namjoon was fighting a war. Why was Jimin's security his preoccupation?

”I miss when you served my family, Sir.” House Lorch has been a Lannister vassal since forever… but clearly Seojon had other plans to himself.

”Well, it was the Prince who knighted me, my Lord. Don´t forget that. It was kind of him to allow you to have Lannister soldiers guarding you, but he needed a man he could also trust as well.” 

”So the Lord Commander of my own guard doesn't follow my orders?” 

“I beg you to not distort my words. I serve you first and your safety is my priority. But why would I defy the Prince who just told me to protect his husband-to-be?” 

“And why would I need protection, Seojon?”

”As I said, I don’t have any reasons to question the Prince.”

Jimin was mad at the man for many reasons - for leaving, for never coming back, and for serving Namjoon. But deep down, he could easily understand where that loyalty came from.

Seojon served the Lannisters since he was a pup, but Taemin never gave him the honor of becoming a knight. Namjoon, the General himself, was the one who saw potential in the boy and elevated his status. 

On paper, he would always serve the Westerlands, but by heart his loyalty was clearly somewhere else. Jimin questioned himself if there was any resentment between his knight and his family. The boy doubted his uncle would allow a man so loyal to Namjoon to be commander of his guard. Maybe Taenil still saw Seojon as the boy he raised and not the man he became. 

But what could Jimin do? Send a letter to his brother? With the risk of offending Namjoon, of all people? And who should he choose to be on his guard instead? He was miles away from home and the only person he would trust to keep him safe was now Lord of Casterly Rock and fighting his own war. 

Things were becoming more confusing. Maybe the answers he needed were in front of him. Or at least the path to find them. 

If Seojon was serving Namjoon, there was nothing the boy could do. But maybe, he could talk to him and try to paint the faint picture forming on his head. 

So, looking at the man, Jimin let all of the memories he blocked once Marjorie died flow into his head once again. Her laughter and most happiest moments; the way she smiled and always dreamed about a brighter future.

And the person who was in all those scenarios.

“Why did you leave?” 

If Jimin was bound to understand Namjoon, he should first see why the man who grew up with him decided that his trail was brighter by the Prince’s side

He thought that the man wasn’t going to respond to him; Seojon’s eyes were staring at Jimin, but they were not looking at him - he knew that much. It took a while for him to finally speak.

“I didn’t see my future in the Westerlands, my Lord. No one wants to spend the rest of their lives as a ward.” His voice was suddenly sad, a tone that didn’t match with him. 

“She missed you.” She really did. Marjorie spent days completely distressed with the man’s absence - during an argument, she even demanded Taemin to order him back, just to hear their uncle saying that the alpha made his choice. 

Jimin often blamed Marjorie’s engagement for almost all of his problems, but the Lorch boy leaving wasn’t of any help. The girl became more distant after that and it was the beginning of the end. 

“Do you miss her?” he whispered. When they buried his sister, and Seojon wasn’t there, it just felt… unnatural.

Jimin and Taemin were her brothers, Taenil was her uncle but the person who should have said the honourings was far away..

Seojon’s face now was telling him nothing - his eyes were blank, like he wasn’t even there. The boy couldn’t guess what he was imagining. Marjorie? His life? The memories?

”Do I breathe everyday, my Lord?”  

And maybe that’s why they always got along so well. Even if Seojon was older, an alpha, and a little bit more of a brat than Jimin, they talked the same language - they always had a common ground.

Loving Marjorie Lannister with all their heart.

“Do you think she would like it here?”

”The city? Yes. She always wanted to visit.” 

“Not the city. The castle, the people… Namjoon.”

Even if Jimin asked with other intentions in mind, it was good to have someone to talk about her - Marjorie was not a subject Taemin enjoyed very much, and even if the boy loved his uncle, they didn’t talk often. Sometimes, it almost felt like his sister was a fever dream; no one spoke her name, maybe hoping it would be forgotten.

Seojon didn’t seem to understand the boy’s words though, so Jimin continued. “I feel like a stranger in this place and this reminds me of… how much I miss her. And sometimes, I even wonder if I knew her enough.” 

“Knew her enough?” The man arched his eyebrow, looking at Jimin.

”There’s just so much that I think she didn’t tell me. After you left, she became kind of distant.” It hurt talking about this - they went from being inseparable for almost strangers in the course of a year. 

Seojon seemed to finally understand what Jimin was implying and nodded. A lifetime ago, the knight was there with him every time Taemin wasn’t.

He wasn’t there when Marjorie fell, but neither was Taemin, his uncle, or his fiancé - each one of them absent in their own way. 

He was just alone as he was now, if not worse.

“She would have loved to meet the King and the Prince.” It was Seojon’s response, and Jimin didn’t understand what he meant.

Noticing his confusion, the knight continued, “You say there was so much she didn’t tell you, but Johie didn’t always talk with her words.”

Johie - Jimin couldn’t even remember the last time he heard that nickname. It felt familiar, like the home he was missing so dearly - like the gardens in Casterly Rock. 

Now, Seojon was looking directly at him, and his eyes weren’t blank anymore. There was something there -  regret, anger, sadness. Jimin couldn’t tell for sure.

“What I mean… is that she always wanted more freedom, she pursued it in her own way. King Jungkook reminds me so much of her, and Prince Taehyung seems like the person she wanted to be, if she were born anywhere else. Raised by someone else.” His tone was almost resentful. There was something deeper behind those words, something he wouldn’t tell Jimin that afternoon.

But the man was right - Marjorie longed to be more free than she really was. Even tried a few times, but didn’t make it. In the end, Taenil made her marry the Prince and keep her secrets to herself.

Maybe Seojon’s words took a place in his mind and Jimin couldn’t even believe himself when he went back to a second lunch with the two omegas. 

This time, the topics were less invasive and the boy enjoyed it more. They talked about Casterly Rock, what he used to do there, Jungkook’s childhood in Dorne, and how in hell Taehyung rides a dragon without being afraid of falling. 

He knew the three brothers rode the creatures who once belonged to Queen Daenerys and Jimin was yet to meet them - he was not very eager to do it. 

He didn’t even notice it, but a week passed like a blink of an eye. Their meetings were happening on a daily basis now, and it was a good distraction for Jimin`s head and its tormentor. He and Seojon didn’t speak anymore since that fateful day, but the man continued to silently keep guard at his door. 

And Jimin was sure the man could tell he wasn’t nesting. 

Jimin’s sleep schedule was erratic and full of unpleasant dreams. This was affecting his humor way too much, and he knew he didn’t look like the most beautiful omega in the world. But at least he was feeling less alone. Maybe the Consort was right, and having company in a strange castle was really helping him adjust.

Taehyung was King Seokjin’s younger legitimate brother, but he was only two years older than Jungkook. Both were omegas and close in age; it wasn't a surprise when they became friends within days. Any Waters, Taehyung’s bastard sister, left the castle once the Queen Dame moved to DragonStone - and she followed her there. For strange as its sounds, the girl ended up serving Jocelyn and they grew fond of each other

Jimin didn’t dare to ask why she would accept the bastard daughter of her late wife with her.

The boy also needed to control the urge of asking about Namjoon all the time; he didn’t want to sound noisy, like he was doubting the Prince’s pure intentions - even if he was. 

“And you, Lord Jimin? Would you prefer to live in Lys serving your pleasure or to live in the Lands of Always Winter?” Taehyung’s voice took the boy from his own head. He even forgot they were playing that game. 

The three of them were chatting happily in Jungkook’s private tea room, inside the The Royal Tower. He knew from Nari that this was considered a high honor. 

When the Consort arrived in King’s Landing, he would often hide inside the tea room, since he and Seokjin weren’t getting along very well. 

The place became like a refuge to him while he was still a stranger to the castle - like Jimin was. So, even after the couple fell in love, the man kept the place as his secret spot and just a few people were actually allowed there. Now, apparently, Jimin was one of them.

“Are you asking if he prefers to lay with alphas and omega or to live in a land with nothing but snow and monsters? What a dilemma,” the King responded. “I know you’re not asking me, but I would choose Lys a thousand times.”

Seeing how Jungkook and Taehyung talked freely about such private matters made the boy blush. Jimin wasn’t any innocent naive boy who didn’t know anything about the pleasure of sex; he knew how to satisfy himself. Yet, his family considered it a subject only meant to be spoken between mated couples, and not openly in encounters like this. 

“I think… I prefer Lys?” Jimin answered and the three of them laughed hard at his shyness. “I mean, I would rather ride a dragon before even putting a foot in the Lands of Always Winter.”

“Hey, I’ll put you in Rhaegal one of these days and we will see the city from above together,” the Prince responded, and something in his voice told Jimin he wasn’t lying.

They were all seated by a window and it was a pleasant afternoon. They often avoided the war topic in those meetings, trying to find comfort forgetting that their loved ones were fighting. Jungkook finished all his obligations of the day, Taehyung was done with his patrolling, and Jimin was trying not to think about his own personal demons. The regular schedule. 

“I think I heard a poem a long time ago about dragonlords laying with omegas from Lys… I think Namjoon is the one who told me that,” Taehyung said, drinking his wine.

And since when does Prince Namjoon like poetry? 

He must have said it out loud, because Taehyung responded. “I think since always. My sire wasn’t a big supporter of this hobby, so he doesn’t talk about it much. But I know he has a library in his tower. A big book worm, if you ask me.”

Jimin didn’t visit anywhere in the Royal General’s Tower that wasn’t his own room. He would leave and head to the stairs, ignoring the rest of the place completely. Nari even asked if he wanted a tour, so she could ask some omegas that worked for Namjoon to show him, but he denied. 

Maybe he was still pretending that this was all temporary - that he was not going to marry the man. Any moment now, the true reason why he traveled to King’s Landing would enter through the same door he arrived a week later. 

A man who is known for slaughtering other alphas, killing them and burning people alive apparently likes poems.

Not for the first time, Jimin’s knowledge about Namjoon’s personality felt vague. And not enough.

“You always make that strange face when we talk about Namjoon.” Jungkook was a very observant man. “What is bothering you, my Lord?”  

Many things, Jimin wanted to respond. First of all, was he the violent man the whole Kingdom talked about? A violent man like him knows how to appreciate art? Would he treat Jimin well? Why did he put a guard at his door?

But instead, the boy said. “Just nervous. I keep forgetting I will marry him, and he feels like a stranger… and I don’t want to be rude, but he was about to marry my sister.” 

“I don’t know if it's any consolation, but Jin was also a stranger to me when I first arrived here,” Jungkook said and Taehyung agreed fiercely.

“How was it, my King?” It wasn’t the question Jimin really wanted to ask, but it should help somehow.

“My engagement? A little bit different from yours, I assume.” Jungkook laughed. “The King was not a King yet, but a promising Prince with no interest in mating any time soon.”

“Which is fun, if you consider he pupped you only seven months after the wedding.” Jungkook let out a loud laugh while listening to Taehyung's words.

“And let me tell you something, Prince Taehyung. We tried a lot in those seven months after the wedding, and before it too.” Both omegas exploded in laughter and Jimin fell to the urge of laughing too - just a little bit. It was fun to let go.

”God, stop it. I don’t want to imagine my brother’s knot, please.” Jimin instantly blushed by the mention of a knot - he would still have to get used to talking about that kind of privacy so openly.

”Yeah, yeah. So, as I was saying, my royal husband wasn’t very excited to mate. He was way too dumb for my liking.” Jimin was listening to the King Consort call His Grace, the most powerful man in the Seven Kingdoms, a dumb person. “I was betrothed to him because of a promise from our Dames many years ago, but the dickhead was more interested in ruling the Kingdom than me.

“But we would still attend events together and stuff - even with Queen Alpha Lya begging to Seokjin just to mate me and end her suffering.”

”She wasn’t really suffering, she was just being a bitch.” Taehyung responded, and Jimin wasn’t surprised at him mentioning his royal sire in such a way - it was clear that their relationship wasn’t good at all. The boy wanted to know more about it, but asking about it was out of option.

”A bitch or no, Jin and I got closer with time and I broke into his shell. He would often come into my room, using the castle’s secret tunnels and we would spend the night just…” 

“Fucking?” Taehyung completed it. 

”Yeah, but also talking. It was sweet. But I really thought that we would never mate and was even thinking about going back to Dorne - I was already very much in love with him, but I didn’t want to spend the rest of my days waiting for him to come lurking to me during the night.” 

Jungkook sounded sad by the mention of that time - Jimin could imagine he suffered a lot. He was never in that position himself, but he could see how it must have felt - like the Dornish boy was nothing but a distraction for Seokjin’s nights.

”When I went to talk to him, to tell him about my decision, he didn’t let me finish. He told me he loved me, and was just afraid of… being the alpha his sire was. Afraid that we would spend the rest of our days like his parents did.” 

“Which is crazy. Seokjin is the sweetest person I have ever met. Maybe frigid and bossy, but sweet,” Taehyung said with his mouth full of grapes.

“He is… and then, here we are. A pup on the way and… he is fighting his war. And I miss him dearly.” Jungkook sounded sad and Jimin felt like he needed a hug, but he controlled himself - didn’t know if they had that kind of relationship just yet.

”He will come back, my King.” he said instead, and the man agreed with a smile.

”I used to complain about hearing Drogon’s roar every day when I woke up, but I just know that when I hear it again, he will be back.”

Jimin could sense that Jungkook and Taehyung knew a lot about the ongoing war - at least more than he did. Both of them received letters from the Riverlands. Jimin hasn’t received any notice from Taemin or Taenil since they left. The boy had a million questions - wanted to ask if his brother arrived safely, if Lord Grejoy was finally defeated, and if Hoseok rescued the Tully heir.

He wanted to know how many alphas Namjoon killed and if he enjoyed it. 

Technically, he could ask all of those things if he wanted to. But Jimin never was a very open person about his own desires.  

So, the sun went down for another day and he went back to his chambers without the answers he desperately needed - but a little bit happier and lighter .

And that would do for now.

✨✨✨

It was impressive how that first month in the Red Keep passed faster than the previous year he spent on Casterly Rock. Maybe being away from home and all the memories attached to it did him good. 

He didn't know if he was just feeling needy, but Jungkook and Taehyung filled his heart quickly too. Deep down, he was even grateful for having the two omegas with him. Taehyung had yet to take Jimin on a dragon ride and Jungkook promised to show the boy some… traditional Dornish dances that he was curious about.

He didn’t know if he could call them friends just yet, but he was happy to have company. The last few years in the Westerlands had been lonely and just now he was realizing how good it was to have fellow omegas with him - people to talk to, to laugh with, to spend time with.

Jungkook’s belly got bigger and the pup started kicking - he cried with a big smile on his face when he first felt it, but he couldn’t hide his sadness because of the absence of his alpha. Taehyung suggested they should lie to him, so the King wouldn’t feel bad for missing so much of his mate’s pregnancy.

So yes, Jimin’s days were spent talking with his new acquaintances and drinking tea while gossiping. In the evening, he would go back to his chambers where Seojon Lorch kept his promise and was still guarding his door.

While his relationship with Jungkook and Taehyung grew fondly, he and Seojon were extremely awkward with each other. For a long time, he thought he lost the man alongside his own sister. They weren’t the same and yet… Why does he feel like nothing has changed? 

There was so much resentment between them, but when Jimin looked at his eyes, if he focused enough, he could see Marjorie living in them. Because on those nights when they talked, when they forgot everything that happened and the boy didn’t try to take any more information from the man, she was always the topic. 

With the death of his sister, much of his life felt like a fever dream; Taemin never mentioning her name for anything and his uncle just being himself. Seojon, on the other hand, loved to talk about her: her smile, her laughter, her strong personality and everything that came with it.

During those nights, when Jimin chose to ignore that he left, Seojon would confirm that everything happened. Jimin wasn’t crazy, he wasn’t imagining a person - once upon a time Lady Omega Marjorie Lannister was a living being who used to breathe through love.  

Still, none of it brought peace to his sleep schedule. It was just as chaotic as it was at the beginning. His dreams were becoming more vivid and frequent and he just knew he had bags under his eyes. In his mind, he was always drowning - maybe a traumatic response… maybe.

The King even asked maester Arthura to help the boy, but there wasn’t any tea strong enough to make him fall asleep for a whole night.  

He was almost ignoring his shyness and asking Jungkook and Taehyung for some clothes, to maybe start building a nest - it wasn’t ideal, but it was something. Their scent was the closest thing Jimin could call familiar.

And dear god, he needed to sleep.

Because in those same sleepless nights, Jimin remembered that he would marry Namjoon soon. 

And his husband-to-be was still a hard topic for him. 

He would avoid asking questions about the alpha, but he would listen carefully every time someone mentioned his name.

Omegas and alphas alike always had something to say about the Prince, but he was still confused about the man’s persona. Sometimes, Taehyung, Jungkook, and Seojon talked about him as a calm person who barely loses his temper, someone who enjoys silence way too much.

Jungkook would also say that Namjoon was like a big brother. Taehyung would mention that he was too smart for his own good and loved to study in his free time - that he was Royal General not only because of his ability to kill, but because he was intelligent.

The servants, on the other hand, would whisper, sounding almost sorry for him.

The poor boy is about to marry a monster in the shape of an alpha.

But the alpha soldiers would say that they couldn’t wait for the man to come back, saying their practice became way too easy without him pushing them further. 

The noble omegas would say that… well. Their gossip was focused more on private affairs and they would always stop when realizing Jimin was listening. But it was something about Namjoon not wanting to lay with any noble omegas since his brother’s wedding.

So, he was barely sleeping and with his mind full of every kind of stimulus. He was trying hard not to get moody because of his tiredness, but it was becoming a hard task.

For the first time in a year Jimin had so much to worry about, that he didn’t think about the Feather Knight, the colorless crown he bought with him, and the faint scent of wet earth.

He would often visit Jimin’s dreams and the boy would wake up smelling him, as if he was there. He knew it was impossible - the only item he had from that man was the crown, and it'd been way too long. Maybe that alpha was in King’s Landing right now, but Jimin didn’t have time to think about it. 

If he wanted to survive here, he would have to abandon his summer dreams and heroic knights. 

The month passed just like that. Since the war wasn’t over, Jungkook continued to rule in the King’s name. It was pretty common for him to spend hours in meetings, being interrupted by his advisors or conducting audiences himself in the Throne Room.  

Jimin was there to watch one of those audiences and he was trying too hard to contain a yawn - those weeks with poor sleep were getting to him.

But he couldn’t deny the request. It was his first official appearance to the court; Jungkook, as his King Consort, gave him that month to adjust in the castle before forcing the boy to face the folk of King’s Landing. 

He was not unaware about how those procedures worked -  back in Casterly Rock, he would often sit with his brother and see the man attending the Westerlands’ people and listening to their problems. It always took hours and many of those requests couldn’t be solved in just one day. 

Taemin always hated it and Jungkook didn’t seem like he was enjoying himself.

But Jimin was marrying Namjoon out of duty and he knew a lot of new obligations would come with it. He soon wouldn’t be just a lord anymore, but the Prince’s husband. Being in the court, meeting his people, and representing Namjoon were all part of Jimin’s new role. That’s why he was here.

And all of it felt easier than actually mating the man.

So, the boy tried hard to make a good first impression and represent his family well; in a way, Marjorie would be proud of him. He was wearing a beautiful set in the Lannisters colors - gold lions were printed all over the red linen. He never liked that combination much, but he was not there to enjoy himself, but to show the world the power of Casterly Rock.

Maybe if he focused more on the duties of his wedding and not the practical part of it, things would be more easy to navigate.

Taehyung and most of the castle was also present, even if the court these days was practically only omegas and a few alphas. 

”Duke Alpha Rosby, I already told you. You will have your permit once the school children problem is resolved.” Jungkook was sitting in the gold chair beside the Iron Throne, wearing his crown proudly and adorned with the Martell colors. 

The Throne Room of the Red Keep alone was way bigger than many castles in the Seven Kingdoms. Skulls of dead dragons decorated the place in a way to always show the world the real power of House Targaryen. Jimin was yet to see one alive in person, but if they were as big as those in the exhibition… 

The Iron Throne was by Jungkook’s right side and it felt monstrous; even if he was ruling in the King’s name, only Seokjin was allowed to sit in the most powerful chair ever created.

Jimin heard many stories about the throne itself: how it was forged by Aegon the Conqueror, the first Targaryen King, how it was usurped by Robert Baratheon, and how Queen Daenerys took it back to her family, restoring the empire of the dragons.

It was the center of many wars and an object of desire… people died for it and killed in the name of it. 

Thousands of swords of defeated soldiers were melted to make it - a symbol of the highest power in the realm. A chair with stairs made for just one person to climb. 

And it was one of the ugliest things Jimin ever saw.

The boy could almost feel sorry for Seokjin, to be the only one allowed to sit in a place that looked so damn uncomfortable.

“Thank you, your Highness. Duke Rosby is refusing to accept all the children to his district's school, which is causing a lot of trouble in Duke Selyn’s district,” a peasant woman spoke, gaining an unpleasant look from Duke Rosby.

King’s Landing was a city just too big, and the Lords from the nearby towns absorbed by its walls became Dukes and their lands turned into districts - it was good and the taxes made the Crownlands one of the richest places in all Seven Kingdoms. Lannisport, Oldtown, and Plankytown followed the example because of their growth.

Jimin was listening, but he was not paying attention to any of the discussions. His sleepiness was fogging his brain and he knew the whole court was looking at him. It didn't take much thought to guess what the people were thinking.

A Lannister marrying a Targaryen prince for the first time since the beginning of the time.

Maybe the death of Lady Marjorie was a sign for that union not to happen.

The crimes of Jimin’s ancestors against the crown are unforgivable.

Maybe that’s why he betrothed the Red Dragon and not the King. 

A punishment from the gods for crimes he didn’t commit.

“Now…” Jungha Martell was reading an enormous parchment full of names. She was part of the King’s Guard - that slipped up during the war - a strong alpha woman, and Jungkook’s cousin. “Walda from the bakery has a complaint about…”

Boom.

Before she could finish her words, the whole room went silent while loud trumpets were playing on the outside of the castle - so loud their sound was invading the Throne Room even with the oak door closed.

Silence.

Boom.

The people started screaming and the whole court was panicking, all confused by such interruption. 

The alphas outside were talking loudly, but it was impossible to understand what they were saying.

Was King’s Landing being invaded? 

The war was too far away for that, Jimin was sure. They would have been warned if something like that was about to happen.

Knights were now surrounding King Jungkook, keeping him and his unborn child protected. He seemed to be as confused as everyone else and the loud noise didn’t stop. Jimin’s heart was about to slip through his mouth. If the town was being invaded, that meant his uncle and brother…

Taehyung screamed, ordering that one of the King’s Guard went outside to see what was really happening  - and when the man was just about halfway the hall, the trumpets stopped and

a loud roar took place and soon, another. 

Both loud, deep, and scary. The whole court became silent again.

In another world, such a sound only meant destruction, death, and the fall of empires. 

But not in Westeros of the Targaryens.

The dragons saved them from the Long Night, killing its king and bringing the sun back to the Seven Kingdoms. Until this day, their roar was treated like prayer for many people. Nobility and commoners alike.

The dragon fire represented what saved them from the doom so many years ago, when half of the Kingdom perished when the Lands of Always Winter invaded their homes.

Jungkook got up from his chair, ignoring the ones who were saying he shouldn’t move. His crown was shining on his head, and he was walking through the hall with a hand over his belly - protecting it, like he was doing for the past few weeks.

The oak door opened, and the sun invaded the room. People went to the walls, liberating the space in the middle of the hall. Jimin was watching everything with his eyes widening at the very glance of the people in front of him.

A woman entered through the open door, and with a full chest, she screamed. 

“King Seokjin of House Targaryen, the First of His Name,  King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Protector of the Realm, and Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. With his victory upon Lord Alpha Greyjoy, the Kingdom may sleep in peace once again.” 

Jimin has seen the King in person before, at his wedding a year ago. But even if the man was basically living in the Riverlands for the past few months, he was still one of the most beautiful faces the boy has ever seen. 

His armor set was made in vividly red colors, with two dragons adorned on each shoulder. He walked slowly in the direction of his throne that screamed power in every movement. On his hip he had his sword, the famous Blackfyre, that spent so many years lost but found its way back to its home. 

Even if that man wasn’t the King of The Seven Kingdoms, Jimin knew people would die fighting for him to sit in that chair if he wanted to.

His mate, Jungkook, was standing still watching his husband walking towards him - like he couldn’t believe his own eyes. 

Seokjin was wearing the same black crown Queen Daenerys wore when she first re-conquered the city for her family - with dragon bones and red stones on it. 

But even if it was a sack of potatoes over his head, everyone in the room would know who the King was. 

The man took Jungkook’s hands and kissed both of them, lingering the touch. Jimin was close enough to be able to hear the sweet words he spoke.

“I hate how dramatic all these entrances always go, dear gods. I missed you dearly, my love.” 

Jungkook must have responded something equally sweet, but Jimin was not capable of hearing any of it anymore - not with the reason for all his preoccupations walking from the door.

It was not his first time seeing the man in person. But now, it felt like he was staring into the abyss of what he represented and what he meant to Jimin’s future - he was viewing the man completely. 

The boy knew this day would come sooner or later, but living was different than imagining it - the reality always would taste strange in his mouth, it didn't matter the time he spent trying to guess its flavor.

Namjoon Targaryen, Royal General of the Seven Kingdoms, and Prince of Dragonstone was walking through the door with his head raised and a prideful walk. 

Royal General Snow was the first one to bear the title and Jimin wondered if the Stark bastard emanated the same aura as the man going forward through that hall. 

His armor was made of silver and blue, but it was covered in what seemed like old and dry blood. On his shoulders two skulls and on his chest the Three Head Dragon - the symbol of House Targaryen. 

Jimin saw Namjoon briefly before, but that man coming back from battle was the same one who was the center of the stories the people told. All Westeros would talk about the Red Dragon, the King’s brother and loyal servant, who was capable of destroying entire nations if that meant bringing the peace back to his home.

Jimin was seeing Namjoon in front of him and he could tell the stories didn’t lie.

An omega and an alpha were now talking to Taehyung, hugging the boy closely. The King himself was busy kissing his mate and making his promises of eternal love.

The whole room was celebrating with many soldiers entering the castle’s hall being hugged by the omegas there. 

But if all of it disappeared in a second, Jimin wouldn’t notice - the boy wasn’t really paying attention. He was staring into Namjoon’s dark purple eyes and suddenly his mind wasn’t able to put together any of the thoughts of the previous weeks.

It's been a year since he last saw the man in person, in another reality. One where he would be his sister's husband. 

Now, the nature of their relationship had changed abruptly and they never had the chance to speak, even if Namjoon was deciding a lot of things for him.

He didn’t even realize the man was now in front of him, watching him closely too. Namjoon was tall, strong, and with the blood on his armor, he felt like a dangerous man to be around. 

Was he studying Jimin the same way? It was impossible to know. 

The boy wasn’t able to say a word for himself. He knew he should congratulate him on his victory and celebrate his return - what kind of fiancé he was if he didn’t?

But his voice got lost in his thoughts and he could only stare. The fear of all weeks was mixing with his anxiety and he couldn’t form a single word.

A voice took place between them and Jimin took a while to realize that it was Namjoon talking to him. He sounded completely different from what he remembered - cutting deep into his ears and going directly into his soul.

If a dragon was able to speak, that’s how they would sound.

“Lord Jimin Lannister, my greetings. I hope the Red Keep has been treating you well.”

Namjoon’s scent was like wet earth right after the rain and it invaded Jimin like a storm.

Chapter Text

JIMIN III

The people screamed once Sir Yoongi Stark defeated Miss Jungha Martell and dropped her off her horse. The woman was one of the greatest fighters from Dorne, but apparently not even she could defeat the Young Wolf from the North. 

The crowd waited eagerly the whole day for this fight - the newest member of the Queen’s Guard against one of the most powerful knights in the whole Kingdom. A show nobody wanted to lose.

Sir Yoongi wasn’t known for being bulky or very big, but he was fast and his ability with a sword made a lot of alphas envious of him. Jimin also celebrated his victory with screams of praise - he wanted to introduce himself to the man, but he couldn’t guess what his reaction would be. Lannisters and Starks weren’t very friendly with each other. 

And even if they were, Jimin’s family would be leaving that very day, even before the official wedding dinner.

His uncle was the one who demanded their quick return, even if Taemin was officially Lord of the Rock. Taenil said something about important business he needed to attend back at home immediately. He didn’t say a word about it, but Taemin did not seem very happy with the whole situation. 

Jimin knew better than to ask, but he had his suspicions. His uncle was spending an enormous amount of time with Queen Lya, even if the woman was extremely sick. Whatever both alphas were discussing, it was private enough to not let curious ears listen to. The whole interaction felt odd - not only Taenil was never very fond of her, but the Queen’s state was far from healthy and it was weird to see her so invested in whatever they were discussing.

Jimin heard many stories about the illness affecting Her Grace, but seeing it in person was… different. She looked years older than she actually was - her platinum hair was falling out, leaving the woman almost bald and her face looked like it was melting on a daily basis. She was thin and weak, but not even the Grand Maester knew for sure what was ailing her.

Jimin greeted her briefly, bowing and wishing her a quick recovery - but her voice was so low he still couldn’t guess what she was saying.

So, imagine his surprise when he saw his uncle and the woman talking. Prince Seokjin was already basically ruling in her name - what could be so urgent that made the woman discuss with Taenil himself? 

Omegas’ cheers entered Jimin’s ears loudly once again, and drew him out of his trance. He noticed they were getting ready to announce the next fighter - the one who would compete with Sir Yoongi for the day`s title. He smiled and screamed as well, not caring for the unpleasant look he gained from his uncle - he could have just a little bit of fun before going home so soon. 

He knew Marjorie would have screamed even louder than him - she always enjoyed watching tournaments like this one. 

He didn’t understand why his uncle didn’t allow her to attend the royal wedding, but he guessed the man had his reasons. Marjorie hasn’t been the easiest person to be around… months had passed since Seojon’s departure but she was still sour about everything. 

Jimin knew it was unreasonable, but he was mad at her - he couldn’t lie. And there wasn’t only a single reason for it… there were many of them. Yes, the man left, and the boy also looked at him fondly, but Marjorie made it seem like the alpha died out of spite.

With his sister so reclusive, those days just felt like he lost both of them. 

He shook those thoughts out of his head - King’s Landing wasn’t a place for sadness and sorrows, Jimin was there to have fun, with or without Marjorie.

Back in the moment, the boy soon understood why all the screams and loud cheering; the next participant wasn’t a regular alpha, but the main topic of all the conversations of the day.

The Feather Knight.

That wasn’t even his true name; no one knew who that man really was. His helmet covered all of his face and he didn’t have a standard of a House. The nickname was given by a few omegas, who thought the light blue color of his armor resembled a feather.

But it didn’t matter who he was or for whom he was fighting for, the man won every battle he participated in that day - with an outstanding performance. There wasn’t a single alpha who would match his ability - maybe Sir Yoongi, but it would be a close fight.

Looking up, Jimin found the Crown Prince and his now husband watching the tournament from the cabin mounted just for the royal family. Queen Lya wasn’t present, since her illness made it quite difficult to leave her chambers. Instead, Queen Consort Jocelyn Baratheon was honoring the fights with the new wed couple. Prince Taehyung Targaryen was also there, chatting happily with his dame.

The Red Dragon wasn’t present. 

It was an odd view - on the day before, Prince Namjoon didn’t leave his family’s side for anything. Always with the Queen Consort, the other two princes, or his close friends - Lord Hoseok and Sir Yoongi. Jimin saw him from afar, talking, drinking… and even with such distance he looked like a scary man. 

His uncle advised him it would be polite to introduce himself. But something inside him made the boy decide against it. He knew some omegas would die just to get a single glimpse of the Prince - but the man was far away from being part of a fairytale.

And besides, Jimin already met the Queen and the Crown Prince - to know his brother wouldn’t make any difference.  

He was just the youngest pup of Lannister - it was not like they were ever going to meet again any time soon. 

Namjoon’s absence at the tournament was weird, but understandable. If the tales were true, he had killed a thousand alphas himself - so why would he participate in fights with blunt swords? 

The Feather Knight looked just like the opposite of it - he seemed to enjoy every moment of every fight. The boy could say he was feeling his victories inside him, like his own personal vital force. Everytime the alpha knocked someone down, it was like his life depended on it. He would put his fists up and just stand there feeling the loud cheers as if he was feeding himself from it.  

Jimin was watching him closely - same as the other omegas present there. Even without a face to show, a standard to represent, or a family name, that alpha had an aura of a hero. A faceless warrior who would sacrifice the whole world for his lover… or mate.

He knew it was just poor omega maidens, such as himself, fantasizing about a person they didn’t even hear the voice of. 

But it was good to pretend… A long time had passed since his first heat and the boy was already of age -  soon his uncle would find him a good mate. Maybe a vassal House of the Lannisters or something more far away from home - such as the young Lady Alpha from HighGarden. Once they decided with whom Marjorie was bound to marry, it would be Jimin’s turn - he was mostly curious, but he knew Taenil would never allow him to marry any questionable person.

So yes, in the real world, he was far away from being able to marry a nameless knight just for the feeling of it. He didn’t have it in him to believe in crazy love stories where a noble omega flees away with a commoner… but still… 

There was something about that person that made him daydream - fantasizing about a reality he didn’t want to. 

“Sir Yoongi doesn’t seem amused by the other alpha. The mysterious one.” Taemin spoke and his uncle just agreed.

”The northerns are hard to impress. But know this, Taemin - a true alpha - would have shown his face, and not hide himself like a maiden omega.” 

He knew his uncle didn’t have the romantic lens over his eyes and would never find anything remotely fun - but Jimin decided to not respond to any of it. He could have his fantasies just for himself, and nobody needed to know. If he was looking at that arena and imagining all the crazy things the Feather Knight would do to him, it was his problem alone.

What happens inside an omega’s mind should belong just to them. 

Sir Yoongi was wielding his sword - almost like he was feeling the weight of it. He talked about something inaudible with his swordsman and just agreed when the alpha responded.

The Feather Knight didn’t have a swordsman, and Jimin assumed he discussed his technicalities with his own mind. 

The people were still screaming and cheering while they announced the beginning of the fight. For a moment, both alphas just stared at each other, until they ran straight ahead. 

The loud noise of steel continued during a long sequence of slashes, parries, and feints. It was impossible to know who was more willing to win. The Feather Knight’s armor shined brightly with the sun reflecting on it, while the Stark‘s black set almost swallowed all the light.

Their grunts were muffled by the crowd, who was divided by their mysterious hero and the Young Wolf from the North. 

Taemin was by his side, talking about the technicalities of the confrontation and the different match of their abilities. Jimin wasn’t understanding a thing, not that it mattered, but for him it felt almost like a tie. Maybe Marjorie could tell him who the hell was winning if she was there.  

For a moment, the Stark almost dropped the other man with a powerful block and the boy was sure the fight was about to end. But in a blink of an eye, the man with no name deflected it and Sir Yoongi fell to the ground instead.

The screams were loud once again, and even Lord Jungkook and the Queen Consort were celebrating with claps and words of encouragement. Everyone was chanting for the faceless knight, calling him like the man was a hero in shining armor. Jimin almost felt sorry for the Stark boy, until he caught Sir Yoongi laughing hard, like losing that fight was one of the most funny things he ever witnessed and participated in. 

The faceless man went in his direction and helped him up. They exchanged a few words (or Yoongi was talking by himself since it was impossible to see the other man’s face).

‘He needs to be of nobility… ‘ Jimin thought to himself. ‘It feels like he knows these people.'

Yoongi, who was still laughing, was the one who gave the Feather Knight his anticipated prize - a chance to honor just one maiden present at the tournament. Such tradition started a war that almost destroyed the Seven Kingdoms just two hundred years ago - since then, only omegas who weren’t mated could receive the Crown of Love and Beauty.

That crown was the equivalent of the blunt swords the alphas used during the fight; it meant nothing in reality. It was just a way to make people blush, gossip, and scream loudly. But still… having an winning alpha calling you the most beautiful face in the realm…

That was something everyone would dream about, it didn’t matter what they said.

The man held it in his hands and it looked so fragile in such a strong hold - adorned with purple and blue petals. It wasn’t a symbol of power as the crown the Queen Consort was wearing, it didn’t mean the control and the duty to protect the realm. It didn’t hold years and years of tradition and royal blood. 

But it was beautiful. And that was enough.

Maybe it didn’t mean anything for the rest of the world. But right now, for the boy who decided to daydream, it meant everything. All of his dreams and fantasies.  

The crowd went silent now, everyone trying to guess who that mysterious alpha would honor. There was a great number of unmated noble omegas present - it could be anyone. And everyone wanted the prize for themselves. 

Maybe because of his excitement, the boy didn’t notice the Feather Knight kneeling in front of the Lannister grandstand - the crown on his hand, being delivered directly to Jimin.

Still, the man didn’t say a word - he kneeled silent, waiting for the omega to accept his gift. Jimin could hear the gasping, the cheers, and the loud screams of everyone present. He could feel his own cheeks burning and his heart racing - that was the man everyone was talking about, and he just elected Jimin the most beautiful omega in the realm. 

‘It meant nothing' he kept saying to himself. In the end it was just a dream, a fantasy, something it would end once he leaves that arena.

But right now, a knight in shining armor was kneeling in front of him, crown in hands and head down. 

And just for this brief moment in time, the boy decided to live his fantasies the fullest.

”How do you say, Jimin?” His uncle’s voice caught his attention, and the boy gulped - he didn’t seem pleased, but it was expected that his nephew had a good reaction. It didn’t matter who it was, it was an honor. 

”Thank you… Sir,” he said, still not certain of how to address the man. “It is an honor to be your King of Love and Beauty.”

As he took the crown in his hands, he felt the cold hard touch from the man’s armor in contrast with the softest of the petals. He thought how it would be nice to feel the alpha's hands on his own. 

His alpha… because that smell belonged to anyone else but himself. It was fading, but the scent of wet earth right after the rain was now on his system and…

What? 

Why was he feeling that man's scent?   

It was weak and just a fraction of his true smell, and no one else seemed to notice. But still - only a little bit of it almost took Jimin on a spiral. Their scents were supposed to be a private matter and only destined to mates or close relatives.

Feeling the smell of a strange alpha was a good reason to scandalize all parts of society. 

But nobody seemed to be aware of it - not even the alpha himself. If Jimin was not a hundred percent sure, he could swear he was dreaming. 

He was looking at the man, with the crown in hands and his mouth dry. He could be anyone in the world, but in that moment, he gave Jimin a piece of himself without knowing. 

He was sure he would remember that wet earth scent anywhere in the world. 

From Dorne to the North. 

The combined noise of loud voices and screams told Jimin the whole room was talking at the same time - and he could only understand a few of their words.

“My King! The gods allowed you to come home safely!”

”What happened, Your Grace? Is Lady Tully well?”

“We’ve been praying for your safe return, Your Highness.”

“Is Lord Greyjoy finally dead?”  

“What happened to Lady Stark?”

Their voices were entering his ears, but it was hard to translate them into meaning. The boy felt like he was lost in a place inside his own head - where every sound from the outside world was muffled.

He was feeling like living in a dream - he's been imagining their return for the past weeks, and now that everyone was finally back, none of it felt truly real.

Jimin could see many Lords and Ladies from different vassal Houses - knights, nobles, and servants were speaking loudly and the Throne Room was turned into a chaotic environment. Questions being asked all at the same time in the middle of cheers and cries of happiness and sorrow.

Nobody was answering and all conversations seemed crossed. And in the middle of their words of celebrations and worries, Jimin had his own personal doubts. 

Where is my brother? My uncle? 

When he realized, in the middle of that mess he was looking for any sign of the lion of Lannister - a symbol engraved in armor, a flag, or anything that indicated someone  knew something. Since he left, Taemin sent him nothing, not even a letter… and now the war was over.

”My brother… my uncle. Where are they?” he whispered to himself - all the worst scenarios now painting in his head. Even when a war is won, people from the winning side can di-

“Lord Taemin and Sir Taenil went with their alpha army back to Casterly Rock…” A man who was close enough to hear his babbling just responded, and suddenly the smell of wet earth invaded his brain once more.

That scent…

Jimin must have zoomed out pretty bad, because he didn’t remember when exactly he forgot that Prince Namjoon Targaryen was in front of him - alive in flesh and blood. 

And just like that, the boy was out of words. He could tell the Prince had greeted him just a few minutes ago and received no response. Many of royalty blood would take that as an offense, especially coming from their betrothed , of all people. But if Namjoon was mad, he couldn’t tell - the man was impossible to read. 

He was facing Jimin down - he was taller than the boy and his platinum hair was fashioned in a buzzcut. The Lannister always heard many stories about the Targaryen’s dragon eyes - the dark purple color of it. How it allowed the Valyrians to see the world through a different lens - and that's the story of how they conquered it all.. 

But that was Namjoon and he not only had the eye of a conqueror - but the dark color made him almost… animalistic and dangerous.

And that scent… why he had that scen-

“My Prince… I…”

“Now. Let’s stop the commotion.” Seokjin’s voice cut through their conversation and interrupted whatever Jimin had in mind to say. It was strong and powerful, making the whole room silent in a matter of seconds. All the heads turned in the direction of their King, the Lannister boy and Namjoon weren’t any exception. 

The man was not sitting on his throne just yet - but he didn’t need it to be called their leader. King Seokjin was known to be powerful by name, blood, and for his impressive ability to rule.

Jungkook was standing proudly by his side, with a smile anyone from the North to Dorne could see. With him, a few faces Jimin recognized from the King’s wedding, such as Lord Hoseok Velaryon himself and Sir Yoongi Stark, who had a tiny pup on his arms. 

Yoongi fought on the second day of that tournament - he was astonishing, but he lost… He lost to…

“I know and understand you are all overly happy about our return. I imagine you all have a lot of questions wandering in your mind about the events.” The man’s tone was serious and yet assertive. 

“But what matters right now, is that it is over and the realm is safe once again.” He raised his hand in a warning gesture, before the whole room could turn into madness for a second time. “And I will address our beautiful city first thing in the morning.”

Until now, Jimin was ignoring Namjoon’s presence, almost as if the man was some sort of curse - one that would disappear if he pretended it wasn’t there for enough time. But he could feel his presence by his side as a shadow. 

But his head turned left by itself and now he was facing the man with his buzz cut hair and purple eyes looking directly at Seokjin. He was listening to every word as a mantra. At a first glance, Namjoon seemed like he would never bow to no one - but he already did.

For his King.

“But for now, I will stop my words from boring you to death! Please have great wine, warm beds, and good company in the King’s name!” And only when his voice stopped, the whole room started celebrating once again. The screams and loud cheers took place, with alphas and omegas alike enchanting His Grace name like a prayer.

Jimin was in the middle of it all, looking at this crowd of people giggling and talking. He asked how it felt in the city - with dames receiving back their children who fought a deadly war. 

And only now, inside that whole mess, the boy registered Namjoon’s words.

Taemin left. 

He took his army back home without sending a single letter to tell his brother he was alive. Jimin was praying almost every night for his return, and he couldn’t even talk to the boy - send a messenger. Anything.

He knew he shouldn’t be that sour - it could’ve been worse… his brother was alive and that should be enough - he couldn't take the pain of losing another one. But the bitterness was there and there was nothing he could do about it. 

Why did everyone he knew have a tendency of leaving him?  

“-By the evening today, I want to have a private meeting in the Council Chambers.” Seokjin’s voice was close and too low. Why? “We have too much to resolve and to discuss. With both of you." 

The King was in front of him… what ? The man was looking at his face as if he was waiting for confirmation about… 

“It can’t wait until tomorrow, brother?” 

“I would rather not. Let’s take a few things out of our way before resting.” Namjoon just nodded at his response, like it made total sense. “Can I assume you’ll be attending, Lord Jimin?” 

“The…” The boy was blushing with shame. His King was close and talking to him and he didn’t listen to half of it, too busy inside his own head to perceive the world. 

Seokjin had the same eyes as Namjoon and even if the tales didn’t talk too much about it, he was as intimidating as his younger brother.

”The meeting. In the council chambers.” The King repeated himself.

“Yes. Your Grace.”

Seokjin seemed satisfied and just nodded. “I’ll be waiting.” He spoke to both of them and left without saying any other word.

From afar, Jimin saw him giving his arm to his pregnant mate as they left the Throne Room. 

The boy was paralyzed with that interaction - did the King just say he should join them at the council chambers? And for what matter? Not even at Casterly Rock he was required in such meetings - and there he was a Lannister by birth, those lands were his by blood-right and not by marriage. Not that his uncle cared that much about it.

“My Lord, you look pale.” He should have felt offended by Namjoon’s words, but he had another thing in his mind - again, that scent… 

It was impossible, he knew that. 

His head was just full right now… so many things were happening at the same time and he couldn’t even choose only one to focus and worry about. His brother, the King's strange demand, and Namjoon’s voice invading his ears calling him once more. 

He faced the man back and tried hard to ignore the blood stains on his shoulders. 

How many did you kill? He wanted to ask. 

Did you enjoy it?  

“Prince Namjoon. It calms my heart to know that you arrived safely,” he said instead, deciding to ignore the comments about his appearance. Jimin wasn’t Marjorie - he didn’t know how to fight with swords… the only blade he had was his sharpened tongue. The right words you say when you want to survive. 

He knew he was talking bullshit -  his heart was anything but calm and his trembling voice was giving his fakeness out. But he was a Lannister, and would stick with his lie by the end of his days.

”Well, I was hoping that you would be happy for my return.” There was something sarcastic in his tone, indicating he didn’t. “Your brother and uncle survived, don’t know if you heard me.”

His voice was deep -  it was not like the King’s… their words were strong in different ways. Namjoon’s was more contained, lower… but sounded like he could control an army with a single word. 

He felt restricted but yet, Jimin knew the realm would respond to his call. 

He was tall, broad and… very intimidating - this was the first time they were officially meeting and Jimin felt so small and inadequate - he had so much on his mind that he felt like he could throw up. His nervousness took control of his body.

”I did, my Prince.” 

Again, Jimin felt abandoned. 

He knew his uncle very well and deep down he hoped the man cared for him just a little more. He talked so much about Jimin’s security while he was growing up, how dangerous it was for him to walk alone, to practice like an alpha, to understand more about the world.

It felt weird that he didn't care about the boy alone in King’s Landing with Namjoon.

The Red Dragon was not a stupid man and Jimin was sure he was doing a terrible job hiding his fear. But if the alpha noticed anything, he didn’t mention a word about it.

“My royal brother requires your presence at the meeting late today. You should rest… and maybe get some sleep.”

“I don’t need any sleep, my Prince.” The words were out before he could stop himself, making Namjoon arch his eyebrows.

His eyes, for the first time, were telling him he did not believe any word the boy just said. But he just stayed there, taking his sweet time analyzing every single of Jimin’s lies. 

”Your eyes say otherwise.” If he was smart enough, he would notice that Jimin wasn’t nesting even after a month of living in the castle, considering that none of the alphas in his service didn’t notified him yet. “We should… talk. About our situation.”

”Our…”

”The wedding. The King will most likely bring the subject up during the meeting, but I was hoping to talk to you. In private. I still intend to rest, so maybe tomorrow.” 

It was not like he had a choice in that matter - what was he supposed to do? Tell his future husband he didn’t want to talk about the details of his own mating ceremony? 

“Yes, my Prince. That would be adequate,” he whispered, looking at the floor, avoiding the other man’s eyes. 

For a moment, Namjoon remained silent. Everything felt so rushed and so many people were watching them - or at least that was what Jimin was feeling. 

Maybe he was just naive hoping he would be alone the first time they met.

And as always, Namjoon was the one taking the lead.

“If you excuse me, my Lord.”

Just like that, the symbol of all Jimin’s nightmares just left, like it was nothing; as if he wasn’t the one responsible for turning the boy’s life upside down.

He watched as the man walked towards his tower, parting the crowd in half with soldiers and all kinds of noble people just giving him space, so he could wander freely. 

Namjoon wasn’t the man who would give speeches after battles, who would address the city and be their voice.  

But the city would respect him as such. 

He was so relieved now looking at the room - with the people busy celebrating, no one seemed to notice their disastrous encounter.  

Almost no one. 

From afar, he could see Seojon looking at him as Namjoon was approaching - the man was his guard and supposed to be of Jimin’s protection. Yet, his armor screamed Targaryen and as soon as the Prince passed, the man followed him without even being ordered to, without even holding his eyes with Jimin for more than a second before turning his back - like he did before. 

Seojon’s hand went to Namjoon’s shoulder, because of course they were just that close.

Jungkook was with his mate, Taehyung with his brother, and soon Namjoon would join them. Seojon was not really serving him and his brother was too far away to care about his worries.

In that crowded room, every fear Jimin had since his engagement was announced was becoming real. It didn’t matter how much his relationship with Seojon improved since he got back into his life - it didn’t matter if the King Consort and Prince Taehyung enjoyed his company…

In the end, he would be left in the capitol to be eaten alive if the Targaryens decided too. 

The other Houses of Westeros found it difficult to trust a Lannister after what happened to King Aerys and the Red Wedding - so, he grew up learning that a lion only has its own kind to rely on. 

But right now, his own kind was going home, leaving him nothing, not even a letter with empty words. 

Maybe that was the destiny Marjorie was trying hard to avoid. Now that she was long dead in her crypt, Jimin started to understand why she was so rebellious against everything they expected of her.

The loud gabbling of the Throne Room was far away by now as he walked in silence - the alpha’s presence still lingering by his side, like he never really left. From here, he could hear the loud roar of the three dragons from the Targaryens, sounding almost like they were celebrating their return to the city. He knew it was impossible, but it almost felt like the walls were trembling with their noise. 

There was no one guarding his door at this time, and he could only let out a small sarcastic laugh about it - Namjoon was back… he didn’t need those guards anymore, when the Red Dragon himself was bound to him.

The prince’s chambers were at the end of the hall - a big old oak door, with a figure of a dragon engraved on it. The servants showed him the way, but the boy never even dared looking at it - imagine entering the place. Most days, he would avoid remembering it was there.  

Now, his fiancé was probably inside, with Seojon and his other companions. In the place that soon would become Jimin’s official home. 

His own chambers. 

He took a long breath and then another.  

They met briefly, but Namjoon felt like everything he imagined, yet… so different at the same time. The man was scary as every tale and gossip, but still… there was something.

Something Jimin noticed, but was pretending he didn’t - or was just afraid of saying out loud.

He opened his door and entered his room, doing everything he could to forget the torment in his head - the Prince was back and the war was finally over. 

The King demanded his presence…  his brother… his brother promised he would be back to see him - he just never mentioned when and Jimin was a fool to believe it would be soon. 

Suddenly, that scentless place, empty without a nest, never felt so wrong. It wasn't as comforting as it was supposed to be. His wolf screamed for what he needed and the boy was frustrated he couldn’t fulfill it.

He heard Namjoon’s words about his pale face and lack of sleep - everyone could notice he had a lot on his mind. 

How failure of an omega he was.

But was it his fault? He went from a maiden omega to a engaged one and in a matter of minutes, he went from just a person expecting the next stage of his life to this…

The boy should meet the King, should greet the warriors, should marry Namjoon, should bear his children, should fulfill his duty, should make his uncle proud, should…

He had so much to do. 

When the first tears fell, Jimin didn’t even notice. His face was already completely wet the moment he realized he was crying - his voice was hoarse and he was happy there was no one by his door listening to him. Not even Nari. 

So, just like he let himself have his anger for a while, he allowed himself to cry for that moment.

It was ridiculous, all of it. They won the war, his brother was alive, his uncle was fine, his future husband came back without a scratch, and everyone was celebrating. 

He, on the other hand, felt like all of his emotions suddenly hit him without warning and yet he never felt so empty. 

Why was he crying so hard?

He was surrounded by people from every side - servants, nobility, the King Consort, the Prince, and yet… Why was he feeling abandoned? He thought that he improved in the last month, but right now he just felt like running away all over again. 

He was smart enough to recognize that nothing had happened - there was no reason for such a tantrum. But still, his head felt like a hurricane of emotions and if this room couldn’t give him the comfort he needed, then he should at least allow himself to let it go from everything here. 

Everyone deserves a place to cry.

He had so many questions and all without answers… his mind was so full with memories - confusing itself with what he made up.

Jimin was back in the survival mode and he needed a fucking break.

Maybe seeing Namjoon impacted him more than he expected… it was no more imagination, but reality. The man was right here, but just a few doors away, living and breathing the same air as him. 

And maybe that was the reason why he was once again daydreaming. Why he couldn’t stop thinking about that damned tournament. 

Only that would explain why the Red Dragon and The Feather Knight smelled the same.

✨✨✨

It was marvelous how you could spend a whole month somewhere, wandering the place and have yet to see all of its rooms, chambers, and secret passages that weren’t so hidden. 

Jimin never entered the Council Chambers, for example - even if it was just as close as the Throne Room, located on the same floor. 

He requested Nari take him there, not because he really needed any sort of guidance, but it was a good way to see if anyone could tell he was crying just a few hours ago. If he had puffy eyes or any sign for panicking, the girl said nothing. 

Seeing her just made him extra guilty - she was so happy from the return of her sister with the King commitive and was almost jumping with joy. Jimin spent the afternoon crying because he was marrying a Prince.

Pathetic.

Facing the world after such a breakdown was weird. If Marjorie was alive, he would hide in her room until everything calmed down, until it was safe again for him to wander. He knew all the secret spots of Casterly Rock - the ones his uncle would never find him - and he would pretend he didn’t exist until the voices inside his head stopped.

But now he was an adult and the King of the Seven Kingdoms demanded his presence. He couldn’t hide anymore. After crying for what felt like hours, surprisingly he was feeling a lot better - maybe he was just pent up with a strange amount of emotions he didn’t want to deal with. 

He took a shower, washed his face, and called Nari.

While waiting for her, he couldn’t help but think about the weird coincidences of life. The Feather Knight was nothing but a memory… a memory so lively he was seeing it everywhere.

Smelling , even.

There were a lot of things Jimin was willing to ignore to live a happy life, and that was one of them. 

With all the Lannister pride he still had inside, he walked with Nari like he didn’t lose himself. When Marjorie died, he learned his tears weren’t going to take him anywhere - it didn’t matter how many of them he dropped, his uncle still sent him to Namjoon.

The Council Chambers was larger than any other place the boy entered in the castle. And it made sense - the Throne Room was a symbol of power, but the most important decisions in Westeros came from the room behind it - hidden from the curious eyes of uninvited guests. 

The place was empty as he walked in and the boy took advantage of this rare sign of privacy to linger his eyes on the whole room. 

It was already dark outside and the place was being illuminated by a few candlelights. Art pieces were all over the place, with paintings from different cities of Essos and even Dothraki warriors with long braids covered in blood. A beautiful contrast of the Westorisi architecture of the room. 

But they didn’t call the boy’s attention as the one displayed in the middle of it. Anyone in the Seven Kingdoms would recognize her with eyes closed: Queen Omega Daenerys Targaryen I.

He heard many stories about the savior of Westeros while growing up, as any other pup would. How she saved the realm from the Long Night, how she defeated the rebels, the usurper, and restored the peace in her home after what felt like centuries. 

The dame of dragons, the one who brought magic back to the world and freed slaves before freeing her own home. The last survivor of her dinasty and the one who restored its glory. 

In another life, any other Queen or King Alpha would have all the Lannisters killed for what they did. But not her - in her mercy, she spared Lord Tyrion’s life and now Jimin was his descendent. 

In the painting, her braids were proudly displayed - as a good Dothraki warrior, she would only cut her hair after losing a battle. And she never did. 

It was curious to think how she kept so much of her first husband’s tradition, a man known as savage and dangerous; a fierce Dothraki warrior and sire of her first unborn child. 

Jimin knew the story and how she loved him deeply. It was common sense she never forgot the alpha, even after marrying and having pups with General Snow. 

For a moment, it felt like she was looking at him - her purple eyes facing his soul and unveiling his secrets. He wondered if she was actually a goddess made woman, as the common folk used to say. If she was, he would pray for her blessings.

But not for a savior for himself. Not to love his future husband. But to find just a little bit of comfort in life it was chosen for him, just like she did.

The girl never meant to be Queen, yet, she was. And died happy.

He didn’t know for how much time he kept staring, but he stopped eventually. Looking away from the painting, he took a seat in front of the table at the center of the room - it was carved in the shape of Westeros, engraved with its major cities and castles. He was somewhere near the island of Skagos.

He was still confused for what reason the King demanded his presence. He imagined the man would want to talk to him sometime, to see more of the boy who would marry his brother - but so soon? He barely mounted off from his dragon; he should have more important business to attend.

Yet, Jimin was there and it didn’t take long for him not to be alone anymore.

“Do you know Queen Daenerys herself asked for this table to be made, as a copy of the one we have in Dragonstone?“ The King’s voice took his attention as the man entered the room. He was not wearing his armor anymore and he looked like he just took a good bath.

“I do know, Your Highness. You tell that same story every time we have a meeting here.” Soon, Sir Yoongi appeared at Jimin’s side. The man wasn’t wearing his Northern clothes, probably because of the weather, but the wolf of the Starks was beautifully shown on his chest. 

The Starks and the Lannisters had a sour past - and the man intimidated Jimin because of it. It was because of his predecessor that House Stark was almost extinguished - and for that, the lion was cursed in Westeros for many years. 

It wasn’t rare to meet a Northern who still holds a grudge from the past. Even a wedding between the two regions seemed unlikely to happen in the near future. Yet, Jimin was hoping… Yoongi was very close to the royal family in general - it would be bad not to be friends with him. 

“In my defense, we haven't had a meeting here in months. And yes, the story is fascinating. When she was back at her ancient home, no Targaryen was alive to teach her to light the table. She found out after Tyron Lannister read about it in some book. She was so enamored by it. Blessed be her soul.” 

“Blessed be her soul.” Hoseok Velaryon‘s voice soon took over the whole room. The man was not wearing his armor set either, but instead, omega clothes that fit him like it would fit a fairy. The light blue of the Velaryons matched him, making him almost soft - yet, all his battle scars proved that he could easily pick up a fight with anyone in that room. His hair was also platinum, a trinket of his ancient Velaryon blood.

Soon, one by one, everyone was entering the place. Jungkook, Taehyung, Maester Arthura, and in the end… Namjoon . 

Their eyes met for a second until the alpha looked away - like Jimin wasn’t a vision he wanted to have right now. He felt unsettled - he was the one who shouldn’t want to look at him. 

The boy didn’t know how they organized themselves, but he was smart enough to guess. Seokjin would be at the end of the table, so the two seats next to it would be reserved for high honor positions - maybe Namjoon or the Hand of the King (if he decided who to pick for that job). 

“Please, my Lords. Make yourselves comfortable.” The playful tone in the King’s voice was gone as he took his seat where Jimin predicted. 

But as everyone was sitting down, he couldn’t hide his confusion. Right to the King, it was Jungkook - yes, he was his consort, but this didn’t necessarily mean that he would have a high position on the man’s council.

When the Martell found Jimin’s eyes, he smiled sweetly, like he was encouraging the boy. Maybe showing he wasn’t alone, even if that was the feeling dominating him in the moment.

On the King’s left side, Sir Yoongi took a seat, and then Lord Hoseok and in front of him, Prince Taehyung. Maester Arthura by his side and then… Jimin, with an empty seat right next to him. 

Suddenly, his sight found Namjoon once again - which still felt unreal . When their eyes met, he wanted to look away so badly, just like the man just did, but refused to give in to his wishes. 

As everyone else, the Prince wasn’t wearing his armor, but was still dressed in black and red - the Targaryen colors. Even without his steel, the alpha was intimidating. Yet, Jimin kept his eyes on him - if he could notice he cried, he didn’t care. The words King Jungkook told him a month ago were spiraling in his head ‘ since you didn’t run away to live in the Free Cities.’

Jimin had jewelry with him - he could sell it all, buy a ship to Lys, and never look back. But in a way, he chose this. If it was a fair decision to make, it was another question, one he didn’t want to give much thought. So, they kept staring at each other - the youngest of Lannister and the Red Dragon. 

He would cry in the silence of his room, he would curse the gods, and he would blame his family when nobody was looking. But when the time comes, he would face the world like Queen Daenerys did. She was sold by her own brother, abused, undermined, and yet, she saved her family and the whole continent with it.

Jimin wasn’t planning on saving the Seven Kingdoms - only himself would do.

He didn’t know for how long they kept staring at each other, but the Prince was the one who gave up first and took the place by Jimin’s side - he whispered a quiet ‘excuse me ’ and the boy just nodded. 

“Well, I wanna know what it is so important that you want to talk right now, Your Highness,” Hoseok said, asking a servant for a bit of wine.

“Yeah, we’ve been traveling for days. Everyone is exhausted,” Yoongi responded, sighing hard.

“So, you don’t know what this is all about?” Taehyung arched his eyebrows, in a questioning look.

“And since when has your royal brother told me anything that actually matters?”

“I can tell everyone if you three allow me to speak, what about it?” It felt… different. The way Seokjin was talking here - Jimin didn’t know if he was imagining things, but the man in the throne room was not as playful as this one. 

“So, please, Your Grace. Bless us with your words.” Hoseok dramatically bowed to him, and Jungkook laughed hard.

”I want to talk right now, because we will have a few busy weeks ahead.” The King held his mate's hand and kissed it. “My small council isn’t complete and we have a few additions to the family. ” 

Jimin looked anywhere but the table, afraid of eyes lingering into him. 

“I know it seems rushed, but when we tell my Lords and Ladies the war is over, I want to have my council with me. My Sire ruled Westeros for twenty-six years; it’s going to be a transition.”

“That’s fair, Alpha.” Jungkook said, supporting his husband.

“First of all… I imagined you might be missing a few people. My sire’s council was way bigger than this,” Seokjin spoke and Jimin agreed inside his head, afraid of making the wrong movement and offending the man in a way. “We’ve been at war since she died and… I didn’t have the time to adjust things well enough.”

“We’ve been taking care of things the best we can, Your Grace,” Taehyung said, and the man agreed.

He coughed for a brief moment, and then his gaze found Jimin. Just like Namjoon, the King’s dark purple eyes were impossible to read. The boy didn’t look away either, but he could feel the whole room staring at him - the air felt anxious and he didn’t know why. 

”First things first,” he finally said, looking at some notes on the table. “I called Lord Jimin here because soon we’ll become family. I think… it’s important we talk about a few things first…”

Jimin knew they were bound to have this conversation sooner or later, but he did everything he could to hide his shock about this topic being brought up in such a short time. Sure, he and Namjoon should mate soon, but didn’t the King have so much more important business to attend to? A realm to rule? A small council to put on?

Namjoon was also looking at his brother, but unlike the boy, he seemed to understand where the conversation was going. 

“Yes, Your Grace,” he decided to respond - it was not like he was given a choice or anything.

“ Ahrem… You know, marrying Namjoon will give you some new… responsibilities. When he can’t act as Prince of Dragonstone, you will.” The boy’s blood went cold for a second, but he tried to calm himself. He still couldn’t understand why his future wedding was more important than the reports about the war, but the mention of Dragonstone…

The Targaryens weren't always the Kings and Queens of Westeros - before, their status was just like any other Lord or Lady in recent days; their stronghold was Dragonstone and the lands in its perimeter.

After Aegon the Conqueror, they moved to the Red Keep - but their ancient castle remained as a second home, often ruled by the Crown Prince for a while or, like right now, by one of his siblings - in this case, Prince Namjoon. 

“I know, Your Grace.” He did. Being a mated Lord Omega meant a lot. During wars or long journeys, they were the ones ruling castles, lands, and handling the common folk. This was no secret.

But why have this talk with him, when he was alone, away from his family, and in front of all these people?

Looking around the room, he quickly found Taehyung’s eyes and… he looked friendly - almost like he was trying to calm the boy. Jimin felt that if he could, the Prince would be scenting him right now.

”It will be an honor, Your Highness. To serve my husband.” He repeated the words he heard various omegas saying back home, during audiences with his uncle and brother. He hoped people believed what he was saying.

“You see… Jimin. That 's the thing. Once you marry, it’s not going to be serving… you’ll be part of the family. Bear his children, my nieces and nephews. Valyrian blood.” The mention of pups made Namjoon squirm on his chair, but he didn’t say a word - it was clear how much the younger man respected his brother and his King.

Jimin didn’t know where all of this was going or what Seokjin was implying. So he did what he thought was better: to listen to what the man had to say next.

“And as you know, beside my brother’s royal blood, he isn’t a King and you can take his name. The Targaryen name.” 

Oh.

So that was what he was trying to say; Jimin almost felt dumb for not noticing sooner. Gods, how he preferred this was asked of him in a more private meeting… But looking closely, the only not-Targaryens were their two close friends and their Maester. Maybe this was the most private meeting he would ever have here. 

He didn’t respond right away though, with fear that he just misunderstood everything. And he was still having a hard time figuring out why that was more important than the war; in a way of being the first topic of the first council meeting in the Red Keep.

“The fact is, it is hard to trust a Lannister. It would be good to change your last name once you’re wed.” Sir Yoongi Stark’s voice filled the silence and the boy looked at him.

”Yoongi. Not like this.” Namjoon spoke for the first time and Jimin shivered with his tone - deep and strong. 

Was he defending him? 

In any case, it didn’t seem to intimidate the other alpha.

”I’m calm. Just saying you Targaryens have this thing where you just keep going and going. Just tell the boy already.” Sir Yoongi was so much different than Jimin remembered - he was more serious, a complete opposite from the man in the tournament a year ago; who would easily laugh… maybe the topic was making him more nervous.

The boy could understand why.

A Lannister marrying a Targaryen never happened before… the only time an omega of the Rock was almost betrothed by a dragonblood… Well, the whole continent bleeded for it. 

Being the Lord of Dragonstone during his husband's absence would be a scandal for many people or even vassal houses in the Crownlands could reject it. The Lannisters didn’t only participate in the massacre of the House Targaryen - they architectured it. Lord Twyin even killed the pups when invading the Red Keep for the usurper. 

So, yes. It was a valid point, asking Jimin to leave his name behind.

The only thing that actually put a doubt on the boy was

the King not talking about this matter with his uncle, but with him. And when the boy was utterly alone, with not even a Lannister soldier by his side. Even Seojon wasn’t present at that moment.

“I think it’s Jimin’s decision. The law doesn't require him to change or not to change.” Taehyung spoke and the boy gave him a shy smile - it was good to at least pretend he had someone by his side. 

Saying no right away would basically sign to the royal family he didn’t trust them - it was way too risky. During those moments, Jimin remembered why he hated Taenil for leaving him here without any preparation for this kind of decision. The King was asking for him to change his last name - his family name, and he couldn’t even ask the Lord of his own House for advice.

And again, why not ask his uncle in person when they were at the Riverlands?

”And I do believe there are more important decisions to be made today than his future surname, Your Highness. The matter can wait, I believe,” Namjoon said again, without looking at the boy directly - almost like Jimin wasn’t there at all. 

It was common in Westeros for an omega to adopt his mate’s House - his dame was born a Westerling and died a Lannister. 

Such tradition was different in House Targaryen. They only mated between each other for years and the few omegas from outside who entered the family were Queens or King Consort, and the law clearly forbade a Consort to have the royal name - Jungkook was a Martell and Jon was a Snow, end of it.

After Daenerys, the family’s… uncommon behavior stopped but still, adopting the Targaryen name was more of a decision than an obligation as it was in other Houses.

A decision… 

It felt like a long time since he was able to make one…

He said the words, before he regretted it all.

“It will be an honor to take the Targaryen name, Your Grace. There is no need to discuss it further.”

Nobody in the room seemed prepared for such a quick answer and with so little resistance. Jimin didn’t dare look at Namjoon, but he could tell by the others the feeling in the room was… strange.

In the end, this was merely a symbolic thing: the Westerlings never lost their closeness with Jimin’s dame because of his wedding. The man was still a son of the Crag, it didn’t matter if he was mated to a lion. 

But Taenil, a rusty alpha man with an appreciation for tradition, also loved symbolic things.

If he was here, he would keep Jimin’s name as it was, not even considering how the boy’s own new people would view him once he married. The only thing that mattered was the Lannister name being closer to the King than any other Lord of the Rock was able to get. 

Jimin was doing all of this for his honor and for his family - but right now, he was alone in the Council Chambers, surrounded by dragons and their servants. He was no lion, but a cub left behind by his own brother and uncle, so they could rest while he bounded with strangers.

The boy didn’t know if he was making the right decision, or just one made in a state of anger and betrayal. But for the first time, someone was asking his opinion about a matter - and he would choose what he felt in the moment. Just this once.

His pups would have Lannister blood and that’s all that his uncle cared about anyways - nothing would dramatically change, but the choice would be his.

“So, I think it is settled, then.” Different from the rest of the people, the King seemed unbothered by his words. “Once you mate, you’ll be Jimin Targaryen. Hope you know I am not asking you to decline your Lannister blood.”

“I know, Your Grace. I shall die as a lion,” he answered and he could say Yoongi chuckled a bit, but he was expecting it. A Stark and a Lannister at the same table was a rare thing, so this was the best he would get.

Maybe he did make a decision based on his sour emotions… but wasn’t his uncle the one who said omegas were basically made of their feelings? 

Jimin looked down, still avoiding Prince Namjoon's eyes - he didn’t want to face the man right now. The alpha didn’t even question him… he promised they would talk in private, so maybe he just had to wait to have a proper resolution about everything.

“Since it’s all resolved, I know you all have a lot of questions. But first, I want to thank Lord Hoseok once again. In my speech tomorrow, I will address him. Arthura will include him in the letters as well.” 

The Maester nodded, taking notes like a savage animal. 

Everyone in the table cheered for the omega, with words of praise, making him blush like a maiden.

“It was nothing, my King.” Hoseok was smiling in gratitude and a little bit of shyness.

”It was,” he answered, not letting space for a response. “But yes, Lord Alpha Greyjoy is dead and so are all of his sons and his only daughter. If Hoseok was responsible for saving the Tully pup, Namjoon was the one who slaughtered her captors. So thank you brother.”

”It was thanks to your leadership, Your Grace.” Namjoon’s voice was low and Jimin gulped. He killed the rebels and his pups… he knew Alpha Greyjoy wasn’t sire of any little child anymore. All of his heirs were full grown adults spreading horror in the realm.

Yet, his line died by the Red Dragon’s blade and fire.

“And his bastard child?” Maester Arthura asked.

“Took a ship to Essos - he’s too much of a coward to come back,” Namjoon said. “We don’t need to think about him.”

The man was saying this with so much certainty in his voice… but Jimin needed to disagree. A single bastard could do a lot of harm alive.

”Lady Omega Tully is safe, with a wet nurse taking care of her,” the King continued to speak. "She is only one year old and as I intend to keep the Tullys in control of Riverrun…”

”You plan to marry the girl, Your Grace,” Jungkook spoke, looking at him. with a preoccupied gaze. “She barely passed the first day of her name, though.” He seemed concerned.

”I do, yes. Poor Lady Catelyn is their sole survivor… but her uncle, Lord Omega Mallister shall rule until she is of age. He was borned a Tully and has two beautiful alpha daughters, the younger being just three years old-

“-They will marry when the time comes and the Mallister girl will take the Tully name.” 

It felt odd to talk about weddings of such young pups… but at least they were both children. Taenil didn’t care for those things - only demanding that they respected the first heat date. With that, he would marry any vassal omega with an older alpha without much thought.

“Still. With House Greyjoy almost extinguished, we are yet to choose a family to take care of the Iron Islands. My new Hand of The King, Sir Yoongi, you’ll help me with that.” The man spoke not even looking at the Stark’s eyes, which for the first time, showed something different than borderess. 

“Your what?” Yoongi asked.

“My new Hand of The King,” Seokjin responded, still not looking at him. “With that, Ms. Jungha shall become the new Lady Commander of the King’s Guard, Hoseok will be my Master of Ships, Namjoon will stay as Royal General and during his absence, my dame shall rule Dragonstone.” 

“I am your new what?” Yoongi asked again, as if he was deaf.

“My new Hand of The King. I thought I made myself quite clear. Jungkook is my lovely husband but will help me with the realm’s finances. No need for a maester of coin.” 

“And me?” Taehyung asked, almost annoyed.

“You have the city guards already. The Gold Cloaks. They still respond to Namjoon, but you will take care of them on a daily basis.”

“Your Grace, with all due respect…” the Stark started and everyone seemed on the verge of laughing, like such a reaction was expected of him.

“Yoongi, please. I have known you since you’re a pup. We spent our childhood in the Eyrie together. You’ve been fighting by my side since forever.”

“My sister would be a better fi-”

“Your sister is Lady of Winterfell already. And if I wanted her here, I would have summoned her, don’t you think?” Jimin felt like he was an intruder in a scene that didn’t belong to him - it was very clear that everyone in that table had known each other for years.

“You should just accept, Yoongi. You know brother is not our sire. He won’t be a dick.” It still surprised Jimin how simple Taehyung would say what came into his mind at that moment. Seokjin looked at him with an unpleasant gaze and Jungkook was holding his laugh.

The only person really quiet was Namjoon; now, Jimin decided to look at the man and found him frowning, the most sign of expression he saw since he arrived earlier today.

“Let’s not go there, Tae,” he said.

“Why not? It’s what everyone thinks. Let’s not pretend that sire Lya was like… good in anything that wasn’t realm-related.”

The two brothers didn’t say a word, but the other people at the table didn’t care to say anything back - not even Maester Arthura raised her voice to defend the honor of the late Queen Alpha. That was not the first time Jimin heard a few hints of Lya’s personality towards her children and the people who served her.

“I know Your Highness is not Lya.” Yoongi responded, and no one repressed him for talking about her without honorifics. “I just don’t… want to do a bad job.”

“You would never do a bad job, Yoon,” Taehyung said. 

Jimin looked at Jungkook and Taehyung again, but even the Consort was arching an eyebrow listening to such conversation.

“Yoongi, I still need you to formally accept this. So I can put you to work.” Seokjin was looking at him with a serious face.

“I accept, Your Grace.” The people clapped as if Yoongi just won a tournament or something.

But soon, the party was over and the meeting turned into other matters - Jimin remained silent by his future husband’s side. They talked about logistics, battle details, and how the war impacted the realm’s safes. The boy wasn’t really listening to anything, actually.

Was his uncle going to be mad once he found out about Jimin’s? Would he scream at the boy? Would he beat him? 

Maybe.

And maybe, it was the wet earth scent he was imagining that gave him the strength. 

Maybe it was Queen Daenerys herself - the goddess made woman.

But it didn’t matter -  Taenil was far away by choice and Jimin made his.

Chapter Text

JIMIN IV 

Jimin could see the vastness of the Sunset Sea from here. 

He couldn’t remember when he arrived in Casterly Rock or why he was there in the first place. There was so much he needed to do back home… and yet, here he was.

But hearing the waves, the seagulls, and the swordswoman screaming with her apprentices, he was feeling a closeness with the place. 

This was what home felt like a lifetime ago.

The patio was filled with people - servants, vassals, knights, and guards who would often call Jimin the delight of the realm. They would tell him he looked so much like his late dame that only his blond hair gave away his Lannister heritage.

He loved hearing that - maybe they had a connection, after all…

He let all the voices go directly into his brain and it filled him with a nostalgic sense. Why has it felt like so long since he came here? 

This was just right - all he really needed.

Maybe, if he concentrate enough, he would even be able to hear Taemin, Marjorie, and Seojon talking just a few steps awa-

”You see, Jimin… everyone has a role to fulfill in this world.“ Uncle Taenil’s voice was contained as ever - cold and stern. The man was by side and soon all the other sounds were blocked - his voice was the only thing the boy was able to hear. Not even the ocean seemed to be close anymore and the seagulls disappeared.

No swordswoman, no guard, and no knight telling him nothing.

“There’s things you need to do. For the family. Things an omega needs to endure.” 

The alpha was just like he remembered… right? 

Tall, with blond perfectly cut hair and a serious gaze. He was looking directly at Jimin, and mostly he felt like the same old Taenil as always - but there was something off… like…

“It’s just the way the Seven made us, you see?” It was weird that his uncle worshiped such cursed gods as the Faith of the Seven - raising him inside their customs, even. 

Why?

There were so many things Jimin didn’t have the answers for.

But then, the boy looked at his face and could see it clearly like never before. It was the same old Taenil was always - but his eyes… his eyes were yellow as tansy flowers.

“And just like you, I had to do things I’m not proud of.”

The wet nurses used to say that Taelly and Taenil were too close in appearance but too different in personality. 

Jimin’s sire was more of a free spirit, with a sweet smile the boy didn’t even remember. An alpha with kind words and a warm plate of food for everyone who entered his castle.

But Jimin wasn’t raised by that man - his voice was forgotten inside his mind and his laughter lost like a dream. 

Taenil, on the other hand, was a strong presence in his life and his thoughts.

Uncle was all he had. A pup would worship anyone who gave them the chance to live. And that was all he knew.

But his eyes… his eyes looked like an abyss he didn’t want to jump into.

“Jimin, I did what I did to protect the family. To protect-˜” The boy knew he didn’t want to listen to what he had to say further. What was yet to come. He knew it would hurt like hell… he didn’t want to get hurt…

He needed to go. He needed to…

The smell of wet earth invaded his nose once more - it was surrounding him with a familiarity he didn’t even realize he needed. It smelled like home, his real home, and it belonged to him - it was only his. 

He let himself be taken back to the Tower… Where was he? Why did he leave?

It didn’t matter - he was going back. 

Soon, Taenil disappeared, along with Casterly Rock, the ocean, and everything Jimin once knew. 

And only then, he was able to sleep.

For the first time in what felt like months, Jimin did not wake up feeling like he died during his sleep. He didn't have a migraine and his body wasn’t hurting like someone beat him - it almost felt like he slept through the whole night; a rarity living in the Red Keep.

It was a weird sensation. The day before was full of strong emotions and he remembered crying for hours in that same room. By experience, he should’ve had a terrible night, full of unpleasant dreams with him waking up at least three times.

But no, none of that. Instead, he felt like he slept; simply slept; nothing else.

It was far from being perfect. He knew he would only feel well rested with a nest, but being able to at least sleep was way too good for now.

He could tell by the sun that it was way too late for a lord omega to be in his bed, but deep down he was grateful Nari let him rest for at least a couple more hours than usual. Even sleeping well, the weight of yesterday's events was too heavy on his back. 

He couldn’t remember exactly everything that happened in detail. It was almost like the day was a fever dream in his memory. Jimin knew Namjoon had arrived, that they had a brief conversation. He could tell the King asked him something of importance… and he agreed.

In just a couple of months, he will be Jimin Targaryen.

And surprisingly, that was the last of his worries. Maybe his uncle was right and omegas were driven solely by their emotions… but Jimin knew he wasn’t stupid - he never was.

But yes, he was still feeling sour for being left alone in that castle - not even a letter telling him his uncle and brother survived . And he made a fool of himself praying for their return every single night.  

If Jimin wasn’t even a Lannister worthy of knowing details about his own House, why to maintain their name in any way? His pups would have the blood of Casterly Rock for all his uncle cared for, and that would be enough.

He let out a loud yawn - why was he thinking about his uncle right now? He barely opened his eyes but still the alpha was floating around his head and he couldn't understand why. Taenil was miles away, probably already in Casterly Rock. Jimin could think about him all he wanted, he had so many more real problems to deal with right now.

He got up from his bed, going directly to his window. He hadn’t had the time to appreciate the view properly since he arrived… not that he tried, always too tired to think about anything. 

The sun was shining bright, illuminating King's Landing below him, and even with the distance Jimin knew the place was thriving with life. He still hadn’t had in himself to visit the city - especially its market. He wanted to see and buy everything he could… but that meant leaving the castle by himself, with only a couple of guards. Without his uncle or brother around, he couldn’t actually leave without the approval of his future husband.

The boy sighted… Namjoon had arrived and he mentioned he wanted to talk. After the meeting yesterday, everyone went their own direction and Jimin found his way back to his chambers by himself. He couldn’t tell for sure if the Prince was avoiding him but he was grateful. If any other important conversation happened yesterday, he would have freaked out.

But then, his eyes found something strange resting by his window… a letter. For a brief second, his heart stopped thinking it was from his brother, but instead of a lion stamp, there was a three-head red dragon.

He must have fallen into a heavy sleep to not notice anyone entering his room and leaving it there. He knew for sure there was nothing on that window when he went to sleep last night.

He picked up the piece of paper and it felt soft under his touch, but his heart was heavy. The only Targaryen that had a reason to send him a letter was the one he was too afraid to face.

But if Jimin still had a chance to escape, he ended it all yesterday when he accepted, above all, to use their name as his own. 

He was trembling as he opened it, but he did. Because that was all he needed to do.

He read the words out loud, listening while his voice captured the man’s message.

My Lord,

I would prefer to properly invite you for conversation in person and not by written words. But I didn’t want to disturb your much needed sleep.

I would like to meet you today; there’s a few things we have to talk about. If that’s your wish, you can meet me at the library – I’ll be there the whole afternoon.

Prince Namjoon.

The alpha’s presence still felt unreal; it was hard to digest and to understand. For a month, he was the only thing Jimin thought about and was also his most hated kind of thought. 

And he was here.

The boy gulped and folded the paper once more - he could have agreed on changing his own name, but he would die having the blood of a lion running through his veins. A Lannister always pays his debts, and even if the boy wasn’t owing Namjoon the gold of Casterly Rock, the man demanded an omega and Jimin would deliver that to him.

He bathed by himself, not wanting to call or to wait up for Nari to help him. And this would also give him time to think. 

As the warm water of his tub embraced him, with the steam filling the room, he was just now feeling how miserable he was in the last few weeks, being so sleep deprived. He still couldn’t understand why only now his brain decided he would shut down, but he was happy it did. 

He washed his hair and allowed the hot water to fall into his face, as if was able to clean him from his fears. 

Deep down, he had his suspicions, but he would never entertain those thoughts. They would take him to a dangerous and fantasizing reign he didn’t want to enter. 

His wardrobe was full of beautiful sets of clothes and he spent a good amount of time thinking about what would be appropriate. Marjorie always liked seeing him in dark red with vivid gold lines; she used to say it lighted up his eyes… During their glory days, she would ask Jimin to put on a million sets and would say he was beautiful in every single one of them. They would laugh, scream, and be breathless as they walked by a million clothes.

It didn’t take long for his eyes to find something else. It was just as beautiful as the other one, but more modest; it would hide his shoulders from curious eyes. 

It fit him like a glove. 

When looking at himself in the mirror, Jimin didn’t feel just beautiful, but also strong. He felt like a proper Lord Omega - one who would rule… not in the way his uncle trained him… but… 

No, no Taenil today. 

He didn’t know if it was the set, or the thought of his sister with him, but he took a deep and long breath. The air filled his lungs and for the first time in what felt like centuries, he felt ready to face the world once more.  

It was surprising to see Seojon again at his door, as if nothing had changed since the day before. The man was fully armored and seemed ready to protect Jimin from whoever would be crazy enough to invade the Red Keep and take him as hostage. 

The Lorch looked at him, with a gaze unreadable as always - the scar on his cheek facing Jimin from afar.

Flashes from yesterday filled the boy’s mind: how the alpha couldn’t even face him as he followed Namjoon. Jimin couldn't be fooled; like everyone else in this castle, he may seem like a friend, but he should be careful. 

“You look beautiful, my Lord.” The man broke the silence with his voice low. The hall was uncommonly quiet for that day of the week. No servants walking around cleaning and talking loudly. It sounded like they were the only two people there. 

“Thank you, Sir.” Even mad or hurt, Jimin would always be polite with Seojon.

The boy let his eyes wander around the Tower Hall: its private kitchen, dining room, office… and the Prince’s chambers with the door closed. A month had passed since he arrived and he never explored the place, going from his room directly to the stairs - he had no idea where the library was.

“Need anything, my Lord?” Seojon’s voice took over again and the man was looking at him curiously.  

“Why do you ask?”

The alpha ignored his question. “The Library is at the end of the Hall, close to the hanging garden.” The knight was pointing at a corridor the boy didn’t even know was there in the first place. “Just go forward.”

“How’d you know?” Jimin arched his eyebrows. Was it Seojon who left the letter by Namjoon’s orders?

“Know what exactly, my Lord? You probably want to talk to the Prince. And when not fighting, he’s reading.” He said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “So, the end of the corridor, hanging garden, go forward.”

His next words were out before he could stop himself.

“You remind me of him.” It didn’t need any explanation for both of them to understand who the ‘him’ he was talking about.

Seojon was looking at Jimin as if the boy just spat on his face.

“Excuse me?” 

It was funny, really, how every one of the Lannister pups had a little bit of Taenil in them. Seojon wasn’t a lion by blood, but he was raised as one and was no exception to that rule. 

If Taemin would be as fierce as their uncle… the Lorch boy had a lot of the older alpha personality traits. Sometimes, when he was speaking, Jimin could hear glimpses of Taenil through his words - Seojon was way much kinder than him… but still.

“You just… too straightforward with a few things, but really mysterious to others. Just like him.”

It didn’t take a genius to see that Seojon didn’t like the comparison a bit. The boy didn’t understand what got him to finally mention his uncle to the alpha - since they started talking again, he was never a topic of conversation, even if much needed. 

They always talked about home, Taemin, Marjorie… their childhood as pups in the Westerlands. But Sir Taenil Lannister's name was never spoken between them.

Until now.

When Seojon finally opened his mouth again, his words were cold and lifeless.

“I understand, my Lord. But if you allow a poor knight only one wish… don’t compare me with Taenil ever again.” The lack of titles didn’t go unnoticed by Jimin - the Lannister was of a much higher birth than Seojon, whether he liked it or not.

“You shouldn’t talk about him like that here. It’s dange-”

“The end of the corridor, hanging garden. Just go.” His tone made it clear there was no space for any more conversation.

Jimin faced him for a few more seconds. Not for the first time he felt like there was so much he didn’t know. Clearly Seojon had resentments with Taenil and not only because the man didn’t make him a knight - there was something else hidden in there.

But right now, the boy had no other option but to follow his way - to the end of the corridor. So, he did.

Trying to shake away his uncle and the Lorch knight from his mind, he regretted not asking: since when was there a hanging garden in the Tower? 

The answer was probably ‘since forever’ and Jimin would know if he had explored the place as everyone kept suggesting for the last few weeks.

He followed the direction the alpha indicated and soon he was in the corridor he was talking about.

It felt like entering a whole different world. The walls in the General Tower were empty, their bricks black as the ones used in Winterfell; something General Snow asked for himself when they were constructing it. But here… they were decorated with different paintings, but no portraits as it was common in the rest of the castle - but a few landscapes with waterfalls, high hills and lakes.

Every single of them felt unique and were all really beautiful; the boy couldn’t help but wonder why none of them were in the main hall? 

A couple of doors with no sign also caught his attention - they didn’t seem abandoned, just didn’t have any identification, or it wasn’t needed or the person who used this place already knew it all by heart.

It didn’t take long for him to find an open exit - he could see the sky from here, and the sun was illuminating the whole corridor; from where he was, he could also see a few plants, grass and flowers… the hanging garden.

And just a few steps before there was a single lonely door - the Library.

Jimin walked slowly and faced it - the wind from outside was hitting his face and he didn’t know how much he was sweating until now. He wanted to see the garden and discover who was taking care of it. It smelled good and there were birds. He could hear them sing. 

But today wasn’t about doing what he wanted, but what he needed. So, he ignored the urge from his wolf to wander there and discover its secrets. 

He opened the big lonely door with no sign.

✨✨✨

They had a library in Casterly Rock.

In another life, Jimin enjoyed reading very much - he was used to being in complete silence, spending long hours being lost in pages and words. His Lord brother, even if still a pup in every sense, demanded that more books were delivered to them, so his sibling was never out of things to do. 

Jimin stopped reading for pleasure a long time ago now - he lost his will to do it, like he lost most of everything that belonged to him.

He knew there was a library close to the Grand Maester Chambers in the Red Keep, but he doubted it would be as impressive as this one.

His own library back home couldn’t even be considered a school room compared to whatever was built here. 

There were countless bookshelves organized two by two throughout the whole place; it seemed bigger than Jungkook’s tea room. Big windows allowed the sun rays to illuminate everything beautifully - yet, there were enough shadowed spots for anyone reading not to be burning hot. 

Jimin closed the door behind him slowly, afraid that any noise could disturb the calm sense the whole room transmitted. His eyes wandered curiously through the place as he walked with careful steps, taking care not to wake up the books.

It felt like a crime something like this was hidden in here and he never got a chance to see before this. 

He let himself explore, trying not to give into the urge of picking up every book and reading them all. It was all heavily organized - history, diaries, grand houses of Westeros, small houses of Westeros, poems and romance.

His eyes lingered on all of it, impressed by its grandeur. The odd part was the furniture - looking almost brand new, with no scratches or signs of dust. This was very much rare for a castle in Westeros, where most of its important buildings were dated back to the Age of the Heroes - the Red Keep itself was a baby compared to them, only five hundred years old.

But this place didn’t seem to have been built five centuries ago. 

He didn’t have much time to think about it, because almost like he was a pup sleeping alone for the first time, he found the monster hidden in the dark.

In a reading table close to a window, located in the end of the room - there he was, the reason for Jimin's visit.

Platinum buzz cut hair, a simple set of alpha clothes, and glasses. 

The Red Dragon had a book in hand and looked so immersed by its words. He didn’t notice Jimin entering the place.

The boy took a deep breath and just kept looking at him. Should he introduce himself and interrupt the Prince's reading time? That wasn’t very polite…

But it was Namjoon himself who invited him here… but same as everything between them so far, it was the Targaryen who decided what to do - because soon the purple eyes found the boy.

“Lord Jimin. I was waiting for you.” His voice was different from the day before, softer - or maybe it was just Jimin’s mind playing games with him once again.

He walked slowly in the alpha’s direction, but closer he got to the man, the stronger he could feel that smell… that fucking scent .

“My Prince. I’m sorry if I’m late… I just… I…” 

Why couldn’t he speak? 

“Don’t you worry.” He took off his glasses and put his book on the table. “I personally asked for the Tower to be empty and for no one to wake you up.” 

“You sent everyone away?”

He shook his head “No. Just a day of vacation, let’s put it like that.”

“You didn’t have to bother, my Prince. I would gladly wake up earlier to talk to you." He knew all his words seemed fake, he could feel it in his bones.

“You looked like you needed to rest.” He pointed to a chair in front of him, asking for the boy to sit. “And… I didn’t want curious ears to listen to our conversation.” 

As Jimin took his place in front of the man, he couldn’t help but agree - every castle has its ears… and every ear has its mouth. The Prince talking privately with his fiancé for the first time would make anyone curious.

“The Tower isn’t empty… Sir Seojon Lorch was at my door.” 

“I know. I put him there.” 

“Why?” Jimin asked one of the questions that had been tormenting him all those weeks. “I don’t need that kind of protection here.” 

The man looked at him with one of his eyebrows arched, as if he was studying the boy. When he spoke, he ignored Jimin’s inquiry. 

“I asked the chef for a few things before he left. I imagine you didn’t eat.” The boy noticed a few snacks upon the table as he was talking - plates with bread, fruits, and a jar of juice. 

“I didn’t.”

“Well, be my guest.”

Jimin was sure his stomach couldn’t handle anything right now - not with him so nervous. Vomiting in Namjoon’s foot wasn’t a very good start.

“I’m not very hungry, but thank you.”

For a moment, they just sat in silence facing each other. Jimin imagined this encounter in his head at least a thousand times since he arrived: the exact time he and Namjoon would talk about their union and what it meant for both of them.

But just like in his sleepless nights, he felt powerless - what could he say?

But Namjoon knew.

The alpha’s face was serious when he spoke.

“Do I scare you?”

The Red Dragon, the Slayer of Heirs… the man who drank blood for breakfast.

Of course he scared Jimin - how could he not? 

But still, there was something off. Without his armor, the Prince felt way less intimidating. No blood on his shoulder, no Lord or knight watching him close… he wasn’t drinking blood, but juice.  

“The prospect… of a marriage scares me, my Prince.” It was his response - a half truth. 

The alpha wasn’t roaring or threatening to burn his enemies alive. He was reading and offering food. Jimin wasn’t scared of him, not right now. 

The alpha was still facing the boy as if he was choosing the right words.

“First of all… I know nothing I say will calm you. But I need to say something first,” the man started drinking from his cup, avoiding Jimin’s eyes; if the boy didn’t know better, he would think Namjoon was nervous. “I don’t expect anything from this marriage. No obligations from you.”

The boy took a while to truly understand what he was implying, and by the other man’s face, he wasn’t hiding his confusion very well.

“I just mean tha-” the Prince started once again, “You know what I’m talking about. I know what they expect from us… from you. Just don’t take this as an-”

What?

“But… you need heirs and…” 

Jimin wasn’t stupid - he knew what he was supposed to do with his life the moment he presented as an omega. As a noble omega. 

He had the blood of Lann the Clever running through his veins; his womb was part of a line that birthed all the Lords and Ladies of the Rock - and its Kings and Queens before them. Namjoon wasn’t only getting a mate out of their arrangement - but a person noble enough to bear children of Valyria. 

That was why after his sister died, he was the chosen one.

So what the hell was the prince suggesting?

“Don’t get me wrong. House Targaryen needs heirs…” Namjoon spoke before the boy could say anything further. “And if my brother and Jungkook continue in their rhythm, we will have more pups than lands in just a couple of years.” 

“Yes but… it’s my dut-”

Namjoon drummed his fingers on the table and fidgeted on his seat, it looked like this was the worst conversation of his life. Yes, talking about pups also meant they were talking about spending heats and ruts together - and knotting…

“I won’t… lay with you for duty, my Lord. I hope you won’t either.” 

The boy wanted to laugh. 

If it’s not for duty… it would be for what? 

Lust? 

Love? 

It was such a distant possibility in their situation that the Lannister almost chuckled in front of the other man. 

“So… you don’t want to mate me?” 

Jimin didn’t know if he could handle going back to Casterly Rock with the shame of being a rejected omega. Taenil wasn’t going to be pleased about it… and the boy didn’t want to be around when that happened.  

“We will marry and unite our Houses. The Kingdom will give us time to mate.” He drank again from his cup. “I just want to tell you I don’t expect anything and… I won’t force myself.”

He didn’t know if he was scared or relieved hearing those words - he hasn’t been a pup for a long time now and his first heat was a few years ago. Jimin knew what he needed to do to produce heirs.

And what some alphas will do to omegas who won’t cooperate with them. They will marry and not mate, meaning that they won’t have intimate times together - and if Namjoon was being sincere, not until Jimin was feeling comfortable.

The Kingdom will give us time to mate.

Would his uncle accept his healthy and fertile niece, married without trying for pups? 

“I’m sorry if I sound rude but once we are married and you become Jimin Targaryen, your uncle’s opinion won’t be a problem anymore."

He shouldn’t have said that out loud but…

It would. Taenil Lannister was a kind man when he wanted to and a bad one without trying.

The Prince and the Lord were facing each other and the boy could just imagine how they looked to the outside world - was that the reason Namjoon didn’t want curious ears listening to them? Gossip flies in a castle as big as this… the Prince telling he didn’t want children was scandalous. Many would say that he wasn’t interested in omegas or that Jimin was broken somehow.

So, even knowing there wasn’t a single soul in that Tower to listen to them, he whispered. “And if we don’t mate in their given time, Prince?”

The boy knew when he traveled to Kings Landing that he would be a consolation prize for Namjoon, and he wasn’t expecting anything different - yet, it was a weird sensation.

Deep down, he didn’t want to really mate Namjoon, but he was ready to fulfill what his family demanded - and if he couldn’t do that… What was his worth?

Jimin was raised in a conservative family, but he wasn’t stupid. Once they marry, the boy would be his - at least by the law. The same way it was the Prince's obligation to fight the wars and kill its perpetrators, it was Jimin’s duty to give the alpha children. That was the sole reason why marriages happen in their situation.

“Jimin, look into my eyes.” The boy did as fast as he could, finding himself in a vast dark lilac ocean. “Do you want to mate me?”

“It’s m-”

“Duty? Yes. But that was not my question, boy. Do you want to mate me?”

He didn’t. The idea of having Namjoon’s knot inside of him scared Jimin to his guts - the Prince was a stranger to him. This was their first ever conversation and yet, the boy didn’t learn anything about the other man.

Why would he want to mate him? Bear his pups? Receive his bite?

His knot?

And just now, as the man spoke so openly about it, Jimin realized that this was one of the reasons he was so afraid. 

If Namjoon wanted to, he had the right to demand the boy to… fulfill what it was promised. 

He was giving Jimin a couple more time to adjust.

“I don’t… Not now.” 

“So, we won’t. We still have four months until our wedding, my Lord. There’s plenty of time.” 

Jimin didn't understand what he was implying… but he was feeling weird. 

Part of him was happy the Prince gave him a temporary way out… but another part was almost feeling… rejected? 

If it was Marjorie, as he always wanted, the man would demand to mate her right away? Would she satisfy hi-

What? 

He shook his head, putting all those strange thoughts away. Why would he have those ideas about an alpha he didn’t even want? He just said to the man’s face he didn’t want him.

The fucking Red Dragon. The Horror of the IronMen. Caraxes reincarnated… 

It was the damn scent… Jimin knew it. As soon as he entered that room, the wet earth smell invaded his nose and was making him confused. All this talk about mating was just adding into his madness. 

Why couldn’t the man wear blockers like everyone else?

Namjoon, unaware of the boy’s torment, kept his silence once again. The Lannister just stared at his face as he picked his book from the table. 

The scent of wet earth was faint, but it was there, and every time he breathed, he was being taken back to that fucking tournament ...

The boy was sure it was just his body’s response to the lack of a nest. 

His brain was clearly looking for comfort. And that was probably the reason why Namjoon wasn’t so intimidating anymore - at least not here, where that was the only smell Jimin could scent.

The boy took a deep breath - he wasn’t going to lose his mind. He needed to focus on the present: he didn’t need to mate Namjoon as soon as they were married… even if his wolf was acting weird.

Four months was a long time, but nothing compared to the rest of the life they were bound to share together. Thinking about it made the silence just too unbearable and odd as it was, he didn’t want to leave that room just now. 

“What are you reading?” 

The alpha seemed surprised by his words. 

“What?”

Maybe he wasn’t expecting Jimin to talk to him at all after what was spoken between them. 

”Your book. What are you reading?”

The boy couldn’t blame the Prince for his sudden confusion - even he didn’t know why he asked. Maybe he was just eager to talk about anything that didn’t involve the two of them mating.

“This? Is a poetry book.” Namjoon said, showing him the cover with a daisy drawn in dark shades. “It was a gift from the captain of a boat I took to Essos. I think Braavos…”

“You don’t seem like the type that likes poetry.” He didn’t. 

The laugh the man let out was humorless as he adjusted his glasses. “I think you’ve heard too many tales about me, my Lord.”

Namjoon had his fame and was known for being feral and a killer. Liking poetry wasn’t on that list; having a private library wasn’t on that list. Taehyung briefly mentioned to Jimin that reading was hobby of his, but the boy didn’t take it seriously.

But he was still feeling nervous and he let the words out before he could stop them. It was naive of him to believe Namjoon was unaware of how the people viewed him. 

“So… poetry.”

“Yes. I enjoy it quite a lot.” 

The boy didn’t say another word - should he ask what the book was about? This was becoming extremely uncomfortable. How would the Kingdom expect them to mate if Jimin didn’t even know how to start a conversation with the other man?

Should he demand they mate right now just to be sure that no retaliation will come from Casterly Rock?

What ?

Those fucking weird thoughts. 

Jimin took another deep breath, he needed to keep his composure or else the alpha would notice something was out of pla-

“Is Seojon being nice to you?” 

“What?”

He must have misheard it, of course. Wasn’t it Namjoon who personally put the alpha there? Without even consulting his family about it? Or consulting him? Why would he care?

“I asked if Seojon is being nice to you”

As he repeated the words, the boy felt a shiver going through his spine - shouldn’t he be the one asking about the Lorch? It was impossible that the alpha didn’t tell his prince about his relationship with the Lannisters - especially if the man chose him to protect Jimin.

So, supposedly he knew that, why would he ask if the man was treating him kindly?

Namjoon was still waiting for a response, but in a way, so was Jimin: 

“Why is he guarding my door?” Maybe it was the little bit of boldness that invaded his body that gave him the courage to ask. “I don’t think I need protection here.”

“You do.”

“Why?” 

Now Jimin could see; it felt like a soft switch. 

It took all that for him to realize Namjoon’s eyes were actually nicer than in the day before - but now, as the man looked at him once again, the difference felt clear. It reminded him of his brother, often changing between brother and Lord mode.

He couldn’t say for sure what side of Namjoon he was seeing, but the man who was reading his poetry book just minutes ago wasn’t there anymore.

“Because you’re marrying me.” It was his response, as if it was enough explanation.

“And?”

“And I have a lot of enemies, Jimin. And I would die before I let any of them lay a finger on my fiánce.” His eyes were serious as he faced the boy, making the Lannister shiver again. “So, I will ask you once again. Is he being nice to you?”

“Nothing but a gentleman, my Prince.”

There he was.

There wasn't enough poetry in the world that would change the fact that Namjoon was the Red Dragon - was an alpha and a warrior after all. It didn’t matter his fake kindness or his books… in the end, the boy was marrying one of the most dangerous alphas in Westeros.

And with that list of killings, there were enough people seeking revenge. Even if they took their whole life to mate, being with the man put a target at Jimin’s back - and with or without the bite, a man like Namjoon would never let his property be hurt.

He shouldn’t be thinking like this about himself, but that was the truth. The Targaryen wanted his sister but couldn’t have her. Then, they gave him her brother. And even if Jimin wasn’t his primary choice, he was his . 

If any enemy of Namjoon’s got close to the boy they would die - that was just a way for the Prince to guarantee his alpha pride wouldn’t be damaged.

He didn’t know how to explain why he felt sick to his stomach - this was the Namjoon he was hoping for. A man who wasn’t violent with him, who would let him live his life as if nothing had changed - who didn’t care about mating. One who didn’t particularly care for Jimin’s security - but needed to do it anyway.

Somehow, the smell of wet earth suddenly disappeared. And he felt empty.

He needed to leave.

“My Prince… if you’ll excuse me.” He started to get up, without even listening if the alpha would allow him to go.

“Just a second, my Lord.” Jimin looked at him and against his will, decided to sit again. “If you’ll allow me a few words.” The boy just slowly nodded. What else there was to say?

“Before you go… While I never get the chance to say it in person…” And with a switch, he changed once again. The man was nervous looking for the right words to say, as if he wasn’t the second prince of Westeros. “But I’m deeply sorry about Lady Marjorie. Your sister was a kind soul. You never responded to my letter, so…”

Jimin needed to collect all the self control he had inside him not to arch his eyebrows in a questioning look.

“Your what?”

“My letter.” The man spoke slowly, as if he was taking enough time for the boy to register his words. “Back when she died and our engagement was announced… I sent a letter to Casterly Rock, a letter to you. You never responded so… I just assumed you wanted space…”

“Yes, yes. Of course. I’m sorry, my Prince. It was a difficult time. I don’t remember much of it.” 

They were facing each other and if Jimin didn’t know any better, he would say the man was disappointed. 

“That is… understandable, my Lord. Now you’re free to go and I’ll get back to my reading…”

Jimin bowed to him and took all the will he had on his body to not let his legs tremble during the walk out of that room. The books were staring at him, knowing what he just hid from the prince.

He closed the library door, leaving Namjoon behind with his poetry book and his killing list.

The boy was back in the same corridor and could still hear the birds singing, but he didn’t feel the urge to go to them anymore. 

His breath was erratic, his heart was racing, and he was sweating cold. If anyone was there, they would say Jimin was scared of Namjoon and their conversation - but no… 

He never received any letter from the Prince.

Not even back when his sister died and not ever. Marjorie's engagement was announced by their uncle, and with Jimin it wasn’t any different. Last year, it was almost like the alpha didn’t exist. Not even a word of consolation from Namjoon was delivered to him. And he asked, in whispers, if the man was ever going to approach him anytime soon - his sister just died and he couldn’t say a word to him? 

His uncle used to say an alpha like Namjoon was way too important to have time for such things as writing words for whining omegas.

✨✨✨

Since he was a pup, Jimin hated liars. Being the youngest of four, he was always considered the snitch between them - the one who would tell uncle every time they did something bad.

As children often don’t have any sense of morals, Jimin lied a lot growing up - the four pups of Casterly Rock even created a secret language to talk about their rendezvous when their uncle was around.

But the thing is, adults should have a better sense of morals and at least try not to lie. 

After the library visit, what the Prince said was turning Jimin’s head upside down.

Namjoon wrote him a letter when Marjorie died. 

The boy spent the last year thinking the man never tried to approach him in any way - ignoring him and his grief. He traveled to King’s Landing calling himself a consolation prize as Namjoon never acknowledged his existence. 

As if the man never really wanted to mate him.

Yet, the alpha looked into his eyes and said he wrote him a letter, apparently in the gap of time between his sister and the announcement of their engagement. He didn’t lie when he said he didn’t remember much of it, but he would remember anything the prince sent him.

If Namjoon was telling the truth, his words never reached Jimin

In a world where the boy was just a commoner, he could actually say he never received any letter; but in their situation, hiding royal mail was considered a serious crime against the Crown - in the recent past, people were hanged for this. 

He could ask his uncle, but then he would accuse the Prince of lying? Right after the boy agreed to change his name, suddenly the Targaryen was putting him against his own family?

In the end, it didn’t matter: the boy couldn’t simply ask about this to any of the parts involved. 

But the thing was: why would Namjoon lie?

Some part of him didn’t believe the alpha was capable of it — he heard many tales about the prince and none of them told him the man was a liar. 

But if that letter was real, why would his uncle lie to him? Not only he didn’t deliver it, he said with words that the prince chose not to talk to him.

If he wanted to marry Jimin with Namjoon so badly, why would he pretend the alpha didn’t care about the boy? About his sister?

To unfamiliar eyes, it may seem unfair to blame Taenil - the man wasn’t the Lord of the Rock - by law, any mail should be delivered to Taemin first. But the boy wasn’t that naive - he grew up in that castle and knew its secrets.

Yes, his brother has been a full-grown alpha for a few years now who commanded armies, controlled lands, and applied the King’s Justice. Yet, Taenil never took himself away from the Lord chair; he was always there, in every meeting and every decision. And Taemin let him, what could he do? The man raised him and ruled for him when he was too young… 

Taenil received the letters and read them first before taking them to his lord - Jimin knew that, seeing this happening more times than he could count.

So, either he took the mail and hid it from the boy or Namjoon was lying.

It was funny to think that about a month ago, Jimin would look at this and think it was preoccupation - as if Taenil was protecting him from something hurtful the Prince might have said. But it didn’t seem like that right now. 

If he was so worried to the point of hiding stuff from him, why did he go back to the Westerlands without talking with his niece? Leaving him with a man so dangerous that even his words should be kept as a secret?

Jimin didn’t mean to do that, but the rest of his day was nullified - the boy isolated himself in his chambers and even asked Seojon to tell the Consort he was feeling way too sick to go to their lunch.

As everyone in the castle knew the boy wasn’t nesting, nobody came to disturb him - they all assumed he needed to rest.

And he did. 

He ended up sleeping through the rest of the afternoon and the whole night. Just like before, no dreams tormented him this time and he couldn’t be more grateful. That was already too many things for him to care about right now.

The next day arrived as fast as the other left.

”Good morning, m’Lord! Did you sleep well?” 

Nari was opening the curtains of his room and smiling sweetly as the light invaded the place.

“Hi, Nari. Better than ever, if you allow me to say.” He still didn’t understand how he was sleeping so well; he wasn’t nesting, did very little to change his schedule, and the whole letter situation was still spinning around his head. 

”That’s good to know.” The girl was now looking over his clothes, choosing something for him to wear. “The breakfast today will be served at the Royal Chambers. I have already prepared your bath.” 

”Seriously? Why?" The boy was surprised - they hadn't had a single meal in the royal chambers’ dining room since he arrived.

“A demand from the King. He wants to celebrate his victory with his family.”

His family.

Jimin wasn’t part of it. 

But he was going to marry Namjoon and it was a polite and a required decision to invite him. The boy gulped and just went with the girl to take his bath. It was better not to think about it in such detail.

Being clean always helped Jimin think - and nowadays he had so much on his mind. The letter was still haunting him and couldn’t simply tell Namjoon he didn’t receive it - especially after lying about reading and choosing to not respond to it.

All he knew was that someone was lying to him and he hated liars.

It didn’t take much for him to be ready. He was feeling soft, clean and good enough to face the world - he survived yesterday, he just needed to repeat the dose. 

”M’Lord, I’ll take you to the roya-“ 

“That won’t be necessary, Nari. I’ll take him.” A voice abruptly interrupted the girl, but by now, Jimin could recognize Namjoon’s from miles away.

The man was standing in front of his door - Seojon guarding it by his side like a dog. He was dressed in the same Targaryen colors as every day. He was looking at the girl seriously, but his tone wasn’t harsh.

”M’Prince” she bowed to him ”Of course. I just assumed you have gone already.” 

“What kind of fiánce would I have been if I didn’t take him to his first breakfast?” he asked and the girl nodded in agreement.

”First?” Jimin dared to speak, looking at them both with confusion in his eyes.

“If you think Jungkookie enjoys getting together, you haven’t met my brother yet,” the man said. “So, will you give me the pleasure?” Suddenly, the alpha was offering him his right arm for Jimin to grab. 

It was a simple gesture - the boy would often walk like this with his brother or even Seojon when they lived together. It was a kind demonstration of respect that alphas would offer to omegas - especially for those of high birth.

Jimin could refuse, of course. It wasn’t common to accept such a thing from a stranger. But Namjoon wasn’t any stranger. They would marry and if he heard right, those breakfasts were a common thing - this would happen very often.

The Prince was looking at him firmly, but nothing in his eyes told the boy he would take rejection badly. Still, they were in front of Nari; it wasn’t a good way to start his new life refusing his fiánce in front of their servants. 

So, against his better judgment, the boy grabbed his arm, thanked the girl, and let himself be taken to the royal chambers by the Second Prince of Westeros.

For a brief moment, Jimin thought he saw Seojon staring at them - but then they turned towards the stairs and he couldn’t see the alpha anymore. They hadn’t talked since yesterday… Did Namjoon tell him about their conversation?

The boy took a deep breath, unconsciously waiting for something… and then he took another…

Scentless.

Oh.

Oh.

That should prove it; of course he didn’t smell Namjoon, how could he? A prince would never let anyone feel his scent that easily as if he was a free knight without a House to defend. Jimin just was not sleeping enough and this was causing him to have weird thoughts. That was all. 

Good.

Very good.

At least, he had one less problem to deal with.

The walk from one tower to another never felt so immensely long - the boy was nervous from head to toe and hoping Namjoon wasn’t noticing anything weird. He could tell people were looking at him and the boy felt the urge of grabbing the man’s arms strongly, but he didn’t - or at least tried not to.

Their silence wasn’t awkward, but it didn’t mean it was comfortable. Namjoon had already proposed the walk; should he start a conversation?

But before Jimin could think about any topic, the man spoke first.

“I am sorry, my Lord,” he whispered once they reached the Throne Room.

The statement took Jimin by surprise. ”Sorry? What for?”

”Yesterday. You seemed nervous. Didn’t mean to cause you any harm.” He was not looking in the boy’s direction, but the Lannister was looking at him - staring at his cheek and moles while they walked.

“You didn’t harm me, my Prince.” He didn’t.

They suddenly stopped in an empty corridor Jimin didn’t remember visiting before. How did they get there?

“But you think I will.” He did. Not harm him directly but… it was weird - all of it. He felt weird around the alpha.

But how could he tell the man this? He wasn’t going to run away and deep down… it was not like he was dying to go back to Casterly Rock. Not with his uncle becoming such an unfamiliar face. 

“My Prince… I just don-”

“My Lord, with all due respect. I am neither blind nor deaf.” He was looking into Jimin’s eyes, as if he could see his soul. “I know what the realm says about me. I know all the tales you’ve heard.”

The Red Dragon. The Killer of Heirs. The Horror Upon the Iron.

Jimin was whispering as his next words came out.

“And they are telling the truth?” 

The boy didn’t know until now that a person could have a sad smile - but that was the only explanation for this. 

“I just… I don't want every conversation we have from now on to be based on me talking with a scared animal, Jimin.” He didn’t take his gaze off the boy for even a second. “We will live together. I want to get to know you someday.”

”You want that?”

”Why wouldn’t I?“ 

And then, they were walking again - without Jimin having a chance to respond. He was too stunned. So the Prince wanted to know him. Maybe the man was just being polite, but he didn’t need to do that. He wasn’t going to court the boy - they would marry it didn't matter what. 

And there was the letter… The boy was nothing but confused. 

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a loud conversation and the sound of dishes. 

They had arrived. 

The boy was surprised to see that from that strange corridor, they went directly to the Royal Tower. But Namjoon was guiding him and that castle was his home - he knew its secrets.

The dining room was one of the most spectacular Jimin had ever seen - it was not as big as the Great Saloon, but had enough space for a family and all of their guests to eat comfortably.

A big window illuminated the place, and the table was set in the middle of the room - with twelve chairs available; five of them were already occupied.

The King and his mate were in the middle, giggling together. Yoongi, Taehyung, and Hoseok were also there, talking loudly.

Jimin let go of Namjoon’s arms and soon, they entered the place.

“So, look who has finally arrived! C’mon, we’re fucking hungry.” Seokjin spoke and Jungkook laughed by his side.

“You’re the King, you can eat whenever you like,” the Consort said as Jimin and Namjoon took two empty seats in front of Hoseok and the Consort.

“Well, I don’t want to eat without my brother, is that a crime?”

“It is. Now, give me bread and a little bit of butter, please,” Sir Yoongi asked and Prince Taehyung delivered it to him with a shy smile on his face.

“I’m sorry I’m late. Just getting used to sleeping in a bed again,” Namjoon responded, pouring a little bit of juice for himself.

“Don’t fucking mention it.” Hoseok was eating a piece of cake. “I took a hot bath. Know how rare this is on the battlefield?”

They were all speaking loudly and laughing - the Velaryon was now telling a story about a fisherman he saw during his last visit to Essos. Yoongi was complaining, saying he tells that story every time and Taehyung replied that the Stark was way too annoying for his damned good.

“Lord Jimin.” The Consort’s voice called his attention away from that mess. “Are you feeling better?”

The boy was taken by surprise, but was grateful the Martell spoke low enough so the rest of the table didn’t hear - only Namjoon.

“Yes, my King. I was just too tired - I didn't even see the speech. I’m deeply sorry,” he replied, glad he didn’t lie much.

“Ah, you didn’t lose anything. Seokjin says the same thing every time we win a war.” Jungkook smiled at him as he was speaking.

“He does. We won. I thank our brave army and the Moon God. May the Dragon rule and finish with an anecdote. That's all.” Jimin only believed that Namjoon was telling him a joke when he saw the man smiling as he picked up a fig from a bowl.

That was the first time the boy saw the Prince showing any emotion that wasn’t stern. 

But before he stared for too long, he let his eyes wander around the room - no servants were present in that big place. They were all putting their own food onto the plates and their own juice into the cup as they laughed and talked.

Jimin was becoming a little bit tired of being surprised by every single detail - but he couldn’t help it. If what Namjoon said was the truth, this was a regular thing. And it seemed too lively. Too.. happy?

He had those same breakfasts at home - but even when Marjorie was alive, his uncle never liked loud laughing and cheering while he ate. So, they just kept their silence until it was over, waiting for someone to fill up their cups.

But the older and most important person at that table (and in the realm) was Seokjin, and he was laughing so hard at something Hoseok just said that he almost choked with his toast.

The King of The Seven Kingdoms not only didn’t mind the noise but participated in it. His omega was even receiving strawberries in his mouth.

“Kookie. You smelled like you were just bred,” Taehyung said. And now that he mentioned it, Jimin could sense every single detail of Jungkook’s scent; the man was clearing wearing blockers, but some of it was escaping and he smelled like he was just knotted. 

“Well, I’m  very pregnant,” the Consort responded, pointing to his belly. “And I was knotted many times the night before, thank you.” 

Jimin did his best to not choke on his juice - but something was telling him Namjoon noticed his sudden shyness.

Of course he was getting used to talking about those private matters with his omega peers - but in front of all those alphas? As if it was nothing? That would take a while.

“Guys, c’mon. Knotting talk at the table?” It was Namjoon’s voice - but to the boy’s surprise, he didn’t sound like scolding. 

“And since when does our beloved Jungkookie have decorum about knotting talk?” Hoseok was laughing hard. “Am I the only one who remembers how they were after the claiming?”

“If I was an omega, and I had myself as a mate, I would talk about my knot all the time.” The King was kissing Jungkook’s cheek while he spoke. 

“You already talk about your knot way too much, Seokjin.” Taehyung slapped his brother’s shoulder.

“I couldn’t agree more. I think I know more about your knots than I know about myself.” Sir Yoongi was making an unpleasant face and no one seemed to mind much.

Jimin didn’t know how to participate in that conversation before - now it just felt impossible . He had nothing to say about knots, especially in front of those people.

Hoseok was looking at him as if he was sensing the boy’s nerves. “Don’t mind them, my Lord. They are just a bunch of morons.”

“Morons who run the Seven Kingdoms, Hoseokie,” Namjoon said, calling the Velaryon omega with such an informal nickname - it felt intimate; he would also talk to Jungkook like that, but the man was already carrying his brother’s child and his bite.

“Yeah, so imagine how fucked we are,” Hoseok responded, but with a tone that made it clear he was joking. “Just don’t be too scared, my Lord. It is better like this than when the old Queen was alive.”

The mention of Lya made Namjoon’s face go serious all of the sudden - it was clearly not his favorite topic. 

“Why do we have to mention her every time?”

“Talking about my sire, already? I prefer knotting talk.” Seokjin was not looking at them when he talked, too focused on peeling an orange.

“Our poor Lord Jimin doesn't know how things worked around here just a year ago,” Hoseok said, looking apologetic. “I was just trying to make a point.”

“That’s true. But when she was alive we had the same conversations, but in a secret language.” Taehyung spoke while looking at them. “Not so different.”

A secret language?

“A what?” The boy couldn’t help but ask.

“Don’t mind him, my Lord. It was just a silly thing we made up as pups to talk without the grown ups all over us,” Hoseok said as if it was nothing, but something changed inside Jimin.

“Yeah, just a few codes for when we wanted to do bad stuff.” 

“Not really bad,” Yoongi said. “Just eating sweets before dinner.”

They must have continued talking but after that, the Lannister didn’t hear much.

The conversation at the table continued without his contribution, but the boy couldn’t help it - he was too far away.

At that point, he didn’t care if Namjoon noticed how his mind was travelling on dangerous roads. 

A secret language , they said… how could Jimin never think of that?

He couldn’t ask his brother directly about anything regarding Namjoon’s letter, considering Taenil would also read it. But there was something the boy was forgetting; Jimin wasn’t the strongest omega anyone ever saw, but he was way too smart for his own good.

As soon as he got the chance, the boy excused himself to his chambers - denying Namjoon’s request to take him back. He was in a hurry and the Prince didn’t have to know.

The walk back seemed somehow longer - he never found the stranger corridor from where Namjoon took him the first time; but that wasn’t of his concern now.

He only breathed again when he was back in the solitude of his own room. The boy searched like crazy for a piece of paper, a pen, and just a little bit of ink.

And then, sitting on his desk, he wrote.

Marjorie, Taemin, Seojon, and Jimin also had a silly little game while growing up - instead of lions, they were rabbits. 

Every time they needed to talk about something their uncle couldn’t know, they would talk as rabbits.

Hey, Johie. Want to hear a joke? Do rabbits eat candy?

Aha, I know that one, Jiminie. They don’t. It’s always hidden in the fox's secret spot.

Seojonie, do the rabbits know how to fight?

Just the girl rabbits, kid. They’re much stronger;

His uncle never cared about it, always viewing it as a thing kids do; talk things with zero sense that would make them laugh for a bit. When they grew up, it was a rarity to talk like this - especially after Seojon left. But something inside the boy told him his brother would understand his words.

It was worth a try.

“Hi, brother.

I hope the weather in Casterly Rock is treating you well.

I miss you dearly.

Want to hear a joke?

A rabbit received a letter from the town nearby.

The fox, jealous as always, hid the letter from the little rabbit.

The fox opened it up, and it was just his list of favorite carrots.

Did you like it?

Tell me the answer on my wedding day.

Love you.

Lord Omega Jimin Lannister.”

His walk towards Maester’s tower was one of the fastests thing’s Jimin has ever done since his arrival. The letter was sealed with the lion of Lannister, so there was no doubt it came from the boy - yet, no one else in the world but Taemin and Seojon would understand the true meaning of his childish words. 

Maester Arthura didn’t seem surprised by the boy’s request and sent his letter to Casterly Rock without further questioning - he was an omega missing his brother, that’s all. 

Jimin was anxious and he could feel his heart pumping fast. Would Taemin even remember how they used to talk from when they were just pups? He hoped so.

Would he tell his uncle about Jimin’s letter? Would he lie too?

The boy wanted to believe that there was still a little bit of the pup he grew up with in that cold Lord of the Rock.

After leaving the Tower, the boy walked aimlessly in that castle - he didn’t want to be seen by anyone, not now and possibly not ever.

He knew he was only going to relax when… if his brother responded to him. He bet everything on Taemin's loyalty to their childhood; if he knew the letter and knew he threw it away… what else did he hide from Jimin?

Lost in his mind, it was only when he heard the alphas grunting he realized where his steps took him.

“Behave like that and I will kill you myself when the battle arrives.” The voice of the dragon spoke and the alpha in front of him just nodded.

The training pit was full, even with the midday sun on their heads - the alphas were all sweating and Jimin could smell their strong scents invading his brain.

The Red Dragon was there, sword in hand and drops of sweat on his forehead. 

“I will not repeat myself,” the Prince said with a serious face to the group watching him. “Straightforward and to the left - in a real fight they can kill you. And if you fail, I will kill you. ”

They all nodded, unaware of Jimin’s presence. The boy was watching the man; he didn’t look like the Namjoon from the library or the one from earlier today - polite, calm and demure. The one who supposedly wrote him a letter.

Here, he was screaming and giving orders. He was shirtless, with his abs proudly out in the world. Jimin remembered his words, about the boy afraid he would hurt him.

It was weird thinking about it, now that he realized Namjoon was split into two completely different people. 

We will live together. I want to get to know you someday.

“I fucking told you Seojon. To the left.” 

For a moment, the alpha turned his head and he was facing Jimin - he didn’t seem surprised by the boy’s presence, or tried to soften his gaze as he did when they talked before.

He didn’t try to smile, crack a joke, or tell the boy about his favorite book.

The other alphas present also noticed the Lannister, but didn’t say a word. Seojon was picking himself up from the ground and when his eyes found Jimin, he walked away.

The boy, on the other hand, didn’t turn his eyes and neither did Namjoon. Was the Red Dragon lying to him? Was he trying to put the boy against his own family?

Was his uncle waiting to protect him from the Slayers of Heirs?

The whole pit trembled as a roar came from the skies. A big shadow was flying above them as the sun disappeared - the people didn’t seem surprised by it, but Jimin looked up.

Viserion was a big dragon, his scales shining in yellow colors and god, how was he loud. Jimin was never very fond of those animals, but he couldn’t help but be fascinated by such a creature - not even a thousand tales would make justice for a thing magnificent like this.

Viserion was flying in circles, still roaring - scary but graceful. Namjoon was still facing Jimin, a boy who never saw a dragon in real life until that very day.

He was looking at it and was afraid he would never be able to take his eyes off it ever again. 

Chapter Text

JIMIN V 

According to the maesters, omegas have been nesting for thousands and thousands of years, even before the Age of the Heroes or any time registered in books.

Since we’ve learned to read and write, omegas have been nesting.

Some studies suggested that this was created as a form of protection when alphas were away hunting and searching for food, as animals do nowadays. In ancient packs, omegas would gather together, build strong nests with alpha’s scents to scare away potential predators or rivals.

Jimin never truly understood why they continued to nest even after society evolved that much, but they did - their bodies craved that. Maester Louis once told the boy that omegas who couldn’t nest for some particular reason, such as wars or long journeys, could suffer serious consequences caused by the stress - some registres even mentioned dying. 

“The weather is nice today.” Lord Hoseok Velaryon’s voice filled Jimin’s ears, almost scaring him - for a moment, the boy forgot they were in the Queen’s Garden. 

“It is…” Prince Taehyung responded, his voice sounding more soft and lower than usual. “Are you adjusting with the Red Keep already? I know you prefer being by the sea.”

“Yeah, I would rather be at Driftmark, but your brother needs me here…” he responded with a shy smile. “My people will be fine.” 

For the past few weeks Lord Hoseok was a confirmed guest in their lunches - and even if he was almost a stranger, Jimin couldn’t feel annoyed by his presence. The man was nice company and always had a sweet smile to share with the boy.

And nowadays, he was in need of a few omega companions. 

“Don’t you worry, I bet your uncle is taking care of everything.” King Jungkook was drinking his sweet orange juice since Maester Arthura told he couldn’t drink wine until his pup was born.

“Uncle is good, I know he is. But you know, the Velaryions were born to sail.” Hoseok laughed. “You see, someday I’ll disappear for weeks and come back with the most purest silk you can find in Essos.”

In the beginning, it was odd to see such a fierce omega like him eating and gossiping instead of fighting in the training pit with the alphas. 

Hoseok was the one who took his ship to the Iron Islands and saved Lady Omega Tully. He fought in the Skagos Rebellion and sailed to Essos more than once. Yet, he preferred talking about what kind of oil Jungkook should put on his belly to help with his aching pain.

“If you’re going to Essos, bring Yoongi some fucking herbal tea, I don’t know,” Taehyung said, looking bored at his plate of figs. “He’s been impossible.”

“C’mon, he’s just nervous about his new position. I know my mate and as a King, he can be very demanding,” Jungkook responded. “And Yoongi has been reviewing the tax tab since last week.”

“Just imagine them working together. I have known them both since our pup days and sometimes… Dear gods,” Hoseok was closing his eyes as the sun bathed his skin.

“You know I often forget you've known them since the Eyrie?” Taehyung said. “Yoongi was already that bossy?”

“Oh, my Prince . I know you think he’s sweet and you’re annoyed he’s too busy to entertain you.”

It wasn’t rare for Jimin to forget that little detail about the Targaryen pups, but the King did mention the fact that he and Yoongi grew up together.

Back when Westeros was being ruled by Her Grace Queen Lya Targaryen, her two alpha sons were taken as wards in the Eyrie, by the watchful eye of Lady Alpha Arryn.

And they weren’t alone - with Lady Alpha Sansa Stark being such good friends with the Queen, her youngest pup was also sent to the Vale.

Hoseok was just an omega, but he would be Lord someday and his uncle decided that he should be in the company of those who would rule… soon, the four pups were training together and bonding as a pack.

It didn’t come as a surprise when Seokjin announced that Sir Yoongi would be the Hand of the King and Lord Hoseok his master of ships.

“Talking about the Vale… it’s been quite some time since we received any news about Lord Alpha Ronnel Arryn…” Jungkook said, looking at them with curiosity.

“You know he’s a recluse…” Taehyung was playing with his food. “He didn’t come to your wedding either.”

“There must be something in the Vale that led those lords and ladies go…”

“Insane, Hoseokie?” the King said with a smirk.

“...I don’t know. Ronnel was a sad pup and grew to be a sad alpha.”

“Maybe he needs a mate…” Taehyung responded, looking at the three of them.

“He needs a pup. Only the gods know what his cousins are going to do once he’s dead,” Hoseok said. “Don’t give me those looks. There’s always someone waiting for a breach to start a war.”

“He’ll mate, eventually.” Jungkook dismissed his worries. “The Houses in the Vale have been loyal to the Arryns since the beginning of time, but they are also very careful about their succession…”

“I just worry about him. He was only a pup when we left the Eyrie.” 

“You and everyone else.” Taehyung drank his wine. ”Since his sister…”

“C’mon, Bertha died ages ago.”

“And? Namjoon still thinks about her, how could her brother just forget?”

Namjoon? Alpha?

“Jimin?”

Who was th-

“Are you awake Jimin?” Jungkook’s voice called him and only now the boy realized his eyes were closed. As the King took his hand, he could feel he was shaking from head to toe.

Where was alpha?

Looking around the table, he could only face the three preoccupied gazes as he gathered himself back together. He felt panicked for a moment, as if something inside him was screaming and longing to be free.

Every night it was like a monster was trying to escape from his chest, as he was awake trying to stop it.

There was something wrong with him.

Jimin was a fool to believe he was getting better. The  past few weeks had been the worst since he arrived in the Castle. He blamed the letter he sent to his brother and the implications of it. No answer came from Casterly Rock and his mind was wandering through dangerous places.

The boy couldn’t even face Namjoon anymore - was the Prince lying or his uncle was hiding things from him? Any possibility made his stomach hurt and since he last saw the Targaryen alpha in the training pit, he’s been avoiding him.

Avoiding alp-

“Yeah… just tired, I guess,” Jimin responded, trying to sound at least a little bit normal.

King Jungkook looked at him with disapproval in his eyes and the boy knew why…

It’s been months since the last time he nested - more, if you ignore that poor excuse of a nest he was sleeping in Casterly Rock. Without his sister, building nests became a boring and sad activity. But he did anyway because his body craved it. 

It was a natural response for a natural instinct. 

But now… it just seemed impossible to even conceive the idea of one. 

He thought he was getting better - he wasn’t dreaming anymore… but there was something off. Since the letter and the last time he spoke to Namjoon, his body seemed to be rebelling against him. He wouldn’t dream but every day he would walk around worried that he was being followed.

For thousands and thousands of years, omegas have been nesting to feel safe and protected. Jimin craved those things, he could feel his inner wolf screaming and begging for somewhere safe where he could rest.

But he couldn’t provide that. 

“You need to build a nest.” It was Hoseok’s voice and he seemed just as concerned as Taehyung and Jungkook. All the omegas could sense the distress in Jimin and that should make the Lannister feel embarrassed - but he was way too tired to even consider that.

They’ve been sitting at this table for hours and the boy couldn’t even remember half of the conversation.

“Hoseokie is right,” the King Consort said. “This is getting out of hand. Do you want to send a crow to your family? Maybe ask for some clothes or anything scented.”

Jimin needed to hold his will to laugh and scream at the same time.

How he could tell them that the last raven he sent home was cursed - it’s been weeks and still no answer. By that time, Taemin must have read everything and was disappointed at Jimin for doubting his own family.

“No way, this will take way too long. From the look on his face, he needs to start building one in the next few days.” Hoseok was the older and more experienced omega between them; he knew what he was talking about. 

And that was the problem.

“Should we let Namjoon know?” Taehyung whispered to them.

“No!” Jimin rushed to say. “Please.”

He ignored the faces they gave him but that was for the best. The Prince owes him nothing - at least not until their wedding happens. 

Jimin spent the last few weeks ignoring the very formal requests the Prince was sending him - asking when he would be available to start the wedding preparations. 

The boy would continue to ignore it for as long as they were only suggestions.

But at least, avoiding Namjoon, he wouldn’t be confused by his fake scent - by his smell and the way it caused him the want of… something forbidden.

Namjoon wasn’t the Feather Knight. He couldn’t be.

He was not only avoiding Namjoon and ignoring his invitations in the hope that they would stop - thinking about him was way too confusing. Sometimes the boy could swear to the gods that he smelled like wet earth — and other times, he could feel nothing.

“-Yes… Maester Arthura tried all her best herbal teas with him… but-” 

Namjoon was the prince that ignored him for a year, but now, apparently it wasn’t really like that. And maybe the alpha didn’t know… but if that was true and the letter arrived in Casterly Rock…

That would mean his uncle would be a liar. And Jimin hated liars. 

“-Even in battle, I always had my nest with Seojon.” 

What? Why was Hoseok saying that?

“Seojon?” It left his mouth before he could stop himself.

“Yes. He is a good friend and a good fighter…” he responded slowly, looking at the boy, “An omega in the battlefield is… utterly rare… when he left to be on your guard, he gave me a load of scented items.” 

Of course, if the Velaryon was part of Namjoon’s army, he fought alongside Seojon, but it never crossed Jimin’s mind that they were that close. Using someone else’s belongings to your nest was a private thing, reserved for family or… people intimate with each other. 

He didn’t even recall seeing them talking…

But again, Jimin was basically a sleeping zombie most of his days. He was probably missing a lot of things.

“I didn’t know you two were friends,” the boy said. His statement didn’t seem to surprise Hoseok, who just drank from his cup.

“Seojon is a very private person… and he’s been keeping low since he left the Riverlands,” the man said casually. “And I can be very private too.”

Jimin was tired. And not only because he couldn’t sleep or rest properly. But he was so tired of not knowing things… of being blind while the rest of the world saw every color and shade.

He was feeling something weird inside - a feeling he couldn’t put into words now. When Seojon left, he also gave Marjorie scented item so she could feel safe.

It was impossible to know. It was not like his sister talked to him after the alpha left. 

”I’m sorry, my Lord. I didn’t mean to pry into your business,” Jimin said, looking at him trying to show how sincere he was. Hoseok owed him nothing and wasn’t the one to blame for the boy’s family drama. 

Jimin was grateful that Jungkook and Taehyung were in a heated conversation about what tea they should give the boy and weren’t paying attention to any of this.

When they first met, he thought the Velaryon would be a perfect fit for Namjoon - a feral alpha like him would enjoy having a fierce omega by his side. But their interaction didn’t show anything different than friendship; they grew up together and treated each other like brothers. Yet, the boy couldn’t help but wonder…

But the weird part and the one he would keep to himself is that knowing that Hoseok had alpha items in his nest and none of them belonged to Namjoon calmed the boy.

He didn’t care for the Targaryen in that way… but he wouldn’t be humiliated in the capitol. And no, it was not because of his mysterious scent.

“You didn’t. But Seojon told me about you, and said you’re a good kid. You should build a nest, Jimin. It’s getting serious.” And the worst part was that the Velaryon seemed really genuine in his words. 

Part of Jimin enjoyed knowing that the Lorch talked about him and didn’t just ignore all they shared together - he once saw the man as a brother… but everything else felt awkward. 

What did Hoseok know about his life back home? His brother, his sister… his uncle…

What did he think of it? 

“-But Namjoon was even nesting back then, maybe we could ask my dame.” Suddenly, Taehyung’s voice sounded louder cutting into their conversation.

“I don’t doubt Queen Jocelyn would help… Can you send her a raven?”

“Are we still talking about Jimin?” Hoseok picked up a grape as he spoke, looking now at the two omegas.

“Yes, I was telling Jungkook about the time when Namjoon started nesting an-” Taehyung was speaking, but was abruptly interrupted by Jimin.

“He did what ?” 

He blamed his lack of manners on his tiredness. He would never do that if he was nesting and resting properly.

“Oh yeah, I remember. Queen Lya was pissed with him. We could hear her screamings through all the castle,” Hoseok said.

“Yes, and dame Jocelyn always says that this only made him nest way more often.”

Jimin was clearly confused and not understanding what the hell they were talking about.

Namjoon was an alphaiest alpha he knew: tall, strong, a fierce voice and a serious face. He may not be the killer and the monster he heard of, but he was an alpha.

And alphas didn’t nest.

Namjoon couldn’t nest.

Jimin was still feeling dizzy and he knew his emotions were a mess right now. But a blind clown could see the tension at the table right now. As if the boy heard what he shouldn’t.

He didn’t want to ask anything - but he wasn’t leaving either. Namjoon was a fucking mystery to him and he was so tired of knowing nothing.

”We shouldn’t be talking about this…” Taehyung was the one who broke the silence. “Namjoon hates talking about this.”

Hoseok looked at him with worry in his eyes. ”Believe me, Taehyung. I respect your brother but…” 

It was not the first time someone mentioned Queen Alpha Lya and Namjoon’s relationship. Everyone had something to say about her strong personality, but her life with her youngest alpha pup was more of a blur. 

“But his mysterious self is not doing any good to his relationship with Lord Jimin,“ King Jungkook stated, not caring if the boy was blushing. “And as far as I am concerned, I am still the King Omega of the Seven Kingdoms…”

Taehyung and Hoseok didn’t say a word after that and just kept staring at Jungkook. He was right and he was the King. If he wanted to speak about it, he could. Namjoon could be mad all he wanted.

“I…” Jimin started, gaining attention from the whole table. “It’s hard. I know I’ve been avoiding him but…” He wanted to say something - to defend himself. There were way too many things happening right now and he wanted to unveil at least one of them.

“Maybe… if he knows… he will finally stop himself from dying of fever everytime someone mentions Namjoon’s name…” Taehyung said.

“And…” Jungkook continued. “He will feel safe enough to rest… and to nest.”

Hoseok looked at them, as if only now he was understanding where this was going.

“That… that makes a strange amount of sense.”

“I don't know him… and I’m afraid of knowing him,” Jimin whispered his secret only for them to listen. 

He could deal with Seojon’s drama later. He needed to know about his Prince right now. 

Jungkook, probably taking pity on the boy’s state, was the one who broke the silence.

“You see… our Prince had… a difficult childhood, my Lord.” He was looking around the garden, making sure no one was close to listen to them. “He doesn’t speak about it and kind of prohibits any mention of it, but he did.”

“What do you mean?” the boy whispered, looking at the three omegas, still waiting for an answer.

Taehyung drank again, before opening his mouth. “I was too little and too close to my dame to remember. I think Hoseok knows best; he was about their age.”

“Yet, she was your sire.” 

“Yes, but I’m an omega, Hoseokie. She didn’t expect anything from me.”

The Velaryon checked around again and only when he was sure there was no one around, he faced Jimin, taking a deep breath. 

“See… Queen Lya was a difficult alpha and Namjoon was just… too sweet as a child.” He was almost whispering. “I grew up here as a ward to her after my parents passed and… it was hard for him. He liked to read and never fought really well… and she wanted to wake up his inner alpha, or any bullshit like that.”

All those words sounded like lies. Namjoon wasn’t a bad fighter - he was Westeros' most fierce soldier, royal General and respected by the crowds. He led them through the Skagos rebellion almost all by himself - when his sire was still alive.

Yet… Jimin thought about his library, about his shyness when they were alone…  about his conversation, when he said he didn’t expect anything from the boy when they married.

If Jimin tried really hard, he could see a sweet pup in him.

“Seriously, she was just the worst. Gods.” Taehyung let it out. “That’s why my dame left. She couldn’t take it anymore.”

“Anyways, she saw him as a failure… At some point, he got so scared of her behaviour towards him he started nesting as if he was an omega,” Hoseok continued, looking at Jimin’s eyes. “He would put together plushies and blankets in the most horrible nest.” 

“It was terrible.” Taehyung completed it. “My dame says that they fought all the time because of it… She… would curse at him and… beat him. Constantly.” 

The atmosphere in the table, once light and enjoyable, felt heavy. Taehyung was clearly avoiding their eyes - Lya must not have been violent with him, but he clearly didn’t enjoy talking about her.

“And it only stopped when Namjoonie changed,” Hoseok finished. “That was it.”

Jimin felt a knot in his throat and a familiar sense of fear. Something about all that just felt so close to him, and he didn’t know why. He could hear a poor pup screaming begging to not be beaten anymore and wasn’t able to tell if it was Namjoon or…

“What made him change?” 

Hoseok let it out a sad smile to him

“That story is only his to tell.”

That was the last thing Jimin heard before actually leaving the table. He must have said something about going to his chambers to sleep - even if he knew he wouldn’t be able to. He even recalls Jungkook demanding a servant to take him, but the boy denied and now he regrets it.

Why did all the Red Keep’s corridors look the same?

Their conversation was still running in his head. Seojon and Hoseok were friends? Since when?

What did Queen Lya do to Namjoon? 

He may have been a sweet child… but someone killed it and left only the feral alpha they wanted out. 

A feral alpha… feral alpha was out there… which meant Jimin wasn’t safe… and he needed to be… he needed to find…

Everything looked like the place he was before - but he couldn’t even remember where he was when it all began. He needed to go somewhere safe… but Jimin was an omega without a nest. There wasn’t any place for him.

He should have accepted the help of a servant… where was he going and why did he feel so dizzy?

The smell… he must follow the smell.

The smell will keep him safe. It always will.

“I want his head cut.” A voice stern and cold was surrounding him as he opened a big oak door, so heavy he thought it was made of pure stone. “And I will do it myself.”

Did he fall into the alpha’s trap?

A man was sitting at the head of a table, talking with a few alphas by his service. Jimin remembered him - and his library and his breakfast. He smiled and asked if the boy wanted more sugar in his coffee. 

Now, every time he saw him in a corridor, he went in the other direction. 

There was no more library, or coffee, or walking around. Only shame. And a letter.

“And when it’s over, put his head where the other ones can see.” But now, Jimin could hear what he was saying. It didn’t sound polite or sweet. It scared him. It reminds him of stories one must forget.

Was alpha mad?

He looked around, confused, the smell was right but. 

Why was he there? He should be at his nest. 

A nest smelling like wet earth.

“Lord Jimin?” The voice called him again, but it was late.

Even if it was no longer stern and cold, all the boy could see was pitch black. 

✨✨✨

Jimin always enjoyed the rain. As a pup, he liked to see the water drops on his room window, as his siblings, all three of them, snuggled him close in one big nest - back when they were too young to call each other anything but a pack.

Marjorie, as the oldest between them, was the one chosen to tell stories, as the summer storms washed the lands that belonged to them.

She would talk about a knight in gold armor, a moon, a tower, and the most vast sea Jimin could imagine. Monsters from Sothoryos and the necromancers in Ashaii. 

Taemin and Seojon were alphas and even as pups, enjoyed more stories about Lan the Clever and how he stole Casterly Rock from the Casterlys. And Marjorie could complain all she wanted, in the end, the girl would repeat the same tale over and over again.

They would laugh their lungs out, running out of breath - feeling the power of immortality pups don’t realize they have.

Jimin loved every moment of it.

Once the rain stopped, they would open the windows and let their eyes wander through their hanging gardens - the grass and flowers all wet. 

And the scent of wet earth was always his favorite. And it was all he could smell right now.

“He needs to nest, my Prince. It's urgent.” His eyes were taking time to adjust to the candlelights… but the sun was still up when… When did the night arrive?

It wasn’t raining in King’s Landing. 

“Arthura…”

“With all due respect, Prince Namjoon. An omega who does not nest for that long is in danger… I don’t know how he was able to spend three months like this.”

His mouth was dry and his head was spinning; he could throw up if there was anything inside he could put out.

As he adjusted himself on the bed, he was able to recognize two shapes talking by the window. 

“He slept through the whole day…”

“He fainted. This is not sleep,” she stated. "A person needs to find a balance between the wolf and the self. And there’s no need for a scholar to tell you his omega feels neglected… So, it's trying to take control. To protect the person and the wolf.“

“But-”

“There's no but. He is exhausted, my Prince. He needs to nest.”

They were talking about him weren’t they?

“There’s anything we can do, Maester?”

“King Jungkook, Prince Taehyung, and Lord Hoseok all sent clothes and a few items; if he can’t nest by himself, his wolf must at least feel protected.”

“And if he doesn’t feel protected among us?” 

It took a few seconds before Arthura responded.

“They are fellow omegas and were never aggressive towards him. It’s more natural than you think, my Prince…” she said, “And it’s better than letting him perish.”

Jimin couldn’t see Namjoon’s face from right here, but his voice told him the alpha wasn't happy.

“Don’t ever repeat those words, Arthura. He won’t die.”

“I’m not saying he will, my Pri-”

In a hasher tone, Namjoon repeated his words. “He won’t die.”

The woman just stared at him, but didn’t take long to nod. “He won’t, my Prince.” She bowed. “Want me to send a letter to Sir Taenil and Lord Taemin?”

No.

“No. Not now.”

That was good… alpha always knew best…

What?

His mouth was so dry he could taste every shape of his tongue.  His throat was hurting - when was the last time he drank something?  

He needed water. Yes. Water. 

He must have said it out loud. The Prince was quick to pick a jar by the nightstand and pour some water for the boy. He delivered it to him and Jimin drank as if he was walking by the Dornish deserts for days straight.

After he was finished, he asked for more. He couldn’t care less for the decorum an omega should have in front of two alphas and let the water drop into his chin as his throat begged for the liquid and thanked him for it.

It filled him completely. And only when the second cup was empty, he breathed again, closing his eyes.

No one said a word as the air filled the boy’s lungs, as if there was something blocking him from breathing before.

“How are you feeling?” Namjoon asked, with his eyes wandering over the man’s face, as if looking for any sign of discomfort. 

“Strange… I feel…” Jimin started, but forming phrases was way too hard. “What happened?”

Namjoon hesitated a little before responding.

“You… entered my office during a meeting. And then you fainted.” The alpha’s voice was softer than ever before; he was almost whispering his words and talking in a tone the boy never heard. 

I want his head cut

And I will do it myself

And when it’s over, put his head where the other ones can see

But he remembered Namjoon’s voice while saying those cursed words; the same he used on the training pit, when Viserion was flying upon them, blocking the sun and screaming loudly.

Cold. Stern. Cruel.

Why did he sound so different right now?

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…”

“That's fine. You were mostly disorientated… I was just worried.”

That was the most words they exchanged in weeks. And maybe because of Jimin’s state, it didn’t sound like they were planning their every phrase.

It felt almost natural. Like it was all meant to be. 

What? Where did this all come from?

He couldn’t explain why he walked into the man’s office… he just let his feet take him, because he was so tired of thinking for himself all the time.

“Maester…” he called the woman, who was keeping a safe space from his bed. “What is happening to me?”

He was on the verge of tears. Jimin was so tired of it - everyone kept saying he should nest, to build something to make him feel safe.

But what could you do if your stupid brain won’t allow you to do it? 

He was broken, that was the only answer to that.

The boy was an omega and his life should be simple: nesting and bringing sweet princes and princesses into the world. Nothing more than that. It was his biggest glory.

And apparently, Jimin couldn’t do any of those things. And the gods were punishing him for it.

Arthura got close to the bed and let her hand rest at his temple, checking his temperature.

“Nesting is a primal way our ancestors found to keep our wolves safe, surrounded by known trustworthy smells,” she started, now looking at Jimin and Namjoon. “When an omega can’t nest, they live in survival mode. No one can go through life like that for too long, my Lord.”

“But I have been sleeping better since…” 

Since the audience in the throne room.

Since the prince arrived.

“Sleeping isn’t the same as resting, my Lord. Of course, if you weren't able to sleep for that long, you probably would have fainted before. It just delayed the final result.” She sounded really sorry for him.

“And why can’t I just nest?” He was so exhausted; he could feel his bones aching and begging for a little bit of relaxation. “Am I broken?”

His inner wolf was screaming inside him, he could feel it; his omega was almost crying of tiredness. It wanted to sleep and fully feel it was safe enough to relax, without worrying about what lurks in the dark.

“You’re not broken, Jimin.” Namjoon’s voice got him and he sounded so sure, the boy could almost believe the Prince.

“You’re away from home, my Lord.” Arthura was pouring a green liquid into a mug and delivered it to him. “Sometimes just a slight change in our routines can affect our wolves.”

“And what can he do?” The Prince asked.

The woman picked up a pile of clothes and started putting them into his bed. Silk from all colors, with a strong scent of omegas.

Jungkook, Taehyung, and Hoseok.

“First… In the mug is a combination of herbs. It helps omegas  in the puerperium to sleep and rest. They are the most common victims of survival syndrome.” 

Jimin wanted to say that he was far away from giving birth to anything, but the tea smelled just way too good. 

“-And the scent of friendly omegas may help your inner wolf to feel a little bit safer and trigger it to build something. The King Consort wanted you in his nest tonight…” Jimin pretended he didn’t notice Namjoon gulping by the mention of him in Jungkook’s nest. “But I told him it may disturb you more now. But it’s a possibility for the future.”

As she finished speaking, Jimin was surrounded by such new but familiar scents. His new friends; that was what his wolf was calling them. They smelled… good. Familiar. Like lunches in the garden and gossip in the tea room. 

He saw them everyday but never without blockers - yet, he was so sure which belonged to who. Jasmine was Jungkook, lemon was Taehyung, and peppermint must be Hoseok.

It was different. Jimin always used his family’s scents for his nest and it was good, of course it was.

But they were related. Their scents were made to make Jimin feel safe; his pack by blood, as the old ones used to say.

But right now, thinking about his uncle's scent made him feel sick… on the other hand, Hoseok’s peppermint, a person he was still getting to know… it made him feel good. Not entirely safe, but relaxed enough.

And maybe because his brain was finally letting all his guards down for a minute, he looked at Namjoon and was able to see everything he’s been denying since he met the man in the Throne Room. 

Jimin wasn’t stupid… he never was. He could feel Namjoon’s scent invading him. The boy wasn’t sure if Arthura was able to pick that faint smell that emanated from the man, but he could.

Wet earth right after the rain. It belonged to the Prince.

There was no denying anymore. Something inside Jimin already knew and after he accepted the truth, there was no going back from here.

Even surrounded by scents of his friends that embraced him stronger than ever, it was the alpha’s his brain was choosing to follow.

And as soon as he understood that, he could feel his inner wolf relaxing. Not completely. But a little bit.

Was Namjoon the… no. 

He couldn’t. He would never.

“But now, you must rest, my Lord. Nari will tell us if you need anything.” Arthura's voice took him out of his trance as she closed his curtains. “I’ll sleep in this tower in case you need anything during the night.” 

“Thank you maester…” he whispered. He was sorry for causing so much trouble, but he couldn’t exactly put this into words. 

The woman just nodded and gave him a soft smile. “Soon you’ll be good as new, Lord Jimin. I’ll make sure of that.”

She left more of the tea behind in case the boy needed any of it during the night and closed his door. With a glimpse, Jimin could see a silhouette - the same one it has been here since forever… Seojon. 

With the silence that came with the maester's absence, Namjoon looked around and got up from the omega’s bed - as if just right now he realized where he was sitting.

Jimin was still feeling a little bit dizzy, but took his time drinking his tea - and it was just as good as its smell. He 

shyly looked at Namjoon, who was now standing by his bed. Was he the one who carried Jimin to his room?

He called the maester? Warned the castle of his state? Did he care, or was just playing the part of a caring fiánce?

“Maester Arthura is right, you need to rest.” He didn’t sound like himself. Even in his most calm state, Prince Namjoon was far away from being nervous, so why did he look like a pup who couldn’t tell the strangers where his parents went. 

Jimin felt guilty. He’s been ignoring him since the training pit - since he sent the letter to his brother. Everything inside him was confusing but the conversation in the garden was still playing in his mind.

Once upon a time, Namjoon was scared too.  

“I think I will see you tomorrow. Just ring the bell if you need anything.”

His actions betrayed his words, because the alpha just seemed hesitant to leave. And he should leave. Fiánce or not, Namjoon wasn’t Jimin’s mate yet and they barely knew each other.

It was kind of him to bring the boy to his room… to keep him company while he was out. 

But that was it. He should leave.

But even knowing all that, the boy didn’t nod in agreement as the man slowly walked towards the door. His scent Jimin was so fond of was leaving with him.

And that shouldn’t bother him. The boy had his tea and his friends’ smells should be good enough.

Yes… but…

Why is alpha going away? 

Does he hate us?

The boy’s scream took over the whole room as a loud No left his mouth. Namjoon stopped walking immediately with wide eyes, not understanding a single thing. 

Jimin was looking at him, scared of his own actions… What the hell was that? But before any of them could say something, the door opened abruptly.

“Is everything alright?” Seojon had a hand on his sheath, as if he was ready to shred someone right now. 

He was looking at Namjoon with careful eyes, but then his gaze fell on Jimin - laid on his bed in such a fragile state.

“I was just about to leave,” Namjoon said slowly, looking at his knight with arched eyebrows.

“Sorry, Sir…” Jimin rushed to say, feeling tension in the air. “I don’t know what got into me… I don’t think I can be alone tonight.”

With Namjoon and his scent so far away, Jimin’s wolf, once a little bit calmer, felt distress. The boy was alert, as if a wild animal was just steps away from killing his pack. His litter. His mate.

Seojon seemed to relax by his words, and adjust his posture for something more… friendly.

“Lord Hoseok said that this may happen. His dame also had survival syndrome.” 

Oh. Hoseok and Seojon. Right. This was happening.

“And can you enlighten us with the rest of his words? Did he say something that could help?” Namjoon asked.

Seojon took a while before opening his mouth again. 

“His dame could only sleep with his alpha’s scent.”

Jimin knew that in any other situation he would be rushing to deny that Namjoon was his alpha and send the man away by that very door. If he was in his healthy state, he would look for a million reasons inside his brain of why he would never call the prince his alpha.

Why he could even marry Namjoon Targaryen and bear his pups, but will never be his omega.

But right now, all Jimin knew was that he needed that wet earth smell to sleep and if he couldn’t relax for one more night, he was going to go insane.

“Please, my Prince. Don’t leave,” he pleaded, loud enough for Seojon to listen - as if he needed someone as a testimony of his begging.

Namjoon just stood there, looking at him with confusion in his eyes.

The knight took this as his cue to leave - maybe it was way too awkward to see all that, but frankly, Jimin couldn’t care less. 

The alpha saw him in worse states before. 

Namjoon was staring at him, and if the boy wasn’t able to read his face since he arrived, everything now looked very clear.

The Prince was afraid.

“Are you sure you want me here?”

Jimin knew he was in no position to ask. Namjoon was the one who called him to the library, the one who took him to breakfast, and the only one between them with enough courage to speak about their wedding.

Jimin gave him only his silence and now was asking for his presence, as if he wasn’t avoiding the man.

But for the first time, he decided he was the one with the courage and spoke again, more loudly than before.

“Yes. Please.”

The boy couldn’t yet organize his thoughts and understand the meaning behind everything. Why did Namjoon and the Feather Knight smell the same? Why did he need that scent in the first place?

But just for tonight, Jimin could at least pretend that his bright saviour and his scary future melted into one, and that one was the Prince facing him like the boy was a maze he needed to pass through.

Namjoon took a deep breath and walked towards Jimin’s dining table. He picked up a chair, placed it by the boy’s bed, and sat. 

While not looking the Lannister in the eyes, the Red Dragon was nothing more than a regular alpha - a regular man.

For a moment, the boy almost felt sorry for making him stay all night without doing anything. But the Prince always liked to surprise him and from the boy’s nightstand, he got a book with a marker in the middle.

“I’ll be reading by your side. Just call me if you need anything,” he said, still not looking at Jimin.

His wolf wasn’t pleased with the lack of eye contact, but his smell was just enough for tonight.

“Yes… of course.” 

Jimin laid down on the bed, finally breathing again. 

It wasn’t a nest and Namjoon wasn’t his alpha. But he was feeling way better like this.

The Prince started reading and Jimin just stared at him instead of closing his eyes. 

The man was the same from when they met in the Throne Room. The Lannister could count the similarities: tall, broad, and strong; his platinum hair and his purple eyes.

But right now, there was no blood on his shoulder, no order to hang, and no threat to kill anyone.

There was only his scent, his silence and his book.

Jimin wanted to discover his secrets. Wanted to dig into his cave and find out why… Why, of all people, the gods chose his scent… Was it a punishment?

He wanted to understand, make sense of all that mess. 

The letter, his uncle… Seojon.

But for tonight, Jimin’s wolf was at peace and he will allow it to rest. Just for tonight.

Because, in another life, Jimin liked reading.

“Can you read to me, my Prince?” he whispered, blaming his heavy sleepy eyes for such a request. 

Namjoon stopped his movements and he, who had had all the right in the world to deny it to the boy, just looked at Jimin and let out a shy smile. 

He had dimples. Beautiful dimples.

With his voice low just a few octaves, he started.

“For years, they have been asking: are all love stories doomed in Westeros?”

✨✨✨

It’s been three months since his arrival, but Jimin never took his time to actually appreciate the room he was sleeping in - the brown ceiling, the simple curtains, and a lonely nightstand. As he opened his eyes and let them wander, he couldn’t help but ask himself: what other details did he miss?

Being a sleeping zombie took a lot of things from him, and one of them was his appreciation for detail.

But last night was different.

Last night, Jimin just slept. 

He didn’t remember much of it… but he recalled himself closing his eyes and letting himself be gone.

It was hard to explain his situation to someone who takes their sleep for granted. 

Yes, he had been sleeping better - but last night... no dreams, no weird feeling of tiredness. Nothing tricky.

The clothes Arthura put into his bed were still there, the smell of his omega peers lingering in it. The boy wasn’t able to formulate everything into words yesterday… but their scent…

His inner wolf liked their scent. They smelled like friends. 

It was a weird sensation — as if something was ready to pop out of Jimin at any moment; as if his omega was ready to take control. It was almost like he was in pre-heat: alert and animalistic. But there was no wish for a knot or to be filled.

Just a will to feel safe.

He heard the maester talking about it - how you need to find a balance between the wolf and the person… his head started to hurt again. When had she said this? He woke up last night and saw her putting the clothes on his bed and the tea in his mug…

The boy could feel on his skin that this bed wasn’t his nest - the items were not arranged by his liking and he would have chosen different things. But that was good - he was surrounded by comforting smells.

He slept with alpha protecting him, guaranteeing that no harm would hit Jimin. He remembered that much - the man by his side, so the omega could finally rest…

Alpha?

No. Namjoon.

He was Namjoon.

In that mix of scents, there was one missing. Jimin couldn’t smell wet earth anymore…. 

The Prince wasn’t there.

He couldn’t say for sure when the older man left, but he knew it wasn’t long ago - somehow, he could sense his presence still lingering in the room…

Suddenly, yesterday’s events were hitting him one by one. Lunching in the garden, walking in the castle with no direction… passing out in Namjoon’s office.

Asking him to not leave his room. And then, asking the man to read to him.

Gods.                                                         

Jimin felt his cheeks burning as he slapped his own face; he was so lost between the wolf and the person that their wishes were mixing it together and he was confusing them all. He remembered being desperate as the man left, like he was going to be completely unprotected without him.

Why was his wolf begging for Namjoon?

And Seojon knew everything. And soon this was all the castle was going to talk abo-

“C’mon, I think it's hot enough.”

“Nari says he likes it burning.”

“He must have some weird Valyrian blood to take this much heat.”

“Jungkookie, don’t be lame. It will do good for the baby.”

“Seojonnie said he likes fruit. I asked for mango.”

“Where’s Namjoon?”

All those voices were there when he woke up? Soon as his brain picked up their presence, it was all Jimin was able to hear.

“He is awake!” Taehyung. That one was Prince Taehyung.

Jimin was adjusting in bed and now could see the whole room - Namjoon left, but he wasn’t alone. 

“He looks disappointed,” Hoseok said, carrying a plate full of fruits.

“He had Namjoon by his side all night and now he’s looking at three boring omegas,” Jungkook stated, crossing his arms. “I would also be disappointed.”

“What?” Jimin was able to say. “Prince Namjoon… really stayed the whole night?” So, it wasn't his brain playing tricks with him.

“It 's cute.” Prince Taehyung invaded his bed, hugging a very confused Jimin. “He fainted the day before, slept for almost eighteen hours, and the first thing he asks for when he wakes up is Namjoon.”

”No… but. What?” It was all he could say. His head was still spinning somehow and he didn’t know why they were in his room…

But he could never ask for them to leave. It’s been weeks since the boy felt that safe.

“Maester Arthura said you couldn’t be with us yesterday or it would overwhelm you,” King Jungkook was also sitting on his bed. “But she said it would do you good to wake up with our scents all over you.”

”Yes!” Taehyung hugged him more and Jimin accepted it.

Hoseok was looking at him and soon, the boy remembered what they talked about the day before… Seojon…

But even with so much doubt in his eyes, the Lord of Driftmark looked at him and said.

”And I know we don’t know each other very well yet. But those two trust you and like you. So I will.” He smiled at him and Jimin gave one back. 

He was still utterly confused as the omegas took him to the bathtub. It was big enough to accommodate the four of them comfortably, even with Jungkook and his big belly. 

The boy had no idea when they prepared this bath, but the water was hot against his skin, the whole place was fogged and he was surrounded by people. This was everything he needed, even if his confused brain was asking for something else.

“My dame will come from Dorne next month to help me during those final weeks.” Jungkook was caressing his belly. “My sire will come once the pup is born.”

“They are so sweet. Your dame is the best, you know that?”

“He’s amazing and I miss him so much.” Jungkook said, letting himself into the hot water. “My sire is also great, but she’s more…”

“Protective?”

“That’s the word.”

Jimin was so grateful for having those people in his life. When he first arrived, Jungkook was the one telling him he would need friends… and was that who saved him from whatever was trying to take him down.

And they were just there, talking between each other, giving the boy enough space to process what the hell happened the day before. He was having lunch, but even there he was confused and dizzy - almost like dreaming and sleeping, while pretending to be awake.

Then… Namjoon.

He asked. He remembered the words leaving his mouth as he said and begged for him to stay.

The hot water embraced him and Jimin sighed. 

”What happened?” He finally asked. “I don’t remember much…”

Jungkook looked at him and just now, the boy could see how really beautiful he was. Hair wet and belly under the water, Jimin could understand why alphas from all Westeros mourned when he married their King.

“Well. The maester said you developed survival syndrome. And since you won’t nest by yourself, we need to try to trigger it,” he said, caressing Jimin’s legs.

”And she also said that you should be around good smells; that’s why we are here.” Hoseok complemented, looking at the boy with sweet eyes.

“Imagine how scared we were of you rejecting our scents.” Taehyung laughed a little, trying to lighten up the atmosphere with humor.

Was that the reason he asked for Namjoon to stay last night? Was his omega so scared without his safe space, that he was begging for an alpha?

But why Namjoon ? Was it because of his scent, that resembled so much of his knight?

Resemble was clearly one way to put it. 

They smelled the fucking same.

His face must have gave it away all his doubts, because in a second, the King spoke again:

”Namjoon stayed with you the whole night. Slept on a chair.” He hugged the boy by his side. “When we got here, we asked and he said you asked him to.”

“And Seojon confirmed… said you looked distressed…” Hoseok looked at him and truly, Jimin didn’t know what to say.

Should he confess he smelled Namjoon, even when the whole world didn’t seem to notice the man’s scent because everyone wears blockers? Should he say that he asked for the man to stay because the so-called scent reminded him of a knight whose face he never saw?

He was going to marry the Prince - he shouldn’t be daydreaming about that anymore. So why were the gods playing games with him?

Should he say he’s been avoiding the prince because of a letter the man supposedly sent to him when his sister died?

“I need to apologize to him,” is was what he said, what he was able to do.

“Apologize? Why?” Taehyung asked. “You fainted. It wasn’t your fault.”

“No… I’ve been… avoiding him. Since he arrived. And then he needs to be busy with me and-”

“Jimin, he’s your fiancé. His job is being busy with you,” the King stated.

“And my job is to talk to him when he takes me to breakfast with you guys, and…”

“Namjoon can be very intimidating, Jimin,” Taehyung said, looking sympathetic to the boy’s torment. “But you can talk to him, don’t be afraid.”

Namjoon had a difficult childhood

He doesn’t speak about it and kind of prohibits any mention of it, but he did.

Maybe… just maybe, he should give the man a chance to prove him wrong. He spent years listening about the Red Dragon and the monster he was - but… what if he wasn’t?

Even if they were not meant to fall in love, Namjoon demonstrated interest in knowing more of the boy; Jimin didn’t reciprocate his kindness, but hid himself inside a shell he swore to god was made to protect him.

But… has he been protected? He fainted and Namjoon was the one who brought him to his room and stayed with him even if the boy was being rude to him.

If everything spoken yesterday was the truth, he even nested as a pup. Even if he wasn’t the one who sent the letter, at least, Jimin should give him a chance to prove he was not a monster. He owned him.

“If you really think you need to apologize,” Hoseok said. “Even if we don’t think you need to. I know where he is.”

✨✨✨

The Red Keep’s chapel was very unique.

Once upon a time, the Faith of the Seven was the main religion in most parts of Westeros. Only the North kept the tradition of adoring the Old Gods and their Heart Trees.

When the Targaryens arrived, they denied their ancestors' beliefs and a few years after the conquest, King Baelor I ordained the creation of the Great Sept of Baelor - as a way of showing his devotion to the Faith of the Seven. 

But that didn’t make the Septons fond of the Targaryens, their dragons, and their magic, considered unholy by many… and after the rise of the militant faith, the conflict was well established - and many died because of it.

So, when Daenerys Targaryen rose as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, she destroyed the Great Sept, killed the High Septon, and prohibited the militant faith in the whole territory. 

She, merciful as she was, allowed that every House could have their religion as they wished.

The North stayed with their Old Gods and many followed their lead… Jimin’s family never destroyed their sept and when Taenil ruled, he re-established the Faith in the Westerlands. Saying that the militant faith was the only one responsible for killing King Tommen - a true son of the Rock and Tyrion Lannister favorite nephew.

But the Targaryens, with their dragons and their unholy magic, went back to adoring the gods of Old Valyria - the faceless, mysterious and sometimes evil gods. They kept it low, almost not speaking about it during the first years, but the dragon gods were becoming popular among the commoners in King’s Landing.

Jimin grew up learning to be afraid of those things and not understanding their cantics. He learned that the Targaryens were a blessing for saving them from the Long Night, but their gods should be ignored and cursed. 

Until the day his uncle announced he was going to marry one.

The chapel in the Red Keep was different - because instead of a sept, it was a cave in the southwest of the Queen’s Garden. 

It wasn’t a light welcoming place as his chapel back home - but a dark one, with a few benches made of stone, red candles, and a single lonely statue of a dragon. An omega dragon priest was nominated every time the last one died - since the Valyrians believe that only the ones who carry life are able to pray to it.

Daenerys Targaryen built that chapel and declared Jon Snow her husband there. Every child of the dragon after her did the same... and Namjoon was no different. 

Jimin was walking in the garden with his head clearer than ever. The sleep did him good and the sun on his face did the job of waking him up.

He was still feeling somewhat uneasy being away from his peers and their smell. They even suggested going with him, but the boy lied, saying he was going to ask a guard to accompany him.

His wolf knew they were going to meet alpha or… whatever it thought Namjoon was.

He wasn’t alpha. Not even a friend at that point - Jimin needed to apologize… he needed to say he was sorry for ignoring him…

He needed to at least thank the man.

“You know I was there when you were born, boy?” The entrance of the cave called his attention as Jimin scared himself by its presence.

When did he arrive?  

It was dark inside, the light by the candles and the little bit of sun entering were the only things allowing Jimin to see the old woman talking standing by the dragon altar.

“I know. You say that every time I come here, Mother.” Namjoon responded, sitting on a bench watching the priest lighting an incense. 

The woman had white hair and her voice was wretched and low… she looked older than Arthura and so small Jimin was afraid she would break.

“I’m getting old, Namjoonie… but I remember your dame’s screams as you craved your way into this world,” she continued, as Jimin hid himself from their eyes. “Jocelyn was a sweet girl and her smile when they delivered you to her….”

“And where was my sire, Mother?” Namjoon’s words were cold. “You never talk about her.”

That made the priest stop her ministrations for a second and look at him. 

“Lya… Lya was out hunting. As she did when Seokjin was born…”

“And the same went with Taehyung. I doubt she hunted when Any was born though, so I think I should feel honoured." He laughed, but there was no humor in his tone. “Did you think she killed something good that day? Was it worth it?”

The woman sighted at his words. “Namjoon… Lya is long dead, it won’t do you good to keep this grudge.”

“Not long dead, Mother. Just a year. And yet, I feel her presence all over the place.” Jimin held his breath. It was the first time he heard the Prince talk so openly about his sire.

The woman lit another candle as she spoke. “You know Lya died way before that. The sickness took all she had inside. She even got back to praying.”

Jimin couldn’t see Namjoon’s face but he could recognize his voice. His smell… even with the strong scent of incense, he could feel it inside him. The one that put him into sleep last night. 

“And it worked? The Old One was merciful to her?”

At that, the woman chuckled. 

“No. The Old One isn't merciful, Namjoon. It teaches.” 

“It sure did teach me.”

What was he talking about?

That interaction felt so different from whatever they planted into Jimin’s mind about the Targaryens and their gods… there was no blood magic, no virgin being sacrificed and the altar wasn’t made of human bones.

“What are you thinking today, son?” she asked.

The boy was feeling guilty - he knew he shouldn’t be hearing any of these. He came here to apologize, to thank the man and try to come clean to him. His brother wasn’t going to respond him about the letter anyway, so why torture himself?

But instead he was here, listening to a conversation that felt intimate… Namjoon was opening himself to his priest… and yet, the boy didn’t have in himself to move away.

“My dame, my sire and… him.” 

Who?

“Is he alright?”

“He fainted. Yesterday. Stayed with him during the night and came here as soon as the sun rose.”

The woman just nodded in understanding and waited for him to continue. 

“The last time someone fainted in my arms… they died, Mother.”

“So, that’s the reason for your visit,” she said, as if this topic was spoken many times between them. “We talked about this. It wasn’t your fault, Namjoon. You were just a pup…”

“It was. I was weak - my sire was right about this.”

“Namjoon… Lya was right about many things. The way she raised you three… it wasn’t one of them.”

A weird silence was set between them two; each one waiting for the other to speak.

“When they kidnaped us… Seokjin and Yoongi were also pups, but they fought back. Tried to protect us…” Namjoon said. “Even Hoseok fought better than me.”

Jimin’s heart was racing. He knew what Namjoon was talking about… he and Seokjin were wards in the Vale. The omegas were talking about it the day before - how Lord Ronnel changed after the death of Lady Bertha Arryn, his younger sister… 

Jimin knew the same story as the whole realm - that she was kidnapped by bandits. 

The rest was left to the people’s imagination - but Queen Alpha Lya went personally to the Vale mounting Viserion, to help on the search.

Now, thinking about it, it felt odd that the Queen herself would go to help find one single pup. It didn’t matter which House… but if two of her children were also missing, together with the youngest pup of Stark and the Lord of House Velaryon, that was another situation.

And a good reason to not make any of that public.

“The King was fourteen, and Sir Yoongi only a few months younger. And their fighting cost Lady Bertha’s life, son… it was not that simple.”

“If I was strong, I could have protected Bertha, Mother.”

“Maybe. But the Old One doesn't play with possibilities, just with facts.” She looked at him, but Jimin was too far away to see whatever her eyes were saying to the man. “Bertha Arryn died that night. There’s no change in that.”

“You know what she said, when they finally found us?”

To that, the woman didn’t respond.

“That I should've died instead. So, if something happened to Seokjin, the Crown was never going to reach me.”

Another round of silence filled the cave until Namjoon spoke again.

“I can’t let what happened to Bertha happen to him…”

“That’s good to know,” the priest said, and then her eyes found something lurking in the dark. Something she knew was there all the time. “Lord Jimin. It is a pleasure to receive you in my Home.”

The boy’s blood went cold and his breathing stopped. 

In a moment, Namjoon was no longer sitting - but standing looking directly at the cave’s entrance, looking at a very scared boy.

They just stared at each other, as they’ve been doing since Namjoon’s arrival in the castle. Jimin couldn’t move and because of that, he didn’t give into the urge of jumping on the man and smelling him completely.

“I think you two need to talk and the Old One needs me in the garden,” the priest spoke, leaving the small space as Jimin finally showed himself and entered the cave.

As the woman passed the boy, she picked up his very cold and trembling hands. “Son, I’ll be waiting here. The Old One always has a heart for new children of fire.”

And just like that, they were alone again. The cave was cold, an odd characteristic for a place so small and full of candle lights.

Jimin gulped, unaware of what to say; he came here to apologize for ignoring Namjoon, for asking him things he didn’t need to…

But by the candle lights, the Prince looked like those legendary Targaryens from the history books. Prince Daeron, King Jaeherys, Daenys the Dreamer. His platinum hair tinted by the red light that came from the fire and his lilac eyes were saying something the boy couldn’t describe.

The Old One is believed to be an ancient god who forged the fire, an element of life and destruction. And the legends used to say a Valyrian warrior would not burn by his creation, but be forged by it.

The warrior was a Targaryen princess, and Namjoon was her descendant. And the fire shone in them.

Jimin could see that.

“My Prince… I am deeply sor-”

“How much did you hear?” 

“I… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have.” He was deeply sorry - for overstepping, hearing what he shouldn’t. For being unfair.

“Don’t say a word about what you heard today.”

“I won’t… I’m just-”

“I’m being serious.”

Namjoon always looked unreadable for the youngest - as a book written in an unknown language. But now, he could see all the hurt in his eyes. And under those lights, Jimin realized he saw something just a few were allowed to see.

If everything that was spoken in that chapel was the truth, then, when Bertha Arryn died, the Red Dragon was born.

“Prince Taehyung once told me you liked reading, but your sire didn’t approve of it,” Jimin said, his voice trembling. “Nari told me you’re different from what people say.”

As he spoke, Namjoon just kept staring at him.

“But now… you cut people’s heads…” he said, unable to control his own tongue. “What happened?”

Namjoon laughed so loud that the cave’s walls trembled.

“You just heard what happened, my Lord.”

“What happened to Bertha wasn’t your fault.” It wasn’t. He needed Namjoon to know that.

“You weren’t there, Jimin.”

“You were what? Twelve? How can a twelve-year-old be the one to blame?”

The man wasn’t moving, but Jimin was. He was getting closer because he desperately needed to know. Needed to understand who Namjoon was and who was the Red Dragon. When does one wake up so the other can sleep?

The man gave him a sad smile once he spoke again.

“Do you know about Alyssa’s tears?”

“What?”

“Answer me.”

“I do, my Prince.”

A famous waterfall in the Vale - how could he forget that? 

“Me and Seokjin spent a year in the Eyrie, with Lady Arryn, Bertha’s sire. Lya thought that maybe, being away from my dame, is what I needed to grow into a feral alpha-”

“You don’t have to tell me th-”

“So you prefer to eavesdrop instead of hearing the truth from my mouth?”

The boy gulped with shame and kept his silence. The man took the lead again, with his words. 

“Her plan didn’t work and six months later, I was still a very soft and weak boy.” He walked around the altar, almost as if he was in a play. “We were all together for Bertha’s day of her name.

“After the ball, when we were all talking, I confessed I wanted to see Alyssa’s Tears, the most beautiful waterfall in the world.” It was. The legends said it was created by Alyssa Arryn, who did not shed a tear when her whole family was massacred. 

The gods decided that only when all her tears reached the Vale of Arryn, she would be able to rest.

“Bertha told me where it was… not that far away from the castle. But I was too afraid to go on my own and she decided to go with me. Hoseok agreed to go too.”

Jimin’s heart ached by every word, but he didn’t make any attempts of interrupting the alpha - he did too much damage already.

“Seokjin and Yoongi would never allow two omegas to leave the castle alone with me, especially during the night. So… we all went together…”

“And you were ambushed.” Jimin completed, with tears in his eyes. He didn’t know if he wanted to know how it ended.

“Yes. We were wearing common clothes and the bandits didn’t know they had two princes and the heirs of such important Houses. They thought we were just rich kids with Valyrian blood.” As Namjoon continued to speak, it almost sounded like he was talking about a different version of him.

“Seokjin and Yoongi planned to get us out of there. We were not that far from the Eyrie. But when the time came and I faced that ruthless alpha, I was too afraid of putting a knife inside that bastard’s heart.” 

Namjoon was walking in Jimin’s direction and the whole atmosphere felt sinister. But the boy didn’t move away. And when the Prince said his next words, he was looking down at Jimin.

“Bertha came into my rescue and the knife that should have killed him, he took and cut her throat.” And again, strong as ever, his scent reached Jimin - the same smell that embraced him during his sleep, now surrounding the place with anger, sourness, and regret.

The boy could feel it. Every inch of it. Every particle. Just like that very day. He could sense Namjoon’s distress, his most hidden emotions and his fear.

That was him, showing the most secret part of his wolf for a boy that didn’t deserve it.

“And only when her hot blood was all over me, I realized. Lya was right. I was weak.”

Jimin was out of words. Namjoon didn’t have to repeat what he said to the priest - when Lya finally found him, she said that he should’ve been the one who was killed.

He could see now, the boy everyone talked briefly when mentioning pup Namjoon - a scared child who would nest and search the comfort of his dame. One an alpha like Queen Lya would never appreciate.

One who was too curious and the one who grew with the blame of such premature death.

“So, Lord Jimin. Before you say that this wasn’t my fault, remember: you have no idea how hot the blood feels on your skin.”

“Namjoon… I… I didn’t know…” 

“I know you think I’m a monster. And I know you’re afraid of me. But at least know this, Jimin. I’ve seen horrors too.” And he left without saying another word. 

In that chapel, Jimin stayed with his shame and his apologies never delivered.

✨✨✨

The boy heard many stories about the Red Keep while growing up.

The pale red stone that gave the castle its name, the secrets it carried, and its curse. The building had so many hidden passages that King Maegor I had all the workers and masons killed only three days after the inauguration - so only the Targaryens knew how to wander through the tunnels.

And after a while, Maegor was found dead in the same throne King Seokjin sits to run his realm. Jimin’s wet nurse, always so aware of tales, used to say that he was so cruel that even the Iron Throne rejected him.

Namjoon was not Maegor’s descendant and never ordered the mass-killing of workers and common people. Yet, Queen Lya told him that she hoped the crown never reached the boy. Because he was way too soft and way too good.

Maybe Jimin was hallucinating once again, but he could swear the walls were talking to him - the spirit of those killed here so many years ago tormenting his soul and body. 

And the Lannister had only his shame as a companion while walking back to his chambers, no one to protect him.

I’ve seen horrors too.

He never meant to be unfair. Not really. He only wanted to protect himself; that’s what omegas do, right? That’s what his uncle taught him to do - to be aware, to stay on guard.

To not trust anyone.

But sometimes fear can cloud your mind and make you do things you’re not proud of.

And Jimin was feeling like an idiot 

An idiot for hearing what he shouldn’t… an idiot for not even giving the man a chance… give alpha a chance.

Not alpha. 

Namjoon. The Prince. 

Jimin needed to throw up right away. 

His mattress felt soft under his touch… but when did he arrive in his room? His friends were long gone but their clothes were still all over the place. Even with their scent filling his chambers, the boy was feeling anxious. 

When he woke up that morning, he was feeling better. Even if his wolf was more alert than ever before, it was also satisfied for being surrounded by people it considered trustworthy. His friends and… Namjoon’s cursed but familiar scent.

But now… the alph- The Prince was mad him; even if he didn’t say it, Jimin knew. He could feel it. 

He smelled his anger in him.  

Right now, the boy couldn’t even tell if the man was doing it on purpose or if he had no idea of what his scent was doing to Jimin - how the Lannister could sense every piece of him without trying much while everyone else didn’t seem to notice his smell.

Alpha was mad.

Not alpha. Namjoon .

The boy didn’t remember much of the day before, but he knew he was feeling something dangerously similar to this. 

Abandonment. Fatigue. Despair.

It didn’t matter. He wasn’t here. No one was. 

And if he was alone, he needed to protect himself. 

Protect himself of what lurks in the dark.

No. 

I need to-

“My Lor-” A loud but familiar voice caught his attention. But it wasn’t alpha . “Jimin? Fuck. Look at me, c’mon.”

The boy always saw Seojon’s scar as proof time would pass anyway. A deep cut in his cheek, one the boy never got the courage to ask when and how. It looked old… did it happen when he left? A week later? A month?

Why was he trembling so hard? 

“You’re hurt…” Jimin whispered, looking at his brother as his fingers ran into his scar.

“What? No. I’m not. How are you feeling? I’ll call Nar-”

“Seojonnie…” the boy called him. “You’re here… Uncle doesn’t like when you visit.”

Everything was spinning right now. It was hard to put his thoughts into words, but the boy needed something… familiarity, safety.

Focusing on the alpha’s face wasn’t an easy quest, but he was trying so hard. The Lorch boy was kneeled in front of him and even in his delirious state, Jimin could see the fear in his eyes.

“Hey, I need you to focus on me, is that alright?”

Seojon wasn’t his alpha but… he was his brother, right? His scent was as familiar as the corridors and walls that watched the boy grow up in Casterly Rock; with the ghost and spirits watching him.

If his brother was here… then…

“I’m just…” Jimin took a deep breath, his blurry vision becoming clear once again. “I’m just a little dizzy.”

“Are you sure?” he asked again, his eyes wandering over the boy’s face like he didn’t believe a word the boy just said. 

When Jimin was too much of a pup to understand his own bruises and wounds, Seojon was the one who would pick him up and take him directly to Maester Louis carings. The one who would hold his hands as the older alpha washed his bloody knee. The Lorch would lie to Uncle, saying the omega didn’t run or climb that big tree. 

Back then, Seojon always had a brotherly face - one that tells you can trust him and sleep safely by his side. 

One that would never leave him.

“Yes…” His voice was hoarse. Seojon wasn’t what he needed right now - but he rarely was. But, strangely, he was always the one who was there. “What happened? Why are you here?”

The man hesitated for a brief second. “Just came to check on you. I think it’s better for you to rest. We can talk again later…” The alpha was already getting up, searching for something in the room - maybe more tea for the boy.

And Jimin would let it slip, he was tired and maybe some medicine would do him good. 

But… 

“What's that?” he asked, looking at a particular piece of paper in the alpha’s hand.

“It’s… nothing. Tomorrow, okay?” Seojon said again. “I think Nari brought more tea with-”

“Seojon, what’s that?” Jimin repeated slowly.

The man suddenly stopped, looking at the omega sitting on the floor in complete distress. His eyes were full of uncertainty.

“It’s… Maester Arthura couldn’t find you anywhere… but asked if I could-” 

“What?”

“It’s from Casterly Rock.”

Jimin didn’t have a chance to realize when and how he got up so quickly, but his trembling hands took the piece of paper from Seojon’s strong grip in a matter of seconds. 

He knew it was impossible, but the weight the letter carried was sticking into his bare skin - the stamp was unmistakable: the lion of Lannister, old as tradition tells and belonged to so many Lords and Ladies before his own brother.

“Jimin, I don’t think you should read this now.” Seojon was looking at him, preoccupied. “You don’t seem great.”

The boy didn’t respond because it was true. He wasn’t in his best state, heavily sick because of his syndrome and scared because of Namjoon’s whole situation, but…

Since his arrival in this castle, no notice came from the lands where he grew up. No word from his brother or uncle - if they survived or what happened after Lord Greyjoy was defeated. 

But even in such a fragile and confused state, Jimin remembered what he wrote to Taemin and what he asked of him. The words he put on paper, in a language only them could understand. 

“I need to read it. It’s from my brother." He had all the certainty in the world in his voice. Maybe he was being too hopeful… but it was the only thing he had right now.

“Jimin…”

“No, Seojon.”

He didn’t even ask for the alpha to leave so he could read it in private. It didn’t matter anymore; whatever was written on that paper would change everything forever.

At least he would have a witness to his doom.

Namjoon told him he had written to the boy as soon as he heard the news about his sister passing… but his words never reached him… it was never delivered to Jimin’s hands because…

My lovely brother,

I miss you dearly.

As of your joke… I like it. In fact, it always makes me laugh about how the fox lies, my brother. 

It always does.

See you on your big day.

Lord Alpha Taemin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock and Protector of the West.

If he concentrated enough, he could see his brother writing every word with his perfect calligraphy. He could sense Maester Louis melting candle wax and sealing their cursed secret - before sending a raven to the other side of the continent. 

But just like that, everything came into place. Like he found a piece missing on a puzzle. 

His uncle lies. He always does. 

Prince Namjoon, the monster he was said to be, never ignored Jimin and his grief. He never spent a year engaged with the boy without trying to talk to him. He never went to war ignoring a poor omega lost in the Westerlands, with no one but a faint scent of a long gone person to keep him company.

The fox lies, my brother. 

It always does.

Somehow, Jimin wasn’t even surprised. Should he feel disappointed? 

The Prince wrote to him and his uncle, only the gods know why, hid it from him. He made the boy believe he was nothing but a mere trade deal, where Namjoon was not getting the good part of. A contract the Targaryen was obligated to fulfill with a broken omega.

Taenil was the one who first told Jimin they called the Prince a Red Dragon.

“My Lord, you’re trembling again…” Seojon’s voice took his ears, as Jimin’s hands went cold. “Want me to call the Grand Maester?”

Did Taemin take part in it? Why did he never say anything? He spent a year seeing the boy being more a ghost than a person and he never said a word. If he told Jimin, maybe he would be more satisfied… or at least less scared. Anything.

He wanted to believe he understood everything wrong - that maybe his brother didn’t remember how they used to speak when they were kids. Maybe he meant nothing with his words.

But the boy knew better. Something inside of him woke up, as if it was sleeping for thousands of years. The one who never trusted his uncle with his problems, the one who knew deep down that Taenil Lannister was a difficult person to deal with and had his own personal and obscure agenda.

The one who never let Taemin really rule.

And now, looking at Seojon in front of him, Jimin could see. He had yet to discover why his brother also lied to him, but right now, he should focus in a more urgent matter: why his uncle wanted him so fucking miserable?

“Why?”

“What?”

“Why did you leave?” Jimin knew he asked this before in his very first week in the castle, and he remembered what the alpha answered to him. 

I didn’t see a future in the Westerlands. 

“I told you that already, my Lord,” Seojon said and as always, the boy could see how much the Lorch was hiding from him.

But things needed to be fair… there were so many things Jimin wasn’t sharing with him either. 

“Prince Namjoon wrote me a letter, back when Marjorie died.” he started, looking directly into Seojon’s eyes with the paper in hand. “And my uncle not only hid it from me, but told me he chose not to approach me. Telling me to be aware of the dragon that lurks in the dark.” 

The alpha didn’t say a word as Jimin spoke, but he could see the anger manifesting across his face as the boy continued. “For a year, Sir, Taenil let me believe that I was marrying the realm's most fearsome monster. One who never cared to talk to me. One that despised me.” 

His hands were holding the paper with so much strength that he could feel them sweating. The alpha was looking at Jimin with his jaw clenched, but he wasn’t not even a little bit surprised.

He continued and Seojon didn’t make any attempts to stop him. “He made me believe that I was the consolation prize Namjoon didn’t ask for…”

He wasn’t venting to make the alpha tell him the truth but because he needed to. On his way to King’s Landing, in that carriage, Taemin told the boy he shouldn’t believe in what people said about the prince.

And both of them knew who would gossip in Casterly Rock.

“My uncle told me things about Namjoon that would make any omega maiden cry in their sleep and believe me, Seojon. I surely did.” 

He needed to see Taemin and ask him a million questions. But he was clear on his words: only at Jimin’s wedding… and until then… his worries were only to himself. And god, he was on the verge of overflowing.

Many would say that Jimin was losing his mind and everything was just one big misunderstanding. But there was something in him telling the boy otherwise. And if his uncle lied about Namjoon, what were all the other half truths he told?

“So, Sir Lorch… I’m asking for your truth, because only now I’m discovering mine.”

He couldn’t tell for sure if it was his wolf misleading him or his syndrome taking him into such a heavy exhaustion he was looking for hints where there wasn’t any.

But this couldn’t be a coincidence. 

Seojon leaving, Marjorie’s reaction, her engagement a year later… Jimin’s engagement only a few days after her funeral. And somehow, his uncle was always in the middle of it, but just far away enough for the boy not to make any assumptions.

Sometimes, the most harsh truth is the one you chose to ignore. The one facing you from head to toe. The one you already know.

Jimin, voracious reader as he was, knew once your words are out in the open, there is no taking them back. Everything you spoke will be yours to take responsibility for. And somehow, that is your burden for life. And the worst part of it wasn’t the sadness upon Seojon’s face or the heaviness his words carried.

“Your uncle. He was the one asking me to leave.” 

It was the fact that somehow, Jimin knew. 

He always knew.

“He demanded that I leave.” The alpha was looking at the boy, like he was only truly seeing him now. “Gave me a day to prepare… the bastard even had the audacity to offer me one hundred dragon coins-”

Taenil was never fond of Seojon and the whole castle knew he only kept the boy around to not tarnish the honor of his late brother. 

“But why? Why would he do that?” the boy whispered, as if he was afraid his words would reach his uncle somehow. “You grew up with us, my Lord Sire took you as a ward… he…”

“Jimin-”

“Marjorie cried for three whole moons…” he continued, sitting on his bed again, the paper still in his hand. “She… she couldn’t believe…”

“Look, kid…”

“My uncle. He told us you left because you weren’t happy. Called you ungrateful… why-”

“Because I wanted to mate her. And she wanted to mate me.”

“What?”

When he was a pup, Jimin always believed him and his sister would always know everything about each other. For quite some time, he actually thought he knew every inch of her soul - the same way she knew his. 

They were attached at the hip, as if one red line connected them through eternity. And he always saw Seojon as his brother and loved him like one - he cared for Jimin like one.

Yet, his scent was the one that calmed Marjorie the most. His smell, always so present at her nest, made her sleep only with pleasant dreams.

Jimin could see now, like if a blurry cloud was out of his sight.

The alpha, with the scar on his face and so many stories in his eyes, took the bottle of wine Nari always left for her Lord on his dining table.

“I believe we should talk, Jiminie.”

Chapter Text

JIMIN VI 

After Jimin’s first ever heat, when he was finally considered an adult, Seojon, Marjorie, and Taemin invaded his chambers with three bottles of arbor gold directly from the Lannisters vast wine collection.

Anyone would consider it offensive seeing them pouring Westeros’ most precious wine while sitting on the floor. But back then, they were just the four pups of Casterly Rock - celebrating that the last one of them wasn’t a pup anymore.

That night, with Jimin’s face red and hot as a pepper, Marjorie hugged him, saying that finally he grew into a full omega. Taemin, while utterly drunk, screamed that no alpha in the world would be good enough for his little brother, and Seojon, laughing as if his life depended on it, poured everyone another round.

Back then, Jimin never had openly drank before and his siblings decided that only Westeros' finest wine was what a son of the Rock deserved. 

Right now, two of those pups were on the floor again. There wasn’t any arbor gold, but an equally good sweet red Jimin found out was his favorite and asked to always have a bottle in his chambers.

Many heats had passed after his first one and the boy long lost his joyful nature - he didn’t believe he had the whole world to conquer anymore. Too much was lost on the way.

But, at least, tonight he would have his truth. Or part of it.

“We were just summerpups… Too naive and maybe too hopeful.” Seojon’s voice was low, facing his cup full of wine. “I don’t know if it was love but… it felt like it.”

Now, analyzing the whole thing from outside, Jimin could see. 

Marjorie and Seojon were close in age and always enjoyed having each other around. The alpha treated her more like an equal, even if the girl was his sworn Lady.

“We used to joke… she would say that would be better run away to the Free Cities than marrying someone Taenil choose…”

“I know…” Jimin's laugh was humorless. “She always complained about how he would deliver us to the first alpha who paid more.”

The aura in the room was familiar and distant at the same time - in a way, they were still pups sharing secrets the grown ups couldn’t know.

“And what did you tell her?”

But now, they were adults with their own wounds to heal.

“I said we were Lannisters. Money would never be a problem.” Jimin took a sip from his cup, hoping the sweet of the wine would take away the bitterness from his soul. “I just didn’t assume there were more things than just money in this world.”

It was hard to convince his wolf he was safe - his hands were growing tense and his stomach was hurting; Namjoon’s absence was almost everything he could sense - his room didn’t smell like the man anymore and his inner omega begged for anything that resembled the alpha. 

But Jimin had his brother with him. And the boy was trying to convince himself that Seojon would keep him safe… until alpha arrives.

If he ever chose to come back to me. 

“We would steal kisses from each other when no one was looking…” Seojon didn’t smile while speaking, like even the most fondest memories were surrounded by grief. “But I know who I am, Jimin. And I knew who she was.”

“Seojon…”

“Am I lying? I am a Lorch, kid. My family’s land is nothing more than a farm, and that already belongs to my alpha sister.” He poured a little more wine to himself. “Marjorie was no regular omega. She was the eldest pup of Lannister. She was born to mate Princes and Princesses.”

“She never cared… for any of those things. She never did,” Jimin whispered his words, feeling the sadness on his tongue.

“It is easy to think like that when you already have the world…”

“It’s…”

“You know it’s true. You Lannister have your cribs made of pure gold.” The man let out a small laugh. “You wear the finest silk. You’re marrying the fucking Prince and your pups will have royal blood.”

It was hard to accept how he and Seojon were different in that way - there were four pups in Casterly Rock, but three were born to rule and one was born to obey.

His chambers never felt as cold as it was right now. A few candles were lighten up the place and the windows were closed, and even so, Jimin was shaking. His bed was not far away from them and the boy was almost asking for a blanket, but he needed to hear.

“She wanted to run away… but… I would take her to Braavos… maybe Pentos?” He put his hand over his own face. “Sell my services to a high born? A merchant? That’s not the life she deserved. Or wanted.”

“You don’t know that.”

“But I do know. Marjorie used to think she could feed from love… but…”

Since Seojon started speaking, Jimin was debating if he should be mad at them. His sister died and never even mentioned her love for the alpha - and he left without saying his final goodbyes to her.

But, even if he searched, he couldn’t find the anger in himself, just the feeling of how utterly blind he was.

Part of him would always be hurt because of this secret - how she preferred to push everyone away than confess her feelings to her brother. But thinking again, she never hid anything, she just didn’t speak about it.

Her nest always smelled like the Lorch - Jimin was just too naive to realize why.

Seojon was not facing him anymore and the omega asked himself if there were tears in his eyes. “But still, I always entertained the thought. Maybe we could run and… live. You know?” 

“I know how it is…”

“I used to daydream that one day, they would allow us to marry and she would be able to stay at her home…”

Talking about her would always be an open wound and that was why his heart felt so small inside his chest. With time, day by day, it would hurt less and less, giving space for something less morbid - the eternal feeling of the lack of her. 

“She would have liked that, you know. She loved Casterly Rock more than I did. And the people of Lannisport idolized her…”

But sometimes he would think of his sister, and it would hurt the same as the day he lost her.

“But Taenil is a smart man. He could tell something was off…” Seojon’s voice didn’t sound hurt anymore, but was carried with resentment. “On a random night, he came to me…” 

Jimin’s uncle was a very cold and distant man - personally, the boy never thought he cared for anyone who wasn’t Taemin. Knowing he was observant in that level made him shiver - what other secrets he wrongly thought were safe?

“We were riding horses, in a forest close to Lannisport… the place he would always take me and Taemin…” Seojon took a deep breath before continuing. “When we stopped… he finally spoke. Didn’t even care to pretend he didn’t know. Looked me in the eye and asked me what kind of life a Lorch could give a Lannister.”

Jimin faced at the ceiling and closed his eyes. “Any life… she was basically dead after you left.” 

Seojon chose to ignore his last statement, but the boy didn’t miss the hurt in his eyes. “He told me that if I chose to stay… he would make her marry Lord Alpha Greyjoy or one of his children. So, it was my choice.”

Jimin had been holding his nausea since he left the chapel, but he almost threw up on the floor listening to the alpha’s words.

Marrying her to Lord Alpha Greyjoy - a man who used every excuse his religion gave to torture omegas who wouldn’t obey him. Had two husbands and a wife who all died mysteriously and their bodies delivered as gifts to the Drowned God. He hated the Targaryens, their dragons, and how they ruled.

“But Lord Greyjoy threatened the Crown… We fought against him.” The boy looked at him. 

“Your uncle has unseen motivations for his actions, my Lord. And that’s why your soon-to-be husband doesn’t trust him…”

“The Prince… he…”

“He’s not very fond of your uncle. Says he has the Lannister’s greed…” 

Taenil went to the battlefield with his army to help the Crown and the Riverlands against the threat of the Iron Men, led by the Greyjoy alpha… 

But if uncle even considered marrying his niece to someone like the Lord of Pyke…

Was he planning to rebel against the Targaryens too?

“But… why did Namjoon agree to marry me, then?” Jimin whispered, feeling the desperation grown inside his chest. “Did he want to kidnap me and-”

“Jimin, don’t go there. After I left, I served the Prince in the Skagos rebellion. He’s not like that. I don’t know why he accepted to marry you, but he will not use an innocent omega to hurt Taenil.” 

“Did he know about…”

“About what your uncle said to me? Of course not. A knight without a home to defend accusing a member of House Lannister? I can’t just do that. I have my own nieces to care about. I can’t let them pay for it.”

Seojon’s words stung like hell but they were true. House Lorch was small, poor, and unimportant - having one as a ward to the Lannister was an honor by itself. Even if the Prince believed him and raised his standards against the lion, Seojon’s family would be in danger. 

“So… when he told you that… you just left? Without saying goodbye?”

“It’s… yes. But after Skagos… I went back to the Westerlands for a few days. And I went to our spot on Lannisport and she was there… That was the last time.”

“And…”

“And I left. Came to King’s Landing and offered my sword to the Prince. That’s it.”

There were so many unanswered questions.

What did they talk about the last time they ever saw each other? Because, just a few months later, Marjorie died without telling anyone about her deepest secret. And Taenil, who knew everything, held Jimin as he screamed when her body was being recovered from the water. 

“She never… She never told me anything. I didn’t know…”

“There wasn’t anything to tell, Jimin.” Seojon looked at him, sounding way too sincere. “We were pups, doing what pups do.”

“Falling in love?”

“Being stupid.” 

The stolen glances, the inside jokes… her reaction after his absence… her lack of sleep, her moody humor… his faded scent on her nest…

Did Marjorie spend a year with her inner wolf thinking about Seojon the same way he was feeling about Namjoon?

Gods…

“I… I’m sorry… for everything… for…”

Should he feel anger? Betrayal? They spent gods know how much time behind his back… hiding their feelings, the true motivation for everything.

Taemin hated Seojon for what he did - for leaving him behind. Leaving them behind.

But what would the Lord of Casterly Rock feel if he found out his uncle threatened to give his sister to the monster of Pyke?

”There's no need for any apologies…“ The alpha looked at him. “All I have to say is that your uncle lies as if he was a viper. You can’t trust him.”

Jimin spent years thinking Seojon was a heartless piece of shit.

But what would have happened if Marjorie told him everything back then? Would he support her, going behind their uncle and brother?

Would he believe it if Seojon told him everything when he arrived? He didn’t have to think much, he knew the answer…

Taenil could be whoever he was, he was still Jimin’s uncle and the only sire he ever knew, even if he couldn’t tell if that was a good thing right now.

“Why would he do that? Lie about the letter, offering her to that alpha…”

“He wants you afraid,” Seojon whispered. “I don’t know why, but he wants you to be afraid.”

Jimin was not a pup anymore and he could take care of himself  - he just never thought he would need protection from his uncle. And Seojon’s words exposed his deepest fear… why would Taenil isolate the boy in the Red Keep? No knight, no companion, no one he could fully trust.

And all of that after spending a year whispering how the Red Dragon was the most dangerous alpha alive. He destroyed the letter because it was proof that Namjoon cared; it would open doors Taenil wanted shut.

“But… why? Why make me so afraid of the man he chose?” Jimin asked. “He offered Marjorie first…”

“And he would do the same with her, kid. When she died, he had to improvise. I guess he just didn’t imagine that the royal omegas would care for you.”

Jungkook and Taehyung.

This made him think… The King Consort and the Prince were very welcoming with Jimin when he arrived… and if Namjoon had his suspicions about Taenil, would the omegas have it too?

It hurt him thinking about the possibility of their friendship being a lie. But something was proved right tonight: Taenil Lannister wanted Jimin afraid and isolated. And the boy almost fell into his trap.

“She loved you.” Jimin played with his cup, avoiding the alpha's eyes. “You must know that already but it’s the truth… She loved you so fucking much…”

Now, looking at his face, the boy finally saw the watery eyes Seojon was hiding. “And I loved her, Jimin. There isn’t one single day that I don’t fucking hate myself for leaving. Because now, it isn’t a chest full of gold separating us, but death itself.”

Jimin wanted to cry. He lost his sister, but he saw her body and he said his final words to her. He visited her crypt and he prayed for whoever was listening, to allow her to rest. Seojon didn’t have this opportunity - it was taken from him.

“Do you think she fell?” the alpha asked, without looking at the boy’s eyes. “Maester Arthura told us that she drowned after falling from her window… called an accident.” 

His voice was hurt, cutting Jimin like Valyrian steel. He could picture Seojon, alone in the Red Keep, crying himself to sleep when the news finally reached him. Maybe blaming himself for not being there.

And even willing to lie to protect Seojon’s feelings, Jimin needed to be honest with him. He owned the man. “I used to. Now, I’m not so sure… She never opened that window on rainy days.”

Their silence spoke volumes, both of them knowing what the boy was implying but with no courage of saying it out loud. If it wasn’t an accident…

Would his uncle be cold enough to kill his own niece? And why would he do that?

“I hope you found a good place in the world, Seojoonie,” Jimin confessed after a long round of silence.

He did hope for that. With all his heart. He knew that his friendship with the alpha would never be the same, especially now with so many secrets uncovered… but Marjorie would always be their common ground.

”I found… I have people around, you know? The Prince is nice, my fellow soldiers are cool, and Lord Hoseok is good company…” the man said, a smile forming on his face. Small and almost unnoticed, but it felt real.

He didn’t look happy, but satisfied… Maybe he found his peace.

But what else could he say? He thought he lost Seojon along the way… but now, sitting on his bedroom floor, wine bottle empty and just a load of shit thrown between them, it felt like they were back to normal. Like this was what they were supposed to be… but it’s one thing to feel this way and another to comprehend reality.

Maybe it was just the adrenaline leaving his body, but Jimin was becoming more agitated. His wolf was searching for comfort and could tell more than ever that a particular scent was vanishing from his room. 

Seojon smelled familiar but… 

But he wasn’t alpha… 

“Are you feeling alright?”

“I don’t know… feeling dizzy again. Now that we talked… My wolf feels weird.”

Trying to block his brain from referring to Namjoon as alpha was no use - he didn’t know why he was doing it, but he would keep it to himself. The man smelled the same as the one from his dreams and he didn’t have an answer why - didn’t even know if asking someone was the right choice. Namjoon wasn’t his and never will be.

“I think you need to rest, Jimin. Your head is full.”

He was right. The boy should focus on what matters: the letter and his uncle’s lies. The ones he told to keep Jimin in place…

Namjoon wasn’t a monster…

Alpha wasn’t…

“Is everything alright?” 

His voice was the only thing capable of taking Jimin from his state of discomfort - who cared if he was in danger before? 

The boy faced Namjoon, who was looking down at him like he was his savior… as if he was a dragon in the sky. He let his admiration sink for a couple of seconds.

He looks beautiful from down here…  

Alpha.

The boy shaked his head trying to bring himself back to the moment - Namjoon’s eyebrows arched in a questioning look and only then Jimin realized how the situation must look.

It was already late and his fiánce was on the floor, drinking wine with his sworn knight. 

His cheeks turned red in a second - he should have been smarter. 

Not a word left his mouth and Seojon was the one with the initiative to get up.

“My Prince, I-”

“I was feeling dizzy,” Jimin rushed to say, didn’t bother if he interrupted the Lorch boy. “Didn’t want to be alone… so I asked for Sir Seojon to keep me company. That was all.”

In theory, he didn’t have to give Namjoon any explanation if he didn’t want to… but in reality, he knew he did.

They were engaged - it didn’t matter if the Prince said he didn’t expect anything from Jimin. His honor was at stake if his omega was caught in such an informal situation with one of his knights.

“You don’t owe me an explanation, my Lord,” Namjoon said, facing the empty bottle on the floor.“I was just passing by to see if you’re feeling better. But since you have company-”

“No! Sir Seojon was just about to leave.” He sounded desperate, but his fellow alpha followed him and nodded quickly.

“Lord Jimin is right. It's getting late. I should go.” 

“You should.” The knight awkwardly bowed to both of them before leaving them alone in that room.

The sky was dark as the day before when Jimin woke up after passing out. The Prince’s face was shining by the candle lights and the boy didn’t know what to say.

He wrote to me. And everything my uncle said about him was nothing but lies.

If Jimin had the chance to read his words back then, maybe their whole engagement could’ve been different. Maybe he would have listened to everyone who said Namjoon may have a sweet soul covered by his stone heart.

His conversation with Seojon made more sense than ever. His uncle sent the man away so he could marry Jimin’s sister with the Prince. And he probably tried to terrify her too… The boy just didn’t know why he needed them to be so afraid.

Maybe Marjorie found out the reason and that was why…

“This was truly nothing, I was jus-” Jimin tried to explain himself before being interrupted.

“I was being serious about the explanation part. There’s no need for that.” The Prince gulped, looking around the man’s chambers, as if he didn’t spend the night before right here.

As always, his scent was fading but the boy could still feel it and couldn’t deny himself this comfort anymore. Who cares if the world didn’t sense Namjoon like he did… the wet earth smell invaded him, drawing him into something that he pretended he didn’t know.

Again, Jimin was taking a risk. 

He didn’t have any guarantee that Namjoon really cared for him. But the letter and Seojon’s story proved that his uncle wasn't trustworthy. And the boy used to believe in the older alpha’s every word. 

Considering all that, the Prince did write to him and was ignored. He came to Jimin and was ignored. He stayed with him all night just to have his secrets exposed. 

“My Prince, I am so sorr-”

“Lord Jimin…” he sighted, interrupting the boy once again. “I am the one who owes you an apology.”

“What?”

“I don’t like mentioning Bertha Arryn, as I don’t like mentioning my sire. You caught me off guard.” He looked down, avoiding Jimin’s eyes in shame.

“My Princ-”

“And once again, I know you are afraid of me and I will do everything I can to leave you alone, so you can nest in peace.”

What?

“Prince Namj-”

“We will marry, as tradition asks of us. But I will not have you bound in unhappiness. You can live in Casterly Rock if that makes you feel better.”

No.

Everything was so fucking wrong and such a horrible mess. 

Namjoon was seriously walking around thinking he was the reason Jimin couldn’t nest? If anything, the boy felt like he was a solution for his sickness.

And now, the Prince was even considering sending him back to Casterly Rock. With Taenil Lannister, the man who caused his sister's depression.

Namjoon thought he was the problem, but of course he did. The boy knew it was his fault; ignoring him for weeks was not a smart move.

The man opened his mouth again, but this time, the Lannister was the one who spoke.

“My Prince. No, you’re wrong. Everything is wrong,” he said firmly. “It’s not that.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s just…” He couldn’t tell the truth. Seojon was right, you can’t just go around saying an alpha like Taenil was a traitor. You needed time for it. “I know my feelings are all over the place and I’m not nesting but… it’s not your fault.”

“I’m sorry. I see the way you look at me, my Lord. There’s no need for lies.”

“I know, but walk in my shoes for a little while…” Jimin continued, desperation showing in his voice. “You know how they raise us in the Westerlands. They don’t spare words of awareness for omegas… I was just worried…”

He was playing dirty, but right now it was his only choice. If Seojon was telling the truth, his fiánce didn’t trust his uncle… and it was no secret for anyone that Taenil was more of a conservative alpha.

Jimin couldn’t tell the whole truth, but he could plant a tiny little seed to save his own skin right now. One that made Namjoon think that his uncle was the one poisoning the boy with tales.

“If I was so afraid of you, I wouldn’t have asked you to stay last night,” he continued. “Believe me, my Prince. I was just scared, but I don’t think you’re a monster. Not anymore.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am. And I’m sorry for hearing what I shouldn’t…” Jimin whispered, avoiding the alpha’s eyes. “And I’m sorry for what happened to you. And to Lady Bertha. Your sire had no right.”

Namjoon sighed once again, but didn’t look the boy in the eye. “It’s been a long time, my Lord. Don’t you worry about me.”

“Time can't heal everything,” Jimin responded, thinking about his sister, her window, and the beach. “Believe me, I know.”

Now, the Prince let his gaze wander over the boy, as if he was reading him. It was new to him, seeing Namjoon with those lenses - as someone who lost things too and not only a merciless monster. He used to think that his sister died because she was afraid of mating him… but maybe, she was afraid of someone closer.

“I know. But it helps. I’m no longer a pup for my sire to torture.”

“If you need to talk-”

“I won’t. Believe me.”

It was weird to see that big strong alpha as a poor pup who couldn’t defend himself. As sick as it sounds, it still made Jimin see the man less as a dragon and more as a human.

The boy wasn’t naive - he knew the man killed many. But all alphas do at some point. At least the Prince didn’t hide it.

He knew Namjoon didn’t have to trust him or search him for comforting words, but right now, Jimin had to make a choice. His uncle wanted him scared and alone; he wasn’t counting on the Red Keep being so friendly with him.

So, the boy decided to do the only thing he was sure his uncle wasn’t expecting: befriending the dragons.

“I think we should… focus on the wedding preparations,” Jimin said, not letting any room for doubt in his voice.

That seemed to surprise the man. “Seriously?”

“Yes. Our King will have his baby soon and… we have a promise to fulfill.”

“If this is about du-”

Jimin took a deep breath, letting the alpha scent into his nose as he said his next words. “I’m not doing this for duty. my Prince. We will marry. And until the gods take me out of this world, I will be your husband.”

And you won’t hurt me.

Namjoon’s jaw clenched and his eyes were analyzing Jimin’s movements - as if he was searching for any signs of lies. But the boy knew he was being sincere.

“I am… happy to know,” Namjoon finally said in a low tone. “I really do.”

They just kept staring at each other, not knowing what to say anymore. Jimin couldn’t tell how the next days would go, but he would do everything he could to marry Namjoon as soon as possible.

“I wish you a good recovery, my Lord,” the Prince said after a while. “Hope you can nest soon.”

He was clearly putting an end to that conversation. The boy didn’t even have time to respond and he was already turning himself to the door.

But lately, Jimin’s brain was making decisions of his own, and just the idea of the alpha leaving and taking his scent with him was too much to bear.

“My Prince… may I have one request?”

The man stopped, but didn’t turn around.

“Can you give me something… for my nest?” It was wrong to call this room his nest, but it would have to be one now. 

Namjoon didn’t make any movement and Jimin panicked, feeling that maybe he overstepped boundaries the alpha put between them. He entered this place thinking he was the reason the omega couldn’t relax, and now he was asking for his personal items… to put in his nest.

And both of them knew what it meant. This was intimate. Jimin was basically asking for his scent; to be marked by him in a way unmated omegas wouldn’t be judged for.

But again, Namjoon wasn’t moving and Jimin was worried. Maybe he really fucked up any chance of their lives being civilized… any chance for friendship.

But then, the alpha turned around and faced the boy. While looking at him, he started to unbutton his silk black blouse - Jimin felt his blood going directly into his cheeks, but he didn’t have in himself to ask him to stop.

Because he couldn’t stop looking. 

As the blouse was opened up, the boy faced the alpha’s pecs as he took off the piece of clothing. Now, his chest was out in the open and he walked slowly into the boy’s direction. No shame allowed.

Jimin should look the other way, right? It was their first interaction after everything they went through and Namjoon was out of his decency in front of him.

But the truth was the boy didn’t want to miss even a second of it. Maybe it was his wolf talking on his behalf or maybe… 

He could see scars on his chest - a big one on his left side, close to his heart. It was ugly but it didn’t look new. He wanted to touch it, but didn’t allow his hands to move.

Namjoon was looking at him with his blouse in hand and without saying a word, delivered it to the boy.

“Rest well, my Lord.”

And just like a ghost, the man left, closing the door.

What would the servants say? Seeing their Prince walking from the boy’s chambers with no decency hiding his chest… would they think that…

Some weird part of him hoped that the answer was yes.

Jimin took a while to recover from everything. The day was exhausting and his brain was trying to assimilate every piece of information.

But, with the man’s blouse in hand, the boy let his body work as it pleased. He went to his bed without much thought and faced that mess.

That isn’t right.

He took everything off and changed the sheets, rearranging the pillows as his soul asked him to do it.

How was he sleeping with them so sloppy, anyway?

He didn’t know when was the last time he even felt the will to start something like that…

When he was satisfied, he let his body fall into the bed with the soft blouse in hand, the strong scent hanging from it.

This wasn’t a nest - it wasn’t sturdy and couldn’t keep him safe from anything. But it was Jimin’s and it had Namjoon’s scent surrounding him.

And Jimin never realized how much he missed feeling like this. 

That night, the boy let his mind wander through various places…

The Royal Chambers, where Queen Jocelyn gave birth to three children without the presence of her alpha wife.

The Eyrie, where Lady Bertha grew with a little brother by blood and others by heart. 

The bay in Casterly Rock, from where he found his sister’s body floating and cursed Seojon’s name to the gods. 

He thought of his uncle, planning and scheming something he couldn’t quite understand.

And the Prince’s chambers. Was he thinking about the boy as well? 

Jimin couldn’t say for sure what Taenil wanted, creating such a scary persona for the Prince… but the boy didn’t have good feelings about it.

If his uncle was a traitor… what would be of him?

But again, none of those thoughts mattered - not right now. 

So, he closed his eyes, letting Namjoon’s smell lullaby him in a way the boy knew it was what he needed.

✨✨✨

Looking back, Jimin would say that discovering his uncle sending Seojon away was the beginning of the end. The start of something ugly and yet, necessary.

Seojon left and Marjorie, followed by the grief of an impossible love, was taken by the gods way too soon. After his conversation with the knight, Jimin’s mind replayed the memory of the day he found her over and over again.

Because the one holding him was Taenil Lannister. And Jimin recalled crying on his chest, asking the gods why they would do this. And his uncle comforted him, like he wasn’t the one threatening to send her to the Greyjoy Alpha. 

Thinking about his uncle as a murderer was a hard thing to process and Jimin was miles away from Casterly Rock; there's nothing he could do to investigate things further.

Some days were harder than others, especially after everything that happened… but he was doing what he could. 

But he knew he needed to mate Namjoon as soon as possible. Not only the wedding… he needed the bite .

Still, it wasn’t difficult to say that his mind wasn’t the quiet of places to be those days - too many secrets were uncovered and he had no one to share them. He often felt like he was about to explode. The information Seojon had was also scarce and they could only think of suppositions.

But harsh as it was, the truth was one and only: Jimin was not a hero from the stories he used to read when a pup. He never rode a dragon, never sailed on his own, and didn’t even know how to handle a sword.

If his uncle was untrustworthy as he was appearing, there was nothing the boy could do right now. Not until he finally spoke with his brother and that wouldn’t happen until his wedding.

“During the King’s banquet we had eighty courses per day.” Sir Yoongi was talking to them, while looking at a big old book full of numbers and names. “Forty in the tournament banquet and forty for dinner.”

Jimin was serious about the wedding preparations and he was doing everything he could to make things go smoothly.

He was also serious about being civil with the Prince. This time, he was the one who sent a very formal request to Namjoon - asking his stewardship when he was available to choose the menu of their banquet; the very first step of the preparations.

“Yours, on the other hand, will only last a day. The ceremony in the morning, the tournament in the afternoon, and dinner after the ball…” Sir Soobin Karstark spoke looking at them, sitting next to the Hand. “But it should be big, nevertheless.”

The northern boy was one of the new residents in the Red Keep - in the past couple of weeks King Seokjin’s court was finally taking form. Soobin was Yoongi’s cousin and just like him, a second alpha son, with an impressive talent for numbers and math. So, when the Hand invited him to work in the castle’s stewardship, he accepted right away.

“Well, I’m not very fond of spending too much money on parties like this, with all due respect to Lord Jimin.” Sir Yoongi looked up from his book briefly, not sounding very sorry for his words. “But I’m very fond of people spending money in the city, so…”

Jimin was not fully recovered and the Prince even questioned if the boy should be going out of his chambers so soon. But the Lannister felt like he needed it. The sensation of abandonment and desperation was still very present; just a few days had passed since his crises. 

He was getting better - the Prince’s blouse was the only item in his little beginning of a nest but it was doing a marvelous job keeping him sane. 

And if this was the only thing giving him comfort, it was his problem alone.

“But eighty courses? This is eighty different types of food on eighty different plates for dozens of lords and ladies and hundreds of their people.” Soobin was looking at his cousin. “It will be expensive.”

They were all gathered in the Hand Tower, where Sir Yoongi Stark ‘managed to work when Seokjin was not bossing him around’ - his words, not Jimin’s.

The northern wasn’t a party planner, but he was the Hand of the King and should help with events of such importance. 

Normally, weddings are already a big thing… but royal weddings put the whole realm to work.

The city will be filled with people, hoping to get a glance of the grooms - taverns will be overbooked with merchants, bards and commitives from the Lords and Ladies invited. That meant too many people, too many guards, too much food and too many chambers to be arranged.

And a good ton of money in the city’s pockets.

Soon, both alphas faced the Prince, as if asking for his opinion on the matter. 

“Are you really asking me how many courses? Seriously?”

Jimin knew he was still dozing out more often than he should. He was sure that the Hand was still talking about the courses but…

The Prince was so beautiful.

And right now he knew it wasn’t his wolf talking on his behalf. Namjoon was a handsome man, there was no denying it. His hair was growing, and his strong nature was mixing with the softness of his skin… and his dimples, that so rare make an appearance, but make the boy want to print them forever on his brain.

Maybe he was finally letting his guard down enough to see every detail he once denied… but Namjoon was way too beautiful for his liking.

Not for the first time, he caught himself wishing there wasn’t any awkwardness between them - but he knew he was asking for too much right now. And it was all his fault. He pushed the alpha away in every possible situation. 

But still… Jimin may have been the one who sent the invitation, the Prince was polite enough to pick him up at his door and walk with him side by side to the Hand Tower.

In silence. No words. 

But the boy was grateful even so - not many alphas would care to discuss courses with an omega and a bunch of alphas who clearly didn’t know anything about parties.

“It doesn’t matter how many plates, the kitchen staff will handle it with perfection,” The castle’s head chef said; a big alpha man that served in Highgarden before. 

“We know that, Addam,” Yoongi responded. “But still-”

Beside the castle’s head chef, the main steward Olivia Follard was also present. She was way more prepared for such events… but still, they were all alphas.    

“No, this is impossible. The Prince’s wedding will only last a day.” the woman said in a heated conversation with chef Addam, but Jimin didn’t care to listen to it further.  

He was used to being the only omega in the room - he was raised by Taenil Lannister, a man known for his zero appreciation of omega’s affairs. But it had been at least thirty-five minutes since the course discussion started. 

King Jungkook even asked on the night before if the boy would want him to help in this madness and the boy politely denied - the omega was already way too busy in the final weeks of his pregnancy. 

But now, listening to whatever they were talking about, he could understand why he offered it in the first place.

“I think sixty courses will be appropriate.” Jimin spoke for the first time that morning, getting everyone’s attention on him. “Divide them in thirty for the tournament and dinner. But focus on the wine. Arbor gold for our great lords and ladies…”

Jimin was sure the people here knew how to organize things and may understand every detail about bills and wars. But he was sure they never had to please lords and ladies in just the right amount.

Sir Yoongi nodded at the boy’s words, but he didn’t seem impressed. 

“Arbor gold is…”

“Yes, I know. Expensive.” The boy heard Namjoon coughing, but he didn’t care. Alphas often didn’t talk about budgets with their omegas. “But those lords and ladies love to talk. If we offer eighty courses, they will say the Prince is greedy, but if we offer less, they will say King Seokjin doesn’t respect his brother.” 

Normally, Jimin would be afraid of talking about such things, but he has been feeling bold lately. Discovering your uncle may be the reason why your sister died made everything less scary. “So, we balance it with wine. Arbor gold.”

The boy was not a party planner in any level, but after his first heat, his uncle and brother thought it was appropriate for him to help Marjorie with official banquets. It was a fun activity and gave him good experience in knowing what alphas talk about when they’re eating their hearts out.

For the first time since they entered that room, the boy could feel the heaviness of Namjoon’s gaze on him, and his heart started to race - almost like his wolf was thrilled with the sudden attention. 

He had to put every effort into not being affected by his fading scent.

“I think you’re right, my Lord.” Hearing Yoongi Stark saying those words was new. They were always polite around each other, but the tension constructed by their families was way too present. “You’re wonderfully right.”

“Lord Jimin, what a mind!” Chef Addam praised the boy while clapping his hands. “Sixty courses is a perfect fit!”

“Thank you. And I believe Lord Redwine will love to know about this.”

Now, Namjoon laughed hard and the boy let the sound vibrate through his bones like a song. “That damn alpha has the realm on a leash because of wine.”

Yoongi agreed, not taking his eyes off his book. “It’s the Seven Kingdoms. The North protects us from the demons lurking in the dark and the Southerners… sell wine.”

Sir Stark wasn’t joking, but still, the whole room laughed with his last words.

The rest of the morning went way more smoothly. Chef Addam asked if they had any preferences for food, and Jimin was surprised with a very eager Prince Namjoon asking for sweets. Lemon cake with frosty topping. And again, nobody seemed surprised by how the Targaryen was fond of candy.

“Of course, my Prince. And strawberry pie too, I imagine?”

If the boy didn’t know better, he would say Namjoon was on the verge of blushing. “Yes.”

Addam wrote something in a notebook and proceeded to look at Jimin. “And you, my Lord? Any preference?”

The boy let out a shy smile and talked almost in a whisper. “Can we have… meat?”

Normally, his brother would request Jimin’s favorite dish so he didn’t have to go through this. But without him around, he was  kinda hoping Namjoon would ask that for himself - he looked like the type.

Chef Addam arched an eyebrow. “Of course we will have meat. But anything specific?”

He took a deep breath, gathering all the courage he had inside before saying. “Yes… but… anything grilled. In bacon fat. Please.”

Jimin refused to look away from his knees, but he could feel his cheeks burning. Noble omegas don’t ask for anything grilled in fat - they can eat if no one was looking, but asking for it in a capital court was not very polite or demure.

But god , he wasn’t going to risk not having one of his favorite dishes on his wedding day. 

Jimin didn’t know how everyone reacted, but chef Addam hesitated for a moment before saying. “Bacon fat it is, my Lord.”

More details were discussed but it didn’t take long for the meeting to be dismissed by a very grumpy Yoongi, complaining about reviewing the tax tab with the King later that day.

Soon, Jimin and Namjoon were walking together side by side.

The boy was ready for another round of silence, but the Prince surprised him.

“That was impressive.”

It took a few seconds before Jimin was able to reply.

“What?”

“I mean…” Namjoon coughted. “We could spend a whole day there and I would never find out how much food is polite to offer.” 

“What? That? It was nothing, really,” Jimin said, but the Prince only nodded. The conversation would die if he didn’t- “Well. I used to plan the banquets. Back home. With my sister.”

Namjoon looked surprised at him, not by his answer, but because there was one at all. “Seriously?”

“Yes. There weren't any adult omegas in the household while we grew up. So when we were of age, we did that part.”

“I see…” The Prince replied and Jimin cursed inside his head. Why every interaction with him sounded like they were walking on ice. “If it is of any- No, forget it. It was- No.”

The boy stopped walking, his eyebrow arched. “What? What is it?”

The alpha looked around the corridor and sighted. “No… it’s just… I’m sorry about your parents. Growing up without a dame must have been hard. Your uncle was of great help, I imagine.”

There was so much sincerity in his voice that Jimin could cry. Namjoon had no idea about his recent discoveries and yet, was here, trying to tell good things about a man the boy knew he despised. 

“Thank you, my Prince. My uncle is a…” liar . “Very private person. But he was a strong presence. But a dame is a dame. You can’t just substitute them.”

Namjoon agreed. “Yes. My dame always talked about yours, though. Said Lord Jon was a delight to be around. It’s a shame that he-”

What the fuck?

Jimin blinked a few times before he was able to say something again. “Queen Jocelyn… knew my dame?”

The boy’s mouth was dry but Namjoon’s next words almost made him throw up. “They were very good friends before they mated their alphas. I think I told you that in my letter, my Lord.”

Namjoon’s eyebrows arched in curiosity and the boy knew he had only a couple of seconds before choosing his destiny by luck. He had told the alpha he read the letter.

Another lie won’t hurt.

“I’m sorry, my Prince. I was so lost in my grief… many details got lost.” The boy gathered all the will he had inside to say this. If the Prince found out his uncle never delivered the letter to him, the  realm would be on the verge of a next war.

Jimin couldn’t say for sure if Namjoon believed him, but the man had something unreadable in his eyes. “I can only imagine. But yes, my dame, yours, and Jungkook’s were all wards in Storm’s End. It was all written there.”

He was far away from being as sick as he was before, but he knew he could faint at any moment. He came to the city, he met the Queen, and yet… she never mentioned anything to him. His uncle never spoke about it. 

“I’m sorry but… Taeni- my uncle also never mentioned this.” Was that the reason why he destroyed the letter? So the boy would never have the courage to talk with the Prince? “Jungkook’s dame too?”

“Yes, Prince Halsin. His sire sent him from Yronwood to the Stormlands so he would stop meeting the Martell alpha behind his back.” Namjoon chuckled at the memory. “It didn’t work and he gave birth to three Martell pups.”

“But the King… he never…” Why wouldn’t Jungkook tell him about this? 

“Don’t mind the Consort. Or my dame. I know she didn’t mention anything at Jin's wedding… They don’t often talk about this anymore. We hoped that you would bring this up but…”

How could he, if the letter telling him this secret was taken away from him? If his uncle never ever mentioned this? With every day, Jimin was more sure that Taenil’s plan involved him, afraid of Namjoon and the Targaryens. If the Prince was telling him in his letter that his dame knew Queen Jocelyn, it was a step for the boy to trust the dragonblood.

“I just… Wow. This is a lot to absorb right now. I’m sorry for my pale face.”

“Well, you can ask my dame herself when you meet her. Or Prince Halsin when he arrives. But she always said Lord Jon was shining when he gave birth to you. He was very happy to have another omega.” Namjoon looked at the boy with his eyes shining. “And he would be very happy seeing you and your sister taking care of your castle.”

Jimin’s heart hurt inside his chest like someone was grabbing it up with their bare hands.

His parents died when he was way too young and his memories of them both were scarce. Everyone talked about his sire - the great Taelly Lannister, Protector of the West and Lord of Casterly Rock; a good alpha, a good sire, and a good leader.

His mate, on the other hand, wasn’t a topic people spoke about. And hearing about him did things to Jimin’s heart. Knowing about his life… his friends. How could destiny lead Jimin to the same castle as these people? His uncle never spared a word about his dame in the past few years and the boy always thought it was just indifference, but maybe…

“Sorry,” the Prince said, seeing the sadness in Jimin’s eyes. “I didn’t mean to overstep. I just thought that-”

“No! Thank you!” he rushed to say, walking closer to the alpha. “People don’t often talk about my dame. Thank you, seriously.” 

He looked at the man and hoped that his eyes were showing all the gratitude he was feeling.

His dame had good friends. He was happy to have another omega. He was happy to have Jimin. And that information was stolen from him more than once.

The rest of their journey was made in silence and no other secrets were exchanged. The boy was left alone with his thoughts… but tonight, he wouldn’t let Taenil spoil his pleasant dreams.

The Queen Consort, the Prince Omega of House Martell, and the Lord Omega of Lannister were once wards of the great Lord Alpha Baratheon. And somehow, all their pups ended up together in the Red Keep.

Jimin couldn’t help but wonder why Jungkook never mentioned that to him, but maybe he didn’t know it either; Dorne wasn’t close to the Crownlands. But something inside his mind was saying that this wasn’t accurate… there was something more. 

But there was no use thinking about that right now. That night, before going to his little beginning of a nest, he opened his closet looking for something long forgotten. For a moment, he even thought he left it back in Casterly Rock, feeling desperate with the thought of it. 

But when he felt the softness of the plushie in his hand...

When he went to bed again, he was holding a little stuffed lion - the color was fading, a victim of time passing. The boy hugged it close like he did when he was pup. Together with Namjoon’s scent from his blouse, Jimin had a tiny bit of the comfort he was asking for.

Lord Omega Jon Lannister was the one who sewed that little lion plushie - Jimin was not more than six years old when his dame showed him the sewing points, even if he was too much of a pup to understand.

Back then, the boy was having trouble sleeping in his own chambers and his parents were preoccupied. But Jon, gods bless him, always knew what to do. With the toy in hand, he looked at his little boy and said he could always search for comfort on it when his dame couldn’t sleep with him.

When he died, Jimin took it out of his nest almost like it was cursed. But he never threw it away, just kept hidden somewhere, like a trinket. It was the last thing the omega gave him.

He was happy to have it.

✨✨✨ 

As weird as it may look, Jimin’s recent discoveries were doing marvelous things for his sleep schedule. Since he was a pup, he always felt something was off with his uncle, and yet… he never disobeyed him.

Marjorie did. And she died for it. He couldn’t quite understand the link between Taenil and her death… or maybe he was just fooling himself pretending he didn’t know. 

But at least, after Namjoon told him about the friendship between the Queen, Prince Halsin, and his dame, Jimin was more sure than ever: his uncle wanted him scared. That was the reason why he never mentioned anything.

And thinking about it only made the boy feel even more comfortable in the castle.

He was waking up earlier, sleeping on a regular basis, dreams were now a rare occasion, and even his moody humor was finally settling. Namjoon’s scent was playing a big part in his recovery, but he would keep that to himself for now. And as weird as it was, it was working - on her last visit, Maester Arthura praised him for his beginning of a nest and told him the bags under his eyes were way better.

Being busy with his wedding was also helping in a way. Jimin had something to focus on and a lot of work to do, apparently. These last few weeks were just a pile up of encounters, food tasting, people taking his measurements, and deciding decorations. 

“Well, I already received a letter from our suppliers,” Olivia Follard said, showing the omegas the most shining piece of red silk. “Lord Jimin’s set will be finalized in time. We have four seamstresses working on it.”

Thinking about himself in a wedding set made something funny churn in his stomach… knowing that in a couple of weeks he and Namjoon would be bound for eternity…

“Thank you, Olivia,” the boy replied, feeling the cloth’s softness on his hands. “It’s going to be beautiful.”

As an omega, Jimin was the one required in most meetings regarding their party. Even so, he could say Namjoon was doing everything he could to be present. It wasn’t rare for the alpha to arrive late, clearly running from wherever he was, just to hear someone talking about what flowers they should put on the tables.

And the boy was somewhat impressed - it was kind of rare for alphas to care about such things. And that was doing things to him, because everyday, he was eager to see the man when they had something to resolve.

Unfortunately, nowadays, he seemed to be way busier than usual.

“As for King Jungkook… Your Highness may want to go with the one the dressmaker is finishing,” Olivia continued, now showing them a beautiful draw of a yellow set. 

“Oh, this is beautiful…” Jungkook said, looking at the set with fondness. “And for King Seokjin? Something in mind?”

“I was thinking of showing him and Prince Namjoon’s set together…” she started, trying not to sound impolite about the alpha’s absence.

His fiance missing a meeting was a rare occasion, but it was becoming way more common in the last few days.

During his first absences, Jimin thought that he was avoiding him once again - and his wolf didn’t feel pleased. With his scent fading from the blouse he gave the Lannister, the boy was holding onto every meeting just to have a little bit of the man around.

But it was hard not to feel anxious every time the alpha missed one of their schedules. Jimin even gave in to his anxiety and asked Nari about the Prince’s whereabouts. The girl didn’t seem to be hiding something, but told him that Namjoon was going to bed late almost every night - being locked in meetings with the King and a few lord and lady alphas.

“Well, the Prince and the King are very busy these days…” Hoseok said, asking for Nari to fill his cup once more. “You know how it is. Forming a court is very tiring.”

The Red Keep’s omegas were all gathered in Jimin’s chambers for the first time. As the boy was getting used to the capitol, he was feeling way more confident about holding their encounters and hosting their meetings as a Lord Omega should do. 

“You’re telling me, Hoseokie,” Taehyung replied. “Even I have been locked up in meetings with them.”

Jimin wasn’t a very noisy person, but he couldn’t help but think if those recent meetings had something to do with his uncle. Since Seojon told him the Prince wasn’t fond of Taenil, the boy couldn’t help but to feel anxious… The knight also seemed to be working overtime with them, so there wasn’t any time left for gossiping. Maybe this was only his paranoia, but Jungkook not telling him about the friendship between their dames wasn’t of help either.

But still, the boy knew the only person to blame for all this mess and his sister's death was Taenil Lannister. 

Before Jimin could ask Olivia to show them other sets, the gods decided to play with him a little more. One of the knights in the boy’s service appeared at the door, calling their attention. 

“Your Highness, my Prince, my Lords! Prince Omega Halsin Martell from Dorne has arrived!” 

“My dame! Oh gods. Where is he?” Jungkook tried to get up quickly, but his eight moons pregnancy belly made it quite difficult for him to move.

But he didn't even have to. In a second, one of the most astonishing omegas Jimin had ever seen appeared at his chamber’s doors. He was wearing a beautiful yellow and orange set, his hair brown and long. He had strong arms and posture such as Jungkook, but his skin was definitely sunkissed by the gods.

“Sweetie, please. Don’t overwork yourself!” 

Halsin Martell was mated with the Princess of Dorne - the Head of House Martell and Protector of the Deserts. Jihyo was known to be a prime fighter back in her glory days, and until now, was praised by the Dornish people as a gracious leader and a good alpha.

Halsin, on the other hand, was known as sweet, kind, and lovable. And if Namjoon didn’t lie, he was good friends with Jimin’s dame.

The boy's heart was racing.

Taehyung, being the one closer to the King, helped Jungkook get up so he could kiss his dame’s hand, with a teary smile. 

“Dammie, I missed you so much. How could you not warn me you were coming?”

“My love, don’t be like that.” Halsin put a hand on his pup’s cheeks. “I was hoping for your sire to come with me, but you know how she is. She said there were a few things she needed to resolve with Jeong before taking her trip.”

“How is she? And Jeong and the pups? And Daehyun?”

“Jeong is shining! That omega boy was a good choice for her mate, and I told you he was good at bearing children. The twins are healthy and strong.” The older omega took his seat, helping Jungkook as well. “Daehyun is finally getting used to Starfall, and her alpha is good. And your sire is in her regular grumpy mood. But I’ve been mated to her for twenty six years now, so I can’t say I’m surprised.”

Jimin’s eyes were shining while looking at Prince Halsin. If Namjoon was telling the truth… gods. He knew he could’ve asked Jungkook about it, but only thinking of the possibility made him nervous. 

“Dame, you must remember Prince Taehyung and Lord Hoseok…” 

“Of course I do!” He smiled fondly at them. “You two are as sweet as I remember.”

“And this is…”

“Lord Jimin Lannister, am I correct?” the man held the boy’s hands into his without asking.

“Yes, I am,” he managed to say, almost in a whimper. His hands were shaking. “It’s so good to have you here, Prince Halsin. Honestly, a pleasure.”

“It’s my pleasure, sweet boy. I would do everything to see a pup of Jon getting married.” His voice was teary and Jimin needed to hold everything he had inside not to cry.

So, Namjoon was telling the truth; Prince Halsin was friends with his dame and his uncle hid it from him. 

His uncle hid from him that the King’s own dame would look at him so fondly, while holding his hands, like he was the most precious thing in the world.

“Dame talked about your family a lot when I was growing up. When he heard about a Lannister marrying the Prince…” Jungkook said, looking at Jimin with some guilt in his eyes. “He told me I needed to take good care of you. Sorry I didn’t say anything.”

And suddenly, everything fell into place. Jungkook opened his house’s door to the boy, even if he did not know a detail about him or if he was trustworthy. He did take care of him, showing him the way into King’s Landing and its costumes. He gave him friends to count on. 

“I hope you can forgive me for such secrets, my Lord,” Jungkook said again, looking at the boy with a sad hope in his eyes. “I know I should’ve told you but… I didn’t know how much you knew about it.”

Maybe, a few months ago, Jimin would have felt betrayed. But right now, the only thing in his heart was gratitude. If it wasn’t for Jungkook, his uncle’s plan would have worked.

“I didn’t…” he held his tears back and felt Taehyung’s hands on his shoulder, giving him support. “I didn’t know anything.”

“Of course you didn’t. That uncle of yours…” Halsin held Jimin’s hands even more strongly. “He talked about our late Queen, but he's as bad as her.”

“Dame…” Jungkook warned him with seriousness in his eyes.

“That’s true, isn’t it, Olivia?” Halsin turned to the steward, who seemed to be about to hide herself in the floor. “Taenil and Lya could walk hand by hand to the hell-”

“Dame! It’s Jimin’s uncle.” Jungkook let out a warning voice again, stopping the older omega from talking.

Soon, the boy realized the preoccupied gaze the other man was giving him - almost like he was only now noticing he must have said something he shouldn’t. And maybe the boy was being naive, turned around and treated like a piece in a game he shouldn’t be playing.

But when Jimin was in doubt about his next move, he often thought about what Marjorie would do… and if he was recalling it right, the girl died mad with his uncle. Because he threatened to give her to a savage man, only to keep her away from an alpha he thought was unworthy of his plans.

Jimin may be naive, but at least, he would do that on his own terms.

“That’s okay, my Prince,” he reassured Jungkook’s dame. “My uncle is a very… difficult person. And my dame is not a topic he talks about.”

Hearing that calmed the man’s eyes and he gave Jimin another sweet smile. “Lucky for you, I love talking about Jon! And Taelly too! The gods bless their souls.”

“Your uncle never said anything, Jiminie?” Taehyung asked and Jimin denied with his head.

“Not a single thing. I didn’t know you all knew each other before.”

“I knew it! You see, Jungkookie? Taenil kept me and Jocelyn away from you three after Jon and Taelly passed. I bet that even little Taemin forgot about us.” Halsin tried to hide the sadness in his eyes, but he was doing a terrible job at it. “When I heard of Marjorie, boy…” 

Jimin’s throat went sore. “You knew her?”

“When she was born, Jon sent us all a letter telling us about it,” the man said loudly, with a hint of happiness in voice. Looking at the confusion in everyone's eyes, the Prince continued speaking, “The Lannisters were very close to the Baratheons so…”

The whole room was silent waiting for Halsin's next words. 

“Taenil and Taelly were very close to us three when we were wards. But after Jocelyn mated the Queen and Jon mated Lord Lannister… Taenil became a distant man. It wasn’t any surprise when he closed Casterly Rock’s doors to us when Jon died.”

The boy could feel his heart aching with a pain he never thought he was able to feel again. Thinking about his dame, talking happily with his friends… They all had a group just like Jimin, Jungkook, Taehyung, and Hoseok. 

“But…” 

Halsin looked at his son, as if he was asking for permission for what he was about to say. Jungkook only nodded. “I don’t know what happened. I was already in Dorne when Jocelyn and Lya mated, she told me a couple of times how Taenil became distant but…”

“My dame never talked about him. At least not with me. Or Namjoon. He would've mentioned it… I guess,” Taehyung said in a whisper.

“Jocelyn is… it was too hurtful, puppie. For everybody. But she always had a soft heart and we hoped to keep the families together. When we heard about Taenil offering a marriage, we almost didn’t believe it. We grew up together and spent twenty years without even acknowledging us. And Jocelyn was his Queen.”

Jimin wanted to cry, but no tears fell from his eyes. This all only could be a dream - a fever one he was way far into to wake up. What other things did his uncle not tell him? The way Halsin was talking, they were all very close but something happened.

And somehow, Jimin just knew it was something with the Tagaryens. 

He held Halsin's hands strongly and let his sweet eyes dive into his. He let Hoseok hold him like a plushie, while Taehyung had his head so close to him. And in this moment, he let himself feel loved.

“Thank you. For talking about my Dame,” he said, voice low. “I’m very grateful…”

Halsin let out a dismissive smile. “Don’t worry sweetie, we’ll have all the time in the world to talk about your parents, I promise!” Then, he looked at the only alpha in the room, who had her face red. “Poor Olivia, having to deal with such emotional omegas.” 

“It’s nothing, Prince Halsin,” the alpha said, laughing a bit. “I’ve been serving this castle since my pup days. I’m used to it.”

“We were deciding the final details of our sets, Prince,” Jimin said, trying to lighten the mood. He would have plenty of time to talk with the older omega. “See?”

At that, Jungkook’s dame smiled. “Oh, this is beautiful! You're gonna be stunning as my sweetie Kookie.”

“I only hope so.” Jimin smiled. “And you, Hoseokie? Decided something? I want you pretty on my big day.”

“I think my light blue set with gold adorned? Anything easy to take it off, many beautiful alpha knights will be here.”

Everyone let out a big laugh and the room’s emotional state was almost all gone. Jimin could feel Jungkook’s eyes on him, but he tried not to think about it. 

“ Ahrem , now we just have to talk to prince Namjoon to ask about his own set.” Olivia called attention to her presence. “I think I’ll be going, maybe I still can catch him before his nex-”

“Jimin can do it.” Taehyung said in a hurry, stopping the older alpha

“I can-what?”

All his omega friends let out a knowing smile, even if Prince Halsin was very confused. They all knew how the alphas were busy the past few days and maybe the boy has talked about not seeing Namjoon very often. 

“It doesn't matter, he can do it.”

“But-”

“I strangely agree with my friend Prince Taehyung,” said Hoseok. “If it’s just talking with Namjoon, Jimin can do it.”

“Oh, puppie,” Halsin said, like he was understanding the feeling in the room. “Are you afraid of Namjoonie?” 

Before Jimin could defend himself, Jungkook said. “Not only afraid, dammie. Isn’t the Prince the Red Dragon ?”

The older omega laughed hard as the boy blushed. “I often forget about that. Yeah, Namjoon can be General and all, but that sweet soul of his can’t fool anyone.”

Jimin couldn’t help but blush even more. In the last few weeks, he was finally seeing the truth in their words. The fog on his eyes was dissipating and he was able to see the Prince as the sweet alpha everyone talked about. The one who makes his heart rush.

“If Lord Jimin agrees… he can do it!” Olivia let out a shy laugh, including herself in the teasing.

“C’mon, Jiminie. Just go to him and say that our dear Olivia wants to talk about his set,” the King said with his puppy eyes. “You will really deny this to a pregnant omega?”

He wanted to see the alpha, this was true. And being in a room with Halsin Martell was just too overwhelming right now. How could he not just vent and ask a million details about his dame? About his sister…

About his uncle.

Jimin needed to put his head back on track, and maybe seeing Namjoon was what he needed right now.

The boy couldn’t help but blush as the whole room celebrated when he got up, while he was telling how he would politely go after his fiánce. Olivia even had the audacity to say she saw him in the hanging garden earlier. 

But before he could leave the room, he felt Jungkook’s hands on his and they looked at each other for a brief moment. 

In a second, the boy could see the remorse in his King’s eyes - like he was regretting hiding that secret from Jimin for too long. The man knew, all this time, about the close relationship between their families and never said anything.

But truth needed to be told and Jimin could never in a million years be mad at that omega. Not even if he tried too. He held his hand strongly and kissed it with devotion a King deserves. And Jungkook silently smiled, with gratitude in his eyes.

Only after that, Jimin left.

He knew where to go - the strange corridor where Namjoon would spend a great part of his day when not working.

It was unusual how things were becoming familiar to him - the black walls, the paintings, the same faces that worked for the Prince. He could even say which plants adoring the hall were new or not.

Each day, every memory of home was being replaced by one of the Red Keep. He didn’t know how to feel about it, but… it was new. He didn’t have memories of his dame in Casterly Rock. 

But Halsin in the Red Keep did.

Namjoon’s hanging yard was beautiful - not as extravagant as the Queen’s Garden, but still. A lot of green and just a few shy flowers did the job of creating such a calm and still atmosphere. 

It was Jimin’s first time there, and he let his eyes hang onto every detail, afraid he would miss and forget something important. As the boy kept walking, he didn’t miss the light blue flowers looking at him - just a small brush full of them, tiny, beautiful… Why does that look so familiar?

I have no time for this… He shook his head. He had a prince to find.

He kept searching for any sign of the Targaryen alpha in the garden, ignoring the strange feel of memories he didn’t know he had. The place was so silent, Jimin could only hear the soft cry of the birds.

It felt calm - like almost everything that involves Namjoon. The boy was so lost between everything that he almost missed the canvas sitting pretty on the garden’s balcony wall.

A small chair was in front of it, with a box full of supplies - ink of various colors, brushes, and cleaning cloths. And only then, Jimin let his eyes wander through the canvas itself - unfinished.

It was night, with stars hanging in the sky… the person also drew a moon, but painted with a mixture of yellow that made it look like gold. The boy could also see a forest… and the beginning of a Tower - just half of it. The painting was unfinished, but it felt real. It looked like a fever dream, like someplace Jimin had been before. The Tower looked like home, but it wasn’t like Casterly Rock. 

The night was pitch black, and the only form of light was a gold moon shining over the sky - he looked at it, like one would look to an old friend who once was everything he knew. The gold moon once protected him in the forest, but in the tower, it wasn't needed any more. 

He remembered it somehow, or at least, he thought he did. 

He dreamed of it a lifetime ago - when he was being haunted by countless demons. Night after night that Tower tormented him. And it was now painted on a canvas in Namjoon's garden.

It was the most beautiful painting Jimin ever saw.

“Do you like it?” the dragon called him, his voice sounding deep inside Jimin’s ears.

The boy didn’t dare to look anywhere but the Tower. “I do. It’s pretty, my Prince.”

“It is. Not my best work, I guess. But I like it too.”

“You… you did this?”

“Yes, I do like painting a lot. Helps with the stress.”

Only then, Jimin realized how strong his scent was; the boy was on the verge of drowning on it.

When he turned around, he saw the Prince wearing one of his armor sets - this one in the Targaryen colors. 

“I was resolving a few things with Viserion. I was going to take a bath first, but heard you were looking for me.” 

“I was… I…” It was so hard for him to properly talk. “Olivia wants to meet with you about your set for the wedding.”

Namjoon nodded. “Yeah. I’ll talk to her.”

“Is something wrong?” Jimin asked, frowning in worry.

“What? No, not really. Just working.”

He was sweaty and the boy didn’t miss the blood on his sword.

“Were you working? With Viserion?”

Namjoon didn’t seem impressed as he responded. “I was.”

Jimin knew he shouldn’t… but he thought of his uncle and his web of lies. Of his fake smiles and hugs. Of his eyes full of nothing but hatred. 

And only now, so far away from home, the boy could see how he was poisoning him. Hiding things and pretending Jimin’s parents never existed. 

“Prince Halsin arrived.” 

“You talked?” Namjoon looked at him with curiosity in his eyes.

“He said good things… about my dame.”

Then, the Prince seemed to understand everything. “Ah, I see. I told you, my Lord. They were very good friends.”

Because Namjoon may be a monster… at least he didn’t pretend he wasn’t.

“Your painting is beautiful.” 

“You think?”

“I do.” 

“Do you paint?”

“Barely. Marjorie tried to teach me as a pup, but I prefer reading,” he confessed, keeping a safe distance from the alpha but wanting to get closer somehow… anything would do to calm his nerves.

“I don’t see you reading anymore.”

“I lost the will to do it before coming in here. And now I left my favorite books back home. So…”

The Prince agreed with his head. “Mind telling me which ones?”

Jimin didn’t know where this was going. Namjoon apparently was in a hurry, sweaty and tired of working all day. He didn’t even have the time to go to their meeting. But here he was, asking the boy about his favorite books.

Jimin didn’t have to respond to a single thing the Red Dragon asked of him. But for the first time, he wanted to.

“Well… Do you know The Rose and The Spike ?”

✨✨✨

When a dragonblood is born, every star is aligned to decide their purpose on this earth. Are they destined to a glorious path or a shameful one? What are the sounds of their lives? Victory cheers or sorrow cries?

The image of the skies on the day they were born would mark everything they would ever be. The paints on Jungkook’s right arm, drawn as the vision of the dragon priest guided, would say what they needed to do to avoid darkness. A tradition from Old Valyria.

Let your dame’s loud screams guide you into this world as the dragon’s roar guides us… the Mother enchanted, as Maester Arthura cleaned Jungkook’s sweaty forehead.

Princess Alpha Min-Hee Targaryen was born on a random Tuesday night, inside a warm pool filled just for her birth. It took almost twelve hours, but King Seokjin never for a second left his mate’s side. 

The Consort had only one demand after his water finally broke: to have his omega peers by his side. So, while the pup waited for their time, Jimin, Hoseok, and Taehyung scented Jungkook and held his hands. 

He smelled like jasmine.

Prince Halsin was the calmer one between them all, kissing his child’s cheek as trying to settle his nerves.

‘I’ve done this three times, puppie. I know you can do it.’

Jimin could not ignore the drawings on Jungkook’s skin - the flower, the path, the tiger. The Mother had a vision the night before, as they always had before a baby is born, and demanded paint on the omega’s arms - as tradition told. It was very different from all childbirths he saw at Casterly Rock…

The boy could only imagine what his drawings would be if he had Namjoon’s pups…

“It’ll be a strong girl, my King…” the priest whispered, holding Jungkook’s hand, with her eyes full of certainty. “The Old One told me. A daughter of fire, borned once again, a Daenerys descendent. A child of the deserts.”

Jungkook could only nod as his mate kissed his forehead again, saying that everything would be just fine. 

When the time came, Maester Arthura politely requested that everyone but Seokjin leave. But each omega left a piece of cloth behind.

Sir Yoongi held Taehyung’s hand, as the younger whispered words of prayer. He was not very religious, Jimin could tell, but apparently every Targaryen believed in the gods of fire. 

Hoseok was worrying his lower lip and was walking in circles for the past half hour. 

Namjoon was by Jimin’s side - almost like a wall of heat and preoccupation. Every time a loud scream passed through the bricks, the man frowned.

“Are you worried, my Prince?” Jimin whispered, only for him.

The man let out a small smile. “How couldn’t I be?”

“Jungkook is doing just fine. I know he can do this.”

“I understand, but I often feel anxious about battles I can’t win with swords.”

When Min-Hee first cried, Viserion, Drogon and Rhaegal screamed with her. The loud roars of the three Targaryen dragons filled the whole castle as the princess came into the world - Drogon was the loudest one, almost as if his own child was born.

Jungkook was still in the water, holding such a small baby that it could go unnoticed. But his eyes were found like she was the most precious being to ever exist.

“It’s an alpha girl, Your Highness,” Maester Arthura said. “A true daughter of the dragon.”

The pup had Jungkook’s black hair, but her little eyes didn’t lie - purple as her sire’s.

“She’s beautiful. Just like you.” The King kissed his mate's head. “I’m so proud of you.”

Jimin’s eyes were watering - it hadn't been a year since he met Jungkook, but the omega made his way into his heart and the boy could feel nothing but pride in him. He felt like it was the right place for him to be.

Prince Namjoon was by his side, looking at his niece - he didn’t seem emotional, but the boy didn’t miss the shining in his eyes. “Congratulations, brother.”

Right now, they were in the nursery, from where Jungkook would recover. Just a few hours had passed, but his pup was sleeping peacefully by his side.

The King Consort was more protective as ever and almost attacked a poor omega who was only passing by; with that, the whole group was taking turns to keep him company and helping with everything Seokjin couldn’t - at least until his wolf calmed down and allowed servants inside.

It was late at night, but it was Jimin’s turn. He was sitting by the window, knitting a tiny little hat with a flower for the newborn baby - or at least trying to. He hadn’t sewed in such a long time, but Min-Hee was such a cute pup - she deserved a tiny little hat.

“You think I should wake him up?” King Seokjin asked, not for the first time in the past hour.

“Wh- Why?”

“To eat. He needs to eat.”

It was Jimin’s first time alone with the man but he wasn’t nervous for a change. It was good to know that alpha instincts affected everyone indiscreetly, it didn’t matter if you were King of the Seven Kingdoms.

“My King, please. He spent half a day in labour, let him sleep.”

“Eat, he needs to eat,” he insisted, not taking his eyes off his omega.

“I know you want to feed him, but soon the baby will wake up and you can make him eat, alright? Now, he needs to rest. To be strong, yeah?”

Jimin’s tone was calm like he had all the certainty in the world. He didn’t, but it worked and Seokjin finally let his shoulders relax a bit. He didn’t even leave Jungkook’s bedside - almost like anyone could invade his den and attack his litter.

Jimin knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help but remember the conversation he heard not so long ago - how Queen Lya was never present when her babies were born.

She didn’t watch Seokjin coming into this world, as his cry filled the Red Keep. 

It didn’t take long for the King to give up on his instincts and sleep by his mate’s side. Jimin was grateful and somehow impressed. 

They must really trust me. 

Silence filled the room once more and the boy got back to his knitting work. Easy going. He could do that. He had so much going on in his mind lately tha-

“Hey…” A voice whispered to him as steps entered the room in slow motion. “Everything under control?”

Jimin looked at Namjoon, putting the half hat project in his lap. “Yes. They slept. Look.”

The Prince faced the bed and a tiny smile appeared on his face. “That 's good. I ordered the guards to stay a few meters from the door so they don't disturb Jungkook”

The boy agreed. “Good. He almost jumped at the kitchen girl. It’s better if it's just us for a while…”

“My brother is no better. When Arthura held the girl, he almost forgot who he was.”

For a moment, they just stood there in silence - being with each other, with only the wind by the window as their company. 

The whole room smelled like Jungkook, so when the boy went looking for the familiar wet earth scent, he needed to hide his disappointment. 

But his wolf knew the Prince was close, and that was enough.

“It’s that a hat?”

“What?” 

“On your lap. With the needles.”

He looked down, finally understanding the other man’s words. “Oh, this? yes. A hat. I was sewing for Min-Hee…”

“Didn’t know you sewed,” the alpha whispered, looking impressed.

“I used to do it a lot. Not very good at it… but…”

Jimin couldn’t understand why, but his will to do things was way stronger these days. Nari didn’t have to wake him up anymore - and after weeks gathering courage, he asked the girl for supplies. He was almost feeling like the person he was before Marjorie’s death; which was weird, considering all the things that happened in this castle.

“Stopped it just like you did with the reading?” The boy did everything he could to pretend he wasn’t surprised - the Prince remembered their conversation…

“Yes, I guess so.”

“It’s… a beautiful hat.”

“C’mon, it’s not even half a hat my Prince. No need for compliments.”

The man looked scared for a second, like he misunderstood what Jimin was making. “It’s a wha- oh, you were joking. It’s just not done yet.” The man let out a light breathe.

“You really believed there was something called a half hat?” he arched his eyebrows in a teasing way.

“I don’t know anything about sewing!”

Jimin held his laughter deep down in his chest, not wanting to wake the very cute sleeping family. Namjoon was red from head to toe and the boy let out a breath.

“My Prince, you don’t have t-”

“Where’s the baby?”

“What? M’Lady, please. Not this way!”

“I told you, I want to see the pup.”

Their conversation stopped as soon as they heard the voices from the corridor. Namjoon put his hand on his sword in a protective gesture.

“My Lady. This corridor is off limit-”

“I’m the Princess of House Martell, kid. Where’s the pup?”

“Princess Min-hee is sleeping-”

“I’m talking about my pup, where’s Jungkook?”

Suddenly, a tall woman entered the room - she was wearing an alpha set in the Martell colors. Her hair was tied in a perfect bun and there were so many rings on her fingers. A poor guard was behind her, but he went back as soon as he saw Namjoon dismissing him.

“Princess Jihyo Martell, what a surprise.” The Prince took his hands off his sword.

She didn’t seem impressed. “Hand on the weapon, that’s good. Need to stay alert.”

“I always do. How was the trip?”

“I hate roads and I hate sleeping anywhere but a bed. How’s my pup?” She only rested his eyes when she found Jungkook - going directly into his direction.

“Sleeping. But he did good. Saw your mate?”

“He’s coming right after me. I just needed to see my Jungkookie.” 

Jimin stayed there in silence, doubting that Princess Martell even saw him there, almost hidden behind Namjoon. She was caressing Jungkook’s hair as the omega peacefully slept.

“That’s your mate?” she asked, not taking her eyes off her pup.

“Not yet. But soon.” Jimin blushed at the alpha’s words - that shouldn’t be doing funny things in his stomach.

“Lord Jon’s kid, hm?”

The boy gulped before responding. “Yes, Princess. Lord Jon Lannister.”

She looked at him for a second, almost like she was analyzing his very soul. “You look just like him. I liked the man very much, and he was a good friend of Halsin. He deserved so much better than the Lannisters.”

“Princess, let’s keep it low,” The Prince said in a warning tone but Jihyo didn’t seem impressed.

“Don’t be so serious, Namjoon. Taelly was good, yes, but this is a rarity in that family.”

The boy didn’t know how to respond to that… or even how to react to her words. Halsin didn’t like his family either, but the woman’s tone was more… disdain than dislike. He was grateful Namjoon was there. What was he supposed to do if he was alone with her?

Fortunately, they didn’t have to respond to anything, because a very sleepy Jungkook took all her attention. “Sire?... Missed you..”

“I missed you too, pup.” She smiled at him, forgetting the two other people in the room. “You did a very great job, she’s strong.”

“She is…”

The boy looked at the scene and he felt… strange. Thinking about his family brought him back to the reality of his situation. He was here to give Namjoon pups, and when the time came, he wouldn’t have his parents lullybing him. When he was growing up, he always entertained the thought that maybe his uncle was going to be there for him.

But Jimin knew this was a lie.

For a moment, the Prince looked at Jimin, while pointing to the door. It took a while for the boy to understand that this was their cue to leave.

When they passed into the corridor, Prince Halsin was arriving - entering the room to be with his pup.

The boy was feeling uneasy to leave Jungkook, but deep down he knew his King would be fine - he was with his family, after all. A loving family - and that explained his lovely heart. 

The boy tried to put his bad thoughts away… this wasn’t about him.

Jimin and Namjoon were now walking side by side in that very long corridor - at a first glance, it seemed almost unprotected for a place where the heir of the Seven Kingdoms was peacefully sleeping. But the Lannister was attentive to detail.

He could see the guards by every window on every balcony. Two by the stairs and another two taking turns walking side to side. All had Houses Standards on their armors - the Prince chose only the best for this work.

“Do you have anything scheduled?” Namjoon asked suddenly, once they reached the stairs.

“I don’t, my Prince. I can actually finish my half hat later.”

The man let out a small laugh and the boy decided wanted to hear it more often.

“Can you come with me?”

Jimin didn’t know where, but he agreed almost right away. Months had passed since the Prince’s arrival and not even the gods could have prevented this outcome.

The boy knew he wasn’t fair with the man at the beginning - didn’t give him a single chance. Part of him also knew this was what his uncle wanted - a scared little boy in a wolf’s den. 

That’s why he hid the letter, probably.

Even so, Jimin couldn’t falter right now. Why would he want that?

The Prince wasn’t any of the things the man said he would be… Some nights, sleeping by the alpha’s scent, the boy wondered. Was Taenil waiting for the Red Dragon to destroy what was left of the boy’s soul? But for what finality?

Lost in his crowded mind, he took a while to realize they were entering Namjoon’s library - Jimin hadn’t been here in a long time.

“My Prince, why are we here?”

The place looked the same, but a few boxes were displayed as Namjoon searched inside.

“You mentioned you liked The Rose and The Spike , right?”

“Yes, I did. I told you I left my only copy in-”

“I got another one. And a few other titles you mentioned. The Posthumous Memoirs of Cubane Dayne and John’s Life and Death ." The alpha was showing the boy a few books he got from inside the box.

Not even a sound left his mouth as the Prince gave him one of the copies - the cover was different, but he remembered the words. It was the same as the ones he read.

“Ho- How?”

“Well…” the man gathered his words, sounding almost shy. “The Castle’s press went by when they were printing pamphlets of Jungkook’s pregnancy. A good friend of mine had a few titles and I made copies.” 

Jimin started to leaf through the books, reading the words and feeling his heart racing like a horse.

Namjoon sounded almost embarrassed. “See, they are not perfect as the originals you had… but…”

How could he form words… How could he say how grateful he was?  

“They are amazing, my Prince. This is…” 

When did he get time to do all of this?

“I know you miss reading and I understand my collection doesn’t have things for your taste. But I think this may help.”

Jimin’s eyes were shining and he felt his heart filling with something he never felt before. The Prince asked friends, made copies, stored them… boxes full of books for the boy.

Nobody did this for him. Not ever.

“Thank you, thank you so much. Oh God.”

And he hugged him. It was everything he could do right now. He felt his skin - hot as a dragon would be. He didn’t care for the alpha’s surprise; he was too happy and too emotional to even consider it.

This was something from another world. A care nobody had with him. Jimin let his head rest close to his neck and his scent… gods…

“My Prince… you didn’t have to,” he whispered, as the man finally hugged him back, keeping the boy close to his heart.

“I hope this will make you feel more at home here. In the castle. In this tower.”  With me.

Chapter Text

JIMIN VII 

...she had sighed, and had kissed the paper devoutly! It was the first time that anyone had written her such sentimentalities, and her pride swelled with the loving warmth that came from them, like a parched body stretching itself out in a tepid bath; she felt an increase in self-esteem, and it seemed to her that she was finally entering a superiorly interesting existence, where every hour had its own ch-

“Reading a lot, my Lord?” a voice that once scared him to death called, but this time, Jimin didn’t feel anything but excitement.

“There’s no such thing as reading a lot, my Prince.” The boy smirked, putting his book down and facing the alpha in front of him. “But I was enjoying this piece.”

The man was wearing his armor with his sword proudly in its sheath. His hair was again fashioned in a buzzcut and Jimin didn’t miss a new bruise on his lower lip - so small that it would pass unnoticed by many eyes, but the boy saw it clearly.

“And you came here to read as well?” he asked, trying not to look at the man’s mouth.

“Not exactly. Apparently every person in this castle needs me for something. And I just needed to breathe.”

It was true - the alphas wouldn’t talk about it very often, but Jimin knew something was going on behind the scenes. Hoseok and Taehyung would also be in endless meetings with them, but refuse to spoil even a single detail, not wanting to worry their friends.

With the alphas so busy and the realm focused on the blessing of its new heir, the wedding preparations took a brief pause. Jimin was doing everything he could to focus on other things, but not seeing Namjoon often like before was hard. Even if the man missed some of their meetings, he would still ask the boy if everything went alright and soon he was dying for those interactions.

And he was starting to believe that the alpha’s scent wasn’t the only thing responsible for that.

“Well, you can breathe here! It’s your library, after all.” The boy’s cheeks were blushing.

Namjoon laughed at his words and said, “That’s good to know, my Lord.”

Jimin was still surprised about how much the man’s smile pleased him.

Maybe it was his wolf playing games with him… or maybe he had a good amount of free time nowadays, but he wanted to see the Prince and talk to him every time. It was almost unbearable. 

And he was trying to distract himself. He was helping Jungkook with the new baby and the omega was glowing as the dragon priest predicted he would. But since the Consort’s primal instincts were finally cooling down, he found himself looking for something else to do.

He knew it was all temporary and soon, he would be back into full focus on his wedding - the realm’s next big event. But still… With Namjoon locked in training and meetings, Jimin had to find other things to do. So, he was hiding himself in the alpha’s library, surrounded by his scent and the books he printed for him.

And luckily, since the Prince would also hide there, running away from his soldiers, it wasn’t uncommon for them to cross paths.

“Want me to ask a servant to organize the shelves with your new books?” the alpha asked, with his eyes fixed at the open boxes close to a wall.

“Oh, there’s no need! I intend to read them one by one and put them on the shelves by myself,” the boy replied proudly. “Unless you want to keep your place more organized, then I could ask Nari to-”

“Don’t you worry. I’m just happy that you are spending time here… it keeps the place more alive, I think..”

Jimin let out a shy smile, feeling his cheeks burn a little. In the past few weeks, they entered a new routine that involved talking and reading together every time Namjoon needed a break from the world. And the boy was enjoying it very much.

“Thank you, my Prince. I’m very happy with all the books. Seriously.” 

The alpha’s face lit up at his words. “It was nothing,” he replied, not looking the boy in the eyes. “Don’t you worry.”

It wasn’t nothing - with everything going on, he still found time to give Jimin boxes and boxes full of his favorite books.

And that pleased the boy’s wolf - having the man’s scent around was enough to keep Jimin calm most of his days but every time he looked at those boxes he felt like he was being… courted? He knew this wasn’t the case and all but… his inner omega was thinking such crazy things these days.

“And you? Feeling better?” the Prince asked after a few moments of comfortable silence. “Maester Arthura said you’re sleeping regularly.”

The boy eagerly nodded. “Yes, very much… I’m way calmer and don’t feel like passing out anymore.” He laughed, feeling a little embarrassed. 

His nest was yet to be fully made, but it was enough for now. He wasn’t tired or grumpy - something inside him still screamed that his chambers weren't ideal, but that would have to wait.

“Well, if you need anything… Tell me, yeah? And if you don’t want to tell me just… inform someone. We can arrange things.” 

The boy’s heart made two little jumps inside his chest. “I will, my Prince. No secrets, I promise.”  

The alpha didn’t reply to him… but there was something in his eyes that made Jimin think with himself.

In the past few weeks, the nature of the Namjoon’s position on the King’s court wasn’t scaring the boy as it did in the beginning. The man was the Royal General - sometimes, people would be killed by his blade; that was the nature of life. The boy was tired of being unfair and as the days passed, he realized that sometimes tales were just tales - and dragons weren’t so scary, after all.

He never saw his uncle kill anyone but wild animals but still, he would prefer to be left alone in a room with the Mad King himself, than with Sir Taenil Lannister. 

“What are you reading these days, my Lord?” the voice called once again, and Jimin blushed once he realized the Prince wasn’t looking at his current book - but something he picked up and left aside. 

“Well…” The boy tried to hide the cover a little bit. “Nothing important.”

“Are you ashamed?” The Prince smiled, taking a seat in front of him, sounding almost amused.

“Not ashamed!” he defended himself. “It’s just…”

“Something maiden omegas shouldn’t be reading?” The alpha laughed loud. “C’mon, my Lord. I don’t think I could care less about this.”

Jimin looked at him in disbelief - he would be beaten every time his uncle found those kinds of stories hidden in his chest or somewhere between his shelves. But Namjoon apparently was way less conservative.

“Since you insist so much…” He gathered all the courage he had. It’s just a book, he kept telling himself. “This is about an omega who drops everything to… work in Lys.”

“Work? What kind of work?”

The boy sent him an unpleasant look. “You know what kind of work people do in Lys, my Prince.”

“ Do I? I really can’t remember.” 

“You can’t? An alpha general can’t remember what people do in Lys?” Jimin snorted. “You Targaryens are the reason why there are so many platinum-haired purple-eyed people there.”

The Prince seemed to be enjoying every moment of his teasing, with a large smile. “Don’t blush, my Lord. It makes it more fun to tease you if you do.”

“Since when do you like to tease me?”

“Well, since you showed me how fun it is,” he replied quickly. “So, your book is about a Lys’ prostitute?”

Jimin didn’t want to give the alpha the pleasure to make him blush again, so he just looked him in the eyes when he responded. “Not exactly, but a Princess who gave up her nobility to be free.”

“Like Saera Targaryen?”

“Oh, yes. She resembles Saera in a way.” Jimin was leafing through the pages while speaking. “But I do think she’s more like that Hightower omega, do you remember? The one who married Sir Jorah Mormont?”

Namjoon looked surprised at the boy’s statement. “You know that story?”

Of course he did - the Mormonts were the leaders of Bear Island, a small and poor place in the North. Sir Jorah was their leader, until he fell in love with Lynesse Hightower; an omega from one of the richest and oldest families in Westeros. 

Jimin never realized the coincidences until now…

“Hm, I guess so? There was a Maester’s note back home, telling the old Lady Lannister about the union between those two. Back then, everyone knew it wouldn’t work out,” he said to the Prince, feeling a bittersweet taste on his tongue. That story reached too close.

“It was an uncommon arrangement,” Namjoon agreed, looking at him. “The Bear Island is so small that Jorah wasn’t even a Lord. Besides, he was double her age and already a widower. Lynesse wasn’t used to that kind of life.”

Jimin’s heart ached a little. The Prince wasn’t lying. The Hightowers are the leaders of Oldtown, one of Westeros first cities. They are vassals to the Tyrells in the Reach, but their lands are extensive and fertile - which made them extremely rich. Lynesse was raised in fine silk and good wine… like Jimin was.

Like Marjorie. And Seojon was the one who said to the boy: it is easy for you to talk, when you already have it all.

Lynesse married Sir Jorah for love and went to Bear Island, a place infertile, poor, and cold. And she was unhappy.

“Do you think it didn’t work out because he was…”

“Poor?” Namjoon asked and Jimin agreed in shame. “I don’t know. Lynesse stayed by his side and only left when he was condemned for selling slaves, trying to give her the life she had back home.”

It was impossible to not think about Marjorie now… would she be unhappy with Seojon like Lynesse was with Sir Jorah? In the story, the Hightower fell in love after seeing him in a tournament but after their wedding, it wasn't a secret how miserable she was. Yet, Lynesse died of natural causes as an old lady and her sister drowned at the peak of her youth.

“Well, some people believe she spent the rest of her life as a concubine in Lys - living in the luxury her husband couldn’t provide and without the expectations of Westeros.”

The Prince looked really impressed by Jimin’s knowledge on the old stories of the continent. The boy knew those things weren’t spoken… but he liked to read, and old gossip is just as good as new ones. And sometimes, they give you perspective of your own life.

“Do you believe Sir Jorah was enamored by Her Grace Daenerys because she looked like his wife?” Namjoon asked, crossing his arms while looking at Jimin.

Jimin also knew that part of the story. After trying to give Lynesse the life in luxury she craved, Jorah started selling slaves to the Free Cities. He was condemned and exiled. She went to Lys to live as a concubine and Jorah ended up in the service of Queen Daenerys, when she was nothing more than a Khaalesi and the last Targaryen alive.

“It’s… I don’t know.” Jimin pondered his next words, trying his best to explain his thoughts. “Many Maesters doubt he was really in love with Her Grace anyway.”

“He tried to kill General Snow when he heard about their wedding, though.”

“He did. Yes,” Jimin agreed, looking at the alpha with his eyes shining. It’s been so long since he talked about this kind of thing with someone. “But this isn’t love, my Prince. He was obsessed with her.”

Namjoon picked up the book himself, and wasn’t looking at the boy’s eyes when he talked. “Tell me more, then.”

“If everything Tyrion Lannister wrote when Jon Snow killed Sir Jorah was true, Her Grace never for a second demonstrated interest in him.” Jimin spoke with certainty in his voice - he read those journals too many times. “Since she met the Stark bastard, her decision of who should be her alpha was made. If Sir Jorah loved her…”

“He would’ve respected her decision.”

Jimin was impressed - not by their conversation, but at Namjoon’s reaction to his words. They would’ve read together, but that was the first time they talked so openly about any book. It looked like the ice between them was finally disappearing. And the Prince seemed interested in what Jimin was saying.

“Yes. She was not only a regular omega - she was his Queen. He should’ve known better.”

The boy never found an alpha who was interested in what he had to say about anything he ever read - or any idea he ever had. But the Prince, the Royal General of Westeros, didn’t even blink as Jimin told everything he knew about the stories of those who came before them.

They kept staring at each other for a minute, but soon Jimin took his eyes off the man - ignoring how pleased his wolf was with all that platonic contact.

“I think I need to-”

“Don’t worry, my Lord. Go back to your reading, before any soldier will find me and disrupt your peace.” Namjoon smiled, getting up. “But continue to spend your time here and enjoy this library as much as it pleases you.”

With that, the Prince left without saying another word. And Jimin was left alone with his blushing face, racing heart, and a book about a prostitute in Lys.

✨✨✨

Every important event in Westeros had a guest list. And as a noble omega, Jimin learned at a very young age the importance of knowing who you were inviting and why you were inviting them.

Marriages for love were a blessing only meant for the common folk - the boy’s bloodline was way too old and it meant way too much for him to just run away with whoever he wanted to. Or for his wedding party to be just for his own personal enjoyment. 

For some people, marriage was about spending the rest of your life with someone you trusted. But for Jimin, even his party extended further than his own personal life. The menu, the music, the decorations… It was all made in a way to show power, new blessings, and the dynamic between the Great Lords and the Royal Family.

You don’t want to offend a Redwyne, putting them at a table too far away from the King or the newlyweds - but even if they were one of the richest and oldest families from the Reach, they were vassals from House Tyrell and you don’t want to offend the Leaders of HighGarden, putting a Redwyne at a better table. 

The Martells were easier to manage, but even so, Prince Halsin wasn’t very fond of Lord Alpha Staenon Baratheon. He called the omega too masculine for his own good and some say he mentioned he would never be able to bear pups. And you can respect the leader of House Baratheon but you don’t want to offend the King Consort’s dame.

So, yes, guest lists. 

Alphas may have their swords and will fight their wars. But omegas will guarantee that no war emerges from a dining table. 

“Oh no, uncle Staenon Baratheon. Didn’t he call your dame bad names in that tournament?” Taehyung said while looking at the big map simulating the dining hall.

“He did. Twenty six years ago, when my dame wasn’t even a Martell yet. He never forgot it and I’m sure he only had a third pup to prove Staenon was wrong.” Jungkook was lulling a very sleepy and cuddly Min-Hee as he was speaking. “So yes… Not too close to my dame, please. Maybe close to Queen Jocelyn, they’re brothers after all.”

They were all gathered in the royal chambers - the Consort was still feeling uneasy and not very comfortable leaving his nest after giving birth, so any business he needed to attend was happening in his room while his baby slept in his arms.

“But this would put Lord Staenon close to Lady Alpha Jellic Cerwyn and they don’t really like each other.” Jimin was pointing to one of the tables. “He called her weak or something, but Jellic never recovered.”

“Seriously?” Hoseok asked, looking almost outraged. “When the hell was this?”

“During my brother’s sixteenth day of his name. I was there. Jellic even challenged him to a fight. It was very fun but no one really laughed. Not even my uncle.” Jimin responded, trying hard not to smirk at the memory of two very drunk alphas searching for trouble.

They were all trying to keep their voices low to not wake up the sweet sleepy princess. The boy knew logically that he didn’t share blood with that child and it hasn't been a year since he arrived in this castle and met all these people.

But there was something in Jungkook's smell of jasmine, Taehyung's strong grip on his hand, and Hoseok caressing the King’s hair that made Jimin feel like they were family. 

Deep down he knew he would do anything to protect that pup - even if she was living in one of the most secure places in the whole world. He couldn’t tell if the other omegas felt the same as him, but he didn’t need them to. They already did way too much for him without knowing.

“Isn’t she precious?” Jimin whispered, noticing that all their attention was on the pup after a moment of silence.

“She is,” Jungkook replied, smiling like the world depended on it. “My dame says I should give her to the wet nurse more, to not tire my arms but… I just love her so much.”

“But this is good, you know? Get her used to your scent,” Hoseok said. “She’s going to be a strong alpha, but she needs to be sweet too. Dame’s scents are good for it.”

“Oh, the Future Queen of Westeros. Seokjin has been on cloud nine since she was born.” Taehyung was speaking while putting his head on Jimin’s shoulders. “If he could, he would’ve declared her heir to the throne the second she was out of the womb.”

“He’s too eager, but knows the tradition. Only after the first day of her name. Until then… she does not belong to the realm, only to me,” the Consort whispered, kissing her temple.

“She’s so lucky to have you, Jungkookie. To have us.” Jimin smiled at him. He couldn’t quite explain what he was feeling… but since Min-Hee, his inner omega was telling him to protect not only the pup but his friends.

Maybe it was his sickness, but it didn’t feel like a bad thing at all. It felt just right. They were his new family.

“I hope the next one is an omega,” Jungkook responded, pouting a bit. “Seokjin will steal this one from us as soon as she starts walking to teach her boring things.”

“Me too. But I will also teach our omega to fight as well, so they would know how to beat any alpha up!” Hoseok laughed, trying to keep his voice low.

“Yes! Min-Hee sweetie, we love you and one day you will be Queen of Westeros.” Taehyung kissed the baby’s small nose. “But you will learn how to respect omegas!”

“She’s just two months old, give her a break. She just got here.” Jimin laughed at his friends.

“They need to learn from a very early age.” Taehyung stuck his tongue out and the boy just let the happiness take place. It was a feeling long forgotten, but he was getting used to it again.

The omegas just stayed like that, all curled up on each other and the guest list was forgotten while they whispered all the things they would teach Min-Hee as soon as she was able to talk and walk.

Jimin didn’t know how much time they spent there, but servants came and went with plates of food, juice, and wine. And soon their conversation fell to other things - and then the baby woke up, asked for food, and Jungkook called a wet nurse to clean her up afterwards.

When a plate of very expected figs was arriving, Prince Halsin appeared in front of the Consort’s chambers, with the guard politely letting him in.

“Hello everyone! How’s my baby doing? And how’s my baby’s baby doing?” he asked happily, caressing Jungkook’s hair.

The man was in the Red Keep to help Jungkook out, but he would leave in a few days. Every time they had a chance, Jimin would invite him for tea, so the omega could tell him all the stories of his dame and his time in Storm’s End.

Lord Alpha Baratheon, Jocelyn’s sire, was very fond of the Lannister Twins and Jimin’s dame was his ward, alongside Prince Halsin. They ended up being very good friends until their weddings and the boy felt something was off… if they were all that close, why did Jimin never hear of it? Staenon Baratheon, the Queen’s brother, was friends with his uncle, and even so… Namjoon’s dame was never mentioned in Casterly Rock.

“She just ate and got cleaned. Now she’s sleeping again. You know how babies are very busy,” Jungkook said, smiling at his dame’s touch.

“That’s good to know, my love. Babies need to sleep.” He sat by his son’s side and then looked at the other omegas. “And you all know how I like to gossip! I just overheard a servant telling a baker about how the little Lannister Lord is spending time in the Prince’s private library! ”

Jimin couldn’t help but instantly blush at the words. So people were noticing this? Dear gods. “Hm- I mean- I- It 's cozy in there! And the Prince is nice!”

“I told you he was the biggest wimp in the world.” Taehyung slapped the boy’s shoulders as all the omegas in the room focused on the Lannister, like he just hid from them his most important secret.

“I am your King Consort! Back in my days this used to mean something! How could you not tell me about it?!” Jungkook looked shocked.

“Ouch- C’mon, it’s not that big a deal he just… We just read together. That's all.”

“In his private library?” Hoseok arched an eyebrow as Jimin nodded in agreement. “That basically means mating for Namjoon.”

“Wha- No! He just found out- I told him I liked reading! And he got me a few books. I’ve been reading there, that’s all.”

“That and the fact his scent calms your wolf. Of course it all means nothing Jiminie. You're so smart.” Taehyung squeezed his cheeks and the boy couldn’t help but blush even more.

He wanted to deny that and say it all actually meant nothing - but deep down he knew he couldn’t lie to himself anymore. He decided to give Namjoon a chance… but for what, exactly?

They would marry in a matter of weeks… and weddings in their situation only means delivering cute pups as Min-Hee to the realm. And to make those pups… well.

“So, it basically mean Jimin and Namjoon will have s-”

“Puppies…” Prince Halsin interrupted them with his eyes focused on the forgotten map. “Is this the dining hall for Jimin’s wedding?”

The room went silent as the boy finally responded, concerned at the question.

“Yes, Prince. We were deciding everyone’s place and got distracted.”

“Hm…” The Martell hummed and tapped on the map. “Just an advice… I don’t want to disturb your preparations… but don't let Queen Jocelyn that close to Sir Taenil.”

“Why?” Jungkook asked in a hurry, before anyone could speak. “It’s the groom's family. When I got married, you and sire sat close to Seokjin’s”

“Yes. That’s true, puppie. But Sir Taenil is not Jimin’s sire, only his uncle. Put the young Taemin close to Jocelyn, not him.”

The boy arched one eyebrow - he wasn’t looking forward to seeing his uncle anytime soon after his long conversations with Prince Halsin and Seojon. His load of lies and lack of attention when talking about his dame all came into Jimin’s light - but he would be a guest in his wedding and he was family, whether he liked it or not.

But still, there was something Halsin wasn’t telling him. Something from a time before Jimin was even a concept.

“Why, Prince? Anything in particular we should be aware of?”

At that, Jungkook’s dame took a long deep breath, like he was ready to dig a weird amount of dirt. “Your uncle didn’t say anything about this? I know he was mad and I’m sure that was the reason why he cut everyone off but…”

“About what? I’m sorry, but my uncle is a… very private person.” And a habitual liar.

The room went silent once again, all waiting eager for an explanation - apparently, Jimin was not the only one confused.

“This is getting way too serious. Ananda, be a sweetie and pour wine for me and close the door, please,” Hoseok said, being followed by a very eager Ananda doing as she was told.

When the room was finally empty, leaving just the five of them, Halsin took another deep breath. Jimin was almost shaking. “Sometimes I forget some people are not as noisy as me…”

“Dame, don’t play games. What's happening?” Jungkook asked, looking concerned.

Prince Halsin looked at the map once again and pondered his words. When he finally spoke, Jimin was about to throw up. 

“I need you all to be aware that this may be only gossip and that’s why I never said anything before. And Jocelyn never confirmed it to me. But the word on the street was that her sire was going to promise her to Taenil Lannister.”

What?

Jimin's state of shock didn’t surprise the King’s dame who just kept talking as if it was afraid of the result. “Taenil and Taelly were very close to the Baratheons when me and Jon were wards there, as I told you. Taelly would marry Jon.”

“But Taenil was a strong, promising alpha as well, and Lord Baratheon would give Jocelyn to him. As a gift. But this never happened and…”

Jimin couldn’t say a word. Prince Halsin kind of told him before that his uncle had shady business going on, explained to him they were all very good friends but Taenil was distant… he never mentioned anything about Namjoon’s dame and his uncle.

How did that story never reach the boy’s ears? How Taenil was almost promised to the now Queen Dame and no one in Casterly Rock even mentioned a word about it?

“And how did Queen Jocelyn give birth to three Targaryens and not a single pup of Lannister?” Hoseok arched his eyebrows, looking extremely confused.

“That’s why everything is only gossip. Lord Baratheon never got the chance to announce this, because our late Queen Lya appeared in the Storm's End saloon, saying she heard a legend of an omega beautiful as the tales and wanted to mate her. I was already in Dorne when everything happened,” Halsin explained to the omegas.

That was the story everyone knew… How Lya was enamoured by an omega and didn’t even wait a day to ask her hand.

“And Lord Baratheon accepted. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.” Taehyung whispered, looking twisted at the older omega.

“I don’t even know if this is true! But apparently, Staenon didn’t want his sister to marry the Queen and… well…”

Jimin knew he was pale - he could feel the blood running from his cheeks and going directly to his heart. He didn’t know if anyone in the room could sense his distress right now, but he could scream at any moment.

“Their wedding was never made official and just stayed as an empty promise. Jocelyn never confirmed anything to me, but she has not been fond of Taenil since then. When Jon died, they never even spoke to each other. Just don’t put them too close, to avoid any further drama.”

Of course.

When they first visited the city, his uncle almost didn’t greet the Queen Consort. He didn’t talk of her, didn’t look at her. Not even when Jimin’s wedding was announced he mentioned the name of Jocelyn Baratheon, talking only to and about her alpha - Queen Lya.

“That explains a lot,” Taehyung replied, holding Jimin’s hand strong, as if he was sensing the boy needed it. And he did.

“Why?” he whispered back, his head spinning.

“Well, when my dame left the city she preferred to live with my bastard sister in Dragonstone than with her own brother in Storm’s End.”

“I don’t know about it. The Queen never speaks of this matter and I only know this because I’m very noisy,” Prince Halsin responded. “But Lord Jimin, don’t think about this too much. It may be nothing and maybe they don’t really like each other for no specific reason.”