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Jimin’s grandmother had taught him kindness.His grandmother had made it a routine to take the six year old Jimin with her to the park every Saturday during the summers he spent with her. These visits had become a vivid memory in Jimin’s childhood. He remembered the wide grassy field that always smelt like it had been freshly cut. Tall trees framed the field and made it feel hidden from civilization. “Go and pick 2 flowers, Jimin,” his grandmother would say. And when he returned with them, his grandmother slipped one behind his ear and the the other behind her’s. Everything was tranquil and so different from his usually busy 6 year old life. The stroll from his grandmother’s house, up the too tall hill, and down the winding paths of the park, and then stepping into the field was like a dream.At least it was tranquil until Jimin’s grandmother would call out, “Come her my sweets!”. And in an instant, the tranquility shattered into a happy chaos of stray animals. They would all pop out from their hiding spots and would happily make their way towards the two. Jimin would always feel a rush of excitement as the animals, who he considered his friends, ran towards him and he would help his grandmother fill up the bowls of leftovers from the local restaurants. His grandmother had gotten a reputation and no one with a heart could turn her down. This lead to her having more than enough food to fed the animals every week.One day, Jimin had asked his grandmother about why they went to feed the animals and how he ever never saw anyone else come and help. “Some people are so busy with themselves, Jimin,” his grandmother said sadly. “They are so focused on what is in front of them that they can’t see the big picture.”Jimin remembered how his younger self didn’t quite understand what his grandmother was saying. And his grandmother would laugh at his confused look. “My Min, kindness will bring happiness into your life.” “I promise to be nice!” Jimin squealed gently picking up a snow white kitten, who tried to squirm away. Jimin pressed soft kisses on the kitten’s soft fur and the kitten relaxed a bit. “See! I promised,” Jimin said smiling at the kitten. The young Jimin almost got knocked down by the a hyperactive puppy at his feet. “Don’t worry puppy,” Jimin said kneeling down so the puppy could shower Jimin and the kitten in kisses, “I have enough love for both of you,” “Jimin, it’s time to go. Your mom is going to pick you up soon,” His grandmother said smiling at the scene. “Okay grandma,” Jimin said putting the kitten on the ground and giving it and the puppy a cute wave. “I love you kitty! I love you puppy! See you later!” Years laterJimin let out a deep sigh and watched as his breath floated into the night sky. Somehow, he had gotten pulled into tutoring a group of girls in his psychology class. Not that he minded that much, it was a good review for him for the Final coming up. But, Jimin had wanted to prepare for the project that he was going to work on the following day and get a good rest. Jimin let out another sigh. He really didn’t want to think about that project. Jimin pulled out his earphones to listen to the song choices for the upcoming dance performance for the kids he tutored when he heard a tiny sound. Jimin cocked his head towards the sound and waited in the tense moment before he heard it again. ...meow Was that a cat? Meow definitely a cat. And from the sounds of it, it was pretty scared. Jimin quickened his pace and turned into an alley to quite the scene. First, there was a greyish-white cat, with several rust red stains, that seemed to be both clinging to the dumpster for it’s life and having it’s claws stuck to it. And beneath the cat was a Husky that was frantically circling beneath the cat like a shark circling its prey. The dog was wagging it’s tail but Jimin remembered that that could be a bad sign as well.“Hey!” Jimin called out. “Don’t do that-” The dog snapped his head up and looked at Jimin up and down. Jimin gulped. Once again, he hadn’t thought things through. Before Jimin could think twice, the dog scurried off through a hole in the fence. Jimin sighed in relief at his luck. “Hey sweet kitty,” Jimin said taking a slow step forward. Jimin watched as the cat struggled. Jimin tsk-ed when he saw why the cat was stuck. It’s claws had gotten knotted into an old sweater that someone must have tied to the dumpster. “I’m going to help you, sweetie. Please don’t try and bite me. I know you’re scared but please- ” Jimin lifted the cat carefully so it wasn’t hanging by its claws and Jimin was surprised by the lack of backlash. Thankfully, the cat continued to stay cautiously still and Jimin chuckled at how wide the cats yellow eyes had gotten as Jimin untangled the claws from the rubbish. But as soon as Jimin got the cat free, it tried to escape. Jimin expected this and kept his hold tight. “Not so fast, sweetie. We gotta clean you up a bit and get you some food.” Jimin scratched the cat behind the ears, “And then we will figure out where you belong,” Jimin tried to keep the cat as happy as possible as he made quick work of the ten minute walk home.“ And here we are!” Jimin said finally getting the door open to his apartment. It had been a struggle to unlock and open the old door without letting the figity cat go but somehow Jimin had managed. After closing the door with his feet, Jimin struggled to get his shoes off. “Please don't hate me for this,” Jimin said walking into his bathroom and shutting the door tight. Jimin carefully put the cat down on the ground and waited to gauge its response. “And please don’t be a tornado of claws.” Jimin carefully stepped around the cat and began running the water. Feeling the water with his hand, jimin felt that it was appropriate temperature and turned to face the cat. “I would really appreciate it if you would just get into the tub,” Jimin said pulling down the sleeves of his shirt and wishing them a farewell. But by the time that Jimin looked up, the cat was already in the tub swimming laps. “Oh… You like the water?” Jimin said in relief. “You are such a strange kitty.”The cat looked up at him and meowed with attitude. Jimin laughed and pulled off his shirt and wiggled out of his pants. In just his underwear, Jimin knelt beside the bathtub and pulled out some baby shampoo from under the sink.“At least this makes my job easier.” The cat paused in it’s swimming and it’s eyes were seemingly stuck on Jimin’s toned chest and stomach. “What?” Jimin said squirting a liberal amount of shampoo into his hand and rubbed his hands together slowly. The cat scoffed and began to swim away from Jimin. Once again, Jimin was shocked at the cat’s un-cat like behaviour. “You know, if you keep swimming away I’m just going to have to jump in the tub with you,” Jimin said teasingly and almost immediately the cat turned around and stayed seated. Jimin laughed as he began to gently massage the shampoo into the cat’s fur. “I’m glad I was able to find and help you out,”The cat looked up questioningly as the dirt and blood began to slip off it’s fur and turn the water grey. Jimin watched, in slight shock, as the grey cat turned into a snow white one. “You have been out their for a while, huh?” The cat meowed and leaned into Jimin’s massage, surprised at how much the cat was already trusting him. “So, I have this project due and I really don’t want to do the meeting tomorrow,” Jimin said breaking the awkward silence. The disapproval in the cat’s eyes were easy to see.“I’m not usually like this, kitty!” Jimin whined and not realized he was justifying himself to a cat. “I’m really good with this sort of stuff. It’s just my partner is… not great.” Jimin said pulling out a towel and the cat jumped from the tub into Jimin’s arms and snuggled into the warmth. “And, it’s not the work ethic or his intelligence that I have a problem with! I don’t care about that stuff.” Jimin said walking to the kitchen and placing the bundle of cat onto the counter. He was beginning to trust that the cat wasn’t going to run off, at least if anything was telling of the relaxed expression on the cat’s face. Jimin opened the fridge and pulled out some leftover beef from the night before. “He is a bit flirty and I already told Gil I wasn’t interested in dating him but he is still flirting. I think Gil thinks I’m playing hard to get. But, No. No thanks.”The cat gave Jimin a pointed look. Jimin huffed and fed the cat a piece meat, which the cat ate greedily. “I know!’ Jimin said running his hands through his hair. “I need to be more blunt but I don’t want to hurt his feelings or create any animosity during the project. But it’s not exactly my fault either! Gil only started this after we got into a group. If I would have known, I would have tried to do the project myself,” Jimin said pouting and fed the cat another piece of meat. “But the worst part is that he is coming here tomorrow to work on the project.”The cat stared at Jimin expectantly. Jimin sighed. “You only love me for my food huh?” Jimin said obliging to the cats whims and grabbing the last slice of meat from the plate and feeding it to the cat. “You better protect me from that guy tomorrow after all this,” Jimin scratched the cat between the ears. “Maybe you can dissuade him better than me.” Jimin said and left the kitchen to move into the living-turned-study room. Jimin looked around and knew he would have to clean up the piles of books in order to make room for Gil. As well as, get as much project work done so Gil could leave faster tomorrow. “I think tonight is going to be a long night,” Jimin huffed and settled himself onto the couch. Reaching for his text, Jimin watched the cat jump from the table onto the floor, and waltz across the living room as if the cat owned the place. “I swear you-” Jimin said shaking his head. The cat jumped up onto the couch and settle itself next to Jimin.“Are you going to keep me company?”Jimin smiled and scratched the cat behind the ears and pulled a thin blanket onto the still damp cat. “Thanks sweet kitty, are you ready to start this study marathon?” The kitty yawned in response.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Falling asleep at four am on the couch wasn’t the best idea,
Jimin’s thought rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Shifting on the couch, he reaches up and felt the tight knots that had developed in his neck. Jimin shifted and hears a soft sound of resistance from the weight in his lap. “Sorry, sweet kitty,” Jimin said.. Lazily stroking the cat, it takes a few moments before his brain registers that what he is petting doesn’t feel like cat fur. And like an electric shock, he pulls his hand away.
“Don’t stop,” Jimin hears a voice mumble from his lab.
Jimin painfully slowly looks down and does
not
see a cat nestled in lap. What he does see is a nearly naked man who is only covered by one of Jimin’s thin blankets.
The man opens one eye when Jimin doesn’t begin petting again. Jimin’s shocked look must tip something off to the man, who looks down at himself. “Shit. Must’ve gotten too comfortable,” the man said sounding exhausted. He pulls at the blankets trying to cover himself up some more but makes not attempt at moving off of Jimin’s lap.
“Who are you?” Jimin said dumbly looking down at the man.
“Uhhhh-” the man avoided eye contact and sounded definativly unsure.
Jimin just waits for what ever answer the man is going to give him. Somehow, Jimin knows that any answer given would just confused him more.
“Fuck it... I’m the sweet kitty.” the man said and rubs his face into Jimin’s thighs.
“What?” Jimin all expression void from his face.
“The cat you found,” the man said flatly. “It’s me. I’m sweet kitty.”
“Don’t lie.” Jimin said. Jimin’s brain finally rebooted and he tried to gently wiggle his way out from under the man’s head.
The man sighed and rubbed his face trying to wake up. He sat up and Jimin was happy that the man had the decency to wrap the blanket securely around his waist. “Fuck it. It’s too hard to explain. This is easier,” The man said.
And Jimin is not sure what the man means until a moment later. And suddenly, Jimin was staring the same man but now he had a pair of twitching white cat ears and a playfully swishing tail touched Jimin’s arm. “You weren’t lying.” Jimin said mesmerized by the new appendages.
The man smirked. “My name’s Yoongi.” Yoongi said stretching out a hand.
Jimin grabs it and automatically greets, “Park Jimin from Busan. It’s nice to meet you,”
Yoongi’s ears twitch with interest and his smirk softens. “It’s really nice to see you as well. And thanks for taking care of me. It was nice but unnecessary,”
“But the dog was-” Jimin begins but is cut off by a hurried knock at the door. “That must be Gil. shit,” Jimin cursed. “Can you ....” Jimin searches his mind for anything that Yoongi can do in this situation but comes up blank. The knocking begins again and Jimin jumps.
“It’s fine,” Yoongi said barely glancing at the door.
“It’s not fine but that fine.” Jimin whispers to himself and tries to calm himself down. Jimin runs to the door, and pulls it open. Only for a tall stranger to basically tumble into Jimin’s apartment.
“Hi I’m Taehyung and I think you have my cat,” Taehyung said pulling himself off the floor and dusting himself off.
“What?” Jimin said.
“My cat.” Taehyung sounded well rehearsed. “It’s white and super grumpy.” Taehyung nodded to himself, clearly proud.
“Oh,” Jimin nodded as it clicked into place. “Who is this?” Jimin asked looking behind at Yoongi, who has draped himself over the couch.
“The dog” Yoongi answers easily.
“Of course it is” Jimin said feeling slightly defeated at how quickly he was accepting crazy as normal.
“You told him?” the tall stranger’s jaw hung open.
“Yeah, it’s Jimin.” Yoongi said as if it answered anything.
“That explains everything!” Taehyung said brightly and throwing his duffle bag towards Yoongi, who started rifling through it and pulling out clothes.
“It explains nothing,” Jimin said.
Taehyung twist himself around and pulled Jimin into a hug, “It’s nice to see you! I hope we can become super close friends”
“I hope so,” Jimin said feeling suffocated. “But aside from your names and your… species… I don’t know anything about you two,”
“You didn’t tell him?” Taehyung asked accusingly at Yoongi, while still keeping Jimin in the tight hug.
“I just woke up,” Yoongi shrugged.
“Like this?” Taehyung said gesturing at the still very naked Yoongi.
“Yeah,”
‘Please just go get dressed,” Taehyung huffed not able to deal with the sleepy Yoongi.
“Turn around then,” Yoongi said causing Jimin and Taehyung to flip around.
“Sorry,” Jimin said feeling the heat on his cheeks. Of course that’s why Yoongi hasn’t stood up. “It’s the first door on your right,” Jimin added trying to be helpful.
“It’s fine… Thanks,” Yoongi grumbled.
“What were you about to say?” Jimin said turning his head slightly, but not all the way. He didn’t want to risk embarassing Yoongi.
“Huh?” Taehyung said.
“About telling me something?” Jimin supplied.
“Oh!” Taehyung said clapping his hands together. It’s just that we are friends of your grandmother!”
“What?”
“Here see!” Taehyung said pulling out a photo from his shirt pocket and handing it to Jimin. It was faded, bent, and old but it was clearly a picture of Jimin’s grandmother and a slightly younger Yoongi and Taehyung. “She actually told us to-” Taehyung began but was interrupted by the sound of his own stomach growing.
“Are you hungry?” Jimin asked.
“Yeah a bit.” Taehyung said sheepishly. “ I stayed up all night trying to find Yoongi,”
“Want some cereal?” Jimin said already making his way to the kitchen. His grandmother always instilled that a full belly meant a full mind after all.
“Yeah that would be awesome,” Taehyung said bouncing to the table.
By the time Yoongi returned, Taehyung has already demolished half a bowl of cereal. “You made us breakfast? Yoongi said dropping into the chair next to Jimin
“It’s just some cereal,” Jimin said happily “Let me grab you the milk,” Jimin was already leaning over to grab the jug next to Taehyung but was startled when Taehyung let a low growl.
“Don't’ growl at Jimin,” Yoongi said swatting at Taehyung, who replied with a whimper. “And give me the damn milk.”
“Sorry, Jimin.” Taehyung said hanging his head.
“I forgive you. But remember, sharing is caring Tae,” Jimin said flicking Taehyung on the forehead. Maybe teaching all those kids had begun bleeding into his personality.
“That’s so true,” Taehyung said wide eyed. It was almost as if Jimin had given Taehyung the secrets of the universe. “If i share it means I like you and that I care enough about you that I don’t mind having less”
“Yeah?” Jimin said shocked that Taehyung would look into phrase so deeply.
“Wow,” Taehyung shoved a too big scoop of cereal into his mouth. “You’re smart, Min.”
“Yeah you should see what he is studying,” Yoongi agreed.
Jimin can’t help but smile at the duos kind words. They were strangers, Jimin knew, but somehow they felt familiar. Jimin felt the thread of a memory come together, but he was interrupted by loud knock.
“I think that’s your project partner.”